POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: This Barbie has an ‘Oppenheimer’-backed bill

 

BY MIA MCCARTHY AND LISA KASHINSKY BAHBENHEIMAH — The Senate is out today, but the “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” movies are finally in.  The two disparate feature flicks — one about the iconic Mattel plastic doll, and the other about the man at the center of creating the atomic bomb — are dividing Americans from Boston to the Beltway. So Playbook stalked the halls of Congress to see where the state’s two senators stand. And the answers might surprise you: “Barbie! Are you kidding?” Elizabeth Warren exclaimed after casting her final vote of the week in the Senate chamber. “How could you not be Team Barbie?” Ed Markey declared himself “Team Barbenheimer” — well, actually, “Team Bahbenheimah,” because, you know, Malden. “Bahbenheimah goes together like peanut buttah and jelly,” he said. But team double-feature is facing a dilemma: Which movie do you watch first? “This is the great theological question,” Markey told Playbook, closing his eyes and letting out a dramatic sigh. After deep consideration, he settled on “Oppenheimer.” (He said his wife, however, is passionate about Barbie.) Promotional art for "Barbie," left, and "Oppenheimer." (Warner Bros Pictures/Universal Pictures via AP) | AP Markey’s choice makes sense. While other senators were staking out their "Barbie" or "Oppenheimer" allegiances, Markey was meeting with Kai Bird — one of the authors of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book on J. Robert Oppenheimer that inspired the film — to discuss the dovetailing threats of nuclear war and artificial intelligence. Bird co-wrote the biography with the late Martin Sherwin, a nuclear history scholar and former Tufts University professor who was a friend of Markey’s. In their meeting Thursday, Bird and Markey shared their mutual concerns over the proliferation of artificial intelligence in national security and defense without guardrails, and the risks of using nuclear weapons in South Asia and elsewhere. They also discussed ways to increase awareness of nuclear issues among the younger set, according to a Markey spokesperson. Markey walked away with Bird’s endorsement of an amendment he filed to the National Defense Authorization Act that would bar the use of artificial intelligence to launch nuclear weapons, his office first told Playbook. “Humans must always maintain sole control over nuclear weapons — this technology is too dangerous to gamble with,” Bird said in a statement. “This bill will send a powerful signal to the world that the United States will never take the reckless step of automating our nuclear command and control.” GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Warren and Markey said they probably won’t be able to catch either flick this weekend. That’ll give Markey more time to mull his answer to the other great theological question on his mind: “What would I eat in between the movies?” The answer is ice cream, of course. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) | AP Photo TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll have no public events. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu paints a basketball court with Celtics star Jaylen Brown at 10 a.m. at Fenelon Park. Rep. Richard Neal announces federal funding at 10:30 a.m. at Pittsfield City Hall. Auditor Diana DiZoglio visits Greater Lowell Technical High at 11:30 a.m. Warren visits Pittsfield Senior Center at 3:15 p.m. Rep. Jim McGovern visits free meals sites in Turners Falls, Greenfield and Worcester with Project Bread. Rep. Ayanna Pressley campaigns for Tennessee state Rep. Justin Jones . THIS WEEKEND — NAACP Boston President Tanisha Sullivan is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday and joins Boston City Councilor Michael Flaherty on “@Issue” at 12:30 p.m. Sunday on NECN. Rep. Lori Trahan is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. Are you Team Barbie or Team Oppenheimer (or Team Barbenheimer)? Email us: mmccarthy@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com and we'll tell you which side we're on!   JOIN 7/26 FOR A TALK ON THE NEW ENERGY ECONOMY:  Join POLITICO's lively discussion, "Powering a Clean Energy Economy," on July 26 to 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? 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 — “Private donors commit $100K to relief fund for Mass. farmers reeling from rains, floods,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “A series of torrential rains over the past two weeks caused roughly $15 million in damages to about 2,000 acres of farmland in Massachusetts, which the Healey administration hopes to help save with a private relief fund announced Thursday afternoon. … [Gov. Maura] Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said philanthropic organizations and private donors have committed $100,000 to the newly-created private fund. Attorney General Andrea Campbell said her office would also chip in $10,000 from settlements reached by the state’s top prosecutor.” — More: “Congressional delegation calls on feds to declare western Mass a disaster area in wake of floods,” by Scott Merzbach, Greenfield Recorder. FROM THE DELEGATION — DISTRICT DISCORD: A liberal Newton activist group is rebuking Rep. Jake Auchincloss for being one of nine Democrats who recently voted to block certain “race-based theories” — including that the “United States is a fundamentally racist country” — from being taught in military-run schools. Rep. Seth Moulton also voted in favor of the amendment put forward by hardline conservative Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) during deliberations over the sweeping defense bill that passed the House last week. The two military veterans ultimately joined other House Democrats in voting against the full National Defense Authorization Act. But Newton Upstanders, a group focused on protecting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, is accusing Auchincloss of supporting an “effort to whitewash American racial history.” Auchincloss said he was “reluctant to lend credence to the GOP’s parade of preposterous claims about the military” in a statement to Insider . But he said the amendment “was tightly constructed to affirm that the military shouldn't teach service members' children that any race is inherently superior to any other.” His spokesperson later told Playbook that Auchincloss’ vote was “affirming that the military shouldn’t teach service members’ children that the Constitution they are sworn to protect is racist.” A Moulton spokesperson said that “slavery was our nation’s original sin and there’s no question its effects are still felt today; but Congressman Moulton does not believe that the U.S. is a ‘fundamentally racist country’.” It’s not uncommon for lawmakers to face some level of blowback back home over errant votes in D.C. The Boston Jewish Community Relations Council, for instance, subtly shaded Rep. Ayanna Pressley this week for being one of just 10 representatives, all Democrats, to vote against a House resolution reaffirming U.S. support for Israel. But with none of the delegation members facing serious challenges to their 2024 reelection bids, there’s little these groups can do to hold their federal lawmakers accountable for disagreeable votes. Newton Upstanders is, however, meeting with Auchincloss on Monday. — "After fighting to obtain Trump’s taxes, Richard Neal is on the other side of an IRS battle involving Hunter Biden," by Jim Puzzanghera, Boston Globe. MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS — “Mass. rolls out new program to help immigrants with legal services,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “The state’s Office for Refugees and Immigrants is partnering with nonprofits to roll out a first-of-its kind program to provide legal services to new arrivals with the goal of better helping them integrate into Massachusetts. The services, which will be offered to families staying in the state’s emergency assistance shelters and hotels, include helping migrants put together asylum applications so that they can eventually obtain permits to work legally.” VAX-ACHUSETTS — “State watchdogs spend little on COVID-19 oversight,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “The state's watchdogs have spent only a fraction of $1.5 million in funding they received more than two years ago to provide fiscal oversight of billions of dollars in federal pandemic-related aid flowing into the state." — “COVID-19 waste water numbers are ticking up again,” by Emma Obregón Dominguez, Boston Globe: “Coronavirus waste water numbers have nearly tripled just three weeks after dropping to their lowest levels in two years, suggesting that cases of COVID-19 are ticking up in the greater Boston area.”   JOIN 7/27 FOR A TALK ON WOMEN LEADERS IN THE NEW WORKPLACE: In the wake of the pandemic, U.S. lawmakers saw a unique opportunity to address the current childcare system, which has become increasingly unaffordable for millions of Americans, but the initial proposals went nowhere. With the launch of the Congressional Bipartisan Affordable Childcare Caucus in May, there may be a path to make childcare more affordable. Join Women Rule on July 27 to dive into this timely topic and more with featured speakers Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Reshma Saujani, Founder & CEO of Moms First and Founder of Girls Who Code. REGISTER HERE .     FROM THE HUB — “Boston Police release body-camera video showing aftermath of Councilor Kendra Lara’s car crash,” by Sean Cotter, Boston Globe: “Boston Police have released body-camera video from the aftermath of City Councilor Kendra Lara’s June 30 car crash that led to criminal charges, footage that features interviews with both Lara and the man who she said she swerved to avoid in the minutes following the crash. ‘I was just beginning to pull out and she came by like a bat out of hell and just swerved,’ the man, whose face was blurred out, told police.” More from WCVB . THE RACE FOR CITY HALL — “It's official: New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell is running for re-election,” by Frank Mulligan, Standard-Times: “Mayor Jon Mitchell, first elected in 2011, is seeking a sixth term as mayor." — “How the Weymouth mayor's race could end up being a rematch,” by Fred Hanson, Patriot Ledger: “Mayor Robert Hedlund has filed nomination papers for another four years as the town's chief executive. The only other person who had taken out nomination papers from the town clerk's office as of Friday is Edward Cowen, an ex-Marine who ran against Hedlund in 2019.” 2024 WATCH — DESANTISLAND: Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts and Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire are home to two of the 100 chapters of “Students for DeSantis,” a youth-oriented grassroots effort organized by the pro-Ron DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down, the group said. — “Poll: Less Than Half Of New Hampshire Democrats Support First-In-The-Nation Primary Law,” by Stephanie Murray, The Messenger. — “Three key moments from RFK Jr.'s testimony to Congress,” by Eric Bazail-Eimil, POLITICO.  RFK JR IS A REPUBLICAN SHILL....AMONG OTHER THINGS! A REMINDER...THIS DERANGED LUNATIC IS MAKING THE ROUNDS...HE'S A REPUBLICAN SHILLS...LOOK AT HIS FUNDING & WHO'S PROMOTING HIM.... RFK JR! SET ASIDE ALL OF HIS LUNACY, CONSPIRACY THEORY MANURE & HIS SCIENCE DISINFORMATION. EXCERPTS OF RFK JR'S JOURNALS WERE PUBLISHED! THIS IS NOT PRESIDENTIAL MATERIAL! FROM THE 413 — “Who is running your town government? More and more small Berkshire County towns are struggling to staff town halls and government positions,” by Jane Kaufman, Berkshire Eagle: “In an increasingly complex environment, small towns in the Berkshires are running dry of the people, like [former Savoy Select Board member Russell] Clarke, who keep them functioning. And the problem isn’t just confined to volunteers. Staffing town halls is also a problem." — “Chicopee city councilor faces backlash after ‘racially insensitive’ Facebook post,” by Dave Eisenstadter, MassLive: “Chicopee Ward 7 City Councilor William Courchesne is under fire from colleagues and under investigation from his employer after posting what a fellow city councilor called a ‘racially insensitive’ meme to Facebook.” — “DOJ says Springfield is largely on course with required police reforms,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican. THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Worcester to see draft ordinance on crisis pregnancy centers despite city manager’s concerns,” by Kiernan Dunlop, MassLive: “After initially declining to present a draft ordinance that would regulate so-called crisis pregnancy centers in the city to the Worcester City Council, City Manager Eric Batista said Thursday he will bring two draft ordinances before the council.” — “Your Options Medical mobile crisis pregnancy center is coming to Cape Cod this summer,” by Rasheek Tabassum Mujib, Cape Cod Times: “Your Options Medical, a Revere [so-called] crisis pregnancy center, plans to bring its Medical Mobile Clinic to Cape Cod next month. … A local group, Cape Cod Pro-Life Alliance, is collaborating with Your Options Medical to bring the mobile clinic to Cape Cod.” HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH SPOTTED — In an elevator on Capitol Hill: NCAA president and former Gov. Charlie Baker, who was there to meet with Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) to follow up on her query about the NCAA’s sports-betting policy . ALSO SPOTTED — showing solidarity with striking SAG-AFTRA and WGA members in the District: Sen. Ed Markey . Tweet . HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to NBC10 Boston’s Mary Markos, Dracut state Rep. Colleen Garry, former MassDems chair Phil Johnston, Philip Deely, Sara Seager and Rachel Nieves. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Rosemary Powers , who celebrates Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers former state Sen. Kathleen O’Connor-Ives, Meg Montgomery, Vasundhra Sangar, Jeremy D. Goodwin, Mariane Pearl, Jane Rayburn of EMC Research and your Massachusetts Playbook scribe, Lisa. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: SMOKE SIGNALS — GBH’s Katie Lannan and MassINC Polling’s Rich Parr join host Jennifer Smith to talk flooding in New England, a fire at the State House and pandemic-era policies. 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: Questioning the liberal label

View in browser   BY LISA KASHINSKY Presented by SLIM PICKINGS — The narrow margins of victory for two ballot questions championed by progressives and left-leaning labor groups serve as yet another reminder that Massachusetts isn’t as liberal as it's labeled. Voters upheld the new law granting undocumented immigrants access to driver’s licenses (ballot Question 4), 54 percent to 46 percent. The margin was even smaller for the so-called millionaires tax: 52 percent of voters approved the constitutional amendment (ballot Question 1) that will add a 4 percent surtax on annual income above $1 million and funnel the revenue toward education and transportation projects, while 48 percent voted against it. That’s despite proponents of both questions heavily outspending their opponents. Supporters of the millionaires tax had raised more than $28 million and spent nearly as much as of Nov. 1, the most recent data available on OCPF. Opponents raised more than $14 million and had spent more than $13 million of it as of Nov. 1. “We always knew it would be a tight race,” Andrew Farnitano, a spokesperson for Fair Share for Massachusetts, told Playbook, even as early polling showed wider margins. “That’s why we knocked over 1 million doors from April to Election Day, called more than 2 million people” and spent $15 million on television ads through Tuesday. Spending was even more lopsided for Question 4. The coalition working to keep the Work and Family Mobility Act raised and spent more than $3 million, while the GOP-led effort to repeal it raised and spent less than $200,000. Both sides of the driver’s license fight have cited organizing challenges. Proponents, caught off guard by the GOP-led effort to get the question on the ballot, say they had limited time to stand up their operation. Opponents wish they had more money. But taxes and immigration are also thorny political issues — the exact types that can make voters who filled in their bubble for a Democratic governor spurn policies she openly supported . “We’re more reliably liberal on some issues than others,” Jonathan Cohn, policy director of Progressive Massachusetts, told Playbook. “In any state, both of those end up being issues that can be difficult. You’re running against a lot of knee-jerk anti-immigrant sentiment that exists with Question 4 and there’s a lot of general anti-tax sentiment. … But at the end of the day, they both did still win.” GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS, AND IT'S VETERANS DAY. Here are a couple more notable nuggets to wrap up election week: — With most results now in , attorney general nominee Jay McMahon won more votes than any Republican running for one of the state’s six constitutional offices, with 894,568 ballots cast in his favor as of Thursday night. GOP auditor nominee Anthony Amore and governor nominee Geoff Diehl followed. — Treasurer Deb Goldberg led the Democrats with 1,664,526 votes as of Thursday night. Secretary of State Bill Galvin and Governor-elect Maura Healey had the second- and third-highest vote totals, respectively. TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker attends Veterans Day ceremonies at 10 a.m. at the State House and at 1 p.m. at the Puerto Rican Veterans Monument Plaza. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu attends the latter, and the Pedro Martinez Foundation’s annual gala at 7:30 p.m. at the Mandarin Oriental in Boston. Reps. Seth Moulton and Jake Auchincloss are on WBUR’s “Radio Boston” at 11 a.m. Moulton hosts his annual veterans’ town hall at noon at Marblehead’s Abbot Hall. THIS WEEKEND — Rep. Lori Trahan is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. AG-elect Andrea Campbell is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. LG-elect Kim Driscoll keynotes the MWPC’s Abigail Adams Celebration at 2 p.m. Sunday at the JFK Library. Tips? Scoops? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com .   A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts: When it comes to overall health, Delta Dental is here to help you embrace a new “flossophy.” Preventive measures in your thirties can have a big impact on your oral and overall health in your later years. Protecting you from things like heart disease, diabetes, and depression. That’s why we’re reminding communities all over the state that a healthy smile is a powerful thing. Discover the connection between oral and overall health at ExpressYourHealthMA.org.   DATELINE BEACON HILL — PARTY POLITICS: We’ve talked in this space already about the perils of one-party rule — exposed intraparty rifts, the exact gridlock and stalemates unilateral control is supposed to avoid — as Democrats prepare for their state government trifecta come January. CommonWealth Magazine’s Michael Jonas got Democratic legislative leaders to weigh in on what’s coming. Senate President Karen Spilka told CommonWealth she and Governor-elect Maura Healey “are aligned with each other on a lot of our values.” House Speaker Ron Mariano said he looks forward to working with the incoming administration. It’s not just the relationship between the governor and the Legislature that will be tested, though, it’ll also be the relationship between chambers. — “Baker again clashes with lawmakers on abortion-related law,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday signed a $3.76 billion economic development bill. But Baker, a Republican, once again entered into a controversy with the Democratic-led Legislature over reproductive rights by vetoing an education campaign about crisis pregnancy centers. … The Legislature, as part of its economic development bill, appropriated $17.5 million for organizations that provide reproductive health care, including abortion care, to spend on hiring, security, and education. That money included a $1 million education campaign regarding crisis pregnancy centers. Baker left the $16.5 million earmarked for reproductive health organizations but vetoed the $1 million public awareness campaign as well as language requiring the state to publish a list of providers that offer ‘legitimate’ family planning services. The state already maintains such a list.” — “Regulators offer clarity on sports betting applications for horse tracks, simulcast centers,” by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive: “Massachusetts gaming regulators unanimously voted Thursday afternoon to accept sports betting applications from horse racing and simulcasting centers on a rolling basis, a split from the upcoming deadline casinos and online operators face later this month.”   NEW AND IMPROVED POLITICO APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. With a fresh look and improved features, the sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. Already a POLITICO app user? Upgrade today! DOWNLOAD FOR iOS  – DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID .     FROM THE HUB — “Boston City Council president restores committee chairmanship to Arroyo,” by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: “Boston City Council President Ed Flynn has quietly restored chairmanship of the Government Operations committee to Councilor Ricardo Arroyo, cooling a flashpoint that split the council, mostly along racial lines, months earlier. Neither Arroyo nor Flynn would comment on the decision, but the move appears to close the book on the controversy that arose during the Suffolk County district attorney's race when the Boston Globe reported that Arroyo, as a teenager, was investigated by the Boston Police in two cases of alleged sexual assault. No charges were ever filed in connection with either incident.” — “East Boston substation gets a ‘tentative’ go-ahead to bypass state and local environmental permits,” by Miriam Wasser, WBUR: “The state body in charge of approving energy projects looks poised to allow the utility Eversource to bypass the 14 remaining environmental permits it needs for a controversial substation in East Boston. … But while substations are ubiquitous and necessary, this one in East Boston has garnered a lot of opposition and become one of the most controversial energy projects in the state. Those trying to stop the facility have long argued that it violates the state’s environmental justice policy, questioned whether it’s actually needed for electric reliability, and asserted that building it near the flood-prone banks of Chelsea Creek and across the street from a popular playground is a public safety hazard.” BALLOT BATTLES — “The ‘millionaires tax’ passed. What does that mean for your taxes?” by Dana Gerber, Boston Globe: “Here’s how the new tax works: If your annual taxable income (comprising salaries and wages, some retirement withdrawals, capital gains on the sales of home and businesses, etc) is more than $1 million, you’ll pay the existing flat 5 percent rate on the first million, and a new 9 percent rate on all income in excess of that. Let’s say you bring home $1.5 million in a year. You would be taxed 5 percent on the first million ($50,000) plus 9 percent on the rest ($45,000) for a total of $95,000 in state taxes (up from $75,000 under the current 5 percent rate).” — More: “Hiking taxes, protecting abortion and other issues voters greenlighted in the midterms,” by Shia Kapos, POLITICO.   A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts:     HEALEY WATCH — “LGBTQ leaders reflect on Maura Healey’s historic win,” by Katie Lannan, GBH News: “Maura Healey’s election as the first openly gay governor of Massachusetts was part of a ‘rainbow wave’ in the 2022 midterms, one with several historic milestones and a new high-water mark of successful LGBTQ candidates.” — “Two days after a historic win at the polls, Gov.-elect Maura Healey visited the Berkshires. Here's what she had to say,” by Meg Britton-Mehlisch, Berkshire Eagle: “Governor-elect Maura Healey made her way to Pittsfield’s Colonial Theatre on Thursday in a show of dedication to Berkshire County roughly 48 hours after her historic success at the polls Tuesday. … ‘This is very intentional because I wanted to make clear to people that we meant what we said when we said we were going to be a team and an administration that is here in the Berkshires, that is here in Western Mass.,’ Healey said.” TRANSITION TIME — "MBTA will have new leader before Maura Healey takes office, gov-elect says," by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: "There will be no interim period for leadership at the MBTA, according to Gov.-elect Maura Healey, who said she plans to appoint a new general manager before she takes office. 'There will be a GM in place,' Healey told reporters after an unrelated press event Thursday. 'We’re going to continue to look at that. And as I’ve said, I think it’s really important that the right leadership be in place, also that the workforce be supported.' Healey’s first day as governor is Jan. 5, two days after MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak, who resigned last week, plans to step down from his position." — JOBS BOARD: A day after Maura Healey and Kim Driscoll launched their transition website, Andrea Campbell added a similar section to her website soliciting resumes for roles in the attorney general office she’ll take over on Jan. 18. — DEPARTURES: Massachusetts Health Connector Executive Director Louis Gutierrez will retire on Jan. 3, two days before Healey is sworn in as governor, the state said. He’s served in the role since February 2015.   DON’T MISS POLITICO’S 2nd ANNUAL DEFENSE SUMMIT ON 11/16: The United States is facing a defining moment in the future of its defense, national security and democratic ideals. The current conflicts and developments around the world are pushing Washington to reshape its defense strategy and how it cooperates with allies. Join POLITICO for our second annual defense summit, “At a Crossroads: America’s Defense Strategy” on November 16 in person at the Schuyler DC or join online to hear keynote interviews and panels discussing the road ahead for America’s national security. REGISTER HERE .     FROM THE 413 — “Majority of 1st Franklin, 1st Hampshire district voters support carbon tax,” by Bella Levavi, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “A nonbinding question on Tuesday’s ballot shows that voters in the 1st Franklin District and 1st Hampshire District would largely support the idea of adding a statewide fee based on the carbon content of fossil fuels — otherwise known as a carbon tax — to compensate for the environmental damage caused by their use.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Encore Boston Harbor missed target for hiring women; Gets high marks for hiring local, people of color,” by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive: “New hires at Encore Boston Harbor between 2019 and 2021 were primarily people of color and local to Massachusetts, though the casino just missed the mark for bringing in women in its initial cohort of workers, according to a new report from researchers at the University of Massachusetts. Regulators with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission expressed some concern Thursday morning with gender balance at the casino but praised Encore Boston Harbor for creating new jobs that largely offered better pay to a local workforce.” THE NATIONAL TAKE — “Republicans thought they could make gains in New England. A blue wave hit instead,” by Joanna Slater, Washington Post: “Heading into Tuesday's midterms, New England was considered a region where Republicans might make crucial inroads, potentially picking up key seats in a Democratic stronghold on the road to a broader nationwide victory. Instead, the result here looked more like a blue wave. Republicans lost three House races that were considered competitive in Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Hampshire, as well as a Senate race in New Hampshire.”   A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts: When it comes to oral health, Delta Dental of Massachusetts can help you achieve lifelong optimal health. Maintaining a healthy mouth now will have a positive impact as you age. That’s why you should visit the dentist regularly for cleanings and oral cancer screenings. And, don’t forget to keep practicing good oral hygiene habits at home. A healthy mouth now will set the stage for a healthy future. Discover the connection between oral and overall health at ExpressYourHealthMA.org.   HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Alec MacGillis, Will Boscow, Jesse Adams, Shelly Tsirulik and The New York Times’ Eric Athas, a UMass Amherst alum. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Seekonk state Rep. Steven Howitt, Haven Orecchio-Egresitz, MassINC alum Winthrop Roosevelt, Tim Urban, Devra First and Playbook superfan Laura Kashinsky, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers Gov. Charlie Baker, who turns 66, NECN’s Sue O’Connell; Sudbury state Rep. Carmine Gentile, Monica Scalpato Burke and POLITICO alum Jonathan Topaz. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: MIDTERMS AND CONDITIONS — Want election takes? We've got them. Need I say more? Subscribe and listen on iTunes and SoundCloud . 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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