News List

City and state officials gathered in celebration of The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ groundbreaking ceremony on June 2. The food bank is constructing a new food distribution center on Carew Street. While currently operational in Hatfield, the food bank is developing a new headquarters location in wake of rising food insecurity rates. Factors driving the rising insecurity rates… Read more »

Today, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement in response to the Government Accountability Office’s latest reports on unemployment insurance in the pandemic: “The evidence is clear: the Federal Pandemic Unemployment compensation created by the Ways and Means Committee supported Americans in a time of need, prevented a deep… Read more »

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.6 million grant to Southbridge, Massachusetts, for construction of the Quinebaug Valley Rail Trail. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan. This project will support outdoor recreation and boost the local tourism industry by bringing new… Read more »

United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA.) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Representatives Richard E. Neal (D-MA-01), James P. McGovern (D-MA-02), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA-08), Bill Keating (D-MA-09), Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (D-MA-05), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), and Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04) today announced that the Commonwealth… Read more »

Today, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2022 jobs report: “May brought another month of impressive job growth, coupled with rising wages and historically low unemployment claims. This is the strongest, most resilient economic recovery in modern history, and it is because… Read more »

Construction for the new Food Bank of Western Massachusetts officially kicked off on Thursday. It’s a project that had faced pushback from some area residents. “This is going to be the hub of food security for western Mass. and points beyond,” said Chicopee Mayor John Vieau. The food bank is moving its headquarters from Hatfield to the city of Chicopee in an effort to expand after… Read more »

By U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, U.S. Reps. Richard Neal and James McGovern Today, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is breaking ground on an innovative effort that will increase access to nutritious food while also addressing environmental sustainability. Thanks in part to $3 million in congressionally-directed federal funding we fought for in Congress. The food bank is beginning… Read more »

Springfield Union Station has received a $1.75 million federal rail infrastructure grant for track improvements, the U.S. The Department of Transportation announced Thursday. The project will develop preliminary engineering and environmental clearance for track, signal, and infrastructure improvements, according to the statement. The track work will include additional platforms,… Read more »

Congressman Richard Neal is calling the rise in gas prices and inflation an international problem. It comes after President Biden’s Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she underestimated the inflation we saw this past year. Congressman Neal told 22News inflation is being brought on by the pandemic’s impacts in China, leading to supply chain issues, but also the Russian invasion of… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, is encouraging state lawmakers to create a Western Massachusetts passenger rail authority that would apply for federal funds and evenly administer expanded east-west commuter rail.   “Virtually every state rep. and state senator west of Worcester is allied with us,” Neal said yesterday.   He’d just spoken with state Senate… Read more »