MAYOR WALSH, STUDENTS CELEBRATE NEW GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AT WASHINGTON IRVING MIDDLE SCHOOL

MAYOR WALSH, STUDENTS CELEBRATE NEW GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AT WASHINGTON IRVING MIDDLE SCHOOL

New design elements protect environment, serve as outdoor classroom and play area

BOSTON - Tuesday, October 3, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined students and staff of the Washington Irving Middle School in Roslindale, along with leaders from the Boston Public Schools and the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, to unveil the school's new environmentally-friendly playscape, which integrates green infrastructure principles into the school's outdoor areas. "Boston has become a national and international leader when it comes to sustainability. Protecting our environment is a core value of everything we do -- from parks to transportation to how we design our schools," said Mayor Walsh. "The outdoor learning aspects of the Irving project is a first of its kind for the Commonwealth, and I congratulate both the Washington Irving School and the Boston Water and Sewer Commission on this cutting-edge project that is expanding learning opportunities for our students, and making our City more resilient." Today's announcement builds on the Administration's commitment to green infrastructure. In addition to the Washington Irving Middle School, four other Boston Public Schools will be participating in the green infrastructure initiative, a $1.5 million multi-year investment. The four other schools include: David A. Ellis Elementary School in Roxbury, Rafael Hernandez K-8 School in Roxbury, Jackson Mann/Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Allston and the Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers in the Fenway. The Hernandez School will be the next project, to be completed in October 2017. "At the Irving school, we focus on providing students with a safe and engaging learning environment.  We intentionally design learning experiences that allow students to make their thinking visible through explanation and demonstration of their reasoning," said Washington Irving Principal Carmen Davis. "This new green infrastructure redesign will allow us to accomplish our mission on a daily basis in our physical education and science classrooms. We are excited about the endless learning opportunities our students will have as a result of this project." The Irving School project is a collaboration between the Boston Public Schools (BPS) and the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC), and incorporates elements of BWSC's green stormwater management best practices into BuildBPS, Boston's 10-year facilities and educational master plan. BWSC will work with each individual school selected to participate in the initiative to identify opportunities to add or improve green infrastructure. New features at the Washington Irving Middle School include:  A significant amount of green space that has transformed the look and feel of the school. The Washington Irving was previously surrounded by paved areas and bare ground.    The green infrastructure (GI) designs for this project include outdoor classroom and laboratory spaces so that students, teachers and community members can interact with the space and gain a better understanding of how stormwater is managed. Teachers in Boston will receive stormwater/GI curriculum that will allow them to better relay complex concepts using visual and physical aids.  Adjacent to the turf field is an outdoor classroom space containing an extensive bioretention area surrounded by boulders where students can sit, play and interact with nature. In addition, a designated bus lane was added to the rear parking lot of the Irving School. The parking lot has also been divided by two swalesthat collect stormwater: one is concrete, and the other is vegetated. The two different swales offer students a hands-on demonstration of "grey" versus "green" infrastructure, illustrating the most innovative ways to protect our environment.       "This project is truly a win-win for our students and our environment," said BPS Superintendent Tommy Chang. "It has transformed an asphalt-covered lot, where buses once dropped off and picked up students, into a dynamic space with a turf field and track now used solely for students to safely play and exercise outdoors. The new athletic facility also gives the Washington Irving's sports teams a place to call their own." The green infrastructure of the Irving playground space helps reduce stormwater runoff that sends pollutants into our waterways, and the bioretention area, also called a rain garden, also serves as an outdoor space where students can learn about nature and ways to preserve it. "BWSC's goal through green infrastructure design is to protect and promote water quality in Boston's receiving waters, including Boston Harbor and the Charles, Neponset and Mystic Rivers. Green infrastructure projects like the one at the Washington Irving School are essential for Boston's future," said BWSC Executive Director Henry F. Vitale. "It's wonderful that our students are able to learn about protecting the environment in a setting where education can be both fun and interactive. BWSC is honored to be a part of Mayor Walsh's and BPS's initiative." "The green infrastructure redesign at the Washington Irving Middle School provides an excellent example of what the future of science education and sustainable building design look like," said Elisabeth Cianciola, aquatic scientist at the Charles River Watershed Association. "The Charles River Watershed Association is thrilled to have been a partner on this project and looks forward to seeing more projects like this in Boston and other communities around the river."' About Boston Public Schools The Boston Public Schools (BPS), the birthplace of public education in the United States, serves nearly 57,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students in 125 schools. BPS is committed to transforming the lives of all children through exemplary teaching in a world-class system of innovative, welcoming schools. We partner with the community, families, and students to develop in every learner the knowledge, skill, and character to excel in college, career, and life. About the Boston Water and Sewer Commission Boston is home to New England's oldest and largest water, sewer and stormwater systems, which are owned, maintained and operated by the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC). Established in 1977, BWSC provides potable water and sewer services to more than one million people per day. BWSC is also the leading organizer of We Are All Connected, a campaign to raise public awareness about the importance of protecting and preserving Boston's waterways. For more information please visit: www.bwsc.org.

PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY MYLAN TO PAY $20.3 MILLION FOR UNDERPAYING REBATES ON EPIPENS FOR MASSHEALTH MEMBERS

 PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY MYLAN TO PAY $20.3 MILLION FOR UNDERPAYING REBATES ON EPIPENS FOR MASSHEALTH MEMBERS

Part of Multistate Settlement Resolving Allegations that the Company Knowingly Underpaid Rebates Owed to Medicaid Program

            BOSTON – Pharmaceutical company Mylan will pay a total of $20.3 million to the Massachusetts Medicaid program (MassHealth) to resolve allegations that it knowingly underpaid rebates owed to the Medicaid program for EpiPens dispensed to MassHealth members, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. 

            The payment is part of a global settlement with the United States, the District of Columbia, and all 49 other states settling allegations against Mylan Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Mylan Specialty L.P. (Mylan). 

            “Mylan knowingly misrepresented this drug to MassHealth in order to underpay on rebates and make a profit at the expense of our state,” said AG Healey. “This settlement brings critical funds back to our MassHealth program. Companies that receive payments from taxpayer-funded programs must be held accountable when they abuse this system.”

            Pursuant to a settlement with the federal government in August, Mylan was required to pay up to $465 million to the federal government and the states, depending on how many states joined. With all states participating, $213,936,000 of the total settlement will be distributed to the states. Because the Medicaid program is jointly funded by the federal and state government, the total Medicaid settlement for Massachusetts of $20.3 million will be split, with $7.9 million being paid to the federal government and $12.4 million being paid to Massachusetts.

            Mylan Inc. is a corporation that manufactures, markets and sells pharmaceuticals through its wholly-owned subsidiaries nationally. Mylan Specialty owns the exclusive rights to sell EpiPen in the U.S. and possesses legal title to the New Drug Codes (NDCs) for EpiPen.

This settlement resolves allegations that between July 2010 and March 2017, Mylan submitted false statements to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that incorrectly classified EpiPen as a “noninnovator multiple source” drug, as opposed to a “single source” or “innovator multiple source” drug, affecting the amount of rebate owed, as the rebate amount varies depending on a drug’s classification.

The amount of the rebate also depends on pricing information provided by the manufacturer. For drugs classified as “innovator” drugs, NDC holders must report their “Best Price,” or the lowest price for which it sold a covered drug in a particular quarter. Mylan did not report a Best Price to CMS for EpiPen and as a result submitted or caused to be submitted false statements to CMS and the states relating to EpiPen for Medicaid rebate purposes and underpaid its EpiPen rebates to the state Medicaid Programs.  

Mylan’s settlement with the federal government also resolved allegations that Mylan Specialty overcharged certain entities that participated in the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

            The Medicaid Drug Rebate Statute was enacted by Congress in 1990 as a cost containment measure for Medicaid’s payment for outpatient drugs. That statute requires participating pharmaceutical manufacturers or NDC holders, such as Mylan, to sign a Rebate Agreement with the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services as a precondition to obtaining Medicaid coverage for their drugs and to pay quarterly rebates to state Medicaid programs for drugs dispensed to Medicaid beneficiaries. NDC holders are required to provide information to CMS concerning their covered drugs. 

            The investigation stemmed from two qui tam actions in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The qui tam actions alleged claims under the federal False Claims Act and various state false claims statutes that Mylan underpaid rebates to the states. 

            A National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units (NAMFCU) Team participated in the settlement negotiations with Mylan on behalf of the states. The Team included Assistant Attorney General Stephany Collamore of the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Division and representatives from the Offices of the Attorneys General for the states of California, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Governor Baker Visits Lawrence High School To Kick Off Early College Program

Governor Baker Visits Lawrence High School To Kick Off Early College Program

Governor and Lt. Governor visiting programs to highlight efforts to expand early college

Click here to watch

BOSTON—Today Governor Charlie Baker released a video of his visit to Lawrence High School on Tuesday, to help kickoff the school’s new Early College program, where more than 200 students will take college courses at Merrimack College or Northern Essex Community College as a way to prepare them for college and help reduce their overall college costs later.

Early college programs combine traditional high school classes with an opportunity to take college-level courses at a local college, typically in a particular career pathway such as STEM. Successful early college programs make college more accessible to low-income students and give them an opportunity to earn college credits, at no cost to them, while still in high school. Early College programs have also been found to boost college completion rates for low-income students, minorities, and first-generation college-goers. Currently, there are 2,400 Massachusetts students in an early college program, 55 percent of whom are low-income, at 27 programs throughout the Commonwealth.

Governor Baker Visits Lawrence High School To Kick Off Early College Program

Governor and Lt. Governor visiting programs to highlight efforts to expand early college

LAWRENCE – Governor Charlie Baker visited Lawrence High School today to help kickoff the school’s new Early College program, where more than 200 students will take college courses at Merrimack College or Northern Essex Community College as a way to prepare them for college and help reduce their overall college costs later.

Early college programs combine traditional high school classes with an opportunity to take college-level courses at a local college, typically in a particular career pathway such as STEM. Successful early college programs make college more accessible to low-income students and give them an opportunity to earn college credits, at no cost to them, while still in high school. Early College programs have also been found to boost college completion rates for low-income students, minorities, and first-generation college-goers. Currently, there are 2,400 Massachusetts students in an early college program, 55 percent of whom are low-income, at 27 programs throughout the Commonwealth.

“Early college programs are an important tool for introducing students to various career paths and making college more affordable,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “We commend Lawrence and Receiver Jeff Riley for beginning their own Early College Program and look forward to the benefits it will provide the school system and students for years to come.”

Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito this month are visiting a handful of early college programs in different parts of the state to highlight the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to expanding early college opportunities, as well as hear from students about the advantages of taking college classes before graduating from high school. Lt. Governor Polito last week visited Mount Wachusett Community College, Gardner campus, to meet with high school students in the early college program.

“Successful early college programs throughout the state show us that a student’s future prospects can be significantly enhanced by participating in a program,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We look forward to increasing the number of students who are exposed to college level material while still in high school across the Commonwealth.”

Last spring, Governor Baker announced the Baker-Polito Administration will work to significantly increase the number of students enrolled in designated early college programs across the Commonwealth. The Board of Higher Education and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education are currently reviewing applications from high schools and community colleges to become “designated” early college programs. The boards received 34 applications from high schools and community colleges around the state. In order to be designated, early college programs must meet certain criteria established by the two boards, including free to students.

The boards will announce designations to early college programs early next year, with the goal of enrolling students in designated programs in the 2018-2019 academic year.

“Expanding early college programs requires real partnerships between high schools and colleges, like the one created here between Lawrence High School, Merrimack College and Northern Essex Community College,” Education Secretary James Peyser said.  “We are looking forward to seeing more of these types of partnerships created that will benefit thousands more students.”

“Lawrence happens to be home to a lot of talented kids and neighbor to some exceptional institutions of higher education, so being a district for the state’s early college initiative is a perfect fit,” said Lawrence Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Riley. “Whether it’s providing credits and exposure for students already on the college path, or helping students who never considered it to see the possibilities, this program can have a long-term, post-graduation impact on students’ lives.”

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES VACANT SITE ACQUISITION FUND TO CREATE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES VACANT SITE ACQUISITION FUND TO CREATE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING

New fund's finance options give nonprofit developers resources to build affordable housing

BOSTON - Monday, October 2, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, along with partners Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), today announced the creation of the Vacant Site Acquisition Fund, which will provide new financing options for nonprofit developers to acquire vacant and underutilized land and buildings for affordable housing development.   Using a $2.5 million investment from City funding to leverage $6 million in private funding provided by CEDAC and LISC, the Vacant Site Acquisition program is a critical part of the City's anti-displacement strategy, and is designed to help nonprofit developers compete in Boston's real estate market.   "Addressing rising housing costs is necessary for preserving the diversity and character that makes Boston a place where all residents can thrive; so we need to continue to think innovatively about ways to give Boston residents more affordable housing options," said Mayor Walsh. "The Vacant Site Acquisition Program is another important tool in our affordable housing strategy. As our neighborhoods develop and change, it is vital that our nonprofit partners are able to compete in today's real estate market to acquire developable sites. Boston is lucky to have strong lending partners like CEDAC and LISC who are joining us in fighting displacement by making housing more affordable to neighborhood residents." The Vacant Site Acquisition Fund establishes a pilot fund of more than $8 million to provide nonprofit developers with financing to acquire vacant land and underutilized buildings appropriate for the development of mixed income, multi-family housing. The program is a direct result of feedback from Boston's affordable housing advocates and nonprofit partners, as the nonprofit development community needs the resources and tools to gain control of sites, and to help to preserve affordability in rapidly-changing neighborhoods. The program's focus on acquiring eligible sites enables nonprofit developers to better compete in the market.   "CEDAC is pleased to partner with the City of Boston and LISC Boston to provide more opportunities for affordable housing development in Boston," said Roger Herzog, the executive director of the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation. "Under Mayor Walsh's leadership, the City is taking action to help nonprofit developers successfully compete for developable land and we look forward to implementing this innovative strategy."   "When the real estate market heats up, community-based developers of affordable housing can be priced out," said LISC Boston Executive Director Bob Van Meter. "This tool helps them purchase vacant sites to create affordable homes where they are needed most." The Vacant Site Acquisition Fund has three components: Site Deposit Assistance: The City is providing short-term bridge loans up to $200,000 at no interest to assist nonprofit developers in putting deposits on potential acquisition sites. Acquisition Fund: A combined $8 million fund, using money contributed by the City, CEDAC, and LISC, will provide quick approval for low interest rate acquisition financing with longer terms to acquire sites and plan for future development. Holding Cost Assistance: The City is providing up to $300,000 at no interest to provide loans that will help defray the cost to developers of holding property for a three to five year period. This funding is necessary because affordable housing can take longer to produce than market-rate housing due to the complexity of funding structures. The City of Boston, CEDAC, and LISC have adopted a streamlined approval process so nonprofit developers can better compete in the private market. The day-to-day operations of the fund, including screening and selection of applications, will be overseen and managed by CEDAC. The Vacant Site Acquisition Program is part of the Walsh Administration's strategy to combat displacement and builds on the foundation of the City's Acquisition Opportunity Program. The Acquisition Opportunity Program earmarked $7.5 million of Inclusionary Development funds to help responsible investor-owners acquire occupied, multi-family rental properties. Property owners assisted through the program are required to maintain the tenancies of residents in good standing and are also required to maintain affordable rent levels for the units in the property for a minimum of 50 years.   In addition, the City's efforts to combat displacement and address rapidly changing neighborhoods included the launch of Boston's first Office of Housing Stability, which provides residents no-cost, one-on-one assistance with issues around tenancy, and Mayor Walsh's filing of a five-bill anti-displacement legislative package to help existing tenants remain in their home by expanding tenants' rights, rewarding good landlords, and creating additional funding for affordable housing. Today's announcement ties into Imagine Boston 2030, Boston's Citywide plan, which aims to proactively encourage a broad range of housing growth for people of all income levels and stages of life. For more information on Imagine Boston 2030, please visit imagine.boston.gov. Applications for the Vacant Site Acquisition Fund are currently available, and can be submitted via CEDAC's web site.

MAYOR WALSH, HARVARD PRESIDENT DREW FAUST BREAK GROUND ON SMITH FIELD RENOVATION IN ALLSTON

MAYOR WALSH, HARVARD PRESIDENT DREW FAUST BREAK GROUND ON SMITH FIELD RENOVATION IN ALLSTON

Public-private partnership to include $6.5 million renovation of Smith Field

Smith Field Groundbreaking Ceremony BOSTON - Monday, October 2, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust today broke ground on the William F. Smith Field in Allston. The $6.5 million renovation will include improvements to the playground and sports fields, as well as the construction of walking paths, a splash pond, a street hockey court, and a spacious amphitheater which will allow for various performances throughout the year. Plans also call for increased opportunities to display public art and several street improvements along Western Avenue. The new amphitheater will be named after General George Casey, an Allston native and war hero who died while serving in Vietnam. "Parks and green spaces are gems in our communities. Whether residents use it for a game of soccer, a quiet place to take a walk or study, or see a performance at the amphitheater, I have no doubt that Smith Field will be treasured by all those in Allston," said Mayor Walsh. "Thank you to President Faust and Harvard for stepping up to make this new, dynamic public space a reality." The community, the City and Harvard deemed the renovation of Smith Field a high priority during the 2013 Institutional Master Plan (IMP) and community benefits master planning process. As a result, the City of Boston included a significant capital expense approval to fund a Smith Field master planning process and a $3.3 million renovation. The Boston Parks and Recreation Department launched a public master planning process in 2015. That process included a comprehensive series of public meetings to refine the scope, design and cost of the project. The Harvard Public Realm Flex Fund approved $185,000 to expand the scope of the first phase of the project and to fully fund the first phase design. In March of 2016, the Harvard Public Realm Flex Fund, Harvard's $5.35 million local grant program, approved $1.9 million to fully fund the first phase of construction, which will renovate two-thirds of the park. Harvard University contributed an additional $700,000 to implement a connective pathway network, known as Longfellow Path, around the edges of the park. "Smith Field is a special place in the heart of an extraordinary community," said Harvard President Drew Faust. "Public parks provide an important reminder of our responsibilities to our environment, to our neighborhoods and to each other. I know that a newly renovated Smith Field will continue to strengthen the ties of campus and community that are so meaningful to both Harvard and to our neighbors in Allston." "The investment in Smith Field is an investment in our shared future," said Katie Lapp, Harvard's Executive Vice President. "When completed, Smith Field will help us continue to foster a strong sense of community, and will continue to show us what is possible when the city, the community and Harvard collaborate together for the common good." In 2016, the City of Boston Parks Commission voted to name the new amphitheater for General George Casey, an Allston native and war hero who died while service in Vietnam. General Casey's son George Casey Jr., a retired U.S. Army General who served as the Commanding General, Multi-National Force-Iraq from 2004-2007, and as the 36th Chief of Staff to the U.S. Army 2007-2011, was in attendance for the ceremony, acknowledging his mother Elaine Morton Casey.  "My thanks to Mayor Walsh and the City of Boston for this wonderful tribute to my husband, George, to the Casey family and to the men and women who fought so valiantly in Vietnam more than 40 years ago," said General Casey's widow, Elaine Morton Casey. The 14 acre park was established in the 1890s and is named for William F. Smith, who was killed during World War I. Its location on Western Avenue, across the street from the Harvard Ed Portal and adjacent to the Continuum Building at Barry's Corner, has long been an important cornerstone of the community. The project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2018.

Corporate Lobbyist Hypocrisy Cited by​ ​Fair Share Amendment Advocates

Corporate Lobbyist Hypocrisy Cited by

​ ​

Fair Share Amendment Advocates 

Companies Taking Millions in Public Benefits, CEOs Won’t Pay Their Fair Share

BOSTON – As the state’s corporate lobbyists launch a legal attempt to deny the people of Massachusetts the right to vote on the millionaire’s tax that was placed on the 2018 ballot earlier this year, the Raise Up Massachusetts coalition today criticized the corporate executives behind the lawsuit for opposing investments in transportation and public education that would benefit all the people of Massachusetts.

“It’s a shame that a few dozen of the richest individuals in Massachusetts are hiding behind secretive corporate lobby organizations like the High Tech Council and the Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation to oppose the Fair Share Amendment,” said Lew Finfer, Co-Director of the faith-based Massachusetts Communities Action Network.

“Instead of supporting the Fair Share Amendment and the benefits that a well-educated workforce and a more reliable transportation system will create for their employees, their businesses, and our entire economy, these wealthy corporate executives are fighting the people’s right to vote, just to save themselves a small amount of money on their own personal income taxes,” said Cindy Rowe, Executive Director of the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA).

The Massachusetts High Technology Council (MHTC), a corporate lobby group that is leading the legal opposition to the Fair Share Amendment, has long advocated for greater focus on public education and transportation infrastructure.  The group has supported raising the gas tax and hiking MBTA fares to fund transportation infrastructure, and supported the sales tax as a way to provide funding for education. The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, and Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, which are joining MHTC in its lawsuit against the Fair Share Amednment, have all joined the MHTC in supporting an increase in the gas tax.

“When working people are asked to pay more for investments in transportation and education, these corporate lobbyists voice their support for investments,” said Steve Tolman, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. “But now that we’re asking the multi-millionaire executives who run the High Tech Council to pay their fair share, they’re doing everything they can to keep the Fair Share Amendment off the ballot.”

Corporate Tax Breaks

MHTC member companies have received at least $144 million in tax breaks and other incentives from the State of Massachusetts and local communities, according to a Raise Up Massachusetts analysis of state records (attached). The average annual compensation of chief executives whose companies received public benefits is $12.3 million.

“These corporate executives have made tens of millions of dollars running companies that benefit from investments in transportation and public education, and they don’t hesitate to take millions of dollars in tax breaks from the state,” said Deb Fastino, Executive Director of the Coalition for Social Justice. “Now they’re secretly bankrolling a legal challenge to avoid paying a small percentage of their enormous incomes to make transportation and education investments that will help our economy grow.”

At least 28 companies are members of more than one of the organizations challenging the Fair Share Amendment, including the Massachusetts High Tech Council, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, and the National Federation of Independent Business.

“These five corporate lobbying groups are led and funded by the same small group of wealthy corporate executives who are trying to hide in anonymity,” said Roxana Rivera, vice president of 32BJ SEIU, which represents 18,000 building service workers in the Boston area. “It is simply unacceptable for so few people to attempt to disenfranchise so many in this way. These corporate lobbying groups should immediately reveal the financial backers of this lawsuit so that the hardworking people of Massachusetts know exactly who is trying to take away their right to vote on this citizen’s initiative.”

Other members of MHTC and the other corporate lobbying groups have received million in fees from the Pension Reserves Investments Management Board (PRIM) – the state investment board charged with overseeing the assets of state, county, authority, district, and municipal retirement systems.

 

“It is unconscionable that corporations and the individuals running them are willing to use profits that they have made off of educators and other public employees to attack a sensible initiative that will provide crucial resources to public schools and colleges,” said Barbara Madeloni, President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

Legal Defense

Advocates are confident that the Fair Share Amendment will withstand the challenge filed today with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

A legal team consisting of Kate Cook, head of the Government Law Practice Group at Sugarman, Rogers, Barshak & Cohen and the former chief legal counsel for Governor Deval Patrick, Lisa Goodheart, Partner at Sugarman Rogers and former president of the Boston Bar Association, and Northeastern University Law Professor Peter Enrich will represent proponents of the Fair Share Amendment in the Massachusetts High Technology Council (MHTC)’s lawsuit, which challenges the Attorney General’s certification of the constitutional amendment initiative petition. Cook and Goodheart are representing the original signers of the initiative petition, while Enrich is legal counsel for Raise Up Massachusetts, the coalition of community organizations, religious groups, and labor unions behind the Amendment.

About the Fair Share Amendment

The Fair Share Amendment would amend the Massachusetts Constitution to create an additional tax of four percentage points on annual income above $1 million. The new revenue generated by the tax, approximately $1.9 billion in 2019 dollars, could only be spent on quality public education, affordable public colleges and universities, and the repair and maintenance of roads, bridges, and public transportation.  To ensure that the tax continues to apply only to the highest-income residents, the $1 million threshold would be adjusted each year to reflect cost-of-living increases.

In 2015, the Raise Up Massachusetts coalition of community organizations, religious groups, and labor unions collected over 157,000 signatures to begin the process of amending the Massachusetts Constitution, all without using paid signature gathering companies. In May 2016 and again in June 2017, the state legislature, meeting jointly in a Constitutional Convention, voted overwhelmingly to advance the citizen’s initiative proposal and place it on the 2018 ballot. No legislator who voted for the Fair Share Amendment lost their seat in the November 2016 general election, demonstrating the Fair Share Amendment’s high level of support among voters.

波士頓慶祝十一 市府廣場升五星旗

羅德島州布萊恩特大學敦煌藝術展 (圖片)

花果靈根集音樂會 八名演奏家展現中樂優雅美妙

       

"花果靈根集"八名演奏家謝幕。(中華表演藝術基金會提供)

     (Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導) 中華表演藝術基金會邀八名中國樂器演奏家演出的”花果靈根集”音樂會，9月23日晚在新英格蘭音樂學院喬登廳再造轟動場面，不但觀眾掌聲雷動，專家也稱之為令人大開眼界的”中國樂器視聽饗宴”。

              這場“花果靈根集”是北美中樂團的中國管樂三大金剛，包鍵、胡建兵及陳濤和古箏翁慧、古琴劉麗、琵琶周懿、二胡夏文傑、及大提琴家 Mike Block等八名演奏家，以10首別具特色的即興音樂，演繹華人離散海外，有如花果飄零心情的音樂會。

              這八名演奏家在各自領域都有傑出成就，其中的胡建兵和Mike Block都是馬友友所創辦的”絲路合奏團(silk road ensemble)”成員。

左起，胡建兵，陳濤，包鍵，周懿，中華表演藝術基金會會長譚嘉陵，劉麗，翁慧，
Mike Block，夏文傑等人合影。(中華表演藝術基金會提供Chi Wei Lo攝)

麻州大學波士頓分校表演藝術系前主任David Patterson在音樂會後發表了一篇評論，稱這場演奏會毫不令人意外的好。

陸惠風教授也為這場音樂會寫了一篇"花果飄零的淒美意境 -   略談當代的即興意境"作序。

開場曲目”普庵咒”，原本是1169年辭世的”慧慶禪師”余印肅所創作的咒文，據說念誦後有消災解厄，令蟲鼠蚊蟻遠離，凶神惡煞走避作用。清朝恭王府末代傳人愛新覺羅·毓峘整理自己幼年所學成冊的三弦傳譜中的”普庵咒”，則是根據該咒文創作的樂曲

David Patterson認為”普庵咒”這首曲子，的確透露著另一個世代的味道，包鍵管子，胡建兵笙，陳濤笛子，周懿枇杷，夏文傑二胡，翁慧古箏，劉麗中阮這七人以七種不同樂器來合鳴齊奏，抑揚頓挫的把五聲音階演繹得如此完美，引人入勝。

陳濤笛子，胡建兵笙所演繹的第二首曲子，山西民謠”賣菜”，是David Patterson認為當晚曲目中最為特出的其中一曲。笛笙的樂音交錯，有如雀鳥私語，給人興味盎然的和諧感。

八名演奏家和中華表演藝術基金戶會長譚嘉陵(前左四)，張正山(後左一)，林湛濤(前右一)
，黃少堅(前右二)等本地中樂家合影。(中華表演藝術基金會提供，Chi Wei Lo攝)

當晚其他的曲目包括翁慧彈奏的古箏曲”墨客”，劉麗與陳濤的古琴與蕭合奏”流水”，胡建兵以笙做”五色”即興獨奏，周懿與Mike Block的琵琶與大提琴合奏胡建兵作品”天竺梵音”，由琵琶，古箏，笛子，笙和大提琴合奏的”琵琶語”，陳濤與翁慧的笛子與古箏合奏”清明上河圖”，包鍵管子，胡建兵笙，Mike Block大提琴合奏的胡建兵作品”幽蘭”。

他們演奏的第10首曲子江南絲竹”老六板”，由陳濤笛子，夏文傑二胡，周懿琵琶，胡建兵笙，翁慧古箏，以及劉麗和包鍵用打擊樂器合奏。

中華表演藝術基金會會長譚嘉陵表示，這些中樂演奏家都是很傑出的人才，能夠把他們湊在一起辦一起音樂會，很不容易。她很高興有這機會在大波士頓為發揚中樂貢獻一點心力，也希望有更多人加入行列。
中華表演藝術基金會為發揚中樂的努力，9月，10月還在繼續。9月30日(週六)下午2點，將在波士頓第一教堂舉辦”絲竹春吟青少年中國樂器賽"，10月7日晚7點半，在同一地點，邀請比賽優勝者出席音樂會演奏。