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| 麻州州長查理貝克標榜麻州清潔能源業成就。(周菊子攝) |
(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 麻州清潔能源中心4月7日公佈2021年清潔能源產業報告。麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker) 重申他去年10月他提交"賦能麻州清潔能源經濟” 法案，設立7億5000萬元清潔能源投資基金，就為支持這重要行業的發展。
麻州州長查理貝克和麻州能源及環境事務廳廳長Kathleen
Theoharides，麻州清潔能源中心執行長Jennifer
Daloisio特地在4月7日到位於麻州波士頓市查理士城 (Charlestown)的麻州風力科技測試中心視察。
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| 麻州風力扇測試中心。 (周菊子攝) |
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麻州現有的過渡期清潔能源及氣候計畫的目標是，到2030年時，讓100萬戶家庭電力化。
麻州境內現有11萬3000個太陽能項目，賣出2萬9000輛電動車。在2020年內，麻州在清潔能源上花了8億3800萬元，創造了28億元福利。
CAPAC Chair Chu Statement on Appointment to America COMPETES Act Conference Committee
Washington, D.C. — Today, CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) issued the following statement after being appointed to the America COMPETES Act conference committee:
“I am honored to serve on the conference committee for the America COMPETES Act, a comprehensive policy package that will strengthen our supply chains, support American workers, and make our country more competitive. I’m thrilled to be joined by five of my fellow CAPAC Executive Members - Reps. Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Doris Matsui, Bobby Scott, and Mark Takano, and many other CAPAC Associate Members. In this conference, I will work to ensure that the final legislation does not include broad xenophobic, anti-China rhetoric that could endanger the lives of Asian American communities here at home. I will also push back on any language that encourages the racial profiling of Asian Americans by our own government. I’m optimistic that the final package will increase American resiliency and I am hopeful that this process will set a tone for future policy debates to be focused on policy, not fear. I thank the Speaker for this important appointment and look forward to getting to work.”
(Boston Orange 編譯) 3名波士頓市議員推動要求麻州政府在未來3年，多發200張不可轉讓酒牌給波士頓市，特別是給市內少數族裔聚居社區的餐廳，包括多徹斯特、麥特潘、洛士百利，以及海德公園。
這家規法的主要提案者是新科波士頓市議員Brian
Worrell。他們還要求麻州政府在未來10年曾發10%的酒牌給波士頓市。
Brian
Worrell表示，這是公平問題。整個波士頓市大概有1400多張酒牌，波士頓市人口最多元化，90%為有色人種的麥特潘
(Mattapan)區，卻只有10張酒牌。而這10張中只有2張目前是由該社區內餐館使用。這還已經是有進步了，因為之前連一家可以賣酒的餐廳都沒有。
Brian
Worrell還指出，從麥特潘廣場經過多徹斯特，進入Grove
Hall，朝向洛士百利Nubian廣場的這整整長4英里的藍丘大道
(Blue Hill Avenue)上，只有6家餐廳有酒牌。這條通道是人們認為的波士頓市最有歷史的長廊，卻也是最被忽略的地區。
這提案是協助促進地方餐館及小企業振興的計畫之一，規定新增加的酒牌要交給只能容納50人以下的餐館。
波士頓人一直以來都為州法限制了波士頓市可以有多少酒牌，以及餐館業強勢有力者反對改變這法令感到沮喪。有些業界內部人士擔心，新酒牌出現會降低現有酒牌的價值。在公開市場上，這些酒牌可以要價6位數字。不過支持這家規法者表示，那種價格阻礙了許多人進入餐館業，尤其是黑人及西班牙裔
(Black and brown)企業家。
這些額外的酒牌將是不可轉讓的，意味著是免費發給餐館業者的，但如果收受這酒牌的原始業者若關門了，這酒牌就得給回市政府。可轉讓，無限制的酒牌可以由餐館業者在市場上公開買賣。
根據市府官員，截至2020年春，無限制的可轉讓酒牌數量是不可轉讓酒牌的大約8倍，但確實數目，還須查證。
波士頓市的領袖們許多年來一直都在爭取更多酒牌。聯邦眾議員Ayanna
Pressley還是波士頓市議員時，曾經由改革，發出75張新酒牌。波士頓市前任市長Martin
J. Walsh和現任波士頓市議員Frank
Baker也曾施壓，要求增加酒牌。2020年時，波士頓市議員Lydia
Wdwards也推動酒牌改革，讓一些掙扎中餐館有了租酒牌的希望。
在4月6日週三的波士頓市議會中支持該提案的另一名波士頓市議員Ruthzee
Louijeune表示，尤其是對於黑人及西班牙裔人擁有的小企業來說，取得資金有障礙。她試圖在酒牌種類上有些創意做法。
從新冠病毒疫情於2020年爆發以來，波士頓市只發出一張不可轉讓酒牌，給了Brighton的Charles
River Speedway。
Ruthzee
Louijeune說，有不可轉讓酒牌，但在某些社區內卻未充分利用的本身就是一個問題。
支持提案的波士頓市議員Ricardo
Arroyo表示，申請酒牌的流程似乎有點神祕，他不認為那對波士頓市內的企業有何好處。其他城市的申請酒牌程序不同，餐館業更健康些。
波士頓市議員們週三時是在政府運作委員會中討論此事，一旦成案，還需市長同意，再遞交麻州議會考慮。
Massachusetts Democratic Party Statement on Historic Confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court
Today, MassDems Chair Gus Bickford issued the following statement after judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed by a bipartisan U.S. Senate vote to the Supreme Court.
“Judge Jackson is the daughter of public school teachers, has served as an accomplished lawyer and public defender, a distinguished federal judge, and now, will make history as a Supreme Court Justice. Today’s bipartisan Senate vote not only adds a brilliant legal mind with the utmost character, integrity, and understanding of the law to our nation’s highest court, but will also make the Supreme Court better reflect the diversity of our nation. Today, another promise of President Biden was delivered on, with the aid of our very own Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey.
This lifetime appointment makes clear: elections have consequences and to build on the progress of today, we must continue our fight to elect Democrats every day.”
REP LIEU APPLAUDS HISTORIC CONFIRMATION OF JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON TO THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the
following statement after Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to
become the 116th Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Judge Jackson will
be the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
“Today is a historic day. Judge Jackson is a brilliant and well-respected jurist with an
impressive breadth of legal experience. She will be a great Supreme Court Justice.
“Judge Jackson has excelled during her tenure on the D.C. District Court and the
influential D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, where she has shown an unwavering dedication
to upholding the rule of law. She began her career as a clerk for Justice Stephen Breyer
and followed in his footsteps on the U.S. Sentencing Commission, where she focused on ensuring that federal sentences were fair. She will also be the first federal public defender to serve on the U.S.
Supreme Court, allowing her to bring invaluable courtroom experience to the bench.
Throughout her career, Judge Jackson has displayed a steadfast commitment to equal
justice under the law and a strong moral compass. Her character, pragmatism, and
perspective will make her an exceptional Justice.
“I commend the bipartisan group of Senators who voted to confirm Judge Jackson,
and applaud President Biden for nominating the first Black woman to serve on the
highest court of the land. As we celebrate her accomplishments, we are empowering
young people of all different backgrounds who wish to serve our country at the highest
level. This a moment of pride for our country.”
IN RECOGNITION OF FAIR HOUSING MONTH, AG HEALEY ANNOUNCES RESOLUTIONS IN FOUR HOUSING DISCRIMINATION CASES
Settlements Resolve Claims of Section 8 Discrimination Against Low Income Renters in Ashland, Boston, Canton, and Wellesley
BOSTON – In recognition of Fair Housing Month, Attorney General Maura Healey today announced resolutions her office reached in four housing discrimination cases, in which prospective tenants were refused housing from real estate brokers and agencies based on their receipt of public assistance.
The four settlements resolve allegations that Realty Executives Boston West, Haynes Family LLC / Haynes Management, Success Real Estate, Inc, We Close The Deal LLC, and Wright Real Estate LLC, violated state fair housing and consumer protection laws by illegally denying people an opportunity to rent an apartment because of their receipt of public assistance through the federal Section 8 housing voucher program. Section 8 assists low-income residents with finding affordable rental housing within the private market. These resolutions are a continuation of AG Healey’s ongoing efforts to address widespread housing discrimination that impacts Black, brown, low-income and disabled residents in Massachusetts.
“Rental assistance programs play a critical role in ensuring economic stability for families and residents across Massachusetts – especially our underserved and disadvantaged communities,” said AG Healey. “These resolutions send a message that the housing industry cannot refuse to rent to residents because of who they are or whether they receive public assistance, and my office will take action against those who do.”
Realty Executives Boston West
In 2019, a woman was searching for an apartment on behalf of her adult son, who has a disability and receives public assistance, when she contacted a broker with Realty Executives Boston West about a prospective location in Ashland. The AG’s Office alleges that when asked if the property owner would rent to a tenant with a Section 8 voucher, the broker informed the woman that the owner would not consider such tenants for the apartment. The broker also claimed he had forwarded her application to the owner, and later, told her that the application had been rejected. The woman later learned that the broker had not sent her application to the owner of the apartment, and that the owner had no issue with renting to tenants with Section 8 vouchers.
The case was referred to the AG’s Office after the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) investigated and found probable cause that the broker illegally discriminated against the woman’s son because of his disability and because of his source of income.
Under the terms of the settlement, Realty Executives Boston have agreed to pay $15,000 in restitution and undergo fair housing training, add affirmative fair housing statements in advertising, including language that is inclusive and encourages residents with housing subsidies to apply, and to adopt a fair housing policy.
This case was handled by Deputy Chief Shafaq Islam of AG Healey’s Civil Rights Division.
Haynes Family LLC and Haynes Management, Inc.
The AG’s Office alleges that in January 2021, a family with an enhanced housing subsidy was looking for a new home. A housing counselor who was working with the family contacted Haynes Management about a property owned by Haynes Family LLC in Wellesley. Haynes Management staff informed the housing counselor that they did not take Section 8 vouchers. The housing counselor subsequently reported the refusal to the Attorney General’s Office, which investigated.
Under the terms of the settlement, the Haynes entities have agreed to develop and implement a fair housing policy, train staff on fair housing laws, add fair housing language to rental advertisements, and advertise rental units on commonly used internet sites in order to increase visibility of rental properties, including to prospective tenants with Section 8 vouchers. Haynes will also be prohibited from imposing a minimum income requirement on a tenant if the tenant receives a rental or housing subsidy. The Haynes entities also paid $25,000 in restitution and penalties.
This case was handled by Assistant Attorneys General Ann Lynch and Jonathan Burke, both of the AG’s Civil Rights Division.
Success Real Estate, LLC
The AG’s Office alleges that in July 2019, a woman was looking for housing for her son, who has a disability, and is also a recipient of housing assistance through the Section 8 program. After finding a listing in Canton, the woman reached out to the real estate broker for the property from Success Real Estate Inc., who allegedly illegally stated that the property owner was not interested in working with individuals receiving Section 8 assistance because of the paperwork involved. While the tenant’s mother was ultimately able to tour the unit and submit an application, the AG’s Office alleges that the application was promptly rejected, and the unit was rented to other tenants.
The case was referred to the AG’s Office after MCAD investigated and found probable cause that the broker illegally discriminated against the prospective tenant because of his receipt of public assistance.
The AG’s Office has previously settled with Success Real Estate for publishing advertisements for rental apartments throughout the South Shore area that included discriminatory statements based on familial status, source of income, and disability.
Under the terms of the settlement, the defendants have agreed to attend fair housing training, and pay $13,000 to the woman for the above-mentioned claims.
The case was handled by Deputy Chief Shafaq Islam of the AG’s Civil Rights Division.
The Wright Real Estate LLC and We Close The Deal LLC
The AG’s Office alleges that a prospective tenant looking for an apartment to rent in Boston was illegally discriminated against by Wright Real Estate LLC, and We Close The Deal LLC, based on their source of income – specifically on their usage of Section 8. The tenant filed a complaint with the Boston Fair Housing Commission, which determined and found cause to believe that Wright Real Estate and We Close The Deal refused to rent to the tenant and subjected them to different terms and conditions, based on their source of income.
Under the terms of the settlement, the two real estate companies have agreed to comply and abide by all Massachusetts fair housing and antidiscrimination laws, revise existing policies to ensure they are in complaint with states laws, attend fair housing and antidiscrimination training, and provide $10,000 to the affected victim.
The case was handled by Deputy Chief Shafaq Islam, of the AG’s Civil Rights Division.
The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office is committed to enforcing the state’s fair housing law and encourages those who have concerns about housing discrimination to call the office’s Civil Rights Division at 617-963-2917 or to file a complaint online.
For more information on AG Healey’s Fair Housing FAQs regarding source of income discrimination, click here for English and here for Spanish.
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2022 ILF Youth Leadership Academy
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| 4月份華埠居民會依舊在網上舉行，有39人參加。 |
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| 華人前進會主席李素影義務做翻譯。 |
位於必珠街40號的Zoe髮廊業主夫婦，經營30多年後，現正翻修，要申請牌照，改為越南咖啡店，同時出售比利時特色巧克力。營業時間預定為早上7點至晚上10點。
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| 華埠居民會主席黃國威。 |
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| Zoe髮廊東主有意把髮廊改成咖啡店Café Darq。 |
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| 綠路保護會標語旗將增為三語表達。 |
James Intrilligator還透露，他還有一個計畫是把所有的消防栓以5G連結，成為社區的空調系統，在天氣太熱時自動噴霧，降低周遭溫度。
一名余姓居民熱心地詢問該問卷是否雙語，可以在哪兒拿到。李素影以她個人經驗指出，過去這許多年來，進華埠做調查的學者、教授無數，但卻都未提出解決方案，希望這一調查能有實際成果和華埠分享。
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| 塔大教授 James Intrilligator。 |
波士頓華埠居民會主席黃國威在會末說明，3月份在必珠街上擺攤，車輛遭搶的小攤販，送醫後，現已無礙，肇事原因是鑰匙在車上。他提醒民眾千萬不要隨意把車鑰匙留在車上。
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| 林肯街179號業主之一的Britton Derkac。 |
