SPRINGFIELD—In a city where the mayor wields tremendous power relative to the legislative branch, it can be difficult to adequately hold the executive branch accountable. Similarly, some councilors may show caution before premature votes, too. However, for either effort to be effective and, just as
In his 2013 State of the Commonwealth address, Governor Deval Patrick laid out a bold vision for the commonwealth urging higher income taxes, offset, in part, by lower sales tax. The Governor is attempting to make his final two years in office as worthwhile as
UPDATED 1/19/13: For grammar and clarity. SPRINGFIELD—Defying the low expectations of many City Council watchers, Council President and at-large Councilor Jimmy Ferrera appointed the Council’s committees, but without the inequitable and punitive air that characterized last year’s appointments. Chairs of committees were spread among councilors,
…And the World: We begin today in Mali where French fighter jets have attacked Islamist fighters that were advancing on the capital Bamako. The attack, which the US was reportedly wary about, may not have stopped the fighters, however, who had seized control of the
UPDATED 1/11/13 4:56PM: For Clarity SPRINGFIELD—The Springfield City Council formally installed at-large Councilor Jimmy Ferrera for another year-long term as the body’s president before a chamber filled with department heads, supporters and family. The new term begins a year after Ferrera started his first term
…And the World: We begin today in Israel where it still looks like incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will win another term amidst the chaos on the Israeli Center-Left, but that could change. However, former Foreign Minister and Hatunah Party Leader Tzipi Livni and Labor
UPDATED 1/4/13 4:01PM: Link to WBUR updated. Standing alongside several of her new colleagues and in front of her all, too, temporary seatmate, John Kerry, Elizabeth Warren was sworn in today as Massachusetts’s newest US Senator. Vice-President Joseph Biden, the official presiding officer of the
SPRINGFIELD—In a brief and modest ceremony, before a large crowd, Laura Gentile, an assistant Clerk of Courts and otherwise largely politically unknown, took the oath of office to lead the office for which she has worked for well over a decade. Retired Judge Brian McDonald
Happy New Year from WMassP&I! No Manic Monday Markup this week. Among the ever-changing fiscal cliff nonsense, New Year’s Even on a Monday and our Sunday publication of the Year in Springfield, we decided to give ourselves a break. We’ll be back very soon with
UPDATED 11:51PM: For clarity, grammar and accuracy. Another year, and another raucous political era in the City of Homes. Everything from local politics at 36 Court Street to the Presidential election had their impacts upon Springfield. Petty politics reigned early on at the City Council,