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<br />..",.. ~ <br /> <br />c { +1 a nduuf7/ (6 /0S/ <br />.,.t Iktc g <br /> <br />BETSY WERGIN <br />State Senator, District 16 <br />125 State Office Building <br />St. Paul, MN 55155-1206 <br />(651) 296-8075 <br />Fax: (651) 296-9441 <br />Home: <br />14021 - 311th Avenue <br />Princeton, MN 55371 <br />(763) 389-3843 <br /> <br />JUt 1 5 2005 <br /> <br /> <br />Senate <br /> <br />State of Minnesota <br /> <br />July 12,2005 <br /> <br /> <br />Pat Klaers <br />City Administrator <br />Elk River City <br />13065 Orono Pkwy <br />Elk River City, MN 55330 <br /> <br />Dear Pat, <br /> <br />After a period of over six months the Legislature has completed the work of crafting the <br />state budget for the next biennium. Although I have some real concerns about how the <br />process went, the end result is pretty good. <br /> <br />To the best of my knowledge the Minnesota Legislature has never been as evenly divided <br />between Republicans and Democrats as it is this year. There are 101 DFL members and <br />100 Republicans when the numbers of both bodies are added together. The House has a <br />Republican Majority and the Senate has a DFL Majority. Ultimately, both bodies have to <br />pass identical bills and the Governor has to sign the final bill. The final votes on these <br />major bills were nearly unanimous. I do not know of anyone who is completely happy <br />with the final agreement which leads me to believe everyone had to give. That is how it <br />should be in true negotiations and compromise agreements. <br /> <br />In 2003 when the Legislature faced a $4.5 Billion deficit Local Government Aid was cut. <br />I am pleased to let you know this year $48 Million was added to LGA. There is a partial <br />spread sheet enclosed which shows the distribution to your city. <br /> <br />If you have any questions regarding LGA or any other issue please do not hesitate to <br />contact me at any time. <br /> <br />Thank you for your service to our local area. <br /> <br />;~~ <br /> <br /> <br />State Senator <br /> <br />COMMITTEES: Agriculture, General Legislation, & Veteran Affairs; State & Local Government Operations: <br />and E-12 Education Budget. Early Childhood Policy & Budget <br />