Dayton Urges Legislature To Press On, Budget Carefully

Gov. Mark Dayton says lawmakers can’t let up in their quest to help more Minnesota residents and protect the state’s budget.

The Democratic governor laid out his vision for the year during his State of the State address on Wednesday.

The annual address had an unusual flair this year: It was hosted at the University of Minnesota amid major renovations at the Capitol.

Lawmakers returned to St. Paul for a 10-week session. Dayton says his top priority is ensuring the state’s budget remains stable as signs of a slowing economy loom.

But Dayton still says he’ll propose new spending on expanding early childhood education, broadband Internet and more.

Those plans may face a tough road in the Republican-controlled House.

Dayton will unveil details in a concrete budget proposal next week.

Meanwhile, Dayton says he wants to double the percentage of minority workers in Minnesota state government’s ranks before he leaves office in 2019.

He announced his goal of ensuring 20 percent of Minnesota public employees are minorities at the address

Dayton says that benchmark has increased from 8 percent to 10 percent since he took office.