POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: DiZoglio digs in

 

View in browser   BY LISA KASHINSKY PROPAGANDA!  NUCLEAR IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE ENERGY KNOWN FOR COST OVERRUNS CAPITAL MARKETS WON'T LOAN $$$ AND RADIOACTVE WASTE?  Presented by YOU GET AN AUDIT AND YOU GET AN AUDIT — Diana DiZoglio is locked in a familiar dance. She’s trying to open the Legislature up to scrutiny. Legislative leaders are trying to stonewall her. Except this time, she’s doing it as the state’s new auditor and not as a rank-and-file lawmaker. DiZoglio’s former colleagues are questioning her authority to audit them under the state Constitution’s separation of powers clause. And neither chamber has directly responded to the engagement letters she sent last week seeking information on everything from hiring to committee appointments. Instead, Senate President Karen Spilka pushed back on the probe in a statement to reporters. Thus begins a battle that’s likely to be fought in the press and the courts — of public opinion and, perhaps, of law. After firing her opening salvo last week, DiZoglio has been hitting the media circuit to make her case. Her latest stop: The Horse Race podcast. Here are excerpts from our interview with DiZoglio, edited for length and clarity: State Auditor candidate Diana DiZoglio speaks during a Democratic election night party, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) | AP Do you have the authority to do this audit? All entities are required to be audited by our office at least once every three years, and we are committed to ensuring that happens by making sure the Legislature becomes part of that list again. It sort of magically just fell off of the list even though it was done previously [in 1922]. ... Anybody can decide if they want to resist the opportunity to work alongside our office. … But it certainly is within the power of the office. And it is my hope that the Legislature will comply. Do you have any tools to make the Legislature comply, or does this possibly just have to go to the courts? The statute says that the courts are authorized to require the production of documents and testimony that we may need to be able to complete our audits. But it is my hope that legislative leaders will see this as the opportunity that it is — to increase transparency, accountability and equity for those who are seeking nothing more than to have a seat at the table. … Going to the courts should not have to be necessary. DiZoglio is asking lawmakers for more money to either hire more auditors to help the office stay on track with its three-year auditing cycle, or to switch to a four-year cycle (and hire a smaller number of staff). Do you have any concerns that pursuing both more funding and an audit of the Legislature might have negative consequences for your budget? Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? We are, of course, pursuing opportunities to make it more possible for us to do our jobs efficiently and effectively. And I am very happy that the Healey-Driscoll administration agrees with our office that a four-year cycle makes more sense. GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Hear DiZoglio talk about the other 70-some audits her office has going — including her new probes into the MBTA and the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority — on this week's episode, available now on iTunes and Sound Cloud . TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll visit MassCEC’s New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal at 10:45 a.m. and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute at 1 p.m. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu holds a press conference on the city’s Green New Deal at 10:30 a.m. in Allston and speaks at a Boston Arts Academy Foundation reception at 6 p.m. in Fenway. Rep. Seth Moulton is on WBUR’s “Radio Boston” at 11 a.m. Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com . PROPAGANDA!  NUCLEAR IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE ENERGY KNOWN FOR COST OVERRUNS CAPITAL MARKETS WON'T LOAN $$$ AND RADIOACTVE WASTE?  A message from NextEra Energy: Seabrook Station nuclear power plant generates safe, clean, emissions-free energy that has helped power New England for decades. A long-term power purchase agreement with Seabrook would help Massachusetts meet climate emissions goals and lower energy bills at a substantial value to consumers. An agreement that locks in prices over several decades would – even estimated against fluctuating natural gas prices – lower electricity bills, saving Massachusetts’ consumers between $890 million to $2.62 billion on energy costs  over a 10-year period.   DATELINE BEACON HILL — “Mass. sportsbooks report $25.7M in February,” by Christian M. Wade, Daily News of Newburyport: “Massachusetts sportsbooks roped in more than $25.7 million in bets during the first full month of wagering on games, according to state regulators. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission, which regulates the industry, said the three casinos licensed to accept in-person wagers reported $2 million in revenue for sportsbooks after all bets were settled. That translates into about $300,000 in tax revenue for the state, the commission said.” — “Campbell warns municipalities MBTA zoning law not optional,” by Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Magazine: “Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell is wading into the MBTA communities dust-up, releasing an advisory Wednesday morning emphasizing that participating in the transit-oriented housing policy is not optional and raising the prospect of legal and financial consequences for cities or towns that decide to buck the policy.” — “AG's office posts record number of housing related complaints in 2022,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: “For the first time, housing complaints surpassed those against used car dealers. The office received 918 consumer complaints about rental housing in 2022, and 171 requests for help through their eviction help request form. Many of those complaints involved unsafe or unsanitary conditions in rental units.” — “Legislation could permanently ban exercise equipment in state prisons,” by Rachael Devaney, Cape Cod Times: “In January, [state Rep. Steven] Xiarhos filed legislation to ensure that any and all exercise equipment accessible to inmates is secured in order to prevent its removal from the gym. The bill also specifies that no inmate in a medium or maximum-security correctional institution will have access to free weights.” — “Healey retaining Craven as education board chair,” by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: “Gov. Maura Healey who vowed last year in her campaign launch to ‘continue with what’s working and fix what’s not,’ has decided the existing leadership of the state education board is working just fine."   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 .     VAX-ACHUSETTS — “Massachusetts will end its COVID-19 emergency status on May 11,” by Katie Lannan, GBH News: “The COVID-19 public health emergency in Massachusetts and the vaccine mandate for more than 40,000 state workers will both end on May 11, Gov. Maura Healey announced Wednesday. … Certain workers will still be subject to vaccine mandates under rules from the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Healey’s office said.” As for the roughly 1,000 workers who were fired or quit over the mandate, a Healey spokesperson said her administration will “be discussing reinstatement options" with their unions. Some workers were already offered their jobs back last year. FROM THE HUB — “State steps in to extend Mass and Cass Roundhouse program through July,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Some services at the old Roundhouse hotel on Mass and Cass now will run through the end of July, the state now says as it looks to allow for a ‘winddown’ rather than the March 31 closure that Boston Medical Center had planned.” — SUFFOLK SPECIALS: Jamaica Plain resident Celia Segel is launching her campaign for 10th Suffolk state representative today. Segel most recently worked at the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission and was a past political director for NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts (now Reproductive Equity Now). — Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson has endorsed John Moran for 9th Suffolk state representative, according to his campaign. Moran serves on Fernandes Anderson's district advisory council. PROPAGANDA!  NUCLEAR IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE ENERGY KNOWN FOR COST OVERRUNS CAPITAL MARKETS WON'T LOAN $$$ AND RADIOACTVE WASTE?    A message from NextEra Energy:     PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “Two months in, Healey faces a familiar challenge for past governors: an MBTA in disarray,” by Samantha J. Gross, Matt Stout and Taylor Dolven, Boston Globe: “While the new governor says she now owns the T, some advocates believe Healey could be more vocal by forcibly calling out the problems and her plans to address them. She has yet to hire a new general manager at the agency despite declaring in December that she would act in ‘weeks, and not several months,’ nor has she replaced a single member of its board, they note. … ‘I don’t think there is such a thing as a grace period anymore, if there ever was one,’ said Representative William M. Straus, who cochairs the Legislature’s transportation committee.” — “Maura Healey’s DPU appointments indicate MBTA watchdog change, observers say,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “Two observers said the move to appoint commissioners focused on climate and energy rather than transportation signals a larger plan from Gov. Maura Healey to shift MBTA safety oversight from the DPU to a new state agency, pointing to legislation that has already been filed for such a change. But the Healey administration denied this on Wednesday, saying that the governor’s appointments are part of her efforts to create a ‘21st-century DPU, which includes expanded, in-house expertise in transit safety.’” PARTY POLITICS — “Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, Credit Suisse all donated to Massachusetts Democrats,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “The Massachusetts Democratic State Committee received $1,500 from SVB employees in 2022, according to Open Secrets. … Candidate for the MA-4 Congressional District, Alan Khazei, received $7,800 from SVB employees in 2020, according to Open Secrets; former Congressman Joe Kennedy III, now the Special Envoy for Northern Ireland, collected $3,800. That same year they gave U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren $806.”   DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS – DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID .     WARREN REPORT — “Bipartisan dinner soothes Harris-Warren tensions,” by Amie Parnes and Hanna Trudo, The Hill: “On Tuesday night, [Vice President Kamala] Harris hosted a bipartisan dinner — attended by [Sen. Elizabeth] Warren — for female senators at the U.S. Naval Observatory, something she has done a couple of times, sources said. ... The dinner — featuring Harris’s signature cheese puffs and chicken — was partly aimed at quashing the storyline with Warren and putting the skirmish behind them.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “New College transfer students invited by like-minded campus,” by Michael Casey, The Associated Press: “A small liberal arts college in Massachusetts is rolling out the welcome mat for students from a Florida school that has been taken over by conservatives picked by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. Hampshire College in Amherst this month announced that any students in good standing from New College of Florida can transfer there and, with the help of student aid, pay the same amount in tuition they are paying in Florida.” — “‘A chaotic mess at any turn’: Why Worcester City Council meetings can be a spectacle,” by Sam Turken, GBH News: “There have been times when speakers have cursed out counselors. And when the mayor has threatened to have people arrested for speaking too long during the public comment period. Last year, councilors debated international nuclear weapon disarmament.” — “Feeling betrayed by the powerful again, sexual assault survivor Chessy Prout is fighting back,” by Jim Puzzanghera, Boston Globe. — “Island-wide nip ban goes to vote next month,” by Abigail Rosen, MV Times. MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE — TRAIL MARKERS: Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks to Cheshire County Republicans at 6 p.m. in Keene. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who also hasn’t ruled out a 2024 presidential bid, has a town hall scheduled at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics on March 27. Former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley makes her second swing through New Hampshire as a presidential candidate on March 27-28. In true New England fashion, one of Haley's stops is a "Lumber and Lobster" event with the New Hampshire Home Builders Association. PROPAGANDA!  NUCLEAR IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE ENERGY KNOWN FOR COST OVERRUNS CAPITAL MARKETS WON'T LOAN $$$ AND RADIOACTVE WASTE?  A message from NextEra Energy: Continued operation of the Seabrook Station nuclear power plant reduces electricity costs and boosts the state’s economy. A long-term power purchase agreement with Seabrook would contribute approximately $3 billion to the Massachusetts economy through utility bill savings, reduced energy costs and job creation/support. Seabrook has generated safe, reliable, low-cost, and emissions-free energy for more than 30 years. Seabrook’s operation will continue to provide baseload energy, with price stability, while Massachusetts scales up its renewable energy sources. Operating Seabrook would avoid nearly 50 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions over a 10-year period and contribute to Massachusetts meeting its clean air goals. A long-term PPA will help Massachusetts meet its clean energy standard. Nuclear energy is carbon emissions-free and Massachusetts’ most cost-effective tool to combat climate change. The procurement of additional energy from Seabrook going forward would help the Massachusetts affordably and reliably meet its clean energy needs.   HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — Harvard’s Simon Levien and UMass Amherst’s Saliha Bayrak and John Underhill have been selected for the 2023 class of the POLITICO Journalism Institute . HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Boston Globe alum and Philadelphia Inquirer digital editor Felicia Gans Sobey, Mark Eurich, Bobby Deren and Mary Deren . REWIND — I joined WBZ NewsRadio's "NightSide with Dan Rea" to chat about journalism and politics. 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: Survey says, don’t eat all the rich

 

View in browser   BY LISA KASHINSKY AND KELLY GARRITY PROPAGANDA!  NUCLEAR ISTHE MOST EXPENSIVE ENERGY RADIOACTIVE WASTE  NEEDS LOTS OF WATER FOR COOLING  CAPITAL MARKETS WON'T INVEST KNOWN FOR MASSIVE COST OVERRUNS  Presented by NEW: TAX CARVEOUT POPULAR IN POLL — Democrats and Republicans finally seem to agree on something about the new millionaires tax: one-time millionaires shouldn't pay it. Sparing so-called one-time millionaires — in this case, people who sell their homes or businesses — from the new surtax won majority support across party lines in a Change Research poll for Northwind Strategies shared with Playbook. — ZOOM OUT: 63 percent of polltakers support the carveout, 27 percent opposed it and 10 percent weren’t sure how to feel. The survey of 711 likely 2024 voters was conducted in late February and has a margin of error of 3.9 percentage points. — ZOOM IN: 66 percent of Trump voters support cutting one-time millionaires a break. So do 62 percent of Biden voters. Sixty-five percent of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents support an exemption. So do 62 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents . Remember: only 52 percent of voters approved the tax last year. “You rarely see an issue like this where it’s just consistently above 55 percent [support] in almost every demographic and geographic area,” Northwind founder Doug Rubin, who was neutral in last year's ballot-question battle over the tax, told Playbook. “Making sure [the tax] doesn’t hurt the people it shouldn’t hurt is a pretty populist issue, and both parties have a populist strand in them right now.” The bipartisan backing for tweaking the tax comes as Beacon Hill is still trying to figure out how to budget the revenue from it. The branches agreed on allocating $1 billion in fiscal year 2024, and Gov. Maura Healey split that almost evenly between transportation and education projects in her proposal. But Healey didn’t include any changes to the tax itself. And other top Democrats don't seem to want to mess with it right now. Well, except for Bill Galvin. The secretary of state, through state Sen. Nick Collins, has filed legislation that would exempt people over age 65 who sell their principal residence after 30-plus years of continuous ownership, if they meet certain income eligibility requirements. It would also create a trust fund through which to funnel millionaires tax money for transportation and education projects, similar to Healey's budget proposal. Galvin told Playbook he believes the surtax was intended to target multimillionaires more so than one-timers. But a spokesperson for Raise Up Massachusetts, the coalition behind the surtax, said voters have already rejected that kind of carveout: Opponents held up one-timers as a reason not to pass the tax, but voters did so anyway. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Charlie Baker wasn’t a big fan of taking on other GOP governors when he was in the state’s corner office. But as NCAA president, he’ll have to contend with the debate around transgender athletes — and the Republicans, like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who are using it to whip up their base. Baker didn’t hit DeSantis too hard when he flew nearly 50 migrants to Martha’s Vineyard last year. And he didn’t take the bait offered up during an interview on CNN last night, when the network played a clip of the Florida governor blasting the NCAA for “taking efforts to destroy women’s athletics” after transgender swimmer Lia Thomas competed in last year’s national championships. (Transgender women have been allowed to compete in women’s categories in the Olympics since 2003 and in the NCAA since 2010.) Instead, Baker said, he wants to find a balance between inclusion and equity. “You don’t want transgender athletes to have to play by different sets of rules at every step along the way in the process,” Baker said. “Do there need to be rules? Do they have to meet clinical standards to participate? Yes, they should have to meet clinical standards and those should be based on science.” TODAY — Keep on shoveling. The gov's got nothing public, so plenty of time to dig out from all that snow . Tips? Scoops? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com .  PROPAGANDA!  NUCLEAR ISTHE MOST EXPENSIVE ENERGY RADIOACTIVE WASTE  NEEDS LOTS OF WATER FOR COOLING  CAPITAL MARKETS WON'T INVEST KNOWN FOR MASSIVE COST OVERRUNS  A message from NextEra Energy: A Beacon Research Poll shows that a majority of Massachusetts voters support clean, low-cost nuclear energy as a tool to fight climate change. Support for nuclear increases beyond 70% as people learn more.   DATELINE BEACON HILL — “State officials warn of child care closures,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler told lawmakers during a Monday hearing of the Joint Ways and Means Committee that the state needs to spend at least $475 million to extend a pandemic-era child care grant program, or risk the possible closures of hundreds of early education providers.” — "Mobile sports betting gets off to a rousing start in Massachusetts," by Michael Silverman, Boston Globe: "With mobile betting divvied up among six operators, more than 8.1 million geolocation transactions were made and more than 400,000 unique accounts — nearly 6 percent of the state’s population of 7 million — were established." — “Gaming commission holds first hearings for sports betting violations,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “Commissioners did not take any action on Tuesday, but will eventually issue a written report with their decision on any possible penalties, which can include fines, restrictions on the operators’ licenses, or license revocation.” — “Gov. Healey says Mass. should ‘grow the pipeline’ of construction workers as building trades unions gather in Springfield,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican. VAX-ACHUSETTS — “Boston formally drops COVID-19 vaccine mandate for firefighters, some police,”   by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The Wu administration has agreed to formally drop its vaccine mandate for firefighters and police superior officers, and it’s evaluating what to do next with its vax policy. The city inked the agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 718 on Feb. 15, and the one with the Boston Police Superior Officers Federation on Monday, according to documents provided by the city following a records request. The city says it’s also in conversation with the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society for a similar agreement. … In exchange, the unions will drop their state Department of Labor Relations complaints.” — “Gift cards helping narrow vaccine equity gaps,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “State health officials have doled out more than $5.2 million in gift cards to people who get vaccinated for COVID-19 as part of a program aimed at reaching vaccine-hesitant communities and expanding public health equity.” — “Though Berkshire residents are still dying of COVID, this past winter was the least deadly yet. What you need to know about COVID-19 now, three years into the pandemic,” by Greta Jochem, Berkshire Eagle.   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 .     FROM THE HUB — "Jan. 6, Breonna Taylor, and vaccines: Details emerge about why 3 Boston police officers were fired," by Danny McDonald, Emma Platoff and Nick Stoico, Boston Globe. — “New Boston program to offer free postpartum support to parents,” by Zeina Mohammed, Boston Globe. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — FREE THE T, WITH DATA: Dwell times were down and ridership was up in the first year of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu ’s two-year fare-free bus pilot program. And 42 percent of riders saved at least some money, stats from the city show . But the majority of riders on the three free lines saw no savings, which Boston Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge attributed to transfers and some people still needing monthly passes to complete their commutes. Boston is hoping to grow savings by expanding its pilot program. The city is in talks with communities including Cambridge, where a working group is studying fare-free buses, to see what other routes should be freed up. And Boston has set aside $2 million of the $8 million in ARPA money Wu committed to the program for a potential expansion. But Wu is going to have to find another funding source if she wants to keep free buses rolling after next March. And that could be a tough sell despite some initially positive data. Gov. Maura Healey pledged to create a "pathway" to free buses as a candidate. But she's taking it slow: her first budget only included $5 million to study means-tested fares. Meanwhile, the financially stressed T previously recommended half-priced fares for low-income riders. Franklin-Hodge said Boston’s first-year data “bolsters the case for the positive economic and community impacts of removing the fare box.” Now the city just needs the state to listen.                                      PROPAGANDA!  NUCLEAR ISTHE MOST EXPENSIVE ENERGY RADIOACTIVE WASTE  NEEDS LOTS OF WATER FOR COOLING  CAPITAL MARKETS WON'T INVEST KNOWN FOR MASSIVE COST OVERRUNS  A message from NextEra Energy:     FROM THE DELEGATION —  “Democrats, led by Warren and Porter, unveil bill to repeal Trump-era bank law,” by Sahil Kapur, NBC News: “ A group of Democrats led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Rep. Katie Porter of California [unveiled] legislation Tuesday to restore bank regulations that were undone under then-President Donald Trump in 2018, seeking to fix what they say was the cause of Silicon Valley Bank's collapse.” Rep. Seth Moulton introduced a separate but similar bill yesterday. A spokesperson told Playbook he supports Warren’s bill and intends to sign on as a cosponsor. Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Jake Auchincloss are also cosponsoring Warren's bill. — “Elizabeth Warren wrote a scathing letter to Silicon Valley Bank’s CEO. Read it here,” by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe. — “Bank failures revive bitter Senate Democratic infighting,” by Burgess Everett and Eleanor Mueller, POLITICO. ROE FALLOUT — “Massachusetts providers brace for Texas antiabortion ruling, a threat ‘knocking at our front door’,” by Jessica Bartlett, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts providers are preparing for the impact of a Texas antiabortion lawsuit that could limit access to medication-assisted abortion. … At a baseline, abortion will still remain legal in Massachusetts. However, the case may result in providers across the country no longer being able to offer abortion care via telehealth and could lay the groundwork for effectively eliminating medication-assisted abortions entirely in Massachusetts and across the country, experts said.”   DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS – DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID .     IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN — “EPA's move to limit 'forever chemicals' would go beyond Massachusetts' existing regulations,” by Eve Zuckoff, GBH: “The Environmental Protection Agency today announced a plan to regulate and reduce harmful PFAS chemicals from drinking water. It’s the first time the federal government has moved to set a national drinking water standard for the so-called ‘forever’ chemicals. The proposal could take effect later this year, setting new practices in many regions while expanding on existing standards in the few states — including Massachusetts — that already regulate the synthetic chemicals.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Cape and Islands DA Robert Galibois cited by Barnstable police for ‘failure to report a motor vehicle crash’,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “Robert Galibois, a Democrat who took over as DA at the start of the year, has been cited by Barnstable Police for failure to report a motor vehicle crash, marked lanes violation, and improper turn.” — “At Wellesley College, Students Vote to Admit Trans Men,” by Vimal Patel, New York Times: “The referendum, which was nonbinding, called for opening admission to all nonbinary and transgender applicants, including trans men. Currently, the college allows admission to anyone who lives and consistently identifies as a woman. … Wellesley’s president, Paula Johnson, said that the referendum would rewrite Wellesley’s founding mission to educate women. In a statement after the vote, a spokesperson for Dr. Johnson said the college would not reconsider its opposition.”  PROPAGANDA!  NUCLEAR ISTHE MOST EXPENSIVE ENERGY RADIOACTIVE WASTE  NEEDS LOTS OF WATER FOR COOLING  CAPITAL MARKETS WON'T INVEST KNOWN FOR MASSIVE COST OVERRUNS  A message from NextEra Energy: Registered voters in Massachusetts show a clear interest in leveraging nuclear energy in the fight against climate change, according to a recent Beacon Research survey. The survey focused on the state’s energy resources, specifically how nuclear energy can be incorporated to reach long-term clean energy goals.   HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — Kiame Mahaniah joins the state’s Health and Human Services office as health undersecretary in April; Mary McGeown joins as human services undersecretary. Mahaniah was most recently CEO of Lynn Community Health Center. McGeown returns to EOHHS after serving as ED of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. — Dan Koh, deputy Cabinet secretary of the White House and former chief of staff to one-time Labor Secretary Marty Walsh , has been named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, which released its 2023 class on Tuesday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Miles Weber, Johanna Campbell Case and Lenny Alcivar. 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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