| | |  | By Stephanie Murray | GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. DUKAKIS RECOVERING AFTER HOSPITAL STAY — Former Gov. Michael Dukakis is out of the hospital after coming down with a case of pneumonia, and he hopes to return to Massachusetts soon. Dukakis spent nine days in the hospital in late March and early April, and his illness was not related to coronavirus. For now, Dukakis is social distancing with his family in Los Angeles, but is eyeing a return to the Bay State. The former governor teaches at UCLA in the winter quarter and owns a home near the school. "I'm feeling fine, had good meetings with the doctors yesterday and they say I'm going to be back to normal," Dukakis told me over the phone on Wednesday. "I'm looking forward to coming home." Dukakis praised California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti for being quick to put strict social distancing protocols in place to curb the spread of Covid-19, but said he's concerned about President Donald Trump's push to reopen the economy while coronavirus cases continue to rise. "You've got a tough governor, tough mayor – to their credit, in my opinion – and they're not fooling around here," Dukakis said. "I don't have a problem with gradually opening things up but you better do it very, very carefully and in a way that doesn't jeopardize what's going on here. I'm just very concerned about what's likely to happen," Dukakis continued, referencing Trump. "What I'm worried about is he thinks he's in big trouble politically – he probably is – and here we go. And if this recurs, we're gonna have a terrible, terrible situation. It doesn't make any sense at all." MORSE AND NEAL CLASH OVER RETWEET — While the attention has been on Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III trading jabs in the Senate primary race, things are also heating up between another incumbent lawmaker and his primary challenger. Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse retweeted a dig at Rep. Richard Neal yesterday, which led the congressman's campaign to call his opponent "desperate" for attention. The scuffle comes as the Democratic primary draws closer — the Sept. 1 election is less than four months away, meaning candidates are entering a more intense phase of their campaigns. And as we all move our lives online amid social distancing, candidates have shifted their attention there, too. Morse, who has been endorsed by the Sunrise Movement, retweeted a supportive tweet from the organization's political director yesterday. But the post also came with a shot at Neal, calling him "a joke of a Democrat." ".@RepRichardNeal is a joke of a Democrat who could do SO MUCH to advance clean energy as Chair of Ways and Means, but he never lifts a finger," wrote Evan Weber , who is co-founder and political director of the climate advocacy group. The tweet noted the organization's endorsement and linked to a fundraising page. Morse shared the tweet and wrote "Proud to have the support of the @sunrisemvmt!" Neal's campaign slammed Morse's move as "embarrassing" and took an opportunity to knock the Holyoke mayor's campaign bank account. Morse has about $140,000 in cash on hand, according to his latest FEC report, while Neal has $4.5 million in his war chest. “Alex Morse ended last quarter more than $1 million behind his own public fundraising goal," said Neal spokesperson Peter Panos. "This is the latest embarrassing example of Alex Morse’s desperate race for attention at any cost.” But Morse hit back, saying Neal should shift his focus away from Twitter and campaign finances. “If Congressman Neal paid as much attention to the people in the First District as he does to my retweets, we’d all be better off," Morse said in a statement. "Thousands of his constituents are having trouble figuring out how to pay their bills due on May 1st because of the pandemic, but unfortunately their congressman is more focused on his fundraising numbers." 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, state Rep. Marjorie Decker and state Sen. Sal DiDomenico speak at the MIRA Coalition virtual Immigrants’ Day at the State House. Sen. Ed Markey joins an immigration forum hosted by Centro Presente. Rep. Katherine Clark hosts a Facebook Live round table with childcare experts and advocates. Rep. Jim McGovern hosts a Spanish language conversation on Facebook Live on how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the Latino community. | |
| | TODAY – WHAT IS SILICON VALLEY’S ROLE AMID THE PANDEMIC?: With shelter-in-place orders and social-distancing rules in effect, our day-to-day lives rely on virtual connections now more than ever, and tech companies play an even bigger role than before. What does this mean for Washington's efforts to rein in Big Tech, mergers and the ongoing antitrust investigation in Congress? Join POLITICO technology reporter Cristiano Lima today at 9 a.m. EDT for a virtual conversation with House Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.). to discuss what's next for Silicon Valley and Washington in the era of Covid-19. Have questions? Submit yours by tweeting it to @POLITICOLive using #AskPOLITICO. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
| – “As virus numbers fluctuate; Baker says ‘goal’ is to start reopening some businesses May 18,” by Travis Andersen, Martin Finucane and Jaclyn Reiss, Boston Globe: “If encouraging downward trends in key coronavirus indicators continue, state officials hope to allow some businesses to reopen when a shutdown order expires May 18, Governor Charlie Baker said Wednesday. But for the first time in about a week, the daily statistics released by the state Department of Public Health appeared to leave little room for optimism. The state reported 208 new deaths attributed to COVID-19, the highest daily tally since late April and the third-largest single-day increase since the outbreak began, raising the total death toll to 4,420. The number of confirmed cases climbed by 1,754, reaching 72,025.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Massachusetts House holds first remote session,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “A mask-wearing House Speaker Robert DeLeo on Wednesday presided over what he called a ‘historic day’ – the first time the Massachusetts House has voted on a bill remotely. ‘It’s not lost on us the significance of what we’re trying to attempt to do — the first remote session in the 400-year history of the General Court,’ said House Ways and Means chair Aaron Michlewitz, speaking from a podium before a nearly empty House chamber.” – “Critics assail law shielding nursing homes, hospitals from liability during crisis,” by Robert Weisman, Boston Globe: “As coronavirus casualties climbed last month, the Baker administration moved swiftly to shield health care providers and employees from a feared torrent of lawsuits stemming from their work on the front lines of the pandemic. But a new Massachusetts law giving liability protection to institutions and workers — including volunteers — who are pivotal to battling COVID-19 is drawing criticism from plaintiffs’ lawyers and advocates for seniors.” – “Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker hopes golf courses follow coronavirus restrictions and wait to reopen, by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker says he hopes no one violates the ban on non-essential business closures, including golf course owners who are lobbying to reopen early during the coronavirus pandemic. ‘Let’s hope and anticipate that people don’t start breaking the law, that would be a bad thing,’ the Republican governor said Wednesday in Foxborough when asked about reports of two golf courses that threatened to open.” – “Galvin proposes expanding vote-by-mail, early voting for Massachusetts elections amid coronavirus,” by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: “Secretary of State William Galvin unveiled proposals Wednesday that would expand early voting and allow for any Massachusetts voter to request a mail ballot for the September primary and November general election as the specter of coronavirus looms over the fall contests.” – “Shoulder To Shoulder, 6 Feet Apart: Baker Swears In New Mass. State Police Troopers,” by Steve Brown, WBUR: “While most graduations are canceled or postponed this spring, one took place today in Foxboro, as the latest class of new Massachusetts State Police cadets were administered the oath of office. The 240 newly minted troopers marched into an empty Gillette Stadium to be sworn into the force. They stood six feet apart on the playing field, each wearing a face mask emblazoned with the State Police Logo.” – “When will drive-in movie theaters re-open in Massachusetts? One owner hopes as soon as possible.” by Kevin Slane, Boston.com: “As Massachusetts businesses await guidance on if, when, and how they will be able to re-open amid the coronavirus pandemic, one businessman is pushing to bring customers back ‘as soon as it’s legally allowed.’ Dave Andelman, who owns the Mendon Twin Drive-In movie theater with his brother, Dan, recently published an open letter to Gov. Charlie Baker in the Lowell Sun asking for permission to open for business.” – “Representative Liz Miranda positive for coronavirus, asks community to continue precautions,” by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: “State Representative Liz Miranda, a Boston Democrat, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, her father is hospitalized with the illness, and more than a dozen other relatives have become infected after some attended her grandmother’s funeral, she said Tuesday.” | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “Only Half Of Mass. Nurses Say Workplace Has Enough Protective Equipment, But Morale Strong,” by Carey Goldberg, WBUR: “A new WBUR poll of over 400 Massachusetts nurses finds that only about half say their workplace has enough personal protective gear. Many feel constantly or most of the time that they're in danger of being infected by the coronavirus at work. And yet, morale remains strong.” – “Boston Relaxes Construction Ban But Limits Work To Essential Projects,” by Callum Borchers, WBUR: “The city of Boston's ban on most kinds of construction is loosening, enabling some work to resume under new requirements that resemble rules set by the state. Many housing projects and other developments that the state considers essential have been stalled for weeks in Boston, as the city took stricter measures against the coronavirus.” – “Boston to double daily coronavirus tests as cases in city continue to surge, Mayor Marty Walsh says,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Boston Mayor Marty Walsh on Wednesday announced plans to ramp up coronavirus testing as cases across the city continue to climb. ‘Our goal in the coming weeks is reach to reach at least 1,500 tests per day in the city of Boston,’ Walsh said during a press conference. ‘ Before last week, we were testing less than half that rate.’” – “Some of Boston’s neighbors have banned facial surveillance. Now, the city council is moving to follow suit.” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Boston isn’t currently using facial recognition technology. And the city council is looking to keep it that way for the foreseeable future. During a video conference hearing Wednesday afternoon, Councilors Michelle Wu and Ricardo Arroyo introduced an ordinance to ban the city and its police department from using any face surveillance system — or information derived from such technology — due to concerns about racial bias and the infringement of civil liberties.” – “Same company, same city, two coronavirus outbreaks at separate Medford nursing homes,” by Laura Crimaldi and Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: “In the final days of her mother’s life, Marilyn Roche listened regularly to Courtyard Nursing Care Center conference calls, which described COVID-19′s sweep through the Medford facility in increasingly stark terms. One day, test results for 39 of 55 patients came back positive for the virus. During another call, Roche learned about the death of four patients in the same wing where her mother, Joan Bretta, 90, lived. On another call, the staff shared information about end-of-life care. With each update, the situation seemed more desperate.” – “Recordings of detainees at Bristol jail released,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “An advocate for two immigration detainees at the Bristol County Jail released two phone recordings from inside the facility briefly describing the confrontation with Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson and his deputies Friday night. The recordings provide little new information but do add some context for what happened.” – “With an increase in violence during the pandemic, pastors and residents call for more services in Boston neighborhoods,” by John R. Ellement and Matthew Berg, Boston Globe: “A coalition of ministers, residents and Boston Police Commissioner William G. Gross Wednesday issued an urgent call for increased attention to the root causes of gun violence in city neighborhoods following an increase in shootings during the coronavirus pandemic.” – “Boston MFA Agrees To Start $500K Diversity Fund, The Associated Press: “The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston has agreed to create a $500,000 fund devoted to promoting diversity, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office announced Tuesday. The action comes after the world-class museum was accused of racism last year after black middle school students said they were harangued and mistreated on a class trip.” – “'A High Level Of Compliance': It Seems Most People Are Following The Mass. Mask Mandate,” by Quincy Walters, WBUR: “People flocked to Boston Common while the sun was still shining Wednesday afternoon. It was as populated as it might be on any given weekday. And nearly everyone was wearing a mask. Meg Thomas, her husband and her son had masks. She said at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her family weren't big on the idea of covering their faces. But that changed Wednesday, when the state-wide mask mandate went into effect.” – “Encore Boston Harbor loses $60.6 million in coronavirus-shortened quarter,” by Andy Rosen, Boston Globe: “Encore Boston Harbor Casino in Everett lost $60.6 million in the first three months of the year, a period that concluded with the closure of the state’s casinos as the coronavirus crisis accelerated. The loss was broader than in the previous quarter, when the casino’s parent company Wynn Resorts reported a loss of $34.1 million as it continued to ramp up its operations and build a customer base here.” | | PRIMARY SOURCES |
| – “Mermell snags Barbara Lee endorsement in race for Kennedy seat,” by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: “Jesse Mermell, a former adviser to Governor Deval Patrick who is running for the Democratic nomination in the Fourth Congressional District, has snagged the endorsement of Barbara Lee, one of the country’s leading champions for women’s advancement in politics.” | | FROM THE DELEGATION |
| – “Bailout sought for child-care industry,” by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: “Amid increasing concerns that many child-care centers will be unable to reopen after the prolonged coronavirus closure, US Representative Katherine Clark and other members of Congress are seeking a massive investment of $100 billion in the industry. Half the funds would be directed to stabilize child-care centers in a bailout, while the other half would shore up the industry and its employees with grants for improving infrastructure, wages, and tax credits to offset parents’ steep costs.” – “U.S. Rep. Richard Neal predicts next stimulus bill in a few days,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said work on another round of federal stimulus for the coronavirus-ravaged economy will be public in ‘a few days.’ It will have money for hospitals, Neal said, as well as money for state and local governments struggling with revenue losses and increased expenses from the coronavirus crisis. It’s possible there will be more payments to individuals as well .” | | KENNEDY COMPOUND |
| – “Congress, state leaders must move to implement vote by mail for the remainder of 2020 election cycle,” by Rep. Joe Kennedy III and Rep. Mark Pocan, The Hill: “In a country that already struggles to guarantee access to the ballot box, COVID-19 threatens to erect unprecedented roadblocks to participation. Medical guidance is clear that we will be socially distancing for some time. Experts warn of a virus resurgence in the fall. With that in mind, how can we possibly proceed with the electoral status quo?” | | ABOVE THE FOLD |
| — Herald: “MULLIGAN?" "IN THE GREEN," "BLACK AND GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY,” — Globe: “Medford outbreaks leave horror, confusion," "Baker aims for May 18 reopening but ...” | | FROM THE 413 |
| – “Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno accuses Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse of ‘cheap shot’ in coronavirus comments,” by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: “Mayor Domenic J. Sarno on Wednesday accused Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse of taking a ‘cheap shot’ regarding Springfield resorting to deficit-spending to help cover coronavirus expenses. ‘I am offended by Mayor Morse’s comments with regards to our spending to fight the Coronavirus pandemic,’ Sarno said in a prepared release. ‘It is nothing more than a cheap shot that is politically motivated.’” | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “Rockland plans to furlough employees while Hanover has already furloughed 100,” by Wheeler Cowperthwaite, The Patriot Ledger: “Some Rockland town employees will be furloughed as early as next week as the town attempts to cut expenses to make up for revenue lost due to the coronavirus pandemic. Town Administrator Doug Lapp said he is working with unions in the town to implement the furloughs and reductions in hours for employees.” – “Mitchell announces safety orders for New Bedford industry,” SouthCoast Today: “Though the city isn’t reopening yet, Mayor Jon Mitchell announced emergency orders at a press conference Wednesday to help it prepare for when it does reopen. His orders are also designed to enforce safety at essential businesses that are still operating.” – “Adams Square Baptist Church defies governor’s order again with in-person service; Pastor says this is the cleanest church 'in the northeast,’” by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: “The Adams Square Baptist Church in Worcester will likely be facing another fine after holding an in-person service with more than 10 people on Wednesday evening, the third such service the church has hosted in defiance of an order from the governor amid the COVID-19 pandemic.” | | MEDIA MATTERS |
| – “Boston Globe lays off workers, cites 'significant' revenue impact,” by Don Seiffert, Boston Business Journal: “The Boston Globe on Wednesday eliminated an unspecified number of positions across the company in an ongoing effort to adjust to what it called a ‘significant’ revenue impact to its core business during the pandemic.’” – “WCVB’s Randy Price announces plans to sign off later this month,” WCVB: “Randy Price, one of Boston’s best-known TV journalists, on Wednesday announced plans to sign off. His last day will be Wednesday, May 20.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Chris Lindahl, Emma Riley, M.J. Tidwell, Nicholas Harrer and Brian Dunn. 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 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. | | | | | | |
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