Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Pitch day dawns for Everett soccer stadium

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Pitch day dawns for Everett soccer stadium

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PLAYING BALL — Soccer fans will be able to weigh in on a proposal that would pave the way for a new soccer stadium in Everett. But whether today’s long-awaited hearing will help supporters score lawmakers' approval is still up in the air.

Supporters and opponents of a state Sen. Sal DiDomenico bill that would clear the way for the creation of a new stadium on a neglected parcel of land on the Mystic River will finally have a chance to be heard by the lawmakers weighing the legislation’s fate.

The Kraft Group has been eyeing the 43-acre plot situated near the Encore Boston Harbor casino as a possible location for a new stadium that would allow the New England Revolution team to move out of Gillette Stadium in Foxboro and into its own home. But first, the land would have to be removed from a “designated port area,” a designation that limits what the waterfront property can be used for.

That’s where DiDomenico’s bill comes in — it would open the land up specifically for “the purpose of converting the parcel into a professional soccer stadium and a waterfront park,” according to the text of legislation.

But the proposal has gotten pushback. Efforts to hitch the policy to a supplemental budget lawmakers passed late last year were thwarted during closed-door negotiations, but not before the head of the Conservation Law Foundation, which opposes the project, accused lawmakers of backroom dealing . Boston Mayor Michelle Wu expressed frustration that her administration was sidelined from negotiations between the Kraft Group and the city of Everett over a stadium that could worsen traffic and transit in an already congested capital city.

Senators, at least, appear to be done punting on the matter. DiDomenico filed a stand-alone bill quickly after his budget amendment was cut from the supp, and the Senate moved with similar speed to send it to committee. But House lawmakers left it languishing in legislative limbo for more than a month before concurring. A hearing was scheduled for March, then canceled.

Advocates are hoping to move the ball down the field this afternoon. Members of the Kraft Group and the Revolution plan to testify in support of the bill, and provide renderings for the project. Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria is coming with “aerial views” of the city's existing waterfront property to help demonstrate the disparities between Everett and neighboring cities like Boston, Cambridge and Somerville.

“Everyone's like, ‘Oh, we're doing this for the soccer stadium.’ No,” DeMaria told Playbook. “We're actually doing this so we can begin the process to entertain a proposal that would replace the $55 million [in tax revenue] we've lost in the last four years.”

DiDomenico also plans to testify. But the Everett Democrat wouldn’t go into detail about what he plans to say today. “I’m looking forward to having a hearing on the issue. The project is transformational in an environmental way and an economic way for our community and the region,” he told Playbook.

GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS .

TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll speak at the 2024 Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism at 12:45 p.m. and 9 a.m., respectively, at the Hilton Boston Logan Airport. Healey attends the Health Care for All For the People 2024 Gala at 7 p.m. at the Park Plaza hotel. Driscoll testifies before lawmakers in support of the administration’s Affordable Homes Act at 1 p.m.

Wu signs an ordinance creating a new City Planning Department at 11:30 a.m. in the West End and tours the WNDR Museum at 4:15 p.m. Rep. Richard Neal visits the Holyoke Veterans’ Home construction site at noon.

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

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

— “Advocates renew push for permanent remote meetings,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle Tribune: “Good government advocates are renewing a push to make permanent pandemic-related rules temporarily authorizing remote meetings for local governing boards, but the move faces opposition from cities and towns that argue they shouldn't be required to provide virtual participation. On Monday, a coalition of groups including the American Civil Liberties Union, Common Cause Massachusetts and the New England Newspaper & Press Association, urged lawmakers to act on a bill that would require cities and towns to provide options for officials and members of the public to attend meetings in person or remotely.”

SUPP TALKS GET STARTED — The six lawmakers negotiating the House and Senate versions of a supplemental budget that would fund that state’s emergency shelter program didn’t divulge many details about their priorities for the finalized bill. But the chief budget writers in both chambers said they hope to come to a compromise “as quickly as possible.”

After brief opening remarks, members quickly moved the talks behind closed doors. Whatever legislation emerges from the negotiations is likely to include some new restrictions on how long people can stay in the overflowing shelter system — varying versions of which were included in both the House and Senate bills.

— “A good shotgun marriage.’ Alongside Healey, Kim Driscoll has carved out a significant role in oft-overlooked office.” by Matt Stout and Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe.

— “Mass. AG Campbell joins effort to dump discriminatory Trump-era healthcare rule,” by John L. Micek, MassLive.

FROM THE HUB

— “Unions close Boylston Street, say protests could continue through Marathon Day,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “Union workers in Boston shut down a major city thoroughfare to force the owners of a downtown building to cease 'exploitative' work practices there, and they say they’ll continue to protest despite the construction site’s proximity to the route of the upcoming Boston Marathon.”

— “As business booms in Boston Harbor, port communities pay the health costs, ” by Chris Burrell, GBH News: “A growing number of scientists, health experts and activists say there’s another overlooked cost of the region’s massive shipping industry: significantly poorer health from exposure to air pollution for the tens of thousands of children and adults living near ports, disproportionately impacting lower-income communities of color.”

— “Boston city councilor calling for attendance accountability has missed the most meetings, minutes show,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “A Boston city councilor calling for more accountability around the body’s performance has been the worst offender since the last term for meeting attendance, a metric she would like to see scrutinized in a potential assessment.”

Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson is calling for more accountability around councilor performance, while racking up the most absences.

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 .

MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

FLORIDA is suffering from a severe shortage of
workers due to their ANTI-IMMIGRANT laws.
Massachusetts is home to the 3rd largest Haitian
community.
From what I've witnessed, the community is
supportive and they're hard workers.
US Foreign Policy fueled the failures in Haiti if one
does some research.

‘VICTORY’ IN PART — A federal judge dismissed most of the lawsuit that migrants who Ron DeSantis had flown to Martha’s Vineyard had brought against the Florida governor, his administration and individuals including Perla Huerta , the woman who recruited them onto the planes. But the migrants and Alianza Americas can continue to sue the company that operated the flights, Vertol.

Lawyers for Civil Rights, which represents the migrants, is claiming “victory” for two reasons — because the lawsuit is being allowed to proceed in part, and because the rest of it was dismissed “without prejudice,” meaning the group can continue to pursue claims against all those involved.

“The favorable ruling is a major victory in the Martha’s Vineyard case , and it sends a crucial message: private companies can — and will — be held accountable for helping rogue state actors violate the rights of vulnerable immigrants through illegal and fraudulent schemes,” LCR Executive Director Iván Espinoza-Madrigal said in a statement.

But DeSantis’ administration is also claiming a win — and threatening to carry out more flights. DeSantis has already suggested he could send Haitian migrants fleeing the chaos in their country to Martha’s Vineyard. Dive deeper with our own Gary Fineout .

MIGRANT MONEY REQUEST — Sen. Ed Markey and the rest of Massachusetts’ congressional delegation sent a letter to Biden administration officials urging them to “immediately” distribute more federal funding to help cover the cost of the state’s strained emergency shelter system.

The letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell calls on the federal officials to “expeditiously and equitably” allocate the $650 million recently secured for the FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program to states including Massachusetts that “are experiencing particularly notable increases in new arrivals.”

— “How many migrants have arrived in Massachusetts? It’s hard to know for sure, but they keep coming,” by Samantha J. Gross, The Boston Globe.

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YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

IAN CAIN can't decide if he's a DEMOCRAT or
REPUBLICAN?

CAIN’S ONE STEP CLOSER — Quincy City Council President Ian Cain filed paperwork on Monday for a Republican campaign against Sen. Elizabeth Warren and is teasing a more formal kickoff within a few weeks.

“We are just getting the organization together and will make a formal announcement later this month,” Cain told Playbook. “This is no small task to get a federal campaign off the ground, so we are getting our ducks in a row and getting the signatures to get on the ballot.”

A former Democrat turned unenrolled voter who promoted Maura Healey and Andrea Campbell when they were running for governor and attorney general, respectively, and endorsed Warren protégé Michelle Wu for Boston mayor, Cain re-registered as a Republican in late February. He pulled nomination papers for Warren’s seat last month and will need to submit 10,000 signatures to local officials for certification by early May.

The first openly gay and Black president of the Quincy City Council is already teasing his likely next campaign on social media. “Getting things in order for a big announcement!” he posted on X , adding in an accompanying video that there would be more news “in a couple of weeks.” He’s also enlisted the services of Targeted Victory, a major GOP consulting firm with Massachusetts ties.

Warren, meanwhile, sent out a campaign email on Monday asking supporters to sign up for virtual training sessions to learn how to collect signatures. John Deaton , another recent Republican running against Warren, has already collected more than 10,000 signatures through a mix of paid and volunteer efforts, his campaign previously told Playbook, though the names still need to be certified by local officials.

CARTWRIGHT LAUNCHES FOR CLERK — Longtime attorney Allison Cartwright is officially launching her campaign for Suffolk County Supreme Judicial Court clerk with the backing of a former SJC justice, a prominent state senator and two well-known attorneys, plus a campaign manager straight out of the Wu administration.

State Sen. Lydia Edwards and attorney Keren Goldenberg are co-chairing Cartwright’s campaign committee, which also includes progressive civil rights attorney Rahsaan Hall and retired SJC Justice Geraldine Hines , the first Black woman to serve on the state’s highest court.

Maggie Van Scoy will manage Cartwright’s campaign after a stint as Wu’s neighborhood services liaison to Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Fenway-Kenmore and Mission Hill.

The early ties to Wu’s orbit are notable given that Cartwright is going up against Boston City Councilor Erin Murphy , a vocal critic of the mayor who has won early support from the city’s more conservative circles.

"Fundamentally this job is about navigating justice and access to our state’s highest court,” Cartwright said in a statement. “Ensuring the working class and poor people have access to justice and be able to navigate the court system has been my life’s work."

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PARTY POLITICS

MUST READ!

— “MassGOP chair Carnevale works to rebuild a state party where MAGA battles the moderates,” by Anthony Brooks, WBUR.

STAFFING UP — The MassGOP has hired Haley Jones to head up its fundraising for state accounts and events. The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance alum will also take the lead on managing the delegate process for the Republican National Convention in July.

excerpts:

To appreciate what Carnevale has accomplished, consider the challenges she inherited. One of the low points for the party was the 2020 election, when it got "completely clobbered," according to Tom Mountain, the former vice-chair of the state GOP.

"We were decimated. It was terrible," Mountain said at the time, pointing to the party's string of losses.

"We didn't pick up a single congressional seat," he said. "We lost in the Senate. Every state committee member who ran for something, from Congress to county commissioner, lost. It was a complete debacle."

That election further eroded the party's slim presence on Beacon Hill, leaving Republicans with 30 seats in the 160-person House, and just three seats in the 40-member Senate. Under the former GOP chair Jim Lyons, a hard-right backer of former President Donald Trump, the party lost elections, money and membership. Then, the state committee voted to replace him with Carnevale by a slim margin in 2023.

Carnevale also wants to grow the party, which accounts for less than 9% of the state's registered voters. That means reaching out to the the state's largest bloc of voters: the unenrolled, or independents. Many of those voters are politically moderate and were key to the success of recent Republican governors Charlie Baker, Mitt Romney and William Weld.

Ballotpedia: Geoff Diehl

FROM THE DELEGATION

— “Lawmakers defend VA’s expansion of IVF services,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle Tribune.

— “Markey, Warren urge GE to reconsider rail,” by Clarence Fanto, The Berkshire Eagle.

HOUSATONIC CLEANUP

excerpts:
GE used PCBs at its Pittsfield power transformer plant from 1932 to 1977, shortly before the U.S. EPA banned the toxic chemicals.

“With a truck-centric focus, the proposal fails to sufficiently consider the efficiency, environmental, public health, and climate benefits of rail transportation,” they said in the letter. “It also ignores both local concerns and recent statements from the state-owned Housatonic Railroad rail line, which expressed interest in working with GE to ensure that the rail infrastructure is able to transport waste material.”

— “Gov. Healey orders flag lowering to honor the late U.S. Rep. William Delahunt,” by Susannah Sudborough, MassLive.

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

— “Commission pushes speedier approval process for clean energy infrastructure,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Beacon: “A commission appointed by Gov. Maura Healey recommended a more streamlined, time-constrained process for approving the siting of energy infrastructure projects while giving those affected additional support and a voice in the proceedings.”

FROM THE 413

— “Lee creates PCB advisory committee and hires an environmental consulting firm to keep residents informed,” by Greg Sukiennik, Berkshire Eagle: “The consultant will provide the advisory committee with scientific expertise allowing for independent testing during General Electric's cleanup of polychlorinated biphenyls from the Housatonic River.”

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MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

— “An elected hog wrangler? Why two N.H. towns keep the centuries-old tradition alive.” by Amanda Gokee, The Boston Globe.

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

APRIL FOOLS — April Fools’ Day jokes abounded on social media Monday, from Mass EEA’s hamster-powered energy to Rep. Seth Moulton ’s laugh-tracked mean tweets delivery . But it was hard to beat state Sen. John Keenan , who proposed faux legislation to ban Starbucks . And a hat tip to Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia , who almost had us when she joked about running for Suffolk SJC clerk (you are joking, right?).

SPOTTED — The Boston Policy Institute’s Joe Caiazzo at the White House Easter Egg Roll.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to state Rep. Frank Moran, Billy Jaffe and Pete D’Agostino, partner at Tenax Strategies.

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