Law Does Not Provide for a Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2016

Law Does Not Provide for a Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2016

With consumer prices down over the past year, monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for nearly 65 million Americans will not automatically increase in 2016.

The Social Security Act provides for an automatic increase in Social Security and SSI benefits if there is an increase in inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).  The period of consideration includes the third quarter of the last year a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) was made to the third quarter of the current year.  As determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there was no increase in the CPI-W from the third quarter of 2014 to the third quarter of 2015.  Therefore, under existing law, there can be no COLA in 2016.

Other adjustments that would normally take effect based on changes in the national average wage index also will not take effect in January 2016.  Since there is no COLA, the statute also prohibits a change in the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax, as well as the retirement earnings test exempt amounts.  These amounts will remain unchanged in 2016.  The attached fact sheet provides more information on 2016 Social Security and SSI changes.

The Department of Health and Human Services has not yet announced Medicare premium changes for 2016.  Should there be an increase in the Medicare Part B premium, the law contains a “hold harmless” provision that protects approximately 70 percent of Social Security beneficiaries from paying a higher Part B premium, in order to avoid reducing their net Social Security benefit.  Those not protected include higher income beneficiaries subject to an income-adjusted Part B premium and beneficiaries newly entitled to Part B in 2016.  In addition, beneficiaries who have their Medicare Part B premiums paid by state medical assistance programs will see no change in their Social Security benefit.  The state will be required to pay any Medicare Part B premium increase.

Information about Medicare changes for 2016, when available, will be found at www.medicare.gov. 

For additional information, please go to www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.

2016 SOCIAL SECURITY CHANGES

  o        Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA):

Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will not automatically increase in 2016 as there was no increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2014 to the third quarter of 2015.  Other important 2016 Social Security information is as follows:

2015                            2016

  o        Tax Rate:

Employee                                                          7.65%                          7.65%

Self-Employed                                                15.30%                        15.30%

                 NOTE:  The 7.65% tax rate is the combined rate for Social Security and Medicare.  The Social Security portion (OASDI) is 6.20% on earnings up to the applicable taxable maximum amount (see below).  The Medicare portion (HI) is 1.45% on all earnings. Also, as of January 2013, individuals with earned income of more than $200,000 ($250,000 for married couples filing jointly) pay an additional 0.9 percent in Medicare taxes. The tax rates shown above do not include the 0.9 percent.

  o        Maximum Taxable Earnings:

                              Social Security (OASDI only)                        $118,500                    $118,500*

Medicare (HI only)                                                     N o    L i m i t

  o        Quarter of Coverage:                                   $1,220                         $1,260

o         Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts:

Under full retirement age                                $15,720/yr.                 $15,720/yr.*

                                                                                    ($1,310/mo.)               ($1,310/mo.)

            NOTE:  One dollar in benefits will be withheld for every $2 in earnings above the limit.

The year an individual reaches full                 $41,880/yr.                 $41,880/yr.*

  retirement age                                                ($3,490/mo.)               ($3,490/mo.)

NOTE:  Applies only to earnings for months prior to attaining full retirement age.  One dollar in benefits will be withheld for every $3 in earnings above the limit.

          There is no limit on earnings beginning the month an individual attains full retirement age.

o       Social Security Disability Thresholds:

            Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

                        Non-Blind                                           $1,090/mo.                  $1,130/mo.

                        Blind                                                   $1,820/mo.                  $1,820/mo.*

            Trial Work Period (TWP)                               $   780/mo.                  $   810/mo.

  o        Maximum Social Security Benefit:  Worker Retiring at Full Retirement Age:

                                                                                    $2,663/mo.                   $2,639/mo.**                                          

  o        SSI Federal Payment Standard:

Individual                                                        $  733/mo.                   $  733/mo.*

Couple                                                            $1,100/mo.                  $1,100/mo.*

  o        SSI Resources Limits:

                              Individual                                                        $2,000                         $2,000

Couple                                                            $3,000                         $3,000

o        SSI Student Exclusion:

          Monthly limit                                                 $1,780                         $1,780*

          Annual limit                                                    $7,180                         $7,180*

o        Estimated Average Monthly Social Security Benefits Payable in January 2016:

All Retired Workers                                                                            $1,341

                         Aged Couple, Both Receiving Benefits                                              $2,212

Widowed Mother and Two Children                                                 $2,680

Aged Widow(er) Alone                                                                       $1,285

                              Disabled Worker, Spouse and                                                             $1,983

 One or More Children

All Disabled Workers                                                                         $1,166

* Because there is no COLA, by law these amounts remain unchanged in 2016.

** A decrease in full maximum benefits occurs when there is no COLA, but there is an increase in the national average wage index.

Governor Baker Announces Plans for Strategic Use of State Real Estate Assets

Governor Baker Announces Plans for Strategic Use of State Real Estate Assets

Outlines opportunities to leverage state land for economic development, affordable housing

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today outlined the administration’s Real Estate Asset Leveraging (REAL) Strategy for developing unused or underutilized Commonwealth properties into new opportunities for affordable or market-rate housing, reducing government expenses, increasing revenue without taxes, capital investment in state properties, economic development, or open recreational space. Across our state agencies and authorities, the Commonwealth highlighted 42 near-term opportunities for public-private partnerships at an open house for interested parties. 

“As the Commonwealth’s largest property owners, state government has an opportunity to leverage underutilized real estate to build housing and conserve open space, while driving economic growth and stronger communities across Massachusetts,” said Governor Baker. “We are excited to invite the private sector and community partners to participate in this process and look forward to unleashing their creativity and innovation to better use public land for the good of the Commonwealth.”

Among the REAL Strategy steps announced by the Governor today were:

·         An inter-governmental REAL working group, spearheaded by the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, to meet regularly to evaluate proposals, develop ideas and ensure efficiency and timeliness.

·         One stop shops at key landholding agencies to better manage Commonwealth real estate assets.

·         Engagement of a private consultant to assist the Commonwealth in developing the next wave of parcels and partnerships in order to build a pipeline of projects.

·         Reactivation of the sparingly used Asset Management Board as a flexible tool to work with the private sector on long-term leases.

·         More effectively managing thousands of leases on state land in a more professional and progressive manner.

Over 40 initial properties were identified today for the solicitation of proposals, including:

·         Opportunities in Boston to invest in high value properties for retail and housing.

·         Parcels in Northampton ready for redevelopment.

·         Major development parcels near highways in Plymouth, Carver and Taunton.

·         Potential partnerships with the MBTA and MassDOT for fuel sales, ATMs and new service plazas.

·         Green investment projects for anaerobic digestion and new solar installations.

·         A renewed collaboration with our Sale Partnership Communities, who are redeveloping closed state hospitals in partnership with the Commonwealth.

·         Opportunities to upgrade statewide telecom infrastructure.

·         Online database featuring all available properties in one page that includes each project name, acreage, how long they have been available and anticipated release.

The REAL Strategy was announced at an Open for Business event hosted by the Baker-Polito Administration and attended by representatives of businesses and key state agencies, including the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA), the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), MassDevelopment and DCAMM. Of the Commonwealth’s over 20,000 properties, approximately 15,000 are held by DCAMM, 4,000 by the MBTA and 1,700 by MassDOT.

Boston’s Archaeological Program Announces Survey on Boston Common

Boston’s Archaeological Program Announces Survey on Boston Common

 

BOSTON – Monday, October 19, 2015 – The City of Boston’s archaeological program within the Environment, Energy, and Open Space Cabinet will oversee an archaeological survey on Boston Common Monday, October 19th and Tuesday, October 20th, creating a unique opportunity for important archaeological findings. City Archaeologist Joe Bagley, who requested the archaeological survey, will be present throughout the duration of the work.

 

“This is an amazing opportunity for Boston history fans,” said Bagley. “We not only have the chance to find new information about Boston’s native past and the lives of Boston’s native people, but this is also where one of the best preserved Revolutionary War sites in Boston exists.”

 

Previous archaeological surveys in the area have identified a Revolutionary War-era British troop encampment dating between 1768 and 1776 found directly over a Native American site that is between 400 and 1000 years old.

 

The survey will be conducted by Pawtucket, RI-based Public Archaeology Laboratory ahead of a proposed critical Eversource project. The utility project is close in proximity to a small portion of the previously identified archaeological sites, which accelerated the request for archaeological documentation and data collection within the area.  

 

Boston Common received landmark status by the Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC) in 1977. As a landmark, the BLC and its staff, including the City Archaeologist, review most projects in the Boston Common. Boston’s Parks and Recreation Department also reviews all work done in City parks.

 

“The Boston Landmarks Commission, Parks and Recreation Department, and Eversource have worked extremely well together to make this project proceed smoothly,” said Austin Blackmon, the City’s Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space. “I look forward to seeing the results of the dig.”

 

Boston Common has remained relatively undeveloped since 1630 and contains rich archaeological resources first encountered during excavations for the large underground parking garage on the lower end near Charles Street. More extensive surveys conducted by private archaeology firms and the City’s archaeologist program in the 1980s identified several intact archaeological sites including two Native American habitation areas, the 1706 powder house located near the Soldiers and Sailors monument today, and a Revolutionary War encampment among other sites.

 

October is Archaeology Month in Massachusetts and the BLC will celebrate with an event at the Tap Trailhouse, featuring food and drink from the time era. Also in celebration of Archaeology month, the BLC earlier this month held two historic walking tours. 

 

“I had no idea when we were planning for the month’s celebrations that we’d have an active dig taking place on the Common at the same time,” said Bagley. “It is an excellent coincidence, and I’m excited that we will be having Native and Revolutionary history actively being revealed during Archaeology Month.”

 

Bagley will be on-site throughout the project where visitors are welcome. The project is located in an open area between the Parkman Bandstand and the Boylston MBTA station in the southeast corner of Boston Common.  

波士頓市長推住宅創新實驗室解決中產家庭住房危機

波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin J. Walsh）最近宣佈，設立市長的住宅創新實驗室，將由阮蘇珊（譯音，Susan Nguyen）及Marcy Ostberg共同領導，致力於帶進設計思考及創新元素，以協助解決波士頓中等收入家庭所面對的住宅危機問題。                   阮蘇珊持有哈佛大學設計學院碩士學位，Marcy Ostberg獲有塔芙茨大學的市區、環境政策及計畫碩士。                  馬丁華殊表示，全美迄今還沒有任何一個城市解決了中產家庭所面對的住宅危機問題，他要波士頓成為第一個能做到的城市。                  住宅創新實驗室的初期工作，將由彭博慈善基金（Bloomberg Philanthropies）資助。從2014年12月起，彭博慈善基金已宣佈了撥款給美國12個城市，在各自的城市內，成立“我團隊（i-teams）“，為城市所面對的挑戰性問題，帶進創新思考。            在未來18個月內，隸屬於市長的“新市區機器（New Urban Mechanics (MONUM)）“辦公室的波士頓“我團隊”，將帶領市長的住宅創新實驗室和波士頓市的鄰里發展局（DND）合作。               住宅創新實驗室將要求“我團隊”探討在波士頓市內可降低建造，購買，擁有房屋等開銷的構想。              就如波士頓市長馬丁華殊的“容納一個改變的城市：波士頓2030“計畫所描繪的，地理人口預測顯示，在2010年到2030年間，波士頓將增加26,600戶人家。換言之，等於未來20年，人口會增長13%。但在今時今日的環境中，要建造中等價位的房屋，非常困難。市長的住宅創新實驗室將探討最好，最有效的方法，來打造可供20,000人居住的家庭單位。              查詢相關詳情，可上網http://newurbanmechanics.org/boston/bostons-i-team。 MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES HOUSING INNOVATION LAB

Bloomberg-funded Team will Explore and Evaluate Solutions for Building, Buying, and Owning Middle Income Housing

BOSTON - Monday, October 19, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh recently announced the creation of the Mayor's Housing Innovation Lab, co-led by Susan Nguyen and Marcy Ostberg, to bring design thinking and innovation into solving Boston's middle income housing challenge. "Maintaining a strong middle class is critical to ensuring that Boston continues to be a thriving, diverse city where people want to live and employers want to locate," said Mayor Walsh. "Having Susan and Marcy in place to lead the i-team will help ensure that Boston remains a city that is affordable to people at all economic levels. No city in the United States has solved the middle income housing challenge yet; I want Boston to be the first." The initial work of the Lab will be funded by a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. In December 2014, Bloomberg Philanthropies announcedgrants to 12 US cities to set up "i-teams" in their City to bring innovative thinking to challenging issues.  For the next 18 months, Boston's i-team, a part of the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM), will lead the Mayor's Housing Innovation Lab in collaboration with the City's Department of Neighborhood Development (DND). The development of the Housing Innovation Lab will require the i-team to explore ideas that will potentially drive down the cost to build, buy, and own homes in the City of Boston. The team will be actively seeking input from internal and external housing experts as well as from Boston residents to gather and generate potential ideas to solve this issue. Ideas that are both high-impact and highly feasible will be deployed as prototypes on an experimental basis throughout the City. Successful prototypes that indicate improvements in housing affordability will be brought to scale and will help inform the City's continued focus on middle income housing creation. The Lab will continue to gather ideas throughout the entire 18-month innovation program. As outlined in the Walsh administration's "Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030" plan, demographic projections show Boston's workforce growing by 26,600 households between 2010 and 2030 - a nearly 13 percent increase over the next 20 years. However, in today's housing market, it can be extremely challenging to construct moderately-priced housing. To meet this growing demand, the Mayor's Housing Innovation Lab will examine how to best and most efficiently create the 20,000 workforce housing units called for in the plan by 2030. For more information and to contact the Housing Innovation Lab:http://newurbanmechanics.org/boston/bostons-i-team Biographies of Housing Innovation Lab Members Susan Nguyen, Program Co-Manager Susan is the Program Co-Manager for the i-team. She develops new methods of innovation to deliver quality products and services to residents and visitors. Susan previously worked as a Program Director for the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics. Her background is in city planning, economics, design, and public engagement. Prior to joining the City of Boston, Susan holds a MA in Urban Planning from Harvard's Graduate School of Design and BA from Harvard College. Marcy Ostberg, Program Co-Manager Marcy is thrilled to join Boston's i-team as a Program Co-Manager, bringing her background in civic innovation, urban policy and education. She previously worked as a Strategic Project Manager at the Right Question Institute advancing a question formulation strategy used for problem solving in innovation, critical thinking in education and self-advocacy in social services. Previously she worked as a High School Biology Teacher at the Boston Day & Evening Academy. Her experiences as an urban educator drove her to explore innovative solutions to systemic and complex problems that face low-income families. Marcy holds a MA in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University, an MEd in Secondary Biology from Franklin Pierce University, and a BS in Kinesiology from Gordon College. Sabrina Dorsainvil, Civic Designer  Sabrina Dorsainvil is a Boston-based designer and illustrator whose work ranges from playful drawings to the development of strategic, human centered design solutions used to address complex issues such as housing, healthcare and human rights. She is fascinated by people; the way they move, speak, touch, interact and experience environments, objects and each other. She has worked with community based organizations, large corporate institutions, and international projects on issues regarding social, spatial and environmental justice. Her role as i-team civic designer will employ human centered design to assist in addressing the mayoral challenge of keeping Boston affordable to middle income families. Sabrina holds a BFA in Industrial Design for Massachusetts College of Art and Design and an MS in Design and Urban Ecologies from Parsons the New School.

Baker-Polito Administration Invites Insurance Coverage Proposals for Transportation Network Company (TNC) Drivers

Baker-Polito Administration Invites Insurance Coverage Proposals for Transportation Network Company (TNC) Drivers

1^st state policy endorsement by USAA will provide comprehensive coverage for TNC drivers

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker and the Division of Insurance (DOI) announced today the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) will begin offering additional coverage to its policyholders who drive their cars for transportation network companies (TNC), such as Uber and Lyft, and invited insurance companies to submit additional proposals for consideration.

“As we work to develop a regulatory framework to support innovative ride-sharing companies, it’s crucial that appropriate coverage is available to protect drivers, passengers and the traveling public,” said Governor Baker.“With the first endorsement of its type taking effect for TNC drivers, we welcome others to participate in supporting consumer safety and choice in Massachusetts’ diverse transportation network. I also encourage the legislature to continue moving forward on our proposal to develop a regulatory structure that includes strong standards for both industry and consumer safety.”

In April, Governor Baker filed “An Act Establishing Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Oversight of Transportation Network Companies” with the legislature, creating a statewide regulatory framework for TNCs that includes Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks for all drivers and requires $1 million in minimum insurance coverage for drivers operating as TNCs, while clarifying existing insurance gaps.

“The Division of Insurance is pleased to announce the availability of an insurance product which provides necessary protection to consumers utilizing TNCs and which furthers the public’s interest in the availability of TNCs as a transportation alternative,” said Commissioner of Insurance Dan Judson.

Ride-sharing coverage offers necessary protection to TNC drivers from the time they turn on a TNC app and are awaiting a ride offer to the time an offer is accepted. Currently, all drivers in Massachusetts, including TNC drivers, are required to carry personal automobile insurance, and are specifically excluded from coverage on their personal policies when operating a personal vehicle to transport goods or passengers for a fee. TNCs such as Uber and Lyft provide $1 million surplus line policy coverage to their drivers from the time a ride is accepted to the pickup and drop-off of a passenger – policies which are accepted by the state and would be required under the Governor’s proposed legislation.

“The Division’s action is a positive step forward that will help ensure that drivers and the public are protected,” said Frank O’Brien, Property Casualty Insurers (PCI) Vice President. “When policymakers create a framework that is clear, concise and encourages innovation, insurers are able to develop new options such as this that can meet the demands of the sharing economy.”

”Beginning Nov. 21, USAA members will be able to purchase Ride Share Gap Protection for policies effective on or after Jan. 7, 2016. We are excited to provide this option to current and prospective members driving for TNCs to help them safeguard their financial security,” said Mark Medeiros, Product Manager for USAA. “We invite members to call 800-531-8722 (ext. 76127) for more information on this and other products and features available in Massachusetts.”

DOI joins other states such as California, Connecticut, Texas, Utah and Virginia, in allowing the first policy endorsement of its type for use in Massachusetts, and encourages similar proposals from other insurance companies to cover TNC drivers.

The Boston Asian American Film Festival starts this Thursday, October 22:

The Boston Asian American Film Festival starts this Thursday, October 22: 

 

Opening Night: SEOUL SEARCHING

7:30 pm

Brattle Theatre, Harvard Square, Cambridge

Purchase tickets for Opening Night only at  www.baaff.org

-------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, October 23 - Saturday, October 24 - Sunday, October 25:

Paramount Center/ArtsEmerson, Downtown Boston

For schedule & info, visit www.baaff.org

Highlights:

Sat/Oct 24 @ 6:15 pm:  Centerpiece Film:  THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR

Sun/Oct 25 @ 5:00 pm:  Closing Film:  MISS INDIA AMERICA

Purchase tickets for Paramount Center screenings at https://artsemerson.org/Online/article/film_baaff

You may also purchase tickets at the Paramount Center box office to avoid additional fees.

波士頓僑教中心華語文數位學習課程 10/24起三場

為因應華語文數位教學趨勢、提升海外僑校教師數位知能，波士頓僑教中心華語文數位學習示範點將辦理數位學習課程，幫助華文教師提提升數位教學優勢及競爭力。

講師: 葉金惠老師 

課程內容:  1.介紹如何製作平板電腦電子書

        2.利用APP應用程式輔助華語文教學,

        3.示範「翻轉教室」練習,藉以達成學生課前預習及課 後師生互動聯繫平台之目標。

        4.介紹最新的數位工具,以免費的素材協助影像、語音或電子字卡製作。

日期: 10月24日、11月7日、12月12日三場

時間: 下午1:30 至 下午4:30

地點: 波士頓華僑文教中心  (90 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands)

報名連結網址:  https://goo.gl/rhx4JP    

Hundred-Year Retroactive Book Award of 1915 on 11/5

  Associates of the Boston Public Library to Host Hundred-Year Retroactive Book Award of 1915

Boston, MA – October 19, 2015 – Following a brief Annual Meeting, the Associates of the Boston Public Library will conduct its Hundred-Year Retroactive Book Award competition, weighing the enduring literary merits of bestsellers published in 1915. John Buchan's The Thirty-Nine Steps, P.G. Wodehouse’s Psmith, Journalist, and Ford Madox Ford’s The Good Soldier. The books will be defended by Peter Keough, James Parker, and Alan Andres respectively. WBUR's Meghna Chakrabarti will moderate the irreverent debate, after which the audience will vote to determine the winner of the Retroactive Book Award of 1915. A reception with the panelists will follow.

The lighthearted event will take place on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 6 PM in the Abbey Room of the Boston Public Library’s Central Library in Copley Square. It is free to attend and open to the public. Please register for this fun event by visiting: http://BookAward.Eventbrite.com.

Debate Moderator:

Meghna Chakrabarti
Ms. Chakrabarti is the award-winning co-host of Radio Boston, WBUR's acclaimed weekly show with a focus on news, in-depth interviews, and analysis on issues that have an impact on Boston and beyond. Before taking the helm at Radio Boston in 2010, she produced and directed WBUR's national news and talk program, On Point.

  

Speaking for the Candidates:

Peter Keough

Mr. Keough is a contributing writer to The Boston Globe. He was previously the film editor for the Boston Phoenix. He also edited Flesh and Blood: The National Society of Film Critics on Sex, Violence, and Censorship.Mr. Keough will be defending The Thirty-Nine Steps.

Alan Andres

Mr. Andres is a freelance writer, book doctor, and book editor. He previously worked in editorial, marketing, sales and operations for a leading American publishing house. He has served on the board of the Associates of the Boston Public Library since 1997. Mr. Andres will be defending The Good Soldier.

James Parker

Mr. Parker is a contributing editor at The Atlantic and has written for Slate, The Boston Globe, Arthur Magazine and others. He was previously a staff writer at the Boston Phoenix, and in 2008 won a Deems Taylor Award for music criticism from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Mr. Parker will be defending Psmith, Journalist.

About the ASSOCIATES OF THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Associates of the Boston Public Library is an independent nonprofit dedicated to conserving the Boston Public Library’s Special Collections of rare books, manuscripts, works of art, musical scores, and other items of historic significance. The Associates is working to ensure continued public access to these irreplaceable treasures by underwriting their conservation, cataloging, digitization, and exhibition. Through these efforts, the Associates aims to help the Boston Public Library fulfill its most essential mission of providing the finest free educational resources to the public, as well as preserving knowledge, culture, and history for the benefit of all.

Since its founding in 1972, the Associates has created and underwritten a wide array of programs, including: Literary Lights, (an annual black tie dinner honoring outstanding New England authors); art and architecture tours; readings; lectures; curatorial evenings featuring select Library holdings; exhibitions; musical performances; and discussions of current events featuring key decision makers. In addition, the Associates sponsors a Children’s Writer-in-Residence program annually. To learn more, visit www.TheAssociates.org, www.Facebook.com/AssociatesBPL, or follow the Associates on Twitter at @AssociatesBPL.

Organizations in R.I., Conn. and Mass. Awarded Funding for Environmental Work in Area Communities

Organizations in R.I., Conn. and Mass. Awarded Funding for Environmental Work in Area Communities

BOSTON – Four non-profit organizations in New England were awarded a total of $120,000 by the US Environmental Protection Agency to address local health and environmental issues in minority and low-income communities, which face more than their fair share of pollution. The New England grant winners – two in Massachusetts, one in Rhode Island and one in Connecticut - were among 44 organizations nationwide given nearly $1.3 million to address environmental justice issues nationwide.

The New England organizations, each given $30,000, will use the funding to do research, provide education, and develop solutions to local health and environmental issues in communities overburdened by harmful pollution.

"These funds will help communities across the region understand and address exposure to a variety of environmental harms and risks," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office.  "EPA is committed to addressing the impacts of climate change so many of the projects supported by this year’s grants will help communities prepare for local climate impacts."

The following organizations won the funding in New England:

The Trustees of Reservations received funding for its Boston Youth Conservation Corps, which engages 15- to 18-year-olds in the neighborhoods of Mattapan, Roxbury, Hyde Park, East Boston, Dorchester, and Jamaica Plain in experiential learning and developing job skills. Projects such as enhancing urban greenways, tending gardens, and planting native vegetation trails immerse teens in the green spaces of the city, while raising their awareness of pollution, air and water quality and access to healthy food. The project aims to address high rates of asthma, diabetes and obesity in Boston’s poorest neighborhoods, which report a disproportionately high rate of asthma and diabetes hospitalizations and adult obesity and the least amount of open space per child.

“An important part of The Trustees’ mission is to engage more young people in ‘green’ jobs that help them earn income, develop important skills, and gain a broader appreciation for environmental stewardship, community gardening, and healthy, active living,” said Jocelyn Forbush, chief of operations and programs for The Trustees. “Our Youth Corps members often comment on the sense of pride they feel in learning how they can contribute to their communities and the local food and gardening movement. We are grateful that this EPA grant will enable us to hire more urban and underserved youth in Boston where we hope to have an even greater impact.”

Regional Environmental Council in Worcester received the funding for its project called Greening Our Gardens – Urban Growing Strategies for Climate Resiliency. This project will promote efficient water use, storm water run-off prevention, and the use of gardening practices that can contribute to climate resiliency, including carbon sequestration. It also aims to increase access to healthy food in Worcester’s lowest-income/highest risk neighborhoods through an educational program for urban gardeners. The project will impact gardens across the city, but resources will be focused in the city’s five lowest income and highest-risk neighborhoods. The council is partnering with the Stockbridge School of Agriculture and the state Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association.

“We’re excited to be working with the EPA this year to help promote food justice and prevent climate change in Worcester,” said Steven Fischer, executive director of the Regional Environmental Council. “EJ small grants are a critical resource for the important EJ work that organization are doing here in New England and through the country.”

New Haven Ecology in New Haven, Conn., (known as Common Ground), received the funding for its project called Green Jobs Corps – Creating a New Generation of New Haven Environmental Justice Leaders. Common Ground and its partners, the Conn. Fund for the Environment and the Urban Resources Initiative, will involve local youth in environmental jobs that improve access to clean water by identifying threats to water quality and educating residents about these threats. The project also aims to improve air quality, water quality, and access to other critical ecosystem services in urban low-income communities of color by addressing disproportionate access to urban street trees, green spaces, and green infrastructure. They will also work to bring greener approaches to stormwater management.

“Our goal through Common Ground's Green Jobs Corps is to connect more than three dozen of our city's young people with paid work that helps them grow into a new, more diverse generation of environmental justice leaders,” said Joel Tolman, director of impact and engagement at Common Ground High School, Urban Farm, and Environmental Education Center. “With EPA support, these young people are tackling pressing environmental justice challenges: planting more than 100 street trees, stewarding urban greenspaces, building new green infrastructure, cleaning up our impaired urban waters, and bringing public attention to clean air and clean water challenges. “

The Childhood Lead Action Project, Inc. of Central Falls, R.I., received funding for its Lead-Safe Central Falls program, which will work in one of state’s highest risk communities to reduce the incidence of childhood lead poisoning by helping residents address the presence of lead-based paint in their community.

“The Lead Safe Central Falls project, recently funded by the EPA, will go a long way in reducing lead poisoning in one of the poorest communities in Rhode Island,” said said Roberta Hazen Aaronson, executive director of Lead Safe Central Falls. “The Childhood Lead Action Project has had success in other communities with EPA funding and we expect to be successful in Central Falls as well.”

EPA's EJ Small Grants have helped many community organizations to make a visible difference in their communities. The 2015 grants will help organizations carry out projects that will educate residents about environmental issues that may impact their health, collect data about local environmental conditions, and work collaboratively to address environmental justice issues in their communities. The grants support activities that not only address a range of community concerns, but also support activities that are educating and empowering youth and the next generation of environmental stewards. Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race or income, in the environmental decision-making process. Since 1994, EPA’s environmental justice small grants program has supported projects to address environmental justice issues in nearly 1,500 communities.

MassDOT, State Police Launch I-90 Toll Plaza Safety Awareness Campaign

MassDOT, State Police Launch I-90 Toll Plaza Safety Awareness Campaign

Drivers reminded of 15 MPH speed limit through toll plazas

BOSTON – Monday, October 19, 2015 – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Massachusetts State Police today launched a Toll Plaza Safety Awareness Campaign calling attention to enhanced safety measures currently in place at toll plazas across the Commonwealth.

The campaign was launched following the tragic death of a MassDOT toll collector in July.  The campaign includes public service announcements on message boards, posters at E-ZPass toll lanes, and the distribution of speed limit reminder tear-sheets to commuters at the “Cash Only” toll booths.  The principal focus of the campaign is to raise public awareness of the posted speed limit at toll plazas, and to ensure a safe work environment for the toll collectors who staff the plazas around the clock.

“Highway safety is our highest priority at MassDOT, both for drivers, but also for the men and women who staff our toll plazas, 24-hours a day, year round,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Thomas J. Tinlin.  “This campaign highlights the need for drivers to pay careful attention to posted speed limit signs and other safety information when approaching and travelling through toll plazas.  We encourage travelers to be vigilant when driving through these areas to ensure the well-being of those who work at these locations and members of the public.” 

MassDOT has implemented safety improvements such as the installation of additional advanced 15 MPH speed limit signs strategically located before each toll booth, and reduced speed limit signs at the toll booths.  In addition, pavement markings immediately before each location have been refreshed.  The agency has also conducted a review of the lighting to make sure all equipment is fully operational in these areas.

“Through this campaign, we hope to remind motorists that safety is paramount when traveling through toll plazas on the Turnpike, as well as the Sumner and Ted Williams tunnels,” said State Police Major Terry Hanson, Troop E Commander.  “It is our goal that this campaign will prompt drivers to travel through toll plazas with an extra measure of care, and to raise awareness that the toll plazas are staffed 24/7.”

As a component of the campaign, State Police have also increased speed enforcement at toll plazas.  From Sept. 26 through Oct. 12, approximately 294 citations (Civil, Warning, and Criminal) have been written for violations which occurred in the E-ZPass lanes.  More than 1,200 citations have now been issued since Aug. 27.

For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot, blog: www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.