2009 State of the City - Issues
Job Growth | Small Business | Reducing Unnecessary Spending
Innovative Revenue Sources | Public Safety | Tax Reform | Tenants and Housing
Reducing Unnecessary Spending
"The City is facing a massive budget deficit. If we're going to protect core services like education, we need to drastically cut back on non-essential City spending. That's why in December, this Council proposed nearly half a billion dollars in additional common sense budget cuts."
Review of City Tax Credits
Excerpt from Speech:
"Every year, the City forgoes over $4 billion in various tax credits, like the ones we give companies to create new jobs. These credits set laudable goals. But the problem is, we don't bother to check to see if companies are actually meeting these goals. We've developed an honor system of corporate welfare."
The Speaker has proposed:
Find Savings in the City's Budget
Excerpt from Speech:
"We should look for opportunities to merge City agencies with similar functions. We'll also have to make do with less. and that means cutting back on all unnecessary expenses."
The Speaker has proposed:
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Merging City agencies dedicated to payroll, city records and administrative services
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Folding a small DOE pension system into the City's larger pension system for other civilian employees
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Reducing spending on electronic highway signs, temporary Department of Buildings workers hored during the construction boom and marketing campaigns promoting City jobs.
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Cutting 10% from administrative costs like printing and postage - which could save enough money to hire 250 new police officers or keep 40 senior centers open
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