Board of Higher Education Approves Regulations to Improve Post-Secondary Opportunities for Students with Disabilities

Board of Higher Education Approves Regulations to Improve
Post-Secondary Opportunities for Students with Disabilities
 

BOSTON – The Board of Higher Education (BHE) today unanimously approved the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s proposed state regulations aimed at improving inclusive access to post-secondary educational opportunities for students with severe disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, severe autism spectrum disorder, and severe developmental disabilities.
 
Today’s approved regulations position public higher education institutions to offer inclusive postsecondary experiences to eligible individuals with severe disabilities ages 18 and over through a comprehensive model of services called Massachusetts Inclusive Postsecondary Education Initiative (MAIPSE). The regulations further seek to strengthen partnerships with state health and human services agencies that support individuals with disabilities, define expectations for the development of collaborative, individual student-centered participation plans, and also set forth reporting requirements for campuses.
 
“Students of all abilities deserve opportunities to continue their education after high school,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I’m proud that Massachusetts is opening doors for more students to have lifechanging higher education experiences, and I’m grateful to the experts and advocates who were dedicated to setting students up for success through these regulations.”
 
“These regulations allow more students to access the college experience,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Massachusetts has lifted a barrier to higher education for many students, allowing greater access to our high-quality public colleges and universities.”
 
The final MAIPSE regulations follow a public comment period that launched on January 31, 2025, and were also informed by a report from a 21-member task force co-chaired by the Departments of Higher Education and Developmental Services. The task force included individuals representing public higher education institutions; the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; MassAbility, and other state agencies serving adults with disabilities; representatives from K-12 school districts; and several advocacy groups. The legislatively mandated task force evaluated needs related to student housing, transportation, socialization, costs, and funding.
 
“This Board vote concludes years of work by a task force dedicated to inclusive postsecondary education opportunities and kicks off a new era in which more students have access to the transformational opportunities of going to college,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “I want to thank the Department of Higher Education, Department of Developmental Services and the entire task force for ensuring that these regulations are informed by those with first-hand experiences serving students with severe disabilities.”
 
“Our public institutions of higher education allow students to grow as individuals, professionals, and learners, and I’m proud to give more students access to those benefits,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “I’m grateful to those whose dedication led to regulations that the Board could fully endorse, and I want to particularly thank the public campuses whose commitment to offering more inclusive experiences has helped us arrive at greatly expanded access.”
 
“The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) was thrilled to partner with the Department of Higher Education and the Healey-Driscoll Administration on these important regulations for this landmark higher education legislation,” said DDS Commissioner Sarah Peterson. “Allowing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to access the state’s colleges and universities to gain the skills necessary to work and live as independently as possible is core to the mission of DDS. We thank the many stakeholders and advocates who championed this first of its kind law in the country and look forward to working with our fellow agencies on the supports and services necessary to facilitate inclusion and meaningful life experiences.”
 
The MAIPSE regulations stem from the state’s fiscal year 2023 budget that required all Massachusetts public undergraduate colleges and universities to be prepared to offer opportunities for those students 18 and over with severe disabilities who are otherwise not able to achieve the underlying competency determinations needed to secure a high school diploma. Under the 2023 law and these implementing regulations, such students can participate in courses as non-matriculating students with their nondisabled peers and engage in other aspects of campus life. Prior to 2022, these opportunities were limited to students ages 18-22.
 
“These regulations reflect deep knowledge of student and family needs, as well as how inclusive postsecondary opportunities can be successfully implemented on campuses,” said BHE Chair Chris Gabrieli. “The Board appreciates the work of the Department and the opportunity to approve these regulations because they aim to lift barriers to college access for more students.”

"Today's action is a welcome step toward expanding higher education access, enabling all students to engage in college life and continued learning," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy).  “I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration for its partnership in supporting a more equitable and inclusive future for every student in the Commonwealth."
 
“I’m thrilled the Board of Higher Education has approved the Healey Administration and Legislature’s mandated task force plan to open the door for substantially increased access to higher educational opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This landmark initiative is the result of a strong collaborative partnership between the Legislature, multiple state agencies, and would not have been possible without the dedicated advocacy of the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) and the Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC). I’m extremely proud to see Massachusetts positioned again as a leader in removing barriers and expanding opportunities for individuals with severe disabilities,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

杭亭頓劇院"聚光嘉年華"將邀百老匯明星表演

BROADWAY STARS TO PERFORM

AS KIMBERLY BELFLOWER AND GRACE FEY ARE HONORED

AT THE HUNTINGTON 2025 SPOTLIGHT GALA

 

Broadway talents will perform at this special event celebrating those who have made an extraordinary impact on Greater Boston, the arts, and The Huntington – including award-winning playwright Kimberly Belflower and former Huntington Trustee Grace Fey

 

(BOSTON) – The Huntington announces its annual Spotlight Gala on Monday, April 28, 2025 at the SoWa Power Station (550 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118). The event will celebrate honorees as well as the achievement of this transformational season. The Gala supports The Huntington’s artistic, education, and community initiatives. Tickets are available starting at $1,000, and sponsorships starting at $5,000 are still available. Young Professionals pricing starts at $250.

 

The Spotlight Gala honors two people who have made an extraordinary impact on The Huntington and the larger theatre community: former Huntington Trustee and esteemed Boston philanthropist Grace Fey and award-winning playwright Kimberly Belflower, whose play John Proctor is the Villain was a huge success for The Huntington last season and has been extended on Broadway this spring.

 

The April 28th Gala will begin with a cocktail hour at 5:30pm, followed by an auction and “Sponsor a Class” fundraiser to support The Huntington’s artistic and educational programs, a delicious dinner catered by MAX Ultimate Food, and several performances by Broadway superstars, including: Broadway legend and Tony and Emmy Award-nominee Eden Espinosa, who starred in The Huntington’s Merrily We Roll Along, played Elphaba in the Broadway, Los Angeles, and San Francisco productions of Wicked, and most recently starred in Lempicka on Broadway; The Light in the Piazza star William Michals, who has appeared at Lincoln Center in South Pacific and as the Beast in Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast; and Tony Award-nominee Emily Skeggs, who starred in Our Town at The Huntington and in Fun Home on Broadway.

 

“The Spotlight Gala is a remarkable celebration of our vibrant creative community and an essential fundraiser for The Huntington’s outstanding theatre education programs,” says Randy Peeler, Chairman of the Board at The Huntington. “This year holds special significance as we come together to honor former Trustee Grace Fey, along with playwright Kimberly Belflower, whose play John Proctor is the Villain captivated audiences at The Huntington last season and continues to impress on Broadway. Adding to the excitement, we are gathering in a fresh location—the SoWa Power Station—which will provide a bold and dynamic backdrop for this special evening.”

 

Huntington Trustee and host of WCVB Channel 5’s CityLine Karen Holmes Ward will host the evening, and the event is chaired by Donald Nelson, Huntington Advisor Bobby Perino-Thompson, and Huntington Trustee Veronica Wiseman.

 

More information about the event can be found here.

 

 

ABOUT THE HUNTINGTON 2025 SPOTLIGHT GALA HONOREES:

 

Grace Fey

 

Wimberly Award Honoree Grace Fey exemplifies steadfast support and advocacy for The Huntington as a former Huntington Trustee and President of Grace Fey Advisors. For twenty years, Grace was a partner at Frontier Capital Management Co. LLC, and she currently serves as a Trustee of the John Hancock Financial Services Funds and is on the Board of Directors of the Fiduciary Trust Company. She is a Trustee of the Mabel Louise Riley Foundation, a member of Board Leaders and the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), Trustee Emeriti at GBH, and Chair Emeritus of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

 

Kimberly Belflower

 

Wimberly Award Honoree Kimberly Belflower is an award-winning playwright and educator originally from a small town in Appalachian Georgia. Recent credits include the acclaimed John Proctor is the Villain at The Huntington as well as on Broadway and Off Broadway. Other credits include Lost Girl (Kennedy Center Darrell Ayers National Playwrighting Award) and Saint Pigtail. Kimberly has also worked with South Coast Rep, Manhattan Theatre Club, Alliance Theatre, Ojai Playwrights Conference, the Farm Theatre, We the Women, Less Than Rent, among others. Kimberly worked for two years as a narrative lead for Meow Wolf, Santa Fe’s celebrated arts and entertainment company, where she wrote a short film with original music by Beach House. She proudly holds an MFA from the University of Texas at Austin and teaches playwriting at Emory University in Atlanta.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates One Year of Progress in Ending Veteran Homelessness in Massachusetts

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates One Year of Progress in Ending Veteran Homelessness in Massachusetts 

Nearly 200 veterans got permanent or transitional housing through Governor Healey’s End Veteran Homelessness Campaign; 330 housing units slated for development in 2025 
 

NEW BEDFORD – One year after launching the End Veteran Homelessness (EVH) campaign, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is announcing significant progress in securing stable housing for veterans across Massachusetts. In just one year, the Executive Office of Veteran Services (EOVS) has enrolled more than 500 veterans in the administration’s HOPE program, which streamlines housing placements and support services. In addition, EOVS helped nearly 200 veterans secure permanent or transitional housing, and provided more than $300,000 in financial assistance for housing costs for veteran families. Additionally, more than 330 veteran housing units are slated for development in 2025. 

Governor Maura Healey and Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago joined New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, Veterans Committee Chair Representative Joe McGonagle, Representative Chris Hendricks and Representative Chris Markey at the Veterans Transition House in New Bedford to make the announcement. 

“Massachusetts is leading the way in the fight to end veteran homelessness because we refuse to accept that any veteran should ever be without a safe, stable place to call home,” said Governor Maura Healey. “In just one year, this campaign has helped hundreds of veterans find housing and critical support – but we know there is still work to do. We will keep pushing forward, making smart investments and strengthening partnerships until we ensure that every veteran in our Massachusetts has the resources they deserve.” 

“No veteran who served our country should ever have to worry about having a roof over their head,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This campaign is delivering real results, ensuring that our veterans have access to stable housing and supportive services. We remain committed to providing them with the dignity and care they deserve.” 

“This campaign is about more than just numbers—it’s about real people, real families, and real change,” said Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. “A veteran who was once sleeping on the streets now has a stable home. A family at risk of losing their housing has received financial assistance to stay together. We have built a system that doesn’t just react to homelessness but actively works to prevent it. This is what progress looks like.” 

Announced in March 2024, the $20 million EVH campaign represents the largest targeted investment in veteran housing and services in state history. The EVH campaign was developed as a cross-agency effort to ensure that veteran homelessness in Massachusetts becomes rare, brief, and nonrecurring. The initiative, led by the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), has worked to streamline housing placements, expand financial assistance, invest in critical support services, and strengthen partnerships at every level of government. 

The campaign’s success is driven by five key pillars designed to comprehensively address the challenges of veteran homelessness, including (1) Homelessness Outreach to Placement Effort (HOPE); (2) Capital Investments Supporting Veteran Housing; (3) Aligning Supportive Services with Veteran Housing Goals; (4) End Veteran Homelessness Advisory Council; (5) Empowering and Supporting our Veteran Service Providers.   

One Year of Results: End Veteran Homelessness Campaign by the Numbers 

Through coordinated efforts, HOPE offers direct outreach, housing placement, and ongoing support for long-term success. Since its launch in July 2024:  

• Enrolled over 533 veterans in the HOPE program, which streamlines housing placements and coordinates support services.  

• Placed 96 veterans in permanent housing, with an average placement time of just 19 days.  

• Placed 89 veterans in transitional housing, averaging 10 days from enrollment to placement.  

• Provided $318,989 in financial assistance to over 300 veteran families for rent, security deposits, moving costs, and emergency housing. 

Historic Investments in Veteran Housing 

Recognizing that housing is the foundation of stability, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has made historic capital investments in veteran housing, ensuring long-term solutions: 

• Investing $13 million to support new veteran housing developments.  

• Over 330 veteran housing units slated for development in 2025. 

• Collaborating with non-profit, local, and federal agencies to improve coordination of care for veterans experiencing housing instability. 

Beyond housing, Massachusetts has focused on long-term stability for veterans through critical support services. Since July 2024 the Healey-Driscoll Administration has delivered over 111,000 essential services to nearly 8,500 unique veterans, including:   

• 27,000+ food pantry visits ensuring veterans have access to nutrition.  

• 16,000+ housing-related services supporting stability.  

• 7,600 mental health and substance use treatment services, addressing the root causes of homelessness.  

• 1,900 employment and education-related services offered.     

“The End Veteran Homelessness campaign is proof that when we invest in people, we see results,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “By aligning housing resources with veteran services, we are setting the standard for how states can address homelessness effectively.” 

“That New Bedford has achieved functional-zero veterans homelessness is a tribute to the dedicated staff and volunteers at the Veterans Transition House, the City’s Office of Veterans Services, and an array of partner organizations, who take to heart President Lincoln’s call ‘to care for him who shall have borne the battle.’ I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s campaign to end veterans homeless statewide, which in its first year has already made permanent housing, behavioral health supports, and other service more readily available to Massachusetts veterans,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. 

Building on this momentum, Massachusetts is expanding housing options and support services to ensure that every veteran has access to stable, long-term housing. These projects are designed to provide not only shelter but also the resources veterans need to stay housed, from financial assistance to on-site services. 
 
“As the Executive Director of the Veterans Transition House, I wholeheartedly support Governor Healey's commitment to ending veteran homelessness in Massachusetts,” said Veterans Transition House Executive Director James Reid. “Every veteran who has served our country deserves a safe place to call home, and this initiative brings us closer to ensuring that no veteran must face homelessness. Together, we can create a stronger, more compassionate future for those who have sacrificed so much for our nation.” 

Residents, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to get involved by supporting veteran service providers, advocating for veteran housing policies, and spreading awareness about available resources. For more information on the End Veteran Homelessness Campaign, visit: www.mass.gov/end-veteran-homelessness.  

"Barriers to Bridges: Clean Slate Laws & Public Health" A Timely Webinar During Second Chance Month and National Public Health Week

 "Barriers to Bridges: Clean Slate Laws & Public Health" A Timely Webinar During Second Chance Month and National Public Health Week

Exploring how automated record sealing promotes health equity, economic opportunity, and stronger communities

SPRINGFIELD, MA - The Public Health Institute of Western MA invites the public to a compelling and timely webinar on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM EST, titled "Barriers to Bridges: Clean Slate Laws & Public Health." Coinciding with Second Chance Month and National Public Health Week (April 7-13), this free, 60-minute event will explore how clean slate laws can positively impact public health, economic opportunity, and racial equity.

Registration is free and open to the public at this Zoom Registration Link. Learn more at www.PublicHealthWM.org.

Criminal records often create long-term obstacles to employment, housing, and healthcare - key social determinants of health. Clean Slate legislation, which would automate the sealing of eligible criminal records, offers a promising path toward a more equitable and healthier society.

This webinar will feature insights from leaders across public health, policy, and advocacy who will offer a well-rounded conversation on the health, legislative, and economic dimensions of clean slate policy:

• Dr. Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative, a national organization championing policies that expand second chances through record clearance.

• Senator Adam Gomez, representing the Massachusetts State Senate and a key advocate for criminal justice reform and economic equity.

• Jessica Collins, Executive Director of the Public Health Institute of Western MA, whose work centers health equity and community well-being.

• Jay Ash, CEO of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, bringing a business perspective to the importance of second chances and economic inclusion.
  
  

This virtual event will offer insight into:

• How criminal offender record information (CORIs) impacts health and well-being

• Why so few people who are eligible have sealed records

• The current status of clean slate legislation in Massachusetts

• Why employers are increasingly backing these reforms

• How you can take action to support equitable record-sealing policies
  
  

“Clean slate policies are more than just legal reforms - they’re public health interventions,” said Dr. Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative national organization. “Our communities are safer when people can access stable housing, meaningful work, and healthcare without the weight of a past record. It’s time we recognize record sealing as a tool for  healing, opportunity, and lasting change.”

Secretary Lutnick Announces Speaker Lineup for 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit, including Global Business Leaders and U.S. Governors

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced the first wave of global business leaders, and U.S. Governors participating at the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit, scheduled for May 11-14 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.

“President Trump’s America First Investment Policy is revitalizing our economy and making the United States of America the most attractive destination for foreign direct investment,” said Secretary Lutnick. “SelectUSA is an integral part of our Administration’s efforts to increase foreign investments across the country. We look forward to hosting the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit at the Gaylord Convention Center beginning on May 11^th.”

Moreover, the United States was ranked today as the top destination for foreign direct investment for the 13th consecutive year, according to Kearney’s Global Business Policy Council’s 2025 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Confidence Index. The annual survey of global senior executives and investors found that the United States continues to maintain its lead ranking for 13 consecutive years thanks to the U.S. market’s technological innovation and constant economic growth and performance. For its part, SelectUSA has played an essential role in creating the environment that allows the United States to maintain the top position consistently.

Executive leadership from global businesses will participate as main stage speakers, including:

• Ashley Magargee, Chief Executive Officer, Genentech
• José Muñoz, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor Company

The Investment Summit is drawing robust state engagement, and several U.S. Governors will also participate, including:

• Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy
• Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
• Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds
• Maryland Governor Wes Moore
• Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
• New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy
• North Carolina Governor Josh Stein
• Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt
• Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón
• Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin

The SelectUSA Investment Summit is a platform for new announcements by foreign investors detailing their expansion plans in the United States and economic development organizations (EDOs) spotlighting new investments in their local area. Last year’s SelectUSA Investment Summit brought together more than 5,000 participants, including EDOs representing all 56 U.S. states and territories and Washington, D.C., more than 2,500 business investors and delegates from over 90 international markets, and industry experts who provided insights and advice on how to successfully invest in the United States. The SelectUSA Investment Summit has directly helped generate more than $135 billion in new U.S. investment projects, supporting over 105,000 jobs across the United States and its territories.

A full list of confirmed speakers and the current agenda for the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit is available online at www.selectusasummit.us.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $1.24 Billion in Loans and Grants to Fund Wastewater and Drinking Water Infrastructure Projects

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $1.24 Billion in Loans and Grants to Fund Wastewater and Drinking Water Infrastructure Projects 

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that 67 projects across Massachusetts are eligible to receive approximately $1.24 billion in low-interest-rate loans to fund construction to improve water quality, upgrade or replace aging drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and cut treatment plant energy use and costs. 

“Our administration is committed to delivering support for our communities to make sure Massachusetts continues to have the cleanest drinking water in the country,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These funds help cities and towns upgrade wastewater and drinking water infrastructure at an affordable cost, while ensuring residents across the state have access to safe and clean water.”  

“State Revolving Funds are critical to helping communities meet the needs of their residents,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The State Revolving Fund helps ease the burden on municipal budgets by supporting financing and helping communities cut energy costs. By modernizing critical water infrastructure, we are stimulating the economy with construction jobs and protecting public health.” 

“These projects are critical to the health and wellbeing of everyone here in Massachusetts,” said Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. “The grant funding and low-interest rate loans from the Trust helps cities and towns to finance cost-effective projects, especially in our most vulnerable communities.” 

The State Revolving Fund (SRF) financing is administered by the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust and finances projects implemented by cities and towns, regional water supply and wastewater treatment districts, and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). The projects include 35 clean water construction projects totaling approximately $858 million and 32 drinking water construction projects totaling approximately $293 million. Communities offered SRF financing in this round must decide to move forward with the project by June 30, 2025, and secure local funding authority. 

“As our climate gets warmer, drier conditions mean we have less drinking water supplies available,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Warmer air leads to heavier bursts of precipitation causing flooding, which results in an increase of contaminants in our water supply. This round of funding is meeting the moment we are in by financing projects that address emerging contaminants and manage our drinking water in a changing climate.” 

“Massachusetts has some of the oldest housing stock and water infrastructure in the nation and lead service lines remain a threat to public health, particularly for young children,” said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. “Every dollar of these funds helps us to meet our core mission to provide clean and safe water for everyone.” 

Nearly $162 million will be used to provide loan forgiveness for eligible projects. Loan forgiveness is awarded to renewable energy projects and for projects in communities that meet the affordability criteria established by the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. The affordability criteria factors in per capita income, unemployment rate and population trends. 

The SRF is composed of two programs that have provided more than $9.6 billion to Massachusetts projects: the Clean Water Fund, first capitalized in 1989; and the Drinking Water Fund, which began operation in 1999. Find more information on the two SRF programs. 

This year, the Clean Water SRF provides $885.8 million in financing for clean water projects across Massachusetts. Approximately $480 million will finance 26 new construction projects and $377 million will be allocated towards financing 10 previously approved multi-year projects. Additionally, $3 million has been allocated to the emergency set-aside account, $5 million will be directed to the Community Septic Management Program to remediate failed septic systems in participating communities, and $15 million has been set-aside to finance planning and PFAS design projects. 

The Drinking Water SRF provides $364 million in financing for drinking water projects. Approximately $123 million will finance 13 new construction projects and approximately $170 million will be allocated towards financing 19 previously approved multi-year projects. Additionally, $5 million will fund an emergency set-aside account, $10 million has been set-aside to finance planning and PFAS design projects, and $39.5 million has been set-aside to finance lead service line replacement projects. 

Massachusetts awards subsidized infrastructure financing under the SRF, which is administered by the Trust – a joint effort of MassDEP, the Executive Office of Administration and Finance and the State Treasurer’s Office. 

To be eligible for Clean Water or Drinking Water SRF loans, municipalities, wastewater districts and water suppliers filed applications with MassDEP last year demonstrating that proposed projects offer significant public health or water quality benefits, have local funding authorization, and demonstrate that there is a commitment on the borrower’s part to file a timely loan application. The projects on the 2025 SRF list must now file loan applications and receive MassDEP approval to obtain funding. 

麻州州長選戰提早開打 共和黨籍 Mike Kennealy宣佈參選

 Mike Kennealy宣佈參選麻州州長。(圖片來自推特)

             (Boston Orange 摘譯) 波士頓市長選選才剛開始正式啟動，明年 (2026) 才要選的麻州州長職位，竟然現在就有人叫板。前任麻州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker) 任內的房屋及經濟發展廳廳長Mike Kennealy，今(4月7) 日宣佈參選麻州州長。

              Mike Kennealy個人出資200萬元為支撐，在選舉日的17個月前就宣佈參選麻州州長，為的是有更多時間積攢人脈。他也是向民主黨籍在位州長奚莉 (Maura Healey)挑戰的第一位共和黨員。

              Mike Kennealy的競選，聚焦在批評麻州在奚莉州長治理下，走錯了方向，房屋、瓦斯及稅的開銷都上漲，交通及緊急庇護所都有問題。

              Mike Kennealy在查理貝克政府任職4年，新冠病毒疫情期間，扮演重要角色。在查理貝克離任後，他轉去波士頓男女童軍俱樂部任職。

              坊間認為，其他可能參選州長一職的共和黨人，還有麻州參議員Peter Durant，以及麻州地鐵前任管理員Brian Shortsleeve。奚莉州長早前已表態將競選連任。

              Mike Kennealy在今早發佈的參選錄影片段中表示，麻州在朝錯誤方向發展，家庭正在遷離麻州，從瓦斯到房屋到稅，每一樣東西都太貴了。他還說麻州的交通系統仍然不佳，引述麻州緊急庇護所有嚴重安全事故的報告。

Mike Kennealy 的競選團隊說，他原本在私募股權機構工作。麻州政府於2011年接管羅倫斯公校後，把Mike Kennealy找去當特別顧問。2023年查理貝克卸任麻州州長，Mike Kennealy轉任波士頓男女童軍俱樂部的資深顧問兼策略長。

在Mike Kennealy之外，很可能還有其他的共和黨人有意參選州長。在批評奚莉處理庇護系統上一直很大聲的麻州Spencer區參議員Peter Durant也說他在考慮參選。

根據來自共和黨內部的消息，查理貝克任內的麻州地鐵首席行政主管Brian Shortsleeve也在考慮參選。

屋斯特郡治安官Lew Evangelidis也說有人慫恿他參選。

              奚莉州長在3月份募得40萬元後，跨入4月，她可動用的競選經費已高達將近290萬元。

              麻州民主黨今日特地發出一份聲明，稱Mike Kennealy要參選州長，一定不想麻州人察覺他在查理貝克任內，沒有為麻州人做事。他那時的任務是監管麻州的房屋及經濟發展，卻沒做好，既不能制止房屋漲價，也沒能減稅。奚莉州長卻在上任第一年就減稅了。Mike Kennealy沒有資格來解決麻州所面對的最大問題，而且他在宣佈參選時也從未提及，對麻州最大的單一威脅是川普，一點也不關心川普在摧毀麻州經濟，背棄盟友，從麻州學校拿手數以億元計的經費。

哈佛5人，麻大Amherst 5人，還有東北 麻州多名國際學生簽證被撤銷

               (Boston Orange綜合編譯) 哈佛5人，麻州大學安赫斯特 (Amherst)分校5人，東北大學也有幾人。國際學生的簽證突然被撤消事件，有越演越烈之勢。各大學院校最近這兩三個星期都忙著因應聯邦政府甚至勒令這些學生立即離境的新情況。

              東北大學在校方官網常見問題 (FAQ)頁面的”駕馭新的政治環境 (Navigating a New Political Landscape)”段落寫著，”上週近尾聲時，國務院移民及海關執法局 (ICE)在全國發起行動，撤銷及終止那些在美國有犯罪行為國際學生的合法身分。ICE還更進一步的在未通知學校或學生的情況下，終止了某些學生的記錄。到現在，我們沒有證據顯示有東北大學學生或近期畢業生因為政治倡議或演說而被撤銷身份”。

              起初是ICE高調逮捕了塔芙茨(Tufts)大學的30歲土耳其博士生Rumeysa Ozturk，引發羈押她的法律戰。國土安全局說Ozturk是因為支持哈瑪士 (Hamas)而被逮捕，沒給出更進一步資訊。

              麻州大學安赫斯特分校說，聯邦當局沒有通知校方這些身分被撤銷事件，是學校主動查察移民及海關執法局的學生及交換遊客資料系統庫 (SEVIS)才發現的。

              麻州大學校方說，他們會繼續查察SEVIS的最新資料。

              哈佛大學國際辦公室4月6日在官網上貼文指出，過去3天來，他們獲悉學校有3名學生，2名最近才畢業的學生，簽證被取消了。學校是在例行查核記錄時發現的。學校已通知這些學生，他們的簽證被撤銷了，也轉介了法律援助資訊。哈佛將在4月11日早上10點，以及4月17日早上11點，安排2場”知道你的權利”會議。學生們可報名上網參加。

              4月6日週日時，美國國務卿Marco Rubio說，美國會撤銷所有南蘇丹護照持有人的簽證，聲稱政府已動用了美國的優勢。