聯邦研討會 7/29 上羅爾

One-Day Seminar Session - Lowell, MA July  2017 Join us next Saturday(July 29th), in Lowell, MA   For an Intensive, One-Day Seminar Session (... Application Link, below) --------------------------  Join us in Lowell, next Saturday! ~ Click here to apply ~ We're excited to bring the Commonwealth Seminar to Lowell, MA for a special, intensive, one-day session where students will learn the "essentials" about:  - The legislative & budgetary processes, - Lobbying/advocacy - Working with the legislature, state & non-profit agencies and other governmental entities, and... - Press & media relations This special, one-day session will be held  next Saturday, July 29th from 10am-5pm at the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association(CMAA - 465 School Street, Lowell MA) Click here to apply to our one-day Seminar (... Note: fee waivers available upon request) A number of our suburban community partners have mentioned their desire to participate in the Seminar, but noted the difficulty in commuting the required six-consecutive weeks into Boston.   It is our hope that this intensive, one-day version of our Seminar will help provide participants some of the "essentials" to help navigate & influence the decision making process at the local, state and federal levels. A huge "thank you!" to our generous community partners at the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association for hosting us, and a huge "thank you!" to: Seminar alumnus, O. Sophia Johansson, Seminar Administrator (and alum!), Emily Torres-Cullinane, and Seminar Intern (and alum!), Lily Tang for their hard work, tireless commitment and persistence in putting this event together for the community. We hope you can join us, next Saturday, in Lowell! Exclusive Newsletter  Job Listings (... for Seminar newsletter subscribers, only) From time-to-time, we will offer exciting job opportunities EXCLUSIVELY to our newsletter subscribers. Below, please find a few exciting openings which we are making available only in our Seminar newsletter.  Additional job listings can be found in ourCommonwealth Seminar Jobs Section, on our website. ~ Center for Hope and Healing, Inc. - Lowell, MA - Position/Title: LGBQ/T Coordinator -  Responsibilities: · Identify and engage LGBQ/T people, with targeted efforts to engage youth and empower leaders · Raise awareness of the issues and rights of LGBQ/T people, including people of color and immigrants through community education, group and family events, and social activities · Provide direct services to LGBQ/T adult and youth survivors, including individual advocacy and psychoeducational groups; and linkages in the community · Serve as a trained Community Organizer to educate individuals and groups and foster relationships with key gatekeepers, including community members and institutions · Build and mobilize a cohesive, active, and supportive community of LGBQ/T people. · Develop a cadre of leaders within and on behalf of the community · Able to maintain strong professional boundaries and relationships · Adopt a linguistically and culturally appropriate approach to work with people of color and/or English Language Learners and immigrant families · Participate in various community activities and committees - To Apply: Email resume and cover letter to: jobs@chhinc.org with "LGBQ/T Community Organizer" as the title ~ Boston Public Health Commission, Office of Public Health Preparedness - Position/Title: Senior Program Manager for Public Health Planning - Description: The Office of Public Health Preparedness (OPHP) is a division of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC). The Senior Program Manager, Public Health Planning will be responsible for oversight of all emergency plans associated with BPHC's role as the lead public health authority for the City of Boston. S/he will coordinate closely with the Senior Program Manager, Healthcare System Preparedness, the Senior Program Manager, Response & Recovery Operations, and others to ensure continuity amongst emergency plans and operational protocols. - To apply - apply directly at:  https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/public/RTI.home?d=ExternalCareerSite&c=1084941 ~ Massachusetts Municipal Association - Position/Title: Executive Director, Massport Community Advisory Committee - Description: The Massachusetts Port Authority Community Advisory Committee is seeking an enthusiastic, proactive and collaborative Executive Director with managerial experience and strong communication skills to serve as its first Executive Director.  The Massport CAC is a state agency comprised of representatives of the 35 communities that are impacted by Massport's operations and property holdings in Boston, Bedford, and Worcester. The Executive Director will function as the Chief Executive/Administrative Officer in managing all operations, programs and activities of the CAC in carrying out its statutory mission, and assist the Committee in its continued formation and the formalization of its operational structure and systems.  The successful candidate should possess a bachelor's degree in a field related to public policy, management, planning, or law, and have at least seven years of progressive experience. The successful candidate must possess demonstrated skills, abilities and knowledge in government, community planning and environmental regulation, and intergovernmental relations. The successful candidate must be a leader with high interpersonal and communication skills and possess a strong belief in collaboration. - To apply (July 24th deadline): Resumes, in confidence,to: Massport CAC Executive Director Search: blynch@communityparadigm.com Please click on this link to check out additional, recent listings. About the Commonwealth Seminar The Commonwealth Seminar is a privately funded, non-partisan program with the mission of "opening the doors of government to everyone".  With over 1,200 graduates since our inception in 2003, we offer an intensive training program focused on teaching diverse leaders how the Massachusetts Legislature really works to under serviced and under-represented communities.  Top state legislators, legislative staff, media members, and administration policymakers will introduce seminar participants to the Legislature and state government generally. By giving an insiders' view of the process, our goal is to encourage diverse leaders to become effective advocates and to pursue careers in public service. Who Should Apply? We are looking for leaders from communities of color and immigrant communities; and people working to directly benefit them. We place a high value on creating a seminar class that is diverse racially, ethnically, and geographically.  Successful candidates for the Commonwealth Seminar will have a basic understanding of state government and a clear desire to use the skills learned through the seminar to make positive change. Acceptance to the seminar is decided through a competitive process. Commonwealth Seminar staff and advisers will make all final decisions about the makeup of the seminar.  More Information and Application  Please be prepared to make a compelling argument in the application about how you fit into the Commonwealth Seminar's target student profile. For more information, and to download an application, please visit theCommonwealth Seminar website.  In This Issue Join us in Lowell! Exclusive Newsletter Job Listings What is the Seminar? Help Us Recruit!  Please forward this email to anyone who might be a good match for the Commonwealth Seminar!  Quick Links Website Join Our Mailing List Jobs Photos Third Sector New England Facebook

Legislature Passes Comprehensive Marijuana Legislation

Legislature Passes Comprehensive Marijuana Legislation

Facilitates implementation of ballot question while safeguarding public health and consumer protection

(BOSTON) – The Massachusetts Legislature today passed a bill that fully implements consumer access to adult-use marijuana while creating a robust public health and safety framework.

This legislation maintains the personal use provisions outlined in the 2016 ballot initiative. Adults 21 and older can use marijuana and possess up to one ounce in public and ten ounces at home. They may possess six plants per person but no more than 12 plants or ten ounces per residence.

“This bill reflects a commitment to legalizing adult-use marijuana while upholding our duty to ensure safety and effective management,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “In addition to the rigorous product testing and security measures, I believe that the independence of the Cannabis Control Commission will allow this new industry to be implemented in a safe manner that works for all residents, not just the marijuana industry.”

“This bill is a balanced approach to adult use of marijuana in Massachusetts.  We have kept the tax rate low to abolish the illicit market while implementing rigorous safeguards to protect public health and safety,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst).  “In addition, we have included meaningful provisions to ensure that communities who have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs will be able to participate in the cannabis industry and provided an easier path for local farmers and local small businesses to participate.  I am hopeful that this bill will be model legislation for other states who are contemplating legalization.”

“In November, nearly 1.8 million people voted to legalize adult use of marijuana, but every resident of the Commonwealth has a stake in its successful implementation,” said House Majority Leader Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “A total tax rate of up to 20 percent is necessary to help regulate this new industry and to address inevitable challenges, primarily the increased exposure of marijuana to young people. The black market will be searching for new customers and this bill calls for increased funding for early intervention services and public awareness campaigns, and provides significant barriers to prevent children of our communities from being indoctrinated into this market by advertising campaigns aimed to attract them.”

“We have protected the right of adults to grow, possess and use marijuana. To give them access to a safe, legal supply, the bill removes barriers to the development of a legal market,” said Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Marijuana Policy. “It protects the rights of medical marijuana patients, and gives opportunity to farmers and to people who have been harmed by the War on Drugs. This bill increases public health and safety protections, and specifies ways to prevent products from appealing young people. The tax rate remains among the lowest in the country, and the same as in Oregon, often seen as successful.”

“Last November, voters chose to have safe and regulated access to adult use marijuana”, said Representative Mark J. Cusack (D-Braintree), Chair of the Committee on Marijuana Policy. “Our task has been to ensure that we implemented and regulated this new marketplace with common sense consumer protections and public safety measures. This important, bipartisan legislation does just that. It gets it right for the consumers, right for the industry and above all, it gets it right for the people of Massachusetts." 

“As a supporter of marijuana legalization, I think this is a good bill. I also think that this is a bill that even opponents of marijuana can support. It will make the market safer and stronger,” said Senator Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont). 

“I am grateful to have worked with my fellow conferees to ensure that the necessary structure and safeguards are in place to safely and effectively regulate this new, legal marketplace,” said Representative Hannah Kane (R- Shrewsbury). “While our marijuana excise tax is the 2nd lowest in the nation, it still provides sufficient revenue to cover our direct and indirect regulatory costs, with additional funding available to cover substance abuse prevention and treatment, public safety and public health campaigns relative to legalization. Likewise, our first in the nation requirement to prohibit TV, radio, billboard, print or internet advertising and marketing for marijuana unless proven that at least 85% of the audience is over 21 years of age, based on reliable, up to date audience composition data, will make a real and substantive impact on what our youth see and hear in terms of marketing marijuana, and we know that less exposure for youth to marijuana messaging means less youth use.”

“I am pleased to hear my colleagues in the legislature accepted the marijuana conference committee report. As a committee, we reached the best possible compromise for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, following the passage of Ballot Question 4.  I am content with the work of the committee members and staff, as well as the final product,” said Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham).

The compromise legislation sets a tax rate that balances local and state revenue while curbing the black market. The structure outlined below aims to ensure that the costs associated with this new industry are self-financed and to incentivize local adoption. Medical marijuana remains untaxed.

·         10.75 percent state excise tax

·         6.25 percent state sales tax

·         3 percent local option excise tax

·         An optional impact fee negotiated by host communities capped at 3 percent

In an effort to support the Commonwealth’s municipalities and allow for the creation of local bylaws and ordinances, this legislation includes compromise language regarding local control.

·         If a municipality voted in the negative for the 2016 marijuana ballot question, the decision to prohibit or restrict marijuana establishments will be determined by the municipality’s governing body until December 2019

·         If a municipality approved the 2016 marijuana ballot initiative, the number of marijuana establishments can only be limited through a local referendum.

To promote strong oversight and accountability for the regulation of adult-use marijuana, this legislation creates an independent five-member Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) which will be housed under the Office of the State Treasurer. The CCC will be charged with overseeing the application and licensing process, including a review of the integrity of licensees, their financial stability and qualifications both during the application process and on an ongoing basis. It will promulgate regulations for the implementation, administration and enforcement of adult-use marijuana, and will make regular inspections of licensees.

The CCC will study participation and, if needed, adopt diversity licensing goals to provide meaningful participation of communities disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition and enforcement and development training programs to achieve impactful industry participation by minority individuals, women and veterans. This legislation removes the head start for businesses already licensed for medical marijuana so that all individuals and businesses have a fair shot at entering this industry. The CCC will be required to encourage participation by farmers and small businesses, including providing lower priced licenses and the ability to form cooperatives to small cultivators.

The composition of the CCC reflects the broad expertise and autonomy necessary to regulate this new industry including appointees with expertise in public health, public safety and corporate management. These appointments will be made by the governor, attorney general, treasurer, respectively.

This legislation prioritizes consumer safety and public health. As such, this bill includes the strongest testing standards in the nation and gives the CCC oversight of testing laboratories. It requires all labs to be independent from marijuana establishments and mandates alignment with pharmacy standards for purity. While the legislation maintains the personal use provisions, it also adds liquor license penalties for sales to people under 21 including social host language.

Under this legislation, the CCC will consult with the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) to establish standards for the cultivation, processing, manufacturing and distribution of marijuana, including guidelines for food products.

The CCC will also establish standards for packaging, potency or dosing limitations, seed to sale-technology and security for cannabis licensees. Requirements include:

·         Certified child-resistant packaging and opaque containers.

·         Regulations regarding advertising, marketing and branding, including:

o   Advertising is only permissible in markets where at least 85 percent of the audience is over 21;

o   A product cannot be identified as safe other than CCC-regulated labeling.

·         Bans retail shops near school zones.

·         Licensees must have a publicly available software application to track and trace all marijuana cultivated, process, or manufactured, from seed-to-sale.

·         Edible marijuana products will have a single serving limit of 10 mg of THC and cannot resemble any non-marijuana food product currently sold.

·         Labeling to indicate that a product is or contains marijuana, and the amount of THC in the product.

The total taxes and fees collected from recreational marijuana can add up to 23 percent.  State revenues collected from the marijuana excise tax, as well as fees generated from application fees, will be directed to the newly-established Marijuana Regulation Fund. The Fund will finance the CCC and the designated programs outlined below. Any additional money will revert to the General Fund.

·         Substance addiction prevention and treatment;

·         Substance addiction early intervention services through school grants;

·         Public safety including an awareness campaign established by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security;

·         Public health

·         Programing for restorative justice, jail diversion and workforce development for economically-disadvantaged individuals in communities disproportionately impacted.

Up to 6 percent of gross sales, up to 3 percent from the local optional tax and up to 3 percent for the optional impact fee, will go to the host community.  6.25 percent is the sales tax, which goes to the transportation fund, the school building fund, and the general fund.

Given the difficultly of detecting if someone is driving under the influence of marijuana or other narcotics, this legislation establishes  a special commission to conduct a comprehensive study and make recommendations regarding enforcement.

Under this legislation, the medical marijuana program will be updated and brought under the auspices of the CCC. This consolidation will help ensure a timely launch by streamlining oversight and leveraging existing experience and resources. 

For the first time, industrial hemp will be statutorily recognized as an agricultural product that may be cultivated, possessed, processed, bought or sold, and researched. MDAR will oversee industrial hemp as an agricultural product. Any person growing industrial hemp must be licensed by MDAR.

The bill will be sent to the Governor for his signature.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $30.5 Million in Community Development Block Grants

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $30.5 Million in Community Development Block Grants

Awards will allow 58 municipalities to address local needs

BOSTON – Today Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash, and Housing and Community Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay awarded 39 Community Development Block Grants, totaling $30.5 million, to 58 communities across Massachusetts. Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) help cities and towns respond to specific housing, community, and economic development projects that support low- and moderate-income residents, or revitalize underserved areas.

“Flexible block grant funding allows our cities and towns to respond to specific local needs,” said Governor Baker. “These investments will support long-term economic growth and positive changes in transportation infrastructure, housing markets, and community spaces.”

“Residents across the Commonwealth will see tangible improvements in their communities through this year’s Community Development Block Grants,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “These awards will offer support at the local level, allowing municipalities to pursue a bright future for their community.”

The 2017 award round will support rehabilitation for 286 housing units, along with services that support families, including food pantries, financial and homebuyer education opportunities, literacy and English as a second language training, and transportation services. Awards will also support investments in Adams’ town center, code enforcement in Chelsea, youth leadership in Montague, and Head Start in Webster.

“Making investments in municipal housing, service, and transportation infrastructure is essential to our economic success,” said Secretary Ash. “It enables schools to more effectively teach their students, it facilitates people finding – and getting to – their jobs, and it supports our families throughout the state. The Community Development Block Grant has proven a very effective mechanism for accomplishing these goals, and I am delighted by the efforts we have funded today.”

“Comprehensive social services and housing rehabilitation efforts are key components to supporting the long-term success of residents across the Commonwealth,” said Undersecretary Kornegay. “We are eager to continue strong partnerships with communities that leverage Community Development Block Grant funding, local aid, and other opportunities to ensure stability for our families and residents.”

Massachusetts’ Community Development Block Grant Program is a federally funded, competitive grant program designed to help small cities and towns meet a broad range of community development needs. Assistance is provided to qualifying cities and towns for housing, community, and economic development projects that assist low and moderate-income residents, or by revitalizing blighted areas. Since 2015, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded $84 million to 180 communities.

Awards and Descriptions:

Adams will receive $800,000 to provide town center infrastructure improvements and design for the Hoosac Valley Park.

Amherst will receive $825,000 for East Hadley Road infrastructure improvements, planning for supportive housing project, Housing Authority modernization and support for a food pantry, homelessness services, youth mentoring and family stabilization services.

Athol will receive $706,748 for infrastructure improvements to Winter, Wilder and Summer streets.

Becket will receive $772,800 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 20 units.

Bellingham and Hopedale will receive $756,917 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 19 units.

Brookfield will receive $363,699 for two design projects (infrastructure and senior center) and two planning projects (ADA and environmental remediation).

Buckland will receive $541,868 for infrastructure improvements to Green Street and to support a food pantry.

Chelsea will receive $825,000 for Congress Avenue improvements, housing rehabilitation assistance for two units, code enforcement, microenterprise assistance, ADA Self Evaluation plan and social service assistance to include youth services, ESOL, homelessness prevention and citizenship training.

Chester will receive $800,000 for infrastructure improvements to Hampden Street.

Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Peru, Plainfield and Worthington will receive $1,010,421 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 18 units and for childcare assistance, elder services and a food pantry.

Clinton will receive $486,715 for housing rehabilitation assistance to five units and for a Sign and Façade program.

Dennis will receive $825,000 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 15 units, and childcare assistance.

Edgartown, Aquinnah, West Tisbury and Gosnold will receive $1,207,147 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 22 units and to provide childcare assistance.

Everett will receive $825,000 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance for six units, microenterprise assistance to eight businesses, planning projects for ADA self-evaluation and community development and social service assistance to include homelessness prevention, ESOL, youth services and a food pantry. 

Gardner will receive $775,000 for public facilities improvements including targeted demolition, park rehabilitation and parking improvements, design for street improvements and to support homebuyer education and job training and domestic violence services.

Greenfield will receive $775,000 for housing rehabilitation assistance for four units, School, Leyden Woods and Davis Streets infrastructure improvements, a commercial rehabilitation program and to support a food pantry, youth and elder services.

Hull will receive $579,317 for infrastructure improvements to Bay Avenue East.

Leicester will receive $799,535 for housing rehabilitation assistance to five units and ADA improvements to town hall.

Leverett, Deerfield, Sunderland and Conway will receive $1,294,928 for housing rehabilitation to 24 units.

Methuen will receive $429,918 for housing rehabilitation for seven units, planning for a Slum and Blight inventory and social service assistance to include youth services, elder services, adult literacy and child care assistance.

Montague will receive $490,611 for housing rehabilitation assistance to three units, design projects for Rutter’s Park and demolition of Strathmore Mill building and to provide social services to include youth leadership, job training, recovery counseling and elder services.

Monterey will receive $800,000 for housing rehabilitation for 18 units.

North Adams will receive $825,000 for improvements to a community center, park improvements, a historic properties inventory and social services.

North Brookfield will receive $799,808 for infrastructure improvements to North Common Street.

Oak Bluffs and Tisbury will receive $921,014  to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 16 units and childcare vouchers to approximately 55 families.

Palmer will receive $507,663 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to three units, rehabilitation of Thorndike Playground and support domestic violence prevention services.

Russell, Huntington, Middlefield and Chester will receive $1,183,165 for housing rehabilitation assistance to 8 units and infrastructure improvements to Main and Old Westfield roads.

Salisbury will receive $800,000 to provide infrastructure improvements to the President Street neighborhood and social service assistance for emergency assistance, Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA.

Shelburne will receive $757,064 for rehabilitation assistance to the Highland Village housing authority property and to support a food pantry.

Shirley will receive $795,953 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 18 units and to support a fuel assistance program.

Southbridge will receive $775,000 for Central Street parking improvements and code enforcement.

Spencer will receive $788,890 to provide infrastructure improvements to Chestnut Street and support a food pantry.

Truro, Harwich, Eastham and Provincetown will receive $1,096,395 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 25 units and to provide childcare assistance.

Ware, Warren and Hardwick will receive $1,053,100 for housing rehabilitation services to 24 units and to support social services for senior outreach, youth services, domestic violence prevention, adult education and community health.

Wareham will receive $675,000 for housing rehabilitation assistance for 12 units, planning for ADA Self Evaluation and support for senior outreach, homelessness prevention, at-risk youth, and literacy and transportation services.

Warren will receive $675,320 for Quaboag Street infrastructure improvements and domestic violence prevention services.

Webster will receive $825,000 for Dresser Street infrastructure improvements, housing rehabilitation assistance for three units and support for Head Start.

West Springfield will receive $825,000 for housing rehabilitation assistance for 7 units, public facilities improvements, code enforcement, and support for self-sufficiency and homebuyer programs, ESOL, camp scholarships and Head Start.

Winchendon will receive $557,335 for Chestnut Street improvements, housing rehabilitation assistance to two units and for a fuel assistance program.