The top DFLer in the Minnesota House said Minneapolis should brace for possible cuts to state aid following the Republican takeover of the House on Election Day.

Rep. Paul Thissen, who will soon transition from being Speaker to minority leader, told a neighborhood meeting Monday that he anticipates attempts to divert Minneapolis and St. Paul's local government aid to outstate Minnesota municipalities or other budget priorities.

The city's $76 million local government aid allocation comprises about 17 percent of the its discretionary general fund budget. It is the third largest source of the city's general fund revenue, after property taxes and local sales taxes.

"That's going to be a big fight," Thissen told the Calhoun Area Residents Action Group, an Uptown-area neighborhood. "The reality is the Democratic leadership in the Senate is all from greater Minnesota as well. So their instinct would be to support a move like that."

He added, however, that the governor's support will be important to maintain "equity" across the state.

The city won a major victory in 2013 by securing a 20 percent boost in local government aid after steep cuts over the preceding decade. The aid was $111 million in 2002, when it made up about 41 percent of the city's general fund.

"If there was a significant cut to local government aid for the city of Minneapolis, that would be a very significant issue for all of us," Thissen said. "Because we'd either have to make cuts in our city budget or raise property taxes even further."