Baker-Polito Administration Invites Insurance Coverage Proposals for Transportation Network Company (TNC) Drivers

Baker-Polito Administration Invites Insurance Coverage Proposals for Transportation Network Company (TNC) Drivers

1^st state policy endorsement by USAA will provide comprehensive coverage for TNC drivers

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker and the Division of Insurance (DOI) announced today the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) will begin offering additional coverage to its policyholders who drive their cars for transportation network companies (TNC), such as Uber and Lyft, and invited insurance companies to submit additional proposals for consideration.

“As we work to develop a regulatory framework to support innovative ride-sharing companies, it’s crucial that appropriate coverage is available to protect drivers, passengers and the traveling public,” said Governor Baker.“With the first endorsement of its type taking effect for TNC drivers, we welcome others to participate in supporting consumer safety and choice in Massachusetts’ diverse transportation network. I also encourage the legislature to continue moving forward on our proposal to develop a regulatory structure that includes strong standards for both industry and consumer safety.”

In April, Governor Baker filed “An Act Establishing Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Oversight of Transportation Network Companies” with the legislature, creating a statewide regulatory framework for TNCs that includes Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks for all drivers and requires $1 million in minimum insurance coverage for drivers operating as TNCs, while clarifying existing insurance gaps.

“The Division of Insurance is pleased to announce the availability of an insurance product which provides necessary protection to consumers utilizing TNCs and which furthers the public’s interest in the availability of TNCs as a transportation alternative,” said Commissioner of Insurance Dan Judson.

Ride-sharing coverage offers necessary protection to TNC drivers from the time they turn on a TNC app and are awaiting a ride offer to the time an offer is accepted. Currently, all drivers in Massachusetts, including TNC drivers, are required to carry personal automobile insurance, and are specifically excluded from coverage on their personal policies when operating a personal vehicle to transport goods or passengers for a fee. TNCs such as Uber and Lyft provide $1 million surplus line policy coverage to their drivers from the time a ride is accepted to the pickup and drop-off of a passenger – policies which are accepted by the state and would be required under the Governor’s proposed legislation.

“The Division’s action is a positive step forward that will help ensure that drivers and the public are protected,” said Frank O’Brien, Property Casualty Insurers (PCI) Vice President. “When policymakers create a framework that is clear, concise and encourages innovation, insurers are able to develop new options such as this that can meet the demands of the sharing economy.”

”Beginning Nov. 21, USAA members will be able to purchase Ride Share Gap Protection for policies effective on or after Jan. 7, 2016. We are excited to provide this option to current and prospective members driving for TNCs to help them safeguard their financial security,” said Mark Medeiros, Product Manager for USAA. “We invite members to call 800-531-8722 (ext. 76127) for more information on this and other products and features available in Massachusetts.”

DOI joins other states such as California, Connecticut, Texas, Utah and Virginia, in allowing the first policy endorsement of its type for use in Massachusetts, and encourages similar proposals from other insurance companies to cover TNC drivers.

The Boston Asian American Film Festival starts this Thursday, October 22:

The Boston Asian American Film Festival starts this Thursday, October 22: 

 

Opening Night: SEOUL SEARCHING

7:30 pm

Brattle Theatre, Harvard Square, Cambridge

Purchase tickets for Opening Night only at  www.baaff.org

-------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, October 23 - Saturday, October 24 - Sunday, October 25:

Paramount Center/ArtsEmerson, Downtown Boston

For schedule & info, visit www.baaff.org

Highlights:

Sat/Oct 24 @ 6:15 pm:  Centerpiece Film:  THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR

Sun/Oct 25 @ 5:00 pm:  Closing Film:  MISS INDIA AMERICA

Purchase tickets for Paramount Center screenings at https://artsemerson.org/Online/article/film_baaff

You may also purchase tickets at the Paramount Center box office to avoid additional fees.

波士頓僑教中心華語文數位學習課程 10/24起三場

為因應華語文數位教學趨勢、提升海外僑校教師數位知能，波士頓僑教中心華語文數位學習示範點將辦理數位學習課程，幫助華文教師提提升數位教學優勢及競爭力。

講師: 葉金惠老師 

課程內容:  1.介紹如何製作平板電腦電子書

        2.利用APP應用程式輔助華語文教學,

        3.示範「翻轉教室」練習,藉以達成學生課前預習及課 後師生互動聯繫平台之目標。

        4.介紹最新的數位工具,以免費的素材協助影像、語音或電子字卡製作。

日期: 10月24日、11月7日、12月12日三場

時間: 下午1:30 至 下午4:30

地點: 波士頓華僑文教中心  (90 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands)

報名連結網址:  https://goo.gl/rhx4JP    

Hundred-Year Retroactive Book Award of 1915 on 11/5

  Associates of the Boston Public Library to Host Hundred-Year Retroactive Book Award of 1915

Boston, MA – October 19, 2015 – Following a brief Annual Meeting, the Associates of the Boston Public Library will conduct its Hundred-Year Retroactive Book Award competition, weighing the enduring literary merits of bestsellers published in 1915. John Buchan's The Thirty-Nine Steps, P.G. Wodehouse’s Psmith, Journalist, and Ford Madox Ford’s The Good Soldier. The books will be defended by Peter Keough, James Parker, and Alan Andres respectively. WBUR's Meghna Chakrabarti will moderate the irreverent debate, after which the audience will vote to determine the winner of the Retroactive Book Award of 1915. A reception with the panelists will follow.

The lighthearted event will take place on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 6 PM in the Abbey Room of the Boston Public Library’s Central Library in Copley Square. It is free to attend and open to the public. Please register for this fun event by visiting: http://BookAward.Eventbrite.com.

Debate Moderator:

Meghna Chakrabarti
Ms. Chakrabarti is the award-winning co-host of Radio Boston, WBUR's acclaimed weekly show with a focus on news, in-depth interviews, and analysis on issues that have an impact on Boston and beyond. Before taking the helm at Radio Boston in 2010, she produced and directed WBUR's national news and talk program, On Point.

  

Speaking for the Candidates:

Peter Keough

Mr. Keough is a contributing writer to The Boston Globe. He was previously the film editor for the Boston Phoenix. He also edited Flesh and Blood: The National Society of Film Critics on Sex, Violence, and Censorship.Mr. Keough will be defending The Thirty-Nine Steps.

Alan Andres

Mr. Andres is a freelance writer, book doctor, and book editor. He previously worked in editorial, marketing, sales and operations for a leading American publishing house. He has served on the board of the Associates of the Boston Public Library since 1997. Mr. Andres will be defending The Good Soldier.

James Parker

Mr. Parker is a contributing editor at The Atlantic and has written for Slate, The Boston Globe, Arthur Magazine and others. He was previously a staff writer at the Boston Phoenix, and in 2008 won a Deems Taylor Award for music criticism from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Mr. Parker will be defending Psmith, Journalist.

About the ASSOCIATES OF THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Associates of the Boston Public Library is an independent nonprofit dedicated to conserving the Boston Public Library’s Special Collections of rare books, manuscripts, works of art, musical scores, and other items of historic significance. The Associates is working to ensure continued public access to these irreplaceable treasures by underwriting their conservation, cataloging, digitization, and exhibition. Through these efforts, the Associates aims to help the Boston Public Library fulfill its most essential mission of providing the finest free educational resources to the public, as well as preserving knowledge, culture, and history for the benefit of all.

Since its founding in 1972, the Associates has created and underwritten a wide array of programs, including: Literary Lights, (an annual black tie dinner honoring outstanding New England authors); art and architecture tours; readings; lectures; curatorial evenings featuring select Library holdings; exhibitions; musical performances; and discussions of current events featuring key decision makers. In addition, the Associates sponsors a Children’s Writer-in-Residence program annually. To learn more, visit www.TheAssociates.org, www.Facebook.com/AssociatesBPL, or follow the Associates on Twitter at @AssociatesBPL.

Organizations in R.I., Conn. and Mass. Awarded Funding for Environmental Work in Area Communities

Organizations in R.I., Conn. and Mass. Awarded Funding for Environmental Work in Area Communities

BOSTON – Four non-profit organizations in New England were awarded a total of $120,000 by the US Environmental Protection Agency to address local health and environmental issues in minority and low-income communities, which face more than their fair share of pollution. The New England grant winners – two in Massachusetts, one in Rhode Island and one in Connecticut - were among 44 organizations nationwide given nearly $1.3 million to address environmental justice issues nationwide.

The New England organizations, each given $30,000, will use the funding to do research, provide education, and develop solutions to local health and environmental issues in communities overburdened by harmful pollution.

"These funds will help communities across the region understand and address exposure to a variety of environmental harms and risks," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office.  "EPA is committed to addressing the impacts of climate change so many of the projects supported by this year’s grants will help communities prepare for local climate impacts."

The following organizations won the funding in New England:

The Trustees of Reservations received funding for its Boston Youth Conservation Corps, which engages 15- to 18-year-olds in the neighborhoods of Mattapan, Roxbury, Hyde Park, East Boston, Dorchester, and Jamaica Plain in experiential learning and developing job skills. Projects such as enhancing urban greenways, tending gardens, and planting native vegetation trails immerse teens in the green spaces of the city, while raising their awareness of pollution, air and water quality and access to healthy food. The project aims to address high rates of asthma, diabetes and obesity in Boston’s poorest neighborhoods, which report a disproportionately high rate of asthma and diabetes hospitalizations and adult obesity and the least amount of open space per child.

“An important part of The Trustees’ mission is to engage more young people in ‘green’ jobs that help them earn income, develop important skills, and gain a broader appreciation for environmental stewardship, community gardening, and healthy, active living,” said Jocelyn Forbush, chief of operations and programs for The Trustees. “Our Youth Corps members often comment on the sense of pride they feel in learning how they can contribute to their communities and the local food and gardening movement. We are grateful that this EPA grant will enable us to hire more urban and underserved youth in Boston where we hope to have an even greater impact.”

Regional Environmental Council in Worcester received the funding for its project called Greening Our Gardens – Urban Growing Strategies for Climate Resiliency. This project will promote efficient water use, storm water run-off prevention, and the use of gardening practices that can contribute to climate resiliency, including carbon sequestration. It also aims to increase access to healthy food in Worcester’s lowest-income/highest risk neighborhoods through an educational program for urban gardeners. The project will impact gardens across the city, but resources will be focused in the city’s five lowest income and highest-risk neighborhoods. The council is partnering with the Stockbridge School of Agriculture and the state Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association.

“We’re excited to be working with the EPA this year to help promote food justice and prevent climate change in Worcester,” said Steven Fischer, executive director of the Regional Environmental Council. “EJ small grants are a critical resource for the important EJ work that organization are doing here in New England and through the country.”

New Haven Ecology in New Haven, Conn., (known as Common Ground), received the funding for its project called Green Jobs Corps – Creating a New Generation of New Haven Environmental Justice Leaders. Common Ground and its partners, the Conn. Fund for the Environment and the Urban Resources Initiative, will involve local youth in environmental jobs that improve access to clean water by identifying threats to water quality and educating residents about these threats. The project also aims to improve air quality, water quality, and access to other critical ecosystem services in urban low-income communities of color by addressing disproportionate access to urban street trees, green spaces, and green infrastructure. They will also work to bring greener approaches to stormwater management.

“Our goal through Common Ground's Green Jobs Corps is to connect more than three dozen of our city's young people with paid work that helps them grow into a new, more diverse generation of environmental justice leaders,” said Joel Tolman, director of impact and engagement at Common Ground High School, Urban Farm, and Environmental Education Center. “With EPA support, these young people are tackling pressing environmental justice challenges: planting more than 100 street trees, stewarding urban greenspaces, building new green infrastructure, cleaning up our impaired urban waters, and bringing public attention to clean air and clean water challenges. “

The Childhood Lead Action Project, Inc. of Central Falls, R.I., received funding for its Lead-Safe Central Falls program, which will work in one of state’s highest risk communities to reduce the incidence of childhood lead poisoning by helping residents address the presence of lead-based paint in their community.

“The Lead Safe Central Falls project, recently funded by the EPA, will go a long way in reducing lead poisoning in one of the poorest communities in Rhode Island,” said said Roberta Hazen Aaronson, executive director of Lead Safe Central Falls. “The Childhood Lead Action Project has had success in other communities with EPA funding and we expect to be successful in Central Falls as well.”

EPA's EJ Small Grants have helped many community organizations to make a visible difference in their communities. The 2015 grants will help organizations carry out projects that will educate residents about environmental issues that may impact their health, collect data about local environmental conditions, and work collaboratively to address environmental justice issues in their communities. The grants support activities that not only address a range of community concerns, but also support activities that are educating and empowering youth and the next generation of environmental stewards. Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race or income, in the environmental decision-making process. Since 1994, EPA’s environmental justice small grants program has supported projects to address environmental justice issues in nearly 1,500 communities.

MassDOT, State Police Launch I-90 Toll Plaza Safety Awareness Campaign

MassDOT, State Police Launch I-90 Toll Plaza Safety Awareness Campaign

Drivers reminded of 15 MPH speed limit through toll plazas

BOSTON – Monday, October 19, 2015 – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Massachusetts State Police today launched a Toll Plaza Safety Awareness Campaign calling attention to enhanced safety measures currently in place at toll plazas across the Commonwealth.

The campaign was launched following the tragic death of a MassDOT toll collector in July.  The campaign includes public service announcements on message boards, posters at E-ZPass toll lanes, and the distribution of speed limit reminder tear-sheets to commuters at the “Cash Only” toll booths.  The principal focus of the campaign is to raise public awareness of the posted speed limit at toll plazas, and to ensure a safe work environment for the toll collectors who staff the plazas around the clock.

“Highway safety is our highest priority at MassDOT, both for drivers, but also for the men and women who staff our toll plazas, 24-hours a day, year round,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Thomas J. Tinlin.  “This campaign highlights the need for drivers to pay careful attention to posted speed limit signs and other safety information when approaching and travelling through toll plazas.  We encourage travelers to be vigilant when driving through these areas to ensure the well-being of those who work at these locations and members of the public.” 

MassDOT has implemented safety improvements such as the installation of additional advanced 15 MPH speed limit signs strategically located before each toll booth, and reduced speed limit signs at the toll booths.  In addition, pavement markings immediately before each location have been refreshed.  The agency has also conducted a review of the lighting to make sure all equipment is fully operational in these areas.

“Through this campaign, we hope to remind motorists that safety is paramount when traveling through toll plazas on the Turnpike, as well as the Sumner and Ted Williams tunnels,” said State Police Major Terry Hanson, Troop E Commander.  “It is our goal that this campaign will prompt drivers to travel through toll plazas with an extra measure of care, and to raise awareness that the toll plazas are staffed 24/7.”

As a component of the campaign, State Police have also increased speed enforcement at toll plazas.  From Sept. 26 through Oct. 12, approximately 294 citations (Civil, Warning, and Criminal) have been written for violations which occurred in the E-ZPass lanes.  More than 1,200 citations have now been issued since Aug. 27.

For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot, blog: www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.

CABA生醫投資創新研討會首辦創業計畫賽

美中生物醫藥協會（CABA）日前在麻省理工學院舉辦” 2015年生物醫藥投資和創業研討會”，探討研發新治療類別，創業資源，專利及法律等。首次推出的創業計畫賽，由Launch Pad獲勝。

研討會邀得引領創新藥物RNAi領域的Alnylam公司資深副總裁兼首席企業長(CBO) 大衛 - 亞歷山大格羅斯（David-Alexandre “DA” Gros），以”從諾貝爾獎倒病人“為主題，暢論該公司的創業成長史。

研討會的亮點之一是CABA首次舉辦的創業計畫比賽，參賽的5隊分別為研發，生產可彎曲藥物輸送貼片型微形泵的CamMED，製作骨粘合劑的 Launch Pad Medical，以實人三維尺寸測量的Perfetch，製作刺激血小板再生燈光系統的血小板光，以及便攜式在點滴時監控滴速與氣泡的SunusHealth。

            這項創業計畫大賽的主裁判，劍橋市“內部系統(InterSystems)”產品創新總監李琦表示，5支參賽隊伍各自處於不同階段，都是令人激動的項目。另一名裁判，Consortium的Adam Sharkawy表示，不論參賽者在活動中有些什麼收穫，最重要的還是“去做”。    

            方位角創業的創始人 Melina Adamian博士說，創業成功的關鍵是團隊和市場，在這次比賽中的獲勝團隊Launch Pad醫療就很清楚開發重點市場的重要性，並做了在起始階段先關注牙科市場的決定，逐步建立營銷策。

這場研討會有不下300名生物製藥，醫療保健領域企業家，發明家，科學家，投資人，學生，學者，以及創業園區孵化器的代表們參加，共安排了三段八場講座，一場主題演講，以及“創業計畫比賽”。

北湖國際公司創始人兼執行長劉曉軍以「“虛擬”現實和“虛擬”成功」為主題，分享他率領團隊自主開發產品，尋找出路的一系列實際經驗與教訓。

廣州陽普灣創新企業孵化器副總經理徐立新介紹該公司孵化器的進展。

            廣東冠昊科技園創始人張倩介紹該園區從起使資金，創業培訓到進入市場，為創業者提供的服務。

            方位角創業（Azimuth）的創始人Milena Adamian談醫療保健行業的趨勢，以及投資者最看重什麼。

            聯邦小企業行政局（SBA）經濟發展專員伍少武介紹美國政府為扶持中小企業所成立的服務部門及措施。他舉了許多創業者利用政府服務而成功創業或擴展的例子。

都來自律師事務所的庫利的陳琛，和Milstein張，吳的張引，談創業者在專利上的應注意事項，以及如何避免觸犯法令。

伍少武。

圖片說明：

            美中生物醫藥協會（CABA）會長曲芸（後六），前會長王義漢（後左一），冠昊創業園區張倩，CABA執委邵劍，評委李浩（後右一起），陳寅，杭建峰，候任會長史相國（後右五），張引（前左一起），張友忻，車慶林，戴舒佳，趙曉勇（前右一）等幹部及工作人員合影。（圖由CABA提供）

            美中生物醫藥協會的研討會，紐英崙中華資訊網路協會會長王振榕（左四），以及創業工作4.0負責人田田（左五）和CABA的前會長張引（左三），林華茂（右二）等人合影。（圖由CABA提供）

            張友忻（左一）等人頒發創業計畫比賽獎。（圖由CABA提供）

            美中生物醫藥協會會長曲芸致開幕詞。（圖由CABA提供）

波士頓再辦國際僑民週活動

哈佛大學甘乃迪政府學院中國學生學者聯合會和美國文通國際創新合作中心，哈佛大學美中經濟交流協會合作，參與美國“2015年國際僑民週“行列，上週五（16日）在哈佛甘乃迪政府學院舉辦 “大時代下的中美投資戰略圓桌會議”。

麻州商務發展助理部長范文南(Nam Pham)、刻在哈佛大學甘乃迪政府學院做訪問學者的中非發展基金市場發展部副總經理吳哲能應邀講談。

范文南分享了他對在美中國投資的觀察和看法，並在介紹麻州整體經濟情況之外，以麻州為例，具體談及美國政府和公司如何看待和接受中國投資，以及中國投資在美國的機遇與挑戰。他強調，人才是麻州競爭力的基礎。

吳哲能從世界角度分析中國投資的趨勢，並重點介紹了中國在非洲國家的投資情況，以及中國投資者如何應對非洲某些國家不穩定的政權變動風險，以及中國公司對非洲本土人才的培養和企業社會責任等。

哈佛大學甘乃迪政府學院中國學生學者聯合會聯席主席胡雅萌表示，該會重視搭建觀點交流平台，願意與各界合辦有意義活動。

美國文通國際創新合作中心創始人李欣表示，國際僑民週是美國國務院發起，在全世界各地串連舉辦，倡議公民參與，團結合作的活動。在華府的“國際僑民週（Global Diaspora Week）“，已於10月9日在美國國務院的Loy Henderson禮堂舉行。文通國際今年是第二度統籌舉辦在麻州的國際僑民週活動，希望今後繼續在促進國際友人了解中國，建立友好溝通橋樑上努力。

圖片說明：

左起，文通國際創始人李欣，哈佛大學肯尼迪政府學院中國學生學者聯合會聯席主席胡雅萌。麻州商業發展助理部長范文南，擔任會議司儀的哈佛大學肯尼迪政府學院公共行政碩士學生張娜，中非發展基金市場發展部副總經理吳哲能。（圖由文通提供）