MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES FREE TAX PREP SERVICES AVAILABLE TO MAXIMIZE REFUNDS FOR BOSTON RESIDENTS

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES FREE TAX PREP SERVICES AVAILABLE TO MAXIMIZE REFUNDS FOR BOSTON RESIDENTS

BOSTON - Friday, February 2, 2024-  Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the launch of the Boston Tax Help Coalition’s (BTHC) twenty-second year of providing free tax preparation services. Area residents earning $70,000 or less annually can file safely while maximizing their refunds and credits at over 30 neighborhood tax sites. Tax preparation is available remotely and in-person in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, French, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Cantonese. The schedule can be found at boston.gov/tax-help.   "Boston residents can save hundreds of dollars per household through the Boston Tax Help Coalition’s free tax preparation,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “These free, multilingual tax assistance services are available at over thirty neighborhood locations and serve as a critical resource that supports thousands of Boston residents every year in maximizing their refunds safely. I encourage every qualified Boston resident to take advantage of this valuable program.” Led by the Center for Working Families, the Boston Tax Help Coalition is a partnership of nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations that has been promoting the economic independence of working individuals and families since 2001. The BTHC’s free tax preparation service gives Boston’s low-to-moderate income (LMI) residents a financial boost by eliminating tax preparation fees and allowing them to keep more of their earned income. The Coalition’s IRS-certified tax preparers also assess filers’ eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a credit for low- and middle-income workers, and the Child Tax Credit. In 2023, BTHC prepared tax returns for nearly 11,000 taxpayers, generating $17.2 million in tax refunds, including $6.3 million in EITC, and saving families approximately $2.7 million in predatory, for-profit, tax preparation fees. “Our special thanks to the hundreds of Coalition volunteers who generously give their time and talent from January through April, including an entire weekend of training prior to serving our residents,” said Chief of Worker Empowerment Trinh Nguyen. “These volunteers learn to prepare taxes, do intake, and/or provide credit building, while making a difference in our community.  We value their contribution to this important work.” “As a co-founder of the Boston Tax Help Coalition, ABCD is always pleased and excited to launch a new tax season with the City of Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu and so many other community partners,” said ABCD President and CEO Sharon Scott-Chandler. “Free tax preparation is vital to underserved communities who can benefit from this service, and is a program that returns millions back into the community. Most people will receive a refund, which is essential during these times when prices for basics like food and housing are soaring. It also provides an opportunity to save for emergencies or longer term goals.” A key priority of the BTHC is integrating free tax preparation with the needs of the disability community. The BTHC partners with DEAF, Inc. to provide the service to hearing-impaired taxpayers at its Allston headquarters. Additionally, the Coalition is in its second year of its Visually Impaired People (VIP) pilot, providing tax services and necessary accommodations to visually impaired area residents. The VIP program will be available on Wednesdays, February 7 through April 10, 2024 at the Center for Working Families in Nubian Square. More information can be found at boston.gov/vip-pilot. Site coordinators receive training to serve disabled taxpayers at all locations. “I applaud the City’s commitment to providing fully inclusive and accessible tax preparation services to residents who are legally blind,” said Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Commissioner John Olivera. “I encourage eligible residents to take advantage of this program and make tax season less stressful.” In addition to helping LMI taxpayers maximize their refunds, the Boston Tax Help Coalition connects residents to free financial services to improve their economic wellbeing. For example, at eight locations individuals can receive a Financial Check-Up (FCU), a light-touch credit advising session where a trained Financial Guide assists individual taxpayers in understanding their current financial situation, including a review of their credit report and FICO score, a personalized one-year plan to help improve their credit, and relevant service referrals.  Boston Builds Credit, the City’s credit building initiative, will follow up in six months with an updated credit report to measure improvement.  In 2023, the BTHC provided credit advising and financial education to 1,300+ tax clients, up from 486 in 2022. More information on the Boston Tax Help Coalition’s free tax services, including locations, can be found at boston.gov/tax-help.

MAYOR WU AND MAJOR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS OF BOSTON LAUNCH BPS SUNDAYS AT SIX SITES ACROSS BOSTON

MAYOR WU AND MAJOR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS OF BOSTON LAUNCH BPS SUNDAYS AT SIX SITES ACROSS BOSTON  Launching this Sunday, the program includes twice monthly free access days for BPS families at the Museum of Science, the Franklin Park Zoo, the Boston Children’s Museum, the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Institute of Contemporary Arts

BOSTON - Friday, February 2, 2024- Following her announcement at the 2024 State of the City Address, Mayor Michelle Wu today launched BPS Sundays, a new partnership between the City of Boston and cultural institutions to give Boston Public Schools students and their families free access to these institutions. The program builds on existing access programs at each institution, while creating a common free access experience coordinated by the City. Starting in February, on the first and second Sundays of each month, every BPS student and up to three guests will get free admission to the Boston Children’s Museum, the Franklin Park Zoo, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Science, and the New England Aquarium. This builds on the Mayor’s work to make Boston the most family-friendly city. “Boston is home to some of the world’s best cultural and educational institutions, and our students deserve to feel at home at these institutions without any barriers,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “In our hands is the ability to show our students the world – to spark their imagination, to discover their interests. What we also have is the opportunity for students to bond with their families – allowing for parents, grandparents, siblings to create irreplaceable memories. I am thrilled and grateful for our partnership with these institutions to give young people access to learning, wonder, and community in our city.” Students and families will gain free admission to participating institutions on the first two Sundays of each month from February to August 2024 by showing a school ID or their personalized BPS email, which BPS will send each week before each month’s program. Due to the institutions frequently reaching capacity, families are encouraged to pre-register and reserve tickets online, and ensure that their email address is updated in the BPS system. The City and institutions will work together to publicize the program and track attendance, and develop plans to extend and expand this pilot. In the coming months, the City of Boston will launch a community engagement process to develop a permanent name for the program. “Education does not start and end when a student is inside the classroom. Through this opportunity, we are unlocking countless opportunities to learn and explore beyond the classrooms,” said Mary Skipper, Superintendent of Boston Public Schools. “Thanks to Mayor Wu’s leadership and our invaluable partners across the city, our young people and their families can now experience a whole world of knowledge, art, science, and history that was inaccessible to them previously.”  “I am a student at the Curley K-8 School in Jamaica Plain. I wanted to say thank you to Mayor Wu for working to get us admission,” said Arianna L., a student at the Curley K-8 School. “It means a lot to know that people in the community care about my classmates and me.”  The program will first launch Sunday, February 4 and Sunday, February 11. City staff will be on site to help answer any questions and there will be signage directing families where to check in at the museum. For any questions, BPS families can email BPSSundays@boston.gov “Boston’s young people and their families deserve equitable access to the places that allow them to learn, discover, play, and create. The Cultural Access Pilot program is a huge step in creating a sense of belonging for BPS families in our city’s world-class cultural institutions,” said Kara Elliott-Ortega, Chief of Arts & Culture. “We are so thankful to the participating educational and cultural institutions for their leadership and commitment to making this program a reality.” "We are thrilled to partner with the city and our colleagues to bring free cultural experiences to BPS students and their families,” said Tim Ritchie, President of the Museum of Science. “One of our highest priorities as an institution is creating a learning space that is inclusive, equitable, and accessible for all. The beauty of scientific discovery should not be a privilege, but rather a birthright for every child in the city. We cannot wait to welcome even more BPS families through our doors and to help spark their lifelong love of science.” “The New England Aquarium is proud to partner with the City to have the opportunity to welcome and inspire even more young people to form a deeper connection to the ocean and the many ways it impacts our lives. We applaud Mayor Wu and her team for creating a program that prioritizes increased accessibility and inclusivity for students and families throughout Boston,” said Vikki N. Spruill, President and CEO of the New England Aquarium. "Boston Children's Museum is pleased to participate in the cultural access pilot program for Boston Public School children and their families to enjoy one of the region’s most important early childhood educational and cultural institutions," said Carole Charnow, President & CEO, Boston Children's Museum. "The Museum is an invaluable resource that provides delightfully interactive creative opportunities for playful exploration. Special thanks to Mayor Wu for launching this program and reinforcing Boston Children’s Museum’s commitment to the community to keep access affordable for all." “The access initiative announced by Mayor Wu is a powerful statement that arts and culture are vital for everyone and an important first step to equitably unlocking the full potential of museums for our young people and their families,” said Jill Medvedow, Director of the ICA. “Every day at the ICA, we see how free admission for youth and teens opens the doors to a wide spectrum of activities that are critical for engagement, transformation and change, and we are excited to partner with the City and our colleagues to expand these efforts across Boston.” “We are proud to participate in Boston’s cultural access pilot, and thank the Mayor for her vision and commitment to expanding opportunities for Boston schoolchildren and their families,” said John Linehan, Zoo New England President and CEO. “At Franklin Park Zoo, classroom learning is truly brought to life in impactful ways that inspire caring and action on behalf of wildlife and strengthen STEM learning through exploration and fun.” “We’re proud to partner with the City on this initiative, and thank the Mayor for her leadership,” said Matthew Teitelbaum, Director of the Museum of Fine Arts. “It’s an important demonstration of our shared belief that access to the arts is integral in building strong communities. We look forward to welcoming BPS students and their families to the MFA through this program—a bold invitation and a declaration that cultural institutions are places where all belong.” This new program is supported through a public-private partnership between the City of Boston and civic, corporate and philanthropic partners. Supporters include Jim and Cathy Stone, Highland Street Foundation, Barbara and Amos Hostetter, Barr Foundation, and Amazon. “Jim and I are honored to support Mayor Wu’s important initiative which will strengthen the bonds of community across Boston. Our city is home to many wonderful cultural institutions—we are so pleased that they will now be able to welcome all BPS students and families to experience the joy of discovery” said Cathy Douglas Stone.  “Highland Street Foundation is pleased to partner with Mayor Wu on BPS Sundays as it directly aligns with our goals to enrich the lives of children and families by providing easy access to the very best cultural offerings in the city,” said Blake Jordan, Executive Director, Highland Street Foundation. “Arts, culture and creativity bring joy, compel us to ask difficult questions, and are powerful means of building empathy and understanding of each other, society, and our natural world. Barr is pleased to join this landmark collaboration which has the potential to strengthen Boston’s social fabric, and to foster the compassion and imagination of our next generation of engaged citizens,” said San San Wong, Director of Arts & Creativity, Barr Foundation. “Art nurtures creativity, innovation and cultural diversity across communities, and we are proud to help support this important initiative in local Boston neighborhoods,” said Jerome Smith, Amazon’s Head of Community Engagement, New England. “Amazon is thrilled to continue our mission of creating paths to education in all forms, recognizing the power this has for students to explore their potential and imaginations.”

Executive Office of Economic Development Announces New Massachusetts 250th Coordinator of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

Executive Office of Economic Development Announces New Massachusetts 250th Coordinator of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

BOSTON – The Executive Office of Economic Development announced that hospitality, tourism, and strategic communications specialist Sheila Green has been named Massachusetts 250th Coordinator of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT).  Green has a wealth of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, coming from experience with Sail Boston, Boston Harbor City Cruises and Doors Open Minneapolis, among others.   The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s new Economic Development Plan details how the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution can serve as a catalyst to increase tourism in Massachusetts. In this new role, Green will work with the Executive Director of MOTT as well as staff to execute a strategic events plan surrounding the anniversary and focus on incorporating and amplifying underrepresented stories in American history, including those of indigenous, enslaved, indentured, African American, female, and youth populations.  "Our administration is setting up initiatives to put Massachusetts back at the top for tourism and travel and make it a well-known destination in households all over the world – and the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution provides a great opportunity to drive these efforts,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “We’re happy to have Shelia on Team Massachusetts as our new Massachusetts 250th Coordinator, and we look forward to seeing how her experience will transform our state.”   “We are excited to have Sheila Green on the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism team to focus on the planning for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution,” said MOTT Executive Director Kate Fox. “Sheila’s extensive experience in event planning, strategic planning, and communications make her perfectly suited to hit the ground running as we build momentum for Massachusetts 250th.”  For over 25 years, Green has specialized in strategic communications, PR and Marketing. She has delivered customized approaches to communications and change management strategies for large-scale events including Sail Boston and Doors Open Minneapolis, and for companies including Conventures, The Castle Group and Boston Harbor Cruises. Throughout her career, Green has worked with a variety of businesses and industries within tourism and hospitality and at state, regional, national and international levels.    “I am truly honored to join the Executive Office of Economic Development for the Governor of Massachusetts as the Coordinator for the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution at the Office of Travel & Tourism,” said Massachusetts 250th Coordinator Shelia Green. “It is a privilege to contribute to the commemoration of several historic events that played a pivotal role in the shaping of our nation. I look forward to working collaboratively across the state to showcase the rich cultural heritage and significance of Massachusetts during this milestone time in history.”  Green has also served as a Board Member for the USS Constitution Museum, Jane Doe Inc., American Cancer Society, NE, and as an advisor to the Joe Andruzzi Foundation and Project Step.   She lives in Milton, is a lover of the outdoors and a proud mother of a US Navy Lieutenant.   About Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT)  MOTT’s mission is to promote Massachusetts as a leisure and business travel destination for domestic and international markets and to contribute to the growth of the Commonwealth’s economy. For information about visiting Massachusetts, go to VisitMA.com.

麻州教育廳支持牛頓市教師罷工

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Takes New Action to Support Resolution of Newton Teachers’ Strike 

NEWTON –Today, Massachusetts Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler issued the following statement on the Newton teachers’ strike: 

“It is unacceptable that school has been closed for two weeks in Newton due to the ongoing strike. As a lifelong educator who began his career in the classroom 25 years ago, I am deeply appreciative of the work that our educators do and understand the constraints facing the school committee, but our students are suffering each day that Newton public schools are closed. Our focus is on keeping kids in school, making sure they receive a high-quality education and supporting our hardworking educators. We need our students back in the classroom now.” 

Background – attributable to the Department of Labor Relations: 

• At Governor Healey’s request, the Department of Labor Relations filed a pleading Thursday afternoon asking the Court to hold twice daily status conferences to require the parties to provide constant updates to the Court and the public on the steps they are taking to resolve their differences. 

• The Secretary of Education intends to participate in the twice-daily status conferences to speak to the harm caused to Newton students each day that Newton’s schools are closed. 

• If an agreement is not reached soon, the Department of Labor of Relations asks the Court to turn to binding arbitration. 

• Read the Department of Labor Relations’ filing here. 

1/31晚 吳弭市長率270義工踩點45處數算街頭流民

MAYOR MICHELLE WU LEADS THE 44th ANNUAL BOSTON HOMELESSNESS CENSUS The annual count of Bostonians experiencing homelessness guides the allocation of City resources

BOSTON - Thursday, February 1, 2024 - Last night, Mayor Michelle Wu led a dedicated group of volunteers, including officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, City and State officials, homelessness service providers, local elected officials, and public health and first responders in conducting the 44th annual homelessness census for the City of Boston. The count of Bostonians experiencing homelessness plays a crucial role in guiding the allocation of City resources to aid people experiencing homelessness.  "Boston's annual homelessness census is an opportunity to evaluate the needs of unsheltered Bostonians and connect individuals to services,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “The data from the census is crucial for the City as we act with urgency and care to create an inclusive Boston for everyone. We are grateful to our state and federal partners and the dedicated volunteers throughout the City for their collaboration in making this year's census possible." The street count is an integral part of the City's comprehensive yearly census, encompassing unsheltered adults, youth, and families in emergency shelters, transitional housing, domestic violence programs, and individuals living outside. This year, more than 270 volunteers canvassed 45 areas after midnight, covering every City neighborhood, Logan Airport, and the transit and parks systems. Volunteers canvassed assigned areas, identified those sleeping on the street, conducted a short survey, and provided individuals with important safety information and items to help them keep warm.  "The Annual Point-In-Time count is an important undertaking because it provides a national estimate of the men, women, and families in need of a home, many who are struggling to survive," said Juana Matias, HUD New England Regional Administrator. "We are grateful to be able to take this opportunity to join Mayor Wu, the City of Boston, and community partners to provide a local estimate of Boston' numbers and ensure this data can be leveraged to efficiently connect people experiencing homelessness to housing and supportive services. The Biden-Harris administration believes that homelessness is solvable and is committed to helping localities to tackle this growing crisis." The data from the in-person surveys of unsheltered individuals will undergo a thorough analysis for accuracy and will be cross-checked and combined with the results of the shelter count. The annual homelessness census, mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is an important requirement for Boston receiving federal grant funding from HUD for housing and services for those experiencing homelessness. “I want to thank our partners, our network of experienced non-profit organizations and our dedicated volunteers for joining us for the point and time count of people experiencing homelessness in Boston,” said Sheila Dillon, Chief of Housing. “The census helps to guide the critical work of moving our homeless residents into housing with the services they need to be successful. We look forward to continuing to work together with our partners to help prevent and end homelessness in Boston.” “This census isn’t just about numbers. It’s about assessing the needs of our most vulnerable and finding ways to meet those needs," said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “At BPHC, we know many of our unsheltered residents by name —and we know their situations —and I am grateful to the City and all our partners for their commitment to treating our unsheltered residents with compassion and helping them get the care they need."  The City of Boston, with its partners, continues its work to end chronic and veteran homelessness using the Housing First approach. This evidence-based approach aims to provide permanent and stable housing without preconditions like sobriety or treatment. In recent years, City agencies and community partners have significantly redesigned the way services are delivered to homeless individuals, increasing resources devoted to housing and deploying new technologies to match homeless individuals with housing and services. “The annual Homeless Census, conducted by the City of Boston, provides Pine Street Inn and other agencies a critical snapshot of trends in Boston,” said Lyndia Downie, president and executive director, Pine Street Inn. “This important data helps guide our strategies and programs, as we focus our efforts on moving individuals off the street, out of shelter and into a permanent home. Boston’s street homelessness rate is around 3%, one of the best in the nation, but any person on the street is one too many,” she added. Last fall, a dozen City departments and partner agencies transformed how the City cares for unsheltered constituents impacted by substance use disorder, homelessness, and untreated mental illness, with a focus on the ‘Mass and Cass’ / Newmarket neighborhood. In September 2023, the City of Boston submitted a grant proposal of $44 million to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support Boston's homelessness programs in 2025 through HUD’s McKinney Homeless Continuum of Care program.  This year’s homeless census results will be available in the coming months.

協助打擊毒品 麻州贏得800萬元和解金

AG Campbell Announces $350 Million Settlement With Multinational Marketing Firm Publicis Health Over Role In Opioid Epidemic

Settlement secures $8 million to address ongoing opioid crisis in Massachusetts and bolsters transparency of the company’s work in fueling nationwide opioid crisis.

BOSTON — Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell today announced a $350 million national settlement with Publicis Health that would resolve the Commonwealth’s litigation against the marketing and communications firm for its role in the opioid crisis, including its work for opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma. Massachusetts will receive nearly $8 million from the settlement to help address the opioid crisis.

The settlement will fund the state’s Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund to provide support for opioid use disorder prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction efforts throughout Massachusetts. As part of the settlement, the company will disclose on a public website thousands of internal documents detailing its work for opioid companies and will stop accepting client work related to opioid or other opioid-based Schedule II or Schedule III controlled substances.

“For years, Publicis Health’s marketing schemes helped fuel the nationwide opioid crisis, which has shattered some of our most vulnerable communities, while creating significant financial strain on our state systems,” said AG Campbell. “I am proud of my team’s national leadership in securing this settlement, which will not only bolster accountability and transparency for this ongoing crisis but will also provide millions of dollars for much needed treatment and services to support individuals and families across Massachusetts.”

In its May 2021 complaint against Publicis Health, the Commonwealth alleged that Publicis Health, a subsidiary of global advertising conglomerate Publicis Groupe, partnered with Purdue on dozens of contracts, collecting more than $50 million in exchange for marketing schemes to get doctors to prescribe Purdue’s opioids to more patients, in higher doses, for longer periods of time. The Commonwealth alleged that Publicis devised marketing strategies to combat prescribers’ hesitancy to prescribe OxyContin, including materials used to train and assist Purdue sales reps in detailing doctors, and told Purdue how to target the most dangerous high prescribers. According to the lawsuit, the company was also instrumental in Purdue’s decision to market OxyContin to providers through patients’ electronic health records.

More than 20,000 Massachusetts residents have died from opioid-related overdoses over the last 20 years. These deaths—and the impacts on thousands who have struggled with opioid addiction—have created considerable costs for our health care, child welfare, and criminal justice systems. More significant than the dollars and cents in damage to our state, the opioid crisis has harmed communities, damaged relationships, and torn families apart.

In the Publicis matter, Massachusetts served on the executive committee of a multistate investigation, along with the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, and Vermont. They are joined in this multistate settlement by the attorneys general from all states, territories, and the District of Columbia.

This matter has been handled by the AG’s Health Care Division, including Deputy Division Chief Ethan Marks, Assistant Attorneys General Chloe Cable and Gregory Hardy, Analyst Philipp Nowak, and Paralegal Gaëlle Bouaziz, with assistance from Deputy Chief Mary Freeley of the AG’s Health Care and Fair Competition Bureau and Director of Investigations Marlee Leo of the Civil Investigations Division.

This matter is one of two recent efforts to address the ongoing opioid crisis and support individuals, families, and communities impacted by the crisis. Today, AG Campbell is also announcing a multistate settlement in principle with opioid manufacturer Hikma Pharmaceuticals (Hikma) for its role in fueling the opioid crisis. The settlement will resolve claims that from 2006 to 2021, Hikma failed to monitor and report suspicious opioid orders from potentially illegal distributors, even while its personnel knew their systems to monitor suspicious orders were inadequate and prone to failure.

As part of the settlement in principle with Hikma, Hikma will pay $150 million to participating states and localities, encompassing $115 million in cash and $35 million worth of opioid addiction treatment medication. States that do not accept the medication will receive cash in lieu of product. The settlement in principle was negotiated by the attorneys general of New York, California, Delaware, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia in coordination with an executive committee consisting of AG Campbell, along with the attorneys general of Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, and Oregon. In Massachusetts, the Hikma matter is overseen by the AG’s Health Care Division. 

To date, Massachusetts has reached legal settlements with opioid manufacturers and others that will return more than $1 billion to the state and local communities.

麻州長等3正要促請美環保署勿刪減更換鉛管經費

Governor Healey, Attorney General Campbell and Treasurer Goldberg Urge EPA to Reconsider Lead Water Pipe Replacement Funding Reduction 

Current methodology could halve federal support for lead service line replacement in Massachusetts, with the biggest impact on environmental justice communities  

BOSTON – Today, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, and Treasurer Deborah Goldberg submitted a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan urging him to reconsider a new grant formula that has reduced lead service line replacement funding to Massachusetts by more than $30 million. The EPA’s new data and methodology has cut nearly half the Massachusetts share of funding through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Lead Service Line Grant. Massachusetts received $65,783,000 in fiscal year 2022 but was only allocated $33,700,000 for 2023 and future years of the program.  

“Massachusetts has made great progress in removing lead service lines so that all of our communities can rely on clean drinking water,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The historic federal investments made possible by President Biden and our congressional delegation have been instrumental in these efforts, and we ask the Environmental Protection Agency to provide us the resources so we can together continue advancing this important work.”  

“Contamination from lead pipes disproportionately hurts our historically marginalized populations and environmental justice communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We ask the EPA to reconsider these changes in their funding allocations to ensure that federal dollars are distributed most effectively to Massachusetts and states across the country.”  

“Lead pipes are known to contaminate the water we drink, including in our homes and schools, and pose serious health risks for Massachusetts residents especially children and those living in underserved communities,” said Attorney General Campbell. “I am grateful to partner with Governor Healey, Treasurer Goldberg, and Secretary Tepper in calling on the EPA to swiftly restore Massachusetts’s lead service line funding to prior levels so we can replace these pipes with the urgency our residents deserve.”   

“We are deeply committed to ensuring the safety of our drinking water, protecting the public's health, and supporting our communities across the entire state,” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. “There are very serious concerns with the EPA’s data that will hinder this vital work, and we urge them to reevaluate their position. The well-being of Massachusetts residents, particularly our most vulnerable, depend on the continuity of these critical resources.”  
The EPA’s lead remediation programs are a realization of President Biden’s goal to remove 100% of lead service lines nationwide and address the critical public health and environmental justice challenges that come from lead-contaminated drinking water. This includes the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund which has $15 billion in funding nationally from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), signed by President Biden in 2021.  

The letter from Governor Healey and state leaders identifies Massachusetts’s unique needs for lead remediation funding based on the high percentage of housing stock from before 1940, when the use of lead in service lines was prevalent and emphasizes how the effects of this today cause disproportionate lead exposure in communities of color. Massachusetts has leveraged BIL money to meet these challenges, including commitments since 2022 of more than $59 million in federal funds for lead remediation projects. This funding has gone towards needs assessments and the development of action plans in 121 Massachusetts communities, and has financed $30 million for remediation including projects in Andover, Boston, Fall River, New Bedford and Somerville.  

While the historic funding provided by the Biden Administration seeks to effectively tackle lead line replacement, the letter describes a flawed process behind the EPA’s award numbers that included calculations based on incomplete data, formulas which fail to account for relevant state specific factors, and a lack of clarity from the EPA that data requested from states on a voluntary basis would be used to determine funding.  

“Massachusetts and our cities and towns lead the nation in eliminating lead service lines,” said Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper. “Low-income and communities of color face a higher burden from environmental pollution. Reducing lead service line funding will directly impact our state’s most vulnerable residents. We urge EPA to fully fund the state’s lead service line grant allotment.”  

“These funds are critical to continue the important work of protecting our vulnerable residents from the negative health impacts of lead in drinking water,” said Massachusetts Commissioner of Environmental Protection Bonnie Heiple. “MassDEP and Massachusetts communities are ready to spend this money, complete projects, and get the job done. The EPA has been a strong partner in this work and we eagerly await their decision on the reconsideration of this funding.”  

“The reductions in EPA funding could dramatically limit Massachusetts’s incredible work addressing our unique challenges with lead service lines,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “Massachusetts has shown the ability to impactfully use federal funding to make progress on this public health crisis, and we will continue our efforts to secure each and every federal dollar that enables this work to continue.”  

Massachusetts is set to secure a $5.76 million reallotment of 2022 funding from the EPA due to a reallocation of EPA funds. However, this amount is only a small step towards reversing the funding shortfall caused by the EPA’s new allotment determinations. The Massachusetts federal delegation has strongly advocated for a revision of the EPA’s methodology, including in a September letter. 

吳弭市長宣佈新屆青年桂冠詩人Parker-Vincent Alva

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES BOSTON’S NEW YOUTH POET LAUREATE Boston Latin School’s Parker-Vincent Alva is Boston’s third Youth Poet Laureate.

BOSTON - Thursday, February 1, 2024- Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Boston Public Library, 826 Boston, GrubStreet, Fine Arts Work Center, Mass Poetry, and Urban Word, today announced Parker-Vincent Alva has been named the City of Boston’s next Youth Poet Laureate.  “The voices of our youth should not only be seen as potential for the future, but an opportunity to inspire others – and those voices deserve to be amplified,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Congratulations to Parker-Vincent Alva on his appointment as our city’s next Youth Poet Laureate and to all of our finalists and semifinalists on their hard work.”   “Poetry is a tool for empathy, advocacy, and self-expression that everyone deserves access to. The Youth Poet Laureate does important work in raising awareness of the literary arts among Boston’s youth and inspiring them to share their experiences through the written word,” said Chief of Arts & Culture, Kara Elliott-Ortega. “Parker is a talented poet and we are excited to see him grow in this role and carry on the legacies of past Youth Poets Laureate.”

Boston’s third Youth Poet Laureate, Parker-Vincent Alva (right, with his hands on his knees, wearing an orange and black jacket) finds out that he has been selected as the next Youth Poet Laureate. Parker was born and raised in Roslindale and attends Boston Latin School, where he is involved in the BLS Theater Company and the Yellow Submarine Improv Troupe. He is also an alum of the GrubStreet Teen Summer Writing Fellowship, and has been published in BLS’s literary magazine, The Register. Parker enjoys writing poetry, short prose, and screenplays centered on the intersection of desire and identity. He views writing as his way to connect with the world, bring people together, and to better understand others by putting himself in their shoes. Parker was named the third Youth Poet Laureate at a showcase at the Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library on Saturday, January 27, 2024, where he read some of his original poetry alongside several Youth Poet Laureate finalists and semifinalists, including: Alyssa Mascarenhas, John D O'Bryant School of Math and Science (finalist) Farhiyo Omar, Charlestown High School (finalist) Amy Luo, Josiah Quincy Upper School Analyse Lisa Duffy, Codman Academy Elijah Burke, Boston Latin Academy Hannah LeBlanc, John D. O'Bryant Math and Science School Kate Osakwe, Noble and Greenough School Maya McNeill, Emmanuel College Success Omoregie, Joseph Lee K8 School During his tenure as Youth Poet Laureate, Parker will publish his own book of poetry to be made available at all 26 branches of the Boston Public Library, be mentored by Boston’s Poet Laureate, Porsha Olayiwola, and earn a $3,000 stipend. “I am eager to work with Parker. He is an incredibly brilliant younger person with a clear passion and talent for poetry. I look forward to how Parker will help influence the poetry scene in our city,” said Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola. “I am hoping Boston can continue to cultivate spaces where the voices of young people are centered, echoed, and upheld.”  The Boston Youth Poet Laureate program (BYPL) was created in cooperation with the national youth literary organization Urban Word, local youth literary leaders, the Boston Public Library, MassLEAP, and 826 Boston to promote appreciation for poetry. Similar to the Poet Laureate's civic challenge, the Youth Poet Laureate is tasked with inspiring deeper engagement in the written and spoken word. Alondra Bobadilla was named Boston’s inaugural Youth Poet Laureate in January 2020, and Anjalequa Birkett was announced as Boston's second Youth Poet Laureate in February 2022. To learn more about the Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate programs, visit boston.gov/poetry.

MIPIM 宣佈40名大獎入圍者

             (Boston Orange 編譯) 全球最大的國際房地產盛會 MIPIM 宣佈 MIPIM 獎從39國的209項報名案件中挑出40個項目入圍決賽。6大類別獎項及特別評審獎的得獎者將於3月14日在法國坎城影節宮 (Palais des Festivals)舉行的頒獎大會中揭曉。

            MIPIM獎旨在表彰全球各地已完工，或仍在施工中的樓宇建築項目，如今已是房地產界全球知名的獎項。

今年的10名評審，分別為主席PIMCO Prime 房地產全球首席執行官兼首席資訊官François Trausch，以及美國Metaprop聯合創始人兼管理合夥人Aaron Block，英國仲量聯行可持續發展服務和ESG全球主管Guy Grainger，英國牛津地產ESG與運營高級總監Hala El Akl，芬蘭Nrep合夥人兼資訊長Jani Nokkanen，丹麥Bjarke Ingels Group合夥人Kai-Uwe Bergmann，法國Ivanhoe劍橋歐洲及亞太區主管Karim Habra，波蘭SkanskaCEE區域歐洲商業發展董事長兼執行長Katarzyna Zawodna-Bijoch，法國Ardian France房地產主管Stéphanie Bensimon，英國RICS董事長Tina Paillet，法國Nexity執行長 Veronique Bedague。

這些評審們將以增強建築環境，符合環境、社會及治理 (ESG) 原則的項目，在現場或線上投票，選出6大類別獎項的得獎者。評審團最喜歡的項目，將獲得「評審團特別獎」。評審的6個關鍵標準為總體可持續性、和社區及環境的整合程度，使用者經驗品質、經濟貢獻、概念原創性，以及建築品質。

6大類別為總面積小於15萬平方米的最佳新發展項目，面積大於15萬平方米的最新發展項目，最佳文化、體育及教育項目，最佳接待、旅遊，休閒發展項目，最佳改造項目，最佳工業及物流項目等。

40名入圍者來自20個國家，其中法國入圍項目最多，共有7個。美國緊隨其後，有5個，其次是比利時和丹麥，各有3個專案，德國、澳大利亞、埃及、義大利、荷蘭和英國各有2個專案。

今年的MIPIM獎決賽入圍者包括：

Grainhouse，一個91,000平方英尺的前維多利亞種子倉庫，被改造成一個主要的辦公室和零售計劃（英國）

Lyf one-north Singapore，一個開創性的共用生活開發專案，旨在實現社會包容性的城市生活（新加坡）

Esbjerg 海事中心，一個開放式設計專案，在海港邊設有水上運動俱樂部和培訓設施（丹麥）

E-Valley，前康布雷空軍基地，將成為歐洲最大的碳意識物流園區之一（法國）

Trojena Ski Village，一種由保護自然的低密度垂直建築組成的新穎村莊類型（沙烏地阿拉伯）

溫思羅普中心是一座 691 英尺高的混合用途塔樓，位於城市擁有的停車場所在地，與麻省理工學院教授（美國）合作開發。

2024年決賽入圍者的完整名單可在 MIPIM Awards 網站上找到： https://mipimawards.com/mipimawards2024/en/page/finalists-2024

MIPIM大獎評審團主席François Trausch表示，今年的主題是轉型。MIPIM今年的大會主講嘉賓，芬蘭前總理Sanna Marin也表示，以符合未來需求的新概念來重新想像現有樓宇，應該讓所有房地產界人士受到啟發。

2024年MIPIM將有5個展場，包括專注於邁向零狀態，加速房地產樓與環境去碳化的轉型，領導者觀點專注於在業界興起浪潮的主題演講，資產課展場將探討獲取市場方向的觀察主要資產，地理焦點展場檢視特定地方市場，讓它發生展場是關於現有市場問題的營運優異，以及解決方案實例。

MIPIM金年還將和Co-Liv合作，在3月11日舉辦”房屋有關係 (Housing Matters!)”，為期半日的高峰會，探討可持續性住宅解決方案，包括擔家庭屋，學生宿舍，建來出租( BTR)，後期居住，以及其他的創新模式。