GLOBE OP-ED: Mass. cities need new deal with public employees
By Joshua ArchambaultDecember 22nd, 2010
The Mayor of New Bedford– one of Pioneer’s Middle Cities– wrote an interesting op-ed that ran in the Boston Globe. He calls for a statewide task force to develop a new framework for public union contracts in the future.
He outlines the fiscal mess that many local communities face, and advocates for immediate action to re-imagine how local governments are run. I wrote an op-ed giving some suggestions from the state level a few weeks ago.
However, Mayor Lang’s strongest argument to support his call for action is that:
“We cannot have a strong state unless we have strong municipalities. It is imperative that we find systemic and equitable solutions that will allow our cities to strengthen public safety, revitalize their neighborhoods, and improve their schools.”
To learn more about Pioneer’s Middle Cities Initiative, click here.
Entry Filed under: Better Government, Economic Opportunity, Middle Cities/ Urban
2 Comments Add your own
1. Brian | December 22nd, 2010 at 1:32 pm
In as long as the escalating cost of municipalities and the state government drive people out of the state, this idea is only so much fantasy. As people who produce and earn are continually assaulted by the ever increasing cost of government, the exodus will continue. By extension, as unions demand more, the cost of government can only escalate accordingly further exacerbating the matter. We are faced with the situation where these unions are expecting more from government entities which are faced with decreasing revenues as more taxpayers exit this state. As the two pressures press to the center in opposition more people are pressed out like a melon seed between two fingers.
Scott Lang’s repeated use of the word covenant is annoying and I think dishonest. I, and indeed many taxpayers, never entered into such agreements with unions which compel us to pay more in taxes in exchange for declining returns in response to unyielding increases in the cost of keeping these employees. We have been duped into accepting a false psychology we as taxpayers and individuals are here to support the government. We must view the government rather as a necessary evil which should necessarily be funded at some minimal level but not at such a level as to force people to make choices in how they conduct their lives. Government operates at the consent of the citizenry not the opposite.
It would be interesting research to learn how many retired government employees themselves join the exodus out of the state which has cost the state another house seat.
2. Carly | December 22nd, 2010 at 9:46 pm
None of the links work on this post, but I agree in principle that change is needed. Chelmsford in embroiled in a contract negotiation that is solely in the teacher’s interests, but I fail to see what will be delivered in the interests of the school age children. If teachers and their union want to treat these negotiations like business then they must offer a value proposition to the taxpayers. In this economy no one is rubber stamping tax hikes or increases of any kind without justification and return on investment. What we’re not seeing from the union or teachers is what they will deliver for the increases they demand. If caving to their demands results in more of the same like lengthy teacher absences, opting out on tax-payer funded technology implemented to make their adminstration and communication EASIER, or opting out of development days then I think their demands are unreasonable. Stop treating our kids like a burden and maybe the taxpayers will support you. Start showing us it’s about more than the money, benefits and retirement package. If teachers want to be valued then they had better start showing value by demonstrating a genuine interest in the academic success of their students.
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