GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
WILL STEYER SPEND? — When California billionaire Tom Steyer waded into the 2013 Senate primary in Massachusetts, Sen. Ed Markey asked him to back off and keep his money out of the race. But now that he's facing a tough primary challenge from Rep. Joe Kennedy III, Markey is welcoming the endorsement.
Steyer announced he's backing Markey yesterday, a move not entirely surprising for the climate-minded billionaire. The big question will be whether Steyer, who ran in the Democratic presidential primary, spends some of his fortune on Markey's behalf.
"Tom's excited to endorse Senator Markey," a Steyer spokesperson told me over email. "And we're not going to comment beyond that at the moment." Steyer headlined a fundraiser for Markey with musician Jackson Browne last night, which Markey's campaign said was "successful."
If Steyer spends some of his fortune to support Markey's reelection, it wouldn't be the first time. During the 2013 primary between Markey and Rep. Steve Lynch, Steyer spent hundreds of thousands of dollars through NextGen, his climate-focused super PAC. Steyer used some over-the-top tactics, even flying a plane near Fenway Park with a banner blasting Lynch for his support of the Keystone XL pipeline. Markey denounced Steyer's moves and pointed to an agreement he signed with Lynch to discourage outside groups from spending money in the race.
But Markey has declined to sign the same agreement this time around, and Steyer's endorsement seemed to solidify that Kennedy and Markey won't come to an agreement to keep outside money out of the primary. Kennedy for months has been calling on Markey to sign a so-called People's Pledge to limit spending by outside groups, but a pro-Markey super PAC, the Environment America Action Fund, already spent $200,000 in June.
"For the last time, I am calling on Senator Markey to finally commit to transparency and sign the People's Pledge with me — the same pledge he signed in 2013," Kennedy said in a statement. He knocked Markey as a "so-called progressive champion" who "already allowed dark money to infiltrate this race." Markey has called for an updated pledge that allows for "positive voices" to spend in the race.
The debate over the People's Pledge is admittedly a little wonky, but it has split Democratic activists here. Even among some progressives who previously denounced all super PAC spending during the 2020 presidential primary, the lines have blurred over whether the groups corrupt politics or serve as a necessary tool in the political process.
HAPPENING TODAY — Join former presidential speechwriter and author David Litt for a conversation on his book, “Democracy in One Book or Less: How It Works, Why It Doesn’t, and Why Fixing It Is Easier Than You Think,” hosted by the Kennedy Institute and moderated by me. Tune in via livestream at 1 p.m. today. Link.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
TODAY — Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins is a guest on WGBH’s “Boston Public Radio.” Rep. Seth Moulton hosts a press availability “to highlight the need for NOAA to delay the return of At-Sea Monitors.” Moulton talks with writer and activist Charlotte Clymer about challenges LGBTQ+ veterans and service members face.
 | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
– “Massachusetts reports 35 new coronavirus deaths, 101 new cases,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts health officials announced another 35 coronavirus deaths on Monday, bringing the number of fatalities statewide to 8,095. Officials also confirmed another 101 cases of the virus, including 12 probable cases. That’s based on 6,481 molecular tests and 292 antibody tests reported on Monday.”
TODAY AT 1 p.m. EDT - A POLITICO TOWN HALL: AMERICA AT A TIPPING POINT: The killing of George Floyd sparked demonstrations against police brutality and racial injustice around the world. One month later, join POLITICO Live for a town hall to reflect on the past and reckon with what is next to come. Featured guests include Julián Castro, former secretary of HUD and Democratic presidential candidate; Vanita Gupta, president and chief executive of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights; Rashad Robinson, civil rights leader and president of Color of Change; and Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. REGISTER HERE.
| DATELINE BEACON HILL |
– “COVID-19 has largely spared the state’s youngest. But in Massachusetts group homes, infections touch many more,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “More than 8 percent of children living in Department of Children and Families group homes and similar settings have contracted the coronavirus, a figure that far outstrips the rate among young people elsewhere in the state. The first case of COVID-19 in so-called congregate care surfaced in early April, according to DCF officials, and similar to other corners of Massachusetts, the virus has proliferated since.”
– “Massachusetts lawmakers closer to bringing early, mail-in voting options to 2020 elections,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts residents should expect to be able to vote by mail in a general election for the first time in state history, lawmakers say as they move closer toward getting voting legislation to the governor’s desk. The $8 million voting reform would send applications to residents statewide to enable them to vote by mail in the Sept. 1 primary and Nov. 3 general election — a first in Massachusetts .”
– “Healey And Walsh Back Expansion of Hate Crime Tracking,” by Mike Deehan, WGBH News: “Attorney General Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh are joining 19 social justice and civil rights organizations to call for more reporting of hate crimes in the US. At a press conference touting her support of the Khalid Jabara and Heather Heyer NO HATE Act currently before the U.S. Senate, Healey said prosecutors and law enforcement don't know enough about crimes motivated by hate towards someone's race, gender, sexual orientation or other personal characteristics.”
– “Spilka makes case for substance over process,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “In a wide-ranging interview on the CommonWealth Codcast, Senate President Karen Spilka kept returning to the theme of substance over process when it comes to legislation dealing with the state’s many pressing needs. She applauded the House, Senate, and governor’s office for working collaboratively on a budget for the coming fiscal year rather than following the traditional path of each branch of government doing their own spending plan.”
– “Substance use treatment changing at Plymouth prison,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “The Baker administration is removing correctional officers and expanding treatment programming at the troubled prison facility in Plymouth used to treat men civilly committed for substance use. The shift in approach follows a lawsuit alleging abusive treatment at the facility and a legislative committee recommending these men no longer be kept there.”
– “Libraries cautiously reopening to the public,” by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: “In the auditorium at Lawrence Public Library, hundreds of books are stacked on tables and sorted by the dates they were returned. Unlike check-out counters at grocery stores or turnstiles at MBTA stations, books can't be cleaned or disinfected after being handled without risking damage to the binding or paper, so they must be quarantined to prevent spread of the coronavirus.”
| FROM THE HUB |
– “Karilyn Crockett, of MIT, appointed head of city’s new equity and inclusion office,” by Milton J. Valencia and Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “Karilyn Crockett, an MIT lecturer who has previously worked in the administration of Mayor Martin J. Walsh, will head the city’s new equity and inclusion Cabinet-level office, which is being created to combat racial injustice and support marginalized communities in the city.”
– “‘Several’ Boston city councilors' homes vandalized after tense budget debate,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Vandals this weekend targeted the homes of eight city councilors who last week voted in favor of the city budget that was narrowly approved following calls to ‘defund the police.’ Councilors’ homes were plastered with mock report cards scoring them on their action over things like climate, equity, immigration, public safety and public transportation.”
– “In Boston, less than 5% of contract money goes to minority-owned firms,” by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: “Minority- and women-owned businesses receive approximately 7% of contract money awarded by the city of Boston, according to data released Monday by the Walsh administration. Despite recent reform initiatives, Boston remains far behind some other major cities. The city’s supplier diversity is the subject of a City Council hearing Monday.”
– “‘They are attacking South Boston residents'; community demands action on fireworks after complaints to Boston police increase by 5,543%” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Boston residents are being targeted, harassed and in some cases assaulted by groups of people wielding illegal fireworks, they testified during a meeting on Monday. ‘It’s getting to the point that they’re terrorizing the neighborhood,’ Mark McKunes, a resident of South Boston. ‘It’s no longer a nuisance — they are attacking South Boston residents.’”
– “Encore furloughs 3,000 workers as COVID-19 closure takes its toll,” by Andy Rosen, Boston Globe: “Encore Boston Harbor said Monday that it will furlough 3,000 more employees, taking on a major staff reduction even as the casino looks toward reopening amid a pandemic that has laid waste to the region’s hospitality industry.”
– “'Abysmal record': Ted Landsmark on Boston's real estate industry and race,” by Catherine Carlock, Boston Business Journal: “Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh in 2014 tapped Landsmark to serve on the board of the Boston Planning and Development Agency, one of the most influential decision-making bodies in Boston, approving offices, residential buildings and other developments across the city amid a building boom. Landsmark is the only Black member of the five-person board.”
– “MIT campus police union announces vote of no confidence in police chief and calls for independent review,” by Emily Sweeney, Boston Globe: “The union representing the Massachusetts Institute of Technology police announced a vote of no confidence in the police chief and is calling for an independent review of their department. On Monday the MIT Campus Police Association released a statement citing ‘an overall failure of leadership’ from Chief John DiFava and said that 31 of the union’s 38 members voted in favor of the no-confidence resolution.”
– “Young women are helming protests against racism in Boston. Here’s what they want you to know about the movement.” by Dialynn Dwyer, Boston.com: “Young people across the country have spearheaded weeks of protests against racism and police brutality, calling for changes in their cities and towns. Boston is no different. Here, young activists are responsible for leading demonstrations with thousands of protesters through the city and raising their voices to call for change.”
– “Harvard will drop policy targeting all-male ‘final clubs,'” by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: “Harvard said Monday that it will no longer enforce a ban on single-gender social clubs, after concluding that the prohibition would likely not withstand a legal challenge from a group of fraternities and sororities who had asked a federal judge just hours earlier to halt the policy. The policy bars Harvard students who are members of unrecognized single-sex social organizations from holding leadership positions in recognized student organizations and athletic teams.”
| PRIMARY SOURCES |
– “Fourth district congressional hopefuls sound off on issues,” by George W. Rhodes, Sun Chronicle: “The following Democrats running for the 4th Congressional District seat being vacated by Joseph Kennedy III have released these policy and position statements. The district includes the 10-community Sun Chronicle circulation area.”
– “South Coast lawmakers Haddad, Fiola back Auchincloss for Kennedy seat,” by Ted Nesi, WPRI: “Two prominent South Coast lawmakers are throwing their support behind Democrat Jake Auchincloss in the race to succeed Congressman Joe Kennedy III, giving the Newton city councilor a noteworthy boost in the region. Speaker Pro Tempore Pat Haddad, D-Somerset, and state Rep. Carole A. Fiola, D-Fall River, announced Tuesday they are endorsing Auchincloss for the 4th Congressional District seat ahead of the Sept. 1 primary.”
| PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
– “I-90 throat options keep coming,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack is trying to winnow down the number of options for how to replace the elevated Massachusetts Turnpike and other transportation infrastructure on the narrow strip of land between Boston University and the Charles River, but advocates keep pushing to expand the choices.”
| DAY IN COURT |
– “‘You have no authority to take this action’: Attorney for Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Superintendent Bennett Walsh disputes firing by Gov. Charlie Baker, health Secretary Marylou Sudders,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “The attorney for ousted Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Superintendent Bennett Walsh is disputing Walsh’s firing by the governor and state secretary of Health and Human Services, saying the decision should be left to the home’s Board of Trustees. Meanwhile, a Hampden Superior Court judge has denied a motion to move ahead with a hearing on Walsh’s bid to postpone a Board of Trustees meeting about his employment status.”
| WARREN REPORT |
– “Progressive groups urge Warren for vice president,” by David Siders, POLITICO: “Two national progressive groups will publish an open letter to Joe Biden today urging him to select Sen. Elizabeth Warren as his running mate, the latest in an effort by the Democratic Party’s left flank to push a progressive onto the ticket.”
– “Elizabeth Warren files bill to block evictions across the US,” by Tim Logan, Boston Globe: “Amid growing concern about a wave of evictions that could hit cities nationwide this summer and fall, Sen. Elizabeth Warren filed a bill Monday that would halt most rental evictions through at least March 2021. The Massachusetts Democrat said the measure is a necessary step to keep people in their homes during a public health crisis, which has also prompted a deep recession that has killed tens of millions of jobs in three months.”
| DATELINE D.C. |
– “Trump Administration to Give Congress Full PPP Loan Data,” The Associated Press: “Democratic Massachusetts Rep. Richard Neal, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, was one of the congressional oversight leaders who had pushed for the loan data from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza. The administration’s concession is ‘a step in the right direction,’ Neal spokesperson Erin Hatch said Friday, though Neal believes the names of all recipients should be made public.”
| MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE |
– “Where are all these fireworks coming from? New Hampshire, apparently,” by Andy Rosen and Gal Tziperman Lotan, Boston Globe: “There isn’t enough room in the parking lot of the Phantom Fireworks shop to fit all the cars rolling in to stock up on pyrotechnics. On a recent weekend afternoon, rows of vehicles — many with Massachusetts plates — were on the lawn next to the retail showroom, in a side-road business park.”
| ABOVE THE FOLD |
— Herald: “ROBBIN' HOOD," "VANDALS STRIKE,” — Globe: “High court strikes down abortion law," "Virus found to hit youth homes in state harder.”
| FROM THE 413 |
– “UMass: Undergrads with housing can return to campus this fall,” by Jacquelyn Voghel, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “An uncapped number of students will be allowed to live on campus at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the fall under strict public health guidelines, though the majority of classes will be taught remotely. Under the university’s fall 2020 plan, any undergraduate students who already reserved housing can return to campus, university officials announced Monday.”
– “Big E officials announce 2020 fair canceled due to coronavirus,” by Jeanette DeForge, Springfield Republican: “After months of back-and-forth debates with the city, the staff and trustees of the Eastern States Exposition are announcing that the Big E is being canceled over fears of spreading the coronavirus. The 17-day fair had been set to begin Sept. 18. It has been held every fall since 1916, with the exception of when it was put on hold during World War I and when it was canceled for five years during World War II.”
| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
– “City Council doesn’t ‘defund’ Brockton police, but trims overtime,” by Marc Larocque, Brockton Enterprise: “The 11-person City Council didn’t vote to ‘defund the police,’ as some were demanding during gatherings outside City Hall last week. However, they trimmed the police overtime budget and two councilors voted against Mayor Robert Sullivan’s $450 million budget entirely, citing 1,000 petitions from Brockton activists against the budget’s addition of 14 police recruits while teachers are being laid off.
– “Amid financial uncertainty, New Bedford City Council approves interim budgets for July, August,” by Kiernan Dunlop, SouthCoast Today: “City Council has approved interim budgets for the next two months that will let the city keep the lights on while the administration determines how the COVID-19 pandemic will impact the fiscal year 2021 annual budget. At Thursday’s night’s City Council meeting, the council approved a $38,724,983 interim budget for July and a $29,010,078 interim budget for August.”
– “Report cites slow progress fixing gas leaks,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “The state's aging natural gas pipelines are still riddled with thousands of potentially dangerous and damaging leaks, according to a new report. The report, compiled by environmental groups using data from publicly regulated utilities, found at least 15,728 gas leaks statewide at the end of 2019, some of them dating back several years.”
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY – to state Rep. Liz Miranda, who celebrated Monday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Plymouth County Register of Probate Matthew McDonough and Daniel Goldhagen.
NEW EPISODE: SCHOOLHOUSE ROCKED – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, hosts Jennifer Smith and Stephanie Murray speak with MassINC’s Maeve Duggan about a new poll on school reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic. 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.
POLITICO Magazine Justice Reform: The Prison Conditions Issue, presented by Verizon: The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the difference between “inside” and the rest of society. With crowding, inadequate funding and inconsistent medical care, prisons have become hotbeds of the outbreak ― with a heavy cost also paid on the outside. POLITICO Magazine's second Justice Reform package looks at movements to improve prisons and how the epidemic has affected them. READ THE FULL ISSUE.
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