Gov. Mark Dayton will undergo back surgery Monday morning at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

A news release issued by the governor's office Sunday afternoon said that Dayton's surgery is elective, and similar to a procedure he had three years ago to fuse two vertebrae in his lower back.

Dayton found the earlier procedure beneficial to improving strength and stability in his legs, the release said. The 68-year-old Dayton has frequently walked with a cane for more than a year, but does not require it to get around.

The two- to three-hour surgery was scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Dayton will be under general anesthesia during that time. He is planning to be in regular contact with his staff following the procedure and to resume a regular work schedule the following week.

"I want to assure everyone that this procedure will not diminish either my capacity to fulfill my duties as Governor, or my passion for serving the people of Minnesota," read a statement from Dayton.

In addition to the 2012 back surgery, Dayton underwent another procedure at Mayo Clinic in October 2013 to help repair a torn hip muscle. That one left him laid up for several weeks.

Governor Mark Dayton spoke to reporters about the budget bill, which still doesn't contain funding for a cause that's important to him, pre-k education. During his remarks, he reiterated that he will veto a budget bill without the program being funded. He was in a room in the Veterans Affairs building, where his temporary office is located. ] JEFF WHEELER ï jeff.wheeler@startribune.com As the legislative session winds to a close, the governor's No. 1 priority project, pre-k funding, appeared no closer to being funded after he met with legislative leaders on Sunday, May 17, 2015 in St. Paul.

PATRICK CONDON