Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Markey goes all-in for Campbell as AG

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Markey goes all-in for Campbell as AG

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: MARKEY BACKS CAMPBELL FOR AG — Sen. Ed Markey is throwing his weight behind Andrea Campbell for state attorney general.

“As our attorney general, she will do so much more than keep the public safe and enforce our laws, she will reaffirm our faith in a true justice system,” Markey said in a statement. He called Campbell, a former Boston city councilor, “experienced, effective, dedicated [and] visionary.”

Markey’s endorsement is the biggest get yet for Campbell, who quickly won support from a raft of state lawmakers, municipal leaders and other elected officials after entering the AG race in February. She also leads the field in early polling and cash on hand. Campbell said she’s “honored and grateful” for Markey’s support, noting the two have partnered on environmental justice and criminal legal reform issues.

Markey’s endorsement is also notable because the senator declined to wade into the Boston mayor’s race until after the preliminary election culled Campbell, then-Acting Mayor Kim Janey and John Barros from the field. He ultimately backed now-Mayor Michelle Wu over Annissa Essaibi George.

NEW: IBEWS FOR LISS-RIORDAN — Fifteen IBEW locals have endorsed labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan for AG. They include IBEW Locals 1465 and 1499 in Fall River; Local 104 in Mansfield; Locals 2321 and 326 in North Andover; Locals 2325, 486 and 96 in Worcester; Local 1505 in Woburn; Local 674 in Melrose; Local 2322 in Middleborough; Locals 7 and 455 in Springfield; Local 717 in Chelmsford; and Local 1228, and represent a combined roughly 10,000 workers, her campaign said.

GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. GOP lawmakers and gubernatorial hopefuls are pushing to suspend the state’s gas tax as gas prices shatter records. But key Democrats warn their proposals could have unintended financial consequences.

The House GOP Caucus is working on a bill to suspend the 24-cent-per-gallon gas tax for two months, GBH’s Mike Deehan reports . State Rep. Peter Durant called to cut the gas tax until prices are back under $3.70 per gallon, in an amendment he filed to the $1.6 billion supplemental spending bill the House plans to take up today. Governor hopeful Chris Doughty proposed the same threshold. (Durant’s wife, former state Rep. Kate Campanale, happens to be Doughty’s running mate.) His rival, former state Rep. Geoff Diehl, would suspend the gas and motor vehicle excise taxes through the end of June.

But state Rep. Bill Straus, a Democrat and the House chair of the joint transportation committee, said an $800-million-per-year revenue stream that helps finance infrastructure maintenance and repair can’t simply be turned off. Such a move, Straus said, could jeopardize the state’s bond rating, increase borrowing costs for projects and ultimately cost taxpayers more money. It could also exacerbate transportation equity issues.

“There is a desire to respond to this for those who are paying these higher costs at the pump,” Straus told Playbook. “But it has to be done in a way that doesn’t make the situation worse.”

Durant batted back the fiscal concerns: “There’s always an excuse as to why we can’t cut these taxes,” he told Playbook. “We’re taking up a supplemental budget [today] to spend a massive amount of money, so we seem to have the money to backfill this.”

Republicans still need buy-in from legislative leaders and GOP Gov. Charlie Baker. House Speaker Ron Mariano is interested in exploring other avenues for tax relief, though spokesperson Ana Vivas didn’t elaborate on what that could entail. Baker doubled down on his already-proposed tax cuts in a tweet. Senate President Karen Spilka’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment.

TODAY — Acting Gov. Karyn Polito participates in the 2022 Women in Construction Inspire Awards Ceremony in Boston at 1:15 p.m. and presides over a Governor’s Council meeting at 2:15 p.m. Rep. Lori Trahan hosts a Facebook Live event on the PACT Act and veteran care at 1 p.m.

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ON THE STUMP

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Worcester Mayor Joe Petty is launching his anticipated state Senate campaign today.

“The pandemic shone a bright spotlight on the limitations of municipal government and that’s why I’m running for Senate,” Petty, a Democrat who’s been mayor of Worcester for a decade, said in a statement. “I want to bring resources back to this district and commonsense solutions to the challenges we face together in Central Massachusetts.”

Petty starts off with support from Worcester School Committee member Molly McCullough and Vice Chair Jermaine Johnson; West Boylston Select Board Vice Chair Barur “Raj” Rajeshkumar and Boylston Selectman Jamie Underwood. Petty follows Robyn Kennedy into the race to succeed retiring Senate President Emerita Harriette Chandler.

— SCOOPLET: State Attorney General Maura Healey has two gubernatorial fundraisers on the books this week, according to invitations obtained by POLITICO. David Burnes, Ken Halloran, John Pulgini, Henri Rauschenbach and Dennis Smith are hosting a $1,000-per-ticket reception for Healey at Boston’s Central Wharf at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. It’s billed as a pregame to a “St. Patrick’s Day celebration in support of Healey” at 6 p.m. at the Black Rose. Suggested contributions for the main event range from $50 to $1,000.

— GETTING IN: Sam Montaño is running for 15th Suffolk state representative.

— State Rep. Steve Ultrino is running for reelection in the 33rd Middlesex District.

— “Former Somerset police chief launches run for Bristol County Sheriff,” by Tom Reilly, The Sun Chronicle: “The town’s former police chief has become the third Democratic candidate for Bristol County sheriff. George McNeil, a 37-year veteran of law enforcement who started his police career after graduating from the Foxboro Police Academy, announced on Tuesday he will seek to replace Sheriff Thomas Hodgson.”

— "Will the ‘Curse of the Attorney General’ haunt Maura Healey?" by Adam Reilly, GBH News: "She’s ahead when it comes to polling and fundraising, but Attorney General Maura Healey has one big reason to be nervous as she runs for governor. Put simply, when Massachusetts AGs try to make the jump to the corner office, they don’t succeed."

RUSSIA-UKRAINE

— PRESSURE POINTS: The Republican governor hopefuls have made their stances on the state’s gas tax clear. Playbook asked the Democrats whether they thought the gas tax should be temporarily suspended. Both called out big oil companies, but what they would do about rising gas prices is unclear.

Healey “believes we must consider meaningful solutions to address the high cost of gas,” a spokesperson said, “but wants to ensure that consumers would see the savings of any actions we take.”

Sonia Chang-Díaz, a sitting state senator, called on “our elected leaders in Washington and here at home” to “stand up to the fossil fuel companies and use the levers they have to stop the industry from taking advantage of this international emergency.”

— “Mass. official calls for investigation into possible gas station price gouging: ‘They should have no problem with their books and records being looked at’,” by Jonathan Hall, 7 News: “As gas prices reach an all-time high in Massachusetts, one of the state’s top officials is calling for an investigation into potential price gouging at the pump. Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin said he’s asking Attorney General Maura Healey to investigate possible price gouging using the state’s consumer protection law. A spokesperson for Healey said she has received a few complaints about gas prices and is monitoring the situation.”

THE LATEST NUMBERS

— “Massachusetts reports lowest daily coronavirus case count since the summer,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The state Department of Public Health reported 607 daily COVID-19 cases, a 50% drop from the 1,209 infections reported last Tuesday. The 607 single-day infection tally is the lowest daily count of cases since July 28. … In the state’s weekly breakthrough report, the state Department of Public Health reported 3,194 breakthrough infections last week — down from the 3,488 fully vaccinated cases during the prior week.”

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— “To-go cocktails, expanded outdoor dining could stay legal in Mass. until spring 2023,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “The Massachusetts House is readying a $1.6 billion mid-year spending bill that would further extend pandemic-era rules allowing restaurants to sell to-go cocktails and offer expanded outdoor dining until spring 2023, and pour hundreds of millions of more dollars into COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccine efforts. … State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, the House’s budget chairman, indicated lawmakers are hesitant at this point to make the rules permanent, particularly absent broader changes on the local level in handling outdoor dining. But the changes have also proven popular, particularly in allowing to-go cocktails.”

— "E-bikes, electric vehicles focus of clean transportation grants," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "The Baker administration on Tuesday awarded $5 million for 'equitable clean transportation projects,' with a heavy focus on the deployment of electric bicycles in low-income communities and electrification of rideshare vehicles and taxis."

— “New Gaming Commissioner Comes From Within Agency’s Ranks,” by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): “A top member of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission staff will start to serve on the panel itself this month after earning a nod from Treasurer Deborah Goldberg. Goldberg on Tuesday announced that she will appoint Nakisha Skinner to serve a five-year term on the commission starting March 21.”

— CUTTING TIES: The Jewish Community Relations Council and the Mass. Association of Jewish Federations are calling on state lawmakers to pass legislation that would enable state Treasurer Deb Goldberg to divest state pension funds from Russia. “Any money invested in Russia or companies doing business with the Russian state is tacit approval of the reprehensible actions taken by Russian President Vladimir Putin and those who prop up his regime,” JCRC Executive Director Jeremy Burton wrote in a letter to legislative leaders.

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VAX-ACHUSETTS

— “Lawsuit: Anti-vaxers want $6 million each for alleged harm caused by Boston’s indoor vaccine mandate,” by Christopher Gavin, Boston.com: “Sixteen people have filed an amended lawsuit in federal court seeking $6 million each in damages from the City of Boston, after they say the city’s former indoor COVID-19 vaccine mandate violated their constitutional rights.”

— “UMass Amherst to end mask mandate with some exceptions, joining Northeastern and Boston University,” by Kiernan Dunlop, MassLive.

WHAT CITY HALL IS READING

— “‘The good old boy network has worked very well’: Boston city workers of color decry culture of nepotism,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “Boston city employees of color Tuesday spoke out against a culture of nepotism and unfair treatment within city departments during a hearing that probed hiring and promotional practices. ... That testimony occurred at a hearing focused on a proposed ordinance that would aim to 'eliminate conflicts of interest and implicit biases in the hiring and promotional practices' and establish rules for employment and promotion that would prioritize 'merit, experience, and job performance.' The measure was proposed by Councilors Julia Mejia and Ricardo Arroyo."

FROM THE HUB

— “Study recommends state receivership for Boston Public Schools,” by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: “The state is being urged by the Pioneer Institute to appoint a receiver to take over leadership of Boston Public Schools due to the district’s ‘chronically low-performing schools.’”

— “Boston hospitals recoup millions in debt from Kuwaiti government,” by Jessica Bartlett, Boston Globe: “As the coronavirus pandemic pummeled hospital finances two years ago, some of the state’s most prominent health care institutions were facing another multimillion-dollar financial challenge: the country of Kuwait’s persistent failure to pay its hospital bills.”

THE PRESSLEY PARTY

— IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL: Rep. Ayanna Pressley led a group of two dozen House lawmakers in calling on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to include funds for “long Covid” in future relief packages.

“Congress must use every available tool to immediately respond to this crisis within a crisis,” Pressley wrote in the letter that estimates 7.8 million people are afflicted with the long Covid, “disproportionately from the most marginalized communities.”

WARREN REPORT

— "Warren crafts bill targeting cryptocurrency in Russia sanctions," by Leigh Ann Caldwell, NBC News: "As the U.S. searches for new ways to punish Russia for invading Ukraine, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is crafting legislation she hopes will make it harder to use cryptocurrency to evade sanctions."

DATELINE D.C.

— “With Approval In Peril, Manchin Delays Robinson Vote,” by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): “U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders wasn’t there, so Rep. Maria Robinson will need to wait a little longer to know if she is still in the running for a new job in the federal government. Rather than risk defeat, a U.S. Senate panel on Tuesday postponed its scheduled vote on Robinson’s nomination to be assistant secretary in the Office of Electricity, a move that delays movement toward another Beacon Hill departure and keeps her appointment alive in the face of Republican opposition.”

FROM THE 413

— “Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi once again keeping inmates out of Springfield courthouse; cites health and safety concerns,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “Citing public health and safety concerns, the sheriff became the latest public official to refuse to use the 45-year-old Hampden County courthouse. The state Committee for Public Counsel Services, meanwhile, says it is weighing whether to recommend its staff of 30 attorneys and staff no longer enter the building. And, the unions representing a significant number of court employees have asked the state to relocate them, according to emails obtained by The Republican.”

— “City Hall protest calls for Springfield police commission ‘do-over’,” by Patrick Johnson, Springfield Republican: “Demonstrators on the steps of city hall Tuesday called on Mayor Domenic Sarno to rescind his recent appointments to the Board of Police Commissioners and to include more community input in the selection process.”

— “PETA activists badger UMass president in Florida over marmoset research,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Shortly after UMass President Marty Meehan began his address at an in-person alumni event at the Four Seasons Resort in Palm Beach, Florida, four members of People for Ethical Treatment for Animals held signs condemning what they consider to be monkey torture at UMass Amherst, and began chanting ‘shut down the monkey lab.’”

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “Massachusetts home heating oil prices surge close to $6 a gallon: ‘It’s crazy. It’s nuts’,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “Heating your home with oil will cost a lot more for the rest of the winter, as oil prices have skyrocketed in the last two weeks amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Local home heating oil prices surged more than 50 cents just on Tuesday as President Biden announced that the U.S. is banning Russian oil and gas imports.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Stefani Jones. Happy belated birthday to GBH’s Mike Deehan , who celebrated Tuesday.

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