Presented by Public Transit Public Good Coalition
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
BIDEN TAPS KERRY FOR CLIMATE POST — John Kerry is headed back to Washington.
President-elect Joe Biden has chosen the former Massachusetts senator and lieutenant governor to serve as special presidential envoy for climate, a new role on his incoming national security team. Biden announced Kerry's role as part of a slate of cabinet picks on Monday.
"The work we began with the Paris Agreement is far from done. I'm returning to government to get America back on track to address the biggest challenge of this generation and those that will follow. The climate crisis demands nothing less than all hands on deck," Kerry said after the news broke.
Kerry had Biden's back on the campaign trail. He stumped for the former vice president in the early primary states, and the pair served together in the Senate and again during the Obama administration, when Kerry was secretary of state.
He's also a Massachusetts pick who won't open up an elected position, a potential pitfall for other Cabinet hopefuls here. That's a departure from when Kerry was tapped by Obama in 2013, which had some thing of a domino effect across state politics. His resignation from the Senate created an opening for then-Rep. Ed Markey to run for that seat. And Katherine Clark won the race to replace Markey at that time. Her ascent continues: she just became the fourth most powerful Democrat in the House last week.
Biden's choice for Treasury secretary, Janet Yellen, means Elizabeth Warren may be staying put in the Senate. Yellen is the former chair of the Federal Reserve, and would be the first woman to hold the Treasury post if confirmed. Warren allies had said she was interested in the Treasury job even before the Nov. 3. election. The Cambridge Democrat cheered Yellen as an "outstanding choice" choice for the role who is "smart, tough, and principled."
The next name to watch out for is Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. Some labor leaders are pushing the mayor for Labor secretary in the Biden administration, which could upend next year’s mayoral race. But Walsh just hired a new press secretary for his reelection campaign in waiting, according to a Boston Globe report, meaning there’s a chance he will stay put.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Massachusetts Playbook will not publish Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27. I’ll be back in your inbox Monday, Nov. 30.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
TODAY — Rep. Katherine Clark is a guest on GBH’s “Greater Boston.” Sen. Ed Markey and Marriott Copley Hotel workers hold a virtual town hall. Rep. Lori Trahan distributes turkeys in Lawrence with Justin Bethel of the New England Patriots. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh joins state Rep. Chynah Tyler for a turkey drive in Boston.
A message from Public Transit Public Good Coalition:
We need a transit system that works for all. This means safe, affordable, and accessible service for all communities. Even as COVID-19 has reshaped our lives, public transit remains essential to the riders who make hundreds of thousands of trips a day, especially to the frontline workers who have kept our communities running during the pandemic. The MBTA’s Fiscal Management and Control Board should vote no on service cuts. Join the fight at http://publictransitpublicgood.org/
TRACK THE TRANSITION: President-elect Biden has started to form a Cabinet and announce his senior White House staff. The appointments and staffing decisions made in the coming days send clear-cut signals about Biden's priorities. Transition Playbook is the definitive guide to one of the most consequential transfers of power in American history. Written for political insiders, it tracks the appointments, people, and the emerging power centers of the new administration. Track the transition and the first 100 days of the incoming Biden administration. Subscribe today.
 | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
– “Massachusetts reports 1,785 new COVID cases, 18 deaths as active infections surpass 40k,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “State health officials reported 1,785 new coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing the number of known active cases to 40,202. New infections reported Monday are based on 52,280 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health. Officials announced another 18 COVID-related fatalities Monday, for a total now of 10,531 deaths statewide since the pandemic began.”
| DATELINE BEACON HILL |
– “Charlie Baker announces new COVID-19 public awareness campaign ahead of Thanksgiving,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “As coronavirus cases continue to surge nationwide, Gov. Charlie Baker announced a new public awareness campaign spotlighting what some residents look forward to doing after the pandemic. However, even with the recent promising vaccine developments, the #GetBackMass campaign stresses that ‘we’re not there yet,’ emphasizing the importance of proper mask wearing, social distancing, and testing to get through what many experts believe will be the worst of the pandemic this winter.”
– “Baker Fears Record Number Of Tests Means People Are Planning Risky Holiday Travel,” by Mike Deehan, GBH News: “Massachusetts set a record for coronavirus testing Sunday, with 110,280 tests administered, a spike Gov. Charlie Baker warns could indicate that many residents are preparing to travel and see relatives this Thanksgiving, something the governor warns could be risky. State and federal officials have been asking people to cancel holiday get-togethers.”
– “Massachusetts to use rapid COVID testing for visitors of long-term care facilities,” by Steph Solis and Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “People visiting loved ones at nursing homes or other long-term care facilities in Massachusetts will soon undergo rapid COVID-19 testing beforehand, Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said Monday. The state plans to roll out rapid COVID-19 testing, specifically the Abbott BinaxNOW testing program, to long-term care facilities across the state, particularly for visitors, Sudders said. The announcement comes a week after the state announced rapid testing for K-12 schools.”
– State sees glut of bogus jobless claims,” by Christian M. Wade, Gloucester Daily Times: “An uptick in fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits is straining the state's ability to process the legitimate ones, Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday. Just 1,000 of roughly 31,000 claims for new jobless benefits passed an initial screening for fraud at the Department of Unemployment Assistance over a two-day this month, he said. The 30,000 others were either rejected as fraudulent or flagged for investigation.”
– “Retiring rep, rep-elect share insights on State House opacity,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “Some of the shortcuts in the democratic process we have come to take for granted – consolidated budget amendments, limitations on debate, and conference committees resolving differences in House and Senate bills behind closed doors – have all been on display recently on Beacon Hill.”
– “Baker vows TCI decision by end of year,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “Gov. Charlie Baker said the underlying assumptions about a proposal to assess a price on the carbon contained in automobile fuels are in flux, but he still intends to make a decision on whether to push ahead with the high-profile regional initiative by the end of the year. At a State House press conference on Monday, Baker said the emission reductions expected from the regional transportation initiative were based on forecasts about traffic and congestion, most of which no longer apply because of COVID-19.”
| THE RACE FOR CITY HALL |
– “Marty Walsh is expected to run for Boston mayor again,” by Kevin Cullen, Boston Globe: “There’s been a lot of speculation that President-elect Joe Biden might tap Marty Walsh for a big job in Washington, possibly as labor secretary. But while labor leaders in Washington have been pushing for Walsh to get a position, some of those closest to Walsh have reiterated what they told me in September: He isn’t seeking a position in the Biden administration and is not going anywhere except back to his house in Dorchester while girding for a campaign for a third term.”
| FROM THE HUB |
– “Mass. Colleges Embrace Diversity But Award Few Minority Contracts,” by Kirk Carapezza, GBH News: “Out of nearly 700 active contracts awarded by a big college purchasing co-op in Massachusetts, only 14 — or 2 percent — went to minority-owned businesses certified by the state, a GBH News analysis has found. About 120 colleges belong to the Massachusetts Higher Education Consortium, which was founded in 1975 to leverage bulk purchases of commonly used items to negotiate better prices.”
– “Amid COVID-19, staffing woes plague childcare centers,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Between its six large childcare centers in Boston and Cambridge, Nurtury Early Education has had to shutter eight classrooms during the pandemic – which translates to serving around 70 fewer children. While center enrollment is down, the problem isn’t just a lack of interest from families – it is a lack of staff.”
– “Traces of coronavirus in MWRA wastewater reach new highs for northern section of system, which includes Boston,” by Martin Finucane, Boston Globe: “The amount of coronavirus detected in the wastewater from Boston and other communities in the northern section of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority system has continued to edge higher, reaching the highest levels yet of a recent surge, according to the latest data. The amount of coronavirus detected in the wastewater from the southern section of the system ticked downward slightly from the highest point it has reached this fall.”
– “Six residents at assisted-living facility in Andover die in coronavirus outbreak,” by Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: “Six residents at an assisted-living facility in Andover have died in the past week during a coronavirus outbreak that has infected 71 residents and employees, officials said Monday. The six residents of Atria Marland Place died after testing positive for COVID-19, according to Kymberly Codair, regional vice president of Atria Senior Living, a Kentucky-based company that operates more than 200 facilities in the United States and Canada.”
– “COVID-19 testing in Mass. is ‘far short’ of levels needed to stop the spread,” by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: “The number of COVID-19 tests taking place nationally and in Massachusetts still falls far short of what is necessary to win the fight against the coronavirus. That was the consensus of a virtual panel discussion hosted Monday morning by the Massachusetts High Technology Council. There’s plenty of supply, but demand for the tests remains surprisingly low.”
– “Boston Houses More Than 100 Young People In First Year Of Anti-Homelessness Initiative,” by Lynn Jolicoeur, WBUR: “More than 100 young adults experiencing homelessness were housed in the past year since Boston launched an initiative to combat homelessness among young people, according to city officials, who announced the milestone Tuesday.”
– “Small Gatherings Spread the Virus, but Are They Causing the Surge?” by Apoorva Mandavilli, The New York Times: “As states struggle to contain the resurgent coronavirus, many officials are laying the blame on an unexpected source: people gathering with family and friends. Household get-togethers undoubtedly do contribute to community transmission of the virus. Canada’s recent Thanksgiving certainly added to its rising cases; such an increase may happen here, too, as the United States embarks on a holiday season like no other.”
– “Could large Thanksgiving gatherings land you a fine? COVID order has officials cautioning people to keep it small,” by Melissa Hanson, Douglas Hook and Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “A familiar Thanksgiving sight is one of family members who span generations gathered around a table, sharing a turkey, filling their plates with mashed potatoes and side dishes, passing the gravy boat from one person to another. This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Massachusetts officials are asking residents to reimagine the holiday, and to keep it small.”
| PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
– “MBTA to distribute face masks during rush hour,” by Charlie Wolfson, Boston Globe: “The MBTA began offering face masks to riders on Monday in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19 as cases continue to rise. The agency has required riders to wear a face covering since May 6. The new service is backed by New Balance, the Boston-based shoe company, which donated 100,000 masks.”
| DAY IN COURT |
– “Eviction Filings Are On The Rise, Weeks After State Moratorium Ended,” by Beth Healy and Saurabh Datar, WBUR: “Eviction filings by landlords are on the rise, a new report shows, five weeks after the state's moratorium came to an end. Landlords in Massachusetts filed 689 new eviction cases last week for nonpayment of rent, according to a report by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, a nonprofit housing advocacy group. That represents a jump from normal times — an average of 608 filings per week before the pandemic.”
| ABOVE THE FOLD |
— Herald: “ARE YOU FEELING IT?” “TRANSITION TIME,” — Globe: “Biden’s transition formally begins,” “Kerry named first climate czar,” “In expected choices, a series of firsts.”
| FROM THE 413 |
– “DPH sends rapid response team to Hillcrest Commons as COVID-19 cases reach 30,” by Heather Bellow, The Berkshire Eagle: “Amid mounting COVID-19 infections and staffing shortages, the state sent a rapid response team to Hillcrest Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center on Sunday. Cases there jumped from 21 to 30 over the weekend, with 19 residents and 11 employees infected as of Sunday.”
| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
– “More than 200 complaints lodged against Worcester businesses, 11 fines for violating COVID protocols over the summer,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “More than 200 complaints were filed against Worcester businesses for violations of coronavirus health and safety protocols between July and October, according to data obtained by MassLive. The vast majority of complaints, which were reported to Worcester’s health and human services department and involved dozens of businesses, cited no masks and a lack of social distancing among customers or staff.”
– “Catholic school teachers protest planned return to classrooms after Thanksgiving,” by Scott O'Connell, Telegram & Gazette: “The local teachers union for the Catholic schools protested Monday outside of the Diocese of Worcester offices on Elm Street, demanding that their schools temporarily switch to remote learning after the Thanksgiving break. Brian Leonard, president of the Worcester Diocesan Educators’ Lay Teachers Association, said the Catholic schools should do what the local public schools and even some other religious schools in the region are doing, and take a break from in-person classes as coronavirus cases increase.”
– “Cape residents tiptoe around politics after testy election season,” by Cynthia McCormick, Cape Cod Times: “Following one of the most divisive presidential elections ever, family and friends on opposite sides of the aisle say they are not talking to each other — at least not about politics. Beth Rockwell, of Falmouth, a Democrat, said the election outcome has made no difference in how she and a longtime friend and Trump supporter tiptoe around the subject.”
– “Desperate for volunteers, Milford homeless shelter struggles to remain open this winter,” by Alison Bosma, The Milford Daily News: “An emergency homeless shelter that relies heavily on volunteers might not be able to open its doors without more help. ‘We definitely, unfortunately, do not have the volunteers we had last year,’ said Lisa Trusas, secretary of the board that runs the shelter.”
– “Marty the robot: Non-essential worker,” by Nicole Gallucci, Mashable: “The coronavirus pandemic has proven unequivocally that human grocery workers are essential, but it's also made it plainly clear that Marty the grocery store robot is the opposite of essential.”
TRANSITIONS – Nick Martin is appointed chief communications officer by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, beginning Dec. 14. Martin is currently director of public affairs and communications for Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Sonia Ballard.
NEW EPISODE: THE KIDS ARE NOT ALRIGHT – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith and Stephanie Murray discuss new polling on K-12 schools during the coronavirus pandemic, and an investigation by the U.S. Attorney which found the Massachusetts Department of Correction violated the constitutional rights of some incarcerated people. 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.
A message from Public Transit Public Good Coalition:
The essential workers we rely on during the pandemic need reliable and uncrowded public transportation to get to and from work safely. Service and job cuts not only threaten the frontline workers who rely on the T; it would also leave thousands of people without access, threaten our environment, and delay our economic recovery. The MBTA’s Fiscal Management and Control Board members should vote no on service cuts. Join the fight at http://publictransitpublicgood.org/
DON'T MISS THE MILKEN INSTITUTE FUTURE OF HEALTH SUMMIT 2020: POLITICO will feature a special edition Future Pulse newsletter at the Milken Institute Future of Health Summit. The newsletter takes readers inside one of the most influential gatherings of global health industry leaders and innovators determined to confront and conquer the most significant health challenges. Covid-19 has exposed weaknesses across our health systems, particularly in the treatment of our most vulnerable communities, driving the focus of the 2020 conference on the converging crises of public health, economic insecurity, and social justice. Sign up today to receive exclusive coverage from December 7–9.
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