It’s all about your money at the state Capitol again this week.
The impact of Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s budget proposal and the new federal economic stimulus money will be the focus of many hearings for many days to come.
A parade of police and fire officials from across the state testified Monday before a Senate committee about the impact of local government aid cuts.
Whether its suburbs like Richfield or out state communities like Winona, they all say the local aid cuts proposed in Pawlenty’s budget would force them to cut police and firefighters.
Richfield’s public safety officials said they could lose a few million dollars in aid between now and 2010.
"I know there are some who have said that they believe if city managers sharpen their pencils they can make up these cuts, especially in police and fire. That’s simply not he case," said Richfield Police Chief Barry Fritz.
Lawmakers were briefed last week on billions of dollars in federal economic stimulus money that might help some budget problems, but it’s still not clear how the state will be allowed to use that money.
The hearings won't just be at the Capitol in St. Paul--but may soon be coming to a town hall near you.
Lawmakers will be traveling the state to get input over the next two weeks--beginning in Mankato, Rochester, St. Cloud, Willmar, and 10 other cities.
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