台灣再添親美新政黨 郭大文出任台美黨主席

郭大文出任台美黨黨主席。圖為成立大會現場。（郭大文提供）

         （Boston Orange 台中訊）2026年1月17日，以「重新定位台灣未來路線」為核心訴求的政黨 - 台美黨（Taiwan Republican Party），在台中市西屯區朝富路召開成立大會，要為台灣走出新方向。

台美黨創黨人廖金彰在政黨成立大會前，就已在社交媒體上公佈，該黨黨主席為曾任外交官的郭大文，秘書長為程凱力。

台美黨成立大會現場。（郭大文提供）

郭大文曾於2012到2016年間擔任波士頓僑教中心主任，並於卸任後返台出任僑委會僑民處處長，並曾於2020年出任華府僑教中心主任。他獲有台灣大學政治學博士學位，早年曾派駐英國，南非，俄羅斯，此外他也曾擔任總統府秘書，機要室副主任，以及僑委會的主任秘書，參事。

在成立大會新聞稿中，台美黨表示，如今地緣政治全球盛行，國際秩序正快速重組，該黨要拋卻歷史包袱，以不同於傳統藍綠政治的角度，從戰後體制與當前世界變局交會處，提出一套關於台灣國家定位、民主治理與國際連結的全新論述。

該黨的成立是基於天時、地利與逐步匯聚的民意共識，將放眼2026年的地方選舉，以及2028年的立法委員與總統大選，藉投入選舉與公共政策辯論，試圖為台灣政治提供一條跳脫舊有對立、直接應對現實所選擇的新路線

台美黨創黨人廖金彰（右），
秘書長程凱力。（圖片來自網路）

台美黨認為，第二次世界大戰後以「主權不可侵犯」為核心的體制，正在被以自由、民主、人權與人民治理為導向的新戰略思維取代。台灣不應再被動地停留於歷史模糊地帶，而是應該主動選擇自身的文明位置與制度歸屬。

由於現行憲政架構中的「中華民國」隱含中國框架，使台灣在國家認同與國際關係上始終無法突破結構性限制，也成為台灣無法正常參與國際社會的關鍵因素。

台美黨強調，台灣社會長期忽略美國自戰後以來在農業改革、產業升級、民主制度建立與國家安全上對台灣的深層支持，因此主張，在來自中國的軍事與政治壓力持續升高之際，台灣應清楚表達人民意志，選擇與自由民主陣營建立更具制度性的夥伴關係，從「戰略合作」邁向「共同體關係」。

台美黨提出的政策藍圖是以台美關係為軸心來做整合。外交上，推動台美全面交流與安全共同體；內政上，透過科技治理、減稅與投資誘因，打造小而高效的政府體制，提升薪資水準與生活品質；國防上，捨棄人海戰術，強化高科技防衛與區域聯防；教育上，推動國際化與英語體系教育，培育能在民主共同體中自由流動的新世代公民。

根據台灣內政部的「政黨資訊網」，目前在台灣現存且合法登記的政黨約為75個。

1月17日在台灣台中市召開成立大會的台美黨，目前尚處於籌備階段。根據法律流程，該黨必須在成立30天內檢具黨章，大會紀錄等文件向內政部申請備案，通過後才能正式成為已登記政黨。

該黨創黨人廖金彰日前在社交媒體的Thread上貼文，稱台美黨黨主席郭大文將「銜命赴美面見川普，溝通台灣歸屬美國後對人民的補償方案！爭取超過10萬美元的更優惠價格」。

中華表演藝術基金會黎卓宇音樂會 500餘觀眾掌聲久久不歇

黎卓宇演奏時的神情。（中華表演藝術基金會提供）

           (Boston Orange)中華表演藝術基金會1月10日晚的鋼琴家黎卓宇（George Li）音樂會，在500多觀眾出席，全場起立鼓掌4次，安可（encore）演出3首，獻花絡繹不絕的少見盛況中落幕。

這是中華表演藝術基金會第37屆音樂季第2場音樂會，也是黎卓宇（George Li）重返新英格蘭音樂學院喬丹音樂廳 (Jordan Hall)的一次演出。他演奏了李斯特和蕭邦的作品，包括：李斯特：《彼特拉克三首十四行詩》：第 123 首, 《B 小調鋼琴奏鳴曲》，S.178，蕭邦：《升 F 大調即興曲》第 2 首，作品 36, 《B 小調鋼琴奏鳴曲》，作品 58。

黎卓宇這次的演出，盛大而成功。從他指尖彈出的詩意與獨特的藝術魅力，深深打動人心， 500多觀眾為他演出的每一曲目熱烈鼓掌，甚至在比賽中場休息時也起立鼓掌，謝幕時，更是全場 4 次起立的鼓掌，掌聲久久不散，硬是讓黎卓宇加演了三首作品，才依依不捨的以鮮花包圍他的讓音樂會帷幕落下。

觀眾們起立鼓掌，久久不歇。（中華表演藝術基金會提供）

「波士頓音樂情報（The Boston Musical Intelligencer）」評論者 Veritas Katharina Gassmann 為黎卓宇的演出，下了「抒情性的内在生命(The Inner Life of Lyricism) 」這個標題。

Veritas Katharina Gassmann形容道，「關於黎卓宇的藝術性和技術水準，讚譽早已不勝枚舉。 即使在令人屏息的高速段落中，他的演奏依然清晰而有層次；他對音色與色彩的掌控明亮而細膩；他以溫柔與耐心塑造旋律線條。上週末的演出再次展現了他非凡的能力，也讓人意識到傳統讚美語言的限制。黎卓宇讓人重新思考音樂，要求人們以更深度的專注，更抽象的感情來融入音樂會，就像要讓人明白音樂會並不是讓人凍結情感、或沉醉於美的睡眠，而是一個美學的“生態箱”，讓人們的注意力得以生長 」。

他還寫道，“這世上是否有足夠多的花朵，來回報這樣一個夜晚？”

黎卓宇的老師卞和暻（Wha-Kyung Byun），學長 Minsoo Sohn ，還有許多世界著名的音樂家 Mark Churchill，張萬鈞（Lynn Chang），Sergey Schepkin，Bruce Brubaker，Hank Mou，Lloyd Schwartz等都來參加這場音樂會，高度度讚揚這場超凡演出。

黎卓宇謝幕。（中華表演藝術基金會提供）

近年贏得國際大賽大獎的多名音樂家，這晚也都親臨音樂會，祝賀黎卓宇的演出成功，包括王紫同 (Zitong Wang)（蕭邦大賽第三名）、Clayton Stephenson（范．克萊本大賽第三名，艾弗里・費雪職業發展獎）、JJ Bui（蕭邦大賽第六名、Hamamatsu 大賽第三名）、張凱閔（蕭邦大賽第二輪, 里茲 (Leeds) 第4名），以及蕭邦與里茲大賽雙首獎得主陸易軒（ Eric Lu） 的父母。

在中華表演基金會舉辦的音樂會後慶祝酒會上， 40多名跨代知名音樂家齊聚一堂，祝賀黎卓宇演出成功。其中許多人，在黎卓宇還小時就已認識他，如今親眼見證他成為一名成就卓著、享譽國際的鋼琴家，都為他感到無比驕傲，現場的氣氛真誠、溫暖而愉悅。

過去這些年來，報章媒體對黎卓宇讚譽有加。紐約時報形容他「將青春的奔放與完全的掌控力融為一體」，華盛頓郵報稱讚他「擁有令人震撼的技術實力、極強的掌控力與深邃的表現力」。

黎卓宇在過去這些年間贏得過許多重要獎項，包括2010 年青年演奏家國際選拔賽（Young Concert Artists International Auditions）一等奖，2012 年吉爾摩青年藝術家獎（Gilmore Young Artist Award），2015 年的莫斯科國際柴可夫斯基鋼琴大賽銀牌，2016 年的艾弗里・費雪職業發展獎（Avery Fisher Career Grant）。黎卓宇也常與世界頂尖樂團和指揮家合作演出，登上過許多座全球最負盛名的音樂廳舞臺。

            作為華納古典音樂（Warner Classics）的簽約藝術家，黎卓宇在 2017 年發行了他的首張獨奏專輯，2019年發佈第二張專輯，2024 年發行的第三張專「Movements」，被「留聲機（Gramophone）」雜誌評選為 2024 年 8 月「最佳新古典專輯」之一。

黎卓宇從 12 歲起便一直追隨導師卞和暻（Wha Kyung Byun）學習。 他、在2019 年完成哈佛大學與新英格蘭音樂學院的雙學位項目，獲得英文文學學士與音樂碩士學位。2022 年，他又獲得新英格蘭音樂學院的藝術家文憑 (Artistic Diploma)。

音樂會的現場錄音視頻將放上中華表演藝術基金會 YouTube上免費供人欣賞。由於黎卓宇和華納古典（Warner Classic）的全球獨家錄音代理合約限制，該 YouTube 影片只能在非常有限的時間內上架。

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FCPA/videos

中華表演藝術基金會的下一場音樂會，將於 2026 年 2 月 28 日由小提琴家Feng Ning 演出 “終極無伴奏（The Ultimate Solo Violin）" ，查詢詳情可上網: https://www.chineseperformingarts.net/contents/season/20260228/index.html，關注中華表演藝術基金會，可上Instagram: @ cathychanfcpa。

Governor Healey Files Environmental Review Reforms to Accelerate Housing Permitting and Development

 Governor Healey Files Environmental Review Reforms to Accelerate Housing Permitting and Development 

Reforms will cut environmental review times from 1+ years to 30 days for housing projects to expedite housing and bring down costs 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Healey filed final reforms implementing a new streamlined process to make it easier and faster to build homes and lower housing costs. The reforms to  the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office’s review process for housing development make it faster, simpler, and more predictable while maintaining strong environmental protections. The reforms are set to take effect January 30, 2026.  

“When projects move faster, costs go down – and those savings matter,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By shortening review timelines from years to just 30 days, we’re getting more housing built and making life more affordable for families and communities.” 

“A strong economy depends on providing people access to housing they can afford,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This whole-of-government approach removes barriers, maintains environmental protections, speeds up housing production, and supports the state’s economic competitiveness.” 

Under the streamlined process, housing projects that meet clear eligibility criteria, such as a high percentage of residential use, dense infill development, avoidance of flood hazards, adequate infrastructure, and proximity to public transit can complete review in approximately 30 days. Previously, the process could take a year or longer. The reforms also create a new exemption for certain projects for which MEPA review is required solely because of an appeal of a local wetland order, which has caused additional delays for housing.

By reducing unnecessary delays and uncertainty, the changes are expected to lower development costs and support Massachusetts’ broader housing production goals. The streamlined process implements recommendations from the Unlocking Housing Production Commission’s (UHPC) report calling for more efficient environmental reviews for housing projects, which have historically led to costly and unexpected delays that can risk a project’s financial viability. 

In addition to housing, the reforms also simplify environmental review for certain ecological restoration projects with environmental benefits that previously did not qualify for streamlining, such as cranberry bog restoration and partial dam removals. Urban renewal plans and similar planning documents with no other work or project proposed will also be streamlined with a 30-day review process. 

“We’re meeting the moment on housing while also making sure important ecological restoration projects move faster as we face more climate change-driven extreme weather,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “These reforms ensure we are keeping environmental protections high and delivering on both housing and climate resilience.” 

"Any unintended delay in housing development is unacceptable when the state is experiencing a housing shortage. Today’s announcement ensures that priority housing projects receive faster environmental approvals, meaning we can get more new homes on the market quicker, and lower costs for all residents,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “Massachusetts is leading the nation in cutting red tape to make housing more affordable, and we’re using every tool in our toolbox to build more housing for homebuyers and renters across the state.” 

MEPA will issue updated forms and guidance, including a revised project notification form with a compliance checklist, and will begin accepting new project filings under the qualifying housing criteria by February 3rd. 

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES VOTING STAGE OF PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING INITIATIVE, “IDEAS IN ACTION”

 MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES VOTING STAGE OF PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING INITIATIVE, “IDEAS IN ACTION”

Beginning January 15, residents can vote for their top five city project proposals 

BOSTON - Friday, January 16, 2026 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston’s Office of Participatory Budgeting announced the voting phase for Ideas in Action, the City’s participatory budgeting initiative. Over 1,200 ideas were submitted earlier this year, recommending how $2.2 million could be invested. Until February 15, 2026, Boston residents can vote to select their top five projects to help guide how $2.2 million of the City’s budget will be spent on community-driven projects across the city.

Proposals for the 2026 ballot were developed through five community forums held in fall 2025, where residents worked alongside City staff to prioritize project ideas and draft proposals for the public vote. The process started in the summer of 2025 with over 1,200 ideas collected from residents.

“Our residents provided invaluable insights and their ideas will drive how we can deliver on issues that matter most in our communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “We are excited to have residents now vote on these proposals, and I am thankful to all community members who engaged in shaping these ideas.”  

Below are the 2026 ballot proposals for voters’ consideration: 

• Neighborhood Fresh Food Access Initiative, $500,000
• Immigrant Legal Defense Fund, $400,000
• Immigrant Stories Through Art: Creating Belonging, Building Connections, $300,000
• Workforce Training Programs Focused on Trades, $300,000
• Immigrant Career Pathways: Bridging Language and Employment, $300,000
• Youth Financial Literacy and Empowerment Workshops, $250,000
• Small Business Development Resource Program, $250,000
• Community Litter Reduction Campaign, $200,000
• Green my Block, $100,000
• Voices of Recovery: Sobriety Supports and Storytelling Pilot, $200,000
• Healing Through Art: Creative Pathways to Wellness, $300,000
• Bridging the Gap: Assistance for Housing Stability, $200,000
• Senior Caregiver Resources & Training Programs, $200,000

"The projects on this year’s ballot represent the direct result of our office's deep commitment to community engagement," said Renato Castelo, Director of the Office of Participatory Budgeting. "By partnering with 19 organizations across the city, we’ve brought the voices of hundreds of residents to the table. I invite everyone to participate in this final step and vote for the projects that will have the greatest impact on their community."

How to Vote

• Boston residents can vote online by visiting Boston.gov/Participate. 
• For in-person voting, residents can visit City Hall and or BCYF Pino; BCYF Quincy; BCYF Holland; BCYF Leahy Holloran; BCYF Vine Street; BCYF Hennigan.

Participatory budgeting voting is open to all Boston residents age 11 and older, regardless of citizenship status. Each resident is limited to one vote, and participants are encouraged to use that vote to indicate their top five preferred projects.

Cycle One Project Updates

Below are updates on the 2025 winning projects that are moving through implementation.

• Youth Reentry Supports
• In December 2025, Mayor Wu and the Office of Returning Citizens announced $250,000 in grant awards supporting programs focused on reducing youth recidivism and strengthening reentry supports for young people returning from incarceration.

• Fresh Food Access
• The Office of Food Justice reported that their 2025 project, Expand Access to Fresh Foods in Boston, has been completed. These funds supported a coordinated response to the November 2025 SNAP funding delay.

• Rental Assistance For Boston Youth
• The Office of Housing Stability continues to receive referrals from trusted community partners working with at-risk youth. Those eligible can receive assistance of up to $5,000 to help cover late rent payments or move-in costs, first/last month’s rent, security deposit, and/or a broker’s fee.

• Benches at High Ridership Bus Stops
• The City’s Streets team is currently finalizing the procurement of 120 benches and assessing locations based on impact and need. Installation is expected by early summer 2026. All benches will include plaques acknowledging the resident-led PB process.

• Rat Prevention Initiative
• This project will expand a successful rat prevention pilot to two Boston Housing Authority developments in Brighton. PB funding will help upgrade existing residential trash collection service to commercial-level service; install metroSTOR trash, recycling and compost bins; provide in-unit trash, recycling compost containers, and education for 665 units; and install MicroShare sensors to test the effectiveness of this pilot. This project is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

• Support for Community Gardens
• GrowBoston is planning to release a grant application in early 2026, offering grants to nonprofit organizations to build community gardens on underutilized land for public access and use, prioritizing areas where people have limited access to affordable, nutritious food. This project will create a healthier environment, beautify the community, address food insecurity, and build community among residents. Garden operations must have a robust rodent management plan.

For regular project updates, visit Boston.gov/Participate. 

Ideas in Action is Boston’s participatory budgeting initiative, where residents help decide how to spend a portion of the City’s budget on projects that benefit communities across Boston.

Governor Healey Celebrates Completion of NECEC Transmission Line

Governor Healey Celebrates Completion of NECEC Transmission Line 

Transmission line will deliver 20% of Massachusetts' electricity, lower bills by $50 million each year 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey celebrated the completion of the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission line and is now delivering affordable, stable hydropower from Canada to Massachusetts. The NECEC line will provide Massachusetts with nearly 20 percent of its overall electricity, deliver $3.38 billion in total net economic benefits to Massachusetts ratepayers over the life of the contracts, and reduce ratepayer bills by around $50 million each year. 

“Today, power is flowing to Massachusetts through the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line,” said Governor Healey. “My administration worked closely with the Legislature, the Attorney General, and private partners to ensure the project moved forward and delivered savings. The NECEC line represents our all-of-the-above approach in action – working with regional partners to bring affordable energy into the state that will lower costs and meet our growing demand. We are proud to flip the switch on this line and bring costs down, and we are continuing to work to bring more energy into Massachusetts.”

“Over $3 billion in benefits will flow into Massachusetts thanks to this major transmission line,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “That means lower bills, more jobs, and the power we need to grow our economy. Our administration played an important role in keeping this project on track and affordable. We are glad to see NECEC start operation today.” 

The NECEC project will deliver 1,090 megawatts of firm baseload power over a line capable of delivering up to 1,200 megawatts from Québec to New England. This line will serve as one of New England’s largest sources of baseload power, strengthening grid reliability and lowering energy costs for consumers.  

The fixed prices in the contracts provide power and clean energy attributes at prices well below the projected costs of buying the same amount on the market, and lock in those prices for the next 20 years. 

“The NECEC line proves we can do big things here in Massachusetts,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Transmission is key to unlocking savings for ratepayers and businesses, but it requires partnership. To get this done, many people came together toward a common goal: get more affordable energy into Massachusetts. I want to thank the Legislature for their foresight and direction, state energy officials past and present for pushing this project forward, our Canadian partners and Hydro-Quebec for their continued collaboration, the Attorney General and the utilities for their work in the negotiations, Governor Mills for her support, and Avangrid for executing on this project. We’re going to continue to double down on regional collaboration to bring down costs and get more energy projects built.” 

“Building and using this line shows us that Massachusetts ratepayers and our clean energy future benefit from planning, partnerships, and perseverance,” said Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony. “The hydroelectric power flowing into our electric grid will lower long-term electricity costs, provide needed winter reliability, help meet rising electricity demand, and bring billions of dollars in economic benefits for Massachusetts. We’ll build on this success with more regional collaboration, and more affordable, clean power for our homes and businesses.” 

In addition to lowering electricity prices, this clean, sustainable hydropower will help meet rising electricity demand, provide needed energy reliability in the winter, and reduce harmful pollution in Massachusetts and the region. During cold temperature periods, New England relies on higher-priced, more carbon-intensive fuels. This leads to expensive and volatile winter energy pricing and regional reliability concerns. The NECEC project will help address these challenges by providing consistent clean energy production during cold temperatures. 

“This is an historic day; the New England Clean Energy Connect is now delivering enough renewable energy to power a million homes,” said Hydro-Québec Energy Services U.S. COO Serge Abergel. “We are proud to be your partners. We have all overcome many obstacles to get to today. Now we are not just talking; we are delivering. This is a shining example of our regional partnership, which will continue for the next 20 years and beyond.” 

In 2018, following a competitive solicitation, the Massachusetts electric distribution companies negotiated and executed contracts with the NECEC project. Following authorization from the Massachusetts Legislature in 2023, the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Attorney General’s Office, Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil negotiated with NECEC to ensure these contracts remain beneficial for Massachusetts ratepayers. The joint settlement agreement was later approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, helping pave the way for the project to finish construction. Under the contracts, NECEC will import 9.55 terawatt-hours annually of 100 percent hydroelectricity from Quebec to the New England electric grid. 

聯邦學貸上限10萬元今年7月起生效 麻州護理界憂心人才流失更嚴重

          （Boston Orange 綜合編譯）川普政府去年通過的「高等教育負擔能力與問責制（Higher Education Affordability and Accountability）」，訂今年7月生效，意味著任何人向聯邦政府申請學貸的額度，將有一輩子總額10萬元的上限，讓許多人開始擔心美國、麻州將再現醫護荒。

            根據川普政府的「2025 年減稅與就業增長法案（TCGA 2025）」條文細節，聯邦政府將永久廢除「研究生 PLUS 貸款（Grad PLUS）」，改採「終身累計限額（Aggregate Loan Limits）」， 10 萬美元是人們可為教育，求學，向聯邦政府申請貸款的「終身累計最高限額」。

            由於麻州的護理專業人士在新冠病毒疫情之後，人力缺口雖然已從15%降至10%，聯邦政府這學貸新政策，卻將使很多人借不到足夠的錢來上學，許多人擔心麻州將面對嚴重的護士人才荒。

            儘管法案為11 種「專業學位」（如醫學、法律、牙醫、藥學等）制定了 20 萬美元的更高上限，但護理學（Nursing）卻被排除在這11種專業的豁免名單外。聯邦官員主張，此舉能迫使高學費院校降價，但醫療界認為這忽視了現代高級護理教育的高昂成本。

這政策對麻州衝擊尤其大。麻州健康與醫院協會（MHA）的數據顯示，州內護理職缺率維持在 10% 的警戒線。由於初級保健醫生持續短缺，高級實踐護理師（NP）成為醫療體系的支柱，預計到 2034 年，麻州對此類人才的需求將增長 60%。

然而，麻州頂尖護理學院如 MGH 醫療專業學院或 MCPHS，其護理博士或碩士學位的一年成本（學雜費加生活費）就已超過 6 萬美元，要靠學貸完成學業的人，礙於 10 萬美元終身限額，若無法另謀借錢途徑，將無力完成學業。

麻州公共衛生局長羅比·戈德斯坦（Robbie Goldstein）警告，這將導致「隱形的人才篩選」，僅有富裕家庭背景的學生能負擔高級醫護教育，嚴重打擊醫療體系的多樣性。麻州大學陳氏醫學院院長奇丘更直言，此政策是解決財政問題的「短視行為」，將以犧牲病人的照護品質為代價。

麻州的瑞吉斯學院（Regis College）已有捐贈者允諾全額資助「護理實務博士（Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP）學生兩年，MGH和麻州大學也正在研究因應之道。

Senate Passes Common Cause – Led Bipartisan Ballot Spending Transparency Act

Senate Passes Common Cause – Led Bipartisan Ballot Spending Transparency Act 

The bill empowers voters, requires real-time reports on spending 

 

BOSTON, MA – Yesterday, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed the Ballot Spending Transparency Act (H.868/ S.507), landmark legislation championed by Common Cause Massachusetts to strengthen disclosure requirements for spending on statewide ballot questions. The bill’s passage marks a major victory for transparency and reflects sustained efforts by Common Cause Massachusetts to close one of the state’s most significant campaign finance reporting loopholes. 

 

“Massachusetts voters deserve to know, in real time, who is funding the ballot questions that will impact their lives,” said Geoff Foster, Common Cause’s Massachusetts Executive Director.  “Under our current system, special interests can funnel millions of dollars behind issue campaigns without the public knowing for months. The Senate’s passage of the Ballot Spending Transparency Act moves Massachusetts closer to a democracy where voters - not unknown special interests - decide our future.” 

 

Common Cause Massachusetts initially raised concerns about the state’s lax ballot spending disclosure requirements. Under current law, special interests can pour millions of dollars into elections without public scrutiny during an eight month ‘unmonitored’ window during an election year. Through research, coalition advocacy, and direct engagement with lawmakers, the organization advanced the bipartisan Ballot Spending Transparency Act filed by Senator Sal DiDomenico and State Representative Daniel Ryan to ensure voters have timely information about who is trying to influence public policy at the ballot box.  

 

“Statewide ballot questions are a great tool for empowering the public to vote directly on statewide policies, but it is vitally important that our voters know which people and organizations are funding these policy proposals,” said Sen. Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett), lead sponsor of the Senate bill. “I am proud to have worked with Common Cause to pass my legislation through the Senate, which will close a loophole in our campaign finance law and ensure our residents have all the information they need to make an educated decision when voting on ballot measures.” 

 

The effort also landed the endorsement from the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts.

 

"The importance of having voters be able to access up-to-date financial data regarding what is on their ballot cannot be understated," said Celia Canavan, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts. "The Senate's passage of the Ballot Spending Transparency Act is more than just a good governance reform: it brings us closer to allowing voters the tools they need to hold power accountable."

 

Massachusetts consistently ranks among the states raising the highest dollar amounts for ballot questions, and the state spends more than the national average on ballot question campaigns. Over the past 10 years, or six election cycles, Massachusetts ballot campaigns have raised over $340 million, averaging $57 million each election cycle.  $123 million, or 36% of all contributions, were received during the unmonitored eight-month window.  

 

By advocating for this legislation, Common Cause Massachusetts is empowering voters by securing stronger transparency for ballot campaign contributions and expenditures influencing statewide public policy. 

 

The Ballot Spending Transparency Act now awaits consideration by the Massachusetts House of Representatives.