Politico Massachusetts Playbook: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BAKER defends state efforts in CHELSEA — McGOVERN backs PROXY voting — The new virus tracing ARMY

By Stephanie Murray GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF! FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: KENNEDY RAISES CASH FOR CHELSEA — Rep. Joe Kennedy III used his campaign email list to raise $30,000 for organizations assisting Chelsea in the city's coronavirus relief effort, his campaign said on Thursday. Kennedy has raised a total $75,000 for organizations working on coronavirus relief across the country. Chelsea has emerged as a hotspot in Massachusetts, and an influx in cases led officials to call for a 24-hour curfew there. Kennedy started raising money for the city last week, and held a livestream broadcast with city leaders on April 9. Sen. Ed Markey, whom Kennedy is hoping to unseat in a Democratic primary, held a live broadcast with the Chelsea Collaborative community group yesterday. CAMPAIGN WORKERS ADJUST TO WORK DURING PANDEMIC — As candidates get used to life on livestreams and lawmakers grapple with ballot access, the coronavirus pandemic has made life a little more complicated for another group in the political process: campaign workers. Accustomed to knocking on doors, setting up events and interacting with volunteers in person, campaign staffers are now adjusting to a socially distant version of their jobs, and rewriting the playbook on how to campaign when people cannot gather together. Nicole Silvestri is a Revere Democrat who just graduated from a staff training program run by the National Democratic Training Committee, a political action committee aimed at getting a more diverse group of people into politics. She expects state and local races will rely on digital communication and outreach to voters in the weeks ahead. "You can't go to the door. That human contact is really going to affect everything, but that doesn't mean it's not adaptable," Silvestri told me. Silvestri has been involved in politics since 2015 - she and her husband were part of the first wave of the opioid epidemic in the early 2000s, went to college later in life and got involved in politics at the urging of their professors. Her husband, Marc Silvestri, is the director of Revere's Veterans Service Office The staff training academy Silvestri just graduated from typically ends with an in-person meeting in Washington, D.C., but the 127-person group ended the program online instead due to coronavirus restrictions. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Sen. Ed Markey and Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera hold a livestream. Rep. Seth Moulton hosts a telephone town hall. Rep. Joe Kennedy III holds a small business virtual town hall. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Ayanna Pressley talk to reporters about their coronavirus equitable data collection bill.   JOIN TODAY - COVID-19: A WAKE-UP CALL FOR SUSTAINABILITY: Join Global Translations author Ryan Heath today at 1:00 p.m. for a virtual conversation with Paul Polman, chairman, International Chamber of Commerce, co-founder of Imagine and former CEO of Unilever. With a direct line to hundreds of CEOs Polman discusses how the coronavirus pandemic is a "wake-up call" for global businesses and why sustainability is now essential in every organization. Have a question for Paul? Tweet it to @POLITICOLive using #AskPOLITICO. REGISTER HERE TO PARTICIPATE.     THE LATEST NUMBERS - "Coronavirus in Massachusetts: Health officials announce 137 new deaths; Gov. Charlie Baker warns that the surge has arrived," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "Health officials reported 137 new coronavirus-related deaths on Thursday, bringing the statewide tally to 1,245. Of that total, 610 - roughly half - were in long-term care facilities. The state's Department of Public Health also reported 2,263 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 32,181." DATELINE BEACON HILL - "Baker defends state coronavirus efforts in Chelsea," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker on Thursday staunchly defended the state's handling of the escalating COVID-19 outbreak in Chelsea, including charging, without offering details, that city leaders have turned down help from his administration. The governor's claim blindsided officials in Chelsea, where leaders told the Globe this week that the state and even health care providers should have caught on sooner to the virus's rapid spread through the densely populated, working-class community." - "Mass. Governor Warns 'Don't Leave Anything Unsaid' With Loved Ones During Coronavirus," by Hannah Hagemann, NPR: "As global cases of coronavirus top 2 million, and people across the world lose loved ones to the virus without being given the chance for final farewells, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said at a press conference Wednesday that instead of death toll numbers, he's thinking more about those lost moments. 'When you talk about where the numbers are going on this, what I'm really thinking about is all those people who aren't going to have a chance to say goodbye.'" - "Critics say state needs to repeatedly test all nursing home staff and residents," by Shelley Murphy, Laura Crimaldi and Robert Weisman, Boston Globe: "With nearly half of coronavirus deaths in Massachusetts occurring at long-term-care facilities, state officials are now offering to provide testing for residents and staff at any nursing home, assisted living facility or rest home, seeking to curb a contagion that preys upon the frail and elderly. Because the illness can be transmitted by people who are not showing symptoms, the state said this type of universal testing is crucial so the facilities can isolate the infectious and identify the full scope of the outbreak." FROM THE HUB - "An Army of Virus Tracers Takes Shape in Massachusetts," by Ellen Barry, The New York Times: "Alexandra Cross, a newly minted state public health worker, dialed a stranger's telephone number on Monday, her heart racing.It was Ms. Cross's first day as part of Massachusetts's fleet of contact tracers, responsible for tracking down people who have been exposed to the coronavirus, as soon as possible, and warning them. On her screen was the name of a woman from Lowell." - "State correctional facility in Bridgewater emerges as hotspot of coronavirus infection," by Vernal Coleman, Boston Globe: "The first wave of infection inside Bridgewater's Massachusetts Treatment Center emerged in mid-March. With four deaths, and more than 50 infections among inmates and employees, the medium-security correctional facility finds itself among the ranks of several larger and more well-known prisons and jails across the country that are battling an explosion of COVID-19 infections." - "Some Boston-area banks still taking PPP applications, despite lack of funds," by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: "Several banks in the Boston area are still accepting new applications from small businesses for the Paycheck Protection Program, even though the program had burnt through its full $349 billion by Thursday morning. In anticipation of Congress delivering more funding, the two largest banks operating in Massachusetts, Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC) and Citizens Financial Group (NYSE: CFG), are still taking PPP applications, representatives said Thursday afternoon." - "30 residents at Belmont Manor nursing home have now died of coronavirus, owner says; up from 13 in five days," by Laura Crimaldi and John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: "For more than 50 years, Belmont Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has been the sole option for skilled nursing care in Belmont and the life's work of two generations of the Karger family, which opened the facility in 1967. On Thursday, the family-owned nursing home near the open fields and woodlands of the Beaver Brook Reservation emerged as another symbol of misery in the COVID-19 pandemic, after the facility announced the virus had killed 30 patients, accounting for all but one death in Belmont apparently connected to the illness." - "Mental Health Advocacy Groups Launch Investigation Of Lemuel Shattuck Hospital After 'Rapid Spread' Of COVID-19 Cases," by Jenifer B. McKim, WGBH News: "Concerned about an outbreak of COVID-19 in the state's Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in Jamaica Plain, two advocacy groups for people with disabilities have launched an investigation into alleged problems. The Disability Law Center and the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee sent a letter to the state Thursday requesting more information about the treatment of patients in the Metro Boston Mental Health Units at the Shattuck hospital." - "Will Boston see concerts and large gatherings canceled until 2021? Here's what Mayor Walsh just said on CNN," by Jaclyn Reiss, Boston Globe: "Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh appeared on CNN shortly before 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, speaking with Brianna Keilar about the city's response to the coronavirus pandemic. During his brief appearance, Keilar noted that the mayor of Los Angeles recently said that he believes large gatherings, such as concerts and big sports events, may not resume in L.A. before 2021." PRIMARY SOURCES - FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: "NATIONAL DEMOCRACY REFORM GROUP LEADERSHIP NOW PROJECT ENDORSES ALAN KHAZEI FOR CONGRESS IN MASSACHUSETTS 4TH," from the Khazei campaign: "Highlighting his commitment to restoring, protecting, and defending our democracy, the Leadership Now Project endorsed Alan Khazei, City Year Co-Founder, Service Year Alliance Co-Founder, Democracy Entrepreneurs founder and candidate for Congress in Massachusetts' 4th District." - FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: "Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins Endorses Jesse Mermell for Congress," from the Mermell campaign: "Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins has joined the strong and growing list of community, state and national leaders to endorse Jesse Mermell for Congress in Massachusetts' Fourth Congressional District. Tompkins, a statewide progressive leader on issues related to justice, announced his support Thursday evening during a virtual community conversation on protecting vulnerable populations, including the incarcerated, during the COVID-19 pandemic." - "Massachusetts Senate approves bill to lower signature requirements as Supreme Judicial Court hears ballot access case," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "State senators Thursday voted to lower the signature requirements candidates need to make the ballot in certain races while a bipartisan group of office-seekers asked the Supreme Judicial Court for even greater relief as COVID-19 renders traditional canvassing efforts impossible." DAY IN COURT - "SJC Rules Police Were OK To Use License Plate Readers To Track Suspect Over Cape Bridges," by Lisa Creamer, WBUR: "The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled Thursday that police did not violate a suspected drug dealer's constitutional rights by using automatic license plate readers to track his movements over the Cape Cod bridges. Automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) are camera systems that photograph and use software to identify vehicle license plates in real-time. Operated by the Massachusetts State Police, the ALPRs were installed on the Bourne and Sagamore bridges in 2015." - "National gun groups sues Mass. over shop closings," by Stephanie Purifoy, Boston Globe: "A national gun rights group has filed a federal lawsuit against Attorney General Maura Healey and Governor Charlie Baker in an effort to allow firearms dealers to reopen during the COVID-19 crisis, the organization announced Thursday. The Gun Owners of America, based in Virginia, joined more than a dozen other gun stores and manufacturers in suing Baker and Healey, claiming their Second Amendment rights have been violated and their businesses are suffering 'immediate, irreparable, injuries,' according to the lawsuit." FROM THE DELEGATION - "Senior Democrat backs House rules change to allow for proxy voting," by Heather Caygle and Sarah Ferris, POLITICO: "A senior House Democrat is urging a rules change to allow members to vote by proxy without having to travel to Washington, the push coming as the coronavirus pandemic continues to immobilize Congress with both chambers shuttered for weeks to come. The change — suggested by House Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) on a private Democratic Caucus call on Thursday — would be temporary and likely only apply to emergency legislation related to the coronavirus." - "'The Status Quo Is Not Going To Save Us': Mass. House Delegation Calls For Universal Mail-In Ballots In 2020," by Kevin G. Andrade, WGBH News: "Five members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation called on state leaders to pass a universal vote-by-mail law in advance of fall elections during a press conference Thursday. 'We know the status quo is not going to save us,' Rep. Ayanna Pressley said. The group, which also included Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, Rep. Jim McGovern, Rep. Katherine Clark and Rep. Lorie Trahan, called on Beacon Hill to pass legislation that would automatically send mail-in ballots to all registered voters in the state ahead of the November general election." - "Labor secretary details skyrocketing claims, new benefits," by Robert Mills, The Lowell Sun: "Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rosalin Acosta told U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan and a telephone town hall on the COVID-19 pandemic Thursday that unemployment claims statewide went from an average of about 17,000 per month to over 500,000 so far since the virus struck, with claims nationally reaching over 22 million. Acosta said the initial claims for unemployment insurance overwhelmed what was previously an office of about 50 people who make phone calls to process the claims." MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS - "Mass. Recreational Marijuana Shops Lose Bid To Reopen During Pandemic," by Zeninjor Enwemeka, WBUR: "A Suffolk Superior Court judge has denied a request by a group of recreational marijuana businesses to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic. The businesses had sued Gov. Charlie Baker over his decision to shut down recreational pot businesses in his response to the public health crisis. The businesses said the closures would irreparably harm the burgeoning industry." ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: "COVID BLUE," — Globe: "Trump talks of reopening, with onus on states," "30 dead in outbreak at Belmont facility." FROM THE 413 - "Amherst BID hopes to raise $500,000 to support downtown businesses," by Jim Russell, Springfield Republican: "The Amherst Business Improvement District is seeking donations to create a $500,000 'Resiliency Microgrant Program' after about two dozen downtown businesses said they might not make it through May if shutdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic continue. The organization surveyed 35 businesses in town." THE LOCAL ANGLE - "Virus testing expanded for tribal members," by Jessica Hill, Cape Cod Times: "As positive cases of the new coronavirus continue to rise across the county, tribal members now have greater access to testing. As of Wednesday, the Mashpee Wampanoag Health Service Unit is offering free drive-thru testing for members of all federally recognized tribes, regardless of whether they have symptoms of the virus." - "Sheriff: more inmates test positive, but more also recovered," by Julie Manganis, The Salem News: "Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger said a total of 38 inmates at the Middleton Jail have tested positive for COVID-19 — but noted that 25 of those inmates are now considered 'recovered' based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. A total of 304 inmates have been released from the jail since March 10, said the sheriff." - "Census 2020: Worcester and Mass. residents slow to be counted so far," by Craig S. Semon, Telegram & Gazette: "As of Wednesday, the cumulative Census 2020 self-response rate for Massachusetts is 50.2%, compared to 49.1% nationally, while Worcester stands at only 39.7%. So what gives? 'As a characteristically Northeast state, we're doing very well,' said Susan Strate, population estimates program manager at the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute in Hadley. 'Worcester's response rate is not looking good compared to the state's average.'" - "Carpenters calls on Spicer to shut down Framingham worksite, citing coronavirus safety concerns," by Jeannette Hinkle, MetroWest Daily News: "The drivers of the vehicles in the rolling protest, designed to keep protesters from congregating in a group, were mostly members of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, a labor union whose members are arguing job sites like the one at the Bancroft Building should shut down to protect workers, their families and the community from the coronavirus." MEDIA MATTERS - "A message from the publisher," by Karen Andreas, Eagle-Tribune: "Beginning next week, the Eagle-Tribune will stop publishing print editions two days per week — on Tuesdays and Saturdays. On those two days, our journalists will continue to produce news stories, photography, videos, podcasts and more, but on our websites only, which are free to subscribers ." REMEMBERING MAURA MCCAFFREY ... from the Springfield Republican: "Maura C. McCaffrey, former president and CEO of Health New England and a member of the Baystate Health President's Cabinet, died Tuesday after a long illness. She was 50. Link. HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Dean Lieberman, founder and principal at DKL Strategies; Tom Hunt, Uber's Susan Effler and Christine Boncore, president at U.S -1 Ventures (h/t Ed Cash). HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND - to Saturday birthday-ers Charlie Baker, president and co-founder of Dewey Square Group; Theresa Verbic, Kelsey Donohue, director of comms at Harvard's IOP and an Obama WH and State alum; Trey Grayson, and Tracy Spicer , principal at Avenue Solutions and a Sen. Kennedy alum. And to Sunday birthday-ers Ron Kaufman, senior adviser in the public policy and regulation practice at Dentons, and Kyle Grabowski. 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.   COMING SOON - The Long Game: A newsletter from POLITICO that explores the convergence of private sector leaders, political actors, and NGO/Academic experts on the key sustainability issues of our time. Subscribe for a high-level look at sustainability news, trends, solutions and the players focused on building a sustainable future. SIGN UP TODAY.       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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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BAKER brushes off Trump’s ‘MUTINY’ claim — BATTLING to get on the BALLOT — Bay Staters buying GUNS

By Stephanie Murray

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. GETTING ON THE BALLOT CAN BE COMPLICATED — Ballot access is up in the air on Beacon Hill in light of the coronavirus pandemic, and the issue will come before the Supreme Judicial Court later this week. But in the meantime, legislative campaigns are hustling to get enough signatures to appear on the ballot in September. State Senate hopefuls need to turn in 300 signatures by April 28, and those running for state representative need 150 signatures by that date. A Senate bill that would lower the signature threshold for federal candidates (but does not include legislative campaigns) was blocked by a Republican lawmaker on Monday. Regardless, many campaigns are forging ahead in case guidelines do not change. Jordahn Meehan, a Democratic activist challenging state Rep. Kevin Honan in a primary, was able to collect the bulk of his signatures in February and March. Meehan's last push for signatures was Super Tuesday — the March 3 voting day that was more than a week before social distancing became reality for Massachusetts residents. Meehan said on Tuesday that his signatures were certified and he will appear on the ballot, but urged the legislature to reduce the number of signatures for all candidates anyway. "We've seen many candidates, incumbents and non-incumbents alike, are still struggling to meet the signature requirement. It only makes sense to adjust in light of this pandemic," Meehan said. Not every candidate running for a seat on Beacon Hill was able to collect signatures before the pandemic hit Massachusetts. State Rep. Angelo Scaccia announced he wouldn't seek reelection on April 7, opening up a seat that he's occupied since the early 1970s. Former Boston City Councilor Rob Consalvo operated on a tight timeline and was able to collect 218 signatures in a matter of days, even while social distancing. Campaigns aim to collect more than the required number of signatures in case some get tossed out during the certification process. "In order for me to be a candidate, I needed to be on the ballot," Consalvo told me. "I began to work the phones every night calling key supporters ... to let them know I was going to be a candidate, but also let them know that we have a looming deadline and to pitch this concept of bringing signature sheets personally to their home." From there, Consalvo's wife, his cousin and campaign manager Scott Smith would drive to the homes of supporters and deliver signature papers in fresh envelopes while wearing gloves. Supporters would take the papers inside and sign them. Later, the campaign would pick up the signed papers. Consalvo actually turned away volunteers who offered to gather signatures to minimize social contact. "I think the whole thing cost less than $40," Smith told me, factoring in envelopes and copies of the nomination papers. Consalvo didn't say whether he thinks the legislature should change the signature threshold for campaigns like his. "The reality is we have a deadline looming on the 28th. Regardless of what the legislature does, I wanted to make sure I was prepared for that 28th deadline," Consalvo said. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Boston Mayor Marty Walsh speaks at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce virtual event. Attorney General Maura Healey is a guest on WGBH's "Boston Public Radio." Sen. Ed Markey, state Rep. Tami Gouveia and Dr. Michael Goldberg host a livestream.

TODAY - JOIN CONGRESSWOMAN ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ FOR A VIRTUAL PLAYBOOK: Join Playbook authors Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman today at 9:30 a.m. EDT for an important virtual interview with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). to discuss how the coronavirus is impacting New York, efforts to make sure African American and Latino communities get essential economic relief, and the impact that this global economic and health crisis will have on the 2020 elections. Have a question for Rep. Ocasio-Cortez? Tweet it to @POLITICOLive using #AskPOLITICO. REGISTER HERE TO PARTICIPATE.

THE LATEST NUMBERS

- "Coronavirus in Massachusetts: Baker administration says to brace for 'difficult days' ahead as health officials announce 113 new deaths," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "Public health officials announced 113 new COVID-19-related deaths — the highest number reported in a single day since the outbreak began. Officials also confirmed 1,296 new cases of the virus, bringing the statewide total to 28,163."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

- "For Gov. Charlie Baker, criticism from President Donald Trump about multi-state effort to reopen economies is 'noise,'" by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker's decision to join multi-state council to coordinate safely reopening the Northeast after the worst of COVID-19 may put him in the middle of a 'mutiny' in the eyes of the president. President Donald Trump targeted Democratic governors Tuesday morning, saying 'a gold old fashioned mutiny every now and then is an exciting and invigorating thing to watch, especially when the mutineers need so much from the captain.' The tweet came less than a day after Baker, a Republican, joined a multi-state council of mostly Democratic governors who are planning to coordinate a safe reopening of the Northeast." - "State economists grapple with 'unprecedented times,'" by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "The state economy will tank and unemployment will rise. But how bad will it get and how long will the recession last? Top Massachusetts economists, testifying at a legislative budget hearing Tuesday, gave stark estimates of the financial pain that will be felt in the state, but all stressed the uncertainty of their predictions." - "With Legislature stalled, Mass. high court to tackle coronavirus ballot issue," by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts' highest court will hear oral arguments Thursday over whether it should relax the legal requirements for candidates to get on the ballot, wading into an issue bogged down by partisan squabbling in the state Legislature. The Supreme Judicial Court is scheduled to hear arguments by telephone in the lawsuit brought by three candidates who say the state's signature requirements present unconstitutional barriers to the ballot in the midst of a deadly pandemic." - "Coronavirus pandemic prompts Massachusetts lawmakers to file vote-by-mail bill," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "The latest Beacon Hill bill created in response to the coronavirus pandemic would allow early voting by mail ahead of the state primary and general elections if the state of emergency remains in effect. Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem filed legislation that would make early voting by mail an option due to COVID-19 and send personal protective equipment to poll workers." - "Healey pushes insurance regulators to cut auto rates amid coronavirus pandemic," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Attorney General Maura Healey is asking the state to make auto insurance companies cut rates during the coronavirus crisis, when travel has dropped significantly. 'There is already data showing a large decrease in travel in Massachusetts,' Glenn Kaplan, chief of Healey's Insurance & Financial Services Division, wrote in a letter Monday, saying that recent data has shown that people are traveling 50% to 55% less." - "One response to coronavirus anxiety in Mass.: try to buy a gun for the first time," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "As COVID-19 has upended everyone's day-to-day routines, anxiety has rushed to fill the void, be it fear of losing one's job or stockpiling toilet paper. Even in Massachusetts, home to some of the nation's strictest firearm laws, others say they're weighing something else: whether to buy — or trying to buy — a gun for the first time in this uneasy reality. Less than 17 percent of Massachusetts residents who responded to a recent Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll said they owned a gun. But of those who don't, about 1 in 7 said they now wish they did." - "Massachusetts hailed as coronavirus contact tracing model to opening up economy," by Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: "Hunting down every new case of coronavirus once the peak is over is the only safe way to lift the nationwide lockdown, Johns Hopkins University researchers said Monday citing Massachusetts as a model. The Maryland university has been at the forefront of COVID-19 tracking with its hugely popular worldwide map of the pandemic. Now the school's public health experts say opening up America will require 'a robust and comprehensive' contact tracing system." - "Murray, Fattman decry news that feds took personal protective equipment ordered by Milford," by Alison Bosma, Milford Daily News: "Two local state legislators are calling for state and federal leaders to work together, not against each other, when taking on the coronavirus. 'The stakes of this unprecedented public health crisis are too high for communities and states to not only have to combat this insidious virus, but also battle with our federal government to secure necessary protective gear for our public safety and health personnel,' part of a letter from state Rep. Brian Murray, D-Milford, and state Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Sutton reads." - "Baker Mum On Whether State Troopers Sent To NYC To Protect Medical Supply Shipment," by Steve Brown, WBUR: "Gov. Charlie Baker wouldn't say for sure Tuesday whether Massachusetts State Police troopers were sent to New York City to protect a shipment of masks and other medical protective equipment bound for the Bay State. Baker was asked about a tweet from the official state police account, which said troopers were escorting the Patriots tractor-trailer to JFK Airport to bring more medical supplies back to the state." FROM THE HUB - "29-year veteran of Boston Police Department dies after contracting coronavirus," by Gal Tziperman Lotan and Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: "Boston police Officer Jose Fontanez had served District E-13 in Jamaica Plain since 1996, nearly the entirety of his 29-year career with the department. That service ended on Tuesday, when Fontanez died at Boston Medical Center because of complications from COVID-19. Fontanez is the first Boston police officer to die as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. He was 53, and had four children and one grandchild." - "With PPP funds drying up quickly, Mass. businesses have scored billions in loans," by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: "As of Monday, Massachusetts businesses had been approved for more than 27,000 loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program that are worth a combined $7.07 billion. The SBA data, made public for the first time Tuesday afternoon, show that a remarkable number of Massachusetts firms lined up the financing in the program's first 11 days." - "Coronavirus pandemic shines a light on gig workers' scant protections," by Katie Johnston, Boston Globe: ""Derek Henderson spends 11 hours a day, five or six days a week, picking up groceries and takeout orders and delivering them to people hunkered down at home as they try to avoid being infected by the highly contagious coronavirus. Henderson, 46, doesn't have that luxury. He needs to make a living. And like other gig workers still on the job, he works for platforms — Instacart, DoorDash, and Grubhub — that don't provide basic employee benefits." - "'I've never seen it so quiet': Chinatown restaurateurs face financial ruin," by Diti Kohli, Boston Globe: "At China King last month, the phone rarely rang. 'One day, there was nothing,' said owner Doris Huang of a day without a single order. 'Nobody at all. I have never seen it so quiet.' The rent for her modest Chinatown restaurant is past due. One employee remains on the payroll, and Huang's small pool of savings ebbs lower each day. The money China King needs to stay afloat is simply not there, and there's no sign profits will start pouring in soon. So Huang closed her beloved 25-year-old restaurant last week — at least temporarily — after sparring with the decision for a while." DAY IN COURT - "Gun shops sue state over coronavirus closures," by Kim Ring, Telegram & Gazette: "A group of gun owners, gun shop proprietors and a sportsmen's club is suing Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey, alleging that their rights were violated when they were forced to shut down or were prevented from purchasing firearms after the shops were deemed nonessential businesses during the coronavirus pandemic." - "State's Highest Court Upholds Release Of Prisoner Due To Coronavirus Risk," by Deborah Becker, WBUR: "A Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court justice has upheld the release of a prisoner because of the coronavirus. Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins had argued against the man's release, saying he's a threat to public safety, despite having led the charge for decarceration amid the pandemic. Rollins argued that a Superior Court judge abused her discretion in releasing 40-year-old William Utley from prison." FROM THE DELEGATION - "Aquarium, zoo, and museums appeal for federal aid," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "Top officials at six of the Boston area's top cultural attractions said on Tuesday that their survival and the survival of other institutions like them depends on a huge increase in federal aid to the nonprofit sector. In a letter to the Massachusetts congressional delegation, the leaders of the New England Aquarium, the Boston Children's Museum, the Museum of Science, Zoo New England, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Institute of Contemporary Art outlined a very specific set of requests." MARKEYCHUSETTS - "Ed Markey introduces bill in response to fringe movement to fire Anthony Fauci," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "The #FireFauci effort may have ties to Massachusetts, but so does a proposal to stop the fringe movement in its tracks. Sen. Ed Markey unveiled legislation Tuesday to limit President Donald Trump's ability to fire National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, who has risen to prominence during the coronavirus pandemic as the federal government's top — and most trusted — expert on infectious diseases." MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS - "Is marijuana 'essential'? Recreational firms tussle with Baker in court," by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "Lawyers representing a consortium of cannabis companies and Governor Charlie Baker clashed in court Tuesday over Baker's decision to close recreational marijuana shops amid the coronavirus pandemic. The companies, joined by a military veteran who said he relies on recreational marijuana shops to obtain the drug for medical purposes, sued Baker last week, saying his order to shutter the stores and their suppliers was an unfair overreach." - "Weld parts with Baker on pot sales," by former Gov. Bill Weld, CommonWealth Magazine: "Massachusetts recently concluded that while adult-use cannabis dispensaries should be closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, medical cannabis dispensaries can stay open. There are a number of reasons, some relating to public health and some relating to social justice or economic harm, why the Commonwealth might wish to reconsider this distinction between the two types of cannabis stores." ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: "LOST A HERO," — Globe: "DISPATCHES FROM THE FRONT LINES," "Trump, governors parry over authority." FROM THE 413 - "Amid virus fallout, Great Barrington reschedules annual town meeting, election," by Bob Dunn, The Berkshire Eagle: "Public health concerns and social distancing guidelines prompted the Select Board on Monday to move the town's annual town meeting and election to the end of the current fiscal year. The board also approved extending due dates, and waiving interest and fees on some tax payments." - "Coronavirus impact: Springfield city revenues slip by $2.3 million as officials eye federal relief," by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: "City revenues are down by $2.3 million in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic when compared to the same time last year, with the shortfall being tracked for future federal aid. Timothy J. Plante, the city's chief administrative and financial officer, said that 'every penny' is being tracked, as the city watches over the budget and its revenues, and pursues grants and disaster aid." THE LOCAL ANGLE - "A Different Kind of Catholic Church Scandal at a Winchester Parish," by Mariya Manzhos, Boston Magazine: "St. Mary's Director of Ministries Sal Caraviello was milling around at a lunch service when he got the panicked call. It was a chilly Thursday morning in February 2017, and Caraviello, a longtime fixture at the Winchester parish, had driven two and a half hours southwest to Branford, Connecticut, for a funeral earlier that day before following mourners to an Italian restaurant a few minutes down the road to eat." - "Fourth staff member at Bristol County prison tests positive for coronavius," by David Linton, Sun Chronicle: "A mental health clinician at the Dartmouth House of Correction has tested positive for the coronavirus, the Bristol County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday. The employee is the fourth staff member of the sheriff's office to be infected with the highly contagious virus. However, no inmates have contracted it, according to the sheriff's office." REMEMBERING STEVE ALLEN, JR. ... via Dot News: "Steve Allen, Jr., a staple at community events as a news photographer in Dorchester since the 1970s, died this week from an illness caused by the coronavirus. Allen, 62, contracted the COVID-19 disease while he was recuperating from a medical procedure last week, according to his friend and fellow photographer, Bill Brett." Link. HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Asher MacDonald, scheduler for Rep. Seth Moulton; and Andrés Garcia. NEW EPISODE: FLOUR POWER - On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith and Stephanie Murray speak with Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz about the coronavirus pandemic. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud or watch the Zoom video. 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. 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