Where and when will the ax fall?

The Governor has proposed a budget with deep cuts which include a cut in government aid payments to cities. Mayor Coleman was immediately critical of the cut and warned that police and fire, rec centers and libraries would all experience cuts. Governor Pawlenty responded that the cuts could easily be absorbed by freezing the salaries of local government employees. I think Mayor Coleman said he has already done that (and then threatened to cut fire, police, rec centers and libraries). It is very difficult to keep up with the back and forth banter and to sort out all of the numbers. I suspect that is on purpose. We can't sort out the facts so we make voting decisions based on emotion. Coleman is hoping that he can blame Pawlenty for the terrible cuts to things so dear to our hearts. He thinks he is appearing sympathetic to our concerns and attempts to paint Pawlenty as the Big Bad Wolf. News flash to both: I'll blame you both and vote against both of you!

Bottom line: there are going to be cuts and probably closings. I don't know if the numbers really justify them and I don't have the time to try to sort it out. I'm just waiting to see where and when the ax falls. The CIB proposals (see post: CIB Proposals) are now being reviewed. Many East Side Rec Centers submitted CIB proposals. How many will still be around to actually receive funding?? Only time will tell.

Stay tuned!