ST. PAUL – Governor Mark Dayton delivered his State of the State address to Minnesota Legislators this evening on the campus of the University of Minnesota. Governor Dayton emphasized the strong fiscal health of Minnesota’s budget and reiterated his desire to see the $900 million budget surplus used for strong investments in Minnesota’s roads, bridges, and broadband internet infrastructure to continue economic growth, and investments in students from pre-kindergarten to college. He also made a strong call to Minnesota legislators, government agencies and businesses to work together to end racial disparities.
“I was pleased to hear the Governor addressing Minnesota’s racial disparity problem head on tonight,” said Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul). “The economic recovery still hasn’t reached many of the people in Minnesota’s communities of color, and we need to seize the moment now, while we have a budget surplus to take significant, meaningful legislative action this session to address racial economic disparities, and to create an economy that works better for all Minnesotans.”