How to Cut Spending
October 8th, 2008
As the markets plunge and Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson calls for budget cutbacks, opposition to some of the possible reductions in programs has begun to build. A new coalition, One New York: Fighting for Fairness, will hold its first press conference this Friday. According to the press release from the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, which seeks funding for public schools, the coalition seeks to raise “revenues fairly and reasonably, rather than balancing the budget on the backs of the neediest.” (Sound like a possible millionaire’s tax hike to you?)
Meanwhile an article by Juan Gonzalez in today’s Daily News seems sure to raise the hackles of coalition members. While the Department of Education faces $$185 million in new cuts, Gonzalez reports, Schools Chancellor Joel Klein continues to pack the Tweed Courthouse with high-priced “educrats.” Despite an alleged hiring freeze, the department has announced it seeks to fill several high-paying positions with strange titles: knowledge management domain leader for leadership and organizational management; knowledge management domain leader for mathematics and science; and senior achievement facilitator. All these posts pay $170,000 a year (with benefits).
The new hires, according to Gonzalez, represent a trend as the head count at department headquarters increased by nearly 400 between October 2004 and last April. The greatest boost — ironically, if not surprisingly — has come in the Office of Accountability.
By Gail Robinson on October 8, 2008, 8:26 amIn category: Education, Public Finance, Social Services | No Comments »

