Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Maura Healey's big day

Thursday, January 5, 2023

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Maura Healey's big day

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CHANGING OF THE GUARD — Maura Healey and Kim Driscoll won’t just be making history when they’re sworn in as governor and lieutenant governor today — they’ll be ushering in a new era of Democratic rule on Beacon Hill that will test the party in ways it hasn’t been for nearly a decade.

House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka got a head start on setting some parameters and priorities for the new administration when they were reelected yesterday to lead their respective chambers. They both expressed hope that Healey will display the same collaborative spirit as her Republican predecessor.

That’s one aspect of the Baker administration that Healey seems poised to continue. The Democrat not only emulated outgoing GOP Gov. Charlie Baker during her campaign but physically embraced him yesterday as they symbolically capped off a peaceful transfer of power.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker presents traditional symbols, including challenge coin, to Gov-elect Maura Healey during a ritual exchange, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at the State House in Boston. (Nancy Lane/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) | AP

Yet the potential for intraparty friction is already emerging. While the new big three seem aligned in their desire to tackle the state’s housing crisis, they seemingly diverge on other priorities. Spilka called yesterday for free community college for all, while Mariano expressed his desire to revive legislation to protect community hospitals by more strictly regulating larger players' expansions.

The House speaker also doesn’t yet appear sold on one of the incoming governor and Senate president’s biggest priorities — tax relief. Look to see how Healey responds in her inaugural speech.

Before the big three can get to dealmaking, Healey needs to finish building out her Cabinet. She announced three more top-level picks yesterday — business executive Yvonne Hao as economic development secretary, Harvard chief technology officer Jason Snyder as technology services and security secretary and Mary Beckman , chief of the attorney general’s health care and fair competition bureau, as acting health and human services secretary. But she’s yet to name her housing, labor and workforce, and public safety and security chiefs.

GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Healey and Driscoll will be sworn in around noon in the House chamber. Their inaugural celebration at the TD Garden begins at 6 p.m.

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

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker hugs Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito before walking down the Grand Staircase with his wife Lauren Baker, left, and Polito's husband, Steve Rodolakis, as the governor took his last walk through the State House, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, in Boston. (Erin Clark/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) | AP

POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE — Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito bid the State House a very public adieu Wednesday in a jam-packed day of pageantry that began with swearing in the new House and Senate and ended with the symbolic "lone walk" back to private life for the two longtime bureaucrats.

“This building has certainly played an important part of my life. And I hope I’ve lived up to it,” Baker told reporters as tears welled in his eyes. “I’ll miss it. I’m going to leave it at that.”

Baker exited the building to a 19-gun salute and throngs of well-wishers that included Secretary of State Bill Galvin, Treasurer Deb Goldberg, UMass President Marty Meehan and Senate President Karen Spilka. He took selfies with the crowd as Matchbox Twenty’s “How Far We’ve Come” played from speakers. Current and former members of his Cabinet chanted “four more years.” Aides wiped away tears.

Before he left, Baker presented Maura Healey with the four traditional gifts passed between governors. He also added one of his own — a military challenge coin he had received from the family of Army Sergeant First Class Jared Monti, who was killed in action in Afghanistan.

Baker’s not done governing just yet. Ninety-two bills remained on his desk yesterday, which he can either sign or let die when his term expires around noon. He indicated he plans to go through them today before turning his attention to unpacking the mementos from his office.

One thing Baker won’t miss? Dealing with snowstorms. Asked by WCVB’s Sharman Sacchetti what he’ll do the first time it snows once he leaves office, Baker, who still seems haunted by the winter of 2015, replied: “I’m gonna roll over and go back to bed.”

— FROM THE OPINION PAGES: "The outgoing governor’s ‘number one adviser’: Dad," by Yvonne Abraham, Boston Globe.

— DATELINE SWAMPSCOTT: "At home with the Bakers: Couple reflects on time in office," by Jadiann Thompson, 7 News.

— "In scathing letter, state watchdog criticizes management of Chelsea veterans’ home," by Mike Damiano, Boston Globe: "In a sharply critical letter Tuesday, the state’s top watchdog lambasted the management of a troubled veterans’ home in Chelsea and accused the Baker administration of failing to intervene despite knowing of the home’s problems."

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker takes a selfie with attendees while taking his last walk through the State House, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, in Boston. (Erin Clark/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) | AP

OUT WITH THE OLD SESSION, IN WITH THE NEW — The atmosphere inside the State House felt a bit like the first day of school as new lawmakers joined their returning colleagues in taking their oaths of office.

But Democratic representatives-elect Kristin Kassner and Margaret Scarsdale were forced to watch from the balcony. House Speaker Ron Mariano delayed their inaugurations to give a special legislative committee time to review the recounts in their races and the legal challenges from their Republican opponents.

In another twist, Kassner’s opponent, GOP state Rep. Lenny Mirra, will continue to represent the 2nd Essex district until the committee completes its work. The 1st Middlesex seat, for which Scarsdale defeated Republican Andrew Shepherd by seven votes, is vacant. Mariano didn’t set a deadline for the committee, which includes Democratic state Reps. Michael Day and Dan Ryan and Minority Leader Brad Jones , to finish its review. Mirra told reporters he'll accept the committee's results either way.

SPOTTED — at the State House for the swearing-in of the new Legislature: Healey, Lt. Gov.-elect Kim Driscoll, Auditor-elect and former state Sen. Diana DiZoglio, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and former House speakers Robert DeLeo, Salvatore DiMasi, Thomas Finneran and Charles Flaherty. Mariano gave DeLeo, who didn't get a proper goodbye when he exited the House earlier in the pandemic, the podium to reflect on his tenure and offer advice to new lawmakers.

— “Early education, public transit identified as early session priorities by top state lawmakers,” by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive: “[Senate President Karen Spilka] said she plans to introduce what she called a ‘Student Opportunity Plan’ that focuses on public higher education, early education, and care. The name is a play on legislation dubbed the Student Opportunity Act, a public schools funding bill that was signed into law in 2019. …

"Mariano, speaking to a packed House Chamber full of dignitaries and lawmakers, also pointed to early education and child care as an area the branch will dive into first during the 2023-2024 session. … The Quincy Democrat also said the House will focus on the state’s gun laws, public transportation, and pursuing legislation that ‘establishes a more rigorous review process around hospital expansions, ensuring that community hospitals are protected from the financial threat of larger hospital systems expanding into their market.’”

— “State commission calls for dismantling structural racism in Mass. prisons, jails,” by Chris Burrell, GBH News: “Structural racism is rampant in the state’s prisons and jails, a special legislative commission found in a study released [Wednesday]. The 71-page report, based on several site visits and dozens of interviews with current and former inmates and correctional staff, concluded that racism pervades policies, programs and the culture in both the state’s prisons and its county jails. Inmates of color told commissioners about unequal access to medical and mental health care and waiting longer for job placement than their white counterparts.”

— “Barstool Sportsbook betting approved for Mass., mobile betting to launch in March,” by Tristan Smith and Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive: “The Barstool Sportsbook betting platform was unanimously approved for a temporary sports betting license by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) Wednesday, according to an MGC press release. The gaming commission vote came from a two-week delay spurred by concerns about allegations against Barstool Sports and its founder David Portnoy.”

A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts:

TRANSITION TIME

— "Massachusetts Republicans just lost their popular governor. They’re not all mad about it," by Lisa Kashinsky, POLITICO: "Massachusetts Republicans are teetering on the brink of electoral extinction without Gov. Charlie Baker. But the popular governor’s exit provides a crucial break in a yearslong power struggle that’s paralyzed the state GOP just as the party prepares to pick a new leader, giving Republicans in this deep-blue state the chance to realign and rebuild — if they choose to take it."

— “Big tests ahead for Healey administration,” by Samantha J. Gross and Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: “When Maura Healey assumes the job Thursday, she will inherit its most pressing issues: a transportation system struggling with safety and reliability; a ballooning housing crisis; and a rapidly spreading new COVID-19 variant. She will also have to face a climate crisis that necessitates urgent action at every level of government. All at a time of economic uncertainty.”

— STAFFING UP: Healey and Driscoll rolled out a raft of key staff hires ahead of their inauguration. April English, an assistant attorney general, will head to the administration as chief secretary. Kristian Hoysradt and Juan Gallego, Driscoll’s campaign manager, will be the LG’s deputy and assistant deputy chief of staff, respectively. Alicia Rebello-Pradas , another AG office alum, will become deputy chief of staff for legislative affairs. Cecilia Ugarte Baldwin, a Patrick administration alum, will be deputy chief of staff for policy and Cabinet affairs. Jillian Fennimore, Healey’s communications director in the AG’s office, will move over to that role in the governor’s office. Karissa Hand, Healey’s campaign press secretary, will continue in that role in the administration.

— TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS: Elizabeth Dewar will become acting attorney general once Healey becomes governor to fill the gap until Attorney General-elect Andrea Campbell is sworn in on Jan. 18.

— "As Driscoll resigns, McCarthy takes over as 51st mayor to lead Salem," by Dustin Luca, Salem News: "[A]t the end of her [state of the city] address, Mayor Kim Driscoll’s resignation from December took effect, just 15 hours ahead of her swearing-in as lieutenant governor on Thursday afternoon. Soon after her remarks, the body unanimously elected Ward 1 City Councilor Robert 'Bob' McCarthy, the longest serving member of the body, as acting mayor."

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— FROM THE OPINION PAGES: “Has the company building MBTA trains ‘completely abandoned its core responsibilities’?” by Joan Vennochi, Boston Globe: “A Dec. 22 letter from MBTA Deputy Director Mark DeVitto to the project manager of CRRC MA — the Chinese company that’s producing the rail cars — presents a worrisome list of workmanship and inspection reporting lapses.”

— “MBTA’s plans to turn Boston’s Widett Circle into a rail yard draws opposition,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “The MBTA’s plan to purchase part of Widett Circle and turn it into a rail yard has drawn the ire of environmentalists and a group pushing for a North-South Rail link, but has the support of the city’s mayor.”

DAY IN COURT

— “Healey’s office asks SJC to reinstate charges in Soldiers’ Home deaths,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Mismanagement at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home undoubtedly contributed to the high COVID-19 death toll there in the first days of the pandemic. The question before the state’s highest court is whether the actions of the home’s former leaders may have constituted criminal behavior.”

FROM THE DELEGATION

— “26 Dems in Congress Urge DOJ to Continue Moratorium on Federal Executions,” by Brett Wilkins, Common Dreams: “Arguing that ‘the death penalty is cruel, racist, and fundamentally unjust,’ U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley on Tuesday led over two dozen congressional Democrats in calling on the Biden administration to continue its 18-month pause on federal executions.”

— “'Disarray' and 'disgrace': Mass. delegation reacts to chaotic House speaker vote,” by Gal Tziperman Lotan, Paris Alston and Jeremy Siegel, GBH News.

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “Cape Cod bridge projects: Massachusetts is denied funding for Bourne, Sagamore bridges,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The Bay State’s application for nearly $2 billion from the feds to replace the ancient Bourne and Sagamore bridges has been denied, according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. … The $1.88 billion represents 47% of the estimated $3.98 billion total project cost for design and construction of the Cape Cod bridges.”

— “Massachusetts sheriff ends enforcement agreement with ICE,” by The Associated Press: “The Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office in Massachusetts is ending an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that gave deputies the authority to enforce federal immigration laws, civil rights attorneys said Wednesday. The Barnstable department was the last sheriff’s office in New England with such an agreement, called a 287(g), according to Lawyers for Civil Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. … New Barnstable Sheriff Donna Buckley, who made a pledge to end the agreement a central part of her campaign, was sworn in Wednesday.”

— “Rockland settles lawsuits over sex scandal involving former town officials,” by Peter Blandino, Patriot Ledger: “The lawsuits stemming from a complicated sex scandal involving town officials that rocked the small community of Rockland in 2018 have been settled out of court. Three plaintiffs, including former Town Administrator Allan Chiocca, will split $850,000 to settle claims of quid-pro-quo sexual harassment, wrongful termination and due process violations.”

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HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

TRANSITIONS — Kendalle Burlin O’Connell is the new CEO and president of MassBio.

— Mae Eldahshoury has been promoted to deputy communications director for Rep. Ayanna Pressley. She was previously her press secretary.

— Matt Corridoni is now senior adviser in Rep. Jake Auchincloss’ office. He holds the same title on Auchincloss’ campaign and remains executive director of his MA4Dems leadership PAC.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Holly Morse. Happy belated to Emily Polston of Boston City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune’s office, who celebrated Wednesday.

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