查理貝克提2023預算案 年收1萬6以下免繳州稅 總減額7億元

             (Boston Orange 編譯)麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker) 1月26日遞交485億元的2023年預算案，提議給麻州居民減稅7億元，包括低收入人士可免繳麻州所得稅，重訂麻州物業稅，加倍給耆英及父母的抵稅額等等。

             查理貝克說，幾乎所有的東西都在漲價，對很多人來說，過去這兩年很辛苦，我們是想要幫忙，而我會很高興看到議員們認真考慮這提案。

             雖然在提議減稅優惠之際，查理貝克並沒有提出更廣泛的加稅來彌平減稅可能出現的缺口。他指出，去年的稅收盈餘，使得減稅行動是可負擔的。他的預算案也以麻州在醫療護理上的開支會降低為基準，打算增撥4億8500萬元給麻州的學校，另額外撥款2億5000萬元來幫麻州退休金應付轉帳需要。

             查理貝克的財務卿Michael J. Heffernan表示，稅賦不是零和遊戲，”我們沒有為這7億元犧牲任何的服務或項目，一點也沒有”。

查理貝克的助理說，目前，麻州單獨報稅者中年收入8000元以下人士，14,400元以下的一家之主，以及年收入低於16,400元的聯合報稅人士，可獲免申報麻州所得稅。在查理貝克的提案中，該依標準將提高為$12,400元，$18,650元，以及$24,800元。估計可為23萬4,000名納稅人節省4100萬元。

查理貝克還想大幅度改變麻州物業稅。目前包括華府 ( D. C.)，僅有12州在人死後收物業稅。根據AARP這組織，麻州對100萬元以上物業，收稅0.8%到16%。在課稅各州中，麻州和奧勒岡州(Oregon)都是全美最低的。

查理貝克想要把這課稅起限提高至200萬元，而且只針對超額部分課稅。目前的做法是，物業價值超過100萬元這標竿，所有的金額都要課稅。麻州官員表示，這一改變將為2500名納稅人提供2億3100萬元的減免。

查理貝克的預算計畫也將低收入耆英可以申報的最高抵減額，從1170元加倍至2340元，以彌補物業稅，並允許881,000繳交租金的人，在報稅時的最高扣減額，從3000元提高到5000元。

查理貝克還想讓為受扶養者，或托兒護理申報的可償還抵稅減免加倍，約等於70萬戶家庭可得到共約1億6700萬元的紓緩。

查理貝克還提議短期資金盈收的稅率降至5%，削減他預算辦公室訂定的罰則，為大約15萬人共節省1億1700萬元。查理貝克和他的助理把這形容為在越來越多人擁抱遠距工作的環境下，這是使麻州更有競爭力的做法之一。

查理貝克的預算案送到麻州議會後，會有什麼結果，還有待後續發展。麻州議會領導們26日聽到預算案大概後，表示要看細節，才知道贊不贊成。 

Baker-Polito Administration Files Fiscal Year 2023 Budget and Tax Relief Proposals

$48.5 billion budget filed alongside comprehensive tax relief plan

 

BOSTON — The Baker-Polito Administration today filed its Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget proposal, a $48.5 billion plan that continues to support economic growth across Massachusetts and sustains efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic, while fully funds the Student Opportunity Act, and making key investments in other critical areas, including housing and health care.

 

Alongside this fiscally responsible and balanced budget proposal, submitted as House 2, the Baker-Polito Administration is filing a comprehensive tax proposal to provide relief for housing and childcare costs, eliminate the income tax for hundreds of thousands of low-income taxpayers, and maintain Massachusetts’ competitiveness. The proposed changes would allow nearly $700 million to remain in the hands of taxpayers on an annual basis starting immediately in tax year 2022.

“Our Fiscal Year 2023 budget will help position Massachusetts strongly for the future by making key investments to support economic growth, sustain our nation-leading educational system, and support the health and wellbeing of our residents,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “At the same time, we are able to grow our reserves to historic levels and offer a tax relief proposal that will provide substantial relief for low-income seniors and working families. We look forward to working with our legislative colleagues to adopt a spending plan for FY23 that supports a strong and equitable economic recovery across the Commonwealth.”

 

“The FY23 budget recommendation maintains our Administration’s strong support for cities and towns with another increase in local aid consistent with tax revenue growth alongside other substantial investments to help the economic growth and development of Massachusetts communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “This plan takes advantage of our strong fiscal position to increase opportunity for individuals and families and continues our work in priority areas including treatment and prevention of substance addiction, sexual assault and domestic violence, promoting equality and diversity, and increasing access to education, job skills training, and high-value careers.”

 

“The Baker-Polito Administration is proud to submit an FY23 budget that is fiscally responsible, brings the Rainy Day Fund to record levels, and makes significant investments to support those who need it most, all while affording tax cuts that will help hundreds of thousands of taxpayers across the Commonwealth,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan. “We look forward to collaborating with the Legislature in the coming months to finalize a spending plan that continues to support growth, opportunity, and recovery across the state while limiting future budgetary risk.”

 

Tax Relief Proposal

The comprehensive tax relief plan filed today alongside the FY23 budget includes proposals that will provide $700 million in tax relief to low-income families and residents and maintain Massachusetts’ competitiveness. With a strong revenue picture and the budget projecting a significant deposit in to the Stabilization Fund, the Commonwealth can afford to provide this relief for working families and seniors. The plan proposes to:

 

• Double the maximum Senior Circuit Breaker Credit to lower the overall tax burden for more than 100,000 lower-income homeowners aged 65+
• Increase the rental deduction cap from $3,000 to $5,000, allowing approximately 881,000 Massachusetts renters to keep approximately $77 million more annually
• Double the dependent care credit to $480 for one qualifying individual and $960 for two or more, and double the household dependent care credit rate to $360 for one qualifying individual and $720 for two or more to benefit more than 700,000 families
• Increase the Massachusetts adjusted gross income (AGI) thresholds for “no tax status” to $12,400 for single filers, $24,800 for joint filers, and $18,650 for head of households, which will provide direct relief to more than 234,000 low-income filers
• Double the estate tax threshold and eliminate the current “cliff effect” that taxes the full amount below the threshold
• Change the short-term capital gains tax rate to 5% to align the Commonwealth with most other states

 

House 2 Fiscal Overview

The proposed FY23 budget is based on the $36.915 billion consensus tax revenue estimate, which anticipates a 2.7% growth in total collections over revised FY22 tax estimates. House 2 recommends a total of $48.5 billion in authorized spending and transfers, excluding the Medical Assistance Trust Fund transfer, which is approximately 0.5% above Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22).

 

Through fiscally responsible policies and in close collaboration with the Legislature, the Baker-Polito Administration has brought the budget into structural balance and built up financial reserves to historic high levels. With a current balance of $4.64 billion, the Stabilization Fund is already more than four times greater than its balance at the start of the Administration.

 

The House 2 budget includes a $749 million increase to the Stabilization Fund, which, in combination with projected FY22 transfers, will grow the fund to an all-time high of $6.64 billion by the end of FY23.

 

Providing Record Investments in Massachusetts Students

In the House 2 budget, an increase of $591.4 million is recommended to fully fund the Student Opportunity Act, including $485 million in Chapter 70 funding, with a focus on school districts serving low-income students, for a total of $5.989 billion. The FY23 proposal also includes a $41 million increase over FY22 for special education circuit breaker reimbursement for cities and towns, and a $64.8 million increase in charter school reimbursement funding.

 

House 2 recommends $31.1 million to scale up college and career pathway programs for high school students with a focus on equity and recruitment of high-need student populations. This funding will allow over 17,100 students, representing 6% of all Massachusetts high schoolers, to enroll in these programs.

 

The FY23 budget proposal also includes a $1.45 billion investment for college readiness, affordability, and degree completion. This funding includes more than $155 million in financial aid grants, including $18 million to support an expansion of the MASSGrant Plus program that will enable all low-income, in-state undergraduate students to attend public higher education without incurring debt for mandatory tuition and mandatory fees – the largest increase in financial aid in over two decades.

Investing in Housing Stability

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the state’s existing housing challenges and brought further economic instability for many across the Commonwealth. In House 2, the Administration proposes historic reforms and investments in rental assistance, re-housing benefits, and housing vouchers to expedite recovery and create long-lasting improvements in housing stability and access to homeownership. Building on the Eviction Diversion Initiative (EDI), which has distributed more than $500 million in state and federally funded rental assistance to individuals, families, and landlords in crisis, House 2 significantly expands state funding and eligibility for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) and HomeBASE programs, with the goal of reducing evictions and homelessness.

 

The budget recommends $80 million for RAFT, an increase of $58 million (264%) above FY22, which will support a permanent benefit limit increase to $7,000 over 12 months, versus $4,000 pre-pandemic, and serve an estimated 15,000 households, up from 5,000-6,000 previously. $56.9 million is recommended for HomeBASE, a $30.9 million (119%) increase above FY22, to serve more than 4,100 families in FY23, versus a projected 1,885 in FY22. It will also support an increase to the maximum benefit from $10,000 over one year to $20,000 over two years, which will allow for more extensive and flexible support to households.

 

House 2 also proposes reforms to the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) to maximize utilization of mobile vouchers and align benefits with federal rental assistance programs operated by the same local housing authorities. $145.6 million is projected to be available for MRVP in FY23, an increase of 223% since FY15, which will support a reduction in tenant rent share from 40% to 30%, projected to benefit more than 9,000 households across the Commonwealth, and a shift to a new payment model to give families more housing choice and flexibility.

 

Expanding Affordable Childcare Options

House 2 provides $802 million in funding for the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), an increase of $273.9 million (52%) since 2015. This funding includes $693.7 million in funding for income-eligible and DCF- and DTA-related childcare, which incorporates $53.9 million to annualize the implementation of a more equitable parent fee scale that improves childcare affordability. The updated fee scale will result in virtually all subsidized families paying a fee that is 7% of their income or less in FY23.

Expanding Health Care Services for the Most Vulnerable

The House 2 budget proposal protects core programs and builds on investments made over the last seven years with meaningful health care reforms that will expand services for and reduce the burden on the most vulnerable, while improving the accessibility of equitable, world class care for all Massachusetts residents.

 

The budget recommends $17.811 billion gross / $7.169 billion net for MassHealth, which includes $115 million to expand outpatient and urgent behavioral health services informed by the Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform, a multi-year blueprint that incorporates feedback from hundreds of individuals, families, providers, and other behavioral health stakeholders. The MassHealth budget recommendation also incorporates an increase of $21 million to expand the Medicare Savings Program, which will reduce out-of-pocket health care spending and prescription drug costs for approximately 34,000 low-income seniors and disabled individuals.

 

The Administration is also proposing new investments to support families that are fostering children in the care of the Department of Children and Families and encourage recruitment of additional foster parents, including $13.4 million that will support approximately 4,500 families who provide care for 6,700 children.

 

Promoting Diversity and Opportunity

The FY23 budget proposal builds on the Administration’s longstanding commitment to promoting equality and opportunity for communities of color with more than $20 million invested in targeted DESE college and career pathway programs, including Early College, Innovation Pathways, and Dual Enrollment programs. It also maintains over $30 million for other initiatives aligned with the recommendations of the Governor’s Black Advisory Commission (BAC) and Latino Advisory Commission (LAC). This funding includes support for YouthWorks Summer Jobs, small business development, financial literacy, and workforce training.

 

House 2 provides $3.9 million to the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) to continue its work to ensure accountability and compliance with diversity goals, oversee agency diversity spending, and audit and review spending data.

Encouraging Economic Growth and Development

House 2 continues the Baker-Polito Administration’s focus on promoting economic growth, opportunity, and equity for communities across the Commonwealth. The proposal includes $4 million for the Small Business Technical Assistance Grant Program to support an estimated 1,500-2,000 entrepreneurs and small businesses, especially those owned by women, immigrants, veterans, and people of color. House 2 proposes $7.5 million for the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant program.

 

This budget maintains support for the Career Technical Initiative, providing $17.9 million in total funding across the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) and DESE. The initiative is designed to address the worker shortage and skills gap in the trades and technical fields, including plumbing, HVAC, manufacturing, and robotics, and it offers industry-recognized credentialing and career pathways with training aligned to apprenticeships and post-secondary degrees.

 

These investments build on the Administration’s work through the COVID-19 pandemic to support more than 15,400 businesses across the Commonwealth with over $700 million in relief. This program – the largest per capita state-sponsored business relief program in the nation – prioritized aid for specific economic sectors and demographics known to be the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and worked with a wide range of partners to ensure businesses that needed it most applied to the program. 

 

Addressing Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have created additional challenges for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. The Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Polito, has continued to work closely with community partners and stakeholders to ensure that survivors and their families have access to necessary services and supports.

 

House 2 furthers these efforts by recommending $123.4 million in total funding for services dedicated to the prevention and treatment of sexual assault and domestic violence, a 91% increase in funding since FY15.

 

Substance Addiction Treatment and Prevention

The Administration, working closely with the Legislature, has nearly quadrupled funding for substance addiction treatment and prevention since taking office. These efforts have helped the Commonwealth add more than 1,200 patient treatment beds, including more than 800 beds for adults at varying treatment levels. House 2 proposes $543.8 million in total funding across multiple agencies for a wide range of harm reduction, treatment, and recovery programs that support individuals struggling with substance addiction and programs that work to prevent substance addiction through education, prescription monitoring, and more.

 

THE BAKER-POLITO ADMINISTRATION’S FY23 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS BY NUMBERS

 

Supporting Local Government

 

• Increases the Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) investment by $31.5 million compared to the FY22 budget, consistent with the expected 2.7% growth in tax revenue and keeping a promise made by Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito at the outset of their administration
• Total UGGA investment of $1.2 billion to local cities and towns across the Commonwealth
• Under the Baker-Polito Administration, total annual UGGA has increased by $253.9 million
• $6 million in funding for Community Compact related programs including best practices and regionalization and efficiency grants, an increase of $2.4 million (66%) above FY22
• $4.8 million for the Public Safety Staffing Grant Program managed by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
• $3 million for district local technical assistance

 

K-12 Education

 

Fully funds the landmark Student Opportunity Act, adding a total of $591.4 million in new spending.

• $485 million in Chapter 70 funding, for a total Chapter 70 investment of $5.989 billion
• $41 million increase for special education circuit breaker reimbursement for local cities and towns
• $64.8 million in additional funding for charter school reimbursement

In addition to Chapter 70, provides $952.8 million for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, including $31.1 million to scale up proven programs that will develop and expand college and career pathways for more than 17,100 high school students, a $12 million increase above FY22 funding

Early Education and Childcare

$802 million for Early Education and Care (EEC), an increase of $273.9 million (52%) since FY15. The recommendation includes:

• $53.9 million to annualize the implementation of a more equitable parent fee scale that improves childcare affordability across the Commonwealth
• $9.2 million across the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and EEC that would provide childcare subsidy access for individuals participating in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training programming
• $5.5 million across the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and EEC to increase enrollment of DCF-involved children in childcare and expand a temporary childcare program to reach more children and provide additional wraparound services

Higher Education

$1.45 billion for the Department of Higher Education, University of Massachusetts, and state universities and community colleges, which includes:

• More than $155 million in financial aid grants, including $18 million to support an expansion of the MASSGrant Plus program that will enable all low-income, in-state undergraduate students to attend public higher education without incurring debt for mandatory tuition and mandatory fees
• $22 million in financial aid for Massachusetts students attending private institutions
• $8.8 million for foster care financial aid and fee waiver programs to maintain support for over 1,400 students attending private and public campuses who are currently or were previously in DCF custody and care, or who have been adopted through DCF

 

Housing and Homelessness

$716.5 million for the Department of Housing and Community Development, a $132.4 million (23%) increase above FY22, including:

• $213.2 million for the Emergency Assistance family shelter system
• $145.6 million for MRVP to support more than 9,000 vouchers in FY23, an increase of 223% since FY15
• $85 million in funding for Local Housing Authorities
• $83.3 million, a $25.4 million (44%) increase above the FY22 GAA, for Homeless Individual Shelters
• $80 million for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT), an increase of $58 million (264%) above FY22
• $56.9 million for HomeBASE Household Assistance, a $30.9 million (119%) increase above FY22
• $12.5 million for the DMH Rental Subsidy Program, a collaborative program through which DMH provides mental health services and DHCD provides rental assistance
• $8.2 million for Housing Consumer Education Centers to help renters and homeowners secure and maintain stable housing
• $5 million to continue an innovative model to create new housing opportunities with wraparound services for chronically homeless individuals

 

Economic Development

• $10 million for a new direct appropriation supporting the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, a quasi-public agency tasked with building the life sciences community in Massachusetts
• $7.5 million for the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant program to support development in socially and economically disadvantaged communities
• $4 million for the Small Business Technical Assistance Grant Program for entrepreneurs and small businesses, especially those owned by women, immigrants, veterans, and people of color
• $2.5 million for Advanced Manufacturing Training

Labor and Workforce Development

 

$440.1 million for workforce development programs and initiatives across a wide range of state agencies, a $191.3 million (77%) increase since the Administration took office

• $16.9 million in total funding to continue transforming vocational high schools into Career Technical Institutes running three shifts per day to provides pathways to high-demand vocational trade careers, including plumbing, HVAC, manufacturing, and robotics
• $16.2 million for the YouthWorks Summer Jobs Program to subsidize summer job opportunities and provide soft job skills education for youths
• $600,000 for a new appropriation to expand research and analytics capabilities to enhance data-driven workforce development strategies

 

Health and Human Services

• $230 million for Chapter 257 human service provider funding under the new rate methodology that better reflects the cost of benchmarking direct care and clinical staff wages
• $115 million to expand outpatient and urgent behavioral health services 
• $21 million to expand the Medicare Savings Program, reducing out-of-pocket health care spending and drug costs for approximately 34,000 low-income older adults and disabled individuals
• $10 million in grants to local health departments to support municipalities' capacity to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic
• $671.9 million for the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, a $400.1 million (147%) increase since FY15
• $84.1 million to fully fund the Turning 22 program at DDS
• $1.191 billion for the Department of Children and Families, an increase of $363.6 million (44%) since 2015, including $13.4 million to support families that are fostering children in DCF care and to encourage recruitment of new foster families
• $49.3 million for the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home, a $13.2 million (37%) increase above FY22, which supports the Fall 2022 opening of a new 154-bed state-of-the-art Community Living Center.

Substance Addiction Prevention and Treatment

$543.8 million provided in FY23 across a variety of state agencies, an increase of $424.5 million (356%) since FY15. Funding includes:

• $184.1 million for a variety of treatment and prevention services at the Department of Public Health
• $260 million through a Section 1115 Substance Use Disorder (SUD) waiver from the federal government
• $31 million for inpatient treatment beds operated by the Department of Mental Health
• $65.9 million across public safety and law enforcement agencies, primarily for the provision of medication-assisted treatment

 

Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence

$123.4 million across the budget, a 91% increase since FY15, which includes:

• $56.1 million in funding for the Department of Public Health to carry out domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and survivor services, as well as emergency and transitional residential services for victims and their children
• $42.9 million for providing shelter, services, and housing assistance for individuals and families who are victims or at risk of domestic abuse in their current living situations
• $7.9 million for statewide sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) programs for adults and adolescents in hospital settings and pediatric SANE programs in child advocacy centers
• $2 million to expand services for survivors of human trafficking, including $1 million through the Safe and Successful Youth program and $1 million in a new appropriation in the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security

Promoting Equality and Opportunity

 

More than $50 million supporting the recommendations of the Black Advisory Commission (BAC) and the Latino Advisory Commission (LAC), including:

• $23.1 million to support higher education and career pathways for high school students in underserved communities through the Early College, Innovation Pathways, and Dual Enrollment programs
• $4.8 million for the STEM Starter program across 15 community colleges
• $4.5 million to support the YouthWorks Summer Jobs program
• $5.9 M for Adult Basic Education (ABE)
• $2.5 million for the Urban Agenda program
• $1.9 million for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund
• $3.9 million for the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO)

Transportation

• $1.512 billion in total budget transfers for the MBTA
• $456 million for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), including $95 million for snow and ice operations and $3.4 million to support implementation of new funds provided through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
• $94 million for Regional Transit Authorities
• $11.6 million for the Merit Rating Board

 

Energy and the Environment

• $4 million for the Summer Nights program, an increase of $2.7 million (208%) versus FY22 funding
• $30.5 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program, which will provide more than 27.4 million nutritious meals for individuals and families
• $3.7 million for climate change and adaptation preparedness
• $1.3 million to expand the Swim Safe Massachusetts program to enhance and promote water safety

 

Criminal Justice and Public Safety

• $14.3 million to support for the 87^th and 88^th Massachusetts State Police Recruit Training Troops, which are expected to bring on 175 new troopers each
• $78.3 million in total funding for re-entry and diversion programming across the Commonwealth, a $42.6 million (120%) increase since 2015
• $12.3 million in funding for the Shannon Grant program to fund anti-gang and youth violence prevention efforts
• $10.4 million to fully fund tuition and fee waivers for National Guard members
• $8 million for the Municipal Police Training Commission to implement bridge academies, expand training capacity, and annualize training requirements such as de-escalation and school resource officer trainings

$5.8 million is also provided for new appropriations supporting the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission and four other commissions created in the Police Reform bill.

 

Securing and Modernizing Government IT

$164.1 million for the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security to support:

• Management of Cyber Security Operations Center (SOC)
• Continued migration of applications and infrastructure to cloud, third-party on-premise, and Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Continuation of EOTSS customer engagement initiative to enhance IT and security service offerings across Commonwealth agencies 
• IT strategy consulting services in support of priority state agency and cross-secretariat initiatives
• Business intelligence (BI) and data analytics support for state agencies
• Centralized software and IT contract compliance program

 

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

MAYOR WU APPOINTS BRANDON CARDET-HERNANDEZ TO BOSTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

MAYOR WU APPOINTS BRANDON CARDET-HERNANDEZ TO BOSTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

BOSTON - Wednesday, January 26, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the appointment of Brandon Cardet-Hernandez to the Boston School Committee, to serve a four-year term. The Boston School Committee is the governing body of Boston Public Schools. “I’m excited to announce the appointment of Brandon Cardet-Hernandez to the Boston School Committee,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Brandon is a lifelong advocate for students and brings a diverse range of experiences to the committee. His dedication to equity in the classroom and beyond has rooted his work as an organizer, an educator, and policy-maker. We look forward to having his expertise and commitment on the BPS team.”  "I am thrilled to welcome Brandon Cardet-Hernandez to the Boston School Committee as our newest colleague, and another great advocate for students and families of the Boston Public Schools,” said Boston School Committee Chairperson, Jeri Robinson. “Mr. Cardet-Hernandez has an extensive background in working with and advocating for equity and excellence for young people. I look forward to working with him and hearing his unique perspectives as he comes to us with a plethora of experience in NYC public schools and beyond. I’d also like to thank Mr. Cardet-Hernandez for his commitment to serving on this committee for the benefit of our students, families and educators.”  "I am excited to welcome Brandon Cardet-Hernandez to the Boston School Committee. His commitment to advancing equity and access for all young people is apparent in his work, and I look forward to partnering with him as this final appointment completes the full school committee,” said Superintendent Brenda Cassellius. “His experience in the classroom, his work with LGBTQ+ youth and with children who need special education, and his work in NYC schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, prepare Mr. Cardet-Hernandez for this moment on the school committee as we continue to lead through this challenging time. The School Committee plays a vital role in giving our students a quality, world-class and equitable education. Mr. Cardet-Hernandez is going to add great value to the committee as we continue to partner together to ensure our students, families and staff have the best possible experiences.”  Brandon Cardet-Hernandez is currently the Executive Director of The Ivy Street School. Through residential and day programming, Ivy Street centers learning through a therapeutic approach. In addition, through the Skills for Life division, Ivy Street works with families and school districts to help neurodiverse students strengthen the healing and skill development needed to transition into adulthood. He has devoted his career to advancing equity and access for young people. A life-long educator, Cardet-Hernandez has worked as a community organizer, college and career counselor, and special education teacher. Most recently, Cardet-Hernandez served as the Senior Education Advisor to Former New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio, overseeing key initiatives, including the nation's largest expansion of early childhood education, the design and launch of a citywide Restorative Justice and Social-Emotional Learning program, and key elements of the Mayor's signature Equity and Excellence Agenda. Notably, he handled the COVID-19 emergency response in NYC public schools. Previously, as a public school principal at The Urban Assembly Bronx Academy of Letters, Cardet-Hernandez led a turnaround team in a dynamic re-envisioning of school culture and instruction, bringing the school from a 53% graduation rate to 85% and exceeding the citywide average in graduation and college readiness. Cardet-Hernandez has also worked as the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the NYC Department of Education, guiding strategy for the city's most struggling schools. He lives in South Boston with his husband and 4-year old son. "I am honored to serve as the newest member of the Boston School Committee and I am looking forward to partnering with the incredible educators, parents, students, and community leaders who have been tirelessly working to accelerate equity, access, and justice in our schools," said Brandon Cardet-Hernandez. "Throughout my career, I have worked to strengthen and build the conditions that allow our young people - particularly those who are most vulnerable - to thrive. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring my experiences in the classroom and in education policy to support our Boston Public School students, families, and educators." The School Committee is responsible for: Defining the vision, mission, and goals of the Boston Public Schools; Establishing and monitoring the annual operating budget; Hiring, managing, and evaluating the Superintendent; and Setting and reviewing district policies and practices to support student achievement.   The School Committee meets approximately twice per month during the school year to adopt, review and modify policies and practices that support teaching, learning and improved student achievement. With the exception of executive sessions, Committee meetings are open to the public, feature public comment periods and are broadcast on Boston City TV. Cardet-Hernandez joins Dr. Stephen Alkins as Mayor Wu’s recent appointments to the Boston School Committee. The term will run four years. Mayor Wu previously reappointed Lorena Lopera and Rafaela Polanco García to the Boston School Committee, to serve the remainder of terms that end on January 1, 2024.

億元創業家朱為亭 (Tiffany Chu) 出任波士頓市長幕僚長

(Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 2022年二月，也是農曆寅虎年正月時，現年僅37歲，麻省理工畢業，和夥伴攜手創辦的都會交通規畫公司Remix甫於去年3月被Via以一億美元併購的朱為亭 (Tiffany Chu) ，將出任波士頓市長幕僚長。 畢業於哈佛大學，和朱為亭同歲的波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)希望借重朱為亭在城市規劃與交通科技上的專長，以及曾任舊金山環保局委員等資歷，逐步實現她改造波士頓的承諾。 波士頓環球報的意見版在 1月26日的凌晨3點，先發佈了這一消息，接著波士頓市長吳弭今早發了推特，波士頓市政府在早上8點發出新聞稿，波士頓環球報再於9點52分另發了一篇新聞報導。 朱為亭年紀雖輕，資歷豐富。當年她從麻省理工學院的建築系，到紐奧良市當過城市設計學者，在舊金山的Pixar動畫工作室當技術實習生，又去法國巴黎的H2o建築師事務所當過設計助理，再回麻省理工學院的人行道實驗室做城市研究員，為舊金山創意家居雜誌Dwell寫稿，在波士頓的Continuum作項目發展設計師，再進麻省理工學院媒體實驗室做設計策略研究員，後來還當Zipcar的用戶體驗研究員暨設計師。 From Remix website 2014年1月，朱為亭到舊金山當「為美國編程 (Code for America) 」研究員，成就了她的人生轉捩點。在那兒，她遇到了設計師哈希米（Sam Hashemi），工程師葛特曼（Dan Getelman）與威倫（Danny Whalen），4個人一起參加”黑客松 (Hackathon)”比賽，設計出手機小程式，讓民眾向舊金山交通局建議更好的交通工具行走路線，沒想到2星期就有3萬張地圖被畫出來。               在這種熱情引導下，他們4人成立了Remix，還從Y Combinator這家創投公司募得200萬元的種子輪資金，還接到奧勒岡(Oregan)交通局這第一個客戶，然後在追捧氣勢持續中，他們又募得2700萬元，最後在2021年3月被分佈五大洲有500多個合夥機構的按需共享汽車公司Via以一億美元收購。 朱為亭在Remix，起初是營運長，2019年接掌執行長，Via收購後留任為資深副總裁，以政府為對象，研發可協助政府改善交通的軟體工具。 綜觀領英 (LinkedIn) 與網路上有關她的報導，朱為亭也是那種「別人家的小孩」，高中就已經很優秀，以第一名的成績從新澤西州橋水高中 (Bridgewater-Raritan)畢業，既是學校的交響樂團成員，會彈鋼琴，吹橫笛，擅打網球，又和同學創辦慈善組織「人居 (Habitat for Humanity)」，還讀梅山中文學校，畢業後留校當助教。 朱為亭和吳弭都是父母來自台灣的第一代移民子女，都是學霸，具備中英雙語能力。儘管波士頓環球報今日同時刊出一篇標題為「民主瀕危」的報導，形容吳弭和新上任的非洲裔駐麻州美國檢察官Rachael Rollins都因為性別，種族，遭遇語言、行為霸凌，華裔社區對於他們倆人帶領波士頓市邁向未來，應該還是很有期許。 MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES TIFFANY CHU AS CHIEF OF STAFF Chu is a technology and transportation expert, who will bring leadership and innovation skills to City Hall

BOSTON - Wednesday, January 26, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the appointment of designer and planner Tiffany Chu as her Chief of Staff. Chu will begin transitioning into the role next month.  Chu is the former CEO & Co-founder of Remix, a software platform for transportation planning, and a former Commissioner of the San Francisco Department of the Environment. She will play a crucial role in advancing Mayor Wu’s transportation and climate justice priorities. She will work alongside the Mayor and lead the Mayor’s Cabinet in implementing equitable policies that reach all of Boston’s neighborhoods. Chu will be responsible for overseeing daily operations and long-term initiatives of the Mayor’s Office, and encouraging collaboration between City departments, local organizations outside City Hall, and other levels of government on behalf of Boston residents. From Remix website “Tiffany brings a bold vision for what cities can do and how innovative teams can reshape what’s possible,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Her planning and team-building skills have already made impacts around the world. I’m confident that as our next Chief of Staff, she will bring our communities together to deliver on our brightest future.” Tiffany Chu brings a background in design, urban planning, and entrepreneurship. She is the former CEO & Co-founder of Remix, and following the acquisition of Remix in March 2021, she became Senior Vice President at Via, the global leader in transit tech. Remix’s collaborative software platform for transportation planning is used by the MBTA and 500+ cities globally, and aims to build a more equitable world by expanding access within it. The company has been recognized as a Tech Pioneer by the World Economic Forum and BloombergNEF for furthering sustainability and equity in the field. The acquisition of Remix by Via was one of the largest software acquisitions last year. Chu has also served as a Commissioner of the San Francisco Department of the Environment and sat on San Francisco’s Congestion Pricing Policy Advisory Committee.  "I have long been inspired by Mayor Wu and the new energy and inclusiveness her administration represents,” said Chief of Staff Tiffany Chu. “I am so incredibly honored to return to a city that I love and can't wait to get started and strengthen Boston's legacy as one of the most welcoming and livable cities in the world." Chu is preceded by Mary Lou Akai-Ferguson, who served as Mayor Wu’s Interim Chief of Staff. “Tiffany’s appointment is a huge win for Boston, and I look forward to seeing how her drive and expertise will create change,” said Mary Lou Akai-Ferguson, former Interim Chief of Staff. “As Boston continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and make progress as a national leader in transportation and climate justice, I know Tiffany will leave a lasting legacy. Congratulations!” Previously, Chu was at Code for America, Y Combinator, Zipcar, and Continuum. She's been named in Forbes' 30 Under 30, LinkedIn's Next Wave of Leaders Under 35, and featured at SXSW, Helsinki Design Week, the New York Times Cities for Tomorrow Conference, and more. Chu has a degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) School of Architecture and Planning.  Chu is a first generation Taiwanese American. A few of her favorite things around Boston include the Charles River Esplanade, seafood at Giacomo’s, and the City’s walkability.

Chang-Diaz, Allen and MassDem respond to Charlie Baker's State of the Commonwealth address

查理貝克州情咨文 陳翟蘇妮批評 Danielle Allen感謝 麻州民主黨為黨拉票

 Sen. Chang-Díaz responds to Gov. Baker’s State of the Commonwealth Address

BOSTON, MA - Massachusetts State Senator and candidate for Governor Sonia Chang-Díaz responded to Governor Baker’s State of the Commonwealth address tonight:

People across Massachusetts are looking for a Governor who will face problems with the urgency and tenacity that these times demand. We are still in the middle of a roiling pandemic and big issues, like climate change, are staring us in the face. I am disappointed to say that Bay Staters did not see that urgency in their Governor tonight. The people of Massachusetts deserve more.

We need a pandemic response that prepares for predictable problems ahead of time and prioritizes Bay Staters’ health and safety. We need to tackle the root of our statewide housing crisis by investing in our affordable housing stock and stabilizing neighborhoods. We need to actually phase in the Student Opportunity Act on schedule and expand early education access. And we need to fight climate change and close our racial wealth divide.

We know that these things are possible. But first, we need to elect leaders who won’t sit on the sidelines waiting to act — we need a Governor who’s not afraid to take on tough fights and act with urgency, even when it’s not politically expedient.

Danielle Allen’s Statement on the State of the Commonwealth

Boston, MA – Gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen issued the following statement in response to this year’s State of the Commonwealth address:

“It’s been an incredibly tough two years in Massachusetts — whether it’s the pandemic, the climate crisis, racial injustice, or the strains on our democracy. Tonight, Governor Baker acknowledged just how difficult it’s been. I want to thank him and Lieutenant Governor Karen Polito for their work on these issues and for their dedicated public service. I was glad to hear they are working on a transportation bond bill. The devil will be in the details, and I hope it will rise to the challenge of achieving an ambitious transportation agenda. Their commitment to giving low-income workers, families, and seniors a break on taxes is also good to see, but there is also so much more work to do on lowering the cost of living, improving the quality of life, and investing in the people of Massachusetts.

“Despite these steps, times continue to be incredibly tough for families all across the Commonwealth. The job isn’t about getting back on track, because for too many Massachusetts families, we’ve been off the rails for a long time. We need to work together to reimagine what is possible for our state. This is not a time for business as usual. It’s a time for bold and decisive action. I got into this race to give Massachusetts voters a choice between the political status quo and a perspective ready to meet the moment.

“We need to tackle the housing crisis and the climate crisis, and lay the groundwork to emerge from this pandemic and build the green and healthy next-generation democracy we all deserve. And we can get there by committing to it — together. To a roof over every head, to electrifying our trains so we can get to work efficiently and fight the climate crisis, and to justice, health, and safety for all. To a democracy we can count on and where we all count. We need to commit as One Commonwealth, and get it done. That’s how we move forward — by linking arms, and forging a path towards transformation. Together.”

Statement from Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford on the State of the Commonwealth

“Imagine a State of the Commonwealth delivered by Geoff Diehl. Need another reason to vote Democrat?”