The official website of the Governor of Massachusetts

Office of the Governor

Email & Bookmark


Daily Update 8/18: Commitment to Economic Recovery and Transportation Reform

Get the Daily Update and other notifications by following us:

Twitter icon on Twitter 
 via RSS | What is RSS?

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Today: Tuesday, August 18, 2009

  • As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Governor Deval Patrick today announced the state will target $45.5 million in federal recovery funds to help jump start delayed affordable housing developments throughout Massachusetts and create hundreds of jobs. Learn more here.

In the Press:

  • Economic Recovery – As a result of Governor Deval Patrick’s commitment to economic recovery and the investment of stimulus funds, Massachusetts ranks in the top 10 nationwide for distributing federal recovery funds. State and local governments, and private entities, in Massachusetts have received $4.44 billion and spent more than $2.02 billion, 45 percent, through the federal stimulus law. “Testifying Thursday before the Legislature's Committee on Federal Stimulus Oversight, budget officials said the federal funds had helped save budgets for important social welfare programs, spark infrastructure development and retain jobs.”

o Read more in the Eagle-Tribune.

o Read a related story in the Fall River Herald News about an investment from the transportation bond bill that will help replace the Berkley-Dighton bridge: “The bridge has been the subject of replacement rumors for decades...But the money had never come through until Gov. Deval Patrick signed his $3.5 billion transportation bond bill last April, and town officials now have hard evidence to back up the many years of proposed plans that went nowhere.”

  • Commitment to Transportation Reform – The Patrick Administration announced yesterday it has made MBTA and regional transit scheduling and geographic data available (learn more) in the industry-standard Google Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) format, which can be used by developers to create applications for iPhones and other smart phones. The initiative is part of the Patrick Administration’s commitment to comprehensive transportation reform and creating a modern, efficient, and customer-friendly transportation system. "Our priority is to consistently improve customer service for the riders who rely on the T and RTAs everyday to get to their job or their doctor's appointment on time," said Transportation Secretary Aloisi. Learn more here.

o Read more in the Boston Globe and the Associated Press.

o Read a story in the MetroWest Daily News, the Boston Globe and   the  Associated Press about the recent opening of the express office for the Registry of Motor Vehicles located at the eastbound Natick service plaza on the Massachusetts Turnpike as part of the RMV’s efforts to streamline services for customers. Learn more here.

This Week:

  • On Saturday, Governor Patrick departed for Long Island, New York for a family vacation.