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| TWO MONTHS OUT — Advocates with the International Institute of New England are making sure migrants they work with have applied for Temporary Protected Status. The Immigrant Family Services Institute has started a “know your rights” campaign. And a group of advocates from the Boston-based Lawyers for Civil Rights recently traveled to Mexico to connect with shelter providers and legal organizations on the ground at the southern border. For immigration advocates and service providers in Massachusetts, preparations for the immigration crackdown President-elect Donald Trump has promised are already well underway. Lawyers for Civil Rights is “looking very closely at the legal underpinnings” of some of the plans Trump has floated for his early days in office “so that we can be prepared to go to court as soon as necessary,” Oren Sellstrom, the group’s litigation director, told Playbook. “The courts were really a bulwark standing against some of the worst excesses of the first Trump administration, and we fully expect to play that role again in the second administration.” President Joe Biden last month opted not to renew the temporary humanitarian parole program that allowed migrants from Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua to stay in the U.S. legally (though many of the hundreds of thousands of people who entered the U.S. through the program can stay in the country under other programs). Trump has suggested plans to bring that program to an end, and has floated revoking the temporary protected status that allows migrants from some countries to legally live and work in the United States for a time. That could leave many migrants in Massachusetts scrambling — especially those from Haiti, where the U.S. recently banned flight travel after a plane headed from Florida to Port-au-Prince was shot when trying to land. But for now, the focus of many organizers in Massachusetts is on getting information out to the migrants they serve. “We’re working on translating ‘know your rights’ into Haitian Creole, and also doing a number of social media posts so that we can educate the community about not only their rights, but also, what they should avoid … that could really put them in touch with ICE or the police right now,” IFSI Executive Director Geralde Gabeau told Playbook. IINE, which helps resettle refugees and other new arrivals, has similarly been educating its staff and those they serve about what the next Trump administration could mean for them – and encouraging them to apply for TPS despite Trump's threats to end it. “[Trump] can try to revoke TPS for all those who have it, but I think it will be a battle in the courts,” said Jeff Thielman, IINE’s CEO. And while any legal battle plays out, those protected will likely be able to stay. “The threat of deportation is causing people around the region that we serve and around the country to be nervous,” Thielman said. “We're trying to tell people to just not overreact.” GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . PROGRAMMING NOTE: It’s a short week here at Massachusetts Playbook: We’ll be in your inboxes through Wednesday, then off Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. In the meantime, email me with your tips, scoops, birthdays & Thanksgiving recipes: kgarrity@politico.com . TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll host the 41st Annual Trooper George L. Hanna Awards for Bravery at 11 a.m. at the State House and speak at Driscoll’s official mayoral portrait unveiling at 7 p.m. in Salem. Healey swears in Shawn Jenkins as the next Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Correction at 1 .m. at the State House. Sen. Ed Markey hosts a press conference on President-elect Donald Trump’s health nominees at 10:30 a.m. in Boston. Attorney General Andrea Campbell and Democratic Whip Katherine Clark participate in a Thanksgiving food distribution event with Pearl Street Cupboard & Café and United Way of Tri-County at 10 a.m. in Framingham. Campbell is on GBH’s Boston Public Radio’s “Ask the AG” at 1 p.m.
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| Mass. Department of Early Education and Care — “Audit faults Massachusetts agency for handling of child abuse complaints,” by Karen Anderson, WCVB: “Massachusetts' state auditor issued a highly critical report Monday about how child abuse complaints are handled by the state agency responsible for licensing and overseeing residential schools and daycares. For the State Auditor, it is personal. ‘I am a survivor of childhood abuse. I was actually abused in a childcare facility right here in Massachusetts,’ Auditor Diana DiZoglio told 5 Investigates. ‘There are so many countless children who could be being abused right now in the system and we should be doing everything we can to protect them.’” — “Mass. bill would prohibit tobacco sales to anyone born after specific date,” by Alvin Buyinza, MassLive. *****STEWARD***** — “Federal investigators served warrants, seized phones of two top Steward Health Care executives, sources say,” by Hanna Krueger, Chris Serres and Brendan McCarthy, The Boston Globe: “Federal agents briefly detained former Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre early last week, served him with a search warrant, and seized his phone — the latest sign that a federal corruption probe is focused on the health care chain’s embattled founder, according to three people briefed on the matter. Another Steward executive, Armin Ernst, a Brookline resident who leads Steward’s international entity, was also recently visited by federal investigators and had his cellphone seized, two of the people briefed told the Globe.” NOT TODAY — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s property tax shift home rule petition won’t make it to Gov. Maura Healey’s desk this month, but it did come closer to the finish line yesterday. The bill made it through the House after Republican opposition kept it stalled there last week, but the Senate opted to delay action on the closely watched legislation until next Monday to give “Senate members and the Wu administration a week to continue conversations,” a spokesperson for Senate President Karen Spilka said in a statement. There’s still some time to get the bill passed before it complicates the city’s ability to send out tax bills next year. As long as Healey signs it into law in the next two weeks, the city will be able to make sure residents see the shift on their tax bills next year. Wu said in a statement her office is looking forward “to continuing our work and conversations with the Senate to advance this consensus measure as soon as possible to protect Boston residents from a potential devastating tax spike.” QUESTIONS ON QUESTION 1 — Gov. Maura Healey wouldn’t say whether state Auditor Diana DiZoglio now has the constitutional authority to audit the Legislature after voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot question granting her the authority to do so — but Healey does “expect everyone will work to implement it," she told reporters Monday. DiZoglio has been calling on Healey and Attorney General Andrea Campbell to assist her with the effort, which legislative leaders have long argued would constitute a violation of the separation of powers laid out in the state’s constitution.
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| — “Boston Water and Sewer HR director boosted by 60% pay hike, promotion amid civil fraud allegations,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald. — “Federal funds go to migrant support in Boston shelters,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: “Boston city councilors approved funding from the federal government for local shelters and staff that provide support to residents, and to an increasing number of migrants seeking humanitarian relief. ... Advocates say that the soon-to-be dispensed funds in Boston will be important for shoring up resources before the new administration begins.” AIRHEAD KELLYANNE CONWAY UNCHANGED... — “Heated Harvard forum with Kellyanne Conway shows growing political tensions on Boston campuses,” by Layla Chaaraoui, GBH News: “A Harvard forum discussion with Kellyanne Conway last week took a turn when the question and answer portion of the talk grew heated. The former advisor to Donald Trump, who has often been criticized for her spin on the president-elect and violation of the Hatch Act for disparaging political opponents, spoke about Trump’s recent presidential victory and where she felt the Democrats went wrong. The forum, moderated by Institute of Politics Director Setti Warren, sparked spirited exchanges between Conway and the student audience.”
excerpts: Jane Petersen, a student in her second year of a master’s degree program in public policy, asked Conway about her time working for the Trump White House and if the responses she gave — “alternative facts” — were out of survival or strategy. Conway became defensive. “You need to be fair. You’re not going to go back eight years and do that,” Conway said, after turning the spotlight back at Petersen by asking her to explain what “alternative facts” meant. “I asked you a question about your role in the White House. … You decide to come here and know that you’re going to be accepting questions from students yet,” Petersen replied. “OK, so then I’ll answer it. Thank you for your question. I gave you a good chance there, and it’s a great chance for you, because I don’t need any more air time — I get plenty of it,” Conway responded. Jobim Steyermark, a first-year student at Harvard Law School, asked the first question of the night to Conway about the potential loss in credibility of Trump’s leadership after his recent controversial cabinet picks. Conway said, “As goes the Senate confirmation hearings and nominees, that’s why we have a process. It will be on TV, you can all watch it. It’s available to everyone. It will be transparent. It’ll be truthful. The people asking questions will not be under oath. The people answering the questions will be under oath. I can play this game all day long.” Conway continued, “I can say, ‘Wow, I really wish Alejandro Mayorcas had not said the border was secure and closed in 2021 — lie, lie — and was willing to call the border a crisis while 72% of Americans were at the same time. That would have helped — would have helped Laken Riley, would have helped Rachel Morin — actually, they’d probably be alive. Would have helped Jocelyn Nungaray. So I can do this all day.” Steyermark later told GBH News “We’re still waiting to hear a clear explanation of how appointing unhinged, lawless ideologues to key cabinet positions will serve to make Americans safer and more prosperous.” He added, “Unfortunately, Trump’s surrogate was unable to answer that question and had to save face by relitigating stale anecdotes about the foibles of the outgoing administration. To my mind, that suggests a lack of preparation for the task of real governance.” “Deplatforming MAGA people — oh that’s going to really help wash away the 76 million votes that Donald Trump just got,” Conway said. FALSE! TRUMP received 47.2 % of the vote or 73.6 million that's changing. From ALLY SAMMARCO:
Trump’s “mandate” isn’t really a mandate… For the third presidential election in a row, a majority of voters did not vote for Donald Trump. Trump fell short of the 50 percent threshold reached by President Biden and twice by President Obama. While Trump won the popular vote earlier this month, he hardly has the “mandate” his MAGA cronies claim. Compare Biden’s 2020 victory to Trump’s 2024 victory: Biden (2020) won a majority of voters; Trump (2024) won less than a majority of voters. Biden won the popular vote by 7 million; Trump won it by 2.5 million. Biden’s popular vote margin was 4.45%; Trump’s was 1.6%. Trump’s small victory, to MAGA Republicans, was a mandate whereas Biden’s convincing victory was not a mandate. Trump’s claim of an “unprecedented mandate” is a lie intended to grab power.
| | WHAT'S ON CAMPBELL'S DOCKET |
| — “Mass. AG Campbell joins multistate push to make it easier for people to change cell phone providers,” by John L. Micek, MassLive.
| | YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS |
| — “Mass. registered voter turnout in 2024 was 3.5M, 2nd highest in state history,” by Ryan Mancini, MassLive: “Massachusetts saw a decline in turnout among registered voters in the 2024 election, though still an increase in votes compared to the turnout in 2016, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin’s office. Certified election results from all 351 cities and towns across the state show that 3,512,866 registered voters took part in the election, Galvin’s office said Monday in a statement.”
| | DAY IN COURT |
| — “Mass. SJC says courts must dismiss juvenile cases when charges lowered to misdemeanors,” by Katie Cole and Amy Gorel, WBUR: “Minors who are convicted in juvenile court of only first-time misdemeanor charges should have their cases dismissed, the Massachusetts' Supreme Judicial Court ruled Friday. The high court's ruling addresses how the state's law on juvenile misdemeanors should be applied when there are multiple charges in a case.”
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| — “Pressley’s time in Congress has been shaped by Trump’s tumult. Now, she’s preparing for his second term,” by Tal Kopan, The Boston Globe: “Representative Ayanna Pressley’s time in Congress has been intertwined with Donald Trump and the tumult he has brought to Washington. Now, she’s getting ready for another round. … Her first day in Congress six years ago was amid a protracted government shutdown; then came two impeachments, a global pandemic, and an insurrection at the Capitol. But unlike her arrival in 2019 when Democrats controlled the House, the Boston Democrat will soon be serving in a Trump Washington as a member of the minority party.”
| | FROM THE 413 |
| DOMESTIC TERRORISM HAS NO PLACE IN CHICOPEE SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU DISAGREE! THE PLACE TO VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION IS IN THE PUBLIC MEETING - TO SPEAK UP RESPECTFULLY! — “Chicopee city councilor responds to death threats over gas station, convenience store vote,” by Namu Sampath, The Springfield Republican: “After a vote to push a gas station and convenience store into a subcommittee, a Chicopee city councilor took to social media to say that he has since received physical and online threats from the public. Sam Shumsky, city councilor for Ward 6, posted a statement on Facebook and Instagram on Monday afternoon, saying that he had received ‘threats of severe injury and even death’ over the weekend. Someone had even tampered with his car’s wheels, he said.”
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| | | | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| — “What can be done to end Mass. teacher strikes?” by James Vaznis, The Boston Globe: “A teachers strike can be costly for every side in a school community, but in terms of dollars it’s especially expensive for the unions behind the walkouts: The three unions that walked out this month in Beverly, Gloucester, and Marblehead have collectively been fined more than $1.5 million for striking illegally, according to the state. But the fines appear to have done little to force teachers back into their classrooms, despite a judge’s orders to do so.” RELATED — “City Council urges resolution to strike as teachers pack meeting,” by Paul Leighton, The Salem News: “City councilors on Monday lamented how the teachers strike is tearing the city apart and urged the two sides to settle as the impasse headed into its 19th day on Tuesday, and the 12th day students will miss school. But the council fell short of passing a resolution in support of more funding for the schools, with some councilors saying that was not the role of the council and would interfere with the negotiations.” MORE — “Marblehead enters fact-finding process after failed negotiations,” by Caroline Enos, The Salem News. — “‘Culture of police coverups’: Family of man killed by Fall River police sues city, officers,” by Eli Sherman and Tim White, WPRI. WORCESTER — “Council vote nears: New contract would put Worcester City Manager Eric Batista above $300K,” by Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette: “The proposed terms of City Manager Eric D. Batista's new three-year contract come with a pay bump. If the contract were to go into effect, Batista's starting salary would increase 3.7% to $293,868, starting Dec. 31. He would then get a 3.9% raise to $305,223 starting July 1, 2025, and a 2.9% raise to $314,080 starting July 1, 2026. The proposed contract would be effective through Dec. 31, 2027.” — “'What are you hiding?': Brockton school board wants state to investigate schools, city,” by Christopher Butler, The Brockton Enterprise: “The Brockton School Committee voted to request that State Auditor Diana DiZoglio conduct a ‘top-to-bottom’ audit into Brockton Public Schools and ask the City Council to request the same of the whole city. In a 6-2 vote, with board members Judy Sullivan and Tim Sullivan voting against the measure, the committee will ask that DiZoglio investigate the ‘accounts, programs, activities and other public functions’ of the school department.”
| | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH |
| HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Maggie Cohen, Ben Gubits and Bob Dunn.
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