In the past week, editorial boards from greater Minnesota newspapers have been weighing in on state actions that have significantly reduced their communities’ state funding dollars. Programs like LGA and Market Value Credit (MVC) help alleviate property tax disparities that exist between rural Minnesota and wealthier communities, which in turn strengthens the economic viability of the state as a whole. These programs also help communities provide essential services like police, fire protection, libraries, parks, and safe roads while keeping property taxes affordable. With the state having cut LGA by over $1 billion since 2002, communities that receive LGA are sacrificing quality-of-life services and asking property taxpayers to pay more for less, causing editorial writers to question the direction in which lawmakers are taking greater Minnesota.

The Mankato Free Press is concerned that LGA cuts will negatively impact the business climate in rural Minnesota, which is dependent on affordable property tax rates in order to attract and retain small businesses. Continue reading »

Alexandria Mayor H. Dan Ness and Moorhead Mayor Mark Voxland collaborated on an op-ed piece featured in today’s Alexandria Echo Press. The city leaders point to the upcoming governor’s race as pivotal in defining the future of LGA:

As the election season looms, we are calling on all Minnesotans—Democrats, Republicans and Independents—to meet the candidates, ask them what their plans are for LGA, and how they intend to keep property taxes low and fund police, fire, streets and core services.

The next four years will be a critical time for rural communities across the state. It very well might be the season that determines our fate. We hope that Minnesotans ask questions and demand answers from the candidates as this important decision nears.

Read the full op-ed here.

Last week, the Park Rapids Enterprise editorial board chimed in on the fight to protect LGA funding. Specifically, the editorial echos Thank LGA’s call for concerned citizens to ask candidates for governor where they stand on this important issue: will candidates protect the LGA program, which funds property tax relief and critical services, or will they continue to pass the burden down to the local level? Read the full editorial here.

St.Paul, MN—Saying that the next governor will determine the fate of cities across the state, mayors announced at a State Capitol press conference that they are turning their attention to the 2010 governor’s race and will be traveling the state to call on candidates to address local government aid (LGA).

“Minnesotans have had it. We are standing here today because our citizens are demanding answers. Our citizens are bearing the brunt of year after year of property tax increases and cuts to local police, fire, libraries, community pools, street maintenance and snow plowing,” said Wadena Mayor Wayne Wolden, who is also a spokesperson with the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities-an organization of nearly 80 outstate cities that is organizing the effort.

“If you are running for governor, Minnesotans want to know where you stand: will you uphold the state’s commitment to strong, affordable cities, or will you continue to allow property taxes to skyrocket across the state?” Wolden asked. Continue reading »

Amid fairgoers with deep-fried candy bars and buckets of Sweet Martha Cookies, DFL candidates for governor convened at the Minnesota State Fair Tuesday night to debate a slate of issues for the 2010 election. You can watch the full debate at www.TheUptake.org.

 As news pours in daily about how the cuts to Local Government Aid are hurting rural Minnesota communities, Thank LGA wasn’t surprised to hear that the issue came up at last night’s debate.

Nearly all the candidates voiced their support of the program and stated the need to recover lost funding. Many recognized LGA as a priority in their campaigns and emphasized that the economic viability of communities across the state depends on keeping property taxes low and ensuring residents have equal access to critical services no matter what corner of the state they live in.

Thank LGA was surprised, however, to learn that LGA was not a top priority for former Representative Matt Entenza’s campaign, according to Entenza’s comments at the debate. Both as a legislative leader and as Board Chair of Minnesota 2020, Entenza has been a strong advocate for LGA. However, at Tuesday’s debate, Entenza disappointed greater Minnesota property taxpayers and residents by dodging a commitment to the LGA program.

Property taxpayers in greater Minnesota have seen the damage done by lost LGA funding and need a candidate who will stand up for the LGA program. Strong, affordable communities are what support economic development and attract families to cities across the state, and Minnesota needs a governor who understands that connection. In the coming months, mayors, city officials, and citizens will travel the state and encourage communities and local media to ask candidates where they stand on LGA and how they plan to address rising property taxes. Greater Minnesota needs to know who will fight for their communities when it’s time to make the tough choices.