Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Massachusetts makes moves in Missouri

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Massachusetts makes moves in Missouri

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Massachusetts makes moves in Missouri

LENDING A HAND — When voters head to the polls in Missouri today, members of Massachusetts congressional delegation will be watching.

Multiple Massachusetts electeds have lent their support to Rep. Cori Bush, as the Missouri Democrat looks to hold her ground against her own AIPAC-backed challenger in today’s primary election.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a fellow Squad member, has used her email list to help fundraise for Bush and hit the trail in St. Louis recently alongside progressive Illinois Rep. Delia Ramirez. Monday, she took to social media to remind the district to head to the polls today.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren endorsed Bush last month, and Democratic Whip Katherine Clark stopped in Missouri late last week to campaign with her in her district, a crucial show of confidence from party leadership (though it’s worth noting that House Democratic leaders have thrown their support behind incumbents this cycle, regardless of their ideological background).

Bush is up against Wesley Bell, a progressive county prosecutor whose campaign has been boosted by $8 million from United Democracy Project, the AIPAC campaign arm. If she loses, it’ll mark the second successful effort from AIPAC to knock out a member of the Squad after Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s loss in New York’s June primary.

AIPAC spent more than $14 million on TV ads to unseat Bowman, making the race the most expensive House primary in history — serving as a warning shot to other progressives who have been critical of Israel’s war in Gaza.

Though tonight’s results are unlikely to reverberate in Massachusetts’ elections this cycle with little primary competition here, prominent Bay State progressives and leaders playing in the race does help strengthen the state’s alliances in Congress. And for Pressley especially, keeping Bush in Congress and shutting down an AIPAC challenge helps the Squad maintain its influence.

“Having more allies in the fight is a good thing for her,” longtime Democratic strategist Doug Rubin told Playbook.

GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . There's no date set yet for when state lawmakers could come back for a special formal session — but even with many legislators in Kentucky for a summit this week, Healey isn't letting up the pressure.

Healey met with House Speaker Ron Mariano Monday, Jillian Fennimore, a Healey spokesperson, said in a statement Monday, where Mariano "conveyed his continued commitment to working with the Governor to deliver on the important economic development bill needed to drive growth and keep Massachusetts competitive."

Healey "looks forward to discussing next steps with the Senate President as well,” Fennimore added.

TODAY — Healey signs the Affordable Homes Act in Newton at 10 a.m., and hosts a signing ceremony for wage equity legislation at noon at the State House; Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll attends both. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” at 11 a.m. and joins the Boston Police Department for the second night of National Night Out at 3:10 p.m. Sen. Ed Markey joins the New England Aquarium to release five rehabilitated sea turtles at 5 p.m. Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks at a student debt clinic hosted by the American Federation of Teachers and the Student Borrower Protection Center at noon in Fall River.

A message from Uber:

Massachusetts Uber and Lyft drivers 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. Learn more about what higher pay means for the state.

DATELINE BEACON HILL

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

— “Buyer wanted in on Carney, Nashoba: Michigan-based Insight sought deal on all Steward properties,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “Following inquiries from the Herald, Atif Bawahab, the Chief Strategy Officer at Michigan-based Insight, confirmed that his company did indeed try to buy all of the now-bankrupt Steward’s Bay State hospitals as a single package, but that their bid was not accepted before Steward announced it would close Carney Hospital in Boston and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer.”

— “Massachusetts collects $2.6B in July, about $18M less than same time last year,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Massachusetts collected $2.6 billion in tax revenues in July, a haul that was roughly on par with what the state brought in during the same time last year, according to a Department of Revenue report released Monday. The revenue report for the first month of fiscal year 2025 was made public only days after a top budget writer in the state Senate warned collections for July were expected to be ‘very bad.’ July revenues came in about $18 million less, or 0.7% below, what the state collected in July 2023, according to the Department of Revenue. The decreases were seen in withholding, non-withheld income tax, and the ‘all other’ tax category, Department of Revenue Commissioner Geoffrey Snyder said.”

— “Budget Veto Impacts Ripple Through Service Sectors,” by Alison Kuznitz, State House News Service (paywall): “Reentry services, job training programs and rest homes could soon feel the impact of Gov. Maura Healey's budget vetoes that were left intact after a chaotic end to formal lawmaking. … Lew Finfer, director of Massachusetts Action for Justice, said Monday he was worried about multiple vetoes, including Healey slashing $2.5 million from the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment grant program, which he said support dozens of reentry programs serving formerly incarcerated individuals. That leaves $7.5 million for the line item, which last fiscal year received $15 million.”

— “State to cover after-hours bail, doubles fee,” by Christian M. Wade Eagle Tribune: “Massachusetts taxpayers will pick up the tab for after-hours bail fees under newly approved changes to state law, which double the required bail fee and shifts those costs from arrestees to the state government. The changes, quietly tucked into the fiscal year 2025 budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey last week, do away with the current $40 bail fee paid by defendants when a bail commissioner or magistrate shows up at a police station at night or over the weekends to secure someone’s release on personal recognizance when courthouses are closed.”

— “In 2024, Mass. is still minding the wage gap,” by Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Beacon.

WORTH READING!

— “Sheriff pushes new plan to close Ash Street Jail,” by Arthur Hirsch, The New Bedford Light.

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FROM THE HUB

— “Boston announces a new climate resilience office,” by Miriam Wasser, WBUR: “Boston is creating a new department to help coordinate its efforts to prepare for climate change. The Office of Climate Resilience will be part of the city's Environment, Energy and Open Space cabinet and focus on protecting residents from challenges like rising sea levels, inland flooding and extreme heat.”

— “In Boston, just four of city’s top 100 earners are women. The majority are white men,” by Neena Hagen and Niki Griswold, The Boston Globe.

— “Boston city councilors, mayor trade jabs over police hiring push,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “A measure from two Boston city councilors calling for a public discussion on how to increase police staffing levels ticked off BPD brass, and did not sit well with the mayor, who accused the councilors she often tussles with of playing politics. The hearing order, filed by Councilors Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy for the Wednesday meeting, was met with exasperation from Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston Police Department leadership, who pointed to the city’s low crime rate and the success it’s had with bringing staffing levels up in the face of national recruitment challenges that have persisted since the 2020 murder of George Floyd.”

— “‘I’m not that exciting’: Boston’s future archbishop evokes humility,” by Danny McDonald, John R. Ellement and Shelley Murphy, The Boston Globe.

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

ENDORSEMENT CORNER — Boston City Councilor Ben Weber endorsed Allison Cartwright in her bid for Suffolk County Supreme Judicial Court clerk Monday — officially giving Cartwright support from the majority of the council, seven members of which are now backing Cartright over their colleague, City Councilor Erin Murphy .

— Rep. Stephen Lynch has endorsed state Rep. Bill Driscoll in the race for the open Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol District state Senate seat, praising Driscoll as a “a forward-thinking and thoughtful leader,” in a statement.

A message from Uber:

MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

— “Families sleep at Quincy subway station during shelter limitations,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: “A group of ten Haitian families sweated in the heat outside of Wollaston MBTA station on Saturday. A few of the children were running about while the babies and toddlers lay on their parents’ shoulders, often crying. A woman, who is over five months pregnant, sat nearby. They are among the hundreds of people currently homeless while waiting on the state’s emergency assistance shelter waitlist. Even before Massachusetts’ new policy went into effect limiting the amount of time migrants can stay in respite shelters, the difficulty of getting into one meant many people were forced to find other solutions.”

DAY IN COURT

— “Boston Police strip-searching man in public was ‘unreasonable,’ Massachusetts appeals court rules,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald.

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— “Next stop, free bus fares: $30M inserted in new state budget will allow PVTA to waive fees,” by Alexa Lewis, Daily Hampshire Gazette.

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MEDIA MATTERS

— “After backlash, Boston Globe apologizes for headline error about Algerian boxer,” by Adam Reilly, GBH News.

FROM THE 413

— “Much of Lenox remains a wireless desert. Can a potential new cell tower at Canyon Ranch plug the signal gaps?” by Clarence Fanto, The Berkshire Eagle.

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “Much of Lenox remains a wireless desert. Can a potential new cell tower at Canyon Ranch plug the signal gaps?” by Clarence Fanto, The Berkshire Eagle.

A message from Uber:

Massachusetts Uber and Lyft drivers now receive comprehensive benefits, including health insurance stipends for those working over 15 hours a week, paid sick leave, and occupational accident insurance. These protections ensure drivers have the support they need while maintaining their independence and mark a significant improvement in drivers’ quality of life.

See how these benefits are changing gig work.

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

TRANSITIONS — Brian O’Connor has joined Benchmark Strategies as assistant vice president of public affairs. He previously served on the policy and research team at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

— Anthony Gesualdi has joined the New England Aquarium as associate vice president of conservation policy. He previously served as the government relations director for Delta Dental of Massachusetts and chief of staff to state Sen. Joseph Boncore.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Maeve Duggan of MassINC; Rick Mikulis and former Amherst town councilor Evan Ross.

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