Travel back for a moment to the halcyon days of 2010, when Mark Dayton was just a slightly nerdy guy with a passion for public education who wanted to be governor.
Given to long talks about things like assessment models and finance reform, he was not great at getting himself photographed with adorable moppets. But he was exceptionally good at plopping down with principals and teachers and hearing about their needs. [Read more]
For supporters of Mayo Clinic's ambitious 20-year expansion plan, Wednesday was a long awaited day of celebration.
Two days earlier, the Minnesota Legislature approved a $585 million funding package for Mayo's Destination Medical Center plan — the largest economic development project in state history. [Read more]
As the 2013 Legislative Session closes, the final budget bills have been passed by the House and Senate. Last week the omnibus jobs, economic development and housing bill (House File 729) received its final vote in both houses, investing $89 million in additional general fund resources to strengthen the state’s economy by creating jobs, increasing workforce training opportunities and improving affordable housing options. [Read More]
ST. CLOUD — Lawmakers in St. Paul put an end to a ten year trend of declining Local Government Aid after investing $80 million into the program.
Minnesota Revenue Commissioner Myron Frans joined St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis in highlighting an increase of Local Government Aid to communities around the state. St. Cloud will see an additional $1.7 million next year.
Kleis, who co-chairs Governor Dayton’s Mayors Tax Reform Advisory Group, says the money will be helpful, but doesn’t make up for 10 years of declining funds.
Residents around the state have seen property tax increases due to declining LGA funds.
St. Cloud will see its LGA increase from $10.1 million to $11.8 million next year. Kleis says the extra funds will help soften or eliminate any potential cuts the city would have to make in the next budget. [Read more]
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May 23, 2013 | Official Newsletter
DULUTH – Gov. Mark Dayton along with state and local leaders made a stop in Duluth Wednesday.They say this year’s legislative session delivered what the people of Minnesota asked for.
They believe the budget looks out for the middle class.
They’re most proud of the historic investments made in K-12 and higher education, about $400 million in property tax relief and raising income taxes on the top 2 percent of Minnesota earners. [Read more]
All-day kindergarten should become a reality throughout Minnesota in fall 2014 under an education-funding bill signed by Gov. Mark Dayton on Wednesday. DFLers consider it one of their chief accomplishments of the legislative session.
“This is why we raised taxes progressively,” Dayton said of the bill, which includes additional scholarships for early-childhood education, a boost in K-12 classroom funding and more money for special-education services. [Read More]
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Gov. Mark Dayton and DFL say they're proud of the work the accomplished during the 2013 session, and they say they're ready to defend the tax increases that were a key part of their budget plan.
"Most of the revenues we raised, and raised progressively, are going to things that are going to benefit middle class Minnesotans," Dayton remarked. [Watch now]
Gov. Mark Dayton says the just-concluded legislative session was a landmark.
This morning he touted results including statewide all-day kindergarten and financial support for Rochester to help with the Mayo Clinic's Destination Medical Center plan.
"When people asked me last fall what would happen when we had a DFL legislature and a DFL governor, I said one word: progress," Dayton said. "And that's what we've brought about in the last five months."
Dayton and DFL leaders said legislation passed this year will also give Minnesotans property tax relief, a fairer income tax system with higher taxes on top-tier earners, a two-year tuition freeze for University of Minnesota and MNSCU students and tax incentives to create private sector jobs. [Read more] 
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