![Dayton: Don’t Be Surprised If I Try to Tax Wealthy](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/10/Governor-Dayton-2-300x225.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Dayton: Don’t Be Surprised If I Try to Tax Wealthy
ST. PAUL (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton says it's "very likely" he will push again for higher state income taxes on the state's wealthiest residents next year.
Dayton was responding Wednesday to news of the state's projected $1.1 billion budget deficit. That's smaller than in recent years, but Democrats say erasing it will require spending reductions and new state revenue.
New DFL legislative leaders are reluctant to talk tax hikes, but say they also want to give relief to state property taxpayers and spend more state money on public education.
Dayton isn't releasing a full budget proposal until mid-January and wouldn't get into specifics. But he says he still believes as he did when he ran for governor in 2010 that Minnesota's wealthiest 2 percent of residents can afford to pay more in taxes.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Dayton Heads to Mora, Carlton to Survey Storm Damage](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2018/07/Flooding1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Knoblach Disappointed in Dayton’s Tax and Budget Vetoes](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2018/04/Jim-Knoblach.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Governor Dayton Stops in St. Cloud To Push Emergency School Aid](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2018/05/Mark-Dayton.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Cloud Prison Included in Dayton’s Bonding Proposal](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/06/St_Cloud_Prison.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Dayton to Create Task Force on Elder Abuse in Care Homes](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/11/Governor-Mark-Dayton.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![High Court Will Soon Rule in Dayton’s Fight With Legislature](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/08/Capitol-Building-Minnesota-WJON-Stock.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Two Stearns County Attorneys Appointed to the Bench](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/08/Quinn-Wang.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Rockville Mayor Appointed To State Agency](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/05/state_capitol_630x420_getty1-300x200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Paid Parental Leave May Survive Bill Veto in Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2016/05/GettyImages-145812513-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)