Author Archives: billmanzi

Chrysler Shuts Down Production One Month

Posted on December 18, 2008 by billmanzi

Chrysler Corporation, in a move dictated by sales that are dropping off a cliff, has announced a one month shutdown of all 30 of its plants, extending the normal two week shutdown by two weeks. From the Washington Post: Struggling … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Governor Patrick Unveils Federal Wish List

Posted on December 18, 2008 by billmanzi

Governor Patrick yesterday met with the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, including the Fifth District Rep Niki Tsongas to discuss how Massachusetts may benefit from the upcoming stimulus package being talked about in Washington. Discussions have centered around having projects that are … Continue reading →

Posted in Fifth Congressional, State News | Tagged , | 1 Comment

JFK Talks about a daughter entering politics

Posted on December 17, 2008 by billmanzi

A short film clip from 1957, in which then Senator John Kennedy, three days short of the birth of his daughter Caroline, talks about the potential for a son or daughter entering politics. He was pointed in insisting that a … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | Tagged , | 4 Comments

The Globe on Transportation

Posted on December 17, 2008 by billmanzi

Today’s Globe has another in what has become a series of editorials on transportation policy. Today’s editorial made some key points that are worth looking at. The idea of “reform before revenue” will not solve the mess we are in. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Salazar to Interior, Vilsack to Agriculture

Posted on December 17, 2008 by billmanzi

President elect Barack Obama will name Colorado Senator Ken Salazar as Interior Secretary, and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture today. Vilsack, as Governor of corn producing Iowa, has been a big proponent of biofuels. Both he … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

State Revenues Plunge

Posted on December 16, 2008 by billmanzi

The State of Massachusetts, after making a big round of budget cuts because of rapidly declining tax revenue, is faced with a new shortfall, as revenue continues to plunge below even the new, lower estimates put out two months ago. … Continue reading →

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

The Bell Tolls for Secretary Cohen

Posted on December 16, 2008 by billmanzi

Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Bernard Cohen resigned yesterday amid many rumors of his impending ouster. Governor Patrick accepted his resignation and issued a statement of thanks: “Thanks to Secretary Cohen’s expert leadership, we have begun to reverse decades of neglect and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Arne Duncan to be named Education Secretary

Posted on December 15, 2008 by billmanzi

The Washington Post is reporting that President elect Obama will name Chicago School Superintendent Arne Duncan as his Secretary of Education. Duncan will be named tommorow. From the Post: President-elect Barack Obama will name Chicago public schools superintendent Arne Duncan … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Caroline Ready to Declare

Posted on December 15, 2008 by billmanzi

The New York Times is reporting that Caroline Kennedy, who has been toying with declaring interest in the New York Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Clinton, has decided to seek the seat. From the New York Times: The decision … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

M.B.T.A. heads towards insolvency

Posted on December 15, 2008 by billmanzi

With the prospective toll hikes at the Pike taking all of our attention the dire financial condition of the M.B.T.A. has not received much attention lately. But we should all start paying attention, as the situation there goes from bad … Continue reading →

Posted in State News | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment