POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Grading Mass. gun laws

 

By Kelly Garrity Presented by  Majorities Still Back Stricter Gun Laws, Assault Weapons Ban  GALLUP POLL In MADISON WISCONSIN, a 15 year old female is responsible for a SCHOOL SHOOTING - details not yet available.  Toddler accidentally shoots, kills 22-year-old mother; boyfriend arrested in case USA TODAY DC police investigating 5-year-old shot by younger sibling inside apartment: 'Unfortunate situation' FOX NEWS Lansing mom sentenced to prison after 2-year-old son killed in gun accident MSN LEGISLATIVE REPORT CARD — Massachusetts earned an “A” rating from the gun violence prevention organization Giffords Law Center this year — for the first time ever, according to the organization. That’s thanks in part to the controversial gun law Gov. Maura Healey signed earlier this year — and then swiftly enacted before a group looking to challenge the law’s constitutionality could gather enough signatures to pause the legislation from taking effect. The sweeping 100-plus page legislation was packed with provisions regulating gun use in Massachusetts. In addition to cracking down on so-called ghost guns and bolstering the state’s red flag laws, the law updated the requirements for owning and carrying firearms, and included new training and licensing requirements for gun owners. Second Amendment organizations and gun owners have said the law effectively made many gun owners in Massachusetts “felons overnight .” And they’ve argued that the legislation won’t lessen gun violence in the state. But the new suite of regulations did bump the Bay State from its 7th place slot last year to 5th place in Giffords's ranking of “gun law strength,” making Massachusetts “a true leader in gun safety,” Lindsay Nichols, the group’s policy director, said in a statement. Giffords also ranked Massachusetts the “safest state” in the country, a result of having the lowest number of gun deaths per 100,000 people (3.7). But don’t attribute that to the latest gun legislation, only enacted in October: The bump is thanks to Rhode Island , which saw an increase in gun deaths this year after having the lowest last year. Still, it gives Beacon Hill leaders, who spent months crafting (and, after pushback from gun owners, recrafting ) the hulking law, a new lens through which to defend their work. Keeping the gun law in place, they can argue, means defending the state’s status as the safest in America. That could become their central message amid the fight to repeal the law through a ballot question in 2026. But for those backing the question, it's no longer just a fight to stymie the new gun restrictions. Healey’s decision to add an emergency preamble to the bill, preventing any delay to its implementation until 2026, saw its own pushback. “I believe this will be a two-year civics lesson for the people of Massachusetts when they see what their politicians have done," Toby Leary, a Cape Cod gun store owner who’s helping lead the repeal effort, said at a press conference earlier this year. GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@politico.com .  PROGRAMMING NOTE: We’ve reached the last week of Playbooks for the year! Send me your tips, scoops and birthdays before the week is up. TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll announce housing awards at 10:45 a.m. in Lawrence. Sen. Ed Markey hosts a press conference to introduce legislation that would dedicate hundreds of billions of dollars to build high-speed rail and expand and electrify existing rail service at noon in D.C.   A message from Vineyard Offshore: Offshore wind is revitalizing port communities from New Bedford to Salem, delivering local jobs, and establishing the Commonwealth as a leader in building a clean energy economy that benefits everyone. With Vineyard Wind 2, we can add nearly 3,800 more jobs and $2.3 billion in direct economic benefits – while delivering enough clean electricity to power 650,000 homes. Read all about it at vineyardoffshore.com/vineyardwind2.   THE RACE FOR CITY HALL NEW THIS MORNING — The Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund is endorsing Boston Mayor Michelle Wu for reelection. Wu is “the most ambitious and effective climate mayor of any major U.S. city, governing with science, data, and community at the center,” ELM Action Fund President Elizabeth Turnbull Henry said in a statement announcing the group’s support. Wu hasn’t made any formal reelection announcement yet (though she’s said she is running ), but she has already racked up endorsements from a handful of labor unions as potential challengers weigh their own bids. — “Somerville city councilor says he’s running for mayor, teeing up a possible challenge to two-term incumbent,” by Spencer Buell, The Boston Globe: “Jake Wilson isn’t wasting any time. With still nearly a year left before the election, the Somerville city councilor-at-large on Monday said he is running for mayor, the first person to publicly announce a run that would set up a potential challenge with current Mayor Katjana Ballantyne.” YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS HOUSE SHUFFLE — State Rep. Jerry Parisella hasn’t officially vacated his House seat, but the scramble to fill the rare (pending) vacancy is already on. Gov. Maura Healey tapped Parisella for a role as an associate justice of the District Court last month, setting up an eventual special election to take his place once he’s confirmed by the Governor’s Council (which could happen as soon as Wednesday). Hannah Bowen, an at-large city councilor in Beverly, is eyeing a bid . And now Medley Long III, a small business owner who previously served as president of the Greater Beverly Chamber of Commerce, is jumping in. “When I heard my friend Jerry would be stepping down to take a judgeship, I was proud and happy for him but concerned we would lose the compassionate and pragmatic leadership he has provided us for the past decade,” Long wrote in a letter addressed to “friends and neighbors.” “I’m running to build on that legacy while offering the energy and vision of a new generation of leadership.”   Billions in spending. Critical foreign aid. Immigration reform. The final weeks of 2024 could bring major policy changes. Inside Congress provides daily insights into how Congressional leaders are navigating these high-stakes issues. Subscribe today .     PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “Parking minimums topple in Somerville,” by Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Beacon: “Somerville will now be the second city in Massachusetts to entirely do away with requirements that new developments be built with a minimum amount of parking. … In a Thursday night vote, the Somerville City Council passed the new zoning ordinance unanimously, though one councilor was not present. It joins Cambridge, which similarly rezoned in 2022, in waving away baseline parking requirements for new construction.” DAY IN COURT — “A state agency that issues student loans has sued thousands of borrowers,” Jenifer B. McKim and Camille Bugayong, GBH News: “The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority has filed more than 3,300 lawsuits against borrowers in Massachusetts civil courts since 2015, and more than 1,300 of those in the past three years, according to data obtained by the GBH News Center for Investigative Reporting and analyzed by students from Boston University’s Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences’ SPARK! Program. MEFA has sued borrowers for debts ranging from as little as $2,500 to well over $100,000, according to publicly available lawsuits and interviews with borrowers. Their stories appear on Reddit with headlines like, ‘I’m being sued by MEFA’ and ‘Desperately seeking advice.’”   A message from Vineyard Offshore:     IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN — “David vs. Goliath: Mass. tries to even the playing field for decisions about energy infrastructure,” by Sabrina Shankman, The Boston Globe: “Decisions about where to locate energy facilities like power plants and substations can have a major impact on a community’s health and well-being. But in Massachusetts, those communities have rarely had a seat at the table. ... That David vs Goliath dynamic is poised to shift, thanks to the recently-passed state climate bill, which includes the creation of a new fund to provide community groups and environmental justice organizations with up to $150,000 in grant funds from the state.” FROM THE 413 — “A second Pittsfield High School staff member has been placed on administrative leave amid investigations,” by Greg Sukiennik, The Berkshire Eagle: “A Pittsfield High School staff member was put on administrative leave Friday as the result of an investigation by the Department of Children and Families, the superintendent said in a message to parents Monday afternoon. The staff member was not identified by name or title in Superintendent Joseph Curtis' notice. Curtis did not say what the DCF investigation is about.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “After Massachusetts police officers were accused of sexual assault, city launches hotline to report cops for misconduct,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “Worcester has launched a hotline for residents to report alleged misconduct by cops after the Department of Justice’s bombshell report about city police officers allegedly sexually assaulting women and other misconduct. The DOJ last week released a scathing report about the Worcester Police Department, alleging that the city and police department have committed civil rights violations.” — “Everett mayor declares victory over local paper, citing ‘deliberate, purposeful, relentless campaign’,” by Aidan Ryan and Izzy Bryars, The Boston Globe: “An emotional Mayor Carlo DeMaria of Everett on Monday declared victory in a long-running dispute with the Everett Leader Herald, a 139-year-old local paper that published unfounded allegations against him, resulting in a $1.1 million defamation settlement and the closure of the publication.” — “'Material support of terrorists': Massachusetts man exported technology to Iran, says FBI,” by Norman Miller, MetroWest Daily News: “Federal authorities arrested a Natick man on Monday after he allegedly sold U.S. technology that was later used in a fatal drone attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. soldiers.” excerpt: The arrests of Mahdi Mohammed Sadeghi, 42, of 85 Woodland Road, Natick, and Mohammad Abedini in Milan, Italy, are connected to a Jan. 28 attack at a U.S. military base, Tower 22, in Jordan, according to federal authorities. The attack killed three U.S. Army members — Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, Sgt. Breonna Moffett and Sgt. Kennedy Sanders — and injured 47 others. — “Brockton failed to spend state-mandated minimum on schools by $7M. How did this happen?,” by Christopher Butler, The Brockton Enterprise: “Brockton Public Schools failed to meet the state's mandated minimum school spending requirements last year by more than $7 million. Trish Boyer, interim CFO of the school department, said the district spent $7.2 million less than its legal minimum of $295 million in fiscal year 2024, and is now required to spend that money during the remaining six months of the current fiscal year.” — “Why Worcester’s new equity chief has hope for role with troubled past,” by Adam Bass, MassLive.   Write your own chapter in the new Washington. From the Lame Duck Congress Series to New Administration insights, POLITICO Pro delivers intelligence across 22+ policy areas to help you anticipate and navigate change. Discover how a Pro subscription empowers you. Learn more today .     HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH SPOTTED — at the White House Chanukah Party: Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action President Cindy Rowe, state Treasurer Deb Goldberg and former Ambassador to Spain and Andorra Alan Solomon. ALSO SPOTTED — at the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus Young Professionals Holiday Soirée at Carrie Nation: Linnea Walsh, MWPC Board of Directors; MWPC Executive Director Kat Cline; MWPC Political Action Committee Chair Shannon Montanez; state Rep. Sam Montaño; Tina Ascolillo of Rasky Partners; Kat Jarvis, MWPC PAC Board; and the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Allison Blanck.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Joe Kaplan, Coley Walsh, Catherine Sanderson and Zachary Gavel.   A message from Vineyard Offshore: With a track record of working with local communities and building trusted partnerships, Vineyard Offshore is committed to a community-first approach to offshore wind development. Our next project, Vineyard Wind 2, will continue to grow the economic engine of offshore wind, generating over 3,000 job-years of employment and more than $1.6 billion in direct economic benefits for the Commonwealth. It will also supply enough clean electricity to power 650,000 New England homes and reduce carbon pollution by 2.1 million tons per year – the equivalent to taking 414,000 cars off the road. With this commitment, Massachusetts is set to lead the nation in harnessing the impact of offshore wind. Learn more at vineyardoffshore.com/vineyardwind2.   Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com .   Follow us on Twitter Kelly Garrity @KellyGarrity3   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters Follow us

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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Some less-than-smooth end-of-session sailing

 

 

By KELLY GARRITY 

 

06/21/2024 07:24 AM EDT

GOOD WHILE IT LASTED — Farewell, hope of an on-time budget.

The Legislature seems to be on track to maintain its tradition of ringing in the new fiscal year without an annual spending plan in place. Gov. Maura Healey filed a bill Thursday night to float the state’s finances through the end of July — a sign that negotiators are likely still too far apart to get a compromise bill to her desk before July 1.

House Speaker Ron Mariano sounded a note of optimism when asked earlier this week about the state of the budget deliberations, saying talks between chambers “seem to be very advanced” and that negotiators had even traded proposals on a weekend. : the committee tasked with trading proposals for the spending bill had been connecting over the weekend.

"Usually, it's a little bit more under the gun before they start working Saturdays," Mariano told reporters on Monday.

But the Senate’s top budget negotiator, Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, hinted on Thursday that weekend dealing wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.

“That's not unusual, by the way,” he said when asked about the weekend work. “I don't have a job. It's a way of life. ... Nights, weekends, holidays are all workdays for us.”

Hours later, Healey’s interim budget emerged, throwing more cold water on the possibility that this could be the year lawmakers break their now 14-year tradition of blowing past the deadline.

RYAN FATTMAN IS A MAGA GOP EXTREMIST WHO RUSHED TO ENDORSE 

DESANTIS, IGNORING FLORIDA'S FAILURES! FLORIDA IS NOW FLOODED BECAUSE DESANTIS SLASHED FUNDING. 

CLEAN & RENEWABLE ENERGY WILL SAVE MONEY, AS WELL AS REDUCING HEALTH IMPACTS FROM DIRTY FOSSIL FUELS
THIS IS WHY INFORMED VOTERS DON'T SUPPORT REPUBLICANS!

The Senate, meanwhile, tried to check a different item off its to-do list on Thursday. Lawmakers started the day with plans to pass a climate bill that would expedite siting and permitting for clean energy projects. But Republican state Sen. Ryan Fattman blocked debate on the bill, using a parliamentary procedure to delay discussion. The Senate is set to give it another go 1 p.m. putting a damper on any plans legislators may have had to spend the afternoon celebrating the Celtics’ victory.

Fattman told the Boston Herald he's prepared to delay debate again today. If that’s the case, Senate Democrats may call lawmakers in for a weekend session in order to get the bill through their chamber by Monday — before they take up their version of Healey’s housing bond bill, which Spilka said her chamber will move on before the end of the month.

And with less than six weeks left of session, everyone’s getting just a little antsy. Earlier Thursday, at the signing ceremony for legislation criminalizing so-called revenge porn, Senate President Karen Spilka started by saying she’s “looking forward to having many more bill signings in the coming weeks.”

“Hear, hear,” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said, snapping her fingers as Healey nodded along emphatically. “Hear, hear.”

GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF! The Boston Globe has what to know if you're going to today's Celtics parade.

TODAY — Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll join a Celtics parade kickoff event at 10 a.m. at TD Garden. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is on CNN at 9:40 a.m., attends a breakfast hosted by the Celtics at the Garden at 9 a.m. and watches the parade with fans at 11 a.m. at City Hall. Sen. Ed Markey attends groundbreaking for Roxbury Community College's Center for Economic and Social Justice at 9 a.m. in Roxbury. The duck boats start rolling down Causeway St. for the Boston Celtics’ victory parade at 11 a.m.

THE WEEKEND — Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. MassGOP chair Amy Carnevale is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. GBH News’ Katie Lannan and CommonWealth Beacon’s Gin Dumcius are on NBC10 Boston’s “At Issue” at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Email me: kgarrity@politico.com.

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

HUDDLE UP — Gov. Maura Healey was able to watch almost all of the Celtics playoffs games on TV as the team made a run at Banner 18. Her favorite part? When Derrick White hopped back in the game like nothing happened after he smashed his face on the parquet and chipped a tooth while going for a loose ball, she told the Boston Sports Journal’s John Karalis during an interview on the “Locked On Celtics” podcast. Watch. 

— “Mass. Gov. Healey doles out $227M to support affordable housing statewide,” by John L. Micek, MassLive: “Communities across Massachusetts, including Springfield and Worcester, are set to share in $227 million in state grant money aimed at encouraging the development of affordable housing. Gov. Maura Healey, joined by state Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus, announced the awards during an event in Danvers on Thursday. The money, a mix of state and federal tax credits, and subsidies, will support the construction or preservation of 1,874 rental units across the state.”

— “Report warns of wealth flight over millionaires' tax,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “The flight of wealthy individuals leaving Massachusetts is accelerating, according to a new report, which calls on state policymakers to take steps to stem the departures. The report by the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, released on Thursday, suggests the state is seeing an exodus of top earners in response to the voter-approved ‘millionaires tax,’ which set a new 4% surtax on individuals with incomes above $1 million a year.”

DOLLAR SIGNS — Tax collections are up so far this month compared to the same time last year, per the Department of Revenue. The state pulled in more than $2 billion during the first two weeks of June, $483 million more year over year.  

PARTY POLITICS

NEW PARTY ON THE BLOCK — A new political party is looking build a base in Massachusetts. The Forward Party, originally founded by former presidential hopeful Andrew Yang, filed with Secretary of State Bill Galvin’s office Thursday. Former Republican Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey pitched the group as a home for those who aren’t happy with their options in either political party.

“We believe that we won't be a third party in Massachusetts. We believe that in another four years, we're going to be the second party in Massachusetts,” Healey (no relation to the current governor) said during a rally on the State House steps Thursday. More from the Boston Herald's Matthew Medsger.

FROM THE HUB

— “Boston Hospitality Lawyer Fired after Falsifying Liquor License to Allston/Brighton Food Hall,” by Michele McPhee, Boston Magazine.
excerpt:
Lesley Delaney Hawkins was “terminated,” according to one of the firm’s partners, Thomas Elcock, after she sent a doctored liquor license with a fake number in the name of her client, Craft Food Halls, which was opening a tenth location in Allston/Brighton. “The firm recently had learned that one of our partners had allegedly falsified documents in connection with a liquor licensing process in Boston,” Elcock said. “We were contacted by the client when he discovered that the liquor license was not valid and had not been obtained through the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commissions licensing process.  After an internal investigation, we terminated the partner immediately.”

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— “T funding crisis solutions abound, study shows. Political will, not so much,” by Taylor Dolven, The Boston Globe: “The MBTA got a list of desperately needed possible solutions on Thursday to its most pressing problem: how to fill its $700 million operations funding gap by next summer. Increasing the excise tax in areas with T service and areas next to those with T service could raise as much as $570 million per year. Charging drivers to use busy roads at peak times could raise $440 million. And increasing the T’s share of the state sales tax could bring in $335 million.”

— “SRTA bus service extends its free ride program to 'Try Transit'” by Dan Medeiros, The Herald News: “The free ride from SRTA isn't over yet. Last year, thanks to a grant from the Department of Transportation, the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority made its fixed route and on-demand service free at the point-of-service from Jan. 1 to June 30. That Try Transit program has been extended until Aug. 31.”

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

— “SJC clerk candidate steps into MBTA Communities fight that’s now before the court,” by Gintautas Dumcius, CommonWealth Beacon: “The controversy over the MBTA Communities rezoning law, which has now landed before the state’s highest court, is colliding with a campaign for a little-known job tied to that same court. … While it’s unclear where the SJC justices will come down on the question, a candidate running for the elected clerk’s position that helps run the court seemed to show her hand earlier this month. Boston City Councilor Erin Murphy, one of two candidates running for the open SJC Clerk for Suffolk County seat in the September Democratic primary, appeared recently at a roadside rally against the MBTA law, something that a retired judge said shows ‘poor judgment’ on Murphy’s part.”

ENDORSEMENT CORNER — Progress Massachusetts’ first round of picks is in for the legislative races this fall. The organization is backing a handful of newcomers running for open seats, including Arielle Faria in the Barnstable Dukes & Nantucket district, Leigh Davis in the 3rd Berkshire and Bill Humphrey in the 12th Middlesex.

And it’s supporting incumbent state Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven in the 27th Middlesex — and challengers Evan MacKay in the 25th Middlesex and Heather May in the 9th Middlesex. In the Senate, Erin Bradley, who is running for the open Norfolk, Plymouth & Bristol seat, also earned the group’s support.

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FROM THE DELEGATION

COMMITTEE MOVES — Rep. Jake Auchincloss is now the co-chair of the House Select Committee on China's new Fentanyl Policy Working group, a seven-member group focused on combating China's role in the fentanyl epidemic.

FROM THE 413

— “Western Mass mayors discuss challenges, solutions to housing crisis,” by Jeanette DeForge, The Springfield Republican: “Five area mayors joined with state Housing Secretary Edward M. Augustus to talk about solutions to the housing crisis which is increasing homelessness, pushing young professionals out of state where homebuying is more affordable and leaving senior citizens with no ability to downsize. Mayors said they are all facing a housing crisis but it is multi-faceted and solutions that work in one community do not necessarily fit in another.”

— “Will Great Barrington schools ban cell phones and other devices during the school day?,” by Heather Bellow, The Berkshire Eagle. 

— “Union rally planned amid Northampton vote over school budget, job cuts,” by Liesel Nygard and Michael Carolan, The Springfield Republican.

— “And the Holyoke School Committee Appointee at a Critical Moment Is…Devin Sheehan,” by Matt Szafranski, Western Mass Politics & Insight.

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “Budget clash as Brockton schools plead for 97 'critically needed' staff. If city says no?,” by Christopher Butler and Chris Helms, The Brockton Enterprise: “While city departments tighten their belts, Brockton Public Schools haven't. That's the picture city councilors sought to paint as they clashed with school administrators about spending during a four-hour-and-forty-minute budget hearing on Tuesday. BPS leaders are seeking $232 million for the fiscal year that starts on July 1. That's $6 million more than Mayor Robert F. Sullivan has proposed in a budget that the Brockton City Council must pass by June 30, and that he brought before state officials to dodge receivership.”

— “Attleboro City Council distributes last of $1.5M in federal Rescue Plan Act money,” by George W. Rhodes, The Sun Chronicle.

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former state Rep. James Dwyer and Mason Reynolds.

HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who is 75; state Rep. Tram Nguyen, state Rep. Kay Khan, Matt Sheaff, senior communications adviser to Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, and Brendan Concannon, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers Samuel O. Thier and Naomi Alson.

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS — Tuesday's Playbook said the Celtics' win ended Boston's five-year championship drought. But the drought was only for the city's men's teams; Boston's women's tackle football team, the Boston Renegades, and the (now disbanded) women's hockey team, the Boston Pride, each won titles in recent years, a Playbook reader pointed out.

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.

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