Tagged: budget

The Massachusetts State Lottery this week reported record sales and net profit. It means more money should be available for future distribution to cash strapped cities and towns across the state.  WAMC”s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.

Murphy’s Pop Shop in Springfield’s East Forest Park neighborhood is one of the top lottery sales agents in Massachusetts.  Owner Patrick Murphy said his business was off  due to the natural disasters that befell Springfield, but he’s not surprised lottery sales statewide during the last  12 months hit a record.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed the state’s FY 2013 budget on Sunday, but some proposals didn’t make the cut. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard took a look at what items the governor vetoed and filed a report…

Governor Patrick vetoed 32.1 million in line items from the 32.5 billion dollar budget signed earlier this week. Among the items cut were reforms to immigration policy, health and social services.

The city of Springfield Massachusetts will enter a new fiscal year this Sunday, July 1st, with a budget that officials describe as “ austere” and “ bare-bones”.  It is also a budget that remains out of balance, as we hear from WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief, Paul Tuthill..

            The $551.8 million dollar  budget will cut more than 100 city jobs, cause three library branches to close, take a fire department ladder truck out of service, and result in reduced repairs and maintenance of streets, sidewalks and parks.

            With just two weeks until the new fiscal year, the City Council in Springfield Massachusetts will start holding hearings on a proposed budget that cuts municipal services while calling for higher fees and taxes.  WAMC”s Paul Tuthill reports.

            Springfield City Councilor Timothy Rooke, who chairs the finance committee, says the administration has not squeezed enough savings from city government.