St. Paul Mayor: Aid Cuts Means Higher Property Taxes
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman said cuts in state aid will lead to higher property taxes in his city. On Monday, he said he's calling for a 6 1/2 percent hike in his new budget.
"Repeatedly cities across the state of Minnesota have warned the legislature that continued erosion of local aid doesn't prevent tax increases. It only increases the burden to property owners, placing particular harm on homeowners on fixed incomes and small business owners," Coleman said.
The mayor also proposed cutting firefighter overtime and eliminating two civil service jobs in the police department.
He said the problem would have been even worse under the first budget the legislature passed, which Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed.