AG HEALEY LAUNCHES SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF TRANSGENDER PUBLIC ACCOMODATIONS BILL

AG HEALEY LAUNCHES SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF TRANSGENDER PUBLIC ACCOMODATIONS BILL

Campaign Features Videos From Caitlyn Jenner, Boston Sports Stars, Transgender Families Using the Hashtag #EveryoneWelcome

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today kicked off a social media campaign in support of legislation to protect transgender people from discrimination in public places, featuring short video messages from a mix of high-profile allies of the transgender community and families from across Massachusetts.

The social media campaign features videos from allies like Caitlyn Jenner, Kathy Griffin, Olympic gold medal winner and World Cup champion Abby Wambach, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and local supporters of the Transgender Public Accommodations Bill, including Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates, Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca and Boston Bruins center and alternate captain Patrice Bergeron.

The Transgender Public Accommodations Bill (House Bill 1577 and Senate Bill 735, filed by Representatives Byron Rushing and Denise Provost, and Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz), which is pending before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, would protect transgender people from discrimination in places of public accommodation, including restaurants, hotels, parks, movie theaters, and gyms.

 “For me, this is a fundamental civil rights issue and makes clear we respect the dignity of each and every human being in our state,” said AG Healey. “This is about young people and their families feeling safe when they go to our hospitals, our restaurants, our movie theaters and other public places. We need a law on the books that will make sure everyone is welcome regardless of their gender identity.”

Among others, the cast of the Emmy-award winning TV series “Transparent” and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh will also submit videos in support of the campaign.

The AG’s Office is asking the public to share their own short videos on social media expressing their support for the bill using the hashtag #EveryoneWelcome.

On Tuesday, AG Healey met with transgender young people, their families and members of the business community for a roundtable discussion on the importance of equality and supporting the pending legislation.

The Transgender Public Accommodations Bill is supported by the Massachusetts Major City Chiefs, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the American Federation of Teachers, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, all four major Boston sports teams, and businesses like Google, State Street, EMC, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Eastern Bank, Legal Sea Foods, Twitter and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

CAPAC Leaders on House Republican’s Anti-Immigrant Amicus Brief

CAPAC Leaders on House Republican’s Anti-Immigrant Amicus Brief

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed H.Res. 639, a resolution authorizing the Speaker of the House to file an amicus curiae on behalf of the entire House of Representatives in the matter of the United States v. Texas. In January of this year, the Supreme Court agreed to hear oral arguments in U.S. v. Texas, a challenge to the President’s executive actions on immigration known as Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).  CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) and CAPAC Chair Emeritus Rep. Mike Honda (CA-17) released the following statements:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

“Today’s actions are unprecedented and unwarranted. With over 11 million undocumented immigrants forced into the shadows, I have fought for years for immigration reform that will keep families together and bolster our economy. But congressional Republicans repeatedly refused to act – even when a bipartisan majority agreed on the Senate’s comprehensive immigration reform bill. That is why I was overjoyed when President Obama announced an expansion of the already successful DACA program and created the new DACA program. I was encouraged when the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments in U.S. v. Texas, the ongoing case that has stopped these executive actions from going into effect. But sadly, Republicans are instead choosing to stand in the way again.

“Immigrants are living, working, and laying deep roots in our communities, and they should be able to continue to do so without fear of being separated from their families at a moment’s notice. The security offered by DACA and DAPA means eligible families – including nearly 400,000 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders – can continue to contribute, growing our economy. That is why these actions have the backing of about 120 mayors from cities all across the country who know how important immigrant families are to the fabric of our society. By supporting this resolution, congressional Republicans are positioning themselves in opposition to these values. Allowing aspiring Americans to continue to work and contribute without fear is the right thing to do morally, economically, and legally. And, despite the Republicans’ amicus brief, I am confident that the Supreme Court will uphold President Obama’s actions as lawful uses of executive discretion.”

Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Chair Emeritus:

“America has always been a land of immigrants. After being imprisoned because my parents were immigrants, no one knows that better than me. We build our country not just with people who are born here, but with those who make the difficult emotional and physical journey to come to America for a new life. Today, we voted to use taxpayer funds to speak against those immigrants, many of whom are kids who don’t know any other country. I voted against allowing Speaker Ryan to support the repeal of DACA and DAPA, because immigrants built this nation, and I want them to keep doing so.”

Background:

On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced a series of executive orders that would defer deportation for approximately 4.7 million aspiring Americans living in the U.S. The largest initiatives included an expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the creation of a new Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program. The implementation of both programs has been suspended until ongoing litigation is resolved. On March 8, 2016, Rep. Chu joined 185 other Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and 39 Members of the U.S. Senate, in their individual capacities as Members of Congress, to file an amicus brief in support of the President’s executive action programs.

The text of H. Res. 639 can be found here. The House vote on final passage of the resolution can be found here.

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT IN CONFERENCE CALL WITH STAKEHOLDERS

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT

IN

CONFERENCE CALL WITH STAKEHOLDERS

Via Telephone

12:18 P.M. EDT

     THE PRESIDENT:  Hey, everybody.  Thanks for joining the call.  I’m not going to be long because Valerie and others are giving you some of the background on this.

     As you now know, I nominated Chief Judge Merrick Garland of the D.C. Circuit to serve as the next associate justice on the Supreme Court.  This is not a decision I ever take lightly.  I’ve now seated two Supreme Court justices; this would be the third.  The men and women on the Supreme Court, they’re the final arbiters of our laws.  And it means that this is one of those moments where you have to rise above short-term politics and think about the institution of the Court, and the institution of the presidency, and how does our democracy work.

     I chose Chief Judge Garland because this guy is as well-qualified as anybody who’s ever been nominated to the Supreme Court.  That’s not just my opinion, that’s pretty much a universal opinion.  He possesses one of America’s sharpest legal minds.  He brings a spirit of decency and modesty and integrity and even-handedness to his work.  His work is excellent.  He is somebody who has worked as a prosecutor.  As you know, he is somebody who not only helped lead the investigation around the Oklahoma City bombings, but did so in a way that showed enormous compassion towards the people who had been impacted. 

     He’s been praised by Republicans and Democrats.  During his original confirmation process when he was put on the D.C. Circuit, majorities of each party supported him.  Republican Senator Orrin Hatch, who has been the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said, “In all honesty, I would like to see one person come to this floor and say one reason why Merrick Garland does not deserve this position.”  I couldn’t agree more.

     And the Constitution is clear that it’s my job as President to nominate candidates to the Supreme Court.  It’s the Senate’s job to give them a timely hearing, and an up or down vote.  I fulfilled my constitutional duty yesterday, and I expect now the Senate to do its job, as well.  And the American people deserve no less.

     But in order to make this happen, I’m going to need your help.  Republican leaders have said they believe the American people should have a say.  Well, the American people did have a say back in 2012 when they elected me President.  And they had a say when they elected the current senators as senators.  They didn’t add a caveat that said we want you to be President except for your last 300 days in office when you don’t have to fulfill your duties.  And they didn’t elect senators and say, you know what, this is only a three-quarters or a half a term; you get elected for the full term, and you’re expected to do your job during that entire time. 

     So the American people have already had a say, but now what we need to do is make sure the American people will remind senators that they have a job to do.  Senators that are trying to obstruct the process need to be told that we expect the Supreme Court to be above partisan politics, and that the Court should be operating at full capacity to help the American people.

     So you’ve got somebody with unimpeachable credentials, somebody the Republicans have themselves acknowledged is qualified.  I have made this nomination.  The Court needs to have an additional justice in order to be able to weigh on some of the most important issues that affect everybody’s lives -- our voting rights; our freedom of speech; issues like immigration; issues like our environment, clean air and clean water; issues of workplace safety.  And the notion that somehow we would suspend all that because it’s an election year is not in the Constitution and it’s not been our tradition.

     And, by the way, I think everybody on this call recognizes the election season lasts longer and longer every time.  So the election season started six months, nine months, a year ago.  Are they suggesting somehow that we should have suspended our work in December or in June of last year, when the presidential candidates were already running around Iowa?  I’m assuming that’s not the argument they’re making.

     And as Valerie already pointed out, it’s not as if we haven’t had Supreme Court nominees confirmed during election years before.  The difference is, typically, it’s been Republican Presidents making the nominations and Democratic Senates -- or Democratic majorities in the Senate who have confirmed them.  And what we’re asking is simply that the Senate acts fairly in dealing with an outstanding individual who deserves to be on the Supreme Court.

     Be fair.  That’s something we all learned in kindergarten, and it’s something that the American people I think understand should apply when it comes to the highest court in the land and how we make sure that our democracy and our judicial system work.

     So make yourselves heard.  Let senators know that this is something that you care deeply about.  And it goes beyond just the typical partisan disagreements that we have; this has to do with the integrity of our system of government.  And it’s something that I care deeply about and I’m going to make sure to fight for for the remainder of my term as President.  And I hope that you’re right there with me.  Okay?

     Thank you so much, everybody.

THE TASTE OF THE SOUTH SHOR 3/24

SOUTH SHORE YMCA BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW:   THE TASTE OF THE SOUTH SHORE THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016 6:00 - 9:00 PM Lombardo's, Randolph  NEW! TASTE AFTER PARTY 9:00 - 11:00 PM Vincent's Night Club at Lombardo's                                      Sponsored by:  Enjoy an Evening of Food, Drink & Fun for a Good Cause! Mark your calendar for Thursday, March 24th and join the South Shore YMCA at the 20th Annual Taste of the South Shore!  The Taste of the South Shore is a festive, annual, community event that brings the area's top restaurants, wineries and breweries together for a night of celebration to benefit the South Shore YMCA's Send a Kid to Camp appeal.    Enjoy a night out with friends sampling signature food and beverages from 40 local restaurants, wineries and breweries and mingling with community leaders. Keep the fun going at our first-ever Taste After Party at Vincent's Night Club, also at Lombardo's! This Year's Event is One You Don't Want to Miss! Join in the fun at this year's Taste Event! This year's highlights include: Taste competitions judged by South Shore Living Magazine and the opportunity to vote your favorite restaurants, wineries and breweries in the People's Choice Awards Exclusive raffles Program booklets for guests with discount coupons to area restaurants First-ever Taste After Party at Vincent's Night Club! President's Club reception from 5:00-6:00 p.m. for major SSYMCA Donors with cumulative pledges over $5,000 annually. Visit our website to see the full lineup of Taste 2016 participating  restaurants, wineries and breweries!  Purchase Your Tickets Today! Help the South Shore YMCA reach this year's goal of raising $225,000 to give 500 local children the opportunity to attend South Shore YMCA Resident and Day Camps this summer!      Tickets are $125 per person. After Party-only tickets are $25 per person. Entry into the After Party is included in Taste of the South Shore ticket purchases.   To learn more about the Taste of the South Shore and the Y's Send a Kid to Camp appeal, please visit our website or contact Michelle Duggan atmduggan@ssymca.org or 781-264-9416.

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劍橋市議員張禮能宣佈參選麻州參議員

             (Boston Orange 周菊子報導)劍橋市議員張禮能（Leland Cheung）今（17）日早上10點 28分以電子郵件宣佈，將參選米斗塞郡（Middlesex）第二區麻州參議員席位。

            今年是麻州的州級選舉年，麻州參議員40個席位，眾議員160個席位都將辦理改選。有意連任者，都必須參選。9月8日初選，11月8日大選。

            米斗塞郡第二區的範圍，包括劍橋市（Cambridge），尚莫維爾（Somerville）, 麥德福（Medford），溫徹斯特（Winchester）等地區。

            張禮能表示，這些地都有悠久，豐富的歷史，同時也代表著經濟及文化未來，所以他和太太選擇在此成家立業。

            這個地區儘管美好，仍然面對一些不可思議的挑戰，例如麻州政府打算不理了的綠線，房價上漲到許多人都得搬出城去，早期教育擴展計畫不斷推延，創新經濟對許多人來說仍然可望不可及，環境岑岑可危，政府太過頻繁地把大企業利益擺在一般小家庭之上等等。

            張禮能表示，他決定參選麻州參議員，就因為他希望能帶動大家團結起來，要求政府做必要選擇，現在就採取行動，迎頭面對那些挑戰。

            根據2010年的人口統計調查，這一選區的麻州居民人數約為167,996。2005年當選迄今代表這區的麻州參議員是Patricia D. Jehlen。她的任期將於今年屆滿，若競選連任，須在11月8日的大選中獲勝。（更正版）

下附張禮能宣佈參選麻州參議員公開信：

I wanted to share some exciting news with you: I’m running for State Senate.

Our extended community of the Second Middlesex district, including Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, and Winchester, is an amazing place to live. We simultaneously enjoy a long, rich history and also represent the future, both economically and culturally. It's why my wife and I decided to settle down and raise our children here.

For all that's great about our community, we still face incredible challenges - a Green Line the state is threatening to let fall off the tracks, a housing market that’s pricing people out, persistent delay in the expansion of early education, an innovation economy that remains inaccessible to many, an environment in peril, and a government that all too often puts the interests of big business over those of small families like ours.

We have an opportunity to join together and demand that our government make the choices necessary, and take action now, to address those challenges head on. That’s why I’m running for State Senate and asking for your support.

We’re going to win this campaign in the field; people are going to be shocked see me personally at their door and in awe of how visible we are. But the Beacon Hill establishment is not going to be behind us. If you can chip in today, it would go a long way in helping us launch this campaign.

As always, I want to hear from you - if you have any concerns, if there is an issue you think I should know about, or if you want to help out with the race let me know at leland@lelandcheung.com or call me on my cell at (617) 444-9080. I hope that you will stand with me in this race and thank you in advance for all of your support.

Leland Cheung
Candidate for State Senate

中国90后留学生初创公司完成首次跨国虚拟现实直播 吸引好莱坞关注

中国90后留学生初创公司完成首次跨国虚拟现实直播   吸引好莱坞关注

轉載：

近期在好莱坞明星社交圈内引发关注的​Magic Cube魔方公司，是一家VR（Virtual Reality）直播娱乐公司。该公司是由中国90后留学生在洛杉矶的初创公司。

3月7号晚7点，Magic Cube公司邀请好莱坞著名演员艾美奖得主比尔.奥德西（Bill Obersy Jr.）, 以及中星集团主席向华强的特聘武师、好莱坞武打明星摩根.伯内特（Morgan Benoit）在洛杉矶VISUAL会所举办见面会，在活动中与中国的业内人士同时互动，完成首次跨国虚拟现实直播。

当天由于工作关系未能赴宴的制片人李女士表示被直播的真实感所惊艳，称：“没有想到可以如此真实！”曾与成龙倾力合作<功夫之王>并参与过<钢铁侠>，<画皮>等国际大片的Morgan Benoit, 也曾被向华强特邀赴香港教授功夫。在现场他展示了寸拳，当拳头像子弹一样冲向魔方公司产品“魔方虚拟仪”时,在大洋彼岸正在看直播的李女士像触了电一般从椅子上蹦了起来,刚决这一发寸拳真的近在咫尺，从眼前划过。

魔方公司的设备具有4K清晰度，当天有百人同时在线互动，使用了UNITY引擎，云拼接等高新技术。这一次好莱坞盛宴不仅仅使众人感叹Magic Cube先进的VR直播技术，更让好莱坞影星共同见证了中国90后正在用VR技术改变远程交互。

什么是虚拟现实？据90后的南加州大学留学生、魔方公司总裁戎若天介绍，Magic Cube魔方是一家致力于VR直播的娱乐公司。通过戴上一副VR眼镜，让你足不出户，就能穿越时空。如果科比退役赛无法亲临现场？工作太忙没有假期、昂贵的机票和球票、繁琐的签证过程等，都长期困扰着国内的球迷们。但如果使用Magic Cube虚拟现实互动技术，就能如亲临NBA第一排；奥斯卡颁奖典礼；花花公子庄园年度派对等精彩活动的现场。

​魔方公司总裁戎若天表示，魔方的产品做的不仅仅是虚拟现实，它致力于建设一个全新空间世界，在这个空间可以体验到另一个全新人生。我们的闲余时间除了用来打游戏，看电影，现在可以用来去体验和陈奕迅同台互动，和科比一起在洛杉矶凌晨4点起来训练。

​

据介绍，魔方VR新颖的内容传播方式，已经获得了许多国际知名机构的青睐，魔方VR将携手好莱坞奥斯卡协会，及各大赛事主办方为中国国内、和海外华人观众带来前所未有的身临其境体验。通过魔方VR我们不再错过任何盛典。和旅途中的长队，遥遥无期的赴美旅行计划说再见吧。魔方VR把世界盛典和明星通通带回家。

3月13日魔方VR的多位高层飞往法国巴黎，与法国艺术协会敲定初步合作意向。对新事物有兴趣的朋友，请实时关注微博账号魔方VR。届时将会放出100个内测名额直播戛纳红毯，符合资格者将会受到内测邀请。

据了解，魔方VR的团队基本上都是90后的中国留学生，在海外留学生创业大潮中，作为初创公司，研发和设计时，这些年青人每天工作时间从早上6点到凌晨2点。该项目和相关技术的结合，将新媒体和内容有效结合，受到业内人士的关注，并结合时尚业、文化创意产业、影视制作业、电子游戏产业，在青年人的市场中受到追捧。（AACYF洛杉矶讯）

Governor Baker Issues Statement on the Death of Trooper Thomas Clardy

Governor Baker Issues Statement on the Death

of Trooper Thomas Clardy

BOSTON - Today, Governor Charlie Baker released the following statement regarding the passing of Trooper Thomas Clardy:

“Lauren and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Trooper Thomas Clardy who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, fellow troopers and the entire law enforcement community during this very difficult time.”

USCIS Will Accept H-1B Petitions for Fiscal Year 2017 Beginning April 1, 2016

USCIS Will Accept H-1B Petitions for Fiscal Year 2017 Beginning April 1, 2016

USCIS Reminds Petitioners to Follow Regulatory Requirements

WASHINGTON – On April 1, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the fiscal year 2017 cap. U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in occupations that require highly specialized knowledge in fields such as science, engineering and computer programming.

The congressionally mandated cap on H-1B visas for FY 2017 is 65,000. The first 20,000 H-1B petitions filed for individuals with a U.S. master’s degree or higher are exempt from the 65,000 cap.

USCIS expects to receive more than 65,000 petitions during the first five business days of this year’s program. The agency will monitor the number of petitions received and notify the public when the H-1B cap has been met. If USCIS receives an excess of petitions during the first five business days, the agency will use a computer-generated lottery system to randomly select the number of petitions required to meet the cap. USCIS will reject all unselected petitions that are subject to the cap as well as any petitions received after the cap has closed.

Premium Processing for Cap-Subject Petitions

H-1B petitioners may still continue to request premium processing together with their H-1B petition. However, please note that USCIS has temporarily adjusted its current premium processing practice based on historic premium processing receipt levels and the possibility that the H-1B cap will be met in the first five business days of the filing season. In order to prioritize data entry for cap-subject H-1B petitions, USCIS will begin premium processing for H-1B cap-subject petitions requesting premium processing no later than May 16, 2016.

Filing Petitions

H-1B petitioners are reminded that when the temporary employment or training will be in different locations, the state where your company or organization’s primary office is located will determine where you should send your Form I-129 package, regardless of where in the United States the various worksites are located. Please ensure that when temporary employment or training will be in different locations, the address on page 1, part 1 of Form I-129 is for your organization’s primary office. Please note that when listing a “home office” as a work site location on Part 5, question 3, USCIS will consider this a separate and distinct work site location.

H-1B petitioners must follow all statutory and regulatory requirements as they prepare petitions in order to avoid delays in processing and possible requests for evidence. USCIS has developed detailed information, including an optional checklist, Form M-735, Optional Checklist for Form I-129 H-1B Filings, on how to complete and submit an FY 2017 H-1B petition. The optional checklist for FY 2017 will be available within the next week.

Cases will be considered accepted on the date USCIS receives a properly filed petition with the appropriate fees.

For more information on the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program and current Form I-129 processing times, visit the H-1B FY 2017 Cap Season Web page or call the National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283 or 800-767-1833 (TDD for the hearing impaired). We encourage H-1B applicants to subscribe to the H-1B Cap Season email updates located on the H-1B FY 2017 Cap Season Web page.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Facebook (/uscis), Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis) and the USCIS blog The Beacon.

THOUSANDS OF MASSACHUSETTS DRIVERS TO RECEIVE $7.4 MILLION IN RELIEF ON HIGH-INTEREST AUTO LOANS FROM TWO LENDERS

THOUSANDS OF MASSACHUSETTS DRIVERS TO RECEIVE $7.4 MILLION IN RELIEF ON HIGH-INTEREST AUTO LOANS FROM TWO LENDERSAG’s Office Has Now Recovered More Than $12 Million for Consumers Relating to High-Interest Auto Loans

BOSTON – Two national auto lenders have agreed to provide a total of $7.4 million in relief to thousands of Massachusetts consumers over allegations they charged excessive interest rates on their subprime auto loans, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. The AG’s Office has now recovered more than $12 million for consumers in the last several months in settlements relating to high-interest auto loans.

“There are protections in place to ensure that consumers who take out auto loans are treated fairly and not forced to pay illegal and excessive interest rates,” AG Healey said. “Our office will continue to make sure that these protections under state law are applied properly so that consumers are not exploited by predatory practices.” 

Under the terms of the assurances of discontinuance, filed Tuesday in Suffolk Superior Court, American Credit Acceptance, LLC (ACA) and Westlake Services, LLC (Westlake) have agreed to eliminate interest on certain loans they purchased that allegedly included excessive interest rates due to the inclusion of so-called GAP coverage. The lenders have also agreed to forgive outstanding interest on the loans and reimburse consumers for the interest they have already paid on the debts. 

The Attorney General’s Office has identified approximately $1.7 million in relief for ACA loans, and approximately $5.7 million in relief relating to Westlake loans. Under the settlements, additional audit work will determine if other loans are also subject to refunds. More than two thousand Massachusetts consumers will benefit from the settlements. On average, the settlement will provide each consumer with approximately $3,000 in relief. 

Under the settlements, the lenders will also pay $225,000 to pay for implementation of the agreements.

Consumers in these cases were overcharged because of GAP fees. These fees caused the effective interest rates on the loans to exceed the 21 percent state interest cap. GAP is a product that is intended to limit the shortfall between the payment on an auto insurance claim and the amount the borrower owes on a car loan in the event the financed vehicle is totaled. GAP is sold by car dealers as an add-on product and is often financed in the auto loan. 

This case is part of an ongoing subprime loan review initiative by the Attorney General’s Office. Previously, as part of this initiative, the Attorney General announced a $5.4 million settlement with Santander USA Holdings Inc. also relating to GAP fees and excessive interest.