麻州長提案8月19、20兩日放稅假

Governor Baker Files Sales Tax Holiday Legislation

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker filed legislation designating August 19-20, 2017 as Massachusetts’ sales tax holiday weekend to renew a tax free weekend that generally occurs every year in the Commonwealth.

The legislation would suspend the state’s 6.25% retail sales tax for the weekend on purchases of goods costing $2,500 or less, which will provide a welcome relief to consumers and bolster sales at businesses.

“The sales tax holiday gives consumers a much needed break and supports business across the Commonwealth for our hardworking retailers,” said Governor Baker. “We look forward to working with the Legislature to make this important weekend possible, so the Commonwealth can shop local and make purchases tax free.”

“A tax free weekend provides consumers with a great opportunity to support local businesses while saving money,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “This weekend will especially help out parents who are looking to make back-to-school purchases, and I look forward to working with our partners in the Legislature to see this legislation passed.”

“The sales tax holiday weekend supports both Main Street and consumers in the Commonwealth, while also boosting economic activity in our cities and towns,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore.

MASSACHUSETTS ENTITIES TO RECEIVE $32 MILLION FROM SETTLEMENT WITH BARCLAYS OVER MANIPULATED INTEREST RATES

MASSACHUSETTS ENTITIES TO RECEIVE $32 MILLION FROM SETTLEMENT WITH BARCLAYS OVER MANIPULATED INTEREST RATES

State’s General Fund Receives $25 Million from AG Settlement; Follows Record Year of Recoveries by AG’s Office to General Fund at $79.56 Million in Fiscal Year 2017

            BOSTON – Massachusetts non-profit and governmental entities have received $32 million as part of a settlement with Barclays Bank PLC and Barclays Capital Inc. (Barclays), including $25 million for the state’s General Fund, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

The payment to the General Fund follows a record year of recoveries by the AG’s Office to the Fund at $79.56 million in fiscal year 2017.

“Our office’s work protects taxpayers while generating revenue for the state through our many settlements,” said AG Healey. “Following a year of record returns, the Barclays settlement will return $25 million to the General Fund and millions more to state entities harmed by its practices.”

The AG’s Office recovered $79,564,511 to the state’s General Fund in fiscal year 2017. In the first month of fiscal year 2018, the AG’s Office has had several major recoveries to the Fund, including $25 million from the Barclays settlement, and from a settlement with LAZ Parking Limited, LLC announced earlier this week in which $1.1 million went to the Fund over claims LAZ failed to detect and deter theft of millions of dollars of cash revenue belonging to the MBTA.

“Attorney General Healey’s Office has built a proven record protecting taxpayers and securing millions back for the General Fund,” said Greg Sullivan, Research Director of the Pioneer Institute and former Inspector General. “At a time when state budgets are tight, this work is absolutely essential in maintaining the services Massachusetts residents need.”

The settlement with Barclays resolved allegations that the company manipulated interest rates and defrauded governmental and non-profit entities in Massachusetts and across the nation. The distribution of proceeds from the case has now been completed and approximately a dozen Massachusetts schools, pension funds, and government entities received payments.

The investigation, conducted by AG Healey and more than 40 other state attorneys general, found that Barclays engaged in fraudulent conduct by manipulating LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) to set deflated interest rates, and deceiving counterparties about LIBOR-based transactions.

LIBOR is calculated through submissions of interest rates by major banks across the world and has a widespread financial impact as many financial institutions set their own rates relative to it. 

Based on the investigation, the AG’s Office alleged that during the financial crisis period of 2007-2009, Barclays’ managers frequently told its LIBOR submitters to lower their LIBOR rate settings in order for Barclays to appear more creditworthy than it was, and to avoid the appearance that the bank was in financial difficulty. Barclays’ LIBOR submitters allegedly complied with the instructions and suppressed LIBOR submissions during that period.

The AG’s Office also alleged that at various times from 2005 to 2007, and continuing at least into 2009, Barclays’ traders asked Barclays’ LIBOR submitters to change their LIBOR submissions in order to benefit their trading positions, and the submitters often agreed to the requests.

Because of these falsely-deflated rates, government entities and non-profit organizations in Massachusetts and throughout the U.S. were allegedly defrauded of millions of dollars when they entered into interest rate swaps and other investment contracts with Barclays, often causing incoming payments to be smaller than they should have been. 

Several Massachusetts schools have received refunds because of the Attorney General’s settlement, including Babson College, Northeastern University, Harvard College, Milton Academy, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Some Massachusetts pension funds also received funds, including the state employee pension fund (PRIT/PRIM) and the Massachusetts Municipal Depository Trust. Other entities that recovered funds include the MBTA, the Massachusetts Health Care Security Trust, and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. 

The LIBOR activities of certain other banks involved in setting the LIBOR rates are still under active investigation. 

This matter was handled by staff of Attorney General Maura Healey’s Insurance and Financial Services Division, including Madonna Cournoyer, Aaron Lamb, Glenn Kaplan, Diana Hooley, and Brook Kellerman.  

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AG HEALEY SUES EPA OVER UNLAWFUL DELAY OF ACTION TO ADDRESS HARMFUL OZONE POLLUTION

AG HEALEY SUES EPA OVER UNLAWFUL DELAY OF ACTION TO ADDRESS HARMFUL OZONE POLLUTION

Coalition of 16 Attorneys General Challenge EPA’s Illegal Decision to Delay Required Action to Protect Public Health from Smog

           

            BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey joined a coalition of 16 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit in the United States Court of Appeals in the D.C. Circuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for illegally delaying actions to address harmful ground-level ozone, commonly known as smog, as required under the Clean Air Act.

            The attorneys general are challenging EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s decision last month to delay, by one year, the Clean Air Act’s requirement that EPA promulgate area designations for the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards, or NAAQS, by October 2017. Under the Clean Air Act, the area designations delayed by Administrator Pruitt trigger statutory obligations and timetables for states to implement measures to reduce ozone pollution that endangers public health and welfare.

            “By allowing this illegal delay, the EPA is exposing our residents to smog and other pollutants that pose serious dangers to public health,” said AG Healey. “As state attorneys general, we will continue to fight attempts by Scott Pruitt and the Trump Administration to rollback efforts to curb dangerous ozone pollutants.”

In October 2015, the EPA revised the ozone NAAQS, strengthening those standards. The Clean Air Act requires the EPA, within two years after issuance of new or revised standards, to designate areas of the country as having air quality that either meets or fails to meet these public health and welfare standards.  In the case of the 2015 smog standards, EPA was required to issue designations by Oct. 1, 2017. However, on June 28, 2017, Administrator Pruitt published a notice delaying the deadline for the smog designations for all areas in the country for one year – to Oct.1, 2018.

            EPA’s own research has shown that implementing the area designations for the 2015 NAAQS would save hundreds of lives each year, prevent 230,000 asthma attacks in children, avoid hundreds of hospitalizations and emergency room visits, and prevent 160,000 missed school days for children and 28,000 missed work days.

            Ozone is one of six common pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act by national ambient air quality standards. Exposure to elevated levels of ozone can pose serious health risks including chest tightness, lung tissue damage and aggravation of emphysema, heart disease and bronchitis. Ozone pollution is also harmful to vegetation and crops by making plants more susceptible to disease and insects.

Smog forms when nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide emitted from power plants, motor vehicles, factories, refineries, and other sources react under suitable conditions. Because these reactions occur in the atmosphere, smog can form far from where its precursor gases are emitted and, once formed, smog can travel long distances. 

AG Healey is committed to continuing her office’s longstanding advocacy for more stringent ozone standards that science shows are needed to adequately protect the health of Massachusetts residents. With a coalition of state attorneys general, AG Healey recently filed an amicus brief in a case pending in the D.C. Circuit to defend the 2015 NAAQS for ozone pollution. In April 2017, AG Healey also joined a coalition of attorneys general in sending a letter to Congress in opposition of pending legislation that would delay implementation of national air quality standards and weaken the longstanding review process for ozone and other pollutants that pose serious dangers to public health. 

The lawsuit was filed by the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

This matter is being handled for Massachusetts by Assistant Attorney General Carol Iancu of AG Healey’s Environmental Protection Division.

Massachusetts’ Environmental Agencies Launch Innovative Online Data Information and Public Access System

Massachusetts’ Environmental Agencies Launch Innovative Online Data Information and Public Access System

 System Delivers Online Permitting, Greater Data Accessibility, and Government Transparency

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today launched the first phase of a transformative environmental data and public information access system. The new system will deliver online permitting, greater data accessibility, and provide increased transparency in state government operations for businesses and stakeholder groups across the Commonwealth and the public at-large. The Energy and Environmental Information and Public Access System (EIPAS) will provide the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and its agencies with a modern, digital platform to more efficiently and effectively execute its mission of protecting the Commonwealth’s environmental and energy resources. The first phase establishes online permitting for 30 permits, which includes many for air quality, hazardous waste, solid waste, Toxic Use Reduction, water supply, special use permits and pesticides.

“Providing timely environmental and energy permitting options for businesses and immediate public access to relevant state data and documents are important and responsive services for state government to provide,” said Governor Charlie Baker.“This new, innovative system will bolster those processes and make the public-private dynamic more interactive.”

“With technology rapidly evolving and improving, it is essential that governmental agencies keep up with the needs of the public,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Importantly, the Energy and Environmental Information and Public Access System will enable finding environmental and energy information online in real time.”

EEA has implemented online permitting for some permits through EIPAS for three agencies: the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP); the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Pesticide Applicator Licenses; and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Special Use Permits (coming soon for the 2018 season). As part of the first phase, virtually all of MassDEP’s air quality permits can now be submitted online.

“The EIPAS initiative will update EEA’s existing legacy systems by replacing them with a highly functional and integrated online system,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “This is just the beginning of the process, as we plan to implement additional phases and agency permits over the next year that will continue to increase automation, improve citizen experiences, and increase governmental transparency.”

Through EIPAS, EEA and its agencies have also activated two public-facing online portals:

• The Public Comment Portal allows citizens to access information on EEA and agency permit applications and final decisions, as well as to submit and view public comments pertaining to permit applications; and

• The Information Data Portal’s initial release includes 20 years of MassDEP’s permit, inspection, facility and enforcement data, providing both data query and analytical dashboard capabilities.

“The online data portal is a ground-breaking initiative that provides a way to search MassDEP permitting, facility, inspection and enforcement data all at once,” said MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “The portal allows traditional search capabilities and enables the user to link a specific permit back to a regulated facility and then to inspections or enforcement actions associated with that facility.”

“EIPAS is a tremendous, positive game-changer for one of MDAR's largest customer groups: licensed pesticide applicators,” said MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux. “With this system's introduction, our customers may now quickly and conveniently process essential licensing and examination transactions on-line, a vast improvement over the previous method.”

“The Energy and Environmental Information and Public Access System will truly benefit those seeking permits from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and other agencies by streamlining and simplifying the process,” said DCR Commissioner Leo Roy. “This new system is an excellent example of the Baker-Polito Administration’s priority to make state government more user friendly for businesses, the public, and other stakeholders.”

The initial phases of EIPAS are permitting and the online data portals. The permitting component of EIPAS is part of a larger Commonwealth-wide online permitting initiative, “ePLACE,” which stands for Permitting, Licensing, Authorizations, Certifications and Eligibility. When fully implemented, EIPAS will include features that support key regulatory business processes, including permitting, compliance and enforcement tracking, and online reporting.

The fully implemented EIPAS platform will provide benefits and value to citizens and the regulated community by growing the Commonwealth’s ability to:

• Facilitate transparent sharing of data with citizens, regulated entities, energy and environmental professionals, and other public agencies;

• Automate transactions with the regulated community through expanded online permitting and environmental reporting, resulting in streamlined interactions with EEA and its agencies; 
• Enhance and streamline EEA agencies’ compliance and enforcement efforts through data-driven compliance strategies – automating manual compliance and enforcement processes; and
• Enable EEA and its agencies to more quickly adapt their processes to evolving environmental issues.

The ePermitting “ePLACE” portal can be found here.

The Information Data portal can be found here.

劍橋市議員張禮能宣佈不再競選連任

劍橋市議員張禮能(Leland Cheung)和父母及女兒Lela。(周菊子攝，檔案照)

                      (Boston Orange 周菊子劍橋市報導)已在位八年的麻州劍橋市議員張禮能(Leland Cheung)今(1)日發公開信，宣佈將不再競選連任。大波士頓地區華裔民意代表再少一人。

                       新英格蘭地區的華裔民代一向不多，從1997年馬惠美(Amy Mah Sangiolo)當選麻州牛頓市議員後，直到2007年才有黃素芬(Lisa Wong)當選麻州費奇堡市市長，接著陸續有2008年馮偉傑(Allan Fung)當選羅德島州克蘭斯頓市市長，2009年張禮能當選劍橋市市議員，2010年黃子安(Donald Wong)，陳德基(Tackey Chan)當選麻州眾議員，2013年吳弭(Michelle Wu)當選麻州波士頓市不分區市議員，2015年梁秀婷(Nina Liang)當選麻州昆士市不分區市議員。

                      黃素芬結婚後，為了家庭，2015年卸任，未競選連任。現在張禮能在第二個小孩出生三個月後，也以家庭為重，宣佈不競選連任。新英格蘭地區的華裔民代，一下少了兩人。

               由於馬惠美今年參選牛頓市市長，意味著她一旦當選，大波士頓華人社區可慶祝得回一名華裔市長，她一旦競選失利，大波士頓華人社區就要又少一名華裔民代。

               吳弭，梁秀婷都已宣佈參選連任。吳弭面對的局面是八選四，九月初選無戰事，梁秀婷則因為昆士市有7人跳入不分區市議員選戰，角逐3個席位，得先贏得9月12日的初選再說。

               張禮能在公開信中表示，八年前他競選時，沒想到真會當選。選民們對他的信任，讓他熱情澎湃，要在他父親移民來美時定居的第一個城市，充分發揮父親深植他心中的社區服務信念，以及他自己有那麼點獨特的觀點和想法，來把劍橋打造成更好的城市。

              這8年來，他和議會同事們推動通過了創新性法案，正規化公開數據，為創業家們撥出可負擔的辦公室空間，促成一個擁抱科技的市政府，使劍橋市成為全世界最關注氣候的城市，對樓宇有了零排放要求，正全面轉向可更新能源發電，並投資做交通建設。劍橋市在全美都面對住宅危機之際，專注於可負擔性，制定了鼓勵發展商關注居民，非牟利的藍圖，引入市民參與的預算制定過程，發行迷你債券，容許路邊堆肥等作法。無論是在教育，家庭住宅等方面的投資，都在幫市民及他們的家庭打造更美好未來。
              張禮能以推動城市前瞻觀點著稱，從創新到創業都有涉獵，但他帶來的最大影響是打破了人們對一名來自麻省理工學院小孩的期望，帶著千禧年世代了解那些一輩子都住在劍橋市的居民們，對於從稅務到自行車等各種事物的觀點。鼓吹著劍橋市經理應該由劍橋人自己來做，關注基本的消防，警察服務。他說自己的每一步行動，都朝向讓明天更美好這單一目標努力。

               張禮能坦言，繼續擔任公職的誘惑是很大的，因為永遠有更多工作待完成，但如今他有個3歲的女兒Lela Marie，3個月大的兒子Alexander Alpha，讓他在晚上和週末參加社區會議或活動時，都歸心似箭。幾經思考後，他覺得人生短暫，必須在未來幾年間把閒暇時間留給家人，才不會錯過子女的成長，不再競選連任是深思熟慮後的結果。他在任期結束前也會繼續推動議題。

Setti Warren示警指查理貝克送審遣返法案

ALERT: Charlie Baker just filed a Deportation Bill

Friend --

 

Today, Charlie Baker filed legislation to allow Massachusetts police to become part of Donald Trump's deportation force. We need to send Charlie Baker the message that this is wrong. 

 

From the tragic detention of MIT employee Francisco Rodriguez and the deportation of former Gaelic Athletic Association in Boston President John Cunningham, to the mumps outbreak in East Boston, the Commonwealth is already seeing the real life outcomes of President Trump's war on immigrants. Communities all over Massachusetts are living in fear that a knock on their door in the middle of the night could mean losing a family member. Our neighborhoods are less safe when people who feel like they have to live in the shadows are afraid to talk to the police when they need help or witness a crime.

 

Charlie Baker's effort to keep Massachusetts police agencies in the deportation business is a political move, plain and simple. After winning by a historically small margin in 2014, Baker is clearly playing to the ultra-conservative base who he needs to keep in his corner. In this instance, Gov. Baker's naked political ploy will have real, negative consequences for thousands of families in Massachusetts.

 

A Democrat in the corner office is the only way we can ensure that ALL people in Massachusetts are safe from Donald Trump. Please, donate to my campaign today so we can fight back against Baker's cruel policies.

 

Best,

Setti

查理貝克簽署法案關懷ALS 表揚冰桶挑戰週

Governor Baker Signs Legislation Recognizing ‘Ice Bucket Challenge Week’ in Honor of Frates’ Family and ALS Awareness

Annual week in August will recognize efforts to raise awareness for battling ALS

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today signed H.1697, An Act Establishing The First Week In August As Ice Bucket Challenge Week, to annually honor the contributions of Pete Frates and his family and raise awareness and resources for those battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was co-founded in 2014 by Pete Frates, Pat Quinn and Anthony Senerchia to raise awareness for the progressive neurodegenerative disease and funds to support research towards a cure.

In accordance with the new statute, Governor Baker also issued a proclamation today proclaiming the first week of August 2017 to be “Ice Bucket Challenge Week.”

“Pete Frates took a horrible, personal tragedy and turned it into something positive and inspiring for millions of people around the world with the Ice Bucket Challenge,”said Governor Baker. “I am honored to sign legislation to recognize the efforts of Pete, his family and all those fighting to increase awareness and find a cure for ALS.”

“The Ice Bucket challenge has left a remarkable impact on the families and loved ones fighting against ALS, a disease that has personally touched many throughout Massachusetts and the world,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “I am proud this legislation will continue to show solidarity and support for the Frates family and all those working toward a cure.”

“The Frates family have been amazing advocates for those fighting ALS, bringing an incredible level of awareness to this devastating disease,” said Senator Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “I am very pleased that the legislature and Governor Baker has chosen to honor Pete Frates and the whole Frates family, who continue to fight this disease, and officially recognize Ice Bucket Challenge Week.”

"I’m so proud to have co-sponsored this bill with Senator Lovely and to have had the opportunity to work with such a remarkable family,” said Representative Jerry Parisella (D-Beverly). “I’m honored to recognize the incredible work that Pete and the Frates families have done to raise money and awareness about this dreaded disease. Lives will forever be positively affected because of their efforts.”

In August of 2015, Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito were be joined by Pete Frates and his family to take the ALS “Every August Until a Cure” Ice Bucket Challenge at the State House. Members of the Baker-Polito Administration, Treasurer Goldberg, Auditor Bump and members of the legislature also participated to raise awareness and support a cure for ALS.

貝克政府新設科技服務及安全辦公室EOTSS

Baker-Polito Administration Announces the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security

Streamlined technology secretariat to reorganize the service, delivery & security of information

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration formally announced the creation of the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) to provide secure and quality digital information, services, and tools to constituents and service providers when and where they need them.  This new secretariat will be established as a result of a 60 day review period by the legislature that ended July 31st. Governor Baker first presented the legislation on June 1, 2017 under Article 87 of the Massachusetts Constitution that authorizes reorganization of executive branch agencies.

“Establishing the Executive Office of Technology Service and Security will allow state government to streamline state services, improve cybersecurity and better serve our constituents,” said Governor Baker. “We look forward to developing this secretariat to support the Commonwealth’s focus on providing modern, secure and stable technologies.”

“Simplifying IT management will allow agencies to focus on improving their delivery of services to people across the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We thank the legislature for their thoughtful consideration of this legislation as the pace of technology innovation in Massachusetts continues to accelerate.”

Mark Nunnelly, the Executive Director of MassIT, will serve as Secretary of EOTSS and Chief Information Officer for the Commonwealth and supervise all activities concerning information technology of state agencies. EOTSS will focus on centralizing IT infrastructure services across the executive department and review and update policies and procedures governing state cybersecurity, digital platforms and data management.

“The rate and pace of change have forced all large organizations to rethink their digital service approach from a security, service, and structure perspective,” said EOTSS Secretary Mark Nunnelly. “This reorganization will help equip the many talented IT professionals across the State with the right structure, tools, and platform to secure our information and provide better service to our constituents. We look forward to working with leaders from across the executive branch in making progress against these imperatives.”

EOTSS will lead the charge in transforming the Commonwealth’s decentralized approach to IT infrastructure and service delivery into a centralized technology organization laser focused on securing digital assets and providing world-class service to customers and constituents. EOTSS will also be leading the transition to theredesigned mass.gov. The new Secretariat will operate under the FY 18 budget structure for MassIT and continue to use office space currently occupied by MassIT in Boston and Chelsea.

As with any large operation, the Commonwealth must continually protect against threats to its digital infrastructure and this comprehensive legislation empowers EOTSS to strengthen digital operations across secretariats through standardization and centralization will help reduce overall risks. State governments across the country have engaged in similar efforts to standardize and consolidate technology assets in recent years, resulting in increased efficiency and security.