麻州長簽署2021會計年度預算459億元 申請1億740萬元輔助預算 4940萬元要支持經濟復甦

 Governor Baker Signs Fiscal Year 2021 Budget and Proposes Additional Resources for Small Businesses, Education, and Police Oversight

 

BOSTON — Governor Charlie Baker today signed the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) budget into law, a $45.9 billion plan that protects core government services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic while making substantial investments in economic development and education. This financially responsible budget does not rely on new taxes and maintains significant financial reserves for the future.

 

Additionally, the Baker-Polito Administration today is filing a $107.4 million supplemental budget bill for Fiscal Year 2021 entitled “An Act Making Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021 to Provide for Supplementing Certain Existing Appropriations and for Certain Other Activities and Projects.” (read filing letter) This bill authorizes $49.4 million to fully fund the economic recovery and small business relief plan included in the Administration’s revised FY21 budget proposal and support the unique needs of small and minority- and women-owned businesses across the Commonwealth. The legislation also includes $53 million for targeted measures to address learning gaps and strengthen educational quality for students during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as $5 million in start-up funds for the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission, which is proposed in pending legislation, and funding for the Municipal Police Training Committee.

 

“I am signing this balanced budget because it is fiscally responsible, and maintains our strong commitment to delivering essential government services to the people of Massachusetts amid the COVID-19 pandemic – all without raising taxes,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Since taking office in 2015, our Administration has worked to ensure fiscal discipline, build up and protect our financial reserves, and invest in key priorities throughout the Commonwealth. The FY21 budget and this supplemental spending bill will generate economic growth and support small businesses, promote equity, and increase educational opportunity. Our Administration is proud to have worked across the aisle with lawmakers to put this spending plan in place as we fight the pandemic together.”

 

“This responsible plan delivers vital support to every city and town at a critical time in this public health emergency,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “The Fiscal Year 2021 budget also invests significantly in care for older adults, sexual assault and domestic violence prevention initiatives, support for children and families, and substance abuse treatment. The additional funding we propose today will deliver much needed financial aid for businesses such as restaurants and those hit hardest by the pandemic, and we urge the Legislature to approve these funds quickly.”

 

“We thank our colleagues in the House and Senate for their collaboration and partnership throughout the many challenges associated with arriving at a final FY21 budget,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan. “While actual tax collections during the first half of Fiscal Year 2021 have so far exceeded revised projections, we continue to maintain fiscal responsibility by prioritizing investments in core government services and protecting the Commonwealth’s financial reserves as economic challenges resulting from COVID-19 are likely to continue into Fiscal Year 2022.”

 

Fiscal Overview

 

This FY21 budget incorporates an upgraded $28.440 billion tax revenue forecast. This represents an increase of $459 million over the revised tax projection announced in October, based off better-than-expected actual tax collections in recent months, plus adjustments in the enacted budget, most notably sales tax acceleration. The budget includes a total of $45.9 billion in gross spending, excluding the Medical Assistance Trust Fund transfer, which reflects approximately 4.5% growth in spending over Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20).

 

The budget includes an expected withdrawal of $1.35 billion from the Stabilization Fund, which would be reduced in the instance of increased tax collections or new federal revenue. The $1.35 billion withdrawal is consistent with the Administration’s focus on flexibility and supporting one-time spending needs as part of the response to the COVID-19 emergency. This would leave the fund with a balance of approximately $2.21 billion, a significant buffer in the event of future budgetary constraints in Fiscal Year 2022 and beyond. The balance of the Stabilization Fund has increased threefold since 2015 and is currently $3.5 billion because of the collaborative fiscal discipline of the Administration and Legislature.

 

The FY21 budget modernizes the timeline for sales tax remittance and collection, which has not been significantly updated in decades. This modernization effort takes advantage of widely available technologies and capabilities and directs businesses that have collected and remitted more than $150,000 in sales tax or $150,000 in room occupancy and meals tax in the prior calendar year to remit collections from the first three weeks of each month in the final week of the same month. These reforms will not impact consumers or nearly 95% of Massachusetts businesses, and are focused on the largest companies in the Commonwealth, many of which have benefited from the changing economic landscape and new consumer patterns.

 

Investing in Massachusetts

 

Despite the fiscal challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commonwealth continues to support record investments in Massachusetts’ students and ensure they have the opportunities and resources to grow and succeed. The FY21 budget includes a $108 million increase in the annual Chapter 70 investment, which complements the $442 million in new federal supports that is available to K-12 schools to assist with educating our students during the public health crisis.

 

To generate economic growth amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and support Main Streets across Massachusetts, the FY21 budget includes over $82.4 million in funding for economic recovery and development efforts. In addition, the Administration today filed a supplemental budget bill that includes $49.4 million to further support the unique needs of small and diverse businesses by fully funding the Administration’s economic recovery and small business relief plan. The additional funding in the supplemental budget bill would fully support the Administration’s economic recovery and small business relief plan included in the revised FY21 budget proposal submitted in October.

 

The FY21 budget protects essential government services by maintaining the FY20 Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) investment of $1.129 billion to local cities and towns. The budget protects eligibility and benefit levels for social safety net programs such as MassHealth, Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), child-care vouchers, Prescription Advantage, Home Care, Chapter 115 veteran benefits, and the Turning 22 program. It also preserves Chapter 257 rate increases using an updated rate methodology that better reflects the cost of benchmarking direct care and clinical staff wages.

 

This FY21 budget continues support for the Community Compact Cabinet Program, which is chaired by Lieutenant Governor Polito and provides municipalities with meaningful assistance and resources in delivering quality services to the Commonwealth’s citizens. The budget includes $2 million in funding for Community Compact related programs including best practices and regionalization and efficiency grants, and an additional $2 million for these programs is included in the supplemental budget filed today to further support communities during this critical time. The budget also includes $4.8 million for the Public Safety Staffing Grant Program managed by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, as well as $3 million for district local technical assistance.

  

The FY21 budget continues the Administration’s efforts to improve outcomes for patients and increase access to care in order to ensure the health and safety of individuals and families across Massachusetts. The budget funds the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) at $25.470 billion, excluding supplemental payments to hospitals, a $2.175 billion (9%) increase over the FY20 budget. This includes $160 million for Chapter 257 human service provider rate increases under the new rate methodology, which reflects the Administration’s ongoing commitment to supporting human service programs and providers.

 

Given the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on seniors and high-risk individuals, the Commonwealth continues to make significant investments in supporting older adults and ensuring they have adequate care during this challenging time. The budget funds the Executive Office of Elder Affairs at $598.9 million, which furthers the Administration’s commitment to supporting older adults in Massachusetts to remain active, contributing and engaged members of their communities.

 

The FY21 budget includes $17.5 million in support of grants to Local Councils on Aging and an increase of $9.7 million above the FY20 budget to support consumer growth in the state Home Care Program, which provides care management and in-home support services to help eligible elders age in place. The budget also includes a $4.7 million increase for the Community Choices Program, which provides MassHealth-eligible elders with nursing facility levels of need with home care support.

 

The Baker-Polito Administration recognizes that the challenges of COVID-19 have exacerbated existing housing concerns and disproportionally impacted vulnerable populations. The Administration recently announced a comprehensive set of resources, known as the Eviction Diversion Initiative, which includes a $171 million total commitment this fiscal year for new and expanded housing stability programs.

 

The FY21 budget continues support for the most vulnerable populations, providing $182.7 million for the Emergency Assistance family shelter system, of which $1.8 million will help support 40 new family shelter units that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act in order to accommodate homeless families that include a person with disabilities. The budget provides $56.4 million to maintain an estimated 3,036 beds, services, and day programs at homeless shelters for individuals, as well as $135 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), $80 million for local housing authorities, and other significant investments.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic challenges have impacted the livelihood of employers and workers across the Commonwealth. The FY21 budget provides a total of $5.5 million in funding to transform vocational high schools into Career Technical Institutes running three shifts per day. This initiative is designed to train new workers in skilled trades and technical fields including plumbing, HVAC, manufacturing, and robotics. This will consist of a combination of enrolling more high school students in high-impact vocational trade programs and expanding capacity for adults to earn industry-based credentials, aligned to apprenticeships and post-secondary degrees.

 

The FY21 budget includes over $30 million to continue supporting the recommendations of the Black Advisory Commission (BAC) and the Latino Advisory Commission (LAC) with numerous significant investments. This includes funding for workforce development training programs, Youth Work Summer Jobs, entrepreneurs, workforce training, early college, teacher diversity, small business development, financial literacy, and job placement programming.

 

To continue combating the opioid epidemic, the budget includes $264 million across several state agencies for substance misuse treatment and service. This represents a $31.9 million increase over FY20 and a total increase of $144.8 million since FY15, not including MassHealth.

 

The Baker-Polito Administration recognizes that in some instances, the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for social distancing have increased risks for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. The FY21 budget includes a total investment of $95.8 million for sexual assault and domestic violence prevention services, a $15.5 million (19%) increase over the FY20 budget and a 48% increase from FY15.

 

Outside Sections and Earmarks

 

The Administration also signed several outside sections attached to the FY21 budget. One such section promotes road safety by permitting the Registry of Motor Vehicles to require drivers who have been granted a hardship license following a DUI offense to drive with an ignition interlock device.

 

The Governor also signed outside sections corresponding to two proposals that were filed in the Administration’s comprehensive health care legislation, originally filed last fall. One such proposal promotes access to behavioral health services by encouraging behavioral health practitioners to accept insurance. It requires insurers, including MassHealth, to use a standardized credentialing form so providers only need to complete one application. The second such proposal promotes timely access to appropriate behavioral health treatment by prohibiting payers from denying coverage or imposing additional costs for same-day behavioral health and certain medical visits.

 

The Administration recognizes there are many items funded in the budget during this difficult fiscal year that are one-time in nature and related to the COVID-19 pandemic and maintains these should not be considered as expansions on base funding. Notably, as part of the budget-signing, Governor Baker, signed all the approximately $80 million in earmarked funding. These resources support one-time local projects in communities throughout the state, with funding slated to go out by the end of the fiscal year. The Governor vetoed $167 million in gross spending. Of 113 outside sections, the Governor signed 96, and returned 17 to the Legislature with proposed amendments.

 

Key FY21 Highlights Include:

 

Core Services

 

• Increases Chapter 70 education aid to local municipalities by $108 million – for a total investment of $5.284 billion

 

• Maintains the FY20 Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) investment of $1.129 billion to local cities and towns

 

• $2 million in funding for Community Compact related programs including best practices and regionalization and efficiency grants

 

• $4.8 million for the Public Safety Staffing Grant Program managed by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security

 

• $3 million for district local technical assistance

 

Economic Development

 

• $82.4 million in additional funding for economic recovery and small business efforts

 

• $17.5 million for grants for small businesses, particularly businesses in underserved markets, minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses, and those who have not yet received federal aid

 

• $17.5 million for community development financial institutions (CDFI) grants and loans

 

• $15 million for a Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program

 

• $7.5 million for matching grants for capital investments by businesses with twenty or fewer employers

 

• $6 million total for regional recovery planning grants, an increase of $5 million over FY20

 

• $5 million for small business technical assistance

 

• $5 million for Community Foundation Grants

 

• $5 million for Community Action Agencies

 

• $3.9 million for technical assistance and grants, including for small business online and digital tools

 

• This is in addition to the $49.4 million included in the supplemental budget bill filed today, which would help support the unique needs of small and diverse businesses by fully funding the Administration’s economic recovery and small business relief plan.

 

Food Security

 

• $30 million for Emergency Food Assistance during the pandemic

 

• $13 million for the Healthy Incentives Programs to address food insecurity exacerbated by COVID-19

           

K-12 Education

 

• $108 million increase in the annual Chapter 70 investment

 

• Recognizes at least $442 million in new federal supports for K-12 schools to assist with educating our students during the public health crisis

 

Early Education

 

• $836 million for Early Education and Care

 

• $40 million for future revisions to the sliding parent fee schedule reductions in parent contributions and paying for parent fees as provider supports

 

• $25 million for COVID-19 support for the workforce and providers

 

Higher Education

 

• $1.328 billion investment for the Department of Higher Education, University of Massachusetts, and state universities and community colleges, representing a $44.6 million (3.5%) increase over the FY20 budget

 

• Approximately $900,000 increase above the FY20 budget for financial aid and fee waiver programs at college campuses to maintain support for students currently or previously in the custody and care of the Department of Children and Families (DCF), or who have been adopted through DCF

 

Health and Human Services

 

• $25.470 billion for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), excluding supplemental payments to hospitals, a $2.175 billion (9%) increase over the FY20 budget

 

• $160 million for Chapter 257 human service provider rate increases under a new rate methodology that better reflects the cost of benchmarking direct care and clinical staff wages

 

Caring for Seniors

 

• $598.9 million for the Executive Office of Elder Affairs

 

• $17.5 million in support of grants to Local Councils on Aging and an increase of $9.7 million above the FY20 budget for the Home Care program

 

• $4.7 million increase for the Community Choices Program

 

MassHealth

 

• $18.261 billion gross, $6.608 billion net funding for MassHealth, a change of 10.1% gross, approximately level on a net basis to the FY20 budget

 

• These changes incorporate COVID-19 related increases in caseload support and members, as well as costs for the public health response and provider relief

 

• This investment also includes the conclusion of the temporary, enhanced Employer Medical Assistance Contribution that was completed at the end of calendar year 2019, per statute

 

Children and Families

 

• $1.084 billion for the Department of Children and Families, marking a $257 million increase since 2015

 

• $9 million to support continued progress toward a maximum caseload level of 15 clients per caseworker

 

• $7.1 million to sustain investments made in FY20 for the expansion of support and stabilization services for foster parents, and services and supports for transition-age youth

 

• $10 million for the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative

 

Individuals with Disabilities

 

• Fully funds the Turning 22 Program at the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and other agencies

 

• $2.134 billion for DDS, an increase of $40.8 million over the FY20 budget

 

Behavioral Health

 

• $911.6 million for the Department of Mental Health

 

• $91 million for Adult Community and Clinical Services

 

• $10 million for inpatient behavioral health beds

 

• $6.5 million for DMH’s jail and arrest diversion programs

 

Housing and Homelessness

 

• $182.7 million for the Emergency Assistance family shelter system

 

• $135 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)

 

• $80 million in funding for local housing authorities

 

• $56.4 million to maintain an estimated 3,036 beds, services, and day programs at homeless shelters for individuals

 

• $50 million for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)

 

Transportation

 

• $1.302 billion in total operating budget transfers for the MBTA, an increase of $98 million over FY20

 

• $381 million in the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), an increase of $35 million over FY20 to fund snow and ice operations

 

• $90.5 million for Regional Transit Authorities

 

• $800,000 increase for the Merit Rating Board

 

Black Advisory Commission and Latino Advisory Commission

 

• Over $30 million to continue implementing recommendations

 

• $5.9 million for Adult Basic Education (ABE)

 

• $3.1 million to continue recruitment efforts to enroll more Black and Latino youth in Youth Works Summer Jobs

 

• $2.5 million to fund a grant program which invests in local entrepreneurs and support workforce trainings through the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development

 

• $1.5 million for the STEM Pipeline Fund

 

• $750,000 to expand the “Learn to Earn” initiative

 

Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence

 

• $95.8 million to address this key priority, a $15.5 million (19%) increase over the FY20 budget and a 48% increase from FY15

 

• $50.3 million in funding for the Department of Public Health to carry out domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and survivor services, as well as emergency and transitional residential services for victims and their children

 

• $32.9 million for providing shelter, services, and housing assistance for individuals and families who are victims or at risk of domestic abuse in their current living situations

 

• $6.8 million to support statewide sexual assault nurse examiner programs for adults and adolescents in hospital settings, and pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner programs in child advocacy centers

 

Combating the Opioid Epidemic

 

• $264 million across several state agencies for substance misuse treatment and services, a $31.9 million increase over FY20 and a total increase of $144.8 million since FY15 (not including MassHealth)

 

Criminal Justice and Public Safety

 

• $733.9 million for the Department of Correction, including $203.3 million for medical and mental health contract costs

 

• $399.4 million for State Police public safety and crime lab operations and includes support for the 86th RTT class

 

• $62.9 million to continue funding for the clinical contract at Bridgewater State Hospital

 

• $11.3 million in funding for the Shannon Grant program to fund anti-gang and youth violence prevention efforts

 

• $10.4 million to fully fund tuition and fee waivers for National Guard members

 

• $5.4 million for the Municipal Police Training Committee which develops, delivers, and enforces training standards of municipal, University of Massachusetts, and Environmental police officers

 

Modernizing and Security Government IT

 

• $135.6 million for the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security to support

 

• Managing a new cybersecurity operations center which provides 24/7 monitoring capabilities of systems to identify and help mitigate potential cyber threats

 

• Implementing a security incident event management software platform for threat monitoring and analytics

 

• Centralized software and IT contract compliance program

 

Energy and the Environment

 

• $301.7 million for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA)

 

• $100.9 million for the Department of Conservation and Recreation

 

• $62.5 million for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

 

• $32.3 million in funding for the Department of Fish and Game

 

• $20.8 million for the Department of Public Utilities

 

• $4.5 million for the Department of Energy Resources

 

• $1.4 million to address the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like Eastern Equine Encephalitis

 

To access the FY21 budget, please click here.

麻州55市鎮獲370萬元補助款

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $3.7 Million in Community Compact Grants

55 municipalities to receive assistance with efficiency and modernization efforts 

BOSTON –The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $3,709,438 in grants to 55 municipalities through the Community Compact Cabinet (CCC) Information Technology grant program. Today’s announcement brings the total of municipal IT grants issued over the past four years to over $15 million supporting more than 300 municipalities and school districts.

Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito made the announcement during a virtual award ceremony, attended by recipients, local and state officials, and community leaders.

“We are proud of the work that the Community Compact Cabinet has done partnering with cities and towns to support their efforts to modernize and improve information technology operations,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This year, we have seen incredible innovation from our local communities to provide services to residents and we are pleased to see various cities, towns and school districts take advantage of this program.”

“Collaboration is at the heart of our Administration’s partnership with the Commonwealth’s municipalities,” said Lt. Governor Polito, Chair of the Community Compact Cabinet. “Since the beginning of the grant program, these investments have had an outsized impact on economic and community development and this round of awards will ensure that cities and towns deliver better services for Massachusetts residents for years to come.”

“Every year we are pleased with the wide array of projects the communities across Massachusetts identify for grant support,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael Heffernan. “The Baker-Polito Administration is proud of the work community leaders have done to improve the reliability of state government and we look forward to this year’s recipients continuing that work.”

“State and municipal governments are increasingly recognizing the need for smart investments in modern information technology infrastructure and services to make government more accessible, efficient, and resilient,” said Technology Services and Security Secretary Curtis Wood. “This latest installment of CCC IT grant awards invests in many impressive and innovative project proposals that will better serve the people of the Commonwealth.”  

Examples of Community Compact IT Grant Program Initiatives in this round of funding:

• West Springfield will receive a $115,750 grant to purchase a modern HR system that centralizes Town and School HR operations

• New Bedford will receive a $176,972 grant to bolster their cybersecurity infrastructure and improve disaster recovery capabilities

• Monterey will receive a $82,000 grant to implement a web-based road surface temperature measurement system

• Cummington will receive a $69,631 grant to deploy a computer network to complete a recently built fiber optic network

Formed in January 2015, the Community Compact Cabinet is chaired by Lt. Governor Polito and is composed of the Secretaries of Housing and Economic Development, Education, Transportation, Energy and Environmental Affairs, and Technology Services and Security, along with the Senior Deputy Commissioner of Local Services and the Assistant Secretary of Operational Services. The Community Compact Cabinet elevates the Administration’s partnerships with cities and towns, and allows the Governor’s Office to work more closely with leaders from all municipalities. The Cabinet champions municipal interests across all executive secretariats and agencies, and develops, in consultation with cities and towns, mutual standards and best practices for both the state and municipalities. The creation of Community Compacts creates clear standards, expectations and accountability for both partners.

For a full list of awardees and projects, click here. 

11市鎮12名市議員支持吳弭競選波士頓市長

 Municipal Leaders from Across the State Endorse Michelle Wu’s 2021 Boston Mayoral Bid

Elected officials representing a new generation of leadership will join Wu for an event highlighting the power of local government next week.  

Boston, MA - Today, a dozen municipal leaders from across Greater Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts announced their support for Boston City Councilor At-Large Michelle Wu’s mayoral campaign for bold, urgent leadership. 

The leaders listed below have endorsed Michelle Wu’s mayoral bid in support of Boston’s potential to be a catalyst for systemic change across the state and the country.

• Watertown Town Councilor Caroline Bays
• Quincy City Councilor Ian Cain
• Somerville City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen
• Chelsea City Councilor Judith Garcia
• Brookline Select Board Member Raul Fernandez
• Everett City Councilor Stephanie Martins
• Pittsfield City Councilor Helen Moon
• Lowell City Councilor Vesna Nuon
• Malden City Councilor Ryan O’Malley
• Newton City Councilor Holly Ryan
• Cambridge City Councilor Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
• Cambridge City Councilor Quinton Zondervan

On Tuesday, December 15th, these elected officials will join Wu for a virtual event to discuss the power of local government and the need for a regional vision and partnership to solve our deepest challenges, such as housing, transportation, climate, and closing the racial wealth gap. 

“I’m grateful and proud to stand with these friends and trailblazers who share a fierce belief in the power of cities to lead,” said Michelle Wu. “From housing, to transportation, climate change, and closing the racial wealth gap—we need regional vision and partnership to solve the inequities our communities are facing.”

“We need a progressive mayor of Boston to push our shared agenda forward and partner in leading the way for change in all our municipalities,” said City Councilor Caroline Bays.

"Over the last few years, Michelle and I have worked together on developing pathways for the next generation of political leadership in the Commonwealth,” City Councilor Ian Cain. “I'm now proud to support Michelle in her candidacy for Mayor of Boston. In a sea full of nonsense and political pandering, look no further for a person with a rare blend of intellect, empathy, authenticity, and, most importantly, integrity. While I live on the opposite side of the banks of the Neponset River in Quincy, as a good neighbor in Boston, Michelle has been and will continue to be an ally to our city. I look forward to continuing our work together and to seeing a leader of my generation, who holds a bold vision, take the reins and carry our capital city into the future."

"Michelle Wu makes me excited about the future,” City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen. “The challenges facing our cities are profound, and if we want to make real progress we need leaders willing to fight for affordable housing, public transportation, racial justice, climate justice, and so much more - that's why I'm proud to support Michelle Wu."

"Michelle Wu is a phenomenal leader who brings diverse voices into the conversation,” said Select Board Member Raul Fernandez. “Whether it’s on transportation, housing affordability, racial justice, or tackling the climate crisis, she brings the kind of smart, urgent, and community-engaged leadership our region needs. I'm excited to support her for Mayor of Boston, and invite you to join me!"

"I am thrilled to endorse Michelle Wu for Mayor of Boston,” said City Councilor Judith Garcia. “Michelle has proven to be a relentless advocate for those who have been unseen and unheard for too long. She understands the urgency of this time and I cannot think of a better person to lead Boston forward."

“I am proud to support a sister in service with a proven record of fighting for education, climate, and closing the deep racial wealth gap in Boston,” said City Councilor Stephanie Martins. “Michelle Wu has been and will be on the front lines fighting for a better Boston for everyone.” 

“I am honored to endorse Michelle Wu for Mayor of Boston! I've been following Councilor Wu's career ever since she helped make Boston a national leader on paid parental leave policies,” said City Councilor Helen Moon. “Over the years, I have continued to be impressed by her thoughtful, inclusive and comprehensive leadership approach. I'm excited to continue to partner with her on our collective vision to elevate the ideas and activism of our communities for a new generation of leadership from Boston to Pittsfield and beyond.”

“Michelle and I share a deep commitment to inclusion, diversity, and representation in government,” said City Councilor Vesna Nuon. “Michelle brings a lens of equity to every issue she tackles and a determination to ensure that all voices are at the table. At a time when so many people feel cut off from their elected officials and cut out from the democratic process, Michelle’s is a needed voice to lead the City of Boston as Mayor. I’m honored to stand with her in this campaign.”

“Whether it be housing insecurity, the future of transportation, public health, or climate justice, it is clear now more than ever that the challenges we face require bold leadership and regional collaboration to solve,” City Councilor Ryan O’Malley. “Michelle has proven that she is willing and able to take the bold action needed to ensure that Boston becomes more resilient, healthy, and fair. I proudly endorse Michelle Wu for Mayor of Boston.”

“Michelle Wu has been a leader for Transgender rights on the Boston City Council and I'm proud to partner with her to make affordable housing and great public transportation accessible to all,” said City Councilor Holly Ryan. 

“I’m excited to endorse Michelle Wu because she’s been a leader on housing and economic justice, transit equity, and climate resiliency,” said City Councilor Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler. “And just as importantly, she understands these are interconnected and have to be addressed together to create a city that works for all its residents.”

“I’m so excited to support Councilor Wu for Mayor of Boston,” City Councilor Quinton Zondervan. “Her impressive plan for a Boston Green New Deal would address the climate crisis with equity and environmental justice at the center, which is exactly the kind of commitment and leadership we need as we make our just transition away from fossil fuels.”

In September, Michelle Wu launched her mayoral campaign for bold, urgent leadership to build a Boston for everyone. Michelle is a mom of two young kids, a daughter of immigrants, and a fierce believer that we can solve our deepest challenges through building community. As a Boston City Councilor, Michelle has worked in coalition to deliver bold, systemic change and redefine what is possible through activist city leadership. 

麻州新冠病毒高危市鎮躍升至158個

            (Boston Orange)麻州共有351個市鎮，根據麻州公共衛生廳的資料，現在有158個市鎮都跨入了新冠病毒(COVID-19)高危險區。

           12月10日，麻州新冠病毒新增確診個案有5130宗。這是最近這一週第5次單日確診人數破5千了。

           麻州的每10萬居民確診人數的每日平均數，也從35.7人陡升至50人。波士頓市也從上週的31.7人增至46.06人。

           11月的時候，麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)宣佈，麻州改變決定社區新冠病毒感染危險程度的指標，也降低了列為高危險社區的數目。

           在新指標下，大社區如果每10萬人確診個案高於10宗，確診率高於4%，就列為高危險區。人口在1萬至5萬之間的社區，如果每10萬人確診個案高於10宗，確診率高於5%，就列為高危險社區。人口少於1萬人的社區則是一旦有25宗個案，就算是高危險社區。

           在實施新指標後的第一個星期，高危險社區從121降為16個市鎮，連波士頓是都脫離了高危區。

           但是從那以後，跨入高危社區的市鎮數目就開始穩定上升，從30到62，到81，到97，然後跳到12月10日的158個市鎮。

           從上週以來，已有65個市鎮加入了高危社區行列。

麻州長波市長聯袂點亮"光明燭" 同祈希望

 

麻州州長Charlie Baker (右)和波士頓市長Martin J. Walsh
(左)一起出席猶太光明節點蠟燭儀式。(周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)、波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)又一年聯袂出席猶太教光明節，攜手為麻州、波士頓民眾點亮”蠟燭”，象徵性的祈福。

            在廿、三十人圍觀中，查理貝克和馬丁華殊和猶太教牧師(拉比)，以色列新到任領事等人一一致詞後，再和牧師一起借助起重車的升降臂，升高到22呎高的”光明燭台”，點亮第一根蠟燭。

            查理貝克稱光明節是個”希望，信仰，社區”的傳統，今年對大家來說尤其有意義，因為新冠病毒簡直就像是盤據世界各地不肯離去的颶風，此刻大家最需要的就是和親愛的家人擁抱，揮別恐懼，讓黑暗成為過去的迎向光明。

             馬丁華殊說，這是他第7年參加光明節點蠟燭儀式。他記得第一年天氣超冷，第二年下大雪，第三年下雨，第四年風勢強勁，然後第五，第六年，接著第七年就遇上新冠病毒大流行。在這困難時刻，大家要堅持，戰勝掙扎，也悼念在世界各角落殞落的人。今年是個不同的慶祝，大家要攜手抗疫，而且就如麻州州長所說，今年大家最需要的是擁抱，有的虛擬，有的遠距，重要的是大家記住今晚是個象徵，讓大家記住生命是甚麼。

猶太教光明節燭台。(周菊子攝)

               麻州猶太教堂理事會代主任Gretchen Marks Brandt表示，光明節(Hanukkah)原本是個猶太人在家中慶祝的節日，不像Yom Kippur的贖罪日，或是Simchat Torah的年度重讀律法日，人們並不會為此節日特地到教堂聚會。

新上任的駐波士頓以色列領事(中)致詞。(周菊子攝)

12/10 新冠疫情 新增確診人數麻州又添5130 美國231,398 全世界657,069 累計死亡人數即將超過160萬

 

古根漢博物館12月26日至1月4日 早上11點至下午6點開放

 

Guggenheim Museum Announces Additional Holiday Hours

Museum to Welcome Visitors Daily from December 26 through January 4 from 11 am–6 pm

(NEW YORK, NY—December 10, 2020)—The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum will offer additional holiday hours this season, remaining open daily from 11 am to 6 pm from Saturday, December 26, through Monday, January 4. With reduced capacity at 25% and safety enhancements in place, the Guggenheim presents this extended opportunity for audiences to visit the museum.

The museum will be closed on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, and on Friday, December 25, for Christmas Day. The museum will be open New Year’s Day, Friday, January 1, from 11 am to 6 pm. The museum store will be open during museum hours, with books and gift items also offered online at guggenheimstore.org.

Exhibitions on view include Away from the Easel: Jackson Pollock’s Mural, a focused presentation of the first monumental painting by Jackson Pollock, commissioned for Peggy Guggenheim’s Manhattan home in 1943, and Knotted, Torn, Scattered: Sculpture after Abstract Expressionism, featuring a range of approaches to sculptural practice from the 1960s and ’70s, with works from the Guggenheim collection by Lynda Benglis, Maren Hassinger, Robert Morris, Senga Nengudi, Richard Serra, and Tony Smith. Countryside, The Future, an exhibition by AMO/Rem Koolhaas, examines radical changes, many of which have taken on new relevance amid the pandemic, in the world beyond cities. The Fullness of Color: 1960s Painting explores several artists’ courses through abstraction. Marking Time: Process in Minimal Abstraction, with works by Agnes Martin, Roman Opałka, and Park Seo-Bo, invites viewers to imagine the creative process.

A range of digital programming including virtual talks, architectural and gallery tours, art classes for adults and families, and free teaching materials will continue to be presented through Guggenheim at Large to extend access and offer experiences for audiences in any location.

Visitor Information

Admission: Adults $25, students/seniors (65+) $18, members and children under 12 free. Pay What You Wish hours are Saturdays from 4 to 6 pm. Timed tickets are required and available at guggenheim.org/tickets. Explore the Guggenheim with our free Digital Guide, a part of the Bloomberg Connects app. Find it in the Apple App Store or in the Google Play Store.

The Guggenheim is implementing health and safety measures in consideration of visitors and employees and in compliance with New York State and City guidelines. Face masks will be mandatory inside the museum for anyone over the age of two. New requirements should be reviewed in advance of a visit; they are posted on COVID-19 Safety Measures: What to Expect When Visiting.