Category Archives: Municipal Finance

State Looks at Pension Extension

Posted on November 10, 2009 by billmanzi

The State House News Service is reporting that Governor Patrick is looking to have pension legislation ready for the Legislature by January that would extend the full funding schedule to 2040 and help the Commonwealth as well as localities avoid … Continue reading →

Posted in Municipal Finance, State News | Tagged | 1 Comment

Health Care Bill Passes the House

Posted on November 9, 2009 by billmanzi

The U.S. House passed by a very narrow margin the health care bill that has been the subject of heated debate for what seems like forever. The battle now moves to the Senate, where passage of anything remotely resembling the … Continue reading →

Posted in Municipal Finance, National News | Tagged | 3 Comments

The Governor Spares Local Aid

Posted on October 30, 2009 by billmanzi

Governor Deval Patrick unveiled his plan to close a $600 million dollar budget gap yesterday, sparing the main local aid accounts and imposing varied cuts against state spending, including the potential for 2000 state layoffs. The Governor was and is … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance, State News | Tagged | 2 Comments

The MMA Letter to Governor Patrick

Posted on October 18, 2009 by billmanzi

The Massachusetts Municipal Association, knowing that local aid cuts are right around the corner, has sent Governor Patrick a letter asking for action on a series of reforms to help cities and towns weather the coming storm. I have talked … Continue reading →

Posted in Municipal Finance, State News | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

State Budget Cuts Coming

Posted on October 18, 2009 by billmanzi

The Governor last week, in light of poor tax collection data, has been forced to once again downgrade state revenue estimates, calling for a $600 million dollar budget reduction in order to achieve balance at the lower number. He will … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance, State News | Tagged | 1 Comment

Debate Recap/Health Care

Posted on October 15, 2009 by billmanzi

We had the MCTV/Eagle Tribune debate last night, and I would like to thank both outlets for providing the opportunity for debate. We were asked to provide a question and my submission dealt with the exploding cost of municipal health … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Methuen Mayor's Race, Municipal Finance | Tagged | Leave a comment

Someone Is Reading the Numbers

Posted on October 11, 2009 by billmanzi

Today’s Washington Post talks about the real problems that state and local pension systems face in light of the massive losses of the last downturn. The story talks about the stark choices facing pension systems throughout the country. The upheaval … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance, National News, State News | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Unspoken Truth

Posted on October 5, 2009 by billmanzi

Today’s Globe has a column by Sam Allis talking about what no one else seems to want to talk about, the spiraling and unsustainable numbers involved in municipal health care and pensions. Allis centers his discussion on the Mayor’s race … Continue reading →

Posted in Municipal Finance, State News | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The Unfolding Fiscal Meltdown

Posted on October 1, 2009 by billmanzi

The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation has issued a report detailing the severity of the fiscal problems facing the Commonwealth and its cities and towns. This report, attached below, shows the urgency of dealing with the real budget busters that continue to … Continue reading →

Posted in Municipal Finance, State News | Tagged | 4 Comments

A Jobs Killer

Posted on July 12, 2009 by billmanzi

The announcement of the pending relocation of the Haverhill Jackson Lumber operation to New Hampshire may be the first tangible sign of the type of impact that the sales tax increase will have on the Merrimack Valley. Jackson Lumber owner … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance, State News | Tagged , | 1 Comment