Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook:

Sunday, February 5, 2023

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook:

TRACKING HEALEY’S T PROGRESS — It’s Gov. Maura Healey’s MBTA now, for better or for worse.

After former Gov. Charlie Baker won more executive control over the T, it’s now up to his successor to fix its myriad problems: staffing shortages, safety issues, slow zones and procurement delays that are preventing the T from replacing its aging fleet.

Healey said Thursday she’ll take full blame for any further failures.

“As governor, I'm ultimately responsible,” she said. “That may be or may not be the most politically correct answer for me to offer. ... But understand that as governor, whether I have responsibility or not, I view it as my responsibility to do everything I can to marshal the team, to marshal the resources, to be transparent with the public about what's actually going on.”

Healey’s made a lot of promises when it comes to getting the T back on track, from hiring a new general manager — a search that remains ongoing — to setting aside money in her first budget to hire 1,000 more workers.

She added to that list Thursday, using her first visit to the T’s operations control center to promise more transparency on delays and closures. She also said that a team of independent experts will review what’s keeping Chinese company CRRC from delivering new Red and Orange Line cars on time.

Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll ride the Red Line on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO

Healey knows she’ll be judged harshly on her handling of the T. So she’s trying to be relatable at the outset. She won’t “sugarcoat” the bad things. And she understands people’s “frustration” with the beleaguered transit system that on some days has delays and on others deadly failures.

But her ability to relate to the average rider only goes so far. While Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll takes the commuter rail in from Salem about once a week, Healey, who lives near a Red Line stop in Porter Square, said it’s “been a little while” since she’s taken the T.

That’s understandable, given the extra security that comes with being governor. But her midday Thursday ride from Park Street to South Station — a publicized photo-op while en route to the operations center — didn’t give her a true commuter experience, either. Maybe try a slow zone at rush hour.

GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . Ms. G., the official Massachusetts state groundhog, didn't see her shadow yesterday . So hold onto those thoughts of an early spring on this first real day of winter.

TODAY — Healey and Driscoll swear in Democratic state Rep.-elect Kristin Kassner at 9:30 a.m. at the State House. Driscoll and the administration’s Housing Working Group meet at 1 p.m. Rep. Richard Neal addresses the New England Council at 8:30 a.m. at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Rep. Jim McGovern announces federal funding at 9:30 a.m. at Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu attends a street sign dedication ceremony in Roxbury at 10 a.m. and speaks at a Black History Month kickoff celebration at noon at City Hall.

THIS WEEKEND — Healey is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday; the full interview airs over the weekend on CBS News Boston . McGovern is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Tips for staying warm this weekend? Scoops about politics? Stay inside and email me: lkashinsky@politico.com .

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

— “Boston’s COVID data keeps falling, Massachusetts virus cases drop 11%,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “On Thursday, the state Department of Public Health reported 5,160 virus cases over the last week. The daily average of 737 COVID cases from the last week was down 11% from the daily rate of 828 virus infections during the previous week.”

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— DEPARTURE LOUNGE: Boston state Rep. Ed Coppinger is in talks for a potential job at MassBio, according to an ethics disclosure he filed with the House clerk late last month. The Democrat described having a preliminary conversation with the group that lobbies for the biotech industry. MassBio didn’t comment.

MassBio is eyeing Coppinger at a time when it needs to mend relationships within the Legislature, which one Senate source says are frayed after former state Sen. Joe Boncore ’s unceremonious departure as the trade group's CEO. If he gets the gig, look out for a special election.

— “Mass. Senate eyes keeping pandemic-era remote voting rules after colleagues in House votes to do away with them,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “There may be some grumbling on the House side of Beacon Hill this month. In a break from that chamber, state Senate leaders want to keep a pandemic-era measure that allows members to keep voting and debating bills from their homes, offices, or wherever else they chose during formal sessions — even though the state’s COVID-19 emergency officially ended more than a year ago.”

— “Former top aide to medical examiner used her subordinate’s credit card for thousands of dollars in personal shopping,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “The former chief of staff to the state’s top medical examiner paid for thousands of dollars in personal purchases using a subordinate’s credit card and asked for a $1,500 loan from the same person, actions that state officials say they believe violated state ethics laws. Lisa Riccobene, who no longer works at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, either knew or should have known she was using her position to get a series of ‘unwarranted privileges,’ state officials wrote in a letter to her.”

— “Mass. business groups press for a range of tax cuts in wake of 'millionaire's tax',” by Benjamin Kail, Boston Business Journal: “The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and the Massachusetts Society of CPAs on Wednesday pushed for slashing the capital gains tax — the Bay State’s 12% on short-term capital gains is second-highest in the U.S. — along with the elimination of the so-called ‘sting’ tax on S corporations and increases to credits for low- and middle-income taxpayers, families and seniors.”

— “Bill seeks to eliminate school takeovers by Mass. education department,” by Mandy McLaren, Boston Globe: “A new legislative proposal would strip the Massachusetts education department of its power to take over underperforming school districts — a development partly fueled by last year’s power struggle over Boston Public Schools. The ‘Thrive Act’ takes aim at the most extreme intervention in the state’s school accountability system: school and district receiverships.”

— “Ex-rep rips ‘totally corrupt’ panel report on ballots,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “After a recount resulted in his election being overturned by a single vote and the Legislature refusing to investigate any contested ballots, former state Rep. Lenny Mirra says the evidence of what really happened will now be hidden and never seen again.”

FROM THE HUB

— “4 Boston Police officers face new charges in overtime fraud scheme,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “Four Boston police officers are facing new charges in connection with a federal investigation into an overtime fraud scheme at BPD’s evidence warehouse.”

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— “MBTA will respond to federal safety report in one month, Gov. Healey says,” by Alexi Cohan and Bob Seay, GBH News: “The FTA report released last August highlighted a number of failings by the MBTA and ordered that immediate action be taken in dozens of areas, including staffing, maintenance, operations and capital projects. Healey said the MBTA's response to that report will be posted online in one month and be regularly updated to reflect the agency's progress.”

— “Massachusetts installing more reliable EV chargers on highways,” by Aaron Pressman, Boston Globe.

— “For EVs to take off, Boston needs more equitable placement of chargers,” by Paula Moura, WBUR.

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DAY IN COURT

— “Mass. vocational schools policy violates student civil rights, complaint says,” by Mandy McLaren, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts vocational schools and technical programs are systematically denying admission to students of color, those from low-income families, and other at-risk populations, closing off career pathways to some of the very people they were designed to help, two legal aid organizations said in a lawsuit filed against the state Thursday. The complaint, filed in federal court in Boston by Lawyers for Civil Rights and the Center of Law and Education, argues the state’s use of ‘exclusionary criteria,’ which includes using grades, attendance, and disciplinary records to determine admission, is discriminatory.”

MARKEYCHUSETTS

— “U.S. Senate Democrats to push FTC to restrict marketing of guns to children,” by Gram Slattery, Reuters: “A group of U.S. Senate Democrats [including Ed Markey introduced] legislation on Thursday directing the Federal Trade Commission to create rules banning the marketing of firearms to children, including the JR-15, which has become a target of gun control advocates.”

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

— “As Healey ramps up environmental focus, some advocates demand more,” by Adam Reilly, GBH News: “They want her to intervene to stop several projects that advanced under her predecessor, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, and cast her willingness to do so as a test of how deep her commitment to environmental transformation really is.”

2024 WATCH

— HALEY HITS THE ROAD: Former governor and U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley is expected to announce a run for president in her home state of South Carolina on Feb. 15. She's then set to trek to New Hampshire for a series of town hall-style events from Feb. 16-18, a person familiar with her schedule tells Playbook.

— NO, IT’S NOT ALLAN FUNG: “Former Cranston mayor launches long-shot bid for president,” by Brian Amaral, Boston Globe: “Steve Laffey — who has spent the decade and a half since his tenure as Cranston mayor flirting with or unsuccessfully running for various political offices between here and the Rocky Mountains — is seeking a new title. President of the United States.”

FROM THE 413

— “Springfield City Councilor and mayoral challenger Justin Hurst calls out police superintendent for suburban address,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “City Councilor and mayoral challenger Justin Hurst called out the police superintendent for writing a campaign donation check to Mayor Domenic J. Sarno linked to a suburban address, when the top cop is required by law to live in the city. Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood made a $250 campaign donation during a whopper of a fundraiser for Sarno in December that netted $146,000. While the donation itself poses no ethical violations, the Wilbraham address on the check runs afoul of the city’s residency ordinance for employees. … For her part, Clapprood said she maintains a home in the Sixteen Acres neighborhood in Springfield and one in Wilbraham, and has checkbooks linked to both.”

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “Dozens of ATF inspectors descend on gun vendors at Littleton mill following dealer’s arrest,” by Sarah L. Ryley, Boston Globe: “Federal authorities have launched a sweeping review of more than 80 gun vendors operating at an old mill building in Littleton, just two weeks after one was charged with illegally selling handguns to a man police believe is connected to gang shootings in Boston.”

— “4 key takeaways from the 2023 'Condition of Education' data report,” by Carrie Jung, WBUR.

— TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL: The polar vortex is pushing school districts from Boston to Worcester to cancel classes today. But in Woburn it’s the ongoing teachers strike that’s keeping kids out of class for a fifth straight day.

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

TRANSITIONS — Former Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito has joined the board of directors of Berkshire Bank and its parent company.

— Meera Raman rejoins Boston Business Journal as a general assignment reporter focused on philanthropy and nonprofits.

— Sam Houghton is now a news editor for the Martha's Vineyard Times.

— Sarah Trister is now a director on the international affairs team at FGS Global. She previously was senior foreign policy adviser for Sen. Ed Markey.

— Providers’ Council President and CEO Michael Weekes will step down later this year after 25 years leading the organization.

— Catherine Wall, a Deval Patrick and Elizabeth Warren alum, is now DCCC chief of staff.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Matt Rhoades , co-CEO of CGCN Group; Justine Turner , an Elizabeth Warren 2020 alum; Fred Hochberg, Billy Shore and Haley Ryger .

HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to David Edelman , Ropes & Gray’s Abby Cable , former Gov. Charlie Baker senior adviser Tim Buckley and former Baker associate comms and digital director Maura Driscoll , who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers former state Rep. John Businger , formerBristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson, Trevor Kincaid and Matt Bonaccorsi , comms director for Rep. Jim McGovern.

NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: REACHING THE END OF THE LYONS — Host Lisa Kashinsky recaps the MassGOP's leadership shakeup. Hosts Jennifer Smith and Steve Koczela talk with MassINC CEO Joe Kriesberg , former president and CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations, about the so-called MBTA Communities law. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud .

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