Koering Predicts Big Deficit

State Senator Paul Koering is expecting "A couple hundred million dollar deficit" when state finance officials update revenue collections Wednesday. The Fort Ripley Republican tells KLKS News, life has changed, and local units of government and school districts cannot expect the state to raise taxes to fund lost state aid. He says there may have to be layoffs, including teachers.

Senator Koering says there is no urgency forcing Governor Tim Pawlenty to cut spending on his own this time, as he did at the end of the last legislative session. He expects the Governor to wait until the legislature reconvenes in February.