Category Archives: Municipal Finance

Methuen Local Aid Allocations

Posted on May 31, 2013 by billmanzi

Both the Massachusetts House and Senate have passed budgets, with the process of reconciling those documents in the hands of a conference committee. There are some slight differences in the documents, with the below listing the different allocations for local … Continue reading →

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Run Government as a Business????

Posted on May 19, 2013 by billmanzi

The Atlantic ran a pretty good story on government called, “Government Should Run Like a Business—but Not in the Way You Think.” Eric Schnurer has written a piece that provokes some thought, and got quite a bit of commentary from … Continue reading →

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Shedding OPEB Through ObamaCare

Posted on May 15, 2013 by billmanzi

There is plenty to write about within the broad subject of municipal finance, pension obligations, and “Other Post Employment Benefits”(OPEB), which are primarily health care costs for retirees. While pension costs have at least (nominally in many cases)been addressed by … Continue reading →

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Panic in Detroit Part Two

Posted on May 15, 2013 by billmanzi

The Emergency Manager in Detroit, Kevyn Orr, just released his first report as E.M., painting a bleak picture of Detroit’s current financial status.This report was mandatory, with Orr going through some of the details found in his very short tenure … Continue reading →

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calPERS Lays Out the Issues

Posted on May 13, 2013 by billmanzi

Since I posted on the Stockton and San Bernadino bankruptcy cases yesterday I have bumped into a video produced by calPERS that gives the viewpoint they hold on those cases. As I mentioned yesterday these cases may produce groundbreaking law … Continue reading →

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Municipal Bankruptcy: Pensions, Bonds and Big Stakes in California

Posted on May 12, 2013 by billmanzi

California has had two major municipal bankruptcies in the past year, and both are being watched very closely by “interested parties” throughout the country. Novel legal issues are at stake in both Stockton and San Bernadino, with federal bankruptcy judges … Continue reading →

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Rep. Diana DiZoglio on Taxes, Budgets

Posted on April 10, 2013 by billmanzi

Rep. Diana DiZoglio came on “Manzi in the Morning” on WCAP today to talk about the Legislative tax package, and her vote against that package. Rep. DiZoglio talked about the impact that the tax changes would have had on her … Continue reading →

Posted in Manzi in the Morning, Merrimack Valley Politics, Methuen, Municipal Finance, Transportation Finance, WCAP Podcast | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Rep. Campbell on Transportation Finance

Posted on April 6, 2013 by billmanzi

Rep. Linda Dean Campbell of the 15th Essex District, (Methuen and Haverhill) has posted her position on the upcoming transportation finance bill scheduled for a vote this coming Monday in the House on her Facebook Page. Her statement, expressing support … Continue reading →

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Mayor Zanni on IT Privatization

Posted on March 29, 2013 by billmanzi

Most of the controversy in Mayor Steve Zanni’s first year in office centered around his proposal to privatize the City of Methuen’s Information Technology Department. Not only was there disagreement on the substance of the proposal, but the Mayor and … Continue reading →

Posted in Manzi in the Morning, Merrimack Valley Politics, Methuen, Methuen Mayor's Race, Municipal Finance, WCAP Podcast | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Governor Patrick in Haverhill

Posted on March 21, 2013 by billmanzi

Video of Governor Deval Patrick talking about his budget and the need for new revenues to fund transportation and education, in Haverhill today at a Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce breakfast. The Governor spoke to an audience that included House … Continue reading →

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