On May 21, I made a statement at a press conference regarding the budget impasse between the governor and the Legislature. This was also attended by Austin Mayor Tom Stiehm and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. This column contains all of that statement, along with some additional comments. The next day, I was quite surprised to hear that Gov. Tim Pawlenty characterized Albert Lea, along with the cities of St. Paul and Wadena, as being complainers. Complaining is not what I heard at our press conference.

In recent days I’d listened to local teachers describe the struggles some of the lower-income families are facing just to provide lunch for the children. Over half of our schoolchildren in Albert Lea come from low-income families who qualify for reduced lunch fees. Right now, these families are struggling, and the struggling is going to get worse.

At my place of employment (remember I am not a full-time mayor) I and my co-workers recently had a 10 percent pay cut for at least six months, so while our family is not struggling, our income has been reduced, and likewise so will our spending and our savings.

Albert Lea’s city property taxes have already more than doubled since 2003. This has reduced the percentage LGA contributed to our budget from around 60 percent to 37 percent presently, but it has meant an increased burden on local taxpayers.

So, in my opinion, a local property tax increase is not an option for Albert Lea for 2010. Our citizens cannot take it right now. That means if local government aid is cut substantially, or eliminated in one fell swoop, significant city services, not just fluff, will go away. To use a sports metaphor, LGA is the government equivalent of revenue sharing, a way to allow cities of all sizes and tax base to be on a level playing field.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman’s presence at the press conference shows this is not just an out-state, small-town Minnesota issue. Almost all Minnesota cities, large and small, are in this together.

Keep in mind, though, that as a city, we are not asking for zero cuts in LGA. We recognize the magnitude of the state’s budget deficit and know that all programs need to be examined. We are simply asking that the reduction be equitable in relation to this program’s percentage of the total state budget.

I need to add that Rep. Robin Brown and Sen. Dan Sparks both supported the state House and Senate plans respectively in regard to LGA funding reductions, and we appreciate their support.

Before the December unallotment took place, the city of Albert Lea had been taking steps to significantly reduce spending. We absorbed a $400,000 cut in LGA at the end of 2008, which in effect was a 2009 cut because of the timing. Since Jan. 1, we have done much work and effort to engage our citizens to look at what are important services for the city to provide, and what could we do without. We will also be considering significant changes in the structure of city government.

I think we have done our part in preparing for change, but for the Legislative session to end without an agreement that results in the governor proceeding to unilateral unallotment is unacceptable to me.

Gov. Pawlenty is a hockey player, and sometimes uses hockey metaphors or stories to relate his thoughts. I am a water skier. At the press conference, I showed a large picture of me water skiing as a base in a human three-level pyramid — and by the way, my daughter was at the top of the pyramid.

In my metaphor, the governor and Legislature are the base of the pyramid. The bases have to remain strong to carry the weight, but if they are too rigid, that is equally disastrous. The bases have to be flexible enough to ski over waves and rough water — if they don���t, those above them who are depending on the bases to carry them through, will literally get bounced off and dumped in the water, sometimes taking the bases with them. Now the bases may be able to ski into shore and say they did their job, but they really didn’t because everyone else is left out in the lake waiting for someone to come pick them up.

I am a nonpartisan mayor and I’m not going to delve into DFL vs. Republican in who’s to blame here. My message to Gov. Pawlenty and the leadership of both parties in the House and Senate is ride out the waves — work together to bring everyone to shore. Don’t leave cities floating by themselves and say you did your job.

Mike Murtaugh is the mayor of Albert Lea.