News

April 4, 2003
© 2003, The Jewish Advocate. All Rights Reserved. Republished by permission.
By Susie Davidson, Advocate Correspondent

BROOKLINE ‑ Last week at the Holiday Inn in Brookline, House Speaker Thomas Finneran presented a stark overview of the state of the economy. "I don't sugarcoat things," he cautioned attendees at the monthly Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast. "All we've got left in our pockets is lint."

Finneran went on to detail staggering deficits, extensive local aid cuts and radical governmental restructuring, before discussing a constitutional amendment that might ease the effect of future financial peaks and valleys. "We'll get through this," he said, noting that by comparison people in Third World nations worry about basics such as food and water.

Just across the street at Ohabei Shalom, from 5‑7 p.m. Sunday (April 6), public policy experts will elaborate upon the nitty‑gritty of the budget crisis at the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action's Young Activists' "First Sunday" meeting.

State Rep. Ruth Balser (D‑Newton), State Rep. Frank Smizik (D‑Brookline) and Noah Berger, executive director of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, will discuss "How Low Can We Go? The State Budget and Tax Policy."

Berger, a graduate of Harvard Law School, served in the State House for many years as counsel and policy director to former Senate President Thomas Birmingham. His organization provides independent research and analysis of state budget policies that affect low‑ and moderate‑income people in Massachusetts. Berger's father, Alan, is a Boston Globe correspondent. His mother, Pam, is a film producer and director.

"How much can we cut from the state budget before the public cries out?" asked JALSA outreach consultant Cindy Rowe. "Education, health care, housing, human services, and the environment are all at risk. Should we be proposing major changes in tax policy instead of decimating services?"

Sunday evening's speakers will talk about the need to maintain state services even in the time of crisis.

The Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action, headed by executive director Sheila Decter, organizes speaker events for young social activists in their 20s, 30s, and 40s that occur on the first Sunday evening of every other month.

At Sunday evening's meeting, a kosher dairy or veggie entree will be provided. Donations of dairy or vegetarian desserts or appetizers that can be served at, room temperature are welcomed. Childcare is furnished upon request. RSVP to Cindy@jalsa.org  or 617‑742‑1836 The next "First Sunday" event will be June 1.