Author Archives: billmanzi

Unemployment Fund Balances Sink

Posted on February 6, 2009 by billmanzi

With unemployment claims reaching record levels the state trust funds that provide the benefits are being rapidly depleted. From the Wall Street Journal: Unemployment filings have soared so high in recent months that seven states have already emptied their unemployment-insurance … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | 4 Comments

Guy Glodis Flexes His Fundraising Muscle

Posted on February 5, 2009 by billmanzi

The State House News Service is reporting that an impressive group of “hosts” will be running a fundraiser next week for the High Sheriff of Worcester County, Guy Glodis. The fundraising event will be hosted by former Senate President Robert … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

The Time for Action is Now

Posted on February 5, 2009 by billmanzi

The Obama Administration, seeing momentum slip away from the stimulus package, has launched a political offensive to try to regain the high ground in this debate. The President has been wheeled out repeatedly and is now taking on Republican arguments … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 17 Comments

Senate Dilutes Buy American Provision

Posted on February 5, 2009 by billmanzi

The Senate, under prodding from the Obama Administration, yesterday diluted the provisions in the stimulus package mandating that bill beneficiaries “Buy American”. The White House utilized a provision that ensures that no proviso in the bill would violate existing trade … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Buy American Provisions stir trade tensions

Posted on February 4, 2009 by billmanzi

The stimulus bill voted out of the House of Representatives contains provisions mandating that American products, specifically iron and steel, be used in the infrastructure projects funded by the bill. These “buy American” provisions, which may be expanded upon in … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Stimulus Bill Lacks Senate Votes

Posted on February 4, 2009 by billmanzi

The stimulus bill passed by the House and under consideration by the Senate appears to lack sixty Senate votes as it is currently written. The issue appears to center around both the size of the bill and the sections of … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | Tagged , | 12 Comments

Obama Acknowledges “Error”

Posted on February 4, 2009 by billmanzi

President Obama gave an interview to Brian Williams of NBC in which he acknowledged his frustration and accepted responsibility for the vetting process that failed to detect the Daschle and Geithner tax issues. The President trying to put out a … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Methuen Dems Caucus

Posted on February 4, 2009 by billmanzi

METHUEN DEMOCRATS CONVENE ANNUAL CAUCUS Event selects delegates for the 2009 Massachusetts State Issues Convention Methuen – Eleni Varitimos, Chairwoman, of the Methuen Democratic Town Committee today announced that the Methuen Democratic Town Committee would be holding this year’s caucus … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Gregg Named at Commerce, Newman Named as Replacement

Posted on February 3, 2009 by billmanzi

As expected President Obama today named Senator Judd Gregg to be Secretary of Commerce, and New Hampshire Governor John Lynch immediately named former Chief of Staff to Gregg Bonnie Newman, a Republican, to fill the vacated Senate seat. Newman, in … Continue reading →

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Tom, You’re Out!

Posted on February 3, 2009 by billmanzi

Tom Daschle today withdrew from consideration as HHS Secretary, bowing to the mounting pressure from his tax problems. President Obama accepted Daschle’s withdrawal with the requisite “regret”. Obama also had Nancy Killefer withdraw from consideration for the job of Chief … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | Tagged , | 7 Comments