Category Archives: State News

A Difficult Week

Posted on April 22, 2013 by billmanzi

I have managed to be flu-stricken for the past few days, as Boston, Massachusetts, and our Country endured a heinous act of terror. The despicable actions, and the truly heartbreaking personal losses, unify us in a bond that is unbreakable … Continue reading →

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MBTA Cost Structure Called Into Question

Posted on April 18, 2013 by billmanzi

The Pioneer Institute has put out a new policy paper, written by former Massachusetts Inspector General Greg Sullivan, that highlights the issue of higher than average labor costs contributing to the ongoing fiscal problems at the MBTA. Sullivan, who stepped … Continue reading →

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Tom Duggan Interview

Posted on April 12, 2013 by billmanzi

Valley Patriot Publisher Tom Duggan came on the Manzi in the Morning Show to talk about the new issue of the Valley Patriot, and to talk about some of the current disagreements that are roiling the Tea Party movement. The … Continue reading →

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The Tax Package Sails

Posted on April 9, 2013 by billmanzi

Speaker Robert Deleo managed to get his tax package through the House last evening, winning passage of the $500 million transportation finance package by a 97-55 margin. That margin, sufficient for passage, would leave the Speaker some eight votes short … Continue reading →

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Speaker Deleo- Stuck in the Middle

Posted on April 6, 2013 by billmanzi

The Legislative leadership, having staked out what they considered to be a safe middle ground on raising revenues, (the $500 million plan) now finds itself taking incoming fire from both left and right. The Governor is piling on from the … Continue reading →

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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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The Legislative Transportation Finance Package

Posted on April 2, 2013 by billmanzi

The Legislature today unveiled their own transportation finance package, offering about half of what the Governor was hoping for to fund transportation. The announcement of the $500 million dollar package was made jointly by the Senate President and the Speaker, … Continue reading →

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Governor Patrick and Big Data

Posted on March 24, 2013 by billmanzi

Much respected fiscal analyst Michael Widmer has issued a severe critique of the portion of Governor Patrick’s tax proposal that would expand the sales tax to include transactions in the computer software and data processing fields, calling the proposal a … Continue reading →

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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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Is it the Gas Tax?

Posted on March 14, 2013 by billmanzi

With House Speaker Bob Deleo talking about whittling down the Governor’s tax plan, and separating component parts by filing a separate, soon to come transportation bill, there is much speculation on how the Speaker might fund budgetary increases for transportation. … Continue reading →

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