梁秀婷當選為昆士市歷史上首名華裔市議員

            麻州的政治界，昨（三）日再度締造歷史。昆士市選出有史以來第一位華裔市議員。年僅27歲的梁秀婷（Nina Liang），以9487票當選為昆士不分區市議員。

            昆市首屆一任四年市長，由第五度連任的在位市長柯奇(Tom Koch)以12,416票把得約9615票的對手費林（William Phelan）遠拋在後。他的亞裔助理邱潔芳，亞裔支持者，包括翁渭漢，陳寶萍等人和數百名支持者在Granite Links 高爾夫俱樂部狂歡。

            昆市居民昨日共有22,000人出席投票。

            梁秀婷昨晚在昆士市的Fuji餐廳慶功，包括支持她競選最力的梁戰士，梁戰成，以及她父親梁禮湛，叔叔梁禮然等家人，親戚，以及社區內的鄒毅等，不下百人全都興高采烈。

            梁戰士高興的說，這是全昆市攜手締造的歷史。

            昆士市三名不分區市議員中的另兩名當選者，依序為成功連任，得9851票的方安（Joe Finn)，以及新人，得9493票的狄邦納（Noel DiBona）。

波士頓市議員吳弭第二高票順利連任

CITY of BOSTON MUNICIPAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 3, 2015 Unofficial Results 11/03/15 21:56:56

Registered Voters 372889 - Cards Cast 50807 13.63%

Num. Report Precinct 255 - Num. Reporting 255 100.00%

CITY COUNCILLOR AT LARGE CTY Total Number of Precincts 255 Precincts Reporting 255 100.0% Vote For 4 Total Votes 131229 Number of Uncast Votes 71999 AYANNA S PRESSLEY 31768 24.21% MICHELLE WU 28891 22.02% MICHAEL F FLAHERTY 26463 20.17% ANNISSA E GEORGE 23439 17.86% STEPHEN J MURPHY 19538 14.89% Write-in Votes 1130 0.86%

Governor Baker Expands Supplier Opportunities for Veteran, LGBT, Disability, Diverse and Small Businesses

Governor Baker Expands Supplier Opportunities for Veteran, LGBT, Disability, Diverse and Small Businesses

Massachusetts becomes 1st state to recognize LGBT-owned businesses; increases opportunities for veteran, disability, minority, women-owned businesses and MA-based small businesses

BOSTON – Reinforcing his administration’s commitment to fostering competitiveness and prosperity for small and diverse business owners, Governor Charlie Baker today announced several improvements to the state’s decades-old supplier diversity program, including best practice innovations and updates from the public and private sectors, the first expansion of benchmarks for minority and women-owned businesses in four years, and the first-time certification of veteran, disability and LGBT-owned businesses.

“We are committed to ensuring diversity as the state engages business suppliers and contractors and are excited about this opportunity to include LGBT, disability and veteran business owners in the state’s network and procurement chain,” said Governor Baker. “The Lieutenant Governor and I are proud to uphold our promise to expand opportunities for diverse and small businesses as our administration works to extend economic prosperity to more communities throughout the Commonwealth.”

The changes to the Commonwealth’s Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) include improvements to the state’s small and diverse business certification and reporting processes and cross-certification partnerships with the City of Boston and nationally-recognized private certification organizations.

“At the heart of these efforts is the goal to grow the number of diverse and small companies participating and conducting business with the state as well as increasing the total dollar amount annually won by diverse and small businesses from across the Commonwealth,” said Jabes Rojas, Deputy Chief for Access & Opportunity.“Today’s innovations and expansions are significant and only a first step for the Baker-Polito Administration as we plan for the future of supplier diversity.”

“Today, we recognize the tremendous impact small businesses have on the economic vitality of our Commonwealth,” said Senator Linda Dorcena Forry. “Thank you to Governor Baker and his Administration for continuing our State’s commitment to diversity by engaging and ensuring access to opportunities for all. Expansion of our supplier diversity means growing a more sustainable, diverse and competitive economy.”

"Our economy cannot move forward when opportunities for success are not shared equally across the board," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "I thank Governor Baker and his administration for expanding opportunities for diverse and small businesses, and I look forward to continuing our efforts on the city level to ensure that economic growth reaches every corner in the City of Boston." 

Benchmark increases and additions to the state certification procurement process include the following, with new certification categories to undergo a two to three year capacity building period prior to unveiling benchmarks:

• A first-in-the-nation LGBT-owned business certification partnership between the state and National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s (NGLCC) fully-accredited, industry-standard certification process recognized and accepted across many Fortune 1000 companies. 

“We thank Governor Baker and his administration for their commitment to the LGBT community in Massachusetts,” said NGLCC Co-Founder & President Justin Nelson. “LGBT-inclusive supplier diversity means that there will be greater LGBT business visibility across Massachusetts. Economic visibility, just like social visibility, is essential in building a diverse and inclusive society. Governor Baker’s administration recognizes what over 1/3 of the Fortune 500 has already – including opportunities for all businesses, including those owned by LGBT people is good for business. We now call upon leaders in other states to follow the precedent set by Massachusetts to create equal business opportunities for LGBT citizens nationwide.” 

• First-time certification of businesses owned by those with disabilities(Disability-Owned Business Enterprises or “DOBE”), in partnership with the U.S. Business Leadership Network’s (USBLN) nationally-recognized certification program, which will also conduct certifications of service-disabled, veteran-owned business enterprises (SDVOBE). 

“We are excited and grateful to be a part of this historic event,” said Jill Houghton, Executive Director, USBLN. “We look forward to working with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and for this to be the model for the rest of the country. There are an estimated 57 million Americans with disabilities and around 15 percent of working persons with disabilities are self-employed. Our disability-owned business enterprises and service-disabled veteran-owned business certification processes will help many businesses into the supplier diversity pipeline.”

“This is an important day for persons with disabilities throughout our Commonwealth,” said David D’Arcangelo, Director of the Massachusetts Office on Disability. “Our acceptance of the USBLN certification for disability owned businesses sends a clear message that state government is welcoming people of all abilities and incentivizing opportunities that promote self-determination. Today marks an important first step towards creating and supporting increased opportunities for persons with disabilities.”

• Expanding the certified service-disabled, veteran-owned business enterprises (SDVOBE) category of the Supplier Diversity Program to include all certifiedveteran-owned business enterprises (VBE), continuing to use the federal VetBiz certification process (and new partnership with the USBLN for the certification of SDVOBEs), at a combined, existing benchmark of 3%.

“Expanding supplier diversity efforts to include all veterans affirms Governor Baker’s commitment to the men and women who have served our country and who should be provided access to business opportunities with the Commonwealth,” saidSecretary of Veterans’ Services, Francisco A. Ureña.

• Increasing the benchmark for registered Massachusetts-based small businesses in the Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) from 2.5% to 3.3%.

• Increasing the existing certified minority-owned business enterprises (MBE) benchmark from 6% to 7%, and introducing a partnership with the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC), whereby the Commonwealth will begin accepting MBE applications approved by GNEMSDC starting on January 1, 2016.

“On behalf of our Board of Directors, our members and the countless minority business owners throughout Massachusetts, the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council wishes to express our gratitude to Governor Baker and his dedicated and talented administration for their commitment to creating opportunities for this important segment of the Massachusetts business community,” said Peter Hurst, President and CEO of the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council. “More successful MBEs can clearly reduce the wealth and income gap for their owners and their employees. The Council, along with our MBDA Center here in Boston, are excited about working with the Commonwealth to eliminate barriers to economic development for MBEs. Together, we will be a positive force in the continued growth and development of the minority business community in Massachusetts.”

• Increasing the certified women-owned business enterprises (WBE) benchmark from 12% to 13%, and introducing a partnership with the Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE) to also begin accepting WBE applications approved by CWE on January 1, 2016.

“It is a privilege for the Center of Women & Enterprise to partner with the Commonwealth on these important and innovative initiatives and expansions,” said Susan Rittscher, President and CEO of the Center for Women and Enterprise. “The plans to increase benchmarks and to collaborate with regional certification agencies such as the Center for Women & Enterprise (a WBENC affiliate) demonstrate the Governor's steadfast commitment to diverse businesses in the Commonwealth.”

• Acceptance and promotion of cross-certification with the City of Boston of MBE and WBE applicants on January 1, 2016.

The City of Boston is also one of five municipal partners and co-hosts for the Baker-Polito Administration’s recently announced and underway, Supplier Diversity Regional Series. These events led by the Governor’s Office of Access and Opportunity (OAO), Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD), the Operational Services Division (OSD) and OSD’S Supplier Diversity Office are designed to increase engagement and marketplace opportunities for small and diverse business enterprises with procurement officials in state and local government, educational institutions, medical facilities and the private sector.

The Baker-Polito Administration’s policy changes and inclusiveness of new supplier diversity categories and partnerships, have also been made effective in a Governor’s Executive Order signed today, reaffirming and expanding the Supplier Diversity Program (SDP).

In February, Governor Baker signed Executive Order No. 559, elevating the Office of Access and Opportunity to the Governor’s Office under the direction of a Deputy Chief of Staff to further the administration’s priority of increasing diversity and inclusion within state government employment and procurement. The Executive Order also established a cross-administration Steering Committee for Access and Opportunity to coordinate best practices.

From Nina Liang, Michelle Wu, Leland Cheung, get out to vote

Good evening everyone,

First, thank you so much for all that you guys have done and for making this campaign what it is.  From door knocking the hills in the heat, to bearing the cold wind holding signs.  We have the best campaign team, and it's all because of you.

We're almost there.  Less than 24 hours until the polls close tomorrow at 8pm.  I'm so excited to start working, and will be honored to work for all of you.

I humbly ask for just a little bit more to put us over the top.  If you, or anyone you know, has any time to give tomorrow, please come by the campaign headquarters at 696 Hancock Street between the hours of 6am - 8pm.  Come by if:

1. You'd like to volunteer and join us

2. If you are generously donating your time to volunteer but have not received instructions yet

3. If you would like to just come by and check things out!

Those of you who have already offered to volunteer, and know when and where to go, thank you.

We will be watching the numbers come in tomorrow at 8pm at Fuji 1546.  I'm looking forward to celebrating with you all because regardless of what the results are, we've won.  We've shown that when we get together as a community, there's nothing we can't do.

I'm so excited, and honored, to have been part of this with you all.

See you all tomorrow!  Remember to get out to vote! (www.wheredoivotema.com)

Respectfully yours,

Nina

Hi Friends,

It’s Election Day and the polls are open until 8PM! If you haven’t voted yet, you can find your polling location here.

As of 12pm, 17979 residents have turned out to vote. With low turnout like this, it’s more important than ever to remind your friends to vote - and encourage them to vote for Michelle!

There’s still time to help out today, too. If you have any time to spare, please call our field director MaryRose at 978-888-1970.

And don’t forget to join us after the polls close at 8pm for our Election Night watch party at Seven Star Street Bistro in Roslindale (153 Belgrade Ave., Roslindale, MA 02131). If you have any questions about the event, email Sharon at sharon@michelleforboston.com.

Thank you,

Henry Cohen

Campaign Manager

Michelle Wu for Boston City Council

Thank YOU for our Campaign's Success!

It may seem premature to hear that from a politician BEFORE the campaign is over, but I had to say it!

This has been an intense campaign. After slates began to emerge I committed myself not only to re-election, but also to helping my colleagues on the Council who always give fair consideration to my ideas. Your outpouring of support - emotional, financial, vote pledges, and more - has been inspiring. Your intelligence about the issues and enthusiasm for my candidacy has been a consistent source of energy, getting me through many a sleepless night.

With your support, your help, your time volunteering, your contributions, and your #1 vote - I am confident that we'll win tomorrow, November 3rd; our challenge is to boldly send a message that our community endorses the principles and progress I fight for. Of course, our team still needs to execute on election day (tomorrow!) to make that subject line become real. So if you can, please chip in now to make sure we can fund our plans!

And, if you're available, please sign up for a shift to volunteer with us at the polls. It looks like it's going to be a beautiful sunny 70 degree day ... join us in greeting neighbors and thanking them for voting!

Campaign Recap

The veterans on our campaign can't help but share a knowing laugh at how stunned first time volunteers act when, after an hour or more of leaving messages, they get someone live! It really feels like we're all busier than ever, which is why we're so grateful when we have a chance to connect! Voters have been so positive to chat that we wish everyone would answer!

Nonetheless, it's probably getting to be a bit of campaign overload ;) ... my wife even commented that the stack of literature left at our door is beginning to rival the stack I'm handing out! And Team Leland hasn't really helped, as we've been doing everything we can think of to deliver our positive, forward looking message ...


We called voters at home, sometimes twice at once:



We added to inboxes (and I appreciate your good humor at my failed attempts at humor!):



We knocked on doors (this is my 'oh, please invite me in to rest my feet!' face):



We greeted commuters on their way to work (I must say - standing in the cold is so worth it whenever someone says "oh, I'm voting for Leland", and I say, "I am Leland", and they say "oh, I didn't recognize you ... you've lost weight!"):



OK this wasn't our best idea ... everyone was too fast and apparently runners want water not flyers:



We went on TV ... nothing funny about how many takes this took ...



My daughter suggested stalking all the top dessert places (I wonder why ...):



We advertised online and posted news to facebook and twitter:



We answered questionnaires and received community support:



We mailed an (admittedly verbose) flyer (btw, can you find the spelling error?):



And then my daughter happily traded those flyers for candy!



We partnered with colleagues on a coordinated campaign, promising Democracy without Gridlock:



Joking about how much I've been "putting myself out there", a super fan created DateLeland (disclaimer: I'm happily married and dates are not actually available!)



Now that the election is tomorrow, we just have one last question:
What time are you planning to vote tomorrow, Tues, Nov 3rd, so we can try to meet you there and say thanks!?

And to reiterate our prior request - please help support our election-day efforts tomorrow:

In the News ... 

I really appreciate all the positive response to the op-ed I published last week about 'Trumpocracy' coming to Cambridge. Many of you asked - how do we articulate the good in our community and more positively frame the conversation? I kept thinking back to a post I made to BlueMassGroup about What We Believe two years ago when I was helping draft the party platform in Massachusetts. If you haven't already, take a read and let me know what you think!

There was also an interesting op-ed from Professor Barry Bluestone, local housing expert, on how to address our affordable housing crisis.

A letter to the editor on how proposals to increase the residential tax rate would hurt our seniors.

A letter from the Kendall Square Association on their commitment to Cambridge.

Coverage of the paid parental leave policy I introduced.

Finally, I recently wrote an article for FWD.us on the Local Impacts of National Immigration policy.

Upcoming Events

Nov 3 Election Night Party! Wear your "I Voted!" sticker and join us at Workbar - 45 Prospect St, Central Sq - after the polls close to watch the results. We've got Roxy's Gourmet Grilled Cheese to replenish us after a long day at the polls! Please RSVP here.

Endorsed by the Sierra Club, Greater Boston Labor Council, Metropolitan Building and Trades, and many more!

I am proud that my track record of innovative accomplishments on the Cambridge City council has resulted in so many endorsements for my re-election campaign. The tremendous support means a lot to me, and you know I'll never stop standing up for better environmental stewardship or standing up for Cambridge's working residents.

     

In case you missed it ... Major Council/Cambridge updates from the past few months:

Increasing affordable housing

It's an understatement to say that Cambridge has an overheated housing market. The City Council has remained deeply committed to building affordable housing and has taken important steps to help residents. The Council increased linkage fees, which require large commercial developers to contribute to the City's Affordable Housing Trust.

The Council increased linkage fees from $4.58/sqft to $12.00/sqft, with an additional increase of $1.00 plus inflation over the next three years, more than tripling it from now. With the wait lists for affordable units full, it is important that the City continue to expand affordable housing options. We're on track to increase linkage fees to be among the highest in the Commonwealth, and I plan on continuing to push for high percentages of affordable units in new housing projects. We need empty units, not empty promises.

This all started two years ago I requested an update to the nexus study - an expert report prepared by economists that gives the City the legal footing for the fee increase. Getting to this point has been a long process and figuring out the right number is like a complex calculus problem - we want to maximize not just the fee itself, but the amount the City receives in total dollars to commit to affordable housing. Only time will tell whether we hit the mark, but I'm delighted the Council is finally moving on this important policy.

Getting Cambridge to "Net Zero"

Prior to serving on the Cambridge City Council, I worked at ARPA-E in the Department of Energy, where I focused on funding and developing advanced green energy technologies. My work at ARPA-E gave me a deep appreciation for the nuance of this work, and I'm so excited for Cambridge's becoming "Net Zero". Here's just some of what was adopted out of my Energy & Environment Committee:

• Retrofitting for energy efficiency in existing buildings
• Net zero new construction
• A greener energy supply strategy
• Creating a local carbon fund
• Building community engagement in the goals and process of "Net Zero"

At the City Council meeting on June 22nd, we adopted the full net zero action plan, and went a step further, adopting an order requiring LEED gold for all new construction in the City.

Open Data!

Ever since I first joined the City Council I've leveraged my background in technology and the private sector to bring thoughtful innovation to Cambridge. From including language translation on the city website, to requiring set aside space for start-ups and incubators, to re-organizing our IT process, to introducing data analytics, mobile apps, and online bill pay, I've been moving Cambridge forward in to the 21st century.

In September, we officially adopted an Open Data Ordinance which codifies a pilot program I've had running for the past year. The Open Data Ordinance will make public data more easily accessible and transparent, and form the foundation for entrepreneurs to help Cambridge invent new ways to provide better service to its residents. Cambridge joins a mere handful of cities committed to Open Data.

You can learn more on the City's Open Data Portal here.
You can read the entirety of the new Open Data Ordinance here.Next up - integrating the Internet of Things into the city infrastructure. Building upon this landmark legislation, I'm working with the City's Administration on the next step. Imagine knowing how many minutes you have until the street cleaner gets to you, receiving a text message if your toilet gets stuck on flush while you're away, never again living through a water main burst, having your GPS updated to the minute with which streets were cleared of snow, and more. The Smart City of tomorrow will be built using sensors to make your life more convenient.

New Concussion Regulations now in Effect

The Big 12 has limited their football players to only 2 days of full contact training per week. From the college level up, there is always dedicated medical staff waiting on the sidelines. Even with these protections in place, research has shown that concussions are dangerously misunderstood and underreported. With our limited understanding of such complex and dangerous injuries, I thought it was important to ask: Why are the limitations and support for youth players so much less? The answer is, they shouldn't be. So, in November of 2012 I asked the Health Department to issue concussion guidelines to all coaches and groups that use city fields.

In August, I chaired a meeting of the Health and Environment Committee to discuss the concussion regulations we received and went into effect on September 1st. The new regulations, which can be read here, govern youth sports leagues that use City fields and facilities and make it safer for our kids to enjoy sports.

Cambridge Adopts Parental Leave Policy 

As the parent of a two-year old, I'm learning firsthand the unexpected challenges of parenthood. I was proud to introduce a new gender and identity neutral parental leave policy. This new policy will see Cambridge continue to lead the way as a great employer for ALL parents, regardless of gender, orientation, or identity. It will also help Cambridge continue to serve as an example for public and private employers across the Commonwealth and the nation.

Off-Leash Dogs in the City 

Two years ago, I asked the City Manager to form an off-leash working group to develop recommendations for providing better opportunities for dog owners in Cambridge. A recent statistic shows that almost 1 in 10 households in Cambridge have a dog! We're now implementing the Off-Leash Working Group recommendations, which will see new shared use hours at multiple locations, improved signage, evening hours and more dedicated spaces, especially in areas that need it. My dog was so excited he insisted I create a dedicated flyer and oversaw my work:

Thanks!

As always, please contact me directly if you have any questions or thoughts at leland@lelandcheung.com or on my cell at (617) 444-9080.

And please remember to vote Leland Cheung #1 tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3rd!

Leland

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From  Dennis Benzan in Cambridge:

Team Benzan Supporters! This Election season has been unlike any other! Your support has been incredible from the start, and we need you for one final push tomorrow. This is what we've all been waiting for...the most important part of this whole effort. First, please remember to make a plan to go to the polls tomorrow, and remind your friends and family who live in Cambridge to GET OUT AND VOTE! We're asking for your #1 Vote, and hope you will consider my colleagues on the Unity Slate for your remaining votes (in alphabetical order: Cheung, Kelley, Maher, McGovern, Simmons, and Toomey). The polls on Election Day are open from 7am-8pm.  If you're not sure where you vote, please visit www.wheredoivotema.com. If you have any time to volunteer with our Campaign to Re-Elect Dennis Benzan, we could use your help at the polls at various times and locations throughout the city. Please contact Jessica at (617) 792-9783 or Sami Rodriguez at (978) 994-5557 for more information on how you can help tomorrow. Thank you so much for your continued support.   We cannot express enough how much your support means to me! Best, Dennis Benzan Cambridge City Councillor & Vice Mayor P.S. After the polls close, please join us at Moksa Restaurant for our Election Night Party! Stay connected on social media!