State budget chief warns more spending cuts may be necessary

César Chávez used to tell his organizers in the middle of the grape boycott being carried out in far away liberal political circles --- "keep your eye on the grape".

He meant: keep working in the fields with the farm workers who pick the grapes and support their efforts to build a union capable of winning a living wage and safe working contitions. Say thank you to the glamorous movie stars and politicans who join us on our marches, but your primary attention should be directed to the folk in the fields.

Our message to local activists in the ONE Mass Networks working accross the state in their communities to rebuild and repar the public structures that educate their children, keep their air and water clean and their streets safe, protect their enviornment and strengthen their business community --- is similar.

It's  time to "keep your eyes on the revenues" that support our healthy communities, because we are facing two more rounds of cuts --9C cuts in October and FY 11 Budget cuts in January. What is this 9C stuff?

The State House News reports in the Globe that Secretary Kirwin's words to the Cities and Towns was pretty grim. Declining revenues, dwindling reserves and federal funds = more cuts.

State government leaders face the “perfect storm’’ of cost pressures tied to an increasing strain on social safety net programs, predictions of weak revenue growth, and dwindling reserves and federal funds to balance future budgets, the state budget chief told local officials yesterday afternoon.


With unemployment still on the rise, federal stimulus funds flying out the door, and a once $2.3 billion state rainy day fund nose-diving toward $500 million, administration and finance secretary Leslie Kirwan also cautioned local government leaders of potential mid-fiscal 2010 budget cuts.

Administration officials are monitoring tax collections this month and readying plans to reduce spending.

“September is going to be key, and I can’t emphasize this enough,’’ Kirwan said. “It’s a big month, and it’s going to be very indicative.’’

Kirwan has instructed state department heads to prepare budget cuts that could be triggered next month if the administration, based on September collections, decides spending reductions are necessary.

“We are not going to make that call until Oct. 15,’’ Kirwan said.

So now is the time of year for every activist to keep their eye on the Administration's budget making process to make sure the appropriate staff in the Secretary's office understands the importance of the line item that funds your program and keeps your community healthy. 

At the same time, keep your eyes on the real solution  --  developing more adeqate and balanced revenue steams. For starters, take a look at the Tax Expenditure Budget.

One Mass will be hitting the road with a series of public and private sessions "Plain Talk about Taxes" in the very near future.

(Yes, it's still important for all of us to pay attention to federal and state electoral politics particulary at this time when our elected officals will be debating policies aimed at stimulating the economy and bringing universal health care to every resident of the commonwealth and the country.)