Panel Hears Bill To Cut Minn. State Payroll

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Legislation ordering a 15 percent cut in Minnesota government work force costs is getting an airing in a state House committee.

The bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Keith Downey of Edina would give the state until 2015 to achieve the cost reduction. Among the options: furloughs, layoffs, wage freezes and early retirement incentives.

The bill was to get its first hearing Wednesday morning before the House Government Operations and Elections Committee. The bill doesn't say what a cost cut of that size amounts to in dollar terms.

Minnesota lawmakers are searching for ways to reduce spending as they cope with a projected $6.2 billion budget shortfall.

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