Mayors Deal With Budget Crisis -- WBZ

[0:00]" This is -- Stephens mayors from across the state will sit down with lieutenant governor Tim Marie Friday in advance of state budget cuts expected to be announced next week. Somerville mayor joker to Tony who is head of the Massachusetts mayors association tells me that one message you'd like to deliver to the Patrick administration is. You can't slasher way to success when dealing with local -- farms -- just wonder what what you expect from meeting."

[0:25]" Well out. You know for -- appreciative of haven't. Lieutenant governor in their own economies into questions and the fiscal and economic crisis. And yeah. And wouldn't get a lot of questions from clones -- myself in terms of how bad the situation isn't about any worse. Deep. The prospect of potential cuts are going to be to -- present. Grant programs story in my actual world attention locally direct aid. And that's as a major concern for cities and towns across --"

[1:09]" Well that's very vulnerable. Situation at this point it is serious the need to be focused on it. And we cannot panic and we have to deal with this directly. -- deal with the how we do what is very important. That we need to keep something in mind. Since cities and towns still have not recovered. -- people impacts of these ninety -- selling his book from governor Romney. Good -- sixty cities and towns. Who still receive less locally to -- fiscal year 2002. And across the -- cities and towns as a whole receive. 566. Million dollars less that's adjust for inflation 56060 and -- that we did. This fiscal year 2002. And what happened since then property taxes went through what 30%. And because you know when revenues constrained. To that extent or cut to that extent is very few places cities and towns go. You know what and I -- Schlessinger don't cut it wouldn't accept but there -- some people realities it in world. I'd like to call or call for another. -- as we need solutions. It's going to be some pain but we need to rally together. With the governor and lieutenant -- have been very sensitive to municipalities. In the legislature to identify. Opportunities to stabilize our local economies. And B vocal carted municipalities and it has called -- movement growing progress. And to grow. By the time to went to bedrooms and pull -- and hunkered down and hope that they go away but I happen. Suggestion. Take any approach is just last time burned and hope that. And weeded out. In debt just spells disaster. That's going to be contain him we need to work together to find the solutions."

[3:30]" So absolutely. What we've seen probably the past few years as record numbers of proposition twenty apple right attempts by some municipalities and precious small towns. And record crime a number of failures. You know a few months ago in preparation for system used in 2009 which we are in right now. Many of those and apparently didn't even attempt because -- rap attack of that because. Property tax -- has carried the burden. In the most progress report taxation from the property tax because as. The approach of just -- to anyways except which doesn't work. And so as a result. Basic core essential services. Public safety. Public education. And public works have -- you'll see. And predicted protesters again cut slash and burn and not a Democrat opportunities for solutions to -- stabilize. You'll see libraries schools the C police and fire early adopters who teaches afterschool programs. In not to mention important social service and human service programs across state collapsed and move. You know there is going to be. Something here. Some people you know domestic. I believe you know we can rally together. Condoleezza this -- walked into the state local regional level and identify these opportunities to it and grow stabilize. And give municipalities the flexibility they need. Two -- manage themselves to. And give us the opportunity to identify revenue sources. Which -- com what does not have without burdening the property taxpayer."