麻州參議會無異議通過580億元預算 支持就讀社區學院免學費

Senate Passes 2025 Budget to Make Community College Free, Invest in Every Region, Open Childcare Seats    

$57.999 billion budget approved unanimously following three days of robust, bipartisan debate  

 

(BOSTON—5/23/2024) The Massachusetts Senate has unanimously approved a $57.999 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). Following robust and spirited debate, the Senate adopted over 400 amendments and took 43 roll call votes, adding $89.6 million in spending for statewide initiatives and local priorities for communities around the Commonwealth.  

 

The budget builds on the Senate’s commitment to fiscal responsibility while delivering historic levels of investment in every level of education, regional equity, and mental health, reflecting the Chamber’s commitment to creating a more affordable, equitable, and competitive Commonwealth.   

  

“Today our chamber took a vote of confidence in every Massachusetts resident going to school, raising a family, and working to make ends meet —today we took a vote for an affordable, competitive, and equitable Commonwealth,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This budget is an investment in our people, and it is an investment in our collective future. I want to thank Chair Rodrigues, Vice Chair Friedman, Assistant Vice Chair Comerford, the Committee, and all my Senate colleagues and staff for their thoughtful and collaborative work on this great budget.” 

 

“The Fiscal Year 2025 budget overwhelmingly passed by the Senate makes transformative investments in education, regional equity, and builds upon the Commonwealth’s workforce economy,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “These historic measures enable residents to remain in the state, solidifying our economic future for generations to come. The FY 25 budget is also a balanced and responsible plan, centered on sustainability and regional equity by maximizing revenues and building upon the progress we’ve already made in key sectors of the state economy. With a transparent and inclusive amendment process, we were able to improve our original budget and make even further strides in our education, economic development, environmental, and health and human services priorities. Thank you to all my Senate colleagues, especially members on the Committee; whose thoughtful input, advocacy, and collaboration, helped to develop and shape this comprehensive budget plan, I would also like to offer a heartfelt thank you to Senate President Spilka for her compassionate and resolute leadership as we work together to rebuild our economy and grow our state’s long-term economic health,”  

 

“The Senate’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget ensures stability, regional equity, and a high level of quality for the programs that our municipalities and residents need and rely on,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “As we grapple with rising costs and access challenges within the Massachusetts health care system, I am especially proud that this budget utilizes tools to maximize our health care dollars for the facilities and providers that serve our most vulnerable residents. I thank Senate President Spilka, Senate Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues, and my Senate colleagues for their thoughtful approach and dedication to passing a budget that balances fiscal constraints with targeted, impactful investment in our Commonwealth.” 

 

“Universally free community college and record public higher education investments. Significant funding for rural roads and bridges, local public health, K-12 schools, Unrestricted Government Aid, PILOT, Regional Transit Authorities, food security, and more,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Assistant Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. “I am proud of the many ways this budget rises to meet the needs and opportunities of all the Commonwealth’s people. Thank you to Senate President Karen Spilka and Chair Michael Rodrigues for your leadership in crafting this compassionate and visionary budget proposal.” 

 

The Committee’s budget recommends a total of $58 billion in spending, a $1.8 billion increase over the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) General Appropriations Act (GAA). This spending recommendation is based on a tax revenue estimate of $41.5 billion for FY25, which is $208 million less than revenues assumed in the FY24 GAA. This represents nearly flat growth, as agreed upon during the Consensus Revenue process in January, plus $1.3 billion in revenue generated from the Fair Share surtax. 

 

As the Commonwealth adjusts to a changing economic landscape and ongoing tax revenue volatility, the FY25 budget adheres to disciplined and responsible fiscal stewardship. It does not raise taxes, nor does it draw down available reserves from the Stabilization Fund or the Transitional Escrow Fund, while at the same time judicially utilizing one-time resources to maintain balance.  

 

The Senate’s budget continues responsible and sustainable planning for the future by continuing to grow the Rainy Day Fund, already at a historic high of over $8 billion. The Senate’s proposal would build the Commonwealth’s reserves to a healthy balance in excess of $9 billion at the close of FY25.  

 

Fair Share Investments 

Consistent with the consensus revenue agreement reached with the Administration and House of Representatives in January, the Senate’s FY25 budget includes $1.3 billion in revenues generated from the Fair Share surtax of 4 per cent on annual income above $1 million. As FY25 represents the second year where this source of revenue is available, the Committee’s budget invests these Fair Share revenues into an array of important initiatives to further strengthen our state’s economy by expanding access to quality public education and improving the state’s transportation infrastructure.  

 

Notable Fair Share education investments include:  

  

• $170 million for Universal School Meals.  
• $150 million for the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) program to provide monthly grants to early education and care programs, which is matched with $325 million in funds from the General Fund and the High-Quality Early Education & Care Affordability Fund for a total investment of $475 million.  
• $117.5 million for MassEducate to provide free community college across the Commonwealth.   
• $105 million to expand financial aid programs for in-state students attending state universities through MASSGrant Plus, which is in addition to the $175.2M for scholarships funded through the General Fund.  
• $80 million for childcare affordability, creating more than 4,000 new subsidized childcare seats and expanding access to subsidized childcare to families making 85 per cent state median income.  
• $65 million for early education and care provider rate increases, to increase salaries for our early educators. 
• $15 million for the CPPI Pre-K Initiative, matching $17.5 million in funds from the General Fund, for a total of $32.5M to support the expansion of universal pre-kindergarten, including in Gateway Cities.  
• $10 million for wraparound supports to boost community college and state university student persistence, which is matched with the $18 million in SUCCESS funds from the General Fund, for a total of $28 million.  
• $10 million for early literacy initiatives.  
• $7.5 million for school-based mental health supports and wraparound services.  
• $5 million for Early College and Innovation Pathways.  

Notable Fair Share transportation investments include:  

• $250 million for the Commonwealth Transportation Fund (CTF), which will leverage additional borrowing capacity of the CTF and increase investments in transportation infrastructure by $1.1 billion over the next 5 years. This $250 million includes:  
• $127 million to double operating support for the MBTA.  
• $63 million in debt service to leverage additional borrowing capacity.  
• $60 million in operating support for MassDOT.  
• $125 million for Roads and Bridges Supplemental Aid for cities and towns, including $62.5 million for local road funds through a formula that recognizes the unique transportation issues faced by rural communities.  
• $120 million for Regional Transit Funding and Grants to support the work of Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) that serve the Commonwealth, which together with General Fund spending funds RTAs at a record $214 million.  Fair Share funding includes:  
• $66 million in direct operating support for the Regional Transit Authorities.  
• $40 million for systemwide implementation of fare-free transit service.  
• $10 million to incentivize connections between regional transit routes.  
• $4 million to support expanded mobility options for the elderly and people with disabilities.  
• $24.5 million for Commuter Rail capital improvements.  
• $23 million to support implementation of a low-income fare relief program at the MBTA.   
• $15 million for municipal small bridges and culverts.  
• $7.5 million for water transportation, funding operational assistance for ferry services.    

Education 

The Senate Ways and Means FY25 budget proposal implements the Senate’s Student Opportunity Plan by shaping polices to make high-quality education more accessible and by making significant investments in the education system, from our youngest learners to adults re-entering the higher education system.   

 

Recognizing that investing in our early education and care system directly supports the underlying economic competitiveness of the Commonwealth, the Senate’s budget makes a $1.58 billion investment in early education and care. The FY25 budget will maintain operational support for providers, support the early education and care workforce, and prioritize accessibility and affordability throughout our early education and care system. Notable funding includes: 

  

• $475 million for a full year of operational grants the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Grant program, this is the second fiscal year in a row that a full year of C3 grants have been funded using state dollars in the annual state budget. The Committee’s budget also makes the C3 program permanent, while also adding provisions to direct more funds from the C3 program to early education and programs that serve children receiving childcare subsidies from the state and youth with high needs. Currently, more than 92 percent of early education and care programs in the Commonwealth receive these grants. This program, which has become a model nationwide, has proven successful at increasing the salaries of early educators, reducing tuition costs for families, and expanding the number of available childcare slots beyond pre-pandemic capacity.  
• $80 million for childcare affordability, creating more than 4,000 new subsidized childcare seats and expanding eligibility for subsidized childcare to families making 85 per cent of the state median income. 
• $65 million for center-based childcare reimbursement rates for subsidized care, including $20 million for a new reimbursement rate increase. 
• $53.6 million for quality improvement initiatives at early education and care providers, with $6 million supporting the Summer Step Up program. 
• $32.5 million for the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative, which empowers school districts to expand prekindergarten and preschool opportunities through public-private partnerships. This is double the amount that was appropriated for this initiative in FY23. 
• $20 million for Childcare Resource and Referral Centers to assist parents, childcare providers, employers, and community groups in navigating the state’s early education and care landscape.  
• $18.5 million for grants to Head Start programs, which provide crucial early education and childcare services to low-income families. 
• $5 million for grants to early education and care providers for childhood mental health consultation services. 
• $2.5 million for a new public-private matching pilot program to encourage employers to create and support new childcare slots, with an emphasis on serving children most in-need.   

Building off the Senate’s unanimous passage of the comprehensive EARLY ED Act in March, the Committee’s FY25 budget codifies several provisions of the bill, transforming the early education sector by improving affordability and access for families, increasing pay for early educators, and ensuring the sustainability and quality of early education and care programs.  

 

In K-12 education, the Senate follows through on the commitment to fully fund and implement the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) by Fiscal Year 2027, investing $6.9 billion in Chapter 70 funding, an increase of $319 million over FY24, as well as increasing minimum Chapter 70 aid from $30 to $110 per pupil, delivering an additional $40 million in resources to school districts across the state. With these investments, the Senate continues to provide crucial support to school districts confronting the increasing cost pressures that come with delivering high-quality education to all students. 

  

In addition to the record levels of investment in early education and K-12, the Committee’s budget removes barriers to accessing public higher education by codifying into law MassEducate, a $117.5 million investment in universal free community college program that covers tuition and fees for residents, aimed at supporting economic opportunity, workforce development, and opening the door to higher education for people who may never have had access. The FY25 budget permanently enshrines free community college into law in an affordable, sustainable, and prudent manner across the Commonwealth, while leaving no federal dollars on the table.  

  

Other education investments include:   

• $492.2 million for the special education circuit breaker. 
• $198.9 million for charter school reimbursements. 
• $99.4 million to reimburse school districts for regional school transportation costs. 
• $28.3 million for higher education wraparound services, including $18.3 million in General Fund resources, to support wraparound supports to the influx of new students coming to community colleges campuses because of MassEducate.  During debate, the Senate added an amendment to fund $500,000for the Hunger Free Initiative. 
• $17.5 million for Rural School Aid supports. 
• $15 million for Early College programs and $13.1 million for the state’s Dual Enrollment initiative, both of which provide high school students with increased opportunities for post-graduate success. 
• $5 million to support continued implementation of the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Higher Education law, including $3 million for grants offered through the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment initiative to help high school students with intellectual disabilities ages 18–22 access higher education opportunities; and $2 million for the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Trust Fund. 
• $3 million for the Genocide Education Trust Fund, continuing our commitment to educate middle and high school students on the history of genocide. 
• $1 million for Hate Crimes Prevention Grants to support education and prevention of hate crimes and incidences of bias in public schools.    

Community Support 

The Committee’s budget—in addition to funding traditional accounts like Chapter 70 education aid—further demonstrates the Senate’s commitment to partnerships between the state and municipalities, dedicating meaningful resources that touch all regions and meet the needs of communities across the Commonwealth. This includes $1.3 billion in funding for Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA), an increase of $38 million over FY24, to support additional resources for cities and towns.  

 

In addition to traditional sources of local aid, the Committee’s budget increases payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) for state-owned land to $53 million, an increase of $1.5 million over FY24. PILOT funding is an additional source of supplemental local aid for cities and towns working to protect and improve access to essential services and programs during recovery from the pandemic. Other local investments include: 

  

• $214 million for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) to support regional public transportation systems, including $120 million from Fair Share funds to support our RTAs that help to connect all regions of our Commonwealth. 
• $51.3 million for libraries, including $19 million for regional library local aid, $20 million for municipal libraries and $6.2 million for technology and automated resource networks. 
• $25.6 million for the Massachusetts Cultural Council to support local arts, culture, and creative economic initiatives.  

Health, Mental Health & Family Care 

The Senate budget funds MassHealth at a total of $20.33 billion, providing more than two million people with continued access to affordable, accessible, and comprehensive health care services. Other health investments include: 

  

• $3 billion for a range of services and focused supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 
• Nearly $2 billion to protect and deliver a wide range of mental health services and programs, including $622.3 million for Department of Mental Health adult support services, including assisted outpatient programming and comprehensive care coordination among health care providers. 
• $582.1 million for nursing facility Medicaid rates, including $112 million in additional base rate payments to maintain competitive wages in the Commonwealth’s nursing facility workforce. 
• $390 million for Chapter 257 rates to support direct-care providers across the continuum of care. 
• $198.9 million for a complete range of substance use disorder treatment and intervention services to support these individuals and their families. 
• $131 million for children’s mental health services. 
• $113 million for the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program to prevent service reductions and maintain accessible eligibility thresholds. 
• $75.8 million for domestic violence prevention services. 
• $30.9 million for Early Intervention services, ensuring supports remain accessible and available to infants and young toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities. 
• $33.8 million for Family Resource Centers to grow and improve the mental health resources and programming available to families. 
• $28.5 million for grants to local Councils on Aging to increase assistance per elder to $15 from $14 in FY 2024. 
• $26.7 million for student behavioral health services across the University of Massachusetts, state universities, community colleges, K-12 schools, and early education centers. 
• $25 million for emergency department diversion initiatives for children, adolescents, and adults.  
• $25.1 million for family and adolescent health, including $9.2 million for comprehensive family planning services and $6.7 million to enhance federal Title X family planning funding. 
• $20 million to recapitalize the Behavioral Health, Access, Outreach and Support Trust Fund to support targeted behavioral health initiatives. 
• $14.2 million for suicide prevention and intervention, with an additional $1.4 million for Samaritans Inc. and $1.1 million for the Call-2-Talk suicide prevention hotline. This investment will fully fund 988, the 24/7 suicide and crisis lifeline. 
• $14.5 million for maternal and child health, including $10.4 million for pediatric palliative care services for terminally ill children and a policy adjustment to ensure that children up to age 22 can continue to be served through the program.  
• $12.5 million for grants to support local and regional boards of health, continuing our efforts to build upon the successful State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE) Program. 
• $6 million for Social Emotional Learning Grants to help K-12 schools continue to bolster social emotional learning supports for students, including $1 million to provide mental health screenings for K-12 students. 
• $5.5 million for Children Advocacy Centers to improve the critical supports available to children that have been neglected or sexually abused. 
• $3.9 million for the Office of the Child Advocate. 
• $3.75 million for the Massachusetts Center on Child Wellbeing & Trauma.  
• $2 million for grants for improvements in reproductive health access, infrastructure, and safety.  

Expanding & Protecting Opportunities 

The Senate remains committed to continuing an equitable recovery, expanding opportunity, and supporting the state’s long-term economic health. To that end, the Senate’s budget increases the annual child’s clothing allowance, providing a historic $500 per child for eligible families to buy clothes for the upcoming school year. The budget also includes a 10 per cent increase to Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) benefit levels compared to June 2024 to help families move out of deep poverty.  

 

In addition, the budget provides $87 million in critical funding to support a host of food security initiatives including $42 million for Emergency Food Assistance to assist residents in navigating the historical levels in food insecurity, and $20 million for the Health Incentives Program (HIP) to ensure full operation of the program to maintain access to healthy food options for SNAP households.  

 

Economic opportunity investments include:   

• $499.7 million for Transitional Assistance to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and $179 million for Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) to provide the necessary support as caseloads increase, and continue the Deep Poverty increases. 
• $59.7 million for adult basic education services to improve access to skills necessary to join the workforce. 
• $42 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program. 
• $20 million in Healthy Incentives Programs to maintain access to healthy food options for households in need. 
• $15.5 million for the Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program. 
• $10.4 million for Career Technical Institutes to increase our skilled worker population and provide residents access to career technical training opportunities, which will combine with $12.3 million in remaining American Rescue Plan funding for the program. 
• $10 million for the Food Security Infrastructure Grant program. 
• $10 million for a Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program to provide economic support to communities disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system. 
• $5.4 million for the Innovation Pathways program to continue to connect students to trainings and post-secondary opportunities in the industry sector with a focus on STEM fields. 
• $5 million for Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, which will pair with $12.8 million in remaining American Rescue Plan funding for the program. 
• $5 million for the Secure Jobs Connect Program, providing job placement resources and assistance for homeless individuals. 
• $2.5 million for the Massachusetts Cybersecurity Innovation Fund, including $1.5 million to further partnerships with community colleges and state universities to provide cybersecurity workforce training to students and cybersecurity services to municipalities, non-profits, and small businesses.  

Housing 

As the Senate moves forward to shape a more fiscally sustainable path for the Commonwealth, affordable housing opportunities remain out of reach for too many. Longstanding housing challenges are being exacerbated by the influx of individuals and families migrating to Massachusetts, and a lack of federal financial assistance and immigration reform. To that end, the Committee’s budget invests $1.14 billion in housing, dedicating resources for housing stability, residential assistance, emergency shelter services, and homelessness assistance programs, ensuring the state deploys a humane, responsible, and sustainable approach to providing families and individuals in need with an access point to secure housing. 

 

The budget prioritizes relief for families and individuals who continue to face challenges brought on by the pandemic and financial insecurity, including $325.3 million for Emergency Assistance Family Shelters, in addition to the $175 million in resources passed in the recent supplemental budget, to place the Commonwealth’s shelter system on a fiscal glidepath into FY25, in addition to $197.4 million for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT). 

 

Other housing investments include:   

• $231.5 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), including $12.5 million in funds carried forward from FY24.   
• $115 million for assistance to local housing authorities.  
• $110.8 million for assistance for homeless individuals. 
• $57.3 million for the HomeBASE diversion and rapid re-housing programs. 
• $27 million for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), including $10.7 million in funds carried forward from FY24, to provide rental assistance to people with disabilities.  
• $10.5 million for assistance for unaccompanied homeless youth.  
• $9 million for the Housing Consumer Education Centers (HCECs). 
• $8.9 million for sponsored-based supportive permanent housing. 
• $8.9 million for the Home and Healthy for Good re-housing and supportive services program, including funding to support homeless LGBTQ youth  

The final FY25 Senate budget will be available on the Senate budget website.  

 

A conference committee will now be appointed to reconcile differences between the versions of the budget passed by the Senate and House of Representatives.  

第373屆哈佛畢業典禮數百學生上街遊行 哈瑪斯-以色列抗議延燒中

               (Boston Orange 編譯) 哈佛大學的第373屆畢業典禮，5月23日在3萬多名師生家長出席中舉行。數百名學生半途離席，上街遊行，挑明有13名參與抗議畢業生，當天不能上台領證書，以色列-哈瑪斯加薩戰爭衝擊造成的影響，迄今仍未平息的事實。

              在哈佛大學校園內支持巴勒斯坦的紮營抗議，持續三星期，在數百教授出面支持學生後，終於在畢業典禮前，拆營了。

              然而哈佛大學校方管理層不理會教授們的建議，以違反學校規定為由，決定抗議學生中的13名畢業生雖然可以參加畢業典禮，卻不能上台領證書。校方稱，這些學生在停學或觀察期屆滿後，如果成績達到學術要求，並恢復了在學校的良好信譽，將仍可領到畢業證書。

              哈佛校方這決定，促使數百哈佛學生在畢業典禮進行約一個小時中，集體離席，走上街頭，從麻州大道走到哈佛Epworth聯合衛理公會教堂的遊行，高喊”讓他們走 (Let them walk)”，意味著讓這13名學生領畢業證書。這些遊行學生，戴著頭巾，揮舞著巴勒斯坦旗，還高舉著寫有”給烈士”，”為了加薩”等字樣的標語牌。

              這天也有2架飛機拉著以色列和美國國旗，飛越哈佛廣場上空。在哈佛苑的鐵柵門外，則是有輛卡車，側面印著支持巴勒斯坦學生照片，姓名，以及控訴他們反猶太主義的字句，在街道繞行。

              在畢業典禮上，今年一月上任的哈佛代理校長Alan Garber致詞時說，”在這裡和那裏，大家都是人，都在社區及儀式中尋求安慰，儘管可能困難，卻都試圖理解事務，理解彼此。他說話時，群眾中有人發噓聲的噓了好幾秒鐘。

              獲選代表大四學生發表英文致詞的Shruthi Kumar尖銳批評哈佛行政當局，對他們的在校園內”不容忍言論自由”，表達不滿。她還說自己和幾名有色人種同學，因為代表巴勒斯坦人抗議而被人肉搜索。

              應邀為哈佛大學畢業典禮致詞的諾貝爾和平獎得主，新聞業的Maria Ressa指出，從10月7日哈瑪斯領導的攻擊以色列發生以來，棘手的中東戰爭動盪了美國校園，助長了分裂與敵意。她說是大科技公司及社交媒體平台發行的資訊，混淆了真實與虛構的界線。她強調，戰爭不只發生在加薩，更在你的口袋。”我們每一個人都在為我們自己的事實之爭而戰”。她勸哈佛學生們弄清事實，因為如果他們經歷考驗，卻不為民主而戰，將來就沒有甚麼東西可剩下來讓他們領導”。

              哈佛大學猶太牧師Hirschy Zarchi認為Maria Ressa關於”金錢與權力”的論述，是反猶太主義的。

              這場哈佛大學畢業典禮，有些人不受抗議離席影響，有些人認為這些人不該擾亂進行中的畢業典禮，有些人卻十分的支持抗議學生們，人們的意見依然很分歧。

波士頓市府大樓出現持槍人士 虛驚一場

           (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓市政府大樓入口處，週三中午驚傳有人攜槍出現，市議會因此暫停。塵埃落定後，證實虛驚一場，事情經過確如市議會議長Ruthzee Louijeune所說，只是有人踏進市府大樓前，忘了自己帶著槍。

          根據警察報告，週三中午時，有一男一女出現在國會街(Congress)的波士頓市政府大樓入口。兩人看見門口設有安檢後，女子從皮包中取出看似槍枝物品，交給男子，揣入其腰包中。該男子隨後離開大樓，並把槍枝隱藏了起來。

          該名女子進入波士頓市政府大樓，走到二樓的結婚政部門窗口，逗留了一陣子後，才回到一樓，和該男子一同離開。

          在事件發生時，傳散的留言是持槍人士在市政府大樓入口處揮舞槍枝。由於當時波士頓市議會才剛要開會，為安全起見，議會暫停。波士頓市警方事後表示，經過調查，並沒有揮舞槍枝，也沒有試圖帶槍闖關情況。兩名涉事人在警方查談時，都很合作，兩人也都擁有持槍許可證。

          波士頓市議會議長Ruthzee Louijeune表示，她只暫停議會2分鐘，以便聆聽警察匯報最新狀況，確認所有狀況都在控制中。她也感謝警察保護市府大樓的安全。

          波士頓巡邏警察協會會長Larry Calderon在此事發生後表示，波士頓市政府大樓入口處應該配備武裝警力，以防萬一，尤其近來抗議、示威、遊行等事件頻繁，不可不慎。

          波士頓市議員愛德華費連在回應此事時表示，民選代表支持縮減警察經費是很魯莽的行為。任何公眾樓宇都不應該有槍枝。

大波士頓商會Cummings基金會將3年撥款22萬5千元支持麻州學徒網

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation Awarded $225,000 Grant from Cummings Foundation

3-year grant from Cummings Foundation will fund the Chamber Foundation’s Massachusetts Apprentice Network

Boston, MA – The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation (the “Chamber Foundation”) is excited to announce a significant $225,000 3-year grant from Cummings Foundation. This funding from Cummings Foundation will support the growth and impact of the Chamber Foundation’s Massachusetts Apprentice Network, a signature initiative in the Chamber Foundation’s Transformative Talent Pathways pillar. 

Founded in 1984, the Chamber Foundation boldly invests in the success of people by providing solutions to the region’s challenges. The Commonwealth urgently needs solutions to attract and retain people and families as employers struggle to hire and retain workers. The Massachusetts Apprentice Network is designed to serve as a workforce solution for employers to train and retain their workers, with the commitment to collectively hire 1,000 apprentices by 2027. Since launching in 2022, the Network’s 353 apprentices have been placed in tech, healthcare, financial services, hospitality, and early childhood education, and employers hired 92% of apprentices into meaningful careers after their apprenticeships. 

“We are grateful to Cummings Foundation for this significant investment in the future of the Massachusetts Apprentice Network. Our competitive edge depends on a dynamic and successful workforce, and our Massachusetts Apprentice Network champions transformative careers for apprentices and a successful workforce strategy for employers. Throughout the Commonwealth, individuals are seeking career pathways and economic mobility, and we are proud that our Apprentice Network ensures access, opportunities, and success for individuals, employers, and communities,” said James E. Rooney, President of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation. 

The Chamber Foundation is one of 150 local nonprofits selected for Cummings $30 Million Grant Program, which primarily supports Massachusetts nonprofits that are based in and serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties, plus six communities in Norfolk County: Brookline, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Quincy, and Wellesley. 

Through this place-based initiative, Cummings Foundation aims to give back in the areas where it owns commercial property. Its buildings are all managed, at no cost to the Foundation, by its affiliate, Cummings Properties. This Woburn-based commercial real estate firm leases and manages 11 million square feet of debt-free space, the majority of which exclusively benefits the Foundation. 

“Greater Boston is fortunate to have a robust, dedicated, and highly capable nonprofit sector that supports and enhances the community in myriad ways,” said Cummings Foundation executive director and trustee Joyce Vyriotes. “The entire Cummings organization is thankful for their daily work to help all our neighbors thrive.” 

The majority of the grant decisions were made by nearly 100 community volunteers. They worked across a variety of committees to review and discuss the proposals and then, together, determine which requests would be funded. Among these community volunteers were business and nonprofit leaders, mayors, college presidents, and experts in areas such as finance and diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

“We believe strongly that grant decisions will be more equitable when made by a diverse group of community members,” said Vyriotes. “We’re incredibly grateful to the dozens of individuals who participated in our democratized philanthropic process.” 

The Foundation and volunteers first identified 150 organizations to receive three-year grants of up to $300,000 each. The winners included first-time recipients as well as nonprofits that had previously received Cummings grants. Twenty-five of this latter group of repeat recipients were then selected by a panel of community volunteers to have their grants elevated to 10-year awards ranging from $300,000 to $1 million each. 

This year’s grant recipients represent a wide variety of causes, including housing and food insecurity, workforce development, immigrant services, social justice, education, and mental health services. The nonprofits are spread across 49 different cities and towns. 

Cummings Foundation has now awarded $500 million to greater Boston nonprofits. The complete list of this year’s 150 grant winners, plus nearly 2,000 previous recipients, is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.

麻州長Healey有意赦赦3人

  Governor Healey Recommends Three Pardons 

BOSTON – Governor Maura T. Healey today recommended three individuals to the Governor’s Council for pardons: Danis Reyes, William Veal and Kenny Jean. Governor Healey made history last year by becoming the first Governor in 30 years to recommend pardons in her first elected year. To date, the Governor’s Council has approved all 13 of her pardon recommendations, as well as her nation-leading blanket cannabis pardon that impacts thousands more.  

“These pardons, combined with our sweeping cannabis pardon and new clemency guidelines, are an important step to making our justice system more fair and equitable,” said Governor Healey. “I look forward to continuing our efforts to use the power of clemency as a tool to right the wrongs of the past and make our state stronger and safer.” 

“We appreciate the Governor’s Council careful consideration of the Governor’s pardon recommendations to date and are grateful for their continued partnership,” said

Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. 

The Governor of Massachusetts has the power to grant executive clemency for offenses violating state law, including both pardons and commutations, with the advice and consent of the Massachusetts Governor’s Council. A pardon is a forgiveness of the offender's underlying offense. 

Last year, Governor Healey also issued new clemency guidelines that align with her administration’s commitment to center fairness and equity in the criminal justice system. 

Those being recommended for pardons are:  

Danis Reyes: Reyes was convicted of Distribution of a Class A Controlled Substance and Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substances Act in 1995. He has since become an involved parent of three children and three young grandchildren and active community member, including involvement with Lawrence Community Work. He works as a local carpenter. 

William Veal: Veal was convicted of Knowingly Receiving Stolen Property in 1981 when he was 21 years old. He was also convicted of Assault and Battery in 1983 and Conspiracy to Commit Larceny, Conspiracy, and Larceny in 1991. He lives in Brockton and is the father to ten children and thirteen grandchildren. He worked for 25 years as an autobody painter and volunteers with the Gallivan Community Center and Mattapan Community Center, and he also started a non-profit basketball league tournament that became the Chills Diamond Ring Education Foundation. He is seeking a pardon so that he can gain employment as a Constable/Process Server and apply for federal funding for the non-profits that he works with. 

Kenny Jean: Jean was convicted of Armed Robbery in 2016 when he was 18 and sentenced to 2-3 years in prison. He says that at the time, he was homeless and in desperate need of money. As a teenager, he worked with a nonprofit called More Than Words, which provides jobs and training to system-involved youth. When he was released from custody, he continued to work with the organization. He earned his certificate of completion from South Coast Education Collaborative, completed the New England Culinary Arts Training Program and joined a church. Governor Healey recommended Jean for a conditional pardon last year, which the Governor’s Council approved, and the Governor is now recommending him for an unconditional pardon. 

Somerville首屆新英格蘭香港節摩肩擦踵好熱鬧

新英格蘭香港節現場演唱。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 趁著美國5月慶祝亞裔傳統月，麻州尚莫維爾市 (Somerville) 5月19日推出首屆新英格蘭香港節，吸引成百上千民眾擠進聯合廣場，在摩肩擦踵中欣賞表演，遊逛攤位，享用咖哩魚丸、熱煎吐司等香港特色小吃，熱鬧程度出人意外。

尚莫維爾市移民事務局林怡告訴小朋友可以投三球。(周菊子攝)

              新英格蘭香港節籌委會主辦，尚莫維爾市政府藝術會(Arts Council)、移民事務局協辦的這活動，原訂18日舉行，因天氣預報下雨，改到19日，雖然因胡清白鶴派醒獅團人員不足，少了舞獅環節，其他表演節目，以及遊戲，展示，食品等20多個攤位，倒是依然迎迓著絡繹不絕遊客，忙到抽筋。

波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮(左二)到波士頓台灣影展協會攤位打招呼。
兩名共同會長林致中、Andrew Lin等人一起興奮合影。(周菊子攝)

              來到現場的遊客們，聽著舞台上唱的是一首又一首粵語歌，聞著舞台下飄著的咖哩魚蛋，熱煎吐司香味，翻閱「飛地」網路書局在會場擺出的「家園何處是」、「異鄉港孩」、「巨變第二天」、「在夾縫中抵抗」、「不中聽文集」等書籍，不熟悉香港者看的是熱鬧，熟悉香港者在心中悄悄感嘆香港近年的變化。

              用大海報當作入口標誌的這「新英格蘭香港節」，一進場人們先看到的是賣10元一盒咖哩魚蛋，煎吐司，麵包的「聯合士多」攤位。這「士多(Store)」兩字就香港味十足。咀香園的三式杏仁餅，大孖醬料公司的純正砂薑粉，廟街鍋面，也都是一看就十分香港的零食、調料。

姚英倫在現場示範急救。(周菊子攝)

              會場中還有姚英倫擺出的急救示範，昆士小學副校長吳偉照看的人像攝影，Boston 1龍舟隊的划船練習，紙牌遊戲，波士頓台灣影展協會等等攤位。

              尚莫維爾市移民事務局也擺出一個遊戲攤位，投三球算積分可領獎，吸引人了解該局提供的多語服務。自從來自香港的林怡加入該局服務後，尚莫維爾市的許多活動及服務，都有了中文版海報及傳單，還在臉書上發送，使得相關消息在華人圈中散佈得更快速。

新英格蘭香港節現場擺售香港食品。(周菊子攝)

              根據美國人口統計局數據，麻州尚莫維爾市其實是一個只有8萬零407人，家庭中位收入12萬餘元，約62.7%有大專學歷，業主自住樓宇平均中位價格86萬餘元的小城市，市內亞裔僅約10.5%，但在希臘出生，4歲時被蘇格蘭人父親和捷克、德國混血母親收養，移民到紐約的Katjana Ballantyne當選，並於2022年上任市長後，尚莫維爾市就開始更積極的幫助移民融入主流社會的日常生活。

飛地網路書店在新英格蘭香港節擺攤。(周菊子攝)

              尚莫維爾市相關單位表示，將來會繼續支持新英格蘭香港節的舉辦。 

 (訂正啟事:   文中人名姚英倫，之前誤寫為姚哲倫，謹此致歉)

  

  

新英格蘭香港節現場。(周菊子攝)

昆士小學副校長吳偉(右)為新英格蘭香港節擺出攝影攤位。(周菊子攝)