US States Budget Crisis
Federal judge rejects lawsuit opposing Washington DC school closures
By Nick Barrickman, 18 May 2013
A proposed injunction to halt the closure of one in ten public schools in the District of Columbia has been denied in federal court.
Seattle: Hundreds condemn Metro Transit service cuts
By Angelo Bosworth and Hector Cordon, 18 May 2013
Over 400 people attended a public hearing on May 14 to oppose a proposed 17 percent cut to Seattle’s Metro Transit.
Detroit’s emergency manager prepares anti-working class financial plan
By Bryan Dyne, 10 May 2013
Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr will submit a report Monday that will be the pretext for an accelerated offensive against the working class in Detroit.
Two Michigan school districts consolidate, shed 187 teachers
By Naomi Spencer, 10 May 2013
Ypsilanti teachers expressed shock and anger over the mass layoff and worsening social conditions.
Washington, DC schools chancellor unveils new scheme to defund public schools
By Adam Sagitov, 10 May 2013
Reclassifying the majority of D.C. public schools as “small schools” will reduce their funding by $8 million.
Minnesota: Sequester cuts hit education and state’s most vulnerable
By Aleksandr Kascak, 10 May 2013
Minnesota faces approximately $85 million in cuts from the sequestration order signed by President Obama, affecting education, public health, childcare, and environmental protection.
Michigan school district shuts down for lack of funds
By Zac Corrigan, 9 May 2013
Many questions remain unanswered following the closure of schools in the small community outside of Saginaw.
Walled Lake, Michigan school bus drivers hold sickout
By Bryan Dyne, 9 May 2013
One quarter of Walled Lake Consolidated School District bus drivers called in sick Wednesday to protest the sell-off of their jobs.
Obama’s budget calls for restrictions on public housing recipients
By Nick Barrickman, 9 May 2013
The expansion of the “Moving to Work” program will allow states to enact stringent restrictions on eligibility for housing benefits.
The Detroit crisis and the municipal bond racket
Timeline of Detroit debt crisis
By Jerry White, 26 April 2013
Detroit is one of many US cities that have taken on crushing levels of debt in response to the Crash of 2008 and to offset cuts in federal aid and state revenue.
Obama administration seeks to sell off Tennessee Valley Authority
By E.P. Bannon, 22 April 2013
In addition to unprecedented cuts in Social Security and Medicare, the White House budget targets the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the electrification project created under the New Deal, for sale to private energy firms.
Support D’Artagnan Collier, Socialist Equality Party candidate for mayor of Detroit!
Throw out the emergency manager! End the bankers’ dictatorship in Detroit!
By Socialist Equality Party (US), 19 April 2013
The Socialist Equality Party (US) is running D’Artagnan Collier as its candidate for mayor of Detroit. The following is his statement announcing the campaign.
Emergency manager to select former law firm as Detroit’s “restructuring counsel”
By Bryan Dyne, 17 April 2013
Emergency manager Kevyn Orr is set to select his old law firm, Jones Day, to oversee the restructuring of Detroit’s debt on behalf of the bondholders and banks.
Detroit Mayor Bing proposes $300 million cut in city budget
By Bryan Dyne, 15 April 2013
The final decision on all spending will be made by the city’s emergency manager.
North Carolina bill requires background checks for public assistance
By Matthew MacEgan, 15 April 2013
The North Carolina House has approved a bill requiring background checks for those seeking welfare assistance or food stamps.
Obama’s budget
By Joseph Kishore, 12 April 2013
The budget released by the Obama administration on Wednesday marks a significant escalation of the assault on Social Security and Medicare, the most important federal retirement and health care programs in the United States.
Arkansas Senate approves random drug testing for the unemployed
By Matthew MacEgan, 12 April 2013
The Arkansas Senate approved a measure that would require random drug testing of as many as 85,000 residents who receive state unemployment benefits.
Medical researchers protest sequestration cuts
By Bryan Dyne, 10 April 2013
A rally called by the American Association of Cancer Research is an initial expression of the mass opposition to the sequester cuts.
Detroit emergency manager prepares to attack pensions
By Lawrence Porter, 10 April 2013
Detroit’s newly installed emergency manager, Kevyn Orr, is preparing to target the pensions and health care benefits of retired city workers.
A Call to Action
Oppose the bankers’ dictatorship in Detroit!
By the Socialist Equality Party, 8 April 2013
For an indefinite period of time, Detroit’s emergency manager, Kevyn Orr, can enact laws, replace all elected officials, deploy the police, rip up contracts and assume all the powers of government.
School districts across New York face cuts
By Steve Filips, 6 April 2013
State aid to public schools has not increased at a rate that will prevent many districts from laying off staff.
Multi-billionaire Dan Gilbert seeks to cash in on Detroit’s financial dictatorship
By Lawrence Porter, 6 April 2013
Dan Gilbert, the multi-billionaire owner of Quicken Loans, has unveiled a plan to gentrify downtown Detroit with the aid of the newly installed emergency manager.
Wayne State University IYSSE holds meeting opposing financial dictatorship in Detroit
By Bryan Dyne, 6 April 2013
SEP National Secretary Joseph Kishore spoke to an audience of students, retirees and workers at a public meeting called to oppose the appointment of a financial manager in Detroit.
District of Columbia budget proposal covers over deepening inequality
By Nick Barrickman, 5 April 2013
The mayor’s budget plan represents handouts to various private interests with window dressings for public services.
Emergency manager’s ex-law firm hired to oversee Detroit restructuring
By Bryan Dyne, 3 April 2013
Jones Day, the law firm where Kevyn Orr worked before becoming Detroit’s emergency financial manager, has been retained by the city of Detroit as its “re-structuring counsel.”
The drive to dismantle Medicare
By Andre Damon, 1 April 2013
Following the imposition of $1.2 trillion in sequester spending cuts, Obama and the Republicans are turning their attention to slashing and ultimately dismantling Medicare, the government health insurance program for the elderly in the United States.
Detroit workers speak against emergency manager
By a WSWS reporting team, 1 April 2013
WSWS reporters spoke to Detroiters over the weekend about the appointment of Kevyn Orr as emergency manager of the city.
Budget cuts severely impact US community college students
By Niles Williamson, 1 April 2013
Community colleges are experiencing declining enrollment due to historic cuts to state funding, while demand for a community college education is at record highs.
Thousands of California teachers receive layoff notices
By Kevin Martinez, 1 April 2013
For the fifth year in a row, thousands of layoff notices were sent out to teachers in mid-March across California.
US states cut higher education spending by nearly a third
By Zac Corrigan, 1 April 2013
State governments in the US have cut funding to public higher education by 28 percent since the beginning of the recession.
New law granting Detroit emergency manager sweeping authority goes into effect
By Jerry White, 29 March 2013
Powerful financial interests are using Detroit as a test case for imposing deeply unpopular measures in line with what is occurring in Cyprus, Greece and other European countries.
No to all school closures! Unite the working class to defend public education!
By the Socialist Equality Party, 27 March 2013
This statement is being distributed at a demonstration of Chicago teachers today.
Emergency Financial Manager takes over Detroit
By Bryan Dyne, 26 March 2013
Kevyn Orr began the first day of his eighteen-month tenure as the state-appointed Emergency Financial Manager (EFM) of Detroit on Monday.
Detroit water and sewerage workers reject concession demands
By Jerry White, 26 March 2013
City workers at Detroit’s giant wastewater treatment plant overwhelmingly voted to reject a contract pushed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 25.
The attack on public education in Chicago
By Alexander Fangmann, 25 March 2013
The announcement of plans to shut down 61 schools in Chicago, Illinois marks a new stage in the social counterrevolution in America.
US Senate budget proposes $975 billion in spending cuts
By Kate Randall, 25 March 2013
The Democratic proposal contains $975 billion in spending cuts, including $275 billion in new cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.
US “sequester” cuts shut 149 air traffic control towers
By David Brown, 25 March 2013
Sequester cuts are forcing the closure of 149 air traffic control towers in mid-sized airports.
Detroit Democratic politicans promote racial politics over emergency manager
By Larry Porter and Bryan Dyne, 25 March 2013
Detroit’s City Council and union bureaucrats declared that the financial takeover of the city was racist, even though the emergency manager himself is black.
Striking teachers, students and parents rally to defend education in Cleveland area
By Phyllis Scherrer and Samuel Davidson, 25 March 2013
Teachers, parents and students in Strongsville, Ohio rallied last week as instructors concluded the third week of their strike.
Detroit Water and Sewerage Workers denounce contract
By a WSWS reporting team, 23 March 2013
The six-year sellout agreement is aimed at locking in place the automatic deduction of union dues from workers’ paychecks.
Detroit teachers and city workers:
Reject the concessions contracts! Mobilize against financial dictatorship in Detroit!
By the Socialist Equality Party, 22 March 2013
This statement is being distributed to Detroit teachers and workers at the Water and Sewerage Department, voting on contracts today.
Massachusetts: One state through the sequester lens
By John Marion, 20 March 2013
The sequester cuts will hit research jobs as well as a wide range of social welfare programs.
Detroit emergency manager threatens municipal bankruptcy
By Lawrence Porter, 18 March 2013
One day after being named Detroit’s emergency manager, Kevyn Orr threatened to use the bankruptcy courts to impose drastic cuts.
New Detroit emergency manager owes back taxes
By James Brewer, 18 March 2013
In a revelation by the Detroit News, Orr is found to have two outstanding liens on his Maryland home.
Teachers, school staff continue strike in Cleveland, Ohio suburb
By Phyllis Scherrer, 18 March 2013
Teachers entered the second week of their strike in Strongsville, Ohio, as a federal mediator called for talks.
Politicians, media hail appointment of emergency manager for Detroit
By Lawrence Porter, 16 March 2013
The selection of Kevyn Orr as emergency manager is aimed at escalating the assault on the working class of Detroit.
Detroit’s emergency manager: Who is Kevyn Orr?
By Shannon Jones, 16 March 2013
Detroit’s new emergency manager is a ruthless defender of corporate interests
US sequester cuts target jobs, vital social services
By Kate Randall, 15 March 2013
The sequester will result in hundreds of thousands of layoffs, benefit cuts to the long-term unemployed, cuts to nutrition and mental health services, and reduced funding for research, disease prevention and national parks.
A financial dictator for Detroit
By Joseph Kishore, 15 March 2013
The new financial manager, bankruptcy lawyer Kevyn Orr, will have vast powers and one essential task: to escalate the attack on the working class.
Obama calls for deeper cuts as Republicans, Democrats propose budget plans
By Andre Damon, 13 March 2013
Less than two weeks after the start of $1.2 trillion in budget cuts, President Obama has pressed Democrats to agree to far deeper cuts in social programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.
Detroit workers denounce threat to impose emergency manager
By Usman Clemens, 13 March 2013
There is growing anger among workers and youth over Michigan governor Rick Snyder’s impending appointment of an emergency manager over the city
Obama, Republicans conspire to attack Medicare, Social Security
By Andre Damon, 8 March 2013
President Barack Obama has initiated what commentators called a “charm offensive,” including dinner with Paul Ryan, aimed at a “Grand Bargain” with the Republicans.
The Detroit City Council begs Snyder, “We can do this without an emergency manager.”
By Lawrence Porter, 8 March 2013
On March 6 the Detroit City Council voted 7-1 to initiate a legal appeal of the decision by Michigan’s governor to name an emergency manager for the city of Detroit.
After US sequester, Wall Street demands cuts in Medicare and Social Security
By Andre Damon, 6 March 2013
As Democrats and Republicans move to make $1.2 trillion in sequester cuts permanent, Wall Street is clamoring for more cutbacks.
Democratic backers of austerity pose as opponents of emergency manager in Detroit
By Lawrence Porter and Shannon Jones, 6 March 2013
Sections of the Democratic Party in Detroit are posturing as opponents of the impending appointment of an emergency manager by Republican Governor Rick Snyder
Obama signals cuts to remain in place
Sequester initiates new austerity drive against US workers
By Barry Grey, 4 March 2013
Obama and the Democrats continue to pose as opponents of the sequester cuts even as they maneuver with the Republicans to make them permanent.
Sequester cuts: A new stage in the assault on the US working class
By Andre Damon and Barry Grey, 2 March 2013
The across-the-board cuts in health care, housing, education, public transit, jobless benefits, nutrition assistance and other vital services establish a new base line for even deeper cuts to come.
Michigan governor moves to appoint emergency manager in Detroit
By Shannon Jones, 2 March 2013
An emergency manager would have virtually dictatorial powers to void union contracts, cut services, sell city assets and privatize city functions.
Fight the bankers’ dictatorship over Detroit!
By the Socialist Equality Party, 2 March 2013
The problem is not the lack of resources, but the monopolization of society’s wealth by the rich.
Obama combines sequester cuts with demagogy
By Andre Damon, 27 February 2013
The unstated agenda is to deliberately create a crisis atmosphere in order to claim that the only way out is an assault on the basic social “entitlement” programs.
Sequester to spearhead historic assault on US social programs
By Andre Damon, 25 February 2013
Whatever the outcome of the political theatrics in advance of the March 1 deadline, the sequester crisis marks a new stage in the ruling class assault on the social conditions of working people in America.
Protests erupt over lack of emergency medical care in Chicago
By Jeff Lusanne, 22 February 2013
The recent spate of violence in Chicago has prompted protests calling for the reinstatement of adult trauma care at the University of Chicago Medical Center.
State of the City speech
Detroit Mayor Bing defends layoffs, pay cuts
By Shannon Jones, 16 February 2013
In his annual State of the City address, the Detroit mayor defended the policies of his administration, which have left a trail of wreckage across the city.
California’s 2013 budget promotes the privatization of education
By Gabriel Black, 15 February 2013
Under the cloak of a small increase in school funding, the budget opens the way for the dramatic expansion of charter schools.
Pro-charter school organization attempts public school takeovers in Los Angeles
By Dan Conway and Itza Cantu, 15 February 2013
The “Parent Revolution” organization manipulates parent discontent to charterize struggling Los Angeles public schools.
Unpaid furlough days dictated for 600 Detroit city workers
By James Brewer, 13 February 2013
More drastic measures were announced by the unelected financial advisory board in Detroit.
Cuts in education, health care and state jobs in Pennsylvania budget
By Samuel Davidson, 11 February 2013
Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett is seeking deep cuts to basic programs and tax breaks for business.
Detroit to close 51 parks
By Shannon Jones, 4 February 2013
The cuts to parks are just the latest in a series of attacks on jobs and basic services such as firefighting, street lighting and bus transportation.
Massachusetts governor releases budget proposal
By John Marion, 1 February 2013
Deval Patrick’s proposed budget targets the working class to fund public transit and education “reforms.”
Sacramento moves to close 11 public elementary schools
By Julien Kiemle, 30 January 2013
The closing of 11 elementary schools in Sacramento is part of a broader assault on the right to education.
New report details explosive growth of poverty among Detroit children
By James Brewer, 26 January 2013
A report issued this week entitled “State of the Detroit Child” quantifies the city’s catastrophic social crisis.
Mass opposition to Philadelphia school closures
By our reporters, 25 January 2013
Supporters of the Socialist Equality Party received an enthusiastic response at a public meeting of about 300 when they called for opposition to all school closures.
Closed fire station costs Detroit resident her home
By a WSWS reporting team, 23 January 2013
The Detroit Fire Department took 21 minutes to respond to a fire because nearby stations were either closed or browned out, a result of the cuts to public services in Detroit.
One in ten Washington, DC public schools to be closed
By Adam Sagitov and Nick Barrickman, 23 January 2013
The DC education chancellor released a finalized list of 15 public school closures slated for this year and next.
Report documents mass poverty in California
By Thomas Gaist and Marc Wells, 21 January 2013
The social situation of working people in California is even worse than the picture painted in a recent report.
California prison overcrowding set to worsen as governor raises state cap
By Julien Kiemle, 16 January 2013
The barbaric conditions that characterize California's prison system will only worsen as Democratic Governor Jerry Brown announces his plan to raise the cap on the state's prison population.
Thousands line up for aid
Police shut down housing voucher distribution in Detroit suburb
By Shannon Jones, 14 January 2013
Thousands seeking housing assistance overwhelmed the human services center in the Detroit suburb of Taylor early Saturday morning.
Wall Street Journal demands “discipline” for Stockton, California “deadbeats”
By Kevin Kearney, 14 January 2013
A recent article by the Wall Street Journal demands deeper cuts in Stockton workers’ pensions and benefits as part of municipal bankruptcy proceedings.
Tens of thousands of distressed Michigan families losing welfare benefits
By Debra Watson, 9 January 2013
Thousands more Michigan families who are unemployed or underemployed will abruptly lose welfare under a new law.
Mental health care cuts hit rural Wisconsin
By Gary Joad, 7 January 2013
A mental health facility for inpatient care and its companion outpatient care clinic have been shuttered in Cumberland, Wisconsin.
Court rules California city can halt pension payments
By Thomas Gaist, 4 January 2013
A ruling last month rejected CalPERS' efforts to force San Bernardino to continue its payments to the pension fund.
Wage freezes, school cuts in Connecticut budget
By John Marion, 27 December 2012
Connecticut’s public schools and social services, along with state workers’ wages, are targeted in the new fiscal year.
Michigan legislature enacts new attacks on workers, democratic rights
By Lawrence Porter, 22 December 2012
The Republican-controlled state legislature has passed a series of reactionary measures in its “lame duck” session.
Chicago diverts taxes to investors, plans privatization of services
By Alexander Fangmann, 19 December 2012
Two recent reports reveal the extent of redistribution of city tax revenues to corporate interests while cuts to services deepen.
Massachusetts governor outlines new round of budget cuts
By John Marion, 13 December 2012
The Democratic governor of Massachusetts, a close friend of the president’s, is calling for major cuts in social programs to close a state budget gap.
Michigan enacts right-to-work law
By Andre Damon and Jerry White, 12 December 2012
The inability of the UAW and other unions to mount any serious opposition to the anti-worker law reflects the political bankruptcy of these organizations and the erosion of support among workers for them.
Washington DC parents and teachers express outrage over schools plan
By Ed Hightower and Nick Barrickman, 8 December 2012
At a public meeting held by school authorities, parents and teachers spoke out against the consolidation of the district and the shutting down of 20 schools.
Washington, DC chancellor announces closures of dozens of public schools
By Nick Barrickman, 19 November 2012
The planned closures, consisting of mostly elementary and middle schools, would largely fall on the impoverished southeast section of the city.
California: Pension fund brings lawsuit against Compton
By Julien Kiemle, 7 November 2012
The California Public Employees' Retirement System filed a lawsuit against the city of Compton after it stopped paying its contributions to the fund.
Chicago mayor threatens to cut pensions of teachers and city workers
By Alexander Fangmann, 15 October 2012
In a speech to the city council, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced plans to lead an assault on teacher and public worker pensions by spearheading statewide pension “reform.”
New York Public Library backs off 42nd Street reconstruction plans
By Sandy English, 6 October 2012
After vehement opposition, the New York Public Library has altered plans that would have changed the character of the main research library in mid-Manhattan.
Poverty rises dramatically in Michigan
By Debra Watson, 5 October 2012
Poverty in Michigan increased a staggering 66 percent since 2001, the largest such increase of any state in the country.
Democrats, Republicans plot post-election assault on Medicare, Social Security
By Kate Randall, 3 October 2012
Discussions are underway in the US Senate to forge a deal on sweeping cuts to social programs in the aftermath of the November 6 election.
Detroit water workers go on strike
By Shannon Jones, 1 October 2012
Some 950 workers at the Detroit Department of Water and Sewerage struck Sunday morning over massive attacks on jobs, pay and benefits.
California raids special funds in attempt to fix budget
By Allison Smith and Rafael Azul, 10 September 2012
The administration of Governor Jerry Brown and the Democratic Party controlled legislature are intensifying the practice of raiding special funds, including some that provide vital services to Californians.
Michigan governor signs bill attacking school employee pensions
By Shannon Jones, 7 September 2012
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation this week requiring public school employees to contribute more toward their pensions and eliminating paid retiree health care benefits for new-hires.
Democrats slash California workers’ compensation
By Don Knowland, 5 September 2012
California’s Democratic governor and legislators, with the collusion of major unions, have gutted the compensation and medical benefits of injured workers.
Tens of thousands lose cash welfare assistance in Michigan
By Debra Watson, 3 September 2012
Sixty thousand individual welfare recipients have been removed from Michigan welfare rolls since last fall.
Legal Aid forced to lay off 750 workers in US
By Alan Gilman, 27 August 2012
Eight percent of the lawyers and support staff will be laid off from the federal legal services nonprofit due to congressional budget cuts.
New Orleans universities plan huge cuts as state funding shrinks
By Tom Hall, 22 August 2012
The University of New Orleans and Southern University at New Orleans are planning deep cuts to compensate for declining state funding.
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