AG HEALEY PARTNERS WITH MASS BAR ASSOCIATION, GREATER BOSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO ANNOUNCE STUDENT LOAN BANKRUPTCY ASSISTANCE PROJECT

AG HEALEY PARTNERS WITH MASS BAR ASSOCIATION, GREATER BOSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO ANNOUNCE STUDENT LOAN BANKRUPTCY ASSISTANCE PROJECT

            BOSTON – Taking a new approach to the problem of unrepresented student loan borrowers facing personal bankruptcy, Attorney General Maura Healey announced the launch of a statewide Student Loan Bankruptcy Assistance Project with the Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA) and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. 

The new initiative – a product of the Student Debt Working Group launched in 2016 by AG Healey and Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Rooney – will match a panel of pro bono attorneys and law firms with distressed students who may be eligible to have student loans discharged in bankruptcy. The MBA will recruit and train volunteer attorneys to work with borrowers in need.

“The student debt crisis is a significant challenge that we face as a state and as a country, making it difficult for students and families to invest in their future,” AG Healey said. “This project will benefit some of our most distressed student borrowers – people who can’t afford the legal services they need and have nowhere else to turn. I thank Massachusetts Bar Association and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce for their partnership in helping student borrowers get their financial lives back on track.”

“Unrepresented people present a challenge to all participants in the bankruptcy system: creditors, court personnel, the judges, and of course to the debtors themselves,” said U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Frank Bailey. “We as a court have long offered resources, regular clinics, and referrals to a network of legal aid agencies where debtors can receive free legal representation. I welcome the addition of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Student Loan Bankruptcy Assistance Project to the roster of free legal services available to unrepresented debtors and commend Attorney General Maura Healey for her leadership on this important project.”

“Student debt has become a real crisis for many low-income borrowers, including attorneys and others who work in the public interest or for a non-profit,” said MBA President Christopher P. Sullivan. “Our Student Loan Bankruptcy Assistance Project will make sure these folks have someone in their corner as they seek relief from the massive weight of their student debt.”

“The MBA’s resources are fully committed to this project, and the lawyers on the MBA's litigation panel are ready to accept cases now,” said Francis C. Morrissey, co-chair of the MBA’s Student Loan Bankruptcy Assistance Project. “Anticipating the growing need for legal assistance in this area, we will also offer additional training later this spring to lawyers who wish to volunteer.”

“Reducing the burden of student loan debt is a critical issue for our region as we focus on developing and maintaining our reputation for having the most talented workforce in the world,” said James E. Rooney, President and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. “We are so proud of the work being produced by the Student Debt Working Group, and we are incredibly grateful to the MBA’s leadership in creating this Student Loan Bankruptcy Assistance Project as well as to the lawyers who will volunteer their time to provide support to student borrowers experiencing hardships.”

Under current law, the Bankruptcy Code provides for the discharge of student debt only upon a showing of “undue hardship” on the debtor and his or her dependents. Because the legal standard for discharge of a student loan in bankruptcy is onerous, very few people – even of those who pursue bankruptcy to discharge other debt obligations – seek to discharge their student loans.

Pursuing student loan discharge through bankruptcy can be complicated for many eligible student borrowers who are not able to effectively represent themselves or afford the representation they need. Analysis of bankruptcy filings has demonstrated that borrowers with knowledgeable representation have a much greater likelihood of success than borrowers without counsel.

As part of the new Student Loan Bankruptcy Assistance Project, the MBA has established a panel of volunteer attorneys and law firms willing to represent student borrowers in adversary proceedings seeking to discharge student debt in their bankruptcy cases. Attorneys will consider the student’s current and future inability to pay and any other factors that may affect that ability over the long term, in preparation for a possible bench trial.

Student borrowers will be referred to the program from a variety of sources, including the Attorney General’s Student Loan Assistance Unit, the National Consumer Law Center, the Volunteer Lawyers Project, and members of the consumer bankruptcy bar. In addition, the MBA will create a web page that borrowers can visit, which will have helpful information about the program, including how to request pro bono assistance from the panel.

Over the past year, the Student Debt Working Group – which has brought together leaders from the business community, non-profits, and government to exchange ideas for improving access to higher education – have come together to discuss strategies to reduce unaffordable debt, increase transparency in student lending, and learn about programs at colleges and universities to create more affordable paths to graduation and into the workforce and help employees manage and repay their loans.

In November, AG Healey and Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Rooney issued a report highlighting the group’s accomplishments, recommendations, and initiatives underway to help student borrowers and address the student loan debt crisis.

Massachusetts borrowers who are looking for student loan help or information should visit the AG’s Student Lending Assistance page or call AG Healey’s Student Loan Assistance Unit Hotline at 1-888-830-6277. 

BOSTON RECOGNIZED BY BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT SERVICES

BOSTON RECOGNIZED BY BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Boston one of nine U.S. cities awarded certification for Bloomberg Philanthropies' "What Works Cities" program

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Thursday, January 25, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that in recognition of Boston's commitment to the use of data and analytics to improve residents' quality of life, Boston has achieved a "Silver" Certification from Bloomberg Philanthropies' "What Works Cities." Boston was one of only nine cities to receive certification among the more than 200 who applied, making Boston a national leader in the use of evidence and analytics to increase government effectiveness. Mayor Walsh and Boston received this certification during the 86th Winter Meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) in Washington, D.C. "In Boston, we work every day to ensure our residents receive the best, most helpful City services -- and by using data and analytics, we're able to most effectively deliver these services," said Mayor Walsh. "Boston is guided by big ideas and hard work, and I'm proud our City has been recognized nationally for our work to improve residents' lives, whether our help is as simple as making it easier to get a moving permit, or as meaningful as ending chronic veterans' homelessness."   Boston was selected in March 2016 as one of Bloomberg Philanthropies' "What Works Cities," and then applied to the Certification program when it launched in March 2017. "We are honored to be working with Mayor Martin Walsh and the City of Boston, which well deserves Certification for its achievements," said Simone Brody, Executive Director of What Works Cities. "Boston's work with data and analytics is inculcated throughout city government, where programs and policies are focused on improving residents' lives as a regular part of governing." Ongoing technical assistance from What Works Cities and their partners, including the Government Performance Lab, helped Boston attain Certification by adopting contracting and procurement best practices across several departments: The Hubway bike share system is expanding by 50 percent without spending additional public dollars, while also improving user experience and increasing access to the bike share system for low-income and minority communities; The City is committed to creating equal opportunities for businesses of all kinds in Boston, including launch of a Small Business Center; The $6 million spent each year through asphalt resurfacing contracts is now tied to performance; through increased data-sharing and performance-based payments, the City will make sure work is done on time, safely, with minimal disruption to residents, and using high-quality materials. The Public Works Department is now expanding this results-driven contracting approach to all capital programs. Boston's silver Certification also recognizes other work underway across the City, including: Ending chronic homelessness by 2018 with innovative new software for Boston's Way Home;   Working to create 53,000 new units of housing at a variety of income levels, to ensure growth and prosperity in every corner of Boston; Launching Analyze Boston to create more transparency around City data; Using data for everything from improving EMS response times to tackling double-parking; Making data-driven investments through the Fiscal Year 2018 budget; Testing different communication methods in order to increase resident engagement through: Targeted emails to new residents about information like parking permits, voter registration, and trash day, resulting in two times the typical level of engagement; Evaluated different approaches to social media posts, including a "Now Hiring" campaign that resulted in a 77 percent jump in traffic to the Career Center website. The Certification process also provides Boston with a blueprint for ongoing improvement. Through "What Works Cities," Boston will share insights with a community of peers, helping cities lead the way on big challenges ranging from equity to climate change. This certification builds on Imagine Boston 2030, Boston's first citywide plan in 50 years. Imagine Boston 2030 will guide growth to support Boston's dynamic economy and expand opportunity for all residents. The plan prioritizes inclusionary growth and puts forth a comprehensive vision to boost quality of life, equity and resilience in every neighborhood across the City. Shaped by the input of 15,000 residents who contributed their thoughts to the plan, Imagine Boston 2030 identifies five action areas to guide Boston's growth, enhancement and preservation, and is paired with a set of metrics that will evaluate progress and successes. In addition to Imagine Boston, the Walsh Administration also launched CityScore in 2016, a metrics driven program and first-of-its kind tool created by the City of Boston to provide Mayor Walsh, city staff and residents a way to understand the overall health of Boston by scoring the city's performance on individual metrics and delivering a single, indicative number to see how operations are going on a day-to-day basis. CityScore continues to provide real-time data on how city services are operating, and has lead to increased investments and improved services, including improving EMS response times.

麻州2019會計年度預算409億美元

Governor Baker Releases Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Proposal

$40.9 billion budget invests in mental health services, substance misuse, local aid, education, workforce development and deposits money into the Stabilization Fund

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration filed its Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) budget proposal, a $40.9 billion spending plan that invests historic funding levels for local communities, provides tax relief to working families, and increases funding for education, substance misuse, and mental health services.

“This fiscally responsible budget continues to support every community in the Commonwealth—without raising taxes on the people of Massachusetts,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “Through tax credits, new programs and increased investments, our proposal will support working families as well as small businesses and enhance programs to make college more affordable, fight the opioid epidemic and get workers the skills they need to compete for better jobs.  We look forward to working with the Legislature in the coming months to pass a sustainable and balanced state budget.”

“The local aid and Community Compact investments in our budget proposal reaffirm our commitment to serving as a reliable partner to cities and towns across the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Our proposal will also fund a new State Police class, important public safety grants for municipalities, as well as youth and domestic violence prevention programs, further strengthening safety in our cities and towns.”

“Our Fiscal Year 2019 proposal maintains structural balance, protects and rebuilds the Rainy Day Fund, keeps spending in line with recurring revenue and manages the growth of MassHealth spending,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan. “This budget continues to make progress on improving the Commonwealth’s long-term fiscal health.”

The FY19 budget proposal, known as House 2, relies on a consensus revenue tax estimate of $27.594 billion, which is 3.5% growth over the revised FY18 tax revenue projection. House 2 increases overall spending by 2.6% and keeps MassHealth growth to 0.5% over FY18 estimated spending.

House 2 relies on less than $100 million in non-recurring revenue, and anticipates a deposit of $96 million into the Stabilization Fund, which would bring total reserves to $1.463 billion, an increase of 30% since the Baker-Polito administration took office.

The fiscally responsible plan makes investments across key areas without raising taxes or fees to balance the budget.

Support for Working Families

The administration proposes to increase the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 23% of the federal credit to 30%, which would provide about 450,000 individuals with relief in Fiscal Year 2020, the first year this change would go into effect. In 2015, the administration worked with the Legislature to raise the EITC from 15% of the federal credit to 23%.

Reducing Burden for Small Business Owners

The administration proposes to cut the filing fee for forming a limited liability company (LLC) in Massachusetts in half to $250. The Commonwealth’s LLC filing fee is one of the highest in the country.

House 2 also supports the new veteran tax credit for smaller businesses, which was first proposed by the Baker-Polito administration and enacted by the Legislature in FY18. Businesses with 100 or fewer employees are eligible for a two-year $2,000 annual tax credit when they hire and retain an unemployed veteran.

Local Education Aid to Historic Level

House 2 includes $4.865 billion in local education aid, an all-time high. FY19 funding includes $15 million for schools districts that have experienced significant levels of enrollment of students from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that were displaced by Hurricanes Maria and Irma. The budget also proposes $24.3 million in Chapter 70 aid for districts as a down payment on the rising cost of healthcare, which was the biggest recommendation from the Foundation Budget Review Commission.

Higher Education

The administration’s proposal includes over $100 million in scholarship assistance for students pursuing post-secondary education at campuses across the Commonwealth, including $7.1 million to double the MassGrant program for community college students. This new MassGrant funding is the largest increase in scholarship assistance in over a decade and will help close any remaining gap in financial aid for tuition and fees for all full and part-time students at the Commonwealth’s 15 community colleges.

House 2 also proposes $3 million in new support for an early college program that will focus on engaging student populations who are currently underrepresented in college and encouraging students to enter STEM fields.

Strengthened Behavioral Health Services

House 2 recommends an increase of $93.2 million for the Department of Mental Health (DMH), which includes a significant investment in funding for DMH’s Adult Community Clinical Services, DMH’s redesigned community-based service model for adults with serious mental illness. The new model will integrate behavioral and physical health to provide active and assertive outreach and engagement, continuous clinical coverage, and include peer and recovery coaches as part of the treatment plan.

New Substance Misuse Recovery Program at MASAC

To strengthen overall treatment and aftercare services provided to civilly committed individuals, the administration recommends $12.8 million, including a $3 million increase, for the Massachusetts Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center (MASAC) in Plymouth. This new funding will support the hiring of new substance abuse counselors and implementation of a new Medication Assisted Treatment Reentry Initiative tailored to meet the needs of the civilly committed population at MASAC.

Children and Families

Since taking office, the administration has led reforms at the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and has increased funding by $132.8 million to support the hiring of approximately 600 new employees to address the critical infrastructure needed to run the agency, including over 300 social workers. House 2 recommends nearly $1 billion for DCF, a $20 million increase over FY18 spending, which will support the continued hiring of new staff dedicated to serving the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable children.

Housing

The administration recently announced the Housing Choice initiative to encourage municipalities to plan for and build the diverse housing stock the Commonwealth needs to address affordable housing challenges. House 2 has nearly $3 million in new funding to provide this program incentives, grant funding, and technical assistance.

Good Government Reforms

To bring the Commonwealth in line with other states and private sector employers, the Baker-Polito administration proposes to cap accrued sick time for executive branch and higher education employees to 1,000 hours.

In order to level the playing field between hotels, motels, and transient accommodations, the Baker-Polito administration proposes to require operators who rent rooms for 150 or more days per year to collect and remit room occupancy tax. The proposal also permits the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue (DOR) to enter into voluntary agreements with intermediaries who facilitate short-term rentals for the collection of room occupancy tax.

THE BAKER-POLITO ADMINISTRATION’S FY19 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS BY NUMBERS

Fiscal Overview

·       Nearly eliminates the inherited structural deficit by reducing the budgeted use of one-time revenues to under $100 million, down from $1.2 billion in FY15.

·       Anticipates a deposit of $96 million into the Stabilization Fund.

Supporting the Commonwealth’s Communities

·       $1.099 billion in unrestricted general government aid (UGGA), a 3.5% or $37 million increase over FY18, equal to the consensus revenue tax revenue growth rate.

·       $6.8 million in Community Compact-related programming.

·       Holds the line on no new tax rate increases.

Addressing College Affordability

·       $7.1 million in new funding to double the MassGrant program for community college students. This funding will close any remaining gap in financial aid for tuition and fees for all students at the Commonwealth’s 15 community colleges.

·       $3 million in new support for an early college program that will focus on engaging student populations who are currently underrepresented in college and encouraging students to enter STEM fields.

·       $250,000 increase for the recently expanded Commonwealth Commitment program, which allows students to begin their post-secondary education as a community college and transfer to a state university and save on the cost of a traditional bachelor’s degree.

Health and Human Services

·       $25 million to continue fully-funding the Turning 22 class at the Department of Developmental Services.

·       $16.5 million, including $2.3 million increase, to support a $12 per elder formula grant, to provide additional funding for local Councils on Aging.

·       The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) renewed efforts to support economic mobility and employment for individuals and their families will be aided in this budget by $4 million to build on efforts to get people back to work in sustainable jobs and on a path to long-term self-sufficiency.

Substance Misuse and the Opioid Epidemic

·       $149.2 million in funding at the Department of Public Health (DPH) to support efforts to fight the opioid epidemic including:

o   $63 million in residential services;

o   $21 million in continued investment in step-down and transitional beds;

o   $4 million in youth step-down, transitional, and residential services;

o   $4 million in Section 35 step-down beds for civilly committed individuals.

·       $13.2 million to continue investment in Section 35 beds for civilly committed women at Taunton State Hospital.

·       $5 million to a new Substance Use Prevention, Education, and Screening Trust Fund, which will help identify and implement effective, comprehensive prevention and intervention programs and tools for students.

·       $2.5 million for the Commonwealth’s five recovery high schools, which will be transferred from DPH to DESE to better serve the educational needs of students who are in recovery from alcohol and drug misuse.

MassHealth

·       Over the past three years, the administration has worked hard to continue to bring the MassHealth growth rate to a sustainable level --  1.3% growth in today’s proposal, down from an unsustainable 14.9% in 2015.

·       Included in today’s proposal is an innovative approach to drug purchasing that will allow MassHealth to maximize value for the Commonwealth and maintain robust access to prescription drugs for its members, including implementing new negotiation and price transparency levers.

Public Safety

·       $59 million to fully-fund the new clinical contract at Bridgewater State Hospital to continue supporting the significant improvements to patient care.

·       $15.9 million, including $3.8 million in new funding, for the recently created State Police Division of Homeland Security and Preparedness to support consolidated counter-terrorism, opioid interdiction and criminal intelligence operations that were previously spread across other divisions.

·       $10.7 million for a new class of 200 officers and instructors at the Department of Correction.

·       $7.7 million for a new State Police class of 100 recruits, the third new State Police class funded since the Baker-Polito administration took office.

·       $250,000 to support doubling the daily pay rate for National Guard soldiers and airmen performing active state duty, consistent with legislation Governor Baker filed in December.

Transportation

·       $584.8 million investment in the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, including the MBTA and Regional Transit Authorities, an 8% increase over FY18 spending.

·       A nearly $1.032 billion sales tax transfer this year, an increase of $25.1 million over FY18. This funding is in addition to $127 million in operating budget support, in combination with $60 million in capital funding that will be included in the FY19 capital budget.

·       Since the FMCB was formed in 2015, the MBTA has made significant progress on reducing its annual operating deficit, including reducing the projected FY18 operating budget deficit from $335 million to a projected $50 million.

Workforce Development and Economic Development

·       $4 million increase to support approximately 20 additional grants for training and certification programs to bridge the skills gap.

·       $2 million for the Small Business Technical Assistance Program, to provide technical assistance, education, and access to capital for small businesses.

·       $1.7 million in new support at the Executive Office for Housing Economic Development to provide grants to regional workforce organizations to train unemployed and underemployed individuals in advanced manufacturing.

·       $1.5 million in new funding to support the development of accelerated certificate programs at community colleges in information technology, healthcare, and manufacturing, and $700,000 to fund over 400 new apprenticeships in these fields.

·       $1 million increase, $3.9 million total, for the Connecting Activities program at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), which provides paid internships for 10,000 high school students, prioritizing participation in STEM fields.

·       $1 million in new funding to support the development of post-secondary Vocational Institutes in manufacturing and other high-demand sectors, through collaborations among voc-tech high schools, community colleges, universities, and employers.

·       $500,000 increase, for total support of $2 million, for the STEM Pipeline Fund at EOE to support planning and implementation grants for high schools to establish Innovation Pathways in partnership with local employers.

Energy and Environmental Affairs

·       $2 million in new funding for municipal technical support, climate science, and targeted investments in environmental justice.

·       $17.7 million in FY19 funding will support nearly 20 million healthy and nutritious meals through the Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Food Assistance Program.

·       $625,000 to support a new environmental police class of ten officers who will oversee protection of the Commonwealth’s natural resources, marine recreation, and hunting and fishing industries.

·       Allow for $20 million in retained revenue at the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to protect over 450,000 acres of parks, forests, beaches, bike trails, and watersheds

·       $450,000 for the School of Marine Science and Technology at UMass Dartmouth, as well as full support for the Commercial Fisheries Industry Based Survey at $400,000 to continue enhancing the science behind the management and regulations of the Commonwealth’s fisheries.

To access the Governor’s filing letter, budget message, and specific account information click here.

MAYOR WALSH APPOINTED HOUSING CHAIR FOR UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF MAYORS

MAYOR WALSH APPOINTED HOUSING CHAIR FOR UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF MAYORS

Mayor Walsh to lead national conversations and work on increasing access to affordable housing for working families

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Wednesday, January 24, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh was today appointed Housing Chair for the United States Conference of Mayors Community Development and Housing Committee. In his role as Chair, Mayor Walsh will lead the Conference's work on housing, and work with mayors across the country to tackle housing and community development challenges. Mayor Walsh was appointed chair during the 86th Winter Meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) in Washington, D.C. "Housing is a key fundamental to my goal in Boston, and our goal as a nation: to create and sustain a strong middle class," said Mayor Walsh. "I look forward to sharing the successes of Boston's hard work with my fellow cities, and look forward to learning even more from my fellow mayors about what housing strategies have worked in their cities."   Additional leadership members of the committee include Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, Providence, RI, Vice Chair; Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Allentown, PA, Vice Chair; and Mayor John Giles, Mesa, AZ, Vice Chair for Workforce Housing. "With cities like Boston and Seattle facing many shared challenges as we work to make more affordable housing available and help our neighbors experiencing homelessness move toward permanent housing, I look forward to collaborating with Mayor Walsh in his role as Chair of the Housing and Community Development Committee to help make our cities more affordable, inclusive, and vibrant places to live," said Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan. The Walsh Administration has been a leader in ambitious and innovative work to build, sustain, and promote affordable housing for its Boston residents. Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030 is the Walsh Administration's comprehensive housing plan. Under this plan, Boston will create 53,000 new units of housing at a variety of income levels throughout Boston, including 44,000 units of housing for the workforce; 5,000 units of housing for senior citizens; and 4,000 units to stabilize the market and bring rents and housing prices under control. During his second inaugural address earlier this month, Mayor Walsh also pledged to increase Boston's targets for low-income homes, moderate-income homes, senior housing, and overall units. Since the 2014 implementation of Housing a Changing City, 13,551 new units of housing have been completed. With an additional 8,412 units currently under construction, the City has secured housing for an estimated 25,000 residents, making significant progress in meeting Boston's rapid population growth. The City remains on target to meet the production goals. To date, the Walsh Administration has committed more than $100 million in funding to the creation and preservation of affordable housing. As part of the Administration's work to stabilize housing in the City of Boston, it has taken an innovative approach to addressing housing: Mayor Walsh launched both the Office of Housing Stability, responsible for programs that assist Boston residents in a housing crisis -- whether due to eviction, landlord-tenant disputes, rent escalations, unplanned loss of housing, or any other rental housing emergency -- as well as the Housing Innovation Lab, which pioneers ideas to bring down the cost to build, buy and own homes in the City of Boston. The Office of Housing Stability develops programs like Boston's tenants' rights guide, which works to prevent displacement. The Housing Lab pilots programs like Boston's Intergenerational Homeshare Pilot, which matches older residents who have a spare bedroom with students seeking an affordable place to stay. Earlier this week, Mayor Walsh also filed a citywide ordinance establishing guidelines and regulations to better track and regulate short-term rentals in the City of Boston. The new regulations put forth in the ordinance aim to capture the growth of Boston's growing home-share industry, while including deterrents to help prevent operators from monopolizing Boston's housing market with short-term rentals. The overall goal of the ordinance is to responsibly incorporate the growth of the home-share industry into Boston's work to create affordable housing for all. In addition to Boston's work to build and maintain housing, Mayor Walsh has also pledged to end chronic homelessness in the City of Boston. Boston has already ended chronic veterans homelessness in Boston. As of October 31, 2017, 413 chronically homeless individuals have been housed in the City of Boston. Boston's Way Home, the City's action plan to end chronic homelessness, focuses on a housing-first model. Rather than counting on shelter as the solution to the issue, the housing-first model means an individual's entrance into the shelter system is also their entrance to a path toward permanent, stable housing. In his 2018 inauguration speech, Mayor Walsh also announced the launch of Boston's Way Home Fund, which will raise $10 million over the course of four years. These privately-raised funds will be used to create 200 new units of supportive, sustainable, long-term housing for chronically homeless men and women.

TREASURER DEB GOLDBERG ANNOUNCES FIRST IN THE NATION STATEWIDE SALARY NEGOTIATION TRAINING PROGRAM FOR WOMEN

TREASURER DEB GOLDBERG ANNOUNCES FIRST IN THE NATION STATEWIDE SALARY NEGOTIATION TRAINING PROGRAM FOR WOMEN “Just Ask!” Workshops to be Held at Colleges Across Massachusetts

BOSTON – Today Treasurer Goldberg announced the creation of “Just Ask!” the first in the nation state-wide salary negotiation training program with workshops for women. This program will provide women with the tools they need to overcome the negative impacts of wage inequality. This new initiative is launched in collaboration with the Massachusetts Community Colleges Executive Office, the Community Colleges Presidents, the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Facilitators for the workshops will be trained members of the Commission on the Status of Women and workshops will be held at the fifteen community colleges across the state. Both the Commission and colleges will serve as outreach ambassadors to attract participants to the workshops. These initial workshops are licensed by AAUW and will be geared toward women entering the workforce. They will be two hours and will educate participants on recognizing the gender wage gap and will give them the tools they need to be successful.

“With this new, statewide salary negotiation program, we are helping women across Massachusetts to ‘Just Ask!’ to be paid what they are worth, because when women are paid equally, we all benefit,” said Treasurer Deb Goldberg. “These workshops will give women the essential tools they need to empower themselves in the workplace, especially during salary negotiations.”

“We applaud the Commonwealth for taking legitimate actions on multiple fronts to close the gender pay gap and to ensure positive change that impacts women, their families, and the state economy,” said Kim Churches, the chief executive officer of AAUW. “There’s no silver bullet to closing the pay gap, but with these workshops, women can begin to chip away at their own personal pay gaps and earn what they are worth in the marketplace.” "Closing the wage gap is critical, not only for our female students but also for the economic health and well-being of the Commonwealth,” said Ellen Kennedy, president of Berkshire Community College. “When we invest in our students and give them resources to make a positive change, we empower them to invest in themselves.” "This program will address a critical issue and continue our mission of promoting rights and opportunities for women throughout their lives. The gender wage gap affects every family in our state and actively addressing wage inequality through salary negotiation will give women the resources they need to achieve economic security," stated Jill Ashton of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.  Former Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Murphy and founder and president of The Wage Project said, "The gender wage gap will only be eliminated when working women and allies act to ensure that women are paid fairly. It is critical that every working woman understand how to negotiate to get paid her worth in the marketplace and act on her own behalf."

On day one, Treasurer Goldberg created the Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE), led by a deputy treasurer, with the deliberate goal of implementing a range of economic empowerment initiatives that include closing the gender wage gap, increasing access to financial education, improving college affordability, and investing in STEM careers and education. For more information on OEE visithttp://www.mass.gov/treasury/empowerment or follow @EmpowermentMA on Twitter.