POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: The many mayoral races of Massachusetts

 

View in browser   BY LISA KASHINSKY , SOPHIE GARDNER AND KELLY GARRITY LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF MAYORALTY — In a state regularly ragged on for its lack of electoral competition, this year’s mayoral contests are shaping up to be an exception. Five of the 35 mayors up for reelection this year are stepping down or have already left, opening up corner offices for the first time in years — if not decades — from Pittsfield to Marlborough to Haverhill. And more could follow as mayors from Methuen to New Bedford mull their options. The competition isn't limited to open seats. At least eight mayors have already drawn challengers, putting incumbents on defense from Brockton to Springfield. Covid-19 fatigue contributed to nearly a fifth of the state’s mayors leaving office in 2021. This year's departures are different. Jim Fiorentini , the mayor of Haverhill since 2004, told supporters that at 76, he wants to “leave with enough health left to enjoy some life.” Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur , who’s been in public office since 2002, plans to fill his soon-to-be free time with family and friends. After 12 years as mayor and 18 on the City Council, Marlborough Mayor Arthur Vigeant said he wants to see more of his five grandkids. And Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer wants to travel and spend more time with her aging parents. “There's always a moment in time when new leadership could be really beneficial to the community, and I feel like that's where we are right now,” Tyer told Playbook. Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo had already decided not to seek a third term when he stepped down last month to run the state Department of Conservation and Recreation. Four city councilors are now vying to succeed him, a contest that could end with former Mayor Dan Rizzo returning to the job Arrigo knocked him out of eight years ago. Another particularly fraught race is shaping up in Springfield, where two city councilors and a state representative are among those lining up to take on the city’s longest-serving mayor: Domenic Sarno . Sarno is no stranger to drawing and dispatching opponents — he toppled an incumbent to win the seat in the first place. And his challengers, long critical of his handling of police oversight in the city, have reasons to want him gone. But it’s still unusual for an incumbent — particularly one as politically formidable as Sarno — to have not one but three prominent challengers. In this case, state Rep. Orlando Ramos and City Councilors Justin Hurst and Jesse Lederman , who are all ostensibly coming at the more centrist Democrat from the left. Sarno plans to launch his reelection campaign on May 17, according to an event invitation reviewed by Playbook. He dropped $19,000 last month on yard signs and bumper stickers in preparation, per his latest campaign finance filing. Challengers have also put incumbents on notice in cities including Braintree, Greenfield , Malden, Medford, Woburn and Waltham . And in Brockton, Mayor Robert Sullivan is running against youth mentor John C. Williams and former GOP congressional candidate Hamilton Rodrigues . "It would probably be easy for me to say 'nope, I'm gonna call it a day.’ You know, I came in, and then six weeks later we were dealing with a pandemic,” Sullivan told Playbook. “I have a lot of friends that I've met, mayors, they've served and then they've decided to go in a different direction.” But Sullivan isn’t ready to call it quits. “To be able to make a difference in people’s lives is why I run,” he said. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . Here are two things to watch as mayor’s races continue taking shape: — The mayors who haven’t said anything yet. Quincy’s Thomas Koch and Taunton’s Shaunna O’Connell , for instance, both plan on running again but haven’t made it official, per two people familiar with their plans. But Weymouth Mayor Bob Hedlund hasn't decided yet, his chief of staff said. And New Bedford’s Jon Mitchell , who’s been floated for higher office before, has been playing curiously coy . — The Healey-Driscoll factor. When the state’s governing team includes a former mayor, it’s a safe bet that the two top executives will play in some municipal races. They’re already starting to — backing Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn for reelection and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll’ s former chief of staff, Dominick Pangallo , in the upcoming special election for Salem mayor. TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Driscoll participate in the first meeting of the Economic Development Planning Council at 2:30 p.m. at the State House. Driscoll administers the oath of office to Framingham State University’s new president at 10 a.m. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu attends a Roxbury coffee hour at 9:30 a.m. AG Andrea Campbell is on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” at 1 p.m. and speaks at the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association’s gala at 6:30 p.m. in Boston. THIS WEEKEND — Driscoll, Secretary of State Bill Galvin and Auditor Diana DiZoglio attend the 3T & 2C annual Democratic Breakfast at 9 a.m. Saturday at Nicholson Hall in Newburyport. Former Labor Secretary Marty Walsh receives an honorary degree from Dean College at 11 a.m. Saturday. SUNDAY SHOWS — MassDems Chair Steve Kerrigan is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Healey is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. Tips? Scoops? Running for mayor? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com , sgardner@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com .   DON’T MISS THE POLITICO ENERGY SUMMIT: A new world energy order is emerging and America’s place in it is at a critical juncture. Join POLITICO on Thursday, May 18 for our first-ever energy summit to explore how the U.S. is positioning itself in a complicated energy future. We’ll explore progress on infrastructure and climate funding dedicated to building a renewable energy economy, Biden’s environmental justice proposals, and so much more. REGISTER HERE .     DATELINE BEACON HILL — MARK YOUR CALENDARS: The Senate will roll out its budget proposal on Tuesday, per the State House News Service . The timeline for a tax-relief package, however, remains unclear. Speaking of that … — LETTER-WRITING CAMPAIGN: The coalition that worked to pass the so-called millionaires tax is continuing to pressure senators to keep cuts to the short-term capital gains tax rate and other controversial measures out of their tax-relief plan. Raise Up Massachusetts sent a letter to the entire Senate yesterday doubling down on its argument that April’s revenue shortfall, combined with the feds hiking interest rates and the threat of defaulting on the national debt, present “significant” fiscal risk for the state. The group is urging senators to reject not only lowering the short-term capital gains tax rate, but also the plans on the table to raise the estate-tax threshold and tinker with the single sales factor apportionment. — “Healey brings more women into governor’s office,” by Colman M. Herman, CommonWealth Magazine: “According to the state’s diversity dashboard, [Gov. Maura] Healey has 52 people working in her office at the State House – 36, or 69 percent, are women, and 16, or nearly 31 percent, are men.” — “Minority-owned firms see big jump in Massachusetts state contracts,” by Paul Singer, GBH News: “Minority-owned businesses won contracts worth $217 million from Massachusetts state agencies last year, a jump of more than $50 million from the year before, according to new data from the state’s Supplier Diversity Office.” VAX-ACHUSETTS — “Massachusetts COVID cases drop 14%, Boston shutting down some vaccination and testing sites,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “On Thursday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported 897 virus cases over the last week. The daily average of 128 COVID cases from the last week was a 14% decrease from the daily rate of 148 virus infections during the previous week.” — “Most major health care and hospital systems in Mass. will lift mask requirements next week,” by Kay Lazar and Jessica Bartlett, Boston Globe. FROM THE HUB — “Mayor Wu announces $16.5 million in federal funds to help homeless people,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “Mayor Michelle Wu announced the city is receiving a $16.5 million grant from the federal government for housing and supportive services for homeless people. … As part of the breakdown of funds, Wu’s office said Eliot Community Services will receive $6.2 million over three years to house 105 homeless people from Mass. and Cass or ‘other high-risk settings.’” — “Advocates request halt to low-income housing,” by Leah Samuel, Bay State Banner. — “Michelle Wu indicates support for rat czar hire in Boston,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald. — “Amid writers’ strike, Boston University is facing heat for picking Warner Bros. CEO as commencement speaker,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “Family of woman killed by Commuter Rail sues MBTA for crash records,” by Dan Atkinson, Dig Boston: “Last January, a 68-year-old woman driving through Wilmington died when a Commuter Rail train slammed into her car as she was going over the railroad tracks. The crossing arm failed to come down, which MBTA officials quickly blamed on 'human error.' A worker for Commuter Rail managers Keolis was placed on leave. But for more than a year, the T has not released further information about the crash and its subsequent investigation.” — “Man files lawsuit stemming from MBTA escalator accident at Back Bay Station in 2021,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe.   GET READY FOR GLOBAL TECH DAY: Join POLITICO Live as we launch our first Global Tech Day alongside London Tech Week on Thursday, June 15. Register now for continuing updates and to be a part of this momentous and program-packed day! From the blockchain, to AI, and autonomous vehicles, technology is changing how power is exercised around the world, so who will write the rules? REGSITER HERE .     DAY IN COURT — “Elizabeth Warren Likely to Beat RFK Jr. Suit Over Anti-Vax Book,” by Peter Hayes, Bloomberg Law: “Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) won’t be required to immediately retract, apologize for, or remove a letter from her website requesting that Amazon not direct consumers to an anti-vaccine book by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. because Kennedy’s underlying suit isn’t likely to succeed on the merits, a federal appeals court said Thursday." — “National investigation shows Massachusetts lags in compensation for wrongfully convicted,” by Mike Beaudet, WCVB: “Massachusetts’ wrongful convictions statute has a cap of $1 million on damages. … ‘I'm absolutely for lifting that cap,’ [AG Andrea] Campbell said. But any reforms would have to be signed into law by Gov. [Maura] Healey, who, despite serving as attorney general for eight years and whose office handled these cases, would not weigh in on whether the law should be changed.” — “Fall River City Councilor admits in court to harassing wife of an ex-lover last year,” by Jo C. Goode, Herald News. IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN — “With new report, AG Campbell calls for more public participation in key energy decisions,” by Sabrina Shankman, Boston Globe: “Decisions about where to site energy infrastructure have long left out those who end up suffering the worst consequences of those decisions — the environmental justice communities that are often home to facilities that can pollute the air and water, according to a new report issued early Tuesday by Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office.” — “Markey introduces bipartisan bill to improve climate-related mental health services,” by Zack Budryk, The Hill: “The legislation, the Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act, would establish a $36 million pilot program through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for mental health care specifically for communities on the frontlines of climate change.” WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING — “Mass resignations leave just one member on Uxbridge School Committee,” by Jeff A. Chamer, Telegram & Gazette: “In a letter to families on Thursday, Superintendent Michael Baldassare said the district will investigate the events that led to the recent resignations of six out of the seven members of the Uxbridge School Committee this week. The letter said the district would commission a third-party review and make its findings public.” — “State gets "C-" for lead in school drinking water,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “That's up from the ‘D’ grade the state received in a 2019 report, but advocates say it's not enough.” — "'Uniting for Ukraine' federal program helps refugees start new life in Massachusetts," by Brandon Truitt, WBZ. — “At sit-in, Simon's Rock students allege that the early college has a pattern of mishandling or covering up sexual assault complaints,” by Heather Bellow, Berkshire Eagle. — “Exploitation, Abuse, and Death: The Dark Side of Working in the Weed Industry,” by Dusty Christensen, The Nation. HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — Alexi Nowokunski has joined Benchmark Strategies as a public affairs associate. She previously was senior information manager for former Gov. Charlie Baker. — Amy Metet and Kate Bueker have joined Bridge Over Troubled Waters’ board of directors. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Endpoints’ Nicole DeFeudis, Nicole Serrano, Brian Fry and Jedd Ari Fisch. Happy belated to GWU’s Todd Belt. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Paul Clark, Daniel Jick, David Rogers, Lori Lefkowitz, Meg McIntyre and Amanda Drane , who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers Emma Riley, Nancy White, Chris Lindahl, M.J. Tidwell, Nicholas Harrer and Brian Dunn. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: ONE-HORSE STATE — Hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith and Lisa Kashinsky dig into why so many elections are uncontested in Massachusetts, what BPS parents are worrying about and the bills on Beacon Hill that would boost supports for immigrants. 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   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: A new House debate takes shape

BY LISA KASHINSKY AND KELLY GARRITY FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: NEW GUN SAFETY PUSH — With the House budget debate now done, gun-safety advocates are prodding representatives to get moving on another priority issue: tightening the state’s firearms laws. House Speaker Ron Mariano has been teeing up an omnibus gun-safety bill for this session ever since lawmakers rushed to retool the state’s gun rules last summer in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated New York’s concealed-carry law and jeopardized Massachusetts’ laws. Now the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence is sending a letter , shared first with Playbook, to top lawmakers and the governor laying out 10 ways they can toughen the state’s gun laws and beef up enforcement of existing ones. Giffords is backing several bills already filed this session, including those that would crack down on the manufacture and sale of ghost guns and strengthen restrictions on carrying firearms in public. Another would help people who feel they’ve been harmed by firearms industry practices seek legal recourse. Massachusetts has the sixth-strongest gun laws in the nation, according to Giffords’ annual scorecard . Yet "in recent years, it just hasn’t kept up with its peer states” like California and New Jersey “in responding to new challenges,” David Pucino, the group’s deputy chief counsel, told Playbook. “But the thing that has us particularly optimistic that it’s a really great moment for Massachusetts to tackle this problem is because there’s such a strong advocate in the governor’s office,” Pucino said. Gov. Maura Healey ramped up enforcement of the state’s assault-weapons ban as attorney general and has called to ban ghost guns as governor. Now it’s up to the Legislature. House lawmakers are in the early stages of a statewide listening tour on gun issues that’s expected to ramp up in earnest over the next month. Each of the 13-plus stops has a different focus: hunting, street violence, suicide and, yes, ghost guns. But any steps lawmakers take are bound to face blowback from gun-rights groups. “Everything is being considered right now,” state Rep. Michael Day, the co-chair of the Judiciary Committee and Mariano’s point person on gun legislation, told Playbook. “We’ll whittle it down and come down with a package that’s balanced and will make us safer.” GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Former President Donald Trump returns to New Hampshire today. Are you going? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com . TODAY — Healey makes an Innovation Career Pathways announcement at 10 a.m. at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center WTTC in Charlestown, stocks trout at Jamaica Pond at 11:30 a.m. and attends the annual Banned in Boston event at 8 p.m. at Roadrunner in Boston. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll speaks at the MassMEDIC Impact Symposium at 9:30 a.m. at the Encore Boston Harbor.   DATELINE BEACON HILL — BUDGET ABCs: Well that was fast, by legislative standards. After three days of deliberations that mostly occurred out of the public eye — secrecy that drew criticism from the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance — the House budget is done one day ahead of schedule. Speaker Ron Mariano called it “as efficient and stress-free as any budget in the past 32 I've done.” House lawmakers unanimously approved a $56.2 billion budget — $700,000 more than Gov. Maura Healey ’s initial fiscal year 2024 proposal — that included an extra roughly $120 million tacked on in earmarks and other spending, per the State House News Service. What’s in it? The House whittled the more than 1,500 amendments into seven mega-amendments — assigned letters “A” through “G” — covering everything from education to environment to transportation. Among the amendments that passed: $1 million to reimburse public universities for bulk-purchasing abortion medication and a 25-percent pay raise for members of the Governor’s Council that would bring them up to $45,025. The budget also includes $20 million for free community college for adults over 25 and makes free lunches permanent at schools across the state. It would authorize online lottery ticket sales — directing that revenue into a program that would create grants for early education and child care providers — and aims to grow the state’s “rainy day” fund to $9 billion. What’s out? House Republicans’ attempt to prevent Democrats from exempting revenue from the millionaires tax from triggering Chapter 62F. House Democrats shot that down on Monday. What's next? The Senate is expected to move ahead with its own budget bill in May, and will likely unveil some form of “progressive” tax relief along with it. — “New data show who’s making all those online sports bets (and where) in Mass.,” by Michael Silverman, Boston Globe: “In the Top 5 city rankings for transactions in the state, Boston led the field with nearly 11 million, followed by Fall River (2.2 million), Worcester (1.9 million), Springfield (1.8 million), and Lowell (1.6 million).” — “With dueling reports, battle lines form over MCAS,” by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: “Supporters of the system are taking a decidedly new tack. Rather than holding the line against any criticism of the testing regime, they are trying to get out in front on the issue and embrace changes that have formed some of the basis of criticism.” — "Healey set to reauthorize life sciences spending bill," by Rowan Walrath, Boston Business Journal: "Gov. Maura Healey is set to reauthorize the state's Life Sciences Initiative, paving the way for a third iteration of a multimillion-dollar spending bill to incentivize the growth of the state's biopharmaceutical industry." — “Healey’s pick of gubernatorial portrait is ... no portrait at all,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “Usually, governors select a predecessor they have a connection to when choosing a portrait to hang in their ceremonial office. … But Healey asked Massachusetts students to help her choose, in the form of an essay contest. She said she was particularly touched by an essay submitted by high school students Julian Hynes of Amherst-Pelham Regional High School, and Ja’liyah Santiago and Adniley Velez of Holyoke Community Charter School, who proposed hanging an empty frame … [to] represent people whose voices ‘are not always represented or heard or reflected in the halls of power,’ Healey said at the unveiling event.” A portrait of Jane Swift, the former lieutenant governor and first woman to serve as governor of Massachusetts, will hang in Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll’ s office. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll (right) and former lieutenant and Acting Gov. Jane Swift (left) unveil Swift's portrait, which will hang in Driscoll's office at the State House. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO   DON’T MISS THE POLITICO ENERGY SUMMIT: A new world energy order is emerging and America’s place in it is at a critical juncture. Join POLITICO on Thursday, May 18 for our first-ever energy summit to explore how the U.S. is positioning itself in a complicated energy future. We’ll explore progress on infrastructure and climate funding dedicated to building a renewable energy economy, Biden’s environmental justice proposals, and so much more. REGISTER HERE .     FROM THE HUB — “‘The rats are going to hate this’: Boston councilors back rodent-killing office,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “‘Boston’s operation would be modeled after the pest-control operation in New York City, which appointed its first rat czar earlier this month, [Council President Ed] Flynn said.” — “BPS shares detail on mergers as they plan for future closures,” by Christopher Huffaker, Boston Globe: “Facing dwindling enrollment, Boston Public Schools reaffirmed its plans for two elementary school mergers and laid out the need for further consolidation Wednesday evening. District leaders reiterated to the School Committee the plan to merge Dorchester and Mattapan’s Shaw and Taylor schools in September 2024 and Roslindale’s Sumner and Philbrick schools in September 2025.” — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Outgoing Boston City Councilor Kenzie Bok is endorsing Sharon Durkan as her successor in District 8. Durkan previously succeeded Bok as Boston Ward 5 Democrats chair. Bok resigns tomorrow to take over as Boston Housing Authority administrator. — ENDORSEMENT CORNER: Our Revolution Massachusetts endorsed Robert Orthman for 10th Suffolk state representative. — 1199 SEIU, UNITE HERE Local 26 and the National Association of Social Workers — Massachusetts Chapter PACE have endorsed John Moran for 9th Suffolk state representative.     PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “One out-of-state MBTA manager fired, four others warned: Maura Healey says to expect more changes,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “Gov. Maura Healey said more leadership changes will happen at the MBTA after a manager found to be working out of state was fired and four others who live hundreds of miles away were told to be in Boston more often.” — “Man dies after collision between car and train in Abington,” by Adam Sennott, Boston Globe. DAY IN COURT — “Nearly eight years of breath test results cannot be used in drunk-driving prosecutions, SJC rules,”   Ivy Scott and Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “The state’s highest court ruled Wednesday that alcohol tests given in Massachusetts between June 2011 and April 2019 with a type of breath test machine that periodically malfunctioned cannot be used in drunk-driving prosecutions, throwing roughly 27,000 OUI convictions into question.” — “Following ACLU lawsuit threat, North Brookfield says no permission required for Pride drag show,” by Kiernan Dunlop, MassLive: “The North Brookfield Select Board still has not approved permitting for a drag show during a planned pride event in the town common this summer, but said at a meeting Tuesday its permission is not actually required. The letter from the ACLU stated that not allowing the drag show ‘is a plainly unconstitutional content-based and indeed viewpoint-based restriction on free expression,’ a form of censorship and unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex.” — "Airman Accused of Leak Has History of Racist and Violent Remarks, Filing Says," by Glenn Thrush, New York Times: "Jack Teixeira, the Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused of posting classified documents online, repeatedly tried to obstruct federal investigators and has a “troubling” history of making racist and violent remarks, Justice Department lawyers said in a court filing late Wednesday." DATELINE D.C. — “A ‘profound impact’: Senate assesses lessons learned from Boston Marathon bombings,” by Jorja Siemons, Boston Globe: “A Senate hearing on Wednesday reflected on the legacy of the Boston Marathon bombings in terms of preparing for emergencies, with law enforcement veterans of that day citing lessons learned and remaining challenges to address.”   HAPPENING NEXT WEEK! GO INSIDE THE 2023 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE:  POLITICO is proud to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage, insider nuggets and unparalleled insights from the 2023 Global Conference, which will convene leaders in health, finance, politics, philanthropy and entertainment from May 1-4. This year’s theme, Advancing a Thriving World , will challenge and inspire attendees to lean into building an optimistic coalition capable of tackling the issues and inequities we collectively face. Don’t miss a thing — subscribe today for a front row seat .     FROM THE 413 — “North Adams residents and officials have a lot of unanswered questions about a proposed homeless shelter in an MCLA dorm. The college president says he hears them,” by Greta Jochem, Berkshire Eagle: “The Church Street dorm is empty amid declining enrollment at the college, and the state Department of Housing and Community Development has been looking at building to use as housing for homeless people to meet the demand for family shelters.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Worcester educators to hold all-member rally as they fight for contract,” by Kiernan Dunlop, MassLive: “Worcester Public Schools educators and staff will picket outside of City Hall for what they call a 'fair, reasonable and necessary' contract before a school committee meeting Thursday. The all-member rally is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. and last an hour.” — “Newbury voters reject Town Hall proposal,” by Jennifer Solis, Newburyport News: “A proposal to fund a newly constructed, $11.8 million Town Hall at 25 High Road failed the first of two steps needed to move forward. But the 499 voters who turned out for the annual gathering at Newbury Elementary School approved a related request — to add $1 million to the town hall account to help offset costs for the project."   HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH SPOTTED — at the White House state dinner with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol : NCAA President and former Gov. Charlie Baker, Chief of Protocol Rufus Gifford , Sen. Mitt Romney , Vermont Gov. Phil Scott and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo . TRANSITIONS — Chloe Gotsis is now communications director at DCR. She previously was deputy communications director at the attorney general's office and press secretary before that. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Lou Mandarini , Patrick Bench , president of Benchmark Strategies; Brendan Joyce, Seth Mnookin, Simon McTeigue and Jessica Ruby. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: DEVIL'S IN THE T TALES — TransitMatters’ Jarred Johnson takes hosts Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith on a ride through the latest MBTA news. MassINC senior research director Rich Parr discusses polling on regional transit authorities with Smith and Lisa Kashinsky . 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   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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