Governor Mark Dayton says the transition to the new administration of Governor-elect Tim Walz is proceeding “very smoothly,” despite Dayton’s recent extended hospitalization. He says his commissioners have been in frequent communication with the Walz transition team on a range of subjects. “We prepared a[n] extensive briefing book on the major issue before each department and the administration in general,” he says.
Dayton says he’s talked with Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka and incoming Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and is “optimistic that they will all start with a shared desire to have a constructive session” in 2019.
Dayton says about Walz, “How fortunate he is to have a D-F-L House of Representatives. What a huge difference that will make in his ability to work cooperatively with the legislature and also to get a good part of his agenda accomplished.” Republicans will still control the Minnesota Senate, but with a razor-thin margin of one vote.
Excerpt from Dayton’s recent press call: