Paul Tuthill

The city of Springfield Massachusetts began using new technology today in a bid to collect more than $11 million   owed it by scofflaws.  WAMC”s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.

      Devices mounted on traffic enforcement vehicles scan license plates on cars and trucks parked on Springfield streets and instantly alert the enforcement officials if there are  outstanding parking tickets or unpaid excise tax bills.   Springfield City Treasurer-Collector Stephen Lonergan says the vehicle will be booted or towed and impounded until the owner pays  up.

Elizabeth Warren, the Democratic candidate in the Massachusetts Senate race continues to raise impressive amounts of campaign funds.  WAMC”s Paul Tuthill reports.

Information about how taxpayer’s money is being spent can be just a few mouse clicks away. There’s a growing government transparency movement that Massachusetts appears to be in front of  to give the public a clearer look at how their money is spent.  WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.

Another public works project is planned in an historic part of downtown Springfield. It is an area of the city that has already seen close to $200 million in government investment over the last decade. WAMC”s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.

      The historic Armory-Quadrangle neighborhood will undergo aesthetic improvements beginning next fall with a project to repave streets, replace sidewalks, put in new street lights and green spaces. It is to be paid for with $1.6 million in federal money obtained as earmarks by Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is set to sign a new state budget.  WAMC’s Paul Tuthill reports.

A federal court ruling clears the way for the city of Springfield Massachusetts to implement a foreclosure ordinance.  Housing rights advocates predict the local law will become a model for other cities and states struggling with the blight caused by foreclosed vacant property.  WAMC”s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.

The city of Springfield Massachusetts is expected to soon implement a foreclosure ordinance now that a federal court has rejected a challenge by the Massachusetts Bankers Association.  WAMC’s Paul Tuthill reports.

Supermarkets and grocery stores in Massachusetts starting next year will no longer be required to put a price sticker on every item on their shelves.  WAMC’s Paul Tuthill reports.

            The law signed by Governor Deval Patrick permits food stores to stop affixing  prices to individual  items if they install self serve  price check scanners in their stores..  Edgar Dworsky, a consumer advocate who wrote the state’s item priceing law 25 years ago, says the change is a blow to consumer rights.  He says aisle scanners have proven to be very unreliable.