Good morning friends,

It is the best of deadlines, it is the worst of deadlines.

And both will have many folks watching their phones through early next week.

The best?  That would be our (second) spring of hope, Major League Baseball’s trade deadline this Tuesday. Fingers crossed that our surprisingly resilient Red Sox have the wisdom to reunite with Justin Turner, or find another right-handed bat. Pitching too, please.

And the worst?  That follows on Wednesday.

That would be the epoch of incredulity, when Beacon Hill lawmakers must complete yet another inexcusable dash to approve multiple pieces of consequential legislation or wait ‘till next year, when a new season of darkness begins Jan. 2.

Lawmakers’ to-do list includes three major bond bills: housing, economic development and information technology. There are also policy bills dealing with clean energy and veterans services, among others according to State House News.

Gov. Maura Healey’s economic development bill has been waiting since March. It includes tax credits meant to boost competitiveness and grow jobs, with investments in the life sciences, clean tech, and other sectors.

The housing bill aims to create 200,000 homes across income levels needed to stabilize home prices and rents.   Fingers crossed the final version includes the Momentum Fund, a new program designed to jump-start larger mixed-income developments, and the Small Properties Acquisition Fund, providing soft loans to nonprofits to acquire housing).

The housing legislation has been awaiting action since Healey introduced it last October. (yes, October) even though JUST ABOUT EVERYONE  agrees that we have an urgent housing crisis that’s driving workers away.

Last year, MLB introduced a pitch clock, which greatly sped up the game. Can we get something similar on Beacon Hill? Or at least some trades?

Employers face new salary disclosure rules

One piece of legislation newly headed to Healey’s desk is the salary disclosure bill that would require employers with 25 or more employees to provide an estimated salary range in job postings and when existing workers apply for a job or a promotion

Employers with more than 100 employees will also be required to file some federal wage and workforce data with the state.

The new law will go into effect one year after being signed by the governor.

Yesterday, Healey signed a massive gun bill.

Meet four great kids who’ve just received a chamber scholarship

We recently awarded scholarships to four outstanding high school graduates: Tess DeJesus (Newton),Cameron James MacDonald (Watertown), Isabella Kuang (Needham), and Jordan St. Louis (Wellesley).

Each recipient demonstrated exceptional dedication to academics, extracurricular activities, and community service, reflecting our commitment to supporting promising future leaders.

Read about all four recipients here.

As always, thanks to our scholarship selection committee.

Friday grab bag

• Also meet Wellesley-born rower, Daisy Mazzio Mansion, who will compete in the Paris Olympics.  Her mom Mary raced the double scull in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. Hear from them both in this podcast with NBC10's Hannah Donnelly.

• Mighty Squirrel’s pop-up biergarten at Arsenal Yards’ River Green has reopened with a  bi-weekly live music events.

• The Centre Street Food Pantry received a $120,000 grant from the Cummings Foundation. The grant will allow the pantry to hire a program manager to develop and implement new programming.

• Needham has an interactive map for residents and businesses to see where construction is happening and when. Find the link on the DPW’s Construction Alerts page.

• The Wellesley Housing Development Corporation (WHDC) is seeking a new member to fill a vacant board seat.  WHDC’s mission is to sponsor and assist in the development of affordable housing opportunities for individuals of low, moderate, and middle incomes. Details

• Here’s a final copy of Newton’s new electrification ordinance. It bans fossil fuels in new buildings and substantial renovations starting in January.  Some exemptions apply.

• Last call for A Taste of Ethnic Boston, Tues (July 30), 6 p.m. at Big Night Live! Discover the top restaurants showcasing Boston's culture, including two chamber members Fuji and Naislee Catering. Use Promo code "CHAMBER20" for 20% off.

• MassHire offers a program for businesses willing to hire candidates who recently immigrated to the area and have limited English language skills but may be fluent in French, Spanish, and Portuguese among other languages. Details.  

Garlick, Bigbelly and BBQ at the annual Needham Night

It was a pleasure to present state Rep. Denise Garlick (on right) with our Lifetime Achievement Award for her 14 years of service to the state, her constituents, and Needham, at our annual Needham Night event at Tripadvisor on Tuesday.

Garlick, who is not seeking reelection this fall, has been an unwavering supporter of our local merchants, our nonprofits and economic development overall. She’s collaborated with the chamber many times and we’re grateful for her support and friendship.

Also at Needham Night, a local employer that’s having a global impact, Bigbelly Solar, received the Needham Business of the Year Award

Founded 21 years ago by Babson College and Olin College students, Bigbelly has revolutionized trash collection.  Their solar-powered, rat-proof, compacting trash bins are now found in cities, towns, college campuses and airports across the U.S. and in 60 countries.

Receiving our Community Impact Award for a remarkable 25-year commitment to transforming public spaces in Needham, was the nonprofit  Revitalization Trust Fund.

And newcomer, the Common Room Restaurant & Sports Bar, was recognized for adding a “sparkle” to the vibrant restaurant scene in Needham Center.

Thanks to Needham Night sponsors Needham Bank and Beth Israel Deaconess – Needham, along with One Wingate Way East, and North Hill, Rockland Trust, Fidelity Bank, Charles River Orthodontics and the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office.  

Also thanks to the 150 business leaders, town officials, residents and most of the state rep candidates, who joined us for Blue Ribbon BBQ and Kona Ice.

Cameron Morsberger at Needham Local spoke with all our honorees.

Where they stand on eliminating MCAS

Speaking of Needham’s state rep candidates, we recently hosted a virtual debate featuring the three Democrats -- Patrick Gatto, Ken Ruetenik, and Josh Tarsky – who are on the Sept. 3 ballot for the 13th Norfolk seat being vacated by Garlick.

Watch the full debate here.

Below is a short excerpt in which each candidate is asked if they support, or oppose, the ballot question that would remove standardized testing, such as MCAS, as a high school graduation question.  

And in Newton’s state rep contest...

The advocacy group Newton for Everyone has asked the state rep candidates competing for one of two open house seats how they will address Massachusetts’ housing needs.

Not every candidate responded, including surprisingly former City Councilor Greg Schwartz, who has said housing is a priority.

Read their answers here.

And that’s what you need to know for today — Mick Jagger’s birthday — unless you need to know if bunnies are happier when they speed date.

Have a great weekend.

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688