Rural elected officials look to House Republicans for more state help

Mayors and other elected officials from outstate Minnesota are pressuring House Republicans to support increased state spending on government aid to cities and towns, hoping to capitalize on the increased importance of rural voters to the GOP’s power at the Capitol.

“I think there is a golden opportunity to help build a bit of progress in terms of this needed, helpful asset to rural Minnesota,” Robert Broeder, mayor of Le Sueur and president of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, said Tuesday in a conference call with journalists and local leaders. Broeder charged that House Republicans last year “insisted on undermining LGA,” the acronym for the state’s local government aid program.

Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, is the House GOP’s lead on property taxes. He said House Republicans would not get behind any local government aid increases this year.

http://www.startribune.com/rural-elected-officials-look-to-house-republicans-for-more-state-help/365084251/