| | |  | By Stephanie Murray | GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF! POLL SHOWS CLOSE SENATE RACE — A new UMass Lowell poll released yesterday shows a close race between Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III, with the Sept. 1 primary less than four months away. A couple of things to keep an eye on: Markey narrows the gap — Over the course of the campaign, Markey has been able to narrow a double-digit gap in polling against Kennedy from last fall. This latest survey of likely Democratic primary voters found Kennedy at 44 percent and Markey at 42 percent. The poll was conducted at the end of April, and the margin of error is 7.8 percent. Moderates and liberals — While Markey and Kennedy both highlight their progressive records, there’s a clear split between moderate and liberal voters. Fifty-five percent of moderate voters said they would vote for Kennedy, and only 25 percent said they would support Markey. On the flip side, 54 percent of liberal voters said they back Markey, and 39 percent support Kennedy. AS SEEN ON TV — The coronavirus pandemic may force candidates in the crowded race to replace Rep. Joe Kennedy III to buy space on the airwaves earlier and more often than they would have otherwise ahead of voting day in September. Nearly a dozen candidates expect to make the ballot in the 4th District, meaning the field is going to be crowded. And instead of knocking on doors and attending in-person meetings, campaigns will be forced to reach voters in other ways. That can mean an emphasis on digital outreach like online ads, videos, statements and livestreams. But there’s a group of older voters who are not active on social media and vote in high numbers in a primary election, says Peter Ubertaccio, dean of the Thomas and Donna May School of Arts & Sciences at Stonehill College. And while raising the most money has not always translated to winning elections in recent election cycles — Rep. Lori Trahan was outraised by second place finisher Dan Koh in 2018, for example — TV ads may be more important this year, and they're expensive. “Ordinarily, what we've learned is that money is not always the key. A really strong, effective ground game can help. But in this new normal ... your ability to raise a lot of money and thus put your radio ads out and your TV ads out to raise your visibility, that may end up being more important this cycle than has been the norm the past couple cycles,” Ubertaccio said. “Name recognition is going to be really important here and very few of them have it in all the places they need it.” When it comes to cash on hand for the primary, Newton City Councilor Jake Auchincloss leads the pack with $948,000, followed by City Year co-founder Alan Khazei, who has $505,000 for the primary and another $294,000 marked for the general election. Newton City Councilor Becky Grossman has $352,000 in cash on hand for the primary, and former Gov. Deval Patrick aide Jesse Mermell has $326,000. The other candidates running for the seat have less than $200,000 in primary cash on hand or have not yet filed a quarterly report with the FEC. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: GOUVEIA TO FILE VOTING BILL — State Rep Tami Gouveia will file a bill this morning that would expand evening and weekend early voting hours for elections this fall, a change she says would make in-person voting safer and easier during the coronavirus pandemic by avoiding crowds or lines to vote. Gouveia worked on the bill with two national voting rights organizations, the Voter Protection Corps and Free Speech for People. The bill would create a portal where volunteers could sign up to serve as poll workers, make changes to the state’s online voter registration process and call on Secretary of State Bill Galvin to issue guidance to cities and towns on how to hold elections safely during the pandemic. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Be a Hero co-founder Ady Barkan discuss “how pharmaceutical companies are profiting off of the pandemic using public money” during a live-to-tape forum. State Sen. Eric Lesser and Springfield HHS Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris host a livestream. Rep. Lori Trahan hosts a virtual town hall on relief and resources available to Massachusetts veterans. Sen. Ed Markey is a guest on WGBH’s “Boston Public Radio.” Markey hosts a livestream on elder services in the Merrimack Valley. Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu speaks at a virtual town hall series titled “Rise: Asian Pacific America.” | |
| | POLITICO Magazine Justice Reform: The Decarceration Issue, presented by Verizon: Over the past decade, the long-standing challenge of criminal-justice reform has emerged under the spotlight with a new twist: Both Republicans and Democrats are on board. But if both parties want to lower the incarceration rate, why are our jail and prison populations still so high? The latest series from POLITICO Magazine works to answer this important question and take a deeper look into what it will take to make progress in the policy and politics of justice reform. READ THE FULL ISSUE. | | | | |
|  | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
| — “Rate of positive coronavirus cases in Massachusetts declining in May, Gov. Charlie Baker says as officials announce 132 new deaths, 1,696 new cases,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts health officials announced another 132 coronavirus deaths on Thursday, bringing the statewide total to 4,552. Officials also confirmed another 1,696 cases, for a total of 73,721 cases across Massachusetts. Another 11,993 tests have been conducted, for a total of 351,632 statewide.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| — “New key Mass. coronavirus numbers return to recent downward trend,” by Travis Andersen, Martin Finucane and Jaclyn Reiss, Boston Globe: “The state’s modest first steps toward resuming everyday life came on the tees and greens of golf courses on Thursday, even as Governor Charlie Baker, in the wake of a troubling uptick of coronavirus cases and COVID-19 deaths the day before, said the state ‘ still has a lot of work to do’ before life returns to anything resembling normal.” — “Mass. unemployment claims approach 1 million since pandemic's start,” by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: “Massachusetts has fielded more than 962,000 unemployment claims since mid-March, according to new data released Thursday, as the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread across all sectors in the Bay State. More than 55,000 residents filed initial claims for traditional unemployment benefits last week, bringing the total for that program to approximately 780,000 in Massachusetts since March 15.” — “Spilka Warned Locals Budget 'May Not Be Pretty,'” by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: “There are many possibilities for how lawmakers might tackle next year's budget, Senate President Karen Spilka said, but the pandemic's shocks to state revenues may mean the idea of passing one-month budgets while a full spending plan is developed would need to look different than it has in the past.” — “Massachusetts coronavirus contact tracing program still struggling to have people participate when officials call, health officials say,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Those working on the state’s contact tracing program say many residents, who may have come into contact with someone infected with coronavirus, have not been answering the phone when tracers have called. Less than 50% of those who’ve been contacted by tracers have stayed on the phone for longer than a couple of minutes, according to Dr. John Welch, director of operations and partnerships for Partners in Health’s COVID-19 response.” — “Who’s getting federal distributions of coronavirus drug remdesivir? After much confusion, Massachusetts government, hospitals team up to share,” by Rebecca Ostriker, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts government and hospital officials are taking matters into their own hands and working out a plan to share donations of the coronavirus treatment remdesivir, after questions were raised about the federal government’s puzzling distribution process for the drug.” — “Generous benefits could keep some workers on sidelines,” by Christian M. Wade, Gloucester Daily Times: “Generous unemployment benefits are giving some laid-off workers more income from federal and state payments than they normally make on the job, which some business groups warn could make it harder to bring those people back to work.” — “Golf course owners in Massachusetts convinced Baker administration to allow them to reopen during coronavirus pandemic citing safety, not economics,” by Michael Bonner, MassLive.com: “While golf was deemed non-essential in Massachusetts, patrons teed up drivers and sank putts at David Southworth’s properties in Virginia, the Bahamas and Scotland amid the coronavirus pandemic. In the weeks of discussion leading up to Thursday’s decision by state officials to allow golf courses to reopen, Southworth brought a unique perspective to the conversation.” | |
| | LISTEN TO DAILY CORONAVIRUS NEWS AND UPDATES: Looking for quick, reliable facts and analysis on Covid-19? POLITICO Dispatch is a short, daily podcast that takes you behind the scenes of POLITICO with reporters and experts from across our newsroom and provides the updates and context you need in 15 minutes or less. Subscribe and listen today. | | | | |
| | FROM THE HUB |
| — “My Life in the Age of COVID: Boston Health and Human Services Chief Marty Martinez,” by Alex Reimer, Boston Magazine: “It is rarely a slow day for Boston Health and Human Services Chief Marty Martinez. As Boston’s top public health official, he’s spent the last two-and-a-half years spearheading the city’s response to numerous crises, including the opioid epidemic. But now, Martinez is tasked with leading the city’s effort to combat one of the worst pandemics in history.” — “Rachael Rollins finds herself at center of unlikely firestorm,” by Adrian Walker, Boston Globe: “Rachael Rollins isn’t sorry. Rachael Rollins doesn’t do sorry. ‘I think I responded to a caller that was desperate,’ the Suffolk district attorney said in a telephone interview. ‘All of this started with a caller who was desperate and had not been treated with the respect or dignity he deserved.’ Rollins was making a regular appearance on ‘Boston Public Radio’ with Jim Braude and Margery Eagan last week, when a criminal defendant called in. What happened next set off a firestorm, centering on issues of race and privilege.” — “Brattle Book Shop is curating bookshelves for Zoom meetings and FaceTime hangouts,” by Steve Annear, Boston Globe: “Friends and coworkers aren’t the only ones silently taking stock of what’s going on in the backgrounds of people’s daily virtual calls these days. Staff at the Brattle Book Shop have also been scanning the scenes with a watchful eye. And as experts in the book trade, they’ve come to a conclusion: That shelf just beyond your upper torso? Yes, that one, with the torn edition of ‘Twilight’ that’s next to the lilting fern. Perhaps it could use some touching up if it’s going to be on camera.” — “Are colleges really equipped for serious online learning? Not many,” by Deirdre Fernandes, Boston Globe: “Southern New Hampshire University president Paul LeBlanc has received a rush of phone calls from college leaders in the United States, Europe, and Latin America in recent weeks seeking advice on one pressing issue: how to offer robust online classes this fall.” | | PRIMARY SOURCES |
| — “Obama alum Susan Rice endorses Alan Khazei in race for Kennedy seat,” by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: “The competition for high-profile endorsements in the packed Democratic primary in the Fourth Congressional District is heating up. Former Obama national security adviser Susan E. Rice is endorsing Alan Khazei, a Brookline resident and cofounder of the City Year national service program who is among at least 10 candidates likely to be on the Sept. 1 primary ballot.” | | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
| — “Uncertainty looms for Boston commuters,” by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: “Just ask the 1,000 or so people who registered for the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s forum on the topic Thursday, a record number for one of these virtual chamber events. Guests of honor included Stephanie Pollack, the state’s transportation secretary, and Steve Poftak, the MBTA’s general manager. But if the attendees were hoping to get details about bus routes, train frequency, or car capacity in this new world order, they went away disappointed. The takeaway? Don’t expect those any time soon.” | | DAY IN COURT |
| — “Mass. Highest Court Asks, Who Releases Prisoners In A Pandemic?” by Deborah Becker, WBUR: “Massachusetts Supreme Court Chief Justice Ralph Gantz had a question for attorneys who argued Thursday that some state agencies should not be named in a lawsuit seeking to release more prisoners because of COVID-19.” — “Federal Judge Orders Bristol County Sheriff To Conduct Widespread Testing Of ICE Detainees and Staff,” by Phillip Martin, WGBH News: “A federal judge ruled Thursday that Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, popularly known as ICE, ‘likely’ violated the constitutional rights of detainees, in a case carefully watched by immigration rights advocates.” — “Is virus weakening defense in 2017 Pittsfield homicide?” by Larry Parnass, The Berkshire Eagle: “A Berkshire Superior Court judge is studying whether to allow a man charged in the 2017 shooting death of Asiyanna Jones to be released on bail. The attorney for Gary K. Linen told Judge Maureen Hogan in a telephone conference Thursday that due to restrictions related to the coronavirus, she is not able to develop a proper defense.” — “After Court Ruling, 'People Are Going To Come Out And Buy Guns Just To Buy Guns,' Shop Owner Predicts,” by Callum Borchers, WBUR: “Gun shops in Massachusetts can reopen this weekend, after a federal judge said Thursday it is unconstitutional for the state to close them because of the coronavirus pandemic. Vinny Cedrone — whose store, Shawsheen Firearms in Billerica, was the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the state — predicts gun owners who were ‘enraged’ by the temporary shutdown will make a statement with their wallets.” | | FROM THE DELEGATION |
| — “Democratic senators propose $2,000 monthly payments to most Americans,” by Burgess Everett, POLITICO: “A trio of Democratic senators are pitching a big idea: pay most American families thousands of dollars each month until the coronavirus’s economic crisis subsides. On Friday, Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) will release their Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act.” — “New coronavirus stimulus checks, including payments for dependent college students, proposed in next relief package, Rep. Richard Neal says,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “A second round of coronavirus stimulus checks, including payments for dependent college students, may be in store for millions of Americans in the fourth COVID-19 pandemic relief package in the works on Capitol Hill.” — “Ayanna Pressley and Kamala Harris have a plan to help truly small businesses. Here’s how it would work.” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “In the wake of the federal government’s beleaguered effort to help small businesses during the coronavirus outbreak, Rep. Ayanna Pressley is spearheading a proposal to help the country’s smallest businesses. The Massachusetts congresswoman teamed up with California Sen. Kamala Harris, a fellow Democrat, to propose a $124.5 billion grant program.” | | MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
| — “Cannabis commission ready to reopen recreational marijuana stores — if Baker allows it,” by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: “Top officials at the independent agency that oversees the Massachusetts marijuana industry say they’re confident they can safely reopen recreational pot stores if Governor Charlie Baker reverses his emergency order forcing the businesses to close amid the coronavirus pandemic.” | | ABOVE THE FOLD |
| — Herald: “SWING AWAY!” — Globe: “State and hospitals unite to unravel drug's distribution," "'A lot of work to do,' but a chance to play.” | | FROM THE 413 |
| — “State names new receiver-superintendent for Holyoke public schools,” by Dusty Christensen, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Holyoke Public Schools has a new state-appointed leader. On Thursday, the state named Alberto Vázquez Matos — currently deputy superintendent of public schools in Hartford, Connecticut — as the next receiver-superintendent .” — “Springfield City Council meeting with police commissioner, Law Department over 5 reinstated cops gets testy,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “Members of the Springfield City Council on Thursday peppered the police commissioner with questions over her recent decision to reinstate five officers suspended a year ago after being charged in the ongoing Nathan Bill’s off-duty cop brawl investigation.” | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| — “Criminal complaint filed against Adams Square Baptist Church for 3rd violation of orders restricting crowd size,” by Steven H. Foskett Jr., Telegram & Gazette: “Sobering numbers this week have prompted experts to again push back the date they think the city will peak in its fight with COVID-19. In consultation with the local medical community, Dr. Michael P. Hirsh, the city’s medical director, had predicted some time around Friday would be the city’s worst day, and had expressed hope that from then on cases would plateau and eventually recede.” — “Plymouth seeks delay of state Senate election,” by Geoff Spillane, Cape Cod Times: “Less than two weeks before a special state Senate election, the largest town in the Plymouth & Barnstable District wants a postponement, citing safety concerns during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The election between Democrat Susan Moran, of Falmouth, and Republican James ‘Jay’ McMahon III, of Bourne, is scheduled for May 19, having already been postponed from late March because of the pandemic.” | | MEDIA MATTERS |
| — “Coronavirus stimulus funding should include support for local media, Rep. Richard Neal says,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “On trips to his neighborhood 7-Eleven during the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal notices local newspapers coming off the shelves. ‘I can tell you the people are picking up these local papers as well as the national papers,’ Neal said in an editorial meeting with The Republican and MassLive on Zoom Thursday.” REMEMBERING RON HUTSON … via the Boston Globe: “Mr. Hutson, who also was an editor on a series that was awarded a Pulitzer in 1984, died April 28 in Morton Hospital in Taunton of COVID-19. He was 72 and had lived in Taunton. Though his Pulitzer-winning contributions focused on race relations — the 1984 award honored a Globe team for local investigative specialized reporting — Mr. Hutson’s writing ranged widely geographically and in terms of the topics he chose.” Link. TRANSITIONS — Peter McCarthy joins Sherin and Lodgen LLP’s Litigation Department. — Katharine B. M. Brite joins Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster’s Trusts and Estates Practice Group as an associate. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Dana Sprole, Janis Lippman, Tom McCuin, Dave Lam, David Brade and Kelley Greenman. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND – to Saturday birthday-ers ENS Andrew Sullivan, who turns 26 and is on deployment in Sicily (h/t Laura Picard), Cory Bisbee, David Gergen, and Ben Herman. And to Sunday birthday-ers Linnea Walsh , director of marketing and communications at the Group Insurance Commission; Andrew Card, chairman of the National Endowment for Democracy, who is 72; Amy Russes, Chloe Gotsis, senior deputy press secretary to AG Maura Healey; the Boston Globe’s Jaclyn Reiss, Alex Milne, legislative aide to state Rep. David DeCoste; Elise Italiano, Brad Bannon, and Gary Dzen, deputy digital sports editor for Boston.com and the Boston Globe. 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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