波士頓向管制租金邁步 吳弭宣佈成立23人顧問委員會

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle  Wu) 推動租金管制。(周菊子攝) (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 今 (10) 日宣佈成立23人的「穩定租金顧問委員會 (Rent Stabilization Advisory Committee) 」，在2022年底前將每月開會，研議各種可行方案，找出為穩定租金，保護租戶免於流離失所，兼顧房東需求的兩全其美辦法。 波士頓市計畫在麻州議會的下一會期遞出方案，請麻州議會支持。 吳弭表示，大部分波士頓居民都是租屋而居，如果”我們”不去處理租金上漲正逼使家庭遷出波士頓這趨勢，就是沒有照顧到民眾需求”。吳弭指出，美國有許多州及城市都實施租金管制，波士頓將參考其他城市做法來制定政策。 波士頓市府稱市內居民約65% 波士頓房屋長Sheila Dillon (右)說明波士頓曾經實施過租金管制，後來取消，現在為重提， 是為了保護租屋而居者不至於流離失所。(周菊子攝) 租屋居住，其中一半以上花在租金上的錢，超過月收入的三分之一，以致於很難存錢，居住狀況因而也不穩定。 2020年的人口統計調查也顯示，黑人家庭正在遷離波士頓市，在2010到2020年間，全市的非西班牙裔黑人人口下降了6%。穩定租金是支持租戶的短期辦法，長期來說還是要增加市內可負擔住宅數量。 成立穩定租金顧問委員會是波士頓市朝向吳弭市長最關心議題邁出的一小步。 華人前進會主任陳玉珍(右)表示，收入不高的人得花在租金上的錢，比例比月薪的 三分之一高很多。(周菊子攝) 波士頓市要實現管制租金，必須獲得麻州議會，以及州長的支持。然而麻州在1994年時經選票問題，通過全麻州禁止實施租金控制。近年來多個市鎮有意設立自己的租金規定，也都在麻州議會撞板。波士頓市要實現這目標，還有不少障礙要清除。 批評者認為，租金控制將阻礙民間興建房屋意願，使得房東更不願意花錢整修。也有人認為這將使得不受租金管制的公寓單位更為昂貴。 不過諸如加州，奧勒岡州，和大波士頓這些租金昂貴地區，都在推動加強保護租戶的行動。 由於租金管制爭議頗多，美國境內現有大約37州立法禁止管制租金，但紐約，新澤西，加州，馬里蘭州及奧勒岡州等5州和哥倫比亞特區都有租金管制。其中加州及奧勒岡州，只在特定城市實施此法。華府，舊金山及洛杉磯境內有大約一半的出租房屋有租金管制。 波士頓市長吳弭和波士頓房屋長Sheila Dillon今日宣佈的「穩定租金顧問委員會 」，23名成員包括華人前進會行政主任陳玉珍，大波士頓法律事務援助處資深律師Lauren Song，哈佛大學住宅研究聯合中心執行主任Chris Herbert，聯邦房住局(HUD)租戶聯盟執行主任Michael Kane，麻州社區發展公司協會董事長Joe Kriesberg，麻州住宅前鋒(Housing Forward MA)執行主任Josh Zakim等人，訂4月召開第一次會議。 部分委員會委員出席發言。(周菊子攝) MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES MEMBERS OF RENT STABILIZATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Committee will examine successful rent stabilization programs in other cities and consider measures to stop displacement of Boston families and protect tenants

 

BOSTON - Thursday, March 10, 2022 - Building upon her commitment to protect Boston renters, today Mayor Michelle Wu announced a Rent Stabilization Advisory Committee made up of housing advocates, developers, tenants, and other stakeholders. The advisory committee members will study local housing conditions as well as the structure and outcomes of rent stabilization programs in other cities. They will be tasked with making recommendations to the Mayor and the Mayor’s Office of Housing on strategies to stabilize Boston rents and protect tenants from displacement. The committee will meet throughout 2022 with the goal of shaping a proposal for the next state legislative session.  “Cities across the country use rent stabilization as one tool among many to protect tenants and keep families in their homes,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “The majority of Boston residents and families are renters. If we aren’t willing to take on the rent increases that are driving families out of Boston, then we aren’t meeting the needs of our neighborhoods. I thank the broad group of stakeholders, including advocates, tenants, and developers, who are willing to roll up their sleeves to reimagine what’s possible.”  Rent stabilization measures in cities across the United States empower municipalities to set certain limits on annual rent increases for existing tenants, and may also include other tenant protections. These approaches promote the preservation of mixed-income neighborhoods and prevent renters from being pushed out of their communities.     “As an organizer fighting for a housing market that lets people move when they want, where they want, not when they have to, I am pleased to be a part of this committee,” said Beyazmin Jimenez, Abundant Housing Massachusetts Board President. “I look forward to working with the other members of this committee to explore ways that the City can create more accessible housing in our communities.”  “Having worked with previous Boston mayors on planning and affordable housing policy, I’m looking forward to being able to serve the new administration and offer my expertise to shape the conversation around rent stabilization,” said Curtis Kemeny, CEO and President of Boston Residential Group. “This is a step in the right direction, and I am confident that the City will work to ensure a thoughtful, inclusive, and balanced policy that works for all residents.”  Almost 65% of Bostonians are renters, and more than half of them spend more than 30% of their monthly income on rent, leaving them struggling to save and vulnerable to housing instability. The 2020 Census also made clear that Black families are leaving the city, with the non-Hispanic Black population citywide falling by over 6% between 2010-2020. Rent stabilization is one of many tools to support renters in the short term, alongside longer-term measures that can be used to tackle housing supply and affordability.  The work of this committee would complement the work of the Office of Housing Stability. The Office of Housing Stability helps tenants in housing crises due to fire, natural disaster, eviction, or condemnation with the goal of putting residents on the path to housing stability. Its efforts include launching tenants' rights clinics for those who are not able to come to City Hall during business hours; offering low- and no-cost mediation and dispute resolution for landlords and tenants; launching the Housing Court Navigator, which provides legal advice for tenants; launching the Landlord Incentive program, which offers financial backing for landlords renting to formerly unhoused people; and creating Boston's first-ever online guide to evictions, designed to assist tenants in every phase of a potential eviction proceeding.   Rent stabilization would complement Mayor Wu’s other initiatives to address Boston’s housing affordability, including the Transfer Fee and Senior Property Tax Exemption Home Rule Petition, and her commitment to update the City’s commercial linkage fee and Inclusionary Development Policies. She is also highlighting the importance of Housing by renaming the Department of Neighborhood Development as the Mayor’s Office of Housing, and bringing a new focus on equity by signing an Executive Order relative to affirmatively furthering fair housing.    This Advisory Committee will convene monthly to hear from experts on different rent stabilization models and City officials from the Mayor’s Office of Housing and the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) on local rental market conditions. The committee will also hold community listening sessions throughout the process to hear community perspectives on housing affordability challenges and potential solutions. The first community listening session will be held virtually on April 19th, and the public can RSVP here to attend.  Rent Stabilization Advisory Committee Members:   ·       Emma Anderson, Boston Teachers Union member ·       Kathy Brown, Coordinator at Boston Tenant Coalition  ·       Joe Byrne, Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters ·       Karen Chen, Executive Director at Chinese Progressive Association ·       Filaine Deronnette, Vice President of Health Systems for 1199 SEIU ·       Emilio Dorcely, CEO of Urban Edge ·       Dermot Doyne, Local landlord and business owner  ·       Chris Herbert, Managing Director of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies  ·       Beyazmin Jimenez, Abundant Housing Massachusetts Board President  ·       Michael Kane, Executive Director at HUD Tenant Alliance ·       Brian Kavoogian, Managing Director of National Development ·       Curtis Kemeny, CEO and President of Boston Residential Group ·       Joe Kriesberg, President of Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations ·       Denise Matthews-Turner, Co-Executive Director at City Life Vida Urbana ·       Lisa Owens, Executive Director at Hyams Foundation ·       Jeanne Pinado, Vice President of Capital Markets at Colliers International ·       Mimi Ramos, Executive Director at New England United for Justice ·       Megan Sandel, Associate Professor of Pediatric Medicine at Boston University ·       Chanda Smart, CEO at Onyx ·       Lauren Song, Senior Attorney at Greater Boston Legal Services ·       Justin Steil, Associate Professor of Law and Urban Planning, MIT ·       Carolyn Villers, Executive Director at Mass Senior Action ·       Josh Zakim, Founder and Executive Director at Housing Forward MA

六大工會支持 Maura Healey 選州長

 Sixth Major Union Endorses Maura Healey For Governor

MOSES, Teamsters Local 25, Mass Laborers, IBEW 103, Boston Carmen and NAGE represent 71,900 workers across New England

Maura Healey. ( File photo by Chutze Chou_)

BOSTON – Unions representing more than 71,900 workers across New England have endorsed Maura Healey’s campaign for Governor after the Massachusetts Organization of State Engineers & Scientists announced their support today.

MOSES joins Teamsters Local 25, the Massachusetts and Northern New England Laborers’ District Council, IBEW Local 103, the Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589 and the National Association of Government Employees in supporting Healey for Governor. 

“Building an economy where everyone can thrive, and creating more opportunities for economic mobility and stability for families, starts with supporting our workers,” said Maura Healey. “Our state faces major challenges and opportunities when it comes to investments in expanding workforce development opportunities, infrastructure, transportation and housing. Our labor unions are key to this and I’m proud to have their support and to be a partner in how our state moves forward. I’m honored to have the support of MOSES, Teamsters Local 25, Mass Laborers, IBEW 103, Boston Carmen and NAGE, and I look forward to working alongside them to build a stronger, more equitable Massachusetts.”

"MOSES is proud to endorse Maura Healey for Governor,” said Patrick Russell, MOSES President. “She's been a strong partner for years – from blocking environmental rollbacks, to her tireless efforts to enforce our wage laws, to protecting our collective bargaining rights. We know, as Governor, Maura will continue to serve the people of the Commonwealth with great distinction.

“Maura Healey has a long history of working with our union and fighting for our members,” said General President-Elect Sean M. O’Brien of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. “During these challenging times, Massachusetts needs a strong, tested leader who will put people over politics while also leveraging our competitive advantage to protect and create jobs. Maura is a champion for our members who isn’t afraid to fight greedy corporations who refuse to respect workers. Teamsters Local 25 was the first union to endorse Maura Healey for Governor, and we’re proud to support her.” 

“As the People’s Lawyer, Maura Healey stood with Massachusetts workers – combating wage theft, empowering workers to know their rights, and stopping efforts by the federal government to roll back worker protections,” said Joseph Bonfiglio, Business Manager of the Massachusetts and Northern New England Laborers District Council. “The Massachusetts Laborers are proud to endorse her for Governor, and we look forward to continuing to work together to protect the rights and wellbeing of Massachusetts workers.”

"Maura Healey has been a strong advocate for working people for a long time and she has proven that she can take on tough fights and win for our communities and our members,” said IBEW Local 103 Business Manager/Financial Secretary Lou Antonellis. “She shares our core values of economic justice and equality and she has worked hard to advance those values. She knows our issues, she fights for our issues and she delivers on those issues! We are proud to endorse her for governor and will work very hard to see to it that she wins in November. We are grateful that she took the time to visit our union’s training center and meet with many of our apprentices today.”

“As a champion for working families, Maura Healey has tackled every kind of injustice, from systemic racism in the workplace to marriage inequality,” said Jim Evers, President of the Boston Carmen’s Local 589. “She plans to continue that track record in the top office by tackling the high costs of living and investing in a robust public transit system across the Commonwealth. That’s why Boston Carmen’s Local 589 is proud to stand with Maura Healey for Governor of Massachusetts.”

“As a labor union, we are always looking to endorse candidates whose actions support our members,” said NAGE National President David J. Holway. “As Attorney General, Maura Healey has never wavered in her commitment to working people, and we are confident that this will continue in her work as Governor. We are proud to endorse her as the next Governor.”

美國居民每戶可再免費索取一盒四份新冠病毒檢測劑

            (Boston Orange)  麻州公共衛生廳 (MPH) 9日在推特上提醒麻州居民，本週起，美國境內每戶人家都有資格再索取一盒四份居家新冠病毒檢測劑。

            索取免費檢測劑的網址為https://www.covidtests.gov/。

            根據網站說明，美國境內每戶人家都有資格免費索取2盒居家新冠病毒檢測劑， 一盒有四份檢測劑，二盒就有八份。如果民眾在這消息之前，已索取一套，現在可以填表索取第二盒。

             若需要協助，可撥打電話 1-800-232-0233。電傳打字(TTY)號碼為1-888-720-7489。

              麻州3月9日的新冠病毒數據為新增確診個案775宗，累計已有154萬6685人感染過新冠病毒，現有280人因新冠病毒住院，46人住在重症病房，20人插管。新增28人死亡，累計已有22944人因染患新冠病毒死亡。

波士頓市訂4月1日起新冠解封

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓整理報導) 波士頓市從4月1日起解禁，脫離自2020年3月15日起的新冠病毒緊急狀況。

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)，波士頓市公共衛生委員會委員暨公共衛生委員會行政主任Bisola Ojikutu，今 (9)日傍晚在波士頓健康委員會 (Boston Board of Health)投票支持Ojikutu的建議後，做此宣佈。

吳弭表示，在過渡進下一階段，和新冠病毒共存之際，波士頓市將把重心放在提供檢測，資源，以及保持社區安全及準備的計畫上。

Ojikutu建議廢除新冠病毒緊急命令是基於波士頓的社區確診率，每日成人新冠病毒住院率，重症病房佔用率等新冠病毒指標持續有改善。截至3月7日，社區確診率為2.2%，和一月份尖峰時期的32%相比，大幅下降。每日成人住院率也從今年1月中尖峰時期的769人，穩定下降至94。重症病房佔用率也持續低於委員會訂定的95%門檻。

                 波士頓健康委員會在會議中也為波士頓公校建議了做取消學校戴口罩規定時可參考的框架。

                   波士頓公共衛生局 (BPHC)傳染病局的 Sarimer Sánchez 博士建議學校可以把波士頓市每10萬名居民的每日確診案例低於10宗，做為衡量戴口罩政策的指標。波士頓市目前的每日個案數約為每10萬居民有13宗。

                是否修訂學校的戴口罩規定將由波士頓公校決定。

CITY OF BOSTON’S COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARATION TO END APRIL 1

BOSTON—Wednesday, March 9, 2022— Mayor Michelle Wu and Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission, today announced Boston’s COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration will end on April 1, 2022. The announcement follows a vote by the Boston Board of Health during their Wednesday meeting following the recommendation of Dr. Ojikutu. The Emergency Declaration has been in place since March 15, 2020.   “Today’s announcement is a testament to how Boston came together in a historically challenging time to lift up public health and community,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As we transition to this next phase of living with COVID, we will focus on providing the testing, resources, and planning to keep our communities safe and prepared.” “While the City of Boston is no longer in a state of emergency, we must continue to protect our most vulnerable residents and prepare for the future,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu. “Now is the time for us to use all of the lessons learned from the pandemic, strengthen community partnerships, develop stronger public health infrastructure, and ensure an equitable recovery for all.” Dr. Ojikutu’s recommendation to rescind the order is based on the City’s consistently improving core COVID-19 metrics, including community positivity, daily adult COVID-19 hospitalizations, and occupied ICU beds. As of March 7, the community positivity rate is 2.2%, down from a peak of 32% in early January. Daily adult hospitalizations have also steadily declined and are now down to 94 after peaking at 769 in mid-January. The percentage of occupied ICU beds has been consistently below the Commission’s 95% threshold of concern over the last few weeks. During their meeting, Boston Public Health Commission officials provided a recommended framework for Boston Public Schools to use in determining when to lift the school masking requirement. Dr. Sarimer Sánchez from BPHC’s Infectious Diseases Bureau advised reviewing the school masking policy when the number of positive COVID-19 tests per day in Boston falls below 10 cases per day per 100,000 residents while considering other COVID-19 metrics. BPHC is also encouraging development of “mask friendly” policies for students and staff and increasing access to vaccines in school communities. The current COVID-19 daily case incidence is approximately 13 cases per 100,000 residents in Boston. The final decision on revising the school mask policy will be made by Boston Public Schools.  The consistently improving metrics also mean the City of Boston and the Boston Public Health Commission can shift their focus to longer-term planning and preparedness efforts, developing a roadmap to handle future surges and pandemics, while continuing to support ongoing efforts to increase access to vaccinations and testing. The Boston Public Health Commission declared a state of emergency at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a decision made in consultation with infectious disease and public health emergency preparedness experts at the Commission as well as the City and other emergency preparedness, public health, and healthcare experts. The Declaration was instrumental in Boston establishing an incident command structure and deploying staff and resources to perform crisis response and healthcare coordination functions throughout the pandemic.   “Based on the data, it is clear to the Board that the emergency declaration is no longer necessary,” said Manny Lopes, Chair of the Boston Board of Health. “I am proud to have worked with Mayor Wu and Dr. Ojikutu, who led with science and made the hard but necessary decisions that kept our city safe and on the path to a much brighter future. The Board looks forward to our continued partnership with the City as we monitor the pandemic and help guide the city toward recovery.” Despite lower case numbers, BPHC cautions residents that COVID-19 is still transmissible, and can result in severe illness and hospitalization, especially for the city’s most vulnerable residents. The Commission recommends residents protect themselves and those around them by getting vaccinated, boosted, and wearing masks indoors if they are at high risk for severe illness or if they will be around individuals who are. There are many people in Boston who are vulnerable to COVID-19, including individuals who are immunocompromised, seniors, and those who are unvaccinated, including young children. Wearing a well-fitting mask or respirator while indoors minimizes your risk of getting infected with COVID-19 and spreading it to others. Face coverings are still required on public transportation and at transportation hubs, Boston Public Schools, health care settings, congregate care facilities, emergency shelter programs, and correctional facilities.

麻州最高法院9日聆聽安樂死議題

        (Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州最高法院今(9)日聆訊，進一步考慮是否准許由醫事人員輔助的「安樂死」。

一名患有癌症20多年的退休醫生，Roger Kligler正在用他的退休金來支持病人的「安樂死」權益。

住在Falmouth的Kligler患有第四期轉移性前列腺癌，已兩度被告知病入末期，但他迄今仍活著。他說，如果疼痛讓他無法忍受，他希望能用藥結束自己的生命。他眼見過母親，岳父死得很可怕，他不希望自己也那樣死去。

麻州最高法院9日聆聽Kligler要求麻州醫療輔助死亡除罪化的提案。這案件吸引了麻州及全美殘障人士權益團體，宗教人士的關注。

有些團體遞交了簡報，聲稱這是健康，道德，及醫藥及殘障權益問題，該由人們做民主辯論，不該由法院做決定。

一名高等法院法官在2019年12月時駁回了這一訴訟，結論是這醫療輔助死亡應由議會決定。

目前，全美有10個州，以及華府特區 (DC)，允許醫生開藥中止病人的生命。奧勒岡州是第一個允許這種做法的州，並經由選民投票通過後，1997年開始生效。

蒙他拿州 (Montana)是唯一經由司法裁決，而不是經由議會或選民投票來合法化醫療輔助死亡的州。

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $2.8 Million from Mass. Manufacturing Innovation Initiative

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $2.8 Million from Mass. Manufacturing Innovation Initiative

 

Supports Infrastructure Investments at Three Homegrown Manufacturers – Lawrence’s 99Degrees Custom, Belmont’s Soliyarn, and Walpole’s Human Systems Integration (H.S.I.) Over $80 Million Invested in Manufacturers Statewide through M2I2

 

LAWRENCE – Tuesday, March 8, 2022 – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $2.8 million in new infrastructure grants through the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative or M2I2 to three growing manufacturers. The three grants were announced by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy during an event at 99Degrees Custom in Lawrence, a 375-employee manufacturer of tech-integrated apparel, which received nearly $1.1 million in new state support. Grants were also awarded to Soliyarn, a maker of smart textiles based in Belmont, and to Human Systems Integration (H.S.I.), a wearable technology company headquartered in Walpole.   The three awards highlight the Commonwealth’s strength in innovative textiles, an advanced manufacturing sector targeted by the M2I2 program and a sector that the Commonwealth has played a leadership role in over the last two centuries.   “These three grantees are developing technical apparel used in medical and military applications, ‘smart’ products that provide enhanced protection from the elements but also provide enhanced functionality,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Through this support, they have the opportunity to enhance their ability to compete in markets across the U.S. and the globe.”   “Since its launch in 2016, M2I2 has impacted over 150 companies across the state and created hundreds of jobs at manufacturers like these,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “For these three grantees, the addition of new tools will help them grow their businesses, add jobs, and bring new products to market, further boosting our economy and growing our manufacturing sector.”   The M2I2 program, co-managed by the Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) at the MassTech Collaborative and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, aims to foster and grow sectors such as this to spur innovation and job growth within the state through cross-collaboration among companies, universities, national labs, government, incubators, accelerators, and other academic and training institutions. To date, the program has invested over $80 million in direct grants to growing companies, universities, and research labs across the state.   “Through the M2I2 program, we identify manufacturers that can leverage state funding to drive future growth, allowing them to become more efficient, more competitive, and more responsive to customer needs,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “For 99Degrees, Soliyarn, and H.S.I., these grants will help fuel the development of new products and drive corporate expansion, while simultaneously creating more high-skilled jobs and more innovative ‘Made in Mass’ products in the marketplace.”   The three awarded projects, totaling $2,838,375, include: · 99Degrees Custom, Lawrence, Mass., $1,088,375 for the project, “Integrated Apparel Innovation Center:” 99Degrees incubates, designs for manufacture, and produces technical performance activewear and wearable technology-integrated apparel for medical device, technology, and apparel retail companies. The Integrated Apparel Innovation Center at their facility will include a rapid prototyping center for apparel and technology-integrated apparel products, as well as an equipment R&D lab to design, develop and build the tooling and machinery needed to incubate and scale the production of advanced concept apparel and wearable technologies. This industry-led innovation center will ensure that the ideas coming out of the Commonwealth’s labs, academic institutions, research centers, and technologies companies are able to be designed for manufacture, piloted, and produced at-scale in Massachusetts. · Soliyarn, Belmont, Mass., $1,500,000 for an expansion project to build a manufacturing facility with scalable CVD Roll-to-Roll System for Conductive & PFC free DWR textiles. This project will complete a manufacturing facility with a scalable chemical vapor deposition (CVD) roll-to-roll system for conductive and durable water repellent (DWR) textiles that are free of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs). The objective is to expand the manufacturing capabilities and commercialize the technology by designing and building a roll-to-roll system of CVD chambers that will allow Soliyarn to produce bolts of conductive and DWR fabric. This higher throughput roll-to-roll machine, and other ancillary supporting elements, are required to meet identified military needs and the exploding market demand for these types of fabrics.   · Human Systems Integration (H.S.I.), Walpole, Mass., $250,000 for the project Critical Manufacturing, Assembly, and Integration of Garment-Embedded, Textile Electronics Elements.  The objective of this project is to develop a new garment-embedded, wearable electronics platform that will be configurable during manufacturing to any desired product application. This program represents an opportunity for HSI, plus their current and emerging industry partners in Massachusetts, to establish a garment-embedded electronics supply chain for multiple products, applications, and markets. This initial Heated Apparel product offers a stepping stone to the development and deployment of an exciting garment-embedded electronics product category. This is the second M2I2 grant to H.S.I., following a nearly $1.5 million award announced in October 2019. The Baker-Polito Administration has committed more than $100 million in funding to the M2I2 effort, which allows the Commonwealth to co-invest in projects supported by the national Manufacturing USA initiative, helping promote innovation and job growth across the state. The three grantees have also received support from the Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) national manufacturing institute based in Cambridge. "Our strong manufacturing sector and involvement with companies through programs like M2I2 was a key reason why Massachusetts was quickly able to address the negative supply issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ben Linville-Engler, Chief Investment Strategist at the MassTech Collaborative. “The Commonwealth’s engagement with manufacturers and partnership with key R&D facilities, made it much easier to help textile manufacturers and others pivot to produce millions of masks, gowns, and face shields that were in high-demand at that time because that trust and collaboration already existed. These investment programs have created a strong foundation that have led to these manufacturing success stories that we intend to continue to build on.” In addition to the $80 million directly invested in Massachusetts organizations, M2I2 has leveraged over $250 million in funding from outside sources, helping to enable the development of over 100 new products. In addition to infrastructure investments, the program has also created workforce training opportunities for thousands of students and workers statewide.  "I want to congratulate 99Degrees for being awarded a Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2) Grant to help launch their Integrated Apparel Innovation Center,” said Senator Barry Finegold. “Investments in programs like M2I2 are critical to support economic and career growth in Lawrence and other Gateway Cities. I’m proud to see that Massachusetts continues to be a hub for innovative and emerging technologies.” "Human Systems Integration is a national leader in wearable technologies and manufacturing innovation right here in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Paul Feeney.  “The funding received by HSI in East Walpole will continue to support the company’s cutting-edge products while supporting the skilled workforce that makes this innovation possible. I am thrilled that HSI will continue to benefit from the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2) Program, and I thank the Baker Administration and the leadership at HSI for their ongoing commitment to manufacturing here in the Commonwealth.” "For more than three centuries, manufacturing along the Neponset River in East Walpole has been on the cutting edge of innovation,” said Representative John Rogers. “Human Systems Integration, Inc. (HSI) has continued this legacy.  I am pleased that this state funding will continue to incentivize technological and economic growth in our region and excited to see the new state of the art products this business will create.” Manufacturers with facilities in Massachusetts can learn more about funding opportunities through the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and the M2I2 program at https://cam.masstech.org/. ### About the Mass. Center for Advanced Manufacturing at MassTech The mission of the Massachusetts Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) is to foster the most complete, collaborative, and agile manufacturing ecosystem, to enable business growth from innovation through production. The CAM is a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), a public economic development agency tasked with supporting business formation and growth in the Commonwealth’s tech and innovation sectors. CAM provides a path for manufacturing growth through a connected, accessible ecosystem that supports innovation, workforce development and a business friendly environment. CAM managed programs include the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2), the MassBridge manufacturing training program, and the mamanufacturing.com portal. Learn more at https://cam.masstech.org/

Quincy Restoration Project at Butler’s Pond Nears Completion

Restoration Project at Butler’s Pond Nears Completion

QUINCY, MA – March 9, 2022

Mayor Thomas Koch announced that the restoration project at Butler’s Pond is nearing completion.  The City launched a program to enhance this local wetland, home to a variety of native wildlife and a vital component of neighborhood drainage. 

The pond had been deteriorating over the years as sediment and contaminants built up in the pond.  The changing chemistry in the pond choked out healthy plants and reduced its habitat value.  Algae blooms and phragmite also helped choke off the pond’s vitality.

In April 2021, Quincy City Council unanimously approved Mayor Koch’s request for $1.4M in funding for the dredging of 3,900 cubic yards of sediment from Butler’s Pond and the construction of a gravel stormwater treatment wetland at the north end of the pond.

The City’s contractor, Luciano’s Excavation Inc. of Taunton, broke ground on the project in September 2021. The dredging portion of the project is now complete, and the pond’s natural depth has been restored, which will strengthen its function as a stormwater retention basin, as well as improve water and habitat quality via the removal of decades worth of accumulated sediment. The construction of the gravel stormwater treatment wetland is ongoing. The purpose of the constructed wetland is to filter out sediments and pollutants flowing to the pond via stormwater runoff, which will help preserve the benefits of the dredging for decades to come. The wetland and pond perimeter will then be re-vegetated with native plants to prevent bank erosion and restore the balance of the pond’s ecosystem.

“I am extremely grateful for the strong neighborhood leadership and support from the Friends of Butlers Pond through the years,” said Mayor Koch.  “It is through citizen commitment and involvement that we can all contribute to a better community.  They helped keep this project on the radar and the completion of this project would not have been likely without their advocacy.”

“The Butler’s Pond project is a wonderful example of what strong teamwork can accomplish. Between working with the Friends of Butler’s Pond to gain community support, earning the unanimous support of Quincy’s City Council, teaming up with the New England Herpetological Society and the New England Wildlife Center to protect the pond’s turtles, and coordinating with the Luciano’s team and our project engineer at ESS Group, I am proud to call this project a huge success,” said Julie Sullivan, the City’s Environmental Scientist and Butler’s Pond project manager.

To find out more about the Butler’s Pond restoration project, please contact Quincy’s Environmental Scientist Julie Sullivan at (617) 376-1287 or via email at juliannesullivan@quincyma.gov.

AIR FORCE VETS REPS LIEU AND HOULAHAN URGE USAF TO GIVE UKRAINE WEAPONS SYSTEMS

 AIR FORCE VETS REPS LIEU AND HOULAHAN URGE USAF TO GIVE UKRAINE WEAPONS SYSTEMS

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) urged the United States Air Force to immediately explore providing Ukraine with U.S. weapons systems. The Members, who are both U.S. Air Force veterans, wrote a letter to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall outlining how the Air Force can support Ukraine as it defends its democracy. By providing weapons systems like A-10s and drones, the United States can help Ukraine in the airpower arena as Ukraine’s valiant military fights Russia’s aggression.

In the letter, the Members write:

Dear Secretary Kendall,

We write to thank you for your service during this challenging time and to raise our concerns about the current situation in Ukraine. The resolve and ability of the Ukrainian military, along with an apparent lack of preparedness on the part of the Russian military, have upended expectations of a brief conflict. The Russians are reportedly recruiting Syrians with urban combat experience to fight in cities in Ukraine, demonstrating that the Russian military understands this could be a protracted military engagement. The President of Ukraine recently informed Congress that the main weakness of the Ukrainian military is a lack of airpower. We are therefore requesting the Air Force immediately explore transferring U.S. weapons systems to Ukraine to level the battlespace.

We both served in the Air Force and understand the lethality of our weapons systems. These platforms can help reduce the airpower disadvantage of the Ukrainian military. It is our understanding some Ukrainian pilots, through prior exchange programs, can fly the A-10, which was designed to destroy tanks and armored vehicles. The Air Force also has sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Our various UAVs can provide surveillance, target acquisition, and drop ordnance. We sincerely hope our NATO allies will provide Soviet-made jets to the Ukrainian military in the coming days. If that does not happen, the Air Force should consider the transfer of F-16 directly to the Ukrainian military.

This process is not as simple as merely providing the equipment -- some of these Air Force weapons systems will require training. It will take around two to three months to train Ukrainian pilots and ground crews on the F-16. It may take less time to train the Ukrainians how to use our UAVs. As for the A-10s, however, as noted above, some Ukrainian pilots may have already flown them, providing for a much shorter delay from transmission to utility. Furthermore, the A-10 is a legacy system that the Air Force has consistently attempted to retire in recent years but has been repeatedly denied by certain members of Congress. This is an opportunity to remove outdated systems from our arsenal and support an ally in desperate need at the same time.

While we strongly urge you to begin the process of transferring any and all weapons systems the Ukrainians need, we ask that you prioritize systems like the A-10 that can be put to immediate use. We don’t doubt that members of the Ukrainian military will be highly motivated to learn how to use different systems as quickly as possible while they fight for their lives. But while they get up to speed, they still need to be able to protect and defend their loved ones and their homeland.

The U.S. has already provided lethal Javelins and Stingers to the Ukrainian military to destroy Russian vehicles and aircraft. There is no principled distinction between a member of the Ukrainian military destroying a Russian tank with a Javelin or from an A-10. In addition, the mere fact that the Air Force is planning for the possibility of sending different weapons platforms to Ukraine sends the signal to Vladimir Putin that the U.S. will not back down, whether this is a quick war or a long war.

We understand that it will be logistically difficult to provide weapons systems such as the A-10 to the Ukrainian military, and that there will be critics who say the Ukrainian military can’t handle these systems. But challenging logistics or skeptical critics haven’t stopped us from doing the right thing before, and they shouldn’t now. We understand that what we are asking you to do is not easy. But with the survival of a democratic Ukraine at stake, we’re sure you’d agree that we have little other choice.

Thank you in advance for strongly considering our request. We stand ready to offer any and all assistance Congress can provide in this endeavor.

Sincerely,

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES ALIESHA PORCENA AS DIRECTOR OF SMALL BUSINESS

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES ALIESHA PORCENA AS DIRECTOR OF SMALL BUSINESS

BOSTON - Wednesday, March 9, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu announced today that Aliesha Porcena will serve as the new Director of Small Business for the City of Boston.  Porcena most recently served as the Director of Growth, Equity & Impact at Interise, a national economic development nonprofit focused on closing the racial wealth gap through small business growth. Much of her work focused on business development and working closely with the Small Business Administration to deliver programming across the country.  "Our small businesses uplift families across our neighborhoods, serve as cultural hubs for neighborhoods, and drive Boston’s economy," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "I'm excited for Aliesha's leadership to support all of our small businesses as we continue to take steps in our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and use all of our city's resources to build wealth and opportunity in every community." “Aliesha’s role at Interise and experience in business development will make her a great asset to our small business community,” said Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. “As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, Aliesha and her team will continue to support our small businesses and help to keep their doors open.”  Porcena’s experience in strategic growth and partnership development in new and existing markets will be important in ensuring that we meet the priorities of the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion — continued support to our small business community and activating spaces across our neighborhoods.  In this role, she oversees direct services and programming that supports over 40,000 small businesses. In partnership with Boston's small business community, Porcena helps build an inclusive, equitable, and accessible economy that works for all residents. “I am deeply honored to serve in Mayor Wu's administration as Director of Small Business in the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion under Chief Idowu, ” said Aliesha Porcena. “As a native of Boston and proud daughter of Haitian immigrants, I know first hand the power of creating an inclusive economy. Our small businesses are a source of strength and community for our residents. I am excited to serve the City of Boston at a pivotal time and work in partnership to help our small businesses thrive in today's economy.”  Porcena holds a Masters of Arts in Public Policy from Tufts University, and was a Neighborhood Fellow. She graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and International Affairs. The proud daughter of Haitian immigrants, Porcena is a lifelong Boston native currently residing in Dorchester. In service to her community, she is active on the board of Girls LEAP and with the Cummings Foundation.

Statement from Committee of 100 on the Recent Hate Crimes Directed at Asian Women in New York City

 Statement from Committee of 100 on the Recent Hate Crimes

Directed at Asian Women in New York City 

 
New York, New York (March 9, 2022) – In response to the recent string of horrific hate crimes directed at Asian American women in New York City, Committee of 100, a non-profit U.S. leadership organization of prominent Chinese Americans, issued the following statement: 
 
“We at the Committee of 100 are extremely saddened and concerned by the continued violence and harassment against the Asian American community, including the recent attacks in New York City against Asian American women. We are heartbroken and outraged by these horrific incidents, and once again call on our elected officials, law enforcement, and responsible media to immediately address racism, discrimination, and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with actionable and concrete results. 
 
A recent study* by the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) found that 74% of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women reported experiencing racism and/or discrimination over the last twelve months, and 62% of all reported hate incidents nationwide come from AAPI women. For centuries, Asian American women have been the target of racist, sexist, and misogynistic treatment – and it must end now.
 
As an organization headquartered in New York, these recent attacks against Asian American women are particularly hurtful. The violence and rhetoric against minority communities across the U.S. is unacceptable. Hate has no place in our society.” 

波士頓公校面臨州政府接管危機?

                (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 「開拓者研究院 (Pioneer Institute) 」3月7日發表報告，稱波士頓公校長期表現不佳，建議麻州政府接管波士頓公校系統。波士頓公校支持者質疑接管建議源於學校私有化風潮。

麻州中小學教育局2020年2月公佈評估報告時，發現有34所波士頓學校的學生，在麻州標準考試 (MCAS) 中的分數，位列最低的10%。波士頓市公校總監Brenda Casselius和麻州中小學教育局於是簽署備忘錄，隨後，麻州撥款400萬元，波士頓前市長馬丁華殊 (Martin Walsh) 也在2021年增撥100萬元給波士頓公校，聘請了41名指導教練，48名社工，以及33名家庭聯絡員。一年後，波士頓公校也確實有改善。但是麻州中小學教育委員會委員Matt Hills在2021年9月時，仍然建議麻州政府接管波士頓公校。

開拓者研究院資深學者Cara Candal在她撰寫的「波士頓公立學校的接管之路 (“The Boston Public Schools’ Road to Receivership.”)」這篇報告中，引述麻州中小學教育局的2020年報告，稱依照成果評估，波士頓公校有三分之一位列全州最差的10%，但在全美100個最大學區的每名學生支出上，波士頓公校卻名列第2。

                麻州中小學教育局報告列出的重點之一為波士頓公校領導層不穩定，加上最近宣佈預定6月30日離任的現任波士頓公校總監Brenda Cassellius在內，7年內波士頓公校更換了5名公校總監。

             此外，波士頓公校系統在交受基本讀寫技能上，方法不連貫，在缺乏聯繫將不可避免地導致成果差勁的情況下，沒有問責辦法。

             波士頓公校的註冊入學人數，過去10年減少了8000人，2021年秋又再減少2000人。黑人學生過去3年來的註冊入學率減少了8%。

該報告認為，許多年來，波士頓公校招生率都未達標，由於學校經費是依註冊入學人數發放，波士頓公校得額外撥款給註冊人數不足學校，以確保這些學校有足夠預算來提供基本服務。在2022會計年度中，多達四分之三的波士頓公校獲得這樣的經費，約等於3300萬元。另外，在2018會計年度中，波士頓公校的每名學生支出比全麻州的平均數高43%，波士頓市公校教師的平均薪資，比麻州的平均薪資高27%。這些數據都顯示波士頓公校管理層不願意做艱難決定。

Cara Candal建議，改善波士頓公校的首要之務是深度評估波士頓公校中央辦公室的人事配置，以期波士頓公校即將獲得歷史性的聯邦政府新冠病毒紓困款，4億3千多萬元，能夠得到妥善運用。

根據波士頓公校網站上的2019-2020數據，波士頓公校系統共有125所學校，53,094名學生，其中西班牙裔42.5%，黑人33%，白人14%，亞裔9%，其他1.5%。波士頓公校教師在2020會計年度有4403人，若加上其他教職員，共10380人，比2019會計年度增加了189人。

教師及輔導員的人口地理結構為黑人21.5%，白人59.7%，西班牙人10.7%，亞裔6.2%，其他2%。

住在波士頓市內的學齡兒童，約有76,500人，其中約30%不在波士頓公立學校就讀。

根據波士頓公校的歷任公校總監記錄，應該是從2012年卸任的Carol R. Johnson起算，包括代理公校總監在內，波士頓市有過5名公校總監，依序為代理的John P. McDonough (2012-2015)，正式的張欽棠 (Tommy Chang，2015-2018)，代理的Laura Perille (2018-2019)，以及正式的Brenda Cassellius(May 2019-)。」

根據麻州法令，長年表現不佳的學區將在中小學教育委員會指派一名接收者後，接管所有的公校總監及學校委員會權力，並直接向麻州中小學教育局局長Jeffrey Riley匯報。

麻州羅倫斯市 (Lawrency)公校系統就是一個接管案例。麻州政府從2011年接管迄今，Jeffrey Riley在該校實施了個人化的輔導，延長了上課天數，並在學校假日期間都開放學習。

麻州政府接管的公校系統還有Holyoke，以及Southbridge，依序已各接管6年及5年。麻州政府在波士頓公校系統內，也已經接管了Holland和Dever這2所學校，分別交由非牟利機構「藍圖 (Blue Print)」和「教育網 (Education Network)」管理。

不過，波士頓公校總監 Brenda Cassellius 表示，波士頓公校學區一直在不斷改善，退學率才減少了2%，畢業率也創歷史新高，去年高達78.8%。

根據波士頓公校年報，波士頓公校的退學率從2019年的3.9%降至2020年的2%，意味著退學人數減少了283。

波士頓公校支持者，波士頓教育公平聯盟成員Lisa Green告訴波士頓前鋒報 (Boston Herald)，開拓者研究院建議接管，不只是對波士頓公校現狀有如耳聾一般，更是對才以79%比率支持學校委員會改為民選的波士頓選民們的侮辱。她也質疑，這是否學校私有化風潮催生出的行動。

波士頓黃氏宗親會頒獎學金 表揚35名優秀子弟

波士頓黃氏宗親會頒發獎學金，共35名子弟得獎。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓黃氏宗親會3月6日在華埠必珠街會址頒發獎學金，表揚35名學業成績優異宗親子弟，鼓勵他們進一步了解黃氏家族傳統，宗親會歷史，多到會址參加宗親會活動。

黃氏宗親們在頒獎典禮前，先在五樓開說明會。(周菊子攝)

              在頒獎典禮前，主席黃偉健，黃氏宗親會中文書記黃光野，外交黃鷹立等獎學金委員會成員分別致詞。

黃偉健說明，黃氏源於江夏，移民來美，定居波士頓的宗親們，大多數來自廣東，胼手胝足，改善生活之餘，還注重教育，鼓勵子女向學，汲取知識，光耀門楣。他感謝得獎的宗親子弟們努力讀書，祝福他們將來更上一層樓。

波士頓黃氏宗親會美東總長黃仁宇 (右一)夫婦，陪同雙胞胎孫子經智 (左)，經勇(右)領獎。
(周菊子攝)

                    黃光野說明，今年共有35名宗親子弟得獎，12人出席領獎。獎學金的評選，由委員會審核，決定，由於黃國瀚獎學金的資助，部分得獎者可得到較高額度獎學金。每星期日下午，青年醒獅團在會址練習，歡迎宗親子弟參加，學習舞獅。

黃鷹立給每一名得獎宗親子弟，派發了一份2015年全美黃氏宗親懇親會在波士頓舉行時，波士頓黃氏宗親會印製的一份介紹冊，簡述波士頓黃氏宗親會成立於1912年，黃氏在中國百家姓內排位第96，在波士頓是會址最大的姓氏宗親會等概況，鼓勵宗親子弟將來多到宗親會走動。

黃琦琦，黃志穎，黃瑤瑤等一家3兄妹(中)領獎學金，左起黃氏公所主席黃光沐，
全美黃氏元老團主席黃國威，黃健宇太太，黃氏公所主席黃偉健，全美黃氏美東總長
黃仁宇同賀。(周菊子攝)

               黃氏宗親會每年以一萬元為約數，發100到500元給學習成績優異者。為紀念前主席黃國瀚，該會另設有每年撥款1500元的獎學金。今年獲得獎學金的子弟，1-6年級，9-12年級，大學的1-4年級，各有9人得獎，7-8年級有8人。

                   黃氏宗親會在頒獎時，特地安排得獎學生拍領獎照之外，還要和父母、家人合影，和宗親會主席黃光沐、黃偉健，全美黃氏總長黃仁宇，全美黃氏元老團主席黃國威合影，以強調傳承、培養宗親子弟的家族觀念及感情。

頒獎典禮結束後，黃氏宗親為製造氣氛，特備紅包一份，資助黃氏婦女部運作，由黃氏婦女部主席黃周麗桃代表接受。(更新版)

黃氏宗親會為感謝婦女部籌辦獎學金頒獎典禮有功，送上一封大紅包，由黃氏婦女部主任
黃周麗桃(中)代表領取。兩名黃氏主席黃偉健(右一)，黃光沐(左一)，和全美黃氏美東總長
黃仁宇(右二)，黃周麗桃的丈夫黃國麟，開懷合影留念。(周菊子攝)