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Presented by Transportation for Massachusetts
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PROGRAMMING NOTE: Massachusetts Playbook will not publish on Monday, Feb. 17. I'll be back in your inbox on Tuesday, Feb. 18. In the meantime, you can always reach me at smurray@politico.com.
STATE CAUCUS KICKOFF — The race between Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III is about to enter a new stage. State caucuses begin this weekend, and the pair will meet on the debate stage for the first time on Tuesday.
The state Democratic caucuses begin Saturday and will continue through March 22. At the caucuses, Democrats vote for delegates to represent their town or ward at the state convention in May. The selected delegates will vote for a Senate candidate at the convention, where candidates need 15 percent of support to appear on the ballot as a Democrat in the September primary. The candidate who wins the most delegate support will receive the endorsement of the state party.
Here's the catch: the state party endorsement doesn't always indicate who will win the primary. In 2018, the party endorsed then-Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim in his bid to unseat Secretary of State Bill Galvin. But when primary day rolled around, Galvin won with a staggering 67 percent of the vote.
Regardless, the convention can be an important show of strength in a primary contest. Rep. Joe Kennedy III gathered some 400 supporters for an organizing meeting in Boston last weekend, which included information about how to participate in the campaign's caucus operation. Sen. Ed Markey's campaign put out an informational video on the caucuses several days ago. And Markey's got a secret weapon: John Walsh, his campaign manager, is the former chair of the state Democratic Party.
Senate race aside, the MassDems will also hand out a "2019 report card" giving GOP Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito failing grades on commuter safety, traffic and congestion, management, transparency and environmental justice. Here's a first look at the flier.
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: AUCHINCLOSS CALLS FOR GUN REFORM — Newton City Councilor Jake Auchincloss, a candidate running to replace Rep. Joe Kennedy III, is introducing a new gun reform plan today. The plan comes on the anniversary of the shooting in Parkland, Fla. that killed 17 people in 2018.
Auchincloss' plan calls for so-called red flag laws in all 50 states, which would allow family members or law enforcement to get a court order to temporarily confiscate firearms from someone deemed to be a danger to themselves or others.
The plan also calls for reinstating the federal assault weapons ban with mandatory gun buybacks, requiring gun owners have liability insurance, and a phase-out of concealed carry legislation, along with universal background checks.
"In my time serving in the Marines, I slept, ate, trained, and patrolled with an assault weapon for four years. I know that no citizen has a constitutional right to own a weapon of war," Auchincloss said in a statement. "We must be unafraid of bold federal solutions to stop this senseless violence and create a safer world." The plan.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
TODAY — Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attends a topping-off ceremony for the Major Howard W. Beal Elementary School in Shrewsbury. Rep. Joe Kennedy III speaks to the Metro South Chamber of Commerce in Brockton. Rep. Katherine Clark and Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn attend the opening of the Mystic Community Market in Medford. Sen. Ed Markey speaks at a UNITE HERE! Local 26 rally at Logan Airport.
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A message from Transportation for Massachusetts:
Massachusetts is facing a transportation crisis. Roads, bridges, and transit statewide urgently need investment. The gas tax, which has increased by only 3 cents since 1991, is a proven, stable, and immediate solution to make our commutes better. Learn more. |
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "Senate passes mental health bill," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "SEN. JULIAN CYR has struggled with anxiety and depression since childhood. As a boy who was gay, he was bullied in school, had panic attacks and developed an eating disorder. Therapy helped him manage his anxiety. But Cyr still cannot get his health insurance to cover his outpatient mental health care. The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday, by a unanimous vote of 38-0, passed a bill aimed at addressing the major barriers people face to accessing mental health care: insurance coverage and provider availability."
- "Gov. Charlie Baker: TCI proceeds will not be 'pumped into Boston' to pay off MBTA debt," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday, responding to New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu on the matter, said proceeds from the proposed Transportation and Climate Initiative would not disproportionately serve to benefit the MBTA and the Greater Boston region. "The only money available to anyone in Massachusetts to spend on energy efficiency initiatives and transportation would be money generated by credits purchased in Massachusetts," Baker told WGBH's Jim Braude and Margery Eagan."
- "Mass. facing hit from proposed fed Medicaid changes," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "GOVERNORS AROUND THE COUNTRY, including Gov. Charlie Baker, are fighting the Trump administration over proposed changes to how the federal government reimburses states for Medicaid, seeking to avoid a shift that could blow a massive hole into state budgets. The new regulations proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services could jeopardize some of the financing arrangements Massachusetts uses to pay for its $16.7 billion MassHealth program."
- "Should Massachusetts politicians be allowed to use campaign funds to pay for child care? Commission takes closer look," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "For would-be politicians who can't afford five-figure child care costs, there might be an alternative in sight. Ryan Fattman and 10 other members on a campaign finance commission are exploring how feasibly the state could change its law to let candidates use political donations to cover child care, and possibly family care, expenses. The Office of Campaign and Political Finance does not consider child care an allowable campaign expense."
- "Tufts University Will Launch CBO-Like Center To Estimate Costs Of Mass. Bills," WBUR: "A new nonpartisan research center, with a pair of former governors on its advisory council, is setting out to provide lawmakers and voters with "real-time" analysis of key topics, including projected impacts of ballot questions. Tufts University's Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life announced the launch of the Center for State Policy Analysis on Thursday."
- "Baker signs law creating caregiver abuse registry," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "NICKY CHAN was attending a day program for people with intellectual disabilities when he was beaten by a caregiver. The caregiver was found not guilty in court, and there was no way to ensure the caregiver would not get a job at another program. Michael Long was the sole nighttime caregiver for a woman with a developmental disability when he raped her. It took nearly four years between the rape and Long's criminal conviction. For more than a year during that time, Long worked for a different provider that cared for people with disabilities."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "Wayfair lays off 550 employees, including 350 in Boston," by Janelle Nanos, Boston Globe: "After more than doubling its workforce in the past two years, Wayfair is tapping the brakes. The online seller of furniture and other home goods said Thursday that it would cut 550 employees worldwide, as its chief executive acknowledged the Boston-based company had grown too quickly and become less efficient as its red-hot sales growth shows signs of cooling. While the job cuts aren't severe — Wayfair said they would affect 3 percent of its 17,000 workers, including 350 in Boston — they mark a moment of reckoning for a company that is one of the state's few consumer-focused tech superstars."
- "Prison superintendent cites protocols for actions," by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: "CITING PUBLIC AND CONFIDENTIAL Department of Correction protocols, the superintendent of the state's maximum-security prison said he had the authority to cut off inmate access to attorneys and legal work in the wake of an attack on four guards by a host of inmates. The Department of Correction is being sued in Suffolk Superior Court by inmates who allege they were improperly denied access to their lawyers after a lockdown of the facility on January 10 following the attack on the correctional officers."
- "After dramatic recount, city councilors call for a review of process," by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "Last fall's election recount that settled the race for a coveted City Council seat by a single vote served as a historic moment for Boston. City Councilor Ed Flynn also wants it to serve as a teaching moment. Flynn has called for a City Council hearing to explore the city's regulations for running an election recount, saying the dramatic race between Julia Mejia, who won the fourth and final at-large seat, and Alejandra St. Guillen was a dramatic, intense affair. "It was a real example of how every vote counts," Flynn said."
- "State reports rise in students experiencing homelessness," by Stefania Lugli, Boston Globe: "The number of homeless students enrolled in Massachusetts has increased, according to a new report by the National Center for Homeless Education. The student homeless population in the state's public school districts rose by more than 3,000 between 2016 and 2018 to more than 23,000. The report defines homeless as students who lack a fixed and adequate home, including those living in shared housing, motels or trailers, and cars, public spaces, or abandoned buildings."
- "Asian business leaders, city councilors to host Boston dim sum brunch to address coronavirus fears, xenophobia," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Business leaders and city councilors from Boston and Quincy plan to host a dim sum brunch to support businesses that they say have been affected by the fears surrounding the coronavirus. The coronavirus has led to thousands of cases around the world, but had little impact in Boston. Yet community organizers and elected officials say Asian business owners are losing business over the fear of the virus that was traced back to Wuhan, China in late 2019."
- "UMass Boston interim chancellor Katherine Newman to return to university central administration," by Deirdre Fernandes, Boston Globe: "Katherine Newman might not have been selected as the permanent chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Boston, but she will remain in the public university system with a much expanded role. Newman will become a system chancellor of academic programs, a newly created position, which will include oversight of both teaching and research and economic development."
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| PRIMARY SOURCES |
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- "Michael Bloomberg brings on Ed Davis to lead Massachusetts campaign," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis will lead Democratic presidential hopeful Michael Bloomberg's campaign in Massachusetts. The former New York City mayor's operation announced Davis in an email blast Thursday, identifying the commissioner's title incorrectly as former "Boston Police Chief." Davis served as Boston's top cop from 2006 to 2013, and is most recognized for his visible role in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings."
- "IRONWORKERS LOCAL 7 ENDORSES KENNEDY FOR SENATE," from the Kennedy campaign: "Congressman Joe Kennedy III earned the endorsement of Ironworkers Local 7, marking his 19th labor endorsement in his bid for U.S. Senate. "Ironworkers Local 7 is proud to stand with Joe Kennedy in his race for U.S. Senate," said Shawn Nehiley of Ironworkers Local 7. "Now more than ever, we need a strong voice in Washington, D.C. that will fight for the hard working men and women who keep this country moving every day. We know Joe Kennedy will be that voice for us and we are proud to stand with him in this race."
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| ALL ABOARD |
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- "MBTA: 28-Day Delays Will Make Work More Efficient," by Kevin G. Andrade, WGBH News: "A new maintenance plan recently released in a report by the MBTA will feature closures along some lines scheduled to last almost a month apiece in order to speed up repair and maintenance processes. "A 28-day full weekday & weekend closure would replace 1 year of delays, slow zones, and weekend diversions by improving work site safety, allowing complex work to be done more efficiently, and leveraging access for concurrent work," the report said."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "Lori Loughlin's attorneys want her to stand trial in Feb. 2021 at the earliest," by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "Lawyers for Hollywood star Lori Loughlin pushed back this week against the government's requested October trial date for the actress and her fashion mogul husband, instead proposing the couple stand trial in early 2021 for their alleged crimes in the college admissions cheating scandal. In a filing submitted Wednesday in US District Court in Boston, Loughlin's five attorneys said the court shouldn't green light an October trial."
- "DEA raids Newburyport office of Dr. Keith Ablow, controversial psychiatrist who settled malpractice lawsuits," by Travis Andersen and Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: "The Drug Enforcement Administration on Thursday raided the Newburyport office of Dr. Keith R. Ablow, a controversial psychiatrist whose medical license was suspended last year after state regulators alleged he drew three female patients into sexual relationships and improperly prescribed medications, including addictive narcotics, to eight people who worked for him ."
- "City of Boston, Native Americans square off in court over Long Island Bridge," by Mary Whitfill, The Patriot Ledger: "A Suffolk Superior Court judge says he'll decide next week whether a Massachusetts Native American tribe has the right to intervene in an ongoing fight between Quincy and Boston over rebuilding a bridge to Long Island. If he rules in favor of the natives, he would then have to decide whether the tribe has the right to appear in state courts without an attorney."
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| WARREN REPORT |
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- "Warren on the ropes," by Alex Thompson, POLITICO: "Elizabeth Warren convened a conference call Tuesday night after her fourth-place finish in the New Hampshire primary and delivered some straight talk to demoralized staffers. "I don't kid myself," Warren said, according to a source on the call. "I know that when the pundits and naysayers criticize us, I know it gets hard. And I know your jobs get hard, but these are the moments we find out who we are. ... These are the moments when we dig deep." The moment is an enormous test not just for the Warren team, but for the candidate herself."
- "Critics target Elizabeth Warren for accepting $3 donation from 'broke college student,'" by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: "Critics of Sen. Elizabeth Warren took the Democratic presidential candidate to task this week for accepting a donation from "a broke college student." After speaking with supporters and posing for selfies following a fourth-place finish in the New Hampshire primary, Warren shared a story that a young woman told her she'd donated $3 — half of what she had in her bank account — to the Massachusetts's senator's campaign to keep her in the fight to face President Donald Trump."
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| TRUMPACHUSETTS |
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- "The re-education of John Kelly," by Kevin Cullen, Boston Globe: "Wherever John Kelly has been all these many months, he's back. A son of Brighton, Kelly labored as chief of staff for a president who doesn't listen to any counsel but his own. Since leaving the administration just over a year ago, Kelly has tried to distance himself from it. A man of dignity, he has kept a dignified silence. But that's over."
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| ALL'S WELD THAT ENDS WELD |
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- "Bill Weld undeterred in Trump challenge despite low polling numbers," by Devyani Chhetri, Berkshire Eagle: "The New Hampshire primaries might be over but former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, the Republican vying to dislodge President Trump, believes he is not. Netting 9 percent in Tuesday's Republican primary, Weld believes he has already done better than he expected and now looks forward to Super Tuesday on March 3, in which Massachusetts also will vote, according to communications director Joe Hunter."
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| IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN |
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- "Students Call For Mass. Colleges To Divest From Fossil Fuel Companies In National Protest," by Miriam Wasser, WBUR: "While a cold rain fell, turning what snow was left on the ground into slush, a group of about 60 Brandeis University students and faculty on Thursday demanded the school divest from fossil fuel companies as a way to address climate change. Rallying in the school's "peace garden" outside the college's Usdan Student Center, the protesters said Brandeis should reinvest its money in socially responsible and environmentally sustainable places, and provide greater transparency about its $1 billion portfolio."
- "Virginia deals setback to TCI, NH Gov. Sununu knocks it again," by Mary Markos, Boston Herald: "Virginia could be joining New Hampshire in its rejection of the Transportation Climate Initiative, adding to the growing list of states questioning the associated gas price hikes. "If you look at the response to TCI by states projected to be involved, you can see major rejection and lack of enthusiasm for TCI," state Rep. Marc Lombardo told the Herald. "Many governors have rejected TCI as bad for their residents."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "COME BACK TO CHINATOWN," — Globe: "Warren's campaign to save party may not save her; AG fights back after Trump's tweets; Growing pains for Wayfair" |
| FROM THE 413 |
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- "'Performing below our expectations': Outgoing MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren offers real talk on Springfield casino," by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "Net revenues at MGM Springfield fell by more than $6 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 despite climbing revenues companywide, according to numbers released by the resort casino's parent company this week. MGM Resorts International's fourth quarter 2019 earnings report says MGM Springfield had $71 million in net revenues, compared with $77.8 million in net revenues for October, November and December of 2018."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "Explosions Rock Newburyport Chemical Plant; Evacuation But No Injuries," The Associated Press: "Several explosions rocked a Newburyport plant that manufactures chemicals used in medicines Thursday morning, blowing a hole in the roof and leading to an evacuation but no injuries, authorities said. Authorities said there is no public health threat resulting from the blasts at the PCI Synthesis building. But the explosions come a year after the Occupational Safety and Health Administration found "serious" violations in the company's management of highly hazardous chemicals, according to online agency records."
TRANSITIONS - Boston Inno's Rowan Walrath is adding Rhode Island Inno to her repetoire, covering startups & innovation in Rhode Island. Tweet.
ICYMI - I was a guest on WGBH's "Greater Boston" hosted by Adam Reilly, along with the Boston Globe's Joan Vennochi and Kaivan Shroff of Millennial Democrats. Link.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Rep. Richard Neal, who turns 71; and Diana Felber .
FOR YOUR COMMUTE: NEIGHBORING STATES - On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela and Stephanie Murray break down the New Hampshire primary results. Eugenia Gibbons, Policy Director for the Green Energy Consumers Alliance, talks about the state's net-zero energy goals. 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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A message from Transportation for Massachusetts:
In every corner of the Commonwealth, people are frustrated with our transportation system. From potholed and congested roads, to delayed trains, to regional transit buses that don't run on the weekends, transportation is holding back our economy, hurting our quality of life, and polluting our air. The gas tax must be part of the solution. Each one-penny increase in the gas tax raises $30 million per year for transportation improvements statewide, including an increase to Chapter 90 local road repairs, dedicated funding for Regional Transit Authorities, and upgrades to the MBTA. Learn more. |
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