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星期一, 6月 08, 2020

Joint Statement by SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin Regarding Enactment of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act

Joint Statement by SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin Regarding Enactment of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act


WASHINGTON –SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin issued the following statement today following the enactment of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act:

“We want to thank President Trump for his leadership and commend Leader McConnell, Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy for working on a bipartisan basis to pass this legislation for small businesses participating in the Paycheck Protection Program.

“We also want to express our gratitude to Chairman Rubio, Ranking Member Cardin, Senator Collins, Congressman Roy, Congressman Phillips, and other members of Congress who have helped to create and guide our implementation of this critical program that has provided over 4.5 million small business loans totaling more than $500 billion to ensure that approximately 50 million hardworking Americans stay connected to their jobs.

“This bill will provide businesses with more time and flexibility to keep their employees on the payroll and ensure their continued operations as we safely reopen our country.

“We look forward to getting the American people back to work as quickly as possible.”

Upcoming Procedures

SBA, in consultation with Treasury, will promptly issue rules and guidance, a modified borrower application form, and a modified loan forgiveness application implementing these legislative amendments to the PPP.  These modifications will implement the following important changes:

Extend the covered period for loan forgiveness from eight weeks after the date of loan disbursement to 24 weeks after the date of loan disbursement, providing substantially greater flexibility for borrowers to qualify for loan forgiveness.  Borrowers who have already received PPP loans retain the option to use an eight-week covered period.
  • Lower the requirements that 75 percent of a borrower’s loan proceeds must be used for payroll costs and that 75 percent of the loan forgiveness amount must have been spent on payroll costs during the 24-week loan forgiveness covered period to 60 percent for each of these requirements. If a borrower uses less than 60 percent of the loan amount for payroll costs during the forgiveness covered period, the borrower will continue to be eligible for partial loan forgiveness, subject to at least 60 percent of the loan forgiveness amount having been used for payroll costs.
  • Provide a safe harbor from reductions in loan forgiveness based on reductions in full-time equivalent employees for borrowers that are unable to return to the same level of business activity the business was operating at before February 15, 2020, due to compliance with requirements or guidance issued between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, related to worker or customer safety requirements related to COVID–19.
  • Provide a safe harbor from reductions in loan forgiveness based on reductions in full-time equivalent employees, to provide protections for borrowers that are both unable to rehire individuals who were employees of the borrower on February 15, 2020, and unable to hire similarly qualified employees for unfilled positions by December 31, 2020. 
  • Increase to five years the maturity of PPP loans that are approved by SBA (based on the date SBA assigns a loan number) on or after June 5, 2020.
  • Extend the deferral period for borrower payments of principal, interest, and fees on PPP loans to the date that SBA remits the borrower’s loan forgiveness amount to the lender (or, if the borrower does not apply for loan forgiveness, 10 months after the end of the borrower’s loan forgiveness covered period).
  • In addition, the new rules will confirm that June 30, 2020, remains the last date on which a PPP loan application can be approved

波士頓經文處代表台灣送10萬片醫用口罩給羅德島州

左起:羅州眾議會代議長Brian Kennedy、波士頓經文處處長徐佑典、
羅州緊急事務管理署署長 Marc Pappas及羅州州長辦公室
資深顧問Michael Prescott
(Boston Orange) 駐波士頓辦事處響應羅德島州州長雷萌朵(Gina Raimondo)的支援羅州醫護人員及中小企業呼籲,65日由處長徐佑典代表中華民國政府捐贈該州10萬片醫療用口罩。
羅州緊急事務管理署(RIEMA)署長Marc Pappas 當日代表羅州州長接受捐贈,州長辦公室資深顧問Michael Prescott代表州長送上感謝狀給徐處長,長期對台灣友好的該州眾議會代議長Brian Kennedy也特地出席觀禮並致感謝詞。
左起:羅州Central Falls市長James Diossa、羅州黑石谷旅遊局Bob 
Billington、商務廳國際貿易主任Katherine Therieau波士頓經文處
處長徐佑典、羅德島州副州長Daniel McKee 、羅德島華人協會
主席葉超(Louis Yip)及會長吳子平(Sunny Ng)
波士頓經文處表示,台灣與羅德島州的友誼深厚,長期有合作關係,這次捐贈的10萬片口罩,全是台灣製造產品,從台灣直接運抵羅德島州,這也是新型冠狀病毒疫情爆發以來,羅德島州首次直接收到外國政府捐贈的個人防護用品。波士頓經文處稱台灣珍視與羅德島州的夥伴關係,將繼續攜手,合作抗疫,一同度過難關。
波士頓經文處除了送口罩給羅德島州政府之外,還另外各捐贈10,500片醫療用口罩給羅德島州商務廳,普塔吉市及中央瀑布市的市政府。羅德島州副州長馬基(Daniel McKee)特地出席了在羅德島州黑石谷旅遊局舉行的捐贈禮,並致詞感謝來自台灣的愛心。
羅德島州州長雷萌朵(Gina Raimondo)本人,今(8日)早也在有8萬多粉絲追隨的推特上發出圖文,感謝波士頓經文處支持羅德島州。(更新版)

星期日, 6月 07, 2020

Reopening Massachusetts: Baker-Polito Administration Initiates Transition to Second Phase of Four-Phase Approach

Reopening Massachusetts: Baker-Polito Administration Initiates Transition to Second Phase of Four-Phase Approach
Consistent with Public Health Data and Trends, Phase II of Reopening Massachusetts Set to Begin on June 8

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that Phase II of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan will begin on June 8th.

Businesses and sectors set to begin opening in Phase II are subject to compliance with all mandatory safety standards.

On May 18, the Administration released a four-phased plan to reopen the economy based on public health data, spending at least three weeks in each phase. Key public health data, such as new cases and hospitalizations, has been closely monitored and seen a significant decline allowing for Phase II to begin on June 8th.

The public health dashboard designating the progress of key COVID-19 data metrics has been updated to reflect the number of COVID-19 patients in Massachusetts hospitals to green, indicating a positive trend. 

Since mid-April, the 7-day average for the positive COVID-19 test rate is down 82 percent, the 3-day average of hospitalized patients is down 55 percent, and the number of hospitals in surge is down 76 percent.

A total of 630,000 viral COVID-19 tests have been completed, and testing continues to increase throughout the state.

The following businesses will be eligible to reopen in Step One of Phase II on June 8, with contingencies:

  • Retail, with occupancy limits;


  • Restaurants, outdoor table service only;

  • Hotels and other lodgings, no events, functions or meetings;

  • Warehouses and distribution centers;

  • Personal services without close physical contact, such as home cleaning, photography, window washing, career coaching and education tutoring;

  • Post-secondary, higher education, vocational-tech and occupation schools for the purpose of completing graduation requirements;

  • Youth and adult amateur sports, with detailed guidance;

  • Outdoor recreation facilities

  • Professional sports practices, no games or public admissions;

  • Non-athletic youth instructional classes in arts, education or life skills and in groups of less than 10;

  • Driving and flight schools

  • Outdoor historical spaces, no functions, gatherings or guided tours;

  • Funeral homes, with occupancy limits

The following businesses will be eligible reopen in Step Two of Phase II at a later date to be determined:

  • Indoor table service at restaurants

  • Close-contact personal services, with restrictions, including:

    • Hair removal and replacement

    • Nail care

    • Skin care

    • Massage therapy

    • Makeup salons and makeup application services

    • Tanning salons

    • Tattoo, piercing and body art services

    • Personal training, with restrictions

Full list and safety protocols available at www.mass.gov/reopening

The Baker-Polito Administration also released other sector specific guidance:



Health care providers may also incrementally resume in-person elective, non-urgent procedures and services, including routine office visits, dental visits and vision care subject to compliance with public health and safety standards. All other in-person medical, behavioral health, dental and vision services may also resume on June 8th, except for elective cosmetic procedures and in-person day programs, which will be included in Phase III. Telehealth must continue to be utilized and prioritized to the greatest extent possible, whenever feasible and appropriate.

Limited reopening of visitation will also begin, and all visitation is subject to infection control protocol, social distancing and face coverings. Given the diversity of facilities and programs, there are specific timetables for visitation, and congregate care programs will be reaching out to families with specific details on scheduling visits.




星期五, 6月 05, 2020

2020華埠總體規畫出爐 6月9日再辦一場報告會

2020年華埠總體規畫報告長91頁。(攝自視頻會議)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)華埠總體規畫委員會63日晚在網上公佈該會與華埠社區民眾及機構歷經一年半討論,制定的”2020年波士頓華埠總體規畫社區願景與實施策略。69(週二)下午4點至5點,將再舉行一場英文發佈會。

             這份共有91頁的規畫,以為我們的社區規劃穩定和健康的未來為目標,主要討論住房,公共空間,流動性,歷史與文化保育。
亞美社區發展協會主任劉安琪報個土地發展計畫。(攝自視頻會議)
             主持發佈會的波士頓華埠社區土地信託會主任駱理德指出,華埠總體發展計畫每10年製作一份。2020年的波士頓華埠總體發展規畫,基本上延續2010年版本目標,以穩定華埠,持續成為移民和工人階層家庭居所為理想。最近發生的新型冠狀病毒疫情,則凸顯了該計畫中缺失的社區經濟發展計畫。
麻州參議員Joseph Bancore出席會議關切。(攝自視頻會議)
             華人前進會主任陳玉珍也表示,該會一向以保護工人階層權益為職志,而新型冠狀病毒疫情彰顯出的小企業存在與地方繁榮有重要依存關係,已促使該會與其他機構合作,日前為本地小企業舉辦了一場聯邦保護員工薪資計畫(PPP)的講座。
波士頓市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)說明他的辦公室,至少有3名雙語
員工可和社區民眾之街溝通。(攝自視頻會議)
             根據規畫委員會公佈計畫內容,哈佛大學設計研究院和陳曾熙公共衛生學院在2018年從健康角度,做了一份華埠需求評估。20197月舉辦過焦點小組座談,做一對一的社區成員訪談,還辦了一場約有90參加的健康華埠設計研討會,討論華埠的總體目標,以及特定地段的發展機會。
             這份2020年的華埠總體規畫報告,包括總攬,社區概況,2020-2030的目標與策略,有機會發展華埠牌樓,菲利浦廣場,喜露街50號和A地段,R-1地段。
             在華埠界線上,委員會等人選則採用華埠社區議會(CNC)當年認定的華埠界線,但認為近20年 來華埠一帶的豪華化發展,已改變了華埠地區的人口結構,將來勢必需要與在地居民進一步對話,來確認華埠界線是否適用。
部分出席會議者。(攝自視頻會議)
報告也分析了波士頓華埠,以及波士頓和下城,波士頓這3個區域的人口特性,包括華埠人口約11,528,其中38%為白人,3.7%為黑人,48.2%為亞裔,人均收入50,900員,中位家庭年收入為47,779元,家庭貧困率20.5%。。
在住房目標和策略上,由於91%的華埠和下城居民租房屋住,每4人中就有1人得付出收入的50%繳房租,華埠總體規畫計畫希望到2030年時,可以達到2個目標,一為在華埠之內新建或保持1000套住房,保持一半以上的住房價格穩定。
負責報告住房策略的亞美社區發展協會主任劉安琪表示,委員會希望藉由關注補貼到期日來保留現有的可負擔住宅,其次為推動可利用土地來蓋房屋,包括12號地段,大同村停車場,喜露街50號等。
但優先考慮推動波士頓市府發展公有土地,包括R1地段,A地段和阿靈頓(Arlington)152號等。
2020華埠總體規畫研擬華埠未來發展方向。(攝自視頻會議)
委員會也希望推動重新開發私有土地,以建造更多可負擔住宅,包括華埠內的排屋,原為瑪莉諾修女會,已由華人經濟發展協會斥資購買的泰勒街78號,牛津地產擁有的益士石街(Essex)和好事福街(Oxford)交界處的好彩大廈。塔芙茨大學的研究生宿舍Posner Hall,公路村停車場等。
另外的做法包括推動修訂區域規畫等政策。
至於公共空間部分,委員會希望推動諸如包氏文藝中心,波士頓華埠圖書館這樣,為社區提供文化活動的空間。
行動便利(Mobility)方面,由徐乙漾報告,她說明委員會希望增加華埠社區的交通安全與便利,希望能與市府合作研擬自行車道,人行道,已及交通燈號閃信號時間等。
             發佈會由波士頓華埠社區土地信託會主任駱理德主持,亞美社區發展協會主任劉安琪,華人前進會徐乙漾說明。出席的51人包括麻州參議員Joe Boncore,波士頓市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn),前紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊,紐英崙中華公所主席鄭慧民,昆士中學校長張可仁,華埠主街董事何遠光,華人前進會行政主任陳玉珍等。
             駱理德指出,這份2020年的波士頓華埠總體發展規畫,基本上延續2010年版本目標,以穩定華埠,持續成為移民和工人階層家庭居所為理想。
             波士頓華埠總體發展計畫,最早應為華埠/南灣區議會(CNC)和波士頓市府合作的1990年版,其後每10年都有一份。2000年這份由波士頓華埠社區團體自行研討,制定,送交波士頓市府後,束之高閣。2010年版由華埠牌樓聯盟主導制定。2020年版在華埠土地信託會推動下成立華埠總體規畫委員會統籌。由駱理德等5人技術團隊執行,全國環境衛生科學研究所資助。
             華埠總體規畫委員會由陳家驊,阿圖羅(Arturo Gossage),何遠光,黃楚瑜,郭榮軒,李素影,李燦輝,劉安琪,駱理德,蔡倩婷等10人組成。參與的組織包括紐英崙中華公所,紐英崙華人歷史學會,華人前進會,波士頓市,高速公路與健康社區評估,包氏藝術中心,規畫:下城,蘿絲甘迺迪綠路,昆士中學,大都會區域規畫委員會。

昆士市府訂6月14日慶祝國旗日

Unique Flag Day Celebration Planned for June 14th  
June 5, 2020  
QUINCY - Mayor Thomas P. Koch announced that the City of Quincy will maintain its proud 
tradition of honoring Ol’ Glory on Flag Day with a unique vehicle parade on June 14th. 
Mayor Koch invites people to decorate their cars and trucks and travel under a giant 
American flag that will be displayed by two fire department ladder trucks. The 50’ by 20’ 
flag will be on display on Merrymount Parkway from 1 pm to 3 pm. 
“The show must go on,” said Mayor Koch. “I am disappointed that we can’t conduct our 
usual festivities but we are going to make the most of it and carry on this great Quincy 
tradition. I encourage families to get creative, decorate your vehicle, and have some great 
fun.” 
The flag will be raised on Merrymount Parkway by Veterans’ Memorial Stadium. Cars can 
travel in both directions under the flag. 
This will be the 69th annual Flag Day Parade and Celebration in Quincy, the nation’s 
longest-running Flag Day celebration. The event was started by Richard Koch (Mayor 
Koch’s father) in 1952 at Cavanagh Stadium in North Quincy. 
There will be no formal ceremony at Pageant Field nor will there be fireworks this year. 
Added Mayor Koch, “We will celebrate this year but we are already looking toward 2021 for 
the 70th and making it the biggest and best of all time. I appreciate all of those people that 
have participated and sponsored this event through the years. It is one of Quincy’s finest 
traditions.” 
(From the Mayor's office, City of Quincy)

National AAPI community call for healing


波士頓市悼六四 天安門紀念碑前哀31週年 (圖片)ㄧ

一名當年在北京參加六四者,出席悼念。
(謝中之提供)

來自香港的居民到天安門紀念碑前點燭火。
(謝中之提供)

來自深圳居民在天安門紀念碑前默哀致意。
(謝中之提供)

謝中之和前來致意的綠路公園護林員。(謝中之提供)

麻州議會研擬餐館救濟法 容許餐館無牌賣酒


(Boston Orange 編譯)麻州眾議會在63日以1560票,無異議通過編號4767餐館救濟法(Restaurant Relief Act)”法案,只要參議會也通過,地方政府同意,就允許餐館在出售外賣時供應調配飲料,在擴大戶外用餐時,可以賣酒。
麻州眾議員通過的這法案,主要是為幫助大受COVID-19打擊的餐飲業,是暫時性的,直至1130日止,法案內容還包括容許餐館延期繳交餐飲稅(meal tax),限制網購第三方外送服務佣金比例,一旦參議會也通過,才能生效。
這法案對現行法規的修訂,將容許市鎮跳過目前由酒品飲料控制委員會(the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission)執行,一般需要10天才能完成的牌照審核過程。