Out of the Inkwell

Re: Springfield

This just in...The House has made some interesting changes to the loan repayment bill for the city undoubtedly based in part on the testimony heard in the recent and sometimes contentious hearing conducted at City Hall.

Here's the release:

Springfield, MA: Representative Cheryl A. Coakley-Rivera (D-Springfield), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities and the Springfield delegation foresee the passage within the week of the Springfield Financial Stability Bill, H. 4824 entitled “An Act Further Providing for the Financial Stability of the City of Springfield.”

Representative Coakley-Rivera calls special attention to the following changes in the bill:
o The loan repayment to the Commonwealth has been extended from 7 years to 10 years, due in 2022.

o The Mayoral term ballot question, changing the term of office to 4 years from 2 years, will now be on the ballot in 2009 at the “regular city election” instead of this fall. If passed, the first 4-year Mayoral term will begin in 2011.

o The Committee to study the Mayor’s pay will now include a member of the City Council appointed by the Council President instead of a representative of the Chamber of Commerce. This ensures that a resident of Springfield will be on the Mayoral Pay Study Committee.

“We went to the bat for Springfield and delivered a grand slam for our constituents and our city,” said Rep. Coakley-Rivera. “We have safeguarded Springfield’s financial future by insisting on better repayment terms of the state’s loan, ensured that citizens will have the time to learn about and evaluate the proposed change in the Mayoral term, and have input on the Mayor’s salary.”

More to come