MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES THAT HOME FORECLOSURES IN BOSTON DROPPED MORE THAN 60 PERCENT IN 2019

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES THAT HOME FORECLOSURES IN BOSTON DROPPED MORE THAN 60 PERCENT IN 2019

Citywide, foreclosures were reduced from 103 to 40, a 61 percent reduction

BOSTON - Tuesday, February 11, 2020 - Building on his Administration's work to prevent foreclosures and keep people in their homes, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced foreclosures in the City of Boston have dropped 61 percent since 2018, reaching a 17 year low, according to year-end reporting. Citywide, foreclosure executions were reduced from 103 in 2018 to 40 in 2019. At the height of the foreclosure crisis in 2008, the foreclosure executions in Boston numbered 1,215.  "I'm proud that through our work with homeowners, we have been able to reduce the number of foreclosures in Boston, and keep more families in their homes," said Mayor Walsh. "These results show that our programs and policies to prevent foreclosures and evictions are working. Housing stability is vital to ensuring Boston has strong neighborhoods and communities, and I want to thank the leadership and staff of the Boston Home Center and all of our provider partners who work so hard for Boston's homeowners every day." According to the year-end reporting, the number of foreclosures executed against owner-occupant homeowners was halved from 35 in 2018 to 17 in 2019. Of the 40 foreclosure executions in 2019, 17 were owner-occupant homeowners while the remaining 23 executions were on investor-owners. Reducing the number of foreclosure executions on owner-occupied homes in the City of Boston to less than 20 per year is one of the goals of Mayor Walsh's comprehensive housing policy for Boston, Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030.  The Boston Home Center, a division of the Department of Neighborhood Development works with Boston homeowners at risk of foreclosure and funds foreclosure prevention programs at ABCD/Mattapan Family Services, ESAC, Urban Edge, and Nuestra Communidad. These partnerships are made possible by grants from the federal government, and competitive awards the Home Center receives from the Massachusetts Division of Banks and the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office. In 2019, the Boston Home Center and its partners assisted 205 homeowners at risk of foreclosure or in need of a more sustainable housing situation, preserving more than 100 tenancies in multi-family homes. More than half of the homeowners assisted were seniors, and the average owner income was $40,300.  "Since its inception in 2007, the partnership between the City of Boston Department Neighborhood Development/Boston Home Center and ABCD Mattapan Family Service Center has provided foreclosure prevention and homeowner stabilization counseling to more than 1,000 Boston families," said John J. Drew, ABCD President and CEO. "This partnership has a 96 percent success rate at negotiating affordable mortgage payments and implementing strategies that have prevented foreclosures and stabilized the Mattapan neighborhood. Increasing housing stability strengthens communities and we are proud of the work we do to assist our clients." The number of lender-owned (REO) properties, homes that are held by a bank or mortgage company after not being sold at a foreclosure auction, has also been reduced by 60 percent. This 60 percent reduction benchmark means that Boston has not only exceeded the goal of a 50 percent reduction of REOs established in Mayor Walsh's housing plan but is a further indicator that Boston's housing market has largely recovered from the housing financial market collapse of 2008.  "The Boston Home Center has been an essential resource for local homeowners facing foreclosure and other housing challenges," said Attorney General Maura Healey. "We are grateful for the City's ongoing partnership in our efforts to combat the foreclosure crisis and support housing stability across the state." Earlier this week, Mayor Walsh announced that one in four units of new housing permits in the City of Boston in 2019 was below-market-rate and deed-restricted. According to the data, nearly 26 percent, or 830 of the 3,206 housing units permitted in 2019, will be made available to those meeting income-eligibility criteria.  Since Mayor Walsh took office in 2014, the City of Boston has built more than 65 percent of all new homes in Greater Boston, with 20 percent of them deed-restricted for low- and middle-income households. Boston has surpassed 32,000 units permitted under the Administration's housing plan, including more than 6,200 deed-restricted units and 500 units for senior housing. More than 1,000 Boston Housing Authority units have been renovated, and the Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) has assisted more than 600 homebuyers in purchasing their homes and has aided 946 homeowners with mortgage workouts or other assistance in averting foreclosure or stabilizing their housing.  As part of the Administration's commitment to preventing displacement, Mayor Walsh filed a legislative package to the State Legislature that includes anti-displacement proposals. They include measures that would allow tenants and non-profits the right of first refusal to purchase properties subject to foreclosure or short sale; the right to counsel for tenants in housing court; protections for senior tenants; and the creation of a state income tax credit for renting unsubsidized units at below-market rates. Mayor Walsh has publicly testified at the State House to support the passage of these proposals.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING PERMITS IN BOSTON ROSE TO MORE THAN 25 PERCENT OF ALL UNITS PERMITTED IN 2019

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING PERMITS IN BOSTON ROSE TO MORE THAN 25 PERCENT OF ALL UNITS PERMITTED IN 2019

Reflects shift to increasing affordable units in Boston's neighborhoods

BOSTON - Monday, February 10, 2020 - Building on Boston's work to address the need for more affordable housing in Boston, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that one in four units of new housing permitted in the City of Boston in 2019 was below market-rate and deed-restricted, according to an analysis of year-end data from the Walsh Administration. According to the data, nearly 26 percent, or 830 of the 3,206 housing units permitted in 2019, will be made available to those meeting income-eligibility criteria. The data also shows that in 2019, 77 of all new permits were in Boston's neighborhoods outside of the downtown area.  "There is no question that housing is the biggest economic challenge our residents face," said Mayor Walsh. "These permits show that in Boston, we're taking our role in creating and permitting affordable housing seriously, and we continue to do everything in our power to ensure there are affordable housing options available for all those who call Boston home. I want to thank all our partners who share our goals, and make this work possible." As of the end of 2019, Boston had permitted 32,627 new units of housing, 127 percent  of the target pace necessary to successfully execute Mayor Walsh's comprehensive housing plan, which calls for the creation of 69,000 new units by 2030 as described in Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030. More than half of the 2019 newly permitted affordable housing units are income- restricted to households earning less than approximately $54,000 for a two-person household. During 2019, the City awarded $50 million in funding to create 445 new income-restricted units and preserve 194 existing affordable units. In addition in 2019, the Boston Planning & Development Agency approved 4,715 residential units, including 1,216 income-restricted units, representing over 26 percent of total units. The BPDA approved projects will generate over $2 million in new Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) funds and $21.7 million in Linkage fees to support affordable housing and job training.  These actions have brought the active affordable housing pipeline to a total of 4,890 units. Along with the 6,309 units permitted to date, the City now has 11,199 affordable units that are complete, in construction or underway. This total represents 70 percent of the City's 15,820-unit target for 2030. "Building affordable housing in Boston is a challenge, but one that we are committed to," said John B. Cruz III, President and CEO of the Cruz Companies. "In 2019, we moved forward on the Michael E. Haynes Arms Apartments on Warren Street in Roxbury. We're building 55 rental units, 46 of which will be below-market and affordable, plus great commercial space, partly on formerly city-owned land. This is one of 14 affordable housing projects we've worked on with the City of Boston. Together, we've built more than 830 units of affordable housing, and I look forward to our continued partnership."  The Walsh Administration has also made commitments to incentivizing these kinds of affordable developments by making 3 million square feet of city-owned land and buildings available for redevelopment. 2.3 million square feet is in the process of redevelopment, and will ultimately produce 1,770 units of housing, of which 71 percent will be income-restricted affordable units. In 2019 alone, DND designated developers for 262,000 square feet of City-owned real estate that will result in 310 new affordable units.  "At Caribbean Integration Community Development (CICD), we're working with the City of Boston as we move forward on creating Cote Village, a 100 percent affordable housing facility that reflects the needs of the working class residents in Mattapan," said Donald Alexis, President of CICD. "This city-owned land that has been an eyesore for many decades will house 76 units to be rented at below-market prices, community space, and commercial space that will benefit the Mattapan Square Neighborhood. This is truly a transformative project for Mattapan and we're proud to be a part of it."  Last week, Mayor Walsh awarded $69.2 million in funding for the creation and preservation of 1,097 units of housing in Brighton, Chinatown, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Roslindale, Roxbury and West Roxbury. These funds represent the largest affordable housing funding awards by the City of Boston since the release of Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030 in 2014. The $69.2 million commitment is over and above the commitment made in his State of the City address last month, where Mayor Walsh pledged $500 million over the next five years to create thousands of homes across Boston affordable to households with low and middle incomes.  In an effort to remove barriers to housing for residents, Mayor Walsh last week also announced that he is launching a working group to study broker fees in Boston to understand how these fees impact renters in the City.  Through increases in the City's operating and capital budgets, the investment announced in the Mayor's State of the City address will double the City's current funding in affordable housing to $100 million. Additional revenue will be generated by selling the Lafayette Garage, as well as working with the Massachusetts Legislature to approve a transfer fee of up to 2 percent on private real estate sales over $2 million in the City of Boston. These combined investments will increase the available funds for affordable housing to five times current funding levels over the next five years. The need for affordable housing options for Boston's aging population has also been a focus of similar incentives. Mayor Walsh's housing plan calls for 2,000 new units of low-income senior housing by 2030. Offering city-owned land and funding for deeper affordability has stimulated development, with 507 units currently in development, and another 853 in the pipeline.That pipeline includes Boston's first LGBTQ-friendly senior housing development on the site of the former Rogers School in Hyde Park. When complete, the $33 million development will preserve the beauty of the original 1899 building, while creating 74 new income-restricted rental units that will be welcoming to seniors 62 years and older, and specifically welcoming to seniors who identify as LGBTQ. All units will be deed-restricted in perpetuity, and will provide affordable, safe housing for seniors across a wide variety of incomes. Since Mayor Walsh took office in 2014, the City of Boston has built more than 65 percent of all  new homes in Greater Boston, with 20 percent of them deed-restricted for low- and middle-income households. Boston has surpassed 32,000 units permitted under the administration's housing plan, including more than 6,200 deed-restricted units and 500 units for senior housing. More than 1,000 Boston Housing Authority units have been renovated, and the Department of Neighborhood Development has assisted more than 600 homebuyers in purchasing their homes, and has aided 946 homeowners with mortgage workouts or other assistance in averting foreclosure or stabilizing their housing.

麻州總統初選3/3 提前投票2/24-28

2/16-4/12到素描湘 支援武漢醫療人員

              (Boston Orange 綜合報導) 在2月16日至4月12日的8週之間，請到麻州劍橋市Kendall廣場的素描湘餐廳吃碗湖南滷肉粉、武漢熱乾麵。餐廳東主陳素描將把這碗粉、麵的營業額，100%捐給同濟醫學院海外校友會，專門用於資助武漢地方醫院及醫護人員。

              陳素描日前透過微信，電郵等各種管道，以中英文訊息邀請各界到素描湘餐廳，嚐嚐大廚精心製作的武漢最著名街頭小吃熱乾麵，以及該餐廳最受歡迎的湖南滷肉粉，藉此匯聚各界愛心，籌募資源，支援武漢的地方醫院及醫療人員，在新冠狀病毒Covid19肆虐，國際關注之際，聊盡棉薄之力。

              陳素描直言，她在湖南長大，但在武漢的同濟醫學院完成學業，覓得鶼鰈情深的終身伴侶朱少純，她對武漢有著極深感情。武漢的爆發新冠狀病毒嚴重疫情，許多當年同窗冒著被感染危險，沒日沒夜的在臨床醫療最前線為民服務，讓她更加心疼武漢。過去這些日子以來，新冠狀病毒的散佈迅速，在國際間引發對華人，亞裔的負面反應，也讓她感慨，覺得必須做點事。

推出吃武漢熱乾麵，湖南滷肉粉的活動，陳素描不單只想要為支援武漢募資，她還將安排每天在餐館播放宣傳武漢城市形象的宣傳片，希望藉著該店中西兼備的顧客群，促進交流，幫助海外大眾釐清對待中國政府體制和行政手段失誤的不滿和憤怒，維護中國人，海外華人以及武漢的形象。
她將放映的宣傳片包括https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RirxVLDMllA&feature=youtu.be，https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmMX4S_FmkU&feature=youtu.be。

              根據陳素描的微信朋友圈，儘管這項吃武漢熱乾麵，湖南滷肉粉的活動16日才正式啟動，她的許多朋友，同學，甚至不認識的陌生人，已經響應，自動自發地到”素描湘”點用這兩道美食，為武漢加油。

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES 2020 CITY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE TO BOSTON RESIDENTS

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES 2020 CITY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE TO BOSTON RESIDENTS

BOSTON - Saturday, February 8, 2020 -  Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced applications are now available for the 2020 City of Boston Scholarship Program. The City of Boston Scholarship Program is designed to support higher education, and is available to Boston residents interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree or continuing education in Massachusetts. "I'm proud the City of Boston works to lift everyone up, and make higher education available to all," said Mayor Walsh. "Through the City of Boston Scholarship Fund, we can help turn students' dreams of attending college a reality. I encourage residents throughout every neighborhood to apply to this program, and look forward to the next generation of leaders gaining the opportunities they deserve to succeed." The City of Boston Scholarship fund is a need-based scholarship that provides up to $10,000 over four years towards tuition, and relies primarily on generous contributions from individuals, organizations and corporations to further the goal of having more Boston residents complete a post-secondary education. During the 2019-2020 academic year, the scholarship program awarded a total of $297,000 to over 120 students representing many different neighborhoods of Boston, and who attend 34 local colleges and universities. This year, the Fund will select 25 new scholarship recipients.  This year's scholarships are supported by generous contributions from Boston residents and corporations, including Arbella Insurance Foundation, Jonathan and Margot Davis, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Herb Chambers Foundation, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Lewis Family Foundation, Santander, Rapid7 and the family and friends of Edward Holland, a devoted Boston Public Schools teacher.  "HMH is deeply committed to improving student outcomes and integral to that goal is supporting need-based scholarship funds like the City of Boston Scholarship program," said Jack Lynch, CEO of learning company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, "It's an important investment in students right here in our own community, and in the future of the city where HMH was founded and calls home." The Scholarship Committee has worked in recent years to simplify the application process for students. Highlights include an updated online application, a simplified recommendation form that assesses college and career readiness, three short-answer questions in place of a longer essay, an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculator for students not eligible for FAFSA, and a clear recognition of financial need among continuing education students.  "As a first generation college student, I never knew that I was going to be able to go to college. Now that I'm in my last year of school, it's a dream come true," said Jose Mendoza, a City of Boston Scholarship recipient and senior at Lesley University, "This scholarship means the world to me because it has lowered the cost of my tuition and it has taken some weight and stress off of me and especially off of my hard-working parents. The City of Boston Scholarship has had a huge impact and I'm grateful to be a recipient."  The City of Boston Scholarship program is part of Mayor Walsh's commitment to ensuring that all Boston residents are able to access and complete their post-secondary education. In 2016, Mayor Walsh launched tuition-free community college for Boston Public Schools graduates, providing a cost-effective entry point into higher education for Boston's young people. Participating colleges now include Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, Bunker Hill Community College, MassBay Community College, Massasoit Community College, and Roxbury Community College.  Mayor Walsh, in partnership with the Frieze Family Foundation, has also launched the GRAD Last Mile Fund in 2018, an innovative scholarship program designed to provide financial support to Boston students nearing college graduation. Additional resources for residents pursuing higher education can be found on the Mayor's Higher Education Resource page.  In 2017, Mayor Walsh Boston Saves, the City's Children's Savings Account (CSA) program. Boston Saves is a children's savings account program that helps families of Boston Public School students save and plan for their children's college or career training from K2 kindergarten onward. Through Boston Saves, every K2 kindergartner in BPS gets an account with $50 for their future college or career training. Families can get even more money for their child, called Boston Saves Dollars, and track those savings in the Boston Saves Online Savings Center. Candidates for the City of Boston Scholarship Program must be Boston residents who have graduated from high school or have completed G.E.D. programming by the time the awards are made. Additionally, candidates must be planning to attend, or currently attending, a two- or four-year accredited post-secondary institution in Massachusetts.  Residents who meet these eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply here. The deadline to submit applications is April 10, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. For applicants who are renewing their scholarship from a previous year, please email COBscholarship@boston.gov. For more information on the City of Boston Scholarship, or to apply, please visit Boston.gov/scholarship.

MAYOR WALSH RELEASES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING RACIAL EQUITY TRAINING TO CITY EMPLOYEES

MAYOR WALSH RELEASES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING RACIAL EQUITY TRAINING TO CITY EMPLOYEES

BOSTON - Wednesday, February 12, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for consulting services to develop and implement a racial equity training for employees of the City of Boston. This RFP follows an Executive Order Relative to Racial Equity and Leadership, which requires all city departments to engage in a training program and collect data to evaluate how racial equity is being advanced across departments. All proposals must be submitted by March 5, 2020 at 12:00 p.m.  "Local government has the responsibility to do everything in our power to address racial and ethnic disparities," said Mayor Walsh. "To create citywide resilience, Boston must institutionalize racial equity in our workplaces and practices, including within our own city government." First announced in the Mayor's 2019 State of the City, this effort strengthens the City's commitment to advance racial equity, prioritize social justice and strengthen social cohesion across all city agencies. The selected provider will work with the Mayor's Office of Resilience and Racial Equity, the Diversity Office and the Office of Human Resources to develop a training curriculum tailored to the City of Boston, devise a plan to bring the training to all City employees, deliver the training across the City and establish a sustainable model for ongoing delivery into the future.  In 2017, Mayor Walsh released Boston's first citywide Resilience Strategy, focused on ensuring every resident can reach their full potential regardless of their background, and removing the barriers of systemic racism that hinder Bostonians from having access to opportunities.The strategy was developed as part of the Boston's partnership with 100 Resilient Cities (100RC). Boston was named part of the 100RC Network in December 2014. As a member of the 100RC Network, Boston has received tools, technical expertise, funding and other resources to build resilience to the challenges of the 21st century. The RFP was released on Monday, February 10 and proposals are due by March 5, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. Copies of the Request for Proposals may be obtained from the City's procurement website and Supplier Portal under Event ID EV00007680.  ABOUT THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF RESILIENCE AND RACIAL EQUITY The Mayor's Office of Resilience and Racial Equity leads efforts to help Boston plan for and deal with catastrophes and slow-moving disasters - like persistent racial and economic inequality - that have become part of 21st century life. For more information, please visit.

加州大学洛杉矶分校华人青年科学家发现太空合声高低双频带的起源

應邀轉載:

加州大学洛杉矶分校华人青年科学家发现太空合声高低双频带的起源

http://aacyf.org/?p=12475  

据英文《洛杉矶邮报》报道，加加州大学洛杉矶分校（UCLA）Bortnik 团队的李金星博士近期成功揭示在地球空间里合声波双频带的起源。他们通过研究NASA范阿伦卫星数据，结合电脑模拟，揭示了这个空间物理界研究了50年的问题。这个成果近期发现在《自然·通讯》期刊上。

地球周围的太空并不是真空的，而是充满电离化的粒子——等离子体。太空也不是“寂静”的。电磁场的扰动和不稳定的粒子在太空产生多种多样的电磁波，其声频信号在人耳听觉范围内，早期的科学家就是通过耳朵来聆听它们的声频信号，据此做研究。

地球外辐射在一万至五万公里高处，充满接近光速的高能粒子。这个区域产生一种非常动听的“太空音乐”，叫合声波，因其声音像早晨一群鸟的合唱而得名。合声波可以沿磁场传到地面，因此人们早在有卫星以前就知道它们的存在。在太空时代，卫星可以在太空直接探测合声波。50年前，早期的卫星就发现，太空合声通常有两条频带，高频带与低频带，两带之间有明显的间断。后来，旅行者卫星发现木星与土星上的合声波同样有双带结构。从此，很多科学家探索合声波双带结构的起源。

波士頓市長藉社交媒體鼓勵居民、遊客進華埠消費

(Boston Orange編譯) 波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)和波士頓經濟發展辦公室2月13日發表文宣，短視頻，還在社交媒體上推出”小企業賓果”活動，鼓勵居民、遊客進波士頓華埠消費，支持本地商家。

           馬丁華殊說，”華埠是波士頓市內許多活躍社區之一，我鼓勵所有居民及遊客來支持這使得我們多元化，並成為世界級城市的小企業。這些小企業是我們社區的命脈，在我們慶祝農曆新年之際，你能幫助支持華埠生意”。

           波士頓市經濟發展辦公室將用#LoveBostonChinatown這井字號，來鼓勵使用者在農曆新年期間分享他們進華埠消費，支持小企業的圖片。

           華埠景象繁榮，區內店鋪，餐廳密集，歷史性建築內住著一戶戶人家。從那兒進城中區，劇院區，以及波士頓的水前區，都很容易。橫跨必珠街(Beach)的優雅牌樓，是華埠的東面入口，有著流水，竹枝等獨特景觀的華埠公園，可以讓人放鬆的歇腳，喘口氣。

           波士頓華埠主街的董事們說，他們很高興有居民及遊客探索華埠的獨特餐館，文化地標，以及隱藏著的寶石，可以讓每個人都有收穫。他們為能和波士頓市長一起宣傳這兒多元的餐廳，店舖及歷史而感到驕傲。

           在遊客從四面八方來品味華埠具亞裔特色的店舖、餐廳之際，華埠也是其他企業、組織的所在地，包括塔芙茨醫療中心，作為波士頓鐵路及巴士主要中心的南車站，每天都把許多遊客帶進這地區。華埠主街支持地區企業東主及非牟利機構。

MAYOR WALSH, CITY OF BOSTON LAUNCH AWARENESS CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE SMALL BUSINESSES IN CHINATOWN

BOSTON - Thursday, February 13, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Office of Economic Development today encouraged residents and visitors to support local businesses in Boston's Chinatown, and launched a "small business bingo" card for social media. 

"Chinatown is one of the many vibrant neighborhoods in Boston, and I encourage all our residents and visitors to support the small businesses that make us a diverse and world-class city," said Mayor Walsh. "Our small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, and you can help support Chinatown businesses as we celebrate the Lunar New Year." 

The Office of Economic Development will be using the hashtag #LoveBostonChinatown, and encourages users to share photos of themselves in Chinatown supporting small businesses using #LoveBostonChinatown during the Chinese New Year. 

Chinatown's dense mix of shops, restaurants, and housing in historic buildings creates an ever-bustling neighborhood. There's easy access to Downtown, the Theater District, and Boston's dynamic waterfront. Chinatown's elegant gate across Beach Street marks the eastern entrance to the neighborhood. With its unique water features and bamboo, Chinatown Park forms a place of respite.

"We are delighted to have residents and visitors explore Chinatown's unique restaurants, cultural landmarks, and hidden gems that offer something for everyone. We are proud to join Mayor Walsh and promote Chinatown's diverse mix of restaurants, shops, and history," said the Chinatown Main Streets Board of Directors.

While visitors come from all over to sample Chinatown's range of specialty Asian shops and restaurants, Chinatown is also home to a number of other businesses and organizations, including Tufts Medical Center. South Station serves as a major rail and bus hub for Boston, bringing numerous visitors through the area every day. Chinatown Main Street supports area business owners and nonprofits.

More information about businesses and services in Chinatown is available by visiting Chinatown Main Street. 

Governor Baker Appoints Bill McNamara as Comptroller

Governor Baker Appoints Bill McNamara as Comptroller

BOSTON — Governor Charlie Baker today announced the appointment, effective February 21, 2020, of Bill McNamara as Comptroller of the Commonwealth, an independent overseer of the Commonwealth’s financial transactions, accountability and service delivery across all branches of state government. McNamara most recently served as Assistant Secretary for the Executive Office for Administration and Finance and has three decades of service in the finance industry.

“Bill has a depth of experience in several senior leadership roles in the public and private sector that qualify him for this important new post to oversee the Commonwealth’s fiscal policies and operations,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “His commitment to transparency and reliable governance will be a great benefit to Massachusetts and I look forward to working with him to ensure continued fiscal accountability and discipline across state government. I’d like to thank Andrew Maylor for his dedicated public service as Comptroller, and wish him well in future endeavors.”

“Bill has strong management capabilities as demonstrated by his leadership roles throughout the private and public sector, as well as a hands-on understanding of the Commonwealth’s fiscal functions and systems,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “I am confident he will help promote financial responsibility and integrity across state government and I am pleased to have him serving in the Comptroller role.”

In his role as Assistant Secretary for the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, McNamara has been responsible for administrative and budgeting oversight of large organizations including the Department of Revenue and the Group Insurance Commission, as well as numerous other state agencies. McNamara previously served as Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Revenue.

The appointment of Bill McNamara will be effective at the close of business on Friday, February 21. Current Comptroller Andrew Maylor previously announced he will be resigning effective Friday, February 21 in order to accept a position as Vice President and Chief Business Officer of Merrimack College.

The Comptroller is appointed by and serves coterminous with and independent of the Governor. The Office of the Comptroller is served by an Advisory Board chaired by Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael Heffernan and consisting of the Treasurer, Auditor, Attorney General, Trial Court Administrator and two gubernatorial appointees with experience in accounting, management or public finance who serve three-year terms.

“I want to thank Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito for their confidence,” said Bill McNamara. “I enter the Office of the Comptroller with a deep sense of responsibility and recognition of its vital role in ensuring transparency and accountability in state government. The team at the Office of the Comptroller is recognized for its professionalism and dedication, and I am honored to be joining them.”

About Bill McNamara:

A native of Norwood, Massachusetts and graduate of Norwood High School, Bill McNamara earned his BA in Economics and English at Williams College, and an MBA with a concentration in Finance at Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business.

His post-MBA career began at Norton Company in Worcester, where he was the senior business analyst in the office of the CFO and Controller. Transitioning to the investment industry in 1992, McNamara spent sixteen years at Fidelity Investments. He rose through the finance function to become CFO of a major division with a budget of over $500 million.

Moving to investment management and distribution, he applied new analytic and data techniques to product management and strategic marketing for a $90 billion mutual product line. After leaving Fidelity, he spent time as an investment industry consultant and at an investment firm before joining the Department of Revenue (DOR) as Deputy Commissioner in 2016.

McNamara had a broad range of responsibilities at DOR including managing legislative and external affairs, communications, and policy. Working with DOR’s team of economists, he implemented new approaches to taxpayer data in order to better understand the impact of economic conditions and federal law changes on taxpayers. As Assistant Secretary in the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, McNamara has overseen budgeting and spending across several key agencies and in the information technology function.