Proposed Springfield Budget Includes Casino Payments

The mayor of Springfield Massachusetts has proposed what he characterizes as a “ hold the line” budget for next year. 

   The $571.8 million dollar budget proposed by Mayor Domenic Sarno  preserves city jobs while raising spending by less than 2 percent.

   Two of the city’s ten branch libraries would close, but library hours and staffing would increase elsewhere throughout the system.  The budget is balanced thanks to $5 million dollars from MGM Resorts that was part of a casino development deal. If the casino project falls through, Sarno warns the city faces more than 100 layoffs and massive cuts in services…