In the News

SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal announced more than $2.4 million for Head Start programs in western and central Massachusetts on Thursday. The grants are through the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that Neal, as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, helped write. “This investment will help our local Head Start programs continue preparing… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — Meeting with a 4- and 5-year-olds at Square One in Springfield on Monday, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal said it’s these children’s families who will be most impacted by the expansion of the Child Tax Credit under the American Rescue Plan. “I think this addresses one of the most stubborn parts of economic reality in America, and that’s childhood… Read more »

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Governor Baker attended the groundbreaking for a new taxiway at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport Thursday afternoon. It was an exciting day at Barnes Thursday, as members of the 104th Fighter Wing were joined by Governor Baker, Congressman Neal and other state and federal leaders for the groundbreaking of the taxiway. Governor Baker said it was the… Read more »

WESTFIELD — U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal on Thursday announced Westfield’s share of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan: $9.3 million for the city government, $11.5 million for its schools and $12.8 million for Westfield State University. Neal, D-Springfield, spoke at a press conference in Westfield City Hall with Mayor Donald Humason. It was the most recent in a series… Read more »

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Aerospace and defense manufacturing companies from around the state met to discuss how to strengthen the industry Monday. Massachusetts gets $15 billion in government defense and aerospace contracts every year and many of those go to manufacturing companies in western Massachusetts. The second EastWest exchange met to bring together and highlight small to… Read more »

LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) – Train safety legislation is being re-introduced by Senator Ed Markey and Congressman Richard Neal, called ‘The Warren Cowels Grade Crossing Safety Act.’   The bill is named in honor of Warren Cowles, a DPW worker who died after being struck by a train while plowing at a railroad crossing in Longmeadow back in… Read more »

In today’s Congressional Corner, Massachusetts Democrat Richard Neal of the 1st district speaks with WAMC’s Alan Chartock. This interview with was recorded May 21. Part 1: HERE Part 2: HERE Part 3: HERE.  ## Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A total of $89,998,914 in emergency funding under the American Rescue Plan will be split between twelve local colleges and universities, Congressman Richard Neal announced Tuesday. The emergency funding will help schools deal with the sever financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. At least half of the funding will be sent in the form of emergency… Read more »

Three Berkshire County colleges will receive millions of dollars in emergency money through the American Rescue Plan, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal announced Tuesday.  Berkshire County Community College and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are each slated to get just under $4 million, while Williams College will receive about $4.2 million. The money will help the colleges cope with… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Western Mass News is getting answers for college students in need. Schools in the region will receive nearly $90 million in emergency funding as part of the American Rescue Plan. Western Mass News spoke with two local universities on how they plan to use the money. Schools receiving this funding will divide the money between helping students directly… Read more »