Local Government Aid (LGA) is police, fire protection, libraries, safe roads, parks, and more. Cutting LGA, as Gov. Pawlenty has proposed, will result in cuts to core city services and weaken a city's economic health. If you value your city services, contact the governor and your legislators and tell them that cutting LGA is the wrong direction for Minnesota.
The Twin Cities Daily Planet ran a series of articles about LGA and how the budget battles at the legislature could affect the future of Minnesota’s cities. These four stories highlight some of the voices in the debate and the possible consequences of the bills under consideration at the Capitol:
The holidays may be upon us, but due to budget cuts, the season may not be as bright for some Minnesota communities. As reported by WCCO-TV, the City of Mankato’s local budget cuts—which have been largely in response to LGA cuts at the state level—coupled with diminishing support from the local business community have meant a gradual phase-out of the city’s holiday decorations budget.
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Wadena Mayor Wayne Wolden, spokesperson for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, released the following statement in response to Governor Pawlenty’s decision to spare LGA from December unallotment:
We applaud and thank Governor Pawlenty for recognizing that Minnesota cities have hit the financial edge and additional cuts would jeopardize public safety and do further harm to our fledgling economy.
Over the past year we have done everything we can to speak out for cities across the state to show how critical services like police, fire, snowplowing, libraries and property taxes have been affected by continued cuts to local government aid.
Over the past seven years Minnesota cities have lost $754 million in LGA and the consequences have been profound-a 64% increase in property taxes and significant cuts to core services like police, fire, snow plowing and libraries.
As a major winter storm is bearing down on us, the critical role our cities play in the lives of our citizens is no more apparent than today. Across the state, cities are battling the storm by plowing streets, dropping salt and doing everything we can to protect the safety of Minnesota families. All of us know that this comes at a cost.
We look forward to working with the governor and the legislature in the upcoming session to ensure our cities will continue to be protected.
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 »
The City of Red Wing is concerned that it won’t be able to afford the increased emergency personnel needed to respond to a potential nuclear emergency at the Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant. The power plant recently sought permission from the state to increase its energy output and allow the facility to provide more dry storage for its nuclear waste. With this growth comes increased risk for a nuclear emergeny, which will require the city to provide more emergency personnel to respond to a potential disaster. Coupled with other factors, recent losses in LGA have the city concerned that they won’t be able to adequately protect residents from these increased risks because their emergency personnel units are already understaffed. To learn more, view the video below from KTTC Rochester.
LGA is what keeps Minnesota’s communities safe and strong, but if Governor Pawlenty’s proposed cuts to LGA take effect, Winona plans to lose 2 to 3 police officers. Cutting LGA will jeopardize public safety in cities across the state and take Minnesota in the wrong direction. If you value safe communities, contact Governor Pawlenty and your legislators, and tell them to protect LGA.
Last week, Thank LGA held a press conference in Richfield with homeowners who are concerned about their rising property taxes. Twin Cities channels KSMP Fox 9 News and KSTP TV both have stories.
As a result of reduced state aid, property taxpayers across the state have seen their taxes jump 65% over the past six years. During the same time period, local governments have actually spent LESS on city services such as police, fire protection, parks, and libraries. How can this be? Total city and town revenue, which includes property tax payments and state aid, has significantly decreased since 2002, in large part due to years of underfunding property tax relief programs like LGA. Even the large property tax increases haven’t been enough to recover lost LGA, and in the end, this means property taxpayers are paying more and getting less in return.
The state’s budget deficit is daunting, and cities are willing to play a part in the budget-balancing solution. However, deep cuts to LGA—such as those proposed by Governor Pawlenty—will weaken our communities and shift additional tax burden to property taxpayers. If affordable, safe, and strong communities are important to you, contact your legislators and the governor and tell them to support LGA.
Homeowners gathered Wednesday night to voice their frustration with rising property taxes and called on the state to protect property tax relief programs such as LGA from the budget ax. Joining homeowners were Richfield Mayor Debbie Goettel and property tax expert Jeff Van Wychen.
