Long before John Marshall Lee began examining city budget books in his quest for an “Open, Accountable and Transparent” government, he had been urging the Diocese of Bridgeport to eat its OATs. The diocese has been facing all kinds of challenges including heavy financial losses. Lee examines: The Diocese of Bridgeport has been without a [...]
Entries Categorized as 'Analysis and Comment'
The Challenging Future Of The Diocese Of Bridgeport
May 17th, 2013 · 4 Comments · Analysis and Comment
If Hennessy’s Reform Bill Fails Will A Legal Challenge Follow?
May 16th, 2013 · 8 Comments · Analysis and Comment, City Council, City Politics
State Rep. Charlie Stallworth has confirmed with OIB he now supports State Rep. Jack Hennessy’s state legislative bill that bars city employees from serving on the City Council amended to grandfather in municipal workers currently serving on the city’s legislative body. The City Charter prohibits city employees from sitting on the council, but a loophole [...]
Tags: Charlie Stallworth·Citizens Working for a Better Bridgeport·David Walker·Jack Hennessy·Mark Anastasi·Mary-Jane Foster
State Legislators Ayala And Clemons Support Slots In Bridgeport
May 16th, 2013 · 21 Comments · Analysis and Comment, Development and Zoning, News and Events
OIB rewind with commentary update from Ayala and Clemons: The national economy is bleeding. The state economy is bleeding. Municipal budgets are bleeding. State revenues are not meeting projections. It’s time to approach Connecticut’s two tribal gaming interests, make them partners, and reopen the compact that provides the state 25 percent of the slot take.
Big Mac’s Salary In Line With Others In His Government Field
May 15th, 2013 · 27 Comments · Analysis and Comment, City Budget, City Council, City Politics, News and Events
OIB readers have speculated the last few days about the Labor Relations salary of City Council President Tom McCarthy who’s become something of a whipping boy for fiscal watchdogs unhappy with the pace of government salaries as the city faces a tax increase come July 1. So we spent the day doing some checking to [...]
The Budget Vote Leap Of Faith–Light A Candle, Say A Prayer
May 14th, 2013 · 12 Comments · Analysis and Comment, City Budget, City Council, City Politics
The City Council Monday night approved a budget with a modest tax increase in an election year. Let’s see who steps up to challenge the all-Democratic legislative body. This budget approval, however, comes with a gigantic gulp. It’s based on a number of assumptions, including millions in state revenue that must survive the state budget [...]
Tags: Bill Finch
City Council Approves Budget To Lessen Tax Hit, Finch Praises Council
May 14th, 2013 · 30 Comments · Analysis and Comment, City Budget, City Council, News and Events
The City Council Monday night approved a $517 million budget referred by the council’s Budget and Appropriations Committee, a spending plan $3 million less in total from the budget recommended by Mayor Bill Finch, with a series of revisions made to revenues and expenditures. All those approved changes can be viewed in the final council [...]
Tags: Andre Baker·Bill Finch·Dan Malloy·Michelle Lyons·Sue Brannelly·Tom McCarthy
Report: Bridgeport Metro Among Tops For Business Growth
May 17th, 2013 · 15 Comments · Analysis and Comment, Development and Zoning
Articles published recently have claimed Bridgeport is the highest taxed, or one of the highest taxed, cities in the country, disputed by Mayor Bill Finch. Now a Wall Street Journal MarketWatch report says Bridgeport Metro (that also includes Fairfield County’s gold coast) is among the Top Business Growth Cities here examining metro areas in 2012. The full list [...]
[Read more →]
Tags: Bill Finch