| County Program Aid (CPA) and its companion Local Government Aid (LGA) provide a significant portion of the necessary funding for police and fire protection, as well as libraries, parks and recreation programs and other services in Ramsey County, its cities, and other counties and cities across Minnesota. CPA and LGA are vital lifelines in Ramsey County's public safety support network; Ramsey County citizens rely every day on the services and protection CPA and LGA help to fund.
Governor Pawlenty's proposed unallotments and budget cuts severely threaten CPA and LGA, and with them the public safety of Ramsey County citizens. This is unacceptable.
Ramsey County and its cities already face dwindling resources; at the same time our citizens need county assistance more than ever. In light of crime, a foreclosure crisis, and mounting numbers of people without health insurance, these actions would weaken Ramsey County at the very time its government is needed most.
As Ramsey County Attorney, I pledge to work with energy and innovation to protect Ramsey County citizens and represent their interests. Leadership requires vision and flexibility in the face of challenging circumstances. Unallotments--budget cuts by fiat--represent neither vision nor flexibility. Relying on them puts the safety, health, and welfare of Ramsey County citizens, and all of Minnesota's citizens, at risk.
Cross-posted from www.davepinto.com |
