In the News

GREENFIELD -- U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, rejected President Donald Trump's Wednesday suggestion that Republicans -- not Democrats -- will protect health insurance coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions. Neal, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, said he'd glad Trump "finally came around" to supporting protections for those with pre-existing… Read more »

GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A dozen mayors gathered Wednesday afternoon to share successes they've had in addressing opioid misuse in their communities, including Greenfield. Greenfield Mayor and President of the Massachusetts Mayors' Association Bill Martin hosted the group's monthly meeting in Greenfield to discuss the opioid epidemic in Franklin County. "It takes more than a… Read more »

Today, Congressman Richard Neal will be addressing the Massachusetts Mayors Association about the recent federal response to combat the opioid crisis.  President Trump is also expected to sign a massive bipartisan bill that would increase the government's efforts even more. The legislation Trump is expected to sign known as the H.R.6, or the SUPPORT for Patients Communities Act.… Read more »

GREENFIELD — While President Donald Trump was signing an opioid bill that has been widely regarded as a bipartisan accomplishment, one of its cosponsors spent time at the John Zon Community Center Wednesday talking about the political collaboration.  “This is not a Democrat or Republican problem,” Congressman Richard Neal said of opioid addiction and… Read more »

GREENFIELD -- U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, briefed Massachusetts mayors Wednesday on a new federal legislative package aimed at curbing opioid abuse and addressing other issues tied to the addiction epidemic. The congressman highlighted provisions contained in the bipartisan-backed "SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act" during a meeting of the Massachusetts Mayors… Read more »

HOLYOKE - Holyoke Community College officially opened the $4.55 million Center for Life Science Tuesday. The center features a cleanroom training facility, a first for a Massachusetts Community College. A $3.8 million Massachusetts Life Sciences Center grant and $750,000 from HCC Foundation's Building Healthy Communities Campaign funded the center located in the Marieb Building. The… Read more »

The opportunity that Richard Neal has sought for years may finally arrive soon: chairing the House Ways and Means Committee. But taking the gavel of the powerful panel may be the easy part. If Democrats were to take control of the House in the November midterms, the veteran lawmaker from Massachusetts would have to determine how much leeway party leaders would give him to set an agenda… Read more »

Despite the White House's Monday call for Capitol Hill lawmakers to approve its proposed trilateral trade agreement with Mexico and Canada, at least one member of Massachusetts' congressional delegation noted that questions remain about the plan.  U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, a Springfield Democrat and the House Ways and Means Committee's ranking member, lauded the administration for… Read more »

Pittsfield — There is finally hope for tens of thousands of exasperated Berkshire County television watchers who could care less about Andrew Cuomo or the latest scandal in the New York State Assembly. Sen. Ed Markey came to Pittsfield City Hall Friday (Sept. 28) to announce that he and his colleague Sen. Elizabeth Warren are introducing legislation in Washington that would restore… Read more »

Fire Departments in Gardner, Sturbridge, and Ashburnham have been awarded grants as part of the latest round of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighter Grants, Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response grants, and Fire Prevention and Safety grants. According to a joint press release by the offices of U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J.… Read more »