POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Senate climate bill dropping next week

BY KELLY GARRITY NEW THIS MORNING — Another item to add to the Legislature's end of session to-do list: The Senate’s climate bill is dropping next week. The full details of the legislation have yet to emerge — state Sen. Michael Barrett, who chairs the energy committee and is the chamber’s lead on climate bills, told Playbook that some pieces were still being written last night. But it will likely be centered on recommendations from Gov. Maura Healey’s administration, the State House News Service reported earlier this month , including changes that would speed up the siting and permitting of renewable energy. And in an address to environmental advocates on Spectacle Island last night, Senate President Karen Spilka also hinted that the bill may include a provision to address plastic pollution and its impact on the environment and people’s health, according to a person familiar with her remarks. But don’t call it a big sweeping energy bill: “[W]e have some siting issues we have to take care of,” House Speaker Ron Mariano told reporters at the State House Wednesday, saying that was “the primary focus right now.” “So this being categorized as a big, sweeping energy bill may not be accurate,” he added. Lawmakers are facing a tight timeline to get the bill through both chambers and to the governor’s desk amid the mad end-of-session dash. Several key bills remain tied up in closed-door conference negotiations, including gun-control legislation, Healey’s IT bond bill and a salary transparency bill — not to mention the biggest-ticket item, the budget for fiscal year 2025. The Senate has yet to come out with its own version of the housing bond bill, while the House hasn’t moved on early education legislation. And both chambers have taken different tacks on health care – with the House calling for hospital and oversight reforms and the Senate looking to address prescription drug pricing. But Mariano brushed aside any concerns about timing with just seven weeks until the final day of the formal session. “There’s always time,” he told reporters. GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . Three down, one to go until it’s time cue the Duck Boats. TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey gives the opening remarks at the Deborah Sampson Award Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the State House, and speaks at the Cummings Foundation’s grant winner celebration at 6 p.m. in Woburn. Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll host a press conference announcing the administration's Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Investment Plan at 2 p.m. in Arlington. Driscoll speaks at The Boston Foundation's Equality Fund Pride & Grantee celebration at 5 p.m. and receives an award at the MIRA Coalition's annual gala at 8 p.m. in Boston. Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Email me:  kgarrity@politico.com.   THE GOLD STANDARD OF POLICY REPORTING & INTELLIGENCE: POLITICO has more than 500 journalists delivering unrivaled reporting and illuminating the policy and regulatory landscape for those who need to know what’s next. Throughout the election and the legislative and regulatory pushes that will follow, POLITICO Pro is indispensable to those who need to make informed decisions fast. The Pro platform dives deeper into critical and quickly evolving sectors and industries—finance, defense, technology, healthcare, energy—equipping policymakers and those who shape legislation and regulation with essential news and intelligence from the world’s best politics and policy journalists. Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other—with teams embedded in the world’s most active legislative and regulatory power centers. From Brussels to Washington, New York to London, Sacramento to Paris, we bring subscribers inside the conversations that determine policy outcomes and the future of industries, providing insight that cannot be found anywhere else. Get the premier news and policy intelligence service, SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO PRO TODAY .     DATELINE BEACON HILL TRANSFER TAX TALK — There’s no word yet on whether the Senate will include a local option transfer tax in their version of Gov. Maura Healey ’s housing bond bill. But the chamber’s chief budget writer Sen. Michael Rodrigues told reporters Wednesday that he has “concerns” about allowing a tax on high-dollar real estate transactions. NEW SHELTER GUIDELINES — Gov. Maura Healey ’s administration will soon begin enforcing the 9-month limits on shelter stays for homeless and migrant families that the Legislature mandated in the supplemental budget they passed in late April. The first of the roughly 4,000 families that have been in the state’s emergency shelter system for at least nine months will get 90-day notices telling them their time is up early next month, with the goal of exiting some families starting Sept. 29. The notice doesn’t automatically boot families from shelter — some will be eligible for up to two 90-day extensions, and others will be able to extend their stays further by applying for a hardship waiver. The plan is to start by alerting 150 families a month on a rolling basis, officials said Wednesday. — “Massachusetts lawmakers are embracing a ban on revenge porn. Finally, survivors say,” by Matt Stout, The Boston Globe: “State lawmakers are poised to send legislation to Governor Maura Healey this week that would make Massachusetts the 49th state to outlaw so-called revenge porn, completing years of slow-moving debate that survivors say left them for too long without a way to seek justice. ... If signed into law, the measure would make it illegal for former partners and others to disseminate sexually explicit images of another person without consent, and would leave South Carolina as the only state to not yet criminalize what’s also called image-based sexual abuse.” — “Mass. House votes to expand the definition of 'parent',” by Katie Lannan, GBH News: “State representatives unanimously passed a bill on Wednesday they said would update Massachusetts law to better reflect the diverse ways people build families. The bill lays out clear paths to establishing legal parentage for families that have children through assisted reproduction, like surrogacy and in-vitro fertilization. … Supporters say the legislation would correct a situation where same-sex couples can end up needing to adopt their own children – a costly and complicated process – to ensure their legal rights.” — “Lawmakers punt on issue of intoxicating hemp products,” by Bhaamati Borkhetaria, CommonWealth Beacon: “Lawmakers stressed the urgency of dealing with the issue of intoxicating hemp-based products but said that they’re unlikely to do anything before the next legislative session begins next year. The Legislature’s Joint Committees on Agriculture and Cannabis Policy together held an oversight hearing on Tuesday to discuss hemp-based products that contain the same active ingredient as cannabis products but are not regulated in the same way. These products have been showing up in convenience stores, gas stations, liquor stores, and smoke shops.” — “Mass. reports largest single-year decline in opioid-related overdose deaths in 13 years,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Massachusetts experienced a 10% drop in opioid-related overdose deaths from 2022 to 2023, the largest single-year decline over the past 13 years and a trend that is expected to continue based on early data from 2024, according to a report released Wednesday morning. Even as experts with the Department of Public Health signaled a victory lap was in order because of the decrease, officials warned of ‘concerning data’ on opioid-related overdose deaths when statistics were broken down by race and ethnicity that could temper any celebrations.” FROM THE HUB — “Boston City Council votes to approve $1.5B school budget over concerns: ‘We have failed our society’,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “The City Council approved the Boston Public Schools budget via a 10-3 vote Wednesday, after delaying action the prior week, with many of the councilors who voted in favor giving credit to Superintendent of Schools Mary Skipper for making strides to improve a bad situation in the district.” — “Boston City Council president pushes for ranked choice voting,” by Alexi Cohan, GBH News: “The head of the Boston City Council is making a push for ranked choice voting, which lets voters rank their favorite candidates instead of choosing between two. Council President Ruthzee Louijeune on Wednesday proposed a home rule petition for ranked choice voting, saying it increases civic engagement, voter turnout and candidate diversity while allowing residents to vote for their top choices without fear of throwing a vote away.” YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — The Massachusetts Nurses Association is endorsing Sen. Elizabeth Warren for reelection, calling the incumbent Democrat a “strong advocate for safe patient care, healthcare violence prevention, and the preservation of essential healthcare services.” FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Boston City Councilors Gabriela Coletta Zapata and Henry Santana are endorsing attorney Allison Cartwright for Suffolk County Supreme Judicial Court clerk. — “Matthews-Kane Launches Rep Bid Vowing to Bring Home the Policy…and the Bacon,” by Matt Szafranski, Western Mass. Politics & Insight. '' PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “MBTA general manager to break agency’s silence on South Coast Rail Thursday,” by Grace Ferguson, The New Bedford Light: “The general manager of the MBTA is taking the unusual step of visiting New Bedford and Fall River on Thursday to make an announcement about South Coast Rail. Phil Eng will speak at Bristol Community College in Fall River and later at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, two months after the MBTA delayed the project without announcing a new timeline. The reasons for the delay aren’t entirely clear."   SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, our newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW .     FROM THE 413 — “State auditor: UMass violated law in axing Advancement office last year,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “University of Massachusetts officials violated provisions of the state’s Taxpayer Protection Act law when moving fundraising operations from the Advancement office to the private University Amherst Foundation, according to a final determination from the state auditor’s office. The May 31 determination, written by Michael Leung-Tat, deputy auditor and general counsel for State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, and sent to David Lowy, general counsel for UMass, states the concerns that UMass didn’t engage with the state auditor’s office to complete an analysis, under the Taxpayer Protection Act, of whether there would be costs savings for the state in privatizing jobs. Instead, this was done after the contract with the private entity was in place.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Cambridge Schools to pay ousted superintendent more than $200,000 in severance,” by Christopher Huffaker, The Boston Globe: “Cambridge Public Schools will pay Superintendent Victoria Greer more than $200,000 in severance after ending her contract early last month, according to a settlement agreement obtained by The Globe through a public records request. Following a wave of public criticism, the Cambridge School Committee voted in May to sever its contract with Greer, about a year before it was due to expire. The district will pay Greer about $205,000 in severance, one-third of which is not required by her contract, per the agreement. The severance is worth nine months of pay and does not include any payments for unused vacation or sick days.” — “Superintendent who 'crossed swords' with Everett’s mayor fights to clear her name,” by Liz Neisloss, GBH News: “Lawyers for former Everett Public Schools Superintendent Priya Tahiliani say an independent investigator found no evidence to support claims that she bullied and intimidated school employees. The allegations against her were publicly discussed in a school committee meeting in late October and were widely reported. But the school committee has refused to release results of the investigation, even months after investigators finished the report.” FASCINATING & mostly unregulated trade....           — “Harvard, the human remains trade, and collectors who fuel the market,” by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR. — “Mass. faces shortage of primary care doctors. One in Boston sees a solution,” by Dave Canton, Masslive. — “Tom Brady inducted into Patriots Hall of Fame with a star-studded night,” by Tyler Hetu, The Sun Chronicle. HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH SPOTTED — at the Playbook meet and greet at Carrie Nation last night: a lot of you! Thanks so much to everyone who came out! HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Catherine McLaughlin, Rebecca Rinkevich, Liam Byrne and Westfield Mayor Michael McCabe. Happy belated birthday to Brian P. Senier, counsel for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, who celebrated Monday. 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 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: Healey to Congress: Pass the border deal

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY AND KELLY GARRITY BORDERING ON A DEAL — Gov. Maura Healey is pressing Congress to put aside its partisan posturing and pass the sweeping border deal a bipartisan group of senators put on the table Sunday night that would tighten the nation’s immigration policies and potentially funnel more federal aid to Massachusetts. The $118 billion agreement includes significant changes to border policy that would make it more difficult to claim asylum and mandate a border shutdown if border encounters average more than 5,000 per day over seven days. It would also make it easier for migrants seeking asylum to get work permits. And it includes the $1.4 billion for local governments and nonprofits sheltering migrants that Healey has for months urged Congress to pass. “This bipartisan national security bill would make critical progress toward fixing our broken federal immigration system. It will strengthen our border security, expedite work permits, make the asylum process more fair and efficient, and more,” Healey said in a statement. “It’s time to put politics aside — Congress should pass this bill without delay.” The deal, which also includes billions of dollars for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, faces its first test on Wednesday, when Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) plans to put the package up for a procedural vote. President Joe Biden is urging Congress to pass it. But it’s unclear if the bill has the votes to clear the Senate. Spokespeople for Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey said Sunday night that the Democratic senators were still reviewing the bill. And it’s “dead on arrival” in the House , according to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who is instead pushing a standalone Israel aid bill. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), who controls which bills hit the House floor, said Sunday night in a post on X that the bipartisan Senate deal “will NOT receive a vote” in that chamber. But Rep. Jake Auchincloss said it would be “unconscionable” for Johnson to not bring the bill forward if it passes the Senate. “We are going to have to decide in Congress whether in an election year it’s about performance or it’s about policy, and I’m here for policy,” Auchincloss said on CNN Sunday night. While he hadn’t yet read the full bill — it had come out just an hour earlier — Auchincloss called it the type of “good-faith, bipartisan compromise that I can support.” GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. The border deal dropped three hours after more than a dozen Republican governors, including New Hampshire’s Chris Sununu, appeared with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to press Biden and Congress to crack down on border crossings . They gathered in Eagle Pass, Texas, at the park that has become the front line of the immigration showdown between Abbott and the federal government. TODAY — Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll attend a Literacy Launch event at 1:30 p.m. at Randolph’s Young Elementary School, meet with Fall River school leaders at 4 p.m. at Durfee High and tout child care investments in their budget proposal at 4:30 p.m. at the Fall River Boys and Girls Club. Tips? Scoops? Thoughts on the border deal? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com .   DON’T MISS POLITICO’S GOVERNORS SUMMIT: Join POLITICO on Feb. 22 to dive into how Governors are wielding immense power. While Washington remains gridlocked, governors are at the center of landmark decisions in AI and tech, economic development, infrastructure, housing, reproductive health and energy. How are they setting the stage for the future of American politics, policies and priorities? How are they confronting major challenges? Explore these questions and more at the 2024 Governors Summit. REGISTER HERE .     DATELINE BEACON HILL BIG WEEK FOR BILLS — Joint committees have until Wednesday to report out their bills (or ask for extensions). But we're getting an early look at where top Democrats stand on two of this session's buzzier proposals. — LET THE SUN SHINE: State Sen. Jamie Eldridge already has a favorable report in hand for his “Sunlight Act” that aims to increase the Legislature's transparency by requiring one-week notice for legislative hearings, making written testimony to committees public and posting all recorded committee votes online. It would also subject the governor’s office to the state’s public records law, retroactive to when Gov. Maura Healey took office. But the bill that’s moved on to the Senate Ways and Means Committee won’t see daylight again this session without buy-in from the Senate’s top Democrats. Assistant Majority Leader Joan Lovely signed off on the bill as co-chair of the Joint Committee on Rules. What about Senate President Karen Spilka? “I’m a firm believer in transparency. The state Senate rules incorporate all of those pieces — not about the governor because we don’t have control [over that], but in terms of more notice for hearings, putting our votes on the website,” she said on NBC10’s “At Issue.” Eldridge told Playbook he “appreciate[s]” Spilka’s “leadership” on transparency in the Senate, even though she didn’t commit to supporting his bill. He also acknowledged the “challenge” the legislation faces given that the House and Senate have been unable to agree on the rules governing joint committees for years. — LEGALIZING TEACHER STRIKES: Newton teachers’ decision to walk off the job for two weeks won them a 12.6 percent cost-of-living increase over four years, better working conditions and benefits like extended parental leave. But it doesn’t appear to have engendered more support from Beacon Hill leaders for legislation that would legalize teacher strikes. In fact, it may have had the opposite effect. “It really does beg a question to us: How do we work collaboratively with our community leaders, with our union officials, to try and understand what can we do to prevent that from happening?” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said on WCVB’s “On the Record” Sunday when asked about the Newton strike. “We’ve got to put ourselves in a position to try and do all that we can to prevent strikes from happening and keep kids in classrooms.” Beacon Hill’s Big Three have already gone on record against authorizing teacher strikes. But Driscoll’s doubling down reinforces the administration’s stance as teachers keep hitting the picket lines in different school districts. We’re on track to find out the bill’s fate — for this session, at least — in the next few days. State Sen. Patricia Jehlen , who co-chairs the Joint Labor and Workforce Committee, said the panel is in the midst of polling that bill and others ahead of Wednesday’s deadline. RELATED — “The teachers strike is over, but more fights are on the horizon,” by Deanna Pan, Mandy McLaren and Christopher Huffaker, The Boston Globe: “[T]here’s a mismatch between what communities claim they want and what they’re willing to pay for. Moreover, municipalities are hamstrung by state law that limits their ability to raise taxes to meet teachers’ demands. It’s a recipe that portends more strikes in districts where contract negotiations are stalling.” But Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page told WCVB that teacher strikes won’t become the norm . Students are heading back to school in Newton today after striking teachers reached a contract deal with school officials. | Steven Senne,/AP —  “‘Outrageous.’ Healey wants to let police training chief earn $150,000 salary while drawing taxpayer-funded pension,” by Matt Stout, The Boston Globe: “Governor Maura Healey is seeking to allow the retired police chief who heads Massachusetts’ police training agency to take home both his $150,000-a-year salary and a municipal pension, a move that a state watchdog called an extraordinary exception to the rules governing public retirees.” — “Fed-up and furious: Gov urged to put State Police into receivership,” by Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald. — “Massachusetts town 'will lose money' if it doesn't comply with MBTA Communities Law, Lt. Gov. says,” by Russ Reed, WCVB. MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS RECONSTRUCTING THE TIMELINE — WBUR’s Paula Moura and Beth Healy report on just how rapidly the state decided to open an overflow shelter site at the Melnea A. Cass Recreational Complex in Roxbury. State and city officials began searching for temporary shelter sites on Jan. 18 and opened the Cass to migrant and homeless families on Jan. 31. FROM THE HUB — “Keller @ Large: Councilman Ed Flynn shares his concerns about Boston's public health and safety,” by Jon Keller, WBZ: “[Flynn] said he believes communities of color have legitimate concerns about the government addressing their needs.” FROM THE 413 — “‘Should have been yes’: Holyoke mayor pushes back on state’s receivership of schools,” by Dave Canton, Springfield Republican: “Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia came out swinging Saturday after state Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey C. Riley refused to end the receivership of Holyoke’s public school system. … Garcia said he received two phone calls, one from Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler promising corrective action to provide the city with concrete steps it needs to take to throw off state control of schools. Then Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll called Garcia’s office offering to intercede on the city’s behalf, he said.” PAC IT UP — Super PACs played in municipal races across the state last year, and Matt Szafranski of Western Mass. Politics & Insight has the latest on Hispanic Latino Leaders Now PAC’s 2023 spending.   YOUR GUIDE TO EMPIRE STATE POLITICS : From the newsroom that doesn’t sleep, POLITICO's New York Playbook is the ultimate guide for power players navigating the intricate landscape of Empire State politics. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest and most important stories from Albany, New York City and around the state, with in-depth, original reporting to stay ahead of policy trends and political developments. Subscribe now to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle of NY politics.      WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING — “‘It’s inexcusable’: As overdose deaths mount, millions in opioid settlement funds go unspent in Massachusetts,” by Chris Serres, The Boston Globe: “Less than 5 percent of the $50 million that Massachusetts communities received from the opioid settlements so far has been spent on addiction-related services and overdose prevention efforts, according to a Globe analysis of municipal spending reports.” — “Hateful flyers mailed to Worcester officials, city councilor says,” by Susannah Sudborough, MassLive: “Antisemitic and anti-trans flyers were mailed to several Worcester officials last week following a transphobic outburst during a Worcester City Council meeting late last month, according to Worcester City Councilor-At-Large Thu Nguyen.” — “Two business leaders joining Harvard’s powerful oversight board, school says,” by Mike Damiano and Hilary Burns, The Boston Globe: " The board tapped Kenneth Frazier, a former chief executive of pharmaceutical giant Merck, and Joseph Bae, co-CEO of KKR, one of the world’s biggest investment firms, bringing in two leaders with management experience at the highest levels of American business. … The board holds primary responsibility for selecting Harvard’s next president, following former president Claudine Gay’s Jan. 2 resignation.” —   “Property records shine light on Steward finances,” by Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald: “Property records show Steward Health Care hospitals in Boston have numerous outstanding liens for nearly $4 million of debt to various contractors. Steward Health Care system, the largest private for-profit healthcare network in the country, teetered along a financial cliff threatening at least four Massachusetts hospitals, but announced it had secured funding to keep all open on Friday.” — “Man extradited from Sweden in connection to 2019 fires at Jewish institutions in Boston suburbs,” by Molly Farrar, Boston.com. MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE MAYBE NOT TAKEN FOR GRANITE — New Hampshire’s Democratic presidential primary may count after all. Jim Clyburn , the venerable South Carolina representative and key ally of Joe Biden , celebrated the president winning the Palmetto State’s Democratic primary on Saturday by calling on the Democratic National Committee to find a way to seat New Hampshire’s delegates at this summer’s convention. DNC Chair Jaime Harrison , who was standing beside Clyburn when he said it, didn’t shut the door to the idea. New Hampshire Democrats are thrilled. Kathy Sullivan , a longtime state Democratic operative who helmed a super PAC that aided the Biden write-in effort there, predicted that Clyburn’s support “will carry a lot of weight with the DNC.” It certainly helps that Biden won New Hampshire’s unsanctioned primary by a wide margin. The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws committee has yet to decide whether or how to sanction New Hampshire for breaking with its preferred nominating calendar for this cycle. HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH HE’S ONTO…? — Ex-Patriots coach Bill Belichick took out a full-page ad in The Boston Globe thanking fans. ‘UNDERESTIMATE BAHSTIN, AT YAH PERIL’ — Ben Affleck ’s new Dunkin’ commercial is here. IT’S GIVING SPRING — Ms. G , the state’s official groundhog, predicted an early spring with the help of some kids. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former state Rep. John Businger , former Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson, Trevor Kincaid and Matt Bonaccorsi , comms director for Rep. Jim McGovern. 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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