Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: No summer doldrums here

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: No summer doldrums here

TIME'S TICKING — It’s three weeks until primary day, and that means endorsements are flying, the airwaves are getting crowded and super PACs are wading in. Here’s the latest:

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: CAMPBELL’S NEW AD — Andrea Campbell wants to “take on oil companies and price-gougers” and protect kids from “predators and bullying.”

But with only three weeks to go, what Campbell really wants voters to know is that she has the support of Attorney General Maura Healey and the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts in her bid for AG.

Those endorsements are a focal point of Campbell’s new television ad, “Fair Shot,” which will start airing on broadcast, cable and streaming services today as part of a $540,000 ad buy that her campaign says could grow before the Sept. 6 Democratic primary.

Campbell’s hitting the airwaves with her second ad as rival Shannon Liss-Riordan is up with her third and Quentin Palfrey has reserved airtime for his first spot beginning next week.

Massachusetts attorney general candidate Andrea Campbell in her second television ad. | Screenshot from Campbell campaign video.

NEW: LG ENDORSEMENT WARS — Former lieutenant governor hopeful Bret Bero, Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky and state Reps. Paul Mark and Adam Scanlon are among the 33 current and former elected officials endorsing state Sen. Eric Lesser for LG ahead of today’s Democratic primary debate at 11 a.m. on WBUR.

One of his rivals, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, is rolling out 50 endorsements this morning, including from Lesser’s state Senate colleague John Keenan; and state Reps. Bill Driscoll Jr., Daniel Donahue, John Mahoney, Mary Keefe, James Murphy, James Arciero, Michael Finn, Mike Day, Bruce Ayers, Tackey Chan, Denise Garlick, Peter Capano, Ann-Margaret Ferrante, Christopher Markey, Alan Silvia, Dylan Fernandes and Mark Cusack, who picked Driscoll over colleague state Rep. Tami Gouveia. Joining them are former Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer, former U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt and former lieutenant governor Thomas P. O’Neill III.

PAC PLAY: DEMPSEY VS. DEMPSEY — The political committee of lobbyist and former House Ways and Means Chair Brian Dempsey is among those fueling the "Commonwealth for All" IEPAC, which spent $100,000 in digital advertising supporting state Sen. Diana DiZoglio for auditor against Democratic rival Chris Dempsey. That includes Facebook ads first reported by the Dorchester Reporter’s Gintautas Dumcius.

GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Tips? Scoops? Have you voted already? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com.

TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker, Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano gather at the State House for a ceremonial signing of the state’s new mental health law at 3:30 p.m. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito visits Brockton Beer Company, a MassDevelopment site, at 10:15 a.m.

Rep. Jim McGovern kicks off his districtwide farm tour at 8:30 a.m. at Just Roots in Greenfield. GOP candidates Chris Doughty and Kate Campanale tour Gloucester with state Sen. Bruce Tarr at 10 a.m. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announces climate-related legislation at 11 a.m. at City Hall Plaza and hosts a Dominican flag raising event there at noon. AG Maura Healey campaigns in Attleboro and Fall River, including a visit to the closed South Attleboro Commuter Rail station at 2:30 p.m. with Rep. Jake Auchincloss.

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

— “State officials have made it harder to pass the MCAS,” by Max Larkin, WBUR: “Passing the state’s required high school graduation exam is set to get harder over the next nine years. Massachusetts’ board of elementary and secondary education voted 8-3 Monday to raise the passing score on the 10th-grade MCAS English exam starting with freshmen incoming this fall. An amendment calling to further hike passing scores for the class of 2031 passed by the same margin. … The move went forward despite stiff resistance, on and off the board.”

MASK-ACHUSETTS

— “Schools move away from masks as studies suggest they are effective,” by Kay Lazar, Boston Globe: “The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on Monday made it official, releasing fall guidelines that informed families ‘there is no longer any statewide masking mandate in schools (other than school health offices) and there is no testing requirement for schools.’ Some criticized the new state guidelines for failing to anticipate COVID surges and ignoring the needs of students who are immunocompromised or have other conditions that put them at high risk of severe disease. Yet amid the relentless policy debates, infectious disease experts say one thing is clear: masks in classrooms are effective at tamping down infections.”

FROM THE HUB

— “12 hours inside the Starbucks strike on Commonwealth Avenue, the longest in company history,” by Diti Kohli, Boston Globe: “It’s a telling glimpse into a now-historic union effort on this stretch of sidewalk near Boston University, where 20 Starbucks employees have been on strike, 24/7, for nearly a month, the longest documented action ever against the coffeehouse chain. Flocks of everyday people — teachers, truck drivers, and white-collar workers — have helped staff the picket line, too. Together, they’ve kept the store shuttered for 29 days.”

— “Returning to lead BPD, Michael Cox calls for renewed bond between police and the public,” by Adam Reilly, GBH News: “Michael Cox, who grew up in Roxbury, was sworn in as Boston’s 44th police commissioner Monday, completing a remarkable return to a department whose strengths and weaknesses he understands from deep and sometimes painful personal experience.”

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— “Orange Line shutdown: Expect ‘severe’ traffic, says state’s transportation brass,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “People who usually commute to Boston are being told to stay home, or at least avoid the areas shuttle buses will be weaving through, as traffic congestion is expected to be ‘severe’ during a 30-day Orange Line shutdown that begins Friday night. … ‘We are urging travelers to evaluate the commute, and if possible, adjust for a route that avoids the shuttle diversion. If you must drive in, shift your travel time to off-peak hours if possible, or avoid the region altogether until the diversion period has concluded.’”

— ORANGE LINE OPPORTUNITY: Members of the state’s Black and Latino Legislative Caucus want the MBTA to say “how it will create goals to engage businesses of color” in contracts for the Orange Line work getting underway, according to a letter that state Rep. Chynah Tyler, the caucus chair, sent to MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak last week and shared with reporters on Monday. “ It’s about access to opportunity that’s not being provided to folks, and we want to make sure businesses of color have an opportunity to participate in legacy projects like this,” Tyler told Playbook.

MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo told Playbook that the T is reviewing the letter and is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in its programs and contracting, but didn’t have specific information on the Orange Line project available Monday night.

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is endorsing Rep. Ayanna Pressley for reelection, saying her “bold, progressive leadership in the House remains invaluable.”

— Teamsters Local 25 has endorsed Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden for a full term.

— The Boston Ward 12 Democratic Committee has endorsed AG Maura Healey for governor, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll for lieutenant governor, former Boston City Councilor Andrea Campbell for attorney general, NAACP Boston Branch President Tanisha Sullivan for secretary of state, Chris Dempsey for auditor, Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo for Suffolk district attorney, and Pressley, Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, state Treasurer Deb Goldberg and state Rep. Chynah Tyler for reelection.

— “Does a Trump endorsement mean a loss in Massachusetts? Lt. gov. hopefuls spar at debate,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “Republican lieutenant governor hopeful Leah Cole Allen shied away from embracing former President Donald Trump’s endorsement of her gubernatorial running mate Geoff Diehl, though her opponent trounced on the controversial support during a debate Monday . Allen, a former state Representative and nurse who was fired for not complying with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, would not say whether she views Trump’s endorsement as a ‘positive accolade’ for Diehl as he squares off against Chris Doughty, the other GOP candidate for governor and a Wrentham business owner."

— “Cost of living, housing top of mind for voters in new poll,” by Katie Lannan, GBH News: “Massachusetts voters want their state leaders to prioritize issues having to do with high prices, whether for housing, food or the overall cost of living, according to a new poll. The survey, out Monday from The MassInc Polling Group, asked 854 likely voters how the state should prioritize a host of economic issues. The cost of living emerged as the top issue, with 64% saying policymakers should give it ‘a great deal’ of attention. Other priorities were the cost of housing, which 60% picked as deserving the most focus, followed by the cost of food at 58% and inflation at 55%.”

— “Rivals in Berkshire sheriff's contest let the accusations fly. 'Woefully misinformed,' one says. 'A sheriff not equipped to do the job',” by Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle: “Sheriff Thomas Bowler portrayed himself to an audience at the Berkshire Athenaeum as a public servant interested in building community partnerships, starting with his election in 2010. … His rival, Alfred E. ‘Alf’ Barbalunga, introduced himself as a change agent for a system he brands as top heavy administratively.”

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

— "Ten cities and towns are poised to ban fossil fuels from new buildings," by Sabrina Shankman, Boston Globe: "From the outside, this 14-unit development looks relatively unremarkable — except for one key difference: there are no gas hookups, no oil or propane tanks. All the homes are completely fossil-fuel free. In recent years, small developments such as Concord Millrun have cropped up in recognition that the climate crisis calls for radical changes in our use of fossil fuels. And now, a new climate bill signed last week by Governor Charlie Baker contains a provision that could change the landscape significantly: 10 communities in the state can participate in a pilot program that bans the use of fossil fuels in new buildings and major renovations. Where once they were the exception, in these 10 communities, fossil-fuel-free developments will become the rule."

FROM THE 413

— “‘Won’t back down’: Smith & Wesson CEO responds to Congressional subpoena, criticism of fear-based marketing at Springfield gunmaker,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “Gunmaker Smith & Wesson told Congress Monday that it has no documents to hand over saying exactly how many AR-15-style rifles it sells or how much money it makes selling them. Smith & Wesson refused Monday to tell the House Oversight Committee chaired by U.S. Rep Carolyn B. Maloney, D-New York, what analysis is done on the use of its AR platform and similar rifles in mass shootings or other homicides. It also refused to disclose what analysis is done into how its own advertising plays into the shootings.”

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THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “How a potential Petty win in Senate race would reshape City Council,” by Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette: “With Mayor Joseph M. Petty campaigning to succeed state Sen. Harriette L. Chandler of Worcester, the possibility of him ascending to high office could alter the makeup of city government. If Petty vacates his role as mayor, which grants him the power to chair the City Council and School Committee, the city charter dictates that the vice chair of the City Council shall assume mayoral duties until at least the next city election. The current vice chair of the City Council is At-Large City Councilor Donna M. Colorio.”

— “Why is there a shortage of nurses in Massachusetts?” by Cassie McGrath, Boston Business Journal: “Massachusetts — like several other states across the country — has been facing a nursing shortage for years. The Covid-19 pandemic has made that shortage even more acute, as nurses report dangerous conditions and high workloads. Hospitals say they are laser-focused on recruiting and retaining staff as a result, which is reflected in recent contract negotiation trends of higher salary bumps, more benefits, and staffing protections. … There are over 5,000 job vacancies for registered nurses in Massachusetts. The workforce shortage is putting a massive financial and operational burden on the health care industry, even as hospitals are still struggling financially.”

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

— “Poll shows Bolduc with strong lead in Republican U.S. Senate primary,” by Adam Sexton, WMUR: “With less than a month to go in New Hampshire's Republican U.S. Senate primary, the poll shows [retired U.S. Army Gen. Don] Bolduc with a commanding lead over the rest of the GOP field. The poll shows 32% of registered voters supporting Bolduc, while his next closest competitor, state Senate President Chuck Morse, is at 16%.”

— “Poll shows emerging GOP frontrunners in New Hampshire's 1st District, open race in 2nd,” by Adam Sexton, WMUR: “Matt Mowers, the 2020 GOP nominee in the 1st District, leads the 2022 field with 25% in the poll of registered voters, but right behind him is Karoline Leavitt, the former assistant press secretary in the Trump White House, with 21%. Trailing them are retired journalist Gail Huff Brown at 9%, state Rep. Tim Baxter at 8% and former state senator and executive councilor Russell Prescott at 2%. Thirty-three percent of registered voters said they are undecided.”

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

SPOTTED — among the 130-plus guests at the wedding of King Boston Executive Director Imari Paris Jeffries and Miriam Ortiz, director of education and training at Just-A-Start Corporation, on Saturday: U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael Rollins, the Rev. Willie Bodrick, Michael Curry, former Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson, former state Rep. Marie St. Fleur, The Castle Group’s Sandy Lish, Betty and Paul Francisco and Marie-Frances Rivera of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center.

TRANSITIONS — Daniel I. Lampke is now an associate in Sherin and Lodgen’s employment department.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Kristen Elechko and Justin (JP) Griffin. Happy belated to Boston City Council President Ed Flynn, who celebrated Saturday.

NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: DA TO DA — Boston Globe reporter Evan Allen talks through controversy at the Suffolk DA’s office. Lisa Kashinsky joins co-hosts Jennifer Smith and Steve Koczela for a campaign rundown. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.

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