Baker-Polito Administration Extends Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures to October 17

Baker-Polito Administration Extends Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures to October 17

BOSTON — Today, Governor Charlie Baker extended the pause on evictions and foreclosures for 60 days, until October 17, 2020, through the authority granted to the governor by Chapter 65 of the Acts of 2020, An Act providing for a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 Emergency, which was signed into law on April 20, 2020. This law’s limitations on evictions and foreclosures have allowed many tenants and homeowners impacted by COVID-19 to remain in their homes during the state of emergency, and this extension provides residents of the Commonwealth with continued housing security as businesses cautiously re-open, more people return to work, and the state collectively moves toward a “new normal.” The moratorium was set to expire on August 18, 2020.

Click here to read the extension letter.

Tenants are strongly encouraged to continue to pay rent, and homeowners to make their mortgage payments, to the extent they are able. To assist low-income households in making rent and mortgage payments, as well as support landlords needing these rent payments to pay expenses, the Baker-Polito Administration launched a new $20 million, statewide fund, the Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) program, on July 1st.

This funding complements the $18 million currently available through the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) homeless prevention program, which can also be used for rent or mortgage payments. In each program, landlords or mortgage lenders receive payments directly from the RAFT administering agencies. 

During this 60 day extension, the Administration will consult with the court administrators and other stakeholders regarding programs and policies to help tenants avoid eviction when proceedings resume.

The law suspends most residential and small business commercial evictions, as well as residential foreclosures. It does not relieve tenants or homeowners of their obligation to pay rent or make mortgage payments. The law also:

• Prevents landlords from sending notifications to residential tenants that threaten eviction or terminating of a lease;

• Limits court actions on non-essential evictions;

• Relieves tenants, both residents and small commercial, from late fees and negative credit reporting;

• Allows landlords to use “last month’s rent” to pay for certain expenses, though not as a replacement rent payment, and only with proper notification of tenant;

• Requires lenders to grant a forbearance for up to 180 days if a homeowner experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 submits such a request; and

• Allows for alternative payment agreements between lenders and borrowers regarding forbearance payments.

Since the beginning of the State of Emergency, the Administration has supported housing stability for households across the Commonwealth. The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) has drafted emergency regulations to implement the notice provisions of the eviction and foreclosure moratoriums. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) supported our state-aided public housing and affordable housing operators with guidance, and worked with stakeholders across the state to coordinate resources. Additional resources and information can be found on DHCD’s COVID-19 Resource Page.

麻州餐館可以外賣雞尾酒了

梅沛傑(右上)等餐館東主在麻州餐館聯合會舉辦的
有色東主座談中分享看法。(攝自座談視頻)

(Boston Orange 編譯/綜合整理) 從現在起到明年2月28日止，或者在麻州取消全州緊急令之前，除了食物、啤酒，葡萄酒之外，麻州餐廳也可以外賣雞尾酒(cocktails)了。

轄區在Methuen的民主黨籍參議員Diane DiZoglio在推特上發文說，州長簽署了他提出的”雞尾酒外賣”法案。

該法案規定，凡是年滿21歲的民眾，在買外賣食物時，可以同時購買放在密封容器內，最多達64盎司的雞尾酒，但如果顧客是開車取酒，就必須把酒放在車廂裏。

包括緬因州，羅德島州，全美已有大約34州最近通過了外賣雞尾酒的法令，以幫助在COVID-19大流行期間掙扎求存的餐飲業者增加收入。

麻州餐館聯合會(Mass Restaurants United)發言人，Craigie on Main大廚兼東主Tony Maws表示，這法令有助於餐館業者流動庫存，增加營業銷售總額。

麻州餐館協會會長Bob Luz在六月份時曾告訴參議員們，因為許多非必要企業關了門，在新型冠狀病毒大流行期間又有這許多限制，可能有20%的麻州餐館永遠都不會重新開張。

共有不下500家獨立經營餐館的老闆，因應新型冠狀病毒大流行對餐館業者的打擊，已組成麻州餐館聯合會(Massachusetts Restaurants United)，彼此互助，6月30日時還舉辦了一次”麻州餐館有色東主現場座談”，出席分享經驗，意見者包括”燒酒”老闆梅沛傑。麻州餐館聯合會成員也有不少華裔東主，包括著名的張柔安(Myers & Chang)，蔡明昊(Blue Dragon)，李伯豪(Hong Kong)，梁戰士(Fuji / Shabu & Mein)，蘇宇寅(Chicken & Rice Guy)。

麻州的酒吧業原訂在本月初的第三階段重新開放，但在衛生部官員警告這些地方可能很快變成散佈COVID-19熱點，重新開放顧問委員會稍後決定把酒吧放到重新開放的第四階段。

Baker-Polito Administration Announces 6th Annual Summer Nights Initiative

Baker-Polito Administration Announces 6th Annual Summer Nights Initiative

BOSTON — The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the 2020 Summer Nights Initiative, which will provide urban youth with socially distant programming at Massachusetts state parks and other locations starting on Monday, July 20, 2020 and continuing through Friday, August 21, 2020. The program was first developed by the administration in 2015 and offers urban youth within the Cities of Boston (Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, and Roxbury), Lawrence, Lowell, New Bedford, Springfield and Worcester with a wide variety of activities that are coordinated by 14 local organizations. These activities include, but are not limited to, basketball and flag football drills, dance, yoga, arts and crafts, martial arts, academic support, cooking, STEM activities, and online programming focusing on entrepreneurship and life skills.

“Our administration is proud to once again support the Summer Nights Initiative, to keep students across the Commonwealth engaged during their summer vacations," said Governor Charlie Baker. "While this year's programming looks a little different due to COVID, we look forward to offering safe educational and recreational activities for kids and students to enjoy at state parks in locations throughout the state."

“The Summer Nights Initiative, now in its sixth year, serves as a great example of our work to ensure access to the state parks system and beyond is made readily available for all,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “By working with great local partners we are able to offer inclusive and safe programming to urban youth across the Commonwealth.”

Participating organizations include Score4More (Roxbury); PIM (Hyde Park & Dorchester); Youth Connect (Worcester); NAACP (Remote programming serving Boston youth); Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence (Lawrence/Methuen); Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell (Greater Lowell); Dennison Community Center (New Bedford); Devoted Dynasty Entertainment (Roxbury); Lena Park Community Center (Dorchester); Black Ministerial Alliance (Dorchester); Level Ground Martial Arts (Dorchester); Black Men of Greater Springfield (Springfield); Youth Guidance (Remote programming serving Boston youth), and Teach 1 Basketball (East Boston, Dorchester, Roxbury).

“For six years, the Summer Nights Initiative has been providing recreational and educational activities for urban youth to participate in at no cost while school is out for the season,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “This year, diverse programming has been coordinated to offer both present and online activities to engage kids from wherever they are able to participate from.”

“The Summer Nights Initiative offers excellent programming for urban youth to interact with one another in a fun, safe environment,” said Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Jim Montgomery. “The Baker-Polito Administration continues to work diligently to foster strong partnerships with a variety of stakeholders, such as the Summer Nights Initiative organizations, to achieve goals that directly benefit the public.”

Additionally, this year participating organizations must follow all guidance issued for programming to aid in the prevention of spreading the COVID-19 virus. Guidance includes:

• All individuals should remain at least six feet apart at all times to the greatest extent possible;

• All individuals are required to wear face coverings;

• The managing entity must establish an on-line or on-site registration system prior to commencing program;

• The programs must separate participants into groups of no more than 12 participants, including coaches and staff; and,

• The programs should minimize equipment sharing.

In order to attend Summer Nights Initiative programming, participants must register (either through pre-registration online or on-site registration, depending on the framework developed by the organization). For a full list of programming and other information, please visit DCR’s Summer Nights Initiative webpage.

昆士市首個狗公園揭幕啟用

QUINCY DOG PARK OPEN
JULY 20, 2020 QUINCY, MA – Mayor Thomas P. Koch is proud to announce the official opening of Quincy’s first City dog park this week. The park is centrally located on Quarry St. and includes three separate areas for active dogs of all sizes, small dogs and senior dogs. It is equipped with shelter pavilions, benches and watering stations. The Stanton Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting the welfare of dogs and strengthening the human/dog bond, granted the City of Quincy $247,500 towards the park’s design and construction costs. "The new dog park offers our community a dedicated and safe environment for dogs to exercise and for people to socialize with other pet owners and enjoy time outdoors,” said Mayor Koch. “The park is situated at the top of the hill so the area has a beautiful view and peaceful feel.” As a reminder to the community, in accordance with Governor Charlie Baker’s guidelines for the state of Massachusetts, the City of Quincy requires face masks and the practice of proper social distancing while enjoying this new space with their pets. The use of a mask does not replace important social distancing measures. Individuals must continue to maintain more than six feet of distance from other people, wash hands regularly with soap and water and stay home when sick. The 20-acre parcel will also be home to the future Quincy Animal Shelter/Quincy Police Canine Unit and Animal Control.

Red Sox Livestream Event to Benefit the Red Sox Foundation and Crew Nation

BOSTON, MA (July 20, 2020) – The Boston Red Sox and Live Nation New England announced today the Fenway Sessions, a livestream event celebrating concerts at Fenway Park. This once in a lifetime event will stream live on Fenway Park (Facebook.com/fenwaypark) and Live Nation New England (Facebook.com/livenationnewengland)’s Facebook pages on Wednesday, July 22 at 7:05 PM EDT. All proceeds generated during the livestream will benefit the Red Sox Foundation and Crew Nation.
The Fenway Sessions will feature performances, iconic footage and unique content from Fenway Park artists past, present and possibly future including special performances by Jimmy Buffett, Jefferson Starship and Will Dailey, as well as iconic footage of the Foo Fighters and New Kids On The Block performing at the historic ballpark and a special message from Bell Biv DeVoe. Boston’s own critically acclaimed artist, singer and songwriter, Will Dailey, will serve as host for the evening.
“Will Dailey has been a close friend of mine for years and when he approached us with the idea to host an event that would celebrate music and Fenway Park, all while raising funds for charity, we were completely on board,” said Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy. “Of course, this event would not be possible without our partners at Live Nation who have been instrumental in securing the talented artists who have graced the stage at Fenway Park since 2003. Once again, they have helped us deliver on an exceptional program, this time virtual, that pays tribute to music and our great ballpark.”
“We are excited to partner with our friends at the Red Sox to help bring the Fenway Sessions to life,”
said Don Law, President of Live Nation New England. “Concerts at Fenway Park are an experience like
no other and we are thrilled to help celebrate a genuine New England summer tradition all while
supporting the Red Sox Foundation and Crew Nation.

AG HEALEY SUES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER NEW RULE ELIMINATING ANTI-DISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS IN HEALTH CARE

AG HEALEY SUES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER NEW RULE ELIMINATING ANTI-DISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS IN HEALTH CARE

Rule Eliminates Federal Protections Against Sex Discrimination for Vulnerable Populations, Including Transgender Individuals, Under the Affordable Care Act

  

          BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey today co-led 23 attorneys general in suing the Trump Administration over a rule that seriously undermines critical anti-discrimination protections at the federal level for LGBTQ people, women and other individuals seeking reproductive care, and those with limited English proficiency in health care.

            The lawsuit, co-led by AG Healey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, was filed against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar, and the head of HHS’s Office of Civil Rights, Roger Severino, and alleges that the new rule allows providers and insurers to discriminate against certain vulnerable and protected populations by rolling back implementation of Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age by health programs or facilities that receive federal funds.

            “The COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately impacting some of our most vulnerable residents, yet this White House is moving forward with a rule that puts these communities at even further risk,” AG Healey said. “We need to focus on expanding access to care – not on rolling it back. We are suing to ensure our residents don’t face unnecessary or discriminatory barriers in accessing the health care services they need.”

The new rule dramatically revises regulations implementing Section 1557 and removes protections against discrimination based on sex and gender identity. Today’s complaint points out that, in excluding gender identity from federal protections, the new rule completely ignores the Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which held that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender status is sex discrimination.

Despite numerous failed legislative and legal battles to repeal and dismantle the ACA, the Trump Administration’s new rule would now eliminate many of the express protections contained in the Section 1557 regulations, unlawfully exclude many health insurers from Section 1557’s scope, and would invite health care providers and health insurers to deny care and insurance coverage to particularly vulnerable communities. The new rule would also impose unreasonable barriers and impede timely access to health care for Americans, in violation of Section 1554 of the ACA.

            In August 2019, AG Healey and AG Becerra co-led comments calling on HHS to withdraw the rule. In April, the attorneys general reiterated their call for the Administration to withdraw the rule, in an effort to avoid further straining the country’s already overburdened health care system in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data shows that the COVID-19 pandemic is already exacerbating racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare that the ACA attempted to address. Immigrants and communities of color have been disproportionately impacted. Individuals with disabilities are at greater risk of infection and long-term illness or death, and the pandemic has created new barriers for them in accessing the care they need. The public health crisis has also exacerbated gender inequities in the healthcare system.

Today’s lawsuit alleges that HHS has unlawfully ignored the harms that the rule will impose on vulnerable populations. The coalition additionally contends that HHS failed to justify why it abandoned its prior policy, which, among other things, explicitly prohibited discrimination in health care and required health care entities to provide meaningful language assistance services to individuals with limited English proficiency. The coalition specifically claims that the new rule is arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), and that it violates the equal protection guarantee of the Fifth Amendment.

AG Healey’s Civil Rights Division enforces federal and state civil rights laws, including anti-discrimination laws in Massachusetts that continue to protect residents from discrimination in health care and insurance. The Division encourages residents who feel their civil rights have been violated to call its hotline at (617) 963-2917 or file a complaint online.

Joining AG Healey, AG Becerra and AG James in filing today’s lawsuit are the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

This case is being handled for Massachusetts by Assistant Attorneys General Amanda Hainsworth of AG Healey’s Civil Rights Division and Kimberly Parr of AG Healey’s Administrative Law Division, with assistance from Assistant Attorneys General Jon Burke and Ann Lynch, and Division Chief Abigail Taylor, all of AG Healey’s Civil Rights Division.

麻州大學宣佈四分校下學年學費凍結

            (Boston Orange編譯)麻州大學今(20)日表示，由於新型冠狀病毒疫情持續，下學年大學本科及研究所學生的州內學生學費將凍結。

             麻州大學在聲明中說，包括安赫斯特(Amherst)，波士頓(Boston)，達特茅斯(Dartmouth)，以及羅爾(Lowell)等分校，大學本科的州內學生學費平均為14,722元，研究所學生的學費幅度在14,590元到18,433元之間。該校董事會四月分時為麻州大學醫學院分別訂定了學費。

             該聲明稱，麻州大學校董們今日投票凍結學費，和往年的隨著通貨膨脹幅度帳學費的正常作法不同。那意味著該校將放棄1860萬元收入。

             麻州大學說，損失的收入將一部分藉由持續的減少行政開銷來彌平。

             麻州大學董事們還批准了從7月1日起的2021財政年度，營運預算33億元，較之前一年的支出少1億7100萬元。

             麻州大學總校長Marty Meehan表示，今年有這麼多的學生，家長面對以前從來沒有過的全國衛生進入緊急狀況，經濟低迷等所帶來的不確定壓力，凍結學費只是該做的對的事。

           根據該聲明，麻州大學的學生們在2021會計年度，將持續收10億元到聯邦，州政府以及私人和大學資助的財務援助。在過去5年間，該補助已增加了9900萬元，約38%，其中94%都撥發給了麻州居民。

BCNC聘新主任 歡迎3董事 年度籌款逾40萬元

BCNC董事長馬以正夫婦在網路年會中感謝同仁服務，支持者捐助。
(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導)波士頓華埠社區中心(BCNC)因應新型冠狀病毒疫情局勢，2020年會於7月16日傍晚以zoom在網上舉行，由董事會董事長馬以正介紹新聘行政主任Ben Hire，感謝各界支持，宣佈籌款仍有43萬餘元的佳績，報告2名董事卸任，新增3名年輕新董事。

BCNC董事長馬以正在年會中特地感謝Peter Chow的支持。
(周菊子攝)

             馬以正在BCNC精心設計，長僅20餘分鐘的網路會議中指出，雖然該中心的年度籌款活動，礙於疫情，無法以往年形式舉行，但經燈節嘉年華會共同主席鍾潔姿，周榮亞夫婦，Nancy及Christopher Oddleifson夫婦，獲表揚的Peter Chow，以及委員會各人的有力支持，仍籌得43萬餘元。

             BCNC董事會董事Marian Tse在年會中報告，今年有兩名董事卸任，一為該中心董事會任期最長，退休前在塔芙茨醫療中心任職的Mary Moy，一為協助該中心在昆士市設立分部的律師陳朝聖(Russell Chin)。

BCNC新聘行政主任Ben Hire。(周菊子攝)

             三名新增董事，悉數全為年輕女性，分別為Nancy Wang Adams，Jeannette Hsu，Sandee Simshauser。董事會共有14人。

             BCNC在李隆華離任後，歷經半年搜尋，新聘了Ben Hire接掌行政主任一職。這次年會是Ben Hire第一次正式面對該中心所有員工。他簡述了自己當年第一份工作就是青少年輔導員的經歷，以及他對服務社區，幫助青少年的熱情。

              Ben Hire也報告了BCNC今年以來繼續辦理的服務項目，本年度的駐地藝術家為田文浩。

             BCNC董事長馬以正表示，BCNC以扶持家庭圓滿發展為目標，藉由前人經驗，訂定策略，研擬服務項目，關懷社會正義與平等，致力為所有家庭打造更光明未來。

BCNC新增三名董事。(周菊子攝)

BCNC本年度邀田文浩擔任駐地藝術家。(周菊子攝)

BCNC揮別2名董事。(周菊子攝)

熱浪來襲 波市府開放20個BCYF讓民眾吹冷氣

     (Boston Orange)波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)7月17日宣佈，波士頓市進入熱浪來襲緊急狀況，為因應溫度感覺預計在華氏96到100度之間的這波熱浪，預定持續到下週二，波士頓市府將開放20個青年及家庭中心(BCYF)，供民眾消暑。

               7月19日的早上10點至下午6點，7月20日的早上9點至下午5點，特定的青年及家庭社區中心將開放。

              波士頓市長馬丁華殊提醒民眾，這週末注意採取必要步驟保護自己，免於感染新型冠狀病毒，或中暑。

              20個BCYF社區中心將開放，供民眾吹冷氣、消暑。市內遊樂場將在有限制情況下開放。波士頓公共圖書館及市府經營的游泳池，作為在新型冠狀病毒期間的安全措施，目前將持續關閉。

             民眾可上網查詢開放的BCYF名單。馬丁華殊也再度勸告市民注意防範新型冠狀病毒，要保持6英尺的安全社交距離，勤洗手，用肥皂至少洗20秒。到BCYF的人得自己帶水及水杯，只攜帶一小袋的個人物品。每一設施將以最大容量為基準，只准40%的人數進入使用。市府將派員監督。

             關於防熱安全細節，民眾可上市府網站或推特(Twitter)查找，也可登記接收電子郵件或簡訊通知(https://www.boston.gov/departments/emergency-management/city-boston-alerts-and-notifications)。波市府鼓勵民眾撥打311電話查問任何與市府服務有關的細節。

MAYOR WALSH DECLARES HEAT EMERGENCY, OPENS 20 BCYF COMMUNITY CENTERS AS COOLING CENTERS TO ALL RESIDENTS Cooling centers will be open on Sunday and Monday in accordance with COVID-19 safety guidance BOSTON - Friday, July 17, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today declared a Heat Emergency in the City of Boston in anticipation of the hot and humid weather that is forecasted through Tuesday of next week. Select Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) community centers will be open to the public as cooling centers on Sunday, July 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday, July 20, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. when the real feel temperature is expected to range between 96 and 100 degrees. "Please take the necessary steps to protect yourself from COVID-19 and from the heat and humidity that we expect over the weekend," said Mayor Walsh. "Continue to practice social distancing, avoid crowds, wash your hands often, and wear a face covering. If the face covering causes you to overheat, find a shaded area where you can maintain 6 feet of distance from others, and then remove the face covering so that you can breathe easily and cool down." Twenty BCYF community centers will be open for residents to use the air conditioned rooms to cool off. Tot sprays are open at playgrounds in the City, with restrictions. Boston Public Libraries and City-operated pools remain closed to the public at this time due to COVID-19 safety measures. A full list of centers including hours of operation is available here. Due to COVID-19 public health regulations, residents are advised to call before visiting to confirm hours and occupancy limits. All cooling center visitors will be screened before entry and must wear a face covering (covering both the nose and mouth), maintain 6 feet of distance from others, and wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Visitors must bring their own water bottles and water, and must limit belonging to one small bag. Occupancy will be monitored to ensure it doesn't exceed 40 percent of the building's maximum permitted occupancy to maintain proper distancing and the spaces will be regularly cleaned and disinfected hourly. Information on heat safety tips can be found online at boston.gov/heat and by following @CityofBoston on Twitter. Residents can sign up for Alert Boston, the City's emergency notification system, to receive emergency alerts by phone, email or text. Sign up online here. Residents are also encouraged to call 311 with any questions about available city services. The Mayor issued the following heat safety tips for all members of the public: Children and pets should never be left alone in vehicles, even for short periods of time. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids regardless of activity level. Avoid alcoholic beverages and liquids high in sugar or caffeine. Adults and children should use sunscreen containing an SPF-30 or higher and wear protective, loose-fitting clothing, including long sleeve shirts and hats. Limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas and be extra cautious from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the sun's UV radiation is strongest. Know the signs of heat exhaustion. Heavy sweating, cool and clammy skin, dizziness, nausea, and muscle aches could all be signs of heat exhaustion. If symptoms persist, call 911 immediately. Do not delay care. Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the US and can exacerbate underlying illnesses. Keep cool with showers, shade, and air conditioning or fans. Urban wilds and tot sprays at playgrounds are open in the City. When visiting, residents should wear face coverings (unless in the spray), maintain 6 feet of distance, and wash hands before and after visiting.If it is cooler outside than at home, wear a face covering and find a shady spot outside. If the face covering results in overheating or trouble breathing, find a shaded area where 6 feet of distance from others can safely be maintained and remove the face covering. If no AC is available: Take frequent cool showers Help find a non-sick family member or neighbor with AC to visit. Wear a face covering and stay 6 feet apart. If you have a child in your home, use child window guards in addition to screens on any open window on the second story or above. Falls are the leading cause of injury for children under the age of six.  Secure all window air conditioner units according to the manufacturer's specifications. Please call or virtually check on neighbors, especially older adults, and people with disabilities. Helping the homeless: If you see homeless individuals out in the heat who appear immobile or disoriented, please call 911. Please ask them if they need assistance. The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) operates emergency shelters at 112 Southampton St. and 794 Massachusetts Ave. These facilities are air conditioned and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The City of Boston works closely with a network of shelter providers to ensure there is adequate shelter, food, water, and a cool respite from the heat. Street outreach teams providing recovery services, including the Engagement Center behind 112 Southampton St., remain operating as normal during summertime weather.  All sites (Shelters, the Engagement Center, comfort stations) are following COVID-19 guidelines by promoting handwashing, hand sanitizer, and face coverings. Guests are provided sunscreen and water. Nursing teams are onsite to support.  Playground safety:   Children should always wear shoes on playgrounds because surfaces can become extremely hot and cause burns, even splash pads and spray decks. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, children should wear a face covering (except while in the water), stay 6 feet away from others, and wash/sanitize hands before and after play.  Beach safety: Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if going to a beach or a large body of water, it is important to wear a face covering, stay 6 feet apart from others, avoid crowds due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  Don't wear face coverings in the water because they can be difficult to breathe through when they're wet. This means it is particularly important to maintain social distancing in the water. If the face covering results in overheating or trouble breathing, find a shaded area where 6 feet of distance from others can safely be maintained and remove the face covering. Outdoor fires and grilling: No outdoor fires are allowed in Boston, including fire pits, chimineas, and bonfires. Charcoal grills must be on the ground and away from buildings. Keep in mind the wind and never leave unattended. When done, dispose of the ash in a metal container once completely out. Propane tank grills are only allowed on first floor porches with steps to the ground. Do not place propane tank grills near air conditioners or up against a building. Make sure all connections are tight and never carry propane tanks into a home. Grills should always be used in a well-ventilated area.

聯邦參議員Ed Markey公佈報稅記錄 有台灣年輕人公開支持他連任

(Boston Orange 綜合報導)聯邦參議員馬基(Edward J. Markey)公佈了繳稅記錄，過去七年，平均每年收入17萬8317元。他的競選團隊向聯邦眾議員約瑟夫甘迺迪三世(Joseph P. Kennedy III)拋出”你敢不敢”的挑戰。

馬基在政界資歷甚深，1946年出生的他，從1973年當選麻州眾議員起，政途順暢，1976年就跨進聯邦層級，當選為聯邦眾議員， 2013年再晉階當選為聯邦參議員迄今，刻正尋求連任。

大波士頓有一批來自台灣的年輕人，因為馬基的支持台灣，已舉辦了”誰是馬基”的網路會議，討論製作海報，發起宣傳等行動，正默默行動的積極參政，支持馬基競選連任。

約瑟夫甘迺迪三世雖然出生於政治世家，聞名全美的甘迺迪家族，但和馬基相比，絕對是晚進，後備，1980年出生後，他最早接觸政治是2006年聯邦參議員愛德華甘迺迪(Edward Moore Kennedy)競選連任時，擔任競選共同主任。2013年他自己參選聯邦眾議員席位，一舉得籌。現在挑戰馬基的聯邦參議員席位。

約瑟夫甘迺迪三世的競選團隊表示，將在未來數日內公佈他上任聯邦眾議員以來那些年的繳稅記錄。

波士頓環球報指出，儘管馬基的競選團隊藉著公佈了繳稅記錄，吹噓他們對透明這承諾的重視，但馬基的太太Susan Blumenthal是一名醫療健保顧問，公共衛生專家，也是柯林頓政府的高階官員，而馬基沒有把全家人的收入情況公開。

馬基的競選團隊發言人Giselle Barry說，他們倆人向來分開報稅，正在競選的是馬基，不是Susan Blumenthal。拒絕公開Susan Blumenthal的報稅記錄。

根據馬基必須每年向聯邦參議院提供的個人財務狀況揭露，Susan Blumenthal把她從美國公共衛生服務(US Public Health Service)養老金這私營醫療業務領到的薪水，以及演講費用，都存進了他們兩人共有的財務帳戶。上個月的最近一份申報也是這樣記錄。該一揭露報告並未顯示Susan Blumenthal賺到的薪水或養老金有多少，但列出她在2019年給了5場演講，賺到62,700元。

該一揭露也顯示這對夫婦擁有投資資產和銀行帳戶，價值在190萬元到420萬元之間，其中有許多都列在Susan Blumenthal名下。(根據國會揭露規定，議員們只需要報告大概的資產價值，不需要確切數據。)

根據無黨派的回應政治中心(Center for Responsive Politics)，馬基和最有錢的參議員，申報了約2億6000萬元的共和黨籍Rick Scott相比，差得遠了。該機構報告的國會議員淨資產中位數略超過100萬元。

馬基公佈了2013年到2019年的州稅和聯邦稅報稅記錄，顯示這位現年74歲，住在摩頓市的民主黨籍聯邦參議員，來自國會議員薪水及社會福利的收入穩定，

馬基申報的2019年收入是177,483元，其中140,454元是聯邦參議員薪水，34,726元是社會福利。在2019年的報稅記錄中，他繳了39,256元的聯邦稅及州稅，稅率約為22%。

根據美國統計局，麻州的中位收入為77,000元。

總的來說，馬基在過去這七年間，平均每年繳44,160元聯邦及州稅，約為其毛收入的25%。捐給慈善機構的錢，平均佔收入的4%，有逐年增加之是，2014年2.3%，2019年7%，七年來總共捐了49,756元。

侯選人並沒有公佈報稅記錄的法律義務，但自從川普總統顛覆了四十年來的政治傳統，在2016年選舉之前，拒絕公佈他個人的報稅記錄後，這一行動就越來越受歡迎。儘管國會議員及檢察官在法院中和川普總統抗爭，要取得那些報稅資料，但迄今川普總統仍然拒絕拿出來。

住在牛頓市的甘乃迪是國會議員中比較有錢的其中一個。他將在9月1日在民主黨初選中和馬基對抗。他們兩人，無論誰贏，還得在11月3日和共和黨籍贏得初選的候選人對抗。目前在共和黨初選選票上的兩人為貝爾蒙(Belmont)的shiva Ayyadurai，以及都佛(Dover)的Kevin J. O’Connor。