BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — The former mayor of Bridgeport, who spent seven years in federal prison for public corruption, was sworn in again on Tuesday as mayor of Connecticut's largest city.
Joe Ganim's inaugural ceremony capped off a stunning political comeback. Just five years out of prison, he defeated incumbent Mayor Bill Finch in the Sept. 16 primary and then easily won the general election, defeating seven opponents. His campaign was fueled a wave of goodwill from voters who fondly remembered his years in office, from 1991 until 2003.
Property tax revenues across Massachusetts rose by 4.1 percent in the last fiscal year, the largest annual increase since fiscal 2010, but cities and towns continue to struggle to pay for employees and services due to unfunded fixed costs, according to a new report.
The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation (MTF) concluded in its annual municipal financial data report that Bay State cities and towns are "stuck in an era of modest rebound." Overall, total municipal revenues grew by 3.8 percent.
