(CNN)– It was a success story the White House was eager to highlight: earlier this year, President Obama attended the graduation of 25 police recruits in Columbus, Ohio, touting it as a victory for the federal stimulus package.
Without the money, the officers never would have hit the streets. They were to be laid off before their first day of patrol - victims of city budget cuts - until the stimulus money saved the class.
But the White House said the $1.2 million grant only guaranteed their jobs until the end of the year. And facing a growing deficit and a fight to pass an income tax hike, Columbus Police Tuesday announced massive budget cuts that could mean hundreds of layoffs.
Among those who could lose their jobs if voters reject the increase: the 25 new officers who shook the president's hand.
Despite optimistic national headlines the day of the president's trip, city officials warned the influx of federal money wasn't going to be enough to end their financial crisis. President Obama acknowledged in his remarks the money was no silver bullet. “By itself, this recovery plan won't turn our economy around or solve every problem," he said then, and "this police force still faces budget challenges down the road."
The challenges, including a city deficit that could reach $120 million, would mean the loss of 324 officers, more than 15 percent of the force, under a budget unveiled by Chief Walter Distelzweig ."This is devastating," he told reporters Tuesday. "None of us signed up for this kind of task."
Distelzweig said under the 2010 budget plan, the department will focus on priority calls and maintaining public safety. "Policing in this city will change as we know it today," he said. "…[W]e're going to do less with less."
He stressed the cuts are not final, and city voters are being asked to approve an income tax hike in an August ballot. The half-percent increase, if passed, could avoid the firings and furloughs. Distelzweig said the announced cuts are not meant to be a threat to voters. "It's math - whatever money is available," he said.
Columbus is not alone, of course, in its budget crisis. To its south, Cincinnati is looking at job cuts and reduction in services because of a higher-than-expected deficit. Smaller cities like Mansfield, 60 miles to its north, have been forced to lay off up to a third of its officers. CNNMoney.com this week reported 16 states around the nation have raised taxes this year, with proposed increases in 17 others.
Looking at the graduates receiving their diplomas that day, President Obama said, “this economy needs your employment to keep it running."
"I look into their eyes and I see their badges today, and I know that we did the right thing," he told the crowd on March 6. "These jobs and the jobs of so many other police officers and teachers and firefighters all across Ohio will now be saved because of this recovery plan."
The grant did its job, and funded the class for a year. But local budget problems took over. And the 25 officers, a hopeful symbol that day for the White House, may turn into a grimmer example of financial realities still facing communities around the country.
From CNN Politics
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and that's what you get....a pink slip....hit the streets boys...
I could use a job too, Obama. Man you suck as a president
HA! What a stimulus package!
Economic stimulus comes from the PRIVATE SECTOR as a result of lower taxes and less government intervention, not from WRECKLESS GOVERNMENT SPENDING. For being so gullible and nieve, we are going to deserve the economic hell Obama is putting us in.
This stimulus package is a load of pork. It hasn't done anything. Most of the money hasn't been spent.
Ooops.....guess the stimulus wasn't that stimulating
This will not be unique as the story of Government Stimulus unfolds. Hopefully the rest of the $800 billion being spent will be more effective than the $50 billion saving jobs in the auto industry or the hundreds of billions getting Wall Street all fixed up.
Romney 2012 and I assure you he will know how to manage your country's wealth more responsibly.
Wow, good job Obama. You are SO smart. That stimulus plan sure worked to help create jobs, didn't it?.....FOR ONE YEAR ONLY! I'm so proud I didn't vote Obama. My blind wiener dog could do a better job running the country.
As a native Ohioian who knows the geographics of Ohio's small cities, they have never had a population to support their tax base or any new industry. Columbus is a bigger city with a larger population to support their tax base and they are the ones who will get what's need to keep their streets safe.
Local, State, and Fed politicians keep getting paid. Why not the little people? If they can't run their city/state, get rid of the politicians. That is where the real problem and real financial drain are.
Obama's only friend is obama; the sooner his supporters realize that, the sooner they'll call for him to be removed.
It only proves that Barack and the Dems are a bunch of liars.
They sold us on protecting the jobs of police, but then they have money in their for a study of hookers in China and Gay Men in Brazil.
Great way to spend American Tax Dollars and drive us further into debt. Good job Barack. All the crap about President Bush adding 5 Trillion onto the national debt in 8 years is nothing compared to what you will spend in your 4 years. STOP SPENDING MONEY.
Further, CALIFORNIA has proven they do not know what they are doing. 40 Billion in debt. Why would anyone follow CA lead.
New police officers make that much money? Or did the Ohio politicians take a major cut of what was intended to pay for jobs?
Wait a minute....
You mean to tell me the sea doesn't REMAIN parted?!?
I blame the media. They gave force to the omnipotent incarnation of an intelligent man, then stoked the fires with the masses of conforming and unthinking people, democrats and republicans alike. And instead of investing thinking power to understand what happened, it will be a game of attacking and defending the president.
Media: 1
U.S.: 0
When are these politicians and Obama going to realize that more taxes and just throwing money at the problems are not the answer. We all need to live within our means and that includes the government. Just spending money ridiculously is part of the reason we are in this in the first place. At least we have governor Pawlenty in our state to keep the spending under control.
Perhaps looking at trimming the budget in other areas, might be more effective.
Jobs created with tax payer stimulus money is not a job created. A job created needs to be supported by consumerism, not socialism. Too bad these "temporary" jobs were touted as job creation. Nice try. Government needs to get serious and cut the pork out of the budget, not the police.
This is just like all the others who received the stimulus money to get moving again--it is only temporary. How do you calculate this job loss when it was touted as "job creation" when Obama met with them?? I am waiting for those other millions of jobs.
CNN, you probably won't post this–you are very selective when you see my name....
Why is CNN giving Rush credibility? Lets not forget (GHWBush) put her on the Federal bench to start with.
I am losing faith in CNN and its constant pandering to Rush Limbaugh. It wont be long and they will be apologizing to Rush just like Richard Steele.
A lot of promises made and a lot of promises broken. Eloquent rhetoric hides the truth along with the news media, but eventual transparency will be found and liberals and conservatives will combine to vote out the deceptors of our minds.
Remember when obama was bragging bragging bragging how he created (just like God Almighty) these 25 jobs! Are you awake yet strickland?
Mouth writing checks the ___ can't cash. Stimulating.
Unfortunately, this is not Obama's fault, it is the fault of a Mayor and his fellow employees who put the city in a bind. I live in Columbus and this mayor has wasted so much money on failed projects. He also has a ton of unfinished projects. They are going to spend some of the stimulus money on innercity neighborhoods that are gang and drug infested. I do not understand why they will not put money into neighborhoods that still have homeowners and buyers that do not mind buying in those neighborhoods. They are going to put money into neighborhoods that will be tore up again in a few years. Why wont the government put money into the neighborhoods that can be saved. Not the ghetto! Sorry if this sounds racist. By the way I am a black woman.
This is so sad that they could lose their jobs, but the economy sucks!
We need law enforcement (well good cops), well with everyone so upset that Obama will take away their guns and what had happened in Pittsburgh. PA four police officers were killed by the automatics rifles, and the bullets went right through their patrol cars.
I wish them well.
Surprisingly, no one has commented on this article! I guess the Obamabots are busy on all the other websites
This is exactly why some governors rejected the bailout–it's a temporary fix for permanent problems and it leaves states and municipalities on the hook for even greater expenses once the bailout money is gone.
Reality trumps Hollywood. Stay tuned for more of this– much more.
So, the only jobs that BO has created are going to be lost......
Too funny!!
Hopefully these people won't lose their jobs. But, with Obama running this country I wouldn't be at all surprised if they do. I'm sure, like everything else, Obama will blame it on Bush, again.
It will be on the backs of the voters if the officers lose their jobs, not Obama's.
Can't somebody put a muzzle on this man? Egads – he's giving not only the Republican Party a very bad name, but as of late – our country as the leading representative of free speech. Muzzle this loser! I like that all his photos show his big mouth wide open. Very flattering!!
How many Americans feel that the US government can stimulate and buy jobs for its unemployed? Nice job, politicians, businessmen, and all Americans who continue to buy foreign goods!
Do you like high unemployment, poor paying service and retail jobs, higher taxes, and greater debt to foreign nations? If so, and you think all is well in the States, then by all means keep buying foreign goods. Oh and by the way, explain to your friends, relatives, and children who cannot find gainful employment that the foreign car sitting in your garage is good for America. What traitors we are to our own country. We are getting exactly what we deserve!!
just blame Bush and your problem is solved osama.
How about cutting everyone's salary 5-7%, then they keep more cops on the beat, keep them busy and trained and althought it would be tight, they likely could still feed their families and pay their mortgages. Raising taxes during a recession is a bad idea and we have to stop the deficit spending. So a small pay cut seem like the right approach.
Who needs police officers when anti-tax folks can vote down a tax increase and lay off every single city worker. Heck, just sneak in a new concealed gun law into an environmental bill and walla, instant police protection. This is the entire platform of the GOP..No public infrastructure or services as it should all be privatized. Think response time is slow now when you need a cop or fireman, just wait until you have to put in bids to have a fireman put out your house fire.
These are mere photo ops that become gospel. Once the tent meeting moves on folks find that they hadnt been healed but taken in. Just another religious experience with AHBAMA!
Obama will star in a reality show where he tells cops...."You're Fired."
Come on CNN, what a misleading headline. You wrote it as if the President was the cause of him losing his job.
Oh well, my husband lost his job too.
I see from the picture that the greater number shown are white males, I would suspect that Ms.Sotomajor would side with a suit brought against their appointment because of that should such a suit be brought. Sadly,BRW
Happy days are here again, the skies above are clear again...
Don't stop thinking about tomorrow don't stop it'll soon be here...
All around the world saying Yes We Can...
this is exactly why the stimulus bill is nonsense
Every company in the country is having to cut back and live within their budget. Why should municipal governments be any different. Tax revenue is down, lay off people you can't afford. Why should government continue to grow when they 1) don't have the money, and b) no longer have the growth to support the positions?