The Recession Hits Local Aid

Raise your hand if you didn't see this one coming.

“There's going to have to be some cuts made across the board in fiscal 2010,” [House Speaker Sal] DiMasi told a group of reporters in his office. “Now, how much of a cut local aid will take is a matter of how much, it’s not a matter of whether they will take a cut or not … I suggest it’s going to be at least 5 [percent], and as much as 10 percent.”

Hope you kids liked going to school while you could. From now on, all learning will be done via the Noggin network, or perhaps via PlayStation 3 downloads.

DiMasi says he'll try to offset the cuts by allowing towns to tax meals or telephone poles. Which should be a great solution. Because everyone knows that the average resident of Main Street, Massachusetts is dining out a lot lately. We've got plenty of money to spare. Yes, Mr. Speaker, please balance your budget on my big, fat wallet!

Sorry. DiMasi made me a little sore with this quip.

When asked whether he planned to serve the full two-year term, he said, "I don't know. Do you think you'll have your job two years from now?"

Matt Viser is from the Globe, Sal. He'll be lucky if he keeps his job or current salary through tomorrow. It's just cruel to make fun of the journalists during these trying times.