POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Phil Eng spills the T

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY , KELLY GARRITY AND MIA MCCARTHY ‘THE T IS DOING BUSINESS DIFFERENTLY’ — Phil Eng wants to rebuild riders’ trust in the MBTA. But first he has to rebuild the transit system — literally. Swaths of the Green Line shut down today for tunnel and rail work. That includes nighttime service suspensions on the Green Line Extension to fix tracks that are too narrow for trains to safely go full speed — a stunning failure reportedly known as far back as April 2021 and seemingly ignored by the T until Eng took over as general manager. “We’re working very closely with the design team to put that in the rearview mirror,” Eng told Playbook. “Our goal is to go through every project, openly and transparently. If there are issues to address, let’s put them on the table and let’s tackle them as soon as we know them and not let them linger. And I think that’s a culture shift that we’re trying to instill.” Eng has lofty goals for the T: clearing all slow zones by the end of next year; hiring more workers (he’s already met Gov. Maura Healey’s goal of hiring 1,000 this year); improving the transit authority’s internal and external communications; and winning back riders lost to telework and because the system is unreliable. And his optimism about achieving them appears unshaken by the sheer magnitude of the growing list of problems he’s pledging to fix. “We're rebuilding the organization to a can-do organization, to one that solves problems, and one that thinks outside the box,” Eng said. “The T is doing business differently." But Eng's progress could stall without more money. The T is facing a staggering $24.5 billion price tag to bring its aging equipment and facilities into a state of “good repair.” It’s also bracing for a potentially several-hundred-million-dollar budget shortfall . Eng pointedly wouldn’t put a number on how much more money he wants from the Legislature. "I don’t expect $24.5 billion tomorrow. And if someone were able to provide us with those types of numbers, we couldn’t spend that kind of money in a single year anyway,” he said. But having a “long-term, sustainable funding source” can better help the T plan its improvement projects, he said. Here are a few more excerpts from Playbook’s interview with Eng , edited and condensed for length: MBTA GM Phil Eng (second from left) is undertaking the daunting task of trying to turn around the beleaguered transit system. | AP You’re awaiting the results of Boston’s fare-free bus pilot program. Do you think the T can be free if you need ridership revenue to pay for the fixes you’re trying to make?  Safe, reliable and robust service is what will bring people back. Just making sure that they are getting what they deserve and it's affordable is important. As far as free fares in the future and reduced fares, those are all conversations that have to be had at a much higher level. Would you say that safety outweighs lowering the cost of fares? Absolutely. Safety is the No. 1 important priority. If it’s not safe, regardless of the cost, I would not expect anybody to be using the system. And I will not even ask my employees to operate the system if it’s not safe. Does anyone give you a hard time for being a Mets fan? I think it would be worse if I was a Yankees fan. GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . We hope you had a great Thanksgiving! And we hope you didn't watch that Patriots game. Oof. TODAY — Healey is on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” at noon. Rep. Lori Trahan visits Family Services of the Merrimack Valley in Lawrence at 10 a.m. and announces federal funding at Haverhill’s Bradford fire station at noon. Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com , kgarrity@politico.com and mmccarthy@politico.com .   GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here.     MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS CATCH UP — A work-permit clinic for migrants resumes today while critical funding for the emergency family shelter system that’s housing them remains tied up in the Legislature. Pressure is rising on lawmakers to settle their differences over a $2.8 billion supplemental budget that includes $250 million for the shelter system and raises for thousands of state workers. Housing Secretary Ed Augustus said “we desperately need” the shelter money on WCVB’s “On the Record.” And Republican lawmakers who hold unusual power over the fate of the spending bill are pressing House and Senate negotiators to start moving the collective bargaining agreements forward even if a deal on the broader bill isn’t done. Meanwhile, families who are on the waitlist for emergency housing are still staying in converted conference rooms at a state transportation building. MBTA general manager Phil Eng told Playbook that he will “continue to be as supportive as I can” as the state seeks longer-term solutions for families in need. Augustus cast the setup as a “short-term bridge” until more community and faith-based groups open temporary overnight shelter sites through the United Way of Massachusetts Bay’s grant program. Catholic Charities Boston opened a site last week and Augustus said more are on the way “soon.” — “Massachusetts National Guard teaming up with state, nonprofits to provide winter clothing to migrants,” by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald: “Officials expect the effort to serve roughly 94 hotel sites and 71 traditional shelters and scattered sites, reaching 9,000 children.” — “Democratic cities brace for a nightmare winter housing migrants,” by Shia Kapos, Lisa Kashinsky and Katelyn Cordero, POLITICO: “Northern cities and states that have been overwhelmed by a surge in migrants are now out of room to house them just as the weather turns cold — a potentially life-threatening situation that’s inflaming local political tensions as the Biden administration largely leaves these Democratic strongholds to fend for themselves.” DATELINE BEACON HILL — “ Digging into fine print of salary range legislation, ” by Bhaamati Borkhetaria, Commonwealth Beacon: “A bill requiring employers to disclose salary ranges on all their job postings is making its way through the Massachusetts Legislature, but a check with other states that have gone this route suggests the law may not be the huge breakthrough its sponsors are hoping for nor the terrible burden employers have complained about.” — “ Student Opportunity Act still lacks accountability, data, reports claim ,” by Eden Mor, Greenfield Recorder: “Now, four years into the implementation of the SOA, experts like Jamie Gass at Pioneer Institute, a public policy research center, suggest that the state of education in Massachusetts is on the precipice of chaos, partially due to some of the act’s failings.” — “ Lawmakers are pushing to revitalize cultural districts across Mass. ” by Lindsay Schachnow, Boston Business Journal. FROM THE HUB KEEP IT CIVIL — Fresh off saying she has the votes to become the next Boston City Council president — and being anonymously accused by two of her colleagues of being unprofessional about it — Ruthzee Louijeune issued a call for civility on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large.” When the council resets in January, it’s “incredibly important that we continue to set a tone of collegiality,” she said. — “At Mass. and Cass, Boston health commission puts millions toward private security,” by Sean Cotter, Boston Globe: “They have been fixtures over the last two years in the thick of the open drug market known as Mass. and Cass: armed, uniformed guards and their marked vehicles patrolling for signs of violence or property damage. … They are members of a private security force that the Boston Public Health Commission has contracted to help secure the area — at a cost of more than $2.3 million this calendar year alone.” — “BPD report states officer driving Mayor Wu ‘did contribute’ to June crash,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe.   GET A BACKSTAGE PASS TO COP28 WITH GLOBAL PLAYBOOK : Get insider access to the conference that sets the tone of the global climate agenda with POLITICO's Global Playbook newsletter. Authored by Suzanne Lynch, Global Playbook delivers exclusive, daily insights and comprehensive coverage that will keep you informed about the most crucial climate summit of the year. Dive deep into the critical discussions and developments at COP28 from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12.. SUBSCRIBE NOW .     BIDEN TIME People react as President Joe Biden walks by as he visits local shops with family in Nantucket, Mass., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) | AP MEANWHILE, ON NANTUCKET — President Joe Biden continued his tradition of celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday on Nantucket, spending the weekend lunching with his family and shopping. But it was not a quiet and quaint vacation . Biden had multiple national security briefings on Friday as the first group of hostages was released by Hamas, the Associated Press reports . Pro-Palestinian protesters also interrupted the president’s events around the island , including on his way to a family lunch and during a Christmas tree lighting. Elsewhere in Massachusetts, members of the state's congressional delegation lauded the temporary truce and ongoing hostage exchange between Hamas and Israel, and called in statements for the cease-fire to be extended. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey and House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark also urged progress toward a two-state solution. THE LOCAL ANGLE — "Balance of power poised to flip on Everett School Committee after election," by Niki Griswold, Boston Globe: "Just weeks after a municipal election that unseated or rejected most of [Mayor Carlo DeMaria's] candidates for the School Committee, the lame-duck board is poised to appoint a new superintendent to replace the one he and his allies had forced out earlier this year despite objections from members of the school community. — “Milton Select Board votes to take down Israeli flag after intense debate among residents,” by Peter Blandino, Patriot Ledger: “On Nov. 14, a diverse group of citizens called Milton Residents for Palestinian Rights asked that the Palestinian flag be displayed alongside the Israeli flag. The board had voted unanimously to display the Israeli flag Oct. 8, the day after the Hamas attack on Israeli civilians.” — "Suspect arrested in shooting of 3 Palestinian college students in Vermont, police say," by Elizabeth Wolfe, Sara Smart and Celina Tebor, CNN. MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE — “How Dean Phillips could change the electoral math for Republicans in New Hampshire,” by Lisa Kashinsky, POLITICO: “Dean Phillips isn’t likely to hurt Joe Biden in New Hampshire. But his entry into the Democratic primary could spoil Nikki Haley and Chris Christie’s electoral math here. The two Republicans are polling better than any other candidate with New Hampshire independents who are likely to pull a GOP ballot in the state’s open presidential primary. … But by challenging Biden, Phillips gave those voters another choice.” — “NH weathering Mass. sports betting blitz,” by Michael Cousineau, Union Leader: “For every full month since Massachusetts mobile sports betting went live March 10, New Hampshire saw fewer total dollars wagered but often garnered higher gross gaming revenues than the same month the previous year.” HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH CALLING HOURS — For former MassDems leader John Walsh are from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at SEIU 1199 in Quincy. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow in the Great Hall at Faneuil Hall. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Catherine Carlock of the Boston Globe and Andy Hoglund . NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: OOPSGIVING — Would it even be Thanksgiving if we didn’t serve you up a blooper reel? Thank you to our loyal listeners. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and SoundCloud . Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com .   Follow us on Twitter Lisa Kashinsky @lisakashinsky Kelly Garrity @KellyGarrity3   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Big day for ballot questions

 

BY KELLY GARRITY AND MIA MCCARTHY PROGRAMMING NOTE: Massachusetts Playbook won’t publish Thursday and Friday. Have a happy Thanksgiving, and we’ll be back in your inboxes on Monday! WHO’S IN, WHO’S OUT — Ballot questions that got the nod from the state attorney general in September face their first big obstacle today. Questions seeking to end MCAS as a high school graduation requirement, legalize psychedelics and require tipped workers be paid the minimum wage on top of tips are all one step closer to being on the ballot in 2024, after supporters submitted more than 74,574 signatures to local clerks. Also advancing: state Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s last hope for auditing the Legislature. A DiZoglio-aligned group said yesterday that an oddball coalition of left-leaning activists and Republicans collected more than 100,000 signatures. It’s a crucial milestone for DiZoglio, who’s gone all-in on the ballot question after Democratic legislative leaders refused to comply with her probe, and the attorney general blocked her from forcing their cooperation. DiZoglio has poured tens of thousands of dollars of her own money and all of her campaign cash into the effort. A ballot battle is also brewing between dueling questions surrounding the status of app-based drivers. One set of questions would continue to classify those drivers as independent contractors while another would allow them to unionize. Both sides collected enough signatures to move forward, setting up what’s likely to be an expensive showdown (Uber, Lyft, Instacart and DoorDash contributed close to $44 million to last year’s push to classify drivers as independent contractors before the measure was killed by the SJC.) Groups have until 5 p.m. today to submit their signatures to city and town registrars for certification. Then they have two weeks to send them to the secretary of state’s office. Rideshare drivers supporting the question that would let them unionize say they plan to deliver some signatures to Secretary of State Bill Galvin’s office today. Ballot questions that officially clear the signature hurdle move on to the Legislature, where lawmakers can decide to approve them, propose an alternative or decline to do either — which sends them back for more signatures. Some of these questions could also draw legal challenges that could derail their progress to the 2024 ballot. But one closely-watched and controversial question has already met the end of the road. Supporters ended their push for a question on local-option rent control after they were tracking tens of thousands of signatures short of the threshold. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey swears in Michael Pineault as associate justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court at 10 a.m. at the State House. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has no public events. Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Thanksgiving recipes your Playbook authors have to try? Email us: kgarrity@politico.com and mmccarthy@politico.com.   GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here.     DATELINE BEACON HILL IN MEMORIAM — “Former Merrimack Valley Lawmaker Sue Tucker Dies, At 79,” by Sam Doran, State House News Service (paywall). CHAMBER OF COMMERCE = REPUBLICANS Some of the spending will create jobs.  Some of the spending will SAVE ENERGY, reducing expenses of consumers.  Rather than setting off alarms, maybe careful consideration is mandated.  — “Mass. business leaders want Beacon Hill lawmakers to ‘exercise control’ with spending,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Business leaders from across Massachusetts warned Tuesday that state spending far outpaced inflation over the past five fiscal years, and cautioned lawmakers to ‘exercise control’ as the fiscal 2025 budget process kicks off next month. Red flags from chamber of commerce leaders up and down the coast and out west come after top lawmakers painted a grim fiscal picture last week for Massachusetts, airing concerns that four consecutive months of below benchmark revenue collections this fiscal year could bode poorly for the state.” E(X)ODUS — State Senate President Karen Spilka is leaving X (formerly Twitter) she announced yesterday, in response to Elon Musk’s recent promotion of an antisemitic post on the platform. Musk has “long promoted and enabled hateful speech,” Spilka said in a statement, and with his “endorsement of a monstrous and dangerous antisemitic lie, I can no longer justify using the X platform for any reason.” Spilka isn’t the only one fleeing — big advertisers like Disney, IBM and Apple are also pausing activity on the site, according to CNN , after a Media Matters report found ads appearing alongside pro-Nazi content. — “ Convention Center Authority executive director out, ” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “ The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority’s long-serving executive director is parting ways with the agency, according to the chair of the Board of Directors. In a statement shared with the Herald, Board Chair Emme Handy said the decision to have a change at the top of the pseudo-governmental body, which oversees the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center was a mutual one.” — “ Mass. awards $27 million to help ‘decarbonize’ hundreds of affordable housing units, ” by Miriam Wasser, WBUR: “The Healey administration awarded $27 million to several affordable housing developments on Tuesday to help them reduce planet-warming emissions and increase energy efficiency in more than 700 units across the state.” — “ METCO program worried a level budget effectively cuts funds, ” by Katie Lannan, GBH News: “This year’s state budget marked the first time in five years that the METCO program did not receive a funding boost that at least keeps pace with inflation, and leaders at the school desegregation initiative have been calling for lawmakers to step in with additional money. The budget Gov. Maura Healey signed in August included $29.4 million for METCO, the state-funded program through which more than 3,000 Boston students enroll in and attend suburban schools.”   GET A BACKSTAGE PASS TO COP28 WITH GLOBAL PLAYBOOK : Get insider access to the conference that sets the tone of the global climate agenda with POLITICO's Global Playbook newsletter. Authored by Suzanne Lynch, Global Playbook delivers exclusive, daily insights and comprehensive coverage that will keep you informed about the most crucial climate summit of the year. Dive deep into the critical discussions and developments at COP28 from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12.. SUBSCRIBE NOW .     MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS NEW THIS A.M. — United Way has awarded the first temporary shelter grant to Catholic Charities Boston, which opened a site Tuesday evening that will provide beds and meals for up to 27 wait-listed families. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “ Nine slow zones eliminated on Red Line, MBTA says, ” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “Red Line passengers received some encouraging news Tuesday when the MBTA announced it had eliminated nine slow zones between JFK/UMass and Park Street stations. Shuttle bus service had replaced trains on that stretch during the evenings from Nov. 14 to Nov. 16 and “all day” Saturday and Sunday to allow for repairs to remove the slow zones, the MBTA said in a statement. ” DATELINE D.C. — “ President Biden to celebrate Thanksgiving, continue birthday festivities with coconut cake on Nantucket, ” by Emily Sweeney, Boston Globe: “President Biden celebrated his 81st birthday on Monday and plans to continue the festivities on Nantucket this week. Biden will spend Thanksgiving on the island with his family, as he does every year, the Associated Press reported.” MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS — “ Cannabis challenges are causing contraction across the industry, ” by Cassie McGrath, Boston Business Journal: “Since the first cannabis companies opened in Massachusetts in 2018, owners have been talking about the unique struggles of the state-regulated industry. But only recently have the full effects of those challenges come into focus.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Hunger is something we can solve’: Annual march raises $458K for Food Bank of Western Massachusetts,” by Mary Byrne, Greenfield Recorder: “...The two-day, 43-mile walk began at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Springfield on Monday morning. Joined by legislators and community members from across the region, [Christopher 'Monte'] Belmonte [the radio personality who launched the fundraiser in 2010] pushed his famous shopping cart through Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke and a sliver of Easthampton before getting to Northampton that afternoon. … And for the first time since 2010, a sitting governor joined the western Massachusetts community for a portion of the trek from Springfield to Greenfield — a move that didn’t go unnoticed by members of the region’s delegation.” — “ Official state ice cream? Here's why Mass. takes its state symbols seriously, ” by Kinga Borondy, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: “Does Massachusetts really need a signature ice cream flavor? A jazz song? A Jurassic-era armored mud ball? Enough people seem to think so, apparently, to have a joint committee of state government dedicate a portion of its hearing time to proposals brought forth by local residents and legislators.” HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE! WELCOME TO PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Independent , a Plymouth-based nonprofit news organization, launched Tuesday under editor and CEO Mark Pothier. Read Pothier’s letter on why he started the local news website. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Lauren Goldman Moran, chief of the MassAGO’s fair labor division, and her twin sister Michelle Goldman, assistant clerk magistrate at Middlesex Superior Court. HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY  — to Keith Boynton , Tory Stephens , Joel McAuliffe and Matt Stromski who celebrate Thursday; Sonia Ballard and Mass DPH’s Alison Cohen , who celebrate Friday; Leah Regan and Allie Strom , who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers Maggie Cohen , Ben Gubits and Bob Dunn. Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com .   Follow us on Twitter Lisa Kashinsky @lisakashinsky Kelly Garrity @KellyGarrity3   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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