Baker-Polito Administration Proposes Historic Education Funding; $40 Million Increase in Local Aid

Baker-Polito Administration Proposes Historic Education Funding; $40 Million Increase in Local Aid

Local aid to increase by 100% of projected revenue growth; over $4.7 billion total for public schools

BOSTON – Today at the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s (MMA) Annual Meeting, Governor Charlie Baker announced the Baker-Polito Administration’s Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) budget proposal will include an increase of over $91 million in Chapter 70 education funding, totaling over $4.7 billion in total aid to public schools, including an increase of at least $20 per pupil to all 322 operating districts. The budget will also include a $40 million increase (to a total of $1.062 billion) in unrestricted local aid to the Commonwealth’s cities and towns, representing 100% of the rate of increase of projected tax revenue growth.

We are committed to investing in our cities and towns to support their efforts to drive our Commonwealth’s economic growth and prepare our children for a successful future,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are proud of the strong municipal partnerships our administration has fostered and look forward to more collaboration ahead as we strive for stronger schools and communities.”

Yesterday at the MMA’s Opening Session, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito announced the administration’s plans for an $8.8 million local funding and grant package for municipalities, including $4 million for Community Compact grants and $2.8 million for the District Local Technical Assistance Program in the FY18 operating budget and $2 million in the FY18 Capital Budget, released in the spring, for the Community Compact IT Grant Program.  Lt. Governor Karyn Polito has served as a champion for the administration’s municipal partnerships, entering into 252 Community Compacts that represent over 600 community-crafted, mutual best practices aimed at improving local fiscal policies, sustainable energy practices and advancing economic development and affordable housing.

“As former local officials, Governor Baker and I appreciate the importance of our municipal relationships and the certainty state government can deliver in local aid increases and historic education funding levels,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Through the Community Compact Program, we have been fortunate to work closely with leaders from our cities, towns, and regional planning agencies to build strong local partnerships.”

“The administration has kept to its commitment of supporting our communities,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Kristen Lepore. “From local aid to the Community Compact to updating laws and regulations, we have made certain that local governments have the tools they need to succeed.”

In his budget proposals to date, Governor Baker has honored a commitment to increase unrestricted local aid by 75% of projected revenue growth in his first budget, and 100% of growth in subsequent years. A 3.9% consensus projected revenue growth for FY’18 was announced by Secretary of Administration and Finance Kristen Lepore and the chairs of the Senate and House Ways and Means Committees earlier this year.

Last summer, Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito joined local officials to celebrate the passage and signing of municipal modernization reform legislation, enhancing partnerships between state and municipal governments by eliminating or updating obsolete laws, promoting local independence, streamlining state oversight and providing municipalities with greater flexibility.

波士頓市長稱17.5萬人為正義遊行

Dear Friend,

Today in Boston we had 175,000 participate in the Boston Women's March. It was incredible to stand on the stage and look out to see hundreds and thousands of people standing up for justice and equality for all.

I said it today and I will say it every day, Boston has been and will always be a welcoming city for all. As your Mayor, I pledge to always fight for you and the progressive values we share.

Today was incredible, but what we do tomorrow and the days to follow is just as important. We must amplify the voices of the most vulnerable, we must organize for equality, we must be kind and inclusive of everyone and we must never ever allow fear and hate dictate our government or our politics.

I stood with you today and I will stand with you tomorrow.

In Solidarity,

Marty

CITYSCORE RECOGNIZED AS 2017 HARVARD ASH CENTER BRIGHT IDEA IN GOVERNMENT

CITYSCORE RECOGNIZED AS 2017 HARVARD ASH CENTER BRIGHT IDEA IN GOVERNMENT

BOSTON - Friday, January 20, 2017 - The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, has recognized CityScore as part of the 2017 Bright Ideas in Government initiative. CityScore is part of a cohort that includes programs from all levels of government - school districts, county, city, state, federal agencies, and tribal nations, as well as public-private partnerships - that represent the next horizon in government work to improve services, solve problems and work on behalf of citizens. "It's an honor for CityScore to be recognized as a 2017 Harvard Ash Center Bright Idea," said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Boston's Chief Information Officer. "Since its creation last year, CityScore has become an invaluable tool to monitor performance and create lasting improvements in Boston. We will continue to develop and expand CityScore as part of our larger commitment improve quality of life, government efficiency and public transparency." CityScore is a first-of-its kind tool created by the City of Boston to provide Mayor Martin J. Walsh, City staff and residents a way to understand the overall health of the City by scoring the City's performance on individual metrics and delivering a single, indicative number to see how operations are going on a day-to-day basis. By displaying near real-time data on City operations and quality-of-life metrics, CityScore helps the City be more responsive and effective. Since its launch last January, CityScore has helped improve the efficiency of core City services, including increased resources for emergency medical services. Last August, Mayor Walsh and the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) launched an open source toolkit for CityScore to allow other cities and organizations to implement their own version of CityScore. "These programs demonstrate that there are no prerequisites for doing the good work of governing," said Stephen Goldsmith, director of the Innovations in American Government Program at the Ash Center. "Small towns and massive cities, huge federal agencies and local school districts, large budgets or no budgets at all - what makes government work best is the drive to do better, and this group proves that drive can be found anywhere." This is the fifth cohort recognized through the Bright Ideas program, an initiative of the broader Innovations in American Government Awards program. For consideration as a Bright Idea, programs must currently be in operation or in the process of launching, have sufficient operational resources and must be administered by one or more governmental entities; nonprofit, private sector, and union initiatives are eligible if operating in partnership with a governmental organization. Bright Ideas are showcased on the Ash Center's Government Innovators Network, an online platform for practitioners and policymakers to share innovative public policy solutions. Visit the Government Innovators Network at http://innovations.harvard.edu for the full list of Bright Ideas programs and for more information regarding the Innovations in American Government Awards. About the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation advances excellence in governance and strengthens democratic institutions worldwide. Through its research, education, international programs, and government innovations awards, the Center fosters creative and effective government problem solving and serves as a catalyst for addressing many of the most pressing needs of the world's citizens. For more information, visit www.ash.harvard.edu.

2017年海外華裔青年英語服務營自2月1日起開始開放線上報名

2017年海外華裔青年英語服務營自2月1日起開始開放線上報名

由中華民國僑務委員會與教育部及客家委員會共同合辦的「2017年海外華裔青年英語服務營」活動，預計招募海外華裔青年前往臺灣偏遠地區學校實地從事英語教學，需已就讀11年級以上且於2017年11月30日前年滿17足歲但未滿25足歲之華裔青年，並以英語為母語，能以簡單中文溝通，身心健康，學行良好，能適應團體生活，且具高度從事志願服務意願者為優先錄取對象。

現就讀麻州大學安城分校(Umass-Amherst)一年級的江彥龍，去年分配至新北市瑞芳國中服務，他表示雖然每年都會與家人回臺灣遊玩，但此次服務讓他接觸到身為遊客很少涉足的地區，幫助學習資源有限的弱勢家庭子弟學習英文，並藉由當老師的機會，增強了他的領導與做事能力，對他來說都是非常難得的經驗。

家長周美卿也表示，海外華裔青年英語服務營讓這群海外的青少年有機會認識自己父母的美麗故鄉，並利用他們的專長回饋或和臺灣當地小朋友交流，很高興他的兒子能夠參加這個有意義的活動。

「海外華裔青年英語服務營」活動已舉辦第12年，2016年活動計有447位華裔青年參與，讓臺灣偏遠地區受益學童逾3,164人。今年預定於7月1日到7月29日舉行，全球招收420名 (包含海外客籍志工70名)， 報名時間自2017年2月1日至2月28日止，採網路報名，申請人須先於營隊專屬網站（http://www.aidsummer.net）完成線上報名後，印出「網路登錄確認單」，連同相關報名表件於3月1日前寄（送）達波士頓華僑文教服務中心90 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands MA 02461，如有洽詢事項，可電話聯繫陳美樺小姐，TEL:617-965-8801。(圖片江彥龍提供)

章雨亭音樂會1/21@Jordan Hall

            

中華表演藝術基金會  Foundation For Chinese Performing Arts               3 Partridge Lane, Lincoln, MA 01773 ChinesePerformingArts.net Foundation@ChinesePerformingArts.net  Support Arts!  May the beauty of music be with you always! $1 Special for this wonderful concert.  Promote Code: SpecialOne (one word) at http://www.chineseperformingarts.net/tickets/index.htm. Or simply email to Foundation@ChinesePerformingArts.net . and pay in person.     Saturday, 1/21/2017, 8 PM NEC's Jordan Hall Bion Tsang 章雨亭, cello  Adam Neiman, piano  Program: ERNÖ DOHNÁNYI Sonata in B-flat, Op. 8, for Cello and Piano BENJAMIN BRITTEN Sonata in C, Op. 65, for Cello and Piano EDVARD GRIEG Sonata in A minor, Op. 36, for Cello and Piano $50: VIP Reserved Seats $30: open seating at non-VIP section $15: student open seating at non-VIP section Children under 6 not admitted. free student tickets available at http://www.chineseperformingarts.net/contents/season/20170121/index.htm (1 per request for age 14 and up) Bion Tsang, cello http://www.biontsang.com/#blue-rock-sessions Acclaim - The critics have spoken "a cellist of remarkable gifts" - The New York Times "an artist who guarantees the future of our music" - Los Angels Times "individuality and inspiration" - Chicago Tribune Cellist Bion Tsang has been internationally recognized as one of the outstanding instrumentalists of his generation: among his many honors are an Avery Fisher Career Grant, an MEF Career Grant and the Bronze Medal in the IX International Tchaikovsky Competition. Mr. Tsang earned a Grammy nomination for his performance on the PBS special A Company of Voices: Conspirare in Concert (Harmonia Mundi). To read more and hear Bion Tsang: http://www.biontsang.com/#blue-rock-sessions Adam Neiman, piano www.adamneiman.com "...a new genius of the piano, capable of obscuring the legacy of the legendary interpreters of our epoch." - Corriere dell'Umbria Pianist Adam Neiman is hailed as one of the premiere pianists of his generation, praised for possessing a truly rare blend of power, bravura, imagination, sensitivity, and technical precision. With an established international career, Neiman has performed as soloist with most of the world top symphony orchestras including Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, San Francisco, among others, as well as with the New York Chamber Symphony and the National Symphony Orchestra of Washington D.C. He has collaborated with many of the world's celebrated conductors to critical acclaim. In 1995, Neiman became the youngest-ever winner of the Gilmore Young Artist Award. The following year, he won the Young Concert Artists International Auditions. Young Concert Artists additionally honored Neiman with the Michaels Award and presented him in a critically acclaimed solo recital at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center. Two-time winner of Juilliard's Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, Neiman received the Rubinstein Award in 1999, and the Avery Fisher Career Grant the same year. Neiman is an esteemed member of the piano performance faculty at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. To read more about Adam Neiman: http://www.adamneiman.com/ UPCOMING EVENTS ----------------------------        Sat. 1/21/2017, 8PM NEC's Jordan Hall Bion Tsang 章雨亭, cello Adam Neiman, piano      Sat. 3/25/2017, 8PM NEC's Jordan Hall FOUR WINDS 四面來風 with Pianist Meng-Chieh Liu 劉孟捷  The Borromeo String Quartet The Forbidden City Chinese Music Ensemble 紫禁城室內樂團   Sat. 5/13/2017, 8PM NEC's Jordan Hall Eric Lu, piano April 15, 2017 (submission deadline) The 26th Annual Chinese Brush Painting and Calligraphy Competition 第二十六屆全美青少年國畫書法比賽   painting by: 2016 Silver (Group C: 14-17 yrs) Jered Yuan 袁浩云, age 15, Ichen Art Academy, CA 加州宜真美術學院 calligraphy by: 2016 Gold (Group B: 10-13 yrs) Samdrea Hsu 許維庭, age 12, Tang Hao Calligraphy Studio, CA加州唐昊畫室  (Four-panel 條幅/ 一套4張） 2017胡桃山音樂營 The 26th Annual Walnut Hill Music Festival 2017  Application deadline  April 10, 2017 date: 7/20/2017 check in, 8/13/2017 check out.     Concerto 2017:  Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini We Need Your Support Support us make a Donation www. ChinesePerformingArts.net     Your tax-deductible donation enables us  to continue presenting the best artists,  maintaining low admission and free student tickets.   Please support us especially at this time 現今社會動盪，人們生活中充滿不安。文化藝術安定人心的重要性， 在此時更為明顯。 但經費來源卻更艱難。 您的免稅捐款， 可使我們繼續舉行高水準音樂會， 提供最低票價，及免費學生票。 並鼓勵青年才俊在古典音樂、 傳統中國書畫、 及民族國樂樂器各方面學習傳承。 希望您慷慨解囊， 大力支持。 Your Donation is  appreciated: http://chineseperformingarts. net/donation/   Order Ticket Online:  www.ChinesePerformingArts.net Email: Foundation@ChinesePerformingArts.net Foundation For Chinese Performing Arts Cathy Chan 譚嘉陵, Founder and President

Foundation For Chinese Performing Arts, 3 Partridge Lane, Lincoln, MA 01773

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $8.8 Million in Local Grant and Community Compact Funding

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $8.8 Million in Local Grant and Community Compact Funding

BOSTON – Speaking at the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s (MMA) Annual Meeting today, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito announced that the Baker-Polito Administration plans to file $4 million for Community Compact grants and $2.8 million for the District Local Technical Assistance Program in their Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) operating budget proposal, to be released next week. Lieutenant Governor Polito also announced that the administration plans to include $2 million in the Governor’s FY18 Capital Budget, released in the spring, for the Community Compact IT Grant Program.

“Establishing our administration as a reliable and responsive partner for the Commonwealth’s cities and towns has been a top priority since day one,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We look forward to building on that commitment through our upcoming budget proposal and continuing all of our work with local officials on making Massachusetts a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”

“As former local officials ourselves, the Governor and I understand how important a town’s relationship with state government can be,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “As Chair of the Community Compact Cabinet, I have been fortunate enough to work with cities, towns, and regional planning agencies on establishing best practices, upgrading essential IT infrastructure, and identifying thoughtful efficiency and regionalization opportunities. The Baker-Polito Administration looks forward to another successful year of state and local partnership.”

“We are pleased to once again provide this important funding to invest in our communities,” said Secretary Kristen Lepore. “We have spent over $15 million on Community Compact programs over the past two operating and capital budgets, and the FY18 commitment will allow this successful program to support best practices at the local government level.”

In the FY18 budget proposal that the administration will file next Wednesday, $2 million will be proposed to continue the Community Compact’s Best Practices Program. To date, 252 cities and towns from across the Commonwealth have signed a community compact with the state. Of the more than 600 best practices identified, approximately 75% of them are either complete or underway.

The administration’s budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year will also include $2 million for the Community Compact’s Efficiency and Regionalization Grant Program. Administered in two rounds per fiscal year, the first round of grant applications in FY17 was highly competitive and led to $1.25 million in grants for 72 municipalities and 10 school districts. The application process for the second round of this fiscal year is currently underway and closes on February 1^st.

Additionally, $2.8 million will be included in the Baker-Polito Administration’s FY18 budget proposal to continue funding the District Local Technical Assistance Program, so the state can continue working with the 13 regional planning agencies across the Commonwealth on technical issues dealing with economic development, housing, transportation and environmental projects at the local level.

In the Governor’s third capital budget, released this spring, $2 million will be provided for the Community Compact IT Grant Program. In the program’s first year, grants were awarded to 52 municipalities for various projects aimed at driving innovation at the local level. The FY17 grant application period runs from March 1 – April 1 and those municipalities who have signed up for the Best Practice program by February 15th are eligible, except for those who received an IT grant in FY16.

About the Community Compact Cabinet:

Formed in January 2015, the Community Compact Cabinet is chaired by Lt. Governor Polito and comprised of the secretaries of Housing & Economic Development, Education, Transportation, and Energy & Environmental Affairs, the Senior Deputy Commissioner of Local Services, the Assistant Secretary of Operational Services, and the Chief Information Officer of the Commonwealth. The Community Compact Cabinet elevates the Administration’s partnerships with cities and towns, and allows the Governor’s Office to work more closely with leaders from all municipalities. The Cabinet champions municipal interests across all executive secretariats and agencies, and develops, in consultation with cities and towns, mutual standards and best practices for both the state and municipalities.  The creation of Community Compacts creates clear standards, expectations and accountability for both partners.

紐英崙客家鄉親會2/18慶天穿日

各位鄉親朋友大家好！

紐英倫客家鄉會為擴大慶祝 2017 年 "天穿日"，(全國客家日)，訂於 2 月 18 日, 星期六, 隆重舉辦午餐會。除一般常見食物外，本會將特別提供深具傳統客家風味之食品數種，以享嘉賓，並藉此宣揚客家美食文化。餘興節目將有客家舞蹈表演, 抽獎, 及其他表演項目。

另本會將試辦小型客家文物展覽，以介紹、彰顯傳統客家文化。如您有家藏客家文物，也願意幫忙客家會共襄盛舉，歡迎您和本人聯絡，商討細節，先謝謝了！

時間：2 0 1 7 年 2月 1 8 日 ( 星期六) 上午 1 1 時 3 0 分 至 下午 2 時 3 0 分 

地點：Hyde Community Center, 90 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands, MA (僑教中心樓上體育館)

收費：會員會費, 家庭 ($20), 個人 ($15), 學生 ($10), 已繳會費者, 午餐會免費。非會員每人 $15, 8 歲以下孩童免費。

由於會場座位有限，有興趣參加午餐會者， 請盡快向下列鄉親會理事報名，以便統計人數，謝謝。

周一男  (617-965-0867,  georgeinchou@gmail.com);  陳裕逢 (617-816-6622,  terrenceychen@gmail.com) 

曾秀梅  (617-553-0388,  meihsu168@gmail.com);  謝如鍵 (617-901-3888,  kenchia22778@gmail.com) 

祝大家新年健康快樂! 萬事如意!!

紐英倫客家鄉親會會長
周一男 敬