麻州2015會計年度預算365億元

麻州州長派區克（Deval Patrick ）昨（十一）日簽署了他任內的最後一份麻州年度預算，共365億元，增加了教育，兒童福利，吸毒治療等的經費，同時也否決了一千六百一十萬元他認為不必要的開銷。

派區克表示，他否決的經費數額，不到預算總額的1%，說明他和麻州參議會，眾議會在預算上，意見分歧不大。

派區克否決的項目包括撥一千八百萬元給麻州公園及娛樂局（state parks and recreation），撥二百廿萬元給獄政部門（Department of Correction），撥七十五萬元給塔芙茨獸醫系等。

派區克也否決了一項議會試圖弱化要求MBTA退休基金遵守適用於其他公家員工退休金的揭露及道德等法規的法案。

該法案去年通過，旨在公開通常很秘密的營運，以使其獲得更多監管。派區克表示，他相信MBTA退休基金有必要更為透明。

派區克退回議會的另一預算案，是要給麻州的十一名地區檢察官加薪二萬三千元，從$148,843，漲到$171,561，漲幅約等於15%。派區克表示他贊成加薪，但希望議員們成立一個委員會，研究州內 700名助理地方檢察官的起薪，為什麼低到三萬七千五百元，公辯律師的年薪也才從四萬元起算。

            麻州州長的否決案送回參眾兩會後，有再被推翻的可能。

           

            麻州州長簽署通過的預算案，增加了一億元給地方市鎮做教育補助，撥二千四百萬元辦更多早期教育，好讓一七千百多名兒童不需再等候托兒位置。另撥四千八百萬元給最近出了很多狀況的兒童及家庭部門。

            派區克表示，他感到很遺憾，不能做到他在2006年競選時的減稅承諾。儘管他已給地方市鎮更大的自決預算權利，但還不足以降低物業稅。他說，因素很複雜。

GOVERNOR PATRICK SIGNS FISCAL YEAR 2015 BUDGET

$36.5 Billion Budget Continues Proven Strategy of Investing In Education, Innovation and Infrastructure to Create Growth and Opportunity; Provides Funding to Support Critical Services

BOSTON – Friday, July 11, 2014 – Governor Deval Patrick today signed a $36.5 billion Fiscal Year 2015 (FY15) budget that supports the Patrick Administration’s proven growth strategy of investing in education, innovation and infrastructure to create growth and opportunity across the Commonwealth, and also supports the critical programs and services Massachusetts residents want and deserve.

“When we invest in education, innovation and infrastructure, we create jobs and opportunity in the near term and strengthen our Commonwealth for the long term,” said Governor Patrick. “This budget continues to support that strategy and to fund the services necessary to improve the quality of people’s lives.”

The FY15 budget includes a $100 million increase in Chapter 70 local education aid, reflecting the Administration’s view that nothing is more important than strengthening our schools and providing every child in Massachusetts with access to a high-quality education.  Funding for Chapter 70 local aid is now at $4.4 billion, the highest level in state history and an increase of 26 percent since Governor Patrick took office. 

This budget builds on the Patrick Administration’s unprecedented support for early education, providing an additional $24 million for early education to move 1,700 children off the waitlist for early education programs in FY15.  Together with last year’s investments in early education, 5,000 more children will have access to the high-quality early education opportunities that are critical for their future academic and economic success.  The budget also invests in the Commonwealth’s public universities and colleges to promote future growth and prosperity, including a significant increase in funding for public higher education, which will allow the University of Massachusetts to freeze tuition and fee increases for students for the second consecutive academic year. 

The FY15 budget includes investments to make the Commonwealth’s communities stronger and safer and provides supporting services and opportunities for our most vulnerable residents, including $10.2 million for the summer jobs program for at-risk youth, $8.2 million for Shannon Grants and $4.6 million for the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative.

The FY15 budget also reflects the Patrick Administration’s efforts to reduce the state’s reliance on one-time solutions. It includes a withdrawal from the Stabilization Fund of $140 million, less than half of the $350 million withdrawal in FY14, keeping the Commonwealth on track to finish next year with one of the highest rainy day accounts in the Nation, at more than $1.2 billion.

“This budget continues to build on the Patrick Administration’s record of reforming government while continuing to provide the funding to deliver quality services for the residents of the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Glen Shor.

The budget also includes supports for other key areas funded in the Governor’s FY15 budget proposal, including:

• A $48 million increase for the Department of Children and Families above the FY14 General Appropriations Act, of which $14.6 million is included for capacity building and operational improvements at the Department to better serve families in need;

·         $1.7 million to support Governor Patrick’s sustainable, cost-effective criminal justice reforms which will dramatically improve inmates’ reentry into their communities, increasing opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals and enhancing public safety; and

• $200,000 for the establishment of an office of the state climatologist and $1 million to coordinate and implement strategies for climate change adaptation and preparedness, part of the Governor’s more than $50 million investment in climate change preparedness outlined in January 2014.  

The budget also includes $20 million to address the regional opioid epidemic through an emphasis on prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery; as well as $13 million in funding to ensure that non-convicted patients treated at Bridgewater State Hospital receive mental health services in appropriate settings.

Advancing the Governor’s Four Priorities

The FY15 budget reflects the Patrick Administration’s enduring commitment to creating jobs and opportunity in every corner of the Commonwealth, closing the achievement gap in our schools, controlling health care costs and addressing youth violence to support safer communities.

• Investing in Education to Close the Achievement Gap: The FY15 budget provides increased funding for education – from early education through college – to help close achievement gaps and better prepare our young people for academic and career success. These investments include:

• $75 million in increased funding for the Commonwealth’s public universities and colleges;
• $100 million in increased Chapter 70 funding, bringing total Chapter 70 aid to the highest level in state history;
• $24 million in new investments in early education to reduce the waitlist for high-quality early education programs, newly providing access for over 1,700 children in FY15;
• $18.7 million for regional school transportation, for a total of $70 million, the highest level of state investment ever;
• $3 million in increased investments for scholarships for Massachusetts students pursuing higher education, bringing the total investment to $93.6 million;
• $5 million in increased funding for the Special Education Circuit Breaker to cover costs associated with providing special education for students, bringing the total investment to $257 million;

o   $3.9 million in increased funding for the Children’s Trust Fund which will provide an additional 1,200 families with home visitation services that support young first-time parents, bringing the total investment to $15.6 million;

o   $450,000 in increased funding for Extended Learning time grants for school districts, bringing the total investment to $14.7 million; and

o   $6.5 million in salary increases for Child Care Workers at Center-Based providers.

• Investing in Innovation to Create Jobs, Expand Opportunity: The FY15 budget funds a number of initiatives to support job creation in key growth sectors of the state’s economy, including life sciences, manufacturing, local infrastructure and innovation. These investments include:
  
  

• $25 million for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) to provide research grants and accelerator loans to researchers and early-stage companies and support workforce development efforts in the life sciences; and
• $10.4 million in funding to support the tourism industry, with funding dedicated to expanding domestic and international marketing initiatives in emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil.

• Expanding Access to Affordable, Quality Health Care: The FY15 budget makes investments to strengthen the Commonwealth’s national leadership in expanding health care access and improving quality including:

• Funding to support implementation of the first full fiscal year of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The FY15 budget enables more low- income adults to access subsidized coverage through an expanded Medicaid program, and keeps Health Connector coverage for other low-and-moderate income families as affordable as it is today;
• Restoration of coverage of denture benefits for adult MassHealth members; and
• $153 million in additional funding for human service providers, allowing the Administration to make continued progress in implementing Chapter 257.

• Building Stronger, Safer Communities through Positive Youth Development & Youth Violence Prevention: The FY15 budget contains funding for positive youth development and violence prevention programs that will positively impact the lives of young people across the Commonwealth and help build stronger, safer communities. Funding includes:
  
  

• $10.2 million for summer jobs for At-Risk Youth;
• $8.2 million for Shannon Grants;
• $4.6 million for the Administration’s Safe and Successful Youth Initiative;
• $4.1 million for Youth-at-Risk Matching Grants;
• $2 million for YouthBuild Grants;
• $1.7 million for After-School/Out-of-School Grants;
• $1.3 million for Youth-Violence Prevention Grants; and
• $200,000 for the School Safety Task Force.

Furthering the Patrick Administration’s Efforts to Improve the Way Government Does Business:The FY15 budget includes key reforms proposed by the Patrick Administration, including:

• Information technology reforms, consistent with Governor Patrick’s Executive Order 549, whichenhance the role of the Commonwealth’s Chief Information Officer and refashions the current Information Technology Division into a new Massachusetts Office of Information Technology to improve information technology oversight, project selection and implementation. The Administration’s implementation of E.O. 549 has already produced major improvements in how we select and deploy technology solutions for delivering core public services.   
• An end to the practice of paying for transportation staff on the capital budget, creating more room for spending capital dollars on better roads, rail and bridges across the Commonwealth.
• The new Interagency Data Services (IDS) model, which will provide authorized agencies with access to targeted information necessary to more effectively detect and prevent fraud, waste and abuse across government programs. This new model has the potential to save the state $20 million annually.
• A new phase of human resource modernization, including the development of Commonwealth Workforce Plans, which will ensure the state is well-positioned to attract and retain a world-class workforce. 

VetoesThe Governor vetoed a limited number of items from the Legislature’s budget totaling $16.1 million in spending. Examples include several earmarks at the Department of Correction, the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, the Department of Conservation and Recreation and other agencies. 

The Governor also vetoed or returned for amendment a small number of outside sections, including a section that would have removed the MBTA retirement system and similar entities from the Public Records Law.  This veto preserves an important tool to promote a more transparent and open government.

Proposed Supplemental Budget

In conjunction with signing the FY15 budget, Governor Patrick has also filed FY14 year-end supplemental legislation, which proposes creating additional fiscal management tools to ensure that the Commonwealth is well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities and solve problems while maintaining a balanced budget. The proposal allows the Governor to make spending reductions at all Executive agencies, including those that do not report to the Governor, if the Executive Office of Administration and Finance determines that budgeted revenues will be insufficient to meet anticipated expenditures.

Today’s supplemental bill also addresses unfunded needs in FY14, providing $32 million for FY14 snow and ice costs. The bill also appropriates $10 million for implementation of the Patrick Administration’s Bridgewater State Hospital recommendations, funding additional clinical staff at Bridgewater State Hospital. The supplemental bill allows select prior appropriations to be continued into FY15.

MIRA訂九月舉辦 "美國歡迎“週

Starting September 13, 2014 Welcoming America and its partners nationwide will host the National Welcoming Week, which unites immigrants and U.S. born community members together through service projects and other events accross the country. The combination of the two communities encourages people to reach out and get to know their neighbors and better understand the immigrant experience.

Welcome week is quickly approaching, so we are encouraging you to plan your events soon so you can be updated on materials and information once they are available!

Participation	If you are interesed in hosting your own event, please apply and submit theapplication!
Events	Please apply and submit an application for eventds for Welcoming Week in Massachusetts so we can update information.
Donations	Even if you are unable to participate or host an event within your community, you can still support the Welcoming America Week by donating online!

Please take the opportunity to start planning for Welcoming Week so that we are fully prepared to bring our neighbors together!

BCNC第二屆音樂夏令營開幕 鍾家庭帶動歡聲

波士頓華埠社區中心（BCNC）昨（十）日下午在昆士小學禮堂舉行第二屆青少年音樂夏令營開幕式。新英格蘭愛國者隊球員鍾家庭（Patrick Chung）再進華埠，為這非常“嘻哈（hip-ho）”的音樂會做主持。

波士頓華埠社區中心已於週一（七日）啟動的青少年音樂夏令營（Summer Music Academy for Real Teen），以六至十二歲的青少年為對象，為期六週。今年共有廿六人獲選入營，比去年增加了將近一倍。

            波士頓華埠社區中心發展主任陳小慧指出，該中心相信音樂具有熏陶，改變人的力量，希望藉這音樂夏令營，讓更多因所處環境，經濟情況，無緣接受音樂教育的青少年，有機會學習，浸淫在音樂中。

            在鍾改變生命基金會再度贊助一萬元，林書豪基金會，波士頓基金會，東方銀行，永豐（Santander）銀行等加入贊助行列下，BCNC得以因應每名青少年約需款兩千元的開銷。

            昨日下午的音樂夏令營啓動式，在BCNC行政主任李隆華簡介開場後，由鍾家庭，音樂電台JAM’N 94.5的Maverik兩人主持，要求場內觀眾分兩邊比尖叫聲誰大的製造熱鬧氣氛開場。

安排的表演節目有龐克現象（Phunk Phenomenon）的嬉合舞團，本地由青少年組成的Fame or Juliet，本地歌手兼作曲家Louie Bello演唱，以及胡天龍率領的麻州大學舞獅隊，表演採青，舞獅，展現疊人功夫等。

            整個音樂會有非常濃厚的非洲裔，嬉合風味，場內坐滿了來自王氏華埠青年會，波士頓華埠社區中心屋街項目，以及多個地方社團的小朋友，都在節奏感極強的音樂中，表現得興奮非常。

        包括陳嘉嘉，杜莉莎，黃嘉麗等三名波士頓拉丁學校學生等26名獲選入營者，在過去這數天中，已上了彈鋼琴，吉他，學寫歌詞等課。

            祖父為中國移民，父親是有非洲裔血統的牙買加人，母親為非洲裔牙買加歌星，有四分之一華裔血統的鍾家庭，在2013年三月時，轉簽費城老鷹隊，今年三月，他又重簽新英格蘭愛國者隊，回到家人所在的波士頓。

圖片說明：

            鍾家庭（左一），Maverik（右一）請座中小朋友上台表演。（菊子攝）

            鍾家庭的手臂上，有他的中文姓名和英譯的刺青。（菊子攝）

            鍾家庭（左）和BCNC主任李隆華（右）討論台詞。（菊子攝）

            胡天龍（持龍頭者）率麻州大學舞獅隊表演。（菊子攝）

            鍾家庭非常有親和力，親自幫忙撿拾舞獅後留在舞台上的生菜，好讓下個舞蹈表演能順利上演。（菊子攝）

            嬉合舞團的表演。（菊子攝）

鍾家庭（中）和Maverik（又一）從座位中，挑小朋友上台表演。（菊子攝）

陳業鑫：台灣仍然有機會 改變還靠年輕人

臺北市政府勞動局局長陳業鑫九日晚出席新英格蘭台灣青年商會（TYCCNE ) 講座，坦言台灣雖有令人憂心處，但絕不是完全沒機會的地方。身在海外的年輕人若愛台灣，應設法做橋樑，讓台灣更為國際化。

陳業鑫笑言，當各國都有重要企業在台灣有重大利益時，台灣的安全就不需要台灣擔心，自有全世界各地一起保護。

新英格蘭台灣青年商會指出，天下雜誌早前播出的《志氣－為人才而戰》紀錄片中，有幾個鏡頭是許多海外年輕人感慨，大學畢業，薪水才22K，怎麼回得去。因此抓住機會，邀請正以私人身份訪波的臺北市政府勞動局局長陳業鑫，說說台灣近況。

陳業鑫透露，天下雜誌《志氣－為人才而戰》紀錄片的監製是他的政大學妹，片中許多有關南韓，東南亞國家越來越國際化，重視人才，台灣再不急起直追，未來堪憂的觀點，來自和他討論的結果。

在天下雜誌的“人才”紀錄片中，上銀科技總裁卓永財為培養人才，和西農工商合作，不惜把動輒數百萬元的廠房機械，拿來讓全無經驗的實習生使用。

本身學法律，原本在南部當法官，四年半前才走馬上任勞動局局長的陳業鑫表示，在深入業界的廣泛接觸後，卓永財的感嘆，他非常有體會。

他指出，台灣目前的教育和現實脫節，以致人才和業界需求無法接軌。他積極推動技職訓練，包括打版師，汽車維修師培訓等，因此廣受歡迎。

陳業鑫不否認，台灣目前的薪資結構很有問題，許多人因此滯留海外，不願回台灣，很多人批評政府辦事不力，但他表示，自己進了政府做事後，瞭解到有些事的確不能完全怪政府。例如22K薪資，原本市政府好心要幫助在金融海嘯期間，畢業就失業的一群年輕人，讓他們不至於履歷空白，從此在求職路上一厥不振。只是沒想到企業界能省則省，薪資就再也提不上來。要改變社會整體現象，得靠更多熱心人願意投身努力，推動改革。

 新英格蘭台灣青年商會九日晚舉辦的“我們真的回不去台灣嗎？”講座，約有四十多人出席，對台灣現狀非常關心，不過在陳業鑫的即席調查中，打算畢業後回台灣的人，還是比準備留下來的人多。

圖片說明：

            數個月後將卸任的臺北市政府勞動局局長陳業鑫，九日非常坦率的和出席學子交流。（菊子攝）

波市公校開放120地點免費供應學童早午餐

波士頓公立學校的暑期免費食物將從即日起至八月廿九日，在全市120多個地點，為波士頓公校十八歲以下兒童，免費提供早餐，午餐。

            享用免費早，午餐，並不需要出示身分證明。

            這一免費餐服務，由麻州教育廳提供補助，由美國農業部，波士頓市政府，麵包項目，波士頓公立學校辦理。

            相關單位表示，辦理夏日食物服務項目的地點，都是容易抵達的地方，為孩子們提供來源安全的免費食物。地方上的辦理機構包括波士頓公立學校，社區中心，日間營區，教堂，游泳池等。

            這一項目已辦理了十九年。

            查詢夏日免費餐地點，可上網bostonpublicschools.org ，或電洽麵包項目熱線 1-800-645-8333。

BPS opens 120 free summer meal sites

Summer Food Service program runs through August 29 for students 18 and under

BOSTON — The Boston Public Schools free Summer Food Service Program is now open. The program provides free breakfast and lunch to Boston children and teens aged 18 and under through August 29 at more than 120 locations throughout Boston. No registration or ID is necessary.

This project is supported by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Education and sponsored by the USDA, the City of Boston, Project Bread and the Boston Public Schools.

“We recognize that we need to provide services resources for Boston children not just during the school year, but year-round," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "Providing healthy meals for our children and teenagers throughout the summer months ensures that we are continuing to provide a strong foundation for learning and growth.”

“Our schools provide healthy, free meals to all students during the school year but hunger does not stop in the summertime,” said BPS Interim Superintendent John McDonough. “This program demonstrates our city’s commitment to ensure every child has healthy, fresh food year-round.”

The Summer Food Service Program sites are an easy, reliable, safe source of free meals for kids.  Local organizations that host the meals include Boston Public Schools, community centers, day camps, churches and pools. This is the 19th year of the program.

To find a Summer Food Service Program Free Meals Site in your area visit the interactive map at bostonpublicschools.orgor call the Project Bread Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.

Families are invited to join BPS at the Summer Food Service Program Kickoff Celebration on Thursday, July 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the BCYF Thomas M. Menino Community Center, 125 Brookway Road in Roslindale.

Mayor Walsh Announces City of Boston Alzheimer’s Initiative

Mayor Walsh Announces City of Boston Alzheimer’s Initiative

Will raise awareness about the disease and offer support services to those affected

BOSTON – Today Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the City of Boston’s Alzheimer’s Initiative, which includes “dementia capable” training for city employees and volunteers and the city’s membership in the national Alzheimer’s Association® Workplace Alliance. The multi-faceted initiative will offer information and support services to people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, and raise awareness about the importance of early detection of the disease. Mayor Walsh will also serve as the honorary chair of the Greater Boston Walk to End Alzheimer’s® this September.

“This is personal for me -- my grandmother had Alzheimer’s and I saw firsthand the toll it takes on a family, and the love and patience that is required to care for someone with the disease,” said Mayor Walsh. “Together we can make Boston a supportive place for people affected by Alzheimer’s, and give family members the knowledge, understanding, and tools to cope with what can be a difficult situation.”

As part of the initiative the City of Boston has joined the Alzheimer’s Workplace Alliance, formerly the Alzheimer’s Early Detection Alliance, a group of nearly 2,000 leading companies and organizations that have stepped up as leaders in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. As a member, the City of Boston is committed to connecting its17,000 employees to support and information on the disease, educating employees about the warning signs of Alzheimer’s, the importance of early detection, and the resources available to help them. Boston Medical Center, Northeastern University and the Building and Construction Trades Council of the Metropolitan District are also part of the Alzheimer’s Workplace Alliance.

“Mayor Walsh and the City of Boston have taken a huge step in addressing a health care issue that increasingly impacts us all,” said James Wessler, president/CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, MA/ NH Chapter. “Since Boston is an international hub for Alzheimer’s research and programs, it’s only fitting that Boston become the first major American city to join the Workplace Alliance. Education and  support can make a significant difference in the quality of life for those living with the disease, and their families.”

The City of Boston is also committed to working with the Alzheimer’s Association to provide training to city employees that have direct and regular contact with individuals that may have Alzheimer’s.  Over the next two years the City of Boston will train staff at the Boston Police Department, Emergency Medical Services, the Boston Fire Department, Boston Housing Authority, and the Elderly Commission to be “dementia capable.” Volunteers with the Elderly Commission’s 55+ RSVP program, will also be trained to provide respite services to caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

“The majority of care for people with Alzheimer’s disease is provided at home by informal caregivers – spouses, adult children and others,” said Commissioner Emily Shea. “Accessible respite services are an important piece to the caregiving puzzle.”

This year, Mayor Walsh will serve as honorary chair of the Greater Boston Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sunday, September 28, 2014. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research.

National CAPACD Commends Confirmations of Julian Castro as HUD Secretary and Shaun Donovan as OMB Director

National CAPACD Commends Confirmations of Julian Castro as HUD Secretary and Shaun Donovan as OMB Director

Yesterday, the Senate confirmed San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro as the next Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He replaces Secretary Shaun Donovan who earlier today was confirmed to serve as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. 

“Coming from a working class family background, Mayor Julian Castro's personal understanding of the barriers faced by many immigrant and low-income families has guided his efforts over the years and has shaped his vision for revitalizing neighborhoods and building a more inclusive society. We are confident that he will bring this same vision to his new role as Secretary of HUD and will be a champion for the needs of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) and other underserved communities, ” said Lisa Hasegawa, executive director for the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development. “As mayor of San Antonio, his first-hand experience on the challenges that local governments face in rebuilding their communities will be of tremendous value as he leads the continued housing recovery of our nation.” 

   

“As we welcome a new partnership with Mayor Castro, we also want to thank outgoing Secretary Shaun Donovan for his longstanding commitment to ensuring the needs of AAPIs and other communities of color were not overlooked as he led our country through one of the worst recessions in recent history,” added Hasegawa. "Secretary Donovan has been a great partner with National CAPACD over the past few years and has been highly supportive of policy priorities in the AAPI community. We look forward to working with him in his new capacity as Director of OMB to ensure that the federal budget is reflective of our core values as a nation.