Dec 10, 2008 5:55 pm US/Central
Mayors Wonder What Else To Cut With State Deficit
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
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Right now, for the budget year that runs through June 2009 the state is short $426 million. That has lawmakers and Gov. Tim Pawlenty looking for places to cut, and local government aid is at the top of the list. (File)
CBS
Some of the smaller cities and towns across Minnesota could be in a world of hurt as leaders look for a way to cut money out of their budget.
Right now, for the budget year that runs through June 2009 the state is short $426 million. That has lawmakers and Gov. Tim Pawlenty looking for places to cut, and local government aid is at the top of the list.
Cities and counties say they've been forced to cut a lot already in the last few years including library hours, park closings and layoffs. But cutting now, after the money has already been spent and the year is over, is even tougher.
Minnesota not only promised local governments money for everyday services like police and fire, it promised to increase aid.
The faces of Minnesota small towns and big cities were at the State Capitol on Wednesday, outlining the dark consequences of cutting their payments 20 days before the end of the year.
"They will have no choice but to cut core services, and this is not hyperbole. It is reality," said Apple Valley Mayor Mary Hammon-Roland
Hartland, Minn. Mayor Kelly Routh took a day off his truck driving job to sit in the front row. The tiny town of 270 is in such difficult circumstances that the seniors in town took up a collection, presenting the mayor with a check for $100. Even with that money the cuts could mean a local tax hike of 55 percent.
"It's not just us. I mean there are many, many small communities that are in the same position. That is how we survive," Routh said.
City leaders say the cuts will force them to make sudden, drastic changes in what citizens expect. One mayor made a bit of gallows humor to make the point, wearing a flashlight on his hat.
"This is the fashion we're going to have in International Falls because we're not going to be able to light the streets. And I don't want people to get hit by the cars. But the good news is we're not going to be able to plow them anyway, so no one is going to be driving," said International Falls Mayor Rodney Otterness.
The governor and the legislature have to cut $426 million right now to balance the current budget, and another $5 billion when they get back in session next month.
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