Category Archives: Municipal Finance

The New Emergency Financial Manager in Detroit

Posted on March 18, 2013 by billmanzi

Detroit is entering new financial territory, with Governor Rick Snyder naming a new “Emergency Financial Manager” for the City, with Attorney Kevyn Orr being named by the Governor. Attorney Orr is a lawyer with the firm of “Jones Day”, and … Continue reading →

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Panic in Detroit

Posted on March 11, 2013 by billmanzi

The City of Detroit is careening towards a state appointed receiver, with Michigan Governor Rick Snyder announcing his intent to make that appointment. Mayor Dave Bing has announced that he will not join the City Council in fighting the process, … Continue reading →

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Speaker Deleo Throws Out Some Cold Water

Posted on March 7, 2013 by billmanzi

Governor Deval Patrick has put out a very ambitious agenda for his last two years, with a centerpiece being his proposal to raise $1.9 billion in additional revenue to bring new resources to education and transportation. With Speaker Robert Deleo … Continue reading →

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The Boston Fed: Savings Through Local Government Regionalization

Posted on February 17, 2013 by billmanzi

The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston has just issued a new study on local government in New England, with a focus on Massachusetts and Connecticut. The report, titled “The Quest for Cost Efficient Local Government in New England: What Role … Continue reading →

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States and Localities Continue to See Large Health Care Cost Increases

Posted on February 14, 2013 by billmanzi

A new analysis by the Pew Project for the States shows that while health care costs nationally are rising at a slower rate the costs for local and state governments are rising at double digit rates, and consuming an ever … Continue reading →

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Massachusetts House Passes Supplemental Budget

Posted on February 8, 2013 by billmanzi

The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a supplemental budget this week which added some spending, and dealt with the Patrick Administration’s request to deal with a $550 million dollar shortfall in this budget cycle. The House declined to accept the … Continue reading →

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Job Poaching Between States.Tax Incentives Gone Wild!

Posted on February 6, 2013 by billmanzi

There has been much talk on Beacon Hill about the existence of tax expenditures in the state budget, and the desire to get rid of some of the less productive ones. I have done one earlier post on tax expenditures, … Continue reading →

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The Governor's New Budget- More Choices

Posted on January 25, 2013 by billmanzi

The Governor filed his FY 2014 Budget this week, and I would venture a guess that the Legislature’s collective head is about to explode. His budget builds the tax increases he unveiled earlier in to pay for transportation and education … Continue reading →

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OPEB Report and More Reform

Posted on January 24, 2013 by billmanzi

The Governor certainly appears to mean what he said about sprinting to the finish line. The latest reform that the Legislature will be grappling with is how to deal with the costs of retiree health care at the state and … Continue reading →

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The Methuen High School Project

Posted on January 12, 2013 by billmanzi

Back in January of 2012 I posted the below as a summary of the Methuen High School project as I left office. With a year gone by I thought a re-post would be appropriate. I would only add a few … Continue reading →

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