open letter: The Rules for Hong Kong Electoral Reform

op-ed by Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary for Administration Hong Kong The piece, titled "The Rules for Hong Kong Electoral Reform," can also be found at http://online.wsj.com/articles/carrie-lam-the-rules-for-hong-kong-electoral-reform-1406473207

The Rules for Hong Kong Electoral Reform The central government has lived up to its commitments to the territory's people The Wall Street Journal Asia July 28, 2014 By Carrie Lam Hong Kong this month took the first step in the procedure for constitutional reform. On July 15, Chief Executive C.Y. Leung submitted a report to the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC), saying that there is a need to amend the electoral method for the 2017 chief executive election with a view to attaining universal suffrage. This took into account the report of a five-month public consultation conducted by the Task Force on Constitutional Development that I chair. Within a month or two, the NPCSC will inform the chief executive of its decision as to whether the Basic Law can be amended to implement universal suffrage in selecting the Chief Executive in 2017. We expect the NPCSC to give us the green light. On this basis, we plan to launch another public consultation on more specific suggestions with a view to forging a consensus for enabling legislation to be drafted and eventually put to legislators for a vote. Looking ahead, I offer a few observations. First, it is worth noting that universal suffrage for the selection of the chief executive was not part of the Sino-British Joint Declaration signed in 1984. The declaration refers to the selection of the chief executive by election or through consultations held locally. It was only during the drafting of the Basic Law, promulgated in 1990, that the ultimate aim of selecting the chief executive by universal suffrage was included. In 1990, with Hong Kong still under British administration, there was not a single directly elected seat in the Hong Kong legislature. Since Hong Kong's return to China in 1997, almost every election of the chief executive and Legislative Council has been more democratic. In 2007, the NPCSC decided that the fifth-term chief executive in 2017 could be selected by universal suffrage and that after this milestone was reached, universal suffrage for legislative elections was also possible. It is clear by its actions that the central authorities in Beijing have lived up to its commitments in the Basic Law (which is a national law of China) and are sincerely committed to greater democracy in Hong Kong. Second, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was established under the Constitution of the People's Republic of China. Article 12 of the Basic Law states that the Hong Kong shall be a local administrative region of the People's Republic with a high degree of autonomy and directly under the Central People's Government. As such, the central authorities retain the constitutional powers and responsibilities to determine Hong Kong's political system and its pace of development. The design of our political system, including universal suffrage, relates to the exercise of sovereignty by the state over Hong Kong as well as full implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" framework. Amendments to the electoral method for selecting the chief executive must be passed by a two-thirds majority of the Legislative Council, receive the chief executive's consent and be approved by the NPCSC. Universal suffrage for the selection of the chief executive is not an internal matter for Hong Kong to decide on its own. It is a matter that relates closely to the relationship between the state and a local administration. Third, in handling democratic development matters, we must strictly follow the law. This is a core value of Hong Kong. Article 45 of the Basic Law states that "The method for selecting the Chief Executive shall be specified in light of the actual situation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and in accordance with the principle of gradual and orderly progress. The ultimate aim is the selection of the chief executive by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee in accordance with democratic procedures." Legal experts, locally and in the mainland, have confirmed that the power of the nominating committee is substantive. It cannot be undermined, circumvented or "watered down" by other forms of nomination. Accordingly, the just-concluded public consultation solicited views on the size and composition of the nominating committee, the method for its formation, the procedures for its nomination of chief executive candidates, etc. Fourth, any amendments to our electoral methods require a two-thirds majority in the Legislative Council. At the moment, no single party or affiliation of parties can deliver the 47 votes required in our 70-seat legislature. Therefore, some form of cross-party support will be necessary, and compromise will be an essential element of this. If our upcoming political package fails to muster the required votes in the legislature, then Hong Kong's democratic development will come to a standstill, as it did in 2005 when we missed an opportunity to change the electoral methods for the 2007 chief executive and 2008 Legislative Council elections. Such an outcome will seriously disappoint Hong Kong people and adversely affect government operations. We hope that our legislative councilors will display political courage and pragmatism to bring about change and provide our five million eligible voters with the opportunity to select the chief executive by one-person, one-vote in 2017. If change does not happen, then we have to retain the current system of selecting the chief executive through a 1,200-person Election Committee. In this regard the choice is very clear. Fifth, let's cast an eye on the future. Many skeptics say or believe that the 2017 electoral arrangements are final. They have therefore adopted a "now or never" or "all or nothing" approach. In line with the stated Basic Law principles of gradual and orderly progress, as well as taking stock of the actual situation in Hong Kong, it should be possible to further amend electoral arrangements in the future-for example, by improving broad representativeness of the nominating committee or the "democratic procedures" to nominate chief executive candidates for selection by universal suffrage. At this critical juncture in Hong Kong's history, cool heads, pragmatism and the spirit of compromise must prevail. Otherwise we won't be able to take the bold first step of universal suffrage that will advance Hong Kong's democratic development. I remain wholeheartedly committed to working with our legislature and the community to devise a system for the 2017 chief executive election that is legally sound, stands a reasonable chance of gaining public and Legislative Council support, and is practical, practicable and easy to understand. Mrs. Lam is the chief secretary for administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Regards, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York Website: http://www.hketony.gov.hk/ny/whatsnew.htm

MassHousing Closes $9.3 Million for Affordable Housing in Dorchester

MassHousing Closes $9.3 Million for Affordable Housing in Dorchester

https://www.masshousing.com/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_210_12821_0_0_18/2014-07-28_LionheadApts.pdf

Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency

One Beacon Street, Boston MA 02108

TEL 617.854.1000 | VP 866.758.1435 | FAX 617.854.1091 | www.masshousing.com

Media Contacts

Eric Gedstad: 617.854.1079 | egedstad@masshousing.com

Tom Farmer: 617.854.1843 | tfarmer@masshousing.com

Residents at the Lionhead Apartments in Dorchester to See Property Improvements and Preservation of Affordability as a Result of $9.3 Million in MassHousing Loans

The 71-unit property is being acquired and renovated by The Abrams Development Company LLC

BOSTON – July 28, 2014 – Affordability for low-income residents living at the 71-unit Lionhead Apartments in Dorchester will be preserved and substantial improvements will be made to the property with the closing of $9.3 million in MassHousing loans.

The Lionhead Apartments are being acquired and renovated by the Abrams Development Company. As a condition of the financing, the owner has executed a 20-year extension to the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract. Overall, affordability has been extended for 30 years as a condition of the use of Low Income Housing Tax Credits which generated nearly $6 million in equity for the acquisition and renovation of the property.

The Lionhead Apartments were converted to housing in 1971 with MassHousing financing. Located in two six-story masonry buildings at 713 Dudley St. and 3 Monadnock St. in Dorchester, they were built in the late 19th Century as apartment hotels.

"The Lionhead Apartments have been a good source of affordable housing for the residents who live there and they will continue to be with these loan closings," said MassHousing Executive Director Thomas R. Gleason. "The property is also in need of some renovations and the owner will be able to do that as well."

MassHousing provided a $7.1 million construction and permanent loan and a $2.2 million bridge loan.

The Lionhead Apartments include 22 one-bedroom apartments and 49 two-bedroom apartments. Planned improvements include repointing of masonry, replacing of roof membranes and skylights, flooring replacement in apartments and common areas, water and waste pipe replacement, HVAC repairs and energy improvements, fire suppression upgrades to the apartments and replacement of appliances in the apartments. In addition, there will be asbestos abatement and upgrades to bring common areas into compliance with current accessibility standards.

"Fully amortizing the original MassHousing first mortgage was an exciting milestone and we are pleased to continue our relationship with the Agency for another 40 years," said Martha Abrams-Bell, a principal of The Abrams Development Company. "We enjoyed a productive working relationship with MassHousing throughout the development process and the staff did a great job of meeting our joint closing deadline."

About The Abrams Development Company, LLC

The Abrams Development Company LLC, an affiliate of The Abrams Management Company, Inc., is a woman-owned firm specializing in affordable housing. The development company's principals, Martha Abrams-Bell and Edwin D. Abrams, have extensive experience in creating and renovating housing with various funding sources most recently including Section 8 project-based subsidy, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and Historic Tax Credits. Early work also included the Federal 221(d)3 and Section 236 programs as well as the Massachusetts 13A program. As long-term Owners/Agents they understand the importance of creating viable financial and ownership structures that can get through the closing process and sustain operations throughout the ensuing years.

About MassHousing

MassHousing (The Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency) is an independent, quasi-public agency created in 1966 and charged with providing financing for affordable housing in Massachusetts. The Agency raises capital by selling bonds and lends the proceeds to low- and moderate-income homebuyers and homeowners, and to developers who build or preserve affordable and/or mixed-income rental housing. MassHousing does not use taxpayer dollars to sustain its operations, although it administers some publicly funded programs on behalf of the Commonwealth. Since its inception, MassHousing has provided more than $17 billion for affordable housing. For more information, visit the MassHousing website at www.masshousing.com, follow us on Twitter @MassHousing, subscribe to our blog and Like us on Facebook.

海外僑胞回國參加中華民國103年十月慶典活動 參加資格及報到事宜答客問

海外僑胞回國參加中華民國103年十月慶典活動

參加資格及報到事宜答客問

一、請問海外僑胞擬回國參加本年十月慶典，需要具備什麼資格？

答：海外僑胞回國參加103年十月慶典活動，須符合下述資格：

（一）旅居國外僑胞，符合下列情形之一者：

1、持我國護照入境，並持有效之僑居國居留證明文件（如僑居國護照、居留證等）或其護照已加簽僑居身分者。

2、持僑居國護照入境之國人或華裔人士。

（二）前項僑胞隨行之配偶或子女，已取得僑居國護照或永久居留權，並經許可入國者，如未具僑胞身分，得以僑眷身分辦理報到。

（三）香港、澳門居民組團回國，應向我駐香港、澳門機構（臺北經濟文化辦事處）申請，核轉行政院大陸委員會辦理。個別回國者，不予受理。

二、請問香港、澳門居民可不可以個別報名參加慶典活動？

答：香港、澳門居民回國參加慶典，應事先組團，並向我駐香港、澳門機構（臺北經濟文化辦事處）申請，經核轉行政院大陸委員會同意，函送本會受理報名；個別回國及自行組團者，均不受理。

三、請問外籍人士可不可以參加慶典活動？

答：平日友我、熱心參與僑社活動的外籍人士欲來臺參加十月慶典活動，經我駐外館處或駐外人員報會並個案核准者，同意受理報到，發給「參觀證」。

四、請問僑胞回國參加慶典有沒有入境日期的限制？

答：僑胞回國參加慶典活動，只要符合「歡迎海外僑胞回國參加中華民國103年十月慶典活動須知」規定之參加資格，並無入境日期的限制；惟若欲申請慶典旅遊補助，則須在103年9月1日（含）以後入境者始得申請。

五、請問擬回國參加慶典的僑胞如何報名？

答：本年欲回國參加慶典的僑胞，請事先就「個別僑胞」或「僑團」擇一報名登記（請勿重複報名），辦理方式如下：

（一）         個別僑胞：自103年7月1日起至9月30日止可採網路、傳真或通訊方式辦理。

1、網路登記：請至僑務委員會網站（www.ocac.gov.tw）十月慶典活動專頁辦理。

2、傳真登記：請將填妥之僑胞登記表傳真至僑務委員會，傳真號碼：886-2-23566235、886-2-23566325、886-2-23566326；聯絡電話：886-2-23272929。

3、通訊登記：請將填妥之僑胞登記表以快遞或掛號（以郵戳為憑）寄達僑務委員會。

（二）僑團：

1、各駐外館處及各地華僑文教服務中心自103年7月1日起受理僑團報名作業。

2、請依組團注意事項填妥慶賀團團冊及團員清冊，於103年9月15日前送交各駐外館處及各地華僑文教服務中心辦理團員資格初審。

3、各駐外館處及各地華僑文教服務中心應於103年9月20日前，將初審完成之僑團報名表件送達僑務委員會。

4、報名僑胞請勿重複登記，隨行之僑眷請於團員清冊備註欄註明。

六、請問已經事先採網路、傳真或通訊方式辦理報名登記的僑胞是不是還需辦理報到手續？

答：僑胞即使已事先辦理報名登記，仍須在103年10月5日至10月9日的報到時間，攜帶相關證件正本，到僑務委員會中華民國103年十月慶典回國僑胞接待服務處辦理報到，經審核符合參加資格者，發給僑胞證，才完成報到手續。

七、請問沒有事先在103年7月1日至9月30日期間內辦理報名登記的僑胞可不可以補報名，並參加慶典活動？

答：僑胞如果沒有事先於103年7月1日至9月30日期間辦理報名登記，仍可以在103年10月5日至10月9日的報到時間，直接到僑務委員會中華民國103年十月慶典回國僑胞接待服務處（臺北市中正區徐州路5 號中央聯合辦公大樓南棟1樓）報名，完成報到手續後即可參加慶典活動。但是參加10月10日上午總統府廣場國慶大會採報名登記制，並按先後順序接受登記，額滿後不再受理。

八、請問要領取103年十月慶典活動「僑胞證」的報到時間是什麼時候？

答：報到時間如下：

（一）103年10月5日（星期日）至10月8日（星期三），每日上午9時至下午6時。（假日照常受理報到）

（二）103年10月9日（星期四），上午7時至晚上10時。

九、請問辦理報到要攜帶那些文件？

答：辦理報到要攜帶下列文件：

（一）蓋有本次入國查驗章戳之證件正本（如我國護照、入國許可證或僑居國護照）；如係經由入出國自動查驗通關系統入境者，應檢具航空公司搭機證明等文件。

（二）僑居國居留證明文件正本（持有效我國護照已辦理僑居身分加簽者可免附）。

（三）以僑眷（僑胞隨行之配偶或子女）身分申請者，應檢具親屬關係證明文件。

十、請問報到地點在那裡？

答：僑務委員會中華民國103年十月慶典回國僑胞接待服務處（臺北市中正區徐州路5號中央聯合辦公大樓南棟1樓，位址圖表如下）。

十一、請問個別僑胞可不可以併入僑團辦理報到及參與僑團活動？

答：個別僑胞擬併入僑團報到並參與僑團活動，可以經由僑團團長書面同意後，加入該僑團。

十二、請問僑胞組團是不是必須事先申請？可不可以在慶典報到期間現場組團？

答：各駐外館處及各地華僑文教服務中心從103年7月1日起開始受理僑團報名作業，僑團（校）組團必須在9月15日前經由各駐外館處及各地華僑文教服務中心核轉僑務委員會辦理，慶典報到期間不受理現場組團。另外，旅行社自行招攬之觀光團不予受理以「僑團」方式報名。

十三、請問申請慶典旅遊補助的僑胞必須符合那些條件？

答：本會為歡迎僑胞返國參加十月慶典，並配合推動國內觀光，特提供旅遊補助。申請慶典旅遊補助限參加國內3天2夜（含）以上的旅遊活動，並且要符合下述的條件：

（一）103年9月1日（含）以後入境。

（二）自103年10月5日至10月9日於僑務委員會十月慶典回國僑胞接待服務處完成報到手續，領得「僑胞證」（參觀證不得申請旅遊補助），並出席103年10月9日「四海同心聯歡大會」或10月10日「國慶大會」。

註：「僑胞證」含正副聯兩部分，副聯是供折抵慶典旅遊費用使用，遺失恕不補發。

十四、請問慶典旅遊的金額是多少？

答：慶典旅遊是以補助僑胞參加國內旅遊的方式辦理，每人至多補助新台幣2,400元（詳細規定請參閱「僑務委員會補助十月慶典回國僑胞參加旅遊活動作業要點」）。

氣象局發佈暴風雨警告

國家氣象局發出警告，稱波士頓地區，以及波市北部，西部，很有可能在嚴重暴雨後出現暴洪狀況。

氣象局表示，暴風雨正以每小時1.5到2吋雨量的速度，橫掃波市，謹防洪水警告，將持續至今（廿八）日早上十一點半為止。

氣象局表示，很多街道和下水道就要淹水了，民眾最好繞道而行。

氣象局早前已發佈雷雨警告，聲稱暴風雨的風速可達每小時60哩，從Natic向東北方向移動。該警告已於早上九點半解除。


Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 13 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

FLOOD ADVISORY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
918 AM EDT MON JUL 28 2014

MAC009-017-021-025-281415-
/O.NEW.KBOX.FA.Y.0083.140728T1318Z-140728T1415Z/
/00000.N.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SUFFOLK MA-MIDDLESEX MA-NORFOLK MA-ESSEX MA-
918 AM EDT MON JUL 28 2014

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS ISSUED A

* URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD ADVISORY FOR...
  SUFFOLK COUNTY IN EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS...
  SOUTHEASTERN MIDDLESEX COUNTY IN NORTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS...
  NORTH CENTRAL NORFOLK COUNTY IN EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS...
  SOUTHERN ESSEX COUNTY IN NORTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS...

* UNTIL 1015 AM EDT

* AT 917 AM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED HEAVY RAIN THAT WILL CAUSE
  MINOR URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOODING. OVERFLOWING POOR DRAINAGE
  AREAS WILL RESULT IN MINOR FLOODING IN THE ADVISORY AREA.

* SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WERE PRODUCING RAINFALL RATES OF OVER AN
  INCH PER HOUR.

* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE MINOR FLOODING INCLUDE
  BOSTON...CAMBRIDGE...QUINCY...LYNN...NEWTON...SOMERVILLE...
  WALTHAM...MALDEN...BROOKLINE...MEDFORD...REVERE...ARLINGTON...
  EVERETT...BILLERICA...WOBURN...CHELSEA...NATICK...RANDOLPH...
  WATERTOWN...LEXINGTON...TEWKSBURY...NEEDHAM...NORWOOD...
  WELLESLEY...MILTON...MELROSE...SAUGUS...WAKEFIELD...READING AND
  BELMONT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON HIGHWAYS...STREETS AND
UNDERPASSES. DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED ROADS.

波士頓復旦校友談政治 麻州長候選人查理貝克說政見

波士頓復旦大學校友會七月廿六日在屋本市（Woburn）舉辦“和查理貝克（Charlie Baker）見面會“，吸引近百人出席，形成本地難得一見的華裔面對政治不冷漠局面。

            波士頓復旦大學校友會會長高璐在開場白中表示，當日活動是該會論壇系列之一，旨在提升本地亞裔參政意識。他們請校友郭慧明動用鄰居關係，邀來查理貝克出席，和華人社區面對面，說候選人政見，談華裔選民所關心的教育系統，制度，平等權利議題。

也是復旦校友的波士頓前進基金會（Boston Forward Foundation）成員朱鵬程，則因該會抱有提升亞裔在美社會地位這宗旨，提供贊助，把活動開放給各界大眾參與。

            因交通阻塞，比預定時間遲了大半小時才抵達會場的查理貝克在會中闡述個人政見時強調，他參選主要是為了就業，教育，社區等三大議題。

            查理貝克還在發言中，夾帶提及打算未來推動的提案，包括調降有限責任企業的申請牌照費，從五百元降至其它州的廿五至五十元；訂立新法，容許營業額在五十萬元以下的小企業，不需付州稅，以鼓勵小企業開辦，創造就業機會等。

            查理貝克坦言，自己在小鎮一路成長，從未擔憂過未來，但如今，麻州經濟成長差強人意，為弭平預算，保持競爭力，過去七年來，加稅五次，州內就業機會卻十四年來幾乎沒成長，麻州實在應該表現得比現在好才對。

            但是在做生意的花費，申請牌照的難易，政府法令，稅務規章等等的各項調查報告中，麻州總是排在全美五十州中的倒數第幾名。以州政府對小企業的友善程度來說，麻州就排名第四十七，雖然比排第五十的紐約好些，但實在應該可以更好。

            查理貝克指出，在麻州申辦成立有限責任企業（LLC），每年得繳五百元，但美國許多其他州卻只要廿五元，五十元而已。麻州政府能在經濟不景的大環境中仍然表現得還可以，原因之一是幾乎每年都加稅。

            查理貝克質問道，做生意申請牌照許可，得弄成那麼複雜嗎？開辦企業，得那麼昂貴嗎？他認為關鍵在於如何簡化一應程序，了解把事情做成到底得花多少時間，並控制預算。

            談及學校時，查理貝克表示，不論他走到那兒，人們最關心的議題之一都是教育，各人也都知道社區裏哪所學校最好。在他的觀察中，好學校有三個共通點，校長都拒絕任由小孩子學不會，能夠有創意的不僵化固守規章，能掌握校內每一名學童的學習表現。他認為大家應向能把學校辦得好的人學習。

            在建立社區上，查理貝克以越助中心的行政主任范文南為例，指越南人聚居的多徹斯特區，原本是波士頓市內人人聞之色變的區域，荒置屋宇既多，還髒亂，又不安全。但在范文南等熱心人的努力下，如今道路整潔，沿路幾乎沒有一家空置店面。他認為州政府應該認可這些人的努力，帶動整個周的成功。

            自由提問部分，由郭慧明的太太主持。其中一部份問題是會前已經收集的，一些是現場聽眾提出的，主要集中在稅務、醫療保險、移民和大學錄取新生的平權政策等。

            其中還有波士頓前進基金會召集人之一的趙剛以他女兒在學校，午餐時間只有十五分鐘，還來不及吃，就得上課了，因此經常餓著回家的情況，提出學校教育制度應該修改，包括把學生午膳時間從十五分鐘改成廿分鐘。廣西同鄉會理事謝婉珍強調，不能讓加州的SCA5等所謂平權法案，限制了亞裔進好大學機會的事發生等。

            在稅務問題上，查理貝克解釋了今年大選時將列在選票上的汽油稅問題。他指出，麻州議會打算通過新法，讓汽油稅每年依照通貨膨脹率調漲，議會不必再討論商議是否加稅。

            查理貝克表示，他反對這種州議員不需投票表决，汽油稅就可自行調漲的做法，因為這樣一來，就沒人需要為加稅與否負責了。

            查理貝克強調，他認為州政府應該量入為出，並承諾一旦他當選州長，絕不加稅。查理貝克還進一步指出，過去六，七年來，麻州政府開銷年年增加，撥發給地方的補助款，卻年年縮減，甚至減了五億元，連帶的就影響了地方上的教育系統營運品質。

            談及醫療保險時，曾任Harvard Pilgrim執行長的查理貝克坦言，他認為麻州醫保費用高漲不下，主要因為同樣的病症，醫法，結果，不同醫院卻有不同收費，還沒人知道為什麼。將來的改革重點之一，是要規定各機構公開這些醫療費用資訊，給民眾更多不同的就醫選擇，為民眾提供更多的基本醫療護理。

            查理貝克會後表示，他平日經常聽到科技公司談及美國應放寬H1B工作簽證，但當天還是第一次在與民眾見面活動中，實地聽到有民眾關心這一問題。

            查理貝克的競選陣營表示，該競選團隊目前有工作人員十八人，其中只有一名菲律賓及亞裔。

圖片說明：

            郭慧明（左起），高璐，朱鵬程為見面會做開場說明。（李如琢攝）

            查理貝克見面會，出席民眾近百。（李如琢攝）

            波士頓復旦大學校友會會長高璐（左）歡迎查理貝克到場。（菊子攝）

            已開設有一家生物公司的朱鵬程（左），正在籌辦孵化器，像查理貝克請教H1B簽證問題。（菊子攝）

            會場許多人拍照，錄像。（菊子攝）