| | |  | BY LISA KASHINSKY | SIGN OF THE PANDEMIC TIMES — The Democrat-controlled legislature that initially saw value in quick executive action during the worst of the pandemic is now looking to reassert its authority as the crisis ebbs. It’s part of a brewing battle over who gets to dole out federal aid — and pandemic-ravaged municipalities are caught in between.
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At issue is who — the GOP governor or the legislature — gets spending control over $5.3 billion in American Rescue Plan stimulus money that's been sitting in state coffers since May 19. Gov. Charlie Baker, who had broad discretion over such decisions as the pandemic raged, appears to favor a more rapid approach to disseminating the dollars. House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka are pushing through a bill that would move the money into a “segregated fund" and give state lawmakers more power to pull the purse strings. Caught up in the tug-of-war is $100 million the Baker administration pledged to four communities — Chelsea, Everett, Methuen and Randolph — that were previously shortchanged due to an outdated federal funding formula. After Baker’s office warned the legislature’s plan could jeopardize that money, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley and U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey on Wednesday took an unusual step into State House politics, pressing “state leaders” to “immediately distribute” the aid they helped secure in Washington to the four hard-hit communities. Baker said in a morning press conference that "we would have just moved ahead" if not for the legislature. By Wednesday afternoon, Mariano and Spilka said the cities would get their funding in a new statement that took a dig at Baker. By the evening, a Baker spokeswoman told me the administration would “follow through on its commitment” and “will pursue other funding if necessary.” The power struggle is leaving some local leaders uneasy, even as state officials publicly and privately assure them the money will come through. “The delay is making me anxious,” Methuen Mayor Neil Perry told me. “It would be devastating to have been promised that additional funding and not receive it. Methuen needs it to address numerous infrastructure issues.” State Sen. Diana DiZoglio, a Methuen Democrat, said getting the money to the four cities and hammering out on Beacon Hill how to spend the rest of the $5.3 billion is “not mutually exclusive.” “It would be a huge injustice if these communities did not get the funds they were promised,” DiZoglio said, adding that Baker should then "work with the legislature on the distribution of the rest of the monies.” Chelsea City Manager Thomas Ambrosino told me “it’s unfortunate that this is getting caught up in the little dispute” but said he remains “confident” his city and the three others won’t be left hung out to dry. GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. There's some potential 2024 action to the north today. Former Vice President Mike Pence is the featured speaker at the Hillsborough County Republicans' annual Lincoln Reagan Dinner in Manchester, N.H., at 6 p.m. Pence is slated to return to the first-in-the-nation primary state as speculation swirls about the 2024 GOP field. New Hampshire Democrats are planning a virtual press conference at 2 p.m. to hammer Republican Gov. Chris Sununu for “hobnobbing with national Republicans” instead of focusing on Granite State issues. Republicans hoping to regain control of the Senate in 2022 are trying to recruit Sununu to run against Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: lkashinsky@politico.com. TODAY — U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss joins local and state officials for a tour of the Somerset Emergency Dam Improvement community project funding request site at 10:45 a.m. U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley joins local officials in Randolph to discuss a proposed community health center at Randolph High School and other federal supports for Randolph schools at 3:30 p.m. U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton joins local officials at the Lynn Tech vaccination site at 3:30 p.m. Dr. Ashish Jha and Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards are guests on WBUR’s “Radio Boston.” NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts will honor former state House Speaker Robert DeLeo and state Senate President Karen Spilka during its virtual 2021 Champions for Choice gala at 7 p.m.; others appearing virtually are U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey, New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan, Missouri Rep. Cori Bush, and state leaders including Attorney General Maura Healey, state Rep. Liz Miranda and state Sens. Cindy Friedman and Julian Cyr. | |
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| – “Active COVID infections down to 5,431 as 53% of Massachusetts is now fully vaccinated,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “The number of active COVID-19 infections in Massachusetts continued to decrease on Wednesday, now down to 5,431. Massachusetts health officials reported 100 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. Officials also reported another 3 COVID-related fatalities, bringing the death toll from the pandemic up to 17,523.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Legislative bills take aim at school segregation in Mass.,” by Naomi Martin, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts lawmakers are considering several bills this session aimed at promoting racially integrated schools, taking on the issue for the first time in several years amid the racial reckoning following the murder of George Floyd.” – “Lawmakers consider making virtual public meeting access permanent,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Although the COVID-19 pandemic has caused untold hardship, one silver lining for many state and local officials was the marked uptick in public participation in government. Now, lawmakers will consider whether to make remote participation in public meetings a permanent feature of civic life.” – “Lawmakers Try To Swipe $5B In Federal Aid From Baker,” by Mike Deehan, GBH News: “If you're looking for a sure sign that Beacon Hill is readjusting to post-pandemic behavior and returning to business as usual, look no further than the war of words — and press releases — waged between Gov. Charlie Baker and the unified legislative leadership this week.” – “Restaurants face resistance in fight to extend COVID-era rules for their industry,” by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: “The restaurant industry is now freed from all the state’s COVID-19 rules and restrictions. Roll those tables out of storage. Take down all that Plexiglas. Let guests stay for as long as they want. But what about the benefits that state officials provided to help the sector through this tough time? Those could be about to end, too — unless the Legislature moves swiftly.” | | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES |
| – “Vaccine promos: Massachusetts researching a vax lottery, handing out Market Basket gift cards,” by Rick Sobey and Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Massachusetts is joining a growing list of states offering incentives to vaccine holdouts and will offer people a $25 Market Basket gift card, as state officials mull over whether they’ll add a vax lottery like other states.” – “'Forgotten' and hungry: Federal COVID relief food program in city ends,” by Cyrus Moulton, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: “A federal emergency relief program that delivered boxes of food to Worcester’s most vulnerable ended this week due to the receding pandemic. But the program’s volunteers said the need for such a program remains.” – “Mass. Lifts Coronavirus-Related Mandates For Child Care Settings,” by Kathleen McNerney, WBUR: “On Saturday, the state's Department of Early Education and Care eliminated its previous coronavirus-related requirements, replacing them with suggestions instead. The rapid switch from state mandate to flexible guidance has caused confusion and worry among providers who are balancing the stresses and needs of staff, families and young children, the latter which are not yet eligible for vaccination.” – “This chart shows how younger people are lagging in getting COVID vaccinations in Mass.,” by Martin Finucane and Ryan Huddle, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts is a national leader in getting people vaccinated against the coronavirus, but younger people here are still lagging older people in getting their shots.” | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “Kim Janey holds hearing Dennis White, but brings little clarity to Boston police commissioner saga,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The long-anticipated pre-termination hearing for embattled Police Commissioner Dennis White is done — but Acting Mayor Kim Janey isn’t saying much more about what comes of it.” – “In First Public Interview, Dennis White's Ex-Wife Opens Up About Alleged Abuse,” by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: “As Dennis White waits to see if or when Acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey will formally fire him from his short-lived role as the city's top cop, he went on the offensive this week and released multiple videos alleging that his ex-wife was the aggressor in their relationship, abusing him and their eldest daughter. But in her first interview since White was abruptly put on leave while the city investigated domestic violence allegations against him, Sybil Mason said White verbally, physically and emotionally abused her throughout their marriage.” – More from the Boston Globe’s Danny McDonald and Andrew Ryan: “The ongoing legal and familial drama surrounding Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White and his effort to stay in his post continued to roil City Hall Wednesday, as White’s ex-wife and younger daughter went public with fresh details of abuse they say White directed at them.” | | THE RACE FOR CITY HALL |
| – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2222 is endorsing City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George in the Boston mayoral race. “I truly believe that when our workers succeed, our city succeeds,” Essaibi George said in a statement from her campaign. “That’s why, as Mayor, I will give unions a seat at the policymaking table and create the first ever Department of Economic Justice and Workers’ Rights.” – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Boston Firefighters IAFF Local 718 and Retired Associate Justice for the Suffolk Juvenile Court Leslie E. Harris have endorsed Ruthzee Louijeune in the at-large Boston City Council race. “A tried and tested attorney and advocate, Ruthzee is the leader we need to center what justice looks like for our communities. Her work on affordable housing and voting rights are just a few examples of her commitment to equity in all of our neighborhoods,” Harris said in a statement released through the campaign. – “First superPAC weighs in with ads in mayoral race,” by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: “A political action committee today will launch the first independent advertising of the mayoral race, kicking off an expensive battle by six major campaigns — and their independent backers — to dominate the airwaves and the digital discourse. Mayoral candidate and City Councilor Andrea Campbell is the beneficiary of the first ads, set to begin appearing on Facebook and YouTube, through an independent expenditure political action committee called Better Boston, formed to ‘support candidates who work for an inclusive, livable Boston for all, and oppose candidates who do not.’” | | PARTY POLITICS |
| – “Auto Parts Magnate Rick Green Hopes To Rev Up Mass. GOP,” by Steve Brown, WBUR: “Rick Green, chief executive of 1A Auto Parts, beamed with pride as he showed off his massive distribution center in Littleton — one of four giant warehouses his company operates around the country to serve do-it-yourself auto mechanics. … And as the company has grown, Green has become one of the biggest engines behind the conservative wing of the Massachusetts Republican party, creating a challenge for the state's more moderate Republican governor, Charlie Baker.” – “Top Mass. Republican Apologizes Over Politician's Anti-Gay Comment,” by Alison King, NBC10 Boston: “A top member of the Massachusetts Republican party is speaking out against a state committee member who criticized a gay colleague for adopting kids, though the party's chairman is staying silent -- a sign of a growing rift in the party. MassGOP Vice Chair Tom Mountain had this message for Debbie Martell, the Republican state committeewoman who circulated emails saying the choice of gay Republican congressional candidate Jeffrey Sossa-Paquette and his husband to adopt sickened her: ‘I told her you must resign, it's over, goodbye.’” | | FROM THE 413 |
| – “Springfield Catholic diocese updated list of credibly accused clergy, laity includes sex abuse allegations dating back to 1940s,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “Pledging a new era of transparency and healing, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield on Wednesday released an updated list of clergy and nonreligious personnel accused of sexual abuse dating back 80 years. The new accounting represents a significant policy shift for the diocese. The list grew from 21 to 61 after officials opted to add previously excluded categories of the accused, including dead priests, laity and clergy from religious orders who were not ordained in the Springfield diocese but served in various assignments locally.” – “Amherst eyes pot revenues for Black reparations,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Amherst officials are considering using money generated from adult-use marijuana sales in town to create a new account that would be used for offering reparations to Black residents.” | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “Paralyzed French bulldog abandoned at South End park,” by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: “A heartless owner abandoned a helpless, paralyzed French bulldog at a South End park, leaving her to spend her final hours with strangers before she was euthanized. Now, the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s law enforcement department is looking for information that could lead to the owner’s arrest.” – “FBI investigating ransomware attack on Steamship Authority,” by Jessica Hill, Cape Cod Times: “The Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority was the target of a ransomware attack Wednesday morning. The extent and origin of the attack is under investigation by the FBI and other agencies.” – “Braintree man pleads not guilty to throwing water bottle at Kyrie Irving,” by Wheeler Cowperthwaite, Patriot Ledger: “A 21-year-old Braintree man pleaded not guilty Wednesday after being charged with a single count of assault and battery with deadly weapon for allegedly throwing a water bottle at Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving on Sunday following a game at TD Garden.” – “How Danny Ainge came to the decision to step down with the Celtics,” by Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe: “On March 25, the Celtics were 21-23 and in need of reinforcements to reinvigorate their spiraling season. With the 5 p.m. trade deadline fast approaching, president of basketball operations Danny Ainge was locked in and doing one of the things he does best: making phone calls and wheeling and dealing in search of upgrades. The Celtics ultimately missed out on top targets Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic, and acquired their Orlando Magic teammate, Evan Fournier. A new offseason was just a few months away, though, and Ainge figured to have a chance to do it all over again, just as he had for the last 18 years.” – “Pavement Owner Agrees To Recognize Union, Move Toward Becoming State's First Union Café,” by Tori Bedford, GBH News: “Ownership at Pavement Coffeehouse have agreed to formally recognize an ongoing unionization effort at the café chain based on a majority of cards indicating employees’ intent to unionize. If successful, Pavement would become the first coffee shop in Massachusetts to unionize.” – “Embattled Fall River School Superintendent Malone announces resignation,” by Audrey Cooney, Herald News: “Malone has come under fire in recent months following allegations that he created a hostile work environment. In January of this year, the School Committee disciplined him after an investigation revealed he harassed district staff members, including calling a disabled employee "retard" and using inappropriate language toward female employees. … Malone became superintendent in 2016. He previously was the superintendent of Brockton Public Schools and served as the state's education secretary under former Gov. Deval Patrick.” – Not again: “RMV computer system glitch gums up all transactions,” by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: “A Registry of Motor Vehicles computer system had a ‘slowdown’ Wednesday morning that gummed up all registry transactions, the RMV said.” TRANSITIONS – WBUR veteran journalist Fred Thys joins VTDigger to cover business and the economy. Link. Gates Healthcare Associates, a Boston-area pharmaceutical and healthcare consulting firm, has named Peabody’s Thomas Siepka as vice president for hospital and health systems. Siepka was previously vice president and chief pharmacy officer for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Veda Beltran is now a legislative aide for defense, homeland security and judiciary for Sen. Edward Markey. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Eric Rosengren of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Sean McFate and Eric Farmer. 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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