Local governments across the U.S. are now facing a fiscal crisis that will force job losses of 500,000 and significant cuts in much needed public services, a new survey released by the National League of Cities (NLC), United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the National Association of Counties (NACo) shows.
The survey results, made public at a press conference on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., revealed that most of the cuts are coming from public safety, public works, public health and social services.
The survey found that local government have cut or will cut 8.6 percent of total full time positions between 2009-2011, representing 481,000 local government workers who were or will be laid off over the two year period.
Although local governments are a lifeline for their communities providing essential services to their residents, unfortunately, according to the survey of local governments, these services are being cut and will continue to be cut over the course of the next 18 months as local governments attempt to balance their budgets in response to the on-going economic crisis.
Cities and counties almost always seek to protect pubic safety services–police, fire and emergency–from cuts in personnel and funding. However, the survey results show the depth of the current downturn as, a surprising number of cities (63%) and counties (39%) report cuts in public safety personnel.
A majority of the surveyed cities (60%) and counties (68%) report making personnel cuts in public works, considerably higher than previous recessions.
Approximately half of the surveyed counties report personnel cuts in social services (52%) and public health (48%), services that are critical to local residents in need. So, at a time when the demand for these services are likely to increase, confronted with their own significant budget shortfalls, the survey found that child welfare services, cash assistance payments to individuals and families in need, and public health and medical services are being cut by counties and cities all across the U.S.
The report makes clear that federal action is critical to helping city leaders stabilize local economies and serve families. It urges Congress and the Administration to act on the Local Jobs for America Act which would provide $75 billion in targeted and temporary fiscal assistance over the next two years to local governments and Community-based Organizations to save and create local jobs.
According to the report, other opportunities include investing in infrastructure through targeted spending to local governments and ensuring that small businesses and local government can obtain access to credit.
The report concludes, “Federal investment that helps save local jobs and preserve local services will help stabilize communities across the country and ensure that all of America’s families are able to participate in the economic recovery.”
