Feb
28
Sebelius to Head HHS
February 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius has been selected by President Barack Obama to become the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Sebelius was an early supporter of Obama, and had been mentioned as a potential Vice Presidential candidate. She will be named to the position Monday. Sebelius is term limited out of the Governor’s job, and [...]
Feb
28
OMB Director Peter Orszag to Unveil Blog
February 28, 2009 | 2 Comments
Director of OMB Peter Orszag talks in this You Tube spot about OMB starting a blog, and reveals his blog reading habits, as well as his thoughts about blogging in general. OMB is a great Department for blogging, as federal budget process is not always easily understood, even by members of Congress. Good job, Mr. [...]
Feb
28
Gas Tax Battle Heats Up
February 28, 2009 | 3 Comments
The political battle over the Governor’s proposal to hike the gas tax by 19 cents per gallon moved up a notch today, with (the great and powerful) Senator Steve Panagiotakos, Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, appearing to weigh in against an increase of that magnitude. From the Globe:
“Let’s put it this way: [...]
Feb
28
Obama on the Budget
February 28, 2009 | 1 Comment
President Barack Obama used his weekly address to speak on his budget submission. Obama talked of the fight he expects over this document, and how it addresses key needs of the nation. He is wading into the battle with confidence. He may be fought hard by some Dems not happy with specific items (like the [...]
Feb
27
Methuen Artist of the Month
February 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment
MAYOR MANZI NAMES LISA BUGLIONE-DESHARNAIS AS THE FEBRUARY/MARCH ARTIST OF THE MONTH
Methuen Art Teacher’s Work on Display in the Mayor’s Office
Mayor William M. Manzi has named Lisa Buglione-Desharnais as the February/March Artist of the Month. Lisa is an art teacher at the Timony Grammar School in Methuen and a lifelong Methuen resident. Her [...]
Feb
27
Obama Proposes Sweeping Change Through the Budget
February 27, 2009 | 11 Comments
President Barack Obama yesterday presented a budget blueprint for the next fiscal year, with change coming in many different areas. Obama’s budget will likely set off a pitched battle about the priorities he has chosen to fund in his budget, as well as tax changes proposed. From the Wall Street Journal:
President Barack Obama delivered a [...]
Feb
27
Methuen Set to Host Transportation Hearing
February 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Four separate hearings are being planned for discussions of the transportation bills filed by the Governor and Senate leadership. From the State House News Service:
Lawmakers are flushing out the details but at least four hearings are planned, beginning next week, on the transportation reform and financing plans sponsored by Senate leaders (S 10) and Gov. [...]
Feb
26
Baddour: I Don’t Represent Boston Elites
February 26, 2009 | 4 Comments
The Senate Chair of Transportation went on yesterday with Jim Braude, talking about the Governor’s transportation plan and the toll hikes voted by the Mass Pike. Baddour stuck to his mantra of “reform before revenue”, and alternately discussed the tension with Governor Patrick over transportation issues, the Senate Presidents criticism of Secretary Aloisi over his [...]
Feb
26
G.M. Post 30 billion Dollar Loss
February 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment
General Motors posted a $30.8 billion dollar loss for 2008, burning through over $6 billion in cash. The company will meet today with Obama Administration officials as it continues to struggle to restructure itself to try to return to profitability. G.M. lost this huge amount of money while selling 8.35 million vehicles last year, which [...]
Feb
25
The Governor Files a Transportation Bill
February 25, 2009 | 2 Comments
Governor Deval Patrick, under some political heat on transportation, yesterday finally filed his long awaited transportation bill. The text of his letter to the Legislature is below. The Mass Pike yesterday passed phase one of the prospective toll increases, with action by the Legislature on a gas tax increase required by March 29 to avert [...]