8月1日起房客不必支付經紀費

             (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 麻州州長奚莉(Maura Healey)發佈消息，提醒州民，從8月1日這天開始，租屋房客找房子時，除非是自己簽約請經紀代找房源，可以不必支付經紀費。

            奚莉州長在7月4日簽署的2026會計年度預算案，修訂了麻州總法第112章，第87DDD ½節，以及第186章的第15B節，規定持照經濟或銷售人員，只能和承租者或者房東簽約，然後代表簽約方和房東或者承租者協商承租或出租事宜。任何費用將只由最初和持照經紀或銷售人員簽約者支付。

            這新規定主要目的是禁止強迫承租者支付經濟費，並明白規定“聘僱方付費（Hiring Party Pays）”規則。Healey-Driscoll政府已發佈一份“常見問題 （FAQ）”，幫助承租者，房東及經紀了解這新政策。若有不當收取費用情況，可洽詢麻州總檢察官辦公室的消費者權益保護和回應組，617-727-8400。

            新法令只適用於8月1日以後簽署的合約，對波士頓市、劍橋市及尚莫維爾市(Somerville)這幾個過往一向要求承租者支付經紀費的城市，影響比較大。

            由於近年房租越來越貴，甚至貴到套房到3睡房的租金在3,000元到6,000元之間，在租房一般都得預繳第一個月和最後一個月的租金，以及一個月房租的押金，手頭沒有一萬元的人，就連想租房子都有問題。還要再付經紀費，那更是雪上加霜。

            麻州州長奚莉和麻州眾議會議長Ron Mariano等人相信，這新規定有助降低承租者租住房屋的門檻，減輕他們的負擔。

            不過不少房東們卻不贊成這規定，尤其是小物業主協會（SPOA）還二度上街抗議，呼籲房東們參與由說議員支持他們的看法。他們提出的3點理由包括，承租者不需付經紀費之後，只不過是會逼使房東把費用轉嫁到房租上，使得房租更貴而已，這筆錢最後還是房客付了。經紀費是幫助房東快速找到合資格房客的服務費，合法的企業開銷，就算州政府規定這開銷該由誰來付費，並不會廢除這開銷本身。這規定也擾亂了房地產市場和經紀的工作，此外這規定也並沒有解決“房荒”這真正問題。

麻州長宣佈所有旅館式收容所已關閉 可為納稅人節省數億美元

         (Boston Orange綜合編譯) 麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今（8月1）日宣佈，正式結束2023年8月發出的緊急令，麻州所有的旅館式收容所現在都已關閉，比預定計畫提早了幾個月，估計可為麻州節省的經費，數以億元計。

大約是從2022年底開始，湧入麻州的移民人數陡增。奚莉州長表示，當她2023年上任時，麻州救已經在用旅館安置需要住所家庭，時間長度數以月計，有時甚至長達數年。那時也沒有任何因應陡增的需求，保護納稅人的錢，或者幫助家庭離開收容所的改革計劃。

奚莉州長說，大家都同意，旅館不是個適宜養家活口的地方，所以她麾下的政府採取了行動，如今麻州收容的家庭數量已經低於2023年1月她上任時的水平。她們為麻州節省了數以億計的經費，也讓家庭踏上自給自足道路。

為因應無家可歸的移民家庭陡增這種狀況，奚莉州長在2023年宣佈麻州進入緊急狀況，並訂定收容上限為7500個家庭。如果那時候不制定上限，估計到2024年夏天時，需要收容的家庭數量可能高達13,000家。

與此同時，奚莉州長還和議會合作，修改了“有權獲得庇護（Right to Shelter）”法，增加了收容期最多6個月，必須持有麻州居民證明，所有家庭成員都必須是合法移民等規定。

奚莉州長還為住在收容所的人擴辦人力培訓，就業安置，增加幫助家庭找到穩定居所的個案管理，規定所有成年人在進入收容系統前必須做犯罪背景檢查。

於是在7月31日的週四時，收容系統不再有旅館供作收容用途，系統內的家庭數量也比2023年1月少。從2025年以來，  脫離收容系統的家庭數量（約4,500家），有進入收容系統的家庭數量(約1,500家)三倍之多。

一直以來，當麻州的收容系統爆滿時，政府就會轉向旅館或汽車旅館來找收容場所。2014年時，就有1,500個家庭被安置在麻州各地。前任麻州政府也在2022年時開始用旅館做收容所，

最高峰時期，麻州曾動用100家旅館來辦理收容，平均每個家庭每個月要耗用麻州政府資源約1萬美元。7500個家庭就要耗用7500萬美元。

在旅館之外，座落在前灣州懲教中心（Bay State Correctional Center）的諾福克快速收容所(Norfolk Rapid Shelter)，以及雀喜（Chelsea）快速收容所，也都關閉了。

奚莉州長說，大家都同意，旅館不是個適宜養家活口的地方，所以她麾下的政府採取了行動，如今麻州收容的家庭數量已經低於2023年1月她上任時的水平。她們為麻州節省了數以億計的經費，也讓家庭踏上自給自足道路。

有報告稱，麻州政府關閉旅館收容所的行動，每年約可為麻州納稅人節省4.1億美元，或每月約3,400萬美元。

麻州參議會通過議案今秋起課堂無手機 下波討論還看眾議會

Senate Passes Legislation to Make Schools Cell Phone-Free

Bill removes ‘greatest distraction device ever created’ from classrooms, keeps students focused on learning

 

(BOSTON—07/31/2025) The Massachusetts Senate today passed legislation to create cell phone-free schools across the Commonwealth. By requiring school districts to prohibit student cell phone use during the school day, the bill aims to boost focus, improve mental health, and foster healthier learning environments.

 

S.2561, An Act to promote student learning and mental health, requires all public school districts to adopt cell phone-free school policies by fall 2026. Reasonable exceptions to the rule will be made for students who need their personal devices for treating medical conditions, off-campus travel requirements, individualized education plans (IEP), or to accommodate a disability. Districts must ensure that students and caregivers have at least one method of communication during school hours and that students and families can communicate during emergency situations.

 

“Massachusetts has a proud history of supporting and uplifting K-12 public education for our residents, but a device small enough to fit in a pocket presents a profound challenge to ensuring student success,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “That’s why I charged the Senate in May of this year to explore ways to make our schools cell phone free. This legislation delivers on that commitment and builds on the Senate’s mission of creating a statewide education system that continues to promote learning and growth. I am deeply grateful to Chair Lewis and Chair Rodrigues for their leadership on this bill, and each of the Senators who have contributed to addressing this challenge.”

 

“This impactful legislation will make many beneficial and lasting improvements in the quality of our public school education. Countless studies have shown the detrimental and distracting effects of cell phone usage both in the classroom, and for entire school day,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “While many school districts have already implemented some type of cell phone restriction, this bill takes a uniform approach to this problem, tasking the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish a clear ban on cell phones and electronic devices for public school students. The results in the other states that have enacted similar legislation is startling; students are more engaged, become more proficient in their studies, and the student-teacher relationship is enhanced. This measure also greatly reduces the threat of cyber-bullying. I would like to thank Senator Lewis for working to craft this final bill, and Senate President Spilka for her leadership on this issue.”

 

“There are a myriad of negative effects linked to the growing issue of student cell phone usage at school and in the classroom, including diminished academic performance, poorer mental health, worse relationship building and social skills, reduced safety during emergencies, and more,” said Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “According to Pew Research, 72 per cent of high school teachers consider cell phones to be a ‘major problem’ in the classroom, and numerous studies have shown the many robust benefits to student learning and growth by removing cell phones from their educational environment. Thank you to Senate President Karen Spilka for championing this issue and to all the many students, parents, teachers, school administrators, researchers, and other stakeholders and legislators we've worked with while putting this bill together.”

 

To guide districts in crafting these policies, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will create model guidelines within 180 days of the enactment of the law. Districts will have the freedom to decide what works best for them, whether they decide on using pouches, lockers, or other storage options for electronic devices. Districts will also have the ability to adjust rules based on grade levels or the structures of their school days.

 

According to Pew Research Center, surveys have shown that 72 per cent of high school teachers report that cellphone distractions are a major problem in the classroom. The survey also reports that 68 percent of U.S. adults are in support of banning personal electronic use in the classroom, demonstrating the strong public approval of this bill. Research from KKF demonstrates a rising number of states implementing classroom cellphone bans to address youth mental health issues and eliminate academic distractions.

 

Approximately 80 school districts have already reported, through a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education pilot grant, that they have implemented student cell phone use policies, with even more districts likely putting similar measures in place outside of the grant program. Additionally, numerous states have enacted statewide bans or restrictions on cellphone use in schools, with another seven states having issued policies aimed at limiting student electronic use.

 

Each district will be required to notify families of their policy each year by September 1, beginning in 2026, and submit annual updates of their district’s current policy with DESE. DESE will then provide an initial report of implementation to the Legislature at the end of 2027.

 

Having passed the Senate, the bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Massachusetts Legislature Approves Road and Bridge Funding for Cities and Towns

Massachusetts Legislature Approves Road and Bridge Funding for Cities and Towns

Annual Chapter 90 legislation delivers funding for paving roads, easing traffic, and culvert and bridge improvements

 

(BOSTON—8/1/2025) The Massachusetts Legislature yesterday passed a bill to distribute $1.2 billion among cities and towns to maintain and repair roads and bridges across the state. The funding, derived from bonding, will expand the Chapter 90 program and help address transportation related improvements, road and bridge repairs, and the impacts of climate change on local infrastructure.

 

The bill enacted today includes a one-year authorization of $300 million for the Chapter 90 Program, a 50 per cent increase over past funding levels. The bill also appropriates $885 million in additional funding that will help ensure the Commonwealth is able to achieve its long-term transportation goals.

 

“Providing funding for critical infrastructure projects through investments in the Commonwealth’s public transportation, roads, and bridges is one of the most important responsibilities that we have as members of the Legislature,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I’m proud of the support for local infrastructure repairs that this legislation provides, and of the funding that it allocates for projects that will address congestion hotspots across the Commonwealth. I want to thank Chairman Arciero, Chairman Finn, and all my colleagues in the House, as well as our partners in the Senate, for supporting this vital legislation.”

 

“Today the Legislature acted to give our cities and towns the financial tools they need to improve the infrastructure residents use to get to work, school and home every day,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I’m proud that this funding will go to continuing to build 21st century infrastructure in our Commonwealth and make investments in projects that promote public transit and reduce emissions. I’m thankful to Chair Rodrigues, Chair Crighton, and Chair Kennedy for their work, and to Speaker Mariano and our colleagues in the House for their partnership.”

 

“I applaud the Massachusetts Legislature for passing this bill and recognizing the need to be responsive to our cities and towns while also proceeding with caution due to the federal funding uncertainty,” said Representative James Arciero (D-Westford), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “Thank you to Speaker Ronald Mariano and Chairman Aaron Michlewitz for their leadership in the House. This bill leverages the Legislature’s strategically increased appropriations to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund to expand our borrowing capacity and allow for additional transportation funding for our local infrastructure needs."

 

“This historic level of funding will help cities and towns improve their roads and sidewalks along with other transportation infrastructure.” said Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “As we are experiencing increasing traffic congestion and the negative impacts of climate change, it is crucial that we prioritize investments that make it easier for our residents to travel safely. Thank you to Senate President Spilka for her steadfast leadership and commitment to transformative infrastructure.”

 

"This legislation strikes a balance between increasing funding for municipal roadways and transportation-related projects while maintaining outstanding fiscal responsibility,” said Representative Michael Finn (D-West Springfield), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. “Our decision to continue giving the Governor the authority to utilize either general or special obligation bonds enables us to capitalize on competitive interest rates, save money long term, and preserve general obligation bond capacity for the Commonwealth's most pressing needs. I am grateful to Speaker Mariano and Chair Michlewitz' continued commitment to smart, forward-looking investments in transportation."

 

“This legislation takes into consideration years of feedback from the Administration and our local partners,” said Senator Ed Kennedy (D-Lowell), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. “In addition to incorporating 50 per cent more funding to Chapter 90 than in previous years, these funds are supplemented by additional targeted resources that will improve the roads, bridges, and transportation related infrastructure in all types of communities in the Commonwealth.”

 

The one-year $300 million authorization in the Chapter 90 program funding represents a historic 50 per cent increase and includes:

 

• $200 million to be distributed to all municipalities based on the standard Chapter 90 program distribution formula;
• $100 million to be distributed to all municipalities based solely on road mileage.

Funding for three additional critical programs to support various transportation related projects include:

 

• $500 million for the Lifecycle Asset Management Program (LAMP), which supports non-federally aided roads and targets the pavement and bridges that are in the worst condition in the Commonwealth.
• $200 million for a culvert and small bridge repair program for municipalities’ local culverts and small bridges under 20 feet that are in a state of disrepair or require replacement.
• $185 million for capital projects to reduce congestion hotspots, funding that will be available for projects such as shared use paths, intersection improvements, railroad grade crossings, and sidewalks.

Both chambers of the Legislature having voted to enact the legislation, the bill now goes to the Governor for her signature.