Framingham Taxpayers Association (FTPA) formed to be fiscal watchdog

Framingham Taxpayers Association (FTPA) formed to be fiscal watchdog

News from:
FRAMINGHAM TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION
Contact: Steve Kruger
(508) 788-1777

For immediate Release
Framingham Taxpayers Association (FTPA) formed to be fiscal watchdog
Citizens group to advocate for fiscally responsible municipal government in Framingham
FRAMINGHAM, MA - October 1, 2003 - Today the Framingham Taxpayers Association (FTPA) formally announced its organization as a citizens association dedicated to highly cost-effective, fiscally responsible municipal government. The group has adopted the slogan "Framingham's Fiscal Watchdogs". The FTPA is a non-partisan organization that will represent the interests of the taxpayers of Framingham.
Recently holding ad-hoc organizational meetings, the FTPA has developed a strategy to advance its agenda of fiscal responsibility and municipal effectiveness in Framingham. "The formation of the FTPA is a step in the right direction" said Steve Kruger, a member of the FTPA Executive Committee. "It's time that the property taxpayers had a strong public voice to speak out on issues that affect them and their tax bills," Kruger added.
The FTPA is comprised of ordinary citizens that are working together toward a "common goals of maximizing the value we all receive for our tax dollars and keeping the town budget under control" said Kruger.
Budget Analysis Exposes Record of Feast or Famine Budgeting
The group has attracted people with knowledge of the Town's fiscal affairs who are working together to analyze the Town's spending over the last business cycle. They have come up with "some insightful analysis that may be quite eye-opening to many taxpayers," according to Nancy Wilson, also a member of the Executive Committee. Wilson adds, "the economic boom of the 1990's produced a surge in revenues to the Town that was some $60-70 million more than needed to keep pace with inflation and population growth - and we spent virtually all of it. Not only did we save very little, but we also allowed our expenditures to rise to such an extent that as soon as the boom ended we needed an override. The very same phenomenon occurred in the last business cycle. Sorely lacking was the fiscal discipline to control our spending during the boom times so that we were properly positioned for the inevitable end to the bubble economy of the late 1990's."
Group Aims to Avoid Future Override Requests
Enzo Rotatori, a town meeting member and one of the founding members of the FTPA said, "as fiscal 2004 unfolds, it is probable that state revenues will be cut further. The FTPA was formed to come up with recommendations to improve the town's fiscal management and avoid the need for future overrides."
Group Seeks Members
Kruger stated that the group is seeking members and supporters who share its goals of more fiscally responsible and cost-effective town government in Framingham. The FTPA invites interested citizens to visit its website at www.framinghamtpa.org for further information on its research and policy recommendations, membership and contact information.
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Framingham Taxpayers Association (FTPA) formed to be fiscal watchdog
News from: FRAMINGHAM TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION Contact: Steve Kruger (508) 788-1777 *For immediate Release* Framingham Taxpayers Association (FTPA) formed to be fiscal watchdog Citizens group to advocate for fiscally responsible municipal government in Framingham FRAMINGHAM, MA - October 1, 2003 - Today the Framingham Taxpayers Association (FTPA) formally announced its organization as a citizens association dedicated to highly cost-effective, fiscally responsible municipal government. The group has adopted the slogan "Framingham's Fiscal Watchdogs". The FTPA is a non-partisan organization that will represent the interests of the taxpayers of Framingham. Recently holding ad-hoc organizational meetings, the FTPA has developed a strategy to advance its agenda of fiscal responsibility and municipal effectiveness in Framingham. "The formation of the FTPA is a step in the right direction" said Steve Kruger, a member of the FTPA Executive Committee. "It's time that the property taxpayers had a strong public voice to speak out on issues that affect them and their tax bills," Kruger added. The FTPA is comprised of ordinary citizens that are working together toward a "common goals of maximizing the value we all receive for our tax dollars and keeping the town budget under control" said Kruger. Budget Analysis Exposes Record of Feast or Famine Budgeting The group has attracted people with knowledge of the Town's fiscal affairs who are working together to analyze the Town's spending over the last business cycle. They have come up with "some insightful analysis that may be quite eye-opening to many taxpayers," according to Nancy Wilson, also a member of the Executive Committee. Wilson adds, "the economic boom of the 1990's produced a surge in revenues to the Town that was some $60-70 million more than needed to keep pace with inflation and population growth - and we spent virtually all of it. Not only did we save very little, but we also allowed our expenditures to rise to such an extent that as soon as the boom ended we needed an override. The very same phenomenon occurred in the last business cycle. Sorely lacking was the fiscal discipline to control our spending during the boom times so that we were properly positioned for the inevitable end to the bubble economy of the late 1990's." Group Aims to Avoid Future Override Requests Enzo Rotatori, a town meeting member and one of the founding members of the FTPA said, "as fiscal 2004 unfolds, it is probable that state revenues will be cut further. The FTPA was formed to come up with recommendations to improve the town's fiscal management and avoid the need for future overrides." Group Seeks Members Kruger stated that the group is seeking members and supporters who share its goals of more fiscally responsible and cost-effective town government in Framingham. The FTPA invites interested citizens to visit its website at www.framinghamtpa.org for further information on its research and policy recommendations, membership and contact information. ###

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