Baker-Polito Administration Launches Energy Savings Website

Baker-Polito Administration Launches Energy Savings Website

Clearinghouse for Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives

BOSTON – October 25, 2016– The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the launch of Commonwealth Energy Tool for Savings (energyCENTS), a web platform for the Commonwealth’s ratepayers to search available energy saving opportunities. Developed and launched by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), energyCENTS provides a single entry point for Massachusetts residents and businesses looking for the energy rebates, incentives, loans, and tax credits available from MassSave®, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and other organizations, like the federal government.

“Robust partnerships between ratepayers and federal, state, and private entities across the Commonwealth have created a host of incentives to reduce energy costs, usage, and emissions,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “energyCENTS will give residential and commercial customers alike the opportunity to adopt Massachusetts’ nation leading clean energy and energy efficiency programs.”

“Ratepayers across the Commonwealth save millions on their energy bills annually due to many of Massachusetts’ energy savings incentives,”said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “This online tool will make it even easier for all ratepayers to identify opportunities to further take advantage of these money-saving measures.”

Currently, there are over 250 incentives and rebates available to Massachusetts electric and natural gas ratepayers from the state and federal governments and utility program administrators. energyCENTS is a platform that allows ratepayers, from residential to commercial and industrial, to search for rebates and incentives across utilities, entities and applications while refining searches by keywords and zip codes. Results from energyCENTS searches will direct ratepayers to the rebate or incentive sponsor’s website for additional information and application.

“Massachusetts is a national leader on clean energy innovation and energy efficiency programs, saving ratepayers money and reducing emissions,” said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton. “energyCENTS is a one-stop shop for the Commonwealth’s ratepayers to take full advantage of the myriad of savings opportunities offered by the state and federal governments, along with our utility partners.”

“With the launch of energyCENTS, the Commonwealth continues to lead the nation in adopting clean energy and energy efficiency programs by streamlining the search process for ratepayers,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson. “The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to ongoing collaboration with public and private partners to enable greater access to clean energy for all consumers.”

The dynamic web platform provides opportunities from electric vehicles, appliances, home energy assessments, solar electricity to the latest energy initiatives available in the Commonwealth. This user-friendly, transparent tool aims to link energy opportunities to funding sources and Commonwealth ratepayers.  

“While the desire to save money on our energy bills is widespread, at times people, companies, or institutions lack the tools they need to follow through,” stated State Representative Thomas A. Golden, Jr. (D-Lowell), Chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy.  “DOER’s new website aims to solve that problem – whoever you are, whatever your situation –energyCENTS will provide answers and direct you to resources to help you secure the greatest amount of savings possible.”

“This website will help residential and commercial consumers navigate a myriad of energy products, services and an ever-expanding portfolio of available energy options,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester).  “From rebates to retrofits and appliances to apps this Website will help energy users save money, save time, and lower energy usage.”

“This is a great opportunity for citizens of the Commonwealth to save energy, save money and help our environment in one convenient location,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading).

“I’m excited to see the potential of energyCENTS,” said State SenatorBenjamin Downing (D-Pittsfield). “We are the leader in energy efficiency, but there is so much more we can do. This will help families, businesses and communities take our programs to the next level.”

The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced that the 2013-2015 Three-Year Energy Efficiency Plan achieved record savings for electric and natural gas sales in 2015, 3.01% of electric sales and 1.23% of natural gas sales. The current Three-Year Energy Efficiency Plan, approved by the Department of Public Utilities in January 2016, builds upon the success of the previous plan and again sets nation-leading goals for energy savings, setting savings goals of 2.94% of electric sales and 1.24% of gas sales.

State and Federal Officials Release Marine Wildlife Studies to Guide Offshore Wind Development

State and Federal Officials Release Marine Wildlife Studies to Guide Offshore Wind Development

Studies Will Inform Offshore Wind Permitting Process

BOSTON – October 25, 2016 – State and federal officials today released a pair of marine wildlife studies on the presence of endangered whale, turtle and bird species to inform federal offshore wind development permitting processes. The studies, which are the result of a three-year effort sponsored by MassCEC in partnership with the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), will provide baseline data to guide and expedite the federal permitting process for offshore wind development, and work to support the deployment of offshore wind in Massachusetts in an environmentally responsible manner.

The studies, which were funded by BOEM and the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust, found no significant conflicts between wildlife and offshore wind development in federally designated wind energy areas beginning 14 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard and identified opportunities to minimize impacts to marine wildlife in those areas. Researchers conducted the surveys using underwater acoustical buoys as well as aircraft flights staffed with wildlife observers. The large whale and sea turtle survey team was based at the New England Aquarium and a second team from the College of Staten Island studied impacts on seabirds.

“As the Commonwealth begins to harness the benefits of offshore wind power generation, it is imperative that we balance innovation with our obligation of environmental stewardship for the waters surrounding our state,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “These studies will streamline the permitting process for an emerging energy growth sector while protecting the environment so the Commonwealth can solidify its position as a hub of energy innovation while creating high-quality jobs and providing cost-effective power for ratepayers.”

  

The surveys greatly expand the existing understanding of wildlife presence and activity in the wind energy area. Federal permitting agencies will use the results of the studies to review developers’ site-specific plans for construction and operations of offshore wind projects.

“Offshore wind presents a significant resource of clean, homegrown, renewable energy for us to cultivate here in Massachusetts,”said MassCEC Interim CEO Steve Pike. “By completing this proactive environmental work, the Commonwealth is well positioned to realize significant benefits of the burgeoning offshore wind industry.”

The whale and turtle data was collected from 76 aerial surveys conducted in the study area between October 2011 and June 2015. The data was supplemented by more than 1,000 days of continuous underwater acoustic recording for whales. Throughout their observations, researchers from the New England Aquarium sighted 60 North Atlantic right whales, a critically endangered species, over the entire study only during winter and spring. The North Atlantic right whales primarily migrate into the area and engage in short-term feeding before moving onto feeding grounds throughout the Gulf of Maine. 

“The data, information, and analyses developed through this long-term cooperative study have improved our understanding of the distribution and abundance of marine mammals and sea turtles in the area,” said Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management Director Bruce Carlisle. “The study demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration across local, state and federal agencies, offshore wind developers, fishermen, and communities.”

Researchers from the College of Staten Island recorded 25 species of seabirds from a total of 38 aerial surveys conducted between November 2011 and January 2015.Two locations, known as “hotspots”, were identified where larger than average aggregations of seabirds occurred on a regular basis. Both hotspots were located outside the federal wind energy areas.

“This multi-year study is a major advance in the scientific understanding of marine mammals in what was largely a previously un-surveyed and uncharacterized habitat revealing new right whale habitat-use patterns and demonstrating consistent seasonal occurrence in portions of the study area,” said New England Aquarium Chief Scientist of Marine Mammals Dr. Scott D. Kraus. “The study provides a robust baseline assessment to inform the federal permitting process, and will help inform strategies to minimize or avoid impacts from construction or operations.” 

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has lease agreements with three offshore wind developers – Deepwater Wind, DONG Energy, and Offshore MW – to build projects in the federal waters south of Massachusetts. They will compete to provide 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind – which would cut annual carbon emissions by 2.4 million tons and power one-third of Massachusetts homes – over the next 10 years as part of the comprehensive energy legislation signed by Governor Baker in August. 

The studies build upon the MassCEC’s nation-leading efforts to advance the responsible and efficient deployment of offshore wind and position Massachusetts as a hub for the emerging U.S. offshore wind industry. These efforts also include the operation of the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal, the first facility in the U.S. designed for offshore wind construction, assembly, and deployment projects; operation of the Wind Technology Testing Center, one of the largest in the world, helping manufacturers advance technology and drive down costs; an offshore wind transmission study to assess the most cost-effective cable routes and interconnection locations to incorporate offshore energy into the regional grid; a metocean data initiative to advance the collection of wind data near federal offshore wind energy areas south of Martha’s Vineyard; grants for offshore wind research at Massachusetts universities and institutions to optimize technology and deployment to Massachusetts wind and ocean conditions; supply chain analysis to connect Massachusetts manufacturers, suppliers, and service companies to offshore wind developers and contractors; and investment in training programs to ensure that Massachusetts residents have the skills and certifications necessary to participate in the offshore wind industry.

“Mass Audubon applauds MassCEC’s work that’s being done in terms of marine wildlife characterization and while we support the efforts to develop offshore wind energy off the coast of Massachusetts, we also support the efforts to protect the most important and critically endangered species in the North Atlantic,” said Jack Clarke, Director of Public Policy for Mass Audubon.

“Thanks to the leadership of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, we now have valuable information needed to protect vulnerable species like endangered North Atlantic Right Whales as offshore wind projects move forward,” said Catherine Bowes, Senior Manager at National Wildlife Federation. “National Wildlife Federation strongly supports responsibly developed offshore wind power, and we look forward to working together to ensure this new research guides our pursuit of a critically-needed new clean energy source for the Commonwealth.”

“The United States Bureau of Ocean Energy Management remains deeply committed to ensuring that renewable energy development on the Outer Continental Shelf is done in a safe and environmentally responsible manner,” said BOEM Director Abigail Ross Hopper. “The survey results confirm that responsible commercial wind development activities in these Wind Energy Areas will not adversely affect protected species populations.”

“This is an important step in the responsible development of offshore wind,” said State Senator Benjamin Downing (D-Pittsfield). “We can and will preserve and protect marine life, while developing clean energy to tackle climate change.”

“These two studies contain important data showing the state can move forward on several clean energy initiatives that will not have an adverse impact on marine wildlife or the environment,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading).

“In addition to our state’s world leading technological resources, we also have renewable energy generating capacities that are both environmentally sustainable and economically viable,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R- Gloucester).  “Coastal communities will benefit from our ability to further develop off-shore wind production and this is particularly gratifying when we know there is science-based research intended to minimize impact on marine life.  Conscientious efforts to prevent risk to species coupled with a decrease in our production of harmful greenhouses gases is environmental stewardship that helps us all.”

“I want to thank the MassCEC and the BOEM for their work on these valuable studies,” said State Senator Anne Gobi (D-Spencer). “Offshore wind power is an integral piece of the clean energy puzzle in the Commonwealth, and these studies will allow us to move closer to making it a reality.”

“As we develop renewable energy sources in the Commonwealth, I am proud to know that our federal and state bodies are maintaining the shared responsibility to protect our wildlife,” said State Representative Paul Schmid III (D-Westport), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “Offshore wind has serious potential for benefits here in Massachusetts, and I look forward to a more efficient permitting process thanks to these studies.”

BPS Calls for Community Input with Release of Long-Term Financial Plan Report

BPS Calls for Community Input with Release of Long-Term Financial Plan Report

Long Term Financial Plan Advisory Committee Proposes 10 Ideas to Reallocate Resources to Benefit Boston Public Schools Students and Achieve Financial Stability District-wide

Boston, MA - Tuesday, October 25, 2016 - The Boston Public Schools today called for community input with the release of "Investing in Student Success: 10 Big Ideas to Unlock Resources in Boston Public Schools," a report on the district's financial future which aims to provide transparency, accountability, and efficiency to the BPS long-term financial planning process. The ideas presented in the report were developed by an advisory committee of key stakeholders over the course of the last year. At a breakfast hosted by EdVestors, Superintendent Tommy Chang was joined by a host of thought leaders in education, policy, and finance to discuss the report and launch the start of a community conversation. "This report is a courageous step towards financial stability for our schools and deep investments in our students," said Superintendent Tommy Chang. "The Long-Term Financial Plan Advisory Committee was willing to take a more focused look at large, structural issues that constrain our public education system. These efforts could result in the reallocation of significant dollars. BPS along with our community stakeholders will work together to consider how to move this work forward and to provide students with even greater learning opportunities - the best this country has to offer." BPS Chief Financial Officer Eleanor Laurans and Assistant to the Superintendent Erika Giampietro presented an overview of the report, which was then followed by a panel discussion, which included: Dr. Andres Alonso, Professor of Practice at Harvard University Graduate School of Education and former CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools; Michelle Wu, President of the Boston City Council; Dr. Naia Wilson, Headmaster of New Mission High School; Gordonia Cundiff, a BPS parent; and Dr. Tom Hehir, Professor of Practice at Harvard University Graduate School of Education and former Director of the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs. School Committee Chairperson Michael O'Neill, a seasoned financial services professional who served on the advisory committee, said, "Every single child in BPS deserves a top-notch education, yet limitations on spending could cause strains on opportunities if changes are not made. The advisory committee worked hard to develop these ideas for the community to consider and evaluate in collaboration with Boston Public Schools. This is the beginning of a conversation about how we're going to better position our district to provide the education our kids deserve." The report provides an overview of the areas of the budget which have contributed to financial pressure: transportation, salaries and benefits, the district footprint, special education services, and state and federal funding. The report also examines expected future challenges in the absence of change, estimating that costs would rise $20-$25M per year more than revenue would rise.   The options identified by the advisory committee could unlock more than $100M in annual savings to reinvest and address rising costs. More information and community dialogue opportunities will be listed at bostonpublicschools.org/financialplan. The ideas are as follows: #1: Reduce long-distance BPS Transportation by Adjusting Student Assignment Policy In 2012, BPS moved from a 3-zone student assignment system to a home-based assignment system which over time will reduce transportation costs. However, cost reductions from this reform are currently limited for two reasons: First, there is a delay in the time it will take to realize the full savings of home-based assignment given that current students (and their siblings) are "grandfathered" into their current schools. Second, the former 3-zone student assignment system is only one of several reasons that students are assigned to schools far from home. In addition, the district also supports a number of specialized programs that draw students from across the city. Looking for ways to address these causes could result in significant savings. #2: Adopt State-Mandated Transportation Eligibility Distances Currently, the provision of BPS transporta­tion is more generous than the requirements set forth in state law. BPS provides yellow-bus transportation to any kindergarten or elementary school student who lives more than a mile away from school and to any sixth-grader who lives more than a mile and a half from school (state law requires K-6 transportation only for students who live two miles or more from school). Addi­tionally, BPS offers transportation services to students in grades 7-12 who live two miles or more from school, which is not required under state law, except for students requiring transportation as part of their IEP accommodations. BPS could, with School Committee approval, change this policy to only offer transportation to students in grades K-6 living either 1.5 or 2 miles away from their school (vs. 1 mile). #3: Maximize Efficiencies in Transportation In order to increase efficiencies, the com­mittee prioritized the following potential changes: 1) better balancing school start times so fewer buses are needed on the road, 2) clarify which students do not need transportation, and 3) expand transporta­tion options for students who live far from school. The following ideas also warrant exploration: shifting to two bell times, increasing students' maximum route time, increasing walk to stop distances, "linking" schools, and exploring a "hub and spoke" model. #4: Reconfigure the district's footprint (i.e. grade alignment, class sizes, etc.) Running underutilized schools across a variety of grade configurations is costly; add in a plethora of programming and city-wide enrollment patterns and it creates a system with classrooms that are not full. BPS can concentrate resources to offer richer programming at fewer sites by making ad­justments to: 1) the number of total schools, 2) the number of locations at which certain programs are offered, and 3) the meth­odology used for student assignment and enrollment projections, which link closely to the coherence of grade configurations across schools. For all of these changes to occur, decisions must be made based on reliable, accurate data that reflects school capacity, student demand, and assessments of equity by neighborhood. #5: Examine teacher wages and extended school days While teacher salaries across the country have declined or remained flat in real terms over the last few years, teacher salaries in Boston have increased (teachers made an average of $91K in fiscal year 2017). Today, the average teacher in Boston makes more than national or neighboring districts. The district, in partnership with the Boston Teachers Union, could make adjustments both to the rate of growth of the wage schedule and to the terms of implementing extended learning time. If the next contract were similar to the terms of the current contract, we would expect annual costs to increase ~$50M within three years. #6: Advocate to Change Tenure Law Three years ago, BPS implemented an early hiring initiative aimed at giving school leaders greater ability to choose the staff employed in their classrooms through mutual consent hiring. While the program has had many successes, it remains expensive because, based on state law, teachers who do not secure a position are still owed a salary, costing the district $10-$15M annually. If the Massachusetts Legislature were to amend this law, the savings would be significant. #7: Ensure Appropriate Student Special Education Identification and Administration Support When considering changes in Special Education, where BPS' highest need and most vulnerable students are served, BPS always considers changes through the lens of serving students better and more efficiently. The changes considered in this category are focused on ways in which BPS can consider redirecting current dollars to better serve students in the most inclusive environments. They include strategies such as prioritizing tiered interventions to best serve all students, improving identification and placement practices, clarifying guide­lines for assigning and removing additional supports for students as needed, and considering alternative models for special education administration. #8: Streamline Central Office Amid difficult budget cycles, BPS seeks to protect school budgets as much as possible. For this reason, historically the district has focused reductions in central office and will continue to look for opportunities to do so. At 6% of the overall budget, the opportunity here will be limited in size, but exploring this closely will be critical. One specific opportunity is paid administra­tive leave, ensuring that all cases are being handled appropriately and expediently. In addition, BPS is looking closely at the cen­tral office organization structure and assess­ing each function, the extent to which is it effectively supporting schools, and whether it can be performed more efficiently. #9: Advocate to Realign State Education Formulas The Massachusetts' charter school finance model is broken for Boston. There are two possible areas of advocacy at the state level. First, we can advocate to create a reliable transition funding mechanism (Charter Reimbursement). Second, we can advocate to adjust state education formulas and the city's charter school assessment to recognize the true cost of the highest need students. #10: Advocate to Give Boston More Flexibility to Modify its Revenue Structure Boston's revenue sources and growth are lim­ited by Proposition 2 ½ and State Law. Bos­ton doesn't have the legal ability to impose broad based sales or income taxes, unlike many cities outside of Massachusetts. It is also limited in its ability to raise excise taxes such as motor vehicle, room occupancy and aircraft fuel. As net state aid is declining and Boston generates nearly one-fifth of state tax revenues (2014), we should advocate that Boston is given more flexibility to modify its revenue structure.

僑務委員會議閉幕 匯聚僑力推新南向

副總統陳建仁出席「105年僑務委員會議」閉幕典禮，期許
僑胞支持中華民國的永續發展。

僑務委員會「105年僑務委員會議」25日圓滿閉幕，副總統陳建仁出席閉幕典禮，期許透過僑委會的平台角色，團結海外僑胞的力量，支持中華民國的永續發展。僑委會委員長吳新興也感謝來自38個國家的160位僑務委員在3天會議期間集思廣益，對僑務工作提出許多具體建議，並積極支持政府推動新南向政策。

陳副總統表示，上任後接見許多國外訪賓，都向他讚許僑胞是當地社會的中堅份子。在代表出訪多明尼加與教廷時，他也親自看到僑胞的傑出表現，而且心向著台灣。他特別強調國家需要藉由僑胞的協助，引進國外的資源，並與各國搭建交流管道。以目前正推動的新南向政策，就需要熟悉在地的台商與留台僑生做為橋梁，協助鏈結與各國的互惠關係。期盼全球僑胞擔任政府的後盾，一起為台灣而努力。

吳委員長表示，今年會議以「團結僑胞，布局全球」做為中心議題，全球僑界在會前共舉行52場的座談，合計有1665位僑務榮譽職人員參與，並提出500多項建議，最後匯聚為154件提案，由出席委員在會議期間一同討論，這都是僑委會推動僑務工作的重要參考。他也請身為僑社支柱的僑務委員與僑委會密切合作，並將政府的關懷傳達給僑居地的僑胞，請全球僑胞繼續支持中華民國。

在3天的會議期間，吳委員長向與會的僑務委員報告政府對於僑務工作的規劃藍圖。他特別強調，政府正逐步落實推動「以人為核心」的新南向政策，建立與目標國家的人才、資源、商機、文化、觀光等面向的雙向交流。僑務做為國家施政的一環，僑委會不僅針對新南向政策目標的東協、南亞、紐澳等國，持續經營友台網絡，同時要串連世界各地的僑界人脈，發揮深厚的在地影響力，幫台灣建立更多的雙向互惠關係。

為了替台灣及海外台商找人才，僑委會透過東南亞1600多所華文學校及留台校友的利基，擴大招收東南亞學生來台就讀大學、海外青年技術訓練班及技職建教僑生專班。僑委會並舉辦就業媒合會，讓畢業僑台生成為海外台商企業的重要助力，也將僑生人才留在台灣為我所用，同時鼓勵台灣年輕人走向東南亞拓展視野，以提升台灣整體競爭力。

吳委員長呼籲，全球僑胞團結支持政府，讓政府為海內外國人創造更大的福利，打造中華民國台灣成為值得驕傲的國家。(僑委會提供)

奈及利亞台商會成立

奈及利亞台灣商會聯合總會成立，首任團隊與貴賓合影。

奈及利亞是非洲最大的國家，該國台灣商會聯合總會（Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce in Nigeria, TCCN）日前在奈及利亞拉哥斯Maxxis Building舉行成立大會，同時舉行商會會所的門銜揭幕儀式。僑務委員會委員長吳新興特別致賀電，並贈與商會匾額祝賀。

奈及利亞台灣商會聯合總會成立，當地友人帶來傳統舞蹈演出祝賀。

會長吳孟宗表示，自去年11月正式籌備商會至今，剛好遇上國際油價大跌導致匯率崩盤，使奈國經濟出現危機，國家整體動盪不安，工商業受到重大衝擊，許多外商撤退。他希望本地台商朋友不要氣餒，因為奈及利亞是非洲最大的國家，礦產資源豐盛、更有非常好的人口紅利，世界各國還是相當看好。同時奈及利亞年輕人佔整體比例高，勞動力充沛，且擁有厚實的中產階級，一旦收入增加，消費力將會有很好的表現。

吳孟宗提到，近年來因奈及利亞環境變化、社會結構日趨複雜，國人常在各個領域遇到不同問題，商會成立的宗旨就是建立一個互助平台，讓旅居奈國的會員們有依靠。商會秘書處更會隨時提供國內外工商、財經以及生活相關資訊，讓會員更瞭解時代的變化，隨時掌握商業脈動。

吳孟宗勉勵旅奈台商發揮台灣人的吃苦精神，修訂經營方向、調整步伐，必能度過難關，也是企業經營難得的經驗累積。

參與成立大會的嘉賓有駐奈及利亞代表處代表趙家寶、經濟組組長石紹京，世界臺灣商會聯合總會名譽總會長吳松柏及名譽總會長溫玉霞、非洲臺灣商會聯合總會名譽總會長溫嵐珠及台灣非洲經貿協會理事長孫杰夫、拉哥斯台灣貿易中心主任吳國棟、前奈及利亞駐華辦事處處長Alh. Alfazazi A. Namairage以及來自當地政要與友人到場共襄盛舉。

奈及利亞台灣商會聯合總會源自「奈及利亞華僑總會（Chinese Association in Nigeria）」，已成立20多年，為使名實相符，決定更名為「奈及利亞台灣商會聯合總會（Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce in Nigeria）」，更名後第一任團隊為會長吳孟宗、監事長吳迺麟、首席顧問林俊賢、副會長陳淑芳、管繼平、郭文橐、林子立、理事楊能昆、許宗曜、高源俊、林昌榮、曾裕凱、秘書長劉淑美、副秘書長李寶珠。(僑委會提供)

新年度醫保費將兩位數上漲 麻州健康連絡者10/25教你找廉宜計畫

(Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導)來自華府的消息稱，奧巴馬政府已證實，經由HealthCare.gov網站出售給消費者的醫療保險，明年保費將大漲。

在納稅人提供補助前，由聯邦政府所營運網上市場的中等程度醫療保險計畫，保費將增加大約25%。

在聯邦政府市場上提供服務的保險公司數目，將從232降到167。跌幅約為28%。

聯邦政府官員表示，儘管這數目看來不怎樣，但是依照設計會隨保費一起上漲的補助，將保護大多數消費者免於價格驚嚇。他們也認為想要找便宜醫保計畫的人仍然能夠找得到。

新年度的醫療保險，將從11月1日起開始受理投保，人們已經可以開始尋找適合自己的保費及醫保計畫。

麻州辦理聯邦政府醫療保險的半官方機構，麻州健康聯絡者(Massachusetts Health Connector)為協助州民在購買新年度醫療保險時做更好的準備，將在10月25日這天，舉辦為期一天的”隱藏的寶藏(Hidden Gems)”活動，派人分別到全州15個地點，介紹在麻州醫療保險市場中可以找得到，既符合各人家庭或個人需要，保費又適中的醫療保險計畫。

醫療健康聯絡者將為符合條件人士找到保費，掛號費都低，甚至不需自掏腰包付扣繳額的醫療保險計畫。

目前已經由麻州健康聯絡者購買醫療保險計畫的人，也可以重新尋找價格更合理，更適合各自需要的計畫。

在昆士市的介紹活動，將於下午3:30，在聯合第一教區教堂，也是亞當斯墓穴(The Adams Crypt, United First Parish Church, 1306 Hancock St, Quincy, MA 02169)所在地舉行。

其他的介紹地點及時間，可上網查察www.MAhealthconnector.org。

DETAILS ON THE HIDDEN GEMS TOUR

On Tuesday, Oct. 25, three teams from the Massachusetts Health Connector will be visiting 16 locations around the state as part of a ‘Hidden Gems’ tour. The tour is in advance of Open Enrollment, which starts Nov. 1 and is the time of year when anyone without health insurance can apply for coverage through the Massachusetts Health Connector. At each stop, the teams will be highlighting the local gem, while also talking about the benefits of getting health insurance through the Health Connector – particularly in ConnectorCare, which provides plans with low premiums and co-pays, and no deductibles, to those who qualify.

Here are details on the Hidden Gems tour:

Northeastern Massachusetts and Merrimack Valley

Revere              The Bagel Bin Deli, 207 Shirley Ave., 8:30 a.m.

Everett              Carol’s Café, 388 Main St., 9:45 a.m.    

Gloucester        Open Door Food Pantry, 28 Emerson Ave., 11:30 a.m.

Lowell              Owl Diner, 244 Appleton St., 1:30 p.m.

Lowell              Massachusetts Health Connector Walk-in Center at Lowell Community Health Center, 161 Jackson St., 2:15 p.m.

Framingham      Amazing Things, 160 Hollis St., 5 p.m.

Western and Central Massachusetts

North Adams    Greylock Works, 508 State Road

Springfield        Massachusetts Health Connector Walk-in Center, 88 Industry Ave.

Springfield        Court Plaza, 36 Court St.

Worcester         Crompton Collective, 138 Green St.

Worcester         Massachusetts Health Connector Walk-in Center, 146 Main St.

Cape Cod/Southeastern Massachusetts

Hyannis            The Daily Paper café, 644 W. Main St.

New Bedford   Tia Maria’s, 42 N. Water St.

Fall River          Europa Pastries and Coffee Shop, 61 Columbia St.

Fall River          Massachusetts Health Connector Open Enrollment Walk-in Center, 387 Quarry St.

Quincy              The Adams Crypt, United First Parish Church, 1306 Hancock St.

麻州今日起辦理提早投票 波士頓市長以身作則

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Marty Walsh)(右)和波士頓選務局局長Dion Iris(中)
等人鼓吹提早投票。(周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導)今(24)日是麻州首次辦理提早投票的第一個投票日。波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Marty Walsh)以身作則，下午一點多時，在市政府大樓內的投票站，投出神聖一票。

根據”國家立法機關全國會議(National Conference of State Legislatures)”的資料，全美現有37州辦理提早投票，以避免大選日當天，民眾得在投票站大排長龍。在2012年總統大選中，約有三分之一的選民提早投了票。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(中)在市府員工陪同中排隊等投票。(周菊子攝)

加州是最早辦理提早投票的州。麻州在2014年才通過提早投票法，今年首度實施。根據提早投票法，麻州市鎮從10月24日週一的今日起，必須設立至少一個投票站，一直運作到11月4日止，供選民提早投票。已經投了票的選民，在11月8日的正是大選日時，不可以再投票來改變心意。

在全美37個辦理提早投票的州中，共有15州從今天起辦理提早投票，另有幾個州，上星期已開始投票。迄今大概已經有300萬選民投了票。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊和所有選民一樣，在投票站報地址，領選票。
(周菊子攝)

波士頓市長馬丁華殊表示，辦理提早投票的最重要目的是方便選民，也鼓勵選民行使公民權。波士頓市共安排了28個提早投票站。10月29日那天，還會同時在波士頓市的9個選區，各設一個投票站。相關的投票站資訊，都可以在網站www.boston.gov上查得到。

波士頓選務局局長Dion Iris表示，今早投票站開門才25鐘，就有大約62人投了票。截至下午一點多時，已有大約700人投了票。波士頓市總共約有41萬選民，該局還正在處理大約9000個選民登記。

Dion Iris還特別強調，波市長提醒選民，今年的選票上有好幾各選票問題十分重要，選民應先仔細研究，再出席投票。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊原本預定中午12:45分時，投下他的一票，但沒想到從五樓辦公室搭電梯到三樓的市政府大廳時，排隊人龍已經繞成圈了。沒有動用市長特權的馬丁華殊，在市府要員前後陪同中排隊排了大約25分鐘，才和所有選民一樣，先到登記台報上住址，領取選票，再走到投票三角亭，填了有二張紙的選票。

波士頓市今日這第一天的提早投票，出席率似乎不錯，但英文報章卻指稱，提早投票的確讓選民可以更方便，快捷的投票，但似乎並未起到提升選民出席投票率的作用。反倒有些研究認為幫了倒忙。根據十幾個已經辦理提早提票州的情況來看，這作法對選民的出席投票率，影響很小。

麻州各市鎮都從今日開始辦理提早投票。劍橋市市議員張禮能(Leland Cheung)，昆士市市議員梁秀婷(Nina Liang)都各自在臉書上提醒選民，可以提早投票。梁秀婷還貼出自己已經投票了的照片。波士頓市議會議長吳弭(Michelle Wu)今日下午也出現在市政府大廳，回應選民提問。

波士頓市市議長吳弭(Michelle Wu)(左)在市政府大廳回應選民。
(周菊子攝)

麻州國會參議員伊莉莎白沃倫(Elizabeth Warren)今日中午和美國總統候選人希拉蕊(Hillary Clinton)在新罕布夏州曼徹斯特的Saint Anselm聯袂出現，針對川普(Donald Trump)，藉他描繪希拉蕊的形容詞，"討厭的女人(Nasty woman)”，喊出了”討厭的女人投票”的口號。

國會參議員沃倫(Elizabeth Warren，左一)和美國總統候選人希拉蕊
(Hillary Clinton，左三)一起到新罕布夏州催票。(Roger Lau 提供)

梁秀婷在臉書上公告，自己提早投票了。(取自臉書)