BPDA approves new housing in Dorchester and South Boston

BPDA approves new housing in Dorchester and South Boston Board adopts PLAN: East Boston and associated zoning amendments

 

BOSTON - January 18, 2023 - The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors Thursday approved several planning initiatives and zoning amendments, and six new development projects representing approximately 1.2 million square feet (SF). The new projects will create 349 residential units, including 112 units that are designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 1,150 construction jobs and 1,080 permanent jobs. These projects will make Boston a more resilient, affordable, and equitable city.  Planning & Zoning BPDA Board adopts PLAN: East Boston The BPDA Board of Directors today adopted East Boston Tomorrow, the PLAN: East Boston vision report, at their monthly meeting, after five years of planning work and engagement with the community. This report sets out a clear and ambitious vision for the neighborhood, deeply informed by the priorities of its residents. The plan focuses on increasing affordable housing in the neighborhood, climate change preparedness, enhanced mobility and transit options, support for local businesses, and zoning recommendations to facilitate predictable and contextual growth. These goals cover residential areas, squares and corridors, and waterfront and evolving industrial areas throughout East Boston. The board also approved zoning recommendations, which will now go to the Zoning Commission for consideration. [Read more] Board approves Stadium and Public Amphitheater Open Space Zoning District The BPDA Board approved a text amendment to the Zoning Code regarding stadiums and public amphitheater open space. The Stadium Open Space subdistrict would create a new stadium and public amphitheater zoning district in order to enable greater investment and more amenities in appropriate areas of the city’s current and future open spaces. This subdistrict is currently proposed to apply to East Boston Memorial Stadium and White Stadium in Franklin Park. This new zoning will allow these areas to function optimally as community resources and enable future investment. BPDA Board adopts Allston Brighton Needs Assessment Report, approves consultant contract for Community Plan The BPDA Board approved the Allston Brighton Needs Assessment Report. This Report is the result of ten months of research and engagement in uplifting and assessing the community’s assets and needs across the neighborhoods of Allston and Brighton. The Needs Assessment began as a community request put forward by the Harvard Allston Task Force, and involved engagement with community members, community-based organizations, institutions, and City of Boston service providers. Documented within are the results of analyzing thousands of comments, comprehensive interviews, and survey-informed research describing the rich spatial, planning, and demographic characteristics of Allston-Brighton. This Report identifies the gaps that exist today, and how future development in Allston-Brighton provides significant opportunity. These opportunities include: increased housing, accessible public outdoor spaces, cultural food providers, convenient transportation, improved elementary schools, institutional research opportunities, arts programing, and cultural gatherings for all ages. The narratives, analysis, and recommendations in this Report provide a foundation for a comprehensive Allston-Brighton Community Plan. The BPDA Board also approved a consultant contract to create that comprehensive Community Plan for the neighborhoods, focused on the next 3-10 years.  Development Projects 376-384A Blue Hill Avenue project to create 18 income-restricted homeownership opportunities in Dorchester Live: 18 income-restricted homeownership units Work: Two retail spaces, approximately 21 construction jobs and four permanent jobs Connect: Shared ground floor space for residents, interior bike parking Sustain: LEED Gold Certified This project will convert what is currently vacant City-owned land on Blue Hill Avenue into 18 income-restricted homeownership opportunities for residents in Dorchester. It will be a transit-oriented development, as it is served by an MBTA Bus route and is in close proximity to the MBTA Dudley Station. In addition, the building will provide indoor and outdoor bike parking. There will also be retail and community space for residents on the ground floor. The project will improve the public realm with better lighting and new street trees. The project will contribute $5,724 to the Boston Transportation Department to support the bikeshare system. In support of the City’s green building and carbon neutral goals, the project will be LEED Gold. 495 Dorchester Avenue project will build more than 300 housing units in South Boston, including income-restricted units for seniors Live: 331 units including 94 affordable senior units  Work: 8,425 square feet of retail space, approximately 393 construction jobs and 17 permanent jobs Connect: 288 indoor bike parking spaces  Sustain: LEED Platinum residences This project includes two buildings: a 16-story building with 237 housing units, and a seven-story building with 94 income-restricted units for seniors. Along with commercial retail space, there will be open space and amenities for residents including senior-specific services. The retail space will be subsidized and made available to community start-ups, artists in need of workspaces, or other community groups and programming. This project is within the Planned Development Area for the On the Dot Project in Dorchester. It is key in realizing the vision of PLAN: South Boston Dorchester Avenue and the PLAN: South Boston Dorchester Avenue Transportation Planning Study, as it will help transition the neighborhood from an industrial area to a mixed-used space, as envisioned in the plans. Public safety in the area will be significantly improved by new, wider sidewalks, new crosswalks, and protected bike lanes along Dorchester Avenue and Alger Street. Street trees will be planted along the property to increase the tree canopy, and the project complies with flood district requirements in support of the City’s climate resilience goals. As a transit-oriented development, this project is near the MBTA Andrew Station which provides Red Line service and access to multiple bus lines. The project will provide a total of 288 bike parking spaces.  103 North Beacon Street to bring life science and retail space to Allston Live: $1.8 million in Linkage for affordable housing Work: Life science and retail space, approximately 694 permanent jobs and 328 construction jobs Connect: Close proximity to public transit, onsite bike parking, creation of new North Beacon Street Plaza Sustain: LEED Gold, activated green roof terrace, compliant with Massachusetts Stretch Code Located in Allston, this project will build a new mixed-use building with life science and retail space. This new development will replace what is currently a commercial building and parking lot. It will be a transit-oriented development as it is in close proximity to several MBTA bus lines and the Commuter Rail. In addition, the project will contribute $74,200 to the Boston Transportation Department to install a Bluebikes station onsite. This project will add green space to the site and incorporate design elements to improve on-site stormwater management and reduce the risk of flooding, such as reducing impervious surfaces, increasing the amount of greenery and incorporating green infrastructure. It will also be built to reduce heat island impact in the neighborhood. In addition, the project will contribute $75,000 to the Boston Parks and Recreation Department for the upkeep of Ringer Park. As part of the community benefits for this project, it will contribute $1.8 million in Linkage fees towards affordable housing, and $346,550 towards jobs training. 39 Dalton Street project will convert part of hotel into student dorms for Northeastern Live: 426 dormitories: 856 student beds Work: Approximately 251 construction jobs Connect: Student amenity space, buildout of the outdoor plaza with new landscaping and seating Sustain: LEED Certified  This project in Back Bay, also known as Belvidere Street Student Housing, will convert the South Tower of the Sheraton Boston Hotel into student housing for Northeastern University. This tower will be separated from the rest of the Sheraton Hotel to serve only students. The third floor will be converted into laundry, fitness, study/lounge areas, and resident life services for the students. In addition, the public realm on site will be improved with a variety of seating to create a comfortable, dedicated outdoor space for students. In support of the Housing Boston 2030 initiative, the conversion of underutilized hotel space into an undergraduate dorm supports the goal of increasing new off-campus student dormitory housing to relieve market pressure on Boston’s housing market. In support of the City’s bikeshare system, the project will contribute $117,000 to the Boston Transportation Department. It will also contribute $256,000 for off-site safety and accessibility improvements to Belvidere Street and Dalton Street.  Research and development project at 287 Western Avenue brings community space, pedestrian and bike safety improvements to Allston Work: Approximately 305 permanent jobs  and 124 construction jobs  Connect: Public co-working space, protected bike lane and pedestrian connection  Sustain: Over 90% fossil fuel reduction, LEED Gold This project will revitalize an underutilized site in Allston and help return jobs and revenue to the neighborhood through its mix of uses. The ground level of this approximately 90,000-square-foot office and research and development building is intended to be a co-working and meeting space for the public while the site will continue to be home to an EMS substation. To align with the Western Avenue Corridor and Rezoning Study (WACRZ), this project will be set back along Western Avenue to create a planting zone and a low-stress separated bike lane along the road. Two curb cuts on Western Avenue will be eliminated to create a safe, continuous pedestrian and bike pathway. Along with wider sidewalks, there will be a large, publicly accessible plaza as part of the public realm improvements for this project. In support of climate change preparedness, the project is committed to increasing the site’s tree canopy to reduce heat island effect. The project will also provide space for a bikeshare station. 1334 Dorchester Avenue project will revamp retail and office facility in Dorchester Work: 20 permanent employees, family-owned, long-term local business  Connect: More than 4,000 square feet of new green space, trees onsite, approximately 33 construction jobs and 60 permanent jobs Sustain: Complete conversion to heat pumps, photovoltaic (PV) installation on roof  This project on Dorchester Avenue will demolish and reconstruct portions of the existing retail, storage, and office facility. It will maintain the character and extent of operations and structures existing at the site. This project site is in front of an MBTA bus stop, with the Fields Corner T stop about a half mile away, along with other bus lines. Architecturally, the project will enhance the building’s appearance with a new façade and greenspace.   In addition to these projects, the board approved: · The Notice of Project Change at 100-114 Hampden Street to reconfigure interior space and modify the programming with a more diverse mix of retail on the ground level. · The Notice of Project Change at 804 East Seventh Street to reduce the number of units, reconfigure the interior of the building, and for a change of ownership.  · The disbursement of a total of $200,000 from the Harvard-Allston Partnership Fund to 26 non-profit community organizations throughout the City.   ###   About the Boston Planning & Development Agency As the City of Boston’s urban planning and economic development agency, the BPDA works in partnership with the community to plan Boston's future while respecting its past. The agency’s passionate and knowledgeable staff guides physical, social, and economic change in Boston’s neighborhoods and its downtown to shape a more prosperous, resilient, and vibrant city for all. The BPDA also prepares residents for new opportunities through employment training, human services and job creation. Learn more at bostonplans.org, and follow us on Twitter @BostonPlans.

麻州供應商擔憂州政府的經費刪減將影響耆英服務

               (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 礙於稅收不如預期，麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 上週才宣佈了 將刪減3億7500萬元撥給地方市鎮的補助經費。耆英服務供應商表示，其中約1007萬元，對耆英服務有影響。

              為耆英及殘障人士服務的波士頓非牟利機構，Ethos的執行主任Valerie Frias說，她在一直打電話，試圖私下募款。

              社會活躍份子表示，麻州的人口年齡比全美的中位數要高。根據美國統計數據，麻州人口約有18%，或約130萬人為65歲以上的老年人，而10年前，才14%而已。

              麻州老人會及耆英中心(Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging and Senior Center)執行主任Betsy Connell表示，麻州人口已變得更老，有更多需求，政府真的得做準備。

              麻州州長決定刪減經費，主要是過去6個月來的稅收不如預期，僅收捯7億6900萬元，比預期少了4%，有66巷州政府資助的項目，將受到影響，包括行為健康護理服務，癌症研究，以及流浪漢庇護所。

              麻州老人事務局在一份聲明中表示，預算刪減並不表示州政府對耆英問題缺乏承諾，政府撥給耆英會的補助還從每名耆英12月增加14元。

              Ethos今日(週四)早上表示，在預算刪減後，瑜珈課，給75名老人家的午餐等都有辦不下去的危險，在西洛士百利的麋鹿小屋 (West Roxbury Elks ) 旅館還一週2次的為耆英提供活動、食物及伙伴。有些耆英說，如果不是這些活動，她們就只能待在家裡。

              服務供應商特別擔心給耆英的營養計畫，包括Ethos的食物服務，以及輪子上的餐食(Meals on Wheels)項目。麻州政府的經費刪減，從麻州的耆英營養計畫中刪減了100萬元，這部分的總預算哦降到了1180萬元。

BPDA Board adopts East Boston Tomorrow: PLAN: East Boston planning initiative

BOSTON - January 18, 2024 - The Boston Planning & Development Agency Board of Directors today adopted East Boston Tomorrow, the PLAN: East Boston vision report, at their monthly meeting, after five years of planning work and engagement with the community. This report sets out a clear and ambitious vision for the neighborhood, deeply informed by the priorities of its residents. The plan focuses on increasing affordable housing in the neighborhood, climate change preparedness, enhanced mobility and transit options, support for local businesses, and zoning recommendations to facilitate predictable and contextual growth. These goals cover residential areas, squares and corridors, and waterfront and evolving industrial areas throughout East Boston. The board also recommended approval of updated zoning, which will now need to be adopted by the Zoning Commission. “This document is called East Boston Tomorrow because it will truly take us into the future in the strongest way possible as Bostonians, producing a future with more housing, improved mobility, and better prepared for climate change,” said Chief of Planning Arthur Jemison. “I want to thank the community for their collaboration on this process since 2018, and agency staff for their hard work to produce a comprehensive plan that will serve East Boston for decades to come.” Within residential areas, one of the main goals is to allow a mix of housing types while reaffirming the unique character of each area of the neighborhood. The plan recommends ensuring that the size and scale of new development in residential areas is consistent with what already exists. There is also an emphasis on improving access to neighborhood retail amenities. Neighborhood corner stores are an integral part of East Boston’s economy and social fabric, as they provide walkable access to essential goods and services. Because of this, the plan recommends updating zoning to allow for a mix of uses like coffee shops, laundromats, and community uses like daycares, all of which are prohibited by the current zoning. By rezoning the residential areas in East Boston, infill development will be allowed at a contextual and appropriate scale, thereby reducing the reliance on the Zoning Board of Appeal.  East Boston’s squares and corridors are the neighborhood’s centers for gathering, providing essential goods and services, and connections to downtown via public transit. The plan mainly recommends an increase in density in these areas as a way to expand access to housing options. This is essential as the City faces a housing crisis. By intentionally encouraging housing production in transit-accessible areas that offer an abundance of commercial, civic, and cultural resources, East Boston residents and business owners will feel benefits beyond access to housing. When daily needs are available close to home, time and money spent on transportation, and the number of car trips, can be reduced. In addition, small business owners can benefit from a larger pool of nearby patrons and employees.  East Boston’s waterfront and evolving industrial areas were originally formed with the intention of serving industry and infrastructure, but today leave much of the waterfront underutilized and disconnected from the East Boston community. For that reason, the plan recommends expanding public access to the waterfront and working with State and Federal agencies to protect the waterfront with resilient infrastructure. It also advocates for the adaptive reuse of the historic structures currently in these areas, and ensuring they are used for essential economic activity, such as office space, educational uses, community uses, and recreational facilities, much of which aren’t allowed under current zoning. While land use along much of the waterfront is currently controlled by the State, the plan recommends new underlying zoning in these areas that, in the event of State regulations being lifted, will allow for a mix of uses that support essential economic activity, and will create opportunities for employment focused development. “This plan was initiated almost six years ago -- East Boston was under siege with development proposals, and neighbors were exhausted trying to keep up with every individual proposal that popped up,” said PLAN: East Boston Advisory Group Member Tanya Hanel. “A lot of work has gone into drafting, presenting, listening, and revising this plan so that future development can align with the changes our neighborhood wants and needs. It also includes a lot of public improvements that I’m excited about – the key is making sure that this plan is carried out in such a way that East Boston remains a diverse and affordable place to live.” East Boston is an environmental justice community, and the climate recommendations throughout the plan are intensely focused on coastal flood resilience and improving urban heat islands simultaneously. The entire neighborhood is vulnerable to coastal and inland flooding, and its squares are considered some of the worst heat islands in the City, particularly Day Square. Because of that, the plan recommends increased tree canopy and permeable surfaces in each area, wherever possible. In addition, in vulnerable residential areas, the Coastal Flood Resilience Overlay District will ensure that new development is raised to account for sea level rise. The plan also advocates for simultaneous expansion of ferry service and coastal resilient infrastructure to protect the public and private realm along the waterfront. This final report includes significant changes that respond to much of the recent feedback the BPDA received during the 110 day comment period. The updated zoning associated with this plan will need to next be adopted by the Zoning Commission. The agency is proud to have produced a comprehensive planning document that the community helped to shape and create over the last five years. This is a generational effort to ensure growth and development in East Boston are predictable, appropriately scaled, and suit the needs of residents today, and in the years to come.

Healey-Driscoll Administration and Broad Coalition of Stakeholders Testify in Support of Affordable Homes Act

 Healey-Driscoll Administration and Broad Coalition of Stakeholders Testify in Support of Affordable Homes Act 

Affordable Homes Act and tax cuts package expected to create 30,000 jobs, generate $25 billion in economic impact, and bring in $800 million in tax revenue 

 

Housing advocates, business owners, labor unions and other stakeholders joined top Administration officials to support the Affordable Homes Act 

 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll and Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus testified in support of H. 4138, the Affordable Homes Act, before the Joint Committee on Housing.    

The Affordable Homes Act is the cornerstone of the governor’s housing policy. The $4.13 billion in spending authorizations and 28 policy changes offer a comprehensive roadmap to grow the state’s housing supply and make it easier for people to find affordable places to live.  

 

A forthcoming analysis from the UMass Donahue Institute will show that over the next 5 years, the Affordable Homes Act – combined with the tax cuts package signed by Governor Healey last year – will create nearly 30,000 jobs, produce $25 billion in economic impact and bring in $800 million in tax revenue. 

“Everywhere we go, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and I hear from families, seniors, recent graduates, workers, and businesses alike that they are being held back by the high cost of housing in our state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “That’s why we’re going big by proposing the most ambitious housing bill in state history. The Affordable Homes Act will make it easier for people of all income levels to find affordable places to live in Massachusetts, create good jobs and grow our economy.” 

 

The Affordable Homes Act, in combination with recently reauthorized housing tax credits, will fund or enable the creation of more than 40,000 homes that would not otherwise be built. It will also preserve, rehab, support or improve more than 27,000 existing homes.  

 

The legislation also invests $1.6 billion to repair, rehab and modernize the state’s public housing while increasing funding to several programs that support first-time homebuyers and the building of affordable housing.  

 

In addition to spending authorizations, the Affordable Homes Act would enact strategic policy changes such as authorizing accessory dwelling units under 900 square feet by right, creating a seasonal communities designation and allowing cities and towns to enact a real estate transfer fee on sales over $1 million. That money would go to the community to support the development and preservation of affordable housing. 

 

“As the Mayor of Salem, I saw firsthand the critical role that housing plays in supporting our local economies. People and businesses can’t stay in the communities they love if they can’t afford it,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The Affordable Homes Act will help us create the housing environment that we want and need for Massachusetts, unlocking our competitiveness and improving quality of life for all.” 

Homeowners, public housing tenants, local business owners and chambers of commerce were scheduled to testify in support of the bill today.  

 

“The unconventional alliances that have come forward to support this historic plan underscores just how great the need is,” said Housing & Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “It is rare to have this breadth and depth of support. The fact that everyone from public housing advocates to employers, business leaders and health care professionals demonstrates the urgent need for the Affordable Homes Act and the broad coalition that supports it.” 

https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/4819

麻州州長Maura Healey 首次發表州情咨文 (視頻)

麻州州長Maura Healey發表首個州情咨文。(周菊子錄影)

麻州州長Maura Healey滿臉愛意的望向州議會議事廳包廂座位，感謝她的第一夫人。
(周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 在2024年的1月17日，站進麻州眾議會議事廳，發表她上任以來首個州情咨文，形容麻州現在比以前任何時候都強大，誓言要讓麻州擁有許多個第一，慷愾激昂的使全場議員、嘉賓起立，熱烈鼓掌不下十餘次。

麻州州長Maura Healey在副州長Kim Driscoll (後左二)，參眾兩會議長
Donald Mariano， Karen Spika，以及麻州州務卿William Galvin坐在身後的家中，
發表她的首次州情咨文。(周菊子攝)

              奚莉州長在長達一小時的致詞中，細數過去一年來，她所領導團隊設定了高目標，也達成了每一項承諾。如今的麻州，比一年前更可負擔，更有競爭力，更公平。她強調自己有個最棒的麻州團隊，請州議會和他們攜手，Let’s do it的一起為州民努力。

              奚莉州長在演講中揭櫫了2024年中，她將推行的幾項新計畫，包括領先全國的及早識字策略(early literacy strategy )，重新授權生命科學計畫，啟動新的氣候科技計畫，把撥給鋪橋補路，和麻州地鐵的經費，增加到有紀錄以來的水平。

麻州州長Maura Healey的第一夫人Joanna Lydgate (右二)坐在二樓包廂。
(周菊子攝)

              下週，奚莉州長將遞交她的2025年預算草案。她聲言那將是一份平衡的，負責任的，前瞻性的預算案。

在這份新預算案中，奚莉政府的重點將放在住宅、托兒照顧及學前教育，教育，行為健康，經濟發展、氣候、基礎建設等各個方面:

麻州前州長Michael Dukakis (左)和 Jane Swift都出席了17日晚的州情咨文發表會。
(周菊子攝)

              住宅方面，奚莉州長從上任後指派了麻州首名住房及宜居社區廳長 (Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities)，給門戶城市的房屋發展提供了3倍支援，資助新的租房券，辨認州政府所有，可供蓋房屋的剩餘土地之後，奚莉政府在2024年將集中精力，通過41億元的可負擔住家法 (Affordable Homes Act)，為每種不同收入層級的州民建造可負擔住宅，維修公屋，為耆英、退伍軍人及殘障人士蓋支援性房屋，並以高勞工標準支援優良建築業。

奚莉州長指出，麻州眾議會議長Donald Mariano曾經當過老師，
對教育問題有深刻了解。(周菊子攝)

              奚莉州長指出，可負擔住家法將為首次購屋者蓋房子的「麻州夢 (MassDreams)」和「麻州建造者基金 (Commonwealth Builder Fund)」，增撥經費。

              在托兒照顧和學前教育上，奚莉政府去年經由C3補助款，撥發將近5億元來穩定服務供應商，為更多家庭擴大財務援助。跨入2024年，奚莉政府的新目標是到2026年時，要讓門戶城市內的學齡前兒童，都可以得到高品質的幼稚園前教育，估計有2萬3千名兒童可以獲益。

麻州參議會議長Karen Spika (右)當年也曾經因為學費問題，放棄到紐約就讀。
(周菊子攝)

              下週奚莉州長遞交2025會計年度預算案時，將把撥給中低收入家庭的托兒照顧財務援助名額，增加4000個。在新計畫中，這些家庭的開銷將以她們能夠負擔的額度為基準，有資格獲取財務援助的家庭收入上限，將從原有的麻州中位收入50%，提高到85%。換言之，年收入10萬元，有2個小孩的單身母親，或是年收入14萬3千餘元，有3個小孩的雙親家庭，都有資格獲得資助。

麻州經濟發展廳廳長郝伊平(Yvonne Hao，左)和勞工部部長Lauren Jones (右)
坐在觀眾席第一排右手邊。(周菊子攝)

              在教育上，奚莉州長誓言要全額資助學生機會法(Student Opportunity Act)，以破紀錄水平提供地方市鎮補助。她也宣佈了改善麻州早期識字教育的變革性計畫，刻正由教育廳廳長Patrick Tutwiler團隊正在研擬的「啟動掃盲(Literacy Launch)」，以確保3歲到3年級學生都能獲得高品質，以證據為基礎的閱讀指導教育。這將是為期5年的計畫，預定在2025會計年度中提報3000萬元預算。

麻州首名亞裔眾議員之一的陳德基(Tackey Chan)。 (周菊子攝)

              去年，奚莉政府擴辦大學先修項目，新增了9所學校，使得全州現有58所學校的8200名學生可以提前研修大學課程。創新職業途徑項目現在也有78所學校辦理，6900名學生參加。奚莉政府也推出了一項新的清潔能源創新職業途徑，培養下一代的清潔能源領袖。

麻州另一位首名亞裔眾議員黃子安 (Donald Wong)。(周菊子攝)

                          在行為健康上，奚莉政府去年支持設立了26個社區行為健康中心 (CBHC)。根據麻州獲得行為健康(Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access)的資訊，自從2023年1月，這些CBHC開張後，因為和精神健康有關狀況待在急救室的麻州人，數量下降了50%。麻州長將在行為健康中心上，在社交、情緒教育上繼續投資，擴大以學校為基礎的支援，並撥款1000萬元來研發密集項目模型。

麻州眾議員黃子安代表Saugus地區州民。 (周菊子攝)

                         在經濟發展上，奚莉州長讓人預覽了 一下麻州政府即將推出的「經濟發展債券法案 (Economic Development Bond Bill)」。在麻州經濟發展廳廳長郝伊平 (Yvonne Hao)的「帶領未來下一代 (Leading Future Generations)」經濟發展計畫的基礎上，前述債券法案將擴大麻州各地區各業的經濟機會，讓企業在麻州內更容易經營。

奚莉州長稱許科學家、醫生及社區領袖幫麻州贏得美國聯邦政府的指定，成為健康研究計畫樞紐 (ARPA-H National hub)。她說麻州將重新授權生命科學計畫，在以往的成功經驗上再向前邁進。

代表羅爾市地區的麻州眾議員Randy Mom (右二)。 (周菊子攝)

                           奚莉州長將在氣候科技上提交歷史性的，多年度資本投資計劃，把麻州打造成為全世界的氣候創新實驗室，協助企業在麻州開張，停留及成長，讓麻州有能力達到氣候目標，製造頂級科技。

奚莉州長標榜了2家麻州企業，藉以強調該產業的機會。從麻省理工學院分裂出來的麻州融合 (Commonwealth Fusion)，如今在Devens雇用500名員工；在尚末維爾市 (Somerville)的初創企業昇華系統(Sublime System)，製造低碳建築材料，為Holyoke市帶來70個製造業工作機會。

麻州地鐵總經理伍偉華( Philip Eng)。 (周菊子攝)

                   在氣候方面，奚莉政府一上任就指派了麻州有史以來的首名內閣層級的氣候長，Melissa Hoffer，接著設立了全美第一個綠化銀行，致力可負擔住宅的去碳化。奚莉州長還為麻州能源及環境事務廳，以及麻州清潔能源中心注入歷史性數額的經費。

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)17日回禮，出席麻州州長Healey
的州情咨文發表會。(周菊子攝)

                 奚莉政府還釋出新英格蘭地區歷史上最大的風電招標書。位於新貝福 (New Bedford)的葡萄園風力( Vineyard Wind)最近才第一次的把電力送進電網，正在邁向成為北美最大離岸風電農場的路上。

轉型進入清潔能源，提供了巨額的人力機會。奚莉州長致力在職業途徑上，和有組織的勞工，企業領袖，以及高等教育機構合作，位良好的綠色職業鋪平道路。奚莉州長承諾在社區學院資助免費的暖氣通風空調系統 (HVAC)培訓，實施第一年就可以多培訓400名學生。

麻州州長Maura Healey (左)和副州長Kim Driscoll (右)合作無間。
(周菊子攝)

奚莉州長和議會通過了2000萬元的救濟款，麻州中部的聯合路(United Way)推出了農場韌性基金 (Farm Resiliency Fund)，分發了數以百萬元計的款項救助災民。麻州政府也推出了麻州的第一個全面的沿岸及全州韌性計畫。奚莉州長在發表州情咨文時提議，設立一個永久性的救濟抗災基金 (Disaster Relief Resiliency Fund)，以及將來增加撥發經費給沿岸城市，以修繕水壩，排水系統。

在基礎建設部分，奚莉州長致力爭取聯邦經費，尤其是支持重要基礎建設項目的經費。她設立了新的聯邦經費及基礎建設辦公室，聘請了Quentin Palfrey為主任，遞出法案，要在州府經費之外解鎖8億元，以使申請案更具競爭力。

今年的州情咨文發表會，請來署名雅意的昆士市軍校預備生掌旗。
(周菊子攝)

                           奚莉指稱，這麼做已經得到了一些成果。麻州交通廳 (MassDOT)贏得了3億7200萬元，病症在爭取10億元經費以重建鱈魚角橋梁。麻州交通廳還贏得1億800萬元來改善西東鐵路 (West-East Rail)，正要以麻州經費納入更多項目，例如Palmer及Pittsfield等。麻州政府也贏得2400萬元來重建新貝福港 (Port of New Bedford)的Leonard碼頭，3300萬元來電動化校巴。

麻州州長夫人Joanna Lydgate (前左三)和應邀出席，見證
Healey政策有效的州民排排坐。(周菊子攝)

                          在2023年中，麻州交通廳已發包價值20億元的建築合約，來維修、改善地方市鎮的道路、橋梁，人行道。奚莉政府承諾在2025會計年度終將增加撥給地方市鎮的基礎設施改良經費。

談到麻州地鐵時，奚莉州長說，自從聘任了伍偉華 (Philp Eng)為麻州地鐵總經理後，麻州地鐵聘僱了將近1500名員工，遠比奚莉州長訂定的1000人目標為高。麻州政府和麻州地鐵，已及Carmen公會協商出一份歷史性的合約，來擴大招聘，提高留任率。

Healey州長請來一位耆英，藉她的故事強調照顧耆英的重要。
(周菊子攝)

                 奚莉政府稱，在伍偉華總經理的領導下，麻州地鐵減少了慢速區，並持續進行計畫，廢除現有的速度限制。麻州地鐵也比預訂日程超前的啟用了Lynn和Ashland的通勤火車站月台，通勤火車的搭乘率已經超過疫情期間的90%了。

奚莉州長誓言，在2025會計年度預算中，將加倍給麻州地鐵的營運經費支持，該預算案也將提議資助一個全州性，為低收入乘客縮減車費的項目。

麻州州議會前議長Sal Dimasy這天也應邀出席州情咨文發表會。 (周菊子攝)

                    奚莉州長透露，麻州將維持其區域交通局的新投資計畫，將指派一個交通財務工作小組，為清潔能源時代的交通系統，草擬可持續的財務道路。

麻州州長Maura Healey在麻州眾議會議事廳發表她的首個州情咨文。
(周菊子攝)

麻州州長Maura Healey發表首個州情咨文這天，大地鋪著皓皓白雪。
(周菊子攝)