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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
NO STATE CONVENTION THIS WEEKEND — This was supposed to be a big weekend for Sen. Ed Markey in his campaign against primary challenger Rep. Joe Kennedy III, before the state Democratic convention was derailed by the coronavirus.
The convention would have been a show of strength for Markey, who falls behind Kennedy in campaign fundraising and viewers on social media, an increasingly important metric as campaigns are forced to operate mostly online during a time of social distancing. Markey was expected to win at the gathering of Massachusetts Democrats on May 30, and delivering a speech to the state's activists could have resulted in a burst of positive news coverage, energy on social media and footage for campaign ads.
But due to the pandemic, that won't happen. The state party moved to cancel the convention in March amid coronavirus concerns, meaning Kennedy and Markey won't have the chance to address the convention in person.
Both campaigns agreed Markey would be considered the winner of the convention, and Kennedy would meet the delegate voting threshold to be placed on the ballot as a Democrat. Convention delegates are elected by local Democratic caucuses in the months leading up to the convention, and the campaigns agree Markey had racked up more delegates, though they disagree on the size of Markey’s lead. A caveat: The winner of the state convention doesn't always go on to win the primary in September. Just ask former Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim, who won the 2018 convention and lost to Secretary of State Bill Galvin in the primary.
In place of the convention, both candidates will rally their supporters online. Kennedy will host a "Regional Organizing Convention" on Zoom, which his campaign expects more than 1,000 people will attend. And Markey will lead two get-out-the-vote events for Democrats running in special elections for state legislative seats, Danillo Sena and Carol Doherty, who are on the ballot June 2.
Markey and Kennedy will meet next in a television studio, not at the state convention in Lowell as initially planned. The pair will debate in Springfield on Monday night, weeks after a debate set for March was postponed due to the coronavirus. And they'll meet again a week later for another debate at WPRI's studio in Providence, RI.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
TODAY — Attorney General Maura Healey and Rep. Jim McGovern discuss coronavirus on Facebook Live. Rep. Lori Trahan hosts a telephone town hall on the coronavirus. Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Richard Neal and Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer hold a virtual press conference to announce new passenger rail legislation. Neal and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno announce CARES Act funding for the PVTA. Rep. Katherine Clark visits the Bread of Life food pantry in Malden.
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LISTEN UP! Congress is nowhere close to a coronavirus deal. More Americans are applying for unemployment benefits. States across the nation are opening up but trying to avoid a 2nd wave. POLITICO Dispatch is a short, daily podcast that provides critical news and context you need, in 15 minutes or less. Subscribe and listen today.
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 | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
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– “Mass. reports 675 new coronavirus cases, 93 new deaths as key metrics trend generally downward,” by Jaclyn Reiss, Boston Globe: “The state reported Thursday that the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in Massachusetts had risen by 93 cases to 6,640, as key metrics that state officials are monitoring continued to trend generally downward. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases climbed by 675 to 94,895.”
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| DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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– “With state revenues crumbling, Massachusetts took out a $1.75 billion credit line,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Drawing little public attention at the time, Massachusetts state officials opened a $1.75 billion line of credit this month to help plug budget gaps ripped open by the novel coronavirus, a grim fiscal reality that, one watchdog warned, could hang over the state for years. The credit line, disclosed in a nearly 600-page financial statement released last week by state leaders, marks a rare step by state officials, both in its size and purpose.”
– “Spotlight on Urena in Soldiers’ Home scandal,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “The scandal at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home is putting a spotlight on Secretary of Veterans’ Services Francisco Urena, with one veteran’s organization calling for his resignation – a development that is bringing the scandal closer to Gov. Charlie Baker. Thursday morning, Daniel Stack, department adjutant for the Massachusetts chapter of Disabled American Veterans, told CommonWealth that Urena should be fired.”
– “Relatives, employees at Holyoke soldiers’ home skeptical of e-mails released by suspended superintendent,” by Hanna Krueger, Boston Globe: “This cruel end to a life of dignity and service is all his daughter, Sue Perez, could think about Tuesday when a lawyer for the home’s suspended superintendent, Bennett Walsh, held a news conference to defend his handling of the outbreak, which has claimed the lives of 76 veterans. Walsh, who is on paid leave during state and federal investigations into the outbreak, was not present.”
– “State revenues plummeted overnight. But they could take 5 years to recover, watchdog warns,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “It took just weeks for the coronavirus pandemic to send Massachusetts’s finances into a tailspin. It could five years to fully recover. The grim outlook, detailed in a report released Thursday by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, underscores the bleak economic future awaiting the state as it navigates the fallout from COVID-19. And even that scenario comes with a caveat.”
– “Mass. again sees rise in unemployment claims under pandemic program,” by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: “The number of gig workers, self-employed and others making unemployment claims under a special pandemic program continues to grow in Massachusetts, even as traditional jobless claims remain at historically high levels. For the week ending May 23, the state saw more than 147,500 initial claims to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which is meant to cover the self-employed, workers in the gig economy, and others ineligible for traditional unemployment benefits.”
– “Baker says ‘vast majority’ of unemployment claims checked so far not fraudulent,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Gov. Charlie Baker said the ‘vast majority’ of Massachusetts unemployment claims checked so far are legitimate — amid concerns over a national fraud scheme to bilk states out of benefit dollars. The state temporarily withheld benefit payments to about 150,000 claimants this week, but Baker said the majority of those checks have now made their way into the pockets of Massachusetts’ jobless.”
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| FROM THE HUB |
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– “Boston police commissioner calls death of George Floyd ‘a damned SHAME’ in Twitter message,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “Boston police Commissioner William G. Gross said Thursday that he supported the decision by authorities in Minneapolis to fire four officers involved in the death of 46-year-old George Floyd, a black man who died after a violent encounter with police in that Midwestern city on Memorial Day. ‘My sympathy and condolences to the family of George Floyd who died after an encounter with Minneapolis Police Officers,’ Gross tweeted. ‘I support the decision of Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo to terminate the four officers involved. Mr. Floyd’s death is a damned SHAME! God Bless him.’”
– “Protestors gather in Boston to decry death of George Floyd in police custody,” by Malini Basu, Boston25: Protestors chanted ‘Please, I can’t breathe.’ Dozens gathered in front of the Ashmont T stop in Dorchester on Thursday evening for 46-year-old George Floyd, who died in police custody in Minnesota. ‘Another black body has been killed,’ said Rev. Vernon K. Walker, a protester.”
– “Coronavirus deaths in Massachusetts nursing homes show need for reform, advocates say,” by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: “More than 80 nursing homes in Massachusetts have recorded at least 20 coronavirus deaths among residents — a grim tally advocates say sheds light not only on the pandemic’s devastating toll in long-term care facilities but on issues with staffing and infection control that existed long before COVID-19.”
– “More than 100 residents dead from coronavirus at Hebrew Senior Life facilities,” by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: “More than 100 residents have died from coronavirus outbreaks at rehabilitation and nursing facilities in Greater Boston owned by Hebrew Senior Life, including nearly 80 patients at locations in Roslindale and Dedham, the company said this week. At the 455-bed Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Roslindale, 50 long-term chronic care hospital patients have died, and 29 have died at the 220-bed Dedham center, Hebrew Senior Life said in an update posted online Thursday.”
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| DAY IN COURT |
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– “Legal skirmishing continues at Bristol County Jail,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “Even as Covid-19 deaths and infections are declining across Massachusetts, legal skirmishing is continuing at the Bristol County Jail over the safety of federal immigration detainees. Legal advocates for some of the detainees say their clients have been held too long in single cells, segregated from other detainees, in violation of the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018.”
– “Worcester will drop criminal complaint against Pastor Kristopher Casey, Adams Square Baptist Church says lawsuit remains ‘until we hear from them,’” by Michael Bonner, MassLive.com: “Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. announced Thursday the city will be dropping the criminal complaint against the Adams Square Baptist Church. The complaint was filed against the church at 266 Lincoln St. after pastor Kristopher Casey was conducting on site services despite Gov. Charlie Baker’s order prohibiting more than 10 people gathering at a location.”
– “Mayor Domenic Sarno asks court not to grant leniency to Springfield church arsonist,” by Ray Kelly, Springfield Republican: “Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said granting leniency to the arsonist who torched an African-American church on the night Barack Obama was first elected president ‘would send the wrong message to our Springfield community and beyond.’ Michael Jacques, convicted by a jury in 2011 for setting fire to Macedonia Church of God in Christ on Tinkham Road in November 2008, seeks to shave three years off his nearly 14-year sentence because of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
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| WARREN REPORT |
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– “Elizabeth Warren accuses airlines and the Treasury Department of violating bailout terms as major airlines cut workers' take-home pay,” by David Slotnick, Business Insider: “Airlines have cut thousands of employees' work hours in recent weeks, despite a provision of the federal coronavirus bailout prohibiting layoffs or furloughs before September 30. Now, lawmakers are questioning those airlines and the US Treasury Department, which is administering the bailouts, saying they're effectively allowing furloughs in all but name, and accusing the Treasury of violating the spirit of the bipartisan relief package that passed in March.”
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| MARKEYCHUSETTS |
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– “Ed Markey stresses need for federal economic support,” by Jon Winkler, Nashoba Valley Voice: “As the coronavirus pandemic continues to shake the national economy to a frightening degree, Sen. Ed Markey wants to emphasize the need for that money to keep essential services afloat. The Massachusetts Democrat took questions from local business owners and residents during a Zoom call hosted by the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday morning.”
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| KENNEDY COMPOUND |
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– “JFK Library Foundation asks for nominations of frontline workers for special Profile in Courage Award,” by Matt Berg, Boston Globe: “The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation is asking the public to submit stories of people in their communities who are on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic for a special Profile in Courage Award, the organization said. The foundation will choose several submissions about a person who risks ‘their own health to help heal the sick, protect our most vulnerable, and provide critical support services to citizens across the country,’ the group said in a statement.”
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: “FIX IT!" "AND IT'S OFF,” — Globe : “A new look for day care," "Marathon is off for the first time in history." |
| FROM THE 413 |
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– “Lawmakers lean in to get virus testing at Pittsfield CVS,” by Larry Parnass, The Berkshire Eagle: “‘Once again,’ the lawmakers' lament to Boston said, ‘the Berkshires get ignored, even when it comes to testing.’ This Friday, pleas to expand the availability of testing for the coronavirus will bear fruit when the drugstore chain CVS debuts self-administered swabs at its West Street location. It will be the first alternative to public testing administered by Berkshire Health Systems. The closest CVS location offering tests has been West Springfield.”
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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– “State Rep. Dooley faces opposition from young Wrentham resident in re-election bid,” by Stephen Peterson, Sun Chronicle: “A young town resident has set his sights on state Rep. Shawn Dooley's seat. Hunter Cohen, a freshman at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, has declared his candidacy for the Sept. 1 Democratic primary. With no other candidates emerging so far for the office, Cohen and Dooley, R-Norfolk, would end up facing each other in the Nov. 3 general election.”
– “Peabody mayor looks to fast-track outdoor dining,” by Ethan Forman, The Salem News: “The city is trying to jump start the reopening of businesses shuttered or hobbled during the pandemic, with the mayor looking to fast-track the process to allow restaurants to provide outdoor seating. The city's reopening committee, which includes the mayor's office, health director and several other city department heads, is working on reopening both City Hall and city businesses, in keeping with the governor's safety guidelines.”
– “Bourne to hold town meetings outside,” by Beth Treffeisen, Cape Cod Times: “Because of unprecedented circumstances created by the coronavirus outbreak, Bourne town officials have decided to hold the annual and special town meetings outside, as other events in town continued to be delayed or canceled. ‘This is a strange juxtaposition that it is OK for some bodies to get together and for others not,’ board Chairwoman Judith Froman said. ‘It is conflicting and stressful.’”
REMEMBERING DONNA MORRISSEY … via the Boston Globe: “Morrissey died last Friday from the coronavirus at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. She was 51. She resided in Newton and Brewster. It was a life well-lived … and devoted to others.” Link.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY – to radio host Jeff Santos, who celebrated Thursday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to former Senate candidate Shannon Liss-Riordan, state Rep. Michelle Ciccolo, Charles River Esplanade Executive Director Michael Nichols, WGBH’s Matt Baskin, CNN's Eric Levenson, Alicia DePaolo and Alberto N. Nuñez.
HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND – to state Senate Ways and Means chair Michael Rodrigues, Joe Williams and Wes Ritchie, who all celebrate Saturday. And to WPRI’s Ted Nesi and Gena Mangiaratti, who both celebrate Sunday.
NEW EPISODE: ROAM ALONE – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith, and Stephanie Murray discuss new transportation polling amid the coronavirus pandemic, and CommonWealth Magazine's Sarah Betancourt talks about languages available on the state's unemployment portal. 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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POLITICO Magazine Justice Reform: The Decarceration Issue, presented by Verizon: Over the past decade, the longstanding 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 U.S. 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.
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