Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Lawmakers come in from the cold

Thursday, September 28, 2023

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Lawmakers come in from the cold

ICE BREAKER — There’s a chill in the air, but it no longer seems to be hanging over the third floor of the State House.

Relations between the House and Senate have, to put it mildly, been a bit strained this session. Long-running tensions over control of the Legislature’s joint committees spilled into public view this spring with a procedural squabble on the energy committee, and worsened from there.

House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka were sniping at each other over gun legislation before the August recess — and then denying in interviews and in scrums that there was bad blood between them.

House Speaker Ron Mariano (left) and Senate President Karen Spilka at an August press conference at the State House. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO

But whatever iciness there’s been between chambers appears to be thawing . Top House and Senate Democrats suddenly struck a deal on tax relief last week and are in the process of moving both that agreement and overrides of some of Gov. Maura Healey’s budget vetoes through their chambers. Spilka and Mariano were all smiles when they appeared before reporters on Tuesday to tout their big tax-break breakthrough. That late-August dinner they shared must have really been something.

At the same time, a flurry of bills are being reported out of committees. Compromise legislation on wage equity emerged from the labor committee on Monday and is headed for a vote in the House in coming weeks . The public health committee reported out roughly a dozen bills late last week that ranged from promoting menstrual equity to overhauling standards for local public health systems — the SAPHE 2.0 bill that died last session .

“The reports of the death of the collaboration between the House and the Senate [are] greatly exaggerated,” House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz quipped at Tuesday’s tax-bill press conference. His Senate counterpart, Michael Rodrigues, and Mariano chuckled quietly behind him.

So, what gives? Did relations between Mariano and Spilka actually hit a low point? Were the reports of friction between chambers as “greatly exaggerated” as Michlewitz claimed? Don’t hold your breath for an answer. We're not getting one out of these tight-lipped lawmakers.

Still, not everything is hunky dory. The House and Senate are working up dueling gun bills that could again put their chambers on a collision course. And the co-chairs of the energy committee, state Rep. Jeff Roy and state Sen. Michael Barrett, still can’t agree on the rules for their joint panel — and continue to hold separate hearings on the same bills because of it.

“The problem remains,” Barrett told Playbook. “It won’t stop us from legislating, but it will complicate relations between the branches until the matter is resolved.”

Roy doesn’t see it the same way. The rules dispute “has absolutely nothing to do with our ability to conduct joint hearings,” he told Playbook, adding that Barrett is “welcome to come to the [House-led] committee hearings anytime he’d like. I would love to have him.”

But, in perhaps another sign of warmer times ahead, most of the half-dozen joint-committee chairs Playbook talked to in between caucuses and votes on Wednesday took pains to say the feuding was largely contained to that one panel.

And state Sen. Julian Cyr, who co-chairs the public health committee, sees the burst of bill activity as a sign that “whatever frosty vibes were percolating when the air conditioning was struggling to keep up in the summer seem to have dissipated. This is good news.”

GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . Sometimes, tea is best served iced. Spill some more of it: lkashinsky@politico.com .

TODAY — Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll have no public events. Rep. Jim McGovern is on WBUR’s “Radio Boston” at 11 a.m. Sen. Ed Markey introduces the Green New Deal for Public Schools Act at 3 p.m. at the Senate Swamp.

GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here.

2024 WATCH

THE ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM — Chris Christie tried to turn "Donald Duck" into an insult. Mike Pence is sleeping with a teacher. Nikki Haley feels "a little bit dumber" every time she hears Vivek Ramaswamy speak. Haley and Tim Scott clashed over ... curtains.

In short, the second GOP presidential primary debate got rowdy — and weird. Here are the key moments . And here's what Donald Trump was doing instead .

— “GOP candidate presses case to keep Trump off ballot,” by Christian M. Wade, Daily News of Newburyport: “A lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Boston last week by John Anthony Castro of Texas argues that a rarely used clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prevents Trump from being elected to a second term. ... In a new court filing this week, Castro asks a federal judge to grant a temporary restraining order barring the state GOP or National Republican Party from submitting Trump’s name to Secretary of State Bill Galvin’s office for the March 5 presidential primary and November’s general election.”

DATELINE BEACON HILL

ON TO THE SENATE — Democrats’ tax deal sailed through the House in a 155-1 vote and is set to hit the Senate floor in a few hours. State Rep. Mike Connolly was the sole “no” vote on the $561 million-plus package of tax credits and cuts.

The bill shouldn’t have any trouble clearing the Senate. But danger potentially lies ahead: The Massachusetts High Technology Council , a tech trade group, is mulling a legal challenge to the “unconstitutional” change lawmakers are making to the way Chapter 62F rebates are distributed. Top House Democrats are shrugging off the threat , the Boston Herald’s Chris Van Buskirk reports.

Meanwhile, WBUR’s Nik DeCosta-Klipa breaks down how much — or how little — extra money and savings are in store for the renters, seniors, low-income families, heirs and investors who stand to benefit from the tax-code changes.

— “Gun owners fire back at proposal to curtail carry rights, say they will not comply,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “Massachusetts gun owners are absolutely fed up with threats to their Second Amendment rights. That was the message repeated by speaker after speaker and echoed by a crowd of hundreds on the Boston Common Wednesday, when opponents of a House proposal to sharply curtail gun rights gathered to lobby their representatives.”

— “Marlborough state senator suggests Gov. Healey consider a new perspective for Parole Board,” by Seth Jacobson, Wicked Local: “State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, is proposing that Gov. Maura Healey fill at least one of two openings on the state Parole Board by nominating somebody with a very different perspective — specifically, somebody who has served time behind bars.”

MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

WHY AREN'T REPUBLICANS URGING CONGRESS TO ACT? IT'S THEIR JOB!

— “Republicans ask Biden for funds, secure border,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “Members of the state’s Republican minority are calling on the Biden administration to provide more federal funding, work authorization for migrants, and to secure the U.S.-Mexico border amid a surge of asylum seekers.”

FROM THE HUB

SHOW ME THE MONEY — Super PACs spent six figures in Boston’s preliminary elections. Who they’re actually funneling that money toward might surprise you. The Dorchester Reporter’s Gintautas Dumcius unpacks the finance filings .

— “Boston reparations panel pivots toward slavery research, eyes deadline extension,” by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: “The city panel tasked with recommending reparations for Black Bostonians is launching its delayed historical research project and acknowledging potential deadline extensions.”

— “Boston City Council approves firefighters contract that results in about 10.6 percent pay hike,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe.

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— “Questions mount on slowed Green Line extension track, which T says ‘has always been narrow’,” by Taylor Dolven, Laura Crimaldi and Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “The long-awaited, $2.3 billion Green Line extension, which opened last year to celebration from Somerville and Medford, has always had narrow tracks, the MBTA said Wednesday. But they have somehow dangerously narrowed more in recent months, forcing safety slowdowns, and the T isn’t saying why."

ANOTHER ONE — Gov. Maura Healey tapped Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky to the MBTA Board of Directors, filling one of the two new seats she signed into law with this year’s budget. Mayor Michelle Wu recently named Mary Skelton Roberts to the Boston seat on the board. Sisitsky is Healey’s fourth pick for the panel.

Enter the “room where it happens”, where global power players shape policy and politics, with Power Play. POLITICO’s brand-new podcast will host conversations with the leaders and power players shaping the biggest ideas and driving the global conversations, moderated by award-winning journalist Anne McElvoy. Sign up today to be notified of the first episodes in September – click here .

WHAT'S ON CAMPBELL'S DOCKET

— “In Amazon lawsuit, AG Campbell accuses company of ‘corporate greed’,” by Dana Gerber, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell is accusing Amazon of engaging in ‘corporate greed’ as it seeks to dominate smaller competitors in the e-commerce industry. Campbell’s statement comes as Massachusetts joins 16 other states and the federal government in a lawsuit alleging that Amazon has employed monopolistic practices.”

FROM THE 413

— “Hampden Superior Court denies effort to get real estate tax question back on Holyoke ballot,” by Dennis Hohenberger, Springfield Republican: “A Hampden Superior Court judge has denied an attempt to undo a mayoral decision. Four Holyoke city councilors sought a preliminary injunction against Mayor Joshua A. Garcia’s veto of a tax surcharge question they wanted to see on the November ballot.”

— “John Krol releases documents he says prove his card payments from the Animal Dreams account were 'mistakes',” by Meg Britton-Mehlisch, Berkshire Eagle: “[Mayoral candidate] John Krol provided The Berkshire Eagle with an email narrative and several documents late Tuesday night that he says prove his prior statements that withdrawals he made from a local nonprofit’s bank account were by ‘mistake.’”

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “Medication abortion service in Hyannis prompts protest, counter-protest,” by Zane Razzaq, Cape Cod Times: “A group of about 13 abortion opponents on Wednesday hoisted signs with slogans such as ‘Pray to end abortion’ and ‘Love them both’ by a Hyannis health clinic that began providing medication abortion services July 3. … Earlier in the day, supporters of abortion access with grassroots activist organization Indivisible Mass Coalition held a counter-protest.”

— “Koch, Mahoney square off, painting different pictures of [Quincy] and each other,” by Peter Blandino, Patriot Ledger.

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING

— “There are no words,” by Liz Kowalczyk and Patricia Wen, Boston Globe: “They are among society’s most vulnerable — children with severe autism — and yet many endure abuse or neglect in the state-licensed residential schools that care for them. With not enough accountability and scant public disclosure, it is an invisible crisis.”

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

TRANSITIONS — Brooke Leahy is now chief of staff at the Department of Transitional Assistance. She previously was chief of staff for veterans services.

— Cody Jennings is now senior parks care manager for Friends of the Public Garden.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Matt Corridoni of Rep. Jake Auchincloss’ office, Simon Winchester, Ryan Migeed, Kevin Ready, Molly Crosby of Planned Parenthood, Calley Means and Stephanie Blumenthal .

NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: GIVE ME A (TAX) BREAK — WBUR’s Todd Wallack joins to talk public housing vacancies. Hosts Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith parse the latest presidential primary polls. Smith and host Lisa Kashinsky talk tax relief. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud .

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