Appearance of Gov. Walz before U.S. House committee to cost taxpayers $430,000

Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) testifies before U.S. House Oversight Committee (AP)

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO) – Minnesota taxpayers will cover $430,000 in legal fees tied to Governor Tim Walz’s appearance before Congress last month.

The state hired A law firm to prepare Walz for a June 12 U.S. House Oversight Committee hearing on immigration. The same day, Minnesota’s budget office requested legislative approval to transfer funds from a general account to cover the cost.

Republican Representative Jim Nash of Waconia criticized the move, questioning why the governor’s office relied on outside counsel when it already has its own legal staff.