Archives - Sampan

Front Page March 2, 2024 0

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Center and Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) in Boston Chinatown Are Ready to Help Everyone in MA During Tax Season and They’re Free

As the new tax season begins, individuals, families, and businesses alike find themselves struggling through the complexities of filing their taxes. Paying taxes is a fundamental aspect of civic responsibility, not just a legal requirement but as a crucial contribution to the fabric of our society. Taxes finance public services and infrastructure, roads and schools, healthcare and national defense, and ultimately the safety and wellbeing of the community. Filing your taxes can present significant challenges, for individuals for whom English […]

Front Page March 2, 2024 0

U.S. Census: Asians Are No. 2 Fastest Growing Group

by Yizhen Zhang

The Census Academy of the United States Census Bureau recently hosted a webinar titled “Exploring the Diversity and Growth of the Asian American Population,” revealing that in 2021 the Asian population in the United States was roughly 23 million — 1.2% up from 2020. The webinar revealed other key areas of growth for the population, which is highly diverse. As of 2021, Chinese were estimated to have the largest Asian population of 5.2 million in the U.S., followed by Indians […]

Front Page March 2, 2024 0

Pressure to Pass Anti-Bullying Bill is Dividing Legislators

by Damica Feliciano

Hundreds of activists in Massachusetts last October testified for ethical workplace conduct and anti-bullying legislation. Many spoke in favor of the Workplace Psychological Safety Act (WPSA), one of two proposed measures that could protect workers from mental and emotional harm. Massachusetts employment law currently prohibits discrimination against workers who fall under a protected class, or based on race or ethnicity, disability, gender, age, or religion. However, the WPSA will expand the state’s current statutes and hone in on protecting employees […]

Immigration March 2, 2024 0

New Sanctuary Movement Supports the Rights of Refugees, Asylees and Migrants

by Tracy Huang

There has been an increasing rise of sanctuary cities in the US. These are locations that- according to the Center for Immigration Studies, provide refugees, asylees, migrants and immigrants with resources to help them live in the country. They also protect undocumented individuals from unwarranted deportation. A list of states that have sanctuary cities includes California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington. According to Global Refugee, a sanctuary city is defined […]

Boston March 1, 2024 0

Boston Water and Sewer Commission Meeting Provides a Platform for Residents’ Infrastructure Concerns in Chinatown and Downtown Neighborhoods

by Derek He

“My tap water is reaching temperatures of nearly 100 degrees.” described Robert Qua, a South St Leather District resident, at a recent meeting called by the Boston Water and Sewer Commission to Announce Capital Improvements and StormWater Remediation Installation. He spoke about the adverse effects of high groundwater levels on civil infrastructure. By highlighting the impact of groundwater on infrastructure integrity, he underscored the urgency of implementing measures to mitigate potential risks and safeguard critical infrastructure assets. His insights served […]

Metro March 1, 2024 0

Get Ready for Super Tuesday, on March 5, to Cast Vote in Presidential Primaries, Caucuses

by Yizhen Zhang

Super Tuesday — when a large number of states will hold presidential primary elections and caucuses — is on March 5. The states holding primary elections on Super Tuesday will be Alabama, Alaska Republican presidential caucuses, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Iowa Democratic caucus main vote, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah Democratic presidential primary and Republican presidential caucuses, Vermont, and Virginia. U.S. presidential primary elections typically start in February and end in June. In some states, such as […]

Boston February 17, 2024 0

Governor Healey’s FY25 Budget Proposal Tightens Belts and Adjusts Priorities

by Tony Le

Analyzing the viability of a state budget will always fall into partisan zones. What’s good for one group will invariably be criticized by another. Writing in a January 26th 2024 posting on Masslive.com, John L. Micek put it succinctly while reflecting on the sometimes desperate measures we all take to adjust our priorities based on available funds: “They’re all short-term fixes that get you where you need to be. And they solve the immediate problem. But it’s not exactly the […]

Immigration February 17, 2024 0

New Study Shows Significant Contributions by Migrants to U.S Economy

by Sabrina Yeung

In an era where migration is often viewed through a lens of skepticism and controversy, emerging research is rapidly transforming the narrative, revealing the substantial economic contributions of migrants to global economies. The critical role migrants play in enriching and diversifying economies around the world is starting to debunk myths surrounding their role in modern society. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center’s report from February 7, 2024, sets a compelling precedent for the discussion on migrants’ economic contributions. It meticulously […]

Immigration February 17, 2024 0

Migrant Crisis Update

by Aditya Venkatram

The Massachusetts Commonwealth finds itself at a crossroads. An influx of migrants, primarily originating from Central and South America, has strained resources and are igniting a complex and multifaceted challenge to shelter them. Current shelters are overflowing, budgets are being stretched to support emergency housing, and Boston communities are split between compassion and concern. Massachusetts is currently facing a large-scale humanitarian crisis and needs to find a solution that prioritizes both the well-being of migrants as well as its community. […]

Leisure February 17, 2024 0

‘Expats’: A Disappointing Exploration of Grief

by Harmony Witte

I watched the first season of Expats on Amazon Prime and was sorely disappointed by the quality of the six-episode offering. Directed by Lulu Wang (Posthumous 2014, The Farewell 2019) the show is based on a 2016 novel called The Expatriates by Janice Y.K. Lee, which received mostly positive reviews. The story follows the lives of a group of expatriates living in Hong Kong and chronicles their interactions with each other, and how they navigate the unfamiliar world around them […]

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