Cities & towns react to cut in aid

JOHNSTON, R.I. (WPRI) - A day after Gov. Donald Carcieri announced his drastic emergency spending plan, Rhode Island cities and towns are now trying to figure out how they will deal with a six percent cut in state aid. (What is YOUR opinion?)

The Town of Johnston stands to lose $3.5 million in state aid for this year's budget, leaving Mayor Joseph Polisena and his financial team scrambling to figure out how the town's going to make up the difference. (Click here to see the Governor's full budget speech)

"Basically everything's on the table. We're looking at layoffs, furlough days, closing the town hall one day a week. Whatever we have to do to get there," Polisena said.

Other possibilities, according to the Democrat, include reducing garbage collection or other services that citizen have been accustomed to.

"It's a different time, it really is," Polisena said. "However, to cut us $3.5 million in this year's budget it's going to be very, very difficult."

When asked if the situation is impossible, Polisena said,"It will be difficult. Nothing's impossible."

Polisena said he will meet with his financial team. He also plans to sit down with the unions and tell them how things have to be.

"There's virtually no choice but to make cuts."

Cranston will also lose millions of dollars. When asked what the city plans to cut, the newly inaugurated Allan Fung said, "I'm looking at everything right now, everything is on the table."

Fung said it's unfortunate the state is dumping its financial problems onto cities and towns. A sentiment shared by fellow-Republican, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian.

"We've been responsible, weve been prudent with our money so that we've been able to post surpluses," Avedisan said. "The governor is penalizing cities and towns for doing a good job."

Warwick, the state's second largest city, stands to lose $4.8 million.

Although upset about the cuts in state aid, many mayors have expressed relief that the governor's budget also proposes some cost-saving measures, including consolidating services between cities and towns, as well as relaxing state mandates on things like school bus monitors.