Category Archives: State News

Coakley v Brown

Posted on December 9, 2009 by billmanzi

Attorney General Martha Coakley scored a quite impressive victory in the Democratic primary yesterday, racking up 47% of the vote in a four person race. Second place finisher Michael Capuano had 28%, with Alan Khazei third, and Steve Pagliuca fourth. … Continue reading →

Posted in National News, State News | Tagged | 3 Comments

Jobs Jobs Jobs

Posted on December 1, 2009 by billmanzi

Today’s Globe has an editorial promoting the idea of tax incentives for private industry that would promote job creation. And yesterdays New York Times featured a piece by Paul Krugman calling for further federal spending to promote job creation. With … Continue reading →

Posted in National News, State News | Tagged | 20 Comments

Governor's Race Rasmussen Poll

Posted on November 28, 2009 by billmanzi

A new Rasmussen survey shows a very tight Governor’s race, with Governor Deval Patrick holding a narrowing lead over Republican Charlie Baker and Independent Tim Cahill. In that three way race Patrick comes in at 33%, with Baker at 28%, … Continue reading →

Posted in State News | Tagged | 1 Comment

Another Speaker In a Huff

Posted on November 20, 2009 by billmanzi

Governor Deval Patrick yesterday called the State Legislature to task for going out of formal session, going to the state house press room personally to urge the Speaker to call the Legislature back into session. The Governor is upset with … Continue reading →

Posted in State News | Tagged | 3 Comments

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

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

Governor Patrick Goes to the Offense

Posted on October 14, 2009 by billmanzi

Governor Deval Patrick, gearing up for a tough re-election campaign,has cut a video that casts himself as the outsider and his opponents as insiders looking to “roll back progress on health care, infrastructure and education.” The Governor also pointedly said … Continue reading →

Posted in State News | Tagged | 4 Comments

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