美國會要求波士頓等4市長為「庇護城市」出席聽證會

             (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 美國眾議院關於庇護城市政策的監管及政府改革委員會 (U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on sanctuary city policies) 週一 (1月27日) 發信給波士頓、丹佛 (Denver)、紐約及芝加哥等4個城市的市長，傳喚他們2 月 11出席公聽會作證。

            川普二度上任為美國總統後，發佈了一系列許多行政命令，其中包括1月25日簽署的第13768號行政命令，「加強美國內部的公共安全 (Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States)」，要取消包括庇護城市等庇護管轄區的獲取聯邦補助資格，以及1月20日簽署的「保護美國人民免遭入侵 (Protecting the American People Against Invasion)」，指示官員封鎖庇護城市取得聯邦經費途徑，還賦予總檢察長，國土安全局局長採取任何其他合法行動，刑事的或民視的反對庇護城市。

            美國眾議院監督和政府改革委員會於是發信給曾公開反對川普移民政策，強調自己所管轄城市為「庇護城市」的4名市長，要求他們出席公聽會，提交文件並作證。

            麻州共和黨議員也響應川普政府行動，表示現在是改變麻州忽視聯邦人員遞交的移民居留者做法的時候了。代表Worcester和Hampshire的麻州參議員Peter Durant表示，HD4221。推廣並保護麻州之內安全的法案，目的是要容許執法人員居留那些身揹ICE羈押令，給他們如此做的選擇權

            剛生第3個小孩才2星期的波士頓市長吳弭，28日抱著新生女兒Mira，在產後第一次回到市政府上班時，就面對這聯邦政府傳喚狀況。

            吳弭並未直接說明是否接受出席作證邀請，但表示「華府這是要玩政治。讓他們做他們正在做的。我們將保持聚焦服務我們在這兒的社區。我們有我們的版圖，而且我們很強烈的感覺我們有實實在在的法律依據」。「我們會在適當時候回應那封信」。她未承諾要在委員會面前出現，也還未收到傳票。

            麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 在28日被問到這國會要求時說，「這當然是政治的，而且我們將會看到更多這類的事」。

            何謂「庇護城市」並沒有一個確切定義，但在共和黨人圈中，那已成為地方市鎮拒絕和聯邦當局合作，並純只根據移民身份就羈押人的貶義代名詞。

            波士頓市議會最近重新確認，2014年訂定的波士頓信託法 (Boston Trust Act)，禁止地方警察拘留移民，以便聯邦當局可能的遞解出境，除非美國已發出那個移民的逮捕令。

            吳弭市長也說過，在波士頓市的現行法律下，不會要求或期待執法人員加入大規模驅逐未犯嚴重刑事罪居民出境的行動。

            根據一份上週發給司法部員工的備忘錄，川普政府已經採取步驟，針對例如波士頓等城市，聲言如果政治人物和執法人員不遵循聯邦政府行動，逮捕並遞解出境無證移民，將面對聯邦起訴。

            Elon Musk則在Methuen和大百靈頓 (Barrington)有無證移民被捕，並面對刑事罪控訴，確認犯性侵兒童罪後稱”麻州庇護城市是在保護兒童強姦犯:。

波士頓市長吳弭今日還批評福克斯新聞和菲爾博士藉由提及 ICE 官員來誇大移民執法。她強調了這些行動所造成的恐懼和不穩定，尤其是在川普總統的執政下。她強調了打擊錯誤訊息和向居民提供準確資訊的重要性。包括尚莫維爾市長Katjana Ballantyne 在內的大波士頓地區政府人員也在努力核實資訊並防止恐慌。

麻州美國公民自由聯盟強調，非營利組織領導人和官員需要避免引發恐懼和恐慌，特別是在社群媒體上。

波士頓台灣人生物科技協會迎新春談「職場軟實力」

BTBA會長胡金儒(左)把大學時同社團，如今開設管理顧問公司的靳嚴博
邀來分享如何培養職場軟實力。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州劍橋市報導) 波士頓台灣人生物科技協會 (BTBA)的新春第一棒，談「職場軟實力」。1月27日下午，邀得管理顧問公司AGM International的主席靳嚴博博士，分享”商業思維101”的增強個人職場能力要訣。會長胡金儒宣佈第13屆年會訂7月12、13日舉行。

波士頓台灣人生物科技協會(BTBA)會長胡金儒(右起)，講座主持人盧怡蓁、
郭俊廷送上感謝狀及小禮物給講者靳嚴博 (左二)。(張瑄玶攝)

              這場講座由BTBA業界組郭俊廷、盧怡蓁主持，去年1月才和合夥人開辦AGM International管理顧問公司的靳嚴博，以他個人從陽明醫學系畢業，取得台北醫學大學博士，哈佛生醫資訊碩士，在著名諮詢顧問公司麥肯錫工作過，2020年成為台灣首位獲選入「福布斯 (Forbes) 30位30歲以下菁英榜」的資歷，和BTBA會員們分享踏入職場後，要做那些關鍵性的思維轉變。

BTBA第13屆年會已定7月12、13日。(周菊子攝)

              30歲之前就和台北醫學大學醫學資訊研究所特聘教授李友專攜手創辦過2家醫療新創公司，AESOP科技和DermAI 的靳嚴博說，最重要的事情是要和人交換，因為沒有什麼是別人必須給你的，必須知道別人想要什麼，自己又有些什麼別人需要的價值。他還侃侃而談該如何有效地建立人脈網絡，來幫自己創造更多機會，在職場上更快的站穩腳步，成為組織裡的領導者。   

「生技來一刻」播客節目已成為BTBA與眾不同的特色之一。(周菊子攝)

              演講結束後，會長胡金儒主持會務會議。她以精心製作的簡報片，先請出席者自我介紹，彼此認識，接著報告該會別具一格的播客 (Podcast)「生技來一刻」製作，跨入新年，去年11月2、3兩日舉辦了一場「鯨慌獅措」的團建活動，11月10日辦了歡迎會，12月8日辦了第三屆的導師導生項目啟動會，12月13日舉辦了波士頓和日本生技業交流，12月18日和波士頓經文處科技組合作，舉辦了玉山青年學者海外說明會等活動。

BTBA還在繼續招募志工。(周菊子攝)

              胡金儒接著興奮宣佈，今年的BTBA年會已經訂定日期為7月12、13日，還找到了2名主題演講人，Akouos共同創辦人Emmanuel Simons，達納法伯癌症研究院醫藥教授Kornelia Polyak。

              BTBA現仍歡迎志願者加入協辦會務。查詳情可上網https://www.btbatw.org/，或洽會長胡金儒、羅維中。

BTBA工作團隊陣容強大。(周菊子攝)

靳嚴博分享價值交換概念。(周菊子攝)

為籌備年會分組討論。 (周菊子攝)

波士頓台灣影展協會會長蔡景全(右二)也是BTBA團隊的一份子。(周菊子攝)

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $325K to Restore Critical Wildlife Habitat

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $325K to Restore Critical Wildlife Habitat 

Funding to support prescribed burns, invasive species management, and forest care in Cape Cod & Islands, Sheffield, and Sudbury 

BOSTON—The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $325,000 in grants to restore approximately 520 acres of wildlife habitat across Massachusetts. The Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is awarding grants to six organizations through the Habitat Management Grant Program (MHMGP), which provides crucial financial assistance to private and municipal owners of conserved lands to improve habitat for wildlife, steward biodiversity, enhance climate resiliency, and promote public recreational opportunities. 

“Partnership and collaboration are essential for meeting our ambitious biodiversity and climate goals. Most forests and other wildlife habitats in Massachusetts are not state-owned, and we rely on conservation organizations, cities and towns, private landowners, and other partners to greatly expand our impact,” said DFG Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “This program provides us with the unique opportunity to improve habitat for at-risk wildlife while also bolstering outdoor recreation opportunities for all.”  

While Massachusetts has made significant strides to permanently conserve over 28% of our state, many essential habitats for wildlife are degraded by invasive species growth, emerging pests and disease, and face increasing threats from climate change. Habitat management is crucial to address these challenges and support wildlife. MassWildlife leads work to restore habitat on state conservation lands and, through the MHMGP, supports private and municipal conservation partners in doing the same. Through this work, MassWildlife and partners restore healthy, resilient landscapes that support a variety of species, particularly those of greatest conservation need. Since 2015, the MHMGP has funded 117 projects by partners that have restored over 4,300 acres of natural habitat statewide.  

“MassWildlife’s Habitat Management Grant Program builds on the success of ongoing efforts to conserve the great diversity and abundance of wildlife, plants, and habitats in Massachusetts,” said MassWildlife Director Mark S. Tisa. “Public and private investment in habitat management is critical for promoting ecological resiliency and biodiversity, and we are thrilled to work with this year’s grant recipients as they commit to improving landscapes for people and nature.”    

The following projects will receive MassWildlife Habitat Management Grants:   

• Edgartown and West Tisbury – The Nature Conservancy has been awarded $65,100 to conduct prescribed burns at Katama Plains and The Frances Newhall Woods Preserve.  
• Edgartown – The Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation has been awarded $75,000 to manage southern pine beetle-infested pitch pine and pitch pine/oak forest at Caroline Tuthill Preserve. This expansion of a sanitation harvest is aimed at combating the spread of southern pine beetle, a southern species that has been expanding its range north, threatening our pitch pine forests.  
• Nantucket – The Nantucket Conservation Foundation has been awarded $46,433 to help protect pitch pine barren habitat at Head of the Plains. This funding will cover the removal, chipping, and safe disposal of southern pine beetle-infected pitch pine.   
• Nantucket – The Nantucket Island Land Bank has been awarded up to $75,000 to help restore pine barrens at Gardner Farm. Areas of dense pitch pine forest that are most susceptible to southern pine beetle outbreaks will be thinned to promote site resiliency and a heathland / sandplain-grassland understory, both of which are beneficial to numerous rare moths and butterflies.   
• Sheffield – The Sheffield Land Trust has been awarded $28,150 to treat invasive species at The Schenob Brook Preserve, a large calcareous wetland complex surrounding Schenob Brook. 
• Sudbury and Marlborough – The Sudbury Valley Trustees has been awarded $36,526 to conduct a prescribed burn at Desert Natural Area.  

"I think we can all agree that one of the most enjoyable aspects of living in Massachusetts is the pure natural beauty of our Commonwealth. Restoring 520 acres of wildlife habitat, ranging from the stunning Caroline Tuthill Preserve in Edgartown to the pine barrens of Nantucket, is not only an investment in biodiversity but also in the future of Massachusetts’ ecosystems," said State Senator Julian Cyr (D—Cape & Islands). “As we face increasing threats from climate change, it is critical that we protect and enhance our gorgeous landscapes that support at-risk species, bolster outdoor recreation, and ensure our natural resources are resilient for generations to come. The collaborative work of conservation organizations, municipalities, and private landowners, along with this important funding, will help us meet our ambitious climate and biodiversity goals."  

For more information about the MassWildlife Habitat Management Grants, please visit the program’s webpage.  

Governor Healey Appoints Lori Streeter as Interim Franklin County Sheriff

Governor Healey Appoints Lori Streeter as Interim Franklin County Sheriff  

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today appointed Lori Streeter as Interim Franklin County Sheriff. Streeter has over 35 years of experience at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and House of Corrections, where she has served as Superintendent and Special Sheriff since 2014. She will assume her role as Interim Sheriff at the end of the month upon Sheriff Christopher Donelan's retirement.  

“Superintendent Lori Streeter is a widely respected leader who has dedicated her career to serving the people of Franklin County,” said Governor Maura Healey. “She knows the Sheriff’s Office and House of Corrections inside and out, and she has spent years getting to know staff and inmates and earning their trust. She has also prioritized mental health and substance use treatment and re-entry programs, which enhance public health and public safety. I’m proud to appoint her as Interim Sheriff and know she is an excellent choice to fill the shoes of Sheriff Donelan.” 

“Superintendent Streeter’s commitment to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and House of Corrections is evident from her decades of service there,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We are excited to see her step into this new role as Interim Sheriff, and we thank Sheriff Donelan for his lifetime of service and wish him the best in his retirement.” 

“It is an honor to be appointed by Governor Healey as Interim Sheriff,” said Superintendent Streeter. “I have worked at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for 35 years and under three administrations. Most recently, I have had the extraordinary opportunity to work alongside Sheriff Donelan as we have been at the forefront of efforts to prioritize mental health and substance use disorder treatment with a locked setting. It is an immense privilege to continue this mission set forth by Sheriff Donelan. My years of service have given me a unique perspective and strong knowledge base to manage the agency and the ever-changing needs of the community, our staff and the people we serve.” 

"The people in Franklin County were well served by the Governor's consideration in this decision," said Sheriff Donelan. "Superintendent Streeter is a well qualified professional who will serve the Sheriff's Office and the community well. I am confident handing the keys over to her." 

Superintendent Streeter has worked at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and House of Corrections since 1985, working her way up from Correctional Officer to Superintendent and Special Sheriff. In this role, she manages a 320-bed jail and house of corrections and leads a team of 250 employees. Throughout her tenure, she has prioritized substance use disorder and mental health treatment and the agency has been nationally recognized for these efforts. She also supported the establishment of Franklin County’s Community Justice Support Center in conjunction with the Commonwealth’s Office of Community Correction. This includes Franklin County’s Pre-Release and Post Release Re-Entry Programs. 

Superintendent Streeter currently serves as Chair of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Women in Criminal Justice Conference and previously served as Chair of the Massachusetts Sheriff’s Association’s Education and Training Committee. She graduated from Westfield State College with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a minor in Social Work. She lives in Greenfield with her wife Maggie. 

波克萊台商會年會秀青春活力 2北美前總會長遠道來賀

波克來台灣商會在風水餐廳辦年會。(BTCC提供)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州綜合報導) 波克萊台灣商會 (BTCC)  1月26日在Burlington鎮的風水餐廳舉辦年會，近60人共襄盛舉。曾任北美洲台灣商會聯合總會會長的2名重量級嘉賓盛讚BTCC如今青春氣息洋溢，充滿活力。

BTCC幹部，左起郭書妤，李孟潔、葉南谷，陳奕如和顧問蘇鴻昌，僑教中心主任
高家富、許壽文、郭競儒、江俊霖，陳玉瑛、汪俊宇(後)、楊羅東，黃柏榮等人合影。

              會長陳奕如率副會長黃柏榮，秘書長王嬿淑，財務長李孟潔，數位組組長葉南谷，活動組組長夏承賢，組員郭書妤，公關組韓璦璘等幹部，這天在顧問郭競儒、楊羅東、陳玉瑛、蘇鴻昌、徐小玲，羅靜春等人協助下，邀得北美洲台灣商會聯合總會第32屆會長汪俊宇，第36屆會長江俊霖，以及華美銀行商業貸款資深副總裁許壽文等重量級嘉賓，遠從加州、賓州、紐約、新澤西州等地專程趕來出席，為這場歲末年會在眾人寒暄問好，舉杯同歡中，增添了更多經驗傳承效益。

陳奕如(左)感謝楊羅東(右)把曾任北美台商總會長的金龍旅館實業董事長
汪俊宇(中)從加州邀來參會。

              陳奕如在會中以簡報回顧該會去年辦過戶外瑜珈，為來自台灣的波士頓馬拉松賽跑者組加油團，支援牛頓臺灣日擺攤，和會員群眾交流對商會的認知與期望，也和波士頓台灣龍舟隊、波士頓台灣影展協會、波士頓台灣人生物科技協會互動，舉辦秋季葡萄酒品味之旅等活動。

江俊霖(右)也送出一個500元現金獎。

              展望來年，陳奕如表示，BTCC將致力重新聯繫舊有會員，建立完整會員名錄及新會員入會流程，持續和各大橋團及北美商會聯繫，為大波士頓台商及專業人士提供更多交流機會。目前該會暫定2025年將舉辦春季交流，牙醫保健講座，夏季戶外踏青郊遊，台灣美食節，創業論壇等活動。

              在享用美食，寒暄敘舊，結交新知之際，波克萊臺灣商會這場年會的一大高潮是會末抽獎，除了商會各理事送出的各色抽獎品之外，2名北美台商前總會長還各送出一份500元現金獎，讓得獎幸運兒開心不已。

郭競儒(左)和BTCC會長陳奕如(中)謝謝許壽文(右)不僅應邀出席
BTCC年會，還允諾加入理事行列。

              波克萊台灣商會當天的另一收穫是，華美銀行資深副總裁許壽文允諾加入該會理事行列，讓該會在年輕人接棒之後，如虎添翼的又增一名實力派人馬。 (所有圖片均由BTCC提供) (二次更新版)

BTCC會長陳奕如(右起)和數位組長葉南谷、副會長黃柏榮、顧問徐小玲。

BTCC顧問陳玉瑛(左)代表商會送出抽獎品。

波克萊台商會年會今年有很多年輕人參加。

昆士市長柯奇展開第7個任期 2025慶建市400年

昆士市長Tom Koch走馬上任第7個市長任期。(周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子昆士市綜合報導) 昆士市長柯奇 (Thomas P.  Koch) 今 (27) 日一早在舊市政廳就任為第33任市長，發表市情諮文，匯報昆士市將安排一系列活動慶祝建市400週年，有2大建設案將動工，還計畫為美國土著的Ponkapoag建族裔中心，在全市各地種樹等工作。

柯奇市長一手按著已辭世母親所遺聖經，一手舉起，在法官Brian Palmucci面前宣誓後，正式展開他的第7個市長任期。

昆士市長在右邊的新市政大樓上班，在左邊的舊市議會廳宣誓就任。(周菊子攝)

柯奇說明，2025年，昆士市將慶祝建市400週年，在這期間，昆士市中心有2大工程即將動工，一是總部設在Hingham的”大西洋發展 (AtlanticDevelopment)”公司將該一棟有300個住宅單位，以及一家精品雜貨店的公寓大樓，一是由FoxRock物業建造，由Beth Israel Deaconess醫療中心管理的醫療中心。

昆士市長的就職典禮，座無虛席。儀式結束前，眾人應市長要求大合唱「神佑美國」。

"昆士400”的2025年慶祝活動，會有遊行、宴會，施放煙火，還有講述昆士市關於革命領袖，鐵路上的創新者，大理石開採，造船等豐富的歷史，以及來自瑞典、義大利、愛爾蘭和近期來自亞洲各國的移民史。

柯奇市長還提到，在Squantum區以前是Squaw Rock，又稱Nickerson Rock的那地點，為美國土著

昆士市街燈上掛出有"慶祝農曆新年"中文字樣的旗幟。 (周菊子攝)

Ponkapoag族建一個族人聚會、做生意和傳承文化場地。

柯奇市長提到的其他大計畫包括在昆士市各地種樹，在公園及開放空漸漸很大的標本。

他最後提到，他一直都有個建造表演藝術中心的夢，他計畫建造一個有1000到1200個座位的多元場地，可以辦各種活動，包括喜劇秀，電影節等等。

昆士市的新屆市議員中有3名新人，一為取代Anne Mahoney的不分區市議員Scott Campbell，一為第5區市議員Dan Minton，之前的市議員Chuck Phelan未競選連任，另一為打敗在位者Anthony Andronico的第2區市議員Richard Ash。

昆士市市議會在柯奇市長宣誓就任後，召開本年度首次議員大會，在不分區市議員梁秀婷 (Nina Liang)提名下，第3區市議員Ian Cain當選為新一屆市議會議長。

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Literacy Launch Grants to 15 School Districts to Support High-Quality Reading Instruction

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Literacy Launch Grants to 15 School Districts to Support High-Quality Reading Instruction   

PEABODY – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that it is awarding $326,477 in Partnership for Reading Success in Massachusetts (PRISM) grants to 15 school districts across the state that are funded through Literacy Launch. One of Governor Maura Healey’s budget priorities last year, Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 makes sure Massachusetts schools, educators and students have access to high-quality, evidence-based reading instruction through literacy materials, technical support, coaching and professional development.  

This funding represents a key investment in the future of early learners, helping equip students with the reading and writing skills necessary for academic success and lifelong learning. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler made the announcement today at South Memorial Elementary School in Peabody, one of the districts receiving a PRISM grant.  

“Massachusetts is #1 in the nation for education, and we’re on a mission to be #1 for early literacy as well. We’re doing that through Literacy Launch, which is making the best reading materials available to more districts and more students. I am pleased to see the first funding from this going out the door to districts today,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I want to thank the Legislature for their partnership in this important work – seeing that every child in this state is able to read and read well.” 

“We know that early literacy can change the trajectory of a child’s life,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These grants are a critical step in ensuring that every student in Massachusetts has the opportunity to reach their full potential. We’re excited to see the innovative ways our schools will use this funding to inspire a love of reading and learning.” 

“Learning to read is a fundamental skill critical to every aspect of students’ education, but more importantly throughout their life,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “Literacy Launch is giving districts and community-based early education and care programs the tools and resources they need to bring these impacts to classrooms across the state. With Governor Healey’s budget proposal last week, we aim to reach even more districts with Literacy Launch and add high dosage tutoring to accelerate skill development for students who missed that foundation during the pandemic.” 

The first year of this new, multi-year strategy is supported by the fiscal year 2025 budget and the federal Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant. Awardees will receive professional development, support to create partnerships with community-based preschool providers to align evidence-based early curriculum, instruction and assessment across the community, and funding for early literacy screening assessments, coaching support and to cover staffing costs for roles like literacy coaches or reading specialists through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in partnership with the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). 

“The PRISM grants are designed to help districts build sustainable structures to make lasting improvements in early literacy across the Commonwealth. These structures will continue supporting student success long after the grant period ends,” said Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Acting Commissioner Russell D. Johnston.  

“Early education is where the literacy journey starts for our youngest learners. Literacy Launch, and these first round of grants, build on our investments in local partnerships that create more equitable, consistent and quality learning experiences across our diverse mixed delivery system, closing the learning gap before children enter school and setting students up for school and life success,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw.     

The administrations fiscal year 2026 budget further invests $50 million in early literacy. This includes $25 million for year two of Literacy Launch and $25 million for literacy high dosage tutoring. The high dosage tutoring funding aims to reach 10,000 students in grades K-3, with priority given to students in grade 1, to address pandemic learning loss and accelerate skill development in this critical area. 

"Investing in early learners is one of the most important things we can do for our youngest residents, their families, and our state's future," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "Literacy Launch was a point of pride in the Legislature's Fiscal Year 2025 budget, and I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for continuing to implement the program with the speed and energy that it deserves.” 

“Peabody is proud to be among the first school districts in the state awarded funding through Literacy Launch, the administration’s program to expand access to evidence-based literacy learning,” said Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt. 

“We are incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for including Peabody in the Literacy Launch program. High quality early literacy instruction and materials are critical to our youngest learners. Literacy Launch is truly innovative in that it partners school districts with local preschool providers to ensure access to strong, evidence-based literacy materials for all children within the community. Peabody is excited to strengthen our community partnerships and expand the literacy opportunities throughout the city,” said Peabody Public School Superintendent Josh Vadala. 

"Literacy is an essential part of students development, and the learning opportunities created by the Literacy Launch program will have lasting impacts on our students through the rest of their academic careers," said Senator Joan Lovely (D-Salem). "Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Education Secretary Tutwiler for your commitment to our students' education." 

“Early literacy education is an important cornerstone of a student’s education and future success. I look forward to the Literacy Launch program having a positive impact on our elementary students here in Peabody and across the Commonwealth,” said Representative Thomas Walsh (D-Peabody). 

"Reading and literacy set the stage for every child to succeed in life. I applaud the Healey-Driscoll administration for making them a priority," said Representative Sally Kerans (D-Danvers). 

Grant awardees:  

• Brockton Public Schools: $30,000  

• Framingham Public Schools: $15,579 

• Gateway Regional School District in partnership with Farmington River Regional School District: $15,000 

• Haverhill Public Schools: $16,260 

• Holyoke Public Schools: $20,598  

• Lynn Public Schools: $30,000 

• Nashoba Regional School District: $30,000  

• New Bedford Public Schools: $30,000  

• Northborough Public Schools in partnership with Southborough Public Schools: $29,640  

• Norwood Public Schools: $19,400 

• Peabody Public Schools: $30,000  

• Salem Public Schools: $30,000  

• Stoneham Public Schools: $30,000 

麻州長Healey以書面確認政府不簽保密條款 和解協議記錄必須公開

           (Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 今 (27) 日發佈書面政策，明文規定州政府行政辦公室及各機關局處，包括就業索賠在內等協議，禁止簽署保密條款、必須獲得批准，還記錄必須公開。

奚莉州長表示，「從我和副州長上任的第一天起，我就禁止在我的政府內使用保密協議，今天我向所有行政部門發佈正式的書面政策，把已經在實施的政策編入法典」。

該政策還呼籲加強追蹤整個行政部門的和解協議，並要求每個行政辦公室公開發佈自己特定的辦公室和解政策。   過去一年來，在審計辦公室稽查上一屆政府使用職員和解協議狀況上，州長辦公室一直與之合作。經由這過程，奚莉州長和她的團隊決定，公開分享該政府從接任以來一直遵循的許多政策，有幫助。

合作，對上屆政府期間員工安置協定的使用方式進行審計。通過這個過程，州長 Healey 和她的團隊確定，公開分享他們的政府自上任以來一直遵守的許多政策，以及之前和法律員工分享的許多政策，是有益的。

AAJC Denounces Confirmation of Kristi Noem as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security

 Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC Denounces Confirmation of Kristi Noem as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Saturday, January 25, the Senate confirmed South Dakota governor Kristi Noem to the position of Secretary of Homeland Security. Noem has supported policies that target immigrant communities, refugees and asylum-seekers, and separate families.

 

As an organization that advocates for fair and equitable policies for immigrant communities and supports humanitarian migration, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC) is denounces this confirmation, and releases the following statement in response:

 

“Advancing Justice – AAJC is extremely disappointed by the recent confirmation of Gov. Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security. Her views on asylum and a pathway to citizenship show a disregard for the rule of law and lack morality and respect for humanity.

 

“We need a Secretary of Homeland Security who prioritizes solutions that support welcoming immigrants, rather than furthering baseless conspiracy theories that stoke fears of criminalization and invasion.

 

“Prior to Trump’s first election in 2016, Noem was against policies like a Muslim ban. Since Trump’s initial presidency, Noem has joined the bandwagon of extreme politicians who want to ignore the U.S. Constitution in conversations around birthright citizenship, deny DACA provisions as unconstitutional, and continue to support dangerous, anti-immigrant policies.

 

“Noem is not the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security that our nation needs.”