Briefings: Philly Transit Agency Drops CRRC As Future Railcar Work Dwindles…

 

Briefings: Philly Transit Agency Drops CRRC As Future Railcar Work Dwindles…

APR 14, 2024by WMASSPIin ECONOMY

Weeks after reports appeared that MGM Resorts International is considering selling MGM Springfield, another blow has come to a city economic anchor. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportations Authority, or SEPTA, has cancelled a contract with CRRC, the Chinese railcar builder on Page Boulevard in Springfield. 

CRRC, which the government of China owns, has had very public issues with its Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority contract. Cars to replace ancient rolling stock on the MBTA’s Red and Orange lines have faced repeated delays. The agency decided last month to continue with CRRC and take steps to secure delivery sooner than CRRC had estimated. This is still far later than CRRC originally promised. 

SEPTA had ordered bilevel cars for its Regional Rail service in Philadelphia. Its Regional Rail shares characteristics with commuter rail on the MBTA or Metro-North in Connecticut and New York. SEPTA also has distinct “heavy rail” rapid transit similar to the Red and Orange subway lines in Boston.  

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, which first reported the cancellation, SEPTA ended the contract “for cause.” Shoddy work and delays, not unlike complaints the MBTA has had, were a factor. The agency is assessing options to recoup $50 million it has already spent. 

In its statements to The Inquirer and The Boston Globe, CRRC’s spokesperson indicated it was still trying to get the SEPTA project back on track. 

With SEPTA pulling out, the CRRC Springfield facility only has the MBTA work and some cars for heavy rail lines in Los Angeles.

However, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority declined its option to buy more cars. Then, LACMTA turned to Hyundai Rotem to buy cars it will need for the impending Wilshire Boulevard extension. 

An HR4000 railcar, CRRC’s only other ongoing contract now. Pictured in Lala Land, its predecessor is lurking in the background. (via Twitter/@Numble)

A CRRC subsidiary also has a contract for the Chicago “L” or elevated. However, the assembly line for these cars is in Chicago. 

CRRC had intended to make its Springfield plant a base for expansion into the North American market. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts wanted to try to distribute some benefits from an MBTA railcar purchase to Western Massachusetts. 

Massachusetts required some construction occur in state, namely outside the Boston area. However, this mandate disqualified the contract from federal funding. All bidders planned to perform considerable work in Asia. CRRC committed to building its factory at the former Westinghouse plant in Springfield. Its bid came in below even the MBTA’s estimates. Hyundai Rotem proposed to do final work at another site in Springfield. The third, Kawasaki, planned final work for Hopedale in Worcester County.  

CRRC’s bids have come in low for other contracts, too. Rival bidders have cried foul, accusing China of subsidizing CRRC to keep bids low. 

While this effort was an initiative of Governor Deval Patrick, it fell to his successor, Charlie Baker, to implement and oversee production. CRRC blamed the pandemic and tariffs on the railcar shells, which are built in China, for delays. However, MBTA exercised insufficient oversight, identifying problems but rarely acting on them.  

Hopes now cut down to size? (allegedly) makes. (courtesy MBTA via Boston Herald)

All 404 cars for both MBTA lines were due last September. Later estimates put final delivery in 2029. 

The agency decided to stick with CRRC last month after determining a new bid would delay desperately needed replacement cars. Some Red Line rolling stock dates to the 1960s. The MBTA is paying $148 million extra, largely bringing the cost closer in line to original agency estimates. The last car should now arrive in 2027. 

By itself, SEPTA’s about-face is minor. It is only 45 cars. Unlike the MBTA or LACMTA, SEPTA has received no cars yet. Some even question bilevel cars for Regional Rail as commuting habits have changed. But without any work beyond completing the Los Angeles and Boston orders, the factory’s fate is in doubt. 

Ironically, this comes at a time of massive rail investment, at least by United States standards. President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes investments in Amtrak, commuter rail and urban transit. German and Swiss companies have expanded into the American market, competing with incumbent French and Japanese manufacturers and their subsidiaries. 

The MBTA now has an option to buy CRRC’s factory should it close. Now may be the time to start shopping around for companies to buy it, either from CRRC or the MBTA, to preserve its future in Springfield.

CRRC SPRINGFIELD

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Migrant funding’s a marathon, not a sprint

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY AND KELLY GARRITY RACING FOR SHELTER FUNDS — Nearly $7 million in long-awaited federal aid for sheltering migrants will soon be flowing Massachusetts’ way. And yet, the much-needed money will hardly make a dent in the state’s soaring shelter costs. The state got a $6.99 million cut of the first $300 million being distributed through the Shelter and Services Program — a FEMA-run program that helps states, municipalities and nonprofits aiding migrants — since President Joe Biden signed off on long overdue federal appropriations bills. It’s a sizable increase from the $2 million the state got last year and a win for both Gov. Maura Healey and federal delegation members who had lobbied for the funding and for it to be released quickly . The Healey administration didn’t get into specifics on Sunday about how they’ll use the money. Healey spokesperson Karissa Hand said in a statement to Playbook that the funding will “help provide shelter services to families experiencing homelessness.” But the governor’s team was clear that Massachusetts needs "significantly" more money — and that future funding needs to be "distributed equitably, including to interior states,” Hand said. “This is a federal problem, and Congress needs to act to finally start fixing our broken immigration system.” The state has until the end of the month to submit the paperwork to secure this round of funding, and until mid-June to apply for a slice of the rest of the $341 million in SSP funding being made available through the end of the federal fiscal year in September. The money can't come soon enough . Massachusetts is poised to run out of funding for its emergency shelter program any day now. (One prominent state lawmaker pegged that day as today , though the Healey administration has declined to publicly say anything other than “mid-April.” House Speaker Ron Mariano said on WCVB’s “On the Record” over the weekend that “we never got a date from the governor as to when it’s going to run out.”) Meanwhile, legislative negotiators have yet to strike a deal on a supplemental budget that’s set to include at least the $224 million the state needs to keep the program running through the end of June and potentially cover some of the nearly $1 billion tab the system is expected to run up over the next fiscal year. (Healey’s finance secretary told Playbook last week he’s not too stressed about it because the administration has other buckets of funding to pull from if lawmakers drag things out.) So while it seems like $7 million won’t do much — the shelter system costs the state $75 million a month — this is a situation where every dollar counts. Plus, it’ll help restore some faith in the feds from Massachusetts officials who’d all but given up on getting any more migrant aid from Washington. “The problem was created in Washington. They have to fix it,” Mariano said on WCVB — though he also acknowledged the uncertainty that comes with the presidential election year. “We don’t know who’s going to win,” he said. “We don’t know how they’re going to deal with this problem.” Also uncertain for Mariano: how much longer the state can keep its emergency assistance program going. “I don’t know what’s going to happen next year, if we get a bill that’s going to be close to a billion [dollars],” Mariano said. “It may [continue]. It may not. I think a lot of it is going to depend on what controls we can make work for this program.” GOOD MARATHON MONDAY, MASSACHUSETTS . A giant good luck to everyone running today, including Playbookers Joe Rull of Shawmut Strategies Group, who’s running for the Why Not Devin Foundation; Healey administration Labor and Workforce Development Chief of Staff Kate Kelly and COO Paul Franzese; and MassDOT’s Doug Johnson, Paula Fallon, Erica Baker, Patrick Yuk-Leung Yum and Nicole Eldridge. TODAY — Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu lay wreaths at memorial sites on Boylston Street at 8 a.m. and head to the finish line later in the morning. Wu speaks at the Patriots Day parade at 9 a.m. at City Hall Plaza. Tips? Scoops? Marathon pics? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com .   POLITICO IS BACK AT THE 2024 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO will again be your eyes and ears at the 27th Annual Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles from May 5-8 with exclusive, daily, reporting in our Global Playbook newsletter. Suzanne Lynch will be on the ground covering the biggest moments, behind-the-scenes buzz and on-stage insights from global leaders in health, finance, tech, philanthropy and beyond. Get a front-row seat to where the most interesting minds and top global leaders confront the world’s most pressing and complex challenges — subscribe today .     DATELINE BEACON HILL HOSPITAL BILL PENDING — House Speaker Ron Mariano says state lawmakers are looking to “make changes to take control” of situations like the Steward Health Care crisis, which he said “smacks of a ponzi scheme of the highest order.”. Mariano told WCVB that lawmakers are mulling how to “take the flexibility away from not just capital [management] companies, but hospitals even to sell the land from underneath them.” Asked if for-profit companies belong in health care, Mariano took a long pause. “Some do, some don’t,” he finally said. “I do think the Steward situation is unique.” But Mariano made clear he’s not handing over his gavel until he’s passed more health care regulations, including rules around how hospitals can expand. “I think this opportunity with Steward to change our health care system, I really am interested in trying to do. The relocation of service points in the state needs to be done. We need a census of beds to make sure we have enough beds in different areas of the commonwealth,” Mariano said. He also said he wants to “fix” problems with the 2012 legislation that created the state’s Health Policy Commission. MORE — “'Increasingly urgent': Mass. ratchets up preparation for possible Steward closures,” by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, WBUR: “[This] week, the administration will kick off a series of regional meetings with hospitals and community health centers in areas where Steward operates to discuss how to help patients in the event Steward cuts back on care or closes facilities.” AND MORE — “As Steward’s financial woes mount, patients wait nervously for answers,” by Will Katcher and John L. Micek, MassLive. — “Gov. Healey eyeing changes to State Police promotion process as agency faces lawsuits,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Gov. Maura Healey and top House Democrats are backing an effort this year to rework the promotional exam process for noncommissioned officers, lieutenants, and captains in the state police as the agency faces multiple lawsuits alleging the procedure is discriminatory." — “Anti-gender transition demonstration at Massachusetts State House gets counter-protest,” by Flint McColgan and Stuart Cahill, Boston Herald: “The event appeared to be part of a demonstration at state houses in all 50 states called ‘Call to the Capitols’ organized by a group called ‘Don’t Mess With Our Kids.’ … In response, the Boston chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which was at least one group composing the anti-demonstrators, called followers to action on its Instagram page with the message ‘Support Trans Kids.’” FROM THE HUB — “Boston's Chamber of Commerce CEO says raising taxes for businesses will hurt city,” by Jon Keller, WBZ: “Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's plan to address potential city revenue shortfalls by raising the commercial property tax rate was panned by Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jim Rooney in an interview with WBZ. ‘It's the golden goose,’ said Rooney of the city's commercial property tax, which provides a large percentage of the city's annual revenue.” — “Mayor Wu disappoints development industry by shelving tax break talks,” by Jon Chesto, The Boston Globe. ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR ESCALATING TENSIONS — Iran’s weekend drone strikes on Israel are exacerbating fissures within the state’s all-Democratic congressional delegation over how the United States should be responding to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark laid out the party line in a post on X , calling on Republicans who control the lower chamber to “immediately” pass a stalled Senate foreign aid bill that includes $95 billion for Israel, Ukraine and other U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific. Reps. Richard Neal, Lori Trahan, Seth Moulton and Jake Auchincloss , the delegation’s staunchest support of Israel, were also among those adding to the bipartisan pressure on Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to quickly advance the bill. Johnson said the House would take up Israel aid this week . Democrats’ renewed rallying behind Israel comes as many in the party — including members of the delegation — have been upping their criticism of the country’s prolonged and increasingly deadly incursion into Gaza. Moulton, for instance, paired his call for aid with a warning that “it is critical that [Israel] remains focused on finishing its operations in Gaza and achieving a ceasefire-for-hostages deal — not on starting a new war while still having no endgame for their first.” Sen. Elizabeth Warren — who has grown increasingly critical of Benjamin Netanyahu ’s administration and has gone so far as to say she believes Israel’s military campaign in Gaza could legally constitute genocide — posted on X that the “U.S. supports the Israeli people during this difficult moment and Israel’s right to defend itself against this dangerous aggression.” But, she added, “We need an urgent deescalation and a ceasefire in Gaza to prevent a wider regional conflict.” Rep. Ayanna Pressley , who has spent months calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, posted on X : “I condemn Iran’s retaliatory attack on Israel. This escalation is dangerous. The US and the world should be focused on saving lives in the region, securing a ceasefire, releasing the hostages, and surging humanitarian aid to Gaza.” MORE FROM OUR TEAM — “US to Israel: Don’t do something you’ll regret,” by Nahal Toosi and Alexander Ward, POLITICO.   CONGRESS INSIDER: Congress has always been the cornerstone of POLITICO’s Washington coverage, and now we’re doubling down to ensure you have a complete picture of everything happening under the Capitol Dome, 24/7. Begin your day with Playbook AM , recharge at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report, and empower your evening convos with Huddle . Also, stay continuously updated with buzzy, real-time updates throughout the day via our new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here .     WARREN REPORT CALL ON ME — Warren is hitting the road for Joe Biden 's campaign. The state's senior senator visited Michigan on Friday to encourage voters in the battleground state to reelect the president to protect reproductive rights. She's becoming a go-to surrogate for the campaign on the issue . WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING — “Black-led running group files discrimination lawsuit against BAA, Newton,” by Haley Lerner, GBH News: “Following a racially fraught incident at the 2023 Boston Marathon, a Black-led running crew on Thursday filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Boston Athletic Association and the city of Newton.” — “Cambridge bike lane construction deadline could be delayed by 18 months to protect businesses,” by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald: “Some city councilors are looking to tap the brakes on construction of 25 miles of separated bike lanes across Cambridge by 2026 in order to fully understand whether businesses will thrive or falter.” — “A promised bridge over the Mystic River would be a missing link for Somerville and Everett. So where is it?” by Spencer Buell, The Boston Globe. — “Philly Transit Agency Drops CRRC As Future Railcar Work Dwindles,” by Matt Szafranski, Western Mass. Politics and Insight. MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANITE STATE OF PLAY — Democrats now have a race to replace Rep. Annie Kuster in NH-02. State Sen. Becky Whitley launched her campaign over the weekend. She’s vying against Kuster-endorsed Colin Van Ostern. More from WMUR and The Boston Globe . HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Newsha Ghaeli of Biobot, Asher MacDonald and Andrés Garcia . Happy belated to Courtney Lewis , who celebrated Saturday, and to Tom Werner , who celebrated Friday. 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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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: The BAKER-MASSGOP schism — MILLIONAIRES TAX up for VOTE — Boston School Committee chair RESIGNS over TEXTS

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY IF I HAD A MILLION DOLLARS — State lawmakers are set to vote today on whether to send a so-called millionaires tax to the 2022 ballot, and early debate over the proposed constitutional amendment could foreshadow a larger election-season battle years in the making. Advocates for the “Fair Share Amendment” — which would impose a 4 percent surtax on personal income over $1 million — say the estimated extra $2 billion a year in new revenue would help make key investments in public education and transportation and be a boon for longer-term economic recovery from the pandemic. But opponents question why a state government that’s flush with cash and federal aid needs even more money. A new study from the conservative Beacon Hill Institute contends that the millionaire’s tax would bring in less revenue than predicted — closer to $1.2 billion. The study also says the proposal could cost upwards of 9,000 jobs and send wealthy Bay Staters fleeing across state lines to cheaper pastures. “We don’t have a tax revenue crisis. We don’t have an education and transportation crisis,” Beacon Hill Institute President David Tuerck said on a press call Tuesday. "This is the wrong tax increase at the wrong time." But state Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), who’s cosponsoring the constitutional amendment on Beacon Hill with state Rep. Jim O’Day (D-Worcester), told me the tax would “strengthen our economy, and, most importantly, it’ll make our economy more equitable — and if the pandemic has shown us anything, it’s just how great the inequities are.” A Supreme Judicial Court ruling kept the tax off the ballot in 2018. But it’s passed the Legislature before and Lewis believes it will do so again today. Lewis said he’s prepared to keep fighting alongside advocates — including the Raise Up Massachusetts coalition of labor, faith and community groups — to convince voters that the state’s wealthiest residents “can afford to pay a bit more." Polls have shown strong support for the millionaires tax in the past. But Paul Diego Craney, spokesman for the conservative-leaning Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance Foundation, told reporters Tuesday he’s “optimistic” voters won’t go for it. MEETING OF THE MASSGOP MINDS — Tensions roiling the Massachusetts Republican Party are poised to come to a head at tonight’s GOP state committee meeting. Here’s the latest: A bylaw that could have removed Gov. Charlie Baker and other elected Republican leaders from the executive committee that decides primary endorsements — and carried with it potential implications for 2022 — didn’t have the votes and is no longer being floated. Its backers, including Chairman Jim Lyons, are now pushing a proposal to move that endorsement power to the full state committee instead. A convention resolution to lower the delegate-vote threshold needed to make the 2022 ballot at next year's convention is also expected to be withdrawn. What’s less clear is how the committee will handle the controversy surrounding committeewoman Deborah Martell, who recently wrote in an email she was “sickened” that GOP congressional candidate Jeffrey Sossa-Paquette and his husband had adopted children. Lyons so far has rejected calls to make Martell resign or step down himself. A resolution being circulated by committeeman and state Rep. Shawn Dooley (R-Norfolk) calls for “swift condemnation” of any member espousing “hateful ideology” and says they should not be allowed to serve as an elected member of the Republican Party or run for office as a GOP nominee. A couple dozen GOP grassroots activists are also planning a rally “in support of a better MassGOP” at 6 p.m. outside the Apex in Marlborough, about half an hour before the capacity-limited state committee meeting kicks off inside. GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. With fewer than 100 days to go until Boston's preliminary mayoral election, state Rep. Jon Santiago plans to launch a bilingual television ad campaign Thursday. He appears to be the first campaign to go up on the airwaves, though an independent political action committee was set to run digital ads in support of Andrea Campbell. Santiago’s six-figure ad buy is for two 30-second spots that will air on the city's cable systems and Spanish-language broadcast: The English-language “Try,” and the Spanish-language “Pulso,” both of which focus on Santiago’s backstory, his work at the State House and his job as an ER physician during Covid-19, per his campaign. "You want a mayor who's got a pulse on Boston and its problems, literally?" one ad says. "Try Jon Santiago, the ER-doctor-state-representative-army-captain." Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: lkashinsky@politico.com. TODAY — State Attorney General Maura Healey addresses the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce at 10 a.m. The state House and Senate hold a Constitutional Convention session at 1 p.m. and are poised to vote on the so-called millionaires tax constitutional amendment. Sen. Elizabeth Warren joins a D.C. rally calling on her colleagues to pass the “For the People Act” at 11 a.m. and chairs a subcommittee hearing on digital currency at 2:30 p.m. Rep. Richard Neal and Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle take questions during a virtual town hall at 6 p.m.   JOIN THURSDAY FOR A TALK ON RESETTING INTERNET PRIVACY: Calls for some type of national privacy law have gained traction in recent years. The U.S. has no overarching national law governing data collection and privacy. Instead, it has a patchwork of federal laws that protect specific data types, such as consumer health and financial information and the personal data generated by children. Join POLITICO for a conversation on tech, data and the future of user privacy, and the most viable path forward. REGISTER HERE.     THE LATEST NUMBERS – “There are now fewer than 4K active COVID cases in Massachusetts as state reports 100 new infections, 2 deaths,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “The number of active COVID-19 infections in Massachusetts continued to decrease on Tuesday, now down to 3,805 from the 4,195 reported the day before. The new low marks about a 79% decrease in active cases from one month ago on May 7, when the number stood at 19,784 and a 96% decrease from the height of the pandemic on Jan. 18.” DATELINE BEACON HILL – “Mass. Senate moves to extend to-go cocktails, expanded outdoor dining, and other pandemic rules into 2022,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “The Massachusetts Senate is moving legislation that would extend a series of pandemic-era rules into next year and beyond, including allowing expanded mail-in voting until December, letting restaurants sell to-go cocktails until March 2022, and keeping certain eviction protections until January 2023.” – “Opposition to millionaires’ tax heats up with lawmakers poised for ballot vote,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Adding the millionaires’ tax on next year’s statewide ballot is up for a vote today as opponents argue the hike is unnecessary because it would stifle the state’s economy at a time when tax revenues are climbing.” VAX-ACHUSETTS – “Charlie Baker boosts funding by $3.2 million for vaccination efforts in hard-hit Massachusetts communities,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration is boosting funding by $3.2 million to community- and faith-based organizations in the areas hardest hit by COVID-19, which state data show are still suffering from lagging vaccination rates.” FROM THE HUB – “The Inside Story: How Kim Janey Became Boston's Acting Mayor,” by Adam Reilly, GBH News: “On January 6, 2020, the Boston City Council held its first meeting of the new year. Early in the proceedings, after an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, at-large councilor Michelle Wu stood to nominate the council’s next leader. ‘I am honored to make a motion, at the the start of this new decade and new term, for justice, equity, and opportunity for all,’ Wu said. ‘I rise to proudly nominate our good colleague from Roxbury, Councilor Kim Janey, as city-council president.’” – “Boston School Committee chair Alexandra Oliver-Dávila resigns over racially charged texts,” by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: “Facing growing calls for her resignation from elected officials, Alexandra Oliver-Dávila stepped down from the Boston School Committee, city officials announced on Tuesday. Oliver-Dávila submitted her resignation on Monday, the same day text messages she exchanged with another School Committee member disparaging West Roxbury families became public. … She is the second person to resign as chair in less than a year amid a public uproar." – “‘It’s a really terrible situation’: Boston teachers are recording scorching temperatures inside classrooms,” by Dialynn Dwyer, Boston.com: “Jessica Tang, president of the Boston Teachers Union, told Boston.com that on Monday and Tuesday the union has received reports from 'hundreds' of classrooms without air conditioning recording indoor temperatures in the 80s and some topping 90 degrees with high humidity.” – “Boston looks to move Dennis White suit to federal court,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The city of Boston is looking to move Dennis White’s lawsuit over to federal court as both sides gird for more legal wrangling.” – “Five more linked to burgeoning Boston police pay fraud scandal, including former union president,” by Dugan Arnett and Maggie Mulvihill, Boston Globe: “Another five members of the Boston Police Department’s long-troubled evidence unit have been implicated in a burgeoning overtime fraud scandal, including a former police union president and the ex-wife of the city’s most recent police commissioner, records show.” – “South Boston pot shop that was voted down will get rehearing,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “A politically connected South Boston pot shop proposal shot down by the zoning board last month is getting sparked back to life with the grant of a rare rehearing that has opponents fired up. … the general contractor for the project was slated to be Greg Janey, a longtime Boston builder who’s the cousin of Acting Mayor Kim Janey.” PARTY POLITICS – “Charlie Baker is one of the nation’s most popular governors. That isn’t enough for the GOP,” by Lisa Kashinsky, POLITICO: “Charlie Baker has won two terms as a Republican governor in deep blue Massachusetts. He typically ranks as one of the most popular governors in the nation and enjoys an approval rating over 70 percent — and that’s just among Democrats. Even so, the Massachusetts GOP isn’t sure it wants him back for a third term.” – “Republicans Face Many Opponents In Deep Blue Massachusetts — Including Each Other,” by Anthony Brooks, WBUR: “The Massachusetts Republican Party is a house divided. The state is led by Gov. Charlie Baker, a popular moderate Republican who refused to support Donald Trump. But the chairman of the state party, which meets Wednesday night, is Jim Lyons, a conservative who backed Trump and argues the best way to grow the party is to embrace the former president's base.” THE RACE FOR CITY HALL – “Mayoral candidates appeal to LGBTQ activists,” by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: “Several candidates for mayor committed at a forum Monday night to dialing back police coverage of large-scale Boston events like the annual Boston Pride parade to lessen tensions with community members and present a less militaristic public safety presence. … The forum was organized by Mass NOW, Trans Resistance, the Transgender Emergency Fund, and the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, and held at the same time as a forum already scheduled by Boston Pride. Boston Pride was forced to reschedule its forum for Monday after mayoral candidates dropped out so they could participate in the protest forum.” FEELING '22 – “Taunton Senator Weighing Possible Run for State Auditor,” by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): “Veteran Sen. Marc Pacheco has been calling allies in recent weeks to discuss a potential run for state auditor next year, multiple sources told the News Service. Pacheco, a Taunton Democrat, has not made a final decision on whether to join the growing field of auditor candidates in 2022 and appears to be gauging support.” – “Amherst ‘homestead’ alone will not disqualify Hinds from running for reelection,” by Danny Jin, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “While Adam Hinds has purchased a home outside of the district he represents in the state Senate, his ‘declaration of homestead’ in Amherst would not necessarily disqualify him from seeking reelection.” FROM THE DELEGATION – “‘Rigged for billionaires’: Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey renew call for ‘wealth tax’ after report highlights how ultra-rich dodge Uncle Sam,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey on Tuesday repeated calls to raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans following ProPublica’s report on leaked Internal Revenue Service files showing top billionaires have long used legal loopholes to sidestep tax burdens.” TRUMPACHUSETTS – “Fan escorted from Fenway Park for unfurling 'Trump won' banner on outfield wall,” by WCVB: “A fan who displayed a banner reading ‘Trump won’ during a Boston Red Sox game was kicked out of Fenway Park, according to a spokesperson for the team. … The act was in violation of the Red Sox's policy prohibiting signs of any kind to be hung or affixed to the ballpark, according to the spokesperson.” DATELINE D.C. – "Why Labor Chief Walsh Has Dodged Harm From Boston Police Drama," by Ben Penn, Bloomberg Law: "When Labor Secretary Marty Walsh appears before a House panel this week, he’ll face tougher questions from Republicans than he did during his Senate confirmation hearing, especially about President Joe Biden‘s call to spend trillions on infrastructure and job creation. Far less clear is whether any lawmakers will inquire about the police commissioner Walsh hired in his final days as Boston mayor." PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES – “These Boston-area roadway projects could see a windfall of federal money,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s office said Tuesday that the House’s five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill will include $18.6 million for initiatives in her district, including an overhaul of a key corridor from Mattapan to Roxbury, improvements to the MBTA’s Ruggles Station, and new bike lanes and bus improvements in Somerville.” – “CRRC factory in Springfield welcomes first Los Angeles subway cars,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “CRRC, the largest manufacturer of railroad rolling stock in the world, celebrated the arrival of the first cars for the B (Red) and D (Purple) Lines of the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority.” THE OPINION PAGES – “Are George Regan’s fingerprints on Dennis White’s media strategy?” by Joan Vennochi, Boston Globe: “If fired Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White wanted to discredit his former wife, hurt former Boston mayor and current Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, and make life unpleasant for Acting Mayor Kim Janey, his take-no-prisoners media strategy worked beautifully. But if he wanted to convince people he should remain commissioner — it was a disaster.” FROM THE 413 – “Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, City Council president confer amid renewed calls for ouster of Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood,” by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: “Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and City Council President Marcus J. Williams say they have begun a dialogue to address concerns about the Police Department, including renewed calls for the ouster of Police Commissioner Cheryl C. Clapprood. … Bishop Talbert W. Swan II, president of the Springfield NAACP, joined the Massachusetts Senior Action Council of Greater Springfield in urging the mayor to terminate Clapprood over alleged insensitive and dismissive comments to that council, which Swan termed as ‘racist.’” – “Berkshire district attorney tried to unseat a judge she called a public safety 'threat.' Her bid failed,” by Amanda Burke, Berkshire Eagle: “Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington took an unusual step last month: She called the judge who regularly presides over her district court cases a ‘significant threat to public safety’ and asked Judge Jennifer Tyne’s bosses to remove her from the bench. In the end, Harrington’s bid to oust Tyne failed…” THE LOCAL ANGLE – “Top Schools Worry Supreme Court Could Undercut Diversity Efforts With Harvard Case,” by Kirk Carapezza, GBH News: “That stated commitment to diversity is one reason Amherst and other selective colleges in Massachusetts are watching whether the Supreme Court will decide this month to hear a case that charges Harvard discriminates against Asian-American applicants. At stake is whether selective colleges across the country can continue to consider race in admissions or, administrators say, lose hard-fought gains they’ve made in student diversity over the years.” – “Guard general threatens to withdraw support from Cape businesses over proposed gun range,” by Denise Coffey, Cape Cod Times: “[Brig Gen. Christopher M. Faux] the executive director of Joint Base Cape Cod, sent an email to the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce last week threatening to withdraw military support from area businesses. ‘The General's comments were not authorized and do not reflect the Massachusetts National Guard’s decades-long commitment to support local business on Cape Cod,’ Capt. Aaron Smith, spokesman for the Massachusetts Air National Guard, wrote in an email to the Times.” – “Steamship Authority continues to deal with ransomware hack, Maura Healey sounds alarm on cyberattacks,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “In the wake of the local hack, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey on Tuesday urged Bay State businesses and government agencies — including law enforcement — to immediately assess their existing data security practices, and take appropriate steps to upgrade security measures.” – “Striking nurses at St. Vincent to put picket on hold during services for fallen Officer Enmanuel Familia,” by Cyrus Moulton, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: “Nurses on strike at St. Vincent Hospital say they will suspend picketing to honor fallen Worcester Police Officer Enmanuel Familia and free up officers to attend their colleague’s wake and funeral. ... Familia occasionally worked the line, according to the Massachusetts Nurses Association.” – Not the lobster rolls! “Lobster prices pinch pockets as demand soars,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “Lobster is a summer staple in New England, but a recent rise in prices may give even the most devoted lobster lovers pause.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to state Rep. Lori Ehrlich, Calla Walsh, Jeff Solnet, John Dukakis, 90 West’s Harry Shipps and Kelsey Perkins, district director for Rep. Katherine Clark. 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.   DON'T MISS THE MILKEN INSTITUTE FUTURE OF HEALTH SUMMIT: POLITICO will feature a special edition of our Future Pulse newsletter at the 2021 Milken Institute Future of Health Summit. The newsletter takes readers inside one of the most influential gatherings of global health industry leaders and innovators who are turning lessons learned from the past year into a healthier, more resilient and more equitable future. 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