POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Back to bickering on Beacon Hill

 

BY KELLY GARRITY AND LISA KASHINSKY Presented by PROGRAMMING NOTE: Massachusetts Playbook won’t publish on Monday for Indigenous Peoples Day. We’ll be back in your inbox on Tuesday. GOODWILL HUNTING — It looks like the detente is over. One day after Senate President Karen Spilka affectionately laid her hand on House Speaker Ron Mariano’s arm as he praised their partnership in passing tax cuts and credits that were 20 months in the making, the two top Democrats were back to battling over gun legislation. Talk about short-lived goodwill. House leaders unveiled a revamped gun bill yesterday that reworks several aspects from their first pass — from narrowing serialization requirements to easing limits on where firearms can be carried in public — after intense criticism from gun-rights groups. The new version updates the state’s assault weapons ban but adds a “legacy” clause that would let people keep their legally owned firearms. Guns would be banned in "sensitive places" like schools, government buildings and polling places. A person wouldn't be able to bring a firearm into someone else's home without their permission. But businesses would be able to make their own decisions on allowing guns, state Rep. Michael Day, the chamber's point person on firearms legislation, told reporters at the State House. This time around, House lawmakers aren’t asking for senators' permission up front. Top Democratic representatives plan to muscle the bill through the powerful House Ways and Means Committee rather than attempt to go through the traditional joint committee process again. They've scheduled a hearing for the bill on Tuesday and are planning a vote later this month. We all remember what happened last time: The House wanted the first draft of its gun bill before the joint Judiciary Committee. The Senate wanted to steer it through the joint Public Safety Committee. The ensuing procedural squabble — along with concerns from within his caucus — led Mariano to shelve the legislation he originally wanted to ram through before lawmakers’ August recess. Spilka told WBUR yesterday that she’s “happy” to see the House moving forward with gun regulations once more. But senators are still drafting their own bill.  CORRECT LINK:  https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/10/05/gun-reform-bill-massachusetts The one thing Spilka and Mariano seem to agree on when it comes to guns: getting new rules to Gov. Maura Healey’s desk this session. “Will it be done before the holidays? Unlikely,” Mariano told reporters. “But hopefully before the session is over.” GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Gun-rights advocates who fought the first version of the House bill are already slamming the second. Dive deeper with the Boston Globe's Samantha J. Gross. TODAY — Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll speak at BECMA’s Mass Black Expo at 9:30 a.m. at the BCEC and at a Korea Day celebration at 11:45 a.m. at the State House. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Sen. Ed Markey announce a forestry grant at 9:30 a.m. at Franklin Park. Rep. Lori Trahan addresses The New England Council at 10 a.m. at The Hampshire House in Boston. AG Andrea Campbell is on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” at 11 a.m. Rep. Ayanna Pressley is on WBUR’s “Radio Boston” at 11 a.m. THIS WEEKEND — Wu is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. State Sen. Lydia Edwards is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. Pressley is on NBC10’s “At Issue” at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Tips? Scoops? Thoughts on the House gun bill? Email us: kgarrity@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com .   A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts: Delta Dental of Massachusetts is committed to educating communities around the state about how a healthy smile is a powerful thing. There are a multitude of connections between your oral and overall health, making it imperative to take care of your mouth. Healthy oral habits can help prevent more serious health concerns such as diabetes, heart disease, and depression later in life. Speak with your dentist or visit ExpressYourHealthMA.org for more information.   DATELINE BEACON HILL ALMOST HERE — Housing Secretary Ed Augustus told Playbook to expect the Healey administration’s much-anticipated housing bond bill to land “probably in the next week or two.” — “Federal officials question Mass. oversight of special education,” by Niki Griswold, Boston Globe: “The federal government is launching an inquiry into whether Massachusetts’ education department is failing to uphold the rights of special education students by not adequately monitoring local school districts to ensure they’re in compliance with federal law regarding students with disabilities.” — “Amid lawsuit, state treasurer sets November hearing for suspended cannabis regulator,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Shannon O’Brien, the one-time Democratic gubernatorial nominee abruptly suspended last month as the state’s top cannabis regulator, said she is dropping her request to a judge to be immediately reinstalled after state Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg agreed to give her a hearing to challenge the disciplinary measure.” — “Do Democrats support DiZoglio’s push to audit the Legislature? It depends who you ask,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “More than a dozen leaders of local Democratic town committees — including some who voted for [Diana] DiZoglio in the 2022 Democratic primary and some who didn’t — told The Boston Globe they’ve long wanted more transparency from the Legislature, including insight into how decisions are made, who is making those decisions, and how their state representatives and senators are voting.” — "Archdiocese of Boston opposes Mass. bill to amend statute of limitations," by Alvin Buyinza, MassLive: "A Massachusetts bill that aims to eliminate the time limit of when people can sue for sexual abuse is being met with opposition from the Archdiocese of Boston, an institution that could face numerous legal challenges if the proposed law passes." VAX-ACHUSETTS NEW TRACKER JUST DROPPED — The Department of Public Health launched a new dashboard to track Covid-19, the flu and RSV.   GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here.     MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS — “Big 3 confer with congressional delegation on migrants,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The Big 3 on Beacon Hill met via Zoom on Thursday morning with the state’s representatives in Congress, enlisting their help in seeking federal dollars and regulatory changes to help ease the shelter crisis in Massachusetts. … ‘We stressed to them that we need help,’ said House Speaker Ron Mariano, who disclosed the meeting with the congressional delegation at a State House press conference dealing with a different matter. ‘Unless we get help, we’re going to have some difficulties.’” — "As migrants overwhelm state shelter system, Auchincloss asks Biden to send team to ‘assess’," by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: "Representative Jake Auchincloss is calling for the Biden administration to send an assessment team of federal Homeland Security officials to Boston to 'see with their own eyes that this is not a sustainable scenario.'” — “The politics of Biden’s border U-turn,” by Calder McHugh and Charlie Mahtesian, POLITICO: “On Wednesday evening, the Biden administration put out the call: Build The Wall. … And [Thursday], senior administration officials announced that they would resume deportation flights to Venezuela, with 240,000 Venezuelans expected to be deported. The actions are a sudden change in direction for Biden, who vowed on the campaign trail that there would ‘not be another foot’ of border wall built. They’re also a tacit acknowledgment that the administration is getting swamped on the politics of border security.”   A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts:     THE RACE FOR CITY HALL FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — The Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund is endorsing John FitzGerald for District 3 Boston city councilor. ENDORSEMENT CORNER — Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson is following up recent endorsements from Democratic Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll with two more big names: Republican former Gov. Charlie Baker and former Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito . He’s not the first mayor up for reelection to win the backing of both the Democratic governing team and their Republican predecessors. All four are also supporting Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan . PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES THE MEDIA FAILED TO SCRUTINIZE FORMER GOVERNOR CHARLIE BAKER WHO APPOINTED INCOMPETENT HACKS TO THE MBTA THIS IS THE MESS THAT GOVERNOR MAURA HEALEY INHERITED — “The MBTA’s revolving door,” by Dan Atkinson, BINJ: “The MBTA pays former T workers millions to fix longstanding problems, but transit advocates say inside hiring isn’t getting riders or the system where they need to go.”   Enter the “room where it happens”, where global power players shape policy and politics, with Power Play. POLITICO’s brand-new podcast will host conversations with the leaders and power players shaping the biggest ideas and driving the global conversations, moderated by award-winning journalist Anne McElvoy. Sign up today to be notified of new episodes – click here .     FROM THE DELEGATION BATTLE OF THE BAY STATERS — Rep. Lori Trahan is throwing her hat in the ring for the open leadership seat on the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. Just one problem: Rep. Jake Auchincloss wants it, too. Auchincloss last week floated a trial balloon for the co-chair position on the committee that creates policy proposals and messaging for House Democrats that opened up with Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) stepping down. But Trahan got ahead of him by sending a letter to her colleagues yesterday declaring her intent to run for the seat. “I have remained committed to ensuring a strong Democratic front against the most harmful proposals brought to the floor by the majority. I believe our Democratic Caucus is strongest when we are united — against extremism, for progress, and in pursuit of a better future,” she wrote. Trahan is already a senior member of Democratic Whip Katherine Clark ’s whip team, a member of Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries ’ Regional Leadership Council and a member of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. More from POLITICO’s Katherine Tully-McManus . — “Busted: Dem lawmaker with military oversight is playing the market with a military supplier,” by Dave Levinthal and Alexandria Jacobson, Raw Story: “Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA) is the latest member of a congressional armed services committee to personally invest in one of the nation’s top defense contractors while also overseeing the nation’s military affairs. Keating disclosed purchasing between $15,001 and $50,000 worth of Boeing Co. corporate notes, according to a U.S. House financial document filed Sept. 28.” FROM THE 413 — “Amherst council backs single-payer health care,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Single-payer health care is being endorsed through an Amherst Town Council resolution, which follows similar resolutions that were twice passed by Amherst Town Meeting and a nonbinding ballot vote that earned nearly 90% support from town voters five years ago.” — “Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia announces plan to take back the streets,” by Aprell May Munford, MassLive. THE LOCAL ANGLE — “How Mass. won the competition to host a 'NASA for health care',” by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, WBUR. — “Brockton school deficits and layoffs leave some students without a teacher,” by Peter Roby, Bay State Banner. — “Cambridge officer will not be prosecuted in shooting of Sayed Faisal, ” by Hannah Reale and Esteban Bustillos, GBH News.   A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts: Snoozing or losing…sleep? Snoring is a widespread problem, affecting 30-45 percent of the population. It can have social consequences, disrupting marriages and roommate relationships, but can also be negatively impacting your overall health. Snoring often prevents a good night’s sleep, leaving individuals waking up fatigued or more seriously, it may be a by-product of obstructive sleep apnea. The good news is, your dentist may be able to help. Your dentist can help provide you with a wide array of plastic appliances, similar to mouthguards or orthodontic retainers, which can be worn while sleeping and assist with snoring. Some appliances reposition the lower jaw forward which, as a result, helps maintain an open, unobstructed airway in the throat. Speak with your dentist for more information on how to alleviate snoring or visit ExpressYourHealthMA.org to learn more.   HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH SPOTTED — Former Chicago mayor and Harvard fellow Lori Lightfoot at Delux in the South End last night, per a Playbook tipster. TRANSITIONS — Dominique Lee is the new president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Tara DiJulio, Jonny Levenfeld and Gian DeFilippis. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to GBH’s Peter Kadzis, MassINC CEO Joe Kriesberg and Mark Orlowski , who celebrate Saturday; to Samantha Riemer , finance director and senior adviser to Rep. Ayanna Pressley; Ryan Markham and Don Seiffert, managing editor of the Boston Business Journal, who celebrate Sunday; and to Monday birthday-ers Paolo DiFabio, Pon Hunter, Peter Billerbeck, Kristin Palpini Hale, Olivia Paulo, Victoria Danberg and Amy Dacey. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEPRESSION — Hosts Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith are joined by the Boston Globe’s Taylor Dolven to take a trip through the myriad problems facing the MBTA. Host Lisa Kashinsky breaks down the MassGOP’s latest legal and financial woes. 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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DeSantis hit with devastating news after his vile stunt

 

A bipartisan disgrace - $839 BILLION for weapons and war

 

Last week, the House voted to pass an $839 BILLION Pentagon budget — which is $37 BILLION more than the Biden administration originally requested.

A critical amendment would’ve undone that unnecessary $37 billion pile on, but Representative Bill Keating voted AGAINST it.

This disastrous vote is more than just another rubber stamp that Biden didn’t ask for and that the majority of people in the United States don’t want. It’s a betrayal of every person who is struggling to make ends meet in a country with crumbling infrastructure, broken social support networks, and skyrocketing costs of living.

For Congress to correct course before it's too late, we need ALL our representatives to know we're watching how they vote — especially when it comes to critical amendments that can make a HUGE difference. Can you join me to hold those members who failed us accountable right now?

Your representative, Rep. Keating, was one of 277 members of Congress to vote for keeping this immoral and inflated Pentagon budget. Will you take 30 seconds today to let him know you don’t agree with funding endless war?

Ultimately, this year's National Defense Authorization Act was the definition of a bipartisan bill. Democrats joined hands with their Republican colleagues to pass yet another blank check for war and militarism, with only a few members of Congress even questioning the idea of continuing to increase funding to an already bloated and overfunded Pentagon.

The harsh reality is that these billions weren’t simply given away to the Pentagon — they were taken from communities for whom even a fraction of these funds can make a fundamental difference.

Our democracy only works when people like us raise our voices together and push our representatives to vote in the best interests of our communities — and that’s why I need you to help hold Rep. Keating accountable today.

We can't let any member of Congress get away with thinking that their failure to push back on reckless Pentagon spending went by unnoticed. Click here to tell your member of Congress they must do better!

Thank you for working for peace,

Yint, Sam, Faith, and the Win Without War team

 

 

 

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MASSterList: He knew? | Licensing overall | MassBank: Today's sponsor - Mascon Medical

 

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This email may be cut off by your email provider. To see today's full MASSterList, click "View entire message" at the bottom, or view the online version here. By Jay Fitzgerald and Keith Regan 05/20/2021 He knew? | Licensing overall | MassBank   Advertisement     Happening Today   Gaming Commission, Senate session, mayoral candidates’ forum   -- The Gaming Commission meets and will hear an update on how the slots parlor and casinos are adhering to COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions, vote on a handful of racing-related matters, and hear from the executive director about a review of commission regulations, 10 a.m.  -- The Massachusetts Senate meets in formal session and is expected to take action bills to finance construction of a new Holyoke Soldiers' Home, create a COVID-19 emergency paid leave program, and address imminent unemployment trust fund solvency rate increases, Senate Chamber, 11 a.m. -- House Committee on Federal Stimulus and Census Oversight holds a hearing on the U.S. Treasury's guidance for use of $5.2 billion in funds allocated to Massachusetts through the American Rescue Plan, 11 a.m. -- Gov. Charlie Baker is scheduled to participate in a half-hour interview on GBH's ‘Boston Public Radio,’ WGBH-FM 89.7, 12 p.m. -- Greater Boston Labor Council hosts Boston mayoral candidates for a virtual forum focused on jobs and workers, one in a series of forums hosted by community and labor groups each Thursday through June 10, 6 p.m. For the most comprehensive list of calendar items, check out State House News Service’s Daily Advances (pay wall – free trial subscriptions available), as well as MassterList’s Beacon Hill Town Square below.     Sponsored Mascon Medical is committed to solving the issues of Covid-19 PPE supplies and vaccine distribution in Massachusetts, especially in those communities most affected by the pandemic. This minority-owned family business based in Woburn stands ready to help your town get back to normal. For more information, call us at 781-938-5800.     Today's News   Reminder to readers: SHNS Coronavirus Tracker available for free   A reminder to our readers as the coronavirus crisis unfolds: The paywalled State House News Service, which produces MASSterList, is making its full Coronavirus Tracker available to the community for free on a daily basis each morning via ML. SHNS Coronavirus Tracker.     The coronavirus numbers: 14 new deaths, 17,433 total deaths, 425 new cases   WCVB has the latest coronavirus numbers for Massachusetts.     Gross: Walsh knew of domestic-violence allegations against Dennis White   Former Boston Police Commissioner William Gross says he knew. Former Mayor Marty Walsh denies that he knew. And so unfolds the latest development in the ugly, ongoing saga over embattled Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White -- and who knew what and when about past domestic-violence allegations against White. Ally Jarmanning at WBUR, a three-reporter team at the Globe and WCVB have more.  Fyi, Universal Hub’s headline: “Gross throws Walsh under bus in White case.” And, while we’re at it, we might as well throw this Globe story into the mix: “Boston police Sergeant Brian Dunford caught on video physically assaulting a child, report says.”         Prefer to enjoy Keller at Large in print rather than audio? You can access Jon’s most recent columns here: 5/11/21 - Geoff Diehl's Bronco Ride To Nowhere 5/4/21 - Keller's Grim Commencement Speech 4/27/21 - Reading The Tea Leaves In The Boston Mayoral Race     Baker proposes major licensing overhaul and agency reshufflings   If this passes, it’s going to impact the licensing process for hundreds of thousands of workers across the state. From SHNS’s Matt Murphy: “Gov. Charlie Baker filed legislation Wednesday to overhaul the state's professional licensing operations, proposing to transfer 13 boards to the Department of Public Health and to give regulators enhanced authority to investigate license holders.” The new trimmed-down Division of Professional Licensure would be renamed the Division of Occupational Licensure. SHNS (pay wall -- free trial subscription available)     Better keep a mask in your car’s glove compartment   Quincy-based Stop & Shop announced yesterday it will stop requiring customers to wear masks in its Massachusetts stores before the end of the month, keeping its policies in line with the governor’s new May 29 reopening guidelines, reports WCVB. But in a sign it’s going to get confusing out there post-May 29, Simon Group, the nation’s largest shopping-mall operator with 13 centers in Massachusetts, says it’s keeping its mask requirements, according to a separate WCVB report. You know it’s going to happen: People walking up to store fronts, unmasked, then sighing when they spot ‘masks required’ signs.      SJC to administration: Act faster on medical parole for inmates   CommonWealth’s Shira Schoenberg reports on two Supreme Judicial Court rulings on medical-parole cases that come down to this: Speed it up, DOC. Schoenberg explains. CommonWealth         Could Charlie Baker survive a Republican primary?   The short answer to the above question posed by GBH’s Adam Reilly: Likely, if not certainly. Still, Reilly explores all the challenges the moderate Gov. Charlie Baker would face in a GOP primary, if he runs for a third term next year, now that hard-core conservatives hold such strong sway in the state party. GBH     Meanwhile, ex-Baker aide joins Keating challenger’s campaign   Speaking of the 2022 elections, read into this what you will regarding the governor’s political intentions next year, to wit: A report by SHNS’s Matt Murphy that Noelle Marston, formerly a top member of Gov. Baker’s political operation, has joined the campaign of Republican Congressional candidate Jesse Brown, who’s challenging U.S. Rep. Bill Keating.     Unprompted, Baker pronounces: ‘I stand with Israel’   We’re not sure what prompted this surprise pronouncement from Gov. Charlie Baker, considering he’s known for avoiding involvement in national and international politics. But pronounce he did yesterday on Twitter: “I stand with Israel in defense of peace and security, and pray for a swift end to the bloodshed.” SHNS’s Matt Murphy and the Globe’s Matt Stout have more.  And we’re pretty sure we’ll be hearing more from members of the Markeyverse’s ‘Army of 16-Year-Olds,’ who the NYT’s Ellen Barry profiled yesterday.         MassBank? Black Economic Council pushes for new state-owned bank   The Globe’s Jon Chesto reports that the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts has made the creation of a new state-owned bank a top legislative priority on Beacon Hill. The motive is noble: helping Black-owned businesses recover after the pandemic. But the global track record of pols running government-owned banks – dishing out loans, investing in companies, hiring executives etc. -- is pretty darn miserable. We’ll see. Boston Globe     George Floyd’s family attorney on Mikayla Miller’s death: ‘Was she lynched?’   Ben Crump, the high-profile attorney who recently helped the families of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, is now involved in the Mikayla Miller case and is bluntly asking: “Was she lynched?” Norman Miller at MetroWest Daily News, Jackson Cote at MassLive and CBS Boston have more on the latest developments in the controversial case.     Same difference? Bail requests down, dangerousness hearings up in Berkshire County   Berkshire County District Attorney Andrea Harrington has largely kept her campaign promise to reduce her office’s reliance on cash bail in minor criminal cases but appears to be relying more heavily on dangerousness hearings to keep some suspects in custody, Heather Bellow and Amanda Burke report at the Berkshire Eagle.  Berkshire Eagle     Advertisement     Hampden DA sues Justice Department for records in scathing police-misconduct report   They really want to know how they reached their conclusions. From Patrick Johnson at MassLive: “Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni is suing the U.S. Department of Justice, seeking the release of records used in the federal agency’s report on alleged patterns of misconduct and excessive force in the Springfield Police Department.”  MassLive     Harvard Square’s Charles Hotel caught up in Gates-divorce saga   It’s official: We have a local Bill Gates-divorce-saga angle. The BBJ’s Grant Welker reports one of the many properties tech titan Bill Gates and his wife Melinda will have to sort out in their divorce proceedings is none other than Harvard Square’s upscale Charles Hotel, owned by the Gates via a “secretive investment firm.” BBJ     Abuse a pet, lose a pet   From SHNS’s Chris Van Buskirk: “A person convicted of animal abuse could not own an animal or work in a position where animals are present for up to 15 years based on the number of offenses, under a bill advocates pitched Wednesday as a way to protect the safety of animals and prevent abuse.” SHNS (pay wall -- free trial subscription available)         He’s out: Acting Mayor Murphy won’t seek permanent job in Holyoke   Speculation over. Acting Holyoke Mayor Terence Murphy says he won’t run for election in November, ending weeks of speculation and leaving a wide open race among six declared candidates, Dennis Hohenberger at Masslive and Matt Szafranski at Western Mass. Politics and Insight report.      Self help: Aquinnah board member approved overpayment to himself, state says   Maybe he was a little too plugged in. The State Ethics Commission says Aquinnah Select Board member Gary Haley violated ethics rules by awarding himself a contract to perform electrical work for the town, overcharging the community by some $4,000 and then approving payment to himself, Rich Salzberg at the Martha’s Vineyard Times reports. Martha's Vineyard Times     Under review: New Bedford police take fresh look at controversial gang list   They’re giving it a fresh look. New Bedford Acting Police Chief Paul Oliveira is actively reviewing his department’s keeping of a list of potential gang members, a practice slammed in a recent report saying young minorities were being singled out in the port city, Anastasia Lennon at the Standard-Times reports.  Standard Times         No green card, no long-term care for immigrants in Mass.   WBUR’s Lynn Jolicoeur and Lisa Mulins have an interesting, and sad, story about how hundreds of immigrants suffering from dementia and other ailments can’t stay in long-term care facilities under MassHealth rules. In one case, a Liberian immigrant suffering from dementia has been stuck at Clinton Hospital for three years now. Yes, three years. WBUR     Republicans make clear: They oppose expanded mail-in and early voting in Mass.   State Auditor Suzanne Bump, a Democrat, yesterday said she favors expansion of mail-in and early voting in Massachusetts – as long as the initiatives are properly funded by the state, SHNS’s Chris Lisinski reports. But some conservatives and Republican bigwigs made clear yesterday they’re against the plans – with or without state funding, as the Herald’s Erin Tiernan reports.     'Matty In The Morning’ storms off the air over Demi Lovato comment restrictions   Legendary radio DJ/host Matt Siegel stormed off his morning show yesterday, saying he won’t be silenced nor canceled when it comes to making jokes about singer Demi Lovato’s new non-binary status and use of pronouns. But Matty will be back, reports Kevin Slane at Boston.com. Boston.com     Today's Headlines   Metro   Andrea Campbell proposes ‘30 day challenge’ around Methadone Mile - Boston Herald Milton Officer Pleads Not Guilty In Rant At Teen Over BLM Support - WBUR   Massachusetts   Baker proposes overhaul of licensing - CommonWealth Magazine Pittsfield City Council endorses new Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Berkshire Eagle Couple files civil rights lawsuit against the town of Natick - MetroWest Daily News   Nation   Inspired by Arizona recount, Trump loyalists push to revisit election results in communities around the country - Washington Post Near-Complete Ban on Abortion Is Signed Into Law in Texas - New York Times   Jobs   Reach MASSterList's 22,000 Beacon Hill connected and policy-minded subscribers with your job postings. Have friends interested in one of these positions? Forward the newsletter to them! Contact David Art at dart@massterlist.com or call 860-576-1886 for more information.   Recent postings to the MASSterList Job Board:   Constituent Services Liaison, City of Brockton Vice President (Labor Communications), 617MediaGroup Research Associate, Worcester Regional Research Bureau, Inc. Director of Planning and Economic Development, City of Everett Affordable Housing Program Manager, City of Everett Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, City of Everett Development Director, Save the Harbor / Save the Bay Member Relations Specialist, Associated Industries of Massachusetts City Clerk/Clerk of the Council, City of Newton Legislative Director, Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) Director of Maintenance, Brookline Housing Authority Regional Advocacy Manager (Northeast), Compassion and Choices Senior Manager, Program Development, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Director of Communications and Marketing, Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges (MACC) Communications Manager, Group Insurance Commission Account Director (Digital Strategy), 617MediaGroup Public Policy & Operations Manager, Massachusetts Business Roundtable Assistant City Solicitor, City of Brockton Communications Specialist, Massachusetts Teachers Association   To view more events or post an event listing on Beacon Hill Town Square, please visit events.massterlist.com. Beacon Hill Town Square   May 20, 12:15 p.m. Calibrated Resistance: The Political Dynamics of Iran's Nuclear Policymaking under Trump Hosted by: Harvard Kennedy School   Everyone is welcome to join us via Zoom! Please register before the event. Speakers and Presenters:​Abolghasem Bayyenat, Stanton Nuclear Security Postdoctoral Fellow, International Security Program/Project on Managing the Atom More Information     May 21, 1 p.m. Boston Rock City: Explore Wikidata and Learn about Local Music Hosted by: Boston Public Library   The BPL is partnering with Harvard Library for a guided exploration of Wikidata and local music history. Join us for two days of music and Wikidata editing, no prior experience necessary! Project staff will provide you with everything you need to generate new Wikidata entities. You'll also get to learn about how we can use these new Wikidata entities to synthesize and visualize data. More Information     May 25, 9:30 a.m. Book Talk with Tony Saich, Author of "From Rebel to Ruler: One Hundred Years of the Chinese Communist Party" Hosted by: Harvard Kennedy School   The Ash Center invites you to a book talk with Tony Saich, Daewoo Professor of International Affairs, Ash Center Director, and author of the forthcoming From Rebel to Ruler: One Hundred Years of the Chinese Communist Party (Harvard University Press, 2021). More Information     May 25, 6:30 p.m. Skip Finley - Whaling Captains of Color: America's First Meritocracy Hosted by: Boston Public Library   Join the Boston Public Library in partnership with the Museum of African American History (MAAH), the State Library of Massachusetts, and American Ancestors New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) for an online conversation with Skip Finley, author of Whaling Captains of Color: America's First Meritocracy. More Information     May 25, 8:30 p.m. The Role of Industry and Business in Protecting the Environment Hosted by: EPA   For business & industry: New laws overview focusing on the General Environmental Duty, risk management and how EPA is supporting you. More Information     May 26, 6 p.m. Battle Green Vietnam: The 1971 March on Concord, Lexington, and Boston Hosted by: Boston Public Library   Join us to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic antiwar march and protest on Memorial Day Weekend 1971 and learn more about this key event in Massachusetts history at MassMoments More Information     May 27, 11:30 a.m. Words of Wisdom featuring Lovin Spoonfuls Hosted by: Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce   Join us for this discussion where we'll hear from Founder and Executive Director, Ashley Stanley, who will provide insight to the ways her organization has shifted during this pandemic and what ways we can get involved to support community members who may be suffering from food insecurity. Moderated by Afua Ankrah, Business Operations, Global Government Affairs and Policy, Bluebird Bio. More Information   How to Contact MASSterList     For advertising questions and Beacon Hill Town Square submissions, please email: dart@massterlist.com. For Happening Today calendar and press release submissions, please email: news@statehousenews.com. For editorial matters, please email: editorial@massterlist.com.   MASSterList, 568 Washington St, Wellesley, MA 02482