吳弭參選波士頓市長增溫 聯邦參議員Warren、2工會及Sunrise都支持

吳弭(Michelle Wu)。(圖片取自吳弭競選網站)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子撰於波士頓) 波士頓市市長參選人吳弭(Michelle Wu)，近來一連串公佈了聯邦參議員伊莉莎白沃倫(Elizabeth Warren)，11名市鎮議員，2個地方工會，太陽升起運動(Sunrise Movement)等個人與團體的支持，不疾不緩的邁向成為波士頓市長之路。

     

                                    去年參選美國總統的楊安澤(Andrew Yang)

1月13日晚正式宣佈參選紐約市市長，陡然間和同樣是父母來自台灣，正在麻州參選波士頓市長的吳弭，有了遙相呼應之勢。

              波士頓市現任市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)接受美國候任總統拜登(Joe Biden)提名，將赴華府出任勞工部部長之後，吳弭的競選前景似乎一片大好。參選者增多，分散各人得票率的情況，甚至可能對她更有利。

亞裔社區內的不同族裔或派系如果能暫時放棄歧見，融合的同心協力輔佐，2030年就要慶祝成立400週年的波士頓，將締造出的歷史紀錄，就不僅僅是選出了一名女性，少數族裔，有色人種的最年輕市長，更是破天荒地選出一名亞裔/華人市長。

聯邦參議員Warren在推特上發文支持吳弭。

              當美國候任總統拜登打破白宮近20年傳統，15名內閣首長中竟然1名亞裔也無之際，在美國發源地的波士頓，選出一名華裔市長，應該是告訴白宮不要忽視亞裔的最佳方式。

              在芝加哥出生，父母來自台灣，現年35歲的吳弭，當年在哈佛大學讀書時，就進了波士頓市政府，在萬寧路(Tom Menino)市長辦公室實習，工作。她的哈佛合約法老師伊莉莎白沃倫(Elizabeth Warren)參選聯邦參議員時，她助選有功，接著自己當選為波士頓市不分區市議員，並連任迄今，每次選舉，得票數之高，不是第一位，就是第二位。

              從2020年9月15日正式宣佈參選波士頓市長以來，吳弭一邊繼續為市民發聲，一邊分頭和支持者網上聚會，爭取支持，深入了解民眾想法。

11名市鎮議員表態支持吳弭競選波士頓市市長。

吳弭建議地鐵免費，反對漲價，在11月莫里塞大道(Morrissey Boulevard)淹水時重申環保運動的重要，8月起就推動波士頓版的”新綠色方案(Green New Deal)，強調波士頓市政府的彈性基金，族裔平等基金發放透明化，聲言系統性的族裔歧視必須糾正，推動食品安全，致力保障市民均可果腹等等。

從宣佈參選波士頓市長以後，吳弭辦過一輪進入不同市區的拜會活動，曾參選麻州州長的Jay Gonzalez率先給出了背書支持，接著11名市鎮議員也表態支持，還和吳弭一起舉行了一場網上討論會，談一名市長應該為市民做些什麼。接著陸續公佈的支持有聯邦參議員伊莉莎白沃倫(Elizabeth Warren)，太陽升起運動(Sunrise Movement)，辦公室和專業員工國際工會(OPEIU)的本地 453分會 ，MBTA的工會聯盟(Alliance of Unions)等。

              1月12日，吳弭還又參加了一場”新綠色方案”的網上會議，和關心氣候、環境未來的年輕人分享看法，意見。

              在吳弭宣佈參選波士頓市長之後一個星期，波士頓市第四區市議員Andrea Campbell也宣佈參選。

              由於喬治弗洛伊德(George Floyd)事件引發的「黑命貴(BLM)」運動，在全美各地掀起的關注黑人權益，支持黑人行動頗有排山倒海之勢，Andrea Campbell的參選，很可能得助於此，迄今她的籌款成績和吳弭相差不多，依序截至1月5日及7日，吳弭還有現金$535,588，Andrea Campbell則有$513,731。

              在波士頓現任市長馬丁華殊將不再競選連任後，坊間傳出一大串可能參選波士頓市長人選，包括都是黑人的波士頓警察局局長葛羅斯(William Gross)，以及將代理市長的波士頓市議會議長Kim Janey。一旦他們也加入競逐，今年的波士頓市長選舉選情，勢必有更多變化。(更新版)

Baker-Polito Administration Re-Files Unemployment Legislation to Provide Employer Relief, Ensure Trust Fund Solvency

Baker-Polito Administration Re-Files Unemployment Legislation to Provide Employer Relief, Ensure Trust Fund Solvency

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today re-filed unemployment insurance legislation initially filed last month. The Governor’s legislation aims to sustain unemployment benefits and provide an estimated $1.3 billion in unemployment insurance relief to the Commonwealth’s employers over two years. In addition to a two-year unemployment insurance tax schedule freeze, the legislation also proposes financing measures designed to ensure the solvency of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and that federal borrowing that has occurred is repaid in a responsible and affordable manner.

The main provisions of this legislation include:

1. Short Term Employer Tax Relief through a two-year tax schedule freeze. Current Massachusetts unemployment legislative statute requires the employer tax schedule to increase from schedule E to schedule G. This would cause an average per employee tax increase from $539 to $866 – a nearly 60% increase over the previous year. Remaining on schedule E for 2021 and 2022 slows annual employer contribution growth from $539 average per employee costs in 2020 to $635 in 2021 and $665 in 2022. 

2. Authorization for the issuance of special obligation bonds for the purposes of repaying federal advances. In order to fund the unprecedented increases in demand on the unemployment system in Massachusetts as a result of COVID-19, the Commonwealth has received federal cash advances. Through the issuance of bonds, the Commonwealth will be able to ensure positive trust fund solvency to enable the continued payment of benefits. The utilization of capital markets also allows Massachusetts to avoid paying punitive federal tax increases on employers regardless of their experience rating if federal advances are not repaid by November of 2022. Bonds issued will be supported by an unemployment obligation assessment and will not be general obligations of the Commonwealth.

Establishes an employer surcharge on contributory employers. In 2020 all federal advances taken to pay benefits are interest free. However, interest on federal advances will begin to be charged beginning in January of 2021. The first interest payment is due in the Fall of 2021 and it cannot be paid from the state unemployment trust fund, per federal law. To fund interest payments on repayable advances, the legislation also establishes a separate fund to house surcharge proceeds. The passage of this provision authorizes the Department of Unemployment Assistance to make this assessment but does not require the surcharge if interest is waived through future federal legislation. 

Leading National Organizations Call for Immediate Resignation of Census Bureau Director Dillingham

 Leading National Organizations Call for Immediate Resignation of Census Bureau Director Dillingham

Washington, D.C.  – The co-chairs of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Census Task Force – Arturo Vargas, CEO of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund;  John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC; and Wade Henderson, Interim President and CEO of The Leadership Conference – issued the following statement calling for the immediate resignation of United States Census Bureau Director Dr. Steven Dillingham:

 

“In light of the letter from the Office of the Inspector General outlining whistleblower complaints that U.S. Census Bureau Director Dr. Steven Dillingham ordered staff to prioritize the unconstitutional and premature production of a technical report that would include data on documented and undocumented immigrants in the United States, a directive motivated by partisan objectives, we are calling for the immediate resignation of Director Dillingham.

 

“We do not lightly come to the conclusion that he should resign. We are fully mindful that Congress gave the Census Director the remainder of a five-year term in 2019 that expires at the end of 2021 in order to promote continuity of service without regard to the term of a president. We continue to support that improvement to the leadership structure of the bureau. However, after considering Director Dillingham's efforts to undermine the agency's core standards of data quality in order to carry out a political agenda, we believe that he can no longer carry out his duties as the leader of our nation's most prestigious statistical agency.

 

“Oversight is critical to ensure that the American people trust the data the Census Bureau produces. We praise the thorough work of the Commerce Department’s Office of the Inspector General. We also stand firmly behind the career civil servants that are working diligently to produce high quality, statistically sound data.”

 

“The priority for the professional staff of the bureau is to produce the apportionment counts from the 2020 Census as mandated by the Constitution.  The delivery of these data has been delayed because of unprecedented challenges in conducting the decennial Census caused by the pandemic, as well as the political interference and sabotaging of the process by the Secretary of Commerce, the White House, and others in the Trump administration. 

 

“The bureau has acknowledged ‘irregularities’ and ‘anomalies’ in the data, the nature and extent of which the bureau has not shared with the public, that the staff is desperately trying to fix.  Dillingham’s order to divert precious staff time away from producing the apportionment count and into producing data on citizens and noncitizens for political, partisan purposes is a betrayal of the mission of the bureau.  Director Dillingham must resign immediately.”

 

NALEO Educational Fund is the nation’s leading non-profit, non-partisan organization that facilitates the full participation of Latinos in the American political process, from citizenship to public service.

 

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC has a mission to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all. Visit our website at advancingjustice-aajc.org.
 

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 220 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

AG HEALEY SUES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER FAILURE TO STRENGTHEN STANDARDS REGULATING DANGEROUS AIR POLLUTANTS

 AG HEALEY SUES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER FAILURE TO STRENGTHEN STANDARDS REGULATING DANGEROUS AIR POLLUTANTS

Long-term Exposure to Particulate Matter Linked to Higher COVID-19 Death Rates; Concentrations of the Pollutant Are Highest in Black, Latinx, and Asian Communities; AG Also Joining Challenge to Harmful Delays in Implementing Ozone Standards

 

BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey today joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general and the City of New York in suing the Trump Administration over its failure to strengthen the federal national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for dangerous particulate matter pollution, as required by the federal Clean Air Act. Fine particulate matter pollution is the largest environmental health risk factor in the country, and increased exposure to the pollutant is linked to higher death rates of COVID-19.

 

“Failure to strengthen pollution standards will only exacerbate public health inequities as people in our Black, Brown, and immigrant communities are dying from COVID-19 at disproportionate rates,” AG Healey said. “We will never stop fighting for better air quality and we will hold President Trump accountable for trying to sabotage the health of our residents on his way out the door.”

 

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), a pollutant emitted from cars, factories, and construction, at the current standards is estimated to kill up to 45,000 people every year nationwide. PM_2.5 pollution is linked to many serious medical conditions including asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, cognitive impairment, and dementia. PM_2.5 pollution reduces visibility, contributes to the climate crisis, and degrades the environment. In Massachusetts, PM_2.5 concentrations are highest in Black and Latinx communities, and these inequalities have worsened over time.

 

Under the Clean Air Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to set NAAQS for several pollutants, including particulate matter, at a level that protects public health and welfare. EPA is required to periodically review the standards and revise them if new information shows that existing standards are inadequate. Evidence overwhelmingly shows that our communities need more protection. Since EPA’s last review in 2012, new studies have made clear that exposure to particulate matter causes grave health risks at levels below the current standards.

 

AG Healey joined a coalition of attorneys general that filed comments on the proposed rule in June arguing that EPA conducted a flawed and unlawfully biased review of the current NAAQS, and the available science demonstrates the need for EPA to strengthen the NAAQS. The comments argued that EPA failed to consider that reducing the current NAAQS is important as a matter of environmental justice, given the disparate particulate matter exposures and associated health risks for Black, Latinx, and Asian communities. Additionally, the attorneys general argued that EPA ignored new evidence regarding particulate matter’s interference with visibility and applied the wrong standard of review for public welfare impacts. The agency, the comments argued, also failed to consider increasing particulate matter exposure from wildfires related to climate change. 

 

In May, AG Healey issued a brief on the environmental factors, including elevated exposure to particulate matter pollution, that compound the COVID-19 pandemic’s disparate impact on communities of color in Massachusetts, and the steps the state should take to address the longstanding impact of environmental injustice on those communities.

 

Joining AG Healey in filing today’s lawsuit over the Administration’s failure to strengthen the NAAQS for particulate matter pollution are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as the City of New York, the California Air Resources Board, and the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

 

AG Healey also joined a coalition of five attorneys general and the City of New York in suing EPA over its failure to take required actions necessary to control certain “upwind” states’ emissions of ozone pollution. The lawsuit filed yesterday argues EPA violated its duty to act on pending state implementation plans, thereby preventing implementation of those standards and putting downwind states like Massachusetts at risk. Ground level ozone—commonly referred to as smog—is a dangerous pollutant that causes or aggravates adverse health effects, including bronchitis, lung tissue damage, heart disease and emphysema.

 

            Special Assistant Attorney General Megan Herzog of AG Healey’s Environmental Protection Division is handling the NAAQS particulate matter lawsuit for Massachusetts. Special Assistant Attorney General David Frankel and Assistant Attorney General Carol Iancu are handling the lawsuit challenging the delay in the Administration’s implementation of the existing standards for ozone pollution.

麻州府在新冠疫情中再撥款7850萬元資助1595家企業

 Baker-Polito Administration Awards Another $78.5 Million in Additional Grants to 1,595 Businesses Most Impacted by the Pandemic

MGCC grants have now reached 4,119 businesses; grant awards total approximately $195 million out of $668 million fund set up to support small businesses

 

BOSTON — Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced $78.5 million in awards to 1,595 additional small businesses in the third round of grants through the COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation.

 

To date, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded close to $195 million in direct financial support to 4,119 small businesses out of a $668 million fund set up to support small businesses across the Commonwealth.

 

Additional grants will be announced in the coming weeks for thousands of additional businesses.

 

“Our administration set up a $668 million grant program to support small businesses statewide that are struggling from COVID-19 impacts,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Today, we are awarding our third round of grants, for a total of $195 million in direct financial support for over 4,000 small businesses, with more yet to come. Supporting small businesses is vital to our economic recovery, and we’ll continue to expedite this grant process to send out funds to provide some much needed financial relief.”

 

“Understanding how significant the need for financial assistance is, we’ve taken important steps to ensure these resources are directed toward the businesses that have historically been at a disadvantage even before the pandemic, or are located in communities, especially Gateway Cities, that have suffered disproportionately because of this virus,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “I’m grateful for the partnership with MGCC to provide this important assistance, and I look forward to the coming weeks when we can award even more support for the economic sectors that are most in need.”

 

“Through each of the three grant rounds, small businesses are receiving essential support at a critical time in our fight against COVID-19,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “I want to acknowledge the team at Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation for their efforts to stand up this impactful program. It is important that we as a Commonwealth continue our dual paths of combating the virus and supporting economic recovery.”

 

“At our core, MGCC has the responsibility to create economic opportunities and provide support for small businesses, and the pandemic has given our mission an enhanced importance,” said MGCC President and CEO Larry Andrews. “As we transition from targeting small businesses to specific economic sectors affected by COVID-19, I want to express my gratitude to all of the partner organizations who helped raise awareness among the businesses with the greatest need and those serving communities that have traditionally been at a disadvantage.”

 

Representing key industries that have been especially impacted during the pandemic, restaurants and bars, personal care, retail, and health care businesses received the highest number of individual grants this round. These industries have been particularly hard hit during the pandemic. Other grant recipients include women owned businesses, businesses in Gateway Cities, businesses in underserved markets and businesses that have previously received no other forms of financial assistance.

 

New Grant Program Application Deadline: Friday Night, Jan. 15

 

In addition to administering the small business grant program, MGCC also oversees the Sector-Specific Small Business Relief Grant Program, which was launched as a component of the $668 million relief package announced in late-December 2020.

 

Prospective applicants to the Sector-Specific Small Business Relief Grant Program are reminded that the deadline to submit an application is 11:59 PM on Friday, January 15. Awards are expected to be announced in February.

 

The Sector-Specific Small Business Relief Grant Program, which targets industries experiencing the most significant economic hardship and a loss of revenue, will offer grants up to $75,000, but not more than three months’ operating expenses, to be used for payroll and employee benefit costs, mortgage interest, rent, utilities and interest on other debt obligations.

 

The Sector-Specific Program will give preference to the following:

 

• Restaurants, bars, caterers and food trucks;

 

• Indoor recreation and entertainment establishments;

 

• Gyms and fitness centers;

 

• Event-support companies (photographers, videographers, etc.);

 

• Personal services (nail salons, barbershops, independent pharmacies, etc.);

 

• Independent retailers.

 

Program details, application instructions, eligibility and documentation requirements, and more are available at www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org.

麻州長匯報新冠疫苗施打、分配概況 州務卿等人提加速意見

 

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)說明疫苗分發愾況。

              (Boston Orange 編譯)麻州州務卿威廉蓋文(William Galvin)等人認為麻州在為州民施打新冠(COVID-19)疫苗上，動作不夠快。麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)今(13)日在匯報疫情強調，各州做法不同，麻州目前進展順利。

              數據顯示麻州在給州民施打疫苗上，落後於其他州，提出加速分發疫苗的方法，包括

                  威廉蓋文本週發了一封信給查理貝克，建議使用地方投票站來分發新疫苗。為測試這一想法，威廉蓋文建議借由三月份將辦地方選舉的市鎮來做試驗，包括牛頓市，勒星頓市，衛斯理鎮，以及Duxbury等。不過投票站甚至可在沒有選舉時用作施打疫苗站。

              威廉蓋文指出，州政府的目標是要為16歲以上的580萬人施打疫苗，採用前述辦法，會加快疫苗施打及完成的速度。不採用這樣的人口地理元素，將會混亂得多。

             麻州最大的牙醫保險商”Delta牙醫”也發了一封信給麻州州長，說該集團內的5000名牙醫可以協助為居民做更大規模的施打疫苗。

             聯邦疾病防治中心(CDC)週三公佈的數據顯示，在各州施打疫苗人均率上，麻州排名第25，每10萬人有3155人接種了疫苗，落後於紐約，也落後於所有紐英崙其他各州。根據麻州政府數據，截至11日，麻州只施打了223,054劑疫苗。

             麻州新冠疫情指揮中心並未回應威廉蓋文或Delta牙醫的提議，但發出了一份強調自己加速施打疫苗計畫的聲明，並顯示他們願意考慮外界建議。

             該聲明稱，麻州持續在件疫苗診所。迄今已有187家地方醫療單位和指揮中心及麻州公共衛生聽合作，設立了119個地點，為第一線工作人員施打疫苗，第一個大規模施打疫苗站將是吉列體育館(Gillette Stadium)。

             麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)今天說，麻州已收到487,125劑疫苗，其中345,745劑已分發給醫療單位，129,675寄發給了合作藥店，第一線醫療護理人員，長照機構居民，急救人員，消防員及警察等人在過去4週內已陸續接種疫苗。接下來要為在集體護理場所，例如集體屋(group home)，監獄，以及流民庇護所等。

             在這些場所，只要符合州政府指導原則，人們甚至可以自行施打疫苗。要不然，可以安排經由醫院等門診夥伴來打疫苗，或者是安排居民到吉列體育館注射疫苗。住在公家老人屋的居民，將可在第二階段接種疫苗。其他預定二月份開始可以優先接種疫苗的人包括75歲以上人士，患有2種以上病症，感染新冠病毒機率高者。

聯邦調查局懸賞3萬元 徵30年前華埠5人命案兇手Hung Tien Pham下落

聯邦調查局還製作了中文追緝海報。

           (Boston Orange)聯邦調查局(FBI)和波士頓警察局今(12)日發出通告，懸賞3萬美元，徵求資訊，要找1991年1月12日波士頓華埠血案兇手，Hung Tien Pham下落。

聯邦調查局同時公佈了當年的犯罪現場照片，以及經過年齡處理的Hung Tien Pham樣貌圖案。FBI希望這能夠幫助人們重新想起有關的案情細節，任何資訊都可能有助於破案。

FBI說，1991年的1月12日那天，Hung Tien Pham和兩名同夥走進泰勒街上的一家俱樂部，近距離槍擊6個人。這些受害人當時正在打牌。

6個人中僅有1人生還，並指證了在這場後來被稱為波士頓華埠大屠殺案件中的攻擊者。

FBI波士頓分局說，這案件縈繞著華埠社區及波士頓市已整整30年。

其中2名槍手，Nam The Tham 和 Siny Van Tran於殺人事件發生後7年，在中國被捕，其後在薩福克郡判了謀殺罪。

在波士頓和亞裔組織犯罪網有關的Hung Tien Pham，卻仍然在逃，最後一次是1990年代中至末期在泰國被人看見。

波士頓警察局局長葛羅斯(William G. Gross)今日在此案30週年的記者會上說，30年前Hung Tien Pham消失了。不過儘管時間消逝，我們沒有放棄找他。

聯邦調查局和波士頓警察局現在懸賞3萬元，徵求Hung Tien Pham下落的新資訊。聯邦調查局波士頓分局特偵組組長Joseph R. Bonavolonta表示，這名冷血殺手已在逃30年，他們希望藉著懸賞，鼓勵知道Hung Tien Pham在那兒的人，透露消息。警方的態度將是不抓到人就不罷休。

聯邦調查局最初涉入此案是因為嫌犯逃離麻州，到新澤西州，然後又去國外了。2005年Tham 和 Tran被帶回麻州面對審判，分別被判了好幾個終身監禁。

FBI表示，Hung Tien Pham現在已經60歲了，當年他30多歲，黑頭髮，棕眼睛，體重大約115到135磅，身高5尺3吋左右。

他在北越廣寧省(Quang Ningh)夢菜市(Mong Cai)出生，能說流利越南話，中文及英文。在殺人事件發生時，他是美國永久居民，住在麻州多徹斯特Clayton街，做過很多不同工作，包括廚師，伺應生，單車修理員，地板磨砂員等。

在1990年初，據悉他和平安幫犯罪集團有關，還和費城、芝加哥、舊金山、多倫多等大城市有關。他在加州舊金山灣區，以及南韓，北越都有家人。

聯邦調查局暴力犯罪工作小組的特別偵探Tom Zukauskas說，Hung Tien Pham以喜歡豪車，花錢，啜飲干邑白蘭地聞名。他還有很多別名。總的來說，他是執行這凶殺案的關鍵人物。

1991年的殺人事件後，Hung Tien Pham據說逃到亞特蘭大市，新澤西州去賭博，然後又去紐約市，搭飛機到香港。

探員指出，案件調查員還未確定殺人動機。波士頓警察局調查此案的警探Daniel Duff表示，還不確定這是一宗搶劫案，還是敵對團體互相不爽，不過他們走進那兒開槍，殺死了6個人中的5個人，是有計畫的。

這槍殺事件發生時，Daniel Duff才剛當警察1年。他說有許多居民還記得30年前的那個殺人事件晚上。那個彼此緊密的社區得面對他們自己的恐懼，以及人們可能因為發生的這事停止進入他們社區的事實。

馬丁華殊告別市情咨文 會把波士頓帶著跟他去華府

 

  (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導)波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)今(12)晚7點半，在洛士百利Nubian廣場，市府從2017年起斥資1720萬元翻修重建的圖書館中，花大約20分鐘，說3000多字，發表了他離任赴華府當勞工部部長前的最後一次市情咨文。

由於新冠病毒(Covid-19)疫情，他一個人對著鏡頭發言，現場沒有嘉賓，也沒有觀眾，雖然報告的成就也很多，卻因為一切遙距進行，於是也沒有了掌聲。觀眾們看到的是他略顯嚴肅的神情，聽到的是他略帶傷感的聲音。強調著他將把波士頓帶在心中，跟著他一起去白宮。

馬丁華殊在他發表這最後一場市情咨文的一開始就指出，去年他在波士頓交響樂廳發表市情咨文時，有2000人出席。今年卻那麼不同，不過大家雖然不能同處一室，卻都相信波士頓而團結一致，也會攜手向前。

馬丁華殊直言，2020年是艱苦的一年，2021年將是療傷的一年。大家必須 保護彼此的安全，渡過這新冠病毒大流行的最後階段，鋪陳能夠推動所有鄰里向前的復原。

他說大家都知道，美國候任總統拜登(Joe Biden)已提名他擔任勞工部部長，一旦參議院通過，他將會卸任市長，由波士頓市議會議長Kim Janey出任代理市長。

在綜述過去7年來的政績之前，馬丁華殊先放了一段影片，簡述新冠病毒期間，波市府做過的許多事，正式發言時，也先悼念在新冠病毒疫情中辭世的1060名波士頓人，感謝參與抗疫，防疫的所有人，幫助了4000多名新冠病毒患者，再指波士頓市府4月時還締造了5天建成一所田野醫院的神話般紀錄，強調人們必須互相把彼此最好的一面帶出來，因為要從疫情中恢復將不是件容易的事，病毒恐怕會和人們共處一段時間，但他相信每個人最終都將得到正義與機會。

              馬丁華殊也提及，過去一年，波士頓市從街頭收回800支槍。

他說，做為市長，在2020年中，他做了許多他從來沒想到自己會做的決定，包括關閉學校，停止施工，把波士頓會議展覽中心變成了田野醫院，還讓波士頓馬拉松有史以來第一次的取消舉行。這些都是非常不容易做的決定，但是為了拯救人們的生命，大家必須做這些決定，一天一天的攜手向前。

他說波士頓最重要事始於保護人們的安全，意味著依據科學做決定，戴口罩，採取所有的措施來延緩病毒的擴散，提供免費的病毒檢測，幫助市民取得疫苗，並借助民眾自己的語言來分享資訊，以增強地方民眾的因應能力。

為了彌平在醫療上的族裔差距，馬丁華殊設立了新冠病毒健康不平等工作小組，為波士頓市的家庭，兒童，老兵及耆英提供了600萬份餐食，發出4萬台膝上型電腦給學生，為家境困難或者無家可歸的1000戶有小孩家庭，提供租金援助。他還成立了波士頓彈性基金，籌得3410萬元，發出3030萬元給366個非牟利機構，以及25萬戶波士頓家庭，其中56%收受者市有色人種，58%負責人是女性。

談及波士頓公校時，馬丁華殊強調他的承諾，會繼續發膝上型電腦給學生，擴大民眾在市內上網的能力，同時他也誓言波士頓公校會確保每所學校都有社工及支持家長的人，擴大公校為學童及其家庭提供的食物，衣服及住屋方面支援。

            他說，在2020年中，儘管有新冠病毒疫情，波士頓市卻批准了85億元的新投資，創造出35,000個新工作機會。今年麻州議會還批准了波士頓市有史以來的第一個消防學員計畫。

            在新冠病毒期間，波士頓市府撥出2600萬元補助款，幫助4000多家小企業。紐約時報還點名波士頓市是個為從新冠病毒疫情中恢復過來做了最好準備的城市。

            在馬丁華殊任內，住宅一直是他的關注重點之一，任內迄今已建成35,984個住宅單位，其中20為可負擔房屋。明天1月13日，在土地規劃局通過後，波士頓將成為全美第一個推出公平住宅規定(fair housing requirements) 的大城市。

            波士頓擴大了中止青年及家庭流離失所的努力，設立了有史以來的第一個由市府資助的租金補助券，讓更多家庭可以住在他們喜愛的鄰里中，還安置了2300名流浪漢。

            波士頓也維持了為苦於使用藥物不協調者所提供的支援服務，贏得法院勝利可繼續重建通往波士頓海港上之長島的橋樑，朝向使那個地方成為恢復園區又更接近了一步。

            波士頓還在處理氣候變化上領先全美，已發行有史以來的第一個綠債券，以支持波士頓市內的能源效率及對環境友善的項目。下個月，波士頓將實施社區選擇電力方案，從對氣候友善的來源提供可負擔能源。波士頓也會繼續大規模投資，在為居民建造開放空間之際，保護波士頓免於淹水。

            馬丁華殊也談到了化解系統性的種族歧視。去年他宣佈了種族歧視是公共衛生危機，並致力於中止差距的醫療平等計畫。波士頓還指派了有史以來的第一位公平長，馬丁華殊也簽署了歷史性的警察改革計畫，帶來全新的監管與問責模式。

            在社區投資方面，波士頓市在全市各個鄰里共投資了1億3000萬元，翻修更新了許多公園，以及社區空間，還在東波士頓新建了一座耆英中心，翻修南波士頓的社區中心，重振了查理士城的公屋，在芬衛區蓋世界級的波士頓藝術高中。市民還將會看到新的急救學校，在洛士百利的新急救車停洎站，30年來首見的全新消防局，在洛士百利的42分局(Engine 42)。

            新的巴士站和自行車道，將使遊逛波士頓更加安全。波士頓市府大樓的翻修工程也在進行中，估計2022年可以完工。

            馬丁華殊相信，波士頓的市政營運，包括處理新冠病毒都將會繼續平順。他要大家知道，過去7年來，大家已一起把波士頓打造得比以往都好了。

MAYOR WALSH DELIVERS HIS FINAL STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS AT NEWLY REBUILT ROXBURY BRANCH OF THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY "In 2021, Boston will rise up again. We will leave no one behind. And our city will be stronger than ever."   BOSTON - Tuesday, January 12, 2021 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh tonight delivered his final State of the City address as the 54th Mayor of Boston at the new Roxbury branch of the Boston Public Library in Nubian Square, a $17.2 million total reconstruction that began in November 2017. Mayor Walsh, who was nominated by President-elect Joe Biden on January 8 to serve as the United States Secretary of Labor, reflected on the work of his Administration over the last seven years, the City's collective accomplishments, and the vital work that will continue to expand equity and opportunity in the City of Boston.   In his speech, Mayor Walsh recognized the health care workers, essential workers, first responders, community partners, residents, small businesses, elected officials, and everyone who contributed to Boston's COVID-19 response, and the ongoing work to respond to the virus, and provide support for Boston's most-impacted communities. Mayor Walsh's speech opened with a short-form documentary highlighting the resilience and strength of Boston's communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We must keep drawing on our strength -- and on each other. Recovery won't be easy. The virus will be with us for much of the year. The economic impacts will continue as well. There will be more hard decisions to make. Whatever happens, I know one thing: Boston will stay true to our values. We believe in keeping each other safe. We believe in caring for those who are vulnerable. We believe justice and opportunity are for everyone." - Mayor Walsh 2021 State of the City Documentary   Mayor Walsh began his State of the City speech by paying tribute to the 1,060 Bostonians lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, and encouraged anyone feeling overwhelmed to reach out to the City through 311, which is able to connect residents to relief resources, mental health counseling, and recovery services. He also discussed the ways that Boston's public servants have risen to the occasion this year. Since the pandemic began, Boston EMTs have helped 4,000 COVID patients. Firefighters have brought recovery coaches to calls, helping those struggling with substance use. Police officers have taken 800 guns off the streets. Boston built a field hospital in five days in April.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has focused on the most vulnerable communities. Mayor Walsh created a COVID-19 Health Inequities Task Force to close racial and ethnic health disparities, and the City provided over six million meals to children, families, veterans, and seniors. Boston Public Schools distributed 40,000 laptops to students, and Boston provided permanent rental vouchers to over 1,000 families with children at risk of homelessness. At the start of the pandemic, Mayor Walsh created the Boston Resiliency Fund. The Fund has raised $34.1 million for COVID-19 relief efforts. Of that, $30.3 million has already supported 366 nonprofits and more than 250,000 Boston families. 56 percent of Resiliency Fund grantees identify as being led by a person of color, and 58 percent of grantees identify as woman-led. Through the work of the Boston Public Health Commission and Boston's community health centers, the City of Boston continues making COVID-19 testing available for Bostonians, including at free, mobile testing sites. "We may be hurting, but the state of our city is resilient; the state of our city is united; the state of our city is hopeful; and the state of our city is deep-down Boston strong." - Mayor Walsh Mayor Walsh also spoke about his commitment to the Boston Public Schools (BPS). Yesterday, BPS announced a plan to safely reopen all remaining schools for hybrid and in-person learning. Boston will continue to provide a laptop for every student and work to expand internet access citywide. Mayor Walsh has also pledged BPS will ensure there is a social worker and family advocate in every school, and expand on the food, clothing and housing supports BPS is committed to providing. "I want to thank our Superintendent and teachers for working together. And I want to thank all our school leaders and staff; as well as students, families, and administrators, for doing an incredible job this year. This is a community committed to learning. And we are ready to do more than ever to close the opportunity gaps that COVID further exposed." - Mayor Walsh During his speech, Mayor Walsh highlighted the importance of economic recovery in Boston as the City looks forward to helping businesses rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic. For seven years, the Walsh Administration fostered one of the most dynamic and resilient economies in the world. In 2020, despite the pandemic, the City of Boston approved $8.5 billion of new investments, creating a potential for 35,000 new jobs. This year, the State Legislature approved Boston's plan for the first-ever Fire Cadet program, a new pathway into firefighting careers for Boston's diverse residents.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Boston has provided a total of $26 million in grants, fee waivers and other resources to 4,000 small businesses. The City will continue working with business owners to build back restaurants and bars, stores and salons, gyms and art studios that make Boston's neighborhoods special, along with the hotels, museums, and theaters that highlight Boston's diverse communities and cultures and bring visitors to the city. A national study reported in the New York Times named Boston the city best prepared to come back strong from COVID-19. "I want to say a word to small business owners. You are the soul of our economy, and you sacrificed so much for the safety of our city. I will never forget it." - Mayor Walsh  Under Mayor Walsh's leadership, the City of Boston has focused on creating affordable housing for all residents. In the last seven years, the Walsh Administration has overseen the construction of 35,984 housing units, of which 20 percent is deemed affordable, including homes for seniors, veterans and families. Tomorrow, following a vote by the Zoning Commission, Boston is expected to become the first major city in the United States with fair housing requirements built into the City's zoning code, a powerful tool to protect residents from displacement. During the most recent legislative session, the Mayor successfully advocated at the Massachusetts State House for legislation that will build more housing, create additional opportunities for affordable housing, and stabilize vulnerable households.  The Walsh Administration has also expanded its work to end youth and family homelessness. Boston created the first-ever City-funded rental vouchers, so more families can live in the neighborhoods they love. Boston has housed over 2,300 formerly homeless individuals, and will continue to build permanent, supportive housing in the City.  During the pandemic, the City has also maintained supportive services for residents suffering from substance use disorder. Boston has maintained in-person recovery services and telehealth counseling since March. The city has also continued to advocate for a rebuilt bridge to and a regional recovery campus on Long Island in Boston Harbor. After court victories, Boston is closer than ever to making this recovery campus a reality.  Boston has also led the nation in addressing climate change, and has already issued its first-ever Green Bonds to support  energy-efficient and environmentally friendly projects in  Boston. Next month, the City will begin implementing Community Choice Electricity, which will provide affordable energy from climate-friendly sources. The City will also continue the major investments it has already made in resilient parks, protecting Boston from flooding while building open spaces for residents to enjoy. "The climate crisis requires the same decisive action: based in facts, working as a community, protecting our city. That's why I made sure that Boston never strayed from the Paris agreement -- even when the White House did. As chair of the U.S. Climate Mayors, I've led a national coalition of cities ready to work with the Biden-Harris Administration and bring America back to the fight." - Mayor Walsh Mayor Walsh also dedicated his speech to Boston and the nation's urgent work to recognize and dismantle systemic racism. In 2020, Mayor Walsh declared racism a public health crisis, and began work on a Health Equity plan to end disparities. Boston shifted millions of dollars from the Boston Police Department overtime budget into programs for youth, trauma recovery services, and mental health, and reorganized City government, appointing Boston's first-ever Chief of Equity. Mayor Walsh signed historic police reforms, led by the Boston Police Reform Task Force. The result is a new model for oversight and accountability.  "The pandemic made it clear: a community crisis demands a community-wide response. So I'm asking all of us to accept this responsibility as our own -- and commit to fighting racism. It's our deepest moral obligation. And it's our greatest opportunity for growth." - Mayor Walsh During his final State of the City speech, Mayor Walsh spoke about the historic investments his administration has made in Boston's communities, including a $130 million citywide investment in libraries across neighborhoods. Under Mayor Walsh's leadership, the City has also invested more in Boston's parks than at any time since the Emerald Necklace was created in the 1800s. Major updates will move forward at the City's cherished parks, including the Boston Common and Franklin Park. The Walsh Administration has also invested in community spaces that will serve residents for decades to come, including a new senior center in East Boston; a fully renovated community center in South Boston; revitalized public housing in Charlestown; and a world-class Boston Arts Academy high school in the Fenway. Residents will also see a renovated EMS Academy, a new ambulance bay in West Roxbury for quicker response times, and Boston's first brand-new firehouse in 30 years, Engine 42 in Roxbury. As Bostonians and visitors travel throughout the city, they will experience miles of resurfaced roads and rebuilt sidewalks, with new bus and bike lanes to make traveling around Boston safer. Work is also underway on a renovated City Hall Plaza, designed to best serve residents, a project that is scheduled to be completed in 2022. "I am confident that the operations of City government -- including our COVID response -- will continue smoothly. And I want you to know: the work we have done together for the past seven years has prepared Boston to build back stronger than ever." - Mayor Walsh Mayor Walsh's State of the City remarks as prepared for delivery are available here.