No big surprises here.

After Gov. Tim Pawlenty discussed his budget plan that would cut Local Government Aid by 22 percent to Minnesota communities, we're not really surprised that towns like Austin may have to suffer.

Of course, many affluent suburbs around the Twin Cities don't really have to worry about this problem. That's because they don't have property tax issues to worry about, unlike cities that need any enticement possible to keep people in Greater Minnesota.

Cutting LGA by nearly one-fourth is an easy fix for Pawlenty and his staff. But it's not the right one.

Creative ideas need to be discussed. Innovative solutions must occur. And out-of-the-box thinking is imperative.

We suggest Pawlenty and his staff take another look at various suggestions that were e-mailed to his staff. Minnesotans were earlier encouraged to let governmental officials in on their ideas.

Why not take another look at common sense solutions to this $4 billion-plus deficit?

Deep LGA cuts aren't the answer. Teamwork and creative thinking by Pawlenty and his staff is.