Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Healey, Wu of two minds on affordability

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Healey, Wu of two minds on affordability

Presented by Save Our Benefits Massachusetts

TWO DEMOCRATS DIVERGED — Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu agree that affordability is chief among the state’s challenges. They disagree over how to tackle it.

Wu said Massachusetts is “heading toward hurtling off a cliff when it comes to affordability,” during an interview with WBZ’s Jon Keller that aired Sunday. “Workers cannot afford to live here, the traffic that is snarling the ability for families to feel like they can comfortably get to what they need — these are core issues that we cannot let up the momentum to address right now.”

But while Wu sees rent control as a solution to soaring housing costs, Healey sees boosting housing production as an answer. And the governor is turning to tax breaks — for lower-income renters, but also for the wealthy — to try and keep people in their homes.

Then-Attorney General Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu at a press conference on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at City Hall. | AP

Neither Democrat can easily move forward without the other. Healey will have the final say on Wu’s rent-control plan — if the mayor’s home-rule petition, currently being debated by the city council, makes it that far up Beacon Hill. And the governor will need mayors to fall in line with the housing and zoning regulations she’s likely to propose under her new housing office, or risk the types of public spats that can prolong projects and cause PR headaches for her new administration.

For now, the two top executives are being diplomatic. Healey has offered general support for communities to “make their own decisions” on rent stabilization. And Wu didn’t take the bait on “Keller @ Large” to join fellow progressives in criticizing Healey’s calls to raise the estate-tax threshold and lower the short-term capital gains tax rate. That's "outside the purview of the city of Boston," Wu said.

But she did make a subtle dig at Healey’s early deference to the business community: “We want to see the resources going to where residents need. And our businesses are a crucial part of how our economy grows,” Wu said. “But we have needs right now in housing affordability, in traffic and transportation, in our schools. If we can make sure that as a holistic package those needs are being addressed, I’m looking forward to seeing where the process goes.”

GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. The problem with making promises is that they become talking points when politicians break them.

And Healey seems likely to blow her self-imposed deadline to hire a transportation safety chief. The governor gave herself 60 days after her inauguration to bring one on board. That’s today.

The administration is “in the final stages” of hiring for both the safety chief and the next general manager of the MBTA “and will have more to share soon,” Healey spokesperson Karissa Hand told Playbook. It likely doesn’t help Healey’s timeline that, as the Boston Herald reported late last month, the T’s myriad problems are driving away top talent from the GM role.

TODAY — Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll tour Grand Street Commons at 12:15 p.m. in Worcester. Driscoll and Rep. Jake Auchincloss attend a 2Life Communities ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:45 a.m. in Newton. Driscoll attends the Harborlight Community Partners ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. in Beverly.

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

A message from Save Our Benefits Massachusetts:

In a time when there is so much that is driving up the price of health care - Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) create competition to bring prescription drug costs down.
Find out how PBMs are advocating to lower drug costs on behalf of employers and unions.

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— “Massachusetts Convention Center Authority discriminates against Black employees, vendors, and convention guests, employees charge,” by Andrea Estes, Boston Globe: “[A]n increasingly bitter debate over alleged racial discrimination is putting leadership on the defensive at a time when there are no Black people among the authority’s 25 highest paid employees and no diversity officer charged with creating opportunities for people of color. Over the past month, four Black employees filed formal complaints with the state attorney general charging racial discrimination in hiring, promotion, and working conditions. A fifth employee, who is white, also filed a complaint, alleging he was given warnings after objecting loudly to what he considered the heightened security at Black-sponsored events. He was fired shortly after filing the complaint.”

— “Report: Teachers of color more likely to lose jobs under state's tenure-based layoff policy,” by Carrie Jung, WBUR: “Teachers of color in Massachusetts are more likely to be affected by school layoffs than their white colleagues, according to a new report from a nonprofit teacher advocacy group. Its authors concluded that's largely because state law requires non-tenured teachers, or those with fewer than three years of experience in a district, to be laid off first in the event of budget shortfalls.”

WHAT CITY HALL IS READING

— “As Wu battles opposition on rent control, City Council signals it’s open to compromise,” by Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: “One of the body’s more moderate members, Council President Ed Flynn, said in a television interview [last] Sunday that he supports Wu’s plan. And more progressive councilors — even some who argue vehemently that Wu’s proposal does not go far enough — are signaling they are willing to compromise, rather than stand in the way of the mayor’s pitch.”

— “Want to know what Boston’s electeds text each other? Good luck,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “[I]n response to a Globe public records request asking for texts from and to Boston’s chief executive between Jan. 20 and 27, the city did not produce a single one. Boston’s public records officer told the Globe the mayor ‘does not conduct official City business via text message and does not retain text messages.’”

FROM THE HUB

— “Boston sees first open race for Suffolk Superior civil court clerk magistrate in nearly 50 years,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Michael Joseph Donovan has retired after serving as the clerk magistrate for civil business since 1976, ending a run of nearly half a century in a countywide elected position that rarely gets publicity.”

— MARK YOUR CALENDARS: The St. Patrick’s Day political breakfast hosted by Boston state Sen. Nick Collins returns at 9 a.m. Sunday, March 19, at the Ironworkers Local 7 union hall in Southie. Gov. Maura Healey is among the guests expected to poke fun at each other this year.

— “Massachusetts politicians working with MBTA to stop St. Patrick's Day Parade extremists,” by WCVB.

— IN-AND-OUT: Days after he filed paperwork to run for 10th Suffolk state representative, Garrett Casey now says he’s out of the race.

STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING : What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today .

PARTY POLITICS

— THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: Aligning too closely with Donald Trump cost Massachusetts Republicans seats from the governor’s office on down. But the new chair of the state GOP, Amy Carnevale , isn’t disavowing the former president in a nod to his continued influence over a faction of the GOP base.

“I trust members of our party to make a decision that is best for people in the commonwealth,” Carnevale said on WCVB’s “On the Record.” Pressed on whether Trump is “toxic” in Massachusetts, Carnevale redirected the conversation by saying she’s going to “welcome Republicans across the board” and focus on candidate recruitment.

Carnevale did, however, reject labeling former Gov. Charlie Baker as a “RINO” — a Republican In Name Only, as his more conservative critics characterized him. “Charlie Baker is a Republican. Period,” Carnevale said. When it comes to who might leave the sports world to return to politics first — Baker, the NCAA president, or Labor Secretary Marty Walsh , the incoming NHLPA chief — Carnevale said she’s putting her money on Walsh.

ROLLINS REPORT

— “Massachusetts U.S. Attorney taps ex-DOJ watchdog to defend her in ethics probe,” by Sarah N. Lynch and Nate Raymond, Reuters: “Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins has hired a former Justice Department inspector general to defend her in a widening ethics investigation into her appearance at a political fundraiser and her travel.”

— “US Attorney Rachael Rollins leads delegation in march across bridge Sunday in Selma, Ala.,” by Emily Sweeney, Boston Globe.

A message from Save Our Benefits Massachusetts:

DAY IN COURT

— “Somerville man found guilty of charges related to Jan. 6 Capitol riot,” by Jesús Marrero Suárez, Boston Globe: “Noah Bacon, 29, was convicted on a felony charge of obstruction of an official proceeding, and five misdemeanor charges, including entering and remaining in a restricted building and disorderly or disruptive conduct in a Capitol building, according to the statement released Friday.”

— “SJC to weigh wrongful death restrictions in cigarette suits,” by Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Magazine.

— “Federal appeals court dismisses lawsuit by Whitey Bulger’s family blaming prison officials for his murder,” by Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe.

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

— “Top Healey aide chastizes Avangrid for falling short of offshore wind promise,” by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: “Rebecca Tepper, the state’s new energy and environmental affairs secretary, chastened Avangrid’s chief executive with a harsh letter that essentially accuses the company of bailing on its promise to build an offshore wind farm for Massachusetts in waters south of Martha’s Vineyard.”

FROM THE 413

— “Unions: UMass putting 100 jobs in jeopardy with privatization plan,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Unions at the University of Massachusetts are contending that more than 100 state jobs, and their accompanying benefits, are being unlawfully privatized by administrators at the Amherst campus in a restructuring of the UMass Advancement office. On Monday, the University Staff Association and the Professional Staff Union will hold a ‘Save Our Staff’ speak-out at Whitmore Administration to call attention to what they claim is a privatization scheme in the guise of protecting employee pensions.”

— “Mob informant Anthony Arillotta swaggers back onto Springfield scene, not at all contrite,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican.

DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS – DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID .

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— FROM THE OPINION PAGES: “As DeSantis makes their child a target, a family decides to relocate her to Massachusetts,” by Yvonne Abraham, Boston Globe: “The Republican governor of Florida, like members of his party across the country, is targeting transgender people to raise his national profile, enacting regulations and pushing laws that make it harder — even illegal — for them to get gender-affirming health care, to exist safely in public, even to be spoken of in schools.”

— “Northern Essex Community College closed Monday due to apparent cyberattack,” by Mike LaBella, Eagle-Tribune.

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

— “Sununu: If GOP primary were today, DeSantis would win New Hampshire,” by Kelly Garrity, POLITICO: “If New Hampshire’s Republican primary were held today, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would win, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said Sunday. … The touting of DeSantis’ strength is a surprising sentiment from Sununu, especially since he is a possible GOP candidate himself. The Republican governor previously highlighted his own conservative credentials over DeSantis, noting that the Florida governor ranks behind him on some conservative values. But on Sunday, Sununu declined to say whether he plans to join the fray."

— "RFK Jr. tells NH crowd he’s considering a presidential run," by Josh Rogers, NHPR.

A message from Save Our Benefits Massachusetts:

For nearly 50 years, federal law and legal precedent has prevented state legislators from preempting federal laws governing self-funded ERISA plans. Health plans are offered by employers, labor-management trusts as well as local, state and federal governments. With roughly 60 percent or more of the health plans offered by ERISA protected entities, these protected plans could expect consistency across state lines and a fair regulatory climate.

Now, lobbyists for Big Pharma and independent pharmacists are looking to increase their profits by ignoring federal law and undermining the cost-savings in self-funded plans. Save Our Benefits Massachusetts is ready to help you fight back against rising costs. Please, Join our coalition today and help us keep health benefits affordable and accessible for employers, employees and unions.

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

REWIND — I joined GBH’s Adam Reilly, Charlie Chieppo of the Pioneer Institute and Phineas Baxandall of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center on “Talking Politics” to discuss Gov. Maura Healey ’s budget and tax-relief proposals.

TRANSITIONS — Richard A. Houghton has been appointed to the Adams Memorial Commission by President Joe Biden.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to UMass Journalism’s Steve Fox, Blake Gottesman, Jenn Queally and Lauren Young. Happy belated birthday to WBZ’s Jon Keller , who celebrated Thursday, and to Gabrielle Meyerowitz , who celebrated Sunday.

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