Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed a bill to allow the sale and use of a wide array of consumer fireworks, including aerial rockets and firecrackers.

He said in a veto letter, issued less than 90 minutes before the midnight deadline on Saturday, that it's "government's foremost responsibility to protect the safety and the well-being of its citizens."

The bill, sponsored by Rep. John Kriesel, R-Cottage Grove, and Sen. Mike Jungbauer, R-East Bethel, allowed the sale and use of the full range of consumer fireworks in Minnesota, but only between June 1 and July 7.

He noted that after Minnesota legalized ground-based fireworks such as sparklers and small cones in 2002, injuries have spiked, particularly among young people.

Also Saturday, the Senate sent to Dayton a bill to end seniority-based layoffs for teachers, legislation that is strongly favored by business groups and bitterly opposed by the teachers' union.

Dayton has said he opposes the bill and will likely veto it.

Following approval by the House earlier in the week, the Senate voted 35-28 to pass the bill known as "last-in, first-out."

JIM RAGSDALE