POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: The N.H. cash dash comes to Mass.

 

View in browser   BY LISA KASHINSKY BORDER CROSSING — Massachusetts donors are funneling money toward Republican congressional hopefuls — in New Hampshire. A trio of Bay Staters are holding a Boston fundraiser for Matt Mowers, one of several Republicans challenging Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.). Tickets range from $1,000 to $5,800 for the breakfast hosted by 1A Auto’s Rick Green, Fiscal Alliance Foundation’s Anne Bresnahan and MassFiscal’s Paul Craney next Monday, which will feature former ambassador and ex-South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. Gail Huff Brown, one of Mowers’ primary rivals, shipped down to Boston earlier this month for a fundraiser hosted by her husband, former Sen. Scott Brown, and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn). Huff Brown’s campaign did not respond to requests for how much she raised from the UMass Club luncheon. New Hampshire’s GOP congressional hopefuls had already banked a combined $317,185 from Massachusetts donors by the end of last year, per the most recent FEC data available. Huff Brown — unsurprisingly, given her and her husband’s local ties — tops the list with $175,174 from donors including several of Gov. Charlie Baker’s political aides and advisers and former MassGOP Chair Jennifer Nassour. That all eclipses the $128,975 Bay Staters gave to their own Republican congressional hopefuls in that same period. That includes contributions to Emily Burns and Julie Hall, who have since ended their challenges to Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss in MA-04. More cash could flow north later this week. The New Hampshire Republican Party is hosting a big-name fundraiser Wednesday at the Capitol Hill home of Ron Kaufman, one of Massachusetts’ two RNC members and the committee’s treasurer. Bay Staters bankrolling Granite State Republicans isn’t surprising. GOP congressional candidates often have a better chance for success in purple New Hampshire than in deep-blue Massachusetts, even though U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy recently said he’d “love to win” a midterm race here. Massachusetts is fertile fundraising ground for New Hampshire Democrats, too. Pappas has taken in $243,813 from Bay State donors so far this cycle. Rep. Annie Kuster has raised $198,314 from across the border. And Sen. Maggie Hassan, one of the Senate’s most at-risk Democrats, has raked in more than $1.1 million. GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Hassan’s also pouring money into Massachusetts: She’s now placed more than $6.2 million in general-election television ad buys in the Boston market, per Ad Impact. TODAY — Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attends White Ribbon Day events at 9 a.m. in Stoughton and 11 a.m. in Whitman, and joins Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan for a MUNI grant announcement at 1 p.m. at City Hall. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speaks at MIRA Coalition’s virtual Immigrants’ Day at the State House at 10 a.m., attends a Women Veterans’ roundtable in Mattapan at noon and hosts a press conference about outdoor dining in the North End at 2 p.m. at City Hall. State Sen. Eric Lesser and state Rep. Josh Cutler unveil their Future of Work Commission report at 11 a.m. Sen. Ed Markey chairs a Senate Climate Task Force meeting at 11:45 a.m. to discuss the benefits of a clean energy transition. State Rep. Tami Gouveia speaks at a Generation Citizen virtual event on mental health at 4 p.m. Tips? Scoops? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com.   SUBSCRIBE TO NATIONAL SECURITY DAILY : Keep up with the latest critical developments from Ukraine and across Europe in our daily newsletter, National Security Daily. The Russian invasion of Ukraine could disrupt the established world order and result in a refugee crisis, increased cyberattacks, rising energy costs and additional disruption to global supply chains. Go inside the top national security and foreign-policymaking shops for insight on the global threats faced by the U.S. and its allies and what actions world leaders are taking to address them. Subscribe today.     CAMPAIGN MODE — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: UNITE HERE Local 26, which represents about 12,000 hospitality workers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, has endorsed state Attorney General Maura Healey for governor, per her campaign. Local 26 President Carlos Aramayo praised Healey for helping ensure union members “were safe at work and got paid on time” during the pandemic. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: IBEW Local 223 has endorsed Shannon Liss-Riordan for state attorney general, per her campaign. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Quentin Palfrey has added several staffers to his campaign for state attorney general. Jeremy Comeau is Palfrey’s campaign manager; Amanda Cataldo is finance director; Ben Groustra is field and operations manager; Ari Taylor is coalitions manager and Elaine Almquist is ballot access coordinator. Former MassDems Chair Phil Johnston and Stephanie Neal-Johnson, a former undersecretary in the state transportation and labor offices, are Palfrey's campaign co-chairs. — ALSO STAFFING UP: Mary Connaughton, the 2014 Republican nominee for state auditor, will chair “Women for Amore” in support of Republican Anthony Amore for auditor, his campaign said. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia and community leaders Gloribell Mota and Saritin Rizzuto are endorsing Tania Del Rio for District 1 Boston City Councilor. Mejia will host a rally for Del Rio at 1 p.m. Saturday in East Boston, her campaign said. — “Governor Charlie Baker makes first statewide endorsement this year, backing Anthony Amore in auditor race,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “For the first time in the 2022 election cycle, Governor Charlie Baker offered his endorsement for a statewide candidate. In a campaign e-mail sent to supporters Monday, Baker backed Republican candidate for auditor Anthony Amore, the director of security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum who unsuccessfully ran for secretary of state in 2018.” THE LATEST NUMBERS — “Massachusetts reports 44% jump in new coronavirus cases over the weekend,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The daily average of 810 COVID cases over the weekend was up 44% from the daily rate of 564 infections from the previous weekend. For comparison, the omicron variant peak weekend was 20,329 daily cases in early January.” DATELINE BEACON HILL — TO DIVEST OR NOT TO DIVEST: House Speaker Ron Mariano now says lawmakers “can get to yes” on a bill to divest state pension funds from Russian entities after previously dismissing it as “too difficult.” “It was not worth pursuing at the moment because the Russian markets were closed. Since that time, the markets have reopened,” Mariano told reporters after Monday’s leadership meeting at the State House. The Senate passed a proposal to sever the pension fund’s Russian ties as part of its version of a mid-year spending bill last week. Gov. Charlie Baker, who ordered executive branch agencies to terminate contracts with Russian state-owned companies, said the state is still “chasing” contracts back to their source organizations. — “Sports betting in Massachusetts: Senate President Karen Spilka again sidesteps legal sports gambling questions,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “State Senate President Karen Spilka continued to duck questions on legalizing sports betting, instead shifting the focus to where senators — who will ultimately be tasked with ironing out the logistical details on a bill — stand on the stalled topic. … The Ashland Democrat did not personally respond to the survey, but SHNS on Friday reported that at least 60% of state senators back sports betting legislation, something Gov. Charlie Baker also supports.” — “Massachusetts engaged in ‘preliminary’ conversations about accepting Ukrainian refugees,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “Massachusetts officials are coordinating with the federal government as Afghan and Haitian refugees are relocated to the commonwealth — though the planning surrounding Ukrainian refugees remains in early stages, Gov. Charlie Baker told reporters.” VAX-ACHUSETTS — "Was omicron more deadly than it needed to be in Mass.? Some experts say yes," by Gabrielle Emanuel, WBUR: "By the latest official count, 3,736 Massachusetts residents have died of COVID since omicron first surged in the state in December. ... 'We botched it,' said Jeremy Faust, an emergency room physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a faculty member in its division of health policy and public health. 'We felt really good about ourselves delivering millions of booster doses to the young and healthy, but we didn't really protect the vulnerable that way.'” FROM THE HUB — “Wu signals flexibility on controversial North End outdoor dining fee, vows safety review after deadly garage collapse,” by Amanda Beland, Tiziana Dearing and Jack Mitchell, WBUR: “Earlier this month, the city announced North End restaurants would have to pay $7,500 to host outdoor dining this year. But in a Radio Boston interview Monday, Wu said restaurants don’t need to pay the fee all at once. … there’s also a process for so-called ‘hardship waivers.’ Wu’s office told WBUR she plans to discuss that process further at a Tuesday press conference.” — “Investigators search for cause of garage collapse in Boston that killed worker,” by John R. Ellement, Travis Andersen and Dugan Arnett, Boston Globe: “A police report released Monday provided some details of the collapse and its immediate aftermath. Craig Jones, a Boston police officer who was working a detail at the site, watched an occupied small demolition excavator, along with large slabs of concrete, tumble an estimated 100 feet from the partially demolished Government Center Garage.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “T tells riders affected by tunnel diversions to stay home if they can,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “In announcing the shutdown of subway service running through the tunnels underneath the Government Center parking garage, the MBTA laid out ways for riders to get where they need to go but ultimately concluded the smart move may be not getting on the T at all.”   DON’T MISS POLITICO’S INAUGURAL HEALTH CARE SUMMIT ON 3/31: Join POLITICO for a discussion with health care providers, policymakers, federal regulators, patient representatives, and industry leaders to better understand the latest policy and industry solutions in place as we enter year three of the pandemic. Panelists will discuss the latest proposals to overcome long-standing health care challenges in the U.S., such as expanding access to care, affordability, and prescription drug prices. REGISTER HERE.     ON THE STUMP — “Launching candidacy, attorney Robert Sullivan vows to take politics out of Berkshire District Attorney's Office,” by Tony Dobrowolski, Berkshire Eagle: “Speaking outdoors on an unseasonably chilling morning in windswept Park Square, [Robert] Sullivan, a former prosecutor, said he believes that public safety has been compromised and is at a ‘critical point’ under the leadership of Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington.” — “Democratic candidate Yvonne Gittelson joins Hampshire County sheriff’s race,” by Brian Steele, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Sheriff Patrick Cahillane of Leeds, elected in 2016, is running for a second six-year term against [Yvonne] Gittelson, corrections nurse Caitlin Sepeda of South Hadley and John Vanasse of Florence, an administrative lieutenant with the Springfield College Police Department.” — “National social issues ignite North Andover School Committee race,” by Bryan McGonigle, Record Citizen: “[S]ocial issues like LGBTQ student rights and critical race theory have come to the forefront of this local election, with [Kevin] Dube seizing on them and with [Joe] Hicks — an openly gay father of two — fighting back.” THE PRESSLEY PARTY — ABOUT THAT TWEET: Rep. Ayanna Pressley has reentered the debate about The Slap at the Oscars. “I don’t endorse violence in any form,” Pressley tweeted Monday, hours after she tweeted and then apparently deleted a post defending actor Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s appearance during the awards show. “Our bodies are not public domain. They are not a line in a joke — especially when the transformation is not of our choosing,” Pressley, who lives with the same hair-loss condition as Pinkett Smith, tweeted . “I’m a survivor of violence. I’m a proud Alopecian. The psychological toll we carry daily is real. Team Jada always. That’s that on that.” Smith has now apologized. FROM THE DELEGATION — CHILD CARE PUSH: Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark and Sen. Elizabeth Warren are circulating a letter that will call on President Joe Biden to push a reconciliation bill “that lowers the cost of child care for families, expands access to pre-K, and invests in the early childhood workforce and infrastructure," my POLITICO colleagues report. — “A federal mask mandate for planes, other public transit expires April 18, but Sen. Ed Markey wants the CDC, TSA to extend it,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “U.S. Sen. Ed Markey wants passengers on planes and other public transportation to keep their masks on and is asking federal officials to extend the current mandate beyond its mid-April expiration date.” — “A new bill would launch a large-scale test of digital dollars,” by Adi Robertson, The Verge: “A US lawmaker has proposed a large-scale trial of government-backed digital cash. The Electronic Currency and Secure Hardware (ECASH) Act, introduced by Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), would direct the Secretary of the Treasury to publicly test an ‘electronic version’ of the US dollar. While the bill’s odds of passing likely remain low, it demonstrates governments’ increasing interest in launching alternatives to cryptocurrency. [Rep. Ayanna Pressley is a cosponsor].” DAY IN COURT — “Paul Sushchyk, Worcester judge accused of groping worker, gives up post,” by Mike Elfland, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: “Paul M. Sushchyk, the Worcester judge accused of groping a female employee, resigned Monday. Sushchyk declared his intentions in a one-sentence letter to Gov. Charlie Baker. The Worcester Probate and Family Court associate justice had been suspended without pay, an order put into effect last week.” FROM THE 413 — “Mental health alternatives to policing gather steam in western Massachusetts,” by Karen Brown, NEPM/WBUR: “Amherst’s new town department — Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service — joins several other initiatives in western Massachusetts that offer alternatives to police when a call involves a mental health crisis. The Amherst department will send responders trained in mental health to many 911 calls currently handled by the police.” — “Dozens rally against recommended VA medical center closure,” by Brian Steele, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “A Monday rally outside the VA medical center in Leeds drew veterans, nurses, elected officials and concerned activists to demand that the federal government reject a recommendation that the facility shut down.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Hospitals on high alert for possible Russia cyberattacks,” by Jessica Bartlett, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts hospitals have been warned to be on high alert for cybersecurity threats as the war in Ukraine continues. … Health care entities in Massachusetts and around the country have been victims of Russia-based cyberattacks in the past.” — “2 Mass. prisons mishandled COVID and neglected prisoners, report by disability advocates claims,” by Deborah Becker, WBUR: “Some Massachusetts prisons fell short in handling the coronavirus pandemic and neglected disabled and medically vulnerable prisoners, according to an investigation by the Disability Law Center. A new Disability Law Center (DLC) report released Monday examined coronavirus mitigation efforts within specialized medical units at MCI-Norfolk and MCI-Shirley.” — “Officials deny town is not cooperating with NAACP,” by Paul Leighton, Gloucester Daily Times: “Town leaders are disputing the contention by the North Shore NAACP that they are not cooperating with the organization on its recommendations to deal with racist, sexist and homophobic behavior.” — “Jonathan Lemire of Politico is Framingham State's commencement speaker,” by Zane Razzaq, MetroWest Daily News: “Lemire, a Lowell native, was set to be a commencement speaker in 2020, but the university had to cancel the ceremony due to COVID-19.” — AGREE TO DISAGREE: “New Hampshire, Massachusetts Ranked Among ‘Least Stressed’ States,” by CBS Boston staff: “The Granite State has the lowest percentage of its population living in poverty and the second-lowest crime rate, while Massachusetts has the most psychologists per capita and some of the fewest hours worked per week, according to the report.” MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE — “Top state officials investigate Atkinson selectman, question residency,” by Breanna Edelstein, Eagle-Tribune: “A drunken-driving arrest, announced by the Derry, Pennsylvania, Township Police Department, revealed that 51-year-old [Atkinson Selectman William] Baldwin has worked for nearly a year as a top police official in Middletown, Pennsylvania, unbeknownst to his New Hampshire constituency and fellow board members.” TRANSITIONS — Jossie Valentin, state policy adviser and regional director for Sen. Ed Markey , is leaving that office and returning to live in Puerto Rico. Valentin was state director for Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign and a Holyoke city councilor. — Eduardo Moreno Mendez is now chief of staff to state Sen. Lydia Edwards. — The Boston Globe’s Priyanka Dayal McCluskey joins WBUR as a senior health reporter. — Damon Cox will join MassChallenge’s executive team as head of Next Practice and Inclusive Growth. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Data Protocol CEO Peter Cherukuri, Harvard Kennedy School’s David King, Ned Gandevani and Sanjay Misra. Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.   Follow us on Twitter Lisa Kashinsky @lisakashinsky   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Chang-Díaz spoils for a debate

 

View in browser   BY LISA KASHINSKY TIMING IS EVERYTHING — When Sonia Chang-Díaz challenged Democratic gubernatorial rival Maura Healey to three televised debates before the party’s June convention, she didn’t say that a media outlet had already reached out about doing one. Chang-Díaz received an offer for a televised debate before issuing her call to Healey on Thursday. She accepted it shortly afterward, her campaign said. But her team wouldn’t say which outlet extended the invitation, or for when. Healey’s campaign said little beyond that the attorney general would debate "before the primary election.” Pushing for a debate is a common tactic for underdog candidates. Still, the timing of Chang-Díaz’s challenge is telling. It's expected Healey will outperform Chang-Díaz at the convention, and the senator's campaign has acknowledged as much. But two weeks after the party's caucuses ended, the delegate math is still murky. Healey’s campaign won't give estimates of her delegate count. Chang-Díaz’s camp believes she has the 15 percent delegate support needed to get on the primary ballot, though her team also said Thursday it hasn't contacted every delegate yet. Wherever they stand in terms of raw numbers, Chang-Díaz needs to slow Healey's perceived momentum — which would get more fuel if Healey crosses 50 percent at the convention, notching the party's endorsement. She also needs to chip away at Healey's massive lead in the money race. Chang-Díaz's campaign blasted out her debate challenge in a fundraising email Thursday evening. Look to see if she does it again as she revs up for her end-of-month fundraising push. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Gov. Charlie Baker installed a new chair on the MassHousing board this week. But the former chair, Mike Dirrane, claims he’s still the one in charge. Baker swore in Jeanne Pinado on Wednesday as the first woman of color to chair the quasi-public agency’s board of directors. But Dirrane — the agency’s longest-serving board member, who Baker reappointed as chair in 2016 — sent a letter to the governor last week saying he’s not stepping aside from the unpaid position. Dirrane argues that the statute governing the MassHousing board “clearly reads” that “once you’re appointed by the governor as chair you remain chair through the end of your term.” Dirrane’s term expires in September 2023. “[Baker] declared someone chair — in my mind, illegally — and I think the courts will hold that up,” Dirrane told Playbook. “All I’m trying to do is preserve the independence of an independent agency and not let a lame-duck governor try to pack an agency.” Dirrane wants Healey to weigh in on the matter. The AG's office deferred comment to the governor’s office. Baker’s team did not comment directly on Dirrane’s letter, but spokesperson Terry MacCormack said in a statement that the governor is “confident” that Pinado “will be an asset” to the board. TODAY — Reps. Stephen Lynch and Lori Trahan host a press conference on their trip to Ukrainian border countries at 9:45 a.m. at Lynch's Boston office. Sen. Ed Markey and Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark announce $4 million in federal funding for Wonderland Station in Revere at 10:30 a.m. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu tour ABCD Dorchester Early Head Start at 11 a.m. and then speak to press. Rep. Jake Auchincloss speaks at a Stand with Ukraine rally in Newton Center at 5 p.m. Chang-Díaz is on GBH’s “Talking Politics” at 7 p.m. THIS WEEKEND — Auchincloss hosts town halls at noon in Mansfield and 2 p.m. in Taunton on Saturday; and at 4 p.m. Sunday in Needham. Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Chair Steven Hoffman is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Clark is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. Tips? Scoops? Come across any interesting letters? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com.   SUBSCRIBE TO NATIONAL SECURITY DAILY : Keep up with the latest critical developments from Ukraine and across Europe in our daily newsletter, National Security Daily. The Russian invasion of Ukraine could disrupt the established world order and result in a refugee crisis, increased cyberattacks, rising energy costs and additional disruption to global supply chains. Go inside the top national security and foreign-policymaking shops for insight on the global threats faced by the U.S. and its allies and what actions world leaders are taking to address them. Subscribe today.     THE LATEST NUMBERS — “Massachusetts coronavirus cases climb again, K-12 schools report 2,594 cases,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The 1,086 new virus cases in the state was a 21% jump from 899 reported cases last Thursday. A total of 2,594 staff and students tested positive in Bay State schools in the past week, up from the previous week’s report as infections rise across the state.” DATELINE BEACON HILL — WIN SOME: The Senate unanimously approved a proposal from Democrat Walter Timilty to divest state pension funds from companies sanctioned by the federal government or incorporated in Russia, in response to that country's invasion of Ukraine. Senators also, as part of a midyear spending bill that cleared the chamber Thursday, voted to allocate $10 million to the state Office of Immigrants and Refugees to support resettling refugees, including from Ukraine. “There is nothing that we can do to fully erase the pain and suffering caused by this immoral and unnecessary military action,” Senate President Karen Spilka said in a statement. “But we can insist that Massachusetts take action.” The House also approved $10 million for refugee resettlement in its version of the supplemental budget. But House lawmakers previously shelved a proposal to divest state pension funds, which Speaker Ron Mariano said would be “too difficult.” That’s one wrinkle that could be ironed out in conference committee, where the budget bills appear to be headed. — LOSE SOME: Senate Republicans couldn’t pass their proposal to suspend the state’s 24-cents-per-gallon gas tax through Labor Day. That amendment to the midyear spending bill failed 11-29. But they did get some campaign-trail fodder. All four Senate Democrats running for statewide office — Sonia Chang-Díaz, Diana DiZoglio, Adam Hinds and Eric Lesser — voted against the proposal engineered to help motorists facing high prices at the gas pump. — More on the Senate debate from the Eagle-Tribune’s Christian M. Wade: “Ahead of the vote, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, said lifting the gas tax temporarily would provide some relief from the state's motorists. … Democrats said the suspending collection of the gas tax would siphon away millions of dollars the state government uses for collateral to pay down debt on its bond obligations, negatively impacting the state's bonding rate.” — “Massachusetts groups prepare to welcome refugees from Ukraine,” by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts organizations are preparing to help resettle refugees from Ukraine after the Biden administration announced Thursday that the United States would accept up to 100,000 of those displaced by the Russian invasion of their homeland. It’s unclear how many Ukrainian refugees might be sent to Massachusetts.” — “To-go cocktails, expanded outdoor dining likely here to stay in Massachusetts for at least another year,” by Erin Tiernan, MassLive: “Expanded outdoor dining and to-go cocktails are likely here to stay in Massachusetts for at least another year after state lawmakers handed a ‘major victory’ to restaurants and voted to further extend the pandemic-era rules. … Gov. Charlie Baker still needs to sign off on the House- and Senate-approved extension.” — “Baker’s $4,000 employer hiring bonus called ‘deeply misguided’,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “One of the state’s leading policy analysts is raising alarms about a proposal put forward by Gov. Charlie Baker to give nonprofit and for-profit businesses a $4,000 stipend for each new employee they hire through the end of the year. … The Baker proposal, he said, rewards employers for doing what they are already doing.” — “Beacon Hill must ensure sports betting legislation is equitable for Black and Brown businesses, senators told in new letter,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “Diversity, equity and inclusion must function as top priorities for the Massachusetts Legislature as it considers authorizing sports wagering, according to a letter sent to state senators on Thursday morning from the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, the Association of Black Businesses and Professionals, and the Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce.” VAX-ACHUSETTS — “Boston hospital reports zero coronavirus patients in ICU for first time since pandemic started,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “More than two years after the coronavirus pandemic started wreaking havoc, Tufts Medical Center nurses and doctors for the first time are seeing zero COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit.” — “Wastewater data sends mixed signals amid dip in Boston-area COVID-19 cases,” by Marilyn Schairer, GBH News: “Anyone closely watching the wastewater data noticed a change last week: an uptick in the Northeast's COVID-19 prevalence for the first time since late December 2021. It was up 24% over the prior week. Then, new data as of Wednesday showed the region's numbers falling again, slightly. It's a mixed signal at yet another uncertain moment in the pandemic.” — “Mayor Jon Mitchell battles COVID-19 for second time,” by Linda Roy, Standard-Times: “After his second bout with COVID-19, Mayor Jon Mitchell will likely head back to the office on March 25 after being quarantined and testing negative for the virus. … Mitchell attributes being fully vaccinated and boosted as key to his symptoms being mild and keeping him out of the hospital.” — "POLITICO-Harvard poll: 40 percent of parents believe masks at school harmed their kids," by Dan Goldberg, POLITICO: "A significant percentage of parents whose children wore masks in school during the last year believe it harmed their education, social interactions and mental health, according to a POLITICO-Harvard survey. The poll’s findings come as the Biden administration monitors events in Europe, where BA.2, a subvariant of Omicron, is wreaking havoc, and White House officials warn that masks may be necessary if Covid-19 cases increase in the United States." FROM THE HUB — “A ‘demographic perfect storm’: Suffolk County had one of the steepest population declines in the US, census data show,” by Matt Stout and Martin Finucane, Boston Globe: “Suffolk County saw one of the steepest population declines in the country last year, losing 3.3 percent of its population in just 15 months after tens of thousands of people moved out of Boston and its surrounding communities, new census data show.” — “Mass and Cass crowds ‘not acceptable,’ Wu administration says, vowing ‘decentralization’,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Mayor Michelle Wu’s Mass and Cass point woman defended the administration’s approach to fixing the troubled South End area, saying that the city is working to stop the returning crowds of drug users.”   DON’T MISS POLITICO’S INAUGURAL HEALTH CARE SUMMIT ON 3/31: Join POLITICO for a discussion with health care providers, policymakers, federal regulators, patient representatives, and industry leaders to better understand the latest policy and industry solutions in place as we enter year three of the pandemic. Panelists will discuss the latest proposals to overcome long-standing health care challenges in the U.S., such as expanding access to care, affordability, and prescription drug prices. REGISTER HERE.     ON THE STUMP — ENDORSEMENT ALERT: The Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association of Massachusetts has endorsed state Attorney General Maura Healey for governor, the association said. — “Framingham's new majority-minority state rep district has third candidate,” by Zane Razzaq, MetroWest Daily News: “On Thursday afternoon, School Committee Chairwoman Priscila Sousa officially announced she's running for the new majority-minority 6th Middlesex District state representative seat. … Former City Councilor Margareth Shepard declared her intent to run in late January. … Local activist Dhruba Sen is seeking the seat as well.” — “Greenfield man running for Republican nomination for governor,” by Domenic Poli, Greenfield Recorder: “Lucas G. Cote isn’t your typical candidate for statewide elected office. He has no campaign volunteers, virtually no political experience, and he’ll refuse any and all donations. But that’s not stopping him from running for the Republican nomination for governor.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “MBTA releases first five-year spending plan since pandemic began totaling $9.4B,” by Taylor Dolven, Boston Globe: “The transit agency unveiled plans to spend $9.4 billion through fiscal year 2027 on 552 projects, including $579 million for new Red and Orange Line vehicles, $493.5 million for South Coast Rail, a commuter rail line that would provide service to Boston from Taunton, New Bedford, and Fall River, $420.1 million for a new fare collection system, and $357.7 million on the Green Line extension. The plan relies on federal funding from the $1 trillion infrastructure law over the next five years, which the MBTA estimates will be about $580 million." DAY IN COURT — “SJC says franchises must comply with independent contractor law,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “The Supreme Judicial Court ruled Thursday that companies operating as franchises need to comply with the state’s independent contractor law, a ruling that could lead companies to newly scrutinize the terms of their arrangements with franchisees." — “30 years after life sentence, Thomas Koonce has chance at life outside prison,” by Meghan Ottolini, Boston Herald: “Thomas Koonce, recipient of a rare first-degree murder commutation from Gov. Charlie Baker, may be one step closer to a life outside prison after spending three decades behind bars. ‘I can only hope and pray you’ll agree I am a strong candidate for parole,’ Koonce said as he sat shackled before the state Parole Board Thursday. … The board will reconvene to decide on Koonce’s parole after a two-week period.” — “Dropkick Murphys ‘SMASH’ neo-Nazis with cease and desist,” by Christopher Gavin, Boston.com: “Soon after the Celtic-punk band became aware of a video created by local neo-Nazis that uses its song, ‘The Boys Are Back,’ the Quincy rockers fired off a warning on Twitter. … That same day, the band ... sent the white supremacist organization, The New England Nationalist Social Club, also known as NSC 131 or the Massachusetts 131 Lads, a cease and desist letter for copyright violations from its attorney.” — “John Kerry sued, slammed over ‘absurd’ refusal to share details of his Climate staff,” by Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: “A watchdog group is suing climate czar John Kerry over his refusal to share details about his office staff until late 2024 — a response that violates a public records directive just sent by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.” FROM THE 413 — “Gov. Charlie Baker talks repairs, not replacement, of troubled Roderick Ireland Courthouse,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “Answering questions Thursday at an unrelated event in Holyoke, Baker said his administration has put together a proposal to the Massachusetts Trial Court to rip out and replace all the air handling equipment.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Nurses at Beverly Hospital, Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester authorize strike,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “Nurses at two North Shore hospitals affiliated with Beth Israel Lahey Health System, Beverly Hospital and Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester, voted to authorize a three-day strike. … [Beverly Hospital nurse Larn] Beard said that the hospitals, which fall under Northeast Hospital Corporation, have lost ‘hundreds’ of nurses in the last two years, or 40% of the nursing workforce.” — “In Everett, reaction to a racist meme reveals a clash of old and new,” by Liz Neisloss, GBH News: “Two decades ago, only a quarter of the city’s population was non-white, but the city is now majority-minority. More than 50 languages are spoken in this city of 50,000, and immigrants from dozens of countries now call Everett home. But whether you are truly ‘from Everett,’ residents say, is waved like a badge of honor that leaves many feeling marginalized, and has helped keep the ‘old Everett’ in power." — “Red Sox to replace Black Lives Matter billboard: ‘It was never a political statement’,” by Jason Mastrodonato, Boston Herald: “After almost two years, the Red Sox are taking down their 254-foot Black Lives Matter billboard that has been stationed behind Fenway Park facing the Massachusetts Turnpike. Bekah Salwasser, the Sox’ executive vice president of social impact and executive director of the Red Sox Foundation, told the Herald on Thursday that the organization has been proud of its support for the BLM movement, but now wants to use that signage to promote the 20th anniversary of the foundation.” — “Martin J. Walsh to give commencement address at Endicott College,” by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe. MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND — “FBI joins investigation into controversial ILO consulting contract,” by Eli Sherman, Tim White and Ted Nesi, WPRI: “The FBI has joined an investigation into the controversial multimillion-dollar education contract that the McKee administration awarded last year to the ILO Group, a politically connected consulting firm.” MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE — “Sununu calls allegations against Spofford 'serious,' says they should be investigated,” by Lauren Chooljian, NHPR: “Gov. Chris Sununu is distancing himself from Eric Spofford, the founder of Granite Recovery Centers, the largest network of addiction treatment centers in the state. An NHPR investigation has found multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against Spofford involving his employees and a former client. … Spofford has donated thousands of dollars to Sununu’s political campaigns.” SPOTTED — Former House Speaker Robert DeLeo at a fundraiser for state auditor hopeful Chris Dempsey at Carrie Nation last night, per a Playbook tipster. TRANSITIONS — #mapoli veterans Karen Sharma and Michael Falcone formally launched a public affairs shop at MacDougall Advisors this week. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to state Rep. Maria Robinson, NYT's Felice Belman, Alissa C. Rooney and Playbook superfan Wayne Kashinsky. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nick Bayer, Caroline Darmody and Kelli Ritter, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers DeLeo, Charlotte Peyser and Matt Siegel. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: TRANSPORTATION FOR A WHOLE NEW WORLD — State Sen. Brendan Crighton talks about his priorities as the new Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. Hosts Steve Koczela and Lisa Kashinsky break down the latest news from Beacon Hill to the campaign trail. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud. Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.   Follow us on Twitter Lisa Kashinsky @lisakashinsky   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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