POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Late-session shockwaves shake Beacon Hill

 

View in browser   BY LISA KASHINSKY LABOR DISPUTE — Beacon Hill is reeling after Senate President Karen Spilka abruptly rejected Senate staffers’ long-languishing request to recognize their union, saying her chamber “does not at this time see a path forward for a traditional employer-union relationship.” Senate officials say there’s nothing in state law that allows staffers to unionize, citing a statute that carves out legislative staff from the list of which public employees can collectively bargain. Modifying that law would necessitate other changes, including to the state’s campaign finance and conflict-of-interest laws, to cover staffers' off-hours political work, they said. State Sen. William Brownsberger told reporters that the legislative staffing structure is different here than in other states where union efforts are proceeding, And he said legislative rules mean union contracts would have to be renegotiated every two years with each new Legislature. But Tara Wilson, a legislative and budget director in the Senate, told reporters that leadership has “closed the door without reason. … I don’t think I’ve ever heard the excuse before that we’re not going to do something because it’s too complicated.” Spilka’s decision drew swift rebukes from current and former staffers, some of her own caucus members, and Democrats running for statewide office. And the criticism was as much about the message as it was the timing: Spilka's announcement, via email late Thursday afternoon, came with less than four days left of formal sessions when staff, who are often those writing the bills lawmakers are voting on, are already scrambling. "Our staffers have told us ... that they do not have adequate representation and that they are operating in a toxic workplace environment,” state Sen. Diana DiZoglio, an auditor hopeful who’s been working with staffers to address their workplace issues, told Playbook. “I appreciate the work done to analyze this issue, but the final decision by the Senate president is simply not OK.” Spilka told staffers in the email obtained by Playbook that she remains “committed to making the Senate a great place” to work and that senators will “continue our efforts to improve working conditions, benefits, and salaries.” She invited staffers to a meeting with Senate counsel this afternoon to discuss the results of the four-month legal review into the unionization effort. But staffers contend there’s nothing explicitly prohibiting them from unionizing — and they’re vowing to fight on. “Hearing from lawmakers … who have refused to act on the will of their own employees in a state that champions itself on its deep labor history, it is very demoralizing,” Evan Berry, a union organizer who works for state Sen. Becca Rausch, told reporters. “But we are not stopping here.” The Massachusetts State House at night. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Speaking of late-session surprises, Gov. Charlie Baker threw lawmakers a curveball yesterday by, through a budget amendment, tacking elements of his now-defunct dangerousness bill onto lawmakers’ push to make phone calls free for inmates. And a little-known tax law from 1986 is potentially scrambling spending plans and could result in the state returning upwards of $2.5 billion to taxpayers . That’s just some of what lawmakers are dealing with heading into the final three days of formal sessions, in which bills that would legalize sports betting, update cannabis regulations, expand access to mental health and more have yet to emerge from conference committee, the Senate has yet to take up the gun legislation Democratic legislative leaders vowed would make it to Baker’s desk by Sunday, and the governor has yet to sign or return key reproductive rights and climate bills. Check this space Monday for what makes it through — and what doesn’t. TODAY — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” at 11 a.m. THIS WEEKEND — Rep. Ayanna Pressley hosts a canvass kickoff with Sullivan at 10 a.m. in Mattapan Square and helps AG candidate Andrea Campbell open her campaign headquarters in Dorchester at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. LG hopeful and state Sen. Eric Lesser is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Boston City Councilor and Suffolk district attorney candidate Ricardo Arroyo is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. Tips? Scoops? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com .   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 .     YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS — POLLING TIME: This week's Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll came and went without insight into the four statewide Democratic primaries, adding to the dearth of public polling in those races with voting about to begin. It’s been more than a month since the last public poll of the primaries for lieutenant governor, attorney general and secretary of state, and even longer since there’s been one of the auditor’s race. And that’s because, pollsters say, without the draw of a competitive Democratic primary for governor, people just aren’t paying that much attention to the down-ballot races. “There’s only so much time on a survey, so you don’t want to waste it on a question where voters have limited information,” UMass Lowell pollster John Cluverius told Playbook. With no public insight into where these races stand, campaigns and their supporters are starting to tease internal polls to fill that void. An internal polling memo from Quentin Palfrey’s campaign made the rounds earlier this month. And now supporters of Secretary of State Bill Galvin are touting a mid-month poll done for the National Association of Government Employees that shows the incumbent leading challenger Tanisha Sullivan by nearly 26 percentage points, with 28 percent of voters undecided, per numbers obtained by Playbook. Take internal polls with a massive heaping of salt. While the NAGE poll of 300 likely Democratic primary voters was conducted by DAPA Research — Suffolk pollster David Paleologos's firm — it’s still for an organization that’s backing Galvin and has a reason to want these numbers out there. But with more public polling unlikely until the end of August or just before the Sept. 6 primary, expect more of these internal numbers to start creeping into public view. — ENDORSEMENT ALERTS: State Treasurer Deb Goldberg has endorsed state Rep. Tommy Vitolo for reelection. — 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, which represents more than 70,000 members, has endorsed state Rep. Jake Oliveira for Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester state senator. — “‘We’re going to have enough money to be competitive:’ LG Candidate Kim Driscoll addresses fundraising gap in race,” by Kiernan Dunlop, MassLive: “The over $1,000,000 Sen. Eric Lesser has in cash on hand in the race for Lieutenant Governor does not put the office out of reach for his competitors, according to fellow candidate Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll. … Driscoll said she had assets in her arsenal that Lesser doesn’t have, including over 200 endorsements from local officials and from important organizations from labor to Planned Parenthood.” THE LATEST NUMBERS — “Massachusetts reports almost 10,000 new cases, virus hospitalizations tick up,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The daily average of 1,422 COVID cases is similar to the daily rate of 1,464 infections during the previous week.” —  ”Town-by-town COVID-19 data in Massachusetts,” by Ryan Huddle and Peter Bailey-Wells, Boston Globe. — “Massachusetts reports 36 new monkeypox cases, as outbreak balloons across country,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The 36 new monkeypox cases in the Bay State — yet another one-week record high — is up from 30 cases during the previous week.” DATELINE BEACON HILL — “In a surprise, Baker says taxpayers could receive ‘north of $2.5 billion’ in tax relief under little-known law,” by Matt Stout and Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “With state coffers overflowing, Massachusetts taxpayers could receive nearly $3 billion in tax relief under an obscure 36-year-old law, Governor Charlie Baker’s administration said Thursday. … It also complicated legislators’ negotiations over a $1 billion package of tax breaks and rebates — a mammoth proposal lawmakers pursued to help ease the pinch of ballooning inflation but were still scrambling to complete before their legislative session ends Sunday night. How much the state could ultimately hand back to taxpayers is unclear. But Baker said Thursday that the state appears poised to trigger a 1986 voter-passed law that seeks to limit state tax revenue growth to the growth of total wages and salaries in the state. Should revenue exceed that ‘allowable’ amount, taxpayers are then due a credit equal to the excess amount. The state auditor is tasked with determining the final amount from the previous fiscal year each September.” — “Baker says he’s leaving state in good shape financially,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday signed into law a $52.7 billion state budget for fiscal 2023, representing an unusually high 9.3 percent growth in spending over the prior year. The high growth was fueled by tax revenues coming in higher than expected and an influx in federal COVID recovery money. The budget includes higher spending in areas like local aid, housing, and education. … Baker, at a signing ceremony in his State House office, touted the fiscal progress the state has made since he took office in 2015. This is Baker’s last budget before he leaves office in January.” — “State officials want to expand the MBTA Board of Directors, but Gov. Charlie Baker wants power to appoint,” by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive: “Gov. Charlie Baker agreed with the Legislature on expanding the MBTA’s governing board Thursday morning but suggested a different set of requirements for who should fill a set of two new, proposed seats on a body that is just over a year old. … In signing the state budget Thursday, Baker sent back to legislators a provision that would have expanded the board to include two new members, one chosen by the mayor of Boston and another local official from the MBTA’s service area picked by the governor.” — “Baker appoints two new members to state education board,” by Adria Watson, Boston Globe: “Farzana Mohamed, an author and management consultant, and Tricia Canavan, chief executive officer of Tech Foundry, will be replacing board members Amanda Fernandez and James Morton, who completed their five-year terms at the end of June.” FROM THE HUB — “In the Long Island Bridge legal saga, another victory for Boston,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “Thursday’s ruling by Suffolk Superior Court Justice Rosemary Connolly involved a 2018 decision from state environmental authorities that Boston’s proposal to rebuild the span did not require the city to prepare an environmental impact report and that the proposal did not require further review under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). Quincy officials challenged that state certification, arguing that Boston misrepresented the environmental impact of the project. Connolly, however, ruled that Quincy ‘has not pointed to evidence in the record showing that damage to the environment is about to occur as a result of the MEPA process.’ In her order, she denied Quincy’s motions for summary judgment and judgment on the pleadings in the case, essentially ruling against its challenges to the 2018 environmental certification.” — “Suffolk DA candidates talk strategy amid mounting wave of hate crimes and neo-Nazi activity,” by Tori Bedford, GBH News: “The next Suffolk County district attorney will face a challenging question: Is Boston equipped to handle a rising tide of hate crimes and white supremacist activity? ‘It’s not just about what has happened, it’s about where we’re going,’ incumbent Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden said at a candidate forum Thursday hosted by the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. 'We have key elections coming up and controversial decisions coming down from the Supreme Court [of the United States] that we know are going to bring more issues to bear … we need to be better prepared for the future.’ Hayden’s primary challenger, Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo, called for an ‘urgent reevaluation’ of policing in response to white supremacist groups, particularly those with strong local recruitment efforts.” DAY IN COURT — “Former state Sen. Dean Tran pleads not guilty to criminal charges related to alleged fraud gun deal,” by Flint McColgan, Boston Herald: “Former state Sen. Dean Tran, who is also running for the 3rd Congressional District, pleaded ‘absolutely not guilty’ to each of his six criminal charges related to an alleged theft of a firearm. … Judge James Reardon released Tran without bail but imposed the conditions that Tran surrender all firearms and his license to carry to the Fitchburg Police Department, check in with probation every two weeks and have no contact with the alleged victim or witnesses in the case.” — More: “‘He should be in jail’: Fitchburg woman speaks out against Mass. congressional candidate she says stole her guns,” by The Associated Press and WHDH. — “SJC quickly dismisses lawsuit over dental ballot question,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “The Supreme Judicial Court quickly dismissed a lawsuit brought by opponents of a ballot question regulating dental insurance that sought to change the ballot question summary submitted by proponents.” — “Class-action suit says solitary confinement at MCI-Cedar Junction amounts to ‘torture’,” by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: “Three men held in solitary confinement at MCI-Cedar Junction in South Walpole have filed a class-action lawsuit against state Department of Correction officials alleging that their near-total isolation amounts to torture and has led to depression, anxiety, and a loss of social skills."   INTRODUCING POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don’t miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY .     FROM THE DELEGATION — MOULTON'S MISSION: Reps. Seth Moulton and Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) have introduced the “ Mass Shooter Prosecution Act ” to legally deem mass shooting as acts of terrorism and allow law enforcement to prosecute them as such. — “107 Dem lawmakers to Biden: Extend student-loan payment pause again,” by Ayelet Sheffey, Insider: “On Thursday, Sens. Chuck Schumer, Bob Menendez, Cory Booker, and Elizabeth Warren, along with Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Lauren Underwood, and Tony Cárdenas, led 100 of their Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to Biden and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona pushing for an extension of the federal pause on student-loan payments. The pause, currently set to expire after August 31.” — “Surprise Deal Would Be Most Ambitious Climate Action Undertaken by U.S.,” by Lisa Friedman and Brad Plumer, New York Times: “The $369 billion climate and tax package forged in a surprise deal by Senate Democrats would be the most ambitious action ever taken by the United States to try to stop the planet from catastrophically overheating. … Senator Edward J. Markey, Democrat of Massachusetts, said the legislation would restore American credibility in international negotiations.” FROM THE 413 — “Trader Joe’s employees vote to unionize at Hadley store,” by Brian Steele, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Employees of the Trader Joe’s grocery store on Route 9 have voted to form the national chain’s first labor union by a margin of 45-31. … The National Labor Relations Board conducted the union election by secret ballot outside the 375 Russell St. store on Wednesday and Thursday. NLRB staff counted the ballots immediately after voting ended, finding 59% wanted Trader Joe’s United to represent them. A simple majority was needed to determine the outcome.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — "Somerville maps fastest path to state's first supervised consumption clinic — starting in a parking lot," by Martha Bebinger, WBUR: "A report commissioned by Somerville spells out location and design options for a supervised consumption, or overdose prevention center. ... The 81-page document, prepared by Fenway Health, recommends the city begin with a large trailer, outfitted as a clinic, stationed in a city-owned parking lot." — “Worcester voters could see new school committee districts designed to bolster Black, Latino voices, on ballot next year,” by Erin Tiernan, MassLive: “Worcester School Committee candidates could be vying for district-level seats as soon as next year, following a year-long process to reconfigure city election maps that was designed to bolster Black and Latino candidates in a majority minority school district that has long been led by a majority-white school committee.” — “Drier and drier: Severe drought area in Massachusetts expands,” by Martin Finucane, Boston Globe: “The area of Massachusetts experiencing severe drought conditions has expanded south from the northeastern corner of the state, according to the latest report from the US Drought Monitor.” — “Landlocked and loaded: longtime litigation leads to new bill and battle over Aquinnah,” by Rachael Devaney, Cape Cod Times: “While the Gay Head (Aquinnah) Wampanoag Tribe was federally recognized in 1987, and was successful in land-back initiatives, in Aquinnah, litigation continues as Wampanoag and non-Native private land owners fight — with the Vineyard Conservation Society, the town of Aquinnah, and the Gay Head (Aquinnah) Wampanoag Tribe — for access to parcels of land along Moshup Trail.” HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former state Rep. Byron Rushing, Shelby Ashline, Hayley Fleming and Hirak Shah. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Brendan Roche, who celebrates Saturday, and to Sunday birthday-ers former Gov. Bill Weld, who turns 77; former Gov. Deval Patrick, who turns 66; Boston state Rep. Nika Elugardo, former Westfield Mayor Donald Humason Jr., author Dave Wedge, Amy Inglis and Robert C. Merton. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: THE UNHAPPIEST HOUR — Hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith and Libby Gormley take a deep dive into efforts to bring back happy hour in Massachusetts with guests including state Sen. Julian Cyr. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud . 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: Welcome back to the State House

 

View in browser   BY LISA KASHINSKY (RE)OPENING DAY — Seven hundred and eight days after House and Senate leaders shuttered the State House to the public at the onset of the pandemic, the “people’s house” is finally reopening to the people. VISITING HOURS — Visitors can enter the building from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They can stay later, but only if they’re watching an ongoing House or Senate session. VAX OR TEST — General Court officers will check for either proof of vaccination or a negative test at the door, so bring your vaccine card, a photo of the card or digital proof of vaccination. Two shots of Pfizer, two shots of Moderna or one dose of J&J will satisfy the vaccine requirement. A negative PCR test or a photo of a negative rapid test from less than 24 hours before entry are also acceptable. MASK UP — Masks are required in all common areas of the State House — entrances, hallways, elevators, restrooms. But lawmakers and their staffers can mask down “at their workstation.” Kids under 5 are exempt from both the mask and vaccine requirements. COMPLIANCE CHECK — Credentialed state employees in compliance with vaccine requirements won’t need to show proof of jab to enter the building. Neither will journalists with State House press passes. But the four state representatives who remain out of compliance with the House vaccine mandate will have to follow the same rules as the public. NO REGRETS — Senate President Karen Spilka told WBZ’s Jon Keller over the weekend that she wanted to throw open the doors last fall, and after New Year’s Day, but kept them closed as Omicron surged. Still, she said, “we have opened up in a way to the public that we have never done before” by streaming sessions and committee hearings. GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Here’s a look at some of the State House happenings these past 23 months, by the numbers: 247 — The number of formal and informal House sessions since the building closed to the public on March 16, 2020. 239 — The number of formal and informal Senate sessions since the building closed to the public. 19 — Senators and representatives who joined the Legislature following the November 2020 election. 8 — Lawmakers who’ve joined the Legislature as a result of special elections. 2 — House speakers (Robert DeLeo and Ron Mariano). 1 — The time Gov. Charlie Baker said he missed the “stale cookies” and “bad coffee” that he once shared with legislative leaders while they forewent in-person leadership meetings earlier in the pandemic. Spilka later said she provided a “variety of delicious pastries” for the meetings. Your Playbook scribe intends to inquire about the pastry status now that Baker and the House and Senate leaders are back to meeting in person. TODAY — Baker and A&F Sec. Michael Heffernan testify before the Joint Committee on Revenue on the administration’s tax relief proposal at 1 p.m. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito chairs a Seaport Economic Council meeting at noon and visits the Seaport Landing Municipal Marina in Lynn at 2:30 p.m. Rep. Jake Auchincloss visits the Old Colony Museum at 10 a.m., Attleboro Arts Museum at 11:30 a.m. and tours Millis small businesses at 3 p.m. Rep. Ayanna Pressley participates in a “Black Mothers Matter: Child Care is Racial Justice” virtual discussion at 6 p.m. State Auditor Suzanne Bump attends Association of Government Accountants meetings in Washington, D.C. Tips? Scoops? Email me:  lkashinsky@politico.com. Also, we’re aware that some links may be missing from Playbook when we publish. Our engineers are still working on it.   JOIN THURSDAY TO HEAR FROM MAYORS ACROSS AMERICA: The Fifty: America’s Mayors will convene mayors from across the country to discuss their policy agendas, including the enforcement of Covid measures such as vaccine and mask mandates. We’ll also discuss how mayors are dealing with the fallout of the pandemic on their local economies and workforce, affordable housing and homelessness, and criminal justice reforms. REGISTER HERE.     FROM THE DELEGATION — ALL EYES ON RUSSIA: Members of the congressional delegation have been receiving classified briefings on the escalating Russia-Ukraine situation. After Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops to separatist regions of eastern Ukraine, Rep. Bill Keating, who was just overseas for the Munich Security Conference, said Putin had “chosen the wrong and foolish path” and that the U.S., NATO and the European Union “will enact swift and severe consequences for the actions taken by the Russian government.” Rep. Jake Auchincloss similarly called for strict sanctions “in the face of Russian belligerence.” Sen. Ed Markey said he thinks Putin has underestimated NATO, NBC10’s Alison King reported. But Rep. Stephen Lynch said on WCVB’s “On the Record” Sunday that he was “worried about the firmness of the NATO coalition and what will happen when shots are fired,” warning that “we have a new Cold War.” DATELINE BEACON HILL — "Charlie Baker’s $700M tax relief plan for Massachusetts gains steam," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "State budget watchdogs largely support Gov. Charlie Baker’s plan to give nearly $700 million in tax cuts to mostly low- and middle-income earners, but progressives warn the payback could backfire." — “Charlie Baker files $2.4 billion supplemental budget for COVID resources, child care grants and more,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “Gov. Charlie Baker filed a $2.4 billion fiscal year 2022 supplemental budget that targets areas of ‘immediate need’ including the state’s COVID-19 response, child care, housing and infrastructure, citing the state’s deep pockets as justification for the high price tag. … Although the bill recommends $2.4 billion in supplemental appropriations, the net state cost will be $1.6 billion, buoyed by surplus revenues from the first half of the year.” — “Hate crimes up slightly in Mass. in 2020,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “The number of hate crimes in Massachusetts increased slightly in 2020, with a larger percentage related to racial and ethnic bias, according to a new report issued by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. In 2020, the report found, there were 385 incidents of hate crimes reported by police departments, up from 376 in 2019.” — MUSICAL CHAIRS: “Senate Dems Shuffle Leadership Atop Six Committees,” by Colin A. Young, State House News Service (paywall): “New Sen. Lydia Edwards of Boston got her initial committee assignments Thursday and will step into the roles of Senate chair of the Community Development and Small Business Committee and Senate vice chair of the Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. … [Senate President Karen] Spilka announced a rejiggered roster of committee chairmanships including Sen. Brendan Crighton of Lynn as the Senate’s new point person on the Transportation Committee.” — “Massachusetts civil asset forfeiture reform heating up on Beacon Hill,” by Flint McColgan, Boston Herald: “A class-action lawsuit headed by a Boston-area woman challenging asset forfeiture on the federal level is casting light on an issue that’s also subject to reform efforts on Beacon Hill. Partnered House and Senate bills requiring greater transparency and accountability on civil asset forfeiture — the tool police use to seize money and assets purportedly linked to crime — this month received an extended reporting deadline to April 15.” VAX-ACHUSETTS — “Massachusetts colleges ease COVID-19 measures,” by Matt Yan and Amanda Kaufman, Boston Globe: “Some Massachusetts universities have announced they will ease COVID-19 measures, such as mandatory testing and masking, on their campuses. Northeastern University, Emerson College, the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and Lasell University all recently announced changes to their protocols.” — “Boston businesses bid farewell to vaccine mandate, but some still check vax cards,” by Amanda Beland, WBUR: “[F]or businesses like Row 34, the city just took one big step toward returning to normal: Mayor Michelle Wu lifted the mandate Friday that required people to prove their vaccination status to visit restaurants, fitness centers and entertainment venues. … Even still, not every Boston business is ready to relax its rules.” — More: “TD Garden drops proof of vaccination mandate, still holds onto masks,” by Meghan Ottolini, Boston Herald.  — "Local hospitals make plans for rationing blood amid shortage," by Craig LeMoult, GBH: "'The blood shortage is real, it's regional and national, and it is compromising patient care,' said Dr. Robert Makar, director of the Blood Transfusion Service at Massachusetts General Hospital. The problem is the pandemic."   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.     FROM THE HUB — “Boston seeing spike in records requests — and complaints about responses,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The records requests and subsequent complaints about them alike keep flowing into Boston in recent years, as city public records hunters in 2021 registered more than 230 appeals with the state. Secretary of State William Galvin’s office, which is the place to bring any complaints about the responses — or lack thereof — to public records requests to government agencies, fielded 233 last year that had to do with the city of Boston. Though the city’s public records office remains slow to respond to requests from media and members of the public alike, these issues largely predate Mayor Michelle Wu, who came into power in November.” — “Boston St. Patrick’s Day breakfast to return to traditional in-person format next month,” by Meghan Ottolini, Boston Herald: “The long-running St. Patrick’s Day breakfast will be held in person this March after going virtual in 2021, the Herald has learned. A spokesperson with state Sen. Nick Collins’ office confirmed the breakfast ‘will be live, in-person, with a full audience’ on March 20, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center from 9 a.m. to noon.” — “Rollins reforms loom over Suffolk DA race,” by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: “Rachael Rollins’s name won’t be on the ballot this year, but her approach to prosecution in Suffolk County may end up being front and center. ... Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo announced his candidacy for the DA’s post — and he has been quick to declare his allegiance to the Rollins legacy. … While Arroyo offers a full-throated embrace of Rollins’s policies, Hayden seems to be carving out ground more toward the political center.” — “Massport prime landing spot for six-figure pay in Boston,” by Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: “It pays to work at Massport. A total of 554 employees earned $100,000 or more last year, payroll records show. That’s down from last year. The top earners, however, remain mostly the same. Director of Aviation Edward Freni topped everyone at $397,596 in gross pay. Following close behind was CEO Lisa Wieland, at $339,230, and Director of Administration and Finance John Pranckevicius also in that stratosphere at $304,331.” PARTY POLITICS  — “With Mass. GOP in trouble, Baker pledges to help like-minded candidates,” by Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: “Governor Charlie Baker — whose decision not to seek reelection robbed Republicans of their best shot at holding the corner office — said in an interview with the Globe on Thursday that he will remain active in the state’s political world even as he prepares to leave office. He intends to advise, campaign alongside, and raise money for like-minded candidates in his moderate mold, he said, and will help a PAC closely aligned with him raise an anticipated $2 million to support centrist candidates in both parties.” ON THE STUMP — “Gubernatorial candidate and state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz condemns xenophobia after celebrating new immigrant driver’s license bill,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “As gubernatorial hopeful and state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz [last] week celebrated the House passing the Work and Family Mobility Act, allowing immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses, she confronted stinging racism on social media.” — “Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi lands support to appear on ballot for reelection,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi swiftly gained support for his reelection bid this week, garnering three times the number of signatures he needed to complete his nomination paperwork and secure his name on the ballot.” — “Rodriguez announces candidacy for state Senate seat,” by Jill Harmacinski, Eagle-Tribune: “Doris Rodriguez has announced her candidacy for the new State Senate First Essex District seat, saying she hopes to become ‘the vocal bridge between our communities of Methuen, Lawrence and Haverhill.’” HEALEY WATCH — “AG's Office recovers $760K in worker wages,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Newburyport Daily News: “Attorney General Maura Healey’s office has clawed back hundreds of thousands of dollars in wages for Massachusetts workers who were chiseled out of pay by their employers. Last year, the office’s Fair Labor Division issued 160 citations against 72 construction companies for violating labor, misclassification and prevailing wage laws, according to newly released data. The recovery efforts returned at least $760,000 in wages for 565 workers through settlements and other enforcement actions, the AG’s Office said in a report.” DAY IN COURT — “Seventh Massachusetts resident charged in Jan. 6 insurrection,” by Phillip Martin, GBH News: “[The FBI] arrested an Athol man in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, attempt to overthrow the results of the 2020 presidential election. He is the seventh Massachusetts resident to face charges related to the attack on the U.S. Capitol that led to five deaths, including one Capitol Police officer. Vincent J. Gillespie, 60, is charged with assaulting law enforcement officials during the breach of the Capitol as well as ‘resisting, or impeding officers, civil disorder, engaging in ‘physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, and related offenses.’” — “Mass. General pays $14.6 million to settle whistle-blower suit over concurrent surgeries,” by Jonathan Saltzman, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts General Hospital on Friday agreed to pay $14.6 million to settle a federal lawsuit alleging it fraudulently billed government insurers for surgeries performed by trainees without proper oversight because supervising surgeons were working in another operating room.” WARREN REPORT — "Elon Musk claps back at Elizabeth Warren claim that he paid 'zero' in taxes," by Tyler O'Neil, Fox Business: "Tesla CEO Elon Musk clapped back at Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who claimed that he had paid 'zero' in taxes in 2018. Musk cited his multi-billion-dollar anticipated tax bill for 2021." MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS  — “Lawmakers want to restrict local pot shop fees,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Salem News: “Lawmakers are seeking to curtail fees cannabis businesses are forced to pay to cities and towns as part of a broader overhaul of the state’s pot law. … Impact fees would still be allowed, but they would be capped at 3% of a pot shop’s gross sales, and the host agreements would expire after five years. … Efforts to eliminate the impact fees are strongly opposed by the Massachusetts Municipal Association.” FROM THE 413 — “Northampton City Council calls on President Joe Biden to cancel student debt in unanimous vote,” by Cassie McGrath, MassLive: “In a unanimous vote, the Northampton City Council passed a resolution calling on President Joe Biden to cancel student loan debt through executive order.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Car mogul Ernie Boch Jr. has a Bentley on the burning cargo ship in the Atlantic Ocean,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The luxury-car cargo ship that caught on fire while heading toward Rhode Island has a vehicle that belongs to Ernie Boch Jr. The local car mogul said he has a 12-cylinder, battleship-grey Bentley on the merchant ship ‘Felicity Ace,’ which has been burning for days in the Atlantic Ocean. A Bentley like that can sell for upwards of $200,000.” — “The Constitution and the Ten Commandments: A Christian group plants its flag,” by Brian MacQuarrie, Boston Globe: “[The Rev. Steven Louis] Craft is the chaplain of Camp Constitution, a New Hampshire-based organization whose request to fly a Christian flag outside Boston City Hall was rejected in 2017, even though city officials had approved 284 flag-raisings over 12 years without exception, including the flags of China, Cuba, and even the Montreal Canadiens hockey team. … To Craft and others at the camp, the city’s denial is more fodder for their argument that religious groups face government discrimination in a country whose founders routinely asked for divine intervention and guidance.” — “When the hospital challenged his unemployment benefits, ICU nurse fought back,” by Katie Johnston, Boston Globe: “Given all the unemployment fraud in the early months of the pandemic, in addition to the surge of legitimate claims from laid-off workers, it’s not surprising employers are scrutinizing jobless benefits. But some people who have a right to assistance have been caught in the crosshairs. For [Jack] Stewart, 51, the dispute with Baystate Medical Center was ‘a slap to the face’ after the work he had put in, especially at the height of the pandemic, he said.” — “Utilities make progress on fixing gas leaks,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: “Massachusetts utilities reported nearly 29,000 gas leaks in 2020, about 5,288 of which were classified as ’Grade 1’ leaks, meaning they should be repaired immediately, the latest data from the state Department of Public Utilities shows. … A recent DPU report shows utilities are making slow, but steady, progress on fixing the leaks since 2014 when the state began tracking leaks.” — IN MEMORIAM: “Dr. Paul Farmer, public health luminary and co-founder of Partners in Health, dies at 62, in Rwanda,” by David Abel and Kenneth Singletary, Boston Globe: “Farmer’s death was announced in a statement by Partners in Health, the international non-profit organization that he co-founded, which said the acclaimed infectious disease doctor ‘unexpectedly’ died in his sleep.” HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY — to Steve Grossman, former state treasurer and DNC chair, who celebrated Thursday, and to Playbook superfan Emma Huggard, who celebrated Saturday. ENGAGED — Peter Hamby, host of Snapchat’s “Good Luck America” and founding partner of Puck News, on Friday proposed to Katie Warshaw, a former Marty Walsh aide who’s now an MBA candidate at UCLA Anderson School of Management. REWIND — I joined GBH's Adam Reilly and the Boston Globe's Emma Platoff on GBH's "Talking Politics" to discuss the latest developments in the governor's race and more. 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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