Local Lawmakers Unhappy with Session

State Senator Paul Koering of Fort Ripley described the legislative session just concluded as "Very sad." He said the DFL majority was unwilling to "Work things out" and fix a budget that is $3-billion out of balance, forcing Governor Tim Pawlenty to cut programs.

Koering tells KLKS News, counties and cities over 2,000 will have to freeze wages and lay-off some employees for a while. He says the impact on nursing homes should be minimal. However, hospitals will have to adjust the way they do things. He figures in seven months we will be able to say everything is OK.

State Senator Mary Olson of Bemidji is not as hopeful. She says time will tell if local government, schools, hospitals and nursing homes are saying the same thing.
Senator Olson says they had an opportunity to correct the budget. Now, the state is going to face an on-going budget deficit.