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This email may be cut off by your email provider. To see today's full MASSterList, click "View entire message" at the bottom, or view the online version here. By Jay Fitzgerald and Keith Regan 04/14/2021 Confusion and concern | Vocational change | Spilka’s ‘moonshot’   Advertisement     Happening Today   House budget, UMass tuition vote, redistricting hearing   -- House Ways and Means Committee today is expected to release its rewrite of Gov. Charlie Baker's $45.6 billion fiscal 2022 budget.  -- The Governor's Council holds two meetings today, the first to interview Carol Vittorioso, the acting clerk magistrate of Fitchburg District Court who was nominated by Gov. Baker to take the job permanently, and the second to review the nomination of Brendan Moran to become clerk magistrate of the Worcester Juvenile Court, 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., respectively. -- University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees holds a remote meeting with plans to vote on 2021-2022 tuition and charges for the Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell and medical school campuses, 10 a.m. -- Special Joint Committee on Redistricting holds a virtual public hearing as it begins its work on the decennial effort to redraw the boundaries of legislative and Congressional districts, 11 a.m. -- Health Policy Commission meets with plans to release initial results from its interim report on the impacts of COVID-19 on the state's health care system, 12 p.m. For the most comprehensive list of calendar items, check out State House News Service’s Daily Advances (pay wall – free trial subscriptions available), as well as MassterList’s Beacon Hill Town Square below.         Prefer to enjoy Keller at Large in print rather than audio? You can access Jon’s most recent columns here: 4/6/21 - Can You Represent the Whole City? 3/29/21 - The Premature Obit For Baker's Vaccine Rollout 3/22/21 - Will Boston Want More of the Same?     Today's News   Reminder to readers: SHNS Coronavirus Tracker available for free   A reminder to our readers as the coronavirus crisis unfolds: The paywalled State House News Service, which produces MASSterList, is making its full Coronavirus Tracker available to the community for free on a daily basis each morning via ML. SHNS Coronavirus Tracker.     The coronavirus numbers: 7 new deaths, 17,068 total deaths, 1,401 new cases   WCVB has the latest coronavirus numbers for Massachusetts.     The J&J fallout: Confusion and concern across the state   Medical officials are stressing that yesterday’s sudden halt in administering Johnson & Johnson vaccines was done out of an “abundance of caution” in order to review six cases, out of millions of shots given, that may tie the vaccine to extremely rare but severe blood clots. But the logistical and PR damage was done within hours after federal and state officials announced the temporary pause in J&J shots. From a three-reporter team at WBUR: “Pause In J&J Distribution Causes Confusion And Concern In Mass.” From the Globe’s Robert Weisman and Jonathan Satzman: “Halt in J&J shots deepens vaccination uncertainties at a critical time.” From the Herald’s Lisa Kashinsky: “Massachusetts medical experts express concern about vaccine hesitancy amid Johnson & Johnson pause.” Meanwhile, thousands of scheduled J&J appointments were cancelled yesterday across the state. Here’s a sampling of local headlines, starting with the Eagle Tribune: “Methuen cancels Johnson & Johnson vaccine clinic at the Loop.” From Cambridge Day: “Concern over blood clots ceases vaccine clinic using Johnson & Johnson in North Cambridge.” But there was also calming voices yesterday. From the Telegram: “Worcester health officials believe J&J vaccine effective despite state pause.” The good news, via the NYT: “J&J Vaccine and Blood Clots: The Risks, if Any, Are Very Low.” And the J&J pause may be for only a few days, officials stress.     Lawmakers on surprise UI rate hikes: We’re working on a fix   SHNS’s Chris Lisinski and MassLive’s Steph Solis report that a “growing chorus” of lawmakers on Beacon Hill are pushing to lessen the impact of surprise unemployment-insurance rate hikes facing many employers across the state. And legislators think they may have hit upon a solution: Federal funds. Lisinski and Solis explain. Meanwhile, Senate President Karen Spilka yesterday told the Greater Boston Chamber that lawmakers were taken by surprise by the rate increases and are trying to address the issue ASAP, reports the Globe’s Jon Chesto.     Advertisement     As state eyes in-person summer learning improvements …   Amid concerns many students have academically suffered during the pandemic, state education officials are “working toward launching a partnership aimed at enhancing summer programming, particularly for students who have had limited experience with in-person schooling,” reports SHNS’s Katie Lannan. SHNS (pay wall -- free trial subscription available)     … Riley proposes sweeping change to vocational school admissions   From summer school to vocational schools, CommonWealth’s Bruce Mohl reports that Education Commissioner Jeff Riley is proposing a “sweeping update” of admission policies to vocational schools amid widespread complaints the suddenly popular technical schools have become too selective on who they admit – at the expense of low-income and minority students. Mohl has details on the proposed changes aimed at eliminating demographic disparities. CommonWealth     Working it out: Parties in Worcester voting rights suit say possible settlement in sight   In other school news, they’re talking it out in Worcester. A group of plaintiffs suing Worcester over how the local school board is elected and the city’s lawyers are telling a judge they may be able to come to a resolution of the case without court proceedings, Scott O’Connell of the Telegram reports.  Telegram     Report: The state also knew of child-molesting charge against ex-police union boss   It keeps getting worse. From the Globe’s Andre Ryan and Milton Valencia: “State child welfare investigators believed in 1995 that there was evidence that a child had been abused by Boston police Officer Patrick M. Rose Sr., raising more questions about how the future union chief was able to keep his badge for another two decades.” Meanwhile, it’s all police all the time for Boston’s new acting mayor. From the Herald’s Sean Philip Cotter: “Kim Janey announces Boston Police oversight director, vows release of Patrick Rose files by end of week.” Boston Globe         Mostly undecided: Early poll gives Wu and Janey early lead in Boston mayoral race   Speaking of the acting mayor, Kim Janey and City Councilor Michelle Wu are basically tied for the lead to become Boston’s next mayor -- but the majority of voters remain undecided five months ahead of the preliminary election, a new MassInc poll finds. Callum Borchers at WBUR reports Wu was the top choice of 19 percent of voters compared to 18 percent for Janey, while the three other declared candidates drew single-digit support.  WBUR     ‘Over-policing’: Group says New Bedford police targeting minorities   And speaking of police: The pattern, they say, is clear. A report from Citizens for Juvenile Justice says police in New Bedford stop, frisk or question Black people at “significantly” higher rates than whites, Shelley Murphy at the Globe reports. The group plans to deliver its findings -- which pin blame largely on a small number of officers in the department’s gang uni t-- to city officials today.      Spilka’s ‘moonshot’ goal: Intergenerational Care Centers   Saying Massachusetts needs to launch a “moonshot”-like effort to help mostly female caregivers across the state, Senate President Karen Spilka yesterday outlined a plan to establish new “Intergenerational Care Centers” that could help overburdened family members learn about childcare, elder care and disability care, and receive referrals for services, reports the BBJ’s Catherine Carlock. SHNS’s Matt Murphy has more on Spilka’s ambitious plan unveiled yesterday in a speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. BBJ     Vehicle-inspection debacle update: RMV extends inspection grace period to the end of May   Universal Hub’s Adam Gaffin reports that the RMV, which is still grappling with a vendor-caused shutdown of its vehicle-inspection system, says cars with expired stickers from March and April will now have until May 31 to (hopefully) get their cars inspected. Universal Hub         Cannabis Commission member leaves to take post at marijuana-regulatory law firm   The Telegram’s Cyrus Moulton reports that Jennifer Flanagan, the former state legislator and one of the original members of the Cannabis Control Commission, is leaving the commission to “join a law firm working on marijuana regulatory policy across the country.”  Telegram     Kennedy joins board of Westwood clean-tech firm   Former U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III is keeping busy in his post-Congressional days. His latest move: joining the board of Westwood-based clean-tech firm enVerid Systems, the Globe’s Jon Chesto reports.     History mysteries: Mayor searches for owner of antique sword as Bunker Hill officials demand auctioned guestbook back   We have two history-buff alerts this morning. First, Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella is looking for the “rightful owner” of an antique sword that was mysteriously sent to his office and that he strongly believes was stolen decades ago, according to a report at WCVB. Second, the folks overseeing the Bunker Hill Monument say an old Civil War-era guestbook – once signed by Mary Todd Lincoln and other dignitaries – was mysteriously auctioned off yesterday and they want the book back, reports the Globe’s Brian MacQuarrie.     He watched ‘Breaking Bad,’ so he broke bad   It’s not quite a Twinkie defense, but it’s close. From CBS Boston: “The former head of advanced research at a Boston-area biotechnology company told investigators he was inspired by the television show ‘Breaking Bad’ when he tried to obtain the powerful poison ricin, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.” CBS Boston         Emily’s List targets Baker and two other New England GOP governors   It’s not an enemies list. Just a target list. The Herald’s Lisa Kashinsky reports that Emily’s List, the deep-pocketed group known for its support for pro-abortion Democrats, has put Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and the GOP governors of New Hampshire and Vermont “on notice” as “targets” in the 2022 election cycle. Baker, who hasn’t said if he’s running for a third term next year, is considered pro-choice, fyi. Boston Herald     Emotional tribute to Billy Evans at U.S. Capitol   The Berkshire Eagle’s Francesca Paris reports on the sad and moving tribute yesterday to the late William ‘Billy’ Evans, the North Adams native and U.S. Capitol guard who was killed in the most recent attack on the Capitol. Even a Fox News anchor was describing President Biden’s poignant speech as “iconic,” reports Mediaite. Berkshire Eagle     Holding pattern: Census delay impacts redistricting timeline   File not found. The Massachusetts’ Redistricting Commission is slated to meet today but won’t be able to do much actual work because of delays in the U.S. Census that means the state is still waiting for the data that will be used to divvy up Congressional and state legislative districts, Christian Wade of the Salem News reports. Salem News     Well done: Candidate praises cops after his own son caught vandalizing opponent’s yard sign   Williamstown Select Board candidate Jeffrey Johnson is heaping praise on the cops who responded to calls about his opponent’s lawn signs going missing--only to find out the culprit was Johnson’s own 14-year-old son, Scott Stafford at the Berkshire Eagle reports. For his part, Johnson’s opponent, Anthony Boskovich, says he regrets the matter ever became public.   Berkshire Eagle     Today's Headlines   Metro   Boston to resume towing, parking fines - Boston Herald Lynn BLM mural to go before council committee - Lynn Item   Massachusetts   Fairhaven elects first openly transgender official - Standard-Times Oversight hearing on Holyoke Soldiers’ Home canceled as state official rescinds offer to testify  - MassLive New blueprint for downtown development now the law in Pittsfield - Berkshire Eagle   Nation   IRS chief warns of unpaid taxes hitting $1 trillion - The Hill Pelosi invites Biden to address Congress - Politico   Jobs   Reach MASSterList's 22,000 Beacon Hill connected and policy-minded subscribers with your job postings. Have friends interested in one of these positions? Forward the newsletter to them! Contact David Art at dart@massterlist.com or call 860-576-1886 for more information.   Recent postings to the MASSterList Job Board:   Policy/Intergovernmental Affairs Associate - new!, City of Brockton Director of Development - new!, MassBudget Assistant Deputy Chief Counsel - new!, Department of Housing & Community Development EDI Training Coordinator - new!, Department of Housing & Community Development Deputy Director of Communications - new!, Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) Account Director - new!, The Castle Group Vice President (Labor Communications), 617MediaGroup Membership and Operations Manager, Boston Municipal Research Bureau General Counsel, Massachusetts Organization of State Engineers and Scientists (MOSES) Associate Vice President, 90 West, LLC Co-Director for Public Policy and Government Relations, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (MAMH) Reporter, Commonwealth Maintenance Tech, MA House of Representatives Principal Clerk, Collector’s Office, City of Everett Executive Secretary to the Mayor, City of Marlborough Public Affairs Principal, Kivvit Environmental Attorney, Miyares and Harrington LLP   To view more events or post an event listing on Beacon Hill Town Square, please visit events.massterlist.com. Beacon Hill Town Square   Apr. 14, 10:30 a.m. MassEcon Forum: Massachusetts Business Incentives Primer Hosted by: MassEcon   Massachusetts knows how to compete. On April 14, as the Red Sox take on the Twins, the Celtics get ready for the Lakers, and the Bruins prepare for the Islanders, join MassEcon and its Team Massachusetts partners as they explain the business incentive programs that enable Massachusetts to win global competitions for employers looking to invest in facilities and create new jobs. More Information     Apr. 14, 12 p.m. How Snowflake's Data Capabilities Increased Profitability for a Fortune 500 Retailer Hosted by: Focus Technology   Hear from Steve DiPietro, VP of Data Analytics Practice at Focus and former Snowflake customer, discuss how Snowflake's near zero management ecosystem positively and profitably impacted his workflow at a global Fortune 500 retailer. He will be joined by Jonathan Tao, System Engineer and Andrew Fleming, Partner Manager at Snowflake to review top workload/focus areas for Snowflake's users. More Information     Apr. 14, 1 p.m. The Earth Convention - Sustainable Cities Hosted by: 5 x 15   In this session of Earth Convention, we will explore examples of cities across the world that are taking the lead on green initiatives. How can we design and plan urban infrastructure to be more sustainable? We will look at how citizens are organizing and working in partnership with city governments, civil society and businesses, and at how transport is changing. More Information     Apr. 14, 4:30 p.m. Inaugural David Cooper Lecture - Dr. Anthony S. Fauci Hosted by: UNSW Centre for Ideas   Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic has been devastating in the USA, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci has remained a voice of authority and reason, bringing scientific evidence to the fore. He will sit down with Tegan Taylor, co-host of the ABC's Coronacast, to discuss the past, present, and the future - from what we learned from the HIV/AIDS epidemic to what the ongoing impact of Covid-19 will be. More Information     Apr. 14, 6 p.m. Project PhaEDRA and Star Notes - John G. Wolback Library Center for Astrophysics Hosted by: Boston Public Library   Project PHaEDRA is an initiative to catalog, digitize and transcribe over 2500 logbooks and notebooks produced by the Harvard Computers, a group of women astronomers. The Star Notes project provides an opportunity to transcribe the notes of the Harvard Computers and accentuate their legacy and contribution to the field of astrophysics. More Information   How to Contact MASSterList     For advertising questions and Beacon Hill Town Square submissions, please email: dart@massterlist.com. For Happening Today calendar and press release submissions, please email: news@statehousenews.com. 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