Tulsa World: Enough talk

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Enough talk
Budget woes demand action

By World's Editorial Writers
Published: 11/14/2009 2:26 AM
Last Modified: 11/14/2009 4:20 AM

Gentlemen of the City Council: Drop the metaphors, and step away. We promise nobody will be hurt.

On second thought, maybe a better idea would be to start charging a city metaphor-use tax. At the current usage rate, the budget could be healthy again within months.

Seriously, city councilors are making some good points using their literary licenses, if one overlooks the occasional mixed and overextended metaphor.

In discussing $6 million in budget cuts ultimately approved Thursday, councilors seemed to agree the latest round of cuts isn't a long-term fix for what ails the city.

Noting "short-term approaches to a long-term problem," Councilor Bill Martinson said: "Folks, we're living in the land of Oz. I hope Tulsa's flying monkeys realize that I'm not implying that someone dropped a house on the mayor's sister, but parallels do abound."

Huh?

Councilor Eric Gomez was a little clearer: "We are no longer performing liposuction on the city's budget; we are amputating appendages of city services. We have to find a way to deal with the actual problem and ... get costs in line with revenues."

Not to be outdone, Councilor John Eagleton called the current budget crisis a "train wreck (that) was as predictable as the sunrise," adding that city spending has expanded 4 1/2 times the rate of inflation since 2006.

As in past budget discussions, public safety spending was a primary topic.

Councilors have hit the nail on the head with their observations on spending, and their insistence on further study of public safety spending is not without merit. But what they've failed to address is the fact that getting benefits concessions out of the police and fire departments will be like pulling hen's teeth.

They also haven't faced the fact that city services — and therefore most city spending — are as essential as the day is long. Making even more cuts will mean even more oxen will be gored.

All kidding aside: The budget crisis is no laughing matter. People have lost their jobs and service cuts are becoming more worrisome. City leaders have talked about the resource problems for years but so far there has been little action.

The message going out from Tulsa is we can't figure out how to keep the place fixed up and running smoothly. Tulsa's new City Council faces challenges unlike any in the city's history. By World's Editorial Writers

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	Report Comment Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (11/14/2009 6:36:37 AM) Well let's see, we can either raise taxes or cut spending. Bartlett says he's not raising taxes so.......
	Report Comment droopy, wagoner (11/14/2009 6:38:43 AM) Oh no, a politican realizes that spending is out of control. Hat off to John Eagleton.
	Report Comment Jeff Shaw, (11/14/2009 7:24:39 AM) This editorial is cute as a bugs ear. but seriously, I'll be glad when Tulsans are standing in tall cotton again. Good work.
	Report Comment moogle, Tulsa (11/14/2009 11:12:17 AM) Is it accurate to say the city finances are Rosanne B. running the 100-yard dash in a string bikini?
	Report Comment my view, Sand Springs (11/14/2009 2:25:43 PM) Aw come on now. The metaphors are being used to show how clever they are. The real question that the TW should be asking is; Why did city spending expand four and half times the rate of inflation?
	Report Comment Moses, Jenks (11/14/2009 2:26:44 PM) Tulsa, your City Council reminds me of the north end of a south bound horse!
	Report Comment getreal, (11/14/2009 3:52:10 PM) Jenks; Your qaint little community would be a dryhole in Oklahoma if not for Tulsa.
	Report Comment Observer3, (11/14/2009 4:03:31 PM) When will the Tulsa World finally acknowledge that Kathy Taylor's massive spending has helped put Tulsa in the financial mess it's in now? Maybe after she leaves office?
	Report Comment Nuff, (11/14/2009 5:22:26 PM) Yes, KT has increased spending 4 1/2 times the rate of inflation since 2006. She hasn't stopped. She's still trying to hire more cronies. When does a hiring freeze really mean a hiring freeze? And how many $100,000 plus positions did this administration create and hire? I'm banking on Bartlett to cut the high paid overhead. If these people want to get rich then go work in the private sector. I'm not impressed with any of them!
	Report Comment Thunder196, Tulsa (11/14/2009 10:50:19 PM) I thought we were in the same shape as a stepped on frog with his eyes bugged out.
	Report Comment Elusive, the burbs (11/15/2009 5:49:09 AM) Between KT and this Recession it's put us in a real pickle.

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