Author Archives: billmanzi

The State of the Union

Posted on January 28, 2010 by billmanzi

President Obama delivered the State of the Union last night, and he moved the agenda to job creation and the economy, removing his focus on health care reform. He also candidly acknowledged error, but challenged both parties to focus on … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | Tagged | 4 Comments

Governor Patrick Files FY 2011 Budget

Posted on January 27, 2010 by billmanzi

Governor Deval Patrick has filed the FY 2011 budget. His full budget message is below. To the People of Massachusetts: Lieutenant Governor Murray and I are proud to file our budget recommendations for fiscal year 2011. This budget reflects our … Continue reading →

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Live Chat the Presidents State of the Union

Posted on January 27, 2010 by billmanzi

I will be a panelist tonight as the Eagle Tribune hosts an online chat during President Obama’s State of the Union speech. Join us at the Eagle Tribune website. We are scheduled to begin at 8:45 p.m.

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Deficit Commission Rejected

Posted on January 27, 2010 by billmanzi

The U.S. Senate yesterday rejected a proposal that would have created a bi-partisan “Deficit Commission”, which would have had the authority to make recommendations that Congress would have been forced to vote up or down, with no amendments. The proposal, … Continue reading →

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President Obama and the Left

Posted on January 26, 2010 by billmanzi

With the potential collapse of health care reform President Obama has begun to take some withering fire from the left wing base of the Democratic Party. The complaints are multifold but boil down to the President paying too little heed … Continue reading →

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What Ails Democrats?

Posted on January 25, 2010 by billmanzi

With the Coakley loss there will be plenty of post election analysis done on why she lost, and whether that loss should lead to a re-evaluation of Democratic Party strategies and policy goals. Two interesting columns, one by Senator Steve … Continue reading →

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The President on SCOTUS Corporate Free Speech

Posted on January 24, 2010 by billmanzi

The President this week talked about the Supreme Court decision that opened the floodgates for special interest money to flood the political system. The Court broadened the concept of First Amendment rights for corporations, enabling corporate and other special interest … Continue reading →

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Governor Patrick at the MMA

Posted on January 23, 2010 by billmanzi

Governor Patrick at the MMA yesterday giving the keynote speech and giving an advance peek at his budget, and how it pertains to local aid. His remarks were welcomed by local officials, who had anticipated large cuts in general local … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance, State News | Tagged | 3 Comments

David Paleologos on Senate Race

Posted on January 22, 2010 by billmanzi

David Paleologos of Suffolk University was the pollster who first saw Scott Brown take the lead in the Senate race. He and his team at Suffolk did a terrific job of tracking the movement in the race. His bellwether polls … Continue reading →

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Health Care Conundrum

Posted on January 22, 2010 by billmanzi

The victory of Scott Brown has thrown Democratic plans for health care expansion into chaos, with both Senate and House leadership seemingly unable to come up with a cogent strategy to bring a bill forward. The most obvious way forward … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | Tagged | 1 Comment