New England News

Environmentalists in Massachusetts are concerned over a controversial bill they say could effectively eliminate endangered species protections in the State. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard Reports…

Sponsor of Senate Bill 1854, Gale Candaras says that the rumors and ideas circulating about her proposal to enforce landowner protections by amending the state’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species laws are misleading.

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.

State officials have announced grants for two western Massachusetts communities to help with on-going restoration work from last year’s tornadoes.   WAMC”s Paul Tuthill reports.

The city council in Springfield Massachusetts has approved what officials described as an  “austere”  budget for the fiscal year that starts Sunday, July 1st.  WAMC’s Paul Tuthill reports.

            The  $552 million dollar budget proposed by Mayor Domenic Sarno  was approved by a vote of 7 to 5 with no additional cuts in spending.   City councilor Kenneth Shea said to cut city services deeper than what the mayor has proposed would be unpalatable to most residents and businesses.

The head of the biggest hospital group in western Massachusetts says the Supreme Court’s ruling on the health-care reform law removes uncertainty.   WAMC”s Paul Tuthill reports.

            Over the long run, the healthcare system in the United States will be dramatically restructured, says Mark Tolosky, President CEO of Springfield based Baystate Health. But he’s worried  in the short term because half the estimated $1 trillion to pay for the health-care law is to come from reduced payments to doctors and hospitals.