Minnesotans from across the state will have the opportunity to share their thoughts on the budget recently proposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The chairs of the Minnesota Senate Finance, and House Finance and Ways and Means committees announced the dates and locations for a series of Minnesota town hall meetings.

“These hearings will be a great opportunity for the public to weigh-in on the governor’s budget and let the Legislature know what the priorities of our budget should be,” said Sen. Richard Cohen, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, in a news release. “The state is in a budget crisis and we are going to need all the good ideas we can get from the public to dig us out of this hole.”

There will be a town hall meeting in Albert Lea on Feb. 20.

“We hope Minnesotans will find the location nearest to them and take the time to share their priorities with our committee members,” said Rep. Lyndon Carlson, chairman of the House Finance Committee. “The decisions made this session will be difficult and affect all of us for some time to come.”

Town hall meetings will be in Mankato, Rochester, St. Cloud and Willmar on Feb. 19.

On Feb. 20, there will be meetings in Albert Lea, Alexandria, Bemidji, Duluth, Little Falls, Marshall, Virginia, Winona and Worthington.

Specific times and locations for both legs of the tour are being finalized.