POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Federal funds fracas still hitting home

 

By Kelly Garrity SHOW ‘EM THE MONEY — The White House may have rescinded its memo halting federal grants last month, but it hasn’t stopped disruptions in funding for some state programs — including one covering rape prevention and education in Massachusetts. The Department of Public Health was expecting to receive money at the start of the month from a grant it was approved for last year to help cover costs for the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention’s rape education program. But: “Regarding the Notice of Award (NOA) for Budget Year 2, we have received guidance from HHS and the CDC Office of Grants Services (OGS) indicating that there has been a halt in all grant transactions until further notice,” a CDC official wrote in a Jan. 31 email to some DPH employees. Massachusetts isn’t the only state seeing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant money they expected to receive at the start of the month go unfulfilled. NPR reported last week that some states are already making cuts to staffing at rape crisis centers. The frozen funding is giving Democrats an opening for attack: “Rape victims and survivors depend on this funding to receive lifesaving services and support — and they’re not going to get them because President Trump has cut off this funding,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement to Playbook. “This illegal action will make women and young people less safe, here in Massachusetts and across the country.” It’s just one example of the confusion that the halt on federal funds has created. Some environmental and infrastructure projects are also still waiting on federal dollars, despite the temporary restraining order a judge put on the White House last week. But if the funding doesn’t start flowing, programs could be at risk. Asked about how the Legislature is preparing for possible losses in federal support, House Speaker Ron Mariano said while he expects the impact “will be significant in all segments of the budget,” state funds won’t be able to fully fill the gaps. “We can patchwork and backstop some of the changes, but we cannot make the commitment to replace everything the feds take away,” the Quincy Democrat told WCVB in an interview that aired Sunday. GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and first lady Joanna Lydgate welcome King Abdullah II of Jordan and members of the Jordanian delegation to the State House at 11 a.m. Healey, King Abdullah II and state officials and business leaders participate in a business roundtable at 11:30 a.m. Sen. Ed Markey hosts a press conference with educators and members of state teachers’ unions on the White House’s proposed education policy at noon in Boston. Sen. Elizabeth Warren rallies at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at 4:15 p.m. in Washington.   We’ve re-imagined and expanded our Inside Congress newsletter to give you unmatched reporting on Capitol Hill politics and policy -- and we'll get it to your inbox even earlier. Subscribe today .     THE RACE FOR CITY HALL KRAFT STAFFS UP — Boston mayoral hopeful Josh Kraft on Friday rolled out a slate of new advisers pitching in on his campaign. The list includes Chanda Smart , the co-founder of The OnyxGroup, who will serve as a senior community adviser; Jacquetta Van Zandt , a longtime Boston strategist and the host of the podcast “Politics and Prosecco,” who will be a senior communications adviser on the campaign; Ann Chinchilla DeGeorge , who recently led the Boston Education Advisory Council and earlier worked for Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia, who will be a campaign adviser; and Michael Kineavy , a longtime aide to Mayor Tom Menino, who served as the city’s Chief of Policy and Planning (and as Menino’s political muscle). Kineavy is joining the campaign full-time as a senior campaign adviser. JOHN KELLER HAS BECOME KING OF SUPERFICIAL INTERVIEWS! AT NO TIME DID KELLER PIN THIS NEWTON NEBBISH DOWN FOR DETAILS!  JOSH KRAFT BLABS COMPLAINTS...NO SOLUTIONS! THE REASONS FOR HIGH HOUSING PRICES ARE KNOWN, WELL RESEARCHED....HIS SOLUTIONS? NOTHING! NO PUBLIC POLICY EXPERIENCE OR COMPREHENSION! WATCH —  “Mayoral candidate Josh Kraft on Boston bike lanes, struggling schools and how he's different from Michelle Wu,”  by Jon Keller, WBZ News. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is rolling out new endorsements this morning. Brothers state Rep. Chris Worrell and Boston City Councilor Brian Worrell are both backing Wu in her reelection bid, as is state Rep. Russell Holmes , per Wu’s campaign. “Mayor Wu and I have worked collaboratively on numerous issues that impact our Black and brown communities,” Rep. Worrell said in a statement shared by Wu’s campaign. “Mayor Wu has been a loyal ally — endorsing me on the front steps of my childhood home in Dorchester, and I am happy to endorse her for another four years as mayor to continue this shared work in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead!” And Councilor Brian Worrell said he is “proud to endorse Mayor Wu for reelection because she is deeply committed to addressing the issues that matter most to Bostonians.” “From expanding homeownership opportunities to reducing costs, she is ensuring that seniors and young families can continue to thrive in Boston,” he added. “I have full confidence that she will keep working to make our city a place where everyone can succeed.” DATELINE BEACON HILL — “Scores of staff members have left Massachusetts Auditor’s Office since Diana DiZoglio took over,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “A slew of staff members have left the Massachusetts State Auditor’s Office since Diana DiZoglio took over in January 2023, including two chiefs of staff and a former lawmaker who was tapped to lead audits into the state’s largest agency, according to records obtained by the Herald. DiZoglio entered the office tasked with promoting government transparency and efficiency after campaigning on a pledge to shine a light on Beacon Hill’s opaque inner workings. … But her tenure has been marked by the departure of at least 58 staff members of all levels since Jan. 20, 2023, or two days after DiZoglio assumed the position following her election to the post in 2022, according to a list her office compiled in response to a public records request.” PAYWALL BOSTON HERALD RAG  LAWYERING UP —  Faced with the possibility they’ll have to go to court to block state Auditor Diana DiZoglio from her audit (after voters overwhelmingly approved her ballot question last fall), the House sought to hire outside counsel, Chris Faraone  of  the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism  reported over the weekend . Bids were due at the start of the year, and the House has retained CEK Boston,  a spokesperson for House Speaker Ron Mariano told Playbook, though they didn’t respond to questions about how much the firm is being paid. INTERESTING ISSUES TO CONSIDER! — “Republican and Democratic lawmakers push for a statewide water conservation strategy,” by Bhaamati Borkhetaria, CommonWealth Beacon: “Following a year of unprecedented wildfires, roughly half a dozen Massachusetts lawmakers are putting their weight behind three bills that would make it easier for the state to conserve water during severe droughts. Currently, each municipality creates its own water conservation plan, but advocates say that as droughts become more frequent, Massachusetts needs to implement a statewide approach.” FILL IN THE BLANKS — How does a state account for a loss in federal funding? “You don’t,” House Speaker Ron Mariano said during an interview on WCVB’s “On The Record” Sunday. “There’s not much you can do.” There is a hefty rainy day fund budget writers could tap into if they need to. But: “You don't want to preemptively panic in terms of specific programs or things like that,” Doug Howgate, the president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, told Playbook. “We need to see what's out there, and we need to kind of assess things as they happen.” For now: Buckle up for a bumpy budget season.   A new era in Washington calls for sharper insights. Get faster policy scoops, more congressional coverage, and a re-imagined newsletter under the leadership of Jack Blanchard. Subscribe to our Playbook Newsletter today .     FROM THE HUB — “Michael Flaherty agrees to $253K severance package with Boston Water and Sewer Commission, ” by Tonya Alanez, The Boston Globe: “Michael Flaherty, ousted from the Boston Water and Sewer Commission after little more than a year as assistant counsel and then general counsel, will receive more than a quarter million dollars under the terms of a separation agreement signed Friday. Flaherty was terminated from the $224,999 post on Jan. 10. His dismissal followed an internal investigation by a former federal prosecutor, the scope of which was not disclosed. Flaherty, 55, signed the agreement Friday for a total of $253,669.51, according to a copy obtained by the Globe.” TRUMPACHUSETTS WATCH LEGAL CHALLENGES FOR STATUTORY VIOLATIONS INCLUDING THE IMPOUNDMENT ACT — “Trump administration cuts to health research is ‘an attack on Massachusetts,’ Markey says” by Laura Crimaldi, The Boston Globe: “Biomedical researchers in Massachusetts braced this weekend for drastic and sudden federal funding cuts which local officials say will upend scientific endeavors at universities and medical centers synonymous with the state’s reputation and economy. The change — announced by Republican President Trump’s administration on Friday and set to take effect Monday — caps reimbursement rates from the National Institutes of Health at 15 percent for expenses that support research operations but aren’t directly tied to performing science. The expenses are referred to as ‘indirect costs’ and pay for a range of services, personnel, and facilities like laboratory space, maintenance staff, and utilities.” — “Dems, unions, blast plans to 'dismantle' ed department,” by Christian M. Wade, Gloucester Daily Times: “Members of the state's all-Democrat congressional delegation are blasting President Donald Trump's plans to ‘dismantle’ the U.S. Department of Education, accusing the Republican of using teachers, students and school administrators as ‘pawns’ to advance his political agenda. In a statement, U.S. Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Reps. Lori Trahan and Seth Moulton and other lawmakers joined representatives of teachers' unions and school superintendents to condemn Trump's plans as an ‘attack on the entire public school system’ and pledging to ‘resist’ the efforts.”  PAY WALL WATCH THE LAWSUITS CHALLENGING TRUMP'S ILLEGAL ACTS! — “‘Purposeful chaos’: Mass. health care faces deluge of confusion after Trump DEI, gender orders,” by Hadley Barndollar, MassLive.  THE LOCAL ANGLE —  “Emergency shelter at Methuen Days Inn to close by June 30,”  by Teddy Tauscher, The Eagle Tribune:  “The state plans to close the Days Inn shelter on Pelham Street by June 30, according to Mayor D.J. Beauregard. The state had previously announced it would be working to phase out the use of hotels in its Emergency Assistance shelter system, but no exact timeline had been announced. The closing, however, may actually cost the city and its school district more, despite the millions spent on the program by the state so far.” —  “South Coast legislators’ bill would help protect Buzzards Bay,”  by Adam Goldstein, The New Bedford Light:  “Two local legislators have filed bills that would create a commission to study and recommend funding options for South Coast wastewater projects. State Sen. Mark Montigny and state Rep. Chris Markey said the goal of the commission would be to help local municipalities find financing to make necessary improvements to septic systems and aging wastewater treatment systems, without putting excessive costs on communities and ratepayers.” IS ANYONE OFFERING A LESS EXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVE? —  “Cape Cod mental health facility to close, state budget cuts cited. 'There's nothing.',”  by Rachael Devaney, The Cape Cod Times. FROM THE 413 — “With Massachusetts poised to implement new statewide housing plan, Berkshire leaders outline county’s specific needs,” by Josh Landes, WAMC Northeast Public Radio.  HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former state Senate Ways and Means Chair Stephen Brewer, The Boston Globe’s Jeff Jacoby, Nolan O’Brien, Christopher Hartman, Peter Douvris, Jess Arena and Jonathan Pappas. 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 .   Follow us on Twitter Kelly Garrity @KellyGarrity3   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters Follow us

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