 | By Kelly Garrity | Presented by |  |
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| NOW NOT LATER — With just over a month until Donald Trump returns to the White House, more than a dozen progressive and grassroots groups are urging the state’s Democratic leaders not to wait to strengthen state laws for rights they say are likely to come under fire in the next administration. In letters sent to Gov. Maura Healey and top legislative leaders, the coalition calls on Beacon Hill’s Big Three to get the ball rolling now, before the current legislative session ends on Dec. 31. “States like Massachusetts have a responsibility to lead and push back: we must refuse to comply everywhere we can, we must shore up protections for marginalized communities in the Commonwealth, and we must chart a clear course for what accountable progressive governance looks like and how it delivers for us all,” the letter to Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano reads. The organizations backing the push: Signatories include groups like Indivisible Massachusetts Coalition, Progressive Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition, Act On Mass and Our Revolution Massachusetts. What they want: The groups are asking Healey to call the Legislature back for a formal session “as soon as possible.” They’re also calling on the governor to create a “legal defense fund” that would support civil rights litigation, and are urging Healey to join Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’ “Governors Safeguarding Democracy ” group. And they want to see the Legislature pass bills that would ensure no state resources are used in assisting federal immigration enforcement and end ICE detention in the state. The response: Spokespeople for Healey and Spilka didn’t have anything new to add last night. A spokesperson for Mariano didn’t respond to a request for comment. Healey said shortly after the election that the Massachusetts State Police would “absolutely not” assist in Trump’s efforts to carry out mass deportations, though she’s kept her criticism of the president-elect relatively quiet since. “I'm going to do everything I can to protect our economy , to protect our residents and to protect Massachusetts,” she told reporters earlier Tuesday at an unrelated event. “I will work with the Trump administration on things that make Massachusetts better, that deliver for our people, but I'll never be afraid to stand up for Massachusetts residents and businesses when a federal administration overreaches or does things that are harmful to our state.” She still hasn’t spoken to the president-elect, she said. And Spilka previously pledged to “take whatever action necessary” to protect Massachusetts residents, but that “it's hard to know exactly what path” Trump will take. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Thoughts on Belichick's potential new coaching gig ? Email me: kgarrity@politico.com TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey speaks at Mass General Hospital’s East Tower ceremony at 11 a.m. in Boston. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll speaks at a UMass Lowell/Science Applications International Corporation event at 8:30 a.m. in Boston, chairs a Governor’s Council meeting at noon at the State House and speaks at a screening of the “Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness” at 5:15 p.m. in Boston. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” at noon. State Auditor Diana DiZoglio speaks at a Rotary Club of Chatham meeting at 6:15 p.m. in Chatham.
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| — “Poll shows support for graduation requirement,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “A majority of Massachusetts voters want a new high school graduation requirement following a repeal of the MCAS mandate, according to a new poll from a group that wants the state Legislature to ‘modify’ the voter-approved law. The survey released by the Mass Opportunity Alliance found 75% of voters support the creation of a new, statewide standard to replace the decades-old mandate for 10th-grade students to pass a series of standardized tests known as the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System to graduate.”
PAYWALL | | FROM THE HUB |
| — “Mass. House budget chief knocks Senate’s decision to end debate on Boston tax shift bill,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “The top budget writer in the Massachusetts House knocked a decision by the lead Democrat in the Senate to end consideration of a controversial measure from Mayor Michelle Wu that would have shifted more tax burden onto the commercial and business sectors. … A day before the city councilors are scheduled to set Boston’s tax rates, House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, a North End Democrat, called Senate President Karen Spilka’s decision to rule out further debate on the bill a ‘disappointing outcome.’” BOSTON HERALD RAG PAYWALL RELATED — “Boston Mayor Wu’s loss on tax proposal marks latest setback in ongoing fight against the powerful real estate industry,” by Anjali Huynh and Catherine Carlock, The Boston Globe. ALSO RELATED — “ New Boston housing cost legislation filed in wake of Wu’s tax shift bill failure,” by Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald. BOSTON HERALD RAG PAYWALL Meanwhile, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn has asked the state Inspector General to investigate the discrepancy between the early estimates the city centered the home rule petition around and the final numbers the Department of Revenue certified, the Boston Herald’s Joe Battenfeld reports this morning . Wu previously told reporters that the certified numbers were within the range provided to business groups during negotiations. — “Bitter Rachael Rollins unloads on feds for indicting Boston city councilor: ‘B-S’ and ‘petty’,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “Disgraced former U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins criticized the feds for their ‘petty’ and ‘de minimus’ indictment of Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson over $7,000 while accusing her ex-employer of going harder after people of color. Rollins, who resigned from her post as the state’s top prosecutor last year ahead of the release of two damning federal reports, didn’t mince words when dismissing the ‘tenuous’ elements that made the alleged bonus kickback scheme a federal crime — in an online forum hosted last Friday by City Councilor Julia Mejia.” BOSTON HERALD RAG PAYWALL — “Boston’s expensive White Stadium renovation at Franklin Park hits another roadblock,” by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald: “A group of residents surrounding Franklin Park has secured more time to gather evidence to back up their argument that the planned White Stadium renovation violates the state constitution by illegally transferring public trust land to private use. State Superior Court Judge Julie Green sided with project opponents, providing them more time to gather evidence that they believe is being withheld from them, review documents, and conduct depositions of ahead of an anticipated trial in March.” BOSTON HERALD RAG - SCANT DETAILS — “Court orders Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson to pay for attorney,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “The courts giveth, and the courts taketh away. On Friday news broke that the FBI had arrested Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson on allegations of wire fraud and that the court assigned her a lawyer from the federal public defender program. … On Tuesday, Chief Magistrate Judge Donald Cabell entered an order for Fernandes Anderson to pony up $5,000 by January 31 to cover the cost of her defense by attorney Scott Lauer, her assigned public counsel.”
BOSTON HERALD RAG PAYWALL | |
| | REGISTER NOW : As the 118th Congress ends, major decisions loom, including healthcare appropriations. Key focus: site neutrality. Can aligning hospital and clinic costs cut federal spending, reflect physician costs, and lower patient expenses? Join policymakers and providers to discuss . | | | | | | | THE RACE FOR CITY HALL |
| NEW MAYOR IN METHUEN — Acting Mayor D.J. Beauregard will soon be able to drop the “acting” from the title. Beauregard won the city’s special election to replace late Mayor Neil Perry in a landslide victory last night, notching more than 70 percent of the vote according to early tallies. Serving as mayor is “an honor and a privilege that I will never take for granted,” Beauregard said in a statement. More from the Eagle-Tribune .
PAYWALL | | FROM THE DELEGATION |
| — “Mass. Rep. Pressley, lawmakers call on Biden to empty federal death row before Trump takes over,” by John L. Micek, MassLive.
excerpt: “Mass incarceration remains a persistent, systemic injustice that erodes the soul of America. Our nation has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with nearly two million people locked in jails and prisons throughout the country. The extreme use of incarceration has resulted in one in two adults having an incarcerated family member,” the lawmakers wrote. Pressley and her colleagues also noted that “people of color are disproportionately put behind bars, along with individuals from low-income communities, LGBTQIA+ folks, and those with disabilities” “The bloated prison system reflects and emboldens biases that undermine the ideals of our nation and diminishes trust in the rule of law,” they continued. “Mass incarceration attacks the most vulnerable Americans, thereby destabilizing families and inflicting intergenerational trauma.” Public support for capital punishment remained at five-decade low in Gallup polling released in November. Nationwide, a bare majority of all Americans, 53%, said they supported capital punishment. But the polling also found a deep generation gap, with more than half of young adults aged 18 to 43 now opposing the death penalty. | |
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| | | | | FROM THE 413 |
| — “Springfield Council rejects regular cost of living salary increases for mayor, elected officials,” by Jeanette DeForge, The Springfield Republican: “An attempt to end the often uncomfortable and controversial practice of having city councilors having to adopt pay raises for themselves and other elected officials failed in a close vote Monday night. The proposal called for an end to the long-standing practice of having the City Council propose and adopt raises for the mayor, School Committee and themselves and instead create an annual system to grant annual cost-of-living increases.” — “Easthampton council backs big pay bump for city’s next mayor,” by Alexa Lewis, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “In the wake of a passionate debate, City Council members approved higher than anticipated incremental salary increases for the city’s next mayor, whoever that may be. Weighing Easthampton’s comparatively low mayoral salary and the financial capacities of the city, councilors voted not only in favor of salary increases, but also an amendment raising the salary from what was initially proposed.”
| | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| — “SRTA to start free express bus service between Fall River, New Bedford: How it works,” by Dan Medeiros, The Herald News. — “ACLU says Worcester broke law in silencing Gaza protesters at City Council meeting,” by Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette. — “Worcester city manager says he'll explore civilian review board for police oversight,” by Brad Petrishen, Telegram & Gazette: “In his first public statement since the U.S. Department of Justice found constitutional violations in the Police Department, Worcester City Manager Eric D. Batista on Tuesday said he intends to prepare a report on a civilian review board – something police have long opposed – for debate at the City Council.” MORE — “Petty addresses federal investigation of police, and city lawyer's statement slamming it,” by Brad Petrishen, Telegram & Gazette. — “North Attleboro reluctantly approves MBTA zoning,” by Stephen Peterson, The Sun Chronicle: “Town council members have reluctantly approved new zoning districts to comply with the controversial MBTA Communities Act. The state law requires all cities and towns in Massachusetts hosting or near MBTA train stations and stops to set aside special zoning districts to encourage multi-unit and, preferably, affordable housing. North Attleboro is considered an adjacent community since Attleboro has two train stations.”
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| | Billions in spending. Critical foreign aid. Immigration reform. The final weeks of 2024 could bring major policy changes. Inside Congress provides daily insights into how Congressional leaders are navigating these high-stakes issues. Subscribe today . | | | | | | | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH |
| TRANSITIONS — Ellen Attaliades, the president and CEO of the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers, is set to retire in May. SPOTTED — at a South End fundraiser for House Ways & Chair Rep. Aaron Michlewitz: Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Boston City Councilors Gigi Coletta-Zapata and John FitzGerald; Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden ; state Reps. Jay Livingstone, Kevin Honan, Danielle Gregoire, Alice Peisch, Sam Montaño, John Moran and Bill MacGregor ; Joe Feaster, Suzanne Lee, Tom Menino Jr., Dot Joyce, Jay Ash, f ormer Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim and Joe Boncore. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former Sen. John Kerry, Jossie Valentín and MWPC director Kat Cline. Happy belated to Alexander Fleiss, who celebrated Monday, and to Kristen Halbert, who celebrated Sunday.
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