Good morning,

The Trump administration has changed its tariff policies more than 50 times since taking office in January.

More could be in store tomorrow. Or any hour now. Maybe even against U.S. companies.

Meanwhile, tariff whiplash is wreaking havoc on our businesses, especially small businesses.

It’s also putting owners in a precarious position.

Increasingly, businesses are being tempted by a growing number of illegal tariff-avoiding or lowering workarounds, according to the New York Times. (gift link)

It could be the difference between paying your employees and keeping your doors open.  

And yet doing just that could be a felony.

Shippers, many based in China, are reaching out to U.S. firms that import apparel, auto parts and jewelry, offering solutions to import duties, including undervaluing goods, misclassifying products, or redirecting products through another country,

according to the Times.

“These schemes are costing the U.S. government billions of dollars in tariff revenue annually, executives and officials say. And they are leaving honest companies that pay tariffs deeply frustrated and worried about being left at a financial disadvantage to dishonest competitors.”

I’m interested in learning about your company’s tariff experience.

Newton was on the feds’ (since-removed) bad guys list

Last Thursday, the City of Newton appeared on the Department of Homeland Security's list of hundreds of cities and counties that DHS alleged were “deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws ” and “protecting dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences.”

Middlesex County (which includes Watertown) and Norfolk County (which includes Needham and Wellesley) were listed too.

Appearance on the list could presumably result in the loss of federal resources, including FEMA grants, and other punitive actions for allegedly putting “law enforcement in peril."   (Newton receives about $10 million annually from the feds.)

Within hours, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller (along with heads of many of the jurisdictions nationwide, including the National Sheriffs' Association) disputed the government’s methodology.

“The White House is wrong,” Fuller wrote in her Friday newsletter.  “There have been no instances where the city has protected dangerous criminals or obstructed the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Nor will the City of Newton ever do so.”

“I uphold the oath I took to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” Fuller added.

But Sunday morning on FOX,  DHS Secretary Kristi Noem dug in, saying: “They think that because they don't have one law or another on the books that they don't qualify but they do qualify."  

Still, by Sunday afternoon, the entire list had been removed from the DHS website without explanation.

(Related: What does Newton’s ‘Welcoming City’ ordinance mean?)

ICE: ‘We’re going to keep coming back’

List or not, federal officials yesterday said that immigration authorities had arrested 1,461 people in Massachusetts in May, 790 of whom had allegedly committed crimes.

Which, of course, means that 671 humans were busted despite having no record.

“Make no mistake, ICE is going to keep doing this,” acting ICE director Todd Lyons said. “We’re going to keep coming back.”

(Related: Resources for Immigrants in Massachusetts.)

Watertown biotech bounces back

The Watertown biotech Lyra Therapeutics just saw its stock soar upwards of 400% after sharing positive news about a clinical trial for its sinus inflammation treatment, reports Hannah Green at the BBJ.

One year ago, Lyra reported that its treatment failed to meet the goals of a late-stage trial earlier and was cutting its workforce by 75% and looking to sublease its space at 480 Arsenal Way in Watertown and at two Waltham sites.

At the time, CEO Maria Palasis said Lyra was “taking aggressive measures to extend our cash runway” and focusing on its ongoing clinical trials. That focus appears to have paid off, Green writes.

Tuesday grab bag

• Needham’s Planning Board will meet tonight (Tuesday) at 7 p.m. with Robert Schlager of Bulfinch to explore incorporating residential into a possible expanded mixed-use redevelopment at the former Muzi Motors site.
• O'Some Café (winner of our Watertown Business Excellence Award in January), is now open inside the Watertown Free Public Library. Check out its second location and expanded menu.
• Congratulations to the team at Che! Empanada, the Mass. Restaurant Association’s Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year. The business has locations in Newtonville, Worcester and Cambridge.
• Wellesley’s long-anticipated Strategic Housing Plan will be presented tonight (Tuesday) at 6 p.m. at Wellesley Town Hall. It includes recommendations for expanding diverse housing options and follows months of public discussion, an examination of zoning bylaws and the current housing stock.
• The City of Newton will host its annual Pride Flag Raising Ceremony tonight (Tuesday) at 5:30 p.m. at Newton City Hall.
• Needham businesses are invited to join us for a virtual conversation with state Sen. Rebecca Rausch tomorrow (June 4) at 9 a.m. It’s part of our chamber’s quarterly meeting of the Needham Business Alliance. RSVP
• Watertown restaurant owners are urged to fill out a quick city survey before Friday (June 6) to help shape future policies on takeout, outdoor dining, and live entertainment.  
• Newton Porch Fest is Saturday (June 7) from noon to 6 p.m. at 66 locations in Auburndale, Lower Falls, Waban and West Newton.
• Brookline Town Meeting has passed a ban on selling foie gras and made changes to the process for residents with disabilities to add home accommodations. (Brookline News)
• A new Goodwill Donation Center has opened at the American Legion Post 440 parking lot at 295 California Street in Nonantum, seven days a week from 8 a.m. to  p.m.  (Patch)
• Only six tickets are left for our Women’s Conference next week.
• The main beach at Walden Pond will be closed this summer. (WBUR)
• Watertown’s 4th annual Stick A Fork In It! Food Festival returns tomorrow (Wednesday), 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Arsenal Yards, featuring bites from local favorites, live music, photo booths, and family-friendly activities. Benefits our pals at the Watertown Community Foundation.
  
  

Massachusetts is (slowly) growing again

In recent years, out-migration from Massachusetts has been a significant concern for the business community (we even hosted a panel on it in December).

However, new Census data shows that the state experienced a modest growth in residents from 2023 to 2024, amounting to a 1.3% population increase.

This trend reflects a broader shift across the Northeast, with the region seeing modestly shrinking rates of outmigration and increased international immigration. Former Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao even mentioned this at our Spring Business Breakfast last month.

In our communities:

• Newton saw the highest share of growth with a 1.6% increase.
• Followed by Wellesley, with 1.4%.
• Then Needham at 1.3%.
• And finally, Watertown, at below the state average, an increase of 0.9%.

CommonWealth Beacon, via State House News, has more

Did you hear what Dan Shaughnessy said about Newton?

Finally, last week Ruthanne Fuller hosted her final Mayor’s Community Breakfast before she steps down as Newton’s mayor at the end of this year.

It’s always a who’s who in Newton event.  Highlights included timely remarks from Congressman Jake Auchincloss, a rollicking Newton South Jazz Ensemble, plus well-earned recognition of FamilyAid, the Newton Police’s Community Service Bureau and some special high schoolers.

You can view the full event. 

But if you could use a smile today — and these days who can’t use a smile? —  at least watch what Boston Globe sports columnist and Newton resident Dan Shaughnessy had to say about his hometown.

And that’s what you need to know for today, unless you need to know that, while we may think Massachusetts is beautiful, that doesn’t mean we can spell it.

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

Max Woolf contributed to today’s newsletter.

P.S. If you run a local business but are not a chamber member, could you email me and tell me why? There are no wrong answers.