Governor Baker Signs Legislation Enhancing Partnerships Between State and Municipal Governments

Governor Baker Signs Legislation Enhancing Partnerships

Between State and Municipal Governments

New law is the product of extensive outreach and input from municipal officials

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker signed legislation improving critical components of the partnership between state and municipal governments by eliminating or updating obsolete laws, promoting local independence, streamlining state oversight and providing municipalities with greater flexibility. The legislation, An Act modernizing municipal finance and government (H. 4565), reflects operational modernization and technological advancement at the local level, allowing municipalities to better address local issues.

“This municipal modernization legislation is a great example of some true weed whacking of outdated, clunky laws that will empower our municipalities and support good-governing at the local level across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “As two former local officials ourselves, the Lieutenant Governor and I have a true appreciation for the independence and flexibility created by this commonsense bill, allowing municipal officials to better serve all of our constituents and create stronger communities in all of our 351 cities and towns.”

“City and town officials across the Commonwealth know they have a reliable partner in the Baker-Polito Administration,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Whether through the working group we established shortly after taking office that generated over 1,300 suggestions from over 235 municipalities and school districts on how to deliver services more efficiently, or the more than 231 Communities that have signed a Community Compact, the ongoing dialogue we have had with local officials and our partners in the legislature is what made this effort possible.”

The Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to support and partner with local municipal governments remains a strong priority. As a part of the Building Stronger Communities tour, Lt. Governor Polito has met with officials from over 130 municipalities and professional associations. Since the establishment of the Community Compact Cabinet, Lt. Governor Polito has signed over 230 compacts to strengthen partnerships between cities and towns and the Commonwealth. These initiatives facilitate better communication and collaboration with local officials to further implement best practices in municipal governance.

"When we introduced these reforms in December we did so with four key themes aimed to help our municipal partners improve the way they conduct their day-to-day business," said Administration and Finance Secretary, Kristen Lepore. "These reforms eliminate and update obsolete laws, promote local independence, streamline state oversight and provide municipalities with greater flexibility to modernize ways in which our communities conduct their business."

“Like clearing out the cobwebs in an old barn, modernizing the way our municipalities are allowed to operate and streamlining state oversight by eliminating outdated requirements will make a difference at the ground level for people,” said Dan Rivera, Mayor of Lawrence. “I want to thank Governor Baker, Lieutenant Governor Polito, Speaker DeLeo , Senate President Rosenberg and the Legislature for dedicating such a tremendous amount of time and effort  on what may seem like small, mundane items, but that will have an incredible impact on citizens lives throughout the commonwealth.”

 "As former local officials the Governor and Lieutenant Governor recognize the challenges faced by municipal leaders as we strive to deliver the highest level of service to our residents and business owners,” said Andrew Maylor, North Andover Town Manager. “Governor Baker’s sponsorship of the Municipal Modernization Act as well the administration’s comprehensive review of Executive Branch regulations, demonstrates support for our efforts and his commitment to cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth."

“Outdated bureaucracy and impediments to operational efficiencies negatively impact government services and our residents,” said Ed Augustus, Worcester City Manager. “This legislation will allow the City of Worcester to be more nimble and better meet the expectations of our community and the fast paced and dynamic environment in which we live.”

The municipal modernization legislation signed today addresses a number of seemingly small issues that can often weigh on a local city and town, particularly those with limited resources,” said Lisa Blackmer, President of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA). “ The MMA wants to thank Governor Baker, Lieutenant Governor Polito, Secretary Lepore, Speaker Deleo, and President Rosenberg for their attentiveness to those issues and we look forward to more efficient and flexible local governments as a result of this key legislation.”

The foundations of the Municipal Modernization bill are: eliminating or updating obsolete laws; promoting local independence; streamlining state oversight; and providing municipalities with greater flexibility.

Eliminate or Update Obsolete Laws

·       Eliminates required reports on county government matters – Repeals provisions of the county finance statute that require DLS to review various aspects of county government finance.

·       Electronic issuance of Civil Motor Vehicle Infraction (CMVI) – Adopts the necessary changes to the civil motor vehicle infraction law to allow cities and towns to issue citations electronically

·       Updates OPEB Trust Fund Statue GASB compliant – This change clarifies current language to makes it easier for governmental units to create an OPEB trust fund that complies with the legal requirements for trusts with GASB.

·       Creates a uniform and consistent deadline for taxpayers seeking personal exemptions – Sets April 1 as the deadline for personal exemption applications in all communities.

Promote Local Independence

·       Eliminates Statutory Caps on Stabilization funds, reserve funds, revolving funds—Amends current law by permitting appropriations into the fund by majority vote and permits the municipality, without appropriation, to dedicate all or a portion of particular revenue streams to the fund.

·       Expands a municipality’s ability to make year-end budget adjustments.

·       Liberalizes use of stabilization funds, reserve funds, revolving funds – Broadens the revolving funds statutes to permit more flexibility in the use of such funds and to eliminate all caps.

·       Increases threshold for payment of court judgments without appropriation and eliminate DLS approval – Amends current law to reflect the current operating environment where obligations to make immediate payments based on various legal claims now are just as likely to result from decisions of administrative agencies rather than just court judgments.

·       Eliminates certain reporting requirements to DLS.

Streamline State Oversight

·       Extends the certification review of local assessing practices from three to five years.

·       Eliminates the four year state valuation and replaces it with a formula for the distribution of PILOT’s (state-owned land).

·       Updates statutes that dictate DLS duties to reflect changes in Division’s mission over past 30 years.

·       Eliminates DLS approval for things such as abatement of taxes on low-valued land and abatement of taxes on properties being made available for affordable housing.

·       Eliminates requirements to print and distribute certain forms and approve use of electronic forms.

Provide Municipalities with Greater Flexibility

·       Simplifies, clarifies and increases state and municipal procurement thresholds – Various reforms designed to give municipalities more flexibility in how they procure construction contracts.

·       Simplifies and updates debt statutes – Increases short-term borrowing max from 5 to 10 years, allows borrowing for a reimbursable state grant, and increases the de minimis surplus bond balance that may be used to pay debt service.

·       Raises the ceiling on the residential exemption from 20 to 35%.—This change will greatly benefit cities and towns with large seasonal populations.

·       Allows municipal committees to designate one of its own members, or a town manager/administrator, to review and approve bills and warrants.

Commonwealth, Charter Finalize Agreement to Deliver Broadband to Hinsdale, Lanesborough, West Stockbridge

Commonwealth, Charter Finalize Agreement to Deliver Broadband to Hinsdale, Lanesborough, West Stockbridge

Charter Launches High-Speed Internet Service to Existing Customers on August 9; Agreement Will Extend Coverage to All Households & Businesses within 18 Months

WESTBOROUGH – The Baker-Polito Administration announced today a $1.6 million grant to Charter Communications to upgrade and extend broadband access in the unserved communities of Hinsdale, Lanesborough, and West Stockbridge.

As of today, Charter launches Spectrum Internet service to existing customers in these three communities.  The Commonwealth grant supports this upgrade of Charter’s existing TV-only cable network to an all-digital network capable of delivering digital television and broadband to roughly 80-90 percent of existing households and businesses in the three communities.

The Commonwealth grant will also support the extension of broadband and digital television service to an estimated 440 households in Hinsdale, Lanesborough, and West Stockbridge that are currently without any broadband or cable television service. The grant from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech (or MBI) is being made under the agency’s Last Mile Initiative, which has a goal of bringing broadband access to unserved residents and communities in Western Massachusetts.

“Our administration is committed to engaging communities unserved by broadband, and working collaboratively to deliver reliable, sustainable, and affordable broadband solutions to the residents and businesses of Central and Western Massachusetts,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This partnership with Charter Communications shows our commitment to meeting Last Mile challenges with solutions most relevant to the communities themselves.”

“We are tackling the Last Mile project with a spirit of openness, engagement, and collaboration,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Since June, our new approach to the Last Mile has jump-started progress in Middlefield, Mt. Washington, and now Hinsdale, Lanesborough, and West Stockbridge.  We are carrying this momentum forward to meet the needs of unserved towns in Central and Western Massachusetts.”

  

Charter’s full expansion in Hinsdale, Lanesborough, and West Stockbridge is expected to be completedwithin 18 months, and once completed, will deliver broadband access to approximately 3,400 residential and commercial premises. Charter expects to offer subscribers a service of 60/4 Mbps and 100/5 Mbps broadband service and triple play bundled packages with voice, video, and data service. The total project cost is estimated to be approximately $3,900,000.

“Charter Communications looks forward to working with Governor Baker and MBI to address their goal of bringing sustainable, high-speed broadband service to the un-served areas of western Massachusetts. This partnership will result in 3,400 homes and businesses gaining access for the first time to high-speed broadband service. Charter’s standard broadband speed of 60 Mbps is one of the fastest in the industry and it will provide a critical boost to the Baker Administration’s economic development efforts,” said Catherine Bohigian, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs, Charter Communications.

  

“This grant is a win-win, as it will deliver broadband connectivity to over three thousand residences and businesses, and in a shorter timeframe than any of the alternatives,” stated Peter Larkin, Board Chair of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute and Special Advisor to the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development for the Last Mile project.

In May, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a new strategic pathway for the Last Mile program, emphasizing a flexible, community-driven decision making process, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

The grant was approved by the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (“MassTech”) in June 2016.  The funding for the Last Mile broadband program was enacted under Chapter 257 of the Acts of 2014, the 2014 Information Technology Bond Bill, which provided the MBI with access to state bond authorization for ‘Last Mile’ projects. The MBI has previously approved investments into Last Mile projects in the towns of Mount Washington, Middlefield, Royalston, and Leverett.

外交部抗議肯亞政府遣送台灣人到中國

外交部對肯亞政府罔顧法院判決強行將我國人遣送至中國大陸事表達嚴正抗議

肯亞警方105年8月7日受中國大陸壓力，罔顧法院無罪且裁定遣返回臺灣之判決，強行將5名我國籍嫌疑人遣送至中國大陸，外交部對肯亞政府表達嚴正抗議。

在肯亞法院於8月5日宣判後，我駐南非代表處同仁即強烈要求肯亞警方遵守法院判決，同時洽請國際媒體及國際人權團體從旁協助，遺憾肯亞當局仍屈服於中國大陸之壓力，強行將5名我國籍嫌疑人送往中國大陸。

外交部已聯繫行政院大陸委員會及法務部透過兩岸協商管道繼續維護5名涉案國人之權益。

﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍

http://www.mac.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=115344&ctNode=5649&mp=1

我方堅持司法主權，兩岸攜手方能有效遏止跨境電信詐欺

105-08-08

行政院大陸委員會表示，在接獲外交部告知，陸方擬將甫獲肯亞法院判決無罪的5名國人押往中國大陸後，陸委會旋透過兩岸聯繫管道向陸方提出我方立場，要求陸方應積極協調有關部門，讓本案相關人員交由我方接返回臺依法處理，不得強押至中國大陸。

今(8)日確認5名國人已遭強押帶往中國大陸，對於陸方無視肯亞法院所為無罪並應遣送臺灣的判決，藐視人權的作法，陸委會立即再向陸方表達深切遺憾並提出嚴正抗議。陸方此舉罔顧兩岸主管機關過去長期以來之合作默契，也漠視我方多次公開呼籲勿將我方人員遣送至中國大陸等訴求，更嚴重傷害臺灣人民情感；陸委會同時要求，在5名國人被押抵中國大陸後，陸方應立即依據兩岸司法互助協議的規定，進行人身安全限制通報。

陸委會表示，對於已被遣送至中國大陸的涉案國人，政府將持續與陸方溝通，爭取將相關人員送回臺灣依法偵審。陸委會並再次呼籲，兩岸應賡續向前邁進、相向而行，在過去對類此案件協商合作累積的基礎上，持續進行良性溝通與對話，共謀妥善因應之道，以有效打擊跨境電信詐騙犯罪，強化保障兩岸人民的權益與福祉。

“The Heritage of Sound” by Nate Speare

“The Heritage of Sound” by Nate Speare

--in memory of Jed Speare--

-       

featured at

CONTEMPORARY ARTS INTERNATIONAL (CAI)                                                       

Acton, MA – Contemporary Arts International (CAI), a nonprofit art center, announces the performance on CAI’s Container Man Stage. The performance is entitled “The Heritage of Sound” by Nate Speare, in collaboration with Ana Cantoran, to recognize Jed’s Speare’s achievement and contributions as a sound artist and acoustic ecologist in the field of Sound Art.  CAI’s Container Man Stage is a 14-kinetic-sculptural-orchestral instrument created by Viktor Lois. There will be two shows respectively on August 19, Friday, 8:00-9:00PM and August 20, Saturday, 8:00-9:00PM.  

“The Heritage of Sound” is a tribute to Nate’s father, sound artist and multimedia artist Jed Speare, who passed away in March 2016. Jed Speare, nick-named “Mr. Mobius”, served for over twenty years as the director of Mobius, Boston’s artist-run center for experimental work in all media.

As a storyteller, vocal performer and astrologer, Nate Speare’s performance references include myriad sources of folklore-based oral tradition as well as extended range vocal techniques of the Roy Hart Theatre, PanTheatre and other experimental companies. The subject matter of his works ranges from pedestrian struggles to sacred experiences. “The Heritage of Sound” explores memory as an urgent yet non-linear inquiry that is both personal and transpersonal, and that unfolds in time and space. Speare draws inspiration from his father, Jed Speare’s environmental approach to composing sound works: the soundscapes played during the performance are ‘found sound’ from a specific acoustic environment. The dynamic therein is an invitation for Speare to sing, which can also mean cry, lament, laugh, crescendo or suspend a moment of silence. At the same time, Speare invites the audience to participate in an act of remembering stories of parent-child bonds as he urgently conjures memories and associations in the moment based on prompts that the audience delivers. The inquiry posed involves the sometimes-awkward encounter between subjective, sentimental memory and the rawness of the surrounding world in all that it evokes, from alienation to astonishment to tenderness. “The Heritage of Sound” is co-created with the guidance, direction and performative sensibility of partner Ana Cantoran Viramontes, an accomplished interdisciplinary artist and ritualist.

Nate Speare is a mythopoetic vocal artist, storyteller, educator and astrological consultant. He holds an MFA from Naropa University. He has performed and collaborated with PanTheatre (France), for which he was an artist-in-residence at the Roy Hart International Artistic Center in Cevennes, France. He has performed original solo work with Nettles Artists Collective, The One, United Solo Theatre Festival, and IRT Theater's 3b Development Series, and with Mobius and CyberArts Gallery in Boston. He is a Teaching Artist at Marquis Studios and an astrological reader at Catland Books. He is also a storyteller and researcher for Storyeon, a folkloric archive associated with the Archive for Research in Archetypal Symbolism at the Carl Jung Center of NY. 

Jed Speare was an artist and arts manager working in a variety of media and settings. Initially trained in music composition, he has presented sound, performance, video, installation, conceptual, multimedia and community-based works locally, nationally, and internationally in festivals and locales such as San Francisco, Amsterdam, Canada, Taiwan, Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Belarus, Bulgaria, France, and Italy. A more extensive bio of Jed can be found at http://www.mobius.org/jed-speare/

Ana Cantoran Viramontes is an interdisciplinary performer, movement artist, director and researcher of the relationship between ritual and the performative body. In working with Nate Speare, she seeks to find the artistic structures that provide the vocal and aural container for human memory, as well as elevating sounds of iron and concrete in our search for connection with what is bigger than us.

CAI’s admission fee is $5 for students and $10 for adults, which will include a tour of the studio and the sculpture park.

For more information, visit our website at www.contemporaryartsinternational.org.

Governor Baker Signs Comprehensive Energy Diversity Legislation

Governor Baker Signs Comprehensive Energy Diversity Legislation Reduces Ratepayer Costs, Embraces Advanced Technologies and Diversifies Energy Portfolio to Include Hydropower and Other Renewables BOSTON – Today, in a continued effort to stabilize electric rates, ensure a diversified energy portfolio for the Commonwealth, and embrace advanced technologies, Governor Charlie Baker signed comprehensive energy diversity legislation into law at the State House with Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, legislative leaders, and energy and environment stakeholders. An Act Relative to Energy Diversity (H. 4568) garnered bi-partisan support and promotes the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to reducing energy costs while strengthening the state’s clean energy economy and progressing towards Massachusetts’ greenhouse gas reduction requirements.  “Massachusetts is always at the forefront of adopting innovative clean energy solutions, and this legislation will allow us to build on that legacy and embrace increased amounts of renewable energy, including hydropower,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “With our partners in the Legislature, the Commonwealth has taken another major step towards providing residents and businesses with a cost-effective and reliable clean energy future.” “The hydroelectric and offshore wind power generation authorized in this legislation will play a crucial role in securing clean and cost-effective energy for the Commonwealth’s ratepayers,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “By utilizing renewable sources of power generation, Massachusetts will continue to lead the nation in embracing economic and environmentally friendly methods to generate electricity to meet the needs of our communities.” “The ability to procure clean hydroelectric power and off-shore wind is another important milestone in the Commonwealth’s transition to a diversified energy portfolio,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “By embracing renewable energy generation technologies, the Baker-Polito Administration continues to make progress in achieving the emissions reductions targets set forth by the Global Warming Solutions Act.” Consistent with the Baker-Polito Administration’s previously filed legislation authorizing the procurement of hydropower generation, An Act Relative to Energy Diversity (H. 4568) requires utilities to competitively solicit and contract for approximately 1,200 megawatts (MW)  of clean energy generation – base load hydropower, onshore wind and solar supported by hydropower, standalone onshore wind, solar, or other Class I renewable resources. In addition to recognizing the necessity of hydropower generation to provide reliable generation to meet Massachusetts’ energy demand and achieve the greenhouse gas emissions goals of the Global Warming Solutions Act, the legislation signed by Governor Baker allows for the procurement of approximately 1,600MW of offshore wind. The bill spurs the development of an emerging offshore wind industry to create jobs and represent the largest commitment by any state in the nation to offshore wind. “Massachusetts is taking yet another important step towards a clean energy economy,” said Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Chairman, State Senator Ben Downing (D-Pittsfield). “We are jump starting two industries - offshore wind & energy storage - that will shape our future, while recommitting ourselves to meeting our Global Warming Solutions Act requirements. More will need to be done, but this effort shows we are up to doing it." “The conference report creates the pathway towards our clean energy future,” said House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Brian S. Dempsey (D-Haverhill). “By focusing on procurement this bill does the hard work of translating goals into a process that will make them a reality. The 2800MW of combined wind and hydro energy approved in the conference report will ensure that Massachusetts remains a national leader on clean energy and will help to secure a more reliable and sustainable future.” The bill also builds on Massachusetts’ national energy efficiency leadership, providing additional support for the Commonwealth’s business community by establishing a commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. The PACE program, facilitated by MassDevelopment and the Department of Energy Resources, will enable commercial and industrial property owners across the state to finance comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades that are repaid through a property tax assessment on their building. “This legislation is another step forward in diversifying our energy supply while moving Massachusetts towards our green energy future,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst). “We must continue to work together to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels while also addressing unacceptably high electricity rates.” “With this bill, the Commonwealth has taken an important step of expanding clean energy while looking out for ratepayers,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “I thank my colleagues for crafting this smart strategy that will bring stability to costs while expanding opportunities for offshore wind and hydro. I’d also like to thank the Baker Administration for its foresight in prioritizing energy legislation.” In an effort to enhance ratepayer savings associated with the procurement of renewable energy resources, the bi-partisan legislation authorizes the use of energy storage technologies paired with renewable power generation. Advanced energy storage technologies include batteries, flywheels, thermal and compressed air technologies that allow merchants, utilities, and electricity customers to store and discharge energy as needed instead of purchasing or generating more expensive energy during times of peak demand.  The legislation also directs the Department of Energy Resources to determine if energy storage goals are prudent for the Commonwealth and, if is so, to set a procurement target for 2020. Recognizing the importance that energy storage technology holds for the Commonwealth’s energy market, the Baker-Polito Administration previously announced a $10 million Energy Storage Initiative to study opportunities to support the Massachusetts energy storage market. Massachusetts is now only the third state in the nation to authorize an energy storage procurement goal. “Energy storage technology has the potential to be a game changer for the Massachusetts energy market, further cementing our place as a national clean energy leader” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson. “By pairing renewable energy resources with energy storage technology, this legislation will allow the Commonwealth to lower energy costs for ratepayers, shave our peak demand energy usage, and reduce our state’s carbon emissions.” “Today marks an historic occasion for the Commonwealth in creating a new industry via off-shore wind,”said House Speaker Pro Tempore Patricia A. Haddad (D-Somerset). “This legislation also provides us with a solid foundation from which we can further increase our renewable energy sources and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Governor Baker and Secretary Beaton have been good partners throughout the crafting of this bill and it has been a pleasure to work with them.” “The implementation of the omnibus energy bill will help Massachusetts meet its goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the expansion of clean and renewable energy resources, including hydropower and off-shore wind energy,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading).  “As a member of the conference committee that produced the final bill, I’m pleased we were able to reach a consensus that will move the Commonwealth forward in achieving a more diversified and environmentally-friendly energy portfolio.” “We need to make good choices now to ensure that Massachusetts has reliable energy for the future that is cost-effective and environmentally sound,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester). “This legislation builds a clear framework for sources like offshore wind and hydroelectricity to play significant roles in that future.” “This is a monumental piece of energy legislation. This is a win for the environment, the economy and the people of the Commonwealth,” said Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Chair Thomas A. Golden, Jr., (D-Lowell) and lead negotiator on the bill. “While this is a historic moment for the Commonwealth, there is still work to be done. However, this legislation will serve as the cornerstone of our clean, renewable future.” “I supported the passage of this energy bill because it advances offshore wind and hydropower in Massachusetts,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton). “These initiatives will begin a new phase of clean energy procurement for the Commonwealth. Although this legislation is a good beginning, we have quite a long way to go to meet the requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act and ensure a clean energy future for our state.”

Governor Baker Announces Hiring Transparency Initiative

Governor Baker Announces Hiring Transparency Initiative

BOSTON – Governor Baker today announced the launch of the Baker-Polito Administration’s hiring transparency initiative, providing new online search features for new hires in Executive Department offices.  Effective immediately, the public will have access to a web page within the state’s transparency website, Open Checkbook, that provides more detailed information on recently hired state workers.

“We are pleased to deliver on our promise to increase transparency around the hiring of state employees,”said Governor Charlie Baker. “The people of Massachusetts and prospective job applicants deserve a state government that conducts an accountable and fair hiring process when it comes to filling publicly posted positions in the Executive Department.”

The information that can now be found on the View New Hires website includes: the start date of the position; the name of the selected candidate; their annualized salary; their relevant years of experience; their education, licenses and certifications held; as well as an indicator of whether a written reference was issued by an elected state official on behalf of the candidate selected. 

“We are glad to take an important step today towards a more transparent state government,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “The new policy implemented today will ensure that the applicants chosen to fill open positions are qualified and fully disclose any recommendation made on their behalf by an elected official.” 

Data on hires made between July 10 and July 23 appear in the first publication and the site will be regularly updated on the Monday following the first and third Saturday of each month.

“Disclosing this information is consistent with the Administration’s directive to provide frequently requested public records on our websites, making it easier to review publicly available information on new employees,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore.

僑委會國慶文化訪問團美加巡演 田秋堇授旗

僑委會國慶文化訪問團美加巡演 田秋堇授旗

    僑務委員會所籌組美加地區國慶文化訪問團7日在台北松菸誠品表演廳進行行前公演暨授旗儀式，由僑委會副委員長田秋堇授旗予團長張富美博士。田秋堇預祝訪問團海外演出成功，以傳達政府對僑胞的關懷。訪問團9月起於美加地區15座城市進行巡迴演出，藉由演出與僑胞歡慶雙十，並展現台灣文化軟實力。

    7日的行前公演首先由歌手簡語卉和黃上分別演唱天后張惠妹與搖滾天王伍佰的經典歌曲。接著由曾在世界小丑大賽獲獎的周子汧表演雜耍以及獲獎的「魔幻立方體」特技，展現台灣年輕世代創意；視障歌手蕭湘婷以國、台、粵三語三聲帶演唱多首歌曲，優雅美聲感動眾人；主持人李明德自彈自唱多首民歌，全場重溫民歌年代的美好時光；潘越雲壓軸演唱成名作品《天天天藍》與多首經典；全體演出人員最後合唱《愛拼才會贏》，彰顯僑胞在海外奮鬥的拼勁。

    田秋堇授旗給張富美時表示，僑委會每年國慶與農曆新年都會遴派國內優秀的表演者或團體赴海外為僑胞演出，僑胞在海外為中華民國進行實質外交，期望透過訪問團的巡迴演出，傳達政府對僑胞的重視與關懷。

    張富美表示，擔任僑委會委員長八年期間沒有機會和訪問團一起出訪，很高興能擔任團長，期待能與各地的僑胞久別重逢，共敍鄉誼。

    潘越雲說，雖然曾經多次赴美演出，但這是第一次到北美地區為僑胞演出，感謝僑委會的安排。

    僑委會105年美加地區國慶文化訪問團將於9月11日在加拿大艾蒙頓進行首演，之後依序在蒙特婁、多倫多、美國芝加哥、底特律、波士頓、紐約、華府、奧蘭多、北卡洛麗、奧斯丁、鳳凰城、洛杉磯、舊金山、西雅圖等地巡迴演出，預計10月12日返台。

 

僑委會美加地區國慶文化訪問團7日在台北進行行前公演暨授旗儀式，僑委會副委員長田秋堇（前右）授旗予團長張富美（前左）。

僑委會美加地區國慶文化訪問團行前公演暨授旗儀式，僑委會副委員長田秋堇（前）於授旗後致詞。

僑委會美加地區國慶文化訪問團一行與僑委會副委員長田秋堇（右四）合影。

僑委會美加地區國慶文化訪問團行前公演，全場觀眾、表演者與僑委會副委員長田秋堇（中）大合照。