GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
WE COULD BE IN FOR A WAIT — Of all the surprises coronavirus has delivered this year, one of the strangest is slower politics. It’s the morning after Election Day, and we still don't know the definitive outcome in two of the biggest races last night: blockbuster Democratic primaries in New York and Kentucky.
It's possible we may not know the answers for a week. Officials in both states are prepared to spend days counting mail-in ballots, and it could take just as long to know the full results.
Before the pandemic, political campaigns would end Primary Day with a packed event for supporters, hoping to deliver a victory speech at the end of the night. We already knew the victory parties were canceled, and now even knowing who won on Election Night is a thing of the past.
All of this flows from the growing popularity of voting by mail, which is a good way to avoid spreading the virus. Many states have cut the number of polling places during the pandemic, which can result in hours-long lines to vote in person — not to mention increased risk of infection.
More than a quarter of registered voters in Kentucky requested an absentee ballot or voted before Primary Day. New York sent out 1.8 million absentee ballots, according to the Board of Elections, a rate much higher than in 2016. And a significant portion of those mail-in ballots won’t even reach elections officials until today.
Massachusetts could face a similar predicament on Sept. 1, where the results of the closely-watched primary between Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III may not be clear on election night. The same could be true in the crowded race to replace Kennedy in the House. The ballot-counting logistics will depend on the final version of a vote-by-mail bill the Legislature is still working on, according to a spokesperson for Secretary of State Bill Galvin.
"The versions that have passed the different chambers would require ballots to be returned by close of polls on September 1, but the question will be how quickly they can be counted," Galvin spokesperson Debra O'Malley told me in an email. "If the final bill allows processing of ballots ahead of the election, then counting will go faster, but that will also depend on how many clerks choose to do that. It will also depend on how quickly voters are able to apply and return their ballots, which they can’t do until a law is passed."
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: FUTURE GENERATIONS BACKS MARKEY — Sen. Ed Markey has won an endorsement from Future Generations, a national organization that supports environmental advocates and Indigenous candidates.
The political group, which is based in Seattle, Washington, cited Markey's leadership on the Green New Deal as a reason for its endorsement over Rep. Joe Kennedy III. “Senator Markey's record, commitment and leadership on climate action exemplifies our values. Authoring the Green New Deal with climate activists to address the most critical issue of our lifetime has made him a target for special interest groups looking to silence the environmental movement," Executive Director Roza Calderon said in a statement.
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: KENNEDY BOLSTERS LATINX OUTREACH — Chelsea City Councilor Judith Garcia is joining Rep. Joe Kennedy III’s campaign for Senate to help with LatinX outreach and ethnic media strategy. Garcia endorsed Kennedy several months ago, and was featured in the campaign’s “Joe I Know” video series.
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 joins House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats for a press conference to unveil the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act. State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, state Rep. Ruth Balser and state Rep. Liz Miranda speak at a virtual town hall for Safe Communities Act.
JOIN TODAY AT 4:45 p.m. EDT/1:45 p.m. PDT – CALIFORNIA PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW WITH SAN FRANCISCO MAYOR LONDON BREED: California is gradually re-opening as retail stores, restaurants and churches join other entities in welcoming eager patrons. Join California Playbook authors Carla Marinucci and Jeremy White for a virtual interview with San Francisco Mayor London Breed to discuss the city’s economic comeback, proposals for police reform and funding reallocation. REGISTER HERE.
 | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
– “Massachusetts reports 16 new coronavirus deaths, 229 new cases with only 2.5% of tested protesters showing positive,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts health officials announced another 16 coronavirus deaths on Tuesday. To date, 7,890 people across the state have died from COVID-19. Officials also confirmed another 229 cases, including 47 probable cases. That’s based on 7,532 molecular tests and 721 antibody tests reported on Tuesday.”
| DATELINE BEACON HILL |
– “Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans’ Services Francisco Urena resigns ahead of Holyoke Soldiers’ Home report,” by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: “Secretary of Veterans’ Services Francisco Urena says he has resigned ahead of the release of an independent investigation into the coronavirus outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home that has resulted in the deaths of dozens of veterans. Urena confirmed to the Herald late Tuesday night that he had submitted his resignation.”
– “Charlie Baker defends proposal for police bonuses within reform bill as criticism mounts,” by Christopher Gavin, Boston.com: “Amid mounting criticism, Gov. Charlie Baker Tuesday defended a proposal — tucked inside a larger bill to create a state certification system for law enforcement officers — to provide up to $5,000 bonuses for police to take on additional training. ‘It’s for people who go above and beyond with respect to what they’re required to do under our proposal,’ Baker said during a press conference.”
– “Education funding shortfall could spur new lawsuit,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “When Massachusetts lawmakers passed a landmark rewrite of the state’s school funding formula last year, it was done with a lawsuit hanging over their heads. Now, advocates are keeping a close eye on the law’s fulfillment – and say they will consider filing another suit if the new formula is not funded this year.”
– “Maura Healey: Schools Need More Money So Students Can Succeed Amid Converging Crises Of Health, Economy,” by Zoe Mathews, WGBH News: “As demonstrations calling for police reform and racial equity continue across the state amid the coronavirus pandemic, multiple crises of public health, public safety and economy are converging. Students of color at elite high schools are raising their voices against the institutions that educated them and the bias ingrained in our society, highlighted in the Boston Globe.”
– “Poll: Massachusetts residents say racism ‘most serious problem’ state faces, topping fears over economy, coronavirus, with broad support for Black Lives Matter,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “Nearly 30% of Massachusetts residents believe racism is the most serious issue facing the commonwealth — eclipsing fears over the economy and coronavirus — according to a new Suffolk University poll with compelling signs that the public is overwhelmingly convinced Black people still face persistent discrimination by police.”
– “Auditor employees violated conflict of interest law,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “The state Ethics Commission says a former employee and a former consultant of the state auditor’s office violated Massachusetts conflict of interest laws by forming a software company that attempted to sell products to a state agency to help it comply with an audit they worked on. The Ethics Commission issued a ‘public education letter’ to the former employee, Brian Scheetz, which will resolve the allegations against him with no further actions.”
– “After Black Lives Matter protests in Massachusetts, 2.5% who got free COVID-19 testing were positive for coronavirus, governor says,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “More than 17,000 people took advantage of free COVID-19 testing offered last week aimed for people who had attended Black Lives Matter protests. Of those, 2.5% tested positive for the coronavirus, Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday morning.”
– “Race comments roil public sector workforce,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Many public employees are learning the hard way: The right to free speech doesn’t extend to racist speech when you’re on a taxpayer-funded salary. Some of the recent examples are particularly egregious. There was the National Guard soldier who could be called in to police protests who wrote on Snapchat about protesters, ‘You’re all stupid I can’t wait to shoot you tomorrow night.’”
| WHAT CITY HALL IS READING |
– “With police funding debate swirling, Boston City Council poised to vote on budget. Will it pass?” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “Amid a pitched debate about police funding and city spending during the pandemic, the Boston City Council is poised Wednesday to vote on next year’s operating budget. The big questions: Will it pass? And, if it doesn’t, what happens next? The council has the power to vote up or down on the budget, which has received attention in recent weeks, with residents and advocates calling for Boston police funding to be slashed and the money rerouted to social services and community programs.”
| FROM THE HUB |
– “Minority-owned Primary Corporation will develop final parcel on former Boston State Hospital site with Toll Brothers,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “The Primary Corporation, a minority-owned business, will develop the final 10 acres of the former Boston State Hospital site, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday during a news briefing in Boston’s Mattapan neighborhood. The corporation will work with Toll Brothers, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based developer of luxury apartments, to build 367 residential units, as well as a farming initiative, day care center and shuttle bus to the Forest Hills MBTA Station.”
– “More than 2,000 Massachusetts educators have received layoff or nonrenewal notices,” by Meghan E. Irons, Boston Globe: “More than 2,000 educators have received layoff or nonrenewal notices for the fall, the Massachusetts Teachers Association said Tuesday. That figure is based on reports from the association’s membership in 47 of the state’s more than 400 school districts.”
– “Boston police spent more than $200,000 on military-style equipment during first five months of this year,” by Laura Crimaldi and Matt Rocheleau, Boston Globe: “The Boston Police Department spent more than $200,000 to arm officers with military-style equipment, including sniper rifles and tasers, during the first five months of 2020, and finalized some purchases as demonstrators took to the streets of Boston to protest the killing of a Black man by a white police officer in Minneapolis, according to internal records released Tuesday .”
– “Boston City Council Set To Vote On Facial Recognition Technology Ban,” by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: “The Boston City Council could ban the use of facial surveillance technology in the city on Wednesday, becoming the second largest community in the world to do so. That move comes even as city officials say the technology isn't yet used by the Boston Police Department — though the department could get access to it with a software upgrade.”
– “Amid pandemic, Mass. community colleges, state universities face financial challenge,” by Deirdre Fernandes, Boston Globe: “More than half a dozen Massachusetts community colleges and state universities could rapidly burn through their cash in the worst-case financial scenario for the next academic year, leaving them on shaky footing, according to a report released on Tuesday.”
– “Boston Licensing Board to hold ‘emergency meeting’ with North End restaurants about outdoor dining issues,” by Steve Annear, Boston Globe: “The Boston Licensing Board is holding a mandatory emergency meeting this week with North End restaurant and bar operators to address concerns that have been raised with officials regarding the neighborhood’s new outdoor dining services.”
– “Boston city councilor says pro-police rally in West Roxbury was ‘wrong approach,’” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley says many of the people who participated in a pro-police rally in his district last week had good intentions. But he says they made the wrong decision.”
– “DA Rollins and 6 police leaders vow collaborative approach to reform,” by John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: “Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins and six top police commanders say they are jointly searching for ‘profound, immediate and lasting change’ to the way both police and prosecutors administer justice, in the wake of the recent national outcry over police brutality and racial inequality.”
– “A local activist is holding a hunger fast to call for the renaming of Faneuil Hall,” by Dialynn Dwyer, Boston.com: “A local activist is ramping up pressure on city officials to rename Faneuil Hall, calling for the removal of the moniker belonging to an 18th century slave owner and trader from the historic building with a hunger fast in downtown Boston.”
– “The Interview: ‘Security Mom’ and CNN Analyst Juliette Kayyem Knows Best,” by Jonathan Soroff, Boston Magazine: “The first thing you notice about Juliette Kayyem is her distinctive voice: authoritative, assertive, but always reassuring. It’s the sound of a well-informed friend, or, as she calls herself, a ‘security mom,’ passing on practical wisdom to help you rest easy and feel in control.”
| PRIMARY SOURCES |
– “On Police Reform Policy, There's More That Ties Markey And Kennedy Than Divides,” by Kimberly Atkins, WBUR: “Sen. Ed Markey and Congressman Joe Kennedy have had fiery disagreements on debate stages as the Democratic Senate primary draws nearer. But when it comes to addressing systemic racism in policing, there is more that unites them than divides. In separate interviews with WBUR, they cite similar concerns and proposed solutions.”
| PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
– “T notes: Control board says goodbye, offers advice,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The future of MBTA oversight entered an uncertain period on Monday, as the Fiscal and Management Control Board held the last meeting of its five-year life with no clarity from the Legislature yet on whether a new board will be created to pick up where the old one left off. Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said she was optimistic a new oversight board would be approved by the Legislature soon.”
| DAY IN COURT |
– “Columbia Gas of Massachusetts sentenced for Merrimack Valley explosions; will pay $53 million and be sold,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Columbia Gas of Massachusetts was sentenced Tuesday in connection with the gas explosions in the Merrimack Valley region that killed one person, injured many others and damaged homes and businesses. The gas company was ordered to pay a criminal fine of just over $53 million.”
| ABOVE THE FOLD |
— Herald: “HERE'S THE PITCH,” — Globe: “A call many have longed to hear: 'Play ball!'" "Support strong for Black activism," "Police deals for army-style gear listed.”
| FROM THE 413 |
– “Springfield state Rep. Bud Williams jumps into Mayor-City Council fray over proposed restoration of Police Commission,” by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: “Jumping into a prolonged dispute between Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and the City Council, state Rep. Bud Williams has urged the mayor to restore the citizen Police Commission or an elected board to oversee police discipline.”
– “With many Berkshires arts organizations closed for the season, unemployed workers facing a grim summer,” by Katie Johnston, Boston Globe: “The COVID-19 crisis has devastated the Berkshires, where tourists flock for theater, art, music, and dance, as well as yoga, spa treatments, and hiking and biking amid wooded hills. One after another this spring, world-renowned organizations canceled their seasons or shut their doors, some for the entire year — crippling the Berkshires’ tourism industry and the more than 8,000 people working in it.”
– “Holyoke Soldiers’ Home renovation advocates draw loud support in first public demonstration,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “Veterans and their advocates, urging a taxpayer-funded renovation of the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, drew a chorus of blaring horns from passing motorists at their first public demonstration Tuesday. Fund Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Now, a grassroots group of former Soldier’s Home executives, veterans and their families, hopes the cacophony resonates to the highest levels of the Statehouse.”
| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
– “Canceled events due to coronavirus means millions lost for local nonprofits,” by Mary Whitfill, The Patriot Ledger: “From arts societies to homeless shelters, organizations are feeling the impact of the pandemic. Each spring, 750 people turn out at Taste of the South Shore to sample local beer, sample new foods and support the dozens of programs managed by the South Shore YMCA. Through corporate and personal donations, the event raises between $400,000 and $500,000 annually for the organization.”
– “Falmouth Hospital defends decision to close maternity, pediatric units,” by Jessica Hill, Cape Cod Times: “Since the Massachusetts Department of Public Health determined that the maternity and pediatric units at Falmouth Hospital are necessary for preserving access and health status within the area of the hospital, the Falmouth Hospital Association has submitted a plan that details how access will be maintained for residents around Falmouth and the Upper Cape.”
– “Worcester Board of Health sets meeting on racism, police issues,” by Nick Kotsopoulos, Telegram & Gazette: “The Board of Health will hold an emergency meeting Thursday night to discuss issues related to racism and discrimination in the Police Department. Board member David Fort called for the emergency meeting, saying he intends to present a series of recommendations aimed at preventing future instances of police brutality or misconduct, especially in regard to the Police Department’s dealings with local communities of color.”
SPOTTED: Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse in New York with Jamaal Bowman, primary challenger to longtime Rep. Eliot Engel. Morse is challenging House Ways and Means Chair Richard Neal in the Sept. 1 Democratic primary. Tweet.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Peter Cutrumbes, former MassGOP chair Kirsten Hughes, Roger Fisk, principal at New Day Strategy; Thomas Doane Perry III, Jonathan Yuan, Ed Palleschi, undersecretary for the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, John Alvarez, government affairs manager at New Balance and a Baker administration alum; Katherine Marie Kulik, Thomas Doane Perry III and Robert Reich, who is 74.
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