MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES CITY OF BOSTON WINS SBA "START SMALL" COMPETITION AWARD

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES CITY OF BOSTON WINS SBA "START SMALL" COMPETITION AWARD

Award is Part of National Startup Day Initiative

BOSTON - Wednesday, August 5, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that City of Boston has won a $50,000 award from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help its efforts to streamline licensing, permitting and other requirements needed to start a business. Boston is one of 27 winners of the first ever Startup in a Day Competition, totaling $1.6 million in funding nationwide. "I'm honored that the SBA chose Boston as recipient for this grant," said Mayor Walsh. "My Administration has been working to make the permitting process in Boston easy, transparent and predictable and this will help us expand those efforts."  Under Mayor Walsh's leadership, Boston has made Fire and Public Works Department permits available online for the first time, reduced plan review times for building permits, and created an online tool to let applicants see where their permits are in the review process and explore zoning code. In the coming months, Boston will release an entirely new online permit experience that will support entrepreneurs through the permitting and licensing process. Nationwide, the winners are located in 19 states and the District of Columbia, representing a wide array of cities and Native American communities. Startup in a Day is an initiative announced by President Barack Obama earlier this year designed to help cities and Native American communities streamline the licensing, permitting and other requirements needed to start a business in their areas, with the goal that an entrepreneur can apply for everything necessary to begin a business within one business day. Cities were encouraged to take a public pledge to commit to these goals, and were invited to apply for funding through two SBA prize competitions. At the time of the announcement in June, 11 cities had agreed to the Startup in a Day pledge. Today, more than 50 additional cities and Native American communities have taken the pledge. When announcing Startup in a Day, President Obama said, "I'm calling on city halls across the country to join the initial 11 mayors in a simple but powerful pledge to entrepreneurs and small business owners: If you want to start a business, we'll make it so easy to navigate the license and permitting system online, that you'll be off and running within 24 hours." "When I started my businesses, it was overwhelming," said Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, head of the SBA and member of President Obama's Cabinet. "I had to set up a legal structure, find office space, learn local zoning laws, apply for multiple licenses and permits and navigate a maze of city, county, state and federal requirements before I could even open my doors. That's why I'm proud to join the White House in announcing the winners of the Startup in a Day prize competition as we work to make it easier for entrepreneurs all across the country to get started." Currently, our nation's entrepreneurs spend nearly 6 days discovering, applying for and acquiring licenses and permits before they can open for business.  World Bank study ranked America 46th in the ease of starting a business.  "President Obama and the SBA are committed to making it easier and faster for every entrepreneur to start a business," said Seth Goodall, SBA New England Regional Administrator. "This award recognizes Boston's focus on streamlining their licensing and permitting process through online, modern technology so entrepreneurs can focus on their business, rather than the red tape."   "Congratulations to the City of Boston for the work they are doing to make starting a business in Boston simpler," said Bob Nelson, SBA Massachusetts District Director.   "We need to continue to do whatever is necessary to encourage small businesses starts and simplified permitting and processes is one way to do this.  We are excited and look forward to seeing the release of Boston's new entirely online permit process in the very near future."      About Start Up in a Day Initiative:   Startup in a Day is an initiative designed to make it easier than ever for entrepreneurs to start a business. One of the biggest challenges new business owners face is the mass of red-tape which is required prior to launching.  Startup in a Day encourages cities and Native American communities to take a public pledge stating that they will work to make it easier for entrepreneurs in their communities to get started with their business dreams.  To this end, the SBA has run a prize competition which provides cash prizes of $50,000 to cities and Native American communities to help them form processes and systems to streamline the licensing, permitting, and other forms needed to start a business in their areas. The SBA is also offering a $250,000 cash prize to one city or Native American community who wishes to create an "open source" solution which will be replicable and scalable on a broad basis.

White House Community Roundtable Forum comes to Lowell

New England Regional Network of the White House

Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

In partnership with

Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association

Presents

A Community Roundtable Forum

August 22, 2015

9:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.

Registration Begins at 9 A.M.

Enterprise Bank

18 Palmer Street, 2nd Floor

Lowell, MA 01852

As the fastest growing racial group in the country Asian

Americans and Pacific Islanders ( AAPIs) are projected

to represent 10% of the entire U.S. population by 2050.

Please join us at this community roundtable to discuss

key issues facing the AAPI community, learn about

critical federal programs and services, and engage in a

dialogue with federal government officials from New

England regarding how agencies can address the

community’s needs.

Attendees will include federal senior level officials from Department

of Labor, Citizenship Information Services, Department of Health

and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Equal

Employment Opportunity Commission, and Small Business

Administration.

Please RSVP to Hanh Nhi Nguyen by calling 617-565-3205 or

via email hanh.nguyen@eeoc.gov..SPACE IS LIMITED.

Governor Baker Signs Earned Income Tax Credit Increase for Working Families

Governor Baker Signs Earned Income Tax Credit Increase for Working Families

Over 400,000 to benefit from 50% increase in EITC

BOSTON – Today in a signing ceremony at the State House, Governor Charlie Baker was joined by Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Senate President Stan Rosenberg and stakeholders to enact a fifty-percent increase in the Massachusetts Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for over 400,000 working individuals and families in the Commonwealth.

“Since day one, Lieutenant Governor Polito and I have been clear about our priorities to make Massachusetts great and extend the benefits of a growing economy to more individuals across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Baker. “Today we are proud to deliver critical tax relief for over 400,000 hardworking individuals and their families who drive economic development and growth in the Commonwealth. I’m grateful for the leadership of Senate President Rosenberg and Speaker DeLeo who along with their colleagues, worked with us to increase a tool as effective as the Earned Income Tax Credit in support of our families who need it most.”

The bill signed today increases the Massachusetts Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 15% to 23% of the federal EITC, extending the maximum state credit from $951 to $1,459 and meaning as much as $500 in additional support for those who are eligible.

“Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit to provide greater tax relief for 400,000 working individuals and families is an important step toward economic growth and building stronger communities in Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “It has been an honor to work together with the legislature to get this done and put more money back into the hands of those who can use it most effectively to support their families.”

"Massachusetts is a very prosperous state and with today's signing of the expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit, we are helping the hard working families of our state share in that prosperity. This measure gives a tax break to those who need it the most while helping us address the growing problem of income inequality," said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst). "I am pleased to have worked with the Governor, the Speaker, and my colleagues in the Senate to make this a reality today."  

“Increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit will strengthen the Legislature’s existing efforts to close the income gap and provide unrivaled support for hardworking families," said Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). "It is my belief that these changes will reinvigorate our work to achieve economic equality. I thank the Baker Administration, Senate President Rosenberg and my colleagues in the Legislature for their insight and commitment to citizens of the Commonwealth.”

Treasurer Goldberg Visits Lexington’s Minuteman Regional High School on EconomicEmpowerment Tour

Treasurer Goldberg Visits Lexington’s Minuteman Regional High School on EconomicEmpowerment Tour

Lexington ­­ Wednesday, August 5, 2015 ­­ Treasurer Deb Goldberg continued her statewide EconomicEmpowerment Tour today, visiting a group of seventh and eighth grade girls at Minuteman Regional High School’s ‘Girls in STEM’ camp. She met the campers and their faculty and administrators to discuss innovative strategiesto strengthen STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education for all students.

“In the 21 century, closing the skills gap in STEM related fields is critical for the success of our students, and for the economic health and sustainability of our state,” said Treasurer Deb Goldberg. “Programs like the ‘Girls in STEM’ camp are an essential ingredient in promoting these skills across Massachusetts.” 

Minuteman Regional High School is a vocational school with a curriculum designed to students living within Massachusetts’ high-tech corridor. The high school offers a week long career exploratory camp for girls that features a hands-on learning experience for the participants, and a mentorship program facilitated by Minuteman high school students certified and enrolled in STEM majors.

“We’re very proud of the ‘Girls in STEM’ camp,” said Dr. Edward A. Bouquillon, Superintendent at Minuteman High School. “It expands opportunities for girls and young women by opening their eyes to new career possibilities. It’s part of Minuteman’s commitment to help narrow the skills gap between men and women in the STEM fields.”                                                                                 

On day one Treasurer Goldberg created the Office of Economic Empowerment led by a deputy treasurer, with the deliberate goal of incorporating a range of initiatives, including financial literacy, college affordability, and programming to support wage equality.

For more information on the Office of Economic Empowerment visit www.mass.gov/treasury or by followingthe hashtag #EmpowermentMA.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES MOVING TRUCK PERMITS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE AND AT CITY HALL TO GO

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES MOVING TRUCK PERMITS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE AND AT CITY HALL TO GO

BOSTON - Tuesday, August 4, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced a new online application simplifying the process for receiving one-day moving truck permits. This tool is being released in time for the City's busiest moving day, September 1. Residents will also be able to apply for moving truck permits at the City Hall To Go truck where they can pick up their signs in person. "I am committed to making accessing city services easier for Boston residents and students," said Mayor Walsh. "We are excited to offer our residents the ability to apply for moving truck permits from anywhere and hopefully relieve some of the stress that moving brings." This year alone, Mayor Walsh has made eight new permits available online, advancing his commitment to make permitting in Boston easy, transparent and predictable. The new online moving van permit application lets residents avoid visiting two separate offices in City Hall, which are frequently overwhelmed with applicants around the city's busiest move-in times. Mayor Walsh has made improving digital service delivery a top priority for his Administration. Over the coming months, the City will be releasing an entirely revised online permitting experience for the city, which will allow residents and business owners to learn about, and apply for, permits across eight different departments. Online applicants will need to apply two weeks in advance of their move-in date in order to ensure timely delivery of their signs. To apply online, and learn more about the eligibility criteria for online applications visit: boston.gov/movingtrucks. For information on City Hall To Go and its schedule, please visithttp://www.cityofboston.gov/cityhalltogo/.

中秋節聯歡會 波士頓8/9 昆士市8/16

紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦(中)，英文書記李嘉玲（左），財政翁宇才

（右）為籌備華埠中秋節聯歡會，加班開會。海報由李嘉玲設計。（周菊子攝）

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 大波士頓每年一度中秋節聯歡會，日期已經排定，波士頓8月9日（週日），昆士市8月16日（週日）。

            在波士頓市的中秋節聯歡會由紐英崙中華公所（CCBA）主辦，將於八月九日（週日）早上十點起至下午五點，在夏利臣街（Harrison Ave.)上的菲立普（Philip）廣場舉行。

            紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦，英文書記李嘉玲，財政翁宇才等人，為申請許可，邀請嘉賓，聯絡節目，忙碌非常，上週末還加班開會。

昆市亞協服務中心今年續辦“昆市中秋節連歡會”。
（圖由亞協服務中心提供）

            李嘉玲透露，今年的中秋節聯歡會增添不少節目，新贊助商，連開場舞獅，都將增至十隊。摩頓市耆英合唱團，以及一個功夫團體，更將是首次參加波士頓華埠的中秋聯歡會表演。波士頓爵士節樂團也將出席表演，算是為預定於8月29日舉行的活動做預演。

            粵曲演唱部份，將有廣東音藝社，仙藝曲藝社，僑聲音樂社，昭倫公所康樂組，君子樓耆英等五隊表演。當天還將有場排球比賽。

            在昆士市的中秋節聯歡會，由亞協服務中心（QARI）主辦，今年跨入第28屆，將於8月16日早上十一點起，在昆市中心紅線地鐵站附近的興國街（Hancock）上舉行。

            當天將有兩個表演舞台，由當地藝術家輪流表演精彩文化節目，另安排有吃西瓜競賽，扔水球，騎小馬，迴轉輪等遊戲。南岸青年會將在兒童遊樂區安排畫臉，以及各種兒童遊戲。美食區還備有各色美食。

            亞協服務中心表示，今年將有一百多名義工服務，活動免費全靠華人醫務中心等社區組織，企業及政府機構支持。

            查詢詳情可洽617-472-2200，或www.quincyasianresources.org。           

PEDIATRIC SERVICES COMPANY PAYS MORE THAN $2.7 MILLION TO RESOLVE OVERPAYMENT AND OVERCHARGING CLAIMS

PEDIATRIC SERVICES COMPANY PAYS MORE THAN $2.7 MILLION TO RESOLVE OVERPAYMENT AND OVERCHARGING CLAIMSGeorgia-based MassHealth Provider to Pay More than $82,000 to Massachusetts for Knowingly Submitting False Claims for Home Nursing Services

BOSTON – A provider of home nursing services for severely disabled children has agreed to pay over $2.7 million to settle allegations that it failed to return overpayments it received from state Medicaid programs and federally-insured health programs, and overcharged for home nursing services, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.   

The settlement with Georgia-based company, Pediatric Services of America, Inc., (PSA), was joined by 19 other states and the federal government to resolve civil allegations that the company unlawfully withheld overpayments and overcharged for nursing services by improperly rounding-up claims to the nearest whole hour.   

“This provider deliberately misrepresented the nursing services it provided in order to receive more money from this state and others,” AG Healey said. “I am pleased to have worked with state and federal law enforcement partners to ensure that these critical services are being represented accurately and provided properly for young patients who need it most.”

PSA will pay the states and the federal government more than $2.7 million dollars, of which more than $2.4 million will go to the state Medicaid programs of Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington and federally-insured health programs, including Tricare/TriWest and Medicare, between January 2007 and June 2013.

As part of the settlement, MassHealth will receive more than $82,000.

Additionally, the settlement resolves allegations that between January 1, 2008 and October 31, 2014, PSA’s locations in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia knowingly submitted claims to those states’ Medicaid programs for nursing services that overstated the length of time of the services delivered. 

As a condition of the settlement, PSA will enter into a Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General which requires PSA to develop and implement procedures and reviews to avoid and promptly detect conduct similar to that which gave rise to this settlement.

            The investigation resulted from a qui tam action originally filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia under the federal False Claims Act and various state false claims statutes. 

This case was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Office of the Inspector General.

A National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units (NAMFCU) Team participated in the investigation and conducted the settlement negotiations with PSA on behalf of the states and included representatives from the Offices of the Attorneys General for the states of Massachusetts, Georgia, Virginia, Texas, Illinois, and Washington. Assistant Attorney General Steven Sharobem of AG Healey’s Medicaid Fraud Division served as one of the principal negotiators on behalf of the states in connection with today’s settlement.

波士頓聲援反黑箱課綱行動聯盟

八月一日晚在哈佛廣場，有廿，三十名大波士頓人穿黑衣，舉玫瑰，持蠟燭，聲援海外台灣青年陣線發起的“反黑箱課綱串連行動“，以及“撤綱，停告，下台”的三點訴求。

根據維基百科，在馬英九於2008年宣誓就任總統後，教育部組成研商高中課程綱要專案小組，包括王曉波，周婉窈，共有不下20名小組委員。其後因各種爭議，陸續有委員退出，增聘。修訂，調整課綱一事，也從專案委員間的意見不同，蔓延成社會議題。

彷如陳水扁時期的曾經發生“去中國化”議論，修課綱一事，2012年時有民進黨立委鄭麗君指之為教育部意圖“去台灣化”，之後此事的發展，也彷如藍綠之爭，尤其是“日治”與“日據”之爭，更讓坊間討論事件者，把“反課綱”形容為史觀及國家認同問題。與此事有關的程序正義，專案委員挑選黑箱作業等爭論，反而成為模糊事件本質的細節。

一日晚，一名“北美反黑箱課綱串連行動”出席表示，台灣學生會採取激烈行動，衝進教育部，其實是學生們抗議，申訴兩年多，教育部都不理不睬的結果。

在七月三十日，廿歲學生林冠華燒炭自殺；七月三十一日，十七歲學生周天觀與父母當眾爭執這兩起事件後，“反課綱”事件延燒至台灣境外，“海外台灣青年陣線”聯絡了在西雅圖，洛杉磯，紐約，以及波士頓的台灣人組織，發起聲援反黑箱課綱行動聯盟的大規模串聯。

波士頓地區由麻省理工學院電機系學生吳張祺任聯絡人，包括台灣同鄉會多名長輩成員，以及來自不同學校的學生，就業未久的年輕人，紛紛穿上黑衣，人手一支玫瑰，一根點燃蠟燭，以「葬禮—為台灣教育默哀」為主題的表達聲援心意。

包括吳張祺在內，有數人站台，敘述看法。

他們響應”海外台灣青年陣線“的聲援“反黑箱課綱行動聯盟”訴求，呼籲教育部取消課綱微調、暫時回到 101 課綱、撤換教育部長吳思華、停止對林冠華及反黑箱課綱同學們的中傷與抹黑、並透過合法程序解決課綱爭議。

他們在對外發出的新聞稿中指出，”我們身著黑衣、手持玫瑰、蠟燭，悼念林冠華，也為台灣飽受權力操弄的教育默哀。然而蠟燭象徵的不只是哀悼，也是向之前在教育部靜坐的所有學生致意，如果他們沒有一起站出來戳破馬政府的黑箱，台灣社會將錯失這個自己的歷史自己寫的珍貴教育機會。我們也向林冠華同學獻上最高的敬意；他太早離開我們了，來不及見到一個不需要壯烈犧牲就可以和平溝通、多元包容對話的台灣社會。

圖片說明：

            波士頓聲援“反黑箱課綱行動聯盟“者在哈佛廣場前聚會。（菊子攝）

            吳張祺說明“反黑箱課綱“活動主旨。（菊子攝）

            出席者獻上玫瑰，蠟燭，以示哀悼台灣教育狀況。（菊子攝）

Governor Baker Appoints Mayors Sullivan, Mazzarella to MassDOT Board of Directors

Governor Baker Appoints Mayors Sullivan, Mazzarella to MassDOT Board of Directors

BOSTON – Tuesday, August 4, 2015 – Governor Charlie Baker today announced the appointment of Braintree Mayor Joseph Sullivan and Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella to the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).  The MassDOT Board was expanded to 11 members by the Legislature this year based upon a recommendation by Governor Baker’s Special Panel comprised of transportation leaders that was assembled to review structural problems with the MBTA and deliver recommendations for improvements.

“These leaders bring a deep understanding of the transportation issues facing communities and important perspectives to our focus on fixing the system for customers,” said Governor Baker. “I look forward to the expanded Board working in partnership with the new MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board as we strive to deliver improved service.”

“Mayor Sullivan brings to the Board an advanced understanding of the needs of our cities and towns that depend on reliable transit service,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.  “Whether its Commuter Rail service, or connections to bus and rapid transit, both Mayor Sullivan and Mayor Mazzarella will represent a strong local voice on the Board.”

“Mayor Sullivan and Mayor Mazzarella understand the challenges we are addressing in delivering efficient, multi-faceted transportation services in cities, towns and neighborhoods large and small,” said MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack. “I am delighted to welcome them to the Board and excited about their contributions to our work.”

Joseph Sullivan was elected as Mayor of Braintree in 2007 and reelected in 2011. From 1993 to 2003, he served as a State Representative and was Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation for six years.  Mayor Sullivan served as a member of the Transportation Finance Commission in 2006, which identified the important needs of transportation throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He is a past President of the Massachusetts Municipal Association and is a member of the Metropolitan Boston Mayors' Association.  In 2015, Mayor Sullivan was appointed to serve on the Governor’s Special Panel to Review the MBTA, which was charged with conducting an in-depth, rapid diagnostic of the transit system’s core functions.

Dean Mazzarella has served as the Mayor of Leominster and Chairman of the Leominster School Committee for the past 22 years.  As Mayor he has focused on fiscal stability, economic development, and improving the quality of life in Leominster.  The Mayor also has served as the Management representative for the state’s Joint Labor Management Committee for the past 16 years, successfully resolving labor/management contract disputes across the Commonwealth.  He also serves on the Montachusett Metropolitan Planning Organization.  Prior to his election, Mayor Mazzarella served as a Leominster Police Officer for 10 years.  He is a small business owner, operating Central Flag & Flagpole for more than 30 years.

Sullivan and Mazzarella join the following MassDOT Board members:

Stephanie Pollack, MassDOT Secretary and Board Chair

Ruth Bonsignore

Dominic Blue

Lisa Calise

Robert Moylan, Jr. 

Steve Poftak

Betsy Taylor

Monica Tibbitts-Nutt

  

The MassDOT Board is comprised of 11 members appointed by the Governor and oversees all MassDOT operations including the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), Highway Division, Mass Transit, Aeronautics, the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), Office of Planning and Programming and the Office of Performance Management and Innovation.