The Providence City Council today delivered letters to the leadership and the Providence delegation of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, urging them not to approve the proposed fiscal year 2009 supplemental budget.

All members of the Council signed onto the letter which asked the General Assembly to “consider other options that will address the state’s fiscal crisis and balance the fiscal year 2009 budget, without simultaneously obliterating the existing operating budgets of Rhode Island cities and towns.”

The Council’s letter stated that residents in cities and towns throughout Rhode Island will suffer “extreme financial hardship” if their local governments are forced to shave millions of dollars off municipal budgets, with only three months left in the current fiscal year.

The 2009 supplemental budget was recommended for passage by the House Finance Committee on Friday. The proposed budget will eliminate $55 million in state aid to cities and towns, including $15 million for Providence alone. The budget is scheduled for a vote in the House tomorrow, Wednesday, April 1^st.