CONGRESSMAN LIEU REQUESTS OGE INVESTIGATION OF KELLYANNE CONWWAY’S ETHICS VIOLATION

CONGRESSMAN LIEU REQUESTS OGE INVESTIGATION OF KELLYANNE CONWWAY’S ETHICS VIOLATION  

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) sent a letter to the Director of the Office of Government Ethics requesting an ethics investigation into the actions of White House senior staff, Kellyanne Conway.  This morning Ms. Conway publicly endorsed the Ivanka Trump fashion line, a clear violation of federal ethics law. Having served on active duty as a Judge Advocate General officer in the U.S. Air Force, Mr. Lieu worked extensively on cases specific to ethics issues of civilian and military personnel, including this very section of the Code of Federal Regulations governing federal government ethics.

EXCERPTS FROM THE LETTER:

“In an appearance this morning on Fox News program “Fox & Friends,” Ms. Conway made the following remarks regarding the Ivanka Trump fashion line: "Go buy Ivanka's stuff, is what I would tell you. It's a wonderful line. I own some of it. I fully -- I'm going to just, I'm going to give a free commercial here: Go buy it today, everybody. You can find it online."

“Ms. Conway’s comments are a clear violation of the letter and spirit of the law. Given President Trump’s apparent view that federal ethics rules do not apply to his office, I respectfully request the Office of Government Ethics to investigate this incident. Pursuant to Title 5, Section § 2638.503 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, I urge you to immediately notify the White House of the violation of government ethics law to prompt corrective action.”

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

According to Title 5, Section § 2638. 501 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, if the White House does not address this matter in a timely fashion after receiving a notice, “the OGE Director may use the procedures of Section § 2638.504 to issue a nonbinding recommendation of a disciplinary action or an order to terminate an ongoing violation. Nothing in this subpart relieves an agency of its primary responsibility to ensure compliance with government ethics laws and regulations.”

麻州亞美局呼籲支持移民權益

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Asian American Commission (AAC) Statement on Immigration
BOSTON – The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Asian American Commission (AAC) is the only governmental nonpartisan organization representing our diverse and multi-faceted Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in our state. AAPIs are the fastest growing racial group nationally and in our Commonwealth, and are expected to reach an estimated national population size of 40 million by 2060. Importantly, two-thirds of all AAPIs in the United States were born outside of this country, designating AAPIs as the racial group with the highest proportion of foreign-born residents in the United States. Immigrants are the backbone of our AAPI communities, and our AAPI immigrants have contributed significantly to the accomplishments and achievements of this country. 
Recent events and decisions at the federal level affecting the immigration of certain members of our national community recall to mind similarly restrictive policies which directly impacted AAPIs in this country’s recent history. 
This year we will observe the 75th anniversary of the Executive Order 9066 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, which led to over 100,000 Japanese Americans being forced into internment camps across the United States, due to fears that these American citizens of Japanese descent were a threat to national security.  2017 will also mark 135 years since the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed, which was the first law implemented in the United States that prevented a specific ethnic group from immigrating to this country, based largely on concerns that Chinese laborers were negatively impacting the wages and the economy of municipalities where they worked. Subsequently, beginning in the 1920’s, restrictions on AAPI immigration remained in place via a quota system that disfavored immigrants from Asian countries, until the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965.
It is this historical context of our own AAPI community members being targeted, limited, or restricted, based on our race, ethnicity, or country of origin, which prompts the AAC to express our support for those affected by current federal policy decisions concerning entry to the United States.
Let’s not repeat history.  Many of us In the AAPI communities are immigrants or refugees ourselves, or are the daughters and sons of immigrants and refugees, and would not be here in the United States today, had the immigration policies remained as they were before the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965.
Local, statewide, and national contributions have been made by residents and citizens of the United States, of diverse ancestry.   The United States of America is home to all of us, but particularly for those who chose to seek liberty, happiness, and a better life in this nation by leaving behind their country of origin, the American Dream is a real goal and not an abstract concept.
What can you do?  Take action by contacting your local non-profits, your elected city, municipal, and state officials, your advocacy groups, and other supporters.  The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Asian American Commission would like to laud those organizations which have already taken a stance in support of immigration rights and have shared messages of unity with their community members. We, Staff and Commissioners of the AAC, stand in support of all our country’s many immigrants and refugees, who have helped make this nation great.

Statement from MA AG Maura Healey on tonight's 9th Circuit Ruling

BOSTON –  Attorney General Maura Healey issued the following statement on tonight’s 9^th Circuit Ruling:

“Tonight, the Ninth Circuit upheld the principle that no president is more powerful than our Constitution. My office challenged this reckless and discriminatory Executive Order to protect the residents, economic vitality, and basic values of Massachusetts. I stand with state attorneys general united in our commitment to hold this administration accountable to the laws and the people of this country.” – Attorney General Maura Healey

AARP基金會提供免費報稅及稅務協助

AARP FOUNDATION TAX-AIDE WILL PROVIDE

FREE TAX ASSISTANCE AND PREPARATION

THROUGH APRIL 18th

即日起至2017年4月18日 AARP基金會提供免費報稅及稅務協助

To find a Tax-Aide location near you offering assistance in other languages,

visit www.aarp.org/findtaxhelp or call 1-888-AARPNOW

通過以下方式找到您附近有提供其他語言協助的Tax-Aide報稅站，

網站：www.aarp.org/findtaxhelp  電話：1-888-AARPNOW 

Tax-Aide volunteer Elaine Tran speaks three Asian languages—Vietnamese, Mandarin and Cantonese—in addition to English. Read more about how Tax-Aide volunteers strive to meet language needs. 

Tax-Aide義工Elaine Tran除了英文之外，更通曉普通話、粵語及越南語三種亞洲語言。了解Tax-Aide義工如何努力滿足民眾的語言服務需求。 Photo by Beck Diefenbac.

WASHINGTON, February 9, 2017 – Beginning today through April 18, AARP Foundation is providing free tax assistance and preparation through its Tax-Aide program. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in its 49th year, is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service, offering free tax preparation help to anyone, especially those who are 50 and older, who cannot afford a tax preparation service.

Some locations offer assistance in additional languages, including Chinese, Tagalog, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese. For more information or to locate an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site, visit aarp.org/findtaxhelp or call 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669). An appointment may be required. 

“Our bilingual volunteers generously give their time to help taxpayers who don’t speak English or speak English as a second language prepare their returns,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience Strategy. “We need more bilingual volunteers so if you can help translate, please join our Tax-Aide volunteer team so that we can expand our services to Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.”

Tax-Aide, which is offered free of charge, is available to AARP members and non-members and includes more than 5,000 locations in neighborhood libraries, malls, banks, community centers and senior centers nationwide. Since 1968, Tax-Aide has helped nearly 50 million low- to moderate-income taxpayers.

In 2016, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers helped 2.7 million people navigate complicated tax codes, ensure proper credits and deductions and file their federal and state tax returns. Taxpayers who used AARP Foundation Tax-Aide received $1.41 billion in income tax refunds and more than $240 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs). AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS.  

【華盛頓哥倫比亞特區2017年2月9日訊】即日起至2017年4月18日，AARP基金會將再次通過旗下的“Tax-Aide計劃”提供免費稅務協助及報稅服務。AARP基金會Tax-Aide計劃至今已有49年歷史，是全國最大型的免費稅務協助和報稅服務。此項目面向所有民眾，尤其是50及以上並且無力支付報稅開支的人士最能受惠。

部份報稅站提供包括中文、菲律賓文、韓文、日文及越南文在內的其他語言協助。如欲了解詳情及尋找AARP基金會Tax-Aide報稅站地點，請瀏覽網站 www.aarp.org/ findtaxhelp 或致電1-888-AARPNOW（1-888-227-7669）查詢。報稅服務或需預約。

“我們的雙語義工無私奉獻他們的寶貴時間，來幫助不會說英語或英語作為第二語言的人們報稅。”AARP多元文化引領亞太裔受眾副總裁Daphne Kwok（郭為婉）說，“我們還需要更多雙語義工，如果您能夠幫助翻譯便請加入Tax-Aide計劃行列，讓我們深入亞太裔社區提供協助。”

Tax-Aide計劃不單免費，而且無論是AARP會員或者非會員都能參加。此項目有超過5,000個報稅站遍佈全國各個社區的圖書館、商場、銀行、社區中心和老人中心。自1968年以來，Tax-Aide計劃已經幫助接近5,000萬低收入及中低收入納稅人免費報稅。

單在2016年，AARP基金會Tax-Aide計劃的義工們便幫助多達270萬人次處理複雜的稅務問題，確保他們在申報聯邦與州稅時獲得應得的扺稅額和免稅額。納稅人通過AARP基金會Tax-Aide計劃合共獲取了14.1億元所得稅退稅，以及超過2億4000萬元“工作所得抵稅”（Earned Income Tax Credit ，簡稱EITC）。

麻州健康聯絡者登記人數破紀錄

Massachusetts Health Connector Marks Record Enrollment and Strong Customer Service

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration announced the results of the Massachusetts Health Connector’s recent Open Enrollment period that ended last week. The Connector successfully managed the highest enrollment totals of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) era, with significant applicant and member activity buttressed by strong customer service performance.

Enrollment for February 1st stands at over 246,000 people, the highest since the ACA was implemented and approaching the 252,000 in Health Connector coverage before 100,000 people became eligible for other coverage through Medicaid expansion in January 2014.

“Fixing the broken Health Connector and restoring a reliable customer service support system for the program were top priorities for our administration after taking office,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Over the last two years, the Connector’s leadership and staff have worked tirelessly to transform the exchange into a functional and reliable service the people of Massachusetts deserve. While there is still work to do, I am proud of the work that has been accomplished to date and feel confident that the restored Health Connector can play a crucial role in the state’s health care structure.”

“The Health Connector plays an important role in ensuring communities across the Commonwealth have access to affordable health care,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We are pleased to see such significant and targeted progress toward enrolling new people and look forward to continued progress for years to come.”

“The Health Connector is vitally important to our state’s commitment to making health care accessible to everyone,” said Secretary Marylou Sudders, Secretary of Health and Human Services. “Over the last two years, the Health Connector has gone from an agency hanging on to one that is home for thousands who need health insurance and a powerful advocate for universal coverage.”

The Health Connector started Open Enrollment on November 1, 2016 with 233,000 members, and retained more than 85 percent of those members despite many facing significant premium increases due to rate changes by some carriers. The Health Connector implemented a large member communication plan during Open Enrollment encouraging shopping, and more than 65,000 members switched plans for 2017. The 28 percent switch rate was four times higher than the usual 3-7 percent switch rate during an Open Enrollment.

In addition, 53,000 people who did not have coverage through the Health Connector enrolled in a plan for 2017. That is an increase of nearly 50 percent from the 36,000 new members added during 2016 Open Enrollment. The Health Connector’s new member strategy was fueled by an outreach effort focused on communities with higher rates of uninsured residents and that have been typically slow to sign up for coverage. In those targeted communities, new enrollments were 52 percent higher than 2016, with communities like Mattapan (93 percent) Chelsea (81 percent), Brockton (85 percent) and Everett (77 percent) experiencing the biggest increases. The Health Connector contracted with 16 community organizations through its Navigator program to help educate consumers about options available to them, and help uninsured people complete an application and select a plan.

“A successful Open Enrollment is reliant on support from the entire Commonwealth, including Governor Baker and Secretary Sudders, on through to our hard-working staff, our Navigators and assisters, and our customer service team,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Health Connector. “I am grateful that we were able to capably handle the significant member activity we saw, which also serves as a reminder that Massachusetts values access to affordable, health coverage, and will continue to do so in the future.”

“After missing open enrollment last year and going  without health insurance, I was always worried. I learned coverage was necessary after breaking my leg a few years ago while playing rugby. If I hadn't been covered, the expenses would've been astronomical, this taught me that in today's world, you have to be sure you're covered in case of an accident,” said Vincent Daley, a Cambridge resident who signed up for coverage through the Health Connector during Open Enrollment with the help of a Navigator. “The staff at the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee walked me through the process and showed what I needed to do. Applying for health insurance is not something you’re taught. But, after learning the process, I even helped a friend apply for coverage, too.”

When Governor Baker took office in 2015, improving the Health Connector’s customer service was a top priority. Two years later, customer service outlets were able to successfully support a substantially high volume of calls and requests. Calls to the call center increased from 243,619 during 2016 Open Enrollment to 345,621 for 2017 Open Enrollment, an increase of over 40 percent. Visits to the Health Connector’s six walk-in centers increased from 14,710 for 2016 Open Enrollment to 17,711 for 2017 Open Enrollment, an increase of 20 percent. The customer service platforms were able to handle the additional traffic, particularly with the call center remaining within predetermined service levels for hold time and abandonment rates. Additionally, customer satisfaction scores remained near 80 percent satisfaction during this Open Enrollment.

(麻州州長貝克感謝劍橋市居民文森達雷通過健康聯絡者登記健保)

波士頓 – 貝克-白莉朵政府公佈麻州健康聯絡者登記人數於2月1日時超過246,000人，打破開辦以來最高紀錄。

2月1日生效健保的登記人數超過24萬6000人，是自可負擔性健保法案實施以來的最高值；同時這一數字也逼近2014年1月麻州醫保補助擴張時允許10萬人有資格申請醫保前的登記人數，當時健康聯絡者幫助了25萬2000人獲得保險。

「今年通過與安琪派拉格策略集團(Archipelago Strategies Group)合作，我們在聯絡少數族裔媒體方面取得重大進展，覆蓋了大範圍的不同語言，包括西班牙語、葡萄牙語、中文、海地語、越南語和高棉語等，」健康聯絡者執行主任路易斯·古鐵雷斯說，「同時我們還擴展了實地的基層工作，拜訪教堂、理髮店、英語課堂和其他不同地方。最終，這些努力獲得了回報。在我們去到的社區，去年新登記人數增加52%，部分社區甚至超過60%，如馬塔潘(Mattapan，過去一年增長93%)，布羅克頓(Brockton，85%)，切爾西(Chelsea，81%)，埃弗里特(Everett，77%)，多切斯特(Dorchester，68%)和昆士市(Quincy，65%)。當你真正想要深入社區聯絡時，這就是外聯所帶來的成效。 」

「他們做了很多深入社區的聯絡工作，去到那些可能不太了解健康聯絡者，或是不知道健保開放資訊的社區，」州長查理貝克說道，「他們幫助馬塔潘、布羅克頓、多切斯特和昆士市大大增加了醫保覆蓋率。。。他們新增了5萬個登記，幫助7萬人更換了醫保計劃。」

健康聯絡者2016年11月1日啟動開放登記，其23萬3000名成員中85%以上選擇繼續使用該平台，儘管其中很多成員都因運營商調整費用而面臨保費大幅增長。健康聯絡者在開放登記期間實行了一個大型的成員聯絡方案來鼓勵購買保險，從而讓6萬5000名成員在2017年得以轉換醫保計劃。此次28%的更換保險率是開放登記期通常3%-7%轉換率的四倍。另外還有5萬3000位之前沒有保險的居民通過健康聯絡者登記了2017年的醫保計劃。這一數字比2016年開放登記期間增加近50%，去年的新成員人數為3萬6000名。健康聯絡者的新成員戰略是通過對高比例無保險居民社區，以及通常較慢登記健保的社區進行針對性緊密聯絡來推動的。健康聯絡者與16個社區組織合作，通過其導航者項目來協助向客戶介紹他們可選擇的健保計劃，並且幫助無保險者完成申請和選擇計劃。

「在去年錯過了開放登記后，一直沒保險讓我總是處於焦慮擔心中。數年前我因為打橄欖球弄斷了腿，自那次起我認識到登記醫保的必要性。如果我當時沒有保險，醫療花費將是不可想象的，這教會了我，在今天這個世界，你必須保證自己有保險，以應對意外的發生，」一位通過健康聯絡者的導航者協助在開放登記期獲得保險的劍橋市居民文森達雷表示，「劍橋經濟機會委員會的工作人員給我講解了每一個步驟，並且告訴我哪些是我需要完成的。申請健保不是無師自通的。但是，經過學習了整個過程之後，我甚至得以幫助一個朋友完成了申請。」

當州長貝克2015年上任之時，改善健康聯絡者的客戶服務是他的首要任務之一。兩年后，客戶服務網點得以成功的支持大量的電話和咨詢要求。熱線中心收到的電話數量從2016年開放登記期的24萬3619通增長到2017年開放登記期的34萬5621通，增長率超過40%。健康聯絡者的六個步入式中心訪問人數從2016年開放登記期的1萬4710人增加到2017年開放登記期的1萬7711人，增長率約20%。客戶服務平台不僅協助處理額外業務，特別是在熱線中心按照預先設定控制電話等待時間和未接通率的情況下，得以發揮作用。另外，客戶滿意度在這個開放登記期一直保持在近80%滿意的水平。

波士頓將於 2/26 紀念二二八事件70週年

二二八事件 70 週年紀念禮拜 228 MEMORIAL SERVICE

波士頓臺灣基督教會
Boston Taiwanese Christian Church
Time時間： Sunday, Feb 26 , 2017 10:30am
禮拜後請留步共享愛餐
Place地點： Andover Newton Theological  School之 Stoddard Hall
(210 Herrick Road, Newton Center, MA 02459)
Contact 聯絡：歐陽瑞琳 ouyang.jl@gmail.com

1947的二二八事件發生至今已 70年。為了紀念這看 似久遠，卻對台灣影響重大的事件，我們教導台美第二代的 孩子們 228紀念禮拜的意義。不約而同地，他們都說，紀念 是為了不再重蹈覆轍，是為了愛，是為了希望。
 波士頓台灣基督教會將在 2月 26日舉行 228 七十週 年紀念禮拜，邀請各界撥空前來，見證七十年來，流淚撒種， 含笑拾穗的點滴。或許，您是埋首課業的留學生；或許，今 年是您的研究學假；或許，教會對您很陌生；但是，因為我 們同為出外人， 因為台灣是生咱的所在 ，因為對生命的願 景，所以，讓我們跨出腳步，為這塊土地誠心祈禱 --我們全 心所疼惜的台灣啊！
我們會吟唱「伊是咱的寶貝」，體會詩中的「伊」意 涵著公義、仁愛、自由、族群的和諧、跨越藩籬、復合、台 灣、地球家園、科技文明等「寶貝」。當我們的寶貝孩子盡 心以台語，為「伊」歌唱，我們彷彿看到七十年來的血汗耕 耘，也在北美生根。
我們誠摯地邀請波士頓各領域、團體，學界、業界、 一起來參加二二八紀念禮拜。讓我們同心數算上帝的信實， 心繫芸芸的苦難，立志為世界的平 安及福祉耕耘。我們如 此致意--讓 228七十週年紀念禮拜成為我們攜手前進、互相 扶持的里程碑！

麻州長宣佈因應暴風雪 州政府關門

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)在2月8日晚將近8點時宣佈，麻州政府2月9日關門，非緊急工作人員，不必上班。州政府也勸一般民眾，非必要別出門。

查理貝克表示，為公共安全著想，容許剷雪工作人員順利剷除道路積雪，請民眾無必要別出門，儘量幫忙剷除社區內的人行道，車道積雪，伸出援手幫助有需要的鄰居。

 Governor Baker Announces State Office Closures for Non-Emergency State Employees

BOSTON – Tonight, Governor Charlie Baker announced that state offices will be closed tomorrow for non-emergency, executive branch state employees. Due to the upcoming winter storm, the Baker-Polito Administration is urging everyone to stay off roadways if possible, allowing crews to clear snow that will accumulate across the state throughout the day.

“Tomorrow’s forecast is expected to create hazardous driving conditions across many parts of the Commonwealth. To prioritize public safety, we are asking everyone to stay off the roads to allow crews to safely clear snow or use public transportation,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Please assist us by shoveling driveways and sidewalks in your communities, and be sure to lend a hand to neighbors in need.”

The Baker-Polito Administration remains in close contact with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, National Weather Service, MassDOT and State Police to monitor the forecast and will work to alert the public with important updates or notifications. The MBTA Storm Desk will continue to monitor rail service throughout the storm and provide updates to commuters at MBTA.com/winter.

State Office Closures: State offices will be closed for all non-emergency, executive branch state employees on Thursday, February 9, 2017.

Highway Travel: Commutes and travel will be significantly impacted with snow covered roads, low visibility and possible white-out conditions.  Motorists should stay off the roads and use public transit when possible. If you must drive, please exercise caution, “don’t crowd the plow”,  and stay behind snow removal equipment on the roadways.

MBTA: The MBTA, including the commuter rail, is preparing to operate on a normal schedule tomorrow. Commuters are encouraged to be patient, allow plenty of time for travel and plan ahead by checking MBTA.com/winter or @MBTA on Twitter for real-time updates.

Public Safety: Please clear home and auto exhaust vents to prevent carbon monoxide exposure and avoid downed utility wires. Also, please assist in keeping sidewalks, and fire hydrants and storm drains in your neighborhood clear.

The State Emergency Operations Center at MEMA Headquarters in Framingham will be activating tomorrow morning to provide situational awareness and coordinate any requested assistance to cities and towns.