Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Dems (mostly) in array on shelter changes

Thursday, February 13, 2025

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Dems (mostly) in array on shelter changes

THIS SAYS IT ALL:

DUKAKIS DEEP-DIVE — CommonWealth Beacon’s Michael Jonas sat down with former Gov. Mike Dukakis, who recently turned 90, for a wide-ranging conversation that spanned his decades in public service to his views on today’s politics and public transit. One notable exchange: The Bay State’s public transit system “ought to be one of the best in the country,” Dukakis said. Asked what went wrong, he replied: “You’ll have to ask Charlie Baker.”

POLITICO

BALANCING ACT — A little over a year ago, Democrats’ inability to agree on how to amend the state’s right-to- shelter law left talks tied up for weeks around the holidays.

Fourteen months and a few shelter debates later, Gov. Maura Healey and Democrats in the House and Senate were (mostly) in alignment as each approved the latest set of restrictions on the state’s emergency shelter system.

The version of the $425 million supplemental budget the Senate passed Wednesday night on a 33-6 vote closely mirrored the stop-gap spending bill the House approved last week. Both chambers tacked on a new 4,000 family cap that’s set to kick in next year and approved the shortened six month stay Healey asked for in the budget she filed last month.

Both chambers also got on board with additional safety and residency measures similar to those that Healey requested after a man who had not been approved for shelter was arrested at a site in Revere, allegedly with in possession of five kilograms of fentanyl and an AR-style rifle.

It’s not that the process has gotten easier, state Sen. Michael Rodrigues told reporters after debate. Senators spent several hours debating amendments, and Democrats spent several weeks leading up to the debate talking about the latest slate of changes in private caucuses.

“We've had a number of meetings amongst our colleagues, so we've been talking and working through all the different issues for a while,” Rodrigues said. On the floor, he described it as “probably the most difficult one that I've had to work on to reach a compromise.”

But the cash-strapped shelter system has been running on empty since the end of last month, and soon providers won’t be able to pay their bills.

It’s not just the cash-crunch that could be a factor in how in sync lawmakers are on what’s recently been a topic of tense debate. Recent reports about incidents of violence in the shelter system have dogged Healey for weeks, and tacking on new rules for shelter safety (even ones that are more bark than bite ) could give the governor some cover.

Plus, both chambers opted to make most changes temporary, given questions still remain about how much money — if any — the new rules will save the state.

GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Debate isn’t over yet. House and Senate negotiators still need to work through the differences in their versions of legislation before it gets to Healey’s desk.

TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll announce tax credits for affordable housing development at 11:45 a.m. in Plymouth, visit the Brockton Area Transportation Center at 1:45 p.m. in Brockton and attend Senate President Karen Spilka ’s Galentine’s Day celebration at 7 p.m. in Boston.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@politico.com .

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FROM THE HUB

CHANGING LANES — After a contentious redesign last year, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is getting rid of the bus lane along Boylston Street, though the new bike lane will still stick around.

The move comes in response to “significant feedback,” from the community, Wu said during an interview on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio.”

“In addition to buses often not having a clear path of travel, the bus lane is regularly used for driving and parking on parts of the street that are very constrained serving area businesses, hotels, and the Boston Public Library,” Wu wrote in a letter addressed to Back Bay leaders. “As such, starting in the coming weeks and as weather allows, my administration will remove the Boylston Street bus lane and work with local stakeholders to reallocate the space to improve overall flow (including for MBTA buses) and address loading needs.”

Wu is also marshaling Michael Brohel, the city’s superintendent of basic city services, to conduct a “review of roadway changes implemented in recent years,” and report back within 30 days, per the letter.

The announcement comes not long after Josh Kraft announced his challenge to Wu, pledging at his campaign kickoff to pause construction on bike lanes. But Wu rejected the idea that the decision was a response to Kraft’s entrance into the race.

— “Mayor Michelle Wu was ‘not involved’ in severance package talks between Flaherty and Boston Water and Sewer Commission,” by Niki Griswold, The Boston Globe: “Boston Mayor Michelle Wu declined Wednesday to elaborate on whether she supports the quarter million dollar payout to former City Councilor Michael Flaherty as part of a separation agreement he recently signed with the Boston Water and Sewer Commission. Wu said she ‘was not involved in this situation,’ when asked whether she is comfortable with the severance package, on GBH’s ‘Boston Public Radio’ on Wednesday.”

— “After tense debate, Boston City Council passes Mayor Wu’s tax shift legislation for third time,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “After four hours of tense debate and a series of failed amendments, the Boston City Council overwhelmingly approved a mayoral home rule petition that seeks to shift more of the city’s tax burden onto businesses to provide relief to homeowners. Despite the hours-long push to make substantial changes to the mayor’s home rule petition, the Council ultimately passed it, 12-1, with virtually no changes, other than a slight amendment recommended ahead of Wednesday’s meeting.”

PAYWALL BOSTON HERALD RAG

— “Former U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins making six-figures at Roxbury Community College,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Disgraced former federal prosecutor Rachael Rollins cracked the six-figure salary mark last year and was promoted to executive director of a program at Roxbury Community College, according to state payroll records and an ethics disclosure obtained by the Herald. Rollins, who resigned as the U.S. attorney for Massachusetts following the release of damning federal reports in 2023, landed at Roxbury Community College as a part-time employee making $96,000 a year. But data from the Comptroller’s Office shows Rollins has moved up the ranks.”

PAYWALL BOSTON HERALD RAG

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

RENT FREE — The first front on Boston’s mayoral race: housing policy.

THE NEWTON NEBBISH PROPOSED A MEANINGLESS SOLUTION! SCRUTINIZE HIS BLABBER!

JOSH KRAFT IS A SPOILED BRAT WHO SET HIS SIGHTS ON A BAUBBLE, TOO LAZY TO RESEARCH ISSUES, UNFAMILIAR WITH PUBLIC POLICY....DIDN'T EVEN LIVE IN BOSTON UNTIL RECENTLY & BOUGHT AN OVERPRICED CONDO THAT DEFINES HIS ELITISM....

Josh Kraft rolled out his first campaign policy proposal Wednesday morning, a housing plan that featured his pitch for a tax rebate for landlords that agreed to cap annual rental increases.

PAY WALL

But Wu, who called for rent control in her 2021 campaign and pushed a proposal through the City Council in 2023, slammed Kraft’s version as a form of “fake rent control” that's “misleading for Boston residents,” during her GBH interview yesterday.

“Rent control means a certain government involvement to ensure that there are protections in place that apply across the board,” she said.

A GREAT DEAL HAS BEEN WRITTEN & RESEARCHED ABOUT HOUSING AFFORDIBILITY...MAYBE SOME DAY, THE NEWTON NEBBISH WILL RESEARCH THE ISSUE RATHER THAN PROPOSING NONSENSE!

On the political side, Kraft has donated to Gov. Charlie Baker and a myriad of Democrats, including several Boston City Council candidates who were backed this past municipal election cycle by an outside group funded by New Balance chairman Jim Davis. The group was on the opposing side of Wu-supported candidates.

The next mayor’s race isn’t on the ballot until 2025, so Kraft has some time to weigh going up against an incumbent who won the top job in 2021 after eight years on the City Council.

Kraft reiterated he’s exploring multiple opportunities, including one at a national nonprofit. “I’m open to anything where I can continue to do community work,” he said.

Somerville moves on rent stabilization: Somerville could soon be the third Massachusetts city to send a rent control home rule up to Beacon Hill, where it would face an ambivalent Legislature already considering bills to allow rent stabilization measures in Boston and Brookline. If it makes it up the hill, Somerville’s pitch would be the strictest of the local home rule proposals, capping rent increases at 5 percent, or the Consumer Price Index for the area plus 2 percent. Boston’s home rule limits rent raises to 10 percent, and Brookline’s to 7 percent.

COMMONWEALTH BEACON

Kraft’s campaign shot back: “Josh’s opt-in rent control plan would provide real relief to renters, unlike Mayor Wu’s failed plan that has helped no one,” a statement sent by Kraft spokesperson Eileen O’Connor read.

MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

— “ICE arrests Turkish national for allegedly assaulting intellectually disabled Somerville resident,” by Lila Hempel-Edgers, The Boston Globe: “A 27-year-old Turkish national was arrested in Somerville for allegedly assaulting two people and intimidating a witness, violating the terms of his admission to the United States, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said Wednesday. Berkan Karamurtlu is facing one charge of assault and battery against a household member, one charge of witness intimidation, and two charges of assault and battery against a person with an intellectual disability, ICE said in a statement. Karamurtlu, who lawfully entered the country in October of 2021 through John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, is expected to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge.”

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FROM THE DELEGATION

****ILLEGAL FUNDING FREEZE****

— “Markey, Warren demand clarity on NIH, NSF funding amid Trump administration cuts,” by Travis Andersen, The Boston Globe: “In a strongly worded letter, U.S. Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren on Wednesday demanded clarity from the heads of the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation on the funding status of the two agencies, after a judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s effort to drastically reduce federal support for biomedical research.”

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

— “Labs warn mold contamination is more widespread than Cannabis Control Commission has let on,” by Craig LeMoult, GBH News: “Mold contamination of cannabis sold in Massachusetts is far more common than state regulators have acknowledged, according to some labs tasked with testing the products. Last week, the Cannabis Control Commission issued a consumer advisory about mold in select products. The commission said it had received no reports of illnesses, and did not issue a recall. But some labs and consumer advocates argue the problem is much deeper than those products included in the advisory. They say the commission’s lax oversight has resulted in insufficient or even fraudulent testing.”

THE LOCAL ANGLE

HOSTILE TAKEOVER — Goodbye Hingham Bay, hello … Gulf of Weymouth?

Weymouth Mayor Bob Hedlund is taking a page out of the White House playbook , calling for a name change to the body of water.

“I am pleased to announce that today via Executive Order I have renamed Hingham Bay the Gulf of Weymouth,” Hedlund wrote on Facebook earlier this week .

His logic: Three of the harbor’s islands are technically part of Weymouth, and Weymouth was settled first. Plus, Hingham “has since been colonized itself by New Yorkers employed in financial services in Boston with no long standing history of the body of water formerly known as Hingham Bay.”

Not to worry, commuters. The Hingham commuter ferry will still be granted “tariff free” passage through the body of water. More from MassLive.

— “Brookline schools have a budget mess. The city’s taxpayers will pay for an audit to sort it out,” by Mandy McLaren, The Boston Globe: “The headlines documenting the Brookline school district’s budgetary woes started in December and haven’t let up. First, the district’s top special education official resigned, alleging financial mismanagement. A cadre of administrators followed shortly after with their own complaint, blaming budgetary blunders for putting vulnerable students’ services at risk. By January, Brookline school officials were admitting to a $6 million budget shortfall for fiscal 2026. A week later, they corrected their accounting: The district was actually $8.2 million in the hole. Now, it seems, Brookline taxpayers will be footing the bill to sort out the mess.”

— “New Bedford delays hiring for 45 days in some city departments,” by Colin Hogan, The New Bedford Light: “Mayor Jon Mitchell announced a temporary, 45-day hiring delay, but the new ‘austerity measure’ does not include any staffing reduction or apply to the largest sectors of city government — the schools, police, fire, or water departments — so only applies to 9.5% of the city government, based on budgeted positions for the current fiscal year.”

— “Thousands purged from voter rolls due to 'inactivity',” by Christian M. Wade, Gloucester Daily Times: “More than 120,000 Massachusetts voters were purged from the rolls over the past two years for ‘inactivity,’ which is prompting renewed calls on Beacon Hill to update the state’s election laws. A total of 742,265 voters removed from the rolls during the most recent two-year election cycle — from Oct. 29, 2022, to Oct. 26, 2024 — according to voter registration data released by Secretary of State Bill Galvin’s office.”

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

SPOTTED — grabbing lunch together at the UMass Club: Gov. Maura Healey and former House Speaker Bob DeLeo.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Opinion Diagnostics President Brian Wynne and wife Olivia welcomed daughter Felicity Whittaker Wynne Wednesday morning at Brigham & Women’s hospital. Pic .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Katie Trojano, Joshua Solomon, Emily Minster and Jamie Cushman.

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