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November 11, 2008
Paterson's Billions in Cuts, As Bruce's Boondoggle Flounders Along
The mantra of "Schools, yes — stadiums, no" was wielded effectively by the Dolan family, owners of Madison Square Garden and Cablevision, in the fight against a Jets stadium on the west side of Manhattan.
Even though Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn doesn't have the resources to launch a similar media campaign against Bruce Ratner's multi-billion-dollar boondoggle, during these tough economic times, the point still stands:
The New York Times reports:
Paterson Says Schools and Medicaid Face Cuts
Gov. David A. Paterson said in an interview on Sunday that he would almost certainly seek billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid, as well as midyear reductions in school aid, to address New York’s worsening fiscal condition.
He also said he expected to urge labor unions to reopen the contracts they have struck on behalf of public employees as a way to avoid or decrease layoffs.
Such a step is reminiscent of measures taken by New York City in the financial crisis of the 1970s or moves made more recently by the Big Three domestic automakers to reduce their labor costs after years of granting steady raises and comprehensive health and pension benefits...
Still, New York State and New York City continue to sink hundreds of millions into Bruce Ratner's
frivolous billion dollar arena and parking lots Atlantic Yards projectmoney pit.
Posted by lumi at November 11, 2008 5:11 AM