Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Over $3 Million in Grants to Help Local Communities Tackle Climate Change

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Over $3 Million in Grants to Help Local Communities Tackle Climate Change 

Thirty-three municipalities receive funding to enhance climate resilience planning while prioritizing equity  

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced it’s awarding over $3 million through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Planning 2.0 (MVP 2.0) grant program to assist local communities in preparing for climate change. A total of 23 municipalities and three regional groups, representing another 10 municipalities, will benefit from these funds. The goal is to provide financial support and resources so that communities can create actionable strategies to address climate challenges.   

Nearly every municipality in Massachusetts – about 99 percent, or 349 communities – are currently enrolled in this grant program after completing the original MVP Planning Grant process. Additionally, 32 cities and towns and one Tribe are already updating their resilience plans in a pilot project awarded in 2023.  

"These grants are crucial because they empower communities to include voices that have often been overlooked in discussions about climate resilience,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This funding will help ensure that everyone can contribute to and benefit from climate action, making our response to climate change more equitable and effective.”  

“As a former mayor, I have seen firsthand how important the MVP program is for local efforts to climate change,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By collaborating, these cities and towns can share valuable insights and develop stronger strategies. This approach not only enhances their climate resilience but also fosters a sense of community and belonging for everyone involved.”  

MVP Planning 2.0 guides communities to prioritize the needs of those most affected by climate change, ensuring their voices are heard in the planning process. Cities and towns will also receive training on best practices in climate resilience and equity, allowing them to rethink their current plans based on what they learn from community input. Each of the selected communities will also get $50,000 in guaranteed funding to support projects that enhance their resilience against climate impacts.  

Communities will have access to a new online resource called Guides for Equitable and Actionable Resilience (GEAR). This tool provides important information on how local climate issues relate to everyday concerns like housing and health.  

The municipalities receiving grants will work with experts in climate resilience and will have an Equity Partner to help keep equity at the forefront of their plans. They will form a team of community liaisons who have strong ties to populations most affected by climate change.  

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) has been collecting feedback from the 33 MVP 2.0 pilot communities to improve the program. This feedback has led to updates that enhance training on climate justice and bring more support for addressing community needs. Communities with older MVP plans had to apply for this round MVP Planning 2.0 to continue qualifying for future funding.  

“I am excited to award this round of MVP Planning 2.0, which will connect six seasoned Equity Partners with municipalities to ensure they receive focused support for effective, inclusive and community-driven resilience planning,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “MVP Planning 2.0 reinforces our commitment to environmental justice and drives meaningful impact through our grant initiatives.”  

“Climate change will bring extreme heat, severe storms, and increased flooding risk, and the Commonwealth and its communities need to be prepared,” said Senate Majority Leader Cindy Creem (D-Newton). “Brookline has been carefully planning to build resilience against those impacts, particularly for its most vulnerable residents. This MVP 2.0 grant will bolster the town's efforts to translate its plans into action.”  

“Lexington has continued to lead the way in climate planning, and thanks to the funds provided in the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness 2.0 grant program, Lexington will be able to develop concrete action steps to respond and address the climate crisis with an emphasis on equity,” said State Representative Michelle Ciccolo (D-15th Middlesex).  

The following communities will receive funding to complete MVP Planning 2.0 in 2025-2027: 

Applicant	MVP Program Region	Total Award
Boston	Greater Boston	$75,000.00
Brookline	Greater Boston	$100,000.00
Cambridge	Greater Boston	$100,000.00
Canton	Greater Boston	$100,000.00
Colrain & Charlemont	Berkshires & Hilltowns	$175,000.00
Conway & Ashfield	Berkshires & Hilltowns	$175,000.00
Devens Enterprise Commission	Central	$ 100,000.00
Duxbury	Southeast	$100,000.00
Holyoke	Greater Connecticut River Valley	$102,420.00
Lexington	Greater Boston	$100,000.00
Martha's Vineyard Commission (on behalf of Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, & West Tisbury)	Southeast	$408,000.00
Melrose	Greater Boston	$100,000.00
Natick	Greater Boston	$100,000.00
New Bedford	Southeast	$105,000.00
Newburyport	Northeast	$100,000.00
Pelham	Greater Connecticut River Valley	$100,000.00
Princeton	Central	$100,000.00
Salem	Northeast	$105,000.00
Scituate	Greater Boston	$100,000.00
Sherborn	Greater Boston	$100,000.00
Spencer	Central	$100,000.00
Springfield	Greater Connecticut River Valley	$103,780.00
Swampscott	Northeast	$100,000.00
Swansea	Southeast	$100,000.00
Ware	Greater Connecticut River Valley	$100,000.00
Wrentham	Greater Boston	$ 100,000.00
Total (26)		Total: $3,049,200

  

MVP supports the implementation of the statewide ResilientMass Plan released in 2023, which provides a national model of integrating hazard mitigation priorities with forward-looking climate change data and solutions. The plan is implemented within state government by the ResilientMass Action Team (RMAT), an inter-agency team led by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and staffed by designated Climate Change Coordinators from each Executive Office. The ResilientMass Action Team provides guidance and decision-making for Plan implementation, further refines priority actions, and ensures actions are integrated into agency practice and policy.  

Governor Healey and Attorney General Campbell Issue Joint Guidance Affirming Commitment to Equal Access to Education in Massachusetts

Governor Healey and Attorney General Campbell Issue Joint Guidance Affirming Commitment to Equal Access to Education in Massachusetts

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey and Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell released updated joint guidance to support higher education and K-12 institutions in Massachusetts in ensuring equal access and representation in education, following recent Executive Orders by President Trump and a U.S. Department of Education “Dear Colleague” letter dated February 14, 2025.

The guidance emphasizes that Massachusetts educational institutions should continue fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. The legal precedent allows steps to build student bodies diverse across geography, socioeconomic status, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Governor Healey and AG Campbell affirm that federal executive orders or letters cannot change this precedent and stress the historical and systemic racism's impact on educational access.

“Attorney General Campbell and I are issuing this guidance to affirm Massachusetts' values,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Diversity is our strength, especially in education. We will support our schools, colleges, and universities to ensure all students are included.”

A copy of today’s guidance is available here. 

波克萊台商會「燭光創想」 帶你看不一樣的創業途徑

波克萊臺灣商會燭光創想講座合影。(商會提供)

         

波士頓僑教中心主任高家富(右三)和波克萊臺灣商會幹部，右起王嬿淑，
會長陳奕如，夏承賢、郭書妤、李孟潔。(周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導) 波克萊臺灣商會2月23日下午在波士頓Newbury街舉辦「燭光創想: 手作蠟燭工作坊 ＆ 創業分享會」，邀Hand the Light手做蠟燭創業家Akvile Bartaseviciute和Pencil One創辦人焦同分享創業經驗。

          波克萊台灣商會會精心策畫的這工作坊，有20多名商會幹部和臺籍年輕人參加，在寬敞、美麗空間中，先學做手工蠟燭，再聽創業經歷。會長陳奕如指出，2名講者所創事業雖然都是從美學出發，但操作營運方式卻很不一樣，一人只用口頭宣傳，一人強調標準操作流程，啟發人看事情從不同角度思考。

2名講者，Akvile Bartaseviciute和焦同。(周菊子攝)

          Hand the Light手做蠟燭創業家Akvile Bartaseviciute是一名來自立陶宛的移民，早在100多年前就有家族親戚來到美國定居，其中包括當年留在洛杉磯的曾祖母，還有許多叔伯。

波克萊台灣商會會長陳奕如(右)說明二為碼(QR code)，
有2為講者和商會的更詳細訊息。(周菊子攝)

活動現場。(周菊子攝)

她說自己資歷不錯，曾在歐盟不同組織做過許多國際計畫，包括協助烏克蘭難民，然而來美生活求職時，雖然不少公司找她面試，最後卻都要她等拿到綠卡之後再說，這才促成她把興趣變成事業，開辦了手製蠟燭工作坊，還藉由谷歌的網路搜索，在新英格蘭內找到逾百家釀酒廠、葡萄園，發出電郵，1個月之內就安排出2個月辦60場工作坊。如今她的手工蠟燭工作坊事業已伸展進美國8個州，估計到2025年底，還能再增加10州。

          Pencil One創辦人焦同畢業於羅徹斯特科技學院 (RIT)，專業就是攝影，目前在產品攝影這行業已工作15年。他說自己這行，從業者還真不多，目前他在研究一套標準作業程序 (SOP)，藉以做為拓展基礎。他建議有心創業者藉由消費者持有產品的開銷和可獲得價值相除的係數來看，大於3，應該就可以賺錢。

          波士頓僑教中心主任高家富這天從郊區另一活動趕來，代表僑委會向商會致意，強調僑委會重視年輕人的未來發展，積極支持臺籍年輕人在生活、工作上互動、交流，學習新知，拓展見聞。

當天出席的波克萊台商會幹部還有秘書長王嬿淑，財政李孟潔，活動組組長夏承賢，顧問楊羅東，組員郭書妤，波士頓台灣龍舟隊前隊長李鴻宇，波士頓臺灣影展協會前會長的Andrew Lin等人。 (更新訂正版)

麻州南岸鐵路客運訂3/24上路 慶祝啟用6個週末免費搭乘

(Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey）和麻州地鐵（MBTA）宣佈，為慶祝南岸鐵路客運服務上路，在3月24日至4月31日之間的週末，民眾可免費搭乘秋河 (Fall River) 和新貝德福 (New Bedford) 路線車輛，並在南岸鐵路六個車站免費停車。

這是65年來，麻州地鐵第一次能夠把鐵路服務帶進麻州東南社區，為地方居民及遊客帶來更多新機會。
              在南岸鐵路車站上下車的乘客，將可在 3月29日至4月27日之間的每個週六和週日，以及愛國者日（4月21日）享受這免費週末鐵路服務。

平日搭乘這段第8區通勤鐵路的單程票價為12.25美元（全票）或6美元（優惠票）。其他選擇包括10美元的週末/假日通票，以及8區月票，價格為388美元（全票）或190美元（優惠票）。

包括中堡（Middleborough）和新貝德福等車站的免費停車，可能因車位滿額而提前結束；正常停車費為平日4美元/天，週末/假日2美元/天。
              麻州州長奚莉和副州長 Kim Driscoll等州府官員表示，南岸鐵路客運服務上路後，將可改善地方交通擁擠現象，並促進地方經濟發展。MBTA希望藉由提供優惠，鼓勵民眾使用這段鐵路服務。

南岸鐵路客運服務詳細時間表將於下週發布。

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) have announced free weekend service and parking to celebrate the beginning of South Coast Rail service. The MBTA is on schedule to begin South Coast Rail passenger service the morning of March 24, 2025, pending final FRA approval. This will be the first time the region has had passenger rail service in 65 years. A schedule will be released next week.  

"We are so excited to be less than a month away from the launch of South Coast Rail service. This will make it easier for South Coast residents and visitors to move around the state, reduce congestion, support local businesses and spur new housing and economic development," said Governor Maura Healey. "To celebrate the launch and encourage people to try out this new service, we are proud to be offering free weekend travel and free parking throughout March and April." 

"South Coast Rail is a gamechanger for the South Coast and our entire state. Our administration is all about making it easier, quicker and more affordable for folks to get where they need to go," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "We're grateful to General Manager Eng and his team at the T for delivering this major project, and we encourage everyone to check it out and take advantage of free weekend travel and parking."

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to expanding access to public transportation, investing in infrastructure improvements, and furthering the mission of MassDOT to provide safe, reliable and resilient transportation in every corner of the state,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We are excited about the beginning of passenger rail service between Fall River, New Bedford, and Boston on March 24 and know that several weeks of free parking and weekend free fares at select properties are just the incentive needed to boost ridership.  The new train service and discounts will transform how people travel into the city from communities on the South Coast.” 

"The MBTA is proud to bring rail service to the Southeastern communities after 65 years, offering new and exciting opportunities for residents and visitors in this region," said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. "Providing free weekend service and parking through April is something we are pleased to offer riders to encourage more people to experience the convenience of this valuable transportation expansion. We will continue to invest in the Commonwealth’s communities and provide mass transportation service that the public deserves and expects.”   

Free Weekend Service  

Fare-free service will be available on South Coast Rail’s Fall River and New Bedford lines for all weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) between March 29 and April 27, and on April 21 (Patriots’ Day). Passengers can ride for free if they are boarding or ending their ride at one of the six South Coast Rail stations.  

Riders should share their origin and destination stations with conductors in order to receive free travel. This offer is only valid on the Fall River and New Bedford lines and does not apply to trains on other Commuter Rail lines.   

Weekday Fare Information: Regular Commuter Rail Fares Apply  

On weekdays, regular Commuter Rail fares are in effect for South Coast Rail. All South Coast Rail stations will be priced in Zone 8. This means that passengers will pay a full fare of $12.25 and a reduced fare of $6 for a one-way ride between Zone 1A to 8.  

Other Fare Options:   

• Weekend/Holiday Pass: Flat $10 weekend and holiday pass fares apply across Commuter Rail stations and zones including South Coast Rail  
• Monthly Pass (Zone 8): Monthly Zone 8 passes cost $388 full fare / $190 reduced fare. A discount of $10 full fare / $5 reduced fare is available for monthly passes on mTicket.  

Free Parking 

Commuter Rail parking at the six South Coast rail station lots – Middleborough, East Taunton, Freetown, Church Street, Fall River Depot, and New Bedford – will be free March 24 through the end of day April 31, 2025.  

This free parking promotion may end early if South Coast Rail parking lots fill up and spaces become unavailable. Standard parking rates for South Coast Rail stations are $4 per day on weekdays and $2 per day on weekends/holidays.     

麻州民主黨訂9/13到春田市開黨代表大會

     (Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州民主黨黨主席Steve Kerrigan 今(26)日宣佈，今年的麻州民主黨黨代表大會訂 9 月13日(週六)在春田市麻州萬通中心體育館(MassMutual Center Arena)舉行，將有數千名民主黨人出席，討論黨務。

       Steve Kerrigan表示，今年的麻州民主黨黨代表大會將為明年的州級選舉定調。他說在川普入主白宮，共和黨在國會中成為多數，又有馬斯克 (Elon Musk)在主掌一切，民主黨人期待著和那些推動著要把耆英、退伍軍人、學生及其他易受傷害社區和資源切割的那些人形成對比。民主黨人會很高興承擔起責任，展示政府如何能夠，而且應該為美國人民做得更好。在黨代表大會中，他們將為麻州民主黨制定大膽議程，已持續引導他們向前推動的策略。

          麻州民主黨估計，屆時會有大約 2,500 名，由各市或鎮/區委員會選舉產生的黨代表，以及許多民選官員參加。

BOSTON - Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Steve Kerrigan today announced the MassDems’ annual State Convention will be held in Springfield this September. Thousands of Democrats from across Massachusetts will gather to conduct the Party’s business and adopt the Party’s platform. The convention will be held at MassMutual Center Arena on Saturday, September 13. 

“We look forward to bringing our state’s Democratic Party convention to Springfield as we set our agenda for the election year ahead,” said Chair Kerrigan. “With Donald Trump in the White House, Republicans in the majority in Congress, and Elon Musk in charge of it all, we look forward to contrasting our ideals with those pushing to cut off resources to senior citizens, veterans, students and other vulnerable communities. Democrats will gladly take on the obligation of demonstrating how our government can and should do better for the American people. At our Convention, we will set a bold agenda for our state Party that will help continue to guide our strategy moving forward.” 

Approximately 2,500 delegates, the majority of whom are elected by their city or town/ward committees, are expected to be in attendance at the convention this September along with a host of elected officials. 

Massachusetts 2024 Graduates Again Top of the Nation in Advanced Placement Success

 Massachusetts 2024 Graduates Again Top of the Nation in Advanced Placement Success  

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that a third of students who graduated from Massachusetts public high schools in 2024 scored a 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam, the state’s highest percentage ever and the highest in the nation for the second year in a row, according to results released by the College Board. A score of 3 out of 5 on an AP exam shows a student’s ability to complete work for an introductory college-level course in that subject area. Most colleges will award students credit for AP scores of 3 or higher when enrolling in college. 

In addition, Massachusetts continues to see gains in the percentage of Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino students who take an AP exam while in high school. 

“Congratulations to the Massachusetts students whose AP scores yet again were the highest in the nation – and the highest in state history. To see the AP success rate for the graduating class rise above where it was for the classes before COVID is a true testament to the work of Massachusetts students and educators and to the state’s investments that have made AP exams more affordable,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Massachusetts students can accomplish amazing things when they are encouraged to participate and given the support they need.” 

“This is great news both for the members of the class of 2024 and for the students who follow them,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These students, their teachers and their families have shown what’s possible, and now more students than ever before will have a jump start on what it takes to succeed in college.” 

The state’s efforts to expand access to AP courses and exams have included subsidizing AP exam fees for low-income students, supporting teacher professional development and curriculum for STEM AP courses, and working with partners such as Mass Insight’s AP STEM & English Program.  

The exams cost almost $100 each without a fee subsidy. During the current school year, the state has committed to funding up to $1.25 million for 30,000-35,000 AP and International Baccalaureate exam fee subsidies as part of the Executive Office of Education’s efforts to reimagine high school. With the state’s contribution, low-income students – or their school – will only need to pay $22 per AP test. Massachusetts has subsided 57,552 AP exams for low-income students over the past two years.  

“I hope all students will take these results as a sign that they should consider taking advanced coursework, whether it’s an AP course, an Early College Program or another offering,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “We know even more students are capable of succeeding in these classes and benefitting from them.”  

“Our vision is for all students to excel at grade level or beyond, and I’m thrilled to see students and educators bringing that to fruition through opportunities such as AP classes,” said Russell D. Johnston, Acting Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. “I’m grateful that state support was able to make these exams more equitable by subsidizing much of the exam fee for low-income students.”  

Highlights from this year’s results include: 

• 32.8 percent of Massachusetts public high school graduates scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam during high school, the highest percentage in the nation. 

  • Nationally, 22.6 percent of public high school graduates scored a 3 or higher.  

  • Massachusetts has been at the top of this metric in several other years, most recently for students who graduated in 2023.  

• Between 2014 and 2024, the percentage of Massachusetts graduates scoring 3 or higher grew 5.5 percentage points, from 27.3 percent to 32.8 percent. 

• 90.2 percent of Massachusetts public high schools offer at least one AP course. 

• 46.3 percent of Massachusetts 2024 graduates took an exam during high school, and this represents a 7.8 percentage point increase from 38.5 percent in 2014.  

• 39.7 percent of Hispanic or Latino Massachusetts graduates from 2024 took an AP exam during high school (the eighth highest percentage in the country), and this represents a 14.5 percentage point increase from 25.2 in 2014.  

• 33.9 percent of Black or African American Massachusetts graduates from 2024 took an AP exam during high school (the third highest percentage in the country), and this represents an 8.7 percentage point increase from 25.2 in 2014.  

For more information and visuals on the AP program results nationwide click here  

陳遠芳宣誓就任麻州上訴法院副法官

陳遠芳早從2013年起擔任法官。(周菊子攝)

           (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 麻州上訴法庭共有25名法官，2月24日起，這之中有了一名華裔法官，在宣誓就職典禮中被青少年法院首席法官Dana M. Gershengorn極力稱讚其不偏不倚的陳遠芳 (Gloria Tan) 。

麻州州長Maura Healey(中)為陳遠芳主持上訴法院副法官
宣誓就任儀式。(周菊子攝)

              這天傍晚，麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 在波士頓市政府對面的 John Adams法庭，為陳遠芳和Chauncey B. Wood這2名上訴法庭的新法官，主持宣誓典禮。副州長Kim Driscoll，也全程在座。

              奚莉州長指出，就在數週前，她才來過John Adams法庭，主持了歷史性的，麻州上訴法庭第一位女性首席法官Amy Lyn Blake的宣誓就職典禮，而這天是慶祝上訴法庭的又一個第一次，同時確認2名新法官就職，陳遠芳和Chauncry R. Wood。

              作為州長，奚莉的職責之一是提名法官。在位2年多以來，她一共提名了60

陳檳義(右)和許淑兒(左)遠從德州趕來，祝賀女兒陳遠芳(中)升任上訴法院副法官。
(周菊子攝)

多名法官。她說自己做決定時，竭力確保能夠反映偉大麻州的多元化狀況，而且她要強調，多元化是好事，所有形式的多元化是個好政策。

              現年50出頭的陳遠芳，在德州出生、長大，從萊斯 (Rice)大學取得政治學和社會學雙學士學位後，作為優等生榮譽學會成員，以優異成績從耶魯大學取得法學博士學位。

麻州州長Maura Healey在宣誓儀式中強調多元化。 (周菊子攝)

              陳遠芳的律師生涯，從擔任波士頓高等法院青年倡導計畫的公設律師服務委員會律師開始，之後她進了哈佛大學法學院刑事法研究所當講師，後來升副主任。

法官及親友們在John Adams法院出席新法官宣誓典禮。(周菊子攝)

2013年，經時任州長的Deval Patrick指派，她成為麻州青少年法庭副法官，2019年升任米斗塞郡 (Middlesex)青少年法庭首席法官，同時期，她歷任弗萊契納司法研究所(Flaschner Judicial Institute)執行委員會委員，最高法院陪審團管理委員會委員，麻州審判法院法官對法官同伴指導計劃的導師和諮詢委員會成員，以及最高法院證據指導委員會委員。

2024年12月，麻州州長奚莉指派陳遠芳出任麻州上訴法院副法官，2025年2月24日這天才舉行了宣誓就任儀式。

麻州新科眾議員馬惠美(Amy Mah Sangiolo，左) 特地到場恭喜同僚，
麻州眾議員Greg Schwartz (右) 的妻子陳遠芳升任上訴法院副法官。(周菊子攝)

在典禮上，麻州青少年法院首席法官Dana M. Gershengorn盛讚陳遠芳，稱她不偏不倚，過去11年多來，她體現了做為法官，正直、富有同情心，以及對法律有深刻理解的品質。曾經為了審理一宗案件，親自閱讀了涉案者一千多條簡訊。

聯邦法院法官，韓裔的Myong J. Joun也來祝賀。會場還有另一名韓裔
麻州高等法院法官Catherine Ham。 (周菊子攝)

陳遠芳透露，她來自一個只有3000多居民的德州小鎮，從來沒想到過會有此殊榮，由州長主持宣誓典禮，成為上訴法庭法官，這都歸功於她父母，當年大膽移民來美，來到他們倆一個人都不認識的德州偏鄉小鎮，說著不是她倆第一語言的話，辛勤工作，支撐一家四口。

在感謝父親，臺大醫學院畢業的馬來西亞僑生陳檳義，和母親，臺大中文系畢業的許淑兒，以及她的女兒Emily 和Sarah之外，陳遠芳還感謝她那位現任麻州眾議員的丈夫Greg Schwartz博士。

陳遠芳表示，從1998年她還是個年輕，抱著理想主義的律師開始，她得到許許多多人的扶持，學習如何成為那些無聲人士的聲音，了解到人們在最糟糕時刻和被控訴罪狀之外，還有許多面像，在面對那些精神有問題，吸毒，家暴等等人士的涉案情況時，要如何在法庭現場，做出公平、正義，對人一生都有影響的決定，是多麼的有挑戰性。她強調自己了解法官的決定對人有多深遠的影響，她承諾自己將繼續竭力公平、正義，給出清晰理由的做決定。

麻州法院小檔案:

麻州法院系統有3類法院，最高法院 (Supreme Judicial Court)，上訴法院 (Appeals Court)和審判法院。最高法院和上訴法院各只有1個法院，依序有7名和25名法官。

審判法院分7種，高等法院有20個，共約82名法官，地區法院有62個，共158名法官，波士頓市法院分設在市內8個地點，共有30名法官，專門審理波士頓市案件。青少年法院共11個，約有41名法官，房屋法院分6個地點，約15名法官，土地法院1個，有7名法官，遺囑認證和家事法院14個，約51名法官。

麻州還有2個聯邦法院，一為美國麻州地區法院， 分別設在波士頓市、屋斯特市、春田市等3個地點，共有13名經授權的地方法官。一為美國麻州破產法院，也分別設在前述3個地點，共有5名破產法官。

計算下來，麻州共有131個麻州法院，3到6個聯邦法院，大約416名州級法官，29位聯邦法官。