人生一定要有的八個朋友：
推手(Builder)、
支柱(Champion)、
同好(Collaborator)、
夥伴(Companion)、
中介(Connector)、
開心果(Energizer)、
開路者(Mind Opener)、
導師(Navigator)。
chutze@bostonorange.com
*******************
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麻州州長Maura Healey指派Michelle A. Yee為遺囑認證及家事法庭法官。 (周菊子攝)
(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)
麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 1月25日下午在州長的儀式廳，為Michelle A. Yee主持宣誓就任儀式。經過短短半小時的寒暄、問好，幾分鐘的宣誓後，Michelle
A. Yee在家人圍賀中，正式成為麻州遺囑認證及家事法庭法官。
麻州州長奚莉早在2023年12月時就已指派Michelle A. Yee出任遺囑認證及家事法庭法官，但為方便Michelle Yee的父母及親人分別從加州及密蘇里州等地趕來出席典禮，1月25日才約好時間，舉行宣誓儀式。
麻州州長Maura Healey(右起) 邀派Michelle A. Yee和她父母，余伯賜夫婦合影， 慶祝Michelle Yee就任遺囑認證及家事法庭法官。(周菊子攝)
Michelle A. Yee的父親余伯賜，12歲時從廣東開平移民來美。如今已74歲的他和菲律賓籍妻子沒有為女兒取中文名字，但都為女兒升任法官，感到驕傲非常，特地從明尼蘇達州
(MN) 及加州趕來參加儀式。
Michelle A. Yee的丈夫Robert
W. Karninaki，2個兒子，叔叔余尚仁，多名親戚，以及曾與她共事的多名法官，這天都來參加她的宣誓儀式。其中一名親人抱在手中的小朋友，見到麻州州長Maura
Healey，竟然自己主動伸出雙手求擁抱，全場頓時驚嘆，爆笑，直問這小朋友怎麼那麼懂得選人來黏。
麻州州長Maura Healey (前右)恭喜Michelle A. Yee(前左)上任遺囑認證及家事法庭法官。 後排為Michelle Yee的丈夫Robert W. Karninaki、2名兒子見證，(周菊子攝)
Michelle A. Yee在明尼蘇達州的明尼阿波利斯
(Minneapolis) 出生、長大，從邁阿密大學畢業，來到麻州薩福克大學法律系取得法學博士 (J. D.)
學位後，就留在麻州工作。
2011年時，哈佛大學東亞法律系曾舉辦座談，讓人們得知麻州約有8名亞裔法官。時隔十餘年後，當年的法官中至少有最高法院 (Supreme Judicial Court)法官杜菲莉(Fernade R. V. Duffly)，以及前任麻州州長Deval
Patrick指派的昆士市區域法院法官余達明已退休，都是高等法院法官的陳鉅超、呂友漢 (Jack T. Lu)是否依然在位，仍待查證。
Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Over $2 Million in Funding to Support Coastal Communities
BOSTON – Today, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced over $2 million in Supportive Coastal Infrastructure and Local Maritime Economic Development Planning grants through the Seaport Economic Council (SEC) to six coastal communities that will support economic growth and unlock job creation through infrastructure projects.
These grants are an addition to the SEC’s previous round of $8 million blue economy grants in 2023. The total awards to date will be over $93 million invested through 206 grants in 56 Coastal Communities, which is administered by the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED). Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll announced the awards during today’s meeting of the Seaport Economic Council in Boston.
“Our coastal communities are crucial to our maritime and ocean-based economy,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These grants will play a crucial role in our efforts to ensure that communities have the resources necessary to reach their full potential, strengthen their maritime economy, promote economic development, and support resilient infrastructure for years ahead.”
"Our administration is committed to building on the achievements of our coastal communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re pleased to support them through the Supportive Coastal Infrastructure and Local Maritime Economic Development Planning grants. These funds will enable our communities to further invest in the fundamentals that sustain and grow their economies.”
“This funding from the Seaport Economic Council will act as a crucial catalyst for economic growth in our important coastal and maritime communities,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “These grants empower our communities to further innovate and leverage their unique advantages to fulfill job and economic growth, simultaneously steering Massachusetts towards greater affordability, equity, and competitiveness.”
"As a valuable resource for our coastal communities, the Seaport Economic Council plays a crucial role in providing essential funding to drive innovative ideas and infrastructure projects, fostering job growth,” said Undersecretary of Economic Foundations Ashley Stolba, Vice Chair of the Seaport Economic Council. “We are proud to invest in our communities through these grants, contributing to statewide growth across all sectors.”
The Seaport Economic Council serves all 78 of Massachusetts’ diverse coastal communities and helps each use their unique economic assets to grow the economy and unlock job creation. The Council also assists communities to prepare for the impacts of climate change and awards competitive grants that offer flexible funding for locally grown ideas and projects.
The Seaport Economic Council has completed its solicitation for projects to be funded under Executive Order 587 and is funded through the Massachusetts Five-Year Capital Plan.
Seaport Economic Council Grants:
Town of Amesbury, Washington Landing Maritime Support Facility - $840,000 The project includes the shoreline restoration and revitalization of the Washington Landing Maritime Support Facility along the Merrimack River in Amesbury. The four main capital components of the project include: replacement of the boat ramp; addition of approx. 900 SF of landside boardwalk area to support the harbormaster office and access to the boat ramp; installation of a gangway and 100’ finger dock for the boat ramp facility and transient vessels; and improvements to the parking area and restoration of the living shoreline adjacent the boat ramp.
Town of Fall River & FRRA, Development Plan for North Point at City Pier and Three Mooring Fields - $396,000 The Fall River Redevelopment Authority (FRRA) will procure consultant services to: 1) Plan improvements for an overgrown spit of land, a part of the City Pier/600 Davol St. property, to replace invasive species with native vegetation and repair a deteriorated and eroding embankment to create a new fishing and recreation area while restoring the shoreline ecology; and 2) the addition of three new mooring fields along Fall River’s waterfront.
Town of Falmouth, Simpson's Landing New Bulkhead (Phase II, Construction) - $344,000 This project will replace the failing town bulkhead at Simpson's Landing located at the corner of Scranton Ave and Clinton Ave. This will be a new 115 LF bulkhead abutting the federal channel. The commercial loading and unloading bulkhead is located at the mouth of Falmouth Harbor next to the Clam Shack property. This bulkhead is used for commercial purposes including commercial fish landings, commuter boats, and permitted fueling by tanker trucks. It is the only commercial dock the town operates in Falmouth Harbor.
Town of Milton, Milton Landing Seawall & Access Improvements - $140,800 This project seeks to simultaneously increase the useability and accessibility of the waterfront by performing the necessary engineering work to significantly upgrade the dock system to add ADA accessibility and use by a wider variety of users, while also restoring the seawall to ensure that these improvements are resilient to the effects of the climate crisis.
Town of Provincetown, MacMillan Pier Security, Public Safety, and Commercial Fishing Improvements - $800,000 The PPPC as an entity was created by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2000 to operate and maintain MacMillan Pier. The 1,450 LF structure is a vital piece of public infrastructure, providing capacity for passenger ferry service, charter vessels, and commercial fishing. A waterfront inspection identified immediate concerns related to public safety and commercial catch offloading. In order to address these concerns, the PPPC proposes to replace the existing hoists, provide emergency ladders, install security cameras, and provide upgraded utility service and structural upgrades to the hoist locations.
Town of Scituate, Schematic Design of a New Harbormaster Facility - $128,000 The new facility will contribute to the harbor’s resilient infrastructure as well as address accessibility. The new facility will be designed to provide increased accessibility and support to the commercial and recreational activities of Scituate Harbor, which has both a vibrant and active fishing and maritime industries, as well as accommodations for recreational boaters. The new facility will feature accommodations for the public, a maintenance facility, harbormaster training center, and accommodations for search and rescue personnel during storm events.
About the Seaport Economic Council
The Seaport Economic Council advances the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s support for communities and residents across the state by leveraging unique economic assets to drive sustainable regional growth.
The Seaport Economic Council was re-launched in August 2015, with a mission to deepen the maritime economy, promote economic development, and support resilient infrastructure in all 78 of Massachusetts’ coastal communities while preparing them to engage with the challenges posed by sea level rise and increasingly powerful coastal storms. The council’s capital grant program supports working waterfronts, local tourism, coastal resiliency, and maritime innovation, from the North Shore to Cape Cod and the South Coast.
Since August 2015, the Seaport Economic Council has invested over $93 million in the Commonwealth’s coastal communities.
司法部代理檢察官Levy,
AAG Olsen，以及聯邦調查局SAC
Cohen在1月25日作此宣佈。美國助理檢察官Timothy
H. Kistner，以及國家安全組的Alathea
E. Porter，在反情報及外銷控制組初審檢察官Menno
Goedman的協助下承辦此案。
Berklee College of Music Student
Convicted of Stalking, Threatening Individual Promoting Democracy in China
Thursday,
January 25, 2024
Defendant,
a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, initiated stalking and threats
campaign against individual who promoted freedom and democracy in China
BOSTON
– A Berklee College of Music student, who is a citizen of the People’s Republic
of China (PRC), was convicted by a federal jury in Boston today of stalking and
threatening an individual who posted fliers in support of democracy in China
around the Berklee campus area.
Xiaolei Wu, 26, was convicted following a four-day jury
trial of one count of cyberstalking and one count of interstate transmissions
of threatening communication. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper
scheduled sentencing for April 24, 2024. Wu was arrested and charged by
criminal complaint in December 2022 and subsequently
indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2023.
“No one in this country
should ever be subjected to threats of violence or a cyberstalking harassment
campaign for expressing their political views. Mr. Wu now stands as a convicted
felon for his illegal efforts to suppress speech by a fellow Berklee School of
Music student who was critical of the government of China. This type of conduct
will never be tolerated,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.
“The Department of Justice is committed to safeguarding the fundamental right
to free speech for all. Our office will hold accountable individuals whose
actions threaten or violate this fundamental tenet of our democratic society.”
“Today’s verdict by a jury in the District of Massachusetts
underscores the Department’s commitment to ensuring all U.S. residents are able
to freely exercise their fundamental rights,” said Assistant Attorney General
Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
“What Xiaolei Wu did in attempting to silence and
intimidate an activist who expressed dissension with the ruling Communist Party
of China is not only criminal, but completely against our country’s democratic
values,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, Boston Division. “Today’s conviction upholds one of our most
fundamental rights –freedom of speech –and the FBI will ensure that anyone who
tries to infringe on this right using threats or harassment will face the same
fate as Mr. Wu.”
On Oct. 22, 2022, while Wu was attending the Berklee
College of Music, an individual posted a flier on or near the Berklee College
of Music campus which said, “Stand with Chinese People,” as well as, “We Want
Freedom,” and “We Want Democracy.” Beginning on or about Oct. 22, 2022, and
continuing until Oct. 24, 2022, Wu made a series of communications via WeChat,
email and Instagram directed towards the victim who posted the flier.
Among other things, Wu said, “Post more, I will chop your
bastard hands off.” He also told the victim that he had informed the public
security agency in China about the victim’s actions and that the public
security agency in China would “greet” the victim’s family. Additionally, Wu
solicited others to find out where the victim was living, publicly posted the
victim’s email address in the hopes that others would abuse the victim online,
and he reported the victim’s information back to a member of the Chinese
government.
The charge of cyberstalking provides for a sentence up to
five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to
$250,000. The charge of interstate transmissions of threatening communication
provides for a sentence up to five years in prison, three years of supervised
release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal
district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes
which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy, AAG Olsen and FBI SAC Cohen made
the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy H. Kistner and Alathea
E. Porter of the National Security Unit are prosecuting the case with the
assistance of Counterintelligence and Export Control Section Trial Attorney
Menno Goedman.
Governor
Healey Signs Executive Order Directing State Agencies to Institute
Skills-Based Hiring
Through
the “Lead by Example” Employer Talent Initiative, Healey-Driscoll
Administration will work with business community
to eliminate unnecessary education
requirements and increase job opportunities
NEWTON – In her address to the Associated Industries of
Massachusetts (AIM) today,Governor Healey announced that she
signed an executive
order instituting
skills-based hiring practices for the state’s workforce. Through this Executive
Order, for the vast majority of job postings, the administration will
focus primarily on applicants’ skills, knowledge, and abilities rather
than educational credentials. Job postings will only be allowed to
include degree conditions when absolutely necessary to the
performance of the job. Additionally, for the first time,
hiring managers will receive training and tools to implement this new
hiring strategy effectively.
“As the state’s largest employer, we rely on a strong,
diverse workforce to deliver crucial services and programs for Massachusetts
residents, businesses and communities every day. But too many job
applicants are being held back by unnecessary degree requirements,” said Governor
Healey. “This Executive Order directs our administration to focus on
applicants’ skills and experiences, rather than college credentials. It will
expand our applicant pool and help us build a more inclusive and
skilled workforce than ever before. Our administration
is leading by example, and we encourage the business community to
join us by adopting similar skills-based hiring practices.”
“Our administration recognizes that job applicants have a wide
range of skills and that nobody can be reduced to a line on a resume,”
said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “We have so many jobs
across the state that need to be filled and we have qualified,
talented workers who want them. We just need to lower the barriers to
entry, which is exactly what this Executive Order aims to do. We look
forward to continuing to share our lessons learned and best practices with the
business community as we all work toward these common goals.”
The Executive Order directs all executive departments and agencies
to utilize skills-based employment practices to attract, recruit,
hire, retain, and develop workers. The Executive Order also requires the
completion of a skills-based hiring training course for all agency managers and
support teams and ensure job postings and interview questions promote a
candidate’s set of skills, knowledge, and abilities. Additionally, as part of
the Administration’s “Lead by Example” Employer Talent Initiative,
the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development will collaborate
with private, non-profit, and government employers to develop and publish best
practices resources for the broader business community to also adopt
skills-based hiring strategies.
“Massachusetts has an incredible opportunity to leverage its
platform as a major employer, lead by example, and encourage more
employers to do the same,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce
Development Lauren Jones. “As employers, including the Commonwealth,
embrace a skills-based hiring practice, we will collectively open more
opportunities to hire, retain, and develop the diverse, skilled talent
employers need to grow and thrive in regions across the state.”
The Executive Order also calls for new job postings not to
specify a
minimum level of education as an entrance requirement unless it is
determined that a particular level of education is necessary to perform
the job. While
only 7 percent of current positions require an education
requirement, the state’s Human Resources Division (HRD) will routinely
review positions to determine if education requirements are
necessary to perform the job.
As part of its guidance to departments and agencies, HRD will
develop tools for skills-based recruiting such as identifying and reducing
bias, writing a job description, and creating a recruitment plan. HRD will
also provide best practices when screening and interviewing candidates. As
part of a skills-based hiring strategy, the Healey-Driscoll Administration aims
to reduce unconscious bias in the workplace by focusing on
eliminating biases during the hiring process.
Residents interested in a career in state government, including
roles in health, human services, transportation, IT, finance, housing, economic
and workforce development, veterans’ services, energy, climate,
environmental affairs, public safety, and education, can visit the MassCareers
website for job opportunities.
她指出，麻州爭取到聯邦政府透過晶片及科學法 (CHIPS and Science Act)，把麻州選為東北部微電子樞紐 (Northeast Microelectronics Hub)，要撥給2000萬元，在劍橋市為國防部設立「健康高級研究計畫署(“Advanced
Research Projects Agency for Health)」，以及推出「麻州人才 (MassTalent)」，幫雇主找到適用人才等努力，也都有關係。
Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces 2024 Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Training Grant Program Awards
78,000 employees from 227 municipalities and public school districts will receive cybersecurity awareness training
BOSTON – Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the 2024 Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program award recipients. Administered by the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security and its Office of Municipal and School Technology, this program will provide 78,000 employees from 227 municipalities and public school districts across Massachusetts with critical cybersecurity training to better detect and avoid cyber threats.
The 2024 Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program is designed to support local government efforts to improve overall cyber readiness through comprehensive online end-user training, evaluation and threat simulation. Awarded communities will receive licenses for end-user training, assessment and phishing simulation procured by the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS).
Program participants begin their training with an initial cyber strength assessment to measure baseline cybersecurity awareness. Following the assessments, periodic assessments consisting of training modules and simulated phishing email campaigns help participants build good cyber hygiene habits to increase their awareness of deceptive techniques used by bad actors to gain unauthorized access to government systems. At the end of the program, participants complete a final cyber strength assessment to measure their progress.
“Our administration is committed to partnering with our municipalities to move forward on our shared IT and cybersecurity goals” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are thrilled to see so many cities and towns prioritize cyber readiness through the Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Training Grant Program.” “Programs like the Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant really move the needle with our municipal workforce, which is where the rubber meets the road on cybersecurity,” said Lt. Governor Kimberley Driscoll. “This program, provided at no cost to municipalities or employees taking the training, makes clear that cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility, whether we have IT in our job titles or not.”
“In my time as the Commonwealth CIO I’ve had a chance to talk to municipal officials from all over the state.” said Secretary of Technology Services and Security Jason Snyder. “In every discussion, cybersecurity comes up as a top priority. EOTSS is proud to advance the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s priority of supporting municipal cybersecurity readiness. We work best in Massachusetts when state and municipal organizations work together, and this grant program exemplifies this commitment.”
The Commonwealth offers the training program free to municipal organizations, who are further supported with quarterly threat briefings and weekly newsletters with cybersecurity best practices and program updates provided by the EOTSS Office of Municipal and School Technology. Municipal information technology officials also receive monthly summary progress reports that detail the number of employees who inadvertently clicked on malicious links contained in the simulated phishing emails, offering important visibility on the threat landscape.
這份年度預算將維持4億7500萬元的「麻州關愛兒童
(Commonwealth Cares for Children ，簡稱C3)」補助，支持所有學生享有學校所提供餐食，以2400萬元來繼續辦理「麻州重新連接
(MassReconnect)」計畫，為25歲以上，無大學文憑者，提供免費進社區學院上學的機會，也維持把1%的政府開支保留給能源及環境事務廳。
這份預算案也提議新設一個「救災及抗災基金 (Disaster Relief and Resiliency Fund)」，以其麻州能更快因應例如去年遭遇到的大淹水等天然災害。這筆經費將以年度資本利得餘額的10%為上限。
Governor
Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll File $56.1 Billion Fiscal Year
2025 Budget
Balanced,
responsible, and forward-looking spending plan aims to make Massachusetts more
affordable and improve quality of life through education, infrastructure and
housing investments
Governor
also filed an Executive Order creating a Transportation Funding Task
Force to make recommendations for a long-term, sustainable transportation
finance plan
BOSTON – The
Healey-Driscoll Administration today filed its Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25)
budget recommendation, a $56.1 billion plan that responsibly controls spending growth
while investing in education, infrastructure and housing to make
Massachusetts more affordable and improve quality of life.
“Our Fiscal Year 2025 budget
proposal is balanced, responsible and forward-looking. It protects taxpayer
dollars while also making crucial investments to lower costs for people and
improve quality of life,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Together, we
can make child care more affordable and accessible for families, ensure
every student is receiving a high-quality education, and improve our public
transportation, roads and bridges. We thank the Legislature for their
consideration of our proposal and look forward to our partnership throughout
the budget process.”
“As a former mayor, and someone who
has traveled around the state listening to our local officials, I’m proud of
the way that this budget proposal responds to local needs,” said Lieutenant
Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re fully funding the Student
Opportunity Act to make sure our K-12 schools have equitable access to the
resources their students and educators need. We’re also increasing the
amount of local aid going to cities and towns and boosting Chapter 90
funding to improve roads and bridges, particularly in rural
communities.”
This budget, filed as House 2,
fully funds the fourth year of the Student Opportunity Act, increases local
aid, and pays for the next phase in of the historic tax cuts enacted
last year that will begin delivering savings to Massachusetts residents this
Spring.
Additionally, the budget proposes
to invest $1.3 billion in revenue generated by the
voter-approved Fair Share surtax to support transformative
investments in education and transportation. These include the
administration’s new Gateway to Pre-K initiative,
which puts Massachusetts on the path to universal Pre-K access
in Gateway Cities by 2026 and would expand child care financial
assistance to thousands more families. It also includes the new Literacy Launch
program,
a transformative plan to improve early literacy education and ensure students
receive the highest quality, evidence-based reading instruction
available.
The administration also
proposed utilizing Fair Share funds to increase funding for
roads and bridges, including dedicated road aid for rural communities,
implement a low-income fares program at the MBTA, and make a new
investment of $250 million in transportation that will leverage $1.1
billion in borrowing over the next five years to tackle long overdue
deferred maintenance. House 2 also follows through on Governor
Healey’s commitment to propose doubling operating assistance for the
MBTA.
House 2 maintains $475 million
in Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grants,
fully supports universal school meals, continues the MassReconnect program
to provide no-cost community college for students aged 25 and
older, and maintains 1 percent of total spending for the Executive
Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
House 2 also proposes to create a
new Disaster Relief and Resiliency Fund to better set up Massachusetts to
be able to respond quickly to natural disasters, such as the flooding
experienced over the past year. This fund would be capitalized with 10 percent
of annual excess capital gains, in addition to public and/or private sources,
federal grants, settlements, repayments, or reimbursements available for the
purpose of delivering aid.
Transportation Funding Task Force
Alongside this budget, Governor
Healey signed an executive order to create a new Transportation Funding
Task Force. This Task Force will be composed of public and private-sector
leaders, representing communities of all sizes across Massachusetts, that
will spend the next 12 months examining the state’s transportation
system and developing recommendations for a long-term, sustainable
transportation finance plan that can support safely and reliably support road,
rail and transit systems throughout our state.
Supplemental Budget
Governor Healey also
filed alongside House 2 a supplemental budget to cover known
deficiencies in the emergency assistance shelter system for FY24 and
exposures in FY25. The legislation will be consistent with the blueprint
already published proposing to move the balance of the Transitional Escrow
Fund to a new fund that can be used to support housing development, as
well as shelter costs for the current fiscal year and into FY25.
House 2 Overview
House 2 proposes
$56.1 billion in gross spending, excluding Fair Share surtax and
Medical Assistance Trust Fund spending, which represents 2.9 percent
spending growth over the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) General Appropriations Act.
This growth rate is below the current rate of inflation, based on the Consumer
Price Index, and recognizes that the consensus revenue estimate of $40.2
billion was essentially flat from projections used to build the FY24
budget.
Additionally, this budget
proposes to spend $1.3 billion from the Fair Share surtax on transportation and
education in accordance with the consensus revenue estimate developed
with legislative leaders and in keeping with the transparent mechanism
establish in FY24 to track surtax spending.
In light of flat tax
revenues, the House 2 recommendation utilizes a thoughtful
combination of funding sources to ensure a responsibly balanced budget.
Importantly, this budget does not raise broad-based taxes
or utilize any funding from the Stabilization
Fund balance, which has grown to a record high of over $8
billion and would continue to grow under House 2.
The consensus revenue estimate
assumes $2 billion in total capital gains revenue. This
blueprint allows for a portion of capital gains tax revenues above
the statutory threshold, not to exceed $375 million, to be
retained as a last resort to balance the budget and sustain essential
programs.
In short, this budget continues
needed investments in housing, education, transportation and healthcare,
while being fiscally responsible in light of reduced revenue growth.
Spending is also supported by several
one-time and new recurring resources, including a proposal to move
the Lottery online and a tax amnesty program to help make sure Massachusetts
can collect the taxes it’s owed.
The recommendation proposes to
continue to use excess capital gains to build the Stabilization Fund balance,
address pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities, and fund a
new Disaster and Resiliency Trust Fund. The budget recommendation
maintains the state’s commitment to fully fund its pension liability by
2036 with $4.5 billion in FY25, a $395 million increase over the FY24
contribution. Projected sales tax revenues will enable a $1.5 billion
transfer to support the operations of the MBTA and $1.3 billion will be
transferred to the Massachusetts School Building Authority to support school
construction across the state. The budget also commits $27 million for the
Workforce Training Fund to support the state’s workforce, competitiveness, and
engine for growth.
“Recognizing our tightening fiscal
environment, this budget responsibly controls spending and limits growths
without jeopardizing the progress and impact we’ve been able to make over the
past year working to make our education systems, tax code and housing more
affordable for the people of Massachusetts,” said Secretary of
Administration and Finance Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “We have been able
identify and invest in critical areas like child care and public transit
while also putting the state on a path toward sustainability.”
Fair Share
For just the second year, House 2
proposes to use revenue generated from the 4 percent Fair Share surtax on income
above $1 million to invest in education and transportation. The FY25 House
2 budget recommends $1.3 billion for programs ranging from financial aid for
public higher education to implementing low-income fares at the MBTA – all
focused on transformative investments for improving affordability, equity, and
competitiveness across the state.
House 2 recommends the
following investments across the two priorities:
Notably, in education, House 2
proposes to use $150 million to supplement spending in the operating
budget to maintain $475 million for C3 grants to support and
stabilize the early education and care system. Another $21 million for the Commonwealth
Preschool Partnership Program will enable a $38.6 million total FY25 investment
to put the state on a path to universal Pre-K starting with all Gateway Cities
by 2026. Fair Share funds will also support $30 million for
Literacy Launch to promote quality reading instruction for young learners
and $75 million to expand access to child care financial
assistance for families up to 85 percent of the state median income.
In transportation, a new investment
of $250 million in the Commonwealth Transportation Fund will increase the
borrowing capacity of the CTF by $1.1 billion over the next five year enabling
the advancement of major infrastructure projects around the state. Fair Share
spending will also support $124 million in supplemental Chapter 90
spending to cities and towns to support maintenance of local roads and
sidewalks, including $24 million dedicated directly to rural communities.
Another $45 million would enable the MBTA to implement a low-income fare
relief system wide, and $15 million would go to support fare equity at Regional
Transit Authorities.
Local Aid
The Healey-Driscoll Administration
recognizes that the partnership between the state and its cities and towns is
pivotal to building the communities in which people want to live, work, play,
and stay.
The Fiscal Year 2025 budget
proposal fully funds the fourth-year implementation of the SOA, dedicating
$6.86 billion to Chapter 70 education aid. This is a $271 million, or 4 percent
increase, over FY24. House 2 would guarantee a minimum aid increase of $30
per pupil.
House 2 also proposes to fund
Unrestricted General Government Aid at $1.3 billion, a $38 million, or 3
percent, increase over Fiscal Year 2024, and fully funds the Special
Education Circuit Breaker at $492.2 million. When combined with $75 million of
supplemental funding from the Fiscal Year 2023 close-out budget that will be
available across Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025, $567 million in total
Special Education Circuit Breaker funding would be available to meet all
projected district claims and this reflects the full phase-in of
out-of-district transportation cost reimbursement provided for in the SOA.
This budget also recommends an
increase of $2.4 million, or 2 percent over Fiscal Year 2024, for regional
school transportation reimbursements. Overall, Local Aid to cities and towns
totals $8.7 billion, a $269.4 million, or 3 percent, increase, over Fiscal Year
2024.
Education
Early Education and Care
·$475
million for Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grants to providers to
stabilize the early education and care system
·$20 million
for provider rate increases above sustained FY24 increase
·$38.6
million for the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative
·$5
million for early childhood mental health supports, with an
additional $5 million in Fair Share to be utilized across the
Executive Office of Education
·$10
million for career pathways program for early educators
Higher Education
·$80 million to sustain the expansion of MASSGrant Plus and
maintain FY24 financial aid expansion
·Covers tuition, fees, books, and supply costs for Pell
Grant-eligible students and reduces out-of-pocket expenses for middle-income
students ($73 K to $100 K AGI) by up to half
·$24 million for MassReconnect, an increase of $4 million
·$24.9 million for mental health supports
·$8.8 million for foster care financial aid and fee waiver programs
to support over 1,400 Department of Children and Families eligible students
attending private and public campuses
·$14 million for the Community College SUCCESS fund
·$125 million in Fair Share funding to support capital improvements
across campuses, including lab and instructional facilities, infrastructure
modernization, decarbonization, and critical repairs
Transportation
MassDOT
·$588 million for MassDOT operations including Highway, RMV, Rail
and Transit, and Aeronautics
·$56 million for safety, service and sustainability programs
MBTA
·$314 million in direct operating support, doubling the $127
million in direct operating support in FY24 and maintaining $60 million
for pay-go capital; This is in addition to $1.5 billion in projected sales
tax revenue transfer
·$45 million for the FY25 implementation of Low Income Fare
Relief
Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs)
·$94 million
for RTA base funding
·$75 million
in Fair Share funds to support operational improvements and expand access,
including:
o$56 million for regional transit funding and grants
o$15 million for RTA fare equity programs
o$4 million for grants to expand mobility options
Economic Development
·$7.5
million for Small Business Technical Assistance Grants
·Launches a
new Entrepreneur-In-Residence Program to help keep international graduates of
Massachusetts colleges and universities in the state upon graduation
·Builds a
Reciprocity Ombudsperson Unit at the Division of Occupational Licensure to
guide those seeking licensure from other jurisdictions through the process
in Massachusetts
·Creates
technical assistance support for the Business Front Door, which aims to
transform the way businesses interact with state government
·Funds
capacity at the executive office to take the lead on priorities such as
siting and permitting, technical assistance for businesses, and
“Climatech”
·$10 million
for the Massachusetts Life Science Center (MLSC)
·$8.5
million for initiatives at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to
support workforce, manufacturing, cybersecurity, and the innovation
economy
Housing and Homelessness
·$219
million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), a 22 percent
increase, to support over 10,000 voucher holders by the end of FY25
·$112
million for subsidies for Local Housing Authorities, including an increase for
local tenant organizations to match the federal rate ($25/unit)
·$16.5
million for the Rental Subsidy Program for DMH clients, which will preserve 220
additional rental vouchers created in FY24
·$197.4
million for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT),
preserving a maximum benefit of $7,000 over 12 months
·$57.3
million for HomeBASE, maintaining a benefit level of $45,000 over 36
months to connect EA-eligible families with more permanent housing
opportunities
·$3
million for Housing Assistance for Re-Entry Transition, providing
transitional housing and rental vouchers to support adults exiting
incarceration
·$325
million for Emergency Assistance Family Shelter (EA) program, with remaining
need to be funded through accompanying supplemental budget
Climate and Environment
For the second year in a row, the
Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY25 budget would guarantee that climate and
environmental programing through the Executive Office of Energy and
Environmental Affairs is funded at 1 percent of the overall budget – $572.1
million. This represents a $14.2 million, or 3 percent, increase over
FY24, including $5.6 million to establish new technical
assistance programs for culverts, small bridges, and dams, as well as
funding for a new carbon sequestration program.
·$25 million to support Food Security Infrastructure Grants
·$30 million for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to
support workforce training programs in the clean energy industry, clean
transportation adoption, and an energy retrofit pilot program
·$4.8 million for a decarbonization clearinghouse (one-stop
shop for energy efficiency, electrification, and storage)
·$1.7 million for sampling at landfills and water facilities
for PFAS
·$1.5 million to expand air quality monitoring statewide
·$1.5 million for climate and drought resilience through the
Dept. of Environmental Protection
Labor and Workforce Development
·$15.7
million for Summer Jobs Program for At-Risk Youth (Youthworks) to subsidize
wages and facilitate career development of at-risk youth between the ages of 14
and 25
·$10.4
million for Career Technical Institutes (CTIs), which aim to close skills
training gaps by expanding access to vocational education, across EOL and
Education
·$10 million
for MassHire Career Centers to provide regional workforce training and employee
placement services across 29 locations
·$3.8
million for the Registered Apprenticeship Program to fund approximately 1,000
placements for registered apprentices in FY25
Health and Human Services
·$390 million for Chapter 257 provider rate increases
benchmarked to the 53% of BLS salaries and $249.9 million to annualize
FY24 rate increases
·$112.9 million for collective bargaining increases and $75 M
to support direct care staffing needs shifted from off-budget reserve
·$90.3 million to support and Turning 22 classes
·$44.2 million to meet projected need in TAFDC and EAEDC
benefits
·$17 million increase for behavioral health initiatives
at DMH to expand inpatient and community capacity
·$10 million for the development of intensive care program models
for high-need youth
·$5 million for reducing and eliminating copays for
low-income Home Care clients at EOEA
·$4.9 million for certificate programs, recruitment bonuses, and
expanded access to licensing to expand the CNA workforce
·$3.1 million for postpartum care services for DCF clients
with substance use disorders
·$2.5 million to continue new home and community-based service
programs to help DDS clients remain in their homes
·$2.1 million for youth delinquency prevention through the
Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program (MYDP) at DYS
MassHealth
MassHealth, the Commonwealth’s
Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), provides coverage of
health care and related critical services to over 2 million members, including
over 40 percent of Massachusetts children and over 60 percent of Massachusetts
residents living in nursing facilities. MassHealth maintains affordable,
equitable, comprehensive health care coverage for members.
In Fiscal Year 2025, MassHealth
will continue to ensure access to high-quality services while managing the loss
of ~$1 billion of annual federal revenue during the pandemic and significant
health care cost growth over the past two years.
House 2 recommends $20.3 billion
gross/$8.2 billion net for MassHealth, an increase of $730 million gross/$440
million net above estimated Fiscal Year 2024 spending. These growth figures
assume the implementation of substantial savings initiatives, including
enhanced program integrity efforts, additional federal revenue streams, and
targeted reductions in spending.
Despite these fiscal headwinds, the
budget proposal proposes investments that advance MassHealth’s priorities,
which are: (1) advancing health equity, (2) simplifying member experience and
improving customer service, (3) strengthening behavioral health and primary
care, and (4) promoting member independence.
MassHealth targeted investments to
improve access to care, include:
·~$70 million in targeted rate investments that address workforce
challenges across community-based nursing and direct care workers.
·$5 million to improve access to wheelchair repair services.
·~$60 million in rate investments in behavioral health, primary
care and maternity care
·$10 million of infrastructure funding for correctional partners in
advance of implementing MassHealth coverage 90 days before release from jail or
prison settings.
Public Safety
·$35 million to enhance equity and eliminate barriers to
communication through implementing No Cost Calls across all correctional
facilities, including those run by county sheriff departments
·$16 million in operating budget savings through the closure of MCI
Concord; Incarcerated individuals and staff members transferred to nearby
facilities by July 1, 2024
·$2 million for the State Police Cadet Program; $10.3 million for
91st State Police Recruit Training Troop.
·$5.6 million for State Police body-worn cameras for all sworn
Troopers
·$10.7 million to maintain support for reentry
initiatives across DOC and EPS
·$2 million to sustain the Safe Neighborhood Initiative
Serving Our Veterans
·Fully covers the cost of implementing the HERO Act
o$4.3 million to increase Ch.115 annuity payments from $2,000
to $2,250
o$1.0 million revenue reduction to waive veteran license plate
fees
·Maintains support for the Commonwealth’s veterans and makes
critical staffing and infrastructure investments at the Chelsea and Holyoke
Soldiers' Homes
·Prepares for the opening of new Soldiers' Homes facilities:
Technology and Cybersecurity
·Creates the Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board, and
the position of Chief IT Accessibility Officer (CIAO)
