麻州地鐵未來14個月逐步維修取消慢速區 大波士頓商會讚透明、負責

             (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 麻州地鐵 (MBTA) 今 (9) 日宣佈，在未來14個月中，將逐步封閉4條地鐵路線中的某一段落來做維修工作，以廢除讓大波士頓人都已經麻木了的慢速區。

            在麻州地鐵系統中，約有20%的路段目前是限速區，逼使地鐵因為這限制，行駛速度低至每小時3英里，其中有些仍待維修的工程，擱置在那兒已經一年多了。麻州地鐵總經理伍偉華 (Philip Eng)說，從現在到2024年，要把紅橘綠藍這4條地鐵線，每條線的部分路段各封閉幾天，目的是把整個地鐵系統重新恢復到全速行駛。

            這新計畫奠基於上個月，麻州地鐵關閉JFK/UMass (甘迺迪/麻州大學)和Ashmont車站之間的紅線地鐵，，以及整個麥特潘 (Mattapan) 纜車線 (Trolley) 16天，廢除了12個以上的所有慢速區，使得整個行程更快的經驗。

            伍偉華在今年4月上任第一天時就誓言，要把麻州地鐵什麼時候會維修，以取消每一段速限的日程告訴民眾。

            不過現在這做法，象徵了地鐵處理其結構問題的方法，有了根本性的轉移。長久以來，麻州地鐵都選擇在有問題的地區，減慢地鐵速度，而不是即時做非常需要的維修。甚至在聯邦交通管理局去年申誡麻州地鐵未適當維修車軌時，麻州地鐵當局都依再拒絕提供有關慢速區的資訊，不讓大眾知道問題嚴重到什麼程度。直到2月時，麻州地鐵才開始公佈慢速區數據。

            即將發生的地鐵路段關閉，將包括所有4條地鐵線的部分路段，從綠線地鐵開始，麻州地鐵計畫在11月27日至12月5日之間，關閉北車站和Kenmore站之間路段，然後在12月11到12月20日之間關閉河畔 (Riverside)到Kenmore車站之間路段。麻州地鐵早前宣佈，這個週末會關閉橘線地鐵Oak Grove和北車站之間路段，以及在11月18日至19日中，關閉紅線地鐵JFK/UMass和公園街 (Park Street)車站之間路段。

            伍偉華表示，這計畫涉及”短期疼痛和長期益處”。麻州地鐵表示，在地鐵路段關閉期間，乘客的出行選擇替代方案，他們還在最後確認中，可能包括穿梭巴士服務，以及增加其他形式的服務。忽略了大多數的

            麻州地鐵委外製作的一份報告指出，麻州地鐵負責監管軌道安全的道路維修部 (Maintenance of Way department)功能不彰，負責檢查基礎架構的道路維修部員工也些甚至不明白自己的職責，複雜化了麻州地鐵的改善營運行動。在3到4月中，麻州地鐵在5次不同事件中，都極為危險的幾乎撞到員工。9月時又有至少3件類似個案，使得聯邦交通管理局 (FTA)限制麻州地鐵在營運時間內如何檢查及維修車軌的方法。

            伍偉華說，MBTA新聘的結構長Doug Connett將領導軌道維修項目。MBTA的新任工程長Sam Zhou表示，MBTA計畫明年廢除152個限速區，而且已在2024年排定188天工作。

            明年紅線地鐵會看到最多服務中斷，從2月5日起，排有67天的工作，其中有9天是維修Alewife和哈佛車站之間路段。

            MBTA另外安排了58天的綠線維修，預定從1月3日開始，有10天要暫停北車站和Kenmore車站之間的服務，並把E線延長到Heath街，把B支線延長到Babcock街。

            最長的單一路段暫停服務，將適從2月20日起，長18天的綠線維修，包括C支線的Copley和St. Mary街之間路段，以及B支線上延長到Babcock街，D支線延長到Brookline Hills等。

            橘線約有39天的工程，從3月18日起，有3天，Haymarket和Jackson Square站之間要暫停服務，在明年5月到10月間，每月一次的還會有4次的橘線暫停服務。

            藍線部分，麻州地鐵計畫在4月份內，在機場和Wonderland車站之間，暫停服務3天，在Bowdoin和機場站之間也將進行維修，但MBTA還未明確列出適什麼的服務會暫停。

            伍偉華也說，波士頓城中區的服務也會受影響，以因應HYM公司的拆除政府中心停車場。

            大波士頓商會執行長James E. Rooney為了麻州地鐵的宣佈取消慢速區和加強服務，發表了一份聲明，稱麻州地鐵公佈的計畫有明確目標及期限等細節，提高了麻州地鐵的透明度，彰顯了承擔責任意願，令人鼓舞。他表示商會將繼續倡議透明及問責，以確保居民、工人及雇主都了解如何修復及加強麻州地鐵的安全可靠性，也讓人對麻州地鐵的未來有更多信心與信任。

The tentative 2023 Construction Work Schedule is as follows:   

• On the Green Line:
  • North Station to Kenmore/Heath Street, Babcock Street
    • November 27, 2023 - December 5, 2023
  • Riverside to Kenmore
    • December 11, 2023 - December 20, 2023

The tentative 2024 Construction Work Schedule is as follows:   

• On the Red Line:
  • Alewife to Harvard
    • February 5 - February 13, 2024
  • Park Street to JFK/UMass
    • May 1, 2024 - May 8, 2024
  • Alewife to Kendall/MIT
    • July 8, 2024 - July 23, 2024
  • JFK/UMass to Braintree
    • September 3, 2024 - September 18, 2024
  • Kendall/MIT to Broadway
    • October 15, 2024 - October 20, 2024
  • Broadway to North Quincy
    • December 1, 2024 - December 6, 2024
  • Harvard to Park Street
    • December 14, 2024 - December 19, 2024
       
• On the Orange Line:
  • Haymarket to Jackson Square
    • March 18, 2024 - March 21, 2024
  • Sullivan Square to Back Bay
    • May 28, 2024 - June 6, 2024
  • Wellington to North Station
    • July 20, 2024 - July 27, 2024
  • Oak Grove to North Station
    • August 17, 2024 - August 22, 2024
  • Back Bay to Forest Hills
    • September 25, 2024 - October 5, 2024
       
• On the Green Line:
  • North Station to Lechmere
    • November 12, 2024 - November 25, 2024
  • North Station to Kenmore, Heath Street, Babcock Street  
    • January 3, 2024 - January 12, 2024
  • Copley to St. Mary's, Babcock Street, Brookline Hills
    • February 20, 2024 - March 8, 2024
  • Boston College to Kenmore
    • July 31, 2024 - August 9, 2024
  • Cleveland Circle to St. Mary's
    • October 28, 2024 - November 2, 2024
       
• On the Blue Line:
  • Airport to Wonderland
    • April 9, 2024 - April 12, 2024
  • Bowdoin to Airport 
    • After Revenue Service Construction Work (Night Orders)

麻州政府撥款500萬元助65非牟利組織支援小企業發展

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $5 Million to 65 Nonprofits to Support Small Business Development   Grants Through Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation Will Fund Technical Assistance, Training, and Other Resources for Small Businesses

BOSTON — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $5 million in grants to 65 organizations across the state through the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA) Grant Program, which provides funding to nonprofits to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and sustain successful small businesses in Massachusetts.   “The success of Massachusetts small businesses is essential to the health and prosperity of our state and the vibrancy of our local and regional economies,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This investment through the SBTA Grant Program will help even more small businesses in our state develop new skills, overcome barriers to success, and access much-needed capital to drive job creation and growth across Massachusetts.” "Innovators thrive in Massachusetts, and with this funding we’re ensuring that entrepreneurship remains an accessible path for everyone,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re excited to see how this funding will empower diverse communities and nonprofits to drive our state’s economic progress forward.”  The SBTA grants range from $21,000 to $122,500 and will help nonprofits provide critical services to small businesses in their communities, with a particular focus on businesses owned by women, people of color, immigrants, veterans, and other traditionally underrepresented populations. SBTA grant recipients include community development corporations, micro lenders, chambers of commerce, and organizations focused on improving and transforming local economies by supporting entrepreneurs in their efforts to start and grow businesses. The list of grant recipients is available on the MGCC website.   “Small businesses are the backbone of their communities, employing nearly half of the Massachusetts workforce and making up the majority of the businesses in our state,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “These grants will support nonprofits that are dedicated to helping small businesses thrive, and we remain grateful to these organizations for their partnership in generating the job and economic growth that propels our state economy forward.”   “The SBTA Grant Program meets small businesses where they are, in their neighborhoods, and delivers education and support to their front door and in their first language,” said Larry Andrews, MGCC President & CEO. “The program continues to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs in the state’s under-resourced communities and offer vital assistance that would otherwise be out of reach for many small businesses.”  Since its inception, SBTA grant funding has supported 33,000 businesses and 43,000 jobs by providing $34.7 million through 404 awards to nonprofits. In 2022, 47 percent of SBTA grant funding supported businesses in low- to moderate-income communities, with 65 percent targeting minority-owned businesses and 51 percent targeting women-owned businesses. For more information on the SBTA Grant Program, read MGCC’s 2023 Impact Report.  About Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation  MGCC is a quasi-public economic development agency under the state’s Executive Office of Economic Development that supports small business development, particularly for small businesses owned by women, people of color, immigrants, and other underrepresented groups. MGCC offers working capital, loan guarantees, and targeted technical assistance to solve financial and operational problems for small businesses, works with traditional financial institutions to make challenging loans to small businesses bankable, and engages with community development corporations and other nonprofits to provide financing for projects that create jobs and help small businesses thrive. For more information, visit EmpoweringSmallBusiness.org.

麻州長Healey提歷史性法案 改善退伍軍人福祉

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Unveils Historic Legislative Package for Veterans in Massachusetts 

 

BOSTON — Governor Maura T. Healey today filed legislation to increase benefits, modernize services and promote inclusivity for Massachusetts veterans. An Act Honoring, Empowering and Recognizing Our Servicemembers and Veterans (HERO Act) will have positive impacts for hundreds of thousands of veterans living in Massachusetts, including nearly 30,000 women veterans and thousands of LGBTQ+ veterans. This historic legislation marks the first time in 20 years that a Massachusetts Governor has specifically introduced a comprehensive and expansive legislative package dedicated to the welfare of veterans.  

Some key provisions of the legislation include expanding access to behavioral health treatment, increasing benefits for disabled veterans, bolstering support for businesses that hire veterans, updating the definition of a veteran, expanding the scope of the Veterans Equality Review Board, initiating a pilot program for LGBTQ+ couples denied IVF reimbursement by the Veterans Health Administration, and codifying medical and dental benefits. 

"Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and this transformative legislation marks an important step toward ensuring that Massachusetts supports them in return,” said Governor Healey. “From day one, our administration has been committed to revitalizing veterans' services in Massachusetts and ensuring that every one of these heroes receives the benefits, resources and support that they deserve. I’m grateful to Secretary Santiago for his leadership of our state’s first veterans’ secretariat and look forward to collaboration with our legislative partners on this historic bill." 

 "By promoting inclusivity and expanding benefits, we're not only showing our gratitude to veterans but also addressing their evolving needs,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This legislative package represents a significant step forward in the care and support we provide to our veterans, particularly for women and LGBTQ+ veterans." 

"Modernizing veterans' services is essential in ensuring our veterans receive the support they deserve,” said Secretary Jon Santiago. “We've identified areas where we can make meaningful changes, from enhancing benefits to providing much-needed behavioral health care." 

The HERO Act encompasses 17 spending, policy initiatives, tax credits, and statute changes organized into three categories: 

Benefit Expansion 

• Expands access to Behavioral Health Treatment: Allows veterans to be reimbursed for visits to outpatient behavioral health providers. 

• Increases the Disabled Veteran Annuity: Increases the annual annuity for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability, surviving spouses, or Gold Star Parents from $2,000 to $2,500. 

• Increases the Vet-Hire Tax Credit: Increases to $2,500 a tax credit for small businesses hiring chronically unemployed or low-income veterans. Eligible veterans include those receiving SNAP benefits, chronically unemployed veterans, and unemployed service-connected disabled veterans. 

• Increases access to the Active-Duty Buyback program: Lengthens the timeframe for veterans in public service to participate in the Active-Duty Service Buyback program and allows retroactive participation for veterans who missed the buyback opportunity. This program will enable veterans to purchase up to four years of active-duty service time toward their state retirement.  

• Prevents the "COLA Cliff": Ensuring that a cost-of-living adjustment in Social Security benefits will not affect veterans' eligibility for Chapter 115 benefits in the middle of the state fiscal year.   

• Increases Local Flexibility for Veterans Property Tax Exemptions: Creates two separate local options. The first allows municipalities to double the veteran property tax exemption without doubling all other exemption clauses. The second ties the annual property tax abatement amount to inflation, allowing exempted property tax amounts to increase with inflation. 

• Eliminates the Fee for Specialty License Plates for Veterans: Waives specialty license plate fees on specialty veteran license plates and creates a new woman veteran license plate decal.  

Commitment to Inclusivity and Greater Representation 

• Broadens the Chapter 115 Definition of Veteran: Aligns the state Chapter 115 program definition of a veteran with the United States Department of Veteran Affairs definition. This change allows more veterans to be eligible for annuity, Chapter 115 benefits, access to the Massachusetts Veterans Homes, and other state-provided benefits. This only applies to EOVS programs and does not affect any other agency or entity.   

• Expands the Scope of the Veterans Equality Review Board (VERB): Expands the scope of the Board beyond ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ discharges to include discharges related to Military Sexual Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, mental health conditions, or HIV discharges.  

• Expands the definition of a veteran dependent: Expanding the Chapter 115 definition of "dependent" to support more dependents based on the Family Court definition. 

• Updates Dependent Residency Requirements to Align with Current Practices: Updating dependent residency requirements to align with current practices. 

• Implements IVF Reimbursement for Same-Sex Couples Denied Reimbursement by VA: Launching a pilot program to provide IVF reimbursement to affected veterans while establishing a working group to explore long-term solutions in response to the federal policy excluding same-sex couples. 

Modernization of Veterans Services 

• Codifies Dental Assistance Benefits: Ensuring veterans receive essential dental care by codifying dental benefits for Chapter 115 recipients. 

• Codifies Medical Assistance Benefits: Providing consistent care to veterans by codifying medical assistance benefits. 

• Codifies Authority for Veterans Cemeteries: Ensuring proper management and care of veterans cemeteries by codifying the authority for EOVS to continue administering and maintaining the state’s two Memorial Veterans Cemeteries. 

• Modernizes statute language for inclusivity and standardization: Revise Chapters 115 and 115A to ensure gender-neutral and inclusive language while removing antiquated references.   

• Initiates a Study on the Use of Alternative Therapies for Veteran Mental Health Disorders: Establishing a working group to study the potential benefits of alternative therapies, such as psilocybin, in treating veterans suffering from mental health disorders. 

A full breakdown of the legislation provisions can be found here.  

涉嫌跨州經營高端妓院 3名亞裔被捕

                 (Boston Orange 編譯) 美國檢察官麻州辦公室今 (8) 日發佈新聞，3名亞裔涉嫌在大波士頓至東維琴尼亞州等地經營高端妓院，顧客包括民選官員、高科技及製藥公司主管、醫生、軍官、持有安全許可的政府合約商，以及教授、律師、科學家等。

             麻州代理美國檢察官Joshua S. Levy的辦公室表示，已逮捕這3人，分別為41歲的麻州劍橋市居民Han Lee，花名”Hana”；68歲的加州Torrance居民 James Lee，以及30歲的Dedham居民Junmyung Lee。

            Han Lee和 Junmyung Lee今早被捕，James Lee則是加州中央區被捕。

            根據控訴文件，這幾名被告至少是從2020年7月開始經營一個跨州的賣淫網路，在包括麻州劍橋市、水城 (Watertown)，以及維琴尼亞州Fairfax和Tysons等多州經營。

             據說，這幾名被告一起在多州建起妓院架構，用來遊說，引誘主要是亞裔的婦女到麻州及維琴尼亞州賣淫。

             他們租用高端公寓大樓，購置家具，定期維修的作為妓院場所。這些妓院的月租金，甚至高達3664元。起訴書還說這幾名被告整合了這些婦女的飛行旅程和交通，准許她們在妓院所在過夜，讓她們不必另找住處，因而引誘了婦女加入他們的賣淫網。

            Joshua S. Levy表示，嫌犯主要是在bostontopten10.com 和 browneyesgirlsva.blog這兩個網站上刊登廣告，顧客都先得填一份調查表，確認其身份，並提供包括駕照照片、雇主名稱，信用卡資訊，而且經常是付月費，維持長期關係。

               這兩個網站都張貼有在高端專業攝影棚拍攝的亞藝模特裸照，作為門面，還列出婦女的身高、體重及乳房尺寸，已及全裸或半裸的照片。網站上的婦女照片頻繁更新，還加註即將來到，或以道等說明。

             這些嫌犯還持有本地妓院電話號碼，用來和經過驗證的客戶溝通，安排約會，視乎服務內容，索價大約每小時350元以上到600元不等，而且要付現金。檢方稱這些嫌犯收到的巨額現金拿來買匯票，或用私人晚帳方式存入自己的私人銀行帳戶，藉以隱藏來源。他們也用這些匯票來付房租及妓院的設施。

             在檢方調查中，這賣淫網的客戶什麼樣的人都有。檢方目前仍在繼續調查，籲請民眾發電郵到 USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.，通報訊息。

            脅迫或要脅人從事非法性交易活動，可判入獄20年，監管3年，罰款25萬元。

根據起訴文件，在麻州的妓院地址為劍橋市的Fawcett接90號，109、435、530等數個單位，以及水城Bond接66號的221單位。

根據證詞，調查人員已訪談了20多名嫖客。其中一名嫖客說，他是被帶到一個特定的公寓，然後收到妓院內有那些選項的簡訊。

Koch、Christenson順利連任昆市及摩頓市長 梁秀婷、曾御宸連任昆市、麥德福市議員

昆士市長Tom Koch有許多華裔助選員。(周菊子攝，檔案照片)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導) 麻州的市級選舉11月7日落幕，在需要改選市長的各市鎮中，Braintree、Woburn、Fitchburg、Greenfield等4個城市的在位市長落選，寶座明年拱手讓新人。

在華人居民較多的市鎮中，昆士市和摩頓市的2名在位市長都不出人意料的順利連任。在麻州各地參選的華裔參選人中，昆士市不分區市議員梁秀婷 (Nina Liang)、麥德福市(Medford)市議員曾御宸都順利連任。

李豐(左)和Thomas Xie(右)在他倆經營的MT迷你超商中，
為競選連任的摩頓市市長何建生 (Gary Christenson)舉辦籌款會。
(檔案照片，周菊子攝)

昆士市 (Quincy)，在位市長，也是昆士市服務年期最長的市長柯奇 (Tom Koch) 順利再下一城，以10,282票，54.93%的得票率，打敗了三度向他挑戰，得票8,382，得票率44.78%的不分區市議員Ann Mahoney。昆士市的市長任期也是4年一任。

在昆士市的63,711名登記選民中，有18,875人出席投票了，比率為29.3%左右。

曾御宸(中)競選連任，父親曾皇鈞(右)、母親徐中欣(左)
是當然的義務助選員。(檔案照片，周菊子攝)

            11月7日晚，柯奇在Granite Links高爾夫球場，掛著水晶吊燈的禮廳中慶祝勝選。穿著背面印有"讓市長繼續當市長 (Keep the mayor mayor)” 字樣藍T恤的支持者，歡呼鼓舞。柯奇在發表勝選感言時說，"這是關係，這是一起合作，雖然大家並不是在每一件事上都意見一致，但昆士市能夠繁榮，是因為大家合作無間，那就是秘訣” 。

在昆士市，第2選區市議員，由贏得1149票的新人Richard Ash當選，第5區在現任市議員Chuck Phelan退休將卸任下，由Daniel Minton在無人角逐下同額當選。Ann Mahoney遺留的不分區市議員席缺，將由Scott Compbell出任。

梁秀婷和父親。(檔案照片，周菊子攝)

在昆士市競選連任的華裔不分區市議員梁秀婷 (Nina Liang)得到10,639票，得票率32.2%，順利連任。

在麥德福市，選民共投出13,247票，佔41,855名已登記選民的31.65%。曾御宸以7275的第2高票順利連任成為7名市議員之一。他的得票數只比贏得第一高票的Zac Bears少220票。

Malden市，在位市長何建新 (Gary Christenson) 曾任摩頓市學校委員會委員，第一區市議員，2011年首度當選，如今第四度連任，將再當市長4年。非正式的選舉結果為他贏得5530票，他的競爭對手Aracely Alvarado得到2087票。

何建新市長說，摩頓市’已經改變了，而我們跟著它一起改變。

根據摩頓市府人員的說法，選民共投出7819票。

              Braintree市，現任市長Charles Kokoros落馬，曾任Braintree計畫委員會主席的商人Erin Joyce當選。

              Medford市，在位市長Breanna Lungo-Koehn以7339票當選連任。

              尚莫維爾市 (Somerville)，在位市長Katjana Ballantyne順利連任。

              華森市 (Waltham)，在位市長Jeannette McCarthy當選。

              屋本市 (Woburn)，參選市長的市議會議長Mike Concannon打敗在位市長Scott Galvin當選為下屆市長。

              屋斯特 (Worcester)，在位市長Joe Petty當選，第七度連任。

劍橋市議員選舉結果 2名華裔參選人都出局

                 (Boston Orange 整理報導) 麻州劍橋市的市議員選舉，今年有24人角逐9個席位，雖然破天荒有背景一中、一台的2名華人參選，可惜都未擠進當選的9名市議員行列。

                                           根據劍橋市政府選務局網站，這次的選舉共有21,177張有效選票，沒有無效票，經過17輪篩選計算，達到2118票標準的9人中6人為在位者，3人挑戰成功。

                                正式的選舉結果，依照麻州政府規定，要等到把臨時的有條件選票，海外缺席選票等票數計算進去後，預定11月17日才宣佈。

                                        依得票數高低，6名在位者為Sumbul Siddiqui，Burhan Azeem，Marc C. McGovern，Patricia M. Nolan，Paul F. Toner，E. Denise Simmons，其餘3人，Jivan G. Sobrinho-Wheeler，Ayesha M. Wilson，Joan F. Pickett為角逐者。

                                來自中國大陸的汪浩 (Hao Wang)在第6輪投票後落敗，來自台灣的許正翰在第3輪投票後落敗。

                                        哈佛大學校報The Crimson稱，一旦這選舉結果落實，意味著劍橋市向中間主義靠攏，因為市議會內最激進的2名市議員，Quinton Y. Zondervan 和 Dennis J. Carlone，都未競選連任。

                                    劍橋市市長Sumbul Siddiqui在第一輪計票中，贏得最高票，繼續了她在2019和2021年的紀錄，雖然在選舉日前不久才爆出她的辦公室有著工作場所氛圍不佳，有報復情況。

                                    劍橋市今年的選舉投票出席數比去年的2萬票高些，投票站散佈在劍橋市Rindge及Latin學校，哈佛設計學院研究所的Gund廳，MIT的Kresge禮堂，以及劍橋市市政府大樓等地。

                                    選民關心的問題包括短缺可負擔住宅，交通模式結構，劍橋市市議會上個月才通過了100%可負擔房屋區域規劃疊加法 (100%-Affordable Housing Zoning Overlay)，允許整個劍橋市提供樓宇建築高度，劍橋市議會還在2020年通過了騎自行車安全條例 (Cycling Safety Ordinance)，規定到2026年時要建造22英里的自行車道。

                                    哈佛校報在文稿尾段以參選人汪浩的感嘆總結，”哦，不管怎樣，我有沒贏，就個人來說，我希望劍橋人民贏”。