POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Boston budget puts Wu's picks to the test

 

BY KELLY GARRITY BUDGET SHOWDOWN — For city councilors who rode into office with Mayor Michelle Wu’s support last fall, Boston’s budget dance could prove to be a test of how willing they are to break with their powerful backer. Wu vetoed most of the changes the council made to her $4.6 billion budget proposal Monday afternoon, keeping $1.1 million in reductions and $2 million in spending from the roughly $15 million in amendments the council approved last week. In a letter addressed to councilors, Wu voiced concern about the plan, which reduced the proposed increases in spending for Boston's police and fire departments she had initially called for. “Our record-low levels of violence are tied to well-resourced public safety efforts, beautiful parks and public spaces, and comprehensive programming to serve every generation of our community. We therefore disapprove of deeper cuts to departments while accepting some more modest reductions that reflect a pattern of vacancies in staffing as we work to improve hiring processes and fill these needed roles,” she wrote. Now the budget goes back to the council, where a two-thirds majority could undo Wu’s changes. The math says the council — which passed the budget on a 10-3 vote — has the votes to successfully override. But the political calculus is trickier. Wu made a gamble when she put her political clout on the line in a handful of council races last year. It appeared to pay off in helping create a council far friendlier to the mayor that’s helped her notch some big wins: approving a measure to bring the BPDA under City Hall control, and helping send home rule petitions on rent control and a controversial tax proposal to Beacon Hill. The councilors Wu helped elect — District 8 Councilor Sharon Durkan in a summer special election last summer, and District 5 Councilor Enrique Pepén, District 6 Councilor Ben Weber and at-large Councilor Henry Santana that fall — have largely backed the mayor’s agenda. So have other councilors on the left. But that hasn’t stopped critics from crying foul over what they view as a rubber-stamping of the mayor’s agenda. “I expect [Wu is] working all the councilors,” former Boston City Councilor Larry DiCara told Playbook. “But she only has to flip two.” If she is, she isn't tipping her hand: “The administration looks forward to the Council’s further due diligence on the Mayor’s returned budget through the ongoing review process," a spokesperson for her office said in a statement Monday night. "The Mayor respects each Councilor’s role in engaging with the budget and voting according to their best judgment of the interests of their constituents and the City.” There are other factors that could sway votes, too. The backlash to the council’s proposal from fire and police unions could deter members who were willing to support the council’s amendments once from doing so a second time. Wu’s decision to reject most of the council’s amendments puts her more in line with her usual critics on the council, who raised concern about the levels of investment in public safety in the amended council budget. But this is par for the course for the mayor, who in the previous two budgets that featured council input also looked to add back cuts to police. GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . Thanks to everyone who RSVP'd for Wednesday's event! We'll be sending out confirmation emails later today. TODAY — Wu hosts a North End coffee hour at 9:30 a.m. and hosts an “International Day of Play” event at 12:30 p.m. at City Hall Plaza. Wu is also on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” at 11 a.m.; Auditor Diana DiZoglio joins the program in the 1 p.m. hour. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll speaks at a MassBioEd conference at 9:15 a.m. in Boston, chairs a virtual meeting of the Local Government Advisory Commission at 1 p.m. and speaks at a Mass Cultural Council and Mass Development event in North Easton at 2 p.m. Driscoll and House Speaker Ron Mariano attend the annual Heritage Day of Portugal at 10:30 a.m. at the State House. Sen. Elizabeth Warren introduces her Corporate Crimes Against Health Care Act outside a Steward Health Care-owned hospital at 9:45 a.m. Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Get in touch: kgarrity@politico.com.   THE GOLD STANDARD OF POLICY REPORTING & INTELLIGENCE: POLITICO has more than 500 journalists delivering unrivaled reporting and illuminating the policy and regulatory landscape for those who need to know what’s next. Throughout the election and the legislative and regulatory pushes that will follow, POLITICO Pro is indispensable to those who need to make informed decisions fast. The Pro platform dives deeper into critical and quickly evolving sectors and industries—finance, defense, technology, healthcare, energy—equipping policymakers and those who shape legislation and regulation with essential news and intelligence from the world’s best politics and policy journalists. Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other—with teams embedded in the world’s most active legislative and regulatory power centers. From Brussels to Washington, New York to London, Sacramento to Paris, we bring subscribers inside the conversations that determine policy outcomes and the future of industries, providing insight that cannot be found anywhere else. Get the premier news and policy intelligence service, SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO PRO TODAY .     DATELINE BEACON HILL — “New campaign targets anti-abortion clinics,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “Beacon Hill leaders have rolled out a new public education campaign taking aim at pregnancy crisis centers, which have emerged as the latest battleground in abortion access following the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling overturning federal protections. The state Department of Public Health announced Monday that it has partnered with the advocacy group Reproductive Equity Now Foundation on a new campaign to educate the public about the ‘dangers and potential harm’ of anti-abortion centers that advocates say are providing misleading information to women. — “Parentage Act In House Plans For Wednesday,” by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): “The House plans to vote Wednesday on legislation modernizing how state law defines parentage in an attempt to put parents who use assisted reproductive technology, especially LGBTQ families, on equal footing. An aide to House Speaker Ron Mariano confirmed Monday that Democrats will tackle the bill (H 4672), which Mariano last week pledged to bring forward during Pride Month in June, at a formal session on Wednesday." HERO ACT ON THE MOVE — The Senate plans to take up Gov. Maura Healey’s veterans’ services bill Thursday, Senate leaders announced Monday. Senators have until 5 p.m. today to file amendments to the bill, which “closely mirror[s]” the legislation Healey filed earlier this year. Dig in with the Boston Herald. MEDIA MATTERS — “At least nine GBH executives had salaries of over $300,000 last year. Reeling from layoffs, employees have questions,” by Aidan Ryan, The Boston Globe: “When GBH laid off nearly three dozen workers last month, chief executive Susan Goldberg cited flat revenue and rising costs that left one of the nation’s largest producers of public media in the red. Left untouched were the high salaries received by the 16 top executives at the station, who together earned $5.9 million last year in total compensation (GBH eliminated year-end bonuses for all staff, but did not cut base compensation). Their high pay — nine earned more than $300,000 in base compensation each last year, the nonprofit’s records show — has prompted criticism among current and former employees about the organization’s choices in confronting a budget shortfall of $7 million for its core business.” YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — House Majority Leader Michael Moran is endorsing attorney Allison Cartwright for Suffolk County Supreme Judicial Court clerk. — “Hollywood vets and Biden alums launch super PAC to shore up his youth vote problem,” by Elena Schneider, POLITICO: “Allies of President Joe Biden are launching a new super PAC aimed at fixing one of his most problematic demographic trends: his erosion with young voters. The group, Won’t PAC Down, will raise and spend $20 million to $25 million, according to details shared exclusively with POLITICO. … John Della Volpe, a pollster who specializes in the youth vote and worked on Biden’s 2020 campaign polling team, is providing the research for Won’t PAC Down. And Doug Rubin, a longtime Democratic strategist who was a senior operative on Deval Patrick’s two gubernatorial campaigns, is also involved in the effort.”    WHAT'S ON CAMPBELL'S DOCKET MUST READ! NEXT STEP HEALTHCARE!    — “Nursing home chain with 3 Central Mass. locations reaches $4 million settlement with AG,” by Kinga Borondy, Telegram & Gazette: “The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office announced Monday that it has reached a $4 million settlement with a Woburn-based nursing home conglomerate that operates 16 facilities across the state, including three in Central Massachusetts, after an investigation found inadequate staffing levels over the course of four years that led to neglect of residents. The settlement is the largest involving a nursing home operator that has ever been reached by the Attorney General's Office, according to a press release from the office.” FROM THE DELEGATION  FROM THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW - cleaning up BROWNFIELDS.... — “Officials highlight $7M in EPA grants for brownfield cleanup,” by Peter Currier, The Lowell Sun: “U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan and officials from Lowell, Lawrence and Clinton gathered in front of Lowell City Hall Monday morning to highlight a total of $7 million in federal grant funding given to the three communities for the cleanup of brownfield sites. The Environmental Protection Agency grants come from a $1.5 billion boost in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021, nearly $35 million of which has been awarded for the cleanup of brownfield sites across Massachusetts.” CORRUPT NETANYAHU was on trial, ignored warnings of HAMAS ATTACK for a year and failed to protect ISRAELIS.  — “Mass. Rep. Clark: Israel’s Netanyahu may be out of a job before speech to Congress,” by John L. Micek, MassLive: “Embattled Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to address a joint session of Congress next month as his country’s war with the terrorist group Hamas drags into its 10th month. But at least two Massachusetts lawmakers aren’t making any plans. ‘We’ll see if Mr. Netanyahu is still prime minister by July 24,’ U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, of Massachusetts, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, said Monday. … And with the situation on the ground in Gaza constantly in flux, U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss told MassLive he’s going to wait until the week before the speech before he makes up his mind on whether to attend.” FROM THE 413 — “Assistant Hampden DA Clarissa Wright is a ‘voice for the victims’,” by Irene Rotondo, MassLive. THE LOCAL ANGLE — “‘It’s heartbreaking’: 225,000 Mass. students attend substandard segregated schools, new report finds,” by James Vaznis, The Boston Globe: “More than 225,000 students across Massachusetts attend segregated public schools, mostly with low graduation rates and standardized test scores, because state education leaders for decades have failed to comply with laws requiring them to foster integration, according to a new report by a state oversight committee.” — “Fall River's homeless outreach team busy with new program after state tears down camps,” by Jo C. Goode, The Herald News: “When Massachusetts Department of Transportation notified the city a few weeks ago it was going to break up three homeless encampments along state land abutting Interstate 195 and Route 24 for safety concerns, Fall River's outreach team, which has for a number of years been aiding the homeless and drug-addicted, knew it had to step up its game. About 20 of the approximately 40 to 45 people displaced from the dismantled homeless camps and others have agreed to participate in a pilot program designed by the team dubbed Enhancement Without Encampment.” — “Affordable housing on Cape Cod: Former Wing School in Sandwich to become 128 rentals,” by Kalie Walker, The Cape Cod Times. — “‘The perfect storm’: rural Mass. town hit by scam on top of budget woes,” by John Hilliard, The Boston Globe.   JOIN US ON 6/13 FOR A TALK ON THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE : As Congress and the White House work to strengthen health care affordability and access, innovative technologies and treatments are increasingly important for patient health and lower costs. What barriers are appearing as new tech emerges? Is the Medicare payment process keeping up with new technologies and procedures? Join us on June 13 as POLITICO convenes a panel of lawmakers, officials and experts to discuss what policy solutions could expand access to innovative therapies and tech. REGISTER HERE .     MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND NO CALAMARI COMEBACK — The Rhode Island chef who stole the Democratic National Convention’s show in 2020 by holding a plate of calamari during the virtual roll call likely won’t be making a repeat performance this summer. He supports former President Donald Trump , per The Associated Press’s Will Weissert. MEANWHILE IN MAINE — “Lewiston survivors consider looming election as gun control comes to forefront after mass shooting,” by Patrick Whittle, The Associated Press.  HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH SPOTTED — on the guest list for the White House Juneteenth concert: Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Ayanna Pressley . TRANSITIONS — Shannon Moore has joined Commonwealth Counsel as the firm’s first vice president. Moore has been director of state government relations at Boston Children's Hospital. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Sam Tracy, Jim Mahoney, Rand Wilson and Tad Devine. 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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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Wu’s naysayers try new tactics

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY MAKING A LIST, CHECKING IT TWICE — It’s time we talk about The List. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is being ripped by the right for having her office send a list of her most vocal critics to the police department. Wu’s office sent the names a year ago, at the request of the cops in preparation for Bunker Hill Day after the mayor said she, her family and her team were “harassed” at last year’s Dorchester Day parade. But it didn’t go public until her detractors started circulating it online a few weeks ago. Now Boston Herald columnist Joe Battenfeld is comparing Wu to President Richard Nixon and his infamous “opponents list.” And Fox News is saying Wu’s actions  “raise concern” that she’s “attempting to silence or intimidate her critics.” The mayor is brushing aside the criticism — and laughing off the comparisons to Nixon. “I never take it personally when people disagree. That’s how we get better as a city government,” Wu told reporters at an unrelated event on Tuesday. But “it’s clear when it crosses the line.” Politicians at all levels of government and across the ideological spectrum have been facing a rise in harassment and threats in recent years. At the local level, women in elective office are three times more likely than men to be targeted for harassment or violence. “The reality is that we have a public safety plan for nearly all of our public events now because it is necessary,” Wu said, adding that The List was “certainly” not an intimidation tactic. Demonstrators protest Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's vaccine mandates in late 2021. | AFP via Getty Images But the renewed scrutiny of Wu’s loudest critics and how she handles them offers a glimpse into how the mayor’s opponents have been shifting their tactics. Gone are the days of early morning demonstrations outside of Wu’s Roslindale home (in part because she got an ordinance passed to fine people who picket private residences in the overnight hours). Wu’s naysayers have moved onto other ways of needling the mayor, like filing a lawsuit over the city’s outdoor dining fees for North End restaurants (they eventually dropped it ). Now three of her most vocal critics have set their sights on the city council . Catherine Vitale and Shawn Nelson are among the eight candidates running for four at-large seats. Padma Scott is running in District 7. All three have protested the mayor and her vaccine mandates. All three are on The List. “I’m sick of being ignored by local government,” Vitale told Playbook. “My activism didn’t just start with protesting Mayor Wu.” Saying these candidates are long shots would be an understatement. Vitale had just $800 in her campaign account at the start of the month (she’s currently soliciting donations for her official campaign kickoff next week). Nelson had just $60. No paperwork was available for Scott. The councilors they’re running against, meanwhile, had between $20,000 and $138,000 in their coffers at the start of July. And unlike some council challengers who have the backing of politicians and unions who can help them marshal people to the polls, this trio faces the challenge of translating largely online antagonism of Wu into votes at the ballot box. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Also on The List: Patrick Mendoza, the North End restaurateur who’s been on the run since allegedly opening fire outside Boston’s Modern Pastry last week. TODAY — Wu is in Chinatown at 10 a.m. and launches a new youth bike program at 11:15 a.m. in Mattapan. Tips? Scoops? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com .   JOIN 7/26 FOR A TALK ON THE NEW ENERGY ECONOMY:  Join POLITICO's lively discussion, "Powering a Clean Energy Economy," on July 26 at 5:15 PM ET. We'll explore the effectiveness of consumer-targeted policies to boost sustainability and create clean energy jobs. How are the Inflation Reduction Act's provisions faring? Which strategies truly sway consumer behavior? How are advances in technology shaking things up? And, what's the future for energy consumption reduction? Hear from featured speaker, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), among other experts. Don't miss this insightful event — register today and be part of the conversation driving America's clean energy future! REGISTER NOW.     DATELINE BEACON HILL — CLOSED FOR BUSINESS: The State House remains closed today “out of an abundance of caution” as officials continue to investigate the electrical fire that broke out in the basement yesterday, State House Superintendent Tammy Kraus said. The fire and evacuation — the second of the day, after an earlier fire alarm — disrupted committee hearings and sent hundreds of lawmakers, staffers, visitors, reporters and even Gov. Maura Healey , Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and Auditor Diana DiZoglio out onto the street. As firefighters worked to get "dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide" out of the building, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr told reporters that lawmakers may now "have to quicken the pace on a couple of things" to get them done before the August recess. No word on whether one of those things is the now-19-day-late state budget. — COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS: Healey’s trade trip to Ireland cost $83,835 for airfare, hotels, ground transportation and meals for the governor, Cabinet secretaries, undersecretary and staff who traveled with her. The state is shouldering the majority of the cost: $49,418 of the trip’s total is coming out of the state’s tourism trust fund, while quasi-public MassTech is footing $21,719 of the bill and the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership is paying $12,698. Healey’s mother, who accompanied her on the trip, paid her own way , per the Globe. So what is Massachusetts getting in return? Stronger relationships with “leaders in business, technology, clean energy and education,” Healey spokesperson Karissa Hand said in a statement. “By fostering these partnerships, we have already heard from several companies looking to discuss expansion in Massachusetts,” she said non-specifically. New clean tech initiatives were also discussed, including increased collaboration between Massachusetts and Ireland to fund research and development in the clean energy sector. — More: “Healey administration declines to detail cost of other state-funded trips,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “The administration declined a Herald records request filed May 10 for airfare and hotel receipts for all flights leaving and returning to Massachusetts and hotel stays outside the state since the start of the year for the governor and accompanying staff members.” — “Sports wagering plummets to $323M in June,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “Massachusetts’ sports wagering industry took more than $323 million in bets last month, continuing a decline in revenue amid a summer slump of major sporting events.” — “Beacon Hill wrangles over pothole money,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “In March, the House and Senate approved bills calling for $350 million in borrowing for transportation needs across the state, including $200 million for the state's Chapter 90 program, which pays for resurfacing of roadways and other capital projects. … [N]egotiations have dragged on for nearly four months, and it's not clear what is holding up the final bill.” — “Retail electricity firms take new tack in fight against Healey, Campbell, and Wu,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine. FROM THE HUB — “Marty Walsh among several subpoenaed in Boston City Hall sexual harassment case,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “Martin J. Walsh, the former Boston mayor and US labor secretary, was subpoenaed this week to testify about a City Hall sexual harassment scandal that rocked his mayoral administration and prompted him to fire one of his Cabinet chiefs in 2017 .” — “Boston reparations panel to seek pause on Mayor Wu’s land giveaway plan,” by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: “The Boston task force charged with recommending reparations suggestions will ask Mayor Michelle Wu to consider a temporary halt to her plan to give away vacant city properties." — SURPRISE: Outgoing Boston City Councilor Michael Flaherty has been quietly sworn in as a Massachusetts Convention Center Authority board member by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu , the State House News Service reports . Flaherty was previously critical of a MCCA land deal in South Boston . PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “Lawmakers advance plan for new T oversight agency,” by Taylor Dolven, Boston Globe: “The Legislature’s joint transportation committee greenlit legislation that would take MBTA subway safety oversight power away from the Department of Public Utilities and create a new Office of Transit Safety in charge of supervising safety on all MBTA modes of transportation, including bus, commuter rail, paratransit, and ferry, and regional transit authorities."   UNLEASH THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE WITH POLITICO, A 7/20 INTERACTIVE EVENT: Imagine a future where rare genetic diseases are not only treatable, but potentially curable. Where our approach to chronic illness takes a monumental leap forward. That future is already taking shape in the form of next-generation health care treatments such as gene therapy. Join POLITICO on Thursday , July 20 and delve into the burgeoning field of gene therapies, which hold the power to redefine our health care landscape. Are you ready to explore this new frontier in health care? Don't miss this chance to be part of the conversation. REGISTER NOW .     MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS — “Cannabis commission retaliating against pot lab for speaking out, committee hears,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “Lawmakers meeting to hear public testimony on several bills aimed at changing the way the cannabis industry works in the Bay State instead got an earful from speakers who say pot regulators are not listening to whistleblowers and retaliating against licensees who complain.” FROM THE 413 — “Farmers warn crop diseases could follow this month's floods,” by Paul Tuthill, WAMC: “The governor of Massachusetts is pledging assistance to farmers who sustained losses in this month’s river flooding, but it remains unclear as to what form the relief will come in. … An effort by State Rep. Natalie Blais, whose Hampshire and Franklin counties district includes many impacted farms, to include $20 million for relief in a supplemental budget bill got sidetracked on Beacon Hill last week. With backing from the governor, another attempt to pass it will be made this week.” — “Greenfield requests ‘pause’ in donations for homeless, migrants clustered in hotel,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican. THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Lawrence: Police chief got $784K settlement after outside investigation,” by Jill Harmacinski, Eagle-Tribune: “While Alfred Donovan, a retired Massachusetts police chief who runs APD Management Inc., said the allegations against [Chief Roy] Vasque were ‘sustained,’ the city agreed to pay Vasque the lump sum-payment and announced his retirement. … Donovan said he was directed by (Mayor Brian) DePena to conduct an investigation ‘into allegations that (Vasque) has allegedly failed to lead the Lawrence Police Department in a manner worthy of the position of Chief of Police.’” — "'Why did you lie to me?' Worcester council debates ordinance on anti-abortion clinics," by Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette: "Almost exactly one year ago, the City Council voted 6-5 to order the city solicitor and administration to develop a draft ordinance regulating the advertising practices of clinics that advise against abortion. City Manager Eric Batista said during Tuesday's City Council meeting ... such an order was likely unconstitutional." — “Man on probation for vandalizing Kennedy compound arrested for trespassing there,” by WBZ. — “Biden's new push to cancel student debt could wipe out $592M for Mass. borrowers,” by Jenny Hellwig, Boston Business Journal. MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE — TRUMP DIPS: Donald Trump continues to lead the GOP presidential primary field in New Hampshire by a sizable margin, according to a new Granite State Poll that dropped as the former president said he expects to be indicted again . But support for Trump dipped slightly between the UNH’s April and July surveys, down to 37 percent from 42 percent. — “Former state lawmaker charged with sexual exploitation of children [in Mass.],” by The Associated Press. MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND — “‘That’s not my signature’: Newport residents dispute more Matos nomination papers,” by Tim White, Eli Sherman and Ted Nesi, WPRI: “The signature scandal swirling around Sabina Matos’s campaign for Congress is widening, as several Newport residents tell Target 12 their signatures were forged on nomination papers submitted to election officials for Matos." — “15 candidates qualify for R.I’s First Congressional District ballot,” by Edward Fitzpatrick, Boston Globe. HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — BlueHub Capital has named Karen Kelleher the next president of the BlueHub Loan Fund. — Phillip Jasak is now finance director for the NHGOP. — Cecely Reardon has been appointed commissioner of the Department of Youth Services after serving as acting commissioner since January 2022. — Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson is part of the seventh class of mayors to participate in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative; alumni include Michelle Wu and Pete Buttigieg. — Dawn Brantley is now director of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency after serving as its acting director since October 2021. — Northampton Fire Chief Jon Davine has been selected as the state’s next fire marshal . — Sarah Weinstein is now director of public affairs at the Commerce Department. She most recently was comms director for Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). HAPPY BIRTHDAY —  to Milton  state Sen. Walter Timilty, Jordan Meehan,  state Rep. Simon Cataldo and Google’s Catherine Cloutier. 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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