The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities is asking Minnesota lawmakers to increase state funding to repair streets and water and sewer systems, plus additional aid to help hold down property taxes. Spokesman Bradley Peterson says, “Legislative leaders the other day were all predicting surpluses of various kinds, and so the legislature has a strong opportunity to address key issues like local government aid, infrastructure repairs and the state’s child care shortage.” The group will have a tough fight at the legislature because one of key lawmakers’ top priorities is matching Minnesota’s tax structure to the new federal tax cuts. In addition, Republicans are talking about a bonding bill for public works projects only about half of the 1.5 billion dollars that Democratic Governor Mark Dayton proposes.