Jun
30
New Rasmussen Poll on Governors Race
June 30, 2009 | 3 Comments
A new Rasmussen poll on the Massachusetts Governors race shows lingering political problems for Governor Deval Patrick, who trails Republican Christy Mihos in a head to head matchup. Governor Patrick has a 5 point edge over Republican Charlie Baker in a head to head matchup, but some of the underlying discontent with the Governor comes [...]
Jun
29
To Tell the Truth
June 29, 2009 | 6 Comments
A new feature that will allow me to shed the light of day on some comments made over at the Eagle Tribune site. Yes I do read them, and lets get started with our old friend and candidate for political office Jack Burke. Jack did a posting on the Tribune story that detailed the legal [...]
Jun
28
Municipal Budget Passed
June 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Yesterday the City Council met in Saturday session to vote a municipal budget, which was approved unanimously. I will post the full budget here tommorow, and talk a little bit more on some of the specifics. The School budget was rejected by City Council, and the School Committee will meet tommorow night to try to [...]
Jun
27
President Obama on Markey-Waxman
June 27, 2009 | 4 Comments
The House passed the Markey-Waxman bill yesterday by a narrow margin, with the bill prevailing by a 219-212 vote, with eight Republicans voting to support the measure, and 44 Democrats voting against. It was a tough political slog to get this bill through the House, with plenty of dealmaking to achieve the victory. The Wall [...]
Jun
26
Accord Reached with Patrolman
June 26, 2009 | 5 Comments
I am happy to be able to announce that I have reached a tentative accord with Methuen’s Patrolman’s Union that will avert the twenty layoffs that had been scheduled to occur with the adoption of the FY2010 Municipal budget. I would like to thank Union President Larry May for his willingness to keep talking about [...]
Jun
26
Governor Prepares to Sign
June 26, 2009 | 8 Comments
Governor Patrick indicated in today’s Globe that he is prepared to sign both the Transportation Reform bill, as well as the Ethics Reform bill passed by the Legislature. And since he will sign both he appears to have no choice but to sign the sales tax increase, and he acknowledged as much in today’s Globe. [...]
Jun
25
The King of Pop is Gone
June 25, 2009 | 4 Comments
Michael Jackson passed today after a long strange ride through life. Here he is from Thriller, his masterpiece, teaming with guitar god Eddie Van Halen to produce one of the albums great songs.
Jun
24
Methuen’s Budget
June 24, 2009 | 4 Comments
City Council met last night to adopt the Municipal budget, and got through a couple of sections before recessing until Saturday morning at 9 a.m. I have not posted on the municipal budget because of the changing nature of the document, and due to the around the clock negotiations with the nine city side municipal [...]
Jun
24
The Nuclear Option
June 24, 2009 | 3 Comments
With the clock running Governor Deval Patrick faces some key political choices in the next few days, including whether to sign the Transportation Bill, and what to do on the state budget. The Governor has threatened a veto of the sales tax unless ethics reform is delivered, and that has not happened as of yet. [...]
Jun
21
Obama at Radio and TV Correspondents Dinner
June 21, 2009 | 2 Comments
President Obama at the Correspondents Dinner. Another good job. I liked the joke about Brian Williams.