Minn. House Approves $900M Package Of Budget Cuts

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota House has approved a $900 million package of spending reductions, sending the bill to the Senate.

The House voted 68-61 on Wednesday for the legislation to cut state aid for local governments, public colleges and health and welfare programs. The proposal would also require Gov. Mark Dayton's administration to cut $100 million in unspent state funds before July.

Majority Republicans say the budget cuts would take a chunk out of a $6.2 billion deficit. They aim to send the bill to the Democratic governor this week.

He hasn't said whether he would veto the bill but has criticized it as a piecemeal approach to the deficit.

Democrats including Rep. Paul Marquart says the bill would drive up property taxes and tuition while forcing service cuts.

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