Providence is facing a $16 million deficit for the current fiscal year, and it has only 12 weeks to remedy the situation.  The City Council wants to see David Cicilline's budget reconciliation plan next week, but the mayor says they will have it by May 1st.  I guess the mayor isn't too concerned about the deficit.  This is unfortunate, since the mayor is largely responsible for the current budget problems.  According to Councilman David Igliozzi, “A problem of this administration has been that it is overly optimistic in its revenue stream assumptions,” and  “the city needs to be more frugal."

     David Cicilline would probably defend himself by pointing to economic problems at both the state and federal level.  After all, it's not his fault.  He might point to a financial crisis that is the worst one we have encountered since the Great Depression, or he might complain about the state's decision to cut aid to cities and towns.  What he probably won't mention is that he should have anticipated these developments earlier.  Our economic problems didn't begin over night.  They have been festering for well over a year.  Either David Cicilline missed the signs, or he was afraid to make the tough decisions.


http://www.projo.com/news/content/PROVIDENCE_BUDGET_04-10-09_B8DV3RD_v17.378b210.html