防止SNAP等盜竊 麻州將推出電子福利卡

(Boston Orange編譯) 麻州政府宣佈，正在把電子福利卡（EBT）全面升級為具備「晶片（Chip）」與「感應（Tap）」功能的卡片，確保全州近一百萬名使用諸如SNAP糧食券，領取共約26億美元補助款的民眾，福利資金能安全入帳。

麻州政府表示，已從去年8月起通知零售商更新收款設備，藉以打擊日益嚴重的側錄盜領犯罪。

由於大多數EBT卡仍在使用舊式「磁條」，犯罪分子常藉著在商店收款機安裝「側錄器（Skimmers）」，盜取磁條資訊並複製卡片，非法偷取民眾福利。卡片升級後，採用EMV技術，每次交易都會產生唯一的加密代碼，將大幅降低被盜刷風險。

聯邦政府是2024年才授權讓EBT卡使用晶片技術，並在2025年發佈執行辦法指引。麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）立即爭取到州議會撥款支持，成為繼加州、奧克拉荷馬州之後，全美第3個推動這種技術的州。

麻州共有約5500家收受SNAP卡的零售商需要更新銷售點（POS）收銀系統，使用電子福利卡者，將來只需要「插卡」或「感應」即可完成支付交易，操作方式將和一般的商業信用卡或金融卡相同。

Massachusetts to Launch EBT Chip Cards to Prevent SNAP Theft, Protect Tax Dollars  

Healey-Driscoll Administration begins notifying retailers as Massachusetts would become the third state in country to adopt chip and tap-enabled EBT cards shown to greatly prevent theft in system 

BOSTON – Massachusetts is moving forward with the adoption of chip and tap-enabled Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which will enhance security measures to better prevent theft across the system, including for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Massachusetts would become the third state in the country to implement this important tool to prevent theft and ensure taxpayer dollars are protected. 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has started notifying Massachusetts retailers to prepare for this upcoming change by updating their Point-of-Sale (POS) system to accept the new chip and/or tap EBT cards. The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) will begin piloting chip and tap-enabled EBT cards later this year. 

“Massachusetts is taking action to protect families and the programs they rely on to afford groceries and other essential goods,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These new chip-enabled EBT cards will strengthen protections against theft and make sure this support is going to the people who need it. We’re one of the first states in the nation to adopt this new technology because protecting taxpayer dollars is a top priority for us, and we thank retailers and clients in advance for working with us to implement this.” 

SNAP is a federal program that is entirely funded with federal dollars. SNAP fraud is extremely rate – less than one percent of the SNAP caseload has been found to have committed fraud. 

Chip and tap-enabled EBT cards were not authorized by federal government for use until 2024, and guidance for states to implement these more secure EBT cards was not released until August 2025. In 2025, Governor Healey introduced and the Legislature passed funding to implement the transition to these more secure cards. Only two other states have launched chip and tap-enabled EBT card pilot programs to date. 

EBT cards are where benefits are stored and accessed by almost one million people in Massachusetts who receive assistance from DTA. There are an estimated 5,500 SNAP retailers in Massachusetts who complete EBT transactions. DTA issues approximately $2.6 billion in SNAP benefits annually to households meeting a variety of eligibility criteria.  

Benefit theft occurs when eligible clients have their benefits stolen through criminal activity. The most common method of benefit theft is installing card skimmers on Point of Sale (POS) devices to steal the card information from the card’s magnetic stripe. Criminals then use the card information to make fraudulent purchases, leaving zero balances for clients to meet their basic needs as intended. 

Massachusetts chip and tap-enabled EBT cards will contain a Europay Mastercard Visa (EMV) microchip and other technology that is much more secure than a traditional magnetic stripe EBT card. For every transaction, the microchip generates a unique code that must be verified by the EBT system before the transaction will be authorized. Chip and tap-enabled EBT cards complete transactions by either being   inserted into a POS terminal, or tapped on the POS terminal, rather than swiped using the magnetic stripe.  

“DTA’s job is to provide support to eligible households in need, and blocking criminal actors who would intervene and steal those benefits is an absolute top priority. After years of advocacy and hard work to get here, Massachusetts is excited to introduce a measure that will further reduce opportunities for benefits to be stolen, helping families put food on the table and stopping theft before it occurs,” said DTA Commissioner Michael Cole. “Thanks to the Governor and Legislature’s investment, EBT cards will be better aligned with the safeguards that have long existed for commercial credit and debit cards. We’re hopeful that retailers can quickly adopt the technology needed to utilize this card technology, and we stand ready to make sure this process goes as smoothly as possible.” 

“The migration to chip-enabled EBT cards adds an important layer of security to the Commonwealth’s food benefits system,” said Jon B. Hurst, President & CEO, Retailers Association of Massachusetts. “Retailers have been upgrading their Point-of-Sale (POS) systems to prepare for this change, and we appreciate the partnership with the Healey-Driscoll Administration to ensure a seamless transition.”  

DTA has previously taken significant action to prevent benefit theft and safeguard client benefits, including: 

• Implementing card lock/unlock technology using DTA Connect mobile application and the Cardholder Customer Service Line.  
• Providing an EBT card safety flyer with every EBT card issued that contains information on how to lock/unlock your card, as well as frequently change the PIN. 
• Educating clients on card safety and encouraging regular changing of their EBT card PIN to enhance security, and forcing re-pinning when there was known high-risk for stolen PINs. 
• Producing educational materials on protecting your EBT card and identifying scams (informational videos, flyers, and more) in multiple languages, available on mass.gov/ProtectYourEBT  
• Engaging retailers and retail associations through outreach and education on benefit theft schemes and patterns, and partnering with law enforcement on information sharing. 

Fraud prevention is a critical responsibility for all DTA staff. DTA uses eligibility interviews and verification to ensure accurate initial determinations. DTA constantly leverages advanced data analytics and tools – regularly adding new methods – data matching, transaction monitoring, and a variety of fraud detection practices to detect and resolve potential program integrity risks. When issues are identified DTA conducts non-criminal fraud investigations, disqualifies individuals for program violations, refers cases for prosecution, calculates overpayments and establishes claims for repayment.  

DTA operates a fraud hotline via phone and email inbox where anybody can submit a referral for investigation. Suspected fraudulent activity is investigated through dedicated program integrity and law enforcement partnerships. DTA also actively partners with State Auditor’s Office Bureau of Special Investigation (BSI) and the Office of the Inspector General on program integrity initiatives.  

Anyone is able to report fraud to DTA online using this form, by email DTA.ReportFraud@MassMail.State.MA.US, or by phone using DTA’s Fraud Hotline at 800-372-8399.  

紅襪隊帽子日10週年 Sam Kennedy送Sarah Greenwood學校師生每人2張紅襪隊門票

波士頓市長吳弭（左五）和紅襪隊執行長Sam Kennedy(左七），紅襪隊基金會董事
Linda Henry（左六），波士頓公校總監Mary skipper（右三），波士頓市議員
Brian Worrell（右二）等人出席了在Sarah Greenwood學校舉行的紅襪隊帽子日。
（周菊子攝）

              (Boston Orange編譯)波士頓紅襪隊執行長Sam Kennedy今（6日）早在Sarah Greenwood學校宣佈，為慶祝和藍捷航空（Blue Jet）及波士頓公校合作的「紅襪隊帽子日（Red Sox Hat Day）」10 週年，將發給該校師生每人2張紅襪隊求票，現場霎時歡呼雷動。

「紅襪隊帽子日（Red Sox Hat Day）」是波士頓市政府公校和波士頓紅襪隊及藍捷航空合作，從2017年開始，每年發給波士頓公校104所學校共4

紅襪隊執行長Sam Kennedy(右）指著波士頓市長吳弭（左）頭上的帽子，
說明這是2006紅襪隊帽子日的帽子。（周菊子攝）

萬多名學生，每人一頂波士頓紅襪隊帽子，鼓勵波士頓社區認同的一項活動。今年剛好10週年。

波士頓市長吳弭介紹紅襪隊吉祥物Wally和Tessie。（周菊子攝）

紅襪隊4月3日在芬衛球場開賽後，波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）和波士頓公校總監Mary Skipper，波士頓紅襪隊執行長Sam Kennedy，紅襪隊夥伴及基金會董事Linda Henry，紅襪隊經理Alex Cora，藍捷航空營運主任
Stephanie Evans，波士頓市議員Brian Worrell 帶著紅襪隊吉祥物綠怪獸Wally和Tessie，今日一早趕到多徹斯特（Dorchester）的Sarah Greenwood學校，慶祝“帽子日”。

吳弭市長告訴學生們，因為他們在波士頓出生，長大，上波士頓公校，所以每一個人都很特別，而這頂帽子，代表著社區一份子，所以當大家戴著這頂帽子，走在社區中，或走到世界各地時，只要看到戴著這頂帽子的人，就知道那個人和自己有關係，應該上前打個招呼，說聲戴這帽子讓人很驕傲。

波士頓公校總監Mary Skipper説，公校6年級學生都有機會參加
紅襪隊學習營。（周菊子攝）

紅襪隊執行長Sam Kennedy接著説，「芬威球場是你們的球場，紅襪隊是你們的球隊」。他要宣佈一項額外好消息，Sarah Greenwood 學校的每一位學生與老師，都將獲得兩張紅襪隊主場比賽門票。

波士頓公校總監Mary Skipper告訴學生們，六年級學生們都有機會到芬衛球場參加紅襪隊的學習營（Learning lab），每所學校的代表致詞畢業生也將獲邀參加紅襪隊基金會每年一度的午宴。

波士頓紅襪隊執行長Sam Kennedy額外宣佈，Sarah Greenwood學校
師生每人2張紅襪隊門票。（周菊子攝）

退役的紅襪隊投手Manny Delcarmen這天也特地出席，以英文和西班牙文雙語致詞。他說，看到學生們驚聞將獲贈紅襪隊門票的興奮表情，讓他覺得這天太有意義了，當學生們戴上這頂帽子，就都是紅襪隊的一份子。

波士頓市長吳弭（前左二）等人出席紅襪隊帽子日活動。（周菊子攝）

Sarah Greenwood學校大門。（周菊子攝）

紐英崙玉山科協邀李孜談「人機共生」政策面挑戰

紐英崙玉山科協新任副會長盧彥君（中）邀李孜（右）分享
「人機共生面臨的巨大挑戰」。左為蘇彥竹。（周菊子攝）

   （Boston Orange）紐英崙玉山科技協會（MJNE）日前以「人機共生面臨的巨大挑戰（The Great Challenge of AI–Human Symbiosis）」為題，邀請麻省理工學院都市研究與規劃系（MIT SPURS / DUSP）研究學者李孜（Zi Li）做分享，從「人機共生」的視角，探討人工智慧時代下策略制定、組織協同與公共治理所面臨的新問題。

 

李孜到麻省理工學院之前，曾在新加坡國立大學做研究，有豐富的學術界與產業界可持續發展導向專案經驗。根據 MIT官網上的相關介紹，他近年專注於數位城市化與包容性發展研究，關注未來城市建設中以人為本的發展路徑，以及城鄉社區之間服務公平可及性的問題。

 

活動中，在紐英崙玉山科技協會新任副會長盧彥君介紹後，李孜向線上與實體與會者分享其對「人機共生」問題的最新思考，並以一套多層次分析框架說明：在人工智慧快速發展的背景下，個人、組織與社會如何重新理解判斷力、責任結構與協同治理。

 

李孜指出，面對科技變革、全球治理轉型與可持續發展等多重挑戰，人們需要的不只是技術工具本身，更是一種能夠連接技術、制度與社會需求的思考方式。他認為，人工智慧的真正價值，不僅在於提升效率，更在於如何幫助不同層次的決策者在複雜情境下形成更有前瞻性與公共性的判斷。

 

他表示，自己目前在 MIT 的研究，聚焦於跨領域政策與方法設計，試圖在數位化轉型的社會中，探索如何實現更具公平性、包容性與可持續性的創新路徑，並支持以社區為導向的共同發展。（修訂版）

怕1000萬元軟成本打水漂 中華公所17票通過哈露街50號超市縮水為10000平方英

中華公所主席雷國輝（中）主持3月份董事會議。（周菊子攝）

                   （Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導）紐英崙中華公所（CCBANE）哈露街（Herald）50號發展計劃中的“亞洲超市”，在3月31日晚的公所董事會投票中，有董事因資訊不足，1人反對，約6人棄權後，以17人贊成通過，超市尺寸將從2萬3000縮減為10,800平方英尺。

中華公所5名職員，右起，阮鴻燦，張青梅，雷國輝，余寶愛，伍振中。
（周菊子攝）

                  中華公所和開發商畢肯社區（Beacon Communities）合作，要蓋7層樓高，有117個100%可負擔住宅單位的哈露街50號開發案，已發出招標書，和NEI，Consigli，和Callahan等3家承包建築公司洽談過，由於NEI起初報價極高，開標前大幅降價1000多萬元，有內部組織混亂嫌疑，中華公所屬意和Consigli進一步商談。

哈露街50號發展案示意圖。（攝自會議現場）

          根據畢肯公司和中華公所的協議，為滿足波士頓市政府的設有亞裔超市要求，建造超市費用將由中華公所負擔，將來出租超市的收益，也歸中華公所。這意味著中華公所得為建造建25300平方英尺的大超市，得自行募款1900萬元。

中華公所房地產經理鄭欣豪當晚在簡報，在2025年內，中華公所發出招標書給99大華，H-Ｍart，Trader Joes等15家本地，甚至包括加拿大的超商，其中7家回應有興趣，到去年夏天時，剩下2家，卻因為開張時間得等到2028年，最後都變成沒興趣。中華公所和畢肯公司於是決定，亞裔超商這部分得重新考慮，目前面對的選擇方案有2個。

哈露街50號內超市方案示意圖。（周菊子攝）

          一是維持原議，蓋25300平方英尺的大超市，深挖地下室，闢出約20個停車位，其中3個留供畢肯公司員工使用。中華公所得自行募款1900萬元。

另一方案是縮小超市面積至10800平方英尺，沒有停車位，店面在一樓，中華公所需籌資900多萬元。

中華公所房地產顧問Genia Memetriades認為，由於在哈露街50號發展規劃中的超市，面積有限，深入地下室，缺乏停車位，超商興趣缺缺，大超市方案風險太大，中華公所可能面對損失1900萬元投資，還沒有租金收入的血本無歸結果。

中華公所房地產顧問Genia Memetriades（右二）表示大超市方案，
中華公所可能損失1900萬元，風險太大。（周菊子攝）

         中華公所主席雷國輝也強調，如果中華公所堅持要建大超市，將面對沒有租客簽約承租，銀行不願提供融資情況，如果是蓋小超市，900萬元是銀行可容忍的借貸範圍。再者，如果哈露街50號現在不繼續下去，中華公所過去8年來已經投入的諮詢顧問費，律師費，建設案畫圖費，證照費等大約1000萬元軟成本，將全數打水漂。

17票贊成，中華公所董事會通過小超市方案。（周菊子攝）

         雷國輝也提醒座中的中華公所董事們，哈露街50號發展案，已從聯邦，州，市政府等機構爭取到將近5000萬元的補助及抵稅優惠，再繼續拖延發展案進度，可能失去所有這些已獲得的補助批准，還要損失中華公所已經為這發展案花出去的巨額費用。

梁添光自嘲開會是陪坐。（周菊子攝）

中華公所董事梁添光在會中抱怨，“參加會議好似陪坐，你們好像在開小組會議，所以我們一無所知”，“應該間中扼要地把情況翻譯一下，要不然等一下投票，我們卻覺得莫名其妙”。梁添光還認為中華公所主席應該更嚴謹的主持會議，不要讓你來我往的討論，時間拖得太長，浪費了大家的時間。鄺元傑表示支持梁添光的看法。

           朱蘇珊提了些問題後表示，她覺得自己沒有獲得足夠資訊，看不到成本，補助金額與來源，有哪些選擇等資訊，難以贊成或反對。

中華公所2026年度第2次董事會議。(周菊子攝）

董事鄭慧民在會中要求主席把會議中展示的簡報資料，分享給所有董事。他也感嘆道，社區期盼的是華埠以後能有一個更現代，品質更好的超市，但現在的的感覺是「零希望」，「零期待」。

           中華公所董事雷國輝笑答，他也希望能為華人社區帶來一個更大，更優良的超市，但各方面資訊，他也很無奈。

中華公所2026年度第2次董事會議。(周菊子攝）

           原本座落於哈露街50號的中國超市，在去年7月租約結束後，轉為按月租貸，已於2月底遷出，搬到牛頓市，訂4月中開幕，也交回了鑰匙。中華公所正努力清理該物業內的鼠患及衛生問題。

            中華公所的2026年3月份董事會議，除了「改變哈露街50號設計方案，縮小25000平方英尺商用店舖為10632平方英尺，並減除停車庫」這提案，以17票贊成通過外，以193,018元造價，把華福樓活動空間改建為健身室的提案，也獲通過。

Governor Healey Encourages Businesses Affected by 2025 Extreme Weather to Apply for Federal Disaster Relief Assistance

Governor Healey Encourages Businesses Affected by 2025 Extreme Weather to Apply for Federal Disaster Relief Assistance 

  

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey is encouraging businesses in Essex, Middlesex and Worcester that experienced economic losses due to extreme weather from May 1 through June 18, 2025 to apply for newly-available low-interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA announced the availability of these loans earlier this week through a disaster declaration that covers parts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. 

  

"Our small businesses and nonprofits are the backbone of our communities. This assistance will help organizations in Massachusetts recover from the impacts of last year’s extreme weather and continue serving their communities," said Governor Maura Healey. “We want to make sure eligible businesses and nonprofits know this support is available and take advantage of these low-interest loans to help them recover and grow.” 

  

“This federal assistance is an important step in helping our small businesses and nonprofits recover from the lasting impacts of last year’s extreme weather,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. 

  

Under this declaration, eligible small businesses and private nonprofit organizations may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help cover working capital needs caused by the disaster, even if they did not experience physical damage.  These loans can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. 

  

The SBA offers affordable loan terms, including low interest rates and long repayment periods, to help ease the financial burden on impacted organizations. Applications are available online through the SBA’s secure website, and in-person assistance will be offered at SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers as they are announced.  

 

For more information about eligibility and the application process, businesses and nonprofits are encouraged to visit the SBA’s official website or contact the SBA Customer Service Center. 

第130屆波士頓馬拉松賽將有32494人參賽 中港台共1222人

波克萊台灣商會製作，要發給波士頓馬拉松賽跑者的紀念品圖片。（圖片來自Line群組）

         (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 波士頓體育會（BAA）今（3）日公佈，即將於4月20日舉行的第130屆波士頓馬拉松賽，將有來自137國，以及全美50州的32,494人參賽，其中麻州居民有4698人。

            根據波士頓體育會的參賽者名單，來自中港台三地的跑者，依序有805，175，242人。來自麻州的跑者中，依姓氏看至少有158名華人，其中住在波士頓的有25人，住在牛頓市的有14人。其他2個較多華人愛跑步的鎮為布魯克蘭鎮（Brookline），勒星頓鎮（Lexington），安多福鎮（Andover），依序有8，8，7人參賽。

            今年的這場長26.2英里，穿越8個市鎮的比賽，將有包括1800點名醫療志工的1萬多名志工，在現場服務。波士頓體育會透過美國銀行與193個非牟利機構合作的波士頓馬拉松賽官方慈善項目，籌得了超過目標今的5040萬元。將為各個比賽組別發出共148萬4500元獎金。

            波士頓體育會列出的10名著名跑者，分別為贏得2025年愛島季（Love Island Season）7 比賽的Bryan Arenales，1968年波士頓馬拉松冠軍Amby Burfoot，波士頓棕熊隊（Bruins）前隊長Zdeno Chara，作家暨活動家Chelsea Clinton ，Dropkick Murphys音樂家Jeff DaRosa，前凱特爾隊球員Chris Herren，前美國足球國家隊球員Kristine Lilly，2018年波士頓馬拉松賽冠軍Des Linden，太空人Suni Williams，以跑步為題材的網紅Laura Green。

            波士頓體育會預定4月15日為起跑線噴漆，4月16號為終點線噴漆。4月17日至19日，在海恩斯會展中心（Hynes Convention Center ）將有美國銀行波士頓馬拉松博覽會，在波士頓市政府廣場的波士頓馬塞翁粉絲節，以及山姆亞當斯跑者酒吧。

            在4月17日至20日中，每晚8點起，柯普利廣場費爾蒙酒店外牆將有燈光秀。

            4月18日將有麻州布瑞根癌症研究所主辦的波士頓5K賽，以及波士頓體育會的邀請賽，波士頓兒童醫院贊助的波士頓體育會青年賽。

            波克萊台商會創會會長游勝雄在十數年前發起的宴請台灣跑者龍蝦宴，後來因為從台灣來波士頓跑馬拉松的人數太多，改為召集台灣跑者在華埠的「天下為公」牌樓前大合照的傳統延續至今。現任會長陳冠中和前任會長陳奕如分別在Line群組中發送消息，提醒台灣跑者及波士頓支持者，今年的拍大合照時間，定在4月18日下午1點半至2點半。波克萊台灣商會不僅為此製作了一張波士頓馬拉松賽「台灣隊」海報，還製作了200個鑰匙圈，要當紀念品，先到先得的送給出席大合照跑者。報名連結: https://forms.gle/2XYJESGs1GeTUj2X6。（更新版）

Voting Rights Groups Challenge Executive Order on Mail-In Ballots as Illegal Interference in Elections

 Voting Rights Groups Challenge Executive Order on Mail-In Ballots as Illegal Interference in Elections 

President Trump’s unlawful executive order would take control of mail-in ballots from the states and create an unvalidated, error-prone system that would risk disenfranchising eligible voters

The president does not have constitutional authority to regulate elections. President Trump’s prior executive order on voting failed in court for the same reason.

Boston, MA – A coalition of voting rights organizations filed a lawsuit today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts challenging President Trump's March 31 executive order concerning mail-in voting. The Constitution explicitly states that only Congress and the states can set the rules for elections. Nevertheless, the order attempts to displace states’ mail-in voting laws by transforming the U.S. Postal Service from a neutral mail carrier to an arbiter of who may cast a ballot by mail.

The order also requires the Department of Homeland Security to build and give to each state a list of citizens eligible to vote. Given that federal databases are out-of-date and unreliable, this risks mass disenfranchisement of eligible voters. 

The suit was filed by the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, the League of Women Voters, Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO), U.S. Vote Foundation, OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates (OCA), and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

They are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), ACLU of Massachusetts, Brennan Center for Justice, Legal Defense Fund (LDF), Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), and LatinoJustice PRLDEF.

The plaintiffs and their counsel released the following statement:

"This executive order is an illegal and dangerous attempt by the Trump administration to eliminate accessible voting options and subvert our democracy by seizing control of election administration from the states and Congress. If implemented, it would disenfranchise eligible voters across the nation.

“Attempts to end voting by mail are part of the Trump administration’s larger strategy to undermine elections and subvert the will of the people. The U.S. Constitution is clear: the states and Congress — not the president — set the rules for our elections. President Trump tried to make an end-run around the Constitution with another executive order last year and was promptly rebuffed by multiple courts. History will repeat itself.

“This executive order would upend countless state laws and procedures regarding mail-in voting. It could deny eligible voters, including voters with disabilities, U.S. citizens living abroad, and military members and their family members, the right to vote by mail — and unknown numbers will be disenfranchised without that option. Far from improving elections, this executive order would create chaos for election officials, erode public confidence in our elections, and block Americans from exercising their most fundamental right and responsibility as citizens — voting. By taking the administration to court, we are standing up for the rule of law and the promise of our democracy.” 

向90 年代天后致敬MUSE演唱會 5/7 在劍橋市 The Sinclair 演出

公關公司提供

     （Boston Orange編譯）新英格蘭地區知名實力派唱將 Jacyn Tremblay 與 Lauren Rhoades 將於5 月7日以「繆思：向90 年代天后致敬（Muse: A Salute to Divas of the ’90s）」為主題，在劍橋市哈佛廣場的「聖克萊爾（The Sinclair）」演出。

Tremblay 與 Rhoades 曾是環球唱片（Universal/Motown）旗下流行/節奏藍調（R&B ）女子團體 JADA 的成員，合作20多年，2022年推出「繆思：向90 年代天后致敬（Muse: A Salute to Divas of the ’90s）」以來，她們帶領專業 Live Band 在各地劇院頻創完售紀錄，不但翻唱，而且為雪兒（Cher）、瑪丹娜（Madonna）、惠妮·休斯頓（Whitney Houston）及艾拉妮絲·莫莉塞特（Alanis Morissette）等巨星的經典曲目，重新注入充滿活力的現代現場感。

 

這場演出不僅是一場音樂會，更是一次集體集體回憶的共鳴，將 90 年代最具代表性的女性力量再次帶回舞台中心。

 

Jacyn Tremblay 表示，「這些音樂是永恆的，它大膽、感性，能瞬間讓人產生連結，」。Lauren Rhoades 則感性補充，這些天后的歌曲伴隨她們長大，她希望觀眾在旋律響起時，能重拾第一次聽見這些歌時的悸動。

 

本次演出也將這份懷舊情懷轉化為實際社會影響力。主辦方與公益組織 The Shout Syndicate 合作，每售出一張門票，將提撥 0.25 美元，用於資助波士頓地區青少年的藝術發展。這場在 The Sinclair 的演出將是該團隊今年度最重要的一站。

 

「繆思：向90 年代天后致敬（Muse: A Salute to Divas of the ’90s）」演唱會將於5 月 7 日（週四）晚上7點或8點，在麻州劍橋市The Sinclair（52 Church St, Cambridge, MA 02138）演出。購票可上網https://www.sinclaircambridge.com/events/detail/1338121，或追蹤社群： Instagram @musedivas | @jacynthegirl | @laurenrhoades

Massachusetts Senate to Vote on Budget that Lowers Taxes on Housing Construction, Sends Money to Municipalities, Invests in Education and Statewide Transit

 Massachusetts Senate to Vote on Budget that Lowers Taxes on Housing Construction, Sends Money to Municipalities, Invests in Education and Statewide Transit   

Bill pairs innovative policy changes with generational investments in schools and statewide transportation  

 

(BOSTON—4/2/2026) Next week, the Massachusetts Senate will debate a supplemental budget bill that spurs new multifamily housing construction, boosts the family medicine workforce, and eases strained municipal budgets with regionally equitable Fair Share investments. 

 

The legislation was approved today by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.  

 

The supplemental budget, S.3041, includes innovative policy proposals to eliminate the sales tax on housing construction materials and deliver scholarships to UMass Medical graduates who agree to deliver care to underserved populations in Massachusetts after graduation. 

 

The bill utilizes $1.34 billion from the Fair Share surtax on high-earning households to make investments in public education and transportation across the state. The Senate plans to debate the legislation during a formal session on Thursday, April 9. 

 

Education funding includes $150 million for early education and care initiatives and $232 million for special education costs and local reimbursements, while transportation investments feature $535 million for MBTA and commuter rail programs and improvements and $218 million for statewide road and bus supports, including municipal funding relief for winter storm expenses. 

 

“By including innovative policy solutions with strong investments, in this budget we are going beyond just allocating funding,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “We are lowering taxes to spur housing, building our health care workforce, and protecting our immigrant neighbors, on top of making generational investments in statewide transit and education. I’m grateful to Chair Rodrigues for his leadership in delivering this bill, and I look forward to voting on it next week.” 

 

“This Fiscal Year 2026 consolidated supplemental budget prioritizes municipal relief and regional equity, makes meaningful Fair Share investments in education and transportation, and is fiscally responsible by mitigating near-term revenue impacts associated with federal tax changes,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “It strives to boost the family medicine workforce pipeline through a higher education scholarship program, eases strained municipal budgets with statewide Fair Share investments and fosters conditions to boost the state’s housing stock. I want to thank Senate President Spilka for her steadfast support and all of my Senate colleagues for their input throughout this process and look forward to further improving this bill during the full Senate debate next week.” 

 

Sales Tax Exemption to Spur Housing Construction 

 

The legislation would incentivize production of new affordable, moderate-income, and middle-income housing units by creating a new sales tax exemption for building materials, supplies, and other related costs associated with approved multifamily projects. The exemption would be capped at $35 million annually.  

 

To target production in areas with the greatest need, the program focuses on projects that include at least 15 per cent affordable units and projects in communities where the median household income is below 120 per cent of the average household income. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) would be tasked with prioritizing project approval. 

  

Scholarships to Boost the Primary Care Workforce 

 

The Committee’s bill takes a novel approach to improving recruitment and expanding the workforce of family medicine physicians in Massachusetts. The legislation creates a new pilot scholarship program to provide free tuition to medical students pursuing family medicine at the UMass Medical School if they commit to staying in Massachusetts and serving populations in need. 

 

Eligible students would complete their degree and then practice family medicine in Massachusetts for at least five years at a community health center or within a hospital system that serves low-income patients. The legislation funds the pilot program with $10 million in Fair Share revenues. 

 

Robust Aid to Ease Strained Municipal Budgets 

 

In an effort to relieve extraordinary strains on local town and city finances, the legislation provides an infusion of $391 million in targeted aid to ease municipal budgets. Following recent severe storms, the supplemental budget sets aside $100 million for municipal winter relief, including $20 million specifically marked for communities that weathered especially severe storm impacts.  

 

The bill would also send relief to school districts with $232 million for special education costs, including $32 million in immediate relief by increasing reimbursement rates for the current fiscal year. Other municipal aid includes $25 million to assist with the costs of regionalizing smaller school districts; $15 million for the literacy launch initiative to improve educational outcomes and support accelerated literacy growth for learners from kindergarten through 3rd grade; $7 million for maintenance of unpaved roads; $2.5 million for school-based mental health support and wraparound services; and $1 million to help public school districts implement bell-to-bell cell phone-free school policies. 

 

The bill advanced today by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means is a new draft of legislation previously passed by the House of Representatives on March 18, 2026, and based on a bill filed earlier in the year by Governor Maura Healey. 

 

In addition to the supplemental budget’s more than $1 billion in Fair Share investments for education and transportation, the legislation makes nearly $500 million in supplemental appropriations from FY26 general fund revenues. That supplemental spending includes: 

 

·       $300 million for Group Insurance Commission costs driven by higher-than-anticipated utilization and pharmaceutical expenses. 

·       $41.7 million for Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) staffing, supporting caseworkers responsible for administering core assistance programs, and implementing recent federal eligibility changes. 

·       $20 million for increased Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) fuel assistance, supporting households with children, veterans, disabled and elderly persons facing strain with their heating bills because of the colder than average winter. 

·       $12.3 million for Committee for Public Counsel Services court costs, including expert witness and vendor services tied to elevated caseloads. 

·       $1 million for legal services to increase access to legal representation, advice, and advocacy for immigrants and refugees who are facing enhanced legal threats from the federal government. 

All committee votes are publicly posted on the Legislature’s website. Additional details of legislation up for consideration by the Senate are included in fact sheets available in the Senate press room.