Prince Georges County has run into a fast growing budget deficit and is planning to do what Montgomery County officers refused to do here; they are planning school budget cuts and labor union wage reductions even after their yearly budget was approved. A firm hand on the government rudder is necessary even if unpleasant in trying times but our County Exec and Council caved into the school administration and union workforce and did nothing to cut our expenditures. Wait to see how much more our deficit will be after the compounding effect of this year's exorbitant wage increases are coupled with those scheduled for next year. Here are some excerpts from the Post article of June 28 (Metro Section) on the PG situation:
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From "Johnson Lays Out $48 Million in Cuts" Washington Post June 28
by Rosalind S. Helderman
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"We're in real serious trouble economically," said School Superintendent John E. Deasy. "We have to deal with, in my opinion, darkening economic times for a year out from now."
Deasy said he and his staff are working on a plan for the cuts to be presented to the Board of Education.
"These are serious cutbacks for a budget that's been approved, that's contained so much reduction already, and we will work to deal with it," he said. He warned that the cuts could affect "big-ticket" items such as programs and staff positions.
Johnson has also proposed saving $13 million by trimming raises for employees, informing leaders of unions that represent county employees Thursday that he wishes to renegotiate union contracts. Without new negotiations, union members will face layoffs or forced furloughs, Erzen said.
Union leaders have questioned the announcement's timing, given how quickly it comes after the council adopted the budget. Earlier this month, the county also held a large party to celebrate an improved bond rating.
"We're finding it very hard to swallow this," said Curtis Knowles, president of the union that represents correctional officers.
Several union contracts are scheduled to be considered by the County Council on Tuesday. A spokeswoman for the council said Chairman Samuel H. Dean (D-Mitchellville) would address the budget situation only after the council discusses the contracts.
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END of Excerpted section
Sunday, June 29, 2008
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Prince George's County budget planners understand the difference between having a firm grasp on reality and planning for the worst, while Montgomery's taxmasters seem to only ever think that every day in every way, things will be getting better and better. Rather than covering all bases and making sure that the bills would get paid and that they'd be able to deal with expected declines in the economy and rising fuel costs, the County Council signed off on one of the largest property-tax increases ever, as well as signing onto a three-year contract with the Unions that will -- unless broken -- lead to a complete halt in most infrastructure maintenance and capital improvements.
As it is, the County wants to double the distance students walk to and from school because of rising fuel costs. Yet they are also planning to provide take-home cars and the fuel to drive them, as part of a Union-negotiated deal for police officers who live outside of the county.
What's more important here, perquisites for the Unions and their members, or the safety of our schoolchildren?
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