Category Archives: State News

More Pension Follies

Posted on July 25, 2008 by billmanzi

The Globe is reporting today on the ability of some local and state employees to gather extra (and earlier) pension benefits by invoking a 1945 state law that gives the richer benefit to twenty year employees who have had their … Continue reading →

Posted in State News | 14 Comments

Cahill moves to standardize design

Posted on July 18, 2008 by billmanzi

State Treasurer Tim Cahill, in charge of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, has called for standardized design to be used for new school construction. The Cahill call for such use is in line with a long-standing request by Inspector General … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, State News | 4 Comments

Texas moves further ahead on wind

Posted on July 18, 2008 by billmanzi

Texas, the national leader in wind power, has approved what is being described as the nation’s largest wind power project. From the Globe: Texas officials gave preliminary approval yesterday to the nation’s largest wind-power project, a plan to build billions … Continue reading →

Posted in State News | 1 Comment

Legislature Removes Municipal Retiree Cola

Posted on July 17, 2008 by billmanzi

The legislative budget conference committee removed the provision that had been inserted in the Senate version of the budget that raised the base for calculating municipal retiree cost of living increases from $12,000 to $16,000. This prospective change, made without … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, State News | Leave a comment

Mayor Sullivan blasts same day registration bill

Posted on July 17, 2008 by billmanzi

Mayor Michael Sullivan of Lawrence blasted the state proposal to allow same day voter registration, saying that it invited fraud and was “ridiculous”. Sullivan’s comments are in todays Tribune, and highlighted another issue of concern to cities and towns, and … Continue reading →

Posted in State News | 3 Comments

Financial Trouble for School Lunches

Posted on July 16, 2008 by billmanzi

With food prices escalating sharply and fuel costs increasing delivery expense school lunch programs throughout Massachusetts are suffering deficits and being forced to raise prices. The Boston Globe featured this issue today amid problems in communities everywhere. From the Globe: … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, State News | 1 Comment

The 9-c danger to localities

Posted on July 16, 2008 by billmanzi

The Governor’s call for expanded powers to make budget cuts mid-year (the so called 9-c power) has the potential, if applied to local aid, to cause serious disruption to the operations of municipalities throughout the Commonwealth. The Governor’s request came … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, State News | 8 Comments

Patrick Wields Veto Pen

Posted on July 14, 2008 by billmanzi

Governor Deval Patrick vetoed $122.5 million dollars in spending approved by the State Legislature in the FY 2009 budget, and has asked for additional budgetary authority to make mid-year cuts if necessary. From the Boston Globe: “We’ve got to prepare … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, State News | 3 Comments

The body of Sgt. Alex Jimenez Found

Posted on July 11, 2008 by billmanzi

The body of Lawrence soldier Alex Jimenez, who has been M.I.A. in Iraq for fourteen months, was found and identified yesterday. Sgt Jimenez had been seized by the enemy after a firefight, and his family always held out hope that … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, State News | 1 Comment

Kerry Visits The Merrimack Valley

Posted on July 10, 2008 by billmanzi

John Kerry visited both Lowell and Lawrence this week, campaigning hard in both cities. Kerry visited the Cedar Crest Restaurant in Lawrence to talk to a group and take questions. Senator Kerry talked about national health care, CDBG funding, veterans … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, National News, State News | 9 Comments