Friday, November 5, 2010

Questions on fiscal crisis

"there's also a terrible problem...steps and levels..those numbers are unsustainable"
8% growth in salary with no raises
"we have got to collective get our heads together and get sustainable public sector salaries"
Widmer: "it's clear to me that from what I've laid out a lot of the assumptions need to really be looked at..all basic assumptions need to be examined"

another member points out that the huge bump in pay goes to younger teachers

state aid and what is the potential percentage in reduction for FY12?
10% says Widmer
he pulls this back to 5%, upon consideration, IF revenues continue to rise

I asked him afterward if he thought the state would hold Ch.70 harmless, or risk a lawsuit by cutting it. He said that he thought that the state would cut Ch.70 only as an absolute last resort FOR THIS YEAR, but that he thought there was a good chance that they'd have to do it--and subsequently get sued--in coming years.

2 comments:

T-Traveler said...

is it an option for the legislature to repeal chapter 70? is it mandated by state constitution?

Tracy Novick said...

It isn't--it's chapter 70 of Mass General Laws--but changing it would I believe put them in violation of a resolution of a lawsuit against the state on funding. So they'd be in violation of a settled court case if they changed it, I think.