Dayton Signs Minn. Budget Bills, Other Legislation

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton has signed a pile of state budget bills and other legislation into law, including $2.1 billion in tax increases.

The tax bill Dayton signed Thursday includes a 2 percent income tax increase on the wealthiest 2 percent of Minnesota. It also includes a $1.60 increase in the state's current cigarette tax of $1.23 a pack, and some expansion of sales taxes paid by Minnesota businesses.

Dayton also signed an $11.3 billion spending plan for health and assistance programs, which is one of the largest chunks of the state budget. He also put his pen to budgets covering jobs and economic development, public safety, state retirement plans and transportation.

The governor signed some policies bills too including changes to state election law, data practices, and policies covering agriculture and the environment.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)