Mayor Michael Sullivan

Are held hostage high. By your employees. Which is effectively the unions who can who can say no we won't go into the GIC for example the state plan. Which would lower costs I mean things like that are just infuriate her day in a real struggle. And as it as a chief executive. You should be able to make a decision change insurance plan if you can say it's trying to way to save money right.

Sure I mean what's what is frustrating a couple things number one. Tom. I was new to politics back I get into this back in the end of 2001. The companies I work fought. Prior to calm my term in office. Helped it was always. They product that we needed but I always pitiful was a 6040 split. A 7030 split that was that was there was great doubt that was incredible when I took office in 2001 -- people better. Driving around. Listening to us talking right now can. Really tune into what I'm about to say when I took office the city of Lawrence. Was paying a 100%. Of every employees' premium.

This is eight years ago this almost 7002 so you cameras private sector where the company might have been paying 60% of the employee health care. And then you get to the -- into the mayor's senior look at a 100%. -- miss Tennessee how could that have been so recently have of the city for that.

Well his what happens and again some allowance -- relies on a lot of state aid now back then when the state economy was pretty good. The money was flowing. But. It was it's amazing that when you're sitting in this seat and you're looking and seeing how we paying 3000 employees. 100% of their premium how much money is is costing the taxpayer.

So we're -- was effectively funding that is every cent well if you look at allowances budget we rely on stated. To be about 70% of the budget -- about 30% comes from the real estate tax -- embedded so so that many names everything basically is is paid for by the state but I'm wondering if that relationship the fact that the state was -- and so much money back to the city of Lawrence. That they somehow leveraged this that the union coziness between. Them right between the unions and they and then legislature. Led to a 100% reimbursement on.

Well sure there's been in the big picture way if if if if the money's coming in you know Tom in the big picture. That was a no I don't blame Boston for that I blame the fact that. People -- just not in tune with what's real I mean the reality is. I mean if you find the company that's paying -- percent of your medical and and it's a 3000 employee company. There are very very profitable and they are extremely good to their employees or they don't really know what that don't now let me tell you this. His his his the struggle in the end of 2002 when you're trying to make a change. To say look this isn't normal. Let's do 100. -- It's like an act to provide what do you propose it to everybody only -- unions need to all of its all -- none. And you can't. Says there's no way for them separate themselves out that's correct yeah -- what. Well based on -- Laura and I thought -- there's some places where some cities or towns where the that the you know police go along with a deal fired out. Well in the health care issue it depends on what you're trying to do -- His words this wording in their contracts and -- and how far coast back. But. It's says. If you're gonna make a change to the health care product yet Tallinn non everyone has to be and you can't make the change our. So it took -- to that is a majority vote across the board it's gonna be each union -- to prove it. Solid men and -- slop and Nam and think about and it took us two and half three years. To go to -- 100. And that was based on the alternative was the money's not -- to lay people off and it's amazing the union mentality is. That trying to run an unprotected go ahead well you my off. Right -- I think.

It's a strategy to make sure that the benefits don't care reduce that that's more important than I'd rather lose a few guys. Then invited but that seems to have changed in some cases. Certain unions at a certain you know a police or fire there will decide okay we will reduce. Our benefits in order keep their from me last and you had to happen this year well in one -- this past year just.

A month and a half ago doing the outspending Clinton for 2010. Com EU union stepped up to plate led by the police department. That's -- you know what we understand the good -- now they understand there's a global economic issue here it isn't just why aren't flown home to win. Boston issue it's happening all over the world so people I think looking at this like saying this Israel. This is about a negotiation this is about the larger forces and we need to change the paradigm larger forces in if you really look at the next six months. They gonna get a little worse before this gets better and believe in -- amounts to fight the problem was the only union. Eleven out of twelve step up to the plate to say let me give little back and they just they voted to actually not even some. Sit at the table to mid to negotiate anything. So what happened was for the people in the valley that read about it now we had to lay off ten of them. And some of the houses the fire houses had to close to a two out of six closed. Com.

And most of -- wouldn't compromise police did as a result no layoffs for the police. Fired decided layoffs are better. Then compromising a little -- that's correct. And so let's get back to this GIC thing the way it works in the state right now. Is as as the mayor what kind of control do you have over what health care plan your city workers Iran.

Well we couldn't I can select which plans people can choose. The the the pod as far as the budget goes. The premium and the cost. Is pretty much locked in by giving the blue cross blue shield for example of the -- you're -- their quotas are ready Debian based on our claims we self insure. So another words lines actually pays for its own claims. I'm so if we have a healthier group each year -- our annual claims will. Go down. Allowances self insured for the last twenty years.

So you don't get to bring a group of insurance companies that what do you mean insurance company for than if you guys pay the claims are -- the administration -- administration for -- and are there any of the -- they're just using their computers in their -- basically to do your paperwork Wellman is also wrote -- some insurance where college stop loss so if there's -- let's say that exceeds 200 child have crossed his mind about some and challenge you cover the small stuff that's correct. -- very interesting. So we say you get to bring in the insurers and the and the unions choose from one of us. -- the employee chooses.

So you have a list of all of five companies that. You can choose from and then the employee based on their. Family plan the benefits. Excite truck can choose which plan they want and then that locks and a premium. Common that premium right now is bottom 20% would come out of your pocket as you -- only an 80%. Gets submitted through the city side as the employer so we're at navy twenty split. And we will really locked in this is is just that right now for me to go to a 7525. Or 7030 split. That's what you need to -- that and it's. It's Intel's long process and they cost. Millions and millions of dollars so when you talk about a budget. And keep the city's operating with the police fired up PW. Snowplow and potholes all the things it takes on a city. It's very important to let the the CEO of the city have that --

Fidelity to their nice song where it is here in place a time today were were talking about. Well it would I I wanna get into. A conversation with the audience I saw at -- wanna deal to make it clear. A question for them about this about what they would favor in terms of changes what would you favor. As a mayor and what needs to be changed so that you have more power to lower your costs on health care.

Well I think. The you know the change needs to be made to to take that wording out of there agreements the EU union agreements. Com and if that's. A lot and they still want is their state law the restriction though you're -- Restricted by law -- union agreements right well from what I understand to by the state could take. Action to allow. The cities and towns to override the contracts when it comes --

so that's where you want this state to pass a law that would give you the power. Two simply say the -- unions were three into the state plan or we're gonna bring in some other plan and force you guys onto that can you do that are now.

Absolutely that's exactly what we want to we can't do that right now we need with the mayors from hey -- doing Newbury port name's Barry. The new images for me and no blood no let him know we meet monthly in this and wanting to cola collectively. We've all asked our senators and our reps to help us sweat so this seems to -- seems to be. Comment to out.

Everybody has to say I've talk about your marriage everybody says the same thing we need the power. To be able to decide. What the health care plan for the city is going to be in because of state law. The mayors don't have the power to make that decision this is an incredibly big issue right if I use this crippling financial 6172666860. Do you think that. That that why should be changed to give the mayors and the cities and towns the power to make our decisions about health care right now they're locked in. There is no flexibility are very limited flexibility as a result. We see crushing costs that can't be changed that's craziness. Also what more power what you need on the percentage you said it would take you years and millions of dollars CNN 05 points out of a 5%. Other workers tied. Two contribute more to two into their own health care premiums war but what restricts you there why are you so bound is that state -- well.

Well if they -- If if if the -- where where it can be written that it would that they they would allow cities and towns to. Even make a change of 5% -- yeah yeah on our own doubt that would work that you don't just feel that as an executive meg and collective decision and save 5% which is very fit and employees as well six.

72666. Seats exceed the phone number here at WR RKO mirror my excel learn from arts in there it is a simple question. A simple question shouldn't. The state legislature gives that power over to cities and -- to make that there are decisions the unions I believe. Are crushing the cities and towns and this is part of why. The budget to how much would you say if you could go into the state plan. Well every five points we could lower. If I could go to with 7525. Okay that would save three million dollars. That I can apply to the regular budget and what's the total budget for the city -- Lawrence 260. -- million dollars because I was only like 1%. You savings right there if you could do it do you switch 5% of the health care burden on the employee. Is that. In in how about the other end there if you just going to the GIC you know how much would that save you money. Well -- did you guys see we we checked it would be about the same. -- we run the same as knocking 5% that's correct so if you knock the 5% is no advantage of going into the GSE at that point that's correct okay so you can say three million dollars bang. Easy job either switching into the GIC or getting another 5% this of employee contribution let's take some calls. 617. 26668. Succeed Jeff in Salem good morning on WRKO. When Lawrence mayor Mike Sullivan hi.

I guess I thought I'd just the general statement. We're surprised we have. The words budget. Problem in the word union all the same yeah and why did it keeps happening over and over again in this state the -- are choking -- and talking -- my Clark and cities like they want. -- That's about that.

I thank you Jeff for making the comment I think that's obviously the case. But the people of Massachusetts don't know it and that's why I think it's important you're here today I'm -- because we need to highlight this we need to make everybody see it's not -- unions are evil or bad. It's that the weight of the power structure it's really a problem with the legislature. The -- legislature is look at the cozy up to unions. So they make deals that are bad for the cities and towns that means it's bad for the state combat for taxpayers dug in -- WRK -- mayor Sullivan of Lawrence hideout.

I did my question is is there. It anyway. -- that's that's great since if you say some or all it does so first 2000. Any new miners will pay 50% of their own health insurance but anyone -- both prior to that yeah it's great and.

What's great question Doug thank you for asking. -- of like attempted to ought to find an answer that one on -- that is a great to see that that's a very very good thought something like that. Would be good right now Lawrence. That that does not happen that's a bargaining they would say yeah. Of the union and say let's make a deal that will want something in return that's correct but -- point is great because. If if if you look at a ten year plan that that's a nice ten year phase and as could probably within ten years a lot of the all time employees. Will be retiring except to sell the will be almost a whole -- in new young group. So this a perfect example -- and -- India that the first time ever and that's only come up with that idea but that would work well let me take you quickly -- why. In the near future. Every one will be affected by this because what. What's real. Is the net. Police are going to be laid off. Firefighters are gonna be laid off did PW people look like -- about this right now not what you know last year announced way to use it would 2010 dinner because of that serious going to be a tough here and when it starts hitting the classrooms. -- and everybody gets up -- it ain't gonna happen. And and it's it's better be in front of this issue now drives me crazy.

Is that people don't see that this is structural. Bet it's because of bad government on the part of the state legislature that unions have this leverage to crush a community and that needs to be broken. It because what happens is when people say that the people got laid off when voters see. Police fire and and teachers got laid off they agreed a higher taxes so the underlying problem never gets fixed rate tiles and he broke my earlier NW RQ would --

Government reported reported non corrupt. Question you understand it from my you know obviously in neighboring city. If you were they able sit and make this this -- this -- percent change. How would you which you would you be able to open up the fire station group that says closed at papal something similar. Could redo some might go up faster reaction from. From the fire department is that some sort of.

So we'll ask what is three million dollars mean to a city the size of well Lorenz yeah. I'm -- great question by the let the other great man and enabled gym Fuhrman TV Obama whom we work together with quite a bit of a quick example. Three million dollar savings for let's say first quarter of 2010. Is going to allow Lawrence. To stay exactly where we are right now because we're planning on a budget cut in 2000 tests and three million bucks would mean no layoffs next year that's exactly. The road would go and common -- Layoffs are you looking at a -- live without three million dollars. Well probably not -- touch and police and try it tucked in between thirty and forty people who out of so what size forces well right now we have 700 city employees of two didn't. Excluding the school the problem we have about a 160 police officers and 130. On that -- a lot of those 300 year you're send 10% you'd probably be cutting 10%.

And so that's what three million boxes worth and that he should have simply by giving America. The power to just the percentage of of payment that employees are making on their own health care.

Come right now cities are gonna have to figure out how do we maintain let alone how to week high -- more police and fire and I'm looking at this forecasting. The next twelve to. Eighteen months are gonna be real real tough enough we don't have a tool like this I see some real problems in the city time I can almost Linear NWR -- mayor Mike Solomon.

Point government excellent topic and really happy here's. Well people don't understand how bad things can be and my question.

How good they could be if only the Statehouse would do I get off their butts and do all right thank.

The mayor and and other -- round of the commonwealth. Look at California. I mean what what you do. I mean it takes 70%. But also a lot of people -- the -- also getting help from the state political or even more money coming. They can't even you know --

Probably what -- were disappointed to ever of subsidizing cities is such an extent we can anyone nobody.

What happened that they can get you next week. And exactly nobody coming into all. It's okay if you're forced to be eating out of their anger and my god can you actually make a path that the self reliance and the city. Like in the debate. That when you have a lot of you know -- industry there that is really just supporting the whole city. Duplicate of illegal haven't yet yeah I've brought together investment going on -- long way to go.

Now the city looks very good I I was very surprised. It had gone out of his thank you for the call Mike but this goes a larger issue that -- what is the point. Of of and I'm having cities that are so subsidized by the state. It at that point you're perpetuating something that's dysfunctional right -- your -- send -- cities like -- don't work economically. So why don't we invest in them well I think I -- what changes are roses this attributed quick exam actually hold. Hello Joe let's take about an hour news break and then we'll continue to -- like so I'm here he's in the radio industry yes or -- took. Thank you for that -- he's trying to educate you a little bit more coming up when -- press armor the alliance has six AB WRKO.

Excuse your home for -- of original provocative talk Boston's talks vision AM six AB. Ball on the -- Every here we are Boston's talk station AM 06 W larger.

6 revenue actually good morning to you Thomas off this -- today thereby Solomon is here from Lawrence. And we're using the opportunity to try to gain a better understanding of just how screwed up the status and how well what essentially is political pressure.

In the Statehouse. It makes it impossible for cities and towns to make ends meet and mayor Solomon just explain to us how his city would say three million dollars a year. If only they would pass say while which every mayor I've ever talked to says. I need more control over the cost of health care and you're saying if you have the power to simply decree. That your city employees are gonna pay 5% more of our health care that would save the city three million bucks and that would mean no cuts. The end fire and police next year right.

Well potentially exactly depending on the budget and you know how that set up connection yet but if that doesn't happen daunting I can guarantee. You're now cutting into --

And -- and ran roughly 10% -- police are sure fire will have to be laid off next year. Of course these are estimates but we're trying to get a framework. For how people need to understand if we can make voters in Massachusetts understand. That your state legislate -- are gone off to state house in passing laws that help them get reelected they thank. But hurt the ability of cities and towns to make ends meet and that's we could get out from under the crushing burden. That cities and towns have right now in the bad economy if only the Statehouse would rise syndication do the right thing tour --

True absolutely true let me just say wanting time to put all the people out there. At home. The gateway cities just keep this in mind there are eleven of them throughout the state. When a gateway city crumbles everybody around a -- black and give an example.

These heavyweights cities meaning where word though lower socioeconomic people mean immigrants -- Israel would stop. Becomes the option capitol -- of the state. The cities around with stuff. People are gonna wanna invest -- if Springfield look what's happened in Springfield the last six years Springfield is a tough city. When the crime goes to the roof when the fight is stacked. And again these urban cities of the cities -- the immigrant comes to open up to find the American James so there's eleven of them and we all everybody out their -- one of the what we call gateway cities and these of the cities that desperately need relief. When it comes to health care.

Others just something a little -- to me about having you guys get 70% a year dollars from the state and it makes it may makes you look at and say -- Okay so so the gateway cities are failed enterprises. Is there any what -- too. To not be in a situation where your and your subsidizing failure not just paying the way but also creating an incentive for there anymore failure. If you're spending so much state money to keep these cities don't.

Well I don't agree with. Failure is I don't think is that -- right right way Todd because I'm Mike Tomlin was asking a question that I was gonna answer before -- wanted a break when he asked about well. You know what point -- a city like Lawrence -- land. Was to Springfield ever become. Able to ought to make there was a tax base and the answer is never and I'll tell you why because it for for example. Let's just 14000. Children to go to -- Public schools. -- partly 10000 dollars a year. To put -- to a school that number holds true to love Brett probably -- America when you do the math. It's to school department's budget launches a 160. Million dollars idea. I would tax base brings in about seventy -- million dollars. A year to our real estate. Property out. -- are less -- yeah seven million -- is what comes and you know you can only go up to one half percent of via. So when you begin to do the math. You realize that these gateway cities will always need. Money from this day. Tom and you know what if if if you track them back probably in the last hundred years probably was the case. But again the gateway cities I don't think. Arm. Failing because of that I think there's a tremendous arm. Benefit to these gateway cities are -- why because Lenox mass -- proud to say. -- doors are open we want people that are common from all over the world to experience the American dream. While it is a place we can find affordable housing it's a place we have good quality schools. On and it's a place where you have. Support for non profits. They you know -- then there's a lot of other people that help. Polish cities wouldn't talk about these. The boys and girls clubs to YMCA's. The nonprofits that usually find in these urban centers. So if there's a lot that's going on but I wanna say bring him back to let you know the insurance Iverson today is. When the gateway cities go so goes America. And that's why it is so important to allow cities and towns to have the tools. To work with their budgets to make it to keep things hall and I see the next twelve to. Eighteen months says says tougher than the last.

Two years silence -- disseminated to the two that the discussion is about insurance costs. This is a clear. A clear. I think avenue in new understanding just how the that's the cities and towns are being crushed. By rules made at the state legislature that aren't sustainable the mirror saying he would like to have the power to be able to tweak. By 5% a year the amount of contribution that his city workers make to their own health care. Right now you're at 20%. Annual if you could go to 25% that would save three million dollars it would mean. A roughly no layoffs and police and fire next year instead of 10% playoffs that seems to me the power that a chief executive should be able to make in his own city. And every -- I ever talked to hoods who agrees that that's something they absolutely need to have yet. The state is not there offering you that kind of assistance why. And -- you know I'm throwing this out as a question we can talk about a 6172666868. And get your input on because we all need to understand that the legislature is failing us that they they are totally comfortable. Leaving a situation in which cities and towns can't make ends meet. And then when they lay off when they have to lay off teachers in particular police and fire. Then everybody gets leveraged into agreeing to tax increases we wouldn't need the tax increases. If the state would give the power to the cities and towns to do what they need to do in terms of controlling their own budgets. I wanna throw a second question out as well as you know it seems to me a little odd that we need to state basically. To be running. Cities for immigrants coming into. To then become assimilated -- are -- that there's just some little twisted to me that 70% of your money in the -- Lawrence has to come from the state. And that maybe we should look at that model -- say the seven different than needs to happen I don't know what it would be. But what we're doing is we invite immigrants into the country and we'd then have to pay for them to live his what you're saying this is very bizarre.

I gonna -- it's about now what's the -- people would who wanna hear. You know goes back to the affordable housing issue given example affordable housing. Which usually has some on controls by the state and the Fed's. In lines in affordable house might costs 899 for example a preview that bedroom Condo. In -- the next town -- that affordable house might cost 300000. When I say they would -- she may hurt to pay people to the limit handover but some say so let's spread it out a little bit I've been a proponent of let's spread it out. Let's make affordable housing throughout the commonwealth no matter what city a town no matter what zip code you ran the same price. As a log on a limb Holyoke of the Springfield nightmares. -- just let -- a little bit let's get some calls on this all in Boston good morning your NWR jail.

Take our guys good while Julio got dark I pop star that would be. Affordable operate our Democrat. And that's just be getting why -- nobody -- why single word. About any type of -- read all these people again that this so much -- always get people. -- people get in and out in every apple Larry and every single import and export again the market. It's getting crazy.

in your ride and I think it's all part of the same contribution when you subsidize. Then market forces don't get to decide how the future is going to be the subsidy. Decides how the future's going to be structured. End it and and people are even rarer that Paul that's what freaks me out on this when you start looking at how the state is run and you start seeing some scary stuff.

I mean I am I am fed up beyond belief and I have based conversation every single day I understand people eat out. But god -- boat or help them sell.

Well how helpless supposed to be short term assistance get through rough times not permanent living situations. If Warner and I'm I'm sorry I notice in the conversation you'd. Perspective to have that to have 70% of the warrants and other cities that paid for by the state means. We decided we want large to be the way it is. In perpetuity. And so addition at least a conversation about that if that's how it's going to be.

Show LA I agree with that and I think com. This colleague at the nail on the head I think you -- comes down to though that the cities and towns have to have the responsibility to know how this city and town is operating. What they need and to be able to. Communicate that up the line all the way to the governor are all the way to the White House have to if that's what.

You have to know who you have no. Right to complain. Because the states paying your way and I would guess most people in your position don't complain. About things like that you can't adjust your your costs from insurance because us so much money's coming into from the state in the first place yeah let's get another call in Kennametal singer NW RQ would merit Solomon of -- good morning --

Margaret my own little off topic from the health care portion of -- our budget. You mentioned that the education -- but expected it all it's about estimating right. Which sixty. Yeah that's right out of the 260 million dollar budget that's right it's -- bike down a bomb in a little. -- It's about. Our -- you think that's reasonable. Well you know.

I mean if you're asking me like I think it it comes down to when you look at price per. Student. You know you really need to break that cost down well okay do you mean is it reasonable across the board that education is so expensive.

Yet because -- the clot that needs to doubt it its its its. Probably 51 -- eight and year to date it's related to your -- gentle -- unions are absolutely. Did you see clot that can't beat. It is all --

And and by the way everything the unions advocate for and thus the Democratic Party along with them is. Effort techniques to raise the cost of education so they get more money on through their coffers so the whole everything you look at. You see a scam thank you can for the call. You want to comment.

None I was gonna say if you look at you know back probably when we do we were in school we had. You know forty. The students per class probably RD yard -- 519. Now knows that once teacher could run the -- class -- now they're good kids out there and they're terrible -- yeah. But now you need creates per classroom you get the specialty.

These are all deliberated just -- policy decisions that were made to make education more expensive so unions make more money. To support their claim we need more teachers and the pilot eat smaller class size. We need to start them earlier. And meanwhile. The end result gets worse all the time well -- 6172666. Seats succeed bill and Revere -- NWR -- a -- Solomon of warrants hi bill.

morning to bulk video that's already are welcoming the immigrant -- client again to -- arms to a facility quote unquote marketing grieve. But shall have to go one more often. And that was illegal immigrants should apply to warrants to get the American dream up in all our style pretty harsh question SI could so much do you have that the teachers have been contract and have eight class size. Mandated --

I don't think so bill -- and about -- they've got twenty to 22 kids. Per class but I don't think there is anything in their contracts state that.

Well well Philadelphia they'll walk -- as an air force attack outside source thirty S three with one teacher I was in our administration. Our public school. And there is no mandated by feet -- the eighty students and I shall we are.

Hard to imagine how -- yeah they have no. That's -- anyway I just don't think that there is wording in their contracts on that bill but I might be wrong but the average is about 22 kids per class. And -- above 14000 little wallet is have been a major effort to get it down that well. Well again you know when you look at the budget does is all budget based I mean -- an example every employee in the school department Latin last year and this year. Received the 5% increase. On the money is if marked for Tom to go to the schools and and and that's where it has to go and that's where it's spent we didn't lose teacher in eight years. We didn't lose because of the budget we didn't have to downsize anybody. That's employed by -- schools and I think.

You know that you people only understand earnings choices Senna almost gonna Burris to -- 61726666. -- we're talking about the crushing burden of trying to run a city or town in the state of Massachusetts on six AB WRKO. -- We are Boston's talks vision AM -- W worker Leo.

Six CDW I hear -- mayor Mike Sullivan is here from warrants were talking about issues that everybody's interest it and then. Mary Sullivan knows a lot about John and reading the morning to you. Welcome WRKO.

I wanna back up mayor Sullivan but I'm gonna show what courage. -- the first thing is we have a portable -- land which has a right. We now have affordable housing which is a while -- languages -- next right every one. I do not agree with the idea displacing responsibility. Until other accounts that is why is -- the live within its means we should not give them another 100000 dollars or whatever it is the same thing you stand over.

By definition the cities like cards don't live within their means because they don't have means and I live -- today.

Right but they want -- trees that is displacement responsibility. To what that sounds like disagree with in my --

John -- when the question was asked how do you move it. To me if that's how you move you move it based on -- housing initiative. But again -- when you try to do everything.

Comparative dollars he would take the dollars that are gone to a city like Florence 70% of the budget. Move some into getting housing in suburbs that are. More affluent more expensive absolutely and that would be how you'd overtime displace the costs that's right Bob isn't Lawrence NWR campaign about.

You guys are utility in the command yet let's. Just smoke alarm -- Considering that aren't stratified in Elkhart will look -- all right so let. I've tried it absolutely ridiculous that it has had a prostate but -- Got city budget comes from the state and -- up Broadway cats polyps. There's pissed off trucks following doubt how this city is -- The only way it is gonna -- although the problem it has. Is that the next -- meet stiff Scot knock on doors. Stat column property owners. Guess what guys should need to improve the property -- And let somebody else do what Giuliani didn't I swear if there's no reason why we can't do what they are.

But you're right I mean it really becomes the quality of life issue will block by block issue. Not only when he's right that America could intimidate or cajole well. Hindu occurring properties that they don't fill worth investing in well I think they could mean you know -- responsibility that everyone storefront should look good should look the same. One of the improvements that we saw quite -- quite a bit in the last few years is the read development of these -- properties. We've gone from. Twelve million -- square feet. Two win we saw six hat happened half of the square footage of what was vacant at one point is now. I don't really really good just they.

Buildings were one guy can come in as one guy has his outlook -- came in and made a huge difference and and it's different when you're dealing with the downtown area. We're stores get rundown people move on and it's tough yet we're gonna continue the conversation a lot of good stuff to come with mayor Sullivan from Lawrence. He's ever talk today on six AB WRKO.

Fouls and want to talk radio window of personality. -- total federal untold Feinberg -- is fire started from -- Boston's talks vision. May have a six AB. WRKO. Boston.

Good morning to the forecast mostly cloudy with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms with highs in the low eighties right now -- one degrees and cloudy in Boston -- percent WR deal news. The weather is expected to cooperate for the first full day of the first family's vacation on Martha's Vineyard today. President Obama his wife and two daughters arrived on the island yesterday afternoon after delaying their departure from the Washington area for a few hours. As or -- bill brushed the Cape and Islands. The obamas are staying at the secluded 28 Acre blue -- farm. The White House says there -- officially.

SN WR here this morning mayor Mike Solomon I'll Lawrence were talking about issues having to do with. Cities and schools and and unions and budgets and all like kind of stuff. No what percentage of the kids in the schools they are Hispanic and in Lawrence.

Lawrence presently has about 93%. Of the immigrant it's Latino. Is about a 3% Asian. That's a very fast growing immigrant population. And that cuts out of those 4% would be considered Anglo. So large is second to I believe -- San Antonio Texas when you talk about the Latino population. --

School system so 93%. Of the kids in your schools are Hispanic that's correct him or -- but what percentage of them are dealing -- language issues.

Well I would say probably 90%. Of these student population. Tom has a apparent the dead in the primary link language at home is Spanish -- so it's very very high. That's why -- challenges is somewhat yeah.

Unbelievable. -- to deal with I mean you're basically do wanna hold not different culture -- if you're if you're running the school system and -- are dealing in in with with some of the tasks in those schools of educating the kids. The do you know what percentage of the population is illegal immigrants versus legal is there anyway -- another.

No I don't know that tried to arm but those numbers don't really you know come up when -- nobody keeps track of the correct. -- what are your opinions on the topic in general. As as America as far as legal learn what -- whole immigration thing in well obviously you're running a city of emigrants you know it that's correct that's largest tag name is that we you know this is what. Allowances has has done well over the last hundred in what's -- season makes sense what policy seems stupid from your point of well.

You know it's interesting when -- and again I used to criticize com. Brett breakfast that was given to the kids before I was and -- when you -- it you see it from a a different light. UCL a lot of these kids that breakfast lunch and maybe dinner if they're staying after school from three to six. A probably the only meals they're gonna get. So when you see it when your -- you have a different compassion for the actual.

Person of the student is so you're saying you've been sensitized as mayor you're much more sympathetic to the idea of the government providing some meals for the kids absolutely but don't you feel there's some kind of self fulfilling prophecy that once the government gets in that role. Of being the caretaker for the whole body. Of the child that. You won that becomes permanent to that cuts into your ability to educate the child she because you're using that money for. For -- crackers and instead of for books.

Well that's an interesting study when when when you talked about. Practice you know why is that important well study says that you know -- if you don't need in the morning you probably not gonna learn as well as somebody that comes in with you know the ball you know. So it cereal -- food except for a so we try to but again it it's an interesting study and and again all of these gateways cities. Have the exact same issues that I'm talking about now when -- population is Asian. They have a Vietnamese populous and Cambodian population but it's almost as it's the same issue to deal with English skills reading and writing. How important is it for those kids are very young age to learn. And that's why the head start is important. And again so so these -- the skills that need to be taught at a young age so when companies move in to. Always city's debt him that have. Probably -- skilled type jobs. That the people in the city are capable of getting those jobs are unemployment rate is the highest in the -- 70%. When you say how we create 2000 new jobs in the last four years. How come these people as they can't do the drugs NA it's almost the adult population so. I see a lot of hope in the schools when you go into the third fourth fifth grade you see these kids. Deleting their writing you know perfectly. They just lacking that issue at home. Relax and -- issue the homework skills but he.

Well let -- subsidies tools to make them do. Well no it Rangel has. -- I I just want to commemoration polls -- percent because to me this is what America needs a look at more than any other issues we have in our country. We deliberately bring in. X number of people legally and illegally each year and for some reason. We want the multi -- from South America I don't understand why we changed it 1960s and stopped. Having. Proportional immigration coming from inched deciding which countries but will we create obviously huge management. Issue running a city like old with a huge Asian population. Lawrence with a huge as you've got 93%. Of your he your students in your schools are Hispanic. That means that the you're dealing with this cultural on clay that's totally different comes all these new challenge. It's insane and then the state pays 70% of the budget for the city what we're doing is is it we've got this. Ridiculous. Inbred system of dysfunction were paying people to come here from other countries. So even if we don't need no more can't sustain them it's no.

well and again let me say this how do you solve solve it and I think you need to spread it around and I think it comes down to the housing -- because people coming from.

How serious it was all other probably New York Times in big spread on this over the weekend about their forcing. Housing into Westchester they just made their big lawsuit in the settlement was -- gonna build all currency units in Westchester you know fancy neighborhoods are gonna get. Housing for poor people nobody wants to pay a lot of money to go to fancy neighborhoods in order to have poor people move there. So I don't know how you're gonna make capital what you wanna make happen well that's the argument that the argument that needs to be. Discussed but you can't have both plants. Good when I don't know we have right now is a deliberate policy than incentivize is more more people. That's the problem I have worked paying poor people from other countries to come here and live in cities like warrants.

Why. Well again and again I then you don't think we don't need 'cause I'm so if that's the fact. And I senator Ilia -- solution. I think is to move the population. Around. And you do that by offering affordable housing in the same price dead it is for a gateway city. That moves the population out of a lot of.

I don't know -- do it now it'd it'd be cheaper probably -- just pay the difference from the state to buy them a Condo in in hand over rather than buy them and forget about affordable housing. Put it on a regular housing. And -- instead give the money is seal -- give it to them to move into some other -- And you save a ton of my tailback.

It's a conversation that needs needs to take place it's unbelievable but I think when you're dealing with this issue you need demands. From the immigrant cities to be.

At the boy you guys know what the issues are 617266. Exceeds succeed John lol you're on WR here as well warrants like a night. Solomon northern China.

Good morning good -- What you need to do it it would be cheap but to buy an airplane ticket say Obama knows that the real solutions are right. You slowly so -- a settlement on the moon I can't but think their that they have an influx of illegal immigrants and net and you have paid. Widening array of police officers -- overtime. To take care -- I would welcome -- and indelible pop all of that would it. Don't go down that street I don't care what you do don't vote down that. Street now what does that -- Dallas I'll tell you why you really -- it is easy to create a a prominent school without breakfast and have -- OK you've got to -- parents house. Find out what's going -- And again a child -- Well again junk at their expense and I'm I'm I'm glad -- results -- that it. This animal welfare money on other things then wrote that these.

Hey I'm actually speechless. As Dick -- good morning to New York mayor is here.

Morning in the first of all our area -- the mayor opens only here. However. It was it was known boat could just across this by. Simply. And or. But it was so people should -- your being so there.

No it's secret -- to keep quiet then. I'm just. Knows a very quick around and buy it sticks no don't call them for this morning as a combined this and I'll be right there.

I'm very very personable I don't and your mobile simply because. A I want what are you wanna say about the topic or Paul won't top -- it knows where is Alfred. Okay. Schools.

Yes he was tired I will let you know the boy was he fired or suspended her run is on administrative leave pending which means it means firing -- that's -- Well what do they do right every day he's only well the waiting for the results of -- let's -- Yeah. --

Yeah I know his his status is he's on administrative leave pending the results of an investigation that's going on what are your district. Can you talk about yeah sure there's been a lot of press started its there's. It to -- it seems like every today is as Dick kind of alluded to. The story. Grows and grows there's some. Political candidates that have benefited from the use of these school department printing press. And this goes back to 2006 and 2007.

Okay so it's just is all times well. -- 6172666868. And a New Hampshire good morning -- You're on W barking L and a high.

I I have issue with the -- that I cool. Breakfast went into the program my sister is that teacher in Massachusetts in this city with a similar ethnic makeup of -- And I can tell you how many it's like getting up -- who. -- one and coming -- whole half asleep because -- and then night watching cable TV and playing Xbox -- video in Iraq. They would subsidizing them -- the survey I wish what -- that. Any kid that is receiving subsidized breakfast or lions. You have cable TV you'd have Xbox so we need to do that.

And it's one end.

So what I'm just saying you're subsidizing fooled when in fact they have -- that.

But this is what's gonna happen anyway right yeah I mean it it's what's in knots about this whole concept we subsidize the city. We pay welfare of the people live there. We pay aid to families are dependent children would provide free food it's it's the decay of our political system and our values system. Because he effectively these monies are bribes from elected officials to communities. Two achieve their votes in the future and that's our political system work on that despite this area scared decide.

And where it's gonna change is the the the money is not going to be there and the next couple years you're gonna.

Seer -- this recession. Has not stopped punishing the cities -- and that's gonna. You're gonna -- music on the school side exactly on every so Washington money that came down. This year. That helped. Fund the schools throughout the we've got liberals -- Washington they sold not want this problem to come to the surface and send Mormon. All of the school fool all of these the school department food product is. So subsidized by defects that isn't part of the states so. All that is gonna go away and that's where these chewing on the -- But when that money begins to tighten up these of the choices and and is talking about -- we're gonna have to figured out our.

6172666. Seats succeed that's -- Solomon from large -- an -- Tom 680 WR --

A suspect in the rape of a woman in Brookline last week will be arraigned today good morning -- percent of W work -- dues 26 year old Ismael Martinez of -- was arrested for allegedly -- priceless we're -- absolutely there. We are Boston's talk stations and AM surgery. WR --

Six TWO RK all this is so much fun we had. City mayor Harrison bill Barnes Mike Sullivan. Is America and he's it in for -- today we're learning so much were picking his brain about all is that the city issues. 6172666860. We're talking about this. -- situation Europe population of how many 80000 you said in -- 8000. Nine 3%. Of the schools. Population. Is -- 93% Latino 3% Asian and what's the rest about 4% 4% Caucasian. A mix and whoever is left whoever play whatever I grab bag that's. What an astounding -- and then when you put this together with that the state of Massachusetts pays 70% of the budget for cities like Lawrence. And you realize that this the whole immigration policy it all comes together. The Democrats wanna bring in as many people from South America as they can. So that they can fill cities with them. Have high unemployment rates and poverty so that they can keep their programs growing. And keep writing new constituencies all the time to support them on this bribes system -- it's grotesque. 61726668. It was a conference say about that he would you Giuliani's screw it I wanna. But this guy's a -- off and say this guy's a screwball but any degree. With hey you know we don't look at the macro and enough if you look at the macro of this what you have is a policy where we pay. Cities and towns to be. The containers of immigrants and that means that in terms of what the government is providing services or. Our government pays more to have immigrants and to us for any other person walking in the country. And it was somebody should look at the price tag and -- her return on investment here we getting the right immigrants does is make any. Sentenced to be importing people who were all of one socio economic class all of one culture. And highland -- places and I haven't paid educate them. You know suddenly got school systems like in Lawrence where your job is to educate Hispanic kids which -- a whole different world from. Doing the -- Asian kids gamble. Or the -- white kids in the suburbs.

I mean a lot -- we don't sit back and say give us the best of the best week you know again open the doors to anybody. Who who lives in the city and and again it's a challenge and it's a different challenge. In each city and town depending on who's -- and who -- in that class of.

And then of course the legislature makes it impossible to pay her bills because they make all these ridiculous. Concessions in the in his Eileen good morning -- WRKO in their Solomon from Lawrence high.

Undermining -- element and not. Money Todd beat -- apologized -- and -- commented about the cable TV I'm sitting driving going. Well I teach in Brockton and comment Internet cable I don't have cable many of them are many of them are free lunch and -- they look at me like -- died until I think ally. Am I can paint from what EP I Q I have like a channel that I'm from and in many. Examples where it hit it that we are mini. Three election I'm certain many of them do and I love my students and it's not about that but the system is broken when it waited so EG.

What would you say they need that the free lunch it's good the free breakfast or whatever it is time breakfast is an -- to exit costs like sixty cents at breakfast it's the cheapest thing in the world. They really can't you tell me these -- people without cell phones. Without.

Cable TV aren't -- you're right that many of them have they do have the cable TV and it's not on -- correct.

So what are you basing that they need the meals for.

On I guess what I'm basing anything else on is some of them do not count from home with Eric. No enough that they need to get up and give tickets for access to. So that it's come and sometimes the care at the start sleeping. You know and not all of them but there are many kids to come from -- so that parents are not necessarily. Educated in the.

Our kids don't know enough to pour themselves a bowl of cereal and.

I know literally meant that we -- at home.

I have hunger teaches you. Eileen can I jump in here and I LL I think and thank you for what you don't take thank you for Digisette I think if you wanna. Talked about how to make this better. I think the teacher places tremendous role book as you Europe and class and you get to know the kids you get to. Probably nobody into the school year. Oh win they live who's at the house. What daylight stylus are they walking around with a cellphone Nara an iPod.

If this sounds like institutionalized insanity.

And then what you have to do though is if you concerned about this issue. Tenured teacher. How do you relate this information up the line with something is going to be different and where it's gonna benefit to Kent eventually and I think to teach a place. A tremendously important role in in this issue. Powell and brought optimism. What you're saying autonomy that what are -- how do you fix that -- fix any of that well I think you need to identify it forests and if you're talking about. Free food free lunch etc. it's the teacher and you say watt has asked a question you -- and Todd and that's what their comments and I biggest teaches is is the one that knows they're students knows who's may be taken advantage of the free breakfast of the free lunch what for.

Manage your kids are free meals and Lawrence school it's probably 95%. Ops -- what eligible fought. So was really nothing they -- teachers and I think he's doing things that point in which direction for email us know what I'm saying is if we wanna fix it if we don't buy into that and we think there's a lot of abuse. And it's the teacher that gets to know these kids. And gets to know they'll punish those call -- the front Leo Lawrence you're on with the Merrill Lawrence Mike Sullivan on WRK a highly out.

They couldn't wanted to good morning Mac alumni and realized I get -- get -- worried about six months to guard out -- and the highest court in my school. I'm just goalie checked the C you know I love this kid I guess they don't they don't get I know we get education is -- from home. But I guess they don't get education but -- anywhere because that's I didn't Baird house red crescent guys go to new high school. Did you what they come at a at a high school but it's -- garbage on the street there's not a -- Need -- AQ was so far to yourself fun. I can barely had a cellphone to talk and upon -- all these kids they don't welfare they ailments such doubt saying. Let them they didn't like -- came. -- take it like do wiped but the --

You have children -- yes I do and they're gone to school. Every college. How how did they did is so they didn't go by the to Lawrence schools as you smoother you said.

Oh yeah they they went to -- could get ready bailout might actually need already has 1000 monitor without Lawrence.

Good Syria -- commando and alignment species that is Democrats say exactly there's an upgrade. Leo you know -- point is well you know up. Comes this. This quality of -- life I mean if if it's a trashy looking looking house or are one caller talked about. Storefronts and out and trash on a street. People are gonna drive who wants and then not drive to again and -- we struggle with. And try every day is to make sure that the city is is is clean but but. The responsibility lies in the people that are actually thrown in the trash it's it's not up to government -- To clean up behind people that up you know that -- Cops and they jumped on the floor and.

He's talking about the kids in and that is a symptom of them being. I'm grateful and unaware. Of these sacrifices being made by the larger community to accommodate their news I wanna say that any kid who got proper sense of that a respect for would not be trashing the community that's helping them out so much.

That the taxpayer is of the commonwealth paid a hundred million dollars. To construct the Lawrence high school campus. Treasurer -- craven and her team. Help the city like Lawrence senator taco was dot tremendously. -- support -- so this we have the high high school campus and god help us if any parent or a Q a student complains about. This new high school environment that did now win. So we will hoping that that's gonna make the future -- But it's sad when. People are in a brand new high school. Campus and is still littering.

it will letters in the point the point is that there are being gifted -- all the stuff and there's a lack of appreciation probably because they're not conscious of it or the attitude is hey. I'm entitled to all this so screw as well literally assemble tell on that so -- of point sweltering nightmare Solomon is here from Lawrence Tom and Todd six AV WR -- From -- products.