He stood to applause at the Worcester Chamber of Commerce luncheon, then took the microphone and spelled out some very painful cuts. Governor Deval Patrick is trying to bridge the gap on a $600 million budget gap. He started with what was safe. Local aid to cities and towns, and local education were spared.
The Governor is aiming the cutting axe at the Executive Branch agencies to the tune of $277 million - $111 million of that from the Exec. Office of Education and another $81.7 million from the Exec. Office of Health and Human Services.
-Up to 2,000 people will lose their jobs.
-Non-union employees will take an additional 9 unpaid furlough days.
-Law enforcement was hit directly with the talk of the elimination of funding for the Quinn Bill. That’s where an officer can increase his/her pay by $10,000 by furthering their education.
-Legislation is being filed to eliminate Bunker Hill Day and Evacuation Day as holidays in Suffolk County.
Is the Governor making the right kinds of cuts? Does this go far enough? What would you do to shore up the budget gap in this economy if you were in his shoes?
Give us your thoughts and tune in tonight at 5pm on WBZ where we will be talking about this.
