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Daily Update 7/15: Help for Homebuyers

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Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Today: Wednesday, July 15, 2009

 

  • This morning, Governor Patrick met with the residents, family members and staff and toured the Glavin Regional Center in Shrewsbury.
     
  • This afternoon, Governor Patrick met with Massachusetts YMCA leaders in Worcester.

 

 

In the Press:

 

Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray announced the new housing tax credit program yesterday.

 

  • Help for First Time Homebuyers – As part of the Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Governor Deval Patrick announced a First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Loan Program through MassHousing that will allow first-time homebuyers to borrow up to $8,000 in advance of their federal tax credit for homes purchased with a MassHousing loan before December 1, 2009.  Making the announcement yesterday at the State House, the Governor said: “These loans will both help prospective homebuyers achieve the comfort and stability of homeownership for their families, and also stimulate the Commonwealth’s economy through increased home sales, while reviving neighborhoods impacted by foreclosure.” Learn more here.

 

  • Commitment to Health Care for All – As health care reform continues to take center stage in Washington and Congress looks to Massachusetts as a model for the nation, Governor Patrick’s commitment to expanding coverage to affordable, quality care is evident by his push restore and protect coverage for legal immigrants. “I know we don’t have very much money, but we made a commitment in this Commonwealth to embark down this health care reform path,” he said. “We ought to do what we can to keep it intact, and rather than just drop these folks who are good, hard-working, contributing members of our community, I’m just looking for some way to find a compromise here.” 
    • Read more in the New York Times and the Boston Globe.
    • Last week, Governor Patrick met with members of the ethnic media and encouraged strong support for continued health care coverage for legal immigrants. Watch video from the roundtable here.

 

  • Zoo Budget Funding – Read stories about the Patrick Administration’s efforts to work with Zoo New England to manage budget cuts. “Patrick has asked zoo officials to present a plan within 90 days to put the facilities on firmer financial footing. Patrick’s request, relayed to the zoos through several top aides, was made as lawmakers wrestle with whether to override the governor’s cut in the zoos’ state funding. ‘We are asking the zoo to engage in a 90-day exercise to take a very careful look at every possible alternative to every line of revenue and expense,’ said a top administration official.” Read the Boston Globe.
    • Read a related article and listen here.
    • Read about local zoos surviving despite state cuts and watch coverage here.

 

 


Governor Patrick greets residents at the Town Hall meeting in Sharon last night.

 

  • Governor of the Whole Commonwealth - Last night, Governor Patrick hosted a town hall meeting at the Memorial Band Stand in Sharon.  Several hundred people turned out and the Governor fielded questions on an array of topics.  Tomorrow night, Governor Patrick will host another town hall meeting at the Town Green Bandstand in Pembroke.  The meeting will give residents a chance to talk directly to Governor Patrick about issues they care about. This event is free and open to the public.  Read more about the upcoming Pembroke town hall meeting in the Mariner & Reporter.
    • Visit the Governor’s Town Hall Tour website for more information and to find a meeting near you. 
    • Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray will visit Plymouth on Friday for a meeting on how to strengthen the relationship between state and municipal government, and will be joined by Senate President Therese Murray and Plymouth’s Acting Town Manager Melissa Arrighi.  Read more in GateHouse News Service.

 

  • Focus on Economic Recovery – Governor Patrick has been working in partnership with the Obama administration to ensure the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act creates jobs in Massachusetts, and announced yesterday that stimulus dollars will be flowing more quickly to state projects later this summer and fall.  The Commonwealth is projected to receive $8 billion to $9 billion in federal funds.  Of that amount, $1.4 billion has already been spent and has averted deep cuts within local government programs.  Read more in the Boston Herald.

 

 

This Week:

 

  • On Monday evening, in keeping with his commitment to civic engagement, Governor Patrick participated in the Nexus Alliance Forum at Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries Headquarters in Boston. Read more here.

 

  • Yesterday afternoon, Governor Patrick made an announcement relative to housing in the Governor’s Council Chambers.

 

  • Also yesterday afternoon, Lieutenant Governor Murray testified before the Joint Committee on Public Safety in support of victims’ rights legislation. Read more about the Patrick-Murray Administration’s plans for victims’ rights here.

 

  • Yesterday evening, Governor Patrick hosted a town hall meeting at Memorial Band Stand in Sharon.