Former First District Congressman Tim Penny says he is concerned about the potential impact on the City of Rochester and the Mayo Clinic if no budget deal is reached before the first of the year.

Penny told the Rochester Post-Bulletin the lack of a fiscal cliff deal could be notable on the Mayo Clinic because healthcare plays a huge role on he Rochester economy.
                
The paper says Penny serves on the board for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget which has urged Congress to reach a deal before January First.
                
Penny cited a recent study by George Mason University which says Minnesota could lose as many as 1,600 jobs if no deal is reached in time..