Title: Patrick: Cuts Force Hard Questions About State Services

" This is -- WBUR news podcast for Friday October 30 a service of WBUR. Boston's NPR news station I'm Bob it -- coming up. Our final conversation with -- incumbent Boston mayor Thomas Menino before next week city election. And for Halloween a ghost stories said in a Boston University dormitory. And first today. Governor Patrick says he expects to hear from state employee unions today about contract concessions the governor says are necessary. To avoid 1000 layoffs. Yesterday the governor proposed laying off up to 2000 state workers by the end of the year. The proposed layoffs came in a package of cuts announced by the governor. As he grapples with a 600 million dollar state budget shortfall WBUR. Disparate types reports. The big -- comes about for one simple reason."

" Tax receipts of lacked and the state operating budget is under serious stress you know that. That's Governor Patrick breaking the news to the -- chamber of commerce yesterday. In general the governor is not cutting aid to cities and towns local communities are the front line of both our economic and our social life. And they are struggling as it is especially as lottery performance. Fails consistently to meet projections."

" The lottery is managed by treasurer Tim K -- who has left the Democratic Party to run against Patrick for the governor's job. Local communities will still feel the pinch of these budget cuts the biggest cuts will be to the transportation of students in regional school districts. In cities and towns will fuel other cuts Patrick says the most painful one to him but those in public safety. He's reducing state funding for police officers who have college degrees. He's also asking the legislature to -- cities and towns get out of contracts that require higher salaries for officers who pursue higher education. "

" This is very bad news for law enforcement. Public safety. And for those people that we sort of."

" You Bedford police chief -- teach him. Says it leaves officers with as much as a 25%. Cut."

" And me that the huge and sudden loss of income Soviet artists to America's most your job. Put it the pocket -- protect."

" The governor is also cutting a third of the funding to prevent gang violence. He -- says without that money -- Bedford won't be able to continue that work."

" But the president and what you'll get bad. The look at -- out of incredibly durable back and work on the question and we've -- left the after the -- prison would try to prevent crime. About the progress. It was Bartlett could happen."

" At the same time the governors being criticized for using federal stimulus money and the State's rainy day fund to offset part of the budget deficit. Michael Widmer of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation warns that the state is running through that money very quickly."

" And this just delays the day of reckoning and means more pain later no argument there from Patrick as hard as this was. We have a whole other order of magnitude to deal with in the fiscal year 31. Budget that we have to -- in January. Because the federal stimulus monies in the rainy day money will not be available to us at the same levels next year."

" But Patrick says this crisis also offers an opportunity to ask hard questions. About whether some worthy programs are actually central to the role of government for WBUR I'm Fred -- To review the State's budget strategy and look at the economy we turn now auto economist Alan Clayton Matthews a professor of public policy at Northeastern University good morning professor. And Allen and announcing the cuts Governor Patrick sounded a note of caution he said quote as hard as this was. We have a whole other order of magnitude to deal with in the fiscal year 2011. Budget. What do you take from those words that there's more pain ahead."

" Well that was based primarily on the fact that they'll be less certain stimulus money available -- the next fiscal year in this fiscal year federal stimulus federal stimulus money and and I think that the governor is being very cautious but. There is reason -- to be very optimistic this new budget projection. Is based on relatively conservative. Estimate of what the economy's going to look like over fiscal year end."

" New figures were announced yesterday by. Many researchers including new which showed the State's economy in the third quarter of this year. Slumped one point 1% as we know the national economy grew by in about by about three and a half percent. Lifting the nation out of recession you're saying. That the the Massachusetts economy has hit bottom and is going to start growing itself."

" You know we expect that. Gross domestic product that the state will start growing sometime in this fourth quarter. And then the first court will see definitely positive growth. And that growth should slow -- pick up over the coming quarters."

" Which means for the state that state revenues will begin to grow in the fourth quarter or. At least in the first quarter of next year."

" Well I can't really timed exactly when revenues start growing -- fiscal year basis. They will definitely be growing in fiscal year eleven at anywhere from 2% to 7%."

" And what about jobs what -- jobs come back in Massachusetts new job growth."

" Yeah I expect that there will see job growth in about B end of the second -- beginning of -- third quarter. In that 2000 intent so that'll be about at the beginning. A fiscal year eleven."

" Okay now back to the state budget as you know jobs are going to shrink on the state level the governor are looking to cut -- 1000 or 2000 state jobs. Depending upon whether or not he gets union contract concessions do you think that the governor's budget cuts are deep enough. So that there won't need to be major cuts inning in the months ahead."

" Well it looks like they add up to very close to that 600 million revenue loss and given that this revenues scenario. What's on the conservative side I think it's very likely that this will do it for this fiscal year."

" Professor why is a state had such a hard time in forecasting revenues revenue projections. For the state. Have been off for more than a year now why it's so difficult to forecast. And I ask because when it's difficult to forecast when revenue projections are off we get to situations like we have yesterday. Where the governor has to announce big budget cuts because they didn't forecast revenues well."

" Economists always -- a terrible job of forecasting a turning point in the economy both from the economy's turning down into and it's turning up we tend to lag activity and were not alone in net that happened in close to forty states in the last fiscal year."

" Well let's hope the forecasts that the -- uses economy is gonna turn around are correct them."

" Yes and the good thing is when the economy starts growing the revenue forecasts are more likely to underestimate revenues gross."

" Professor thank you very much first bituminous. Economist Alan Clayton Matthews is a professor of public policy at Northeastern University. And long. On Beacon Hill yesterday state lawmakers heard testimony on a possible new source of state revenue but a very controversial source gambling. They held their long anticipated hearing on casino gambling opening debate that expected to run into next year before they -- might be a vote. WBUR as magnate -- or Marty."

" Ports the committee on economic development heard almost seven hours of testimony from every imaginable corner of the casino divide. And each voice spoke with the urgency that's need to be gambling debate."

" Coming off firefighters and police officers that we gonna have to lay off. Because this commonwealth doesn't have the revenue."

" Robert Haynes president of the Massachusetts AFL CIO was one of many to plead that casinos would bring needed jobs of the state."

" yet to take this up. -- twentieth thirtieth 1000 people to work in this -- whatever kind of constraints and issues that you have to put in place to make this a good industry but please do it."

" both came in construction workers who crowded the -- They were T shirts printed with the words casinos equal jobs. But just many opponents said the casinos don't equal a long term fix for the moribund economy. Kathleen -- that is with the united to stop slots in Massachusetts."

" We are begging you despite the pressures in the economy that are all very real that I sympathize -- that I experience. To stop. This is fiscally. Core public policy."

" The momentum those seems to be with expanding gambling. Governor Deval Patrick and senate president Teresa -- both back casinos. House speaker Robert de Leo has said he wants a casino bill ready for debate by early next year. That's accelerated the interest of gambling lobbyists. Gary -- taos ski is president of the plane -- race course. He told the committee that if a bill passed he be able to get slot machines up running and generating revenue before the end of 2010."

" If slot machines and nor any type of gaming poker tables whenever the legislature deems suitable. Is introduced we can be up in a matter of months as opposed to a matter of years justice sought a new gaming facility."

" That drew fire from one of the committee's most ardent gambling critics. Senator Susan Tucker told -- that new regulatory commissions would have to be created and that would take time."

" We're talking and I think that chairman mentioned this in my local paper 203 years. Best of circumstances. So please let's disabuse the notion. That we're gonna have slot parlors up and running any time soon in this state."

" Senator. I think we need to distinguish between. Existing approved gaming facilities messages as opposed to a -- on brand new casino."

" The exchange highlighted just how murky information is surrounding gambling issue and it's no clearer now than it was before all the heated testimony. There -- sixteen proposals pending on Beacon Hill on everything from full blown casinos to racetrack slots. No one is sure how much revenue any one of them would bring to the state. Estimates range from 200 to 500 million dollars a year but those numbers relies on a study put out by Governor Patrick several years ago. In happier Financial Times. A fact acknowledged by committee co chair representative Brian Dempsey."

" Well at this point trying to put together what we feel is a proposal that. He is current home where our economies today."

" he wants a proposal ready in January. Still budget analysts believe that even the rosiest casino revenue estimate wouldn't put the significant dent in the State's current budget crisis. And if anyone needed a reminder of just how the current economy dominated yesterday's hearing -- came from Kathleen -- Our belief is that the state does sponsor endorse promote gambling it really has a responsibility to deal with the cost them business. She's not confident the state can do with those costs even without casinos. Scanlon is executive director of the Massachusetts council on compulsive gambling. And just before she gave her testimony she got a call from her office Governor Patrick had announced major budget cuts. The council's funding had been cut in half. For WBUR. Amendment track record."

" Boston's mayoral contest is now in its last days with a packed weekend on the campaign trail for the candidates. And our final conversation with the candidates we heard from Austin city councilor Michael clarity yesterday. This morning were speaking with the candidate clarity is challenging the incumbent Boston mayor Thomas Menino. Who's seeking a record fifth term in office. You've said in recent days. That maybe five cents and enough that maybe you'll run for a sixth."

" Are more sunny day -- night at. Do you wanna be mayor for life I wanna men's line and magnificence remarks -- ornament and -- I don't know -- when I get in in May fifth term. -- Now I wanna make sure. I listen to the people I work with the people and they'll make the decision of many. It's been one of most hotly contested mayoral races in Boston and a long time and although. The recent University of New Hampshire poll showed you well ahead of your opponent counselor clarity. He still gets a healthy portion of the vote and that -- does that send a signal to use that you need to do a better job. -- signals from the united I always try to do about jobs magnet and hopefully get to implement election there was -- over a million dollars spent trying to bring my candidacy down that will have an effect on him but. I think he'll want to -- about the city and with the city is going. In calling for change counselor flair and he says that you've been in office too long you've heard that repeatedly during this campaign. He also calls you powerful vindictive and thin -- leader of Boston responded that. Well."

" I've been here. Several terms I know I continue to reinvent myself I continue to bring new people on to my administration. We continued to be a newest city attractive city -- population last ten years went up 30000. People. If you had to pick a word one word to describe yourself how would you describe to -- you know what that -- Is that the way you wanna -- relative unknowns men who accuse who cares about people. Who cares about their lives and how we improve their lives how we you know opportunity. A mayor of hope calling them."

" A complete travesty. Counselor -- ready identifies. In his -- the performance of Boston schools as your biggest failure he points to the figures you've heard a lot during this campaign. 23000 drop -- over the course of sixteen years. 100 out of 143. Schools labeled underperforming -- nine million dispute some of those numbers but. If you had to pick an area of the Boston schools that you would say you haven't done well that. Where is improvement needed that you just him and able to get to -- while."

" First of all we -- in every school we don't discriminate against every anybody becomes impossible obstacles throughout the schools that discriminate against his own take. Special needs kids don't think going with -- kids. One thing I wanna say about education. Most of -- lead to a rumor and urban area has not just about the schools -- those has come from. When they go home -- that supports systems them place now so they'll think about the language barriers and we haven't actually. Might have afforded to the language is spoke classroom. -- MCAS scores are up also on the street and Washington. -- farmers like kids on to college but you know you didn't really answer my question which was what one area of the schools do you think you haven't done while on the he would like to arriving when there is as it is I'm on the public on the mosque on polls. Amid this image out -- that schools don't work. One of things I think we don't report problems to -- the educational process could work for somebody teaches principles. It every day in the classroom."

" And year 1994. Inaugural address you pledged that. City of Boston kids who graduate with a B. Or better average and get accepted to college would be able to attend no matter what their financial situation but the fact is. Today there is no city program to help or kids. A get to college financially. And the estimates are that 10% of city kids never go to college because they can't afford it and 10% more. Drop out of college because they can't keep paying for it Wednesday. Do get in what what happened -- the pledge in when he gonna do about it was at overreaching. Moment over regionally you always have to have goals in Kansas that this out of done however I that it overextend myself. And that's tell you myself in trouble musicians. I try to push the humble. But now we got Washington University right now is -- was cautioned today that the three years ago. Northeast and is BC is. Let's move off the schools and talk about a couple of other issues if we can your critics including counselor clarity but not only counselor clarity. Say they've dropped the ball when it comes to pushing the development of Boston forward and I know -- it. You say in some ways like many other cities Boston has been victimized by the down economy because developers are hard pressed to find cash to push ahead with. Project but I wanna ask about one specific project the stalled. Downtown crossing development the Filene's Basement location vornado. The developer there has complained it's had a hard time finding money for financing yet in The Wall Street Journal there was a story in which the company said its amassing. A huge fund to buy and push ahead with acquisitions. And other development has the ball then dropped there in not pushing vornado hard enough. In in regard to downtown probably just say I only -- the -- drop in Iraq -- Boston. But that's only one project him as an abortion -- we have thirty million square feet. Our development but way to handle it stay with the let's stay with downtown crossing -- for a minute because in in many ways it is the symbol of Boston downtown crossing how does an end it is well it is far it is for people like to shop downtown. And -- ended as a whole on the ground right now what is it gonna go forward."

" Also the financial come throw. And everyone is as economic development minister and the financial markets knows the money isn't there right now don't we get -- Paramount -- come on line. In this year. Next hearing of the morning the other going online we just over a 21483. Condos -- apartments street he has -- concerned. Pressure around we're trying to get to about it to move forward what you want your legacy of a mother to us in Boston but this citizens anywhere from one -- summer people. Continue to make progress and all the different areas -- schools. An idea to save the city agreed to a city that's what I'm trying to make him that life for them. Tom Menino thank you very much for coming in appreciate it as well -- graduate you once again -- always enjoy it."

" Boston mayor Thomas Menino and his challengers city councilor Michael clarity will both be on radio Boston at 1 PM this afternoon on WBUR. You can talk to them yourself by phoning in or you can email questions to them at radio Boston dot award."

" Now a ghost story. It's set on the fourth floor of alcohol. At Boston University dormitory in ten more square. We're paranormal. Disturbances have been reported. -- ghostbusters and creation day."

" Exiting the elevator I really meant I was expecting maybe even hoping. To find a little -- plans nickel residue. There was none. But the strange encounters here have been creepy according to senior Victoria far. She's the fourth floor RA and remembers her one freakish experience. It happened this summer when she was all alone."

" And as I was walking in the hall I heard a very strange scratching sound on the Obama's. Calais. -- like that and it was rated -- since the stairway house and you that there wasn't -- anyone there."

" It unnerved far -- she says she wasn't surprised. She had heard the tales. Ghost tales involving a lingering spirit of legendary literary figure. American playwright Eugene O'Neill. As it turns out O'Neil lived and died right here on the fourth floor of this building. It used to be a hotel and farce says the writer is ghost still haunts the holes."

" The lights here are a lot dinner the elevator doors will open without being columns. It's actually a -- lots traded on the hallway. I do have a bulletin board meeting dedicates you -- and you know where guns in his Karen writes if something strange happened to them. -- my -- let's buy it now yes doesn't have a."

" The residents here feel a curious affection for O'Neal's -- it seems. Some are even on a first name basis with him we have a theory. That's you gene does not play there. Freshman Daniel king and her roommate lived right next to the elevator. Every time she's the first person to work and doors slammed closed on her. It's consistent it happens every time. So we had a theory that she did something to upset him. -- yet exactly. I have not seen the ghost and I have had no encounters with the ghost. But he wishes he had. Davidson we -- is the director of residence life -- BEU he oversaw and -- on this floor for six years in the eighties. And says students reported -- phenomena that then is. Lights flickering. Or strange sounds in the corner. Not in the -- when they opened the door there'd be nothing there. The -- he says one group of writing students this -- is known as the writers Carter went so far as to hold -- last chance to concert right to -- inspiration. The so hope to connect with the spirit you. There was meditation chanting and it can't do that for a good long time when evening. But they were unable to raise the dead playwright. O'Neill moved here to the Shelton hotel. With his wife -- lot of about two years before he died in 1953. They were bull hill. He suffered from one doctors at that time diagnosed as Parkinson's disease the couple. Known for their knockdown fights and co dependent relationship. Rarely left the hotel according to -- scholar Stephen Blum. This time of this here were kind of tortured it's sad. Bloom is the author of the students companion to Eugene O'Neill and the former president of the Eugene O'Neill society. He says in meat and O'Neal was unable to right physically and it horrified him. Blum also says the playwright himself lived a tormented life hunted by family ghosts and demons."

" If you read his plays his plays usage and many of them most famously -- eastern tonight where -- over and over again struggled with the ghosts of his own parents and his brother."

" She's will be a lot. I hope to god she doesn't conduct."

" Yes -- is nothing -- coast aren't in the past but it's time. Four I was born. The Nobel and Pulitzer prize winning playwright was buried at Boston's forest hill cemetery. Stephen balloon takes comfort in the fact that writing students here in Shelton hall. Are keeping -- spear it alive. -- a Coburn who lives in the room that's said to have you know meals but she says she hasn't seen anything. Not even his --"

" I mean I don't know that I believe in ghosts but it's things -- different to his ghost I would feel like okay can we have a conversation that they're really cool. Tips on writing they would be really helpful. Things like that and I mean I hope for might not pay it."

" Unfortunately assets like. At least not yet perhaps he'll get her chance tomorrow on Halloween. For WBUR. I -- trichet."

" I. Okay."

" It's. A okay."

" We. You."

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