人生一定要有的八個朋友:
推手(Builder)、
支柱(Champion)、
同好(Collaborator)、
夥伴(Companion)、
中介(Connector)、
開心果(Energizer)、
開路者(Mind Opener)、
導師(Navigator)。
chutze@bostonorange.com
*******************
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Baker-Polito
Administration Files Legislation to Improve Public Safety and Data Reporting
Requirements for Transportation Network Companies
Legislation
Builds on Most Stringent Background Check System for Rideshare Companies in the
Country
BOSTON — The
Baker-Polito Administration today filed legislation to build on the
Commonwealth’s comprehensive oversight of Transportation Network Companies
(TNC) by improving public safety requirements and obtaining additional ride
data to assist with transportation planning, congestion management, and vehicle
emissions tracking. Additionally, An
Act Relative to Transportation Network Companies wouldprovide needed flexibility for the ban on
surge pricing during a State of Emergency, and expand the types of companies
subject to state TNC laws and regulations.
“The safety of Massachusetts residents and
visitors is our top priority and this legislation will institute additional
public safety measures for passengers and law enforcement, provide important
information to transportation planners and reduce administrative burdens for
cities and towns,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The
Commonwealth was a national leader in providing background checks and a
regulatory framework for the rideshare industry, and as the industry evolves
into an important element of our transportation system, we are pleased to file
this bill ensuring that the Commonwealth’s transportation network can continue
to grow in a safe and responsible manner.”
“This legislation continues our
Administration’s efforts to promote economic growth and modernize our
transportation system, and we look forward to working with our partners in the
Legislature to move this bill forward and ensure safe, reliable transportation
options for all Commonwealth residents,” said
Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Critically, this legislation will make sure communities
are provided the information they need to make local infrastructure and
environmental planning decisions.”
“Transportation emissions account for over 40
percent of climate-changing emissions in Massachusetts, so the Baker-Polito
Administration is working hard to reduce these emissions and protect Commonwealth
residents,” said Secretary of Energy and
Environmental Affairs Kathleen Theoharides. “As the rideshare industry continues to grow in the
Commonwealth, this legislation would ensure we have the data we need to combat
climate change and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.”
“From a public safety
perspective, this bill will greatly enhance our efforts to protect TNC
users,” said Secretary of
Public Safety and Security Thomas Turco. “By strengthening the laws
against ‘account renting,’ creating a criminal penalty for misusing riders’
personal information, and adding additional regulatory safeguards, it will help
ensure that riders know whose car they’re entering and that they can do so
safely.”
The Administration previously filed An Act Relative to Public Safety and Transparency by
Transportation Network Companies in 2019, but today’s legislation includes a newly filed provision that gives the
Department of Public Utilities (DPU) exclusive authority to regulate large
livery companies operating throughout the state on a digital network. This provision will ensure that livery
companies operating on a digital network with over 100 drivers will be
subject to the statewide TNC laws and regulations. Smaller livery
companies will remain regulated at the municipal level, regardless of whether
they operate on a digital network.
The proposal would build on Massachusetts’s
TNC safety and enforcement laws, some of the most stringent and comprehensive in
the country, by:
·Increasing fines and penalties, up to two and
half years in a House of Correction, for the practice of “account renting,” or
allowing another individual to utilize a TNC driver’s account or identity, to
provide TNC services.
·Making it a criminal offense for a driver to
exploit the personal information of a rider to stalk, harass or defraud a
rider.
·Implementing tougher penalties for drivers
who:
oFail to maintain a driver certificate or a
background check clearance certificate
oFail to display TNC vehicle decals
oFail to maintain adequate insurance, or carry
proof of a TNC vehicle inspection
This legislation also allows for new
transportation data to be collected from TNCs and eases the administrative
burden on small towns. Specifically, the bill will:
·Authorize the DPU to obtain more detailed trip
data from TNCs on a monthly basis that can then be shared in an anonymous and
confidential manner with state agencies, municipalities and local organizations
for planning purposes.
oThe more detailed data called for in this
legislation includes total miles and minutes when drivers are en route to pick
up riders and when they are providing rides; whether riders were successfully
matched for shared rides; and additional data on accidents and reasonable
accommodations.
·Allow better emissions data to be collected by
requiring TNCs to report the total miles and minutes that each vehicle is on
the road, together with vehicle make, model and year information.
·Reduce the reporting requirements for
communities that receive $25,000 or less annually from TNCs and allow those
communities to make spending decisions on those relatively small funds without
going through their local appropriation process.
The additional data will help transportation
planners analyze how rides impact transportation infrastructure and the
environment, and allow them to make more informed decisions about the location
of dedicated bus lanes, specific investments in infrastructure, and overall
impacts from vehicle emissions.
The legislation also gives the DPU the authority
to determine whether it is appropriate to permit transportation network
companies to utilize surge pricing during a State of Emergency. Enabling surge
pricing under certain circumstances and with appropriate limitations could
increase the supply of drivers, which reduces wait times and ensures reliable
transportation options.
Since January 2017, the
Department of Public Utilities’ Transportation Network Company Division has
implemented the most comprehensive state background checks for TNC drivers in
the country, and has approved over 240,000 individuals to operate as TNC drivers,
though not all are currently active drivers. Drivers engaged in providing
transportation services on behalf of Transportation Network Companies undergo a
full state driving record and Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)
background check. Additionally, drivers are subjected to a bi-annual national
commercial background check conducted by the TNC companies. TNC rides that
started in the Commonwealth increased from 64.8 million in 2017 to 91.1 million
in 2019.
Join
the Asian American Commission and the Commonwealth Seminar for a 1-day session
on April 24 from 12-3:30! It will be an intensive training session
focused on teaching Asian American leaders how the legislative process really
works. By giving an insiders' view of the process, our goal is to encourage
diverse leaders to become effective advocates and to pursue careers in public
service.
Committee of 100
Announces Support for Legislations to Monitor and Curb Hate Crimes, Help
Victims
New York, NY (April
14, 2021) – As the U.S. Senate begins consideration of the
COVID Hate Crimes Act this week, Committee of 100 is announcing its support of
the legislation and the related NO HATE Act. Committee of 100’s endorsement
recognizes the horrific recent increase in violent attacks against the Chinese
American and AAPI community, but also the opportunity for a broad coalition to
move forward on long-overdue policy solutions to curb the discrimination
millions of Americans face every day.
In collaboration with leading organizations in the AAPI, African American,
Latino, and Jewish American communities, Committee of 100 offers support for
these two pieces of legislation. For more than 30 years, Committee of 100 has
promoted the full inclusion of Chinese Americans in all aspects of American
life. The COVID Hate Crimes Act and the NO HATE Act will give law enforcement
agencies better tools to monitor, prevent, and respond to hate crimes and
improve resources available for victims.
The following statement was issued by Zheng Yu Huang, President of Committee of
100:
"Committee of 100 has called on lawmakers and law enforcement to combat
the rise in violence, hate, and racism against Chinese Americans and the Asian
American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community. Now is the time for action.
Committee of 100 is proud to support the COVID Hate Crimes Act and
the NO HATE Act, both of which give law enforcement agencies better
tools to monitor, prevent, and respond to hate crimes. We urge lawmakers to
quickly enact these legislations to combat the hate, violence, and negative
stereotypes facing the AAPI community.”
MAYOR JANEY, BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
ANNOUNCE PERMANENT ELIMINATION OF LATE FINES
Pending approval from the BPL’s Board of
Trustees, the library will recommit to equitable collections access – free
to all
BOSTON – April 14,
2021 – Mayor Kim Janey
today announced that, once approved by its Board of Trustees, the Boston
Public Library (BPL) will permanently eliminate late fines for patrons of
all ages. This removal of late fines is supported by $125,000 of ‘revenue
relief’ in Mayor Janey’s 2021 budget and will go into effect on July 1,
2021. The policy change will remove barriers and increase access to BPL resources
for patrons across the City of Boston.
“With the BPL
Board of Trustees’ approval, we look forward to eliminating library late
fines and the equity imbalance they can create,” said Mayor Janey. “The
Boston Public Library provides important resources, programs, and services
to our communities. By removing this barrier to access, we are ensuring
that these resources are actually accessible to everyone.”
In the wake of
COVID-19, with mayoral approval, the BPL implemented a moratorium
on assessing late
fines in March 2020. To cover the span of time until fines can permanently
be eliminated, the BPL announced today that this moratorium will be
extended through June 30, as the Mayor and the library’s permanent
elimination of fines goes into effect on July 1. BPL had already
eliminated late fines for patrons under 18, a policy implemented in October
2019.
Under this policy
change, BPL will also remove all pending overdue fines from patrons’
accounts. Moving forward, patrons will not face monetary penalties for
returning books late, although they will still be required to return any
overdue books in order to check out additional materials. While card
holders will no longer incur fines for late returns, they will still be
responsible for replacement costs if a book is lost or not returned.
“The BPL is proud
to join the growing number of public libraries who are abolishing late
fines and ensuring maximum accessibility, especially at this time of
greatest need among those who rely on our resources most,” said BPL
president David Leonard. “With this announcement, patrons can continue to
access our collections, as well as our physical and digital resources,
without the financial barrier of late fines. We have always believed that
as a public library, our services should be ‘Free to All,’ and as the current
global health crisis continues and we move into recovery, policy changes
such as this are more important than ever. Thank you to Mayor Janey for
authorizing the removal of late fines. Patrons who have the means to
further support our work will also be invited to make a donation in lieu of
fines.”
In FY19 the
Library collected a total of $176,512 in overdue fines from BPL
cardholders, representing a fraction of the total overdue fine balance on
record. Currently, about 42,000 BPL cardholders are facing fines, and
therefore barriers to continued use of the Library. A scan of our system
indicates that a large portion of those Boston residents live in
neighborhoods which map to the most economically challenged parts of the
city. With approval from the Trustees, these fines will be removed from
their accounts on July 1, 2021.
The Library has
more than 391,300 card holders, and even more Massachusetts residents
benefit from the BPL’s offerings. During the pandemic, the library has
provided free programming, resources, and services, with a focus on civic
discourse, COVID recovery, economic recovery, racial equity, workforce
development, and youth engagement through the Repairing
America
initiative. The BPL also
rolled out the
BPL To Go program in June, 2020, allowing patrons across the city to place
holds, check out, and return books, CDs, and DVDs, despite the pandemic.
Additionally, the library has been dedicated to advancing digital equity
for its patrons, and the Boston community. This is being achieved
through its Connectivity
Kits, which allow
patrons to check out a Chromebook and a hotspot; its Public
Computer Access program, which provides safe computer access at the Central Library
in Copley Square; and its Outdoor
Wi-Fi program,
which extends Wi-Fi to the areas surrounding 14 BPL branches.
Lyft and National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) Partner to Help
Provide Access to Free or Discounted Rides to Vaccine Appointments
[Seattle/Los Angeles/Chicago/Washington DC] (April 14, 2021) – The
National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) today announced that in
partnership with Lyft, they will provide access to free or discounted rides for
Asian American Pacific Islander older adults throughout the country to get to
and from vaccination sites. This is made possible in part through support from
fellow Lyft partner, Chase. The collaboration is part of Lyft’s Universal
Vaccine Access campaign, which is mobilizing a
coalition of partners to provide access to rides to and from vaccination sites
across the country.
“Our partnership with Lyft allows for a collaborative solution to
support our most vulnerable community members,” said Joon Bang, President &
CEO, NAPCA. “COVID-19 has amplified transportation insecurity and with the
continued increase in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans, our initiative
seeks to prioritize safety and transportation access for Asian American and
Pacific Islander older adults. We’re thankful for all of the teams at Lyft and
Chase for standing with our community and working with us to help put our
elders first.”
“Access to reliable transportation represents a major barrier to
care for millions of Americans across the country, especially for vulnerable
communities” said Heather Foster, Head of National Policy Engagement, Lyft. “The
strength of all of our partners, including the National Asian Pacific Center on
Aging (NAPCA), combined with our ability to address transportation barriers
enables us to support equitable vaccine access to those who need it
most.”
Individuals in need of transportation access
from the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) can email admin@napca.org or call 1-800-336-2722 (English),
1-800-582-4218 (廣東話/Cantonese), 1-800-683-7427
(普通话/Mandarin), 1-800-582-4259 (한국어/Korean), and 1-800-582-4336 (Tiếng
Việt/Vietnamese) or visit www.napca.org for more support. To learn more about how Lyft
is helping people book vaccine rides for themselves or a loved one, or to fund
a ride for someone in need, please visit the Lyft
website
MAYOR JANEY INVITES RESIDENTS TO HONOR ONE
BOSTON DAY
The day is an opportunity to honor those
who were lost in the tragic events surrounding the 2013 Boston Marathon,
and reflect on the resilience Bostonians showed in the aftermath.
BOSTON -
Wednesday, April 14, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today announced that on
Thursday, April 15, the City of Boston will again honor Boston's
resilience, generosity, and strength with a day of reflection and service
known as "One Boston Day." The day serves as an opportunity to
honor those who were lost in the tragic events surrounding the 2013
Boston Marathon, and reflect on the resilience Bostonians showed in the
aftermath.
Because of the
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, One Boston Day 2021 will not include the
large-scale events and volunteer projects that have happened in past
years. The City of Boston is encouraging residents to celebrate One
Boston Day as an opportunity to share a moment of kindness with family,
friends, neighbors, and fellow Bostonians. While adhering to public
health guidance, Mayor Janey is encouraging Bostonians to take time to
spread kindness. She is asking residents to safely participate in One
Boston Day by downloading our checklist with acts of kindness they can safely do
from home. Mayor Janey is also encouraging people to share their
reflections on the meaning of One Boston Day on social media with the
hashtag #OneBostonDay.
“As we do our best
to keep neighbors safe, we will commemorate One Boston Day differently
than in past years,” said Mayor Janey. “To honor this day tomorrow, I
hope you’ll join us to spread kindness however you can, whether that
means donating to a charity responding to the COVID-19 pandemic,
supporting a small business in your neighborhood, or checking in on an
older neighbor. The positive impact we can achieve together is more
important than ever as we ensure that the City of Boston reopens safely
and equitably, with recovery and renewal in every neighborhood.”
More information
on One Boston Day is available online. Hill Holliday was an early
supporter of One Boston Day and has consistently completed pro bono work
for the City of Boston through the creation of onebostonday.org.
The City of Cambridge
today announced the availability of
$600,000 in grants for Cambridge small businesses
through the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund (MDRF) and the
Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA).
The City of Cambridge’s MDRF & CRA
Grant for small businesses
will result in the awarding of grants of up to $6,000 per eligible
applicant, which will not have to be repaid. Grant applications
will only be accepted from April 14, 2021 until May 7, 2021 at
11:59 p.m. EDT.
The
MDRF and CRA Program will prioritize businesses that have
not yet received funding from other programs. There is no
guarantee that small businesses will secure a grant or receive the maximum
amount of funds. Grant funds are based on a business’s documentation. Applications
will be reviewed after the May 7, 2021 deadline. Allowable
business expenses may include Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE), average rent, salaries, utilities, cost of goods, and outdoor
dining infrastructure costs not covered by other programs.
The Grant Program is
being funded with $400,000 from the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund
and $200,000 from the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority for a
combined $600,000.
Those with questions or in need of
assistance can call 617-349-9775 or email MDRFGrantBusiness@cambridgema.gov. Translation and
interpretation services are available upon request.
MAYOR JANEY PROPOSES FORWARD-LOOKING BUDGET AND CAPITAL PLAN CENTERED ON BOSTON’S REOPENING, RECOVERY AND LONG-TERM RENEWAL
BOSTON -
Wednesday, April 14, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today proposed her Administration’s
recommended $3.75 billion Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) operating budget and
$3.2 billion Fiscal Year 2022-2026 (FY22-FY26) Capital Plan, providing
the resources for the city’s continued robust public health response to
COVID-19, making strategic investments in Boston’s neighborhoods and
residents, and setting the stage for Boston’s equitable reopening,
recovery and long-term renewal. As a result of continued strength in the
local economy and a significant infusion of federal funding from the American
Rescue Plan, the FY22 operating budget proposes a year-over-year increase
of $142 million, or 3.9 percent over FY21, and the Capital Plan
represents a $200 million increase, the largest capital plan ever,
allowing the City of Boston to make meaningful investments in supporting
the local economy and improving city services, infrastructure, and
quality of life issues for Boston residents.
“During the past year,
Boston has come together like never before, and we must take that spirit
of inclusiveness and compassion and translate it into real investments
for the City of Boston and our residents. COVID-19 has brought on
unprecedented economic and social change for our city, and this budget
proposal meets the moment and makes targeted investments to ensure that
as we emerge from this public health crisis we are not going back to
normal, but going forward better than before,” said Mayor Janey. “I am
proud of this budget and the enormous work that goes into running our
City government and providing the services Bostonians need and rely on.
No one can be left behind as Boston recovers from COVID-19, and looks
forward to the future.”
“Despite an
unprecedented year in Boston and around our world, Boston’s strong
financial foundation ensured we had the resources we needed to care for
our City," said Emme Handy, Chief Financial Officer for the City of
Boston. "As we plan for the next fiscal year and beyond, City Hall
will continue to invest in the people of our City, and maintain the
financial prudence necessary to ensure we can continue to educate
Boston’s children, create homes for those that need them, keep our City
safe, and build a City that invests in all.”
“This year’s
operating budget and capital plan provide the needed resources for our
continued response to COVID-19, and sets the stage for our City’s
equitable recovery,” said Justin Sterritt, Boston’s Budget Director.
“This responsible budget builds upon decades of proactive fiscal
management and will provide a financial roadmap for recovery as we look
to respond to the economic, health and social upheaval brought on by the
pandemic.”
Following the
creation of the Office of Equity and Inclusion in 2020 that was charged
with embedding equity and racial justice into all City planning and
operations, the City of Boston Office of Budget Management (OBM) worked
to introduce an equity framework to the budget process this year that
formalizes an analysis conducted to ensure equitable investments across
Boston neighborhoods. The City collected data on which specific groups
were impacted by budget proposals, if those groups had been brought into
the conversation and what, if any, unintended consequences there could be.
Departments funded through the operating budget will develop
implementation plans that will contain performance metrics to gauge their
success, especially as it relates to equity. This approach is part of a
larger partnership between the Administration & Finance cabinet and
the Office of Equity and Inclusion to collaborate on future operating,
capital and federal investments to ensure those investments are rooted in
equitable procurement practices.
To help recover
from the financial and economic impacts of COVID-19, the city is expected
to receive an estimated $215 million in federal funding from the American
Rescue Plan Act for use over the next year. While the City awaits the
formal award from the federal government, the city proposes to dedicate
$100 million of this initial funding over the next year to offset local
revenue declines during the pandemic. This offset will provide
flexibility, stability and fiscal resiliency in city services, while
making near-term investments to Reopen, Recover and Renew Boston
by creating or expanding vital city programs. Since the start of the
pandemic, the City of Boston has redirected resources to respond to the
global public health crisis, including moving to a remote workforce where
possible and developing protocols for safe delivery of in-person services
where required. The City also built the Boston Hope emergency field
hospital, created COVID-19 testing sites, created distance learning
curriculum and deployed new technology to BPS students, supported small
businesses, and provided rental relief to residents.
The FY22 Budget
includes over $40 million in new investments to create a more resilient
city government and set the stage for Boston’s recovery, reopening and
renewal. New investments will provide needed assistance for our most
vulnerable and training and support for those individuals and industries
hardest hit during the pandemic. As the city reopens, the budget addresses immediate needs
and expands services for post COVID-19 programming including in Arts,
Parks, Youth, and Age Strong. This budget is also centered on renewal and
working towards a more equitable future.
In addition to
dedicating $100 Million of federal funding to programs through the City
Budget, Mayor Janey is proposing the creation of Boston’s Equitable
Recovery Coordinating Committeeto ensure the equitable,
effective, and efficient coordination of stimulus resources for the
immediate and long-term benefit of Boston residents and neighborhoods,
especially those who have been hurt most by the pandemic. This first of
its kind committee for the City, will help design and steer these
resources in an equitable way, through feedback and dialogue with the
community. The committee will be composed of stakeholders from across
city government who will consult with external partners and
stakeholders.
The City of Boston
entered the COVID-19 pandemic with a stable financial position thanks to
years of strong fiscal management, which earned the city seven straight
years of AAA bond ratings. In addition, the City of Boston was named by
Moody’s in 2019 as one of the best prepared cities to handle a national
recession. As a result, the City has been able to continue making
strategic investments in priority areas, and has been able to increase
the size of the Capital Plan by over $1.4 billion since FY14, about 80
percent or 7 percent every year.
The City’s $3.2
billion FY22-FY26 Capital Plan is the largest in history and represents a
deep commitment to investing in vital and cherished public spaces and in
the local economy and getting Bostonians back to work. By growing the
capital plan, the City is able to invest equitably in new public spaces
like parks, libraries and schools, and better transportation for all
modes of travel, while also stimulating the local economy at a vital
time.
High-Quality
Education for All Students
Mayor Janey has
made high-quality education for all students in Boston a top priority,
and this budget represents a commitment around fully reopening schools
that are clean, safe, and welcoming; assessing student needs, and
bolstering support and tailoring interventions to improve outcomes; and
reimagining the district to provide the academic and social-emotional
support structures students deserve. The FY22 budget proposal fulfills
the second year of the historic three-year $100 million funding
commitment to Boston Public Schools with $36 million in new classroom
funding dedicated to the district, which is further supplemented by an
additional $123 million in funding from the federal government. In
Boston, public education spending remains over 40% of the entire city
budget, and this year per-pupil spending at BPS will reach $23,500, an
increase of $1,700 over last year. With this budget proposal, total
public education spending, including support for our charter school
students, will increase by $66 million, representing 42% of all new city
funding, the highlights of which include:
BPS Operating
Budget
·Overall
budget of $1.29 billion, with $36 million in new investments for schools
and classrooms to facilitate a safe return to our school buildings and
support our students and school communities through post-COVID-19
recovery;
·$18.5
million to enable schools to maintain existing programming and services,
regardless of enrollment declines;
·$16.9
million to provide a social worker and family liaison in every school,
building on last year’s investment to build a coordinated, multi-tiered
system of support for students and families;
·$1.4
million for the addition of 20 daytime custodians to ensure cleanliness
and sanitation of school facilities as buildings reopen;
BPS Capital Plan
(BuildBPS): $736 million for FY22-FY26, $166M for FY22, 29% increase over
FY21
·$137
million for Boston Arts Academy to design and construct a new facility
that supports the robust academic and performing arts needs of the
student population.
·$193.5
million to design and construct a new facility for the Josiah Quincy
Upper School
·$5.2
million to upgrade school kitchens to expand the implementation of an
innovative fresh food program at an additional 19 schools
BPS Federal
Funding
The BPS budget
will be supplemented by $123 million of funding from the federal
Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, which
will fund additional FY22 investments, including:
·$10.4
million to aid return-to-school efforts, ranging from school building
maintenance, to online learning and engagement, to ensuring a bus monitor
on every bus;
·$13.9
million for expanding the Hub Schools initiative and implementing
academic supports and interventions focused on high needs students;
·$20.1
million to fund innovative efforts to support closing achievement and
opportunity gaps.
Health, Safety and
Wellness in our Recovery
Mayor Janey has
prioritized the health, safety and wellness of all Bostonians as the City
continues recovering from the many impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and
to help accomplish this, she is proposing the following
investments:
Operating
Budget:
·$4
million in new funding to expand capabilities and services provided by
the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), bringing BPHC’s total
operating budget to $111 million in FY22. This new level of investment
will allow BPHC to build sustainable capacity in its infectious disease
bureau and conduct an after action report on COVID-19.
·$9.1
million in new investments to reopen our city and address immediate needs
and offer expanded services to lay the foundation for a more equitable,
vibrant Boston. This includes new funding for:
·$2
million to expand services for post-COVID programming and services at
departments including Arts, Parks, Youth, Age Strong, Disabilities
Commission and Veterans
·$1.5
million to ensure we can reopen civic spaces, including polling locations
safely
·$1
million to ensure continued robust technology supports and city services
delivery
Capital
Plan:
·$15.8
Million increase in Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) infrastructure,
including a $10 million increase for the Mattahunt Community Center
bringing the project total to $12.7 million, a $2 million increase for
the North End Community Center bringing the project total to $5 million
and $1 million each for BCYF Hyde Park and BCYF Roslindale
·$5.5
million increase for the EMS training facility, bringing the total
investment to $14 million
·$1
Million for HVAC repairs at Police Training Academy
·$24.7
million to design and construct a new fire station at Engine 17 in Dorchester
·$23.5
million to design and construct a new fire station at Engine 52 in
Roxbury
Creating and
Preserving Affordable Housing, and addressing Homelessness
Mayor Janey recognizes
the importance of making sure that residents of all incomes are able to
access quality, affordable safe housing options that meet their needs.
This budget helps support additional affordable housing opportunities,
and puts in place investments to support homeless residents.
·$3.5
million supports housing and homelessness efforts to prevent displacement
and expand housing opportunities for families of every income in all
neighborhoods
·$5
Million to fully support the City’s commitment to City-Funded Housing
Vouchers in partnership with the Boston Housing Authority, piloted in the
FY21 budget.
·$19
million for Phase 3 of the renovation of the Boston Housing Authority’s
Orient Heights development consisting of 119 units of housing, a gateway
park and community center
·$10
million to upgrade public housing units for older residents and residents
with disabilities including Saint Botolph in the South End, Doris Bunte
Apartments in Egleston Square, and Patricia White in Brighton
Expanding
Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity
The citywide
resiliency strategy aims to ensure every resident can reach their full
potential regardless of their background, and to remove the barriers that
hinder Bostonians from having access to opportunities. Under the
leadership and coordination of the Office of Equity and Inclusion, the
City is proposing the following investments in areas of equity and
prosperity:
Police Reform
·To
operationalize the recommendations from the Boston Police Reform Task
Force to improve accountability and transparency, this budget makes
targeted investments in the Boston Police Department, while significantly
reducing overtime spending, and includes:
·$21
million, or a 33 percent reduction, in overtime compared to the FY21
spending level of $65 million, making a $43.9 million proposal for FY22,
which will be accomplished by:
·Growing
the size of the sworn force by 30 officers to 2,288 total including two 125
member police cadet classes in FY22
·Increasing
cadet recruits by 50 percent, from 40 to 60
·Increasing
the Medical Triage Unit and clinicians to conduct more regular health
screenings of officers out on injury leave
·$1
million for the new Office of Police Accountability and Transparency
(OPAT) for 10 staff members, including the Executive Director and
staffing for the Civilian Review Board and Internal Affairs Oversight
Panel (IAOP), plus technology support to create dashboards and address
technical needs.
·$1
million investment for racial equity training, included in the Task Force
recommendations
·$2
million for additional Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST) clinicians
to assist individuals experiencing mental health crisis
Investing in race
& equity
·$3
million in investments to support the Equity & Inclusion cabinet,
coordinating the efforts of seven equity-based departments, and
supporting citywide wide efforts like the Office of Resiliency and Racial
Equity department’s $1.3 million citywide rollout of racial equity and
leadership training.
·$1.75
million investment in Health and Human Services to coordinate with
Police, and other City and external stakeholders to engage the community,
develop a plan for implementation in Boston and begin training once the
model is fully developed.
Job Training and
Support:
·$4
million for 5,000 youth summer jobs and 1,000 school year jobs
·$4
Million total in job training efforts targeted at affected industries
including, in arts ($1 million), hard hit industries ($1 million), green
jobs ($1 million), Zero Waste and mobility ($1 million)
·$1
million to continue the All Inclusive Boston hospitality and tourism campaign
·$250,000
to expand the Childcare Entrepreneur Fund
·$500,000
to subsidize public transit options
Protecting our
Environment
The City of Boston
has been at the forefront of recognizing and addressing the risks of
climate change, and protecting our environment. As part of the city’s
Capital Plan, 10 percent of all new capital spending has been dedicated
for resilience projects. The highlights of the City’s environment
proposals include:
Capital Plan:
·$48
million for Phase 2 and 3 of Renew Boston Trust, which is designed to
identify energy retrofit project opportunities in City owned buildings to
create future energy savings.
·$5
million for a Climate Ready Boston Harbor study to support the
development of a study that will examine the feasibility of measures
along and within the Boston Harbor to reduce vulnerability of coastal
flooding due to sea level rise caused by climate change.
·$20
million to design and implement a signature, climate resilient waterfront
park along the Fort Point Channel.
·$1.7
million per year for the ongoing program of street tree planting
throughout the city
·$1.8
million to repave pathways at Dorchester Park
·$7.5
million to repave pathways at the Back Bay Fens to improve accessibility
and site conditions
·$15.5
million to complete the park redesign at Copley Square to optimize
resilience to high-traffic events and storm-water
·$9.4
million to redesign and construct a new Malcolm X Park through the City’s
first Equitable Procurement Pilot program
Transforming the
Future of Mobility
In recognizing
that our economic strength is dependent on our ability to move people
around our city to businesses, jobs and homes, this budget proposal
invests in walkable streets, roadway redesigns to improve safety, bridge
repairs, roadway resurfacing, dedicated bike and bus lanes, and
accessible ADA ramps. Building on Boston’s long-term transportation plan,
Go Boston 2030, the FY22 budget proposal makes targeted investments in
public space and improved mobility, including:
Capital Plan:
·$1
billion for mobility improvements to implement Vision Zero through the
Capital Plan, marking a 9 percent increase over last year
·$22
million for dedicated bus lanes to transform several corridors citywide
for rapid bus transit, including the construction of dedicated bus lanes
on Columbus Avenue and Warren Street, and Summer Street marking a $7.8
million increase over last year
·$17.9
million for roadway improvements in Nubian Square from Shawmut Avenue to
Harrison Avenue including six key intersections. The scope of work
includes geometric changes, new traffic signal equipment and timing, bike
lanes, and streetscape improvements
·$9.9
million to design and construct neighborhood Slow Street zones throughout
the city including Talbot-Norfolk Triangle Phase 2, Grove Hall/Quincy
Corridor, Highland Park, Mt. Hope/Canterbury, Chinatown,
Washington-Harvard-Norwell, Redefining Our Community, Dorchester Unified
Neighborhood East, Dorchester Unified Neighborhood West, and West Selden
·$7.9
million to maximize usage in existing high volume bike lanes by
construction bike lane extensions and connections with citywide bike
corridors, and implement new bike corridors
·$6.5
million to design and rebuild Ruggles Street, between Washington Street
and Ruggles MBTA station, adhering to Complete Street guidelines
Investing in the
joy agenda
By prioritizing city
services, programs and infrastructure needs that improve the quality of
life for Boston residents, Mayor Janey has made the joy of residents a
strategic focus throughout this budget. Investments that reflect this
focus include:
·$15
million for the Percent for Art program, which sets aside one percent of
the City’s annual capital borrowing as a budget for the commissioning of
long-term public art projects
·Permanently
waiving late return fines at the Boston Public Library (BPL), a tool to
increase equity in service delivery
·Eliminating
BCYF membership fees at all sites for Boston residents, thus lifting
financial barriers for entry and opening all sites to all residents,
regardless of residential neighborhood - #BCYFree
·$200,000
for programming at the Strand Theater in Dorchester, $250,000 for
expanded programming for BPL & Parks, $500,000 for expanded
programming and Summer Olympics at BCYF, $250,000 for the Youth Development
Fund
·$500,000
to support Open Streets, a new program to encourage safe outdoor activity
on public streets
·Investing
in our neighborhood library branches, with $6 million slated for the
Chinatown branch, $11.5 million for the Roslindale branch, $18.3 million
for Adams branch, and $12.1 million for Egleston Square
For more
information on the budget proposal, please visit budget.boston.gov.