By Bob Katzen
“Our various faith traditions have much in common, the most basic of which is their mandate to welcome the stranger and to do right by those least among us. Having heard and seen the horrors brought forth by ICE, CoreCivic and GEO Group this past year alone, we cannot stand by and allow our dollars to be used to dehumanize and in some cases kill our neighbors.”
— Rev. Ray Hammond, spokesperson for Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, criticizing Citizens Bank for financing CoreCivic and GEO Group, two private prison companies responsible for managing ICE detention centers nationwide.
“These awards are about trusting communities to lead and giving them the resources to get results. Across Massachusetts, Community Development Corporations and support organizations are building housing, strengthening families and expanding opportunity block by block.”
— Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias announcing $12.8 million in Community Investment Tax Credits to 52 Community Development Corporations and Support Organizations across Massachusetts. These awards will support local nonprofit organizations as they advance affordable housing development and preservation, strengthen neighborhood-based programs and expand economic opportunity in communities across the state.
“President Trump’s illegal tariffs have increased costs for every Massachusetts business and resident. It’s important that refunds are now available, and I encourage eligible businesses to apply.”
— Gov. Healey encouraging Massachusetts businesses to apply for refunds from the federal government if they were charged for President Trump’s illegal tariffs. The Supreme Court struck down the tariffs earlier this year.
“This ruling is a decisive rejection of the federal government’s attempt to intimidate providers and deny young people access to medically necessary, life-saving care. The harm from these threats is already being felt, including here in Massachusetts where some providers have scaled back or declined to offer care out of fear of federal retaliation.”
—Attorney General Andrea Campbell on Massachusetts and a coalition of 21 other states securing a federal court order blocking an unlawful attempt by the Trump Administration to threaten healthcare providers that provide care for youth with gender dysphoria.