POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Haiti crisis hangs over Mass.

 

BY KELLY GARRITY , MIA MCCARTHY AND LISA KASHINSKY Presented by SHELTER SHOWDOWNS — When Ron DeSantis flew nearly 50 migrants to Martha’s Vineyard in 2022, the group of primarily Venezuelans who said they were lured by false promises of jobs and housing saw an outpouring of support from the island community. If the Florida governor follows through on his suggestion this week that he could send more planes — this time full of Haitians fleeing the chaos in their country — to the Vineyard, they would be met with the same “empathy" and "compassion and support” the community showed a year and a half ago, state Sen. Julian Cyr told Playbook. “It's disappointing that Ron DeSantis continues to prioritize pulling off political stunts, at the expense of vulnerable human beings, instead of solving complicated problems,” said Cyr, who represents the Cape and Islands. But this isn’t 2022. The state’s emergency shelter system has reached a breaking point, and lawmakers grappling with its ballooning costs amid a revenue slump are now weighing unprecedented changes to the program. An influx of Haitian migrants fleeing their home country amid threats of violence and dwindling food supplies could further complicate matters. Massachusetts has the third-largest Haitian diaspora in the U.S., a population that is likely to grow given the upheaval in the Caribbean country. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, co-chair of the House Haiti Caucus, said Massachusetts and the rest of the country will see a surge of new arrivals if the root problems in Haiti are not addressed. “Until we redesignate [temporary protected status] for Haiti, halt deportations, stop the trafficking of arms from the U.S. to Haiti, we will continue to see the numbers grow,” Pressley told Playbook. Pressley also said Massachusetts needs more federal funding to help care for migrants — money the Healey administration has long begged Congress and the Biden administration to provide. “We need more. We have to make sure [states and municipalities] have robust federal support,” Pressley said. And, she added, “that is not limited to the situation in Haiti and the new arrivals that are coming into our Commonwealth.” Cots are set up for migrants and homeless families at the Cass Recreational Complex shelter in Roxbury. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO Now, state lawmakers who’ve all but given up waiting for federal aid are taking matters into their own hands. Senators will vote today on their version of a supplemental budget that would allow the Healey administration to dip into the more than $800 million stashed in a pandemic-era savings account to cover shelter costs, while limiting shelter stays to nine months (with the possibility of 90-day extensions for those who meet certain qualifications). HAVING ENDURED SENATOR TARR'S BEHAVIOR  FROM THE GALLERY....A SIGHT TO BEHOLD! HIS PROPOSAL MAKES NO SENSE & WOULD  INCREASE HOMELESSNESS & HEALTH ISSUES,  AMONG OTHER ISSUES.  A SHORT SIGHTED & IRRESPONSIBLE  SOLUTION!  HOW ABOUT CONDEMNING MAGA GOP FOR THEIR FAILURES TO ACT ON A BIPARTISAN BORDER BILL? Republicans are pushing amendments that would add even more restrictions. One from Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr would require people to have lived in the state for six months before becoming eligible for the emergency assistance program. That change failed in the House, and it’s unlikely there’s any stronger appetite within the Senate’s Democratic supermajority. But, Tarr said, modifying the state’s right-to-shelter law was once off the table, too. “We've now seen a proposed limitation in the House of nine months and a proposed limitation in the Senate of nine months,” Tarr told reporters Wednesday. “So, modifying the right to shelter law is now a line that we have crossed and everyone in this building has indicated a willingness to explore those options.” GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . We reached out to Gov. Maura Healey’s office to see if she wanted to comment on DeSantis’ threat — and to see if the maxed-out shelter system has space to accommodate a potential wave of arrivals from Haiti. Her office declined comment. TODAY — Healey has no public events. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll speaks at an early college day event at 10 a.m. and a youth mentoring day event at 11 a.m. at the State House. House Speaker Ron Mariano speaks at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce forum at 9:45 a.m. in Boston. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announces the launch of the 2024 youth summer jobs program at 11 a.m. in South Boston. Auditor Diana DiZoglio speaks at the North Shore Chamber of Commerce business expo at noon in Peabody. Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Email us: kgarrity@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com .   A message from the Service Employees International Union: Uber and Lyft are planning to spend big on a ballot initiative to buy their way around respecting the rights of Massachusetts’ rideshare drivers. But rideshare drivers in our state have a different vision: one that works better for consumers and gives drivers a voice on the job. Drivers can’t get there alone — we're calling on the Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions to convene drivers and rideshare companies and steer us down a better road.   DATELINE BEACON HILL MIXED SIGNALS — Days after Gov. Maura Healey declined to tell The Boston Globe (and, later, the rest of us) where she went for four days in mid-February to “make sure that privacy is maintained for my family,” the paper published an episode of its “Love Letters” podcast in which Healey and her partner, Joanna Lydgate , opened up about their relationship and how music keeps them connected. So to recap: Healey won’t say when she’s leaving the state due to unspecified “security concerns.” And she won’t disclose details of her personal trips because “my personal life is my personal life.” But she’ll discuss the “strain” her job puts on her relationship with Lydgate and the “cumulative toll” of the critiques she faces — about her job performance and her personal life — on a podcast. CommonWealth Beacon’s Gintautas Dumcius called it “mixed messages.” Globe columnist Joan Vennochi wrote that Healey is “setting up a zone of privacy that shifts very conveniently based on a calculation of what is helpful to share about her personal life.” And, as Vennochi points out , this isn’t just a transparency issue: Healey “‘travels with security,’ whether her travels are personal or state-related — which means they come with a taxpayer cost.” LETTING SOME LIGHT IN — In a surprising move for the typically shadowy negotiations that take place on Beacon Hill, the group of six lawmakers hashing out the differences between the House and Senate gun bills opted to keep negotiations open to the public — until next week, at least. More from the State House News Service.   — “‘I nearly took my own life.’ Mass. poised to become 49th state to outlaw ‘revenge porn,’” by Matt Stout, The Boston Globe: “The state Senate is expected to vote Thursday on a bill criminalizing 'revenge porn' that hews closely to a proposal that unanimously cleared the House. … With more than three months until lawmakers wrap up formal sessions, legislators, survivors, and advocates say they’re hopeful — some for the first time — that after floating around Beacon Hill for years, the legislation will finally reach Governor Maura Healey’s desk and close a loophole that nearly every other state long ago addressed.” — “Changes in Personal Care Attendant program could harm disabled people in Berkshires. Advocates took their case to Gov. Healey,” by Greg Sukiennik, The Berkshire Eagle: “On Wednesday, a Berkshire County contingent joined disabled people and their advocates at the Statehouse in Boston to argue against proposed eligibility restrictions [for MassHealth’s Personal Care Attendant program]. Advocates say those changes would cause more than 100 Berkshire residents with disabilities, and about 6,000 statewide, to lose services that allow them to live at home.”   Easily connect with the right N.Y. State influencers and foster the right relationships to champion your policy priorities. POLITICO Pro. Inside New York. Learn more .     FROM THE HUB WU WATCH — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu still won’t say whether she’s running for reelection. But during a town hall with WBUR’s Rupa Shenoy, Wu pointed to long-term projects — like her ambitious — and controversial — plan to renovate White Stadium in Franklin Park — to hint at her intentions. “I feel lucky every single day to wake up and get to try to make a difference in the city that has made every difference in my life and my family's life,” Wu said. “I hope to be able to make an announcement at some point about continuing to do this work.” THE VIEW FROM NEW YORK — “Boston’s mayor makes friends — and enemies — with her focus on housing,” by E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker. — “‘I wanted to put my fist through the TV.’ Not everyone in South Boston likes Ed Flynn’s take on St. Patrick’s Day parade,” by Niki Griswold and Maddie Khaw, The Boston Globe: “Numerous complaints about public debauchery, littering and destruction of property during this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in South Boston has ignited a debate about the future of the long-running event, with City Councilor Ed Flynn calling for it to be relocated from his neighborhood if revelers don’t straighten up. … Most Southie residents who spoke with The Globe Wednesday afternoon disagreed with Flynn’s calls to move the parade — some strongly so.”   A message from the Service Employees International Union:     PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “Cambridge City Council takes next step in pilot program to make MBTA Bus Route 1 fare-free,” by Ayumi Nagatomi, The Harvard Crimson: “The Cambridge City Council unanimously passed a policy order on Monday asking City Manager Yi-An Huang … to work with the MBTA and the City of Boston to implement a fare-free Route 1 bus program.” NOTED — Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg “can’t speak to anything that might be coming down the line,” related to more federal funding to replace the Cape Cod bridges . But he did tell WPRI’s Ted Nesi during a visit to Rhode Island earlier this week that “we’re fully aware of how much of a concern” the Cape bridges are. KENNEDY COMPOUND — “Kennedy family set to step up its efforts to help Biden's campaign,” by Mike Memoli, Peter Alexander and Kelly O'Donnell, NBC: “Some members of the extended Kennedy clan already have issued statements making clear they stand with [President Joe] Biden this fall. But a gathering of dozens of Kennedys at the White House last weekend marked the beginning of a more active effort by the family to boost Biden’s reelection effort, and push back against one of their own.” MORE — Biden specifically shouted out former Rep. Joe Kennedy III , his special envoy to Northern Ireland, at the gathering, our White House colleagues report .   SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, the newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world, including WEF in Davos, Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to UNGA in NYC and many more. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW .     FROM THE 413 ROLLING THE DICE — MGM Resorts is exploring the sale of its Springfield casino, Bloomberg’s Gillian Tan and Christopher Palmeri report . The Springfield Republican’s Jim Kinney dives into what that could mean for the city : “Any new owner buying MGM Springfield would still be bound not only by state gaming regulations but by MGM’s existing state license, its host agreements with Springfield and surrounding communities,” he writes. THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Mayor, council ponder: Who should live in New Bedford to work for the city?” by Frank Mulligan, The Standard-Times: “Mayor Jon Mitchell wants to eliminate a residency requirement for about 150 city management positions, and has offered to add city workers and firefighters into the mix.” — “Fights at Brockton High 'trending downward' — what school police are doing,” by Christopher Butler, The Enterprise. — “Then: a homeless encampment near the BU Bridge. Now: Hundreds and hundreds of jagged rocks,” by Spencer Buell, The Boston Globe. — “Hiring freeze in Braintree as town officials grapple with budget woes,” by Fred Hanson, The Patriot Ledger. — ​​“Taunton sues hotel operator for housing too many migrant families,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald.   A message from the Service Employees International Union: Massachusetts is facing a choice between two paths for the future of the gig economy: Allow billion-dollar rideshare companies to pursue a deceptive, anti-worker ballot initiative that locks drivers into independent contractor status, depriving them of their basic rights and a meaningful voice on the job. Empower our state’s 55,000 rideshare drivers with a voice through a union and give them the ability to bargain with rideshare companies to improve pay, safety, and working conditions. Rideshare drivers have a roadmap for a better gig economy for Massachusetts, and it starts with legislative leadership convening all stakeholders to eliminate confusion on the ballot and reach a resolution. The Massachusetts legislature is at a critical crossroads. We urge them to choose a better path for drivers and consumers. Learn more here.   HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH THE PICKS ARE IN — Our governor who knows a thing or two about basketball is predicting South Carolina’s Gamecocks will pull off a March Madness win in the women’s bracket and that UConn’s Huskies will bring home the trophy for the second year in a row for the men — the same final predictions as Biden . TRANSITIONS — Jess Bidgood is rejoining The New York Times as the new managing correspondent of the On Politics newsletter. She's now senior national political reporter for The Boston Globe. — Abbey Niezgoda is going from reporter to managing editor at NBC10 Boston. — Rick Sobey has been promoted from reporter to assistant editor at the Boston Herald. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to UMass Lowell’s John Cluverius, Ryanne Olsen and Shane Dunn . NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: THE HEMP RACE — Hosts Jennifer Smith, Steve Koczela and Lisa Kashinsky tackle some of the state’s burning mysteries: Why are hemp-based THC seltzers appearing outside of dispensaries? Why are fewer voters registering with a party? Where is Gov. Maura Healey traveling? Some of those prove easier to answer than others. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud . Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com .   Follow us on Twitter Lisa Kashinsky @lisakashinsky Kelly Garrity @KellyGarrity3   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Courting Chris Sununu

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY AND KELLY GARRITY NEW HAMPSHIRE’S MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR — If the GOP presidential primary were a dating app, almost everyone would be swiping right on Chris Sununu. The Granite State governor is going on dates — a diner with Nikki Haley , ice cream with Ron DeSantis , a town hall with Chris Christie . He packed in appearances — and packed on the PDA (well, hugs and handshakes) — with all three in a whirlwind 24 hours before Thanksgiving. His suitors aren’t shy about their intentions. Haley has publicly asked Sununu — albeit jokingly — for his endorsement multiple times. Christie, meanwhile, said of Sununu: “We’ve been friends for 11 years, and so I would love to have Chris working with me." Sununu has swiped left on a few candidates already: Donald Trump, the former president whom he routinely criticizes, and Vivek Ramaswamy, whom he told POLITICO “would be a poor choice” for president. Neither appear to want his endorsement , anyway. But Sununu doesn’t seem ready to go steady with anyone just yet. He told POLITICO over the summer that he wouldn’t be making a decision until November or December. He said the third debate would weigh heavily on his thinking, but the early November bout came and went without him making a pick. Then he said it would be after Thanksgiving. Three days before the holiday, he told reporters that people — himself perhaps included — are going to be making up their minds “even later than normal because it’s such a late campaign.” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (right) dishes with Gov. Chris Sununu over popovers during a campaign stop in Epping, N.H. | Charles Krupa/AP New Hampshire-based operatives and surrogates for some of the campaigns have a few theories as to who Sununu will choose and why. He could seek to further boost Haley, who’s been rising in polls of the Granite State throughout the fall and sits in second place on average. He could join Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in backing DeSantis, giving the Florida governor a sweep of the first two nominating states and a lifeline in the latter, where surveys show his support is tanking. Or, Sununu could back the field’s most vocal Trump critic, Christie, who’s also on the upswing in the state. Sununu has every reason to take his time. The longer he plays the field, the more attention he gets from the candidates and from the reporters and columnists who press him after every campaign event about who and when he’ll endorse. And the longer he waits, the more time he’ll have to see if anyone can emerge from the crowded race for second place as the clear alternative to Trump. Of course, Sununu’s endorsement could help make that happen . But history and at least one private poll shared with Playbook show the impact of the governor’s support could be limited. Roughly three-quarters of the 600 likely New Hampshire GOP primary voters surveyed by Republican pollster Whit Ayres and his firm, North Star Opinion Research, in early November said Sununu’s endorsement wouldn’t sway them. But among the quarter of respondents who said it would, they’d be more likely to vote for Sununu’s pick by a margin of 2-1. Sununu has sought to downplay the weight of his endorsement even as he pledges to put “110 percent” behind his eventual pick. His next opportunity to appear with a potential endorsee is tonight at Haley’s town hall in Derry. GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. For our loyal readers who are also loyal fans of "The Bachelor" (we know there are a lot of you), think of the scenario we just ran through like this: Sununu is the bachelor holding all the roses, and he's down to his final three contestants. TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll announce a new coastal resilience strategy at 9 a.m. at Beverly’s Lynch Park. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speaks at MassDOT’s first Morrissey Boulevard Commission meeting at 6 p.m. at Southline Boston. A celebration of life for the late John Walsh begins at 11 a.m. at Faneuil Hall's Great Hall. Tips? Scoops? Are you Chris Sununu? Drop us a line on who you’re endorsing: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com .   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.     DATELINE BEACON HILL ADDED: "R" voters are consistently uninformed and fail to do their research before supporting an "R" candidate. PETER DURANT ENDORSED DESANTIS! MASS GOP statement: And the MassGOP’s ability to help Durant may be limited by its still-dire financial straits — even though a win in this race is exactly what the party needs to start turning its fortunes around. “If we didn’t have the debt, certainly we would be able to do more in this race,” Carnevale said. “But we certainly are confident in our chances.” PETER DURANT IS A CLOWN FOR ENDORSING DESANTIS, THE BOOK BANNER, RE-WRITES HISTORY, DON'T SAY GAY DIM WIT! That's before defining the ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION in FLORIDA or the numerous other issues...homeowners insurance? radioactive roads? DEAD MANATEES? POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: DESANTISLAND — One of GOP state Rep. Peter Durant ’s first big actions as state senator-elect: endorsing Ron DeSantis for president, per the Florida governor's campaign. THIS IS THE CLOWN THAT PETER DURANT ENDORSED: NOTE: GREAT BARRINGTON DECLARATION is a DIRTY ENERGY KOCH funded think tank - it's a SCAM! Ron DeSantis' New Surgeon General Appeared in 'Demon Sperm' Doctor's COVID Conspiracy Video excerpt: One of the video's main speakers, Dr. Stella Immanuel, is a physician who operates a medical clinic in a Texas strip mall next to her church, Firepower Ministries. In the video, she called hydroxychloroquine a "cure" and said, "You don't need a mask" to prevent the virus' spread. Immanuel has claimed that ovarian cysts and endometriosis are caused by "demonic seed." Demons insert sperm into sleeping individuals when they have sex in their dreams, Immanuel claimed in articles on her church's website. Ladapo has also promoted the anti-parasite medication ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19 symptoms. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has advised against using ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment. In October 2020, Ladapo signed the Great Barrington Declaration, a statement that called for developing societal herd immunity to COVID-19 through natural infection. https://www.newsweek.com/ron-desantis-new-surgeon-general-appeared-demon-sperm-doctors-covid-conspiracy-video-1631372 THANK YOU, NEXT — State Rep. Peter Durant is set to file his resignation from the House today ahead of being sworn into the Senate tomorrow. Now Republicans who reveled in Durant flipping a district that Democrats held for decades are looking for candidates to backfill his House seat in a yet-to-be-called special election. David Adams , a Southbridge town councilor, has already filed paperwork with OCPF and set up a website to run. John Marsi, a Dudley Select Board member, is likely to run as well, MassGOP chair Amy Carnevale told Playbook. SUPP SLOG — Lawmakers sparked speculation that a deal was close on the $2.8 billion supplemental budget that includes $250 million in shelter funding and raises for thousands of state workers when they held their informal sessions open late into yesterday afternoon. But both chambers eventually adjourned to tomorrow. Gov. Maura Healey is holding out hope the lawmakers can “get it done this week,” she said during an interview on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio.” But Republicans could be a roadblock. Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr said there’s “bipartisan support” for moving forward with some items in the spending plan, likely referring to the state-employee contracts. But if the conference committee report that comes up for a vote “contains controversial items” — likely the shelter money — he said Republicans might move against it. Meanwhile, the emergency shelter system has dipped below its 7,500-family capacity limit. On Friday, there were 102 families on the waitlist for housing. On Monday, there were 91 families, the Healey administration said. — “Regulators skeptical of low underage betting reports,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “The Massachusetts Gaming Commission seems unconvinced by the numbers they are getting from sportsbook operators on how frequently underage gamblers access their platforms and place bets. The Commission met Monday to receive third-quarter reports from representatives of sportsbook operators Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, Penn Sports Interactive, and WynnBet, when regulators wondered if the single digit instances of illegal gambling they were being shown were an accurate representation of reality.” — “There are 56 gun bills before the Mass. Legislature. Here's what's next for them,” by Katie Lannan and Jeremy Siegel, GBH News. BALLOT BATTLES KEEPING HER POWDER DRY — State Auditor Diana DiZoglio ’s push to probe the Legislature has been shot down by Democratic legislative leaders. But Healey isn’t taking sides. “We’ll see what happens if this gets on the ballot,” Healey said yesterday on GBH. Though DiZoglio’s effort to sue the Legislature into complying with her audit was blocked by Attorney General Andrea Campbell , her ballot question appeared poised to clear the first major signature-gathering hurdle last week.   GET A BACKSTAGE PASS TO COP28 WITH GLOBAL PLAYBOOK : Get insider access to the conference that sets the tone of the global climate agenda with POLITICO's Global Playbook newsletter. Authored by Suzanne Lynch, Global Playbook delivers exclusive, daily insights and comprehensive coverage that will keep you informed about the most crucial climate summit of the year. Dive deep into the critical discussions and developments at COP28 from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12.. SUBSCRIBE NOW .     FROM THE HUB — “A guaranteed basic income for Boston’s poor? Officials consider the idea,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “With about 18 percent of city residents living below the poverty line, Boston officials are mulling the implementation of a temporary guaranteed income program for the city’s poor. While many specific questions regarding such a program remain unanswered, including total cost, where the money would come from, a timeline for implementation, and who exactly would benefit, city councilors and officials from Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration discussed the idea during a Monday council hearing.” THE RACE FOR CITY HALL RECOUNT IN REVERE — Revere’s mayoral recount is set to get underway Friday at the request of former Mayor Dan Rizzo , who lost his bid to reclaim his old role to Acting Mayor Patrick Keefe by more than 300 votes, according to the city’s official results. Though the city is bearing the cost of the recount, Keefe has opened up a new account for donations to help pay for an attorney to represent him through the process. — “Marlborough Mayor-elect Dumais sees staff appointments, salary evaluation as key issues,” by Jesse Collings, MetroWest Daily News. 2024 WATCH ALL IN ON BIDEN — Healey, a member of Joe Biden ’s national campaign advisory board, said on GBH that she’s “absolutely” backing the president in 2024 even as polls show him trailing former President Donald Trump in hypothetical head-to-head matchups and some voters worry about his age. Healey, who sued the Trump administration nearly 100 times while serving as the state’s attorney general, said “it's not OK if you have somebody in charge who is going to continue to deny elections, commit fraud in so many different ways and do things that are so destabilizing to our role and influence in the world.” She cast next year's presidential election as about "the fate of our democracy." — "Pro-Dean Phillips super PAC knocks Biden's electability in New Hampshire TV ad," by Bridget Bowman, NBC. FROM THE DELEGATION — “McGovern is first member of Congress to address UN about Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “The United States [and many of its allies] remain holdouts to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, otherwise known as the Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty. … U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, speaking on behalf of a handful of colleagues who have explicitly called on President Joe Biden to sign the treaty, was expected to be the only member of Congress to address the parliamentarians.” REGIONAL ROUNDUP — “Suit by Republican challenger to keep Trump off the ballot in RI dismissed,” by Katie Mulvaney, Providence Journal. — “‘Tragic irony:’ Burlington shooting victims’ family members say they’re shocked by violence so far from the Middle East,” by Emma Cotton, VT Digger. HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH ENGAGED — Wesley Hall, minister of music and the arts at The First Baptist Church of Worcester, recently proposed to Taylor Bolton, senior manager of partner marketing at Upstream USA. The couple met at Yale during grad school. He played at opening chapel and then cut in line behind her during coffee hour to speak with her. He proposed at Sleeping Giant National Park, where they had their first date. Pic ... Another pic TRANSITIONS — Pamela Peak is the new chief development officer for the Edward M. Kennedy Institute. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Sarina Tracy and Doug Rubin of Northwind Strategies, Deloitte’s John Kim , former state Rep. Louis Kafka , WaPo’s Nicole Dungca, Baker alum Terry MacCormack, Erin Forry, Glen Johnson and Louise Coleman . 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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