MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES CREATION OF NEW POSITION TO HIRE FIRST FULL-TIME, IN-HOUSE ASL INTERPRETER

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES CREATION OF NEW POSITION TO HIRE FIRST FULL-TIME, IN-HOUSE ASL INTERPRETER

 

BOSTON - Wednesday, October 20, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today announced that the City is now accepting applications to hire its first full-time, in-house American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter as part of the COVID-19 equity in recovery efforts. This unique governmental position will significantly increase access to City communications for members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. Mayor Janey announced the City would create this position at the City of Boston’s annual Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Day celebration in July.   “This new position adds to all of the City’s efforts to ensure access and equity for every Boston resident with any type of disability as Boston continues to reopen,” Mayor Janey said. “From distributing clear face masks to front line workers so residents who rely on lip-reading and facial cues could communicate with others, to distributing ramps to restaurants so that people with mobility impairments could access on-street outdoor dining, the City of Boston is committed to accessibility and inclusion.”    ASL is mainly used by people in the United States who identify as “Deaf” (with a capital D). The capital D signifies that they were born deaf and/or they are part of the Deaf Culture. ASL is an integral piece of Deaf Culture, and it is used mainly by people who grow up using it as their primary language. ASL is its own complete language, wholly different from spoken English.    “During the pandemic, communication from government officials was more frequent and more important than ever,” said Disability Commissioner Kristen McCosh. “The situation and our response to it was changing regularly. Real-time access to updated information in residents’ primary language was a matter of life-and-death. We are proud that we were able to secure ASL interpretation for 100% of the Mayor’s COVID-19 press conferences during the state of emergency, but it has been difficult to sustain that success rate. Our Deaf and Hard of Hearing neighbors deserve better, and this position will allow us to do better.”   The ASL Interpreter position will be responsible for providing live interpretation/transliteration during Mayoral press conferences as well as public events and meetings. In addition, the Interpreter will produce signed videos translating Boston.gov webpages and other text-based online content.    The position has been posted on the City of Boston’s Career Center and can be viewed here.   ###

波士頓市長候選人電視辯論 吳弭民調領先30% 冷處理

NBC10電視辯論截圖

              (Boston Orange綜合報導) 波士頓市長選舉，跨入最後階段。19日晚是投票前三場電視轉播辯論中的第二場，辯論終於有了點火花，2名候選人互詰對方資產，成為最新話題，但在改善公共交通，公共治安，波士頓公校，”波士頓居大不易”這些對民生影響最大的議題上，並無任何新亮點。

波士頓市長候選人吳弭(左)、 Annissa Essaibi George(右)。

              NBC10電視台在轉播辯論後安排的媒體討論，普遍認為這場辯論依然乏味。Annissa Essaibi George 雖然採取攻勢，質疑得底氣不足。吳弭(Michelle Wu)仗持著最新民調的領先約30%，冷對攻擊，淡稱指控不實，並不深入解釋。

              10月13日的第1場電視辯論後，英文媒體或稱得到3點結論，或稱她們2人在政策上有4個不同點。10月19日的這第2場辯論，讓2名候選人互相提問，回答的安排，算新鮮，只是這2人的問答，似乎都點到為止，有點火花，卻一點也不激烈，也並沒讓選民對2人有了更多深入了解。

              Annissa Essaibi George採取攻勢，批評吳弭在波士頓考試學校這議題上，在不同社區講不同的話，前後不一致，讓地鐵免費的主張不切實際，控制租金會讓小房東難以維持，反而會惡化房屋市場環境。她

她還批評吳弭搶功，指催促波士頓市聘請更多精神健康門診醫師是她的功勞，不是吳弭的。不過吳弭回應道，這方面的工作早在Annissa Essaibi George加入議會之前，就已經開始了。

              關於考試學校一節，吳弭輕聲細語的表示，「那是不真的 (That is simply not true)」，簡而言之，考試學校的過程應該公平，公正，反映城市的多元性。Annissa Essaibi George追擊的說吳弭沒有回答為什麼她在不同社區的說詞不一。

              在”控制租金(rent control)”上，Annissa Essaibi George指波士頓曾經嘗試過，但失敗了。如果說要大膽，要給波士頓這城市一個大遠景，”控制租金”不是答案。

              吳弭回應道，她不會坐在那兒說那是不可能的事。要扶持，維繫小房東的生計，可以用減稅等其他方法。

              “租金控制”在最新的民調中，有將近60%的受訪者支持這提議。候選人電視辯論後的媒體討論也說，在波士頓市內租屋而居的人佔絕大多數，在城市豪華化，租金高漲的趨勢下，吳弭的這一提議，無論最終是否可行，以選舉策略而言，絕對是能贏得選票支持的主張。

在現場提問的媒體記者

              “租金控制”卻也正是波士頓市內，甚至波士頓市以外不少華人反對吳弭，呼籲支持Annissa Essaibi George的主要原因之一。

從郊區搬進波士頓的一位居民更是積極，不單只設立了一個約有              200人的微信群組，還洋洋灑灑寫了至少3篇長文，就租金控制，地鐵免費，考試學校取消考試會剝奪亞裔改變命運途徑，亞裔細分對亞裔不利等議題，闡述他為什麼不支持吳弭。

              該群組成員呼籲道，不要因為候選人長相和”我們”一樣，就不分青紅皂白的支持，在其他城市，甚至麻州，已有太多案例顯示，亞裔、華裔民代在關鍵時刻沉默，不敢為亞裔、華裔挺身而出。

              由Betty Kim和黃鷹立等人組成的麻州亞裔聯盟，也公開支持Annissa Essaibi George，以及波士頓市不分區市議員候選人Erin Murphy。

              薩福克大學(Suffolk)/波士頓環球報(Boston Globe)/NBC10電視台在19日這天，剛好公佈他們在10月15日至17日之間做的民調，30個問題問下來，2名候選人的支持率，相差竟然高逾30個百分點，吳弭的支持率為62%，Annissa Essaibi George的支持率為30%，還未決定票落何方的選民，只剩下7%。

              主持調查的薩福克大學政治研究中心主任David Paleologos指出，吳弭的支持率在所有族裔群體中都很高。Annissa Essaibi George在白人選民中得到的支持率最高，38%，但仍比吳弭得到的61%支持率低很多。大約有15%的黑人選民，以及21%的西語裔選民表示還為決定選誰，也就難怪吳弭和Annissa Essaibi George近期的競選活動，都集中在這些族裔社區。

              政治顧問Paul Simmons對波士頓環球報說，選舉從來都和辯論，候選人個人特質，甚至議題的關係不大。關鍵是候選人能否啟動一次稱職的現場操作，把全市各地的選民都吸引出來，而這正是吳弭的巨大利基所在。

              在當晚辯論後的媒體討論中，波士頓環球報副編輯暨社論委員會成員Marcela Garcia也說，吳弭在整場辯論中保持鎮定，不慍不火，辯解點到為止，恐怕也是既然民調都已領先30%了，不需要無端激出三尺浪。

              吳弭面對多番攻擊後，也只說，”波士頓市值得更好的”，”我們的國家、民主，才剛剛熬過4年的川普統治，以及涉及負面攻擊，個人攻擊，虛假及散播恐懼的競選活動。這不是我想這場市長選舉變成的模樣。

              當這2名候選人被問到個有多少家庭收入時，2人似乎都面有難色。吳弭面對她的家庭收入20萬元出頭，算不算上層階級時，猶豫了一陣子才回答”中上階層”。Annissa Essaibi George表示她的家庭收入的確頗高，的確算是波士頓市的上層階級。

              吳弭公佈了她家的聯合報稅資料，顯示了她家的收入。Annissa Essaibi George向媒體公佈了她自己的年收入超過10萬元，也公佈了她個人的報稅資料，但她未公佈她那地產發展商丈夫的報稅資料。她的競選陣營也拒絕回答有關她丈夫事業的問題。

              Annissa Essaibi George要吳弭解釋她和政治獻金捐款者，共和黨商人Terry Considine的關係。Terry Considine是吳弭的親近朋友兼大兒子乾媽Elizabeth Likovich的父親。Annissa Essaibi George說吳弭要當波士頓人的市長，就必須清楚、透明。

              波士頓前鋒報(Boston Herald)在19日這天發刊的一篇文章指出，吳弭和丈夫在羅森岱爾(Rolindale)買的兩家庭屋，是和她的大學朋友Elizabeth Likovich，以及其丈夫一起買的。14個月之後，他們把自己的份額賣給吳弭及她丈夫。

              波士頓環球報稱吳弭及其丈夫支付了公平的市場價值(fair market value)，波士頓前鋒報卻說，根據薩福克郡契約登記處(Suffolk County Registry of Deeds)的記錄，她們4人在2015年6月以66萬元買下羅森岱爾的這兩家庭屋，Likovich一家佔54%，吳弭及她丈夫Conor Pewarski佔46%。一年之後，根據吳弭競選陣營和Edward Likovich提供的資料，Likovich一家把他們的那份房產，以39萬元賣給了吳弭他們。

              波士頓環球報稱，他們檢驗了吳弭和Likovich家族之間的關係，沒發現吳弭有任何不當行為的證據。反倒是Annissa Essaibi George的丈夫，Douglas R. George，在波士頓市內擁有55處房地產，總值估計有5400萬元，而且還有經常遲繳稅，違反條例，和波士頓市稽核員衝突的歷史紀錄。

              波士頓前鋒報進一步指出，Likovich現在為科羅拉多州的AIMCO發展公司工作，而那是她父親Terry Cinsidine經營的公司。Terry Cinsidine是著名的共和黨政客，根據記錄捐了2500元給吳弭的競選市長活動。吳弭的丈夫Pewarski在麻州政府記錄上，是 Cinsidine地產公司在劍橋市所擁有的一個三層住宅的”住戶經紀(resident agent)”。

             以BDawes之名在波士頓環球報關於電視辯論文章的留言上寫著，吳弭的丈夫從2013到2020年間，都是Cinsidine家族的”住戶經紀”。他懷疑他們倆的年收入只有20萬元。

              波士頓環球報的文章解釋道，麻州要求所有責任有限公司有個”住戶經紀”，作為法律聯絡人。Pewarski是在該公司之前的住戶經紀搬到科羅拉多州後，才接任的。

              第3場辯論預定在10月25日舉行。

HOCUS POCUS 2 MAKING MOVIE MAGIC IN RHODE ISLAND

HOCUS POCUS 2 MAKING MOVIE MAGIC IN RHODE ISLAND

Providence, RI -- The Rhode Island Film & TV Office announced today that the Disney+ sequel to the beloved 1993 film, Hocus Pocus, began filming in Rhode Island on October 18, 2021 until the end of the year. The highly anticipated Hocus Pocus 2 is set for a 2022 debut.

Bette Midler (The First Wives Club, Beaches), Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City) and Kathy Najimy (Sister Act, Veep) are reprising their roles as the wickedly entertaining Sanderson Sisters in Hocus Pocus 2.  Midler returns as Winifred Sanderson, with Parker and Najimy back as her sisters, Sarah and Mary, respectively. In Hocus Pocus 2, three young women accidentally bring the Sanderson Sisters back to present day and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on the world.

Anne Fletcher (Dumplin’, The Proposal) directs, taking over from her friend and colleague Adam Shankman (Hairspray, What Men Want), who’ll serve as Executive Producer with Ralph Winter (Hocus Pocus, X-Men franchise) and David Kirschner (Hocus Pocus, Chucky). Lynn Harris (King Richard, The Shallows) produces. The screenplay is by Jen D’Angelo.

Director Anne Fletcher stated, “Now more than ever, people need to laugh. We should be laughing every day, and there is so much fun to be had with these three unbelievable women playing delicious characters from such a beloved film. I am so grateful to be able to play a part in bringing these witches back to life, and to be working with my friends at Disney again makes it all the more special. This is a movie for everyone, from the fans who grew up with the first film to the next generation of viewers, and I can’t wait to get started in the beautiful state of Rhode Island.”

Governor Daniel J. McKee said, “On behalf of Rhode Island, I am proud and honored that again our beautiful state, with its unique scenery, landscapes and local talent, will be the backdrop for a major motion picture. Film and TV productions such as Hocus Pocus 2 have positive impacts on our businesses and move our economy in the right direction.”

Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & TV Office, remarked, “We are very excited to welcome Disney and their talented team to the Ocean State to create the next chapter of the popular and highly anticipated sequel, Hocus Pocus 2. Rhode Island is fortunate because we have superb partners in both the public and private sectors, and we enjoy working together to build a positive environment for the creative economy to shine. We are particularly grateful to Walt Disney Productions for providing good paying jobs for many local artists and hard-working technicians from across Rhode Island. Collaboration is key to the art of cinema and we look forward to helping the Hocus Pocus 2 team produce movie magic here in the Ocean State!”

Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-District 23, Warwick) commented, “The rest of the world will soon be more familiar with what so many Rhode Islanders already know -- we have a very special state; some might even say it’s magical. We know that arts are a vital part of not only our culture, but our economy. Rhode Island is a perfect location for Walt Disney Productions to bring its own magic for the filming of Hocus Pocus 2, and I’m proud that our great state will be showcased in this latest of a long line of A-list productions that have been filmed here.”

     

Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-District 4, North Providence, Providence) said “Rhode Island is ideally suited to the needs of the film and television industry. Our small, compact size makes us accessible both in terms of coordinating with state and local agencies and businesses, and in working at locations ranging from city streets and historic homes and mansions to the shore and peaceful woodlands. We warmly welcome Hocus Pocus 2 to Rhode Island and greatly anticipate seeing our state grace the screen once again.” 

Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Executive Director Randall Rosenbaum said, “We are immensely proud that this popular family friendly production is coming to Rhode Island, thanks to the hard work of the Rhode Island Film and Television Office.This is another example where we can witness the expansion of American art as an economic and cultural force.”

Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor stated, “Successfully creating a film such as Hocus Pocus 2 isn’t accomplished lickety-split via a magic trick — instead, it requires the hard and innovative work of professionals at splendid studios such as Disney and public partners such as our state’s Film & Television Office. We thank Steven Feinberg as well as Randy Rosenbaum for their great and effective efforts on this project and across their portfolio. We’re excited that Rhode Island will again be in the spotlight because of this production, helping to attract tourism and yet more business activity to our beautiful state.”

Lydia Edwards endorsed by EMILY’s List

Lydia Edwards endorsed by EMILY’s List

Endorsement comes from the nation’s largest resource for women in politics 

BOSTON – Lydia Edwards has been endorsed by EMILY’s List in the special election to State Senate. Primary Election Day is December 14, 2021. General Election Day is January 11, 2022.

“EMILY’s List is thrilled to endorse Lydia Edwards for the Massachusetts state Senate,” said Sarah Curmi, vice president of state and local campaigns at EMILY’s List. “On the Boston City Council, Councilor Edwards has proven herself as a champion for her community, spearheading housing reforms and working to make Boston more affordable and inclusive. We are confident that Councilor Edwards will continue to serve her constituents well in her role as a Massachusetts state senator.”

From protecting health care choices to fighting back against environmental pollution that hurts pregnant individuals and children, Lydia will stand up for gender and reproductive justice in the Massachusetts Senate. As the daughter of a single mom, and as an organizer standing with low-income women and victims of labor trafficking, Lydia has always felt the critical draw to fight for gender and reproductive justice. Working as a law clerk, she watched young people, unprepared and forced to go through the court system to request medical care. These experiences, among others, drove her to advocate for passage of the ROE Act, legislation sorely needed in the wake of rollbacks of reproductive rights across the country.

On the Boston City Council Lydia sponsored legislation to provide workers’ paid leave for loss of pregnancy, ensuring that those who have already dealt with pain, grief, and difficult medical decisions are protected. She worked with colleagues on the Boston City Council to push for availability of menstrual products in public schools. She’s stood up for workers facing gender-based discrimination and sexual violence in the workplace. And as real estate developers increasingly seek to build studio and one-bedroom units, Lydia has fought to ensure housing is available to expecting parents and families with children.

EMILY’s List also most recently endorsed Lydia in her re-election to Boston City Council, ahead of the news of this open Senate seat and Special Election later this year. EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, has raised over $700 million to elect Democratic pro-choice women candidates. With a grassroots community of over five million members, EMILY's List helps Democratic women win competitive campaigns – across the country and up and down the ballot – by recruiting and training candidates, supporting and helping build strong campaigns, researching the issues that impact women and families, running nearly $50 million in independent expenditures in the last cycle alone, and turning out women voters and voters of color to the polls. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY’s List has helped elect the country's first woman as vice president, 158 women to the House, 26 to the Senate, 16 governors, and more than 1,300 women to state and local office. More than 40 percent of the candidates EMILY’s List has helped elect to Congress have been women of color.

Lydia Edwards is a candidate for State Senate representing the First Suffolk and Middlesex District, following the departure of Senator Joseph A. Boncore. For a full and up-to-date list of endorsements, visit: LydiaEdwards.org/endorsements.

Councilor Lydia Edwards is a career advocate, activist, and voice on behalf of society's most vulnerable. She is currently the Chair of the Committee on Government Operations and the Committee on Housing and Community Development in the Boston City Council. Learn more at LydiaEdwards.org/meet-lydia.

 

Baker-Polito Administration Highlights Offshore Wind Workforce Opportunities, Virtual Reality Training Program at Greater New Bedford Vocational-Technical High School

 Baker-Polito Administration Highlights Offshore Wind Workforce Opportunities, Virtual Reality Training Program at Greater New Bedford Vocational-Technical High School

NEW BEDFORD – Today, Lieutenant Governor Karen Polito, Energy and Environmental Affair (EEA) Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Interim CEO Jennifer Daloisio visited Greater New Bedford Vocational-Technical High School to meet with students in the Marine Technology, Computer Graphics, and Engineering programs, highlight potential career pathways in the emerging offshore wind industry, and participate in a demonstration of a new virtual reality offshore wind training program supported by the Baker-Polito Administration. The event was held as part of the Administration’s celebration of Massachusetts STEM Week.

“Massachusetts continues to lead the way in developing new technologies and programs to prepare the workforce to serve the emerging offshore wind industry in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our plan to invest $750 million in a clean energy investment fund, along with these vital workforce training programs, will help unlock significant economic opportunities associated with offshore wind development and ensure that everyone in the Commonwealth can benefit from the jobs that will be created now and in the future.”

“Offshore wind presents a tremendous opportunity for students across the Commonwealth to see themselves in STEM,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “The cutting-edge virtual reality training program supported by our Administration is an engaging way to get young people across the Commonwealth interested in a career in offshore wind, while helping to advance our goal of building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce.” 

The virtual reality training program is developed by VinciVR Inc., a startup headquartered in Boston. In 2020, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center awarded VinciVR a $124,670 grant to certify two Global Wind Organisation (GWO) courses in Basic Technical Training-Installation and Slinger Signaler by using virtual reality simulations in partnership with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, an offshore wind turbine manufacturer. 

“By fostering partnerships with young, innovative startup companies like VinciVR and established offshore wind industry leaders, the Baker-Polito Administration is able to support new approaches to workforce development that expand access to opportunity for young people across the Commonwealth,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “Offshore wind offers students across the Commonwealth – especially students in our Vocational-Technical schools – exciting new opportunities and career pathways, and new tools like virtual reality make critical training programs more engaging and accessible for the next generation of clean energy workers.”

 VinciVR’s newest program is specifically designed to introduce students and young people to offshore wind and the potential job opportunities that will be created by the development of this clean energy resource in Massachusetts. this rapidly growing field of employment. Additionally, MassCEC connected the company with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW 223) in Taunton, where electrical apprentices have beta-tested Vinci’s virtual training modules. So far, the apprentices have been the most successful participants in Vinci’s VR training, with a 100% success rate, demonstrating talent and expertise of the Commonwealth’s emerging, skilled workforce and its ability to meet the needs of the offshore wind industry.

“There is no better example of the important role of STEM education than a virtual reality program to train workers to work on the next generation of clean energy technology,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “Companies like Vinci working in partnership with schools like Greater New Bedford Vocational-Technical and our tremendous universities and community colleges will ensure that Massachusetts students are the best educated, best trained and best prepared for the clean energy jobs of the future.” 

“Achieving our ambitious climate goals of net zero by 2050 will require a trained and motivated workforce,” said MassCEC Interim CEO Jennifer Daloisio. “Innovative solutions like Vinci’s virtual reality training will enable companies like Siemens Gamesa and others to recruit and train talented workers from here in the South Coast and across the Commonwealth to participate in the jobs that clean energy is providing and will continue to provide for years to come”  

“Cultivating a competitive workforce has long been at the center of our work to make New Bedford a leader in offshore wind,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. “We are grateful for the support of the Baker-Polito Administration of programs at Voc-Tech and other educational institutions in Greater New Bedford that help to open the doors of opportunity for our region’s residents in this arriving industry.”  

“Cutting-edge technology can break open pathways for students to explore and engage with emerging new industries such as offshore wind,” said State Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford).  “As an alum, I am excited to see our students gain access to this world-class resource.  The quality of our vocational technical school is second to none, but it is urgent that the school open up many more slots so that our young people are not sitting idle on waiting lists while employers are in desperate need of workers.”  

"VinciVR is a fantastic example of local, state-of-the-art innovation making the Commonwealth's offshore wind workforce training technologically advanced, efficient, and equitable," said State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. "From personal experience with using VinciVR's training technology, I know that MassCEC's grant is well-invested and will have a far-reaching impact in the offshore wind industry. The VinciVR training will allow many more workers to be trained in a safe environment and will greatly enhance our workforce."

"Offshore wind represents a unique, generational opportunity for New Bedford to lead the development of this new industry - but to capitalize on its full potential, we need a trained and skilled workforce to match,” said State Representative Antonio Cabral (D-New Bedford). “I thank MassCEC for recognizing the value and supporting this program at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech High School."

“Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito have been very supportive of the advancement of off-shore wind jobs in Southeastern Massachusetts,” said State Representative Paul Schmid (D-Westport). “This innovative program is their latest achievement, and I am thrilled the students of New Bedford and Southeastern Massachusetts will be among the first to experience and benefit from it.”

"State funding for STEM education and training is a direct investment in jobs and will remain a priority as the energy sector and other innovative businesses continue to grow here on the South Coast," said Rep. Bill Straus (D-Mattapoisett).

“We are about to embark upon the greatest change in energy production since the discovery of oil,” said State Representative Christopher Markey (D-Dartmouth). “These investments in human capital by the Baker Polito administration are yet another example of their commitment to renewable energies.  We owe them a debt of gratitude”

“The climate crisis is very daunting, and the Offshore Wind Industry in the US faces a lot of hurdles spanning the logistics of establishing a strong, union backed workforce to ensuring equity and environmental justice to disadvantaged communities, “said VinciVR CEO Eagle Wu. “We have to do everything we can to inspire younger generations like mine to get involved and turn a crisis into an opportunity. I’m happy that Vinci can play a role in building the workforce needed to push the transition to green energy. “

“The U.S. offshore wind industry is growing and shows a lot of promise. With this partnership, we hope to help close the workforce training gap in a safe, expedited and cost-efficient manner,” said Cynthia Brown, Head of Training Service Americas, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. “We are excited to see this innovative training solution become available to students of all ages.”

Additionally, VinciVR is launching an Offshore Wind Recruiting Package aimed at engaging and exciting the next generation of industry experts. Vinci is currently in the process of converting its training simulations into interactive experiences aimed at educating high school, middle school, and post-secondary school students about the scale and operations of renewable energy. These efforts work hand in hand with MassCEC’s goals of developing and recruiting a diverse, equitable, and highly skilled workforce in offshore wind through increased access to training opportunities and reduced barriers to entry into the offshore wind industry. 

On October 13, 2021 Governor Baker filed legislation to direct $750 million to support the continued growth and development of the Commonwealth’s clean energy industry. The legislation, An Act to Power Massachusetts’ Clean Energy Economy, would establish a new Clean Energy Investment Fund, totaling $750 million, that would support innovation, research and development, and job training in the clean energy sector, significantly expanding Massachusetts’s national leadership on clean energy and climate change.

In March of 2021, Governor Baker signed comprehensive climate change legislation that increased the Administration’s authorization to solicit an additional 2,400 Megawatts of offshore wind, bringing the state’s total commitment to 5,600 Megawatts.

In May 2021, the Baker-Polito Administration and the Commonwealth’s electric distribution companies released the RFP for the third round of offshore wind energy solicitations under the Section 83C process, allowing bids up to 1600 Megawatts, doubling the size of previous procurements. In this solicitation, for the first time, the Administration required bidders to submit diversity, equity and inclusion plans that includes a Workforce Diversity Plan and Supplier Diversity Program Plan. The plans will outline bidders' commitment to promoting employment and procurement/contracting opportunities for minority, women, veterans, LGBT and persons with disabilities. The RFP also includes an enhanced criteria for economic benefits, including workforce development, local supply chain investments, and research and innovation. Bids were due on September 16, 2021 and a winning bid will be selected on December 17, 2021.

In September 2021, the Administration announced the release of a new report assessing the workforce strengths, gaps, and opportunities in Massachusetts for the emerging offshore wind industry. The report analyzes offshore wind workforce development in the Northeast with a specific focus on Massachusetts, including an overview of the existing, relevant regional training programs, including grantees awarded under MassCEC’s 2018 and 2020 workforce development awards. The analysis also examines the workforce needed to achieve Massachusetts’ ambitious offshore wind goals, and the state’s ability to supply the necessary workers.

Strengthening STEM education in the Commonwealth’s K-12 schools is a priority of the Baker-Polito Administration. The first STEM Week was held in October 2018 as a way to boost interest in STEM subjects among students, particularly young women and minority students, and highlight the abundance of career opportunities in the Commonwealth. STEM Week is a collaborative effort between the Executive Office of Education; the STEM Advisory Council, which works to generate interest and support from the business community for STEM activities and is co-chaired by Lt. Governor Polito, Congressman Jake Auchincloss and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Executive Chairman Jeffrey Leiden; and the Commonwealth’s nine Regional STEM Networks, which plan and coordinate activities with local schools, community leaders and business partners.

MAYOR JANEY SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER OUTLINING STRATEGY TO ADDRESS PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENCAMPMENTS IN THE CITY OF BOSTON

MAYOR JANEY SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER OUTLINING STRATEGY TO ADDRESS PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENCAMPMENTS IN THE CITY OF BOSTON Order prioritizes public health through City and State housing resources

 

BOSTON - Tuesday, October 19, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today signed an Executive Order Establishing a Coordinated Response to Public Health and Encampments in the City of Boston. The order is a result of the outbreak of COVID-19 in the City of Boston, which exacerbated unsheltered homelessness and increased the number of individuals across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts facing opioid addiction. Through the multi-departmental, collaborative approach, the City seeks to address the public health and public safety concerns through enhancing efforts to provide housing to those experiencing homelessness. The executive order seeks to ensure the public health and public safety of individuals living in tents and encampments throughout the City of Boston, in particular at the epicenter of the crisis in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.  In parallel with Mayor Janey’s executive order, Boston Public Health Commission Executive Director Dr. Bisola Ojikutu has issued a temporary order relative to the ongoing public health emergency relative to COVID-19 declaring that substance use disorder, unsheltered homelessness and related issues in the City of Boston constitute a public health crisis. “Boston has been a regional leader in supporting people who are gripped by substance use disorder and made even more vulnerable by mental illness and homelessness. As the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates these problems, City of Boston workers have been on the ground, providing life-saving support to the people on our streets from cities and towns across Massachusetts and beyond,” said Mayor Janey. “With this executive order, residents facing substance use disorder and unsheltered homelessness can have the shelter and treatment they need to help them be safe and get better. Thank you to our entire team and all of our partners who are working to ensure our most vulnerable neighbors are healthy and safe.” Through the Executive Order, the City of Boston has established the following multi-pronged strategy: Establish a central command structure: City of Boston Office of Health & Human Services, working in direct partnership with the State Executive Office of Health & Human Services, will create and lead a central command structure to strengthen overall street level interventions, ensure alignment of resources for those in need, and direct efforts to address the public health crisis created by encampments in Boston. The central command structure shall track, and provide to all relevant departments, information concerning available shelter and treatment options. Implement procedures and social service interventions to address public health crisis created by tents or temporary shelters: As stated in existing laws, coupled with the Public Health Emergency, tents and temporary shelters will no longer be allowed on the public ways in the City of Boston. The Mayor’s Office will publish a revised Homeless Encampment Protocol that will reflect the principles outlined in the executive order. That Protocol will establish procedures for assessing the needs of unsheltered individuals, performing intensive and persistent outreach and engagement, and providing low-barrier pathways to housing with a goal of connecting individuals with appropriate shelter and services. All such enforcement and actions should not criminalize the status of being an unsheltered individual, an individual with substance use disorder, or an individual with mental illness. The Protocol will clearly state that no City of Boston employee will require an unsheltered individual to remove their encampment from public property unless there is shelter available for that individual. Identifying shelter for immediate placements: The City’s Department of Neighborhood Development and the Boston Public Health Commission will work partner agencies to bring additional beds online, including low-threshold beds, to support regional, re-housing and stabilization efforts serving individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness.   Establishing clear and clean streets and walkways: The Boston Transportation Department and the Department of Public Works will implement road safety measures to improve road and sidewalk safety and access and focus on the cleanliness of the area and conduct ongoing street and sidewalk cleaning in the Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard area. Increasing Crime and Violence Control and Enforcement: The Boston Police Department will continue to enforce all laws related to drug trafficking, human trafficking, disorderly conduct, and trespassing to address the victimization of individuals suffering from substance use disorder. Additionally, the City of Boston will work with relevant partners to prioritize, when appropriate, diversion to treatment programs for individuals who are court-involved. “The Mass and Cass area has become the most visible presence of the opioid crisis in Boston, and the issues we face have grown in complexity throughout the pandemic,” said Chief of Boston’s Health and Human Services, Marty Martinez. “This multilayered executive order keeps urgency, equity, and public health strategies at the forefront of everything we do.” The City continues to work to connect those struggling with substance use disorder and experiencing homelessness to services. During the first ten months of the present calendar year, the Office of Recovery Services street outreach team has conducted over 21,000 interactions with individuals on the street (over 2,100 monthly), making over 7,000 referrals to services (over 700 referrals monthly). The City also continues to create pathways to permanent housing, prioritizing the vulnerable unsheltered population in the Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard area. The Office of Recovery Services is working with the City’s Street to Home initiative to house 25 individuals every month for at least three months from the Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard area who have chronic experiences of unsheltered homelessness, mental health challenges, and substance use disorder. The full executive order can be found here.