Governor Baker Signs Fiscal Year 2019 Budget

Governor Baker Signs Fiscal Year 2019 Budget

Responsible spending plan dedicates significant funding for local aid, education, mental health and substance misuse services; boosts balance of Rainy Day fund

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker signed the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) budget into law. The $41.232 billion plan reinforces the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to structurally balancing the state budget, while investing $4.91 billion towards K-12 education, providing over $200 million to combat the opioid and heroin epidemic, increasing funding to build stronger communities and supporting the state’s workforce from job growth to public transit.

The FY19 budget anticipates a sizeable deposit in the Stabilization Fund, resulting in a net increase of $368 million for this fiscal year and a total balance of $2.15 billion by the end of FY19—which is nearly double the balance since the Baker-Polito Administration took office in 2015 and the highest amount in more than a decade.

The budget reflects the Administration’s commitment to reducing the reliance on one-time sources of revenue, down from nearly $1.2 billion in Fiscal Year 2015 to $95 million in FY19, a decrease of 92%. Consistent with the administration’s previous budgets, this plan does not raise taxes or fees. The FY19 budget represents a 3.2% increase in spending over estimated spending in Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18). The total $41.232 billion in spending excludes the Medical Assistance Trust Fund transfer.

“Since taking office, our Administration has worked to reduce an inherited budget deficit, build our reserves by over $1 billion and make targeted investments in education, the opioid epidemic and our cities and towns—all without raising taxes,” said Governor Baker.  “We are pleased to sign a balanced budget that manages taxpayer dollars in a fiscally responsible way, while providing a tax break for working families and support for critical services for every resident.  Lt. Governor Polito and I appreciate our ongoing partnership with the Legislature to collaborate and compromise on this important blueprint for the upcoming fiscal year.”

The Commonwealth’s investment in Chapter 70 education aid to local schools will reach an all-time high of $4.91 billion, an increase of $160.6 million over FY18 and $507 million since the Administration took office.

The budget also includes an increase in the state Earned Income Tax Credit from 23% to 30% of the federal tax credit, and builds on an earlier increase from 15%  to 23% signed by the Governor in 2015. The tax credit increase, which was included in the Governor’s FY19 budget proposal, will provide additional tax relief for 450,000 filers, allowing working families in Massachusetts to retain more of their earnings. Next year an income-eligible family with three qualifying dependent children will receive a tax credit of nearly $2,000, or $458 more than at the current rate. The budget also increases the dairy farm tax credit.

The FY19 plan continues the Administration’s support of local communities with a $37.2 million increase in unrestricted local aid, to $1.1 billion, an increase of $153.2 million since taking office. The budget includes $5.3 million for the Community Compact Cabinet program, and FY19 funding will reach $6.8 million total, pending approval by the Legislature of $1.5 million in additional funds. Chaired by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, the Community Compact promotes municipal best practices and supports efficiency and regionalization grants for cities and towns. As of May 2018, all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth have signed compacts with the Commonwealth.

“Our Administration has made it a priority to be a reliable partner for cities and towns across the Commonwealth, and this budget reaffirms that commitment,” said Lt. Governor Polito.  “This plan will make significant investments in education and local aid, as well as grant programs to support local economic development and public safety initiatives.”

The FY19 budget continues the Administration’s focus on addressing opioid addiction and substance misuse, funding $203 million across multiple agencies (not including MassHealth) for treatment and services for individuals with substance use disorder,  an approximately 70% increase since 2015. The budget will continue support for women’s addiction treatment services at Taunton State Hospital and programs at the Massachusetts Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center in Plymouth.

The budget makes a major investment in behavioral health with a $109 million increase in funding for the Department of Mental Health, which includes $83.8 million for Adult Clinical Care Services to improve community-based services for adults with serious mental illness.

The Department of Children and Families will receive $1 billion in funding, an increase of $34.2 million over FY18. Since 2015, funding for DCF has increased by $180.2 million, which has supported the hiring of more than 600 new employees to address the critical infrastructure needed to run the agency.

The budget makes important progress toward funding accounts that traditionally have been underfunded and typically require significant supplemental appropriations, including snow and ice removal, legal services for the poor, and emergency shelter for the homeless.

“Working with our partners in the House and Senate we make great progress in this budget toward funding the cost of services that we know the Commonwealth will incur, to maintain structural balance, and to build our reserves, all of which are important to responsible budgeting,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan. “This budget is a continuation of our efforts to plan and spend taxpayer resources more efficiently and maximize our investments.”

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation receives $582.5 million in funding, including the MBTA and Regional Transit Authorities. The MBTA will receive $127 million in state support in FY19 to build on the Administration’s commitment to improve financial sustainability at the T, in addition to the annual $1 billion sales tax transfer.

As part of the budget-signing, Governor Baker vetoed $49 million in gross spending, including 297 earmarks. Of 110 outside sections, the Governor signed 91, and returned 19 to the Legislature with proposed amendments.

In addition to signing the budget today, Governor Baker urged the Legislature to act on a supplemental budget proposal filed on July 13 that invests $150 million for new programs to support education and school safety, including $40 million to fund more school counselors, social workers and psychologists, $30 million for targeted intervention and turnaround efforts in school districts with high concentrations of low-income students and $15 million to fund community college scholarships to cover unmet tuition costs for students with financial need. The supplemental budget also recommends an additional $50 million to fund local road and bridge projects.

Key FY19 Budget Highlights:

Education

·        Highest-ever level for Chapter 70 education aid, $4.91 billion, an increase of $160.6 million (3.4%) over FY18 estimated spending

• An increase of $33.3 million in Chapter 70 aid to help address the rising costs of healthcare, as recommended by the Foundation Budget Review Commission
• $15 million in state aid for school districts educating a significant number of students who are evacuees from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
• $319.3 million in special education circuit-breaker funding to assist cities and towns with unanticipated or unbudgeted costs of special education and out of district tuition, a 9% increase over FY18 spending.
• Over $100 million in scholarship assistance for students pursuing post-secondary education at public campuses across the Commonwealth
• $7.4 million (12%) increase for Regional School Transportation over FY18 spending
• $7 million (8%) increase for Charter School Reimbursement over FY18 spending
• $5 million for Connecting Activities, providing paid internships for 10,000 high school students, prioritizing participation in STEM fields
• $1.8 million in new funding to establish high-quality Early College pathways, to support students who will earn at least 12 college credits before graduating high school

Tax changes

• Increase in state Earned Income Tax Credit from 23% to 30% of the federal credit
  • For income-eligible families, this represents a doubling of the credit from 2015
  • Eligible family with three qualifying dependent children will see up to a $458 increase in the available credit, to nearly $2,000
• Increase in the dairy tax credit cap from $4 million to $6 million

Building Stronger and Safer Communities

• $1.1 billion in unrestricted local aid, a 3.5%, or $37.2 million, increase over FY18
• $8 million for Shannon grants to address gang violence
• $5.3 million for Community Compact (additional $1.5 million pending in FY18 supplemental budget, filed July 13)

Substance Misuse

• A total of $203 million across several agencies for substance misuse treatment and services (not including MassHealth spending) an increase of approximately 70% since 2015
  • Includes $161.8 million at the Department of Public Health, a $9 million increase over FY18 spending, for substance misuse prevention and treatment services
  • $13.2 million to support 45 substance misuse treatment beds at Taunton State Hospital
  • $10.8 million for the Massachusetts Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center, a 10% increase above FY18 spending

Department of Children and Families

• $1 billion in funding for the Department of Children and Families, an increase of $34.2 million over FY18
  • Since 2015, funding for DCF has increased by $180.2 million

Mental Health

• $876 million for the Department of Mental Health, an increase of nearly $109 million over FY18, including $83.8 million for Adult Clinical Care Services (ACCS), representing an increase of $140 million for DMH since 2015.

Health and Human Services

• $25 million to fully fund the Department of Developmental Services “Turning 22” program, an increase of $2.1 million over FY18

·        $8.1 million for the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative, a youth violence prevention and intervention initiative operating in cities with the highest incidences of youth crime

Economic Development

• $5 million for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, which will provide grants to support training and certification programs to help bridge the skills gap
• $2 million for Small Business Technical Assistance grants, an increase of $1.25 million increase above FY18 spending, to provide technical assistance, education, and access to capital to small businesses.
• $1 million for Learn to Earn, providing grants designed to help build career pathways for unemployed and underemployed individuals and talent pipelines for businesses
• $500,000 for the Urban Agenda grant program

Transportation

• $582.5 million for MassDOT, the MBTA and Regional Transit Authorities
  • $127 million in state support for the MBTA (in addition to annual $1 billion transfer from sales tax)
  • $88 million in state support for RTAs, a $7.6 million increase over FY18

Energy and Environment

• $18.4 million to support 20.7 million healthy and nutritious meals for individuals dealing with food insecurity

• $10.8 million in funding for environmental law enforcement, which will include support for a new class of 10 Environmental Police officers
• $2.2 million in new funding for municipal technical support, climate science, and targeted investments in environmental justice

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $57 Million to Support Affordable Housing Development Across Commonwealth

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $57 Million to Support Affordable Housing Development Across Commonwealth

Administration also allocated $33 million in tax credits to support creation and preservation of nearly 1,500 housing units

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker announced this year’s affordable rental housing awards, which will provide $57 million in direct subsidies for 19 projects to fund the development, renovation and preservation of housing opportunities throughout the state. Since 2015, affordable housing awards have led to the creation and preservation of more than 6,300 housing units alone, furthering the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to increasing access to affordable and middle-income housing in every region of the Commonwealth.

“These rental housing awards support our Administration’s commitment to create more housing opportunities in neighborhoods across Massachusetts,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We have also drafted legislation to develop 135,000 units of new housing by 2025 that has been endorsed by several businesses, local officials, trade organizations and community groups, and encourage the Legislature to pass this bill to build more affordable housing and support economic development in every zip code.”

The $57 million in state funding will support affordable, multifamily rental projects. Funding sources include federal HOME funds and state bond funds from six capital bond accounts. Additionally, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is awarding $33.5 million in federal and state housing tax credits which will generate more than $240 million in equity to support the construction and preservation of 1,463 units, including 1,312 affordable units with 227 units reserved for very low-income households. Funded projects include six developments for seniors, three projects that will support substantial renovations of public housing developments, and four transit-oriented developments. Many include housing units reserved for formerly homeless families and individuals.

“The diverse array of awards represents the varied needs of our Commonwealth, and we are thrilled to support 19 high-impact projects that will provide much-need new housing, and maintain our current stock of affordable housing,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We are proud to partner with many cities and towns, including the 69 Housing Choice Communities we designated in May, that have a keen understanding of their specific housing needs, and we are pleased to support locally driven projects to meet the needs of Massachusetts residents.”

Governor Baker joined Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Janelle Chan, City of Boston’s Chief of Housing and Director of Neighborhood Development Sheila Dillon, Representative Russell Holmes, Hearth President & CEO Mark Hinderlie, and local officials at the future site of Hearth at Four Corners, a 54-unit, new construction project for seniors. The development, in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, will be entirely affordable, with 19 units reserved for extremely low-income seniors, and provide extensive supportive services for tenants. The project received state and federal tax credits and direct subsidies from the state, along with funding from the City of Boston.

“More people are currently employed in Massachusetts than at any point in our history, and we need a housing market that can support working families at all income levels so that they can fully participate in this economy,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “Today’s awards help increase options for families to access safe, affordable, and stable housing, a critical foundation for success and prosperity, both for themselves and for our communities.”

“Across our Commonwealth, more and more young families are finding they are not able to put down roots, seniors are not able to age in their communities, and hard-working residents are spending more of their paychecks and precious time traveling further to get to their jobs,” said Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Janelle Chan.  “Today’s awards will enable communities to grow with their residents, and be a part of a state-wide and regional response to the affordable housing crisis.” 

“Our state like most states in the nation is in the midst of a housing shortage,” said Senator Nick Collins. “Now, more than ever, government and its partners need to continue their commitment to supplying the demand for housing that is affordable. Today’s announcement is one example of that commitment and I look forward to continuing to help provide individuals and families with supportive services as well as housing opportunities that they can afford,” concluded Senator Collins.

“Thank you to the Baker-Polito Administration for making housing a priority, and funding this important project in Dorchester,” said Representative Russell Holmes. “This project will create vital senior housing, and transform a vacant lot into a necessary resource for this neighborhood.”

This year’s affordable rental housing awards continue to advance the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to substantially increasing housing production throughout the Commonwealth, with an emphasis on housing affordable to low- and middle-income households. Since 2015, the administration has spent or committed more than $880 million for the production and preservation of affordable housing. In May, Governor Baker signed a $1.8 billion affordable housing bill to ensure long-term support for the Baker-Polito Administration’s comprehensive efforts to increase the production of affordable housing, diversify the state’s housing portfolio, modernize public housing, preserve the affordability of existing housing and invest in new, innovative solutions to address Massachusetts’ rising demand for housing.

In December 2017, Governor Baker announced the Housing Choice Initiative, a comprehensive proposal to create 135,000 new housing units by 2025 with new set of incentives and rewards for municipalities committed to sustainable housing growth in their communities. The Housing Choice Initiative is a multi-pronged effort that includes a program to designate Housing Choice municipalities and new technical assistance opportunities through MassHousing, in addition to proposed legislative changes that will help deliver smart, effective zoning at the local level. The legislation,An Act to Promote Housing Choice is currently pending before the legislature.

Additionally, the highly effective MassWorks Infrastructure Program continues to be a key catalyst for housing production, supporting the creation of more than 3,000 housing units. The Open for Business Initiative will drive the production of more than 2,200 units of housing on state land. MassHousing’s $100 million Workforce Housing Initiative has advanced the development of 2,374 housing units across a range of incomes, including 631 workforce housing units. And, the Baker-Polito Administration reformed the Housing Development Incentive Program, which is on track to facilitate more than 900 new units in Gateway Cities.

Awardees:

Robert Hill Way (Ashland) is a 64-unit new construction senior housing project. The sponsor is E.A. Fish. All 64 units will be affordable to low-income seniors, with 7 units reserved for extremely low-income seniors with incomes below 30% of Area Median Income (AMI), and supportive services will be offered at the completed project. DHCD will support the project with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds.

25 Amory Street (Boston) is a 44-unit new construction project to be located near the Jackson Square MBTA station in Jamaica Plain, Boston. The sponsor is the non-profit Jamaica Plain NDC. All 44 units will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI, with 14 units further restricted for households earning less than 30% of AMI and making the transition from homelessness. DHCD will support this transit-oriented project with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds; the City of Boston also will provide additional financial support to the project.

Four Corners (Boston) is a 31-unit new construction project to be built in Dorchester, Boston. The sponsor is the non-profit Codman Square Development Corporation. All 31 units will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI, with 8 units further restricted for households earning less than 30% of AMI and making the transition from homelessness.  DHCD will support this transit-oriented project with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds; the City of Boston also will support the project with subsidy funds.

Hearth at Four Corners (Boston) is a 54-unit new construction project for seniors to be built in Dorchester, Boston, sponsored by the non-profit Hearth. All 54 units will be affordable to low-income seniors, with 19 units reserved for extremely low-income seniors with incomes below 30% of AMI. Hearth will provide extensive services at the completed project to support tenants. DHCD will support Hearth at Four Corners with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds; the City of Boston also will provide the project with additional subsidy funds.

Old Colony Phase 3A - Award 1 (Boston) is one of the next phases in the decade-long redevelopment of public housing located in South Boston. The sponsor is Beacon Communities. This phase contains 108 units reserved for households earning less than 60% of AMI, with 11 units further reserved for households earning less than 30% of AMI. DHCD will support this phase with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds. The City of Boston will also provide support for this phase.

Old Colony Phase 3A - Award 2 (Boston) is another phase in the ongoing redevelopment public housing project located in South Boston. The sponsor is Beacon Communities. This phase contains 27 units reserved for households earning less than 60% of AMI, with three units reserved for households earning less than 30% of AMI. DHCD will support this phase with Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The City of Boston is providing additional support for this phase of the project.

Downtown Brockton TOD (Brockton) is a 48-unit new construction project for families to be built in Brockton. The sponsor is the non-profit NeighborWorks of Southern Massachusetts. The completed project will create 30 units reserved for households earning less than 60% of AMI as well as 18 units restricted for households earning less than 110% of AMI. DHCD will support this transit-oriented project with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds. The City of Brockton is supporting the project with additional funding.

370 Harvard Street (Brookline) is a 62-unit new construction senior project to be built in the Coolidge Corner neighborhood of Brookline. The sponsor is Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly (JCHE).   The completed project will include 57 units reserved for seniors earning less than 60% of AMI, with 16 units reserved for extremely low-income seniors with incomes below 30% AMI. JCHE also will make extensive services available to the tenants of Harvard Street. DHCD will support the project with Low Income Housing Tax Credits; the Town of Brookline will support Harvard Street with local funds.

Frost Terrace (Cambridge) is a transit-oriented new construction project for families. The sponsor is Capstone Communities. This 40-unit project will be built one block away from the Porter Square MBTA/commuter rail station with retail and service opportunities available in the immediate neighborhood. All 40 units will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI, with four units reserved for households earning less than 30% of AMI. DHCD will support the project with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds.  The City of Cambridge will provide additional funding through city trust funds.

Squirrelwood (Cambridge) is an 88-unit family project featuring the preservation of existing affordable units as well as the construction of new units. The sponsor is the non-profit Just-A-Start. The completed project will offer 78 affordable units, including eight units restricted for households earning less than 30% of AMI. Squirrelwood originally was financed by MassHousing through the Chapter 13A program.  DHCD will support the project with Low Income Housing Tax Credits.  The City of Cambridge will support the project with additional funding.

Little Pond Place (Falmouth) is a 40-unit new construction project for families in Falmouth. The sponsor is Affirmative Investments. All 40 units will be restricted for households earning less than 60% of AMI, with four units restricted for households earning less than 30% of AMI. DHCD will support Little Pond Place with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds.  The Town of Falmouth also will support the project with $750,000 in Community Preservation Act funds.

Shirley Commons (Fort Devens) is a 58-unit new construction project for seniors to be built on the Fort Devens site.  The sponsor is the non-profit Women’s Institute for Housing and Economic Development. All 58 units will be restricted for seniors earning less than 60% of AMI, with 15 units restricted for seniors earning less than 30% of AMI. DHCD will support Shirley Commons with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds. The sponsor will offer support services for the tenants.

Bentley Apartments (Great Barrington) is a 45-unit new construction project for families in Great Barrington. The sponsor is the non-profit Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire. All 45 units in the completed project will be reserved for households earning less than 60% of AMI, with 21 units reserved for households earning less than 30% of AMI. DHCD will support Bentley Apartments with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds. The Town of Great Barrington will provide additional Community Preservation Act funds to the project.

Lyman Terrace Phase II (Holyoke) is the second phase of the comprehensive redevelopment of the Lyman Terrace public housing development in Holyoke. The sponsor is the non-profit The Community Builders (TCB). The completed project will offer 79 units of family housing reserved for households earning less than 60% of AMI, with 16 units reserved for households earning less than 30% of AMI. DHCD will support this phase of Lyman Terrace with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds. The Baker-Polito Administration has previously supporting the redevelopment through affordable housing awards and the MassWorks Infrastructure Program. The City of Holyoke will provide additional subsidy to the project.

Sargent House Expansion (Northhampton) is a blended preservation and production project located on the edge of Northampton’s vibrant downtown business district. The sponsor is the non-profit Valley Community Development Corporation. The completed project will feature 31 total units. All units will be affordable to individuals earning less than 60% of AMI, with 10 units reserved for individuals earning less than 30% of AMI. Many tenants at Sargent House previously were homeless; Valley CDC will provide supportive services appropriate for the existing and new tenants. DHCD will support the project with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds. The City of Northampton also will support the project with some of its own funds.

24 Gould Street (Reading) is a 55-unit new construction mixed income project to be built in in Reading’s Chapter 40R district. The project sponsor is the Traggorth Companies. The project will be built at a major intersection in Reading’s central business district. When completed, 24 Gould Street will offer 14 affordable units as well as 41 market rate units. DHCD will support 24 Gould Street with subsidy funds. The Town of Reading also will provide financial support for the project.

Lydia Square Apartments (Rockland) is a 44-unit new construction project for seniors in Rockland. The sponsor is NewGate Housing. All 44 units will be restricted for seniors earning less than 60% of AMI, with 9 units reserved for seniors with incomes below 30% AMI. The sponsor will provide support services at the project as well as transportation to a nearby senior center. DHCD will support Lydia Square with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds.

Chestnut Park (Springfield) is a 489-unit preservation project in Springfield sponsored by Related Beal. The existing project, home to over 1,500 people, will be preserved and rehabilitated. When completed, 412 units will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI, with 42 units further restricted for households earning less than 30% of AMI. DHCD will support Chestnut Park with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds. The City of Springfield also will provide support for Chestnut Park.

Coolidge at Sudbury (Sudbury) is a 56-unit new construction project for seniors. The project will be built on a site adjacent to the successful first phase of this development. The sponsor is the non-profit B’nai B’rith. All 56 units will be affordable to low-income seniors, with 12 units reserved for extremely low-income seniors with incomes below 30% AMI.  DHCD will support the project with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy funds. The Town of Sudbury also will provide funds to support the project.  B’nai B’rith will provide services appropriate for the new tenants of Coolidge at Sudbury Phase Two.

Rebecca A. Lee is selected among Eastern Bank's new trustees

Eastern Bank Corporation Announces New Trustees and Corporators To Its Board
Business and Community Leaders Further Expand Eastern’s Reach In The Communities It Serves

BOSTON, July 24, 2018 – Following its 2018 Annual Meeting, Eastern Bank, America’s oldest and largest mutual bank, is pleased to announce the election of six business and community leaders to its governing body. 

The newly elected Trustees are:
- Steven Joncas, Principal, Joncas Associates,
- Michele “Mitzi” Lawlor, President & CEO, The D’Alelio Management Company, and 
- Rebecca A. Lee, Chair, Real Estate Development Practice, Mintz Levin.

The newly elected Corporators are:
- Herby Duverné, Principal and CEO, Windwalker Group, LLC, 
- Malia Lazu, Founder of The Urban Labs, and 
- Jody Rose, President, New England Venture Capital Association.

“As a mutual bank, providing fairly priced financial services to organizations and people in our market area has been a guiding purpose since our founding 200 years ago,” said Bob Rivers, Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank. “Aligning community challenges and interests to Eastern’s core banking products and philanthropic and advocacy efforts has long been our approach—one we think is both ‘right’ and ‘smart’—and we are so pleased to welcome Steve, Mitzi, Rebecca, Herby, Malia, and Jody to our Board. They are thoughtful leaders, and we look forward to their insights in areas that include real estate and economic development, community lending, support of minority-owned businesses, innovation and start-ups, and the advancement of women and diverse communities.”Eastern Bank Corporation, the holding company of Eastern Bank, is governed by a group of individuals, known as the Board of Trustees, who act in the best interests of the Corporation. Their duties and responsibilities are specified by state law and the Bylaws of the Corporation, and have been delegated to the Board of Trustees Executive Committee, whose members are also the Board of Directors of Eastern Bank. Members of the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors are also Corporators of Eastern Bank Corporation. Eastern’s Corporators represent the many communities served by the Bank.

Background on the new Trustees:
Steven Joncas, Principal of Joncas Associates, is an influential business and community leader in Lowell where he serves as a real estate development consultant and has extensive private and public-sector experience. Steve focuses on housing and commercial development, often utilizing state and federal tax programs, and specializes in multiple source private and public real estate finance, land development, military base reuse, historic preservation, and reuse of existing buildings. Previously, Steve was a Managing Director at MassDevelopment, Chief of Staff for Congressman Meehan, and District Director for Congressman Paul Tsongas, later becoming State Manager and Director of Economic Development when Mr. Tsongas was elected to the U.S. Senate. Steve is the former president and current board member of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, a past president of the Circle Home board, a member of the Lowell Plan/Lowell Development and Financial Corporation boards, a Trustee of the Lowell Folk Festival Foundation, and a Corporator of Lowell General Hospital.

Michele “Mitzi” Lawlor, President & CEO of The D’Alelio Management Company, has worked at her family’s Dunkin’ Donuts business since the age of 16. Today, she and her siblings own and operate 19 Dunkin’ Donuts locations throughout greater Boston. Under her guidance, the company grew from one location with 15 employees to 19 locations with more than 300 employees. She has led many volunteer efforts throughout Greater Boston. She is a Trustee of The Governor’s Academy as well as Bellesini Academy, an independent, tuition-free middle school in Lawrence, and supports organizations such as The Joyal Capital Management $100 for 100, The Jimmy Fund, Boston Children’s Hospital, and The Ron Burton Training Village. In 2007, she started The Helen D’Alelio Family Foundation in honor of her late mother and mentor. In 2016, Mitzi was named an Outstanding Women of Family Business by The Warren Group, which honors female family business professionals with outstanding leadership and commitment to their businesses and communities. The D’Alelio Management Company has also received the Medford Chamber of Commerce Executive Director’s Award, a Business of the Year honor.

Rebecca Lee, Chair of the Real Estate Development Practice at Mintz Levin, represents developers, lenders, nonprofit organizations, and other parties in real estate matters related to financing, leasing, site acquisitions and assemblages, and related tax incentive transactions. Rebecca has extensive experience relating to land use and development permitting in the Greater Boston area. She previously served as Chief of Staff/Special Counsel to the Director at the Boston Redevelopment Authority (now known as the Boston Planning & Development Agency) where she was responsible for policy development and representation of the agency in financing transactions, among other areas. She is involved with many community organizations, including Ricesticks and Tea Asian Food Pantry, A Better City, WGBH, Boston Harbor Now, Asian Community Development Corporation, and CREW Boston. She is the former President of Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts, and the former Northeast Regional Governor of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. She has also been named to GK100 2018: Boston’s 100 Most Influential People of Color by Get Konnected!

Background on the new Corporators:
Herby Duverné, Principal and CEO of Windwalker Group LLC, leads the company’s internal and external branding, sales, and commitment to superior client service. Windwalker is an award-winning 8(a) small business offering physical and cybersecurity solutions. From 2012 to 2017, Herby grew Windwalker’s workforce more than ten-fold. In addition, Windwalker is one of the first participating enterprises in the Business Equity Initiative launched in 2017 by the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation. In 2017, Windwalker was recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America by Inc. magazine. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Herby was Director of Emergency Management and Deputy Director of Aviation Security at Massport, and served as Regional Security Manager at State Street Corporation. Herby serves on the Massachusetts Children’s Trust Board and the Governor’s Office Task Force on Refugees and Immigrants, and as Board President of the Boston Foundation’s Haiti Development Institute.

Malia Lazu, Founder of The Urban Labs, has mentored more than 100 entrepreneurs in the fields of food, fashion and design, and helps businesses better understand the nuances of diversity. At The Urban Labs, she helps businesses integrate culture and diversity into strategy, leadership and corporate culture. She has also led a start-up accelerator encouraging entrepreneurs in Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan to launch businesses. Previously, she was Executive Director of Future Boston Alliance and an Adjunct Professor at Emerson College. Earlier in her career, she spent more than 20 years establishing grass roots involvement in political advocacy and civic engagement. She worked for cultural icon and civil rights legend Harry Belafonte as Executive Director of The Gathering for Justice, a national movement to generate an environment of hope and opportunity. An author, speaker and advocate for economic justice, Malia has been named an “Activist of the Year” by MTV and one of “50 Black Women Founders To Watch” by Essence Magazine. She is a member of The NationMagazine Editorial Board, the Boston Society of Architects Board and the Black Economic Council of MA Board.

Jody Rose, President of the New England Venture Capital Association, works in partnership with the venture and start-up communities on initiatives that position New England as the best region in the world for entrepreneurs and investors. Most recently, she co-founded Hack.Diversity, a program that tackles the underrepresentation of Blacks and Latinos in Boston’s innovation economy, and was named to The 100 Most Influential People list in 2018 by Boston Magazine. Jody has held executive-level roles with enterprise corporations and start-ups in mobile, eCommerce and digital media. She began her career in cable and telecommunications and quickly rose through the ranks at MTV Networks, The Food Network, and HGTV. Jody’s experience also includes numerous board positions in the telecommunications and media industries. She serves on the board of My Sister’s Keeper, an organization focused on educating and financially empowering women in South Sudan, and is a member of the Massachusetts Women’s Forum and The Boston Foundation’s Innovation Economy Leadership Council. In 2017, she received the Ad Club’s Rosoff Award for visionary empowerment of diversity and in 2016, she was named to The Boston Business Journal’s Power 50: The Game Changers.

FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS STATE TROOPER ARRESTED IN OVERTIME ABUSE INVESTIGATION

FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS STATE TROOPER ARRESTED

IN OVERTIME ABUSE INVESTIGATION

BOSTON – A retired Massachusetts State Police Trooper was arrested and charged today in connection with the ongoing investigation of overtime abuse at the Massachusetts State Police (MSP).

Daren DeJong, 56, of Uxbridge, was charged with embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. DeJong will appear in U.S. District Court in Boston at 3:15 p.m. today.

“Mr. DeJong, who was sworn to uphold the law, betrayed the public trust by embezzling funds from the Massachusetts State Police,” said Andrew E. Lelling, United State Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. “Today’s arrest is another step in our ongoing effort to root out fraud and ensure that public funds are appropriately used.” 

“As alleged, Mr. DeJong abused his position and betrayed the public's trust by stealing thousands of dollars from overtime shifts he did not work. Instead of enforcing the rules of the road and cracking down on aggressive drivers, he selfishly lined his pockets with paychecks from bogus shifts at the expense of hard-working taxpayers. The FBI would like to thank the Massachusetts State Police for their cooperation, support, and professionalism during the course of this investigation,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Boston Division.

            According to court documents, DeJong, who is currently retired, was a MSP Trooper assigned to Troop E, which is responsible for enforcing criminal and traffic regulations along the Massachusetts Turnpike, Interstate I-90. DeJong allegedly received overtime pay for hours that he either did not actually work at all, or shifts in which he departed one to seven hours early.   

            The alleged conduct involves overtime pay for selective enforcement initiatives, including the Accident and Injury Reduction Effort program (AIRE) and the “X-Team” initiative. Both initiatives are intended to reduce accidents, crashes, and injuries on I-90 through an enhanced presence of MSP Troopers and targeting vehicles traveling at excessive speeds.  DeJong was required to work the entire duration of the shifts – either four or eight hours – and truthfully report the date, time and sector of deployment on the citations issued during the shift. As alleged, DeJong concealed the fraud by submitting citations that were issued prior to the overtime shift, altered the citations to create the appearance that citations were issued during the overtime shift, and/or submitted citations that were never issued and never took place. 

Trooper DeJong earned $179,000 in 2016, which included approximately $63,000 in overtime, of which $14,062 was attributable to AIRE and X-Team shifts that DeJong either left early or did not show up for.

In 2015 and 2016, MSP received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants. 

On June 27, 2018, former Lieutenant David Wilson, 57, of Charlton; Trooper Gary Herman, 45, of Chester; and former Trooper Paul Cesan, 50, of Southwick, were arrested and charged with the same crime. On July 2, 2018, former Trooper Gregory Raftery, 47, of Westwood pleaded guilty.

The charge of theft of government funds provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Lelling; FBI SAC Shaw; and Douglas Shoemaker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Chao and Mark Grady of Lelling’s Public Corruption Unit and Neil Gallagher of Lelling’s Economic Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.

AG’S OFFICE SUES THE OWNER OF THE TANNERY FOR DISCRIMINATING AGAINST CUSTOMERS BASED ON RACE AND NATIONAL ORIGIN

AG’S OFFICE SUES THE OWNER OF THE TANNERY FOR DISCRIMINATING AGAINST CUSTOMERS BASED ON RACE AND NATIONAL ORIGIN

Owner of Upscale Back Bay Clothing and Shoe Store Allegedly Prohibited an African American Man and a Woman of Middle Eastern Descent from Shopping in the Store

BOSTON – The owner and manager of an upscale shoe and clothing store in Boston’s Back Bay has been sued after allegedly discriminating against shoppers because of their race, national origin, and immigration status, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

The AG’s Office filed a complaint in Suffolk Superior Court today, alleging that Hicham Ali Hassan (a/k/a Sam Hassan), the owner and manager of The Tannery, violated the state’s Public Accommodations Law and Consumer Protection Act by denying service to an African American man and a Middle Eastern woman shopping in the store based on their race, national origin, and/or immigration status. The AG’s Office alleges that the experiences of the two victims are examples of a larger pattern of Hassan’s discriminatory treatment of certain customers.

“This kind of discrimination has no place in Massachusetts,” said AG Healey. “My office will take action to protect members of the public from businesses that engage in discriminatory conduct, which harms both individual victims and the entire community.”

According to the complaint, in December 2017, an African American customer attempted to enter The Tannery to shop approximately 20 minutes before the store closed. Upon entering the store, Hassan allegedly approached the victim and asked him “what’s up brother man?” and prevented him from fully entering the store.

When the victim asked Hassan why he was denied entry into The Tannery while other white patrons were allowed to enter and shop, the defendant told him that “he did not want [his] kind in [the] store.” Hassan allegedly repeatedly told the victim he was not allowed to shop in the store and implied that he did not have enough money to shop at The Tannery. Hassan then allegedly directed the victim to the door, and told him he didn’t want his money and to shop elsewhere.

Also according to the AG’s complaint, in March 2017, Hassan repeatedly asked a customer of Middle Eastern descent where she was from. Instead of helping the woman, who had been trying to ask about a pair of boots, Hassan allegedly told her, among other things, that he does not trust immigrants and “I love Trump! I am glad he is going to get rid of all the immigrants.” The victim decided she no longer wanted the boots after hearing these comments. As she was exiting the store, Hassan allegedly shouted at her to get out and that he didn’t “trust [her] people.”

The AG’s Office has reason to believe that the experiences of the two victims are part of a larger pattern of discrimination. Members of the public are encouraged to contact the AG’s Civil Rights Division at (617) 963-2917 or www.mass.gov/ago/civilrightscomplaint if they have had similar experiences of discrimination at The Tannery based on their race, national origin, immigration status, or any other protected characteristic. 

Through its lawsuit, the AG’s Office is seeking injunctive relief compelling The Tannery to comply with the law. The AG’s Office is also requesting the court to award the victims with compensatory damages and assess civil penalties.

The Massachusetts Public Accommodations Law makes it unlawful for any business that solicits or accepts the patronage of the general public to distinguish among customers on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. The law prohibits discrimination with respect to both admission into, and treatment within, places of public accommodation. The Consumer Protection Act prohibits unfair or deceptive conduct in trade or commerce.

This case is being handled by Special Assistant Attorney General Carolina Almonte of AG Healey’s Civil Rights Division, with assistance from Investigator Ciara Tran, of AG Healey’s Civil Investigations Division.

Tri-Caucus Chairs Oppose Republican Appropriations Proposal to Fund Border Wall and Mass Deportation Force

Tri-Caucus Chairs Oppose Republican Appropriations Proposal to Fund Border Wall and Mass Deportation Force  

Washington D.C. – Today, the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations is marking up the Homeland Security Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2019, which includes provisions to fund $5 billion for Donald Trump’s border wall, and also provides funding for 400 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and an unprecedented number of immigration detention beds. Ahead of the mark up, the Congressional Tri-Caucus Chairs – composed of Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Judy Chu (CA-27), and Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Cedric Richmond (LA-02) – sent letters to House Appropriations Committee Members urging appropriators to reject the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda.

“As you consider the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations bill, we urge you to reject the proposed increases in funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in particular for immigration detention, ICE agents and the border wall that will enable President Trump to continue building a massive deportation system responsible for the separation of families,” the Members wrote.

They continued: “We ask that the Committee decrease the number of detention beds in our nation’s already overgrown, expensive and inhumane immigration detention system. These detention beds are increasingly being used to detain families, as the number of families apprehended at the border has increased in recent years. Instead of expanding funds to detain families in DHS facilities which the American Academy of Pediatrics has reported, ‘do not meet the basic standards for the care of children in residential settings,’ this Committee should instead re-institute programs like the Family Case Management Program.”

The letter closed by asking the Committee to oppose FY19 funding for the Trump administration’s costly and inhumane mass deportation agenda.

The official letter can be found here.

Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus Celebrates Appointment of William Gross as Boston’s New Police Commissioner

Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus Celebrates Appointment of William Gross as Boston’s New Police Commissioner

BOSTON— The Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLLC) extends its sincerest congratulations to Chief William Gross as he ascends to the role of Commissioner for the Boston Police Department (BPD). On July 23, 2018 Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the appointment which will make Gross the first African-American to hold the post in the city. This comes after previously becoming BPD’s first African-American Superintendent in Chief. Chief Gross has steadily risen through the ranks after first joining the police department as a cadet and launching his career as a patrol officer in 1985.

“Chief Gross is a model police officer of whom I have heard nothing but praise,” said MBLLC Chair, Representative Frank Moran (D-Lawrence). He continued, “He has shown residents throughout the Commonwealth what can come from hard work, passion, and unyielding love for community.”

Exiting Commissioner William B. Evans spoke highly of Gross stressing his leadership and respect among the community. Widely revered, Chief Gross will continue to serve BPD proudly as he continues building bridges and partnerships throughout the city.

During his time serving the people of Boston, Chief Gross has remained a staunch advocate for community policing and diversity within the police force. Chief Gross reiterated his commitment to both as he addressed a crowd and spoke of the promotion’s significance. As the Boston Police Department’s top law enforcement officer Chief Gross will serve as a beacon for youth throughout the city. His appointment will show young men and women what opportunities lay ahead for them and the value of public service.