UMass professor Kathryn McDermott and Willow Kwak explore the 1991 tax override votes, part of a tumultuous period in Holyoke politics.

McDermott and Kwak conclude that the repeated, unsuccessful efforts to pass a Proposition 2 ½ override for the schools were a turning point in the relationship between Holyoke and the state, which eventually led to more state funds for Holyoke and other cities, but also to school receivership.

This is the first time McDermott has presented her research to a Holyoke audience.

Recorded on April 14, 2025 at the Community Room of the Holyoke Public Library.

Event presented by the History Room of the Holyoke Public Library.