POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Ed Flynn has no regrets

BY KELLY GARRITY AND LISA KASHINSKY PROGRAMMING NOTE:  We’ve reached the last two Playbooks for the year!  Send us all those tips and scoops you’ve been holding onto: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com . CITY COUNCIL SIGNS OFF — The Boston City Council held its last meeting of the year Wednesday, an uncharacteristically smooth conclusion to a term plagued by infighting and scandal. Wednesday’s meeting saw a unanimous vote to approve the $82 million agreement Mayor Michelle Wu reached with Boston’s Police Patrolmen’s Association — a key compromise that will tighten disciplinary rules for officers and keep those convicted of some crimes from easily being rehired. The council will see significant turnover next year and new leadership, as Ed Flynn reaches the end of his two-year term as council president. But while at-large Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune says she has the votes to be the council’s next leader, Flynn told Playbook that others (who he declined to name) are still jockeying for the position. “There’s still other city councilors that are asking for the support of other City Council colleagues. I think the selection is still taking place,” Flynn said, adding that a colleague had approached him Tuesday about the role. Flynn’s own political future has been the subject of rampant speculation by Boston’s political chattering class. But he shot down the idea that he might try to follow in the footsteps of his father, former Mayor Ray Flynn, come 2025. “I’m not considering that,” he said. Nor is he eyeing other statewide or congressional seats in the area. “I would like at some point to work at the Veterans Administration," Flynn, a Navy vet himself, said. Playbook chatted with Flynn about his tumultuous past two years, the No.1 issue facing the city (“quality of life"), the No. 1 thing he didn’t get done as council president (“establishing a standalone domestic violence committee") and if he believes the city will hire a “rat czar” (“it’s something I’m going to keep working on”). Here are more excerpts from our conversation, edited for length and clarity: Ed Flynn presided over a turbulent two years on the Boston City Council | Steven Senne/AP Is there anything you wish you could go back and do differently?  No. I stand by the decisions I made. They weren't popular political decisions. They hurt me politically and probably professionally. But I try to do what's best for the residents of Boston. Is there any decision in particular that you think hurt you? Yes. I think stripping Councilor [Ricardo] Arroyo of his committee chair [following the resurfacing of years-old allegations of sexual assault] hurt me politically. But I still think I made the right decision. There’s a lot of turnover on the council coming. Do you think this will change how things operate?  The incoming group is very mature, professional and understands the role of the City Council. It's about working together. It's about treating each other with respect and dignity — you might not agree but you have to be civil to each other. What letter grade would you give Mayor Wu as she hits the halfway mark in her term?  I wouldn’t give her a letter grade. I think she's done a good job. I'm close with the mayor personally. I like her, I respect her. GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey speaks at the Massachusetts Conference for Women at 10:15 a.m. at the BCEC and attends Officer Paul Tracey ’s wake at 3 p.m. in Waltham. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll speaks at a Small Business Administration 9:30 a.m. at Mount Ida and makes an affordable housing announcement at 2 p.m. in Foxboro. Healey, Driscoll and Auditor Diana DiZoglio attend MassDems holiday party at the Omni Parker House at 5:30 p.m. Wu speaks at the Massachusetts Conference for Women at 12:30 p.m. and attends a menorah lighting at 5:30 p.m. Rep. Seth Moulton is on WBUR’s “Radio Boston” at 11 a.m. DATELINE BEACON HILL — “Mass. Health Dept. says state needs controversial overdose prevention centers,” by Martha Bebinger, WBUR: “The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is endorsing overdose prevention centers where staff are on hand, if needed, to revive clients who use drugs. The department published a report Wednesday on the feasibility of opening these sites, which have generated public controversy and may violate federal law. The report was released in conjunction with the latest statewide overdose death numbers. They showed virtually no change in the record-setting high count of fatal overdoses Massachusetts posted six months ago.” — “Healey, marking first year in office, touts MBTA as ‘safer and more reliable’ amid continued lapses,” by Matt Stout, The Boston Globe: “Governor Maura Healey said Wednesday that she believes the MBTA has turned a corner since she took office in January, saying that both her administration and her hand-picked general manager have done the ‘right things’ in tackling deep-seated problems at the beleaguered transportation system.” — “Massachusetts Gov. Healey looks to double down on housing affordability in her second year,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Gov. Maura Healey is looking to double down on affordable housing in Massachusetts in the second year of her administration, including by pushing the Legislature to pass a pending $4 billion housing bond bill she already filed.” — “Gov. Healey asks Biden to issue a major disaster declaration for fall flooding,” by Alvin Buyinza, MassLive. — “Gov. Healey says abortion pill will remain available in Mass. regardless of Supreme Court's decision,” by Sharman Sacchetti, WCVB. MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS — “Grant program funding two overnight shelters opening in North Central Massachusetts,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Opportunities for Hope will provide 23 bedrooms across the two sites as well as facilities management and maintenance while the Spanish American Center will offer ‘multilingual, culturally competent resource coordination and connections to local supports.’” FROM THE HUB — “Boston City Council passes measure to allow non-citizens to vote in local elections,” by Danny McDonald and Vivi Smilgius, The Boston Globe: “The City Council on Wednesday took a step toward making elections more inclusive by approving a measure that would allow immigrants legally living in Boston to vote in local elections. But the home rule petition, which must be approved by the state legislature to take effect, still has a long way to go before it becomes reality.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “Wu’s appointee to T board raises questions about low-income fare proposal,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Beacon: “Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s appointee to the MBTA board of directors pushed back against a transit authority presentation on Wednesday that steered the agency toward launching a half-price fare for low-income passengers instead of the free fare concept favored by the mayor. The T’s presentation on low-income fares was similar to ones delivered many times in the past, focusing largely on the benefits for roughly 60,000 people between the ages of 26 and 64 earning less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level.” YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS MORE CAPE RACES TAKE SHAPE — It’s going to be a busy election season on Cape Cod next year. Democrat Owen Fletcher , a former state legislative aide who serves as clerk of the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates, says he’s running for the 5th Barnstable state House seat held by GOP state Rep. Steven Xiarhos . FROM THE DELEGATION — “Did Harvard aim to cancel Auchincloss?” by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Beacon: “An innocent bureaucratic mix-up or sharp-elbowed payback? Those are among the competing explanations being offered for a chain of events that forced a Harvard student group to scramble at the eleventh hour last week to find an off-campus location for an event with U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss.” DEMS DIVIDED — A resolution from Rep. Elise Stefanik condemning last week’s controversial testimony on antisemitism from three university presidents left members of the Massachusetts delegation divided. Reps. Bill Keating , Stephen Lynch and Seth Moulton voted in favor of the resolution, which passed with bipartisan support. The six other members voted against the proposal. House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark slammed it as “hypocritical” and accused Republicans of failing to “put forward solutions to combat antisemitism.” DEMS NOT DIVIDED — Every Massachusetts Democrat in the House voted against greenlighting a Republican-driven impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden . THE LOCAL ANGLE — “'Great plan … but not a solution': Council allows accessory dwelling units throughout city,” by Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette: “After about an hour of discussion, the City Council voted Tuesday to allow the construction of accessory dwelling units as a right in residential districts. The policy requires owners to occupy the property to construct an additional unit.” — “Enrollment at public colleges and universities climbs in Massachusetts; first increase since 2013,” by Travis Andersen, The Boston Globe. — “The state disapproves of bylaws banning 5G in Great Barrington and Sheffield. Some residents are appealing,” by Heather Bellow, The Berkshire Eagle. MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE THE SUNUNU EFFECT — Chris Sununu is already proving himself useful to Nikki Haley beyond New Hampshire. The pair are in the midst of an all-out media blitz, booking interviews on local radio shows and, more importantly for reaching donors who can fuel Haley’s campaign into the new year, national networks including CNN and Fox News.   Sununu is calling for Republicans and independents who can vote in New Hampshire’s GOP primary to consolidate behind one candidate — Haley — as an alternative to former President Donald Trump , the far-and-away frontrunner. Trump responded at an Iowa rally last night, saying Sununu “didn’t have the guts” to run for president himself and his endorsement of Haley has "meant nothing." Sununu was deciding between Haley , Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for his endorsement. He didn't speak to either DeSantis or Christie before going public with Haley, and, as of Wednesday night, still hadn't called Christie, his longtime friend whom he's credited with helping him win his first term as governor. "What am I going to say? Congratulations on a bad choice?" Christie told reporters after a town hall event in Londonderry. "I'm sure he'll get to it at some point." MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND — “Gov. McKee rips reporter for question at bridge briefing,” by Ted Nesi, WPRI: “Gov. Dan McKee lashed out at a reporter Wednesday for asking about potential resignations at the R.I. Department of Transportation in the wake of the Washington Bridge crisis, calling such questions ‘out of line.’" HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH SPOTTED — State Sen. Jamie Eldridge at the White House, along with dozens of other state lawmakers and Vice President Kamala Harris , for the launch of the Biden administration’s “Safer States” gun violence-prevention initiative. ALSO SPOTTED — Matt Damon , dressed as a firefighter for a movie role, meeting with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu while filming in the Hub. Pic . TRANSITIONS — Gina Christo , a former political strategist and fundraiser for top progressives including state Sen. Liz Miranda, will be departing Rivera Consulting at the end of the year. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to GBH’s Alexi Cohan, Toora Arsala, John Ullyot of Brighton Strategy Group and Christopher Marcisz . NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: THE CAMPUS AND THE CONGRESS — WBUR's Max Larkin joins hosts Jennifer Smith and Steve Koczela to talk through antisemitism on college campuses and the fallout from last week's congressional hearing on the topic. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and SoundCloud . 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: Mayoral miff over Mass and Cass

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY AND KELLY GARRITY LONG ISLAND HAS 14 BUILDINGS PREVIOUSLY USED FOR ADDICTION TREATMENT QUINCY HAS OPPOSED REBUILDING THE BRIDGE  Is the Long Island bridge key for addressing the issues of Mass. and Cass? Here’s what the mayoral candidates think.  “We have been hearing about rebuilding the bridge and talking about this for six years now.” LINK ACTING THE PART — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu riled up her detractors by skipping town for a pre-planned trip one day after saying conditions at the open-air drug market and homeless encampment at Mass and Cass are deteriorating — and promising the city would “take a major step” to address it. Now Acting Mayor Ed Flynn is fueling the fire by proposing his own fixes for the Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard area. The City Council president, who’s in charge until Wu returns on Saturday, has laid out to reporters exactly how he thinks the city should be tackling the troubled corridor: calling a public health emergency and asking the cops to conduct a warrant sweep. "There is no recovery taking place at Mass and Cass. There is only rampant drug use and routine violence," Flynn told Playbook, emphasizing the city's need to implement a new strategy to address those issues — and fast. “The situation is escalating dramatically. And we need to begin the process of coming up with plans on how we move forward.” But whether Flynn could make those moves as acting mayor is murky. From a legal perspective, the city charter says fill-in mayors “possess the powers of mayor only in matters not admitting of delay” — a highly subjective clause that’s seen challenges in the past . From a political perspective, any actions Flynn might take could seriously damage his relationship with the mayor — unless she gives him explicit approval first. As of Sunday evening, Wu’s office said she hadn’t authorized Flynn to go ahead with either of the measures he’s proposed. And Flynn doesn’t have the runway Kim Janey did when she took over as acting mayor in 2021 after Marty Walsh went to the Labor Department. Janey served seven months in the top job until Wu took over after the November mayoral election. Flynn is only keeping the mayor’s seat warm for 10 days, and Wu’s office said she “checks in multiple times a day” with her team. Rushing to course correct at Mass and Cass in the remaining days Wu is out of office would also likely cut first responders, nearby businesses and residents out of the conversation — and Flynn said their input is vital to coming up with a new plan for the area. Yet even if Flynn’s comments turn out to be bluster, he’s achieving two things: publicly pressuring Wu to change the city’s approach to Mass and Cass, and fueling the idea that she could be vulnerable if she runs for reelection in 2025. The “Save Our City” campaign may have failed to launch , but the idea of someone challenging Wu is gaining traction among her opponents. GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.  The budget sitting on Gov. Maura Healey's desk includes $1 million for a drug diversion program for nonviolent young adult offenders targeted to Mass and Cass. But Boston officials are continuing to press the state for more aid. A front end loader scoops up tents, furniture and other items as a homeless encampment at Mass and Cass is cleared from the street, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, in Boston. | AP TODAY — Healey has no public events. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and MBTA GM Phil Eng ride the bus from Chelsea to Boston at 7:45 a.m. Rep. Lori Trahan and Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren tout federal infrastructure funding at 11 a.m. at Mack Plaza in Lowell. Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com .   A NEW PODCAST FROM POLITICO: Our new POLITICO Tech podcast is your daily download on the disruption that technology is bringing to politics and policy around the world. From AI and the metaverse to disinformation and cybersecurity, POLITICO Tech explores how today’s technology is shaping our world — and driving the policy decisions, innovations and industries that will matter tomorrow. SUBSCRIBE AND START LISTENING TODAY .     DATELINE BEACON HILL — POWER STRUGGLE: Senate President Karen Spilka is sort of sticking it to the House in the ongoing clash over control of the Legislature’s joint committees. “We have some wonderful, caring, dedicated House chairs of committees and wonderful, dedicated Senate chairs of committees. All of them want to get work done,” Spilka said on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” as she launched into a polite rebuke of the handful of House chairs who recently polled bills without their Senate counterparts’ consent. “Since I’ve been in the Legislature there has always been a mutual consideration between Senate chair and House chair,” Spilka, a 20-year legislative veteran, said. “I’m hoping that we get back to that.” VAX-ACHUSETTS — “State Police ordered to offer reinstatement to troopers suspended for refusing COVID-19 shots,” by Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: “An arbitrator has ruled that the State Police must provide back pay and offer to reinstate seven troopers who were placed on unpaid leave in 2021 after they refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19 based on their ‘sincerely held’ religious beliefs. In a 49-page decision released Friday, Bonnie J. McSpiritt, the arbitrator, wrote that the State Police violated anti-discrimination and affirmative action provisions in their contract with members of the force’s largest union by refusing to offer opportunities to stay on the job without getting vaccinated to qualified troopers.” MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS — PERMISSION NOT GRANTED: As Gov. Maura Healey and the state’s federal delegation press the Biden administration to speed up the work authorization process for migrants coming to Massachusetts, the Eagle-Tribune’s Monica Sager reports that some migrants who arrived at Methuen’s Days Inn Hotel nine months ago still don’t have work permits . —  “Amid crush of migrant and homeless families in shelter system, Healey to announce plan to help,”  by Sean Cotter and Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “The action could come as early as this week in the form of an emergency declaration, which some shelter directors say is much needed, said four people briefed on the administration’s plan.” DAY IN COURT — “‘It doesn’t matter who we’re taking on’: Meet the Boston-area groups suing Harvard over legacy admissions,” by Ivy Scott, Boston Globe: “A mentorship program. A refugee services agency. And an intimate cohort of Latino activists. These are the three Boston-area community organizations that joined forces to take on America’s oldest university last month, demanding a federal investigation into Harvard’s use of legacy and donor admissions in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling outlawing race-based affirmative action.” — “Conservative groups sue to block Biden plan canceling $39 billion in student loans,” by Collin Binkley, Associated Press: “In a lawsuit filed Friday in Michigan, the groups argue that the administration overstepped its power when it announced the forgiveness in July, just weeks after the Supreme Court struck down a broader cancellation plan pushed by President Joe Biden.” — “'Gross violation': Middleboro student loses 'two genders' T-shirt case. Why it's not over,” by Christopher Butler, Brockton Enterprise: “Lawyers representing Liam Morrison, the Nichols Middle School student who sued school and town officials after being sent home for his ‘There are only two genders’ T-shirt, filed a notice of appeal on Friday, Aug. 4.” — “For Campbell, case against Malden charter school is also good politics,” by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine. — “Sen. Markey wants cameras in federal court so that Americans can watch Trump,” by Alvin Buyinza, MassLive. KENNEDY COMPOUND — “Anguish in Camelot: Kennedy Campaign Roils Storied Political Family,” by Peter Baker, New York Times: “In interviews in recent days, several members of the Kennedy family, some of whom did not want to be named, sounded tortured about the situation. They talked of a brother, cousin, uncle who flashed some of the raw political talent of his famed father, but who has undergone trauma and is headed down a path they do not fully understand.”   STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING : What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today .     MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS — “Cannabis black market and violent crime: ‘They almost killed a man over $2,000,’” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “Black market trafficking of pot has become a persistent problem in Western Massachusetts, police and prosecutors say. Illicit marijuana sales yield major profits and trigger collateral violence.” FROM THE 413 — “Should Native Americans be used as mascots in Agawam? Indigenous people say no,” by James Foster, Springfield Republican: “[State Sen. Jo] Comerford, with the help and guidance of Indigenous voices and a steering committee, has tried multiple times to pass Bill S.294. The bill aims to prohibit ‘public schools from using an athletic team name, logo, or mascot which names, refers to, represents, or is associated with Native Americans.’” — “Local groups take [stands] following proposed book ban in Ludlow,” by Olivia Hickey, Anthony Garuti and Abigail Murillo Villacorta, Western Mass News. THE LOCAL ANGLE — “State's budding film industry stalled amid ongoing strikes,” by Christian M. Wade, Gloucester Daily Times: “‘We’re certainly seeing an impact from both strikes,’ said Gary Crossen, general manager of New England Studios in Devens. ‘There is literally no film production going on in Massachusetts, or anywhere else for that matter.’” — IN MEMORIAM: “Tributes to Charles J. Ogletree Jr. reveal a mentor whose phone 'never stopped ringing',” by Esteban Bustillos, GBH News. MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE — POLITICAL TIGHTROPE: Former Vice President Mike Pence was heckled by supporters of his former boss , Donald Trump , while campaigning in New Hampshire after the former president was arraigned on charges in connection with his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Pence defended his decision not to go along with Trump’s scheme — eliciting backlash from some in the crowd at his Londonderry town hall. His protesters included a woman who was prosecuted for her role in the U.S. Capitol riot , per the Boston Globe’s Steven Porter. Also showing the difficult line GOP presidential hopefuls are trying to walk around Jan. 6, 2021: Vivek Ramaswamy . The entrepreneur has pledged to pardon Trump if elected president. But he sidestepped questions in New Hampshire about whether he would have certified the 2020 election had he been in Pence’s position that day. HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Scott Stossel , national editor of The Atlantic; Megan Costello, Aissa Renee Canchola, CC Leslie and Lyndsey Wajert. 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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