Democratic Party politics and the presidential contest experienced upheaval Sunday when President Joe Biden announced he would decline the nomination for president at the party’s national convention next month in Chicago. Biden immediately turned to his vice-president, Kamala Harris, who has already won the support of delegates who will represent the 413 in the Windy City. The post The 413’s Biden Delegates Swiftly Become Harris Delegates… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more

As summer heats up, the Springfield City Council begins to slow down, holding fewer meetings than during the rest of the year. The body’s July 8 sitting was its only scheduled regular meeting until September. Despite the policy and finance-heavy agenda, there was little of major controversy before councilors last Monday. The post Take My Council, Please: A Pension Plan That Could Work… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more

The two surprise legislative races anchored in Springfield may yet rock political foundations in the city. However, on the fundraising front, the races are proceeding more or less typically for incumbent challenges. Both State Senator Adam Gomez and State Rep Bud Williams maintain healthy fundraising leads. The post An Account of Legislative Campaign Finances in Springfield Area Primaries… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more

After years of stuff reductions, farming out of printing to Springfield, and closure of its physical newsroom, staff at the Hartford Courant have received some good news of their own. The Courant Guild secured a contract with Tribune’s owner, Alden Global Capital, that will guarantee raises and retirement benefits. The post Briefings: After Rough Five Years, Courant Guild Employees Have a Contract… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more

The attempt to gut the Police Commission was part of a broader legislative package that would facilitate Lawrence Akers’s appointment as superintendent. Another piece was a home rule petition to let him remain a cop beyond the state’s mandatory retirement age of 65 and cap his pension. That bill, too, went to the rewrite desk. Now the original language could make a return. The post Akers Age Waiver Likely to Move on Beacon Hill Soon, but with Cap on His Pension… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more

SPRINGFIELD—The Community Preservation Committee’s (CPC) recommendations for the coming year constituted much of the City Council agenda on June 10. However, consideration of the projects did not invite the rancor the other items before the Council did.  A transfer of free cash to reserves veered off-topic and became heated. By contrast, the sale of a city-owned railroad parcel prompted a barrage of accusations and nonplussed the chamber.  The post Take My Council, Please: The War on Food Additives… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more

SPRINGFIELD—Alongside normal business at its June 10 meeting, the City Council greenlighted a list of projects that received funding under the Community Preservation Act (CPA). In 2016, voters authorized a 1.5% surcharge on tax bills. The Committee’s chair, Robert McCarroll, announced nearly $3 million in projects for fiscal year 2025. The post Springfield CPA Projects Go Big on Endangered Structures for FY25 Grants… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more

WESTFIELD—While introducing Bridget Matthews-Kane Tuesday evening at the Shortstop Bar & Grill, former Springfield Mayor, one-time Governor’s Councilor and retired judge Mary Hurley touted the candidate’s biography. She explained how the three-term city councilor and State House hopeful has deep family roots here and across Hampden County. Upon taking the mic to speak for herself at her kickoff, Matthews-Kane shifted to her granular work on the Council. The post Matthews-Kane Launches Rep Bid Vowing to Bring Home the Policy…and the Bacon… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insig ..read more

A deeply controversial selection process for his successor had not totally poisoned the well of good-will Daniel Warwick had accumulated over decades in city schools. He was about three weeks from the close of his career. Then it all came crashing down in less than 48 hours. The post Warwick Bows out Early As Outrage over Disparagement of Monroe Naylor Crests… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more

An audio recording has surfaced in which the outgoing superintendent trashed a School Committee member. Superintendent Daniel Warwick calls relatives of at-large member LaTonia Monroe Naylor “scumbags” and “crazy.” In the recording, Warwick was ostensibly speaking with Chief Schools Officer Kim Wells, a finalist for superintendent. The post Springfield Schools’ Warwick on Tape Denigrating Board Member Weeks Before Exit… appeared first on Western Mass Politics & Insight ..read more