Minn. Mayors: State Aid Cuts Mean Fewer Services - WCCO
March 31, 2010
The Associated Press, WCCO, Feburary 12, 2010
Cuts in state aid have forced many Minnesota cities to cut services -- from library hours to street maintenance -- and some mayors have said further budget reductions could lead to even fewer programs.
The mayors spoke Thursday at a news conference in Moorhead designed to highlight the effects state cuts have had on local governments.
Moorhead Mayor Mark Voxland said his city has lost about $2 million in state aid, and further cuts could mean layoffs.
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman urged lawmakers to create a long-term plan for stabilizing revenue streams on the state level such as personal and corporate income taxes.
He said his city closed 16 of its 41 recreational centers because of inadequate funding.
"We are here to say loudly: Cities need resources," Coleman said.
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