POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook Challenges to NEAL, CAPUANO brewing — BAKER has a need for speed — 2,000-plus PUERTO RICAN students now in Mass.
Challenges to NEAL, CAPUANO brewing — BAKER has a need for speed — 2,000-plus PUERTO RICAN students now in Mass.
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
BREAKING OVERNIGHT — “Cardinal Bernard Law, who left Boston in wake of clergy abuse scandal, dies at 86”
CHALLENGES IN THE MIX FOR CAPUANO AND NEAL — Finally giving a nod to rumors of when, not if, she would seek higher office, Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley is seriously considering challenging Rep. Michael Capuano for the MA-7 seat, which I reported yesterday.
“One of the reasons why she feels comfortable considering this is because, for years, much of the donor class has made clear to her that, while they appreciate the work she’s doing on the Council, they feel she could be doing more at a higher level,” a source close to Pressley told me, describing runs for higher office as a “recurring message she hears frequently.”
Another source told me Pressley has traveled to Washington to speak to groups that would potentially be supportive of her bid. While Pressley has been recognized by Emily’s List nationally, Capuano’s progressive voting record is expected to prevent the group from any official involvement until after the primary. But the source said that wasn’t an issue, describing “a lot of people who are very excited about it.” The source also noted diverse swaths of the Boston-to-Somerville urban congressional district that could deliver strong returns for Pressley over Capuano’s Somerville base.
And about that mysterious Friday poll: The source close to Pressley would not confirm if she commissioned a poll that went out Friday afternoon asking voters in Capuano’s district their thoughts on a matchup between the congressman and Pressley. But another individual who received the poll told me that it included questions about Capuano and Pressley, the need for “fresh energy,” constituent services, and opinions about Democratic challenges against incumbent Democrats “even with good voting records.”
Capuano could be the delegation’s second incumbent Democrat to see a challenge from a woman of color. Yesterday, Springfield attorney Tahirah Amatul-Wadudkicked off her campaign against Rep. Richard Neal, promising to run an “unapologetically progressive” campaign against the highest-ranking Democrat on the powerful House Ways and Means committee. This race could get interesting, too. Neal has faced few formidable challengers since being elected in 1989, and Amatul-Wadud appears eager to seize on bubbling frustration around Neal’s perceived absence from parts of the district.
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 swears in state Senator-elect Dean Tran from the Worcester and Middlesex district — Local luminaries Keytar Bear and Mayor Marty Walsh take over The Salvation Army Red Kettle in Downtown Crossing starting at noon — Rep. Jim Lyons hosts a nativity scene in the State House’s Great Hall, which has stirred controversy among secular groups.
** 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 —
— “Baker to lawmakers: Pick up the pace, already!” by Joshua Miller, Boston Globe: “Almost a year after Massachusetts legislators raised their own pay over the governor’s veto, Charlie Baker is expressing increasing impatience with the glacial pace of accomplishments on Beacon Hill. As the Republican looks ahead to the end of the two-year legislative session in July, he ticked off a list of bills he wants to see reach his desk.”
— “Busy final week for Mass. Health Connector enrollment,” by Rick Sobey, Lowell Sun: “While the federal government shut down the Affordable Care Act Exchange across the nation last week, the Massachusetts Health Connector is still going strong. That was the message from Health Connector officials as they visited Lowell and the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association on Monday ahead of an important deadline this Saturday.”
IN THE HOUSE — “House counsel schedules sexual harassment listening sessions,” by Michael P. Norton, State House News Service: “Saying he wants to hear directly from lawmakers and staff, House counsel James Kennedy on Tuesday informed House personnel of listening sessions planned for January where lawmakers and staff will be invited to talk about sexual harassment as part of the House's review of its human resources policies.”
IN THE SENATE — “Here's how to contact the investigators looking at Sen. Stan Rosenberg,” by Shira Schoenberg, Masslive.com: “Anyone who wants to contact the special investigators looking into former Massachusetts Senate President Stan Rosenberg's behavior can call a toll-free number. The investigators from the law firm Hogan Lovells can be reached by email at MASenateInvestigation@hoganlovells.com or by phone at 855-281-7775.”
— “Gov. Baker hits back on Bump 'dump' -- and for good reason,” by Peter Lucas, Lowell Sun: “State Auditor Suzanne Bump might have some credibility over the welfare issue if she were as critical of former Gov. Deval Patrick as she is of Gov. Charlie Baker. But she isn't. The sad state of affairs at the Department of Children and Families is Baker's fault, according to Bump, even though practically all the examples of abuse against children that she cites happened under Patrick, not Baker.”
ON THE STUMP —
– “Long-time Hyde Park state rep could face two opponents next year,” by Universal Hub: “Hours after Segun Idowu announced he wants to run against longtime state Rep. Angelo Scaccia next year, Hyde Park civil-rights attorney Gretchen Van Ness announced she plans to run for the 14th Suffolk seat as well. The news could be good for Scaccia, the candidate of Hyde Park residents happy with the way things are, as the other two split the progressive vote in the Democratic primary.”
THE TSONGAS ARENA —
— “Marlboro resident becomes 13th Democrat running for 3rd District,” by Chris Lisinski, Lowell Sun: “It's been a full three weeks since the last time a candidate entered the 3rd Congressional District race, and if you thought it was safe to stop counting, think again. Keith St. John, a Marlboro resident who owns an online sock company, has filed paperwork to run for U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas's seat, becoming the 13th Democrat vying to do so.”
TRUMPACHUSETTS —
— “Joe Kennedy misses historic tax cut vote, with new baby on the way,” by Astead W. Herndon, Boston Globe: “Representative Joseph Kennedy III of Brookline missed the historic House vote on President Trump’s proposed tax overhaul, though the Democratic lawmaker said he would have opposed the legislation. A spokesman said Kennedy missed the vote because he and his wife are imminently expecting the birth of their second child. The lawmaker and his wife spent the week in Massachusetts with their family preparing for the arrival of the baby.”
— KENNEDY’S WIFE LAUREN WEIGHS IN ON TWITTER (while in labor!) – “.@BostonGlobe doing my best to give Joe a shot at the redo vote. #multitasking.”
— “Mass. GOP Senate hopefuls support tax bill,” by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: “All three Republicans running for the U.S. Senate would support the GOP tax reform bill that cleared the House Tuesday afternoon and was scheduled for an evening vote in the Senate where both U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey plan to oppose the bill.”
— “Jill Stein says she’ll cooperate with Senate inquiry,” by Martin Finucane, Boston Globe: “Jill Stein, the Lexington doctor who was the Green Party’s 2016 presidential nominee, says she’s cooperating with a request for documents from a US Senate committee investigating Russian meddling in the election. ‘We strongly support legitimate inquiry into any illegal activity in our elections — including quid pro quo deals, money laundering, corruption, and violation of campaign finance laws. At the same time, we caution against the politicization, sensationalism, and collapse of journalistic standards that has plagued media coverage of the investigation,’ Stein said in a statement posted on her website.”
WOOD WAR — Herald: “LAW DEAD” — Globe: “Cardinal Law, disgraced leader, dies,” “Belichick pushing back on Brady’s guru,” “A GOP win, with tax plan all but assured of becoming law,” “WORST YEAR EVER (HMM, THAT RINGS A BELL)” “Musicians press BSO to face the music on white male canon.”
THE LOCAL ANGLE —
— “‘Grass-roots’ group fighting Beth Israel-Lahey merger has ties to rival hospitals,” by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: “A self-described grass-roots coalition opposed to the proposed merger of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Lahey Health is backed by a high-profile Beacon Hill lobbying and consulting firm with ties to a competing hospital system. Executives of Boston-based Northwind Strategies established the Make Healthcare Affordable Coalition last month, according to public records filed with the secretary of state’s office. The officers of the new nonprofit are Northwind’s founding partner, Doug Rubin, and two other Northwind executives.”
— “Over 2,000 students from Puerto Rico now in Massachusetts schools following Hurricane Maria,” by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: “More than 2,000 students from Puerto Rico have arrived in Massachusetts schools after fleeing hurricane damage, acting education commissioner Jeff Wulfson said Tuesday. Wulfson told the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education that the pace of arrivals has accelerated in the last couple weeks. Education officials are now looking to see if there will be a ‘considerable increase after the holidays, as many folks are expecting,’ he said.”
— “FERC reaffirms its approval of Atlantic Bridge pipeline, with compressor station planned in Weymouth,” by Mary C. Serreze, Masslive.com: “The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last week reaffirmed its approval of Spectra Energy's Atlantic Bridge Project, rejecting an appeal from opponents of the natural gas pipeline expansion, many of whom oppose a 7,700-horsepower compressor station planned near the new Fore River bridge in the South Shore town of Weymouth. The federal agency on January 25 authorized construction of the $450 million project, and on Dec. 13 denied a rehearing of that order.”
— “Parents of BPS students speak out against new start times,” by O’Ryan Johnson, Boston Herald: “Boston parents told school officials last night they remain dead set against early start times that would have their young ones at the bus stop at dawn and out of school before the parents can get them. ‘I don’t want my child in after-school. I want him with me when he can be. And again who’s gonna pay for it?’ Gretchen Lahey said last night at a public hearing in West Roxbury. Lahey is a state worker who said she cannot afford to pay for additional child care.”
MEDIA MOVES — “Mike Nikitas leaves NECN after more than two decades,” by Mark Shanahan, Boston Globe: “So long to Mike Nikitas, the longtime NECN anchor/reporter, who departed the station Tuesday after 26 years. In an e-mail to friends and colleagues, Nikitas said he’s leaving to pursue a ‘new adventure’ that’ll include business and teaching.”
SPOTTED at a Romney reunion party at Chaplains in D.C last night hosted by Ryan Williams and Maeve Reston: newly engaged Ashley Parker and Mike Bender, Matt Viser, Josh Dawsey, Garrett Haake, Albert Martinez, Reid Epstein, Lauren Pratrapas and John Legittino, Jill Barclay, Jen Webber, Matt Mowers and Cassie Spodak, Rick Gorka, Ben Ginsberg, Annie Starke, Kaitlan Collins, Sara Murray, Hadas Gold, Molly Donlin, Susan Hepworth.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Acting Senate President Harriette Chandler, writer and reporting virtuoso Megan Johnson, and MassINC public affairs associate and managing director of Gateways magazine Maureen McInerney.
DID THE HOME TEAMS WIN? Yes! — The Bruins beat the Sabres 3-0.
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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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