POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook FBI’s ‘looking into’ HEFNER quid pro quo — HEALEY suing FCC over net neutrality — Stretching CHIP cash
FBI’s ‘looking into’ HEFNER quid pro quo — HEALEY suing FCC over net neutrality — Stretching CHIP cash
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_)
TGIF, MASSACHUSETTS.
FBI’S NOW INVOLVED IN HEFNER SITUATION — The saga of former state Senate President Stan Rosenberg and his partner Bryon Hefner delivered another twist yesterday: The FBI is now involved.
The FBI is now looking into “whether Hefner offered a quid pro quo to his alleged victims, using his relationship with Rosenberg — then the Senate president — to influence the chamber’s business in return for sexual favors,” the Boston Globe’s Yvonne Abraham reports. She adds that just because the FBI is “looking into” such allegations does not mean an investigation is underway. It’s also not clear whether the inquiry’s main target is Hefner or Rosenberg.
The FBI’s involvement escalates the situation that has rocked Beacon Hill and could make Rosenberg’s path back to the Senate Presidency more narrow should things develop further or prolong the current Senate Ethics Investigation. Rosenberg has stepped aside from the presidency as the Ethics Committee investigates whether or not he broke any Senate rules. He plans to return once the investigation is completed if he is exonerated.
But just because the FBI is in play doesn’t mean the Senate will necessarily turn on one of their own — especially since Rosenberg himself has not been accused of any specific wrongdoing. Former state Senator and apparent Dunkin’ Donuts coffee aficionado Brian Joyce had his law office raided by the FBI while in the Senate last year, but was never publicly forced out. In its indictment handed down last week, the FBI said Joyce ran his state Senate office “like a criminal enterprise,” but the former Assistant Majority Leader only left the Senate after deciding not to seek re-election.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.
TODAY — Winter is almost here and Gov. Charlie Baker, Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver, MBTA General Manager Luis Manuel Ramírez, Keolis CEO and General Manager David Scorey, and Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn gather to highlight their collective winter resiliency and preparedness efforts in a press conference at a commuter rail facility in Somerville — LG Karyn Polito and Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy ring the bell for the Salvation Army at Waltham’s Pizzi Farm this afternoon.
DATELINE BEACON HILL —
— “Troopergate: McKeon, Hughes exit with big pay,” by Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: “Former state police Col. Richard McKeon and his second-in-command — who both left at the height of the Troopergate scandal — headed out the door with a combined nearly $300,000 golden parachute.”
– “Cannabis Control Commission Approves Yoga Studios And Cafes For Mixed-Use Licenses,” by Marilyn Schairer, WGBH: “The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission is holding a week of meetings, and yesterday it approved several measures, including mixed-use licenses for marijuana at places such as yoga studios and cafes. Chair Steve Hoffman tells WGBH News that because this is all new to Massachusetts, the process is unfolding organically, and the meetings have been productive.”
ICYMI — “Gov. Charlie Baker proposes pay hike for National Guard,” by Shira Schoenberg, Masslive.com: “Gov. Charlie Baker filed legislation Wednesday that would increase the minimum pay for National Guard soldiers and airmen from $100 to $200 a day when they are on state active duty. That would give Massachusetts National Guard soldiers the highest pay in the nation, with a particular benefit to those of more junior rank.”
TRUMPACHUSETTS —
— “Attorney General Maura Healey to sue FCC over net neutrality rollback,” by Shannon Young, Masslive.com: “Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Thursday that she and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman will file a multi-state lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission over its recent vote to repeal net neutrality rules. Healey, who joined Schneiderman and other attorneys general this week in urging the commission to delay consideration of the controversial rollback, said she and her colleague have decided to sue ‘to stand up for the free exchange of ideas and to keep the American people in control of internet access.’”
— “Baker admin preparing to stretch CHIP dollars as it waits for Congress,” by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: “Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders has a Christmas wish: that Congress will again fund the Children's Health Insurance Program. … The state would be able to maintain CHIP coverage through the end of this fiscal year by taking ‘administrative actions,’ if it looks like Congress will ultimately reauthorize the program, Sudders said.”
THE WARREN REPORT —
— A TOWN HALL FOR YOUR SATURDAY DANCE CARD — Sen. Elizabeth Warren is holding a town hall at Gloucester High School on Saturday morning. From Warren’s office: “On Saturday, December 16, Senator Elizabeth Warren will host her 17th town hall of 2017. Warren will take questions from the audience and discuss her work standing up for working families of Massachusetts against powerful corporate interests.”
ON THE STUMP —
— “Heroux settles OCPF violations, discusses resignation plan,” by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: “The review by OCPF of [Paul] Heroux's campaign committee began earlier this year when the Attleboro Democrat sought help from the agency in balancing a discrepancy between his committee's bank balance and the balance listed in campaign finance reports.”
— ANOTHER TOWN HALL ALSO FOR YOUR SATURDAY DANCE CARD — Democratic contender for governor Setti Warren holds a town hall discussion in Cambridge on the effects of the opioid epidemic alongside Cambridge Democratic City Committee Chair Brian Corr. From Setti’s campaign: “In the beginning of November, Mayor Warren launched a statewide conversation to hear directly from those affected by the opioid crisis as well as policy experts and practitioners to listen to their ideas and share his. Warren has so far held discussions on opioids in Amherst, Falmouth, Salem, Springfield, Brockton and Hanover.”
WOOD WAR — Herald: “JUSTICE 25 YEARS LATER,” “HEEEEEEEE’S BACK” — Globe: “FBI looks at issues on Rosenberg’s husband,” “FOR BLACKS IN BOSTON, A POWER OUTAGE,” “Women detail ESPN culture of harassment,” “PRESENT TENSE,” “Disney buys most of Fox in $52 billion deal.”
THE LOCAL ANGLE —
— “For blacks in Boston, a shortage of power,” by Andrew Ryan, Adrian Walker, and Todd Wallack, Boston Globe: “‘If you’re not in the room, you have to get invited into the room,’ said William “Mo” Cowan, who served briefly as interim US senator in 2013, and later as one of the most prominent blacks involved in the Olympic bid. ‘If we’re going to be serious about making everyone feel like they’re part of the prosperity, then people have to invite [black] people into the room.’”
— “Boston tech chief to step down,” by Hiawatha Bray, Boston Globe: “The City of Boston will soon be in the market for a chief information officer. The current occupant of the post, Jascha Franklin-Hodge, said Thursday that he’s planning to step down in January.”
— “Cape police protect K-9 partners from opioid exposure,” by Ethan Genter, Cape Cod Times: “Fentanyl, carfentanil and other potent opioids have not only led to a spike in overdoses, they have increased the risk to police officers exposed to the drugs as they respond to calls. That includes K-9 officers — dogs that often play a key role in narcotics arrests.”
— “At DCU, cannabis exhibition will feature bid for 100-foot joint,” by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: “One year after it became legal for adults to possess and use marijuana in Massachusetts, cannabis aficionados will gather this weekend to show off some of the best locally-sourced ganja and edibles, and to try to put a welcoming face on the world of weed. Part competition, part expo and trade show, the inaugural Harvest Cup sponsored by the Massachusetts Grower Advocacy Council, MassCann/NORML and the Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance will feature a spate of speakers from various segments of the marijuana industry and live demonstrations of how to use cannabis products in cooking and art.”
DON’T FORGET TO CELEBRATE NEXT YEAR — Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has proclaimed Dec. 14 “Brian O’Donovan Day” in Boston in honor of the longtime “Celtic Sojourn” host on WGBH’s Greater Boston last night. The city is honoring O’Donovan’s “significant contributions to immigrant communities,” which coincides with the fifteenth anniversary of 89.7 WGBH’s “A Christmas Celtic Sojourn,” according to the station.
TRANSITIONS — Democratic polling firm ALG Research has opened an office in Cambridge, its sixth nationwide, headed up by partner Matt Hogan.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Lynn Mayor-elect Tom McGee and Bay State Banner alum Jule Pattison-Gordon.
HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Brooke Scannell, chief of staff for US Rep. Katherine Clark; Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim; WGBH’s Ellen London Crane; and RMC Strategies owner Ryan McCollum, who all celebrate Saturday.
DID THE HOME TEAMS WIN? No! — The Bruins fell to the Capitals 5-3.
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
Comments
Post a Comment