麻州學校、警界最多高薪者 年領百萬有2人

             (Boston Orange編譯)根據主計長辦公室數據，儘管麻州在疫情期間刪減了數以千計的州府員工，去年的薪資總額仍然增長2%，達到82億美元。

            在2020年，麻州政府雇用了13萬1000人，比2019年的13萬8000人少了7000人。

                 主計長辦公室說，薪資總額增長的部分原因，可由在公共衛生危機期間，立法通過發給前線工作人員與新冠病毒疫情相關的危險加給來解釋。生活費的大增，以及繫於集體議價協議的增長，都使得新增總額上升了。

             不過，傾向於自由主義的智庫，也是座落於波士頓的監督者的這先驅學院(Pioneer Institute)的研究主任Greg Sullivan，把大部分的州政府薪資總額增加歸因於集體議價協議。

             他在一份聲明中說，麻州政府在刪減職位上比阻擋或限制集體議價的薪資增長有更多自由。在一定程度上，州政府領導必須放棄那些不在集體議價合約內職位的加薪，以和在大流行衰退期間受打擊最重的經濟板塊共體時艱。

             和往常一樣，麻州大學系統在去年最高薪名單上佔據了主要位置，其中包括總薪酬超過100萬美元的2名員工。

             薪酬最高的是麻州大學醫學院校長Michael F. Collins，2020年領得110萬元。另一名年薪逾百萬元的也來自醫學院，那是執行副校長Terence R. Flotte。他去年的薪資是107萬元。

             薪資第三高的是麻州大學民兵(Minutemen)棒球隊教練Matt McCall，年薪85萬元。排名前10的其他人，或者是在學界工作，或者是州立學校的體育教練。麻州大學系統總校長Marty Meehan 在這前10名中釣尾巴，去年薪資58萬4000元。

             麻州內非麻州大學員工的去年最高薪者是首席法醫Mindy Hull，薪資額39萬5000元，在高薪名單上排名第31。

             在麻州薪資冊上最高薪的執法人員是州警中的副警長(lieutenant colonel )Richard Ball。他以年薪32萬700原排名第64。他是年薪超過30萬元的4名州警之一。另有48名執法人員年薪超過25萬元。州警警長(Colonel)Christopher Mason的年薪是28萬6000元。

             做為麻州一州之長的州長，查理貝克(Charlie Baker)去年薪資18萬5000元。不過大部分的州府員工賺得少多了。根據主計長的數計，去年麻州州府員工的平均薪資僅為6萬2000元。

             根據州政府記錄，麻州大學系統在州府薪資總額中佔的份額最多，14億元。薪資總額次高的州府機構為麻州灣交通局(MBTA)5億8400萬元，接下來是麻州審判法院，5億3700萬元，麻州獄政廳4億5800萬元，州警4億元。州警的薪資包括2億9600萬元的本薪，以及5600萬元的加班費，680萬元的離職金(buyout)，以及3900萬元的其他薪資。

             這些數據包括大部分的全職及兼職州政府員工，以及州政府合約工，但不包括在獨立半官方州府機構的工作者。這些機構有他們自己的薪資系統。這些半官方機構的2020年薪資總額為2億1800萬元，比之前一年的2億5600萬元少了。

             先驅學院研究主任Sullivan引用州政府數據的說，在2019年11月到2020年11月之間，州政府減少了3萬個工作職位，但麻州的休閒娛樂業在同一時期，失去了13萬2000個工作職位。整個麻州共失去33萬7000個工作機會。

             在那個時期，麻州的每月薪資稅收上升了7.3%，每月企業稅上升了33%，每月銷售稅上升了5.9%。面對消費者的州府經濟，受新冠病毒(COVID-19)打擊最嚴重，每月的餐飲營收下降了29%，會議中心的附加費下降了82%。

             Sullivan在一份聲明中表示，麻州經濟在病毒大流行衰退期間，有得有失。

波士頓環球報文章形容陳剛被捕彰顯中美科技競爭加劇

             (Boston Orange周菊子綜合編譯)中美之間的科技競爭越形激烈，近年似乎正藉由多名科學家，科研者陸續遭遇指控，展現在大眾眼前。

             波士頓環球報在1月17日也以一篇貝斯以色列女執事醫療中心(Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)的31歲前研究員鄭朝松(Zaosong Zheng)，服刑87天後被遣送回中國的報導，把1月14日發生的麻省理工學院知名教授陳剛，遭聯邦調查局以未據實申報境外兼職與科研活動而逮捕，再說了一遍。

             根據聯邦調查局的公開資料，在波士頓與華人有關的聯邦調查局案件，從2014年至今，共有17宗，罪名包括股票詐欺，賄賂入學，偷取商業機密，非法出口美國用於反潛戰的物品到中國，損害電腦系統，供應用來製作核子武器的鈾給伊朗等。

             鄭朝松被控的罪名是走私19個病毒的生物研究樣本。本月稍早他被判已服刑期滿，驅逐出境。在他以承認向美國海關人員做不實陳述作為認罪協議的一部分條件後，聯邦檢察官撤銷了更為嚴重的走私控罪。

             鄭朝松原本是哈佛大學附屬的貝斯以色列女執事醫療中心癌症研究員，2019年12月被捕時，新聞上了頭條。聯邦人員把他當作中國政府滲透進美國學術機構，擷取最新研究的例子。

             去年1月28日，美國檢察官Andrew Lelling稱，鄭朝松和哈佛大學化學系主任Charles Lieber，以及也具有中國人民解放軍中尉身份的波士頓大學楊燕清(譯音，Yanqing Ye)的涉案，描繪出中國的”大規模，長期的偷取美國技術為己用的行為”。

             不過在法庭文件中，美國政府人員承認，鄭朝松從醫院研究實驗室拿走，放在他的箱子裡的19個小瓶子，並沒有多大價值。政府實驗室的分析發現，這些小瓶子裝著DNA表達載體，用來把一串DNA注射進基因裏，而且很可能是他自己做的。

             根據法庭文件，當鄭朝松在機場被人攔下，聯邦人員問他有沒攜帶任何生物性物品或研究出門時，他卻虛假的回答了”沒有”。後來他向調查者承認他從醫院實驗室偷了這些材料，而且打算在中國做他自己的研究。

             政府遞交給法院的文件顯示，”鄭朝松拿走的東西沒多少價值。但他的行為對支持他的大學，受和的實驗室，以及類似情況的移民學生，影響巨大。

             鄭朝松是拿學生簽證進美國的，被捕後，貝斯以色列女執事醫療中心開除了他。入獄87天後，他轉為在波士頓居家軟禁。10月時，他獲准搬到馬里蘭州和他也來自中國大陸，在國家衛生研究院(NIH)做博士後研究的太太同住。

             鄭超松的律師之一，Norman Zalkind表示，他的客戶如果來自歐洲國家，就不會被這麼嚴厲的對待。但是美國政府在全球性的科學主導競爭中有恐懼，美國已經被中國超越了，於是即使很輕微的罪也很努力追查。

             他說，”這是世界彼此競爭的一部分”。

             川普政府擴大了前任總統奧巴馬在打擊中國偷取智慧財產權上的行動，積極地追查大學院校，以及在那兒工作的人。聯邦政府已經在打擊那些未揭露收到外國贈與數以百萬美元的美國大學。

             被中國人才計畫招聘，或者在申請美國政府研究獎助款卻未申報外國經費的美國科學家們，都受到更嚴格的審查。

             上星期，波士頓的美國檢察官辦公室控告麻省理工學院教授，56歲的陳剛在申請聯邦經費時未如實申報他和中國的關係。陳剛是入籍的美國公民，曾經擔任MIT機系工程系主任。他被控以電匯詐欺，未申報外國銀行戶口，報稅不實等。

             檢控官聲稱，在MIT工作時，陳剛同時持有多個中國職位，設定為藉著提供專業知識及諮詢顧問來幫助中國的科學技術。陳剛還經常因為他為中國政府的工作而獲得報償。

             陳剛的律師Robert Fisher說，他的客戶”愛美國，而且打算強烈捍衛這些指控”。

             麻省理工學院校長14日當天也發信MIT校區，稱陳剛教授是一位廣受尊重的學者，教師，關於陳剛教授的消息令人震驚，美國政府的指控令人深感不安。

 https://news.mit.edu/2021/professor-gang-chen-fraud-0114。

麻州州長、波士頓市長今日分別出席紀念馬丁路德金活動

            (Boston Orange) 麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)和波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)今(18)日將分別於早上11點，以及下午1點，5點，分別出席不同活動，紀念馬丁路德金(Martin Luther King, Jr.)博士。

           馬丁華殊另將於今日下午1點，參加”終結上癮標記 – 承諾幫助那些在你的社區內掙扎的人”這活動，藉以誌記”國家服務日”。

Mayor Martin J. Walsh

 

12:00 p.m.  Mayor Walsh, in partnership with Boston University, presents "A Day of Celebration in Honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."  The event will be live streamed on both Boston.gov and BU.edu, as well as on the City of Boston's cable network (Xfinity: channel 24, RCN: channel 13, and Fios: channel 962.) 1:00 p.m. As part of the National Day of Service, Mayor Walsh participates in Shatterproof's "End Addiction Stigma - Pledge to Help Those Struggling In Your Community" event.  The event will be livestreamed on Youtube: https://youtu.be/mw8AMTPbXcM

Charlie Baker 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker will provide remarks for Springfield’s virtual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration, titled “The Dream is Calling You.”

Then, Governor Baker will provide remarks for King Boston’s “Voices on King” program. The program honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, and highlights the work of King Boston to honor their lives and legacy. 

Monday, January 18, 2021

Governor Baker to participate the Springfield MLK Day Celebration: “The Dream is Calling You”  on Focus Springfield TV at 11AM.

 Live stream available here.

Governor Baker to participate “Voices on King” by King Boston at 5:00 PM on TBF.org; 7:25 PM on NBC 10 Boston and NECN

 Live stream available here.

麻州發現第一宗新冠病毒變種個案

(Boston Orange編譯) 麻州公共衛生廳(DPH)1月17日宣佈，麻州出現第一宗新冠病毒變種，B.1.1.7，和英國發現的一樣。

染患變種新冠病毒者在1月初時出現症狀，並檢測確診。依照美國疾病防治局(CDC)訂立的辨識新冠病毒變種監測過程，麻州公共衛生廳把病原樣本送往州外實驗室後，16日傍晚獲悉檢測結果。

患者是一名20多歲，住在波士頓的女生。她才去過英國，回家後次日就病了。去英國前，她的檢測結果是陰性。接觸追蹤者在檢測陽性結果出來後，已訪問過這名女生，也辨識了她的緊密接觸。確認病因後，麻州公共衛生廳人員又再次和她晤談過。

麻州公共衛生實驗室和門診實驗室，以及學術機構合作夥伴一直都在做B.1.1.7變種的監控檢測。監測方式包括陽性新冠病毒樣本一部分的基因測序。

聯邦疾病防治中心已指出，迄今美國境內有14州88宗新冠病毒變種個案。

由於這一變種病毒的傳染性更強，以及其他州及國家已發現的感染個案數，麻州公共衛生廳已預期這變種最終會在麻州發現。降低公共健康危險的方法仍然一樣。個人出外時必須繼續戴口罩，包住面部，保持6英尺的社交據劉，生病了就不要出門，如果有症狀，或是經辨識為確診者的緊密接觸者就要去檢測。

Department of Public Health announces first case of COVID-19 variant confirmed in Massachusetts

1/17/2021

• Department of Public Health

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health today announced that the first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 has been detected in Massachusetts. This is the same variant initially discovered in the United Kingdom. The individual developed symptoms in early January and tested positive for COVID-19. A genetic sample was sent to an out-of-state laboratory as part of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) established surveillance process to identify COVID-19 variants. The State Public Health Laboratory was notified last evening of the results.

The individual is a Boston resident, a female in her 20’s.  She had traveled to the United Kingdom and became ill the day after she returned. She had tested negative prior to leaving the UK. The individual was interviewed by contact tracers at the time the initial positive result was received, and close contacts were identified. She is being re-interviewed by public health officials now that the variant has been identified as the cause of illness.

Surveillance testing for the B.1.1.7 variant has been ongoing at the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory in collaboration with clinical diagnostic laboratories and academic partners. Surveillance consists of genomic sequencing on portions of COVID-19 positive specimens.

To date, the CDC has reported 88 cases from 14 states in the United States.

Given the increased transmissibility of this variant and the number of states and other countries that have found infected cases, the Department expected the variant to arrive in Massachusetts eventually. The public health risk reduction measures remain the same. Individuals must continue to wear masks or face coverings while out in public, maintain 6-foot social distancing, stay home when you are sick, and get tested if you have symptoms or are identified as a close contact.

MAYOR WALSH CELEBRATES PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT CREATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WORKFORCE TRAINING IN BOSTON

MAYOR WALSH CELEBRATES PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT CREATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WORKFORCE TRAINING IN BOSTON  BOSTON - Friday, January 15, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today celebrated the passage of legislation that will provide the City of Boston with more flexibility to leverage the strong development market to fund affordable housing and workforce training programs. Originally introduced by the Mayor as a Home Rule Petition in January 2019, he signed "An Act to Further Leverage Commercial Development to Build Housing, Create Jobs, and Preserve Inclusionary Development" with the support of the City Council in September 2019, and the legislation was sponsored by Representative Kevin Honan at the State House. The legislation was signed by Governor Baker on Thursday, January 14, 2021.  "In Boston we will continue to use every tool that we have to make sure that Boston's strong growth is reaching all of our residents by creating affordable housing and investing in workforce training," said Mayor Walsh. "This historic legislation will strengthen Boston's Inclusionary Development Policy and linkage program, and allow us to continue to leverage millions of dollars in funding for programs that positively impact the lives of Boston's residents. I thank the many advocates, the Boston City Council, and the Legislature for helping us reach this milestone." In December 2019, the Mayor testified at the State House alongside residents and workers in support of the legislation. "This is an incredible opportunity to step up on the production of affordable housing in our City and meet the challenges that have been underscored by the pandemic," said Vanessa Calderon-Rosado, CEO, Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA).  "I'm grateful to the Mayor for his leadership in keeping this measure front and center, and to the State legislature and Governor Baker for taking it through to the finish line.   "The Job Training Alliance is thrilled to be able to collaborate with the City on a re-employment strategy for the many Bostonians who are currently out of work," said Amy Nishman, Senior Vice President of Strategy at JVS. "Job training is an integral service that moves low-income residents into and up in the labor market." "It is important that all our residents are benefitting from the increase in development across the city. With greater flexibility in our linkage fees, we can further leverage a proven resource to meaningfully expand our affordable housing stock," said Chairman Kevin Honan. "This is critical funding for affordable housing and workforce development programs, both of which have become increasingly important during this pandemic." Linkage Updates Boston's Linkage program provides funding for affordable housing and workforce training through payments by large-scale commercial real estate development. While previously, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) was only allowed to adjust Linkage every three years based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the new law will allow Boston to adjust the required payment and program guidelines, including annual adjustments, allowing for Linkage to be more closely aligned with the market and offering additional opportunities for the creation of affordable housing and workforce development. Currently, commercial developments over 100,000 square feet pay $10.81 per square foot, of which $9.03 is for housing and $1.78 is for jobs Linkage. The money collected is made available through competitive funding rounds administered by the Neighborhood Housing Trust and the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development.  Since 2014, new development has generated over $80 million in linkage to support affordable housing and job training, and provided industry-recognized job training to over 2,000 Boston residents annually.  Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Neighborhood Jobs Trust has dedicated $2.4 million to emergency supports for workforce and education programs, as well as specialized job training for workers preparing to enter the IT/tech industry. Since inception in 1986, linkage has produced more than $200 million for affordable housing and workforce training.  Inclusionary Development Policy Updates  The new law will also allow Boston to codify its Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) into the Boston Zoning Code. Under the current policy, IDP requires that developers of buildings with 10 or more units seeking zoning relief or building on City of Boston-owned land set aside a percentage of their on-site units as income-restricted, create off-site income-restricted units, or make a payment to the IDP fund.  As the BPDA completes comprehensive planning in Boston's neighborhoods and updates Boston's existing zoning, more market-rate residential projects may become 'as of right' and be exempt from IDP requirements. The legislation would allow Boston to strengthen its IDP as a strategy to capture affordable housing units and funding from projects which are zoning compliant, expanding the work under Mayor Walsh to create and preserve Boston's affordable housing.  The IDP has led to the creation of 2,917 units of stable, income-restricted housing, and $89.2 million in contributions to the IDP Fund since its inception in 2000. When combined with other affordable housing resources, the IDP has supported the completion or preservation of 1,847 additional units of income-restricted housing. In total, 4,764 income-restricted units have been created through the IDP. Under Mayor Walsh, the BPDA is leading an unprecedented number of planning studies, each guided by Imagine Boston 2030 the first city-wide master plan in 50 years aimed at guiding growth. Currently, there are neighborhood planning studies moving forward in Charlestown, Downtown, Dorchester's Glover's Corner, East Boston, Mattapan, Newmarket and Allston-Brighton's Western Avenue, and since 2014, planning guidelines have been passed for PLAN: JP/Rox, PLAN: South Boston Dorchester Avenue, and PLAN: Nubian Square.  In 2020 alone, new development approved by BPDA is generating 2,826 income-restricted units, over $5.4 million in new Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) funds, over $43.2 million in Linkage fees to support affordable housing, and over $8.5 million in Linkage fees to support job training programs. This legislation will allow the BPDA to further leverage development to increase these streams of funding.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES 2021 DAY OF CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES 2021 DAY OF CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. The City of Boston and Boston University continue the tradition of paying tribute to the life, legacy, and influence of Dr. King. BOSTON - Friday, January 15, 2021 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that, in partnership with Boston University, the City of Boston will present "A Day of Celebration in Honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr" on Monday, January 18, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. The event will be live streamed on both boston.gov and bu.edu, as well as on the City of Boston's cable network (Xfinity: channel 24, RCN: channel 13, and Fios: channel 962.) "Commemorating the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is pivotal to remembering the long history of racial injustice in our country, especially as we strive to achieve equity for all," said Mayor Walsh. "Thank you to Boston University and the New England Conservatory for your partnership in celebrating Dr. King's life and for adapting our annual event to allow us to safely honor this day. I'm proud to invite all Bostonians to mark this important day with us." This year, the City of Boston and Boston University welcome New England Conservatory as a partner in its celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. King. This year's program will spotlight Coretta Scott King, who graduated from New England Conservatory in 1954, and it will feature the works of James Baldwin, who wrote of the resistance movements, dissent and humanity of young people. The event will feature remarks from Mayor Martin J. Walsh, BU President Robert A. Brown and Karen Holmes Ward, and performances by the New England Conservatory.  The event culminates with featured speakers Eddie S. Glaude, the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor and chair of the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University and Ibram X. Kendi, the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University and Director and Founder of the BU Center for Antiracist Research. "On Monday we celebrate Dr. King's legacy and honor his sacrifice. At Boston University we are mindful that as we emerge from COVID-which has affected African-American and Hispanic members of our communities far more than others-we will not, and should not, revert to the old normal," said Boston University President Robert A. Brown. "We must aim to establish new and better conditions and protections for everyone and fight against both prejudice and complacency." "We count it a great privilege to call Coretta Scott King an alumna of NEC, and are thrilled to join Boston University and the City of Boston in honouring the profound work and contributions of Dr. and Mrs. King," said NEC President Andrea Kalyn. "As individuals and as a couple, the Kings lived their commitment to the principles of freedom, equity, and justice, and their belief in the very concept of humanity." In previous years, leaders such as U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley, Beverly Morgan-Welch, Sonia Sanchez, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, Ernest Green of the Little Rock Nine, Judy Richardson of Eyes on the Prize, and civil rights activist and filmmaker Topper Carew served as keynote speakers. Governor Deval Patrick, Chief Justice Roderick Ireland, Boston Poet Laureates Sam Cornish and Danielle Legros Georges, former Orthopaedic Surgeon-in-Chief at Beth Israel Hospital Dr. Augustus White, and WGBH Radio host Eric Jackson are among those who have served as readers in previous years.

Governor Baker Signs ‘Laura’s Law’ (with video)

 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito participated in a ceremonial signing of S.2931, An Act to ensure safe patient access to emergency care.

 Named in memory of Laura Levis, Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito were also joined by Laura’s husband, Pete DeMarco, members of her family, and Senator Pat Jehlen.

 “I signed ‘Laura’s Law’ to safeguard against future tragedies occurring just steps away from hospital emergency departments,” said Governor Baker. “In the wake of her tragic passing, Laura’s husband, Pete, undertook an exhaustive effort to honor her legacy and protect others from similar fates. After months of collaboration and hard work with legislators, including Senator Jehlen and Representative Barber, I am proud to sign Laura’s Law and celebrate her memory in a meaningful way.”

 The new law would implement minimum criteria and standards that ensure safe, timely and accessible patient access to the entrances of Massachusetts hospital emergency departments. These regulations will require that entries must be clearly marked, easily accessible and properly monitored by security when appropriate. Additionally, the Department of Public Health will convene a working group on patient access to hospital emergency rooms or departments to report on and make recommendations to inform these policies. In 2016, Laura Levis died of an asthma attack outside of an area hospital when she was unable to locate an accessible entrance to the emergency room.

參眾兩會宣佈2022麻州財政收入估約301億元

 Heffernan, Rodrigues, Michlewitz, Announce Consensus Revenue Forecast of $30.120 Billion for Fiscal Year 2022

 

Projected state tax revenue growth set at 3.5%

 

BOSTON — Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan, Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael J. Rodrigues, and House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz today announced a consensus revenue forecast for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) of $30.120 billion, representing 3.5% growth in state tax revenue over adjusted Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) projected revenue of $29.090 billion.

 

The adjusted FY21 revenue collections estimate incorporates a $700 million upgrade of projected state tax revenues announced by Secretary Heffernan today, which is based upon current year-to-date revenues and economic data.

 

The consensus revenue forecast is the basis on which the Baker-Polito Administration, the House, and the Senate will build their respective FY22 budget recommendations.

 

Pursuant to Section 5B of Chapter 29 of the General Laws, the three officials above convene every year to establish a joint revenue forecast by January 15th. In addition to conferring with each other, the Secretary and Chairs held a public hearing on December 15, 2020 to receive testimony from the Department of Revenue, the State Treasurer’s Office, the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission, and independent, local economists from area foundations and universities on tax revenue.

 

“The consensus revenue forecast for Fiscal Year 2022 is consistent with the expert testimony offered in December and importantly accounts for updated revenue trends in the current fiscal year,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan. “We appreciate the consistent and thoughtful collaboration of our colleagues in the House and Senate Ways and Means Offices, and look forward to developing spending plans for Fiscal Year 2022 which continue to protect essential government services, fund critical priorities, and maintain financial discipline and responsibility.”

 

“We have worked diligently with our partners in the Administration and the House throughout this pandemic, and the consensus revenue agreement reached today for Fiscal Year 2022 reflects our continued partnership to ensure our Commonwealth remains in sound fiscal health,” said Senate Committee on Ways and Means Chair Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport). “As we develop a budget for Fiscal Year 2022, we will continue to closely monitor tax collections, weigh the fiscal implications of COVID-19, and strive to put forward a budget that maintains fiscal responsibility and protects core essential services for our most vulnerable populations, while building an equitable economic recovery for all.”

 

“After a tumultuous budget cycle over the last few months, this consensus revenue agreement for Fiscal Year 2022 is a modest and responsible forecast that will allow the Commonwealth to continue to provide the services our constituents deserve, while at the same time preserving our fiscal health. Despite the pandemic, our revenue intake continues to be better than anticipated, proving the continued resiliency of the Commonwealth’s economy,” said House Committee on Ways and Means Chair Representative Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston). “I want to thank Chair Rodrigues and Secretary Heffernan for their continued partnership in these challenging times.”

 

Additional details:

 

• Of the forecasted $30.120 billion in FY22 state tax revenues, an estimated $1.516 billion is projected to be capital gains tax revenue, of which $165 million will be transferred to the Stabilization Fund per statute and other long term liability funds for pension and retiree health insurance costs ($16 million).
• The agreement also includes the following statutorily required off-budget transfers that are mandated by current law:
• $3.415 billion transferred to the pension fund, a $300 million increase over the FY21 contribution, which keeps the Commonwealth on schedule to fully fund its pension liability by 2036
• $1.174 billion for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
• $1.014 billion for the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA)
• $25 million for the Workforce Training Fund

 

After $5.628 billion in off-budget transfers, the Secretary and Committee Chairs agree that $24.327 billion will be the maximum amount of tax revenue available for the budget in FY22, absent statutory changes.

 

M.G.L. Chapter 29 Section 7H ½ requires the Secretary and the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means to jointly develop a potential gross state product (PGSP) growth benchmark for the ensuing calendar year. The PGSP growth benchmark is used by the Health Policy Commission to establish the Commonwealth’s health care cost growth benchmark. The three bodies have reached an agreement that the PGSP figure for calendar year 2021 will remain 3.6%. PGSP is a measure of the “full employment” output of the Commonwealth’s economy and reflects long-term trends in the economy rather than fluctuations due to the business cycle and, as a result, is meant to be fairly stable from year to year.

波士頓房屋局補助券安置了1700名兒童

 

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES CITY HOUSES 1,700 CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSTABILITY THROUGH BOSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY VOUCHERS Through city and state partnerships, more than 1,000 Boston area families experiencing homelessness received affordable housing assistance in 2020   BOSTON - Friday, January 15 2021 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today celebrated a significant milestone in the City of Boston's housing work, as the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) has provided housing choice vouchers to more than 1,000 Boston families experiencing homelessness with school aged children, since December 2019. The 1,000 families represent more than 1,700 children who will now have much needed housing stability, an effort made possible through partnerships with Boston Public Schools (BPS) and the state's Department of Housing and Community Development.  "Being able to offer safe and stable housing for families is one of the most important things we can do as a city government, and I am so glad that these students and families all now have a place to call home," said Mayor Walsh. "Homelessness creates barriers for our students to grow, learn, and succeed, which is why these vouchers are critical to our efforts of ending homelessness in Boston." The BHA partnership with BPS and its non-profit partner FamilyAid Boston integrated established partnerships, including the Family Led Stability Pilot, which worked with seven BPS schools to house homeless families in public housing units, as well as Boston Children's Hospital and the Boston Medical Center, which enabled a true continuum of wraparound services, such as housing search assistance, case management, and access to health and behavioral health services. Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, BHA was able to uphold its commitment to provide assistance to homeless BPS families. As part of this process, BHA made operational changes that allowed eligibility determination to be completed remotely with smartphone applications and electronic signatures.  "This is an investment in Boston's future. Stable housing is essential to any effort to empower Boston's students to succeed in school and beyond," BHA Administrator Kate Bennett said. "We're proud that we were able to step in and make a difference at a time when so many families are pushed to their limit." The vouchers expanded the capacity for the BPS network of 175 school-based homeless liaisons, with each school across the district having at least one homeless liaison. Homeless liaisons were able to refer over 700 families through an efficient and easy to access referral process. Also benefiting was the Family Led Stability Pilot (FLSP), a collaborative of four nonprofit organizations and five public sector partners launched in 2018 to address the growing challenge of youth homelessness in Boston schools and demonstrate the positive impact of stable housing on educational outcomes, starting with families connected to seven key BPS schools. The goal is to find homes for 100% of the students needing housing. With the help of BHA, FLSP has housed 75% of students experiencing housing instability at these seven schools. Bolstering the BHA housing vouchers, BPS and its partners have offered a range of complementary services to families during the pandemic. This includes case management and wraparound services provided through its partnership with FamilyAid Boston, as well as distribution of laptops and wireless technology to ensure internet access. BPS secured $150,000 in CARES Act funding, which enabled BPS families to receive financial assistance and enhanced housing search services provided by FamilyAid.  BPS students and families experiencing homelessness receive meal delivery if they reside more than one mile from a pick-up site. Hygiene items and school supplies are also available at BPS meal sites through a partnership with Boston Resiliency Fund grantee Catie's Closet. FamilyAid supplements this service for BPS families participating in the voucher program with their own food delivery program. In addition, FamilyAid leveraged their partnerships with Boston Children's Hospital and the Boston Medical Center to increase access to health care, behavioral health services, and other case management services for participating families. In spring 2020, 80 BPS families experiencing homelessness received financial assistance through a $250 gift card, also made possible by Catie's Closet, while more recently, 50 BPS families received a $200 gift card from Wayfair to purchase a desk or workstation for their children's learning as they move into their new home. "As a child who grew up in public housing, I know firsthand the tremendous importance of stable housing on a child's academic and life outcomes. In the Boston Public Schools we are committed to supporting the health and well-being of our students and families in every way we can, particularly during this challenging time," said BPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius. "This incredible partnership ensures that more Boston children have a safe, stable environment to learn, grow and thrive. I applaud Mayor Walsh, the Boston Housing Authority, and all our city and state colleagues for helping us confront youth homelessness to make permanent, affordable housing accessible to our families." The vouchers allowBoston families experiencing homelessness to seek housing in the private market with a significant rental subsidy. Under the Tenant-Based Housing Choice Voucher Program, families who receive a housing voucher pay 30 percent of their adjusted income for rent, while BHA provides federal funds to the landlord to cover the difference between the tenant share and the Fair Market Rent (FMR). Property owners interested in making their units available to BHA voucher families can list them here.  "This program helped my family to find a good, stable home at a difficult time," said Said Talaa, a parent of two Boston Public School students in East Boston. "These vouchers are a huge lifeline for families like mine." Today's announcement builds on the goals of Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030, the Walsh administration's plan to stabilize the housing market, accommodate growth, improve housing accessibility, and increase affordability. Since the release of the original Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030 plan in 2014, 26,124 new units of housing have been completed. With an additional 9,204 units currently under construction, the City has secured housing for an estimated 52,300 residents, making significant progress in meeting Boston's rapid population growth. Income-restricted housing stock has grown along with overall new production, with nearly 5,500 income restricted units completed and over 1,700 units under construction. Approximately 20 percent of all newly-developed housing units and 25 percent of new rental units in the City are designated as income-restricted. For more information on the City of Boston's work to create more housing, please visit Housing A Changing City: Boston 2030.