POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Trump guilty verdict lands in Mass.

BY LISA KASHINSKY AND KELLY GARRITY Presented by  A PROGRAMMING NOTE: Lisa here. We’ve got a lot of news to cover today. But first we’ve got some of our own to share. Friday, June 7, will be my last day authoring Playbook. After three years at the helm, I’m handing the reins fully over to the very capable Kelly Garrity and moving to cover the presidential race full time for POLITICO’s politics team, where I’ll be a national political reporter writing about both Joe Biden's and Donald Trump’s campaigns. I’m not going far. I’ll still be based in Boston and covering politics across New England, including Massachusetts’ marquee elections and New Hampshire’s gubernatorial and congressional races. But as my purview expands, I’m so excited for Kelly to take over Playbook and make it her own. This transition has been a long time coming — Kelly joined the Playbook team as a guest author early last year and became my co-author last fall. Already a regular at the State House and Boston City Hall, she’s got a sharp wit and an even sharper eye for news. If you haven’t met Kelly yet , you will soon! And start sending your tips and scoops her way at kgarrity@politico.com . Also, stay tuned — we’ve got something special in the works. I’ll save my thank yous and goodbyes for next week. For now, to the rest of the news. Former President Donald Trump and attorney Todd Blanche attend his criminal trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 30, 2024, in New York City. | Pool photo by Mark Peterson GUILTY — The Bay State’s top Democrats are united in their distaste for Donald Trump. But they can’t seem to agree on how they — or President Joe Biden — should play the bombshell criminal conviction of the former president in the middle of a high-stakes election campaign. Some seized on Trump being found guilty of falsifying business records to cast him as “unfit” to hold the office again. Trump is a “threat” and “dangerous” — and now, “a convicted felon,” members of the all-Democratic federal delegation said in statements (Rep. Ayanna Pressley), fundraising pitches (Rep. Jim McGovern) and phone interviews in the hours after the verdict came down. Sen. Ed Markey simply posted a picture of Big Papi wearing No. 34 — a nod to the number of counts Trump was convicted on. Rep. Seth Moulton said Trump’s conviction “raises the stakes for November.” It should also, he said, serve as a wake-up call for Democrats to “work a lot harder” as polls continue to show a tight race between the current and former presidents and Trump continues to rake in campaign cash off his legal troubles . “Nobody should want a convicted felon to be elected president,” Moulton told Playbook. Democrats, he added, “need to look ourselves in the mirror and say: Why on earth is this even close?” Rep. Jake Auchincloss told Playbook that Democrats should focus on drawing a “broader contrast” with Republicans who present their party as one of law and order but are “nominating a convicted felon for president.” But after a trial that was highly politicized — mainly by a defendant who used his soapbox outside the Manhattan courtroom to try to undermine the institutions that would rein him in — other Democrats are wary of their party turning the jury’s all-guilty verdict into a campaign cudgel. “This isn’t about the politics and it shouldn’t be about the politics,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren told Playbook over the phone. “I am deeply saddened that Donald Trump put our nation in this position.” Others were similarly measured in their remarks. “In America, no person is above the law — regardless of wealth, fame, or position,” House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark said in a statement. Attorney General Andrea Campbell said simply : “Equal justice under law.” Also unable to come to a consensus on how to handle Trump’s new criminal record: Republicans. The MassGOP rushed to defend Trump from what Chair Amy Carnevale called “political prosecution.” But the two main Republican U.S. Senate candidates, neither of whom plan to vote for Trump in November, both tried to avoid politicizing the verdict. Quincy City Council President Ian Cain said the trial’s conclusion “allows the country to get back to work” on other issues. Attorney John Deaton called for people to “remain faithful in our institutions — both our justice system and our democracy” with a nod to November’s election. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. We've got more local reaction and the view from swing-state New Hampshire . One person who hasn't said a thing yet? Gov. Maura Healey. TODAY — Healey has no public events. Lt. Kim Driscoll speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Basketball Hall of Fame at 11 a.m. in Springfield. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hosts a coffee hour in South Boston at 9:30 a.m. and attends the Age Strong Commission’s senior prom at 1:45 p.m. in Brighton. THIS WEEKEND — Former Somerville mayor and NECEC President Joe Curtatone is on WBZ's "Keller @ Large" at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Moulton is on WCVB’s “On The Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. Tips? Scoops? Trump verdict reactions? Email us: kgarrity@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com .   A message from Choose Who You Use: A new study published earlier this year revealed that if customers chose a retail electric provider over a utility in 2022 and 2023 the combined savings would have been $1.7 billion. Join the Choose Who You Use coalition to protect electricity choice and preserve Massachusetts ratepayers’ ability to choose the most affordable, renewable options for them. Learn more.   DAY IN COURT THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENED — “Just before news of a verdict dropped, Trump was smiling. Then the whiplash hit,” by Kyle Cheney and Erica Orden, POLITICO. — “Yes, Donald Trump can still be president as a convicted felon,” by Ben Feuerherd, POLITICO. — “There’s a real possibility Trump can’t vote in November,” by Ben Feuerherd, POLITICO. — “Will Trump’s guilty verdict hurt him in November? Here’s how to read the coming polls,” by Adam Wren and Lisa Kashinsky, POLITICO. DATELINE BEACON HILL — “Healey’s newest round of pardon recommendations has raised the eyebrows of the Governor’s Council,” by Josh Landes, WAMC: “The Western Massachusetts representative on Governor Maura Healey’s Governor’s Council says she’s puzzled by three new pardon recommendations from the first-term Democrat … [after] two of the three men on governor’s newest slate of pardon recommendations come to the Governor’s Council without the support of the Advisory Board of Pardons.” — “He earns an extra $61,000 to lead two committees. They never considered a bill,” by Emma Platoff and Laura Crimaldi, The Boston Globe: “As chairman of two committees in the Massachusetts Senate, Democrat Mark Montigny of New Bedford earns $61,000 in leadership stipends, which bump up his annual pay to $162,000 — more than double the base salary of state lawmakers. But it’s unclear what the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy have achieved under his leadership.” — “New bill could assist intellectually divergent, autistic patients,” by Kinga Borondy, Telegram & Gazette.  — “Crunch time is coming to Beacon Hill,” by Gintautas Dumcius, CommonWealth Beacon.   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 .     YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS UP FOR DEBATE — GOP Senate hopeful Ian Cain threw down the debate gauntlet Thursday, challenging fellow Republican John Deaton to “a series of debates” before September’s primary.  Deaton’s not playing ball — yet. “We're happy to have a conversation with Mr. Cain about possible debates once he proves himself a credible candidate with a serious campaign; he has a long way to go in that regard,” Deaton’s campaign manager Michael Gorecki said in a statement. Cain’s campaign clapped back: "Sounds to me like John Deaton is refusing the opportunity to debate and hiding from legitimate questions about his attacks on police, support of Obamacare, and open border, pro-amnesty position,” Rebecca Schieber , a Cain campaign official, said in a statement. “We look forward to hearing from their campaign to debate on the issues." OOPS — The initial letter Cain’s campaign sent to Deaton’s team requesting the debates was signed “Ian Cain, Republican for State Representative,” according to a copy reviewed by Playbook . Schieber said the error was “my mistake.” FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — State Rep. Denise Garlick is endorsing Dave Reservitz for the open District 2 Governor’s Council seat. ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR — “MIT protesters walk out of graduation, march down Mass. Ave. in support of Palestinians,” by WBUR: “Dozens of graduates walked out of MIT's commencement ceremony on Thursday, chanting slogans in support of Palestinians in Gaza and condemning the university for its actions in disciplining protesters. The walkouts continued to chant before moving on to Massachusetts Avenue, where they unfurled banners and briefly blocked traffic. They then marched to the Charles River, crossing the Mass. Ave. Bridge and cutting off traffic into Boston.”   A message from Choose Who You Use:     FROM THE HUB — “Clash over Boston mayor’s move to hike commercial tax rates,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “Boston Mayor Michelle Wu directed neighborhood liaisons to reach out to residents as part of a last-ditch effort to stack a Thursday City Council hearing with positive testimony for her controversial proposal to increase commercial tax rates. At the same time, Regan Communications, a public relations firm known for being critical of the mayor’s policies, was attempting to stack the deck with opponents from the business community, who testified against the legislation at the meeting.” — “‘I’m not sure people are actually paying attention.’ Wu struggles to rally popular support for property tax push,” by Niki Griswold, The Boston Globe. THE RACE FOR CITY HALL GARRISON GEARS UP — Althea Garrison isn’t retiring from running for elective office after all. But instead of running for state representative as she initially indicated, the perennial candidate is preparing to run for Boston mayor next year , she told CommonWealth Beacon’s Gintautas Dumcius. BALLOT BATTLES — “MCAS opponents double the number of signatures needed to advance ballot question,” by Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald: “Advocates have gathered 25,000 signatures, twice the number needed, to advance a ballot question overturning the MCAS graduation requirement to the November ballot, the Massachusetts Teachers Association announced Thursday.”   DON’T MISS POLITICO’S ENERGY SUMMIT : The future of energy faces a crossroads in 2024 as policymakers and industry leaders shape new rules, investments and technologies. Join POLITICO’s Energy Summit on June 5 as we convene top voices to examine the shifting global policy environment in a year of major elections in the U.S. and around the world. POLITICO will examine how governments are writing and rewriting new rules for the energy future and America’s own role as a major exporter. REGISTER HERE .     MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS — “Few takers for pot pardon certificates,” Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “Healey signed a ‘first-in-the-nation’ executive order in mid-March granting an ‘automatic’ pardon to those with previous misdemeanor convictions for possession of marijuana, which has been legal for more than seven years. The pardons don’t apply to convictions after March 13, and exclude charges such as possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, distribution, trafficking, or operating a motor vehicle under the influence. The order also allowed those who are eligible to request a ‘certificate’ from the state verifying the pardon.” — “How Many People Work In Mass Cannabis? It Depends On Who You Ask,” by Chris Faraone, Talking Joints Memo. THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Martha’s Vineyard criminal cases in jeopardy amid district attorney’s dispute with sheriff’s office,” Sean Cotter, The Boston Globe: “The Cape and Islands district attorney’s office said Thursday it may have to begin dropping criminal cases on Martha’s Vineyard because the Dukes County sheriff’s office isn’t providing sufficient information about its officers’ disciplinary histories.” — “Markey pays visit to Sturdy Hospital in Attleboro,” by Natasha Connolly, The Sun Chronicle.   A message from Choose Who You Use: Massachusetts’ utility customers have recently seen some of the highest electric rates in the country, but customers who chose retail electric providers could have saved hundreds of dollars over the last two years. The last thing we should be doing during this moment is eliminating this choice for Massachusetts consumers and forcing people to live under monopoly utility service. Choose Who You Use is committed to protecting real electricity choice in Massachusetts. We believe the power to choose energy should be in the hands of the people. In Massachusetts, individuals should be able to choose the type of energy they want and how to pay for it. Learn more.   HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to WPRI’s Ted Nesi, Katie Sagarin and Gena Mangiaratti. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Sunday birthday-ers Kathryn Grosso Gann and Liam Horsman. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: BETTER LATE THAN NEVER — Hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith and Lisa Kashinsky talk chronic absenteeism and the state’s lack of legislative competition. State House News Service’s Chris Lisinski joins to discuss differences in the state budget proposals and end-of-session scaries. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud . 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: How Healey’s pot pardon stacks up

 

BY KELLY GARRITY AND LISA KASHINSKY NOT JUST BLOWING SMOKE — Gov. Maura Healey cast the blanket pardon of simple marijuana possession convictions that she unveiled Wednesday as potentially the “most sweeping cannabis pardon ever proposed by any governor in the United States.” Is it? Healey is asking the Governor’s Council to sign off on a plan to wipe out all past state court misdemeanor convictions for possession of marijuana. She estimates “hundreds of thousands” of people would see their convictions erased, but declined to drill down on the numbers at her State House press conference. Clearing people’s records will in most cases happen automatically, she said. But it could take months to get through them all. Healey described her proposal as the broadest action taken by any governor to forgive past cannabis crimes since President Joe Biden in 2022 pardoned thousands of people convicted of simple possession of marijuana under federal law and urged state executives to follow suit. But Healey is not the first governor to cancel swaths of cannabis convictions. Here’s how Healey’s push stacks up against other states: ILLINOIS — Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said in 2022 that nearly 800,000 low-level marijuana convictions had been pardoned or expunged under the state’s Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act . MISSOURI — Voters passed a constitutional amendment in 2022 legalizing cannabis and requiring the state to expunge misdemeanor marijuana offenses from the records of anyone no longer in prison or on probation. But the state’s Republican governor, Mike Parson, has shot down the idea of a blanket pardon . OREGON — In 2022, then-Gov. Kate Brown moved to pardon roughly 47,000 adults who had been convicted of simple marijuana possession before the state legalized weed in 2015. CALIFORNIA — The 2016 ballot measure that legalized recreational cannabis sales reduced most felony charges for possession, possession for sale, cultivation and unlawful transport to misdemeanors. Follow-up laws required courts to clean up cannabis-related arrest and conviction records automatically. THE REST — Pennsylvania let people apply for an official pardon during a one-month window in 2022 . Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, has pardoned several thousand people with marijuana-possession convictions. And Rhode Island has expunged 23,000 cases and counting . And so on. Now back to Healey. Our governor's proposal is still lacking in detail. But it appears to hew closely to what Biden put forward in 2022 and doubled down on in another wave of pardons late last year , both in practice and in message. Just as Biden said his goal was to remove a barrier for people struggling to secure housing or jobs, Healey said much the same on Wednesday. “A conviction may be a barrier to jobs , to getting housing, to even getting an education,” Healey, a surrogate for Biden’s reelection campaign, said at the State House. “All for doing something that isn’t even cause for arrest today. That doesn’t sit right with me.” Gov. Maura Healey proposed a blanket pardon of simple marijuana possession convictions. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . More than half of the members of the all-Democratic Governor’s Council have publicly voiced support for Healey’s proposal, though it’s unclear when they’ll take it up after the group abruptly canceled its meeting on Wednesday. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, for one, is calling on councilors to move “swiftly.” TODAY — Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll have no public events. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu addresses The New England Council at 10:30 a.m. at the Park Plaza Hotel and signs labor contracts at 1 p.m. at City Hall. Tips? Scoops? Email us: kgarrity@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com .   Easily connect with the right N.Y. State influencers and foster the right relationships to champion your policy priorities. POLITICO Pro. Inside New York. Learn more .     DATELINE BEACON HILL WHAT SUPP WITH THE SHELTER SUPP — Senators will vote today on a sweeping early education and child care bill that aims to expand access for families and fortify the industry’s workforce. Senate President Karen Spilka and some of her colleagues will hold a rally in support of the bill at 10:30 a.m. on the State House steps. What’s less clear is when the Senate will take up the $260 million spending plan the House sent over last week that includes $245 million for the state’s overburdened emergency assistance program and limits on how long families can stay in the shelter system. Spilka said her chamber will tackle the supp in “short order.” But she remained noncommittal Wednesday on whether she supports capping shelter stays. YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS ENDORSEMENT CORNER — State Sen. Marc Pacheco told Playbook he's endorsing longtime Raynham Selectman Joe Pacheco (no relation) in the race to fill his seat in the 3rd Bristol and Plymouth District. A former State House staffer, the Raynham Democrat is serving his sixth term as a selectman. CAIN INCHES CLOSER — Quincy City Council President Ian Cain has told the MassGOP that he pulled nomination papers to run for U.S. Senate as a Republican, party Chair Amy Carnevale told Playbook. The party is “in communication” with Cain about his potential bid, she said. Cain did not respond to a request for comment. KENNEDY-BROWN 2024? — Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to announce his running mate later this month. Among the people he’s spoken with: former ambassador and former Sen. Scott Brown , per The Washington Post . — “ Three Democrats will compete in the primary to succeed William 'Smitty' Pignatelli as 3rd Berkshire State House District representative,” by Clarence Fanto, The Berkshire Eagle: “The latest entrant into the 3rd Berkshire District contest is Jamie Minacci, a member of the Stockbridge Select Board elected in May 2022. She announced her candidacy at the Stockbridge Democratic Town Committee caucus last Saturday. Also competing in the Democratic primary on Sept. 3 are Leigh Davis, vice chair of the Great Barrington Select Board and Patrick White, member and a previous chairman of the Stockbridge Select Board.” FROM THE HUB — “Wu in talks with MBTA on city-funded commuter rail stop,” by Gintautas Dumcius, CommonWealth Beacon: “Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has been in talks with the MBTA over the construction of a new Needham Line commuter rail station, funded by the city. The discussions were initially connected with a Wu administration plan to move Roxbury’s O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science to the vacant West Roxbury Education Complex. … Talks with the MBTA continued even as the O’Bryant plan fell apart.” FROM THE DELEGATION TIKTOK ON THE SENATE CLOCK — The U.S. House voted in rare bipartisan fashion on Wednesday to approve a bill co-sponsored by Reps. Seth Moulton and Jake Auchincloss that would force the sale of TikTok or, if that doesn’t happen within six months, ban it in the U.S. But the bill divided our all-Democratic congressional delegation. Reps. Lori Trahan, Stephen Lynch and Bill Keating joined Moulton and Auchincloss in voting in favor of it. But Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Reps. Richard Neal, Jim McGovern and Ayanna Pressley voted against it. “We need comprehensive data privacy legislation — not narrow policy that targets one platform that millions rely on to get news, make a living & build community,” Pressley posted on X to explain her vote. The president has said he would sign the bill if it reaches his desk. But it faces an uncertain future in the Senate. Sen. Ed Markey said in a post on X that the “privacy problem” goes beyond TikTok. “We don't need to ban TikTok to fix their invasive practices,” Markey wrote. “The answer,” he said, is to pass his updated Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act. Sen. Elizabeth Warren previously told our colleagues that legislation shouldn’t target just one social media outlet and that there should be “curbs in place on social media across the board.” AWAITING REPLY — Markey is asking embattled Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre to testify at the field hearing he’s planning on for-profit health care companies next month in Boston, he posted on X . — “‘We’re not playing games anymore’: Residents occupy McGovern’s Northampton office with Gaza demands,” by James Pentland, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Pushing their congressman to do more to stop the destruction of Gaza, members of the Leahy Fast for Palestine Committee and supporters occupied Rep. Jim McGovern’s local office and spoke with him by phone for half an hour Tuesday afternoon. … After spending the night at the congressman’s office, the group added a demand that the U.S. veto no more U.N. cease-fire resolutions. The U.S. has vetoed three so far.”   JOIN US ON 3/21 FOR A TALK ON FINANCIAL LITERACY: Americans from all communities should be able to save, build wealth, and escape generational poverty, but doing so requires financial literacy. How can government and industry ensure access to digital financial tools to help all Americans achieve this? Join POLITICO on March 21 as we explore how Congress, regulators, financial institutions and nonprofits are working to improve financial literacy education for all. REGISTER HERE .     DAY IN COURT — “On zoning law, Campbell seeks legal shot across the bow,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Beacon: “Supreme Court Justice Serge Georges Jr. on Wednesday kicked the tires on Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s bid to, as he put it, send a shot across the bow of more than 100 other municipalities by taking her MBTA Communities case against Milton straight to the state’s highest court. Campbell wants to skip a trial in Superior Court and go straight to the SJC in May in an effort to establish clearly that Milton and other communities in the state are subject to the law and her office has the authority to enforce compliance.” — “Mass. to expand drug treatment courts for parents struggling with addiction,” by Chris Serres, The Boston Globe: “... Massachusetts plans to expand the concept from two courts, in Greenfield and Springfield, to at least seven more cities over the next two years. Cities that will become home to the courts include Boston, Dedham, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Pittsfield, and Worcester, the Massachusetts Trial Court announced Wednesday.” FROM THE 413 — “Prosecutors say footage purportedly shows Wilmer Puello-Mota in Russian military,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “Rhode Island prosecutors pursuing child pornography charges against former Holyoke City Councilor Wilmer Puello-Mota acknowledged this week there exist photos and videos that purportedly show him serving in the Russian military in Russia or Ukraine.” WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING — “After cease-fire votes, some city councilors wonder if they should be debating foreign policy,” by Spencer Buell, The Boston Globe: “On the one hand, councilors say they felt a moral and democratic obligation to speak out on behalf of their constituents against injustice, no matter where it’s taking place. But others wonder if it’s beyond their brief.” — “Mistreatment persists at Bridgewater State Hospital, report says,” by Deborah Becker, WBUR: “The report, from the Disability Law Center, found patients at Bridgewater State Hospital were subjected to illegally forced medication injections, violence from staff, lack of medical care, inappropriate medication for opioid use disorder and mold contamination. The report recommends that the state transfer control of Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Correction to the Department of Mental Health.” — “Mass. child care providers brace for cuts to state grants,” by Carrie Jung, WBUR. MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND NAME CHECK —   “Romney slams Whitehouse over leadership of budget panel,” by Ted Nesi, WPRI: “Mitt Romney has had it with the way Sheldon Whitehouse is leading the Senate Budget Committee. … ‘It’s appropriate that this hearing is being held during Academy Awards season,’ Romney quipped. ‘I’m afraid what we do here is more "Barbie" than it is "Oppenheimer."'" HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — Christina Grant is the new executive director of the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard. Grant is currently the state superintendent of education in Washington, D.C. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell, former Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford, Jackson Cote, Denise Lloyd, Kenzington “Zing” Elechko, Miles Weber and Susan Slattery . NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: THE TRUTHS ABOUT YOUTHS — Hosts Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith break down the latest data on why young people are leaving Greater Boston. CommonWealth Beacon's Gintautas Dumcius talks the tipped wages ballot battle. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud . 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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