| | |  | BY STEPHANIE MURRAY | Presented by Public Transit Public Good Coalition | GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Hanukkah begins tonight. WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN — President-elect Joe Biden's incoming administration has upended one state's politics — but it's not Massachusetts. The Biden administration is set to have an outsized impact on California, where Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is likely to have a pair of vacancies to fill. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris is leaving her seat in the Senate for the White House, and Biden has selected California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to serve as his secretary of Health and Human Services. A top contender to replace Harris is the secretary of state, which would give Newsom a third high-profile appointment. A few months ago, that kind of shake-up seemed possible in Massachusetts. Sen. Elizabeth Warren was seen as a contender for either Biden's running mate or as his Treasury secretary pick, which would have opened up a race for her seat. Some state lawmakers went as far as to file legislation in preparation for Warren's potential departure. Similarly, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh's recent campaign finance reports look like he's preparing to run for a third term, not planning a move to Washington. The mayor raised $323,000 for his campaign war chest in November and spent $40,000 on polling, two hints that he may run again in 2021. In fact, Biden's administration choices from Massachusetts seem almost designed to avoid disturbing the state’s political ecosystem. Former Secretary of State John Kerry, chosen as Biden's climate envoy, has been out of office for years. Another prominent choice — Massachusetts General Hospital's Rochelle Walensky — is not an elected official. Walensky has been tapped to head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Still in the mix is former Gov. Deval Patrick , who could be asked to serve in the Department of Justice, according to a Washington Post report. Again, no electoral vacancy if he heads to Washington. NEW: WU ROLLS OUT MAYORAL ENDORSEMENTS — Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu is rolling out a slate of endorsements for her mayoral campaign today. Wu and fellow Councilor Andrea Campbell are vying for Boston's top job in 2021, and Mayor Marty Walsh is likely to seek a third term. Wu has picked up endorsements from a dozen city councilors and town officials from outside of Boston. The group will hold a virtual event with Wu next week. Her new supporters include Watertown Town Councilor Caroline Bays, Quincy City Councilor Ian Cain, Somerville City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen, Cambridge City Councilors Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler and Quinton Zondervan, and Chelsea City Councilor Judith Garcia. Also on the list are Brookline Select Board Member Raul Fernandez, Everett City Councilor Stephanie Martins, Pittsfield City Councilor Helen Moon, Lowell City Councilor Vesna Nuon, Malden City Councilor Ryan O’Malley and Newton City Councilor Holly Ryan. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Sen. Edward J. Markey, Rep. Joe Kennedy III, state Rep. Adrian Madaro, and Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards hold a virtual press conference to urge the Massachusetts State Energy Facilities Siting Board to postpone meetings about the proposed Eversource electrical substation in East Boston. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh joins Bloomberg’s “Green Solutions Summit,” briefs reporters at City Hall, is a guest on New England Christian Television Network's “Pastor Perspective” and speaks at the Boston Common Grand Menorah Lighting. Rep. Jim McGovern is a guest on CSPAN’s “Washington Journal” and delivers remarks to the Tibetan-American community in honor of the Dalai Lama’s Nobel Peace Prize Day. | |
| | 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 & NEW ADMINISTRATION HEADING INTO 2021: President-elect Biden is pushing full steam ahead on putting together his Cabinet and White House staff. These appointments and staffing decisions send clear-cut signals about Biden's priorities. What do these signals foretell? 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 5,675 new COVID cases, 89 deaths Wednesday as state unveils vaccine distribution plan,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “State health officials announced another 89 coronavirus deaths on Wednesday — more than double the number reported on Tuesday, according to data from the Department of Public Health. There have now been 10,922 COVID-related deaths since the start of the pandemic.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Vaccine to roll out in 3 phases; no cost for shots,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “The Baker administration laid out its COVID-19 vaccination plan in detail on Wednesday, with the first shipment of 60,000 doses to be delivered to 21 hospitals across the state as soon as the US Food and Drug Administration issues approval for the Pfizer vaccine. Another 240,000 first-dose vaccinations will be received by the end of December, and will go to 74 of 77 hospitals statewide that have access to the ultra-cold freezer storage of -70 degrees Celsius that the Pfizer vaccine requires.” – “'I Give It A Golf Clap': Critics Say Baker's Reopening Roll-Back Isn't Enough To Combat Rise In COVID Cases,” by Craig LeMoult, GBH News: “Gov. Baker's move Tuesday to roll back the state's reopening plan is being seen as an inadequate response to spiking COVID-19 rates by some public health experts and other critics. ‘We have to take action right now,’ said Samuel Scarpino, who directs the Emergent Epidemics Lab at Northeastern University.” – “Lawrence Mayor Rivera In Line For Top MassDevelopment Job,” by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: “Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, a Democrat and ally of Gov. Charlie Baker's, will be nominated by the governor on Thursday to become the next CEO of MassDevelopment, according to two sources familiar with the decision. Baker's choice of Rivera to lead the quasi-public economic development agency, which helps finance housing, cultural and business development around the state, comes as the mayor is entering the last year of his second four-year term as mayor of Lawrence.” – “Govs. Baker and Cuomo honored for coronavirus leadership by Kennedy Institute,” by Sofia Saric, Boston Globe: “Governor Charlie Baker and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo received the Edward M. Kennedy Institute Award for Inspired Leadership Wednesday evening for their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The institute praised both governors, one a Republican, the other a Democrat, for the leadership they showed in their respective states, which were among the hardest hit by first wave of coronavirus in the spring.” | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “Boston eyes coronavirus restrictions as more numbers above ‘thresholds for concern,’” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Boston has broken through three coronavirus ‘thresholds for concern’ regarding positive rates and tests, according to new data, leading the city to be ‘looking at what additional restrictions may need to be taken.’” – “When will Massachusetts teachers get the COVID-19 vaccine?” by Felicia Gans, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts educators are expected to be offered their first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as February as part of the second phase in the state’s vaccination plan, state officials said Wednesday as they unveiled their timeline. Broken into three phases, Massachusetts’ COVID-19 vaccination process is slated to begin as soon as a vaccine has been approved by federal regulators and vaccine doses are received by the state.” – “Boston City Council moves to increase its budgeting power,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The Boston City Council passed a proposal that would give it more power over the city’s $3.6 billion budget, moving the matter to Mayor Martin Walsh’s desk and toward a possible referendum vote. City Councilor Lydia Edwards, the main sponsor of the proposal, said the council needs to have a larger role than it does currently in allocating the budget.” – “Cassellius Hopes To Have All High-Priority Students Back In Classrooms 'After The Winter Break,'” by Zoe Mathews, GBH News: “Boston Public Schools plan to invite even more students back into the classroom after 1,700 students return to in-person learning next week, Superintendent Brenda Cassellius told Boston Public Radio on Wednesday.” – “Poll signals new approach at Museum of Science,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The poll contained some interesting findings – most Massachusetts residents want to be vaccinated and women of color are the most hesitant about getting the shot (or shots) – but it was also a clear signal that the museum is no longer waiting for people to walk in the door but reaching out into the community to showcase science in a new way.” – “Furloughed Hotel Employees 'Shocked And Disappointed' By Unexpected Layoffs,” by Tori Bedford, GBH News: “Mirna Hernandez traveled from Guatemala to the United States at age 23 and took the first job she could find: housekeeping at the Revere Hotel on the Boston Common. Thirty-five years later, Hernandez found herself in the same position; working a job she liked and was good at, with no plans to retire.” – “Local restaurants react to Gov. Charlie Baker’s statewide rollback,” by Erin Kuschner, Boston.com: “For many restaurateurs — though not all — the statewide rollback will have a notable impact on business. Boston.com reached out to restaurant industry leaders to hear more about how Baker’s recent announcement will affect their operations.” | | THE RACE FOR CITY HALL |
| – “Marty Walsh continues to fund-raise; now has $6 million in bank,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s campaign fund-raising juggernaut rolled on last month, with hizzoner raising more than $323,000, far outdistancing the two already-announced mayoral candidates he would face in next year’s municipal election should he run.” | | THE OPINION PAGES |
| – “Brandon Bernard’s death sentence should be commuted immediately,” by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, The Appeal: “Too often, the flawed narrative about folks on death row is one of hardened people with no redeeming values. A story that fits neatly in a box but fails to acknowledge the complexity of our humanity and the inherent dignity we all have. The reality is much more complicated.” – “Gov. Baker: Sign the police reform bill,” by state Rep. Liz Miranda and Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins, CommonWealth Magazine: “As the state representative that authored the provision to limit no-knock warrants and the chief law enforcement officer of Suffolk County, we strongly urge you to sign into law S.2963, An Act relative to Justice, Equity, and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth.” | | YOU'VE GOT MAIL |
| – “Trio of GOP lawmakers call for review of Massachusetts mail-in ballot program,” by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: “A trio of Republican state lawmakers is calling for a review of the massive expansion of vote-by-mail amid the coronavirus pandemic — and the head of the state GOP is cheering them on. State Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Sutton, and state Reps. Nicholas Boldyga, R-Southwick, and Marc Lombardo, R-Billerica, all members of the Joint Committee on Election Laws, sent a letter to Secretary of State William Galvin on Wednesday with a series of questions about the cost, efficacy and safety of the mail-in balloting program.” | | DAY IN COURT |
| – “Serge Georges Jr. unanimously confirmed to Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “The Governor’s Council on Wednesday approved the nomination of Boston Municipal Court Serge Georges Jr. to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, a rare feat for a district court judge. The council unanimously voted to confirm Georges, 50, to the high court during a brief assembly Wednesday morning.” – “Facebook sued by US government, Massachusetts, other states, saying the platform ‘used its monopoly power to crush smaller rivals’, including Instagram, WhatsApp,” by The Associated Press: “Federal regulators on Wednesday sued Facebook, seeking forced divestment of its Instagram and WhatsApp messaging services. In a separate case, 48 states and districts accused the company of abusing its market power in social networking to crush smaller competitors.” – “In ongoing Long Island bridge clash, Boston claims a court victory over Quincy,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “The city of Boston is claiming a victory in its legal battle with neighboring Quincy over a proposal to rebuild the Long Island Bridge and construct an addiction treatment campus there years after the span was demolished over public safety concerns.” – “Brockton agrees to $2.05M class action settlement tied to racial discrimination case,” by Cody Shepard, The Enterprise: “Eleven months after reaching a multimillion-dollar settlement in connection to the racial discrimination and retaliation lawsuit brought by Russell Lopes, Brockton and Lopes' attorneys have agreed to final approval of a $2.05 million class action settlement.” | |
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| | | | | WARREN REPORT |
| – “Warren Files Bill To Require Immigration Agencies Report Out COVID-19 Data,” by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: “Sen. Elizabeth Warren and several Democratic colleagues want immigration detention facilities to track and publicly report data about COVID-19 cases. Warren, along with New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro, filed the bill, called the COVID-19 in Immigration Detention Data Transparency Act, Wednesday in both chambers of Congress.” | | TRUMPACHUSETTS |
| – “Trump’s rise — and fall — carry a Massachusetts echo,” by Margaret Monsell, CommonWealth Magazine: “His electoral triumph seemed like a fluke. Just to pursue our highest public office as a first-time candidate was improbable enough. To go on to win it was so flabbergasting as to cause the many pollsters who had predicted his defeat to question their sampling methods. But in retrospect, the victory was not entirely surprising.” | | KENNEDY COMPOUND |
| – “Retiring Rep. Kennedy says greed hinders aid to needy,” by Alan Fram, The Associated Press: “Retiring Rep. Joe Kennedy III used his farewell speech from Congress on Wednesday to deride the ‘great lie of our times’ that the government lacks the resources and will to help people in need. He said the real problem is greed, not scarcity. Speaking for five minutes on the House floor, Kennedy, D-Mass., called his four terms in Congress an honor and said he was departing ‘proud and hopeful.’” | | IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN |
| – “Poll: Majority of Mass. Voters Support Regional Greenhouse Gas Pact,” by Barbara Moran, WBUR: “A poll released Wednesday finds that 72% of voters in Massachusetts are in favor of the state joining the Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI), a regional pact to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks.” | | ABOVE THE FOLD |
| — Herald: “FIRST SHOTS,” — Globe: “Vaccine coming, state's plan in place," "From Mich. to Mass., a delicate supply chain.” | | FROM THE 413 |
| – “‘We want to go back, but not until it’s safe’: Teachers, workers impacted by COVID share stories with Rep. Richard Neal, call for stimulus deal,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “The workers — who were in education, health care, hospitality, retail and other fields — painted a dire picture of workplaces and communities in need of funding, personal protective equipment as well as greater understanding from local, state and federal leaders.” – “DA, Pittsfield Police chief back police certification system in bill,” by Danny Jin, The Berkshire Eagle: “Two key players in Berkshire County law enforcement back a police certification system, although one is calling for greater law enforcement representation than what the Massachusetts Legislature has proposed.” – “Springfield settlements include $170,000 tied to drug lab scandal, police evidence room theft,” by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: “The City Council, in addition to paying $6.5 million to a man wrongfully imprisoned for decades, agreed this week to two other settlements totaling $209,000 relating to criminal cases that were thrown out of court.” – “Woman who threw bloody tampon into crowd of President Donald Trump supporters in Massachusetts ordered to complete community service,” by Heather Morrison, MassLive.com: “A 23-year-old Northampton woman who authorities said threw a bloody tampon into a crowd of President Donald Trump supporters during a rally in October was placed on pretrial probation after a hearing in court Wednesday.” | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus positive for COVID-19,” by Steven H. Foskett Jr., Telegram & Gazette: “City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. is in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. City health officials have identified 20 people who have had direct exposure to Augustus. Those people are in quarantine.” – “Worcester DCU Center COVID field hospital already exceeding capacity planned for first week, seeing high demand,” by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: “UMass Memorial Health Care staff expected to admit 25 coronavirus patients to the recently re-opened field hospital at the DCU Center in Worcester in its first week of operation. The arena opened to patients at 7 a.m. Sunday. Now on Wednesday, just four days into operation, the center has 30 patients, exceeding its planned capacity for the first week, officials said.” – “With new outbreak, SouthCoast nursing homes now reporting COVID deaths in double digits,” by Kiernan Dunlop, Standard-Times: “Area nursing homes that had been able to avoid major outbreaks of the coronavirus in the spring and summer are now experiencing deaths in the double digits after COVID outbreaks in recent months. An outbreak that began likely around late October at Sippican Healthcare in Marion has seen 127 residents and staff members test positive for COVID-19.” – “As Newton prepares to reopen high schools, COVID-19 surveillance testing will begin for staff,” by John Hilliard, Boston Globe: “Newton will begin implementing surveillance testing starting this month for teachers and public school staff who come into contact with students, ahead of a planned reopening of the city’s high schools in January. The reopening plan, approved Dec. 2 by the School Committee, calls for bringing back students for in-person classes as part of a hybrid program for Newton’s North and South high schools.” – “Virus testing site delayed in Seekonk,” by Stephen Peterson, Sun Chronicle: “The opening of a coronavirus testing site at the CVS off Newman Avenue (Route 152) has been halted by the town because of questions about building codes. A cease-and-decease order was issued on the testing center, which resembles a shed.” – “New outbreak at Middleton Jail leads to suspension of visits,” by Julie Manganis, The Salem News: “A new outbreak of COVID-19 cases among staff and prisoners at the Middleton Jail has led to the suspension of in-person visits and other measures. A spokeswoman for the facility, which houses both pretrial detainees and sentenced defendants for Essex County, confirmed Wednesday that 40 inmates, 27 correctional officers, two other employees and eight private contractors have active infections.” – “Plymouth County jail sees COVID-19 spike, more than 40 inmates, two dozen correctional officers test positive,” by Joe Difazio, The Patriot Ledger: “There are more than 70 positive COVID-19 cases among staff, prisoners and correctional officers at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility. The jail tested all of its staff and inmate population, which usually numbers more than 600, across two days last week and on Monday.” | | MEDIA MATTERS |
| – “Winter, the Weatherman, and Me,” by John Wolfson, Boston Magazine: “Perhaps you get your weather from Boston mainstays such as Cindy Fitzgibbon, Matt Noyes, or Kevin Lemanowicz. They’re all more than capable of delivering a useful, accurate forecast. My guy? He’s looking out for me. He’s looking out for all of us.” TRANSITIONS – Geoff Diehl, former GOP candidate for Senate and state representative, joins 1A Auto as director of business development, and Rob Wolske joins the company as director of finance and accounting. 1A Auto was founded by Rick Green, a former Republican congressional candidate. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to David Todisco, Rep. Lori Trahan's press secretary and digital director; Jessica Enes of Benchmark Strategies; Susan Milligan, senior writer for U.S. News & World Report; and Jasper Craven. NEW EPISODE: VAX TO THE FUTURE – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith and Stephanie Murray discuss early plans for vaccine distribution in Massachusetts, and speak with Boston Museum of Science President Tim Ritchie about new polling on the coronavirus vaccine. 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/ | | | | |
| | JOIN FRIDAY - A PATH TO CLEANER SKIES: Before the pandemic, increased demand for air travel resulted in rising global emissions. Then, Covid-19 changed everything. As airlines start to recover from the resulting financial fallout, what is happening with the use of cleaner jet fuel, investments in technology, and international pacts to cut the airline industry's carbon footprint? Join POLITICO for a conversation on the future of air travel, climate change, and sustainability, as well as an executive conversation between POLITICO CEO Patrick Steel and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | |
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