Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Warren bridges the Cape bridges funding gap

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Warren bridges the Cape bridges funding gap

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With help from Lisa Kashinsky

NEW: WARREN’S BUILDING BRIDGES — Gov. Maura Healey’s hunt for federal funds for the Cape Cod bridges is getting a(nother) boost from Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

Fresh off securing $350 million in federal appropriations earlier this month, Warren is leading the rest of the delegation in urging Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to approve the last tranche of federal funding the state needs to replace the aging bridges.

The $1 billion the state is seeking from the federal Bridge Investment Program is the “final remaining piece of the funding puzzle,” Warren wrote in the letter she’s sending to Buttigieg this morning and shared first with Playbook.

Approving the funding “will unlock the Commonwealth’s ability to carry out this project for the good of Massachusetts and the entire Northeast region,” she continued.

Warren and other lawmakers have persistently lobbied federal administrators and corralled the state to help move the pricey project along. Warren, Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Bill Keating (whose district includes the Cape) have sent numerous letters to state and federal officials to get the money the state needs to begin breaking ground on the project.

And they’ve notched some big wins after seemingly endless setbacks. In addition to the $350 million that made it into the appropriations bill, the state won $372 million from a federal grant program last December.

That’s in no small part thanks to the “phased” approach Healey is taking to rebuild the functionally obsolete bridges — focusing first on funding the Sagamore’s rebuild before moving onto the Bourne.

“The rigorous ‘phased approach’ … is the most efficient and cost-effective way to maintain the safety and economic vitality of the Cape Cod crossing, deliver good-paying union construction jobs, and create more sustainable transit options,” Warren wrote.

Healey has also promised to throw state dollars into the mix, setting aside $262 million for the bridges in her five-year capital investment plan with the goal of increasing that to $700 million longer term. And both chambers of the Legislature recently approved amended versions of a bill her administration crafted to use interest from the state’s “rainy day” fund to lure more federal money to Massachusetts.

GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . Buttigieg, meanwhile, was in Rhode Island Tuesday dealing with a different troubled bridge. He sat down with WPRI’s Ted Nesi to talk about the Washington Bridge closure.

TODAY — Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll have no public events. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announces $21 million in funding for mental and behavioral health programs for youth and families at 9:30 a.m. at the Joseph Lee School, attends a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the Boston Elks Lodge #10 at 12:30 p.m. and participates in a WBUR town hall at 6 p.m.

Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? kgarrity@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com .

A message from the Service Employees International Union:

Uber and Lyft are planning to spend big on a ballot initiative to buy their way around respecting the rights of Massachusetts’ rideshare drivers. But rideshare drivers in our state have a different vision: one that works better for consumers and gives drivers a voice on the job. Drivers can’t get there alone — we're calling on the Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions to convene drivers and rideshare companies and steer us down a better road.

MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

MAKING MIGRANT MOVES — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has floated flying Haitian migrants in Florida to Martha’s Vineyard — like he did with migrants from Texas in 2022.

But circumstances have changed drastically since the island warmly welcomed the nearly 50 new arrivals a year and a half ago. Now, the state's emergency shelter system is overflowing, and lawmakers are grappling with rising shelter costs amid months of lackluster tax revenues.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley , co-chair of the House Haiti Caucus, called DeSantis’ comments “unconscionable but unsurprising from a failed presidential candidate seeking to stay relevant.”

“Families fleeing unspeakable violence in Haiti and other countries deserve to be met with compassion — not to be used as pawns in Republicans' cruel political games,” Pressley said in a statement to Playbook.

State Senate President Karen Spilka also threw some subtle shade at the Florida governor: “I’m proud to live in a state where we do not use human beings as political props, and I will continue to work alongside our leaders to create sustainable and systemic solutions that aspire to treat vulnerable individuals with the respect that they deserve," she said in a statement.

— “Rep. Jim Jordan launches investigation into Haitian accused of raping migrant girl in Rockland,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald.

Easily connect with the right N.Y. State influencers and foster the right relationships to champion your policy priorities. POLITICO Pro. Inside New York. Learn more .

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— “Lobbying activity picking up on Beacon Hill,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Beacon: “The pace of lobbying on Beacon Hill, which slowed a bit during the pandemic, is picking up steam. Lobbying expenditures totaled $99.2 million during 2023, up from $85.2 million three years earlier, according to records provided by Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin’s office.”

TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE — House and Senate gun-bill conferees will hold their first meeting at 2 p.m. today. They’ve got a lot to hash out, including differences over who can ask a court to suspend someone’s firearm license under the state’s “red flag” law and in which public places people should be prohibited from carrying guns.

FROM THE HUB

— “Flynn calls for 'major changes' or moving St. Patrick's Day parade from South Boston,” by Lisa Creamer and Amy Sokolow, WBUR: “Decrying what he called an '"anything goes" attitude’ by celebrants at Boston's St. Patrick's Day parade, City Councilor Ed Flynn took to social media to demand ‘major changes’ or a switch-up to the event's route through South Boston. … While Flynn does not have the authority to move the parade route, he said he will keep up his appeals to move the parade to downtown Boston if the atmosphere doesn't ‘meet basic standards of decency.’”

— “Downtown Boston coalition urges City Council to vote down Michelle Wu’s planning ordinance,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “A coalition of downtown residents is urging the Boston City Council to vote against a mayoral ordinance that would restructure the city’s planning department, citing a number of concerns around financial transparency and oversight. Ford Cavallari, chair of the Alliance of Downtown Civic Organizations, sent a letter to city councilors on Tuesday, calling for a ‘no’ vote on what he described as the mayor’s ‘poorly written ordinance’ that veers ‘far from’ the roadmap she established for abolishing the Boston Planning and Development Agency in 2019.”

A message from the Service Employees International Union:

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

SIGNATURE SEASON — Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton ’s campaign says it has surpassed the 10,000 signatures required to get him on the ballot, though the names still need to be verified by election officials and some will inevitably be tossed. His campaign said paid contractors and volunteers are continuing to collect signatures to ensure he stays over the threshold. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is also in the process of collecting signatures, a spokesperson said, while declining to share her count.

Quincy City Council President Ian Cain has also pulled papers for the seat. When Playbook called Cain Tuesday night to check on the status of his signature collections, he said we had the wrong number. We called back and, upon reaching his voicemail, were greeted by the words: "This is Ian Cain."

BALLOT BATTLES

— "Skeptical lawmakers grill Uber and Lyft at ballot question hearing," by Katie Lannan, GBH News: " One [ballot question], backed by labor groups, would allow drivers to organize. The other, supported by Uber, Lyft and other gig economy apps, would write it into state law that drivers are independent contractors, while also providing them some new benefits. ... [S]upporters of each potential question asked lawmakers Tuesday to bring all sides to the table to find a legislative compromise that can serve as an alternative to a ballot fight. As legislators consider that possibility, they also signaled a deep skepticism toward the ride-hailing industry and its positions."

JOIN US ON 3/21 FOR A TALK ON FINANCIAL LITERACY: Americans from all communities should be able to save, build wealth, and escape generational poverty, but doing so requires financial literacy. How can government and industry ensure access to digital financial tools to help all Americans achieve this? Join POLITICO on March 21 as we explore how Congress, regulators, financial institutions and nonprofits are working to improve financial literacy education for all. REGISTER HERE .

FROM THE DELEGATION

ROYAL INTRIGUE — Count House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Rep. Lori Trahan among those wondering whether it really was Kate Middleton in that video from the farmers’ market. Apparently, House Democratic leaders discussed whether it was Middleton or a body double during a meeting on Tuesday, our intrepid colleague Daniella Diaz reports .

— “Moulton slams Netanyahu's handling of Gaza war,” by Christian M. Wade, Newburyport Daily News: “Rep. Seth Moulton has become the latest member of the state’s all-Democrat congressional delegation to criticize Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza, throwing his support behind demands for a bilateral cease-fire.”

FROM THE 413

— “Amherst councilors accused of racism, disrespect over heated meeting on cease-fire,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Even with Town Council adopting a resolution calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, supporters of the measure are calling for apologies from some councilors and anti-racism training because of their actions at that March 4 meeting.”

— “Greenfield City Council backs resolution for cease-fire in Gaza,” by Anthony Cammalleri, Greenfield Recorder: “City Council voted 6-2 with two abstentions on Monday to send a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza to the offices of President Joe Biden, U.S. Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, and U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern. The resolution states that since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, close to 90 percent of Gaza’s population had been displaced, and roughly 130 Israeli hostages remain in Hamas’ captivity, with 32,000 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis killed. It also mentions that the targeting of civilians in war violates international law, and calls on the federal government to withhold U.S. funding to Israel until there is a ‘sustained cease-fire’ in Gaza and a release of all hostages.”

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— "Federal workers rally in Boston to protect telework flexibility," by Hannah Loss, GBH News.

— “School stakeholders voice budget cut concerns,” by Matt Petry, Newburyport Daily News.

A message from the Service Employees International Union:

Massachusetts is facing a choice between two paths for the future of the gig economy:

Allow billion-dollar rideshare companies to pursue a deceptive, anti-worker ballot initiative that locks drivers into independent contractor status, depriving them of their basic rights and a meaningful voice on the job.
Empower our state’s 55,000 rideshare drivers with a voice through a union and give them the ability to bargain with rideshare companies to improve pay, safety, and working conditions.

Rideshare drivers have a roadmap for a better gig economy for Massachusetts, and it starts with legislative leadership convening all stakeholders to eliminate confusion on the ballot and reach a resolution. The Massachusetts legislature is at a critical crossroads. We urge them to choose a better path for drivers and consumers. Learn more here.

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

TRANSITIONS — Angela Clark is now chief of organizational diversity, equity and inclusion for Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office. She was vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion at Fidelity Investments.

— Meg Ansara has joined the AG’s office as senior adviser. She was the acting chief of program operations and director of VISTA for AmeriCorps.

— Anne Sterman has been promoted to chief of the AG's Government Bureau after serving for five years as deputy chief.

—Benny Meshoulam is now a senior adviser for the Energy and Ratepayer Advocacy Division in the AG’s office. He has served as senior legal counsel for MassDEP and legal counsel for the Massachusetts Port Authority.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Karlee Fain.

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