"It's the equivalent of a gigantic credit card debt which grows and grows the longer it is ignored," said Michael J. Widmer. This is par for the course from the Globe and the Masters of Beacon Hill, who can only roll their eyes at this … [Read more...]
Open season on senior citizens – now public pensions targeted
First it was Social Security, with Obama's commission calling for an eventual 22% cut in the average recipient's benefits even though Social Security is financially quite sound. Now public pensions are in the crosshairs: From Path Is … [Read more...]
Pension reform passes
Just FYI. Take a look at the legislation. Globe's got the story, and a brief rundown of what was passed. We'll have to see what was in and what was out of the final legislation to pass judgement. Thought you'd like to know. … [Read more...]
Lehigh: Appetite for Destruction
In mad, dauntless pursuit of a conceit for his column today, Scot Lehigh trips over his own feet. How does one reconcile these consecutive statements?In part it's because the governor clearly lacks the appetite for the bold, tough … [Read more...]
A simple solution to the “debate” in the legislature about pension reform: ask the SJC
So there's this big brouhaha between the House on the one hand, and the Gov and the Senate on the other, about what to do about pension reform. The Governor and the Senate want to apply the pension reforms to everyone in the system. … [Read more...]
Pension reforms framework rolled out today
GOVERNOR PATRICK OUTLINES PRIORITIES FOR COMPREHENSIVE PENSION REFORM Meaningful steps to close loopholes and end abuses of public employee pension benefits BOSTON – Sunday, March 22, 2009 – In advance of expected legislative … [Read more...]
Patrick to file ethics legislation
GOVERNOR PATRICK ANNOUNCES ETHICS & LOBBYING REFORM INITIATIVES Moves to strengthen rules and restore public confidence BOSTON – Friday, October 31, 2008 – Governor Deval Patrick announced today actions aimed at reforming … [Read more...]
Courage! (Or butter.)
Exactly how much political courage has Gov. Patrick shown recently, with his vetoes of pension increases for state retirees and eliminating some police details? He's certainly been getting very congratulatory press on his recent work. … [Read more...]
Somebody else’s money
Apparently, the convenient fiction that the cities and towns are responsible for their own fiscal plight makes it easy for the Masters of Beacon Hill to play this kind of shell game. But as one mayor points out "It's a tremendous gesture, … [Read more...]
State retirement board rejects Parente & Co.’s efforts to Bulgerize their pensions
The Globe reports that the state retirement board has rejected the efforts of ex-Reps. Marie Parente, Thomas George, and Susan Pope to bump up their pensions based on a variety of perks they received while in the legislature, including the … [Read more...]