Governor Pawlenty cut $13.1 million cut from Local Government Aid (LGA) to Minneapolis for this year. More LGA budget cuts loom for 2010 and beyond, as the state tries to make up its $5 billion (more or less, but who’s counting?) budget deficit. So Minneapolis must also cut budgets, and the city says it is looking for input and ideas in two community meetings:
Monday, Feb. 9
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Martin Luther King Park Recreation Center
4055 Nicollet Ave. S.
Tuesday, Feb. 10
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Eastside Neighborhood Services
1700 Second St. N.E.
A press release from the mayor’s office warns, “the magnitude of the needed cuts means changes or reductions to some City services are unavoidable. Minneapolis already receives $36 million less in LGA than it did five years ago.”
With the mayor scheduled to send a budget to the city council in mid to late February, it’s not clear how much impact any suggestions made at the community meetings will have, but they do offer a place to voice concerns. The press release also promises that the city’s website will provide a form for resident input on the budget revision process, but that’s not ready yet. The website does provides Top 10 things to know about the Minneapolis budget, a helpful place to begin. And you can always send an e-mail to the mayor or to your city council member.
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