Dayton concludes 87-stop tour in Washington County

Democrat Mark Dayton concluded his gubernatorial campaign's 87 counties in 87 days tour this morning with a stop in Washington County.

Dayton told reporters that his visits have taught him that there are concerns over the economy, rising property taxes and health insurance coverage.

Dayton said as governor he would propose a slate of state-backed construction projects to jumpstart the construction industry. He has already called for higher income taxes for the state's top earners.

Dayton suggested Friday that he may back a higher property tax rate on the most expensive homes.

"In 2002, under Gov. Ventura when Gov. Pawlenty was then the House Republican leader, they eliminated the top property tax bracket, which means that the home that was recently put on the market on Lake Minnetonka for $58 million has gotten a tax cut for the last seven or eight years," Dayton said. "So there are ways to look at taxes more progressive but it's going to have to be a multifaceted approach."

Dayton will skip next week's DFL endorsing convention and run in the August primary election. He wouldn't reveal how much of his own money he'll spend on the campaign or when he'll start running TV ads.

"It's kind of like asking Brad Childress for his playbook," he said. "That's a little out of season, but it applies. I have a game plan and this will be a lower budget campaign than my past ones but it will be sufficient to get myself and my message before the voters especially in the few weeks before the election, the primary election."

Dayton spent $12 million of his own money to win the U.S. Senate race in 2000.

Democrats meet in Duluth next Saturday, April 24, to endorse a candidate for governor, but there will be at least four candidates on the August primary ballot competing for the DFL nomination.