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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021 Page 21 Sa enr Sa y Senior Senio BY JIM MILLER How Seniors Can Learn New Technology Skills Online Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good technology classes or online learning resources for inexperienced seniors? I have a computer and a smartphone, but my knowledge and skills are pretty limited. Tech Challenged Senior Dear Senior, There are many different technology teaching tools available to older adults that can help you learn new tech skills so you can better utilize your devices. Here are some good options to consider. Local classes or workshops: Depending on where you live, there may be community resources that offer beginning computer and personal technology classes, be it online or in-person, for older adults that are new to technology. To fi nd out what’s available in your area, contact your local public library, senior center, college or university, or local stores that sell computers. Your Area Agency on Aging may also be able to help you. Visit the Eldercare Locator at Eldercare. acl.gov or call 800-677-1116 to get your local number. GetSetUp.io: This is one of the best online learning websites that partners with guides to provide training on tech tools for adults 50 and older. They provide more than 350 online classes taught in real-time by retired educators and tech industry experts in a way that lets older adults learn-by-doing, versus just watching a video. Their technology classes – all taught via Zoom – cover things like learning how to use smartphones and tablets, how to setup and use Zoom, how to utilize Gmail features, how to recognize online scams, how to sell your stuff online and so much more. Most of their classes are free; however some charge a small fee. SeniorPlanet.org: Created and sponsored by national nonprofi t OATS (Older Adults Technology Services) and recently joining forces with AARP, Senior Planet offers 60-and-older adults a wide variety of free online courses, programs, and activities that are taught in real-time to help seniors learn new technology skills, as well as save money, get in shape and make new friends. Some of their more popular tech classes include “All Things Zoom,” “Everything Smartphones,” and an “Introduction to Social Media.” They even offer a “lunch & learn – tech discussion group” offered at various times throughout the year where you can ask questions as well as share your struggles and experiences. If you ever have a technology question that pops up during the week, you can call their National Senior Planet Hotline for tech help at 920-666-1959 anytime Monday through Friday during working hours. OasisEverywhere.org: This nonprofit educational organization for older adults provides more than 10 low-cost/free online computer, internet and mobile technology courses for beginners. And when the pandemic dies down, they will resume offering beginner tech classes in their 27 locations (located in nine states) throughout the country. CandooTech.com: This company provides fee-based online tech support and training to help older adults feel more comfortable with phones, computers, tablets, home safety devices and more. Their specially trained tech concierges will teach you how to use your technology, fi x what’s not working and install software, as well as learn how set-up and use email, video chat, social media, online shopping and entertainment, ride sharing services and more. They offer one-hour, one-onone or small group sessions for $50, or you can become a member and get two 90-minute training sessions plus unlimited quick support (30 minutes or less) for $180 per year. They also provide device installation and setup done remotely for $180. TechBoomers.com: This is a free educational website that provides video and article tutorials that teach older adults and other inexperienced technology users how to use the most popular and trusted websites, apps and devices. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. nior ior BHRC | FROM PAGE 16 Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven (D-Somerville) was the only member who voted against one of the consolidated amendments. “It is worth noting that [my] ‘no’ vote is the only non-unanimous vote taken for the entire House budget, showing how little transparency, public debate and public accountability there is in the House budget process,” she said. HOUSE APPROVES $47.7 BILLION FISCAL 2022 BUDGET (H 4000) House 160-0, approved and sent to the Senate a $47.7 billion fi scal 2022 state budget for the fi scal year that begins on July 1, 2021. The House, over three days, added $59.8 million to the bill. The House version now goes to the Senate which will approve a diff erent version. A House-Senate conference committee will eventually craft a plan that will be presented to the House and Senate for consideration and sent to the governor. “This budget meets the needs of our residents who have endured an unprecedented level of health and economic challenges over the past year,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “The House continues to support the services and programs that have proven to be essential for so many, while making targeted investments to grow the Massachusetts economy.” Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester), vice chair of the House Ways & Means Committee said, “The economic development measures and strong social service supports position Massachusetts to recover from the pandemic and continue growing.” “Budgets are more than line items and spreadsheets” said Rep. Jack Lewis (D-Framingham), co-chair of the House Progressive Caucus which hailed the budget. “Budgets are promises to support all the residents of the commonwealth and invest in our shared future. This House budget embodies the deepest commitments of our commonwealth by raising the Conservation Land Tax Credit, increasing support for families living in deep poverty and expanding funding to civil legal aid, emergency housing assistance and public education.” (A “Yes” vote is for the budget). Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes CONTINUE THE FILM TAX CREDIT (H 4000) House 160-0, approved an amendment that would indefi nitely extend the fi lm tax credit which is due to expire at the end of 2022. According to the Massachusetts Film Office, the state provides fi lmmakers with a package of tax incentives including a 25 percent production credit, a 25 percent payroll credit and a sales tax exemption. Any project that spends more than $50,000 in Massachusetts qualifi es for the payroll credit. Spending more than 50 percent of the total budget or fi lming at least 50 percent of the principal photography days in the Bay State makes the project eligible for the production credit and the sales tax exemption. “Since the inception of the fi lm tax credit in 2006, $2.8 billion in economic development has fl owed into Massachusetts, stimulating many businesses that previously were not here, and creating new employment opportunities for thousands of people,” said the amendment’s sponsor Rep. Tackey Chan (D-Quincy). “It is essential, especially in light of the pandemic, that the commonwealth continues to champion job preservation, growth and continued investments in our local businesses.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment). Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes EXPAND CONSERVATION LAND TAX CREDIT (H 4000) House 160-0, approved an amendment that would expand the existing Conservation Land Tax Credit by raising the annual cap for this program from $2 million to $5 million over a three-year period, beginning on January 1, 2022. The increase would remain in place until December 31, 2031. This state tax credit provides an incentive for land with signifi cant conservation value to be donated to public and private conservation agencies. The tax credit is equal to 50 percent of the fair market value of the donated property, up to a maximum credit of $75,000. Supporters explained that the tax credit has already resulted in the permanent protection of some 14,000 acres of land valued at over $76.5 million. They noted that for 2021, the maximum $2 million in tax credits has already been committed to 33 projects that will protect about 1,954 additional acres. They said that leaves 83 additional projects representing another 1,482 acres of land on a waiting list with some of the projects expected to be waiting until at least 2024 to receive the tax credit. “The recent passage of the 2050 Roadmap bill recognized that naturally occurring carbon sequestration is a very important component of the state’s ability to reach its short and long-term goals for reducing carbon emissions,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading), the sponsor of the amendment. “Increasing the tax credit program’s annual cap will help to clear up the backlog of projects that are currently pending and will reap signifi cant environmental benefi ts for the commonwealth.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment). Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes CONSOLIDATED AMENDMENT ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUDICIARY (H 4000) House 158-1, approved a $5.3 million consolidated amendment that funds public safety and judiciary programs. This is the only consolidated amendment which did not receive a unanimous vote. “I am proud of the work we did in the House of Representative to provide for our cities and town’s local public safety needs,” said Rep. Carlos Gonzalez (D-Springfi eld), the House chair of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. “Chief among our accomplishments is our commitment to process all untested sexual assault evidence kits within 180 days of the budget’s passage. This is an essential step towards providing the justice that all of these survivors of sexual assault are owed.” “This amendment represents the values of our commonwealth,” said Rep. Michael Day (D-Stoneham) the House chair of the Committee on the Judiciary. “These … investments seek to help the marginalized, keep our communities safe and continue our march towards equal justice under the law, for all our residents.” “I voted no because this amendment increased both funding for the State Police and the Department of Corrections by $1 million and $500,000 respectively,” said Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven (D-Somerville). “While there is good language on sexual assault evidence kit testing and spending accountability on ICE, I cannot vote for an amendment that increases funding to institutions that commit overtime fraud or force horrifi c living conditions on incarcerated people. At the very least, we must increase accountability before increasing spending. It is worth noting that this ‘no’ vote is the only non-unanimous vote taken for the entire House budget, showing how little transparency, public debate, and public accountability there is in the House budget process.” (A “Yes” vote is for the consolidated amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes CONSOLIDATED AMENDMENT ON ENERGY, ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND HOUSING (H 4000) House 159-0, approved a $7.3 million consolidated amendment that funds energy, environmental aff airs and housing programs. “Housing is central to the well-being of individuals and families across the commonwealth,” said James Arciero (D-Westford), House chair of the Housing Committee. “Massachusetts is a high-cost state and this impacts the ability of our residents to gain and retain decent aff ordable housing. This budget provides historic funding for our housing programs as we prioritize this basic, fundamental need of our citizens.” “The House has crafted a bold budget that matches our ambitions in the fi ght against climate change and for the commonwealth’s clean energy future,” said Rep. Jeff rey Roy (D-Franklin), House chair of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “Climate science and policy is complicated and demands the actions articulated in this budget to avoid what is essentially the most signifi cant existential challenge of our time. It builds on the recently signed climate bill, which increases our commitment to off shore wind in the commonwealth to 5600 megawatts.” “Our prioritization of these essential environmental programs will protect and preserve our natural resources and outdoor spaces, as well as set a sustainable and resilient course for the future,” said Rep. Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston), House chair of the Committee on Environment, Natural ReBHRC | SEE PAGE 23

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