Dayton Eyes Surplus for Broadband, Tax Cuts and Education

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton is putting his spending wish list at the feet of the Legislature.

The Democratic governor released his budget proposal for 2016 on Tuesday. It includes $100 million for expanding broadband Internet infrastructure and another $100 million spread among dozens of programs meant to tackle persistent racial economic disparities.

Dayton has scaled back a proposed preschool program that faltered last year. He's also pushing to expand childcare and education tax credits.

Signs of a souring economy have Dayton worried. He left $200 million of a $900 million budget surplus unspent in case the state's economic fortunes take a turn.

His plans set up months of wrangling with the Legislature. Republicans who control the House have said they'll press the governor to offer up more for tax cuts.