Officials to hunt for ways to cut budget

By: Greg St. Martin
March, 31, 2009

BOSTON. Councilors will review the city’s fiscal crisis as well as a recent commission’s recommendations to trim the budget deficit at a hearing tonight.

The city faces a $131 million budget deficit, and officials have signaled severe layoffs, including more than 200 teachers, could be necessary to fill the gap. However, the Boston Finance Commission last month singled out numerous examples of waste in city government, including budget overruns in spending on overtime pay at the police, fire and various other departments.

“We’re trying to eliminate wasteful spending for good,” said Councilor Sam Yoon, who chairs the Post Audit & Oversight committee and is running for mayor in the fall. “This is something that is totally being overlooked in war of words around the budget.”

The hearing is set for tonight at 6 in Dorchester at the Codman Square Health Center’s Great Hall.