This website was created as a place to get information on Minnesota’s Local Government Aid (LGA) program, to learn about how cities and residents may be affected by proposed cuts to the programs, and to speak out about what LGA means to you and the services you depend on.
To close the state’s projected $4.8 billion deficit, Governor Tim Pawlenty has proposed cutting LGA by 15% in 2009 and 31% in 2010. These cuts would have a profound and devastating effect on city services and property taxes. LGA helps cities with high need or low property wealth fund essential services, such as police, fire protection, libraries, parks, and road maintenance—all at an affordable price to local property taxpayers. Without LGA, cities would have to dramatically reduce services or increase property taxes. In touch economic times like these, property taxpayers are already stretched to their limits, and cities can’t attract new business or workers without livable, vibrant communities. Now more than ever, the state can’t afford to disinvest in its cities.
Check back regularly for the latest news on LGA—or better yet, sign up for our RSS feeds (a link to our feeds is located at the bottom of your web browser window). Also, be sure to contact your legislators and tell them that LGA is important to you!