台中市長盧秀燕參訪紐英崙中華公所 （視頻、圖片輯）

台中市長盧秀燕和波士頓僑胞合影。（周菊子攝）

台中市長盧秀燕拜會紐英崙中華公所。（周菊子攝）

台中市長盧秀燕率市政府訪問團在波士頓華埠牌樓前留影。

台中市長盧秀燕（左）感謝紐英崙中華總會會長余麗媖（右）居間聯繫，安排。
（周菊子攝）

台中市長盧秀燕（前左一起）和副市長黃國榮等人一起聆聽中華公所主席雷潙輝
簡報中華公所概況。（周菊子攝）

台中市長盧秀燕（中）背後的「繼志光國」牌匾是馬英九題的字。（周菊子攝）

波士頓僑務委員陳仕維（右起）、郭競儒陪同台中市長盧秀燕參訪中華公所。
（周菊子攝）

台中市長盧秀燕看到中華公所大樓外牆上有史蹟標記。（周菊子攝）

僑胞向台中市長盧秀燕介紹華埠牌樓下，有國民黨黨徽的註記。 （周菊子攝）

余麗媖告訴台中市長盧秀燕，國父孫中山曾在後面的洪門致公堂大樓住過一晚。
（周菊子攝）

台中市長盧秀燕和早年的台中市民合影。右起鄭增華，江嫡華，鄭增壽，文長台等人。
（周菊子攝）

 

盧秀燕訪波士頓. 200僑胞熱烈歡迎（視頻、圖片輯）

台中市長盧秀燕向僑胞問好。（周菊子攝）

台中市長盧秀燕送禮物給接待台中市府問團的紐英崙中華公所
主席雷國輝和中華總會會長余麗媖。（周菊子攝）

余麗媖（左）特地請伍振中（右）繪製一幅華埠牌樓，
送給台中是長盧秀燕（中）。（周菊子攝）

波士頓國民黨常委張韻蘭（左）送紅襪隊球帽給台中市長盧秀燕。（周菊子攝）

左起，陳仕維夫婦，波士頓經文處長廖朝宏，余麗媖，斯弘婷，郭競儒，陳文珊，
雷國輝（後右起）和龍鳳酒樓東主梅錫銳，梅佩凡，梅沛傑等人合影。

紐英崙至孝篤親公所。

台中市長盧秀燕（右四）的好友斯弘婷（右一起）和陳文珊，雷國輝，余麗媖，
陳仕為，鍾佩玲，余寶愛，伍振中，五詹淑慧等人在宴會結束時送行。

余風采堂。

波士頓洪門致公堂。

波士頓華埠獅子會。

波士頓安良工商會。

波士頓伍胥山公所。

台中市長盧秀燕回禮給波士頓國民黨常委張韻蘭。（周菊子攝）

哈佛大學台灣同學會會長江宗祐（左二）和台中市民，刻在麻省理工學院就讀
的曾荷婷邀請盧秀燕到哈佛演講未果，應邀參加僑宴。（周菊子攝）

波士頓國民黨。

台中市長盧秀燕。

台中市長盧秀燕（中）另外送台中好茶給余麗媖（左）和雷國輝。

Governor Healey and Attorney General Campbell Launch State Portal to Report ICE Misconduct

Governor Healey and Attorney General Campbell Launch State Portal to Report ICE Misconduct 

 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey and Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell today announced the launch of a new online portal that allows Massachusetts residents to report alleged misconduct by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating within the state. The portal is available at mass.gov/fedmisconduct. 

 

The portal provides a centralized place for individuals, families, attorneys and community members to document incidents involving members of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other federal agencies that enforce civil immigration laws. The portal is designed to help the state identify patterns of potential misconduct, support affected residents, and inform possible legal or policy actions by the state. 

 

“We’ve seen across the country and here in Massachusetts that the tactics of ICE under the Trump Administration have been putting everyone at risk. The people of Massachusetts deserve to know that their rights will be respected, their safety protected and their concerns about misconduct taken seriously,” said Governor Healey. “This new reporting portal will help us gather information, support residents and ensure federal agents operating in our state are following the law.” 

 

“The core duty of law enforcement, including federal law enforcement, is to keep our communities safe. But what we have seen from ICE in recent months across the country is the opposite: aggressive and reckless tactics that spread fear and chaos in our communities,” said Attorney General Campbell. “As my office works to ensure residents are protected and have access to the legal assistance they need, I encourage everyone to use this new reporting portal if they see concerning ICE activity in their communities.” 

 

The portal will allow members of the public to share information about incidents involving potentially unlawful activity by federal agents in Massachusetts, including videos and photographs. Information submitted through the portal may help the state identify patterns of potential misconduct, inform possible legal action or policy recommendations, and connect affected residents with legal advocacy organizations. 

 

Today, AG Campbell also released updated ‘Know Your Rights’ guidance designed to help immigrants, families, and communities understand their rights and the basic legal framework for ICE actions. Notably, the updated guidance includes timely information about holding federal immigration officials accountable, the role of U.S. Customs and Border Protection given their increased activity in recent ICE surges, the rights of protestors, and new executive orders at the state and local level. The updated guidance can be found on the AGO’s Immigrant Resources webpage and read in its entirety here. 

 

The launch of the portal follows several actions taken by Governor Healey to hold ICE accountable and to increase transparency and accountability around federal immigration enforcement in Massachusetts. 

 

Earlier this week, Governor Healey requested that Signature Aviation stop supporting deportation flights out of Hanscom Field in Massachusetts. She also demanded that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and ICE provide greater transparency and accurate information regarding immigration arrests and detention practices in Massachusetts, including information about who is being detained, the legal basis for those arrests, and where individuals have been taken and are being held. 

 

In addition, the Governor has filed legislation to prohibit ICE operations in sensitive locations such as courthouses, schools, child care programs, hospitals, and places of worship, and signed an executive order requiring judicial warrants for entry into non-public areas of state facilities, limiting the use of state resources for civil immigration enforcement, and restricting participation in federal 287(g) agreements absent a clear public safety need. 

台中市長盧秀燕訪波士頓最想見吳弭 交流女性從政經驗

世界日報新聞網： 「訪美最想見她」盧秀燕會吳弭 分享市政管理經驗https://www.worldjournal.com/wj/story/121473/9379409

聯合新聞網：影／「訪美最想見她」盧秀燕會吳弭 分享市政管理經驗https://udn.com/news/story/6656/9379409

                  (特約記者周菊子/波士頓報導)台中市長盧秀燕訪美第2日，晤見波士頓市長吳弭，稱許她為「台灣之光」，說她此行來美最想見的人，就是吳弭，因為她深知做為女性從政人物，多麼不容易。

                  盧秀燕等15人訪問團，由波士頓僑領陪同，到波士頓市政府拜會。波士頓市長吳弭為此2天前邀請大波士頓本地5所學校及社團代表出席座談。

                  在波士頓市長辦公室，吳弭市長和台中市長盧秀燕談起兩市各自辦理的免費巴士。吳弭解釋挑選3條巴士路線，試行免費搭乘，是因為該3條路綫最繁忙，免費搭乘既可節省時間，也讓巴士運行得更有效率。台中市則是早從2015年開始就已實施「10公里免費」做法，2020年起更有超過10公里最高只收10元的「雙十公車」辦法，2021年起才實施限定市民才享有10公里免費資格。

                  2名市長還談可負擔住宅，談吳弭市長和台灣的淵源。只是礙於波士頓近日忙於準備“聖派翠克日（St. Patrick Day）”，吳弭市長有許多行程，2人無法深談。

                  由於吳弭市長為讓更多學生有機會參與國際事務，特地在2天前邀請大波士頓本地，哈佛、MIT及東北大學，麻州醫藥學院等學校及社團代表，一起座談，2名市長還回應了有關同為濱海城市，在環保上如何因應的問題。

                  紐英崙中華總會會長余麗媖，中華公所主席雷國輝，波士頓華商會共會長陳文珊，以及波士頓僑務委員陳仕維，駐波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏，副組長許欽琮等這天陪同台中市長盧秀燕，副市長黃國榮一起進波士頓市長辦公室，和吳弭市長晤談了約10餘分鐘，互換禮物後，聯袂來到老鷹室（Eagle room），和訪問團其他成員及學生們晤談。

                  波士頓市長吳弭還特地把父母輩來自台灣，能說流利華語的波士頓市新任華埠聯絡員林天琪，以及只會說台語的研究及數據長蔡欣蓓都邀來參加這場拜會。

                  盧秀燕市長隨後率訪問團參訪和台灣的緯創科技在AI及加速產品設計上合作的麻省理工學院。原訂參訪中華公所的時間也從中午挪到了和波士頓僑界餐敘的晚宴前。

陳仕維（左起），余麗媖，雷國輝，陳文珊在波士頓市府前迎接台中市長盧秀燕。
（周菊子攝）

Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches Starter Home Zoning Districts to Spur Homeownership Opportunities

Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches Starter Home Zoning Districts to Spur Homeownership Opportunities 

Municipalities now have a clear, voluntary option to adopt local “starter home” zoning and qualify for state incentive payments 

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today published final regulations implementing the state’s Starter Home Zoning District program under Chapter 40Y, giving cities and towns a new voluntary tool to encourage the development of modest-sized homes designed for first time homebuyers and expand homeownership opportunities. The regulation was published today in the Massachusetts Register and is now in effect. 

Issued by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC), the regulation lays out the standards and steps for municipalities that choose to adopt Starter Home Zoning Districts to qualify for state incentive payments. Starter Home Zoning Districts are a voluntary zoning tool designed to support the development of modest-sized homes suitable for first-time homebuyers and moderate-income households. 

"Massachusetts needs more homes that people can afford and more pathways into homeownership,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Starter Home Zoning Districts give cities and towns a voluntary option to build and expand homeownership opportunities for the next generation of Massachusetts residents.”  

“Housing challenges look different from community to community. These final regulations give municipalities a practical roadmap if they want to create starter home districts, grow their housing supply and strengthen neighborhoods, with state incentive payments to support that work,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. 

“We focused on making this program straightforward to use and easy to follow. The final regulation clarifies the rules, aligns with state ADU policy and lays out a step-by-step process so communities can move from interest to adoption to production with confidence,” said Interim Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Jennifer Maddox. 

Starter homes play an important role in helping young families and working households put down roots in their communities. When people are able to buy a home they can afford, they are more likely to put down roots in the community, invest in their neighborhood and build stability for themselves and their children. These homes give families room to grow while making it possible for teachers, nurses, public employees, and others to live in the communities where they work. 

What Chapter 40Y does 

Chapter 40Y creates a new, optional local zoning tool for municipalities. Communities that choose to participate can create Starter Home Zoning Districts where qualifying homes are allowed as-of-right. No special permit is required if a proposal meets the rules.  

The statute includes core requirements: 

• Allow starter homes as-of-right 
• Permit a minimum density of four units per acre of developable land 
• Limit homes to 1,850 square feet of heated living area 
• Require at least 50% of homes to contain three or more bedrooms 
• Require income restrictions for larger developments, with at least 10% of units in developments of more than 12 starter homes restricted to households earning up to 110% of AMI.  
• Permit Starter Home Accessory Dwelling Units 

Municipalities must obtain a preliminary determination of eligibility from HLC before local adoption and must receive final approval following adoption. The statute also establishes Zoning Incentive Payments and Production Bonus Payments. 

The final regulation makes the Chapter 40Y program workable by setting clear requirements and a consistent process for communities that choose to participate.  

HLC held a public comment period on the draft regulation in the summer of 2025. After reviewing public feedback, the agency made clarifications and refinements before filing the final regulation with the Secretary of State for publication. 

The Starter Home Zoning District program builds on the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s broader efforts to bring down housing costs by increasing housing supply across Massachusetts.  

Since taking office, Governor Healey has focused on expanding pathways to homeownership, increasing housing production and lowering costs. Her administration has advanced new efforts to help first-time homebuyers, including expanding down payment assistance and lowering mortgage rates to make it easier for Massachusetts residents to buy their first home. At the same time, to build more homes, she has taken action to speed up the permitting process, turn state land into thousands of new homes, convert downtown commercial space into apartments and create a first-in-the-nation fund to finance mixed-income development in a time of high interest rates. She also legalized Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and this year, her administration will be offering low-cost financing and free designs for anyone who wants to add an ADU to their home. To help people afford their mortgages and rents right now, she banned mandatory renter-paid broker fees, gave seniors up to $2,800 a year to help with housing costs, and expanded home inspection protections. 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Highlights Importance of School Breakfast in Supporting Student Food Security & Local Food Systems

Healey-Driscoll Administration Highlights Importance of School Breakfast in Supporting Student Food Security & Local Food Systems 

 

Administration tours New Bedford Public Schools’ state-of-the art Culinary and Nutrition Center

 

NEW BEDFORD – Following Governor Maura Healey’s Massachusetts School Breakfast Week proclamation, the Healey-Driscoll Administration visited New Bedford Public Schools today to lift up the critical role school breakfast programs play in supporting student success, reducing food insecurity and grocery costs for families, and strengthening the local food system across Massachusetts.  

 

Acting Education Secretary Amy Kershaw, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Food and Nutrition Programs Director Rob Leshin, Project Bread and state and local officials served “Grab and Go” breakfast at Taylor Elementary School and toured the district’s new Culinary and Nutrition Center, a 17,000 square foot facility that opened in July 2025. The state-of-the art center includes a refrigerated food preparation area, commercial walk-in cooler and freezer, blast cooler and freezer, storage areas and a commercial cook kitchen.  

 

“A healthy breakfast allows students to start the day focused, engaged and ready to learn,” said Governor Healey. “School breakfast programs, such as New Bedford, not only prepare students to thrive in the classroom--they also help ease grocery costs for families. We’re excited to see more students taking advantage of these meals and grateful to our school nutrition professionals who make them possible every day.” 

 

“New Bedford’s Culinary Center is a win, win, win model – helping students access healthy food, providing jobs and supporting the local economy and food system,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “When kids have access to healthy food at school, they’re better prepared to reach their full potential. We’re proud to partner with districts across Massachusetts that are finding innovative ways to make breakfast accessible to more students.” 

 

Participation in school meals continues to grow after Governor Healey made state-supported universal free school meals permanent, making Massachusetts one of only nine states to provide school meals at no cost to all students. School breakfast programs now serve around 292,000 students each day, a 20 percent increase, representing an additional 48,000 students per day compared to the 2022-23 school year. Stable funding for universal free school meals has allowed school nutrition programs to plan ahead and invest in healthy meals that incorporate local produce.   

 

The administration is committed to increasing school breakfast participation to make sure students have the fuel they need to stay alert and focused throughout the school day. The effort is also part of Governor Maura Healey's Anti-Hunger Task Force’s work to mitigate President Trump’s cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and adopt long-term solutions to hunger. While more students are eating school breakfast, the number of students who eat lunch each day is still about double the number who eat breakfast. In fall 2024, 292,000 students ate breakfast daily while 595,000 ate lunch.  

 

“While the federal government continues to attack nutrition programs, in Massachusetts we remain committed to expanding food access. It was wonderful to visit New Bedford’s Culinary Center today and see what is possible when school communities come together with local food business to provide healthy and culturally appropriate meals to all students,” said Acting Education Secretary Amy Kershaw. “Expanding access to school breakfast helps reduce food insecurity, supporting working families and ensures students have the energy they need to succeed in class.”  

 

“I am proud of Massachusetts' commitment to universal free school meals, including breakfast, which helps students be ready to learn,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. "I'm grateful for the important and innovative work of school nutrition staff and hope students are taking advantage of the free meals available to them."  

 

New Bedford Public Schools’ Food and Nutrition Services provided more than 1.2 million breakfasts throughout the 24-25 school year, as well as 1.9 million lunches, 65,000 afterschool meals and 519,000 pieces of produce as part of the USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.  The city says its new central kitchen allows the school district to deliver better meals to students more efficiently and consistently across the district. The center has also enabled the district to serve as the school food vendor for local charter and private schools, as well as include more local products in the meals, working with local farmers and fishers. 

 

“I'm very grateful to New Bedford's food service team who have achieved record student participation in recent years and go above and beyond to ensure the highest standards in our breakfast and lunch programs all across the city,” said New Bedford Public Schools Superintendent Andrew O’Leary.    

 

“School breakfast is critical not only for our children but also for the future of our city and the Commonwealth. The opening of the NBPS Central Kitchen in 2025 marked a new chapter for New Bedford’s students and families, and serves as a testament to what Gateway Cities can achieve when invested in,” said State Representative Antonio Cabral (D-New Bedford). “Thank you to Acting Secretary Kershaw and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their partnership and for recognizing the incredible work happening right here in New Bedford.” 

 

Research consistently shows that students who eat breakfast perform better academically, have improved attendance, and experience fewer behavioral and social-emotional challenges. School breakfast programs also improve food security and protect against obesity and other negative health outcomes.  

 

"When we invest in school breakfast, we invest in our children’s health and our shared future. At Project Bread, we work to remove barriers between students and the food they need to succeed. One powerful example is Grab & Go breakfast, which makes free breakfast part of the school day instead of putting that responsibility on families,” said Sarah Cluggish, Chief Program Officer of Project Bread, the leading statewide food security nonprofit. “These programs save families time and money, support better classroom experiences for students and teachers, and help ensure every child has a fair chance to thrive. We’re proud to partner with districts like New Bedford through Breakfast After the Bell programs and to stand alongside the Healey-Driscoll administration in their commitment to ensuring every student in Massachusetts can access free school meals." 

 

When Massachusetts made universal free school meals permanent, it required all schools participating in the federal National School Lunch Program to also provide breakfast for their students. Under state law, schools where 60 percent or more of students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program must offer all students a school breakfast after the beginning of the instructional day. This can happen through a variety of models, including breakfast in the classroom, “grab and go” breakfast, and “second chance” breakfast in the cafeteria. The administration works with districts to help them find the model that works best for them. 

Statement from Governor Maura Healey on Recent Acts of Violence in Michigan and Virginia

 Statement from Governor Maura Healey on Recent Acts of Violence in Michigan and Virginia  

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey issued the following statement in response to recent acts of violence in Michigan and Virgina:  

 

“Yesterday was a dark day for our nation. I am horrified by the attacks in Michigan and Virginia and grateful to the first responders and public safety officials whose quick actions helped protect lives. 

 

These attacks are a painful reminder that too many communities across our country continue to face threats of violence and extremism. No one should have to live, learn or worship in fear. 

 

I also want to speak directly to Massachusetts’ Jewish community, which I know is feeling significant anguish and fear as a result of yet another antisemitic attack. You have the full support of the state and law enforcement who will do everything we can to protect you. Antisemitism has no place in our state or our country.  

 

In moments like these, we are reminded that our strength comes from standing together, looking out for our neighbors and refusing to let hate divide us. Here in Massachusetts, we stand strong against violence and hate of all kinds. Our administration will continue working closely with state and local law enforcement to protect our communities

Senate President Announces Support for Bill to Stop Changing the Clocks in Massachusetts

Senate President Announces Support for Bill to Stop Changing the Clocks in Massachusetts 

(BOSTON—3/13/2026) Today, Senate President Karen E. Spilka announced her support for ending the twice-yearly clock change and establishing a permanent, consistent time system in Massachusetts.  

 

“Twice a year, Massachusetts residents scramble to adjust their routines, deal with disruptions to their kids’ sleep schedules, and have their lives unsettled generally,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). 

 

“Every person who spent this week adapting with an hour less sleep or enjoying an afternoon of sunshine should agree. It’s time to stop changing the clocks and provide people with reasonable consistency.” 

 

“This should be the last time that Massachusetts has to change our clocks. It would be better for our health, safer for our roads, and remove one more complication from everyone’s lives. I want to thank Senator Keenan for filing this and Senator Collins for his collaboration to advance this measure to Senate Rules.” 

 

“Observing Atlantic Standard Time year-round would decrease energy usage, reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, car accidents, and increase workplace productivity,” said Senator John F. Keenan (D-Quincy), sponsor of the legislation. “Tom Emswiler, a constituent and dedicated expert on time zone policy, brought this issue to my attention. I’m pleased to see that his advocacy has helped spur action in the Legislature, a promising reminder of how engaged residents can help shed light on new ideas.” 

 

During a session on Thursday, the Senate moved legislation on the topic, S.2157, to the Committee on Rules, where it will receive review before a potential vote on the Senate floor.   

 

That legislation seeks to implement the recommendations of a previous legislative commission which noted the overall benefits of switching to a year-round daylight savings time because of the positive impacts from an additional hour of winter evening daylight and the absence of time transitions.  

Numerous studies have shown that changing the clocks has demonstrable negative impacts on health: 

• According to experts at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the time change is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, mood disturbances, and hospital admissions. 
• Research from the Stanford School of Medicine finds that disruptions to the body’s circadian rhythm are associated with higher rates of stroke and obesity. 
• Sleep medicine specialists from Northwestern Medicine have linked the clock change to longer-term health effects, including depression, slowed metabolism, weight gain, and cluster headaches.