Cadigan Proposes New Budget Cuts

It looks like City Councilor Michael Cadigan may be offering a little preview of his mayoral campaign. He is proposing budget cuts that would trim social-service spending by around 10 percent, reduce the city’s billboard advertising and curtail travel.

A host of advocates for the homeless, animal shelters and others have already spoken against the proposal in tonight’s meeting. It won’t get acted on for awhile, though, as it was referred to committee (which is routine).

Mayor Martin Chavez has already unveiled budget cuts, consisting largely of a hiring freeze and a cutback in supplies and things like that. As far as I can tell, Cadigan is seeking a broader hiring freeze than what the mayor proposed.

Both Cadigan and Chavez are seeking to make about $20 million in adjustments to the city budget to make up for lower-than-expected tax revenue, a sign of the sluggish economy.

Cadigan, I suspect, will run as a fiscal conservative who’s not afraid to cut the budget and oppose developer subsidies. Chavez, if he seeks re-election, will, of course, have his own ammunition, including the city’s credit-rating increase on his watch and advocacy for economic growth.

For a bystander like me, it’ll be interesting to watch. Election Day, unfortunately, isn’t until October. I think I’ll be ready for it to be over by then.