Dayton Privately Re-Signing A Handful Of Bills

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Gov. Mark Dayton is holding a series of private events where he ceremonially "signs" bills from the recently finished legislative session.

Dayton held several ceremonies Tuesday and plans a handful more Wednesday. The Democratic governor already legally signed every bill, but the ceremonies are a chance to gather with lawmakers and supporters to celebrate their passage.

The events are closed to the public and press.

Among the bills getting the governor's signature a second time are the $1.60-per-pack cigarette tax increase, the so-called "ban the box" legislation that prohibits most private employers from asking job applicants about criminal history, budget bills for public schools and colleges, and the legislation that lifted the statute of limitations for childhood abuse victims who want to file a civil lawsuit against their alleged abuser.

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