Good morning and happy Global Talent Acquisition Day,

More than 60 jobs will qualify under the Trump administration’s “no tax on tips” law, passed by Congress this summer.

The just-published list includes predicted categories like bartenders, waitstaff, hotel housekeeping cleaners, babysitters, hairdressers and rideshare drivers.

But there are surprises too, such as social media influencers, podcasters, streamers, online video creators and rickshaw drivers.

Qualified workers will receive deductions of up to $25,000 in tips if they make less than $150,000, or $300,000 if they’re married and filing jointly, the Hill reports.

The amount is reduced by $100 for every $1,000 earned above $150,000.

Employees who receive overtime will also be eligible for up to $12,500 in deductions for overtime, or up to $25,000 in a joint return. That too will be reduced if earning more than $150,000.

Newton doc Walensky sounds alarm with colleagues

Newton physician Dr. Rochelle Walensky was one of nine former directors of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who co-authored a New York Times op-ed Monday denouncing “what the health and human services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has done to the CDC and to our nation’s public health system over the past several months.”

“This is a time to rally to protect the health of every American,” they wrote (gift link).

The nine signees served under every Republican and Democratic administration since 1977.

One of the nation’s leading experts on virus testing, prevention and treatment,  Walensky was appointed by President Joe Biden amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the course of her two-and-a-half years on the job, she was the object of character assassinations, death threats and perpetual worries for her family’s safety.

But, as she told us at our 2023 Fall Business Breakfast Walensky was also deeply appreciative of the plates of cookies and notes of support frequently left at the doorstep of her Newton home by appreciative residents.

We presented Walensky with our R.L. Tennant Award, our highest honor, that morning for her service and courage.  It’s worth watching the video of her remarks.

MBTA Communities on steroids

Here in Massachusetts, we’ve spent years watching municipalities slow-walk compliance with the MBTA Communities Act.

Many thoughtful plans have passed. Others opted for paper compliance. And some are still holding out.

Meanwhile, California lawmakers are on the precipice of passing their own version — but on steroids.

California’s proposed bill, SB 79,  would automatically upzone every parcel within a half mile of rail stations and major bus stops.

That means no drafting compliance plans, no endless hearings, no fights over which parcels get included, no referendums and no paper compliances. Just instant, by-right transit-oriented density allowing:

• Six to 9 stories by right (tapering off with distance) within a half-mile of high-frequency metro stops.  
  
  
• Four to 8 stories by right within a half-mile of light rail, bus rapid transit, and commuter rail. (That’s a density of 60 to 120 units per acre, much higher than the MBTA-C’s 15 units per acre.)

We championed the MBTA Communities and tried to show our communities how it was in their self-interest to open housing opportunities for young families and downsizing seniors, to attract and retain businesses and bolster our economy.

Even today, nearly five years after Gov. Charlie Baker signed MBTA Communities, the law still faces court challenges and repeal efforts.

Disappointingly, even GOP candidate for governor Mike Kennealy, who was Baker’s economic development secretary when MBTA-C passed, appears to be repositioning his position.

Today’s grab bag

• The deaths of three Watertown residents, a married couple and their elderly upstairs neighbor, are being investigated as a murder-suicide, according to the Middlesex DA. The couple reportedly had a newborn child, who was not present at the time of the shootings. (WCVB)
  
  
• A multimillion-dollar renovation is underway at the Shops at Chestnut Hill, with a plan to wrap up the improvements by the end of the year. (BBJ)
  
  
• Lalibela, an Ethiopian restaurant, has opened at 5 Spring Street in Watertown.
  
  
• True blue: After two failed attempts in Kenmore Square, Blue Ribbon Brasserie is no longer in business.  Meanwhile, our own Blue Ribbon BBQ (no relation) has been in West Newton for over three decades and is still rocking!
  
  
• Seven cities and towns in Massachusetts have had median condo prices over $1 million this year through July,  led by $1.5 million in Wellesley, followed by $1.2 million in Newton. (BBJ)
  
  
• The Trump administration is preparing an immigration enforcement blitz in Boston in the coming weeks, according to a current administration official and a former administration official, per Politico. The latest plans could still change,
  
  
• Garden Remedies of Newton is looking for local nonprofits to partner on its Puff Puff Give program, which is designed to generate publicity and a donation for your organization. Nonprofits that get federal funding may not be able to participate. Contact Samantha Woodman.
  
  
• Showcase your business at the Multi-Chamber Expo, Oct. 9, at the Westin Waltham-Boston Hotel.
• Sorry to be a buzz killer two days after Labor Day: Daylight Saving Time is less than two months away — Nov. 2 — the second-earliest date possible.
  
  
• The West Suburban YMCA and the Rotary Club of Newton are sponsoring "Pickleball for a Purpose" at the Y on Wells Ave., Sept. 20. All skill levels welcome.
  
  
• Federal tax credits for clean energy upgrades are ending sooner than expected. Businesses planning EV fleet purchases must act by Sept. 2025, energy-efficient building upgrades by June 2026, and rooftop solar by Dec. 2027. State programs like MassSave remain available.
  
  
• Go Banking Rates’ list of the 50 "safest and wealthiest cities in America" includes Lexington ranked No. 2 and Winchester at No. 3.  Among our communities: Wellesley is No. 14,  Newton is No. 40 and Needham No. 41.
  
  
• We’ll be announcing our Newton Business Awards honorees and opening nominations for Wellesley Business of the Year this week. Watch your inbox.

Program stresses culinary and coping skills

A program run in conjunction with the Norfolk County Sheriff and the Snapchef Foundation is providing incarcerated men with the culinary skills and support they need to get a job and succeed on the outside.

And it’s working, reports WBUR’s Lynn Jolicoeur with graduates who’ve completed the course at Norfolk County Correctional Center working in the food industry and other fields.

"We have the no-excuse mentality," Sheriff Patrick McDermott said. "If these guys are going to get out and they say they can't make it to work because of lack of transportation, we've got partnerships with Uber. We have our community resources vehicle that can take them to their job.

“So it's not just a program to mark time while these guys are doing their time here at the jail."

Okay,  it was a pretty hideous design

Finally, thanks for the thoughtful feedback about the last item in Friday’s newsletter about an ambitious proposal in 1961 to build a hotel, six apartment towers and two office buildings at the past-its-prime Norumbega Park in Auburndale.

Newton’s board of aldermen nixed the chamber-supported proposal (along with millions in annual tax revenue) 21–1.

“I've been a supporter of almost all recently proposed housing and commercial developments in Newton,” wrote one reader, but your article “failed to mention that our beloved, and well-used, Norumbega Conservation Area would never have been created if the development had been approved.”

Another noted that the “towers in the park” proposal was dehumanizing.

“Towers in the park may be the cheapest way to house large numbers of people, and that's why they were massively built by governments throughout eastern Europe under communism, but many of these projects became neglected over time due to lack of personal connection with their tenants and owners…wouldn't it have been wonderful if a modest scale development integrated with the old park and the Charles had emerged, connected to Auburndale and the rest of Newton?”

We also heard from Bob Tennant, a long-time chamber member (and brother of Walter Tennant, our long-time treasurer), who believes the sole alderman who voted yes was his dad, Robert L. Tennant.

Robert spent 24 years as an alderman and later went on to serve as chamber president (twice) until his passing in 2003. Our aforementioned annual R.L. Tennant Award (which we presented to Dr. Walensky) is named in his honor.

And that’s what you need to know for today, unless you want to know about

70 unclaimed Guinness World Records that could be yours for the winning, including “most anchovies eaten in one minute” or the “longest duration balancing a glass of water on the head.”

Make it a great day! Be back Friday.

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

Max Woolf contributed to today’s newsletter.