Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Chang-Díaz tries an evergreen tactic

Thursday, April 28, 2022

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Chang-Díaz tries an evergreen tactic

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JUST SAY NO — What better place than a climate forum to challenge your opponent to stop taking campaign cash tied to the fossil fuel industry?

That’s state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz’s latest challenge to Democratic gubernatorial rival and state Attorney General Maura Healey, issued not long into last night’s forum hosted by WBUR and the Environmental League of Massachusetts. The two Republicans running for governor didn’t attend.

“I will reject all campaign donations from oil, gas, coal executives, their lobbyists, their PACS,” Chang-Díaz declared. “I want to invite you as well, attorney general, to join me in that pledge and return the $50,000 in fossil fuel donations you have received since your last election.”

Chang-Díaz didn't say so in the forum, but she appears to be referring to donations Healey’s taken since 2019 from executives and employees at electric utilities like Eversource and National Grid, as well as energy-industry associations and consultants, per OCPF.

Healey was noncommittal, though she eventually said her campaign would investigate Chang-Díaz’s claim. “I don’t think the fossil fuel industry likes me too much,” Healey shot back. “ExxonMobil took me to court no less than three times in three different states to try and shut down my investigation. I am not on their holiday card list. … I also, by the way, remember, I stopped two gas pipelines from coming to this state.”

Pledges to cut off or return fossil fuel cash have become a campaign staple in recent years. The three Democrats running for AG have all signed the “No Fossil Fuel Money” pledge to reject contributions of over $200 from PACs, lobbyists or certain executives of fossil fuel companies. So have lieutenant governor hopeful and state Rep. Tami Gouveia, Boston state Senate candidate the Rev. Miniard Culpepper and Provincetown state representative hopeful Jack Stanton.

Chang-Díaz's latest challenge may have a limited impact. The $50,000 she says Healey took in fossil fuel-linked cash since 2019 is a drop in the bucket of the $4.7 million the attorney general has in her campaign coffers. Even Green New Deal co-author Sen. Ed Markey refunded nearly $47,000 in donations tied to the fossil fuel industry in his last campaign.

But ‘tis the season for campaign finance pledges. Chang-Díaz issued hers barely 12 hours after AG hopeful Quentin Palfrey challenged his rivals to sign a pact to limit third-party spending in their race. So far none have take him up, his campaign said.

GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. None of Gov. Charlie Baker's tax cuts, but pay raises for judges and a ban on child marriage: Here’s the fiscal 2023 House budget by the numbers:

$49.7 billion — The total bill, after amendments that packed in tens of millions of dollars in additional spending.

7 — The number of consolidated amendments — packages of amendments combined by subject — cobbled together largely out of public view and teed up to sail through when they hit the House floor.

$500,000 — For a Genocide Education Trust Fund to help teach students about mass killings and genocides.

155 — House lawmakers who gave the budget a unanimous stamp of approval Wednesday. The Senate will release and take up its own budget bill as the FY ‘23 budget winds its way to the governor’s desk.

TODAY — Baker gets his second Covid-19 booster shot at 10:30 a.m. at the Melnea A. Cass Recreational Complex in Boston. Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attend a 2022 Massachusetts STEM Summit regional meeting at 11:30 a.m. at the Museum of Science. Polito attends a STEM Summit meeting in Westborough at 9 a.m. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” at 11 a.m. Democratic AG candidates appear at a Boston College Law School forum at noon. Chang-Díaz and state Rep. Chynah Tyler join a virtual rally for cannabis equity at noon. Rep. Ayanna Pressley and colleagues host a press conference in support of the end of Title 42 at 3:45 p.m.

Tips? Scoops? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com .

A message from National Grid:

There Is A Better Way. National Grid is announcing our path to a fossil-free energy future. By using renewable natural gas DUH?, and green hydrogen produced from water using wind energy, we can achieve a fossil-free energy future by 2050 or earlier.

THE LATEST NUMBERS

— “Massachusetts COVID cases jump 51%, virus hospitalizations increase,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The state Department of Public Health’s report of 2,807 cases was up 51% from last Wednesday’s total of 1,853 infections.”

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— IT’S HAPPENING: The Senate will finally take up a bill to legalize sports betting today, nine months after the House passed its own version. One key sticking point between the chambers — and potentially within the Senate — is wagering on college sports. The Senate bill wouldn’t allow it, but several senators have filed amendments that would either lift that ban or soften it. GBH News’ Adam Reilly breaks down the differences between the House and Senate bills and everything else you need to know ahead of today’s long-awaited debate.

— “Mass. lawmaker charged with drunken driving; blood alcohol level was four times legal limit, police say,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “State Representative David H. A. LeBoeuf, a two-term Worcester Democrat, was arrested late Tuesday on drunken driving charges, according to State Police, who found his car roughly 90 minutes after House lawmakers had wrapped voting for the day. State Police said in a report filed in Quincy District Court that LeBoeuf’s blood alcohol level was tested twice and registered at 0.329 and 0.317, roughly four times the legal limit of 0.08. LeBoeuf, 32, was released on personal recognizance following his arraignment Wednesday on charges of operation under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and a marked lanes violation.”

— More from MassLive's Erin Tiernan and Alison Kuznitz: “Worcester state Rep. David LeBoeuf has Democratic leaders’ support in ‘seeking help’ after he allegedly drove drunk with a blood-alcohol content four times over the legal limit, but state Republicans are demanding his resignation and calling for an investigation into lawmakers’ behavior during budget week on Beacon Hill.”

LeBoeuf’s arrest is causing political ripple effects. The Worcester Democrat who had considered running for retiring state Sen. Harriette Chandler’s seat could now face a challenger to keep his 17th Worcester House seat.

Guillermo Creamer, a member of the city’s Human Rights Commission who ran unsuccessfully for city council last year, is now weighing a run for representative. “There have been many major stakeholders who have reached out and I’m listening,” Creamer told Playbook. Time is running short — Creamer would have less than a week to collect and submit 150 signatures to local election officials.

— “Law enforcement groups sue Mass. police oversight commission over 'secret' meetings,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: “A group of law enforcement unions and associations are suing a state task force charged with creating mandatory certification standards for police officers, investigating misconduct allegations and disciplining officers. Three plaintiffs allege the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, or POST Commission, ‘rubber stamped’ into policy new rules limiting law enforcement without open public meetings required under state law, including a questionnaire to be administered to new and existing police officers.”

— “Mass. Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides stepping down,” by Sabrina Shankman, Boston Globe: “Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, who has led the state’s ambitious efforts on climate change since 2019, is resigning her post, the Baker administration announced Wednesday. Her departure comes as the state is working on several fronts to fight climate change — from lowering emissions in transportation and buildings to greening the grid — and months before Governor Charlie Baker’s administration ends. Her last day will be May 6. … Theoharides said she was ‘leaving for a new professional opportunity,’ though did not specify what. Undersecretary Beth Card will be taking over.”

— “Lowell Rep. Golden Bids Farewell to Colleagues,” by Chris Van Buskirk, State House News Service (paywall): “After a lengthy career on Beacon Hill, Lowell Rep. Thomas Golden said goodbye to his colleagues early Wednesday night as he prepared to leave the Legislature to become city manager in his hometown.”

— “Rejected Provisional Ballots Cited By Voting Reform Advocates,” by Katie Lannan, State House News Service (paywall): “More than half of the provisional ballots issued in Massachusetts for the 2020 statewide election were rejected, a datapoint that advocates say underscores why voters should be given the opportunity to register on Election Day. Provisional ballots are provided to people who show up at the polls believing they are registered, but find out they are not on the list or have been listed incorrectly, according to Secretary of State William Galvin's office. Provisional ballots are sealed and kept separate from other ballots, and are counted only if a voter is determined to be registered.”

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VAX-ACHUSETTS

— “UMass Memorial outpatient COVID treatment center in Worcester seeing its highest number of patients ever,” by Kiernan Dunlop, MassLive: “The number of patients hospitalized with COVID at UMass Memorial has plateaued, but the number being treated at its COVID Treatment Center is the highest since the center opened last July, the center’s director said.”

FROM THE HUB

— “Boston had right to impose vaccine mandate for city workers, state labor department finds,” by Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: “Boston had the right to implement its vaccine mandate for city workers, the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations concluded this week in response to a complaint brought by the city firefighters union. The decision marks a partial victory for the city, but does not carry immediate practical impact: Mayor Michelle Wu’s vaccine mandate for city workers remains on hold pending separate legal proceedings.”

— “Boston superintendent calls for Mission Hill school to be closed over ‘pervasive’ sexual misconduct,” by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: “City school Superintendent Brenda Cassellius dropped a bombshell at Wednesday night’s school committee meeting by recommending that the committee permanently close Mission Hill K-8 School at the end of this academic year. It followed a stunning report that found that children as young as kindergartners at the Jamaica Plain school were the victims of student sexual misconduct and bullying – some of them for years.”

— “Boston’s Mass and Cass Engagement Center to close temporarily after violence,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The Mass and Cass Engagement Center will close until next week after a swell of violence in and around it, with the city saying ‘public safety necessitates’ the closure."

— “Martin Luther King, Coretta Scott King ‘The Embrace’ sculpture coming to Boston Common,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “A rare change to the Common will come to represent a couple that symbolizes the concept: the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. A large crowd gathered on the Common near the bandstand on Wednesday for the ceremonial groundbreaking for a large bronze sculpture that commemorates the famed civil-rights advocate couple — who met in the Hub.”

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

— “North End restaurateur says he’s running for Boston City Council seat,” by Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: “North End restaurateur Jorge Mendoza says he’s so fed up with City Hall he’s running for a council seat in Tuesday’s special election. It will have to be a sticker campaign, but the self-described ‘adopted son’ of Boston tells the Herald he’s willing to take the chance.”

— NEW: The Massachusetts State Council of Machinists is endorsing Tania Del Rio for Boston City Council District 1.

A message from National Grid:

ON THE STUMP

— “Chang-Díaz targets Healey at gubernatorial forum,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Seeking to gain ground in the Democratic primary for governor, state Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz on Wednesday aggressively targeted Attorney General Maura Healey’s record on policing reforms, education, and the environment, charging that Healey has failed to fully embrace the equity lens that both say anchors their campaigns. The criticisms, made at a gubernatorial forum, marked a striking escalation in Chang-Díaz’s rhetoric and added to a series of differences the Jamaica Plain Democrat sought to draw as she’s trailed Healey badly in public polling, fund-raising, and name recognition since the attorney general entered the race in January.”

— “Political races between women are becoming the norm, study says,” by Brooke Migdon, The Hill: “The majority of voters no longer consider political races between women to be a novelty, new research shows, and female candidates are rarely seen as ‘outsiders’ in most races for public office. Even so, gender biases are still prevalent, and voters still tend to hold women to a higher standard than male candidates, according to a study published this week by the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, which works to achieve gender parity in U.S. politics.”

— "Two Factions Square Off Over Housing Issues in Brookline Town Meeting Races," by Sam Mintz, Streetsblog: "A once-in-a-generation redistricting shakeup means that nearly every member of the Brookline Town Meeting is up for re-election this year, and competing political factions in one of the state’s most transit-rich communities are lining up slates of candidates centered on one pressing issue: housing development."

— ENDORSEMENT ALERT: Mel King has endorsed Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins for reelection, saying he’s provided “the kind of leadership on public safety, addiction recovery, mental health and civic engagement that our communities have sorely needed.”

— The 52,000-member Retired State, County, and Municipal Employees (Mass Retirees) has unanimously endorsed state Rep. Tim Whelan for Barnstable County sheriff, per his campaign.

DAY IN COURT

— “Former Chicopee Schools Superintendent Lynn Clark arraigned on federal charges of lying to FBI over alleged extortion of police captain,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “Recently fired Chicopee Schools Superintendent Lynn A. Clark was arraigned Wednesday on a federal charge of lying to the FBI over her alleged extortion attempt of former lover Richard Henry, a captain on the Chicopee police force. Clark pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court to two counts of misleading FBI agents after being indicted by a grand jury on April 22 over tawdry accusations she sent Henry ‘threatening texts’ including photos and ‘personal material’ to push him out of the race for chief of police over the winter.”

JOIN US ON 4/29 FOR A WOMEN RULE DISCUSSION ON WOMEN IN TECH : Women, particularly women of color and women from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, have historically been locked out of the tech world. But this new tech revolution could be an opportunity for women to get in on the ground floor of a new chapter. Join POLITICO for an in-depth panel discussion on the future of women in tech and how to make sure women are both participating in this fast-moving era and have access to all it offers. REGISTER HERE.

DATELINE D.C.

— “Maura Healey blasts McKinsey’s opioid ‘schemes’ in House hearing,” by Pranav Baskar, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey brought her campaign against the McKinsey consulting firm’s opioid dealings to Washington on Wednesday, blasting the company’s ‘schemes’ to get more Americans hooked on the deadly painkillers in front of the House Oversight Committee.”

FROM THE 413

— “Pittsfield Police Department study finds officer was justified in fatal March shooting of Miguel Estrella,” by Larry Parnass and Amanda Burke, Berkshire Eagle: “An internal investigation by the Pittsfield Police Department has found that the officer who shot and killed city resident Miguel Estrella on March 25 followed ‘use of force guidelines’ and that Estrella posed an immediate threat as he came at an officer “at a fast pace” with a raised knife.”

— “Easthampton School Committee raps mayor’s ‘racist, unacceptable’ remarks in school, refusal to discuss matter,” by Emily Thurlow, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “The School Committee is calling Mayor Nicole LaChapelle’s controversial remarks to a student in a high school civics class ‘racist and unacceptable,’ and her use of profanity in a school as a public official ‘unprofessional,’ according to an email the committee sent to parents and guardians on Wednesday.”

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— "The bill to companies for ‘inadequate’ daycare in Mass.: $1 billion-plus a year," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation is set to release a report on Thursday that outlines the detrimental impacts the childcare shortage is having on the state’s economy. Among the eye-popping stats: Inadequate childcare cost businesses in Massachusetts an estimated $97 million a month last summer and fall, or more than $1 billion a year — largely because of employees who have left jobs to care for their kids, and the disruption that turnover caused."

— “After 100 days in office, affordability is the top priority for Somerville’s new mayor,” by Paris Alston, GBH News: “[Mayor Katjana] Ballantyne has been tackling issues like affordable housing and equity and told Alston that she prides herself on inclusive government that brings all voices to the table.”

— “Calls mount for Southeastern chair Branch to step aside as superintendent search bogs down,” by Chris Helms and Christopher Butler, Brockton Enterprise: “The Southeastern Regional School District School Committee, amid widening lack of confidence in Chairperson Tony Branch's leadership due to a personal legal battle, narrowly kept Branch on as chair. Monday's tense ouster attempt, the second this month, failed 5-5 with Branch himself casting the deciding vote. The unhappiness with Branch comes as the committee struggles with its most important job: hiring a new superintendent. The effort is at least six weeks behind schedule, and one of five finalists has dropped out.”

A message from National Grid:

National Grid is announcing our path to a fossil-free energy future for our customers and communities. Our fossil-free plan will help achieve the Northeast’s aggressive climate goals and set a new standard for energy companies.

We will use renewable natural gas DUH?, green hydrogen generated from wind and solar power, battery storage, and greater energy efficiency to make our National Grid system fossil-free by 2050 or earlier. Climate scientists say renewable natural gas is a win-win for the environment.

There Is A Better Way to keep energy affordable, reliable, and clean. That’s why we are creating a hybrid pathway that preserves customer choice while delivering the clean, affordable energy future our customers want and deserve. See How.

TRANSITIONS — Jack Cline has been appointed VP for federal relations at Northeastern University.

— Sherin and Lodgen has added Laura Kaplan as a partner in the firm’s real estate department.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Sports Illustrated’s Jason Schwartz and Patrick Lally.

NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: COVID RATES AND EDUCATOR DIVERSITY — Hosts Steve Koczela and Lisa Kashinsky break down new MassINC Polling Group data on accessing at-home Covid tests. Ralph Saint-Louis of Teach Plus Massachusetts and Manny Cruz of Latinos for Education join Koczela to talk about the Educator Diversity Act. 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.

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