TRADE AGREEMENT WITH UK...IS NOT THE EUROPEAN UNION!
Occupy Democrats
Everyone in England is currently laughing at Donald Trump right now — and for a very good reason! 
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - MOVED TO MIDDLEBORO REVIEW AND SO ON https://middlebororeviewandsoon.blogspot.com/
TRADE AGREEMENT WITH UK...IS NOT THE EUROPEAN UNION!
Everyone in England is currently laughing at Donald Trump right now — and for a very good reason! 
MONEY TALKS — Massachusetts’ “millionaires tax” has been boosting the state’s bottom line, but some of the state’s top Democrats aren’t rushing to defend it.
Gov. Maura Healey and House and Senate budget writers have leaned on the 4 percent surtax on incomes above $1 million to fuel new spending in the past couple years. So, it came as a surprise when Healey seemed to say she wouldn’t step in to stop efforts to repeal the law. The governor tempered those comments the following day, pointing to “transformational” investments her administration has made in education and transportation as a result of the levy.
She’s not the only one still wary about what the tax — backed by voters in 2022 — will mean for Massachusetts down the road. House Budget Chief Aaron Michlewitz told reporters Monday he still believes it’s “too early” to tell.
"We've got a long way to go before we kind of get to that conclusion of if this is working or not, or how this is affecting our long-term sustainability in the economy," the Boston Democrat said Monday.
So far, the tax has been a boon for Massachusetts. The House and Senate struck a deal Monday on a supplemental budget funded by more than $1.3 billion in surplus surtax revenue that would, among other things, deliver more than $500 million to the MBTA, including infusing its reserves with $300 million. Andrew Farnitano, a spokesperson for Raise Up Massachusetts, a coalition that helped pass the ballot question, called it an “unqualified success that’s serving as a model for other states that want to invest in quality public services with a fairer tax system.”
But Healey hit on a common concern last week — that wealthy residents looking for greener pastures — i.e. lower taxes — could start moving out of Massachusetts.
Keeping the future of the tax open-ended is the safe way to go, Doug Howgate, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, told Playbook.
“We've seen what's happened over the last two years, but we don't have a long track record here,” Howegate said, “whether it's in terms of revenues or whether it's in terms of larger impact, and I think it's appropriate for folks to say that we're going to continue to monitor those things closely.”
GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. The Boston Globe has more on what made it into the supplemental surtax compromise.
TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey speaks at the BIO International Convention at 9 a.m. and kicks things off at the conference’s Massachusetts Pavilion at 10:20 a.m. in Boston Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speak at an event remembering the Battle of Bunker Hill at 3:15 p.m. in Charlestown. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll delivers remarks at the Lawrence Partnership’s Annual Meeting at 11 a.m. in Lawrence, speaks at the BIO International Convention at 1:15 p.m. and attends an event hosted by Survivors Say at 5 p.m. in Boston. Auditor Diana DiZoglio is the keynote speaker at the Wakefield Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner at 5 p.m. in Wakefield. Rep. Stephen Lynch holds a press conference with Connecticut Rep. Joe Courtney and Maine Rep. Jared Golden to talk about revitalizing the U.S. shipbuilding and repair industry at 11:30 a.m. in Boston. Wu hosts a coffee hour in South Boston at 10 a.m. and is on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” at 1 p.m.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@politico.com.
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.
OH, CANADA — Northeastern governors and leaders from six Canadian provinces met in Boston Monday under the looming specter of a trade war between the long-time allies.
The group of governors — Janet Mills of Maine, Kathy Hochul of New York, Phil Scott of Vermont and Dan McKee of Rhode Island — highlighted their states’ reliance on trade and tourism from Canada. And Canadian premiers opened up about their frustration with the White House.
“The rhetoric that we've been hearing out of the president is unfortunate,” said Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario. “Leaders around the world that I’ve talked to are dumbfounded. … [They’ve] said ‘I can’t believe the president is going after your country.’ And we’re in disbelief, too.”
But as the meeting closed, they acknowledged there’s not much they can do to circumvent the tariffs that President Donald Trump is threatening to impose on America’s northern neighbor.
"We're limited as individual provinces and states, to a certain extent, around some of this," Gov. Maura Healey said, when asked by reporter what tangibles might emerge from the meeting “But I think we're going to commit to work on ways to ensure a better flow of trade, a sustained flow of activity that will mitigate against some of the disruption to the supply chain that we've seen.”
One concrete item that did come out of the meeting Monday: Healey’s latest fundraising appeal.
COLUMN — Sleepless in Boston: Governors and Canadian premiers share their pain by Jonathan Martin, POLITICO.
— Embattled schools chief Pedro Martinez to lead Massachusetts education by John Hilliard, The Boston Globe: “Pedro Martinez, tapped this spring to become state’s next education commissioner, has encountered his fair share of controversy as a schools leader who has battled elected leaders in Nevada, Texas, and Illinois. And as he takes charge in Massachusetts July 1, Martinez said he won’t back down if he thinks he’s acting in the best interests of students.”
— Legislature seeks more funds for safety-net hospitals by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “Tucked into a $533 million supplemental budget set to be taken up by the state Senate Wednesday is a proposal calling for another $174 million for ‘financially strained’ acute care hospitals.”
— In face of Trump, Mass. Legislature has passed few bills amid tension and infighting by Samantha J. Gross and Matt Stout, The Boston Globe: “After a session marked by public finger-pointing and backlogged lawmaking, Massachusetts Democratic leaders this year promised a Legislature that would be more efficient, vowed more transparency, and committed to fighting President Trump’s agenda. But so far, there’s been a lot of fighting amongst themselves. In recent weeks, Democratic leaders have jabbed at each other in press releases. They’ve argued about who is, and is not, attending hearings. And they have yet to even agree on rules governing their own operations, let alone on much actual legislation as state-level Democrats fashion themselves as bulwarks against Trump’s administration.”
THE RACE FOR CITY HALL
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK—Former Easthampton City Councilor Daniel Rist and Easthampton School Committee Member Linda Markee are endorsing Lindsi Sekula in her bid for mayor in Easthampton, per her campaign.
"As someone who served for nearly three decades on the City Council, I care deeply about Easthampton’s future — and I believe Lindsi Sekula is the right choice to lead us forward,” Rist, Easthampton’s longest-serving city councilor, said in a statement. “Lindsi knows how City Hall works because she’s been doing the work. Her years of experience, steady leadership, and deep commitment to our community make her uniquely qualified to be our next Mayor.”
****NEWTON NEBBISH MAKES WILD ACCUSATIONS...NO PROOF! JUST A CLOWN! NOTHING OF SUBSTANCE BEYOND HIS WEALTHY DONORS! BOSTON NEEDS SOMEONE WHO DEFENDS BOSTON'S INTERESTS & UNDERSTANDS THE ISSUES....LIKE MAYOR WU! THERE WAS A COMMENT THAT THE NEWTON NEBBISH SIGNED DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE KRAFT EVERETT SOCCER FIASCO...IF THE NEWTON NEBBISH RECUSES HIMSELF, WHO WILL FIGHT FOR BOSTON?****
— Josh Kraft again blasts Wu over White Stadium, claiming costs have skyrocketed by Eve Zuckoff, WBUR: “Boston mayoral candidate Josh Kraft again blasted Mayor Michelle Wu's handling of the White Stadium renovation project on Monday, saying costs have spiraled. But he didn't provide on-the-record evidence to back up his claim. Speaking in front of the Franklin Park stadium's crumbling facade, Kraft said the city was now on the hook for $172 million to cover its portion of the rebuild. That's far higher than the $91 million Wu's office estimated in December, or the $50 million price tag announced when the Boston Planning and Development Agency approved permits for the plan in July 2024. … A spokesperson for the city did not confirm Kraft's figure or provide an updated project cost estimate. But the city did provide a document that appears to show the cost still stands at $90.1 million.”
MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS
***PLYMOUTH SHERIFF DEPORTATIONS!***
— Neal sounds off on Trump policies at regional event in Holyoke to discuss housing crisis by Alexander MacDougall, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “U.S. Rep. Richard Neal on Monday attacked President Donald Trump’s proposed budget bill as well as efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency to remake Social Security, while also criticizing the promotion of inflammatory rhetoric on social media as opposed to regular dialogue.”
— Representatives Seth Moulton, Ayanna Pressley hold town halls opposing Trump by Anjali Huynh and Sean Cotter, The Boston Globe: “Representatives Seth Moulton and Ayanna Pressley, at separate town halls in Massachusetts 25 miles apart, heavily criticized a swath of actions President Trump has ordered, from mass immigration raids to sweeping funding cuts, while acknowledging left-leaning voters urging their Democratic representatives to do more to resist his administration.”
— Auchincloss probes possible conflicts of interest for top RFK advisers by Tal Kopan, The Boston Globe.
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
— Amherst advocates decry budget freeze for community responders by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “With the Town Council presented a budget from Town Manager Paul Bockelman that freezes funding for two of the eight full-time responders, and eliminating a grant-funded program implementation manager, members of the Community Safety and Social Justice Committee are criticizing the spending plan, especially at a time when fear is gripping already marginalized communities in town due to ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions.”
— Barrett casts lone no vote on MCLA arts center commendation by Sten Spinella, The Berkshire Eagle: “Rep. John Barrett III hopes he's wrong. But he’s still not convinced. On Thursday, the North Adams Democrat cast the lone dissenting vote as the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Board of Trustees commended the MCLA Foundation for securing a multimillion-dollar gift to fund the planned Campagna Kleefeld Center for Creativity in the Arts.”
THE LOCAL ANGLE
— Attleboro city council hears arguments on proposed ban on rodenticides by Rhianwen Watkins, The Sun Chronicle: “Rat poison has risen to the forefront of local and state politics recently, as studies have shown it poses significant harm to wildlife. Several birds of prey, foxes, bobcats, and even household pets are at risk of secondary poisoning from rodenticides and many, especially predatory birds across the state, have died over the years as a result.”
— North Andover schools to bring back some staff by Angelina Berube, The Eagle-Tribune: “The school district plans to reinstate about a dozen positions next school year which were part of budget cuts as it makes use of various funds, including the $1 million extra approved by Town Meeting voters for the fiscal year 2026 budget. Superintendent Pamela Lathrop provided the staffing update to the School Committee at its meeting on Thursday.”
— Who wants to be on the New Bedford School Committee? by Colin Hogan, The New Bedford Light.
— Candidates pull nomination papers for Lowell City Council, School Committee seats by Melanie Gilbert, The Lowell Sun.
HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH
WEDDING BELLS — Alex Demou, director of legislative and trustee relations at the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, married Tina Ascolillo, vice president at Rasky Partners, in Newport, Rhode Island, on June 5. The couple met working as staffers on Beacon Hill.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to CBS News reporter Nicole Sganga, state Rep. Aaron Saunders and Maxwell Nunes.
|
|
A FEW COMMENTS;
Remember when they gleefully laughed about Paul Pelosi's near murder?!!! They are sick!
Mike Lee is a disgrace. The Mormon Church should be calling him out.
HUGE RESPECT for Minnesota Senator Tina Smith for confronting Senator Mike Lee regarding his hateful social media comments immediately in reaction to the murder of Minnesota democratic leader Melissa Hortman and her husband. We definitely need more democratic fighters like Tina Smith. We all need to practice the courage and decency of Senator Tina Smith.
Mike Lee and Joni Ernst think they are being clever and funny, when in fact they are just total jackasses!
The family dog was killed too. In my opinion, that’s like killing a child. What a monster.
/ @briantylercohennews
YouTube (español):
/ @briantylercohenespanol
Order my #1 NYT bestselling book: https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/s...
Newsletter: https://plus.briantylercohen.com
Twitch:
/ briantylercohen
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/36UvEHs
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0066rKC...
Twitter:
/ briantylercohen
Instagram:
/ briantylercohen
Facebook:
/ briantylercohen
TikTok:
/ briantylercohen
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/briantylerco...
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@briantylercohen
The Scandal That’s Sticking Deflection and diversion for once aren’t working for Teflon Don Dan Rather and Team Steady Jul 17 Credit: Getty ...