As they prepare to assume control of the Minnesota Legislature, DFLers are making the case that long-term investments in education and other public priorities will be a boon to the state’s future economic development.

During a post-session interview at his office last Friday morning, Dayton discussed his views of the 2012 session; the GOP legislative majorities; and his own performance at the midway point of what he hopes will be his first term.

In a year that would normally see a bill with a big price tag to pay for public construction projects, House Republicans have introduced a bonding proposal that seems destined to dissatisfy nearly everyone.

When lawmakers reached a truce that ended last year’s government shutdown, one essential sweetener in the final budget deal was a bonding bill to pay for state construction projects.

No one seemed to see Larry Pogemiller’s departure coming. Not even him. Gov. Mark Dayton announced late last week that the Minneapolis senator of nearly 30 years would move to the Office of Higher Education to replace former Director Sheila Wright, who resigned suddenly in September.

State agencies have submitted their preliminary requests for construction projects that they would like to see funded in preparation for a bonding bill during the 2012 legislative session