POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: KENNEDY campaign staff joins UNION — New documents in SOLDIERS’ HOME saga — MassGOP in ‘DIRE STRAITS’

By Stephanie Murray GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. EXCLUSIVE: KENNEDY CAMPAIGN STAFF JOINS UNION — Rep. Joe Kennedy III's Senate campaign staff has unionized, the union and the Kennedy campaign will announce today. The staffers are the newest members of IBEW Local 103. IBEW Local 103 was an early backer of Kennedy's primary campaign against Sen. Ed Markey — union business manager Lou Antonellis announced the union's endorsement in October, a few weeks after Kennedy entered the race. Negotiations between staff and campaign management took three business days, and Kennedy offered voluntary union recognition, according to his campaign. The union contract includes "substantial wage boosts for staff, 100% health care coverage and significant paid time off," Kennedy's campaign says, touting it as "one of the most progressive campaign contracts to date." "The right to unionize and collectively bargain is sacred in this country,” Kennedy said in a statement. "IBEW Local 103 sets the gold standard when it comes to fighting for economic fairness for every American worker — and I could not be prouder to formalize our affiliation with them." The choice to unionize by the Kennedy campaign staff comes about a month after Markey's campaign staff joined Teamsters Local 122 , marking the first time a statewide campaign staff had unionized in Massachusetts. Unionizing has become popular among campaign staff in recent election cycles — Sen. Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign staff was one of several to unionize during the Democratic primary. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: OUR REVOLUTION MASS. BACKS MARKEY — The progressive group Our Revolution Massachusetts is endorsing Sen. Ed Markey's reelection, his campaign will announce this morning. About 90 percent of the group's members voted to back Markey after questioning the incumbent lawmaker and his primary challenger, Rep. Joe Kennedy III. Our Revolution cited Markey's advocacy for unions and immigration issues as reasons for its endorsement. The group is a chapter of the national nonprofit, Our Revolution, that was launched after Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign. The endorsement offers insight into the close battle for progressive support in the Sept. 1 Democratic primary. The Progressive Punch database rates Kennedy's congressional voting record as 97 percent progressive, and Markey's at about 99 percent. “In 2021, we will work to help our nation and our planet recover from COVID-19, from Trump, and from decades of policies that have favored the 1% at the expense of the rest of us," Our Revolution Massachusetts said in a statement. "Ed will play a leading role in pursuing equity for working families." 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 is a guest on Boston Magazine's "Power Talks" virtual discussion series. Sen. Ed Markey speaks to the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce. Rep. Joe Kennedy III hosts a Q&A livestream.   HAPPENING TODAY – GLOBAL BANKING AND INVESTING DURING A PANDEMIC: Join Global Translations author Ryan Heath today at 9 a.m. EDT for a virtual interview with Suma Chakrabarti, president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Why is so much of the Covid-related government spending is inefficient? How did EBRD became the world’s first Covid-only bank? Will the push for the private sector to become more sustainable pay off? Don't miss out on this fascinating conversation presented in partnership with The Atlantic Council. REGISTER HERE.     THE LATEST NUMBERS – “Massachusetts new coronavirus deaths continue downward trend as state reports 57 new deaths and 422 new cases,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Another 57 Massachusetts residents are reported to have died from coronavirus, bringing the statewide death toll to 6,473, according to state health officials. Of the 6,473 deaths, 3,924 are being reported out of long-term care facilities.” DATELINE BEACON HILL – “Baker says coronavirus testing results going in right direction; Walsh urges more social distancing,” by Travis Andersen and Jaclyn Reiss, Boston Globe: “Governor Charlie Baker said Tuesday that about 9 percent of the roughly 8,100 coronavirus tests processed statewide Monday came back positive, continuing the trend of a ‘significant decrease’ in positive tests over the last two to three weeks. But Baker and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh said during separate briefings Tuesday that people must continue to take precautions such as face coverings and social distancing.” – “Polito said she attended brother’s graduation party,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito on Tuesday denied a report that she hosted a party at her home over the weekend, saying instead that she attended a graduation party hosted by her brother where the guests followed all the appropriate guidance on social distancing. A blog post on the website TB (for Turtleboy) Daily News reported on Monday that Polito hosted a party at her Shrewsbury home, with more than a dozen cars parked outside the lakefront property.” – “Poll Finds Sharp Shift in Commuting Attitudes,” by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: “The full-service resumption of public transportation has been eyed as a key to restarting the state's economy, but new polling suggests that commuting habits are likely to change as workers slowly return to the office, with more people eyeing a permanent work-from-home schedule and a majority of commuters uncomfortable, for now, with the idea of returning to trains and buses.” – “Missed Opportunities In Massachusetts' COVID Response,” by Adam Reilly, WGBH News: “COVID-19 has hit Massachusetts hard — the commonwealth has the third-highest death toll in the country from the disease. And though public health experts laud some aspects of Massachusetts' response to the pandemic — including leaders' emphasis on staying home and residents heeding their calls to social distance — other parts of the state's response have been less successful.” – “Due to coronavirus pandemic, Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education looks to waive MCAS testing requirements for certain students,” By Jackson Cote, MassLive.com: “State education officials are looking to waive certain high school testing requirements for many students in Massachusetts due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley posted a memo ahead of the board’s Tuesday afternoon meeting in which he recommended modifying the ‘competency determination’ for high school graduation for the classes of 2021, 2022 and 2023.” – “Group of economists push for tax hikes to balance Massachusetts state budget,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “A group of 91 Massachusetts economists are calling on Gov. Charlie Baker and legislative leaders to raise personal income and corporate taxes amid projected massive coronavirus-induced decreases in tax revenues. They claim it’s the only ‘fair’ way to balance next year’s budget and avoid spending cuts — even as homeowners and businesses try to dig out of an economic hole.” FROM THE HUB – “Mayor Marty Walsh appoints group of advisers to help Boston reopen its economy,” by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: “Reopening the state’s economy will be tough enough. Mayor Martin J. Walsh is about to find out how much tougher it will be to reopen the city of Boston. Good thing Walsh will have some help: The mayor has put together his own reopening advisory board, similar to one assembled a month ago by Governor Charlie Baker. This one is bigger, a bit more diverse.” – “With no pro sports, DraftKings bets on fantasy, esports and ping pong,” by Lucia Maffei, Boston Business Journal: “The newly-public betting website DraftKings Inc. is delving deeper into e-sports and other nontraditional sporting activities as the coronavirus-driven drought of live football and baseball events is putting financial pressure on its core betting business. The Boston-based online gambling operator (Nasdaq: DKNG) recently acquired the rights to livestream all the matches of Bundesliga — Germany's top soccer league — inside its sports betting app, SportTechie reported.” – “Coronavirus field hospital at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center to stop accepting patients,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “A coronavirus field hospital at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center will begin the process of closing down as health officials continue to observe a decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations, Gov. Charlie Baker said on Tuesday. The 1,000-bed field hospital, which came online in early April ahead of an anticipated surge in patients, will no longer be accepting new coronavirus admissions.” – “Boston creates $6M coronavirus fund for small businesses reopening safety costs,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The city of Boston is rolling out $6 million in grants for small businesses ready to reopen, with the cash aimed at helping owners pay for the protective equipment and other measures they’ll need to start back up. ‘We heard their concerns about not being able to reopen safely,’ Walsh told reporters at a press conference outside of Boston City Hall on Tuesday.” – “Some offices have reopened in Mass., but few workers are in them,” by Tim Logan, Jon Chesto and Hiawatha Bray, Boston Globe: “Tuesday was the first workday that people across most of Massachusetts could return to office buildings that have sat empty for more than two months. But there wasn’t exactly a rush to the front door — most employees continued to stay home. The return to the work place — at least for white-collar workers in suburban Boston — was muted Tuesday, with traffic on the Massachusetts Turnpike light at what would normally be rush hour, and parking lots still mostly empty.” – “Teachers seek to boost engagement with remote learning,” by Yawu Miller, Bay State Banner: “On a recent school day, Boston Latin Academy art teacher Taina Vargas was working in her kitchen, leading a class while helping her first-grader, Solwazi, with his own class work. Her partner, a history teacher at Boston Community Leadership Academy, was patched into a school meeting in another room.” – “Expert: A new study’s dire picture of Mass. coronavirus future is a warning signal,” by Martin Finucane, Boston Globe: “A new model paints a dire picture of what could happen as Massachusetts loosens restrictions meant to curb the coronavirus pandemic. A Harvard expert cautions it’s only one version of the future, but says it sends a warning signal that the pandemic is not over yet by any means.” – “Reopening of public schools this fall would come with daunting issues,” by Malcolm Gay, Boston Globe: “State and city school officials haven’t made a firm commitment yet as to when Massachusetts public schools might reopen for a number of good reasons. Before they can welcome a million students back to their classrooms, administrators must resolve a seemingly endless series of hard questions.” – “A UMass Dartmouth professor started a COVID-19 blog for family and friends. Then it went viral.” by Hayden Bird, Boston.com: “In January, Dr. Erin Bromage of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth was looking for a topical subject for his biology students. What he didn’t know was that he was ultimately looking at the early information on what would become the coronavirus pandemic.” PRIMARY SOURCES – “US Senate Debate: Markey, Kennedy to face off June 8 live on WPRI 12,” WPRI: “U.S. Senate rivals Ed Markey and Joe Kennedy III will square off in a live televised debate on June 8 hosted by WPRI 12 and Gannett’s Massachusetts publications. The debate is the only one between the pair scheduled to be held in Southern New England, and it will be moderated by Target 12 Investigator Tim White, WPRI 12 politics editor Ted Nesi and Taunton Daily Gazette/Enterprise of Brockton regional city editor Rebecca Hyman.” – “Hall makes 4th District ballot to challenge Democrats,” by George W. Rhodes, Sun Chronicle: “Julie Hall, the only Republican candidate for the 4th Congressional District seat, announced Tuesday that she has qualified for the November ballot with her submission of 1,056 signatures of registered voters. She began a last-minute effort earlier this month to obtain the minimum of 1,000 signatures to get on the ballot and provide opposition to whichever of the 10 Democrats running for the seat wins the September primary.” DAY IN COURT – “Charlie Baker Has Never Commuted A Prison Sentence. Lawyers For William Allen Hope His May Be The First,” by Deborah Becker, WBUR: “While it is possible for a prisoner to be granted clemency in Massachusetts, it rarely happens. The last time a prisoner's sentence was commuted in Massachusetts was in 2014, and that was the first commutation in 17 years. The state Supreme Judicial Court is among those urging Gov. Charlie Baker to use his executive powers to release prisoners because of the coronavirus pandemic, but he hasn't commuted a sentence or pardoned a prisoner in his five years as the state's chief executive.” – “Backers of increasing beer and liquor licenses win key legal battle that may put it on November ballot,” by John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: “Backers of a ballot initiative that would increase the number of beer and liquor licenses in Massachusetts won a key legal victory Tuesday when the state’s highest court ruled their proposal did not violate constitutional rules governing such petitions. Cumberland Farms, the convenience store chain, launched the initiative petition last year, hoping that voters will move quickly to discard what the company has called archaic rules that limit the number of beer and liquor licenses cities and towns are allowed to issue.” – “Massachusetts courthouses to continue virtual hearings until at least July 1; emergency matters can be handled in-person,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts courthouses will remain closed until July 1, but judges will start hearing more non-emergency cases by telephone, videoconference or other virtual means. In an order issued Tuesday, the Supreme Judicial Court wrote that all court business will be conducted virtually until at least July 1, except for certain emergency matters that must be handled in-person.” WARREN REPORT – “Elizabeth Warren to serve as speaker for NSCC virtual commencement,” The Salem News: “Senior Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren will be the keynote speaker at North Shore Community College’s 54th Commencement, its first virtual one ever. The college expects to bestow approximately 1,000 associate degrees and certificates at the graduation, which will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.” TRUMPACHUSETTS – “Leader of Mass. Republicans says party in ‘dire straits,’” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party said on Tuesday that the state GOP is in ‘dire straits’ heading into the 2020 election season. ‘We’re facing an uphill battle to elect principled conservatives across the state, and we need emergency funds to reach voters and get them to the polls in 2020,’ said Jim Lyons in an email to potential donors.” ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: “SUMMER ON ICE?" "PARTY BLOOPER,” — Globe: “Schools would be tested in a return," "Offices back, no business as usual.” FROM THE 413 – “Attorney for Soldiers’ Home chief: ‘I want to set the record straight,’” by Dusty Christensen, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “The attorney for suspended Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Superintendent Bennett Walsh has released documents that he says show that Walsh kept state officials apprised of a COVID-19 outbreak that has killed at least 76 veterans. Former Hampden district attorney William Bennett — Walsh’s uncle and lawyer — made the documents public at a press conference Tuesday.” – RELATED: “Massachusetts probe into Holyoke Soldiers’ Home coronavirus deaths expected to wrap up soon, Gov. Charlie Baker says,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “An independent investigation launched in the wake of a deadly coronavirus outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home — which went unreported to the public for days — is expected to wrap up soon, Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday.” – “Rep. Joe Kennedy III talks pandemic response during visit at Greenfield’s Emergency Operations Center,” by Max Marcus, Greenfield Recorder: “U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III, who is challenging incumbent Sen. Ed Markey for the Democratic nomination in this year’s U.S. Senate race, visited Greenfield’s Emergency Operations Center on Tuesday afternoon as part of a tour of similar centers in Western Massachusetts.” – “Sheriff orders lockdown at Ludlow jail pending results of coronavirus testing; 8 inmates positive,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi has ordered a ‘precautionary lockdown’ of the jail in Ludlow after eight inmates tested positive for the coronavirus, a spokesman for the department confirmed on Tuesday. Four staff members also have tested positive.” THE LOCAL ANGLE – “Worcester forms economic committee to help rebuild small businesses following coronavirus, as officials say it’s ‘on the other side of the surge,'” by Michael Bonner, MassLive.com: “Hours after Gov. Charlie Baker said the surge of coronavirus cases in Massachusetts is behind the state, Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. agreed. In planning for the city’s future after the pandemic, Mayor Joseph Petty also announced the formation of the Worcester Economic Recovery Committee.” – “Some South Shore churches reopen to happy, mask-clad members,” by Susannah Sudborough, The Patriot Ledger: “Although many South Shore churches are remaining closed for another week or two, a few opened their doors Sunday for the first time in two months. The services looked a little different, but faith leaders who conducted services said it felt like the right moment to reopen. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY – to Newton City Councilor and candidate for Congress Becky Grossman, who celebrated Tuesday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Andrew Fowler, Katharine Gallogly, Melissa Ludtke and Brian Choquet. 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.   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. 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