人生一定要有的八個朋友：
推手(Builder)、
支柱(Champion)、
同好(Collaborator)、
夥伴(Companion)、
中介(Connector)、
開心果(Energizer)、
開路者(Mind Opener)、
導師(Navigator)。
chutze@bostonorange.com
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Governor Healey Touts New Climatetech
Initiative at Woburn Clean Tech Innovation Company
Mass Leads Act proposes a new ten-year, $1
billion strategy to advance climatetech in Massachusetts
Photo by Chutze Chou
WOBURN – Today, Governor Maura T. Healey continued her Mass Leads Road Show with a stop at Boston Metal to
promote the key climatetech investments included in the bill. Boston Metal
is a clean tech innovation company focused on “green steel production” or
decarbonizing steel production by using electricity rather than
coal.
This visit
is part of the Governor’s Mass Leads Act Road Show during which she is
traveling to communities across Massachusetts to highlight the ways in which
her recently proposed economic development bill will grow the state’s economy,
support businesses and attract talent. The bill proposes a new ten-year, $1
billion strategy to make Massachusetts the climate innovation lab for the
world, and includes a framework for capital, tax incentives, and
operations.
Photo by Chutze Chou
“Massachusetts
is home to some of the world’s greatest innovators and as a result, we have the
opportunity to meet one of the world’s greatest challenges – climate change.
The climatetech space is our opportunity to become a world leader in the
emerging climatetech industry and build a better future together,” said Governor
Healey. “Our Mass Leads Act is the type of investment that we need to make
to ensure that climatetech companies like Boston Metal can start and scale here
in Massachusetts”
“We’re
making Massachusetts a global leader in the fight against climate change,” said
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The Mass Leads Act makes key
investments in the climatetech space that support the development and
innovations of projects that propel the world forward to a clean energy
future.”
“Building a
more sustainable future requires new approaches to product development and
manufacturing. It’s exciting to see Woburn become a hub for climate/green tech
companies,” said Woburn Mayor Mike Concannon. “We have a thriving
workforce, close proximity to major highways, and a spirit of innovation which
we foster. We’re honored when trendsetters, like Boston Metal, make Woburn
their home.”
Boston Metal was spun out of MIT in 2013 and is headquartered in
Woburn. They have over 100 employees and were recently included in Time
Magazine’s list of “America's Top GreenTech Companies 2024”,
alongside 27 other Massachusetts-based companies. Since 2017, Boston Metal has
specifically been focused on reinventing the process at the core of the still
industry to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change.
"We
are proud to be a part of the climate tech innovation ecosystem here in
Massachusetts and appreciate Governor Healey's focus on ensuring our state
takes a leadership position in the sector. Boston Metal is forging the next
chapter in American steel manufacturing right here in Woburn, and Massachusetts
can build on its legacy of firsts to be home to the green steel revolution,”
said Tadeu Carneiro, Chairman & CEO, Boston Metal.
Governor
Healey is proposing a $1 billion, 10-year climatetech initiative to make
Massachusetts the climate innovation lab for the world. The initiative would
create jobs, support technology development and infrastructure to reduce
emissions, and promote resilience locally. Massachusetts would be well
positioned as a global leader in climatetech. The funds and programs would help
companies start and scale in Massachusetts, creating well paying jobs across
the state. The initiative has three core parts:
1.Capital Funding: The bill would provide significant capital
resources to MassCEC for the first time. Bond authorizations can support
research and development, innovation, manufacturing, commercialization, and the
deployment of climatetech technologies, including offshore wind, across
Massachusetts.
2.Tax Incentives: The bill would authorize funding for tax
incentives, which will help ensure the state is competitive in attracting and
retaining these businesses. The initiative proposes to establish a new
Climatetech Tax Incentive Program to enable the state to invest in climatetech
companies, expand employment opportunities and support research and
development. The bill also seeks to continue implementation of the newly
created Offshore Wind Tax Credit and proposes some strategic changes to further
grow the program.
3.Operating Funding: This ten-year strategy underscores the critical
importance of annual operating support through the state budget process for
MassCEC, which is instrumental in fostering the climatetech industry and
training a clean energy workforce. Operating funds will enable MassCEC to
deploy stable programming and initiatives to reach areas that capital programs
and tax incentives aren’t able to reach. This includes workforce development
initiatives, internships, strategic partnerships, and operations.
"Massachusetts
is a hub of innovation and a leader in the fight against climate change, and
companies like Boston Metal are a significant part of our strategy to make
Massachusetts the national leader in climatetech,” said Economic Development
Secretary Yvonne Hao. “Our ten-year, $1 billion climatetech initiative aims
to create the conditions that will allow cutting edge firms to drive future
progress in this crucial sector for decades to come.”
Advancing Justice – AAJC Denounces Reauthorization of Section 702 of FISA and Passage of Ineffectual Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act Bill
Washington D.C. — Today the House of Representatives made the unsettling decision to pass the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (RISAA), H.R. 7888, a bill that reauthorizes Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (also known as “Section 702”). This decision by the House not only maintains but significantly expands the scope of warrantless surveillance and is a direct threat to the privacy and civil liberties of Asian Americans and all Americans.
John C. Yang, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC) issues the following statement in response to the House vote:
“Advancing Justice – AAJC is deeply disappointed by the reauthorization of Section 702 and the passage of the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act, as the bill squanders a once in a generation opportunity to provide meaningful reform to government surveillance. While the bill is touted as a so-called ‘reform,’ it fundamentally lacks substantial protections and continues to endorse practices under which serious abuses have occurred, especially for communities of color. Instead, the House continues to expand the government’s surveillance capabilities without implementing a necessary warrant requirement that would help to safeguard American citizens.
“By voting to pass this bill, the House is endorsing ongoing violations of Americans’ civil rights and liberties by intelligence agencies.
“RISAA is a bill that fails to protect the privacy rights of Americans and further expands the government’s ability to conduct warrantless surveillance. This move by the House jeopardizes the very principles of fairness and equality we stand for, particularly when it comes to the treatment of the Asian American community. Advancing Justice – AAJC's commitment to fighting for comprehensive surveillance reform and protecting civil liberties remains steadfast and more urgent.
“The current trajectory of national security measures pose serious threats to the foundations of our democracy. We urge the Senate to reject this harmful bill.”
Jack Fleming很興奮的說，今年是很特別的一年，不但有15名曾經贏得各種馬拉松比賽冠軍的人來參賽，或者回波士頓衛冕，更有來自129國，全美50州的將近3萬名跑者，會在4月15日這天踏上穿越麻州8個市鎮的波士頓馬拉松跑道。今年還正好是波士頓馬拉松賽改從霍普京頓
(Hopkinton)出發的100週年。
MAYOR WU AND BOSTON EMS CELEBRATE NEW EMTS AND PROMOTIONS
Ceremony honors 28 graduating Recruits and 3 promotions to enhance emergency medical services in Boston
BOSTON – Friday, April 12, 2024 – Mayor Michelle Wu, the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), and Boston EMS today celebrated the graduation of 28 EMT-Recruits and three recent promotions in a ceremony at Suffolk University’s Sargent Hall. The EMT-Recruits were hired as state-certified EMTs and successfully completed the Boston EMS Recruit Academy, an additional intense training program to ensure residents receive the highest quality emergency care. The 28 new graduates now join Boston EMS to respond to medical emergencies in Boston, enhancing 9-1-1 staffing for ambulances and dispatch operations.
“Boston’s EMTs embody public service, providing care and compassion to every patient when they are most in need,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Congratulations to all of our newly graduated EMTs and our members who have been promoted to higher ranks. We are so grateful for your service to the City of Boston.”
“Congratulations to the EMT-Recruits and the promoted members of EMS,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “Thank you for your dedication and service to provide high-quality emergency care to our residents, saving countless lives when people are at their most vulnerable.”
The Boston EMS Recruit Academy is a full-time paid training program and includes classroom and field training for a variety of life-threatening emergency situations, including active shooter incidents, hazardous materials exposure, transportation accidents, recovery services, human trafficking, and mass casualty incidents. During training, these graduates responded to more than 3,800 9-1-1 incidents caring for patients suffering from a range of emergencies including cardiac arrest, behavioral health, illnesses and injuries, and serious trauma including shootings and stabbings.
“I am so proud of these graduates and recently promoted paramedics for everything they have already accomplished,” said Boston EMS Chief James Hooley. “I hope you will have a long career with us at Boston EMS, saving lives, mentoring future members, and continuing to uphold Boston EMS’s standard of excellence.”
Today’s ceremony also recognized three EMTs promoted to the rank of Paramedic. They have more than 26 years of combined experience at Boston EMS. Independently, they secured their paramedic certification and took necessary steps to become part of the paramedic promotional list. Once selected, they were assigned to a rigorous three-month training internship, where they refined their advanced life support skills. Since their promotion on December 31, 2023, they have been working in ALS ambulances, responding to the most critical calls across the City.
Boston EMS is one of the busiest municipal EMS providers in New England, responding to more than 138,000 emergency medical incidents annually. To meet the growing demand in Boston, Boston EMS is actively recruiting to expand the department, add frontline ambulances, and better meet the rising demand for service. Over the last nine months, Boston EMS has successfully hired more than 90 members to join its team of now 428 uniformed personnel.
In addition to the Recruit Academy, Boston EMS also has a Cadet program, a five-month paid training for people interested in becoming EMTs. A group of Cadets recently graduated and will join the next Recruit class starting April 22. The next Cadet program begins on April 29 with approximately 20 people.
Boston EMS expects to be hiring EMTs and Cadets again this summer. Starting pay for newly hired EMTs is $33 an hour. Those interested in a rewarding career at Boston EMS can visitboston.gov/ems to learn more and sign up for training and notices.
Senate Authorizes $375 Million for Local Transportation
Infrastructure
Chapter 90 funding would support cities and towns with road
and bridge construction, public transit improvement, and EV infrastructure
BOSTON (4/11/2024)—Today, the
Massachusetts Senate unanimously approved $375 million in bond authorizations
for statewide transportation projects, including the state’s Chapter 90
program, which would create a reliable funding source for local infrastructure
investments like roads, bridges, regional transit equipment and infrastructure,
bicycle infrastructure, and electric vehicle infrastructure, among other
things.
Projects funded by the annual
legislation often improve quality of life for residents in every region of the
state, and many play a role in environmental mitigation.
Every city and town in
the Commonwealth would receive a share of $200 million in funding to be used on
maintenance and construction of roads and bridges. $150 million would be
allocated equally to six programs targeting specific transportation infrastructure,
and $25 million would be allocated to cities and towns through the rural roads
program.
“Getting around our communities is a
fundamental part of everyone’s day,” said Senate President Karen E.
Spilka (D-Ashland). “Whether the commute takes you on the sidewalk, through
a bike lane, across a small bridge, onto your Regional Transit Authority, or to
the T, your journey should be quick and safe. By passing today’s legislation,
we are empowering our cities and towns with the funding to make improvements to
the infrastructure our residents travel on, regardless of where they go and
how.”
“Our transportation infrastructure is
so vitally important to the state’s economy, and this Chapter 90 funding
addresses many outstanding issues in keeping the Commonwealth’s roadways,
bridges, and public transportation system in peak operating condition. I’m
pleased that over $375 million has been allocated to municipal roadways, local
streetscape improvements, and enhancements to our mass transit system,”
said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate
Committee on Ways and Means.
“The annual
authorization of the Chapter 90 program provides cities and towns with the
state funding they need to most effectively address their transportation
infrastructure needs,” said Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), Senate
Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “This $375 million total
investment in both Chapter 90 and additional grant opportunities funds tangible
improvements across our entire transportation network—including roads, bridges,
access to mass transit, and sidewalks.”
Of the $375 million in total
authorizations, the legislation would allocate $25 million to each of the
following programs that target specific infrastructure areas:
·Municipal Pavement Program,
which focuses on the improvement of municipally owned state numbered routes.
·Municipal Small Bridge Program, which
provides financial support to cities and towns for small bridge replacement,
preservation, and rehabilitation projects.
·Complete Streets Funding Program, which
provides funding to municipalities for streets that provide safe and accessible
options for all travel modes such as walking, biking, transit, and vehicles.
·Municipal Bus Enhancement Program, which provides grant
funding to build out infrastructure related to mass transit by bus.
·Mass Transit Access Grant Program, which provides grants
for design and construction improvements to access commuter rail stations or
other mass transit stations, such as parking lots, drop-off and pick-up zones,
bike storage infrastructure, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
·Municipal/RTA EV Grant Program, which provides grants
to Regional Transit Authorities and municipalities for the purchase of electric
vehicles and related charging equipment.
A previous version having been passed by the House of
Representatives, the legislation now awaits final enactment in each branch,
before being sent to the Governor’s desk for her signature
