Joseph W. McQuaid: Gatsas and spending cap
Tomorrow is an important day for Manchester. The election will not only determine the direction the city takes for the next two years; it will finally allow the voters a direct say in how much of their money the politicians can tax and spend away.
Although they tried to hide behind some nice-sounding front names, it is now clear that the organized and funded opposition to the spending cap comes from unions, particularly the education union, and other liberal groups, some of them not even from New Hampshire.
Don't be fooled. This isn't about the quality of education or the ability to govern. Other New Hampshire cities and towns have such caps and function quite well. The unions are dreadfully afraid that anything that puts the brakes on government spending will affect their raises.
Also important tomorrow is the election of a new mayor. It is telling that candidate Ted Gatsas has no problem with the spending cap and in fact has embraced it as part of his program. Meanwhile, candidate Mark Roy is dead set against limiting spending and has been, surprise!, endorsed by the teachers' union.
Taxpayers, those interested in orderly growth and low spending, will do themselves and their city's future a favor by voting for Ted Gatsas and for the spending cap.
- printed in the Union Leader, 11/2/09 
