| | |  | BY STEPHANIE MURRAY | Presented by Noom | GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF! PROGRAMMING NOTE: I’m taking a couple of days off! Massachusetts Playbook will not publish Monday, Oct. 19 or Tuesday, Oct. 20. I'll be back in your inbox on Wednesday, Oct. 21. In the meantime, send tips, scoops and birthdays to smurray@politico.com. EARLY VOTING BEGINS TOMORROW — Bay State voters can head to the polls in person and cast their votes in the presidential election as early as Saturday. Expanded voting options mean every day is Election Day leading up to Nov. 3. Millions of voters across the country have already cast their ballots with 18 days to go until the election. Early in-person voting starts this weekend in Massachusetts and continues through Oct. 30. Every city and town is required to hold early voting sessions on the weekends during the early voting period, and local elections officials will also offer early voting on weekdays. Massachusetts implemented early voting for the first time in 2016. Nearly a quarter — 22 percent — of the state's 1 million voters cast ballots early that year. The following election cycle, 20 percent of the approximately 500,000 votes in 2018 were cast early, according to data from the Secretary of State. Early voting sites double as drop-off locations for mail-in ballots, a program the state put in place this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Massachusetts elections officials had mailed more than 1.3 million ballots to voters at the beginning of the week. 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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| | JOIN US FOR POLITICO'S AI SUMMIT: There is no doubt that artificial intelligence is changing the world we live in and how we live in it and the coronavirus pandemic has served as a testing ground for AI’s potential. Join POLITICO on Thursday, Oct. 15 as it virtually convenes its Third AI Summit in the U.S., bringing together policymakers, federal officials, technologists, private-sector executives, scientists and advocates to explore the future of AI as the world tries to recover from the pandemic and as the U.S. faces social unrest and a presidential election. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
| – “Massachusetts reports 568 new COVID cases, 23 deaths as experts fear ‘third peak’ across US,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “State health officials confirmed another 568 coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the statewide count to 138,651. That’s based on 14,737 new molecular tests, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Officials also announced another 23 COVID-related deaths, for a total of 9,452 since the start of the pandemic.” – “Mass. reports 92 new coronavirus cases among public school students, 68 among school staff members,” by Felicia Gans: “During the week that ended Oct. 14, 92 new coronavirus cases among students and 68 among school staff members were reported to the state, according to education officials. Thursday’s figures include any cases reported to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education between Oct. 8 and 14.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Progressive Push To Halt Evictions Falls Flat On Beacon Hill,” by Mike Deehan, GBH News: “The state's moratorium on evictions ends on Saturday, leaving housing activists without much hope that lawmakers will reverse Gov. Charlie Baker's decision to allow court proceedings to resume with new rent stabilization and mediation programs in place. In a last-ditch attempt to draw attention to the issue before the deadline, Cambridge Rep. Mike Connolly filed an emergency petition in the House to extend the moratorium until January.” – “Baker names Poppe secretary of vet services,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “Gov. Charlie Baker appointed Cheryl Lussier Poppe as secretary of veterans’ services on Thursday, four months after she began filling the role on an interim basis after Francisco Urena resigned just before the release of a report on what led to the COVID-19 deaths of 76 veterans at the state-run Holyoke Soldiers’ Home.” – “Allston project could put Walsh, Baker administrations at odds,” by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: “After years of back and forth over the region’s next big transportation project, a growing slate of stakeholders is pressing state officials to run both the Massachusetts Turnpike and Soldiers Field Road parallel to each other at ground level along the Charles River. One of them carries a decided amount of sway: Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh.” – “Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s new $45.5 billion fiscal 2021 budget to undergo legislative hearing,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts legislators did not say whether they plan to release their own fiscal 2021 budget proposal now that Gov. Charlie Baker revised his plan, which will be put to a legislative hearing. The Joint Ways and Means Committee announced Thursday plans for a legislative hearing Wednesday at noon to review Baker’s $45.5 billion budget proposal." – “Pandemic forcing exodus of women from workforce,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “According to data from the Federal Reserve, cited by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation in recent legislative testimony, the labor force in Massachusetts in August had 143,840 fewer workers than pre-pandemic, a decline of 3.9 percent. While the reason for the drop in Massachusetts is not documented, national data show that 80 percent of those leaving the workforce during the pandemic are women.” – “Massachusetts Rep. Mindy Domb, trying to fill holes in state’s college COVID data, conducts her own analysis,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts colleges and universities have at least 1,177 confirmed COVID-19 cases since students, faculty and staff returned to campus over the summer, state health officials reported this week. Thirteen confirmed cases were recorded Monday, and two on Tuesday. But the report doesn’t say where those latest cases come from or which universities are cooperating with the state Department of Public Health, sharing the results of their COVID-19 testing initiatives.” | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “Boston police union pushes back on planned reforms, believes little will change,” by Gal Tziperman Lotan, Boston Globe: “The head of Boston’s largest police union pushed back Thursday against the mayor’s recently announced slate of police department reforms, saying the initiatives are nothing more than expensive — and unnecessary — layers of bureaucracy. Larry Calderone, a veteran officer and president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, said the reforms, especially the creation of an independent police oversight office, will not be a path to meaningful change.” – “Walsh vows city will crack down on house parties and large gatherings,” by Danny McDonald and Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “With Boston’s coronavirus rate on the rise, Mayor Martin J. Walsh on Thursday said authorities might start issuing fines to limit house parties and also possibly close parks to curb unsafe gatherings, in what would mark a substantial change in the city’s efforts to control the crisis.” – “Living With Looming Eviction: Renters Worry Ahead Of Moratorium End,” by Liz Neisloss, GBH News: “According to recent estimates, more than 200,000 current renter households in Massachusetts are at risk of eviction. But those numbers, based on Census data, may not reflect some of the most vulnerable members of the population — those living in poverty and people who are undocumented.” – “As coronavirus cases surge, cautious Somerville slips into the red,” by Dugan Arnett and Steve Annear, Boston Globe: “Since the first cases of COVID-19 began trickling in last spring, the city’s approach to the virus has been a model of caution. In April, Somerville was among the state’s first communities to offer free on-demand testing to residents, regardless of symptoms. It quickly rolled out a mask mandate, threatening stiff fines for violators.” – “A Women’s March is planned for Saturday in Boston. Here’s what to know.” by Arianna MacNeill, Boston.com: “On Saturday afternoon, hundreds, if not over a thousand people, are planning to gather on Boston Common for the March for our Democracy as part of the national Women’s March movement. Holding the marches throughout the country, according to the national event’s website, is in response to the national political climate, namely in response to President Donald Trump and his Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.” – “Group behind controversial demonstrations, including Straight Pride Parade, to host rally on Sunday,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “The group with ties to the far right that has organized multiple controversial demonstrations, including last year’s Straight Pride Parade and a State House gathering earlier this year that drew a small group of white supremacists, is planning to rally in Boston’s Copley Square this Sunday. The group organizing the rally, Super Happy Fun America, was behind last year’s parade that critics said was meant to stoke discrimination against the LGBTQ community.” | | NOVEMBER IS COMING |
| – “What Poll Watchers Can And Cannot Do In Massachusetts,” by Edgar B. Herwick III, GBH News: “Poll watchers have been a part of American elections for almost as long as there have been American elections, stretching back to the 19th century. But as the 2020 election approaches, they have been thrust into the spotlight, as President Trump and his campaign say they are recruiting what they call an ‘army’ of 50,000 poll watchers to monitor contested election areas.” | | THE SENATE SHOWDOWN |
| – “Ed Markey raised 11 times more money than Republican challenger Kevin O’Connor in final weeks of Q3: FEC reports,” by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: “U.S. Sen. Edward Markey raised 11 times more money than Republican challenger Kevin O’Connor between mid-August and the end of September and holds a similarly large advantage in cash on hand as the Senate campaign heads down the homestretch, financial records show. But the underdog O’Connor said ‘message beats money’ and expressed confidence that his ‘common sense’ platform of good jobs and community safety is resonating with both Republican and independent voters.” | | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
| – “As Logan traffic falls short of even its worst-case scenario, Massport braces for painful cuts,” by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: “Massport is scrambling to plug a new $100 million-plus shortfall in this year’s budget, as the downturn in air travel at Logan Airport caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is turning out to be far worse than even the most conservative forecast. Chief executive Lisa Wieland on Thursday warned the Massachusetts Port Authority’s board of painful cuts ahead, though exactly what they will be isn’t clear yet.” | |
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| | | | | ON THE STUMP |
| – “Tran’s ethics problems at heart of reelection campaign,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “On March 26, the Senate disciplined Fitchburg Republican Dean Tran for using his State House staff to do campaign work – stripping him of his leadership position for the rest of this term, removing him physically from his office, and requiring him to communicate with aides by email only. Two days later Democrat John Cronin of Lunenburg, who had opened a campaign account for a Senate run in late February, formally announced his candidacy.” | | DAY IN COURT |
| – “Former Holyoke Soldiers’ Home superintendent, medical director scheduled for arraignment on criminal neglect charges,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “Former Holyoke Soldiers' Home Superintendent Bennett Walsh and onetime Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Clinton are scheduled to be arraigned on criminal neglect charges on Nov. 5, according to the state attorney general’s office. The arraignment date was announced on the same day Cheryl Lussier Poppe, superintendent of the Chelsea Soldier’s Home, was named secretary of the state Department of Veterans' Services.” – “How Evictions Work In Mass.,” Meghan B. Kelly, WBUR: “The state’s moratorium on evictions is set to expire this Saturday, potentially leaving thousands of families in danger of losing housing. But eviction in Massachusetts is a multi-step legal process and doesn’t happen overnight. More importantly, tenants can’t be evicted from their homes without a court order. Read on to learn what rights you have in Massachusetts if you're facing eviction.” | | WARREN REPORT |
| – “Elizabeth Warren demands investigation into elite investors accessing Trump briefings,” by Matt Egan, CNN Business: “Senator Elizabeth Warren is calling on US financial regulators to investigate whether insider trading laws were violated when elite investors reportedly got wind of private concerns voiced by Trump officials about the pandemic in late February .” | | YOU'VE GOT MAIL |
| – “Clerks field thousands of mail-in ballots, prep for early voting and Election Day,” by Scott Merzbach, Michael Connors, Jacquelyn Voghel, Greta Jochem and Bera Dunau, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “At City Clerk Brenna McGee’s office Tuesday at Holyoke City Hall, the arrival of another stack of applications from residents asking for mail-in ballots for the presidential election gives her every indication that the postal service will be one of the primary methods for getting her the votes from the Paper City’s 27,000 registered voters.” | | IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN |
| – “5 N.E. governors criticize grid operator,” By Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The governors of five of the six New England states, including Gov. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, issued a statement that appeared to criticize the operator of the region’s power grid for failing to partner with them in combatting climate change by bringing renewable energy to market.” | | ABOVE THE FOLD |
| — Herald: “NOSEDIVE,” “IT’S A CRIME,” — Globe: “Despite cities' best efforts, virus on rebound," "With Logan struggling, cuts ahead," "Cautious Somerville now in high-risk zone.” | | FROM THE 413 |
| – “‘Here he is.’ A phone call opened farm owner’s heart to accused fire-starter,” by Larry Parnass, The Berkshire Eagle: “Lonnie Durfee had been in police custody a day when he was handed a phone inside the Dalton station. The man on the other end: Dicken Crane. Crane had reason to be upset with Durfee, who police just had charged with starting the Oct. 9 fire that destroyed a 15-foot stack of wrapped hay bales bearing a Joe Biden-Kamala Harris endorsement.” | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “Lawrence honors 144 victims of COVID-19 with memorial of empty chairs,” by Emily Sweeney, Boston Globe: “Lawrence wants to ensure that victims of the pandemic are not forgotten. On Thursday, the city announced a memorial featuring lines of empty chairs — one for each resident who has died from COVID-19. Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera tweeted out photos of the 144 empty chairs that were assembled across the street from City Hall, in Campagnone Common park.” – “Merrimack College reports 13 new COVID cases,” by Madeline Hughes, Eagle-Tribune: “Thirteen Merrimack College community members tested positive for COVID-19 between Oct. 6 and12, according to a dashboard that tallies coronavirus cases on its website. That puts the total number of people who have tested positive since starting the semester Aug. 13 at 123, the dashboard shows.” – “Lowell schools going all virtual due to coronavirus,” by Emma Murphy, The Lowell Sun: “About four weeks into the school year, city schools will switch to full remote learning. The announcement came Wednesday night after Lowell was coded ‘red’ or ‘high risk’ for COVID-19 for the third week in a row. Lowell Public Schools will move to full remote learning starting Monday.” | | MEDIA MATTERS |
| – “Boston news anchor Alaina Pinto fired over appearance in Adam Sandler’s Netflix movie ‘Hubie Halloween,’” by Tom Matthews, MassLive.com: “The opportunity to appear in a major motion picture cost a Boston news anchor her job. WHDH newscaster, Alaina Pinto, who recently made an appearance in Adam Sandler’s Netflix movie ‘Hubie Halloween,’ announced Thursday that she was fired after appearing in the film due to a contract violation.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to state Rep. David Linsky, Steve Roche, Daily Hampshire Gazette reporter Mike Connors, Andrew Zimbalist and Ron Jordan. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND – to Saturday birthday-ers retired Amherst state Rep. Ellen Story and Marcus Gadson; and to state Rep. Alan Silvia, Michael Goodman, Kate Donaghue and Isaac Simon, who all celebrate Monday. 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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