波士頓移民進步辦公室強調移民屬於這裡

 

MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR IMMIGRANT ADVANCEMENT

MOIA Bulletin The message of belonging keeps spreading across our city! MOIA is happy to share we have donated billboards in three locations, in addition to the City's digital screen kiosks. It is exciting to get messages from our community members saying they have spotted the You Belong Here billboards, and we want to welcome you to share photos of them when you see one for us to reshare on the official MOIA album and on social media. Use this Google map to find the bilboards! This Independence Day may hit hard for many. We want to be mindful of the hardships our community members have experienced this year alone, and remind everyone that we continue working for equality and inclusion for all, in our city and beyond. Thank you for collaborating with MOIA and standing with us in this work.  In this bulletin, you will find a variety of resources and events relevant to residents and organizations: PIW Workshop Immigrants Lead Boston Participatory Budget Urban Planning Workshop Please scroll through to sign up for our upcoming events and share these valuable opportunities with the community! *** ¡El mensaje de pertenencia se extiende por nuestra ciudad! MOIA se complace en compartir los espectaculares publicitarios donados que estan en tres ubicaciones, además de los quioscos de pantalla digital de la ciudad. Nos emociona recibir mensajes de miembros de nuestra comunidad que dicen haber visto las imagenes "You Belong Here", y queremos invitarlos a compartir fotos de ellas cuando vean una para que las compartamos en el álbum oficial de MOIA y en redes sociales. Usen este mapa de Google para encontrar los espectaculares! Este Día de la Independencia puede ser duro para muchos. Queremos ser conscientes de las dificultades que nuestra comunidad ha experimentado este año y recordarles a todos que seguimos trabajando por la igualdad y la inclusión para todos, en nuestra ciudad y más allá. Gracias por colaborar con MOIA y apoyarnos en esta labor. En este boletín, encontrará diversos recursos y eventos relevantes para residentes y organizaciones: Taller PIW Inmigrantes Lideran Boston Presupuesto Participativo Taller de Planificación Urbana ¡Desplácese hacia abajo para registrarse en nuestros próximos eventos y compartir estas valiosas oportunidades con la comunidad! City of Belonging Festival MOIA has celebrated Immigrant Heritage Month with the City of Belonging Festival these past five weeks. We welcome you to enjoy the remaining community events happening in July, you can use our calendar to see all the opportunities around Boston.  Some of the MOIA hosted events have included a banner unveiling, LGBTQIA2S+ panel, rooftop concert, and a yoga party. Click each link to see photos from each event! *** MOIA ha celebrado el Mes de la Herencia Inmigrante con el Festival de la Ciudad de Pertenecer durante las últimas cinco semanas. Les invitamos a disfrutar de los eventos comunitarios restantes de julio. Pueden consultar nuestro calendario para ver todas las oportunidades en Boston. Algunos de los eventos organizados por MOIA han incluido la inauguración de pancartas, un panel LGBTQIA2S+, un concierto en la azotea y una fiesta de yoga. ¡Hagan clic en cada enlace para ver fotos de cada evento! RESOURCES Recursos  Pathway for Immigrant Workers MOIA has quarterly information sessions with Pathway for Immigrant Workers (PIW), a local nonprofit that assists lower-waged workers in employment-sponsored green card applications. The next session is on July 10. During this session, employers learn how to sponsor a low-wage immigrant workers for a green card. There will be time for questions and answers after the info session. All interested employers and employees are welcome to attend. An immigration lawyer will give a presentation and answer questions. Register here. Share the multilingual flyers. *** MOIA organiza sesiones informativas trimestrales con Pathway for Immigrant Workers (PIW), una organización local sin fines de lucro que ayuda a trabajadores con bajos salarios a solicitar la tarjeta verde a través de patrocinio laboral. La próxima sesión será el 10 de julio. En esta sesión, los empleadores aprenderán cómo patrocinar a trabajadores inmigrantes con bajos salarios para obtener la tarjeta verde. Habrá tiempo para preguntas y respuestas después de la sesión informativa. Todos los empleadores y empleados interesados ​​están invitados a asistir. Un abogado de inmigración dará una presentación y responderá preguntas. Regístrese aquí. Comparta los volantes multilingues.  Immigrants Lead Boston MOIA and our program administrator, CHIC Community Engagement Consulting, are launching the sixth program of Immigrants Lead Boston (ILB)! Ideal candidates are emerging leaders committed to advocating for their immigrant community in Boston. Participants will meet key City of Boston officials and learn how to effectively navigate local government, and learn advanced public speaking and community organizing skills. The goal is for these participants to advance their leadership to advocate for issues that impact our communities effectively. To learn more, register for a virtual information session on Wednesday, July 9, from 6 to 7 pm. Applications close on July 18, 2025. Candidate recommendations? Fill out the candidate form or email Hawa Yusuf, at hawa.yusuf@boston.gov. Spread the word by using the program toolkit! *** MOIA y nuestra administradora de programas, CHIC Community Engagement Consulting, lanzan el sexto programa de Inmigrantes Lideran Boston (ILB). Los candidatos ideales son líderes emergentes comprometidos con la defensa de su comunidad inmigrante en Boston. Los participantes se reunirán con funcionarios clave de la Ciudad de Boston y aprenderán a desenvolverse eficazmente en el gobierno local, además de adquirir habilidades avanzadas de oratoria y organización comunitaria. El objetivo es que estos participantes desarrollen su liderazgo para defender eficazmente los problemas que afectan a nuestras comunidades. Para obtener más información, inscríbase en una sesión informativa virtual el miércoles 9 de julio, de 6 a 7pm. El plazo de solicitud cierra el 18 de julio de 2025. ¿Recomendaciones de candidatos? Complete el formulario de candidatura o envíe un correo electrónico a Hawa Yusuf a hawa.yusuf@boston.gov. ¡Difunde el mensaje utilizando el kit de herramientas del programa! Your Ideas, our City, Boston's future! The City’s Participatory Budgeting (PB) initiative, Ideas in Action, kicks off this July and runs through February of 2026. By engaging in this process, Bostonians can decide how to spend $2.2 million of the City’s budget by proposing and voting on project ideas that will benefit our communities. July is Idea Collection Month! Share your ideas through the online PB Portal. Spread the word and learn about other ways to share your ideas at boston.gov/participate. For more information, contact the Office of Participatory Budgeting at PB@boston.gov or call 617-635-2381. *** ¡Tus ideas, nuestra ciudad, el futuro de Boston! La iniciativa de Presupuesto Participativo (PP) de la Ciudad, Ideas en Acción, comienza este julio y se extenderá hasta febrero de 2026. Al participar en este proceso, los bostonianos pueden decidir cómo gastar $2.2 millones del presupuesto de la Ciudad proponiendo y votando ideas de proyectos que beneficiarán a nuestras comunidades. ¡Julio es el Mes de la Recolección de Ideas! Comparta sus ideas a través del Portal de PP en línea. Comparta esta inciativa y conozca otras maneras de agregar sus ideas en boston.gov/participate. Para más información, comuníquese con la Oficina de Presupuesto Participativo en PB@boston.gov o llame al 617-635-2381. Urban Planning Workshop The City of Boston Planning Department is hosting a Community Urban Planning Workshop specifically for Spanish-speaking community members on Thursday, July 10, from 6 to 8 pm at Rincón Caribeño. The goal of this workshop is to: Share information about the A80 planning process in a way that is accessible and culturally relevant Gather meaningful feedback from Spanish-speaking residents on materials such as signage, presentation tools, and engagement strategies For more information or to ask questions, email jonil.casado@boston.gov. *** Taller de Planificación Urbana El Departamento de Planificación de la Ciudad de Boston organiza un Taller de Planificación Urbana Comunitaria, dirigido a la comunidad hispanohablante, el jueves 10 de julio, de 6 a 8 pm, en Rincón Caribeño. El objetivo de este taller es: Compartir información sobre el proceso de planificación de la A80 de forma accesible y culturalmente relevante. Recopilar comentarios significativos de los residentes hispanohablantes sobre materiales como señalización, herramientas de presentación y estrategias de participación. Para obtener más información o hacer preguntas, escriba a jonil.casado@boston.gov. Mayor's Youth Council The Mayor’s Youth Council is accepting applications for the new school year! Selected youth will get paid to represent their peers from across Boston in City government. To apply, youth must be: Boston residents Enrolled in high school by Fall 2025 Able to commit to in-person meeting through 2025-26 school year (September 2025-May 2026) If you know interested high schoolers, please encourage them to visit boston.gov/myc and submit their application by the end of July! *** ¡El Consejo Juvenil de la Alcaldesa está aceptando solicitudes para el nuevo año escolar! Los jovenes seleccionados recibirán una remuneración por representar a sus compañeros de Boston en el gobierno municipal. Para postularse, los jóvenes deben ser: Residentes de Boston Estar matriculados en la escuela secundaria para el otoño de 2025 Poder comprometerse a asistir a reuniones presenciales durante el año escolar 2025-26 (septiembre de 2025 a mayo de 2026) Si conoce a estudiantes de secundaria interesados, anímelos a visitar boston.gov/myc y enviar su solicitud antes de finales de julio.

哈佛校友京劇社迎夏首映「霸王別姬』 票友劍橋開腔唱

波士頓哈佛校友京劇社在劍橋市演出後合影。（周菊子攝）

          （Boston Orange 周菊子劍橋市報導）哈佛校友京劇社6月29日下午，在劍橋市公共圖書館推出「仲夏-京韻之聲 專場演唱會」，首映該社製作的外景版「霸王別姬」，再由票友，社員輪番上場，演出不同戲碼選段。

              創辦人陳明華這天請到李照原、劉煉主持，邀來曾在清華大學京劇社任教的劉朝儒司鼓，敲打電子鑼，並一同策劃了這場演出，有京二胡郭京冨，中阮鎮德華等的文武場樂師現場伴奏，原訂下午

哈佛校友京劇社創辦人陳明華
鴉洲粉墨登場。（周菊子攝）

2點到4點的活動，在參加演出者輪番上場，陳明華壓軸的粉墨登場，30多名現場出席觀眾熱情支持之下，竟一直進行至5點，圖書館工作人員來催關門了，才依依不捨的離開。

              根據中國非物質文化遺產網，中國文化部2015年至2017年間做的地方戲曲劇種普查，統計出全中國共有348個戲曲劇種，其中京劇，豫劇，越劇，評劇，黃梅戲被稱為五大劇種。

              在大波士頓也區，京劇社團至少從2007年1月起，就有劉瑋珊創辦的波士頓京劇協會，2009年11月，再有張一霖創辦的波士頓京劇愛好者協會。大約在2016年左右，在哈佛大學公衛學院就讀，年幼時曾師從浙江京劇團張君秋弟子，青衣頭牌李瑛的陳明華，又創辦了哈佛校友京劇社。

              這幾個京劇團，以劉瑋珊的波士頓京劇協會最為活躍，每年例必公演，曾多次在劍橋市家庭劇場演出之外，去年 （2024）11月還和勒星頓鎮（Lexington）華人協會合作，在該鎮Cary大禮堂，推出「梨園秋色」京劇專場。

              波士頓哈佛校友京劇社則是幾乎每年都應邀參加麻省理工學院，哈佛大學，東北大學等中國學生學者聯合會的春晚演出。

票有參與演出。（周菊子攝）

票有輪番上場。（周菊子攝）

              大波士頓地區其他的戲曲社團，在歷史最悠久，創辦於1939年的僑聲音樂社，以及溫陳美月創辦的廣東音藝研究社，梁慶琦和梁沛霖父子創辦的波城心聲曲藝社，梁小玲創辦的仙藝曲藝社，陳海兒等人負責的木蘭寨曲藝社等粵曲社團之外，還有2007左右，另有呂小鶯創辦了波士頓戲曲文化交流協會。2018年5月，有應小艾，鄒雨，方云霞等人創辦了波士頓越劇之家。

              在此同時，非戲曲歌唱類的劇社，在麻省理工學院學生曾經組織無名劇社，演出專場話劇，以及成立已近10年的楓香劇團之外，大波士頓還有曲悅鳴創辦的「創舞台 （Chuang Stage）」，以及蘇禹宇與人合作創辦的朱雀劇團。

  這些戲曲社團，有的十分活躍，有的才剛成立，有的如波城心聲曲藝社，因創辦人梁沛霖等已遷居紐約，等同解散，各自命運不同。

謝幕擺姿勢。（周菊子攝）

愛唱京戲的男生也不少。（周菊子攝）

現場有三十多人。（周菊子攝）

為多個劇社伴奏的郭京冨直言，京胡是體型比二胡小的樂器，拉奏方法不一樣，
會的人不多，所以他經常應邀伴奏。（周菊子攝）

汪榮華（左一）等喜歡唱京劇的人，在活動結束時合影留念。（周菊子攝）

哈佛校友京劇社有資深前輩支持。（周菊子攝）

李照原（左）和劉煉主持節目。（周菊子攝）

第3屆波士頓國際音樂大賽音樂會訂7月20日下午舉行

第三屆波士頓國際音樂比賽音樂會海報。（主辦單為提供）

         (Boston Orange) 第三屆波士頓國際音樂大賽 (BIMC) 訂7月20日（週日）下午2點在麻州勒星頓鎮（Lexington）的Cary Hall音廳，舉辦獲獎音樂會暨頒獎典禮。

      音樂大賽由波士頓國際音樂大賽執委會主辦， WeStar 協辦，共有來自全球各地的400多人，參加聲樂、鋼琴、弦樂，以及其他樂器等類別比賽。

      主辦單位邀請歐美亞洲知名音樂家、教育家，以及音樂學院教授所組成的21人評審團，已從425名參賽者中篩選出116名決賽入圍者，待7月19日大賽結果揭曉之後，再落實獲獎音樂會演出名單。

      7月20日下午的BIMC獲獎者音樂會，節目將十分多元，有鋼琴家，弦樂演奏家，歌手，以及鮮爲人知的民族樂器演奏家演奏各種曲目。百老匯歌劇男高音泰迪·埃德加、格魯吉亞專業歌劇男高音阿夫坦迪爾·奇卡瓦，以及烏克蘭達人秀和西班牙達人秀明星索菲亞·什基琴科，都已進入決賽，角逐金獎和7月20日下午的演出機會。

2024年比賽頒獎照片。（主辦單位提供）

      主辦單位表示，大賽獲獎者將在獎金，證書，獎牌之外，得到被製作人，經紀，星探發現，參加國際巡演，拓展音樂職涯的機會。BIMC每年舉辦的WeStar四季音樂會系列，波士頓國際交響樂團WeStar新年歌舞晚會，波士頓青少年才藝匯演，BIMC波士頓夏季音樂節，WeStar音樂大師系列音樂會，美國和中國巡迴演出等活動，都將給大賽優勝者演出機會。

      第三屆波士頓國際音樂大賽 (BIMC)音樂會及頒獎典禮將於7月20日（週日）下午2點在麻州勒星頓鎮（Lexington）的Cary Hall音樂廳舉行，Cary Hall地址為 1605 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02420，購票或查詢可上網https://bimc.us/products/ols/products/bimc-award-ceremony-concert-2。（再次修訂版）

Secretary's Order 08-2025 - To Lift the Abeyance on OFCCP’s Processing of the Section 503 and VEVRAA Components of Open Compliance Reviews or Complaint Investigations

On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14173, "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity," which revoked E.O. 11246.  E.O. 14173 ordered that the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) immediately cease holding federal contractors responsible for taking affirmative action or allowing workforce balancing on certain bases.  Federal contractors were in turn told to wind down compliance with E.O. 11246’s regulatory scheme by April 21, 2025.

In response to E.O. 14173, on January 24, 2025, then-Acting Secretary Vincent Micone issued Secretary’s Order 03-2025, which ordered that OFCCP cease and desist all investigative and enforcement activity under E.O. 11246.  Order 03-2025 also placed OFCCP’s activity related to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. 793 (Section 503), and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act, 38 U.S.C. 4212 (VEVRAA), in abeyance pending further guidance.  OFCCP’s previous structure entwined the three program areas of E.O. 11246, Section 503, and VEVRAA.  This brief abeyance was necessary to unwind OFCCP’s E.O. 11246 program areas from the Section 503 and VEVRAA areas and ensure OFCCP did not undertake any activity for which it was not authorized.

Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer has now issued Order 08-2025 lifting the abeyance allowing OFCCP to resume activity under the Section 503 and VEVRAA program areas.  The E.O. 11246-related provisions of Order 03-2025 are unaffected and remain in full force and effect.  Any Section 503 and VEVRAA complaints held during the abeyance will immediately resume being processed as appropriate and affected parties will be promptly notified of this development.  New Section 503 and VEVRAA complaints filed during the abeyance will also begin processing as normal.

Because OFCCP’s compliance review format significantly entangled E.O. 11246 reviews with reviews of Section 503 and/or VEVRAA compliance, OFCCP will be exercising its discretion to administratively close all pending compliance reviews and will take no further action related to the scheduling list released in November 2024.  Impacted contractors will promptly receive formal notification of the administrative closure of the pending compliance review.  Additionally, while OFCCP continues to work to revise its processes and systems to reflect changes to OFCCP’s scope of mission and authority with the revocation of E.O. 11246, the Section 503 and VEVRAA affirmative action program (AAP) certification period will remain closed at this time.  Contractors are reminded, however, that Section 503 and VEVRAA, along with their implementing regulations, remain in effect and contractors should continue to otherwise comply with their obligations under the Section 503 and VEVRAA regulatory schemes.

OFCCP also renewed its Veterans Affairs Health Benefits Program (VAHBP) enforcement moratorium, and that moratorium will remain in effect until May 7, 2027. This moratorium exempts VAHBP providers from enforcement of their affirmative obligations under Section 503 and VEVRAA or being neutrally scheduled for Section 503 and VEVRAA compliance evaluations that may occur through May 7, 2027.  It does not relieve VAHBP providers of their nondiscrimination obligations or of being subject to discrimination complaint investigations under the laws enforced by OFCCP.

If you are a veteran or an individual with a disability and need assistance, please submit an online inquiry to the OFCCP Customer Service Helpdesk or call 1-800-397-6251. For TTY-Based Telecommunications Relay Service, dial 7-1-1.

8月1日起 麻州租客不必再付房屋仲介費

            (Boston Orange 編譯)麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今（2）日宣佈，今年8月1日後，在麻州租房子，除非租客自己聘請經紀，否則不再需要支付房屋仲介費。她去年提出的這法案，將在數日後，她簽署2026會計年度預算案後落實。

雖然麻州沒有明文規定，但過去以來，在麻州找房子租住的人，即使他們自己沒有聘請房屋仲介，但若是經由仲介敲定承租合約，常需要向房東繳交第一個月，最後一個月，以及作為押金的一個月，總共3個月的租金之後，還得支付一個月，或一個半月的房租給房屋仲介，才能順利完成租賃手續。

對全美租金最貴州之一，整體平均月租2,516元的麻州，以及整體平均月租3,528元的波士頓市來說，那意味著手邊沒有一萬元的人，連租間房子住都會成大問題。

麻州州長奚莉鑑於買不起，甚至租不起房屋是麻州流失大量年輕人的原因之一，2025年1月提出這取消租客支付房屋仲介費法案，並把這法案列為「外部法案(Outside section)」，納入2026會計年度預算案，以期這和動支預算費用並無關係，卻對民生有重大影響的法案，能夠更快速的通過，落實。

這也是奚莉Driscoll政府解決麻州住房危機的全面策略之一。去年奚莉州長簽署了50億美元的「可負擔住房法案」，然後她還提議要在2026-2030的5年之間，撥款23.4億美元，重新開發州有土地，把市中心辦公大樓改建爲住宅。

奚莉州長說，她提案禁止租客支付房屋仲介費（renter-paid broker’s fees）是因為還沒算儘管租客沒聘請，也得支付的這幾千元服務費仲介服務費，麻州的房屋開銷就已經太高了，所以她要禁止這租客支付仲介費，這也是她麾下政府每日努力降低麻州高生活開銷的方法之一。

麻州副州長Kim Driscoll，麻州參議會議長karen Spika，眾議會議長Ron Mariano，還有住房及移居社區廳廳長Ed Augustus，都支持，讚揚這一法案造福租客。

Governor Healey Commits to Signing Budget Provision Banning Renter-Paid Broker’s Fees 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today announced that the Fiscal Year 2026 budget that she will sign in the coming days will include her proposal to eliminate renter-paid broker’s fees. In January, Governor Healey filed an outside section in her FY26 budget proposal that would require the fee to be paid by whoever hires the broker, which is usually the landlord. 

“The days of renters being forced to shell out upwards of $10,000 before they can even move into an apartment are over. I proposed banning renter-paid broker’s fees because the cost of housing is already way too high in Massachusetts without adding thousands of dollars in fees for a service you didn’t hire,” said Governor Healey. “I’m grateful that the Legislature agreed that the person who hires the broker should be responsible for paying them. While we continue to review the full budget, I am proud to say that the budget I sign will ban renter-paid broker’s fees. This is one of just many ways that our administration is working every day to lower the high cost of living in Massachusetts.” 

“Between first and last month’s rent, a security deposit and a broker’s fee – moving to a new apartment was breaking the bank for far too many Massachusetts residents,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This was forcing young people look elsewhere to start their careers, making it harder for businesses to find the talent they need, and preventing families and seniors from moving into the homes that are right for them. I’m glad that Governor Healey’s proposal will soon be law, and that renting a home in Massachusetts will become more affordable for people across the state.” 

“This will put money back in renter's pockets starting August first,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I'm proud to see this Senate-led initiative signed into law, as we work to lower costs and expand opportunities for residents. At the start of this session I said we would deliver on shifting the burden of broker's fees, and through our partnership with the House under Speaker Mariano and the Administration under Governor Healey, we got it done. I look forward to continuing to work on creative ways to address the state's housing crisis.” 

“The extraordinarily high cost of housing is one of the most significant challenges that the Commonwealth currently faces. For renters in Massachusetts, it has meant making higher monthly payments than residents in almost any other state, a fact that many former residents often cite as the reason for moving out of the Commonwealth,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “That’s why the Legislature passed the largest investment in affordable housing production in the history of Massachusetts last year, and it’s why our FY26 budget eliminates brokers fees. Renters in Massachusetts should not be forced to pay thousands of dollars in fees for a service that they themselves never contracted in the first place. The House remains committed to ensuring that state government does all that it can to bring down the cost of housing here in Massachusetts, and we’re grateful to Governor Healey and our partners in the Senate for their shared commitment to that goal.”

Since taking office, Governor Healey has prioritized building more housing to lower costs across the state. Last year, she signed the $5 billion Affordable Homes Act, which is creating tens of thousands of new housing units, including authorizing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) by right. The FY 2026-2030 Capital Investment Plan that Governor Healey released this week invests $2.34 billion for housing over five years, which will support the creation of over 6,000 new units. Since taking office, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has increased capital funding for housing by 71 percent. Additionally, Governor Healey recently announced 450 acres of state-owned sites are now available to be re-developed into over 3,500 new housing units, awarded $7.4 million to convert downtown Boston office buildings into nearly 200 new units, and launched the Momentum Fund to leverage low-cost capital with the expertise of private developers to accelerate the development of mixed-income housing. All told, there are approximately 10,000 new housing units in the pipeline because of Governor Healey’s initiatives. 

“Renter-paid broker's fees have added to an up-front cost that can put moving into a new apartment out of reach for individuals and families even when they can afford the rent,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “By eliminating these fees from what renters need to pay, Governor Healey delivers big on her promise to lower costs for Massachusetts residents.” 

麻州長Healey提名 Judge Joanna Rodriguez 和Lisa Core出任區域法院副法官

 Governor Healey Nominates Judge Joanna Rodriguez and Lisa Core to District Court   

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today nominated Judge Joanna Rodriguez and Lisa Core to serve as Associate Justices of the District Court. The nominees will now be considered by the Governor’s Council for confirmation. 

“Judge Rodriguez and Attorney Core are highly-qualified nominees, and their decades of experience in our courts will be incredibly valuable on the District Court,” said Governor Maura Healey “I'm grateful to the Governor’s Council for their careful review of these nominations.”  

“Both of these nominees are exceedingly qualified to serve on the District Court, and I am excited to work with the Governor’s Council to advance their nominations,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.  

The District Court hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other types of cases. District Court criminal jurisdiction extends to all felonies punishable by a sentence up to five years, and many other specific felonies with greater potential penalties, all misdemeanors, and all violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws. In civil matters, the District Court hears cases in which the damages are not likely to be more than $50,000 and small claims cases up to $7,000. The District Court is located in 62 courts across the state. 

Governor Healey has already nominated 18 attorneys to the District Court: Heath Antonio, Patrick Burke, Brian Doxtader, Ed Karcasinas, Suzanne McDonough, Liza Williamson, Leo Fama, Francis V. Kenneally, Courtney C. Linnehan, Marjorie P. Tynes, Sarah Kennedy, Edward Krippendorf, Frederick DeCubellis, Gregory Teran, Amanda Ward, Stuart Hurowitz,  and Polly Phillips. 

For more information about the District Court, visit their homepage. 

About the Nominees: 
The Honorable Joanna Rodriguez is currently an Associate Justice of the Juvenile Court where she has served since 2020. She presides over a wide range of civil and criminal matters, including delinquencies, youthful offender cases, care and protection matters, and children requiring assistance cases. Prior to her appointment, Judge Rodriguez served as the Deputy General Counsel at the Sex Offenders Registry Board. She supervised attorneys who represented the Board at all administrative hearings throughout the courts in Massachusetts. Judge Rodriguez also served as a solo practitioner for 12 years where her practice focused on criminal defense in the District and Juvenile Courts. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Administrative Justice from Rutgers University and a Juris Doctor from the Massachusetts School of Law.  
 

Lisa Core has spent the past decade as a solo practitioner where her practice has focused on court-appointed and private criminal defense in the trial and appellate courts.  Earlier in her career, Attorney Core served as a law clerk in the Massachusetts Appeals Court and worked as a civil litigator at a law firm in Boston. Attorney Core then spent six years as an Assistant District Attorney in the Essex County District Attorney’s Office where she prosecuted a wide range of felony and misdemeanor cases, and served as the Supervisor of the Lynn District Court and the Lynn Gun Court before leaving to start her private practice. She holds a bachelor's degree in from Dartmouth College and a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School.  Attorney Core is actively engaged in her community. She lives with her family in Winchester.