2026麻州選票可能問選民是否同意把所得稅率降至4％ 政府稅收超額就應退款

           （ Boston Orange綜合編譯）麻州的「先驅者研究所（Pioneer Institute）」和「麻州高科技委員會（Massachusetts High Technology Council）」刻正推動在2026年的大選中提出2個選票問題，一為把所得稅降至4%，一為若州政府稅收有盈餘，應推還給州民。

「先驅者研究所」和「麻州高科技委員會」表示，他們是看到政府開支日益增加，民眾的生活卻因大環境經濟狀況，日益艱難，提出這2個辦法，是要讓人民生活輕鬆些，手頭寬裕些，也避免政府預算無限制的過度擴張。

他們認為，降低所得稅至4%，稅收有多，就退還給州民的做法，不只可以減輕居民的負擔，還能吸引更多人才留在麻州工作和消費，形成良性循環。

「麻薩諸塞州預算與政策中心（Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center）」和塔夫茨大學（Tufts University）「州政策分析中心（Center for State Policy Analysis）」強烈反對這2種做法，警告的說，如果實施前述2種做法，州政府將面臨近 50 億美元的財政缺口，將嚴重衝擊民眾享有的教育和醫療等關鍵公共服務。他們還認為，減稅主要會讓富人受益，對普通民眾幫助有限。

這兩項提案目前還在初步階段，發起機構必須募得74,574個民眾的簽名支持，才能讓這2個提案擠上2026年大選的選票，由民眾以公投來做決定。

            這場關於「讓利於民」與「維護公共服務」的爭議，正等待麻州居民在未來做出最終抉擇。

麻州州長Healey簽署「盾牌法」2.0加強保護醫患

麻州州長Maura Healey簽署盾牌法2.0，加強保護醫患。（周菊子攝）

             （Boston Orange 編譯）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今（7）日中午在州政府大樓護士廳（Nurse Hall）簽署「盾牌法」2.0，強調這是全美最強而有力，保護醫療提供者及病人的法令。

麻州州長Maura Healey說明麻州為醫療提供者和患者提供全美最強的保護。
（周菊子攝）

            更新版的「盾牌法(Shield Law)」，在2022年的基礎上，加強保護，禁止洩露敏感數據，例如醫生姓名，並正式規定墮胎必須在緊急醫療需求的情況下進行。此外，該法律禁止麻州或地方當局配合任何聯邦或州外機構調查在麻州受法律保護的醫療服務（例如墮胎服務）。

            敏感信息包括處方標籤上的醫生姓名，允許使用診所名稱代替。該法還旨在限制未經授權訪問與生殖和性別肯定護理相關的敏感電子健康記錄。

奚莉州長和其他州政府及醫療機構領導人強調，麻州將繼續是一個患者可以不受政府干預，獲得高質量醫療保健的州，也是一個醫療提供者可以不受恐嚇或懲罰地履行職責的州。這項更新後的法律是奚莉政府為捍衛生育自由所做的努力之一。這些努力包括為墮胎護理提供財政援助、為五十萬患者提供免費的非處方避孕藥和產前維生素，以及支持像美國計劃生育聯盟這樣的組織。

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey signed the updated Shield Law to strengthen protections for patients and providers. The new law prevents the disclosure of sensitive data, such as a physician’s name, and formally establishes that abortions are to be provided in emergencies due to medical necessity. Additionally, the law prohibits Massachusetts state or local authorities from cooperating with any federal or out-of-state investigation into health care services that are legally protected in Massachusetts, such as abortion care. 

“Massachusetts will always be a state where patients can access high-quality health care and providers are able to do their jobs without government interference,” said Governor Healey. “From the moment Roe was overturned, we stepped up to pass strong protections for patients and providers, and with President Trump and his allies continuing their assaults on health care, we’re taking those protections to the next level. No one is going to prevent the people of Massachusetts from getting the health care they need.” 

“Massachusetts is home to the best health care providers in the country, and we aren't going to let them be intimidated or punished for providing lifesaving care,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Together with the Legislature, we are reminding the entire country yet again that Massachusetts is a place where everyone can safely access the health care they need and deserve.” 

"Today, we again affirm our residents’ right to make their own health care decisions—and that in Massachusetts, we will not discriminate against anyone based on the care they seek or provide," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "We will not cede ground to the Trump Administration as it attacks the rights and wellbeing of people seeking reproductive and gender-affirming care. By reinforcing our Shield Law, we are expanding protections further than ever before. I’m grateful to Governor Healey for taking swift action to sign this critical legislation into law." 

"As the Trump Administration and Republicans across the country continue to target individuals for exercising their right to make their own health care decisions in consultation with their doctor, this legislation is representative of the Legislature’s commitment to preserving that fundamental right,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “This Shield Act builds on the Commonwealth’s proud history of preserving and expanding access to reproductive and gender-affirming care by establishing new safeguards around patient data, and by protecting health care professionals who provide that vital care. I would like to thank Governor Healey and my colleagues in the Legislature for their commitment to protecting the rights of our residents.” 

The law also directs the Department of Public Health to create a technical advisory group that will provide support to businesses on implementing privacy protections for storing or managing electronic medical records related to reproductive and gender-affirming health care. 

“We have long maintained that access to reproductive and gender-affirming health care is essential - without this, people’s physical and mental wellbeing can be severely impacted,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kiame Mahaniah. “Those who seek this health care and those who provide it have a right to be safe from external threats, whether that is protecting their personal information from misuse, or protecting them from politically motivated legal attacks. I’m grateful to the legislature and the Governor for continuing to protect patients and providers in our state.” 

“Once again we are standing up to defend the rights of Massachusetts residents,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Chair of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy, the committee tasked with leading the Senate’s Response 2025 effort. “Facing a wave of new threats on our autonomy from the federal government and other states, this legislation will enhance the protections for patients and providers we first put in place in 2022. In the Commonwealth, legally protected health care is just that, and we will always step up to uphold this and fight for our residents.” 

"In Massachusetts, our residents enjoy equal protection under our laws and full control over their own healthcare choices," said Representative Michael S. Day (D-Stoneham), House Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. "We stand united in affirming that we will not allow radical prosecutors or politicians in other states to exploit legally protected healthcare decisions made here in the Commonwealth for their own political gain.” 

“The SHIELD Act 2.0 is a critical defense against the attacks that the federal government continues to make against women and the LGBTQ+ community,” said Representative Marjorie Decker, House Chair, Joint Committee on Public Health. “It is clear that the cruelty is the point. I am grateful to House Leadership and all of my colleagues for quickly enacting this bill and to Governor Healey for promptly signing it into law.”   

“At a time when access to essential health care—especially reproductive and gender-affirming care—is being rolled back in states across the country, Massachusetts is taking a firm and principled stand,” said Senator Lydia Edwards, State Senator for the Third Suffolk District. “This legislation sends a clear message: we will protect the rights, safety, and privacy of our residents. It ensures that patients and providers are shielded from political interference, legal intimidation, and unlawful out-of-state overreach. In Massachusetts, we believe health care decisions should be made in consultation with medical professionals—not dictated by partisan agendas. Here, your choices remain between you and your doctor, and we will fight to keep it that way.” 

This is the latest in a number of steps taken by Governor Healey to defend reproductive freedom. This year alone, Governor Healey awarded $1.8 million in financial assistance to individuals seeking abortion care, made over-the-counter birth control and prenatal vitamins free for half a million patients, and with Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka, delivered $2 million to Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts following President Trump’s prevention of Medicaid funds from being used to cover services provided at clinics. Governor Healey also previously stockpiled mifepristone when this lifesaving abortion medication was under threat. 

波士頓華埠居民會全區執委7人同額當選

波士頓華埠居民會當選的全區執委和當天出席的分區執委合影。（周菊子攝）

波士頓A-1區警察黃天輝（左起），Sean Wallace，David hernandez。（周菊子攝）

                  (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)波士頓華埠居民會（CRA）8月6日晚在昆士小學飯堂宣佈全區執委改選結果，愛丁堡羅街25-27號業主裝修樓宇，經辦數種不同生意，陳請居民支持，警察報告上個月案件，提醒居民8月10日華埠慶祝中秋節。

               波士頓警察局A-1區警察黃天輝（Frank Wong）報告，7月17日下午3點多，有受害者報稱， 7月15日下午4點左右，他把車停在必珠街（Beach）40號的停車場內，7月17日下午2點去取車時，發現車內的高爾夫球具被人偷走了，價值約3000元。受害者表示，車輛無可見外觀損壞，只是他的高爾夫球具不見了。

李陳淑儀（前）帥律師，建築師陳情。（周菊子攝）

居民會執委馬炳祥認為打麻將難脫賭博嫌疑。（周菊子攝）

                7月22日下午4點36分，泰勒街(Tyler)16號的餐廳經理通知警察，大約在下午3點35分左右，有2名皮膚白皙男子進店，從前台偷走了大約30張信用卡。餐廳經理相信這2人是同夥，因為他們一起走進餐廳，其中一人在事件發生後，以上菜太慢為由決定離開。經理稱所有被偷的信用卡，都是客戶忘了拿走，留在餐廳的。他們保留著，準備客戶來要時歸還。餐廳經理表示，他們沒有這些信用卡的資料。餐廳經理還給警察看了一段監視錄影。

            8月4日下午5點22分左右，在乞臣街（Hudson）2號，警察注意到在華埠牌樓前有人違反條例。巡邏警察觀察一名嫌犯向一名亞裔男子做手勢，說自己的袋子裏有牛排，問人要不要買。由於警察就在旁邊，亞裔男子搖頭拒絕了。嫌犯看到警察後，告訴警察他用食物券購買了購物袋中的大約4包牛排，想要出售，賺點錢。警察於是朗讀了“有權保持緘默”的米蘭達警告給嫌犯聽，隨後交給嫌犯一份到波士頓地方法院的出庭令。

波士頓市議員Ed Flynn的助理盧善柔（左）直言費連議員不會支持開麻將館。
（周菊子攝）

鄺寶蓮（左）和居民會主席Kate Debeul請居民們8月10日參加
華埠中秋節聯歡會。（周菊子攝）

           7月26日的早上10點46分左右，警察在乞臣街2號巡邏時，注意到2名嫌犯，用紙袋包著啤酒，在街上飲用。警察還在嫌犯身後發現幾個空夾子，於是做了刑事司法資訊服務 (Criminal Justice Information Services) 的查詢，發現其中一人正被通緝，於是當場逮補，轉運到Nashua接監獄羈押。

             這天有3名警察出席，在黃天輝之外，還有Sean Wallace，David Hernandez這2名巡佐。他們和居民們討論了華埠牌樓旁，以及附近地區有人出售贓物，有人吸毒，有人喧嘩吵鬧等情況。他們支持張貼告示牌提醒路人，別購買贓物的做法，籲請民眾遭遇狀況，撥打911，警局報案電話被有翻譯，居民們不必擔心語言不通。

              當晚的陳情項目為愛丁保羅街（Edinboro）25號業主李陳淑儀和李哲新，帶同律師Ryan Spitz和建築師Elido Alba出席居民會月例會，說明這棟樓高5層，現正出租給不同種類的小生意，包括地下室要租給一對夫婦，經營麻將館，三樓要做最多可容100餘人的桌球室，一樓已租給印刷公司等。

華埠居民會月麗會有六、七十人出席。（周菊子攝）

             李陳淑儀表示，她希望合法經營，所以想要為麻將館及桌球室申請牌照。

                  居民會執委之一的馬炳輝表示，波士頓華埠之內恐怕有不下30多個麻將館，前一陣子有一個麻將館在警察突襲後，有人被捕，所有才會出現申請牌照這回事。

                  李陳淑儀以她個人的家族經驗指出，她父親在60年代來美，語言不通，生活苦悶，因而染上賭博惡習，但她父親說，如果當年華埠內有可小額玩耍的麻將可打，他就不至於為抒發心情，進了賭場。所以當她看到有意經營麻將館的這對夫婦誠意滿滿，這才決定申請牌照，接納他們作為租客。

                  波士頓市第2區市議員愛德華費連(Ed Flynn)的助理盧善柔在會上很直接的告訴李陳淑儀等人，費連議員不會支持這一牌照申請。

                  華人前進會組織員鄺寶蓮和華埠居民會主席Kate Debeul在會末宣佈，今年的居民會全區委員改選，由於是7人參選7個席缺，參選者必將同額當選，僅42人出席投票。當選人有鄧潔梅，黃麗優，李惠仙，李婉娜，梅潔雲，容柳煥，張月琴。其中僅鄧潔梅為連任，其餘皆為新人。

                   明年才需改選的分區執委有黃國威，蘇初嬌，余錫權，李錦姿，李麗芳，胡愛娥，何素月，馬炳祥，黃秀霞。候補委員2人，王嘉接，何玉琼。

   華埠居民會執委會有不分區執委7人，分區執委9人，共16人。（二次更新版）

麻州可能失去1.56億元太陽能項目補助款

             (Boston Orange編譯)麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今（7）日發佈訊息，明白表示川普政府正考慮取消環境保護署（EPA）的“人人可享有太陽能（Solar for All）”計劃，擔心麻州可能失去1.56億元。

            “人人可享有太陽能“計劃是”縮減通膨法“中縮減溫室氣體基金（Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund）”的一部份，旨在幫助29,000家麻州住家降減能源賬單20%，創造3000個工作機會，增加125兆瓦太陽能能源。

            麻州政要，包括州長奚莉，副州長Kim Driscoll，能源及環境事務廳廳長Rebecca Tepper，能源資源委員會委員長Elizabeth Mahony麻州清潔能源中心執行長，以及Emily Reichert博士等人都強調這項目的益處，例如降低能源開銷，創造工作機會，改善能源獨立及可靠程度等。他們力促川普政府重新考慮終止補助的任何計劃，強調太陽能能源是把可負擔能源帶進麻州的最快，最便宜方法。

                  曾經，麻州在安裝太陽能上排名全美居前，但2024年的排名卻跌至第26名。麻州的能源資源處和其他機構合作，設計了美國環境保護署批准的『人人可享有太陽能源“計劃，包括為居民提供零利率貸款，住宅租代計畫，公加及私營可負擔住宅融資，以及支持低收入社區共享太陽能等。

                  麻州政府也採取出動出擊步驟，例如為SMART項目制定緊急規定，提出能源可負擔，獨立及創新法，來鼓勵發展太陽能以因應潛在的聯邦政府恢復舊制。

波士頓華埠警民聯歡日表揚雙樹酒店 感謝華埠巡邏志工

波士頓警察局局長Michael Cox和波士頓市長吳弭和獲得表揚的雙樹酒店代表合影。
（周菊子攝）

                    (Boston Orange周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 每年8月的第一個星期二是美國各地舉辦“警民聯歡日（National Night Out）”日子。波士頓警察局和波士頓市長吳弭（michelle Wu）在8月5日下午將近5點左右，來到波士頓華埠大同村。

右起，劉景燁，余麗媖，黃兆祥（左四）等部分華埠治安巡邏隊成員
這天也來到會場，參加歡慶。（周菊子攝）

                  波士頓警察局，消防局，老人局，房屋長辦公室，波士頓亞裔青年會（YES），塔芙茨醫療中心，中華耆英會等許多市府及地方非牟利機構都在大同村中庭擺出攤位，拿出冰淇凌，爆米花，糖果招待居民，免費量血壓，提供各種現場諮詢等。

                  波士頓華埠社區議會(CNC)和大同村管理處合作，由陳國航主持節目，安排了陽光雙語幼兒園的小朋友表演，僑聲音樂劇社演唱，兩座大汽球屋供小朋友彈跳等活動。會上頒獎表揚雙樹酒店 （Double Tree），感謝他們提供場地，以及咖啡，餅乾，支持每月一次的華埠社區安全會議。

波士頓市長吳弭致詞。（周菊子攝）

                  吳弭市長和波士頓警察局局長Michael Cox，麻州薩福克郡地方檢察官Kevin Hayden等人發表了簡短講話，強調警民合作，才能維持地方治安，感謝華埠治安巡邏隊的協助警檢人員，保護地方人民安全。

薩福克郡地方檢察官Kevin hayden致詞。（周菊子攝）

                  波士頓警察局社區參與總監陳孔恩，波士頓消防局局長Paul F. Burke，副局長黃瑞瑜，波士頓市議員Ed Flynn，Ruthzee Louijeune，Henry Santana等人也都來到現場與民眾晤面。

轄區包括華埠的麻州參議員Nick Collins在趕來華埠時，為在路途中救人一命，耽擱了時間，在吳弭市長等人已離開後才趕到，幸好有紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝接待。

波士頓消防局局長Paul Burke(左二）和警察局社區參與總監陳孔恩（右二）
都來和華埠居民同歡。（周菊子攝）

                今年由於市長抵達現場的時間，比預先安排的開場時間晚了不少，不少居民已先行離開，但波士頓亞裔青年會，波士頓華埠居民會的老人家們倒是抓到機會，和抱著女兒Mira的吳弭市長合影。

                  紐英崙中華公所英文書記阮鴻燦表示，目前中華公所有巡邏志工約20人，歡迎願意協助維護華埠治安者加入。

                  波士頓市今年的警民聯歡日，由市長，議員和警消人員分成轎車，巴士，摩托車，在8月4日及5日這兩天，共拜訪了12個地點，晤見地方居民。

波士頓亞裔青年會的青少年會員們在游成康（右一）帶隊中，和波士頓市長
吳弭等嘉賓合影。（周菊子攝）

波士頓華埠居民會的老人家們穿上紫色印有Ｗu字的T恤，
已經在為吳弭市長競選連任做準備。（周菊子攝）

陽光幼兒園的小朋友們表演後列隊離場。（周菊子攝）

大同村管理處的翁麗芳率同仁和市長合影。（周菊子攝）

波士頓市長吳弭抱著的女兒Mira處處受人喜愛。（周菊子攝）

波士頓市議員Ed Flynn(右）和她曾經的幕僚長，如今轉往老人局工作
的Sophia Wong攀談。（周菊子攝）

波士頓警察局局長Michael Cox強調警民合作很重要。（周菊子攝）

波士頓消防局也派員擺攤。（周菊子攝）

中華耆英會的張昆（左一）在現場協助AARP擺攤。（周菊子攝）

在波士頓房屋長麾下管財務的湯瑞雲，也在現場擺攤，回答民眾提問。（周菊子攝）

華埠王氏青年會主任Sokthea Phay（右二）在陳文珊（左一）引介下，
和波士頓市長吳弭合影。（周菊子攝）

紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝（左）招呼因救人遲到的麻州參議員Nick Collins。
（周菊子攝）

麻州州長Healey支持德州議員 反對川普重劃德州選區為共和黨攫取權力

麻州州長Maura Healey為支持德州民主黨議員日開記者會。

（Boston Orange綜合編譯）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）8月5日大陣仗的為德州民主黨議員站台，還請來麻州州務卿威廉蓋文（William Galvin），一起公開支持他們反對德州共和黨通過一份川普總統贊同的國會選區地圖，並揚言事關全美民主，必須起而行動。

麻州州務卿Willam Galvin也出面表態，稱德州做法對選民不公平。

德州這8名參議員和2名眾議員這趟來麻州，是參加8月4至6日在波士頓會議展覽中心舉行的“全國州議會立法高峰會（National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit）”。

           德州議員們指出，川普總統鎖定4個少數族裔佔多數的選區，聲稱有權在德州多得5個共和黨席位，但他們認為選區重劃應尊重民意，並以公平為基礎，川普的德州選區重劃損害了德州少數族裔的政治代表權，同時也意味著選民在初選不到6個月就要舉行時，還不知道他們屬於哪個選區，候選人是誰。他們說，這不只是德州的問題，是全美的問題。他們要為民主而戰。

                  德州是個人口3100餘萬人的美國第二大州，有38名聯邦眾議員，其中共和黨籍的佔25席，在181名州議員中，31名參議員有19人是共和黨籍，150名眾議員中有88人是共和黨籍。

                  德州民主黨籍的議員們，為了阻止德州州長的重新劃分選區提案提上議程，“連夜出逃”，企圖藉此使得州議會出席人數不足，無法召開會議。然而早前德州議會通過，為阻止這種情況發生，採取這種行動的州議員將面對一天罰款500元的紀律性懲戒。

                  一名德州參議員還要求聯邦調查局找到並逮補這些“出逃”德州的民主黨籍州議員們。德州的共和黨籍檢察長Ken Paxton也在8月5日時說，如果這些民主黨籍州議員到週五（8月8日）都還不回德州，將要求法院下令，宣布他們的席位出缺。這些議員們也將因為導致議會法定人數不足而面對每天500元的罰款。

                  麻州州長奚莉5日在麻州州長儀式廳舉行記者會，支持德州議員行動時形容，川普政府推動這選區重劃，以提高共和黨在2026的期中選舉前景，是一種黨派性的、懦弱的、攫取政治權力的企圖。 」

奚莉州長說，德州議員的這次來訪，波士頓不僅只是歡迎他們，也迎來一個機會，為她看到的全國性威脅，發出警告。川普政府的行動，不只是偷走了德州選民的聲音，而是所有美國人的聲音都會因為下一屆國會的模樣而受影響，而且一旦川普總統在德州成功重劃選區，為共和黨爭取到更多席次，川普政府一定會把這做法推行到其他州去，進而影響了整個美國的國會組成與立法。

通常，州議會每10年重劃一次國會議員選區，以反映最新的美國人口統計情況。但是德州議員們卻在川普政府的壓力下，最近開始重劃選區。以幫助共和黨在美國眾議院保住7個席位。

美國並不是每一個州都准許在期中選舉時重劃選區，作為美國人口第二大州的德州，確實允許。

在CNBC週二（5日）早的訪問中，川普總統責怪如麻州這樣的“藍州 （民主黨）“推動了現在的選區重劃。他說，”他們對我們這麼做，你說的這些藍州“，”在麻州，我得到，我想，41%的選票，一個非常藍的州，然而「民主黨」得到了100%的國會席位。100%。我有40，41%左右，而麻州有100%的國會席位？不行，不應該是這樣“。

在2024年的選舉中，川普在麻州贏得36%的選票。

德州的民主黨人說，在這次的特別立法議會中提出的選區地圖，不僅有黨派性，而且會在少數族裔人口很多的選區中，打破選區的投票集團（voting blocs），壓制有色人種的選票

美國最高法院在2019年裁定，州政府可以黨派為依據，劃分選區，但選民權益法仍維持選區地圖不可以壓制以穡人種的投票權。

德州2021年通過的現有選區地圖，就因為有人稱其違反該法，正在法庭受質疑。

麻州州務卿威廉蓋文就說，德州的新選區地圖會分散有色社區。這是非常故意的，有著試圖得到更多席位目的的擾亂少數族裔社區。

在德州之外，共和黨人已開始在該黨控制政府的州，例如密蘇里州，印第安納州，檢視重選選區，檢視重劃選區的可能，以作為在2026年的期中選舉後，保留共和黨在國會為多數黨的方法。俄亥俄州在法院命令下，正在重劃選區，可能導致共和黨席次增多。

每個月的薪資只有600元，但這些“出逃”議員們卻甘願一天被罰500元，可見他們是真的在捍衛選民權益。她之所以表態支持這些德州議員，因為這是個全國性議題，一旦川普總統在德州成功的重劃選區，為共和黨爭取到更多席次，川普總統一定會把這做法推行到其他州去，進而影響了整個美國的國會組成與立法。

                  麻州州務卿威廉蓋文在被人問到麻州是否會在下一次的人口統計之前重劃選區時表示，不太可能。他說，麻州沒有可以給出來的共和黨選區。

                  德州議員們6日一早，又再次聚集到麻州州政府大樓前，號召更多人支持他們的行動。  （更新版）

華人協選會群聚舉牌 支持吳弭連任波士頓市長

麻州眾議員麥家威（左起）、湯建華、陳玉珍，李素影（右一）
一起支持吳弭（左二）競選連任波士頓市長。（周菊子攝）

（Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導）華人協選會 (CPPA) 今（6）日下午和麻州眾議員麥家威（Aaron Michlewitz）一起，在華埠“天下為公”牌樓前舉牌，支持波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）連任，呼籲有權投票者都出來，9月9日投吳弭一票。

華人協選會由陳玉珍，李素影，湯建華，鄺寶蓮等人和來自奧斯頓/布萊頓，使命丘（Mission Hill）等地居民約5人，各就自己的經驗發言，陳述他們認為吳弭市長關心移民家庭及工薪階層，草根群眾的需求，

華人協選會在華埠牌樓前站台支持吳弭連任波士頓市長。（周菊子攝）

幫助中低收入家庭實現居者有其屋夢想等看法，呼籲眾人以選票讓吳弭市長連任。

           華人協選會表示，過去這數個月來，該會就社區最關心議題，和華埠、查理士城 (Charlestown)，南端(South End)，布萊頓 (Brighton)等地居民溝通，訂定該會2025年6大綱領，包括“透過公平的分區和住房政策去穩定租金和防止居民流離失所”，“建造真正可負擔得起的住房，並確保社區對土地的控制”，“擴大波士頓的基本薪酬”，“執行地方招募目標以及為居民開闢獲得永久性高薪工作的渠道”，“維護和擴大移民權利”，“建立以居民為主導的民主結構，將社區的聲音納入決策中心”。

           住在南端的協選會成員，也是華人前進會共同主席的湯建華說，“在當前政治環境下，人們需要一位像吳弭市長這樣，堅定又勇敢的領導者。一位始終未波士頓居民挺身而出，積極參與，並忠於工薪階層社區價值觀的市長”。（更新版）

One Year After Signing Affordable Homes Act, Nearly 100,000 New Housing Units Under Development to Lower Costs in Massachusetts

 One Year After Signing Affordable Homes Act, Nearly 100,000 New Housing Units Under Development to Lower Costs in Massachusetts 

BOSTON – One year after Governor Maura Healey signed the Affordable Homes Act (AHA) into law, the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s housing agenda is delivering results to increase the production of reasonably-priced housing and lower costs across the state. A new digital thermometer released by the administration today shows that since Governor Healey took office, more than 90,000 new housing units have been completed or are set to enter development. 

 

Governor Healey signed the Affordable Homes Act, the state’s most ambitious investment in housing in history, into law on August 6, 2024. This historic law – combined with the administration’s other initiatives such as converting vacant state-owned land into housing, commercial to housing conversions, increased housing development tax credits under Governor Healey’s tax cuts package, and the MBTA Communities Law – are already delivering results for the people of Massachusetts.   

Program	Est. total units*
Momentum Fund	461
Accessory Dwelling Units (permits and approvals)	732
Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP)	1,525
MBTA Communities multifamily zoning pipeline	5,200
Comprehensive permits (40B)	8,360
EOHLC-funded projects	10,566
Additional housing development	63,510
	90,354
*Represents units completed, permitted, awarded funds or in development pipeline.

 

“Our administration is delivering on building more reasonably-priced housing,” said Governor Healey. “Because of the Affordable Homes Act and other initiatives, seniors now have more options to age independently near their families, young families have more downpayment assistance to buy their first home, and developers are getting the support they need to actually deliver projects that will make a difference. We’re grateful for the Legislature’s strong partnership in this work, and we will continue working every day to make housing more affordable in Massachusetts.” 

“Just one year ago, we made a bold commitment to take on the housing shortage with the most ambitious housing package in state history,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “Today, we’re seeing the results: thousands of homes built, tens of thousands more in the pipeline, and new opportunities for people to live and thrive in the communities they love. This is the Massachusetts way – smart policy, strong partnerships and a shared commitment to making housing more affordable and accessible” 

“The housing shortage takes away people's power to choose where they want to live, which is why we’ve acted urgently to implement the Affordable Homes Act, build more housing and give choice back to renters and homebuyers,” said Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration is using every available tool to make housing more attainable across the state while also preserving and expanding essential protections for Massachusetts residents.” 

Increased Production 

 

New programs created by the Affordable Homes Act are already working to increase housing production and are creating new opportunities for development on underutilized land. 

The Momentum Fund, a first-in-the-nation revolving fund to support mixed-income housing production, has already invested in nearly 500 mixed-income units, helping three otherwise stalled housing projects in Milton, Boston, and Grafton get off the ground and under construction. Additional financing commitments to support an additional 500 units are expected in the coming months.  

In June, the Administration provided funding to convert two vacant office buildings in Boston into nearly 200 new housing units. Building on this progress, the new Commercial Conversion Tax Credit will open for funding applications later this month and is expected to support the creation of up to 200 additional units through the transformation of vacant commercial space into new housing. 

Recognizing the potential for housing development on underutilized state-owned land, the Healey-Driscoll Administration launched the State Land for Homes Initiative this summer, unlocking the potential for over 3,500 new housing units across 450 acres. The administration expects to make 17 additional sites available to developers in the next year, including issuing Requests for Proposals for 10 sites and holding an auction for an additional seven sites in September. 

Relief for Residents 

 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is also delivering immediate relief for Massachusetts residents amidst the housing shortage.  

Before the Healey-Driscoll housing agenda, homeowners in Massachusetts had to navigate a patchwork of complex permitting rules to build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on their own property, homebuyers could be pressured to relinquish their right to a home inspection and pay for unexpected repairs or maintenance, and renters were forced to pay expensive broker fees before signing a lease, even if they didn’t hire a broker. 

Now, over 500 ADUs have been approved by local authorities thanks to statewide simplification of the permitting process, homebuyers have a clear right to a home inspection and cannot be pushed to ignore potential issues or unexpected expenses as they make a major financial decision, and renters cannot be charged a broker fee if they did not hire the broker, saving them money and reducing upfront costs when moving. 

Implementation Update 

 

The Affordable Homes Act represents the largest ever state investment in housing production and includes 50 policy initiatives, regulatory changes and reforms to speed up housing production in Massachusetts. In only one year, nearly 80 percent of the law’s provisions have been implemented, and full implementation is expected by the end of the 2025. 

Since taking office, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has increased capital funding for housing by 78 percent, and by the end of FY2027, this increase will rise to 91 percent. The FY2026-FY2030 Capital Investment Plan funds programs authorized in the Affordable Homes Act and includes: $622 million for HousingWorks, $334 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, $657 million for Public Housing investments, $50 million for the Momentum Fund, and $90 million to support several capital programs formerly supported by federal relief funds, including the Middle Income Housing Fund, the CommonWealth Builder Fund, and the ONE+ Mortgage and MassDREAMS programs. 

The work of the three commissions and one council created by the law are underway. The Senior Housing, Extremely Low-Income and Accessible Housing Commissions, and the Seasonal Communities Advisory Council, are all due to report their findings by the end of this year. 

Finally, the state’s first Office of Fair Housing is now open, with $1 million for the Fair Housing Trust Fund to support this critical work. The Office will begin a series of regional listening sessions later this year.