POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: SANTIAGO’s survey — Pandemic costs LAID BARE — DC delegation largely SILENT on WALSH

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY SCOOPLET: MAYPOLL — Boston mayoral candidate Jon Santiago tested voter sentiment recently regarding himself, former Mayor Marty Walsh and Democrats in the Massachusetts legislature, a source has confirmed. Screenshots of the survey obtained by POLITICO show respondents being asked to give their opinions of various people including other mayoral candidates and Santiago, an emergency room doctor and state representative. Another screenshot shares Santiago’s backstory, from growing up in subsidized housing, to becoming a Fulbright scholar and attending Yale School of Medicine “against the odds.” Santiago lost his campaign manager in April, six weeks into his mayoral bid, the Boston Herald first reported. He’s yet to hire another one, the source said Tuesday, and Hilltop Public Solutions continues to run the campaign's day-to-day. But Santiago’s staffing up in other areas: Cory Azmon, Santiago’s legislative aide at the State House, is joining the campaign as policy director; Gabi Finlayson is serving as organizing director; and Lia Kornmehl, an alum of former Rep. Joe Kennedy III’s Senate bid, is chief of staff. Marty Walsh — the political consultant, not the former mayor — is consulting. Elsewhere in the mayoral field, Acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey paid $22,000 to Hart Research, which does polling, her April Office of Campaign and Political finance reports show. Her campaign offered no further details Tuesday. Polling isn’t just used to indicate where candidates rank among their competitors. It can also help shape their messaging and see what issues click with voters before campaigns shell out big bucks for advertising down the line. Public polling of the mayoral race has yet to really ramp up. Right now, the field remains fluid as it enters a new phase now that the deadline to submit nomination papers has passed. While police issues have dominated recent news cycles, strategists expect the candidates to start talking about other key issues like education and recovery from the pandemic as they look to lock up voters before some folks tune out for the summer. Candidates are also padding their war chests: Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu is planning a fundraiser featuring Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., at 6 p.m. Janey will be joined by Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo at 7 p.m. GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. There’s a lot happening today, let’s get to it. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: lkashinsky@politico.com. TODAY — Boston city councilor and mayoral candidate Andrea Campbell joins Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins and community advocates for a press conference at 10:30 a.m. at “Mass and Cass” to address public health issues there. State Rep. Tami Gouveia joins La Colaborativa’s Gladys Vega and others to speak in support of her bill establishing a “statewide Covid-19 rapid testing program to safely reopen the economy” at 10:30 a.m. Alliance for Business Leadership hosts a virtual panel discussion exploring ways Massachusetts can improve its transit system at noon. The Joint Committee on Election Laws holds a virtual hearing at 1 p.m. Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey joins the city’s Office of Workforce Development for a virtual job fair at 1 p.m. and the Office of Financial Empowerment for a recovery-focused panel at 2 p.m. Health and Human Services Sec. Marylou Sudders joins the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health at 1 p.m. for the virtual launch of its new mental health awareness campaign #JustAsk. State Sen. Bruce Tarr is a guest on Bloomberg Baystate Business at 3:12 p.m., and Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell at 5:12 p.m. Rep. Jake Auchincloss participates in a morning wreath-laying ceremony with other members of Congress at Arlington National Cemetery and hosts a virtual reception in the evening to announce the 4th District's winner of the Congressional Art Competition. President Joe Biden flies into North Kingstown, Rhode Island, en route to New London, Connecticut, where he’ll deliver the commencement speech at the Coast Guard Academy graduation.   SUBSCRIBE TO WEST WING PLAYBOOK: Add West Wing Playbook to keep up with the power players, latest policy developments and intriguing whispers percolating inside the West Wing and across the highest levels of the Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.     THE LATEST NUMBERS – “Active COVID cases continue rapid decline as more than 46% of Massachusetts is now fully vaccinated,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Active COVID cases continued to decline in Massachusetts on Tuesday a day after the state unveiled an expedited timeline for reopening, according to the latest Department of Public Health data. Officials reported that there are now 12,701 active infections, down from 13,827 reported on Monday. State health officials also confirmed another 359 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday.” DATELINE BEACON HILL – “Eye-popping cost of coronavirus pandemic laid bare in supplemental budget,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “A supplemental budget filed by Gov. Charlie Baker offers a glimpse at the eye-popping cost of the coronavirus pandemic in Massachusetts. Coronavirus spending makes up 70% of the $273 million supplemental spending plan for the current fiscal year filed on Tuesday.” – “House Plan Prevents Spike in Biz Unemployment Costs,” by Chris Lisinski and Michael P. Norton, State House News Service (paywall): “The House approved a proposal Tuesday that aims to relieve employers this spring from major unexpected unemployment system costs, while punting the decision on whether to deploy one-time federal funds to address a benefits system that sagged under the weight of pandemic unemployment.” – “State, New Bedford officials and local leaders criticize state’s offshore wind bid process,” by Anastasia E. Lennon, The Standard-Times: “In an April comment letter sent to the Baker administration and state Department of Public Utilities (DPU) — which oversees bid procurement — New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan, state representatives, city councilors and various New Bedford business leaders said they are concerned the state's approach to procuring offshore wind energy contracts will make it ‘more difficult for this region to achieve its potential.’” – “Should state parks be funded with user fees or tax dollars?” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “A special commission is now examining DCR and looking for ways to improve the operation of the agency, including the possibility of transferring some of its assets to other agencies or municipalities. The commission has hired the Donahue Institute at UMass Boston to do a scrub of the agency.” CORONAVIRUS UPDATES – “One year after reopening against COVID-19 orders, Oxford gym owner says he wishes he had reopened earlier,” by Arianna MacNeill, Boston.com: “One year after defying a state order to close his gym during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dave Blondin of Prime Fitness and Nutrition in Oxford said he wishes he had reopened his business sooner, despite an ongoing court battle. ” – “Moderna's 'sweet spot': UMass Medical School seeking kids for Moderna vaccine study,” by Cyrus Moulton, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: “Researchers at UMass Medical School are seeking “the sweet spot” for giving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to kids, and they are asking kids to join the study and help.” FROM THE HUB – “Boston hires outside lawyers to fight Dennis White case,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The city has brought on some legal assistance in the Dennis White case, paying two outside attorneys ahead of the hearing expected later this week. Boston has beefed up its legal team with Kay Hodge and John Simon, both partners at Stoneman, Chandler & Miller.” – “Landlord sues to stop affordable housing in Jamaica Plain. Again,” by Tim Logan, Boston Globe: “Just days after settling a lawsuit against the Pine Street Inn that delayed a planned Jamaica Plain apartment building for a year, a prominent landlord in the neighborhood is suing to stop a second affordable housing development — this one for senior citizens.” – “Boston Police seize 11 dirt bikes, ATVs amid complaints of ‘reckless’ off-road vehicles in city parks, streets,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Boston Police seized 11 dirt bikes, mopeds and ATVs over the weekend in a crackdown to curb ‘reckless’ off-roading after neighbors around Franklin Park sounded the alarm.” THE RACE FOR CITY HALL – “Amid series of scandals, police reform moves to forefront of Boston mayoral campaign,” by Milton J. Valencia and Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “The Boston Police Department, already in deep disarray after two high-profile scandals, has taken center stage in the mayor’s race after a damning report laid bare an internal culture of secrecy and scant accountability, and raised disturbing questions about how police commissioner Dennis White landed in the top job despite a pattern of alleged domestic violence.” – “Former State Rep. Marie St. Fleur Endorses Campbell For Boston Mayor,” by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: “In a move aimed at garnering support in the Haitian community, former state Rep. Marie St. Fleur Tuesday endorsed Boston City Councilor Andrea Campbell’s bid for mayor.” – “Michelle Wu, Boston Mayoral Candidate, on AAPI Heritage and Mental Health Stigma,” by Michelle Wu, for Teen Vogue: “I’m an Asian American woman, a mom of two young kids, and an elected official. Growing up, I wouldn’t have believed that combination to be possible. And I certainly couldn’t have imagined that it would be my journey — from introverted daughter of immigrants to caregiver for a mom living with mental illness and candidate for mayor of Boston.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES – “MassDOT to spend $75m shoring up elevated Turnpike,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The Massachusetts Department of Transportation issued an unusual press release Tuesday evening indicating the agency is preparing to spend $75 million shoring up the crumbling elevated section of the Turnpike as it runs between Boston University and the Charles River. ” DAY IN COURT – “Milton police officer arraigned for allegedly threatening, intimidating Black teen over support for Black Lives Matter,” by Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: “A white Milton police officer was arraigned Tuesday over allegations that she threatened her son’s 14-year-old friend over his support for Black Lives Matter during an off-duty incident last September at her home in Westwood.” WARREN REPORT – “Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Americans who are hitting one obstacle after another: ‘That is why I persist,’” by KK Ottesen, Washington Post Magazine. Read the Q&A. DATELINE D.C. – “Washington largely silent on Walsh’s role in Dennis White controversy,” by Jim Puzzanghera, Boston Globe: “New revelations about Martin J. Walsh’s failure to properly vet his pick for Boston Police commissioner in his final weeks as mayor before joining President Biden’s Cabinet have been met largely with silence by members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, even though the controversy involves two issues — domestic violence and police accountability — that many of them have been outspoken about.” – “Deval Patrick kicks off effort to shape Biden administration’s tech policy,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “While Deval Patrick fell well short in his bid for president, the former Massachusetts governor is still working to influence policy coming out of the White House.” MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS – “Boston zoning board votes down South Boston pot shop,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The normally highly acquiescent Boston Zoning Board of Appeals put its foot down and rejected a South Boston pot shop in the face of neighborhood opposition for a project that was due to be built by the acting mayor’s cousin.” – Back on the ballot: “Methuen City Council OKs pot ballot question,” by Bill Kirk, Eagle-Tribune: “The City Council voted 8-1 Monday night in favor of putting a question on the fall ballot asking voters if they would be in favor of allowing the cultivation, sale and transportation of recreational marijuana inside city limits. Currently, marijuana sales are illegal in the city after voters rejected a statewide referendum question in 2016 that would have legalized pot sales. Communities that rejected the statewide referendum are unable to allow the sale of marijuana products.” FROM THE 413 – “The fire and the fawn: Savoy firefighter rescues dehydrated baby deer,” by Francesca Paris, Berkshire Eagle: “Francis Levesque was near the top of Pine Cobble, taking a break from fighting the state’s largest fire in more than two decades, when he heard a bleating sound.” THE LOCAL ANGLE – “Mikayla Miller's death ruled a suicide by state Medical Examiner’s Office,” by Norman Miller, MetroWest Daily News: “The state Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the death of Hopkinton teen Mikayla Miller as a suicide.” – “Plan to remake Harvard Square’s Garage mall bows to changed retail landscape, nods to past,” by Marc Levy, Cambridge Day: “The Garage, a Harvard Square destination for shoppers and diners over the past 40 years, would be remade under a proposal by owners Trinity Property Management, opening in 2024 with expanded restaurant and entertainment space below ground; street-level shops and eateries with more access from surrounding sidewalks; and offices on five stories overhead.” – “Medford is renaming the Columbus Elementary School: 18 possible names on list,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “A Medford committee to rename the Columbus Elementary School has narrowed down its list to nearly 20 possible names and is now turning to the public for input on the name change.” – Staycation: “Boston and Bar Harbor get some love on US News & World Report’s annual best vacations lists,” by Christopher Muther, Boston Globe: “The U.S. News & World Report’s survey of the best vacation destinations for 2021-2022 is sprawling, covering top getaways across the globe. But one common denominator pops up throughout the survey, at least in the lists that focus on US destinations: New England is a favorite among travelers and editors of the publication, particularly Bar Harbor and Boston.” THE NATIONAL TAKE – “State losses plague Democrats ahead of redistricting,” by Ally Mutnick, POLITICO: “Democrats’ 2020 down-ballot disappointments are already coming back to haunt them. Despite President Joe Biden carrying New Hampshire in a runaway, Republicans surged in other races to flip both chambers of the state legislature. Now, the Granite State GOP is openly plotting the ouster of Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), experimenting with new maps that pack his district with red towns and shove blue pockets into the seat next door.” – “Feds investigating alleged illegal donations to Collins’ re-election bid,” by Lachlan Markay, Axios: “The FBI is investigating what it describes as a massive scheme to illegally finance Sen. Susan Collins' 2020 re-election bid, Axios has learned. … A recently unsealed search warrant application shows the FBI believes a Hawaii defense contractor illegally funneled $150,000 to a pro-Collins super PAC and reimbursed donations to Collins' campaign. There's no indication that Collins or her team were aware of any of it.” – New York state investigation into Trump is now a criminal probe,” by Ben Leonard, POLITICO: “The New York state attorney general’s examination of the Trump Organization is now also a criminal investigation, a spokesperson for the attorney general said on Tuesday night.” MEDIA MATTERS – “Boston Magazine parent names longtime local newspaper exec as CEO,” by Don Seiffert, Boston Business Journal: “A former longtime leader of the national newspaper chain now known as Gannett Co. is taking over as CEO of the parent company of Boston Magazine. Kirk Davis, 59, who was a leading executive at GateHouse Media as well as the precursor company, Community Newspaper Co., for nearly three decades, has been named the new CEO of Metro Corp. Publishing, which is based in Philadelphia.” TRANSITIONS – Noelle Marston, deputy finance director for the Baker-Polito campaign from 2019-2021 and chief of staff to the finance chair of Baker’s 2018 reelection campaign, joins Republican Jesse Brown’s campaign for Congress as finance director, working alongside Baker political adviser Jim Conroy and Massachusetts GOP alum John Milligan. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to NBC10/NECN's dynamic duo Alison King and Sean Colahan, and Stephanie Nigro. 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.   JOIN TODAY - “THE RECAST” LIVE CONVERSATION: Earlier this year, we launched “The Recast” newsletter breaking down the changing power dynamics in America and how race and identity shape politics, policy and power. We are recasting how we report on this crucial intersection by bringing you fresh insights, scoops, dispatches from across the country and new voices that challenge “business as usual.” Join Brakkton Booker, “The Recast” newsletter author and national political correspondent at POLITICO, for a live conversation with Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.); Malika Redmond, co-founder, president and CEO of Women Engaged; Sonal Shah, founding president, The Asian American Foundation; and Lauren Williams, co-founder, CEO and editor in chief of Capital B, about redefining power in America. REGISTER HERE.       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  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: WARREN ON TOUR — WALSH’s base up for GRABS — ZOO in UPROAR over NOISE — REOPENING rolls on

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. WHAT WE’VE LEARNED FROM WARREN‘S BOOK TOUR — Elizabeth Warren plans to run for reelection in 2024, making it likely she’ll remain a force in state and national politics for at least another decade. It’s an early commitment from the 71-year-old senator, one Warren wouldn’t make this far out before her 2018 reelection. But it sends a signal to allies, foes and donors alike about her political intentions, even if she ultimately changes her mind. If she wins a third term, she would hold the seat until 2030. The state's senior senator divulged her plans to my POLITICO colleague Alex Thompson and local reporters late last week. “Joe Biden is running for reelection. I plan on helping him, and I plan on staying in the Senate,” Warren told WBZ’s Jon Keller in an interview that aired Sunday. The news may be disappointing to some in the state’s deep and ambitious Democratic bench, which now must wait until at least 2026, when Ed Markey is up for reelection, for the prospect of an open Senate seat. While Warren’s attempts to move on from the Senate — running for president, vying for vice president, pushing for Treasury secretary — haven't panned out, the senator has instead scored increasingly plum legislative perches from which to push her policy proposals and has seen several of her disciples land jobs in the Biden administration. And Warren’s been signaling in interviews promoting her new book, “Persist,” that her work is far from finished. She’s been using her stops on the media circuit to amplify her calls to wipe out student debt, institute a wealth tax and make bigger investments in child care. Here's more from book tour: Warren said in multiple interviews that President Joe Biden is “meeting the moment,” but told the Boston Globe she’s “fighting as hard as I can” to pull him further left. She told NPR she's "not looking to be president" — but does "want to see us make change." Warren isn’t buying that Republicans are breaking up with big business: “Actions speak louder than words,” she told HuffPost. The senator isn’t dishing on her relationship with fellow progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders after tensions flared between the two during the presidential campaign: “Bernie and I are friends and we’re doing great,” she told POLITICO. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: lkashinsky@politico.com. TODAY — Attorney General Maura Healey joins state Rep. Frank Moran, Lawrence Mayor Kendrys Vasquez and other local leaders for a ratepayer advocacy press conference at 12:15 p.m. in Lawrence. Healey later makes local stops in Methuen with state Sen. Diana DiZoglio. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh appears on Bloomberg Baystate Business at 3 p.m. Harvard professor and potential Democratic gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen hosts a fundraiser featuring Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin at 5 p.m. Treasurer Deb Goldberg's campaign celebrates her birthday a day early with a 6 p.m. virtual event.   SUBSCRIBE TO WEST WING PLAYBOOK: Add West Wing Playbook to keep up with the power players, latest policy developments and intriguing whispers percolating inside the West Wing and across the highest levels of the Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.     THE LATEST NUMBERS – “Massachusetts coronavirus vaccine rollout: 2.9 million people fully vaccinated, 655 new virus cases,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “More than 71,000 coronavirus vaccine doses were administered in Massachusetts during the most recent day of vaccination data, as more than 2.9 million people in the state are now fully vaccinated. State health officials on Sunday also reported six more virus deaths and 655 new cases, as the number of new infections in the Bay State continue trending downward.” DATELINE BEACON HILL – “Massachusetts reopening moves ahead, but business leaders pressure Charlie Baker to move timeline up,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Massachusetts moves forward with its gradual reopening on Monday, but business leaders said Gov. Charlie Baker isn’t moving fast enough as other states are on track to get back to 100% operation by the end of May.” – “Massachusetts looks to tighten hate crime statute,” by Kami Rieck, Daily Hampshire Gazette. “The sharp increase in incidents of hate, particularly directed at Asian Americans, has prompted lawmakers to file legislation to strengthen the state’s hate crime statute, provide better training to recognize bias and redefine penalties for breaking the law.” FROM THE HUB – "In Rachael Rollins, a potential reformist for US. But a loss for Suffolk?" by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "Less than three years after Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins first made waves with the progressive platform that propelled her into office, her work has positioned her to become the next US attorney for the district of Massachusetts, the state’s top federal law enforcement post. The potential promotion could be an extension of her work. ... But some worry that joining the federal office would necessarily limit her freedom of action and mute her activism — and create a vacuum in criminal justice reform efforts at the local level." – “Noise at Boston’s Franklin Park has zoo animals rattled,” by Marie Szaniszlo, Joe Dwinell and Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The wildebeests and red pandas are pacing, the lions are perplexed and the peacocks are trying to head for the hills. The animals of Franklin Park Zoo are rattled up by the constant dirt bikes and the deafeningly loud bass of illegal parties in the park, leading zookeepers and experts to worry about the animals’ health at the Boston zoo.” – “Scofflaws flout early attempts to curb dirtbikes, ATVs in Franklin Park,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Electronic message boards brought in to remind drivers of off-road vehicles to stay off the footpaths at Franklin Park or face fines appeared to have little effect on Sunday as dirt bikers sped past — some even popping wheelies as they passed the new signs.” – “Boston Sports Fans Are Back In The Stands — And Paying A Ton For Tickets,” by Callum Borchers, WBUR: “After being shut out of sports arenas for a year, Boston sports fans are shelling out huge sums to watch the Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics play in person. Pent-up demand and limited supply are driving ticket prices to record highs, even with capacity limits at Fenway Park and TD Garden set to double Monday to 25%.” – “Changes in admission rules for Boston exam schools boosted diversity of accepted students,” by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: “A temporary change in the admissions criteria for Boston’s exam schools increased the diversity of the accepted applicants, particularly boosting the percentages of Black, Latino, and low-income students, according to data released Friday. The data analysis confirms earlier projections that temporarily suspending the admissions exam and instead using grades and ZIP codes would lead to a more diverse selection of applicants and lower the portion of white and Asian students receiving admission offers.” THE RACE FOR CITY HALL – “In a crowded, diverse mayoral field, where does Marty Walsh’s base go?” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “Martin J. Walsh’s ascension from City Hall to US labor secretary not only triggered a crowded scramble in this year’s mayor’s race but also raised the question of which candidate might inherit the voter base that powered the Dorchester Democrat’s victories. While dozens of labor groups — Teamsters, painters, pipefitters — endorsed Walsh when he was running for mayor, providing his campaign with an army of volunteers, their support appears to be fracturing in this election. That dynamic is contributing to a race in which no clear front-runner has emerged with less than five months to go until the contest’s September preliminary.” – “Boston’s ‘Methadone Mile,’ emerges as major mayoral campaign issue as it’s ‘only gotten worse’” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Escalating violence and open-air drug use at the city’s so-called Methadone Mile that has “only gotten worse” is emerging as a top campaign issue in the upcoming mayoral race as constituents and business owners alike call out the situation as a major quality of life issue.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES – “Maybe this time? MGH, MBTA have held detailed discussions about connecting Red and Blue lines,” by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: “...as Massachusetts General Hospital prepares a massive expansion of its nearby campus, the Red-Blue connector is getting another turn in the spotlight. But this time, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority seems serious enough about the idea to have held about a dozen meetings with MGH, poring over detailed engineering plans and snazzy renderings as they consider how the two projects would coexist.” DAY IN COURT – “Equal Rights Amendment takes center stage as pivotal case advances in federal court,” by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: “Under President Biden, the Department of Justice is blocking the Equal Rights Amendment from becoming the 28th amendment to the Constitution, just as the DOJ did under President Trump, an attorney who argued the case this week in federal court in Boston said.” WARREN REPORT – “Warren says she will run for reelection in 2024,” by Alex Thompson, POLITICO: “In a move that may surprise some ambitious Massachusetts Democrats, Sen. Elizabeth Warren says that she’s going to run for reelection in 2024. ‘Yep,’ the 71-year-old said simply in a POLITICO interview Friday, when asked if she planned to make the run.” – “Warren ‘fighting as hard as I can’ to nudge Joe Biden left; wants to help president succeed,” by Emma Platoff and Jess Bidgood, Boston Globe: “Senator Elizabeth Warren wants $50,000 in student loan debt canceled. She wants $700 billion invested in child care. She wants the richest Americans to be taxed based on their total wealth. President Biden has not shown an appetite to do any of those things in full. But the senior senator from Massachusetts is focusing her energies on tugging her onetime rival left, not on planning another presidential campaign, she said in an interview with the Globe.” – “We read Elizabeth Warren’s new book. Here are three things we learned, and two questions we still have,” by James Pindell, Boston Globe: “Senator Elizabeth Warren says at the beginning of her new book ‘Persist’ that it is not a memoir of her 2020 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. On that she is right. The book, which was released Tuesday, offers very little insight on what she was thinking at key moments of the campaign, or lessons learned. At the same time, the book is almost entirely about her unsuccessful bid for the presidency.” THE PRESSLEY PARTY – Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a former Boston city councilor, isn’t picking a candidate in the Boston mayoral race right now. Pressley said on WCVB’s “On the Record” that she’s “very encouraged” by President Joe Biden’s first 100 days in office, but continued her calls for him to cancel up to $50,000 in federal student loan debt per borrower. DATELINE D.C. – “‘He’s doing a hell of a job’: Biden leaves message for Marty Walsh’s mom in Mother’s Day video,” by Mark Gartsbeyn, Boston.com: “Moms want to know if their kids are doing well, and an endorsement from the president probably goes a long way. President Joe Biden’s social media accounts shared a short Mother’s Day video Sunday evening, where Biden and former Boston mayor Marty Walsh leave a voicemail message for Walsh’s mom.” – “Dems have a problem on police reform — and it's not the GOP,” by Maya King, Nicholas Wu and Marianne Levine, POLITICO: “Democrats will almost certainly blow past President Joe Biden's May target to reach consensus on a major overhaul of American policing — and progressive activists, as well as the GOP, are compounding their obstacles. That's because, as a bipartisan group of lawmakers makes headway in their talks on a policing deal, some liberal-leaning groups say Democrats’ reforms don't go far enough.” FROM THE 413 – “Williamsburg Selectboard, new administrator agree on terms,” by Bera Dunau, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Nicholas Caccamo, a Pittsfield city councilor, has come to an agreement with the Select Board to become the next town administrator. Caccamo was offered the job by the Select Board over finalists Brenda Lessard, Williamsburg’s town clerk, and Carl McKinney, the former town administrator of Clarksburg.” – “Northampton City Council call on mayor to establish new policing alternative,” by Kate Wilkinson, WWLP.com: “The Northampton City Council is calling on the mayor to establish a new policing alternative. A unanimous passing of a resolution calling to establish the new department met with support as well as concerns during the public comment session." THE LOCAL ANGLE – “Leicester police-involved shooting: Man repeatedly rammed doors of police station with SUV, pointed what appeared to be rifle at officers before they fatally shoot him,” by Scott J. Croteau, MassLive.com: “The man who was fatally shot by police in Leicester Sunday morning drove an SUV up a handicap ramp and repeatedly rammed the doors of the police station, authorities said. That man, who police have not yet publicly identified, then popped out of the SUV and ‘immediately shouldered what appeared to be a rifle and aimed it at the police officers,’ Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said.” – “Mom of dead Hopkinton teen has open assault case: records show,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The Hopkinton mother accusing the DA’s office of misconduct faces a July hearing on an open domestic violence case in Framingham District Court, where she’s charged with assaulting one of her children.” – “In Dracut election, ties to cable access not a winning program,” by Prudence Brighton, Lowell Sun: “Election night results brought good news to two retired firefighters but bad news to three candidates associated with Dracut Access Television, which has been mired in a long-running dispute with the Board of Selectmen over finances and accountability.” – “Malden Police Assist With ‘Daring Duckling Rescue’ On Mother’s Day,” by CBSBoston.com: “Police lent a Mother’s Day hand to a family of ducks in Malden when the ducklings got stuck in a storm drain.” MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE – Iconic New Hampshire campaign stop changes hands: “Mack's Apples property sold,” by Julie Huss, Eagle-Tribune: “A family farm legacy and historic orchard in town has been sold. Moose Hill Orchard, also known as Mack's Apples, owned and operated by generations of the Mack family will be under new ownership, with a deal closing recently, according to town officials .” GRONK SLIDE – Former New England Patriot and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer Rob Gronkowski was back in Boston on Friday to sign some "Happy Gilmore-type checks" as he and his Gronk Nation Youth Foundation donated $1.2 million to renovate the Charlesbank Playground — which could be renamed Gronk Playground should legislation pass . Gronk shared a masked hug with Gov. Charlie Baker, who, along with heaping praise on the "big man with a big heart," called the 31-year-old "one of the most spectacular partiers of all time.” Link. TRANSITIONS – Stonehill College's Peter Ubertaccio will join Caldwell University as vice president for academic affairs. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Linnea Walsh, director of marketing and communications at the Group Insurance Commission; Andrew Card, chairman of the National Endowment for Democracy; Amy Russes, Chloe Gotsis, senior deputy press secretary to AG Maura Healey; the New York Times’ Jaclyn Reiss, Alex Milne, Elise Italiano, Brad Bannon, the Boston Herald's Bruce Castleberry, and Gary Dzen, deputy digital sports editor for Boston.com and the Boston Globe. Happy belated to Harvard’s David Gergen, a CNN senior political analyst, who celebrated Sunday. NEW EPISODE: THANKS FOR THE MEM-MURRAYS – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, co-host and soon-to-be POLITICO Morning Score author Stephanie Murray says goodbye to the pod and reflects on her time on the #mapoli beat with fellow hosts Jennifer Smith and Steve Koczela. With the future of workplaces post-pandemic still uncertain, Miles Howard discusses his Boston Globe article making the case for turning vacant offices into affordable housing. 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Join POLITICO Nightly: Daytime Edition for a conversation featuring transgender elected officials as they discuss their experiences running for and serving in public office. REGISTER HERE.       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  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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