In the News

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- There was a big boost for our local restaurants on Monday. The Small Business Administration announced the opening of billions of dollars for restaurant owners who suffered major revenue losses from the pandemic. Congressman Richard Neal meeting with the regional director of the SBA, Bob Nelson, and the Springfield Chamber president to highlight the… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — Students and staff at Samuel Bowles Elementary School joined local officials in celebration of Arbor Day on Friday with a tree planting in memory of paraprofessional Lynne Ainsworth. U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, and Mayor Domenic J. Sarno were among those taking part in the annual Arbor Day celebration. They praised Springfield’s stewardship and… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Arbor comes from Latin and means tree. Arbor Day was started in Nebraska by J. Sterling Morton who proposed a tree planting day. On April 10, 1872 an estimated one million trees were planted across the state. During the 1870s other states started observing Arbor Day and the tradition began in schools in 1882. In 1885 Arbor Day became a legal holiday and… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Urban League of Springfield hosted a virtual celebration of their 108th anniversary Thursday evening. The organization works to advocate and provide services to the Black community in the Greater Springfield Area. They provide support and new opportunity, aimed at helping those who disproportionately impacted within the community. Congressman… Read more »

Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal praised President Biden’s proposed expansion of the social safety net, but the chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee won’t commit on how to pay for it. The western Massachusetts Democrat says Biden made a strong case for his $1.8 trillion American Families Plan during the president’s first address to a joint session… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — Promising to get the Ways and Means Committees work on infrastructure done by July and hopeful of getting something passed the House by the August recess, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal praised President Joe Biden’s Wednesday night speech to a joint session of Congress. “That speech he gave last night was Joe Biden,” Neal, chairman of the powerful House… Read more »

Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts on Tuesday proposed sweeping economic overhauls that would provide Americans universal paid family and medical leave, guaranteed child care access and permanent expansions of tax credit boosts that Democrats approved in President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill. Neal, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said in… Read more »

The Democrat in command of the House’s key tax-writing committee is offering a list of priorities aimed at providing sweeping new benefits to working parents and families. Rep. Richard Neal, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and gatekeeper of new tax legislation, plans on Tuesday to outline investments in what Democrats are calling “human… Read more »

(CNN)House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal has introduced a massive social programs infrastructure package aimed at making enhancements to the child tax credit permanent, expanding paid family leave and boosting access to child care for Americans. The "Building the Economy for Families Act" comes as the Biden administration is expected to unveil its own American… Read more »

CHICOPEE — U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal visited Chicopee City Hall Friday, discussing the $55 million the city expects to get from the American Rescue Plan passed in Washington in March, the lingering impact of COVID-19 and the Biden administration’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan includes $29.9 million for the city, and the… Read more »