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Mayors Ask Dayton To Protect Local Government Aid

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Mayors from around Minnesota are telling Gov. Mark Dayton that cuts to local government aid would hurt the ability of their communities to provide public safety, perform needed maintenance and deliver services like libraries and community centers.

Dayton met Wednesday with two dozen mayors and other city leaders at an event arranged by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. The mayors say over the last decade they've had to reduce employees and that priorities like road repairs and infrastructure improvements have suffered.

Dayton has proposed $1.5 billion in state funds so local governments can avoid aid cuts, and says any Republican-backed cuts will result in local property tax increases. Republicans say they'll release a budget proposal later this month and have rejected Dayton's proposal to raise income taxes on top earners instead.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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