POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Inside Healey's Washington week

 

View in browser   BY LISA KASHINSKY PROPAGANDA!  NUCLEAR IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE FORM  OF ENERGY!  RADIOACTIVE WASTE? NO PLACE TO PUT IT! LOOK AT PIGLRIM IN PLYMOUTH!  Presented by FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: HEALEY TALKS D.C. — Maura Healey is no stranger to Washington, D.C. But her new title is giving her new purpose as she navigates the halls of power in the nation’s capital. Healey made her first trips to D.C. as governor last week for the State of the Union and the National Governors Association winter meeting. In doing so she stepped out of her new executive suite and into a world in which governors breeze through swanky hotel lobbies with entourages and security details and don suits and gowns (Healey's was navy blue) for a black-tie dinner with the president and a private concert by Brad Paisley. But governors don’t just go to D.C. to see and be seen. Healey went to Washington with two overlapping missions: to maximize federal funding for infrastructure projects and to huddle with members of the congressional delegation and the Biden administration. She spoke with delegation members on East-West rail , offshore wind and bringing down the high costs of housing and child care. Healey and her transportation chief, Gina Fiandaca, talked to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Mitch Landrieu, the Biden administration’s infrastructure czar, about finding a path forward for repairing Cape Cod’s aging bridges and expediting permitting for other transportation and energy projects. And in a meeting with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on workforce shortages, Healey reiterated former GOP Gov. Charlie Baker’s request for the feds to expedite and streamline the process for migrants to secure federal work authorization. “These were important initial meetings. It is important that our administration gets to know members in the Biden administration and that we have the ability to advocate directly for our state,” Healey told Playbook in an interview. Those connections could become even more important with Labor Secretary Marty Walsh poised to leave the administration. Healey also sat down with President Joe Biden and a bipartisan group of governors to discuss the national debt ceiling and the steps states are taking to prepare for the end of the national and public health emergencies for Covid-19. President Joe Biden welcomes governors to the White House on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. | Getty Images The governor wouldn’t say whether she agrees with Biden’s decision to end the emergency declarations, which ends extra federal benefits for social safety net programs and medical measures like free at-home Covid tests. Healey has already filed a spending plan to extend extra SNAP benefits and free school meals. “I respect that the Biden administration made that decision. I’m sure it was after significant consideration,” Healey said. “My focus is on how do we in Massachusetts prepare for that? How do we make sure that we're taking care of folks, particularly those who are potentially in the most vulnerable positions, either with respect to health care, housing, or food security?” Here's what else Healey got up to in the District: — Healey attended the White House dinner Saturday with her partner, Joanna Lydgate, and was seated at a table with Buttigieg, White House homeland security adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall and the governors of North Dakota and Hawaii. She dined on salmon paillard because, she joked, “they didn’t have cod.” — Healey and her EEA secretary, Rebecca Tepper, discussed the region’s energy needs and projects at a breakfast with New England governors. “There's a general recognition of the importance of moving away from fossil fuels to renewables, and some states are in better positions to do that than others,” Healey said. — Speaking of cleaner energy, while Healey was gone, 14 climate protesters were arrested at the State House while demanding that she block future fossil fuel infrastructure projects. The demonstrators met briefly with Healey's climate chief, Melissa Hoeffer. And while Healey didn't share any details about the chat, she reiterated to Playbook her pledge to "move away from fossil fuels." Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey speaks at a Democratic Governors Association press conference on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023 in Washington, D.C. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. The Chiefs won the Super Bowl, but we stole the ad show. Heading to Dunkin' for my medium iced to celebrate. If only Ben Affleck were still there. TODAY — Karen Spilka is going full Leslie Knope this Galentine’s Day. The Senate president is hosting her first-ever Galentine’s Day event to celebrate women leaders on Beacon Hill and beyond. Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll are on the guest list for this evening, as are Attorney General Andrea Campbell , Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Rep. Ayanna Pressley . Healey is on Boston 25 at 10:15 a.m. and speaks at the first Black Women’s Health and Wellness Legislative Advocacy Day at 11 a.m. at the State House; Driscoll attends. Tips? Scoops? Want the outtakes from the Ben Affleck/Dunkin’ commercial? Here you go . Want to see which Massachusetts congressional district has the most Dunks locations? Of course there’s a map (h/t Cole Perry). Email me on those first two, though: lkashinsky@politico.com . PROPAGANDA!  NUCLEAR IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE FORM  OF ENERGY!  RADIOACTIVE WASTE? NO PLACE TO PUT IT! LOOK AT PIGLRIM IN PLYMOUTH!  A message from NextEra Energy: NextEra Energy is the first company in history committed to moving past net zero all the way to Real Zero™, leveraging low-cost renewables to drive energy affordability for customers.   PARTY POLITICS — “Bickford to step down as MassDems chair,” by Lisa Kashinsky, POLITICO: “Gus Bickford is stepping down as chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party this spring, paving the way for new Gov. Maura Healey to reshape her party’s leadership. Bickford, a veteran operative who specializes in voter contact, has worked for the Democratic National Committee, Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s 2012 campaign, several state parties and for John Kerry, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns. He announced his April departure in an emotional speech at the party’s meeting Saturday, according to a video shared with POLITICO. Healey and Bickford are backing Steve Kerrigan, a former lieutenant governor nominee who Bickford defeated to win party chair in 2016, as the Democrats’ next leader. Kerrigan will have to join the Democratic State Committee to be eligible to be elected to the job.” — “Keller: New Mass. GOP chairwoman Amy Carnevale plans to focus on electability, not ideology, ” by Jon Keller, WBZ: "'We need to moderate our image a bit when we think about Republicans who are electable frankly. I am someone who supported Donald Trump at the national level. But I also strongly supported Charlie Baker here in Massachusetts. I think you can do both. Republicans need to reflect their constituency, whether that be at the national level, the state level, or the local level,' Carnevale said. 'We need to get our party back focused on winning elections. That is going to be my focus as chair of the party. We need to support candidates that are electable.'" DATELINE BEACON HILL — “IRS: Most One-Time Refunds Won’t Count Toward Income,” by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): “Many, but not necessarily all, Massachusetts taxpayers will not need to count one-time state tax rebates they received last year as income when they file federal tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service said. A week after announcing it was reviewing the taxability of one-time payments made in several states, the IRS said Friday evening that it determined Massachusetts, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia will all fall into the same category excluding most refunds from counting toward income.” — “In visit to Devens facility, Driscoll pushes funding request to address overflowing emergency shelters,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll Friday sought to keep attention on the need to shore up the state’s strained emergency shelters, reiterating the Healey administration’s call for the Legislature to provide more funding for a system struggling to accommodate the arrival of thousands of migrant families. She emphasized that need on a visit to a temporary shelter in Devens, which opened in December to help alleviate the burden on the system, which has been at-capacity for months. On Friday, there were 79 people being housed at the Devens facility, 42 of whom were young children and infants.” — “They once passed on hefty pay raises. Two years later, Galvin and Goldberg quietly took them,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Two years after the fact, [Treasurer Deb] Goldberg and [Secretary of State Bill] Galvin each quietly accepted those roughly $9,000 raises, ballooning their salaries and, in Goldberg’s case, helping now make her the state’s highest paid statewide elected official. … Galvin told the State House News Service this month that he wasn’t accepting the latest 20 percent hike ‘at this time,’ making him the only one of the six statewide constitutional officers to decline the extra money. But in late November, weeks after he won his record eighth term, he did take the $8,700 raise first afforded to him at the start of 2021, payroll records show.”   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 .     FROM THE HUB — “Several Boston leaders offer support for longtime city official charged with money laundering and conspiracy in prison drug scheme,” by Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: “Several prominent civic leaders in Boston publicly expressed their support for longtime city official Freda Brasfield, who was placed on unpaid leave Friday after she pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges linked to a scheme to deliver synthetic drugs to prisoners at a state correctional facility. Brasfield, 55 ... is finance director for Mayor Michelle Wu and has worked for the city since the 1990s.” — “In year 2, Boston City Councilors look to pull Michelle Wu to the left,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Michelle Wu spent years as the progressive outsider on the Boston City Council, advocating to pull policy to the left. Now she’s on the inside looking out at a council where a contingent of members to her left are trying to draw her proposals further that way. … The council and the mayor both want 2023 to be a year of action: last week the new ‘participatory budgeting’ law went into effect. On the checklist for the council is a move to an elected school committee, rent control and a budget cycle where they hope to push the mayor more than they did last year.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — "24 MBTA employees assaulted in December, most were bus drivers," by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “The MBTA’s largest union is pushing for stronger protections for transit workers, 24 of whom were assaulted in December alone. … This includes pushing the Legislature to codify tougher penalties for those who assault public transit workers, and asking the MBTA for better safeguards for frontline workers, said Christine Lamitina, a union spokeswoman.”  PROPAGANDA!  NUCLEAR IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE FORM  OF ENERGY!  RADIOACTIVE WASTE? NO PLACE TO PUT IT! LOOK AT PIGLRIM IN PLYMOUTH!    A message from NextEra Energy:     FROM THE DELEGATION — WATCH: Rep. Jake Auchincloss talk about the war in Ukraine and investigating TikTok — though he says banning it is “not on the table yet” — on WCVB’s “On the Record.” He also repeated that he’s not running for statewide office “this cycle” and said he has “great confidence” in his dad, Dr. Hugh Auchincloss , taking over running the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases from Anthony Fauci . — Related: “Hugh Auchincloss was Anthony Fauci’s longtime deputy. Now he’s taking his job as House Republicans probe the pandemic,” by Jim Puzzanghera, Boston Globe. — “Markey moves to protect community TV,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette. BIDEN TIME NOTICE THE INFLAMMATORY WORDS: SHODDY HANDLING! WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THOSE DOCUMENTS WERE BECAUSE A SPECIAL COUNSEL IS INVESTIGATING!  SHODDY REPORTING! — “Classified paper chase: Biden documents traced to law office in Boston,” by Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: “Sensitive documents President Biden took with him after leaving D.C. landed in a law office in Boston in the latest development in the shoddy handling of West Wing intel. Multiple reports state the National Archives revealed late Friday that emails point to the paper trail leading to the Hub — with a demanded stop at the John F. Kennedy Library in Dorchester.” TODAY'S SPECIAL (ELECTION) — “Salem mayoral candidate considers options after missing ballot,” by Dustin Luca, Salem News: “Robert ‘Skip’ Bensley, a Lafayette Street resident making his first attempt at public office, ultimately fell seven shy of the required 100 certified signatures of registered voters, following a review by the City Clerk’s office, thus excluding his name form the ballot for the March 28 preliminary election. … Bensley has until Thursday, Feb. 23, at 5 p.m. to challenge the clerk’s office’s line-by-line decisions to reject 25 of the 118 signatures Bensley turned in.”   DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS – DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID .     THE LOCAL ANGLE — “A 15-year-old stayed in a hospital for 40 days. The reason? The state child welfare agency had no place to put him,” by Elizabeth Koh, Boston Globe: “For years, Massachusetts’ child welfare crisis has meant kids shuttled around the state in the back seats of workers’ cars or sleeping on couches and bean bags in agency offices. But amid a persistent shortage of group home beds, foster homes, and other placements, the state is also holding children in hospitals for up to weeks or months on end, even when they’ve been medically cleared to leave.” — “Colonel Christopher Mason to retire as superintendent of Mass. State Police,” by Jeremy C. Fox and Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “The head of the Massachusetts State Police announced that he will retire [this] week, more than three years after being appointed to bring urgent reform to a law enforcement agency rocked by state and federal investigations into widespread abuse of overtime pay throughout its ranks.” — “They bought mansions, a Rolls Royce, and chartered a jet with COVID relief loans, prosecutors allege,” by Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: “In June 2020, as many businesses struggled to survive, an Abington used-car dealer was given an $836,800 federal pandemic relief loan to pay his 40 employees. Yet, he lied about the size of his workforce, which was only a handful of people, prosecutors allege, and spent most of the money on the purchase of a 14-room ‘country manor’ in South Easton, a $133,000 Rolls Royce, and a French bulldog breeder.” — “Boston ESG investment firm takes aim at companies that give to election deniers,” by Benjamin Kail, Boston Business Journal: “A Boston investment firm is striving to wipe from its portfolio all corporations that donated to 2020 presidential election deniers. … Politicians are identified as ‘anti-democracy’ if they voted against certifying President Joe Biden’s election or questioned the vote’s legitimacy, while PACs are evaluated based on their donations.” — “Massachusetts plant on track to be a global leader in fusion energy,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald. — “After being placed on leave, Wayland superintendent files discrimination complaint against School Committee,” by Deanna Pan, Boston Globe. — “Navy Pilot From Mass. Part of Historic All-Female Flyover at Super Bowl,” by Kaitlin McKinley Becker, NECN. — MEANWHILE, IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: “New Hampshire Senate Votes to Protect State’s Presidential Primary,” by Garry Rayno, InDepthNH.  PROPAGANDA!  NUCLEAR IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE FORM  OF ENERGY!  RADIOACTIVE WASTE? NO PLACE TO PUT IT! LOOK AT PIGLRIM IN PLYMOUTH!  A message from NextEra Energy: NextEra Energy is the first company committed to reaching Real Zero™, as in 100% clean energy. We’re not just offsetting carbon emissions — we’re eliminating them.   HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Katie Trojano, Joshua Solomon, Emily Minster of Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s office and Jamie Cushman. 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? 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Biden celebrations | Second surge arrives | JOB BOARD MONDAY: Today's sponsor - IBEW Local 103 and NECA Greater Boston – The Power Professionals

 

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By Jay Fitzgerald and Keith Regan 11/09/2020 Biden celebrations | Second surge arrives | JOB BOARD MONDAY

 

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Happening Today   MBTA service cuts, virtual rallies, and more   -- Mass. Lottery opens its new Western Mass. claims center in West Springfield today. -- The Gaming Commission meets to select topics for future business meeting agendas, then goes into executive session to review a lawsuit filed by the city of Revere and Mohegan Sun claiming the commission erred by issuing a license to Encore Boston Harbor, 9 a.m. -- The MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board is expected to review possible service cuts as a result of pandemic-era ridership declines; the meeting comes after a planned early morning press conference and rally by opponents of service cuts, with meeting starting at 11 a.m. -- Massachusetts Cannabis Association for Delivery and Equitable Opportunities Now host a virtual rally calling for equity in the forthcoming non-medical marijuana delivery industry, 12 p.m. -- Supporters of legislation that would open the door to doctors prescribing lethal doses for terminally ill patients hold a Zoom rally to urge the Legislature to advance the issue before the session ends in early January, 4 p.m. For the most comprehensive listing of calendar items, check out State House News Service’s Daily Advances (pay wall – free trial subscriptions available), as well as MassterList’s Beacon Hill Town Square below.

Today's News   Reminder to readers: SHNS Coronavirus Tracker available for free   A reminder to our readers as the coronavirus crisis unfolds: The paywalled State House News Service, which produces MASSterList, is making its full Coronavirus Tracker available to the community for free on a daily basis each morning via ML. SHNS Coronavirus Tracker.     The coronavirus numbers: 20 new deaths, 9,923 total deaths, 1,809 new cases   CBS Boston has the latest coronavirus numbers for Massachusetts.     Celebrations break out across the state after Biden-Harris declared winners   National media outlets over the weekend declared Democrat Joe Biden the winner of the presidential election – and spontaneous celebrations broke out across blue-state Massachusetts as news of Biden and running-mate Kamala Harris’s triumph spread. From GBH’s Esteban Bustillos: “Boston Takes To The Streets As Biden Is Declared Winner Of The Presidential Election.” ... From MassLive: “Hundreds line Northampton’s Main Street to celebrate Biden/Harris win.” ... From WGBH’s Tori Bedford: “Tears Of Joy And Mourning As Boston’s Black Activists Look To The Future.” ... From the Cape Cod Times: “Biden supporters on Cape Cod celebrate the end to a very long four years.” ... From the Martha’s Vineyard Times: “Bold Vineyarders celebrate election with a plunge.”  And, finally, from the Globe: “Jennifer Lawrence celebrates Biden’s win by running through the streets of Boston.” Here’s the reactions of local pols via the Boston Herald and CBS Boston and South Coast Today.         Romney and Bush among few national Republicans to congratulate Biden   Former Massachusetts Gov. and Utah Sen. Mitt Romney was the first national Republican over the weekend to congratulate Joe Biden on his declared presidential victory over Donald Trump, as MassLive reports. Former President George W. Bush also called Biden to congratulate him, the NYT reports. But they’re among only a few national Republicans to openly acknowledge Biden’s victory. The rest? Who knows.  Fyi: Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican and no friend of Trump, also congratulated Biden and Kamala Harris, reports the Herald’s Lisa Kashinsky.       'Just a flesh wound’: Mass. GOP leaders say pro-Trump strategy actually worked   The Globe’s Brian MacQuarrie reports that many people might logically conclude that Donald Trump’s 2-1 drubbing by Joe Biden in Massachusetts suggests local Republicans should rethink their pro-Trump strategy here. But such people are not pro-Trump state party leaders. Some of them think the pro-Trump strategy actually worked to limit GOP losses last week in Massachusetts. And so ... cue the Monty Python just-a-flesh-wound skit. Needless to say, Jason Sokol’s reform-or-else advice to local Republicans may be falling on deaf ears (Globe). Boston Globe     So who’s leaving? Who's staying?   It’s Massachusetts. And so it’s just assumed some prominent pols and academics and others will be heading to Washington, D.C. come January, after Democrat Joe Biden’s declared presidential victory over the weekend. Mayor Marty Walsh yesterday was downplaying speculation he might be in line for a Cabinet post, as CBS Boston reports. Meanwhile, the NYT reports progressives are “preparing to unleash a furious campaign” to get their favorite pols and policies at the top of Biden’s priority lists, including the appointment of U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren as treasury secretary.  Can we throw out a local name, considering everyone else is throwing out local names? Deval Patrick. Why not?       Sponsored IBEW Local 103 and NECA Electrical Contractors are committed to raising the standards of Greater Boston's electrical industry. Our highly-trained, on-demand workforce is always ready to get the job done right, on time and under budget. Contact us about your next project, or your career, by calling 617-436-3710. Visit ThePowerProfessionals.org.     Local gal done good: Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, Biden’s campaign manager   Stephen Peterson at the Sun Chronicle reports that it was a great presidential election for one local native in particular: Franklin’s Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, who was Joe Biden’s campaign manager and who’s now being called the “unsung hero” of his campaign. A Tufts grad, Dillon is also the first woman to manage a winning Democratic presidential campaign, Peterson reports. Fyi: The Washington Post did a big story on Dillon a few months back. Sun Chronicle     Not this time around: Moulton to support Nancy Pelosi for House Speaker   He’s learned his lesson. U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, who was at the forefront of past failed attempts to oust Nancy Pelosi as leader of House Democrats, tells David Bernstein at GBH that he intends to support Pelosi’s re-election as speaker of the U.S. House, despite grumblings from other centrists over Dem losses of seats on Tuesday and Pelosi’s handling of elections. GBH     Shattered glass ceilings on Beacon Hill: Record number of women to serve in Legislature next year   Kamala Harris has shattered one of the highest and sturdiest glass ceilings in the land with her election (or apparent election, if you’re a diehard pro-Trump holdout) as the nation’s first female and person of color vice president. But glass ceilings were also shattered right here in Massachusetts, with a record 62 women poised to serve in the Legislature in 2021, as a result of last Tuesday’s local elections, as SHNS’s Katie Lannan reports. SHNS (pay wall -- free trial subscription available)         Do-over: Harrington seeks recount in state rep race marred by reporting error   He mainly wants to clear things up. Republican James “Chip” Harrington says he’ll ask for a recount in the 7th Hampden District state representative race--mainly because he wants clarity after inaccurately being declared the winner on election night only to have results flip the next morning, as Stephanie Barry at MassLive reports. MassLive     More than 20 displaced by earthquake off state coast   Did you feel it? They certainly did in New Bedford, where a number of homes were damaged and multiple families displaced by what the U.S. Geological Survey is describing as a 3.6-magnitude earthquake in an area of Buzzards Bay on Sunday. The quake occurred shortly after 9 a.m. yesterday. New Bedford’s Standard Times and Fall River’s Herald Review have more on the quake and the response of the Red Cross, police, and New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell.      As Baker pronounces arrival of second surge, administration pushes for more in-person learning   SHNS’s Michael Norton (pay wall) reports that Gov. Charlie Baker late last week told local officials that, yes, the second coronavirus surge has indeed arrived. And this past weekend’s coronavirus numbers seemed to verify that pronouncement, as new daily cases surged above the 2,000 mark on Friday (UH) and Saturday (MassLive). But even as the second surge spreads across the state, Baker administration officials on Friday “ramped up pressure on the roughly 23 percent of school districts teaching remotely to return to in-person classes by releasing new metrics that downgraded the risk of COVID-19 in most communities,” reports Sarah Betancourt at CommonWealth magazine. SHNS’s Chris Lisinski (pay wall) has more on the new state guidance aimed at boosting in-person learning and discouraging remote classes.     Sponsored Taxing Drinks by Sugar Content Reduces Consumption by 25% The facts on sugary drinks are simple. They pose a real health risk. Kids especially are drinking too many of them. All those sweet drinks contribute to major health problems, like diabetes and heart disease. And with Massachusetts already spending nearly $2 billion per year treating obesity-related diseases, we need to address the problem. Massachusetts should take a page from a growing number of places across the country and adopt a tax on sugary drinks. Learn how a sugary drink tax would improve the health of Massachusetts.     Poof! The number of hotspot communities suddenly declines under new metrics system   The Baker administration’s push for more in-person learning at schools is partly based on a new metrics system for how communities are classified as high-risk or not in Massachusetts. And the change has already led to a dramatic plunge in the number of communities previously classified as hotspots, as the Herald’s Lisa Kashinky and CommonWealth’s Bruce Mohl report.     ‘MBTA says this time it means it: It's going to enforce its mask rule’   Universal Hub reports the MBTA is warning that “anybody over the age of 5 caught not wearing a mask in its stations or on its trains and buses is looking at a $300 fine starting right this second.” As UH notes, masks on the T have technically been required since March, but only now, considering the governor’ new edicts, is it putting its enforcement foot down. Universal Hub     Bad timing: Bickford faulted for handling of Morse controversy as rivals seek to oust him as Dem party chair   It’s bad timing for Gus Bickford. It’s good timing for rivals who want to oust him later this week as state Democratic Party chairman, i.e., the release of a report that faults the way Bickford handled, and allegedly took part in, an effort to derail progressive Alex Morse’s primary campaign against U.S. Rep. Richard Neal. The Herald’s Lisa Kashinsky and the Globe’s Matt Stout have the details on the investigation’s findings.   Meanwhile, CommonWealth’s Shira Schoenberg reports on the timing of the report – and how it’s adding “fuel to calls to replace Bickford” as party chair later this week.         ‘A sham:’ Census takers come forward to detail count fraud   A Natick resident is among Census workers coming forward to reveal they were told to falsify their field reports as higher-ups pushed to close down the count ahead of an early deadline, Mike Schneider at the Associated Press reports. Maria Arce says her supervisor instructed her to override Census software to allow her to declare cases closed even though she was at home and not in the Framingham neighborhood where she was supposed to be knocking on doors and counting residents.  AP News     Busted: Framingham mayor sent nasty texts about city councilors during meeting   Harmless venting or evidence of deep dysfunction? During an October city council meeting, Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer swapped text messages with the city’s chief operating officer in which she called members of the council “assholes” and said she couldn’t work with them, Susan Petroni at Framingham Source reports.  Framingham Source     Christmas tree ornaments: House members file 777 amendments to $46B budget bill   The holiday season approaches, and lawmakers are in a decorating mood, attaching 777 amendments to the House’s recently unveiled $46 billion state budget. Some are local-favorite earmarks. But SHNS’s Michael Norton reports that some of the proposals include more sweeping changes dealing with earned income tax credits, disposal of nip bottles and creating a MassHealth Control Board. SHNS (pay wall -- free trial subscription available)     The End: ‘A half-eaten cheeseburger on a presidential plate’   Even before last Tuesday’s election, Vanity Fair was having fun with the possibility/probability of President Trump leaving office in January and it asked various writers to envision how it may play out. Here’s one, in a screenplay style, as a “helicopter waits on the (White House) lawn, its rotors turning lazily” and then to the Oval Office: “CLOSE ON: A half-eaten cheeseburger on a presidential plate. “PULL BACK TO REVEAL: Trump sits at the big desk, a cloth napkin tucked into his shirt collar, while a Secret Service agent in a face mask waits in the doorway. Trump takes a dainty bite of the burger, trying to make it last. “Trump: Did I ever tell you about my uncle who taught at MIT? Very smart guy. That’s how I know so much about viruses and whatnot. All the doctors were amazed, they said, Sir, how is it that you know so much about viruses and what— "Secret Service Agent: We really have to go.”  Vanity Fair         Today's Headlines   Metro   Boston public schools receive $6.2 million grant from EPA for water fountains - Boston Herald Quincy councilors to propose creation of Department of Social Justice and Equity - Patriot Ledger   Massachusetts   Natick town meeting puts brakes on possible affordable housing project for military vets - MetroWest Daily News Unum’s tax deal revisited as jobs goal unmet - Telegram & Gazette Methuen councilors, mayor fight over release of Covid data - Eagle-Tribune   Nation   Donald Trump has lost to Joe Biden, what's next? The presidential transition from hell. - USA Today Meet the candidates for Joe Biden’s cabinet - Politico       To view more events or post an event listing on Beacon Hill Town Square, please visit events.massterlist.com. Beacon Hill Town Square   Nov. 10, 8 a.m. The International Response to the US Election Hosted by: Harvard Kennedy School and Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs   A Conversation with Julie Bishop, former Foreign Minister of Australia; Federica Mogherini, former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs; and Peter Wittig, former Ambassador of Germany to the US. Registration is required. More Information     Nov. 10, 9 a.m. Veterans Day Virtual Job Fair Hosted by: MassHire Department of Career Services Veterans Program & MassHire Career Center System   Statewide MassHire Veterans Day Virtual Job Fair: Exclusive access for veterans 9AM - 10AM; open to the general public and veterans, 10AM - 2PM. More Information     Nov. 11, 2 p.m. ICP - Breaking the crime-poverty cycle Hosted by: ESRC IAA - University of Birmingham   Panel Debate - The event will feature an overview by Professor Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay, Director, Center for Crime, Justice and Policing, University of Birmingham, a quick historical recap of antiquated laws and contributions by the panelists. More Information     Nov. 11, 2:30 p.m. US Market Outlook Part II: Post Presidential Election and Covid-19 Hosted by: Swissnex Boston   In this discussion, we will hear from experts at BlackRock as they examine where the market is, where it is going, and how to think about the macroeconomics of the new financial policies put into place in the US to address the current economic challenges. Register to receive the virtual meeting link. More Information     Nov. 12, 9 a.m. What's Next for Energy & Climate Change Policy in the Wake of the U.S. Election? Hosted by: Harvard Kennedy School and Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs   This event will explore the implications of the U.S. presidential election for U.S. energy and climate-change policy. The speaker will explore, in particular, how various election outcomes might lead to quite different U.S. stances on climate-change and energy policy. More Information     Nov. 12, 10 a.m. Critical Conversations: Racial Justice and the Immigrant Rights Movement Hosted by: James H. Binger Center Annual Immigration Law Forum   The Binger Annual Immigration Law Forum brings together lawyers, students, advocates and community members to learn from each other and develop tools to continue the struggle to protect human rights, basic dignity, and the rule of law. More Information     Nov. 12, 11 a.m. Building a Better Business Through Diversity and Inclusion Hosted by: Worcester Business Journal   In this panel discussion we'll explore steps large and small organizations can make to further promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. How are companies going about building a more diverse and inclusive work environment, and what have been the major challenges, as well as best practices that assure a strong program. More Information     Nov. 12, 12 p.m. Virtual Discussion - Women Who Lead: Navigating the Challenges of 2020 and Beyond Hosted by: Boston Business Journal and Santander Commercial Banking   Join us for a virtual live-streamed panel discussion with four female business leaders moderated by Carolyn Jones, publisher of the Boston Business Journal. Women have unique perspectives to offer on leading through these current turbulent times from how to build organizational resilience to how to advocate for themselves in a politically charged environment to maintaining a work/life balance. More Information     Nov. 12, 2 p.m. Virtual-Revolutionizing Retail: The Omnichannel Experience Hosted by: Verizon   Omnichannel is a word we've heard tossed around the industry, but what does it really mean? Some years ago, in-store was the only channel, then we moved into multi-channel and now it seems omnichannel is the way to go. Join us to learn about which technologies are supporting the omnichannel approach, how 5G is opening up a word of consumer insights, and how retailers can use those takeaways. More Information     Nov. 12, 6 p.m. Baxter Lecture with author Nathaniel Philbrick: Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War Hosted by: Boston Public Library, American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society, the State Library of Massachusetts, and the GBH Forum Network   Join for an online talk with Nathaniel Philbrick about his book Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War as part of the BPL's Baxter Lecture Series. Ryan J. Woods from NEHGS will be the moderator and a representative of the State Library will be a co-host. BPL President David Leonard will introduce this program. Registration is encouraged. More Information     Nov. 16, 11 a.m. 8th Annual 2020 Startup of the Year Summit Hosted by: Established   For the first time in its eight year history, the Startup of the Year Summit will be held online, allowing a global audience to participate from afar in the annual conference and have a behind-the-scenes experience for the 2020 competition. Date: November 16-18,2020. We are waiving all fees this year. We want you to join us. More Information     Nov. 16, 6 p.m. Local Voices Network Conversation: Civic Engagement (Honan-Allston) Hosted by: Boston Public Library   Join the Boston Public Library and Local Voices Network for an online discussion about civic engagement. LVN conversations are focused on sharing our lived experience, rather than beginning the conversation with our positions on issues. We are doing this in order to help build connections and to foster conversations that improve our understanding of one another. More Information     Nov. 16, 6 p.m. Modern Mobility Aloft: Elevated Highways, Architecture and Urban Change in Pre-Interstate America Hosted by: Boston Public Library   Join the Boston Public Library and the Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library for an online talk with Amy D. Finstein, author of Modern Mobility Aloft: Elevated Highways, Architecture and Urban Change in Pre-Interstate America. More Information     Nov. 17, 11:30 a.m. Managing Change to Grow Business - Part II: Growing Your Business in a Virtual World Hosted by: Boston Business Journal and Middlesex Savings Bank   Please join Middlesex Savings Bank and the Boston Business Journal for this conversation about managing business change in our new normal. More Information     Nov. 17, 1 p.m. Data + AI Summit Europe 2020 Hosted by: Databricks   Data and AI are converging. The Success of Apache Spark has accelerated the evolution of data teams to include data analytics, science, engineering, and AI. Date + AI Summit brings together thousands of data teams to learn from practitioners, leaders, innovators, and the original creators of Spark. Delta Lake, MLflow and Koalas. More Information     Nov. 17, 6 p.m. Climate Change, Survival, and Deepening Our Humanity Hosted by: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum   City of Boston's Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola leads a panelist discussion on how the belief systems that define and maintain our societies impact the planet and influence our survival. Register for this free virtual Kennedy Library Forum to receive an email reminder with a viewing link before the event. More Information     Nov. 18, 10 a.m. MIT: AI and the Work of the Future Congress Hosted by: MIT Work of the Future Task Force; MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab; MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy   Join MIT's Task Force on WOTF, MIT CSAIL, and MIT Digital for this year's Congress which will be a virtual event highlighting research findings from the MIT Task Force on WOTF's final report that will be released in November. Given the rapidly changing environment brought on by Covid-19, this topic is more important and relevant that ever. More Information     Nov. 18, 3 p.m. Disinformation and Digital Citizenship: Disinformation and Election Psychology Hosted by: Boston Public Library   Disinformation and Digital Citizenship is a Learning Circle that meets weekly to discuss disinformation and its effect on civic institutions and society during an election year. Learning circles are small groups of individuals who explore and area of shared interest through discussion in a collaborative, friendly and mutually supportive environment. More Information     Nov. 19, 12 p.m. Managing Climate Risk in the US Financial System Hosted by: Harvard Kennedy School of Business/Mossavar-Rahmani center for Business and Government   This webinar will be given by Robert Litterman, Chairman of the Risk Committee and Founding Partner, Kepos Capital, and Stephen Moch, MBA and MPP candidate at HBS and HKS. It is part of M-RCBG"s weekly Business and Government Seminar series. Registration is required. More Information     Nov. 17, 7 p.m. Interrupting Hatred Can Save Someone's Life Hosted by: Town of Lexington   This presentation, part of the Town of Lexington's No Hate November series, will focus on lessons learned after the killings of Ahmaud Arbery and Vincent Chen. The event is co-sponsored by the Lexington Human Rights Committee, Association of Black Citizens of Lexington, Chinese American Association of Lexington. More Information     Nov. 19, 12 p.m. The Future of Higher Education Hosted by: Washington Business Journal   As schools around the country plan, react, and adapt during the Covid-19 pandemic, the presidents of Greater Washington's top universities will gather virtually to discuss health and safety, diversity and inclusion, and budgeting and development of the future of higher education. Join the Washington Business Journal for a look behind the scenes with the decision makers. More Information   Nov. 19, 4 p.m. AARP Innovation Labs' Innovation Challenges Hosted by: AARP Innovation Labs and Mass Challenge HealthTech   AARP Innovation Labs and Mass Challenge HealthTech are excited to offer themed innovation challenges. Do you have an innovative entertainment solution that curates the fun in life for older adults? We are highly encouraging our 50+ entrepreneurs and founders to apply to this challenge. More Information   Nov. 20, 9 a.m. Virtual Job Fair: MassHire Central Region Honors Our Veterans Hosted by: MassHire Central Region Career Centers   Virtual Job Fair featuring 45 employers from diverse industries throughout Central Massachusetts. Free and open to the public and veterans! More Information Dec. 3, 4 p.m. Inno on Fire Hosted by: Boston Business Journal   The Inno on Fire Awards is our annual celebration of innovators, big and small, people, and organizations in Boston. What makes a company or individual on fire? We are looking at startups that have had a banner year, people and companies with hew funding, recent product launches, hot hires, innovative approaches to solving problems, and creative leaders who think out of the box. More Information     Dec. 8, 8:30 a.m. WBJ Central MA Health Care Forum Hosted by: Worcester Business Journal   Healthcare Post Pandemic: The Covid-19 pandemic has not only claimed over 200,000 lives in our country, but has been a disruptive force to many industries, including healthcare. Join us for this timely and informative webcast where our panel of experts will discuss what has changed since the beginning of the pandemic and what lies ahead. More Information     Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m. The State of Innovation: Electrification presented by Analog Devices Hosted by: The Boston Business Journals   Across the network, Innos State of Innovations meetups focus on a specific industry, category, theme or individual and will feature a keynote, fireside chat, panel, pitch, demo or a combination of the five. Join us for a conversation with local innovators and experts. More Information     Dec. 10, 8:30 a.m. 2020 Women Who Mean Business Hosted by: Boston Business Journal and Webster Bank   Join us as we celebrate outstanding women at our fourth Women Who Mean Business awards program. These women represent the scale of business in Greater Boston and have demonstrated significant growth in their companies. More Information   How to Contact MASSterList     For advertising questions and Beacon Hill Town Square submissions, please email: dart@massterlist.com. For Happening Today calendar and press release submissions, please email: news@statehousenews.com. For editorial matters, please email: editorial@massterlist.com.   MASSterList, 568 Washington St, Wellesley, MA 02482