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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Lawmakers are Back Home, Explaining the Budget’s Impacts to Constituents

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Friday, July 29, 2011   

ST. PAUL, Minn. - With the government shutdown now a week in the rear-view mirror, lawmakers across Minnesota are back in their hometowns, explaining the coming effects of the new state budget. State Sen. Kathy Sheran (DFL-Dist. 23) of Mankato says it will mean reduced transportation options, especially in Greater Minnesota.

"Unless the communities backfill the losses with new revenue at the city level – of course as you know, that's their only revenue stream, is property taxes – so there could be an increase in property taxes."

One estimate says as a result of state funding cuts, cities and counties will have to make up $1.2 billion over the next three years through service reductions and higher property taxes. Republicans warn that municipalities, just like the state, need to get spending under control; they point to this budget as taking some initial steps toward that goal.

Sen. David Tomassoni (DFL-Dist. 5) of Chisholm sees higher education as an area in which people will see the budget impacts firsthand, as colleges and universities raise tuition to make ends meet. That means more students graduating with major student loan debt, which Tomassoni likens to a mortgage.

"Another big payment that people have to make and they don't own a house is what it amounts to; and they're going to be paying off their college tuition when their kids start going."

In Minneapolis, Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL-Dist. 58) hopes in future budget negotiations, lawmakers and residents look at the state budget not only as numbers on a spreadsheet, but as a moral document.

"It's a reflection of your values and when you cut schools and you cut health care for poor, disadvantaged, old and disabled people, that says a lot about the people who you are – and I don't like what I see."

Many Republicans say there are numerous charities, churches and civic groups available to help the needy, responsibilities that they believe should not entirely rest on the shoulders of government.



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