By Dan Olson, Minnesota Public Radio News

There’s a growing consensus among city officials across the state that local government aid will be slashed again next session, as a new governor and the Legislature cope with a projected $5.8 billion budget shortfall.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer has said local government aid has turned into a municipal pork program. Emmer, who has said the state money should only be used for public safety and critical services, would phase out the program and replace it with some other kind of unspecified help.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton promises to maintain state LGA spending. The Independence Party candidate for governor, Tom Horner, also has said he would keep the program intact.

Read the full story.