by Zelig Stern
On Saturday February 7th the Socialist Party USA - NYC Local held a forum on the NY Budget Cuts. Over 50 activists from different parts of the progressive community attended. The featured speaker was University of Massachusetts, Amherst economist Rick Wolff. Wolff used easily accessible terms to explain the economic roots of the current global financial crisis, the hypocrisy of the bailout attempts, and the effect budget cuts would have on the economy of New York and the rest of the country. He then offered creative solutions to the crisis that would place the financial burden on the corporate elites who created the crisis. Amongst other things, he recommended that property taxes be extended to tax property held in the form of stocks and bonds.

After Wolff spoke, there was a panel of six speakers including activists representing rank and file members of Transport Workers Union and United Federation of Teachers, the community organization Families United for Racial and Economic Equality, CUNY students and adjuncts, healthcare workers, and the Socialist Party USA. Each of these speakers explained how the budget cuts will affect the communities they represent and strategies for organizing against them.
After the panel, everyone in attendance divided into breakout groups to discuss possible strategies and actions to take in opposition to the budget cuts. These breakout groups were followed up by an organizing meeting the following weekend where planning began for a demonstration outside Mayor Bloomberg's house to demand full funding for all programs New Yorkers depend on. This is only the first step. We must continue to organize action and build the movement against the budget cuts. Don’t Mourn, Organize!