UPDATED 8:35PM: The Republican reports that Sarno has vetoed the ordinance. Tells paper on his flip-flop from 2007, “Quite frankly you learn that campaigning is much different than governing.” SPRINGFIELD—Edging closer to its second major rebuke of Mayor Domenic Sarno this year, the City Council
SPRINGFIELD—The City Council set the tax rates for the next year Monday night, rejecting Mayor Domenic Sarno’s recommendation and instead freezing residential rates at the current level. However, because the values of both residential and commercial property have risen, bills on both are likely to
Less than 48 hours into the race for ranking member on the House Ways & Means Committee, Springfield Congressman Richard Neal appears victorious as his only competitor withdraws. Los Angeles Democrat Xavier Becerra, who jumped into the race Tuesday night, has announced he will accept
UPDATED 5:30PM: For grammar and clarity. Six years ago US Representative Sander Levin, a Michigan Democrat, narrowly overcame his colleague Richard Neal’s bid to be Democratic party’s ranking member on the powerful Ways & Means Committee. Levin said Tuesday he was stepping aside, but Neal is
The wreckage of this month’s national election has had a number of effects across the country. Given the continued down ballot troubles of Democrats, one immediate consequence has been pushing forward a younger generation of figures in the party. In the Pioneer Valley, this has
The operation of the Springfield Police Department is perhaps the civil rights issue of the moment in the City of Homes. The reporting on the actions of Detective Gregg Bigda had already shaken City Hall, the Hampden County Hall of Justice and Pearl Street, the
An article I recently read in The New York Times Magazine profiled Miri Regev, the Israeli Minister of Culture & Sport. It described her attempts to direct cultural spending away from the traditional artistic elite—principally based in Tel Aviv—in the context of both her right-wing
Election Day brings a regular swig of direct democracy here in Massachusetts. Four ballot questions are on the statewide ballot with an additional question in cities like Holyoke and Springfield. Below, we offer our view on a few of the referenda this year. Question 1:
AGAWAM—Nobody doubted that Rosemary Sandlin could get the 150 votes she needed in the Democratic primary to write herself onto the general election ballot. A competitive primary for sheriff assured voters in the 3rd Hampden House district would be at the polls. But experts scoffed
It is arguably the most competitive election in the Pioneer Valley, but it has not been like the national election. Apocalyptic, dark ads are not carpet-bombing television. Debates are not soaked in tension and wrath and indeed, are a bit dry. The 1st Hampden &