TREASURER DEBORAH GOLDBERG RELEASES PROGRESS REPORT ON FINANCIAL LITERACY IN MASSACHUSETTS

TREASURER DEBORAH GOLDBERG RELEASES PROGRESS REPORT ON

FINANCIAL LITERACY IN MASSACHUSETTS

BOSTON, MA ­­ Treasurer Goldberg unveiled a one year progress report on her Office of Economic Empowerment’s financial education initiatives. The review highlighted the advancements resulting from the 2015 Financial Literacy Task Force Report. The Task Force consisted of a diverse group of policymakers, educators, bankers and advocates, and convened last year to develop an action plan for Massachusetts residents to have access to the financial skills they need to attain economic stability. The report culminated with the release of 22 recommendations aimed at empowering

Massachusetts residents with the understanding of how to plan budgeting their money, saving for retirement and understanding the impact of the economic decisions.

“I am thankful for the many partners that share our vision and commitment to expanding economic security in Massachusetts” said Treasurer Goldberg. “We will continue to innovate and expand our programs through a digital delivery of financial education and partnerships throughout the state.”

In just one year, Treasurer Goldberg’s Office of Economic Empowerment has initiated 14 of the 22 policy recommendations provided by the Task Force, including the following highlights: 

• Establishing $eedMA, a pilot program, designed to help Massachusetts Kindergarten families save for post-secondary education and training  
• Creating the Women’s Economic Empowerment Series, a free financial empowerment workshop series for women
• Relaunching of Operation Money Wise as a grant program for organizations to provide financial education and programming to the Military, Veteran, Family and Survivor Community (MVFSC). 

You can find a more detailed review of the Progress Report and recommendations HERE.

"Treasurer Goldberg has demonstrated an agenda that keeps the economic empowerment of Massachusetts citizens on the front burner,” said former Undersecretary of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation Barbara Anthony, who chaired the Task Force. “It’s terrific to work with her and her partners to enhance the lives of our residents from grade schoolers to seniors and at each stage in the life cycle.”

On day one, Treasurer Goldberg created the Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE), led by a deputy treasurer with the deliberate goal of incorporating a range of economic empowerment initiatives, including financial literacy, college affordability and programming to support wage equality.

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNOUNCES TOP BORROWED TITLES OF 2016

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNOUNCES TOP BORROWED TITLES OF 2016

BOSTON – December 14, 2016 – The ten most frequently borrowed books from Boston Public Library locations in 2016 took patrons from a modern day train in England to early twentieth-century Boston and to many places in between. It's not too late to read one or more of these great titles before the end of the year. Stop by and borrow one today or reserve your copy online at www.bpl.org.

·         All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr: Set during WWII and told from the perspectives of a young French girl and German soldier, demand for this 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner carried over into 2016.

·         The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins: In this suspenseful thriller, nothing is as it appears.

·         Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney:  Greg Heffley may be wimpy, but demand for this series is not. The other books in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series were also heavily borrowed in 2016.

·         Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff: The story of a seemingly-charmed marriage told from two very different perspectives.

·         Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates: In this memoir written for his son, Ta-Nehisi Coates shares his experience with racism as a black man in America and hopes for the future.

·         My Brilliant Friend Book One: Childhood, Adolescence by Elena Ferrante: Told in a vibrant and descriptive setting, the mystery surrounding the real identity of Elena Ferrante kept this story of friendship on patron's minds.

·         Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee: Set twenty years after To Kill a Mockingbird, this 'lost' early novel by Harper Lee features an adult Scout returning to Maycomb at a time of radical change.

·         Wonder by R.J. Palacio: This children's book about a boy with a facial deformity attending school for the first time was a staple on summer reading lists throughout the city in 2016.

·         The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant: The story of a young immigrant growing up in early twentieth-century Boston.

·         Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll: A dark psychological thriller about a woman who appears to have the perfect life, but has a past full of tragedy and secrets.

Governor Charlie Baker Participates in Wreath Laying Ceremony at Yad Vashem

JERUSALEM – Governor Charlie Baker participated yesterday with First Lady Lauren Baker and their son, Charlie Baker Jr., in a Wreath Laying Ceremony at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. Yad Vashem was established in 1953, as the world center for documentation, research, education and commemoration of the Holocaust.  After touring the museum, mission participants gathered in the Hall of Remembrance for a memorial ceremony. The Governor and First Lady lit a flame in remembrance and laid a wreath. At the conclusion of the tour at the Children’s Memorial, the Governor signed a memorial book.

“I was deeply moved by what I saw.  The human horror of the Holocaust must never be forgotten.  On behalf of the people of the Commonwealth, I was honored and humbled to be able to pay respects to the millions of innocent lives taken during this terrible time,”said Governor Charlie Baker. “I am confident the good people of Massachusetts will never forget the memories of those who were lost, and will honor the strength and courage of the survivors who endured unimaginable pain and cruelty. The museum, and the story it tells, stands as a constant reminder that it is up to all of us to promote tolerance, acceptance and human rights.” 

吳新興首訪泰北 台商感謝災後即時相助

僑務委員會委員長吳新興就任後首度拜訪泰北僑社，他向清萊與清邁的僑團及僑校強調，中華民國政府將提供更多、更好的服務。對於日前清邁水患後的台商重建工作，海外信保基金給予即時協助，泰北台商也向吳新興及僑委會表達感謝。

吳新興12日至14日由僑商處處長汪樹華、駐泰代表謝武樵、泰國華僑協會主席余聲清、僑務諮詢委員郭修敏、僑務委員黃正男、謝坤龍及張冠昌等人陪同，首度拜訪泰北僑社。他向堅定支持中華民國的清萊與清邁雲南會館表示，僑務政策秉持一貫性及持續性，政府與僑委會將對全球僑胞提供更多的服務，同時邀請明年會館組團訪台，增進對台灣的認識。

海外僑校長期面臨師資不足，吳新興對此特別提出建構海外僑校志工教師媒合平台的創新作為，讓台灣華語文系所畢業生、待業與退休教師人力資源，能補充僑校師資需求。吳新興13日走訪清萊建華高中、建華中華及華雲學校，與校長及教師座談時也提到，僑委會除將派遣志工教師前往泰北服務，並將邀請泰北華文教師回台培訓，提升教學專業，支持海外僑教健全發展。

吳新興14日在清邁拜訪泰北台商會，台商會理監事向吳新興表示，成員大多從事農業，而泰北9月遭逢水患，有台商因此遭受大規模損害，特地出席感謝僑委會與海外信保基金的即時協助，讓受災台商取得災後重建專案貸款信用保證，紓解資金需求，儘速重建。吳新興歡迎台商及鄉親與僑委會保持聯繫、攜手合作。

波士頓市議員林乃肯提案徵買酒稅2%

Substance abuse services resource initiative

On December 14, 2016, Councilor Linehan and co-sponsor Councilor Baker will pull docket #0157, an order for a Home Rule Petition to create a tax on the sale of alcohol on and off premise at 2% of the sale price. These funds would be directed specifically for addiction and substance abuse programs and services targeting the areas of prevention, intervention and treatment. An estimated $20,000,000 could be generated from this levy. Addiction and substance abuse services are sorely underfunded and everyday the axe falls that cuts funding even further. The crisis grows while resources shrink, therefore the Boston City Council is perched to lead in the challenge to fight addiction and its impacts on the City of Boston,

The impacts of addiction permeates throughout many services delivery efforts. Departments such as the Police, Fire, Health Commission, Schools, Courts and hospitals are all burdened by the impacts of addiction and substance abuse. One addict can activate a response from all of the above mentioned delivery systems; in Boston, the total costs related to these services is tens of millions of dollars each year. Alcohol related abuse is cause for more than 50% of the service delivery target at substance abuse which is more than all other substances combined.

The personal toll to the addicted is just one facet of addiction. Young people miss school and suffer academically with such impacts in their home. Police are burdened with breaking and entering, shoplifting, and the organized crime associated with the sale of illicit drugs and the violence associated with the abuse of alcohol. Fire and EMS respond to an ever growing load of calls for emergencies related to addiction and substance abuse including overdoses and deaths.  Hospital emergency rooms are the place where the injured and ill seek treatment. Our courts and jails are overburden with this one public policy nightmare. Additionally, if we effectively treat addiction and its impacts will be felt across the board, homeless shelters will dwindle in size and residents will become productive citizens.

This is an extremely progressive tax, that creates resources to fight addiction in the City of Boston. The cost savings clearly  outweighs the cost of the levy. It is virtually an investment in efficiency and effectiveness.

When a couple goes to dinner in Boston they might spend $125 on dinner and drinks with meals tax and gratuity included; $35 of the bill is alcohol, then add the 2% and the cost is $125.70. The extra 2% tax we pay is not as significant as the lives we can save and change. There is no sales tax specifically for alcohol in Massachusetts. The repeal of the tax in 2010 was overwhelmingly defeated in Boston (65% to 35%).  Alcohol excise tax in Massachusetts ranks 33rd in US.

The initiatives supported by this tax will include; recovery outreach workers deployed on the streets of Boston, 24/7 and  available at all times to help assist in placement of individuals needing treatment,  investment in technology to help coordinate resources, court, detox, emergency rooms, available beds,counciling etc.. Millions for housing at long term stay facilities proven successful in the fight against addiction. Gap funding for locally-certified LICSW, LADC-1 therapists, to address the shortage due to short falls in insurance restrictions, prevention programs funding where resources have dried up completely.

Eight members of the Boston delegation at the State House have signed a letter supporting this the Home Rule Petition.  In addition, the UniteHere Local 26 hotel workers union has also written a letter of support. Letters are attached.

Councilors Linehan and Baker will be available for press inquires at 10:00 AM for approximately 45 minutes in the Piemonte Room on the fifth floor of City Hall tomorrow December 14,2016 before the Council Meeting at noon.

Contact:  Jack Kelly  © 617.669.4657

波士頓華埠社區中心和邦克丘社區學院合作"一華埠" 獲45萬元資助

BCNC and BHCC Receive funding from ArtPlace America’s 2016 National Creative Placemaking Fund

BOSTON, December 13, 2016 –ArtPlace America announced that the One Chinatown project, a collaboration between Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) and Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC), will receive funding through its National Creative Placemaking Fund in 2016. Twenty-nine projects were chosen, from almost 1400 applications, to receive $11 million in funding.

ArtPlace America’s National Creative Placemaking Fund is a highly competitive national program – funding 2% of initial applications – that invests money in communities across the country in which artists, arts organizations, and arts and culture activity will help drive community development change in the sectors of agriculture and food; economic development; education and youth; environment and energy; health, housing; immigration; public safety; transportation; or workforce development.

“Creative Placemaking seeks the full and robust integration of arts, culture, and community-engaged design into the decisions that define the ebb and flow of community life. These grant recipients embody what this looks like at its most effective best,” said Rip Rapson, president and CEO of The Kresge Foundation and Chair of the ArtPlace President’s Council. “The sheer volume of applications for these grants suggests the growing updraft of creative placemaking efforts throughout the nation.”

“We are absolutely thrilled to be adding this dynamic set of projects to our portfolio this year,” says F. Javier Torres, Director of National Grantmaking. “The thoughtful and innovative strategies in this year’s projects are truly indicative of the vital role that artists and arts and culture organizations play in strengthening local policy, and the social, physical, and economic fabric of communities.”

The complete list of the 2016 projects for ArtPlace’s National Creative Placemaking Fund may be found here.

BCNC will receive a total grant of $450,000 over the next three years for “One Chinatown” – a community-based center for arts developed in partnership with Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) –  the state’s largest and most affordable community college – slated to open in January 2017.

“I am humbled to be a part of this project, because I believe it is important for this moment in history,” said Giles Li, Executive Director of BCNC. “One Chinatown represents coming together during hard times. Two disparate communities who both live in Chinatown belong here. Two different types of institutions can show the world a new kind of relationship is possible between a neighborhood and a college. We are building a space for all people – poor and rich, young and old, immigrant and native-Bostonian – that supports a vision for a united Chinatown, city, and world.”

“BHCC is proud to partner with BCNC in the creation of One Chinatown,” said BHCC President Pam Eddinger. “This initiative perfectly aligns with our goal of providing culturally-inclusive education to all students.”

One Chinatown leverages the assets of both BCNC and BHCC, as well as other community partners, to build connections between the low-income immigrant community typical of Chinatown and the growing population of urbanites, who have moved to the neighborhood in recent years. One Chinatown will engage residents of Chinatown in a public conversation about challenges and pathways to good community health and emotional well-being in an age of rapid gentrification.

Located on Parcel 24, a piece of land that was returned to the Chinatown community 50 years after it was suddenly taken away, the 5,000 square-foot One Chinatown will feature a studio theater, gallery, classrooms, and community sp

ace.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $11.4 Million for Municipal LED Streetlight Conversion Program

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $11.4 Million for

Municipal LED Streetlight Conversion Program

Available to Municipalities That Own Traditional Streetlights

BOSTON – December 13, 2016 – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $11.4 million in grant funding opportunities to help cities and towns across Massachusetts convert traditional streetlights to LED technology through the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Rapid LED Streetlight Conversion Program. DOER has partnered with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), Energy New England (ENE), and four Municipal Light Plant (MLP) communities to administer the grant funding to municipalities that currently own their traditional streetlights and expedite streetlight conversions.

“Investing in LED streetlight conversions will lead to reduced energy costs and better road safety for motorists and municipalities across Massachusetts,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The partnership between the Commonwealth and our regional planning authorities and municipal light plants will help maximize the positive benefits of this grant funding.”

“Converting municipally owned streetlights into energy efficient LEDs will help cities and towns across the Commonwealth realize thousands of dollars in annual energy savings while reducing emissions,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “LED streetlights help reduce energy usage during peak demand times, lessening the burden on our regional electric grid and reducing costs for all ratepayers.”

LED streetlights are more energy efficient and longer-lasting than other common street lighting technologies; converting saves cities and towns money both on their electric bills and in operations and maintenance. LEDs offer a number of other advantages as well, including improved visibility, reduced light pollution, and the ability to install advanced controls such as dimming, remote control, and Wi-Fi capability. DOER’s partner organizations, with guidance from the agency, will procure streetlights in bulk on behalf of participating cities and towns, reducing the up-front cost of conversion.

“Governor Baker’s Executive Order on climate change strategy emphasizes the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to reducing energy usage and emissions in order to prepare for the effects of climate change across Massachusetts,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “By converting tens of thousands of streetlights from traditional bulbs to highly efficient LEDs, the Commonwealth and our municipal partners will take another important step towards meeting our Global Warming Solutions Act emissions reduction goals.”

“Traditional streetlights have a major impact on peak demand during the winter months, with the sun setting earlier and rising later, which increases the demand on our regional energy grid,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson. “Our municipal partners across the Commonwealth will once again lead the charge for greater energy efficiency that will result in reduced costs, usage, and emissions across Massachusetts.”

The following MLPs and communities have applied for grants to convert their streetlights to LED. MLPs were able to apply through a regional partnership or directly to DOER. The application process in the Metropolitan Area Planning Council region remains open.

Regional Partnership	Regional Partnership	Independent MLPs	Regional Partnership
MMWEC	Energy New England (ENE)		MAPC
MLP Communities	MLP Communities	MLP Communities	Communities
Boylston	Concord	Wellesley	*Application Process Ongoing
Chicopee	Danvers	Westfield
Holden	Georgetown	Belmont
Ipswich	Groveland	Boxboro
Mansfield	Hingham
Marblehead	Hudson
Paxton	Merrimac
Peabody	Middleborough(Middleborough)
Princeton	Middleborough(Lakeville)
Shrewsbury	Middleton
South Hadley	North Attleboro
Templeton	Norwood
Wakefield
West Boylston
Hull
Holyoke
Russell

Massachusetts ratepayers will also see benefits from converting the Commonwealth’s streetlights to LED models, in addition to the direct benefits that cities and towns receive. Streetlights are operational during early morning and late afternoon during the winter months. These are hours of peak electric demand, and high demand for natural gas for both electric generation and home heating during these hours leads to higher energy prices. Converting streetlights to LED technology, which uses up to 60% less energy than standard streetlights, can decrease demand and lead to lower prices.

“Supporting municipal efforts to transition to efficient LED streetlights is a thoughtful and economical approach to increasing energy efficiency, improving public safety, and promoting long-term energy cost reductions in our cities and towns,” said State Senator Don Humason (R-Westfield). “Thank you to the Baker-Polito Administration, and specifically Secretary Beaton and Commissioner Judson, for awarding this funding to the cities of Holyoke and Westfield, and the town of Russell.”

“I am excited to see the administrations continued investment in reducing energy usage and emissions and am thankful for their focus here in Western Massachusetts,”said State Representative Aaron Vega (D-Holyoke).  

Governor Baker recently signed an Executive Order which lays out a comprehensive approach to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard residents, municipalities and businesses from the impacts of climate change, and build a more resilient Commonwealth.

“We applaud the Baker-Polito Administration for their commitment to our Municipal Light Plant (MLP) communities,” said John Tzimorangas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Energy New England (ENE), LLC. “The assistance and outreach by DOER has resulted in a true partnership with the MLP community and we at Energy New England are proud to be coordinating those efforts. Our communities will be helping the Commonwealth to achieve significant greenhouse gas reduction numbers because of this outstanding program”

“Technology is constantly expanding the opportunities for energy efficiency, and the DOER’s LED streetlight conversion grant program enables our  member municipal utilities to bring this technology and a higher level of energy efficiency to the communities they serve,” said Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) Chief Executive Officer Ronald C. DeCurzio. “MMWEC appreciates the opportunity to work with the DOER on this program, which along with other MMWEC and state initiatives is bringing the Commonwealth closer to achieving its clean energy objectives.”

“Over the past few years, MAPC has helped 25 communities in Massachusetts to retrofit over 60,000 streetlights with energy-efficient LED fixtures, bringing down their utility costs and greenhouse gas emissions significantly,” said Rebecca Davis, Deputy Director, Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). “We are proud to partner with DOER on this program, and look forward to guiding many more municipalities through the retrofit process.”