人生一定要有的八個朋友：
推手(Builder)、
支柱(Champion)、
同好(Collaborator)、
夥伴(Companion)、
中介(Connector)、
開心果(Energizer)、
開路者(Mind Opener)、
導師(Navigator)。
chutze@bostonorange.com
*******************
All rights of articles and photos on this website are reserved.
Governor Healey Appoints Melissa Pullin as Chief Human Resources Officer
Pullin’s appointment is effective September 16, 2024
BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey has appointed Melissa Pullin as Chief Human Resources Officer of the Human Resources Division (HRD), the agency responsible for attracting, developing, and retaining the state’s high-performing and diverse workforce.
Pullin’s public service career spans over 30 years and includes her current position as HRD’s Interim Chief Human Resources Officer. In her capacity as Interim Chief, Pullin has led HRD in delivering a skills-based hiring initiative and policy, renegotiating fair and balanced collective bargaining agreements, and unveiling a successful civil service recruitment campaign aimed at attracting diverse candidates to the police workforce.
“Our best-in-class state workforce is the key to the success of every one of our administration’s efforts to make Massachusetts more competitive, equitable, and affordable,” said Governor Maura Healey. “With Melissa Pullin at the helm of the Human Resources Division, we have the ideal team in place to continue delivering wins to the people of Massachusetts.”
“Across our administration’s executive branch team, we rely on leaders who are accomplished in their fields and driven to better the lives of Massachusetts families and individuals,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Melissa Pullin is no exception, and we are proud to have her assume a role that she has already performed so well in an interim capacity.”
“Melissa has done a fantastic job leading the Human Resources Division on an interim basis,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “She has been a great partner to me and my colleagues across state government and has the strategic and managerial capabilities to help us make the Commonwealth an even greater place to work and serve for all current and future employees.”
“It is an honor to lead the talented HRD team in our work to shape, support, and energize the Healey-Driscoll administration’s workforce,” said incoming Chief Human Resources Officer Melissa Pullin. “I’m proud of the diverse, accomplished teams we have across the Commonwealth’s Executive Department, and I’m eager to continue strengthening our workforce with innovative HR tools and forward-thinking policies and practices.”
Pullin’s previous leadership roles include her tenure as Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer at HRD, and Chief of Staff in the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), the agency within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services that serves one in six Massachusetts residents with food assistance (SNAP benefits) and direct economic assistance (cash benefits), as well as workforce training opportunities. She has also served as Director of the Office of Massachusetts Client Relations at Commonwealth Medicine (now ForHealth Consulting).
In 2018, Pullin was awarded the Manuel Carballo Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service from the Commonwealth for her contributions to the Interagency Hurricane Relief Task Force, which assisted Hurricane Maria evacuees. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Emerson College and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Public and Nonprofit Management from Boston University.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Department is one of the state’s largest employers, with over 45,000 employees that span eleven Secretariats and more than 70 agencies. The Commonwealth employs people in all types of roles, in a vast array of sectors including healthcare, transportation, education, public safety, and technology.
The Human Resources Division (HRD) is an agency within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. HRD provides support to state agencies in all matters relating to the Commonwealth’s classification, compensation, benefits, recruitment, training and employee development, civil rights, collective bargaining, and workers compensation administration. Among HRD’s functions is delivering learning opportunities for state employees, and ensuring an inclusive, safe, and productive workplace.
Governor Healey Signs Legislation Renaming Massachusetts
Rehabilitation Commission to ‘MassAbility’
New name reflects a more expansive effort to break down
stigma and increase equity and access for people with disabilities
BOSTON –Today, Governor Maura Healey signed
legislation that renames the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission to
MassAbility. Governor Healey filed this bill last year to reflect the administration’s
goal ofexpanding the
agency’s reach and ushering in a new, more
inclusive model for disability career services and independent living. The
legislation also removes outdated terms from the general laws like “handicap,” “handicapped,” and “retarded,”
replacing them with “barrier,” “person with a disability,” and
person with an “intellectual disability.”
“Words matter. This legislation ensures that the names and
terms we use accurately reflect the strength and capabilities of the disability
community, supports our goal of helping the people we serve achieve autonomy
and independence, and breaks down stigma,” said Governor Maura Healey.
“I’m grateful to our partners in the Legislature for advancing this
legislation, and to the members of the disability community and our team at
MassAbility and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services who advocated
to make this a reality in Massachusetts”
“MassAbility exemplifies a sense of community and
belonging,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By updating these
laws, we are putting outdated terms aside while honoring the disability
community’s tenacity. MassAbility today provides services that break down
barriers, cultivate diversity and empower people to thrive in their workplaces
and their communities.”
The new name directly resulted from feedback from the
disability community and was selected following significant research, focus
groups, surveys, and conversations with the community, businesses, providers,
and advocacy organizations.
“The new name MassAbility and language changes reflect both
the state and agency’s commitment to inclusivity, because we know that words
matter,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh.
“MassAbility represents pride and self-determination. It’s about rights and
equal access. It’s about building a future and being fully present and counted
in the world.”
The name directly resulted from feedback from the disability
community and was selected following significant research, focus groups,
surveys, and conversations with the community, businesses, providers, and
advocacy organizations.
“This historic legislation represents the state’s commitment
to propelling the disability movement forward,” said MassAbility
Commissioner Toni Wolf. “Language has the power to shape people and
culture, tackle stigmas, biases, and stereotypes. For too long, the words we’ve
used have not reflected the strengths, resilience, and determination of the
disability community. This legislation changes that. We are changing life in
Massachusetts for the better, making it more equitable, accessible, and
inclusive for people with disabilities.”
“MassAbility signals the intentionality of the
Healey-Driscoll Administration for driving a more inclusive workforce,
workplace, and work opportunities for individuals with all capabilities,” saidLabor and Workforce
Development Secretary Lauren Jones. “Massachusetts is dedicated to
fostering an equitable workforce system, and the Executive Office of Labor and
Workforce Development looks forward to building on shared strategies to achieve
this in collaboration with MassAbility.”
“Every person has the right to live an independent and
meaningful life regardless of ability, with the same access to work, housing,
and services that every resident deserves,” said Senate President Karen E.
Spilka (D-Ashland). “With the Governor’s signature, we change this name to
one which reflects the strong work of MassAbility to deliver that access to
every individual who works with them, and we remove archaic laws — an important
step towards becoming a more equitable Commonwealth. I am deeply grateful to
the Governor for her signature, my colleagues for their support, Speaker
Mariano, and our partners in the House.”
“This legislation is our latest effort to ensure that our
state laws do not use antiquated words that carry negative connotations, words
that also serve as a reminder of past injustices,” said Speaker of the House
Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I would like to thank Governor Healey for
filing the bill originally, as well as all my colleagues in the House and our
partners in the Senate for working to pass this important legislation.”
Working alongside the disability community, MassAbility provides services that break down barriers,
cultivate diversity, and empower people to thrive in their workplaces and their
communities.
(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 波士頓市長吳弭
(Muchelle Wu) 今 (11)
日和公校總監Mary
Skipper等人，聯袂慶祝波市公校獲得有史以來最大筆捐款3800萬元，用於和麻省布里根總醫院 (Mass General Brigham)合作，建新大樓，把愛德華甘迺迪醫療業學校 (Edward M. Kennedy Academy of Health Careers School，簡稱EMK)學生人數增至800人。
Healey-Driscoll Administration Files $714 Million
Supplemental Budget to Close Fiscal Year 2024
Bill Proposes to Strengthen State’s Financial Reserves;
Seeds New Disaster Relief and Resiliency Fund with $11 Million
BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey filed
a supplemental budget to balance the state's Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) budget
and close critical funding gaps for public health, substance use treatment and
education, while also building key reserves.
The bill allocates $714 million in gross spending, at
a net cost to the state of $149 million after offsets, to pay for
time-sensitive FY24 budget deficiencies. It also invests $590 million in
the state’s future stability by making deposits in reserve accounts and
streamlines policy implementation through technical improvements to existing
statutes.
“The supplemental budget will further our efforts to make
life more affordable for people in Massachusetts – from child care to school
meals to rent – while also advancing our clean energy economy, supporting
public health hospitals, and improving our communities’ ability to respond to
disasters,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re grateful for the
Legislature’s partnership to lower costs, grow our economic competitiveness,
and ensure a balanced and responsible budget.”
“With this budget bill, our administration continues to
ensure that every dollar we invest yields benefits for the people of
Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “As we continue
transitioning to the Fiscal Year 2025 budget we crafted with our partners in
the Legislature, this bill ensures that we’re starting with a responsible and
sustainable balance sheet.”
In FY24, the voter-approved Fair Share surtax generated $1.2
billion in excess revenues beyond what was budget by the administration and
Legislature, while all other revenue came in $233 million below revised
projections. With this bill, the administration proposes to strategically
allocate $225 million of that surtax excess to support education and
transportation initiatives such as Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grants,
universal school meals and MassDOT operations. This will help close the non-surtax
revenue gap and is in line with how the administration and Legislature have
chosen to use surtax revenues in Fiscal Year 2025.
This bill also proposes a limited amount of new spending
critical to protecting public health and advancing the state’s climate and
clean energy goals. This includes an additional $10 million for the
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, $400,000 for mosquito spraying and $11
million to seed the new Disaster Relief and Resiliency Fund. The deposit in the
disaster relief fund would ensure immediate access to funding in Fiscal Year
2025, if necessary, and supplement the $14 million earmarked through consolidated
net surplus at the end of the year. The bill also includes critical and time
sensitive provisions related to clean energy siting, permitting and
procurement.
“By closing Fiscal Year 2024 in balance, with spending
carefully managed and aligned with inflation, and with additional resources at
our disposal, Massachusetts is well-insulated against the fiscal risks we’re
facing,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz.
“We are grateful to Legislative leadership for their ongoing collaboration, and
we ask that they pass this supplemental budget bill to keep Massachusetts in
good financial health.”
Additionally, this budget bill would pay for all newly
ratified collective bargaining agreements, provide $2.5 million for iLottery
start-up costs and put $10 million toward the Massachusetts Life Sciences
Center.
The largest cost covered by the supplement budget would pay
for services provided over the past fiscal year by MassHealth. The bill directs
$565.4 million gross to MassHealth at a net zero cost to the state as a result
of available federal reimbursement.
The administration is also proposing to replenish the
Transitional Escrow Account, which has proven to be a critical tool to
relieving pressures on the budget over the course of a fiscal year. This bill
would direct $265 million in excess capital gains to the Transitional Escrow
Fund, while still allowing for a $265 million deposit in the Stabilization Fund
that will push the balance to approximately $8.8 billion.
This bill also allocates:
$46
million for a reserve to cover costs accrued by sheriffs
$14
million to support treatment for substance and alcohol use disorder
$8.7
million for Universal School Meals
$7.3
million for Residential Assistance to Families in Transition
(RAFT)
$5.1
million for support to public health hospitals
$1.3
million for Department of Unemployment Assistance
caseload
$690,000
for the Chief Medical Examiner
$622,000
for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for state match to flood
victims
$200,000
for National Guard death gratuity benefits and support for military
suicide prevention programming
This bill also includes a number of outside
sections that provide for some technical corrections and deadline extensions
necessary for the effective implementation of policy enacted in recent
legislation. These include sections amending the HERO Act to allow veterans to
receive specialty license plates without paying an additional fee as intended
and granting eligibility to tribes in Massachusetts for the Municipal
Vulnerability Preparedness program.
(Boston
Orange 編譯) 美國商務部（U.S. Department of Commerce）與美國外交關係委員會（Council
on Foreign Relations，CFR）9月10日合作主辦首屆供應鏈峰會（Supply Chain Summit），公佈首創的診斷供應鏈危機評估工具 SCALE。
In Massachusetts, New England Governors and Eastern
Canadian Premiers Commit to Continued Cross-Border Collaboration
Governors and Premiers pass resolutions to reconvene
standing committees on energy and the environment
BOSTON—The New
England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG-ECP) met to discuss
coordinated efforts on shared economic, energy and environmental priorities at
the 45th annual NEG-ECP Conference held on September 9 and 10 in Boston,
Massachusetts. Discussions built on last year’s conference in Québec City, the
first in-person meeting of the NEG-ECP since 2018.
The clean energy transition was the primary topic of
discussion, with a focus on achieving broad regional economic and reliability
benefits, energy independence, and job growth. The leaders held two formal
discussions on developing a regional offshore wind supply chain and strategies
for hard-to-decarbonize sectors.Through
two resolutions, the Governors and Premiers agreed to reconvene the Northeast
International Committee on Energy (NICE) to pursue regional collaboration and
planning on these and other energy issues, as well as direct the Committee on
Environment to reconvene and consider further steps on ecological connectivity,
climate adaptation and food security. These two standing committees of
the NEG-ECP have long served as vehicles for pursuing initiatives that the
Governors and Premiers direct at the annual conference. The resolutions are
available here.
波士頓市長吳弭致詞。
“Last year’s conference was an important milestone in the
long-standing collaboration between our regions, marking the 50th anniversary
of these cross-border meetings. We were proud to welcome our colleagues to
Massachusetts to spark the beginning of our next 50 years of cooperative work
together,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. “We’re excited to
continue our work together to achieve greater energy independence and
affordability, create new union jobs and build up the climate workforce, and
take proactive steps to address climate change."
"As the easternmost province in Canada, advantageously
located close to the European market as well as the United States, Newfoundland
and Labrador has long recognized the value of working collaboratively towards
shared goals," said Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dr. Andrew Furey.
"Our discussions at this year's NEG-ECP further strengthen our commitment
to the clean energy transition and our trade relationship. I look forward to
hosting the conference next year.”
Governor Healey co-chaired the 45th NEG-ECP meeting with
Premier Andrew Furey of Newfoundland and Labrador. Other Governors and Premiers
and their representatives participating in the meeting were: Governor Ned
Lamont of Connecticut; Governor Janet Mills of Maine; Governor Daniel McKee of
Rhode Island; Governor Phil Scott of Vermont; Premier Dennis King of Prince
Edward Island; Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie Martine
Biron of Québec; Associate Deputy Minister of the Office of Priorities and
Planning Dave MacGregor of Nova Scotia; and Executive Director of Department of
Intergovernmental Affairs Serge Breau of New Brunswick.
On Monday, the Governors and Premiers visited the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where they experienced the
Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Bridge Simulator and toured the cutting-edge facility
training the workforce for maritime fields, including the offshore wind
industry. On Tuesday, the group spent the day at the Boston University Center for Data and Computing Science for
a series of roundtables on offshore wind supply chain and addressing
hard-to-decarbonize sectors. The Center is the school’s most sustainable and
energy-efficient building to date and the largest building in Boston not
reliant on fossil fuels, using closed-loop geothermal wells that provide
heating and cooling, as well as electric appliances for cooking.
Quotes from Conference Participants:
Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut:
“The northeast faces many challenges when it comes to energy
affordability and reliability, and collaborating on these policies among our
states and provinces is a way that we can work to diversify energy supplies,
strengthen the clean energy supply chain, and grow the clean energy workforce.
I appreciate Governor Healey for organizing this meeting and thank the New
England governors and eastern Canadian premiers for their collaboration.”
Governor Janet Mills, Maine:
“Maine has a long and productive history of working closely
with our neighboring Canadian provinces and fellow New England states on a
variety of shared issues, from our economies to our environment. I am proud to
continue that longstanding tradition of cross-border collaboration through this
year’s NEG-ECP Conference. Through these regional partnerships, we will advance
our shared vision of harnessing clean, renewable energy to enhance our energy
independence, improve affordability, and create strong, good-paying jobs in
rewarding careers – all of which will have the tremendous benefit of
strengthening our economy and battling the climate crisis.”
Governor Phil Scott, Vermont:
“A strong relationship across our region is essential to the
strength of our states and provinces – from the economy and energy to workforce
and infrastructure – and these meetings are important to continuing to build on
these connections. By sharing ideas and collaborating on shared priorities, we
each bring back new opportunities and approaches to improving the lives of our
residents, and our entire region.”
Governor Dan McKee, Rhode Island:
“Rhode Island is dedicated to collaborating with neighboring
states and provinces to drive the clean energy transition forward, which is
essential for our economic growth and environmental stewardship. By focusing on
regional offshore wind initiatives and innovative strategies for
hard-to-decarbonize sectors, we are not only enhancing energy independence but
also creating valuable, good-paying job opportunities. A cleaner, greener
tomorrow starts today, and I'm proud to partner with fellow New England governors
and Canadian leaders to reaffirm our commitment to achieving that
future."
Premier Dennis King, Prince Edward Island:
"The connection between the New England states and
Eastern Canada is one build on shared history, economic collaboration, cultural
bonds, and working together as a region in times of need. As a region, we
will continue to strengthen this partnership, creating opportunities that
benefit residents on both sides of the border.”
Martine Biron, Minister of International Relations and La
Francophonie and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Quebec:
[English] “By participating in this important
conference, Québec is strengthening its collaboration in New England and is
delighted to be a partner in the transition to a green economy in North
America. Collaboration between the region’s governments in developing renewable
energies, decarbonizing the economy and combatting climate change is essential
to achieving our common goals. The entire region can count on Québec and its
diplomatic network as a reliable partner in making this necessary transition a
success.”
[French] « En participant à cette importante
conférence, le Québec renforce sa collaboration en Nouvelle-Angleterre et se
réjouit d’être un partenaire de la transition vers l’économie verte en Amérique
du Nord. La collaboration entre les gouvernements de la région en matière de
développement des énergies renouvelables, de décarbonation de l'économie et de
lutte contre les changements climatiques est essentielle pour atteindre nos
objectifs communs. Toute la région peut compter sur le Québec et son réseau
diplomatique comme partenaire fiable vers la réussite de cette nécessaire
transition. »
Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, President,
Massachusetts Maritime Academy: "We are honored to host the
New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers as they continue their
vital cross-border collaboration on energy and environmental initiatives. This
gathering highlights the importance of regional cooperation, and it’s an
incredible opportunity to showcase the Academy’s leadership in offshore wind,
clean energy, and workforce development. Our commitment to these areas aligns
perfectly with the resolutions passed today, and we are proud to support such
forward-thinking action."
Chrissy Lynch, President, Massachusetts AFL-CIO:
"Massachusetts has the strongest labor force ready to
tackle the clean energy transition head-on. Cross-border partnerships
are key to ensuring workers are at the center of driving this industry -
trained, protected, and empowered. We're not just meeting the challenge but
setting the standard and ensuring our workers lead the way in building a sustainable
future."
Frank Callahan, President, Massachusetts Building Trades
Unions:
"Labor is at the heart of the clean energy transition,
and our skilled tradespeople are essential in building the infrastructure
needed to reach Massachusetts' goals. Union construction careers are pivotal in
the effort, offering high-quality, well-trained professionals who are dedicated
to excellence. Cross-border partnerships like this one are crucial, as they
unite our expertise and resources, driving innovation and ensuring the climate
goals are met together.”
About the ECP-NEG Conference
Since 1973, the six New England states and the five Eastern
Canadian provinces have worked cooperatively to address their shared interests
across the border. Through the annual conferences of governors and premiers and
discussions of joint committees, the NEG-ECP encourages cooperation by
developing networks and relationships, taking collective action, engaging in
regional projects, undertaking research, and increasing public awareness of
shared interests.
The 11-member jurisdictions of NEG-ECP are Connecticut,
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Brunswick,
Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Québec.
.jpg)
