朗尼露口風 有意再參選美國總統

曾任麻州州長，也曾兩度競選美國總統的朗尼（Mitt Romney）昨（九）日告訴大約三十名支持者，他考慮三度出馬，參選美國總統。

            波士頓環球報昨日表示，兩名當時在場者透露了這一消息。

            如果朗尼出來參選，2016年的美國總統選舉的選情盤面將出現大幅度調整，

            消息來源透露，朗尼是在紐約噴射機公司擁有者Woody Johnson的紐約辦公室，向一群金融界高層主管，以及他以前的競選捐款者表示，他為美國的外交事務現狀，以及長期的經濟問題感到困擾。

            儘管有接近朗尼的人透露過，即使候選人中增加了曾任佛羅里達州州長的傑布布殊（jeb Bush），朗尼對共和黨目前的初選盤面感到不滿，朗尼說自己想要參選的決定，和現有候選人的好壞無關。

朗尼的財務主任Spencer Zwick表示，如果朗尼不想當總統，他不會參選兩次。他是一個真心認為自己可以拯救國家的人，不會明知自己有資格，卻把總統寶座讓給希拉莉（Hillary Clinton），或其他人。

當時在座的人包括曾任布殊政府助理財務部部長的Emil Henry Jr.,，金融公司KKR的Alexander Navab，巴克萊（Barclays）投資公司的Patrick Durkin，Valor資本集團的執行夥伴Clifford Sobel，以及Cushman & Wakefield公司的董事長兼執行長Edward C. Forst。

查理貝克宣佈凍結州府人事

	Baker-Polito Administration Institutes Hiring Freeze, Launches 100-Day Agency Reviews to Identify Savings, Gauge Performance  Secretaries to also review contract amendments and procurement in process Boston - Fulfilling a commitment to begin the process of reducing the state’s budget deficit, Governor Charlie Baker today issued a hiring freeze effective immediately across state government. Governor Baker also announced a comprehensive review of all departments in the first 100 days of his administration to streamline state government, eliminate waste and increase efficiency. Additionally, the Baker-Polito administration directed cabinet members to initiate a review of all contract amendments since September first, 2014 as well as a review of all procurement processes currently underway. "The current deficit requires significant spending reductions to ensure a balanced, and fair budget that protects taxpayers and maintains the future stability of the Commonwealth," said Governor Baker. “Our current deficit proves that Massachusetts is facing a spending problem that must be remedied through smarter spending and a streamlined approach for state government." "These first efforts will begin to address the deficit, while moving our administration forward in identifying greater opportunities for future savings," said Lt. Governor Polito.   Hiring Freeze:  Detailed in a memo addressed to cabinet secretaries, division directors and agency heads, the hiring freeze is set to control new hiring as one of the Baker-Polito administration’s first actions to address the current budgetary shortfall, by restricting new hires for unfilled positions.  The hiring freeze directs agencies to withdraw job postings for vacant positions, prohibits the hiring of new contract employees and limits paid internships and temporary staff.  Agencies are advised to take steps towards restructuring their operations as needed to most efficiently accommodate adjustments from the hiring freeze. As outlined in the memo, new hires will be permitted for certain safety personnel and direct care positions, such as law enforcement, nurses and social workers. Individuals returning from leave and positions that must be filled pursuant to court order are also exempt from the hiring freeze, as are appointments made by the Governor pursuant to statute and to effectuate the on-boarding of the new Administration (consistent with previous Administrations, all M-5’s and above must be approved before an employment offer is made). Savings Estimate for FY15: $6.5 million Agency Reviews:  The Baker-Polito administration directed cabinet members to conduct agency reviews, program by program to examining their purpose, scope, budget, revenue sources, number of clients/customers served, and key services provided to determine opportunities for improvement. These reviews will help establish a baseline for performance.  Agency reviews are aimed to determine best practices currently at work within agencies, implications for other departments and potential cross-agency recommendations. Secretaries are also directed to collect revenue and expense data.    Contract Amendment And Procurement Reviews:  The Baker-Polito administration directed cabinet Secretaries to conduct reviews of all contract amendments made since September 1, 2014. Additionally secretaries will examine major procurement processes underway to determine if they are in the best interest of the Commonwealth.

2015年海外華裔青年英語服務營接受報名

由僑委會與教育部及客家委員會合作辦理「2015年海外華裔青年英語服務營」活動，預計招募華裔青年前往台灣偏遠地區學校實地從事英語教學，幫助國內偏鄉及弱勢兒童增進學習英語機會，協助拓展國際視野。

波士頓波士頓華僑文教服務中心訂於2015年1月17日(星期六)下午1:30於中心(90 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands MA  02461)舉辦「2015年海外華裔青年英語服務營招生說明會」，歡迎參加。

Seattle Seahawks Stars Russell Wilson and Richard Sherman encourage Americans to visit HealthCare.gov and shop for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace

Seattle Seahawks Stars Russell Wilson and Richard Sherman encourage Americans to visit HealthCare.gov and shop for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and cornerback Richard Sherman encourage Americans to visit HealthCare.gov to shop for quality, affordable health insurance in a video released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. January 15 is the deadline for consumers to sign up for Health Insurance Marketplace coverage that begins on February 1.  Consumers can sign up at HealthCare.gov, by calling 1-800-318-2596, or they can find assistance near their homes by visiting localhelp.healthcare.gov. Open Enrollment in the Marketplace ends on February 15. “I want to thank Russell and Richard for volunteering their time to raise awareness about the importance of enrolling in health insurance coverage and join them in calling for people to visit HealthCare.gov and check out their options,” said HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell.  “With 25 percent more issuers in the Marketplace, health insurance companies are competing for your business. And last month, 87 percent of people who signed up through HealthCare.gov were eligible for financial assistance to lower monthly premiums. January 15 is the deadline to select coverage that begins on February 1, so sign up today.” “When your health or the game is on the line, nothing is more important than quality coverage,” Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman says in the public service announcement. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson continues, “so make the right call, visit HealthCare.gov and get covered.”  Through the Marketplaces, consumers can go online to find and compare options, see if they qualify for lower costs, and select coverage that best meets their needs and budget. Nearly 8 in 10 current Marketplace consumers can find coverage in the 2015 Marketplace for $100 or less, taking into account any applicable tax credits. A new streamlined application reduces the number of screens to 16 with fewer clicks to navigate through the questions. Last year, consumers went through 76 screens to sign up for coverage. This year, along with a simpler, faster application, consumers can shop and enroll on a smartphone, tablet, computer, or by calling the call center or with in-person assistance. To sign up for individual and family coverage, visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/apply-and-enroll/ To sign up for small business coverage, visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/small-businesses/ For more information about Health Insurance Marketplaces, visit: www.healthcare.gov/marketplace

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES FIRST NINE OLYMPIC COMMUNITY MEETINGS

January 9, 2015- Mayor Martin Walsh is joined by Governor Charlie Baker, John Fish of Suffolk Construction and Chairman of Boston 2024 and USOC Chairman of the Board Larry Probst at a press conference announcing Boston's winning bid as USA City host and to announce the City's first 9 Olympic community meetings.  (Mayor's Office Photo by Isabel Leon)

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES FIRST NINE OLYMPIC COMMUNITY MEETINGS

City will host first nine meetings beginning Jan. 27 to discuss proposed venue plans; Boston 2024 citizens group meets Jan. 21

BOSTON — Mayor Martin J. Walsh hailed Boston's selection by the United States Olympic Committee as a once-in-a-lifetime urban planning and economic development opportunity and laid out a nine-month schedule of community meetings in neighborhoods across the city.

“Today marks the start of a long process to meet with residents and solicit feedback from our many diverse neighborhoods as we move forward in our quest to host the 2024 Summer Olympics,” Mayor Martin J. Walsh said. “I am excited to share our vision with the people of Boston and hear their thoughts on how we can work together to not only bring the Games to Boston, but create one of the most innovative, sustainable and successful Olympics the world has seen.”

The city will hold it's first public meeting on the Boston 2024 effort on January 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Suffolk Law School, 120 Tremont St. The meeting will be to discuss the benefits and impact on the City. The rest of the meetings are as follows:

• February 24, 6:30 p.m. - Condon School Cafeteria, 200 D St., South Boston
• March 31, 6:30 p.m. - Harvard Business School, (building to be determined)
• April 12, 6:30 p.m. - Roxbury Community College, 1234 Columbus Ave., Roxbury
• May 19, 6:30 p.m. - Cleveland Community Center, 11 Charles St., Dorchester
• June 30, 6:30 p.m. - English High School, 144 McBride St., Jamaica Plain
• July 28, 6:30 p.m. - Mildred School, 5 Mildred Ave., Boston
• August 25, 6:30 p.m. - Orenberger School, 175 West Boundary Road, W. Roxbury
• September 29, 6:30 p.m. – East Boston High School, 86 White St., East Boston

Meetings and additional steps in the community process will be announced on an ongoing basis.

In addition, Boston 2024, the privately-funded nonprofit organizing committee, will host the first meeting of its citizens advisory group on Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Boston 2024 created the citizens advisory group through its www.2024Boston.org website to provide information and solicit feedback from the public.

“Boston 2024 looks forward to a thoughtful, robust public conversation about the proposed venues and the many benefits that would come with the Games,” said Boston 2024 executive vice-president Erin Murphy Rafferty. “We have enjoyed enthusiastic and overwhelming public support from Massachusetts Olympians and Paralympians, business and community leaders, elected officials, the university community and the general public.”

The USOC decision to select Boston as the United States' bid city is the next step in the International Olympic Committee selection process. There will be a review process before the USOC officially submits Boston as the United States' bid city to the IOC. The IOC will select the 2024 Summer Games host city in 2017.

麻州 72名州長中有31人是共和黨

七日卸任的麻州首名非洲裔州長派區克（Deval Patrick）是1991年以來的第一位民主黨州長。去年十一月四日的選舉結果，麻州再度變天，又回到共和黨手中。

         共和黨籍的威廉威爾德（William Weld）在1991年當選麻州州長後，接任的保羅瑟祿奇，珍史威芙，以及朗尼，全都是共和黨人。

         麻州從1780年起至今，共有72名州長，其中19人為民主黨，31人為共和黨，其餘為民主共和黨人（6)，聯邦黨(3)，什麼都不知道黨(1)，國民共和黨(1)，無黨派(6)，輝格黨（Whig）(7)。
         去年大選之後，麻州新增一個黨派。費確克(Evan Falchuck）競選州長時，得票數超過3%，他所代表的聯合獨立黨（United Independent Party）獲麻州政府認可，正式成為麻州內的黨派之一。

查理貝克八日就任州長 共和黨奪回麻州角落辦公室

  查理貝克（Charlie Baker，右二）在家人陪同下，由麻州參眾議會議長
主持，宣誓就任第七十二任麻州州長。左一為同日宣誓就任的麻州
副州長白莉朵（Karyn Polito）。（菊子攝）

麻州第七十二任州長查理貝克（Charles Duane Baker Jr., ），昨（八）日中午宣誓就職，走進共和黨闊別八年的麻州政府角落辦公室。

            他誓言要以人民為念，簡化官僚手續，也指出上任後要馬上著手因應預算赤字，打造能夠產生工作機會的經濟，彌平成就差距，因應毒癮問題，並重振城市中心，要保持麻州在生物科技，清潔能源，科技創新等方面領先全美的優勢，也要支持特許學校，讓所有學生都能在表現良好的學校上課。

            現年五十八歲的共和黨籍麻州州長查理貝克，和副州長白莉朵（Karyn Polito）昨日在麻州參眾議員，多屆麻州州長，以及擠滿了麻州眾議會議事廳的觀禮嘉賓面前，手撫麻州第一任州長約翰漢考克（John Hancock）就任時用的聖經，由家人陪同，宣誓就任。

麻州州長查理貝克（Charlie Baker，左二）為就任高興地做手勢，
和樓上熟人打招呼。左為麻州副州長白莉朵（Karyn Polito），
右為參眾兩會議長。（菊子攝）

            查理貝克在白莉朵發表就任辭後，花了大約廿五分鐘，闡述他的施政理念，方向，既提到三十四年前的一月九日，約翰甘迺迪也站在他現在站的位置上，他宣誓就任的聖經是他父親四十六年前宣誓就任助理交通廳長時得同一本聖經，他也稱許甫於去年辭世的波士頓前市長萬寧路（Tom Menino），指萬寧路留下很多教訓，包括政府不只是要有高遠理想，更要注重基本服務，每一點細節都很重要。

            他提到，歷史會記錄下來，他這一屆政府承接了逾五億元的預算赤字。他也必須和州議會合作，找地方刪減經費來彌平赤字。

麻州州長查理貝克（Charlie Baker，中）舉手宣誓，說到“做為州長”
時，忍不住開懷而笑。（菊子攝）

            他也藉“麻州還未發揮真正實力”，“有些麻州面對的最嚴峻挑戰被忽略了，被遺落在成功背後”來含蓄指前任州長施政挑容易看到成績的事來做。

            他說，這些挑戰包括麻州有1500多個流浪家庭被安排住進酒店，汽車旅館；人們到汽車監理處得等上幾個小時，就只為了辦理一項簡單的手續；數以千計的家庭仍然對健康聯繫者提供的服務感到困惑等等。這些都是他這一屆政府要整頓的地方。

            他認為麻州可以做得更好，他們要挑戰現狀，為麻州寫下一章歷史，創造偉大，讓以前的不好變得好，

            他指出，儘管麻州的失業率已改善到只有5.8%，但還有廿萬人在找工作的事實，不能冷血不顧。

            他稱許越助中心在范文南（Nam Pham）的經營下，改善了越南裔聚居處的社區及經濟環境。

            查理貝克說他和副州長白莉朵聘僱了有才幹，有經驗，多元化，不分黨派的內閣人員及職工，期許未來四年，把麻州打造成更偉大的地方。

 麻州州長查理貝克（Charlie Baker）發表就職演說，提及因病不在
現場的母親時，忍不住眼眶含淚。（菊子攝）

            昨日出席查理貝克就職典禮的嘉賓眾多，包括共和黨籍，曾任麻州州長的威廉威爾德（William Weld），珍史威芙（Jane Swift），朗尼（Ｍitt Romney），以及曾任麻州聯邦參議員的布朗（Scott Brown），傳聞將參選下屆美國總統的新澤西州州長克利斯帝（Chris Christie）等人。

 麻州州長查理貝克（Charlie Baker），蘿拉（Laura）夫婦（前右一，二）
昨日在十九響禮砲後，從正門踏進麻州政府大樓，和夾道歡迎的人們握手
，揮手示意。大廳後左方，放有一個州政府形狀的大蛋糕。（菊子攝）

            羅德島州新任州長雷萌朵（Gina Raimondo)，波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh），麻州前州長保羅瑟祿奇（Paul Cellucci）的遺孀，波士頓前市長萬寧路的遺孀都應邀出席。

         查理貝克在宣誓就任後，昨日下午三點立即行使州長職權，指示麻州交通廳（MassDOT）釋出一億元的第九十章（Chapter 90）經費，給地方市鎮修橋補路。

麻州新任財政廳長高伯珂（Deb Goldberg）昨日出席麻州長就職典禮
。（菊子攝）

          

            

            

前右起，波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh），麻州前州長
威廉威爾德（William Weld），前麻州聯邦參議員布朗（Scott Brown）
，麻州前州長朗尼（Mitt Romney）昨日坐在嘉賓席中前後相鄰。
（菊子攝）

           

           

  傳聞將競選下屆美國總統的克利斯帝（Chris Christie）（中）和羅德
島州候任州長雷萌朵（左）在查理貝克的就職禮中比鄰而坐。（菊子攝）

            

            

麻州眾議員黃子安（左二起）和波士頓市議會議長林乃肯
（Bill Linehan），林乃肯的幕僚長陳偉民，波市議會前任議長莫菲
（Steve Murphy ）等人都是昨日就職禮的出席者。（菊子攝）

          

            

            麻州政府大廳中，昨日擺出一個非常漂亮，以州政府大樓為模型的蛋糕。（菊子攝）