麻州公立中小學必須戴口罩日期展延至明年1月15日

             (Boston Orange 綜合編譯)麻州中小學教育局今(26)日宣佈，諮詢醫療專家後，局長Jeffrey C. Riley通知麻州各學區，州內所有幼稚園到12年級公立學校必須戴口罩的規定，將展延至2022年1月15日為止。

             麻州教育廳長James Peyser表示，適合5到11歲兒童的疫苗即將來到，為容許中小學有充分時間讓學生接種新冠疫苗，特此規定展延戴口罩規定日期，以保障學生的在校安全。

             所有5歲以上學生及學校工作人員，不論是否已接種疫苗，在室內必須戴口罩的規定，原訂11月1日結束。

             各學校的校內學生及教職員，如果有80%已接種疫苗，可以要求讓已接種疫苗者不必戴口罩。根據麻州教育發言人Colleen Quinn，截至今日，共有14所學校向州政府申請免除戴口罩規定。其中有9所公立高中，1所為7、8年級學生服務的公立中學，4所特別教育學校。

             這7所已獲批准，可不戴口罩的學校為Hopkinton，Ashland，Westborough等高中，Sarah Gibbons中學，Algonquin區域高中，新英格蘭學術學校，以及Corwin-Russell學校。

             麻州有92萬名公立學校學生，從本學年開始，共有11,143宗感染新冠病毒病例，最近幾週以來，病例數還在逐漸減少。在10月20日結束的這週，約僅0.2%的學生，以及0.25%的教職員新冠病毒檢測陽性。

中華表演藝術基金會第33季第2場音樂會 11/6邀Stella Chen、Henry Kramer演出

        (Boston Orange)中華表演藝術基金會第33屆音樂季第二場音樂會，訂11月6日(週六)晚8點，邀曾獲伊莉莎白皇后國際大賽小提琴第一名的Stella Chen，鋼琴第二名的Henry Kramer在新英格蘭音樂學院喬頓廳(Jordan Hall)聯合演出。

這場音樂會將演奏巴爾托克(Bartok)，舒伯特，Alberga等人的曲目，以及史特勞斯(Strauss)著名的降E大調第18號小提琴及鋼琴奏鳴曲，全場90分鐘，無中場休息。

       小提琴家Stella Chen在2019年獲得伊莉莎白皇后國際小提琴大賽第一名，2020年再得Avery Fisher職業獎，林肯中心傑出新秀獎(Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award)，並獲邀加入林肯中心室內樂團。

          當年她經由甄試進入最具挑戰性的哈佛新英格蘭音樂學院五年聯合項目，期間獲得Robert Levin獎章，於2017年贏得Tibor Varga 國際小提琴大賽第二名，還是梅紐因(Menuehin) 國際小提琴大賽成年組的最年輕獲獎者。從哈佛心理系獲得榮譽學士學位，同時獲得新英格蘭音樂學院音樂碩士學位後，她現正繼續在茱莉雅音樂學院進修博士，也同時在Kronberg學院研讀專業學位 (Professional Studies)。

          Stella Chen 迄今已多次在世界各大音樂廳與著名指揮及樂團合作演出。耶路撒冷郵報(The Jurusalem Post) 稱讚她「成熟清新自然，情感深厚，有智慧且平衡」。Musical America稱她「音色高雅柔美，觀眾屏息傾聽，不敢錯過她的任何輕微的細節。」

               她演奏時使用的1708年Stradivarius “Huggins” 名琴，由日本Nippon 基金會提供。

       鋼琴家 Henry Kramer在2016年贏得伊莉莎白皇后國際鋼琴大賽第二名，2019年贏得Avery Fisher職業獎。紐約時報(The New York Times)稱他的演出「感人並震撼」，費城詢問者(The Philadelphia Inquirer) 形容他「這位31歲的鋼琴家具有極大的才華，對樂曲清新的研釋，展現大師的風範。」

       2010年時，Henry Kramer 贏得美國蕭邦大賽獎，2014年被選為「星光藝術家」(Astral Artists)之一，次年再獲Hones國際鋼琴大賽首獎。

       Henry Kramer與世界級大師、名指揮及樂團合作，活躍於世界樂壇。在繁忙演出外，他也認真教導學生。2018年起擔任喬治亞州哥倫比亞大學Schmob音樂學院鋼琴系主任，並兼任密蘇里大學Kansas市音樂學院教授。

               他畢業於茱莉雅音樂學院，獲有耶魯大學音樂博士學位。

        11月6日晚出席的觀眾及演出者皆須戴口罩。入場須出示打過疫苗或測試陰性證明。入場門票價格為 $15 (7-13歲)、$30、$50。主辦單位為學生提供免費票(14歲以上)，及非學生贈送卷。有意出席者需事前預訂。6歲以下兒童請勿入場。詳情請查官網 http://www.chineseperformingarts.net/contents/season/20211106/index.html

麻州長查理貝克不贊成租金控制

             (Boston Orange整理編譯) 波士頓市長候選人在最近的2次電視辯論中，都為「租金控制」各執一詞。麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker) 今 (26) 日中午接受GBH電台的每月例行訪問時，坦言該做法不公平，他不支持，但語氣已比早前稱之為錯誤方向緩和得多。

            「租金控制(Rent Control)」是2名波士頓市長候選人，吳弭(Michelle Wu)和Annissa Essaibi George冀望選民藉以區分她倆的重點之一。

             Annissa Essaibi George一再強調，「租金控制」會導致房價下跌，經濟衰退，就業機會減少。她也質疑地指出，「租金控制」不是波士頓市可以自行決定的事，必須先通過家規法，再交由州政府審議。她希望吳弭能清楚說明將如何實現這一倡議。

             吳弭反稱Annissa Essaibi George誤解她的意思，聲言她強調的重點是波士頓市有許多居民面對著租金高漲，可能流離失所的壓力，她要做的是設法幫助更多民眾「居者有其屋」。至於波士頓通過的家規法，需要州議會通過才能實行，她相信自己在州這層級有很多盟友，可以促成她們共同相信的法案。

             在GBH電台談44,000名州政府員工規定必須接種疫苗，其中截至10月17日還未接種的1600人，必需或者申請豁免，或者提出宗教理由，否則可能被開除一事之際，麻州州長查理貝克竟然也談到了「租金控制」。

             查理貝克拒絕就他如果可以投票，會投給誰。但在「租金控制」一事上，以前他曾說那正是不該走的錯誤方向，這回卻只說，如果波士頓通過家規法，把這議案送到他面前的話，他大概不會簽。不過他願意留出一點空間，看看這中間有沒其他可以著力的地方。

             查理貝克補充說明，「租金控制」原本被人看作不公平的做法，當年他還年輕時，在波士頓租住，就面對過他得付市場價租金，住在租金控制公寓的年長鄰居所付的租金，比他少得多。他還說，那真的會影響新住宅的建造，而老天知道，麻州及波士頓需要很多很多新房屋。

             麻州選民在1994年時，以微小票數差距在全州禁止了租金控制。波士頓市想要推行租金控制必須先通過家規法，再經州議會通過，然後交由州長簽字，才能成為法令。

波士頓學校委員會4席將出缺 預定由下任市長指派

CITY OF BOSTON ANNOUNCES APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR BOSTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE  There are four terms soon to expire on the Boston School Committee.

 

BOSTON - Tuesday, October 26, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today announced applications are now being accepted by the Boston School Committee Nominating Panel, which is composed of parents, teachers, principals and representatives of the business and higher education communities, to fill four positions on the Boston School Committee. The positions include two 2-year terms, and two 4-year terms. Applications for the two sets of positions are due November 5 and November 14, respectively. “The present and future strength of our City starts in the classroom with our children,” said Mayor Kim Janey. “Having representative voices on the Boston School Committee is essential to an equitable school system. I encourage everyone interested to apply to help foster Boston’s young leaders.” The Boston School Committee is the governing body of the Boston Public Schools (BPS). The School Committee is responsible for: ·    Defining the vision, mission, and goals of the Boston Public Schools; ·    Establishing and monitoring the annual operating budget; ·    Hiring, managing, and evaluating the Superintendent; and ·    Setting and reviewing district policies and practices to support student achievement.   The seven members of the School Committee are Boston residents appointed by the Mayor. The four open positions will be selected by the next Mayor of Boston, who is expected to be sworn in on November 16.  The Mayor appoints members from a list of candidates recommended by a Nominating Panel. The School Committee also includes a non-voting student member of the Boston Student Advisory Council. To cultivate further Latinx representation on the Boston School Committee, Mayor Janey recently appointed Betty Francisco to the Boston School Committee Nominating Panel. Francisco, a Dorchester resident and BPS parent, is also an entrepreneur, business executive, attorney, and community leader. She started her service on the Panel in June. The School Committee meets approximately twice per month during the school year to adopt, review and modify policies and practices that support teaching, learning and improved student achievement. With the exception of executive sessions, Committee meetings are open to the public, feature public comment periods and are broadcast on Boston City TV.   The 2-year term applications are due Friday, November 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. The deadline to apply for the 4-year term is Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Applicants who wish to apply for both terms should do so by Friday, November 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.  Interviews for selected 2-year candidates will be held on November 9, 2021 between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Interviews for selected 4-year candidates will be held on November 30, 2021 between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Interviews will be conducted virtually. Please direct all questions and submit completed applications to scnominatingpanel@boston.gov or mail/deliver to Room 612 of Boston City Hall. You can learn more about the Boston School Committee online.

TWELVE INDIVIDUALS AND THREE STORES IN CHELSEA, BOSTON, AND NORTH READING INDICTED IN CONNECTION WITH PERJURY AND

TWELVE INDIVIDUALS AND THREE STORES IN CHELSEA, BOSTON, AND NORTH READING INDICTED IN CONNECTION WITH PERJURY AND

TAX-AVOIDANCE LOTTERY SCHEME

BOSTON – Twelve individuals and three stores in Boston, North Reading and Chelsea have been indicted in connection with an ongoing scheme to rob the state of tax revenue by laundering lottery winnings and lying under oath on numerous lottery claim forms, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

The charges are the result of an investigation by State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, State Police assigned to the State Treasurer’s Office of Investigations, the State Police Gaming Enforcement Division, and the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission (MSLC) into a calculated scheme carried out by the defendants to defraud the state of taxes on lottery winnings and other debts owed to the Commonwealth.

The 12 defendants were indicted Friday by a Statewide Grand Jury on the following charges:

Frank Obey, age 80, of Lynn

False Statement Under Penalty of Perjury (2 counts)

Conspiracy to Evade Taxes

Attempting to Impede/Obstruct Administration of Massachusetts Tax Laws

Money Laundering

Kenneth Grossman, age 69, of Revere

Conspiracy to Evade Taxes

Attempting to Impede/Obstruct Administration of Massachusetts Tax Laws

Money Laundering

William McNamara, age 67, of Revere

False Statement Under Penalty of Perjury

Conspiracy to Evade Taxes

Attempting to Impede/Obstruct Administration of Massachusetts Tax Laws

Money Laundering

John Heller, age 73, of Revere

Conspiracy to Evade Taxes

Adam Derebala, age 29, of Revere

Failure to File a Tax Return

Peter Marano, age 52, of Boston

Tax Evasion

Karl Voelker, age 67, of Boston

Conspiracy to Evade Taxes

Paritosh Patel, age 48, of Reading

Conspiracy to Evade Taxes 

Nelson Tejada, age 43, of Chelsea

Conspiracy to Evade Taxes

MDGolam Talukder-Manik, age 57, of Lynn

(Employee of Richland Convenience Store located at 332 Nahant Road in Nahant)

Conspiracy to Evade Taxes

Ghanshyam Patel, age 45, of Malden

(Employee of Robinson’s News Convenience Store located at 1556 Eastern Avenue in Malden)

Conspiracy to Evade Taxes

Muhammad Khan, age 52, of Medford

(Employee of Grab N Go located at 367 Washington Ave in Chelsea)

Conspiracy to Evade Taxes

Underground Express, 31 Winter Place in Boston

Conspiracy to Evade Taxes

Richdale, 4 Lowell Road in North Reading

Conspiracy to Evade Taxes

NT Lucky Variety, 137 Arlington Street in Chelsea

Conspiracy to Evade Taxes

            The defendants will be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court at a later date.                                      

            The AG’s Office alleges that from April 2020 through May 2021, the defendants, who are ticket-cashers, store owners or employees, purchased winning lottery tickets from the true winners for cash, at a discount to the value of the tickets. This scheme, commonly known as “ten-percenting,” is a practice where individuals claim winning lottery tickets and retain a percentage of the winnings, sometimes as high as 10 or 20 percent of the proceeds as fee from the true winner. This arrangement allows the true winners to avoid financial obligations, including state and federal taxes. Store owners and employees funneled winning tickets to Frank Obey, Kenneth Grossman and their runners. The defendants presented the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission with false claim forms in which they declared, under the pains and penalties of perjury, that the winnings were their own. Two true winners, Peter Marano and Adam Derebala, were identified and stand charged respectively for tax evasion and failing to file a tax return. Both are alleged to have circumvented the legal ticket-claiming process.

            The “ten-percenting” scheme is designed to defeat government collection of back taxes through the Department of Revenue (DOR) Intercept Program. The DOR program is an automated process used to intercept and collect Massachusetts State Lottery Commission winning payouts, over $600, to satisfy delinquent debt. Massachusetts law prohibits the unlawful assignment of winning lottery tickets.

            This investigation also identified Frank Obey, Kenneth Grossman and William McNamara as individuals who were using the Massachusetts State Lottery to launder money.

The Massachusetts State Lottery aided in this investigation, by working with investigators in the AG’s Office to identify claims of the alleged perpetrators of this scheme. The MSLC’s Compliance and Internal Audit Department focuses on the prevention, detection, and the investigation of those who defraud or attempt to defraud the lawful ticket-claiming process.

All of these charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

       AG Healey’s Gaming Enforcement Division has a dedicated group of prosecutors and investigators who enforce the state’s Expanded Gaming Act of 2011 and investigate and prosecute illegal activity such as gaming-related financial crime, organized crime, corruption and money laundering, including the majority of criminal activity occurring at the state’s casinos.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Emil A. Ata and Kevin P. McCarthy, both of AG Healey’s Gaming Enforcement Division with the assistance of the AG’s Digital Evidence Lab, including Forensic Digital Media Analyst Paul Melaragni and Digital Evidence Analyst Jobal Thomas. Financial investigation was conducted by Senior Financial Investigator James O’Hara of AG Healey’s Gaming Enforcement Division, as well as Financial Investigator James Donahue of the DOR Criminal Investigations Bureau.

Baker-Polito Administration Recognizes 34 Municipalities and Public School Districts as Cyber Aware Communities

Baker-Polito Administration Recognizes 34 Municipalities and Public School Districts as Cyber Aware Communities 

Top performing participants in cybersecurity grant program honored for their demonstrated commitment to employee cybersecurity awareness training and end-point security  

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration recognized 34 municipalities and public school districts from across the Commonwealth as Cyber Aware Communities at a virtual event hosted during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month by the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) and featuring local and state cybersecurity leaders. Those recognized were the top performing participants in this year’s round of the Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program. 

Cyberattacks on municipal government and education systems are on the rise nationwide as cyber threat actors are utilizing common threat actions such as phishing, smishing, hacking, and ransomware attacks to gain access to an organization’s IT networks and sensitive data, and recent high profile ransomware attacks and hacks have disrupted operations in both the public and private sector. Identified by the National Governors Association (NGA) as “the single most effective factor in preventing security breaches and data losses,” employee cybersecurity awareness training is a critical tool for organizations to prepare its workforce to best defend against potential cyber threats.  

“Buy-in and awareness on cybersecurity from an organization’s leadership team is critical to its success,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Congratulations to each of the municipalities and public schools that have earned recognition as a Cyber Aware Community for their leadership in better securing their organization from potential threats.” 

“As former municipal officials, Governor Baker and I are keenly aware of the challenges local governments face in putting scarce resources to work,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Participating in Commonwealth cybersecurity and IT grant programs such as the Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program is a vital resource to enhance a local government and community cybersecurity posture.” 

The Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program is managed by EOTSS’ Office of Municipal and School Technology (OMST) and is supported by capital funding secured in Governor Baker’s General Governmental Bond Bill, which was signed into law in August 2020 to invest in the Commonwealth’s cybersecurity posture and IT infrastructure modernization initiatives.  

In the first two years of the program, 62,000 municipal and public school employees have enrolled in the program, gaining access to critical end-user training, evaluations, and threat simulations. Participating organizations include large cities, small towns, and school districts from across the Commonwealth. Results have shown that participants receiving the cybersecurity awareness training on average saw a 6-point improvement on the final assessment of the training course. 

“Threats posed by cyber-attacks are so great today that cybersecurity can no longer be viewed as a problem for the IT department alone,” said Secretary of Technology Services and Security Curt Wood. “The municipalities and public schools being recognized today are stepping up to ensure that every member of there is properly trained to identify and avoid attempts by malicious actors to gain access to critical systems and data.” 

“I want to congratulate all of the municipalities and school districts that have engaged in this year’s Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program and are being recognized as Cyber Aware Communities,” said State Senator Barry Finegold, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet, and Cybersecurity. “Over the past year, cities and towns across the Commonwealth have been impacted by ransomware attacks, and unfortunately this problem is not going to go away. We need to get ahead of the curve and empower our municipalities to strengthen their cyber preparedness and resilience. Initiatives like the Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program are crucial first steps, and I look forward to continuing to partner with Secretary Wood and the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security going forward.”  

“The Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program helps directly address one of the key cybersecurity challenges presented by the rise of hybrid work and the future of work in our municipalities: end-user education,” said State Representative Linda Dean Campbell, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet, and Cybersecurity. “Public sector leaders and workers at every level of government must now prioritize cybersecurity training for their organizations.  This is the most critical and most cost effective way of mitigating threats which we expect to increase in the near future.“ 

“The City of Worcester is proud to join 33 other organizations in being recognized as a Cyber Aware Community,” said Worcester City Manager Edward A. Augustus, Jr. “The Baker-Polito Administration takes cybersecurity seriously, and our City does as well. Cyber hacks and attacks have increased, and we must be more vigilant than ever. The Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program has been an invaluable tool in helping to raise the awareness of our employees to the dangers of cyberattacks, and equipping them to identify and help prevent them.” 

COVID-19 has amplified cybersecurity challenges for all organizations, and as cyber threat actors take advantage of an increasingly remote and hybrid workforce, the number of threats and scams has increased. End-point user training is a key tool in an organization’s ability to combat potential threats to its IT infrastructure, networks, and data. 

“Congratulations to the award winners!  It is wonderful to see so many local leaders recognized for building Massachusetts cyber resiliency,” said Stephanie Helm, Director, MassCyberCenter at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. “The MassCyberCenter looks forward to partnering with you in the future to safeguard our Commonwealth communities.” 

"The 34 communities being honored today are true leaders, and they should be applauded for their hard work, dedication and long-term commitment to building resilient and cyber-secure cities and towns," said Massachusetts Municipal Association Executive Director Geoff Beckwith. "Local leaders know that protecting our public IT infrastructure and sensitive data from sophisticated cyberattacks requires a powerful state-local partnership, and we are deeply grateful to the Baker-Polito Administration and the Massachusetts Legislature for providing critical support, resources and assets through the Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program, which is a model for the rest of the nation." 

The full list of awardees recognized as a Cyber Aware Community: 

Cyber Aware Community

Town of Acushnet

Barnstable Police

Town of Blandford

Bristol County Agricultural High School

Town of Concord

Town of Dennis

Town of Dover

Town of Dracut

Town of Dudley

Town of East Bridgewater

Town of Edgartown

Town of Foxborough

Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District

City of Gloucester

Maynard Public Schools

Town of Medway

Town of Nantucket

Natick Public Schools

New Bedford Public Schools

Town of Norfolk

Town of Orleans

Town of Provincetown

Rockland Public Schools

Sandwich Public Schools

Town of Scituate

Southwick, Public Safety

South Shore Regional Vocational Technical School District

Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District (STGRSD)

Town of Sutton

Town of Truro

Town of Wareham

Wellesley Public Schools

Town of Wilmington

City of Worcester

The application period for the 2022 Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program will open on October 29, 2021. 

Municipalities and public school districts are encouraged to visit: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-the-cybersecurity-awareness-grant-program 

For information on additional cybersecurity and IT resources available to municipalities and public schools, visit: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-municipal-and-school-technology 

Lydia Edwards endorsed by Cambridge elected leaders

 Lydia Edwards endorsed by Cambridge elected leaders

Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon,
former Mayors Simmons & McGovern, Councilors Nolan & Carlone 

CAMBRIDGE – Lydia Edwards has been endorsed in the special election to State Senate by members of Cambridge’s elected leadership including: Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Alanna Mallon, former Mayor and Councilor Denise Simmons, former Mayor and Councilor Marc McGovern, Councilor Patricia Nolan, and Councilor Dennis Carlone. Primary Election Day is December 14, 2021. General Election Day is January 11, 2022.

“I’ve known Lydia for a while and what I know is: She gets things done,” said Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui. “Whether it's her work through legal aid as an attorney, or her current work as a Boston City Councilor, I know that she will provide the results to residents and be there for the community. I urge you to support Lydia Edwards on December 14.”

"Anyone who lives in this region knows the daily challenges of transportation, but Lydia Edwards understands that the freedom of mobility is key to a thriving community," said Vice Mayor Alanna Mallon. "Lydia has been a leader advocating for multimodal transportation infrastructure – from protected bike lanes, to ferries, to public transit. I know that Lydia will be a champion in the Senate and I am proud to endorse her today."

“Lydia has a unique understanding of the challenges we face around housing in this region in particular,” said former Mayor and current City Councilor Denise Simmons. “She recognizes that we need a regional approach to create and enact strong policies that will level the playing field and secure housing as a human right. I'm supporting Lydia because her dedication to equity is unmatched, and she is exactly what we need in the State Senate.”

“Lydia Edwards has been a strong partner in municipal government, and I know she will be a strong partner in the legislature,” said former Mayor and current City Councilor, Marc McGovern. “Lydia has a longstanding and proven track record of success getting big things done in practical, grassroots ways. Cambridge will have an advocate in Lydia Edwards – from education funding, to climate resiliency, to transportation infrastructure. I am proud to endorse her for state senate and encourage you to vote for her on December 14.”

“Lydia Edwards is not simply an impressive colleague in government with a record of effective policy changes that make residents' lives better; She is a leader I respect and admire for being able to genuinely connect with people,” said City Councilor Patricia Nolan. “Lydia finds a way to serve as a convener, bringing together diverse opinions and backgrounds to find common ground. That is a sign of true leadership. Lydia brings much needed respect and collaboration into public service time and time again. Lydia is the best choice for the State Senate.”

“I am very enthusiastic about Lydia because of her heart, dedication and drive to help those most in need, and at the same time, act for positive change, both short- and long-term,” said Councilor Dennis Carlone.

Prior to entering the City Council, Councilor Edwards worked extensively in the legal field serving as a judicial law clerk with the Massachusetts Superior Court and the Massachusetts Appeals Court. Edwards worked as a public interest attorney with Greater Boston Legal Services focusing on labor issues such as fighting for access to unemployment insurance, back wages, fair treatment for domestic workers and combating human trafficking. She served as the statewide campaign coordinator for the Massachusetts Coalition for Domestic Workers, which advocated for the passage of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. In 2015, she was named Bostonian of the Year by the Boston Globe. 

Lydia Edwards is a candidate for State Senate representing the First Suffolk and Middlesex District, following the departure of Senator Joseph A. Boncore. For a full and up-to-date list of endorsements, visit: LydiaEdwards.org/endorsements.

ESSAIBI GEORGE HIGHLIGHTS VISION AND RECORD OF RESULTS FOR EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD IN FINAL MAYORAL DEBATE

ESSAIBI GEORGE HIGHLIGHTS VISION AND RECORD OF RESULTS FOR EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD IN FINAL MAYORAL DEBATE

Calls on Wu to give specifics on ‘Free the MBTA’ and rent control

Boston, MA — At the final debate of the general election, At-Large City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George highlighted her vision, record of results and the bold action she’ll take as Mayor. Essaibi George continued to demand specifics from her opponent, Michelle Wu, on the key tenets of Wu’s campaign, such as ‘Free the T and rent control. 

Throughout the course of her campaign, Wu has not only made promises outside the jurisdiction of the Mayor’s Office, such as making the MBTA free and implementing rent control, but has failed to provide the residents of Boston with a tangible plan for these promises, including funding mechanisms, cost associations, or timeline.  

Over the course of the debate, Essaibi George highlighted:

•  Her plan to offer universal child care and early education to all children in Boston ages 0 to 5, giving an opportunity for women, who are often the primary caregivers, to enter or re-enter the workforce, while also benefiting family members that work non-traditional work hours. 

• Her experiences as a former Boston Public Schools teacher and how that experience allows her to transform our schools through a big vision, such as ensuring every school is a high quality one, and the nitty gritty that is often overlooked, such as early literacy programs, standardized curriculum and baseline resources. 

• Her firsthand experiences with climate injustice as a coach at East Boston High School and practicing softball directly under flight paths, and her plan to lead on climate action with a community-based approach.

• How she will close the racial wealth gap by advancing her Equity, Inclusion and Justice Agenda to make investments in down payment programs for first-time and first-generation, workforce training programs with pathways to good jobs, and vocational technical education programs in Boston Public Schools.

Essaibi George also highlighted her action plan for Mass & Cass, which was informed by her years of leadership on the Boston City Council on the issues of homelessness, mental health, and substance disorder. She founded the Committee on Homelessness, Mental Health and Recovery in 2016 with the goal of spotlighting these three specific issues, and has continued her advocacy in this space.

Essaibi George turned this advocacy into action, sponsoring the first ever Needle Take Back Day in the City of Boston, passing an ordinance to create 100 additional sites for safe needle disposal, securing funding to increase the number of B.E.S.T clinicians that support residents during a mental health crisis, and creating the first Special Commission to End Family Homelessness in the City of Boston through her ordinance which was unanimously passed by the Boston City Council.