| | |  | BY STEPHANIE MURRAY | Presented by Masterworks | GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. BAKER WARY OF RANKED CHOICE VOTING — Gov. Charlie Baker finally weighed in on the 2020 ballot question that would bring ranked choice voting to Massachusetts. Just a week ahead of the election, Baker announced he opposes the ranked choice voting initiative . Baker expressed concerns that ranked choice voting would "add an additional layer of complication for both voters and election officials" in a statement with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. The Massachusetts Republican Party has also come out against ranked choice voting. Baker's decision to weigh in on Question 2 is noteworthy, particularly because he doesn't always declare electoral positions. The governor has not said whether he'll cast a ballot in the presidential race, for example, saying only that he will not vote for President Donald Trump. The ballot question would significantly overhaul the way elections and campaigns work in Massachusetts. And if voters approve it, the first year ranked choice voting would start is 2022 — when Baker will be up for reelection if he decides to seek a third term. Just a day before Baker weighed in, a UMass Amherst/WCVB poll showed Massachusetts voters were leaning toward ranked choice voting. The poll found 48% of likely voters said they'd vote yes on the ballot question, while 43% were opposed. That's a shift from a MassINC/WBUR poll conducted over the summer, which found more than a quarter of voters were undecided, and an equal number of voters (36%) were for and against the proposal. Now that the state's most popular politician has declared his stance, it could have an impact. But Baker's opposition to Question 2 is likely to be blunted by the popularity of early voting in the Bay State. Baker's statement came after more than 1.7 million people had already voted early. The ballot question has also become a more clearly partisan issue in recent weeks, especially with 2022 on the horizon. The Yes on 2 campaign highlighted its support from the Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Ed Markey, Attorney General Maura Healey, and a slew of state lawmakers and local newspapers. To be sure, ranked choice voting has some Republican backers, including former Gov. Bill Weld. Some Democrats were quick to point out yesterday that Baker was elected to his first term against Democrat Martha Coakley with less than 50% of the vote. Under a ranked choice voting system, votes for the three lesser-known candidates who ran in the 2014 would have been reallocated to second-choice candidates, meaning the outcome may have been different. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. ELECTIONLAND: POLITICO is partnering with Electionland , a ProPublica project that works with newsrooms to track voting issues around the country. The Electionland project covers problems that prevent eligible voters from casting their ballots during the 2020 elections. We’re part of a coalition of newsrooms around the country that are investigating issues related to voter registration, pandemic-related changes to voting, the shift to vote-by-mail, cybersecurity, voter education, misinformation, and more. Tell us here if you’re having trouble voting. | |
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| | HAPPENING THURSDAY - CONFRONTING INEQUALITY IN AMERICA: On Thursday, Oct. 29, POLITICO Live is convening physicians, advocates, and policymakers for its second town hall in the Confronting Inequality in America series. Join the group to discuss the policy and public health solutions needed to solve the inequalities in the U.S. health care system that have a disproportionate impact on Black and other patients of color. REGISTER HERE TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION. | | | | | |  | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
| – “Massachusetts reports 1,025 new COVID cases as updated numbers show 33% increase last week,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “State health officials confirmed another 1,025 coronavirus cases on Tuesday, bringing the statewide tally to just shy over 150,000. That’s based on 13,727 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health. Officials also announced another seven COVID-related fatalities, bringing the total number of deaths to 9,664 since the start of the pandemic.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “‘Stop hosting big parties,’ Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker says as larger share of young people make up COVID-19 cases,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “In April, most of those who fell ill with the coronavirus were older residents. In fact, those over 60 alone represented 42% of cases. Those under age 30 made up less than half of that, about 15%. Six months later, the trends have flipped. Older residents, who tend to be higher risk for the virus, represent under 20%. Those under age 30, who tend to suffer mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, make up 37%.” – “MCAS exams coming in spring, education officials say,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “Top Massachusetts education officials on Tuesday insisted MCAS exams will be held next spring and urged districts to conduct in-person learning even if they are located in communities at high risk for COVID-19 – as long as there is no evidence the transmission is occurring in schools.” – “State denies senator’s request for public comment on draft school funding report,” by Jim Russell, Springfield Republican: “The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has denied a request from Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) for more transparency related to potential recommendations involving the Chapter 70 school funding formula, related to a report the agency is working on. The Chapter 70 law authorizes, and the state provides, billions of dollars annually to public school districts across Massachusetts.” – “More than one-third of Massachusetts voters have cast their ballots for the 2020 elections, mostly by mail,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Election clerks across Massachusetts have received more than 1.8 million ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 election, making up more than one-third voters. Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin’s office reported 39.3% of registered voters have cast their ballots as of Monday’s report. The number of people who have voted is equivalent to 54.2% of ballots cast in the 2016 election, where Republican Donald Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton.” – “Blind And Visually Impaired Mass. Voters Worry About Disenfranchisement Due To Mail-In Voting,” by Stella Lorence, GBH News: “The Help America Vote Act, which requires that all polling places have at least one accessible voting machine, was only passed in 2002. But even in the 18 years since, advocates say that blind people often have to politely but firmly remind poll workers of their right to vote privately and independently via an accessible machine.” – “The cameras are rolling again in Massachusetts, with new rules for COVID-19,” by Meredith Goldstein, Boston Globe: “Back in the before times, when residents roamed Greater Boston without masks or restrictions, locals were used to seeing parked production trucks, yellow signs designating filming locations, and, occasionally, a movie star shooting an outdoor scene or having dinner after a day on set. Then, like most other things, those sightings stopped. Everything stopped.” | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “No Symptoms? Boston Mayor Walsh Says Get a COVID-19 Test Anyway,” by Craig LeMoult, GBH News: “Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is encouraging all city residents to get tested for coronavirus, even if they have no symptoms. ‘Getting tested is how we keep families and yourself safe,’ Walsh said in a Tuesday interview with GBH News. ‘It's also how we track the presence of the virus in our communities and it helps us focus on our responses [and] where they're needed.’ The city has set up free mobile testing sites for asymptomatic people in Central Square Park in East Boston and Nubian Square in Roxbury.” – “Boston Supt. said some students could return to school Thursday, statement quickly walked back,” by Alexi Cohan, Boston Herald: “Boston Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said some students could be going back to school as early as Thursday, a statement that prompted surprise from BTU president Jessica Tang, and was quickly walked back. ‘Currently we are working on plans right now for students to come back — for our day school students to come back this Thursday because we think that we can do it safely and we are going to put in additional safety precautions for them to do so,’ said Cassellius during a Tuesday city council hearing.” – “For Catholic schools, class is in session — and in person,” by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: “While the school year has been upended for thousands of public school students across the state, Corrin Stokes’s school day this fall looked largely the same as it did last year. After donning her school uniform and eating breakfast, the friendly 7-year-old hops in the car with her mother, Arleaya Martin, for the drive from their home in Dorchester to Mission Grammar School, where she’s a second-grader.” – “State parking meter plan in Fenway, Revere draws opposition,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Frustrated residents and officials in Boston and Revere say the state’s plan to meter more than 1,000 spaces has ignored local concerns and will place an unfair burden on neighbors. ‘This is DCR trying to monetize an asset, but the asset that’s really being monetized in this case is really just the Fenway neighborhood itself, City Councilor Kenzie Bok, who represents the area, told the Herald.” – “Raytheon to shrink office space in push for 'huge savings,'” by Lucia Maffei, Boston Business Journal: “Raytheon Technologies Corp. is planning to shrink its office space even more than originally planned. The Waltham-based aerospace and defense company (NYSE: RTX), one of the largest employers in Massachusetts, reported earnings on Tuesday. CEO Gregory Hayes gave analysts an update on the previously announced plan to reduce $2 billion in costs this year and save $4 billion in cash as the pandemic crushes airline travel, which resulted in thousands of job cuts.” – “Let the light in!” by Yawu Miller, Bay State Banner: “Now called the Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library, the building is at the tail end of a $17 million renovation that has transformed every corner. The branch opened for to-go service Monday after more than a year of reconstruction. Mayor Martin Walsh said the renovation has helped accentuate the library’s focus on African American literature and workforce development.” – “Health care workers for the elderly need to get flu vaccinations. But why aren’t more of them doing that?” by Kay Lazar, Boston Globe: “Each year, hundreds of workers who care for some of Massachusetts’ most vulnerable residents, including those in nursing homes and dialysis centers, fail to get a flu shot. Now a push is on for them to get vaccinated under a new state mandate that seeks to head off a devastating ‘twindemic’ of flu and COVID-19.” – “Somerville to launch charter review,” by John Laidler, Boston Globe: “Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and City Council President Matt McLaughlin recently announced that the city will be undertaking a comprehensive review of its charter, the document that outlines the structure of its government. The review began Oct. 22 when the council appropriated funds to contract with a technical expert to guide the process, and to hire a staff member to manage the effort.” | | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
| – “Coronavirus Testing Starts At Boston Logan Airport,” by Zeninjor Enwemeka, WBUR: “Travelers will soon be able to get tested for the coronavirus at Boston's Logan Airport. Health and wellness company XpresSpa Group is opening a testing facility Wednesday in Terminal E, according to company CEO Doug Satzman.” | | DAY IN COURT |
| – “SJC: Insurers don’t have to cover medical marijuana,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Massachusetts insurers cannot be required to cover medical marijuana expenses, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled Tuesday. The SJC upheld the ruling of a Department of Industrial Accidents’ board, which found that a workers’ compensation policy does not have to cover medical marijuana expenses for a man injured on the job.” – “Rachel Rollins says prosecutors will fight bail for those charged with firearm offenses,” by Christopher Gavin, Boston.com: “Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said Monday prosecutors will push to hold defendants charged with firearms offenses without bail as Boston sees a high rate of gun violence this year. ‘What we want people to know is there has been a significant uptick in dangerousness hearings that we have been pursuing regarding gun violence, meaning you will not be let out up until your trial,’ Rollins said.” – “Former police captain Philip Cooke pleads guilty to cyberstalking Massachusetts couple; Employees sent victims bloody pig mask, insects and porn,” by Douglas Hook, MassLive.com: “Philip Cooke, a former eBay employee, pleaded guilty to sending disturbing items - including a bloody pig mask and pig fetus - as well as cyberstalking a Natick couple that published a newsletter critical of eBay. Fifty-five-year-old Cooke of San Jose, Calif., who is a former police captain in Santa Clara, was a supervisor of security operations at eBay’s European and Asian offices.” | |
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| | | | | WARREN REPORT |
| – “Sanders and Warren Accuse N.Y. Democrats of False Advertising,” by Jesse McKinley, The New York Times: “Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren entered an unexpected clash on Tuesday with New York Democratic leaders over the fate of a progressive third party. The dispute stems from a political flier paid for by the state party featuring Joseph R. Biden Jr., his running mate, Senator Kamala Harris, and Senators Warren and Sanders, all smiling and pleading with New Yorkers to vote ‘Democratic — all the way!’ But Ms. Warren and Mr. Sanders said they were not consulted about the flier, and had they been, they would not have consented to the ad.” | | MEANWHILE IN CONNECTICUT |
| – “Connecticut adds Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and California to COVID-19 travel advisory, but exempts Rhode Island,” by Alex Putterman, Hartford Courant: “Connecticut added Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and California to its COVID-19 travel advisory Tuesday, making 40 states and two territories now on the list — plus two others that would qualify if not for agreements in place with governors there.” | | THE SENATE SHOWDOWN |
| – “O’Connor slams Markey for failure to support police,” by Robert Mills, The Lowell Sun: “Republican Senate candidate Kevin O’Connor touted endorsements from police unions as he said officers who risk their lives have been ‘abandoned, and systematically vilified’ by Democratic incumbent Sen. Ed Markey for political purposes. The comments came in a pre-election sitdown with editors at The Sun and Boston Herald.” | | FROM THE DELEGATION |
| – “Here’s what the Massachusetts delegation said after Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to the Supreme Court,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “In the wake of the vote, Massachusetts delegation members argued that — in addition to breaking the standard created by Sen. Mitch McConnell, the GOP majority leader, to block President Barack Obama’s nominee in 2016 — Barrett’s confirmation could threaten the Affordable Care Act, as well as civil liberties ranging from reproductive rights to voting rights.” | | ABOVE THE FOLD |
| — Herald: “FIXING CAM,” “NO THANKS,” — Globe: “SENATE CONTROL IN REACH, DEMOCRATS THINKING BIG,” “Baker ties virus spike to people under 30.” | | FROM THE 413 |
| – “‘They just left us there to take care of our guys without any direction,’ Holyoke Soldiers’ Home nurse tells lawmakers,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “A string of current and former staff testified with weary, tearful voices before a Joint Special Legislative Oversight Committee on the Holyoke Soldiers' Home on Tuesday. Some had retired years before, but still wept over the deadly fallout of COVID-19 at the long-term care facility for veterans.” – “Citing harsh tone, board won't back letter chiding Great Barrington Declaration,” by Heather Bellow, The Berkshire Eagle: “Town officials remain irked over a controversial public health strategy in a document that is circling the globe — and dragging the town’s name along with it. But to most Select Board members, signing off on a formal letter that chides the Great Barrington Declaration as ‘amoral’ and ‘callous’ is over the top.” | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “In Salem, staving off hunger one bag of groceries at a time,” by Hayley Kaufman, Boston Globe: “Like many food banks, the Salem Pantry has seen demand soar during the COVID-19 crisis, and with the city’s signature Halloween festivities canceled or limited and even Governor Charlie Baker urging revelers to stay away, economic hardship here looks likely to deepen. The number of clients in the pantry’s database has nearly tripled, from 900 before the pandemic to 2,600 now.” – “28 coronavirus cases tied to cluster outbreak at Crossroads Church in Fitchburg,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Fitchburg health officials said on Tuesday that there are 28 confirmed coronavirus cases tied to an outbreak at the Crossroads Church. The outbreak stems from services held at the church, located at 839 Ashby State Road in Fitchburg, on Oct. 18, health officials said.” – “‘A perfect storm’: Pandemic is making it harder to kick drugs,” by Mary Whitfill, The Patriot Ledger: “Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, more than 40 states have reported increases in opioid-related deaths, the American Medical Association says. Experts blame the increases on stressors and distractions brought on by the pandemic; a system already poorly set up to handle mental health crisis; and coronavirus-mandated changes to treatment options, such as the reduction of in-person support groups and the elimination of hospital intervention programs.” – “Higgins challenged by Ardinger again in 4th Worcester District,” by Scott O'Connell, Telegram & Gazette: “In the 4th Worcester District race, incumbent state Rep. Natalie Higgins is again facing a challenge from Leominster City Councilor Thomas Ardinger. Higgins, a Democrat from Leominster who was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016, is seeking her third term. Ardinger, a Republican who is also from Leominster, has been on the City Council since 2018. He also ran for state representative in 2016, losing to Higgins .” – “Political Notes: Harwich woman launches write-in bid for Cyr seat,” Cape Cod Times: “State Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro, will have no opposition on the ballot Nov. 3, but a Harwich woman has launched a last-minute write-in campaign as a Republican with an eye toward the next election in the Cape & Islands District. ‘I really wanted people to know that a senator for the people is coming,’ Leah Mercurio said via email.” – “5 candidates vie for North Shore seat,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “Rep. Ted Speliotis of Danvers is stepping down after 23 years in office, and the race to replace him has become one of the most interesting in the state. Five candidates are running for the office – a Democrat, a Republican, and three Independents not affiliated with any party. The crowded field raises all the questions ranked choice voting (which is Question 2 on the ballot) seeks to address .” HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to the Washington Post’s Taylor Telford and Alex J. Harris. NEW EPISODE: ELECTION DAZE – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, hosts Jennifer Smith, Steve Koczela and Stephanie Murray discuss the expiration of the state’s eviction moratorium, and break down early voting data with MassINC’s Rich Parr. And just in time for Halloween, we ask you: Is candy corn good or gross? 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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