By Mike Kaszuba

Saying he was unconcerned with political criticism, former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton tried to energize his DFL gubernatorial campaign Tuesday by calling for a tax increase on Minnesota's most affluent citizens to help stem cuts to education.

"I'm unapologetic," said Dayton, who came under immediate criticism from a state Republican Party official.

Dayton said he would increase state income taxes by two to three percent on Minnesotans earning more than $1 million a year, acknowledging such a move would give Minnesota some of the highest income tax rates in the country. "I think it's good politics", he said, adding that his proposal showed voters that he contrasted sharply with outgoing Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty whom he said was "prejudiced against the public schools".

"If you're going to distinguish yourself. . .you're going to stand up for Minnesota school children," Dayton added, ". . .instead of [taking] the side of Minnesota's millionaires. Who's side are you on?"

Dayton said the proposal, which he would make permanent as governor, would raise $500 million a year and equalize a system in which the state's richest taxpayers paid less than ordinary Minnesotans. Though he conceded that even DFLers had not rallied to such a plan, Dayton urged the DFL-controlled Legislature on Tuesday to enact the plan now and not wait until Minnesota elects a new governor later this year.

State Republican Party deputy chair Michael Brodkorb reacted strongly to Dayton and his proposal. "He is one of the most out of touch politicians I've ever seen in my entire life," said Brodkorb, speaking to reporters after Dayton's press conference.

Brodkorb said such a move would hurt small businesses in Minnesota -- one of the state's primary engines for creating jobs. Dayton countered, saying that small business owners earning more than $1 million could afford to do so.

Dayton said there were too many instances of schools in Minnesota with large class sizes, or others that had gone to four-day school weeks in order to address budget cuts. He said that, under Pawlenty, state education aid had been cut by an average of $1,400 per student -- but, with a smile, acknowledged that the figure had come from a policy research group created by former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza, who like Dayton is running in the DFL primary for governor.

"We can balance the budget very readily in the next biennium if we provide school three days a week," he said. "We could operate public schools two days a week statewide and we'd have a surplus.

"[But] what are your values, and what are your priorities?" he said.