MAYOR WALSH SIGNS HOUSING STABILITY NOTIFICATION ACT

 

MAYOR WALSH SIGNS HOUSING STABILITY NOTIFICATION ACT  Landlords and constables in the City of Boston must provide tenants facing eviction with their rights and resources   BOSTON - Thursday, November 12, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today signed the Housing Stability Notification Act, an ordinance ensuring Bostonians at risk of eviction know their rights and have access to information on the resources available to them. Mayor Walsh introduced the ordinance to the City Council last month, ahead of the end of the statewide moratorium on evictions and foreclosures. With its passage, property owners and constables are required to provide a document containing information on tenant rights and resources available when issuing their tenant a Notice to Quit (the first step in the legal process of an eviction) or Nonrenewal of Lease. "Keeping families in their homes has been our top priority since the beginning of the pandemic, and we are committed to doing everything we can to prevent evictions during this difficult time," said Mayor Walsh. "The Housing Stability Notification Act is an important step the City is taking to help people at risk of eviction know their rights and the resources available to them. I want to thank the City Council and our housing advocates for their partnership in this ongoing work to prevent evictions and keep tenants in their homes during this crisis." The document that must accompany a Notice to Quit or Nonrenewal of Lease provides information about City and State rental relief funds, guidance on filing a federal declaration of need to potentially protect against eviction, and a list of services such as legal counsel and other supports. The information contained in the document is intended to prevent an eviction by providing access to financial and legal resources. When issuing these documents to tenants, landlords must also provide a copy of the Notice to Quit and Nonrenewal of Lease to the Office of Housing Stability.   "I want to thank the Mayor for signing this ordinance and look forward to the Public Health Commission's consideration of the request to make enforcing an eviction a violation of our city's health and sanitation codes," said Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards. "We need to keep as many Boston families housed this winter as possible during the pandemic. We also need the State House to enact short term and permanent housing policies that are centered on the human right to housing and stable neighborhoods." The Housing Stability Notification Act builds on Mayor Walsh's previous efforts to ensure stable housing for the residents of Boston, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The City's Rental Relief Fund, launched in April, is currently accepting new applications to support residents who lost their income due to COVID-19 and are unable to pay their rent. Working in close partnership with three non-profit organizations, MetroHousing Boston, NOAH, and Project Hope, the fund has distributed almost $4 million in assistance to over 1,100 households across the city.  In addition, the City has contracted with Greater Boston Legal Services to add additional attorneys to assist tenants facing eviction. The Office of Housing Stability (OHS) has expanded the Housing Court Navigator Program that assists tenants who are in Housing Court and need financial, legal or other assistance. "The housing stability notification act is an important step in protecting tenants by helping them understand their rights," said Zoe Cronin, managing attorney of the Housing Unit at Greater Boston Legal Services. "It is another tool that we can use to help keep people stably housed and we are glad that Mayor Walsh signed it into law." As part of its response to COVID-19, the CDC moratorium, tenants are required to sign and submit a declaration to their landlord stating that they qualify for protection under the moratorium. To support residents seeking to be covered by the CDC moratorium, the City of Boston has translated this declaration into 11 languages, and posted it on the Office of Housing Stability website so eligible tenants can sign it and send it to their landlord.  This direct outreach supplements the City of Boston's work in partnering with banks and mortgage lenders. Currently, 17 banks and mortgage lenders have signed on to a pledge, issued by the Mayor, which provides homeowners with at least a three month loan deferment from lenders. Prior to the pandemic, the Mayor has consistently advocated for protections against displacement, including in 2017 when he signed the Jim Brooks Community Stabilization Act, a home rule petition that failed to pass in the state legislature. Mayor Walsh has also advocated in support of An Act to Ensure Right to Counsel in Eviction Proceedings, which would provide any low-income tenant facing eviction with a court-appointed attorney for representation. The City has also taken steps to enhance services to help homeowners, many of whom are small landlords, to meet their own financial obligations, make critical repairs, and stay in their homes. The Boston Home Center (BHC) has partnered with the City of Boston's Tax/Title division to send multi-lingual inserts in tax bills to more than 8,000 homeowners who are past due in property taxes to let them know that help is available from the City. The Boston Home Center also sent multi-lingual notices to 10,000 homeowners, in neighborhoods with traditionally high foreclosure rates, informing them of assistance available through Foreclosure Prevention and Intervention services. Tenants are able to access information here and landlords are able to access information and documents here.

MAYOR WALSH SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDERS, WILL FILE ORDINANCE TO CREATE OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY TO ENACT BOSTON POLICE REFORM TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS

 

MAYOR WALSH SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDERS, WILL FILE ORDINANCE TO CREATE OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY TO ENACT BOSTON POLICE REFORM TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS

 

BOSTON - Thursday, November 12, 2020 - In keeping with his commitment to taking swift action on police reform, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced he will file an ordinance with the Boston City Council to create the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency to enact the Boston Police Reform Task Force recommendations. Mayor Walsh today also signed two executive orders to create Boston's first-ever Civilian Review Board, and to create a stronger Internal Affairs Oversight Panel, both as recommended by the Task Force.    "Our goal is to achieve historic change in Boston and create a national model for breaking down systemic racism across all aspects of our city," said Mayor Walsh. "The recommendations we are enacting today represent the voices of the community advocating for change, and I thank the Task Force for their incredibly hard work in creating this report that we are bringing to life through reforms. We will continue this work as we come together to build a more equitable, just city."  The Boston Police Reform Task Force was charged with reviewing a set of current Boston Police Department's policies and procedures, and presenting recommendations for action and reform. Mayor Walsh charged the Task Force with four main areas of review: Use of Force policies; Implicit Bias Training, the Body-worn Camera Program, and the Community Ombudsman Oversight Panel (CO-OP). Mayor Walsh has accepted all of the Task Force's recommendations, and is in the process of implementing them. Mayor Walsh today signed two executive orders to further enact the recommendations of the Boston Police Reform Task Force. The first executive order creates Boston's first-ever Civilian Review Board of this kind, a 9-member board that will be made up of community members nominated by the City Council and the Mayor's Office.  The second Order reconstitutes Boston's Community Ombudsman Oversight Panel (CO-OP) and transforms it into a stronger Internal Affairs Oversight Panel (IAOP). This panel will have the power to review all completed Internal Affairs cases. Previously, the CO-OP could review 20 percent of cases. In addition to cases, it would be able to review the policies and procedures of Internal Affairs, as well as engage with the community about their impact.  The ordinance, which will be filed next week, would create the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency (OPAT), a key recommendation of the Boston Police Reform Task Force. OPAT would provide intake services, research, and administrative support to the Civilian Review Board and the Internal Affairs Oversight Panel, and the OPAT Commission would have subpoena power to investigate misconduct. This structure would create a single point of public access to a new standard in police accountability and community oversight.  The City of Boston has already begun the process of searching for an executive director to lead the Office of Accountability and Transparency (OPAT). The Executive Director will lead the Executive Administration, a branch within the OPAT structure. The City is launching a search to find an executive director who is a member of the Massachusetts bar, and is equipped to lead this pivotal new office, bring on staff members, and execute its charge. "The Boston Police Reform Task Force recommendations laid out plans for real reform at the Boston Police Department," said Boston Police Reform Task Force Chairman Wayne Budd. "These actions today will further the goals of the Task Force, and we look forward to these recommendations creating change in our city."  In addition to the City's work to create OPAT, the Civilian Review Board and Internal Affairs Oversight Panel (IAOP), Mayor Walsh and the City of Boston have already taken steps to enact the Task Force's additional recommendation. Mayor Walsh has filed a Home Rule Petition at the Boston City Council that would give Boston high school graduates a preference in police hiring, a key step to increasing diversity and having more officers drawn from the communities they are serving. Mayor Walsh also charged Chief of Equity Karilyn Crockett and other City leaders to work with the Boston Police Department on updating their policies through an equity lens, and creating a Diversity and Inclusion Unit in the Department.  This work builds on the City of Boston's commitment to equitable public safety offices. In June, Mayor Walsh signed the "Mayor's Pledge" issued by the Obama Foundation's My Brother's Keeper Alliance as one of the strategies to address racism as an emergency and public health crisis. The Mayor committed the City of Boston to review police use of force policies; engage communities by including a diverse range of input experiences and stories; report review findings to the community and seek feedback; and reform police use of force policies. The Boston Police Reform Task Force is composed of members from the community, law enforcement, advocacy organizations, and the legal profession, to ensure that these commitments are translated to actions. Over the summer, the Task Force hosted a series of community listening sessions to gather community feedback related to police reform.  "The Boston Police Department is committed to helping our communities, and continuing to serve the people of Boston," said Boston Police Commissioner William Gross. "These actions will help our department continue our goal to become a stronger, more equitable force for public safety."  On June 11, 2020, Boston Police Commissioner William Gross announced he completed a review of Boston Police's policies against the recommended use of force policies outlined in the "8 Can't Wait" effort, resulting in clarified rules and the implementation of several reforms. In addition, as part of Mayor Walsh's Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) budget, Mayor Walsh allocated 20% or $12 million of the Boston Police Department's overtime budget to make a significant investment in equity and inclusion across the City.  These final recommendations represent the tireless work of the Boston Police Task Force members, and valuable feedback from the Boston community. Throughout its process, the Task Force held five separate public listening sessions, and received over 100 pieces of testimony from the community, over the course of two written comment periods.  The final report and full recommendations are available online.

MAYOR WALSH, GOVERNOR BAKER, BHA, AND TRINITY FINANCIAL CELEBRATE COMPLETION OF PHASE TWO OF OVERLOOK TERRACE AT ORIENT HEIGHTS

 

MAYOR WALSH, GOVERNOR BAKER, BHA, AND TRINITY FINANCIAL CELEBRATE COMPLETION OF PHASE TWO OF OVERLOOK TERRACE AT ORIENT HEIGHTS    Photo credit: Anthony Crisafulli, Trinity Financial BOSTON - Thursday, November 12, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Governor Charlie Baker today marked the completion of Phase Two of Overlook Terrace at Orient Heights with a virtual 'ribbon cutting' event - joining the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and the development team of Trinity Financial and the East Boston Community Development Corporation. Phase Two of the project involved the demolition of 87 original units in four buildings and the new construction of 88 State Public Housing rental units in a combination of apartment style and townhouse homes. The Phase Two property, which also includes new community and open spaces and play areas, achieved LEED Gold certifiability for sustainability and energy efficiency.  "The Orient Heights development is a great Boston story," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "We brought lots of partners together, we got creative sourcing funding, and we harnessed the economic strength of our city to create powerful opportunities for working families. I congratulate everyone involved in the financing, design and construction. I thank the tenants for their patience and input, and the BHA for working with them on relocation and return." "I'm pleased to celebrate the completion of Phase II of Overlook Terrace at Orient Heights, preserving hundreds of affordable units for Boston residents," said Governor Charlie Baker. "Thank you to Mayor Walsh, the Boston Housing Authority and all the partners that worked together with our administration to make this project possible." Originally built in 1951, the 331-unit Orient Heights state public housing community has become physically distressed over the years. For the past five years, BHA, DHCD, and the residents of Orient Heights have been working with the development team to transform the community. Phase One of the redeveloped Overlook Terrace at Orient Heights, which was completed in 2018, included the construction of 120 units of new replacement state public housing. The total development investment in Phase One was of approximately $51.2 million, including affordable housing resources from the City of Boston, and funds raised through an allocation of federal 4 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credits; tax-exempt bonds for construction financing; state public housing capital funds from BHA and DHCD. Phase Two, being celebrated today, was made possible with $10 million from the City of Boston, including the proceeds from the sale of the Winthrop Street Garage as well as Inclusionary Development Policy funds secured from Article 80 development projects in East Boston. Financing for Phase Two was also provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts's DHCD, the BHA, MassWorks, MassHousing, RBC Capital Markets, and Citizens Bank.  As part of the upcoming FY22 Capital Plan, Mayor Walsh is committing another $19 million for Phase Three, which is anticipated to complete the replacement and modernization of the remaining 123 units in order to achieve a one-for-one replacement of the original 331-units, and is projected to commence in 2021.  "Orient Heights has been a vital housing resource for low-income families in East Boston for almost 70 years. With these new units we are building a future for our residents," said BHA Administrator Kate Bennett. "The work we're doing today will secure a vibrant, stable home for hundreds of families at Orient Heights for decades to come." The BHA, which has owned and managed the Orient Heights public housing development since its original construction in the 1950s, undertook a planning process in 2008 with the support of DHCD to consider redevelopment options for the community. In January 2015, with an award of funding from DHCD, the BHA selected the development team of Trinity Financial and East Boston CDC to work with both agencies and the residents of the Orient Heights community to finalize a redevelopment strategy. In partnership with the BHA and DHCD, the development team secured financing to implement the redevelopment, and will own and manage the buildings post-redevelopment. The BHA will continue to own the land and will lease the land to Trinity.   "This property is a critical part of the BHA's portfolio in meeting the City of Boston's affordable housing needs. It has been a privilege to be part of such a collaborative public-private partnership with our colleagues at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of Boston, the Boston Housing Authority, East Boston CDC, the Orient Heights residents, and our colleagues in finance and development to see this second phase through to completion." said Eva Erlich, Vice President, Development with Trinity Financial. "We're thrilled to be marking this milestone for Phase Two, and look forward to completing the full transformation with the third and final phase.  " Since January of 2015, BHA and the development team have held public meetings with residents and the neighborhood, regular meetings with the Local Tenant Organization and various meetings with City and State officials. The redevelopment effort has been supported by a local community that recognizes Orient Heights as an integral part of the neighborhood. BHA, Trinity, and the East Boston CDC will continue to meet with public housing residents and neighbors in the broader community on an on-going basis throughout the remaining stages of redevelopment. Mayor Walsh and the City of Boston have dedicated substantial resources to redevelopment efforts at BHA Public Housing sites across the city. In addition to the city's $10 million investment for Orient Heights Phase Two, Mayor Walsh has invested $6.5 million to redevelop the Whittier Public Housing Development in Roxbury, $30 million for a future redevelopment of the Bunker Hill Public Housing Development in Charlestown, $25 million to Anne Lynch Homes at Old Colony in South Boston, and $5 million this year to kickstart renovation efforts for BHA Public Housing for seniors and residents with disabilities across the city. Since the implementation of the Mayor Walsh's housing plan in 2014, 23,000 new units of housing have been completed. With an additional 9,700 units currently under construction, the City has secured housing for an estimated 45,600 residents, making significant progress in meeting Boston's rapid population growth.

紐英崙七州州長聯合聲明 暫停青少年跨州曲棍球賽

            (Boston Orange報導) 麻州、新澤西州、緬因州、羅德島州、新罕布夏州、佛蒙特州及康州等七州州長，今(12)早11點發表聯合聲明，暫停青少年跨州曲棍球賽，以遏制新冠病毒散佈。

             該聲明指出，鑒於近來爆發的新冠病毒疫情都和跨州青少年曲棍球活動有關，麻州查理貝克(Charlie Baker)、新澤西州Phil Murphy、緬因州Janet Mills、羅德島州雷萌朵(Gina Raimondo)、新罕布夏州Chris Sununu、佛蒙特州Phil Scott及康乃狄克州Ned Lamont等七名州長，都支持鄰州合作，暫停跨州比賽的區域性辦法，以限制病毒在各社區間進一步傳播。

             從11月14日起至12月31日止，這七州將暫停公私立學校之間的州際比賽，以及青少年曲棍球活動。

             該禁令不會影響州際大學，專業團隊或美國國家隊曲棍球活動，這些活動仍將受現有健康和安全規程和/或限制的約束。

             在公共健康數據持續衍變之際，各州將重新評估繼續限制州際體育活動的必要。

Joint Statement from the Offices of Governors Baker, Murphy, Mills, Raimondo, Sununu, Scott and Lamont on the Suspension of Interstate Youth Hockey

BOSTON – In response to recent coronavirus outbreaks associated with the conduct of interstate youth hockey activities, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Maine Governor Janet Mills, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, Vermont Governor Phil Scott, and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont will support a regional approach to interstate competitions. As case numbers increase in many states across the country, it is critical that neighboring states coordinate a regional approach to limit further community spread of the virus.

The seven states will suspend interstate competitions for public and private schools and youth hockey effective this Saturday, November 14, 2020 through at minimum December 31, 2020. The prohibition will not impact interstate collegiate, professional, or U.S. national team hockey activities, which will remain subject to existing health and safety protocols and/or restrictions.

As public health data continues to evolve, the states will reassess the need for continued restrictions on interstate sports activities.

麻州、美國新冠確診人數繼續攀升 11/11依序 2495宗、134,383宗

 

白宮改朝換代在望 麻州政壇從Warren起吹風點將

             (Boston Orange編譯)美國大選投票結束，計票仍在持續，川普(Donald Trump)還未退讓，媒體宣稱拜登(Joe Biden)當選為候任美國總統之際，麻州已迫不急待的開始猜測，華倫，華殊，普斯莉，奚莉將”花落何方”。

             波士頓環球報(Boston Globe)今(11)日發文表示，訪問了16名政治圈內人，得到各種說法，包括聯邦參議員伊莉莎白華倫(Elizabeth Warren)可能當美國財政部部長，波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Marty Walsh)可能當駐愛爾蘭大使，聯邦眾議員普斯莉(Ayanna Pressley)和麻州總檢察長奚莉(Maura Healey)可能會在民主黨初選中對決，角逐聯邦參議員席位。

             民主黨的策略家說，實在很難說這政治骨牌最後會翻滾成甚麼樣子，從麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)到2022年的麻州國會議員團，都會受影響。

             前述四人是麻州民主黨人在討論拜登政府時，最多人提到的名字。還未宣佈是否在2021年競選連任波士頓市長的馬丁華殊，有人提議他當勞工部部長或大使。

             早在選前19個月就支持拜登的聯邦眾議員林奇(Stephen F. Lynch)，曾經是工會鐵工，去過伊拉克和阿富汗20多次，對勞工議題，外國事務及國家安全等議題，都有深入了解，讓他也成了民主黨觀察名單上另一個受歡迎的名字。

             至於麻州州長查理貝克，儘管接近他的人都說他對到華府沒甚麼興趣，但卻一直公開地被人認為，匯市候任總統過渡小組中的共和黨成員。

             不過，有幾個政治圈內人認為，麻州還有一些著名的民主黨人更可能被招攬進白宮，包括2013年奧巴馬就職委員會成員Steve Kerrigan，奧巴馬政府時代的前助理國務卿，曾參選麻州州長，目前在哈佛甘迺迪政府學院任教的Juliette Kayyem，以及在柯林頓總統時期在司法部工作的麻州前州長派區克(Deval Patrick)等等。

             如果伊莉莎白華倫進白宮了，她代表麻州的聯邦參議員席位，將在麻州州長指派人選頂替之後，非常可能引出聯邦眾議員普斯莉(Ayanna Pressley)和麻州總檢察長奚莉(Maura Healey)出面參選。甚至才剛在今年的聯邦參議員選舉中被競選連任的馬基(Ed Markey)打敗的約瑟夫甘迺迪三世，都有可能再次出征。

Baker-Polito Administration Advances Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke Capital Project with Release of Rapid Planning Phase Report, Selection of Vendor for Design Phase

 Baker-Polito Administration Advances Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke Capital Project with Release of Rapid Planning Phase Report, Selection of Vendor for Design Phase

 

BOSTON – Today on Veterans Day, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the next steps for the expedited capital project for the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. Following the conclusion of the 12-week Rapid Planning Phase of the project, the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance released the needs assessment report, and announced the selection of a vendor for the next phase.

 

The Rapid Planning Phase was launched in August to identify a sustainable, public health, implementation roadmap to provide significant upgrades to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. The architecture firm that led this project, Payette, wrote a report detailing its findings and recommended next steps. This report represents the culmination of research gathered by a broad group of veterans, families, veterans’ organizations, the community, and other stakeholders through focus groups, interviews, and surveys. These recommendations reflect the learnings from those engagements, and the analysis of demographic data and services in Western Massachusetts. Read the full report here.

 

Payette has been conditionally selected pending execution of a contract as the design firm to lead the design and planning phase, the next step of the expedited capital project. Payette will build on the evaluation they previously completed, and will develop a full project scope, refine the plan, and confirm the budget, timelines, and ensure conformity with the regulatory process. One of the early deliverables is the preparation of the submission for the VA State Home Construction Grant by its April 15, 2021 deadline. Following the submission of the grant application, the Design Phase will include further work to incorporate feedback from the VA on the grant submission.

 

“We are pleased to announce the advancement of this capital project for the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke to ensure that the facility remains safe and able to support the Commonwealth’s veterans as they age,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “By updating and modernizing the facility, we will continue to provide high-quality health care to both aging veterans now and the next generation of veterans who need care.”

 

“The capital improvements this project entails will ensure longevity of services at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, which provides care to aging veterans from all across the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Soldiers’ Homes are also unique as they recognize the selfless service of our veterans to the Nation and Commonwealth, not only on Veterans Day, but every day.”

 

“This expedited capital project for the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke provides an exciting opportunity to provide a state of the art long term care facility to meet the needs of our veterans in the coming years and to ensure that they are aligned with anticipated demand,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “It is also essential that any renovation meets the most stringent infection control standards.”

 

“Thank you to all the individuals and groups who have provided insight and recommendations for the future of the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, we look forward to continuing our partnership throughout this process,” said Veterans’ Secretary Cheryl Lussier Poppe. “This needs assessment and selection of a design vendor marks a significant milestone in this expedited process as we continue our commitment to our aging veterans on this Veterans Day.”

 

“We appreciate all of the hard work that went into completing the rapid planning phase report for the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke and the many stakeholders that offered valuable input,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael Heffernan. “We look forward to working with Payette to execute the design and planning phase so that we can invest in this important project to provide the very best for those who have sacrificed so much.”  

 

“The Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke is a special place,” said Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance Commissioner Carol Gladstone. “We have a team ready and committed to work with our partners at the Soldiers’ Home, the Department of Veterans’ Services, and Health and Human Services to implement the recommendations identified as part of this Rapid Planning Report .”

 

Payette is a well-known firm that has done scores of similar projects, including completing the Community Living Center and Campus Framework Plan for Chelsea Soldiers’ Home. 

 

While the expedited capital project will address long-term facility viability, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), the Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) and the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) have been addressing immediate capital needs, including a $6 million refresh of units, to significantly improve infection control for the  residents and staff. The refresh includes refinishing the living and working environment to support infection control, including the installation of air purification units.

 

Learn more about the expedited capital project for the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke at www.mass.gov/HolyokeSHproject.

麻州退伍軍人紀念日儀式 陳紹章將軍致詞

 

新型冠狀病毒確診案例 美國破千萬大關 麻州又回升 2047宗

            (Boston Orange 編譯)新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)疫情在歐美多個國家又再嚴峻。根據約翰霍普金斯大學數據，在11月10日，全世界已有5129萬餘人確診，美國的確診人數也打破了千萬大關。

             麻州新冠病毒新增確診人數在9日降至2000以下之後，今(10)日又回升至超過2000，達到2047宗，累計169,976。另新增21人死亡，累計9,957人死亡。目前全州有23,702人正在與新冠病毒搏鬥。

             約翰霍普金斯大學數據，截至10日下午5點半，美國累計有10,217,789人確診。美國疾病防治中心(CDC)的數據，還只記錄到11月9日的下午1點半，確診人數為9,913,553，其中新增確診人數超過10萬，達105,142之多。

             麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)今日在匯報疫情時指出，雖然疫情轉趨嚴重，州民不須擔心，州政府已做好準備，將把400個急診病床改為重症病床，也已做好設置田野醫院的準備。州政府也正在和麻州緊急管理局(MEMA)，醫院人員合作，研究臨時醫院及人手的安置。本週稍後在公佈細節。

             他說，從勞工節以來，確診個案上升了300%，住院比率也跳升200%，住院率增加了67%，住進重症病房的比率也增加了50%。

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Asian Americans Advancing Justice Reacts To Historic Biden/Harris Win

 Asian Americans Advancing Justice Reacts To Historic Biden/Harris Win

 

Washington, DC — November 10, 2020 — Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliates in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. issued the following statement on Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’s election win:

“Asian Americans Advancing Justice is committed to empowering Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to participate in our democracy and making sure our voices are heard at all levels of government. It is clear that the people have spoken: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are the next leaders of our country. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders turned out to have their voices heard, and in the process helped elect the first vice president of Black and South Asian descent. This is an historic moment. 

Throughout the election process, Advancing Justice has worked to protect the rights of all Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and to hold election officials accountable for providing our communities with the information and access we need to vote. Our communities overcame barriers and showed up to make our voices heard. We’ve worked and will continue to work with our communities to exercise their political power to shape the policies that affect us.

The election is over, but our work continues. For years, we’ve fought alongside local and national partners to make the American dream and the promise of opportunity a reality for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. We will work closely with the new administration and the new Congress to ensure the federal government makes strides on issues most important to our communities – such as protecting and expanding family-based immigration, defunding immigration enforcement, protecting and expanding voting rights, eradicating racial profiling and more – to create a society that accepts, respects and celebrates our differences.”

AG’S OFFICE AWARDS GRANT FUNDING TO ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE TO HELP LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS PAY HEATING BILLS

 AG’S OFFICE AWARDS GRANT FUNDING TO ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE TO HELP LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS PAY HEATING BILLS

AG Encourages Residents Who Are Facing Financial Difficulty to Contact their Utility for Assistance

 

            BOSTON – With the cold weather season approaching, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today that she has awarded nearly $570,000 in grant funding to 14 organizations across the state to help low-income households pay off or lower their natural gas heating bills.

 

            “Each winter, thousands of Massachusetts households struggle to come up with the funds to pay their monthly heating bills, and we expect many more to be in need this year amid the COVID-19 public health crisis,” AG Healey said. “This grant program will help us ensure that families have the financial support they need to stay warm during the cold months.”

 

            This year, AG Healey’s Natural Gas Fuel Assistance Grant program is providing approximately $569,000 to programs run through state agencies, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations that currently assist residents in paying for gas service. Approximately one-in-four low-income eligible households in Massachusetts currently receive assistance on their heating bills, and many more are expected to need help this year with the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant program aims to close that gap by providing assistance to families who are in need but are not currently receiving assistance or not receiving enough help in paying their monthly bills.

 

           The grant program utilizes funds from a settlement the AG’s Office reached with National Grid for improperly charging customers reconnection fees. Since 2018, the grant program has awarded more than $2 million to programs and initiatives that provide fuel assistance.

 

            The AG’s Office is awarding grant funding to the following organizations:

 

·        Casa Myrna Vazquez (Greater Boston and Boston Harbor Communities in Middlesex and Norfolk Counties): The organization will provide funds to survivors of domestic and dating violence who need assistance paying their natural gas bills.

·        The Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) (Statewide): MASSCAP will provide 22 statewide organizations with additional funds to help natural gas customers who participate in the federal Low Income and Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), as well as those who do not qualify for the program but make less than 80 percent of the state median income.

·        City of Marlborough: The municipally-run heating assistance program will use the funds to enhance its current fuel assistance program to assist more families.

·        Lend a Hand Society (Greater Boston): The organization will use the funding to enhance its current program to assist more households in need in Greater Boston with paying their heating bills.

·        Town of Norton: The municipally-run program will expand its outreach to senior and veteran populations who need assistance in paying their heating bills.

·        United Way (Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk Counties): The emergency heating assistance program will expand its outreach to families in need.

·        Springfield Partners for Community Action: The organization will use the funds to increase the reach of its current program which helps residents in need who do not qualify for LIHEAP.

·        The Towns of Palmer, Weymouth, and Dartmouth: The towns will expand the reach of their current fuel assistance programs.

·        The Southeast Asian Coalition of Massachusetts (Essex, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester Counties): The organization will use the funds to enhance its current program that is geared toward assisting Southeast Asian and Arabic-speaking households gain access to fuel assistance programs.

·        The Spanish American Center (Northern Worcester County): The organization will use the funding to expand its current program that provides assistance to Latinx families. 

·        REACH (Greater Boston Communities in Middlesex County): The organization will provide funds for survivors of domestic violence in need of assistance in paying their gas heating bills.

·        Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (Greater Lowell): The organization will use the funds to help those in the Cambodian American community in Greater Lowell who are in need.

 

The grant program began on November 1, 2020 and will run through October 31, 2021.

 

            AG Healey is also encouraging residents who are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic to contact their utility company to learn about the available assistance programs. The state’s utility companies are offering financial assistance to residents impacted by the pandemic, including flexible payment plans and balance forgiveness plans for those who are eligible. Utility companies are authorized to provide payment plans for up to 12 months for residents who are behind in their payments.

 

The AG’s Office urges residents who are experiencing a loss of income to consult with their utility to see if they may qualify for the utility’s low-income rate, arrearage management programs (AMP), or the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Customers may qualify for low-income assistance, even if they haven’t in the past, as eligibility is based on the last four weeks of gross household income. The AMP provides for an individualized payment plan that, if followed, allows the customer to have forgiven all or a portion of an outstanding unpaid balance. In order to qualify for LIHEAP, customers must have a household income that does not exceed 60 percent of the state median income. The office also urges residents who are struggling to pay their bills to contact their local Community Action Network to determine if they qualify for available financial assistance. Some recipients of the AG Healey’s Natural Gas Fuel Assistance Grant program will supplement LIHEAP funding at Community Action Networks.

 

As the state’s ratepayer advocate, AG Healey works to ensure that customers do not pay more for their natural gas service than they should.

 

            For more information about gas utilities during the COVID-19 pandemic visit the AG’s resource page, which includes contact information for Massachusetts utility companies. Customers who have concerns about their utility rights during the public health crisis should contact the AG’s consumer assistance hotline at 617-727-8400 or file a complaint online.