This article goes into detail on why some cities are cutting services. Between the suffering economy and the mortgage crisis, cities are being forced to cut expenses because of lower tax revenues and investment returns lacking. Problems in the economy today are forcing changes some would not expect. In Oakland, California the public library is cutting programs for the elderly and disabled, bookmobile, and literacy programs. Cities in the Midwest can expect more snow on the roads this winter because a spike in road salt prices. In Aspen, Colorado the city is delaying the construction of a $360,000 foam pit for snowboarders practicing tricks in the city gym. In Phoenix, the city will not be able to afford trimming of all palm trees, and will limit trimming only on major roads.
In response to hard times, cities are also trying ways to generate more revenue or saving their money. New Jersey governor, Jon Corzine, is telling cities to start combining some of their services or they will be penalized by a reduction in state aid. In Chicago the city is giving workers 3 more unpaid days off work, which is said to save 20 million. New York is considering selling ads on the sides of garbage trucks and street sweepers to raise money.
I think its too bad that our poor economy is going to affect people in ways they may have not considered. Changes are defiantly being made, and some of them good. It is a good thing that cities are opening their eyes and looking for ways to be more efficient and alternate ways to generate revenue.
1 comment:
In response to this article and cities cutting services, some cities are asking for their citizens to vote for a tax to keep certain services up and running. Some cities in Ohio have issues to keep their libraries open, which I would never have expected to happen with the suffering economy, that something like a library would be in harms way to be shut down.
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