Munich, Germany (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) –– Pegasus, the main cyber-surveillance weapon developed by the Israeli company NSO Group, had been at the center of formidable reporting before July 2021. Still, the revelations presented by the Pegasus Project partners in a cascade of articles that began on July 18, 2021, represented a watershed moment. […]
Human Rights Watch – (Beirut) – Israel’s widespread use of white phosphorus in south Lebanon is putting civilians at grave risk and contributing to civilian displacement, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch verified the use of white phosphorus munitions by Israeli forces in at least 17 municipalities across south Lebanon since October 2023, including 5 […]
By Wafa Aludaini | – ( Middle East Monitor ) – Two Palestinian children died last week of starvation, dehydration and lack of medicine amid desperate conditions in the southern areas of the besieged Gaza Strip. The Ministry of Health announced the death of Abdulqader Sirhi, 13, and seven-month-old Fayiz Abu Ataya, from malnutrition and […]
BOOSTING BIDEN — Elizabeth Warren is increasingly becoming one of President Joe Biden’s go-to surrogates on one of his reelection campaign’s signature issues: defending reproductive rights.
Biden's team also blasted out her Friday appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”promoting the campaign’s new digital adwarning about Trump's threats to repeal the Affordable Care Act. (Trump, in a post on his Truth Social website on Tuesday, said he's "not running to terminate the ACA” but to make it “MUCH BETTER.”)
A former rival turned key ally, Sen. Elizabeth Warren phone banked with President Joe Biden in 2022 (above) and is now aiding his reelection campaign. | Patrick Semansky/AP
Warren long ago made clear that she wanted to have a say in how her party approached 2024, laying out her agenda for this cyclejust days after the last one ended. The Biden campaign responded by naming Warren, a former rival turned policy adviser to the president, to its national advisory board last spring.
The state’s senior senator has her own reelection campaign to run. But her lack of primary competition and a slate of largely unproven candidates on the Republican side have left her with plenty of time to champion Biden.
Take Monday, when she co-led a Biden campaign press call previewing the SCOTUS hearing on mifepristone alongside Biden campaign manager Julie Chávez Rodríguez and Reproductive Freedom for All President and CEO Mini Timmaraju.
“Make no mistake, every move the Republicans are making aims toward banning abortion nationwide. And that’s why abortion will be on the ballot in 2024,” Warren said. “And as much as the Republicans may wish that it weren’t, the American people are going to have a chance to say ‘I’m going with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,’ because they will protect access to abortion.”
Now, Warren isn’t the only big name the Biden campaign is marshaling to talk up the president's efforts to protect access to reproductive care. The campaign has deployed Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar (another former Biden rival) and Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who had both of her children with the help of in vitro fertilization, to the talk-show circuit in recent weeks to lay out the stakes for reproductive rights in this election.
And this likely won’t be the only topic the Biden campaign wants Warren to weigh in on given that some of her signature policies — canceling student loan debt, making the wealthy and corporations pay their fair share — are central elements of the president’s agenda.
But by putting Warren out front on one of the election’s biggest issues, the Biden campaign is bolstering her stature as one of the party’s top voices. And it’s a reminder that while Warren likely doesn’t have another presidential campaign in her (though in four years she’ll still be younger than Biden is now) she remains one of Democrats’ most respected leaders.
TODAY — Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll swear in state Rep.-elect John Marsi at 1:30 p.m. in the governor’s ceremonial office. Driscoll speaks at a Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce forum at 10 a.m. in Hyannis, chairs a Governor’s Council meeting at 1:30 p.m. and speaks at a Central Mass Housing Alliance meeting at 4:30 p.m.
Sen. Ed Markey holds a media availability after a listening session on “profit-driven forces” in health care at 1:30 p.m. at the JFK Federal Building. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speaks at The Boston Club’s networking event at 6:15 p.m. at Suffolk Law.
KENNEDY COMPOUND
IN THE SPIRIT OF TED KENNEDY — Turns out Democrats and Republicans can find some common ground these days.
Gov. Maura Healey gamely filled in for Maryland Gov. Wes Moore at Tuesday night’s Edward M. Kennedy Institute annual dinner, accepting a leadership award on his behalf and holding court with the night’s other honoree, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu , in a fireside chat moderated by NBC News’ Kristen Welker that touched on pretty much every thorny political issue this election year. And save for a tiny joke about taxes from Sununu, the neighboring governors who’ve recently taken some swipes at each other played nice. Here are some of the highlights:
WHERE THEY SEE EYE TO EYE — The nation’s not as divided as it seems. Immigration and abortion will be driving issues in this election. They’re both concerned about the effects of TikTok and other social media apps on kids’ mental health (Healey called TikTok “insidious.”), though they diverge on what to do about it (“Don’t wait for the government to solve [it],” Sununu said.). And they’re both frustrated by the political polarization pervading Washington.
WHERE THEY DON’T — Who should win in November. Healey is backing President Joe Biden , while Sununu is supporting former President Donald Trump after campaigning aggressively for former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in the GOP primary. “Joe Biden is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met, he’s such a sweet guy,” Sununu said. “But the age thing is real, and both sides see that.”
WHY REPUBLICANS KEEP RETURNING TO TRUMP — Sununu offered a simple explanation: “The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and that’s it.” But he’s still “surprised it’s happening.”
SPOTTED — U.S. Ambassador to Austria Victoria Reggie Kennedy and special envoy to Northern Ireland Joe Kennedy III , Edward M. Kennedy Institute CEO Adam Hinds , state Treasurer Deb Goldberg , state Sens. Julian Cyr , Will Brownsberger , Michael Moore and Jake Oliveira ; state Reps. Russell Holmes , Christopher Worrell, Jeff Roy and Marjorie Decker ; The Boston Globe's James Pindell , UMass President Marty Meehan , Boston City Councilors Enrique Pepén and John FitzGerald and MassDems Chair Steve Kerrigan .
Access New York bill updates and Congressional activity in areas that matter to you, and use our exclusive insights to see what’s on the Albany agenda. Learn more .
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY
— “Steward Health Care has deal to sell doctor network to UnitedHealth,”by Aaron Pressman, Jessica Bartlett and Robert Weisman, The Boston Globe: “Troubled hospital operator Steward Health Care, grappling with a financial crisis that’s engulfed its eight Massachusetts hospitals, has moved to shore up its finances by striking a deal to sell its nationwide physician network to insurance giant UnitedHealth’s Optum Care unit. … A price tag was not included in documents filed with the state, and Optum officials did not immediately respond to comment.”
Sen. Ed Markey, who’s been calling on Steward CEO Ralph de la Torre to testify at a field hearing he’s holding next week on for-profit companies in health care, said in a statement that “Optum must demonstrate that it can meet the even greater responsibility to preserve and protect health care access in the Commonwealth."
Sen. Elizabeth Warren said in a statement that she’s “concerned that this sale will not benefit patients or health care workers, or guarantee the survival of these facilities" and that it “raises significant antitrust concerns."
Healey told Playbook "we'll review" the filing and that "Steward needs to leave Massachusetts."
DATELINE BEACON HILL
Auditor Diana DiZoglio keeps trying to audit the Legislature. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO
OLD TENSIONS DIE HARD — Auditor Diana DiZoglio likes to say there are lawmakers who support her effort to probe the Legislature's practices and procedures. Just not the ones on the panel tasked with parsing this year's crop of would-be ballot questions, apparently.
Accompanied by a cart stacked with the well-worn tomes of past legislative audits, a combative DiZoglio clashed with her former colleagues in a tense hearing Tuesday on the ballot question she's backing that would let her audit the Legislature.
DiZoglio cast her effort as a moral obligation to build a "more transparent and accountable" Beacon Hill. And she accused lawmakers of perpetuating "bogus arguments" to try and block her bid to peek under the Legislature's hood.
Lawmakers who traded barbs with DiZoglio argued the ballot question raises "constitutional issues" and that voters already have a check on the Legislature at the ballot box. But their ace was inviting a pair of academic experts to testify who bashed the proposed probe as an "old-fashioned power grab." More from the Boston Herald's Chris Van Buskirk and from GBH's Katie Lannan .
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING!
TRAVEL LOG — Healey “didn't think” concealing her trip to Puerto Rico with her partner in mid-February “was a big deal because we have that covered in terms of the running of the government, because I’m obviously always working, no matter where I am." But, she explained on GBH's "Boston Public Radio," she'll now disclose her personal trips after the fact because “I basically just decided that I didn’t want there to be any more further concern.”
TWO REPUBLICANS WALK INTO A TAVERN — Former Lt. Gov. Karyn Politograbbed a meal with Republican U.S. Senate hopeful John Deatonahead of his campaign launch last month, state campaign finance records show.
The lunch meeting at the Stockyard in Brighton (a longtime favorite of Secretary of State Bill Galvin) was “an opportunity for Karyn to offer advice to a first time candidate and fellow New England School of Law graduate,” Deaton campaign spokesperson Jim Conroy , who continues to serve as a political adviser to Polito and former Gov. Charlie Baker , confirmed to Playbook.
Polito is "impressed" with Deaton's backstory, said Conroy, who also attended the February meeting. “She continues to offer advice and John is grateful for it.” No endorsement (yet).
FROM THE HUB
— “Michelle Wu considering petitioning state for higher commercial tax rates,”by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “Mayor Michelle Wu is considering filing legislation that would allow Boston to increase property taxes on businesses beyond the state limit, given the steady decline in commercial values expected to lead to higher taxes for homeowners.”
— “North End restaurants to shut down in protest over Boston’s outdoor dining ban,”by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “A group of restaurant owners who say they have been unfairly targeted by Mayor Michelle Wu will close their doors Thursday afternoon, as they call on the mayor to meet with them about flipping the outdoor dining restrictions.”
BRIDGE REINFORCEMENTS — Healey didn’t get to meet with the Maryland governor on Tuesday because of the Key Bridge collapse (Moore flew back to Maryland “in the middle of the night.”). She did, however, meet with the Coast Guard, MassDOT, Massport, Mass Maritime and the Boston Pilots Association to “make sure that all our protocols are where they need to be,” she said on GBH .
Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver later assured the public “our bridge system is safe.” Boston is “not the same-sized port” as in Baltimore, nor does it have the same-sized bridges, he said. Massachusetts waterways also don’t see as many vessels the size of the cargo ship that struck the Maryland bridge, and tugboats accompany ships through the harbor “from start to finish.”
FROM THE DELEGATION
— “McGovern, U.S. House Minority Leader Jeffries talk inequality, hunger in Worcester,”by Adam Bass, MassLive: “In a special meeting with leaders of Worcester’s Black community on Tuesday, U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. and U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern D-2nd District were given a clear message — the House of Representatives needs to address hunger, social justice and inequality found everywhere.”
McGovern and Jeffries also held a fundraiser to benefit House Democrats. The Worcester event has raised more than $70,000 and counting, according to a McGovern spokesperson.
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FROM THE 413
— “Holyoke public school district officially transitioning out of state receivership,”by Aprell May Munford, Springfield Republican: “The Holyoke School Committee’s local control subcommittee met Monday with Russell D. Johnston, the acting commissioner of elementary and secondary education. … Johnston made clear he is committed to seeing Holyoke regain local control.”
— “Ex-superintendent, medical director of Holyoke Soldiers’ Home change pleas,”by James Pentland, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “After Bennett Walsh and Dr. David Clinton admitted to sufficient facts on five counts of neglect of an elderly person, exposing them to substantial risk of harm, Judge Edward McDonough, siding with their defense attorneys, continued their cases without a finding for three months, with conditions, and levied a victim/witness fee of $90 against each defendant.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former House Speaker Bob DeLeo, Charlotte Peyser and Matt Siegel .
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Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – This past week, the United States joined the rest of the advanced industrial countries in the world in having at least one functioning large offshore wind farm. Governor Kathy Hochul and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, among others, flipped a large electrical switch to signal that all 12 of […]
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – This past week, the United States joined the rest of the advanced industrial countries in the world in having at least one functioning large offshore wind farm. Governor Kathy Hochul and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, among others, flipped a large electrical switch to signal that all 12 of the large wind turbines built by Orsted and Eversource Energy 35 miles off Long Island are now functional. Construction began in 2017.
The wind farm will generate 130 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 70,000 average-size homes. Long Island is usually spoken of as Nassau and Suffolk counties. Nassau County has roughly 450,000 households, so this one wind farm could power over 15% of them.
“With the flip of a switch, utility-scale offshore wind power is officially being generated in the United States. An incredible moment for Long Island, New York, and our entire country.”
In a statement released after a visit to Stony Brook Southampton, the governor said, “When I broke ground on the South Fork project, I made a promise to build a cleaner, greener future for all New Yorkers. I’m keeping to that promise and South Fork Wind is now delivering clean energy to tens of thousands of homes and businesses on Long Island. With more projects in the pipeline, this is just the beginning of New York’s offshore wind future and I look forward to continued partnership with the Biden Administration and local leaders to build a clean and resilient energy grid.”
The average cost for residential electricity to PSEG Long Island customers is 22.24 cents per kilowatt hour. that is 9.93% higher than the 20.23 cents the typically paid by other state residents.
The East End Beacon notes that the the cost of the South Fork electricity is 16 cents per kilowatt hour for the first 90 MGW produced, and 8.6 cents/ kWh for an additional 40 megawatts. (Wind turbines are falling in price). So that is about 13.5 cents per kilowatt hour to begin with for the 130 megawatt capacity. What I’m trying to say is that this electricity generated by offshore wind is much less expensive that what Long Islanders are now paying. Even though a 2% per annum rate hike is built in over 20 years, the residents are getting a great deal here.
And the electricity is actually even cheaper since it is avoiding six million tons of deadly, planet-wrecking carbon dioxide each year. That is, if you figure in the cost of billion-dollar climate disasters per year caused by burning fossil fuels, Long Island residents aren’t paying 22 cents a kilowatt hour for their hydrocarbon-generated electricity, they are paying more like a dollar or two.
The project generated hundreds of union jobs, and Hochul is dedicated, according to The East Hampton Star, to standing “up a brand-new domestic supply chain.” She explained, “You know why? Because I don’t ever want to be vulnerable to geopolitical concerns or supply chains or ships that are jammed up in ports. I’m not predicting another Covid event, but my god, we learned some lessons. And we have to make sure we build here in America.”
The governor noted the opposition to the project among some residents worried about their beach and from fishermen. At 35 miles offshore, it is difficult to see how the project could affect beaches (the turbines can’t be seen), and there is no evidence that offshore windfarms interfere with fishing. As Hochul noted, it is global heating that is endangering beaches.
Offshore wind turbines benefit from the stronger and steadier winds that blow over the oceans as compared with onshore windmills.
The US is now playing catch-up in this sector. China has the most offshore wind farms, followed by Britain, Germany, Vietnam and Denmark. But China has 105 wind farms, and Britain has 39. No one is in China’s league here.
The International Trade Administration notes, “Offshore wind currently contributes about 13% to the UK electricity mix. The UK now possess around 12.7 GW of connected offshore wind energy across 44 wind farms totaling over 2,500 turbines. It installed over 2.3 GW of new installations in 2021 alone which made up 70% of total installations in Europe that year.”
So now we have 12 offshore wind turbines and 130 MW. The British did that much, apparently, on one day during their lunch break.
President Biden has set a goal of 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030, which observers are saying will be difficult for the US to reach. It is estimated, however, that offshore wind alone could provide all the electricity the US could ever want.
By Alex Hager/KUNC ( Cronkite News ) The current Western megadrought is unlike any other dry period the region has experienced over the past 500 years. That’s according to a new study in which scientists looked at tree rings to track changing temperatures going back to 1553. Researchers found that human-fueled climate change is driving […]
Security Council Should Act on Access for Aid Deliveries ( Human Rights Watch ) – (New York, March 15, 2024) – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to alert the Security Council in the coming days that Sudan has entered a downward spiral of extreme conflict-induced hunger, Human Rights Watch said today. The council […]
