Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Driscoll in the spotlight

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Driscoll in the spotlight

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MEET THE NEW DLGA VICE CHAIR — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll is stepping up on the national stage.

Gov. Maura Healey’s No. 2 won a new role yesterday as vice chair of the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, one that’ll have her helping lead efforts to elect (you probably guessed it) Democratic lieutenant governors across the country in 2025.

The new gig puts Driscoll, who will serve alongside new DLGA Chair Lt. Gov. Austin Davis of Pennsylvania, in charge of building out the party’s bench at a crucial time for Democrats still reeling from a shellacking in last month’s elections.

That means the former Salem mayor will have some part in shaping the future direction of the party, as the DLGA looks to flip the lieutenant governor’s office in Virginia and win in New Jersey next year.

Driscoll’s early prescription for how Democrats should move forward: Act more like mayors.

“I hearken back to my years as a mayor, when you really just need to be focused on people's needs,” Driscoll told Playbook yesterday. “I think folks are feeling the squeeze. … They're working harder and saving less. And so the areas that I think make a difference in people's lives – from housing to education to child care – those are the areas I hope that we can continue to focus on, like we have in Massachusetts.”

The new position also means Driscoll will spend the next year strengthening relationships outside of the Bay State –- and it’ll get her involved in what could be some interesting elections. Davis, the new chair, told my colleague Brackton Booker he isn’t ruling out the DLGA getting involved in the party’s primary in the Virginia LG’s race , if it means cutting out candidates who could drag the party down or who prove they can’t win.

Driscoll, ever the dutiful No. 2, didn’t get ahead of her partner. (“We’ll keep our ears open, but I think it’s too early to say.”)

Davis and Driscoll ran for their respective roles as a team, and won without opposition. The selection was no surprise for DJ Napolitano, who previously served as her political adviser.

“I'm not surprised at all that her fellow Democratic LGs tapped her for this, because I think she has a record of delivering no matter who's in Washington,” Napolitano told Playbook last night. “If you think about it, she was mayor when President Trump was first elected. And I think Salem succeeded and did fairly well in terms of getting federal dollars. Whether it's Donald Trump or Joe Biden in Washington, Kim and the governor are going to make sure that they're delivering for the people of Massachusetts.”

Lieutenant governor isn’t an office that naturally comes with significant power — or, in Massachusetts, even many specific formal responsibilities. But Healey has elevated her partner on “team Massachusetts” by tapping her to help lead on housing , one of the governor’s top priorities. And Driscoll has served as an ear for mayors and municipal leaders on Beacon Hill.

All that has generated speculation that Driscoll is now a governor-in-waiting. But Driscoll says she’s happy with the gig she’s got now.

“I really love what I'm doing right now,” she said yesterday. “And I do think LGs matter. Seconds-in-charge have a lot in common, and this group allows us to come together, really collaborate, both learn from each other, work together on policy areas, build strong coalitions, and that's why I'm excited to be in this role right now.”

GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. As for next cycle here, Driscoll said she hopes to continue serving as lieutenant governor beyond 2026.

“I think we certainly hope to. We love the work and continue to, I think, represent the interest of Massachusetts families very well, and want to be in a position to continue to help,” she said before ticking off recent legislative wins, like the recently passed climate and economic development bills.

TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey attends the opening session for the launch of MIT’s Health and Life Sciences Collaborative at 9 a.m. in Cambridge before she and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announce the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year at 9:45 a.m. in Boston. Healey chairs a Governor’s Council meeting at noon. She, First Lady Joanna Lydgate and state Auditor Diana DiZoglio attend the Gold Star Families tree lighting at 2:30 p.m. and the State House tree lighting at 5 p.m., both at the State House. DiZoglio hosts a press conference alongside representatives from the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance and Act on Mass to discuss her effort to audit the Legislature at 11 a.m. Wu announces an expansion of the BPS Sundays pilot program at 11:45 a.m. in the West End and speaks at the annual Fenway tree lighting at 6:15 p.m. in Fenway. Sens. Ed Markey and Dick Durbin host a press conference calling on the Department of Education to forgive student loan debt for borrowers who were defrauded at noon in D.C.

Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Email me: kgarrity@politico.com

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

CALIFORNIA BOUND — Gov. Maura Healey will head to Los Angeles this weekend for the Democratic Governors Association annual meeting, a spokesperson confirmed.

FROM THE HUB

— “Boston Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson is subject of federal probe,” by Danny McDonald, Shelley Murphy and Milton J. Valencia, The Boston Globe: “Federal authorities are conducting an investigation of Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson and have sent subpoenas to City Hall, according to two people with knowledge of the requests. The nature and circumstances of the probe were not immediately known, and no criminal charges have been filed.”

THE HOME RULE SAGA THAT NEVER ENDS — The conversation about Boston’s property tax shift bill got punted back to the City Council yesterday, after state Sen. Nick Collins pressed pause on debate over the bill earlier this week.

Collins said he wanted to see the city’s updated property valuation data, which he anticipated would be made public at the Tuesday meeting.

But the city’s assessing commissioner, Nicholas Ariniello, declined, telling councilors he wanted to wait for sign-off from the state’s Department of Revenue — which the city hadn’t received as of Tuesday afternoon.

That didn’t land well with Collins, who telegraphed willingness to delay the bill further as the clock ticks down before the city has to begin printing and sending its tax bills.

“Though city officials refused to share the data on new valuations submitted to the state at today’s council hearing, they did indicate they anticipate a surplus from the new valuations. Surplus funds should be directed toward residential tax relief, particularly for our seniors. In the interest of transparency and fiscal responsibility, the City needs to share their valuation data before action is taken on their plans to increase taxes,” Collins said in a statement.

IGNORANCE OF DOR PROCESS IS NO EXCUSE FOR SPECULATION OR CRITICISM!

BALLOTPEDIA NICK COLLINS

— “In Hyde Park, residents push for a long awaited dream — a community health center,” by Tiana Woodard, The Boston Globe.

WHAT'S ON CAMPBELL'S DOCKET

— “AG asks judge to shoot down gun-law challenge,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “Attorney General Andrea Campbell is asking a judge to shoot down a legal challenge to the state’s tough new firearms licensing restrictions. Campbell’s office filed a motion to dismiss the legal challenge by The Gun Owners Action League of Massachusetts and several gun owners. She argues that the plaintiffs’ August filing lacks standing to challenge the new licensing requirements and makes ‘flawed’ arguments that the new rules violate their Second Amendment rights.”

PAYWALL!

POLL AFTER POLL INDICATES SUPPORT FOR INCREASED GUN CONTROL AS WELL AS BACKGROUND CHECKS...A SMALL MINORITY OF GUN ZEALOTS OPPOSE REASONABLE REFORM & FAIL TO OFFER SOLUTIONS!

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

FULLER OPTS OUT — Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller will not seek reelection next year, she announced in her newsletter yesterday .

“With nothing but gratitude for the past 15 years, I have decided not to run for reelection next year as Mayor of Newton. I look forward to continuing to serve our common goals, our common good, and our Commonwealth in other ways,” she wrote in the note.

One candidate, Newton city Councilor Marc Laredo, had already jumped in the race before Fuller made her plans official yesterday. Laredo praised Fuller in a statement last night:

"All residents of Newton owe Mayor Fuller a debt of gratitude for her many years of hard work on behalf of our city,” he said. “She leaves a strong legacy of accomplishment, and I look forward to working with her during the remainder of her term in office."

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FROM THE DELEGATION

A BIPARTISAN WARREN — Not something you see every day: Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Josh Hawley on the same team.

The progressive from Massachusetts is teaming up with the conservative firebrand from Missouri on a bipartisan bill that would break up pharmacy benefit managers, POLITICO’s Daniella Diaz reported last night . PBMs manage prescription drug benefits for other clients, like health insurers, and some (including Rep. Jake Auchincloss ) have criticized them for their anti-competitive practices.

Here’s how it happened: “Warren approached Hawley on the Senate floor to pitch him on the idea,” Daniella writes. “They later spoke on the phone to get the bill in motion, according to a person familiar with the conversation. This isn’t the first time the two senators have worked together, previously having worked on a bill that would ensure consumers’ right to an automatic refund if an airline cancels or delays their flight, and other legislation to claw back the compensation of executives of failed banks.”

DEMOCRATS NEED TO STOP PLAYING TO MAGA MORONS' CONDEMNATION!

THERE WAS A PLEA AGREEMENT, HUNTER BIDEN PAID HIS TAXES...JUDICIAL EXPERTS HAVE COMMENTED THAT NO ONE IS CHARGED WITH THAT GUN CHARGE! THIS WOULD HAVE CONTINUED ENDLESSLY....MAGA APPOINTEE PURSUED THIS!

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

— “Members of Mass. congressional delegation criticize Biden over pardon for his son: ‘Wrong is wrong’,” by Alyssa Vega and Jim Puzzanghera, The Boston Globe: “Members of Massachusetts’ congressional delegation criticized President Biden’s pardon Sunday of his son Hunter, saying it could undermine public trust in the justice system and put Democrats in a difficult position as they prepare to oppose the actions of a second Trump administration.”

— “Sens. Warren, Blumenthal urge Biden to define limits of military use on American soil,” Roberto Scalese, WBUR: “Two members of the Senate's Armed Services Committee are urging President Biden to act now to limit President-elect Donald Trump's ability to use the nation's military against its own citizens. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal said they were concerned with statements made by Trump about dealing with ‘the enemy from within.’”

TRUMPACHUSETTS

— “Immigrants vying for deportation protections worry their futures are in jeopardy with Trump administration,” by Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio, The Boston Globe.

— “Local immigrant groups prepare for a second Trump term,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: “Many local advocacy groups are taking lessons learned from Trump’s first term to prepare for what could be coming. They’re taking practical steps, like securing housing for as many of the thousands of migrants as possible, as well as distributing information on immigrants’ rights.”

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FROM THE 413

— “Data shows a historic dry fall for western Mass,” by Chris Larabee, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “With bodies of water receding and brush fires throughout the state, it was clearly a dry fall for the Pioneer Valley and new data analysis confirms the season was historically dry for western Massachusetts. Preliminary National Weather Service data for Greenfield and Amherst shows the region had its driest meteorological fall on record — Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 — as weather stations in those communities observed just 5.03 inches and 3.76 inches of precipitation, respectively, over the three-month period, according to analysis by Michael Rawlins, associate director of the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Climate System Research Center.”

— “Will there be more wind turbines in the Berkshires? Here's why one state official said it's 'extremely unlikely',” by Jane Kaufman, The Berkshire Eagle: “Building and siting turbines on mountain tops takes money, much more money than plopping them down onto the plains of the Midwest, for example, or on the flats of northern Maine. This is why even though land-based wind is literally sweeping much of the country as the fastest growing form of clean energy, Massachusetts is now looking offshore to harness wind.”

— “State and local housing advocates broke ground Tuesday on 37 new supportive housing apartments and a housing resource center in Pittsfield,” by Claire O'Callahan, The Berkshire Eagle.

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “Massachusetts town worker fined $10,000 for using public resources to replace fence on his property,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The State Ethics Commission wasn’t on the fence about this punishment. A foreman of a town’s maintenance department has paid a $10,000 fine to the Bay State after he used town resources to replace a fence on his property.”

The State Ethics Commission wasn’t on the fence about this punishment.

A foreman of a town’s maintenance department has paid a $10,000 fine to the Bay State after he used town resources to replace a fence on his property.

Christopher Vincent, foreman of Carver’s operations and maintenance (O&M) department, paid the $10,000 civil penalty for violating the conflict of interest law, according to the Massachusetts Ethics Commission.

“When public employees misuse public resources to benefit themselves, they cheat the public and erode its confidence in the integrity of public service,” said State Ethics Commission Executive Director David Wilson.

“Town-owned resources, such as materials, vehicles, and public employee worktime, are to be used for public purposes, not private benefit,” Wilson added.

Two years ago, Vincent recommended to his direct supervisor — the O&M deputy director — that O&M replace a fence made of wooden telephone poles on Vincent’s property. His property next to a cranberry bog has an assessed value of $768,900, according to the town assessor’s online database.

The O&M deputy director agreed to Vincent’s request, and then Vincent directed two of the department’s workers to replace the fence using new pressure-treated wood.

Last January, the O&M employees removed the old fence and installed the new fence during their public worktime — using more than $500 worth of town materials, which they transported to Vincent’s property in a town-owned truck.

The fence work took the two employees 1.5 public workdays. Based on their salaries, the combined value of the two employees’ town work time was about $573.

“The conflict of interest law prohibits public employees from participating officially in matters in which they know they have a financial interest,” the State Ethics Commission wrote. “The law also prohibits public employees from using their official positions to obtain valuable unwarranted privileges for themselves or others.

“Vincent’s actions in causing O&M to replace his fence at the town’s expense violated both of these prohibitions,” the commission added.

Earlier this year, the commission entered into a disposition agreement with Carver Operations and Maintenance Deputy Director John Woods. He admitted to violating the conflict of interest law by authorizing the use of town resources to replace Vincent’s fence.

— “Port to review water fluoridation practice,” by Jim Sullivan, Newburyport Daily News: “ Public concerns about the potential dangers of adding fluoride to the city's water supply, have prompted Newburyport Public Health Director Laura Vlasuk to put the topic on the agenda for the next Board of Health meeting.”

PAYWALL

— “The Gillnetter catches hold of strike story,” by Ethan Forman, The Gloucester Daily Times: “When Gloucester teachers and paraprofessionals went on a 15-day strike last month, the Gloucester High School online news site The Gillnetter did not fold up its news-gathering nets. For months, the staff had been covering negotiations between the School Committee and the Union of Gloucester Educators, so when the strike happened, they were able to jump on the story.”

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HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

TRANSITIONS — Sullivan & Worcester added a five-person Intellectual Property to the firm: Partners Thomas Meyers and Zachary Hyde, and associates Eleesya Cordes, Jonathan Wright and Sung Min Yoon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to State House News Service’s Alison Kuznitz, the Boston Globe’s Jackie Kucinich, Springfield state Rep. Angelo Puppolo, Amanda Keane, Marina McCarthy, Sarah Baron, Jennifer Taub, Maureen Forry-Sorrell and Kevin Towle.

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