POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Why Dems don’t agree on free community college — yet

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BY SOPHIE GARDNER , KELLY GARRITY AND MIA MCCARTHY

SCHOOL DAZE — Community colleges in Massachusetts want to be free for all state residents … someday.

Gov. Maura Healey introduced MassReconnect, a program that would make public community college free for state residents who are at least 25 years old and don’t already have a degree, as part of her budget proposal. The House soon followed suit, pitching $20 million to kick-start the program. Senate President Karen Spilka, however, doesn’t buy the age restrictions , a value that’s likely to be reflected in the chamber’s budget proposal, which will be up for a vote in May.

But community college representatives have clearly picked a side on a subject that’s turned out to be surprisingly testy on Beacon Hill: They’re not quite ready to offer free tuition to everyone.

“We want to move quickly to make this happen, but frankly, we can't move that quickly for everybody — it's complicated,” said David Podell, the chair of Council of Community College Presidents and president of MassBay.

Free tuition and fees can, unsurprisingly, generate a jump in enrollment . And while it’s unclear just how many new students might come through MassReconnect, free community college for all has even more variables, Podell told Playbook.

MassReconnect is a solid start, he said, and then there could be a debate about expanding it further in a year or two — once administrators have more time to prepare. “We have to learn how to do it, so this would give us a first step. And it would give us a first step with a population that in some ways needs it the most,” Podell said.

Nate Mackinnon , executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges, agreed. “We see MassReconnect as the right first step towards a longer term strategy of making community college free for everybody,” he told Playbook. “That will take a lot more money and a lot more time.”

Ellen Kennedy, president of Berkshire Community College, and John Cox, president of Cape Cod Community College, support the slower plan too, though Cox told Playbook he expects the colleges would “rise to the occasion” either way.

Many other states already make community college free and Democrats may fully run things in Massachusetts now but it’s unclear how this issue will resolve itself. They have plenty of time: A completed budget is due by July 1, and negotiations often stretch on past that deadline.

Education has turned out to be one of the more contentious issues on Beacon Hill, with the House booting one of Healey’s other education proposals — a tuition freeze at state universities — and instead pushing for $161 million to make free school meals permanent.

One-party rule doesn’t patch everything.

GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. More funding for local public transit is popular with the people, a new poll shows.

In the MassINC poll out today, 79 percent of those surveyed said they support increasing funding for the state’s 15 Regional Transit Authorities, the local transit systems serving areas outside the MBTA’s purview.

A bill proposed by state Sen. Susan Moran would raise the floor for RTA funding from $94 million to $150 million, allowing RTAs to run seven days a week and during the evening. The bill has racked up substantial support in the Senate — 26 senators have signed on , including members of both parties.

And now polling indicates it’s popular with Massachusetts residents, too. When asked specifically about the proposal, 69 percent of those polled said they strongly or somewhat support raising RTA funding to $150 million in the state budget.

The poll, a collaborative effort from MassINC and the Regional Transit Authority Advocates Coalition, surveyed 1,401 Massachusetts residents, 967 of whom live in RTA service areas. The survey was conducted online, over the phone and via text between Feb. 23 and March 7 and had a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points.

TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll attend the Bloomberg Center for Cities opening celebration at Harvard at 10:30 a.m. Healey kicks off Earth Week with a tree planting event in Malden as part of the Greening the Gateway Cities program at 11:30 a.m. Sen. Ed Markey is holding a Senate Environment and Public Works subcommittee hearing on vehicle emission standards and clean vehicle investments at 2:30 p.m. in D.C.

Programming note: We’re excited to be in your inbox this week while Lisa is out. Email us with your tips, scoops, schedules, birthdays, budget amendments or thoughts on last night’s Bruins win: kgarrity@politico.com , sgardner@politico.com , mmccarthy@politico.com .

 

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

— “Months in, Healey is scoring wins with a Democrat-led Legislature in the very places her GOP predecessor failed,” by Samantha J. Gross and Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “ Three months into her gubernatorial tenure, Maura Healey has quickly piled up legislative victories in areas her popular GOP predecessor couldn’t. This despite the fact that, in several cases, she proposed the exact measure Baker did.”

FROM THE HUB

— TITLE TOWN – Congratulations to Boston’s speediest marathoners: Vinny Castronuovo, Shannon Lamarre and Danielle Bishop, winners of the inaugural “Fastest Bostonian ” awards. Castronuovo finished the race in 2:25:56 to win the men's race, Lamarre came in at 2:54:34 to top the women’s race and Bishop clocked a 3:32:29 in the new non-binary category.

— “Worrell brothers, one a councilor and one a state representative, open joint Dorchester office for ‘top-notch constituent services ’,” by Tiana Woodward, Boston Globe : “Both brothers, who are each serving in their first term, say the space is part of a promise they made to voters while on the campaign trail — bringing transformative resources and policies from the confines of Beacon Hill and City Hall to the heart of their district.”

— “Ten years later, reflecting on the many meanings of Boston Strong,” by Paris Alston, GBH News.

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

In this June 2015 photo, commuters disembark from a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority train in Brookline, Mass. The Green Line experienced delays during Patriots' Day on Monday. | AP

— “MBTA Green Line has delays on busy Marathon Monday, stranding exhausted runners who are faster than the T,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “What’s more Boston than T delays on Marathon Monday?”

— “South Coast Rail: Train tracks aren't for ATVs or dirt bikes. Here's how to stay safe,” by Dan Medeiros, The Herald News: “ As warmer weather is driving people to seek adventure outdoors, South Coast Rail Director of Community Engagement Jean Fox is reminding people that some places they may have ventured for years are now off-limits: railroad rights of way.”

 

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 April 30-May 3. 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 .

  

ON THE STUMP

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The Massachusetts Nurses Association, Mass Retirees, MA & Northern New England Laborers' District Council, and Pipefitters Local 537 have endorsed Bill MacGregor for state representative for the 10th Suffolk District.

— “This 19-year-old hopes to be Woburn’s next mayor,” by Alvin Buyinza, MassLive: “ While some college students are still trying to figure out their own career paths, Northeastern University freshman Omar Mohuddin is already preparing for what he hopes to be his next job: mayor of Woburn.”

— “Dracut selectmen approve reduced polling hours for uncontested town election,” by Prudence Brighton, The Lowell Sun: “ With an uncontested town election on the horizon and choices for how voters cast their ballots, Dracut selectmen approved shortening polling hours at least for this year.”

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

— “State legislators want to give residents a better way to recycle paint. For less than a buck up front, a nonprofit might be the answer,” by Matt Martinez, The Berkshire Eagle. 

FROM THE 413

— “Agawam takes steps to restore early mail-in voting option by adjusting election dates,” by Aprell May Munford, MassLive: “The change would modify the timing of the town’s preliminary municipal elections. It comes after controversy that arose following a narrow vote to opt out of early mail-in voting this month.”

THE LOCAL ANGLE

Fans in the bleachers at Fenway Park wait out a rain delay during the third inning of a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels, Monday, April 17, 2023, in Boston. | AP

— “Red Sox fans make the most of a soggy situation in Fenway bleachers,” by Spencer Buell, Boston Globe: “When Monday’s Patriots Day Red Sox game at Fenway Park was delayed not once, but twice for rain, some fans apparently opted to make the most of the soggy situation. While they waited for the delay to pass Monday afternoon, scores of shirtless spectators flocked to a section of the center field bleachers and were spotted chanting and partying as the droplets fell.”

— “‘Attention seeking’: Mass. Guardsman charged with leaking top secret documents liked guns and the military, high school classmates say,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “Former high school classmates of Jack D. Teixeira, the 21-year-old Air National Guardsman from Dighton who is accused of leaking classified documents online, recalled him as a quiet teenager with an interest in guns and the military and speculated that he may have been seeking notoriety when he allegedly posted the top secret material.”

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu is contemplating a presidential run. | Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP Photo

— New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu isn’t officially running for president in 2024 — yet. But if/when the moderate Republican makes a bid for the GOP nomination, he has his message down:

In: Talking about inflation, border security, health care and fiscal responsibility, he said during a CNN interview on Monday night.

Out: Attacking abortion rights. “Remember that line, ‘every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings?’ Well, every time a Republican talks about abortion, someone runs to the Democrat Party,” Sununu told CNN’s Erin Burnett. “I support that a state should be able to design their path,” he added. “We shouldn't have national abortion bans.”

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Dewey Square Group’s Charlie Baker, Theresa Verbic , Kelsey Donohue , Trey Grayson , Tracy Spicer , James D. Lee and Muzammil Nazir . Happy belated birthday to Doug Elmendorf who celebrated Sunday and Charles Fried who celebrated Saturday.

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 .

 

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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Assessing Healey’s education challenges

 

View in browser   BY LISA KASHINSKY AND SOPHIE GARDNER Presented by POLL SHOWS PARENTS’ POV — Students’ mental health tumbled along with MCAS scores amid the pandemic. Educators are renewing their push to do away with the standardized tests. Yet a new poll shows a potential lack of pressure from parents for Gov. Maura Healey and the Legislature to act. Less than half of Massachusetts K-12 parents think more kids are behind grade level now as compared to pre-pandemic, according to a new survey conducted by The MassINC Polling Group. The majority, 73 percent, think their child’s school has enough resources to help students catch up. Yet the percentage of parents who say their child is behind grade level has nearly doubled since Covid’s onset — up to 24 percent from 13 percent, according to the poll of 1,519 parents conducted Nov. 17 to Dec. 4 and sponsored by Education Trust in Massachusetts and The Barr Foundation. Those numbers are higher for parents whose children are on individualized education plans and parents who make less than $50,000 annually. MCAS scores, which plunged amid pandemic learning disruptions, are recovering unevenly . A new state plan setting targets for schools and districts to return to 2019 achievement levels has drawn criticism for potentially perpetuating achievement gaps. “There’s a disconnect between the scope of the challenge and how parents are perceiving it,” MassINC Polling Group president Steve Koczela told Playbook. The Massachusetts Teachers Association is renewing its push to end using MCAS as a graduation requirement and as a guide for putting districts into receivership. Top Democrats, as State House News Service’s Sam Drysdale reports , seem open to potentially reconsidering its use. Senate President Karen Spilka said on WCVB’s “On the Record” that “we should have more alternatives to testing than just the MCAS for certain students.” Healey’s campaign education platform expressed support for “reforms to our assessment and accountability system” to advance “excellence and equity.” But the challenges in K-12 education took somewhat of a backseat to calls to make community college free and increase investments in early education and care in the Big Three’s speeches last week. And the new poll shows most parents believe schools are doing at least “a fair amount” to help kids catch up from Covid. “Parents aren’t there with pitchforks and torches,” Koczela said. And for Healey et al, that means “gathering the political will to do what needs to be done is more difficult because many parents don’t fully recognize the size and scope of the issue.” GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. PROGRAMMING NOTE: Massachusetts Playbook will not publish on Monday, Jan. 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We’ll be back in your inbox on Tuesday, Jan. 17.  TODAY — Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll get a winter and emergency preparedness briefing at 10:30 a.m. at the MEMA bunker in Framingham and visit the Framingham DPW at noon. Driscoll administers the oath of office for Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger at 6 p.m. at Lynn Classical High School. Tips? Scoops? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com . PROPAGANDA:   A message from NextEra Energy: Affordable, carbon-emissions free, reliable electricity from nuclear energy. Seabrook Station lowers consumer energy costs in Massachusetts and New England by providing a year-round, low-cost, baseload energy supply. And American-made nuclear energy supports hundreds of jobs across New England.   DATELINE BEACON HILL — “Maura Healey doubles down on offshore wind during first roundtable as governor,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “Gov. Maura Healey elevated her sustainability agenda on Tuesday as she and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll ventured to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth to probe students and professors about their innovative research endeavors as the new leaders map out a pathway for the commonwealth to be a global leader in combating the climate crisis.” — “POST Commission plans to announce three more officer suspensions Thursday,” by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive: “The state’s police licensing agency plans to announce Thursday morning that three additional officers have had their licenses suspended because they have either been charged, indicted, or arrested on a felony, the head of the agency told MassLive Tuesday afternoon. That brings the total number of officers suspended in Massachusetts by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to 18 after the agency announced 15 suspensions last week.”   STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today .     PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “Special prosecutor says no one should face criminal charges in MBTA Transit Police coverup,” by Evan Allen and Andrew Ryan, Boston Globe: “A special prosecutor announced Tuesday that two MBTA transit police officers should not be criminally charged in connection with an alleged coverup, closing a long-fraught case that pitched Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden into open conflict with transit police leadership. Special prosecutor Glenn Cunha said he spent almost four months investigating the April 2021 incident, in which transit officer Jacob Green was accused of pulling a gun on a Hispanic Black man during a traffic spat. He then allegedly summoned other officers to pull the man over so he could issue him a citation, and conspired with officer Kevin Davis to write false reports about the incident. … Davis was fired over the incident and Green resigned, but the alleged victim, Jason Leonor, said on Tuesday that he was upset with Cunha’s decision not to pursue criminal charges.” — “Report shows RTA ridership still lagging,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “Despite free fare programs, ridership on the state's 15 regional transit authorities is still down from pre-pandemic levels, according to a new report. The report, released by the state Department of Transportation, found that the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact RTA operations in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2022 with the average systemwide ridership 35% below 2019 pre-pandemic levels.” — “MBTA vaccine mandate was ‘foolish’ in light of hiring difficulties, Quincy mayor says,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, who sits on the MBTA Board of Directors, said he was pleased with the T’s decision to lift its vaccine mandate, which he felt was contributing to the agency’s hiring difficulties. Koch said there was evidence that people getting vaccinated were still becoming infected with COVID-19, and is hopeful that the T’s decision to reverse its mandate will help it ‘get to a full roster’ of employees ‘in the future.’” — “MBTA may reinstate some old Orange Line cars as it works on new trains,” by Morgan Rousseau, Boston.com.   PROPAGANDA:  A message from NextEra Energy:     DAY IN COURT — “‘Sometimes an accident is just an accident:’ MBTA operator stands trial for 2021 Green Line crash that injured 27,” by Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald: “Over a year and one federal investigation after the Green Line collision that injured 27 riders in 2021, the train’s operator stood on trial in Brighton District Court for his allegedly negligent role in the crash.” — “Tainted drug evidence victims still waiting for settlement payments,” by Zack Huffman, Dig Boston/Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism: “It may be a new year, but tens of thousands of individuals wrongfully convicted on drug charges in Massachusetts with tampered evidence are still waiting for payments from the state as part of a court settlement approved two months ago.” DATELINE D.C. — “Representative Katie Porter and Mass. Sen. Elizabeth Warren have close ties,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “California Congresswoman Katie Porter on Tuesday announced her candidacy for the Senate seat currently held by US Senator Dianne Feinstein, a fellow Democrat and the oldest member of the upper chamber. Porter, a Harvard Law School graduate, studied under former Harvard Law professor and current US Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Cambridge Democrat and 2020 presidential candidate. But the ties between Porter, a 49-year-old first elected to Congress in 2018, and Warren run even deeper.”   JOIN NEXT TUESDAY TO HEAR FROM MAYORS AROUND AMERICA: 2022 brought in a new class of mayors leading “majority minority” cities, reshaping who is at the nation’s power tables and what their priorities are. Join POLITICO to hear from local leaders on how they’re responding to being tested by unequal Covid-19 outcomes, upticks in hate crimes, homelessness, lack of affordable housing, inflation and a potential recession. REGISTER HERE.     FROM THE 413 — RAIL DEAL FALLOUT: The Biden administration, including Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, still has work to do to repair its relationships with unions after signing legislation last month to avert a rail workers’ strike that lacked paid sick leave. The Western Massachusetts Area Labor Federation voted unanimously at its January members’ meeting to “condemn in the strongest possible terms” the administration’s move. “The most ‘pro-union’ president since FDR has shown his true colors, and where his allegiances lie,” Ian Rhodewalt, who helped draft the resolution members voted on, said in a statement. — “Federal EPA agents conduct surprise inspection at Northampton BI-QEM chemical plant,” by Jim Russell, Springfield Republican: “Agents from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s criminal investigation division conducted what city officials describe as a 'surprise inspection' Tuesday morning at the BI-QEM chemical company, related to ongoing concerns about regulatory compliance.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Bay State College students demand answers from struggling for-profit school,” by Hilary Burns, Boston Globe: “Some students worry that Bay State College will close abruptly and hamper their career progress. Others paint a picture of a short-staffed college with disorganized leadership that passes students from one employee to the next when problems arise. … This week, college officials are expected to appear before its accreditor, the New England Commission of Higher Education, after being placed on probation last spring. US Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to the commission ahead of the meeting urging its members to ‘carefully scrutinize’ Bay State’s accreditation. US Representative Ayanna Pressley also signed the letter.” PROPAGANDA:   A message from NextEra Energy: Seabrook Station has provided Massachusetts with low-cost, clean, reliable energy for over 30 years, reducing carbon emissions regionally by approximately 4 million tons per year. Nuclear energy is Massachusetts’ most cost-effective and essential tool to combat climate change.   HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH SPOTTED — Ben Affleck — yes, really — working a Dunkin’ drive-thru in Medford . TRANSITIONS — Cain Hayes, president and CEO of Point32Health, has been elected Massachusetts Association of Health Plans board chair. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former GOP Senate candidate Kevin O’Connor and Ben Finkenbinder. 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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