OMG! The Bond Vigilantes! They’re just scapegoats. Here’s the real cause of our growing national debt. Robert Reich May 19 Friends, Last Friday, the credit rating of the United States was downgraded. Moody’s, the ratings firm, announced that the U.S. government’s rising debt levels will grow further if the Trump Republican package of new tax cuts is enacted. This makes lending to the United States riskier. (Moody’s is the third of three major credit-rating agencies to downgrade the credit rating of the United States.) So-called “bond vigilantes” are being blamed. They’ve already been selling the U.S. government’s debt, as the Republican tax package moves through Congress. They’re expected to sell even more, driving long-term interest rates even higher to make up for the growing risk of holding U.S. debt. Some right-wing Republicans in Congress have already used the Moody’s downgrade to justify deeper spending cuts in Medicaid, food stamps, and other social programs that lower-income Americans depend on. But, hello? There’s a far easier way to reduce the federal debt. Just end the Trump tax cuts that mainly benefit the wealthy and big corporations — and instead raise taxes on them. I’m old enough to remember when America’s super-rich financed the government with their tax payments. Under President Dwight Eisenhower — hardly a left-wing radical — the highest marginal tax rate was 91 percent. (Even after all tax credits and deductions were figured in, the super-rich paid way over half their top marginal incomes in taxes.) But increasingly — since the Reagan, George W. Bush, and Trump 1 tax cuts — tax rates on the super-rich have plummeted. So instead of financing the government with their taxes, the super-rich have been financing the U.S. government by lending it money. (You may have heard that America’s debt is held mainly by foreigners. Wrong. Over 70 percent of it is held by Americans — and most of them are wealthy.) So, an ever-increasing portion of the taxes from the rest of us are dedicated to paying ever-increasing interest payments on the debt — going largely to the super-rich. This means that when the debt of the United States is downgraded because Trump Republicans are planning another big tax cut mainly benefiting the rich and big corporations, most Americans could end up paying in three different ways: (1) They’ll pay even more interest on the growing debt — to the super-rich. (2) They’ll pay higher interest rates on all other long-term debt (as higher rates on Treasury bonds waft through the economy, they raise borrowing costs on everything from mortgages to auto loans). (3) The debt crisis will give Republicans even more excuse to do what they’re always wanting to do: slash safety nets. So many Americans could lose benefits they rely on, such as Medicaid and food stamps. The so-called “bond vigilantes” are easy scapegoats. They’re not the cause of this absurdity. Nor is the growing national debt. Just follow the money. The real cause is the growing political power of the super-rich and big corporations to lower their taxes at the expense of most Americans.

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: The human cost of Medicaid cuts

 

By Kelly Garrity DEAR CONGRESS — Eight years ago, then 10-year-old Liam Barry of Worthington, Mass., wrote a letter to Donald Trump, pleading with the president not to repeal the Affordable Care Act. “Thanks to the ACA , my mother has been able to get the care and medication she needs. If you repeal the ACA, my mother will not be able to get the care she needs,” Barry wrote at the time. “I know there are millions of kids in the same situation as me, so please think of them when you read this." The story caught the attention of Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s team , and she later retold Liam’s mom’s story and read the letter — which Liam also turned into a video — into the congressional record during debate over the American Health Care Act of 2017, the Republican-led legislation that would’ve pulled back major coverage provisions in the ACA. Flash forward, and Liam’s mom, Jenny, is in a similar predicament, as Congress weighs Medicaid cuts as part of the effort to slash spending in the sweeping policy package Republicans are pushing. With an assist from Warren’s office, Liam cut a new video from the same spot on his family’s front porch. “I can’t believe I’m reading this letter eight years later, still fighting for my mom to have health care,” he says in the video. “Cutting Medicaid will affect millions of American families just like mine, Republican and Democrat alike.” Much has changed for Liam, who is now in final days of high school — including his perspective on why he decided to speak out against health care cuts. In 2017, he was scared and angry that his mom, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, might not be able to receive medical treatment. Now, the goal is broader: To show “here's how [these cuts] are going to affect millions of people just like me,” he told Playbook. Democrats have for months been hammering Republicans for threatening social programs. Now that debate has begun on the megabill, they’re are jumping at the chance to showcase the human cost of those spending cuts — through personal stories they’re telling during debate — as they look for a winning midterm message. Republicans, meanwhile, have accused their Democratic colleagues of fear mongering for political purposes. When exactly the megabill will make it to the Senate is unclear. The bill advanced through the House Budget Committee last night after hitting a snag late last week. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Sunday the plan is still to get the package to the Senate by Memorial Day, and Republican leaders and the House are racing to bring the more 1,100-page bill by Thursday. GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . Pour one out for an injured Boston Celtics squad that ended its season with a loss to the New York Knicks Friday . TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey has no public events. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll speaks at Massachusetts Fallen Heroes’ STRAC Pitch Competition at 7:45 p.m. in Boston. Attorney General Andrea Campbell delivers the keynote address at Quincy College's commencement at 11 a.m. in Quincy. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@politico.com .  THE RACE FOR CITY HALL FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Teamsters Local 25 is endorsing Boston Mayor Michelle Wu for reelection, calling her a the “strong, tested leader Boston needs and deserves.”  "Mayor Michelle Wu is a proven champion for the working class who always stands-up for our members and their best interests,” Teamsters Local 25 President Tom Mari said in a statement. “As a city councilor and mayor, she has never wavered in her support and has been relentless fighting for better wages and workplace conditions.” ****SCRUTINIZE THE RHETORIC OF THE CARPETBAGGING NEWTON NEBBISH WHO HAS NEVER HELD ELECTED OFFICE, HAS FOCUSED ON ATTACKS & OFFERED MINDLESS SOLUTIONS! CONTINUALLY INDICATES HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH HOW GOVERNMENT WORKS! CLAIMED HE WOULD RECUSE HIMSELF IN MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE FAMILY SOCCER FIASCO THAT THREATENS SEVERE IMPACTS, BUT DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHO WOULD PROTECT BOSTON! TOO LAZY TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE! THE NEWTON NEBBISH IS NOT PROTECTING BOSTON!****   excerpts:  Wu planted punches on Kraft, criticizing his calls to trim the city budget and going back and forth over transportation policy. When he declined to clearly answer a yes-or-no question, she dubbed him “Mr. Halfsies.” Kraft took most of the attacks in stride, offering Wu a good-natured handshake in response to the new nickname. THE CARPETBAGGING NEWTON NEBBISH HAS NO SOLUTION FOR MASS & CASS! SCRUTINIZE HIS RHETORIC!  And while he knocked the city’s response to the addiction crisis that’s long plagued the Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard intersection — giving Wu an “F” on the issue — he acknowledged that solutions were “easier said than done.”  35 YEARS SURROUNDED BY RAISING $$$ FROM ELITES OUT OF PUBLIC SCRUTINY! SUPERFICIAL CANDIDATE WITH NO SOLUTIONS, UNABLE TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS OR PROVIDE SUBSTANTIVE SOLUTIONS LIKE HIS MASS & CASS GIBBERISH! One moment that attendees likely won’t soon forget — in a night with mostly forgettable moments — came during a rapid-fire question section in the last minutes of the forum, when moderator and GBH News reporter Saraya Wintersmith asked candidates to say which ward they lived in. CARPETBAGGER: Kraft, who bought a condo in the North End in 2023 , said he didn’t know, eliciting some grumbling from the crowd of mostly of Democratic Ward Committee members. ****CARPETBAGGER NEWTON NEBBISH MISTATED THE BIKE LANE STUDY THAT WAS PLANNED PRIOR TO HIS COMMENTS...WHITE STADIUM WAS SUPPORTED BY THE COURT - THOSE INCLUDED IN THE COURT CHALLENGE WERE NOT NEIGHBORS - LISTEN TO COMMENTS ABOUT THE POLLING...CAN'T ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT RECUSAL BECAUSE HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW GOVERNMENT WORKS!**** — Candidate Kraft offers unclear recusal plan when family’s involved in Boston business by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: “Boston mayoral candidate Josh Kraft Tuesday failed to explain how he could recuse himself from conflicts of interest involving the city of Boston and his family’s multi-pronged business if elected, potentially adding to concerns about the financial implications of his bid to lead the city.” MORE PACT ACTION — More money has poured into the political action committee backing Josh Kraft’s mayoral campaign, campaign finance filings show . The “Your City Your Future” PAC raked in another $1.61 million from April 19 to May 16, according to the filings posted Friday. Among the latest donors: Michael Rubin, the CEO of the sports merchandise platform Fanatics, who donated $1 million; Dee and James Haslam, managing partners at Haslam Sports Group, who each donated $50,000; and Marc Casper, the CEO of Thermo Fisher Scientific, who donated $10,000.  The group spent $25,000 on digital advertising to support Kraft, per the filing. HUH? NO SOLUTION FOR TRAFFIC CONGESTION? — Michelle Wu, Josh Kraft trade barbs as Boston mayor’s race gets off to a fiery start by Emma Platoff and Niki Griswold, The Boston Globe. — Robert Laferriere joins race for mayor in Easthampton by Alexa Lewis, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Robert Laferriere has emerged as the third candidate for mayor of Easthampton, with hopes of enacting change in his community. Laferriere, 56, will vie for the mayoral position against City Councilor JT Tirrell and Mayoral Executive Assistant Lindsi Sekula. Current Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, who has been in office since 2018, announced in 2023 that she would not seek reelection for a fourth term.” DATELINE BEACON HILL ***MBTA COMMUNITIES ACT passed under GOV. CHARLIE BAKER, promoted by MIKE KENNEALY!*** ***TRUMPER MIKE KENNEALY IS BRAIN DEAD TO NOT RECOGNIZE THE MANDATES OF THE MBTA COMMUNITIES ACT! THIS IS THE CLOWN WHO WANTS TO HOLD OFFICE?  NOTICE HOW THESE CLOWNS FLOCK TO THE BOSTON HERALD PROPAGANDA RAG! MUST READ!  GUESS MIKE KINNEALY MISSED THE MASSIVE ANTI-TRUMP PROTESTS! IF YOU WANT TO ELECT TRUMP THE ECONOMIC DESTRUCTIONIST, SUPPORT MIKE KENNEALY!**** — GOP’s Mike Kennealy ‘never’ thought MBTA Communities Act would lead to lawsuits by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Mike Kennealy, a Republican candidate for governor and former housing and economic development secretary, blasted the Healey administration for targeting cities and towns that do not abide by a controversial transit-oriented zoning law with legal action. In an interview with the Herald, Kennealy said he would not advocate for the repeal of a contentious shelter law but rather push for further reforms. He also described a 2017 immigration-related state court ruling as a ‘real problem,’ and vowed to work with President Donald Trump if elected governor.” — MBTA zoning law subject of multiple amendments in Senate by Matthew Medsgar, Boston Herald: “The budget fight due to take place in the senate this week will apparently include at least some discussion about revisiting the MBTA zoning law which has caused no small amount of trouble for a number of Bay State municipalities in recent months. The fiscal 2026 senate budget proposal includes hundreds of amendments, and some are aimed at helping cities and towns deal with the impacts of a law that senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr said ‘is with us to stay.’” — Should Beacon Hill lawmakers be required to show up to work? by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Months into the new session, the House and Senate have yet to agree on a new package of internal rules that govern the relationship between the two branches, including guidelines for how legislative committees can advance bills in their possession to floor votes. A group of six lawmakers negotiating an internal joint rules agreement disagree on a number of major policies, including when formal business should conclude for the two-year legislative term and who exactly should draft summaries of legislation before committees. But one of the biggest sticking points by far is whether to require lawmakers’ attendance at committee hearings.”   Did you know Playbook goes beyond the newsletter—with powerhouse new co-hosts at the mic? Tune in to The Playbook Podcast every weekday for exclusive intel and sharp analysis on Trump’s Washington, straight from Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns. Start listening now .     WHAT'S ON CAMPBELL'S DOCKET ***MUST READ! AGS PROTECTING THE NATION AGAINST ILLEGAL ACTIONS & OPPOSING DICTATORSHIP!**** — New England AGs to Trump: ‘Bring it on’ by Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Beacon: “Attorneys General from around New England struck a defiant posture at a town hall gathering on Friday evening. Together they pledged that nothing is off the table when it comes to holding immigration officials accountable, lauded the courts for standing firm so far, and pointed at an ever-growing pile of litigation targeting the Trump administration’s actions on everything from energy policy to anti-discrimination law.” excerpts:  The offices are putting out guidance for individuals and organizations, fighting against policy changes that would claw back immigration protections like Temporary Protected Status, connecting people with lawyers, and reminding law enforcement that it does not need to enable Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Campbell spoke complimentarily of the decision by Worcester’s police chief to request that charges be dropped against the distraught 16-year-old daughter of a woman arrested in an ICE incident that has drawn intense backlash.  But “nothing is off the table” when it comes to pushing back on ICE oversteps, she said.  “If the US attorney can threaten us about us getting in the way of these policies and immigration enforcement, well guess what? We can bring it back,” Campbell said, adding slyly, “in a collaborative and loving way.”  He also laid out how he sees the administration’s playbook in general: bypass congressional power of the purse, strip allocated taxpayer dollars from essential programs or make sweeping declarations on constitutional matters, and challenge the legitimacy of district courts when they issue nationwide injunctions blocking the president’s actions.  “What we’re dealing with here, in my view, is a creeping authoritarianism,” he said. “And it’s not really creeping, is it?” To constituents who are looking for hope, he asked that they remember “every day there are lawyers who get up in the morning, like my colleagues here and all across the country in Democratic states, and fight for you. We are your lawyers. We are fighting for you, and we are winning.”  The latest legal volley from a collective of Democratic attorneys general – including the five New England AGs participating in the town hall – challenges a federal threat to withhold billions of dollars in transportation and disaster-relief funds unless states agree to cooperate with certain immigration enforcement actions.  Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in an emailed statement to Axios that no funding has been withheld.  The day before the town hall, Campbell and Tong joined Democratic attorneys general from New Jersey, Washington, and California after US Supreme Court arguments on Trump’s executive order purporting to end birthright citizenship for the children of parents who enter the US illegally or on a temporary visa.   Tong noted on Friday that so far the “courts are holding,” but some of the voices in the current administration are still talking about potentially “de-naturalizing” American citizens like his parents, Tong said.  The case currently before the nation’s high court is ostensibly about whether lower court judges can issue injunctions halting presidential executive orders nationwide – rather than only applying to a specific set of plaintiffs who bring suits inside specific jurisdictions – but justices toyed with whether they should consider the underlying merits of the birthright citizenship suit as well.  “I think what’s most important is not just the limited argument today,” Campbell said. “It’s that everyone should care about this birthright citizenship issue. It is not just about the access to citizenship and the privileges afforded by citizenship. If they can dismantle the 14th Amendment in our Constitution, they can also dismantle the other rights and privileges afforded our residents.”  The president took to his social media platform, Truth Social, after the arguments before the Supreme Court.  “The Radical Left SleazeBags, which has no cards remaining in its illegal bag of tricks, is, in a very coordinated manner, PLAYING THE REF with regard to the United States Supreme Court,” he posted. “They lost the Election in a landslide, and with it, have totally lost their confidence and reason. They are stone cold CRAZY! I hope the Supreme Court doesn’t fall for the games they play. The people are with us in bigger numbers than ever before. They want to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”  Trump continued lashing out throughout Friday after the US Supreme Court maintained a block on his deportations under wartime law.  The US government is ultimately “an honor system,” Tong said, constructed of people bound together by belief and commitment to democratic principles. No higher power is going to force Trump to comply with the rule of law, but the country is too diverse and decentralized to be “swallowed whole” by any one administration, he added  “Be as noisy and chaotic and boisterous as we can be,” he said, “in every state and every jurisdiction, and make it hard for them every step of the way.”  FROM THE HUB ****NOTICE HOW THE BOSTON HERALD PROPAGANDA RAG REGURGITATES ILLEGAL & INFLAMMATORY RHETORIC SO EASILY! IT WAS PREVIOUSLY NOTED THAT UNDER AN SJC DETERMINATION, THE CITY CAN'T FIRE SOMEONE PRIOR TO CONVICTION & SENTENCING! ED FLYNN TEMPER TANTRUMS WITHOUT FACTS SEEM COMMON!**** — Councilor Flynn calls for Economic Opportunity and Inclusion chief’s resignation by Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald: “City Councilor Ed Flynn issued a call for the resignation of Boston’s Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu, and is seeking an outside investigation of several city departments. He made the call Sunday in a statement shared on social media.” ***BOSTON HERALD PROPAGANDA RAG IS OBSESSED WITH REGURGITATING WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN! NOTHING BETTER TO DO?**** — Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson was $19K in debt at time of $7K kickback by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson was nearly $20,000 in debt in 2023, the same year that she pocketed a $7,000 kickback in a City Hall bathroom that recently resulted in her federal corruption conviction, public records show. Fernandes Anderson owed $19,000 of a $35,000 loan from what appeared to be a student loan provider at the time, according to a financial disclosure statement she filed with the city clerk last year and which covered the year of 2023.” — Haitian pride unfurled in Greater Boston as community confronts Trump immigration push by Laura Crimaldi, The Boston Globe. CAMPAIGN MODE ****TRUMPER MIKE KENNEALY PROMOTED THE MBTA COMMUNITIES ACT!**** ***TRUMPER MIKE KENNEALY IS BRAIN DEAD TO NOT RECOGNIZE THE MANDATES OF THE MBTA COMMUNITIES ACT! THIS IS THE CLOWN WHO WANTS TO HOLD OFFICE?  GUESS MIKE KINNEALY MISSED THE MASSIVE ANTI-TRUMP PROTESTS! IF YOU WANT TO ELECT TRUMP THE ECONOMIC DESTRUCTIONIST, SUPPORT MIKE KENNEALY!**** — GOP’s Mike Kennealy ‘never’ thought MBTA Communities Act would lead to lawsuits by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Mike Kennealy, a Republican candidate for governor and former housing and economic development secretary, blasted the Healey administration for targeting cities and towns that do not abide by a controversial transit-oriented zoning law with legal action. In an interview with the Herald, Kennealy said he would not advocate for the repeal of a contentious shelter law but rather push for further reforms. He also described a 2017 immigration-related state court ruling as a ‘real problem,’ and vowed to work with President Donald Trump if elected governor.” ***NO SOLUTION FOR THE NATIONWIDE HOUSING CRISIS!****     REPUBLICAN CLOWNS WHINE & COMPLAIN ABOUT THE COST OF SHELTERS, DOES ANY SINGLE REPUBLICAN PROPOSE A SOLUTION? NO!  The state’s emergency shelter system serves both permanent Massachusetts residents and migrant new arrivals. THE BLOVIATORS IGNORE THIS: More than 75% of families now seeking shelter are “long-time Massachusetts” residents, according to the Healey administration.  THESE ARE THE LIES THE MASS GOP & AMY CARNEVALE PERPETUATE:  “She has the resources to spend over $1 billion a year to fund the migrant crisis — but can’t backfill $12 million to ensure our children have access to healthy, locally sourced meals?” Carnevale continued. Homelessness rates jumped by double digits in 2024 as Americans battled to afford housing excerpt:  Across the U.S., more than 771,800 people lived without housing in 2024, according to a count taken annually on a single night in January. The number for January 2024 is 18.1% higher than in 2023, when officials counted about 650,000 people living in homeless shelters or in parks and on streets. In 2022, the population of people experiencing homelessness was about 580,000. USNEWS TODAY POINT OF AGREEMENT — Republican gubernatorial hopeful Mike Kennealy hammered Gov. Maura over her leadership on everything from the state budget to the migrant and shelter crisis that’s dominated much of her first term during an interview on WCVB’s “On the Record” that aired Sunday . But there’s at least one issue they are aligned on: Getting phones out of schools. “I think it’s a good idea,” Kennealy said of the call from Healey and Senate President Karen Spilka to limit phone use in classrooms. BIDEN TIME BIDEN BOMBSHELL — The news Sunday that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer prompted an outpouring of support from politicians across the political spectrum. The cancer has metastasized to the bone, according to the announcement from Biden’s personal office, but it “appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.” Gov. Maura Healey called the announcement “heartbreaking news for any family .” “Joe Biden always meets adversity with toughness, resilience, and a deep faith,” Sen. Ed Markey posted on X . “I’m confident he will battle cancer with everything he’s got.” Biden, “has brought strength and faith to all of life’s battles, and this diagnosis will be no different,” Rep. Richard Neal echoed . “I’m keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in my heart and prayers right now.” Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Democratic Whip Katherine Clark both offered their prayers for the family, noting Biden’s efforts to prevent cancer deaths. “Joe Biden has worked for years to advance the cause of beating cancer, and now we have his back in this fight,” Warren wrote .   Policy moves fast—stay ahead with POLITICO’s Policy Intelligence Assistant. Effortlessly search POLITICO's archive of 1M+ news articles, analysis documents, and legislative text. Track legislation, showcase your impact, and generate custom reports in seconds. Designed for POLITICO Pro subscribers, this tool helps you make faster, smarter decisions. Start exploring now .     FROM THE 413 — 'Do not sit in fear.' Organizers urge action after spate of ICE arrests in Berkshire County by Lauren Dorsey, The Berkshire Eagle. PAY WALL — Override debate heats up in Belchertown: ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ camps make case to voters in advance of town election by Emilee Klein, Daily Hampshire Gazette. — Candidates for Stockbridge Select Board divided on key issues in the community by Clarence Fanto, The Berkshire Eagle: “Two candidates will compete for a single seat on the three-member Select Board in Tuesday’s annual town election, a contest that reflects several key issues roiling town voters in recent months. Incumbent Jamie Minacci, the current chair, maintained an open mind during five months of debate on the major hotel-residential project at the former DeSisto Estate at 35-37 Interlaken Road (Route 183). Ultimately, she voted for the special permit application, which was granted unanimously by the Select Board Thursday night. Challenger Lisa Sauer opposed the project, expressing a view that the town should look askance at large development proposals.” THE LOCAL ANGLE ****WORCESTER ICE GESTAPO ABUSE!**** — Worcester officials release 'disturbing' body cam footage of ICE standoff by Simón Rios, WBUR: “City officials in Worcester released 911 calls and body cam footage from a dramatic standoff around an ICE arrest last week that drew angry protesters and dozens of Worcester police officers. City Manager Eric Batista and Police Chief Paul Saucier released three separate videos, totaling about an hour of footage, depicting officers as they arrive amid a chaotic scene. The fracas played out on Eureka Street on May 8, as federal agents arrested Brazilian national Rosane Ferreira De Oliveira.” RELATED — Worcester ICE showdown underscores need for Massachusetts first responder buffer zone: lawmakers by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald: “Massachusetts lawmakers with policing backgrounds say the confrontation between activists and ICE agents in Worcester underscores the need for first responders to have the power to create a buffer zone from unruly bystanders.” BOSTON HERALD PROPAGANDA RAG PAY WALL ALSO RELATED — On GoFundMe page, daughter describes events leading up to ICE arrest in Worcester by Toni Caushi, Telegram & Gazette: “The daughter of the woman taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Eureka Street on May 8 says the arrest stemmed from events the previous day, when her partner had honked at a car that had federal agents inside.” PAY WALL ***MUST READ!***** — MA billionaire gives Bridgewater State graduates $1,000 each: 'Share in the joy of giving' by Chris Helms, The Brockton Enterprise: “You might expect a commencement speaker to try giving graduates pearls of wisdom. This one brought cash. Telecom CEO Robert T. Hale Jr. surprised more than 1,400 Bridgewater State University undergraduates with envelopes of $1,000 cash at the Friday, May 16 commencement ceremony at Gillette Stadium.” excerpts:  Telecom CEO Robert T. Hale Jr. surprised more than 1,400 Bridgewater State University undergraduates with envelopes of $1,000 cash at the Friday, May 16 commencement ceremony at Gillette Stadium. "This represents how kind-hearted BSU is and how they're continually committed to giving back to their students," said accounting and finance major Reagan Taylor in a video produced by the university, "and rewarding us for the hard efforts we've put in to our degree and it makes me really proud to be a Bear." A previous scene shows her opening her envelopes with friends and flashing her cash to the camera. Hale, founder and CEO of Granite Telecommunications, gave each graduate two envelopes with $500 in each. "The first $500 is for you, to celebrate your accomplishments," Hale told the graduates. "The second envelope says ‘give’ on it. Give that $500 to somebody or another organization who could use it more than you. Share in the joy of giving." “Rob’s gift embodies the spirit of service and leadership we strive to instill in our students,” Fred Clark, president of Bridgewater State University, said in a statement released by the Bridgewater school. “His example inspires our graduates to lead with compassion and purpose.” Who is Quincy billionaire Rob Hale? BSU said that since Hale founded Quincy-based Granite Telecommunications in 2002, he has given away more than $400 million to cancer research, education, and community causes. His fortune has earned him a spot on Forbes' list of the world's richest people. The university emphasized its role in preparing students for careers in science and technology, saying it educates the most teachers and STEM teachers of any university in Massachusetts. The school also highlighted a new way it plans to make education affordable: Starting in fall 2025, The Bridgewater Commitment will cover the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduates from families earning $125,000 or less. — City invites residents to participate in Salem City Academy 2025 by The Salem News Staff: “Mayor Dominick Pangallo and city officials encourage all Salem residents to apply for this year’s cohort. The 10-week program provides an educational opportunity for residents to visit municipal offices and learn how local government works. Program participants will get the opportunity to see municipal government at work up close and meet one-on-one with department heads and other city staff.” — Norton voters face revised Elm Street water/sewer plan, MBTA zoning law districts at Monday's town meeting by Madison Dunphy, The Sun Chronicle. PAY WALL HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to GBH’s Katie Lannan, Raul Fernandez, Sydney Simon o f Rep. Seth Moulton’s office; NBC10/NECN alum Alison King, NBC10/NECN’s Sean Colahan and Stephanie Nigro. 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 X 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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