The Mankato Free Press took the legislature to task for its budget, which they say does great damage to outstate schools and communities.

Unfortunately, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce continues to support the all-cuts budget of Republicans. Outstate members of the chamber should consider that position next time they’re asked to renew their membership or join with the Minnesota Chamber on other projects.

Republican leadership may have its so-called principles, however flawed, and maybe that keeps the big donor money flowing. But now is the time for outstate Republicans to lead, or their constituents will be on the bankrupt end of the spreadsheet.

Read the entire editorial here

The Minneapolis StarTribune asked Minnesotans how they want the legislature and governor to solve the budget deficit.  By a 2-1 margin, poll respondents favored a blended solution that includes tax increases as well as cuts, rather than an all-cuts budget.

While state leaders are locked in a battle over the best way to balance the state’s budget, a strong majority of Minnesotans say they want a solution that mixes tax hikes and spending reductions, according to a new Star Tribune Minnesota Poll.

Sixty-three percent of respondents said they favor a blend of higher taxes and service reductions to tackle the state’s $5 billion projected deficit. Just 27 percent said they want state leaders to balance the budget solely through cuts.

Read the entire story here.

Mayors across the state are speaking up against LGA cuts in the tax conference committee report. If the reductions are signed into law, they would put even more pressure on property taxpayers and could further reduce core services.

ST. PAUL - A Republican tax bill that cuts state payments to cities upset city leaders. The House-Senate tax conference committee agreed late Thursday to trim Local Government Aid as it wrapped up a tax bill, and phasing out aid to Duluth, St. Paul and Minneapolis. Comments rolled in all day Friday.

“Last night, the tax conference committee decided to cut an additional 29 percent of Local Government Aid funding and cripple the state’s largest cities by phasing out their funding,” said Park Rapids Mayor Nancy Carroll, president of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. “The House and Senate majority’s plan to balance the state budget by relying entirely on spending cuts and property tax increases is unacceptable.”

Read the article in the Bemidji Pioneer here.

The Bemidji Pioneer oulines the current budget plan in the House Tax committee.  Metro cities and Duluth are targeted for LGA cuts, while rural cities’ LGA remains mostly intact. 

Read the story here.