Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook:

Friday, June 24, 2022

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook:

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ON TO NOVEMBER — State Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz's campaign teased that her Thursday morning announcement would change the course of the gubernatorial race. They were right.

With “no path” to the corner office, Chang-Díaz bowed out of the governor’s race one year to the day after she entered it and hours before a new UMass Amherst poll showed her trailing Democratic primary rival Maura Healey by more than 30 points.

Her exit clears the Democratic field for Healey and gives the attorney general, who's already been running a campaign geared toward the general election, a two-plus month head start on the race to November while her Republican rivals battle through the Sept. 6 primary. Chang-Díaz's name will remain on the primary ballot because the deadline has passed for her to remove it.

Healey is now the Democrats’ standard-bearer, but that doesn’t mean every Democrat is with her. Henry Wortis, a spokesperson for Our Revolution Massachusetts, which had endorsed Chang-Díaz, said the group will redouble its efforts in down-ballot races “now that we no longer have a gubernatorial candidate who will push the state legislature” to where the progressive organization wants Beacon Hill to be on climate and other issues.

Other Chang-Díaz backers, plus the politicians and activist groups who have yet to endorse in the governor’s race, could condition their support on getting Healey to commit to — or at least commit to further exploring — policies like rent control, fare-free transit and single-payer health care.

That could include Chang-Díaz, who notably did not endorse Healey on Thursday, though she said “there’s not a question” that she’ll support the Democratic nominee for governor.

Chang-Díaz could also shake up down-ballot races if she can effectively marshal her supporters to campaign for her slate of “Courage Democrats” that so far includes Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo for Suffolk district attorney, Rahsaan Hall for Plymouth district attorney and state representative candidates Raul Fernandez, Vivian Birchall and Sam Montaño.

Massachusetts state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz ends her gubernatorial campaign on Thursday, June 23, 2022. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO

GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Chang-Díaz said she's "open" to getting involved in other statewide races. That could help tip the scales in several Democratic primary contests in which the candidates remain largely unknown and the majority of residents are undecided.

Seventy percent of likely Democratic primary voters don’t have a pick for lieutenant governor, the UMass Amherst poll found, while 65 percent are undecided in the three-way primary for attorney general.

And 44 percent are undecided between the two Democrats vying for secretary of state. The poll showed incumbent Bill Galvin up 14 points over challenger Tanisha Sullivan, a reversal from the state Democratic convention earlier this month where Sullivan won the party's endorsement by a 24-point margin.

On the Republican side, state Rep. Geoff Diehl led gubernatorial rival Chris Doughty by 36 points.

TODAY — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu attends a Hyde Park coffee hour at 9:30 a.m. and speaks at a Boston Fire Department graduation ceremony at 11 a.m. at the BCEC. Rep. Lori Trahan holds a Facebook Live on the MATE Act at 10 a.m. Sen. Elizabeth Warren heads to North Adams City Hall at 2 p.m. for a discussion on federal funding for the Hoosic River Revival Project.

THIS WEEKEND — Treasurer Deb Goldberg is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Lieutenant governor candidate and state Rep. Tami Gouveia is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday.

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

A message from PhRMA:

Did you know more than half of every dollar spent on medicines goes to someone who doesn’t make them? There’s a long line of middlemen, like PBMs and insurers, collecting a significant portion of what you pay for medicine. The share of total spending for brand medicines received by the supply chain and other stakeholders increased from 33% in 2013 to 50.5% in 2020. Learn more.

THE LATEST NUMBERS

— “Massachusetts reports 1,700 new COVID cases, positive test rate plateaus,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The state Department of Public Health on Thursday reported 1,700 daily COVID cases, a similar count as the 1,662 infections last Thursday. … In the weekly K-12 schools report, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reported that 1,704 students and staff tested positive last week with significantly fewer districts reporting ahead of summer vacation, down from 4,216 cases during the previous week.”

— “Massachusetts monkeypox cases double in a week,” by Jeanette DeForge, Springfield Republican: “The state Department of Public Health on Thursday announced there were six new cases of the rare disease reported since June 16. All 13 infections have been in men and the patients are isolating.”

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— “‘We’re talking days.’ Supreme Court decision will put Mass. gun laws at risk, experts say,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “The Supreme Court decision Thursday striking down a New York firearm law left Massachusetts lawmakers searching for a fix that could help maintain the state’s strict gun safety regime. … Currently, Massachusetts law gives local police chiefs, who serve as the state’s licensing authority, the discretion to determine whether someone is suitable to have a license. Policymakers say that provision is a key part of the gun safety system in Massachusetts, which had the second-lowest firearm mortality rate in the country in 2020, trailing only Hawaii. But the police chief provision of state gun law may be under threat in its current form.”

— “Report backs smaller women’s prison to replace MCI-Framingham,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Massachusetts is moving forward with plans to study replacing the MCI-Framingham women’s prison after a report issued by an independent consultant recommended moving the female inmates to a new facility with a smaller footprint and a greater focus on rehabilitation.”

— “Massachusetts is dead last for trails, open spaces, Mass. Audubon wants $1 billion to fix,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “‘Massachusetts ranks 50th out of the 50 states when it comes to the amount of open space and trails,’ Michelle Manion, the Mass Audubon’s vice president of policy and advocacy, told the Herald. … For that reason, Manion said, her environmental advocacy group — along with members of the Mass Rivers Alliance, the Appalachian Mountain Club, Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions, and Mass Land Trust Coalition — descended on Beacon Hill Tuesday and Wednesday to demand lawmakers do something about the fact our state ranks so poorly when it comes to usable public nature spaces and invest $1 billion on solutions.”

— “House Drives Infrastructure Bill Up To $11 Bil,” by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): “The Massachusetts House took a major step Thursday toward injecting billions of dollars into work on the state's transportation and environmental infrastructure, sending to the Senate a rewritten borrowing bill that includes hundreds of millions of dollars to fix glaring safety issues at the MBTA and explore a rail expansion in western Massachusetts.”

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FROM THE HUB

— “A Boston city councilor tweeted about Zionists shaking people down. The backlash was swift,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “Boston City Councilor Kendra Lara is under fire for an antisemitic tweet that played on Jewish stereotypes of money and power. … In a statement to the Globe sent via text Thursday morning, Lara said the tweet was in reference to a federal appeals court decision this week that, according to the Associated Press, upheld an Arkansas law that required state contractors promise not to boycott Israel.”

— “Boston Public Schools superintendent candidate speaks of 'calling' to education,” by Max Larkin, WBUR: “The search for Boston’s next superintendent is drawing to a close as the first of two marathon interviews with the pair of local finalists took place Thursday. It was Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper’s turn in the spotlight first. … Skipper, a Dorchester resident and parent of three, made the case that as she's risen through the ranks of public education, she has tried to put students first.”

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— “MBTA launches ‘hiring blitz’ for subway dispatchers after service cuts,” by Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: “Four days after the MBTA reduced service on the Blue, Orange, and Red lines to comply with a federal safety directive, the agency’s general manager said Thursday that the T has embarked on a ‘hiring blitz’ to address the dispatcher shortages that forced the service cuts.”

— “MBTA Police union says its staffing shortage has been ignored amid safety probe,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “As the MBTA touts its efforts to comply with federal safety directives, there’s one area it is staying mum on: a staffing shortage at the Transit Police Department. It’s something that hasn’t escaped the notice of the MBTA Police Association, which said its force is approximately 34% lower than it should be, with no relief in sight.”

— “MBTA outlines hybrid approach on rail electrification,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The MBTA’s current plan for electrifying its commuter rail system calls for a hybrid approach using trains that draw power from overhead wires but also have the capability of running off batteries in tunnels, bridges, or on stretches of track where overhead wires are not feasible.”

— “Mass. road deaths on the rise this year after an 11-year high in 2021,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “After Massachusetts road deaths reached an 11-year high in 2021, the toll could be even higher this year, according to state Transportation Secretary Jamey Tesler. … There have been 172 roadway fatalities so far this year, as of June 15.”

— “At Logan, flight cancellations and delays could well be the norm. Here’s why,” by Diti Kohli and Andrew Brinker, Boston Globe: “Delays and frustration could well be the norm at Logan Airport this summer, experts say, as airlines grapple with worker shortages amid a resurgence in travel demand.”

A message from PhRMA:

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: State Sen. Lydia Edwards has endorsed Christopher Worrell for 5th Suffolk District state representative.

— “As record inflation squeezes families, Healey pitches relief plan,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “Front-running gubernatorial candidate Maura Healey, leaning into voter concern about inflation and the economy, on Thursday unveiled a $400 million plan to expand state tax credits for children and other dependents, which she said would put more money into the pockets of families.”

DAY IN COURT

— “Massachusetts GOP files lawsuit against mail-in voting reform signed into law this week by Gov. Charlie Baker,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “A day after Gov. Charlie Baker signed a voting reforms package into law, the Massachusetts Republican Party on Thursday filed a lawsuit to overturn it. The so-called VOTES Act permanently expands early voting timelines and allows no-excuse voting by mail, a measure that MassGOP Chairman Jim Lyons called unconstitutional on Thursday afternoon as his party filed his lawsuit to block the new legislation from taking effect. Rayla Campbell, the Republican candidate for secretary of state, joined Lyons in filing the lawsuit in Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court against Secretary of State William Galvin, who is running for reelection.”

Galvin called the suit “outrageous” and told Playbook he’s instructed his legal counsel “to ask for a full bench hearing right away” so he can proceed with sending out mail-in ballot applications in July for the Sept. 6 state primary.

— “SJC slams Harvard, but says university can keep slave photos,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “The Supreme Judicial Court on Thursday revived a lawsuit brought by a woman who claims Harvard University caused her emotional distress when she sought information about and the return of nude photographs a Harvard professor took of her slave ancestors in 1850. Tamara Lanier sued Harvard seeking return of the photographs and payment of damages. The SJC affirmed a lower court judgment dismissing most of her claims, including her request to return the photographs, but let the case continue in Superior Court to determine if Harvard is liable for negligent and reckless infliction of emotional distress.”

JOIN TUESDAY FOR WOMEN RULE TALK ON THE ECONOMY: The U.S. economy is showing signs of slowing down after a period of robust growth last year. How would an economic slowdown affect women’s economic security across socioeconomic, racial, and geographic lines? Join POLITICO’s Women Rule for a conversation on what’s ahead for the U.S. economy and how it will impact women’s livelihoods and economic well-being. REGISTER HERE.

FROM THE DELEGATION

— “Auchincloss staff embroiled in disputes involving Colbert, Taylor Greene,” by Ted Nesi, WPRI: “If there’s one thing Massachusetts Congressman Jake Auchincloss is usually known for, it’s message discipline. But not this week. Top staffers in Auchincloss’s congressional office have made national news twice for disputes that drew the attention of the U.S. Capitol Police, one involving TV host Stephen Colbert and the other involving archconservative Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene."

— “Warren on proposed gas tax holiday: ‘That’s not the approach I would use’,” by Natalie Prieb, The Hill: “Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pushed back against President Biden‘s proposal to implement a gas tax holiday to combat soaring fuel prices. … Warren argued that the best way to deal with the high gas prices is to look at ‘the longer arc of what drives prices’ and respond to those individual issues — like price gouging or worker shortages — directly.”

— "Exclusive: Black congresswomen urge Biden to declare public health and national emergency around abortion," by Mabinty Quarshie, USA Today: "A group of 20 Black congresswomen wrote a public letter Friday to President Joe Biden , insisting he protect access to abortion by 'declaring a public health and national emergency,' amid the expected overturn of the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. The coalition, led by Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus’ Abortion Rights and Access Task Force, are all Democratic members in the House of Representative and members of the Congressional Black Caucus."

DATELINE D.C.

— “US Rep. Richard Neal, Gov. Charlie Baker pitch Westfield, Barnes Air National Guard Base as home for F-35 fighter jets,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “Westfield and Barnes Air National Guard Base have the airfield, the educated workforce and most importantly the desire to host the Air Force’s next generation F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall learned Thursday.”

— “Senate clears bipartisan gun safety package,” by Marianne LeVine and Burgess Everett, POLITICO: “The Senate on Thursday passed bipartisan gun safety legislation, Congress’ most significant response to mass shootings in nearly 30 years. In a 65-33 vote, 15 Republicans joined all Senate Democrats in passing the legislation. The bill now heads to the House, where it’s expected to pass as soon as Friday. … The measure provides grants for states to implement so-called red flag laws, which allow for the temporary confiscation of firearms from individuals who are deemed threats to themselves or others, as well as other crisis intervention programs. In addition, it closes what’s known as the ‘boyfriend loophole’ by barring individuals with misdemeanor convictions of domestic violence against dating partners or former dating partners from purchasing a firearm for at least five years.”

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “Study forecasts major drop in state's college-educated workforce,” by Grant Welker, Boston Business Journal: “A MassINC study projects that Massachusetts will lose about 10% of its college-educated workforce by 2030 — a drop of 192,000 thanks to a wave of baby boomers retiring from the workforce, declining immigration and a drop in the number of schoolchildren.”

A message from PhRMA:

Did you know that PBMs, insurers, hospitals, the government, and others received a larger share of total spending on medicines than biopharmaceutical companies? That’s right, more than half of spending on brand medicines goes to someone who doesn’t make them. Let’s fix the system the right way and ensure more of the savings go to patients, not middlemen. Learn more.

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

REWIND — I joined Axios Boston’s Mike Deehan and GBH’s Adam Reilly on a special edition of “Talking Politics” to break down the end of state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz’s gubernatorial bid.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Jon Latino, Peter Cutrumbes, former MassGOP Chair Kirsten Hughes, Roger Fisk, principal of New Day Strategy; Thomas Doane Perry III, Jonathan Yuan, Ed Palleschi, undersecretary for the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation; Baker administration alum John Alvarez, Katherine Marie Kulik and Morgan Smith.

HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Eddie Rupia, Avital Mintz-Morgenthau, Seth Nadeau, Jeremy Bearer-Friend and Annie Schreiber of Kilpatrick Strategists Co., who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers former Lynn state Rep. Robert Fennell, Southwick state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga, Gloucester state Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, Mattapoisett state Rep. Bill Straus, Kait Castillo, communications director for state Sen. Jason Lewis; former MassGOP spokesperson Emmalee Kalmbach, Democratic strategist Adam Webster of Castle Point Partners and Adam Zieminski of Cafe Adam in Great Barrington.

NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: E-BICYCLE BUILT FOR WHO? — MassINC Polling Group's Rich Parr takes hosts Steve Koczela and Lisa Kashinsky through MassINC's latest transit poll. Galen Mook, executive director at the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalitions, discusses e-bike legislation. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.

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