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We're hearing a lot today from Statehouse leaders scrambling to 

 that's thrown the state budget into chaos.

But local leaders are the ones, ultimately, who'll have to make it work. Whatever solution is hatched in St. Paul, county and city leaders will still have to 

. In Aitkin County this Saturday, there's a "Radiothon" to raise money to keep library branches fully open.

Wednesday after the state Supreme Court rejected Gov. Pawlenty's use of "unallotment" power to make deep budget cuts.

While it's good to debate the merits of  taxes vs. debt vs. smaller government, local officials are faced with a practical problem of watching the Statehouse and waiting for the fallout and we wanted to hear from them.

"As a 15-year public employee these are probably the most difficult times I've seen," said Stony Hiljus, Coon Rapids city attorney.

"There is a significant level of anxiousness, frustration, and fear in public employment right now and I know of colleagues who are considering transitioning to a private law practice as a result. These fears are shared amongst all sectors of public employees."

Hiljus made it clear he was speaking only for himself. But it's a sentiment we've heard from other public sector folks the past few months.

Below are responses we got from our Public Insight sources. Take a look and post your thoughts below or 

Pat Sharbonda, Supervisor, Crow Wing County Social Services

Gord Prickett, Aitken County planning commission

 on the budget featuring  Rep. Paul Kohls:  R-Victoria, who serves on the House taxes committee, House majority leader Rep. Tony Sertich: DFL-Chisholm and Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak.

Business and Economic News

MinnEcon Blog

Paul Tosto

Author

Want to know the effects of the state budget chaos? Ask the local leaders who must make the cuts.

Minnesota’s budget: Local governments deal with the fallout

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