Category Archives: State News

Real Muni Health Care Reform

Posted on July 1, 2011 by billmanzi

The Legislative Budget Conference Committee has reached agreement on the State budget, with the much watched municipal health care reform portion surviving with substantive reform intact. From the State House News Service: The final proposal, according to a budget document … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Reform, State News | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Trial in Boston? Maybe Not

Posted on June 25, 2011 by billmanzi

I have resisted (up to now) the desire to post on the capture of James Bulger, although I admit to being as fascinated with the story as everyone else appears to be. The Bulger capture and the hyper media coverage … Continue reading →

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Massachusetts Mayors Endorse Setti Warren

Posted on June 19, 2011 by billmanzi

Eight Massachusetts Mayors have endorsed the candidacy of Newton Mayor Setti Warren for United States Senate. Mayor Warren is an outstanding candidate who understands the issues facing localities in Massachusetts. His resume and background, in my view, make him ideally … Continue reading →

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

State Senate Moves on Muni Health Care Reform

Posted on May 19, 2011 by billmanzi

The Senate Ways and Means Committee yesterday released its version of municipal health care reform, and while it differed from the House version it certainly delivers on the promise of municipal health care reform. More to say later, the MMA … Continue reading →

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

Governor Patrick on Health Care Cost Containment

Posted on May 17, 2011 by billmanzi

Governor Patrick’s testimony before the Legislature on his ideas for health care cost containment. This issue, and Governor Patrick’s ideas on it, are being watched nationwide. I would venture to say that this may be the most important issue that … Continue reading →

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New Mass Taxpayers Foundation Report

Posted on May 12, 2011 by billmanzi

The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation issued a new report today detailing a ten year health care cost comparision of actual spending on municipal health care vs costs that would have been incurred if municipalities had health care plan design authority. The … Continue reading →

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

Mayor Setti Warren to Visit Methuen

Posted on May 11, 2011 by billmanzi

Newly announced Senate candidate Setti Warren will be visiting Methuen on Tuesday May 17th at 8:00 a.m. at the Irish Cottage. All are welcome to attend. This is not a fundraiser but a chance to hear Mayor Warren talk about … Continue reading →

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Setti Warren for U.S. Senate

Posted on May 9, 2011 by billmanzi

Newton Mayor Setti Warren announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate today, releasing a video giving voters some background on him, as well as what he see as differences in philosophy between him and Senator Scott Brown. Mayor Warren has compiled … Continue reading →

Posted in State News | Tagged , | 3 Comments

The No Solutions Agenda

Posted on May 6, 2011 by billmanzi

The House budget section dealing with municipal health care has drawn some serious flak from different quarters, with plenty of media and blog coverage The hand wringing centers around comparisons to Governor Walker’s legislation in Wisconsin, with cries of labor … Continue reading →

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

Boston Foundation Report on Muni Health Care

Posted on April 6, 2011 by billmanzi

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 →

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