This is right out of the local government playbook. When you are asked to make cuts, you do it in a way to hurt your constituents the most so that they will stop trying to cut your budget. EG, county commissioners cut things like 0road maintainence first.
You have to punish your constituents for trying to assert control over what is rightfully yours.
You have to punish your constituents for trying to assert control over what is rightfully yours.
Grrrrrrrrrrrr!