Massachusetts

May 27, 2009 -- BOSTON, MA - Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry announced today that Massachusetts will receive $666 million in economic recovery funds through the U.S. Department of Education’s State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. The funds are being made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed earlier this year.

The $666 million for Massachusetts will be used to protect and create jobs and improve education in the Commonwealth. The funds are intended to save education jobs and keep teachers in the classroom, modernize and strengthen public schools, and provide support to colleges in the current the economic crisis.    » read more »

Holds broadband development forum, unveils interactive mapping tool at New Salem town hall

NEW SALEM – Tuesday, May 26, 2009 – As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state's economic future, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today held a broadband development forum in Western Massachusetts where he moved to secure federal recovery funding for broadband expansion in the Commonwealth and unveiled a new interactive mapping tool to help further the Patrick-Murray administration's efforts to bring high-speed Internet to communities across the state.    » read more »

Diverse group of state leaders call for federal cap on emissions, state-federal partnership to build clean energy economy

BOSTON – May 21, 2009 – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today announced the formation of the Governors’ Energy and Climate Coalition, a bipartisan group of state chief executives from across the country, which has come together to promote a comprehensive federal policy on clean energy and climate change recognizing the key role states must play in creating the green economy of the future.

Governor Patrick is among the founding members of the coalition, which is united by two broad principles – a need for a comprehensive energy strategy on the national level and recognition of states as critical partners in carrying out that strategy.    » read more »

Drug Company Allegedly Failed to Pay Hundreds of Millions in Rebates to Medicaid Program

May 18, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – The United States and 16 states have joined in two whistleblower suits filed in the District of Massachusetts against the drug manufacturer, Wyeth, alleging that the company knowingly failed to give the government the same discounts it provided to private purchasers of its drugs, as required by laws governing the Medicaid program.

As a result, Wyeth allegedly avoided paying hundreds of millions in rebates due to state Medicaid programs for its drugs, Protonix Oral and Protonix IV. These drugs belong to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPI), which are used to suppress stomach acid.    » read more »

Funding will create new jobs and accelerate development of nation’s only large wind turbine blade test facility

Boston, MA – Tuesday, May 12, 2009 – U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today announced the Department of Energy’s intent to award Massachusetts $25 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to accelerate development of the state’s Wind Technology Testing Center and create hundreds of new jobs in the area.    » read more »

Anti-Crime Bills Will Require Post-Release Supervision, and Improve Employment Opportunities

BOSTON– Thursday, May 07, 2009 – Continuing Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s efforts to strengthen public safety, improve delivery and reform operations of state government, Public Safety Secretary Kevin M. Burke today announced the Patrick-Murray Administration will be filingbills to require post-release supervision for offenders and enhance employment opportunities for rehabilitated individuals with criminal records.    » read more »

BOSTON—Thursday, May 7, 2009 – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick will file legislation today to close an estimated $953 million shortfall for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2009, using a combination of federal stimulus aid, stabilization funds, and other solutions. The legislation comes on the heels of an historic $1 billion drop in April tax revenues compared to last April revenues, and after previous measures to close an over $3 billion gap for FY 2009.

The legislation maintains Governor Deval Patrick’s commitment to education funding and preserving other key programs essential to the Commonwealth’s economic recovery. The bill filed today also includes supplemental appropriations to fund accounts experiencing deficiencies due to the economic downturn.    » read more »

Legislation seeks to reduce supply of illegal guns, increase penalties and comply with federal requirements

BOSTON– Wednesday, May 6, 2009 – Continuing Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s efforts to reduce gun violence and strengthen public safety, Public Safety Secretary Kevin M. Burke today announced that the Patrick-Murray Administration has filed a bill to give police and prosecutors more tools to tackle illegal gun use and make the Commonwealth a safer place to live, work, and raise families.    » read more »

Two-stage bus rapid transit initiative will support economic growth, improve New England’s busiest bus corridor and connect key Boston neighborhoods

May 04, 2009 - BOSTON – May 04, 2009 – As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick joined Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Transportation Secretary James Aloisi today to announce federal stimulus funding to improve bus service along New England’s busiest bus corridor and in neighborhoods currently unserved by rapid transit.    » read more »

Federal Recovery Funds Will Assist 37 One-Stop Career Centers Throughout Massachusetts

BOSTON– April 28, 2009 –As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Governor Deval Patrick today announced more than $67 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to make immediate investments in job training and support services for dislocated workers, low-income youths and adults. More than $4.9 million of the funding will go to the Boston Private Industry Council and three One-Stop Career Centers in the City of Boston.    » read more »

Bill to Ensure Massachusetts Captures Funding Opportunities

BOSTON– Monday, April 27, 2009 – As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has filed legislation to help leverage federal economic recovery funds to boost broadband services throughout Massachusetts.

“This bill builds on our commitment to provide broadband access to all areas of the Commonwealth, and positions the state for long-term economic growth,” said Governor Patrick. “This effort will also help streamline state zoning and permitting rules to expedite the availability of this enabling technology.”    » read more »

Latest series of “Opportunity Knocks’’ homebuyer fairs will be held at 10 shopping malls across the state on May 2 and May 9

BOSTON – April 24, 2009 – As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today announced today that the latest series of free “Opportunity Knocks’’ regional homebuyer fairs and open houses to promote affordable homeownership opportunities in Massachusetts will held on Saturday, May 2, and Saturday, May 9, at 10 shopping malls across Massachusetts.    » read more »

Funding to Spur Infrastructure Improvements in Lawrence, Fitchburg, Hopkinton, and Lowell

LAWRENCE – April 23, 2009 – As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today awarded four Community Development Action Grants (CDAG) totaling $3.56 million to Lawrence, Fitchburg, Hopkinton, and Lowell. The communities will receive funding for public infrastructure projects that promise to generate significant economic activity in each community. Taken together, the grants will create more than 490 new local jobs and 160 affordable housing units.    » read more »

Initiative will help municipalities pursue clean energy projects, make best use of federal stimulus funds for savings

BOSTON– Wednesday, April 22, 2009 – Mass. Governor Deval Patrick today joined legislative leaderson Earth Day to announce the launch of the Green Communities Program, which will help municipalities across Massachusetts cut energy bills through greater efficiency and locally generated renewable power.

The Green Communities Program is a component of Governor Patrick’s Massachusetts Recovery Plan, making information and technical assistance available for communities to help them prepare for and make the most of federal recovery funds targeted for energy investments.    » read more »

Officials “flex” highway stimulus funds to support “net zero” transit center

GREENFIELD – Friday, April 17, 2009 – As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today joined Congressman John W. Olver in breaking ground on the Commonwealth’s first “shovel ready” stimulus project to move toward construction – a regional transit center in Greenfield.    » read more »