| | |  | BY STEPHANIE MURRAY | Presented by Transportation for Massachusetts | GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. PROGRAMMING NOTE: We made it! This is the last newsletter of the year. Massachusetts Playbook will not publish beginning Dec. 24. I’ll be back in your inbox on Jan. 4. In the meantime, send tips to smurray@politico.com. I hope you have a healthy, restful holiday. See you in 2021! WHAT TO WATCH AHEAD OF 2021 — We are almost at the end of a long, strange year. The pandemic upended daily life in March, and a winter surge in cases will spill into 2021. There could be major changes afoot on Beacon Hill, and a relatively quiet fight for Boston City Hall is about to get louder. Here are five story lines to watch while Playbook takes a holiday hiatus until January. PANDEMIC RAGES ON: The upcoming holidays have the potential to spike the Covid-19 case rate in Massachusetts, which is already quite high. The state has reported more than 101,000 cases of the virus in the month of December, which Gov. Charlie Baker says is partially the result of Thanksgiving gatherings. The day after Christmas, the state will impose tighter restrictions in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus. END OF SESSION CRUSH: The Legislature's two-year session is coming to a close, meaning lawmakers are up against an end-of-year crunch to pass bills that are left on the table. This period would have come during the summer, but lawmakers extended the session due to the pandemic. With abortion and police reform almost out of the way, some of the bills lawmakers could send to the governor’s desk deal with health care, climate change, transportation and economic development. THE NEXT SPEAKER: House Speaker Robert DeLeo is in talks with Northeastern University about a new job, and Majority Leader Ron Mariano says he has the votes to become the next speaker. It's not clear when DeLeo might depart the House, but lawmakers say it could happen soon, even before new lawmakers are sworn into office in January. KEYS TO THE MASSGOP: The Massachusetts Republican Party will select its next leader at the beginning of January. Chair Jim Lyons, who has embraced President Donald Trump over Gov. Charlie Baker during his term, is running for reelection. Challenging Lyons is state Rep. Shawn Dooley. The leader of the party could influence the 2022 gubernatorial race if Republican Baker runs for a third term and draws a primary challenger, which could happen. MEANWHILE IN BOSTON: The Boston mayoral race could heat up quickly at the beginning of 2021. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is widely expected to run for a third term, and a campaign announcement could come early in the year. Running against him are Boston City Councilors Andrea Campbell and Michelle Wu. But Walsh is still in the running to serve as President-elect Joe Biden's labor secretary, my POLITICO colleagues report, which would throw the mayoral race into a real frenzy. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. | |
A message from Transportation for Massachusetts: By embracing a bipartisan, multi-state solution to transportation emissions, Governor Baker is showing real leadership on our climate crisis. Thank you for this important step, Governor! The Transportation & Climate Initiative limits pollution from transportation based on a proven model from the electricity sector that has reduced costs for consumers and businesses while growing the economy. It’s a smart approach to a big problem, and will improve quality of life for residents across the Commonwealth. Learn More. | | | |  | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
| – “More than 2,000 now hospitalized with COVID-19, as officials report 3,293 new cases, 43 deaths,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “State health officials confirmed another 3,293 coronavirus cases on Tuesday, bringing the number of active cases statewide to 82,303. Officials also announced another 43 COVID-related deaths, for a total now of 11,549 confirmed fatalities since the start of the pandemic.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Baker tightens restrictions amid virus surge,” by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: “With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rising, Gov. Charlie Baker is tightening limits on business capacity and public and private gatherings. Beginning Dec. 26, most businesses will be required to reduce capacity to 25% for two weeks. The restrictions also reduce limits on public and private gatherings to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.” – “Baker says new coronavirus restrictions will help school districts bring students back in person,” by Felicia Gans, Boston Globe: “Governor Charlie Baker said Tuesday that a new slate of coronavirus restrictions that take effect Saturday will ultimately help school districts get more students back to classrooms for in-person learning.” – “House accepts revised police accountability bill, putting it on the verge of becoming law,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “The Massachusetts House on Tuesday approved a revised version of a sweeping policing bill, making it all but certain the state will soon enact legislation that emerged after protests over police misconduct and the death of George Floyd gripped Massachusetts and beyond. The legislation would create for the first time a system for certifying police officers in Massachusetts and give a new civilian-led panel the ability to revoke their licenses for a range of misconduct.” – “AG Healey: Police Reform Bill As Amended Is 'A Really Good Thing,'” by Zoe Mathews, GBH News: “Facing the threat of Gov. Charlie Baker's veto, the Massachusetts Senate approved modifications to a landmark police reform bill Monday. The House will take it up Tuesday. The sticking point had been proposed restrictions on police use of facial recognition technology.” – “What to know about the race to be the next Massachusetts House speaker,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Massachusetts House Speaker Bob DeLeo still hasn’t officially said he’s leaving. But don’t tell that to the two state representatives who have already declared their candidacies to replace him.” – “House members following DeLeo-Mariano script,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “One veteran House lawmaker said on Monday that Ron Mariano’s ascension as speaker has been one of the smoothest, most unified, most calm transitions he has ever witnessed. That’s because this speaker transition is following a script that has been honed and crafted for years.” – “Council resolution in honor of DeLeo fails, drawing instead a listing of speaker’s faults,” by Marc Levy, Cambridge Day: “A fairly rote resolution of thanks to the speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for years of service went a surprising direction Monday, with only one-third of Cambridge city councillors voting yes.” – “Lawmakers reach agreement for telehealth coverage,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts House and Senate leaders said Tuesday they’ve reached a deal on legislation that would mandate insurance carriers cover telehealth services in any case where in-person services would be covered, extending emergency requirements the state had put in place amid the pandemic.” – “AG calls out Bristol sheriff in ongoing battle over alleged civil rights violations at his detention center,” by Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: “Attorney General Maura Healey on Tuesday fired back at Bristol Sheriff Thomas Hodgson in a sharply worded letter, suggesting he should discuss with her office his concerns about a recent investigation into alleged civil rights violations at his detention center.” – “Sec. of State Galvin’s office sanctions Retire Happy company for allegedly defrauding senior citizens and retirees,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts Secretary of State William F. Galvin’s office on Tuesday announced sanctions against a Nevada-based company for allegedly defrauding retirees in the Commonwealth. In a statement, Galvin’s office identified the company as Retire Happy.” | |
| | EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT TRANSITION PLAYBOOK, SUBSCRIBE TODAY: A new year is quickly approaching. Inauguration Day is right around the corner. President-elect Joe Biden's staffing decisions are sending clear-cut signals about his priorities. What do these signals foretell? Transition Playbook is the definitive guide to the new administration and one of the most consequential transfers of power in American history. Written for political insiders, this scoop-filled newsletter breaks big news daily and analyzes the appointments, people and emerging power centers of the new administration. Track the transition and the first 100 days of the incoming Biden administration. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “Walsh To Bostonians: Over The Holidays, Stay Home And Keep It Small,” by Adam Reilly, GBH News: “In a low-key COVID-19 briefing that will likely be his last before Christmas, Mayor Marty Walsh urged Bostonians to contain the virus’s spread by exercising caution as they celebrate the winter holidays. ‘You should only celebrate only with the people that you live with,’ Walsh said, echoing advice from Gov. Charlie Baker and others.” – “Inside the Bunker at Boston Public Schools,” by Mike Damiano, Boston Magazine: “To say that Cassellius’s daily life in Boston has not been smooth is something of an understatement. She has one of the highest-stakes jobs in Boston, and the ‘second-hardest job in the city after mayor,’ one source told me. (Second-hardest job in the country after president, another said .)” – “Mass. Long-Term Care Facilities Prepare For Coronavirus Vaccines After Months Of Isolation And Loss,” by Carey Goldberg, GBH News: “Anticipation. That’s what retired biology teacher Janet Brady feels about the coronavirus vaccinations expected to begin at Massachusetts long-term care facilities next week. And she says many of her neighbors at the Orchard Cove assisted living residence in Canton feel the same.” – “Cardinal O’Malley details Christmas Mass safety plan during COVID-19 pandemic,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has taken ‘significant preparations’ to celebrate Christmas Masses safely during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and a reduced number of parishioners will be able to attend services in person, the archdiocese said Tuesday.” | | THE OPINION PAGES |
| – “Why I’m exploring a run for governor of Massachusetts,” by Danielle Allen, The Washington Post: “I’ve spent my life as a scholar and writer, social entrepreneur and policy innovator, working to advance the cause of healthy constitutional democracy. I am confident that even academics can make the leap to politics, and bring something of value to the work of governance.” | | DAY IN COURT |
| – “Rollins joins with defense in calling for the immediate release of man serving time for murder conviction,” by Adrian Walker, Boston Globe: “Robert Foxworth was tried and convicted in 1992 of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a suspected drug dealer in Dorchester. Now 53, Foxworth awaits the reversal of a conviction both defense attorneys and Suffolk County prosecutors believe to be unjust.” | | WARREN REPORT |
| – “Sen. Warren introduces bill to provide free Covid testing for teachers, students and essential workers across U.S.” by Will Feuer, CNBC: “Sen. Elizabeth Warren is pushing legislation that would provide free Covid testing for teachers, students, essential workers and others who have high exposure to the coronavirus, expanding federally funded screening efforts throughout the U.S.” | | DATELINE D.C. |
| – “‘Surprise’ medical billing banned after Richard Neal gets on board,” by Liz Goodwin, Boston Globe: “Congress banned the surprise, sky-high medical bills patients get when they use an out-of-network service on Monday, after Massachusetts Representative Richard Neal dropped his objections to earlier proposals and prevailed with his version of a fix.” – “Congress proposes $10 billion in relief for the child-care industry, but advocates say it’s only a ‘down payment,’” by Megan Leonhardt, CNBC: “Although the vast majority of child-care programs opened back up after the spring stay-at-home orders lifted, many daycare center and preschool owners are taking on huge financial losses — both personal and professional.” – “US Rep. Richard Neal touts COVID-19 relief bill as a ‘triumph for good sense,’” by Ron Chimelis, Springfield Republican: “He didn’t mention the Republican Party by name, and predictably gave Democrats the lion’s share of credit. Even so, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal said the COVID-19 relief package approved late Monday indicates hope for the future of bipartisan legislation in Washington.” – “COVID stimulus ‘only the beginning,’ Massachusetts lawmakers pledge,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “After both houses of Congress passed a $908 billion COVID-19 stimulus package on Monday night, Massachusetts lawmakers pledged to continue fighting for more aid after President-elect Joe Biden takes office in January.” | |
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| | | | | KENNEDY COMPOUND |
| – “Joe Kennedy III calls on Joe Biden to extend eviction moratorium for the duration of the pandemic,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “The federal moratorium on coronavirus-related evictions is getting extended for another month, as part of the wide-ranging pandemic relief bill passed by Congress on Monday. Rep. Joe Kennedy III says it’s hardly enough. In a letter Tuesday, the outgoing Massachusetts congressman called on President-elect Joe Biden to extend the national moratorium.” | | IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN |
| – “Mass. Has Strong Rules About Burning Wood For Electricity. In 2021, It Plans To Roll Them Back,” by Miriam Wasser, WBUR: “If built, the facility would be the state’s only large-scale biomass plant and would burn about 1,200 tons of wood per day in a city the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has ranked the ‘Asthma Capital’ of the country. Until now the plant has been on hold because biomass isn't profitable in Massachusetts. But this could change early next year with new state rules about who qualified for renewable energy subsidies.” | | FROM THE 413 |
| – “'The wave ... has definitely arrived': With moratorium lifted, eviction notices flood Berkshire County,” by Danny Jin, The Berkshire Eagle: “After the expiration of Massachusetts’ eviction moratorium, hundreds of renters in Berkshire County found eviction notices taped to their doors. In the month after Oct. 17, when the moratorium was lifted, 327 14-day notices were served through the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office. During the same period last year, 102 were served.” | |
| | TUNE IN TO NEW EPISODE OF GLOBAL TRANSLATIONS: Our Global Translations podcast, presented by Citi, examines the long-term costs of the short-term thinking that drives many political and business decisions. The world has long been beset by big problems that defy political boundaries, and these issues have exploded over the past year amid a global pandemic. This podcast helps to identify and understand the impediments to smart policymaking. Subscribe for Season Two, available now. | | | | | | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “Stimulus bill includes plan to expedite bridge replacements,” by Ethan Genter, Cape Cod Times: “A commitment to the replacement of the aging Cape Cod Canal bridges, along with federal transportation dollars, were tucked into the massive package of emergency relief, government funding and tax cuts approved by Congress this week.” – “North Brookfield votes to end Native American school mascot,” by Kim Ring, Telegram & Gazette: “By unanimous vote of the School Committee Monday night, North Brookfield became the latest community to shed the Native American mascot that has been the high school's symbol since 1960. Committee members have been mulling the move for some time and last month listened as Native Americans told them the mascot was inaccurate and hurtful and after a half-century of asking communities to do away with the images of their people, it is time for a change.” – “A Twitter user compared house prices in Fall River and L.A. Here's what happened next.” by Lynne Sullivan and Linda Murphy, The Herald News: “Fall River has an abundance of stately homes, and now the world knows it. Well, maybe not the whole world, but thanks to a Tweet from B.M.C. Durfee High grad Hunter Reis, showing the difference between a $1 million home in Fall River vs. a $1 million home in Los Angeles, ‘Fall River’ is trending on Twitter.” A FAVORITE #MAPOLI TRADITION – “Jingle Bells: Staying in Political Harmony From a Distance,” NBC10: “It’s the time of year when politicians on both sides of the aisle come together in harmony for a holiday song with Alison King, a tradition 2020 couldn’t interrupt — for the most part.” BEST SELLER ALERT – “The Last Days of John Lennon” by James Patterson with Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge made the New York Times best seller list for nonfiction. NYT. HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY – to Joe Beebee, who celebrates Thursday. | |
A message from Transportation for Massachusetts: Governor Baker is providing regional leadership on climate by joining with Governor Lamont and Governor Raimondo to address pollution from transportation. Vehicle tailpipe emissions cause lung disease and asthma. Recent research has shown that air pollution increases morbidity rates of COVID-19. At a time of uncertainty and gridlock in the federal government, states like Massachusetts are leading. The Transportation & Climate Initiative puts a cap on transportation emissions, requires polluters to contribute to the solution, and gives us all better and cleaner options for getting around. By participating in TCI, Governor Baker is supporting good-paying jobs upgrading our region’s infrastructure -- and getting our economy back on track. Learn more at www.t4ma.org/tci. | | | 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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