Author Archives: billmanzi

Municipal Tax Rates and Surpluses

Posted on December 3, 2012 by billmanzi

Municipal budgeting, like most everything in government that relates to taxation, has become highly politicized. And like much that occurs in budgeting those politics, in many instances, show that budgetary doublespeak is not restricted to federal politicians. Municipal budgets are … Continue reading →

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Remembering Foreman-Lyle

Posted on December 1, 2012 by billmanzi

Many know that I have been a boxing fan for my entire life. So the political blog takes a look back at one of the greatest heavyweight fights that I have ever seen, the non-title bout between George Foreman and … Continue reading →

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Negotiating Towards the Cliff

Posted on November 30, 2012 by billmanzi

As someone who predicted a month ago that we would go over the “fiscal cliff”, and also that the debt ceiling introduction would complicate the negotiations you might expect that after yesterdays rhetoric I would be here saying I told … Continue reading →

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Remembering George Harrison

Posted on November 29, 2012 by billmanzi

Today is the anniversary of the death of George Harrison, the Beatle who was maybe the lowest key individual in the band, but certainly had a unique talent. Harrison came truly into his own as a solo artist, as he … Continue reading →

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Solving Parliamentary Snarls in Methuen

Posted on November 29, 2012 by billmanzi

As a former Mayor it is usually a wise thing to be seen and not heard on local issues. Sometimes not being seen or heard is preferable. I have decided to take a middle ground, and offer some commentary on … Continue reading →

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Municipal Bond Tax Exemption at Risk

Posted on November 28, 2012 by billmanzi

There has been plenty of talk about “tax expenditures” at both the federal and state levels, with all tax breaks under heavy scrutiny. One that has received a little attention, but deserves some more discussion, is the municipal bond tax … Continue reading →

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The Filibuster Blues

Posted on November 27, 2012 by billmanzi

Republicans are screaming bloody murder over the potential rules changes on the filibuster being proposed in the U.S. Senate by Harry Reid and the Democrats. A look at the actual proposal shows that it honestly does not amount to a … Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday Joe DiMaggio

Posted on November 25, 2012 by billmanzi

One of the all time baseball greats was born on November 25th, 1914. DiMaggio broke the hearts of Red Sox fans for many years, and was one of the greatest players in baseball history. His marriage to Marilyn Monroe captivated … Continue reading →

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Politics, Presidents, and Making the Wheel Turn

Posted on November 24, 2012 by billmanzi

One new David Brooks column on Abraham Lincoln, and a review of Robert Caro’s LBJ books by Thomas Meaney, in “The Nation”, have made for some great Thanksgiving reading. Connected? I think so. Brooks, in his column, masterfully writes of … Continue reading →

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 22, 2012 by billmanzi

A very Happy Thanksgiving to all! I hope you enjoy a wonderful day with family and friends. Would it be Thanksgiving without Arlo Guthrie and Alice’s Restaurant?

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