波士頓慈濟人文學校慶兔年 小朋友猜謎功力超強博讚嘆

                                            

波士頓慈濟人文學校校長彭淑敏(左一)請波士頓經文處處長孫儉元右二)、僑教中心主任潘昭榮(右一)，頒發獎狀給通過兒童華語文測驗
的學生們。 (周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓慈濟人文學校以「慈悲行善福滿門、智慧處事德傳家」為主題，

波士頓慈濟人文學校校長彭淑敏(右一起)請波士頓經文處處長孫儉元、僑教中心主任潘昭榮
2位嘉賓出席春節聯歡會。 (周菊子攝)

1月22日在貝德福 (Bedford)高中，分表演，新年民俗及文化，闔家團圓飯等3個環節，盛大舉辦春節聯歡活動，逾百人攜家帶眷來到，過了一個非常充實的早上。

             在校長彭淑敏，以及幼幼班到9年級師生，慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處的通力合作下，一整個早上的活動非常豐富。

幼幼班及幼大班小朋友表演。 (周菊子攝)

              聯歡會由陳裕逢扮的財神來到會場報喜，拉開序幕，成人班舞獅後，彭淑敏校長致詞，接著應邀到會的嘉賓，駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元致詞、拜年，再放映一段慈濟行腳全球大藏經，讓出席活動的人了解慈濟動態。

              慈濟人文學校這天也藉家長、師生齊聚的機會，頒獎表揚該校通過兒童華語文能力測驗的學生，並請波士頓經文處處長孫儉元頒發獎狀，共有萌芽級10人，成長級22人，茁壯級5人。

表演活動主要為演唱，有幼幼班和幼大班的「恭喜、恭喜」，一年級的「捲花炮」，二年級的「新年咚咚鏘」，另外有4名同學自彈自唱的「Show &Tell」，以級8年級同學報晨間訊息的短片。表演節目部分的最高潮為7

7年級高鄭傑老師的妻女，蔡佩姍和高翊齊主持「猜燈謎」遊戲。 (周菊子攝)

年級高鄭傑老師的妻女，蔡佩姍和高翊齊主持的「猜燈謎」。一個個的「一山還有一山高」，「半個月亮」，「狗吃青草」等謎題，場中小朋友競相搶答，有時給出的答案，讓人捧腹而笑，有時則讓人驚呼，那麼快就想到答案，大家全都笑得十分開心。

司儀魏寧、廖子恆等8年級學生擔任這次年會所有環節的主持人。 (周菊子攝)

校長彭淑敏和副校長齊明君接著請出席眾人一同祈禱，點心燈，發證嚴上人準備的福慧紅包，請善心人士把捐款竹筒送回「娘家」。

表演活動後，出席聯歡會群眾從貝德福高中禮堂移步到體育館，逐個逛慈濟志工們準備的剪紙、寫春聯，做燈籠，搓湯圓，包水餃，展示白蘿蔔、金元寶、橘子、鳳梨等年貨，抽幸運籤，麻將尋字，象棋測字等攤位，給人機會認識傳統的農曆新年文化及習俗，感受一下年節氣氛。

校長彭淑敏和教務主任柳品貝表示，今年是新冠病毒疫情以來，第一次舉辦實體活動，包括司儀魏寧、廖子恆在內，所有節目都由8年級老師郭靜如的學生們來當主持人，希望他們學以致用，也為低年級同學起到模範作用。

當天的春節聯歡會最後在強調推廣素食的「闔家團圓飯」中落幕。

陳裕逢這天扮財神，為聯歡會開幕後，再到文化廣場展示年節習俗。右為七年級老師高正傑

表演活動結束後，全體出席者點心燈。 (周菊子攝)

波士頓慈濟人文學校校長彭淑敏 (右)和教務主任柳品貝(左)指出今年的慶祝新春活動，
全由8年級學生當主持人。 (周菊子攝)

波士頓慈濟人文學校學生家長黃湘霏在文化展示環節中，負責竹筒回娘家攤位。 (周菊子攝)

波士頓慈濟人文學校慶新春，請各年級老師上台說祝福話。 (周菊子攝)

麻州參眾議會財政委員會主席連袂宣佈估計2024會計年度稅收404億元

Gorzkowicz, Rodrigues, Michlewitz, Announce Consensus Revenue Forecast of $40.410 Billion for Fiscal Year 2024

Baseline state tax revenue growth projected at 1.6%

BOSTON — Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew J. Gorzkowicz, Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael J. Rodrigues, and House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz today agreed on a consensus revenue forecast for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) of $40.410 billion, a 1.6% increase in state tax revenue over adjusted Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) projected revenue. In addition, the agreement also estimates an additional $1 billion will be available in FY24 to support new education and transportation initiatives in line with the requirements of the new 4% surtax approved by ballot initiative in November 2022.

 An increase to the FY23 state tax revenue estimate was also announced by Secretary Gorzkowicz today, increasing the forecast by $151 million to $39.768 billion, based on current year-to-date revenues and economic data. The Secretary and Chairs also reached agreement to utilize $100 million in FY23 to fully pay down pension liabilities attributable to the 2015 Early Retirement Incentive Program (ERIP) ahead of the previously established pension schedule, which would have seen these additional liabilities fully amortized in Fiscal Year 2027.   

"The Fiscal Year 2024 consensus revenue forecast lays the groundwork for a fiscally responsible FY24 spending plan that supports core services for residents and makes meaningful and sustainable progress in addressing the varied needs and issues facing the Commonwealth. More importantly, the additional surtax revenue will allow for significant new investments in transportation and education that will make the Commonwealth more competitive, affordable, and equitable," said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. "I want to thank Chair Rodrigues, Chair Michlewitz, and the Ways and Means teams for their close collaboration as we developed this budget baseline and took the additional step of making a fiscally prudent investment of available FY23 resources to reduce future pension liabilities." 

"This consensus revenue agreement for Fiscal Year 2024 provides a strong foundation for the Legislature and the Healey-Driscoll administration to develop a forward looking FY24 budget plan that upholds fiscal responsibility and meets the critical needs of our communities. Reflecting our commitment to taxpayers and respecting the will of the voters, this agreement also includes an estimated $1 billion in new Fair Share surtax revenue to support investments in new education and transportation initiatives, while utilizing available resources to fully pay down pension liabilities attributable to the 2015 Early Retirement Incentive Program,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "I want to thank Chair Michlewitz and Secretary Gorzkowicz for their collaboration, partnership and commitment to prioritizing the long-term fiscal health and well-being of our Commonwealth. With this agreement, Massachusetts is well positioned to confront an uncertain economic future and ensure continued stability.”  

“This Fiscal Year 2024 consensus revenue figure will allow the Legislature and the Healey-Driscoll administration to collectively construct a reasonable and appropriate budget for the upcoming fiscal year. By basing the budget on a judicious consensus revenue figure, the Commonwealth will be able to make the necessary investments that our constituents deserve, while at the same time enhancing the state’s fiscal health. The agreement also includes a projection for the additional surtax from the Fair Share amendment that passed last year that will lead to at least $1 billion in further investments into our education and transportation systems,” said House Committee on Ways and Means Chair Representative Aaron Michlewitz (D Boston). “I want to thank Chair Rodrigues and Secretary Gorzkowicz for their partnership in working to reach this agreement. I look forward to continuing to work closely with both of them as we work towards a final budget for fiscal year 2024.” 

The consensus revenue forecast is the basis on which the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the House, and the Senate will build their respective FY24 budget recommendations. Pursuant to Section 5B of Chapter 29 of the General Laws, the three officials convene every year to establish a joint revenue forecast. This process was informed by testimony given by the Department of Revenue, the State Treasurer’s Office, and independent, local economists from area foundations and universities during a public hearing held by the Secretary and Chairs on January 24, 2023.  

Of the forecasted $40.410 billion in FY24 state tax revenues, an estimated $2.063 billion is projected to be capital gains tax revenue, of which, per statute, $583 million will be transferred to the Stabilization Fund and other long term liability funds for pension and retiree health insurance costs.  

The agreement also includes several off-budget transfers that are mandated by current law, including: 

• $4.105 billion to be transferred to the pension fund, a $361 million increase over the FY23 contribution that keeps the Commonwealth on schedule to fully fund its pension liability by 2036 

• $1.463 billion to support the operations of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), an increase of $138 million over the FY23 budgeted contribution  

• $1.303 billion for the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), an increase of $138 million over the FY23 budgeted contribution, which will support school construction projects across the Commonwealth  

• $27 million for the Workforce Training Fund to support the Commonwealth’s workforce and business productivity and competitiveness 

The Secretary and the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means also determined the potential gross state product (PGSP) growth benchmark for calendar year 2023, as required by M.G.L. Chapter 29 Section 7H ½. The PGSP growth benchmark informs the Commonwealth’s health care cost growth benchmark, established by the Health Policy Commission each year. The three bodies have reached agreement that the PGSP figure for calendar year 2023 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.

波士頓市長吳弭提案結束市區更新法 修計畫發展局章程

MAYOR WU SUBMITS HOME RULE PETITION TO END URBAN RENEWAL  Proposal will protect ability to preserve affordable housing and implement future climate resilience measures, modernize BPDA charter

 

BOSTON - Monday, January 30, 2023 - Mayor Michelle Wu today submitted to the City Council a proposed Home Rule Petition to end Urban Renewal in Boston. If approved by the City Council, the Home Rule Petition would be sent to the State House for approval by the Massachusetts legislature. The proposed legislation would create new tools to meet future needs such as climate change resilience infrastructure, and retain the Boston Planning & Development Agency’s (BPDA) ability to enforce restrictions that protect community assets, such as affordable housing and open space. The proposal will also update the statutory mission of the BPDA by establishing a new charter for advancing resilience, affordability, and equity. Mayor Wu today also submitted an order to the City Council requesting a two-year extension of remaining Urban Renewal plans to allow time for legislative approval of the Home Rule Petition.   Urban Renewal The proposed Act would end the ability to make land takings based on blighted, decadent, or substandard conditions in the City.  It also entitles the agency to enforce any conditions and restrictions in existing plans that protect important community benefits such as affordable housing, open space, and community uses.  New Charter The legislation directs the BPDA to prepare and implement plans that address three key planning principles: 1) resiliency, including climate change mitigation and adaptation; 2) affordability, including the creation and retention of affordable housing and support for local businesses; and 3) equity, in the form of community development plans that ensure the equitable distribution of benefits derived from development in the City, and redress historical inequitable policies that may have led to inequities in the City’s growth. The legislation would require that all plans be approved by the mayor.  Modernizing the BPDA Since 2016, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) has been the operating name of two legal entities: the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) and the Economic Development and Industrial Corporation (EDIC) of Boston. This legislation will simplify Boston’s quasi-governmental entity by abolishing the BRA and EDIC and transferring the powers and duties of those entities into a new, singular entity named the BPDA. As Mayor Wu announced in her 2023 State of the City address, the quasi-governmental entity, which will be named the the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) legally upon passage of this legislation, is envisioned to be staffed by City employees who work for a City Planning & Design Department and report to the Chief of Planning. The migration of current BPDA staff to this new City department will take place over the next 1 to 2 years.  Temporary Urban Renewal Extension The Order submitted today, which requires approval of the City Council, the BPDA Board, and the Commonwealth’s Department of Housing and Community Development, extends protections on 12 existing Urban Renewal plan areas beyond the current sunset date of March 31, 2023. The extension will guard land use protections currently in place and give time for the Home Rule Petition to pass. Once passed, the temporary extensions will remain in place through March 31, 2025, or until passage of the proposed Home Rule Petition.  Executive Order on New Direction for Planning and Development In her 2023 State of the City last week, Mayor Wu announced a new direction for planning and development that ensures resilience, affordability and equity goals guide the City’s growth. Today, Mayor Wu also issued an Executive Order to ensure that direction. The Executive Order directs the BPDA to invest in reforming Boston’s zoning code and to prioritize community engagement in that planning work. It also directs the Chief of Planning to create a coastal resilience delivery team responsible for preparing Boston for sea level rise and directs the BPDA to use its portfolio of property to advance the City of Boston’s priorities. The Executive Order also instructs the BPDA to use its existing powers to act in accordance with the Home Rule Petition filed today.

麻州長提案追加預算2億8200萬元 資助緊急庇護及食物需求

Healey-Driscoll Administration Files $282 Million Supplemental Budget  

Bill proposes funding for immediate emergency shelter needs and food security 

 

                                                              

From left, Senate President Karen Spika, Governor Maura Healey, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll,
House Speaker Ron Mariano speak after their close door discussion over the
 supplement budget. (Photo by Chutze Chou)

BOSTON – Today the Healey-Driscoll Administration filed a $282 million gross / $154 million net Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) supplemental budget to address urgent needs across the state’s family emergency shelter system, which is at capacity and facing significantly elevated levels of demand by families facing homelessness, and to extend two food security programs that will soon run out of funding.  

“Our administration is committed to ensuring that families in Massachusetts have access to the shelter, health care, education, food assistance and other services they need, and that our communities have the resources to provide them,” said Governor Healey. “The bill that we’re filing today would extend urgently needed funding for several critical programs – Emergency Assistance, universal school meals and SNAP – to continue to provide these services. We look forward to working closely with our partners in Legislature to meet this moment and deliver for the people of Massachusetts.” 

“Frontline providers and advocacy organizations have been doing heroic work to provide for families arriving in Massachusetts, but they need continued funding and support. Governor Healey and I are committed to working in close partnership with them to secure this needed funding and continue supporting our immigrant and refugee communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “Through this bill, we’re also seeking to infuse more funding to programs that make sure kids don’t go hungry at school and to help families afford their groceries. These are essential programs that must be maintained.” 

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to providing safe temporary shelter to families facing homelessness, and the funding in this legislation will allow DHCD and other agencies to make urgently needed investments in shelter infrastructure, the provider workforce, and the communities who have welcomed these families,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “This supplemental budget will also provide resources needed to ensure the continuity of important food security programs that thousands of Massachusetts residents rely upon to feed their families. We look forward to working with the Legislature and other stakeholders as we all address these immediate needs.”  

The bill proposes $85 million to support the Emergency Assistance program and other necessary services for eligible families in need of emergency shelter in the Commonwealth. With the shelter system currently at capacity, $64.9 million of this funding would support the Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) efforts to expand the number of units available to provide safe, temporary shelter to vulnerable families facing homelessness. This includes investments in housing infrastructure and the shelter provider workforce that helps to stabilize and rehouse families. Based on current caseload projections, more than 1,100 shelter units over baseline capacity are needed, and the funds in this bill are critically needed to keep pace with this demand. 

The bill also proposes $21.9 million to support schools through the end of the 2023-2024 school year. The funding is targeted toward the communities experiencing a large influx of families with school-aged children due to state shelter placements – in particular, by providing financial support to schools and school districts for the costs associated with placing new students in local schools. This bill also includes funding to maintain a temporary central intake center where families can receive timely case management services and health assessments during their first few days in shelter and for costs associated with other necessary health assessments and immigration-focused case management.  

The funding to support emergency shelters and related services would be authorized for DHCD as well as other agencies that play a role in responding to this crisis, and would work in combination with a $20 million appropriation in the economic development bill enacted in November 2022.  

“The Commonwealth's Emergency Assistance program provides vital support for families in crisis who need housing stability and enables the Commonwealth to meet its statutory requirements as a right-to-shelter state,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “With the additional resources from this legislation, we can continue our work in partnership with providers and non-profits to meet the increased needs of the shelter system and support families across the Commonwealth.”  

The bill filed today also proposes $130 million to create an offramp from the federal extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a benefit that the federal government began providing to SNAP recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic and recently announced would end in March 2023. To bridge the abrupt end of this program for more than 630,000 Massachusetts families, the Administration proposes providing a supplemental SNAP allotment to recipients equal to 40% of the previous federal benefit for three months. Additionally, $2 million of this funding would be dedicated to reimbursing certain victims of SNAP benefit theft, also known as “skimming.” This initiative would be supported by repurposed enhanced federal Medicaid reimbursements, resulting in an approximately net $0 cost to the Commonwealth. 

“The extra COVID SNAP benefits have provided critical support for individuals and families to buy food, and have also indirectly supported our local grocery stores and farmers,” said Acting Health and Human Services Secretary Mary A. Beckman. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration is aiming to be a leader among states in providing households with an offramp to the abrupt end of these extra benefits and will continue to be a food security leader through systemic initiatives like this.” 

“Schools across the Commonwealth play a vital role in our communities beyond educating students. Our schools welcome homeless students throughout the school year and provide warm, supportive environments for the young people and their families. Our schools also serve as an important source of nutritious meals for kids of all income levels,” said Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. “The funding included in this supplemental budget is essential to ensuring those supports will continue throughout this school year for our students and families.” 

Finally, this bill includes $65 million to extend the universal school meals pilot program through the end of the 2022-2023 school year, as was intended when included in the FY23 operating budget. This program allows all K-12 students in Massachusetts to qualify for free school meals. Without the additional funding in this bill, the program will have depleted its appropriation in March, before the end of the school year.  

Read the Governor’s supplemental budget filing letter here and the bill here.  

City of Boston Funding update, Jan. 30th, 2023

 

The Funding Update

Click Here to Subscribe FEDERAL GRANTS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 3/7/2023 Adult Reentry Program. Up to $400,000/year for 5 years max. Centers for Disease Control, 3/15/2023 Drug-Free Communities - for community-based coalitions addressing youth substance use that have not previously received a DFC grant. Max award: $125,000. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, 3/21/2023 Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals. $5M max.                        Department of Justice, 3/21/2023 BJA Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program to reduce criminal justice system involvement. Max award: $550,000. Department of Justice, 3/1/2023 BJA Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Site-based Program. Samples of previous, successful applications. Max award: $7M. Department of Agriculture, 3/27/2023 Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production - Planning and Implementation grants ranging from $50,000 to $350,000. National Institute of Justice, 4/10/2023 W.E.B. Du Bois Research Program: Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Justice System Department of Justice, 4/24/2023 BJA Connect and Protect: Law Enforcement Behavioral Health Response. Planning + Implementation grants. Max $550,000. Department of Justice, 4/25/2023 NIJ FY23 Graduate Research Fellowship. Max award: $166,500. ANNOUNCEMENTS DOE Launches $10M Prize to Accelerate Solar in Underrepresented Communities National Community Solar Partnership initiatives support the deployment of equitable community solar projects and recognized projects exemplifying best practices in community solar. Community solar allows any household to access the benefits of renewable energy, with an emphasis on those that cannot access rooftop solar. Administration for Community Living Awards $125M in Grants For Vaccination Programs for Older Adults and People with Disabilities These programs will distribute funding and leverage partnerships across the aging and disability networks to host community vaccine clinics, provide in-home vaccinations, provide transportation to vaccination sites, conduct outreach and education to older adults and disabled people, and more.   SYSTEM FOR AWARDS MANAGEMENT UPDATE: In April 2022, the federal government transitioned from the use of the DUNS Number to a new SAM.gov Unique Entity ID (UEI), which is required to apply for and receive federal awards.  For more information, go to the FAQ page at SAM.gov. Federal funding opportunities are continuously updated on grants.gov STATE GRANTS Executive Office of Public Safety and Security + Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 2/17/2023 Safer Schools and Communities Initiative. $150,000 max. Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise Support Grants. $1M max. Deadline: 3/10/2023 Equity Workforce Training Implementation Grants. $1.2 million max. Deadline: 3/20/2023. New This Week Office of Economic Empowerment, 2/17/2023 Financial Education Innovation Fund Grant. $5000 for seed funds to start a new program. Department of Developmental Services, 2/27/2023 DDS seeks an organization that supports and promotes self-advocacy and self-determination for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Commonwealth. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, 3/2/2023 Food Security Infrastructure Scroll down to "Important Links" on CommBUYS to see Newly Posted Bids. CITY OF BOSTON GRANTS Public Facilities Department through Mayor’s Office of Housing, 2/24/2023 Grow Boston Capacity-Building Program. New This Week Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement, 2/8/2023 Access to Immigration Services. Awards range: $10,000 to $125,000. Public Facilities Department, 2/13/2023 Requesting statements of qualifications for Design Services - Dorchester Community Center. Boston Public Health Commission, 2/20/2023 Building Bicycle Helmet Equity. Office of Workforce Development, 2/27/2023 Seeking marketing consultant services.   Bids are updated continuously on the City of Boston Supplier Portal. FOUNDATION GRANTS NEA Foundation, Quarterly through 9/15/2023 Funding Categories: Envision Equity, Student Success, Learning & Leadership.  https://www.neafoundation.org/educator- Healthcare For All, 2/2/2023 Grants of $15,000 to $20,000 will support events and activities organized and led by organizations for approximately 4 months of work on MassHealth Redetermination.  The Funders Network, 2/7/2023 Partners for Places: collaborative partnerships between a local government sustainability or water department, frontline community partner, and place-based funder. Awards range: $75,000 to $180,000 Borealis Philanthropy, 2/8/2023 Grassroots organizing. $50,000 per year for 3 years.  Hello Alice, 2/24/2023 Sage and the BOSS Network have partnered to provide $10,000 grants and mentorship opportunities to support Black women entrepreneurs. Create a membership profile to access this and other funding opportunities for small businesses. Arch Community Fund, 2/28/2023 Grassroots organizing strategies. AccessLex Institute, 3/1/2023 Diversity Pathway Intervention for law school: $200,000 to $300,000. Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA Foundation, 3/2/2023 Special initiatives grants: up to $50,000. Third Wave Fund, 3/7/2023 Mobilize Power Fund provides time-sensitive support for gender justice organizations. $10,000 max.  Doctors Company Foundation, 3/14/2023 Patient safety education and research. AARP, 3/15/2023 Community Challenge grant categories: Flagship ($500 - $50,000); Capacity-Building ($2500);  Demonstration ($10,000 - $50,000). Community Development Finance Agency + Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 10/10/2023 Minority Capital Loan Guarantee Program  TD Bank, 2/14/2023 Housing for Everyone: Grants to nonprofits focused on creating more affordable rental options. Check the Funding Update Archives for back issues with open deadlines. THE RESOURCE TABLE  Boston Saves - January Incentive Boston Public Schools families: Log in to the Savings Center for the first time by January 31, 2023 and earn an extra $25 for your child’s savings account. Nonprofit Event Toolkit Courtesy of Charity Engine Annual Report Template Courtesy of Funraise Tell Your Story for Max Fundraising Impact Courtesy of Candid. Updated US Census Survey Data 2017–2021 Pro Bono General Corporate Legal Advice for Qualified Massachusetts Nonprofits Courtesy of Lawyers Clearinghouse Webinars on Budgeting Courtesy of Nonprofit Finance Fund   Daily Updates from the City of Boston News, Resources, Applications, Permits, Jobs, Events and more!