Central Falls is again making national news. And unlike last year, both the city and the state are winning praise from the press for their ability to quickly bandage the struggling city’s fiscal woes in bankruptcy court. But the national media is focusing on an aspect of Central Falls’ restructuring that local reporters here in Rhode Island don’t like to talk about.
According to the New York Times: “The plan, which is expected to become effective in mid-October, will ensure that the city repays its bondholders, largely by raising taxes and making deep cuts in pensions and other employee benefits.” And according to Reuters: “The case has garnered attention for its treatment of the city’s bondholders, who remain unscathed while pensioners took a huge hit, in contrast with some other recent U.S. municipal bankruptcies.”
The Providence Journal story, on the other hand, contains no such reference to the preference given to out-of-state investors over in-state economic participants.
Did you miss President Obama’s acceptance speech at the DNC last night? If so, here it is. He made the case that he can better grow the economy, protect the middle class and handle foreign policy. Some reactions here.
One of the most hotly contested State House primary races is Laura Pisaturo’s challenge to Michael McCaffrey, and it’s now making national news with a story with a story in the Washington Blade (Hat tip to Ian Donnis). McCaffrey is a staunch opponent of marriage equality but enjoys the backing of organized labor because he supports binding arbitration. Pisaturo, on the other hand, is a lesbian and a lawyer who enjoys the support of the rest of the progressive community. Our prediction: it will be close.
Verizon can keep them, but it seems that a judge has ruled that text messages are protected by the Fourth Amendment.
Here in the DINO capital of the Northeast, we like to pretend that teachers’ unions are to blame for our poor public education system. More likely, though, poverty is the real problem.
One way to make Anthony Gemma look sane is to stand him next to Chris Young.
It turns out we are better off than we were four years ago.
Ever wonder how the U.S. got the nickname Uncle Sam?
Today in 1933, Cape Cod cranberry bog workers go on strike.
Three years later Buddy Holly is born.