GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: CASH KEEPS FLOWING IN CONGRESSIONAL RACE — Several of the candidates running to replace Rep. Joe Kennedy III are releasing their campaign fundraising hauls this morning. The new numbers come after the second quarter of the year wrapped up on Tuesday, and show contributions were still flowing as the coronavirus pandemic slammed the economy this spring.
The state's Democratic primary is only 62 days away. Campaigns are required to report their quarterly totals to the Federal Election Commission by July 15, but some are giving an early look into their campaign bank accounts today.
Democratic socialist and former Wall Street regulator Ihssane Leckey raised over 16 times more money this quarter than she did in the first part of the year. Leckey will report raising $710,000 over the last three months, after she only raised $44,000 in the first part of the year. Leckey is backed by Brand New Congress, a group affiliated with Justice Democrats, which saw success in Democratic primaries in June. Leckey has $714,000 in cash on hand, according to her campaign.
Two candidates with the largest war chests — Newton City Councilor Jake Auchincloss and City Year co-founder Alan Khazei — each have more than $1 million in cash on hand. Auchincloss raised $288,000 in funds marked for the primary this quarter and has $1.16 million in cash on hand for the primary, his campaign said. Khazei says he raised $544,000 and has $804,000 in cash on hand for the primary, and has $1.15 million in cash on hand overall. Over the course of his campaign, Khazei says he has collected $1.6 million from more than 2,670 individual contributors.
Among candidates who entered the race more recently, tech entrepreneur Chris Zannetos raised $638,000 this quarter, and Dr. Natalia Linos raised more than $200,000 since she entered the race a little more than a month ago.
EXCLUSIVE: MARKEY, WARREN AND SANDERS FILE BILL TO END QUALIFIED IMMUNITY — A trio of Democratic senators will file a bill to end qualified immunity for police today. Sens. Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders are teaming up on the legislation, according to Markey's office. Rep. Ayanna Pressley first introduced the qualified immunity bill in the House with Michigan Rep. Justin Amash, a Libertarian, last month.
The bill would end qualified immunity for public officials that violate constitutional rights, which Markey calls a "dangerous judicial doctrine." The legislation comes after the death of George Floyd, who was killed by police in Minneapolis in May. Floyd's death was captured on video, and has sparked a national wave of protest against police brutality.
Qualified immunity protects members of law enforcement from being sued in their personal capacity for using excessive force. Markey previously filed a resolution to end qualified immunity with New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and California Sen. Kamala Harris at the beginning of June.
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: SALEM MAYOR: WE 'CAN'T SETTLE FOR THE STATUS QUO' — Rep. Joe Kennedy III's campaign for Senate is releasing a new video featuring Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll this morning, where she cautions that the state "just can’t settle for the status quo anymore."
"He’ll do more for my city and do more for Massachusetts, not just today but every day," Driscoll says of Kennedy in the video. Driscoll endorsed Kennedy over incumbent Sen. Ed Markey last fall. The video.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Massachusetts Playbook will not publish Friday, July 3 or Monday, July 6. The newsletter will be back in your inbox Tuesday, July 7.
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TODAY — State Rep. Nika Elugardo, Boston City Council President Kim Janey, City Councilor Michelle Wu and Brookline Select Board member Raul Fernandez speak at a press conference on transit equity at Nubian Station. Sen. Ed Markey speaks at a car rally hosted by SEIU 509 in Marlborough. The House is expected to vote on the “Moving Forward Act,” which includes a plan to modernize RMV data from Rep. Seth Moulton.
LISTEN IN FOR CRITICAL NEWS AND NEEDED CONTEXT IN 15 MINUTES OR LESS: The nation is moving through the phases to reopen as Sunbelt states face a spike in coronavirus cases. Americans are demanding action to address racial injustice and police reform. Tens of millions remain out of work, and election season is upon us. Struggling to keep up with the never-ending news cycle? Keep up to speed with the essential news of the day with POLITICO Dispatch, a short, daily podcast that cuts through the news clutter. Subscribe today.
 | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
– “Zero new coronavirus deaths reported in Massachusetts on Tuesday,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “Massachusetts health officials on Tuesday reported no new coronavirus deaths for the first time in more than three months, as hospitalizations continued to decline and the testing rate kept trending in a positive direction. It’s the first day since March that the Bay State did not report any new deaths tied to coronavirus.”
| DATELINE BEACON HILL |
– “Baker relaxes Mass. travel advisory for people arriving from nearby states,” by Martin Finucane, Jaclyn Reiss and Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Governor Charlie Baker said Tuesday he was relaxing the state’s 14-day self-quarantine guidance for potentially millions of out-of-state visitors, exempting people arriving from seven other states in the Northeast that are making progress in the battle against the coronavirus.”
– “New bill would extend eviction moratorium by a year,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “Revere resident Dolores De Blass has lived in the same apartment for 11 years and never had a problem making the $2,000-a-month rent, but then COVID-19 came along. De Blass, her husband, her sister, son, and two daughters all tested positive in April. De Blass was in intensive care twice, and her sister was in a medically induced coma for two weeks from the virus. Between the illness and unemployment, the family was still able to pay the rent for April and May but they are $1,000 short for June.”
– “Gov. Baker announces $20 million in rental, mortgage assistance during coronavirus pandemic, but no decision on extending eviction moratorium,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “The Baker administration on Tuesday announced an emergency housing program that would offer to $20 million in rental and mortgage assistance during the coronavirus pandemic. When asked about the looming expiration date of the eviction moratorium, however, Gov. Charlie Baker said he hasn’t decided whether to extend it or let the restrictions lift after Aug. 18 .”
– “Suffolk DA Rollins: We Need To Hear More Rank And File Officers Condemn Police Brutality And Systemic Racism,” by Zoe Mathews, WGBH News: “Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins isn't a ‘shrinking violet,’ she said on Boston Public Radio on Tuesday, and she doesn't want rank and file police officers to be either, especially when it comes to condemning systemic racism and holding fellow officers accountable. Rollins has commended Boston Police Commissioner William Gross for his statements in the wake of George Floyd's killing by a police officer, and has offered her support for men and women in uniform during media appearances since then.”
– “’Every mother counts’: Massachusetts House passes bill to study racial disparities in maternal health,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “For Rep. Miranda, a Black Democrat representing the fifth Suffolk District, the maternal health bill she filed is personal. ...The House unanimously passed the bill Miranda filed with Rep. Kay Khan and Sen. Cynthia Creem, two Newton Democrats. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.”
– “Holyoke Soldiers’ Home superintendent strikes back at efforts to fire him after deadly coronavirus outbreak,” by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: “The superintendent of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home is resisting the Baker administration’s attempt to fire him after the release of a devastating report on the facility’s handling of a deadly coronavirus outbreak. Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders sent a letter to Bennett Walsh, the suspended head of the Holyoke facility, terminating his employment when the report was made public last Wednesday.”
| FROM THE HUB |
– “Dorchester’s Karilyn Crockett is ready to lead the fight for equity,” by Adrian Walker, Boston Globe: “The first thing to know about Karilyn Crockett — Boston’s newly appointed equity chief — is that she is not remotely afraid of the firestorm she is walking into. ‘You don’t take a role like this thinking it’s going to be all nice and people are going to like you,’ Crockett said Tuesday. ‘In fact, it’s the opposite. And I welcome that — I welcome that challenge, that critique. Because in the end, I know that’s how we get something better.’”
– “Boston Art Commission Votes To Remove Emancipation Memorial From Park Square,” by Cristela Guerra, WBUR: “Members of the Boston Art Commission voted unanimously to remove Boston’s copy of Thomas Ball's ‘Emancipation Memorial’ sculpture, which portrays an enslaved man kneeling at the feet of Abraham Lincoln. After nearly two hours of public comment Tuesday night, with people arguing both for and against keeping the statue, the board charged its staff to look at next steps for the sculpture, including where to store it temporarily and what could replace it.”
– “Boston Schools appoint new chief of safety services,” by Alexi Cohan, Boston Herald: “A longtime veteran of the Boston Police Department will take over as chief of safety services with Boston Public Schools and will work to keep students and staff safe during and after school hours. Chief Neva Coakley-Grice had a long professional career with Boston Police and worked with students throughout her tenure, according to an announcement from BPS.”
– “US immigration agency to furlough workers,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “Across the nation, more than two-thirds of the 20,000 employees of a federal immigration services agency have been notified that they are likely to be furloughed for a minimum of 30 consecutive days and as long as three months starting August 3. US Citizenship and Immigration Services, which has offices in Boston and Lawrence, is charged with processing immigrant visa petitions as well as naturalization, green card, asylum, and refugee applications.”
– “After ‘Back The Blue’ Rally Backs Down, Anti-Racism Group Is Formed In Allston-Brighton,” by Tori Bedford, WGBH News: “What began as a counter-protest to a ‘Back the Blue’ pro-police demonstration in Brighton Tuesday became a rally exclusively in support of Black Lives Matter, organized by Allston Brighton For Justice, a new neighborhood advocacy organization. ‘Our community needs to uphold messages of the importance of black lives and the harms of police brutality,’ organizer Christine Varriale said.”
– “Dorchester nonprofit defends layoffs following Patriots-studded fundraiser,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “During a game last December against the Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty took the field in red-and-white cleats promoting a cause that he says is ‘probably not popular with the rest of our country.’ The unique cause, Boston Uncornered, is a ‘corner to college’ initiative run by the nonprofit College Bound Dorchester that works to help young gang members earn a college degree.”
– “Mayor Walsh has a message for Southie beachgoers: ‘Somebody’s front lawn is not a bathroom,’” by Brittany Bowker, Boston Globe: “South Boston’s M Street beach is seeing a steady stream of locals looking to escape the heat. But across the road, neighbors are apparently seeing a steady stream of something else. With the Curley Community Center closed due to both COVID-19 and renovations, so are public restrooms at the popular, often-packed, quarter-mile stretch of beach. But when people gotta go, they gotta go — so they’ve been going.”
– “Activists demand Pride board overhaul,” by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: “A group of LGBTQ volunteers is demanding an overhaul of the board that organizes the annual Boston Pride parade, accusing the current leadership of white privilege and insensitivity to the public unrest that erupted over police killings of Black people. The volunteers resigned and called for entirely new leadership that includes queer, transgender, Black and indigenous people, and other people of color, by Aug. 31.”
| PRIMARY SOURCES |
– “Representative Chynah Tyler endorses Brandy Fluker Oakley for state representative,” from the Oakley campaign: “ Brandy Fluker Oakley, a former teacher, public defender, and community leader, has been endorsed by State Representative Chynah Tyler (D-Roxbury), marking the first elected official endorsement in the State Representative race. Fluker Oakley, a Mattapan Democrat, is a candidate for State Representative for the 12th Suffolk District. The seat, which is being vacated by Representative Dan Cullinane, will be decided on September 1."
| PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
– “MBTA says its board members did not violate open meeting law over police protest decision,” by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: “The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority on Tuesday said its board of directors did not violate the state’s open meeting law earlier this June when members directed the agency to stop providing buses to shuttle police to protest sites amid the George Floyd demonstrations.”
| ABOVE THE FOLD |
— Herald: “Zero! No new COVID deaths in Mass. for first time since pandemic began,” — Globe: “Infections may hit 100,000 per day, Fauci warns; BPD backsliding on diversity; Strong bias against Black renters seen.”
| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
– “Safety experts say New Bedford orders on fish houses and other industrial facilities could set national standard on COVID-19,” by Nadine Sebai, The Public's Radio: “Throughout the pandemic, workplace advocates worried that New Bedford’s seafood processing industry would be the next industrial COVID-19 hotspot, like the meat processing plants of the Midwest. That hasn’t happened, and the city has developed safety protocols for the manufacturing industry that some experts say should be a model for workplaces across the country. Early indicators are promising, but there are big questions about the city’s ability to enforce them.”
– “Braintree’s ‘Wamp’ mascot debated, slammed as ‘extremely distasteful,’” by Fred Hanson, The Patriot Ledger: “The future of the Wamp as the symbol of Braintree High School is the subject of opposing petition drives. At its Monday night meeting, the school committee acknowledged receiving a petition asking that the name be replaced. Started June 10, the change.org petition has collected more than 3,400 signatures.”
– “Two arrested at June 1 protest allege police improperly seized phones,” by Brad Petrishen, Telegram & Gazette: “Two city men arrested during the chaotic June 1 protest in Main South allege police improperly seized their phones, with one alleging a livestream video indicates that an officer pocketed an expensive phone he says he never saw again. Javier Amarat, 24, alleges police never returned his phone, while Richard Cummings, 44, alleges police seized his phone and deleted at least one video.”
– “Massachusetts town plans Fourth of July celebration amid coronavirus pandemic, ignoring state order,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “Leaders of a Worcester County town vow that they’re moving ahead with a Fourth of July celebration that defies the Massachusetts coronavirus reopening plan, but local health officials hope the state will step in to cancel the event. While cities and towns across the Bay State call off holiday gatherings, North Brookfield is planning a Fourth of July parade, day-long activities on the town common, music, food, drinks and a patriotic laser light show at night.”
| MEDIA MATTERS |
– “Boston Globe workers plan to mark 18 months without a contract,” by Don Seiffert, Boston Business Journal: “The Boston Newspaper Guild on Wednesday plans to hold a video meeting with its 300 or so members who are newsroom and business-side employees at the Boston Globe to mark 18 months since the last contract expired.”
– “Vinay Mehra departs as president of Boston Globe,” by Tim Logan, Boston Globe: “Boston Globe Media Partners president Vinay Mehra left the company on Tuesday, ending a three-year run overseeing day-to-day operations at New England’s largest news organization. Linda Henry, managing director of BGMP, announced the departure in a short e-mail to the organization late Tuesday afternoon, saying his departure was immediate. No successor was named.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Tara Healey, who runs Attorney General Maura Healey’s campaign committee (h/t Diane Masters).
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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