GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
CUOMO EVOKES NEAL IN COVID-19 FUNDING FIGHT — Andrew Cuomo had Rep. Richard Neal on his mind Wednesday afternoon after the New York governor met with President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. Cuomo delivered a briefing at the National Press Club, where he ripped Republicans over financial relief for states hit hardest by the pandemic.
"Take your blinders off, man. It's not just about your state," Cuomo said, referencing Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. "Are you gonna get the national economy running without New York, without California, without Illinois, without Connecticut, without Jersey?"
"If I'm a congressperson from Massachusetts, I'm not going home and standing up in front of my people who elected me — and I'm running for reelection, by the way, this year, Congressman Richard Neal from Massachusetts — I'm not standing before my people having passed the bill that didn't help them," Cuomo continued. Neal is facing a Democratic primary challenge from Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse.
Massachusetts has one of the worst Covid-19 outbreaks in the country — 6,547 people had died from the virus here, according to data released on Wednesday. Well over a million people have filed for unemployment, and the state is already borrowing $1.2 billion from the Unemployment Trust Fund, according to Treasury officials. Cities and towns are bracing for layoffs and budget gaps.
In his remarks on Wednesday, Cuomo was making a broader point that Republicans will struggle to negotiate the coronavirus relief package if lawmakers from states like California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts are unwilling to agree to it.
Neal, the powerful chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, was the only Democrat that Cuomo mentioned by name during the exchange with reporters. It's not the first time Cuomo has mentioned Neal during a briefing. The Springfield lawmaker is involved in negotiations with the Senate on the $3 trillion coronavirus relief package passed by the House, and his relationship with Cuomo spans decades, back to when Cuomo was secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton.
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TODAY — Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks at a “Progressive Power Hour” hosted by the Alliance for Business Leadership. Senators-elect John Velis and Susan Moran are sworn in at the State House.
Sen. Ed Markey joins a town hall hosted by the Young Democrats of Massachusetts, then hosts a livestream with New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. Congressional candidate and Newton City Councilor Jake Auchincloss hosts a webinar with Dr. Ashish Jha. Candidate for Congress Jamie Belsito hosts a livestream on food security.
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.
 | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
– “Mass. reports 527 new coronavirus cases, 74 new deaths as key metrics continue downward trend,” by Martin Finucane and Jaclyn Reiss, Boston Globe: “The state reported Wednesday that the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in Massachusetts had risen by 74 cases to 6,547, as Governor Charlie Baker said that key metrics for reopening continued to trend downward. A new University of Massachusetts model also estimated the death toll from the pandemic in the state would reach 7,930 by June 20 — down from last week’s prediction of 8,106 by June 13 — but still a grim reminder that the battle against the pandemic in the state is not yet over.”
– “Chelsea, Brockton post high positive coronavirus test rates as Massachusetts releases nursing home death data,” by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: “Massachusetts cities with some of the highest coronavirus infection rates are posting positive test rates far higher than the state’s average even as their numbers of new cases continue to trend down.”
| DATELINE BEACON HILL |
– “Key metrics the state is looking at for the reopening,” by Ryan Huddle and Martin Finucane, Boston Globe: “The state, in its reopening plan, detailed key metrics it is following to determine whether it’s safe to gradually loosen restrictions intended to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus. The charts below show the trends in four measures cited by officials as key to moving the state through the multi-phase reopening plan.”
– “Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito says 3-week wait between reopening phases is crucial to monitor coronavirus data,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Consider the recently reopened businesses test subjects in the Massachusetts reopening plan, as state officials monitor public health data in the next couple of weeks to determine whether it’s safe to reopen despite the remaining coronavirus cases.”
– “Bump: Communities owed $700K for early voting,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “Cities and towns spent more than $700,000 on early-voting costs in the recent presidential primary that should have been picked up by the state, according to state Auditor Suzanne Bump. On Wednesday, Bump said the state should reimburse local governments for the expenses, which included hiring extra election workers and longer hours at polling stations during the Feb. 24 to 28 early voting period preceding the Super Tuesday election March 3.”
– “Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announces investigation into coronavirus deaths at Life Care Center in Littleton,” by John Karalis, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced on Wednesday a state investigation into the COVID-19 response by the Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley in Littleton.”
– “Unemployment portal now in multiple languages,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “One day after making the state’s unemployment insurance portal available in Portuguese, the state added versions in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Haitian Kreyol. The new versions were added this week with little fanfare and weeks after the Baker administration indicated they would be forthcoming.”
– “State seeks waiver to continue emergency meals for students,” by Christian M. Wade, Newburyport Daily News: “With the academic year ending in a few weeks, some school districts that have been providing emergency meals to needy, homebound students could be cut off from federal funding. Gov. Charlie Baker has ordered public and private schools to stay closed for the remainder of the school year to prevent spread of the coronavirus.”
– “Massachusetts unemployment checks could be delayed as state responds to nationwide scam,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts residents relying on unemployment benefits during the coronavirus pandemic will likely wait longer to receive their checks after the state detected fraudulent claims linked to a nationwide scam, officials said.”
| FROM THE HUB |
– “Questions mount over mask decontamination machine once hailed as a game-changer,” by Dugan Arnett, Boston Globe: “Hailed as a ‘game changer’ in the region’s quest for much-needed protective medical gear, a massive machine used to sterilize respirator masks that was rushed into emergency use has come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks. The machine, which Partners HealthCare arranged to bring to the Boston area in April, has been sharply criticized by some health care workers.”
– “Nearly 300 Massachusetts long-term care facilities have had coronavirus-related deaths,” by Steph Solis and Greg Saulmon, MassLive.com: “The coronavirus has led to deaths at nearly 300 long-term care facilities in Massachusetts, accounting for more than two-thirds of all COVID-19 deaths in the state. The Executive Office of Health and Human Services’ latest tally shows that 319 long-term care facilities across the state have reported at least two COVID-19 cases, affecting 43% of such facilities licensed by the state.”
– “Coronavirus has made the supply-and-demand imbalance in Boston-area housing market even worse,” by Tim Logan, Boston Globe: “If you’re looking to sell a house, this spring has turned out to be a surprisingly good time to do so. If you’re looking to buy one, well, good luck. Home prices in the region surged in April, according to data out Wednesday from local real estate groups, while the number of sales and homes on the market both fell sharply.”
– “Massachusetts College Presidents Present Plan For Reopening Campuses In Fall,” by Fred Thys, WBUR: “A group of Massachusetts college presidents Wednesday recommended a four-phase plan for reopening campuses during the coronavirus pandemic. … Testing appears to be the biggest hurdle to reopening campuses. Only 59% of college presidents reported to the group that they are very or somewhat confident that their college can implement testing of all students, faculty and staff who return to campus.”
– “Employees on Covid's front lines say they're entitled to workers' comp.,” by Jessica Bartlett, Boston Business Journal: “Jodi Sugerman-Brozan, executive director of Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health, said workers comp. would ensure that workers don’t have to use paid time off to quarantine, or sick time to recover from the virus — particularly if it lasts longer than workers have time allowed.”
– “Somerville mayor defies Baker, Trump by capping attendance at houses of worship,” by Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: “Somerville is ordering all places of worship to limit attendance to 10 congregants, defying both Gov. Charlie Baker’s and President Trump’s coronavirus reopening directives. Elsewhere in Massachusetts, churches, synagogues, mosques and others can fill up to 40% capacity.”
– “A liquor-license-for-cash program to help Boston restaurants? One city official says there are significant questions,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “A Boston city councilor’s idea to inject cash into struggling restaurants in exchange for liquor licenses was met with resistance from the head of the city’s licensing board on Wednesday, who said the proposal raises profound questions about legal liability and a potential administrative quagmire.”
| PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
– “MBTA plans increased service as coronavirus restrictions loosen,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Mask wearing, social distancing and reduced crowding will all be a part of the ‘new normal’ for riding the T as coronavirus restrictions ease up, Massachusetts gets back to work and the MBTA brings more trains and buses back into service, officials said Wednesday .”
– “Massachusetts residents like the idea of MBTA rider limits. Here’s why it’s not happening.” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “As part of their efforts to promote social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, the MBTA is introducing new reduced “crowding thresholds” for the system’s buses and subways. But that doesn’t mean riders will be prevented from boarding a packed bus or train.”
| WARREN REPORT |
– “Famed Democratic pollster: Warren as VP would lead to Biden victory,” by Alex Thompson, POLITICO: “Stan Greenberg, one of the Democratic Party's longtime leading pollsters, urged Hillary Clinton in 2016 to pick Elizabeth Warren as her vice president. He thinks Clinton would be president had she listened. Now Greenberg — who popularized the term ‘Reagan Democrats’ and came to prominence as Bill Clinton’s lead pollster — is urging Joe Biden’s team to heed the same advice.”
| TRUMPACHUSETTS |
– “MassGOP to Charlie Baker: Keep state open for business,” by Hillary Chabot, Boston Herald: “Bay State Republicans revved up their campaign engines Wednesday, lashing out against state Democrats and asking Gov. Charlie Baker to publicly scold liberal politicians who claim the governor opened up the state too quickly amid the coronavirus crisis. In a letter signed by hundreds of Massachusetts Republicans, MassGOP Chair James Lyons said the two-month shutdown has already left small businesses struggling and an $8 billion deficit in the state budget.”
| MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
– “Boston Cannabis Board to meet for first time in June,” by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: “After a three-month delay related in part to the coronavirus pandemic, Boston’s Cannabis Board is poised to meet for the first time and approve proposed marijuana businesses under a new system designed to increase transparency and fairness. Two members of the five-person board, which will oversee the selection and siting of marijuana stores and growing facilities in the city, were sworn in last Thursday, according to officials in the administration of Mayor Martin J. Walsh.”
– “Hasan Minhaj interviews Boston marijuana dispensary owners on Netflix series ‘Patriot Act,’” by Grace Griffin, Boston Globe: “Hasan Minhaj believes the legal marijuana industry is rigged, an assertion the comedian and political commentator makes in a new episode of his Netflix series, ‘Patriot Act.’ The episode takes a hard look at the marijuana industry and legalization efforts across the nation, and among those featured are Kevin Hart and Kobie Evans, co-owners of Pure Oasis, Boston’s first recreational marijuana store.”
| ABOVE THE FOLD |
— Herald: “DOUBLE CROSSED,” — Globe: “80 nursing homes have at least 20 virus deaths," "Colleges wary on being set to open in the fall.”
| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
– “Worcester creates back-to-work committee,” by Cyrus Moulton, Telegram & Gazette: “Mayor Joseph M. Petty on Wednesday announced the formation of the Worcester Economic Recovery Committee, a group of business leaders that will create best practices for business owners as they reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Petty said the WERC is made up of industry-specific subcommittees from economic sectors like cultural institutions, development and real estate, financial services, manufacturing and health.”
– “A ‘soft opening’ for Cape Cod’s summer season,” by Doug Fraser, Cape Cod Times: “After months of stay-at-home advisories, tourists and locals alike may have been wary of venturing into potentially crowded streets amid the coronavirus, or high unemployment may have sapped the money and inclination to spend on travel, food and drink, and shopping. Traffic at the bridges this past weekend was relatively light.”
– “The heat is on: People flock to the beaches as the season begins,” by Wheeler Cowperthwaite, The Patriot Ledger: “As the sun made its way through a clear sky Wednesday, a light wind cooled the hundreds of beachgoers picking their way across the rocks and lounging in the sun at Rexhame Beach in Marshfield. Among them were four South Shore Hospital nurses who had the day off and wanted to spend it together at the beach.”
– “Methuen pins business hopes on federal grant,” by Bill Kirk, Eagle-Tribune: “The city is applying for a $400,000 federal grant that would be used to prop up small businesses devastated by the economic shutdown forced by the coronavirus. The money, if approved by state and federal officials, would be placed into a Small Business Relief Fund and to be doled out to companies with five or fewer employees, according to city officials.”
| MEDIA MATTERS |
– “Anchor Phil Lipof departs NBC 10 Boston,” by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: “Phil Lipof, a founding news anchor at NBC 10 Boston, who said he put his ‘heart and soul’ into the job has departed the station after nearly three and a half years, he confirmed Wednesday. Lipof left Boston’s WCVB-TV in 2016 to become one of the first anchors for NBC 10.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to MA-04 candidate Alan Khazei, and Rep. Joe Kennedy III campaign staffer Rich Thuma.
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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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