POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook Return to normal on BEACON HILL — The POT conundrum — NARAL backs KERRIGAN
01/09/2018 07:04 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Temperatures above freezing with a high of 40 in Boston, though gusty winds are expected.
NEW YEAR, NEW BIG THREE - After an unsettled December, a Monday gathering marked the return to Beacon Hill's regularly scheduled programming: The weekly leadership meeting, bringing together the Big Three to discuss their priorities.
It was the first leadership meeting of 2018 for the Governor, the Senate President, and the House Speaker - and it was the first ever for Harriette Chandler. Chandler has been acting Senate President for just over a month since scandal rocked the Senate and pushed out Senate President Stan Rosenberg while a Senate Ethics Investigation looks into any improprieties committed by Rosenberg. Rosenberg's husband Bryon Hefner is also subject of a criminal investigation for unwanted sexual contact toward individuals with business on Beacon Hill, as first detailed in the Boston Globe, and the FBI is reportedly looking into the matter as well.
During the post-meeting scrum with reporters, Chandler offered a hopeful note when asked about jockeying between senators vying for the presidency once the investigation into Rosenberg is over, which she has asked be toned down. "We're pleased that we're moving forward as a Senate. You know, it's not easy to start with a little black cloud over your head and we're trying to do the best we very possibly can do."
Now that a return to Beacon Hill's regularly scheduled programming is underway, there is much to be done before the legislative session ends this summer. Chandler and House Speaker Robert DeLeo say their priorities include legislation related to criminal justice reform, housing, and health care as 2018 kicks off, State House News reports. Meanwhile, the governor's budget for the new fiscal year will soon be released later this month, as well as Baker's State of the Commonwealth speech scheduled for Jan. 23.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.
TODAY - Governor Charlie Baker will participate in the ribbon cutting for the MGH Kraft Center for Community Health's Mobile Health Program - Sen. Ed Markey holds a press conference in Washington on reaching a "30-vote milestone" in the Senate to reinstate net neutrality rules, a resolution authored by Markey - The Cannabis Control Commission meets with agenda items including guidance for municipalities on its docket.
** 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 -
- "Report finds widespread bullying in public housing," by Christian M. Wade, Salem News: "Bullying and intimidation of elderly and disabled residents by landlords or their neighbors is widespread in public housing in Massachusetts, according to a new report that is driving calls for more oversight and protections. The report is the work of a 19-member commission, billed as the first of its kind in the nation, which studied the prevalence of bullying in state-subsidized and multifamily housing."
- "MBTA Comes Under Fire From Democrat After Cold Weather Failures," by Mike Deehan, WGBH: "The MBTA's Control Board met for the first time since the frigid weather of the last few weeks began battering the transit system and causing numerous delays for riders. The board meeting's open comment period made the perfect venue for gubernatorial candidate Jay Gonzalez, a Democrat trying to unseat Baker, to express disappointment with the T's winter performance."
TRUMPACHUSETTS -
- "US attorney throws future of legal pot in Mass. into doubt," by Dan Adams and Joshua Miller, Boston Globe: "The state's top federal prosecutor on Monday refused to rule out a crackdown on the voter-authorized marijuana industry, prompting howls from advocates and politicians and moving Massachusetts to the forefront of the battle between the Trump administration and the dozens of states where cannabis is legal. 'I cannot . . . provide assurances that certain categories of participants in the state-level marijuana trade will be immune from federal prosecution,' said US Attorney for Massachusetts Andrew E. Lelling."
- "6,000 Salvadorans In Mass. Will Lose Protected Status," by Shannon Dooling, WBUR: "The Department of Homeland Security announced Monday that it will not renew Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Salvadorans. The temporary immigration status has allowed Salvadorans to stay and work without fear of deportation in the United States in the wake of devastating earthquakes that hit the Central American country in 2001."
ON THE STUMP -
- "Romney had prostate cancer surgery in summer," by Matt Viser, Boston Globe: "Mitt Romney was diagnosed with prostate cancer last summer and underwent successful surgical treatment, according to sources close to the former Massachusetts governor who said the issue is not expected to have any bearing on his decision whether to run for US Senate in Utah."
- "Marlborough resident to run for Congress," by James Haddadin, MetroWest Daily News: "Dismayed by national politics, a 32-year-old Democrat from Marlborough has joined the crowded field of candidates competing for an open seat in Congress. Keith St.John, a small business owner with a background in economics, declared his candidacy last month for the 3rd District seat that is currently held by longtime U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas."
TSONGAS ARENA -
- FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: NARAL ENDORSES STEVE KERRIGAN - From the Kerrigan campaign: "The nation's leading pro-choice advocacy group endorsed Lancaster-native Steve Kerrigan ... in his bid to represent Massachusetts' 3rd congressional district. NARAL Pro-Choice America endorsed Kerrigan because of his long history of advocating for women's rights and his commitment to being a champion for reproductive freedom in Congress."
- INBOX: Jennifer Kannan Endorses Dan Koh in the 3rd Congressional District Race - from the Koh campaign: "Citing his 'vision and experience,' Jennifer Kannan, Chairwoman of the Methuen City Council, today endorsed Dan Koh for Congress. Kannan has served as an at-large City Councilor for Methuen from 2008-2013 and from 2016 to the present. She is serving as chairwoman of the City Council for 2018, having previously served as chairwoman in 2012 and vice-chairwoman in 2009."
THE WARREN REPORT -
- "Major Donor Reconsiders Support for Democrats Who Urged Al Franken to Quit," by Jacey Fortin, The New York Times: "A prominent donor to the Democratic Party says she is considering withdrawing support for senators who urged their colleague Al Franken to resign after he was accused of sexual misconduct. The donor, Susie Tompkins Buell, has been one of the Democratic Party's most generous supporters for decades. In particular, she has been a champion of female politicians, including Senators Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Maria Cantwell of Washington."
WOOD WAR - Herald: "RACE AGAINST THE FLAMES" - Globe: "Warmer temperatures put spring in our steps," "Message rattles legal pot backers," "Liberal celebrities eye Trump path to power," "At tiny shop, a big mystery: Who won Powerball?" "'I'll never see my superstar again.'"
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "Boston's Rendezvous with Climate Destiny," by Gabrielle Gurley, The American Prospect: "When Hurricane Harvey hit Houston last August, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh expressed his fear that his own city would have been "wiped out" by a comparable deluge. Scores of people would be rendered homeless, waterfront areas would be ravaged, the damage would run into the multi-billions. Several years earlier, the city dodged a bullet during Hurricane Sandy: Boston was spared the flooding that paralyzed Manhattan only because the storm hit Boston hours after high tide. If Bostonians were apprehensive after Harvey, they are even more nervous after the first blizzard of 2018."
- "Supreme Court says no to hearing M.V. gambling case," by George Brennan, Martha's Vineyard Times: "The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a petition to hear a case involving a gambling hall for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), paving the way for the tribe to begin the process of opening an electronic bingo facility on tribal lands in Aquinnah. The case between the tribe and the commonwealth of Massachusetts, the town of Aquinnah, and the Aquinnah/Gay Head Community Association was 'distributed for conference' on Friday."
- "The terminal: South Station is a homeless shelter with no services," by Chris Faraone, Dig Boston: "'One guy I know just walked into a store, put some sneakers on his feet, and walked right out so he would get arrested.' It's 9pm on Saturday, and Charles, who is camped out in South Station for the brutal cold snap, is explaining the extremes some people he knows have resorted to so they can stay alive without relying on the city's designated shelters."
- "He started at Zeppy's Bakery in Randolph. Now he's about 250 miles above Earth," by Joshua Miller, Boston Globe: "Working nights at Zeppy's Bakery in Randolph, Scott Tingle had saved up enough for his first year of college at Southeastern Massachusetts University, now UMass Dartmouth. But about halfway through his freshman year, he realized he'd need more cash to keep going. So he enlisted in the Navy as a reservist - a pivot point in the 52-year-old's life trajectory. Now, the Attleboro-born, Randolph-raised, Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical High School graduate-turned-naval aviator and test pilot, is an astronaut."
- "Iranians in Central Mass. keep close eye on protests," by Mark Sullivan, Worcester Telegram: "The image has become symbolic of the protests shaking Iran - a young woman, head uncovered, waves her white headscarf from a pole like a flag of defiance. Iranians who have settled in Massachusetts say the picture widely shared on social media of the hijab-less woman offers hope for change in the homeland they left behind."
- "'Overwhelming' floods stress Provincetown," by K.C. Myers, Cape Cod Times: "One of the oldest churches in town took a two-way hit from floodwater that ran like a river down Commercial and Bradford streets during Thursday's nor'easter. Fish were seen swimming in the crawl space below the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House a few hours after Thursday's high tide, said the Rev. Kate Wilkinson of the Meeting House."
- "Stockbridge considering temporary ban on marijuana facilities," by Clarence Fanto, Berkshire Eagle: "Should the town impose a temporary ban on marijuana-related businesses, with the exception of registered medical marijuana dispensaries? That's the lead-off question facing registered voters at a special town meeting at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22, in the Town Offices gymnasium."
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY - to Democratic gubernatorial contender Jay Gonzalez.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to US Rep. Mike Capuano, North Reading House Republican leader Rep. Brad Jones, press secretary for Rep. Joe Kennedy Dan Black, director of advisory and placemaking at GraffitoSP Gustavo Quiroga, SPARK Boston's chief millennial officer Amy Mahler, and Marjorie Nesin, director of communications at the Boston Public Health Commission.
THE HOME TEAMS DID NOT PLAY.
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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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