Mayors Take Victory Lap on Minnesota Local Aid Bump

ST. PAUL (AP) - Mayors from around Minnesota are gathering to discuss how an $80 million bump in state aid to cities will affect their cities.

The increased local government aid also means $40 million more for counties and $10 million for townships. The mayors were meeting Wednesday with Revenue Commissioner Myron Frans.

Local government aid was an attractive target for state budget cutters over the years, which local officials have blamed for making sharp property tax increase unavoidable. In approving the higher allowances, legislative Democrats said they hoped it would ease pressure on homeowner tax bills. To make sure, the Legislature also imposed a one-year cap that limits the amount property taxes can rise.

Some Republican lawmakers argued against the state aid infusion by saying it only increases the appetite for government spending.