ST. PAUL — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton’s budget proposal is getting a harsh assessment from legislative Republicans who will determine its fate, with the governor’s Democratic allies voicing philosophical support.

Reaction Tuesday centered largely on Dayton’s call for new taxes on wealthy Minnesotans to plug a budget hole.

Republican House Speaker Kurt Zellers said he was taken aback by the “epic” size of the tax hike for those with six-figure incomes. He described it as a “feeble and pathetic” approach.

The GOP will set out on a Wednesday flyaround to criticize the plan.

Leaders of the House and Senate Democratic minorities praised Dayton for promoting tax fairness with his emphasis on wealth taxes. But neither Sen. Tom Bakk nor Rep. Paul Thissen committed to voting for the proposal if it comes before them.