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Fireworks legislation may never get off ground

Submitted by Andrew Murphy, Web Producer
Thursday, March 15th, 2012, 1:54pm

BOSTON - Local Fire Officals across the state are arguing that legalizing the sale of fireworks will lead to an increased number of fires and personal injuries. Fireworks are currently a billion dollar buisness in 46 other states.

The bill will give each city or town the option to issue permits for the sale and use of fireworks.

Proponents of the bill state the added $2 Million generated in tax revenue by legalizing them. They also show to the statistics of personal injuries decreasing as more state legalized their use.

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US Senate approves jobs bill for returning vets

Submitted by WNYT Staff
Friday, November 11th, 2011, 3:45pm

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The U.S. Senate has passed legislation meant to address the high unemployment rate among returning veterans.

New York Sen. Charles Schumer, a cosponsor, says the unemployment rate for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan hovers near 15 percent in some counties.

The bill, approved 94-1, would provide tax credits for employers hiring veterans, as well as job training to help vets return to the work force.

The Hire Heroes Act would provide companies that hire a vet who has been looking for work for at least four weeks to get a tax credit of $2,400.

Businesses that hire a vet who has been looking for a job for at least six months would get a $5,600 tax credit.
      

      
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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Mass. to propose new congressional district map

Submitted by Sophia Sofferman, WNYT Web Producer
Monday, November 7th, 2011, 5:49pm

(AP) - A new congressional map would lump two members of the state's all-Democratic delegation into a single district, creating one new district without an incumbent.

The proposed map, unveiled Monday by the Legislature's Redistricting Committee, would place U.S. Reps. Stephen Lynch of South Boston and William Keating of Quincy in the same district by pulling Quincy into the district now represented by Lynch.

The map would give Keating the option of relocating to a family home in the new district. Keating could not immediately be reached for comment.

Under the proposal, the district represented by Rep. Niki Tsongas of Lowell would pick up Lawrence. The district represented by Rep. Richard Neal of Springfield would pick up the Berkshires.

The redrawn district now represented by Rep. Michael Capuano of Somerville would be a minority-majority district.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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Pittsfield voters head to the polls

Submitted by WNYT Staff
Tuesday, October 18th, 2011, 6:15pm

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  - There’s a special election taking place in Berkshire County tonight. Voters in Pittsfield are deciding who will be their next state representative.

Four candidates are vying for the seat held by Christopher Speranzo who resigned to take a job at Central Berkshire District Court.

The polls are open until 8 p.m.

We will have results on NewsChannel 13 Live at 11.

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Gov. Patrick opposes Mass. bills requiring voter IDs

Submitted by Sophia Sofferman, WNYT Web Producer
Thursday, September 22nd, 2011, 10:42am

(AP) - Governor Deval Patrick is vowing to reject any bills that he said would make it harder for voters to cast ballots in Massachusetts.

The Democratic governor was responding to questions about a number of Republican-backed bills that would require residents to produce identification before voting in elections.

Patrick said Wednesday that while he was not familiar with all of the proposals, "I am not interested in and will not sign anything that makes it harder to vote."

The bills were part of a State House public hearing before the Committee on Election Laws.

Supporters say requiring identification from voters will help guard elections against fraud.

But opponents, like Common Cause Massachusetts and the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, say the extra hurdles will disenfranchise voters, particularly minorities.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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Reminder: Last day for voter registration coming up

Submitted by Sophia Sofferman, WNYT Web Producer
Friday, August 26th, 2011, 9:27am

Wednesday, August 31 is the last day to register to vote and to change your name, address, or party enrollment in order to be eligible to vote in the September 20Special State Primary Election for State Representative.

The Registrar of Voters Office, located in Pittsfield City Hall, will remain open until 8 p.m. on August 31 to accommodate anyone wishing to register or to make changes.

Absentee ballot applications are available.   A person is eligible to vote by absentee ballot if they are a registered voter and will be unable to vote at the polls on Election Day due to:  (1) absence from the city during normal polling hours; (2) physical disability; (3) religious belief.  The deadline to accept absentee ballot applications is 12:00 p.m. on Monday, September 19, 2011.

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Senator Brown speaks in Pittsfield

Submitted by WNYT Staff
Wednesday, August 10th, 2011, 10:44am

PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown is talking about the economy in the Berkshires today.

Brown is joining the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, for a jobs summit luncheon in Pittsfield. He’s talking about job creation and his legislative plans to help grow the economy.

Brown sits on the senate committee on small business and entrepreneurship.

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