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Presented by Biogen and Lemelson- MIT
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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF.
SCOOP: OUTSIDE GROUP TO SPEND FOR KENNEDY — The Democratic primary race between Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III is about to get a little more expensive.
A small group of community leaders – political donors, progressives and others – are launching an independent expenditure to boost Kennedy’s campaign for Senate. The move comes after Environment Massachusetts announced it will spend $200,000 on print and digital ads supporting Markey this month through the Environment America Action Fund, according to a Boston Globe report.
The new pro-Kennedy group is made up of around 10 people, and plans to launch next week under the name Massachusetts Future. The group, organized by political consultant Doug Rubin, aims to spend more than the $200,000 the environmental super PAC supporting Markey, but it’s not clear how much money is involved. Independent expenditures are forbidden from coordinating with the political campaigns they support according to Federal Election Commission rules.
Kennedy already has a financial advantage in the Senate primary contest. He had $6.2 million in cash on hand at the end of the last fundraising quarter, compared to Markey’s $4.4 million war chest.
The Kennedy backers were hesitant to start spending money for the Newton Democrat because they were waiting to see if Markey would sign a so-called People’s Pledge to limit outside spending in the race. Kennedy called on Markey to sign the pledge months ago, pointing to Markey's advocacy for the pledge when he ran for Senate in 2013. But Markey countered by proposing an updated version of the pledge that would allow for spending by outside groups that stick to positive messaging and disclose their donors, saying it is better suited to today's political environment. Kennedy declined.
But now that an outside group is spending for Markey, Kennedy backers are prepping their own fundraising effort — with only 12 weeks until the primary, the window for any kind of agreement to limit outside spending is closing. For his part, Kennedy said through a spokesperson that he's still open to signing the People's Pledge with Markey.
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A message from Biogen and Lemelson- MIT:
The current health crisis reinforces the need to find solutions today and stay ahead of other threats tomorrow. Inspiring the next generation of science leaders to drive innovation is why Biogen and MIT teamed up to bring Virtual Science Learning Lab to students. biogen.com/communitylab. |
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FOR NEWS AND CONTEXT YOU NEED IN 15 MINUTES OR LESS, LISTEN IN: The coronavirus death count passed a grim milestone in the U.S. as a growing number of regions reopen parts of their economies. Unemployment claims continue to pile up as the virus continues to spread. POLITICO Dispatch is a short, daily podcast that keeps you up to date on the most important news affecting your life. Subscribe and listen today.
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 | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
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– “Coronavirus deaths in Massachusetts increase by 50, new cases ease up,” by RIck Sobey, Boston Herald: “Coronavirus hospitalizations went down by 47 patients, continuing a recent trend that brings the state’s COVID-19 hospitalization total to 1,637. Overall, the statewide hospitalization total has declined by 1,925 since May 5. The 50 new deaths bring the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 7,201, the state Department of Public Health announced. The three-day average of coronavirus daily deaths has dropped from 161 at the start of May to 43 now.”
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| DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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– “House approves vote-by-mail for fall elections,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “The Massachusetts House on Thursday passed a bill that would allow any resident to vote by mail in the September and November elections. The bill is a compromise that rejects some of the more far-reaching changes proposed by voting rights’ advocates – like mailing ballots to every voter or allowing Election Day voter registration – but vastly expands vote-by-mail in Massachusetts.”
– “Here’s what can reopen in Mass. during Phases 2, 3, and 4,” by Jaclyn Reiss, Boston Globe: “Governor Charlie Baker said he expects to make an announcement on Saturday on when Phase 2 of reopening can begin in Massachusetts, as officials closely monitor key metrics of coronavirus public health data. If trends look as if they’re going in the right direction, Phase 2 could begin as early as Monday, June 8, Baker has said.”
– “Coalition: No Further Mass. Reopening Until Those At-Risk, Including People Of Color, Are Protected,” by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: “Gov. Charlie Baker on Saturday will announce whether to move Massachusetts into the next phase of its reopening from COVID-19 lockdown, but a group of doctors, union leaders and community and public health advocates on Thursday demanded the administration ensure that at-risk populations, including people of color, are adequately protected.”
– “Town clerks say they can’t handle flood of mail-in ballots,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Everyone is in favor of making sure all voters can cast ballots this fall, even if coronavirus fears mean they don’t necessarily do so in person at a polling place. But it’s one thing to champion the cause of democracy through vote-by-mail proposals, it’s another to be in charge of handling the thousands of ballots that would arrive at municipal offices under such plans in the days leading up to the election.”
– “Healey seeks more power to investigate police misconduct,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “Attorney General Maura Healey and her colleagues in 17 other states are urging Congress to give them greater authority to investigate practices of unconstitutional policing and bring enforcement actions in federal courts. The push to police the police comes after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the absence of any efforts by the US Justice Department to address police misconduct since January 1, 2017.”
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| FROM THE HUB |
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– “Mayor Walsh pledges to make Boston a national leader in battling racism,” by Travis Andersen, Martin Finucane and Jaclyn Reiss, Boston Globe: “Drawing on his personal experience in recovery and the “heartbreaking” stories he’s heard from Black city employees amid continued protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh on Thursday implored white residents of his city to listen to their neighbors and co-workers of color as the struggle for racial justice continues locally and nationwide.”
– “Some police are taking a knee,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “Almost four years after former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick opted to kneel during the national anthem, police officers across the nation are doing the same, including in Massachusetts. At least a dozen officers took a knee in front of Boston Police headquarters on Tuesday, in what some are calling a show of solidarity with those protesting the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man in Minneapolis who died in police custody.”
– “‘A nation in peril’: In Boston and throughout the U.S., the NAACP grapples with a state of emergency,” by Ainslie Cromar, Boston.com: “What comes after the protests? Massachusetts lawmakers of color have 10 proposed police reforms. The unrest and outrage over systemic racism and police violence against Black people in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis has transfixed the nation, leading many to ask: Where does America go from here?”
– “Somerville Mayor To Create Civilian-Led Police Oversight Structure,” by Bob Shaffer, WBUR: “Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone is pledging to establish independent, civilian-led oversight of the city's police department amid protests against police brutality throughout the country. Curtatone says the city has made progress over the past 15 years with better policing, but that more needs to be done in Somerville and around the country.”
– “‘May god be with them’: National Guard soldier removed from service after he threatens ‘slamming people’ at Boston protests,” by Michael Bonner, MassLive.com: “The Massachusetts National Guard removed a soldier from active duty after he posted on social media that he would ‘be slamming’ protesters if he was activated to serve during the protests in Boston. A screenshot that was sent to MassLive by a reader showed that an account belonging to Joell Martinez posted on Facebook that as a member of the National Guard, he might get activated for the protests in Boston.”
– “UMass Boston faculty union objects to using Dot campus as staging area for police deployments,” by Daniel Sheehan, Dorchester Reporter: “Members of UMass Boston’s faculty union are raising objections and demanding answers from university leadership after parts of the campus were used as a staging area for State Police before a large rally and vigil in Dorchester on Tuesday. Photos and video taken by a graduate student show scores of police officials in formation in the Bayside parking lot, a space that is normally filled with UMB student and faculty vehicles during the school year.”
– “Books about Race, Power and the Black Experience, Chosen by Four Black Boston Authors,” by Alyssa Vaughn, Boston Magazine: “There are hundreds of titles to choose from if you’re looking to explore the systemic oppression of Black people in America— so we suggest starting close to home.”
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| HEALTH CHECK |
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– “‘A balancing act’: As marches continue, spread of virus remains a concern,” by Naomi Martin and David Abel, Boston Globe: “After more than two months of lockdowns and social distancing to avoid spreading the coronavirus, the sight of thousands of protesters crowding Boston’s streets and parks may have been jarring to some. But to many in the Black community and their supporters, the threat of spreading COVID-19 didn’t compare to their need to demonstrate against the systemic racism and police brutality faced by Black people.”
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| PRIMARY SOURCES |
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– “Environmental super PAC to spend $200,000 on Democratic primary ads for Senator Markey,” by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: “An influential state environmental group plans to spend $200,000 this month on print and digital ads supporting US Senator Edward J. Markey in his primary fight against challenger US Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III, the organization’s state director said Wednesday. Environment Massachusetts, which endorsed Markey early in the race, will purchase the ads through the Environment America Action Fund.”
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| THE PRESSLEY PARTY |
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– “Ayanna Pressley calls on the Boston police union to apologize to Rachael Rollins,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Rep. Ayanna Pressley is backing up Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins in her dispute this week with the local Boston police union over her response to the recent anti-police brutality protests. ‘The tactics of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association are predictable but deeply disappointing,’ Pressley said in a statement Wednesday night, calling for an apology from the union for their ‘unfound attacks’ on the Democratic district attorney.”
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| MARKEYCHUSETTS |
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– “Amid Protests, Sen. Ed Markey Promises A Public Apology For Every Wrongfully Convicted Prisoner In Massachusetts,” by Tori Bedford, WGBH News: “As the sun set over the Boston Common, a few stragglers remained at the gazebo following Wednesday's action against racism and police brutality. A small group stood around two men locked in an impassioned dialogue: Senator Edward Markey and Darrell Jones, who served 32 years in prison system for a murder he did not commit.”
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| IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN |
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– “Healey calls for orderly transition away from natural gas,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “Attorney General Maura Healey petitioned the Department of Public Utilities on Thursday to investigate how the state’s natural gas utilities should transition to a future where the fuel they are selling no longer fits in with the state’s carbon emission goals. Massachusetts has set a goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050, and Healey argues the state, natural gas utilities, and their customers need to start planning.”
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| MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
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– “Children in the car? No curbside marijuana for you,” by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: “With recreational marijuana sales back in swing in Massachusetts following a two-month shutdown, plenty of parents are considering grabbing some weed to enjoy after the children go to bed. But they’ll have to leave the tykes at home when they buy it, after the state Cannabis Control Commission recently clarified that no one under 21 is allowed to be present in the car during a curbside marijuana sale. Customers with minors in tow will be turned away.”
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: “PICKING UP THE PIECES,” — Globe: “Walsh pledges city will lead fight on racism," "From tragedy, hope blooms.” |
| FROM THE 413 |
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– “Interfaith Council asks Springfield Mayor Sarno to 'please commit to listen,’” by Anne-Gerard Flynn, Springfield Republican: “Mayor Domenic J. Sarno’s withdrawal from a digital Town Hall discussion tonight organized by the Greater Springfield chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Color People and the Pioneer Valley Project sends the ‘wrong message,’ said the Rev. Jason Seymour, president of the Interfaith Council of Greater Springfield.”
– “500 people, 7 hours: Virtual City Council meeting draws crowd, calls to cut police budget,” by Greta Jochem, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “More than 500 people attended a City Council budget hearing on Zoom that went for nearly seven hours Wednesday evening, ending around midnight. In several hours of public comment, residents asked the council to reject a proposed increase of nearly $200,000 in the Police Department’s budget and instead decrease the department’s funding.”
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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– “Roughly 100 people staged a die-in in the street in front of Charlie Baker’s home Wednesday,” by Arianna MacNeill, Boston.com: “More than 100 cars made up ‘a rolling rally’ Wednesday that ended with a die-in protest outside of Gov. Charlie Baker’s home in Swampscott. The rally, organized by the Rev. Dr. Andre Bennett of Zion Baptist Church in Lynn, along with others, called on not just Baker but also Essex County officials, including Sheriff Kevin Coppinger, District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, and area police departments, to support their efforts, according to Wicked Local.”
– “Worcester reports 34 new coronavirus cases since Wednesday, announces 656 cases not previously reported because of data discrepancies,” by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: “Thirty-four new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Worcester, city officials said Thursday, noting that hospitalizations for the virus continue to trend down in the area. However, the city also reported hundreds of cases of COVID-19 that were previously unreported.”
– “Owner of new Worcester restaurant that was vandalized following protest says he’s armed and will defend his property,” by Tom Matthews, MassLive.com: “Tuan Huynh and Tram Huynh stood outside 897 Main St. Tuesday morning in front of their business, Quán Com Gá, a Vietnamese restaurant slated to open in the old Moynihan’s location. The business had five of its windows smashed in by a small group of protesters early Tuesday morning, hours after peaceful protests had ended.”
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| MEDIA MATTERS |
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REMEMBERING JOSEPH E. CORCORAN … via Dot News: “Joseph E. Corcoran, a Dorchester native, devoted philanthropist and developer who transformed the Columbia Point peninsula, died on Wed., June 3 at age 84. According to his family, Mr. Corcoran died at his home surrounded by children and grandchildren.” Link.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to state Sen. Diana DiZoglio, state Rep. Kevin Honan and Aaron Moser.
HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND – to Saturday birthday-ers to Grace Ross, Jen Hemmerdinger, and Christopher Rowland, Washington Post reporter and former Boston Globe Washington bureau chief. And to state Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, Cambridge City Councilor Tim Toomey and Kevin Sprague, who celebrate Sunday.
NEW EPISODE: PROTESTS AND PATHS FORWARD – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, host Jennifer Smith speaks with Boston City Councilor Andrea Campbell about recent protests against police brutality and policy solutions. 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.
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A message from Biogen and the Lemelson-MIT Program at MIT:
The biotechnology industry plays a critical role in improving health outcomes today and protecting lives tomorrow. This important work can only continue if we increase access to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and inspire the next generation of scientists to drive innovation forward for years to come. For students historically underrepresented in science, access to education and hand-on exposure to the world of science can open a lifetime of opportunity. That’s why Biogen and the Lemelson-MIT program teamed up to bring a new Virtual Science Learning Lab to students in Massachusetts and North Carolina. Biogen is working with the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus to engage students in learning directly from, and being mentored by, leading scientists at Biogen and MIT. For more information, visit: biogen.com/communitylab. |
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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 into the spotlight with a new twist: Both Republicans and Democrats are on board with reform. 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 searches for answers to this important question and takes a deeper look into what it will take to make progress toward real justice reform. READ THE FULL ISSUE.
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