Massive Layoffs Likely in Newark

In the face of a massive $180 million budget deficit for 2010, Newark Mayor Cory Booker has proposed equally massive municipal layoffs. Up to 2,000 city workers may be out of a job by September in what Booker called a “massive change in the way we do government.”

“What we have to do right now,” Booker continued, “is achieve approximately $200 million in personnel savings — period.”

Shrinking revenues and ballooning costs in health benefits and pensions have already forced Booker to cut the number of city workers by 17 percent since 2006.