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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Stephanie Murray is in New Hampshire this week to help with POLITICO's 2020 primary coverage, so I'm jumping back across the New York border to report on all things Massachusetts. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch with me at syoung@politico.com. Reach Stephanie at smurray@politico.com.
MASS. LAWMAKERS FLOOD NEW HAMPSHIRE — Several state lawmakers will head to New Hampshire this weekend to campaign for Elizabeth Warren ahead of Tuesday's first-in-the-nation presidential primary. Surrogates, ranging from members of the state's congressional delegation to Boston city councilors, will host canvass kickoffs and attend other events in a final push to rally support for Warren's White House bid.
U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern will be in the Granite State today for a Team Warren debate watch party in Manchester. On Saturday, Congresswoman Katherine Clark will help kick off the campaign's canvassing efforts in Salem and Newmarket, while U.S. Sen. Ed Markey attends similar events in Hampton and Dover.
U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a campaign co-chair, will join Warren on Sunday for a "get out the vote" event in Concord. She will also host a canvass kickoff in Nashua. Attorney General Maura Healey, Congresswoman Lori Trahan and Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu will also be in New Hampshire on Sunday to support the campaign's canvassing efforts in Hampton and Somersworth, Hampstead and Bedford, respectively.
Former Gov. Deval Patrick's 2020 Democratic presidential campaign, meanwhile, will hold a series of town halls, canvass kickoffs and forums throughout New Hampshire this weekend.
EYE ON MASSACHUSETTS — While Massachusetts lawmakers head north to support Warren, Mike Bloomberg's 2020 Democratic campaign plans to hold a total of 59 events — including office openings, phone banks and canvasses — across the Bay State on Saturday and Sunday. The effort comes as part of the Bloomberg campaign's "weekend of action," in which it will hold events in more than 30 states.
State Director Jordan Overstreet said the weekend events across Massachusetts "will energize our supporters and engage voters to show that Mike is the best candidate to defeat Donald Trump in November."
MDP SLAMS BAKER'S RESPONSE TO IMPEACHMENT VOTE — Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford criticized Gov. Charlie Baker Thursday over what he called the Republican's "cowardly reaction" to President Donald Trump's impeachment trial. "Instead of condemning Donald Trump or sharing his thoughts on the Senate's vote to acquit, he simply offered vague criticisms of the process and indicated that he has respect for Senator Romney, who voted to convict Trump. Groundbreaking," he said in a statement. "I wish I had the same respect for Gov. Baker that he has for Mitt Romney, but the governor's spinelessness makes that impossible."
Baker's office did not respond to a request for comment on Bickford's remarks. The governor told reporters Thursday that he believes "what the president did was wrong" and that "the entire process was a partisan mess," according to CBS Boston.
TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker and First Lady Lauren Baker attend the National Governors Association Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. Congressman Jim McGovern attends a Team Warren debate watch party in Manchester, N.H.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "Spilka voices commitment to NDA reform," by Mary Markos, The Boston Herald: "In an exclusive interview with the Herald, Senate President Karen Spilka called for reforms around public use of nondisclosure agreements after a bill to ban them was sent to the Senate for study. 'I do believe that we need to protect the victim,' Spilka said. 'If the victim does not want to be silenced, which many NDAs do, I will not silence the victim and I will not protect the perpetrator who has been found to have committed the alleged action in this particular circumstance.'"
- "Tele-psychiatry, emergency care coverage, licensing changes: Mass. Senate adds mental health bill to the mix," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "State senators on Thursday introduced a bill that would require that patients suffering acute mental health symptoms get treatment without waiting for prior authorization, roll out a pilot program for tele-psychiatry in schools and implement other reforms to improve access to behavioral health services. The Senate Democrats' mental health legislation, which was drafted over several months, adds another approach to addressing the gaps in the state's mental health system. The Baker administration introduced its own bill to increase spending on behavioral health and primary care in October."
- "East-west rail cost estimates released: Train service connecting Western Massachusetts to Boston ranges from $2 billion to $25 billion," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "The task of linking Western Massachusetts to Boston with regular train service on a new or existing commuter rail line could cost as much as $25 billion, according to new cost estimates released Thursday by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. MassDOT presented the capital costs associated with six different alternatives to connecting Western Massachusetts as far as Pittsfield to Boston during a meeting with the east-west rail advisory committee."
- "Calls for school carbon monoxide detectors ignored," by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: "For years, Douglas fire Chief Kent Vinson has traveled to Beacon Hill to warn lawmakers about the threat of carbon monoxide leaks in schools and government buildings. Vinson has been pushing to update state laws on carbon monoxide detectors since 2014, when a malfunctioning boiler in a Douglas town complex caused a CO leak that sickened kindergarten students. The complex, which housed a town hall, police station and elementary school, didn't have CO detectors. While Massachusetts requires homeowners to install carbon monoxide detectors, there's no such mandate for schools, commercial property or state and town government buildings."
- "State to end health insurance program it once called a cost-saver. The reason: Costs are too high," by Matt Stout, The Boston Globe: "Citing 'untenable' price increases, state officials are scrapping a program that was intended to save the state's Medicaid program tens of millions of dollars and offer better health care options to thousands of poor college students. The Baker administration's decision to eliminate its so-called premium assistance program for student health insurance plans means 21,000 students will shift off Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts plans offered through their schools, with MassHealth, the state's taxpayer-funded Medicaid provider, becoming their primary insurer. That, some warn, could limit access to services a vulnerable population of students has enjoyed under the private plans, which offer a broader network of doctors and coverage."
- "Lawmakers again reject Baker's child rape bill," by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: "A Democratic-controlled legislative committee has, once again, rejected Gov. Charlie Baker's proposal to limit the release of child sexual predators from prison. The proposal sought to increase the penalty for rape of a child with force by someone who has already been convicted of sexual offenses to life without parole. It also would have established new charges for the rape of multiple children with force, which would carry a mandatory life sentence. The Legislature's Committee on the Judiciary voted to send the proposal to a study, signaling its demise for the current session. Baker, a Republican, filed the proposal in response to a ruling by the state's highest court clearing the way for the release of Wayne Chapman."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "State Police overtime scheme was devised by higher-ups 20 years ago, former trooper says," by Matt Rocheleau, The Boston Globe: "The State Police overtime scandal dates back more than 20 years — far earlier than previously thought — and was part of a scheme hatched by top commanders who pushed troopers to write citations as part of an illegal ticket quota system, according to a former lieutenant facing state charges. Starting in 1996, supervisors in Troop E, which patrolled the Massachusetts Turnpike, demanded troopers write a certain number of citations during each overtime shift in order to generate revenue for the state, according to a memo filed in court by an attorney for retired Lieutenant David Keefe."
- "Firefighters union files suit against Walsh administration," by Milton J. Valencia, The Boston Globe: "After six largely harmonious years, it appears the relationship between Mayor Martin J. Walsh's administration and the firefighters' union has hit a rough patch. Boston Fire Fighters Local 718, one of the city's largest unions and a big supporter of Walsh in his inaugural 2013 mayoral run, has sued the administration in Suffolk Superior Court, alleging repeated violations of the union's collective bargaining agreement."
- "Andrew Lelling says arrests will cause academia to take China threat seriously," by Deirdre Fernandes, The Boston Globe: "The recent arrest of Harvard University chemistry chairman Charles Lieber for concealing his ties to China will help convince the academic community to take intellectual property theft and espionage more seriously, said US Attorney Andrew Lelling during a panel discussion on Thursday. College and university administrators have been skeptical of the federal government's warnings that the Chinese government is targeting their faculty and research. Some have questioned whether federal authorities are being paranoid or practicing racial profiling, he said."
- "Test company that cut ties with BPS warned of potential equity issues in 2012," by Alexi Cohan and Erin Tiernan, The Boston Herald: "Emails obtained Thursday by the Herald confirmed that Boston Public Schools has known about potential equity issues surrounding the admissions test for its elite exam schools for the better part of a decade, further underscoring the district's lack of transparency as advocates condemn the 'damning' evidence and call on BPS to 'come clean.' 'The emails are more damning evidence appearing to confirm that (Education Research Bureau) has raised questions with BPS for many years about the validity of using the ISEE for exam school admissions,' said Janelle Dempsey, an attorney at Lawyers for Civil Rights ."
- "Cornell dean to become Simmons' first black president," by Deirdre Fernandes, The Boston Globe: "Simmons University announced it has appointed Lynn Perry Wooten as its next president, marking the first time that the Fenway institution will have a black leader. Wooten, a business school dean at Cornell University, will start on July 1 and will succeed Helen G. Drinan, who has been president of Simmons for 12 years. Wooten's 'clear strategic vision and creativity, seasoned leadership experience, strong academic record and collaborative style make her ideally suited to advance our university during this critical period,' Regina M. Pisa, the chairwoman of the Simmons board of trustees, said in a statement."
- "Two correction officers charged in connection with assault on inmate," by Marie Szaniszlo, The Boston Herald: "A senior correction officer and a lieutenant at the U.S. Bureau of Prisons' Federal Medical Center in Devens were arrested Thursday, one for injuring a "vulnerable inmate" in a mental health housing unit and the other for trying to cover up the assault, U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling said."
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| MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
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- "First Boston pot shop approved, opening just 'weeks away,'" by Sean Philip Cotter, The Boston Herald: "The first Boston pot shop has received final state approval and its owner is planning to open within the month. 'Ideally last weekend in February or first week of March,' said an upbeat Kobie Evans, one of the owners of the soon-to-open Pure Oasis. The pot shop at 430 Blue Hill Ave. received final approval on Thursday from the Cannabis Control Commission. Evans and his business partner Kevin Hart aren't setting a firm opening date because they still need to pass a final state inspection, including registering all product and staff."
- "Pot cultivation business gets local OK in Lee, now seeks state license," by Clarence Fanto, The Berkshire Eagle: "Green Theory Cultivation LLC has won Select Board approval of a special permit and host-community agreement to seek a state license for a marijuana cultivation and product manufacturing facility west of the town center. The 3,000-square-foot building housing the business at 845 Pleasant St. (Route 102) is in an industrial zone, with few residences nearby. The project is expected to create 12 to 14 jobs, according to company leaders. James McMann, an attorney and consultant for the company headed by CEO Harsh Patel, told Select Board members that when the community outreach meeting required by state law was held last month at the Black Swan Inn, only one neighbor attended."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: 'Bull#*!@' Trump slams Russia probe, impeachment proceedings" — Globe: "On defense no more, Trump shifts to attack," "Scandal started in 1996, says ex-trooper," "In N.H., a push for momentum"
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| EYE ON 2020 |
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- "Warren still struggling with some voters' fears a woman can't defeat Trump," by Victoria McGrane, The Boston Globe: "She survived that early DNA debacle, withstood endless insults from the president, outlasted a bevy of other candidates. One thing Senator Elizabeth Warren hasn't overcome is voter fears that a woman can't beat Donald Trump. The Massachusetts Democrat confronted those concerns head on during a CNN town hall event Wednesday night, when a woman in the audience asked Warren if she believes that her male rivals stand a better chance of beating the president based on gender alone. 'I believe they think so, but they would be wrong,' Warren replied."
- "Bill Weld warns Democrats against nominating Bernie Sanders," by Lisa Kashinsky, The Boston Herald: "Bill Weld, fighting to survive in his Republican bid for president, says the Democrats could be in real trouble against President Trump if they continue down the path of picking Bernie Sanders as the nominee. 'I think Trump beats him fairly easily,' Weld told the Herald in an interview Thursday. 'That's why the centrist Democrats are going nuts.' He added, 'People who do not want Mr. Trump to be re-elected I think are correct to think that there's a greater risk with either Sen. Sanders or Sen. (Elizabeth) Warren ... because it gives Mr. Trump the socialism issue, which is a powerful issue in this country.'"
- "Deval Patrick eyes opening in South Carolina after Biden's Iowa slip," by Stephanie Murray, POLITICO: "Joe Biden called his fourth-place finish in Iowa a "gut punch" here on Wednesday. For Deval Patrick, it just might be an opportunity. While Patrick crisscrosses New Hampshire in the days before the first-in-the-nation primary, his allies are setting their sights two states further down the calendar. Patrick supporters say South Carolina, a Southern state whose Democratic primary is dominated by black voters, is where the former Massachusetts governor could make an unlikely splash after months of trying to jump-start his late, long-shot presidential bid."
- "Women of color bolt Warren's Nevada campaign in frustration," by Alex Thompson, POLITICO: "A half-dozen women of color have departed Elizabeth Warren's Nevada campaign in the run-up to the state's caucuses with complaints of a toxic work environment in which minorities felt tokenized and senior leadership was at loggerheads. The six staffers have left the roughly 70-person Nevada team since November, during a critical stretch of the race. Three of them said they felt marginalized by the campaign, a situation they said didn't change or worsened after they took their concerns to their superiors or to human resources staff."
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| FROM THE 413 |
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- "'It's very much incomplete;' Sen. Eric Lesser says of east-west rail study release; advisory committee questions low ridership projections," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "State Sen. Eric P. Lesser, D-Longmeadow, and other members east-west rail advisory committee expressed disappointment that MassDOT officials didn't go far enough in assessing the potential economic benefits a rail connection between Western Massachusetts and Boston would bring to the region, as well as the resulting boon to ridership numbers. 'There's a lot of focus on the costs and limitations,' Lesser said during Thursday's meeting of the committee. 'But there needs to be some presentation of what the benefits will be. What is the expected business investment; what is the expected job creation? '"
- "'Remember what we all pay for the MBTA': U.S. Rep. Richard Neal reacts to east-west rail cost estimates," by Jim Kinney, The Republican: "U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, who has called east-west passenger rail in Massachusetts a priority and has begun laying the groundwork for federal funding, has a message for folks experiencing sticker shock over estimates that put the cost in the billions. 'Remember what we all pay for the MBTA system in Boston, which is now calling for a multibillion-dollar program of improvement and infrastructure,' Neal, D-Springfield, said Thursday from his office in Washington. 'Think of South Coast Rail. Think of improving the Green Line. Part of our job here is to compare and contrast.'"
TRANSITIONS - Vasundhra Sangar is leaving her position as state Rep. Smitty Pignatelli's legislative director to join AIM as an associate vice president beginning Monday. Lynn Perry Wooten has been selected as Simmons University's ninth president. Gregory Huang joins The Boston Globe as its new business editor.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to former Uxbridge state Rep. Kevin Kuros, Massachusetts Parents United founder Keri Rodrigues, and Beth Robbins.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Both the Celtics and the Bruins were off Thursday.
FOR YOUR COMMUTE: NET ZERO TO HERO - On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith talk with Senate President Karen Spilka and Sen. Mike Barrett about climate bills passed by the state Senate last week. Spilka also offers a look ahead at her chamber's next big priority: mental health. 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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