Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: The Healey administration begins

Friday, January 6, 2023

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: The Healey administration begins

Presented by

NEW GOVERNOR, WHO DIS — Maura Healey began her historic tenure as governor on Thursday by laying out her vision for tackling the state’s housing crisis, workforce shortages and transportation woes.

“Where others may see hopelessness and resignation, I see unparalleled opportunity,” Healey said after she was sworn in alongside Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll.

There were echoes of policies championed by now-former Gov. Charlie Baker, including tax relief and climate-tech innovation, and overtures to the business community that backed him. “The common issues that were raised” by the outgoing Republican governor are “the same issues being raised” by the incoming Democratic one, Bruce Tarr, the Senate minority leader, told reporters. “There’s a continuity there that transcends party.”

But Healey also began to chart her own course. After being criticized during her campaign and transition for being light on details, Healey offered a raft of plans with concrete deadlines: 60 days to hire a transportation safety chief, 100 days to establish a standalone housing secretary, one year to hire 1,000 new workers focused on MBTA operations. Her pledges to create an interagency task force to compete for federal infrastructure money and to conduct equity audits in executive agencies drew standing ovations.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey delivers her inaugural address in the House Chamber at the Statehouse, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) | AP

Key lawmakers quickly showed interest in some of Healey’s ideas. Senate President Karen Spilka said she’d “love to sit down” with the new administration about hiring for the T. State Sen. Mike Barrett said there’s impetus to act on Healey’s call for a “climate corridor,” telling reporters that “the Healey stamp, joined with Baker’s prior initiative, gives it that bipartisan character that we really need.”

Those are good signs for Healey as Beacon Hill Democrats begin to navigate the opportunities and obstacles of one-party rule. Yet there's already potential for friction. Healey wants to make community college free for people over the age of 25 who lack college degrees, but Spilka wants to make it free for all. Healey and Spilka want tax relief, but House Speaker Ron Mariano remains noncommittal.

“Democrats don’t always agree with each other,” Spilka told reporters. “Collaboration here is key.”

Another Democratic relationship to watch: Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. The two top executives have diverged in policies and politics. But they’ve presented a united front since Healey’s election. And Wu told reporters yesterday that she’s “completely in sync with the new administration.”

GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Healey and Driscoll capped off their Inauguration Day by taking over the TD Garden for a basketball-themed celebration complete with a concert by Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile.

Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll at their inaugural celebration at the TD Garden on Jan. 5, 2023. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO

The lavish affair put on by Rafanelli Events featured two open bars, hors d'oeuvres that ranged from bao buns to charcuterie and Healey-Driscoll branded freebies like mini basketballs and foam fingers.

And it was paid for by lobbyists, unions, developers, clean-energy companies and at least two companies Healey sued as attorney general, CVS Pharmacy and Grubhub, and two she reached settlements with after investigations, Comcast and Santander.

Healey raked in nearly $1.8 million for her inauguration through the end of December, according to a finance report filed after the festivities wrapped. Among the 53 people and companies that hit Healey’s self-imposed $25,000 maximum contribution: CVS, which Healey successfully sued for contributing to the opioid crisis, and Comcast.

GrubHub, which Healey sued over its delivery fees during the pandemic, donated $10,000. Santander, which Healey settled with over subprime auto loans, donated $5,000. Healey's team didn't immediately comment.

TODAY — Healey and Driscoll swear in Cabinet members at 9:30 a.m., hold their first Cabinet meeting at 10 a.m., and introduce an executive order to create a Cabinet-level “climate chief” at noon, all at the State House. Wu and state Rep. Aaron Michlewitz announce plans for a new BCYF center in the North End at 11 a.m. Rep. Seth Moulton is on WBUR’s “Radio Boston” at 11 a.m. to reflect on the two-year anniversary of the U.S. Capitol riot.

THIS WEEKEND — Democratic whip Katherine Clark is scheduled to speak at an Indivisible rally at 2 p.m. Saturday in Concord. Spilka is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday.

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

A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts:

When it comes to overall health, Delta Dental is here to help you embrace a new “flossophy.” Oral health is a key predictor of overall health and can have a big impact on your later years. Protecting you from things like heart disease, diabetes, and depression. That’s why we’re reminding communities all over the state that a healthy smile is a powerful thing. Discover the connection between oral and overall health at ExpressYourHealthMA.org.

DATELINE BEACON HILL

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is sworn in during her Inauguration in the House Chamber at the Statehouse, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, in Boston (Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) | AP

— “As first woman, LGBTQ governor in Mass., Maura Healey’s inauguration is more than just a history lesson,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “A momentous mood surrounded the inauguration of Healey, who not only became the state’s first openly gay governor but also its first elected female governor and part of one of the country’s first female governor-lieutenant governor duos. There were nods to the number of female officeholders on the dais and mentions of the groundbreaking day. Later, at a basketball-themed inaugural bash at TD Garden, women, many with their daughters in tow, reflected on the milestone.”

Here’s how Healey acknowledged those milestones in her speech: “I assume this office as the first woman and first gay person ever elected governor of Massachusetts,”she said. “But every one of us — every one of us — is a first. You may be a first-generation immigrant, choosing Massachusetts as the foundation for your American dream. You may be the first in your family to go to college, the first in your neighborhood to start a business.”

— READ: Healey's inaugural speech and Driscoll's inaugural speech .

Kim Driscoll, right, is sworn in as lieutenant governor of Massachusetts by state Senate President Karen Spilka, left, during inauguration ceremonies in the House Chamber at the Statehouse, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) | AP

— SPOTTED on the rostrum as Healey and Driscoll were sworn in: former Govs. Deval Patrick, Bill Weld and Michael Dukakis, former U.S. senator and Biden administration climate envoy John Kerry, Attorney General-elect Andrea Campbell, Auditor-elect Diana DiZoglio, Sen. Ed Markey, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Kimberly Budd, former House Speaker Bob DeLeo, former Senate President Therese Murray, Treasurer Deb Goldberg and outgoing Auditor Suzanne Bump. Members of Healey’s family, including her mother, stepfather and siblings, were watching from a balcony, as were members of Driscoll's family.

— NOT SPOTTED: Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who greeted the governor Wednesday at the State House but was unable to return Thursday due to what her office described as “minor” foot surgery.

— LINE OF THE DAY: Driscoll, shouting out her 89-year-old father, a U.S. Navy veteran, during her speech and saying: “I’m sure there’s going to be some Johnnie Walker Black in our future today.”

— THE GOP RESPONSE: MassGOP Chair Jim Lyons , who’s expected to seek a third term leading the party, said Republicans have “got our work cut out for us” with the Healey administration. His proposed solution: “rallying the grassroots to get involved in their local municipal elections” because “change begins locally.” Conservative-leaning MassFiscal urged Healey to “adopt broad-based tax cuts and tax eliminations” to “deal with the negative fallout” of the so-called millionaires tax voters approved last fall.

— “Gov. Healey received a Paul Revere sword. There’s history behind it,” by Tiana Woodard, Boston Globe.

— “Housing in Worcester, equity out west: What lawmakers hope Gov. Healey will fix,” by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive.

— "Healey, Driscoll celebrate their historic firsts with basketball-themed ‘Garden party’," by Katie Lannan, GBH News.

— SPOTTED at the soirée: State Senate President Karen Spilka and Sens. Jamie Eldridge, Sal DiDomenico, Julian Cyr and Bruce Tarr; state Reps. Mike Connolly, Steve Owens, Christopher Worrell, Christine Barber, Dylan Fernandes, Tommy Vitolo, Kate Donaghue, Lindsay Sabadosa and Kate Hogan; Chris Dempsey, Tanisha Sullivan, former state Sen. Joe Boncore, Auditor-elect Diana DiZoglio, Boston City Council President Ed Flynn and Councilor Brian Worrell, former Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley, Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan, Gardner Mayor Mike Nicholson and former housing and economic development secretary Jay Ash.

A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts:

TRANSITION TIME

— BAKER’S LAST ACT: Charlie Baker became a private citizen again at noon on Thursday, but not without first working through the 92 bills that had landed on his desk by the end of the last legislative session. He signed 29 on Wednesday, 61 on Thursday morning and pocket vetoed two — one on retirement eligibility for judicial officials and another about speed limits in Milton. Among the new laws: measures to curb catalytic converter thefts and a “Foster Parents’ Bill of Rights.”

THE LATEST NUMBERS

— “XBB.1.5 variant explodes across region as Boston-area COVID wastewater levels surge, Massachusetts virus cases jump 21%,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “XBB now accounts for more than 75% of new virus cases in New England, according to this week’s variant update from the CDC. … The state reported 10,075 virus cases over the last week. The daily average of 1,439 COVID cases from the last week is up 21% from the daily rate of 1,190 virus infections during the previous week.”

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— “Green Line crash ‘would have been prevented’ if MBTA had installed train tech earlier, NTSB finds,” by Taylor Dolven, Boston Globe: “A Green Line crash in July 2021 that injured 27 people was caused by an operator speeding at 33 miles per hour, as much as 23 miles above the limit, the National Transportation Safety Board announced Thursday. The crash ‘would have been prevented’ if the MBTA had installed a long-discussed system on the Green Line that automatically intervenes and applies brakes to prevent trains from speeding or getting too close to each other, the NTSB’s final report on the incident said.”

DAY IN COURT

— “Sal DiMasi, other federal cons can’t be automatically blocked from Beacon Hill lobbying, SJC rules,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Former Massachusetts House Speaker Sal DiMasi has blazed a trail for his fellow federal convicts, persuading the the state’s highest court to rule that he couldn’t be automatically disqualified from becoming a lobbyist on Beacon Hill. This changes little for DiMasi, 72, who by this point is past the 10-year ban window for which this would apply following his 2011 federal guilty plea to corruption charges, and is currently an active lobbyist.”

— "Battle over nursing home 'de-densification' can continue, judge rules," by Cassie McGrath, Boston Business Journal: "A lawsuit filed by a group of nursing homes to block the state's 'de-densification' requirements can move forward, a Suffolk Superior Court judge ruled in late December, a major win for plaintiffs even as some nursing homes have taken steps to comply."

MARKEY MADNESS

— “Twitter said it fixed ‘verification.’ So I impersonated a senator (again),” by Geoffrey A. Fowler, Washington Post: “On Tuesday, @SenatorEdMarkey briefly went viral on Twitter. Gisele Barreto Fetterman, the wife of Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), thanked @SenatorEdMarkey in a tweet that garnered 140,000 views. The problem is, @SenatorEdMarkey is actually me, not the real Sen. Edward J. Markey. … The real Markey, who has long been a critic of Big Tech, told me Twitter had failed a basic test. ‘It’s an absolute joke that Elon Musk, who prides himself on being a tech entrepreneur, can’t implement a functioning verification regime — except users aren’t laughing,’ Markey said.”

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “New Worcester City Manager Will Be Highest Paid In 30 Years: Contracts,” by Neal McNamara, Patch: “Worcester City Manager Eric Batista, the city's seventh manager since 1950, will officially be sworn-in Friday. A review of his contract and the three preceding managers — Ed Augustus Jr., Michael O'Brien and Thomas Hoover — shows a pretty similar set of clauses covering items like salary, severance terms and perks like take-home vehicles. But each manager received differing amounts of compensation. Even adjusted for inflation, Batista will take office as the most highly-paid city manager in terms of salary.”

MEDIA MATTERS

— "As Janet Wu and Alison King sign off, they talk about favorite politicians and the future of local TV news," by Shirley Leung, Boston Globe.

A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts:

When it comes to oral health, Delta Dental of Massachusetts can help you achieve lifelong optimal health. There’s a strong connection between your body and the health of your mouth. Maintaining it now can have a positive impact for years to come. That’s why you should get back to the dentist for cleanings and oral cancer screenings. And, don’t forget to keep practicing good oral hygiene habits at home. A healthy mouth now will set the stage for a healthy future. Discover the connection between oral and overall health at ExpressYourHealthMA.org.

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Sarah Blodgett, communications director for state Senate President Karen Spilka; Natalie Boyse, Âri de Fauconberg, Sean Costello and Mark Hyman.

HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Yohannes Abraham and Jeff Gulko, who celebrate Saturday, and to Sunday birthday-er Alexis Orzeck.

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 .

Follow us on Twitter