POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: More woes for Mayor Wu

BY KELLY GARRITY AND LISA KASHINSKY Presented by With help from Mia McCarthy THE TROUBLE WITH TAXES — Add tax revenue troubles to the list of headaches that have hit Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration in recent months. On the heels of warnings from a think tank that Boston could face a steep revenue shortfall amid a shaky, post-pandemic commercial real-estate market, the mayor plans to file legislation with the City Council this week that would let the city hike tax rates on commercial properties to prevent the tax burden from shifting to residential owners. Wu disputed parts of the report from the Boston Policy Institute , which bills itself as nonpartisan, during a WBUR town hall earlier this month. But her impending home-rule petition shows real concern — and it’s shared by the city’s chief financial officer, Ashley Groffenberger. “I do think there are challenges. And again, [that’s] exactly why Mayor Wu [is] putting forward the measure that she put forward,” Groffenberger said during an appearance on NBC10’s “At Issue” alongside the Boston Policy Institute’s Greg Maynard. Groffenberger pointed to the Triple-A bond rating the city has boasted for almost a decade as reason to temper concerns. But property taxes fund the majority of Boston’s budget. City officials are “very limited” in what they can do locally to raise revenue, Groffenberger said. And a bailout from Beacon Hill isn’t a guarantee, particularly as the state grapples with its own tough budget math. “It’s premature to talk about that,” Gov. Maura Healey told WBZ’s Jon Keller , during an interview taped last week and aired Sunday, when asked if Boston could count on a rescue from the state. “We don’t know what the numbers are. We’ll have to see.” It’s the latest in a growing list of problems for Wu during a critical stretch in her first term. Staring down the barrel of an all-but-announced reelection bid, small-scale gripes — and now, the larger threat of fiscal headwinds — are dominating the public narrative. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu faces fiscal headwinds and other problems ahead of an all-but-announced reelection bid. Steven Senne | AP Wu is still getting flak from North End restaurateurs furious over her outdoor dining policy that’s left out many restaurants in the historically Italian neighborhood for the second year in a row. An attempt to move the John D. O’Bryant High School — one of the city’s three exam schools — out of Roxbury and into West Roxbury was thwarted by significant public pushback. A program Wu launched in her State of the City address that opened museums to Boston Public Schools students and their families for free on some weekends has been dragged by some of her critics on the City Council and in the The Boston Globe’s editorial pages for failing to include students at the city’s charter schools. And her effort to build a state-of-the-art stadium in Franklin Park was met with a lawsuit — since tossed by a Suffolk Superior Court judge — from community members who say the plan could interfere with their access to the space. So far, Wu is taking the hits in stride and largely refusing to bend to the public pressure. And her administration appears poised to do the same in moving toward a possible tax rate shift. “I want to make it really clear that we are not expecting to lose a billion dollars in revenue in the next couple of years,” Groffenberger said Sunday. “Whether or not this measure passes or not, we are still going to collect the same amount of revenue and still be able to provide the critical city services that we provide in the city.” GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . Time to prep the Duck Boat convoys: Cambridge is coming for Boston. In the name of settling a centuries-old grudge, Cambridge City Councilor Burhan Azeem is rallying his city to “annex Boston” and create a new “MegaCambridge.” At least, according to digital billboards you might see posted around MBTA stations near downtown and Copley. The ads are an April Fool’s day joke, the latest in a line of similar pranks Azeem has pulled on the holiday (He previously proposed the creation of “Camberville .”) But they also carry a more serious message, Azeem told Playbook, highlighting the need for collaboration between metros on things like the MBTA. Plus, “Cambridge has had great governance. We don't have a budget shortage and the people of Boston deserve to know how great politicians are in Cambridge,” Azeem joked. TODAY — Healey speaks at the Samaritans' 50th anniversary event at 10:30 a.m. and swears in Francis Kenneally as an associate district court justice at 11:30 a.m., both at the State House. Wu has no public events. Tips? Scoops? April Fools' jokes? Email us: kgarrity@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com .   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.   FROM THE DELEGATION Rep. William Delahunt faces reporters during a news conference in Quincy on Feb. 22, 2010. | Steven Senne/AP IN MEMORIAM — “William Delahunt, former congressman who led a groundbreaking prosecutor’s office, dies at 82,” by Bryan Marquard, The Boston Globe: “A former longtime Norfolk district attorney who in the late 1970s created what was considered the nation’s first prosecutorial domestic violence unit, Mr. Delahunt was 82 when he died Saturday. A family spokesman, George K. Regan Jr., chairman of Regan Communications Group, said Mr. Delahunt died in his Quincy home with his family by his side. ‘I don’t think anyone really appreciated how important he was. He was one of the very few people who could go across the aisle and do business with the Republicans,’ said Francis X. Bellotti, a former Massachusetts attorney general who was a longtime friend and Mr. Delahunt’s running partner when they were younger.” Tributes poured in for Delahunt. UMass President and former Rep. Marty Meehan described serving with his “dear friend” as an “honor and a joy.” Washington Gov. Jay Inslee , who also served alongside Delahunt in Congress, posted on X that his passing “marks the loss of a most unique fellow whose Irish lilt was enough to enjoy.” Rep. Richard Neal described Delahunt as a “true public servant in every sense of the word.” Sen. Ed Markey said in a statement that the state and country “are better for Bill Delahunt’s vision and service.” A wake for Delahunt will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday at the United First Parish Church in Quincy. A funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Saturday at Saint Gregory Parish in Dorchester.   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 .     DATELINE BEACON HILL POUR ONE OUT — To-go cocktails are a no-go, at least temporarily. The Legislature let several pandemic-era policies, including expanded outdoor dining, lapse over the weekend as the spending bill that would have made them permanent — and that also includes more money and new rules for the state’s emergency shelter system — remains in conference committee. YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS CHECKING IT TWICE — Boston City Councilor Erin Murphy rolled out endorsements from nine labor unions backing her bid for Suffolk County Supreme Judicial Court clerk in a campaign email on Saturday. But she opened the email with a graphic containing the logos of 49 unions and professional groups — at least one of which confirmed to Playbook that it had not endorsed Murphy in the race. Murphy told Playbook that those were the groups that had either endorsed her last city council run or donated to it, and that it was “clear” that’s what she was referring to by juxtaposing the graphic with a photo of her holding her city council campaign signs. The graphic is, however, right under text that reads: “Labor Unions Roll Out Their Endorsements Supporting Murphy's Run For Clerk.” Murphy said she is “currently endorsed” by all of those groups as a councilor. “It’s not that I lost those endorsements because I’m running for [another] race,” she said. One of the groups whose logo she listed, the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, confirmed to Playbook that its political action committee has donated to Murphy in the past but does not plan to contribute to this campaign. Murphy herself said members of another group in the graphic, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, “technically haven’t [endorsed] yet” in this race. Murphy said others on the list have endorsed, she just hasn’t made them public yet. Among Murphy’s stated endorsements so far: Rep. Stephen Lynch , City Councilor Ed Flynn , the unions representing Boston’s firefighters, police patrolmen, police superior officers and emergency medical personnel; IBEW Local 103, the Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen, Sheet Metal Workers Local 17, the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589.   A message from NextEra Energy:     PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “More than 400 Massachusetts bridges are considered at the ‘end of their useful life’,” by Matt Stout, The Boston Globe: “In all, 450 of the more than 5,280 bridges tracked by the Federal Highway Administration — roughly 8.5 percent — are rated as poor, or, put more bluntly, are ‘at the end of their useful life ,’ according to state officials. State data show that 676 bridges in total are considered ‘structurally deficient,’ meaning at least one major component has enough serious problems it needs to be repaired or replaced.” — “Boston officials discuss changes to Seaport intersection where 4-year-old fatally struck,” by Sean Cotter, The Boston Globe. MOULTON MATTERS — “Moulton backs mayor, police chief on homeless encampments,” by Paul Leighton, The Salem News: “Congressman Seth Moulton has thrown his support behind an effort by Salem officials to remove homeless encampments from the city.” MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS — “Outmoded cannabis testing thins ranks of licensed commercial truck drivers,” by Jeanette DeForge, Springfield Republican: “After Springfield’s mayor apologized for poorly plowed roads in February, Department of Public Works Director Christopher Cignoli said the problem was partly caused by weed. But no, Cignoli’s staff wasn’t in a cannabis-induced stupor when snow fell. The city has had a hard time hiring people who hold commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), which are needed to operate plows and other heavy equipment. Some of the reason is the pay scale; some is due to a residency requirement. ‘The other problem with CDLs is pot,’ Cignoli said.”   SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, the newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world, including WEF in Davos, Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to UNGA in NYC and many more. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW .     FROM THE 413 — “Amherst councilor mulls restrictions on public comment,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “An Amherst councilor may seek to place some restrictions on how public comments are made at Town Council meetings, such as requiring advance sign-up for those participating remotely, as a way of combating potential hate speech.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “In Canton, Tuesday’s town election overshadowed by Karen Read controversy,” by John Hilliard, The Boston Globe: “Canton voters go to the polls Tuesday in a local election overshadowed by the Karen Read case, which has roiled the town and helped fuel a broader mistrust of the town’s government and police department. … Four candidates who point to evidence in court alleging that Read did not kill her boyfriend will appear on the town ballot: Rita Lombardi and Trish Boyden in the Select Board race; Jennifer O’Donnell for School Committee; and Board of Assessors candidate Kathleen Howley. At least three of them — Howley, Lombardi, and Boyden — also backed an independent investigation of the town’s police force that was approved by Town Meeting last fall.” — “Officer union chief raps civilian oversight, says other recommendations worth considering,” by Brad Petrishen, Telegram & Gazette: “The head of the police union that represents [Worcester’s] captains, lieutenants and sergeants told the Telegram & Gazette it opposes one of the major recommendations of the recently released police equity audit — a citizen review board — and welcomes some of the other findings.” — “Inside the rise and fall of Steward Health Care’s Ralph de la Torre,” by Mark Arsenault, Liz Kowalczyk, Robert Weisman and Adam Piore, The Boston Globe. — “Harvard Law student government calls on Harvard to divest from ‘Israeli occupation and genocide’,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald. — “Worcester leaders, advocates frustrated as city enters second year without equity officer,” by Adam Bass, MassLive. — “Massachusetts migrant crisis hits Cape Cod: Yarmouth motel serving families for too long,” by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald.   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.   MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE NEW HAMPSHIRE CRITICIZED MASSACHUSETTS  AS NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTS CLOG ROADS  SEEKING BETTER PAYING JOBS IN MASSACHUSETTS.  IT DEFINES REPUBLICANS THAT THEY POST  FOX NEWS = FAKES NEW LIES TO CIRCULATE  THEIR DISINFORMATION.  NH SENT NATIONAL GUARD TO THE BORDER ON  THE FALSE CLAIMS THAT DRUGS WERE ENTERING  FROM MIGRANTS.....CHECK REPORTS!  DRUGS ARE ENTERING AT OUR PORTS, CHECK POINTS  & ELSEWHERE.... NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS A PROBLEM WITH FACTS! GRANITE STATE OF PLAY — Republicans running to be New Hampshire’s next governor are again seizing on Massachusetts’ migrant crisis as fodder for their campaigns. Former state Senate president Chuck Morse and former Sen. Kelly Ayotte both took to social media over the weekend to repost a Fox News story about the state’s move to place migrant and homeless families in the former Chelsea Soldiers’ Home that bore a misleading headline . “Sad state of affairs that Mass. cares more about housing for illegal immigrants than for our veterans who have defended our freedom,” Ayotte said . To clarify: The facility that will serve as an overflow shelter site is vacant and slated for demolition. Veterans have already moved into the new soldiers’ home on the campus, Veterans Secretary Jon Santiago said. Ayotte’s campaign didn't respond to a request for comment. HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Veterans Secretary Jon Santiago , Matt Szafranski of Western Mass Politics & Insight; Dan Lothian , founder of Little Park Media and a CNN alum; photog Dan Little, Irene Pepperberg and Jacob Spiering . 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 .   Follow us on Twitter Lisa Kashinsky @lisakashinsky Kelly Garrity @KellyGarrity3   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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