Radio Worcester’s Talk of the Commonwealth

Dr. Charles Into the WooSox Hall of Fame and Spring Training Report

Worcester Red Sox President Dr. Charles Steinberg reacts to the the news he is going into the WooSox Hall of Fame. The Boston Herald's Gabrielle Starr who is at spring training with the Red Sox. Starr describes the atmosphere at spring training as interesting due to significant roster turnover. She feels the team has the opportunity to surprise people.

Bill Moore on the Work of Project New Hope

Bill Moore tells us about the work of Project New Hope with our veterans.

Worcester City Manager Eric Batista on the Tax Rate

On the Talk of the Commonwealth, Hank Stolz spoke with Eric Batista, Worcester’s City Manager, about a range of issues facing the city, including tax policy, aging infrastructure, water main breaks, and the city’s response to homelessness during the winter months.

State Senator Michael Moore on Cannabis Lounges

State Senator Michael Moore discussed recent legislative activities in Massachusetts. He began by clarifying that the long delay in establishing cannabis lounges was due to the dysfunction and inaction of the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), not the legislature. He detailed a new bill aimed at reforming the CCC. The Senator then outlined key items in a supplemental budget, including funding for sheriff's departments, World Cup security, and MassHealth. He also explained why Massachusetts rescinded its past calls for a constitutional convention, citing fears of unintended consequences. Finally, he shared insights from a recent trip to Europe with the German Marshall Fund to discuss artificial intelligence regulation and concluded by answering a constituent's question about testing for elderly drivers.

Worcester Mayor Petty on local issues

* Mayor Petty expressed caution about a proposal to levy fees on all vacant lots, noting that some property owners used adjacent lots for family activities and that such a policy could be seen as government overreach. * He confirmed the City Council voted 10-0 to recognize International Migrants Day but acknowledged the debate was emotional due to fear within the BIPOC community regarding federal immigration enforcement. * He clarified that the Worcester Police Department did not cooperate with ICE on non-criminal immigration enforcement. * He spoke positively about the economic and community impact of a new Raising Cane's restaurant, highlighting its job creation and replacement of a former eyesore. * He discussed a proposal for colleges and universities to invest 0.5% of their endowments into a community impact fund to help offset the tax revenue lost from exempt properties. * He revealed that a forthcoming school report showed a surprising increase in behavioral incidents in grades K-3, while incidents in high schools had decreased. * He stated that school resource officers were unlikely to return in their previous capacity, but the police were exploring other ways to build relationships within schools.