波士頓市長Kim Janey提明年預算37億5000萬元

MAYOR JANEY PROPOSES FORWARD-LOOKING BUDGET AND CAPITAL PLAN CENTERED ON BOSTON’S REOPENING, RECOVERY AND LONG-TERM RENEWAL BOSTON - Wednesday, April 14, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today proposed her Administration’s recommended $3.75 billion Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) operating budget and $3.2 billion Fiscal Year 2022-2026 (FY22-FY26) Capital Plan, providing the resources for the city’s continued robust public health response to COVID-19, making strategic investments in Boston’s neighborhoods and residents, and setting the stage for Boston’s equitable reopening, recovery and long-term renewal. As a result of continued strength in the local economy and a significant infusion of federal funding from the American Rescue Plan, the FY22 operating budget proposes a year-over-year increase of $142 million, or 3.9 percent over FY21, and the Capital Plan represents a $200 million increase, the largest capital plan ever, allowing the City of Boston to make meaningful investments in supporting the local economy and improving city services, infrastructure, and quality of life issues for Boston residents.  “During the past year, Boston has come together like never before, and we must take that spirit of inclusiveness and compassion and translate it into real investments for the City of Boston and our residents. COVID-19 has brought on unprecedented economic and social change for our city, and this budget proposal meets the moment and makes targeted investments to ensure that as we emerge from this public health crisis we are not going back to normal, but going forward better than before,” said Mayor Janey. “I am proud of this budget and the enormous work that goes into running our City government and providing the services Bostonians need and rely on. No one can be left behind as Boston recovers from COVID-19, and looks forward to the future.” “Despite an unprecedented year in Boston and around our world, Boston’s strong financial foundation ensured we had the resources we needed to care for our City," said Emme Handy, Chief Financial Officer for the City of Boston. "As we plan for the next fiscal year and beyond, City Hall will continue to invest in the people of our City, and maintain the financial prudence necessary to ensure we can continue to educate Boston’s children, create homes for those that need them, keep our City safe, and build a City that invests in all.” “This year’s operating budget and capital plan provide the needed resources for our continued response to COVID-19, and sets the stage for our City’s equitable recovery,” said Justin Sterritt, Boston’s Budget Director. “This responsible budget builds upon decades of proactive fiscal management and will provide a financial roadmap for recovery as we look to respond to the economic, health and social upheaval brought on by the pandemic.”  Following the creation of the Office of Equity and Inclusion in 2020 that was charged with embedding equity and racial justice into all City planning and operations, the City of Boston Office of Budget Management (OBM) worked to introduce an equity framework to the budget process this year that formalizes an analysis conducted to ensure equitable investments across Boston neighborhoods. The City collected data on which specific groups were impacted by budget proposals, if those groups had been brought into the conversation and what, if any, unintended consequences there could be. Departments funded through the operating budget will develop implementation plans that will contain performance metrics to gauge their success, especially as it relates to equity. This approach is part of a larger partnership between the Administration & Finance cabinet and the Office of Equity and Inclusion to collaborate on future operating, capital and federal investments to ensure those investments are rooted in equitable procurement practices. To help recover from the financial and economic impacts of COVID-19, the city is expected to receive an estimated $215 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act for use over the next year. While the City awaits the formal award from the federal government, the city proposes to dedicate $100 million of this initial funding over the next year to offset local revenue declines during the pandemic. This offset will provide flexibility, stability and fiscal resiliency in city services, while making near-term investments to Reopen, Recover and Renew Boston by creating or expanding vital city programs. Since the start of the pandemic, the City of Boston has redirected resources to respond to the global public health crisis, including moving to a remote workforce where possible and developing protocols for safe delivery of in-person services where required. The City also built the Boston Hope emergency field hospital, created COVID-19 testing sites, created distance learning curriculum and deployed new technology to BPS students, supported small businesses, and provided rental relief to residents. The FY22 Budget includes over $40 million in new investments to create a more resilient city government and set the stage for Boston’s recovery, reopening and renewal. New investments will provide needed assistance for our most vulnerable and training and support for those individuals and industries hardest hit during the pandemic. As the city reopens, the budget addresses immediate needs and expands services for post COVID-19 programming including in Arts, Parks, Youth, and Age Strong. This budget is also centered on renewal and working towards a more equitable future.  In addition to dedicating $100 Million of federal funding to programs through the City Budget, Mayor Janey is proposing the creation of Boston’s Equitable Recovery Coordinating Committee to ensure the equitable, effective, and efficient coordination of stimulus resources for the immediate and long-term benefit of Boston residents and neighborhoods, especially those who have been hurt most by the pandemic. This first of its kind committee for the City, will help design and steer these resources in an equitable way, through feedback and dialogue with the community. The committee will be composed of stakeholders from across city government who will consult with external partners and stakeholders.  The City of Boston entered the COVID-19 pandemic with a stable financial position thanks to years of strong fiscal management, which earned the city seven straight years of AAA bond ratings. In addition, the City of Boston was named by Moody’s in 2019 as one of the best prepared cities to handle a national recession. As a result, the City has been able to continue making strategic investments in priority areas, and has been able to increase the size of the Capital Plan by over $1.4 billion since FY14, about 80 percent or 7 percent every year. The City’s $3.2 billion FY22-FY26 Capital Plan is the largest in history and represents a deep commitment to investing in vital and cherished public spaces and in the local economy and getting Bostonians back to work. By growing the capital plan, the City is able to invest equitably in new public spaces like parks, libraries and schools, and better transportation for all modes of travel, while also stimulating the local economy at a vital time. High-Quality Education for All Students Mayor Janey has made high-quality education for all students in Boston a top priority, and this budget represents a commitment around fully reopening schools that are clean, safe, and welcoming; assessing student needs, and bolstering support and tailoring interventions to improve outcomes; and reimagining the district to provide the academic and social-emotional support structures students deserve. The FY22 budget proposal fulfills the second year of the historic three-year $100 million funding commitment to Boston Public Schools with $36 million in new classroom funding dedicated to the district, which is further supplemented by an additional $123 million in funding from the federal government. In Boston, public education spending remains over 40% of the entire city budget, and this year per-pupil spending at BPS will reach $23,500, an increase of $1,700 over last year. With this budget proposal, total public education spending, including support for our charter school students, will increase by $66 million, representing 42% of all new city funding, the highlights of which include: BPS Operating Budget ·    Overall budget of $1.29 billion, with $36 million in new investments for schools and classrooms to facilitate a safe return to our school buildings and support our students and school communities through post-COVID-19 recovery; ·    $18.5 million to enable schools to maintain existing programming and services, regardless of enrollment declines; ·    $16.9 million to provide a social worker and family liaison in every school, building on last year’s investment to build a coordinated, multi-tiered system of support for students and families; ·    $1.4 million for the addition of 20 daytime custodians to ensure cleanliness and sanitation of school facilities as buildings reopen; BPS Capital Plan (BuildBPS): $736 million for FY22-FY26, $166M for FY22, 29% increase over FY21 ·    $137 million for Boston Arts Academy to design and construct a new facility that supports the robust academic and performing arts needs of the student population. ·    $193.5 million to design and construct a new facility for the Josiah Quincy Upper School ·    $5.2 million to upgrade school kitchens to expand the implementation of an innovative fresh food program at an additional 19 schools  BPS Federal Funding The BPS budget will be supplemented by $123 million of funding from the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, which will fund additional FY22 investments, including: ·    $10.4 million to aid return-to-school efforts, ranging from school building maintenance, to online learning and engagement, to ensuring a bus monitor on every bus; ·    $13.9 million for expanding the Hub Schools initiative and implementing academic supports and interventions focused on high needs students; ·    $20.1 million to fund innovative efforts to support closing achievement and opportunity gaps. Health, Safety and Wellness in our Recovery Mayor Janey has prioritized the health, safety and wellness of all Bostonians as the City continues recovering from the many impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to help accomplish this, she is proposing the following investments:  Operating Budget:  ·    $4 million in new funding to expand capabilities and services provided by the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), bringing BPHC’s total operating budget to $111 million in FY22. This new level of investment will allow BPHC to build sustainable capacity in its infectious disease bureau and conduct an after action report on COVID-19.  ·    $9.1 million in new investments to reopen our city and address immediate needs and offer expanded services to lay the foundation for a more equitable, vibrant Boston. This includes new funding for: ·    $2 million to expand services for post-COVID programming and services at departments including Arts, Parks, Youth, Age Strong, Disabilities Commission and Veterans ·    $1.5 million to ensure we can reopen civic spaces, including polling locations safely ·    $1 million to ensure continued robust technology supports and city services delivery Capital Plan:  ·    $15.8 Million increase in Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) infrastructure, including a $10 million increase for the Mattahunt Community Center bringing the project total to $12.7 million, a $2 million increase for the North End Community Center bringing the project total to $5 million and $1 million each for BCYF Hyde Park and BCYF Roslindale  ·    $5.5 million increase for the EMS training facility, bringing the total investment to $14 million ·    $1 Million for HVAC repairs at Police Training Academy ·    $24.7 million to design and construct a new fire station at Engine 17 in Dorchester ·    $23.5 million to design and construct a new fire station at Engine 52 in Roxbury Creating and Preserving Affordable Housing, and addressing Homelessness Mayor Janey recognizes the importance of making sure that residents of all incomes are able to access quality, affordable safe housing options that meet their needs. This budget helps support additional affordable housing opportunities, and puts in place investments to support homeless residents.  ·    $3.5 million supports housing and homelessness efforts to prevent displacement and expand housing opportunities for families of every income in all neighborhoods ·    $5 Million to fully support the City’s commitment to City-Funded Housing Vouchers in partnership with the Boston Housing Authority, piloted in the FY21 budget. ·    $19 million for Phase 3 of the renovation of the Boston Housing Authority’s Orient Heights development consisting of 119 units of housing, a gateway park and community center ·    $10 million to upgrade public housing units for older residents and residents with disabilities including Saint Botolph in the South End, Doris Bunte Apartments in Egleston Square, and Patricia White in Brighton Expanding Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity The citywide resiliency strategy aims to ensure every resident can reach their full potential regardless of their background, and to remove the barriers that hinder Bostonians from having access to opportunities. Under the leadership and coordination of the Office of Equity and Inclusion, the City is proposing the following investments in areas of equity and prosperity: Police Reform ·    To operationalize the recommendations from the Boston Police Reform Task Force to improve accountability and transparency, this budget makes targeted investments in the Boston Police Department, while significantly reducing overtime spending, and includes: ·    $21 million, or a 33 percent reduction, in overtime compared to the FY21 spending level of $65 million, making a $43.9 million proposal for FY22, which will be accomplished by: ·    Growing the size of the sworn force by 30 officers to 2,288 total including two 125 member police cadet classes in FY22 ·    Increasing cadet recruits by 50 percent, from 40 to 60 ·    Increasing the Medical Triage Unit and clinicians to conduct more regular health screenings of officers out on injury leave ·    $1 million for the new Office of Police Accountability and Transparency (OPAT) for 10 staff members, including the Executive Director and staffing for the Civilian Review Board and Internal Affairs Oversight Panel (IAOP), plus technology support to create dashboards and address technical needs. ·    $1 million investment for racial equity training, included in the Task Force recommendations ·    $2 million for additional Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST) clinicians to assist individuals experiencing mental health crisis  Investing in race & equity ·    $3 million in investments to support the Equity & Inclusion cabinet, coordinating the efforts of seven equity-based departments, and supporting citywide wide efforts like the Office of Resiliency and Racial Equity department’s $1.3 million citywide rollout of racial equity and leadership training. ·    $1.75 million investment in Health and Human Services to coordinate with Police, and other City and external stakeholders to engage the community, develop a plan for implementation in Boston and begin training once the model is fully developed. Job Training and Support: ·    $4 million for 5,000 youth summer jobs and 1,000 school year jobs ·    $4 Million total in job training efforts targeted at affected industries including, in arts ($1 million), hard hit industries ($1 million), green jobs ($1 million), Zero Waste and mobility ($1 million) ·    $1 million to continue the All Inclusive Boston hospitality and tourism campaign ·    $250,000 to expand the Childcare Entrepreneur Fund ·    $500,000 to subsidize public transit options Protecting our Environment The City of Boston has been at the forefront of recognizing and addressing the risks of climate change, and protecting our environment. As part of the city’s Capital Plan, 10 percent of all new capital spending has been dedicated for resilience projects. The highlights of the City’s environment proposals include: Capital Plan: ·    $48 million for Phase 2 and 3 of Renew Boston Trust, which is designed to identify energy retrofit project opportunities in City owned buildings to create future energy savings.  ·    $5 million for a Climate Ready Boston Harbor study to support the development of a study that will examine the feasibility of measures along and within the Boston Harbor to reduce vulnerability of coastal flooding due to sea level rise caused by climate change. ·    $20 million to design and implement a signature, climate resilient waterfront park along the Fort Point Channel. ·    $1.7 million per year for the ongoing program of street tree planting throughout the city ·    $1.8 million to repave pathways at Dorchester Park  ·    $7.5 million to repave pathways at the Back Bay Fens to improve accessibility and site conditions ·    $15.5 million to complete the park redesign at Copley Square to optimize resilience to high-traffic events and storm-water ·    $9.4 million to redesign and construct a new Malcolm X Park through the City’s first Equitable Procurement Pilot program Transforming the Future of Mobility In recognizing that our economic strength is dependent on our ability to move people around our city to businesses, jobs and homes, this budget proposal invests in walkable streets, roadway redesigns to improve safety, bridge repairs, roadway resurfacing, dedicated bike and bus lanes, and accessible ADA ramps. Building on Boston’s long-term transportation plan, Go Boston 2030, the FY22 budget proposal makes targeted investments in public space and improved mobility, including: Capital Plan: ·    $1 billion for mobility improvements to implement Vision Zero through the Capital Plan, marking a 9 percent increase over last year ·    $22 million for dedicated bus lanes to transform several corridors citywide for rapid bus transit, including the construction of dedicated bus lanes on Columbus Avenue and Warren Street, and Summer Street marking a $7.8 million increase over last year ·    $17.9 million for roadway improvements in Nubian Square from Shawmut Avenue to Harrison Avenue including six key intersections. The scope of work includes geometric changes, new traffic signal equipment and timing, bike lanes, and streetscape improvements ·    $9.9 million to design and construct neighborhood Slow Street zones throughout the city including Talbot-Norfolk Triangle Phase 2, Grove Hall/Quincy Corridor, Highland Park, Mt. Hope/Canterbury, Chinatown, Washington-Harvard-Norwell, Redefining Our Community, Dorchester Unified Neighborhood East, Dorchester Unified Neighborhood West, and West Selden ·    $7.9 million to maximize usage in existing high volume bike lanes by construction bike lane extensions and connections with citywide bike corridors, and implement new bike corridors ·    $6.5 million to design and rebuild Ruggles Street, between Washington Street and Ruggles MBTA station, adhering to Complete Street guidelines Investing in the joy agenda By prioritizing city services, programs and infrastructure needs that improve the quality of life for Boston residents, Mayor Janey has made the joy of residents a strategic focus throughout this budget. Investments that reflect this focus include: ·    $15 million for the Percent for Art program, which sets aside one percent of the City’s annual capital borrowing as a budget for the commissioning of long-term public art projects ·    Permanently waiving late return fines at the Boston Public Library (BPL), a tool to increase equity in service delivery ·    Eliminating BCYF membership fees at all sites for Boston residents, thus lifting financial barriers for entry and opening all sites to all residents, regardless of residential neighborhood - #BCYFree ·    $200,000 for programming at the Strand Theater in Dorchester, $250,000 for expanded programming for BPL & Parks, $500,000 for expanded programming and Summer Olympics at BCYF, $250,000 for the Youth Development Fund ·    $500,000 to support Open Streets, a new program to encourage safe outdoor activity on public streets ·    Investing in our neighborhood library branches, with $6 million slated for the Chinatown branch, $11.5 million for the Roslindale branch, $18.3 million for Adams branch, and $12.1 million for Egleston Square  For more information on the budget proposal, please visit budget.boston.gov.

第一份波士頓市長候選人民調出爐 吳弭及代市長Kim Janey領先

吳弭(Michelle Wu)民調領先。

             (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導)波士頓的市長選舉，4月13日才開始領提名表，4月14日WBUR就出爐了第一份候選人民調，在552名受訪者中，約有一半人認為現在談支持誰還言之過早，另一半人，大部分支持波士頓市代市長Kim Janey和不分區市議員吳弭。

             這份調查報告是由WBUR，多徹斯特記者(Dorchester Reporter)，麻州公司(MassINC)，以及波士頓基金(Boston Foundation)聯合執行的。.

             19%的受訪者表示，他們傾向於支持吳弭，18%表示支持Kim Janey。其他候選人得到的支持率，依序為波士頓市不分區市議員Annissa Essaibi George的6%，波士頓市第四區市議員Andrea Campbell的4%，前波士頓市經濟發展長巴洛斯(John Barros)3%，麻州眾議員Jon Santiago也是3%。

波士頓代市長Kim Janey知名度竄起得非常快。

             受訪者中有46%說，他們還沒決定，1%拒絕說他們支持誰。

             在相關問題調查中，新任美國勞工部部長的波士頓前市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)支持率最高，達59%，其次為吳弭，47%，然後是Kim Janey 34%，Annissa Essaibi Georg 27%，Andrea Campbell 26%，John Barros 17%，Jon Santiago 13%。

             不過在這亂七八糟的地方政治世界中，並不是所有的宣傳都是好宣傳。在新冠病毒疫情期間幾乎天天天公開露面的馬丁華殊，支持最高，不支持率也最高。有20%的人說他們不喜歡馬丁華殊這位前市長，勞工領袖，以及驕傲的多徹斯特之子。

             其他人的不支持率，依序為吳弭的11%，巴洛斯和Campbell的6%，Essabi-George，Santiago和Janey的5%。

             數據也顯示，候選人們必須在知名度上補課。57%說他們從沒聽說過Santiago，50%不認識巴洛斯，44%沒聽過Essabi George，42%沒聽過Campbell，然後是Kim Janey的35%，吳弭的21%。8%說他們從來沒聽過誰是馬丁華殊。

             舉辦民意調查者要求受訪者從列有過去一年來佔據新聞頭條，最火熱議題的一張表上，辨別波士頓所面對最迫切議題時，並不令人意外的，新冠病毒排第一，有27%的人說，健康危機這問題，是最令人關切。

             其次為住宅價格18%，公眾教育6%，族裔關係，以及經濟/工作5%，交通的永恆禍害4%，公共交通，犯罪/公共安全，流民，以及氣候變遷，都有3%，稅/預算問題，停車，以及毒品各有2%。小企業1%。

             把騎自行車/行人安全列為最重要議題的不到1%。

             約有6%的人不確定哪個議題最重要，或者拒絕回答。

麻州州長疫情匯報 4/14 推出紅襪週鼓勵民眾接種疫苗

麻州州長查理貝克宣佈推出紅襪週。

              (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 下星期，從4月19到25日，麻州政府要推出「紅襪週」，在海恩斯會展中心(Hynes Convention Center)，以紅襪主題景點，棒球賽冠軍盃，以及紅襪隊吉祥物綠怪獸，門票抽獎等安排，吸引20個受到新冠病毒打擊最嚴重社區的居民，接種疫苗。

              在這星期內，麻州政府將在海恩斯會展中心保留2萬劑疫苗，給受到新冠病毒不成比例打擊的這20個社區居民。

              紅襪基金會，世界(El Mundo)，本壘(The BASE)，群島策略(Archipelago Strategies)集團，全民健保(Health Care For All)這幾個機構，將和波士頓公共衛生局一起，協助居民登記注射疫苗。

              查理貝克說，前述這幾個機構在麻州內這20個受到新冠病毒不成比例打擊的社區，都有很強勁的基礎，正分別以能派出說西班牙文，英文的員工和志工，努力促使更多人接種疫苗。

紅襪隊董事長Sam Kennedy致詞。

紅襪隊董事長Sam Kennedy，本壘創辦人暨董事長Robert Lewis, Jr.，世界波士頓分部董事長暨執行長Alberto Vasallo等人，今天都應邀出席簡報，並致詞。

Alberto Vasallo表示，他的拉丁裔社區人士，都不愛用電子郵件，還喜歡凡事等到最後一分鐘，所以他需要更多人來幫忙傳達接種疫苗的訊息。

昨日雖然傳出聯邦疾病防治中心通告暫停施打強生(J&J)疫苗的消息，麻州州長查理貝克表示，他並不擔心麻州的疫苗接種計畫會受很大影響。他也認為，施打強生疫苗後出現嚴重反應的那幾宗個案，實在是很小的數目，如果有選擇的話，他個人也願意接種強生疫苗。他估計到本週末，麻州應有200萬人接種了疫苗。

20個受新冠病毒不成比例打擊的社區包括，波士頓(Boston)，布洛頓(Brockton)，雀喜(Chelsea)，艾佛瑞特(Everett)，秋河(Fall River)，費奇堡(Fitchburg)，傅萊明罕(Framingham)，哈佛維爾(Haverhill)，霍利奧客(Holyoke)，羅倫斯(Lawrence)，里歐明斯特(Leominster)，羅爾(Lowell)，林市(Lynn)，摩頓(Malden)，馬修(Methuen)，新貝福(New Bedford)，龍都(Randolph)，瑞維爾(Revere)，春田(Springfield)，以及屋斯特(Worcester)。

麻州和聯邦同步 暫停施打強生(J&J)疫苗 丹麥全面停用阿斯利康疫苗

麻州公共衛生廳13日一早，在推特上公佈，暫停施打強生疫苗。

             (Boston Orange 綜合編譯)聯邦疾病防治中心(CDC)和食品藥品管理局(FDA)在4月13日下令各政府機構暫停施打強生(J&J)疫苗，麻州公共衛生廳也立即通知麻州各相關單位照做。不過白宮醫藥顧問佛奇(Anthony Fauci)醫師說，民眾不必驚慌。

             CDC和FDA作此宣佈，是因為有6名18至48歲婦女注射強生疫苗後，出現血栓副作用，其中一人死亡，一人病情嚴重。他們正在調查各種副作用的相關報告。

             佛奇醫師說，這實在是很罕見的情況。以施打685萬劑，出現6宗個案來說，機率是百萬分之一。

             麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)安排了13日和聯邦人員晤談此事。

             麻州公共衛生廳在推特(Twitter)上表示，已通知麻州施打疫苗單位立即暫停施打強生疫苗，

麻州新冠病毒指揮中心也請已經注射了這只須打一劑的強生疫苗者，如果憂慮的話，可以和他們的醫生聯絡。已經預約了要接種強生疫苗的人，也應該直接和要為他們注射疫苗的單位聯絡。

根據指揮中心發言人的說法，截至4月12日，麻州共施打了181,034劑強生疫苗。

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)在週一，4月12日做疫情匯報時，還在強調強生疫苗只須施打一劑，可以大幅簡化施打疫苗的整個流程作業，希望能從聯邦政府那兒得到可以預期的，更穩定運送數量的強生疫苗及資訊，以加快達成全州所有民眾都已接種疫苗的目標。

強生疫苗設在巴爾的摩的生產製造廠發生狀況，麻州拿到的強生疫苗數量，剛剛才從上周的超過10萬劑，降到本週的1萬2300劑。

根據麻州公共衛生廳資訊，週一時，麻州已有178萬9004人完整的接種了新冠疫苗。麻州總共施打出去450萬劑疫苗，其中有276萬7991人已經接種了二劑疫苗中的第一劑。約有18萬1000人接種了強生疫苗。

塔芙茨醫療中心和波士頓華埠地區藥房上週都曾向地方機構發送訊息，報稱領得只需注射一劑的強生疫苗，有意接種疫苗者，可直接前往包氏文藝中心等疫苗注射站，不須預先登記。

布里根婦女醫院(Brigham and Women’s Hospital.)的血液科醫生Jean Marie Connors表示，在最近三週之內接種了強生疫苗的人，可以觀察自己的身體狀況，因為血栓的副作用反應很明顯，視乎血液是在哪兒堵塞了，腿，腹部或頭會痛得很嚴重，或者會覺得喘不過氣來。如果有這些症狀，就要趕快找醫生。

FDA生物評估研究中心主任Peter Marks說，人們現在看到的強生疫苗症狀，和美國還未批准使用的阿斯利康(AstraZeneca)疫苗很像。在歐洲，340萬名注射了阿斯利康疫苗的人中，有200人出現血栓問題。這兩種疫苗使用類似技術，把滅活病毒注射進人體，激發免疫反應。在很罕見的情況下，有人出現血栓，同時血小板數量降低現象。

路透社(Reuters)幾小時前報導，因為血栓等問題，丹麥剛成為全世界第一個全面停止使用阿斯利康疫苗的國家。歐盟表示，研究發現阿斯利康疫苗和人腦形成靜脈竇血栓有關。人口約580萬的丹麥，已有100萬人注射了第一劑疫苗，其中77%注射的是輝瑞疫苗，7.8%是莫德納疫苗，15.3%是阿斯利康疫苗。(更新版)

國會議員劉雲平稱讚拜登總統決定從阿富汗撤軍

REP LIEU APPLAUDS PRESIDENT BIDEN’S DECISION TO WITHDRAW U.S. TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN

 

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after the White House announced all U.S. forces will be withdrawn from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021 – exactly 20 years after the 9/11 terrorists attacks.

“I am grateful to President Biden for his decision to bring our troops home from Afghanistan. We should have left this war years ago. Having served on active duty in the United States Air Force, it’s clear to me that the U.S. has the best military in the world. However, our military is not designed to prop up foreign governments, as we’ve learned through nearly two decades in Afghanistan. After 19 years, trillions of dollars spent, and the lives of more than 2,000 U.S. service members lost, this decision is monumental for troops, military families, and our nation as a whole. I’m pleased President Biden is finally getting this done.”

During his time in Congress, Representative Lieu has repeatedly called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. He has also called for transparency regarding U.S. strategy in Afghanistan and expressed concern about the direction of the war. In June of 2020, he wrote to former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling for answers on alleged Russian bounties on U.S. military personnel. 

AG HEALEY CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PASS THE FEDERAL NO HATE ACT

 AG HEALEY CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PASS THE FEDERAL NO HATE ACT

Legislation Will Provide Federal Grants to Improve Hate Crimes Reporting by Offering Training on Identifying, Classifying, and Reporting Hate Crimes in the FBI Database

BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey today joined a bipartisan coalition of 35 attorneys general in calling on Congress to pass the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act, which would provide state and local governments and law enforcement agencies with the tools and resources to understand, identify, and report hate crimes to help prevent them.

The legislation specifically aims to help rectify inaccurate and incomplete data by providing federal grants to improve hate crimes reporting. The grants would be used to provide training on identifying, classifying, and reporting hate crimes in the FBI’s national database; assist with states’ development of programs to prevent hate crimes; increase community education around hate crimes; and create state-run hate crime hotlines.

“From racist harassment, violence by white supremacists, and attacks against in most vulnerable communities, what we are seeing across the country and in our own neighborhoods is unacceptable,” AG Healey said. “This bill will help ensure that when victims come forward, information about hate crimes is collected and entered consistently and uniformly into the national system. We’re calling on Congress to urgently pass this legislation so states have the data, training and information needed to implement enhanced policies and practices to prevent and address hate crimes.”

            According to today’s letter, in 2019, most law enforcement agencies did not participate in voluntarily reporting hate crime incidents to the FBI or reported zero incidents. “Exacerbating this gap, less than 25% of law enforcement agencies are using the FBI’s current reporting system, which took effect this year,” the attorneys general wrote in today’s letter. “This lack of data creates critical gaps that inhibit our understanding of the hate problem. As the chief legal officers of our respective jurisdictions and states, improving hate crimes reporting is a priority. Without reliable statistics, the government cannot properly understand, investigate, and prosecute hate crimes or provide necessary resources to survivors.”

AG Healey has been a vocal advocate for the NO HATE Act and active in efforts to prevent and address hate crimes. In June, she joined then Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and social justice, civil rights, business and advocacy organizations to call for passage of the bill. At the state level, AG Healey has filed legislation to reform and strengthen the state’s existing hate crime statutes.

            Today’s letter was co-led by District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and in addition to AG Healey the letter was joined by the attorneys general of Alaska, American Samoa, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, N. Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

波士頓市長公安記者會 4/13 宣佈波士頓跨入透明新紀元

 

Stephanie Everett is appointed as ED of Police Accountability and Transparency Office

MAYOR JANEY NAMES SEASONED LAWYER AND ADVOCATE STEPHANIE EVERETT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY OPAT will provide independent oversight and advise on policing policy and reforms     Stephanie Everett   BOSTON - Tuesday, April 13, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey announced at a press conference this afternoon that Stephanie Everett will serve as the Executive Director of the newly created Office of Police Accountability and Transparency (OPAT). Everett, an attorney who currently runs her own private practice specializing in criminal, care and protection, residential real estate, and business formation matters, will lead the office charged with implementing an ambitious set of community-driven reforms to policing in Boston. OPAT, the signature recommendation of the Boston Police Reform Task Force, creates a single point of public access to a new standard in police accountability and community oversight. Everett’s office will house and support the newly created Civilian Review Board and the Internal Affairs Oversight Panel, which strengthens the existing Community Ombudsman Oversight Panel. OPAT collectively holds subpoena power for the review board and oversight panel. Everett will begin her role as Executive Director of OPAT on April 27. “As Mayor, I’m committed to safety, healing and justice, in every Boston neighborhood,” said Mayor Janey. “That starts with trust. Transparency and accountability are foundational values when it comes to fostering trust. This is especially true for law enforcement. That’s why my administration is doubling down on our work to stand up the Boston Office of Police Accountability and Transparency. And today, I’m proud to announce its first leader, attorney Stephanie Everett, as Executive Director of the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency.” Joined at the event by Superintendent-in-Chief Greg Long of the Boston Police Department, Mayor Janey highlighted that her budget proposal for the coming fiscal year, which will be presented to the Boston City Council at an event tomorrow morning, includes a $1 million investment to establish OPAT. Everett, who will report directly to Mayor Janey in her new role, will be responsible for hiring and managing a nine-member staff to help carry out the work of the Civilian Review Board and Internal Affairs Oversight Panel. In addition to staffing, the proposed funding in the fiscal year 2022 budget will be used for technology support to create public safety dashboards and to address other technical needs of OPAT. “I have spent my entire career fighting to give voice to those who are underrepresented, and that’s exactly how I’ll approach my work as the Executive Director of OPAT,” said Everett. “I have tremendous respect for our police officers who carry out their duties with integrity, compassion and empathy for the people they serve. Ensuring that those values are the standard across the entire force and that any misconduct is brought to light and handled appropriately is OPAT’s charge. I look forward to working with Mayor Janey, the Boston Police and the community to bring about necessary reforms and enhance public trust and confidence.” One of OPAT’s first tasks will be to conduct a review of disgraced former Boston Police Officer Patrick Rose’s internal affairs files from 1995. Despite criminal charges being dropped at the time, a BPD internal affairs investigation found credible evidence that Rose had sexually assaulted a 12-year-old child. However, it is unclear whether Rose faced any discipline as a result of the internal findings, and he was allowed to remain on the force for over two decades, eventually becoming the president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association. OPAT’s review of the matter is intended to uncover and remedy shortcomings in BPD’s internal affairs process so that such egregious errors are prevented in the future. “I was heartbroken and angry to learn there was no effort to keep Rose from coming into contact with minors after serious charges were found credible by BPD’s own internal affairs probe in 1995,” said Mayor Janey. “The likes of Patrick Rose will not be protected on my watch, and those who are complicit in abuses of power will be held to account.” Everett enters her new role with broad experience as a lawyer and community advocate. Prior to practicing law, Everett devoted her professional career to public service and ensuring equal access to state and local resources, especially for underserved communities. Her past roles include serving as chief of staff at the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, deputy chief of staff to State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, and manager for public safety at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. Everett has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a rising star and by Lawyers Weekly as a Top Woman of Law. She resides in Mattapan with her husband and children. Mayor Janey emphasized that policing reforms are at the heart of Boston’s path to safety, healing and justice. The Mayor’s fiscal year 2022 budget will dramatically reduce overtime spending by an estimated $21 million, a 33 percent reduction compared to the current fiscal year spending level, through a three-pronged strategy. The first step is to expand the police force with 30 additional officers. Two, 125-member recruit classes are budgeted to help compensate for retiring officers. Secondly, the number of cadet recruits will be increased by 50 percent, from 40 to 60, in an effort to further enhance the diversity of the force. Finally, the budget increases funding for BPD’s Medical Triage Unit and clinicians who will help get inactive officers back to work or off the payroll. The Janey administration is committed to reimagining policing with new ideas and fresh approaches. Mayor Janey announced a new effort to amplify the role of mental health clinicians in responding to mental health calls that police officers often handle. The Mayor also underscored the value of safe and stable housing as a source of justice for victims of violence. Boston’s Chief of Housing, Sheila Dillon, will be charged with developing supports to safely relocate families that have been impacted by homicide.

4/20起 波士頓市交通停車相關規定恢復正常

 

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES TOWING FOR STREET CLEANING TO RESUME CITYWIDE; TICKET AMNESTY PROGRAM TO EXPIRE; OTHER PARKING ENFORCEMENT UPDATES

 

BOSTON - Tuesday, April 13, 2021 - Mayor Janey today announced that the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) has updated parking enforcement regulations in the City of Boston. Starting Tuesday, April 20, parking enforcement will return citywide, including towing during posted street sweeping and for parking in spaces without an appropriate resident sticker. Also, BTD will not be ticketing residents with an expired inspection sticker until May 31.  Additionally, on April 20, the Boston Transportation Department’s ticket amnesty for healthcare workers will expire. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, BTD announced that healthcare workers could have non-public safety violations dismissed upon appeal if the ticket was received while working. The intent of the program was to assist local healthcare workers as they dealt with the public health emergency. The City of Boston and its municipal partners in Brookline, Cambridge, Everett, and Somerville will continue to offer all essential workers in metro Boston a free 90-day pass for the public bike share system, Bluebikes. More information is available at boston.gov/bike-share. “As we continue to plan our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, I am grateful to all of our residents for their cooperation in following our parking enforcement,” said Mayor Janey. “As warmer weather comes, it’s important that we take the necessary steps to keep our streets clean.” “We are grateful that the City of Boston was able to provide extra support to residents and healthcare workers during this unprecedented time,” said Commissioner Greg Rooney. “Residents should be advised that we are beginning to return to normal operations and they should follow all posted parking regulations.”  The following parking regulations remain in effect in the City of Boston: RESIDENT PARKING AT METERS Boston residents with resident parking permits will continue to be allowed to park at meters within their neighborhood without having to abide by the time limits or pay the meter. DISABILITY PLACARDS BTD will resume ticketing for expired disability placards/plates starting on May 31. The Registry of Motor Vehicles is only processing requests for disability placards/plates by mail.  To view a complete list of parking codes and fines in the City of Boston, residents can visit here or call 311. The Boston Transportation Department will continue to evaluate additional parking enforcement changes throughout the phased reopening. For more information, please visit boston.gov/transportation.

Boston Chamber Announces Addition of Greylock Federal to Pacesetters

 Boston Chamber Announces Addition of Greylock Federal to Pacesetters

Introduced by Massachusetts Business Roundtable, Greylock Commits to Using Its Purchasing Power to Help Close the Racial Wealth Gap

 

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Massachusetts Business Roundtable (MBR), and Greylock Federal Credit Union are proud to announce Greylock Federal Credit Union as a Signatory in the Chamber’s Pacesetters program. Pacesetters, a signature program in the Chamber’s Economic Opportunity portfolio, utilizes procurement as an equity tool to advance systemic and economic opportunity across the Commonwealth of MA by focusing on access to contracts for Massachusetts-based minority-owned enterprises.

 

By increasing spend with businesses of color across the state, Pacesetter companies and anchor institutions use their procurement purchasing power to collectively close the racial wealth gap. A strategic partner in the work to create systemic opportunity, MBR joined Pacesetters during the program’s statewide expansion in Fall 2020 along with an array of business partners. MBR’s robust conversation with their member base helped to elevate the visibility of the Pacesetters program and explain the powerful impact that is possible when businesses commit to equity as a collective front. Through their MBR membership, Greylock Federal Credit Union enthusiastically joined Pacesetters to use their procurement power to partner with minority business enterprises in their local region and across the state.

 

“Pacesetters is a stronger program with the addition of Greylock Federal Credit Union joining the pool of buyers. During our statewide expansion, envisioning a new business economy that prioritizes inclusivity and champions economic opportunity meant reaching out to our business partners to strategize on a larger scale. I’m grateful to JD Chesloff and the Massachusetts Business Roundtable for their partnership in this important work. MBR introduced Greylock to Pacesetters, acting as a true partner in closing the state’s racial wealth gap,” said James E. Rooney, President and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

 

By joining the Pacesetters program, Greylock Federal Credit Union commits to increasing spend with local and state businesses of color year over year for five years.

“This initiative falls squarely within our long-term commitment to what Greylock calls IDEA: inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility,” said Greylock CEO and President, John L. Bissell. “Improving the inclusiveness of our purchasing practices is one of many ways we can help close the racial wealth gap and promote real change in the way our economy distributes resources and power.”

 

“The disparity in awarding contracts to businesses of color is a statewide issue but also a statewide opportunity,” said JD Chesloff, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable. “By engaging with employers and expanding Pacesetters’ reach to all regions across the Commonwealth, like Greylock Federal in the Berkshires, we are raising awareness and increasing connections that we hope will create greater access for minority-owned business enterprises to secure contracts with major employers in Massachusetts. We thank the Greater Boston Chamber for their leadership of the Pacesetters program, and John Bissell and Greylock Federal for their steadfast commitment to racial equity.”

 

The Pacesetters program is supported by Presenting Sponsors Eastern Bank and John Hancock.

 

Participating Pacesetters

• Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
• Berkshire Bank
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
• Boston Children’s Hospital
• Boston Red Sox
• Burns & Levinson, LLP
• Citizens Bank
• Comcast
• DentaQuest
• Eastern Bank
• Emerson College
• Encore Boston Harbor
• Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
• Fidelity
• Gilbane
• IPG DXTRA brands including Weber Shandwick and Jack Morton
• John Hancock
• Liberty Mutual Insurance
• Mass General Brigham
• National Grid
• Northeastern University
• Nutter McClennen & Fish
• P&G Gillette
• State Street Corp.
• Tufts Health Plan
• University of Massachusetts
• Verizon
• Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Participating Pacesetter Signatories

• Greylock Federal Credit Union
• MassDevelopment
• McKinsey & Co. (Boston Office)

Participating Business Associations

• Alliance for Business Leadership
• Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio)
• Massachusetts Business Roundtable (MBR)
• Massachusetts Competitive Partnership
• NAIOP Massachusetts, The Commercial Real Estate Development Association
• Western Mass Economic Development Council

Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce