The budget crisis continues. Local aid and programs from services for disabled children, to aid for deaf/blind individuals, to assistance for vulnerable seniors are threatened with cuts or closure.
This year’s budget promises to be the worst yet. We have depleted the rainy day fund, we have used federal assistance that is ending, we have used one time revenues, we have consolidated agencies, laid off state workers, frozen wages and imposed furloughs. So what can we do this year? Where will the cuts come from? Can we preserve safety net services?
On Tuesday, April 12th you are invited to my almost-annual budget forum at the Brooks School, 388 High Street in West Medford.
Refreshments at 6:45; program and discussion at 7:00 pm.
Noah Berger, Executive Director of Mass Budget and Policy, will explain our current budget situation, how we got here and possible solutions.
Dr. Thomas A. Kochan, Co -Director of the Institute of Work and Employment Research at MIT Sloan School of Management, will discuss labor issues, including wage and benefit comparisons between public and private sector workers.
There will be an opportunity for questions and comment.
Across the country, states are wrestling with budget shortfalls, challenges to collective bargaining, and divisions over the role of government itself. This is an opportunity to learn the facts, and to discuss the our current situation and our options in resolving our budget crisis.
Another question that should be asked is “can we increase revenue?” Senator Jehlen, will you consider supporting Sen. Chang-Diaz’ bill to raise income taxes to their prior levels and add about $1.2 billion to the budget? Not all of the answers have to come in the form of budget cuts.
but I’d place a heavy bet that Senator Jehlen is a co-sponsor of that bill.
I would like to believe it too, but if so why not mention it in the post?
I am a cosponsor of the bill. We will have information about it at the forum.
Excellent! Thank you for your leadership.