| | |  | By Stephanie Murray | GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. LOOSER RULES GET CANDIDATES CLOSER TO BALLOT — It’s shaping up to be a crowded race to replace Rep. Joe Kennedy III this fall. Ten Democratic candidates say they collected enough signatures to appear on the primary ballot in September, and a new Republican candidate is vying to get on the ballot as well. Earlier in the spring, campaigns worried that social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic would prevent them from getting the signatures needed to appear on the ballot, something that’s usually done in person. That problem was solved when the state Supreme Judicial Court reduced the number of signatures a candidate needs by half – from 2,000 to 1,000 – and allowed campaigns to collect some signatures online. The result is a crowded race for the state’s 4th District seat. Newton City Councilors Jake Auchincloss and Becky Grossman, former Alliance for Business Leadership President Jesse Mermell, City Year co-founder Alan Khazei and former Obama administration aide Dave Cavell, all Democrats, have said they will appear on the ballot. Additionally, former Wall Street regulator Ihssane Leckey, attorney Ben Sigel, tech entrepreneur Chris Zannetos, teacher Nick Matthew and public health expert Natalia Linos say they have turned in more than 1,000 signatures. The rule change was a lifeline for several candidates who did not meet the initial 2,000 signature threshold. Leckey submitted 1,566 signatures, Matthew submitted 1,500 signatures and Zannetos submitted 1,800 signatures, according to their campaigns. Linos collected 1,200 signatures in a matter of days – she announced her campaign at the end of April. Former Attleboro City Councilor Julie Hall, a Republican, just announced her bid and was scrambling yesterday to get to 1,000 signatures by the deadline, according to a Sun Chronicle report. Turning in signatures does not guarantee a candidate is on the ballot – the next step is for town clerks to certify the documents. Former Comptroller Tom Shack did not meet the signature threshold, according to his campaign, and engineer Herb Robinson could not be reached for comment. Congressional candidates in other districts around the state also say they have enough signatures to get on the ballot. Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, who is challenging Rep. Richard Neal in a Democratic primary, said yesterday that he collected more than 2,000 signatures. Dr. Robbie Goldstein, who is running a primary campaign against Rep. Stephen Lynch, met the threshold, as did Rep. Seth Moulton's primary challenger Angus McQuilken. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Rep. Richard Neal visits Excel Dryer, Inc. in East Longmeadow. Rep. Ayanna Pressley goes live on Facebook with Rep. Lori Trahan and Rep. Katherine Clark to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on families and caregivers. Pressley joins a virtual town hall hosted by the Leadership Conference and a town hall on black student debt hosted by the NAACP. Sen. Ed Markey hosts a livestream with Dr. Claire McCarthy and Victoria Newcomb on children and family mental health. Rep. Joe Kennedy III joins a virtual panel on vote by mail hosted by the Voter Protection Corps. | |
| | TODAY - A VIRTUAL INTERVIEW WITH FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR: Join Global Translations author Ryan Heath today at 12:30 p.m. EDT for a virtual discussion with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair about what partnerships are needed around the world to minimize the health and economic impacts of coronavirus, how to handle deepening inequalities, and what the global architecture of a new and more resilient “normal” should look like. Have questions? Submit yours by tweeting it to @POLITICOLive using #AskPOLITICO. REGISTER HERE TO PARTICIPATE. | | | | | |  | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
| – “Coronavirus cases in Massachusetts cross 70,000 as deaths rise by 122,” by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: “Confirmed coronavirus cases in Massachusetts crossed the 70,000 mark on Tuesday as the state reported another 122 deaths from COVID-19. The 122 new deaths bring the state’s toll to 4,212, according to the state Department of Public Health. Massachusetts has now recorded 70,271 coronavirus cases, after another 1,184 people tested positive for the highly contagious disease.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Ten Things To Know About Massachusetts' Mask Order That Starts Wednesday,” by Paul Singer, WGBH News: “Under an order issued by Gov. Charlie Baker, starting Wednesday, anybody going out in public in Massachusetts will be expected to wear a mask. So what does that mean for you?” – “Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office investigating Bristol County jail incident involving immigrant detainees, sheriff,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey opened an investigation into a Friday night incident at the Bristol County House of Correction involving immigrant detainees and Sheriff Thomas Hodgson. The Attorney General’s office requested surveillance footage and other records from the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office, in which the sheriff says he was rushed by detainees.” – RELATED: Should lawmakers get to visit jails during coronavirus pandemic? Bristol County sheriff, lawmakers at odds over visitation restrictions,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “After talking it over with family members, Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz drove to the Bristol County House of Correction Saturday morning for an unannounced visit. An incident involving immigrant detainees and correction officers - including the sheriff - made national headlines the night prior. She wanted to speak directly with detainees and officers about what happened.” – “Mass. Lawmakers Hear Bill To Release Prisoners During Pandemic,” by Deborah Becker, WBUR: “Dozens of Massachusetts lawmakers have joined the debate over releasing more prisoners because of COVID-19 concerns. The Massachusetts Legislature's Joint Committee on the Judiciary took virtual testimony Tuesday on a bill mandating a review of some prisoners cases to determine if they can be released. – “Price hikes hurt families – but is it illegal?” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Massachusetts consumers – whether buying online or in stores – are increasingly seeing higher prices for everyday items during the coronavirus pandemic, particularly items required to keep people healthy, like masks and hand sanitizer. Attorney General Maura Healey has promulgated regulations aimed at eliminating price gouging and some lawmakers are proposing similar legislation. But the rules raise thorny questions about what constitutes price gouging versus a normal price increase for high-demand products.” – “States were supposed to team up on reopening. It hasn’t gone as planned.” by Anna Gronewold, POLITICO: “When seven northeastern states announced they would reopen their virus-shuttered economies in lockstep when the time was right, it was seen as a very-public flexing of local government muscle when Washington was trying to push responsibility onto individual states. But it turns out that the politics of reopening still very much recognize state lines.” – “Stimulus checks pitched for undocumented workers,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI News: “While many Americans still await stimulus checks from the federal government, state lawmakers are considering a plan to provide similar benefits to immigrant workers who are ineligible for the federal program. A proposal backed by dozens of Democrats would require the state Department of Revenue to provide $1,200 checks to undocumented immigrants who work in the state and pay taxes but have been locked out of the federal stimulus program.” – “Massachusetts golf course owner set to defy state's lockdown, will reopen for business,” by Joseph A. Wulfsohn, Fox News: “A Massachusetts business owner is planning on reopening her two family-run golf courses this week in defiance of the statewide ban on golfing implemented by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker. Cara Cullen, the owner and manager of the Wachusett Country Club and the Kettle Brook Golf Club in central Massachusetts, closed down her golf courses back in March as they fall under the ‘ nonessential businesses’ lockdown guidelines in hopes of combating the coronavirus outbreak.” – “More than 600 businesses apply to help with coronavirus response in Massachusetts to make personal protective equipment,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Charlie Merrow, a seventh-generation manager of Merrow Manufacturing in Fall River, estimates the company will produce up to 4 million medical gowns, coveralls and other protective items in the coming months in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Enlisting the help of the Baker administration, Merrow pivoted from making sewing machines and apparel to producing protective gear for hospital workers and others on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response.” – “Ahead Of Mother's Day, Some Small Businesses In Mass. Allowed To Reopen With Restrictions,” by Lisa Creamer, WBUR: “Massachusetts is loosening restrictions on some small non-essential businesses to allow them to fill online and phone orders. The rule changes to the state's earlier blanket ban on non-essential business operations are particularly welcome news for some florists ahead of Mother's Day this weekend. Previously, only store owners were allowed inside non-essential businesses.” | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “Marty Walsh says he ‘honestly can’t understand’ why states are reopening during the coronavirus pandemic,” by Christopher Gavin, Boston.com: “Mayor Marty Walsh is perplexed why officials across the country are starting to ease restrictions and reopen economies amid the coronavirus pandemic, especially as new modeling paints a grim national forecast for the weeks ahead. Walsh, speaking on CNN after a crowd of protesters rallied outside the State House Monday demanding Gov. Charlie Baker reopen the economy, said he remains concerned about the possibility of a second surge in COVID-19 cases should leaders ease regulations aimed at protecting public health too soon.” – “Loans sought to buoy businesses affected by pandemic,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “Many small businesses forced to close during the pandemic were left out of a federal loan program that helps cover payroll, rent and other operating expenses. The Paycheck Protection Program was intended to throw a lifeline to small businesses that generally have less access to cash and credit. It promised $349 billion in emergency loans to help keep workers on the job. Congress replenished the kitty when the funds ran out last month.” – “Coronavirus flyover tribute to more than a dozen health-care facilities across Massachusetts expanded,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “The 104th Fighter Wing, a unit based at Barnes Air National Guard Base has added a more stops to its Wednesday, May 6, flyovers in tribute to frontline healthcare works and others fighting coronavirus. The Barnstormers, as they are called, are flying hospitals in a show of support for medical workers serving on the frontlines in our combat against COVID-19.” | | PRIMARY SOURCES |
| – “Kennedy to launch $1.2m TV ad blitz in Senate race, highlighting coronavirus work,” by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: “Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III is taking his US Senate campaign to the airwaves, launching a $1.2 million statewide advertising blitz later this week, the first major ad buy of his closely-watched race against incumbent Senator Edward J. Markey. Kennedy’s campaign said it plans to place the buy Wednesday morning, and said the monthlong campaign will reach Massachusetts voters in all four media markets that cover the state — Boston, Springfield, Providence, and Albany.” – “Former Attleboro city councilor scrambles to get on ballot for Congressional district race,” by George W. Rhodes, Sun Chronicle: “Julie Hall said her last-minute decision to jump into the race for the 4th Congressional District seat was to give people an alternative. ‘People need a choice,’ she said Tuesday. ‘There should always be another option.’ Hall, a former at-large city councilor in Attleboro and a two-time candidate for state representative, is the only Republican vying for the seat being vacated by Joseph Kennedy III.” – “Universal mail-in voting could cost Mass. $30 million this November alone, report says,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “A dramatic expansion of voting by mail in Massachusetts amid the coronavirus pandemic could cost tens of millions of dollars, and create a ‘complex trade-off’ as people, wary of COVID-19′s lingering threat, demand options to vote from home, according to a new report. The costs tied to a beefed-up vote-by-mail system for the November general election alone range anywhere from $12 million to $30 million, according to estimates compiled by The Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University.” – “4th District race heats up as Grossman, Auchincloss tout new Fall River support,” by Ted Nesi, WPRI: “With four months to go before voters cast their ballots, two of the top Democrats vying to succeed Congressman Joe Kennedy III are touting new endorsements in Fall River. Among the crowded field of 4th Congressional District candidates, Newton City Councilor Becky Grossman appears to be leading the pack in Fall River backers.” | | DAY IN COURT |
| – “State targets dozens of businesses over alleged Covid-19 violations,” by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: “The Baker administration has hit more than 60 businesses with cease-and-desist orders in recent weeks for allegedly violating restrictions related to Covid-19, including big-name retailers like Hobby Lobby Stores Inc., Nordstrom Inc. and Williams-Sonoma Inc. In most instances, the firms had failed to close their brick-and-mortar locations even though they were not performing what the state considers to be essential services, according to the orders.” – “District Attorney Rollins calls public defenders too white and privileged, setting off a storm of protest,” by Andrea Estes, Boston Globe: “It started when ‘James from Webster’ called into a WGBH-FM radio show complaining that his criminal defense lawyer hadn’t called him back. His call so angered Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins, a guest on the show, that she launched into a tirade against public defenders, labeling them ‘overwhelmingly privileged.’ She said the staff at the Committee for Public Counsel Service claim they are too overworked and busy to return calls from their poor, Black, and brown clients.” | | MOULTON MATTERS |
| – “Missing gowns have been found,” by Ethan Forman, The Salem News: “ A wayward shipment of about 9,500 gowns intended to protect Northeast Arc and 15 other organizations' workers and their clients during the coronavirus pandemic has been found stuck in customs. Tim Brown, Northeast Arc's director of innovation and strategy, said 6,000 gowns were shipped out Tuesday "and are on the road." Another 3,500 gowns were still in customs, he said. The gowns were purchased from a promotional marketing company in China.” | | FROM THE DELEGATION |
| – “Markey, Warren seek veterans’ home probe as more coronavirus outbreaks emerge at nursing homes,” by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: “U.S. Sens. Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren are calling for an investigation into the federal Department of Veterans Affairs’ oversight of veterans homes as coronavirus ravages long-term care centers. Soldiers’ homes in Holyoke and Chelsea emerged early on as centers of deadly COVID-19 outbreaks in Massachusetts.” | | MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
| – “Marijuana companies beg for state relief money,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “It took two years from the time Angela Brown applied for a license to sell recreational marijuana to the time she got final approval to open T. Bear dispensary in Wareham. On March 24, one day before she planned to open for sales, T. Bear – and the entire recreational marijuana industry – was deemed non-essential by Gov. Charlie Baker and shut down indefinitely due to the coronavirus outbreak.” | | ABOVE THE FOLD |
| — Herald: “IT'S ON FOR MOM,” — Globe: “At Worcester Walmart, a spreading alarm, "Mass. virus trends are starting to look up.” | | FROM THE 413 |
| – “Springfield finance director paints bleak picture of city budget in wake of pandemic,” by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: “The city’s top finance official told city councilors on Tuesday that the coronavirus continues to cause millions of dollars in reduced revenues and new spending, as Springfield seeks grants and federal aid to provide some relief. Timothy J. Plante, the city’s chief administrative and financial officer, told councilors that the city has spent $4.8 million beyond its budget due to the coronavirus.” | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “‘This isn’t the time to start breaking the rules’: Worcester will keep monitoring church holding in-person services during coronavirus pandemic,” by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: “After a Worcester pastor indicated he’ll continue to hold in-person services amid the COVID-19 pandemic despite already being fined, Worcester officials said they will continue to monitor the situation. Another gathering at the Adams Square Baptist Church on Lincoln Street is possible on Wednesday. The past two Sundays, the church has welcomed groups into the church for a service.” – “How a Walmart in Worcester became a coronavirus hot spot,” by Janelle Nanos, Boston Globe: “The coronavirus has hit Walmart locally and nationally. Eighty-one employees of the Worcester Walmart were ultimately diagnosed with COVID-19. It became the first store in the nation that was forcibly shutdown by local officials during the pandemic, though others have closed as a result of outbreaks.” – “Positive patients, negative pressure; Worcester psych unit converted for patients with virus,” by Kim Ring, Telegram & Gazette: “In what is believed to be the state’s only mental health treatment facility for patients who are COVID-19 positive, doctors, nurses and other staff don personal protective equipment inside the Psychiatric Treatment and Recovery Center on Queen Street before tending to the needs of their charges. It’s a new experience for professionals who work on a unit that, while locked to the public, is open for patients to interact, partake in meals together and share during group therapy sessions.” – “State must secure permit to avoid fishery closures,” by Doug Fraser, Cape Cod Times: “Last week, U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani said that Massachusetts has done the most of any state in the country to keep endangered North Atlantic right whales from becoming entangled in lobster pot and gillnet lines. But closures, survey flights, lines that break when pulled by a whale and other methods were not enough, she decided last Thursday while ruling on an injunction that sought to close all fisheries that use vertical lines to protect the highly endangered whales.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Paul Clark, Daniel Jick, David Rogers, Lori Lefkowitz and the Berkshire Eagle’s Amanda Drane. 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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