The official website of the Governor of Massachusetts

Office of the Governor

Email & Bookmark


Daily Update 8/19: Federal Funds Jump Start Housing Developments

Get the Daily Update and other notifications by following us:

Twitter icon on Twitter 
 via RSS | What is RSS?

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

In the Press:

  • Economic Recovery – Yesterday, as part of his Massachusetts' Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Governor Deval Patrick 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. Eight affordable housing developments that had been stalled due to the lack of equity available in the low-income housing tax credit market, will receive funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to finance substantial project development costs. “These funds will help to continue strengthening the Commonwealth’s regional economies by putting people back to work and getting affordable housing projects back on track,” said Governor Patrick. Learn more here.

  • Successful Health Care Reform – As a result of Massachusetts' continued commitment to health care reform, the Commonwealth is cited as a successful model for national health care reform. Read an opinion/editorial by Administration and Finance Secretary Leslie Kirwan and Commissioner of the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy Sarah Iselin: “All eyes are on Massachusetts, which led the nation in expanding health insurance coverage to nearly all of its residents.” As the debate continues in Washington, experts are looking at the Massachusetts health care system as a model to overcome the status quo by providing health care to more residents.

  • Clean Energy Leaders – Following Governor Patrick’s signing of the Green Communities Act and his commitment to making the Commonwealth a leader in alternative energy, plans for solar installations have been approved in Western Massachusetts. The Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) has been a strong proponent of solar energy, and the approval of the their proposal to own and operate solar power installations will enable it to become the first utility company in the state to do so: “This is a growth field as the nation looks to reduce dependence on fossil fuels that pollute the environment and put the nation at the mercy of foreign powers.” Read more in the Berkshire Eagle.

Governor Patrick Highlights Successful Public-Private Partnerships for Wind Energy by you.

Governor Patrick talks with the press after viewing the wind turbine facility and highlighting successful public-private partnerships for wind energy last week in East Otis.

 

  • Consumer Protection – The Patrick Administration’s dedication to balancing consumer protection with the needs of small business owners was reinforced on Monday, when amended identity theft regulations were filed. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation’s rules reflect the concerns aired by small business, and create a risk-based approach that gives businesses the flexibility to create a security program based on the size and nature of the business, the kinds of records it keeps, and the risk of theft. The amended regulations maintain the strong protections to personal information that that were part of the identity theft protection law signed by the Governor in 2007. Read more at CSOonline.com.
    • Read about the Office of Consumer and Affairs and Business Regulation’s reminder for consumers of new federal credit card laws that take effect on Thursday, Aug. 20. Read more at boston.com.
  • Ways to Stay Cool – Learn more about alternatives to stay cool during the hot weather this week.