Bridgeport resident David Walker, the former U.S. comptroller general, writes the time has come for the State of Connecticut to take control of the city’s finances that includes authority to make recommendations on restructuring pension and retiree health care obligations. Walker sounds the alarm bell on finances, patronage politics and conflicts of interest such as [...]
Entries Categorized as 'City Council'
Walker: Patronage Politics Barrier To Structural Changes For Fiscal Sanity, Calls For State Control Board
May 19th, 2013 · 55 Comments · Analysis and Comment, City Budget, City Council, City Politics, News and Events
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
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
What If Taxpayers Stayed Home? Showing Up Made A Difference In Budget Process
May 13th, 2013 · 5 Comments · Analysis and Comment, City Budget, City Council, News and Events
On Saturday the City Council’s Budget and Appropriations Committee sliced a good chunk from Mayor Bill Finch’s proposed tax increase that will likely be ratified by the full legislative body tonight (Monday) in a meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 45 Lyon Terrace. Council members face election this year while the mayor [...]
Need Cash? ATMs At City Hall!
May 20th, 2013 · No Comments · Analysis and Comment, City Council, Development and Zoning, News and Events
Who says city employees are broke? On the City Council agenda for tonight’s meeting at 7 is a “Proposed ATM Service Agreement with Webster Bank, National Association for two (2) ATM Machines on the Premises of 999 Broad Street and 45 Lyon Terrace, referred to Contracts Committee.” Could it be after all these years City [...]
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