Hummel Report archive for February 2010
A Taxing Question.... 2.4.2010
Nearly 40 percent of all property in Providence is tax exempt. But should it be? This week we ask the question: Should tax exemption be based on use - not just ownership. Jim Hummel takes a look at properties in Providence that are unused or underused, but still enjoy tax exempt status. And we check in with one community that is now receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in new tax revenue from a formerly tax-exempt institution.
Click HERE To see the video and read the script.
In For A Dollar... 2.11.2010
Central Falls Mayor Charles Moreau is under fire for selling a piece of city-owned land to a political ally... for a dollar. The mayor convinced the City Council it would be good economic development, saying a local businessman planned to put up a brand new million-dollar building on the site. But we learned the businessman knows nothing about it and the mayor is nowhere to be found. This week, Jim Hummel goes to the City Council - which gave Moreau permission to sell the lot - for answers.
Click HERE To see the video and read the script.
No Bid? No Problem. 2.18.2010
By day, Richard Aubin Jr. is the chief mechanic at his family's car repair business in Central Falls. But on the first Monday night of every month he trades his overalls for a suit - and a seat - as a councilman inside City Hall. That has not stopped him having a no-bid contract with the Police Department to service its vehicles. This week, Jim Hummel goes one-on-one with the councilman and takes us inside the numbers to see how much Aubin's family business has received from the city.
Click HERE to see a printout of the checks written in Central Falls.
Click HERE to see where your town sends its auto repair business.
Click HERE To see the video and read the script.
The Cost of Security... 2.25.2010
Providence Mayor David Cicilline doesn't go anywhere in public without a Providence Police officer by his side and behind the wheel of an SUV with City license plate No. 1. But how much is it costing taxpayers to have a team of officers assigned to the mayor dawn-to-dusk, weekends and holidays? This week Jim Hummel sits down with Cicilline for his take on the police detail, the cost and how it might be affected by his recently-launched campaign for Congress.
Click HERE to see the Providence payroll.
Click HERE to see your city's payroll.
Click HERE to see the video and read the script.
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Follow these links for stories from previous months:
October 2009
November 2009
December 2009
January 2010