Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: How Boston and business leaders brokered a deal

Thursday, October 24, 2024

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: How Boston and business leaders brokered a deal

LET’S MAKE A DEAL — After weeks of negotiations that broke out into the public over the weekend, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and business community leaders announced a deal Wednesday on her proposal to temporarily adjust Boston’s property tax burden in the face of falling commercial property values.

But a burst pipe in City Hall almost got in the way.

Wu’s office and business groups had been trading proposals since they huddled in Senate President Karen Spilka’s office to discuss the legislation in late September. Late last week, a deal appeared close — but not close enough.

Proposals from each side on the size of the shift remained a half-percentage point off, and business groups, which had dropped requests for the city to cut spending or dip into its reserves, seemed dug in behind what Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Rooney had described as their final offer.

But what appeared to be something of a standoff from the outside was more a matter of scheduling, both Wu and Rooney told Playbook, as Rooney headed to Toronto Saturday for a conference the chamber was hosting — where Wu was on tap to participate in a fireside chat alongside Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow on Monday, moderated by Rooney. Despite the looming negotiations, the conversation was friendly. They chatted briefly after, and agreed to connect Tuesday.

They were on the phone Tuesday morning when alarms started sounding in City Hall.

“I found out pretty quickly that it was because of a burst water pipe in the garage and that there wasn't an immediate danger of needing to evacuate my office,” Wu said. She popped into a sound-proof phone booth on the 5th floor and finished the call.

“She said, ‘That’s an alarm, I hope the building isn’t on fire,’” said Rooney, who heard the noise from the other end of the line. “I don't think she was going to leave the building once we were into it.”

They came away with an agreement that Rooney ran by other business groups involved in the weeks-long bargaining. He called Wu back around 5 p.m. to confirm: They were on board.

The compromise represents concessions on both sides. Wu agreed to set the maximum commercial tax rate at 181.5 percent of the residential rate in the first year, and business groups settled for her office’s proposal for 180 percent the second year, and 178 percent in the third. There are also provisions to help soften blows to small businesses.

There’s still a ways to go before the legislation becomes law. The home rule petition stalled in the City Council yesterday after an objection from Councilor Ed Flynn, though the body is scheduled to take it up in an emergency Friday.

After that, it’s on to the Legislature.

GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Tips? Scoops? Reactions to the new home rule? Email me: kgarrity@politico.com

TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll announce the FY2025 Community One Stop for Growth awards at 11 a.m. in Worcester. Healey announces funding for fare free regional transportation service at 2 p.m. in Greenfield. Driscoll makes announcements on the Innovation Career Pathways Program Grant recipients at 8:15 a.m. in Reading and on the Commonwealth Corp Grant at 2:30 p.m. in Framingham. Wu hosts a press conference related to the city's Acquisition Opportunity Program at 11:30 a.m. in Dorchester and is one of the judges for Susan S. Bailis Assisted Living’s annual pie judging contest at 2 p.m. in the South End. Sen. Elizabeth Warren tours the Holyoke Health Center to highlight federal funding for healthcare workforce training at 1:50 p.m. in Holyoke.

BALLOT BATTLES

TIPPED OFF — The campaign backing Question 5 blasted out an email Wednesday touting endorsements from a slate of Boston politicians and highlighting a letter the campaign sent to Boston City Councilors at they prepared to vote on a resolution opposing the measure Wednesday.

Among those listed as endorsers: Attorney General Andrea Campbell, state Sen. Lydia Edwards, and state Reps. Samantha Montaño and John Moran.

But Moran never endorsed the campaign, he told Playbook; he's actually backing the opposition. The campaign didn't respond to multiple inquiries last night.

— “Peabody School Committee supports nixing MCAS graduation requirement,” by Caroline Enos, The Salem News.

FROM THE DELEGATION

ICYMI — My colleague Benjamin Guggenheim's deep dive into lobbyists' links to Rep. Richard Neal's son is out from behind the paywall.

"For many observers of the committee, Richard Neal is regarded as an “old-school” Democrat, a deft political operator who gravitates to the center and knows how to navigate the complexities of policy and fundraising in Washington," Ben writes. "But many tax advocacy groups and progressives, which have seen their influence expand under the Biden administration, also privately regard him as too close to special interests and the main obstacle within the Democratic Party to closing loopholes that companies and wealthy people use to lower their taxes."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

IN MEMORIAM — State officials mourned the loss of state Rep. Susan Williams Gifford, the House Minority Whip, who died Tuesday of cancer, according to a spokesman. She was 64.

"Representative Gifford was a strong advocate for her district, her community, and her Constituents," former Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement.

House Speaker Ron Mariano described Gifford as “a tireless public servant” and “a person of integrity.”

"Susan inspired conservative women across Massachusetts to engage in politics,” MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale said. “Her leadership was defined by unwavering commitment to her values, coupled with a unique kindness that touched everyone she encountered.”

Gifford was a “tireless advocate for the residents of the 2nd Plymouth District,” the House Republican caucus said in a joint statement. “Her death is a tremendous loss not only for the district, but also for the many family members, friends and colleagues whose lives she touched.”

— “Business community needs attitude adjustment, Michlewitz says,” by Gintautas Dumcius, CommonWealth Beacon: “Historically, the House has come across as more business-friendly than the Senate. Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, the House Ways and Means chairman who is also the heir apparent to House Speaker Ron Mariano, told members of the business community on Wednesday that he wants to continue to collaborate. But the whining has to stop, he said.”

OUT OF TOUCH POLITICANS IGNORE THAT THE PROTESTS ARE ABOUT STOPPING ISRAEL'S GENOCIDE THAT IS EXPANDING WITH NETANYAHU'S MADNESS & FORCING THE U.S. INTO ANOTHER MIDDLE EAST WAR! LEBANON, IRAN, YEMEN WHO ELSE WILL CORRUPT NETANYAHU PROVOKE?

— “Gaza protesters interrupt Pelosi book event in Cambridge,” by Emma Platoff, The Boston Globe: “During a stop on her book tour Wednesday evening, former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi defended President Biden’s record in the Middle East against protesters demanding an end to US aid to Israel, and suggested that some pro-Palestinian demonstrators were motivated by a ‘political purpose.’”

*****STEWARD*****

— “Fed judge tosses out former Steward nurses' complaint,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “On Wednesday, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Christopher Lopez rejected a complaint from the Massachusetts Nurses’ Association alleging the new owners of bankrupt Steward Health Care’s Merrimack Valley facilities are violating the terms of the court-approved sale by ‘unilaterally’ making changes to nurses’ health plans and other benefits.”

FROM THE HUB

— “A new Boston development is prioritizing first-generation home buyers. It could help close the racial wealth gap,” by Tiana Woodard, The Boston Globe.

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— “MBTA commuter rail workers, union reps rally for new contract,” by Kinga Borondy, Telegram & Gazette: “Workers on the commuter rail service linking Boston to other communities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island rallied Wednesday to draw attention to their efforts to secure a new contract from the company that manages the service. State and local politicians, workers and their union representatives gathered at South Station on Wednesday morning to demand Keolis Commuter Services, the company that manages the commuter rail, bargain in good faith for a new contract.”

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

THE WILLINGNESS OF TOO MANY TO BELIEVE THE LIES & CONSPIRACY THEORIES CIRCULATED BY THE RNC, TRUMP & WARPED RIGHT WING SOURCES DEFINES THEIR IGNORANCE & GULLIBILITY..TOO MANY FAIL TO RESEARCH THE CREDIBILITY OF THEIR SOURCES OF INFORMATION....THAT JEOPARDIZES THE SAFETY OF ALL!

— “New Hampshire election workers are under threat — and they're standing up,” by Phillip Martin, GBH News.

— “Local officials prep for election, take extra safety measures,” by Domenic Poli, Greenfield Recorder: “Greenfield and Orange each received $20,000 grants from the Center for Tech and Civic Life — a nonprofit comprised of civic technologists, trainers, researchers, election administration and data experts — to help run secure and efficient elections. Kathy Scott, the city clerk in Greenfield, would not divulge specific details for security purposes, but explained there will be additional measures in place on Nov. 5 and during early voting, which kicked off on Oct. 19.”

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

— “Massachusetts offshore wind developer runs into more problems off Nantucket,” by Lance Reynold, Boston Herald: “Vineyard Wind is continuing to unravel off the shore of Nantucket, with the wind turbine manufacturer removing blades and an island nonprofit pulling back its support. GE Vernova, the designer, manufacturer and installer of the turbines, has announced that it intends to remove ‘some blades’ from the wind farm after re-examining ‘more than 8,300 ultrasound images per blade and physical blade inspections with ‘crawler’ drones.’”

FROM THE 413

— “Amherst Reparations Committee’s charge under review,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “A charge for the municipal committee that will determine how best to make reparations for harms caused to people and their descendants by slavery in the United States will continue to be studied by a Town Council committee. The Town Council Monday referred an overhauled charge, and a possible change in membership for the Amherst Reparations Committee, to the Governance, Organization and Legislation Committee for further examination.”

— “Now Chicopee Has an At-large School Committee Vacancy after Szetela Resigns,” by Matt Szafranski, Western Mass Politics & Insight.

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “Protesters' anger intensifies as Worcester council refuses to take up Israel-Hamas petition,” by Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette: “More than a year after the start of the Israel-Hamas war began the latest chapter of the Israel-Palestine conflict, a large group of protesters shut down Tuesday's City Council meeting after the council voted against letting them speak in favor of a proposed ceasefire and hostage deal petition. With no clear path forward to carrying out its regular business, the City Council voted to adjourn. It was the last meeting scheduled before the Nov. 5 presidential election.”

— “Andover making room for ADUs, with limits,” by Angelina Berube, The Eagle-Tribune.

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

TRANSITIONS — Sandra Polica has joined Bulfinch Strategies Group as Vice President of Operations. She previously served in the State House under Senate Presidents Tom Birmingham, Robert Travaglini, and Therese Murray and most recently worked at the MIT Credit Union.

— Nathan Simms has joined Bulfinch as Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives. He most recently served as Director of Government Relations and Public Policy for Mass Mentoring Partnership.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Rep. Seth Moulton, former Boston Globe/Washington Post editor Marty Baron, Ernie Corrigan of Corrigan Communications, Matt Lehrich, Leigh Appleby and Michael Antonellis.

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