The trickle down effect of the RI State budget impasse has started. Providence Mayor Elorza saying he's concerned his city may have to resort to layoffs, Cranston Mayor Allen Fung worries about educational funding and Johnston Mayor Joe Polisena telling constituents to contact their senator regarding car taxes they expected to be reduced. The impasse stems from a trigger the Senate President Dominic Ruggerio wants to put in place on House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello's coveted car tax cut. The trigger would pull back the Speaker's car tax cut in the event of a major revenue shortfall. Mattiello accuses the Senate President of a political power play which isn't a far fetched accusation when you stop and think about it. If there was such a catastrophic revenue shortfall, lawmakers would have to reconsider just about EVERYTHING. The impasse is causing frustration and that can tempers to flare. A small group of sign totin protesters gathered outside the Speaker's Cranston law office Tuesday knocking on his door. When nobody answered, they slipped their signs under the office door. Mattiello did open the door telling them this was his law office. When they asked for an appointment, he told them to call the State House. You know what, he's right. These are part time lawmakers and you should respect the fact they make their living elsewhere. You want to demonstrate? Do it at the State House.