Governor Baker Releases Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Proposal

Governor Baker Releases Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Proposal$39.6 billion budget invests in education, workforce development, and local aid without raising taxes; budgets for Stabilization Fund deposit and significantly reduces reliance on one-time solutions

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration filed its budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17), known as “House 2,” which continues the multi-year effort of bringing state spending in line with revenues, significantly reducing the state’s reliance on one-time solutions, and budgeting for a sizable deposit into the stabilization fund. The administration’s plan recommends key investments in education, local aid, addressing substance misuse, workforce development, transportation, and the Department of Children and Families (DCF), all without raising taxes or fees.

“This year’s budget sets the table for fiscal responsibility and a strong economic environment, without raising taxes or fees on our hardworking families,” said Governor Baker.  “Our proposal makes targeted investments in transportation, education, the Department of Children and Families and fulfills our commitment to cities and towns to bolster local aid as we aim to make Massachusetts great in every community.”

“The Baker-Polito Administration understands we can only be as strong as the communities we serve and our budget plan increases local aid and education funding, including a new IT program for the Community Compact Cabinet,”said Lt. Governor Polito. “As chair of the Governor’s Council to address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, I am also pleased to announce new investments to support law enforcement training to strengthen resources and make our communities safer for families across the Commonwealth.”  

“This budget proposal continues the administration’s progress to getting the Commonwealth back on the path of fiscal sustainability,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore.  “The state’s long term fiscal health depends on the Commonwealth getting to structural balance and our ability to put money into the Stabilization Fund while the economy is growing.”

INVESTING IN MASSACHUSETTS

Investing in Great Communities:

·       Increases unrestricted local aid by 4.3%, equal to 100% of the consensus revenue growth rate for state tax revenue. 

·       Continues the Community Compact program to provide technical assistance to over 100 communities in financial planning, economic development, regionalization and a new program to create a domestic violence prevention training toolkit for communities.

·       Funds the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Fun and Safe Summer Program, to extend hours and offer safe, productive alternatives for families at certain pools and athletic complexes in the Commonwealth’s cities.

·       Funds over 20 million meals through the Department of Agricultural Resources’ Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program for members of the Commonwealth in need.

·       Provides $2 million in assistance to the Department of Veterans Services for housing programs. 

·       $3 million of Urban Agenda grants will fund grassroots economic development in urban communities and unlock community-driven responses to local economic opportunities through partnership building, problem solving, and shared accountability.

·       Provides $200,000 for an Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives under the Governor’s Office and Executive Office for Administration and Finance to engage and assist community, faith-based, and not-for-profit organizations in identifying resources that advance their service offerings and promote volunteerism, civic engagement, and grassroots community development.

Making Massachusetts Schools Great:

·       Increases Chapter 70 education funding by $72.1 million.

·       Supports $18.6 million for a redesigned quality kindergarten grant program to assist communities in achieving tuition-free, full-day kindergarten.

·       Adds over $20 million for a revised charter school reimbursement formula to reimburse towns.

·       Supports the development of a next generation MCAS with $5.6 million.

·       Directs funds to support children and families who are most at risk in a number of ways, including:

o   $8.3 million for over 1,500 vouchers for the Department of Transitional Assistance’s (DTA) Stabilizing the Working Poor initiative;

o   $4.3 million to fund 600 childcare vouchers for children in DCF care;

o   $1 million for quality improvements at Early Education and Care for better assessments, accreditation assistance, and professional development.

Preparing Massachusetts Workers for Great Jobs:

·       More than $136 million in the proposal is dedicated to workforce training initiatives across several secretariats, including:

o   $5 million to support recommendations of the Governor’s Task Force on Persons Facing Chronically Higher Rates of Unemployment;

o   $17 million for career technical education and STEM programs;

o   $11.5 million for the Summer Jobs for At Risk Youth program;

o   $12 million for the Pathways to Self-Sufficiency Program.

Battling the Opioid and Heroin Epidemic:

·       Funds 150 adult residential treatment beds that will come online to help address the Commonwealth’s substance misuse epidemic.

·        Over $140 million to support investments in substance misuse prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services at the Department of Public Health (DPH).

·       $13 million in new funding for the Department of Mental Health (DMH) will support 45 substance use treatment beds (beyond the 150) at the Taunton State Hospital, in order to end the long standing practice of civilly committing women to MCI-Framingham. 

Investing in the Department of Children and Families:

·       The Department of Children and Families will receive $30.5 million in new funding under the Governor’s proposal.

·       The FY17 budget supports 281 new hires at DCF, which will mark 600 new employees at the agency since the beginning of the Baker-Polito Administration.

·       Another $5 million in new funding will go toward initiatives to decouple area offices, achieve a 4:1 ratio of supervisors to area program managers, and support additional domestic violence and substance abuse specialists.

Investing in Public Transportation:

·       As recommended by the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board, House 2 directs $187 million in additional contract assistance to the MBTA, sustaining the 50% ($64 million) increase made in FY16 – in addition to the $1.001B the T will receive from sales tax and other general revenue.

·       $500,000 increase for reforms at the Registry of Motor Vehicles to reduce wait times and update IT systems. 

Public Safety Support:

·       Funding for new positions at the State Police crime lab, the Sex Offender Registry Board, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. 

·       The FY17 budget proposal also provides $1.4 million to aid state and local police in their fight against drug traffickers, particularly in many Gateway Cities.  

FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE REFORMS

·       The budget plans for at least a $206 million deposit into the state’s Stabilization Fund. The deposit could increase to $282.5 million should the Mass Gaming Commission issue a license to the Region C (Southeastern, MA) Facility in FY17. 

·       The FY17 House 2 budget proposal makes significant progress towards eliminating the long-term structural imbalance identified last year by reducing the identified gap from $1.8 billion in FY16 to $635 million in FY17. 

·       The use of one-time budget solutions is down by nearly $1 billion over the past two years, from $1.2 billion in FY15 to $253 million in FY17.

·       Spending growth in this proposal is around 3.5% above the FY16 General Appropriations Act and continues progress in keeping MassHealth spending, which accounts for over one-third of the state budget, to 5% gross growth over the FY16 GAA.

·       Along with announcing today’s budget proposal, the Governor simultaneously filed a bill that would largely return the film tax to its original form by reinstituting a per-project cap and making them no longer refundable. The budget proposes reinvesting the savings from this bill into increasing the supply of affordable and workforce housing and improving the state’s economic competitiveness and job growth opportunities.

View the Governor’s FY2017 Budget Recommendation

紐英崙中華公所代表團41人2015年11月赴台參訪拜會

轉載自宏觀媒體僑社新聞網

紐英崙中華公所回國參訪團拜會

http://web.pts.org.tw/macroview/news/searchresult.php?fid=42001

(2015-11-11)

41位美國紐英崙地區僑領在紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦率領下組成參訪團回國，首先拜會的政府部門就是與僑胞們密不可分的僑委會。當天才剛從美國巡視僑務返抵國門的委員長陳士魁也特別撥空與大家見面。
陳士魁致詞時說，我們的波士頓僑社對於我們中華民國的支持，對於總統的支持，那麼這次大家能夠回國來參訪，我想我們臺灣是一個非常公開透明的地方。我覺得今天的臺灣的發展，讓大家自由地去看 自由地去比較。我從來不怕說臺灣拿去跟人家比較，臺灣可能有很多很多的缺點，但是臺灣絕對是自由透明的。
參訪團成員包括阮氏公所，安良工商會 洪門致公堂等十個重要僑團的負責人與幹部。大家以實際行動表現愛國的心，同時也希望政府能對海外僑團，有更多的支持 形成正向力量，希望讓中華民國和美國，建立溝通橋梁，並且對於在美國的華人僑團
有更多的支持，我們也希望在美國各領域當中，可以有能力支持國家，並且宣揚國家。

僑委會特別準備鳳梨酥作為紀念品，委員長並致贈以金箔雕製的山羊，祝福紐英崙中華公所喜氣洋洋，也期勉訪問團中的僑領們，回到僑居地能繼續代替國家，團結海外僑社的凝聚力。
臺灣宏觀電視 陳瀲文 鍾建剛
臺北 採訪報導

2016湖南同乡会春节联欢会暨十周年庆 2/20

SAT, FEB 20 AT 5:00 PM

2016湖南同乡会春节联欢会暨十周年庆

BY: 新英格兰地区湖南同乡会

值此猴年新春之际，新英格兰地区湖南同乡会也迎来了十周年庆。湖南同乡会将于2016年2月20日在梅德福市政府大楼（Medford City Hall）隆重举办“2016湖南同乡会春节联欢晚会暨十周年庆”。届时当地政府要员、波士顿地区华人社团也将与湖南同乡们共同与会庆祝。

停车：City Hall露天停车场

门票：02/12/2016前报名$6/大人（10至60岁）

           02/18/2016前报名$9/大人

           02/20/2016现场报名$15/大人

晚餐：自带食品者免费；不带食品者$10/大人

*大人定义：10岁到60岁

*小于10岁孩子或大于60岁老人免费

联系人：Shaokun Shu，617-803-3986

              robinsonshu@gmail.com

       

WHEN

Saturday, February 20, 2016 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM (EST) - Add to Calendar

WHERE

Medford City Hall - 85 George P Hassett Dr. Medford, MA 02155 - View Map

EXTRADITED CHINESE NATIONAL SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS FOR PROVIDING U.S. GOODS TO IRAN TO SUPPORT ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM

EXTRADITED CHINESE NATIONAL SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS FOR PROVIDING U.S. GOODS TO IRAN

TO SUPPORT ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM

 

BOSTON – A Chinese national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Boston in connection with supplying a U.S. designated Iranian Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Proliferator with 1,185 pressure transducers that could be used to make nuclear weapons-grade uranium.

 

Sihai Cheng, a/k/a Chun Hai Cheng, a/k/a Alex Cheng, 35, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris to nine years in prison.   In December 2015, Cheng pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiring to commit export violations and smuggle goods from the United States to Iran and four counts of illegally exporting U.S. manufactured pressure transducers to Iran. 

 

“Cheng knowingly provided more than 1,000 pressure transducers to Iran which advanced its nuclear weapons capabilities,” said United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz.  “At this critical time, the prosecution of individuals who violate our export laws – wherever they are located – is just as important, if not more, than ever before.”

 

“Massachusetts is a worldwide leader of innovative technology and research,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division.  “Mr. Cheng smuggled some of that technology used to process weapons-grade uranium into Iran.  As this case illustrates, the FBI will do everything it can to keep U.S. weapons technology and other restricted materials from falling into the wrong hands and hurting our nation’s security.”

 

“Today’s lengthy sentence serves as a warning to others that stiff penalties are waiting for anyone attempting to steal/sell American technologies or trade them to foreign powers,” said Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Boston.  “HSI and our law enforcement partners take the national security interests of this nation very seriously and will aggressively pursue any criminal or organization engaged in these activities.”

 

"Today's sentence reaffirms OEE's commitment to identifying, disrupting and enforcing illegal procurement networks and preventing sensitive WMD materials and technology from being exported contrary to U.S. export law,”  said Michael S. Imbrogna Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, Boston Field Office.  “Our special agents will continue to work hand in hand with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney's Office to protect Americans worldwide." 

 

In 2013, Cheng was charged in an indictment with conspiring to export, and exporting, highly sensitive U.S. manufactured goods with nuclear applications to Iran from at least 2009 to 2012.   Cheng pleaded guilty to conspiring with other individuals in China and Iran to illegally obtain hundreds of U.S. manufactured pressure transducers manufactured by MKS Instruments, Inc., a company headquartered in Massachusetts, and export them to Iran.  As established at the sentencing hearing, Cheng knew that the parts were being supplied to Kalaye Electric Co., a U.S. designated Iranian WMD Proliferator responsible for the Government of Iran’s nuclear centrifuge program and the development of weapons-grade uranium.  Pressure transducers can be used in gas centrifuges to enrich uranium and produce weapons-grade uranium and are therefore subject to strict export controls.  They cannot be shipped from the United States to China without an export license or shipped from the United States to Iran at all. 

 

At today’s sentencing, the government argued that Cheng’s conduct gravely harmed and jeopardized the national security of the United States as well as other countries throughout the world.  Cheng even invoked the threat of war between Iran and the United States as a means of increasing his profits.  Cheng’s procurement network was responsible for supplying Iran thousands of components for its nuclear proliferation activities and advancing Iran’s nuclear capabilities.  Cheng knew he was providing Iran critical components for use in the development of weapons-grade uranium and that the parts he was supplying were going Iran’s nuclear program.  Indeed, in 2009, according to evidence at the sentencing hearing, when Cheng supplied his first four shipments of pressure transducers, Iran was secretly constructing the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant for the purpose of developing nuclear weapons.  Further, based upon expert testimony, from 2009 to 2011, when Cheng supplied Iran 1,185 MKS pressure transducers, Iran was engaged in nuclear proliferation activities. 

 

In imposing the nine year sentence, Judge Saris found that Cheng “knowingly provided material support to develop a nuclear weapon.” 

 

        MKS Instruments, Inc., is not a target of this investigation and has been cooperating in this matter. 

 

U.S. Attorney Ortiz, FBI SAC Shaw, HSI SAC Etre, and Commerce Acting SAC Imbrogna, made the announcement today.  Assistance was also provided by the U.S. Department of Energy.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney B. Stephanie Siegmann of Ortiz’s National Security Unit.

MAYOR WALSH AND UNITED WAY KICK OFF 2016 BOSTON TAX HELP SEASON

MAYOR WALSH AND UNITED WAY KICK OFF 2016 BOSTON TAX HELP SEASON AT ROXBURY CENTER FOR FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT  Coalition, now in 15th year, has helped put $215 million back into residents' pockets Boston - Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - This Friday, Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Michael Durkin, CEO of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, will join partner organizations and volunteers to celebrate the launch of this year's Boston Tax Help season at the Roxbury Center for Financial Empowerment. The event, which coincides with National Earned Income Tax Credit Day, will mark the opening of 35 free neighborhood tax preparation sites across Boston.   The Boston Tax Help Coalition   In addition to providing low- to moderate-income residents with free tax preparation in seven languages besides English, Boston Tax Help sites will also offer taxpayers several asset-building services in line with Mayor Walsh's financial empowerment agenda. Many of the sites will provide taxpayers with the opportunity to open a savings account, allowing participants in the program to directly deposit a portion of their refunds into savings. The Coalition will also offer free public benefits screenings and on-site credit advising services.   Boston Tax Help sites is available online   Mayor Walsh and the Office of Workforce Development advocated for an increase in the state's Earned Income Tax Credit last year, and in August Governor Baker signed a bill to extend the maximum state credit from $951 to $1,459 for eligible residents. The change is expected to benefit over 400,000 working individuals and families in Massachusetts, including up to 75,000 in Boston alone.   The Boston Tax Help Coalition is a signature program of the Mayor's Office of Financial Empowerment, part of the Office of Workforce Development, which is an affiliate of the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES RECOMMENDATIONS OF LATE NIGHT TASK FORCE

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES RECOMMENDATIONS OF LATE NIGHT TASK FORCE

BOSTON - Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced a set of recommendations made by his Late Night Task Force to help foster and grow a safe and vibrant late night culture in the City of Boston. The task force, which formally concluded its work in 2015, was comprised of a diverse group of students, restaurants and bar owners, law enforcement and business leaders from across the city. "In the City of Boston we have an opportunity to create the kind of nightlife that visitors expect in a world-class city," said Mayor Walsh. "I thank all the members of the task force who came together over the course of several months to help us think about how to make Boston a more exciting and engaging place to live, work and play. I look forward to further exploring these recommendations to make Boston even more enjoyable for everyone." "The MRA applauds the efforts of the Mayor and the City of Boston in moving forward these initiatives," said Bob Luz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association. "Common sense approaches, such as allowing small operators to serve food after 10PM and removing unnecessary regulations on downtown operators will continue to make Boston flourish. All neighborhoods of Boston benefit from increased restaurant vibrancy and occupancy. When the Mayor was first elected, he pledged to streamline the regulatory process and he has delivered on that promise." Recommendations include: Extended Hours Extend liquor license hours within designated downtown area with the proper hearing; Allow restaurants that have 10pm or 11pm license citywide to extend to midnight with proper hearing and community process; Activate pilot areas throughout downtown Boston to extend liquor license hours. This option requires legislative action.   Operations Establishments should be allowed to serve drinks on a patio or deck without the requirement to serve food, unless otherwise stipulated at hearing; In an effort to make it easier for operators to renew their Certificate of Inspection (CI), inspections should be automatically scheduled by the proper departments once their invoice is paid for the new CI; Streamline all licensing requirements to eliminate redundant licenses and requirements.   Entertainment Live entertainment and music played on patios should be able to extend later in the evening if local residents are not disturbed. The Late Night Task Force was established in May 2014 with the goal of examining business districts and neighborhoods that are favorable for later closing hours; public safety requirements of expanded late night hours; existing liquor license restrictions; entertainment license expansion; late night transportation access; and how to effectively launch the expanded services. Rory Cuddyer, former Advisor to the Mayor's Chief of Staff and current startup manager, and John Fitzgerald, Deputy Director of Imagine Boston 2030, served as co-chairs of the task force, along with 24 individuals who were appointed by the Mayor.

四月下旬訪問新竹清華

RELEASE OF REPORT HIGHLIGHTING MAJOR IMPACT OF COMMUNITY-BASED JOB TRAINING IN THE COMMONWEALTH

RELEASE OF REPORT HIGHLIGHTING MAJOR IMPACT OF

COMMUNITY-BASED JOB TRAINING IN THE COMMONWEALTH

Independent Groundbreaking Report Documents Significant Taxpayer Savings

January 26, 2016- Today, members of the Job Training Alliance (JTA), a network of twenty non-profit, community-based, workforce development organizations, released the findings of a first of its kind study demonstrating that job training provides enormous benefits to recipients and significant cost savings to the Commonwealth. The report has major implications for those interested in assisting unemployed and underemployed individuals in Massachusetts as well as for those interested in cost-effective state government.

Under the banner, “Job training works, pays and saves,” the report found that 76% of the graduates of the 12 participating job training programs, examined over the course of one year, were employed following graduation.  These results are all the more impressive given that nearly all of the participants had significant barriers to employment such as limited English, inconsistent work histories and lack of computer and occupational skills.

Funded by a grant from Skillworks and conducted by nonprofit strategy and assessment firm Root Cause, the report found that on average, formerly unemployed individuals who found work following completion of a training program earned $13.95 per hour- a wage significantly higher than the current or even future Massachusetts minimum wage.

Moreover, the report found that job training also benefits those who are already employed in low-wage dead end jobs. Participants who were employed at the time of their training saw a 65% increase in their earnings following completion of their training for an average of $14.20 per hour. 

Employers who work with Job Training members explained why they support job training as well as the higher wage for graduates of these programs.  “I have found the experience with job training programs to be enriching from both a personal and professional standpoint,” says Mitchelle Frederick, Marketing Coordinator of Peabody Properties.  “Job training programs send us great candidates for hire.  And it is so rewarding to have such an impact on someone’s life, with the goal toward economic self-sufficiency.  A win-win for Peabody Properties!”  Carmine Guarino, Senior Vice President at Citizens Bank, felt similarly, “Job training providers send us well trained candidates that met all our hiring specifications, savings us time and money on recruitment.”  

Sunny Schwartz of the Asian American Civic Association, a provider of job training services, said, “Without job training, our clients would be unemployed or stuck in part-time low-wage jobs. With job training, they launch excellent careers which dramatically increase their lifetime earnings, turning them from being reliant on unemployment insurance or public benefits into tax paying citizens.”

The report also found that the benefits of job training extend well beyond the individual participant or the employer who hire them. Not only did those studied see significant increases in the wages they earned, government saw a 515% increase in taxes paid and, perhaps just as notable, a 67% reduction in their use of public benefits.  The report comes a day after Governor Baker announced that his budget will provide grants to community-based organizations and others that partner with businesses to develop job training and employment opportunities for populations that face higher unemployment rates.

“One of the first Executive Orders Governor Baker signed created the Task Force on Populations Facing Chronically High Rates of Unemployment, which I chaired.  We, in the Baker administration, wanted to look at the reasons why certain populations, such as African-Americans, Latinos/Hispanics, recently returned veterans, and people with disabilities face higher unemployment rates,” Secretary Ronald L. Walker, II said.  “Through our work on the Task Force we reconfirmed the vital role community-based organizations play in helping people with barriers to employment get the skills they need to find good jobs.”

Shukrullah Fnu, a graduate of job training provider Asian American Civic Association, shared how he is now living his dream of working in the banking industry in Massachusetts.  Originally from Afghanistan, Fnu worked as an interpreter with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan during combat operations.  Fnu enrolled and completed AACA's Careers in Banking & Finance Training Program. "I learned a lot of things in that program about banking regulations, policies and procedures, cash handling methods, and customer service..." he said. "This was my dream to work in the bank. I love my job, I love the environment and job training helped me to reach my dreams."