DFL gubernatorial candidates share similar views at forum

DFL candidates for governor offered similar views on taxes, job creation, education and other issues during a forum today Thursday Bloomington.

Eleven gubernatorial hopefuls made a case for their campaigns and emphasized their support for organized labor during the AFL-CIO sponsored event.

Former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton said he wants to increase funding for public schools and eliminate the need for local operating levies. Dayton said the money would come from increasing income taxes for the top 10 percent of earners.

"So you can read my lips," Dayton said. "Tax the rich, they can afford it. I know that. And if they don't provide the revenues that that tax increase will entail, we cannot restore the funding cuts to education. We will not be able to restore the funding cuts to anything that's essential to make Minnesota the state we want it to be again."

The participants included mayors R.T. Rybak of Minneapolis and Chris Coleman of St. Paul, who have yet to officially enter the race for governor.

Republicans have criticized the mayors for running for governor while they also seek re-election this fall.

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