Legislation to revise the law of non-competition agreements took a step forward this week. The Committee on Labor and Human Resources reported out a bill with a favorable recommendation.
Updates and Analysis
Lawrence Financial Crisis — House Action
I want to thank everyone who took the time to comment on this issue before the vote. I read all of the comments. I did vote for the bill. The House did strengthen the bill on the floor in one important respect. We gave the financial overseer the power to trigger a financial control board at any time.
Lawrence financial crisis in perspective
Although it is true that Lawrence is a relatively poor city, Lawrence’s financial crisis largely reflects relatively recent municipal management decisions, some fairly attributable to the recently ousted Mayor. And that is grounds for believing that the crisis may be easier to resolve than some fear.
Confusion on borrowing sources in the Lawrence Bill
The Lawrence Bill allows the city to fund its deficit by borrowing from Wall Street, not the Commonwealth. Some confusion on this. A reasonable bill, but there is much work to be done in the City which has about 80K population in a six square mile area.
Lawrence — non-bail-out bill
Tomorrow, I will be asked to vote on a proposal to assist the City of Lawrence. As of now, I am planning to vote for the bill, but I am still listening — it is a close call. Your thoughts are appreciated.
Wellington Language Issue Resolved
On Tuesday, the Governor signed into law a bill eliminating any question about the exemption from Proposition 2.5 of the Wellington School bond issue. I am extremely grateful to the Governor, to my colleagues in the House, and to Senator Tolman and his colleagues in the Senate for moving the bill through so quickly.