Big Slots Await Dayton Decision In Minnesota

ST. PAUL (AP) -- Gov.-elect Mark Dayton's administration is under construction.

Key commissioner slots to be filled include the departments that oversee the budget, tax collections, unemployment benefits and education. Dayton is also searching for people to lead agencies for prisons, public safety, veteran affairs and natural resources.

Dayton is building the first Democratic cabinet from the ground up since 1983. There hasn't been a Democrat serving as governor since Rudy Perpich left office after consecutive terms in 1991.

A recount in Dayton's close race with Republican Tom Emmer kept him from making any hires until mid-December. Dayton has selected people to fill roles within the governor's office and named the heads of three departments. They cover labor and industry, transportation and agriculture.

Dayton takes office a week from Monday.

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