Join our Campaign
- Newsroom | Press Shop ¦ Permalink | Share
Rep. Murphy again trumpets area business
Aug 22, 05:38 PM
Torrington Register Citizen
By WALT GOGOLYA
TORRINGTON – U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, D-5, was back in the cityThursday morning to talk with area businessmen and women at the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.
“This is starting to feel like home,” Murphy said about his frequentvisits to the city. “You not only have great chamber leadership here,but a lot of great elected officials.”
Murphy spoke of the Winsted-based American Mural Project, athree-dimensional painting – a 120-foot-long, 48-foot-high andsix-foot-deep work of art – celebrating the American worker.
“Even though it’s not in the district, I care about it,” Murphy said.“It has great regional significance.”
Murphy also spoke of touring the Brownfield sites in the city andmaintaining his working relationship with Mayor Ryan Bingham. Murphy spoke passionately about the Housing Economic Recovery Act,which is intended to stem home foreclosures and spark sales, and whichoffers first-time home buyers a tax credit of up to $7,500. It alsoextends protection to veterans facing foreclosure. As many as 400,000borrowers on the brink of losing their homes may be eligible for amore affordable loan backed by the federal Housing Administration,Murphy said.
“We want to do everything we can to keep deserving homeowners in theirhomes,” Murphy said. “Our intent is not to save everybody, but tocushion the fall. It has the potential to stop the bleeding in thereal estate market.”
Murphy also spoke of the importance of renewable energy and is lookingtoward some form of financial assistance to help people through thewinter.
“There are going to be some senior citizens and disabled who may go cold,” he said. “Home heating and oil prices are going to be twicewhat they were last year.”
One businessperson asked Murphy who Barack Obama was going to select as his running mate.
“Well, I’m 35 now,” Murphy said with a grin. “Honestly, I don’t know. I will find out when all of you find out.”
