Groups from diverse perspectives — the Boston Foundation, Stand for Children, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation — are pushing for change in municipal health insurance. I think that the legislature is really beginning to focus on making something happen and I am starting to be hopeful that we’ll have a bill this spring.
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
This seems like a reasonable first step to aide Lawrence toward fiscal stability. I favor you voting yes. George Kenrick
An historical perspective on Lawrence
I have some experience with Lawrence. In the early 90’s, I helped create and run the annual Bread and Roses Festival, which celebrates Lawrence’s labor history. A few years ago, I taught in Lawrence for a year. Several points. Lawrence is an immigrant and mill city with a tough history. Historically, its low-wage mill jobs …