Featured News
October 28, 2010
Investment in Milford bottling plant celebrated
MILFORD — Officials yesterday gathered to celebrate a commitment to manufacturing and job growth in town. ... Read More >
October 25, 2010
CONGRESSMAN NEAL TO ANNOUNCE ADDITIONAL $120 MILLION
FOR HIGH SPEED RAIL TRACK FROM NEW HAVEN TO SPRINGFIELD Read More >
October 15, 2010
Federal, State Officials Review New England Rail
Representative Richard Neal Of Massachusetts Is Telling Federal And State Officials They Have A Rare Opportunity To Build A 21st Century Railroad In New England ... Read More >
October 15, 2010
New England, New York get high marks for high speed rail interest at 2010 Northeast Rail Summit in Springfield
Federal transportation officials Friday applauded the six New England states and New York for working cooperatively as a region in planning for high speed rail systems that could shorten travel time between cities and relieve congestion from highways. ... Read More >
October 14, 2010
CONGRESSMAN NEAL SUPPORTS $250 PAYMENT TO SENIORS
IN 2011 IF COLA IS NOT APPROVED Read More >
October 4, 2010
PVTA to use $6.2 million federal grant for state-of-the-art electric hybrid buses
U.S. Transportation Secretary Raymond H. LaHood on Monday announced that the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority in Springfield will receive $6.2 million federal grant for purchasing state-of-the-art electric hybrid buses. ... Read More >
September 28, 2010
NEAL CRITICIZES SENATE GOP FOR BLOCKING BILL
TO PREVENT CORPORATIONS FROM SHIPPING JOBS OVERSEAS Read More >
September 27, 2010
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal receives TechNet award
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-2nd, has received a Founders Circle Award from TechNet, a bipartisan political network of CEOs that promotes the growth of technological industries. ... Read More >
September 24, 2010
Springfield's Tech Schools Cash In
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Thousands of students in Springfield could find it easier to land a job thanks to a generous federal grant.. ... Read More >
September 23, 2010
KERRY, NEAL: SPRINGFIELD SCHOOLS TO RECEIVE $12 MILLION TO HELP MINORITY STUDENTS STRENGTHEN JOBS SKILLS Read More >
September 23, 2010
NEAL SPEAKS OUT FOR SMALL BUSINESS JOBS BILL Read More >
September 22, 2010
NEAL CALLS FOR TAX FAIRNESS FOR WORKING FAMILIES Read More >
September 9, 2010
Springfield gets $1.2 million federal grant for neighborhood stabilization
SPRINGFIELD - The city has received a new $1.2 million federal grant that will expand efforts to redevelop foreclosed, abandoned properties in Springfield and stabilize neighborhoods. ... Read More >
September 9, 2010
East Longmeadow Rail Trail Celebrated
U.S. Representative Richard E. Neal joined MassDOT, state and local officials today in a ribbon-cutting to celebrate completion of the East Longmeadow “Redstone Rail Trail.”. ... Read More >
September 9, 2010
Rep. Neal meets employees at firms in Webster, Spencer
Workers for two area manufacturing companies told U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal yesterday they are worried about how increased international competition will affect their companies. ... Read More >
September 2, 2010
Springfield Police Department gets $267,000 federal grant for new radios, computer work stations
WSPRINGFIELD – City officials announced Thursday that the Police Department has been awarded a new federal grant of $267,703, that will include the purchase of 61 portable radios and approximately 35 computer work stations. .. Read More >
September 1, 2010
$300,000 grant to help towns deal with runoff mandate
SBELLINGHAM — The EPA yesterday announced $300,000 in funding to help some area towns deal with stormwater woes. ... Read More >
August 31, 2010
NEAL, MCGOVERN JOIN EPA OFFICIAL TO MAKE GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT IN BELLINGHAM
$300,000 to tackle storm water issue in Bellingham, Milford and Franklin
(SPRINGFIELD) Congressman Richard E. Neal will join Congressman Jim McGovern and U.S. EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe to announce $300,000 in federal funding to help the central Massachusetts communities of Bellingham, Milford and Franklin address the storm water pollution issue that is causing environmental problems in the Charles River... Read More >
August 24, 2010
Former police academy building in Agawam to become housing project for once homeless veterans
AGAWAM – Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray, calling it “a generational responsibility” to help the nation’s veterans, presided on Tuesday at a ceremony to pave the way for a $12 million housing project in Agawam for once homeless veterans. ... Read More >
August 19, 2010
Chicopee Mayor on Callaway Layoffs
The bomb was dropped on Callaway workers last week. In the next 18 months, more than half of their 450 person workforce will be slashed. For the first time, Chicopee mayor is releasing his plan of action to keep the jobs here. ... Read More >
August 10, 2010
REP. NEAL INTRODUCES AUTOMATIC IRA BILL
(WASHINGTON) Congressman Richard E. Neal, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, introduced the Automatic IRA Act of 2010 in the U.S. House of Representatives today, with the goal of increasing retirement savings for millions of Americans, particularly young and low-income workers with no access to workplace savings. The bill is based on a proposal in the President’s FY 2011 budget, and a companion bill has been filed in the Senate by Senator Bingaman (S. 3760). ... Read More >
August 9, 2010
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal to pursue funds to renovate historic Springfield Elliot Street duplex
TSPRINGFIELD - U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, has pledged to pursue funds to help renovate and save a fire-damaged historic duplex on Elliot Street, saying the building is too important to be lost to demolition. ... Read More >
August 8, 2010
NEAL ANNOUNCES FEDERAL GRANTS FOR AIC AND STCC
More than $500,000 from U.S. Department of Education
(WASHINGTON) Congressman Richard E. Neal today announced the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has awarded American International College and Springfield Technical Community College more than $500,000 in federal grants. Under the DOE’s Student Support Services Program, AIC will receive approximately $238,427 and STCC will be awarded $279,346. It is anticipated that both grants will be used for a total of five years. ... Read More >
July 28, 2010
Freeze lifted on funding for station
SPRINGFIELD - The Federal Transit Administration has lifted a freeze on funding for the Union Station project, ruling that the Springfield Redevelopment Authority has satisfied requirements to become the "direct recipient" of grant money. ... Read More >
July 28, 2010
NEAL REMARKS ON TAX EXTENDERS BILL
Senate intransigence impacts college tuition and state sales tax
(WASHINGTON) Congressman Richard E. Neal has spoken on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives twice this week about Senate Republicans continued opposition to an important tax extenders bill that includes tax breaks for individuals and businesses. . ... Read More >
July 22, 2010
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION EXTENSION ACT OF 2010
I stand in full support of this emergency legislation that will restore the safety net to millions of American families. Those families have been waiting for this relief since June. Their faith in us has been tested, but today we are going to extend the help that they need. . ... Read More >
July 20, 2010
CELEBRATING SOCIAL SECURITY'S 75TH BIRTHDAY
(Mr. NEAL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.). ... Read More >
July 20, 2010
Neal suggests using tax cut funds to pay for ongoing wars
The expiration of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy should be used to pay for the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, said a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday. ... Read More >
July 17, 2010
$4 million grant boosts senior housing
LUDLOW - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded a HAPHousing capital grant of $4,439,300 and rental subsidies totaling $434,100 to convert the Stevens Memorial Building on Chestnut Street into affordable rental housing for seniors.. ... Read More >
July 14, 2010
Neal Opening Statement from Reinsurance Hearing
WASHINGTON DC – Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) issued the following opening statement during today’s subcommittee hearing on reinsurance:... Read More >
July 14, 2010
Editorial: Westover Airport poised for takeoff
Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, home to the 439th Airlift Wing, handles 60,000 military operations a year. ... Read More >
July 13, 2010
Westover work targets new business
CHICOPEE - The taxiway and aircraft-parking apron Westover Metropolitan Airport is getting a $1.09 million makeover that should help the airport attract another airline. ... Read More >
July 7, 2010
Westfield State College sets up shop in Southbridge
SOUTHBRIDGE — Westfield State College is expanding into Southbridge, moving into the same business park where Quinsigamond Community College developed a satellite campus. ... Read More >
July 2, 2010
EPA extends comment deadline on new stormwater rules
Those looking to express their concern or support for a federal stormwater mandate now have an extra three months to air their views. ... Read More >
July 2, 2010
Barack Obama to propose $45 million in stimulus funds for Western Massachusetts broadband expansion
SPRINGFIELD – President Barack Obama will announce on Friday the awarding of $45.4 million in funding to be used to expand high-speed Internet access to rural parts of Western Massachusetts and other parts of the state, the White House said. ... Read More >
June 29, 2010
NEAL WELCOMES PASSAGE OF HOMEBUYERS ASSISTANCE ACT
Extends Closing Date for First-Time Homebuyers by 90 Days.
WASHINGTON - Congressman Richard E. Neal welcomed the passage of legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives today that would give thousands of Americans an additional 90 days to close on their homes and take advantage of the popular first- time homebuyer tax credit. ... Read More >
June 28, 2010
Lawmakers discuss stormwater regulations
Backing the concerns of local officials, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-2nd, held what he called a "productive" meeting yesterday with members from the Environmental Protection Agency in hopes of negotiating adjustments in a costly stormwater regulation that will affect the towns of Milford, Bellingham and Franklin. ... Read More >
June 23, 2010
How One GM Dealer Refused to Be Wound Down
From the minute he read the letter from General Motors telling him that the dealership started by his father 32 years earlier was essentially going to be shut down, Don Pion knew the decision was unfair and unjust and that he would fight it. ... Read More >
June 22, 2010
Iconic Building to House State's E-Records
State and local leaders broke ground Tuesday on a project that will bring jobs to a vacant State Street landmark. ... Read More >
June 22, 2010
ReStore Home Improvement Center plans to expand into former Kavanagh Furniture Co. warehouse in Springfield
FSPRINGFIELD – In keeping with its mission of reusing building materials in environmentally friendly ways, ReStore Home Improvement Center touted its plans Tuesday to move into expanded quarters in a former furniture warehouse at 83 Warwick St. by next summer. ... Read More >
June 22, 2010
Beer Stimulus: Can Hops and Barley Create Jobs?
That's what an unlikely pair of political allies believe could be the brew with a bill in Congress that would reduce taxes for small breweries and, they say, create new jobs.... Read More >
June 21, 2010
Blu Homes, manufacturer of environmentally efficient modular homes, officially opens East Longmeadow factory
EAST LONGMEADOW - When a Waltham-based manufacturer of environmentally efficient modular homes and room additions started to outgrow its small factory just off Interstate 495 in Littleton, it found exactly what it was looking for in a vacant former Pratt & Whitney airplane factory in East Longmeadow.... Read More >
June 18, 2010
Neal on 'Bloody Sunday' inquiry
WASHINGTON – Representative Richard E. Neal this morning hailed the recent developments Britain, where Prime Minister David Cameron apologized for the 1972 killings of 14 unarmed demonstrators in Northern Ireland. The “Bloody Sunday” shootings was the subject of a recent judicial inquiry by a high-ranking British judge that called the event “both unjustified and unjustifiable.”... Read More >
June 17, 2010
STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN RICHARD E. NEAL
ON PASSAGE OF UBS TREATY LEGISLATION BY SWISS PARLIAMENT
Will help crackdown on worldwide tax avoidance.
WASHINGTON - Congressman Richard E. Neal, a senior member of the Ways and means Committee, released the following statement today after the Swiss parliament passed a law requiring their government to give the IRS the names of thousand of U.S. tax evaders hiding their assets in offshore bank accounts... Read More >
June 4, 2010
State St. project 'model' for U.S.
SPRINGFIELD - Local, state and federal dignitaries gathered Thursday morning to dedicate the nearly completed $17 million State Street Corridor improvement project, culminating seven years of planning, design and construction... Read More >
May 14, 2010
STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN RICHARD E. NEAL ON THE DEATH OF MARINE SGT JOSHUA DESFORGES OF LUDLOW
WASHINGTON - Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement today on the death of U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Joshua D. Desforges of Ludlow, Massachusetts, who was killed in action on Wednesday in Afghanistan... Read More >
May 11, 2010
NEAL – “DON’T LET LOCAL NONPROFITS LOSE THEIR TAX-EXEMPT STATUS”
WASHINGTON - Congressman Richard E. Neal is urging all local charities to file an annual return with the IRS by Monday, May 17, 2010 or risk losing their tax-exempt status. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 stated that most tax-exempt organizations, other than churches or other houses of worship, must file a yearly return or notice with the IRS. If an organization has not filed an annual return in the past three years (even those with gross receipts normally under $25,000), the law provides that it automatically loses its tax exempt status... Read More >
May 10, 2010
Neal honors local World War II Veteran
March 24, 2010
NEAL STATEMENT ON THE PASSAGE OF THE SMALL BUSINESS AND INFRASTRUCTURE JOB CREATION BILL
WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation today that marks yet another step in a series of measures to create jobs and reinvigorate our economy. Passing by a vote of 246-178, H.R. 4849, the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act, includes provisions to spur investment in local rebuilding projects and a range of bipartisan proposals to help our small businesses grow, hire and continue to fuel our economy. H.R. 4849 also extends the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Fund which states can use for a jobs program to subsidize employers, including small businesses, who hire unemployed workers. This fund is currently on track to put over 160,000 Americans back to work, with more to come if extended.... Read More >
February 4, 2010
NEAL URGES ELIGIBLE WORKERS TO CLAIM TAX CREDIT
WASHINGTON - Congressman Richard Neal today urged working families in his Congressional district to determine whether they may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is available to working families with earned incomes of less than $43,279 ($48,279 married filing jointly)... Read More >
January 29, 2010
Obama turns to economy, urges Congress to unite
Speech focuses on creating jobs, reducing deficit
WASHINGTON - President Obama pleaded with a bitterly divided Congress last night to join together to solve the nation’s deep economic problems and give the American people “a government that matches their decency.”... Read More >
January 14, 2010
NEAL STATEMENT ON THE FINANCIAL CRISIS RESPONSIBILITY FEE
(WASHINGTON) Congressman Richard E. Neal, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, released the following statement today in response to the proposed “Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee” introduced by President Obama in an effort to reform the financial industry and reduce the federal deficit.... Read More >
December 10, 2009
NEAL ANNOUNCES $2.8 MILLION IN FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FOR WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Funds will benefit Springfield, Northampton, Ludlow and the Pioneer Valley
(SPRINGFIELD) Congressman Richard E. Neal today announced that western Massachusetts will receive more than $2.8 million dollars in federal funding that will benefit a range of programs in western Massachusetts and help rebuild the economy and create jobs. . .... Read More >
November 19, 2009
NEAL STATEMENT ON BREAST CANCER SCREENING
Urges women to continue routine screening
(WASHINGTON) Congressman Richard E. Neal issued the following statement today after the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force announced controversial new breast cancer screening guidelines this week. .... Read More >