Budget committee newbie James Pasternak promises a “floor fight” over cuts

Since learning the city’s 2011 surplus (or “savings”) was $138 more than forecast, city councillors have, unsurprisingly, hoped to reverse some of the cuts made in January’s budget. At yesterday’s budget committee meeting, James Pasternak, the newest member of the committee and a part of the “mighty middle,” proposed using $1.7 million of the $292-million surplus to keep a slew of axed programs afloat until the end of the year. Also unsurprising: the budget committee’s decision to vote against most of the proposals, including money for the Hardship Fund, youth outreach workers, High Park Zoo and Faraway Farm. Frustrated-sounding budget chief Mike Del Grande insisted that the bulk of the surplus has been earmarked for streetcar purchases and that the budget can’t be reopened. Pasternak has other plans, promising a “floor fight” once his motion gets to council in June. Given the drama and “furious negotiations” over the budget last January, we think that’s an apt description of what’s to come. [Globe and Mail]