WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Unions asks Abramson for moratorium on proposed budget cuts

Unions asks Abramson for moratorium on proposed budget cuts

By Connie Leonard - bio | email   
Posted by Charles Gazaway - email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Mayor Abramson is entertaining several suggestions when it comes to dealing with the budget shortfall. Friday afternoon, the city's emergency services unions asked the mayor for a 30 day moratorium on cuts saying they needed more time and still need specific shortfall numbers. Right after that, the Metro Council sent Abramson a long list of suggestions on ways to cut back that might help him avoid layoffs.

"We respectfully ask the Mayor's office for a 30 day moratorium," said Larry Bisig, a union spokesperson.

After being asked to chip in pay raises and agree to furloughs, emergency services unions want 30 days before Abramson implements his budget cuts, and again, asked for detailed numbers.

"We believe the Metro Council should be able to look at the entire budget and see if there might be some better ideas," Bisig said.

"I think what you're seeing is a great sense of frustration," said Cheri Bryant Hamilton, chair of the Metro Council budget committee.

That is why Hamilton delivered a long list of council suggestions to the mayor on Friday for cutting costs to avoid layoffs.

"Some capitol budget recommendations some projects that have not started could be delayed," Hamilton said.

Those suggestions go from reductions to the new facility for Metro Animal Services to cutting back on junk pickup and street cleaning.

Dipping into the city's Rainy Day Fund was one idea Hamilton and budget committee vice chair Kelly Downard agree on. But Abramson says much of the money in the fund is dedicated to paying off city lawsuits. He also says that having it in the bank helps with the city's bond rating.

When WAVE 3 asked Hamilton if she thought there was some wiggle room to use some of the Rainy Day Fund money, she replied "definitely" and said that it must be considered.

"Personally, I'm not in favor of furloughs for Metro Government employees, and that's one of the reasons why we wanted to offer the Rainy Day Fund while we get things stabilized while we get a long term plan beyond this fiscal year," said Hamilton.

"The Mayor has a very good point that we can't just say ‘we'll were short this money, let's take it out of the rainy day fund." But it's raining. Under anybody's understanding, it's raining," said Downard.

Downard says Abramson's claim that he has given enough detailed numbers and that a review of them would take months just isn't true.  

"It would take me less than an hour ... if I had the numbers," Downard said.

Friday night, Abramson's communications office sent WAVE 3 the statement concerning the emergency service unions:

"I'm deeply disappointed that the police and firefighters unions continue to refuse to acknowledge the economic problems that are gripping this nation. I'm baffled by their unwillingness to join with other employees and citizens to be part of the solution to the most serious financial challenge to our city in decades. I'll meet with Chief White and Chief Frederick soon to discuss our next steps."