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Category Archives: Municipal Finance
Boston Foundation Report on Muni Health Care
The Boston Foundation and the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation came out with a report on Municipal Health care in Massachusetts, and the report is not surprising. The Foundation and the MTF looked at the health care plans of 14 communities (Beverly, … Continue reading
Posted in Municipal Finance, State News
Tagged municipal finance, Municipal Health Care Reform
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Speaker Deleo on Muni Health Care
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
Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance, State News
Tagged Municipal Health Care Reform, Speaker Robert Deleo
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Health Care Questions
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
Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance, State News
Tagged Municipal Health Care Reform
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The Governor's Budget Presentation
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
Posted in Municipal Finance, State News
Tagged Governor Deval Patrick, Jay Gonzalez, State Budget
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Michael Widmer on Mayor's Corner
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
Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance, State News
Tagged Mayor Bill Manzi, Michael Widmer
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Governor Patrick Steps Up on Pensions
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
Posted in Municipal Finance, State News
Tagged Governor Deval Patrick, Massachusetts Pension Reform
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WCCM Interview: Michael Widmer
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
Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance, State News
Tagged Mayor Bill Manzi, Michael Widmer, Municipal Health Care Reform
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States Begin to Teeter
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
Posted in Municipal Finance, National News, State News
Tagged Massachusetts Budget Crisis
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Methuen's Health Deficit Borrowing Bill
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
Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance, State News
Tagged City of Methuen, Methuen Health Care, Municipal Health Care Reform
1 Comment
Early Retirement- It Does Save Money
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
Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance, State News
Tagged City of Methuen, Municipal Early Retirement
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