| | |  | BY KELLY GARRITY AND LISA KASHINSKY | | With help from Mia McCarthy MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING!
AS GOVERNOR, MITT ROMNEY WAS MOSTLY OUT OF
STATE CAMPAIGNING FOR pRESIDENT...WHERE WAS
THE MASS GOP? SILENT!
EACH TIME THE COMMONWEALTH EXPERIENCED A
DISASTER, MITT RETURNED & APPEARED LIKE A
DEER CAUGHT IN THE HEADLIGHTS!
PRIVACY, AT A PRICE — Maura Healey had a choice to make: risk her loved ones’ safety in the name of the executive-office transparency she promised, or protect them and invite repeated bouts of bad press. She’s chosen the latter over and over. But this latest time’s a head-scratcher. To recap: The governor and her team stopped telling reporters when she was leaving the state — and therefore transferring power to the lieutenant governor or, if they’re both away, the secretary of state — last November due to unspecified “security concerns.” We know members of the neo-Nazi group NSC-131 showed up at her Arlington home in October , and more recently in February when she was away. But Healey usually discloses where she’s been afterward — whether publicly or through the redacted monthly calendars her office makes available upon request. This time, she didn’t — declining through aides last week and in person on Monday to disclose the details of a four-day personal trip in early February. While her calendar shows she was out of state, it did not list any other details, including any airports she was traveling to or from — information her team typically includes. That’s set off a firestorm of criticism from government watchdogs and from Republicans looking for any excuse to ding the Democratic governor. MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale called the move “unsettling” and warned residents to be “wary” of Healey’s “attempts to withhold information pertaining to out of state travel.” Progressive Massachusetts’ Jonathan Cohn said that while residents “don’t need to know the full itinerary of a private vacation,” it’s better to hear about it from the governor herself “than to only learn of her absence because another official is ‘acting’ governor for a few days.” But it’s unclear whether the general public cares. And it’s not like the governor doesn’t have a cell phone, as someone inevitably points out each time her travels become news. Unless she’s going to a remote island, she’s probably reachable in case things go awry. “I'm constantly working,” she told reporters on Monday when pressed about her travel. Still, in the back half of that sentence, Healey signaled that not disclosing the details of her personal trips could become the norm going forward. “We’ll continue to provide our calendar … and I’ll continue to provide information about all of my work-related travel and events.” That’s only going to invite more scrutiny. In all, Healey has spent at least 47 nights and 65 days out of state since taking office, according to a Playbook analysis of her calendars, news reports and information from the governor’s office. The 65 days includes travel days and/or days when Healey spent a portion of her time in Massachusetts and a portion elsewhere (such as when she spent a few hours in New Hampshire in January campaigning on behalf of the write-in President Joe Biden effort). Healey’s calendars are good for more than just shedding light — or not — on her travels. They also provide insights into the inner workings of her administration. Take her interactions with her executive team: While former Gov. Charlie Baker reportedly had a 6:30 a.m. check-in call with his chief of staff who would then muster the rest of the team, Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll tend to hold check-ins with their team in the 9 a.m. hour (in part to accommodate administration officials who have to get their kids to school). Cabinet meetings — which are led by the governor, despite recent remarks from her critics implying otherwise — are typically held Fridays at 10 a.m. GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . TODAY — Healey is on WBUR’s “Radio Boston” at 11 a.m. and announces a new employers coalition “dedicated to recruiting and retaining talent” at 12:30 p.m. at Legends at the TD Garden. Auditor Diana DiZoglio visits the People’s Academy in Boston at 10:30 a.m. Tips? Scoops? Ideas for what we should records request next? Email us: us: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com .
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| | 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. | | | |  | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| WHAT’S SUPP WITH THE SUPP(S) — The Senate is expected to vote Thursday on its version of a supplemental budget that would fund the state’s emergency shelter system through the end of the fiscal year and beyond while allowing the state to limit the length of shelter stays. The Senate’s version of the spending bill would allow the Healey administration to pull more than $800 million from a state savings account to cover the cost of the system through June and into fiscal year 2025. The bill would also require the administration to review the eligibility of families and pregnant women after they’ve spent nine consecutive months in the shelter system — though residents could see that time extended by 90 days if they meet certain requirements, such as making progress toward getting work authorizations. And it would allocate $10 million for job training programs, English language classes and work authorization assistance. The Senate and the House took different approaches to limiting shelter stays, discrepancies that will need to be hashed out should the Senate approve its bill on Thursday. There are other differences, too. While the Senate followed the House in calling to enshrine pandemic-era outdoor dining rules, the upper chamber dropped a provision that would make to-go cocktails permanent. MEANWHILE — Gov. Maura Healey filed another supplemental budget with the House on Monday, this one to fill gaps in funding for human service and early education programs. Federal reimbursements and leftover money from the American Rescue Plan Act make up the bulk of the nearly $535 million bill, which comes at a net cost of $88.5 million, according to Healey's office. — “Ride-hailing fight returns to Beacon Hill,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “The battle over unionizing Uber and Lyft drivers returns Tuesday to Beacon Hill with a legislative committee set to take up several proposed ballot questions. A special legislative committee is scheduled to hear testimony on the proposals that reshape the employment status of ride-hailing drivers in Massachusetts during a hearing at the Statehouse, where supporters and opponents will make their cases to lawmakers to put the questions on the November ballot.”
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| | 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 . | | | | | | | FROM THE HUB |
| — “ Boston City Council eying charter change to avoid another New Year’s Day inauguration ” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “ Boston city councilors unhappy with having to work this past New Year’s Day are seeking a change in the city charter that would prevent mayoral and council inaugurations from being held on a federal holiday. Councilor Gabriela Coletta, chair of the government operations committee, is recommending that the body vote favorably Wednesday on a home rule petition that would amend the city charter by moving the inauguration date from the first Monday of January to the first weekday after Jan. 2.” — “ Former director of Boston's English learners program sues district, claiming retaliation, ” by Max Larkin, WBUR: “A former Boston Public Schools administrator is suing the district, alleging she was pushed out of her role after voicing concerns about the transfer of hundreds of English learners out of specialized programs.”
| | YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS |
| CLAP BACK — Republican U.S. Senate hopeful John Deaton is responding to Senate President Karen Spilka ’s joke at the Boston St. Patrick’s Day breakfast about his memoir, “Food Stamp Warrior,” showing “how tough he is.” “In my book , I actually share that I’m not so tough after all and that the violent rapes [I experienced] hurt and damaged me. … It saddens me that you both missed the core message of my book,” Deaton wrote on X , tagging Spilka and Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who he’s challenging. But Spilka left the platform months ago, so she won’t see his response unless she’s reading this newsletter. FWIW, the MassGOP also called on Spilka to apologize. ENDORSEMENT CORNER — IBEW Local 103 has endorsed President Joe Biden ’s reelection campaign.
| | DAY IN COURT |
| — “Full SJC to hear Milton rezoning case,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Beacon: “A single justice of the Supreme Judicial Court recommended that the full court hear Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s case against the town of Milton for failing to comply with a state rezoning law, but the justice did not go along with the accelerated timetable she sought. Justice Serge Georges Jr. said the case against Milton, which centers around how to enforce the MBTA Communities Act, ‘raises novel questions of law which are of public importance and which are time sensitive and likely to recur.’”
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| | A message from the Service Employees International Union:  
| | | | | THE PRESSLEY PARTY |
| — “House Dem caucus appoints Pressley to key panel,” by Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Beacon: “U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley is joining the powerful but obscure Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, a panel that helps shape Democratic priorities and appoints members of the House Democratic Caucus to committee seats. The caucus, with the full backing of New England Democrats, named Pressley to the committee, replacing Rep. Lori Trahan, who was elected co-chair of the caucus’s messaging arm in 2023.” REPRO RIGHTS RALLYING CALL — Pressley is pressing the Biden administration to use executive power to protect reproductive freedom and equal rights for women in an action plan released by the Democratic Women's Caucus on Monday that calls for a "Caregiving Czar" and to improve access to contraception, among many other aims. Pressley and Rep. Kathy Manning (D-N.C.), who co-chair the caucus, pointed to abortion-related bills from the Republican-controlled House and the recent court ruling threatening in vitro fertilization in Alabama as grounds for their request that the Biden administration act expeditiously. “Our agenda lays out a bold, comprehensive plan for the Biden-Harris administration so that they can leverage the full weight of the presidency to build a just America for all,” Pressley said on a call with reporters. “That means taking executive action. It means leveraging agency rulemaking. It means wielding the bully pulpit, and strongly enforcing existing laws and implementing key legislative wins.”
| | WARREN REPORT |
| — “ Elizabeth Warren announces inquiry into loan servicer MOHELA, hears personal stories from borrowers, ” by Maddie Khaw, The Boston Globe: “In a roundtable conversation moderated by Boston Teachers Union president Jessica Tang, [Lynn teacher Sheila] O’Neil and other AFT members discussed the impact of student loan relief with Warren, who has championed student debt cancellation efforts in the federal government.”
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| | 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 . | | | | | | | IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN |
| — “ State gripped by solar slowdown: Worst year in decade for installations, ” by Emilee Klein, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Once a leader in solar development, Massachusetts is experiencing slower growth because of electrical grid capacities and reduced incentives.” — “ Offshore wind compensation programs open for Mass. fishermen, ” by Anastasia E. Lennon, New Bedford Light.
| | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| — “ACLU: North Brookfield settles lawsuit, allowing Pride event to go forward with drag show,” by Veer Mudambi, Telegram & Gazette. — “New contract talks begin between Salem Teachers Union and district,” by Dustin Luca, The Salem News. — “ Don't ban TikTok, says Worcester church organist: Here's how he says it helps him, ” by Kinga Borondy, Telegram & Gazette.
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| | 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. | | | | | MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE |
| MIGRATING PROBLEM — Massachusetts’ migrant crisis keeps creeping into New Hampshire politics, this time in the state’s gubernatorial race. Republican former Sen. Kelly Ayotte is pushing Democrat Joyce Craig to denounce the endorsement she received from Healey last year over the Massachusetts governor’s response to the alleged rape that occurred in a hotel housing migrants in Rockland. The former Manchester mayor’s campaign didn’t address Ayotte’s comments. More from the Boston Herald .
| | MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND |
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MUST READ!
— “‘Get me talking points’: DOJ docs reveal top officials’ private texts about Washington Bridge,” by Eli Sherman, Tim White, Ted Nesi, WPRI.
excerpt:
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island officials have sent thousands of pages of documents about the westbound Washington Bridge to the U.S. Department of Justice, as investigators probe how federal funds have been spent on the doomed structure. The documents — obtained by Target 12 through a public-records request — include years of emails, photographs, plans, inspections, contracts and other communications between state officials and private contractors that have worked on the bridge over the years. They also include dozens of text conversations between high-ranking state officials, including Gov. Dan McKee and R.I. Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti. The texts offer a window into the frantic efforts by state officials to respond to the crisis on Dec. 12, the morning after the bridge was closed because an engineer had discovered a critical safety issue. “Get me talking points on inspections and why we just found out about this,” Alviti wrote in a text just after 7 a.m. to some of his senior staff.
| | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH |
| TRANSITIONS — Matthew Grim has joined the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance as its new finance manager. He previously worked as a field organizer for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s 2018 reelection campaign, and as the deputy finance director for the Arizona Republican Party. — William Seabrook is now legislative director for Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.). He previously was senior legislative assistant for Rep. Stephen Lynch. — Hadley Barndollar has joined MassLive as a statewide enterprise reporter. She previously reported for the New Hampshire Bulletin and USA TODAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Wilnelia Rivera of Rivera Consulting; Jesse Mermell, Jill Abramson, Abigail Webber and Seth Rogovoy . 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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