Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: No Preference looks to make its mark at the DNC

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: No Preference looks to make its mark at the DNC

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KEEPING UP CALLS FOR A CEASEFIRE — Vice President Kamala Harris’ ascension to the top of the ticket united Bay State Democrats and put the intraparty discord over Israel’s war in Gaza on the backburner. But local advocates are making a push to keep calls for a ceasefire coming.

The Massachusetts Vote No Preference campaign began circulating a petition Monday, urging the state’s delegates to the Democratic National Convention to pledge to serve as “Ceasefire Delegates” next week in Chicago — a label that marks their support for party leadership to implement a handful of pro-ceasefire policies at the convention, like adding a provision into the official 2024 party platform that calls for a permanent ceasefire and embargo on weapons to Israel.

The so-called Ceasefire Delegates won’t be able to wield the power of their vote at the convention. In a twist, Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz already accepted their nominations for president and VP after the DNC held a “virtual roll call” last week in order to avoid potential legal challenges from a since change Ohio law.

But organizers still want to keep up the pressure. “Having our Democratic state delegates pledge to be ‘Ceasefire delegates’ won't impact Harris' nomination, but it could help to pressure the Democratic party leadership to make a material policy shift to end US funding for Israel's atrocities and broker an immediate and permanent ceasefire,” the petition reads.

The conflict and its impact on the impending election was once the central focus of politicians and the reporters covering them. But in the chaotic weeks spanning from Joe Biden’s campaign-crushing debate performance to Harris’ ascension, the issue has lost the limelight to the presidential election.

“I think it's really important just that we remind ourselves that regardless of rhetoric, regardless of political signals, there are Palestinians today who don't have food, who don't have water, don't have access to the most basic needs of life,” Somerville City Councilor Willie Burnley, Jr., one of the organizers of the campaign, told Playbook.

The No Preference campaign is holding a press conference this morning to lay out their plan. As of this morning, more than 1,400 people had signed on to the petition — including, according to Burnley, multiple delegates, though he declined to share how many or who specifically had added their names to the list.

It’s not the last chance advocates expect to have to gain more attention for their effort: “I think that as colleges come back, we're going to see a natural shift back to this conversation, because until it's over, organizers like myself are going to keep pushing,” Burnley said.

GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . Mark your calendars: the first GOP Senate primary debate to hit TV will air this Sunday on WBZ Morning News.

The half-hour debate with Bob Antonellis, John Deaton and Quincy City Council President Ian Cain will be moderated by WBZ’s Jon Keller . An edited version of the pre-recorded event will air at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, and the full version will be available to watch later that day on CBS Boston News.

TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey , Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll , Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and state officials host a press conference to celebrate the electrification of the MBTA Fairmount Line at 10 a.m. in Mattapan. Driscoll speaks at the Massachusetts Lodging Association’s 30th Annual Outlook event at 9 a.m. in Boston. Healey speaks at the grand opening of Eli Lilly’s Seaport Innovation Center at 4 p.m. Wu is on WBUR’s “Radio Boston” at 11 a.m., speaks at a ribbon cutting for the Clarendon Street Play Area at 1:45 p.m., attends the Lilly Seaport Innovation Center at 3:50 p.m. and announces the awards at the Mayor’s Garden Contest Ceremony at 5:40 p.m.

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

*****STEWARD******

— “Steward completes deal to sell its doctors group to private equity firm Kinderhook,” by Robert Weisman, The Boston Globe: “Bankrupt Steward Health Care said late Monday night that it’s reached a definitive agreement to sell its eight-state physicians network to a private equity firm. Rural Healthcare Group, an affiliate of Kinderhook Industries Inc., will buy the doctors group, called Stewardship Health, which includes about 5,000 employed and affiliated physicians in Massachusetts and other states who treat about 400,000 patients, Steward said.”

MEANWHILE — “Steward pushes back Bay State hospital sale hearing for a fourth time,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “A sales hearing scheduled to discuss the fate of several Steward Health Care properties in the Massachusetts will be delayed — again — according to court filings. Steward, which has been navigating its way through Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings since May, said in an overnight filing that a hearing originally scheduled for Tuesday will instead take place on Friday. The company gave no explanation for the delay.”

FROM THE HUB

— “In Jamaica Plain, a rat birth control pilot program draws supporters and critics,” by Niki Griswold, The Boston Globe: “As the city of Boston ramps up its perpetual battle against rats, more attention has focused on unconventional strategies to eliminate rodents, including deploying rat contraceptives to suppress the pests’ reproductive systems. In Jamaica Plain, a group of residents, in partnership with the nonprofit WISDOM Good Works, are testing the idea through a pilot, putting out feeders with rat birth control pellets and tracking consumption to see if the population is declining. But in the Hyde Square area of the neighborhood, there is far from consensus on the program’s efficacy so far, a reflection of ongoing questions and criticism of the novel strategy for reducing rat numbers.”

— “By unanimous vote, Parks Commission sides with Wu on controversial White Stadium demolition plan,” by Esteban Bustillos, GBH News: “The Boston Parks and Recreation Commission on Monday approved the demolition management plans supported by Mayor Michelle Wu for the proposed renovation of White Stadium. The larger project aims to make the stadium a hub for Boston Public Schools athletics and a home for a National Women’s Soccer League team. … The move comes after the commission failed to approve the demolition specifics last month. This time, the plans were approved in a 7-0 vote with four stipulations: a lease must be executed before demolition begins; the project must return to the parks commission for final approval; the parks and recreation staff will remain engaged on the project; and a public meeting about the city’s tree canopy must occur before thee demolition gets underway.”

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MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

— “$1 billion price tag buys little transparency in state shelter system,” by Stephanie Ebbert and Deirdre Fernandes, The Boston Globe: “Governor Maura Healey’s administration has broken with government accountability norms by withholding key information about some contractors and has shuttered the shelters from public view, even as the state tripled its spending on migrant and homeless family services. Without transparency, it is difficult if not impossible for watchdogs to ensure that taxpayer money isn’t wasted and to verify that vulnerable families are safely housed and getting appropriate care.”

— “Quincy shuts down church's makeshift shelter for migrants,” by Simón Rios and Beth Healy, WBUR: “Officials in Quincy shut down a small tent encampment on the grounds of a Lutheran church Friday, leaving volunteers to scramble to find alternative shelter for two dozen Haitian migrants, including children. The pastor of the church, Niki Harvell, told WBUR she complied with the ‘cease and desist’ order posted to a gate on the church's grounds.”

BALLOT BATTLES

— “Massachusetts AFL-CIO endorses ballot question to nix MCAS graduation requirement,” by Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald.

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III and State Rep. Chris Markey have endorsed Dave Reservitz for Governor's Councilor District 2.

FUNDING FROM CRYPTO SCAMS...CHINA BANNED CRYPTO...

— “Super PAC focuses on unseating Sen. Warren, spends $850K on John Deaton,” by Turner Wright, Cointelegraph: “According to records from the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the Commonwealth Unity Fund Super PAC reported disseminating roughly $450,000 in a direct mail buy to support Deaton on Aug. 7 and more than $500,000 in a media buy on Aug. 6. The purchases followed the Super PAC spending more than $300,000 on a media placement in July.”

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FROM THE 413

— “Berkshire providers jumped at the chance for more subsidized child care slots, only to find out the state isn't increasing its total number of slots,” by Claire O'Callahan, The Berkshire Eagle: “For months, Massachusetts early education providers have been holding out hope their requests for more subsidized child care slots will be granted. But now, it seems unlikely that will happen. This year is the first time the Department of Early Education and Care has opened a rebid for subsidized slots in 15 years. Families' need for those spots has gone up since then, and providers across the state are asking for more. Whether they'll get what they asked for, providers are still waiting to officially hear.”

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THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “How kitchen table conversations in Brookline turned into a $22 million fundraising powerhouse for Democrats,” by Sam Mintz, Brookline.News.

— “Greenfield health board shrinks to zero members,” by Anthonry Cammalleri, Greenfield Recorder.

— “'We care about our community': Days after worker attacked, normalcy desired at Worcester library,” by Toni Caushi, Telegram & Gazette.

— “Can in-law apartments be added to private homes in Seashore? At least one town says 'yes',” by Denise Coffey, Cape Cod Times: “Could a battle be brewing between the Cape Cod National Seashore and the towns that lie within its borders? The Legislature's approval of the state Affordable Homes Act on July 31 and signed by Gov. Maura Healey on Aug. 6 could set such a battle in motion — or at least lead to wrangling over interpretations of state and federal laws where the Seashore is concerned. … At issue is whether the National Park Service must follow Massachusetts guidelines and allow the units on private properties scattered throughout the Seashore — or does it follow federal guidelines established 60 years ago that allow only single-family homes on three-acre lots?”

— “Mayor Mitchell threatened with lawsuit related to New Bedford fire chief's fatal shooting,” by Frank Mulligan, The Standard-Times: “Lawyers for former Deputy Fire Chief Paul Coderre Jr.'s estate are threatening legal action against Mayor Jon Mitchell and the city related to Coderre's violent death. Coderre, 55, was shot to death by police following a standoff at the Bayside Lounge in Fairhaven on Dec. 29, 2023, where Coderre had been having lunch and drinks with friends and fellow members of the Bristol County Fire Chiefs Association. Coderre was intoxicated and made suicidal statements during the standoff, and was armed with a semiautomatic pistol. He shot an Acushnet police officer in the leg before he was shot to death.”

— “ City Council President Carney suing sheriff over job loss,” by Arthur Hirsch, The New Bedford Light: “New Bedford City Council President Naomi R.A. Carney is suing the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Paul Heroux for employment discrimination, claiming that she lost her job with the agency because of her age, gender, race and as retaliation for complaining about how she was being treated."

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MEDIA MATTERS

— “After hiring new staff, Globe changes its mind on podcast,” by Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Beacon: “The Boston Globe hired three people this spring to launch a new weekly podcast, but the news organization scrapped that plan in July and is now scrambling to find new jobs for the employees. The sudden policy shift prompted unease in the Globe’s newsroom and its union, but wasn’t widely addressed by management until a virtual monthly town hall on Monday of all Boston Globe Media personnel.”

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to state Sen. Patrick O’Connor, state Rep. Brandy Fluker Oakley , Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn, Josh Romney, Nicholas Hull, Eric M. Nelson and Denise Perrault.

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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