Cranston Mayor Cuts 21 City Jobs Amid Budget Deficit

CRANSTON, RI — Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins is slashing 21 city jobs in an attempt to balance a budget deficit. But other city officials have opposed the decision and are questioning Hopkins financial management.

In a news release, the Republican mayor on Friday said the job cuts will save $1.1 million, while other cost-cutting measures will save about $2.6 million. City officials estimated Cranston is facing a $12 million deficit.

"I take no pleasure in making this announcement," Hopkins said. "But I have determined that it is in the long-term interest of the city’s fiscal health and Cranston taxpayers that we begin the formal process to reduce the size of our government."

Hopkins said the decision came after months of discussions between his administration and the city's four labor unions. In total, nine city workers were terminated, seven workers plan to retire and five will voluntarily resign. The departments impacted included building maintenance, highway maintenance, and parks and recreation.

"We first asked each group to consider reopening their contracts and work with us to reduce some costly benefits, including scheduled pay raises," Hopkins said. "As is their right, no union, after consulting with their members, was willing to do that."

But several city officials, including Democrats on the City Council, argued Hopkins should have found another way to cut the budget.

"It's a bad idea to layoff people at this moment," Ward 2 Councilor Aniece Germain said. "We are still navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. This will have a ripple effect on many other families, it's the whole community. One person with a job has many responsibilities. I'm sad the administration came out with this solution."

Germain and other councilors said Hopkins should have found other ways to alleviate budget issues without cutting jobs.