(Cross-posted from the COFAR blog) It was the same story over and over at a public hearing this past Friday, presided over by Secretary of Health and Human Services JudyAnn Bigby. Speaker after speaker urged Bigby and her panel of … [Read more...]
Let’s talk about cuts, baby!
"It could be worse!" That’s the mantra we’re now used to hearing from human services, education and local officials grappling with budget cuts and the resulting layoffs. Maybe in this context, an 8.4 percent cutin the state’s k-12 … [Read more...]
Is President Obama finally getting it?
Does he now realize that corporate welfare will not generate significant job growth, but a strong healthy working/middle class will? In this letter to Congress, President Obama is urging "swift action on several critical priorities … [Read more...]
Call to Action to Avoid Budget Cuts!!
Let the legislative leadership know you won't stand for a budget balanced with cuts to your community. [Sample Phone Script] Speaker of the House Robert de Leo 617-722-2500Chairman of the House Ways and Means Charlie Murphy … [Read more...]
Don’t let this happen!
Regional libraries on the chopping block Don't let this happen. These are the ONLY internet access for many Massachusetts residents. … [Read more...]
Reducing cuts to human service programs
Below is a letter from the President of SEIU Local 509. Local 509 represents over 11,000 human service workers in MA. About 2/3 of the members are state workers, and 1/3 work at non profit human service providers that contract with the … [Read more...]
Patrick Watch – While we were arguing about Coakley:
Patrick: Cut the State's rape counseling program by 66%. The program known as SANE - for sexual assault nurse examiners - lost 66 percent of its $2.4 million budget as part of the state's latest round of emergency cuts, leaving too little … [Read more...]
Close the loopholes; raise revenues
It was bad, but it could have been worse. Gov. Deval Patrick announced $352 million in cuts in response to a $600 million budget gap. Federal stimulus funds plugged the rest of the gap (see the Mass Budget and Policy Center's … [Read more...]
Cuts eliminate court session!
I received the following e-mail from the Chief Justice of the Probate and Family Court, Judge Paula Carey, today [November 9, 2009]: NOTICE IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET THAT WE MUST TEMPORARILY CLOSE THE CONCORD SESSION OF THE PROBATE AND FAMILY … [Read more...]
A balanced approach in Randolph
While many communities in Massachusetts are cutting services to make up for increasing budget deficits, Randolph voters, who last year passed a Prop. 2 1/2 override, are investing in their public systems and laying the groundwork for … [Read more...]