POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BAKER’s imprint on the JUDICIARY — JURY TRIALS to RESUME — Students waiting on LAPTOPS in BOSTON

 

BY STEPHANIE MURRAY

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF! BAKER'S BROAD POWER ON BEACON HILL— Gov. Charlie Baker's influence in Massachusetts government will become even broader by the end of the year. After the unexpected death of Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants, it's likely that Baker will soon be in a position to select the entire bench of the Supreme Judicial Court. The last governor to appoint the entire court was John Hancock, according to the Boston Globe, who was the first and third governor of the Bay State. Baker has already named five justices to the seven-member court during his time as governor. Baker will fill Gants' seat on the court, and another spot on the bench when Justice Barbara Lenk retires later this year. The Governor's Council approves Baker's appointments to the court. Naming the entire SJC would be a long-lasting example of Baker's power as governor, as justices are not required to retire until they are 70. Baker's youngest appointment, Justice Kimberly Budd, will be 70 in 2036. This comes as the court is deciding whether Baker's other big area of influence — executive orders — are legal. The governor has issued dozens of executive orders to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, having to do with travel restrictions, facial coverings, flu shots and a host of other issues. Eighty-one percent of Massachusetts residents approve of how Baker has handled coronavirus, according to a poll conducted in June. The Supreme Judicial Court heard arguments last week in the lawsuit brought by business owners and others. The issue is not whether Baker's decisions were good or bad, but whether he should have relied on the Civil Defense Act for his authority. Justices seemed wary of upending Baker's Covid-19 response, according to CommonWealth Magazine. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Rep. Jim McGovern holds a press conference in Worcester with state Sen. Harriette Chandler. Rep. Richard Neal speaks to the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, and holds a U.S. Census event in Chicopee. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Dr. Karilyn Crockett kick off a virtual NAACP Boston roundtable. Walsh joins a Facebook Live hosted by the American Association of Suicidology on behalf of Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s campaign. Sen. Ed Markey campaigns in Boston, Weymouth, Springfield, Ludlow and Worcester.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– “Massachusetts reports 15 new COVID deaths, 419 new coronavirus cases on Thursday,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “State health officials announced another 15 new coronavirus deaths on Thursday, bringing the statewide death count to 9,051 since the start of the pandemic. Officials also confirmed another 419 cases of COVID-19, for a total now of at least 124,139 in Massachusetts.”

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– “Baker Boosts Flu Awareness By Getting, Well, A Flu Shot,” by Mike Deehan, GBH News: “Gov. Charlie Baker received a flu shot Thursday from a CVS pharmacy in Roslindale, part of his efforts to get as many Massachusetts residents immunized against influenza while the state still struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘As we continue to fight COVID-19, it's critical that we do everything we can to minimize the impact of the flu and other respiratory illnesses. This will keep people healthy and help maintain capacity in hospitals and other health care facilities in case there is another surge associated with COVID-19,’ Baker said after receiving the shot.” – “Revised medical parole rules draw fire,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “A second attempt by the Department of Correction to develop medical parole regulations is running into blowback from lawmakers and advocates who say the Baker administration is continuing to block efforts to release medically incapacitated prisoners.” – “DeLeo hopeful that bill to support campus sexual violence survivors can move forward this year,” by Charlie Wolfson, Boston Globe: “In 2014, John Gabrieli and some of his fellow college students founded the Every Voice Coalition and drafted the Every Voice bill, which would require colleges and universities to provide support for survivors of sexual violence on campuses. More than five years later, Gabrieli and other activists are still hoping to see it become law in Massachusetts.” – “Union-backed group loses tax exempt status,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “An advocacy group involved in the fight over school reopenings and education reform has had its federal tax exempt status revoked for failure to file financial statements dating back years. The Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance was stripped of its tax-exempt status last month for not filing Form 990s and other financial disclosures, dating back to 2018, according to Internal Revenue Service records.” – “Advocates say the fight is not over for immigrants in Mass. with temporary protected status,” by Dasia Moore, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts advocacy groups said they are disappointed, but not defeated, following a ruling by a federal appeals court that allows the Trump administration to move forward with ending protections for some immigrants.” – “Boston leads effort protesting naturalization fee hike,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “The city of Boston filed an amicus brief Thursday on behalf of 34 cities, counties, and municipal agencies asking a federal court to stop a new rule from going into effect that would nearly double the cost to apply for citizenship. Beginning October 2, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is increasing its fee to apply for naturalization from $725 to $1,200 — and eliminating the fee waiver for almost all low-income residents.” – “Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey vows to combat election interference after President Donald Trump says he’ll send law enforcement to polling places,” by Jackson Cote, MassLive.com: “After President Donald Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity last month he would send law enforcement to polling places to monitor for voter fraud, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey offered a reminder to residents this week that state and federal laws have long protected against voter intimidation.” – “State Senate budget chief anticipating $5 billion drop in tax collections in fiscal 2021,” by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: “Despite signs that the state's finances have not completely cratered during the pandemic, the Senate's top budget official said this week he anticipates tax collections in fiscal 2021 to be down $5 billion from last year, and said lawmakers will need to dip ‘deeply’ into the state's $3.5 billion ‘rainy day’ fund unless new federal aid arrives from Washington.”

FROM THE HUB

– “COVID And Housing Costs Top Voter Concerns In GBH News Boston Mayoral Poll,” by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: “As Boston prepares for the 2021 mayoral election, a new GBH News poll conducted by the MassINC Polling Group shows that the COVID-19 pandemic far outstrips any issue on the minds of registered voters, relegating crime, public safety, police conduct, and race relations to a third tier of worry.” – “Hundreds of Boston students who need laptops have not received them, advocates say,” by Naomi Martin, Boston Globe: “Hundreds of students who have requested laptops since last spring from Boston Public Schools have yet to receive them, according to the advocacy group Lawyers for Civil Rights. The organization said Thursday that it requested the district’s public records on Chromebook distribution after being contacted by desperate families of students struggling without laptops.” – “Walsh: Trump Admin Policy That Would Raise Citizenship Application Fees 'Betrayal' Of US Values,” by Isaiah Thompson, GBH News: “Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said Thursday that the city of Boston has joined a lawsuit against the Trump administration over new policies that would impose new and heftier fees on immigrants seeking to gain U.S. citizenship. Earlier in the day, Walsh said, the city filed an amicus brief supporting Project Citizen, a nonprofit organization that advocates for immigrant access to citizenship, in suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” – “BPS Has A New Policy Governing Student Information Sharing. Some Educators Say It Doesn't Go Far Enough,” by Shannon Dooling, WBUR: “Boston Public Schools have a new policy around sharing student information with the Boston Police Department. The school committee unanimously approved the new guidelines Wednesday night, even though many advocates and teachers still express concerns.” – “COVID-19 vaccine unlikely to be a silver bullet,” by Sarah Betancourt and Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “For months, a quarantine-weary, virus-ridden nation has been waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine. It’s become the endgame, the antidote to all the death and economic destruction the virus has caused. Massachusetts’s final reopening stage, referred to as the ‘new normal,’ is predicated on having an effective treatment or vaccine. But experts are beginning to rein in the sky-high expectations.” – “We Have A Year Of Data, But Still Don't Know Impact Of Police In Mass. Schools,” by Shannon Dooling, WBUR: “As the country grapples with police reform, many juvenile justice advocates in Massachusetts are questioning whether officers belong in schools. We know people of color disproportionately come into contact with the criminal justice system at a young age and for minor offenses, and some argue school police may play a role in the criminalization of students.” – “Boston Among Bottom 70 American Cities For Racial Inclusion, Study Finds,” by Simón Rios, WBUR: “The racial poverty gap progressively widened in Boston since 1990, bucking a trend in the opposite direction of other U.S. cities, according to new research from the nonprofit Urban Institute. The study looked at how equitable the economy is for all city residents — as well as how the economic indicators break down along racial lines.” – “Northeastern University will credit 11 students, dismissed after gathering at Boston hotel, with tuition expenses for spring semester,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Northeastern University says it will credit the 11 freshmen who were dismissed following a gathering at the Westin Hotel for the tuition costs incurred as part of their dismissal. The students were found to be in violation of Northeastern’s code of conduct and COVID-19 health protocols amid the coronavirus pandemic, the university said previously.” – “Colleges race to close gaps in coronavirus tracing systems,” by Kay Lazar, Deirdre Fernandes and Laura Krantz, Boston Globe: “State officials say the campuses must swiftly snuff out virus hot spots if Massachusetts is to avoid a resurgence of the virus this fall. Earlier this week, the Baker administration said it will take the lead in tracking down infected students, faculty, and staff at Boston College amid a spike in cases and growing skepticism about that school’s testing regimen. Other colleges are facing their own challenges, though not as serious as the problems that confronted BC.”

DAY IN COURT

– “Grappling with ‘driving while black,’ SJC offers help,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “The Supreme Judicial Court on Thursday issued a ruling that will make it easier for defendants to prove they are the victim of illegal racial profiling when pulled over during a traffic stop. The decision, hailed as a major victory for advocates for racial justice, came on the same day the court released an opinion building on a landmark 2016 decision in which the SJC held that flight is not evidence of guilt when a black man flees police because he may have reason to believe he is being racially profiled.” – “Some jury trials to begin in Massachusetts in October under ‘Phase I’ reopening during COVID-19 pandemic,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on Thursday issued its newest ruling to guide the state’s courts into resuming jury trials amid the coronavirus pandemic. A limited number of six-person jury trials will begin on Oct. 23, according to a spokeswoman for the state’s high court.”

MARKEYCHUSETTS

– “Students without internet at home are getting left behind, says Sen. Ed Markey, urging FCC to boost connectivity,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “Sen. Ed Markey and a coalition of more than three dozen Democratic senators urged the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday to boost internet connectivity for students whose homes have turned into classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

FROM THE DELEGATION

– “Ayanna Pressley, Katherine Clark urge Charlie Baker in letter to address racial disparities in school discipline,” by Dialynn Dwyer, Boston.com: “Massachusetts Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Katherine Clark are urging urgent action at both the state and federal level to address the racial inequities and disparities in school discipline, sending letters Thursday to both Gov. Charlie Baker and U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to press for action and answers.”

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

– “Lawsuit could disrupt real estate market in 2 Cape Cod towns,” by Geoff Spillane, Cape Cod Times: “An impending lawsuit by an environmental advocacy organization could wreak havoc on the real estate market in the towns of Barnstable and Mashpee. The Conservation Law Foundation has notified the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the towns of Barnstable and Mashpee of its intent to file a lawsuit to stop septic systems from pumping nitrogen and phosphorous pollution into local waterways.”

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: “COVID D-FENSE,” — Globe: “A DISASTROUS YEAR," "SJC takes on racial profiling by police," "Moderna expects vaccine results in Nov.”

FROM THE 413

– “Springfield police announce progress in rollout of body cameras, online complaint system for excessive force allegations,” by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: “Two months after the release of a U.S. Department of Justice report that sharply criticized the Springfield Police Department’s narcotics unit, city officials said Thursday that progress is being made in the city, including outfitting more officers with body cameras and improving the citizen complaint process.”

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– “A Massachusetts teenager tested positive for covid-19. His parents sent him to school anyway.” by Jaclyn Peiser, The Washington Post: “Six students tested positive for covid-19 days before Attleboro High School in Massachusetts reopened its doors for the first day of school this week. Only five of them stayed home, the city’s mayor told WJAR.” – “‘People are getting tired of it’: Worcester city manager Edward Augustus Jr. links increase of COVID-19 cases to family gatherings without masks, social distancing,” by Michael Bonner, MassLive.com: “City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. pointed to a general fatigue related to wearing masks and social distancing as the cause of coronavirus cases in Worcester increasing in six of the last eight weeks. On Wednesday, Worcester was designated as a high-risk community by the state .” – “Attleboro area firefighters on team helping in fire-ravaged Oregon,” by David Linton, Sun Chronicle: “Area firefighters are part of the Massachusetts Task Force 1 urban search and rescue team now in Oregon to help deal with the ongoing wildfires disaster. Lt. Scott McGuire and John Cooper of the North Attleboro department, Gerry McNamara of the Mansfield department and Cory Shepardson of the Foxboro department are among 25 members of the team.” – “Back the Blue, Black Lives Matter supporters fill Scituate Rotary in separate standouts,” by Anastasia E. Lennon, The Patriot Ledger: “More than 50 people gathered around the Greenbush Rotary Wednesday afternoon through rush hour — half to support the Back the Blue campaign and President Donald Trump and the other half to support the Black Lives Matter movement.”

MEDIA MATTERS

– “In new model for media, Globe signs subscription and events deal with Biogen,” by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: “The Boston Globe has signed a six-figure deal with Biogen that provides digital subscriptions to all of the Cambridge-based biotech company’s roughly 4,000 Massachusetts employees. As part of the deal, the Globe will host two town-hall style discussions around topics of Biogen’s choosing.” TRANSITIONS – Matthew A. Morris joins Sherin and Lodgen LLP as a partner in the firm’s corporate department. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to former Rep. John Tierney, Daily Hampshire Gazette alum Emily Cutts, Jen Migliore, Kathryn Burton, Corey Lewandowski, who is 47; and Mark Walsh. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND – to Saturday birthday-ers Dorey Scheimer, Rachel McNeill, Kennedy alum Brian Phillips and John Hawthorne. And to Sunday birthday-ers Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley, former congressional candidate Dr. Robbie Goldstein and Vanessa Kirsch. NEW EPISODE: READY MAYOR ONE – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, hosts Jennifer Smith, Steve Koczela and Stephanie Murray break down new polling in the Boston 2021 mayoral race, chat with Katie Lannan of the State House News Service about the Legislature’s fall plans, and Matt Szafranski of Western Mass Politics & Insight discusses politics in the 413. 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.

CAN HEALTH APPS IMPACT THE ELECTION ? Amid persistent concerns about how the pandemic could impact voter turnout, many are overlooking one scenario – digital manipulation via health apps. Some security researchers warn that in the wrong hands, these apps could keep voters home on Election Day. How significant of a threat is this? Get insight into this and the politics, policies, and technologies driving significant change on voters' most personal issues: their health. SUBSCRIBE TO FUTURE PULSE NOW.

Follow us on Twitter Stephanie Murray @StephMurr_Jour

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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: The MBTA is running out of CASH — BAKER could pick state’s entire HIGH COURT — CLARK seeks top HOUSE post

BY STEPHANIE MURRAY GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. WU EYES HISTORY-MAKING MAYORAL BID — If Boston Mayor Marty Walsh runs for reelection next year, beating him won't be easy. The last time an incumbent mayor lost in Boston was in 1949. And that was the late Mayor James Michael Curley, who spent part of his term in a federal prison. Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu is running for mayor and hoping to change that trend. Wu announced her campaign yesterday, and addressed Boston's tendency to reelect incumbent mayors during an interview on WBUR. "We love our history in Boston and the reality as a city that is full of history is we know no one is the first until they do it and it happens," Wu said. "We're actually building a movement here to connect with the real history of Boston, our legacy as a city that has always stood up for what is right, fighting for those systemic big picture changes even when the odds are slim." If Walsh does run for reelection, how Boston handles the coronavirus pandemic over the coming year will be key. Covid-19 has impacted everything — schools, public health, housing and homelessness, transportation and the economy. The mayor is well-liked, and he won reelection with 66 percent of the vote in 2017 against former City Councilor Tito Jackson. "I want to commend Councilor Wu on her decision. I have great respect for her or anyone who runs for office. I look forward to more conversations about how we can move our city forward," Walsh said during a press conference on Tuesday. He passed on a question about whether his administration mishandled Boston's economic boom, as Wu has suggested, and hinted that the mayoral field may grow. "Whether it's the councilor or anyone else that might decide to think about running for mayor, there will be conversations later on at some point about all that." Here's something to watch: Many of Sen. Ed Markey's outspoken supporters from the Sept. 1 primary have shifted their online organizing power to Wu. Making things a little complicated is the fact that Walsh endorsed Markey for reelection against Rep. Joe Kennedy III, while Wu stayed out of the primary. But don't expect next year's mayoral race to be a repeat of what happened this month. The mood of the electorate changes from year to year, especially with the presidential election looming and the ongoing pandemic, and without a blockbuster statewide primary on the ballot. If the most recent primary followed what happened in 2018, progressive primary challengers like Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse and state legislative candidates Jordan Meehan and Damali Vidot may have won. Instead, incumbents ruled on Sept. 1 — Markey, Rep. Richard Neal and state Reps. Kevin Honan and Dan Ryan, among others, all fended off primary challengers. That's a shift from two years earlier when a slate of progressive Black and Latino candidates — Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins and state Reps. Nika Elugardo and Jon Santiago — upset incumbents or won a tough open-seat primary in 2018. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Attorney General Maura Healey speaks to the Alliance for Business Leadership as part of the group’s “Progressive Power Hour.” Suffolk County District Attorney Rachel Rollins is a guest on WBUR. Rep. Katherine Clark launches a U.S. Census phone bank, and hosts a Facebook Live with Washington Rep. Suzanne DelBene on the impact of Covid-19 on families.   HAPPENING TODAY - HOW WILL WE RETURN TO AIR TRAVEL? Air travel has been significantly disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. The decline in passengers has cost billions — an unprecedented blow to the economy, at home and abroad. As Congress mulls granting an extension in payroll assistance in the CARES Act to U.S. airlines, join CEOs Patrick Steel of POLITICO and Scott Kirby of United Airlines for a virtual conversation about the future of air travel and what it will take to get Americans back into the sky. REGISTER HERE.     THE LATEST NUMBERS – “Massachusetts reports 286 new COVID cases, 6 more coronavirus deaths on Tuesday,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “State public health officials on Tuesday confirmed 286 new COVID-19 cases and 6 more deaths from illness linked to the virus, bringing the commonwealth’s death toll to 9,016 since the pandemic began. When including probable cases, the state says 1,968 may have died in connection to the disease.” DATELINE BEACON HILL – “New State Police Overtime Abuse Underlines Need For Beacon Hill Action, Baker Says,” by Mike Deehan, GBH News: “As another State Police trooper is revealed to have been disciplined for wrongfully collecting overtime pay, Gov. Charlie Baker is calling for the Legislature to pass a bill he filed last year to curb overtime abuses. The Boston Globe reported Tuesday that Sergeant Mark Lynch, a former head of the State Police union at the height of the overtime scandal, was found to have manipulated or skipped about 30 shifts he was paid for after details of the troopers' theft had been revealed to the public.” – “‘Really alive in every sense of that word’: Charlie Baker and others reflect on the death of SJC chief justice Ralph Gants,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Gov. Charlie Baker ordered American and Massachusetts flags to be flown at half-mast “until further notice” Tuesday to honor the ‘unparalleled’ life and legacy of Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants. During a press conference Tuesday afternoon in Fitchburg, the Massachusetts governor called Gants’ unexpected death ‘shocking, and in some ways, overwhelming .’” – “It won’t be long before jobless benefits begin to run out,” by Larry Edelman, Boston Globe: “Back to school is underway (kind of) and the leaves are starting to flash some fall color. Before you know it we’ll blow through Halloween and barrel headlong toward Thanksgiving and Christmakwanzakah. Of course, the tack of the coronavirus pandemic will determine just how happy the holidays are. A big unknown is how much time we’ll be able to spend with family and friends outside our COVID bubbles with the virus lurking in the epidemiological shadows.” – “Agencies scramble to offer school-day childcare,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Thousands of Massachusetts students are starting school remotely this fall. Many of their parents are working. Where will those kids go during the day? The question is one that myriad social service and childcare organizations are scrambling to address with an unusual amount of collaboration, amid conditions that result in logistical nightmares.” – “State to head up contact tracing at Boston College amid COVID-19 outbreak,” by Laura Krantz and Deirdre Fernandes, Boston Globe: “The state said Tuesday that it will take the lead in contact tracing at Boston College amid growing skepticism on campus about the school’s testing regimen, which is less rigorous than at some other local universities, and concern that the the school is not equipped to control the spread of COVID-19.” – “Health insurance premiums to rise 8% next year,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Health insurance premiums for Massachusetts residents will rise by an average of 7.9 percent at the beginning of next year, despite insurers having profited from declining health care costs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kevin Beagan, deputy commissioner for the health market at the state Division of Insurance, said the higher premiums reflect several factors, including uncertainty about what health care will look like next year.” THE RACE FOR CITY HALL – “Ed Markey’s ‘Markeyverse’ of online activists lining up behind Michelle Wu,” by Sean Philip Cotter and Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: “The Markeyverse is giving rise to the Wuniverse. The Gen-Z activists whose social-media savvy improbably powered 74-year-old incumbent U.S. Sen. Edward Markey to a primary win over 39-year-old challenger U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III earlier this month are at it again — this time for newly minted Boston mayoral candidate Michelle Wu.” – “Analysis: 5 Reasons To Take Michelle Wu's Mayoral Candidacy Seriously — And 5 Reasons Not To,” by Adam Reilly, GBH News: “After months of speculation, Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu made it official Tuesday: She’s running for mayor in 2021, possibly against the incumbent, Marty Walsh, and possibly not, if Walsh doesn’t run for reelection. (It's possible, for example, that if Joe Biden wins the presidency, he'll tap Walsh for a post in his administration.)” FROM THE HUB – “NAACP National Convention, Forced Online By COVID, Will Return To Boston In 2023,” by Phillip Martin, GBH News: “When COVID-19 forced the cancellation this summer of most in-person gatherings, one of the most bitter blows to Boston was the loss of the NAACP national convention, which had been slated to take place here for the first time since 1982. But NAACP Boston Branch President Tanisha Sullivan told GBH News Tuesday that the group has decided to give Boston a second try at an in-person national convention in 2023.” – “In the age of COVID, high school parties send school districts scrambling,” by Zoe Greenberg, Boston Globe: “Parties hosted by high school students that would have once been routine have thrown entire school districts into disarray, warranting furious letters from school administrators and delaying in-person learning in some Dover-Sherborn, Lincoln-Sudbury, and Dedham schools. The gatherings have also frustrated the best efforts of school and public health officials, who say that despite the high stakes, there isn’t much schools can do to prevent similar events in the future.” – “Following environmental uproar, Boston councilors want to talk about Melnea Cass plan,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “Boston city councilors want to take a look at a redesign plan for Melnea Cass Boulevard, following community uproar over the prospective removal of 124 mature trees that line the thoroughfare. Councilors Kim Janey and Julia Mejia want a hearing to look at strategies to improve safety while preserving the mature trees along the corridor, which was named after a prominent civil rights activist.” – “Boston Mayor Marty Walsh extends outdoor dining season, waives fees for space heaters as weather cools,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: “Boston Mayor Marty Walsh on Tuesday announced fee waivers for outdoor propane heaters and crossed his fingers for light weather heading into the winter as he extended the city’s outdoor dining season to support restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants using outdoor dining spaces that do not extend onto sidewalks and parking lanes may do so for the duration of the public health crisis, Walsh said.” ON THE STUMP – “Meet the Republican running against Ed Markey in the general election,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Sen. Ed Markey may have pulled off an impressive and historic win in the Democratic primary this summer. But his re-election isn’t clinched yet. As much as Markey has focused on President Donald Trump and flipping the Senate majority in the Nov. 3 general election, the Malden native is facing an energetic challenge from Republican Senate nominee Kevin O’Connor back home.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES – “Poftak pushes feds for $32b for transit agencies,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “With financial challenges mounting at the MBTA, General Manager Steve Poftak joined transportation officials from across the country on Tuesday to press Congress to pass a stimulus package containing $32 billion of financial aid for the nation’s transit authorities. The amount is more than the $25 billion the agencies received under the earlier CARES Act and far more than the $15.75 billion the House included in a stimulus package that is currently sitting dormant on Capitol Hill.” – “'We Have To Be Realistic': MBTA Considers Permanent Service Cuts Amid Budget Crisis,” by Zeninjor Enwemeka, WBUR: “The MBTA is considering cutting some service permanently as the transit agency faces major budget challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic. The proposed service overhaul could mean some riders may have to walk further, transfer more often or switch modes of transit — and potentially, pay more — in the future.” DAY IN COURT – “Baker, already faced with a historic chance to reshape judiciary, could now name the entire SJC,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “The sudden death of Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants has left the Massachusetts bar and broader political world mourning a jurist considered a 'giant' within the court’s centuries-long history. The tragedy also has opened the door for something rare, and perhaps unprecedented, in its modern iteration: Governor Charlie Baker could select an entire high court of his own nominees.” – “Appeals court backs Trump on immigrant program,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “A federal appeals court has ruled the Trump administration can end humanitarian protections that have allowed more than 300,000 people from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan to remain in the United States, including thousands in Massachusetts. A divided 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday lifted a preliminary injunction that blocked the government from ending Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for people from those four countries.” DATELINE D.C. – “Katherine Clark, who has swiftly climbed the House ranks, will run for assistant speaker,” by Jess Bidgood, Boston Globe: “Representative Katherine Clark, the Melrose Democrat and the second-highest ranking woman in the party’s House leadership, is planning to run for the role of assistant speaker. Clark, a low-key operator in Washington whose allies credit her with helping Democrats recapture the House majority in 2018, has been reaching out to her colleagues in recent weeks and asking for their support ahead of her expected announcement.” – “Calls to declare racism a public health crisis grow louder amid pandemic, police brutality,” by Kim Bellware, The Washington Post: “On Sept. 3, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) introduced the Anti-Racism in Public Health Act, a bill that would formally identify systemic racism as a public health crisis in the United States. The law, which has Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) as co-sponsors, would create a National Center for Anti-Racism within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop anti-racist federal health policies.” ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: “DINING AL FREEZCO,” — Globe: “'And then I heard her screaming . . .'" "With BC under fire, state takes lead on virus.” FROM THE 413 – “State publishes survey in effort to ‘reimagine’ Holyoke Soldiers’ Home amid tragic loss of lives and waning pandemic,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “The state has published a survey to advance its ‘rapid planning’ initiative for the Holyoke Soldiers' Home following a staggering loss of lives and amid public pressure. The state posted the seven-question ‘needs assessment’ to solicit public comment on the project.” – “Defund413 advising Amherst town manger on appointments to committee reviewing police practices,” by Jim Russell, Springfield Republican: “Town Manager Paul Bockelman, who is working to appoint a committee to review police practices, told the Town Council that community activists, including Defund413, will help him vet potential members. The organization has a chapter called Defund413 Amherst, which states on its Facebook page that its ‘main goal is to take as much money away from the city/town police force as possible.’” THE LOCAL ANGLE – “Worcester police chief insists department is free of institutional racism,” by Nick Kotsopoulos, Telegram & Gazette: “Police Chief Steven M. Sargent says institutional racism does not exist within the ranks of the local Police Department, nor would it ever be tolerated in any form. Sargent made those remarks during a meeting with the Human Rights Commission Monday night when he was pressed by some members about whether racism exists in the police force and whether racial profiling is taking place.” – “Poirier endorses fellow Republican John Simmons, a North Attleboro councilor, in state rep race,” by Tom Reilly, Sun Chronicle: “John Simmons has won the endorsement of the area’s longtime Republican lawmaker for her seat in the state Legislature. ‘I could not be more excited, or proud, to endorse North Attleboro Town Councilor John Simmons to be our next representative in the state Legislature,’ retiring state Rep. Elizabeth Poirier, R-North Attleboro, said this week.” – “Twitter account that reportedly made racist remarks may be linked to Cambridge police lieutenant,” by Arianna MacNeill, Boston.com: “Cambridge police are investigating one of their own after a member of the department may have made racist statements on a personal Twitter account. In a statement, the department said it knows of the ‘deeply disturbing social media statements’ and the department’s Professional Standards Unit has begun an investigation.” – “Lowell announces last-minute switch to remote learning,” by Emma Murphy, The Lowell Sun: “Two days before the start of school, Lowell Public Schools announced it would be opening with remote learning for students in grades 1-12. Since August, the district has been preparing for a hybrid opening that would allow 25% of the district’s students to return to school for in-person learning. On Tuesday, the district announced that a shortage of air purifiers means the majority of schools could not reopen for in-person learning.” NEW EPISODE: THE HORSE RACE OF THE APOCALYPSE – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, hosts Jennifer Smith, Steve Koczela and Stephanie Murray break down what could be in store for Boston’s 2021 mayoral race, and talk about the MassGOP candidates running for congress. 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.   CAN HEALTH APPS IMPACT THE ELECTION ? Amid persistent concerns about how the pandemic could impact voter turnout, many are overlooking one scenario – digital manipulation via health apps. Some security researchers warn that in the wrong hands, these apps could keep voters home on Election Day. How significant of a threat is this? Get insight into this and the politics, policies, and technologies driving significant change on voters' most personal issues: their health. SUBSCRIBE TO FUTURE PULSE NOW.       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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