GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Happy Monday! It’s good to be back in your inbox.
BAKER STUMPS MARKEY AND KENNEDY — The Sept. 1 primary is looming and a new vote-by-mail program is speeding up the election timeline. Against that backdrop, Rep. Joe Kennedy III and Sen. Ed Markey took the stage for their second-to-last Democratic primary debate last night.
For two candidates who have battled in deep blue Massachusetts for nearly a year over who is the more progressive Democrat, this one should have been an easy question: Does Republican Gov. Charlie Baker deserve a third term?
"Let's see where we are in 2022," Markey said. But would you vote for Baker if he runs again? "That depends on the field," Kennedy answered. Asked again during post-debate press conferences, both candidates said they don't see themselves voting for a Republican, but that it's too early to talk about 2022.
The reluctance to hit Baker came a day after the governor sat with Vice President Mike Pence to discuss the coronavirus pandemic, even as Kennedy and Markey have slammed the Trump administration for its relief efforts.
Markey and Kennedy dodging a question on whether they'd vote against a Republican — after calling for progressive policies like a Green New Deal and single-payer health care — seems bizarre, but it illustrates a quirk in Bay State politics. Baker's sky-high approval rating is actually better among Democrats than it is among Republicans, and a large share of the electorate is unenrolled.
‘YOU SHOULD DROP’: GLOVES OFF IN CONGRESSIONAL RACE — A two-hour debate between eight Democrats running to replace Rep. Joe Kennedy III ended in a fiery exchange last night, in which one candidate called for another to drop out of the race.
Newton City Councilor Jake Auchincloss took much of the heat from his opponents. Auchincloss was slammed for equating the Confederate flag to a Black Lives Matter banner in 2016, after students flew the symbol at a Newton school. The incident is one he would handle differently now, he said, adding that his privilege as a white man allowed him to see what happened as a free speech issue. And Auchincloss also drew fire when he addressed being dropped by the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge last week for refusing to return a donation.
Auchincloss said the pledge lost its credibility because Ihssane Leckey, a former Wall Street regulator who took the pledge, self-funded her campaign using her and her husband's life savings, and he works at the energy trading company Boston Energy Trading and Marketing. Auchincloss suggested Leckey's self-funding went against the pledge, and Leckey called on Auchincloss to “stop lying.”
"Jake, you should drop," Leckey said. Her campaign said later that she and her husband, Sean Leckey, don't own individual fossil fuel stocks or assets.
Auchincloss is about to take more criticism, this time from a group affiliated with the Democratic political action committee EMILY's List, which supports women candidates but has not endorsed in the 4th District race. Women Vote! is spending money on digital ads attacking Auchincloss and City Year co-founder Alan Khazei, according to an FEC filing . The short video spots say "We just can't trust," Auchincloss and Khazei to "protect reproductive freedom."
Khazei's campaign is calling for the group to take down the ad and issue an apology, while the Auchincloss campaign called the ad "baseless." Both candidates pointed to support from women who have endorsed them. EMILY's List did not respond to a request for comment.
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: AXELROD TO HEADLINE LESSER FUNDRAISER — State Sen. Eric Lesser will raise money with David Axelrod, former senior adviser to President Barack Obama, in a virtual fundraiser next month.
Lesser worked closely with Axelrod in the Obama Administration, and the duo were the subject of a New York Times story in 2009. "We will preview the Democratic National Convention and reminisce about the Obama White House!" an invitation shared with POLITICO reads. The Aug. 13 fundraiser suggests donations ranging from $50 to $1,000.
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 | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
– “Massachusetts reports 19 new coronavirus deaths, 273 COVID-19 cases on Sunday,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts health officials announced 19 more people have died from coronavirus, bringing the statewide death count to 8,310 since the pandemic began. State Department of Public Health officials also confirmed an additional 273 cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the commonwealth to at least 108,380.”
| DATELINE BEACON HILL |
– “Massachusetts House passes sweeping police reform bill; lawmakers still face opposition on qualified immunity,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “A massive police reform bill that would create a police certification process with civilian oversight, ban choke holds and restrict “no-knock” warrants is a step closer to becoming law in Massachusetts. After three days of debate over use of force standards, qualified immunity and supervisory powers, the Massachusetts House passed the police reform bill, 93 to 66 — a smaller margin than votes on previous landmark bills, legislators say.”
– “Lawmakers may stretch Beacon Hill's calendar,” by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: “The state Legislature is entering the final days of its two-year session with a mountain of unfinished business and a growing number of calls to extend its schedule. While the session ends Dec. 31, the state House and Senate traditionally wrap up formal sessions by July 31, giving lawmakers a break to run for reelection. But with the state budget nearly a month late, and a host of other major pieces of legislation hung up in deliberations, some are suggesting lawmakers should stay put.”
– “What remote learning will look like this fall for Massachusetts students as state reveals new guidelines,” by Michelle Williams, MassLive.com: “Remote learning for school-aged children this fall will look significantly different from remote learning offered by Massachusetts school districts this past spring. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released guidance Friday regarding remote learning.”
– “Think tank slams Charlie Baker’s ‘hands-off’ approach on reopening schools,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “A new report slams Gov. Charlie Baker’s ‘hands-off’ approach to reopening schools and recommends the state to give more direct and concrete guidance to local districts. ‘The state’s approach to reopening the schools too closely resembles President Trump’s often too hands-off COVID-19 response,’ Pioneer Institute Executive Director Jim Stergios said in a statement.”
– “Telehealth is burgeoning, but how to pay for it?” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Since the coronavirus pandemic hit, going to a doctor’s appointment for many people has looked similar to going to work or visiting a parent: Go to a computer, log onto a video screen, and talk. As telehealth explodes in popularity – and has the potential to become a much larger part of the future health care landscape –– a major question that is emerging is how to pay for it.”
– “Juneteenth Officially Recognized As Mass. Holiday,” by Derek J. Anderson, WBUR: “The state of Massachusetts has recognized June 19 as an annual state holiday — Juneteenth Independence Day. Long fought for by activists to become officially observed, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The amendment to observe Juneteenth as an official holiday in Mass. came when Rep. Bud Williams of Springfield added it to a COVID-19 spending bill (H 4808). Gov. Charlie Baker signed the bill Friday morning.”
– “They'll drink to that: Cocktail takeout bill gets cheers from restaurant owners,” by Bill Kirk, Eagle-Tribune: “As the COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged the health of millions and caused economic calamity across the planet, few businesses have been hit harder than bars and restaurants. Under the phased reopening of the economy as ordered by Gov. Charlie Baker's administration, eateries, now opening with limited capacity and enhanced outdoor seating, could serve wine and beer with takeout meals as of a few weeks ago. But mixed drinks were not allowed — until Monday.”
– “What about the back rent?” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “The extension this week by Gov. Charlie Baker of a statewide eviction moratorium to mid-October provides two more months of breathing room for tenants. The eviction freeze, put in place in April to respond to the surge in unemployment from the coronavirus shutdown of the economy, had been due to expire on August 18. But as the months of pandemic-related disruption drag on, tenants are accruing thousands of dollars of debt.”
– “Baker launches tougher ‘honor’ system for travelers,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday announced tougher-sounding restrictions on nearly all travelers entering the state from outside the region, requiring them to quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test taken within the previous three days. The order, which takes effect August 1, is very similar to voluntary restrictions already in place, but it comes with a new form to be filled out and a $500-a-day fine for noncompliance.”
| FROM THE HUB |
– “Dorm rooms at the Westin? Hotels and universities are teaming up to offer socially distanced student housing,” by Tim Logan, Boston Globe: “As Boston’s universities and hotels both find themselves wrestling with the realities of life with coronavirus, some of them are teaming up to house students in a socially distanced fashion. Three schools — Northeastern, Suffolk, and the New England Conservatory — have asked the Walsh administration for approval to lease floors of hotels and ― in some cases ― entire hotels for use as dorms.”
– “As Tatte promises change, protesters demonstrate at a cafe in Brookline,” by Gal Tziperman Lotan, Boston Globe: “After the founder of the local bakery and cafe chain Tatte publicly acknowledged she was stepping down as chief executive, a small group of protesters gathered quietly at the company’s first location, on Beacon Street, to raise awareness of employees’ allegations of racism and mistreatment.”
– “The Roxbury Love Mural Has Been Destroyed to Make Way for an Apartment Complex,” by Alyssa Vaughn, Boston Magazine: “In 2014, graffiti artist and designer Ricardo Gomez, better known as Deme5, finally got the green light to start production on a major community project—a massive, 17×100 foot spray painted mural of Nelson Mandela on Warren Street in Roxbury. After just four days, Deme5, along with artist Thomas ‘Kwest’ Burns, finished their project, and Roxbury officially had a new landmark.”
– “Boston is usually undercounted in the census. This year may be worse.” by Zoe Greenberg, Boston Globe: “The year 2020 was supposed to be a big deal, census-wise, one that officials had been planning for a decade. There would be electronic forms! Outreach in libraries and churches! Passion for getting counted! In 2020, the hot topic would be the US Census. Then a few other things happened.”
– “City investigating after photos of crowded Boston Harbor party cruise circulate on social media,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “City inspectors are planning a site visit after photos of a crowded party boat setting sail from Boston Harbor on Saturday night circulated on social media, causing concern that the company was not following social distancing and mask-wearing orders amid the coronavirus pandemic.”
– “Famous Harvard statue sprayed with ‘devil worship’ graffiti,” by Maysoon Khan, Boston Globe: “Harvard University’s famous John Harvard statue was sprayed with the words ‘devil worship’, officials confirmed Sunday evening. The act of vandalism was reported to Harvard University police Saturday morning, Jason Newton, a spokesperson for the university, confirmed in an e-mail Sunday evening.”
| PRIMARY SOURCES |
– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: “Wellesley Board Of Selectmen Member Lise Olney Endorses Dr. Natalia Linos,” from the Linos campaign: “Dr. Natalia Linos is excited to announce an endorsement from Lise Olney, a member of the Wellesley Board of Selectmen. ‘I’m pleased to endorse Dr. Natalia Linos to represent our district in the U.S. Congress. Natalia has stepped up to serve at a time when we urgently need her scientific expertise and her deep experience in the field of public health,” Olney said.
– “A super PAC took nearly $40,000 from a candidate’s parents. ‘It wouldn’t be surprising’ if it helped him,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “It has yet to report any significant purchases or release a press statement. But a super PAC funded, in part, by the parents of a Fourth Congressional District candidate is raising the specter of outside groups wading into the crowded Democratic primary. The group, dubbed the Experienced Leadership Matters PAC, reported this month raising nearly $90,000, almost half of which came from the parents of Jake Auchincloss, one of nine Democrats running for the seat being vacated by Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III.”
– “Ed Markey ‘ain’t no Bernie.’ But left-wing groups are rallying behind him all the same,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “When Sen. Ed Markey first announced his plans to run for re-election in 2020, there was no dank meme stash. Despite serving in Congress for more than four-and-a-half decades, the Malden Democrat was referred to somewhat derisively as the ‘other senator’ from Massachusetts.”
– “U.S. Senate debate: Sen. Ed Markey pledges to provide travel data as Rep. Joe Kennedy III presses him on time away from Massachusetts,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy refueled a familiar fire before Sunday night’s debate with Sen. Ed Markey even began, with the congressman’s campaign sending out a news release labeled ‘Missing Markey,’ including several bullet points alleging minimal appearances or legislative wins by Markey in dozens of Massachusetts communities.”
| PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
– “MBTA ahead of schedule, spending amid coronavirus shutdowns, GM says,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The MBTA has used the coronavirus shutdowns to end up ahead of schedule and spending expectations for its infrastructure projects, General Manager Steve Poftak said as he left the door open to more. ‘We’ve been able to take advantage of this period of lower ridership,’ Poftak told the Herald in an interview this week.”
| TRUMPACHUSETTS |
– “Pence, Gov. Baker meet on Nantucket to talk virus response,” by Philip Marcelo, The Associated Press: “Vice President Mike Pence met briefly Saturday with Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker while Pence visited the famous island getaway of Nantucket to headline a $25,000-ticket fundraiser for President Donald Trump administration’s reelection campaign. Pence, who heads the White House's Coronavirus Task Force, praised Baker's efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, which has among the highest death tolls from the virus in the nation, at more than 8,200.”
| ABOVE THE FOLD |
— Herald: “HEAT IS HERE!" "MIRACULOUS MOLECULE,” — Globe: “Ultraviolet device gets new look in virus fight," "White House shifts stand on stimulus.”
| FROM THE 413 |
– “‘One of the worst police departments in the country’: Reign of brutality brings a reckoning in Springfield,” by Dugan Arnett and Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: “It was the city’s worst-kept secret, an unspoken understanding between the local narcotics unit and people on the streets they policed. If you run from the cops, a former narcotics officer with the Springfield Police Department told federal investigators, you ‘get a beat down.’”
– “Amherst officials hear concerns on student partying,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “College-age people coming together for parties and cookouts at off-campus rentals are a regular occurrence in Amherst during the weeks of mild weather at the start of the fall semester. But in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the possibility of as many University of Massachusetts students living in town even as most classes are taught remotely, both the police and inspections departments are preparing for a surge of complaints from residents concerned about the spread of infection.”
| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
– “Issues have come up in the past, but the Algonquin Tomahawks name still lives on,” by Ethan Winter, MetroWest Daily News: “Last month, a petition on Change.org created by the group ‘Students for Justice’ emerged asking the Northborough-Southborough Regional School Committee to change the name of Algonquin Regional High School and the name of its sports teams, the Tomahawks. That petition has generated nearly 3,000 signatures.”
| MEDIA MATTERS |
– “The last run: Gazette ceases in-house printing, distribution,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “After nearly 235 years of the Daily Hampshire Gazette being printed in Northampton, the last edition will come off the press at the newspaper’s 115 Conz St. headquarters Monday night. Beginning Tuesday, the printing of the Gazette, as well as sister papers the Greenfield Recorder and Athol Daily News and the weekly Amherst Bulletin, will be done at a Gannett Co. Inc. press in Auburn.”
REMEMBERING ED ANSIN … via Boston Globe: “Ed Ansin — the longtime owner of WHDH-TV (Channel 7) who shook up Boston television with flashy graphics and a breaking news style that has become the norm — died Sunday at his Miami home. He was 84.” Link.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Linda Feldmann and Miles Ketchum.
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