POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook OUR REVOLUTION MA not endorsing for now — Deleted T tweets — Is WARREN a ‘bipartisan deal-maker’?


01/08/2018 06:57 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_)
HAPPY MONDAY, MASSACHUSETTS. Chance of rain and snow just in time for your evening commute, but at least it'll be warmer than zero degrees.
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: OUR REVOLUTION HOLDING OFF ON ENDORSING...FOR NOW - The votes are in and 900-plus members of Our Revolution Massachusetts have voted not to endorse a candidate for governor - at least not yet. The decision comes less than a week after kicking off a gubernatorial endorsement process that has roiled the Bernie Sanders-aligned all-volunteer organization, which asked members to endorse either environmental activist Bob Massie or not to endorse at this time, leaving off the two other Democratic candidates for governor.
The determination closes out a contentious week for the nascent state arm of OR organization, with many members frustrated over the group's non-binding endorsement process and the optics that it was only considering one candidate. ORMA was even dropped as a co-sponsor of Franklin County Continuing Political Revolution 's gubernatorial candidates forum this weekend over the imbroglio, according to an email from FCCPR obtained by Politico. Others within ORMA were frustrated over its hesitation to support Massie, seen as one of the most progressive candidates for governor in years.
By the end of the day Friday, when polling was supposed to close, 53 percent of respondents voted to "decline to endorse at this time," while 47 percent supported Massie, according to the results tallied late last night. The poll remained live over the weekend - an email from the Massie campaign alerted supporters that the poll's end-time had extended - and more responses trickled in, pushing the spread to 52 percent declining to endorse at this time and 48 percent supporting Massie.
This isn't ORMA's only or final shot at a gubernatorial endorsement. A new governing body for ORMA was installed and met on Saturday night, and "voted to develop an even more rigorous evaluation process to ensure the broadest support for any candidate we champion," according to ORMA's spokesperson. Multiple sources tell me this will mean the endorsement process will be re-evaluated - and likely done again.
Meanwhile, the start of party caucuses to elect delegates to this year's state convention, which will nominate the Democratic candidates for governor, loom later this month.
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 and LG Karyn Polito huddle with legislative leaders for the first Monday meeting with as the new Big Three: Baker, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, and acting Senate President Harriette Chandler - Sen. Elizabeth Warren visits the Dimock Center in Roxbury for a tour of the facility and roundtable discussion on the Children's Health Insurance Program and the Community Health Center Fund this morning. At the same time, Sen. Ed Markey will hold a media avail in his office about President Trump's offshore oil drilling plan - Republican Senate contender and Warren challenger Beth Lindstrom is in Hingham to kick off her "statewide business growth tour," previously postponed by the winter storm.
** 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 **

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS - "MBTA cancels two trains and warns of delays for Monday commute," by Abigail Feldman, Boston Globe: "The MBTA is advising riders to add 15 to 20 minutes to their Monday morning commute, because of the lingering impact of the cold snap and last week's snow storm."
MEANWHILE - "T chief feeling the heat after Twitter tirade on weather," by Hillary Chabot, Boston Herald: "MBTA 'turnaround CEO' Luis Manuel Ramirez indicated this weekend's massive delays were unavoidable thanks to 'Siberian temperatures,' in a now-deleted tweet that came as T officials were again forecasting late trains for beleaguered commuters heading back to work."
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
- "Child-protection agency is making progress, but challenges remain," by Michael Levenson, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker often points to his efforts to strengthen the state Department of Children and Families since taking office three years ago, with the hiring of 350 new social workers, the appointment of the agency's first medical director, and the rollout of new policies designed to protect abused and neglected children. As a result, many glaring problems have been addressed: Caseloads are lower; children are receiving more timely medical screenings; and nearly all social workers are licensed, up from about half just three years ago."
- "Officials wrestle with pot tourism," by Christian M. Wade, Salem News: "Legal marijuana in Massachusetts is expected to draw visitors from states where the drug remains illegal, providing a major boost to the tourism industry from users apt to spend money in hotels, restaurants and other retail outlets. But whether state tourism officials will promote the budding, multimillion-dollar industry remains to be seen. At present, there are no restrictions on using state tourism dollars to market marijuana businesses."
- "12 school districts to share Puerto Rico aid funds," by Kathleen McKiernan, Boston Herald: "Twelve Bay State school districts are splitting $60,000 in state aid to handle the influx of students from storm-ravaged Puerto Rico. Gov. Charlie Baker announced yesterday that the funding, typically earmarked for homeless kids, will be used to help school districts provide extra tutoring, after-school activities and mental health support for students."
- "So far, no transportation commission," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "In September, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito announced that Governor Charlie Baker would sign an executive order 'in the coming weeks' creating a new commission to review transportation needs and how the state could fund them. More than three months later the administration still has not established its transportation review commission."
TRUMPACHUSETTS -
INBOX - Yes on 4 Coalition requests "clear, unambiguous answers from Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling regarding marijuana prosecutions," from the group behind the successful marijuana legalization ballot question in 2016: From Marijuana Policy Project spokesman Jim Borghesani: 'Massachusetts voters deserve clear, unambiguous answers from U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling to the following questions: Will your office prosecute businesses granted a license by the Cannabis Control Commission in the areas of cultivation, testing, manufacturing or sales and lawfully operating within all parameters of that license? And will your office pursue charges against licensed cannabis businesses lawfully utilizing banking services or the banks lawfully providing those services?"
- "Rekindled tax crimps medical device businesses," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "Most of corporate America is in line for a hefty tax cut, thanks to the federal tax overhaul recently signed by President Donald Trump, but one sector is getting hit with an increase that some say will put a damper on a thriving industry. The medical device tax - a 2.3 percent excise created by Obamacare - is paid by manufacturers of equipment such as imaging systems, pacemakers, MRI machines and artificial limbs and organs. Exempted are common devices used by individuals, such as eyeglasses and hearing aids."
MEANWHILE, IN NEW HAMPSHIRE - "In New Hampshire, Trump's now-defunct voter fraud commission made its mark," by Steve Koczela, CNN: "The presidential commission on voter fraud came to an abrupt end when President Trump dissolved it this week. Its legacy is more than a little ironic. The commission was originally tasked with building confidence in the electoral process, according the executive order that created it. But despite finding no proof of fraud, it undercut the very trust it was supposed to build. The months of spreading evidence-free conspiracy theories about massive voter fraud are still taking their toll and will for a long time as questions about election integrity add fuel to calls for more restrictive voting laws."
ON THE STUMP -
- In the race to replace retiring Brookline state Rep. Frank Smizik, a new name has entered the frayRebecca Stone, a town meeting and school committee member. Meanwhile, Alliance for Business Leadership's Jesse Mermell has decided to stay out of the race, per an email to supporters on Friday.
- "Three Democrats hoping to oust Gov. Charlie Baker woo Franklin County progressives at Greenfield forum," by Mary C. Serreze, Masslive.com: "A trio of Democrats hoping to unseat a popular Republican governor met on a middle school stage Saturday afternoon as outdoor thermometers registered single-digit readings. Setti Warren, Jay Gonzales, and Bob Massie each hope to go head-to-head with Gov. Charlie Baker in the 2018 Massachusetts election, set for Nov. 8. The candidates took swipes at Baker and voiced support for racial and economic justice, progressive taxation, clean energy, public education, reliable transportation, affordable housing, and health care for all."
THE WARREN REPORT -
- "Elizabeth Warren, bipartisan deal-maker?" by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: "But inside the halls of the Capitol, a curious political phenomenon has unfolded over the past several months. Conservative Republicans are touting their ability to work across the aisle with Warren, one of the right's most hated liberals and the one whom President Trump derisively calls 'Pocahontas.'"
- "Senate hopeful Diehl blasts Warren," by Aaron Curtis, Sentinel and Enterprise: "State Rep. Geoff Diehl has made it clear he's not afraid to take on U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who he said is too busy with "grandstanding" in Washington to help people of the commonwealth. Diehl, a Republican from Whitman, tore into his Democratic opponent to the roughly 15 attendees of the Groton Republican Town Committee meeting Wednesday night at the Groton Senior Center."

WOOD WAR - Herald: "A TAX QUIZ FOR LIZ," "'NEW DAY IS ON HORIZON,'" Globe: "Bannon strives to make amends," "Weather brutally cold? Here's a hot tip," "THE ICY AFTERMATH," "A GOP divide: Senators work with Warren, party blasts her," "The Tonyaissance is upon us," "Car damaged, he went into overdrive."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "Puerto Rico Professionals in Limbo: Massachusetts Laws Create Roadblocks to Employment," by Sarah Betancourt, Valley Advocate: "Many professions, including nursing, require licensure by a state regulatory board. When licensed professionals move from state to state, there are usually clear instructions to how they can acquire the correct certifications in Massachusetts. But with territories like Puerto Rico, this is more vague. Laws of reciprocity, as they are often called, can require education preparation programs, and significant amounts of time and money spent on waiting for approval."
MARK YOUR CALENDAR - "Obama to speak at MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference," by Associated Press: "Former President Barack Obama will speak at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference on Feb. 23 to discuss his time in office and the next chapter in his life. The conference announced Friday night on Twitter that Obama, an avid sports fan, would make an appearance."
- "Massachusetts aviation battalion to deploy to Kosovo to join NATO peacekeeping mission," by Mary Ann Bragg, Cape Cod Times: "Helicopter pilots, repairmen and other aviation workers will head to Kosovo to help keep the peace after Saturday's send-off ceremony at Camp Edwards. 'It's going to be a great experience for him,' Sandwich resident Michael Nurse said of his son Michael Jr., 20, a helicopter electrician with the Army National Guard battalion headquartered at Camp Edwards. 'He gets to see a different culture. He gets to see a different lifestyle, and you learn to appreciate and have a little more compassion for other people in the world.'"
- "From energy to health care to social justice, 4 Freedoms Coalition still pushing a year later," by Dick Lindsay, Berkshire Eagle: "The banner hanging in the sanctuary of First Church of Christ Congregational on Park Square read '4 Freedoms 4 Everyone.' The message in support of freedom from want, freedom from fear, freedom of worship and freedom of speech was espoused by President Franklin D. Roosevelt 76 years ago - freedoms jeopardized by the ongoing political upheaval in our nation and nation's capitol, according to First Church pastor, Rev. James Lumsden."
- "Pot shop buzzing: Production rolls along at marijuana grower in Fitchburg," by Matthew Tota, Worcester Telegram: "A busy workday at Garden Remedies Inc. has a lot in common with one at a factory - or maybe a greenhouse, kitchen or laboratory - excluding, of course, the cannabis. You could also throw in a hospital, as employees don medical scrubs, hairnets and masks as they whizz around bright, humid rooms packed with marijuana plants."
- "Swatting hoaxes pose risks and challenges," by Gerry Tuoti, Patriot Ledger: "One Sunday evening two years ago, a heavily armed team of police officers drew their guns and cautiously approached the Melrose home of U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark. Unaware of their presence, the Democratic congresswoman was enjoying a quiet evening watching TV while her two youngest children were asleep upstairs. ... After speaking with an officer on scene, Clark soon realized she was the victim of 'swatting,' a hoax in which someone calls police to falsely report an emergency in the hopes of drawing a SWAT team to the home of the prank's intended target."
- "Robert Q. Crane, state's longest-serving treasurer, dies at 91," by Bryan Marquard, Boston Globe: "Robert Q. Crane, who built a legendary career in Massachusetts politics with one foot unapologetically planted in the state's colorfully roguish past and the other leading the way to a more modern government, died of pneumonia early Friday, his family said. He was 91 and had been both the longest-serving state treasurer and the first chairman of the state lottery, considered the most successful in the nation."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to PRI producer Catherine Whelan, Boston Herald Radio executive producer Tom Shattuck, and Alexis Picheny.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? No! - The Bruins fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-5.
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
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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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