Article from PHENOM - Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts

The stages of the neo-liberal budget cut game.  In Massachusetts. Where Democrats dominate all three parts of government.

1. Declare that we have to cut a billion or more to balance the budget.

2. Shake head, grimace, and speak to the cameras the following:  ”No one likes making cuts to schools, libraries, mental health services, and the homeless.  But these are tough times.”

3. Take away collective bargaining rights from municipal employees, because that is somehow necessary to secure $100 million in savings, even though municipal unions already agreed to absorb those cuts. Do not note that a large part of the  municipal budget crisis is due to state cuts to local aid.

3. Declare that “shared sacrifice” can’t include the wealthy.  Taxing the wealthy would be “wrong” during a recession.  But cutting jobs of municipal and state employees (who will immediately spend their money in Massachusetts on such luxuries as food and clothes) is “necessary.”

4. A week after passing this austerity budget, announce with a surprised look on your face that in fact the state has nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars in revenues in excess of what was projected in the budget. Proceed to step 5.

5. Announce a tax holiday for August.