WASHINGTON, DC - May 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — At a ceremony at the White House yesterday, Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT) joined other affordable housing leaders in support of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act. This landmark legislation enables more homeowners to refinance mortgages, especially those who are current with payments but owe more than their homes are worth. Provisions in the bill also help restore the flow of credit.

May 20, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd, the Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, today attended President Obama’s signing ceremony for the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, legislation that Dodd sponsored to help prevent foreclosures and increase the availability of credit for consumers and businesses. Dodd was joined at the ceremony by two supporters of the bill from Connecticut: Tony Emerson, the Executive Director of the Credit Union League of Connecticut, and Carol Walter, the Executive Director of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness

Washington, DC - May 20, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) today announced nearly $20 million in funding from the Recovery Act for water quality programs in Connecticut. The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the state of Connecticut two grants that will create jobs and invest in finance green infrastructure, storm water management, and low-impact development.

May 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, praised today’s Senate approval of his legislation aimed at preventing foreclosures and increasing the availability of credit for consumers and businesses. The “Helping Families Save Their Homes Act,” which is cosponsored by Banking Committee Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-AL), would provide more tools to borrowers and banks to help prevent foreclosures and makes it easier for homeowners and loan servicers to use those tools. The legislation also includes important new protections for renters who find themselves facing eviction because their landlord is in foreclosure.

April 27, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the state will receive $64.3 million in federal stimulus funds to greatly expand a statewide program that helps thousands of low-income families reduce energy costs and consumption by weatherizing their homes

April 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — State Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield) said today state funding to underwrite design work for renovations at the Connecticut Veterans’ Home in Rocky Hill will qualify for federal matching funds. Senator Doyle said the State Bond Commission approved $489,000 last week for architectural and engineering fees to get the project started but the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs will provide 65 percent of the estimated $10.3 million total construction cost.

April 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Hartford: Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) is pleased to announce that funding for a new parking garage at Eastern Connecticut State University will be approved by the State Bond Commission on April 24, 2009. The $18 million dollar garage, located on the north campus in Willimantic, will hold 808 vehicles.

April 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that a comprehensive housing plan combining state and federal funds will allow communities across Connecticut to rehabilitate vacant foreclosed properties while helping eligible low- and middle-income borrowers buy those homes

April 02, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today announced $3,297,000 in federal funding to update and improve Connecticut's Courthouses and Federal Buildings under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funding is part of a nationwide plan to convert Federal buildings and Courthouses into high-performing energy efficient “green” buildings.

April 02, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Governor M. Jodi Rell today said she is pleased that the U.S. House of Representatives is considering a version of federal energy legislation that does not include increased powers for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission – a provision Governor Rell sharply condemned in a letter to U.S. Senate leaders last month.

Hartford, CT - March 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) says that as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA of 2009), several public housing authorities in Eastern Connecticut will receive Public Housing Capital Fund Formula Grants.

March 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that the state’s Recovery Working Group unanimously approved nearly $163 million in federal stimulus transportation projects to create jobs on statewide bus and rail projects and enhance pedestrian and bicycle access.

March 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that fire departments in Coventry and Willimantic have been awarded federal grants totaling $162,274. The funds will go to improving operations and safety, acquiring new vehicles, and hiring additional personnel.

Boston, MA - March 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The State of Connecticut has been named one of only three states making EPA’s top 50 list of national Green Power Partners, ranking 33rd on that list. This year, Connecticut will be purchasing more than 98 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power, which is enough green power to meet 17 percent of the state’s purchased electricity use.

STAMFORD, CT - March 12, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — With the bad economy delaying construction, a land-use attorney is considering drafting a zoning amendment to extend how long developers have to break ground on approved projects.