more library merger news

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune posted this article on May 31. The Governor dropped a line item veto on $4.5 million in state and local aid for the transition. Of course. He approved the merger, but isn't willing to pay for it.

Someone worried about layoffs on my last post. Now, I might be worried about layoffs because there will be less funds to smooth out the transition.

Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin said that, without state funds, its unclear how the city and county will pay for the transition to a merged library computer system.

"We're going to go forward," McLaughlin said Thursday. "I think it makes the seas choppier, that's for sure. But I don't think it torpedoes it."

The mayor of Minneapolis expresses his disappointment.

"It's a one-two punch. An incredibly tough blow," a frustrated Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said Thursday after losing more than $13 million in expected state aid in addition to the library transition funding.

"I've heard the governor talk about streamlining government to deliver better services; well, this goes against everything he says," Rybak added. "It's hypocrisy."

Hopefully the merger can still come together seamlessly and all city and county employees can keep their jobs.