Governors

15,000 entrepreneurs helped by the online business formation process, reflecting 8,587 new businesses formed

November 09, 2009 -- ROANOKE -- Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that Virginia's Business One Stop, an online tool for entrepreneurs, has been utilized by more than 15,000 entrepreneurs to aid their business operations and create jobs. The Business One Stop is an on-going project through the Virginia Department of Business Assistance and began in May 2008 to consolidate business licensing, registration and permitting into one a single user-friendly online system.    » read more »

Pier Analysis Completed, Rehabilitation Ruled Out As Viable Option

November 9, 2009 -- Montpelier, Vt. – New York Governor David A. Paterson and Vermont Governor Jim Douglas have received a report from their states’ respective transportation agencies which finds that it is not feasible to rehabilitate the Lake Champlain Bridge. Engineers have declared that the 80-year-old span is too unstable to be renovated, and recommend demolishing the bridge for the safety of motorists and boaters.    » read more »

November 09, 2009 -- SAN ANTONIO – Texas Governor Rick Perry today announced initiatives to expand and improve mental health support programs for veterans and their families utilizing state funds marked for veterans mental health.

“The men and women of the military make the ultimate sacrifice to leave their families and loved ones and serve our country fighting in distant lands,” Gov. Perry said. “While observing Veterans’ Day this week, we cannot forget to support these brave Americans and their families when they return home by ensuring they have access to the health care and benefits promised when they made their own promise to defend this nation, and by ensuring a seamless transition to civilian life and providing any support they need.”    » read more »

Nov. 6, 2009 -- PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds asks that all flags in South Dakota be flown at half staff until Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2009, from 8 a.m. until sunset in tribute to those who lost their lives in a mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.

“This truly is a tragedy, and our hearts go out to the victims’ families, friends and loved ones,” the Governor said.

The president today ordered flags at the White House and federal agencies to be flown at half-staff until Veterans Day.

Source: South Dakota Governor

Energy Efficiency Grants Helping to Cut Energy Costs in Half, Saving $1.8 Million

Nov. 9, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today that 165 small businesses in 43 counties will slash their energy bills nearly in half and save $1.8 million annually in energy related costs with the help of Small Business Energy Efficiency grants from the commonwealth.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson has directed that flags on New York State government buildings be flown at half-staff on Thursday, November 12, in honor of an Albany-area soldier who died in Iraq on November 4.

Staff Sergeant Amy C. Tirador, a member of the 209th Military Intelligence Co., 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 2nd Infantry Division, died of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident in Kirkush. The unit is based at Fort Lewis, Washington.    » read more »

November 8, 2009 -- TRENTON - New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine issued the following statement regarding the passage of health care reform legislation by the U.S. House of Representatives:

"I want to commend the United States House of Representatives, especially members of the New Jersey delegation, for the passage of this historic health care reform legislation. For far too long, working families have suffered and faced financial ruin at the hands of a health care industry dominated by corporate self-interest. Yesterday, we took a tremendous step toward changing that system.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- TRENTON - In honor of those who were affected by the tragic incident at the Fort Hood Texas Army Base, Acting Governor Richard J. Codey signed the following Executive Order calling for the United States and New Jersey flags to fly at half-staff on Tuesday, November 10, 2009.

The full text of the Executive Order is below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 158

WHEREAS, the tragedy at the Fort Hood Texas Army Base, has shaken the nation and, in particular, has affected the citizens of the State of New Jersey because of the injury of a soldier from Bridgewater, New Jersey; and    » read more »

Missouri will use $146 million in federal Recovery Act funds and $120 million in state funds on work to address aging wastewater and drinking water infrastructure

November 9, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Governor Jay Nixon visited construction sites in Liberty and Springfield today to announce the Work Now initiative, which commits more than $260 million in federal and state funds to wastewater and drinking water construction projects in communities across Missouri. Gov. Nixon approved 60 of these drinking water and wastewater projects as appropriate for funding in letters to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- A state of emergency was declared today for areas of Mississippi expected to be impacted by high winds and heavy rainfall carried by tropical storm Ida as she moves into the Gulf Coast region. The declaration was signed by Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, as Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour was in Washington, DC.

"Mississippi has a seasoned leadership team that is well-experienced at dealing with emergency situations," Governor Barbour said. "While Ida appears to be weakening, we urge that residents, particularly in low-lying, flood-prone areas, continue to be vigilant, prudent, and alert to any changes."    » read more »

Community Development Finance Corporation to launch a Surety Bond Guarantee Program

BOSTON – Monday, November 09, 2009 – Delivering on the themes of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Economic Summit held in October, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today announced that the Administration is partnering with the Massachusetts Community Development Finance Corporation (CDFC) to help small, minority- and women-owned businesses and contractors bid on and participate in federal stimulus-funded construction projects.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci joined representatives of the Appalachian Mountain Club, The Nature Conservancy and others today to celebrate an important next step in building a Maine Woods Legacy. The conservation successes are the 29,500-acre Roach Ponds Tract and the 15,000-acre Moose River Landscape.    » read more »

Nov 09, 2009 -- BATON ROUGE - Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal held a press conference, following a meeting of the State’s Unified Command Group, which assembled to prepare state response efforts for the threat of Tropical Storm Ida.    » read more »

November 09, 2009 -- DES MOINES—The State of Iowa and AFSCME/Iowa Council 61 have reached an Understanding to protect 479 AFSCME state jobs that are targeted for layoffs pursuant to Governor Chet Culver’s 10 percent across the board budget cuts mandated by Executive Order 19. The 479 positions include front line correctional officers, parole probation officers and other support positions that help to provide for our public safety.

This Understanding between the State of Iowa, Executive Branch and AFSCME/Iowa Council 61 leadership will now be presented to the entire AFSCME membership for approval. The terms of the agreement will not be implemented unless and until approved by a majority vote of the membership.

This Understanding involves the following:    » read more »

Deal ‘Marks Important Steps Toward’ Building Nation’s First Offshore Wind Farm

November 9, 2009 -- WILMINGTON – Delaware Governor Jack Markell released the following statement Monday in response to NRG Energy’s announcement that it has acquired Bluewater Wind:

“Delaware’s leadership has positioned it to be the first state in the nation to develop an offshore wind farm, bringing clean power to Delawareans and creating hundreds of jobs. Today's announcement by NRG and Bluewater Wind marks important steps towards realizing this vision. The agreement will bring together the financing, experience, and energy expertise necessary to develop the billion dollar project -- illustrating that smart environmental policy will help drive economic growth in Delaware.”    » read more »