Menino says budget would cut 565 jobs

BOSTON -- Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has proposed a $2.4 billion city budget that cuts hundreds of jobs, including teachers and police officers.

The mayor presented the fiscal 2010 spending plan to the city council on Wednesday. The job cuts are aimed at closing an estimated $140 million budget deficit brought on by the national recession and reductions in state aid.

Menino's budget would eliminate 565 jobs, including 212 public school teachers and 67 uniformed police officers. However, the mayor says the officers will continue working through at least October in the hopes that grant money will eventually save those jobs.

The mayor said nearly 500 additional layoffs were averted, partly with federal stimulus money and partly through agreements with 22 city unions to accept wage freezes.

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