Dayton said the existing "operational problems" worry him, and are the kind of hitches that should have been worked out some time ago.

Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Jim Schowaler said the Legislature and the administration should use a projected surplus to build up the state's reserve accounts.

Bergeron works as a committee administrator on the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee.

Bergstrom said Sunday she will seek the DFL endorsement to run for House District 64B next fall, which covers the Highland Park and Macalester-Groveland neighborhoods of St. Paul. She joins three other candidates in the race, including former House staffer Melanie McMahon, St. Paul mayoral aide Matt Freeman and longtime activist Gloria Zaiger. Paymar recently announced he would not seek re-election to the seat.

Dayton's and Franken's relative unpopularity does not seem to have hurt their party.

The committee did approve proposals that would nearly double the amount dedicated to security resources for the Capitol Area Complex.

A committee responsible for recommending enhanced safety procedures at the Capitol is advocating a big increase in security spending, but remains deeply divided over the issue of firearms inside the Capitol.

Seifert's roll-out was accompanied by perhaps the most comprehensive and ambitious gubernatorial platform yet seen in the race.

Paymar's announcement set off waves of speculation over who might run to replace him.

Paymar, who is completing his ninth term at the Legislature and currently chairs the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee, announced the news in a statement Wednesday morning.