THANK YOU for weighing in on the recent cuts to the state budget and human services with your Nov. 2 editorial “Patrick should cut local aid, ease up on human services.’’
The economic storms that the Commonwealth and every resident are enduring are not the result of typical business cycle contractions. There are no easy solutions, and there is no guarantee that anyone’s budget will return to normal once the clouds clear. To fix a projected budget gap of $600 million, the governor used his 9C authority to find $277 million in the expenses of the executive branch - $82 million came from human services. Human services have already experienced hundreds of layoffs and losses of services to clients and consumers. All signs point to continued battering as our government goes through this fiscal year and develops a budget for fiscal 2011.
The governor has made difficult decisions within the authority he has, but this is a problem beyond human services, and it requires everyone to pitch in to help. We are doing our part. It is only fair that the governor be given expanded authority so that others can do their part. As you point out, no corner of the budget should be held harmless.
Randal Rucker
Board chairman
Massachusetts Council of Human Service
Providers Inc.
Boston 
