POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook Eyes on WASHINGTON — KOH fundraising with AXELROD in Chicago — BOSTON bans plastic bags
Eyes on WASHINGTON — KOH fundraising with AXELROD in Chicago — BOSTON bans plastic bags
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Chance of light snow this morning.
THE DELEGATION TURNS UP THE PRESSURE — With limited action coming out of Beacon Hill this week ahead of the holiday lull, it’s up to the congressional delegation to deliver the headlines before the coming tax vote and end-of-year budget showdown in Washington.
For his part, Sen. Ed Markey plans to hold one of his signature Monday press conferences in Boston before heading to Washington later this week. Today, he’s calling for an immediate funding extension for CHIP in the year-end government funding package.
His counterpart, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, spoke to more than 800 people in Gloucester this weekend in her 17th town hall this year — and she continued to urge attendees to get involved in the democratic process and stay active. And, as expected, she also railed against the GOP tax bill, the details of which were unveiled Friday evening. A vote on the tax bill is expected this week. “I'm really worried about this tax bill for what it means individually for people in Massachusetts and across the country,” she said according to the Salem News. “The real aim of government right now in Washington is to try to improve the profitability of giant corporations and ask everyone else to pick up the bill. It's fundamentally unfair.”
Rep. Richard Neal, the highest-ranking Democrat on the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee, has similarly slammed the tax bill. “I thought it was a pretty bad bill to start with and they made it worse by cutting the top rate from 39.6 to 37 percent — that's almost a 3 percent cut,” Neal said. "When you consider who's going to draw that benefit ... it's extraordinary to me that they would've actually been that bold in doing it.”
And Rep. Jim McGovern called the tax bill “bad news for my constituents. This is a bad, bad deal,” and criticized the backroom maneuvering that kept the bill’s details from being fully public.
“Process matters. There wasn’t a single hearing,” McGovern said on WCVB on Sunday. “We will see in a few days a bill that doesn’t help my constituents.”
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.
TODAY — The Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action protests the “Seven Forbidden Words” banned by the Trump administration’s CDC on the seventh night of Hanukkah in an 11 a.m. event in front of the State House menorah. As JALSA put it in a media advisory: “As Jews, we have seen the devastating impacts of threats to our basic rights before and we will not stand idly by as the Trump Administration attempts to dismantle our constitutional right to freedom of speech.” — LG Karyn Polito joins Marshfield Town Administrator Michael Maresco, state Sen. Patrick O’Connor, and state Rep. James Cantwell to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Marshfield Maritime Center Project — Acting Senate President Harriette Chandler appears on WBUR’s Radio Boston program at 3 p.m.
** 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 **
DATELINE BEACON HILL —
— “Massachusetts Sen. Stan Rosenberg 'still has a chance to come back,' former Senate President Tom Birmingham says,” by Gintautas Dumcius, Masslive.com: “A Massachusetts Senate president who has stepped aside due to allegations against a spouse. An acting president who has pledged to only stay for the duration of an investigation. And a former state senator indicted and arrested by the FBI on charges that include getting hundreds of pounds of free coffee without disclosure.”
— “MBTA to remove troubled contractor for the Ride,” by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: “The MBTA will remove a contractor that manages rides for passengers with disabilities, ending a deal that had promised millions of dollars in savings and an improved paratransit system but was instead marked by persistent complaints about poor service.”
ON THE STUMP —
— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: MA-3 Democratic candidate Dan Koh heads to Chicago tonight for a fundraiser with special guest David Axelrod. Contributions range from $25 for student donors to $2,700 for co-hosts at the event at Clarity Partners LLC, according to a copy of the invite obtained by yours truly.
— “Chabot: William F. Galvin labels challenger Josh Zakim as ‘sneaky,’” by Hillary Chabot, Boston Herald: “Secretary of State William F. Galvin launched a full-bore offensive against challenger Josh Zakim yesterday, casting the Boston city councilor as a ‘sneaky’ political opportunist looking to pump up statewide name recognition in what’s quickly become an explosive race.”
— “Sanchez opponent says district at odds with DeLeo’s House,” by Andy Metzger, State House News: “An attorney who has worked in non-profits and a state senator's office wants to give Rep. Jeffrey Sánchez, a Jamaica Plain Democrat and chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, his first competitive primary since 2010. … Nika Elugardo, a former aide to Jamaica Plain Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, said she was dissatisfied by Sánchez's alliance with House leadership and she thinks others in the district are too.”
— “Transgender candidate used to protect US from weapons of mass destruction,” by Katerina Ang, New York Post: “This transwoman doesn’t just want to be known for being transgender. When Alexandra Chandler transitioned on the job in 2006, she became the first transgender person to serve in the Office of Naval Intelligence. She endured a mixed initial reception — including a town hall at which a colleague, to some audience approval, protested sharing a bathroom with a ‘drag queen’ — but went on to spend more than a decade preventing weapons of mass destruction from falling into the hands of America’s enemies.”
TRUMPACHUSETTS —
— “Senate confirms Andrew Lelling as US attorney for Massachusetts,” by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: “Lelling has prosecuted complex fraud cases, international drug trafficking, immigration offenses and other matters. Recently he prosecuted a pyramid scheme involving TelexFree, an internet phone service company. He has also prosecuted major drug trafficking organizations.”
— “Boston police commissioner joins legal effort to protect ‘Dreamers,’” by Evan Allen, Boston Globe: “Boston police Commissioner William B. Evans on Friday joined a legal effort to protect young immigrants from the Trump administration’s effort to abolish a federal policy that has shielded approximately 800,000 people from deportation. ‘Simply put, our law enforcement agencies must serve and protect everyone in our communities, and without the mutual trust between police and the immigrants in our cities, we can’t possibly provide the type of safety and protection the communities deserve,’ Evans said in a statement Saturday about his decision to sign a brief in support of the policy.”
— “How Republicans are experiencing 2010 in reverse,” by POLITICO’s John Bresnahan and Elana Schor: “A first-term president and unpopular congressional leaders are pushing a controversial legislative agenda that sparks a nationwide movement from the infuriated opposition. Retirements are suddenly putting the majority’s safe seats in play. Party leaders jam major legislation through Congress on a partisan vote, and are in such a hurry to pass it they’re rewriting it by hand hours before a vote. They lose control of their message and can't find an easy way to get back on track. Then comes a stunning upset in a Senate special election for a seat the majority party had controlled for decades. That year was 2010, when Republican Scott Brown’s upset win in the Massachusetts' Senate race to succeed the late Sen. Ted Kennedy previewed a tea party-fueled Republican revolution that swept the GOP into power on Capitol Hill. But after Democrat Doug Jones’ upset in Alabama on Tuesday, it could also describe the political trajectory of 2017 — except with Democrats instead of Republicans on the winning side.”
THE WARREN REPORT –
— “Liz Warren: Wait for Doug Jones before tax vote,” by Jordan Graham, Boston Herald: “U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is calling on Republican congressional leaders to delay the vote on a sweeping tax reform bill until after newly elected Democratic senator Doug Jones is seated. ‘It respects democracy when a huge issue is to be decided, to wait,’ Warren said after a town hall yesterday in Gloucester. ‘Let the elected representatives of every state be a part of that.’”
WOOD WAR — Herald: “STEALING ONE” — Globe: “T to drop firm tied to troubles on Ride,” “City bans plastic bags, starting next Dec.,” “ THE IMMACULATE INCOMPLETION,” “Trump vows not to fire Mueller as critics pounce,” “Solar array draws lots of glares,” “Public buildings, but not for all of the public.”
THE LOCAL ANGLE —
— “Boston Bans Single-Use Plastic Bags in Stores,” by the Associated Press: “Boston is banning single-use plastic bags in the city's stores. … Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh said Sunday he has signed the ordinance because of the environmental benefits, such as reducing litter. … He says he's still concerned about the impact on low-income residents and seniors. … It goes into effect next fall.”
— “Couple pleads guilty to running gambling machines,” by Julie Manganis, Eagle-Tribune: “The owner of a vending machine business and his wife pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges that they installed illegal video poker and slots machines in bars and social clubs all over the state, splitting the proceeds with owners and managers. William and Bonnie Morley of Middleton, and their business, Four Star Vending of North Andover, also agreed to forfeit nearly $1.1 million in cash, five Toyota Priuses, and a pickup truck.”
— “Actor Tom Hanks sends vintage typewriter to Massachusetts family,” by Scott J. Croteau, Masslive.com: “The de Peyster family of Wellesley received the typewriter after Nick de Peyster sent a letter to the actor. The family watched ‘California Typewriter,’ a documentary about writers, artists and others who continue to use typewriters. Hanks, John Mayer and David McCullough Sr. — who has ties to Wellesley — are all featured in the documentary.”
NUTS — “A hot attraction among Boston’s many: obese squirrels,” by Dugan Arnett, Boston Globe: “Visiting Boston for the first time recently, Thomas Ferrer took in a number of the city’s seminal sights — Fenway Park and the USS Constitution, the Freedom Trail and the iconic Cheers bar. In the end, though, nothing left him quite as impressed as the squirrels in the Public Garden. ‘They’re, like, Chris Farley-sized,’ the 29-year-old Atlanta resident marveled. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it.’”
DID THE HOME TEAMS WIN? Yes! — The Patriots beat the Steelers 27-24.
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
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.
FOR MORE political and policy news from Massachusetts, check out: http://politi.co/1qNSlWx
SUBSCRIBE to the Playbook family: POLITICO Playbook http://politi.co/2lQswbh ... New York Playbook http://politi.co/1ON8bqW … Florida Playbook http://politi.co/1OypFe9 ... New Jersey Playbook http://politi.co/1HLKltF ... Massachusetts Playbook http://politi.co/1Nhtq5v … Illinois Playbook http://politi.co/1N7u5sb ... California Playbook http://politi.co/2bLvcPl ... Brussels Playbook http://politi.co/1FZeLcw ... London Playbook http://politi.co/2xfDPuK … All our political and policy tipsheets http://politi.co/1M75UbX
** 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 **
Comments
Post a Comment