Shinseki to head VA

Posted on December 7, 2008 by billmanzi

General Eric Shinseki, the former Army Chief of Staff, will be named by President-elect Barack Obama to head the V.A. This mornings Meet The Press will feature Obama, who will use the program to make the announcement. From the Washington Post:

“When I reflect on the sacrifices that have been made by our veterans and I think about how so many veterans around the country are struggling even more than those who have not served — higher unemployment rates, higher homeless rates, higher substance-abuse rates, medical care that is inadequate — it breaks my heart, and I think that General Shinseki is exactly the right person who is going to be able to make sure that we honor our troops when they come home,” Obama told NBC News’ Tom Brokaw in a interview taped for broadcast today on “Meet the Press.”

Shinseki, while Army Chief of Staff, disputed the theory that the Iraqi invasion could be done with a reduced troop number, putting him at odds with Defense Secretary Don Rumsfeld and Deputy Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz. Rumsfeld drummed Shinseki out, and most now accept that Shinseki was correct in his initial assessment. Great choice by President-elect Obama.

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Baddour and Patrick Mix it up

Posted on December 6, 2008 by billmanzi

The Statehouse News Service is reporting what aides to the Governor call a “light hearted exchange” between Transportation Chair Steve Baddour and Governor Patrick over Patrick’s bristling at continued criticism from Baddour. Baddour has been openly critical of the tardiness of the Governor’s prospective transportation proposals, and has said so repeatedly. The exchange occurred as the State House celebrated the Holiday season with caroling and the annual tree lighting by the Governor. A very happy transportation holiday season to both Governor Patrick and Senator Baddour! From the State House News Service:

Minutes after a legislative hearing on privatizing Mass. Turnpike Authority assets, Gov. Deval Patrick and Sen. Steven Baddour engaged in a back-and-forth that prompted House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, a former crowd control technician at some of Boston’s late establishments, to step in and pluck out the barbs.

Patrick told Baddour, clad in a fleece turtleneck vest for the occasion, that he did not appreciate the senator’s repeated criticisms of the administration’s progress on transportation reform, and suggested that Baddour’s preference for privatizing roads and bridges suggested Republican leanings, according to people familiar with the conversation. (Back story: In 2006, many Democrats worried and many Republicans hoped that Baddour, a Methuen Democrat, would back Republican Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey over the Democrat Patrick. Baddour denied published reports that he had pledged support to Healey once the primary ended. Patrick won, Healey lost, and Baddour was embarrassed, but still has the killer hair.)

The governor said Baddour was doing a disservice by frequently pointing out that a comprehensive transportation reform package, which the administration had promised would be delivered long before the current policy debate over tolls and taxes, is overdue, said the sources, who spoke on background because of the sensitivity of the exchange.

Baddour’s comeback to Patrick was that he was simply pointing out the obvious. Shortly thereafter, DiMasi, who had been listening, interjected with a light comment and the mood lightened, sources said. Patrick aides downplayed the incident as light-hearted.

The tete-a-tete occurred outside the second-floor Nurses Hall, between schoolchildren singing carols and Patrick’s ceremonial lighting of the tree on the State House lawn, and after a long day of policy debate on Beacon Hill that focused on the capitol’s two hottest topics: ethics and transportation funding.

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The Obama Weekly Radio Address

Posted on December 6, 2008 by billmanzi

President-elect Barack Obama uses his weekly address to deal with the massive job losses now occuring within our economy. Highlights from the Washington Post:

A “massive effort” to make federal buildings energy-efficient by replacing aging heating systems and installing efficient light bulbs. Obama said the effort would save taxpayers “billions of dollars each year” and put people back to work.

— The largest investment in roads and bridges “since the creation of the federal highway system in the 1950s.” Responding to concerns that new transportation money might be caught up in red tape at the state level, Obama said states must quickly invest in road and bridge construction and repair — or lose the federal dollars.

— The “most sweeping” program to upgrade and rehabilitate the nation’s schools by repairing buildings, installing energy-efficient systems and buying new computers for the classrooms. The idea, he said, is to create “21st-century schools.”

— A new push to extend broadband Internet into places of the country that still lacks high-speed connections. Calling it “unacceptable” that the United States ranks only 15th globally in high-speed adoption, Obama said that “every child should have the chance to get online.”

— And a plan to modernize hospitals and medical offices by making sure they are using “cutting edge technology” and electronic medical records. He said that would “cut red tape, prevent medical mistakes and help save billions of dollars each year.”

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Auto Bailout Deal Nears

Posted on December 6, 2008 by billmanzi

Washington appears to be moving towards a short term deal to give finance to the Big Three automakers, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi relenting on her refusal to allow utilization of the so called greeen finance package that was approved last year. It appears that the bailout number will be about fifteen billion, with the funds coming from that so called green loan program. From the Washington Post:

In talks with White House Chief of Staff Joshua B. Bolten, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) dropped her long-standing opposition to tapping a loan program created by Congress to fund the development of fuel-efficient cars. Pelosi agreed instead to use the money to provide immediate cash to General Motors and Chrysler. Without government help, GM executives have said their company may not survive the month.

Pelosi is insisting, however, that money pulled from the loan program be “replenished in a matter of weeks so as not to delay that crucial initiative,” she said in a statement. The White House has yet to agree to those terms, senior congressional aides said, but Democrats believe President Bush would be unlikely to veto a bill over those provisions.

I had advocated for that short term solution last month, and pointed out that the Democrats had no choice if they were for preventing G.M. from entering bankruptcy.

But were I for this proposal I would urge my Democratic colleagues to accept this Republican proposal, in light of the stated urgency of the financial condition of the big three. Then I would suggest filing another exact replica of the just altered bill in the new session of Congress, with a Democratic President and larger Democratic majorities. The logic is obvious, since the “green auto bill” can wait a bit longer, while the financial condition of the big three requires more immediate action. Politically it would place the Republicans on their back heels, and likely is the only way to get a bill out of the lame duck session.

Despite my taking a bow here it is unclear yet whether the votes will be there to pass this modified package. It will likely be close, with the future of G.M. and Detroit hanging in the balance. But the Democrats and Detroit have made the only deal they had available to them in the short term.

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Methuen’s Artist of the Month

Posted on December 6, 2008 by billmanzi

December Artist of Month

December Artist of Month


Mayor William M. Manzi has named Joan Rademacher as December’s Artist of the Month. Joan is a long-time Methuen resident and has been painting all of her life. She is a graduate of the Art Institute of Boston and a former commercial artist. She now is fine artist working primarily in watercolor. She is a member of the New England Watercolor Society, the North Shore Art Association and the Concord Art Association. Her paintings are in corporate and private collections throughout the United States and abroad.

“I am constantly focusing on capturing the light that adds dimension to my pieces,” Rademacher said. “This has been such a joy for me as I continue on my journey as a painter.”

Mayor Manzi stated, “I have heard so many good things about Joan’s paintings through the years, and I am thrilled to display her work in my office. I encourage the public to come by City Hall and view her colorful paintings.”

The Methuen Artist of the Month Program was created by Mayor Manzi over two years ago in order to give members of the Methuen Arts Community a forum to display their work and to encourage participation in Methuen’s growing creative economy. Methuen artists interested in being considered for Artist of the Month should contact the Mayor’s Office.

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Obama Selects Richardson (sans beard)

Posted on December 3, 2008 by billmanzi

As expected President-elect Barack Obama selected Governor Bill Richardson as his Secretary of Commerce. Obama apparently is a fan of the bearded Richardson!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/28034001#28034001

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G.M. on the brink

Posted on December 3, 2008 by billmanzi

General Motors submitted a revised business plan to Congress in the hopes of getting Congressional approval for a large federal bailout. G.M. noted in its filing that without at least $4 billion before the end of the calendar year it would likely default on its debt obligations and trigger a bankruptcy filing. From MSNBC:

GM said it wouldn’t last till New Year’s without an immediate $4 billion and could drag the entire industry down if it fails.

General Motors Corp., asking for as much as $18 billion to keep afloat and survive even worse economic storms, painted the direst portrait to date of what could happen if Congress doesn’t quickly step in.

“There isn’t a Plan B,” said Chief Operating Officer Fritz Henderson. “Absent support, frankly, the company just can’t fund its operations.” Without help, he warned, “the company will default in the near term, very likely precipitating a total collapse of the domestic industry and its extensive supply chain, with a ripple effect that will have severe, long-term consequences to the U.S. economy.”

As the CEO’s prepare to return to Washington to testify the public relations nightmare they suffered because of their last visit seems to be on their mind.

Excoriated for traveling by corporate jets to testify in Washington, all said they would make the 500-mile return trip by car this week for the new round of hearings. Ford and GM even said they would part with the aircraft permanently.

Ford chief executive Alan R. Mulally and GM chief executive G. Richard Wagoner Jr. also offered to cut their salaries to $1 a year if the government provides aid. Chrysler already pays chief executive Robert L. Nardelli that sum in salary. GM said it would also roll back other executives’ pay.

Speaker Pelosi has said that “bankruptcy is not an option” for G.M., but without sixty votes in the Senate or a change of heart by the Bush Administration I am not sure what she means. Congress will be called back into session next week to discuss the new business plans submitted by the big three and to vote on an aid package.

The restructuring plan submitted by G.M. contains many of the features much discussed as critical to the automaker being able to go forward as a viable entity. The plan includes a shedding of many lines, with G.M. looking to retain Cadillac, GMAC, Chevrolet, and Buick. It would look to sell Saab and fold or sell Saturn. The plan calls for multiple plant closings with the loss of over twenty thousand jobs, as well as a shedding of thousands of dealerships. It also calls for additional labor concessions from the U.A.W. A critical part of any plan would be the restructuring of the massive bonded debt G.M. carries on its balance sheet, currently about $44 billion. Converting some portion to equity would be a major savings to G.M. The bondholders and banks holding the debt cannot have anything forced on them, unless through the bankruptcy process (and even then they have a major say.) So G.M. teeters on the brink of bankruptcy, and Congress is faced with an immediate dilemna. Will Congress bail out G.M.?

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Saxby Chambliss wins in Georgia

Posted on December 2, 2008 by billmanzi

Republican incumbent Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia tonight won the runoff election against Democrat Jim Martin, ending the Democratic Party’s hope of controlling sixty votes in the Senate. With 84 percent reporting Chambliss was holding a 59% to 41% edge, giving him a comfortable win. Turnout was low, appearing to be in the twenty percent range, far below the November election turnout. African American turnout was much smaller than in November, a big edge for Chambliss. An expected win for the Republicans, although they had to work at it a little harder than they would have liked.

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Baddour discusses Transportation on NECN

Posted on December 2, 2008 by billmanzi

Senator Steve Baddour talks to Jim Braude on NECN, taking the hard questions on transportation, discussing the gas tax (no gas tax increase this year), tolls, and transportation reform. The Senator takes the Senate position that some road privatization should be considered as part of reform, talks about toll equity, and the future prospects for funding our transportation needs. His new blog has announced some hearings through a joint press release with House Chair Joseph Wagoner.

Wagner and Baddour to host a series of transportation hearings on
Public-Private Partnerships, status of Governor’s transportation plan, Proposed Toll Increases and Gas Tax legislation, and recommendations of the Transportation Finance Commission
Legislature moves forward in its effort to develop a comprehensive transportation reform plan

December 1, 2008, Boston – Representative Joseph F. Wagner (D-Chicopee) and Senator Steven A. Baddour (D-Methuen), Chairmen of the Joint Committee on Transportation, today announced a series of hearings on transportation reform and transportation finance.

“We both have concerns and reservations about increasing the state gas tax and increasing tolls to the level proposed by the Turnpike Authority before instituting a comprehensive package of transportation reforms”, said Chairman Wagner and Chairman Baddour. “Any discussion of increased taxes and tolls has to be done in the context of broader and all-inclusive reforms. We hope that this series of hearings will begin to make this process more transparent.”

The first in the series will be an informational hearing on Public-Private Partnerships. The purpose of the hearing is to provide a public forum for political leaders in Massachusetts to engage experts from the financial, academic, and other related industries about the progression of Public-Private Partnerships within the United States. Specifically the hearing will address potential pros, cons, best practices, and challenges of utilizing a Public-Private Partnership in the Commonwealth.

WHAT: Joint Committee on Transportation Informational Hearing on Public-Private Partnerships

WHERE: State House, Room 222

WHEN: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 1:00PM

The second oversight hearing will be on the status of the Patrick Administration’s plans to reform transportation agencies:

WHAT: Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight Hearing on Patrick Administrations transportation plans

WHERE: State House, Room TBD

WHEN: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 11:00AM

WHAT: Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight Hearing on Tolls and Gas Tax

WHERE: State House, Room TBD

WHEN: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at 11:00AM

WHAT: Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight Hearing on Transportation Finance Commission Recommendations

WHERE: State House, Room TBD

WHEN: Tuesday, January 6, 2008 at 11:00AM

http://www.necn.com/avp.swf?Mj;zLwV)d5ObChLCFN)P1*@s1Wwt-R0IcMwW9MUs7caJ8C0IsgW.rq&ec=tOlV%203uDTi*im-o'i$QAgH%20;gcOuzdlYGLPCvu52Q9Zz4ufjbo%204rT9cWIa594Z%5B~.DY-~6Jab=(CZMOJVrT|#C1y?56C&ER6e0*:M3%5D#/HoW:D;czarbvXv5uptjQz6NY4la8gq;)*Hv?Kcu_R4~d!h*$gX%5Bx%5B6beMefSE#RMeC

Posted in Methuen, State News | 1 Comment

Methuen Tree Lighting Rescheduled

Posted on December 1, 2008 by billmanzi

Santa

Because of the rain this past Sunday Methuen’s tree lighting has been rescheduled to this coming Friday. The details are below.

Methuen’s Annual Tree Lighting
Friday, December 5
5:30 pm
Riverwalk Park on Osgood St.

Come share the evening with friends and family at our Annual Tree Lighting. Event starts at 5:30 with music from the Center for Performing Arts, hot chocolate and cookies. Santa arrives at 6:00 PM to light the tree and listen to all good boys and girls’ wishes for Christmas.

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