Brainerd Area Cities Await State Cuts

Minnesota cities are anxiously awaiting their December payments from the state. Cuts in local government aid of $25 to $100-million are expected as the state grapples with a revenue shortfall of at least $426-million during the current biennium. The Governor has the authority to trim those payments to balance the budget. For Brainerd the cuts could mean a loss of up to $496-thousand dollars according to estimates prepared by the League of Minnesota Cities. Crosby could see a loss of up to $143-thousand; Aitkin, $87-thousand; Pine River, $34-Thousand; Pequot Lakes, $76-thousand and Breezy Point $37-thousand. These would be at the high end of the potential cuts. The Governor has said he will act before the end of the year.