Ward Says Budget Balancing Problems Could Worsen

State Representative John Ward says if the Minnesota Supreme Court Rules that Governor Pawlenty's unalottment last spring was unconstitutional, it will have a devastating effect on the state.

The Brainerd DFL-er says cutting $2.7 billion on top of the $900 million they are currently trying to solve would be extremely difficult.

Ward tells KLKS News, lawmakers need a balanced approach to the problem, including tax increases, which the Governor says he will not approve.

The Brainerd City Council cut six full time fire department positions from the budget, Tuesday night, in anticipation of $680 thousand dollars in expected cuts from the state.