Calling it like it is

South Coast Today nails what is probably going to be one of the major issues on foundation budget reform:

Our perspective is that cities like New Bedford and Fall River really do have far greater costs in the areas of special education and English language learning and the state as a whole is going to have to face that fact. Yes, all systems need more money for health care costs but the urban systems, in the end, have both the greatest costs and the least ability to pay. And it will in no way benefit the suburbs if their nearby cities continue to decline and become places where working men and women lack the education and skills to compete in the 21st century economy.

Giving everyone more for the sake of giving everyone more, without regard to need, is what will unduly drive up costs.