Dayton begins 2nd term

Gov. Mark Dayton starts his second term Monday.

Dayton and other statewide elected officials will be sworn in at a ceremony that starts at noon at the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul. Attorney General Lori Swanson and Auditor Rebecca Otto will be sworn into their third terms. Lt. Gov.-elect Tina Smith and Secretary of State Steve Simon will be sworn in for the first time. All are Democrats.

Dayton said his two top priorities heading into his second term are finding more money for transportation and improving the state's education system.

"We really need to raise the caliber of our academic offerings so that we are training the best educated, best prepared and most skillful people that we can to be successful in this very competitive world economy," he said.

Dayton will have to work to convince a divided state Legislature to act on his priorities. Republicans took control of the House after the November elections. Democrats continue to control the Senate.