Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty's upcoming budget is projected to make big cuts to local government aid.That's troubling many cities in the state.Owatonna is one city facing a big drop in aid.News 12's Erick Lind has more on how the Governor is viewing the problem.Governor Pawlenty toured the southern portion of the state today.One topic on the minds of many city administrators is the proposed budget and cuts that are expected for local government aid.The Governor told an audience in Owatonna that at most, cities will lose 5 percent of their total budget.He also says that number may drop another to three or two percent after lawmakers weigh in on the matter.Governor Pawlenty says, "I think there is a little crying wolf from these local officials when everybody else is having to tighten their belts. Families are, businesses are, governments should too."While the Governor doesn't see the cuts as drastic, Owatonna's Mayor says many cities like his own have cut excess spending in recent years, forcing many tough decisions ahead.Owatonna Mayor Tom Kuntz says, "Now we're back down to basic services...library hours, staff, personnel, snow plowing. We've talked about snowplowing from 2 inches to 4 inches and all those issues. Those are some tough issues we'll be faced with this year."Kuntz says the private sector has already gone through layoffs, now he says the public sector may as well, because raising taxes isn't a realistic option.He says raising property taxes one percent would only account for 90-thousand dollars of the 700-thousand cut from this year's aid, not to mention the 1.4 million expected next year.Governor Pawlenty says a wage freeze to workers would make the cuts less severe, and says citizens should demand it.Governor Pawlenty adds, "People of Minnesota should insist that their counties, their school districts, and their cities freeze wages. That's what's going on in the rest of the economy. That's what's going on outside of government, and that's what should happen to government as well. It's a lot better than having to lay people off."Kuntz agrees that this is a time for citizens to get involved by contacting their mayor, city council, or city administrators with ideas how to save money.That way, cities may face fewer challenges down the road.In Owatonna, Erick Lind, News 12.