Lower Merion Citizens for Responsible Budgeting
2008 Budget Hawk Awards
The Budget Hawk Award recognizes Lower Merion Township Commissioners who not only demonstrate a commitment to spending restraint and low taxes, but also act in a manner consistent with that concern. Although ten commissioners voiced their concern for the Township’s increasing taxes and spending, only five voted against raising taxes and the proposed 2008 budget. Each commissioner recognized will be mentioned in our press release and presented with a Budget Hawk Lapel Pin.
The following commissioners have been recognized with a 2008 "Budget Hawk"
 |
Commissioner Jenny Brown (Ward 2), whose repeated challenges to reduce spending and identification of areas in the proposed budget where spending increases appeared excessive, pressured other members of the Board to publicly confirm the need to address spending. |
 |
Commissioner Lewis Gould (Ward 11), who requested an alternate budget with a reduced rate of spending increase and who labeled the complaint of a “systemic revenue problem” as classic “government speak.” |
 |
Commissioner Lance Rogers (Ward 14), who noted that it was not merely a 2% real estate tax increase needed to fund the proposed spending, but effectively a 7% increase, given the $1,200,000 drawdown of reserves that was also required to fund the proposed spending. |
 |
Commissioner Phil Rosenzweig (Ward 6), who insisted that Township Staff prepare a list of expenditures which could be considered for removal from the proposed budget and who spoke passionately for spending restraint as a necessary prerequisite to any tax increase. |
 |
Commissioner Scott Zelov (Ward 10), who clarified and focused the debate by properly defining the Township’s budget difficulties as a “systemic expenditure problem”. |