POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Healey's pride: Mass. LGBTQ protections

 

View in browser   BY KELLY GARRITY AND LISA KASHINSKY ‘WELCOME, DISNEY’ — Gov. Maura Healey’s latest sales pitch for Massachusetts: legal protections for LGBTQ people. State legislatures across the country have proposed more than 500 anti-LGBTQ bills this year (a record, according to the Human Rights Campaign ). They include restrictions on gender-affirming care and bans on books and drag performances. Massachusetts, meanwhile, has charted a different course: codifying access to gender-affirming care as part of last year’s response to the Dobbs decision; electing Healey as the state’s first openly lesbian governor; and hosting a drag show on the State House steps last week and inviting the performers to the floor of the Senate chamber. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, center, center, poses for a photograph with drag performers during a Pride Month Celebration, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, on the steps of the Statehouse, in Boston. | AP Some two dozen bills on Beacon Hill would further expand LGBTQ protections and medical care, including measures that would improve access to HIV-prevention medication and teach LGBTQ history in schools. Just two bills filed this session have been flagged by advocacy groups like the ACLU as potentially harmful for LGBTQ people, but both appear to be more broadly focused on parents’ rights in education and neither are likely to advance. “There are people all across this country looking to us who need a safe haven ,” Healey, who is also one of the first two openly lesbian governors elected in the nation, said at last week’s flag raising. “We are open for business in Massachusetts.” Healey is increasingly touting Massachusetts’ liberal record on social issues to attract people to a state that’s losing residents to places with lower taxes and living costs. While her early efforts to make the state more “competitive” focused on business-friendly tax cuts, she’s now adding abortion and LGBTQ rights to her pitch as red states impose more restrictions on both. “I say: Welcome, Disney,” Healey quipped last week — a dig at GOP Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who’s been locked in a legal battle with the entertainment giant since Disney objected to a law limiting discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida schools. Healey took her message to the streets on Saturday, jogging through Boston’s Pride parade in rainbow Converse kicks and a "Vote" t-shirt, hugging spectators and snapping selfies with drag performers. She later vowed in front of a crowd on the Boston Common to “fight” for their civil rights. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, center, marches in the Pride parade, Saturday, June 10, 2023, in Boston. | AP “A state like ours is able to welcome some of the people who are no longer safe in their own state,” Grace Moreno, the executive director of the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce, told Playbook. “We have such opportunities for employment and for entrepreneurship.” Massachusetts’ laws also appeal to young people who “view LGBTQ equity as non-negotiable,” state Sen. Julian Cyr, an openly gay Truro Democrat, said. But there’s still the cost-of-living conundrum. Cyr said the state has “lost a number of LGBTQ spaces, especially LGBTQ bars” as owners grapple with high costs and workers deal with housing shortages. Still, Moreno argued, the “earning potential here is higher — so it kind of balances itself out.” GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. The Legislature’s LGBTQ caucus continues to grow, between state Rep. John Moran’s swearing-in last week and state Senate President Pro Tempore Will Brownsberger coming out as bisexual. “Pride means self-knowledge and self-acceptance,” Brownsberger wrote in a Sunday post on his website that was republished by CommonWealth Magazine . “When my parents passed away a couple of years ago, I finally did the personal work to understand, accept, embrace, and name the breadth of love and desire that is part of who I am.” TODAY — Healey attends the Women Veterans Recognition Day ceremony at noon at the State House, speaks at the World Innovation Forum at 1 p.m. at the Westin Boston Seaport and huddles with Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and legislative leaders at 2 p.m. in the Senate president’s office. Driscoll speaks at a MA Association of REALTORS event at 11:15 a.m. at the State House. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) participate in a Senate Project forum moderated by Fox News’ Bret Baier at 11 a.m. at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute. Tips? Scoops? Email us: kgarrity@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com . TRUMPACHUSETTS — INDICTMENT UNSEALED: “Trump vows to stay in the race even if convicted,” by Alex Isenstadt, POLITICO: “Donald Trump vowed Saturday to continue running for president even if he were to be convicted as part of the 37-count federal felony indictment that was issued against him [last] week. … Trump is not legally prohibited from running for president from prison or as a convicted felon. But such a bid would nevertheless provide a massive stress test for the country’s political and legal systems.” As Republicans send mixed messages about the charges against the party’s polling leader for president, Bay State Democrats haven’t said much at all. Reps. Lori Trahan and Seth Moulton issued statements calling Trump’s handling of the classified documents irresponsible, but that's about it. — VIEW FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE: “New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu says he doesn't see Trump indictment as ‘political,’” by Caitlin Yilek, CBS News. — “‘I just love that guy’: In New Hampshire, first-in-the-nation voters not swayed by latest Trump indictment,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe. — CEASE AND DESIST: Trump also responded to his latest indictment by posting a hype video Saturday that a Matt Damon monologue from “Air” as the narration. Damon and Ben Affleck ’s production company, Artists Equity, was not amused: “We had no foreknowledge of, did not consent to and do not endorse or approve any footage or audio from Air being repurposed by the Trump campaign as a political advertisement,” a spokesperson told Axios’ Alex Thompson .   STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING : What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today .     DATELINE BEACON HILL — "Business leaders fret over $2.5 billion blunder," by Christian M. Wade, Daily News of Newburyport: "The state’s business leaders are urging Beacon Hill not to pass the cost of a $2.5 billion blunder with the state’s unemployment trust fund onto employers as they try to figure out how to repay the federal loans." — “Decriminalize magic mushrooms, say Democrats who have filed bills to loosen psilocybin law in Massachusetts,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Six communities in Massachusetts have already directed their police departments to not make arrests for possession of psilocybin, a move that effectively decriminalizes the use of the drug. Advocates now argue the lawmakers should pass bills [set for Tuesday hearings] from a pair of Democrats that decriminalize so-called magic mushrooms on a statewide level.” FROM THE HUB — “Wu Signals Help for Battered Office Buildings,” by Steve Adams, Banker and Tradesman: “In an interview with Banker & Tradesman, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the administration is in talks with several office landlords about city subsidies to help pay for [converting neglected offices into housing].” — “Boston police received 47 drink spiking reports in first six months of 2023,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “That comes as lawmakers on Beacon Hill are sorting through legislative responses to what has been described as an ‘alarming’ situation after 116 reports came into the Boston Police Department last year.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “MBTA ridership hits highest level since pandemic began,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: " Total ridership reached 68 percent of pre-pandemic levels in March, led by commuter rail (80 percent of pre-pandemic levels), bus (79 percent), and ferry (64 percent). Ridership on the subway system was 59 percent of pre-pandemic levels in March." MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS — “In Holyoke, buildings bought for cannabis industry sit idle as buzz fades,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “[Real-estate broker Rebecca] Rivera said her phone is ringing today with investors looking to convert space for residential use, not cannabis. [Kevin] Jennings said what he’s seeing is a lot of buildings snatched up in the early days of cannabis expansion coming back on the market.”   GET READY FOR GLOBAL TECH DAY: Join POLITICO Live as we launch our first Global Tech Day alongside London Tech Week on Thursday, June 15. Register now for continuing updates and to be a part of this momentous and program-packed day! From the blockchain, to AI, and autonomous vehicles, technology is changing how power is exercised around the world, so who will write the rules? REGISTER HERE .     FROM THE 413 — “Ludlow book policy, copied ‘from Google,’ is proposed amid a national wave of bans,” by Luis Fieldman, MassLive: “The policy itself has come under question since the School Committee member who introduced it in May says he found it with a Google search and apparently copied it from the Central Bucks School District in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Joao Dias, a first-term member of the Ludlow School Committee, said he found the policy with an internet search and did not have an attorney vet it.” — “A Lee teacher is resigning after student artwork displayed swastikas, saying he no longer feels safe at the school,” by Scott Stafford, Berkshire Eagle. THE LOCAL ANGLE — “In Quincy’s Squantum, an age-old distrust of Boston and unanswered questions about Long Island Bridge,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “The prospect of reopening the bridge has rankled some in Squantum, which historically has served as the only road access point to Long Island.” — "Human trafficking victims getting help with visas," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "Massachusetts law enforcement officials are increasingly helping victims of labor and sexual trafficking apply for a special immigrant visas, which advocates say is crucial to finding housing, work and getting their lives back." — “Before he was one of America’s most notorious killers, ‘Unabomber’ Ted Kaczynski was a Harvard student,” by Nick Stoico, Boston Globe. HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH SPOTTED — at Club Café post-Pride parade: Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll , fist-pumping away. ALSO SPOTTED — at the White House on Saturday for a Pride event: state Rep. Samantha Montaño and Eva Scapicchio. Tweet . AND SPOTTED — at the 6th annual North End Cornhole Classic on Sunday: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu , Transportation Secretary Gina Fiandaca , state Sen. Lydia Edwards , state Reps. Mike Moran, Aaron Michlewitz, Mike Day, David Muradian, Priscila Sousa, David Biele, Dave Rogers, Mark Cusack , Maghan Kilcoyne and Montaño ; Boston City Councilors Gabriela Coletta and Ruthzee Louijeune ; Council candidate Sharon Durkan , Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden and incoming BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok . HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Tri Tran of Rosie’s Place, Campbell Curry-Ledbetter, Brianna Millor, Allison DeAngelis and Peter Francis. Happy belated to Greta Van Susteren , who celebrated Sunday. 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 Lisa Kashinsky @lisakashinsky   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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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Keeping T progress on track

BY LISA KASHINSKY CHUGGING ALONG — Gov. Maura Healey’s top MBTA officials are warning it could take a year for riders to see major service improvements. But first the T has to come up with an adequate safety plan for its workers — by today . First of all, progress is happening at the T. Since Phillip Eng took over as general manager on April 10, the overall number of subway slow zones is down. The T also struck a deal with the carmen’s union to start bus drivers as full-time employees as part of its push to accelerate hiring. Yet in that same time, the MBTA drew two lawsuits from riders injured at its stations. One man died last month after falling under a moving Green Line train . Another was struck and killed by a Commuter Rail train the day Eng started. A Blue Line track worker was hospitalized days later, the latest in a series of safety issues that prompted federal transit officials in mid-April to request a worker-protection plan from the T. Officials submitted that on May 5. Now Eng — and therefore Healey’s — commitment to more transparency at the T is coming into question after top brass chose not to publicly disclose a letter from the Federal Transit Administration asking them to resubmit the worker-safety plan, which was deemed “insufficient” for taking too long to implement changes. If the redraft due today doesn’t pass muster, T workers could be “prohibited” from accessing track areas. Eng explained the “back-and-forth” as part of the “normal process” with the FTA during a weekend appearance on WCVB’s “On the Record," and said he expects a "positive response" to the retooled report. And in the bigger picture, it’s unreasonable to think Healey’s team could turn around a transit system long in decline overnight. But they might not have a year, either — at least when it comes to managing public opinion. While the transit troubles that transpired under former Gov. Charlie Baker’s watch never seemed to dent his popularity, his high approval ratings were also buoyed by other factors including a strong economy, veteran pollster David Paleologos told Playbook. Healey is facing a different set of circumstances. “By the end of this year, I think you’ll have closer scrutiny in terms of whether there are signs that things are moving in the right direction,” Paleologos said. “If people see buses and trains on time, if they see professionalism, if they don’t see crime on buses and subways, I think [Healey] stands to benefit from that.” Former state transportation secretary Jim Aloisi suggested that T leaders set some metrics by which to measure their success, from reducing slow zones to increasing service frequency. Clear goals "would be a serious improvement in terms of setting rider expectations, media expectations and also keeping people’s feet to the fire," Aloisi told Playbook. FWIW, the Red Line rider said he's already seen some slow-zone reductions on his commute. The MBTA logo outside Wellington Station in Medford. | AP GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . Speaking of pending reports, keep an eye out for May’s tax-revenue readout and how it might affect the Senate tax-relief plan that could come as soon as this week. TODAY — Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll participate in an Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company anniversary celebration at 1:30 p.m. on the Boston Common and huddle with legislative leaders at 2:30 p.m. in the governor’s office; a media availability follows. Sen. Ed Markey holds a youth mental health summit with U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy at 11:30 a.m. at BU. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu makes a life sciences jobs announcement at 11 a.m. and attends a ribbon-cutting ceremony for MassBIO at noon, both at the BCEC. AG Andrea Campbell testifies in support of legislation on electric ratepayer protections at 1 p.m. at the State House. Tips? Scoops? Revenue previews? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com .     DATELINE BEACON HILL — “As lawmakers weigh solutions for child care emergency, some wonder: Why not help political candidates, too?” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Amid promises to tackle the worsening shortage of available and affordable child care, state leaders are again being pressed to allow Massachusetts political candidates to use campaign funds to help cover ballooning child care costs while they run for office. The change, supporters argue, could help remove a hurdle for working parents, including women, to run for office, including for seats in a Legislature that’s disproportionately male. Nearly 30 states allow candidates to use campaign funds for child care, as does the federal election system.” — “Healey said error was ‘avoidable’ after state wrongly used $2.5 billion in federal money to pay jobless claims,” by Matt Stout and Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: “Governor Maura Healey said Friday she is hoping Massachusetts can avoid having to reimburse the national government for $2.5 billion in federal money the state wrongly used to fund jobless benefits under her predecessor, a mistake she called ‘avoidable.’ … The goal of talks with federal labor officials is to ‘resolve it without any impact to the Commonwealth or to employers,’ Healey said.” — “Cops accused of child rape, road rage suspended by state law enforcement regulators,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Law enforcement regulators suspended the policing licenses of a former deputy chief in Hopkinton accused of raping a teenage girl and a Hingham officer accused of pulling a gun and yelling racial slurs at a person in an apparent road rage incident, according to records released Friday.” — “'We must take each one of these seriously': Police, schools, face uptick in threats,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “On Beacon Hill, lawmakers have filed numerous bills in recent years to toughen the state’s penalties for swatting, but they have failed to gain traction. State Sen. Barry Finegold, who co-chairs the Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, is among those who want to see the penalties for swatting beefed up. He said the crime should be a felony.” FROM THE HUB — “North End restaurant owners drop lawsuit against Boston mayor,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “Four North End restaurant owners dropped their lawsuit against Mayor Michelle Wu, retracting claims that she showed anti-Italian discrimination when singling out their neighborhood for last year’s $7,500 outdoor dining fee. … [Their attorney] added that his client did not provide specifics on why he chose not to pursue the case, but said it was likely because ‘he was the only one fighting.’”   DON’T MISS POLITICO’S HEALTH CARE SUMMIT : The Covid-19 pandemic helped spur innovation in health care, from the wide adoption of telemedicine, health apps and online pharmacies to mRNA vaccines. But what will the next health care innovations look like? Join POLITICO on Wednesday June 7 for our Health Care Summit to explore how tech and innovation are transforming care and the challenges ahead for access and delivery in the United States. REGISTER NOW .     WHAT'S ON CAMPBELL'S DOCKET — WATCH: Andrea Campbell on WBZ's "Keller @ Large" discussing the search for a director for the police accountability unit she’s looking to stand up in the attorney general’s office, and what changes need to be made to online gambling . ROLLINS REPORT — “Rachael Rollins’s resignation comes as progressive prosecutors face national backlash,” by Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: “Now, weeks after Rollins’s resignation in the wake of two explosive federal watchdog reports, legal experts say her departure may not have any direct impact on the movement she championed, even as it comes at a pivotal time: A number of progressive prosecutors across the country have been removed, impeached, resigned, and, in at least one case, indicted on criminal charges.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “New records show the close calls on MBTA tracks that prompted federal safety demands,” by Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: “In April, a lineman was injured by a 2,000-pound weight on the Blue Line. The next day, a Green Line operator ignored a signal and didn’t stop for contractors working between Boylston and Arlington stations. In an earlier incident, workers gathered without permission on Orange Line tracks being used by a nearby test train, putting themselves in potential danger.” — “Could private investment help fix the T?” by Bob Seay, GBH News: “It appears Phil Eng, the T’s new general manager thinks so. … And the new Chair of the MBTA Board Tom Glynn suggested efforts are being made to involve the private sector in helping the T cope with the financial challenges it faces.”       PARTY POLITICS — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: MassDems raised a record $380,000 at the party’s annual Roosevelt Dinner last Thursday in Boston, a spokesperson said. It's a financial boost for the party, which had drained its coffers to less than $100,000 in cash on hand between its state and federal campaign accounts after last year's election, as it heads into another special legislative election and then 2024. FROM THE DELEGATION — "Congressional staff of Mass. lawmakers skews whiter than average, data analysis shows," by Tal Kopan and Jorja Siemons, Boston Globe: "At a time of increasing scrutiny of diversity in hiring, nearly half of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, including a majority of its House lawmakers, has a whiter staff than the chamber’s average Democratic office, with some not meeting the diversity level of the state as a whole, a Globe data analysis has found. ... Representatives Bill Keating and Jake Auchincloss have the least diverse staffs overall, including all-white senior leadership." FROM THE 413 — “Northampton council OK’s $132.3M budget, with police dominating discussion,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “A majority of the City Council on Thursday backed a $132.3 million budget for fiscal 2024, but not before significant debate about whether the Police Department should get more money to create so-called student police positions to counter both turnover of full-time officers and the growing use of overtime. … [T]he 60-member department that had its budget cut by 10% three years ago.” — “State report names 13 sites for potential new Springfield courthouse,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “Amid years of concerns over environmental workplace conditions at the Roderick Ireland Courthouse, the agency in charge of financing all of the state’s construction projects released a report seemingly trending towards demolishing it.”   GET READY FOR GLOBAL TECH DAY: Join POLITICO Live as we launch our first Global Tech Day alongside London Tech Week on Thursday, June 15. Register now for continuing updates and to be a part of this momentous and program-packed day! From the blockchain, to AI, and autonomous vehicles, technology is changing how power is exercised around the world, so who will write the rules? REGISTER HERE .     THE LOCAL ANGLE — “‘Are you guys going to shoot me?’ Police encounters with mentally ill people increasingly turn deadly,” by Dugan Arnett and Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: “A Globe analysis of police confrontations since 2016 shows that the majority of those shot by police in Massachusetts — 51 out of 88 — were people in the throes of a mental health crisis or who had been diagnosed with mental illness. That rate has risen significantly in the years since a 2016 Spotlight Team report, ‘The desperate and the dead, ’ on police shootings of people with mental illness.” — “Compass Medical board president says closure was a ‘necessity’ after operations ‘collapsed’,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald. — “Abington man opens class action against now-closed Compass Medical,” by Caitlyn Kelleher, Patriot Ledger. — ICYMI: POLITICO’s Lauren Egan and Eli Stokols on how Boston-based Tatte Bakery & Cafe has become the new “it” spot for White House staffers and reporters in D.C. HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — Anna Meiler and Tiffany Chan have been named weekend morning anchors on WBZ . — Mass. Playbook guest host Sophie Gardner is taking over POLITICO's Women Rule newsletter . — Dave Swanson is now chief of staff to the president of MGH. He previously was Sen. Cindy Friedman's chief of staff. — Liz Berman , Friedman's legislative and budget director, is now the senator's chief of staff. — Adam Webster is now advising Revere City Councilor Steven Morabito's campaign for mayor. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Auditor Diana DiZoglio, state Rep. Kevin Honan and Aaron Moser.     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 Lisa Kashinsky @lisakashinsky   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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