Governor Pawlenty Prepares to Cut

Governor Pawlenty is expected to Cut over $2 billion from the budget to bring it in to balance. He vetoed the budget approved by the legislature, and now must unalott. Since the end of the session, the Governor has announced he will not run for reelection.

Republican State Senator Paul Koering, who's testing the waters for a run to replace him, expects deep cuts in aid to local government. He says some police may have to be laid-off.

Koering says Brainerd currently receives $4-million in state aid, Little Falls gets $2 million. He expects the governor will not cut aid to K-12 education, but will delay when those payments are made. The Fort Ripley Republican fears state cuts to higher education would force up the cost of tuition.