查理貝克政府擬斥資27.8億元支持交通、經濟、住宅、教育及科技

  Baker-Polito Administration Releases Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Investment Plan

$2.78 billion to be invested in FY23 as part of $13.9 billion five-year plan

From left: Quincy Mayor Tom Koch，MA Governor Charlie  Baker, Lt. Governor Karen Politio，
MA House Speaker Ron Mariano。 (Photo By Chutze Chou)

QUINCY – The Baker-Polito Administration today released its Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Capital Investment Plan, which provides $2.78 billion in state bond cap spending in FY23 to support investments in transportation, economic development, climate resiliency, housing, education, technology and health and human services.

The plan reflects a balanced and fiscally responsible approach to long-term planning, with funding dedicated to the care and maintenance of the Commonwealth’s existing assets as well as targeted new investments that will support Massachusetts’ economic development and growth in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to outlining state bond cap allocations for FY23, the plan charts a pathway for capital investment across the next five years, providing a blueprint for a total of $13.9 billion in FY23–FY27 bond cap spending that leverages the unprecedented amount of federal funding the Commonwealth will benefit from in the coming years.

“The capital budget is an important vehicle for enabling long-term economic growth and improving the way state government serves its constituents, and our FY23-FY27 plan supports infrastructure initiatives that will benefit residents in every corner of the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are proud to release our eighth Capital Investment Plan today, and we look forward to the lasting positive impacts it will drive in the coming years.”

“Our Administration’s capital plan invests in critical initiatives across the state and continues to provide local communities with resources that will enable them to better serve their residents,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “With substantial funding for housing, education, climate change mitigation, technology infrastructure, public safety and more, this plan will make Massachusetts a better place to live, learn and work.” 

Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito joined Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan today at the Quincy courthouse to release the capital plan. The plan provides $3.5 million in FY23 and budgets for $52.9 million over the next five years to continue efforts to replace the courthouse with a new Norfolk County regional justice center that consolidates court departments.

"The Baker-Polito Administration’s FY23–FY27 capital plan continues to be grounded in fiscal discipline and thoughtfully leverages available resources to maximize the impact of our capital spending," said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan. "The plan carefully balances the maintenance of existing state assets and investments in new infrastructure– a responsible approach that will drive growth and deliver outsized benefits to the people of Massachusetts over many years.”

The capital plan continues the Administration’s approach to strategically using available funding sources. Along with funding to support the implementation of major transportation and environmental program expansions enabled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) over FY23–FY27, the plan provides more than $700 million in state matching funds to allow Massachusetts to access opportunities for significant additional federal funds that support highways and bridges, municipal water infrastructure and electric vehicles infrastructure.

The FY23-FY27 plan continues efforts to strengthen and revitalize Massachusetts communities. It builds on the last seven years of capital investment as well as significant state and federal support over the last two years in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has included over $2.4 billion in total from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund and $2.9 billion in allocated state aid from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). ARPA also provided $3.4 billion in direct aid for municipalities, $2.6 billion for housing and economic development initiatives, $1.1 billion for transit, $315 million in child care stabilization funding, and $200 million in Child Care Development and Block grant funding.

Continuing efforts to protect the Commonwealth’s natural environment, the capital plan supports investments in climate resiliency measures, food security and public outdoor spaces. It also provides substantial new funding for building infrastructure projects across the higher education system, and maintains investments for information technology and cybersecurity upgrades, public safety and health and human services.

The FY23 capital plan’s $2.78 billion bond cap represents a responsible $125 million (4.7%) increase over FY22, which is in line with the recommendations of the Debt Affordability Committee.

The five-year plan will be supported by authorization the Administration has filed for across several bond bills, including the General Government Bond Bill, the MassTRAC infrastructure bond bill and the FORWARD legislation. The majority of spending in FY23 is covered by existing authorizations.

To view the FY23–FY27 Capital Investment Plan, visit: www.mass.gov/capital.

FY23 Capital Plan Highlights:

Transportation

The combined MassDOT and MBTA capital plan is funded from a variety of state and non-state sources. $1.1 billion of FY23 spending is supported by state bond cap.

· $200 million for the Chapter 90 Program for local road and bridge repairs

· $25 million for the Municipal Pavement Program, established in the 2021 Transportation bond bill to assist municipalities with roadway pavement improvements

· $15 million for the Administration’s Municipal Small Bridge Program

· $15 million for the Complete Streets Program

· $8.5 million for the Shared Streets and Spaces Program, which was started in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic to help municipalities and businesses adapt their operations

· $5 million for the Local Bottleneck Reduction Program

· $5 million for Transit Infrastructure Partnership Program

Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM)

· $171 million to continue work at Commonwealth-owned health care facilities, including the Department of Public Health’s Laboratory Campus in Jamaica Plain, the Newton Pavilion/Shattuck Hospital, and the Soldiers’ Homes in Holyoke and Chelsea

· $6.8 million ($120 million over FY23-FY27) for new major higher education projects at Massasoit Community College, Salem State University, Springfield Technical Community College and University of Massachusetts Lowell

· $50 million for smaller critical repairs and $24.3 million for accelerated building infrastructure projects across the higher education system

· Planning efforts for the construction of a new Regional Justice Center in Quincy

Economic Development

· $97 million for MassWorks to provide municipalities and other public entities with funding for infrastructure projects that promote economic development

· $35 million for the Life Sciences Capital Program to foster job growth and innovation in the life sciences industry

· $21.7 million for the Underutilized Properties program to rehabilitate or redevelop blighted, abandoned, vacant or underutilized properties

· $16 million for research and development projects that spur innovation and enhance job growth

· $16 million for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation programs, established in the 2021 economic development bond bill, which supports research centers around emerging manufacturing technology

· $12 million in Seaport Economic Council Grants

Housing

 

· $151 million for the production and preservation of affordable housing in addition to programs that support neighborhood stabilization, transit-oriented housing, and climate resilient affordable housing

· $110 million to support our state-aided public housing portfolio

Energy and Environmental Affairs

· $34 million for improvements to campgrounds, recreational facilities, and comfort stations

· $17.5 million for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program to aid municipalities with climate change vulnerability assessments and planning and adaptation projects

· $12.5 million for the Food Security Infrastructure Program

· $12 million for inland dams and seawalls

· $10 million in municipal matching grants through MassTrails to enhance and maintain shared use paths and recreational trails

· $8.3 million for Greening the Gateway Cities, which has already planted nearly 33,000 trees and has a goal of planting at least 20,000 more trees over the next four years

· $8 million for grants to municipalities for park improvements and open space protection

Public Safety

 

· $5 million for the Protective Fire Equipment Grant Program which provides direct assistance to municipalities to ensure access to safe and reliable firefighter equipment

· $4 million for the Municipal Body-Worn Camera Grant Program and $837,000 to support a pilot Body-Worn Camera program for correctional officers at the Department of Correction Souza-Baranowski maximum-security facility

· Support for the Body Armor Replacement Program which provides a state match for the reimbursement of bulletproof vests by municipalities

Technology and Cybersecurity

· $78.6 million for technology solutions to improve operational efficiency and performance of state government

· $48.1 million for improvements to constituent-facing government applications to improve access to services

· $27.5 million for IT technical infrastructure modernization

· $11.3 million for cybersecurity

· $5 million for Community Compact IT Grants, which support cities and towns in their efforts to modernize their technological infrastructure

· $4 million for Municipal Fiber Grant Program to strengthen municipal IT security

Education

· $15 million for Workforce Skills Capital Grants to improve students’ skills and knowledge and better meet the needs of employers in the Commonwealth

· $6.9 million for Early Education and Out-of-School Time Grants to improve the indoor and outdoor space at early education and out-of-school time programs in which more than 50% of the children served are eligible for financial assistance

To view the full FY23 Capital Plan, please click here.

哈佛教授林希虹獲Marvin Zele獎

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 哈佛大學傳出喜訊，陳曾熙公衛學院的生物統計學終身教授林希虹獲得2022年馬文澤倫 (Marvin Zelen) 獎，5月5日下午1點將領獎，演說。

              馬文澤倫 (Marvin Zelen) 獎是為紀念馬文澤倫博士，頒給領導力傑出，對統計學理論和實務有重大影響者的一個獎項，從1997年頒發以來，之前得過此獎的華人，只有曾任哈佛大學文理研究生院院長的孟曉犁，那是2014年的時候。

              目前在哈佛大學陳曾熙公衛學院擔任定量基因組學項目協調主任，以及哈佛文理學院統計學教授的林希虹，被同事們形容為「自然力量」、「大明星」，「我們這年代最有影響力的統計學家之一」。

              林希虹從清華大學應用數學系畢業，1994年取得華盛頓大學博士學位，到密西根大學工作了將近10年，1999年已成為密西根大學生物統計系終身教授，接著在年僅34歲時，獲得美國公共衛生學會頒給Mortimer Psiegelman獎，升任終身正教授。2005年哈佛大學挖角，她受聘為哈佛公衛學院生物統計學終身教授。2006年獲得考普斯會長獎

她早期專注於縱向數據分析，以及觀察研究的統計方法開發和應用，並成為混和模型先驅。後來她的研究轉向統計遺傳學和基因組學，2008年她創立了哈佛基因組學項目，並擔任協調主任。

              最近，她一直在研究新冠病毒，還成為分析武漢第一批數據，以及有效控制方法的團隊成員之一。她還是「我們感覺怎樣 (HowWeFeel)」項目的主要研究員，在2020年春天推出應用程式來收集美國和其他國家的新冠病毒健康及曝光數據。

              過去這些年來，她培訓了37名博士生，27名博士後學者。她做的許多研究都很有開創性，她的變革性構想及創新洞見，推動整個領域向前發展。

              林希虹的輝煌成就包括發表了330篇論文，有過43300次引述，是6項美國國家衛生院及國家科學基金會補助項目的主要研究員，當選為美國國家醫學院院士等。

羅德島州舉辦第2屆台灣日 通過友好台灣決議案

(左至右)孫處長女兒孫智蘭、夫人倪雪娥、波士頓經文處孫儉元處長
和羅德島州眾議會議長K. Joseph Shekarchi、眾議會臨時議長
(Speaker Pro Tempore) Brian Patrick Kennedy、眾議會多數黨領袖
Christopher R. Blazejewski

             (Boston Orange) 駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處5月4日公告，羅德島州眾議會甫於4月28日舉辦州議會的第2屆台灣日，並於同日無異議的通過與台灣友好決議案，鼓勵羅德島州政府加強和台灣的經貿關係，研議在台灣設立經貿辦事處，支持台灣參與世界衛生組織等國際性組織。

波士頓經文處孫儉元處長和羅德島州眾議會議長K. Joseph Shekarchi在禮成後握手。

              駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元當天應邀出席，致詞闡述台灣與羅德島州關係堅實密切，樂見「新英格蘭地區州議員台灣連線-羅德島分會」成立。

              羅德島州眾議會這天在議場高掛中華民國國旗，藉以展現眾議會對台灣友好的態度。眾議會議長K. Joseph Shekarchi還在會中代表該州眾議會表達堅定支持台灣心意，鼓勵所有議員加入「台灣連線」。

布朗大學同學表演舞獅。

              羅德島州州議會的第2屆台灣日活動，不但有僑胞莊皓芳和新英格蘭音樂學院台灣學生Ashley Chen分別領唱中華民國及美國國歌，儀式莊嚴，還有駐波士頓辦事處在議場外舉辦「品味台灣」(Taste of Taiwan)茶會，擺出珍珠奶茶、地瓜條、鹹酥雞及特製鳳梨酥等台灣地道食品，供人品嘗，又請布朗大學的來自台灣學生表演舞獅及扯鈴，到場議員紛紛稱讚好吃，好看，對台灣文化及美食等軟實力豎起大拇指。 (圖與文稿內容由駐波士頓經文處提供)

羅德島州台灣日會場。

Governor Baker Nominates Sarah W. Ellis, Katie C. Rayburn as Associate Justices of the Superior Court and Erika P. Reis as Associate Justice of the Boston Municipal Court

 Governor Baker Nominates Sarah W. Ellis, Katie C. Rayburn as Associate Justices of the Superior Court and Erika P. Reis as Associate Justice of the Boston Municipal Court

 

BOSTON — Today, Governor Charlie Baker nominated Sarah W. Ellis and Katie C. Rayburn as Associate Justices of the Superior Court, and Erika P. Reis as an Associate Justice of the Boston Municipal Court.

 

"Justices Rayburn and Ellis are both experienced judges who are excellent candidates for these appointments, and Attorney Reis is well-qualified to serve on the bench," said Governor Charlie Baker. "I am pleased to submit their nominations to the Governor's Council for their advice and consent."

 

"These three qualified candidates bring valuable life and legal experience to these new roles,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “If approved, I am confident that they will serve as fair and thoughtful members of the judiciary.”

 

The Boston Municipal Court serves the City of Boston, handling both criminal and civil matters while maintaining a commitment to the rule of law, and protecting human dignity through respect, compassion, correction, and the fair resolution of cases. The Boston Municipal Court Department has 30 judges in 8 court divisions located in Brighton, Central (downtown), Charlestown, Dorchester, East Boston, Roxbury, South Boston, and West Roxbury. The Boston Municipal Court also has jurisdiction to review appeals of decisions made by some government agencies on issues such as unemployment compensation and firearms licensing.

 

For more information about the Boston Municipal Court, visit their homepage.

 

The Superior Court, the trial court of general jurisdiction for Massachusetts, is committed to delivering high quality justice in a timely and fair manner in accordance with the rule of law. The Court's 82 justices sit in 20 courthouses in all 14 counties of the Commonwealth. The Superior Court has original jurisdiction in civil actions over $25,000 and in matters where equitable relief is sought. It also has original jurisdiction in actions including labor disputes where injunctive relief is sought, exclusive authority to convene medical malpractice tribunals, appellate jurisdiction over certain administrative proceedings, and may hold sittings for naturalization in any city or town. The Superior Court also has exclusive original jurisdiction of first-degree murder cases and original jurisdiction of all other crimes.

 

For more information about the Superior Court, please visit their homepage.

 

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth's diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April 2015.

 

About Sarah W. Ellis

 

Sarah W. Ellis began her legal career in 2000 as a Judicial Law Clerk in the Montgomery County Circuit Court in Maryland. From 2001 until 2014, Justice Ellis held a variety of positions in the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. First, she served as an Assistant District Attorney for the District Court from 2001 to 2004, before working as the Jury of 6 Supervising Assistant District Attorney, Superior Court Assistant District Attorney, Regional District Court Assistant District Attorney, Motor Vehicle Fatality ADA Coordinator and Second Assistant District Attorney and Director of District Courts until 2014. Justice Ellis also served as the Director of Legal Policy and Deputy General Counsel at the Administrative Office of the District Court from 2014 until 2017. In January 2017, Justice Ellis was named Associate Justice of the District Court and later First Justice of the Waltham District Court in December 2021. Additionally, she is currently a member of the Judicial Outreach Program, sits on the Advisory Committee to the Supreme Judicial Court, presides as co-chair of the District Court Education Committee, volunteers at the Harvard Law School Trial Advocacy Clinic and participates in the Massachusetts Judiciary Trip to the Equal Justice Initiative. Justice Ellis also previously served as a member of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. She received her bachelor’s degree from Kenyon College in 1997, and her Juris Doctorate from Boston College Law School in 2007.

 

About Katie C. Rayburn

 

Katie C. Rayburn began her legal career in 2001 as an Assistant District Attorney in the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office where she litigated over 150 criminal trials. Since leaving the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office in 2005, Justice Rayburn has worked in both the private and public sectors. From 2005 until 2008, Justice Rayburn worked as an Associate at the Law Office of Daniel W. O’Malley before returning to public service at the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney until 2017. Most recently, Justice Rayburn has served as an Associate Justice of the District Court, where she has presided over criminal and civil cases since 2017. Justice Rayburn has also participated in the State Mock-Trial Program, where she was a mentor and judge. Additionally, she has presented at several MCLEs and law conferences. Justice Rayburn received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts in 1996, and her Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School in 1999.

 

About Erika P. Reis

 

Erika P. Reis began her legal career in 2007 as an Assistant District Attorney in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, where she focused on cases involving both adults and juveniles. After leaving the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office in 2011, Attorney Reis served as Deputy General Counsel in the Office of the Massachusetts Inspector General until 2012. Attorney Reis then served as Assistant Corporation Counsel to the City of Boston until 2016 before joining Eversource Energy as Counsel, where she worked until 2017. She then returned to the City of Boston to serve as Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel until January of this year. Most recently, Attorney Reis returned to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office in the role of General Counsel. Attorney Reis is also a member of the Federal Bar Association, where she served as president from 2020 to 2021. In the community, she has volunteered with the Boston Inn of Court, with SafeLink as a Domestic Violence Advocate, as a Board Member of Project Right Inc. from 2013 – 2017, and was a part of The Partnership Inc.’s 2016 Fellows Class. Additionally, Attorney Reis is a member of the BBA, WBA and MBLA. She received her bachelor’s degree from Boston College in 2000, and her Juris Doctorate from the New England School of Law in 2007.

Pressley Delivers $1M in Federal Funding for Boston’s Tuition-Free Community College Program

 

BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) visited Bunker Hill Community College to celebrate the $1,000,000 in federal community project funding she secured to expand the City of Boston’s Tuition-Free Community College program. Rep. Pressley was joined by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, BHCC President Pam Eddinger, and BHCC students for a tour of BHCC and press conference to highlight how the funding will help address the college affordability crisis locally as she continues her calls for President Biden to cancel student debt. 

“I was so honored to visit Bunker Hill Community College today to deliver the $1 million in federal funds we secured to expand Boston’s tuition-free community college program,” said Rep. Pressley. “Expanding this program will serve a critical need within our community by helping more students achieve their goals of earning a college degree, and it will help us address the college affordability crisis as we continue making the case for President Biden to cancel student debt by executive action. These efforts must go hand-in-hand, and I’m so grateful to Mayor Wu, Mayor Janey, President Eddinger, and our students for their close partnership in making this important investment a reality.”    

"This million dollars to fund and expand the tuition free community college program is a major step forward at just the right moment,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “Many of our community college students are affected in their ability to stay enrolled because of their need to balance their work and family obligations. Funding like this goes not only to the students, but to the families and neighborhoods that they are part of. Thank you Congresswoman Pressley for securing these funds." 

“We are proud to have served 619 students in the Boston Tuition-Free Community College program since the program began. We currently have 266 students receiving funding this year,” said BHCC President Pam Eddinger. “We are grateful for this funding to expand the program allowing us to reach more students, especially with including certain certificates and short-term training.” 

View photos from the event here and watch the recorded livestream here. 

Rep. Pressley secured this federal funding for Boston in the government spending package that passed Congress and was signed into law by President Biden in March. In total, Rep. Pressley secured over $8 million for 10 community projects across the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District, capping off nearly a year of advocacy by Rep. Pressley and local leaders. 

In March, she visited La Colaborativa in Chelsea to celebrate the $300,000 in federal community project funding that she delivered for La Colaborativa’s COVID Employment Recovery Program, and in April she visited Randolph to deliver $1,000,000 in federal community project funding for a new school-based community health center at Randolph High School.  

Rep. Pressley, in partnership with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), has consistently called on President Biden to cancel student debt. Last year, they led their colleagues in reintroducing their bicameral resolution outlining a bold plan for President Biden to tackle the student loan debt crisis by using existing authority under the Higher Education Act to cancel $50,000 in student loan debt for Federal student loan borrowers.  

AG HEALEY SECURES RELIEF FOR CONSUMERS IN $140 MILLION NATIONWIDE SETTLEMENT AGAINST TURBOTAX

 AG HEALEY SECURES RELIEF FOR CONSUMERS IN $140 MILLION NATIONWIDE SETTLEMENT AGAINST TURBOTAX

Bipartisan Multistate Settlement with TurboTax Owner Intuit Brings $2.3 Million to Massachusetts; States Allege Company Deceived Low-Income Americans and Military Service Members into Paying for Free Tax Services

 

BOSTON –The owner of TurboTax, Intuit Inc., will pay a total of $141 million, including payments to millions of low-income consumers and military service members across the country, as part of a settlement reached by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia over claims that the company deceived consumers into paying for tax services that should have been free. The settlement also requires the company to suspend TurboTax’s “free, free, free” ad campaign that lured consumers with promises of free tax preparation services, only to deceive them into paying for services.

 

Under the terms of the settlement, Massachusetts will receive $2.3 million for tens of thousands of eligible consumers who were allegedly deceived into paying to file their federal tax return.

 

“TurboTax’s misleading tactics caused millions of vulnerable consumers across the country to pay for tax preparation services that should have been free,” said AG Healey. “This nationwide settlement will bring money back to Massachusetts consumers who were harmed and prevent this deception from happening again.”

 

An investigation into Intuit began after reviewing allegations that the company was using digital tactics to steer low-income consumers toward its commercial products and away from federally-supported free tax services.

 

Intuit offered a free version of TurboTax through its participation in the IRS Free File Program, a public-private partnership with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which allows taxpayers earning roughly $34,000 and members of the military to file their taxes for free. In exchange for participating in the program, the IRS agreed not to compete with Intuit and other companies by providing its own electronic tax preparation and filing services to American taxpayers.

 

Intuit also offered a commercial product called “TurboTax Free Edition,” which is only free for taxpayers with “simple returns” as defined by Intuit. In recent years, TurboTax has marketed this “freemium” product aggressively, including through ad campaigns where “free” is the most prominent or sometimes the only selling point. In some ads, the company repeated the word “free” dozens of times in as short as 30 seconds. However, the TurboTax “freemium” product is only free for approximately one-third of US taxpayers. In contrast, the TurboTax Free File product was free for 70 percent of taxpayers.

 

The multistate investigation found that Intuit limited consumers’ participation in the IRS Free File Program, including by using confusingly similar names for both its IRS Free File product and its commercial “freemium” product. Intuit bid on paid search advertisements to direct consumers who were looking for the IRS Free File product to the TurboTax “freemium” product instead. Intuit also purposefully blocked its IRS Free File landing page from search engine results during the 2019 tax filing season, effectively shutting out eligible taxpayers from filing their taxes for free. TurboTax’s website also included a “Products and Pricing” page that stated it would “recommend the right tax solution,” but never displayed or recommended the IRS Free File program, even when consumers were ineligible for the “freemium” product.

 

Intuit withdrew from the IRS Free File program in July 2021.

 

Under the terms of the settlement, Intuit will pay $141 million in restitution to millions of consumers who started using TurboTax’s Free Edition for tax years 2016 through 2018 and were told that they had to pay to file even though they were eligible to file for free using the version of TurboTax offered as part of the IRS Free File program. Impacted consumers are expected to receive a direct payment in the mail of approximately $30 for each year that they were deceived into paying for filing services.

 

Intuit has also agreed to reform its business practices, including:

 

• Refraining from making misrepresentations in connection with promoting or offering any online tax preparation products;
• Enhancing disclosures in its advertising and marketing of free products;
• Designing its products to better inform users whether they will be eligible to file their taxes for free; and
• Refraining from requiring consumers to start their tax filing over if they exit one of Intuit’s paid products to use a free product instead.

 

Today’s recovery for Massachusetts consumers is the result of an investigation into tax preparation software by AG Healey’s office. The AG’s Office began an independent review of Intuit, issuing subpoenas and gathering information from Intuit and third parties, and then later joined with the New York and other state attorneys general as part of a multistate group reviewing Intuit’s conduct nationwide. The Federal Trade Commission coordinated with the states and has sued Intuit over this same conduct as well. 

 

Borrowers eligible for relief under this settlement will be contacted by the settlement administrator. Massachusetts consumers with questions about this matter may contact AG Healey’s Insurance and Financial Services Division at 617-963-2240.

國會亞裔小組哀悼前商務部長諾曼峰田辭世

 CAPAC Members Mourn Passing of Secretary Norman Mineta

Washington, D.C. — Today, as we mourn the passing of Secretary Norman Mineta, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements in his honor:

 

CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27):

 

“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Secretary Norman Mineta, a political giant. He was the first Asian American to serve as Mayor of a major American city, a 10-term Congressman, a Cabinet Secretary for both Democrat and Republican administrations, and the founding Chair of CAPAC. Generations of Asian American leaders, including myself, have looked up to Norm as the perfect example of an outstanding public servant. Despite all he accomplished, he always prioritized opening doors for future AANHPI leaders. He showed us how much we could achieve and pulled us up with him, and especially valued mentoring young people, like students and interns, who were interested in advocating for our communities. As the founding Chair of CAPAC and in all the roles he took on, he was a powerful advocate for all our communities. In Congress, he pushed through landmark legislation for the U.S. government to apologize and provide redress for the imprisonment of Japanese Americans in WWII, something he personally experienced, and he also built the foundations of our Caucus. Norm left his mark and he left our country better off. My thoughts are with his family members and loved ones.”

 

Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), CAPAC First Vice-Chair:

 

“Norman Mineta was a trailblazer and an outstanding public servant who served as a mayor, congressman and the first Asian American appointed to be a cabinet secretary. He made immense contributions to our nation and was the co-founder and first Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. I am saddened to learn about his passing. He leaves an incredible legacy behind and the extraordinary work he did will never be forgotten. I send my deepest sympathies to his loved ones at this difficult time.”

Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41), CAPAC Second Vice-Chair:

“Norm was a friend and mentor who had a profound impact on my life. He personally encouraged countless AAPIs to get involved with politics, generously giving of his time. He inspired so many Japanese Americans, especially Niseis, to understand how imperative political participation was to defend civil liberties for all Americans. An early supporter of LGBTQ equality, he used his moral stature to persuade the Japanese American Citizens League meeting in convention in 1994 to be the first non-LGBTQ civil rights organization to embrace same sex unions. As Transportation Secretary during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Norm not only gave orders to ground all commercial flights, but he is also credited by President George W. Bush for being a voice of restraint against any reprisals against Muslim Americans in cabinet level meetings. He channeled his own personal history into making America a better country. His contributions will not soon be forgotten.”

Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-33), CAPAC Whip:

“I am immensely saddened to hear of the passing of Former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. He was a trailblazer who served as a mayor, 10-term congressman, and a Cabinet secretary in two administrations. He also paved the way to create the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. During his time in the House of Representatives, he led efforts to secure compensation for Japanese Americans who were wrongfully interned during World War II. I am grateful for the work Norman Mineta did for the Asian American community and join my colleagues in mourning his passing.”

Congressman Kaiali’i Kahele (HI-02), CAPAC Freshman Representative:

“I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Norman Mineta, an iconic public figure and inspiration to the Asian American community. Forced into a Japanese internment camp during WWII, Norman sought to correct this injustice by becoming a force for change. He would go on to lead the United States’ official apology & compensation for interned Japanese Americans. Later, he continued to devote his life to public service, reaching the highest office of any Asian American at the time. Today, while many in our community still face racism and hate, Norman’s resilience and patriotism continues to inspire hope.”

Senator Mazie Hirono (HI):

“I am saddened to learn about the passing of my friend Norman Mineta and my deepest condolences go to his wife Demi and his family. He was a trailblazer for the AANHPI community in public service – the first Asian American to lead a major U.S. city, the first to hold a presidential cabinet post as Secretary of Commerce, and the first to serve as Secretary of Transportation. Norm was an inspiration to many and a respected member of the AANHPI community. He will be greatly missed.”

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07):

 

“Secretary Mineta was an incredible leader and fearless champion for people’s rights, with a well of expertise and an exemplary record of service. A first-generation Japanese American who was held in an internment camp himself, he never forgot his roots, even as he rose in the ranks of public service, becoming the first Asian American cabinet secretary and co-founder of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Secretary Mineta was instrumental in securing the deserved apology and financial compensation for the cruel and unjust internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. His leadership was inspiring and will live on with us for generations. My heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with his family during this painful time.”

 

Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17):

 

“I'm very sorry to hear of Norm Mineta’s passing. He overcame immense adversity as an imprisoned Japanese American in the US during WWII and went on to serve as a councilman, the mayor of San Jose, a member of Congress, and a cabinet official under two presidents. Norm remains one of my personal heroes. As the first Asian American cabinet official, he was a trailblazer and his counsel and mentorship on transportation issues is something I’ll always cherish. My condolences are with Norm’s family and the entire South Bay community mourning his loss.”

 

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13):

 

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Norman Mineta, beloved Congressman, the first Asian American to lead a major U.S. city, and former Transportation Secretary. From surviving an internment camp during World War II to helping create TSA in the wake of 9/11, he was truly courageous and spent his life championing civil liberties. May he Rest In Peace.”