MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES NEW EXHIBIT IN HONOR OF IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH, 'THE FACES OF SYRIAN REFUGEES EXHIBIT AT CITY HALL'

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES NEW EXHIBIT IN HONOR OF IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH, 'THE FACES OF SYRIAN REFUGEES EXHIBIT AT CITY HALL'

Photo Exhibit on 3rd Floor Lobby this June for Immigrant Heritage Month

BOSTON - Thursday, June 8, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, together with the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture and the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement, announced today a new exhibit on display at City Hall throughout the month of June in honor of Immigrant Heritage Month. The exhibit, The Faces of Syrian Refugees, profiles 20 Syrians who fled their war-torn homeland and have resettled in new countries in Europe and North America, and who are now in homes and building new lives. "The Faces of Syrian Refugees exhibit is incredibly powerful, and humanizes the refugee crisis in a way that is thought-provoking and leaves a lasting impact," said Mayor Walsh. "I encourage everyone to come visit this exhibit over the course of Immigrant Heritage Month, and experience the story of each individual featured in the photos." Since March 2011, over five million Syrians have been displaced from their homes. The exhibit consists of life-sized color portraits and personal interviews that offer intimate visits with Syrian refugees. The subjects come from all walks of life and now are engaged in a range of activities, from teaching art classes to serving as museum docents to conducting an orchestra. The exhibit was produced by Michael Cohen, a Boston-based photographer who conceived the concept in early 2016. Working with Dr. Dana Janbek of Lasell College and Amy Bracken, a freelance journalist, they located and traveled to 20 different refugees to create the exhibit.  "The premiere of The Faces Of Syrian Refugees in my hometown as the kickoff to Immigrant Heritage Month is a perfect way to begin the national tour of this exhibit," said Cohen. "Immigrants from all over the world have made their home in Boston and added greatly to our city. Syria needs our help right now, and it is important for us to see and meet them. This exhibit allows the visitor an up close and personal understanding of 20 refugees that are excited to introduce themselves to the US." "Among its goals, the Boston Creates Cultural Plan looks to elevate how the arts can facilitate learning opportunities among diverse cultures," said Julie Burros, Chief of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston. "The Faces Of Syrian Refugees is a great example, demonstrating the power of the arts to teach, create dialogue and help us connect to one another. I encourage everyone to visit City Hall and view this exhibit." "The Faces of Syrian Refugees connects us with the stories of people who have left their homeland very recently under dire circumstances," said Alejandra St. Guillen, Director of the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement. "During Immigrant Heritage Month, this exhibit will remind those who visit City Hall of their families' own stories of leaving their countries of origin to settle in the United States." The exhibit will be on display on the mezzanine area of the 3rd Floor Lobby of City Hall from June 6- June 30, 2017.   A program and reception featuring the exhibit will be held at City Hall on June 20, 2017 to commemorate World Refugee Day. The event is free and open to the public, and all residents are encouraged to attend. For more information go to: www.boston.gov/events.   About Immigrant Heritage Month Started in 2014 by Welcome.us, Immigrant Heritage Month honors the countless contributions made by immigrants to our communities, our economy, our culture, and our collective American identity each June. On behalf of Mayor Walsh, the Office for Immigrant Advancement coordinates events with city agencies and community partners in Boston throughout the month. Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture (MOAC) The Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture's mission is to support artists, the cultural sector, and to promote access to the arts for all. The office houses the Boston Cultural Council, the Boston Art Commission, and the Poet Laureate program. Responsibilities include leading up the City's Cultural Plan, Boston Creates; managing the Boston Artist-in-Residence program (BostonAIR); curating exhibitions in City Hall; and operating the historic Strand Theater in Dorchester.  For more information go to: www.boston.gov/arts.   Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA)The Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement works to ensure the full participation of immigrants within the civic, economic, social and cultural life of Boston. Every year, MOIA assists over 2,000 residents by connecting them to English language classes, helping them obtain citizenship application assistance, facilitating access to city services, and providing accurate information about immigration laws, which helps immigrants contribute socially and economically to the city. For more information go to: www.boston.gov/immigrants or call 617-635-2980.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Over $1 Million in Climate Vulnerability Preparedness Funding to 71 Communities

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Over $1 Million in Climate Vulnerability Preparedness Funding to 71 Communities

Program Will Help Communities Prepare for Climate Change and Build Resilience

WAREHAM – June 8, 2017 – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced over $1 million in grant funding and designation status has been awarded to 71 towns and cities across the Commonwealth through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program. The new grant and designation program, which builds on Governor Baker’s Executive Order 569 as well as other administration-led state and local partnerships, will provide communities with technical support, climate change data and planning tools to identify hazards and develop strategies to improve resilience. The grant awardees, announced by Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton during a tour of the Wareham coastline, represent 20 percent of the state’s municipalities.

“Massachusetts is committed to combating and preparing for the impacts of climate change, and our Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program is designed to ensure our communities can work together on building resilience with the best planning tools, data and resources from the state,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are proud that so many of our cities and towns are involved and using their local knowledge and community strengths to partner with the Commonwealth.”

“By becoming a part of the Commonwealth’s new Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program these 71 cities and towns are committed to taking on the challenge of climate change at the local level,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.  “Through this partnership our communities will build resilience and prepare for the impacts of climate change while helping our administration design better adaptation solutions across the Commonwealth.”

As part of the MVP Program, municipalities will work through a community-based workshop process to identify key climate-related hazards, vulnerabilities and strengths, develop adaptation actions, and prioritize next steps.  Results of the workshops and planning efforts will be used to inform existing local plans, grant applications, budgets, and policies.  One area of focus will be using the process to update or develop local hazard mitigation plans. 

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this program to so many communities in every corner of the state,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The MVP Program is a critical component of implementing Governor Baker’s Executive Order 569 and by working with so many of our local communities we will be able to create a strong network of cities and towns taking leadership to address climate change.  We look forward to working together to better understand the local impacts of climate change and to plan and implement the best strategies to build community resilience.”

The program, funded through the Five-Year Capital Plan, will be led by an experienced Project Coordinator from the town with a core team of town staff and volunteers representing town planning departments, emergency managers, conservation commissioners, economic councils, the business community and other key stakeholders. Technical assistance will be delivered by state-certified MVP Program providers using a standardized toolkit for assessing vulnerability and developing strategies, and newly developed climate projections and data from the Northeast Climate Science Center at UMass-Amherst. Upon successful completion of the program, municipalities will be designated as a “Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program Community.”

The following communities will receive funding to complete the planning process and achieve designation status by June 2018:

Acton - $19,000	Grafton, Millbury and Northbridge - $32,000 (Regional Partnership)	Northampton - $20,000
Adams - $20,000	Holden - $16,000	Norwood - $20,000
Arlington - $23,000	Holyoke - $26,000	Peabody - $25,000
Ashfield and Conway - $20,000 (Regional Partnership)	Lanesborough - $15,000	Pelham - $15,000
Belchertown - $15,000	Lawrence - $34,000	Rehoboth - $15,000
Blackstone - $15,000	Littleton - $15,000	Rockport - $15,000
Buckland - $15,000	Manchester - $15,000	Sandwich - $17,000
Carver - $15,000	Marblehead - $17,000	Sherborne - $15,000
Charlemont - $15,000	Marion - $20,000	Shrewsbury - $22,000
Charlton - $15,000	Mattapoisett - $16,000	Spencer - $16,000
Chelsea - $25,000	Medford - $26,000	Springfield - $26,000
Chilmark - $15,000	Melrose - $19,000	Stow - $15,000
Cohasset - $15,000	Mendon - $15,000	Swansea - $16,000
Colrain - $15,000	Milford - $20,000	Ware - $17,000
Deerfield - $15,000	Montague - $17,000	Wareham - $24,000
Devens - $15,000	Monterey - $15,000	West Tisbury - $15,000
Essex - $15,000	Natick - $21,000	Westport - $16,000
Falmouth - $20,000	New Bedford - $36,000	Weymouth - $25,000
Freetown - $20,000	Newbury - $15,000	Williamstown - $17,000
Gloucester - $20,000	Newburyport - $16,000	Winthrop - $17,000
Gosnold - $15,000	North Reading - $16,000	Wrentham - $15,000

The communities of Boston, Cambridge, Salem, Somerville and Swampscott have achieved MVP Program designation based on work they have already completed within their communities. 

“Communities will need new tools and resources to prepare for, and recover from, more volatile and extreme weather patterns,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Daniel Bennett. “While climate change will not affect all communities in the same way, our goal is to serve as a partner to cities and towns as they work to address their individual needs.”

In September 2016, Governor Baker 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.  The Order, Establishing an Integrated Climate Change Strategy for the Commonwealth, represents the collaboration between the Office of the Governor, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, and key state, local and environmental stakeholders. The Executive Order ensures that Massachusetts will continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resiliency within government operations. The Order also directs the development and implementation of a statewide comprehensive climate adaptation plan that will provide a blueprint for protecting the built and natural environment of the Commonwealth, based on the best available data on existing and projected climate change impacts. Recognizing the need to strengthen the resilience of communities throughout Massachusetts, a key commitment in this order is coordinating assistance to cities and towns as they prepare for the impacts of climate change.

“Our leadership on climate change is now more vital than ever to reduce the future threat of global warming and keep Massachusetts healthy, strong and sustainable,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst). “By working with our communities to address the future impacts of climate change, we are doing our part to conserve the Commonwealth for generations to come.”

“This grant will help the Commonwealth prepare for the effects of climate change in a more thorough way and will allow Winthrop to build a plan that is targeted to our coastal community while collaborating with other municipalities on best practices,”said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “I thank the Baker Administration and look forward to hearing from officials in my hometown about the implementation of these funds.”

“Now more than ever, we must work on local, state and regional levels to make our communities more resilient to the harmful effects of climate change,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton), founding chair of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change. “Vulnerability preparedness plans for our municipalities are great first steps in the protection of our economy, public health and built and natural infrastructures, and a complement to Governor Baker’s executive order last year. Wareham is a town in my district that has much to lose from climate change, both environmentally and economically, and these awards will help develop smart, protective strategies for this community and 70 others. As we go forward, we must commit to codifying such preparedness plans in statute for the entire state; the Massachusetts State Senate, recognizing the importance of such planning, passed a climate adaptation management plan three times in our last legislative session. I remain committed to seeing it through.”

“The MVP grants announced today will help communities identify the potential hazards associated with climate change so they can develop and implement an effective response plan at the local level,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading). “Thanks to the leadership of Secretary Beaton and the Baker-Polito Administration, cities and towns across the Commonwealth will now be better positioned to address the environmental challenges posed by climate change.”

“Addressing climate change requires a coordinated effort, and that effort must include actions at the municipal level,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester).  “The MVP gives cities and towns a framework to take effective and timely actions in ways that make sense not only for one community, but also for the proactive statewide plan envisioned by Governor Baker's executive order.  There is no time to lose in moving forward to confront climate change."

“Cities and towns have always been on the forefront of innovation in taking on new challenges,” said State Representative Gailanne Cariddi (D-North Adams). “As the issue of climate change shifts to a local approach, this program will create a partnership between the Commonwealth and its cities and towns to foster new solutions.”

“I am very pleased that Wareham and Carver will be receiving MVP grants. This program emphasizes the importance of local control in the matter of climate change,” said State Representative Susan Williams Gifford (R-Wareham). “The Baker-Polito Administration is once again affirming their commitment to our cities and towns by giving our communities financial and technical assistance to analyze data and prepare for our future.”

“Extreme weather events have wreaked havoc in our area of the state before.  We have seen firsthand the damage done and how hard it can be to recover as a community,” said State Senator Anne Gobi (D-Spencer).  “Preparing cities and towns for anything and everything is a no-brainer and I am pleased to see the Baker-Polito Administration is taking the proper steps to equip municipalities with the resources necessary.”

“The Nature Conservancy applauds the Baker Administration’s leadership on the MVP program,” said Wayne Klockner, State Director of the Nature Conservancy. “We see MVP as a national model for climate resiliency and adaptation and are seeking to replicate MVP in other states.”

This round of funding ends in June 2018 and additional opportunities for communities to apply will be announced in early 2018

House Passes “An Act for Language Opportunity for Our Kids”

House Passes “An Act for Language Opportunity for Our Kids”

Provides school districts across the Commonwealth with flexibility regarding English learner programs

(BOSTON) – The House of Representatives today passed legislation that will enable districts to implement alternative English language learner (ELL) programs. Understanding that Massachusetts’ ELL population is incredibly diverse, the proposed change will allow for more flexibility so that districts can tailor programs to better meet the specific needs of their ELL population.

English learners are the fastest growing student population in Massachusetts. While academic achievement has improved for other minority populations, significant achievement gaps persist for ELL students. This legislation seeks to remedy that discrepancy.

“Every student has unique needs, and it is our obligation to foster an environment where they are afforded an education tailored to them,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “Massachusetts education system is the best in the nation, and I believe that this legislation will enhance our standing while ensuring that education is indeed, the great equalizer.”

“This bill, at its core, is about allowing districts to exercise the flexibility in programming necessary to best serve their English learner populations – a student group that is not only increasing in numbers but is also very dynamic with a wide range of needs,” said Representative Peisch (D-Wellesley), Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “I am grateful to Speaker DeLeo and Chairman Dempsey for their leadership on this critical issue and applaud the House for passing this bill.”

“Every student learns differently and it is impossible for the ELL students of the Commonwealth to succeed with a one-size-fits-all approach,” said Representative Jeffrey Sánchez (D-Jamaica Plain), sponsor of the bill. “Through flexibility and accountability measures, the LOOK bill creates a system where students are equipped with the tools necessary to not only learn English, but succeed academically and positively contribute to our growing economy.”

To ensure accountability and effectiveness, the legislation establishes a 17-person commission to review the collection and dissemination of ELL data and make recommendations on improvements. It also enhances existing reporting requirements to ensure ELL students are making academic progress as a result of classroom programming. 

In addition, this legislation further supports parental involvement for ELL families, requiring the establishment of English Learner Parent Advisory Councils in districts that serve more than 100 ELL students or in which English learners comprise more than five percent of the student population (whichever is fewer). It also expands the current waiver process to allow a school, on the recommendation of a teacher or guidance counselor, to obtain the waiver for the individual student.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

昆士市出售大麻披薩

            (Boston Orange)大麻披薩?一家麻州要用大麻藥房為那些不想抽大麻，或時用大麻田品的病人，推出大麻披薩。

            這家藥房座落在昆士市，名叫Ermont Inc.，出售大麻披薩已經有3星期左右了，大受好評。

            該公司營運主管Seth Yaffe表示，它們有各種可吃的大麻製品，但他們希望做一款可以吃，又沒有很多糖的大麻製品給病人當正餐。

            6 英寸的大麻披薩38元一份。番茄醬含有125毫克的四氢大麻酚，也是大麻裏的活化精神化合物。該公司迄今已賣出200個大麻披薩。

            只有持有州政府所發要用大麻身分證者有資格買這種披薩。

MIT獲匿名無用途限制捐款一億四千萬元

           (Boston Orange周菊子整理報導) 波士頓今(7)日又傳出一所名校獲得巨額捐款消息。這次是麻省理工學院，1億4000萬元，不限制用途。麻省理工學院校長L. Rafael Reif高興非常，聲稱不限制用途的捐款，對該校蓬勃發展助益最大。

           捐款消息傳出後，許多人都好奇是誰這麼大手筆，不過麻省理工學院表示，捐款者是校友，要求匿名。

           在麻省理工學院校史中，最大筆捐款是2000年時，國際數據集團(IDG)前主席麥戈文(Patrick McGovern)夫婦捐出的3億5000萬元。

           MIT在聲明中指出，捐贈者表示，他以前得到過MIT的慷慨財務資助，才能進MIT求學，也對MIT塑造他成為今日的各方面影響，極為感激。他也深受MIT要因應全球挑戰的遠見所啟發，相信MIT會在帶領使世界成為更好地方上，採取大膽行動。

           這是自地產鉅子李德義(Samuel Tak Lee)在2015年捐給MIT1億1800萬元之後，最大的一筆捐款。以往的巨額捐款人，包括1999年捐了1億元的科技創業家Kenan Sahin，以及2007年捐了1億元的David Koch。

           麻省理工學院去年宣佈了要籌資50億元的大膽計畫。稍早MIT透露，截至6月1日，該校已籌得34億元。

MAYOR WALSH EXPANDS POLICE REVIEW BOARD, ESTABLISHES NEUTRAL LOCATION FOR PUBLIC TO FILE COMPLAINTS

MAYOR WALSH EXPANDS POLICE REVIEW BOARD, ESTABLISHES NEUTRAL LOCATION FOR PUBLIC TO FILE COMPLAINTS

Reforms Will Increase Board Access, Transparency and Effectiveness

BOSTON- Wednesday, June 7, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today improvements to the Community Ombudsman Oversight Panel (CO-OP) and Complaint Mediation Program that will provide a neutral location for the public to file complaints, increase the number of cases reviewed and automatically refer cases for immediate review that involve allegations of discrimination or use of force resulting in serious bodily injury.   In 2015, Mayor Walsh reconstituted the CO-OP, appointing Professor Natashia Tidwell, J. Larry Mayes and Judge Regina Quinlan to three year terms.   "In Boston, our goal to have complete trust with the community," Mayor Walsh said. "We are strengthening the relationship between our residents and the police, we are providing community-driven training to our officers before they hit the streets, and we are seeing results. The number of complaints are going down, crime is going down and, even more importantly, the number of arrests continue to go down. Creating more public accountability and bringing greater transparency to this process are key to reaching our goals and I look forward to the continued work of the CO-OP and its members."   Acting on recommendations from the CO-OP, the public will now be able to file complaints with the Civic Engagement Cabinet, located at City Hall, to offer a more neutral location than going to a police department. The Civic Engagement Cabinet, which includes the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services, interacts daily with residents and neighborhood groups to hear their concerns and connect them to services.   In addition, allegations of bias in policing or discriminatory conduct will now be classified differently to increase transparency between BPD Internal Affairs Division and the community and to ensure that allegations of discrimination are properly tracked.   Any case involving allegations of discrimination or use of force resulting in serious bodily injury will automatically be referred to the CO-OP for review after Internal Affairs reaches its decision. The CO-OP is responsible for reviewing completed investigations and appealed investigations for thoroughness and fairness.   The number of cases reviewed by the CO-OP will be increased from 10 percent to 20 percent, and will continue to be chosen by random audit. In addition, all allegations of discrimination or use of force resulting in serious bodily injury will be automatically referred to the CO-OP. The CO-OP will be increased from three members to up to five members with staggered three year terms to accommodate the additional caseload.   From 2013 to 2016, total citizen complaints to Internal Affairs have declined from 361 to 199 complaints per year and total citizen complaints for excessive force have declined from 40 to 18. Further, BPD Recruit Classes are now trained in Unconscious Bias and De-escalation training prior to joining the police force.   The CO-OP was established in 2007 to serve as an outside, unbiased party provide external oversight and review of BPD internal investigations. Members have access to all investigation materials related to the case they are viewing. If a case requires clarification, the panel will send an inquiry to Internal Affairs to request additional investigation. If, after taking that step, the CO-OP disagrees with the decision of Internal Affairs, a recommendation will be made to the Police Commissioner. The panel also periodically reviews policies and procedures of the internal affairs process and its integrity, and produce an annual report to the Mayor and the Police Commissioner documenting cases reviewed and the outcome of the Panel's review for each case.   The Executive Order, signed by Mayor Walsh today, can be found here.

AG HEALEY CHALLENGES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER FAILURE TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM TOXIC PESTICIDE

AG HEALEY CHALLENGES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER FAILURE TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM TOXIC PESTICIDE

AG Coalition Charges EPA with Violating Federal Law by Allowing the Use of a Toxic Pesticide That Causes Harm to Children’s Neurological Development

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today announced that she has joined six other attorneys general in filing a challenge against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s decision to abandon an important proposed ban on the use of a toxic pesticide which is widely used on food consumed by infants, young children, and pregnant women.

Joining in the filing are the attorneys general of Massachusetts, New York, California, Maine, Maryland, Washington, and Vermont. The filing says that the EPA failed to make a key safety finding needed to continue to allow levels of chlorpyrifos to remain on food.

             “This is yet another outrageous and wrongheaded decision by Administrator Pruitt that harms public health. By failing to take appropriate action to ensure that foods are not dangerously contaminated with this toxic pesticide, the EPA is putting the health of the public – particularly our most vulnerable infants, children and pregnant women – at risk,” said AG Healey. “We demand that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt vacate this order immediately to ensure that our residents are not eating food that is tainted with this highly unsafe product.”

Chlorpyrifos is a very common insecticide in the United States and is used on numerous food crops, including apples, strawberries, bananas, pears, peaches, nectarines, and cherries. Residues of the pesticide have repeatedly been found in baby foods and juices. Chlorpyrifos acts by inhibiting an enzyme that is key to the proper development and functioning of the central nervous system and brain. Studies have shown that children born to mothers who were exposed to the toxic pesticide during their pregnancy exhibited cognitive and motor development delays in the first three years, and structural changes in the brain, lower working memory and IQ scores at age 7, and movement disorders (including arm tremors) at age 11.

EPA’s own scientists twice have been unable to identify a safe level for the pesticide on food. In November 2015 and again in November 2016, EPA issued notices of proposed rulemaking to revoke all tolerances and prohibit food from having chlorpyrifos pesticide residue food. However, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt disregarded those proposed regulations and decades of accumulated scientific evidence and – citing “uncertainty” in chlorpyrifos’ toxicity – denied an administrative petition by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Pesticide Action Network North America to revoke the current tolerances for chlorpyrifos on food. By its order, EPA effectively left the current tolerances in place indefinitely. 

In their challenge, the attorneys general argue that Administrator Pruitt’s order violates the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act because it lacks the safety finding that would be required for EPA to be authorized to maintain the current tolerances. The AGs’ challenge requests that the EPA vacate its recent order and that EPA issue a final order within 60 days granting the request and establishing a final regulation revoking tolerances for chlorpyrifos on food.