Slashing firefighters, including critical arson investigators, in a city where, already, only 34% of the suspicious fires get investigated? In a week where an east-side arson spree brought the firefighting force to its knees? If that’s what budget constraints can do to Bing’s “number one” priority, whatever number two is may disappear altogether.
Stephen Henderson of the Free Press writes that’s what happens in a city that allows its budget problems to get so deep. The only actions left must be drastic. With the state now a partner in managing the city’s money, there can be no more overspending or massive borrowing. There is no more “elastic” revenue projection.
He writes that Bing has no plan when it comes to public safety.
Bing took office in 2009, promising massive restructuring of city government to whittle down spending on noncritical services and focus on core needs. To date, that restructuring hasn’t happened, and is instead part of the agreement with the state. A program manager, selected by Bing and Gov. Rick Snyder, will lead that effort.
