POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: The STATE of the COMMONWEALTH — CHANDLER not concerned about ROSENBERG investigation — ENDORSEMENTS in MA-3
01/23/2018 07:09 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) and Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Heavy rain and patchy, dense fog in Boston today with a high of 60 (!)
THE STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE PRETTY BIPARTISAN -Look for themes of bipartisanship in Gov. Charlie Baker's election-year State of the Commonwealth speech he's set to deliver tonight. Baker plans to outline successes related to the state's budget, the opioid epidemic, and clean energy - all cross-party issues sure to further Baker's credentials as a non-partisan dealmaker, and sure to remind Massachusetts voters just why Baker's approval rating is so high.
He'll also apply pressure on the legislature to act on recently rolled-out bills from his administration on housing choice that would create 135,000 new units by 2025, as well as opioid legislation that builds on the wide-ranging law crafted to battle the epidemic in 2016.
Baker last year took a veiled shot at Trump in his speech without using the new president's name, noting: "It's one thing to stand in a corner and shout insults at your opponents. It's quite another to climb into the arena and fight for common ground. I believe it's this conversation that makes us strong."
In crafting this year's speech, the Baker team had planned to address the federal shutdown, Baker told reporters yesterday, but since it had been averted, Baker said that he plans to "stick to stuff that mostly involves the commonwealth."
But even Baker acknowledges that avoiding the national climate is impossible: "Obviously what happens at the federal level matters here in Massachusetts and it's important as I said last year in my state of the state for us to be united in our efforts to make sure we protect what happens here." Look for Baker to tout the state's efforts to protect the health care law - and the bipartisan process used to craft it over a decade ago.
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 delivers his State of the Commonwealth Speech at 7 p.m., with the ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. Attendees will include Boston Mayor Marty Walsh - Rep. Joe Kennedy III makes a swing through the South Coast with visits to the Manet Community Health Center and a Council on Aging roundtable in Taunton - The Cannabis Control Commission meets.
** 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 **
- "Chandler Isn't Concerned About Witness Confidentiality Problem In Rosenberg Case, But Gov. Baker Is," by Mike Deehan, WGBH News: "'I don't have any problem with the integrity of the investigation. I think the Ethics Committee is doing exactly what they're supposed to do, which is to turn this over to the investigation group, and that's exactly what's going on,' Chandler told reporters after meeting with Gov. Charlie Baker and House Speaker Robert DeLeo. Former Senate President Stan Rosenberg is under investigation by his own colleagues after his husband Bryon Hefner was accused of offering Rosenberg's political clout for sex."
- "Tax Lien Law Haunts Massachusetts Property Owners," Chris Burrell, New England Center for Investigative Reporting: "As dozens of cities and towns in Massachusetts turn to for-profit companies to go after delinquent taxpayers and recover lost revenue, the consequences for some property owners and even renters can be unforgiving, leading to financial losses and possibly foreclosures and evictions. Some cities are also working on their own to help struggling taxpayers meet their obligations and avoid the financial devastation that can come with a tax lien."
- "Governor Baker to unveil budget plan," by the Associated Press: "While Massachusetts' economy is strong and unemployment low, the state's financial picture remains unsettled. Changes in federal health care policies and the fate of two prospective ballot questions are among factors that could have profound budgetary impacts for the state. Election year politics could also open Baker's budget proposal to greater scrutiny as he launches his bid for a second term."
- "Trio tried to sell audit software back to DCF," by Matt Stout, Boston Herald: "Three data analytic workers in the state auditor's office who helped develop software used in its audit of the Department of Children and Families later tried to sell a "re-engineered" version of the design back to DCF through a private company they created, raising questions of a potential conflict. The revelations, detailed in documents obtained by the Herald, come weeks after Auditor Suzanne M. Bump fired three workers - one employee and two contractors - over what she called an undisclosed potential conflict of interest. "
TRUMPACHUSETTS -
- "Both Mass. senators voted 'no' on deal to reopen the government," by Christina Prignano, Boston Globe: "The pair were among 18 "no" votes on a procedural vote to advance a short term funding bill that was passed in the Senate with support from Democrats." "In a tweet, [Sen. Elizabeth] Warren slammed Republicans for what she said was inaction on a fix for "Dreamers," funding for community health centers, and hurricane relief."
WARREN REPORT -
ALSO WARREN - "Here Are The Senators Who Will Not Accept Salary During Shutdown," by Thomas Phippen, The Daily Caller: "The Daily Caller News Foundation asked each member of the Senate whether they will forgo their salary for however long the shutdown lasts. Here are all the Senators who have promised to go without pay so far. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Democrat from Massachusetts: She will donate her salary to charity, according to her office."
- "Warren's PAC Spreading Cash Around in Swing Senate States," by Eric Garcia, Roll Call "The PAC gave $5,000 to state Democratic parties in Nevada, where Rep. Jacky Rosen is running to challenge incumbent Republican Dean Heller, and Arizona, where Democrats are hoping to pick up the seat of retiring Republican Sen. Jeff Flake. The PAC also gave $5,000 to the state parties and committees where Democrats are defending their seats."
- "Senator Warren Endorses Harvard Grad Student Union," by Shera S. Avi-Yonah, The Harvard Crimson: "'For generations, graduate students have done hard work that keeps universities running. It's past time for them to be treated with respect and past time for them to have their own elected representation in the decisions that affect their lives,' Warren wrote in an emailed statement to The Crimson Friday.The Massachusetts senator's endorsement comes as Harvard prepares to hold a second unionization election."
- "Why does Trump get a pass, but not Elizabeth Warren?," by Joan Vennochi, Boston Globe: "Indignation on the right now has company on the left. Warren's integrity is said to be on the line. Even political soul mates believe she must address this very serious topic - though it would be interesting to know how many of the offended have Iowa steak fries on their calendars and how many were also appalled by the behavior of Al Franken, another potential presidential candidate iced by fellow Democrats."
THE TSONGAS ARENA -
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK - Local 1421 endorses Dan Koh for Congress, from the Koh campaign: "Citing his focus on 'affordable healthcare and good-paying jobs,' the Building Wreckers Local 1421 today endorsed Dan Koh in the 3rd District Congressional race. Local 1421, a member of the Laborers' International Union of North America, has over 1,000 members."
- "Massachusetts Nurses Association Endorses Barbara L'Italien in Third Congressional District Race," from MNA: "The Massachusetts Nurses Association, the largest union and professional association of registered nurses and health professionals in the state, has endorsed Democrat Barbara L'Italien in her campaign for Congress, making it the first major union to endorse any candidate in the race to succeed Niki Tsongas."
MARK YOUR CALENDAR - "Greater Haverhill Indivisible Hosting Candidate Forum Saturday," by Allison Corneau, 97.9 WHAV: "Local political activism group Greater Haverhill Indivisible invites the community to a candidate forum Saturday, Jan. 27 featuring four candidates running to succeed retiring Congresswoman Niki Tsongas. Haverhill hopeful Alexandra Chandler will join Andover's Sen. Barbara L'Italien and Dan Koh, along with State Rep. Juana Matias for the conversation at the UU Church of Haverhill, 16 Ashland St., from 1 to 3 p.m."
- "Westford Selectman Tom Clay Endorses Dan Koh For Congress," from the Koh campaign: "Touting Dan Koh's 'track record for getting things done,' Westford Selectman Tom Clay today endorsed Koh in the 3rd District Congressional race. Clay has served as Selectman since 2017, having previously served on the Westford School Committee. He also is the CEO of the technology company Xtalic in Marlborough."
ON THE STUMP -
- "Gov. Charlie Baker has overwhelming fundraising advantage entering 2018 race," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com: "According to campaign finance data, Baker, a Republican, had $7.25 million in his campaign account at the end of 2017. Since he took office in 2015, Baker has raised a total of $9.5 million. In other words, the amount Baker raises in any given two-week period is generally more than his opponents have in their entire bank accounts."
- "Chabot: Baker, lend some spotlight to Karyn Polito," by Hillary Chabot, Boston Herald: "Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, a Shrewsbury Republican who has worked tirelessly with cities and towns, has remained in the background of Baker's nascent re-election campaign despite a historic groundswell of support for women in politics. 'She's probably the best weapon he has for re-election,' said Springfield-based Democratic strategist Anthony Cignoli, who has seen Polito often in western Massachusetts."
- "Campaign to Protect Transgender Nondiscrimination Law Raises more than $350K in 2017," from the campaign: "Freedom for All Massachusetts (FFAM) - the bipartisan campaign fighting to protect the state's transgender public accommodations protections law from repeal at the ballot in November - today announced it raised more than $350,000 in contributions in 2017. ... Additionally, the campaign benefitted from nearly $83,000 in in-kind services donated by partner organizations. ... In total, more than 800 individual contributions were made to the campaign effort in 2017, with nearly 88% of contributions coming from in-state."
WOOD WAR - Herald: "TROUBLE IN RIVER CITIES," "HATE ON, HATERS!" - Globe: "Shutdown ends with stopgap budget," "Power vs. a people," "Public workers decry dropping of health plans," "A dicey new world of dating," "For cases such a Gronkowski's, treatment is tricky, waiting essential."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "Walsh exploring litigation against pharmaceutical companies for opioid crisis," Martha Schick, Boston Globe: "In a statement, Walsh said he will seek information from 'law firms, researchers and other interested parties' on potential opioid litigation. Over the past few months, city officials have been meeting with various law firms and 'collecting relevant information in preparation for potential litigation,' the statement said. In September, state Attorney General Maura Healey announced she and attorneys general from 38 other states were seeking information from five opioid manufacturers and three distributors to determine whether they misrepresented dangers of prescription painkillers."
- "The Psychology of Boston's Snow Parking Wars," by Steve Holt, City Lab: "As residents of several U.S. cities know, times have changed: Having shoveled their vehicles out, many residents are loath to let anyone else park in the excavated space. So out come the lawn chairs, traffic cones, and other assorted markers. There may also be another kind of territorialism at work in Boston's space-saving conflicts. Many of the harshest critics of the practice are fairly recent, younger transplants to Boston-newcomers who didn't grow up learning the unspoken rules of space-saving."
- "You Can Now See The Posters From Boston's Women's March Online," by Jeremy Rellosa, WBUR: "With the help of Northeastern University, a team of scholars, students and volunteers created an online archive of more than 6,000 posters and pieces of artwork from the Jan. 21, 2017 protest."
THE PRICE OF BEAUTY - "Natick Police search for Botox thief," by Norman Miller, MetroWest Daily News: "Sometimes beauty comes with a price, but police say one woman did not want to pay that price. Now, they are looking for the unidentified woman who stole a $500 bottle of Botox and a $625 specialty syringe from a West Central Street salon, police spokeswoman Lt. Cara Rossi said on Monday."
CHALLENGING - "Wentworth tells its students not to eat those laundry pods," by Abigail Feldman and Alana Levene, Boston Globe: "In an email sent Monday, Wentworth Institute of Technology warned students not to participate in the 'Tide pod challenge,' a recent social media fad where people ingest the brightly colored packets. Consumption of single-load detergent packets such as Tide pods can result in seizures, pulmonary edema, respiratory arrest, coma, and even death, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to chief of staff to Gov Charlie Baker Kristen Lepore and Harvard Institute of Politics' Amy Howell.
THE HOME TEAMS DID NOT PLAY YESTERDAY.
ICYMI - THE LATEST HORSE RACE PODCAST EPISODE: This week it's all about the money, and the numbers are eye-popping -- Warren's making bank, candidates in the MA-3 are raking it in and Marty Walsh is growing his war chest fresh off reelection.
We also check in on Brendan Crighton's walk into the state Senate and preview the governor's upcoming State of the Commonwealth speech. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud
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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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