Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Supp underscores Democratic discord

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Supp underscores Democratic discord

DEMOCRATIC DYSFUNCTION — Democrats are showing the perils of one-party rule on Beacon Hill.

Lawmakers just finished out a lethargic first year of their two-year session, in which they blew deadlines on major spending bills, reached insurmountable impasses on others and engaged in unusually public spats that are damaging party unity .

And the stark differences in how House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka approached shepherding the supplemental budget through their respective chambers only underscores top Democrats' discord.

Mariano traded blame with Republicans who stalled the already-delayed legislation over issues with how the state is handling the migrant and shelter crises. Spilka made a point of working with Republicans, going so far as to address reporters with the minority leader by her side after her chamber passed the budget bill.

She also made clear her belief that Democrats might not have ended up in this mess if the House hadn’t waited nearly two months to move on the governor’s spending request.

In the process, Democratic legislative leaders angered some of their party's biggest backers: unions, whose members’ raises were tied up in the supp. The Massachusetts Teachers Association is so “outrage[d]” by the process that members are planning to discuss at a meeting later this week “how to prevent this from happening again," union President Max Page said in a statement to Playbook.

“Something is very wrong when 60,000 state workers find their noncontroversial contracts held up for months because of unrelated political maneuvering by lawmakers,” Page said.

Democratic leaders also, by ramming a controversial and pricey spending bill through informal sessions that don’t allow for debate, gave those fighting for greater transparency on Beacon Hill more fodder. That includes groups backing Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s ballot effort to audit the Legislature — another point of Democratic Party division.

"Minority Leader Brad Jones said it perfectly: If Democrats want to figure out who to blame just look in the mirror,” former Democratic state Rep. Jay Kaufman, who’s on the steering committee of the Coalition to Reform our Legislature , told Playbook. “What’s disappointing here is that even with human lives and well-being on the line there wasn’t enough of a sense of urgency.”

Asked by reporters whether Democrats' handling of the supplemental budget showed the dysfunction of one-party rule, Mariano put the blame squarely back on the Republicans. "Even after everything was done and agreed to, they still held it up," he said. "They have to bear that responsibility."

This likely won’t be the last time Gov. Maura Healey asks for more money for the shelter system. And the next spending debate could be even more fraught with fiscal storm clouds on the horizon. Tax revenue ran behind benchmarks for the fifth straight month in November, the Department of Revenue said Tuesday. The state is now $627 million below the projection that budget writers used to build this year’s spending plan.

And this isn't the only issue over which Democratic leaders are butting heads. They’re poised to clash again in the new year over gun regulations as the Senate prepares to bring its version forward.

GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. The fourth GOP presidential primary debate is tonight. Keep it locked on Politico for key moments and top takeaways.

TODAY — Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll have no public events. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is on “Java with Jimmy” at 9 a.m. and holds a swearing-in ceremony for the Mayor’s Youth Council at 4:15 p.m. at City Hall. Rep. Ayanna Pressley unveils the Inclusive Democracy Act at 1:30 p.m. at the U.S. Capitol.

Tips? Scoops? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com .

BIDEN TIME

President Joe Biden arrives at Boston Logan International Airport to attend several campaign fundraisers on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. | Evan Vucci/AP

ALTERNATE REALITY — If Donald Trump wasn’t seeking a second term in the White House, Joe Biden might not be, either.

“If Trump wasn't running, I'm not sure I'd be running,” Biden told donors gathered at a fundraiser at former U.S. Ambassador Alan Solomont’ s Weston home Tuesday. “But we cannot let him win, for the sake of the country."

Biden was talking about the risks he believes his predecessor poses to democracy. He later clarified his comments to reporters back in Washington. Asked if he would be running if Trump were not, Biden said, “I expect so.” And asked if he would drop out if Trump does, Biden said, “no, not now.”

Biden’s remarks come as he trails Trump in some recent head-to-head polling matchups and is in the midst of a fundraising blitz to close out the quarter and the year. Biden hit three fundraisers total in the state Tuesday, including one at the Westin Boston Seaport hotel with Jack Connors and an evening concert with Grammy-winner James Taylor .

He was greeted by Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu at Logan Airport (Healey’s office declined to detail what they talked about beyond discussing “how our administrations can continue to work together to make our communities stronger.”). Healey also introduced him at the concert.

Outside the Shubert Theater, several hundred pro-Palestinian protesters gathered to call for a permanent cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and for an end to U.S. aid for Israel. Earlier, Biden urged global condemnation of Hamas’ “horrific” use of sexual violence against women and girls during the group’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

“Let me be crystal clear: Hamas' refusal to release the remaining young women is what broke this deal and ended the pause in the fighting,” Biden said, adding that “everyone still being held hostage by Hamas need to be returned to their families immediately. We're not going to stop working until we bring every one of them home."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— “Healey sees ‘better path forward’ in Massachusetts economic development plan,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Addressing housing and transportation challenges, investing in infrastructure, consistent branding, attracting talent, and doubling down on climate technology innovation are all featured priorities in a long-term economic development plan filed by the Healey administration.”

— “Leadership changes in Massachusetts’ child welfare system prompt hope for a new vision,” by Jason Laughlin, The Boston Globe: “A changing of the guard is coming for Massachusetts’ child welfare system and with it, perhaps, an unusual opportunity to overhaul an overburdened system responsible for the well-being of more than 40,000 children. Four key officials are departing in the coming year, or have already gone. Among them are two judges, both scheduled to retire over the next year, and the head of the Department of Children and Families, who stepped down this fall. In February, Michael Dsida will leave the Children and Family Law Division, which represents both parents and children in the child welfare system in court, after leading it for 17 years.”

FROM THE HUB

— “Boston City Councilor Kendra Lara to argue dismissal of charges related to crash at January court date,” by Flint McColgan, Boston Herald: “The latest hearing in the Kendra Lara car crash legal saga was a short and confused one that ultimately ended in yet another date to argue the latest motion to dismiss.”

— “Boston police union contract would exclude some offenses from arbitration,” by Danny McDonald, The Boston Globe: “The new labor contract reached between Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration and Boston’s largest police union includes unprecedented reforms that will allow the city to fire officers accused of serious offenses, such as murder and rape, and bar them from appealing those dismissals through arbitration.”

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

OFF TO THE RACES — The race to replace state Sen. Susan Moran (D-Falmouth), who has said she won’t run again in 2024 to pursue a county court job, is already heating up. Three candidates are circling the purple Plymouth and Barnstable seat. State Rep. Dylan Fernandes , a Woods Hole Democrat, announced his bid on X over the weekend. State Rep. Matt Muratore , a Plymouth Republican, last week told the Cape Cod Times he’s “seriously considering” a bid. And Bourne School Committee member Kari MacRae , a Republican, told the Boston Herald she plans to run for the post.

The jockeying carries down the ballot. Scott Hokanson , a Plymouth businessman, is running as a Democrat for Muratore’s House seat if and when Muratore jumps in the Senate race, he told Playbook.

— “Sen. Durant backs Dudley selectman to serve in his old Central Mass. House seat,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Sen. Peter Durant said Tuesday he is backing a Dudley selectman looking to run for a Central Massachusetts House seat last held by the Spencer Republican, who won a special election last month for a Senate district in the area. A special election has not yet been called for the House seat, but two contenders — Dudley Selectman John Marsi and Southbridge Town Councilor David Adams, both Republicans — have indicated they are ready to run if one is scheduled.”

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— “New applications for federal money put Sagamore Bridge replacement in sight, state says,” by Walker Armstrong, Cape Cod Times: “The state and a federal agency have applied for enough money to cover more than the estimated $2.13 billion cost to replace the aging Sagamore Bridge in Bourne. On Monday, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced a joint application with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeking $1.06 billion in federal funding for the phased replacement of the two Cape Cod Canal bridges. The phased replacement would begin with the heavily trafficked Sagamore Bridge, the announcement said.”

BALLOT BATTLES

— “MCAS mandate repeal inches toward ballot,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “The Massachusetts Teachers Association, the state's largest teachers union, announced on Tuesday that supporters of the proposed referendum will be turning in 135,000 signatures from registered voters to the Secretary of State's office by a Wednesday deadline, clearing a major hurdle.”

THE CLARK CAUCUS

— “Big money for top Democrat stolen: federal records,” by Mark Alesia, Raw Story: “U.S. House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) — the second-ranking Democrat in the House — is the latest member to become entangled in an epidemic of thefts affecting public officials.”

DATELINE D.C.

— “‘It’s a yes or no question’: GOP lawmakers berate Harvard, MIT, UPenn presidents on campus antisemitism,” by Mike Damiano and Hilary Burns, The Boston Globe: “The university leaders acknowledged that antisemitism, as well as Islamophobia, is on the rise in society and on their campuses and said they had sometimes stumbled in recent weeks while trying to walk the line between protecting free speech and prohibiting what some view as hateful rhetoric.”

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

— “Judge puts off Goldberg-O’Brien meeting,” by Bhaamati Borkhetaria, CommonWealth Beacon: “A state judge sided with Shannon O’Brien on Tuesday, ruling that the suspended chair of the Cannabis Control Commission shouldn’t be required to meet with Treasurer Deborah Goldberg until all of the investigations into O’Brien are completed and the investigators are available for questioning. … The judge scheduled a hearing for December 14 where she indicated the format of the Goldberg-O’Brien meeting would be reviewed.”

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “‘I owe you a drink. A dinner. A foot massage.’ Newton city councilor sends ‘unwelcome’ texts to colleague,” by John Hilliard, The Boston Globe: “A Newton city councilor said she was the recipient of ‘unwanted and unwelcome’ messages from a fellow councilor during a meeting last month and is calling for the city to create an ethics commission to oversee the conduct of local elected officials.”

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

STAFF SHAKEUP — Nikki Haley’ s New Hampshire state director, Mak Kehoe , is “no longer with the campaign for personal reasons,” her campaign said last night. Deputy state director Tyler Clark has taken over for Kehoe, who had joined the campaign in October. ABC’s Kelsey Walsh first reported Kehoe’s departure.

FEELING THREATENED — Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), who is primarying Joe Biden , said “yes” when asked by a reporter last night if he would consider the president a threat to democracy.

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to state Sen. Peter Durant, Tim Biba, Matt Chilliak, Adam Hogue, Ali Schmidt-Fellner and Hanna Switlekowski.

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