POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BAKER preps new POLICE bill — WALSH in the ‘HOT SEAT’ — School could be PART-TIME this fall

By Stephanie Murray Presented by MA Senior Coalition GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. DEMS PLEDGE TO REJECT 'COP' MONEY — A new pledge to refuse campaign donations from police unions is gaining steam among Democratic candidates this week. Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III have signed onto the #NoCopMoney pledge, and so have all but one of the Democrats running to replace Kennedy in the House. The pledge, drafted by the College Democrats of Massachusetts, comes after two weeks of protests across the country in response to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The pledge calls on candidates to "reject campaign contributions from police unions and donate the money they have already accepted to community organizations." Six state senators have signed on, along with more than a dozen state representatives. "By accepting campaign contributions from police unions, elected officials are bound to represent the police – not the people – thus enabling the violence and brutality that we have seen over the past week," the pledge reads. In the weeks since Floyd's death, activists have called for cuts to police budgets and other changes. Lawmakers have presented a number of policy proposals to end qualified immunity for police, and to shift some money from local police budgets to other social services. In the past, it hasn’t been unusual for lawmakers and city officials to accept money from police unions, as the Boston Herald reported earlier this week. But as pressure mounts to make change, some view accepting money from police unions as a conflict of interest. It has become increasingly popular for Democratic candidates to swear off campaign contributions from certain groups or industries. For example, Kennedy and Markey have both pledged not to take money from fossil fuel companies or lobbyists, or from corporate PACs. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Rep. Joe Kennedy III holds a Spanish-language town hall on Facebook. Rep. Seth Moulton speaks at a virtual discussion hosted by the MIT Center for International Studies. Rep. Ayanna Pressley participates in a Congressional Black Caucus hearing on police brutality and systemic racism. Attorney General Maura Healey is a guest on WBUR. A message from MA Senior Coalition: Massachusetts nursing homes are facing a $280 million funding gap. They deserve fair Medicaid reimbursement rates. Instead, we have one of the lowest in the country. Sign our petition to put raising the rate on the November ballot. HAPPENING TODAY 12:30 p.m. EDT - PLANNING FOR FUTURE HEALTH CRISES: As the U.S. confronts the worst public health crisis in modern history, lawmakers race to shape the next phase of health care modernization to prepare the country for future emergencies. Join POLITICO Live and POLITICO’s newest division, AgencyIQ, for a live virtual interview with Reps. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.). Hear about possible updates to the landmark 21st Century Cures Act and about the concept paper co-authored by Upton and DeGette that creates a framework for sweeping changes to medical product development and health care access in the U.S. REGISTER HERE. THE LATEST NUMBERS – “Massachusetts reports 46 new coronavirus deaths, 267 new cases as positive tests show ‘very significant reduction,’” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “State health officials announced that another 46 Massachusetts residents have died from coronavirus, bringing the statewide death toll to 7,454. Officials also confirmed another 267 cases of COVID-19, which includes 64 probable cases.” DATELINE BEACON HILL – “Baker readies bill to create statewide certification process for police,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Governor Charlie Baker is preparing legislation that would establish a statewide certification process for police officers, giving a proposal that’s languished on Beacon Hill a major boost as demands grow louder for more police accountability in Massachusetts and around the country. The state is one of only a handful without a certification system for police, even as it’s created a complex system licensing barbers, electricians, and more than 50 other trades and professions.” – “Gov. Charlie Baker: 'I Don't Support Defunding The Police,'” by Mike Deehan, WGBH News: “Gov. Charlie Baker says he doesn't support police budget cuts, but is working with black lawmakers to address police oversight. After a swearing-in ceremony for two new members of the House of Representatives, the governor was asked if a tough budget year might mean cuts to local aid for cities and towns, and potentially their police departments.” – “HHS Secretary Was Warned Of 'Crisis' At Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Earlier Than Administration Has Said, Documents Suggest,” by Miriam Wasser, WBUR: “Gov. Charlie Baker has repeatedly said that he and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders first learned about the deadly coronavirus outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home around 9 p.m. on Sunday, March 29. But emails and phone records provided to WBUR show Sudders may have known about the sudden and catastrophic increase in cases and deaths nearly 24 hours before that time .” – “State revises childcare guidelines,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Facing a backlash from parents and childcare providers, state early education officials revised their guidelines governing the reopening of day care centers. But while the new guidelines do help many family care providers, they do little to address the major concerns raised by childcare centers.” – “Despite pandemic, health care jobs may be lost,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “In the midst of a pandemic that has narrowed the focus of the state’s health care system, use of the system overall is down and many physician practices are warning they may have to consolidate or go out of business, according to data released Wednesday by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission.” – “Big 3 on board for policing, racism legislation,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “Beacon Hill’s top three leaders are all on record now saying they want to pass legislation addressing policing and racism, but the details of what they to do are unclear. Gov. Charlie Baker has been saying for the past week that he is talking with various stakeholder groups on some sort of legislative proposal fashioned out of a 10-point plan put forward by the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus.” FROM THE HUB – “Protesters call for city to reallocate police funding, remove officers from schools,” by Vernal Coleman, Boston Globe: “Hundreds of youths marched from Nubian Square in Roxbury to City Hall Plaza Wednesday, demanding that the city remove police officers from public schools and reallocate 10 percent of the police budget to community and educational needs .” – “Walsh goes from shoo-in to hot seat,” by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: “It was only a few weeks ago that Mayor Marty Walsh seemed to be the man for the moment. Holding regular briefings outside Boston City Hall on all things coronavirus, he showed steady leadership and heartfelt compassion in equal measure, just what people want to see in a big-city mayor. The pandemic seemed to have reshaped almost every aspect of life as we knew it — and that extended to speculation about a mayoral election still a year and half away.” – “Walsh not looking to lay off Boston police as he mulls reallocating funds,” by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: “Boston Mayor Martin Walsh said he is not looking to lay off cops even as he mulls reallocating funds within the city’s budget and advocates continue their calls to move police money toward social services. Roughly 90% of the Boston Police Department’s $414 million budget — the second largest allocation in the city, behind the schools — is for personnel.” – “Mayor Walsh says he's open to talks on renaming Faneuil Hall,” by Shafaq Patel, Boston Business Journal: “Mayor Martin J. Walsh said he hasn't yet had conversations about renaming Faneuil Hall, but indicated in his press conference Wednesday that he's willing to discuss the idea, a sharp change from his past stance.” – “Boston police support the effort to ban facial recognition technology — for now,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Boston Police Commissioner William Gross says his department does not currently use facial recognition technology, and he plans to keep it that way. At least for now. During a City Council hearing Tuesday afternoon, Gross said he supports an ordinance to ban Boston police and other city officials from using facial recognition technology.” – “Boston police officers’ personal info leaked online,” by MIchael Balsamo and Colleen Long, The Associated Press: “Personal information of police officers in departments nationwide, including Boston, is being leaked online amid tense interactions at demonstrations across the U.S. over the police custody death of George Floyd and others, according to an unclassified intelligence document from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, obtained by The Associated Press.” – “On tenterhooks, Mass. businesses navigate start of Phase 2,” Boston Business Journal: “Massachusetts business owners, customers and clients entered the second phase of a four-phase economic reopening this week with some trepidation and hope: Trepidation about the demand for their services during an ongoing pandemic, and hope that the worst is behind them.” – “Nearly 6 Percent Decrease In Opioid-Related Mass. Overdose Deaths In Q1 Of 2020 Compared To Q1 Of 2019,” by Esteban Bustillos, WGBH News: “There were 467 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths of Massachusetts residents during the first three months of the year, according to preliminary data released during a meeting by the Public Health Council on Wednesday. That's an estimated 5.7 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2019, when there were estimated to be 495 deaths.” – “Someone Beheaded the Christopher Columbus Statue in Boston…Again,” by Spencer Buell, Boston Magazine: “Once again, Christopher Columbus is headless. As anti-racist protesters in cities around the world have taken their anger out on monuments to troubling historical figures, the 40-year-old marble statue honoring the 15th Century explorer, kidnapper, and genocidal maniac on the North End Waterfront has once again been defaced.” – “Berklee College bans Boston cops from restrooms,” by Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: “The president of Berklee College of Music is being slammed for banning police from school buildings after Boston cops were allowed to use the bathrooms hours before protesters ripped up the city. Berklee President Roger Brown said in a letter to the school community that allowing the officers inside on Sunday, May 31, perpetuated ‘feelings of oppression, silencing, and marginalization .’” – “‘People are frightened’: Marty Walsh, others highlight concerns over fireworks,” by Arianna MacNeill, Boston.com: “When Boston police responded to Mattapan for a report of a gunshot last week, it turned out the noise was fireworks. But the residents still had to deal with the fear of a potential threat of violence in their community, according to Mayor Marty Walsh.” PRIMARY SOURCES – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: “First Vice Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Ro Khanna Endorses Becky Grossman for Congress,” from the Grossman campaign: “Today, Becky Grossman’s campaign announced that First Vice Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17) has endorsed her campaign for Congress in Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District. ‘This pandemic underscores the urgency of electing progressive leaders who will fight for families and working people first,’ said Rep. Ro Khanna. – “SEIU backs Mermell in 4th District race,” by Ted Nesi, WPRI: “Democrat Jesse Mermell has landed the biggest labor union endorsement of the 4th Congressional District primary so far, announcing Wednesday she’s secured the backing of the SEIU Massachusetts State Council. The council includes union locals SEIU 509, 1199 SEIU, SEIU 888, SEIU 32BJ, SEIU 3 FO, and the SEIU Committee of Interns and Residents, which together represent roughly 106,500 workers.” – “Democrat Auchincloss, seeking Kennedy seat, was a registered Republican in 2014,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “As a Democrat running for Congress, Jake Auchincloss has touted ‘progressive’ transportation policies. He’s pointed to his endorsement by Progressive Newton when he ran for city council. On his proposals to curb gun violence, he says ‘there is no one to the left of me.’ Less often he’s discussed his brief time on the right of the Massachusetts political spectrum.” – “In race for open Kennedy seat, candidates try anything to break through,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “It’s Massachusetts’s most unwieldy Democratic primary, a rare open seat nestled in a liberal hotbed. And the candidates just want your attention. Dave Cavell, a former Obama speechwriter, cooked cucumber gazpacho on Facebook Live. Christopher Zannetos, a tech entrepreneur, is orchestrating a 34-town bike tour. Jesse Mermell, a former Brookline select board member, created a congressional-themed crossword puzzle.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES – “A Boston-Springfield rail service could draw more riders than previously thought,” by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: “A future high-speed ‘east-west’ rail service between Boston and Springfield, and perhaps beyond, could draw far more riders than previously estimated, state officials acknowledged Wednesday. However, even those ridership levels may not be enough for the multi-billion dollar project to qualify for federal funding, said state Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack.” WARREN REPORT – “Elizabeth Warren Grills Pentagon About ‘Toothless’ Oversight of Military Prisons,” by Dan Spinelli, Mother Jones: “Congressional Democrats are calling on Defense Secretary Mark Esper to release details related to the operation of military prisons, including how many have been accredited and what standards the Pentagon uses to maintain “oversight and accountability” at these facilities.” MARKEYCHUSETTS – “By chance, Ed Markey was standing in his driveway. ‘Welcome to the compound!’” by Joan Vennochi, Boston Globe: “On a journalistic whim, without notifying anyone, I took a ride to 7 Townsend Street in Malden. By chance, Senator Edward J. Markey was standing in the driveway. ‘What are you doing here?’ he asked. Quickly deducing the answer — that I was checking for signs of his existence at an address he officially calls home, but others question as his actual residence — he happily declared: ‘Welcome to the compound!’” – “Greenfield mayor, other officials endorse Markey for Senate,” Greenfield Recorder: “Mayor Roxann Wedegartner and seven other city officials recently announced their endorsement of Ed Markey for re-election to the U.S. Senate. ‘I enthusiastically endorse Sen. Markey in the upcoming election,’ Wedegartner said in a press release.” THE PRESSLEY PARTY – “A massive group of athletes, including Tom Brady and several Patriots, are voicing support for Ayanna Pressley’s qualified immunity bill,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “In the wake of the recent protests against police brutality, a massive group of sports figures — from Tom Brady to Steve Kerr to Giancarlo Stanton — are speaking out in support of legislation introduced by Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Justin Amash to reform legal protections for officers.” KENNEDY COMPOUND – “Rep. Joe Kennedy III encourages New England Patriots to sign Colin Kaepernick, NFL to apologize to quarterback,” by Christopher Smith, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy III encouraged the NFL to apologize to Colin Kaepernick in a Twitter message Tuesday. He also wrote that he wants the New England Patriots to sign the QB.” – “Progressive Caucus co-chair endorses Kennedy in Massachusetts Senate primary,” by Zack Budryk, The Hill: “Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), the co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, on Tuesday endorsed Rep. Joe Kennedy III, who is mounting a primary challenge to Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). ‘For as long as I’ve known him, Joe has been a leading progressive voice in Congress, fighting for Medicare for All, demanding real mental health parity, leading our efforts to protect LGBTQ Americans, pushing for racial, social, economic and climate justice,’ Pocan said in a video tweeted by the Kennedy campaign.” ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: “KA-BOO!” — Globe: “In baseball scouts' reports, bias can lurk," "Baker set to push state certification for police," "COLUMBUS STATUE TARGETED.” THE LOCAL ANGLE – “Students likely to attend school only part time this fall, local officials warn,” by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: “School officials across Massachusetts are increasingly warning families that students will attend classes in person only part time this fall, as the effort to protect students and staff from the coronavirus will continue into the foreseeable future while also wreaking havoc on family work schedules and the pace of learning.” – “Braintree mayor tests positive for COVID-19,” by Jessica Trufant, The Patriot Ledger: “Mayor Charles Kokoros is recovering at home after testing positive for COVID-19 late last week. Kokoros found out last week that he may have been exposed to COVID-19, he said in a statement, and immediately talked with the town’s public health nurses and started taking precautions to prevent exposure to others.” – “Activists take message to Worcester auto repair shop after owner posts menacing words,” by Steven H. Foskett Jr., Telegram & Gazette: “Activists marched up Shrewsbury Street Wednesday afternoon after an auto repair shop owner used social media over the weekend to post threatening messages about protests coming by his business.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Boston City Councilor Andrea Campbell, Sam Tracy and Tad Devine. NEW EPISODE: RENT – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, hosts Jennifer Smith, Steve Koczela and Stephanie Murray talk about racial equity in the Legislature with MassINC COO Juana Matias, a former state representative and candidate for Congress. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud. 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. A message from MA Senior Coalition: By 2030, 21% of Massachusetts residents will be over 65. High quality nursing home care will be more important than ever. But Massachusetts has one of the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rates in the country — and it's forcing facilities to close. More than 30 have closed in the last two years. Sign our petition to put fair reimbursement rates on the November ballot. KEEP UP WITH THE GLOBAL RESPONSE: The coronavirus pandemic devastated the world, and countries are now figuring out what's next. Our Global Translations newsletter, presented by Bank of America, is focused on essential global news, trends and decisions layered with critical contextual analysis from the sharpest minds around the world. From the different approaches countries take to combat Covid-19 and reopen, to the growing tension between China and Hong Kong, the ongoing drama between social media companies and the government, and more, Global Translations offers a unique perspective that you won't find anywhere else. SUBSCRIBE HERE. Follow us on Twitter Stephanie Murray @StephMurr_Jour Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters Follow us

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