Baker-Polito Administration Launches New Internship Program to Give Thousands of Students Opportunities for STEM Work Experiences

 Baker-Polito Administration Launches New Internship Program to Give Thousands of Students Opportunities for STEM Work Experiences 

More than $4 million in grants will pay students’ salaries
in STEM jobs at local companies

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration is launching a new internship program that will provide an additional 2,300 high school students with opportunities for paid work experiences in STEM fields and make it easier for companies to hire students by paying their salaries through local MassHire Career Centers and Workforce Boards. Approximately $4 million in grants will be awarded to the 16 regional Workforce Boards and 24 Career Centers across the Commonwealth, enabling them to pay students directly for the first time.

“This new STEM internship program will give more students across the Commonwealth foundational opportunities to gain meaningful work experience,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Under this program, employers and students will both benefit as the hiring process is streamlined and internships are made more financially feasible for both parties.”

“As Co-Chair of the STEM Advisory Council, I have heard from STEM employers and students that making connections early and often to STEM careers is critical to growing our economy,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “With this new program, we are targeting the barriers around short-term employment and recruiting young people, and by addressing these gaps, our administration hopes to boost the pipeline of STEM talent streaming into the Commonwealth’s workforce.” 

With this new internship program, more than 10,000 students annually will participate in state-sponsored internships when combined with the Connecting Activities program. Connecting Activities is a joint initiative of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development that supports college and career readiness for high school students by partnering with local MassHire Workforce Boards to connect schools with businesses. Each year, approximately 7,700 high school students participate in Connecting Activities internships.

The new internship program aims to help more students – with preference given to those who live in communities significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic – gain high-quality, paid internships in STEM fields to prepare them for future career and college opportunities. The internships can take place during the summer or school year and can be either in-person or virtual, with a goal of 100 hours of work experience for each student. 

“Here in the Commonwealth the growth industries are in STEM occupations, so the inclusion of more students is very important,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “Through these internships we want more high school students to gain work experience with STEM employers so they are able to make wise college and career decisions.”

Working with the MassHire Career Centers and Workforce Boards will provide students access to professionals who can help them prepare resumes, job applications and help coordinate with potential employers.

“Introducing youth across the Commonwealth to career possibilities in the high-demand STEM sector through paid internships is a win-win for students and employers,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta. “Our regional MassHire Career Centers and Workforce Boards are the perfect vehicle to connect potential interns and employers, while assisting with program logistics.”

A portion of the grant funding will also be awarded to MassLife Sciences Center and Mass Cyber Center to expand their existing internship programs by an additional 300 students.

The Administration will highlight this new STEM internship opportunity with employers during the upcoming STEM Summit, to be held virtually and in-person at regional locations across the Commonwealth. Register for the 2022 STEM Summit this Thursday, April 28th here. 

麻州大學航空研究及訓練中心啟用

Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates Opening of UMass Aviation Research and Training Center

New state-of-the-art 360-degree simulator located at Westover will provide new research, training opportunities Administration also celebrates completion of rebuilt Runway 05-23

CHICOPEE – Tuesday, April 26, 2022 – Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Congressman Richard Neal, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, and MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera were joined by state and local officials at Westover Air Reserve Base to celebrate the opening of the UMass Transportation Center’s Aviation Research and Training Facility, which is equipped with the technology that creates new, cutting-edge research opportunities in a variety of fields including unmanned aircraft operations and air traffic control.  Also today, attendees celebrated the completion of the project to reconstruct Runway 05-23, a critical piece of infrastructure that will ensure Westover will remain a key facet of the US Air Force’s network of bases for the long term.    “With this combination of investments, we are proud to support the continued success of Westover, which is posed to remain an important part of the future of both the Air Force and the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “As the industry continues to evolve, this center will provide the next generation of aviation professionals with the best we can offer in training and research, and will serve as the model for how we can embrace new technology in order to accelerate the creation of new opportunities for both employment and innovation.”    “Massachusetts is well known as a global leader in innovation and this facility ensures we can maintain that edge with a special focus on aviation training and technology,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.  “Congratulations to everyone involved for achieving this tremendous milestone and I look forward to watching this facility play a vital role in the aviation’s future workforce and the new and innovative developments this will certainly support.”   The new 8,500-square-foot facility was built in part through the support of a $5 million grant provided to UMass Amherst by the Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force (MASS-TF).  In addition to the Commonwealth’s financial commitment, the Buehler Foundation provided $500,000 to procure the Air Traffic Control Simulator.  The simulator, which has 360-degree capabilities, will provide opportunities for cutting edge aviation research and training programs with military and civilian applications.  In addition, the center will serve as the training hub for the northeast region for people pursuing careers in air transportation including air traffic control.     Following the opening of the training center, officials also celebrated the completion of the complete reconstruction of Westover’s Runway 05-23.  Spanning the distance of approximately 2.2 miles, Runway 05-23 is the third longest military runway on the east coast of the United States.  The reconstruction project was critical to Westover’s successful shift in operations to accommodate the C-5M, the model aircraft used by the Air Force’s 439th Tactical Airlift Wing.  The complete reconstruction was accomplished as a result of approximately $31 million in federal funding.    Westover is the nation's largest Air Force Reserve base, and is home to more than 5,500 military and civilian workers.  According to a recent UMass Donahue institute study the base contributes over $380 million to the Commonwealth’s economy and accounts for over 8,000 jobs.    “For decades, Westover has played an integral role in supporting national defense while also serving as a major economic driver for the region, said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy.  “Through this series of investments, we are building on that tradition by leveraging state-of-the-art technology to create new career pathways in important fields and new opportunities for research and innovation in aviation.” “This is a great day for Westover Air Reserve Base as we celebrate investments that will support the installation’s mission in the immediate and long term,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera. “MassDevelopment is proud of our role as the lead agency for the Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force as it strives to keep our six military installations competitive, strengthening both national security and our state and local economies.”   “Westover Air Reserve Base is an integral part of our community and a driver of our economy here in western Massachusetts,” said Congressman Richard E. Neal, Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “With today’s opening of the UMass Transportation Center’s Aviation Research and Training Facility and the reopening of the heavily trafficked Runway 05-32, we are ensuring that Westover has continued success for generations to come. I am proud to have fought in Congress for the $32 million needed to resurface the runway so that the C-5s and other aircraft that call Westover home have the facilities they need to patrol the eastern seaboard and beyond.”    "The Commonwealth is fortunate to have so many leaders working in a bi-partisan, collaborative manner to expand opportunity for the citizens of Massachusetts," said UMass President Marty Meehan. "The center we celebrate today is an example of how such a collaborative, goal oriented, evidence-based approach to public investment can work to advance the common good."   “By creating the Aviation Research and Training Center, the UMass Amherst Transportation Center is educating the next generation of scientists, engineers, and aviation professionals.  We’re conducting critical aeronautical and Unoccupied Aerial Systems research. And we’re engaging with society by providing training for air traffic controllers, pilots, and airline operators," said UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy.  "The university continues pioneering discovery to advance the common good and this center will be felt throughout the commonwealth and beyond. In celebrating this exciting facility, we witness the power of bringing together infrastructure funding from the state; academic talent from the university; and steady and growing sponsored research support from Washington.   “This new Aviation Training Center will support a critical workforce need in the Air Traffic Control profession, as well as bring UMass students and faculty to this new vibrant airfield where future partnerships and research will flourish,” Director Mike Knodler, UMass Transportation Center.   “The completion of the runway renovation project is absolutely key to the Patriot Wing’s ability to provide rapid global mobility,” said Colonel Joseph D. Janik, 439th Airlift Wing Commander.  “In addition, since Westover is about an hour closer to NATO countries in Europe than the next nearest logistics base, this proximity holds high strategic value throughout the Air Force Reserve, Air Mobility Command and U.S. Transportation Command.  Modernizing our infrastructure amplifies our capacity to win tomorrow’s fight.”   “I’d like to thank Governor Baker, Chairman Neal, the MASS-TF, and University of Massachusetts for choosing Westover and Chicopee to build the Transportation and Research Center,” said Michael W. Bolton, President and CEO of Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation.  “At the crossroads of New England with the longest runway in New England, this is a perfect location!  On behalf of Westover Development’s volunteer Board of Directors, welcome to Westover and Chicopee!”

波克萊台商會小聚 商量橋接台灣、波士頓大計

波士頓僑務委員郭競儒(前左六)邀約，波克萊台商會在「鮮芋仙」小聚。(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓僑務委員暨波克萊台灣商會理事郭競儒4月24日下午召集該會年輕幹部及波士頓龍舟隊代表，在Brighton的「鮮芋仙」小聚，從台灣手搖飲品牌發想，籌謀橋接台灣與波士頓大計。

波士頓僑務委員郭競儒。(周菊子攝)

              郭競儒指出，僑委會一直鼓勵海外僑胞要想方設法，「讓世界瞧見台灣」，她又正好看到「鮮芋仙」、「丸作」，「老虎堂」這些台灣手搖飲品牌陸續進駐波士頓，因而興起邀年輕人聚會的念頭，請大家集思廣益，想想可以幫助台灣鄉親發展，給年輕人製造創業機會，又能讓主流社會認識台灣的點子。

              當天除了會長李孟潔另有要務，未能出席外，波克萊台灣商會副會長洪維謙，秘書長李典璋，理事陳玉瑛，台灣龍舟隊隊長李鴻宇，公關陳奕如等，共有不下20人出席。波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮，以及張小慧，也應邀出席，參與支援。

              在「鮮芋仙」店內，出席眾人一邊品嚐著台灣口味的燒仙草，芋圓，一邊熱絡交換意見。洪維謙還透露，「丸作」創始人當年是他台南老家的鄰居。

波克萊台商會理事陳玉瑛(右一)和波士頓台灣龍舟隊隊長李鴻宇(左二)。(周菊子攝)

              根據網路資料，「鮮芋仙 (Meet Fresh)」在麻州已有至少3家分店，分別設在華埠的必珠街，以及Brighton和Allston。其中Allston這家在今年2月波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)到Allston拜訪小商家時，還在裝修呢。號稱全美首家手工珍珠的「丸作 (OneZo)」也至少有3家，分別在昆士市、摩頓市 (Malden)，以及去年才開張的波士頓市華埠店。「老虎堂」也是發源於台灣的國際連鎖甜品品牌，在波士頓至少有2家，一家在布魯克蘭鎮，一家在波士頓華埠。

             席間有人指出，功夫茶也是台灣人創辦的。根據功夫茶自己在網上的品牌緣起，那是4個台灣人憑著「想讓大家都喝得到好茶」的想法，在美國紐約創辦。

 

波克萊台商會副會長洪維謙。(右一) (周菊子攝)

           一時之間，好像台灣在麻州也很紅，只是這些品牌，很多人知道好喝，卻不見得知道是來自台灣，或者那是台灣人創辦的。

              波克萊台商會的年輕人及資深理事們，抱著宣傳台灣的心，計畫著，想要找出一舉數得的方法，讓台灣出名，幫助台商發展，為台灣青年製造創業機會，至少編列出一個大波士頓台灣餐飲地圖，讓台灣人可以很容易的藉著喝杯茶，吃個甜品，嚐嚐家鄉口味，療癒一下思鄉情懷。

紐英崙中文夏令營八月開營 即日起報名

       (Boston Orange) 紐英崙中文夏令營2022年訂八月第一個星期開營，即日起招生。

              紐英崙中文夏令營是個棣屬於大波士頓中華文化協會，創立於1986年的雙語項目，旨在把對中華文化有興趣的年輕人聚在一起，培養感情，形成社群，36年來一直以來都以Weston的Regis學院為營地。

              今年該營訂7月31日至8月6日開營，分三組招收年紀6歲到16歲學生，其中的日間營 8/1-8/5（6 歲到10歲，＄610），過夜營 7/31-8/6（10歲到14歲 ，$1100），亞洲青年過夜營 7/31-8/6（14到16歲，$1100）。

              夏令營安排的課程有中國舞蹈，武術，國樂，扯鈴，國畫書法，以及中華文化。過夜營另外安排有許多讓年輕人深入認識中國文化，交朋友的活動。

              該營今年的營主任Gabe Sater及 Christopher Chiu表示，過去三十多年，很多華人學子在這紐英崙中文夏令營中認識了他們人生中的好朋友，那一星期營期，也成了他們生命成長中的難忘美好記憶。

              紐英崙中文夏令營的營址為Regis College, 235 Wellesley St. Weston, MA 02493址：Regis College, 235 Wellesley St. Weston, MA 02493。報名網址為https://www.necysc.org/v2/。

              查詢詳情，可洽857-7565964，或發電郵到registration@necysc.org。

哈佛、MIT 「五成五學術白話文」談語音辨識、線蟲、高分子薄膜、醫療管理、有名故事

 

哈佛、MIT五乘五學術白話文講者及出席者合影。(哈佛同學會提供)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 哈佛大學和麻省理工學院合辦的「五乘五學術白話文」，4月23日在線上，線下同步舉行，吸引近百人參加，出席者在開放提問時的連環詰問，深如學位答辯，一度引發爆笑。

左起，哈佛台灣同學會謝郁俐、許祐湉請波士頓經文處科技組組長謝水龍送紀念品
給講者崔相德，張新瑜、吳宛霓，毛元亨等人。(哈佛同學會提供)

                           「五乘五學術白話文」活動是哈佛大學台灣學生會為使學術走出象牙塔，刻意安排的講座活動，每次邀請5名在不同領域各有專長的講者，以淺白語文，在5分鐘內分享他們的研究成果與心路歷程，接下來10分鐘問答，一來為各講者提供鍛鍊他們在極短內闡述所學的機會，一來給一般人機會，藉由淺白易懂語文一窺各項專業內涵，擴展各人知識。

哈佛台灣同學會的許祐湉(左)和謝郁俐(右)主持，吳宛霓(中)談複合式高分子薄膜。
(周菊子攝)

                    4月23日這天，Harvard-MIT 春季五乘五學術白話文在哈佛大學校園內的生物實驗室1080講堂舉行，依序邀得賴承逸談「識別不常見口語的算法 (Algorithm that Recognizes Uncommon Spoken Languages) 」，崔相德談「管理能力如何影響醫療體系的效率」，張新瑜談「線蟲與我」，吳宛霓談「複合式高分子薄膜--氣體與液體分離之應用」，毛元亨談「「有名」的故事」。

張新瑜從生物學家談到線蟲。(周菊子攝)

MIT的賴承逸遠距做簡報。(周菊子翻攝)

                     賴承逸是MIT CSAIL (電腦及人工智慧實驗室) 三年級博士生，目前的研究方向是語音和自然語言處理。他正在做的研究是如何使用較少數據，就可以建立AI模型去辨識更多語言。在2018年以前，如果要建立一個語音辨識模型，需要蒐集1000多小時的數據，但在2019和2020年間，谷歌 (google)和臉書 (facebook)推動自監督學習 (Self-supervised learning)，用10分鐘數據訓練出一個語音辨識模型，結果還和2018年的做法還要好。自監督學習只有2個步驟，一個是預訓練模型，在不需要數據的情況下，給出語音訊號，然後預測輸入的是甚麼，之後再用僅有的語音數據做第二輪訓練，輸入是語言，輸出是文字，這個做法的好處是簡單，而且只需要10分鐘。在世界上現有7000多種語言的現狀中，這方法加快了人們對其他語言的研究。

            他去年做了2個研究項目，一是把模型變得更有效率，二是把預訓練模型用在語音以外的其他領域。

                   張新瑜畢業於陽明醫學系，現在哈佛大學生物與生醫系修讀博士。她先形容生物學家點滴，再概論實驗室用模式生物協助研究，然後簡述她在探詢的問題。她指出無論是做遺傳、生化、分子或系統生物研究的人，大都對周遭世界有好奇心，或想找出解決問題辦法。

吳宛霓研究節能省碳的複合式高分子薄膜。(周菊子攝)

                 在生物學研究領域，人們常聽到的乾、濕實驗室，是指實驗時用什麼器材。濕實驗室常需用到液體，也像廚房，要把東西倒來倒去，乾實驗室則是用電腦跑數據等。張新瑜笑說最近有人在面試時聽到的一個新詞叫做「Damp Scientist」，其實是聘僱方希望要兩種實驗方式都能做的人才。

             做生物研究也有科學方法，先觀察，閱讀，提出問題及假說，然後做實驗來測試，如果結果不太對，就修正假說，重新實驗，過程很漫長，但失敗是常態，有時候反而有塞翁失馬，焉知非福的結果。

崔相德研究醫療體系的管理能力對醫療效率及給付制度的影響。(周菊子攝)

              由於生物研究如果用人類做實驗品，會涉及道德問題，所以生物學家常用大腸桿菌，釀酒酵母菌、秀麗隱桿線蟲，黑腹果蠅，阿拉伯芥，斑馬魚，小鼠，非洲爪蟾等來做研究用的模式生物。

                    張新瑜目前就在哈佛的線蟲實驗室做研究。她現在追尋的問題是DNA是生命藍圖，但DNA中有很大一部分是跳躍子 (transposon)，以人類來說就佔了約45%，這些跳躍子一旦跳離原點，跳進新位置，改變了基因的原有序列，就很可能讓人生病。她就在用線蟲研究是什麼壓抑或造成跳躍子跳動的這個問題。

毛元亨以"圖層"比喻各種添加在原始檔案上的資訊與內容，並藉以說明歷史真相往往
難以還原。(周菊子攝)

崔相德是加拿大家庭醫師，目前在哈佛大學公共衛生學院—全球健康及人口部門修讀「人口健康科學」博士學位。這天他以「管理能力如何影響醫療體系的效率」為題，討論醫院的管理能力如何能夠影響醫院適應並達成給付政策改革目標。

                  崔相德指出，在這世界銀行部分資助的研究中，他們發現越是高收入國家，醫療費用總支出也越高，增進效率也越形重要。他們選擇介入中國大陸採用的新型農村合作醫療(新農合)

張新瑜細心的為聽眾整理出模式生物概括圖。(周菊子攝)

給付醫院的方式來做研究，把論量計酬改成總額支付，並用世界管理調查問卷來做分類醫院管理能力的主成分分析，以及三重差分法，來研究介入醫院給付的影響，會否因為管理能力而有差別，結果發現最佳化目標難度，標準化流程可能有助於改善醫院給付效率，但目標具體化和給予反饋就沒有顯著的相關影響。

吳宛霓藉蒸餾耗能佔美國2016總耗能的8%，指出複合式高分子薄膜的好初。(周菊子攝)

波士頓經文處科技組組長謝水龍提出，這研究似未探討醫療品質部分，前任哈佛同學會會長藍凡耘從預防和介入的角度提出方法學方面的問題。

吳宛霓是來自嘉義的MIT化工系三年級博士生，正在做用複合式高分子薄膜來分離氣體與液體的研究。她指出，目前大部分化工廠還在用100多年前的分離技術，耗能高，碳排放量也高。其中蒸餾分離所產生的耗能佔美國2016年總耗能的8%，可以讓MIT校園運作3000年。她在研究有甚麼方法可以在耗能更小中達到同樣的分離效果。

                     在目前已知的蒸餾、烘乾、蒸發、萃取、吸附、吸收、薄膜、晶體化等分離方式中，薄膜比較節能，還有體積小，碳足跡小，在過程中不需加熱，應用層面也就更廣。最新的一種型態是中空纖維薄膜，可以讓單位體積有最高的表面積，目前已經研發出來的商業應用有氣體分離，像是從空氣中分離出氮氣用作食品包裝，或是用在海水淡化，血液透析等，但是目前薄膜式分離還沒有辦法取代蒸餾和分餾，因為高分子薄膜有老化、滲透性降低，以及塑化等限制。解決這些問題的方式之一是混合奈米粒子，但是高分子和奈米粒子有相容性不佳的問題，她的研究是在不同材料上加入官能基來提升相容性。例如在高分子薄膜上加入PIM-COOH這官能基，就會形成氫鍵，做出結構比較緊密的複合式高分子薄膜。她用由硫化氫、二氧化碳和甲烷組成的天然氣來做實驗，把硫化氫和二氧化碳這2種酸性氣體分離出來，以免在運送過程中腐蝕管線。測試結果顯示在設計高分子薄膜時可以針對不同用途來採用匹配的官能基來增加效能。

                        毛元亨是哈佛大學歷史與東亞語文聯合學程博士候選人，他主要研究宋明士人社會網絡的構成，以及其與士人文化的交互影響。在這天的演講中，他以Photoshop等批圖、修圖為例，點出資訊在傳遞過程中，可能經由傳遞者因為各種原因，做過不同修飾，於是一張照片會有很多圖層，以現代人理解的轉發照片為例，可能因為傳送工具不同，或為傳送方便，或為遮住某些不想傳送的內容，於是壓縮、裁剪原圖，再輾轉相傳，最終收到資訊的人，看不到中間疊加、壓縮、裁剪的圖層資訊，於是難以還原完全沒編輯過的「歷史真相」。

                   毛元亨說歷史學家的工作之一，是「還原歷史真相」，但是有些歷史資訊早已流失，又或者流傳下來的是已有許多”圖層”的版本，歷史學家得識別這些圖層，了解其功用，添加或刪減的原因。換句話說，任何人們聽到，或者知道的任何社會或文化的說法，都可以用那是已壓縮過，有”圖層”的檔案來理解。

毛元亨還用國立故宮博物院裏，包括蘇軾等4名十三世紀宋朝江湖文人圍桌而聚的「西園雅集圖」這幅畫為引，從歷史學視角分析從古到今，什麽是有名？在不同的社會裡，名聲是怎麽被決定的？討論社會變遷如何改變名聲形成的機制。

今年的「五成五學術白話文」，會末還安排了有獎問答，主持人許祐湉和謝郁俐藉著最後一題，說明了哈佛大學和麻省理工學院兩校台灣同學會合辦的這活動，一年舉辦2次，一次由哈佛主辦，一次由MIT主辦，從2016年迄今，已經舉辦13次了。這次的講座已經上傳到Youtube，https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIoLYt_WOPU。 (再次更新版)

波士頓市長吳弭也呼籲州政府通過MBTA低收入票價法案

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 和2個聯盟成員一起呼籲州政府通過低收入票價法案。
(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 今 (25) 日加入” 交通是基本的 (Transit is Essential Coalition)” ，” 公共交通公益聯盟 (Public Transit Public Good Coalitions)” 行列，在麻州政府大樓前呼籲州政府通過” 低收入票價 (Low Income Fare)” 法案。

             華人前進會在行政主任陳玉珍，以及鄺寶蓮率領下，也有10幾人出席支持。

             

“宜居街道聯盟 (LivableStreets Alliance) 」主任Stacy Thompson指出，辦理低收入票價，估計
每年需款不到一億元。(周菊子攝)

吳弭為活動致詞時說，「要讓波士頓成為每一個人的波士頓，每個人必須能夠去到他們得去的地方 (Everyone got to be able to get to where they need to go)”，而且所有的機會必須公開給每一個人。換言之，公共交通是一種公共物品」。對公共交通的任何一筆投資，都是對麻州所有居民共有未來的投資。任何的投資，都有如為將來付出的頭期款，會讓人們生活得更容易一點。

             吳弭說，要讓波士頓從新冠病毒疫情中走出來，其實也很容易，首先是增加住宅，要讓波士頓成為人們可以負擔，住得起的城市，其次是讓人們有流動自由，例如可以免費搭乘的28號巴士，現在是搭乘量最高的巴士。她說，”把公共交通當作一種公共物品，是對未來，對社區的投資，也是對這全美最古老城市波士頓傳承的見證與提醒”。

聯盟耆英對波士頓市長吳弭支持他們的要求，感到非常開心。(周菊子攝)

             麻州議會在去年的交通債券法中已提出並通過了試行”低收入票價”法案，但是麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker)以他的否決權，在最後定案的交通債券法中省略了這一部分的條文。

             今年東波士頓麻州眾議員Adrian C. Madaro再提H.3526法案，把” 低收入票價” 單獨列案，要求麻州地鐵局 (MBTA)及州政府區域交通局為符合資格居民提供免費或折扣票價。據說麻州議會的交通委員會已表態支持該案，現正交由麻州眾議會財政委員會考慮。

華人前進會成員特地趕到活動現場，支援呼籲低收入票價，並和波士頓市長吳弭合影。
(華人前進會提供)

             根據麻省理工學院研究員的2019年研究，折價票會鼓勵低收入乘客更常搭乘公車或地鐵。在一項實驗中，拿到半價查理卡的民眾，每週搭乘公車及地鐵的次數，比付全票的民眾高30%。

             麻州地鐵局的前一任監管委員會，也是財政及管理控制委員會 (Fiscal and Management Control Board)曾指示地鐵行政單位在2022年底之前，設計一個為期9個月的試驗計畫，為低收入乘客提供折價票。該會並在2021年6月的最後一次會議中無異議通過了這一決議。但是繼任的監管委員會卻似乎沒有興趣繼續這麼做。

波士頓市長吳弭和華人前進會成員親切晤談。(鄺寶蓮堤供)

             “宜居街道聯盟 (LivableStreets Alliance) 」主任Stacy Thompson在回答現場提問時表示，「低收入票價」的經費可以來自”美國援救計畫紓困款(ARPA)，以及其他來源，至於資格認定，可以比照麻州人民服務廳等機構現有的標準。他們相信辦理試驗計畫只需不到1000萬元，之後每年需要的費用應不超過一億元。

             麻州地鐵總經理Steve Poftak早前也表示，在整個地鐵系統執行這樣的計畫，至少得花5000萬元，甚至很可能超過一億元。他在麻州議會的財政委員會聽證會中也說，許多其他城市的地鐵及公共交通系統，也有一些某種類型的低收入票價，但經費都不是來自交通局，例入紐約的都會交通局，經費就來自紐約市政府。

             波士頓市以50萬元辦理28號巴士免費搭乘6個月的試驗計畫後，搭乘量增加了22%，但僅只三分之一搭乘者省了錢，因為其他搭乘者在轉搭其他公交車時，還是得付錢。

             波士頓市早前動用聯邦經費，斥資800萬元，讓28、23，以及29號三條巴士線，免費搭乘2年，期以更實在的檢驗公共交通工具免費為民眾及社區帶來的益處。

New COVID Impact Data Outlines Ongoing Financial Hardships Across Cultural Sector

New COVID Impact Data Outlines Ongoing Financial Hardships Across Cultural Sector

 

Mass Cultural Council’s sixth survey since March 2020 details continued economic losses; 1,084 cultural organizations report $781M+ in lost revenue, while 3,048 creative individuals cite $31.9M+ in lost personal income

 

BOSTON – In March 2021, one year into the pandemic, Mass Cultural Council shared data defining a cultural sector in economic crisis. Today, more than two years after COVID-19 first affected every facet of life in the Commonwealth, Mass Cultural Council releases new economic impact data collected from Massachusetts artists, cultural sector workers, and cultural organizations.   This is the sixth COVID economic impact survey of the cultural sector hosted by Mass Cultural Council since the pandemic forced gathering limits, closures, and cancellations across Massachusetts in March 2020. The data reported today represents a cumulative total for every respondent of each prior survey since March 2020: 1,084 cultural organizations and 3,048 artists and cultural sector workers.   “Mass Cultural Council’s charge is to bolster the Commonwealth’s cultural sector,” said Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. “Massachusetts’ artists, sector employees, creative individuals, and organizations have been doing their best to hang on, and we are hopeful that this spring and summer the public will enthusiastically and safely reengage with them. This survey reports devastating losses – but there is hope. In the coming fiscal year, Mass Cultural Council anticipates administering a historic level of state funding in grants supporting arts and culture in every community. Together, our creativity, passion, and perseverance will help the cultural sector to vibrantly thrive once again.”    Economic Impacts Reported by Cultural Organizations  A total of 281 cultural organizations located across Massachusetts responded to the sixth impact survey, which sought information on the period between March 1, 2021, to February 28, 2022. These organizations reported $192,691,951 in lost revenue during that period. Significantly, ninety (90) percent -- $172,550,608 -- of these losses stem from earned revenue that never materialized.   “It’s clear that while cultural organizations have reopened, audiences have yet to return in large enough numbers for the hosts to rely upon earned revenue to support their work or achieve revenue goals,” said Bobbitt. “Mass Cultural Council’s grant programs and services offer relief and assistance, but the need is always greater than our available resources.”       These organizations also identified almost $20 million ($19,299,389) in costs experienced over the past year that were necessary to reopen, remain open, or attract patrons. These costs, which include capital expenses like HVAC improvements, air purifiers, and seating changes, and non-capital expenses, such as cleaning and sanitation, signage, supplies, and staff training, are ongoing items organizations must now budget for.   Fifty-one (51) percent of survey respondents with employees reported that they laid off, furloughed, or reduced the hours and/or wages of their employees in the past year – impacting 3,504 cultural sector employees.   Cumulatively, throughout Mass Cultural Council’s six COVID economic impact surveys issued between March 2020 and March 2022, 1,084 cultural organizations reported a total of $781,026,030 in lost revenue and 33,513 impacted jobs.

 

 

Economic Impacts Reported by Artists, Cultural Sector Workers and Creative Individuals  A total of 131 individuals (artists, teaching artists, humanists/scientists, and cultural sector workers) living and working in Massachusetts responded to the sixth COVID economic impact survey for individuals, which sought data for the period of March 1, 2021, to February 28, 2022.   These creative individuals report a total of 6,166 lost or cancelled gigs/jobs over the past year, resulting in a loss of $1,534,384 in personal income.   Cumulatively, throughout Mass Cultural Council’s six COVID economic impact surveys, issued between March 2020 and March 2022, 3,048 creative individuals reported 74,152 lost or cancelled gigs/jobs and almost $32 million ($31,938,000) in lost personal income. This represents an average loss of twenty-four gigs/jobs and $10,478 per person in the past two years.

 

 

“While Mass Cultural Council is proud to have doubled its grantmaking budget for artists this year, clearly there is need for additional investment,” said Bobbitt. “My goal is to provide even more grants to artists and cultural sector workers in the next fiscal year, and I hope our available funding will support this endeavor.”   Public Investment in the Cultural Sector  As a state agency, Mass Cultural Council is primarily funded through a line-item (0640-0300) in the annual state operating budget. While state law has established stand-alone grant programs funded by other means, such as the Cultural Facilities Fund and the Gaming Mitigation Program, it is the annual state budget that provides the Commonwealth’s main financial support for the cultural sector each year.   In the current fiscal year (FY22), Mass Cultural Council received $21,375,000 in state funding, the largest state appropriation since the 1980s. The Agency invested eighty-four (84) percent of this funding -- $18 million -- into more than 1,500 grant awards made in every city and town in the Commonwealth.   The Massachusetts cultural sector may receive a record level of state funding in FY23, which begins on July 1.   The Governor’s FY23 budget recommended funding Mass Cultural Council at $20.4M – significant, as this is the highest funding proposed by a Baker-Polito Administration budget; while the House Committee on Ways & Means proposed funding the Agency with $22.5M.   Legislators on Beacon Hill are now working to draft the FY23 budget, and the state House of Representatives will convene in budget debate this week. One item for consideration is Amendment #1081, filed by State Representative Dylan Fernandes (D- Falmouth) and co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of 70 House Members, 44.9% of the Chamber, seeking to increase Mass Cultural Council’s appropriation to $27.4 million, a record-high funding level last seen 34 years ago, in 1988.    Mass Cultural Council is also charged with granting $60.1 million in one-time state pandemic recovery funds to artists and cultural organizations. Draft program guidelines are expected to go to the Agency’s governing Council for approval in May; applications will launch soon thereafter.   “Mass Cultural Council is deeply appreciative of our partners on Beacon Hill for their continued investments supporting the cultural sector’s ongoing COVID recovery,” said Bobbitt. “We know when the cultural sector is thriving, the Commonwealth’s people, communities, and economy benefit as well.”