Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - October 22, 2021

HOT

Food Truck's Economics Lesson

This week, the owner of a food truck in Rhode Island explained how much more food and overhead costs are right now — and why that translates into higher prices, for those who are complaining. 

Launched during the pandemic, Masa Taqueria has become popular in Providence, known for its birria tacos and more.

“I decided I’m gonna show y’all a little bit about what we’re dealing with in the restaurant industry right now,” Masa Taqueria's Jonathon Kirk posted on its Instagram page on Wednesday. 

Masa Taqueria outlined the following price increases:

Chicken thighs: 12 months ago, 40lb case was $27. Today it’s $87 for that same case.

To-go containers: 12 months ago, cost $20 a case. Today they cost $60+ a case.

Beef shoulder: 12 months ago, most $1.79 a pound. Today they cost $4.12 [a pound].

Shredded cheese: 12 months ago, cost $47 a case. Today it costs $85 a case.

“We’re dealing with unprecedented supply chain shortages due to all of our ports in the U.S. being backed up for months with ships trying to unload,” wrote Masa Taqueria. “90% of our materials come from overseas, plastic cups, to-go packaging, cutlery, napkins, parts for equipment, etc. with current backups in the ports in the US we’re experiencing insane price gouging and supply shortages.”

“So next time y’all wanna [complain] and moan about a slight increase in our menu items, remember that my product costs have increased over 500% in some cases, and by an average of 250%, yet I’ve only increased prices by 50% compared to this time a year ago,” they continued. 

“We’re in the business of making great food but that also means I need to remain profitable and provide for not only myself but my staff and my family as well. So take that into account next time you think about complaining about any restaurant's pricing, let alone ours.”

HOT

More RI Movie Magic-Makers

While Hocus Pocus 2 has begun filming in RI — there are more movies with RI ties you should know about. 

Armen Garo — who GoLocal recently featured in “Rhode Island Actor Talks Trinity Rep to Sopranos & “The Many Saints of Newark” Prequel” — has a starring role in the newly released horror film "6:45" — which had its drive-in world premiere Thursday night at the Rustic Tri-View in North Smithfield. 

“I played the supporting role of Gene, the manager and caretaker of the Cozy Nook, a vacation spot in Bog Grove,” Garo told GoLocal. “This was a cast and crew that I was particularly proud to have worked with. Writer Robert Dean Klein and Director Craig Singer certainly turned out quite a story that I’m sure everyone will enjoy.”

In more film news, Providence College graduate Conor Holway recently screened his new film “Apple Cinema” at Providence Place Mall. 

Now, it’s been released online — and you can watch here.

HOT

Langevin Slaps Back at Cruz

United States Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced a bill this week to bring processing centers for immigrants to where the "Democrat elites host their cocktail parties” — including Rhode Island. 

Cruz’s new bill is the Stop the Surge of Unsafe Rio Grande Encampments (SURGE) Act.

On Tuesday, United States Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) fired back calling the plan disingenuous. 

Langevin responded to an appearance by Cruz on Fox News, in which Cruz said the following.

“What my bill does, is designate new ports of entry, like Palo Alto, California…Greenwich, Connecticut….Cambridge, Massachusetts…Block Island, Rhode Island….and Nantucket, so rich Democrats can be sitting there and suddenly see ten, twenty, thirty thousand illegal immigrants like we’re seeing in Texas on a daily basis,” Cruz said. 

“You can just envision them in Nantucket sipping a martini going, ‘Oh goodness they want to come to our clubs” — they would be horrified,” Cruz added. 

“@TedCruz, keep Rhode Island’s name out of your mouth,” Langevin Tweeted in response.  “These kind of bad-faith proposals do nothing to fix our broken immigration system. Get serious and quit the childish games.”

HOT

New Medical Boss at Brown

Brown University announced on Wednesday that Dr. Mukesh K. Jain has been appointed Dean of Medicine and Biological Sciences.

Jain serves currently as the chief academic officer at University Hospitals health system in Cleveland and vice dean for medical sciences at Case Western Reserve University.

In joining Brown, he will lead the Division of Biology and Medicine, which encompasses the Warren Alpert Medical School, four biological science departments, 14 clinical departments and two-hybrid departments. He will also manage the medical school’s relationships with nine affiliated hospitals.

Brown President Christina H. Paxson cited Jain’s experience leading university-hospital partnerships in a first-rate health care system in her comments Wednesday. 

“As we work both at Brown and with our affiliates toward improved health for all Rhode Islanders, we sought a leader with a clear and compelling vision for scientific discovery, excellence in biomedical education and world-class clinical care,” Brown President Christina Paxson said. “Mukesh Jain brings those attributes and more. He has the track record, skills and innovative approach to take academic medicine at Brown to the next level of excellence, and I look forward to years of collaborative partnership to come.”

The appointment comes as Brown, Lifespan, and Care New England — Rhode Island’s two largest hospital groups— are working on a controversial merger.

The deal faces regulatory challenges including review by the Federal Trade Commission or the State of Rhode Island will need to create a new regulatory structure in order to circumvent federal anti-trust issues.

At Brown, Jain will serve as the strategic and academic leader of biological sciences programs, biomedical research and medical education at Brown. Key responsibilities include supporting the expansion of research activity across the Division of Biology and Medicine, with a vision to advance Brown’s position in the top tier of medical schools and basic science and clinical departments. Integral to his role will be sustaining a culture of ongoing engagement with learners at every level, and promoting and enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion among all members of the community in the execution of education, research and clinical care missions.

HOT

Wilbury Theatre Group Launches Pay-What-You-Can Tickets

In continuation of their ongoing efforts to make live theatre accessible to everyone, Wilbury Theatre Group has officially launched a Pay-What-You-Can structure for all performances.  Audience members now can set their own ticket price.  The new ticket model officially launches with Charlie Thurston’s Lifted, a modern meditation on the Icarus myth presented outdoors at WaterFire Arts Center.  Performances begin tonight and run through November 13. The production features Daraja Hinds, Victor Neto and Jim O’Brien. For tickets, visit thewilburygroup.org/lifted

Wilbury’s Artistic Director Josh Short explains: “Wilbury Theatre Group has always aspired to be an artistic home for new and emerging artists, and a place that seeks to welcome all.  It’s our goal to remove as many barriers as possible for all people to participate in live theatre.  Our new Pay-What-You-Can model allows audience members to select a ticket tier that aligns with their means, creating an environment where work of all origins can be seen and celebrated.”

What:              Lifted

                        By Charlie Thurston

                        Directed by Josh Short

When:             October 21 – November 13

Thursdays – Sundays at 7:30 pm (no performance Saturday, October 23)

HOT

Helping the Census

Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner and his wife, Julia McDowell, announced on Thursday the birth of their son, who was born on October 20.

Both mother and child are healthy, according to the statement released by the family, and Magaziner and McDowell said they wish to thank the staff at Women & Infants Hospital for providing exceptional care.

Magaziner said he will be reducing his schedule to spend time with his family over the next few weeks but will remain able and available to perform official duties as needed.

He is also currently running in the 2022 Democratic gubernatorial primary in Rhode Island. 

HOT

Bank of America Donates $200K to Both Sojourner House and Crossroads Rhode Island 

Sojourner House and Crossroads Rhode Island have been named as 2021 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders awardees for their work in Rhode Island addressing issues around homelessness and the lack of affordable housing.

As a Neighborhood Builder, each organization receives a $200,000 grant over two years, comprehensive leadership training for the executive director and an emerging leader on topics ranging from increasing financial sustainability, human capital management and strategic storytelling, joins a network of peer organizations across the U.S., and gets the opportunity to access capital to expand their impact. The program continues to be the nation’s largest investment into nonprofit leadership development. 

Providence-based Sojourner House provides housing among other services for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. Crossroads Rhode Island assists homeless families and individuals in obtaining safe, secure and permanent housing, then provides follow-up support services directly in the home. In both cases, funding from Bank of America will be used to expand their portfolio of housing services.

“As communities continue to recover and navigate a changing landscape, nonprofits are still experiencing significant demands and are in need of resources to help meet critical local needs like homelessness prevention and the creation of more affordable housing,” said Kevin Tracy, President, Bank of America Rhode Island. “Sojourner House and Crossroads Rhode Island are helping bridge important gaps for individuals and families to help them chart a path toward economic opportunity and stability. Programs like Neighborhood Builders helps these organizations grow sustainably and strategically for greater positive impact in the community.” 

NOT

Rich Get a Lot Richer

According to Business Insider, America's highest earners got a lot richer.

The latest: The top 10% of Americans now own a record-high 89% of household stocks, CNBC's Robert Frank first reported.

According to Federal Reserve data, the top 1% hold 54% of corporate equities and mutual-fund shares. It's the latest data point showing how the wealthiest Americans' fortunes have grown throughout the pandemic, even as the lowest-earning Americans fall behind.

NOT

Look Behind the Curtain

The jobs numbers in RI for September were spun to show a net of 2,000 new jobs. The problem is you need to look a little bit deeper.

The growth was on the backs of a significant increase in government and public education jobs.

Meanwhile, private-sector jobs saw losses.

According to the Department of Labor and Training, the number of jobs in the "government" sector rose by 3,400 in September, as "educational services within the local government branch reported strong job growth."

The two of the hardest hit private sector areas were a large loss of 1,700 jobs reported in the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector as several seasonal jobs were cut from payrolls in September. This marks the first job loss in arts, entertainment & recreation since April 2021.

Also hit hard was healthcare. 

The "healthcare & social assistance" sector shed 400 jobs from August, mainly due to declines reported among social assistance employees. This too marks the first job decline in healthcare and social assistance since April 2021.

In addition, a loss of 300 jobs was noted in financial activities, followed by a loss of 100 jobs in both the construction and other services sectors. The financial activities sector has not reported a positive job gain since April 2021.

NOT

Be Careful What You Tweet

Top corporate executive Helena Foulkes has now entered the Democratic primary for governor in Rhode Island.

Shortly after she launched her campaign with a well-polished video and sent a “letter to friends,” Foulkes Tweeted that she was for “equality for all.”

But her track record as President of Retail at CVS and then as CEO of Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) shows that there was very little equality for all when it came to compensation.

Foulkes' tenure at HBC was short -- just two years, and she earned more than $29 million annually. In contrast, frontline workers at the retailer made approximately $30,000 dollars.

Now, as a candidate, Foulkes will likely need to explain how her corporate compensation matches the Democratic party's ideals.

In 2020, at 45 major U.S. companies, the CEO took home 1,000 times or more what a median worker earned in 2019 and 2020, according to the AFL-CIO. The annual report on the discrepancy shows the growing gap between corporate compensation and what workers make.

Leading Senate Democrats in Congress are pushing the "Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act" which would penalize companies that pay their CEOs or other highest-paid employees 50 times more than the median pay for workers.

For Foulkes, she would have faced a lot of taxes. For most of the last decade, she consistently earned 100 times -- and upward -- the salaries of the workers she oversaw.