 | BY LISA KASHINSKY AND KELLY GARRITY | Presented by |  |
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| With help from Jasper Goodman DEATON’S VENN DIAGRAM — Crypto boosters and Charlie Baker backers are converging behind John Deaton. Cryptocurrency executives and prominent digital-asset enthusiasts are pumping tens of thousands of dollars into Deaton’s longshot Republican U.S. Senate campaign in a bid to blunt the industry’s chief critic on Capitol Hill: Democrat Elizabeth Warren. Deaton has received maximum donations of $6,600 apiece (half for the primary, half for the general election) from Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and Chris Larsen, the company’s co-founder and executive chair, we first reported earlier this morning . Deaton’s amicus brief in the SEC’s enforcement case against the company helped raise his profile in the crypto world. Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, who co-founded the embattled crypto exchange Gemini, also maxed out to Deaton — as did industry booster Anthony Scaramucci, who recently hosted Deaton on his podcast. And Deaton took in the maximum primary contribution, $3,300, from both Ethereum and Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson and Casa co-founder Jameson Lopp, according to information provided by his campaign.
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John Deaton | Jim Conroy/Courtesy photo | But it’s not just crypto proponents pumping up Deaton’s fledgling bid — it’s also allies and supporters of the state’s former Republican governor. Mike Kennealy, Baker’s housing and economic development secretary, maxed out to Deaton Victory, the candidate’s joint fundraising venture with the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the MassGOP. Longtime Baker donor Holt Massey also contributed to the joint fundraising committee, while Daniel Kraft, Nancy Kelleher and Dan Winslow (who knows a thing or two about running for U.S. Senate) chipped into the campaign directly, per Deaton’s team. Don’t be surprised by their support. Deaton may be a political novice and virtual no-name outside of the crypto community. And he may have only moved back to Massachusetts — and registered as a Republican — in January. But he’s got longtime Baker political adviser Jim Conroy helping to run his campaign and former Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito in his ear informally advising him . David Drummond, who served as finance director for Baker’s political committee, is doing finance consulting on Deaton’s bid. And former Baker campaign manager Brian Wynne's firm, Opinion Diagnostics, is on board for polling. While these donations help legitimize Deaton’s candidacy, he’ll need a lot more of them if he wants to truly give Warren a run for her money — and compete against another crypto-friendly Republican, Quincy City Council President Ian Cain, who’s gearing up to enter the race. Deaton raised roughly $361,000 in the opening six weeks of his bid from 3,129 individual contributions. Most of his donations were under $200, and his average contribution was $118, his campaign said. He’ll report raising $1.3 million and having $1.2 million in cash on hand — but only because he loaned his campaign $1 million. Warren, meanwhile, raised more than $1.1 million in the first quarter of the year from 29,622 donors and 51,888 contributions, with 99 percent of those contributions coming in at $100 or less. Her average donation was $22. The fundraising juggernaut also has more than $4.4 million stashed in her campaign coffers, according to her campaign. Warren’s reelection bid is fueled “not by special interests trying to elevate candidates” but by small-dollar donors, a spokesperson said. “She is running on her strong track record of delivering big wins for working families, including student debt relief and more than $50 billion in federal investment for Massachusetts.” GOOD FRIDAY MORNING MASSACHUSETTS. Speaking of races … are you running the marathon on Monday? Email us for a chance to be featured in Playbook: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com . TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll have no public events. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speaks at MEMA’s Boston Marathon safety press conference at 9 a.m. at the Fairmont Copley Plaza and at an EMS graduation ceremony at 11 a.m. at Suffolk Law. THIS WEEKEND — Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Rooney is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. House Speaker Ron Mariano is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark , Jacquetta van Zandt, Wendy Wakeman and Dante Scala are on NBC10’s “At Issue” at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
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| | A message from NextEra Energy: With a presence in 49 states, NextEra Energy is one of the nation’s largest capital investors in infrastructure, creating thousands of jobs and generating millions of dollars in new tax revenue for communities across the U.S. We generate more electricity from the wind and sun than anyone in the world as we work toward securing America’s energy independence and security with clean and emission-free low-cost energy. | | | |  | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| SHOW OF CONFIDENCE — Gov. Maura Healey and her finance secretary, Matthew Gorzkowicz , aren’t sweating that the supplemental budget containing the money they need to fund the state’s emergency shelter system past this month remains tied up in legislative negotiations. “Really the only thing that’s in conference are the language issues regarding the length of stay. So from our perspective that makes us feel very confident that the $224 million that’s needed through the end of the fiscal year will be in place,” Gorzkowicz told Playbook on Thursday. “It gives us the confidence and ability to use money that we have available in the prior supp to make sure that we can stretch it out as they wrap up their business in conference.” The chambers are also at odds over how much money the administration can draw from a state savings account. The House is calling to make $245 million from the transitional escrow account available through the end of June, while the Senate would let Healey draw down more than $800 million from the fund through fiscal year 2025. But Healey's administration has other funding sources to pull from when the existing allocation for the shelter system runs out in “mid-April,” Gorzkowicz said (he didn’t offer an exact date) — giving lawmakers some breathing room. For her part, Healey is looking forward “to seeing something come out soon,” she told Playbook.
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Governor Maura Healey (right) and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz pitched their budget to lawmakers back in February. Now, the House has released its plan. | Joshua Qualls/Governor's press office | WAIT AND SEE — Healey didn’t have a whole lot to say about the House budget that came in $150 million below the spending plan she pitched in January and included less funding than she proposed for initiatives including reduced MBTA fares. “I see so many of our priorities reflected in the House’s budget. I’m excited about that,” Healey said. While tax collections came in above benchmark in March for the first time in months, Healey is still proceeding with caution. "We have to take the long view and we have to assess things over a period of many months," she said. "We put forward a budget proposal that was fiscally responsible and look forward to working with the Legislature as we move forward.” THE TAYLOR EFFECT — Among the hundreds of budget amendments House lawmakers have already filed to the bill leaders unveiled Thursday: a state Rep. Smitty Pignatelli classic, calling for a new “commission to Taylor A. Swift” economic recovery in the state and packed with references to the superstar’s songs . — “Black Bostonians ramp up calls for gun access,” by Seth Daniel, Dorchester Reporter: “Bostonians, who have long faced tough hurdles to secure gun licenses compared to suburban peers, are pressing state lawmakers to ease those restrictions as new gun reform legislation advances on Beacon Hill this season.”
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| | Access New York bill updates and Congressional activity in areas that matter to you, and use our exclusive insights to see what’s on the Albany agenda. Learn more . | | | | | | | FROM THE HUB |
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Former Gov. Michael Dukakis looks on as Gov. Maura Healey and former Govs. Deval Patrick and Bill Weld reflect on his legacy in a panel moderated by NBC10 alum Alison King at Northeastern. | Alyssa Stone/Northeastern University | HONORING THE DUKE — Whether it was welcoming Healey — then a lawyer toying with a run for attorney general — into his home to chat, or teaching former Gov. Deval Patrick the word “grassroots,” former Gov. Michael Dukakis ’ impact on Beacon Hill and across the Bay State has stretched far beyond his eight years in the corner office. Three Massachusetts governors — Healey, Patrick and former Gov. Bill Weld took the stage at a Northeastern University event Thursday to celebrate Dukakis’ legacy — and swap personal stories about the legendary elder statesman. Healey recalled Dukakis telling her the number of precincts in the state (2,174) and encouraging her to make sure each was staffed with a captain when the election did roll around. Patrick reminisced on the (many) calls he received from the former governor whenever Dukakis saw litter left in the streets. And Weld, the only Republican onstage, described himself and Dukakis as “ideologically separated at birth.” DUMPING ON TRUMP — Despite any ideological differences between the crew, they largely agreed on their views of former President Donald Trump — who Dukakis told Playbook is “getting nuttier by the day.” The worst insult was probably one flung from Weld, who challenged the former president in the last two elections. Trump "was universally known as the most dishonest businessman in New York … or New Jersey,” Weld told the audience. “Those mob guys that run New Jersey, to be more dishonest than they, that’s saying something.” PRESIDENTIAL POTENTIAL — Sitting in the presence of three former Massachusetts governors turned presidential candidates, Healey sidestepped a question about the possibility of pursuing her own White House bid one day. But the audience offered raucous applause when the moderator, NBC10 Boston alum Alison King , floated the question.
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| | A message from NextEra Energy:  
| | | | | MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS |
| — “Officials detail plan for migrant and homeless family shelter at former Chelsea Soldiers’ Home,” by Tonya Alanez, The Boston Globe: “The Chelsea shelter is expected to house roughly 100 families and is intended for parents with children or pregnant women who are eligible for the state’s emergency shelter program but have been placed on a waitlist. The facility will offer on-site services to migrants, including help finding stable housing, applying for work authorization, and connecting with potential employers, officials said.” — “Even with work permits, migrants in shelters struggle to find self-sustaining jobs,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News.
| | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
| — “Mass. residents conflicted on MBTA Communities Act,” by Bhaamati Borkhetaria, CommonWealth Beacon. — “South Coast Rail's summer start is 'unlikely' as delays pile up,” by Dan Medeiros, The Herald News.
| | FROM THE DELEGATION |
| DENYING GENOCIDE!
ISRAEL IS PREVENTING FOOD, WATER, MEDICINE
and FUEL FROM ENTERING GAZA, CREATING A
FAMINE.
ISRAEL IS TARGETING AID WORKERS, EXECUTED
GAZANS and DOCTORS. HAS TORTURED & KILLED
INNOCENTS....BOMBED HOSPITALS, UNIVERSITIES, HOUSING....THERE IS ACCURATE REPORTING
MESSAGE SENT — Sen. Elizabeth Warren is facing criticism from a regional Jewish organization for saying she believes international officials will find Israel’s military campaign in Gaza legally amounts to genocide. In a Thursday letter to Warren, the New England chapter of the American Jewish Committee rebuked the senator’s comments as “inaccurate and hurtful.” “We know and have appreciated that you have been a supporter of Israel’s right to defend its people against Hamas’ relentless efforts to destroy the world’s only Jewish state,” the letter read . But it goes on to say that Warren’s remark “has provided cover to extreme voices, who have been maliciously accusing Israel of genocide long before a single Israeli soldier entered Gaza.” Meanwhile, Rep. Ayanna Pressley is using similar language to Warren’s. “I do believe that history will judge this as a genocide,” Pressley told GBH Thursday.
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| SAD COMMENTARY!
— “Sports wagering banner year: billions bet, millions for Massachusetts,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “In the year that’s passed since the Bay State began to allow gambling on professional and some college sports, more than $6.2 billions dollars has been spent on sports wagering by over 1.6 million gamblers, generating more than half-a-billion in revenue for operators and hundreds of millions for the state.” — “Mass. plummets in charter school law ranking,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “The National Charter School Law Rankings and Scorecard, released by the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Education Reform on Thursday, gave Massachusetts a ‘C’ grade for charter school laws in 2023, dropping 10 points from a report in the prior year.”
FOR PROFIT HEALTH CARE: — “Health Policy Commission wary of Steward-Optum deal,” by Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Beacon.
excerpts: MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH Policy Commission board this week began to grapple with the mammoth, complex task of evaluating the proposed sale of Steward Health Care’s physician network to UnitedHealth Group’s Optum.
“I think the underpinning piece is what happens to patients, and what happens to the small community hospitals out there in terms of their ability to stay viable and to provide care,” said commissioner Barbara Blakeney at a Thursday meeting. “The impact of this is just mind-bogglingly complex and potentially harmful.”
Stewardship Health, Steward’s physician network, would be sold to Optum, according to initial filings with the commission. The Steward group, imperiled by the cash-strapped Texas-based hospital system’s financial spiral, employs 2,950 physicians as the third largest physician network in the state. Optum currently has two physician practices in Massachusetts – Reliant Medical Group, purchased in 2018, and Atrius Health Services, purchased in 2022 – as well as the chain of urgent care centers MedExpress with nine locations in Massachusetts. All told, Optum manages about 975 physicians in the state, said Kate Mills, senior director of the commission’s market oversight and transparency department.
The move to absorb Stewardship Health is the latest expansion move by UnitedHealth, which now employs or is affiliated with 10 percent of all physicians in the US and acquired or hired 20,000 doctors last year alone. As part of the HPC review, staff is working to identify which physicians would be impacted by the sale, and what the relationship would be between the physicians and Steward’s hospitals. The physical practice sale is part of Steward’s six-point recovery framework released in February.
— “Attleboro mayor calls for changing proposed 'Diversity Committee' to 'Community Engagement',” by George W. Rhodes, The Sun Chronicle. — “Harvard, MIT, Tufts, UMass get failing grades for fighting antisemitism,” by Mike Toole, WBZ. — “After months of uncertainty from Ryan Salame's FTX fallout, the Olde Heritage Tavern in Lenox has new owners,” by Clarence Fanto, The Berkshire Eagle.
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| | A message from NextEra Energy: Leading America with safe, reliable and affordable clean energy
The need for reliable, low-cost clean energy in America has never been greater – and NextEra Energy is ready to deliver it.
Millions of Americans depend on us to power their lives in good weather and bad. By investing in resilient, storm-tested infrastructure and harnessing innovative technology, we’re keeping reliability high and bills low.
We are also working toward securing America’s energy independence and security with clean and emission-free low-cost energy. We’ve virtually eliminated foreign oil from our power plants and, today, generate more electricity from the wind and sun than anyone in the world – while continuing lead in battery storage technology. | | | | | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH |
| HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Romneycare, Dan Manning, Ilya Rasner and Milo Zanecchia. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Brian Bartlett, Laura Chester, Nancy Lane , who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers former Rep. Chester Atkins and Joe Rospars , founder and CEO of Blue State and an Elizabeth Warren alum. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: THE POLL VAULT — GBH’s Katie Lannan joins all-star hosting team Jennifer Smith, Steve Koczela and Lisa Kashinsky to talk polls and budgets in a very special episode 299.5. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud . 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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