POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Georgia on their minds ... again

 

View in browser   BY LISA KASHINSKY Presented by PEACHY KEEN — Bay Staters are going all-in for another Georgia U.S. Senate runoff. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey joined President Joe Biden for a fundraiser for incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock at the swanky Beacon Hill abode of Jim and Cathy Stone on Friday. The DSCC event came after the trio helped union members make calls to Georgia voters from the IBEW Local 103 in Dorchester. In other Massachusetts connections, Sydney Levin-Epstein, a local Democratic operative who lost her 413 state Senate bid this fall, is in Georgia serving as Warnock’s national events director. Embattled MassGOP Chair Jim Lyons is also getting in on the action, calling on Republicans to funnel money toward GOP nominee Herschel Walker — though he listed the wrong day for the election in one of his fundraising emails (it’s Tuesday). And UMass Lowell is out today with a new poll of the Peach State showing Warnock slightly ahead of Walker. The Democrat leads the Republican 51 percent to 46 percent in the poll of 1,300 likely voters conducted Nov. 18-28 with a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points. Warnock led Walker by less than one point in the November election — an indication tomorrow’s results will be close. Emerson College also showed a tight race in its late November poll . President Joe Biden speaks on the phone while visiting a phone bank at International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in Boston. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks on a phone at right. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) | AP Biden laid out the runoff stakes in simple terms when he was here Friday. Right now, control of the Senate is split 50-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris giving Democrats the edge through her tie-breaking votes. Democrats and the independents who caucus with them won 50 seats in the November election, while Republicans won 49. If Walker wins the Georgia runoff, the power balance in the Senate remains as it is now while the House shifts to Republican control in January. If Warnock holds his seat, Democrats gain a little wiggle room after, as Biden put it at the IBEW, navigating the demands of “50 presidents” within their own party — hint: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) — for the past two years. “We need that 51st seat,” the president said. But the Warnock element of Biden’s visit was largely overshadowed by his meeting with Prince William and the protest he faced over his controversial deal to avert a potentially crippling freight rail workers’ strike. A couple hundred rail workers and advocates, organized by the local Democratic Socialists of America, picketed outside the JFK Library where the president was meeting the prince. And they provided an intriguing split screen with the show of union support Biden was putting on over at the IBEW, where he got a warm welcome, as his administration works to soothe its relationships with the rail unions. GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Attorney General-elect Andrea Campbell is rolling out her transition team today, a diverse group of office alums, former mayors, ex-law enforcement officials, criminal justice advocates and partners at major local firms. It’s chaired by former first assistant attorneys general Mary Strother and Stephanie Lovell, former Suffolk District Attorney Ralph Martin and Brent Henry, health care partner at Mintz. The transition team — directed by Campbell campaign manager Will Stockton — consists of a hiring committee and a “Ready on Day One” committee split into five subcommittees focused on different bureaus of the attorney general’s office. Notable names include Lawyers for Civil Rights Executive Director Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal; state Sen. Lydia Edwards; former Plymouth DA candidate Rahsaan Hall; former state Sen. Ben Downing and Michael Curry of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, who both serve on Gov.-elect Maura Healey’s transition team; former state Sen. Barbara L’Italien, now the executive director of the Disability Law Center; and Environmental League of Massachusetts President Elizabeth Turnbull Henry. TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attend a South Coast Rail ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. in Assonet. Polito and EEA Secretary Beth Card announce the creation of the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation at 4 p.m. at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton. Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com . A message from NextEra Energy: NextEra Energy is the first company in history committed to moving past net zero all the way to Real Zero™, leveraging low-cost renewables to drive energy affordability for customers.   DATELINE BEACON HILL — “Getting our ‘Fair Share’ will take unified approach, lawmakers say,” by Nino Mtchedlishvili, BU Statehouse Program/Berkshire Eagle: “Western Massachusetts lawmakers say they need a unified approach to advocate for their communities’ needs creatively and persuasively as decisions are made on Beacon Hill on how to divvy up the money that will be generated by passage of the Fair Share Amendment.” FROM THE HUB Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales, greet U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry as they attend the second annual Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway, in Boston, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. (Brian Snyder/Pool Photo via AP) | AP — ROLLING OUT THE GREEN CARPET: The Prince and Princess of Wales’ trip across the pond culminated Friday evening with their Earthshot Prize awards ceremony at the MGM Music Hall in Fenway. The red carpet was green. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu wore a sustainable gown made of 1970s rug yarns with audio cassette tape woven into the fabric and a sash made of repurposed fallen umbrellas. Five international climate innovators won $1.2 million (1 million pounds) apiece to help expand their work . David Beckham, Catherine O’Hara, Rami Malek, Shailene Woodley, Daniel Dae Kim, Ellie Goulding, Chloe x Halle and Annie Lennox presented or performed. Billie Eilish, to the dismay of many, videoed her performance in. Former Massachusetts governor and current Utah Sen. Mitt Romney shaved his beard. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and her husband Conor Pewarski pose for a photo as they arrive at the second annual Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony at the MGM Music Hall, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) | AP The royals entered the room to someone in the audience apparently shouting "Free Ireland," but it was quickly followed by a scream of "We love you, Kate." The ceremony opened with a land acknowledgment from a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. While most of Massachusetts’ big names were seated at tables on the first floor, Romney was at a table on the second-floor balcony, POLITICO’s Ally Mutnick writes in. The Boston Globe’s Mark Shanahan and the Boston Herald’s Sean Philip Cotter have more details. Massachusetts Gov.-elect Maura Healey, center right, sits at The Earthshot Prize Awards at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway, in Boston, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. (David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) | AP — SPOTTED at the Earthshot awards: presidential climate envoy John Kerry and his daughter, Vanessa; Romney and his wife, Ann; Gov. Charlie Baker and his wife, Lauren; Wu and her husband, Conor Pewarski; Gov.-elect Maura Healey and her sister, Caitlin Healey; Attorney General-elect Andrea Campbell ; Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and her son and daughter; Sen. Ed Markey, former Rep. Joe Kennedy III, Boston City Council President Ed Flynn, Boston City Councilor Kenzie Bok, state Sen. Lydia Edwards at the bar with fellow East Boston state Rep. Adrian Madaro and City Councilor Gigi Coletta; state Reps. Rob Consalvo, Jeff Roy and Andy Vargas; Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, Miss Massachusetts Katrina Kincade, BPDA Chief Arthur Jemison, former Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley and former Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone (h/t Mutnick and Cotter).   POLITICO APP USERS: UPGRADE YOUR APP BY DECEMBER 19! We recently upgraded the POLITICO app with a fresh look and improved features for easier access to POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Starting December 19, users will no longer have access to the previous version of the app. Update your app today to stay on top of essential political news, insights, and analysis from the best journalists in the business. UPDATE iOS APP – UPDATE ANDROID APP .     PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “Walsh helped avoid a rail strike, but now must mend Biden administration relations with angry unions,” by Jim Puzzanghera and Jackie Kucinich, Boston Globe: “Despite the disappointment and anger from some rail workers and labor advocates — including about 200 who protested the deal outside an appearance by Biden in Boston Friday — [Labor Secretary Marty] Walsh said the [agreement with the rail unions] still represented a victory for unions [despite the lack of paid sick leave]. ‘It’s definitely a win because when we first got involved in this, this contract wasn’t going anywhere,’ he said in an interview. He noted that the five-year deal, retroactive to 2020, includes a total pay raise of 24 percent and improved health care benefits. But Walsh has work to do to smooth over relations with organized labor after forcing a deal on union members who had voted to reject it.” Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Katherine Clark, the House Democratic whip-elect, both faced questions about the rail deal on the Sunday politics shows. Warren, who voted against the deal because it didn't include additional paid sick days, told WCVB's "On the Record" that "the issue is not gone. I, along with a lot of other senators, said we have to stay on this question about forcing people to work sick and injured." Asked on NBC's "Meet the Press" whether she was "comfortable" with Democrats passing a bill preventing the addition of more sick time, Clark said it's a "national shame that we do not have paid sick leave in this country as a national policy for every single worker" and that her party would continue to push for it. — “MassDOT, Amtrak, CSX seek $108 million in rail improvements between Springfield and Worcester,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “The state Department of Transportation and rail companies Amtrak and CSX Corp. applied [last] week for $108 million in federal transportation money to help fund improvements along the 53 miles of railroad between Springfield and Worcester. Once the improvements happen, the plan is to add two daily Amtrak trips between Boston, Worcester and Springfield as a first phase of east-west rail.”   A message from NextEra Energy:     YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS — “Mass. 2022 midterm: Why did the poorest communities have a low voter turnout?” by Alvin Buyinza, MassLive: “In cities with high poverty rates like Lynn, New Bedford and Lawrence, no more than 35% of voters cast their vote in the midterm election. Meanwhile, in wealthy communities like Eastham, Carlisle and Mount Washington over 70% of registered voters turned out to the polls. Officials in some of the state’s poorest areas cite a high number of uncontested races in their municipality as one of the root causes behind their low voter turnout.” DAY IN COURT — “Former Natick official to serve 15 days in jail for her part in the Jan. 6 attack,” by Deborah Becker, WBUR: “The former Natick town official charged with participating in the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol has been sentenced to 15 days in jail. Suzanne Ianni was sentenced in federal court in Washington, D.C. Friday for charges of entering the Capitol building last year to protest President Biden's election. She will have to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons to begin serving the sentence. The date for her to report has not been set.” — “Fall River city councilor seeks to have felony charges dropped in 'love triangle' case,” by Jo C. Goode, Herald News: “The obstruction and harassment case against City Councilor Pam Laliberte continues as a Fall River district court judge decides on her request to drop two felony charges and send the remaining misdemeanor counts to be handled in a closed-door magistrate clerk’s hearing. However, the Bristol County District Attorney’s office wants to pursue the felony charges against Laliberte, who was City Council president until the news of the criminal case against her emerged publicly.” — “Man charged for allegedly voting in Mass. and N.H. in 2016 election,” by Adam Sennott, Boston Globe: “A man who has residences in Massachusetts and New Hampshire has been indicted for allegedly voting in each state during the 2016 presidential election, according to New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella’s office." PARTY POLITICS — “MassGOP leadership race heats up, with some candidates vowing to forgo $100G salary to get job done,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “MassGOP Chair Jim Lyons rakes in roughly $100,000 per year as leader of a party that failed to win a single statewide election this November, a salary that two candidates eyeing his job vowed not to take amid the state committee’s fundraising difficulties. ‘I have made a commitment to do the job without a salary,’ said Amy Carnevale, a longtime MassGOP committee member who is mulling a run for chair. Jon Fetherston, a former chair of the Ashland Republican Town Committee and longtime host of the ‘All Politics is Local’ podcast, said he would also forgo a salary and work the chair position as a volunteer.”   JOIN WEDNESDAY FOR A POLITICO DISCUSSION ON THE NEW TRAVEL EXPERIENCE : Americans are now traveling in record numbers — but the travel experience has changed drastically in recent years, not always for the better. What lessons can we learn from the pandemic and different responses around the globe? And in the face of a possible recession, what will help the travel industry remain vibrant and deliver jobs? Join POLITICO on Dec. 7 for “The Travel Experience Redefined” to discuss these questions and more. Breakfast and coffee will be provided. REGISTER HERE .     FROM THE 413 — “Pittsfield councilors want answers on whether a cell tower could be making people ill,” by Meg Britton-Mehlisch, Berkshire Eagle: “After months of silence — and the launch of a lawsuit with several city defendants — the Pittsfield City Council is wading back into the longstanding dispute between Verizon Wireless and Shacktown residents who say a cell tower makes them sick. [Last] week, the majority of city councilors voted to support petitions that ask either Mayor Linda Tyer or Council President Peter Marchetti to send letters to state and federal representatives asking them to advocate that the Federal Communications Commission reevaluate its radiofrequency exposure limits.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Massachusetts enacted its most ambitious housing law in decades. Now the hard part is enforcing it,” by Andrew Brinker, Boston Globe: “John Gollinger is scrambling. Two months ago, Gollinger, the executive director of the Waltham Housing Authority, learned that the state is cutting its contribution to his budget next year by more than $300,000. … Even more perplexing than the cuts, Gollinger says, is the reason for them: Waltham’s failure to comply with early procedural requirements of the state’s new MBTA Communities law, an ambitious effort to tackle Massachusetts’ housing crisis by mandating new multifamily zoning in communities served by the MBTA.” MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE — FITN IN JEOPARDY: "DNC moves forward with dramatic change to presidential primary calendar," by Elena Schneider, POLITICO: "Members of the party’s Rules and Bylaws Committee, charged with recommending a new calendar, gave a near-unanimous vote of approval on Friday for [President Joe] Biden’s proposal, with only minor tweaks to the dates and two ‘no’ votes from Iowa and New Hampshire members. The revised proposal would see South Carolina host the first 2024 presidential primary on Feb. 3, a Saturday, followed three days later by New Hampshire and Nevada. Georgia would then hold an early primary on Feb. 13, and Michigan would hold its contest on Feb. 27. Iowa would be out of the early lineup altogether. ... [The proposal could] spell the end for New Hampshire, as Democrats there threaten to still hold their presidential primary first, a move they insist they must do to comply with state law." — NOT RUNNING: New Hampshire GOP Chair Steve Stepanek, a former Trump campaign co-chair in the Granite state, says he won't seek a third term leading the party. State party Vice Chair Pamela Tucker is also stepping down. Stepanek was likely to face a leadership challenge after Republicans lost key races. A message from NextEra Energy: NextEra Energy is the first company committed to reaching Real Zero™, as in 100% clean energy. We’re not just offsetting carbon emissions — we’re eliminating them.   HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — Jennifer Benson is stepping down as president of the Alliance for Business Leadership to “pursue a new opportunity supporting Massachusetts’ growing clean energy industry,” according to the ABL. Benson will continue to serve on ABL’s Climate and Energy Council. — New York state Health Commissioner Mary Bassett is leaving in January to return to Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, per The Associated Press . — Jeff Cohen will start as WBUR's managing producer of local news shows in January. — POLITICO's Shannon Young, a #mapoli alum, is joining Morning Brew as a health care reporter. — Business Journals' higher education editor Hilary Burns is joining the Boston Globe as a higher ed reporter. — Elana Ross is now director of strategic comms at the Health Resources and Services Administration at HHS. She previously was deputy comms director for Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Merrilee Rogers of Rep. Jake Auchincloss' office, Ellen Parker, Simon Jerome and Greg Timilty. Happy belated to MassLive's Alison Kuznitz and the Boston Globe’s Jackie Kucinich, who celebrated Sunday. 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: Where Mass. defendants’ Jan. 6 cases stand

View in browser   BY LISA KASHINSKY Presented by DAY IN COURT — Suzanne Ianni is set to be sentenced today for her role in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot as other Massachusetts defendants’ cases head toward trial. Ianni pleaded guilty in September to storming the Capitol building after lining up buses to Washington, D.C., for members of conservative activist group “Super Happy Fun America,” which organized the 2019 “straight pride parade” in Boston. Federal prosecutors want Ianni, a former Natick Town Meeting member, to serve 30 days in prison, 36 months probation, perform 60 hours of community service and pay $500 in restitution, per court documents . Pittsfield’s Troy Sargent, who pleaded guilty to six riot-related charges including hitting a police officer , is also slated for sentencing this month. He could face up to 8 years in prison for assaulting or impeding officers and up to 5 years for civil disorder, both felonies. North Adams’ Brian McCreary was sentenced to three years’ probation , including 42 days of intermittent incarceration and two months’ home detention, a $2,500 fine and $500 in restitution, earlier this year after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge. Chase Allen of Seekonk pleaded guilty last month to stomping on equipment in a media staging area on the Capitol grounds. Stefanie Chiguer of Dracut has also pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Three others are awaiting trial — Athol resident Vincent Gillespie on Dec. 19; Noah Bacon of Somerville on Feb. 27, 2023; and Mark Sahady, a Super Happy Fun America leader, on April 17, 2023. Gillespie, the son of a famous artist, faces three felony charges — civil disorder, assaulting or impeding officers and obstruction of an official proceeding — and five misdemeanor charges. Bacon was also charged with obstruction of an official proceeding, along with five misdemeanors. Sahady faces three misdemeanor charges. To put these cases in context of the hundreds still winding through court, Playbook chatted with POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney, a #mapoli alum who’s been covering the fallout from the riot: How do the charges Massachusetts defendants are facing compare to others? Massachusetts seems to have a blend of low-level misdemeanor defendants, who are accused of essentially walking into the Capitol but not committing any violence or property damage, and more serious felony defendants who are charged with assaulting or resisting police and obstructing Congress' electoral vote-counting session. None of the defendants are facing conspiracy charges like those who came with the Proud Boys or Oath Keepers. But obstruction charges carry a 20-year maximum sentence, so some defendants — like Gillespie and Sargent — could face stiff jail terms. Overall, where does prosecuting those involved in the riot stand almost two years out? Massachusetts has a relatively small proportion of people facing charges compared to other states. More than 900 people have been charged for their actions at the Capitol on Jan. 6 overall, and prosecutors anticipate that total climbing to 2,000. Several hundred have been charged with felonies. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. President Joe Biden is back in Boston today. He’ll greet Prince William at the JFK Library, participate in a phone bank at the IBEW Local 103 and attend a fundraising reception with Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey to aid Democrats in the Georgia U.S. Senate runoff. The British royals’ visit culminates with their Earthshot climate innovator awards ceremony at the MGM Music Hall in Fenway. TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and AG-elect Andrea Campbell attend the Earthshot Prize Awards at 4 p.m. THIS WEEKEND — Babson College management professor Peter Cohan is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. The Patriots are giving us a break. Tips? Scoops? Would you rather see the royals or POTUS? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com.   A message from Sense Labs: 65M smart meters will be replaced by 2027. Guidehouse reports on how next-gen smart meters can support decision-making based on actual energy use and grid conditions.   THE LATEST NUMBERS — “Boston-area COVID wastewater data spikes 88%, Massachusetts reports 5,068 COVID cases,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The state’s daily average of 724 COVID cases from the last week is up from the daily rate of 632 virus infections during the previous week.” DATELINE BEACON HILL — “Passage of millionaires tax has higher ed leaders seeking expanded access to state colleges and universities,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “[T]he Higher Ed for All campaign unleashed a slate of concrete legislative priorities as members lobby for debt-free college tuition and living expenses, improved salaries for faculty and staff to reflect steep cost of living increases, wage equity for adjunct professors that incorporates health insurance, expanded staffing for student advisors and other support personnel, and revamped funding for debt-saddled and aging campus infrastructure, among other pressing needs.” — “Mass. leaders push benefits of college-in-prison programs to the incoming administration,” by Hannah Reale, GBH News: “A coalition of nonprofit leaders, researchers and program heads are pushing for Massachusetts to make college-in-prison programs a priority for the next administration. … According to the new position paper out this week from the Boston Foundation, about 213 of the more than 6,200 people incarcerated by the Department of Correction in Massachusetts are currently enrolled in post-secondary education.” — “Casinos’ applications lay out what sports betting could look like in Mass.,” by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive: “[N]ew details about what exactly sports betting will look like in Massachusetts were starting to make their way into the public sphere as applications from MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor, and Plainridge Park Casino were available online with redactions as of Wednesday afternoon.”   POLITICO APP USERS: UPGRADE YOUR APP BY DECEMBER 19! We recently upgraded the POLITICO app with a fresh look and improved features for easier access to POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Starting December 19, users will no longer have access to the previous version of the app. Update your app today to stay on top of essential political news, insights, and analysis from the best journalists in the business. UPDATE iOS APP – UPDATE ANDROID APP .     FROM THE HUB Britain's Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales visit the Harbor Defenses of Boston with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Reverend Mariama White-Hammond in Boston, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022. (Brian Snyder/Pool Photo via AP) | AP — HOLDING COURT: The Prince and Princess of Wales braved a bitingly cold waterfront walk with Mayor Michelle Wu in East Boston, visited with Somerville mayors past and present at climate technology startup incubator Greentown Labs, toured Chelsea nonprofit Roca and greeted royals enthusiasts — including an 8-year-old dressed up as a member of the King’s Guard — on their second day in Massachusetts. Their trip culminates tonight with the Earthshot climate innovator awards at the MGM Music Hall in Fenway, but has been clouded along the way by a palace racism uproar at home and by Harry and Meghan’s Netflix docuseries here. Boston.com has your running blog of the royals’ visit . — MORE: “Prince William and Princess Kate get a taste of Boston’s climate innovation,” by Sabrina Shankman, Boston Globe: “Piers Park in East Boston offers some of the best views of the city skyline, but, as Prince William and Princess Kate learned on Thursday, it also provides a glimpse into the risks Boston faces from sea level rise and climate change. … A new partnership announced Thursday aims to dampen that effect of a warming climate by bringing new life to Boston Harbor’s seawalls and, possibly, weakening the waves that threaten its shores.” — BONUS: “Maura Healey and the royals made unlikely courtside companions at TD Garden Wednesday night. What did they talk about?” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “The trio talked about Jayson Tatum, who contributed 49 points Wednesday night, and the rules of basketball — a game Healey, a former professional point guard herself, knows well. They discussed the couple’s recent travels, Kate’s commitment to mental health and young people, and the family’s advocacy on climate change.” Britain's Kate, Princess of Wales poses for a photo with the crowd after a tour of Roca Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Chelsea, Mass. Britain's Prince William greets people on the left. (AP Photo/Reba Saldanha, Pool) | AP — “Boston officials defend distribution of crack, meth pipes on Mass and Cass,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Wu administration officials in a council hearing defended their strategies of handing out crack and meth pipes among other drug paraphernalia on Mass and Cass. ‘This is a strategy that works. There’s documented data to suggest that it works. And I think it’s an important thing that we do,’ Boston Public Health Commission Executive Director Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Mayor Michelle Wu’s top health official, told city councilors pushing her on the controversial strategy.” — “BPS won’t commit to masking policy,” by Yawu Miller, Bay State Banner: “Since the start of school in September, members of Families for COVID Safety have been advocating for stronger safety policies in Boston Public Schools, calling for at least 10 days of masking following the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday breaks.”   A message from Sense Labs:     PARTY POLITICS — “After disastrous election, the state GOP faces a choice: Fresh leadership or more of the same?” by Samantha J. Gross and Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: “In the last four years, the deeply divided Massachusetts Republican Party has lost races for governor, lieutenant governor, more than a dozen legislative seats, and every statewide office and congressional seat, as well as hundreds of thousands of dollars from its campaign account and about 30,000 registered voters. Yet the man who presided over the series of defeats as the chairman of the state Republican Party, Jim Lyons, is not only likely to pursue reelection in January, party operatives said, but could prevail. … Declared candidates include Jon Fetherston, who has held various positions in Ashland town government, current vice chair Jay Fleitman, and Christopher Lyon, a longtime political consultant.” Fetherston and Lyon’s candidacies serve as a reminder that someone doesn’t have to sit on the GOP state committee to be elected party chair. But state committee members are the ones who will cast the votes, likely in January, meaning outsiders face the arduous task of navigating the complex relationships within the deeply fractured body. CommonWealth Magazine’s Shira Schoenberg has more from the candidates. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “Lower ridership is costing the MBTA: Fare revenue down 48% from 2019,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “Ridership continues to lag far behind pre-pandemic levels, a trend that left the MBTA with a $28 million loss in projected fare revenue for the first quarter of its fiscal year 2023 budget. The lower-than-budgeted fare revenue of $89.3 million represents a 24% decrease from the $117.4 million that the T expected to take in for the first three months of this fiscal year, Chief Financial Officer Mary Ann O’Hara said Thursday.” — “Freight rail strike averted, after frenzied negotiations,” by Alex Daugherty, Burgess Everett, Tanya Snyder and Nick Niedzwiadek, POLITICO: “The Senate voted Thursday to avert a freight rail strike just days before crucial drinking water, food and energy shipments were set to be sidelined, after hurried talks in both chambers of Congress and a visit to the Senate from two of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet secretaries — but a bipartisan push to add paid sick leave to the deal fell short. … During [a] lunch with Senate Democrats, [Labor Secretary Marty] Walsh and [Transportation Secretary Pete] Buttigieg emphasized that the fight over sick leave doesn’t end with passing the rail agreement, according to attendees.” MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS — "Southern Poverty Law Center sues DeSantis over Martha's Vineyard flights," by Gary Fineout, POLITICO: "The Southern Poverty Law Center and non-profit immigration rights organizations are suing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over his controversial transport of migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard. The plaintiffs, which include the Florida Immigrant Coalition, filed the lawsuit Thursday on behalf of three groups in a Miami federal court. The lawsuit against DeSantis and the state’s transportation secretary contends that Florida’s program — which led the DeSantis administration to the flying of nearly 50 mostly Venezuelan migrants from San Antonio to Massachusetts in September — is unconstitutional because the state is 'usurping the federal government’s sole role in regulating and enforcing immigration law.'”   GO INSIDE THE MILKEN INSTITUTE FUTURE OF HEALTH SUMMIT: POLITICO is featuring a special edition of our “Future Pulse” newsletter at the 2022 Milken Institute Future of Health Summit from Dec. 6 to 8. The newsletter takes readers inside one of the most influential gatherings of health industry leaders and innovators solving the biggest global health issues to ensure a healthier, more resilient future for all. SUBSCRIBE TODAY TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE .     FROM THE 413 — “COVID outbreak hits Holyoke Soldiers’ Home: 13 residents test positive,” by Jeanette DeForge, Springfield Republican: “At least 13 residents and four staff members at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home have been infected with COVID-19 in the latest outbreak of the disease that killed 84 residents at the start of the pandemic. On Wednesday a letter was sent to veterans and their families alerting them to six reported infections, two in residents and four in staff members. One day later a spokeswoman at the home reported 13 veterans living in the long-term care facility have tested positive.” — GOODBYE TOUR: “Mayor Domenic Sarno, Springfield, says thanks to outgoing Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “Sarno and the city hosted an 80-guest luncheon at the Carriage House at the Barney Estate in Forest Park for Baker and Polito. … Sarno invited about 80 people to the luncheon, including the city’s State House delegation, the City Council, department heads and business and civic leaders. He gave the governor and lieutenant governor keys to the city.” — “The 'last mile' broadband gap is nearly closed. Money is now flowing to people who can't afford internet,” by Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle. THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Attleboro mayor resigns effective Jan. 3,” by George W. Rhodes, The Sun Chronicle: “Mayor Paul Heroux made it official at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday when he signed his resignation letter in the presence of City Clerk Kate Jackson. The resignation will take effect at 11:59 p.m. Jan. 3, one minute before he assumes the office of Bristol County sheriff. … With the date of his resignation now set, the city council can move forward and set a date for a special election to replace Heroux.” MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE — CALENDAR SHAKEUP: President Joe Biden wants to dethrone New Hampshire as the first-in-the-nation presidential primary — and Granite State Democrats are not having it. Biden is proposing South Carolina go first in 2024, followed by New Hampshire and Nevada the next week, then Georgia, then Michigan. Biden finished fifth in the 2020 presidential primary in New Hampshire, but reversed his political fortunes in South Carolina. New Hampshire Democrats from newly reelected Sen. Maggie Hassan to state party Chair Ray Buckley slammed the president's plan as "misguided." And they reminded DNC members gathering to decide the presidential nominating calendar reordering that New Hampshire state law requires its primary be held one week before any others.   A message from Sense Labs: According to Guidehouse, one quarter of all utility smart meters in the U.S. will need to be replaced by 2030. The next generation of smart meters now act like smart phones, with apps for energy efficiency and demand response. So for the first time ever, consumers can see exactly where and how to save energy and money in their home and utilities can have powerful grid-edge computing devices at their disposal.   HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH SPOTTED — Labor Secretary Marty Walsh on the guest list for the Bidens' state dinner with the French president. ALSO SPOTTED — At the Bloomberg Center for Cities/U.S. Conference of Mayors/Harvard University Institute of Politics conference for newly elected mayors in Cambridge this week: Ashleigh Aitken (Anaheim, Calif.), Barbara Buffaloe (Columbia, Mo.), Becky Daggett (Flagstaff, Ariz.), Brett Smiley (Providence, R.I.), Catherine Moy (Fairfield, Calif.), Chris Hoy (Salem, Ore.), Craig Greenberg (Louisville, Ky.), Eduardo Martinez (Richmond, Calif.), Harvey Ward Jr. (Gainesville, Fla.), Helen Tran (San Bernardino, Calif.), Hollies Winston (Brooklyn Park, Minn.), Jim Penniman-Moran (Cedar Park, Texas), John McCann (Chula Vista, Calif.), John Carli (Vacaville, Calif.), Juan Gonzalez (San Leandro, Calif.), Mark Salinas (Hayward, Calif.), Matt Mahan (San Jose, Calif.), Melanie Kebler (Bend, Ore.), Phillip Jones (Newport News, Va.), Rex Richardson (Long Beach, Calif.), Richard Bissen (Maui, Hawaii), Sheng Thao (Oakland, Calif.), Steve Babick (Carrollton, Texas), Ty Penserga (Boynton Beach, Fla.) and Ulises Cabrera (Moreno Valley, Calif.). HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to retired Associate Justice Barbara A. Lenk and Morgan Hughes. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Robby Mook and Dan Marino, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers Springfield state Rep. Angelo Puppolo, Marina McCarthy, Sarah Baron, Jennifer Taub, Maureen Forry-Sorrell and Kevin Towle. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: CONDITIONS OF TRANSITION — Axios Boston's Steph Solis talks to hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith and Lisa Kashinsky about the influx of migrants to Massachusetts. Kashinsky updates the crew on Gov.-elect Maura Healey's transition. Also, the British are here. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and SoundCloud . 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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