G-20習拜要晤談 百人會有話說

            (Boston Orange) 美國總統拜登 (Joe Biden) 和中國國家主席習近平即將於11月15、16日在印尼峇里島舉行的20國峰會中見面，美國的華人組織百人會趕發聲明，呼籲找出共識，減少誤解，為有利世界的解決方案努力。

            百人會會長黃征宇表示，「沒有什麼事是一次會議就可解決的，但這可以是了解每個國家在關鍵議題上的立場，並尋找共識的好開始」。 「美國和中國都面對著諸如食物供應、能源安全、氣候變遷，以及全球和平等的過渡挑戰。這2個國家必須致力減少對彼此的誤會，並努力爭取對世界有利的明確解決方案。

 Statement by Committee of 100 on the Planned Meeting Between

President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping at the G-20 Summit

 
New York, NY (November 13, 2022) -- Committee of 100, a non-profit organization of prominent Chinese Americans, today released the following statement on the eve of the meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and China President Xi Jinping at the G-20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia.
 
“Nothing can be completed in one meeting, but what can start is a better understanding of each country’s position on key issues and the search to find common ground,” said Zhengyu Huang, President of Committee of 100. “The U.S. and China both face transnational challenges such as food supply, energy security, climate change, and global peace. The two countries must work to reduce mutual misunderstandings and strive towards tangible solutions that benefit the world.”

麻州州長查理貝克和波士頓市長吳弭連袂出席波多黎各退伍軍人紀念活動

難得的，麻州州長查理貝克有個和波士頓市長吳弭笑臉相迎的時刻。 (圖片Boston Orange)

            (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 11月11日是美國2022年的退伍軍人日，麻州各城市都有紀念，遊行活動。麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker) 和波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 唯一聯袂出席的是南端波多黎各退伍軍人紀念廣場的誌記儀式。

               CBS， WHDH等電視台分別以「我們不忘記任何一個人 (We don’t forget anybody) 」等標題，強調這是個向保家衛國軍人表達感謝的日子。在南波士頓，還有全美第一個越戰紀念碑。

這是麻州州長查理貝克最後一次以州長身分出席波多黎各退伍軍人協會活動。
。(圖片Boston Orange)

               波士頓市在11月5日已經安排了一場盛大遊行，來慶祝退伍軍人節，從波士頓公共圖書館總館沿著波約斯頓街，經過柯普利廣場，遊行到波士頓廣場，左轉進天滿街   (Tremont)後，在和公園街交界處結束。這天的遊行，波士頓華埠退伍軍人會328分會和波士頓榮光會都扯旗參加了。

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)強調退伍軍人節是個向保家衛國軍人表達感謝的日子。
(圖片Boston Orange)

               11月11日這天，麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker) 在州政府大樓內紀念大堂，先出席他在州長任內最後一次的向退伍軍人致敬活動，波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 則是在波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn，以及波士頓市退伍軍人服務局局長Robert Santiago等人陪同下，先到南波士頓，和來自Fitzgerald外國戰爭退伍軍人會，以及Saint Brigid Parish的退伍軍人們一起遊行。

麻州州長查理貝克等人察看列有吳弭市長名字的紀念碑。
(圖片Boston Orange)

               下午一點，查理貝克和吳弭倆人再雙雙來到南端，位於華盛頓街1440號的波多黎各退伍軍人紀念廣場，和波多黎各退伍軍人之友會一起誌記波多黎各人在捍衛美國上的歷史功勳。他們倆人已至少3次聯袂出席波多黎各退伍軍人會的活動。

               波士頓市長吳弭在11日下午3點，再到華盛頓街2405號的洛士百利Gourdin將軍黑人退伍軍人公園發表紀念活動談話。

波多黎各旗幟和美國籍麻州旗幟一銅飄揚。(圖片Boston Orange)

               11月11日，其實全美各地都有向退伍軍人致敬的活動或遊行。在尚莫維爾市(Somerville)，今年有在全美各地已巡迴40年的流動越戰紀念碑，來到集合廣場 (Assemble Square) 的麻省總醫院 (Mass General Brigham)大草坪上展示。

               昆士市也有從昆士高中走到瑪莉蒙公園 (Merrymount Park)_第二次世界大戰紀念碑的慶祝遊行。

波多黎各退伍軍人廣場的銅像。(圖片Boston Orange)

波士頓退伍軍人服務局局長Robert Santiago。(圖片Boston Orange)

波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn。(圖片Boston Orange)

波士頓市議員Kenzie Bok。(圖片Boston Orange)

波士頓市議員Erin Murphy。(圖片Boston Orange)

波士頓歷史最悠久中餐館九龍餐廳共同創辦人黃陳美蘭辭世

黃陳美蘭。(九龍餐廳臉書截圖)

           (Boston Orange 綜合報導) 波士頓市規模最大，歷史最悠久中餐廳，九龍餐廳的聯合創辦人黃陳美蘭 (Madeline Wong)11月7日辭世，享年95歲。

                       黃家人9日對外公佈了這訊息。

                       黃陳美蘭和2011年辭世的丈夫黃偉炎當年攜手創辦九龍餐廳，成功的把1號公路上，原本是冰淇淋店的一家小小店面，經營成北岸的傳奇景點。波士頓環球報雜誌上個月才刊登了一篇文章，形容著九龍餐廳不但室內有噴泉，棕梠樹，還有1200個座位。

黃陳美蘭和6名子女在九龍餐廳。左一為麻州眾議員黃子安，右一起為麻州亞裔餐飲協會
會長黃子章，黃彩蓮，黃子興，黃彩鳳，黃子良。(九龍餐廳臉書截圖)

                     在九龍餐廳的臉書網頁上，黃陳美蘭是1號公路上標誌性餐廳的女族長。她廢寢忘食的工作，經營餐廳，還能夠找出時間，成為John Hancock壽險公司的最佳銷售經紀，同時養大了6個小孩。

                   黃陳美蘭現年67歲的兒子，麻州亞裔餐飲協會會長黃子章 (Bob Wong)  說，黃家是在1958年時從黃陳美蘭的廣東移民父母那兒，買下這家「華屋 (Mandarin   House) 」，和現在已經擴展成廚藝及文化地標的「九龍餐廳 (Kowloon Restaurant) 」相比，那差異可是天壤地別。

黃陳美蘭和紅襪隊吉祥物合影。(九龍餐廳臉書截圖)

                   和其他5名兄弟姐妹共同擁有九龍餐廳的Bob Wong說，「華屋」最初只有2名員工，他爸爸是廚師，母親負責前台，接外賣訂單，做侍應生。他們的工作時間很長，從開門做到關門，就只是為了在不需要人幫忙下，把生意做起來。

                他說，他母親辛勤工作，把這家不起眼的中餐館，做成了「美國人的成功故事」。他還記得他們幾兄弟姊妹第一次到這餐廳時，看到房間正中有噴泉，他還以為自己是在一個像是迪士尼樂園的地方。他仰頭望向父母問到，「這是誰的地方」?父母說，「哦，我們的」。我簡直不敢相信。

                 黃陳美蘭的兒子說，儘管一天工作16小時，一週7天都工作，黃陳美蘭卻似乎總是精力充沛，今年8月22日，她才慶祝了95歲生日。她就像電池兔寶寶，不斷前進。從早上醒來開始，她就一直忙碌的同時做好幾件事，來來回回的接訂單，送餐，好像永遠不會累似的。

            黃陳美蘭的兒子們說，儘管她總是在工作，我們卻從來沒覺得自己被忽略了。當父母在身邊時，那感覺也總是很溫暖。

                 黃陳美蘭身後遺有6

黃陳美蘭(前左)甜蜜的和丈夫黃偉炎(前右)分享紐英崙華人歷史協會頒發的「遊子獎」。
他倆的子女，(後左起)黃子章、黃彩鳳、黃子安、黃彩蓮、黃子良等人，這天全都到會
祝賀母親得獎。(檔案照片，周菊子攝)

名子女，包括麻州眾議員黃子安，以及黃子章，黃彩鳳、黃子安、黃彩蓮、黃子良，還有15名孫子女，23名曾孫子女。 (本刊2010時曾報導黃陳美蘭獲得紐英崙華人歷史協會遊子獎，https://www.bostonorange.com/2010/10/blog-post_02.html)

麻州州長查理貝克簽署37.6億元經濟發展法案

 Governor Baker Signs $3.76 Billion Economic Development Bill

 

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today signed a $3.76 billion spending plan that promotes economic development, strengthens health and human services, advances clean energy and resiliency, expands affordable housing production and invests in Massachusetts communities, businesses and workers. The legislation signed today includes funding for several proposals introduced by the Baker-Polito Administration in the FORWARD economic development bill filed in April and in multiple supplemental budget proposals, including the most recent proposal from August to close out Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22).

 

“This legislation will make strategic investments in economic development, increase affordable housing production and support our health care system,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We appreciate the Legislature’s efforts to pass this bill which is necessary to invest the Commonwealth’s significant state surplus and time-sensitive federal relief dollars. While I am disappointed that the bill does not include permanent tax relief that is affordable and was supported by our administration and the Legislature, I am pleased that the Commonwealth’s strong financial position allows us to make these critical investments on behalf of our communities.”

 

“This bill addresses a wide range of needs across Massachusetts, from investing in long-term housing affordability to enabling transformational projects in hundreds of cities and towns,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. "This funding will play a crucial role in the continued growth of local economies, businesses and families and we look forward to seeing it put to work."

 

The bill is funded by a combination of state resources, including FY22 surplus revenue, and federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act Fiscal Recovery Fund (ARPA-FRF). Notably, the Governor vetoed an outside section that would cap the use of ARPA-FRF funding to $510 million (of the $2.3 billion that remains available in ARPA-FRF funds). Federal law requires that the entirety of these federal funds be committed by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026. Vetoing this section will allow the Commonwealth to prioritize the use of the time-limited federal dollars.

 

“This legislation will build upon our efforts over the last several years to strategically deploy billions in federal and state funding to bolster the Commonwealth's economy through the pandemic and accelerate recovery,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan. “We appreciate the collaboration of our colleagues in the Legislature on this important bill, which will further support key areas of need, make long-lasting improvements to Massachusetts infrastructure, and invest in local communities across the state.”   

 

Highlights of the bill include:

 

Health and human services

• $850 million in near-term relief for fiscally strained hospitals, human service providers, nursing facilities, rest homes and community health centers
• $200 million to support the Commonwealth’s continued response to and management of COVID-19
• $25 million for low-threshold housing for individuals experiencing homelessness
• $20 million to address the varied needs of immigrants and refugees
• $20 million to combat gun violence
• $20 million for the Victim and Witness Assistance Board
• $17.5 million to support access to reproductive care and family planning services

Education

• $150 million to stabilize early education and care providers
• An additional $315 million transfer to the High-Quality Early Education & Care Affordability Fund via an outside section amending the FY23 budget
• $50 million to support scholarships for Massachusetts students enrolled in higher education nursing programs

Housing production and affordability

• $100 million for workforce housing production
• $100 million for homeownership expansion through the Commonwealth Builder program
• $100 million to support the creation of affordable housing through the Affordable Housing Trust
• $57 million for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
• $50 million for the Equitable Developers’ financing program

Economic development

• $153 million to support a variety of businesses in need across the state, including $75 million for hotels, $45 million for businesses reaching underserved markets, and $40 million for small businesses
• $75 million to support broadband infrastructure and internet access
• Hundreds of local community and economic development projects

Clean energy and environmental infrastructure

• $175 million for investments in publicly-owned green space and environmental infrastructure, including $75 million in environmental justice communities
• $150 million for clean energy initiatives, including transfers to the Clean Energy Investment Fund, Electric Vehicle Adoption Incentive Trust, and Charging Infrastructure Deployment Fund
• $115 million for water quality improvement projects through the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust
• $100 million for improvements to port infrastructure
• $25 million to support food security infrastructure

 

Transportation

• $112 million to support key needs at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), including for implementation of Federal Transit Authority (FTA) directives

 

The Governor signed the large majority of the 271 outside sections included in the bill, including sections that make corrections that will allow for the successful implementation of new tax credits related to offshore wind and the hiring of National Guard members. The Governor also approved policy sections that will improve the operation and effectiveness of the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund and smart growth zoning through an improved Starter Home Zoning chapter of the General Laws. Additional sections will change the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) standing order authority related to COVID-19 testing and treatment and will establish effective and efficient administrative processes through which DPH will manage the licensure and oversight of Registered Sanitarians and Certified Health Officers.

 

Governor Baker returned two outside sections to the Legislature with proposed amendments and vetoed a total of 24 sections.

 

To read the Governor’s signing letter, click here.

 

To read the veto parchment, click here.

 

Attachments:

• Attachment A – Inside Section Vetoes
• Attachment B – Outside Section Vetoes
• Attachment C – Amendment #1
• Attachment D – Amendment #2

麻州民眾通過百萬富翁稅 保住無證移民辦駕照法案

             (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 2022年的麻州大選，有4個選票問題，11月8日的投票結果，和人們預期的差不多，其中最受矚目的1號富人稅，4號無證件移民駕照，和2號的牙科保險問題都通過了，3號的酒牌問題則被人們否決了。

            麻州州務卿威廉蓋文在選前曾說，今年的麻州選舉，人們主要是為選票問題才出席投票的。

            選前正反雙方斥巨資爭取民眾支持，人們暱稱為”百萬富翁稅”的1號選票問題，以52%比48%的差距通過了。

            換言之，從下個年度開始，年收入超過100萬元的麻州居民，得為超過100萬元的那些收入，多申報4%的麻州所得稅。

            麻州目前預算有盈餘，導致麻州政府必須把每一名納稅人所繳2021年稅款的13%，還給納稅人。不過支持這選票問題的人認為，此法通過後估計可籌得15億元，用於改善教育及交通。

            這提案是由勞工工會，社區組織及宗教團體組成的聯盟，「提升麻州 (Raise Up Massachusetts)」推動。企業團體和其他一些人則認為” 附加稅” 將用於教育和交通的形容，完全是誤導用詞。不過麻州最高法院判決該用詞合法，並准許這用詞於11大選中出現在選民面前。

            「麻州公平份額 (Fair Share for Massachusetts)」活動經理Jeron Mariani在一份聲明中表示，「我們做到了有些人認為不可能的事，通過了公平份額修訂案，設立了永久性的公平稅制，為麻州的公立學校，大專院校，道路、橋梁，以及交通系統新增數以億計的新財源。

            2號問題是由齒科矯正醫師Mouhab Rizkallah領頭，花了100萬美元以上推動的牙科保險開支政策，規定牙科保險商須把來自保費營業收入的至少83%，花在病人身上，或是提供退款。在牙科保險領域中，這是前所未有的規定，其他州在這方面也沒有法律規定。這議題的反對者主要是位於波士頓的非牟利組織Delta 牙科保險商(insurer Delta Dental)。開票結果大約為71%對29%。

            3號問題是要從2023年起，把任何人可持有或控制的”全酒牌”數量，從9張減為7張，而包括”全酒牌”和”淡酒及啤酒牌”的混合上限，到2031年時逐漸增加至18張。開票結果是55%對45%，沒有通過。

            包括許多麻州包裝廠協會(Massachusetts Package Store Association)成員的「21世紀酒品零售改革委員會 (The 21st Century Alcohol Retail Reform Committee)」推廣支持這一提案。

           在擴大酒牌數量限制之外，這問題還會禁止人們在自行結帳站點買酒，並允許銷售商藉外州身分識別證，作為針對指控賣酒給青少年”合理辯護”的一部分。

            4號問題是關於准許發給無證件移民駕照的新法令應該保留或廢除。開票結果54%對46%的通過了。從2023年7月1日起，無證件移民只要能像汽車監理處出示外國護照，加上另一州或地區的駕照，出生證明，外國身分證，外國駕照，或來自美國任何一州及區域的結婚、離婚證，就可以申請麻州駕照。

            雖然麻州州長查理貝克否決，但這法案今年依舊通過了，只是仍然一直有爭議。查理貝克在否決書中表示，該新法將增加非公民登記投票的風險。支持者認為該說法誇大其辭，因為用駕照登記來投票，可能面對遣返結果，而通過該法可增加道路安全，並確保駕駛已通過駕駛測驗，有保險和執照。

            杜卡吉斯政府的交通廳廳長，麻州大都市警察長協會，以及米斗簺郡治安官Peter Koutoujian是由說選民留住此法的公眾人物之一。反對此法的活動，大都由麻州共和黨推動。

73 AAPI-Owned Small Businesses Win National ACE Grants of Up to $100,000

Announcing Grant Recipients of AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund: 73 AAPI-Owned Small Businesses Win Grants of Up to $100,000     Grants supported by the Grubhub Community Fund and distributed by National ACE have been awarded to entrepreneurs across the country to boost AAPI small business recovery     CHICAGO and WASHINGTON, DC – Grubhub, a leading food-delivery marketplace, and the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE) announced that 73 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-owned  restaurants have been awarded grants of $25,000, made possible with a grant from the Grubhub Community Fund. In addition, three finalists were awarded $100,000 grants each live on-stage at the AAPISTRONG Annual Conference in September. The AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund is intended to provide relief to AAPI small business owners in the restaurant industry, amidst an extended period of unforeseeable and unprecedented economic and social volatility. In 2022, the restaurant industry has been hit hard with staffing difficulties, supply chain delays, and inventory shortages. Krizzia Yanga, owner of the restaurant Bonifacio said, "From factory shutdowns to a scarcity of commercial truck drivers, COVID has affected not only the prices and supply of domestic products, it also made imported products nearly impossible to acquire. As an AAPI restaurant with ingredients that are imported from the Philippines and other Asian countries, the travel restrictions, staff shortages in the logistics industry, and rising cost of transportations have made it difficult for us to maintain fair prices and stay true to cooking authentic Filipino flavors." Above: Krizzia Yang, Owner, Bonifacio, Columbus, Ohio Bonifacio was one of the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund finalists, and received $100,000 from the fund. "We are the first full-service and longest standing Filipino restaurant in Columbus and while we have made a name for ourselves and introduced many in our community to Filipino food, it continues to to be a challenge to compete with the larger restaurant groups and chains that Columbus is inundated with, especially in a time of increased xenophobia and anti-Asian sentiment." Christy Lang, the owner of Smoove Ice Cream based in New York City said, "We started our business during the pandemic, so unfortunately, we didn’t qualify for any government assistant programs since our operating date was after January 2020.  Tourism has been a big part of the Chinatown small businesses, and with travel restrictions, our business has been hit dramatically in 2020 and 2021. Some big challenges that we are facing currently are inflation, supply chain disruption, and labor shortage." The AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund is here to help restaurants respond to ongoing challenges such as paying employees' wages, expanding operations, or repairing damage to the restaurant caused by discrimination or bias. Another finalist from Hawaii, Robynne Maii, is doing everything she can to combat food insecurity on her island. "We are concerned about food security in Hawaii. If the boats stopped coming to our islands, the state would have about a two week food supply. This is scary and concerning. When we opened Fête, it was important for us to source as many products as we could, locally. 90% of our produce, eggs, meat, poultry, and seafood is sourced locally. By honoring how we source, we send a clear message to our community of where we stand. We support other local businesses to help sustain the economic flow," said Maii. Above: Chef Robynne Maii, Fête, Honolulu, Hawaii These grants are designed to help AAPI-small business owners, their employees, and the communities they serve as they face continued challenges after emerging from the pandemic including inflation, decreased revenue, economic volatility, and labor shortages. They also provide an opportunity for small business owners to give back to and uplift their communities. Roongkant Preechathammarach, a $25,000 grant recipient, shared: "I ended up donating about 500 meals to healthcare workers to various hospitals in Manhattan. I always offer 5 to 7 different opinions out of excitement to share and satisfy all these health care heroes working so hard! This month, we catered a Meals-On-Wheels event held in Tribeca serving 800 people. Above: Roongkant Preechathammarach, owner, Lil Chef Mama, New York, New York A national survey released by National ACE and Reimagine Main Street in May 2022 found that about 40 percent of AAPI respondents lacked confidence to fund an unplanned $5,000 business expense, and over half lacked confidence they could fund the initiatives that would propel their small business to the next level, such as a marketing campaign, increasing payroll, or purchasing property or equipment. "Our AAPI-owned restaurants have experienced severe losses throughout the pandemic and even worse, are victims of hate, discrimination, and bias at their place of business," said Chiling Tong, President and CEO of National ACE. "Grubhub's ongoing commitment to AAPI-owned restaurants is demonstrated by the support they provide annually to National ACE. The contributions from Grubhub and its diners will provide hope for AAPI restaurant owners that have not been listened to or provided for." "Restaurants play a vital role in their communities, and Grubhub is committed to helping them have a positive impact on the people they serve," said Dave Tovar, Grubhub’s senior vice president of Communications & Government Relations. "This grant program, which is made possible through our Grubhub Community Fund, helps alleviate some of the financial strain restaurants have experienced over the last several years – allowing them to market and grow their business and invest in new technologies. We are proud of how our partnership with National ACE for the last two years has helped AAPI-owned restaurants thrive." ### About National ACE National ACE’s mission is to serve as a strong advocate of AAPI business interests and effect positive change on all issues that enhance and advance the goals and aspirations of AAPI business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders. With over 70 affiliate chambers of commerce and minority business organization partners throughout the country, National ACE strives to support and promote issues that impact the AAPI business community by improving economic development and impact, advancing coalitions and enhancing community building, and fostering the next generation of AAPI entrepreneurs and executives. National ACE provides a unified voice for the business interests of AAPIs nationally. Learn more at: www.nationalace.org About Grubhub Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY, NASDAQ: GRUB), a leading global online food delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features more than 320,000 restaurant partners in over 4,000 U.S. cities.