 | BY KELLY GARRITY AND LISA KASHINSKY | Presented by McDonald's | PROGRAMMING NOTE: We’re off Monday for Presidents Day. We’ll be back in your inboxes on Tuesday. HEADING FOR THE EXITS — More than a century and a half of legislative know-how will leave with the dozen lawmakers who are either retiring or running for other elective offices this year. It’s a “big void,” said state Rep. Smitty Pignatelli , who plans to step aside at the end of the year after more than two decades in the House. “Institutional knowledge is critical for the function of any agency … otherwise they’ll make the same mistakes all over again.” All these departures — and more are likely — are also creating a mini power vacuum in House leadership and across key committees in both chambers. House Speaker Ron Mariano , assuming he wins reelection, will have two spots to fill on his leadership team with Cape Cod state Rep. Sarah Peake , the second assistant majority leader, and state Rep. Ruth Balser , the third division chair who’s represented parts of Newton and Brookline for a quarter century, making their exits. Taunton Democrat Marc Pacheco , the dean of the state Senate, is moving on after 35 years in the Legislature, freeing up both his largely ceremonial title and his seats atop the joint Emergency Preparedness and Post Audit and Oversight committees. A slate of seasoned representatives including Denise Garlick, Gerry Cassidy , Angelo D’Emilia , Paul Schmid III and Daniel Carey (who’s running for county court clerk) are also on their way out. Their departures are freeing up the top House seats on several committees — Education (Garlick), Agriculture (Schmid) and Veterans and Federal Affairs (Cassidy). And state Sen. Susan Moran , who’s also running for a court clerk job, is the Senate chair of the Revenue Committee. Two representatives, Democrat Dylan Fernandes and Republican Mathew Muratore , are giving up their seats to run for hers. “It's really kind of bittersweet, because these are people that we have worked with and have done some really good things with,” state Rep. Pat Haddad , a long-serving lawmaker who is seeking reelection, told Playbook. “It's always good to have new, fresh ideas. But it's hard to give up our old buddies.”
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Lawmakers at a recent hearing on Beacon Hill. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO | Candidates are already clamoring to fill the vacancies — especially across the southeastern part of the state, where there are a disproportionate number of openings and where Republicans see opportunity in purpler districts. MassGOP executive director John Milligan said the party is “very excited” about Pacheco’s seat and has “several candidates considering" launching campaigns. One of those, insiders say, is Taunton City Councilor Kelly Doomer . If she runs, she could face her council colleague Barry Sanders , who told Playbook he’ll decide “in the next few days” whether to get in as a Democrat. But Mariano is stalling Republicans’ attempts at regrowing their legislative ranks by declining to call a special election for the South Shore House seat Democrat Josh Cutler left open when he took a job with the Healey administration, because nomination papers are already available for the fall elections. Elsewhere, candidates aren’t waiting for openings to throw their hats in the ring. Mark Tashjian is running to try and reclaim for Republicans the seat that Democrat Kristin Kassner won in 2022 by a single vote. And Said Ahmed , a track coach whose program was displaced from the Roxbury recreation center the state converted into temporary overflow shelter for migrants and homeless families, told Playbook he’s running for state Rep. Chynah Tyler ’s seat. Ahmed said he was already planning a bid before the Cass complex takeover and that he wants to focus on education, public safety and affordable housing. “I am someone from community,” he said, “and feel this community needs and deserves representation.” Tyler did not immediately respond. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Don't forget to email us if you're running for office (or if you know someone who is): kgarrity@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com . TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll attend the first New England Summit of State Elected Officials in Honor of Black History Month at 9 a.m. and speak at an UNCF breakfast at 9:30 a.m., both at the State House. Healey and Driscoll administer a swearing-in at the African Meeting House in Boston at 10:20 a.m., join Cabinet members for a tour of the Museum of African American History at 10:30 a.m. and swear in a juvenile court judge at 1 p.m. at the State House. THIS WEEKEND — Northeastern professor Dan Kennedy is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Auditor Diana DiZoglio is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale is on NBC10 Boston’s “At Issue” at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
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| | A message from McDonald's: From 2021 to 2022, the McDonald’s System contributed over $700 million to Massachusetts’ economy, supporting over 14,350 jobs statewide. McDonald’s presence in local communities throughout Massachusetts generated nearly $125 million in federal, state and local tax revenue, providing funding for public schools, infrastructure, parks and more. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Massachusetts and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/ma . | | | |  | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| EDUCATION REFORM — Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeff Riley is stepping down on March 15, giving Gov. Maura Healey a major opportunity to further reshape education in the state. Riley wrote in his resignation letter that the attention his aging parents require “is not compatible with the demands of the commissioner’s job.” He plans to recommend Deputy Commissioner Russell Johnston take over his role and aims to stay on as an adviser through the end of the school year, CommonWealth Beacon’s Michael Jonas reports . It will be up to the state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to find Riley’s replacement, though the governor’s education secretary must ratify the pick. Appointed under the Baker administration, Riley recently appeared to be out of step with the Healey administration. After Riley refused to end state receivership of Holyoke Public Schools, the Springfield Republican’s Dave Canton reported that Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll called the mayor’s office and offered to intercede on the city’s behalf . Riley’s replacement could also have ramifications for Boston. The state’s largest school district is still working under the improvement plan Boston Mayor Michelle Wu negotiated with Riley to keep Boston Public Schools out of receivership. Riley expressed frustration at the district’s progress last year — which Wu pushed back on — but he’ll be gone before Boston's timetable is up.
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Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeff Riley, shown in 2019 with then-Gov. Charlie Baker. | AP | THREE WORDS OF ADVICE — The state Senate’s longest continuously serving lawmaker has some words of wisdom for those looking to run for the Legislature. Politics is about “passion, patience and persistence,” Marc Pacheco told Playbook. “Follow your passion because it keeps you going when the going gets tough,” he said. “Understand that everybody may not have as much passion as you do. And so there are times when you need to have a lot of patience with the system … but continue to be persistent — persevere.” Case in point: Pacheco, who is passionate about combating climate change, plans this spring to help launch a transatlantic non-governmental organization focused on just that. He also wants to help President Joe Biden ’s reelection campaign. STRATEGY MEMO — The Healey administration has released what it says is the state’s “first-ever environmental justice strategy .” — “Lawmakers push to lift ban on removing fishing gear,” by Christian M. Wade, Gloucester Daily Times: “A new bipartisan proposal calls for lifting a statewide ban on removing abandoned fishing lines to help protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales."
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| | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S GOVERNORS SUMMIT: Join POLITICO on Feb. 22 to dive into how Governors are wielding immense power. While Washington remains gridlocked, governors are at the center of landmark decisions in AI and tech, economic development, infrastructure, housing, reproductive health and energy. How are they setting the stage for the future of American politics, policies and priorities? How are they confronting major challenges? Explore these questions and more at the 2024 Governors Summit. REGISTER HERE . | | | | | | | WARREN REPORT |
| DIVING IN ON DEATON — John Deaton , the cryptocurrency advocate and attorney who’s likely to challenge Sen. Elizabeth Warren as a Republican, was arrested in Rhode Island in 2017 after getting into an altercation with his partner's former husband at a football game her son was playing in, POLITICO first reported . According to a police report , Ron Warner said Deaton “grabbed him by the throat.” When Deaton was being booked, he allegedly told police “I pay more in taxes than your entire salary.” In his memoir, Deaton said Warner charged him and he pushed back in self defense. Prosecutors dropped the charges before the case went to trial and ordered Deaton to serve 30 hours of community service, according to court records. But in 2020, Deaton sued the town of Barrington and the officers involved in what he alleged was his “unlawful” arrest . A federal judge ruled against some of Deaton’s claims, including that there was not probable cause to arrest him, while portions of the Deaton suit were remanded back to a state court. Deaton appealed, and represented himself during arguments in the case just last week. Jim Conroy , a political adviser to former Gov. Charlie Baker who is consulting with Deaton on his potential campaign, said Deaton had “protected himself against an individual” who had a warrant for his arrest at the time on an assault charge. That case was later dismissed. More from the Boston Herald . Deaton now lives in Swansea, where he’s registered as a Republican. But Rhode Island records show he remains an active voter in that state, where he is unaffiliated with a major political party. Warren is already fundraising off Deaton’s potential challenge . “I’m not afraid, but this now means we need to prepare to compete against funding from powerful special interests, Wall Street, and the GOP,” she wrote in an email to supporters on Thursday that leans into Deaton’s crypto advocacy and the likely support , financial and otherwise, he is poised to draw because of it.
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| | A message from McDonald's: 
| | | | | FROM THE HUB |
| — “2023 payroll report: Who were the highest-paid city workers in Boston last year?” by Frank O’Laughlin, Boston 25 News: “Dozens of city employees in Boston topped $300,000 in earnings last year, hundreds of others including Mayor [Michelle] Wu earned at least $200,000, and nearly 10,000 more workers collected a minimum of $100,000 in earnings.” — “Boston City Hall downplays projected $1B budget shortfall from empty office buildings,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald.
| | DAY IN COURT |
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Fiscal Alliance Foundation is the unnamed 'watchdog group'
— “Push to allow app-based workers to unionize met with legal challenge,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “A move to allow app-based workers to unionize has been met with a legal challenge filed by a Bay State fiscal watchdog group, [which alleges] the plan is too complex to place before voters in November."
— “SJC faults state for not sealing juvenile records,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle Tribune: “The state’s highest court has sided with criminal justice advocates who challenged a policy that blocked people who committed offenses as juveniles from sealing their criminal records."
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| | YOUR GUIDE TO EMPIRE STATE POLITICS : From the newsroom that doesn’t sleep, POLITICO's New York Playbook is the ultimate guide for power players navigating the intricate landscape of Empire State politics. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest and most important stories from Albany, New York City and around the state, with in-depth, original reporting to stay ahead of policy trends and political developments. Subscribe now to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle of NY politics. | | | | | | | FROM THE DELEGATION |
| GREEN NEW POD — Warren joins Sen. Ed Markey on this week's episode of his limited-run Green New Deal-themed podcast to talk electric buses, offshore wind and more. — “‘Joy in the struggle’: Ayanna Pressley reflects on her work in Congress, what’s next,” by Alvin Buyinza, MassLive.
| | WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING |
| “U.S. House committee hits Harvard with subpoenas in antisemitism probe,” by Juliet Schulman-Hall, MassLive. — “'So many misbudgeted items': Here are 5 key reasons Brockton schools budget imploded,” by Christopher Butler, The Enterprise: “Over 100 individual staff contracts promising costly benefits; massively underfunded transportation and special education accounts; payroll budgets with no money left in them; and major disorganization of the school’s business team.” — “Gaza cease-fire ads pulled from Worcester buses over 'safety concerns,' group says,” by Toni Caushi, Telegram & Gazette: “An advocacy organization is claiming that the Worcester Regional Transit Authority pulled ads calling for a cease-fire in Gaza a week into a month-long agreement for the ads to appear on city buses." — “Local activists to present Gaza cease-fire resolution to Greenfield City Council,” by Chris Larabee, Greenfield Recorder. — “Medford firefighter sick calls cost city $92,000, mayor says it was ‘orchestrated event’" by Christina Hager, WBZ. — “Manchin floats Romney or Portman as hypothetical VP picks for a third party bid,” by Kelly Garrity, POLITICO.
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| | A message from McDonald's: McDonald’s is an economic engine for the state of Massachusetts, contributing over $700 million to our state’s economy, directly employing nearly 11,600 Massachusettsans and supporting an additional 2,750 jobs statewide. It’s also an engine of opportunity: 1 in 4 independent McDonald’s operators in Massachusetts began their careers as restaurant crew members, generating wealth for their families and local communities. We are proud to support Massachusetts through public schools, parks and more from the nearly $125 million in federal, state and local tax revenue generated by the McDonald’s System’s activities. And thanks to the generosity of McDonald’s customers and owner/operators, the $700,000 raised through Ronald McDonald House Charities in 2022 provided over 7,000 overnight stays for families with children receiving medical care in Massachusetts. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Massachusetts and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/ma . | | | | | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH |
| HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former Massachusetts first lady Lauren Baker, Tisch College Dean Emeritus Alan Solomont, a former ambassador and DNC finance chair; DCR’s Amanda Sabga and Matt Crescenzo. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to former state Treasurer Steve Grossman and Andrew Bilski, who celebrate Saturday; to Sunday birthday-ers former state Auditor Suzanne Bump, the Boston Herald’s Rick Sobey and Joe Caiazzo of the JCN Group; and to Emma Huggard , who celebrates Monday. 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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