POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BAKER wants MORE virus testing — Warren’s VP BUZZ — Employers split on checking TEMPERATURES

By Stephanie Murray GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF! VP BUZZ ON BEACON HILL — As speculation about Joe Biden‘s running mate continues to grow, Sen. Elizabeth Warren‘s name keeps coming up. Warren has spoken with Biden by phone, according to a Washington Post report. She’s remained in the public eye, and California Rep. Ro Khanna, a national co-chair of the Bernie Sanders campaign, said “she needs to be on the ticket” in a Twitter thread this week. One person who is not speculating on the veepstakes is Gov. Charlie Baker, who said he’s focused on the state’s coronavirus response, and not what would happen if Biden chooses Warren to join him on the Democratic ticket. If a vacancy did occur, the Republican Baker has the power to appoint an interim senator to serve until a special election. "I haven't spent two seconds thinking about that. Really haven't,” Baker said at a press briefing on Thursday. But at least one Beacon Hill Democrat is thinking about it. A House lawmaker is drafting legislation that would require the governor to appoint a member of the same party as the departing senator to the seat, and expects the first draft of a bill in the next week or so. Of course, this all depends on two huge variables: Whether Biden chooses Warren, and whether they win in November. It wouldn’t be unheard of for the legislature to change the law around a Senate vacancy — lawmakers changed the rules in 2004 and again in 2010. But this time around, some may be reluctant to vote for a change during an election year, especially when the state is in crisis mode and Baker is so popular. And keep in mind Warren doesn’t have the same deep connection to the legislature as the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, whose seat was at issue the last time the law was changed. Several lawmakers I spoke to said things may get more serious if the Biden campaign got involved. MOULTON RAISING MONEY FOR MA-04 DEMS — Rep. Seth Moulton has said he will not endorse in the race to replace Rep. Joe Kennedy III, but the congressman appeared as the special guest at a virtual fundraiser for Newton City Councilor Jake Auchincloss last month, and he will appear at a fundraiser for City Year co-founder Alan Khazei in the coming weeks, according to Khazei’s campaign. Moulton's leadership PAC, Serve America, has placed both candidates on its watchlist, which it uses for races that have multiple service-oriented candidates. Moulton appeared at an April 23 fundraiser for Auchincloss, an Afghanistan veteran, hosted by Foley Hoag attorneys Brian Carey and Paul Kim. And Moulton has known Khazei since 2006, when they recruited young veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan to attend a “ServiceNation” summit. "The watch list isn’t an endorsement, but Seth is happy to appear as a guest at events for any candidate on the list," Moulton spokesperson Michaela Johnson said. "There's a crowded field here and they are both great candidates—and ultimately we want someone with a service background to win this race.” Auchincloss and Khazei are the two top fundraisers in the 4th District race. Both have raised more than $1 million over the course of their campaigns. If campaign contributions dry up, particularly from small dollar donors as the economy trends downward, fundraising could be key for candidates to buy television and digital ads to stand out in the crowded field. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Rep. Lori Trahan and Rep. Bill Keating speak with reporters about the HEROES Act. Rep. Seth Moulton speaks at an end-of-year celebration for Georgetown University students. State Sen. Eric Lesser and his mother Dr. Joan Granucci Lesser discuss Covid-19 and mental health via livestream.   JOIN TODAY - HOW DOES THE GLOBAL ECONOMY START MOVING AGAIN? The pandemic has caused the global economy to come to a halt, triggering economic crises around the world. What happens next? Join Global Translations author Ryan Heath today at 1 p.m. EDT for a virtual discussion with Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, focused on the trade-offs and investments needed to get the global economy moving again, the role that China can be expected to play, and how growing debt and deficits will impact the developing world. Have questions? Submit yours by tweeting it to @POLITICOLive using #AskPOLITICO. REGISTER HERE TO PARTICIPATE.     THE LATEST NUMBERS – “Mass. officials announce 167 new coronavirus deaths, 1,685 more cases as state sees 3rd highest testing day,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts health officials confirmed on Thursday that another 167 people died of coronavirus, bringing the statewide death toll to 5,482. Officials also confirmed another 1,685 cases of the virus, for a total of at least 82,182 across the state. That’s based on 14,329 tests conducted on Thursday, according to the state’s Department of Public Health.” – “1 Million Job Losses: The Economic Toll Of The Coronavirus In Mass. Keeps Rising,” by Callum Borchers, WBUR: “More than 1 million Massachusetts workers have lost jobs in the age of the coronavirus, a sobering total that underscores the challenge ahead, as the state develops a recovery plan. In the past eight weeks, 826,013 workers have filed initial claims for conventional unemployment insurance, according to U.S. Labor Department figures published Thursday. That is more than during the 18-month Great Recession.” DATELINE BEACON HILL – “Baker wants to be world’s biggest COVID-19 tester,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “Gov. Charlie Baker unveiled a COVID-19 testing initiative on Thursday that he said would make Massachusetts the biggest tester on a per capita basis in the world. Massachusetts is already a worldwide leader in testing. The state averaged 10,377 COVID-19 tests a day in May and has the capacity to do 30,000 tests a day.” – “In Mass., dozens of illegal evictions attempted, despite pandemic moratoriums, Healey says,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “The state’s top law enforcement official has stopped dozens of illegal evictions in Massachusetts in recent weeks amid the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities said this week. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey’s office said it has received about 15 complaints of illegal evictions since a statewide moratorium went into effect, and has secured the withdrawal of almost 50 evictions that were filed against tenants in court before the state law went into effect.” – “Massachusetts officials want more voting options during coronavirus pandemic, but can’t agree on execution,” by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service: “Speaker after speaker told lawmakers Thursday that more opportunities to vote by mail and more early voting will help the statewide elections in September and November proceed with minimal risks of COVID-19 transmission. But on the specific details of how to do that -- whether to mail ballots to every voter or only those who request one, how long in-person early voting periods should last, and how polling places should be spread out to maintain social distancing -- there was frequent disagreement.” – “Massachusetts short-term borrowing bill during coronavirus pandemic heads to Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “As the cost of containing the coronavirus accumulates, Gov. Charlie Baker’s bill authorizing the state to borrow money to fill any spending gaps this fiscal year is a signature away from becoming law. The Massachusetts Senate enacted the bill Thursday during its first remote session, following the House’s vote Wednesday enacting the legislation.” – “Audits uncovering non-compliant nursing homes,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “Audits of more than 350 skilled nursing homes across the state indicate a minority but significant number of the facilities are not in adherence with a 28-point checklist of infection control procedures, industry sources said. The sources said they didn’t have exact numbers, but some industry officials complained privately that the audit process itself was chaotic with mixed messages on the standards for inspections.” – “Massachusetts casinos may be last in the country to reopen, companies tell Gaming Commission; shutdown extended to at least June 1,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “Representatives for Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park told the Massachusetts Gaming Commission Thursday that they expect the state’s casinos to be among the last in the country to reopen following shutdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic.” FROM THE HUB – “Many police departments are giving out masks instead of fines for scofflaws amid coronavirus,” by Emily Sweeney and Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “Roughly one week after Governor Charlie Baker’s statewide order requiring people to wear face coverings in public when they can’t socially distance to combat the spread of COVID-19, many police departments are reluctant to fine violators, preferring instead to distribute masks and educate the public on the need to wear them.” – “Should employers check temperatures? Major Mass. businesses are split.” by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: “Century Bank is taking them. Suffolk Construction, too. Stop & Shop is checking them, but not in every store. Putnam Investments is interested in doing so. But Ernst & Young’s Boston office has no such plans. Goodwin’s local office isn’t so sure, either. When it comes to checking employee temperatures at the workplace to screen for Covid-19, it seems there are as many plans in place as there are employers in Massachusetts.” – “Colleges anticipate big drop in international student enrollment due to coronavirus pandemic,” by Deirdre Fernandes, Boston Globe: “Stricter US visa policies and anti-immigration rhetoric have slowly eroded international student enrollment at American colleges and universities in recent years, but the coronavirus pandemic is shaping up to be a far greater threat and could sharpen the financial pain for many institutions.” – “CVS Opening 10 Drive-Thru Test Sites In Mass.” The Associated Press: “CVS is opening 10 new COVID-19 test sites at Massachusetts pharmacy locations starting Friday, the company said. The sites are in Bridgewater, Carver, Charlton, Danvers, Northampton, Raynham, Wellesley, Westport, West Springfield and Worcester.” – “Advocates Say 'There Needs To Be A Plan' To End Mass. Prison Lockdown,” by Jenifer B. McKim, WGBH News: “Massachusetts prisoners have been in an unprecedented lockdown for six weeks in the state’s 16 prison facilities in efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, prompting concerns among advocates and some state officials about whether the practice is posing a new slew of health threats.” – “Western Mass., Cape & Islands hit hardest by unemployment during coronavirus pandemic, analysis suggests,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Parts of Western Massachusetts and the Cape & Islands are seeing some of the highest numbers of unemployed workers amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new Pioneer Institute analysis. Barnstable and Berkshire counties have the highest percentage of the share of the state’s unemployed, with 28% and 27.9% of workers currently out of work, according to the study.” PRIMARY SOURCES – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: “Massachusetts Norfolk County (Franklin & Medway) Representative Jeffrey Roy Endorses Alan Khazei For Ma-04,” from the Khazei campaign: “Massachusetts State Representative and Chairman of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, Jeffrey Roy, announced his endorsement of Alan Khazei’s bid for Congress in the fourth congressional district … Calling Khazei a ‘movement leader, coalition builder, and policy innovator,’ Representative Roy highlighted his belief that Khazei is the candidate who is most prepared to effectively represent the 4th district in Washington.” – “Ed Markey, Joe Kennedy III to debate in Springfield June 1 after coronavirus delay,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “The primary race between Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III will pick up steam in the coming weeks, as the candidates prepare to face off in a televised debate on the evening of June 1. Initially planned for mid-March in Springfield, the debate was delayed in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES – “With low ridership, the MBTA is planning to expedite repairs, starting with the Blue Line,” by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: “It’s a question that flummoxed transportation officials even before the coronavirus pandemic: Is it better to slowly fix crumbling infrastructure bit by bit over a long period of time, or create a much greater inconvenience by shutting down entire MBTA lines for a few weeks to get the work done quickly?” DAY IN COURT – “Pastor from Adams Square Baptist Church sues city, Gov. Charlie Baker after being fined for in-person services during coronavirus pandemic,” by Melissa Hanson and Scott J. Croteau, MassLive.com: “The pastor of the Adams Square Baptist Church in Worcester has sued the city and the governor after being fined for holding in-person services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Charlie Baker has issued an order banning any gatherings larger than 10 people.” – “Courts to start reopening in phases this summer,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “Massachusetts courthouses are tentatively planning to start reopening for in-person proceedings in phases at some point this summer with jury trials set to resume in September if schools reopen, according to a letter sent to members of the bar by the leaders of the state court system.” WARREN REPORT – “Warren, Levin introduce legislation for federal contact tracing program,” by Zack Budryk, The Hill: “Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.) on Thursday introduced legislation that would establish a federal coronavirus contact tracing program, calling for it to be incorporated into the next relief package to pass Congress.” FROM THE DELEGATION – “Rep. Trahan, Sen. Markey hit nursing homes in Facebook Live broadcast,” by Aaron Curtis, The Lowell Sun: “U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan and Sen. Ed Markey held a Facebook Live broadcast to discuss the need for increased oversight at nursing homes amid the coronavirus pandemic, as well as their support of the $3.3 trillion coronavirus relief package unveiled Tuesday .” – “After PPP ‘failure,’ Rep. Pressley pushes new grants for small businesses,” by Allison DeAngelis, Boston Business Journal: “Federal lawmakers and members of the hard-hit restaurant industry, which struggled with how to handle the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program, are eyeing new legislation that could provide $124 billion in aid. U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley on Thursday joined celebrity chef Tom Colicchio, local restaurateur Michael Leviton, Besse King of Boston’s Villa Mexico and others to discuss on a virtual call the state of the restaurant industry.” KENNEDY COMPOUND – “‘We have a lot of work to do’ on combating coronavirus, ousted vaccine expert Dr. Rick Bright tells Rep. Joe Kennedy III,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “Dr. Rick Bright, who helped lead coronavirus vaccine efforts before a demotion sparked his whistleblower complaint on the Trump administration’s pandemic response, warned lawmakers Thursday that steep challenges remained in combating the outbreak while reopening the U.S. economy.” IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN – “Smog-Causing Pollutant Way Down In Mass. — For Now,” by Barbara Moran, WBUR: “Traffic has dropped by about half in Massachusetts during the coronavirus shutdown, and that means cleaner air, at least for now. NASA data indicates that the level of the pollutant nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which comes mostly from cars and trucks, has dropped about 30% in the Northeastern United States. And that regional drop seems to be playing out locally, says Jeffrey Geddes, an assistant professor of earth and environment at Boston University.” ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: “PERFECT STORM,” “GIVE THE KID A SHOT,” — Globe: “Making space by sharing the roads,” “Baker wants more tests, as cases persist.” FROM THE 413 – “Senator, advocates speak to how COVID-19 is ‘shining a light on hunger’’ by Anita Fritz, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Farmers and advocates looking to end hunger in the Pioneer Valley and beyond met online this week to discuss with state Sen. Jo Comerford what can be done. Comerford, D-Northampton, brought advocates together to discuss not only the issues and how they might be resolved but the ‘inequities related to food insecurity.’” – “Mayor Bernard can enforce conditions on Crane reopening, state confirms,” by Larry Parnass, The Berkshire Eagle: “The mayor of North Adams is within his rights to demand Crane Stationery Co. prove it reopened for ‘essential’ work during a pandemic, according to the state Department of Labor Standards. The company refused to comply but opened anyway, triggering $4,000 in fines as of Thursday.” THE LOCAL ANGLE – “New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell: For An Industrial City, 'Zoom Doesn't Do You Much Good,'” by Zoe Mathews, WGBH News: “Massachusetts remains one of the hardest hit states in America from the coronavirus pandemic, complicating decisions about a potential reopening of businesses. Jon Mitchell, mayor of New Bedford, joined Boston Public Radio to outline what steps the industrial city has taken to ensure safety in a new normal.” – “Central Mass. hospitals losing millions in coronavirus fight,” by Cyrus Moulton, Telegram & Gazette: “At first glance, it doesn’t seem to make much sense. Furloughs at some hospitals in the midst of a pandemic? Record financial losses as patients flood intensive care units? However, interviews with several hospital and healthcare executives paint a dire picture of hospital finances because of the coronavirus.” – “To prevent ‘Zoom bombing,’ Milford seeks to limit public access to remote meetings,” by Alison Bosma, MetroWest Daily News: “Boards and committees in Milford are being asked to limit public comment at remote meetings. ‘It’s a learning curve, we’re still learning this, we’re taking baby steps,’ town attorney Charles Boddy said Monday night. ‘We don’t need to jump in and take unnecessary risks, and when it comes to just allowing generally anyone, at any time to participate, it is an unnecessary risk.’” MEDIA MATTERS – “WCVB-TV president and general manager Bill Fine will retire later this year,” by Emily Sweeney, Boston Globe: “Bill Fine, the president and general manager of WCVB-TV Channel 5, announced Thursday that he plans to retire from Hearst Television later this year. A Massachusetts native and Boston University alum, Fine began his television broadcasting as a sports anchor in the 1970s and went on to become a successful executive leading two of Hearst’s largest TV properties, according to a press release from WCVB-TV.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to MuckRock executive editor J. Patrick Brown, Jay Hulings and Kevin Connor. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND – to Christian Scorzoni and The Lowell Sun’s Alana Melanson, who both celebrate Saturday, and to Jamie Hoag and Ralph Neas, who celebrate Sunday. NEW EPISODE: H-O-R-S-E – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith, Maeve Duggan and Stephanie Murray discuss the state’s plans to reopen, and a recent poll of Massachusetts nurses. Special guest Enes Kanter of the Boston Celtics talks about the future of the NBA. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud, or watch on Facebook. 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.   POLITICO Magazine Justice Reform: The Decarceration Issue, presented by Verizon: Over the past decade, the longstanding challenge of criminal-justice reform has emerged into the spotlight with a new twist: Both Republicans and Democrats are onboard. But if both parties want to lower the incarceration rate, why are our jail and prison populations still so high? The latest series from POLITICO Magazine works to answer this important question and take a deeper look into what it will take to make progress in the policy and politics of justice reform. READ THE FULL ISSUE.       Follow us on Twitter Stephanie Murray @StephMurr_Jour   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters Follow us

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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: PATRICK launches new PAC — BOSTON sees first day without VIRUS death — RESTAURANTS want to fully open in JUNE

By Stephanie Murray GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. PATRICK LAUNCHES NEW PAC — A few months after ending his presidential campaign in February, former Gov. Deval Patrick is launching a new political action committee today aimed at supporting progressive Democratic candidates and grassroots organizations. The TogetherFund PAC will focus on "practical, pragmatic change rooted in social justice," Patrick says. "I'm launching this as a way to have a platform to advocate for progressive values on behalf of candidates including Vice President Biden and candidates for the Senate and the House, especially in swing districts," Patrick told me over the phone. The former governor is social distancing at his home in the Berkshires. "This is about more than this cycle," Patrick continued. "I think it's going to be the next several cycles that are especially consequential." The PAC received an initial contribution from Reason to Believe, the super PAC that supported Patrick’s short-lived bid for president earlier this year, to assemble a Boston-based staff. Patrick is working on a consultant basis with strategist Doug Rubin, who served as chief of staff in the Patrick administration, and is inking a deal with another consultant in President Barack Obama's orbit. Patrick hasn't spoken with Obama about his new PAC, but said the former president encouraged him to stay involved in politics. "He's encouraged me to stay engaged and stay active, and at a time like this, everybody has to do what they can to come off the sidelines, and this is what I think I can do," Patrick said. When it comes to Biden, Patrick said he has been urging the former VP to present a forward-thinking vision in the race against President Donald Trump. "I've known the vice president for a long time. I have a tremendous respect for him. And I've said this to him. I think in many ways, his long list of qualifications notwithstanding, his empathy is right on time. And the more the campaign lets that come through, the stronger it will be," Patrick said. "I and others have been pushing his policy team to lean forward. What we don't need right now, as comforting as it might seem to some of us, is to leave the impression that we need to go back to what we used to do at a time before this president. There was a lot of unfinished work before President Trump and it's just gotten worse," Patrick added. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: VIDOT RAISES NEARLY $7,000 — Chelsea City Councilor Damali Vidot has raised nearly $7,000 in the week since she announced her Democratic primary campaign against state Rep. Dan Ryan. When Vidot launched her campaign last Thursday, she raised $2,000 during a digital launch event attended by around 1,000 people. Vidot previously served as council president, and she appeared on MSNBC last month to discuss the impact the coronavirus has had on Chelsea. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Massachusetts First Lady Lauren Baker and Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rosalin Acosta speak at a webinar on coronavirus resources for businesses hosted by WeWork. Rep. Ayanna Pressley joins a Massachusetts Restaurant United online meeting with Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio and others. Sen. Ed Markey and Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo host a coronavirus livestream. Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, who is running for congress, joins a Mass Peace Action town hall. Rep. Joe Kennedy III questions Dr. Rick Bright during a congressional hearing, then testifies on behalf of vote-by-mail at a virtual legislative hearing. Kennedy holds a tele-townhall with Dr. Supriya Rao. Rep. Katherine Clark and New York Rep. Grace Meng speak at an online town hall with the Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition. Rep. Lori Trahan hosts a coronavirus tele-town hall.   JOIN TODAY - WHY IS THE INCARCERATION RATE OF WOMEN RISING? Women are the fastest-growing segment of the incarcerated population in the United States, increasing at a rate nearly double that of men over the past 35 years. Join Women Rule Editorial Director Anna Palmer today at 3 p.m. EDT for a virtual conversation with April Grayson, campaign surrogate and statewide coordinator for the Young Women's Freedom Center; Scott Budnick, founder of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC); and Emily Ratajkowski, model, actress and activist. Learn about the challenges women face behind bars and how they fit into the criminal-justice reform movement. Have questions? Submit yours by tweeting it to @POLITICOLive using #AskPOLITICO. REGISTER HERE.     THE LATEST NUMBERS – “Massachusetts health officials announce 174 new coronavirus deaths, 1,165 new cases,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Health officials on Wednesday announced that another 174 Massachusetts residents have died of coronavirus, bringing the total number of fatalities to 5,315. Officials also confirmed another 1,165 new cases of the virus, bringing the statewide total to 80,497. There were 8,536 new tests conducted on Wednesday, for a total of 410,032 carried out since the outbreak began.” DATELINE BEACON HILL – “‘Not a virus to be trifled with,’ Baker says, as governor holds firm on slow return; coronavirus deaths top 5,300,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “Days before Massachusetts is slated to begin to reopen its economy, Governor Charlie Baker insisted Wednesday that a deliberate, phased approach, underpinned by the continued expansion of COVID-19 testing, is the best path toward a new normal, as the state’s coronavirus death toll topped 5,300.” – “Restaurateurs lobby Baker to open at full capacity in June,” by Gintautas Dumcius, Boston Business Journal: “A group of roughly 100 Massachusetts restaurant owners and related hospitality businesses is pushing Gov. Charlie Baker to allow the industry to open at full capacity in June. Noting that the hospitality industry has seen half of its 300,000-person workforce laid off as the economy shut down to slow the spread of coronavirus, the group said 60,000 of those jobs may never return.” – “Educators Tell Mass. Lawmakers Of Remote Learning Frustrations And Budget Worries,” by Carrie Jung, WBUR: “Concerns about budgetary and technological gaps dominated the conversation between Massachusetts educators and lawmakers on Wednesday. Speaking during the Education Committee's first remote oversight hearing since schools closed down due to the pandemic, Massachusetts Education Commissioner Jeff Riley said about 9% of state students don't have reliable internet access, and 15% don't have exclusive access to a device.” – “Boston Chamber of Commerce: Crucial details are missing in Baker’s phased reopening plan,” by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: “The Baker administration earlier this week tried to give the business community some guidance about what a reopened economy would look like. For at least one prominent business group, however, there are still too many unanswered questions. The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce issued a policy brief on Wednesday afternoon identifying several key details its members want to see fleshed out in Governor Charlie Baker’s reopening plan, which is expected to be released on Monday.” – “Lawmakers seek money to bury COVID-19 dead,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI News: “As the death toll from the coronavirus in Massachusetts rises above 5,300, some families are struggling to pay for burials, say lawmakers who have proposed a $5 million fund to help cover the expenses. A bipartisan proposal, backed by nearly a dozen lawmakers, would provide individual grants of up to $1,500 for qualifying families to offset the cost of a burial related to COVID-19.” – “What It’s Like to Be a Massachusetts Contact Tracer,” by Spencer Buell, Boston Magazine: “Former Boston nurse Celia Gillis really wanted to get off the sidelines. So in April, the Martha’s Vineyard resident joined the ranks of Massachusetts’ ambitious contact tracing program, an initiative that has served as a model for the rest of the country as states try to track the spread of the virus and notify anyone who may have been exposed. It’s not an easy job, nor is it straightforward.” FROM THE HUB – “Mayor Walsh Says Boston Had First Day Without A COVID Death Since Early March,” by Esteban Bustillos, WGBH News: “Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said Wednesday that Boston reported its first day without new deaths from COVID-19 since early March when no new deaths were reported on Monday. ‘Definitely we're seeing a gradual decrease and we're seeing some positive news out of our hospitals. A decrease in emergency rooms for COVID as well,’ he said.” – “Coronavirus SNAP benefits automatically en route to all Boston Public Schools families,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “All families with children in the city’s public and charter schools are on track to receive $28.50 a week in SNAP benefits per child amid the coronavirus pandemic. The program is through the federal Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer initiative, which was authorized by the large COVID-19 relief package passed last month, and is also available to all families in the rest of the state with children who qualify for free or reduced lunches in school.” – “Coronavirus in Massachusetts: Chelsea, Brockton rates still lead town-by-town breakdown,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Chelsea, Brockton and other smaller Massachusetts cities continue to have the highest rates of coronavirus cases as Gov. Charlie Baker’s stay-at-home order expires next week. Chelsea, which has continued to make local and national headlines with its sky-high rate, now has 2,412 cases, or 6,404 per 100,000 residents. Brockton, which has a similarly dense, low-income urban center, now has 3,429 cases, for a rate of 3,490 per 100,000.” – “Harvard Medical School says incoming students will learn online; UMass Medical School will hold classes on campus,” by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: “Students entering Harvard Medical School this fall will learn remotely to help avoid spreading the novel coronavirus, while returning students will likely have access to at least some on-site research and clinical facilities, administrators announced Wednesday.” – “Under Financial Stress, Pine Manor College To Join Boston College,” by Max Larkin, WBUR: “Pine Manor College will enter into an ‘educational partnership’ with Boston College, after the pandemic-related closures stretched its finances to a breaking point. A memorandum of understanding between the two schools paves the way for Boston College to take on all of Pine Manor's assets — including their leafy, 45-acre campus in Chestnut Hill — as well as their liabilities.” – “Boston is planning to repurpose streets for pedestrians during the coronavirus outbreak,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “With vehicle traffic dramatically reduced in Boston, officials are looking to make better use of the city’s streets during the coronavirus outbreak. During a Boston City Council hearing Tuesday night, Boston’s top transportation planner said the city is preparing to expand sidewalks into driving lanes in certain places ‘later this month’ in order to make more space for pedestrians and cyclists.” THE OPINION PAGES – “Congress must act on child care crisis,” by Rep. Katherine Clark, CommonWealth Magazine: “Child care is an essential component of our national economic infrastructure, as fundamental as our roads and bridges. Just ask any parent performing essential services during the pandemic, or any mom or dad juggling kids and working from home. Ask any parent in America and they will tell you that quality, affordable child care has always been hard to find, but the coronavirus has pulled back the curtain on the fragility of our child care system that has for too long been undervalued and underfunded.” WARREN REPORT – “Elizabeth Warren most likable among women contenders for Joe Biden’s VP pick, Democrats say in new poll,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “According to a recent poll, the Massachusetts progressive has an edge over some of the top contenders after waging a year-plus presidential campaign known for its host of policy plans, selfie lines and a Nevada debate performance that many credit with pulverizing Michael Bloomberg’s near-billion-dollar campaign.” FROM THE DELEGATION – “US Rep. Richard Neal: Vote-by-mail no substitute for in-person elections; seeks ‘magnifying’ glass on plans for proxy voting in House,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “The coronavirus pandemic will change the way the public votes with more vote-by-mail and the way lawmakers — especially in the U.S. House of Representatives — vote. But U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, urged caution on both fronts Wednesday during a wide-ranging news conference in support of a $3 trillion coronavirus response bill that he and his follow House Democrats introduced Tuesday.” – “Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren introduce bill to offer refunds for canceled airline travel,” by Michelle Williams, MassLive.com: “A new bill introduced in the Senate would mandate airlines offer full cash refunds for canceled tickets instead of future travel credits. The bill, titled Cash Refunds for Coronavirus Cancellations Act of 2020, was introduced Wednesday by both of Massachusetts senators, Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, as well as Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy of Connecticut, and California Sen. Kamala Harris.” KENNEDY COMPOUND – “Joe Kennedy III Wants You to Know He’s More Than Just a Name,” by Michael Damiano, Boston Magazine: “On a normal day, the meeting hall in Middleton’s Flint Public Library is so empty and quiet, you can hear a bookmark drop. On a chilly afternoon in early February, though, the room looked like it had suddenly become the hottest spot in town, packed to capacity with politically engaged baby boomers eagerly awaiting an appearance by Massachusetts’ political man of the moment: Joe Kennedy III.” IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN – “Mass. emission strategies all up in air,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The company selected by Massachusetts to build a power line delivering large amounts of hydro-electricity from Quebec into the regional power grid at Lewiston, Maine, is asking a judge to block a voter referendum on the project. Avangrid, the corporate parent of Central Maine Power, which has won a series of approvals for the project from state regulators, said in a court filing that holding a referendum on a decision by the state’s Public Utilities Commission would violate the state constitution.” ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: “CALL TO ARMS,” — Globe: “A middle ground on reopening," "Baker still stressing a phased approach.” FROM THE 413 – “As a precaution against coronavirus, MassMutual, one of state’s largest employers, to keep offices closed through at least August,” by Michelle Williams, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., one of the largest employers in Massachusetts, will keep its offices closed through the summer. CEO Roger Crandall announced the decision during an all-staff meeting. Employees will return to their offices no earlier than the beginning of September.” THE LOCAL ANGLE – “Yarmouth officials see trouble ahead with draft beach rules,” by Christine Legere, Cape Cod Times: “Proposed beach rules likely to get a green light from the governor before the Memorial Day kickoff to summer have Yarmouth officials worried about the challenges the coming season will pose. The public won’t like the guidelines they may have to follow because of the threat of the coronavirus, the officials say, and it could cause tempers to flare.” – “New Bedford, Southcoast to expand testing for large workplaces, at-risk areas," SouthCoast Today: “Mayor Jon Mitchell and Southcoast Health have announced that, together, they are expanding a program to reach more at-risk areas and essential workers with COVID-19 testing. The program is based on a joint pilot effort undertaken earlier this month to test commercial fishing crews on the New Bedford waterfront using the Southcoast Mobile Health Van for on-site, targeted COVID-19 testing, officials said.” – “City manager pleads for better mask use,” by Steven H. Foskett Jr., Telegram & Gazette: “City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. on Wednesday made an appeal for tighter adherence to state and local requirements on face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Augustus said his office and other city departments have been fielding calls from residents reporting that the face covering requirements in place are not being universally followed, or that the coverings are not properly worn - covering somebody’s mouth but not their nose, for example.” – “South Shore first responders wind down coronavirus parades,” by Joe DiFazio, The Patriot Ledger: “It was fun while it lasted. As the state begins to open up and looks to transition out of coronavirus restrictions, South Shore police and fire departments are beginning to wind down birthday and celebration parades. For the last several weeks, parades celebrating healthcare workers, birthday parties, anniversaries and other milestones have seen police cars and fire trucks driving by, but departments say they have to get back to work .” TRANSITIONS – Maya Getter joins Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office as director of advance and scheduling. Tweet. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Pam Wilmot, executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts; Lucy Martirosyan, Samuel Greer, Jeffrey Barrett, Playbook’s chief foodie correspondent Alycia DiTroia and Sophia Nigro, who turns the big 1-3! NEW EPISODE: H-O-R-S-E – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith, Maeve Duggan and Stephanie Murray discuss the state’s plans to reopen, and a recent poll of Massachusetts nurses. Special guest Enes Kanter of the Boston Celtics talks about the future of the NBA. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud, or watch on Facebook. 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.   POLITICO Magazine Justice Reform: The Decarceration Issue, presented by Verizon: Over the past decade, the longstanding challenge of criminal-justice reform has emerged into the spotlight with a new twist: Both Republicans and Democrats are onboard. But if both parties want to lower the incarceration rate, why are our jail and prison populations still so high? The latest series from POLITICO Magazine works to answer this important question and take a deeper look into what it will take to make progress in the policy and politics of justice reform. READ THE FULL ISSUE.       Follow us on Twitter Stephanie Murray @StephMurr_Jour   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters Follow us

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