I live and work in Portland, so I’m well aware of how devastating the reduced state aid to the city will impact services. As noted in today’s Portland Press Herald, city officials are lobbying to have fewer cuts by arguing that Portland is being unfairly targeted.
Our city manager, Joe Gray, has said that Portland with have a $3 million shortfall in its current budget, and a $4 million shortfall for next year’s budget that begins on July 1st. In addition, Portland schools face an additional reduction of $7 million in state aid.
Bottom line: this city is in a heap of trouble.
City officials are planning to meet with Portland’s state legislators to ask them to urge Governor Baldacci to give Portland a break.
Fat chance!
Everyone in the state legislature (except for Portland’s delegation) thinks that the city of Portland is rich, gets all the breaks already, and can fend for itself. Portland legislators can get next to nothing done in Augusta because all the other legislators thwart their every move. Face it, Portland is hated in Augusta much more than it is loved.
Frankly, I’d be amazed if anyone in Augusta cares much about Portland’s financial troubles.
If people in Portland are upset about the financial hard times faced by the city, they should look not only to Augusta and the Governor, but also to their elected City Council and School Committee members.
Our elected officials in this city typically believe that money grows on trees. The spending policies of the elected officials have helped put us in this financial crisis. How many millions of city money were wasted with all the planning of the failed waterfront development? How many “extra” employees have been on the city and school payroll over the last few years? Why is it that no matter how much money is available, it all gets spent (and then some) without anything put away for future hard times?
Make no mistake, the city of Portland will suffer for past instances of out-of-control spending. Our elected officials are the first stop if you’re looking for accountability.
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