MAYOR JANEY, SUPERINTENDENT CASSELLIUS SHARE BACK-TO-SCHOOL PREPARATIONS AHEAD OF 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR

MAYOR JANEY, SUPERINTENDENT CASSELLIUS SHARE BACK-TO-SCHOOL PREPARATIONS AHEAD OF 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR

 

BOSTON - Thursday, September 2, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey and Superintendent Brenda Cassellius were today joined by Dr. Cassandra Pierre, Boston Medical Center Associate Hospital Epidemiologist; Tim Rowe, CIC CEO & Founder; and Catherine De Jesús Martínez, BPS student at Boston International Newcomers Academy to discuss Boston Public Schools’ back-to-school plan ahead of the start of the 2021-2022 School Year. Thursday, September 9 is the first day for Grades 1-12 and Monday, September 13 is the first day for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten.  “As Mayor of Boston, and as an education advocate, a BPS alum, and as the proud parent of a BPS graduate, I’m excited to kick off the new school year,” said Mayor Kim Janey. “This particular back-to-school season is the first time since March 2020 that we are welcoming all of our students back to Boston Public Schools. This is an important reunion for students, teachers, and school staff, and we will ensure that it’s a safe reunion.” "The Boston Public Schools team is so excited to welcome back our students and staff for a successful school year next week. As we continue to support our students in recovery from the impacts of the pandemic, we are looking forward to returning to the joy of teaching and learning," said BPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius. "We have been working all summer to ensure the physical, social and emotional health of our students and staff and we continue to address all challenges as they arise. The best place for children to learn is inside the classroom, and BPS is thrilled to begin the year with all students attending school in-person, alongside their peers and under the loving care of their educators." The third school year amid the pandemic, Boston Public Schools has prepared strategies to ensure a safe and successful year of learning for all students. Eligible students and staff are encouraged to get vaccinated. In collaboration with the Boston Public Health Commission, vaccination clinics continue to be accessible for students 12 years of age and older. Additionally, staff are required to follow the City of Boston vaccination verification mandate. Furthermore, Boston Public Schools is utilizing both face coverings and COVID-19 testing to ensure students and staff are safe. Masks continue to be required to be worn by all students and staff while in school and riding BPS school buses. There are three main strategies for COVID-19 testing in schools, operated by CIC Health:   1.  Routine COVID-19 Pool testing: Free, voluntary and confidential COVID-19 pool testing will be available in schools for students and staff. To participate, parents/guardians/caregivers must complete a consent form for their student(s) to be eligible for pool testing. Schools will provide weekly COVID-19 testing for a sample of the population (the pool). If there is a positive pool case, each individual sample for the positive pool will be attested with a follow-up test. 2.  Testing for students experiencing symptoms of COVID-19: Any student who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms will have access to a rapid test.  3.  Test to Stay: Introduced by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Test and Stay allows individuals who are identified as a close contact of a confirmed positive case to stay in school with daily testing for five days if they do not have symptoms.  “Being vaccinated and wearing my mask makes me feel more confident to be back in public,” said Catherine De Jesús Martínez, a senior at Boston International Newcomers Academy. If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they will quarantine for 10 days and return to school after no longer presenting symptoms or with a negative test. Students who are confirmed close contacts of a positive case in school will not have to quarantine, but will have the opportunity to test for five days in school if they do not have symptoms according to DESE’s Test and Stay policy. Boston Public Schools continues to ensure hygienic practices in all schools, including thorough cleaning, access to PPE supplies, hand washing and hand sanitizer stations, and air filtration and ventilation. Additionally, in line with national trends, BPS is experiencing a bus driver shortage. Please apply here if you are interested in becoming a BPS bus driver. The role offers $26.65 an hour plus benefits. BPS is currently hiring for multiple positions including bus monitors and food service workers. Anyone interested in joining the BPS team can apply at bostonpublicschools.org/OHC, and click “Find a Job.”  For more information about the school year, visit the BPS Back to School webpage here.  To access Boston Public Schools’ Back to School Guide, visit here.

B.A.A. Announces Participant Health & Safety Policies for 125th Boston Marathon

B.A.A. Announces Participant Health & Safety Policies for 125^th Boston Marathon

BOSTON—The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has announced that entrants in the 125^th Boston Marathon, scheduled for Monday, October 11, will need to either provide proof of vaccination or produce a negative COVID-19 test in order to participate in the fall race. It is strongly recommended that all entrants, staff, and volunteers are vaccinated. Masks will not be required while running the 26.2-mile course, but will be enforced on participant transportation and in other areas in accordance with local guidelines.

Prior to bib number pick-up, Boston Marathon participants will be required to either produce proof of a complete vaccination series of a World Health Organization-certified vaccine or produce a negative COVID-19 test, which will be administered on site in a Boston Marathon medical tent. Vaccine verification will occur Friday, October 8 through Sunday, October 10 in coordination with the Boston Marathon Expo hours. Participants may bring an original paper copy, digital copy, photocopy, or photo of their vaccination proof.

The B.A.A. will work with a third-party testing provider for test administration and results tracking. Testing will begin no earlier than 72 hours prior to participant start times on Monday, October 11. Exact hours, locations, and additional details will be communicated directly to all participants. Tested participants will not receive immediate access to enter the Boston Marathon Expo for bib number pick-up and will be required to wait for confirmation of test results. The fastest path to pick up numbers for the 125^th Boston Marathon is being fully vaccinated.

Upon successful vaccination verification or negative COVID-19 test, participants will receive a bracelet which must be worn at all times in order to access bib number pick-up areas and participant transportation areas on race day. The bracelet must also be displayed to receive a unicorn finisher’s medal on Boylston Street. Boston Marathon volunteers and officials will follow a similar process, and will receive additional information in the coming weeks. All Boston Marathon medical volunteers will be fully vaccinated. Athletes in the John Hancock Professional Athlete Field will follow enhanced health and safety procedures, including regular testing over race weekend.

What if a participant tests positive for COVID-19?

Any participant who tests positive for COVID-19 prior to starting the race will not be allowed to participate in the event and will be refunded their entry fee. Participants will not be refunded the one-time $25.00 USD fee charged at the point of registration to support COVID-19 mitigation efforts, including testing. Participants will not be able to defer their entry to a future year, but will not have the missed race count against any active consecutive finish streaks.

All test results will be reported by the third-party provider to the public health authority of the jurisdiction where the person resides. The B.A.A. will work to ensure that all cases are traced and tracked to prevent any additional spread due to exposure at Marathon related events or programs. Additionally, all participants will receive an email after race day asking to self-report if exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19. Any participant who tests positive for COVID-19 must be prepared to isolate in accordance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ guidance and assume all associated fees, including medical expenses and fees associated with isolating and travel. All participants and spectators are strongly encouraged to get tested in advance of traveling to Boston and must have a plan for isolation in the event of a positive COVID-19 test. Unvaccinated people must also have a plan to self-quarantine following an exposure to a COVID-19 positive person.

Any participant, volunteer, or spectator exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home.

What is the mask policy leading up to and on Boston Marathon race day?

Participants must wear masks on race-day buses, including those transporting athletes from Boston to Hopkinton pre-race and from Boston to Hopkinton post-race. In accordance with the Boston Public Health Commission’s August 20, 2021 indoor mask mandate for the City of Boston, masks must be worn in indoor public settings including within the Boston Marathon Expo.

Athletes will not be required to wear masks while participating in the Boston Marathon, but masks will be made available at the finish for any athlete who elects to wear one upon finishing the race. Masks will be required, and provided, in all medical tents along the route. Volunteers assigned to roles with direct interaction or in close proximity with athletes will be required to wear masks, including all medical volunteers. Additional personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided to volunteers based upon assignment.

Mask policies will be reviewed on a regular basis and updated in accordance with local guidance leading up to the October 11th race. On July 30, 2021, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued an advisory stating masks should be worn indoors by unvaccinated adults, fully vaccinated individuals with a weakened immune system, individuals with an increased risk for severe disease, and by fully vaccinated individuals whose households include members with a weakened immune system.

What else should participants, spectators, and volunteers expect?

The B.A.A. strongly encourages everyone to “Earn A PR” by practicing personal responsibility for the 125^th Boston Marathon. From guests traveling with athletes to spectators cheering on participants, everyone is encouraged to take efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. These efforts may include being fully vaccinated, getting tested for COVID-19 prior to any travel, wearing a mask when you cannot socially distance over race week, refraining from kissing a stranger around the halfway mark of the Boston Marathon, and only using B.A.A. provided course nutrition in lieu of accepting hydration or food from spectators. Additionally, anyone who develops any symptoms must avoid public activity except for going to get a COVID-19 test.

In the coming weeks, athletes will receive more information on the rolling start procedure, bib number assignments, bus loading times in Boston, and transportation to the start. The 125^th Boston Marathon mobile app—designed for athletes participating in the in-person and virtual races, as well as spectators—will launch in early September.

Earlier this year the B.A.A. announced additional mitigation efforts including a reduced field size, elimination of the pre-race Athletes’ Village staging area, and a virtual race option. Since September 2020, the B.A.A. has been regularly convening a COVID-19 Medical & Event Operations Advisory Group to establish a framework to advise the B.A.A.’s leadership, board of directors, and staff how to safely resume the Boston Marathon and other large, in-person B.A.A. road races. The B.A.A. will continue to review and revise as necessary health and safety procedures leading up to and on race day.

25%選民心意未決 波士頓市長選情變數大

             (Boston Orange 綜合編譯)波士頓9月14日的初選，會是哪2名市長候選人擠進11月2日大選? 約25%選民心意未決，成為選情最大變數。

             愛默生學院和第七號電視台在8月23、24兩日向600名受訪者做了誤差率有3-9%的意見調查，結果是吳弭(Michelle Wu)再度領先，支持率高達24%，其次為Annissa Essaibi George的18%，Kim Janey的16%，Andrea Campbell的14%，以及巴洛斯(John Barros)的2%。

             Annissa Essaibi George競選團隊在8月16到21日之間，向600人做的內部民意調查，則是吳弭27%，Annissa Essaibi George15%，Kim Janey15%，Andrea Campbell的10%，以及巴洛斯(John Barros)5%。

             Essaibi George團隊稱，調查樣本有較多前進派，以及30歲左右的年輕人，因而吳弭的支持率有膨脹了的可能。

             薩福克(Suffolk)大學和波士頓環球報在今年6月做的一次民調則是，吳弭23.4%，Kim Janey21.6%，Annissa Essaibi George14.4%，Andrea Campbell的10.8%，以及巴洛斯(John Barros)1.8%。

             在最新的民調中，黑人選民支持2名黑人女性候選人的比率，比支持其他候選人的比率高得多。Kim Janey31%，Andrea Campbell24%。

             白人選民支持Annissa Essaibi George和吳弭的比率則一樣，都是24%。

             拉丁裔選民23%支持吳弭，20%支持Kim Janey，19%支持Annissa Essaibi George。

             亞裔選民則是一面倒的有73%支持吳弭這名台灣移民之女。

             這次的新民調還顯示，30歲以下選民比較喜歡吳弭，65歲以上選民比較喜歡Kim Janey。30到44歲年齡段的選民，32%喜歡吳弭，29%喜歡Annissa Essaibi George。在45到64歲年齡段的選民中，4名女性候選人得到的支持度都差不多。

             若以議題看，選民最重視的是住宅，19%，其次為教育，16%，然後是其他13%，犯罪12%，醫療保險10%。

                Andrea   Campbell和John  Barros兩人都表示，民調結果不可盡信。

300萬元"重啟波士頓創意" 藝術組織10/15前申請

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $3 MILLION IN FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR ARTS ORGANIZATIONS  Applications for Boston Cultural Council organizational grants and Reopen Creative Boston are due on October 15, 2021 at 5 p.m.

 

BOSTON - Wednesday, September 1, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Boston Cultural Council, today announced the opening of applications for two grant opportunities for local arts organizations. Boston Cultural Council grants are available for organizations that benefit the public by offering arts programming in Boston's neighborhoods, and this year an additional grant is available through Reopen Creative Boston, which is funding available through the American Rescue Plan Act for arts and culture organizations that need financial support to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19 and reopen their offerings to the public. “The arts are necessary for both our city’s financial recovery and healing those impacted by the pandemic through creative self-expression,” said Mayor Janey. “I am committed to investing in the local organizations that make up our diverse arts community. These organizations have gone above and beyond to address the needs of Boston residents throughout the pandemic. The City will continue to support arts investments, as we get through this together.” The Boston Cultural Council (BCC) works under the umbrella of the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture to annually distribute funds allocated by the City of Boston and the Mass Cultural Council for local arts and cultural programming. Through this program, organizations with annual budgets under $2 million can apply for BCC grants of $2,000, $3,500, or $5,000 depending on budget size. The BCC focuses on small to mid-sized organizations that uniquely serve the City's arts ecosystem and prioritize cultural diversity, economic diversity, inclusion, and equity, through both their staffing and audiences served. Nonprofit cultural organizations whose missions or programming are focused on music, film and video, traditional and folk art, visual art, theater, dance, humanities, literary arts, performing arts, social/civic practice, and multidisciplinary arts are eligible to apply as long as they are based in the City of Boston, or offer programming in Boston. BCC members represent the city’s districts and are appointed by the Mayor. Council members are selected on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to Boston's cultural community and their knowledge of various arts disciplines.  Earlier this year, Mayor Janey announced that 152 arts and cultural organizations received grants totaling $487,000 through the Boston Cultural Council in fiscal year 2021. Reopen Creative Boston is a $3 million grant program to cover expenses related to reopening the arts and culture sector and resuming cultural programming and services. Arts and cultural organizations of any budget size that can demonstrate they have been negatively economically impacted by COVID-19 are eligible to apply.  Through Reopen Creative Boston, the City is awarding grants of up to $50,000 to cover costs for reopening and restarting programs, including payroll, new technology, and consulting services. Organizations that operate and own cultural facilities will be eligible for an additional grant up to $50,000. Organizations with budgets under $2 million are eligible to apply for both the Boston Cultural Council grants and the Reopen Creative Boston grants, while organizations with budgets over $2 million may only apply for Reopen Creative Boston. This $3 million initiative is the latest in the City’s investment in arts and culture during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the beginning of this year, the City partnered with The Boston Foundation and the Barr Foundation to award 17 local BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) arts and culture organizations with $25,000 unrestricted grants for COVID-19 relief. To better support arts organizations facing financial losses, canceled programming, and closures caused by COVID-19, the City of Boston also awarded $815,000 in grants to 146 local arts and cultural organizations as part of the Arts and Culture COVID-19 Fund last year. Additionally, throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency, the City of Boston in partnership with Boston Center for the Arts (BCA) awarded grants totaling over $330,000 to over 600 artists as part of the Boston Artist Relief Fund, which was established to support artists whose creative practices and incomes were adversely impacted by the pandemic. “We’ve continued to hear from the arts community about the significant negative economic impact COVID-19 has had on artists, arts organizations, performance venues, and cultural spaces, and it’s clear that we need to keep investing in these groups in order to have an equitable recovery for the entire city,” said Kara Elliott-Ortega, Chief of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston. The deadline to apply for BCC grants and the Reopen Creative Boston Fund is October 15, 2021 at 5 p.m. ET. There will be a virtual webinar on September 8 at noon for organizations interested in learning more about the application process. More information can be found at boston.gov/arts-grants.

AG: CAC將賠償2700萬元給3000餘借款人

IN LARGEST SETTLEMENT OF ITS KIND, AG HEALEY SECURES $27 MILLION FOR THOUSANDS OF MASSACHUSETTS CONSUMERS FROM SUBPRIME AUTO LENDER

Settlement Resolves Allegations that Credit Acceptance Corporation Violated the Consumer Protection Act and Debt Collection Laws; Company to also Provide Debt Relief and Credit Repair to Certain Eligible Consumers

            BOSTON – In the largest settlement of its kind, national subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance Corporation (CAC) will pay more than $27 million to settle a lawsuit brought by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey over a variety of alleged unfair practices relating to the company’s role in the origination, collection, and securitization of subprime auto loans.

The settlement, which was filed today in Suffolk Superior Court, requires CAC to pay a total of $27.2 million, and provide debt relief and credit repair to thousands of Massachusetts borrowers. Over 3,000 borrowers across the state are expected to be eligible for settlement funds, including many residents of marginalized communities in Springfield, Boston, Worcester, and Brockton. The settlement also requires CAC to make changes to its loan handling practices. 

“Thousands of Massachusetts consumers, many of them first-time car buyers, put their faith in CAC to help them with an auto loan, but were instead lured into high-cost loans, fell deeper in debt, and even lost their vehicles,” said AG Healey. “With this significant $27 million settlement, eligible Massachusetts drivers who have been suffering under the weight of a crushing car loan due to CAC’s deceptive practices will be able to receive relief and avoid new defaults. Predatory car loans, like predatory student loans or mortgages, hurt families and communities. Through our ongoing, extensive investigation into the subprime auto industry, we have a proven record of taking action and getting results for our residents who have been exploited by unscrupulous lenders.”

The AG’s Office sued CAC in August 2020 over the company’s practices relating to the origination, collection, and securitization of subprime auto loans. Specifically, the lawsuit alleged that CAC made high-interest subprime auto loans that it knew or should have known many borrowers would be unable to repay. The AG’s lawsuit noted that while the company profited from these loans, borrowers experienced credit harm, and, in some instances, lost their vehicles or down payments. The complaint also alleged that some CAC borrowers were subject to hidden finance charges, which resulted in violations of the state’s 21 percent usury cap and that CAC engaged in unlawful collection practices. The AG’s lawsuit also contained allegations that CAC failed to inform investors that it topped off securitization loan pools with higher-risk loans. 

The AG’s action against CAC is part of her Office’s ongoing industry-wide review of securitization practices in the subprime auto loan market. AG Healey has been a national leader in holding subprime auto lenders accountable. In 2019, she reached a $5.5 million settlement with Exeter Finance for its alleged role in financing unfair subprime auto loans. Her office previously secured a similar settlement with Santander requiring the company to pay $22 million and provide over $7 million in debt relief to Massachusetts borrowers. The AG’s Office also obtained $12.9 million under settlements with Westlake Financial Services, American Credit Acceptance, and Santander over allegations that the companies charged usurious interest rates on auto loans. 

Borrowers eligible for relief under today’s settlement will be contacted by the AG’s Office. Borrowers with questions about settlement eligibility should contact AG Healey’s Insurance and Financial Services Division at 617-963-2240.

This matter was handled by Burt Feinberg, Peter Leight, Diana Hooley, David Lim, Madonna Cournoyer, Michael Sugar, Leah MacArthur, and Glenn Kaplan, with assistance from Arwen Thoman, Amanda Hesse, Lilia DuBois, Maggie Wallace, Gia Kim, and Rebecca Dutra, all from the Attorney General’s Insurance and Financial Services Division.

Jennifer Daloisio 訂9/3接任麻州清潔能源中心代理執行長

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Announces Leadership Transition 

Boston – After six years leading the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Stephen Pike today announced that he will leave his position as Chief Executive Officer of the quasi-public economic development agency to pursue a new opportunity in the private sector. Pike’s departure will be effective Friday, September 3, 2021. At a meeting of MassCEC’s Board of Directors on Wednesday, Jennifer Daloisio, the Center’s current Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, was approved as Interim CEO while the Baker-Polito Administration conducts a search for a permanent replacement. Daloisio will assume the role of Interim CEO effective Friday September 3, at 5:00 p.m.

“Massachusetts has made tremendous progress in developing a nation-leading clean energy industry, and Steve has played a critical role in the growth of this emerging sector over the past six years,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “I’d like to commend Steve for his service to the Commonwealth, and wish him all the best in his next endeavor. As the Administration begins a search for a permanent replacement, I am confident MassCEC is in good hands as Jen Daloisio steps into the role of Interim CEO, where her longstanding experience and leadership will help guide the agency through this period of transition.”

Pike was named Interim CEO of MassCEC in September 2015, and was officially appointed as CEO by the Baker-Polito Administration in November 2016. Before being named CEO, Pike served as the agency’s General Counsel. Prior to joining MassCEC, Pike practiced corporate law in Boston for 15 years.

“Leading MassCEC over the past six years has been an honor and a privilege, a high point in my professional career,” said MassCEC CEO Stephen Pike. “Massachusetts has set aggressive climate goals, and MassCEC will continue to be on the leading edge of helping the state meet that ambition. Thank you to the Baker-Polito Administration for giving me the opportunity to work on the Commonwealth’s most pressing climate challenges, and I look forward to continuing that effort in the private sector.”

Under Pike’s leadership, MassCEC strengthened its focus combatting climate change by helping the Commonwealth meet its ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals in addition to MassCEC’s historic focus on boosting economic development in the clean energy sector. Over the past six years, MassCEC launched several cutting-edge programs including the Mass Solar Program which supported 5,800 residential solar loans totaling over $185 million in value; the $20 million Advancing Commonwealth Energy Storage (ACES) program, which helped to jumpstart the energy storage market in Massachusetts; several programs focused on developing innovative solutions to decarbonize the state’s building sector; and a critical loan program that helped promising clean energy startup companies survive the economic downturn brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

During Pike’s tenure, MassCEC also launched two new offshore wind workforce development programs; signed leases with two offshore wind developers, totaling $32.5 million, to utilize the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal; and tested 25 wind blades, including the world’s largest blade technology, at the Wind Technology Testing Center in Charlestown.

Acting on Secretary Theoharides’ recommendation, MassCEC’s Board of Directors unanimously approved Jennifer Daloisio as Interim CEO.

“I thank Steve for his dedication and contribution to MassCEC,” said Incoming Interim CEO Jennifer Daloisio. “Under his leadership, MassCEC is poised to continue driving progress on clean energy and climate change, including the resulting green jobs and economic growth. I look forward to advancing the Baker-Polito Administration’s nation-leading clean energy and climate goals, including a target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050.”

Jennifer Daloisio, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

Jennifer Daloisio joined MassCEC in 2014 as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and has helped the agency develop annual budgets, execute programming, and maintain strong fiscal stewardship over the past seven years.

Prior to joining MassCEC, Daloisio practiced public accounting for 18 years, most recently as an Audit Director at Deloitte. During her time in public accounting, she served in a variety of industries, including energy and clean energy, retail, and manufacturing.

Daloisio, a Southborough resident, is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire. She serves as a director on the board of Idle Smart, Inc.

AG’S OFFICE CERTIFIES 17 INITIATIVE PETITIONS

AG’S OFFICE CERTIFIES 17 INITIATIVE PETITIONS

Certified Petitions Cover 15 Topics; Thirteen Petitions Ineligible for Certification

BOSTON – After a thorough review of 30 initiative petitions submitted by the August 4 deadline, Attorney General Maura Healey’s Office has determined that 17 proposals have met the requirements outlined in the Massachusetts constitution and may proceed to the next step in the process.

The AG’s Office certified the 17 petitions, including 16 proposed laws and one proposed constitutional amendment. The certified petitions cover 15 topics, as some petitioners submitted multiple petitions on the same subject. The AG’s Office did not certify 13 of the initiative petitions because they did not meet the requirements outlined in Article 48 of the Massachusetts Constitution.

A list of the petitions and the AG’s certification decisions are available on the AG’s website. Letters explaining the AG’s decisions not to certify are also available on the website.

Today’s decisions are based strictly on the AG’s Office’s constitutional review under Article 48 and do not represent the office’s support or opposition to the merits of the petitions. The Massachusetts Constitution requires that proposed initiatives be in the proper form for submission to voters, not be substantially the same as any measure on the ballot in either of the two preceding statewide elections, contain only subjects that are related to each other or mutually dependent, and not involve a narrow set of subjects that are specifically excluded from the ballot initiative process by the Massachusetts Constitution.

For example, a petition cannot be approved if it relates to religion, religious practices or religious institutions; the powers, creation or abolition of the courts; the appointment, compensation or tenure of judges; a specific appropriation of funds from the state treasury; or if it infringes on other protected constitutional rights, such as trial by jury, freedom of the press and freedom of speech. 

Proponents of the proposed laws must now gather and file the signatures of 80,239 registered voters by Dec. 1, 2021. Once these signatures are collected, the proposal will be sent to the state Legislature to enact before May 4, 2022. If the Legislature fails to enact a proposal, proponents must gather 13,374 additional signatures from registered voters by July 6, 2022 to place the initiative on the November 2022 ballot.

The process for proposed constitutional amendments is different, requiring approval by at least 25 percent of two joint sessions of the Legislature before appearing on the November 2024 ballot.

Voters or petitioners who take issue with the AG’s certification decisions can ask the Supreme Judicial Court for a review.

代表華埠參議員Joe Boncore將任麻州生物科技協會執行長

Joe Boncore抱著兒子上視訊會議。(檔案照片)

             (Boston Orange周菊子綜合報導)麻州生物科技協會(MassBio)今(1)日正式點名麻州參議員賓加利(Joseph Boncore)出任執行長。

             賓加利將是麻州生物科技協會一連第三位執掌該會的前任、現任州議員。

             麻州生物科技協會表示，經過7個月搜尋，考慮過150名候選人後，決定邀請這位Winthrop民主黨人擔任執行長，接替前任，在麻州前州長派區克(Deval Patrick)任內擔任企業發展次長，曾任代表Dedham州議員的Robert Coughlin。

             直到今年初，加入JLL經紀團隊，擔任該公司生命科學業執行總監之前，Robert Coughlin擔任麻州生物科技協會董事長兼執行長查達13年。

             賓加利預定下週向麻州參議會遞交辭呈，並於9月中到麻州生物科技協會上任。賓加利的2名孿生兒子從2019年10月早產25週後，每年有4個多月住在新生兒重症病房。他坦言自己非常清楚生命科學產業的重要性。

             賓加利是麻州生物科技協會新執行長首要人選之一的消息，早在今年7月就已傳出，那些支持女性或有色人種出任該職者忍不住揚起了眉毛。

             麻州生物科技協會在宣佈賓加利出任執行長的聲明中表示，賓加利將和去年已升任董事長，並兼任營運長的Kendalle Burlin O’Connell聯合領導。賓加利將主要負責在聯邦及州政府層級的公共政策倡議，改善麻州的經濟競爭力，以吸引更多生物醫藥企業在麻州成立。Kendalle Burlin O’Connell主要負責營運，管理及會員服務。

             麻州生物科技協會一直以來都找的是人脈很廣的政客來經營這組織。

             麻州前任眾議院議長Thomas M. Finneran於2007年因承認於2000年人口普查後的選區重劃，動用影響力，妨礙司法正義這罪刑後，被迫辭職，由Robert Coughlin接任。

             麻州生物科技協會作為麻州備受矚目生物製藥產業門面，其首長做為麻州最有影響力遊說者，薪資也很高。根據最近可查的聯邦稅務文件，Robert Coughlin的2018年總薪酬，包括退休福利，以及延遲給付的報酬，超過110萬元。

             賓加利是2016年贏了特別選舉後成為麻州參議員，目前是麻州參議會交通聯席委員會的參議會主席，以及麻州生物科技核心小組的參議會主席。他曾支持現代化MBTA，包括更換老舊的銀線巴士，採用電子化巴士，以降低尤其是雀喜市、東波士頓等地區的汙染程度。

             賓加利畢業於普域敦斯學院(Providence)，以及麻州法學院，在加入他的家族律師事務所之前，曾任公職辯護人。

             麻州生物科技協會成立於1985年，代表麻州的生物製藥業做遊說，是世界上最活躍的該類組織之一。全世界最好的20加生物製藥公司有18家在麻州設有據點，包括去年12月，第一個獲得聯邦食藥署批准新冠疫苗做緊急用途的輝瑞(Pfizer)，一星期後，總部設在麻州劍橋市的莫德納(Moderna)所研發出來的疫苗，也獲批准。

             根據麻州生物科技協會的報告，儘管去年有新冠病毒大流行疫情。麻州的生物製藥業就業機會，在2020年中成長了5.5%，達到將近8萬5千個工作岡位。和過去15年相比，增長幅度達到92%。這也解釋了位什麼麻州是在世界上領先的生物科技樞紐之一。

             波士頓環球報今日在報導賓加利將出任麻州生物科技協會執行長的文章中指稱，儘管賓加利在州議會中是交通問題領袖，甚至2018年還突然要競選薩福克郡地方檢察官，他的政治生涯並不是全無爭議。2016年時，他以新人之姿參選時，還在因為5年前某晚酒後駕車，在東波士頓和巡邏警車相撞而被告。

             賓加利說撞車前，他喝了2杯酒，2012年波士頓陪審團對他的酒後開車一節，判定無罪。不過駕駛巡邏警車被賓加利撞的警員Fred Lane告他疏忽傷人。根據Lane的律師，勒星頓鎮的Scott Goldberg的說法，2016年，在審判庭將開庭的之前幾天，他們雙方在庭外和解了。

             波士頓市議員Lydia Edwards今日發表聲明，恭喜賓加利，稱許他的能力與熱情。Lydia Edwards在8月中就已向外透露，一旦賓加利離任，她有意願參選該職。目前轄區為東波士頓市的麻州眾議員Adrian Madaro，也在華埠舉辦中秋節聯歡會時，特地出席，透露參選意願。(更新版)