What a good time to be Democrat in Minnesotan right now- DFL controlled Legislature and a DFL Governor. Governor Mark Dayton laid out a kick ass State of the State address tonight.
With full party control, Dayton is free to avoid tiptoeing around Republicans.
He is also running for reelection in two years and is appears to be laying the groundwork.
Of special note in the speech, Gov Dayton spoke in favor of Gay Marriage in Minnesota.
Also he also mocked our neighbors to the east. The back story to this line is Wisconsin officials recently reacted to proposed Minnesota tax increases contained within the Dayton Budget by declaring "Wisconsin being open for business." while trying to entice Minnesota businesses to move to Wisconsin.
Wisconsin, which by the way is open for business, helped bring up the rear at 42nd. And, help spread the word across the St. Croix, their unemployment rate last month was 20% higher than ours, while our per capita income was 12% higher than theirs.
He also criticizes the short term thinking budgetary approach by the Pawlenty
Administration.
I became Governor after a decade of deficits in both our federal and state governments. They squandered their positions of financial stability amidst consistent economic growth, which they enjoyed at the beginning of the 21st century, and which were then projected to continue for at least the next decade.For a good speech chalked with progressive values.....enjoy!