星期四, 12月 31, 2020

2020年最後一日 美國新冠病毒確診人數打破2000萬大關 新增確診麻州6887 美國230,337 世界 675,313 新增死亡麻州81 美國 3764 世界 12,450









 

羅德島華人基督教會音樂會Sandra Wright Shen談彈莫札特,貝多芬等名作曲家靈感泉源

史坦威鋼琴藝術家Sandra Wright Shen(右) 和羅德島華人
基督教會開遙距音樂會。(周菊子攝)







羅德島華人基督教會遙距聚會,共期來年平安健康。

 

波士頓市議員Ed Flynn 向華埠居民拜年



 

波士頓公校系統前華裔家長感覺隱形 亞裔/華裔在少數族裔中消失

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 亞裔,或者更應該說華裔在波士頓的處境,到底如何? 波士頓環球報1229日所刊登文章的標題,亞裔家庭說和波士頓公校系統打交道時,他們彷彿成了隱形人(Asian families say they feel invisible in dealing with BPS)”,把華裔,亞裔多年來避而不談,甚至不想的問題,暴露在更多人面前。

               波士頓公校系統(BPS)是因為今年新冠病毒大流行,因此提出三所考試學校慣例的以考試招生做法暫停一年,改為按照郵遞區號及學校成績分配名額。

               波士頓公校有5萬多名學生,亞裔學生僅佔約10%,但在三所考試學校中的拉丁學校(Latin School)約佔三分之一,在拉丁學院(Latin Academy)及奧布萊恩數學及科學學校(the O’Bryant School of Math and Science.)各約佔五分之一。一旦考試改分配,許多亞裔學生將失去上這三所好學校的機會。

亞裔家長們為此格外積極地參加了波士頓學校委員會就此提案召開的會議。學校委員會主席Michael Loconto在這網路會中模仿、嘲笑華裔家長姓名發音,不慎從視頻流露出去,引發批評,自行辭職。波士頓市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)批評Loconto的行為不可接受,其後邀請波士頓公校總監Brenda Cassellius和亞裔家長座談。在這會議中,Cassellius承認會議未適當的提供翻譯,家長們,以及一名公校老師指出,波士頓公校多年來一直忽視亞裔家庭,教育者,社區領袖們的顧慮,經常讓他們覺得不受尊重,或有如隱形人。

也有家長指波士頓公校習慣性的把所有亞裔學生都當成優異生,不需特別照顧,尤其是那些需要特殊教育的亞裔學生,於是處境格外艱難。

但是亞裔在波士頓公校有如隱形人的情況,在整個美國社會也差不多。

            今年五月,黑人George Floyd在明尼蘇達州(Minnesota)明尼阿波利斯(Minneapolis)被白人警察殺死,全美各地掀起的黑人的命也重要(Black Life Matters)”抗議,暴動一連持續數個月,呼籲削減警察經費,譴責種族歧視,要求改革警察制度等行動,一波又一波。

                 麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)(1231)日才簽署了警察改革法案。波士頓市市長馬丁華殊(Martin J Walsh)10月份也宣佈同意波士頓警察改革工作小組提的所有建議,還成立了一個公平包容內閣(equity and inclusion cabinet)”,指派女性黑人Karilyn Crockett博士擔任該內閣首長,另外還設了一個初步1000萬元,目標5000萬元的波士頓族裔平等基金(Boston Racial Equity Fund)”

                  無論是麻州州長,波士頓市市長,英文媒體,或是一個又一個的民間社團組織,在談到這BLM運動,說起族裔歧視時,都在一遍又一遍的說,要平等對待黑及棕色社區(Black and Brown community)”,也就是黑人和西班牙語系,拉丁裔人。

亞裔呢? 完全被他們遺忘了。

亞裔自己,也有部分亞裔認為當年馬丁路德金倡議平權運動,亞裔才得以擺脫受壓抑困境,所以亞裔欠了黑人社區人情,應該支持BLM,至於談及少數族裔,只說Black and Brown,完全沒反應,或是認為很應該。

在美國社會中一直以來是模範少數族裔的啞裔,如果不是因為波士頓公校要改考試制度,如果不是因為學校委員會主席嘲笑華裔家長姓名的發音,在波士頓的亞裔,可能還繼續是啞裔

波士頓學校委員會曾經有華裔阮浩鑾牙醫師,一名陳姓律師擔任委員,但自從他們兩人先後卸任以來,迄今已逾10年無華人擔任委員。Loconto辭職後,波士頓市府曾發佈通知,有兩個委員席缺,但並未聽聞有人申請。

125所學校的波士頓公校系統,在最高峰時期有5名華裔校長,但現在大概只有昆士小學的司徒玉英,以及昆士中學的張可仁兩人。

亞裔,華裔在美的處境,還是得靠華裔,亞裔自己來爭取。

Governor Baker Signs Police Reform Legislation

 Governor Baker Signs Police Reform Legislation

 BOSTON –  Governor Charlie Baker today signed “An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth,” which creates a mandatory certification process for police officers, increases accountability and transparency in law enforcement and gives police departments a greater ability to hire or promote only qualified applicants.    

 “This bill is the product of bipartisan cooperation and thanks to the Black and Latino Caucus’ leadership on the hugely important issue of law enforcement accountability, Massachusetts will have one of the best laws in the nation,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Police officers have enormously difficult jobs and we are grateful they put their lives on the line every time they go to work. Thanks to final negotiations on this bill, police officers will have a system they can trust and our communities will be safer for it.”

 “This legislation will bring Massachusetts in line with forty-six other states by adopting a mandatory certification process for police officers, creating more accountability and transparency while providing departments the ability to make more informed hiring and recruitment decisions,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We are grateful to the Legislature for their commitment to getting this significant legislation passed and believe this bill will help best serve all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns.”

 “In a deeply challenging year for the dedicated men and women in law enforcement, this reform will create meaningful opportunities for us to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the values of honesty, integrity and accountability,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Thomas Turco. “As we implement these measures, our work remains focused on strengthening preparedness, preventing crime at every level and building positive relationships in the communities we serve.”

 “I am proud that the House lived up to its vow of listening to folks with lived experience in enacting one of the most comprehensive approaches to police reform in the United States since the tragic murder of George Floyd,” said former House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo. “My unyielding gratitude to Speaker Mariano and Chairs Cronin, Michlewitz and González for their persistent effort to improve our law enforcement system. I am confident that the House of Representatives will build on this achievement in the time ahead and am humbled that legislation which promotes fairness and equality are part of the House’s legacy.”

 “The effort to dismantle institutional and structural racism that exists in our Commonwealth must be both a sprint and a marathon,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D – Ashland). “This bill was a necessary first step towards achieving systemic change through law enforcement accountability and transparency, but I recognize that we must continue to address barriers to racial equity in a comprehensive way. I am proud of everyone who marched for equity and justice, who continued to raise their voices throughout the process of getting this bill finalized, and who will hold us accountable as we continue this work. I am also extremely proud of my partners in government who felt the gravity of the situation we faced, and who worked hard to meet the moment. Thank you to the members of the Senate and the House, especially Senators Chang-Diaz and Brownsberger and Representatives Cronin and González, as well as Speakers DeLeo and Mariano, and Governor Baker for ensuring this landmark bill became law.”

 “This legislation is a bold step forward in the modernization of our law enforcement standards," said House Speaker Ronald Mariano (D – Quincy). “I want to thank Speaker DeLeo and Senate President Karen Spilka for guiding the House and Senate as we answered the calls for reform that filled the streets this summer. I also want to thank Governor Baker and the members of the conference committee, particularly Chairwoman Claire Cronin and Representative Carlos González, who worked so diligently on an incredibly complex and emotional issue.” 

 “For the first time, Massachusetts will have an independent agency for the statewide certification of law enforcement officers. This will ensure accountability in law enforcement,” said Representative Claire Cronin (D-Easton), House Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. “This legislation is about justice and fairness. Fairness for those that interact with law enforcement, and fairness for our law enforcement officers.”

 “I am grateful to the Governor and key leaders in the House and Senate for their wisdom in coming together to carry this bill across the finish line,” said Senator William N. Brownsberger (D – Belmont). “I believe that within five years, the Commonwealth will be a significantly better place as a result of this legislation.” 

 “Today begins to address decades of demands to bring reform & accountability to law enforcement institutions,” said Representative Carlos González, Chair of the Black & Latino Caucus (D – Springfield). “Today will go down in history as a necessary step to begin the healing process between the police and the Black and Latino communities.  Building consensus is not always easy, but Massachusetts has always had Patriots ready to take the first steps on national issues. Governor Baker, Senate President Spilka, Speaker DeLeo, the Black and Latino Caucus and the thousands who took to the streets are our modern day Patriots.”

 

"This law represents a mile-marker, not an end,” said Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz (D – Boston). “Among the 50 states, it will create the first civilian-led police oversight board with subpoena power and decertification authority; it will ban chokeholds and limit no-knock warrants; it will create a duty-to-intervene for police officers and a duty to de-escalate; it will ban racial profiling and put enforcement powers behind that ban; it will end the requirement of police officers in schools. But no one bill will dismantle structural racism—in policing, or in all the other places it exists. As much as we celebrate these hard-won steps forward today, we must equally resolve to keep walking the road of racial justice in 2021." 

 “This legislation is an important step toward realizing the urgent action demanded by the movement that was energized this summer by marches in the streets and speeches in front of the State House,” said Representative Russell Holmes (D – Mattapan). “For too long, Black and Latino communities have been demanding change and accountability when it comes to policing in our communities and across the Commonwealth. While we are glad this bill is now signed into law, we must now also reflect on the importance of this fight, and resolve to build on these reforms in the future.”

 “The members of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association are eager to turn the page on what has been an unprecedented and incredibly difficult and enduring year on so many different levels,” said Chief Edward A. Dunne, President of the Massachusetts Chief of Police Association. “We are extremely confident that this comprehensive legislation signed into law by the Governor today will serve to renew an elevated sense of faith, confidence, and trust that the residents of the Commonwealth will have in their law enforcement agencies across the state. The MCOPA fully realizes and wholeheartedly agrees that the general public deserves nothing less than the highest level of professionalism, accountability and transparency in their respective police departments and this legislation will assist in enhancing our long-standing position as what are viewed by many national experts as model police departments across the entire country.”

 “2020 was a year unlike any other in our lifetime, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and growing calls for police reform after the prominent deaths of several Black men and women at the hands of police officers,” said Eddy Chrispin, President of the Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers. “As an organization of people of color, we know all too well the need for reform in policing. The landmark legislation passed by the legislature and the governor begins to address the historic negative interactions between people of color and the police. It is our hope that this legislation is the first step in addressing systemic racism in this country.”

 This legislation will, for the first time, create a mandatory certification process for police officers through the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST). The Commission, through a majority civilian board, will certify officers and create processes for decertification, suspension of certification, or reprimand in the event of certain misconduct. The 9-member commission will include six individuals from outside of law enforcement, and will also be responsible for investigating and adjudicating claims of misconduct, maintaining databases of training, certification, employment, and internal affairs records for all officers, and certifying law enforcement agencies. By creating a central entity to oversee officer certification, the Commission will ensure that those officers’ training and misconduct records are available both to the Commission and to those officers’ current and future employers, improving accountability.

 Governor Baker amended the bill to strengthen its due process protections for law enforcement, added police labor representation on the commission, and strengthened the bill’s facial recognition provisions ensuring law enforcement agencies can continue to access these potentially lifesaving tools responsibly.  

 The new law identifies the general circumstances under which police officers can use physical force, and specifically bans the use of chokeholds and prohibits firing into a fleeing vehicle unless doing so is both necessary to prevent imminent harm and proportionate to that risk of harm.  The bill also generally precludes officers from using rubber pellets, chemical weapons, or canine units against a crowd.  Violations of any of these provisions may provide grounds for an officer to have their certification suspended or revoked.

 The bill places strict limits on the use of so-called “no-knock” warrants, requiring such warrants to be issued by a judge and only in situations where an officer’s safety would be at risk if they announced their presence and only where there are no children or adults over the age of 65 in the home.  The legislation provides for an exception when those children or older adults are themselves at risk of harm.  In addition, the bill requires law enforcement to seek a court order when conducting a facial recognition search except in emergency situations.

 The legislation includes key provisions of the State Police reform legislation the Administration filed in January that provide new tools to improve accountability and discipline within the Department and to enhance diversity in the Department’s recruitment and promotional practices.  Those key provisions include establishing a State Police cadet program, enhancing the Colonel’s ability to address and correct misconduct, updating rules governing promotions of uniformed members to officer positions, removing the requirement that the Governor look exclusively within the State Police when appointing a colonel, and creating a new criminal offense for police officers who knowingly receive payment for a fraudulent claim of hours worked.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $67.4 Million in Additional Grants to 1,366 Businesses Most Impacted by the Pandemic

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $67.4 Million in Additional Grants to 1,366 Businesses Most Impacted by the Pandemic

Applications for new relief program targeting specific industries now being accepted

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced $67.4 million in awards to 1,366 additional small businesses in a second round of grants through the COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). Additionally, the new Sector-Specific Small Business Relief Grant Program, also administered by MGCC, is now accepting applications from businesses from sectors most impacted by the COIVD-19. Both grant programs are part of a new $668 million relief package announced last week.

The businesses being notified today of their successful grant application include many that are owned by minorities (50%) and women (48%). Restaurants and bars, beauty and personal services, health care and retail are among the top sectors receiving relief in this second round of awards. The first round of grants announced last week totaled nearly $49 million in support of 1,158 Massachusetts small businesses

MGCC is continuing to review existing applications and will make awards over the coming weeks to companies that meet demographic and industry preferences. Businesses that have already applied to MGCC’s Small Business Grant Program do not need to reapply to the new program. 

New Grant Program Accepting Applications

In addition to providing grants to businesses within the existing pool of applications for the Small Business Grant Program, applications are now being accepted for a new Sector-Specific Small Business Relief Grant Program that targets industries experiencing the most significant economic hardship and a loss of revenue. Industries given preference in this new program include:

  • Restaurants, bars, caterers, and food trucks
  • Indoor recreation and entertainment establishments
  • Gyms and fitness centers
  • Event-support companies (photographers, videographers, etc.)
  • Personal services (nail salons, barbershops, independent pharmacies, etc.)
  • Independent retailers 

This new business relief program will offer grants up to $75,000, but not more than three months’ operating expenses, to be used for payroll and employee benefit costs, mortgage interest, rent, utilities and interest on other debt obligations.

The online application portal for the new program opened today, and will close on Friday, January 15. Awards are expected to be announced in February.

Program details, application instructions, eligibility and documentation requirements, and more are available at www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org.

星期三, 12月 30, 2020

12月30日新冠疫情 新增確診麻州6135 美國199,282 世界 658,935 新增死亡麻州118 美國3390 世界13,645

(Boston Orange編譯)麻州染患新冠病毒(COVID-19)疫情,在1230日這即將跨入2021年之際,因一日新增118人死亡,出現累計超過12,000人的令人傷心數目。

今天的累計死亡人數為12,076人。若加入可能因新冠病毒而死者,累計數目更高達12,338人。

今天的新增確診人數也陡增為6,135,幾乎比昨天增加了一倍。累計達到352,558。七天平均的每日確診人數躍升為4916

麻州公共衛生廳表示,目前麻州內正在治療新冠病毒的患者人數,倒是降到了78,810,住院人數為2257,住在重症病房的有433人,插管231人。

今天有86,050人做了新冠病毒檢測,累計有1080萬人次做過新冠病毒檢測了。新作抗體檢測的有7538人,累計356,615人做過抗體檢測。

 在世界各國中,疫情最嚴重的仍然是美國,聯邦疾病防治中心截至今日下午2點半的數據為新增確診199,282人,新增死亡3390人,但Worldometers.com的數據卻為新增確診193,017,新增死亡3099

其他國家依疫情嚴重程度排序為印度,巴西,俄國,法國,英國,土耳其,義大利。但若以新增確診人數來看,巴西的55,853,其次英國的50,023數量最為驚人,尤其是英國人口僅有6806萬,巴西人口卻有21330萬,若以比率來看,英國疫情嚴重得多。以死亡人數來看,今日死亡逾千的只有巴西,1224人,其次為墨西哥990人,英國981人。

若以每百萬人口有多少人死亡來排序,僅次於美國的是每百萬人有1667人死亡的比利時,1238的波斯尼亞(Bosnia and Herzegovina)1218的義大利。

 











Baker-Polito Administration Releases Roadmap to Achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2050

 Baker-Polito Administration Releases Roadmap to Achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2050

Reports Lays Out Strategies to Achieve Net Zero Equitably and Affordably  

BOSTON — Building on its ambitious commitment to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Commonwealth by 2050, the Baker-Polito Administration today released two reports - the Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap Report and an interim 2030 Clean Energy and Climate Plan (CECP) – that detail policies and strategies to equitably and cost-effectively reduce emissions and combat climate change. To maximize the Commonwealth’s ability to meet its 2050 target, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides set an interim 2030 statewide emissions limit of 45% below 1990 levels. 

“The people of Massachusetts are experiencing record droughts, increased risk of wildfire, severe weather, and flooding in our coastal communities.  The costly impacts of climate change are on display in the Commonwealth, making it critical that we take action,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I was proud to commit the Commonwealth to achieving Net Zero emissions, and the reports released today move the Commonwealth toward that goal equitably and affordably.”

“The release of the 2050 Roadmap and Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2030 marks an important step forward in the Commonwealth’s strategy to reduce emissions and take meaningful action against climate change,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Our ambitious Net Zero target offers us a great opportunity to build a healthier, more resilient Commonwealth, delivering significant benefits to our communities including clean, reliable energy, improved air quality, and new pathways for job creation and economic growth.”  

The first-in-the-nation 2050 Roadmap outlines eight potential pathways to Net Zero emissions, including an analysis of potential energy resources, projected energy demand, and the energy supply necessary to meet the demand in all sectors of the economy while meeting the 2050 emissions limit established by the Commonwealth in April 2020. The Roadmap includes a summary report and six technical appendices, each detailing analysis and conclusions for specific sectors: Energy Supply; Transportation; Buildings; Land Use; Non-energy; and Economic and Health Impacts.

The 2050 Roadmap finds that, with careful attention to the strategies it selects, the Commonwealth can achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050 affordably while maintaining a thriving economy. Based on its analysis of a range of potential pathways, the Roadmap finds that the most cost-effective, low-risk pathways to Net Zero share core elements, including a balanced clean energy portfolio anchored by a significant offshore wind resource, more interstate transmission, widespread electrification of transportation and building heat, and reducing costs by taking action at the point of replacement for energy infrastructure.

The Roadmap also finds that achieving Net Zero emissions will deliver significant benefits to residents across the Commonwealth, including a precipitous drop in air pollution, particularly in environmental justice communities currently overburdened with poor air quality; savings in health costs of up to $100 million per year by 2030; and the creation of thousands of high-quality local jobs.

“We know that achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 will require hard work and collaboration across all sectors of the economy in the Commonwealth,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “The 2050 Roadmap establishes a blueprint that will help us achieve our climate goals in a way that is cost-effective and delivers significant benefits to residents across the Commonwealth, especially those in our most vulnerable communities. The steps the Commonwealth takes in the next decade will help to advance the decarbonization of our buildings, transportation, and electricity sectors, and be central to meeting our 2030 emissions limit.”

The 2030 CECP will help the Commonwealth meet its 2030 emissions limit of 45% below 1990 levels, which will require a reduction in statewide emissions about 19 million metric tons below current levels.

In the electricity sector, the plan finds that the Administration’s landmark, nation-leading clean energy and clean transmission procurements including offshore wind, hydropower, and the SMART solar program will be essential to achieving the 2030 limit, while the Commonwealth will work to add an additional 2,000 Megawatts of clean energy.

The transportation sector highlights a renewed focus on the deployment of electric vehicles with new, nation-leading state and regional programs including the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program. Building on that progress, Massachusetts will join California in requiring that by 2035, 100% of new light-duty vehicles sold in the Commonwealth are zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) support the continued build-out of statewide charging infrastructure, including additional consumer incentives for residential EV charging systems.

To decarbonize the Commonwealth’s buildings sector, the report highlights the development of energy efficient solutions for homes and businesses. In order to better align Mass Save® with the state’s GHG emissions reduction targets, DOER will work with the Commonwealth’s Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC) and Mass Save® program administrators to ensure that incentives for fossil-fuel heating systems are limited during the program’s next 3-year cycle (2022-24) and all available program resources are directed to clean heating systems no later than the end of 2024. Additionally, Mass Save® will develop increased air source and ground source heat pump incentives, as well as consumer education resources. The Commonwealth will also develop a proposal for a new high-efficiency energy code for new residential and commercial buildings as an option for Massachusetts’ Green Communities, and a new Governor’s Commission and Task Force on Clean Heat.

The 2030 CECP is being released for public comment, and the Administration is seeking feedback from stakeholders and members of the public. Public comments on the plan will be accepted through February 2021, and the Administration plans to publish a finalized 2030 CECP in March 2021.

The first CECP, published in 2010, detailed the Commonwealth’s plan for achieving its initial interim 2020 emissions limit - a 25% reduction below 1990 levels. In October 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection updated its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory, showing that in 2018, emissions in Massachusetts were 22.2% below emissions in 1990, putting the Commonwealth on track to achieve its 2020 emission reduction limit.

The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to ensuring the transition to a new low-carbon economy helps to close the health and economic disparities experienced in Environmental Justice communities. Participation by residents of Environmental Justice communities in both the decision-making process and the implementation of emissions reduction programs is both beneficial and necessary to meet the 2030 and 2050 emissions limits, while fulfilling the commitments of EEA’s Environmental Justice Policy.

“This roadmap provides comprehensive, flexible and realistic strategies for achieving climate goals,” said Robert Rio, Senior Vice President & Counsel of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts. “We look forward to working with the administration to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.”

 

“We congratulate the Administration on a rigorous, clear-eyed analysis of the pathways to a net-zero economy by 2050.  The report makes it plain that with smart policy and good planning, we can unlock tremendous potential benefits for climate, economy and human health,” said Elizabeth Henry, President of the Environmental League of Massachusetts. “ELM is pleased that responsibly-developed offshore wind is rightfully centered as a critical, low-cost workhorse in this clean energy transition.  We also appreciate needed attention to the building sector and the complex but necessary drawdown of natural gas.”

 

“In 2010, Massachusetts led the nation with the most ambitious legally binding greenhouse gas reduction target (25% below 1990 levels by 2020).  Today Massachusetts again leads with a proposed 45% reduction by 2030, which is at the top of all states, and many countries, in its level of ambition,” said Ken Kimmell, former Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and President of the Union of Concerned Scientists. “I look forward to seeing more details on the plan of how we reach that target, but the overall focus of running both the transportation and heating sectors on clean electricity from renewable resources is the right approach, and will yield significant public health benefits, particularly for our most vulnerable populations, and job growth in this fast growing clean energy sector.”

In April 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration officially established Net Zero GHG emissions as the Commonwealth’s new legal emissions limit for 2050. 

In October 2020, in order to meet its emissions goals, the Commonwealth joined with its neighboring states to call upon the regional electrical grid operator to build a more transparent, modern, and cost-effective power system.  The statement calls for reform of the regional electricity market design, transmission planning process, and the governance of ISO-New England, the independent system operator for the New England power system. 

This announcement builds on the Baker-Polito Administration’s leadership on climate change. Last week, Governor Charlie Baker joined Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo and Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in launching a groundbreaking multi-state program that will reduce motor vehicle pollution by at least 26 percent and generate over $1.8 billion in Massachusetts by 2032. The bipartisan Transportation and Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P) will allow participating jurisdictions to invest in equitable, cleaner transportation options, and create significant new employment opportunities while substantially improving public health across the Commonwealth and New England.

Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in climate action, including through the first-in-nation Clean Peak Standard, the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program, participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), clean energy procurements, nation-leading energy efficiency programs, electric vehicle and charging infrastructure incentive programs, and its Clean Energy Standard (CES).

波士頓市長公佈2021SPARK委員會41名成員 Anita Yip再次代表華埠

           (Boston Orange 整理報導)波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)(30)日宣布2021年度的閃耀波士頓(SPARK Boston)”委員會,有 33名新人,8名連任者。

41名年紀在2035歲年輕人,在94名申請者中獲選,分別來自波士頓市24個鄰里的其中21個。有40%在波士頓出生,其餘來自德州,俄亥俄州,佛羅里達州,紐約州,加州等地,甚至有遠從中國,巴基斯坦搬來的。他們將從14日起,在未來12個月中藉由虛擬平台,代表市內年輕人和市府領袖溝通。

波士頓市政府計畫及發展局(BPDA)”2020年從數目看波士頓(Boston by the number)”報告指出,在2018年時,39%的波士頓居民年齡在18歲至34歲之間。波士頓市前市長萬寧路(Tom Menino)顯然也有鑑於此,在2004年創辦了三中有一(ONEin3)”這個促請年輕人向市府提意見的組織。

三中有一衍變到閃耀波士頓(SPARK Boston)”,這項目共辦理了16年,有超過4002035歲的年輕人擔任過委員。

SPARK由Audrey Seraphin擔任主任,隸屬於在波士頓市長的公民參與內閣(Civic Engagement Cabinet),主要任務是就影響千禧年及Z世代人口事務,位市長當顧問,並與市府各部門合作,改善年輕人在波士頓市的生活品質。

SPARK委員每月開會,並舉辦活動推動年輕人互相認識,接近市政府。

今年的SPARK委員,有8人續任,其中包括代表華埠的Anita Yip。在全部41名委員中,從姓名看,共有4人為華裔,1人為越南裔。他們分別為奧斯頓(Allston)Jessica Lau,東波士頓的48.            Xi Zhao Viola,南端(South End)Anja Young,以及多徹斯特的Anthony Nguyen

查詢有關SPARK詳情,可上市府網站 boston.gov/sparkboston

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES MEMBERS OF 2021 SPARK BOSTON COUNCIL

Incoming members tasked with promoting civic engagement among young Bostonians virtually

 

BOSTON - Wednesday, December 30, 2020 -  Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the incoming Mayor's 2021 SPARK Boston Council. The diverse 41-member group, composed of 33 new and eight returning members, will spend the next 12 months working to continue the program's work virtually, opening up new lines of communication between young adults and leaders in City government. Originally started as ONEin3 in 2004, SPARK Boston is celebrating 16 years of civic engagement with over 400 20- to 35-year-old Boston residents having served on the council over the years. Thirty-nine percent of Boston residents were between the ages of 18 and 34 in 2018, according to the Boston Planning & Development Agency's Boston by the Numbers 2020 report.

 "The SPARK Council has worked with my administration to highlight and advocate for their shared values - voter participation and activation, a more equitable and affordable child care system, comprehensive climate change policies, resiliency in our immigrant communities, and much more," said Mayor Walsh. "I look forward to working with the incoming SPARK Boston Council to ensure our young Bostonians voices are heard."

 The 2021 SPARK Boston Council members live in 21 of the 24 different Boston neighborhoods, and include people born and raised as far away as Pakistan and China. Over 65 percent of council members are people of color. Approximately 40 percent of the Council are native Bostonians, while others are from Texas, Ohio, Florida, New York, and California. 

 "I am so excited to engage this council virtually," said SPARK Director Audrey Seraphin of her new colleagues. "They have completed the entire application and interview process through the technologies that have allowed us to connect throughout the pandemic, and I look forward to seeing this cohort's creativity and passion in action. We have an incredibly talented group that highlights how bright Boston's future can be."

 SPARK Boston, housed in the Mayor's Civic Engagement Cabinet, is responsible for advising Mayor Walsh on issues affecting millennial and Gen Z populations, and working with City departments and community stakeholders to improve the lives of young people in Boston. The Council holds monthly meetings and puts on programs focused on connecting millennials with the City and one another. Historically, programs included many events, including neighborhood meetups, voter registration pop-ups, salary negotiation workshops, and Chief Chats, an event series which allows citizens to hear directly from Mayor Walsh's cabinet members on a variety of issues. This programming has moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and expanded to include virtual town halls; #CiviCoffees, a 30-minute monthly Facebook Live interview show with local civic leaders; and social media campaigns to promote proper mask usage, flu vaccines, voting, census participation, and more. 

 "Coming back to SPARK Council is how I'm choosing to respond to this moment in time," explained returning council member Anita Yip of Chinatown. "I see 2021 as an opportunity to not only create and continue conversations for change, but also an opportunity to reimagine civic engagement and ways to meaningfully connect with each other. I'm looking forward to continuing conversations on how Boston is increasing access to opportunities and driving inclusive economic growth in the wake of the pandemic with a focus on equity."

 "When I heard the news that I was selected to be part of the SPARK Boston 2021 Council, I was elated and overcome with joy because an opportunity like this will cement my path to making a substantial difference in the city of Boston," said Bassil Bascare, new council member and native of Hyde Park. "I am eager to be part of a group that has the drive to initiate change for the better. I look forward to meeting and collaborating with the rest of the council."

 This year, the SPARK Boston program received 95 applications for the Council, showing a continued interest in community engagement, despite the new virtual format. New council members, which include academic counselors, students, non-profit workers, entrepreneurs, community leaders, medical professionals, and consultants, will begin their work on January 4, 2021.

 Returning 2019-2020 Council

  1. Cristian Morales, Allston
  2. Kat Waxstein, Brighton
  3. Anita Yip, Chinatown
  4. Kathleen Carroll, Dorchester
  5. Monee Vance, Hyde Park/Mattapan
  6. Daphney Pacouloute, Mattapan
  7. Nikki Shults, Roslindale
  8. Kaitlin McCarthy, West End/Downtown

 New 2021 Council

  1. Jessica Lau, Allston
  2. Alessandra Panares, Allston/Brighton
  3. Tara Wilson, Bay Village
  4. Spencer Crawford, Beacon Hill
  5. Julia Bogiages, Brighton
  6. Sumali Dey, Brighton
  7. Victor Franco, Brighton
  8. Nyambura Barrow, Dorchester
  9. Anthony Nguyen, Dorchester
  10. Dennisse Rorie, Dorchester
  11. Romy St. Hilaire, Dorchester
  12. Alia Thompson, Dorchester
  13. Mia Healy-Waldron, East Boston
  14. Amanda Sabia, East Boston
  15. Xi Zhao Viola, East Boston
  16. Lindsey Santana, Hyde Park
  17. Albert Jimenez, Jamaica Plain
  18. Thomas Pelkey, Jamaica Plain
  19. Nicholas DiCairano, Leather District
  20. Genevieve Bien-Aime, Mid-Dorchester 
  21. Antonio Centeio, Mid-Dorchester
  22. Stephen McBride, Mid-Dorchester
  23. Dianna Bronchuk, Mission Hill/Jamaica Plain
  24. Lilly Stairs, North End
  25. Kensha Grandoit, Roxbury
  26. Nate Lash, Roxbury
  27. Adriana Lasso-Harrier, Roxbury
  28. Karol Mendieta, Roxbury/Jamaica Plain
  29. Mohammad Haider Ali Abbasi, South Boston
  30. Aishwarya Bhadouria, South End
  31. Anja Young, South End
  32. Ramie Schneider, South End
  33. Bassil Bacare, West Roxbury/Hyde Park

 For more information, please visit boston.gov/sparkboston

 

麻州州長疫情匯報12月30日 新年請勿開派對 本週為2萬人施打疫苗

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)籲請州民新年別開派對。
            (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導)明天就是除夕夜,後天就是2021年了。麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)(30)日中午匯報新冠病毒疫情時,再次懇請州民別開派對慶祝新年,別放下戒心,要謹慎防疫。

             查理貝克說羅根機場的旅客量和去年同期相比下跌了70%,顯然大家都知道現在不是出門的時刻,他要代表政府及醫護人員感謝那些遵守防疫規定的人。

             麻州已經開始分發新冠病毒疫苗。查理貝克表示,州政府和CVSWalgeen合作,已經設立了50個疫苗診所,依序將以頤養院(nursing home),療養院(rest home),輔助居住(assisted living)等長照機構為優先施打疫苗對象。

麻州公共衛生廳廳長Marylou Sudders:新冠病毒疫情資訊將更易查。

              查理貝克表示,州政府將為願意接種疫苗的人施打疫苗。

              位於HolyokeChelsea的老兵之家,已從昨天開始施打第一劑疫苗,第一批估計會為2萬人施打疫苗,下個月會有219,000劑疫苗供州民接種。

              目前麻州已收到了86000劑的輝瑞(Pfizer)疫苗,以及146,000劑的莫德納(Moderna)疫苗,其中有68,000劑交給CVSWalgreen用於長照機構,共將設置388個疫苗站。

              麻州公共衛生廳廳長Marylou Sudder表示,麻州將於下週四開始更新疫情匯報方式,民眾將可以更靈活的查察不同時期及類別的資訊。

              在長照機構之後,下一批施打疫苗的對象為第一線工作人員。根據民眾自行匯報的資料,昨天在Holyoke118人,在Chelsea150人接種了新冠疫苗。CVS今早也派人回到這兩個地點,為CVS的員工施打疫苗。119日時,CVSWalgreen將為接種過第一劑疫苗的人施打第二劑疫苗。在Chelsea第一個接種疫苗的是94歲的陸軍老兵,在Holyoke第一個接種疫苗的是一名70歲的空軍老兵。

 The Baker-Polito Administration today provided an update on the ongoing distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts. Including shipments arriving today and tomorrow, the Commonwealth expects more than 287,000 vaccine doses to arrive in the state by the end of 2020 (including second doses).