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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF!
ANTI-GUN PAC BACKING KENNEDY — A progressive anti-gun group is preparing to raise tens of thousands of dollars to help Rep. Joe Kennedy III beat Sen. Ed Markey in September.
It's an unusual move for an anti-gun group to get involved in a Democratic primary when Democrats are so focused on getting President Donald Trump out of the White House, and wrestling the Senate back from Republicans. And the move is even more unusual because the PAC says its research shows there's basically no daylight between where Markey and Kennedy stand on gun reform.
But Brian Lemek, executive director of Brady PAC , told me that the national profile Kennedy could bring to the Senate seat — and to the gun reform cause — is worth investing in, even when competitive general election races are happening elsewhere in 2020.
The Brady PAC aims to raise $50,000 for Kennedy's Democratic primary campaign against Markey. The PAC is also supporting Democrats running to flip House and Senate seats from Republican control.
"We don't need one guy, one vote, we don't need, you know, just that good legislator, " Lemek said in an interview. "We need that person that's going to hit the streets, that's going to be carrying this gun violence prevention message."
The Brady PAC expects to direct $4 million to candidates across the country this cycle. "We're not going to drop the million dollar [independent expenditure]. But we will sprinkle a lot of, you know, $10,000-pluses and we'll work our large donor network to secure some of that joint fundraising as well, through emails and other methods," Lemek said. He said there's plenty of money to go around to Democrats challenging Republicans, like Amy McGrath of Kentucky who is trying to oust Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, while still giving to Democratic primary candidates.
"There's enough energy to get around and do both," Lemek said, in reference to the PAC's support of Kennedy. "This is additive, it's not going to take away anything else. We're freaking pumped. I don't know how else to say it."
PRESSLEY TO BARR: RESIGN OR BE IMPEACHED — If Attorney General William Barr doesn't resign, Rep. Ayanna Pressley said Democrats should use the tools available and impeach him, during her appearance on a radio show on Thursday. At the moment, Barr is in a stand-off with President Donald Trump over his Twitter habit.
Pressley called into WGBH's "Boston Public Radio," where host Jim Braude asked her if she agreed with Sen. Elizabeth Warren that Barr should be impeached if he does not resign. Pressley is a co-chair of Warren's campaign.
"I do," Pressley said. "I think we can make this about the current cast of characters and I just want to acknowledge that I know people are fatigued by the state of things and as exhausting as that is what's more exhausting is injustice and inequities and living in the legislative hate and hurt from this administration.
"So we have to employ every tool available to us because at the end of the day this is AG Barr and Donald Trump. This is about our democracy, the law of the land, the office of presidency," Pressley continued.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
TODAY — Rep. Lori Trahan visits Specialty Materials, Inc. in Lowell. Rep. Ayanna Pressley campaigns for Sen. Elizabeth Warren in North Carolina. Sen. Ed Markey attends a Local 26 rally at Logan Airport. Rep. Seth Moulton hosts Rep. Jim Banks for a visit to Boston-area defense installations.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "What you need to know about new hands-free driving law," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "IT'S TIME TO stop reading those emails while traffic is crawling on the Southeast Expressway. Massachusetts's ban on handheld cellphone use while driving goes into effect Sunday. Gov. Charlie Baker said at a press conference Thursday that the new law will save lives. "Distracted driving is a tremendous risk for the driver, for the passengers in the vehicle and for anyone who happens to be on the other end of an accident that involves a distracted driver," Baker said. Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said the goal of the policy is to change the culture around phone use while driving."
- "Balser Senses 'Openness' This Year To ICE Enforcement Bill," by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service: "One of the lead sponsors of a bill to limit the ability of local police to participate in federal immigration enforcement is "optimistic" about its chances after a Beacon Hill committee gave itself more time to weigh the controversial topic. Rep. Ruth Balser, who co-filed the bill known as the Safe Communities Act, said Thursday that she believes the Public Safety Committee's decision to extend until May 1 its deadline to decide what to do with the legislation is a "good sign" that the idea is still in the running."
- "My Lunch with the Hunger Striker Who Took on Charlie Baker," by Spencer Buell, Boston Magazine: "What's the best way to get Gov. Charlie Baker's attention? Depending on who you are, it might be by telling the state's head honcho that you're not eating until he calls you back. That, at least, was the strategy deployed by Nathan Phillips, the Boston University environmental science professor who made headlines by going on a hunger strike to protest a natural gas compressor station in Weymouth that will provide a link between major pipelines and the Atlantic Ocean. On January 29, the 53-year-old started a very public game of chicken with Baker and other backers of the controversial project, announcing he would consume only tea, vitamins, and salt until the state cleaned up its act at the site."
- "GOP lawmakers demand overhaul of shaky MBTA pension fund," by Mary Markos, Boston Herald: "GOP lawmakers sick of taxpayers propping up the troubled MBTA pension — where one in every five pensioners retired before age 50 — are pushing to overhaul or eliminate the fund. State Sen. Bruce Tarr warned the $118.2 million diverted from the state's general fund last year to cover a T pension shortfall needs to come to a screeching halt. Tarr, the Senate minority leader, filed a bill Thursday to create a commission to analyze the sustainability and stability of the MBTA Retirement Fund. Tarr warned of "several layers of serious financial consequences ."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "State leader recommends probation for Roxbury charter school," by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley is recommending probation for a Roxbury charter school in the wake of shrinking enrollment, declining student achievement, and financial problems — a high stakes move that could eventually lead to the school's closure. City on a Hill Charter School, which serves about 400 students in grades 9-12 in two locations, will have two years to turn around its operations or it could be closed, under the recommendation. The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is slated to vote on probation next Tuesday as part of renewing the school's five-year operating license."
- "New visa rules set off 'panic wave' in immigrant communities," by Philip Marcelo and Sophia Tareen, Associated Press: "After nearly a dozen years moving through the U.S. visa system, Sai Kyaw's brother and sister and their families were at the finish line: a final interview before they could leave Myanmar to join him in Massachusetts and work at his restaurant. Then a dramatic turn in U.S. immigration policy halted their plans. The interview was postponed, and it's not clear when, or whether, it will be rescheduled. His is just one of many stories of confusion, sorrow and outrage spreading across some immigrant communities after the announcement of a Trump administration policy that is expected to all but shut down family-based immigration from Myanmar, also known as Burma, as well as Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan and Eritrea."
- "Admiral William McRaven to deliver MIT commencement address," by Peter Bailey-Wells, Boston Globe: "William McRaven, a retired four-star US Navy admiral, will deliver the undergraduate commencement address at Massachusetts Institute of Technology this spring, the school announced Thursday. The ceremony is scheduled for May 29. McRaven, who served for nearly four decades in the Navy, was a longtime special forces commander credited with the leadership of the mission that killed Osama Bin Laden in 2011."
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| PRIMARY SOURCES |
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- "Markey's 2013 GOP Rival Backing Kennedy in Senate Race," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "It may come as little surprise that as one of the last two people to occupy the same ballot as U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, Gabriel Gomez is not the Democrat's biggest fan. But it would have been harder to predict seven years ago that the GOP's 2013 nominee for U.S. Senate would one day endorse Markey's Democratic rival for re-election, turning his back on two candidates from the party he once represented to back someone with one of the most famous last names in Democratic politics."
- "The Massachusetts Case For Sanders Over Warren," The Scrum, WGBH: "Elizabeth Warren is getting plenty of local love as she seeks the Democratic presidential nomination, with big names like Ayanna Pressley, Maura Healey, and Michelle Wu endorsing and advocating for her campaign. (Also in Warren's camp: colleagues-turned-rivals Ed Markey and Joe Kennedy III, who probably won't be canvassing together any time soon.)"
- "Republican Attorney Announces Campaign For Mass. U.S. Senate Seat," The Associated Press: "A Republican attorney from Dover said Wednesday that he is running for the U.S. Senate in Massachusetts. Kevin O'Connor released an online campaign video announcing his bid. In the video, O'Connor said it's time to clean house in Washington. "We've been sending the same people to Washington for generations, and they keep delivering the same results," O'Connor said."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "16 inmates facing criminal charges linked to attack on correctional officers at Souza-Baranowski prison," by John R. Ellement and Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "Prosecutors have filed 109 criminal charges against 16 inmates for their alleged roles in the Jan. 10 attack on four correctional officers inside the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center that inmates and prisoner advocates allege spawned a wave of reprisal by authorities. All 16 inmates were indicted on two counts of assault and battery causing serious bodily injury and four counts of assault and battery on corrections officers under the legal theory of joint venture, according to Worcester District Joseph Early Jr.'s office."
- "No negligence. No malpractice. Justina Pelletier's family loses their civil suit against Boston Children's Hospital," by Tonya Alanez, Boston Globe: "After less than six hours of deliberation, a Suffolk County jury on Thursday found that Boston Children's Hospital was not negligent in its treatment of Justina Pelletier, a Connecticut teenager whose plight sparked an emotional debate about parental rights in medical decisions. Pelletier spent nearly a year in the hospital's child psychiatric ward in 2013 after doctors told state authorities they suspected her parents of medical child abuse."
- "SJC, Trial Court Chief Justices Call Upon ICE To Stop Deporting Defendants Without Notifying Courts," by Shannon Dooling and Lisa Creamer, WBUR: "Two top judges in the Massachusetts court system doubled down on an earlier call they made to federal immigration officials to stop deporting defendants facing criminal charges without notifying prosecutors. In a letter sent Thursday to Todd Lyons, the acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Boston field office, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants and Massachusetts Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey detailed a previous complaint sent to Lyons' predecessor nearly four months ago."
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| WARREN REPORT |
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- "Warren punches up her game," by Alex Thompson, POLITICO: "Elizabeth Warren's debate prep wasn't that different from usual. About the same amount of time was allotted in the days leading up. No newbies came in to help. The same team practiced in another hotel conference room — this time the Bellagio. The performance on stage Wednesday night, however, was new. Prompted by her disappointing fourth-place finish in New Hampshire and the arrival of billionaire Mike Bloomberg on stage, the Massachusetts senator decided to start throwing more punches. And she kept up the barrage Thursday, repeating and expanding her attacks on the former New York City mayor to supporters, reporters, on "The View," and anyone else who would listen."
- "Sen. Elizabeth Warren Back In Media Spotlight After Nevada Debate Performance," All Things Considered, NPR: "NPR's Mary Louise Kelly asks Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren about surging back into national attention after an energetic performance during the debate on Wednesday night."
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| FROM THE DELEGATION |
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- "Ayanna Pressley, 45 Democrats urge President Trump to keep coronavirus vaccine cost low," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley and 45 Democratic colleagues demanded in a letter Thursday that President Trump make sure the future coronavirus vaccine will be affordable and accessible. But public health experts say they're confident the U.S. government will keep the vaccine price low, considering the highly-contagious disease poses a pandemic threat, and one GOP political operative suggested the Democrats are grandstanding on the issue. Pressley — along with Massachusetts U.S. Reps. Jim McGovern, Bill Keating and dozens of other lawmakers — called on Trump to ensure the potential coronavirus vaccine or treatment is inexpensive."
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| MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
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- "Police 'confused' about their role in world of legal marijuana, former BPD head Ed Davis says," by Naomi Martin, Boston Globe: "Marijuana stores are slowly opening around Massachusetts, but industry analysts estimate that three-quarters of all cannabis sales still occur under the table. In that climate, police leaders say they are unsure of their role when it comes to unlicensed marijuana sellers. They are caught between licensed companies that are urging crackdowns on their non-tax-paying competitors selling cheaper cannabis, and communities calling for no more pot arrests, which have historically targeted people of color."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "PICK AND ROLL CALL," "SCREECHING HALT," — Globe: "Could that debate be a game-changer?" "AP gap remains a challenge," "Pelletiers lose case against Children's." |
| FROM THE 413 |
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- "Holyoke City Councilor Dave Bartley mulls run for state representative in 5th Hampden District," by Dennis Hohenberger, MassLive.com: "Cuncilor David K. Bartley has taken out nomination papers to run for state representative in the 5th Hampden District, signaling that he might join two other Democrats vying for the seat currently held by outgoing Democratic state Rep. Aaron Vega. Bartley, a Democrat, said he would make a final decision on a run after the annual Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade in March."
- "Nancy Pelosi to speak at Smith College commencement," by Jacquelyn Voghel, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, will address the Smith College class of 2020 during May's commencement ceremony, the college announced Thursday. "Well, class of 2020, I hope you're happy — I'm sure happy," Smith College President Kathleen McCartney said in announcing Pelosi as the commencement speaker. "We're going to have a great commencement." McCartney was greeted by loud cheers, a standing ovation, and chants of "Nancy" just after the announcement, though reception on social media was mixed."
- THE WHEELIE KIDS: "Confiscation and education: How Springfield is hoping to curb trend of teen bike riders pulling stunts in traffic," by Patrick Johnson, Springfield Republican: "The calendar hasn't even reached March yet, and the city of Springfield's police department is already seeing the first signs of springtime. Not the first robin or a groundhog's shadow. In Springfield, it's the re-emergence of the so-called "wheelie kids," the roving packs of teens and young adults on bicycles, dirt bikes, and 4-wheeled all-terrain vehicles riding down city streets, performing gravity-defying stunts and coming dangerously close to city traffic."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- HIPSTURBIA: "A case of 'hipsturbia' spilling out from Worcester into suburban towns like Hudson," By Sarah Connell, MassLive.com: "Urban living remains attractive for homebuyers nationwide, but pricey housing in capital cities like Boston is pushing young professionals toward smaller metros and suburbs. Worcester Renaissance is one such example, but smaller towns are feeling the impact, too. The term "hipsturbia" was first coined by The New York Times reporter Alex Williams back in 2013. Since then, urbanization of suburbs has persisted, ushering in breweries, artisanal bakeries, and boutique retail shops to communities once bound by white picket fences."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Jay S. Schaefer.
FOR YOUR COMMUTE: DEBATE NIGHT AND THE FEELING'S RIGHT - On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Jennifer Smith and Stephanie Murray break down the debate between Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III. Host Steve Koczela talks with state Sens. Cindy Friedman and Julian Cyr about the Senate's mental health legislation. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.
Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.
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