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Published April 01, 2011, 09:40 AM

Dayton proposes help for killed MnDOT worker's family

Gov. Mark Dayton is asking lawmakers to authorize a better pension for the family of a state transportation worker who died after his backhoe was swept into the flooding Minnesota River last week.

By: Associated Press,

  • Rescue workers at the scene
    • image
    Rescue workers in an inflatable raft probe around the MnDOT backhoe that fell into swollen Seven Mile Creek along Highway 169 between Mankato and St. Peter, Minn. on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Authorities are searching for the operator of a backhoe that fell into the Minnesota River while clearing ice jams between St. Peter and Mankato. The Minnesota Department of Transportation reports that a backhoe was "washed into the river." MnDOT spokeswoman Chris Krueger says the backhoe operator was clearing ice jams. (AP Photo/The Mankato Free Press, John Cross)

ST. PAUL — Gov. Mark Dayton is asking lawmakers to authorize a better pension for the family of a state transportation worker who died after his backhoe was swept into the flooding Minnesota River last week.

Dayton proposed legislation today to benefit the family of Mike Struck, a 39-year-old Minnesota Department of Transportation worker. The Democratic governor would like to increase the family's $191-a-month survivor's pension to almost $2,000 a month.

It's rare for governors to propose legislation that benefits one family, but Dayton said that amount would be close to what a family of a state patrol officer killed in the line of duty would get.

Struck is survived by his wife and two young children.

The governor said a bill will be introduced with bipartisan backing.

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