The public's disapproval of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's plan to rectify Minnesota's budget deficit -- especially on health-care issues -- carried the dialog at a town hall meeting Saturday with three state legislators who serve Duluth.
More than 25 community leaders and concerned citizens gave short speeches to Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon and Reps. Roger Reinert and Tom Huntley at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.
Community involvement was solicited because of how the economic recession is negatively affecting the state's budget. Minnesota will have a $426 million budget shortfall in 2009, according to a November forecast. To help balance the budget, Pawlenty has recommended $90 million in cuts to health and human service programs.
Speaker Vicki Sanville of the Greater Minnesota Health Care Coalition said attention should be paid to the excessive costs of HMOs, not to cuts in Minnesota Care, a health plan for those who don't have access to affordable insurance.
Speaker Roberta Cich of the Center for Independent Living of Northeast Minnesota said cuts to health and human services would hurt people with disabilities. Pawlenty's changes, she said, would shift the people to institutional care such as group homes or foster care.
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Minnesota's budget shortfall will balloon to $4.8 billion for budget term 2010-11, according to the November forecast. Matt Massman of the Minnesota Senate Office of Counsel, who gave a presentation before the public comments, said a more ominous forecast is due in March.
"Based on the economy, this is more optimistic than the state we are in," Massman said. "The story will be worse."
Pawlenty's plan for corporate tax cuts was another major source of distain for speakers.
"Don't cut corporate taxes unless they are tied to providing living wage jobs," Debra Taylor said.
The next public forum is 9:30 a.m. Feb. 20 in the city council chambers at City Hall. Members of the House and Senate Finance Committee will listen to the public's comments and concerns.
More information
To learn more about Minnesota's budget and provide comments or ideas on various issues, go to http://budgetforum.senate.mn
