1] HEALTH CARE BY JAN. 15, DAYTON WILL ENROLL MINNESOTA IN A MEDICAID PROGRAM THAT WILL PULL IN $1.2 BILLION IN FEDERAL AID FOR A STATE CONTRIBUTION OF $200 MILLION.

2] Budget By Feb. 15, Dayton must offer a two-year budget that deals with a projected $6.2 billion deficit. He'll have to balance his pledges to increase education spending and raise taxes against a Republican-controlled Legislature intent on cuts.

3] Redistricting Dayton will need to wade into the fray over redistricting, the reapportionment of congressional and legislative districts that coincides with the U.S. census.