Category Archives: Municipal Finance

Speaker Deleo on Muni Health Care

Posted on March 15, 2011 by billmanzi

Speaker Deleo, in remarks to the Boston Chamber, reiterated his strong support for his plan to force localities to enter the GIC or produce a local plan that meets GIC cost benchmarks. The Speaker, in a press conference after the … Continue reading →

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Health Care Questions

Posted on January 31, 2011 by billmanzi

Monday morning, and only time for three observations on municipal health care reform. We have heard some statements on health care reform that on the surface make sense, but upon cursory review just fall apart. Lets look at them. 1) … Continue reading →

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The Governor's Budget Presentation

Posted on January 27, 2011 by billmanzi

The Governor unveiled his budget yesterday, looking to balance the books in the most difficult of times. The Governor’s budget is the starting point in the process, with the House and Senate both getting ready to produce their own versions. … Continue reading →

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Michael Widmer on Mayor's Corner

Posted on January 27, 2011 by billmanzi

Michael Widmer of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation was the guest on the Mayor’s Corner last week. He was a great guest, speaking about pension reform, municipal health care reform, and the upcoming state budget. For my money the preeminent authority … Continue reading →

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Governor Patrick Steps Up on Pensions

Posted on January 19, 2011 by billmanzi

Governor Patrick, flanked by Senate President Murray and House Speaker Deleo, introduced a new package of pension reform yesterday, taking aim at some abuses but more importantly introducing systemic change that has the potential to save real money over the … Continue reading →

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WCCM Interview: Michael Widmer

Posted on January 5, 2011 by billmanzi

I joined Lou Blasi on WCCM last week, during the snowstorm, to talk about municipal health care, pensions, and the upcoming state budget. We were joined by Michael Widmer of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Association, who I consider to be the … Continue reading →

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States Begin to Teeter

Posted on December 20, 2010 by billmanzi

A pretty good 60 Minutes report showing some of the real budgetary problems facing states and localities, with a prominent role for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. The State of Massachusetts is looking at a $1.5 to $2 billion dollar … Continue reading →

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Methuen's Health Deficit Borrowing Bill

Posted on November 27, 2010 by billmanzi

I have filed, and Methuen City Council has passed, a bill allowing borrowing for a deficit in our health care account for the last fiscal year. The Tribune wrote an editorial on it yesterday. There are some important points to … Continue reading →

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Early Retirement- It Does Save Money

Posted on September 27, 2010 by billmanzi

Today’s editorial in the Tribune calls into question the real savings to taxpayers that would come from Methuen’s adoption of the early retirement law that the legislature passed as part of the municipal relief package. The editorial is interesting in … Continue reading →

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Michael Widmer on Municipal Health Care and Pensions

Posted on August 23, 2010 by billmanzi

The President of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation Michael Widmer has written a letter to all Legislators and candidates for the Legislature calling on them to support changes in health care and pension law that would allow municipalities to save over … Continue reading →

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