Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook:

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook:

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THE LONG GOODBYE — “Do you want me to just start crying first?”

Gov. Charlie Baker, fresh off Thanksgiving break, was at a recovery center in Quincy discussing his administration’s efforts to combat the opioid crisis. The speaker, a man in recovery, was growing emotional. The governor, who's known to cry in public, interjected with the show of support.

It was one of the first stops on Baker’s goodbye tour — a series of events highlighting his administration’s work on everything from South Coast commuter rail service to broadband expansion in western Massachusetts. It concludes with a farewell address at 2 p.m. , which will be followed tomorrow by his “lone walk” out of the State House.

Baker leaves office consistently ranked as one of the nation’s most popular governors, lauded for his commitment to a seemingly bygone era of bipartisanship and undented by deadly failures at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, the Registry of Motor Vehicles and the MBTA.

Over two terms he shepherded the state budget from a structural deficit to a surplus — “the financial situation in the commonwealth has probably never been better,” Baker told Playbook in an interview in his ceremonial office last week. He reshaped the state’s judiciary, championed the offshore wind industry and, with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, strengthened the relationship between state and local government.

But opioids remain a problem . The T has fallen under federal review. And Baker lamented his inability to sell clean tech innovation and permanent tax relief for seniors and low-income families to the Legislature — but sees hope for both under Gov.-elect Maura Healey.

Baker also leaves a power vacuum atop the state GOP, which will have no statewide officers and fewer seats in the Legislature. Baker said it’s “unwise” to write off the shrinking party: “In the 1980s, no joke, people wrote similar kinds of stories that the GOP was dead … and then Bill Weld got elected governor.” But he wouldn’t say whether he feels a responsibility to help heal its deep divisions.

“Parties are supposed to win elections, thereby making it possible to govern and to hold the other party accountable,” Baker said. This month’s GOP leadership election will “certainly send a message about whether they want to win races or not.”

Baker, who’s called for MassGOP Chair Jim Lyons’ ouster, said he would “probably not” endorse someone else for chair. Here are more excerpts from Playbook’s interview with Baker, edited for length and clarity:

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker speaks during an interview at the Massachusetts State House Tuesday Dec. 27, 2022, in Boston, Mass. (AP Photo/Reba Saldanha) | AP

— On why he’s leaving one grueling job for another — NCAA president: "College athletics is one of the most significant human potential development operations we have for young people … and it's going to go through a very transformational period here. … I think I have the kind of work and life experience that can help work through some of that."

— On what else he hopes Healey will carry forward from his tenure: "She and [Lt. Gov.-elect] Kim Driscoll have talked a lot about housing, and Kim has done a lot of work on housing [as mayor of] Salem, which I consider to be sort of the single biggest existential threat we’ve got. … I hope they can get back into some kind of a rhythm with the Legislature on those Monday [weekly leadership] meetings. The pandemic blew them up."

— On whether he’ll informally advise Healey after she takes office: "No. If the governor-elect and the lieutenant governor-elect want to talk to me about anything, I am going to be available. But it’s their show."

— On whether he’d ever run for Congress or president: "I have a new job I’m very excited about … [but] nobody ever should say never when it comes to public life."

GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Happy new year! I hope you had a great holiday.

TODAY — Healey and Driscoll continue their pre-inauguration community service tour with events at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro South in Taunton at 12:30 p.m. and Family Table Collaborative in South Yarmouth at 3 p.m.

Did you miss me? Let's reconnect. Send your tips and scoops to lkashinsky@politico.com .

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TRANSITION TIME

— NO DAYS OFF: Gov.-elect Maura Healey filled several key Cabinet positions over the holidays. Rebecca Tepper, the chief of the attorney general’s energy and environment bureau, is the next secretary of energy and environmental affairs, POLITICO first reported . Tepper joins Melissa Hoffer as the state’s first Cabinet-level climate chief. Healey also named transit veterans Gina Fiandaca, a Walsh mayoral administration alum, and Monica Tibbits-Nutt as transportation secretary and undersecretary , respectively.

Patrick Tutwiler, a former Lynn Public Schools superintendent, will be the next education secretary. Matt Gorzkowicz is the incoming administration and finance secretary. Paige Scott Reed will serve as chief legal counsel.

And, new this morning, Grammy award-winner Brandi Carlile will headline Healey and Lt. Gov.-elect Kim Driscoll’s inaugural celebration Thursday at the TD Garden. Healey's a fan of Carlile's music, which she said "explores themes of women’s empowerment, LGBTQ+ history, and the joy of community." Carlile married her wife, Catherine, in Massachusetts.

— “Maura Healey begins inaugural tour with stops in Springfield, Worcester,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald.

— “‘An extension of Maura’: Meet Tara Healey, sister, confidante, adviser to Massachusetts’ next governor,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe.

— “From the first female governor to the next: Jane Swift has some advice for Maura Healey,” by Jesse Remedios, Boston Globe.

— “The lieutenant governor isn’t usually a powerful post. Kim Driscoll may change that,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “Every morning, Kim Driscoll starts her day in Salem, where her time as the five-term mayor is quickly winding down before she is sworn in as lieutenant governor on Thursday. She meets with staff to prepare her transition out of city hall, and then switches gears, logging onto Zoom or heading into Boston, where she is heading up her new boss’s transition team. She interviews candidates for jobs and Cabinet positions in the incoming administration, and connects with members of her transition committees, who have been working for weeks on drafting policy proposals for the new governor and her lieutenant to consider.”

— More: “Kim Driscoll could be the housing leader Massachusetts needs,” by Andrew Brinker, Boston Globe.

— “Despite close relationship with Healey, Campbell must chart her own course as AG,” by Ivy Scott, Boston Globe.

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— BAKER MAKES THE ROUNDS: The Boston Globe’s Emma Platoff and Matt Stout unpack Gov. Charlie Baker’s legacy as a well-liked governor with “a rare ability to earn constituents’ trust and maintain it even when he faltered.” GBH’s Katie Lannan parses Baker’s legislative wins and losses . And MassLive’s Alison Kuznitz dives into Baker’s handling of the deadly Covid-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, which the governor called the “biggest and worst” moment of the pandemic .

— “Once Baker’s heir apparent, Karyn Polito will leave office with him. Some in the GOP hope it’s not for good,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “For now, Polito, 56, said she wants to build a post-State House ‘portfolio’ that includes helping steward her family’s real estate development company, where she is part owner, and serving on ‘some boards’ and in advisory roles. … Polito [who has more than $2 million in her campaign bank account] didn’t close the door to running for higher or different office, echoing comments she has made for years in obliquely addressing her future.”

— “The state’s ‘front door’ to behavioral health care set to open as demand for services soars,” by Felice J. Freyer, Boston Globe: “Whether in crisis or just not sure where to turn, people will now be able to call or text the Behavioral Health Help Line – 833-773-BHHL – or walk into one of 25 designated centers. If all goes as planned, immediately a clinician will assess the situation and connect the person with help, regardless of the type of insurance they have. The opening of the Help Line is the first big step in the outgoing Baker administration’s ambitious plan to overhaul the state’s fragmented, understaffed system for people with mental illness or addiction.”

— “Top state officials, including governor, set to receive a 20 percent pay hike, the largest in years,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “The pay of Massachusetts’ top elected officials, including Governor-elect Maura Healey, is set to swell by 20 percent in the new year, and the salaries of the Legislature’s top leaders could surge past $200,000, their fourth pay raise in as many legislative sessions.”

— “In 2023, expect a renewed fight over Massachusetts’ minimum wage,” by Adam Reilly, GBH News: “Raise Up Massachusetts, a progressive coalition of labor, community and faith-based organizations, released a statement that celebrated the minimum wage finally reaching $15 as of Jan. 1, 2023 — but simultaneously described that new rate as inadequate.”

— “In-person Mass. sports betting ‘soft launch’ plan timed for Super Bowl,” by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive.

VAX-ACHUSETTS

— “More Massachusetts communities encourage students to mask upon return from winter break,” by Sera Congi, WCVB: “At least two more communities in Massachusetts are joining the city of Boston by asking their students, teachers and staff to wear masks during school after they return from winter break.”

FROM THE HUB

— 2023 AT A GLANCE: The Boston Herald’s Sean Philip Cotter lays out the coming year in Boston politics , from the City Council election, to Mayor Michelle Wu’s relationship with the incoming Democratic governor, to ongoing contract negotiations after the city’s largest police union filed for arbitration late last month.

DAY IN COURT

— “Judge dismisses GOP incumbent’s challenge to one-vote loss in Mass. House race,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Judge Thomas Drechsler wrote that he ‘no longer has jurisdiction’ to review the results of the election between Republican state Representative Lenny Mirra and Hamilton Democrat Kristin Kassner because state officials have already certified Kassner as the winner."

A judge hadn't ruled on Republican Andrew Shepherd's challenge of his seven-vote loss to Democrat Margaret Scarsdale in their 1st Middlesex state representatve race as of Friday.

— “Boston COVID-19 vaccine mandate heading to Supreme Judicial Court this week,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “In an echo of the headlines of a year ago, the battle between the city and its public-safety unions over coronavirus vaccine mandates will come before the state’s highest court this week. The Supreme Judicial Court will hear oral arguments Friday in the suit filed around this time in 2022 by unions representing all of Boston’s firefighters and some of its police officers.”

The SJC is also expected on Wednesday to hear an appeal from the attorney general’s office after a lower court judge dismissed charges against former Holyoke Soldiers’ Home superintendent Bennett Walsh and medical director David Clinton in connection with the deadly Covid-19 outbreak there.

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FROM THE DELEGATION

— “Jim McGovern brings fight to end hunger to the halls of Congress,” by Tal Kopan, Boston Globe: “The $1.7 trillion [federal government spending package passed in late December] includes a provision McGovern championed to allow the government to replace benefits to recipients of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, that are stolen by card skimmers and fraudsters. In another major victory, McGovern and others succeeded in getting permanent meal coverage during the summers for children who rely on free and reduced school lunches.”

— “Auchincloss reflects on first term, what lies ahead in US Congress,” by Tom Reilly, The Sun Chronicle.

ROLLINS REPORT

— “Rachael Rollins on first year, her own investigations and priorities,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins said she wants to keep a focus on beefing up anti-human-trafficking efforts — and hopes the investigations into her political actions don’t slow the office down. … ‘We’ve had more than 10 human trafficking cases in the first 11 months including sex trafficking, labor trafficking and human smuggling,’ Rollins said, touting the office’s efforts and pushing back on the idea that it’s less active.”

Rollins said she’s “not at liberty” to talk about the DOJ investigation into her, which the Associated Press reported is partly over her attendance at a DNC fundraiser in Andover last July. But she expressed hope it doesn’t distract from her office’s “tremendous work.”

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

— “Tax breaks won’t do much for used electric-car shoppers, because of supply shortage,” by Hiawatha Bray, Boston Globe: “Starting (this) year, consumers will be eligible for thousands of dollars in federal and state incentives when they purchase used electric cars. Auto dealer Guy Bedau is eager to cash in on the bounty. All he needs is some used EVs to sell. But right now, he’s only got two.”

THE LOCAL ELECTIONS ROUNDUP

— THEY’RE RUNNING: Worcester Mayor Joe Petty says he’ll seek a historic seventh term after losing his state Senate bid, per the Telegram & Gazette’s Marco Cartolano.

— “Former Fall River mayor Sam Sutter announces campaign to take on incumbent Paul Coogan,” by Jo C. Goode, Herald News.

FROM THE 413

— “Incoming Berkshire district attorney Timothy Shugrue claims he didn’t get the transition help he needed. Email records show repeated outreach by Andrea Harrington’s office,” by Meg Britton-Mehlisch and Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle.

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— ICYMI FROM THE KENNEDY COMPOUND: Former Rep. Joe Kennedy III was named U.S. envoy to Northern Ireland , per POLITICO’s Shawn Pogatchnik.

— CHANGING OF THE GUARD: Attleboro Mayor Paul Heroux will be sworn in as Bristol County sheriff at 5:30 p.m. at Durfee High School. Heroux defeated longtime GOP incumbent Tom Hodgson in November.

— GUILTY: Vincent Gillespie, 61, of Athol was convicted on four counts , including assaulting, resisting or impeding officers, for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on March 17, per the Associated Press’ Steve LeBlanc.

— “Access to medical abortion will soon be available on Cape Cod,” by Zane Razzaq, Cape Cod Times: “Access to abortion services will soon return to Cape Cod for the first time since 2008. … Health Imperatives, a nonprofit organization with clinics in Hyannis, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket, will provide medical abortion at all seven locations after receiving $700,000 in new state funding. Julia Kehoe, the CEO and president, said she expects the service will be offered in July. … On Wednesday, the Baker-Polito administration announced $4.1 million in grants to 11 community organizations and health care providers, including Health Imperatives, to expand abortion access in under-served regions, increase use of telehealth, train providers, and improve outreach.”

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

— SPEAKING OF PARTY LEADERSHIP FIGHTS: Lou Gargiulo, who co-chaired former President Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign in New Hampshire, said Sunday in a lengthy Facebook post that he’s running for New Hampshire state GOP chair against Chris Ager. Ager, the state’s national committeeman on the RNC, is backed by another former Trump co-chair, state Rep. Fred Doucette.

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HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

TRANSITIONS — Molly McGlynn has taken over as press secretary for the state attorney general’s office ahead of Andrea Campbell’s swearing-in. McGlynn was political and communications director for Campbell’s campaign.

— State Sen. Lydia Edwards, MassEquality Executive Director Tanya Neslusan, former secretary of state candidate Tanisha Sullivan, former lieutenant governor candidate state Rep. Tami Gouveia, Rivera Consulting’s Wilnelia Rivera, Northwind Strategies’ Doug Rubin, Shaleen Title, Mark Martinez, state Sen. Marc Pacheco, former state Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry and regional HUD administrator Juana Matias are among the 50-plus people on Auditor-elect Diana DiZoglio’s transition team.

— Devin Sheehan will become chief of staff to Jake Oliveira when the state representative is sworn in as a senator tomorrow. Soumia Aitelhaj will be legislative director, Jennifer Pickerin will be district director, Derrick Cruz will be communications director and Noah Green a legislative aide.

— Gov. Charlie Baker appointed outgoing GOP state Rep. Tim Whelan to the MassDOT Board of Directors.

— Former state Rep. Mark Falzone will serve on the federal Route 66 Centennial Commission.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former MA3 candidate and former state Sen. Barbara L’Italien, Ralph R. Isberg, Taylor Bolton and Ana Victoria Morales. Happy belated to Dana Hanson of Rep. Jake Auchincloss’s office, who celebrated Monday, and to Jamie Klufts and Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia, who celebrated Sunday.

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