POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BAKER's latest letter — Endorsements abound in MA-3 — Worcester's convention twofer
BAKER's latest letter — Endorsements abound in MA-3 — Worcester's convention twofer
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
LETTERS FROM CHARLIE — Sticking to his modus operandi on national issues affecting the state, Gov. Charlie Baker has signed on to another letter to congressional leaders. This time, it’s to leaders in both parties urging them to “come together quickly to shape a bipartisan solution that allows our Dreamers to remain in the United States and continue their constructive contributions to our society.”
In September, Baker said “President Trump made the wrong decision today that could negatively impact our economy and many of the Commonwealth’s families,” and then called for a bipartisan solution from Congress.
In the past, some Massachusetts Democrats have taken issue with Baker's letter-writing. The governor has either led or signed on to multiple letters related to the Affordable Care Act, NIHand Temporary Protected Status. As MassDems party chair Gus Bickford put it back in June, “He needs to stop writing letters, he needs to stop ‘being disappointed,’ he needs to go down there [to Washington] and speak up for the people of Massachusetts and just say, ‘This is unacceptable.'"
BUT SOME CONTEXT — Other states’ Democrats don’t necessarily see it that way. In fact, to Maryland Democrats, Baker is a model Republican governor; they want their own Republican governor, Larry Hogan, to act more like Baker. The party whacked Hogan for not signing on to a bipartisan letter (that included Baker’s signature) opposing the Senate GOP's health care bill. And in another statement, Maryland Democrats again criticized Hogan, saying he “has not lifted a finger” against the GOP tax plan … “unlike Governor Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, who has opposed the GOP’s tax scam.”
For more on Hogan and Baker, check out this week’s just-released Horse Race podcast from yours truly and MassINC Polling Group’s Steve Koczela, with special guest Maryland pollster Mileah Kromer. Listen on SoundCloud or iTunes.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.
TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, and Treasurer Deb Goldberg take over the Salvation Army red kettle in Downtown Crossing — Sen. Ed Markey and AG Maura Healey have separate scheduled appearances for WGBH’s Boston Public Radio — Framingham Mayor-elect Yvonne Spicer is scheduled to appear on WBUR’s Radio Boston.
DATELINE BEACON HILL —
— “Tran makes seven as Senate GOP caucus grows,” by Andy Metzger, State House News Service: “After swearing in Fitchburg Republican Dean Tran on Wednesday, Gov. Charlie Baker celebrated the expanded ranks of the Senate's minority caucus with Minority Leader Bruce Tarr. … ‘First time since the 90s there, buddy,’ Baker said.”
** A message from New England Clean Power Link: Poised to supply Massachusetts with 1,000 MW of clean, renewable power, the New England Clean Power Link is ready to roll. The only project with a Presidential Permit, full site control and full host state support, the innovative buried project will help Massachusetts meet its legislative requirements for lower carbon emissions. More **
TRUMPACHUSETTS —
— “For Baker, Trump’s first year in office hasn’t been all that bad,” by Joshua Miller, Boston Globe: “The Republican — who didn’t vote for his party’s nominee and has attempted to keep an Ebola-like distance from the New York-reality-TV-host-turned-commander-in-chief — has reigned as the nation’s most popular governor this year, according to polls.”
— “Despite tax bill passing, individual mandate remains in Mass.,” by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts is largely shielded from a key provision of the sweeping tax bill approved by Congress on Wednesday, a measure that guts the requirement that Americans obtain health insurance or pay a penalty.”
THE WARREN REPORT —
— “Elizabeth Warren: The GOP tax bill is for the rich, and no one else,” by Evan McMorris-Santoro, Vice News: “This is the same answer the Republicans have given for 40 years,” Warren added. “It’s just delivering one gut punch after another to hard working people.”
ON THE STUMP —
— “A Formula for Seriously Challenging the Dean…?” by Matt Szafranski, Western Mass Politics and Insight: “It turns out voters in Western Massachusetts shall not go without their own fun in 2018. On Monday, Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, a lawyer and activist, announced she would challenge United States Representative Richard Neal in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts’s First Congressional District. Like his previous opponents, Amatul-Wadud faces stiff headwinds. However, she seeks the seat in a unique moment.”
THE TSONGAS ARENA —
— “Durand endorses Koh for congressional seat,” by Jeff Malachowski, MetroWest Daily News: “Former state representative, state senator and Massachusetts Environmental Secretary Bob Durand recently endorsed Dan Koh for the congressional seat held by Niki Tsongas.”
— INBOX: “Atkins, Barrett endorse L’Italien in race for 3rd Congressional seat,” from the L’Italien campaign: “State Representative Cory Atkins (D-Concord) and State Senator Mike Barrett (D-Lexington) today endorsed State Senator Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover) in the race for Massachusetts’ 3rd Congressional Seat to replace Congresswoman Niki Tsongas.”
— INBOX: “Lori Trahan Campaign Announces Endorsement of Methuen Mayor Stephen N. Zanni,” from the Trahan campaign: “Lori Trahan’s campaign announced the endorsement of Stephen J. Zanni, Mayor of Methuen. With a population of more than 47,000 residents, Methuen is the 4th largest city in the 3rd Congressional District.”
WOOD WAR — Herald: “THE ANGUISH” — Globe: “Law’s death brings back pain, questions on abuse,” “Those who suffered most offer cardinal no forgiveness,” “Analysts see windfall for president in tax plan,” “Real or not, man flu still makes them sick.”
THE LOCAL ANGLE —
— “Church sex abuse victims react to Law’s death,” by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: “Victims of clergy sexual abuse reacted with pain and anger today to news of Cardinal Bernard Law’s death in Rome. ‘Cardinal Law’s passing...does nothing to rectify anything in my life,’ said Alexa MacPherson, 42, of Holbrook.”
— “Twofer for Worcester: State Republican, Democratic conventions at DCU,” by State House News Service: “As they seek to retain the governorship and pick up other seats, Bay State Republicans will choose candidates for statewide office on Saturday, April 28, at the DCU Center, the party announced Wednesday. … Democrats are holding their convention in Worcester in early June.”
— “Massachusetts agrees to slash power plant emissions under 9-state system,” by Mary C. Serreze, Springfield Republican: “Nine Northeastern states, including Massachusetts, have finalized an agreement, first announced in August, to aggressively reduce emissions from power plants. … The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative on Tuesday wrapped up 18 months of stakeholder meetings with an updated rule to slash greenhouse gas pollution by 30 percent between 2020 and 2030. That's on top of a 40 percent reduction achieved since the cap-and-trade initiative launched in 2009.”
— “New security checkpoint lanes aim to reduce wait times at Logan Airport,” by Ben Thompson, Boston Globe: “The Transportation Security Administration and Massachusetts Port Authority on Wednesday announced the debut of two of the automated lanes at the TSA security checkpoint in Logan’s Terminal C. Terminals A and B will also have more of the new lanes installed ‘in the near future,’ the TSA and Massport said in a statement.”
MEDIA MOVES – “Globe headquarters sold to partner developers Nordblom Co. and Alcion Ventures,” by Jennifer Smith, Boston Globe: “Third time is apparently the charm. … The Boston Globe’s former headquarters on Morrissey Boulevard have been sold to Burlington-based development company Nordblom Co., in partnership with Boston real estate private equity firm Alcion Ventures. Sources familiar with the negotiations shared the joint venture Wednesday morning, promising an ‘imminent’ closing.”
CHECKMATE, KEYTAR BEAR– “Greatest (bell ringer) Of All Time: A goat in a Santa hat will raise money for Salvation Army,” by Aaron Curtis, Lowell Sun: “The goat's name is Madeline. She'll be at the Market Basket on Bridge Street in Lowell, standing outside with Rick LaFontaine and Dracut police Lt. Peter Pappas, a veteran Salvation Army bell ringer.”
MAZEL! – to Rep. Joe Kennedy and his life Lauren Kennedy, who gave birth to their second child, James Matthew Kennedy, early Wednesday morning. Kennedy writes on Facebook, “First gift he received was - appropriately - a Patriots football from Grandpa Joe. … Mom, Dad, and Big Sister Eleanor are exhausted, over the moon and deeply grateful for your support.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Holden Rep. Kimberly Ferguson, WGBH planning editor Azita Ghahramani, WGBH reporter Craig LeMoult, and Boston Globe political reporter Annie Linskey.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? No! — The Celtics fell to the Heat 90-89.
FRESH OUT OF THE GATE – The latest episode of The Horse Race, a podcast about Massachusetts’ most interesting campaigns from yours truly and MassINC Polling Group President Steve Koczela. This week, we’re checking in on Maryland, which also has a popular Republican governor in a very blue state. Featuring special guest Goucher Poll’s Mileah Kromer. Plus, Steve’s Christmas Miracle: the Democrats are shirking #mapoli political decorum and fielding primary challenges. We also check in on the Beacon Hill sexual harassment investigation and the Secretary of State campaigns. Listen on SoundCloud or iTunes.
NEW: POLITICO is accepting applications for its fifth session of the POLITICO Journalism Institute (PJI), an educational initiative focused on newsroom diversity. The intensive program, which is designed for college students, will be held May 29 to June 9, 2018. It features hands-on training for up to 12 recent grads and university students interested in covering government and politics. Students also will have an opportunity to have their work published by POLITICO. All expenses are paid for the program, reflecting POLITICO's ongoing support of journalism education, newsroom diversity and recruitment of top-notch talent. Admissions are made on a rolling basis, so APPLY TODAY but no later than Jan. 15, 2018.https://www.politico.com/pji
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** A message from New England Clean Power Link: Poised to supply Massachusetts with 1,000 MW of clean, sustainable power, the New England Clean Power Link is ready to roll. The only project with a Presidential Permit, full site control and full host state support, the innovative buried project will help Massachusetts meet its legislative requirements for lower carbon emissions. The entire line will travel underground and underwater, and is expected to deliver low-cost electricity to the Commonwealth over the next 40 years. Massachusetts can expect to reap $19.9 billion in benefits over the next 20 years alone, while ratepayers can expect to save $655 million a year in energy costs. Most importantly, the project is 100% privately financed and comes with a fixed-price bid, protecting taxpayers and ratepayers alike from any cost overruns. The project’s developers have also established a $20 million fund to assist low-income ratepayers in western Massachusetts. More **
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