Foreclosure

You state that "Patrick needs the flexibility to spread the cuts

across the board" (Sharpen the shears, just in case, Boston Globe,

July 16, 2008). Across the board cuts are a disaster. The Governor

should know this from his service on several Corporate Boards. Across

the board cuts will punish those agencies that are running

effectively, it will punish those town and cities that are running a

lean operation. Across the board cuts should not be a weapon in the

Governor's arsenal.

I also believe that cutting state transfers at this time would be a

major mistake. They are the innocent victims of the fallout from the

foreclosures. The towns, cities, school boards that rely heavily on

income from property taxes are likely to suffer.

If, as is predicted, 7% of home owners are likely to see foreclosures

on their homes, these innocent bystanders are likely to see a drop of

7% in their revenue from property taxes. The state should not impose

additional cuts on these jurisdictions.

Of course, the best solution would be for the Federal government to

provide them with a bailout, just as banks and individuals are being

helped. The Federal Government should immediately announce a program

to make good their losses by providing an infusion of 7% of property

tax revenue to these jurisdictions. This will prevent a massive

reduction in local and state government programs at a time when the

social safety net will be most needed.

Sent to Boston Globe