Tag: Mark Dayton

Former Gov. Mark Dayton’s portrait links him to the State Capitol he helped restore

Former Gov. Mark Dayton returned to the Minnesota State Capitol Thursday for the unveiling of his official portrait in which the Capitol itself glows behind him.

The painting by Minnesota artist Paul Oxborough depicts the state’s 40th governor in dark suit, standing outside the Capitol on a sunny, winter day. It will remain on permanent display along with the 39 governors who preceded Dayton.

During a ceremony, Dayton said he was a reluctant to have his portrait painted until he met Oxborough.

View the complete October 17 article by Tim Pugmire on the MPR News website here.

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton makes a humble retreat after two terms

Outgoing Gov. Mark Dayton was recognized by Gov. Tim Walz as he spoke after taking the oath of office January 7. Credit: Anthony Souffle, Star Tribune.

By the time you read this, former Gov. Mark Dayton will be off on his first vacation in eight years.

On his way out the door, he left his successor a jar of peanut M&M’s and a $1.5 billion budget surplus.

Minnesota’s 40th governor was there in the crowd in St. Paul’s Fitzgerald Theater on Monday morning as Tim Walz took the oath to become governor 41. Leaning heavily on a cane after recent surgery, Dayton accepted the crowd’s cheers and applause. But he stayed away from the stage and out of the limelight, because this day wasn’t about him.

View the complete January 7 article by Jennifer Brooks on The Star Tribune website here.

The Dayton difference: Governor’s 8-year tenure has reshaped state

Governor Mark Dayton is “the most consequential governor in recent history,” said DFL politico Wy Spano. Credit: Glen Stubbe, Star Tribune

Gov. Mark Dayton is leaving office in January after eight years with a far-reaching legacy that will endure for decades.

A glassy new Vikings stadium rises on the east edge of downtown Minneapolis, ringed by new office towers and condos. Rochester is on the verge of a dramatic, multibillion-dollar state-backed transformation. Minnesota’s rainy-day fund is at record levels and the unemployment rate is at an 18-year low. Education spending is up more than $2 billion.

Through a mix of good economic fortunes, shrewd political skill and the missteps of his opponents, Dayton’s tenure has reshaped Minnesota in innumerable ways. He locked in higher spending that will be difficult to roll back, with the help of new taxes on high earners. A vast expansion of the Medical Assistance program reduced the number of uninsured. He’s appointed more than half of the state’s judges, a pool that is more racially diverse and female than ever before.

View the complete December 23 article by J. Patrick Collican on The Star Tribune website here.

Gov. Dayton Announces “Free Park Friday” in Minnesota

Entrance fees to all 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas will be waived on Friday, November 23, 2018

Governor Mark Dayton has announced “Free Park Friday” in Minnesota, highlighting that entrance fees to all Minnesota state parks and recreation areas will be waived on Friday, November 23, 2018. Governor Dayton encourages all Minnesotans to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends on the day after Thanksgiving.

“I wish everyone in Minnesota a very happy Thanksgiving, and recommend visiting one of Minnesota’s beautiful state parks — for free — on Friday,” said Governor Mark Dayton. “Like sharing a meal, going for a walk can be a great way to spend quality time with family and friends.”

Continue reading “Gov. Dayton Announces “Free Park Friday” in Minnesota”

Gov. Mark Dayton rips into his predecessor, and would-be successor, Tim Pawlenty

The following article by J. Patrick Coolican was posted on the Star Tribune website April 12, 2018:

“I don’t know what he’s going to run on because his record as governor was so abysmal,” Dayton said in an interview with the Star Tribune.

Gov. Mark Dayton harshly criticized his predecessor Tim Pawlenty on Wednesday, ripping Pawlenty’s political comeback bid at length and charging that Pawlenty’s time in office left Minnesota “in disastrous financial shape.”

“I don’t know what he’s going to run on because his record as governor was so abysmal,” Dayton said in an interview with the Star Tribune. The DFLer is not running again this year after two terms. Continue reading “Gov. Mark Dayton rips into his predecessor, and would-be successor, Tim Pawlenty”

Gov. Mark Dayton aims to limit tax increase on families; critics call it massive tax increase

The following article by J. Patrick Coolican was posted on the Star Tribune website March 26, 2018:

The tax plan Dayton recently outlined would cut taxes for most income tax filers while raising them on many businesses. Republicans, particularly in the state Senate, have offered a blistering response. 

Gov. Mark Dayton took on a nearly impossible mission with his new tax proposal: Prevent a state tax increase for Minnesota families due to provisions in the federal tax overhaul that became law last year without busting the state budget. And keep it fairly simple so it doesn’t become a bonanza for accountants and tax lawyers.

The tax plan Dayton recently outlined would cut taxes for most income tax filers while raising them on many businesses. It seeks to achieve the two-term DFL governor’s long-standing policy goals of a more progressive tax system, one that puts more tax burden on wealthier taxpayers while providing sufficient revenue for a host of spending priorities such as education and health care. Continue reading “Gov. Mark Dayton aims to limit tax increase on families; critics call it massive tax increase”

Dayton’s health care proposal is a no-brainer

As I travel around Minnesota, I hear about many concerns facing communities throughout the state. But there is one issue at the top of list—an issue that weighs heavily on families in every corner of Minnesota—and that issue is health care.

Health care should be a right, not a privilege. Yet many Minnesotans do not have health coverage or struggle to afford their premiums. A recent report from the Minnesota Department of Health showed that limited options and rising costs have forced over 116,000 Minnesotans to drop their health care over the last two years. We must take action to ease the burden of rising health care costs on Minnesota families and make health care more accessible, so no person has to risk going without health care coverage. Continue reading “Dayton’s health care proposal is a no-brainer”

Dayton pushes plan for expansion of MinnesotaCare program

The following article by Don Davis with the Forum News Service was posted on the PioneerPress website March 1, 2018:

Credit: Scott Takush, Pioneer Press

Most greater Minnesota residents have one or two choices for health insurers, which Gov. Mark Dayton said shows a need to expand a state health insurance program to everyone.

The MinnesotaCare insurance program especially could help farmers, who often struggle with finding and affording health care coverage, Dayton said Thursday.

The expansion plan is not new; the DFL governor unsuccessfully pushed it last year, but the Republican-controlled Legislature did not consider it. There is no sign that the GOP has changed position, but Dayton said the Nov. 6 election could influence Republicans to reconsider their votes. Continue reading “Dayton pushes plan for expansion of MinnesotaCare program”