| | |  | BY STEPHANIE MURRAY | Presented by Uber | GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. WHERE LYNCH COULD FIT IN BIDEN'S ADMINISTRATION — There's some increasing chatter about whether Rep. Stephen Lynch could be a choice for postmaster general in President-elect Joe Biden's administration. A top job at the U.S. Postal Service would make sense. Lynch, who was elected to Congress in 2001, has been a longtime advocate for the postal service, and many of his family members have worked there. And Lynch's background as a union worker and labor attorney also fit the job leading the agency. Plus, Lynch stepped up for Biden during the primary. The South Boston congressman was an early Biden endorser in Massachusetts, when others supported home state Sen. Elizabeth Warren or did not choose a candidate. Lynch weighed in before the first votes were cast in Iowa and New Hampshire. When asked about the Cabinet buzz, Lynch didn't bite. He's among a number of Bay State officials — Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Attorney General Maura Healey, Warren — who come up in conversations about who might join Biden's administration. "He loves the job he has," said spokesperson Scott Ferson. Lynch sits on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, which has the postal service under its jurisdiction. Earlier this year, Lynch roasted Postmaster General Louis DeJoy during a committee hearing, at a time when the Trump administration was making cuts at the agency. "What the heck are you doin'?" Lynch asked DeJoy at the time. The congressman also led a rally against Trump administration changes to the postal service over the summer. If Lynch were to leave his House seat , it would tee up a special election to replace him. Candidates who could be in the mix include state Sen. Nick Collins and Lynch's 2020 primary challenger Dr. Robbie Goldstein. As with any open seat House race in Massachusetts, it's likely the field would become crowded.
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Lynch's departure could also offer a solution if the state loses a House seat in the next round of reapportionment — it would reduce the likelihood that two veteran incumbents are drawn into the same district. 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 and New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries hold a press conference. The Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus honors Framingham Mayor Yvonee Spicer, Pittsfield City Councilor Helen Moon, and Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards at a fall fundraiser. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh holds a Covid-19 media availability, then speaks at a “Climate Mayors Dialogue on Green and Equitable Recovery” panel discussion. | |
A message from Uber: CA voters & app workers voted overwhelmingly to protect workers’ flexibility and provide new benefits. Time for Massachusetts to follow, see how here. | | | | |
| | JOIN WEDNESDAY - CONFRONTING INEQUALITY TOWN HALL “BRIDGING THE ECONOMIC DIVIDE": Although pandemic job losses have been widespread, the economic blow has been especially devastating to Black workers and Black-owned businesses. POLITICO's third “Confronting Inequality in America” town hall will convene economists, scholars, private sector and city leaders to explore policies and strategies to deal with the disproportionate economic impact of the pandemic and the broader factors contributing to the persistent racial wealth and income gaps. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
| – “COVID hospitalizations in Massachusetts rise to 781 as state reports 1,967 new cases, 12 more deaths,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Health officials confirmed 1,967 more coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing the number of active infections to 31,768. That’s based on 53,265 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health. Statewide, there have been 184,511 total confirmed cases of the virus since the start of the pandemic.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “After COVID-19 cases, Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka urges lawmakers, staffers to work remotely during fiscal 2021 budget negotiations,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “After House lawmakers and staffers tested positive for COVID-19, Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka urged senators to stay home as they prepare to debate the proposed fiscal 2021 budget. In an email to the staff, Spilka ‘strongly encouraged’ lawmakers to debate the nearly $46 billion Senate budget remotely and to make their staffers work from home this week.” – “Senate abortion amendment differs from House’s in 1 key way,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The abortion access amendment the Senate is expected to take up on Tuesday mirrors the amendment approved by the House last week except for one provision – a broad statement affirming the right to abortion in Massachusetts.” – “Massachusetts Department of Health seeks bidders to test digital COVID-19 contact tracing system that uses Bluetooth signals,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts is considering using Bluetooth signals on mobile devices to track and warn people who are exposed to someone infected with the coronavirus. The state Department of Public Health is seeking bidders to help pilot digital contact tracing efforts to see how effective it is and whether the pilot shows any privacy or security flaws, according to a Request for Response published Friday.” – “Charlie Baker has no immediate plans for additional changes to COVID-19 rules in Massachusetts,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Gov. Charlie Baker’s office says he has “no plans” to make any additional changes to the rules and restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, amid concerns about the worsening wave of infections this fall.” – “‘A generations-long public health crisis’: Massachusetts AG Office’s report outlines steps to resolve medical inequities laid bare by COVID pandemic,” by Jackson Cote, MassLive.com: “The report, called “Building Toward Racial Justice and Equity in Health: A Call to Action,” outlines five steps to combat medical inequities in Massachusetts that have existed for years and have been laid bare by the coronavirus pandemic, according to Healey. The 71-page report was informed by conversations the prosecutor’s office had with medical professionals, health care workers, researchers, hospital patients and others, the attorney general said.” – “Senate still not taking up transportation revenues,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Back in February, the Massachusetts House passed a major transportation revenue bill centered on raising the gas tax. The Senate never took up the bill. Nine months later amid a global pandemic, lawmakers considering this year’s annual state budget have shown little interest in raising new transportation revenues, upsetting transit advocates who say with potential major MBTA cuts looming, the pandemic has only increased the urgency of raising new money for public transit.” – “Pandemic Pushes Debate Over Driver’s Licenses,” by Chris Burrell, GBH News: “Hailed as heroes during the pandemic, essential workers have cared for the elderly in nursing homes and kept food supplies going from farms to supermarkets. But thousands of these workers in Massachusetts are also undocumented immigrants facing a hard choice — risk driving illegally to keep these essential jobs, or stop working.” | | THE RACE FOR CITY HALL |
| – “Will Boston’s Next Mayor Be a Woman of Color?” by David Bernstein, Boston Magazine: “Campbell and Wu have confirmed that 2021 is the year we’ll see if the wave sweeping local women of color into political office will finally break down the door to the mayor’s office. Even with the tide moving in their direction, though, they—and anyone else who decides to enter the race—face enormous odds. Assumed to be running for a third term, Walsh is extremely familiar to, and popular with, residents throughout the city.” | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “More Than 1 In 10 Boston Police Officers Are Off The Job Because Of Illness Or Injury,” by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: “More than 12% of Boston's police officers aren't working because they're on long-term sick or injury leave, according to official department numbers, a rate that's 85% higher than it was at the beginning of 2017. The number of officers out is up 25% even from the beginning of 2020 — well before the coronavirus struck the region and large demonstrations against police brutality began.” – “Boston police OT hours slashed by 14 percent, but deeper cuts are still needed to hit budget target,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “Boston police reduced July through late September overtime hours by 14.6 percent over the same period last year, but deeper cuts are needed if the department is to meet the reduced overtime levels called for in the annual city budget, officials said Monday.” – “Are young people to blame for recent COVID-19 surges? Experts say the numbers are not conclusive,” by Dasia Moore, Boston Globe: “As COVID-19 once again grips the Northeast and the country, the message to twenty-somethings in particular has been consistent and clear: Get serious. Stop partying. You are endangering your communities. Across the country and the world, young adults are making up an ever-increasing share of known COVID-19 cases, and public officials are not letting the trend go unnoticed.” – “Here’s what the CDC and Massachusetts colleges are saying about students who plan to travel for Thanksgiving,” by Amanda Kaufman, Boston Globe: “With COVID-19 cases surging across the country and Thanksgiving approaching, officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are urging those who plan to travel to take precautions, and Massachusetts colleges are issuing their own guidance for students. The safest way to celebrate this year is to hold virtual gatherings or spend it with people you live with, officials say. If college students decide to travel home to spend Thanksgiving with their families, it can pose varying levels of risk.” – “In Boston, councilors propose gender-inclusive city forms and certificates,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “A pair of Boston city councilors are pushing for all city forms, documents, and certificates that have a gender designation to include a nonbinary option. Language is important, according to Councilor Michelle Wu, one of the proposal’s backers. Wu recently said multiple constituents have reached out to her to convey that they did not feel their identities were reflected in some city forms.” – “What could we learn from how private schools are handling COVID? A case study for in-person learning in Massachusetts,” by Heather Morrison, MassLive.com: “As some schools opt to return to remote learning through the end of the year, private schools across Massachusetts have mostly been able to maintain in-person learning throughout the COVID pandemic.” | | CABINET WATCH |
| – “Unions disagree over Biden's Labor secretary pick,” by Eleanor Mueller and Megan Cassella, POLITICO: “Union leaders are hoping to influence Joe Biden's pick for Labor secretary — but they're increasingly at odds over who should get the job. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and some of his organization’s largest affiliate unions are singing the praises of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, who previously led the city’s Building and Construction Trades Council and could appeal to construction workers who supported President Donald Trump.” | | PARTY POLITICS |
| THE MASS GOP SUPPORTED 2 QANON CANDIDATES, CIRCULATED INFLAMMATORY ATTACK ADS, MADE RACIST ROBOCALLS AGAINST NGUYEN WHO DEFEATED JIM LYONS. OTHER GOP CANDIDATES WERE UNQUALIFIED & INCOMPETENT AND HAD NEVER HELD PUBLIC OFFICE. MASSACHUSETTS REPUBLICAN VOTER REGISTRATION IS AT A 70 YEAR LOW FOR GOOD REASON. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO VOTE AGAINST ANY CANDIDATE WHO RESORTS TO IGNORANT, RUDE, CRUDE, CRASS ATTACK ADS AND AVOIDS POLICY ISSUES. MASSACHUSETTS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR SUCH POLITICAL ABUSE. THE CAPE IS FINALLY FINISHED WITH THE RUDE & CRUDE RON BEATY WHICH SAYS A LOT. MASS GOP: YOU GOT WHAT YOU DESERVED! – “They got ‘clobbered’ on Election Day. Now Massachusetts Republicans are weighing whether to change leaders,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “After seeing their small minority on Beacon Hill shrink further this year, Massachusetts Republicans are now pivoting to a fight for control of their deeply divided state party ahead of the 2022 election cycle, when the governor’s office and every legislative seat will be on the ballot. The election of a new party chair — slated for January — is expected to prove pivotal in determining the direction of the party after years of realizing few electoral gains among candidates not named Charlie Baker.” | | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
| – “Across the region, officials and passengers seek to put brakes on MBTA service cuts," by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: “The MBTA’s proposed budget cuts have sparked an outcry from passengers and political leaders who say scaling back public transit will have both immediate and longer-term ramifications, hindering frontline workers while undercutting the region’s post-pandemic economic gains.” | | DAY IN COURT |
| – “Harvard’s former fencing coach and a Maryland businessman arrested in college-admissions scandal,” by Susan Svrluga, The Washington Post: “Harvard University’s former fencing coach and a Maryland businessman were arrested Monday and charged with conspiring to get two students admitted to Harvard in exchange for bribes. Jie ‘Jack’ Zhao, 61, of Potomac, Md., conspired with the longtime coach, Peter Brand, over several years to get his two sons into Harvard as fencing recruits, according to federal officials.” – “Jury trials resume with masks, plexiglass barriers, and reconfigured courtrooms,” by Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts’ state courts will resume jury trials at the end of the month for the first time since the pandemic began, with plexiglass barriers and reconfigured courtrooms among a host of new safety protections as coronavirus infections surge across the state. With the judicial system facing a growing backlog, the initial trials will serve as a test for a broader reopening, with six-member juries presiding over short, fairly simple criminal and civil cases at nine courthouses.” | | HEALTH CHECK |
| – “There are 2 effective Covid-19 vaccines. What’s next?” by Zachary Brennan and Sarah Owermohle, POLITICO: “The news Monday that a second coronavirus vaccine has proven more than 90 percent effective in late-stage trials could be a game-changer, but the hard work isn’t over. Governments and vaccine developers are still figuring out how to distribute limited early stocks of the shots, whether they can pump up production to meet intense global demand, and — at least in the United States — how to overcome a rising tide of vaccine hesitancy.” – “Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine is strongly effective, early look at data show,” by Matthew Herper and Helen Branswell, STAT News: “Moderna’s vaccine against Covid-19 is strongly effective, the company said Monday, building excitement about the potential of controlling the global pandemic. The news comes exactly a week after results from Pfizer and BioNTech, which announced broadly similar results. The Moderna vaccine reduced the risk of Covid-19 infection by 94.5%.” | | IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN |
| – “Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announces roadmap to curb climate change, ramp up support for electric, zero-emission vehicles,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “Electric vehicle charging stations in every Boston neighborhood by 2023. Electric cars accounting for nearly a quarter of every vehicle purchase in the city by 2025 and the electrification and decarbonization of most of the municipal fleet over the next few decades.” | | ABOVE THE FOLD |
| — Herald: “HIGH GRADES FOR THE HOODIE," "HOW YOU CAN GET A SHOT," "BACK FOR MORE IN 2024?” — Globe: “Data signal Moderna vaccine's 94% effective," "2 charged in Harvard admissions scheme," "Biden cites virus, turns pressure up on Trump.” | | FROM THE 413 |
| – “Town of Amherst data shows 89% of COVID-19 cases since September from UMass,” by Jim Russell, Springfield Repulican: “Data from Town Manager Paul Bockelman’s office and the municipal health department shows 89% of COVID-19 cases reported since Sept. 1 directly involve University of Massachusetts-Amherst – or a total of 236 cases. The data says Hampshire College has had 3 cumulative cases and Amherst College, 6 COVID-19 cases, so far this semester.” | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “Fundraising continues as Cape cultural groups face 'staggering' losses,” by Kathi Scrizzi Driscoll, Cape Cod Times: “Year-end pleas for financial help from local cultural organizations have started early this year, with higher goals and more desperate needs. As the pandemic continues, the founder of Martha’s Vineyard Film Society has asked for help defraying a 70% revenue drop from lack of moviegoers in 2020.” – “Field hospital at DCU Center expects 25 patients a day to start, with room for 10 times that much,” by George Barnes, Telegram & Gazette: “A COVID-19 field hospital will be open for business in the DCU Center no later than Dec. 6, but officials from UMass Memorial Health Care say it could be operational sooner if needed. ‘We are planning to set up the physical infrastructure as soon as possible,’ said Dr. John Broach, who served as medical director when part of the DCU center was converted to a field hospital in the spring and will again take on that role.” – “In Framingham, residents rally for more in-person learning,” by Zane Razzaq, MetroWest Daily News: “Lately, every day is Groundhog Dog for Jess Garcia. Garcia, a sophomore at Framingham High School, has been learning remotely since March. Like all Massachusetts public school districts, Framingham Public Schools pivoted to remote learning then to limit the potential spread of the coronavirus.” TRANSITIONS – Kaitlin Passafaro has been named the director of Boston’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Fernando Ortiz has been named city council liaison for Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Ann Murphy, partner at Seven Letter; and Laurie Norton Moffatt, director/CEO at Norman Rockwell Museum. 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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