麻州長Healey 為2023會計年申請21.5億元補充預算

Governor Healey Files $2.15 Billion Supplemental Budget to Close Fiscal Year 2023  

Bill also proposes funding to support emergency shelter system and schools 

 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey filed a supplemental budget that will enable Massachusetts to close out Fiscal Year 2023 in balance, pay for new collective bargaining agreements and continue to provide safe shelter and support services for thousands of families experiencing homelessness. 

 

The budget allocates $2.15 billion gross / $833.3 million net to cover spending deficiencies and continue with a MassHealth payment strategy that has enabled Massachusetts to spread the impact of the loss of enhanced COVID-19 reimbursements across fiscal years. In total, $2.11 billion gross / $798.8 million net will be dedicated to MassHealth. 

 

“Massachusetts remains in a strong financial position to make these investments and continue to pursue priorities such as meaningful tax relief that will make Massachusetts more affordable, equitable and competitive,” said Governor Healey. “This bill will allow us to turn the page on Fiscal Year 2023, begin to implement the new fiscal year budget we secured in partnership with the Legislature, and continue to make critical investments in our people and institutions.” 

 

In addition to funds necessary to cover Fiscal Year 2023 spending, Governor Healey is proposing to use $250 million in one-time resources from the Transitional Escrow Fund to cover the ongoing cost of providing safe, temporary shelter to thousands of families in need. Governor Healey earlier this summer declared a state of emergency due to rapidly rising numbers of families arriving in Massachusetts in need of shelter and services and a severe lack of shelter availability in the state. The state’s Emergency Assistance program is for families with children or pregnant women who are experiencing homelessness, including newly arrived families and local families. The administration continues to work with its state and federal partners to find families permanent housing, expedite access to work permits, request federal funding and identify other potential solutions. However, the growing demand for shelter continues to put pressure on the system’s capacity to meet the needs of families seeking assistance, as well as municipalities that have welcomed students to their classrooms. 

 

“Our emergency shelter system has been rapidly expanding in recent months to ensure that families in need have a safe place to stay,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration remains committed to providing these families with safe and temporary shelter and the services they need to remain healthy and find a permanent home. This funding will enable us to meet that need as it stands today, as well as continue to support the municipalities that are sheltering families in their communities.”  

 

The supplemental budget also allocates: 

• $16 million for a reserve to cover costs accrued by sheriffs 

• $15 million to support Section 35 substance abuse treatment at sheriff facilities 

• $11 million for shared services at the Department of Unemployment Assistance 

• $8.8 million for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to extend for one year the contract for the administration of the MCAS exam 

• $500,000 for Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Youth operations. 

• $185,000 for military death benefits and early fiscal year National Guard activations 

• $27,564 for Group Insurance Commission dental and vision benefits for a unit within the  Trial Court 

 

In addition to the funding necessary for the Commonwealth to close the books for Fiscal Year 2023, the budget filed today would make a number of corrections to policies enacted in recent legislation, including the Fiscal Year 2024 budget signed last month. This includes a technical change to the universal free school meals policy made permanent as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget that would ensure all students at almost all public schools across Massachusetts have access to free breakfast and lunch, as intended by the Legislature and this administration. 

 

Additional sections would allow municipalities impacted in July by natural disasters like flooding to pay back the cost of those emergencies over multiple years; simplify the implementation of a tax credit for small businesses who hire members of the National Guard; and facilitate the elimination of copays for MassHealth members. The bill also updates the quorum requirements for the MBTA board of directors to reflect the addition of new members; corrects the transfer mechanism for the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund; expands eligibility for CHIPS matching funds; and sunset the daily COVID-19 reporting requirements put in place for the Department of Public Health during the pandemic. 

 

“We have worked hard over the past eight months with our partners in the House and Senate to carefully manage finances and put Massachusetts in the best position to continue to make impactful investments and reforms that will move our economy forward,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “We’re hopeful that the Legislature can take this supplemental budget up quickly to close the books on Fiscal Year 2023.” 

 

A separate $200 million reserve created by this bill would be used to fund new collective bargaining agreements reached between the administration and many of the state’s public employee unions. Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll remain committed to forging a strong partnership with labor organizations, whose members are on the front lines of delivering the services on which Massachusetts residents depend. 

百人會"下一代領袖培訓"即起接受報名

Committee of 100 Next Generation Leaders Program:2024 Application Now Open for Submission 

New York, NY (September 13, 2023) – Committee of 100, a non-profit organization of prominent Chinese Americans today announced that applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Next Generation Leaders (NGL) class. The 2024 NGL class will be announced and spotlighted at Committee of 100’s 2022 Conference and Gala, which will take in April 2024. 

Launched in 2014, Committee of 100’s NGL program convenes an exceptional group of change-makers and rising leaders from diverse sectors, leveraging a collective sense of service and purpose to elevate the impact of each individual. Currently, there are over 180 NGL alumni across a multitude of sectors who make up a vibrant and diverse network.

Becoming a member of Committee of 100’s NGL program comes with the exclusive opportunity to join a vibrant community of like-minded NextGen leaders, motivated to work towards a more productive U.S.-China relationship and a more diverse and inclusive U.S. society. NextGen leaders will engage with Committee of 100 to develop customized programming and content tailored to the NextGen community and to collaborate with Committee of 100 Members, who are comprised of leaders across business, government, science, academia, and the arts. NextGen leaders also receive complimentary invitations to Committee of 100’s annual conference, with dedicated NextGen programming, and special access to additional Committee of 100 events. Additionally, NextGen leaders will engage in impactful service projects with both Committee of 100 and partner organizations as brand ambassadors and change-makers for positive social impact and community-building. 
 

Committee of 100 is now accepting applications from exceptional young professionals and rising leaders from all sectors who are passionate about Committee of 100’s dual missions to promote the inclusion of Chinese Americans and the larger AAPI community in all aspects of U.S. society and to advance constructive dialogue and relations between the U.S. and Greater China. Individuals who demonstrate a remarkable history of professional and personal excellence and aged forty-five and younger may apply. The full list of criteria and access to the application can be found here.

The deadline to submit applications is January 5, 2024 at 5:00pm Eastern Time.

波士頓計畫發展局公佈區域規劃分析報告 吳弭市長揚言將重整BPDA架構

BPDA Releases Analysis of City’s Out of Date Zoning Code, Announces Restructuring of Planning Department to Tackle Inequities Mayor Wu Announces Major Planning and Zoning Initiatives to Rezone Squares & Streets and Allow Childcare Across the City

BOSTON – The City of Boston today released a report commissioned by the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) to assess the Boston Zoning Code. The report, authored by Cornell University professor and Director of the National Zoning Atlas Sara Bronin, details issues such as extreme length and inconsistencies that make the code inaccessible to most Bostonians. The City and BPDA also announced a significant restructuring of the Planning Department, creating Zoning Reform and Zoning Compliance teams and replacing the previous neighborhood planning team with a new Comprehensive Planning team. These new teams will support the City’s ability to modernize and enforce the Code, which has not been comprehensively updated since 1964, and will lead the next major planning and zoning initiative: Squares & Streets. Mayor Wu announced the restructuring of the Planning Department during her keynote address at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Forum.  “One of the most impactful responsibilities of city government is to set the rules for how our neighborhoods grow,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “But for decades, our system in Boston has been built on a confusing and inconsistent process of handing out exceptions. Reforming our planning process and zoning code will be a sea change for our city, helping to fulfill a commitment for predictability and equity to meet the needs of our communities.” “We take seriously the recommendations in the report and will tailor our response to Boston’s needs - including exploring how to build design recommendations into the code that improve equitable access but protect the ability for neighborhoods to maintain their unique character,” said Chief of Planning Arthur Jemison. “We need a solid policy foundation and a modern zoning code to enforce a structure of accountability for growth.” Having an antiquated Zoning Code limits the City’s ability to address the current housing crisis by creating steps and costs to the creation of new housing. The report released today shows that Boston’s code is abnormally long compared to cities of comparable size by geography and population. At nearly 4,000 pages, Boston’s code is nearly 40 percent longer than that of New York City, which has 13 times Boston’s population and six times its land area. By every form of comparison to comparable size cities, Boston’s code is significantly longer.  The analysis also shows that length does not result in a clearer or more effective code, but rather, a more complex, inconsistent, and inequitable Code. The report indicates that the length of the code and its many contradictions impede residents from making even small changes to their home or business without hiring a lawyer. This creates barriers that prevent Bostonians from being able to participate meaningfully in the planning process. The BPDA’s newly restructured Planning Department includes three new teams: Comprehensive Planning, Zoning Reform, and Zoning Compliance, in addition to the existing Transportation & Infrastructure Planning division. The Comprehensive Planning team will reform and expand the former neighborhood planning team’s capacity to focus exclusively on long term, Citywide visioning, in partnership with other City departments. The previous neighborhood planning team was also responsible for reviewing development proposals in their assigned neighborhoods, which consumed a significant portion of the planners' time and limited the team's capacity to complete proactive, Citywide planning. Zoning Compliance, a new division of the Planning Department, will work with the Development Review Department to support planning-led development. The Zoning Compliance team will root their approach to reviewing projects within a clear planning and zoning context from prefile through approval, ensuring that development projects comply with plans and new zoning recommendations, and facilitating fewer exceptions to the Code. Finally, the reorganization has doubled the capacity of the Regulatory Planning & Zoning team, renamed Zoning Reform, in order to allow planners to amend the code proactively. Many of the issues in Boston’s Zoning Code have been well-known and documented for decades, but the Planning Department lacked the capacity to take on large scale change. The Zoning Reform team will also provide recommendations to the Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA). With a dedicated focus on providing more clear context to the ZBA, and in concert with future changes to the code, this team will reduce the City’s reliance on the ZBA.  The BPDA’s guiding principles for zoning reform are climate-friendly zoning that legalizes new housing and supports smart growth, a mix of uses, and walkable neighborhoods. The Planning Department will create change by putting policies in place that seek to prevent displacement, reduce nonconformities, end the City’s over-reliance on the ZBA, create more opportunities for as-of-right development, prioritize more approachable language, and produce a Code that is accessible and equitable. The restructured Planning Department has already begun to clean up the code by consolidating definitions into a single section that will apply to the whole code. This will have the impact of creating a common means for interpreting language across the code.  The team has also moved to make Citywide updates such as approving childcare as an allowed primary or accessory use across commercial and residential areas. The Zoning Reform team’s immediate goal is to implement zoning that results from ongoing neighborhood planning initiatives and to work on a strategy for overhauling the code based on the results of the report and Mayor Wu’s vision for a functioning Zoning Code that serves the City and its residents. The restructured Planning Department’s first major planning and rezoning initiative, Squares & Streets kicks off this fall and will focus on neighborhood centers and main streets. Vibrant squares and streets include businesses and services, public spaces, cultural institutions, and reliable transportation options. As Boston’s population continues to grow, our squares and streets are important places for ensuring every Bostonian has access to affordable, sustainable, and equitable places to live, work, and play. This initiative will implement a framework for strategic growth and deliver new zoning for transit-oriented development in commercial and mixed-use areas. Over the course of the next two years, this process will be implemented through customized small area plans for selected squares and streets and provide a clear vision for growth.

麻州長Healey簽行政命令改善州政府語言服務

 Governor Healey Signs Executive Order to Improve Language Access Across State Government 

Order highlights Healey-Driscoll Administration’s dedication to providing more equitable, inclusive access to government services  

 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura T. Healey, joined by members of the Latino Advisory Council, signed Executive Order #615 to increase language access across state government. The Executive Order aims to make the delivery of services and resources more accessible and equitable for residents with limited English proficiency by requiring executive department agencies to develop Language Access Plans. Governor Healey also issued a proclamation declaring Hispanic Heritage Month in Massachusetts from September 15th to October 15th. 

 

“Everyone in Massachusetts, regardless of what language they speak, deserves equitable access to government services and resources, but we recognize that language often poses a major barrier,” said Governor Healey. “This Executive Order will help break down language barriers and bridge gaps by instructing state agencies to conduct a thorough assessment of their language access capabilities and develop a plan for improvement. We’re proud to take this important step toward making state government more accessible and equitable during Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month alongside members of the Governor’s Latino Advisory Council.” 

 

“One in four Massachusetts residents speak a language other than English – which underscores why this Executive Order is so critical,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “It is essential that we are setting people up for success by ensuring that they are able to read and engage with information provided by their state government. This Executive Order will help us work to ensure that all residents have the chance to get their questions answered and interact with their government in a way they understand. I am excited to see the implementation of strong language access plans across our state agencies and all the benefits this will bring to our state.” 

 

The Executive Order directs executive department agencies to identify a Language Access Coordinator and develop a Language Access Plan. These plans should include assessments of the agency’s services for residents with limited English proficiency, the languages spoken by the people they serve, their current policies and practices regarding translations, and the capacity of their staff to deliver services in other languages other than English. The plans will also include specific actions and policy changes to reduce language access barriers. 

新英格蘭學聯迎新 青春氣息洋溢

新英格蘭地區臺灣同學聯合會迎新開派對。 (僑教中心提供)

新英格蘭地區臺灣同學聯合會會長蔡朗安(右二)、迎新主持人解晉維(左二)歡迎
波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(右三)、教育組組長黃薳玉(右一)、科技組組長
蔡孟勳(左三)，僑教中心主任潘昭榮 (左一)到場。 (周菊子攝)

           (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 新英格蘭地區臺灣同學聯合會(FTSANE) 9月9日在波士頓僑教中心舉辦秋季迎新派對，駐波士頓經文處長官紛紛到會，和新一屆8個組別的24名幹部，以及60多名出席同學交流，為新學年奠定互相扶持，排解思鄉情懷的基礎。

新英格蘭地區臺灣同學聯合會幹部和經文處長官合影。經文處處長
廖朝文(後中)，教育組組長黃薳玉(左五)，科技組組長蔡孟勳(左四)。
(周菊子攝)

              從2006年創立迄今，新英格蘭學聯已經邁入第17個年頭。今年的會長是學聯的上屆副會長，從德州A&M大學電機工程系畢業後，來麻州Maxlinear擔任工程師的蔡朗安，副會長是即將從東北大學電機工程系畢業的李承訓。

               經過今年2月的職涯會議，4月的CSI科技集團職業講座，隨新手做幸福廚房 (Abbey’s Kitchen) 支援的跨校聯合派對後，臺學聯從6月開始招募幹部，吸引到一半仍在學，一半甫就業的共24人加入活動、藝術及設計，市場行銷及社交媒體、公關、秘書、科技及網站、財務及會計，影片製作等8個組別的服務團隊，迎接新年度。

新英格蘭地區臺灣同學聯合會今年的正副會長為蔡朗安(右)，李承訓(左)。(周菊子攝)

             駐波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏、科技組組長蔡孟勳，教育組組長黃薳玉、僑教中心主任潘昭榮這天都特地出席，和同學們親切寒暄互動，鼓勵同學們利用學聯這平台，廣交朋友，增長見聞，累積甜蜜生活歷練。他們也都提醒同學，一旦遭遇狀況，要記得馬上聯絡經文處。

              潘昭榮主任提醒同學們，9月16日在波士頓華埠有臺灣夜市的活動。他還說明僑委會宣導性平，呼籲人們尊重彼此，遭遇騷擾要勇於說不並檢舉。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏致詞。 (僑教中心提供)

              黃薳玉組長更是特別提醒同學們慎防詐騙。她透露，一名原本在上海念書，現在來東北大學進修的臺商子弟，就在迎新活動的前幾天，被騙鉅款，向經文處求救。黃組長提醒同學們，接收到任何訊息或電話，務必記得先冷靜下來，找自己信任的人一起處理，就可減少被騙的機會。

教育組組長黃薳玉提醒同學慎防詐騙。 (僑教中心提供)

              這天的迎新，由活動組的解晉維主持，在介紹贊助商Montivista、Candice專業留學考試家教，以及飯糰外賣後，有波士頓龍舟隊營運長邱偉哲和李承哲做介紹，匯報該隊剛贏得羅德島州龍舟賽冠軍，另爭取到代表美國明年到義大利參加龍舟賽的資格，歡迎喜歡交朋友、划龍舟的人加入該隊，明年一起去義大利。

              臺學聯在迎新後，將於9月23日和經文處教育組合辦各校學生會聯席會議，10月7日上午11點，參加慶祝雙十國慶的遊行、升旗典禮。臺學聯會長蔡朗安和副會長李承訓表示，迎新活動的影片在影片製作組剪輯後，將上傳Youtube頻道，https://youtube.com/@ftsane2127?si=2byis0fBOiNfCxm8，以及臺學聯的臉書籍IG，歡迎各校同學和學聯聯繫。

科技組組長蔡孟勳提醒同學關注國科會等機構的研究計畫補助，人才培養計畫。
 (僑教中心提供)

僑教中心主任潘昭榮代表僑委會歡迎新生到波士頓求學。
 (僑教中心提供)

新英格蘭地區臺灣同學聯合會迎新聚餐。
(周菊子攝)

波士頓台灣龍舟隊營運長邱偉哲(右)和李承哲(左)歡迎有意者加入龍舟隊。
(周菊子攝)

學聯幹部討論活動議程。(周菊子攝)

迎新活動中備受喜愛的額外嘉賓。(周菊子攝)

州長Healey宣佈麻州洪災嚴重進入緊急狀況

  Governor Healey Declares State of Emergency Over Catastrophic Flood Damage   

BOSTON – Governor Maura T. Healey today declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts due to the catastrophic flash flooding and property damage caused by Monday night’s powerful rainstorm in Worcester County, Bristol County and other communities. Upwards of 10 inches of rain fell in Worcester and Bristol Counties, causing widespread flooding, downed trees, power outages and damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, including bridges, dams and train tracks. 

At Governor Healey’s direction, state agencies have been on the ground assisting impacted communities, including the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Massachusetts State Police (MSP), Department of Fire Services (DFS), Department of Conversation & Resources (DCR), Office of Dam Safety (ODS), Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). 

“Today I saw firsthand the devastating impacts of severe flooding in Leominster and North Attleborough – and it was painfully clear that Massachusetts is in a state of emergency. This declaration will expedite our efforts to deliver relief to impacted communities and bolster our ability to access federal resources,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re grateful for the public officials who have been going above and beyond to respond to this emergency and our hearts are with the people of Massachusetts who are confronting catastrophic damage to their homes, businesses and communities.” 

“As a former Mayor, I know how devastating it is when severe weather damages your community, and I know how much municipalities rely on the support of their state and federal partners,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration is committed to standing up for the people of Massachusetts and not only delivering the relief they need, but also helping them build resiliency to prepare for future emergencies.” 

The emergency declaration gives the Governor the authority to issue recommendations, directives and orders necessary to protect the health, safety and security of Massachusetts residents and their property. The declaration facilitates the state’s efforts to respond to the emergency, including expediting the use of state resources and bolstering the state’s ability to access federal and interstate resources and assistance. 

MEMA staff have been on the ground in impacted communities since Monday, working around the clock to support the local emergency operations centers, coordinating requests for assistance and securing thousands of sandbags to minimize the impact on communities. MEMA also coordinated additional staffing for the shelters, facilitated the procurement of sign boards, cots, and shelter equipment to support individuals with disabilities. 

 

“With more rain in the forecast for Wednesday, additional flooding is expected that may compound lingering impacts from Monday’s storm,” said MEMA Director Dawn Brantley. “MEMA continues to work side-by-side with our local emergency management partners, and I urge residents to stay informed with the latest weather updates.” 

“In the past few months, we’ve seen dramatic swings in weather. This is climate change, and it’s important for our administration to be there to help communities adapt to these impacts,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “We’re zeroing in on our resilience approach, which includes collaborating with communities, weaving in environmental justice, and taking action to prepare for future significant weather events.”

 

“Our Office of Dam Safety team has been on the ground in Leominster since last night, working closely with state and local emergency management officials to inspect and assess the safety of over half of the dams in the city following the intense flooding from yesterday’s severe rainfall,” said Department of Conservation & Recreation Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “Our team identified that the Barrett Park Dam suffered serious damage due to overtopping and coordinated with the city to quickly find solutions to repair the damaged embankment. We will continue to work with the city and other dam owners to provide any technical assistance as needed.” 

“MassDOT and MBTA personnel are ready and prepared to support infrastructure repairs and damage assessments from flooding for bridges, roadways and train corridors,” said Acting Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “MBTA General Manager Phil Eng was onsite near North Leominster Station and is working closely with Keolis to install a pipe to channel water under the tracks, rebuild the embankment and get commuter rail service restored. Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver has met with crews involved with emergency repairs and with crews deployed to support temporary traffic control measures for road closures. Our workforce will continue to collaborate with municipalities as communities recover from the severe weather impacts.”