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星期五, 7月 21, 2017
聯邦研討會 7/29 上羅爾
星期四, 7月 20, 2017
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.
星期三, 7月 19, 2017
羅德島大學暑期研習營今年迎台灣四校50學生
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| 波士頓經文處教育組組長黃薳玉(前右五)，羅德島大學商學院副院長 陳紹寬(前右六)，工學院教授王志鴻(左二)和學生們合影。 (波士頓經文處教育組提供) |
(Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導)台灣學生邁步海外，暑期來大波士頓，到羅德島大學交流研習的人數，今年(2017)破紀錄，有來自東海，雲林科技，海洋及元智等四所大學的近50人參加。
駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處教育組組長黃薳玉在7月14日特地舉辦「2017年羅德島大學暑期研習營座談餐會」，請參與活動的老師，學生們共聚，分享經驗，藉以代表教育部鼓勵在台學生利用各種機會踏出台灣，拓展國際視野。
羅德島大學暑期研習營是羅德島大學商學院副院長陳紹寬，工學院教授王志鴻於2013年始辦的一項學生交流活動，旨在藉此機會開闊台灣學生國際視野，促進美國學生對台灣文化，生活的認識。
這研習營起初只是東海大學和羅德島大學之間的兩校交流，但在陳紹寬，王志鴻兩名教授的悉心經營，熱心付出，波士頓經文處教育部的全力支持下，口碑傳了開來，雲林科技，海洋，元智這三所大學陸續加入研習行列。
王志鴻指出，台灣學生們在羅德島大學的研習課程，基本上是上午由羅德島大學教授商學、工學等專業課程，下午安排學生們學習，應用英語。為加強這些台灣學生們的英語學習效果，他們特地安排羅德島大學的學生們擔任隨團助教，帶著學生們適應美國校園生活，也更深入的了解美國文化。
由於課程內容與要求符合大學規定，台灣各校都同意學生們在羅德島大學研修的課程可獲得學分。一名曾於去年參加這研習營，今年再來的元智大學學生表示，儘管研習營課程全用英語教學，對他們來說是挑戰，但堅持下來覺得收穫很大，所以不但今年來，明年還要再來。另一名同學表示，羅德島大學的研習經驗，讓他有了畢業後來美深造的念頭。
在交流學習經驗時，不少學生表示，在美國的課堂上，教授和學生，以及學生彼此之間的互動似乎多很多。
羅德島大學暑期研習營今年的特色是安排台灣學生和羅德島大學中文領航計畫的中文暑期沉浸項目(Summer Immersion
Program)學生住同一棟宿舍，讓需要學英文的台灣學生和想要學中文的美國學生有了更多語言交流機會，彼此都能藉此更深入的認識對方所來自的社會與文化。
學生們在分享來美後印象最深的是什麼時，有人為親眼看到書上才見到的建築物而感動，有人發現美國是個講究自律與誠實的社會，也有人覺得羅德島大學校園環境自然優美，很能引人深思。(內容資料由波士頓經文處提供)
美中情局前副局長David Cohen 進哈佛做學者
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劉曉波頭七 波士頓人聚會悼念
在劉曉波辭世頭七的7月19日這天，十數名大波士頓居民響應自由劉曉波工作組發起的"全球公祭劉曉波"活動，一大早趕到波士頓華埠公園旁的天安門紀念碑前，出席由羅四鴒協調，貝嶺主持的公祭，默哀，三鞠躬，豎舉三指，支持為自由，希望而抗爭。
Liu Xiabo global memorial service held at Boston Chinatown
7 days after the death of Liu Xiaobo, Chinese writer and dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate,
people gathered at 8:30 am at the Tiananmen memorial at Chinatown gate to commemorate the deceased Chinese political prisoner and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who died in China on July 13 of liver cancer. Chinese poet Bei Ling presided the ceremony – including the placement of the empty chair, a moment of silence, bowing to the memorial and raising of three fingers - symbolizing resistance, freedom and hope.
因抗爭，得自由----全球公祭劉曉波公告
波士顿公祭通告
唯抗爭可得自由，唯抗爭才有希望。為追悼劉曉波這位偉大的中國民主鬥士，由自由劉曉波工作組及劉曉波先生追思會(籌)共同發起，定於7月19日（即中國傳統民俗的“頭七”）舉辦“因抗爭，得自由”全球公祭劉曉波活動。
波士顿公祭活動時間：7月19日早上时间8：00——9:00公祭步驟：1，擺放空椅子（象徵劉曉波諾貝爾和平獎頒獎禮上的空椅子）；
2，默哀，三鞠躬；
3，豎舉三指（寓意抗爭、自由、希望）。
公祭地点：唐人街“天下为公”牌坊边上的天安门屠杀纪念碑旁
波士顿公祭通告
唯抗爭可得自由，唯抗爭才有希望。為追悼劉曉波這位偉大的中國民主鬥士，由自由劉曉波工作組及劉曉波先生追思會(籌)共同發起，定於7月19日（即中國傳統民俗的“頭七”）舉辦“因抗爭，得自由”全球公祭劉曉波活動。
波士顿公祭活動時間：7月19日早上时间8：00——9:00公祭步驟：1，擺放空椅子（象徵劉曉波諾貝爾和平獎頒獎禮上的空椅子）；
2，默哀，三鞠躬；
3，豎舉三指（寓意抗爭、自由、希望）。
公祭地点：唐人街“天下为公”牌坊边上的天安门屠杀纪念碑旁
STATEMENT FROM TREASURER DEB GOLDBERG ON THE MARIJUANA CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT
STATEMENT FROM TREASURER DEB GOLDBERG ON
THE MARIJUANA CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT
After reading the Marijuana conference committee’s report we understand our role with regards to the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). First, we are responsible to appoint several members with marijuana expertise to the Cannabis Advisory Board by August 1, 2017. Additionally, by September 1, 2017, we will appoint the Chair to the CCC and take part in two joint appointments to the Commission with the Governor and Attorney General. We are dedicated to finding people who are committed to ensuring a safe and timely implementation of this new industry in Massachusetts and we wish them every success in their efforts.
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