-
State Department of Revenue, after noticing ongoing financial problems in Lawrence, begins paying close attention to city’s fiscal woes.
-
Fiscal Oversight Board put in place. Has only advisory powers, but still helps put city on the path to financial health.
-
City has a budget surplus.
-
DOR flags Lawrence, as city slips back into old, bad habits. Finances start sliding again.
-
Budget deficit at $15 million.
-
DOR threatens to bring in a Finance Control Board, similar to what was imposed on Springfield in 2004.
-
State Rep. William Lantigua announces he is running for mayor. Says he plans on holding two jobs ‘because he can.’
-
August 2009 — Letter to the city informs then Mayor Michael Sullivan that the city was still in financial difficulty.
-
William Lantigua says he’ll resign as state representative if elected mayor, saying he wants to be a full-time mayor. But he won’t say if he’ll resign before or after the end of his term, which ends Jan. 31, 2010.
-
Deficit balloons from an estimated $9.5 million to $17 million.
-
Gov. Deval Patrick holds press conference in Lawrence announcing legislation that would allow Lawrence to borrow $35 million with strings attached, including financial overseer.
-
Mayor William Lantigua takes office.
-
Deficit now pegged at $24.5 million. City Council sounds alarm — layoffs, cuts looming.
-
Gov. Patrick says ‘Lawrence needs its mayor.
-
Statehouse hearing held on Lawrence bail-out bill. Lantigua widely criticized for not attending and holding onto two public jobs — as state rep. and mayor.
-
Support for Patrick bill waning as more legislators want a control board immediately. Mayor Willliam Lantigua vows to hold onto both jobs, says control board is OK with him.