Things are getting so bad in Newark that the mayor has ordered the government to stop buying toilet paper.It's part of Newark Mayor Cory Booker's belt-tightening plans that include reducing most city workers to a 4-day work week and shuttering city pools. Booker estimates that the pool closures alone would save $250,000. He also says that no gas will be purchased for municipal vehicles that are not deemed critically important.
Police officers, firefighters and sanitation workers would not be affected by the furlough plan. City workers were already bracing for furloughs starting in August. The number of unpaid days would increase from 11 to 19 with Booker's plan.
The city budget shortfall is $70 million and Booker plans to meet the revenue shortfall with budget cuts instead of property tax increases.
"Taxes can not be the answer," Booker said.
Booker says property taxes in Newark have gone up 76 percent in last decade and 19 percent in the past five years.
At the news conference Booker was also quoted as saying, "Call me Mr. Scrooge, if you want, but they'll be no Christmas decorations around the city."
Booker has proposed a $600 million budget which includes the possibility of laying off as many as 350 police and firefighters.
The moves come after the City Council deferred action on the creation of a municipal utilities authority, which is a key part of Booker's budget.
Council President Donald M. Payne, Jr. and four other council members held a news conference on Thursday to attack Booker. They claim he is using fear tactics instead of working for a real solution.