In his inaugural State of the State address, Gov. Mark Dayton invoked icons of Minnesota’s glory days and markers of its current economic slide. He implored lawmakers to help him avoid a government shutdown by pursuing bipartisan solutions to a “horrendous fiscal mess” he and the Legislature inherited.
Invoking the state’s proud history of prosperity and quality of life, he welcomed his father, businessman Bruce Dayton, and former Gov. Wendell Anderson as icons of the “Minnesota Miracle,” and noted Minnesota is home to more Fortune 500 companies per capita than any other state.
House Speaker Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) said he appreciated Dayton’s efforts to engage private sector leaders, and his interest in recruiting employers and jobs to build or expand in the state. However, he said the governor spent too much time looking at past successes and not enough outlining the state’s future.
“You don’t make an organization stronger by looking backwards; you look forward,” Zellers said.
Dayton revealed a bit of his plan to resolve the state’s projected $6.2 billion budget shortfall, which he must submit to the Legislature by Feb. 15.
He said he’ll propose increased funding for education, which he said has decreased by 14 percent in the past eight years once inflation is included. The governor said he’ll propose to expand all-day kindergarten. Such a program targeted to the most at-risk children could cost between $120 million and $190 million a year, depending on how it’s calculated, according to nonpartisan House Fiscal Analyst Greg Crowe.
“It’s really exciting,” said Rep. Nora Slawik (DFL-Maplewood). “We know investment in early learning pays off,” she added, noting that all-day kindergarten could prevent later costs in special education, remedial education and could help close the achievement gap.
She called the plan “brave” in the current budget climate because “it’s going to have to be funded one of two ways: new revenue or shifting costs from somewhere else.”
House Education Finance Committee Chairman Pat Garofalo (R-Farmington) said he is not opposed to either a phase-in of all-day kindergarten or to “modest, but strategic, investments in early childhood education.”
Lawmakers know their work will begin in earnest next week after the governor releases his budget and legislators can begin to balance priorities in response.
“The governor clearly stated we have a very difficult challenge in front of us,” Garofalo said.
Dayton described that challenge by listing signs of the state’s economic slide. They include a 9 percent decline in real median income from 1999 to 2008; employment growth in the bottom 10 nationwide in the past decade; college tuition among the highest in the nation at public two- and four-year colleges; and a slide from eighth to 27th in national rankings of road conditions.
“Minnesota wants a better future,” he said.
To help fund that future, Dayton said he will ask wealthy Minnesotans “for their forbearance during this fiscal crisis” by paying higher taxes. In doing so, he quoted his father’s favorite Bible passage: “To whomsoever much has been given, of him shall much be required.”
Zellers said raising taxes during tough economic times would be detrimental.
“We agree with Governors Cuomo and Brown,” he said, referring to Democratic governors of New York and California who have pledged not to raise income taxes. “Let that sink in.”
Dayton invited lawmakers, business leaders and the public to invest in Minnesota, specifically in five ways he said would build future prosperity: more jobs; better education; improved transportation; the health of citizens, communities and the environment; and the transformation of government services.
“Investments require faith and trust,” he said, urging bipartisan cooperation and the collaboration of business leaders and the private sector to work toward those goals.
“Take away the fancy words ‘invest’ and ‘reinvestment’ and it’s tax and spend,” Zellers said. He was disappointed Dayton didn’t put job creation front and center in the speech. Instead of pushing bonding projects as a job creation strategy, Zellers said, what’s needed is competitive tax rates to promote “long-term, sustained economic growth” that stems from the private sector.
“No legacy Minnesota business is looking at expansion here,” he said.
“The governor has led on jobs, taking action to streamline and put Minnesotans back to work,” she said. “It’s time to be honest with the people of Minnesota and do the real work of creating jobs. In fact if there is a lesson to be learned from today it is to listen carefully, to be thoughtful and to keep our promises to Minnesotans.”
A session of compromise
Successes, disappointments and controversies mark 2012 session
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Published 5/25/2012
Minnesota Index: 2012 session
Facts and statistics on the 2012 legislative session
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Published 5/25/2012
Drawing to an uncertain close
Major bills are in limbo as the end of session looms
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Published 4/27/2012
Greene exits House after one term
Redistricting costs early childhood advocate a seat at the Capitol
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Published 4/27/2012
Going home to put out different fires
LeMieur plans to spend more time with sons
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Published 4/27/2012
Education funding champion
Dittrich says serving was ‘just the perfect pinnacle experience’
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Complicated road to the Senate
Koenen wins one Senate seat, but hopes to switch to another
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Published 4/20/2012
Putting family first
Kriesel steps down after a brief but eventful first term
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Published 4/20/2012
Educator, lawmaker, advocate, mom
Slawik prepares to leave on a high note for her key issue: early childhood
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Published 4/20/2012
Wanting to go to Washington
After one term, Bills seeks to serve Minnesota in the nation’s capitol
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Published 4/6/2012
Hilty: ‘It’s time’
Pragmatic legislator best known as renewable energy advocate
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Published 4/6/2012
A family man heads home
Shifting priorities cause for Hosch to step down
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Published 4/6/2012
A distinctive voice departs
A staunch conservative, Buesgens was more principled than partisan
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Published 3/30/2012
Breakfasts with Bobby to continue
Champion hopes to inform constituents over a cup of ‘Joe’
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Published 3/30/2012
First and last term
After two years in St. Paul, Mazorol plans to rejoin the private sector
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Published 3/30/2012
‘Stepping up’ to Senate race
Westrom hopes to continue renewable energy advocacy in different chamber
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Published 3/30/2012
Stepping down and across new lines
Doepke plans to take her education focus to the Senate
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Published 3/23/2012
One less Anderson in the House
‘Anderson, B.’ strives to put people first, rather than government
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Published 3/23/2012
An educated first term
After two years in House, Petersen looks to join the Senate
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Published 3/23/2012
Artist and advocate for natural resources
After eight years in House, Scalze to run for Senate
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Published 3/16/2012
Just call her Mary
New district has Kiffmeyer hoping to break bread with senators
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Published 3/16/2012
The RULE of law
Lawmakers consider reigning in agencies’ rulemaking powers
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Published 3/9/2012
Continuing his public service
Eken running for open Senate seat to avoid race with close friend
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Published 3/9/2012
Renewable energy advocate
Knuth proud of her accomplishments in the House
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Published 3/9/2012
Family calls him back home
Murdock leaves with better understanding of the district he has served
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Published 3/2/2012
Equal representation for 5,303,025
A special feature on Minnesota's legislative redistricting.
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Published 2/24/2012
Collaboration over discipline
Whips rely on communication as session moves forward
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Published 2/24/2012
Editor's Note
No 'First Reading' story this week
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Published 2/17/2012
Changing the rules, mid-game
Land use spat pits developers against cities, environmentalists against business
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Published 2/3/2012
So many rules, so little time
Lawmakers debate the wisdom of curbing agencies’ rulemaking powers
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Published 2/3/2012
Big plans, short session
Vikings, bonding, government reform top the agenda in 2012
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Published 1/27/2012
Always looking to help others
Allen brings her fight for social and economic justice to the House
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Published 1/27/2012
The Dance of Legislation has started
Numerous bonding proposals highlight first bill introductions of 2012 session
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Published 1/27/2012
Minnesota Index: Session 2012
Facts and statistics about legislative sessions past and present.
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Published 1/27/2012
Pension changes now law
Local employee plans to join statewide plan
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Published 8/11/2011
Small budget, big changes
State government finance law includes plans for government reform
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Published 8/11/2011
State of uncertainty
Budget stalemate, government shutdown leave Minnesota in limbo
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Published 7/15/2011
Freshmen power
Zeal for reform influences session agenda
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Published 7/15/2011
Too much reform?
Gov. Dayton says state government bill too aggressive in proposed cuts
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Published 7/15/2011
Minnesota Index: 2011 regular session
Facts and statistics from the 2011 legislative session.
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Published 7/15/2011
Special session? Not so special anymore
Number 50 since statehood could be imminent
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Published 5/20/2011
State of disrepair
Lawmakers look to fix a crumbling Capitol Building
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Published 5/13/2011
Minnesota Index: Older Minnesotans
Facts and statistics on aging in Minnesota
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Published 5/6/2011
Rangers in a strange land
Iron Range lawmakers stick together at the Capitol
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Published 4/15/2011
Black and Light
A photo essay
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Published 4/8/2011
Beyond budget cuts
Finance bill heralds big changes for state government
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Published 4/8/2011
Minnesota Index: State demographics
Facts and statistics on the state's population
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Published 4/8/2011
The long and winding road
Omnibus bills morph and change all along the way for a purpose, tax chair says
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Published 3/25/2011
Betting on change
Budget bill would restructure state government
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Published 3/25/2011
Blueprint for change
What would a redesigned state government look like?
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Published 3/11/2011
The big reboot
To help cut costs, lawmakers look to technology improvements
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Published 3/11/2011
Remembering Ed Burdick
Former chief clerk passes away
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Published 3/11/2011
From staffer to representative
Melin wins special election to become newest Iron Range member
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Published 3/4/2011
Melin wins special election
New member takes seat formerly held by Sertich
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Published 2/18/2011
Minnesota Index: Celebrating black history month
Figures and statistics on black Minnesotans
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Published 2/18/2011
At Issue: Address is a snapshot of hard times
Governor pledges funding for education, all-day kindergarten
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Published 2/11/2011
A farmer with wings (New Member)
Green acres is Daudt’s place to be
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Published 2/11/2011
From daycare mom to legislator (New Member)
Franson commits to practicing kindness, likes to see others follow
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Published 2/11/2011
Rural Republican’s challenge (New Member)
Hancock says government’s role important in supporting small communities
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Published 2/11/2011
Runbeck the reformer (New Member)
New members’ senior has her eye on property tax reform
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Published 2/11/2011
From volunteer advocate to member (New Member)
Anderson now has an office in building she used to roam as activist
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Published 2/4/2011
Cutting through the red tape (New Member)
Benson hopes to reduce bureaucracy, empower people
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Published 2/4/2011
Following Willard Munger’s trail (New Member)
Gauthier strives to give voice to working class
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Published 2/4/2011
Charting her own course (New Member)
Kieffer focuses on better schools and business climate
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Published 2/4/2011
The ‘beet’ goes on (New Member)
Kiel brings agricultural, educational experience to Capitol
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Published 2/4/2011
A soldier on a new mission (New Member)
Kriesel hopes to bring civility to the Capitol
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Published 2/4/2011
Standing up to Goliath (New Member)
Schomacker’s district on the frontline of keeping business
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Published 2/4/2011
Politics with his pancakes (New Member)
Woodard goes from breakfast with his buddies to the House
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Published 2/4/2011
Preserving an engineering feat
Capitol dome repairs hope to preserve Minnesota’s statehouse for many years
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Published 1/28/2011
Leading by example (New Member)
An economic wonk, Bills wants to use his background to create solutions
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Published 1/28/2011
A third call to duty (New Member)
Leidiger says his obligation is ‘to right-size government’
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Published 1/28/2011
Second run’s a charm (New Member)
Focused on government’s role, Lohmer hopes to make ‘significant change’
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Published 1/28/2011
Start early and stay late (New Member)
For Murray, new role offers much to learn and many challenges
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Published 1/28/2011
Taking part in another endeavor (New Member)
Quam’s varied background will help him make the hard decisions
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Published 1/28/2011
A Minnesota marketer (New Member)
Stensrud believes state needs to do a better job of selling itself
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Published 1/28/2011
Professor turned legislator (New Member)
Banaian goes from the classroom to the House
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Published 1/21/2011
Numbers guy (New Member)
Barrett hopes to help bring fiscal management to Capitol
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Published 1/21/2011
‘Make a difference’ (New Member)
Greene considers herself a person who can unite others
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Published 1/21/2011
Priorities based on data (New Member)
Gruenhagen doesn’t favor across-the-board cuts
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Published 1/21/2011
Firsthand information (New Member)
LeMieur brings his business background to the Capitol
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Published 1/21/2011
A brighter future (New Member)
Mazorol plans to focus on budget, business
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Published 1/21/2011
Snapshot of Delano leader (New Member)
McDonald follows in his father’s footsteps
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Published 1/21/2011
Myhra goes from home to House (New Member)
Dedicated door-knocking key to election success
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Published 1/21/2011
A new way to serve (New Member)
O’Driscoll continues a long record of public service
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Published 1/21/2011
A fast learner (New Member)
Petersen says state should practice ‘kitchen table budgeting’
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Published 1/21/2011
The bills have landed
First two House files focus on economy, budget
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Published 1/14/2011
Final Reading
Sertich steps down
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Published 1/14/2011
Putting his theories to the test (New Member)
Crawford brings big ideas, practical experience to St. Paul
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Published 1/14/2011
Steeped in Tea Party values (New Member)
Back for her seventh term, Erickson aims to improve schools
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Published 1/14/2011
Fabian hits the ground running (New Member)
Track coach and high school teacher wants to keep jobs in Minnesota
(view full story)
Published 1/14/2011
Focused and determined (New Member)
McElfatrick hopes to strengthen Iron Range economy
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Published 1/14/2011
Going from homeless to the House (New Member)
Moran used hard work to improve self, wants to help others
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Published 1/14/2011
Welding the economy back together (New Member)
Swedzinski brings rural development experience to the House
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Published 1/14/2011
A reformer in the House (New Member)
Vogel brings focus on agriculture; hopes to streamline state government
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Published 1/14/2011
Looking to give the state a fresh start (New Member)
Wardlow seeks fiscal stability, better jobs climate in Minnesota
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Published 1/14/2011
Ready for the challenge
2011 session underway with changes aplenty
(view full story)
Published 1/7/2011
Let the people’s work begin
Activists, lobbyists, members’ families mark day one of 2011 session
(view full story)
Published 1/7/2011
Minnesota Index: Minnesota House 2011
Figures and statistics about the Minnesota House of Representatives.
(view full story)
Published 1/7/2011