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A blast from the past that we could live without

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A blast from the past that we could live without

Our month-long Love Local Clothing Drive to collect items for homeless children, women, and men at 25 local shelters and health clinics end on Tuesday.
 
I wish I could say it’s been a rousing success.
 
At best, it’s been only a modest one. Many of the collection boxes at our 30 restaurants drop-off sites across our four chamber communities are only partly full.
 
We understand that part of the problem is that we’re looking to collect new sweatshirts, sweatpants, t-shirts, socks, and other items for this campaign. That’s because, like so many others, our partners at Circle of Hope don't have the staff to wash used clothing donations as would have happened in the past.
 
That certainly doesn’t alleviate the need. 
 
So when you are out and about this weekend, please consider making a few purchases to help those in need. Bring them to one of these sites and, we hope, you stay for a bite to eat too.
 
Alternatively, you can make an online donation here and let our friends at Circle of Hope purchase their most-needed items on your behalf.
 
Thanks very much.
 
Tripadvisor on the rebound
 
After taking a big hit early in the pandemic, Tripadvisor is bouncing back.
 
The Needham-based company ended 2022 with approximately 3,100 employees.
That's 409 more workers than at the end of 2021, an increase of 15%, according to Lucia Maffei at BBJ.
 
This is especially noteworthy at a time when so many tech companies are now doing the downsizing Trip did a few years back.
 
In 2022, Tripadvisor also hit more than one billion reviews and opinions.
 
A blast from the past that we could live without
 
Is it time to dust off the old “Taxachusetts” label when discussing Massachusetts?
 
Could be. We were the only state to raise personal income taxes last year, according to the annual report from the Tax Foundation.
 
As a result, our marginal state income tax rate has jumped to 7th highest in the nation, reports Christian M. Wade at the Eagle Tribune.
 
It also put us at No. 1 among New England states. But not in a good way.
 
The change, of course, was due to the voter-approved Millionaires’ Tax which added a new 4% levy on individuals’ income over $1 million. That’s on top of the 5% personal income tax rate, which had been flat for all taxpayers since 1917.
 
Even before the Millionaires’ Tax became law on Jan. 1, Massachusetts had lost 110,000 residents to other states since April of 2020 -- one of the highest rates of so-called domestic outmigration in the country, the Globe's Janelle Nanos reported this week.
 
That exodus, coupled with the aging of the baby boomers, is a big reason why so many employers still struggle to fill jobs, she adds.
 
Gov. Charlie Baker tried to push through a tax relief package last year. But the House and Senate failed to advance any measures before the legislative clock ran out.
 
Now we're waiting to see Healey's plan
 
Gov. Maura Healey has said tax relief will be a priority for her administration too.
 
We’ll see Healy's plan when she releases her new budget on Wednesday.
 
One thing we learned yesterday about her spending plan is that it will include the largest increase in education aid in state history and more operating funds for cities and towns.
 
The governor's fiscal year 2024 budget will propose an 8.2 percent increase in general government local aid and a 9.8% increase in Chapter 70 school funding, reports Colin A. Young at State House News.
 
Healey posted on Twitter yesterday that her administration "wants to help cities and towns fund the essential services they provide every day at a higher rate than what we expect for revenue growth next fiscal year."
 
That includes support for first responders, public works, youth violence prevention programs, housing production, cybersecurity, and more.
 
Healey's budget would also "recommend a temporary change to allow school districts greater flexibility to spend nearly $1.5 billion in expiring federal funds and better coordinate funding streams without facing state financial penalties." 
 
And that brings us to Newton’s override
 
Healey’s budget will need approval from the House and Senate. It will change along the way. Always does.
 
That means it will be many months before we know how much more our communities might get, including in Newton where voters are being asked to approve a $15 million tax hike on March 14 in the form of three override ballot questions.
 
Last week, the chamber’s board of directors recommended voting “no” on Question 1, which would raise property taxes annually by $9.2 million, and "yes" on Questions 2 and 3 supporting capital investments to school building infrastructure.
 
To understand why, please read our statement.
 
Fuller made her case in support of all three ballot questions during her State of the City address on Monday.
 
Watertown biotech scales down
 
Watertown-based biotech Aileron Therapeutics has reduced its staff to three after a chemoprotective drug failed in clinical trials. The company will now explore strategic alternatives including an acquisition, merger, or selling off of assets, reports Rowan Walrath at the BBJ.
 
Aileron had been developing a drug that was meant to protect cancer patients from the damaging effects of chemotherapy. 
 
Aileron, located at LYNX, is at least the 15th such company to conduct layoffs this year. All told, more than 1,100 life sciences employees have lost their jobs since the start of January, Walrath adds.
 
 
Hotel Indigo could become a temporary emergency shelter
 
With the development at Riverside Station on pause, the state is in “early conversations” with Mark Development about using the former Hotel Indigo as a temporary shelter for families in dire need of emergency housing, the Globe John Hilliard reports.
 
The state would reportedly use the building for families who qualify for state emergency assistance, including migrant families and new arrivals to Massachusetts.
 
The Indigo had nearly 200 rooms. But the facility has been closed since at least 2020. Its furnishings have been liquidated in preparation for demolition, so it would likely need considerable work to become habitable.
 
In 2017 Newton adopted “welcoming city” status, a designation that protects all residents, regardless of their legal status. The temporary shelter concept has early support from Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and City Council President Susan Albright.
 
More Need to Knows
 
  • What do you know about Route 9? Historic Newton, the Wellesley Historical Society, and other groups will present a free virtual program exploring the history of Route 9, from Brookline to Worcester, Sunday, March 5 at 3 p.m. Register.
 
 
  • The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program which offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income people who cannot prepare their own tax returns is looking for volunteers. Email Josephine McNeil at CAN-DO to learn more.
 
  • New Repertory Theatre has received two grants from the Mass Cultural Council (MCC) totaling $80,000. The grants will go towards the nonprofit's operations, including gaining more access to artists from diverse communities through New Rep’s Pipeline Project. 
 
 
This topless idea sounds like a business that’s hit bottom
 
I don't typically dismiss any entrepreneur’s idea for a new business. But really?
 
Celebrate the life of Preston Settles
Finally today, it’s been nearly a year since the passing of Preston Settles, the Newton teen who died after collapsing on the court during a basketball game.
 
?In his memory, his family (that's Preston in the photo with his dad, Newton businessman Darryl Settles) will be donating benches and trees in Newton at Crystal Lake near the new fishing dock, Newton Centre near the basketball courts, and at the Waban Hill Reservoir, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller announced. 
 
In June, the West Suburban YMCA will hold a basketball tournament in Preston's memory.
 
And this Monday. Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m., there will be a zoom celebration of his life. Everyone is welcome. RSVP.
 
 
That’s your Need to Knows for today – World Bartender Day -- unless you need to know about the three words that are taking over LinkedIn.
 
Here are our three words: Shop. Dine. Locally.
 
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
617.244.1688
 
P.S. Wellesley voters will go to the polls on March 7 to fill two seats on its select board. Here's the conversation I had this week with two of the three candidates on the ballot.
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