POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: The TSONGAS ARENA convenes — WYNN fallout — LESSER for Senate Prez?

02/07/2018 07:03 AM EDT

By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)

GOOD MORNING MASSACHUSETTS.

THE TSONGAS ARENA CONVENES FOR THE FIRST TIME - The first meeting of the vast, dozen-person-plus field of Democratic contenders hoping to replace Rep. Niki Tsongas was a bit of a dud.

Candidates at the Democratic forum last night openly acknowledged there were few policy differences between them - and if there were, there wasn't enough time to flesh them out within the scheduled two-hour time slot.

The biggest initial difference came from the polish of the candidates themselves. Dan Koh managed to slip in his campaign slogan of "Let's go" at least twice, while bank manager Bopha Malone tripped over a question about FISA courts (though recovered nicely as she promised to learn more after admitting she didn't know enough about them to weigh in).

Perhaps the most significant update is that the field continues to grow. The forum hosted 13 Democratic candidates on stage - and a 14th, Jeff Ballinger, was also in the audience (and recognized at the end of the event)! Organizers say Ballinger was left off of the tightly packed stage because he announced his candidacy after the event programs have been printed - though I'm not sure another chair would have fit on the stage anyway.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.

TODAY - The Senate meets in formal session - The Gaming Commission meets, with agenda items including an update on a Wynn Boston Harbor regulatory review - Former Vice President Al Gore speaks at a Tufts University event on climate change tonight

STEVE WYNN is out as chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts. Massachusetts, which awarded one of its coveted casino licenses to Wynn for his proposed Everett casino, is now grappling with the fallout.

- Gov. Charlie Baker's team weighs in - "Governor Baker believes it is the right decision for Wynn Resorts to terminate its relationship with Mr. Wynn in light of recent disturbing allegations, and supports the Gaming Commission's ongoing review," per Lizzy Guyton, Baker's communications director

- Democratic gubernatorial contender Setti Warren - "Steve Wynn is not a suitable partner for Massachusetts, but it is not enough that he steps down from his public role. In order for Wynn Resorts to be suitable to run the casino in Everett, the company must separate itself from every single person involved in covering up Steve Wynn's terrible behavior and Wynn must give up his significant stake in the business."

DATELINE BEACON HILL -

- "Concerns grow over Rosenberg probe's impact on legislating," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "With the Senate's leadership situation in turmoil, pressure mounted Tuesday on Democrats to find a way to steady the ship before the cloud of a seven-week-old ethics investigation and jockeying among members completely overshadows Beacon Hill's legislative agenda. House Speaker Robert DeLeo said Tuesday it's "imperative" that the internal dynamics in the Senate don't gum up the progress of key policy initiatives in the Legislature, and a pair of senators told the News Service they can't see former Senate President Stan Rosenberg returning to his top post."

- "New candidate for state Senate president emerges," by Frank Phillips and Joshua Miller, Boston Globe: "As Senate Democrats prepare for a tense, closed-door meeting Wednesday amid a leadership crisis, a second-term lawmaker from Western Massachusetts has emerged as the latest potential candidate for Senate president ... State Senator Eric P. Lesser, 32, of Longmeadow, is pulling together a politically and geographically diverse faction of other relatively new faces to the Senate, according to one of his Democratic colleagues who is part of the coalition."

- "Baker to cannabis commission: Keep pot legalization simple," by Joshua Miller and Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "The Baker administration chastised Massachusetts pot regulators this week, saying their draft plan to create one of the world's most permissive regulated marijuana markets goes too far, too fast. Instead, a top Baker administration lawyer said, the commission should focus its limited resources on the already daunting task of setting up regulations for the marijuana industry's basic elements - farms, manufacturers, stores, and testing labs - by July 1, when recreational marijuana sales are scheduled to begin in the state."

- "Massachusetts budget writer expects $65 million windfall from federal tax overhaul," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com: "The Massachusetts state budget will get a one-time windfall of $65 million due to federal tax reform, Secretary of Administration and Finance Secretary Mike Heffernan said Tuesday."

- "The state budget: The $40-billion-plus reason why you vote," by Mike Deehan, WGBH News: "At the State House, nearly every political rally, speech or proclamation can be rendered meaningless if there isn't funding to back it up. So when lawmakers opened a series of marathon hearings Tuesday on how to spend over $40 billion, it began a process that's at the core of everything state government is and does."

- "Layoffs almost hit watchdog commission for Massachusetts alcohol industry, state treasurer says," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com: "Staff on the state's Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission narrowly escaped layoffs this summer, Treasurer Deborah Goldberg said Tuesday in testimony before the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee ... she pointed to the potential for job cuts as part of her plea with state lawmakers to increase the budget of the commission, which her office controls."

TRUMPACHUSETTS -

- "In fight against Trump, Democratic AGs take a page from GOP," from yours truly in POLITICO: "States are bringing a growing string of lawsuits, complaints and other actions against the Trump administration - and there's no end in sight."

- "Cape Fear: Sheriff sides with Trump and ICE, against constituents and immigrants," by Eoin Higgins, digboston: "[Barnstable County Sheriff James] Cummings isn't taking the side that's inspired communities across the Commonwealth to pass resolutions protecting undocumented people. Rather, Cummings and his department are about to enter into a 287(g) cooperation agreement with ICE, which would operationalize local forces to assist Trump's regime in deporting undocumented people on the Cape."

THE WARREN REPORT -

- "The Elizabeth Warren model of political leadership," by David Dayen, New Republic: "I doubt [now-former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen] would have dumped four [Wells Fargo] board members without Warren's constant pestering. None of that shows up on a legislative stat sheet. But being a member of Congress is about more than voting."

ON THE STUMP -

- "Mass. Justices Question Legality Of 'Millionaire Tax' Petition," by Alison Noon, Law360: "Justices on Massachusetts' high court pushed back on Tuesday against the proponents of a ballot initiative that would increase income taxes on the state's highest earners and send the money to education and transportation programs, at times echoing a cohort of businesses arguing against its constitutionality. The justices took no immediate action at the hearing in Boston but registered doubts about the legal underpinnings of the so-called "millionaire tax" measure that state officials approved to go before voters in November."

- DIEHL CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP TEAM - from the Diehl campaign: "Rep. Geoff Diehl, candidate for U.S. Senate, proudly announced the Chairwomen for his campaign. The impressive leadership team includes: Elizabeth Crampton, Kristy Smerlas and Rep. Shaunna O'Connell (R-Taunton)."

- "Rep. Carvalho enters First Suffolk race," by Jennifer Smith, Dorchester Reporter: "State Rep. Evandro Carvalho announced his candidacy for the First Suffolk Senate seat in a statement Tuesday, framing his bid as a push for needed representation for neighborhoods that often feelunheard on the state level."

- DEM REP. DENISE GARLICK GETS A DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER: "Born and Raised in Needham, Democratic Activist and Community Organizer Ted Steinberg Launches Campaign for Norfolk County's 13th District in the Massachusetts State House," from the Steinberg campaign: "I am running for State Representative because our liaison on Beacon Hill needs to be a Democratic activist. An avid advocate you can count on to proactively champion progressive causes. I will stand up to the House leadership on behalf of constituents rather than serve as a rubber stamp for their watered-down policies."

TSONGAS ARENA -

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK - "Russ Feingold, former senator and campaign finance reform champion, endorses Dan Koh for Congress," from the Koh campaign : "Former United States Senator Russ Feingold, an architect of the McCain-Feingold Campaign Reform Act, today endorsed Dan Koh in the 3rd District Congressional race. Feingold served as a Senator from Wisconsin from 1993 to 2011 and co-authored the landmark campaign finance reform legislation that sought to limit the impact of soft money in our elections. Former Lowell Congressman Marty Meehan co-authored the House of Representatives version of the bill. ... Feingold is the founder of LegitPAC, an organization focused on supporting progressive candidates and causes in the fight for democratic legitimacy; LegitPAC also endorsed Koh today."

WOOD WAR - Herald: "MUTINY IN FOXBORO," "WYNN STEPS DOWN AS CEO." - Globe: "Wynn resigns as CEO of casino company," "Not so fast: Pats keep McDaniels in the house," "A MISSION PRACTICAL AND MERCIFUL," "Baker tells pot panel to keep things simple," "Next Harvard president urged to counter Trump," "No end to Amazon mystery mailings."

THE LOCAL ANGLE -

MEDIA MATTERS - "Talk of the Town," by Simon Van Zuylen-Wood, Boston Magazine: " ... The hours of auditory real estate occupied by [Jim Braude and Margery Eagan's WGBH show, Boston Public Radio] are arguably the most important in all of Boston broadcasting; they're the place where anyone who is, or wants to be, somebody must make an appearance. ... They're genius broadcasters who have located a sweet spot between highbrow commentary and blue-collar banter, and combined it with dynamite on-air chemistry of the Joe-Mika/Natalie-Chet variety."

- "Airport worker strike set for Wednesday afternoon," by Katie Johnston, Boston Globe: "A group of 500 baggage handlers, wheelchair attendants, cabin cleaners, and skycaps at Logan Airport plans to go on strike late Wednesday afternoon in what is expected to be one of the largest labor actions at the airport in recent years. The workers for ReadyJet and Flight Services & Systems primarily serve JetBlue Airways and are protesting what they say are threats and intimidation from management as they attempt to organize a union."

- "Thirteen Massachusetts Residents Made the U.S. Olympic Roster," by Hayley Glatter, Boston Magazine: "Only Minnesota is sending more hockey players to South Korea than Massachusetts. In addition to the hockey players, Massachusetts natives Jonathan Cheever of Saugus and Mike Trapp of Marstons Mills will compete in snowboarding events; Andover's Annalisa Drew will go for gold on the freestyle skiing halfpipe; Steven Langton of Melrose will join the four-man bobsled squad; and Hingham's Alice Merryweather will take on alpine skiing."

- "Lowell health center holds red-alert rally for congressional funding," by Rick Sobey, Lowell Sun: "Health-center advocates wearing red clothes and holding signs repeated these chants Tuesday on Jackson Street in Lowell, hoping politicians all the way down in Washington, D.C. could hear their pleas. If Congress doesn't reauthorize the Community Health Centers Fund (CHCF), Lowell Community Health Center would lose close to $3 million and Fitchburg's Community Health Connections would lose almost $3.5 million."

- "Governor's initial budget raises concerns for Weymouth officials," by Jessica Trufant, the Patriot Ledger: "Baker is proposing a 2.6 percent growth in state spending, yet local funding for Weymouth for things like veterans benefits and elderly tax exemptions would go down more than $96,000. At the same time, the amount the town pays the state for services like public transportation and mosquito treatment will grow by about $609,000."

- "Foxboro police investigating robbery at Rob Gronkowski's house," by Laurel J. Sweet, Boston Herald: "Police confirmed [Tuesday morning] they are investigating a robbery at the Foxboro manse of New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. The break-in apparently occurred while the 28-year-old NFL superstar was in Minneapolis last week for the Super Bowl."

MAZEL! - to Victoria McGrane, joining the Boston Globe's State House bureau from the Globe's DC bureau.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Uxbridge Rep. Kevin Kuros and Massachusetts Parents United founder Keri Rodrigues.

DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes and no! The Bruins beat the Red Wings 3-2, but the Celtics fell to the Raptors 91-111. Northeastern University and Boston University advance to next week's Beanpot final game.

- ICYMI: THE HORSE RACE - Linda Dorcena Forry is out, Ayanna Pressley is in and Beth Lindstrom, John Kingston, and Geoff Diehl fight for the cash in this week's episode of The Horse Race. Plus, Jennifer Smith of the Dorchester Reporter joins us in the studio and a surprise appearance from a familiar voice explains -- you guessed it -- polls polls polls. Subscribe and listen on iTunes andSound Cloud

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