And the beat goes on... (The Next Mayor)

Pensions... boom boom... healthcare... boom boom... prison costs... boom boom...

The budgetary pressures facing the next mayor are starting to get more play throughout the media. Metro reporter and proprietor of the blog FFR215, Josh Cornfield, has a piece today called "Creeping budget concerns will be felt by next mayor." His accompanying piece on his blog includes a great conversation with Tom Cronin, the head of the city's white collar union.

Cronin's quote in the Metro gives me a lot more hope that something can be worked out about this problem:

"If they want to come to the bargaining table ... and it’s a good give-and-take, I think problems could be resolved,” said Tom Cronin, president of AFSCME District Council 47, which represents the city’s white-collar workers. “If one comes with a predisposition to punish or to take away wages and benefits, then any union worth its salt will go to war.”

That's a lot more encouraging than his quote in Mark McDonald's Daily News piece from a few weeks ago, regarding skyrocketing healthcare and pension costs:

Cronin said the health-care system in the United States is broken and a solution must come from the state and federal governments. Until then, the city should just "pay the increased costs, plain and simple," he said.

Although you should read Josh's blog to find out how he feels about Tom Knox.

Comments (1)

Sbadeau

The budget realities are going to make it difficult for any of the candidates to keep the many campaign promises they are making without making significant cuts elsewhere. I really hope they will address these budgetary issues - and soon - so we can have a full picture, not just the rosy side!

Posted by Sbadeau | April 10, 2007 2:01 PM

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