Too many people can't afford cars. Even though the monthly payments are less than monthly parking fees. Quote of note:

The cuts in social services are largely the result of the financial problems in state government, which faces a $6 billion deficit in its $100 billion budget for the next fiscal year. But many lawmakers say there is also a more specific reason why the social service programs are being hurt: the state's decision to use federal welfare money indirectly for non-welfare spending; the pot of money is now running out.

I'm actually having a problem being less than cynical this morning. Side effect of getting enough sleep, I think. Anyway… Social Services in City to Lose $100 Million By LESLIE KAUFMAN Barring an 11th-hour rescue by the State Legislature, New York City is to lose nearly $100 million in state aid for social services programs in the current fiscal year, according to the city's Independent Budget Office. The cuts, many of which were the result of line-item vetoes that Gov. George E. Pataki made in August, are among the steepest made to social services in about a decade. The Legislature has until Dec. 31 to override the vetoes, but several lawmakers say such action is unlikely. Already numerous nonprofit groups - providing services like career training for high school dropouts and treatment for drug addicts with children taken into foster care - have lost state funds, closed programs and laid off workers. In the last 60 days, 150 workers have been laid off at substance abuse treatment programs alone, according to a survey by Veritas Therapeutic Community Inc., a nonprofit drug treatment provider. In addition, the city's treasury is temporarily filling the gap created by a $40 million state reduction in programs that counsel families with children found to be at risk of abuse or neglect by their parents. In recent years, such programs have been credited with helping cut the number of children in foster care in the city by more than half. "These cuts are potentially devastating," said John B. Mattingly, the city's commissioner of children's services. "The city has covered us at least for now, but we are really dependent upon the state funds and we have no easy solution if they don't come through." The cuts in social services are largely the result of the financial problems in state government, which faces a $6 billion deficit in its $100 billion budget for the next fiscal year. But many lawmakers say there is also a more specific reason why the social service programs are being hurt: the state's decision to use federal welfare money indirectly for non-welfare spending; the pot of money is now running out.