REPRESENTATIVE ULTRINO ANNOUNCES $332,540 GREEN COMMUNITIES GRANT FOR MALDEN

REPRESENTATIVE ULTRINO ANNOUNCES $332,540 GREEN COMMUNITIES GRANT FOR MALDENMalden receives second-highest grant award out of 30 cities

BOSTON – State Representative Steve Ultrino (D – Malden) announced today that Malden has been designated a Green Community and has received a $332,540 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). Malden is one of thirty new Green Communities, a designation earned by municipalities committing to an ambitious renewable energy agenda to reduce energy consumption and emissions. The 30 new Green Communities are now eligible for grants totaling $6,460,385 to complete renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in their communities. Since the program began in 2010, DOER’s Green Communities division has awarded over $65 million in grant funding to the Commonwealth’s cities and town through designation and competitive grant rounds. In this year’s round of new cities, Malden received the second highest amount awarded to any of the 30 cities.

“Becoming a Green Community represents a major achievement in Malden’s energy and environmental objectives. This money will help Malden expand efforts to conserve energy, cut costs, and protect our environment,” saidRepresentative Ultrino. “This grant award will benefit all of Malden’s residents for years to come, and the Green Communities designation will allow Malden to compete for future grants as well.”

The Commonwealth’s 185 Green Communities range from the Berkshires to Cape Cod and are home to 64 percent of Massachusetts’ population in municipalities as large as Boston and as small as Rowe. Under the Green Communities Act, cities and towns must meet five criteria to be designated a Green Community and receive funding, including reducing municipal energy consumption by 20 percent over five years. The newly designated Green Communities have committed to reducing their energy consumption amounting to savings of $6,241,862 of energy costs and 2,234,090 MMBtu in five years, energy use equivalent to heating and powering nearly 2,718 homes, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 27,641 metric tons, equivalent to taking 5,819 cars off the roads.

Under the Green Communities Act, DOER’s Green Communities Designation and Grant Program can provide up to $20 million annually to qualified cities and towns.  The goal of the Designation Grant Program is support communities’ investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that further the clean energy goals determined by the designated communities. 

麻省理工學院早期中國留學生展 2/10 起

China Comes to “Tech”: 1877-1931/麻省理工学院早期中国留学生: 1877-1931
Feb. 10 - Nov. 15, 2017

MIT Libraries’ Maihaugen Gallery exhibit commemorates 140th anniversary of Chinese students at MIT

In 1877, the first student from China matriculated at MIT. By 1910, China was sending more students to MIT than any other foreign country. From these beginnings, the Institute became one of the most popular destinations for Chinese overseas students, many seeking to contribute to their country’s modernization through engineering, science, and commerce. Between 1877 and 1930, nearly 400 students from China attended MIT. These students played a key role in bringing new technology and science back to China during an era of rapid modernization, while also promoting American understanding of China and its people. Early Chinese graduates of MIT produced numerous inventions, from the world's first Chinese typewriter to the Model C training seaplane, and pioneered work in fields from microwave spectroscopy to nonlinear control theory. Many today stereotypically associate Chinese with STEM, but the early students had to fight skeptics who thought Chinese incapable of first-rate science and engineering. An upcoming exhibit at the Maihaugen Gallery, "China Comes to ‘Tech': 1877-1931," tells their story. Inspired by the MIT Chinese Students’ Directory: For the Past 50 Years, published by the Chinese Students’ Club in 1931, the exhibit will open Feb. 10,  2017 to commemorate the 140th anniversary of Chinese students at MIT.

麻省理工學院 Maihaugen藝廊位誌記中國留學生進該校就讀140週年，將從2月10日起至11月15日，舉辦”中國來科技 – 1877-1931”的麻省理工學院早期中國留學生展覽。

1877年時，第一個來自中國的留學生進入MIT就讀。1910年時，中國送到MIT的留學生比送到任何一個其他國家都多。麻省理工學院從一開始就是最受中國海外留學生喜歡的一所學校，有許多人希望經由工程，科學及商務來為它們國家的現代化做貢獻。在1877年到1930年間，將近有400名來自中國的學生到麻省理工學院就讀。在中國快速現代化，同時推廣美國瞭解中國及其人民的時期，這些學生的把新科技，科學帶回中國，扮演著極重要角色。從麻省理工學院畢業的早年中國留學生有許多發明，從世界上的第一個中文打字機到C模型水上訓練飛機，到微光譜及非線性控制理論等領域的先驅性研究。時至今日，許多人仍然有著華人和STEM相關聯的刻板印象。但早期的中國學生卻必須對抗那些認為華人沒有能力做出第一流科學及工程研究成果的懷疑者。麻省理工學院將在Maihaugen藝廊展出的這展覽，就將述說他們的故事。這一展覽源起於1931年時，中國學生俱樂部所發行的”麻省理工學院學生名錄:過去50年來”，將從2017年2月10日開展，以紀念中國留學生到麻省理工學院就讀140週年。

詳情可參考展覽網站: chinacomestomit.org。

CAPAC and Community Leaders Denounce Trump’s Anti-Muslim Executive Order

CAPAC and Community Leaders Denounce Trump’s Anti-Muslim Executive Order

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and leaders from the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and Muslim communities held a press conference opposing President Donald Trump’s Executive Order banning Muslims and refugees from entering the United States. CAPAC Chair Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27) was joined by Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13).

“These actions signal to the rest of the world that America is no longer the symbol of the Statue of Liberty, holding her torch high for the huddled masses of the world. And for the refugees fleeing violence and terror, this policy is a death sentence,” said Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair. “We have been resettling refugees in America safely for decades – and Trump’s claim that refugees will hurt American communities is simply not true. Welcoming immigrants and refugees – and welcoming people of all backgrounds and faiths – is at the core of who we are as a nation. And this diversity has strengthened, not weakened our country.”

Congressional members discussed rushing to airports over the weekend to help individuals who were detained and at risk of being deported due to the Executive Order. Speakers also discussed the parallels behind this action and incidents like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II.

“What do I tell my children, the grandchildren of Chinese and Korean immigrants, about what is happening in our country? First, I tell them that it’s wrong. And in this case, I tell them we have been here before, and we have overcome it,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), referring to the Chinese Exclusion Act. “But I tell my children: America has made mistakes. History has not always shown our leaders to be right or just. But those who dissent in these critical moments do so because they can imagine a greater and stronger America… And today we say [President Trump’s] policies don’t make us safer. They don’t reflect our values.”

“The Asian Pacific American community has seen the devastating effects of discrimination codified into law,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07). “In my home state, Japanese-American families were rounded up and interned. In my own district, my own city of Seattle, rioters once targeted people of Chinese descent and expelled them. We're not going to let that shameful history repeat itself. We're not going backward. These executive orders are deeply un-American and we're going to fight them with everything we have.”

“President Trump’s morally reprehensible executive order is unconstitutional and un-American,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13). “Closing the gates to some of the most vulnerable people in the world will only serve to make the U.S. less safe. We are a nation of immigrants, and this ban flies in the face of our fundamental values as Americans. I will forcefully resist the anti-immigrant, anti-refugee, anti-Muslim policies of this administration.”

Leaders from community organizations, including the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), and Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), also discussed the impact of the Executive Order on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and Muslim communities.

"The Asian American and Pacific Islander community has the responsibility to remind our nation 'never again,' and we have that privilege to speak on behalf of our ancestors who could not come to this country, to our ancestors who were discriminated against, who were interned and who were profiled, and who may not have the opportunity to tell their own story. We have to remind people of what refugees bring to this country and why the entire world demands that refugees who are fleeing violence and persecution be accepted and given safe haven,” said Christopher Kang, National Director, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA). “We need a government that will stand up to this president when he seeks any policy that goes beyond the law and beyond the constitution. These are only the first, and probably not the last, of these executive orders we will see, and I'm so proud to have the leadership of these members of Congress to speak for us and to fight for us."

“I, my organization and American Muslims, believe and support all necessary measures to secure our nation and its citizens,” said Nihad Awad, National Executive Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). “However, Donald Trump’s executive order is not based on evidence, national security or on hard facts. It is based on islamophobia, fearmongering and anti-Muslim prejudice.”

“The anti-Muslim rhetoric that President Trump campaigned on is now being borne out in destructive policy and leaves our communities increasingly vulnerable to violence,” said Suman Raghunathan, Executive Director, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT). “SAALT will continue to partner with our communities to ensure we have an equal place and equal rights in the US, and that our voices ring clear as we fight for equality, protection, and dignity for all. SAALT's vision for dignity and inclusion for all has never been more important.”

“Today I stand proud as a daughter of refugees from Vietnam, whose parents risked their lives so that I could be free.  Free from terror, starvation, and incessant bombings of our homes. Free from political and religious oppression,” said Quyen Dinh, Executive Director, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC). “40 years ago, our nation welcomed over 1.3 million refugees from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, like my parents, despite the vocal opposition of more than 60% of this nation – from civilians to elected officials who refused to accept responsibility for a war that was created by our own forces. I am a product of America's humanitarian legacy. Together with my community of 3 million strong, we will exercise our responsibility, voice, and power to uphold and protect democracy for all future generations of Americans."

紐英崙中華公所雞年春宴 冠蓋雲集

紐英崙中華公所於1月29日大年初二晚間在華埠喜臨門大酒樓舉辦金雞年春宴，近400人參加，除了享受美食之外，也欣賞精彩的舞獅和文藝活動表演，各界嘉賓雲集，齊向與會產官僑學各界人士賀歲拜年。

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪、副處長陳銘俊及僑教中心主任歐宏偉均應邀出席，賴銘琪特別肯定中華公所服務僑社的卓越績效，也感謝波士頓傳統僑社在主席陳家驊的領導下，堅定支持自由、民主、和平、人權與法治的核心價值理念，持續擁護中華民國政府。

此外，麻州眾議員陳德基、黃子安，以及波士頓市市長華殊、市議長吳弭及昆西市長代表等人也出席此一盛會，向與會人士拜年。(圖與文:僑教中心提供)

波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪致詞，感謝中華公所對中華民國的支持

紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊(前排右六)與駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪(前排左五)、波士頓市市長華殊(前排左六)等嘉賓一同向與會人士賀年

紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊(右二)率領職員向與會來賓敬酒拜年

美副總統 Pence 歡迎趙小蘭上任交通部長

REMARKS OF VICE PRESIDENT PENCE – AS DELIVERED

 

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY ELAINE CHAO

 

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.

 

As Delivered –

 

Well, good afternoon, everyone.  Thank you for being here.  On behalf of the President of the United States, it is my great privilege to welcome America’s new Secretary of the Department of Transportation, Elaine Chao.  (Applause.) 

 

It’s also an honor to be joined today by her husband, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, as well as her father, Dr. James Chao, and by such an impressive and successful family.  We're honored that so many of you could be with us today to share this moment with this family and with this country.

 

Elaine, this day is a familiar one for you.  You've already served your country in many capacities, most notably as Secretary of Labor for eight years under President George W. Bush.  And your tenure at the department was widely lauded and continues to be celebrated as among the most significant in the history of that department.

 

Prior to that you were actually deputy secretary of the Department of Transportation and chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission.  And you bring a wealth of experience now to leading this department in the Trump administration.  Your significant experience in the private sector, ranging from business to nonprofits; your history of service and your accomplishments are lengthy.  And I know the President is grateful for your willingness to step forward and bring your extraordinary talents to bear serving the country once again. 

 

President Trump and I are appreciative that once again you have answered the call to serve America and advance the interests of the people of this country.  Your leadership and your experience will serve well as the Secretary of Transportation, overseeing what we anticipate will be historic investments in our nation’s roads, bridges, airports, and above all, in our future.  The President and I are confident that you will do more than your share as our new Secretary of the Department of Transportation to make America great again.  And we thank you.  

A Joint Letter from Massachusetts Heads of Church on the Executive Action Suspending Refugee Resettlement

A Joint Letter from Massachusetts Heads of Church on the Executive Action Suspending Refugee Resettlement

"Our Increased Compassion, Not Our Hardened Hearts" A Joint Letter from Massachusetts Heads of Church on the Executive Action Suspending Refugee Resettlement We speak together, as Church leaders in Massachusetts, on the injurious Executive Action restricting refugees, issued on Friday January 27, 2017 entitled, "Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States." Our Christian tradition is clear. Deuteronomy 10:19 commands, "You shall also love the foreigner, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt."  The Holy Family was forced to flee the violence of their homeland (Matthew 2). Our Savior was a migrant. We hear Jesus Christ declare in Matthew 25 that His followers will be judged if we do not welcome the stranger. We stand under that judgment today. We believe in the aspirations of our nation, a place where all people long to live in safety. We remember with horror our nation's decision in 1939 to refuse the refugees on the MS St. Louis, a ship of German Jews, condemning many to death. Refugees invite our increased compassion, not our hardened hearts. We echo the words of Bishop Joe Vasquez of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: "We believe in assisting all those who are vulnerable and fleeing persecution, regardless of their religion. This includes Christians, as well as Yazidis and Shia Muslims from Syria, Rohingyas from Burma, and other religious minorities. However, we need to protect all our brothers and sisters of all faiths, including Muslims, who have lost family, home, and country." We grieve this decision to limit refugees, as it will cause further suffering, not just to our fellow Christians escaping persecution, but all refugees fleeing violence. As Christians we try to live our lives in accordance with Jesus' Great Commandment - to love our neighbors as ourselves. We want safe homes, the freedom to worship, stable governments, and opportunities to thrive. Refugees desire the same. Our nation is founded on this welcome. We must make sure that we do not allow fear to overwhelm us, crowd out our compassion, or fundamentally change our character. Therefore, we pledge our voices and our churches' active support to resettle refugees in Massachusetts. We call on elected leaders, including President Trump, to reconsider the Executive Action to limit refugee resettlement. We have and will continue to welcome and support refugees. Our churches are in every single city and town of Massachusetts. And, we ask our churches to reach out in love and Christian hospitality to the refugees living near them. We encourage our churches to show compassion and support to those who have fled hardship and violence. Signed: The Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian, Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America The Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Minister and President, Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ Mr. Anthony Barsamian, President, Massachusetts Council of Churches Reverend Howard K. Burgoyne, Superintendent, East Coast Conference, Evangelical Covenant Church Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River Reverend Dr. Harold M. Delhagen, Synod Leader/Executive for The Synod of the Northeast, Presbyterian Church (USA) Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, Bishop, United Methodist Church, New England Conference Reverend Laura Everett, Executive Director, Massachusetts Council of Churches The Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts The Rt. Rev. Alan Gates, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts The Rt. Rev. Gayle Harris, Bishop Suffragan, Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts Bishop Jim Hazelwood, New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Reverend Jocelyn Hart Lovelace, Presiding Elder, African Methodist Episcopal Church, Boston-Hartford District His Grace Bishop John, Diocese of Worcester and New England, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Reverend Mary Day Miller, Executive Minister, The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts Noah Merrill, Secretary & Frederick Weiss, Presiding Clerk, New England Yearly Meeting of Friends (Quakers)  Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts

Raise Up Massachusetts Campaigns for Paid Leave, $15 Minimum Wage

Raise Up Massachusetts Launches Legislative Campaigns for Paid Leave, $15 Minimum Wage, and the Fair Share Amendment

BOSTON – Raise Up Massachusetts, a coalition of community organizations, religious groups, and labor unions, today launched its 2017 legislative campaigns for paid family and medical leave, a $15 minimum wage for all workers, and the Fair Share Amendment to create an additional tax of four percentage points on annual income above one million dollars, with the money dedicated to transportation and public education.

At a legislative briefing on Beacon Hill, policy experts and people who are affected by Raise Up Massachusetts’ campaigns spoke about how the agenda would help build an economy that works for all people in Massachusetts.

"Our broad coalition of community, faith, and labor groups is committed to building an economy that works for all of us, not just those at the top,” said Deb Fastino, Executive Director of the Coalition for Social Justice and a co-chair of Raise Up Massachusetts. “With our campaigns for paid leave, a $15 minimum wage, and the Fair Share Amendment, we're building an economy that invests in families, gives everyone the opportunity to succeed, and creates broadly shared prosperity. With everything that’s happening at the national level, this work has never been more important."

Paid Family and Medical Leave (HD2573/SD1768)

Raise Up Massachusetts’ paid leave legislation would make employees in Massachusetts eligible for job-protected paid leave to recover from a serious illness or injury, to care for a seriously ill or injured family member, or to care for a new child. The legislation prohibits employer retaliation against workers who take time off under these conditions.

“If I had paid family leave when my wonderful husband was dying of lung cancer, I could have stayed home, given him comfort, and advocated for what he needed,” said Christine Lavault of Fairhaven. “He would not have had to suffer like that. When families have a crisis they should be able to take care of their loved ones without fearing loss of finances or their jobs.”

Employees taking paid leave would receive partial wage replacement equal to a percentage of their average weekly wages, with a maximum weekly benefit of either $650 or $1,000. Paid leave would last up to either 12 or 16 weeks to care for a seriously ill or injured family member or to bond with a new child (family leave), and up to 26 weeks for an employee’s own serious illness or injury (medical leave).

“No one should have to choose between a paycheck and their own health or the wellbeing of their families,” said Senate Committee on Ways and Means Chair Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland), the lead sponsor of paid leave legislation in the Senate. “Paid leave is a common sense benefit that workers in nearly every other country in the world receive. Most working families cannot afford unpaid leave - we may need to take time off from work, but our financial obligations don’t ever take time off.  We have also heard from many Massachusetts businesses that it is in their competitive best interest to offer paid leave, in order to attract and retain the most talented workers.”

“I am excited about this bill because it’s good for everyone – it’s good for families, it’s good for workers, and it’s good for small businesses,” said Representative Ken Gordon (D-Bedford), the lead sponsor of paid leave legislation in the House.  “This program would allow employers who have workers on leave for inevitable situations to replace them at a neutral cost, either through a replacement temporary worker or additional hours for current employees.”

Benefits would be funded through employer premium contributions to the new Family and Employment Security Trust Fund or to private insurance plans. Both bills would allow employers to require employees to contribute up to 50% of the cost of premiums. The bills phase in over a few years, create a one-week waiting period before employees can receive benefits, use existing agencies for administration and enforcement, and allow companies to keep existing plans, all of which reduce costs.

"Today, 87% of workers in New England lack access to paid leave. Many workers risk losing their job if they take time off from work to care for a family medical emergency or after the birth of a child. Even workers with access to job-protected leave face financial hardship if they have to leave the job that puts food on the table to care for a family member they love," said Elizabeth Toulan, a Senior Attorney at Greater Boston Legal Services. "With this bill, Massachusetts can join a growing number of states that offer paid leave so that no one has to choose between their job and their health or that of a family member."

$15 Minimum Wage (HD2719/SD984)

Raise Up Massachusetts’ $15 minimum wage legislation, HD2719 (filed by Rep. Dan Donahue) and SD984 (filed by Sen. Ken Donnelly), would raise the state’s minimum wage by $1 each year over four years until it is $15 an hour in 2021. The minimum wage would then be adjusted each year to rise along with increases in the cost of living.

"I love my work taking care of children and helping prepare them for a lifetime of learning, but it’s hard to get by on such low pay. Between groceries, rent, heat, and gas, it’s tough to keep up every month," said Marites MacLean, a family child care provider who owns and operates Children First family child care in Fitchburg. "If I made $15 an hour, I'd be better able to support myself and my family. Imagine how much it would help local businesses and our economy if all low-wage workers had more money to spend in our communities."

“Raising the minimum wage is one of the most important actions we can take as legislators to help the working people of Massachusetts,” said Senator Ken Donnelly (D-Arlington), the lead sponsor of $15 minimum wage legislation in the Senate. “This is an issue worth fighting for and I look forward to working with everyone to get this crucial bill passed.”

“When workers have more money in their pockets, they spend it at small businesses in their neighborhoods – helping those local businesses grow and create more jobs,” said Representative Dan Donahue (D-Worcester), the lead sponsor of $15 minimum wage legislation in the House. “If we want economic growth in all communities across the state, workers need to earn a living wage so they can provide for their families and support their local businesses. Raising the minimum wage is critical if we want to help working people and grow our economy from the bottom up.”

Increasing the minimum wage to $15 by 2021 would raise the wages of roughly 947,000 workers, or 29 percent of the state’s workforce, according to a report by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. 91 percent of workers who would be affected are over 20 years old, 56 percent are woman, and 57 percent work full-time. Workers who are paid low wages include highly skilled professions, like nursing assistants, childcare providers and paramedics.

The legislation would also increase the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers, currently $3.75 an hour, over 8 years until it is equal to the regular minimum wage.

“The sub-minimum wage for tipped workers leaves servers at diners, pubs and pancake houses; hairdressers; car wash staff; airport wheelchair and parking attendants; valets and other tipped workers facing financial uncertainty, and relying on tips makes them vulnerable to harassment and discrimination," said Marisol Santiago, the Massachusetts Executive Director of Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United. According to a recent ROC report, over 90% of female restaurant workers experience sexual harassment, and the industry that produces the most complaints and violations, according to the EEOC and DOL, is the restaurant industry. “We should join the eight other states, from California to Maine, that have eliminated the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers, without seeing any harm to restaurants or a reduction in tipping.”

Fair Share Amendment

The Fair Share Amendment would amend the Massachusetts Constitution to create an additional tax of four percentage points on annual income above $1 million. The new revenue generated by the tax, approximately $1.9 billion in 2019 dollars, could only be spent on quality public education, affordable public colleges and universities, and the repair and maintenance of roads, bridges, and public transportation.  To ensure that the tax continues to apply only to the highest-income residents, the $1 million threshold would be adjusted each year to reflect cost-of-living increases.

"We're one of the richest states in the nation, but we rank 33rd in the share of our state's economic resources dedicated to public education,” said Tom Gosnell, President of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts. “We need the Fair Share Amendment to make critical investments in education from early childhood through college."

“For Massachusetts to address congestion and daily commuter frustration and to compete in tomorrow’s economy against other regions around the nation and the globe, we need to invest in modern, reliable transportation: safer roads and bridges, public transportation that works for everyone all around the state, and safer ways to walk and bike,” said Josh Ostroff, Interim Director of Transportation for Massachusetts. “Today, our transportation network is still stuck in the last century, with a large backlog of neglected and obsolete bridges, roads, bikeways, and public transportation infrastructure in need of repair. Reform is essential, but it’s not enough to meet the proven need. If we don’t provide the funding soon to deal with these problems, they will only get more dangerous and more expensive to solve in the future.”

“The MTA is proud to be a part of the RUM coalition and to fight for workers, families and students in Massachusetts. This work has never been more important given the attacks coming from Washington,” said Barbara Madeloni, President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA). “Passage of the Fair Share Amendment will give our public schools and colleges the resources they need to meet the broad and complex needs of all of our students, as well as provide much-needed improvements to public transportation.”

In 2015, Raise Up Massachusetts collected over 157,000 signatures to begin the process of amending the Massachusetts Constitution, all without using paid signature gathering companies. In May 2016, the state legislature, meeting jointly in a Constitutional Convention, voted 135-57 to advance the citizen’s initiative proposal. The initiative now needs a second approval by 25 percent of legislators in a Joint Session of the Legislature in 2017 or 2018 to appear on the ballot on November 6, 2018.

“A second affirmative vote in the Constitutional Convention will give voters the opportunity to generate new revenue for transportation and public education, which we need to ensure opportunity for our citizens," said Peter Enrich, a Professor of Law at Northeastern University and one of the drafters of the Fair Share Amendment. "The Fair Share Amendment will pay for those critical investments with a more equitable tax that simply asks our wealthiest residents to pay at a level more comparable to the rest of us.”