POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: House hopes for the best, budgets for the worst

BY LISA KASHINSKY AND KELLY GARRITY Presented by  DOLLARS AND SENSE — House Democratic leaders put forward on Wednesday a $57.9 billion budget plan that they said could weather the fiscal storm clouding the state. But their bullet points and bottom line make clear that from the House vantage point, the state’s financial forecast remains gloomy. The House’s proposal is $150 million below the $58.1 billion spending plan that Gov. Maura Healey submitted in January — the first time the lower chamber has released an annual budget less than the governor’s since 2019 (h/t MTF’s Doug Howgate). While Healey proposed a 3.7 percent spending increase over fiscal year 2024, the House pitched a smaller 3.3 percent bump. House leaders are taking some of the same money-saving measures Healey proposed (closing MCI-Concord) and some of the new revenue sources she suggested (online lottery sales, diverting excess capital gains back into the budget) and pairing them with cuts to her spending plan — halving what she proposed for snow and ice removal and trimming her increase in unrestricted local aid. And while House Speaker Ron Mariano and Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz said they haven’t spoken specifically about setting limits on earmarks when the budget hits the floor in two weeks, it seems they’ll be trying to keep things tight. “We both agree that we will be looking at earmarks with how it fits in with the priorities that we've established in this budget,” Mariano told reporters at a budget briefing Wednesday at the State House. "We need to be consistent in our message on spending, and we intend to be.” House Speaker Ron Mariano (left) and Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz unveil their "competitive" $57.9 billion budget proposal. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO Still, House leaders trying to balance fiscal prudence with their own spending priorities are also adding to the budget in key areas. Beyond boosting transportation spending, the House proposed $190 million for universal free school meals versus the $170 million that the governor budgeted. Democratic leaders also omitted Healey's proposed cuts to MassHealth’s Personal Care Attendant program amid pushback. And they’re throwing more money at the state’s emergency shelter system than Healey — $500 million versus $325 million — though still hardly enough to cover costs that are expected to soar over $900 million next fiscal year. Mariano indicated that’s by design to let lawmakers “maintain as much control over this process as we can" because "we’re never quite sure what the numbers are going to be.” But lawmakers might not have as much control as they want over what comes next — particularly if tax collections don’t continue their turnaround in the critical month of April. The House won’t pick up its budget — and the bevy of amendments that representatives are sure to file to it — until after the mid-month revenue report that could shape the spending debate. And Mariano said he wants to see at least three months of tax collections coming in above benchmarks before he’s ready to declare the state’s fiscal “winter” over. “Until you get three months of positive numbers , you've not changed much at all,” Mariano said. “So, we still have a ways to go before we know if we’re out of the winter and into the spring.” All of that could weigh on the Senate budget that’s due in May. Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues told Playbook on Wednesday that, given the current fiscal climate, he also doesn’t envision putting forward a budget plan that’s higher than Healey’s. “We have the money” to keep investing in key areas like K-12 and early education, Rodrigues said. “But we’re going to be careful." GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. We've got more budget breakdowns below, and dive deeper into the differences with The Boston Globe and GBH News . TODAY — Healey visits Boston Metal at 10:10 a.m. and joins former Govs. Deval Patrick and Bill Weld for a fireside chat with former Gov. Michael Dukakis at 4 p.m. at Northeastern. Healey also speaks at a Catholic School Foundation scholarship fund gala at 7:30 p.m. at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll speaks at state Sen. Liz Miranda ’s Eid al-Fitr celebration at 11 a.m. at the State House. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speaks at a Boston Municipal Research Bureau meeting at 1 p.m. in the Seaport. Tips? Scoops? Budget reactions? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com .   A message from NextEra Energy: With a presence in 49 states, NextEra Energy is one of the nation’s largest capital investors in infrastructure, creating thousands of jobs and generating millions of dollars in new tax revenue for communities across the U.S. We generate more electricity from the wind and sun than anyone in the world as we work toward securing America’s energy independence and security with clean and emission-free low-cost energy.   DATELINE BEACON HILL CONFERENCE CONSEQUENCES — The House’s plan to fund the emergency shelter system by combining $325 million in general funds with $175 million from a transitional escrow account could throw a wrinkle into ongoing negotiations over a different spending bill — the supplemental budget that would float the program through at least the end of June. The Senate’s version of the supp would let Gov. Maura Healey empty more than $800 million stashed in the savings account to keep the shelter system running through the next fiscal year. But the House pitched giving Healey control over just $245 million from the account through June, and is now proposing the additional $175 million as part of its fiscal year 2025 budget. Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues shrugged off Playbook’s questions about whether the House’s move could delay a deal that's already up against the clock with shelter funding due to run out later this month. “We expect it to get done as quickly as possible,” he said. “We’re good at working under deadlines.” That last part is questionable. As the Boston Herald points out , the Healey administration has already identified other pools of money to draw from if lawmakers don’t reach a deal in time. House Speaker Ron Mariano | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO WAITING ON WASHINGTON — House Speaker Ron Mariano is holding out some hope for federal immigration aid after all. Weeks after declaring “we are on our own” in dealing with the migrant and shelter crisis, the Quincy Democrat and self-described “eternal optimist” suggested on Wednesday that might not be the case depending on the outcome of this November’s election. “Hopefully common sense returns to Washington and we either get a policy that works or we get some financial help," Mariano told reporters. More from CommonWealth Beacon. SURTAX SPLIT — The House is proposing a more even split than Healey when it comes to the $1.3 billion in "millionaires tax" revenue being budgeted for fiscal year 2025. Healey proposed $750 million for education initiatives and $550 million for transportation. The House would put $695 million toward education and $605 million toward transportation. HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES — If you heard cheers and applause coming from the room where House Democrats huddled Wednesday to talk about their budget, it was for Mariano (jokingly) announcing plans to coach the newly proposed MBTA Academy ’s basketball team. The hypothetical squad would be composed mainly of “a lot of 5’5 drivers,” Mariano said.   Access New York bill updates and Congressional activity in areas that matter to you, and use our exclusive insights to see what’s on the Albany agenda. Learn more .     FROM THE HUB IN OTHER BUDGET NEWS — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu filed a $4.6 billion budget with the City Council on Wednesday, an 8 percent increase in spending over this fiscal year. A big chunk of that increase, Wu said at the city’s budget breakfast, comes from a recently approved plan to pull the Boston Planning and Development Agency (and its budget) under city control. Aside from that, “growth this year in the budget is very similar to almost exactly the same as from last year,” Wu said. Wu also had a clear message for the fiscal doomsdayers who have been warning of a bleak picture for the city’s finances in coming years as the commercial real estate market continues to deal with the impact from the pandemic. “To point to some false information that the city might be experiencing a billion-dollar shortfall, that is just simply not true,” Wu told the room of councilors and policymakers. “The city is in a very strong position. ... To suggest that we need to take drastic action or impose a hiring freeze or put some major changes on the table is simply irresponsible.” Wu is still awaiting the city council’s approval on a home-rule petition that would let the city raise taxes on commercial real estate to prevent a spike in residential tax bills. There’s no word yet on which legislator might carry the proposal on Beacon Hill, but Wu’s team has been in touch with state legislators as the petition winds its way through the process — starting with a City Council hearing next Tuesday.   A message from NextEra Energy:     BALLOT BATTLES — “Audit-the-Legislature ballot effort sees slim majority support,” by Katie Lannan and Gintautas Dumcius, GBH/CommonWealth Beacon: “A slight majority [53 percent] of Massachusetts residents support a potential ballot question that would grant state Auditor Diana DiZoglio the power to probe the inner workings of her former colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature, according to a CommonWealth Beacon/GBH News poll.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES ‘TRAIN MAN’ — The House’s proposed funding boost for the MBTA is a vote of confidence in its new leader, General Manager Phil Eng . “The last couple of folks that have run the T came out of the philosophical think tanks," Mariano, the House speaker, told reporters during his budget unveiling. Now "we have a train man,” Mariano said. “A man who can walk the tracks and not electrocute himself. It's a gentleman that we feel is going to make an impact, and we're excited to work with him as he makes changes." — “Connecting North Adams and Boston by train is years and hundreds of millions of dollars away. Here's what the planning study outlines…” by Sten Spinella, The Berkshire Eagle: “The plan laid out six possibilities for the route, with the different paths falling on either end, or in-between, a price range of just under $900 million to $2.9 billion.”   SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, the newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world, including WEF in Davos, Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to UNGA in NYC and many more. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW .     FROM THE 413 —  “‘I joined the Russian army,’ former Holyoke city councilor tells lawyer in call from Russia,” by Shelley Murphy, The Boston Globe: “In January, a day before former Holyoke city councilor Wilmer Puello-Mota was expected to plead guilty to child pornography and other charges in Rhode Island, his lawyer called to remind him to arrive at the courthouse on time and said he was startled to learn Puello-Mota was in Russia. At a square. Eating sushi. ‘He said, “I joined the Russian army,” or something like that,’ Rhode Island attorney John M. Cicilline said during a telephone interview. ‘I thought he was joking.’” — “Northampton High students walk out of school, camp in mayor’s office over proposed cuts to theater department,” by Alexander MacDougall, Daily Hampshire Gazette. — “‘Glass ceiling just came down’: Springfield officially swears in Lawrence Akers as the city’s 1st Black police superintendent,” by Jeanette DeForge, Springfield Republican. WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING — “State Police left decades’ worth of confidential case files at old Fernald school in Waltham,” by Elizabeth Koh and John Hilliard, The Boston Globe. — “Attleboro mayor's proposed diversity committee hits a snag,” by George W. Rhodes, The Sun Chronicle.  — “How the EPA’s new limits on ‘forever chemicals’ will affect Mass.,” by Greta Jochem, Springfield Republican: “The Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday a new rule limiting “forever chemicals” in drinking water across the country. … ‘Massachusetts has been a national leader in addressing PFAS contamination ... and will update our standards to align with the new federal level,’ [DEP spokesperson Ed Coletta said.]”   A message from NextEra Energy: Leading America with safe, reliable and affordable clean energy The need for reliable, low-cost clean energy in America has never been greater – and NextEra Energy is ready to deliver it. Millions of Americans depend on us to power their lives in good weather and bad. By investing in resilient, storm-tested infrastructure and harnessing innovative technology, we’re keeping reliability high and bills low. We are also working toward securing America’s energy independence and security with clean and emission-free low-cost energy. We’ve virtually eliminated foreign oil from our power plants and, today, generate more electricity from the wind and sun than anyone in the world – while continuing lead in battery storage technology.   MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANITE STATE OF PLAY — Republican entrepreneur Vikram Mansharamani , who ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2022, has entered the race to replace Democratic Rep. Annie Kuster for NH-02, per WMUR . TRUMP CONNECTION — The Republican state representative and former cop who reportedly threatened to kill his fellow officers and rape his chief’s wife is also former President Donald Trump ’s Sullivan County campaign chair. More from HuffPost . HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH SPOTTED — Gronk flexing while opening a new weight room at Boston’s Mission High. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Ethel Kennedy, former Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson, WEEI’s Meghan Ottolini, Henry Gass, Matt Tannenbaum, Ted Dooley, Kevin Gilnack, Todd Domke, David Wofford and Darlene Murray. 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: Healey's no good very bad day

BY LISA KASHINSKY AND KELLY GARRITY With help from Mia McCarthy PERFECT STORM — And we thought the toughest thing Maura Healey would have to deal with Wednesday was selling her budget to some skeptical lawmakers. Instead, the governor found herself under fire for nominating her former romantic partner to the state’s highest court and was later left hanging by two of her allies, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, when they voted to block the federal border deal that could have funneled desperately needed dollars toward Massachusetts and other states overwhelmed by an influx of migrants. Gov. Maura Healey is navigating a difficult stretch. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO Healey defended her decision to nominate Gabrielle Wolohojian , a longtime Appeals Court judge, as her second pick to the Supreme Judicial Court . Wolohojian was unanimously recommended to Healey by the committee that vets SJC selections on her behalf. The governor wouldn’t say if the panel gave her any other names to consider. “I don’t want the fact she had a personal relationship with me to deprive the commonwealth of the person who's most qualified for the position,” Healey said. The best the warped MASS GOP can do is speak out in the mindless Boston Herald? That defines their audience. MASS GOP has consistently promoted and supported unqualified, incompetent candidates, ignoring lack of QUALIFICATIONS. But it might. Healey, who typically avoids putting her private life in the spotlight, is now inviting scrutiny of her personal affairs. While leaders in the legal community contend the pair’s past relationship won’t be an issue, it quickly became a political talking point. The MassGOP slammed the nomination as “highly inappropriate.” And it was predictably torn apart in the opinion pages of the Boston Herald. Those concerns are reaching the Governor’s Council, which now faces the thorny task of deciding whether a seasoned judge who happens to be Healey’s former flame can ascend to the state’s top judicial bench. The Council is expected to take up the nomination on Feb. 21. Councilors Terry Kennedy and Eileen Duff — who said they first urged Wolohojian to apply for a seat on the SJC seven or eight years ago — both told Playbook the nomination was a “courageous” move by the governor. “She’s the most qualified person in the state,” Duff said. But another member, Tara Jacobs, questioned whether Wolohojian would have to recuse herself from cases involving the Executive Branch because of a conflict of interest. (Healey insisted Wolohojian wouldn’t, saying she doesn’t as an appellate judge.). Healey drew some attention away from the controversy by unleashing her sharpest criticism yet of Congress for abandoning the border bill. But while the governor was railing against Republicans for walking away from the bipartisan deal, the state’s two Democratic senators were among the band of five progressives voting against advancing it . Their dissension ultimately didn’t matter — Republicans had the numbers to tank the deal regardless of how the Democrats voted. “I can’t vote for a deal that’s dead and make those immigration provisions the starting basis for the next round of negotiations,” Warren told reporters at the Capitol. Markey expressed similar sentiments in a statement, raising concerns with policy changes that he said would have “eviscerat[ed] due process protections” for migrants. But the deal’s demise is still a major blow to Healey, who engaged in private conversations with the White House and the congressional delegation as she publicly lobbied for the bill’s passage . And it’s yet another setback as she scrounges for millions more dollars to support the state’s overburdened shelter system. GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Healey also nominated four district court judges Wednesday, as the former attorney general continues to reshape the state’s judiciary. TODAY — is Healey’s birthday. Neither she nor Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll have any public events. Tips? Scoops? Hit us up: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com .   DON’T MISS POLITICO’S GOVERNORS SUMMIT: Join POLITICO on Feb. 22 to dive into how Governors are wielding immense power. While Washington remains gridlocked, governors are at the center of landmark decisions in AI and tech, economic development, infrastructure, housing, reproductive health and energy. How are they setting the stage for the future of American politics, policies and priorities? How are they confronting major challenges? Explore these questions and more at the 2024 Governors Summit. REGISTER HERE .     DATELINE BEACON HILL Gov. Maura Healey and Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz testified before the Legislature's Ways and Means Committee on her fiscal year 2025 budget. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO FISCAL ‘WINTER’ IS HERE — The Legislature’s chief budget writers issued grim fiscal forecasts during a budget hearing in which they warned “additional adjustments” to the current state spending plan may be warranted and telegraphed continued belt-tightening for the next one. “Winter isn’t just coming, folks,” House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz said. “It’s already here.” Gov. Maura Healey and her finance secretary, Matthew Gorzkowicz , defended her roughly $58 billion spending plan in the face of slumping tax collections, saying it is based on “the best estimates available … through our consensus revenue process.” Healey is calling to increase state spending by about $2 billion in fiscal year 2025, and is asking lawmakers to balance that by trimming $450 million from various line items, avoiding spending increases in other areas and seeking new revenue sources. But if revenues keep falling short of benchmarks, Michlewitz told Playbook the House would consider crafting a spending plan that’s even less than what Healey put on the table. “That’s certainly an option based off of how the revenues have been tracking,” Michlewitz said. “We still have to see where the next couple of months go before making that declaration.” Catch up on the budget hearing with the Boston Herald . ONTO SUPER TUESDAY — Dudley Selectman John Marsi is all-but guaranteed to take over the 6th Worcester House seat state Sen. Peter Durant vacated for his new post. Southbridge Town Councilor David Adams conceded the GOP primary Wednesday, sending Marsi onto the March 5 special general election in which he faces no Democratic opponent. But there is a Democrat waiting to challenge him in November: Jeanne Costello , the vice chair of the Dudley-Charlton regional school committee, filed to run for the seat Wednesday after scrapping plans for a write-in campaign in the special election. POUR ONE OUT FOR THESE BILLS — Bringing back happy hour is off the legislative menu (again) (for now). But bills that would legalize medical aid in dying, update the state’s sex-education guidelines and give state employees health insurance on their first day of employment are among those moving forward after receiving favorable reports from their committees by Wednesday’s Joint Rule 10 deadline. Hanging in the balance: bills that would revive rent control and boost tenant protections (the Housing Committee asked for an extension until April 18) and the so-called CHERISH Act that would create a path toward debt-free college (the Higher Education Committee filed an extension until March 1). — “‘An urgent, urgent issue’: Bill advances to give state authority in choosing reading curriculum,” by Mandy McLaren, The Boston Globe. SMITTY’S NEXT STEPS — State Rep. Smitty Pignatelli chatted with WAMC Northeast Public Radio about the decision to end his 22-year run on Beacon Hill, what’s next for him (“Trying to keep West-East rail on the front burner”) and the nascent race to replace him (he’s talked two people interested so far). MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS IT’S GIVING SURROGATE — A day after President Joe Biden accused former President Donald Trump of pushing congressional Republicans to torch the border deal for political purposes, Healey did the same. The bipartisan agreement would have “ended the migrant crisis and the inflow of people into this country,” said Healey, who is serving as a surrogate for Biden’s reelection campaign. “It’s incredibly frustrating that we were that close to a deal that, by the way, was negotiated and developed by a Republican, a Democrat and an independent. And all that went away because Donald Trump said something.” Meanwhile, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said on “Java with Jimmy” that the overflow shelter site for migrant and homeless families at the Cass Recreational Complex in Roxbury is nearing its 400-person capacity a week after it opened. More from the Boston Herald . A Suffolk University poll showed voters are split over the governor’s decision to move migrants from Logan Airport to the recreation center at the expense of community programs that use the facility. A plurality, 49 percent, of respondents supported the move, while 40 percent opposed it. The statewide survey of 1,000 registered voters was conducted Feb. 2-5 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. — “Next stop Seaport? Fort Point neighbors told brace for migrants,” by Gayla Cawley and Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: “ The city has warned startled Fort Point neighbors to be ready for migrants to move into their Seaport district. The Healey administration is eyeing an office building on Farnsworth Street as the next spot to house homeless migrants, the Herald has learned. The location is amid the bustling Seaport not far from the Children’s Museum. … An email sharing the potential migrant move to the Seaport area obtained by the Herald goes on to say other groups ‘need to be communicated with’ about the possibility of migrants squeezing into the area.” — “Compassion vies with concern, confusion over migrant shelter at ‘the Cass’,” by Mandile Mpofu, The Bay State Banner.   YOUR GUIDE TO EMPIRE STATE POLITICS : From the newsroom that doesn’t sleep, POLITICO's New York Playbook is the ultimate guide for power players navigating the intricate landscape of Empire State politics. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest and most important stories from Albany, New York City and around the state, with in-depth, original reporting to stay ahead of policy trends and political developments. Subscribe now to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle of NY politics.      YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS CAMPAIGN SZN — Candidates running for office this year can begin pulling nomination papers, Secretary of State Bill Galvin announced Wednesday. Candidates running for district or county offices have until April 30 to collect signatures and submit them with their local clerks. Those eyeing federal office have until May 7 if they’re running in a party primary, or June 30 if they’re launching a non-party bid. Speaking of federal office, Rep. Richard Neal has a challenger: Nadia Milleron , Ralph Nader ’s niece and an attorney-turned-aviation-safety advocate whose daughter died several years ago in a Boeing plane crash in Ethiopia. Milleron, who lives in Sheffield, filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission earlier this month and confirmed to Playbook that she’s running. She’s holding a virtual meet-and-greet with the group of primarily Democratic activists who launched a website in 2022 critiquing Neal’s record, according to an email invitation obtained by Playbook. Milleron is running as an independent, according to her FEC filing. THAT'S ALL SHE WROTE — Self-help author Marianne Williamson ended her second presidential campaign last night , leaving Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) as the sole major primary challenger to Biden. The Suffolk poll showed Biden crushing them both among likely Democratic primary voters in the state, with 70 percent support compared to 6 percent for Phillips and 5 percent for Williamson. Biden also beat Trump and third-party candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West in a hypothetical general-election matchup. Biden had 45 percent support, Trump had 26 percent, Kennedy won 9 percent and West had 2 percent. DAY IN COURT — “Former alderman gets two years in federal bribery case that rocked Somerville and Medford,” by Gintautas Dumcius, CommonWealth Beacon: “An attempt to bribe Medford’s police chief — part of a scheme to obtain approvals for a marijuana company that would earn him a six-figure yearly payout — earned former Somerville attorney and alderman Sean O’Donovan a two-year federal prison sentence.” — “3rd Mass. State trooper charged in driver’s license bribery scandal pleads not guilty,” by Will Katcher, MassLive. — “Ousted pot boss O’Brien’s appeal denied; hearing over job can go forward,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald. FROM THE DELEGATION — “4 months after Hamas' attack on Israel, Mass. congressional delegation split on ceasefire,” by Adam Reilly, GBH News: “The most striking example is Rep. Stephen Lynch. Immediately after the Oct. 7 attacks, he focused on their brutality and the need for unequivocal U.S. support for Israel. But on Jan. 19, Lynch added his name to the list of congressional members calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.” HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH CASHING IN ON THE HYPE — Mass. Lottery is running a Super Bowl ad locally featuring “Taylor,” but not the Taylor (Swift, of course). TRANSITIONS — Healey named Andy Koziol as her East-West Rail director . — Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian is now vice chair of the Council of State Governments Justice Center Advisory Board. — Marc Aidinoff will be an assistant professor of the history and social studies of technology at Harvard. He was chief of staff for the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House. — MAB Community Services CEO Barbara Salisbury is retiring. She previously served as the state’s budget director under former Gov. Mike Dukakis. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Gov. Maura Healey, Ben Stevens of Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Jacob Foose and Larry Ruttman . NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: BIVALVE PARTISANSHIP — Lisa Kashinsky checks in on the state of the state GOP a year into Chair Amy Carnevale ’s tenure. Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith talk polls and ballot measures. 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 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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