POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Praise for BAKER’s strong commonwealth — The business of #MeToo — PUERTO RICAN evacuee local housing woes
01/24/2018 07:06 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
SURPRISE! THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH IS STRONG - Those expecting to be surprised by Gov. Charlie Baker's state of the commonwealth speech last night had to be disappointed.
It was classic Baker: straightforward, stressing uncontroversial positives like bipartisanship, a double-down on the fight against the opioid epidemic, statistics coming from rankings that prove his point, no specific mention of President Donald Trump, and a line about the Patriots' three Super Bowl visits over the last four years (which landed like catnip for the audience in the House chamber). All sought to make the case for a successful first term and likely set the stage for what will be his reelection argument.
Outside of the State House, Democrats dismissed it. The Massachusetts Democratic Party and one gubernatorial contender, Jay Gonzalez, called it and Baker "status quo" - an interesting observation given 73 percent of Massachusetts voters in an early January poll say the state is headed in the right track. Another line Baker delivered on his commitment to fixing the MBTA drew ire from transit advocates: "But make no mistake, we will deliver the public transit system the people of this Commonwealth deserve."
But inside the State House, by and large, Democrats heaped praise on Baker, despite heading into an election year where three contenders are vying for the party's nomination to dislodge the Republican governor from the corner office.
House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Harriette Chandler were mum on aspects of the speech they disagreed with -as Chandler put it, "whether or not we can afford to do these things or not, we'll find that out tomorrow." Baker's team will roll out their budget proposal for the coming fiscal year later today.
Asked whether Baker is unbeatable, DeLeo said he's a realist: "I wouldn't say that. ... I don't feel anyone is unbeatable. Except maybe Tom Brady and the Patriots."
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 rolls out his FY19 budget proposal in a press conference at the State House this afternoon - The House meets in formal session - Treasurer Deb Goldberg announces a state-wide salary negotiation training program for women. It's launched in collaboration with Massachusetts Community Colleges, the American Association of University Women, and the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
- "Big Firms Pick Up #MeToo Work for State Legislatures," by Scott Flaherty, the American Lawyer: One of the most recent outside law firm hires came in Massachusetts, where the state Senate's committee on ethics hired Hogan Lovells to conduct an inquiry into whether Senate President Stanley Rosenberg violated the legislative body's rules. Rosenberg took heat in light of allegations that his husband, Bryon Hefner, sexually assaulted or harassed four men while also touting his political influence as Rosenberg's spouse."
- "Baker launches commission to study transportation needs," by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: "An 18-member panel appointed by Governor Charlie Baker will study the state's future transportation needs, after a report last year suggested Massachusetts is not financially prepared for changes to the climate and how people get around."
- "Massachusetts state senator proposes 15 percent tax on DraftKings, other daily fantasy sports operators," by the Associated Press: "State Sen. Eileen Donoghue has introduced legislation making the online games permanently legal and subject to a 15 percent tax.The Lowell Democrat's proposal would also charge the state Gaming Commission that oversees casinos and horse racing with regulating the industry."
- "State, city officials chat with Amazon about HQ2," by Tim Logan, Boston Globe: "Economic development officials who are working on the local bid got on the phone with Amazon's site selection team to talk through next steps as the company moves closer to choosing one city as the site of 50,000-job campus that will serve as its second home. Greater Boston - specifically, Boston and Somerville - was among 17 metro areas across North America that Amazon last week listed as finalists for the project."
- "State police seeks AG's help in no-show probe," by O'Ryan Johnson, Boston Herald: State police have asked Attorney General Maura Healey's office to help them investigate no-show assignments in which troopers were paid but failed to report for duty, state police said. State police said they launched an internal investigation into one trooper a year ago, and that remains pending."
TRUMPACHUSETTS -
- "Government shutdown has little local impact," Ethan Forman, the Salem News: "You may not have noticed the three-day shutdown of the federal government over the weekend and into Monday. On the North Shore, the impact was minimal. Unlike the shutdown in 2013, which took place in October during the height of the city's tourist season, this shutdown did not have as much impact because this is not a busy time for visitors, [Dominick Pangallo, chief of staff to Mayor Kim Driscoll] said."
- "AG Maura Healey Blames Republicans For 'Shameful' DACA Delay," by Tori Bedford, WGBH News: "'I think it's a no-brainer for most Americans, Democrat or Republican. So why don't you act on the things where there's agreement, and then work to find common ground in other areas?', [Healey said.] ... She faults Republicans, who control the House, the Senate and the White House, for not working through divisive immigration issues by the Friday deadline."
THE TSONGAS ARENA -
MARK YOUR CALENDAR - "Forum to feature all 13 Democrats running for Congress," by Christopher Scott, the Lowell Sun: "The Hudson and Maynard Democratic Town Committees, and the Marlborough Democratic City Committee, are sponsoring a candidates' forum for the Democratic candidates for the 3rd Congressional District seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas. The forum will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at the Hudson Portuguese Club, 13 Port St. The event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 6 PM and the official program will begin at 7 p.m."
- "Steve Kerrigan raises $165,000 toward 3rd District race," by Chris Lisinski, Sentinel Enterprise: "His early fundraising haul is significantly lower than several competitors in the 3rd District race. Five of the other six candidates who have released their figures at this point raised $300,000 or more."
- "Koh moves into Andover campaign headquarters," by Kelsey Bode, Eagle Tribune: "As a kid I grew up walking these streets. It's who I am, where I am from," [Koh said.]"
ON THE STUMP -
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK - GOP Senate challenger Beth Lindstrom has a new web ad out saying "Sen. Warren 'Does Not Have A Clue' On How To Run A Business," per Lindstrom's campaign: "Criticizing Senator Elizabeth Warren's for her ill-advised "no" vote on last month's historic tax cut legislation, U.S. Senate Candidate Beth Lindstrom ripped Warren's lack of understanding of the hard work, sacrifice and dedication it takes to open and run a small business."
WOOD WAR - Herald: "ANITA'S AVENGERS" - Globe: "In his address, Baker touts teamwork, decency," "Mueller wants to question Trump," "Battle over immigration just starting," "ANOTHER DAIRY FARM DIES," "After 30 years, another chance to try to prove his innocence," "Loss of state business may mean job cuts for insurers," "15-year-old held in Ky. shooting."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "Some Puerto Rican Hurricane Maria evacuees face loss of emergency housing," by Elizabeth Roman, Springfield Republican: "More than 550 Puerto Rican families who fled the island in the wake of Hurricane Maria are currently living in hotels across the state -- mostly in Western Massachusetts -- and many of them may have to find permanent housing or go back to Puerto Rico by Feb. 14."
- "Quincy proposal would ban discrimination by gender identity," by Sean Phillip Cotter, Patriot Ledger: "A pair of city councilors are making another attempt to ban discrimination based on gender identity. ... Ward 4 city councilor Brian Palmucci and at-large councilor Nina Liang introduced a bill Monday night that would include 'gender identity' in the city's anti-discrimination ordinance."
- "Cannabis panel may move," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "Possible locations Hoffman presented to the other commissioners were: downtown Boston, another neighborhood of Boston, the northern suburbs like Malden or Somerville, southern suburbs like Quincy or Braintree, a location in the Route 128 belt like Waltham or Burlington, and somewhere in the MetroWest/I-495 region like Framingham or Westborough. ... Hoffman added Worcester to the list at the behest of Commissioner Jennifer Flanagan, who previously represented northern Worcester County in the state Senate."
- "Operate an Airbnb in Boston? Prepare for up to $500 fee per unit," by Kristin LaFratta, MassLive.com: "Boston Mayor Marty Walsh on Monday filed a citywide ordinance to regulate the short-term rental industry - otherwise known as the home-share business squeezing the city's already-strained real estate market. Under the new ordinance, a host would need to register with the city, pay annual rental fees, and limit the number of nights they rent out their property."
- "Neil Diamond diagnosed with Parkinson's, retires from touring," Yaron Steinbuch, Page Six: "In a statement, Diamond - a Brooklyn native who turns 77 on Wednesday - said he made the decision 'with great reluctance and disappointment.' With a nod to his hit 'Sweet Caroline,' he added: 'This ride has been 'so good, so good, so good' thanks to you.'"
- "Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder: An Expat's Love Letter to New England," by Joe Keohane, Boston Magazine: "... When I say it's the people who make New England singular, I say it well aware of what I sound like. But I mean it. Having lived elsewhere and traveled a fair amount, I can say with confidence that there are no other creatures like New Englanders."
"Why do we call Massachusetts a 'commonwealth'? Blame John Adams," by Martin Finucane, Boston Globe: "Adams felt, [Mount Holyoke College emeritus professor Joseph J.] Ellis said, that 'we need to make sure that Massachusetts sends a signal that we are a republic, we are not a monarchy, and the term that describes us has to be a term that precludes any misinterpretation.' The term "commonwealth" doesn't confer any special status on a state."
MAZEL! - to State Rep. Nick Collins, who welcomed a new baby girl into his family yesterday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to state Senate policy advisor DJ Napolitano and Liberty Square Group Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications Tamani Jayasinghe.
DID THE HOME TEAMS WIN? Yes and no! - The Celtics fell to the Lakers 108-107, while the Bruins edged the Devils 3-2.
ICYMI - THE LATEST HORSE RACE PODCAST EPISODE: This week it's all about the money, and the numbers are eye-popping -- Warren's making bank, candidates in the MA-3 are raking it in and Marty Walsh is growing his war chest fresh off reelection. We also check in on Brendan Crighton's walk into the state Senate and preview the governor's upcoming State of the Commonwealth speech. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud
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