Mayors brace for cuts in state aid

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Mayors across Rhode Island said Tuesday night they were facing a difficult situation, in the wake of Governor Carcieri's call for more cuts in state aid.

The Governor has proposed slashing $135 million in funding for cities and towns as part of his $7.5 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning in July. He outlined his budget Tuesday afternoon.

Providence Mayor David Cicilline, following his annual State of the City address Tuesday night, said the state needs to address the cause of the deficit, rather than make more cuts.

"If you just keep cutting support to cities and towns, you are not solving the underlying problem," Cicilline said. "That takes some courage and some new thinking."

Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian said every department will be under the microscope.

Cranston is projected to lose another $13 million in state aid under the governor's proposed budget. That would be on top of the $14.5 million in aid cuts the city has already had.

"We cannot withstand that magnitude of a cut," said Cranston Mayor Allan Fung. He plans to ask the city's unions for more concessions, something he stresses he has already done.

Democrats hold a veto-proof majority in the General Assembly, and can re-write the governor's proposed budget.