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Early Troubles
State Department of Revenue, after noticing ongoing financial problems in Lawrence, begins paying close attention to city’s fiscal woes. -
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Fiscal Oversight Board in Place
Fiscal Oversight Board put in place. Has only advisory powers, but still helps put city on the path to financial health. -
Surpus
City has a budget surplus. -
Financial slide
DOR flags Lawrence, as city slips back into old, bad habits. Finances start sliding again. -
Deficit
Budget deficit at $15 million. -
Oversight threatened
DOR threatens to bring in a Finance Control Board, similar to what was imposed on Springfield in 2004. -
Mayoral announcement
State Rep. William Lantigua announces he is running for mayor. Says he plans on holding two jobs ‘because he can.’ -
Warning letter
August 2009 — Letter to the city informs then Mayor Michael Sullivan that the city was still in financial difficulty. -
Promise to resign
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. -
$17M deficit
Deficit balloons from an estimated $9.5 million to $17 million. -
Governor's support
Gov. Deval Patrick holds press conference in Lawrence announcing legislation that would allow Lawrence to borrow $35 million with strings attached, including financial overseer. -
New mayor
Mayor William Lantigua takes office. -
Deficit climbs
Deficit now pegged at $24.5 million. City Council sounds alarm — layoffs, cuts looming. -
Mayor needed
Gov. Patrick says ‘Lawrence needs its mayor. -
Statehouse hearing
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. -
Control Board favored
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.