Boston, MA

Berrospi: What Trump’s policies will mean for Latinos

Published

3 days ago

December 29, 2024

Berrospi: What Trump’s policies will mean for Latinos

President-elect Donald Trump’s economic agenda will put workers and entrepreneurship first, from tax cuts and deregulation to a tough stance on China. It was those policies that drove Latinos to support him in record numbers.

Those Latinos may be the most significant beneficiaries of those policies, from consumers to workers in industries like construction and energy to small business entrepreneurs.

Like most Americans, Latino voters prioritized economic policies over other hot-button issues in November. This trend was evident in battleground states, where many Latinos supported Trump’s domestic agenda — and no wonder. During Trump’s first term, the unemployment rate for Hispanics hit a record low of 3.9% in 2019, and wages rose across industries. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 enabled Latino-owned businesses to reinvest and expand, driving economic growth, bigger paychecks and more job opportunities.

Contrast the pre-pandemic Trump years to the Biden administration’s four years in charge. Rising costs for essentials like healthcare and housing, along with inflationary pressures, have eroded wage gains for Americans. Despite these challenges, the Latino community’s resilience and entrepreneurial spirit remain strong, as does their faith in Trump’s campaign promises to invest in education, workforce development and entrepreneurship.

Trump’s “America First” agenda has consistently emphasized job creation and pro-business policies in each of his runs for office, a message that resonates with the thriving entrepreneurship culture in Latino communities.

Again, these aren’t hopes and dreams. According to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Latino-owned businesses grew 34% over the last decade. Trump’s first-term policies contributed significantly to that growth — and they will likely accelerate the future of Latino business with policies like lower taxes, reduced regulatory burdens, and stopping China’s economic, technological, and intellectual property predations.

Trump’s focus on American manufacturing, energy independence, and industries like steel, automotive, and oil and gas could see a resurgence.

Of course, things aren’t entirely rosy for Latinos or other Americans. Inflation is still high, the prices of college, healthcare, and housing continue to bury younger Americans in debt, and trade tensions could increase the prices of commodities. That’s where Latinos have always thrived in America — under pressure, as long as fundamental opportunities for work and entrepreneurship are present.

The 2024 election underscored a profound truth: Latinos are critical players in America’s economic and political present and future. Trump is setting the standard for policymakers, business leaders and investors: prioritize partnerships with the Latino community, recognize our role as a cornerstone of America’s future prosperity, and understand that we are an engaged voting block that will vote with, and for, our wallets.

Gabriela Berrospi is a Peruvian-born entrepreneur and financial educator dedicated to empowering the Latino community through financial literacy/InsideSources

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Boston, MA

Celtics Rumors: Boston Interested In Reunion With Preseason Standout

Published

3 hours ago

December 31, 2024

Press Room

Celtics Rumors: Boston Interested In Reunion With Preseason Standout

The Boston Celtics underwent a preseason split with guard Lonnie Walker IV, but the reigning champs haven’t taken their eyes off the six-year veteran.

Walker agreed to a one-year, Exhibit 10 contract with the Celtics in August just before training camp commenced. It was a low-risk, high-reward move by team president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, who with limited financial wiggle room, sought out ways to improve the team’s roster ahead of its title defense.

That didn’t work out.

Now, as Walker’s settled in with the Žalgiris Kaunas of the EuroLeague, the Celtics are among five “potential suitors,” according to NBA insider Marc Stein, to sign Walker and bring him back. The Philadephia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets are the others Walker is rumored to have garnered interest from.

It seemed like a perfect fit in Boston, especially once Walker took the floor for the Celtics in the preseason. The 26-year-old made four appearances, averaged 7.3 points on 42.9% shooting from the field and scored 20 points in 30 minutes during the team’s second-to-last preseason matchup against the Toronto Raptors. Stevens, seemingly, had the next depth fleece in the palm of his hands, however, once the luxury tax caught up to the Celtics it became time to cut ties with Walker — his league-minimum contract would’ve cost Boston over $10 million on top of its over $600 million offseason spree.

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“This is a championship organization coming off a championship year,” Walker said of the Celtics during team media day, per NBC Sports Boston. “It means a lot (to put on this jersey), and you kind of come into here with the championship mindset, not skipping no steps, being to the best of your capability, you owe it to your teammates each and every day to be 100 percent and be prepared, mentally and physically.”

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Boston, MA

Annual First Night Boston event begins, kicking off New Year’s Eve festivities – The Boston Globe

Published

11 hours ago

December 31, 2024

Press Room

Annual First Night Boston event begins, kicking off New Year’s Eve festivities – The Boston Globe

The 49th annual First Night Boston got underway Tuesday morning with more than 12 hours of free programming for Boston families and residents to enjoy and celebrate the New Year’s holiday.

First Night Boston, a tradition in the city since 1976, this year has added new indoor programming at venues in Boston and Cambridge. It also includes holiday classics like an evening parade, ice sculptures, more than a dozen live music performances in City Hall Plaza and across the city, and two fireworks displays.

Officials said Monday that T service will be free beginning at 8 p.m. and the Boston Police and Fire Departments will be staffed and out in full force to ensure residents’ safety throughout the celebrations.

Historically, First Night has been anchored at Copley Square, but it moved to City Hall Plaza last year because of renovations to the square. This year, events will again be based in City Hall Plaza, with programming at other venues around Boston as well.

Some highlights on the full schedule, which is available online at the First Night Boston 2025 website, include free rides on the Greenway Carousel in the Boston Common beginning at 11 a.m., a concert by the Fuller and Friends Organ Trio at the Boston Public Market at noon, performances and arts and crafts put on by the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association at City Hall, a performance by the Puppet Showplace Theater in Cambridge, and two ice skating spectaculars hosted by the Frog Pond in the Common.

The First Night Parade is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at City Hall Plaza, and end at the Boston Common, where the first fireworks of the evening will set off at 7 p.m. More live music performances, a laser display, and countdown to midnight are scheduled at City Hall Plaza, before the final fireworks show at midnight at the Boston Harbor.

Dusty Rhodes, president of Conventures, the company that puts on the event, said First Night Boston is one of the largest New Year’s Eve celebrations in the country, and they expect a crowd of anywhere between 300,000 and 400,000 people to attend.

“It is free, open to the public, it is a much cherished tradition for many families,” Rhodes told the Globe Monday.

Niki Griswold can be reached at niki.griswold@globe.com. Follow her @nikigriswold.

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Boston, MA

‘See something, say something:’ Boston officials urge residents to keep safety in mind during New Year’s Eve

Published

19 hours ago

December 31, 2024

Press Room

‘See something, say something:’ Boston officials urge residents to keep safety in mind during New Year’s Eve

Boston city officials are gearing up to keep everyone safe during the First Night New Year’s Eve Festivities on Wednesday — and encouraging residents to keep safety in mind as well.

“This is going to be a great event as always, and we are here to support the folks throughout the city,” said BPD Commissioner Michael Cox at a press briefing Monday. “But we want to emphasize safety exists when we all work together. So if you see something, it’s really, really important that you say something to our department members and or dial in 911.”

Boston safety officials, including police, firefighters and EMS staff, will be out with extra numbers and easy mobility on New Year’s Eve during the 12 hours of First Night programming and beyond across the city.

City officials reminded residents that fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts, the possession and use of drones is prohibited around the First Night activities, and that people may not consume alcohol or marijuana in public spaces during the festivities.

BPD and MBTA transit police heads said there are no current “credible threats” on record pertaining to New Year’s Eve in Boston. Cox emphasized the officials have a “comprehensive safety plan” in place for the night.

Boston fire officials said they will be performing extra overcrowding checks at nightclubs and venues on New Year’s Eve and have fire prevention pyrotechnicians inspectors out checking on fireworks displays.

Transit officials said “consumption of alcohol and/or unruly behavior will not be tolerated on the MBTA” and also encouraged riders to download the free See Say app to easily report any health or safety concerns on the T.

“One, it’s free,” said MBTA Transit Police Chief Kenneth Green, arguing for use of the See Say app. “Two, it helps make our system safer.”

Anywhere around the city, officials emphasized, its important to look out for those around you.

“If you have any kind of medical problems, you see somebody who looks like they’ve overindulged or they’re laid out — even when the weather’s not brutally cold, when it’s wet and it’s cold and stuff, people can really succumb to hypothermia or the effects of it,” said Boston EMS Chief James Hooley. “So typically, similar to what Chief Green said, see something, say something.”

Originally Published: December 30, 2024 at 8:12 PM EST

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