The Patrick-Murray Administration released a new report yesterday showing that the benefits of investment in the Commonwealth’s clean energy economy significantly outweigh the costs, and recommending continued support for policies and programs aimed at increasing energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy innovation. The report, “Recent Electricity Market Reforms in Massachusetts: A Report of Benefits and Costs,” examines a range of administrative, legislative, and regulatory changes put in place over the past four years in terms of customers’ electric bills and the state’s economy as a whole.

Quincy Medical Center has filed its formal notice of the proposed transfer of the hospital to a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Steward Health Care System LLC with the Attorney General’s Office, part of its long-term restructuring plan which is also before the United States Bankruptcy Court. The United States Bankruptcy Code was amended in 2005 to ensure that the transfer of non-profit organizations to for profit entities through the bankruptcy process also conforms to state law.

Massachusetts Treasurer Steven Grossman today announced the appointment of Enrique Zuniga as the new Executive Director of the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust. The Trust provides subsidized loans to cities and towns to undertake clean water and drinking water infrastructure projects. Zuniga comes to the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), where he was the director of Quality Assurance since April 2005.

$30.6 billion budget includes cost-saving reforms; Makes targeted investments to build a stronger Commonwealth; Eliminates structural deficit

Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray launched a new public service campaign to inform struggling homeowners about the availability of interest free loans through the Emergency Homeowners' Loan Program (EHLP). Administered by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) in conjunction with NeighborWorks America, Massachusetts homeowners are eligible for a total of $61 million in EHLP assistance, and must apply by July 22, 2011.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time this year. WNV infection was confirmed by the State Laboratory Institute today. The mosquito sample was collected on July 6 in the city of Boston in Suffolk County. There have been no human cases of WNV or Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) so far this year.

In keeping with the Patrick-Murray Administration’s commitment to spurring economic activity, creating jobs and strengthening communities across the state, Governor Deval Patrick today announced that 41 cities and towns across the Commonwealth will receive $28 million in federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to support housing, infrastructure, business development and public services projects. The Governor made the announcement during a visit to Chelsea's North Bellingham neighborhood where a portion of the City's $1 million CDBG award will be used to rehabilitate 11 foreclosed housing units.

The Women Veterans' Network publishes a biannual newsletter in the spring and fall. Read the latest edition.

The Massachusetts Recovery Update is a periodic update of recovery-related news in the Commonwealth.

Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office asked the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to investigate New England Gas Company’s allegedly improper collection of $18 million in legal fees from Massachusetts customers. New England Gas Company, a division of Southern Union Company, provides natural gas distribution service to about 54,000 Massachusetts customers.

J.P Morgan Chase Co. (JPMC) will pay $92 million after an investigation into anticompetitive and fraudulent conduct in the municipal bond derivative industry. The settlement with Attorneys General from Massachusetts and 24 other states includes an estimated $2 million in restitution for Massachusetts non-profit and government entities.

Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. announced on July 7 that ambitious energy efficiency improvements undertaken by businesses, homeowners, and state and local agencies across the Commonwealth in 2010 resulted in significant electric, natural gas, and greenhouse gas emission reductions.

As of July 6, 2011, 146 communities (about 42 percent of the Commonwealth's 351 cities and towns) have collected $70.5 million over the past two fiscal years from the .75 percent local option meals tax.

The Massachusetts Recovery Update is a periodic update of recovery-related news in the Commonwealth.

Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Mullan ordered development of a comprehensive, five-year Capital Maintenance Program (CMP) to coordinate and enhance current ongoing maintenance procedures involving the tunnels of the Metropolitan Highway System in Boston.

The new, state-of-the art Taunton Trial Court is now opening with a phased-in relocation for the Bristol County Registry of Probate, Probate and Family Court, Juvenile Court, Taunton District Court, and Southeast Housing Court. The Bristol County District Attorney's Office will also have offices in the building.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is pleased to announce commuter rail service to Gillette Stadium for the Manchester United vs. New England Revolution Soccer Game on Wednesday, July 13 at 8:00 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.

I am occasionally asked if buying a right whale license plate really helps whales. The answer is: yes! The Massachusetts Environmental Trust has made many grants from proceeds of the plate to support whales and whale habitat and a grant that begins this July is especially important.

With summer beginning, locally grown blueberries are back on the market and ready for picking and this year, Massachusetts is home to 67 pick-your-own-blueberry farms and to hundreds of farmers’ markets and roadside stands across the Commonwealth.

Purchase a Massachusetts Fishing or a Saltwater Fishing Permit online via MassFishHunt