Newly sworn-in Gov. Dayton says Minnesota leaders must 'summon our best to fix state

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Newly sworn-in Gov. Mark Dayton says he

and Republican lawmakers must "summon our best" as they try to

resolve Minnesota's $6.2-billion dollar budget deficit and avoid

partisan gridlock.

The 63-year-old former U.S. senator and department-store heir

was sworn in Monday as Minnesota's 40th governor. In his inaugural

speech, he says the stakes are high as the country seeks to avoid

becoming a superpower on the decline.

Dayton issued a call to volunteer service to all Minnesotans. He

also addressed opponents of his election pledge to raise taxes on

the wealthy by saying they must suggest an alternative that doesn't

put the burden on property taxpayers.

Dayton is Minnesota's first Democratic governor in 20 years.

Republicans on Tuesday will take full control of the state

Legislature.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Tags: mark dayton, minnesota, politics