Thanks to years of flat state government aid, uneven school funding formulas and rising costs, Northampton is facing painful budget cuts and voters must make a choice on a Proposition 2½ override on March 3.
I’ve heard override opponents float the analogy that when you have less income you start cutting your family budget — you do with less — and that the city should function in the same way.
As someone with a fluctuating income, I understand. However, when we have less income, we do not cut in a way that will undermine the foundation of our life.
We eat out less, eliminate our vacation and wait on household repairs that aren’t crucial. But we maintain our health insurance, we fix the roof if it is failing, we do necessary maintenance on the house and car — if we don’t, we will pay far more in the long run.
We also seek out any way we can to add to our income. It is the same with the city. Since the last override, the city has taken great steps to save money and create efficiencies, but that will never be enough. The cuts on the table aren’t luxuries. If the override fails, the city’s public safety budget will be cut by approximately $283,000 and the school budget by $592,000 in fiscal year 2021.
Every subsequent year, the budget gap will widen as costs continue to rise, meaning more and more cuts. Inevitably, the city will lose educators, police officers and fire rescue personnel. We risk our safety, the deterioration of our schools’ reputation, the value of our homes and the city’s excellent bond rating.
Please join my family in voting yes.
Megan Rubiner Zinn
Northampton