Dayton’s 87 county tour underway

Gov. Mark Dayton is ramping up his summer tour of Minnesota counties this week with visits scheduled in seven counties.

Dayton is trying to hit all 87 counties in 86 days. He’s heading to Marshall, Kittson and Roseau counties Tuesday; Lake of the Woods and Koochiching counties on Wednesday; and St. Louis and Itasca counties on Friday.

The governor checked off two last week when he attended a groundbreaking in Dakota County and toured the Minnesota Security Hospital in Nicollet County. He also got some help from Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, who took care of Redwood County when she visited Farmfest. Smith is expected to cover several additional counties in the coming weeks.

In a news release highlighting the tour, Dayton described it as a fact-finding mission to “listen to Minnesotans’ ideas and concerns, discuss their priorities for a better Minnesota, and celebrate the achievements and aspirations of Minnesota families, businesses, schools, and communities.”

“One of the best parts of my job as Governor is meeting with Minnesotans where they live and work, discussing their hopes and dreams, and listening to their ideas and concerns," Dayton said.

Back in April, Dayton said his election-year tour would focus primarily on water quality concerns. He also said at the time that he would hold legislators accountable for inaction on his water agenda. The lack of a bonding bill last session was a setback for his proposed water infrastructure improvements.

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