POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Fight to the finish line

By Kelly Garrity Presented by  THEIR OWN WORST ENEMIES — Don’t count on an early night on Beacon Hill. Tensions between top Democrats are riding high as the final day of formal lawmaking for the session dawns. And it could result in some buzzy last-minute bills failing to make it across the midnight finish line — or whenever lawmakers finally call it a wrap. There’s no singular bombshell (like the nearly forgotten 62F tax-cap law that scrambled plans for tax relief at the end of last session) threatening to hold up major pieces of legislation this time. But each chamber’s competing priorities could cramp negotiations, especially given the handful of bills introduced in the last two days that were only taken up by one chamber. That’s on top of the nine bills currently in closed-door conference talks. And more could be added to the list after the Senate passed its versions of maternal health, LGBTQ+ parentage and drug treatment bills on Tuesday — roughly double the number of bills that sat in conference committee this time two years ago. Tuesday’s gun bill signing served as a split screen: One moment, lawmakers were trading hugs and handshakes and pledging to stand firm against the threat of a legal challenge from the National Rifle Association. The next, House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka were on opposite sides of the building throwing shade on each other’s 11th-hour legislative efforts. Mariano on Monday took issue with the Senate’s plan to tack a provision legalizing overdose-prevention sites onto its opioid-related bill. Spilka on Tuesday threw the Qunicy Democrat’s words back at him when asked whether the Senate would take up Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s property tax shift home-rule petition that the House approved yesterday. “It's a very difficult expectation for us to hear it, especially when it has new proposals, major proposals, that haven't had the opportunity to be debated or voted on,” Spilka said, appearing to read Mariano’s quote from a piece of paper. “It sort of tells you that they're not really serious about passing the bill to begin with.” Neither side made any promises about passing compromise housing or economic development bills, major priorities for Gov. Maura Healey – and, when it comes to housing, one of the top issues Bay State residents bring up in poll after poll . “There’s always a danger,” Mariano told reporters yesterday when asked if publicly expressing frustration with the Senate could complicate talks on those bills. “But the frustration is real.” And some top lawmakers are already signaling that some debate could spill into informal sessions, which come with their own set of headaches. “We'll have to see,” Spilka told reporters, when asked if there was anything still in conference that could be settled after today’s deadline. “I mean, clearly the more that we can get done, I think it will be helpful. But you know, generally we don't take up controversial bills in informal," she added. "We'll see how it goes." GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . End of formal session tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Hit me up: kgarrity@politico.com TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey is on GBH News’ “Boston Public Radio” at 11 a.m. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll is in Michigan for the National Lieutenant Governors Association annual meeting. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu visits Summer Youth Jobs program students at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute at 10:15 a.m. Rep. Ayanna Pressley campaigns for Vice President Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania.   A message from Uber: Massachusetts Uber and Lyft drivers will now earn at least $32.50 while working on the app, making them some of the highest paid drivers in the country. This new rate sets a high standard for driver pay across the nation. Go deeper.   DATELINE BEACON HILL — “Massachusetts Democrats want gun law opponents threatening lawsuit to ‘bring it on’,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald. — “‘Incredibly overdue’: Mass. Senate passes updated parentage law that would expand protections for LGBTQ parents,” by Anjali Huynh, The Boston Globe. WINS FOR WU? — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu could be on the verge of some major policy wins on Beacon Hill after the House, in a stunning last-minute move, approved her property tax shift home rule petition that just a few weeks ago seemed unlikely to make it out of committee. The House advanced the bill — with a pledge from Wu in a statement to tweak the law through executive order . Watch what happens in the Senate today. Senate President Karen Spilka didn’t say whether her chamber would take up the unamendable (but now complicated by Wu’s stated agreement) home rule petition. And keep an eye out for business group lobbyists loitering outside the Senate chamber — several, from the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce to the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, released statements Tuesday urging the Senate not to pass the bill. Wu also could soon see her home rule petition abolishing BPDA become law, after the House passed the bill last night – another late session favor from House leadership that’s now in the hands of the Senate. ****STEWARD**** — “‘Callous, corporate greed’: Officials call out Steward Health Care after announced hospital closures,” by Peter Currier, The Lowell Sun: “In a packed and lively Town Hall Tuesday morning, state and local officials decried the announcement by Steward Health Care last week that the company would be closing Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer and Carney Hospital in Dorchester amid the company’s ongoing financial crisis.” MORE — “'Forgetting people like me': Patients of Nashoba Hospital fearful over Steward Health Care shut down,” Henry Schwan, Worcester Telegram & Gazette.  AND — “Trahan calls for fed probe of Steward finances,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle Tribune: “In a letter to the heads of U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission and Department of Health and Human Services, [Rep. Lori] Trahan said Steward’s decision to sell two hospitals — Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, will “have a long-lasting impact on accessible healthcare” in those communities. MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS — “Migrant shelter costs expected to exceed $1B for the next several years, state predicts,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Gov. Maura Healey’s administration expects to spend more money than originally anticipated over the next fiscal year on the emergency shelter system housing migrants and local families, according to revised estimates released this month. Shelter-related costs are now projected to top $1 billion in fiscal year 2025 if caseloads remain the same, an increase from the $915 million state budget writers first said they expected to spend and a sign that officials do not forecast a slowdown in demand.”   DID YOU MISS IT? On Tuesday, POLITICO and McKinsey  convened three conversations in D.C. with policymakers and space experts, including NASA Administrator Bill Nelson . The discussions also featured a panel of experts, an interview with Sens. John Hickenlooper (D-CO)  and Jerry Moran (R-KS) and an executive conversation with McKinsey's Ryan Brukardt . The conversations focused on the next great innovation frontier – the space industry , including deeper discussion around which sectors of the global economy see their growth arc in space and what the role of government leaders is in expanding and regulating the growing number of orbital ideas. CATCH UP AND WATCH HIGHLIGHTS HERE     FROM THE HUB — “Hundreds attend funeral for Jack Connors at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Chestnut Hill to honor his life and legacy,” by Sean Cotter and Stella Tannenbaum, The Boston Globe: “About 500 people packed the Saint Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Chestnut Hill on Tuesday morning for the funeral of John “Jack” Connors Jr., the locally renowned businessman, philanthropist, and political operator who died July 23 of cancer at age 82. Connors was among the last of a generation of a certain type of Boston political broker who wielded a kind of soft power, the sort built from years of business connections, charitable endeavors, exchanged favors, and a skill at working the phones for causes and people he believed in.” WHO IS JOSH KRAFT? — Most recently: the subject of a lengthy Boston Magazine feature . And, possibly, a candidate for mayor of Boston in 2025. The scion of billionaire business mogul and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, hasn’t officially said if he’ll challenge Boston Mayor Michelle Wu for her post in 2025. But his candidacy seems more likely by the day, as he zips from event to event around the city and sits for an in-depth magazine feature. The piece delves into the younger Kraft’s past, present and potential political future, highlighting the New England Patriots Foundation president’s history working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and his relationships across the city's non-profit sector. Something it seems is still taking shape: Kraft’s policy platform. The full piece is here. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “New Bedford settles lawsuit with MBTA over land-takings,” by Lauren Drapeau and Melanie DaSilva, WRPI: “After more than a year of negotiations, a $3.5 million settlement has been reached between New Bedford and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). The settlement concerns private property acquired by the MBTA through eminent domain for its South Coast Rail project, according to a press release from the city. Over the past four years, the city said the MBTA executed five land-takings to get the space to build the station, train layover site and additional parking in the Whale’s Tooth lot on Acushnet Avenue.” — “Eng says MBTA becoming more and more reliable,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Beacon: “At a board meeting last week, [MBTA General Manager Phillip] Eng acknowledged the MBTA remains a work in progress, but he said service is improving, employee levels are continuing to rise, and the slow zones that have plagued the T for most of the last year are rapidly disappearing. Eng also announced that a 24-day shutdown of the Braintree branch of the Red Line in September will eliminate 20 speed restrictions and lay the foundation for raising the top speed of trains on that branch from 40 to 50 miles per hour by early December. Subway trains haven’t gone that fast for decades, T officials say.”   A message from Uber:     YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — State Rep. Brandy Fluker Oakley is joining the bevy of Beacon Hill lawmakers endorsing Allison Cartwright for Suffolk County Supreme Court clerk, praising Cartwright’s “incredible record of advocacy” in a statement shared with Playbook. — “Reps. Pressley and Lee to highlight VP Harris’ abortion rights record at Pittsburgh rally,” by Kim Lyons, Pennsylvania Capital-Star: "U.S. Reps. Summer Lee (D-12th District) and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) will rally in Pittsburgh on Wednesday to highlight Vice President Kamala Harris’ record on reproductive rights, the same day former President Donald Trump will campaign in Harrisburg." — “Mail-in ballots bombshell,” by Melanie Gilbert, The Lowell Sun: “In a July 15 email addressed to city leadership including City Manager Tom Golden and City Solicitor Corey Williams, Pappas warned that staffing shortages in Boston’s postal facility could impact the timely receipt of Lowell’s mail-in ballots. ‘The US Postal Service notified us [July 12] that the Boston annex is running short handed for the immediate future and to expect mail delays,’ Pappas’ email reads in part. Those delays, Pappas said, are turning a seven-day turnaround into a nine- to 14-day process.” ****MUST READ!**** THESE MASS GOP DIM WITS STOOD WITH CRYPTO CARPETBAGGER JOHN DEATON & BLAMED SENATOR WARREN FOR THE CAPE COD FUNDING FAILURES  IGNORING THE TRUTH! The Cape Cod Bridges are owned by the ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS...TRUMP SLASHED FUNDING!  DID THEY SPEAK OUT? NO!  WHEN President Biden's  INFRASTRUCTURE BILL WAS INTRODUCED TRUMP INSTRUCTED THE MAGA  MORONS IN THE HOUSE TO OPPOSE IT - MOST OF THE MAGA MORONS GENUFLECTED ----DID THESE MASS GOP DIM WITS SPEAK OUT? NO!  WE'VE HAD ENOUGH GOP LIES WITHOUT ELECTING THEM TO OFFICE IN MASSACHUSETTS! THINK TWICE BEFORE ELECTING GOP LIARS TO OFFICE! — “Meet the two Republicans competing for Barnstable, Plymouth senator,” by Rachael Devaney, Cape Cod Times. WARREN REPORT — “Powell ‘solely responsible’ for delays on banker compensation reform: Warren,” by Tobias Burns, The Hill: “Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is growing increasingly aggravated with regulatory delays at the Federal Reserve and is calling on Fed Chair Jerome Powell to step on the gas. Warren’s latest point of frustration is the banker compensation section of the Dodd-Frank reforms, which were enacted in 2010 after Congress bailed out the financial sector and demanded that Wall Street take fewer risks.”   SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, our newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW .     FROM THE 413 — “A Lenox School Committee member has resigned, citing ‘verbal bullying’ and ‘personal attacks’ by another member,” by Clarence Fanto, The Berkshire Eagle: “A School Committee member has resigned in the wake of a verbal confrontation with another member during an informal workshop retreat. Meghan Kirby, a four-year member and former vice chair, submitted a strongly worded letter of resignation in the wake of the July 22 session, claiming she was the target of ‘verbal bullying’ and ‘personal attacks’ by another member.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Dial 911 in Cambridge? Now social workers, rather than police, are responding to some calls,” by Spencer Buell, The Boston Globe. — “Norton school budget woes eased somewhat,” by Stephen Peterson, The Sun Chronicle: “The school budget picture has brightened slightly, but school officials, staff and many parents remain deeply concerned. School committee members met Monday for the first time since a July 13 special election when residents overwhelmingly rejected tax increases to preserve employee positions and programs. Superintendent Jennifer O’Neill provided an update on the $35 million budget for the year that started July 1. It falls about $3.4 million short of what was needed to keep positions and services at last school year’s level.”   A message from Uber: Massachusetts Uber and Lyft drivers will soon receive comprehensive benefits alongside their new pay rate. Benefits include health insurance stipends for those working over 15 hours a week, paid sick leave, and occupational accident insurance. These enhancements provide vital support and security for drivers, ensuring they have access to essential healthcare and financial protection. These new benefits mark a significant improvement in the quality of life for rideshare drivers. Go deeper.   HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — Hema Sarang-Sieminski will be the next executive director of Jane Doe Inc. (JDI), the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. Sarang-Sieminski previously worked as a senior attorney with the Victim Rights Law Center. — Nutter Partners Daniel Mulhern and William Kennedy will serve as co-chairs of the firm’s expanded Government Affairs and Public Policy practice. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Gabe Adams-Keane, Chief of Staff for state Sen. John Velis; former Gov. Bill Weld , who turns 79; former Gov. Deval Patrick , who turns 67; former Boston state Rep. Nika Elugardo , former Westfield Mayor Donald Humason Jr., author Dave Wedge, Amy Inglis and Robert C. Merton. 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 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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