Here are some of the highlights from Wednesday's State of the State speech from Governor Mark Dayton:

Dayton Urges Legislature to Press on, Budget Carefully

ST. PAUL (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton says lawmakers can't let up in their quest to help more Minnesota residents and protect the state's budget.

The Democratic governor laid out his vision for the year during his State of the State address on Wednesday. The annual address had an unusual flair this year: It was hosted at the University of Minnesota amid major renovations at the Capitol.

Lawmakers returned to St. Paul for a 10-week session. Dayton says his top priority is ensuring the state's budget remains stable as signs of a slowing economy loom.

But Dayton still says he'll propose new spending on expanding early childhood education, broadband Internet and more. Those plans may face a tough road in the Republican-controlled House.

Dayton will unveil details in a concrete budget proposal next week.

Dayton Aims to Double Share of State's Minority Workers

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton says he wants to double the percentage of minority workers in Minnesota state government's ranks before he leaves office in 2019.

The Democratic governor announced his goal of ensuring 20 percent of Minnesota public employees are minorities during his State of the State Address on Wednesday night. Dayton says that benchmark has increased from 8 percent to 10 percent since he took office.

Dayton says it's his way of making government an example for Minnesota to follow.

It's a small part of the governor's focus on narrowing economic disparities. Those issues have come to a head in Minnesota after a report showing the gaps have worsened in recent years for black Minnesota residents and the death of a black man shot and killed by police last year.

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Dayton Tips Hat to Woman Injured in Restaurant Incident

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A Somali woman who was attacked near Minneapolis for not speaking English at a restaurant is getting a shout-out from Gov. Mark Dayton.

The Democratic governor invited Asma Jama to Wednesday's annual State of the State speech. Jama says she was attacked by a fellow patron at a Coon Rapids Applebee's restaurant on Oct. 30 because she was speaking Swahili.

Jama got a standing ovation as Dayton recognized her during his address at McNamara Alumni Center at the University of Minnesota. Jama is an ethnic Somali but immigrated from Kenya.

Jodie Burchard-Risch was charged with third-degree assault in connection with the Applebee's incident. The criminal complaint says the woman began yelling at Jama, threw a drink on her and smashed a beer mug across her face, causing significant injuries.