POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook:

 

View in browser   BY LISA KASHINSKY Presented by WELCOME, CLASS OF 2023-2024 — Don’t expect echoes of the Kevin McCarthy speaker saga on Beacon Hill today. Ron Mariano and Karen Spilka are poised to be reelected as House speaker and Senate president, respectively, as the new Legislature gets underway. They're already preparing speeches outlining their priorities for the session. Spilka intends to call for free community college for all in her remarks, according to a person familiar with her plans. She'll also talk about the need for more investments in public higher education, early education and child care — reviving some of her priorities that fell short in the House last session. Democrats are growing their supermajority in the House and maintaining it in the Senate. The incoming class of five new senators and 20 new representatives includes just one Republican, Wrentham’s Marcus Vaughn. Three representatives, Paul Mark, Liz Miranda and Jake Oliveira, are making the jump to the Senate. There will be a near-record number of female lawmakers and the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus will see a “significant increase," according to its chair, state Rep. Chynah Tyler. But the new crop of lawmakers won’t immediately include two Democrats whose recount wins are being contested in court by their Republican opponents. Mariano is delaying swearing in Margaret Scarsdale, who edged Republican Andrew Shepherd by seven votes in the 1st Middlesex district, and Kristin Kassner, who defeated GOP state Rep. Lenny Mirra in the 2nd Essex district by just one vote, to give a special legislative committee time to “review the last minute legal issues raised in each race.” Scarsdale, in response, warned that the “new and dangerous trend of not just denying election results, but using frivolous, disingenuous methods to delay the certified winner from taking her seat is chilling, and it poses a direct threat to our democratic process.” Mirra’s case was dealt another blow in court yesterday. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. The red carpet is already rolled out for Gov. Charlie Baker's “lone walk” out of the State House today. But before he makes his symbolic return to private life — Baker is still governor until noon tomorrow — he’ll swear in the new Legislature. He’ll present his successor, Maura Healey, with four symbolic gifts: the original key to the governor's office, the governor’s gavel, a Bible from the late Gov. Benjamin Butler and a two-volume copy of the Massachusetts General Statutes, both of which date back to the 1800s. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will pass on the Governor's Council gavel to her successor, Kim Driscoll. And he'll have to contend with the flurry of bills, including one that aims to curb catalytic converter thefts, that lawmakers sent to his desk during marathon final sessions that stretched past midnight. But Baker felt short, again, in his quest to outlaw "revenge porn" despite a late revival in the Senate. TODAY — Baker swears in new lawmakers at 11 a.m., presents Healey with the traditional symbols at 2:10 p.m. in his office and takes his “lone walk” at 5 p.m. Rep. Ayanna Pressley is on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” at 11 a.m.; outgoing state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz is on the show at 12:30 p.m. Tips? Scoops? Thoughts on what you want to see Healey talk about in her inaugural speech(es) tomorrow? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com .   A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts: When it comes to overall health, Delta Dental is here to help you embrace a new “flossophy.” Oral health is a key predictor of overall health and can have a big impact on your later years. Protecting you from things like heart disease, diabetes, and depression. That’s why we’re reminding communities all over the state that a healthy smile is a powerful thing. Discover the connection between oral and overall health at ExpressYourHealthMA.org.   DATELINE BEACON HILL — “Baker bids farewell,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “From behind the desk of his formal State House office, [Gov. Charlie] Baker delivered a six-minute, livestreamed address thanking Massachusetts residents. The speech was an unemotional, straightforward goodbye touting his administration’s accomplishments. Baker said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito had visited all 351 cities and towns, and Baker himself ‘got to more than 250.’ ‘Both of us were amazed by the creativity, decency, and shared sense of purpose that we saw everywhere we went,’ Baker said.” Baker also addressed the issue he received some of his harshest criticism over — the pandemic: “While I know that many of you didn't agree with all of the decisions the lieutenant governor and I made during the pandemic, you tried your very best to abide by the rules," Baker said. "I believe that's why we've recovered almost all the jobs we lost during the pandemic, why we have an unemployment rate that's below the national average and why the nationally renowned Commonwealth Fund concluded that we did a better job of managing the pandemic than every other state except Hawaii." — HELPING HAND: Baker is setting up some of his Republican allies with state jobs on his way out of office. State Rep. Shawn Dooley, who unsuccessfully challenged state Sen. Becca Rausch, abruptly resigned from the House last week to serve on the state Civil Service Commission , the State House News Service reports. Baker appointed state Rep. Tim Whelan, who lost his Barnstable County sheriff race, to the MassDOT Board of Directors last week. Earlier last year, Baker nominated then-state Rep. Sheila Harrington and former MassGOP Chair Kirsten Hughes as clerk magistrates, and Jim Kelcourse to the Parole Board. CommonWealth Magazine’s Bruce Mohl has more on Baker’s last-minute appointments . — “Massachusetts teachers unions push for the right to strike,” by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: “The Massachusetts Teachers Association says giving educators the legal right to strike is necessary to break logjams in contract talks and compel local school committees to bargain in good faith. … The legislation, which is expected to be filed this month, would extend the right to strike to all public sector workers except those in public safety. The effort has sparked a backlash since the MTA unveiled it on Dec. 8 as part of its legislative priorities, which also include securing more state funding for public schools and public colleges.” — “15 Mass. police officers suspended by POST Commission,” by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive: “The state agency tasked with regulating law enforcement in Massachusetts suspended 15 police officers in the state, including Worcester Police Department’s Colby Turner, who is accused of stealing $45,000 of off-duty assignment pay for details he did not work, and Springfield Police Department’s Leon Davis.” TRANSITION TIME — “Healey, Driscoll help with supply drive in Taunton,” by Adriana Rozas Rivera, WPRI: “Governor-elect Maura Healey and Lt. Governor-elect Kim Driscoll joined forces on Tuesday with local organizations in Taunton to collect essential supplies for families in need. The visit was part of their ‘Team Up Massachusetts’ series of regional inaugural events. ‘I find these visits moving and there’s a reason why we did this,’ Healey said.” — “Heroux sworn in as Bristol County sheriff; promises change but asks for patience,” by George W. Rhodes, The Sun Chronicle: “[Paul] Heroux said that housing, employment and health care are the ‘three pillars’ to reduce the rate of recidivism and he will work to establish and improve programs to achieve that goal. He also said he will bring in outside help to determine why the rate of suicide is so high in Bristol County correction facilities.”   A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts:     PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “Legislators favor paring down MBTA to subway, bus operator only, report says,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “In a new report, the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation recommended a structural change that would leave the MBTA in charge only of subway and bus operations, stripping it of Commuter Rail, ferry and construction responsibilities. The committee also recommended moving state safety oversight of the agency from the Department of Public Utilities to a new entity, with both chairs favoring a move to the Inspector General’s office, citing its independence from the governor.” — “Pedestrians, cyclists gain protections with new law meant to reduce traffic deaths,” by Taylor Dolven, Boston Globe: “On Monday, Governor Charlie Baker signed a bill into law requiring drivers to stay at least four feet away from ‘vulnerable users’ of the road when passing them. The law also requires cyclists to use rear red lights, large state vehicles to have backup cameras and other safety features installed, and gives municipalities the ability to petition to change speed limits on state-owned roads.” FROM THE DELEGATION — MAKING IT LOOK EASY: Newly minted Democratic whip Katherine Clark helped keep her caucus fully behind Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) while a faction of Republicans moved to thrice deny Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) the speaker’s gavel on Tuesday. And Clark, like other Democrats, reveled in Republicans’ disarray, tweeting that the GOP’s House majority has “no shared vision & no leader.” Rep. Jim McGovern took it a step further, tweeting : “Even George Santos is having a better day than Kevin McCarthy.” — EXTRA CREDIT: Read Kara Voght’s profile of Clark, “Nancy Pelosi’s heir,” in The New Republic. — “The last time a House speaker vote went to multiple ballots? It was 100 years ago, for a Mass. Republican,” by Travis Andersen and Amanda Kaufman, Boston Globe: “The last time a vote for speaker went to multiple ballots was in 1923, when a bloc of Republicans refused to reelect Representative Frederick Huntington Gillett, a patrician Massachusetts Republican, according to the US House archives . Gillett didn’t emerge victorious until the ninth ballot, with a tally of 215 votes that was the lowest total of any speaker since the House reached its modern size, according to the Washington Post .” IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN — “As offshore wind falters, Mass. makes its move to boost giant wind farm in Maine,” by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: “The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources on Friday decided to move ahead alongside energy officials in Maine in setting up contracts that would finance a wind farm with roughly 170 giant towers in Aroostook County, by the Canadian border. The Massachusetts agency made its ruling right before a Dec. 31 deadline, with Governor Charlie Baker about to leave office.” FROM THE 413 — “Incoming Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue wanted to hire his wife to fill a key position on his staff. But the state said no,” by Amanda Burke, Berkshire Eagle: “After Timothy Shugrue's primary victory in September over current DA Andrea Harrington, he asked ethics officials whether he could hire his wife, Joann Shugrue, to serve in the office. It was for a role he envisioned as chief of staff — she helped manage his campaign for office and the transition. But the State Ethics Commission said no, Shugrue told The Eagle on Tuesday. An official with the commission determined that state nepotism law prevents her from working in the office.” MEDIA MATTERS — “Welcome to the great Marblehead newspaper war,” by Dana Gerber, Boston Globe: “Three independent local news outlets — The Marblehead Weekly News, the Marblehead Current, and the Marblehead Beacon — have all launched in the North Shore town this year alone, filling the gap left by Gannett-owned Marblehead Reporter.”   A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts: When it comes to oral health, Delta Dental of Massachusetts can help you achieve lifelong optimal health. There’s a strong connection between your body and the health of your mouth. Maintaining it now can have a positive impact for years to come. That’s why you should get back to the dentist for cleanings and oral cancer screenings. And, don’t forget to keep practicing good oral hygiene habits at home. A healthy mouth now will set the stage for a healthy future. Discover the connection between oral and overall health at ExpressYourHealthMA.org.   HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — Toya Irish will become SVP of community relations for Beacon Communities. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Shawnee Tannenbaum and Chris Huntley, VP of strategic comms at Blue State and a former Warren speechwriter. 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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MASSterList: Adieu to 2022; State's office space retreat | Today's sponsor - Delta Dental of Massachusetts

 

By Matt Murphy with help from George Donnelly and Keith Regan The stories that shaped 2022 in the Commonwealth find today's edition on our website -ADVERTISEMENT- Delta Dental of Massachusetts connects with communities statewide to highlight the importance of oral health. Your oral health is a key predictor of overall health — with direct links to diabetes, heart disease, mental health, and more. A healthy mouth is a powerful thing, so show your mouth some love. Discover the connection between oral and overall health at ExpressYourHealthMA.org.  Today's News Good morning, for the last time in 2022. It's been quite a ride since I took over writing this newsletter in April. Thank you for all your tips, edits, encouragement and, of course, critiques. Keep it coming in 2023. With the year drawing to a close, we thought it only fitting to take a look back on 2022 and some of the storylines that drove the news in Massachusetts politics. As the the pandemic receded to a point where we could once again talk shop without it being almost entirely about COVID-19, here are my Top 5 stories that shaped the year: -- Roe Decision Ripples: Yes, this was a major national story that change the trajectory of the midterms. But it was also a local story. Almost immediately after the Supreme Court's decision to reverse decades of established law on abortion, Beacon Hill reacted. Gov. Charlie Baker used executive authority to protect abortion providers, which was later codified into law. And the politics of abortion provided definition to the sleepy race for governor. It also drove the wedge between Baker and the MassGOP deeper, speeding what will be a reckoning for the party earlier in the new year with lasting impacts on the future of the state's opposition party. -- Come one, come all: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis thought he was being clever and making a point by sending a planeload of migrants to Martha's Vineyard in September. And he did. It just might not have been the point he was going for. Instead of exposing hypocrisy in a blue "sanctuary" state like Massachusetts, the island welcomed the migrants, gave them shelter and helped them find their way in a new country. It was a fascinating drama that played out as Massachusetts voters weighed whether to keep a brand new law giving immigrants unable to prove legal status access to driver's licenses. House Speaker Ron Mariano made a bold move taking this bill off the shelf and deciding this was the year to pass it, and, for supporters, he bet correctly. The ability to quickly organize a repeal campaign and qualify for the ballot was one of the biggest achievements of the MassGOP this cycle, but it was short lived as voters elected to stick with the new law. However, immigration debates are not going away. Baker's late request for funding to create more shelter beds for arriving migrants is an issue that will carry over to the new year and new administration. -- All aboard, at your own risk: In some ways, the course for Baker's entire governorship was set in those first wintry weeks of 2015 when the MBTA showed its age in the face of piles of snow. And in his last year in office the challenges and possibilities for transportation — price, reliability, and reach — all came to a head again. Safety incident after safety incident on the T brought the feds in to investigate and it will fall to Gov.-elect Maura Healey to fully clean up the mess. But it wasn't all bad. The Green Line Extension was finally completed, South Coast rail is nearly a reality, and federal dollars and a commitment from state leaders means East-West rail may actually come to pass. -- Money, money, money: Beacon Hill has been swimming in money. Whether its been the record tax receipts or federal stimulus, the challenge of balancing the books has not been one born of shortfalls. So much so that we were forced to relearn the details of a 1986 law known as 62F that delivered nearly $3 billion in refunds to state taxpayers. That didn't stop voters from approving a new 4 percent surtax on income above $1 million, which may or may not be contributing to the Red Sox’ infuriating offseason. It also put tax cuts on the menu. But the Legislature's inability to decide how and how much means this will also be a big story in 2023. -- Baker says goodbye, Healey says hello: Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't put Healey's history-making election on this list. It might have been higher if she hadn't romped quite so easily to victory, clearing the Democratic field and dispatching nominal Republican opposition from Geoff Diehl. But as with any changing of the guard in the governor's office, it's a BFD, as President Biden might say. That said, Baker leaves next week with sky-high popularity. And he's still going to be making headlines. You just might need to read more ESPN to get your Baker news fix once he takes over as NCAA president in March. For more on these stories and other big headlines from the year, check out the State House Press Corps' Top 10, published by State House News Service. This will be our last newsletter for the year. But we'll be back in your inboxes on Tuesday, Jan. 3 to keep you covered on Inauguration Week. Did someone send you today's edition? Click here to subscribe! Happening Today 10:00 a.m. | The Cannabis Control Commission meets. The commission is meeting to consider action on a series of polices set to expire Dec. 31— Agenda and Access Info 10:30 a.m. | Boston Mayor Wu, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox and other officials host a press conference to discuss plans for First Night, the city's annual New Year's Even celebration. Traffic and parking changes are listed online.....Boston City Hall, Third Floor Mezzanine, 1 City Hall Square, Boston | Livestream -- State to vacate large chunks of downtown office space It’s a sign of the times and bad news for the revival of downtown Boston: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a major tenant in downtown Boston, plans to vacate 355,000 square feet of space by 2024, according to a scoop by the Boston Globe’s Jon Chesto. The executive branch leases nearly 900,000 square feet downtown, but realizes, like many private enterprises, that it can do just as well with much less square footage though hybrid work arrangements. Meanwhile, foot traffic downtown this year is estimated to be about half of 2019’s levels. With this pending blow, Chesto poses the question of whether the state has an obligation to help prop up a critical and struggling economic center. Boston Globe -- Advocates see leadership role on housing for Driscoll  Housing advocates are expressing optimism that incoming Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll will be the key to continuing momentum on expanding the state’s housing supply in the new Healey administration, Andrew Brinker of the Globe reports. Driscoll’s track record of broadening housing options while mayor of Salem is giving hope to advocates that she can provide key leadership on one the state’s most intractable and urgent issues. Boston Globe -- In latest farewell interview, Baker explains evolution on NCAA president gig  Gov. Charlie Baker sat down with MassLive’s Alison Kuznitz for an exit interview and explained how he got from “what?” to “yes” on his upcoming role as NCAA president, as well as what he’ll miss most – and least – about his eight years serving as governor of the Commonwealth.  MassLive -- Amherst accused of inequitable distribution of ARPA funds Officials in Amherst are defending the way they distributed $750,000 worth of American Rescue Plan Act funds to local businesses after some minority company owners said they were unaware the funds were available. Scott Merzbach of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has details on the dustup and the data released by the town to underscore efforts to ensure the funds were distributed equitably. Daily Hampshire Gazette -- Heroux pledges change in Sheriff’s office Incoming Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux tells Frank Mulligan of the Standard-Times he takes office with a mandate for change, but that he’ll start with a careful review of current operations before he starts revamping the office held for more than two decades by Thomas Hodgson. Heroux said his track record on transitions from his time as Attleboro mayor shows he isn’t about to make abrupt, wholesale changes in staffing or leadership. New Bedford Standard-Times -- Still suffering: Community colleges struggle to emerge from pandemic downturn  Bay State community colleges collectively have lost nearly 13,000 students working toward degrees since the fall of 2019, a stark drop fueled by the pandemic and worsened by inflation, the Globe’s Hillary Burns reports. The situation has observers worried about the long-term impacts on both would-be students and the state’s economy.  Boston Globe -- Hands off: Bourne declares tourism info booth a historically significant building  A tourist information booth built in the 1920s and slated for demolition to clear the way for a gas station expansion just over the Bourne Bridge has been granted protected status by the Bourne Historical Commission, which has scheduled a hearing next month that could end with the booth being protected from demolition for up to a year. Rachael Devaney of the Cape Cod Times has details on the latest twist in the ongoing saga. Cape Cod Times Want to make an impact with Massachusetts' most engaged readers in politics, policy, media, and influence? We have advertising opportunities available for organizations and causes of all sizes. Draw attention to legislative action and increase the general knowledge of your efforts in connected circles. Promote your research, publications, events, and lobbying activities. Contact Dylan Rossiter: Dylan.Rossiter@StateHouseNews.com More Headlines Metro At Logan, stymied travelers seethe over Southwest’s woes Colombian airline announces new route between Boston and South America Study finds Boston to be among the loneliest cities in the US Massachusetts SJC sides with online retailer in sales tax fight  National Trump’s tax forms to be unveiled Friday morning Read/Listen Jobs Reach MASSterList and the State House News Service’s connected audience in the political and public policy worlds in Massachusetts with your job postings. Click here to post a job. Need help? 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