Author Archives: billmanzi

Battleground Wisconsin

Posted on February 19, 2011 by billmanzi

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has precipitated a huge political brawl in Wisconsin by filing a bill that would force Wisconsin employees to shoulder more of their own health care and pension obligations, as well as stripping away a huge swarth … Continue reading →

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Ryan, Republicans Step Up on Entitlements

Posted on February 17, 2011 by billmanzi

Well on this blog I have (in order) praised, criticized, and now must praise again Paul Ryan. My praise does not necessarily stem from agreement with all of his prescriptions for solving the budget deficit problem. But he now says … Continue reading →

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The President on the Budget

Posted on February 16, 2011 by billmanzi

The President takes on the press over his budget submission, admitting that he has not tackled the big budget drivers but urging “patience” as he works on longer term bipartisan solutions. He talked about Social Security, saying he felt that … Continue reading →

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Tiptoeing By the Can

Posted on February 15, 2011 by billmanzi

The President submitted his budget yesterday, and it has received generally negative reviews. And from a deficit reduction perspective it should be criticized. The President, in the first move in what promises to be an interesting game of budgetary chess, … Continue reading →

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The 12 Percent Solution Part 2

Posted on February 13, 2011 by billmanzi

Some Morning Joe clips, including a Rand Paul clip, talking about spending at the federal level. Today on Fox News Paul Ryan was on with Chris Wallace talking about cutting and deficits. So at about the 8:40 mark of the … Continue reading →

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The 12% Solution

Posted on February 12, 2011 by billmanzi

The President spent his weekly address on the upcoming budget submission, and on the federal deficit. He, like the Republicans in the House, has chosen to emphasize reductions or freezes in spending on the so called discretionary portion of the … Continue reading →

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Governor Patrick Reforms Indigent Defense

Posted on February 10, 2011 by billmanzi

Governor Deval Patrick, in his recently submitted budget, proposes to save some $40 million dollars by overhauling the way the Commonwealth provides lawyers for indigent defendants. Currently the Commonwealth utilizes the services of about three thousand private contract lawyers to … Continue reading →

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Jim Munro is February Artist of the Month

Posted on February 8, 2011 by billmanzi

Photographer’s Work on Display in the Mayor’s Office Mayor William M. Manzi has named Jim Munro as February’s Artist of the Month. Jim has lived in Methuen for 35 years with his wife Pam. He is the father of Alison … Continue reading →

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Municipal Leaders Letter on Health Care Reform

Posted on February 7, 2011 by billmanzi

Below is the letter that was printed in yesterday’s Tribune, and that has received coverage throughout the State, signed by Mayors and Managers throughout Massachusetts. A PLEA FOR MUNICIPAL HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM and Support for Governor Patrick’s Municipal Health Insurance … Continue reading →

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Rand Paul: Real Republican Ideology

Posted on February 5, 2011 by billmanzi

Rand Paul, in the inverse of the politically weak House Republican effort, took to the Subway interview series on ABC to talk about the $500 billion dollar in cuts he is proposing to this years budget. Unlike the House Republicans, … Continue reading →

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