POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Mass. passes 90,000 CORONAVIRUS cases — BUDGET plans hinge on fed package timeline — ‘OPEN UP MY TOWN’

By Stephanie Murray

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF! FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: POSTAL WORKERS ENDORSE MARKEY — Sen. Ed Markey has earned the endorsement of the Postal Workers of Central Massachusetts, the Malden Democrat will announce today. The American Postal Workers Local #4553 represents 610 United States Postal Service workers, spanning from West Brookfield to Concord. Markey and Local #4553 President John Flattery visited postal workers in Shrewsbury together on Tuesday. "Put simply he has shown that he deserves to be re-elected and it is our honor to give him our endorsement and support,” Flattery said in a statement. Markey's new endorsement comes a day after his primary opponent, Rep. Joe Kennedy III, announced he had received the backing of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, a union that represents 12,000 firefighters and EMTs. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: REP. RYAN CHALLENGER RAISES NEARLY $15K — Chelsea City Councilor Damali Vidot has raised almost $15,000 for her bid to unseat state Rep. Dan Ryan, a fellow Democrat, over the last two weeks. Vidot's haul gives her a financial advantage over Ryan, who had $420 in cash on hand at the end of April, before Vidot announced her campaign, according to his latest filing with the state's Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Vidot has also gathered enough signatures to get on the Sept. 1 primary ballot, her campaign says. MORE THAN 30% VOTED BY MAIL ON TUESDAY — As lawmakers and activists eye expanding voting by mail this fall as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, here’s a relevant stat: more than a third of people who voted in two special state Senate elections on Tuesday opted to cast ballots by mail. More than 30 percent of people voted by mail in elections to replace former Westfield Sen. Don Humason and former Plymouth Sen. Vinny deMacedo, according to Secretary of State Bill Galvin's office. In some towns, that percentage was around 50 or 60 percent, Galvin spokesperson Debra O'Malley said in an email. The numbers aren't exact because local election officials have about two weeks to certify results. Asked whether the state should expand voting by mail for the September primary and November general election, Gov. Charlie Baker said the issue hasn't been on his mind, but Tuesday's special elections would "be a really interesting test case on whether or not that's an effective way to do it." "But it's much easier to do that on a smaller scale than on a bigger one," Baker said during an interview on WGBH's "Boston Public Radio" on Thursday, adding that the elections are "a long way away." Some vote by mail proponents say time is running out, and that action can't wait even a month. PROGRAMMING NOTE: Due to Memorial Day weekend, POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook will not publish on Monday, May 25. I’ll be back in your inbox on Tuesday, May 26. In the meantime, send tips to smurray@politico.com, or just let me know if you attempt a beach trip. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is a guest on WGBH’s “Boston Public Radio.” Rep. Joe Kennedy III, Revere City Council President Patrick Keefe and Councilor At-Large Steve Morabito distribute meals and masks with the Revere Response Team at Rumney Marsh Academy. Sen. Ed Markey hosts a livestream with Malden Mayor Gary Christenson and Alex Pratt, community development director of the Malden Redevelopment Authority.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– “Massachusetts officials announce 82 new coronavirus deaths as number of COVID-19 cases surpasses 90K, overall trends continue downward,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “State health officials on Thursday announced another 82 COVID-19 deaths, bringing the statewide total to 6,148. Officials also confirmed another 1,114 cases of the virus, meaning there are now at least 90,084 across Massachusetts. That’s based on 11,533 new tests reported on Thursday.” – “38,000 New Unemployment Claims Were Filed In Mass. Last Week, WBUR: “Newly released data from the U.S. Labor Department show more than 38,000 Massachusetts residents filed initial unemployment claims last week. That's among 2.4 million nationally between May 10 and May 16. During that same span, about 2.2 million previously ineligible workers filed new claims for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.”

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– “Baker: DOJ push to open churches,” by Steve LeBlanc and Mark Pratt, The Associated Press: “Baker said his decision to shutter houses of worship during the state of emergency ‘was the right thing to do, but I hated doing it.’ They have been allowed to restart services this week as long as they practice social distancing. ‘The Department of Justice has made very clear to a number of states that peoples’ ability to access church and practice their faith is a constitutional question that they are pushing people at the state level pretty hard on,’ Baker told WGBH News. ‘I couldn’t ignore that.’” – “New House panels to focus on economic recovery, childcare,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “House Speaker Robert DeLeo on Thursday announced the creation of new House panels to examine legislative priorities related to the state’s recovery, with a focus on the economy and childcare, while declaring that there remains too much uncertainty over revenue to craft a budget for the next fiscal year on the Legislature’s usual timetable.” – “Baker Says 'Supply Chain' Issues Biggest Challenge To Increased Testing Capacity,” by Zoe Mathews, WGBH News: “Massachusetts currently has capacity to process 30,000 tests a day for COVID-19, but its daily testing numbers fall short of that. On May 20, the state reported processing only around 13,000 tests. Governor Charlie Baker told Boston Public Radio on Thursday this is due to issues in the supply chain related to necessary materials and transportation.” – “Timeline for Massachusetts budget proposals hinges on outcome of coronavirus aid package, House Speaker Robert DeLeo says,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Legislators aren’t sure what the proposal will look like without a clear answer on whether Congress will approve $1 trillion in aid to states and municipalities, House Speaker Robert DeLeo told business leaders Thursday afternoon.” – “37% of nursing homes non-compliant,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “More than a third of the state’s 360 nursing homes failed to pass an initial 28-point infection control inspection, most of them because they were not in compliance with at least one of six core requirements. It was difficult to draw conclusions about the COVID-19 crisis at nursing homes from the ratings.” – “Health boards have far-reaching powers to enforce rules,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “When Gov. Charlie Baker in early April recommended people wear masks or face coverings to prevent spread of the coronavirus, Salem, Massachusetts, went a step further to require them in grocery stores and other public places. … Those decisions were not made by elected officials but by local boards of health — most of them composed of part-time volunteers appointed to two- or three-year terms — which have far-reaching powers under the public health emergency.” – “Big drop in child abuse reports is cause for concern,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Reports of child abuse or neglect in Massachusetts have dropped by more than half in recent months – and that has child protection advocates worried. Thousands of Massachusetts children are stuck at home around the clock due to school closures, and advocates are worried that has caused a huge uptick in unreported child abuse and neglect.”

FROM THE HUB

– “Walsh says pandemic could last ‘8 months’ as he rolls out restaurant, small business aid,” by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: “Boston is paving the way for restaurants to use more outdoor seating as eateries look to welcome back customers amid a pandemic Mayor Martin Walsh said could linger for several months more. ‘We could be battling this pandemic for eight months to a year,’ Walsh said. ‘As we begin to think about reopening and be phasing open, I think it’s important for people to stay healthy.’” – “Day care reopening may exclude infants,” by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: “As they develop health and safety protocols to reopen child-care centers amid the coronavirus pandemic, state regulators are considering an extreme measure — barring infants. Children younger than 15 months old would be initially excluded from group care under one proposal now being evaluated by state early education regulators.” – “Mask tan lines, here we come: Mass. beaches open in age of coronavirus,” by Matt Stout and David Abel, Boston Globe: “Twelve feet between beach blankets. No spikeball, no water fountains, no changing rooms. And brace yourself for face mask tan lines. Come Memorial Day, a slate of new rules and regulations hit Massachusetts beaches, promising to dramatically change sun-worshiping at the unofficial start of the first coronavirus summer.” – “Mass. reopening plan places gyms in phase 3 while big box stores pack people inside: ‘They’re not even giving us an opportunity,'” by Michael Bonner, MassLive.com: “In late February, the coronavirus registered on Bill Najam’s radar. Before Massachusetts confirmed its first case of COVID-19, the general manager and founder of Lynx Fitness in Boston began preparing. A statewide shutdown didn’t cross his mind, but a focus on sanitizing the 22,000 square foot facility for the safety of his members did.” – “Boston University Prepares To Test Students, Faculty And Staff For Coronavirus,” by Fred Thys, WBUR: “Boston University is preparing to test students, faculty and staff for the coronavirus. ‘We have to have a testing procedure in order to alert people who affected or people who are exposed to people who are affected as soon as possible,’ said Catherine Klapperich, Director of BU's Laboratory for Diagnostics and Global Healthcare Technologies.” – “More face hunger in Mass. as overwhelmed food pantries close,” by Janelle Nanos, Boston Globe: “As the pandemic stretches into its third month, more people in Massachusetts are going hungry. Meanwhile, overwhelmed food pantries are closing and food-distribution networks are in dire need of support. According to research released on Thursday from the nonprofit Feeding America, one in eight people in Eastern Massachusetts is predicted to experience food insecurity in 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis.”

PRIMARY SOURCES

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: “Andrew Yang endorses candidate for U.S. House (MA-08),” from the Goldstein campaign: “Today, Andrew Yang and his new organization Humanity Forward endorsed Dr. Robbie Goldstein to represent constituents of the Massachusetts 8th congressional district. This endorsement follows important endorsements from prominent Massachusetts lawmaker, State Representative Nika Elugardo, as well as Mac D’Alessandro, Mohammad Dar, Progressive Massachusetts, and Jamaica Plain Progressives.” – “Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts endorse Rep. Joe Kennedy III in bid for Sen. Ed Markey’s seat,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “The Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts on Thursday endorsed U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III in his bid for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Ed Markey. The PFFM, which represents 12,000 firefighters across the commonwealth, released a video on Thursday highlighting Kennedy’s support for first responders and his efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.”

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

– “MBTA says it will try to keep crowding down but won’t strictly enforce limits,” by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: “The MBTA said Thursday that it will try to keep its vehicles less than half full in a bid to keep crowding down, but does not plan to strictly enforce ridership limits as commuters return to work and the economy reopens from the coronavirus shutdown. Vehicles in the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s fleet will now be considered crowded once they reach a much lower threshold than under previous standards.”

DAY IN COURT

– “Loughlin, Giannulli To Serve Prison Time For College Bribery Scam,” The Associated Press: “Actress Lori Loughlin and her fashion designer husband, Mossimo Giannulli, have agreed to plead guilty to charges in the college admissions bribery case and serve prison time, according to court papers filed Thursday. The couple agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud in a plea agreement filed in Boston’s federal court.” – “Maura Healey, other AGs file legal brief supporting Harvard admissions policies,” by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and her counterparts in more than a dozen states filed a friend of the court brief Thursday supporting Harvard University’s consideration of race in admissions, as the university prepares to defend itself in federal appeals court.”

WARREN REPORT

– “Elizabeth Warren releases 2019 tax return, other financial disclosures,” by Jess Bidgood, Boston Globe: “Senator Elizabeth Warren and her husband, Bruce Mann, made about $745,000 last year as she was running for president, according to financial documents she released on Thursday afternoon. The documents, which include her 2019 tax return and her personal financial disclosure form for the US Senate, show the couple made less in 2019 than the roughly $900,000 they recorded in total income in 2018, a year when she got a $300,000 book advance.”

FROM THE DELEGATION

– “Rep. Richard Neal calls mail delivery ‘essential service’, calls on Congress to pass emergency funding for US Postal Service,” by Patrick Johnson, Springfield Republican: “The men and women of the U.S. Postal Service have never ceased delivering mail under trying circumstances, and for that reason U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal stopped in Springfield to deliver his support for them. Neal, speaking in front of the city’s main post office branch at Main and Liberty streets, said the U.S. Postal Service is an essential service and needs to be treated like one.” – “Ayanna Pressley: Reopening Massachusetts too quickly from coronavirus will cost lives,” by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: “U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley is doubling down on her criticism of Gov. Charlie Baker’s reopening plan, stressing that moving too quickly will cost lives and scare customers from returning to hard-hit small businesses already struggling to hang on.” – “Kennedy calls for COVID-19 essential workers’ fund to give at least $250,000 to families of workers lost to disease,” by Christina Prignano, Boston Globe: “Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III wants to create a fund to compensate essential workers for financial losses incurred after falling ill from COVID-19, and offer death benefits to the families of workers who have died from the disease during the pandemic.”

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: “BIG HOUSE,” — Globe: “T will set limits but not strictly enforce," "Patchwork of state reopenings could add to vulnerabilities.” FROM THE 413 – “‘A recession that may take years to recover from’: Due to coronavirus crisis, Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz introduces budget cuts and layoffs,” by Jackson Cote, MassLive.com: “The city of Northampton was expected to get an influx of revenue earlier this year after residents, by a substantial margin, passed a $2.5 million property tax overhaul on March 3. Just a week later, though, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced a state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic.” – “Kripalu to lay off 450, shut down until 2021,” by Tony Dobrowolski, The Berkshire Eagle: “The Berkshire economy absorbed another shock Thursday when one of South County's largest employers announced that it will lay off 90 percent of its almost 500 employees next month. Due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health is planning to lay off 450 of the retreat center's 489 total employees June 17, CEO Barbara Vacarr said Thursday.” THE LOCAL ANGLE – “Almost 7% Of Brookline Residents Tested Had Virus Antibodies,” WBUR: “The town of Brookline says its test of randomly selected residents and first responders shows nearly 7% of people tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies, indicating that they had the virus. Town Health Director Dr. Swannie Jett said the results show that many people have not yet been exposed to the virus, and that people should remain vigilant in protecting themselves.” – “‘Open up My Town’: West Boylston police chief tells Worcester DPH in an email,” by Brad Petrishen, Telegram & Gazette: “A doctor who serves on the town’s Board of Health is requesting selectmen take action after Police Chief Dennis Minnich Sr. sent an email that appears to threaten health officials looking to enforce Gov. Charlie Baker’s COVID-19 business restrictions with the specter of arrest.” MEDIA MATTERS – “Top editor at the Boston Herald leaves job,” by Don Seiffert, Boston Business Journal: “Jules Crittenden, the Boston Herald’s managing editor and one of the daily newspaper's last longtime journalists, left his role at the company on Thursday. Crittenden had been with the Herald, the city's second-largest daily, for 27 years, and in a text message to the Business Journal he said his years at the tabloid ‘were the best years of my career.’” – “The pandemic will put billionaires’ commitment to journalism to the test,” by Theodore Schleifer, Vox: “Marc Benioff, the founder of Salesforce, will have tough decisions to make about Time magazine, the landmark publication he bought last year. John Henry, the billionaire owner of the Red Sox, will have them at the Boston Globe that he bought in 2013. And Jeff Bezos, of course, will have them at the Washington Post that he bought that same year.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Methuen state Rep. Linda Dean Campbell, Noah Feldman, CommonWealth Magazine’s Shira Schoenberg, Casey Pease, Juli Hanscom, Mary Dooe, Christina Prignano of the Boston Globe, Oren Cass, and New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND – to Stephanie Slysz of RepresentUs; and Dorchester Reporter editor and publisher Bill Forry, who both celebrate Saturday. And to Sunday birthday-ers Massachusetts Teachers Association government relations specialist Kate Donaghey and Boston Globe crime reporter Evan Allen. NEW EPISODE: VEEPSTAKES AND HOT TAKES – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith and Stephanie Murray talk about who presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden may choose as his running mate, and talk about a pair of special Senate elections. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud. Want to make an impact? 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