華人前進會主任陳玉珍上中華公所 解說「百萬富翁稅」

華人前進會主任陳玉珍解說百萬富翁稅，籲請大眾支持一號選票問題。 (周菊子攝)

                   (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 麻州選民今年11月8日，將藉由選票問題一號，決定所謂「百萬富翁稅 (Millionaire Tax) 」的命運。華人前進會行政主任陳玉珍日前特地出席紐英崙中華公所董事大會做說明，籲請各界支持這稅務修改案。

                陳玉珍的簡報名稱是「公平繳稅 (年收過百萬稅)修正案 (The Fair Share Amendment) 」，描述這麻州稅法修訂動議，要向居民超過100萬元以上的收入，加徵所得稅4%。據估計，這稅法修訂案通過後，每年可為麻州增加20億元稅收，轉而用於改善交通，公共教育，以及修橋補路等基礎設施。

陳玉珍以圖表說明，麻州年收入百萬元以上者僅2萬4千餘戶。 (周菊子攝)

                   在陳玉珍的簡報中，麻州只有2萬4千100戶人家的年收入超過100萬元，會面對「百萬富翁稅」的問題，其中白人大約2萬700戶，亞裔1400戶，黑人及西班牙人各900戶，多族裔的200戶，所以稅法變更後，受影響的人數其實極少。

                  目前麻州的所得稅率為5.5%，所謂百萬富翁稅是指超過100萬元的那部分收入，就必須以9.5%的稅率來繳稅。換言之，如果年收入為110萬元，則有10萬元必須以9.5%的稅率來申報。

                  她說2015年時，在全美國貧富懸殊最嚴重各州中，麻州排名第六。根據經濟政策研究院 (EPI)資料，有1%的州民平均年收入為190萬元，約為一般人平均年薪6萬2千元的31倍。

                  在麻州各郡憲中，收入差距最大的是薩福克郡 (Suffolk)，1%的收入最高者的收入是一般其他人收入的54倍。

                過去幾十年來，麻州居民的貧富差距加大後，最有錢的那5% 家庭，平均收入為33萬9千餘元，是最貧窮那20%人家平均收入2萬4千元的13.8倍，也是中間那20%家庭平均收入7萬4800元的4.5倍。

             陳玉珍再以麻州住宅成本和最低時薪的數據比指出，麻州是全美第三貴。以2021年為例，麻州最低時薪為13.5元，平均要每週工作107個小時，才可能負擔得起2睡房公寓，要租得起2睡房公寓，時薪得高達36.24元。

             根據陳玉珍展示給中華公所董事們看的簡報圖片，麻州共有354萬餘戶家庭，其中74%為白人家庭，12%為黑人家庭，7%為拉丁裔，6%為亞裔。家庭收入超過100萬元的戶數大約2萬4千餘，其中86%為白人，4%黑人，4%拉丁裔，6%亞裔。

             陳玉珍指出，人們估計今年會有250萬人出席投票，只要有125萬5001人投票贊成1號選票問題，這修正案就可以通過了。

             麻州坊間為此問題有不少爭論。麻州公平繳稅協會 (Fair Share for Massachusetts)呼籲選民支持這一修正案， 前鋒研究院 (Pioneer Institute)則是出了一本書，以康州為例，稱這稅法修訂後，將來反而是耆英退休賣房子，小企業轉手出售店面時，收入超過百萬元，會面對繳稅額增加的問題。 (更新版)

Governor Baker Signs Legislation Further Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care Services

 Governor Baker Signs Legislation Further Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care Services 

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today signed legislation to further protect access to reproductive health care services in Massachusetts following the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The legislation codifies several measures that were first included in an Executive Order issued by Governor Baker in the hours following the Supreme Court’s decision last month. The law also adopts several new or expanded measures to protect access to reproductive health services in the Commonwealth.  All the protections in the bill apply equally to reproductive and gender-affirming health care services provided or accessed in the Commonwealth. 

 

“Massachusetts remains steadfast in its commitment to protect access to reproductive health care services, especially in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The Court’s decision has major consequences for women across the country who live in states with limited access to these services, and our administration took quick action in the hours following that decision by issuing an Executive Order to protect access here in the Commonwealth. This new legislation signed today builds on that action by protecting patients and providers from legal interference from more restrictive laws in other states. We are grateful for the compromise and dedication to the issue that our legislative colleagues demonstrated to make this important, bipartisan law a reality.”

 

“In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, it’s critical that we in Massachusetts affirm that our state will continue to ensure access to reproductive health care services,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “The new protections in this law build on the steps our administration took last month and our shared bipartisan work to protect access to these services. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Legislature to provide these important safeguards.”

 

“Like so many others, I was devastated by this extremist Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the rights enshrined in Roe v. Wade. I am very proud that, with the signing of this legislation, Massachusetts will continue to be a national leader in protecting and defending the rights of our residents and of those people who come here seeking access to health care," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. "Pregnant people, trans people, and all people must be allowed to make their own health care decisions in consultation with their physician without fear. Our fight to protect the rights and dignity of our residents cannot end today, however, and so the Senate will continue to explore ways to uphold our fundamental rights. I am grateful to my colleagues in the Senate who stood together to act quickly and decisively on this issue, to Speaker Mariano and the House of Representatives, and to Governor Baker for his quick action as well."

 

“In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision to ignore nearly 50 years of judicial precedent and overturn Roe v. Wade, and as states across the country move to restrict access to abortion, I’m incredibly proud of the fact that elected officials in Massachusetts have acted to ensure that the Commonwealth can serve as a safe haven for women seeking reproductive health care services, and for providers whose licenses could be at risk because of laws passed in other states,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “The protections that are codified into law with this legislation, which will help to ensure that no woman will ever be forced to leave Massachusetts to access reproductive health care services because of devastating medical news during the later stages of their pregnancy, have never been more important. I want to thank all my colleagues in the House, as well as our partners in the Senate and in the Administration, for their commitment to protecting a woman’s right to choose, and for the hard work and cooperation that ultimately facilitated the passage of this legislation.”

 

The new law protects patients and providers from legal interference when they are engaged in accessing or providing reproductive and gender affirming health care services that are legally protected in Massachusetts. The law also codifies several protections that Governor Baker put in place by Executive Order last month to prohibit the Commonwealth from assisting with other states’ investigations or legal proceedings regarding health care services that may be restricted in other states. The law also includes requirements for insurers to cover reproductive health care services, provisions addressing abortions performed at 24 weeks or later and measures that expand access to contraception across the Commonwealth.

波士頓台灣人生物科技協會慶10週年會議 實體、線上逾400人出席

波士頓臺`灣人生物科技協會10週年年會共有400多人參與。 (周菊子攝)

                    

波士頓台灣人生物科技協會10週年晚宴留到散場的會長們，右起朱治齊，許祐湉，周致宏，
孟憲薇，魏嘉英，魏曉英，林致中。 (周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓臺灣人生物科技協會 (BTBA) 7月23、24日在哈佛大學舉行年會，慶祝10週年，邀得美國生醫界最著名學者之一的羅伯特蘭格 (Robert Langer) ，系列創業家Jo Viney 博士等人分享經驗。

晚宴中的BTBA籌備會幹部。 (周菊子攝)

                   會議安排有2場主題演講，1場特別講座，1場趨勢座談，4場座談，以及口頭論文報告和壁報論文比賽。包括專程從英國，台灣飛來，以及來自紐約，馬里蘭州，新澤西州，加州等美國各地的聽眾，以及嘉賓，工作人員，共有400多人實體或線上參加。

                  駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元，教育組組長黃薳玉，波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮，科技組秘書楊明儀等嘉賓，都特地出席開幕式，祝賀BTBA盛會成功。

BTBA 2名會長感謝嘉賓出席。左起為波士頓文教中心主任潘昭榮，駐處科技組秘書楊明儀，
駐處處長孫儉元，BTBA2名會長許祐湉，周致宏，駐處教育組組長黃薳玉。(周菊子攝)

                  大會的2名主題演講人分別為麻省理工學院僅有的12名學院教授之一的羅伯特蘭格 (Robert Langer) ，以及募資逾億美元的 Seismic Therapeutic 共同創辦人暨執行長Jo Viney 博士。

                 Robert Langer有「生醫界愛迪生」之譽，擁有逾千項專利，參與創辦了40多家公司。這天他藉由網路遠距演講，以「從奈米科技到mRNA療法，以及將來 (From Nano Technology to mRNA therapies and what’s to come) 」為題，從他1974年獲得MIT化工博士學位，起初發展並不順利說起，倡言如何克服外界懷疑及障礙，導致癌症及心臟病治療新法，以及處理全球健康挑戰的方法。

波士頓台灣人生物科技協會現任共同會煮許祐湉(左)，周致宏 (右)為開幕、閉幕致詞。
(周菊子攝)

                                    Robert Langer也是新冠病毒疫苗公司莫德納 (Moderna) 的共同創辦人，目前專注於名為LYNX的藥物輸送平台，希望藉由使用可分解聚乙二醇包覆納米粒子方式，來控制藥物的釋放劑量及時間，以得更佳療效。他在麻州勒星頓鎮 (Lexington)已設生產工廠，準備把新療法推廣到全世界。

論文被引用次數高居全世界第三位，參與創辦公司數目多達400嘉的MIT學院教授
Robert Langer。 (視頻截圖)

                    Jo Viney 博士來自英國，是家中第一個上大學的小孩。她藉 Miley Cyrus 的「攀登 (The Climb) 」一曲為引，談「攀登: 如何駕馭生物科技的領導階梯 (It’s The Climb: How to navigate the leadership ladder in biotech」，分享她從英國南部鄉村小鎮踏進大都市，從科研人員搖身變成系列創業家，仗的是有好奇勇氣，問很多問題，保持與人交往，隨時伸手拉人一把，多做公益等態度。

                   她來自英國南部鄉下，學的是理工。卻因畢業前的實習，踏進生物醫學領域，在Amgen、Biogen等大公司待過，2017年創辦 Pandion Tx，2018年A輪融資募5800萬元，2020年再B融資8000萬元，然後上市，還被默克 (Merck)收購。

Seismic Therapeutic 共同創辦人暨執行長Jo Viney 博士。 (周菊子攝)

                                        在琢磨下一步該怎麼走時，她對人工智能和機器學習在醫藥領域所發揮作用非常著迷，創辦了 Seismic Therapeutic，想要整合相關資源，來更好，更快的研發藥物，還募得1億餘美元資金。

                    哈佛醫學院個人化基因治療專家游維文 (Timothy Yu)這天以「罕見病的進一步個人化療法 (Advancing individualized therapies for orphan diseases) 」為題，談論以可編程醫藥模式為極罕病病人設計N=1 trial。

BTBA共同會長周致宏、許祐湉和主持人魏志⾩送紀念品給講者游維文(左二)。 (周菊子攝)

                   趨勢座談部分，主題是「在醫療保健業內數據導向的創新:藥物發現和臨床試驗 (Data-Driven Innovation in the Healthcare Industry: Drug Discovery and clinical trial)」，與談人包括Amgen的許益祥，Relay療法的Dejan Maglic，Komodo Health的Ivy Weng。

                 4場座談分別為「如何順利地從學校航向業界」，「生物科技業的軟技能及職業發展」，「攀爬學術階梯的甘苦旅」，「從專利到上市: 初創企業經驗分享」。

                   「如何順利地從學校滑向業界」講者有Lumicks的林昶廷、Sanofi的蘇菀之，Beam 療法鄭洛宜。

座談主持人陳範恩、陳乃群送紀念品給講者，右二起 Dejan Maglic，許益祥，Ivy Weng。
(周菊子攝)

                 「生物科技業的軟技能及職業發展」講者有Pfizer的蔣先慧，武田製藥 (Takeda)的洪維謙，Wellington Management的施宜虹，Synlogic的Jenny Shu。

                  「攀爬學術階梯的甘苦旅」講者有博德(Broad)研究院的沈華智，哥倫比亞大學的鄭佳瑋，林志駿。

「從專利到上市: 初創企業經驗分享」的講者，有醫乘智慧 (AIxMed)創辦人陳聖雄，Massnex 的Robert Schultz，Frequency 療法的Will J. McLean。其中陳聖雄走的是結合軟體開發和生物醫藥治療這條路。

座談主持人黃凱智 (左起)、朱治齊和BTBA共同會長周致宏(又一起)送紀念品給講者，
洪維謙，Jenny Shu，蔣先慧，施宜虹。 (周菊子攝)

                        許祐湉指出，這次的年會有幾大特色，一為這是疫情後近三年來第一次舉行實體年會，也是第一次線上、線下同步舉行，其次為慶祝10週年，特地舉辦10週年晚宴，製作紀念牆，訪談這10年參與BTBA籌畫者，談當年經驗與未來展望，並錄製影片播出。今年會議的另一大特色為講者背景更多元化，有30%為非台灣人，會議雖無特定主題，但不論是Robert Langer使用化工、材料的技術在醫療上革新；游維文 (Timothy Yu) 為極罕病病人設計的N=1 trial；Jo Viney談她連續創業歷程的故事，重心放在創新與經驗傳承。

座談主持林于陽(左一)，胡金儒(右一起)和BTBA共同慧長周致宏送紀念品給講者，Will
McLean, Robert Schultz，陳聖雄。 (周菊子攝)

                       今年首辦的晚宴，由藍凡耘和洪維謙策畫，邀請黃崇校創辦的You &Me樂團，以及在新英格蘭音樂學院任教的小提琴家黃竹君 (Jean Huang)演出。

口頭報告比賽得獎人及主題為麻州大學Hao Wang的重建小鼠嗅覺基因以闡明氣味處理原理，MGHDerek Tai的神經發育障礙洞察，芝加哥大學Wen-Hung Chou的在收縮細胞骨架結構中組裝肌球蛋白堆棧。

You & Me樂團唱奏。左起，陳瑩懸，黃崇校，林美均，劉雙洲，馮子盛。(周菊子攝)

                          波士頓台灣人生物科技協會是由陳昇宏、陳映嘉等人創辦，以提攜後進為主要目的生物科技協會，首屆會議主講人之一是當年的中研院院長，最近屢屢獲獎的翁啟惠。歷任會長還有王志傑，謝富凱，李湘盈，杜荷洲，郭姿杏，魏曉英，鄭永志，朱治齊，魏嘉英，林致中，孟憲薇，蔡佩珊等。 (部分內容轉載自僑務電子報，https://ocacnews.net/article/316007)

(更新版)

在新英格蘭音樂學院任教的黃竹君演奏小提琴。 (蔡高進提供)

                

前任麻州參議員 Dean Tran被控偷槍 Dean Tran反告麻州總檢察長提訴出於政治動機

2018年時，Dean Tran宣誓就任麻州參議員。 (檔案照片，周菊子攝)

          (Boston Orange 編譯) 曾經是麻州參議會首名男性亞裔議員，刻正競選第3區國會議員的Dean Tran，日前被控偷槍等6項刑事罪，今 (28) 日他在屋斯特 (Worcester) 高等法院過堂時，堅稱自己絕對無罪。

Dean Tran 現年46歲，共和黨籍，來自費奇堡市 (Fitchburg)，在2017年到2021年間為麻州參議員，刻正和競選連任的聯邦眾議員 Lori Trahan競爭，角逐第3區國會議員席位。

2018年時，Dean Tran宣誓就任麻州參議員時，和同僚晤談。 (檔案照片，周菊子攝)

上個月底，他被控多項罪名，包括從一名60多歲殘障老年人那兒偷取槍枝，申請攜帶槍枝執照時填報假信息，在有意詐欺下以虛假方式獲取簽名，誤導警察的調查，以限制或使人恐懼的方式偷取等。

代表Dean Tran的律師，來自Lynnfield的Michael Walsh在法庭外簡短表示，「我們期望看到Dean Tran先生豁免刑責，到華府上任為新國會議員。

Michael Walsh還是 Dean Tran的另一宗訟案的律師。Dean Tran控告麻州總檢察長奚莉 (Maura Healey) ，起訴他偷槍、竊盜，是出於黨派政治動機。

Michael Walsh說，希望他們很快可以送出作證通知，他們申請臨時禁制令的緊急動議，也能獲得聽證機會。

麻州共和黨在一份聲明中質疑奚莉於7月1日宣佈Dean Tran被起訴的時機，稱在競選季節中這麼做，是為了要融化 Dean Tran競選第3區國會議員席位的可能。該聲明還指其中一項控訴是關於3年前的一次合法，之前就被調查過的槍枝買賣。麻州共和黨黨主席Jim Lyons形容以刑事罪控告Dean Tran是政治驅動的行為，他為Dean Tran的回擊感到驕傲。

在麻州總檢察官辦公室公佈起訴Dean Tran那天，Dean Tran也透過他的競選陣營發出一份聲明，稱該起訴就是政治腐敗的行為，不真實，而且絕對錯誤。

在控告奚莉的訴狀中還說，在奚莉將近8年的麻州總檢察長任期中，她從未起訴過一名民選官員或議員，而且在麻州內的大多數罪案都是由地方檢察官來起訴時，為什麼麻州總檢察長會來起訴Dean Tran。

Dean Tran在訴狀中還說，費奇堡市民主黨委員會主席Patricia Vacca Martin在奚莉公佈起訴Dean Tran的一個月之前，就已經在該市公共電視頻道的政治節目上說，Dean Tran很快就要上法庭了。

聯邦眾議員Lori Trahan是民主黨籍，刻正競選連任的她，已公開表態支持奚莉繼任州長職位。

在麻州總檢察長辦公室的7月1日新聞稿中，詳細描述了起訴Dean Tran的罪名，稱Dean Tran在2019年6月拜訪一名耆英選民時，使用麻州參議員身份，威嚇這名選民把她已辭世丈夫的至少8枝槍以1500元出售，還讓她簽一份預先準備好的合約。根據檢控官的記錄，Dean Tran第二天還在這耆英選民一個人在家時，強行進入她家，向她索要她已辭世丈夫的槍枝保險箱鑰匙，在這選民藏在臥房時，偷走了一把Colt點45口徑手槍，過幾天後又還回去。

 

據說在警察詢問Dean Tran時，他對事情發生的經過與拿走槍枝的原因，給出多個不同版本，互有衝突的描述。根據麻州總檢察長辦公室的說法，Dean Tran否認有任何形式的槍枝買賣，後來提出購買合約，在要求那位選民給他一份書面道歉時，還貶損其心智能力。

麻州總檢察長辦公室還稱Dean Tran在2019年5月申請更新攜槍執照時，填報了虛假信息。

麻州公共衛生廳證實新增36宗 "猴痘"個案

(Boston Orange編譯) 麻州公共衛生廳 (DPH) 今天宣佈，過去 7 天內，麻州新增 36 例成年男性猴痘病例，自麻州5月18日出現首例猴痘病以來，迄今共發現了115 例。

DPH 每週四都會公佈麻州有關猴痘病例的最新資訊。

DPH今天宣布的 36 宗病例，發生在 7 月 21 日至 7 月 27 日之間。DPH 正在和當地衛生官員、患者和醫療保健提供者合作，以查察患者染病時，都有那些人曾與患者接觸過，並建議患猴痘者隔離，避免與他人接觸，直到他們不會再傳染給別人時。

隨著聯邦分配疫苗的數量增加了，麻州提供疫苗接種的醫療保健提供者和地點的數量已擴大到 13 個。提供疫苗接種服務單位的名單，將在網上持續更新。

                      截至 7 月 27 日，麻州已施打了4,303 劑 JYNNEOS 疫苗。

 Massachusetts Public Health Officials Confirm

36 New Monkeypox Cases

 

JYNNEOS vaccine providers in the Commonwealth

continue to expand

 

BOSTON (July 28, 2022) – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced 36 additional cases of monkeypox in adult males within the past seven days, bringing the total number of monkeypox cases in the Commonwealth to 115 residents since the state’s first case was announced May 18. DPH provides public updates on monkeypox in Massachusetts on a weekly basis each Thursday.

The 36 cases announced today had their diagnoses between July 21 and July 27. DPH is working with local health officials, the patients, and healthcare providers to identify individuals who may have been in contact with the patients while they were infectious. Individuals with monkeypox are advised to isolate and avoid contact with others until they are no longer infectious.

The number of health care providers and locations offering vaccination across the state has expanded to 13 as federal allocation of the vaccine has been increased. The list of health care provider sites is updated on a rolling basis on the Commonwealth’s monkeypox vaccine website. As of July 27, 4,303 doses of JYNNEOS vaccine have been administered in the Commonwealth.

Due to extremely limited national availability of vaccine, the JYNNEOS vaccine in Massachusetts still remains limited at this time. Vaccination is available to individuals who meet the CDC’s eligibility criteria and who live or work in Massachusetts. Vaccine is prioritized for individuals at greatest risk of exposure to someone with monkeypox.  If an individual believes they qualify for a monkeypox vaccine, they should contact their healthcare provider or one of the state’s provider locations. JYNNEOS vaccine allocation data by jurisdiction is now updated on a weekly basis each Wednesday on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website: JYNNEOS Monkeypox Vaccine Distribution by Jurisdiction (hhs.gov).

 

See more information on monkeypox vaccination in Massachusetts, including eligibility.

 

Current data from CDC indicate that there have been 4,639 cases of monkeypox virus this year in US residents as of July 27. Regularly updated case counts can be obtained on the CDC’s website: 2022 U.S. Map and Case Count. There have been no deaths reported in the US related to this outbreak and patients generally recover fully in 2-4 weeks. Gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men continue to make up a large proportion of the cases identified to date. However, the risk is not limited to the LGBTQ+ community, and anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) on July 23 declared the global monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

 

While the virus does not spread easily between people, individuals can spread the infection once they develop symptoms. Transmission occurs through direct contact with body fluids and monkeypox sores, by touching items that have been contaminated with fluids or sores (clothing, bedding, etc.), or less commonly, through respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact. In many of the recent cases, the locations of the rash lesions suggest transmission during sexual contact. Examples where monkeypox can spread and where it does not:

• Monkeypox can spread through:
• Direct skin-to-skin contact with rash lesions. Sexual/intimate contact, including kissing while a person is infected.
• Living in a house and sharing a bed with someone. Sharing towels or unwashed clothing.
• Respiratory secretions through face-to-face interactions (the type that mainly happen when living with someone or caring for someone who has monkeypox)
• Monkeypox does not spread through:
• Casual conversations. Walking by someone with monkeypox in a grocery store, for instance. Touching items like doorknobs.

 

Clinicians are asked to be alert to the possibility of monkeypox virus infection in individuals who have rash illnesses consistent with monkeypox. Early symptoms of monkeypox can include fever, headache, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes, but rash may be the first symptom. Rash lesions start flat, become raised, fill with clear fluid (vesicles), and then become pustules (filled with pus). A person with monkeypox can have many lesions or only a few. Learn more about how to recognize monkeypox.

Actions for people to consider if they want to reduce their risk from monkeypox include:

• Avoiding large gatherings like raves and dance parties where you may have lots of close body contact with others
• Asking any partner, especially new partners whose health status and recent travel history you are not familiar with, if they have any symptoms of monkeypox
• Staying informed by reading information available on the DPH and CDC websites.

 

As the CDC advises, if you believe you may have monkeypox, you should contact your health care provider. If you need to leave your home, wear a mask, and cover your rash or lesions when around others. Those who live with or care for someone who may have monkeypox should wear a mask and disposable gloves if they need to have any direct contact with lesions and when handling any clothes or bedding if the person cannot do it themselves. They should also wash their hands regularly, especially after contact with the person who is infected or with their clothes, bed sheets, towels, and other items or surfaces they may have touched.

 

Clinicians should consult with DPH at 617-983-6800 to determine if testing is indicated. Consultation is required before submitting specimens.

For more information about this virus, visit www.mass.gov/monkeypox and www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox.

麻州政府撥款220萬元補助20個麻州旅遊景點

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $2.2 Million in Capital Grants to 20 Massachusetts Tourism Destinations

Destination Development Capital grant program will expand and renovate tourism destinations and attractions

NEW BEDFORD — Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced $2.2 million in grants to 20 recipients as part of the Destination Development Capital grants, a program created through the economic development bill signed into law by Governor Baker in 2021.    Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism Executive Director Keiko Matsudo Orrall announced the awards today at Abolition Row Park in New Bedford. New Bedford Parks Recreation & Beaches is receiving $231,788 for development of the public greenspace in the heart of New Bedford’s Seaport Cultural District.   "Massachusetts’ vibrant tourism and cultural sectors in cities and towns across the state continue to play a key role in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Charlie Baker. "By making necessary upgrades to these facilities, the Destination Development grants will bolster the Commonwealth’s travel and tourism industry and support continued economic growth.” “Upgrading the Commonwealth’s tourism infrastructure and cultural facilities is an important way to ensure their value and resilience in the years to come,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. "These Destination Development Capital program grants will also help support small businesses, spur local economic activity and create jobs.” The Destination Development Capital program grants provide funding for projects that expand, construct, restore, or renovate Massachusetts tourism destinations and attractions, and aid in destination recovery and resiliency. The aim of the program is to strengthen the Massachusetts economy through projects that enhance tourism resources and infrastructure, especially physical or structural upgrades that have a lifespan of greater than five years.   Examples of projects that received funding include:   Franklin County Agricultural Society in Greenfield, for electrical safety updates to improve energy efficiency and provide increased recreational vehicle and food truck power outlets to expedite pandemic recovery of the Franklin County Fairgrounds   Town of Wareham, for the renovation of the Onset Bandshell and formal seating area   Salisbury Beach Partnership, to help construct the pavilion that will house a historic carousel   United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum in Quincy, for technology upgrades to enhance visitor experiences and improve public access and safety   “I want to thank the team at MOTT, under the leadership of Director Orrall, for administering these grants, which will have a lasting, positive effect for Massachusetts’ tourism industry,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “These funds will help amplify tourism and local economic activity in communities across the Commonwealth.” “Each year, millions of visitors enjoy our cultural facilities, which serve as a welcoming center for our travel and tourism industry,” said MOTT Executive Director Keiko M. Orrall. “Modernizing our cultural assets is an important way to let visitors know we welcome them to Massachusetts.” Administered by the Tourism Trust Fund, the Destination Development Capital grant program is funded through the Capital Budget. Applicant eligibility selection criteria included any public, nonprofit agency, 501(c)3, 501(c)6, which has been in operation in Massachusetts for at least two consecutive years since January 2020 and is in good standing with taxes and all license and registration requirements in the Commonwealth. Both the Destination Development Capital and related Travel and Tourism Recovery (TTR) grant programs are in alignment with the Baker-Polito Administration’s Partnerships for Recovery Plan to help stabilize and grow the Massachusetts economy. The plan focuses on getting people back to work, supporting small businesses, fostering innovation, revitalizing downtowns, and ensuring housing stability. “Abolition Row Park marks a critically important chapter in the history of New Bedford and our nation. The story of Frederick Douglass and the pioneering abolitionists who carried forth the spirit of freedom and liberty in the face of tremendous inequality and injustice must be told," said State Senator Mark Montigny. "Lee Blake has been a tremendous force in preserving our history and keeping the spirit of these trailblazing human rights activists alive. We are thankful to her and the Baker-Polito Administration for their strong support and efforts on this project.” "The Abolition Row project is a testament to the important role that the people of New Bedford, black and white citizens alike, played in the Underground Railroad and the fight against slavery in the United States,” said State Representative Antonio Cabral. “Our city has always embraced diversity and it is important that we remember this history as we look to our future. Congratulations to all of those working behind the scenes to make this park and project a focal point of our community." The full list of grant recipients can be found here.

麻州長查理貝克簽527億元預算 州民可能拿回25億元

直播視頻截圖。

               (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker) 今 (28) 日一早簽署527億元的2023會計年度預算，直言這2年，麻州稅收豐盛，今年的預算，不但使得麻州的「穩定基金 (Stabilization Fund) 」增至84億元，還包括3億1500萬元用於支援永久性減稅。

               查理貝克在今早於網路上直播的簽署儀式中，有如給人仲夏驚奇的指出，由於一項有36年之久的晦澀法令，麻州納稅人將獲得25億元的抵稅優惠。

               這說法讓要趕在7月31日，正式會期結束前，就計畫中的10億元繼續協商減稅和退款細節的麻州議員們感到措手不及。

               麻州政府最後到底可以給回納稅人多少錢還不清楚，但查理貝克今天說，麻州似乎就要觸發1986年時，選民通過的一條法令，要把州政府的稅收增長限制為不得高於州內工資及薪水總額的增成長幅度。

               如果稅收超過了所謂的「允許」額度，那麼納稅人可以拿回超過的數額。麻州稽核長得從每年9月起算的前一個會計年度，來決定最後數額。

               麻州還未公佈6月30日截止的這會計年度的最後稅收數目。截至5月的稅收，比預估高了21%，使得預算盈餘估計可達36億元。查理貝克說，他們相信超過的數額大概比25億元還多。

               查理貝克再簽署527億元的預算後表示，這種前所未有的稅收增長，在某種程度上來說，正是設計得來要確保麻州人民也能獲益。

               根據麻州稽核長報告，從1986年麻州選民通過這一法令後，該一上限只再1987會計年度觸動過一次。那次稅收比容許數額超過了2億9200萬元。那年，麻州最後發放了1680萬元的稅額優惠。

                麻州雜誌 (CommonWealth Magazine) 是週三時第一個指出可能打破稅收上限的刊物。

                根據該法令，稅款優惠將適用於所有納稅人的應繳個人所得稅，並按照之前一年的繳稅額作計算比率基準。 

              不過麻州州長的預算長Michael Heffernan表示，該法令對麻州政府該怎樣發放那些稅款優惠，並無明確描述，意味著何時發放有著彈性。查理貝克也建議，給回州民的錢，可以用退款的方式發放。他說，州政府正在看有那些最快，最有效率的方法，可以把那些錢退回給納稅人。 

              麻州眾議會和參議會在經濟發展法案中，各自通過了不同版本的10億元減稅方案，包括5億元一次性的退款給數以百萬計納稅人。 

              麻州州長剛簽署的預算案，包括會增加「所得稅抵免 (Earned Income Tax Credit)」，增加租屋而居者可申報的減免，重整麻州物業稅等的多項永久性稅務變更。