POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Inside the MEDICAL MASK market — POLICE update FORCE policies amid protests — Moderna speeds up VACCINE trial — HHS Sec. AZAR to visit Beth Israel

By Stephanie Murray Presented by MA Senior Coalition GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: KENNEDY'S NEW UNION ENDORSEMENT — Rep. Joe Kennedy III will announce an endorsement from the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers Region 9A this morning. The union represents 50,000 workers in New England, eastern New York and Puerto Rico, and it marks the 34th labor group to back Kennedy in his Democratic primary campaign against Sen. Ed Markey. In its endorsement, the union noted that it may be “unusual” to break with an incumbent lawmaker who supports labor issues. “We understand it is unusual, perhaps surprising, not to endorse an incumbent, especially one with a good labor record, but our members in Massachusetts felt strongly it was time for a new and more accessible U.S. Senator,” UAW Region 9A Director Beverley Brakeman said in a statement. Both Kennedy and Markey have received endorsements from major unions in the last several weeks. Markey announced an endorsement from the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts earlier this month, and the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts backed Kennedy in May. Staff on both campaigns have unionized. EXCLUSIVE: MERMELL RELEASES EDUCATION PLAN — Jesse Mermell, one of the Democrats running in a crowded field to replace Rep. Joe Kennedy III, is rolling out a new education plan today. In the plan, Mermell calls for preventing school budget cuts due to the coronavirus pandemic in a number of ways, including shifting federal funding used for the "militarization of our police force" to the education system. Mermell also calls for diversifying teachers and staff in schools, and suggests the federal government could encourage states to pause costly standardized testing amid budget shortfalls. In Massachusetts, MCAS testing costs $32 million, Mermell says. The Brookline Democrat also proposes increased gun reform and expanded access to early childhood care. The plan. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito join U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar to visit the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Rep. Ayanna Pressley speaks to the New England Council. Rep. Joe Kennedy III and former Rep. Beto O’Rourke hold a virtual fundraiser. Sen. Ed Markey holds a livestream with UMass Amherst Professor Whitney Battle-Baptiste, Trevor Baptiste, Shirley Edgerton and president of the NAACP Berkshires chapter Dennis Lee Powell. Candidate for Congress Alan Khazei holds a climate-focused town hall with state Sen. Marc Pacheco and Sunrise Movement activist Saya Ameli Hajebi.   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.     NEXT WEEK - A VIRTUAL CONVERSATION ON WATER SECURITY : How can we secure long-term solutions at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic consumes the attention and resources of local and state leaders? Join POLITICO on Monday, June 15 at 10:20 a.m. EDT for a virtual panel discussion on the policies and legislation needed at the state, regional and federal levels to meet the water needs of Western states. REGISTER HERE.     THE LATEST NUMBERS – “Massachusetts reports 38 new coronavirus deaths, 519 new cases as vaccine reaches phase 3 of study,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts health officials confirmed another 38 coronavirus deaths, including one probable death, on Thursday, bringing the number of statewide COVID-19 fatalities to 7,492. Officials also confirmed another 519 cases of the virus, including 165 probable cases, increasing the number of cases statewide to 104,667.” DATELINE BEACON HILL – “Gov. Charlie Baker stands by timeline for when he learned about coronavirus deaths at Holyoke Soldiers Home as reports question when administration knew,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Gov. Charlie Baker held firm on his timeline for when he learned about the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers Home, following a WBUR report suggesting one of his top officials may have known about the cases and deaths up to 24 hours earlier. When asked if he still stuck to the timeline that he and other state officials first learned about the situation the night of March 29, a Sunday, Baker said, ‘yeah, I do’ after touring the Greater Boston Food Bank Thursday afternoon.” – “Massachusetts to launch $5 million grant program to help communities fix streets, parking lots as restaurants shift focus to outdoor dining,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts communities could get up to $300,000 from the state to fix sidewalks, streets and parking lots to prepare for the increase in outdoor dining services and social distancing for workers and students during the coronavirus pandemic. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said the $5 million 100-day program would offer grants as little as $5,000 and as large as six-figure awards to quickly undertake improvements.” – “Food insecurity continues to be a major issue in Massachusetts during coronavirus pandemic, Charlie Baker says,” by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: “Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday rolled out a new program to combat food insecurity as he stressed the importance of ongoing efforts to help financially strapped families keep food on their tables during the coronavirus pandemic. The $36 million Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program is now accepting applications through Sept. 15, the governor said as he toured the Greater Boston Food Bank.” – “Another flaw emerges with breath test machines,” by Julie Manganis, The Salem News: “Just months after prosecutors were allowed to resume using the results of breath tests for alcohol in drunken driving cases, another problem has been found in the machines used by every police department in Massachusetts to perform those tests.” FROM THE HUB – “Amid push for systemic change, city councilor wants equity proof from BPDA,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “Amid the push to dismantle systems that have perpetuated racial inequality, a Boston city councilor is demanding proof from the city’s powerful planning agency that it prioritizes racial and economic equity as it shapes the city’s neighborhoods through housing and commercial development.” – “Boston, Arlington police departments update policies to prevent, report excessive force in wake of nationwide protests,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “The Boston and Arlington police departments on Thursday announced updated use of force policies in the wake of nationwide protests over systemic racism and the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. In a statement, the Boston Police Department noted that current rules and procedures already include most of the suggestions in the ‘8 Can’t Wait’ campaign advocating for more restrictive use of force policies in order to save lives.” – “Activists Demand That Boston Defund The Police, Mayor Walsh Says He'll Consider It,” by Tori Bedford, WGBH News: “Organizers came with a specific list of demands for Walsh and the Boston City Council: Remove 10 percent (roughly $41 million) of the Boston Police Department’s funding in the city budget, do not increase the police budget, and put a cap on both overtime accrual for officers and overtime pay for military exercises. Additionally, protesters called on the city to remove police officers from schools and replace them with mental health professionals.” – “I Have A Guy In China': Inside The Pandemic Market For Medical Masks,” by Beth Healy and Christine Willmsen, WBUR: “The YouTube video shows Brian Danza chronicling his victory trip to Boston in April, as he pilots a single-engine aircraft to Logan Airport. He flew in to see the arrival of nearly 1 million medical masks he helped procure for the state from China, delivered on a now-famous flight of the New England Patriots’ jet.” – “Why We March: State Street's Paul Francisco addresses Black 'trauma,’” by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: “Paul Francisco, chief diversity officer at State Street Corp., recently helped organize a protest of Black male professionals in front of Faneuil Hall in response to the killing of George Floyd. Francisco is a leader of the Boston Men’s Dinner Group, a collection of Black executives and other professionals that typically meets every few months for networking at a local restaurant or corporate office.” – “Boston University faculty wary of return to classroom,” by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: “While colleges and universities are rolling out plans to welcome students back to campus this fall, some Boston University faculty members are giving their institution a failing grade, saying they’re concerned about the safety of in-person teaching and want the option to conduct their courses online.” – “Moderna’s expedited Covid-19 vaccine trial to test 30,000,” by Allison DeAngelis, Boston Business Journal: “Moderna Inc. on Thursday unveiled large-scale, expedited plans to begin the final stage of testing on its Covid-19 vaccine. Cambridge-based Moderna (Nasdaq: MRNA) plans to enroll 30,000 people in the U.S. in the Phase 3 test of its Covid-19 vaccine, according to a press release. The company also plans to begin testing in July — months sooner than the fall 2020 timeframe it had previously laid out.” PRIMARY SOURCES – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: “Boston Teachers Union Endorses Jordan Meehan for State Representative,” from the Meehan campaign: “Today the Boston Teachers Union is proud to endorse their endorsement of Jordan Meehan for State Representative. Boston Teachers Union Local 66 proudly represents more than 10,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, retirees, and other professionals.” – “Three Democrats for Kennedy seat talk climate change, renewable energy, environmental protection,” by Zane Razzaq, MetroWest Daily News: “Three Democratic candidates vying for the party’s nomination to fill Joe Kennedy III’s congressional seat showed their differences on climate change during a virtual candidate’s forum Thursday afternoon.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES – “Could Lowering Commuter Rail Fares Help The T With Social Distancing?” by Bob Seay, WGBH News: “The MBTA announced Wednesday it will reinstate a pilot program next month lowering commuter rail fares for passengers traveling to Boston from Lynn. For two months beginning July 1, commuter rail passengers boarding at Lynn and Riverworks stations will be charged $2.40 one-way – the same amount as a subway fare – rather than $7, which translates to a savings of more than $9 per round trip.”     DAY IN COURT – “Judge to weigh fate of ICE detainees allegedly violating house arrest orders amid pandemic,” by Andrew Martinez, Boston Herald: “A federal judge Friday will weigh the fate of 10 ICE detainees who have allegedly treated bail orders ‘with complete and utter disregard’ amid the coronavirus pandemic, Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson and feds say.” – “Boston man sues Brookline police and town for racial discrimination,” by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: “A Boston man has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Town of Brookline, its police department, and three officers, alleging that police racially profiled him, made racist jokes at his expense, and wrongfully arrested him, according to court documents.” – “Feds lack constitutional authority to prosecute judge Joseph, lawyers argue in hearing,” by Andrew Martinez, Boston Herald: “Shelley Joseph’s legal team argued Thursday federal prosecutors have no constitutional authority to prosecute the judge for allegedly allowing an illegal immigrant to slip past an ICE agent in her Newton courtroom in 2018. Joseph, earning her $184,000-a-year salary while suspended from her post, sat silently in a Zoom hearing while her lawyers argued for a dismissal of her obstruction of justice indictment before federal Judge Leo Sorokin in a long-awaited hearing.” WARREN REPORT – “Elizabeth Warren’s proposal to remove Confederate names from military bases is moving forward. But it’s in for a fight.” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “In a rare bipartisan move in opposition to President Donald Trump, a Senate committee is advancing Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s proposal requiring military bases and other government assets honoring the Confederacy to be renamed. However, the effort still has some obstacles, including the president.” KENNEDY COMPOUND – “Rep. Joe Kennedy III files legislation to protect tribal lands after Mashpee Wampanoag ‘disestablishment’ order,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy III has filed legislation that would protect the trust status of tribal lands, preventing the federal government from revoking prior decisions granting the special status for any federally recognized tribe. Trust status is a special designation that promotes tribal self-governance by exempting the reservation from state and local regulations.” FROM THE 413 – “As coronavirus outbreak stabilizes, attention turns to future of Holyoke Soldiers’ Home,” by Dusty Christensen, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “As the massive coronavirus outbreak appears to have been largely contained at the Soldiers’ Home, the facility is preparing to resume outdoor visitation and some are calling for the reconstruction of the facility. The situation at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home has stabilized recently after two months of increasing deaths since the outbreak began in late March.” THE LOCAL ANGLE – “‘I’m willing to go to jail,’ says owner of Oxford gym that remains open, despite warnings from town officials,” by Emily Sweeney, Boston Globe: “Warnings from town officials and thousands of dollars in fines aren’t stopping Dave Blondin from operating his gym in Oxford. Blondin, 30, the owner of Prime Fitness and Nutrition, has been fined more than $5,000 since he opened his gym ahead of schedule after keeping it closed for weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic.” – “Leaders in Worcester stress unity as city looks to recapture momentum of renaissance stripped away by coronavirus,” by Michael Bonner, MassLive.com: “City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. on Thursday morning compared Worcester to a sailboat cruising at a steady speed on Lake Quinsigamond. In recent years, strong gusts powered the city forward, but in March the wind faded and the boat stopped with the arrival of the coronavirus.” – “Teachers, staff notified of contract non-renewal in Hanover amid budget cuts,” by Wheeler Cowperthwaite, The Patriot Ledger: “The school district has laid off 35 teachers, 10 paraprofessionals and four administrative assistants, part of an attempt to plug an estimated budget hole of $1.7 million. ‘Like every school district, we are trying to look at potential budget deficits for next year,’ Superintendent Matthew Ferron said.” – “CrossFit Worcester franchise rebrands after racist remarks,” by Emily Gowdey-Backus, Telegram & Gazette: “This week proved a turning point for eight-year-old CrossFit Worcester. A local affiliate of the national CrossFit brand based in Washington, D.C., the gym chose to drop the name CrossFit after CEO Greg Glassman displayed racist and insensitive remarks over the weekend, said Scott Boulay, co-owner of the 8,500-square-foot Pullman Street gym.” – “Chancellor Johnson leaving UMASS Dartmouth after 3 years,” by Aimee Chiavaroli, SouthCoast Today: “UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Robert E. Johnson has announced he is leaving his position, just short of three years after he arrived at the Dartmouth campus. Johnson made the announcement in a morning press release. The statement said he will leave the campus in September.” MEDIA MATTERS – “WBUR union reports 'tentative agreement' on first-ever contract,” by Don Seiffert, Boston Business Journal: “A year and a day after the start of negotiations between Boston University and a newly formed union of journalists at its nonprofit radio station WBUR, the two sides reached a tentative agreement late Thursday night, according to a union steward.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Campbell Curry-Ledbetter, a Rep. Joe Kennedy III alum; and Boston Business Journal reporter Allison DeAngelis. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND – to Catherine McLaughlin and Liam Byrne, who celebrate Saturday; and to Danny Gaynor, SVP at Weber Shandwick, who celebrates Sunday. NEW EPISODE: RENT – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, hosts Jennifer Smith, Steve Koczela and Stephanie Murray speak with MassINC COO Juana Matias, former state lawmaker and candidate for Congress, about racial inequity in the Legislature. 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. 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