波士頓環球報長文探討波士頓公校系統怎麼了

             (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓公校系統在張欽堂 (Tommy Chang) 之後，即將於今年6月辭職的Brenda Cassellius，又是到任僅約3年就去職。波士頓環球報調查報導小組2月19日發表一篇文章質問，波士頓市的公立學校系統到底怎麼了?

             對7年級學生來說，今年秋天，他們會看到第5位公校總監。這樣的變動，幅度似乎太大了些。

             經由Metco計畫，把自己11歲兒子從波士頓公立學校轉學到衛斯理(Wellesley)的一名多徹斯特母親，Vanesa Morales說，所有這些變動及過度，令人沮喪，對學生也不公平。

             關於波士頓損耗公校總監的聲譽又被強化了，人們有很多指責聲，一點也不令人意外，而且各種說法很多，包括波士頓的政治格局高深莫測，讓市長加強了對教育的控制，近來的公校總監缺乏經驗 (張欽棠和Brenda Cassellius之前都沒管理過大型的市區公校系統)。

             波士頓高等教育資源中心執行主任，曾參與前2次的波士頓公校總監搜尋委員會的Samuel Acevedo說，麻州內沒有其他城市像波士頓這樣，同時有各種聲音，以及有權勢的關係人士(有些是官員，大部分是非官方人士)，可以決定他們會有什麼樣的日子，或者他們是否能夠執行排定的事務。”那是不斷失敗的祕方”。

             根據當時位於洛杉磯，還是非牟利機構的博德(Broad)中心於2018年發表的一份公校總監在位年數報告，張欽棠和Brenda Cassellius的在位時間都不到全美公校總監平均任期的一半。該報告稱，過去15年來，在100大學區中，公校總監平均6年後才離任。

             波士頓市在1992年時把學校委員會改為指派制，以期有穩定的領導層。起初也的確穩定。在萬寧諾 (Tom Menino) 市長在位的20年間，他指派的學校委員會共聘用了2名公校總監，Thomas Payzant服務了11年，Carol Johnson服務6年。這2人都經驗豐富，而且很重要的是，他們都有市長完整及耐性的支持。Thomas Payzan曾經是美國教育部助理部長，之前也擔任過好幾各學區的公校總監，包括奧克拉荷馬市和聖地牙哥市。Carol Johnson曾經擔任曼菲斯(Memphis)及明尼阿波利斯(Minneapolis)的公校總監。

             在1996年，選民要投票決定學校委員會是否改回選舉產生的那一年，發生了一件很出名的事，萬寧諾市長在市情咨文中公開挑戰波士頓居民，說是如果學校沒有改善，就嚴厲的批評他。結果選民拒絕了這個想法，決定給萬寧諾一個機會來整頓學校系統。

             去年秋天，波士頓的選民們卻以壓倒性多數，通過了無約束力的公投，呼籲回復學校委員會經由選舉產生的做法。波士頓市議會正在草擬因應提案。

            “波士頓人支持選舉產生的學校委員會”主席Lisa Green表示，這改變是需要的，因為波士頓市長在過去這些年間對波士頓公校控制過多。已經發生過無數次這樣的狀況，公校總監就他們已公開宣佈的應辦事項採取行動時，後來卻因為不符合市長的政治利益而突然轉了方向。

             許多教育支持者及家長說，波士頓前任市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)把他個人對學校的控制帶到了另一個層次，有時候顯得是要削弱他的公校總監和他所指派學校委員會的力量。

             一名曾在波士頓公校中心辦公室任職的行政人員匿名表示，那全都是鏡花水月的木偶戲，如果他們直接說明那是市長控制的學校系統會更好。

             當年馬丁華殊市長採取的行動是新設內閣職級的教育長這職位。許多公校支持者認為那是要把權力從公校總監手中拿走。教育長監管高層級的學術計畫，包括擴大幼稚園之前的學位，重新設計高中等。

             波士頓市政府在發展「建造波士頓公校 (BuildBPS)」，這項有10億元的長期計劃上，也重重插上一手，誓言市長在競選路上承諾要翻新和更換學校。那計畫引起人們恐懼猜測，在學區掙扎著因應註冊入學人數急遽下降之際，市長在悄悄的計畫關閉一些學校。不過馬丁華殊否認此說。

             馬丁華殊也好幾次公開批評張欽棠。例如2016年，他從新聞報導中獲悉張欽棠想要改變波士頓公校的入學許可要求，波士頓公校正在組織顧問委員會探討時，就說「我不認為現在是討論這事的正確時機」，直接打擊該計畫。那個顧問委員會也因此成立了，卻從未開會。

             2017年時，馬丁華殊又批評張欽棠沒告訴他，美國國稅局在關切學校對學生活動經費的管理，儘管那部分的關切，其實是國稅局在稽核市政府整體稅務處理時的一部分。

             前任波士頓學校委員會委員Miren Uriarte說，張欽棠不是一個結構及營運方面的人才，我們聘請他是因為他是一名強而有力的指導型人才，結果我們要求他來執行「建造波士頓公校」…..，我們的確是在讓人失敗。

             在Brenda Cassellius當公校總監時，馬丁華殊在和工會談判，以及2020年秋季時，該在什麼時候和如何重新開放學上，扮有很重的分量。

             不過早在那之前，就已經有Brenda Cassellius掙扎著要維護她的權威。前任學校委員會委員Hardin Colemang說，Brenda Cassellius被告知，她不能從波士頓以外雇用一大隊人進中央辦公室來支持她的工作。而執行團隊才剛由代理公校總監Laura Perille整頓過。所以Brenda Cassellius沒辦法把她的自己人帶進波士頓公校。

             Brenda Cassellius還經歷了許多其他挑戰，包括在位2年半期間，一連面對3位市長，3名不同的學校委員會主席，因應歷史性的新冠病毒大流行，種族歧視。不過她也有她的成就，包括提高了高中畢業率，翻修了考試學校入學標準。

             去年，前任學校委員會委員Ernani DeAraujo 建議如果沒做到改善營運，就要重塑公校總監的工作職責。他在評估Brenda Cassellius的工作表現時說，波士頓市應該聘僱一名成是經理來經營波士頓公校的營運面，然後讓公校總監在其管理下做策略願景，那才真正因應她的最大長處。

             波士頓市現在搜尋公校總監，正好遇上全美各地公校的大顛覆期，許多公校總監都被新冠病毒，人員短缺，社區內的政治爭鬥折磨得筋疲力盡，退休了，大約有四分之一的大城市都在搜尋新的公校總監。

             下個月，波士頓學校委員會將提名一個小而聚焦的搜尋委員會，來帶領搜尋下一任公校總監的過程。

        目前不清楚的是，吳弭市長對這公校總監搜尋，會有什麼樣的影響，以及他和學校委員會挑的人選，會有什麼樣的關係。

              擔任波士頓市議會教育委員會主席的波士頓市不分區市議員Julie Mejia表示，吳弭市長需要給下一任公校總監一份書面承諾，答應會盡力支持他們改善學區的努力及領導。

City of Boston funding upfates

The Funding Update Subscribe to The Funding Update FEDERAL GRANTS Housing & Urban Development, 3/28/2022 The Secretary’s Awards are presented annually to honor projects that exemplify excellence in Affordable Housing Design, Community Planning, Cooperative public/Private Efforts, Healthy Housing Innovation, and Historic Preservation.  Office on Violence Against Women, 3/28/2022 Grants for Outreach and Services to Underserved Populations support victim services to adult or youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Max award: $450,000. Grants for Training and Services to End Violence Against Women with Disabilities support collaborative relationships; build organizational capacity; support needs analyses and service plans. Max award: $500,000.  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 3/28/2022 Connecting Kids to Coverage HEALTHY KIDS 2022 - the funding goal is to reduce the number of children who are eligible for, but not enrolled in, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and to improve retention of eligible children who are enrolled in the programs. Max award: $1.5M. USDA/US Forest Service, 4/8/2022 The Urban and Community Forestry 2022 Challenge aims to create a national messaging campaign that raises awareness of the need to plan, grow, and manage urban forests to benefit all. Max award: $1,000,000; a 1:1 match is required. National Institutes of Health, through 10/3/2024 Targeted BRAIN Circuits (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) grants will fund research projects that use innovative, methodologically-integrated approaches to understand how circuit activity gives rise to mental experience and behavior. The BRAIN Initiative intends to commit up to $15M per year, for 5 years, to fund 20 awards.  R34 Planning grants are also available; $225,000 max.   Federal funding opportunities are continuously updated on grants.gov STATE GRANTS Department of Youth Services, 3/1/2022 Seeking proposals from vocational and higher education, unions, businesses, nonprofit and community based organizations for career, technical, workforce training and employment programs and services for DYS youth in residential and community settings. Department of Public Health, through 6/30/2024 BASAS seeks Opioid Treatment Programs, including mobile services. FOR GRANTS REQUIRING MUNICIPAL SUPPORT LETTERS FROM BOSTON  Contact igr[at]boston[dot]gov with sufficient lead time to meet application deadlines. MassDevelopment, 3/18/2022 Collaborative Workspace grants support innovation centers, incubators, makerspaces, artists’ spaces, collaborative kitchens, and coworking spaces to accelerate the pace of new business formation, job formation, and entrepreneurial activity in communities. Fit-out grants: up to $100,000; Seed grants: up to $15,000 for planning. Submit an Expression of Interest form through the One Stop for Growth portal to receive early guidance from program partners. MassDevelopment, Open Commonwealth Places offers Seed Grants ranging from $2,500 to $15,000, and Implementation grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Seed grants must be matched with local funding or in-kind donations. Implementation grants must be matched with crowdfunding donations.Open to both nonprofits and community groups. A municipal letter of support is required in the second stage of the application process.  Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development, 6/4/2022 The Community One Stop for Growth is a single application portal and collaborative review process for community and economic development grant programs that make targeted investments based on a Development Continuum. Single- and multi-year grants awards will be made from various programs through EOHED, DHCD, and/or MassDevelopment via the One Stop Full Application. Expressions of Interest will be accepted through 3/18/2022.  MA Life Sciences Center, Multiple Deadlines Workforce Development Capital Grants (up to $750,000) are intended to seed, enhance and/or expand training programs that address critical skills and talent supply gaps facing the state’s life science industry. Allowable costs include the purchase and installation of life sciences equipment, lab furniture, materials, supplies, and/or technology. STEM Equipment and Professional Development grants support teacher professional development and the purchase of equipment, materials, supplies, and technology needed to support new or expanded curriculum. Awards range from $20,000 to $200,000. Other opportunities include Life Sciences Apprenticeships for students and adults. New This Week Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 3/3/2022 Seeking a vendor to provide coaching and develop norms and expectations to address how to interact with a focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Details in Attachment a. Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System, 3/10/2022 Seeking a qualified vendor to provide a records matching service to identify deaths of System participants, retirees or beneficiaries. Fee for service contract. Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, 4/1/2022 Strong Entrepreneur Ecosystems grants will help entrepreneurs launch and grow companies in Massachusetts. Nonprofit Entrepreneur Support Organizations are eligible to apply for $25,000 grants to complete a strategic planning process and apply for a $100,000 Implementation Grant. Coming Soon Department of Public Health Improving Equity in Public Health through Support for Community-led Interventions: RFR to be posted by 2/25/2022. Executive Office of Health and Human Services, 4/29/2022 EOHHS intends to procure a vendor to perform independent, external quality review and related activities for its Managed Care Organizations, Accountable Care Partnership Plans, Senior Care Organizations, One Care Plans, and Behavioral Health Vendor, as well as its Primary Care Accountable Care Organizations and Primary Care Clinician Plan.   Scroll down to "Important Links" on CommBUYS to see Newly Posted Bids. CITY GRANTS Still Open: Public Facilities Commission/Department of Neighborhood Development, 5/2/2022 The Grassroots Open Space Program makes land and funding available specifically for the development of open space projects such as community gardens, urban farms, food forests, and passive open space. Max award: $100,000. Department of Neighborhood Development, 2/22/2022 1. Assessment of the City of Boston Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) and the Feasibility of Changes to the Policy This study will look closely at what the City can require of market-rate housing developers in terms of providing income-restricted housing, whether within the market-rate development, or though off-site units or contributions to the IDP Fund. The study will look at a range of options, including increasing the percentage of units that are income-restricted, increasing contribution fees, and refining the income limits so as to better meet Boston’s housing needs. 2. Nexus Study on the Relationship Between Non-Residential Development and the Cost and Supply of Housing and Employment Opportunities for all Boston Residents This study will look closely at the relationship between new commercial development and the need for new, income-restricted housing and job training. The study will look at increasing the “Linkage” fees, lowering the square footage that triggers Linkage fees, and examine how different uses (labs, offices, etc.) may be able to support different fee structures. Chief of Policy & Strategic Planning, 2/21/2022 Requests proposals for Executive Search Consultant Services for the position of Police Commissioner of the Boston Police Department. The selected search firm will work with the City to solicit applications, maintain communication with candidates, screen and recommend a set of candidates for interviews, and provide advice and/or support to the Search Committee on all aspects of the search. Office of Workforce Development, 3/18/2022 Requests proposals for federal Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act - Youth alternative education, career exploration, and training programs for young adults, and also for City-funded alternative education programs where youth also receive wrap-around services and develop workforce readiness skills. Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture, 2/25/2022 Requests proposals for design and installation of public art at Boston City Hall Plaza. Boston Public Schools, 3/1/2022 SCOPE OF WORK includes: Vended meals for School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, After School Meals/Child and Adult Care Program, Summer Food Service Program, and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. New This Week Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, 4/1/2022 Requesting proposals for Community Development Block Grant Public Services. Bidders Conference will be held on 2/25/2022. Boston Public Schools, 4/4/2022 Expanded contracts will support for-profit and nonprofit providers for Boston Universal Pre-K Beginning Quality threshold. Bids are updated continuously on the City of Boston Supplier Portal. FOUNDATION GRANTS Nathan Cummings Foundation, Open Funding priorities: Climate Change; Inequality; Corporate & Political Accountability; and Voice, Creativity & Culture. The application process begins with a letter of inquiry. Chronicle of Philanthropy, 2/25/2022 The one-year Philanthropy & Nonprofit Accountability Fellowship will give journalists based at their local, regional, and nonprofit news organizations the opportunity to develop and publish articles about the people and organizations in their regions that are trying to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems and improve the quality of life for all. Newsrooms selected will each receive a $15,000 stipend to subsidize the work of reporters and editors on projects for publication at their own organizations and in the Chronicle. Robert F. Schumann Foundation, 2/28/2022 Funding priorities: environmental sustainability, education, arts and humanities.  Priority on organizations located in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and East Coast regions.  Moses Kimball Fund, 3/1/2022 The trustees emphasize grants to organizations which either provide jobs to minorities and disadvantaged members of the Greater Boston Community, or links between educational institutions and needy members of the adjacent communities. Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, 3/1/2022 Funding priorities: humanities, arts, higher education, and cultural heritage. The application process begins with an inquiry. Windgate Charitable Foundation, 3/1/2022 & 7/1/2022 Funding priorities include career development programs for craft artists, educational outreach, visual arts, and supporting children and youth via programs addressing equity in health, nutrition, shelter, and education. The application process begins with an inquiry form. Frank Reed & Margaret Jane Peters Memorial Fund, 3/1/2022 The Summer Fund is a donor collaborative that supports summer camps serving low-income urban youth from Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea and Somerville. The funder encourages applications for general operating support in the range of $10,000 to $40,000.  Ashoka + TMobile Foundation, 3/10/2022 - 3/31/2022 The Changemaker Challenge is looking for bold ideas from young leaders ages 13 to 18 with plans for driving digital empowerment, putting equity into action, and supporting a thriving planet. Whole Kids Foundation, 3/11/2022 Garden Grants ($3,000) are available to turn outdoor spaces into hands-on learning gardens that connect kids with food, spark their curiosity, and support classroom curricula.  Goldman Sachs Foundation, 3/11/2022 Black Women Impact grants will support community-driven charitable nonprofit organizations created by and for Black women and girls. General operating grants will range from $50,000 to $250,000 over two years. Boston Scientific Foundation, 3/15/2022 Funding priorities: health improvement and STEM education. Target populations: economically disadvantaged persons in communities where Boston Scientific employees live and work. Grants range from $10,000 to $25,000.  Lumina Foundation, 3/15/2022 The Million Dollar Community College Challenge will support brand building and strategic marketing efforts, along with technical assistance to develop actionable brand building and marketing strategies. Grey Muzzle, 3/30/2022 Funded programs must benefit senior dogs exclusively, have well-defined goals, and include measurable outcomes. Grants generally range from $2,500 to $10,000.  NFL Foundation + LISC, 3/31/2021 Grassroots capital grants provide non-profit, neighborhood-based organizations with financial and technical assistance to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of local football fields. Max award: $250,000. Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund, 4/1/2022 Funding priorities: medicine, social welfare, visual arts, land conservation, land conservation, and historic preservation. Voya, 4/8/2022 The Unsung Heroes program provides grants to K-12 educators nationwide utilizing new teaching methods and techniques that improve learning. Each year 50 finalists are selected to receive a $2,000 award. Of the 50 finalists, three are selected for additional awards: $25,000 for first place, $10,000 for second place, and $5,000 for third place. Tri-M Foundation, 4/15/2022 Grants ($3,000 to $10,000) support arts projects, events, and festivals by regional non-profit arts organizations. Fisher House Foundation and Military Times Foundation, 4/28/2022 Chairman’s Award gants support nonprofit organizations that improve quality of life for service members, veterans, and their families. Mary Kay Ash Foundation, 4/30/2022 Each year, the Foundation's Domestic Violence Shelter Grant Program awards grants of $20,000 to at least one domestic violence shelter in every state. Remaining funds are distributed based on state population.  Cabot Family Charitable Trust, 9/1/2022  Funding priorities: arts & culture, education & youth development, environment & conservation, health & human services, and civic & public benefit. Population focus: children, youth and young adults.  Awards range from $5,000-$50,000. Concept papers are accepted 9/1 and 2/1,annually. National Grid Foundation, 10/31/2022 Funding priorities include:​ classroom-based education for​ K-12 students, innovative scholarship and university partnerships that support and advance underserved members of our community, and skills training for people of all ages to lead more productive lives. Awards range from  $5,000 to $20,000. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Open Evidence for Action funding is focused on studies about upstream causes of health inequities, which influence individuals’ options and behaviors. Research should center on the needs and experiences of communities exhibiting the greatest health burdens and be motivated by real-world priorities. It should be able to inform a specific course of action and/or establish beneficial practices, McKeen Fund, Open Grants support medical, educational and social service organizations and programs that address the needs of vulnerable children and their families, and the elderly.   Check the Funding Update Archives for back issues with open deadlines. THE RESOURCE TABLE 50 Fundraising Ideas During Covid Courtesy of funraise March 13 - 19 is AmeriCorps Week Access their Social Press Kit to use their one-stop shop for all AmeriCorps Week communication resources including logos, social media graphics, templates, and other outreach tools. Find back issues of The Funding Update here

聯邦參議員Ed Markey誓言爭取經費助吳弭讓更多巴士免費運行

             (Boston Orange 編譯) 聯邦參議員馬基 (Ed Markey) 搖身變成啦啦隊，2月18日在推特上訪談波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)，稱讚吳弭的公車免費搭乘政策，還誓言將取得聯邦經費，讓波士頓市更多路線巴士免費。

             馬基和吳弭在推特上，以語音對談了將近25分鐘，為3月1日起23號，28號，29號這3條巴士路線將供民眾免費搭乘2年，興奮不已，期待著居民生活將得以改善，巴士也將因為免收費，營運準時度更可信賴。

             馬基說，”你在做的，絕對是開路先鋒式的事，將會是全美其他地方的模範”。”這對話，再次強調了對我們來說，把更多資源放進你手中有多重要”。

             吳弭表示，得到更多聯邦經費來讓搭公車免費，對波士頓，以及鄰近市鎮，例如布魯克蘭鎮 (Brookline)，劍橋市這些有興趣讓跨越市鎮界線公車免費的城市來說，都”絕對重要”。

             吳弭說，”我們真的想要證明，巴士服務有時候不必有如我們今天想的那樣，可以非常的慢，很擁擠，而且你永遠不知道它何時才會抵達”。”當我們選擇…，做不同的政策決定，優先考慮人民而不是交通，就會改變這整個經驗”。

             約200人在推特線上聆聽這公車免費的對話。

             吳弭的辦公室選擇行經麥特潘，多徹斯特及洛士百利的這3條巴士路線，做為免費搭乘試驗對象，是因為這3條巴士線在新冠病毒大流行發生前，搭乘量都很高，服務的又主要是低收入，有色人種居住地區，繞經哥倫布大道，獲士藍丘大道，那已經有旨在加速巴士服務的路中央行駛巴士專用道的地區。

             吳弭說，”我們在波士頓想要做的事， ….，是經由可持續的交通決策真正的解決許多不平等”。

             巴士免費已證明增加了乘車率。MIT的2019年研究發現，獲得折扣的MBTA乘客，搭乘率增加了3成，而且去看病或獲取社會服務的次數也多了。去年8月起開始免費的28號巴士，乘客量增加了3倍，幾乎已回復新冠病毒大流行之前的搭乘量，而在這同一時期，MBTA的其他巴士路線的搭乘量，僅回復到新冠病毒之前搭乘量的大約6成左右。

             現在還不清楚的是，免費搭乘巴士是否讓那些通常開車的人改搭巴士，就交通來說，那是減少溫室氣體排放所需要的關鍵轉變。那也是導致麻州氣候變化的最重要因素。

             波士頓市計畫從市府所得的新冠病毒紓困款中挪800萬元，付給MBTA，來讓這3條巴士線免收費營運2年。摩頓市(Malden)民主黨籍的聯邦參議員馬基，以及波士頓市的聯邦眾議員普莉斯來 (Ayanna Pressley)正推動一項法案，要設立50億元的競爭力補助款，以彌平交通機構的車費收入。

             馬基說，讓更多巴士免費，將可容許人們更自由地出門，不必擔心自己的預算。

             波士頓市是在追隨麻州其他地區的腳步。屋斯特 (Worcester)區域交通局已經讓巴士免費搭乘直到年底，Merrimack Valley區域交通局則將從3月1日起免費搭乘2年。

             馬基和吳弭希望波士頓市能成為擴大免費交通的領袖。吳弭則強調，波士頓是個在進步上第一名的城市。吳弭說，我們很驕傲波士頓永遠動作很快，又創新，有全美第一所公立學校，第一座公共圖書館，第一個公園，第一條地下鐵隧道，現在是重新披上那第一斗篷的時候了。

AG'S OFFICE RECOVERS $5.56 MILLION FROM SUBPRIME AUTO LENDER, SECURES DEBT RELIEF FOR CONSUMERS

AG'S OFFICE RECOVERS $5.56 MILLION FROM SUBPRIME AUTO LENDER, SECURES DEBT RELIEF FOR CONSUMERS

Settlement Resolves Allegations that Santander Consumer USA Failed to Provide Post-Repossession Information to Consumers; Includes Debt Relief and Credit Repair for Eligible Borrowers

 

            BOSTON – A subprime auto lender will pay $5.56 million to resolve allegations that it did not provide sufficient disclosures to consumers as it pertains to the company’s auto loan debt collection practices, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. 

 

The assurance of discontinuance, filed today in Suffolk Superior Court, alleges Santander Consumer USA (SCUSA) failed to give certain consumers sufficient information about the calculation methods for any deficiencies left on their auto loans after their cars were repossessed. This type of information can be helpful to consumers determining how to best respond to a lender’s collection efforts.

 

“Consumers struggling with auto loan debt should get clear information from lenders to help them navigate repossession and other collection actions,” said AG Healey. “This settlement, which combines cash payments with debt relief and credit repair, will help many subprime borrowers in need.” 

 

Over 1,000 borrowers across the state are expected to be eligible for relief under the filed assurance of discontinuance.

 

Today’s settlement is part of the AG’s ongoing work to hold subprime auto lenders accountable regarding their collection practices. AG Healey has previously pursued Credit Acceptance Corporation (CAC) for failing to provide similar information to auto borrowers after auto repossession – this claim was part of a much broader suit against CAC relating to unfair lending, collection, and securitization issues. In August 2020, the AG’s Office sued CAC and announced a settlement in September 2021 for more than $27 million in cash as well as debt forgiveness and credit repair for affected consumers.

  

Borrowers eligible for relief under this settlement will be contacted by the AG’s Office. Anyone with questions about settlement eligibility should contact AG Healey’s Insurance and Financial Services Division at 617-963-2240.

 

This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Glenn Kaplan and Mathematician Dr. Burt Feinberg, with assistance from Legal Analyst Leah MacArthur and Managing Administrative Assistant Gia Kim, all of the AG’s Insurance and Financial Services Division.

Baker-Polito Administration Files Fiscal Year 2022 Supplemental Budget

 Baker-Polito Administration Files Fiscal Year 2022 Supplemental Budget

Supports continued COVID-19 response, provider stabilization and other immediate needs

 

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today filed a Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) supplemental budget proposal that supports the Commonwealth’s ongoing response to COVID-19 and invests in other priority areas with immediate need, including child care, human services, housing, climate change preparedness and local infrastructure. The bill recommends $2.4 billion in supplemental appropriations, at a net state cost of $1.6 billion, relying on surplus revenues realized through the first half of FY22.

 

“Massachusetts remains in a strong fiscal position, which enables us to use surplus Fiscal Year 2022 revenues to sustain our efforts to respond to COVID-19 and invest in areas like early education, human services, housing and more,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Thanks to our careful management of state finances in partnership with the Legislature and the resilience of our economy, revenues continue to exceed projections, making Massachusetts well-positioned to make these investments.”

 

“This supplemental Fiscal Year 2022 spending plan expands on our efforts to support the Commonwealth’s families and communities, including resources for counseling, advocacy and intervention services to fill an important gap in federal funds for victims of crimes,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We look forward to partnering with the Legislature to make these and other critical investments through this spending plan.”

 

The spending bill proposes a significant investment to stabilize child care providers, special education schools and human service providers to ensure that the critical services that they provide remain available to all who need them, despite enrollment and utilization fluctuations caused by the pandemic. The legislation includes $450 million to extend Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) stabilization grants for child care providers through fiscal year 2023 (FY23). It also includes $140 million for special education schools to continue support through FY23 that will help address direct care and clinical staffing needs and ensure that these schools are able to safely provide residential and day education services to approximately 7,000 children between the ages of 3 and 21. The bill further proposes $401 million to extend rate enhancements for human service providers and support other investments in Home & Community Based Services; $346 million of this spending is supported by federal funding provided through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), for a total of $55 million in net state cost.

 

The bill increases support for children and families, with a focus on those whose lives have been significantly disrupted by the pandemic. It recommends $100 million for matching grants to youth-focused nonprofits that will support the construction and renovation of new facilities for children across the state. It provides $60 million to maintain access to rental assistance through the Rental Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program as the federal Emergency Rental Assistance program begins to wind down. Additionally, the bill includes $8.4 million to continue additional short-term assistance to families fostering children during the pandemic, which will benefit approximately 4,500 foster families caring for 6,700 children.

 

The Administration’s supplemental budget also includes $700 million dedicated to the public health response to COVID-19, such as providing rapid tests and surveillance testing in congregate care settings, administering monoclonal antibody treatments, maintaining vaccination sites and ensuring sufficient staffing in health care facilities. After anticipated FEMA reimbursements, these initiatives are expected to have a net cost of $439 million. These funds will complement the $101 million supplemental budget signed into law last week to support COVID-19 response.

 

“The surplus we’ve realized in FY22 thus far reflects the continued strength of the Massachusetts economy and gives us the opportunity to address additional critical areas of need across the state,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan. “The Baker-Polito Administration is pleased to propose a spending plan that will redirect surplus revenues to high-impact investments in human services, childcare, education, local infrastructure and more that will continue the Commonwealth’s recovery from COVID-19.”

 

The Administration also recommends supporting a range of infrastructure and climate-related needs in local communities. It proposes $100 million for a supplemental Chapter 90 distribution, $100 million to help municipalities repair roads from winter damage and $150 million in supplemental grants to fund climate change resiliency initiatives, including the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program.

 

A number of other initiatives are supported in the supplemental budget proposal, including:

 

•                $60 million to stabilize and support counseling, advocacy and intervention services for victims of crime through FY25 until federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) resources are restored;

•                $50 million to support the guardian ad litem expansion proposal – described more fully below;

•                $14 million to fully fund service improvements for men who are civilly committed for substance use treatment under Section 35;

•                $10 million to ensure Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) payments are uninterrupted through caseload volatility;

•                $5 million to expand STEM teacher professional development, materials and technology;

•                $5 million to support the implementation of the new 988 emergency call line;

•                $5 million for Department of Mental Health (DMH) housing repairs and additional housing vouchers; 

•                $2 million to optimize government services for hybrid work models;

•                $1.8 million to support behavioral health services for Haitian and Afghan evacuees;

•                $1.1 million for Safe Water Initiative Massachusetts (SWIM) grants and other summer water safety investments. 

 

The legislation also includes several policy proposals, including:

 

•                A section that will mandate the appointment of a guardian ad litem (GAL) in every alleged child abuse or neglect case through the Juvenile Court – GALs will provide children in the custody of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) an independent advocate responsible for considering only the child’s best interests; an accompanying appropriation is filed in the bill to support the recruitment, training and compensation of additional GALs;

•                A proposal that will exempt payments received through the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Essential Employee Premium Pay program from the Massachusetts income tax;

•                Sections that make corrections to previously signed legislation related to COVID-19 response that will improve implementation of spending priorities;

•                Sections to extend certain COVID-19 state of emergency provisions, including the eviction provision that is currently set to expire on April 1, 2022 and will be extended until January 1, 2023.

 

To read the Governor’s filing letter, click here.

進波士頓室內營業場所即起不須出示接種疫苗證明 仍須戴口罩戴口罩

波士頓市長吳弭。

            (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 和波士頓公共衛生局 (BPHC)執行主任Bisola Ojikutu今 (18) 日下午5點52分發出通知，人們進入室內營業場所須出示已接種新冠疫苗的「團結一起 (B Together) 」政策，即起撤消。

              進入室內營業場合須戴口罩的規定，則仍然有效。波士頓公共衛生局將持續追蹤各項衛生數據，並諮詢衛生委員會，再做決定。

              該聲明稱今日的公共衛生數據顯示，波士頓市的確診率為4%，成人重症病床佔用率為90.7%，7天的成人因新冠病毒住院人數已降至每天195.9人，全都比波士頓市之前訂定的門檻為低。

              吳弭市長說，公共衛生數據顯示，波士頓市已準備恢復了。她說這是為保持社區安全的每一個波士頓人的勝利。她也感謝所有的小企業在這挑戰時刻為保護社區健康所做的努力。

              波士頓市議會議長愛德華費林 (Ed Flynn)也感謝所有波士頓居民，以及公共衛生專業人員的恪守紀律。她呼籲大家持續團結一致。

              波士頓市府表示，將和波士頓公共衛生局一起，持續支持在波士頓市內各地，包括社區中心，學校，社區健康中心等地設立的，容許人們隨到隨入的免費疫苗門診。查詢這些門診地點，可上網https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-health-commission/covid-19-vaccine-boston。