Our post, 2010 Budget Discussion _ Part 2 (see below) highlights two recent newspaper articles related to city financial control and planning (that is, the world of budgets and taxes). As well, they point to the strong and central role of the new and current mayor in setting the course for the tough journey ahead.
In today's Star Opinion section, Michael Warren ( Bring Toronto transit into the 21st century Regional amalgamation, cheaper labour and private investment are key ingredients for a modernized system) provides some further background worth our attention. He raises some strong discussion points. Here are some highlight excerpts to ponder:
Need for Private Sector Parity in Public Contracts:
"A recent study revealed that City of Toronto employees, including TTC and roads employees, are paid 11.6 per cent more on average than their private-sector counterparts. In addition, they have job security and guaranteed pensions rarely seen in the private sector. If their productivity were higher, that might help – but it isn't."
Role of Mayor & Province in GTA Public Transit
"The next mayor has to lead this move to operational amalgamation across the GTA. However, clear conditions should be set. The province must agree to return to providing a significant share of the operating costs for any new regional transit authority – and to keep its 25-year "Big Move" capital funding promises."
"The next mayor has to keep the socio-economic "value case" for enhanced transit in front of all the stakeholders, and orchestrate effective opposition if the possibility of cuts begins to surface"
UPDATE: ALSO SEE THIS FEB 21 Star Opinion Piece: First task for new mayor: Get spending under control
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