Speaker Big Lie DAN RATHER AND ELLIOT KIRSCHNER OCT 26 (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) The drama around a speakerless House of Representatives has come to an end, at least for the moment. It has been a sad spectacle, to be sure, but the means by which it was resolved, and what it augurs for the future, offer no reason to celebrate.  Quite the contrary. If the elevation of Louisiana Representative Mike Johnson to the speaker’s gavel with unanimous Republican support counts as compromise within the party’s caucus, it reinforces what we already knew — this nation faces grave threats to its constitutional order, because one of our two major political parties has embraced autocratic extremism. This is not hyperbole. The person who rallied his party to make him second in line to the presidency was a cheerleader for the end of American democracy. There should be no normalization of this fact.  In the wake of President Biden’s victory in the 2020 election, the vast majority of the Republican Party fell in line behind Donald Trump’s attempts to destroy one of the most sacrosanct features of American democracy: the peaceful transfer of power. We all know what came next, including a violent attempted coup that swarmed the Capitol on January 6. On that day, 139 Republican members of the House of Representatives (including Johnson) voted not to certify the election. It marked arguably the greatest threat to the continuation of the republic since the Civil War.  The new speaker of the House might not be well known by the American public. But he was an influential leader of the movement to deny the will of the people and their selection of president. In late 2020, Johnson pushed House members to sign on to a lawsuit, filed by Texas, that would have thrown out the votes in key battleground states — in essence disenfranchising millions of Americans. To call this ridiculous legal maneuver “fringe” is insufficient. This wasn’t just “out there.” This was the legal equivalent of orbiting Pluto. Even the reactionary right-wing Supreme Court refused to hear the case.  But the purpose of the lawsuit wasn’t just to deny Biden the presidency. It was to delegitimize a legitimate election. And all you have to do to understand how successful this movement has been is to see Mike Johnson now sitting in the speaker’s chair.  It should be noted that Johnson holds the speakership despite espousing extremely radical views on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage. He also seems to be following Trump’s lead in wanting to stymie U.S. support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. That these views were not disqualifying for a single Republican member — including those purported “moderates” who come from districts Biden won — shows how the party marches in lockstep with radicalism and in the opposite direction of where a majority of Americans want the nation to go.  In the days before Republican elected officials crowned an architect of authoritarianism to lead the House, several of the Trump lawyers who helped orchestrate the specious legal rationale for the coup were busy pleading guilty in the conspiracy case of election interference in Georgia. Georgia, it turns out, was one of the states where Speaker Johnson wanted votes to be thrown out.  In their plea deals, the Trump lawyers had to admit what was obvious from the beginning: All the attempts to steal the election were built on lies. The rule of law seems to be closing in on Trump. And it is being fueled by the truth.  Yet the Big Lie continues to fuel Republicans outside of the courtroom, and especially in the halls of Congress. This puts our nation in peril. We are at a point where the very thing that should most disqualify someone from political leadership in America — the desire to destroy our democracy — has become the litmus test for the speaker of the House.

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Ballot questions put to an early test

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY AND KELLY GARRITY Presented by BALLOT BASELINES — Two new polls offer an early glimpse into how Bay Staters view several of the ballot questions being pushed for 2024 as the first major signature deadline looms. Surveys out this week from UMass Amherst/WCVB and center-left Priorities for Progress show majority support for auditing the Legislature and local-option rent control. But would-be voters are torn over two other proposals: replacing MCAS as a high school graduation requirement and decriminalizing psychedelics. Let’s break it down: MAJORITY SUPPORT — Roughly two-thirds, or 67 percent, of the 700 Bay Staters surveyed in the UMass Amherst poll would vote in favor of Auditor Diana DiZoglio having the power to crack open lawmakers’ books. The mid-October poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 5.1 percentage points. That’s similar to the results of the PFP poll , which found 63 percent of the 500 registered voters they surveyed would “definitely” or “probably” back DiZoglio’s ballot question. That poll, conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 3, has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. Those results stand in stark contrast to the fierce resistance DiZoglio’s review is seeing from Democratic legislative leaders who argue that she doesn’t have the constitutional authority to probe their practices and procedures. MASS FISCAL ALLIANCE:  MASS FISCAL ALLIANCE used to send out expensive glossy postcards with MISINFORMATION/DISINFORMATION and outright LIES that you had to hunt down for the TRUTH. TRANSPARENCY? Used an out of state postal permit Right-Wing Organization MassFiscal Exposed https://massaflcio.org/news/right-wing-organization-massfiscal-exposed Fiscal irresponsibility from Mass Fiscal Alliance Blocking Safe Communities Act would drive up state and local costs https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/fiscal-irresponsibility-mass-fiscal-alliance/ In mailing, foes tie MassFiscal to hate group https://www.gloucestertimes.com/news/local_news/in-mailing-foes-tie-massfiscal-to-hate-group/article_ec201c9e-2b5f-5cc5-ace6-e8b62877c311.html ICYMI: WGBH CONTRIBUTING WRITER CONTINUES EXAMINATION OF MASS FISCAL ALLIANCE’S PRIORITIZATION OF CONSERVATIVE IDEOLOGY OVER REAL SOLUTIONS TO STATE CHALLENGES excerpt: “Now why, you might ask, aren’t all these political elites paying attention to Mass Fiscal Alliance’s poll,?” wrote Professor Cunningham last week. “And if you’ve been reading my posts recently, you realize it’s because these professionals know a fake when they see one.” As you will recall, in 2014, Mass Fiscal Alliance was exposed as a Republican Super PAC after spending nearly $1 million sending out misinformation to voters in an attempt to target Democratic State Representatives who faced Republican opponents. https://massdems.org/press-releases/icymi-wgbh-contributing-writer-continues-examination-of-mass-fiscal-alliance-s-prioritization-of-conservative-ideology-over-real-solutions-to-state-challenges/ As DiZoglio waits to see whether Attorney General Andrea Campbell will let her try to sue the Legislature into compliance, volunteers from organizations as disparate as the progressive Our Revolution Massachusetts and the MassGOP have been collecting signatures for the ballot question. Doug Rubin, a spokesperson for the ballot campaign, said volunteers — and DiZoglio herself — have gathered more than 40,000 names. And the conservative Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance is now pledging to join the effort . Rubin said he’s confident the ballot committee will get the requisite 74,574 signatures by Nov. 22, when they’re due to local officials. Support was similarly high for the ballot measure filed by state Rep. Mike Connolly that would let cities and towns institute rent control. It notched 65 percent support in the PFP poll and 64 percent in the UMass Amherst/WCVB survey. MIXED SIGNALS — Just over half, or 52 percent, of respondents to the UMass Amherst poll would vote to remove MCAS as a requirement for receiving a high school diploma, while 29 percent said they would vote against it. Max Page, the president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association that’s pushing the ballot question to end the MCAS requirement, said the union is “confident” it will hit the signature threshold before the November deadline. Meanwhile, a plurality — nearly 46 percent — of voters in the PFP poll said they would oppose legalizing psychedelic substances like mushrooms, while 41 percent would support it. Massachusetts for Mental Health Options, the group behind that ballot campaign, told Playbook they’ve hit the signature requirement and are submitting their sheets to local clerks for certification. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Here’s one for the Swifties: More Massachusetts voters think Taylor Swift should be dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (29 percent) than Tom Brady (13 percent), according to the PFP poll. But the majority of those surveyed said the singer-songwriter shouldn’t be dating either one. TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll announce Community One Stop for Growth awards at 10:30 a.m. at Suffolk Downs. Healey touts tax relief at State Street’s headquarters at noon. Driscoll speaks at the Developers of Color Summit at 12:30 p.m. at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is at the City of Boston Archival Center at 9 a.m. AG Andrea Campbell hosts an open house at the AGO's Worcester regional office at 4 p.m. PFP holds a noon webinar . Tips? Scoops? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com .   A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts: Don’t let cavities rain on your parade. Delta Dental of Massachusetts is committed to educating communities around the state, rain or shine, about the importance of oral health. Your oral health is a key predictor of overall health and can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and other health concerns later in life. A healthy smile is a powerful thing, so speak with your dentist and learn more at ExpressYourHealthMA.org.   DATELINE BEACON HILL CLIMATE REPORT — Healey administration climate chief Melissa Hoffer is out with an 86-page report of recommendations for how the state can act "with far greater urgency" to meet its goals around reducing emissions, increasing resiliency and protecting environmental justice communities. Among the recommendations is a plan for how the state will begin to transition its fleet to electric vehicles — something Healey promised to do on the campaign trail but that the state now faces "significant challenges" to actually doing. Read the full report . — “Stephanie Fattman to pay record-high penalty to settle allegations that her husband schemed to boost her campaign,” by Matt Stout, The Boston Globe: “Stephanie Fattman, the Worcester County official whose husband was accused of funneling tens of thousands of dollars through the state party to bolster her 2020 campaign, has agreed to pay $137,000 under a deal with state prosecutors, marking one of the highest totals to settle campaign finance violations in Massachusetts history. Her husband, state Senator Ryan Fattman, will also pay $55,000. … All told, the Fattmans, Ryan Fattman’s father, and a local town GOP committee that the senator’s brother helped lead will pay more than $207,000." Ryan Fattman maintained in a statement that he and his wife were “targets of political persecution” and that they did nothing wrong other than having the "audacity to challenge the ruling Democrat party’s candidates and beat them, multiple times over.” He also argued that politicians from both sides of the aisle regularly donate to their state parties to help elect candidates — and showed CommonWealth Magazine data to back it up . — “Mass. students are absent from school at 'staggering' rates, says state education official,” by Max Larkin, WBUR: “In 2019, just 13% of kids statewide were designated chronically absent. That rate rose, by June 2022, to nearly 29%. The latest data from June shows modest improvement, but it remains above 22%. … At the board meeting Tuesday, [Education Commissioner Jeff] Riley said his office will offer $4 million in support to districts to better track absences and to work with students’ families to get them back in school. He also proposed assigning greater weight to attendance data as an accountability measure to gauge which districts warrant state intervention in the year ahead.” — “Report finds Mass. in bottom 5 states for biz tax climate; here’s why,” by John L. Micek, MassLive: “The Bay State finished 46th in the nation for its business tax climate, ahead of only neighboring Connecticut, as well as California, New York and New Jersey in the rankings list compiled by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, a Washington D.C-based think tank."   GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here.     FROM THE HUB HOLY CANNOLI — Ron DeSantis is no stranger to Boston-area traditions. He went to Harvard, after all. So when the Florida governor came to town to fundraise for his presidential campaign on Monday, he made sure to stop at Modern Pastry for a lobster tail, sfogliatelle and cannolis to share, plus a small cake for his five-year-old son. “I had always done Mike’s Pastry back when I was in school,” DeSantis told reporters in New Hampshire the next day. “The more people I’ve met from Boston were like ‘no, no, you’ve gotta do Modern.’ And so I was like all right we’re gonna do it.” Kelly and Lisa’s take: as a Massachusetts native (Kelly) and a longtime transplant (Lisa), we’ve tried both pastry shops many times — and we prefer Mike’s. — “In District 5, a stark choice for voters for Boston City Council,” by Danny McDonald, The Boston Globe: “There is Jose Ruiz, a 63-year-old retired Boston police officer who says he admires Republicans Charlie Baker and Ronald Reagan and enjoys the support of former Boston mayor Martin J. Walsh. ... He faces Enrique José Pepén, a 27-year-old self-described progressive who stepped down from his City Hall post as the executive director of the city’s neighborhood services to run for office, and has the endorsement of his former boss and a longtime Walsh political rival, Mayor Michelle Wu.” — “A Boston Jewish Community Relations Council group reportedly resigns after members call for ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “Green Line extension repair will take 2 weeks, Eng says,” by Bob Seay, GBH News: “Officials say essential work to widen more than half of the Green Line Extension tracks will take days, not months — and the project can be completed without a full shutdown. MBTA General Manager Phil Eng on Tuesday said the contractors who built the misaligned tracks will pay to correct them, and that the team responsible for the flawed project has been replaced.” — “‘Compass Rail’ places Springfield at center of Massachusetts rail expansion,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “It’s no longer simply called ‘east-west rail’ according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation."   A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts:     DAY IN COURT — “Massachusetts, 40 other states sue Instagram over child marketing,” by Aaron Pressman, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts joined 40 other states and the District of Columbia on Tuesday in filing lawsuits against Meta Platforms, accusing the company of purposely harming children who use its popular Facebook and Instagram apps. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell sued Meta in Suffolk Superior Court as part of a larger legal effort that includes a multistate federal lawsuit against the company filed in California." — “Lawyers for former Holyoke Veterans Home leaders argue state prosecutors pitched skewed case to grand jury to secure criminal charges,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “Lawyers in the Holyoke Veterans Home criminal neglect case on Tuesday dueled before a judge in Hampden Superior Court over whether a prosecution against two of the home’s former leaders should move forward. The hearing took place before Judge Edward McDonough Jr., who previously dismissed the case against onetime Superintendent Bennett Walsh and medical director Dr. David Clinton, having ruled the two did not fit the legal definition of ‘caretakers.’”   PLAYBOOK IS GOING GLOBAL! We’re excited to introduce Global Playbook, POLITICO’s premier newsletter that brings you inside the most important conversations at the most influential events in the world. From the buzzy echoes emanating from the snowy peaks at the WEF in Davos to the discussions and personalities at Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to the heart of diplomacy at UNGA in New York City – author Suzanne Lynch brings it all to your fingertips. Experience the elite. Witness the influential. And never miss a global beat. BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. SUBSCRIBE NOW .     DATELINE D.C. FOURTH TIME’S A CHARM? — U.S. House Republicans have their fourth speaker nominee: Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.). We'll see if this one sticks. Keep up with POLITICO’s Congress team . FROM THE 413 — “Michael Case will serve on Washington's Select Board, though he didn't run for the position,” by Jane Kaufman, Berkshire Eagle: “Michael Case has agreed to serve as a Select Board member, taking a position he has served in the past. Case didn’t run for the position and was apparently surprised that he garnered the 17 votes that put him in first place to fill the vacancy created when John Fish resigned in the summer from a term that expires in 2025. Case was briefly western regional director at the state Department of Conservation and Recreation. He resigned after an investigation into his conduct.” — “State picks Hadley motel for homeless shelter; town prepares to accommodate 34 people placed at the Knights Inn,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette.   A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts: As a mission-driven organization, Delta Dental of Massachusetts is invested in the health of our communities. Oral health goes beyond the mouth, and we know that access to dental care can impact everything from mental and physical health, to economic well-being. That’s why we’re committed to Massachusetts and working together to confront the systemic challenges of a health system that doesn’t work for everyone. We see change as an opportunity for progress on things that matter. We’re working to increase access to oral care across the state, support the expansion of a more diverse dental workforce, and incentivize preventive care. These priorities not only express Delta Dental’s values, they help everyone in our communities express their health. To learn more about Delta Dental’s commitment to the community, visit ExpressYourHealthMA.org.   THE LOCAL ANGLE — “One family scammed the lottery for $20 million. Then their luck ran out,” by Keith O’Brien, Globe Magazine: “In less than a decade, the Jaafar family of Watertown managed to claim more than $20 million in lottery winnings from over 14,000 scratch tickets and other games — a stunning run of success that just didn’t add up.” MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE IT’S OFFICIAL — President Joe Biden won’t file for the 2024 primary ballot in New Hampshire , a move that has long been expected with the state poised to flout top national Democrats' preferred nominating calendar. New Hampshire Democrats are expected to launch a write-in campaign for Biden, and New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley expressed confidence in a statement that the president will win the primary and reelection. Still, Biden is skipping New Hampshire’s likely unsanctioned contest just as Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), is expected to launch a challenge to him on Friday in Concord, my colleagues report. WAITING ON SUNUNU — New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu spent more time on the campaign trail with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis yesterday than he has with any other presidential candidate so far this cycle. But the Granite State governor said he’s waiting until at least after the third debate (Nov. 8) to make up his mind about which non-Donald Trump candidate he’ll back for the GOP nomination. More from NHPR . HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former state Rep. Jim Cantwell, who serves as state director to Sen. Ed Markey. 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: Dems' pre-convention drama

 

View in browser   BY LISA KASHINSKY PARTY POLITICS — Hundreds of Democratic activists and most of the party’s statewide candidates are at odds with MassDems Chair Gus Bickford for letting the Uber-and-Lyft-backed coalition seeking to classify app-based drivers as independent contractors advertise and table at this upcoming weekend’s convention, despite the party’s stated opposition to the proposal. More than 370 office-seekers, convention delegates and party activists have signed a petition circulated by delegates including Jonathan Cohn, a Democratic State Committee member and Progressive Massachusetts policy director, that calls on Bickford to rescind Flexibility and Benefits for Massachusetts Drivers’ tabling privileges at the party’s Worcester gathering. MassDems also ran an advertisement from the coalition in a pre-convention booklet mailed to delegates, drawing ire from delegates and activists on social media. “[I]t is confusing at best and hypocritical at worst for Mass Dems to run a paid advertisement for a special interest group it denounces in its party platform,” the letter to Bickford reads. “This sends the wrong messages to Convention delegates and party activists about our priorities.” Bickford defended the party’s decision to run the ad and give the industry-backed coalition space at the convention. “We, the Party and myself, have strongly endorsed Mass Not For Sale,” Bickford told Playbook, referring to Massachusetts Is Not For Sale, the coalition opposing the proposed ballot initiative, which is also an exhibitor at the convention. “However,” Bickford added, “we allow for discussion and free speech within our party.” Flexibility and Benefits for Massachusetts Drivers spokesperson Conor Yunits cited Democratic support for similar measures that passed in California and Washington and said: "But here in Massachusetts, Democratic Party officials, who claim to represent workers, are telling 83 percent of rideshare and delivery drivers that they don’t even want to hear from them. There’s nothing democratic about that." The party’s two gubernatorial candidates, state Attorney General Maura Healey and state Sen. Sonia Sonia Chang-Díaz, top the list of those calling on Bickford to change course. All five lieutenant governor hopefuls — state Sens. Eric Lesser and Adam Hinds, state Rep. Tami Gouveia, businessman Bret Bero and Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll — have signed on. So have attorney general candidates Quentin Palfrey, Shannon Liss-Riordan and Andrea Campbell, and auditor hopefuls Chris Dempsey and state Sen. Diana DiZoglio. “Our party should not be taking $$ from, nor giving mic time to, anti-labor campaigns that diametrically contradict our own platform,” Chang-Díaz tweeted when she signed the petition on Sunday. Healey’s campaign said the attorney general “believes that Uber, Lyft and other gig companies’ efforts to misclassify workers and deny them the basic workplace protections they deserve are wrong and illegal. That’s why she sued Uber and Lyft, and that’s why she fervently opposes the ballot question.” GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Are you a Democratic convention delegate who's yet to make up your mind in the governor's race or any others down the ballot? I'd like to talk to you! Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com. TODAY — Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Bill Keating and local officials announce $76.7 million to clean up New Bedford Harbor at 11 a.m. at Foss Marine Terminal. Polito promotes the administration’s FORWARD legislation at 12:30 p.m. at the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal. Markey and Rep. Jake Auchincloss attend a roundtable on federal aid for Taunton schools at 2:30 p.m. at Mulcahey Elementary. Rep. Lori Trahan highlights ARPA funding at 4 p.m. at Jaworek Elementary in Marlborough. Reps. Jim McGovern and Jamie Raskin discuss “Defending Our Democracy” at 6 p.m. at First Churches of Northampton. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu attends a Dorchester coffee hour at Garvey Playground at 9:30 a.m. and gives the keynote speech at the Boston Municipal Research Bureau’s annual meeting at noon at the Seaport Hotel. P.S. — GO CELTICS!   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.     DATELINE BEACON HILL — “State commission takes years to resolve discrimination cases. One took 17. Another took 15,” by Simón Rios and Todd Wallack, WBUR: “The [Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination] has long had a reputation for tardiness, but the pandemic has made delays far worse as the agency lost employees who were not replaced. The backlog of old cases under investigation for more than 18 months has climbed more than five-fold since 2019, the agency’s own data shows, reaching 1,400 cases today. And many cases take much, much longer.” — “Governor Baker vetoes bill to give driver’s licenses to undocumented residents,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “One day after state legislators approved a bill to allow undocumented immigrants to get driver’s licenses in Massachusetts, Governor Charlie Baker vetoed the measure, saying it poses a risk to election security. … A spokesperson for Senate President Karen E. Spilka said the chamber will override, but did not provide a date. The House will override the veto during its next formal session on June 8, according to a spokeswoman for House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano. … Baker’s concerns over election security have been rejected by Democratic leaders, including Secretary of State William F. Galvin, the state’s top election official.” — “Massachusetts House votes to outlaw ‘revenge porn,’ following 48 other states,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “The Massachusetts House on Thursday unanimously passed legislation that would criminalize so-called revenge porn, targeting a form of abuse that is already outlawed in 48 other states. The 154-0 vote came after months of pressure from Governor Charlie Baker and survivors, who’ve argued that Massachusetts laws had fallen woefully behind in protecting people whose ex-partners post sexually explicit images or videos online without their consent. It still needs approval in the state Senate before reaching Baker’s desk.” — “Massachusetts Legislature moves budget to final committee, leaves tax cuts for later,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “The budget that the House and Senate will need to square between them has left the upper chamber, ballooning to just shy of $49.8 billion and leaving the two legislative bodies little time to consider the tax cuts not included in either body’s bill.” FROM THE HUB — ICYMI: “Boston counters state receivership proposal with pledges to improve schools, requests of state,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Boston has volleyed a proposal back to the state, pledging changes to school safety efforts, transportation, special education and more as Mayor Michelle Wu looks to head off the looming prospect of receivership." — More: “Baker: BPS officials ‘need a plan’ to avoid state receivership,” by Aidan Connelly, GBH News. — “Boston Public Schools administrator says she was pushed out for raising concerns over how English learners are taught,” by Bianca Vázquez Toness, Boston Globe: “A dispute between Boston education leaders and an ousted administrator has opened a window on the district’s inability to maintain stable leadership within the central office and continued failure to meet the needs of immigrant students. The administrator in charge of English learning said she resigned when threatened with firing after she repeatedly complained the district was improperly steering students into regular classes instead of special smaller programs designed just for them. But, according to Aketa Narang Kapur and her lawyer, officials from Boston Public Schools said she violated conflict of interest policies by improperly obtaining two laptops for her staff from a former business partner.” — “Boston’s bill to land the right school boss hits $1.4M … and counting,” by Marie Szaniszlo and Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: “The city’s seemingly never-ending search for the right school boss has racked up a $1.4 million bill over recent years, according to a Herald payroll analysis.” — “Boston police bought another ‘high performance’ drone — and want to create a new unit to fly it,” by Ivy Scott, Boston Globe: “The Boston Police Department has quietly taken steps to expand its drone surveillance program this year without notifying the City Council or the public, raising concerns among privacy advocates about the transparency of its technology use.” — "Boston's boring social scene? The city wants a ‘late-night czar’ to help," by Hannah Green, BostInno: "Sheena Collier, founder and CEO of Boston While Black, says that Boston has no trouble attracting talent, with its world-class universities and job opportunities in sectors like tech and life sciences. But as for keeping that talent here, not so much. One problem, Collier says, is the fact that many see the city’s social scene as kind of a snoozefest." PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “T board lays out priorities — safety, infrastructure, budget shortfalls,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The chair of the MBTA board, backed by her fellow directors, set three broad priorities for the agency on Thursday – safety was No. 1, followed by an infrastructure spending target of $2 billion a year, and a call to deal with looming operating budget deficits. Betsy Taylor said safety must be the agency’s top priority, and acknowledged the agency is coming up short right now.” BALLOT BATTLES — “Fair Share Amendment won’t work, according to free market think tank,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “A plan to change the state constitution to allow extra taxes on any dollar earned over $1 million would result in workers fleeing the state and would not have the positive impact proponents of the change claim, according to a new book by published by the Pioneer Institute.”   DON'T MISS DIGITAL FUTURE DAILY - OUR TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER, RE-IMAGINED:  Technology is always evolving, and our new tech-obsessed newsletter is too! Digital Future Daily unlocks the most important stories determining the future of technology, from Washington to Silicon Valley and innovation power centers around the world. Readers get an in-depth look at how the next wave of tech will reshape civic and political life, including activism, fundraising, lobbying and legislating. Go inside the minds of the biggest tech players, policymakers and regulators to learn how their decisions affect our lives. Don't miss out, subscribe today.     ON THE STUMP — ENDORSEMENT ALERT: Boston City Council President Ed Flynn and Ironworkers Local 7 will endorse City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo for Suffolk district attorney at 9:30 a.m. at the Ironworkers Local 7 Union Hall, per his campaign. — WATCH: Attorney general hopeful Quentin Palfrey talks gun control, campaign finance and why he doesn’t support a gas tax holiday on WCVB’s “On the Record.” — “Geoff Diehl’s daughter wasn’t forced to sign a ‘white privilege’ pledge, superintendent says,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “The superintendent of the school district Geoff Diehl’s daughter attends said the Republican gubernatorial candidate was wrong to claim that his child was forced to sign a pledge to acknowledge her white privilege.” — “District Attorney Andrea Harrington formally announces her bid for reelection,” by Greta Jochem, Berkshire Eagle: “District Attorney Andrea Harrington officially announced she is running for reelection on Saturday. … She was elected as district attorney in 2018 after running on a progressive platform and working as a criminal defense attorney for 15 years. Now the incumbent is running against longtime trial attorney Timothy Shugrue, another Democrat, in the primary election this fall.” PARTY POLITICS — “Even in Massachusetts, GOP politics are all about Trump,” by Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: “[T]he hard-right turn the party has taken nonetheless signals the continued decline of the moderate New England Republican, long popular here for conservative fiscal policy, a hands-off approach to social issues, and as a counterbalance to a Democratic-dominated Legislature. And it raises questions about the character of the party nationally: If moderate voices cannot prevail in the Massachusetts Republican Party, then where?” DAY IN COURT — “Final Massachusetts State Trooper gets only probation in Troop E overtime scandal,” by Flint McColgan, Boston Herald: “Retired Massachusetts State Police Trooper Daren DeJong will see two years of probation for his role in the Troop E overtime scandal and will have to fork over a little more than $14,000 in restitution.” — “New clock starts on fresh legal fight over PCB removal from Housatonic River,” by Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle: “Lawyers are gearing up for the next, and possibly last, legal fight over the government’s plan to remove toxic pollutants strewn into the Housatonic River decades ago by the General Electric Co. This time, the legal authorities on the other side of the bench will not work for the Environmental Protection Agency.” FROM THE DELEGATION — “Legislators call for investigation into Boston asylum office over low rate of approvals,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: “Members of Congress from Massachusetts and Maine are demanding the oversight office for the Department of Homeland Security launch a formal investigation into the Boston asylum office’s abnormally low rate of approving asylum applications.” — “Rep. Stephen Lynch: NRA influence has held up past gun legislation, but this time ‘it might be different,’” by Jon Keller, WBZ: “Despite failures to reach a compromise in the past, Lynch said there have been signs that the latest mass shooting could spark change. ‘I think the horrific nature of this, and the fact that it occurred in Texas and there is a lot of pressure from parents, and I'm hearing a lot of the Senators are getting calls from the public, it might be different,’ Lynch said, adding that he remains skeptical.” IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN — “FERC grants delay on N.E. energy market reform,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “In a decision posted at 10 p.m. Friday night, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission gave the operator of the New England power grid two more years to come up with a system for incorporating subsidized clean energy into the region’s electricity markets. Environmental activists had been urging FERC not to grant the delay, but the commission voted 4-1 to approve it.” — “MBTA board balks at $102m Transit Ambassador contract,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “After seven months of rubber-stamping nearly everything put before it, the MBTA board of directors this week balked, at least for a month, at approving a $102 million, five-year contract to hire 200 Transit Ambassadors." FROM THE 413 — “Mayor announces independent audit of Greenfield Police Department,” by Chris Larabee, Greenfield Recorder: “Mayor Roxann Wedegartner announced Friday morning that the city is launching an independent audit of the Greenfield Police Department following the May 6 jury verdict that found the department racially discriminated against a former officer.” — “Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer tests positive for COVID,” by Tony Dobrowolski, Berkshire Eagle: “Mayor Linda Tyer tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday and is currently in quarantine, she told The Eagle on Monday." — "On Memorial Day, war in Ukraine brings back hard memories for those who have served," by Tony Dobrowolski, Berkshire Eagle: "On the day when veterans remember their comrades who fell in long-ago conflicts, many were thinking of another war which is happening right now." WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING — “Bad blood, old friendships, political alliances run Everett, a Globe review shows,” by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: “Just across the Mystic River from Boston, Everett has been transformed in recent years by a high-end casino and an influx of immigrants. But a Globe review found this diverse gateway city of 49,000 still runs on old friendships and bad blood, a thicket of political alliances controlled by a circle of white political leaders who owe their jobs, their contracts, or their allegiance to the mayor, Carlo DeMaria. … In a lengthy interview, he dismissed his critics as politically motivated, insisted he has the support of average residents, and pointed with pride to the dazzling changes he has presided over in Everett.” — "8½ years is enough: Augustus reflects on run as Worcester city manager," by Cyrus Moulton, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "In an hourlong interview Friday, [City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr.] reflected on his tenure: the successes and challenges and the triumphs and tragedies. He also reflected on change, both in the country and in Worcester, and what that has meant for local politics." — “Is the water at your beach safe? New report card finds issues with protocols used for water quality flags at Boston Harbor beaches,” by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive: “Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s 2022 Metropolitan Beaches Water Quality Report card found the overall water quality safety rating for beaches managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in the Boston Harbor region was 86%, down from 93% in 2020.” — “Last Salem 'witch' exonerated,” by Will Broaddus, Eagle-Tribune. — “The state of Massachusetts is officially in a drought,” by David Epstein, WBUR. MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE — “Exception added to New Hampshire’s 24-week abortion ban,” by Holly Ramer, The Associated Press: “New Hampshire’s ban on late-term abortion no longer applies in cases in which the fetus has been diagnosed with ‘abnormalities incompatible with life.’” — “Law enforcement investigating vandalism targeting homes of NHPR journalists,” by Meir Rinde, NHPR. SPOTTED — Gov. Charlie Baker at Friday's Celtics game and at Metallica's Boston Calling set on Sunday. TRANSITIONS — Samuel Gregg has been named a distinguished fellow in political economy and a senior research faculty member of the American Institute for Economic Research. He most recently was research director at the Acton Institute, where he spent twenty-one years. — Ellie Gaughan, state Rep. Meg Kilcoyne’s former campaign manager, is now digital associate at MissionWired. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Katie Sagarin and Gena Mangiaratti. Happy belated to Colleen Fitzgerald, senior public relations associate at Benchmark Strategies, who celebrated Thursday; Andrew Fowler, who celebrated Friday; Alicia DePaolo , who celebrated Sunday; and to Treasury’s Natasha Sarin, who celebrated Monday.   HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND CONGRATS — to WPRI’S Ted Nesi, who is celebrating this year with his wife, Kim Kalunian, and their newborn, Samantha Anne Irene Nesi, who they welcomed into the world on Thursday. 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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