Health Care

MASSACHUSETTS CITIES and towns need to get a firmer grip on their costs. Candidates for the Legislature can help by endorsing a slate of reforms proposed by the Massachusetts Taxpayers' Foundation: clear, simple ways to curb excesses in municipal pensions and health care, thereby saving enough money to withstand flat property-tax revenues and cuts in state aid.

The Massachusetts Municipal Association, which represents cities and towns, and the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation said they will try to put the issue to a popular vote if the Legislature fails to act next year, but it shouldn't come to that.

"It's a huge issue," said Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. "The benefit is enormously rich and very difficult to change." It isn't just rising premiums that are making it harder for cities and towns; the economy, joblessness and the deterioration of private employers' health care plans play a role, as well.