POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Wu’s agenda beyond vaccines

 

View in browser   BY LISA KASHINSKY A SPRINT AND A MARATHON — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is closing in on 100 days in office, a significant, though arbitrary, milestone already prompting reflections on her brief tenure. Before Playbook looks back at Wu’s opening weeks as mayor, we want to cast ahead. Wu’s twin searches for police and school leaders will likely take center stage as winter turns to spring. And she’s pledging to fight any attempts at a state takeover of Boston Public Schools — even though receivership doesn’t appear imminent. Playbook sat down with Wu for a wide-ranging interview in which she said a top cop who’s already familiar with the Boston Police Department would “be a plus” and that locking in a new school superintendent before the fall is achievable. Here are excerpts from our conversation, edited for length: Are you hoping to bring in someone local as the next police commissioner or someone who’s not from Boston? We’ve gotten a lot of feedback on that very question from the town halls and from different groups. People are landing on all different perspectives on that. In Boston especially, having a connection and knowledge of our communities is so valuable. We also need, most of all, someone who aligns with the vision for building community trust in this role and ensuring that we are connecting all of our public safety efforts with public health. It sounds like you might want an internal candidate, or someone who’s at least pretty familiar with the BPD? I wouldn’t say it. I mean, I think it’s definitely a plus. But the [search] committee is definitely charged with looking at all options. I don’t have a personal stake in someone who is internal versus external. I think there is a need for fresh perspectives in the department as well. I don’t think the committee, from what I can tell, has a clear commitment one way or another. For a school superintendent, is there going to be a preference for someone internal because of the short timeline? We won't make a decision specifically because of the timeline, but I do believe it is possible within this timeline to find the right person. … There are a lot of exciting reasons to be here and I know we will see strong interest from people potentially all around the country. You said you would fight receivership if it came to it. Would receivership be the worst thing for BPS? Even within this one city, the needs of different communities, the experience of different school communities, is unique. And to think that a state reaching down to oversee a district of this size and complexity, with so many engaged residents ready to be involved — to think that that will result in stability or the type of progress that we need is false. Has Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley mentioned receivership as a possibility for Boston? Is that why you’re worried about it? Yes. I mean, I wouldn’t say I’m worried about it. But he has. Is that district-wide or just for a few schools?  We didn’t talk specifics besides me saying I was going to fight it. You’re using $8 million in ARPA funding to make three bus routes fare-free for two years. What happens when the pilot program ends? I am constantly in communication with Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Sen. Ed Markey, as they have filed legislation at the federal level that would generate funding for fare-free public transportation across the country. We have similar legislation focused on fare-free buses up at the State House. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. We’ll have more from our interview with Wu in tomorrow’s Playbook. TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito make a MGCC small business grant announcement at 10 a.m. at Luanda Restaurant and Lounge in Brockton. Wu makes an early childhood education and care announcement at 10 a.m. at the East Boston YMCA and hosts a media availability on the 2022 Boston homeless census at 11:30 p.m. outside City Hall. Markey and Fall River officials host a virtual roundtable on substance-use prevention and treatment initiatives at 11 a.m. Tips? Scoops? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com . Also, we’re aware that some links may be missing from Playbook when we publish. Our engineers are still working on it.   JOIN THURSDAY TO HEAR FROM MAYORS ACROSS AMERICA: The Fifty: America’s Mayors will convene mayors from across the country to discuss their policy agendas, including the enforcement of Covid measures such as vaccine and mask mandates. We’ll also discuss how mayors are dealing with the fallout of the pandemic on their local economies and workforce, affordable housing and homelessness, and criminal justice reforms. REGISTER HERE.     ON THE STUMP — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Jordan Meehan, a former state representative candidate and past legislative and policy manager for the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth, is now campaign manager for labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan ’s bid for state attorney general. “Jordan Meehan is an incredible progressive activist and I couldn’t be prouder to have him on board,” Liss-Riordan said in a statement. — GETTING IN: Chelsea City Councilor Judith Garcia is running for state representative in the newly created 11th Suffolk district. Garcia, who was born and raised in Chelsea, said in a statement that “this new district gives our communities a once-in-a-life time chance to seize the power that is rightfully ours. … I will be a voice for all of us.” Chelsea School Committee member Roberto Jiménez-Rivera, a fellow Democrat, is also running for the seat. — (ALMOST) GETTING IN: Worcester Mayor Joe Petty has filed paperwork with state campaign finance regulators to run for the state Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Harriette Chandler. A formal announcement is expected within the next couple of weeks, a person familiar with Petty’s planning told me. Petty also appears to have purchased a website, petty4senate.com , which is still under construction but is attributed to “The Committee to Elect Joe Petty.” — “State Rep. David LeBoeuf running for reelection — not Sen. Harriette Chandler’s seat,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “State Rep. David LeBoeuf will run for reelection in the 17th Worcester district, his campaign committee announced Tuesday as he nixed the possibility of running for Sen. Harriette Chandler’s seat instead.” — Chicopee City Councilor Shane Brooks is running for the state House seat being vacated by state Rep. Joseph Wagner, who said last week he won’t seek reelection, WWLP’s Brett Willand reports. — ENDORSEMENT RECAP: Harvard professor Danielle Allen made her first political move after ending her bid for governor, endorsing fellow political newcomer and NAACP Boston Branch President Tanisha Sullivan’s Democratic primary challenge against veteran Secretary of State Bill Galvin. — ICYMI: Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss has one less Republican challenger. Emily Burns, the first GOP candidate to announce a run in MA-04, bowed out of the race earlier this month. She said in a blog post her family has decided to relocate to Austin, Texas, and that she intends to refund her donors. “My trust in the political and cultural leadership of this state is totally broken,” Burns wrote. “When I entered the race the choice was run for Congress and try to start this conversation here — or move.” — WATCH: State auditor hopefuls Chris Dempsey and state Sen. Diana DiZoglio make their pitches on GBH’s “Greater Boston.” DATELINE BEACON HILL The Massachusetts State House reopened to the public on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, after 708 days of restricted access due to the pandemic. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO — THE “PEOPLE’S HOUSE” WELCOMES BACK PEOPLE: Visiting the State House had been on Richard Gergel’s bucket list for decades. He was in luck Tuesday — the building reopened to the public after its prolonged pandemic closure, hours before Gergel was due to fly back home to Michigan. “It’s very exciting,” Gergel, an art history professor and architecture buff, told Playbook in between snapping photos of the building designed by famed architect Charles Bulfinch. Gergel was among the tourists, lobbyists, lawmakers and staffers who strolled through the marble hallways on a muted reopening day during school vacation week. Gov. Charlie Baker and A&F Sec. Michael Heffernan testified on the administration’s nearly $700 million tax-relief plan in front of a handful of lawmakers and about two-dozen staffers and members of the media, while several more people participated in the hearing via video conference. Senators snapped selfies in their offices as they invited the public to drop in, while other offices remained closed. Some visitors dropped in on the informal House and Senate sessions. Your Playbook scribe only spotted one person without a mask over several hours. — “Lawmakers push back on Baker’s plan to slash short-term capital gains taxes, double estate tax threshold,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “While there was little pushback on plans to double tax credits for dependents and child care, double the allowable maximum for the senior property tax credit and increase the cap on rental payment deductions from $3,000 to $5,000, [Gov. Charlie] Baker’s proposal to slash the tax rate on short-term capital gains from 12% to 5%, and to double the threshold at which the estate tax kicks in to $2 million irked some. … Baker said the measures are ‘not partisan ideas,’ noting that Democratic lawmakers have also filed bills with similar proposals to increase the threshold for the estate tax, rental deduction and senior tax credit.” — Baker told reporters outside the first-floor hearing room that he’s “thrilled” lawmakers are already taking a look at his proposal, though he expects “it will change. I think the most important thing for me is that at the end of this, we’ve done some things to modernize our tax code.” Gov. Charlie Baker and A&F Sec. Michael Heffernan testify before the Joint Committee on Revenue on the day the Massachusetts State House reopened to the public. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO — “Senator Wants Probe Of RMV Road Test Scandal,” by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): “[State Sen. Diana DiZoglio], who’s also running for higher office wants to launch an oversight hearing into the latest controversy at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, but legislative leaders remained quiet Tuesday about whether they want to probe how 2,100 drivers apparently received licenses without taking road tests." — “Cost of Massachusetts elections rises by 11% due to redistricting, State Auditor Suzanne Bump’s office says,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “Almost 90 cities and towns across Massachusetts face costlier price tags for administering elections this year due to redrawn district maps — which, in turn, the commonwealth must address with more financial assistance. Massachusetts municipalities need about $2.08 million to cover extra polling hours during the September state primary and November general election, State Auditor Suzanne Bump said in a letter to Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin.” — “25 Investigates: EEC Commissioner resigns, under investigation by MA Inspector General,” by Kerry Kavanaugh, Boston 25 News: “The Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care {EEC} resigned. ... Sources tell 25 investigates there is an active investigation by the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General into EEC Commissioner Samantha Aigner-Treworgy. According to our sources, it involves a contract that she arranged herself and gave to an individual.” — More: “Wave of high-profile departures in education hit Massachusetts,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “The state’s Department of Early Education and Care Commissioner Samantha Aigner-Treworgy has announced her departure from the position as of early next month, the latest in a series of high-profile exits up and down the education leadership spectrum.” — “Defense lawyer dismisses Baker marijuana bill as ‘junk science’,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Gov. Charlie Baker has been pushing for legislation he says would give ‘law enforcement more tools to keep our roads safe from impaired drivers.’ John Amabile, president of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, used other words to describe the bill: ‘a classic use of nonscientific junk science to potentially cause a person to be convicted of a serious crime.’”   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.     THE LATEST NUMBERS — “Massachusetts reports 4,118 coronavirus cases over the long weekend, hospitalizations fall,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The daily average of 1,030 virus cases over the weekend was down from the daily rate of 1,288 infections from the previous weekend. … In the state’s weekly breakthrough report, the state Department of Public Health reported 6,312 breakthrough infections last week — similar to the 6,494 breakthrough cases during the prior week.” VAX-ACHUSETTS — "COVID-19 lockdown measures may have caused brain inflammation that impacts mental health, MGH study says," by Susannah Sudborough, Boston.com: "[N]ew research from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) indicates that for some people, societal and lifestyle disruptions during the pandemic may have triggered inflammation in the brain that can affect mental health. According to the study, this inflammation can happen regardless of whether or not you have contracted COVID-19." PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “Why is Boston’s Aquarium MBTA stop always so wet?” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The unfortunately aptly named Aquarium MBTA stop continues to be swamped with puddles of standing water on its train platforms, a chronic issue that’s long frustrated riders — and that the T says it’s working to patch up.” — “Free the T? Some just want a discount,” by Darryl C. Murphy, WBUR: “[Atiea] Kemp would like to apply for a reduced MBTA fare — but there is currently no program for people in her situation. Despite years of calls from transit advocates, the T has no income-based discount for adults between the ages of 26 and 64, a group that includes many essential workers, like Kemp.” — “Video footage sheds light on BU professor’s fatal fall at MBTA station, but key details remain unclear,” by Elizabeth Koh, Boston Globe: “After authorities released surveillance video earlier this month, the Globe analyzed the footage and photos of the staircase, which provided a fuller picture of what happened to [David K. Jones] in the moments leading up to his death. Lawyers for Jones’s family have suggested part of the stairs collapsed, causing him to fall.” DAY IN COURT — “Ex-chief of staff to Jasiel Correia reaches plea deal with prosecutors,” by Tim White and Steph Machado, WPRI: “Genoveva Andrade, the ex-chief of staff to former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia, has again reached a plea deal with prosecutors that would spare her prison time if approved by a judge. The plea deal filed Tuesday in Boston Federal Court comes just three weeks before she was scheduled to go to trial at federal court in Boston.” FROM THE DELEGATION — UNLIKELY ALLIANCE: Reps. Jim McGovern and Ayanna Pressley were among the 43 lawmakers who signed onto a letter demanding that President Joe Biden seek congressional authorization before directly involving any U.S. troops in the escalating Russia-Ukraine situation. The bipartisan missive was co-signed by other members of the Squad and Republicans including Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz. BALLOT BATTLES — NEW NAME, SAME CAMPAIGN: Opponents of a proposed ballot initiative that would classify app-based drivers as independent contractors have rebranded as “Massachusetts is not for Sale.” The name reflects how the tech companies spent over $200 million to pass a similar ballot initiative in California, and are already pumping millions of dollars into the Massachusetts effort. Wilnelia Rivera of Rivera Consulting has been brought on as general consultant and Wes McEnany as campaign director. FROM THE 413 — “Springfield Mayor Sarno accepts SJC decision on civilian Police Commission; says commissioner Clapprood isn’t going anywhere,” by Patrick Johnson, Springfield Republican: “Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said Tuesday he accepts a ruling of the state Supreme Judicial Court that said the City Council is within its rights to create a police oversight panel, but said he retains the authority of who will run the daily operations of the department. And that person will continue to be Police Commissioner Cheryl C. Clapprood. … The SJC ruling on Tuesday brought a sudden end to a six-year struggle between the mayor and the council over the operations of the police department.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “‘People are preparing for the worst,’ Harvard scholar with relatives in Ukraine says,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “‘People are trying to stay as calm as possible, but at the same time people are preparing for the worst,’ said Oleh Kotsyuba, manager of publications at Harvard’s Ukrainian Research Institute, who has family in southern Ukraine. ‘Relatives of mine are taking classes in self-defense and shooting, just kind of learning how to defend themselves and their families’ homes.’” MEDIA MATTERS — “Boston 25 TV station part of giant $8.6B deal,” by Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: “Standard General L.P. and Cox Media Group announced in a press release Tuesday that the former Fox 25 is now part of a swap that lands the local station under new ownership.” MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND — “Gov. McKee launches campaign for a full term, flanked by mayors,” by Ted Nesi, WPRI: “Democratic Gov. Dan McKee kicked off his campaign for a full term on Tuesday, urging voters to give him four more years in the job as he seeks to fend off four primary challengers." MUST READ! — "Mueller found RI candidate sought help from Russians in 2016, docs reveal," by Ted Nesi, WPRI: "A Rhode Islander recently released from prison has been identified as the previously unidentified congressional candidate who received hacked information from Russian operatives during the 2016 campaign." Documents newly posted to the Federal Election Commission website show Republican H. Russell Taub acknowledged sending a Twitter message to the account “Guccifer 2.0” seeking assistance in his unsuccessful bid to unseat Democratic Congressman David Cicilline that year. Robert S. Mueller, the special counsel who investigated Russian interference in the 2016 election, identified Guccifer 2.0 as a handle used by Russian operatives associated with the GRU, a Russian spy agency, to distribute hacked material on prominent Democrats. Mueller’s team later revealed in an indictment that an unnamed candidate for Congress had sought assistance from Guccifer, but did not identify the individual as Taub. Taub, 33, previously pleaded guilty in 2019 to charges that he misused more than $1 million in political donations. He was sentenced to three years in prison and was released last month, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. TRANSITIONS — Laura Oggeri , communications chief to former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, is now senior director of external communications at Mass General Brigham. — Matt Bonaccorsi, communications director for Rep. Jim McGovern, will also serve as communications director for the House Rules Committee that McGovern chairs beginning next week. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Bob McGovern and Neil Levesque. 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: AOC stars in MARKEY’s new TV ad — BEACON HILL could EXTEND calendar — Don’t plant the MYSTERY SEEDS — BIG HITTERS behind Boston’s COVID relief fund

BY STEPHANIE MURRAY

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

AOC CUTS AN AD FOR MARKEY — Sen. Ed Markey is releasing his second TV ad this morning, and it features one of his best-known supporters.

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks directly to the camera in Markey's new 30-second spot. She highlights the Malden Democrat as an original cosponsor of Medicare for All, co-author of the Green New Deal and a "stalwart champion" for racial justice. The ad comes as mail-in ballots go to voters, and about a month before Sept. 1 primary.

Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Markey in his Democratic primary race against Rep. Joe Kennedy III in September. Other prominent Markey backers have cut digital endorsement videos for him, like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, but Ocasio-Cortez is the first to be featured in a television ad.

"When it comes to progressive leadership, it's not your age that counts. It's the age of your ideas. And Ed Markey is the leader that we need," Ocasio-Cortez says. The ad will run on broadcast and cable in media markets across the state, though Markey's campaign did not say how much money they will spend.

While Markey floods the airwaves with AOC, a labor group backing Kennedy will hold a press conference in Markey's hometown of Malden this morning. IBEW 2222, which represents telecommunications workers, plans to tell "the story Ed Markey doesn't tell" about his work on the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

The law "has led to the loss of local, middle-class jobs in Malden and across the state," the union workers will say, according to a press release. Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus held a press conference last week, which knocked Markey on a 2013 immigration vote and ignited days of back-and-forth between the two lawmakers.

LATE REGISTRATION — If you want to vote for Kanye West in November, you'll have to write him in.

The rapper missed Tuesday's deadline to get on the presidential ballot in Massachusetts, according to Secretary of State Bill Galvin's office. West is working to get on the ballot in several states, like New Jersey, though it's not clear what will happen with West's late entry into the presidential race. West is struggling with mental health issues, his wife Kim Kardashian West said several days ago.

The deadline to submit nomination papers to local clerks passed on Tuesday, but West would have needed to act earlier to get the process rolling. Candidates need to pull nominating papers complete with the candidate's name, a vice presidential pick and 11 Massachusetts electors. West never took out papers in Massachusetts, Galvin's office said.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.

TODAY — Rep. Katherine Clark travels to Atlanta with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members to attend a Celebration of Life for the late Rep. John Lewis. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is a guest on WGBH’s “Morning Edition.”

JOIN TODAY @ 3 p.m. EDT FOR A LIVE EPISODE OF “FOUR SQUARE ”: Where do stimulus negotiations stand? Who are insiders whispering about as the VP frontrunner for Joe Biden? How is Donald Trump’s polling affecting down-ballot races? Join POLITICO ”Four Square” host Eugene Daniels and top political journalists Tim Alberta, Laura Barrón-López, and Ryan Lizza for a deep dive into the current state of play with insider tidbits from their reporter notebooks. REGISTER HERE.

THE LATEST NUMBERS

Massachusetts reports 29 new coronavirus deaths, 356 cases, as U.S. surpasses 150,000 deaths,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Massachusetts health officials announced another 29 coronavirus deaths on Wednesday, bringing the statewide death count to 8,360. Officials also confirmed another 356 cases of the virus, bringing the total number of cases statewide to at least 109,096.”

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– “Mass. lawmakers move toward extending the legislative session,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Hampered for months by one novel crisis, the Legislature is on the verge of something else that’s unprecedented: spiking its own calendar to make laws. The House on Wednesday unanimously passed an order to suspend a legislative rule, including a looming Friday deadline to finish formal lawmaking, and give legislators until January to complete a raft of unfinished bills.”

– “Black Legislative Staffers Demand Action To Fight Racism On Beacon Hill,” by Tori Bedford, WGBH News: “A coalition of Black staff members in the Massachusetts Legislature published a list of demands they say will help fight a culture of racism, hostility and white supremacy they say they face while working on Beacon Hill. ‘We want to be valued for the life experience that we bring into the State House and supported as we do work that is really important to us,’ Senate staffer Mark Martinez told WGBH News Wednesday.”

– “Massachusetts Senate’s economic development bill moves forward without proposal to legalize sports betting,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Proponents of sports betting held out hope this month that Massachusetts lawmakers would pass legislation to legalize sports betting, possibly as part of a multi-million-dollar economic development bill. As of Wednesday night, the chances of a jobs bill that includes sports betting legalization landing on the governor’s desk are slim.”

– “Most Massachusetts residents support raising new transportation revenue during coronavirus pandemic, new MassInc poll finds,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “A majority of Massachusetts residents who participated in a recent survey believe that the state needs to raise more money to invest in its transportation infrastructure as the economy starts to come back online, according to a new MassInc poll.”

FROM THE HUB

– “BPS nurses, teachers, bus drivers rally at City Hall against reopening schools without proper safety measures,” by Naomi Martin, Boston Globe: “Boston school nurses, teachers, and bus drivers demonstrated Wednesday at City Hall against reopening schools in the fall, saying conditions amid the pandemic would be too dangerous without massive investments in protective gear, new staff, rapid coronavirus testing, and air ventilation systems.”

– “Boston City Council passes zoning board reform,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The City Council passed a bill that would overhaul the zoning board, changing its makeup and requiring regular reports from the troubled body. ‘This is a huge win for us in terms of transparency,’ City Councilor Lydia Edwards, who introduced and spearheaded the legislation .”

– “Resiliency Fund donor list a who’s who of big hitters in Boston business,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “A City Hall-run fund set up to help those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic has tapped a veritable who’s who of Boston business movers and shakers in raising at least $33 million, and distributed much of that private money to groups big and small that help the poor, the hungry, and students, a Globe review has found.”

– “Virtual NAACP national convention still has lessons for Boston, advocates say,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The NAACP national convention, once touted as a way for Boston to try to show racial progress, starts its nearly all-virtual schedule this weekend — but local leaders say it’s still an important moment for the city amid the national reckoning on racial issues.”

– “Massachusetts residents are among those receiving mysterious seeds in the mail. Officials say don’t plant them.” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Officials across the United States are urging residents to come forward if they find any unsolicited packages of seeds in the mailbox. And in Massachusetts, same advice holds true.”

PRIMARY SOURCES

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: “27 Elected Officials and Community Leaders Across MA-04 Endorse Auchincloss for Congress," from the Auchincloss campaign: "Today, 27 elected officials and community leaders from across the Massachusetts Fourth endorsed Jake Auchincloss for Congress. … These endorsements solidify Auchincloss’s full-district support." The list.

– “‘It’s Election Month, not Election Day’: Dawn of mail-in voting remixes the political calendar,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “On the official election calendar, Massachusetts’ state primary day is Sept. 1. But in practice, voting could begin next week. A new law allowing every registered Massachusetts voter to cast an absentee ballot by mail promises to change not only how residents pick their preferred candidates, but when, upending the long-held political calendar that voters and campaigns have relied on for decades.”

– “Rep. Richard Neal, challenger Alex Morse to face off in Aug. 17 debate,” The Berkshire Eagle: “U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, and his challenger in the Sept. 1 Democratic primary, Holyoke Mayor Alex B. Morse, will meet in a debate set for Aug. 17 to be broadcast on New England Public Media WGBY TV. The debate is being organized by a consortium of media organizations, including The Republican and MassLive, New England Public Media and The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield.”

– “We Asked, They Answered: 4th District Candidates Vying For Kennedy's Seat Tell Us Why They're Running,” WBUR: “Nearly a dozen candidates — nine Democrats and two Republicans — are vying to represent the Massachusetts 4th Congressional District in 2021, which runs from the South Coast into Newton and parts of Brookline. To get to know the 4th District candidates, WBUR asked each contender the same four questions.”

DAY IN COURT

– “ICE seeks OK to resume courthouse arrests,” by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: “The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency on Wednesday asked an appellate court to lift a temporary injunction and allow agents to resume making civil arrests of undocumented individuals in and around Massachusetts courthouses.”

MOULTON MATTERS

– “Seth Moulton wants to flip the Senate. He also flipped on a campaign finance pledge.” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Like virtually every other Democratic presidential candidate, Rep. Seth Moulton swore off money from business-backed political groups known as corporate PACs during his bid for the White House last year. But his focus — and standards — have since changed (or at least returned to normal). And the Massachusetts congressman would like donors to know it.”

DATELINE D.C.

– “Retired Holyoke Soldiers’ Home leader Paul Barabani testifies before Congress, calling for more federal aid to support vets’ homes amid pandemic,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “Members of Congress and the Trump administration differed on ‘where the buck stops’ for veterans nursing facilities during a committee hearing Wednesday on Capitol Hill, but most agreed the coronavirus emerged as a teachable moment of the most costly magnitude.”

THE CLARK CAUCUS

– “Women are in a terrible new bind,” by Rep. Katherine Clark and Fatima Goss Graves, CNN: “In five short, devastating months, the coronavirus pandemic has laid bare the inequities at the heart of America's economy and our society. Entire workforces are being asked to sacrifice their own safety -- and even their lives -- to keep the economy running.”

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

– “House climate change bill calls for roadmap,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The House unveiled a climate change bill on Wednesday that directs the executive branch of government to create a roadmap for reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and includes sections dealing with solar power subsidies, grid modernization, clean energy jobs, and municipal light plants.”

MEANWHILE IN MAINE

– “Mass. in middle of Maine power fight,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “A group of 25 current and former Maine state lawmakers sent a letter to Hydro-Quebec on Wednesday urging the provincial utility to stop meddling in a state election battle spawned by Massachusetts’ thirst for hydro-electricity from Canada.”

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

– “While equity efforts flounder, Massachusetts police make millions off marijuana store traffic details,” by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: “The legalization of marijuana in Massachusetts was intended to restore wealth to Black and brown communities that for decades were disproportionately targeted by police enforcing the drug’s prohibition. Yet nearly four years later, in many cities and towns, it is the police who are profiting.”

– “Cannabis advocates lose last-ditch equity effort,” by Jessica Bartlett, Boston Business Journal: “Cannabis equity advocates will be forced to look to the next legislative session after multiple attempts for funding and aid for disenfranchised groups foundered yet again on Tuesday. Lawmakers declined to take up a host of amendments pinned to an economic development bill currently under debate in the House, sidestepping a ‘Hail Mary’ effort by advocates to push cannabis equity proposals.”

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: “WORRIED SICK," "NO ES-CAPE,” — Globe: “An HR guide for when your real family becomes your work family," "City's school staff demand a clear plan for safety.”

FROM THE 413

– “Springfield city councilors call for expanded reforms to hold police accountable,” by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: “Eight city councilors have urged a state legislative committee to expand reforms to increase accountability for police misconduct. The councilors submitted a two-page letter to a legislative conference committee urging members to strengthen the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act pertaining to police, and to reduce legal protection for officers against civil lawsuits, known as ‘qualified immunity.’”

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– “Firefighters refuse order to remove police support flags,” The Associated Press: “The firefighters' union in a Boston suburb is refusing their chief's order to remove Thin Blue Line flags from firetrucks. Hingham Fire Chief Steve Murphy and police Chief Glenn Olsson say the flags — black and white versions of the U.S. flag with one blue stripe that show support for police — violate the town's ban on political messages on town property, The Patriot Ledger reported.”

– “At a time of soul-searching on race, Newton turns to retired judge to lead policing review,” by John Hilliard, Boston Globe: “Amid national soul-searching over racial justice, a retired judge who leads a Newton task force on local policing said she will center its work upon the experiences of people of color in the city. Sonja M. Spears said the confluence of the coronavirus and national Black Lives Matter protests has exposed systemic racism, and she did not want to let the moment pass without helping to make things different.”

– “Framingham parents, teachers struggled to engage students with remote learning in the spring. Now they are preparing for the fall.” by Zane Razzaq, MetroWest Daily News: “From first-graders to high school seniors, students struggled to meaningfully engage with remote learning, according to new data released by the school district. Beginning the week of May 8 through June 12, teachers assigned students a score of 0-3 based on how engaged they were. Scores were not punitive, but meant to help make direct outreach to vulnerable students easier.”

– “For the first time in 300 years, this island in Cape Cod is open to the public,” by Lauren M. Johnson, CNN: “For the first time in 300 years, an island off the coast of Cape Cod is open to the public. Sipson Island has been privately owned since 1711, when it was sold by the Monomoyick people to White settlers. Now, the newly minted Sipson Island Trust, with the help of a local non-profit, hopes to restore and care for the island using the Native American value to see land as a gift for all to use.”

MEDIA MATTERS

– “Gazette building to go on sale, but newspaper to remain in Northampton,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “A building with more than 45,000 square feet of space at the edge of downtown Northampton, in close proximity to Interstate 91, has been the headquarters of the Daily Hampshire Gazette for almost 45 years. This week, the 115 Conz St. building and its 3.57 acres of land go on the market for $4.2 million — matching both its appraised and assessed value — with Goggins Real Estate.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Brendan Roche.

ICYMI: I was a guest on WGBH’s “Boston Public Radio” on Wednesday to talk about the race between Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III, plus the crowded primary to replace Kennedy in the House. Link.

NEW EPISODE: THE ENDORSE RACE – On this week’s Horse Race podcast, host Jennifer Smith and guest host Katie Lannan discuss what’s happening on Beacon Hill, and Stephanie Murray weighs in on the race between Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.

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