Louisville's police union is mulling over some concessions proposed by Metro Government to help close a $20 million city budget shortfall.The city is offering the Fraternal Order of Police several options aimed at cutting about $1 million from the budget.They include charging officers more for the use of their take-home cruisers, foregoing pay raises or cutting vacation time.Mayor Jerry Abramson says all city workers are being asked to tighten their belts."When you're talking about 60 percent of your budget coming from police, fire, EMS and corrections, they've got to be a significant participant to balance the budget," Abramson said.Louisville FOP President John McGuire says he's worried that a change in the vehicle policy will reduce police presence and compromise safety."That will lead to fewer officers being on the street in an off-duty capacity, and that's major," McGuire said.An emergency FOP meeting was scheduled for Monday afternoon to discuss the options.The mayor recently announced several budget cutting measures, including three furlough days, and says more actions will be announced after Thanksgiving.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.