The Beginning of the End of Trump? | The Coffee Klatch with Robert Reich

Welcome back to our Saturday coffee klatch, where Heather and I talk about the consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision to consider Trump immunity claim; the House Republican’s (in particular, Speaker Michael Johnson’s) refusal to consider the Senate’s bipartisan bill to tighten border security and provide funding to Ukraine; Russia’s continuing efforts to help Trump through social media lies; and the coming end of Mitch McConnell’s reign as Senate Republican leader.

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Inside Healey's Washington weekend

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY AND KELLY GARRITY Presented by McDonald's FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: ECON DEV COMING — Gov. Maura Healey plans to file her long-awaited economic development bond bill this week, she told Playbook. We know it’ll draw on the economic development plan that her administration released late last year, and that it will at least include $100 million to create an “Applied AI Hub” in the state and a reauthorization of the life sciences initiative first launched under the Patrick administration. We don’t yet know the price tag — and how that dollar amount has been affected by the state’s slumping revenues. That’s not the only news Healey shared after her trip to Washington… FROM THE LOUNGE AT THE MARRIOTT MARQUIS — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore could barely make it across the lobby without getting stopped for a picture. When Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte moved, a phalanx of staff, security and family followed. Healey cut a more unassuming presence as she networked her way through the National Governors Association winter meeting on Friday and Saturday at one of The District’s swankiest hotels. Her lower profile is likely as much physical as it is political — at 5-foot-4 she’s simply shorter than many of the men who make up the majority of state executives. But it allows her to operate without (too many) interruptions from lobbyists and pesky reporters like yours truly. And so, as the lobby lights dimmed on Friday evening, Healey arrived for a chat with Laura Kelly, the Democratic governor of Kansas. They sat off to the side of the lounge, at the same cluster of tables where Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt had held court moments before. But Healey and Kelly were joined only by Healey’s partner, Joanna Lydgate. They spoke quietly and intensely, heads bowed toward each other, their conversation shrouded by the dulcet tones of pop songs being recast as piano ballads by the evening’s entertainer. Healey wouldn’t divulge all the details of their chat. But they did engage in some good-natured football-related ribbing, in which Healey warned Kelly not to “get too ahead of herself on the Chiefs because you can’t touch the Patriots.” On a more serious note, the two talked immigration, a focal point for governors over the two-day event and the main topic of discussion at their White House meeting with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and administration officials including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Biden called on governors to press their federal representatives to revive the border deal that includes money for states sheltering migrants and stricter asylum rules. But Republican governors left the meeting unswayed . “It’s a shame,” Healey said. “It really flies in the face of strong consensus among governors, both Democrats and Republicans, that we need federal immigration reform and that we need Congress to act. I can’t tell you how many conversations we had, conversations with Democratic and Republican governors and the White House, all of us lamenting Congress’ failure.” President Joe Biden speaks to governors at the White House. | Evan Vucci/AP As the Biden administration explores what executive actions it can take to curb border crossings , Healey said there are “certainly things that can be done by executive action, and we have encouraged the president to exercise all authority.” She didn’t directly weigh in on the slew of executive actions Biden is considering, which have already spurred backlash from progressive groups . But she did say “it’s not about sending 15 National Guardspeople to the border from one of our northern states." That's a clear swipe at New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, who recently won $850,000 from lawmakers to send members of the state’s National Guard to the Texas border. “If Congress passed the bipartisan bill," Healey said, "it would fund border agents, border personnel. It would also help with fentanyl interdiction.” Healey also had “productive discussions” with a FEMA administrator after the feds rejected her request for a disaster declaration tied to September’s flooding. She still plans to appeal. “We need Congress to act here as well,” Healey said. “We need to have a different mechanism for getting relief, getting funding to states and cities across this country that are dealing with new and devastating impacts of recurring adverse weather events attributable to climate change.” GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Also at the NGA: former Gov. Charlie Baker, who discussed sports betting’s impact on the NCAA during a private lunch with governors. TODAY — Healey swears in a judge at noon and joins Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and legislative leaders for a leadership meeting at 2 p.m. at the State House. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu attends the Age Strong Black Heritage Celebration Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. in Dorchester. Rep. Lori Trahan highlights federal funding at 1 p.m. at Middlesex Community College. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff is in Boston today for a Biden Victory Fund event that was rescheduled from earlier this month due to that snowstorm that didn't happen. Tips? Scoops? Fundraisers? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com.   A message from McDonald's: From 2021 to 2022, the McDonald’s System contributed over $700 million to Massachusetts’ economy, supporting over 14,350 jobs statewide. McDonald’s presence in local communities throughout Massachusetts generated nearly $125 million in federal, state and local tax revenue, providing funding for public schools, infrastructure, parks and more. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Massachusetts and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/ma .   DATELINE BEACON HILL — “Healey says Steward information ‘insufficient’,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Beacon: “The Healey administration said Steward Health Care failed to provide requested financial information by Friday’s deadline and announced no steps to compel compliance. Steward earlier this week said it provided the state with an enormous amount of financial data, but administration officials said audited financial statements were not included. ‘The financial information that Steward provided this week continues to be incomplete and insufficient,’ said Karissa Hand, the governor’s spokeswoman. ‘What Steward must do from this point forward is clear — complete an orderly transition out of Massachusetts.’” — “ As New England Revolution kick off new season, Mass. lawmaker keeps ball rolling on new stadium,” by John L. Micek, MassLive. MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS — “A new immigration court is set to open in Mass. Will it help the immense backlog of cases?” by Samantha J. Gross, The Boston Globe: “A new immigration court is set to open in Massachusetts, where the population of migrants hoping to present their case to a judge has grown exponentially in recent years. The Lowell Immigration Court, which will be located on Apollo Drive in Chelmsford, is set to open in early April.”   SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, the newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world, including WEF in Davos, Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to UNGA in NYC and many more. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW .     FROM THE HUB — “Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden is facing two ethics probes from separate state entities,” by Danny McDonald, The Boston Globe: “Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden is facing two ethics investigations related to statements he made about his opponent during the 2022 race for Suffolk DA. … One of the ethics probes is by the state’s Office of Bar Counsel, which investigates allegations of lawyer misconduct in Massachusetts. … Hayden is also being investigated by the state ethics commission for similar allegations raised by Arroyo.” — “Boston employees regularly assaulted for writing parking tickets, city union says,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “Boston parking enforcement officers say they’re tired of being an ‘outlet’ for the anger of people they issue tickets to, and are urging city officials to impose stiffer penalties for the offenders who regularly assault and harass them on the job.” — “OTR: Boston [City Councilor Brian Worrell] wants to add 250 liquor licenses, here's why,” by Ed Harding and Sharman Sacchetti, WCVB.   A message from McDonald's:   SENATE SHOWDOWN NO ARGUMENT HERE — Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren and her most prominent Republican rival, John Deaton , appear to be on the same page about the Alabama Supreme Court ruling jeopardizing access to in vitro fertilization. Both Deaton and Warren condemned the decision in statements posted to social media. “Children are a blessing. Efforts to prevent couples from conceiving are unconscionable and cruel. This is health care and it’s about family. Just as they were wrong on Dobbs, out-of-control judges should not be deciding these things. Period,” Deaton posted on X . Warren called the ruling “outrageous” in her own post shortly thereafter, blaming “right-wing extremists” and former President Donald Trump , who she said “set the stage for this disaster by stacking the Supreme Court with radicals who’d overturn” Roe v. Wade.   Don’t sleep on it. Get breaking New York policy from POLITICO Pro—the platform that never sleeps—and use our Legislative Tracker to see what’s on the Albany agenda. Learn more.     PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES PUMPING THE BRAKES — MBTA Advisory Board Executive Director Brian Kane is casting doubt on the future of reduced fares for low-income T riders. Gov. Maura Healey proposed $45 million for the program in her budget, but Kane said on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” that “there’s no funding source dedicated for it in the long term.” “There’s no money in Year Two , and the cost of this program rises to $100 million after five years,” Kane said. “So it is a large concern for my organization, the cities and towns that contribute to the T.” DAY IN COURT — “Federal class-action lawsuit filed in Worcester over illegal state trooper recordings,” by Brad Petrishen, Telegram & Gazette: “Four of the more than 200 criminal defendants state police recorded illegally using a cellphone application during undercover investigations filed a federal class-action lawsuit Friday against Motorola and the state police colonel.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Milton starts to chart path forward after residents reject MBTA zoning bill,” by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald: “The Milton Planning Board is considering seeking a reclassification that would lessen the burden on the number of multi-family housing units needed to comply with a state-mandated zoning plan. … Some Planning Board members argue that being classified as an ‘adjacent community’ rather than a ‘rapid transit community’ makes more sense.” But the state has said no before to changing the town’s designation under the MBTA Communities Law. THE SAGA CONTINUES — “Medford mayor broke law during search for interim fire chief, union attorney alleges,” by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald: “An attorney for the Medford fire union is accusing Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn of breaking the law by offering a firefighter from outside the city to serve as interim chief, but the mayor says she’s in the right as she followed the city charter. … Medford has been divided since a wave of sick callouts within the fire department earlier this month cost the city nearly $100,000.” — “DCU bull riding event met with animal rights protesters disappointed hosted in city-owned venue,” by Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette.   A message from McDonald's: McDonald’s is an economic engine for the state of Massachusetts, contributing over $700 million to our state’s economy, directly employing nearly 11,600 Massachusettsans and supporting an additional 2,750 jobs statewide. It’s also an engine of opportunity: 1 in 4 independent McDonald’s operators in Massachusetts began their careers as restaurant crew members, generating wealth for their families and local communities. We are proud to support Massachusetts through public schools, parks and more from the nearly $125 million in federal, state and local tax revenue generated by the McDonald’s System’s activities. And thanks to the generosity of McDonald’s customers and owner/operators, the $700,000 raised through Ronald McDonald House Charities in 2022 provided over 7,000 overnight stays for families with children receiving medical care in Massachusetts. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Massachusetts and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/ma .   CAMPAIGN MODE SHE’S ONTO SUPER TUESDAY — Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is vowing to fight on after getting blown out in her home state ’s GOP presidential primary by former President Donald Trump . She mathematically doesn’t stand much — if any — chance of stopping his march to a third straight nomination. But her refusal to quit means political action will briefly return to the region: Haley is capping off her swing through Super Tuesday states with a campaign event Saturday night at the Sheraton in Needham. More than 700,000 voters have requested mail-in ballots ahead of the state’s presidential primaries and nearly 250,000 had been returned , Secretary of State Bill Galvin said as early voting got underway. Even though there is “not as much of an incentive for people to come out” because races on both sides “seem decided,” Galvin said the “importance of this election” appears to be “superseding” low interest. HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH TAYLOR, IF YOU’RE READING THIS — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly would be enchanted to meet you. Healey said Kelly has yet to meet Taylor Swift, who’s dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce . But she’s “looking forward to doing that.” (Yes, we know the Chiefs play in Missouri, we’re just the messengers!) FIRE UP THE GROUP CHAT — Healey and Kelly are in one with the rest of the nation’s female Democratic governors. “It’s a dream team, it’s fantastic,” Healey said on CNN . HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Harold Hubschman, Cathey Park, Laura Oggeri, Adam Bass, Jill Webb and Li Zhou . 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 Kelly Garrity @KellyGarrity3   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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Let's Address the Boogieman

 

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MAGA stands in the way of progress at the border. Donald Trump is in control of what happens at the border thanks to the MAGA wing in congress. Democrats were able to pass a bi-partisan border deal in the Senate, and it fell apart in the House at the will of Donald Trump. A border deal was on the horizon until Donald Trump got involved. The sad truth is, with MAGA controlling the house, Trump has control over the immigration debate in the United States. By demanding Republicans to not address immigration until after the 2024 election, we are now in limbo in regards to addressing the border crisis. All of this to prevent a "Biden political win."   What are MAGA Republicans doing in the meantime?   An awful piece of political theater by impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. This impeachment has absolutely no basis; it is a complete sham and a total waste of time.   This is just another example of Republicans putting party over country, and a great reason to get involved in 2024! Together we can kick out the MAGA elites who are hurting our political system. Republicans are actively selling out the quality of life for average Americans in exchange for political gains.   Republicans are abandoning their responsibility to the country and the world by not working to solve the problems we face at the border.    By no means is an open border a fitting solution, but the United States can solve this issue humanely. There is just one thing standing in our way: MAGA.

Thank you for your commitment to democracy. With your support, we can make history in 2024.   — No Dem Left Behind

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No Dem Left Behind PAC 80M St. SE Suite 100 Washington D.C. 20003 ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ Paid for by No Dem Left Behind PAC. Not authorized by any federal candidate or candidate's committee. ­ ­ ­ ­

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: It's Louijeune's Boston City Council now

BY KELLY GARRITY AND LISA KASHINSKY Presented by McDonald's 'I WANT TO BRING EVERYONE IN' — Days after migrants began moving into the Melnea A. Cass Recreational Complex in Roxbury, Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune ran into the coach of a track program that used the facility before it was repurposed into an overflow shelter site. The coach was sympathetic, even though the track club was being temporarily displaced. “‘I completely understand, this is an emergency situation,'” Louijeune recalled the coach telling her. “‘We’ll be OK.’” All the programs that used the Cass complex have now found new homes. Some, like the track club, are taking up residence at the nearby Reggie Lewis Center. But all of these temporary moves — the overflow shelters, the program shifts — are Band-Aid fixes to a larger crisis that has no easy or evident solutions and is largely out of Boston's control. “We do need a plan from the Commonwealth looking into what a post-May 31 world looks like,” Louijeune told Playbook, referencing the date the Cass complex shelter is set to close. “But I also understand that we're in an emergency situation, so it's tough.” The migrant crisis is far from the only issue on Louijeune’s plate as the second-term city councilor embarks on her two-year term leading the legislative body. Her colleagues unanimously elected her to the post after she topped the at-large ticket in last year’s election, though not without some drama . The council’s first Haitian-American president has been keeping the doors to her new office — now painted lavender and adorned with art from Haiti — open almost all the time. In the wake of a council term engulfed by controversy and infighting, it’s part of Louijeune's push to build “collegiality” among the body’s 13 members. “I don't expect everyone's always going to be best friends , or everyone's going to agree,” Louijeune said. “But can we sit down and talk to each other? Can we work together for the betterment of the people of Boston?” Playbook spoke to Louijeune about her priorities for this council term (“housing” and programs “to help prevent people from being displaced”) and whether she’d ever run for mayor (“I love my job … we’ll see what the future holds.”) Here are more excerpts: Ruthzee Louijeune at the Boston City Council inauguration in January. | Mike Mejia/Boston mayor's office courtesy photo You want to create a more open environment on the council. How have you been able to do that so far? You work with the people who want to work with you and you try to bring people in as much as possible. My predecessor had a very difficult presidency. And I want to turn the page. I want to bring everyone in and find a space for everyone. Especially as a Black woman, I know what it feels like to be excluded and to be marginalized and sidelined. I hope that all my colleagues will join me in that work. What do you want to do differently from your predecessor?  I want to make sure that everyone feels like I'm listening to them and that I’m hearing people out. Some nearby cities have passed resolutions calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. Is that something you would support?  This war is causing a lot of harm and pain to both Israelis and Palestinians who have been dying at record numbers. Diplomacy should be the channel through which we get the hostages back, not war. [In terms of a resolution], I do think that the voters and residents of the city do want us to focus on our bread-and-butter issues, like the potholes, the lights being out in parks, how we work to improve school. GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Move over, Patrick Mahomes. The real Super Bowl MVPs are The DunKings : Ben, Matt and "Touchdown Tommy." While we run to get our pink-and-orange tracksuits, enjoy this behind-the-scenes footage of Brady, Damon and Affleck playing target practice. Ben Affleck runs on Dunkin' — and stars in the company's 2024 Super Bowl ad. (Brigette Buckner/Dunkin' via AP) | AP TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey highlights transportation investments in her budget at 12:30 p.m. at North Station and speaks at the Legacy Pioneers Celebration at 7 p.m. along with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. Wu holds a press conference on winter weather at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall. Senate President Karen Spilka speaks at Mass211 Day at 11 a.m. at MEMA HQ in Framingham. Reps. Seth Moulton and Jake Auchincloss are bringing Congress’ China select committee to town for a series of events on biotechnology. The programming starts today at 8:45 a.m. at Harvard Kennedy School. A formal hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Marriott Long Wharf in Boston. Tips? Scoops? Email us: kgarrity@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com .   A message from McDonald's: From 2021 to 2022, the McDonald’s System contributed over $700 million to Massachusetts’ economy, supporting over 14,350 jobs statewide. McDonald’s presence in local communities throughout Massachusetts generated nearly $125 million in federal, state and local tax revenue, providing funding for public schools, infrastructure, parks and more. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Massachusetts and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/ma .   DATELINE BEACON HILL DEPARTURE LOUNGE — State Rep. Ruth Balser is stepping aside after this session, becoming the latest veteran lawmaker to announce retirement as the election year ramps up. Balser has represented the 12th Middlesex District, which includes Newton and Brookline, for a quarter century. She's also the third division chair in the House, creating another hole in Speaker Ron Mariano' s leadership team after Assistant Majority Leader Sarah Peake said she's also not seeking reelection. WORTH WATCHING! PETER DURANT is regurgitating disinformation being promoted by RUSSIA about the BORDER CRISIS, ignoring that MAGA GOP have refused to fund additional BORDER AGENTS. There's proof of RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA. PETER DURANT endorsed DESANTIS failing to scrutinize his record, including appointing LADAPO. DESANTIS is now being sued for concealing his travel records. Ron DeSantis' New Surgeon General Appeared in 'Demon Sperm' Doctor's COVID Conspiracy Video excerpt: One of the video's main speakers, Dr. Stella Immanuel, is a physician who operates a medical clinic in a Texas strip mall next to her church, Firepower Ministries. In the video, she called hydroxychloroquine a "cure" and said, "You don't need a mask" to prevent the virus' spread. Immanuel has claimed that ovarian cysts and endometriosis are caused by "demonic seed." Demons insert sperm into sleeping individuals when they have sex in their dreams, Immanuel claimed in articles on her church's website. ‘SIMPLY INAPPROPRIATE’ — GOP state Sen. Peter Durant said on WCVB's "On the Record" that Gov. Maura Healey ’s decision to nominate her former romantic partner to the state’s highest court “may not be illegal, but it’s clearly unethical” — particularly because appellate Judge Gabrielle Wolohojian could be asked to review cases involving the executive branch and potentially the governor herself. THAT’S ACTING GOV. GALVIN TO YOU — Secretary of State Bill Galvin served as acting governor over the weekend. Healey was on a “personal trip” and the lieutenant governor was “attending to a family matter,” Healey spokesperson Karissa Hand told the State House News Service. Here’s your periodic reminder that the governor’s office no longer says in advance when Healey will be out of state (and who is serving as acting governor) because of unspecified security issues.   DON’T MISS POLITICO’S GOVERNORS SUMMIT: Join POLITICO on Feb. 22 to dive into how Governors are wielding immense power. While Washington remains gridlocked, governors are at the center of landmark decisions in AI and tech, economic development, infrastructure, housing, reproductive health and energy. How are they setting the stage for the future of American politics, policies and priorities? How are they confronting major challenges? Explore these questions and more at the 2024 Governors Summit. REGISTER HERE .     MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS PETER DURANT is incapable of thinking for himself! PETER DURANT ignores documented evidence that RUSSIA is promoting migrant propaganda. REPUBLICAN MESSAGING — Days after Republicans in Washington killed a federal border deal partly at former President Donald Trump ’s behest, Durant said "it’s a shame that election-year politics have to get brought into [immigration issues], because we have to first and foremost stop Massachusetts from being a magnet state.” But the GOP state lawmaker went on to parrot national Republican talking points on immigration by blaming President Joe Biden for not taking more executive action to stem the tide of southern border crossings. "If Democrats don’t want Republicans running on it, fix it,” Durant said. RIPPLE EFFECT — It's not just migrant families that are straining shelters here. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said on NBC10 Boston’s “At Issue” that migrants are now filling a quarter of the beds in the individual adult shelter system the city runs with partners like the Pine Street Inn. “We need a bigger picture fix on the immigration system,” Wu said. “And here in this area, we need more housing for everyone.” — “Wealthier Mass. communities avoid brunt of expanding shelter crisis, Globe analysis shows,” by Samantha J. Gross and Kirkland An, The Boston Globe: “Of the 94 communities hosting emergency shelters, more than half have a median household income below $100,000, while just nine of those communities — including Acton, Concord, and Lexington — have household incomes above $150,000.” — “Sen. Collins says move migrants to Newton [Mount Ida] campus, not Fort Point,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald. FROM THE HUB FOOD FIGHT — Boston’s outdoor dining program is again going on without most of the North End . The mayor said she’s open to compromise, but that there are “some limitations” and renewed litigation against the city getting in the way. “I hold out hope that at some point in the future we can reach some of those compromises,” Wu said on “At Issue.” “There is appetite across the entire neighborhood … but it would need to be a really targeted and unique program.” 2025 WATCH — Wu still won’t say whether she’s running for reelection next year.   A message from McDonald's:   PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES FREE VS. REDUCED FARES — Are Healey and Wu really trying to outmaneuver each other on reducing MBTA fares , or are they more in line than it seems? The Boston mayor said she views her fare-free bus pilot program extension and the governor’s budget push to lower fares for low-income riders as “all part of the same ecosystem.” The “fastest and most financially feasible way” to ease the financial burden on riders, at least in the short term, “is to have free bus systems and then discounted fare for low-income residents for subway and Commuter Rail,” Wu said on NBC10. — “The T is on track to be broke soon. There’s no long-term fix,” by Taylor Dolven, The Boston Globe: “The T projects its operations budget gap may grow to nearly $700 million next year, its chief financial officer told the board of directors last month, and could hit $863 million by 2028. … Healey is proposing to use $172 million from the new higher-earners tax to narrow the T’s budget gap for the fiscal year that starts in July. Even if the Legislature approves her proposal, the T estimates it will need to identify savings of $93 million and spend all $363 million from its rainy day fund to balance its budget.” — “West-east rail director says trains to Boston will be incremental projects,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican. MARKEYCHUSETTS LISTEN UP — Sen. Ed Markey is launching an eponymous podcast to tout the Green New Deal. It’ll run on Fridays through Earth Day in April. The first episode features Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.).   YOUR GUIDE TO EMPIRE STATE POLITICS : From the newsroom that doesn’t sleep, POLITICO's New York Playbook is the ultimate guide for power players navigating the intricate landscape of Empire State politics. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest and most important stories from Albany, New York City and around the state, with in-depth, original reporting to stay ahead of policy trends and political developments. Subscribe now to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle of NY politics.      WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING — “A look behind the curtain: How the Newton School committee and teachers union finally struck a deal,” by Deanna Pan, The Boston Globe: “During the longest Massachusetts teachers strike in three decades, Anna Nolin, the new superintendent of Newton Public Schools, blasted Metallica on her commute each morning to amp herself up for another tense day of talks. Meanwhile, after days of fruitless haggling, Mike Zilles, president of the Newton Teachers Association, and Chris Brezski, the School Committee chair, secretly met up in a nearby graveyard in hopes of reaching detente.” — “Boom in youth gambling in Mass. fueled by online sports betting apps,” by Chris Serres, The Boston Globe: “[F]rom Boston to Springfield, treatment clinics are experiencing an influx of young people — some as young as 14 — seeking help for gambling problems. And in a troubling new trend, college students are showing up at Gamblers Anonymous meetings across the state, sometimes accompanied by their parents, say leaders of the fellowship group.” — “'Could have predicted': Steward downfall started with former AG,” by Monica Sager, The Eagle-Tribune — “Cape Cod needs to clean up its water. The solutions could cost billions,” by Barbara Moran, WBUR.   A message from McDonald's: McDonald’s is an economic engine for the state of Massachusetts, contributing over $700 million to our state’s economy, directly employing nearly 11,600 Massachusettsans and supporting an additional 2,750 jobs statewide. It’s also an engine of opportunity: 1 in 4 independent McDonald’s operators in Massachusetts began their careers as restaurant crew members, generating wealth for their families and local communities. We are proud to support Massachusetts through public schools, parks and more from the nearly $125 million in federal, state and local tax revenue generated by the McDonald’s System’s activities. And thanks to the generosity of McDonald’s customers and owner/operators, the $700,000 raised through Ronald McDonald House Charities in 2022 provided over 7,000 overnight stays for families with children receiving medical care in Massachusetts. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Massachusetts and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/ma .   HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — Former state Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Joanne Goldstein is joining the Massachusetts State Retirement Board. Treasurer Deb Goldberg made the appointment. Goldstein served as secretary during the Patrick administration and before that was a union-side labor attorney and chief of the Fair Labor Division in Martha Coakley’s attorney general's office. — Alan Calderon is joining Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s office as deputy press secretary. He was most recently a communications associate at Boundary Stone Partners. — Davis Malm shareholder Samuel B. “Sandy” Moskowitz has been appointed to the Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services for a three-year term. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Emma Powers , Falmouth state Rep. David Vieira and Reggie Zimmerman. 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 Kelly Garrity @KellyGarrity3   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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