Where to start? Our high schools
Nearly one out of every ten workers in Greater Boston either holds a tech-related job, or works in a non-technical job at a tech company. That places us 8th nationwide among metropolitan areas, the Globe’s Aaron Pressman reports. And even though there were a wave of layoffs at tech companies large and small last year, the number of people in Greater Boston employed in the industry – more than 272,500 people -- rose slightly (1%) last year, while hiring remains a problem.
Greg Reibman
This deduction is returning at just the right time
Massachusetts residents lost the ability to deduct charitable contributions from their state taxes years ago. But the Massachusetts donation deduction is back this year. It can even be used for filers who don’t itemize their federal deductions. The change, effective Jan. 1, 2023, was overwhelmingly passed by voters in 2000 but put on hold by state lawmakers during a revenue crunch.
Greg Reibman
Last minute lawmakers (again)
Beacon Hill lawmakers finally agreed yesterday to allow municipalities to continue holding remote public meetings and offer an expedited outdoor dining permit process. They also agreed (on the eve of National Cocktail Day, turns out) to allow restaurants to continue offering mixed drinks, beer, and wine for both take-out and delivery meals. All three provisions were set to expire one week from today.
Greg Reibman
Why we're teaming up with chambers statewide
Our chamber is teaming up with nine other regional chambers to form a statewide policy network; the Massachusetts Chambers of Commerce Policy Network. Led by the presidents and CEOs of the ten chambers, we plan to use our collective voice to advocate for policy and business issues that will strengthen the quality of life and economy in the Commonwealth.
Greg Reibman
Here's the answer to a question I'm asked all the time
Several times a week someone asks: “Say, Greg, what's that they're building next door to Tripadvisor?” That would be Boston’s Children’s Hospital's new outpatient surgery center. In 2020 Needham Town Meeting approved rezoning to allow Children’s to eventually construct up to three buildings in the office park, as well as an expansion of the adjacent parking garage.
Greg Reibman
Chambers statewide to work together on policy solutions
The Charles River Regional Chamber is teaming up with nine of the state’s largest regional chambers to form a statewide policy network; the Massachusetts Chambers of Commerce Policy Network. Led by the presidents and CEOs of the participating chambers, the Chambers Policy Network aims to use its collective voice to advocate for policy and business issues that will strengthen the quality of life and economy in the Commonwealth.
Greg Reibman
Not all was quiet on the west suburban front
This past weekend was one hour shorter than usual. But that still left plenty of time for many local CEOs, tech and biotech workers, entrepreneurs, and private investors to freak out. They were panicked, of course, about the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, along with some added worry about the First Republic, which like SVB has a significant Massachusetts presence. And while the immediate crisis was averted even before the Oscar ceremony ended (at least I think it ended, I tuned out at
Greg Reibman
Rage is all the rage
We began this morning writing about angry participants at public meetings. We end with some perspective for restaurant, hotel, shop service, or other business owners who are experiencing an uptick in bad Yelp reviews and other complaints. It’s not just you. The number of customers who seek “revenge” on a business after they feel they’ve been treated badly has tripled since the start of the pandemic, according to the annual National Customer Rage Survey.
Greg Reibman
Finding workers isn't the only challenge
Hiring continues to be a problem for many retailers But a new Harvard Business School study identifies another challenge for merchants: Employee lateness and absenteeism. Researchers examined 25.5 million employee shift time cards covering more than 100,000 employees across more than 500 U.S. retail grocery store locations over four years.
Greg Reibman
My dentist isn't going to be happy with the city council
Later this month the Newton City Council will consider banning the sale or distribution of more than one dozen plastic items and limiting the availability of many other items. Most of the proposed rules would change the way our restaurants do business. Many retailers would be impacted too. Among other things, the ordinance would forbid the sale of plastic water bottles, plastic floss sticks, plastic ear swabs, cosmetics containing plastic glitter, non-recyclable plastic containers, and packing materials. I
Greg Reibman
