Tagged: WAMC News

BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Deval Patrick has asked the Legislature for $1.9 billion in new taxes to support major new spending on transportation and education.

In his annual State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature, Patrick called for hiking the state income tax from 5.25 percent to 6.25 percent, while doubling the personal exemption for all taxpayers and eliminating dozens of itemized deductions.

BOSTON (AP) — Lawmakers are giving mixed reviews to Gov. Deval Patrick's call to hike the state's income tax while also cutting the sales tax.

Senate President Therese Murray said she applauded Patrick's ambition but added the "the devil's in the details."

Fellow Democrat, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, said Patrick's proposal gives lawmakers a lot of food for thought, but said he didn't think the proposal could pass or fail based just on what Patrick said.

Republicans lawmakers were more critical.

The Oklahoma City Thunder stayed atop the NBA's Western Conference standings by cooling off the Denver Nuggets Wednesday night.

Russell Westbrook poured in 32 points and the Thunder halted the Nuggets' six-game winning streak by whipping Denver 117-97. Kevin Martin and Kevin Durant each had 20 points for the Thunder, who built a 16-point lead in the first quarter and led wire-to-wire for the second time this season. Westbrook hit six of his first eight shots and had 16 points in the first 10 minutes.

Here is the WAMC Morning Edition sports news update.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is freezing investment by the public workers' pension fund in firearms companies following recent shooting tragedies.

DiNapoli says he has directed that the massive pension fund not buy any new stock in firearms manufacturers following the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.