MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The direction of Minnesota state policy on taxes and spending over the next two years depends on which party emerges from Tuesday's election with control of the Legislature.

Republicans have held both the House and Senate the past two years. They have struggled with Democrats including Gov. Mark Dayton on how best to deal with the state's budget difficulties.

Republicans will give up control if they lose four seats in the Senate or six in the House. Key races are clustered in metro suburbs such as Blaine, Eagan and Edina, and scattered across the state from Bemidji to Northfield, Rochester and Willmar.

Dayton has pledged to try again to raise income taxes on top earners, and the state remains behind on school payments.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved)

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