Massachusetts

$25 million to $35 million will speed restoration of the Commonwealth’s largest Superfund site

NEW BEDFORD – Wednesday, April 15, 2009 – As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Governor Patrick joined environmental officials and members of the Congressional delegation to announce Massachusetts will receive $25 to $35 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to speed the cleanup of New Bedford Harbor
– one of the state’s largest Superfund sites – and to assist with cleanup activities at two other Massachusetts sites.    » read more »

Use of federal recovery funds, furloughs, layoffs, and additional cuts planned as potential gap may exceed $550 million

BOSTON – April 14, 2009 – Amid a continuing national recession, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today outlined a plan for closing an immediate state budget gap of $156 million, and announced his commitment to working with lawmakers to solve what could be an additional $400 million gap by the end of the fiscal year.    » read more »

Massachusetts Recovery Plan and investments in education to promote improvement in teaching and learning efforts for students

HOLYOKE– Thursday, April 9, 2009 – As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Governor Deval Patrick today announced that $163 million in additional federal education Title I funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will go to many high-poverty school districts in Massachusetts.

Governor Patrick has committed $620 million in federal stimulus funds for K-12 education, special education and higher education programs and services. He also recently announced an additional $300 million of low-interest college loans for students.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, DC, Wednesday, April 8, 2009 -- U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today announced that airports around the country will receive $258 million under the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

“Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act we are creating jobs across the country while investing in the long-term safety and economic vitality of our airports,” said Secretary LaHood.    » read more »

Federal Recovery Act will create jobs and help municipalities save on energy costs by investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy measures

BOSTON– Thursday, March 26, 2009 – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick announced today that the White House has released funding amounts for Massachusetts communities under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.    » read more »

Priorities will secure jobs, maintain health care reform and protect safety net services

BOSTON– Wednesday, March 25, 2009 – As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Governor Deval Patrick today announced an additional $764 million in federal recovery funds to secure jobs, maintain health care reform and protect key safety net services.

“These additional FMAP funds are critically important to Massachusetts during these challenging economic times,” said Governor Patrick. “Through thoughtful and strategic investments, we will protect and assist Massachusetts residents who will rely on the state for key services and supports now more than ever.”    » read more »

Education investment is part of Massachusetts Recovery Plan to help preserve programs, avoid layoffs and mitigate student fee hikes

BOSTON – Tuesday, March 24, 2009 – As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today announced $162 million in federal education recovery funds will go to all state and community colleges and the University of Massachusetts system, restoring funding to campus budgets, averting layoffs and program cuts and mitigating student fee hikes. To date, Governor Patrick has committed a total of $620 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for K-12 education, special education and higher education programs and services.    » read more »

Meaningful steps to close loopholes and end abuses of public employee pension benefits

BOSTON– Sunday, March 22, 2009 – In advance of expected legislative debate on pension reform legislation, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today outlined his priorities for closing loopholes, ending abuses and restoring the public’s trust in state and municipal retirement systems. Pension reform is a critical component of the Governor’s Massachusetts Recovery Plan to help change the way government does business and secure the state’s economic future.    » read more »

Seniors and SNAP recipients to see increase in benefits

WORCESTER – Saturday, March 21, 2009 – As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Governor Deval Patrick today joined Senator John Kerry to announce more than $300 million in federal recovery funds to help boost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and to increase nutritional services for seniors.

The Elderly Nutrition Program will receive $2.1 million – $1.4 million allocated for nutrition programs at senior centers, and $700,000 allocated for home-delivered nutrition programs.    » read more »

BROCKTON – Friday, March 20, 2009 – As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Governor Deval Patrick today announced $280 million in federal education recovery funds will go to school districts to assist with costs for special education, care and support. The Governor also announced an additional $10 million for preschool special education services.

“Additional funding for special education is an important step toward helping all of our students reach their full potential,” said Governor Patrick. “Federal recovery funds are making a difference again.”    » read more »

Education investment is part of Massachusetts Recovery Plan to help communities preserve programs, avoid teacher layoffs

BOSTON– Thursday, March 19, 2009 – As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Governor Deval Patrick today announced he will commit $168 million in federal education recovery funds to ensure every district in the Commonwealth reaches so-called foundation spending levels next school year.    » read more »

Additional $25 benefit for unemployed set to begin March 23rd

BOSTON – March 17, 2009 – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today announced that Massachusetts residents currently receiving unemployment benefits will collect an additional $25 in weekly compensation thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The additional compensation will begin next Monday, March 23rd, and is retroactive from February 22, 2009.    » read more »

Highlights $125M Chelsea St. Bridge project as first of major investments to create jobs, speed economic recovery

CHELSEA/EAST BOSTON – Monday, March 16, 2009 – With the 73-year-old structurally-deficient Chelsea Street Bridge serving as a backdrop, Governor Deval Patrick today unveiled his Massachusetts Recovery Plan, highlighting how integrating state, federal and private investments will put people back to work today on critical projects, speed the state’s recovery and ultimately secure our common economic future.    » read more »

March 11, 2009 -- HOLYOKE, MA. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has now obligated in excess of $5 million to reimburse seven Massachusetts counties for the eligible costs associated with their response to the December 11, 2008 ice storm.

More than 277 Massachusetts communities and eligible private-non-profits in the seven declared counties, as well as several state agencies, have applied for federal assistance through FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) program. These entities applied for aid to offset the costs of eligible resources associated with the state and local response during the incident period which lasted from December 11 through December 18, 2008.    » read more »

More than $150 million in “shovel-ready” projects to move forward this spring through federal recovery funding

BOSTON– Friday, March 6, 2009 – Massachusetts Governor Patrick today announced the federal government has given Massachusetts the authority to spend $437.9 million on transportation projects through federal highway funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Of that funding, approximately $153.2 million will be committed to “shovel-ready” projects advertised for bid within the next 120 days.    » read more »