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BY KELLY GARRITY AND LISA KASHINSKY |
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MASSACRE IN MAINE — A pair of mass shootings in Lewiston that left 18 people dead and 13 others injured prompted an outpouring of support from top Massachusetts officials on Thursday. But the violence just 140 miles to the north doesn’t appear to be accelerating gun legislation on Beacon Hill. After inter-chamber procedural squabbles and dissent from within the Democratic caucus derailed House leaders’ gun bill over the summer, representatives rammed through sweeping new regulations earlier this month targeting so-called ghost guns and limiting where people can carry firearms in public, among other changes. But top Senate Democrats aren’t planning to roll out their gun bill until January , a spokesperson for Senate President Karen Spilka told Playbook. Spilka told Playbook she believes it’s more important to get gun legislation right than to force it through before formal sessions end for the year on Nov. 15. “It’s a very complex issue. The House struggled with it, they took their time as well,” Spilka said. “But we recognize the true sense of urgency here.”
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Senate President Karen Spilka is reaffirming her commitment to getting gun legislation done this session. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO |
The Senate’s timeline would give the two chambers six or seven months to hash out any differences between their bills in order to hit Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano’s shared goal of getting gun legislation to Gov. Maura Healey’s desk by the end of the two-year session. Healey declined to weigh in on the state of the state’s gun laws on Thursday, saying it was “not the day.” The governor and Massachusetts State Police have been in contact with their counterparts in Maine to offer support, including grief counselors and law enforcement personnel. Healey also ordered flags to half-staff in solidarity with the victims and their families. “We will do whatever we can in terms of providing support,” Healey told reporters, adding that it’s “obviously a devastating situation.” Even as the Senate effectively presses pause on gun legislation until next year, lawmakers here are aiming to build on firearms regulations that are already among the strongest in the country, according to Everytown for Gun Safety . Massachusetts’ rules are far stricter than those on the books in Maine, which does not require background checks for private gun sales or permits for concealed carry. Massachusetts has a “red flag” law that lets law enforcement and family members petition to have a judge seize someone’s gun if they’re a risk to themselves or others. Maine has a looser “yellow flag” law that’s coming under scrutiny after the shootings. Top Massachusetts Democrats are responding to the tragedy to the north by renewing their calls for more stringent federal gun rules. President Joe Biden, too, urged congressional Republicans to support a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, among other gun restrictions. But that’s unlikely to happen. Also a longshot: California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s push to inscribe gun restrictions in the U.S. Constitution. Newsom's office has contacted Healey's office about his proposed 28th Amendment, a spokesperson for Healey confirmed. But her office declined further comment. More on Newsom's push from POLITICO's Jeremy B. White and Lara Korte. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Here's the latest from the Lewiston Sun Journal . TODAY — Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speak at an LPGA press conference at 9:30 a.m. at Fenway Park. Healey is honored at the Boston Irish Honors Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in the Seaport and meets with German Ambassador to the U.S. Andreas Michaelis at 2:30 p.m. at the State House. Wu speaks at a BPD recruit graduation ceremony at 11 a.m. at the BCEC. Rep. Lori Trahan highlights federal funding at 10 a.m. at Dracut Town Hall. THIS WEEKEND — Brian Kane , executive director of the MBTA Advisory Board, is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Wu is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. Rep. Seth Moulton and EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper are on NBC10’s “At Issue” at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Tips? Scoops? Email us: kgarrity@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com .
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A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts: Don’t let cavities rain on your parade. Delta Dental of Massachusetts is committed to educating communities around the state, rain or shine, about the importance of oral health. Your oral health is a key predictor of overall health and can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and other health concerns later in life. A healthy smile is a powerful thing, so speak with your dentist and learn more at ExpressYourHealthMA.org. |
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 | WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY |
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Heart-shaped cut-outs with messages of positivity adorn trees in downtown Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. | AP |
DATELINE, LEWISTON — Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for 40-year-old Robert Card of Bowdoin, Maine, for eight counts of murder. That number that is expected to rise. Several Maine communities were locked down on Thursday as police searched for the elusive suspect. In a surprising reversal, Maine Rep. Jared Golden , a conservative Democrat, said the shootings in his hometown have moved him to now support an assault weapons ban. “I have opposed efforts to ban deadly weapons of war like the assault rifle used to carry out this crime,” Golden said at a news conference in Lewiston. “The time has now come for me to take responsibility for this failure, which is why I now call on the United States Congress to ban assault rifles.” But Maine Sen. Susan Collins , a Republican, said it’s “more important” to ban “very high-capacity magazines” than assault rifles. MORE FROM MAINE — Tales of escape (via the Boston Globe). The search for the shooter (via the Bangor Daily News). Remembering the victims (via the Lewiston Sun Journal).
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| DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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— “Mass. Senate unanimously passes bill to make period products free in many restrooms,” by Kinga Borondy, Telegram & Gazette: “A bill to make feminine hygiene products available for free in certain publicly funded restrooms — in public schools, in group homes and shelters, and in prisons and jails — unanimously passed the Massachusetts Senate on Thursday.” — “Report: State lags in classifying sex offenders,” by Christian M. Wade, Daily News of Newburyport: “The report by State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, released Wednesday, found that the state’s Sex Offender Registry isn’t classifying some offenders before they are released from prison and is failing to conduct address verification checks on others convicted of sex crimes, among other allegations. DiZoglio said the findings suggest the agency hasn’t fully implemented recommendations of a scathing 2017 audit.”
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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. |
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| BALLOT BATTLE |
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— “Inside the movement to legalize magic mushrooms in Massachusetts,” by Chris Serres, Boston Globe: “There are scores of people who have been growing and sharing magic mushrooms through underground networks for years support legalization because they want the therapeutic benefits to be more widely shared. Many researchers also see formal legalization as a vital way to demystify a plant that is considered non-addictive and has been used in Indigenous ceremonies for thousands of years. Yet there are other psilocybin users who are opposed to legalization because they fear any measure will result in a system of rules limiting access and driving up costs.”
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| FROM THE HUB |
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— “‘We cannot let that stand’: Wu moves forward with plan to clear ‘Mass. and Cass’,” by Chris Serres, Boston Globe: “Mayor Michelle Wu unveiled a detailed plan early Thursday for quickly clearing tent encampments in the area around the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, while taking steps to address the underlying problems that turned the area into a dangerous haven for addicts and sex traffickers. … The mayor’s plan calls for the full dismantling of tents and other structures at Mass. and Cass by month’s end — an effort that will include heavy involvement by the Boston Police Department and a coordinated outreach effort by social service agencies.” — “In Boston’s District 3, candidates have similar priorities, different answers,” by Sean Cotter, Boston Globe: “Despite their diverging political philosophies, candidates John FitzGerald and Joel Richards largely both agree on the main issues facing Dorchester-based District 3. The onetime acolyte of former Boston mayor Marty Walsh and the teacher endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, however, in some cases split markedly on how to tackle them.”
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A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts:  
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| IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN |
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— “Climate migration to Massachusetts ‘an urgent concern’,” by Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Magazine: “Massachusetts is already struggling to keep pace with emergency housing needs for migrants, many fleeing unsafe political conditions in other countries. A new report from the state’s climate chief warns that the Commonwealth also needs to prepare to receive climate migrants and refugees from inside and outside of the US as global weather conditions become more unstable.”
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| MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
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— “WMass cannabis companies sue over federal prohibitions on pot commerce,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “A group of cannabis companies are challenging the constitutionality of a portion of the federal Controlled Substances Act that they say has throttled pot shops and grow operations deemed legal under state laws.”
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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— “Worcester election: See how much money the candidates have raised, and spent,” by Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette: “In the race for mayor, incumbent Joseph M. Petty had the most money on hand by the end of September while one of his rivals, Councilor-at-Large Donna M. Colorio, came in second for available cash.” — “Open Meeting Law complaints filed against Foxboro school committee over Warriors logo vote,” by Jeff Peterson, The Sun Chronicle: “Legal counsel has been enlisted to draft a formal response to five residents who claim school committee members violated the state Open Meeting Law earlier this month when voting to replace the traditional Native American logo as the face of local athletic teams.” — “Westfield State University dorm off the table for emergency migrant housing,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican.
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PLAYBOOK IS GOING GLOBAL! We’re excited to introduce Global Playbook, POLITICO’s premier newsletter that brings you inside the most important conversations at the most influential events in the world. From the buzzy echoes emanating from the snowy peaks at the WEF in Davos to the discussions and personalities at Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to the heart of diplomacy at UNGA in New York City – author Suzanne Lynch brings it all to your fingertips. Experience the elite. Witness the influential. And never miss a global beat. BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. SUBSCRIBE NOW . |
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| MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE |
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READY, SET, GO — Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) plans to formally kick off a longshot primary campaign against President Joe Biden this morning in Concord, after filing paperwork with federal campaign finance regulators last night. He also appeared to release and then delete a launch video playing up his “love” for New Hampshire. Meanwhile, a group of prominent Democrats in the state are delaying the launch of their write-in campaign for Biden — who declined to file for the primary ballot with New Hampshire likely to hold an unsanctioned Democratic nominating contest — because of the shootings in Maine, the Boston Globe’s Lissandra Villa Huerta reports .
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| MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND |
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— “Poll: Amo leads Leonard in RI race for Congress,” by Ted Nesi, WPRI: “Democrat Gabe Amo has a double-digit lead over Republican Gerry Leonard in the special election for Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District, according to a newly released poll.”
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| MEDIA MATTERS |
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REVAMP COMING — CommonWealth Magazine is rebranding as CommonWealth Beacon on Wednesday with a “renewed commitment” to long-form journalism (CommonWealth In-Depth) and a revamped opinion section (CommonWealth Voices). CommonWealth also says it will give away its content to other news outlets in an effort to “help strengthen local news coverage across the state.”
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A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts: As a mission-driven organization, Delta Dental of Massachusetts is invested in the health of our communities. Oral health goes beyond the mouth, and we know that access to dental care can impact everything from mental and physical health, to economic well-being. That’s why we’re committed to Massachusetts and working together to confront the systemic challenges of a health system that doesn’t work for everyone. We see change as an opportunity for progress on things that matter. We’re working to increase access to oral care across the state, support the expansion of a more diverse dental workforce, and incentivize preventive care. These priorities not only express Delta Dental’s values, they help everyone in our communities express their health. To learn more about Delta Dental’s commitment to the community, visit ExpressYourHealthMA.org. |
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| HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH |
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Rep. Lori Trahan, Stephanie Knapp of DCAMM and Playbook fan Cara Burke. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Alex Harris and the Washington Post’s Taylor Telford , who celebrate Saturday, and to Sunday birthday-ers POLITICO’s Steve Heuser, Joanne Goldstein, Paolo Martins, Leora Eisenberg and Daisy Letendre. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: POLL-O-WEEN — Hosts Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith have a bumper crop of new polls to discuss, as well as the state’s new guidance for equity in higher education. Host Lisa Kashinsky checks in from the presidential campaign trail in New Hampshire. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and SoundCloud . 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 . |
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