Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton Gives State of the State Address

Gov. Mark Dayton gave his State of the State address Wednesday from the House Chambers at the State Capitol in St. Paul.

Dayton didn't make any new announcements on Wednesday night, but rather took the opportunity to promote his budget proposal and tax overhaul, the Pioneer Press reports.

The Governor said his biennial budget proposal will eliminate the state’s $1.1 billion budget deficit and balance government spending and revenue over the next two fiscal years while putting an end to the “fiscal games” and “accounting gimmicks” of the last decade.

Dayton’s proposals include cutting the sales tax rate from 6.875 percent to 5.5 percent, while broadening the tax to many goods and services that are currently exempt.

He also seeks to create a new income tax bracket on the wealthiest 2 percent of Minnesotans, while providing a rebate for the first $500 of property taxes paid going forward from 2013.

Some of the governor’s other proposals include: reducing the corporate tax rate from 9.8 percent to 8.4 percent; raising the cigarette tax 94 cents per pack; extending the sales tax to clothing costing more than $100; increasing local government aid $80 million a year and county program aid $40 million per year; and increasing funding for special education by $125 million.

The governor’s plan has not been well-received by Minnesota GOPers.