Taxpayers foot bill for game warden convention

A North American game wardens conference in St. Paul last year cost taxpayers nearly $400,000, even though it turned a profit for the convention organizers, reported David Shaffer of the Star Tribune. "Some of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' 204 conservation officers also solicited private donations for the conference &#8212 a practice one official says was improper &#8212 and all were required to attend. Officers were paid, and those from outside the metro area stayed in downtown hotels at state expense." The story has already prompted three state investigations.