POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BAKER’S labor nod — GAMING COMMISSION finds no issue over WYNN cash — ARROYO complaint dropped
BAKER’S labor nod — GAMING COMMISSION finds no issue over WYNN cash — ARROYO complaint dropped
02/23/2018 07:16 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)
TGIF, MASSACHUSETTS.
BAKER'S LABOR BUMP - In a major coup for Gov. Charlie Baker, Massachusetts' largest Teamsters union in New England Teamsters Local 25 issued a surprise endorsement for the governor yesterday over all three of his Democratic challengers.
It's not clear yet what's in it for the Local 25 to back Baker. But it's significant to see organized labor (who backed the Democrat over Baker in 2010 and 2014) endorse the Republican governor, and it's a boon for Baker, who has warred with the transit unions over privatization in the MBTA since he came into office. The carmen's union and machinists unions, two of Baker's frequent opponents and protesters, were tight-lipped yesterday in response to the surprise nod.
One reason for the Teamsters' endorsement: Baker's job creation efforts. As Local 25 President Sean O'Brien put it, "In today's economy where corporations are relocating and downsizing to save money, it is more important than ever to elect a candidate who will leverage our state's competitive advantage to protect jobs and attract new businesses." That's a striking argument considering unions like the Boston Carmen's Union have said Baker is endangering their jobs.
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 is in Washington, D.C. until Monday for the National Governors Association winter meeting. Today's dance card includes a meeting at the Pentagon, a lunch with spouses with VP Mike Pence, and a reception at the Australian embassy - State Rep. and Republican US Senate contender Geoff Diehl holds a press conference outside of the BCEC at 1 p.m. It's not clear what the subject of the presser is, but yesterday Diehl announced his support for building a border wall with Mexico - Former President Barack Obama speaks about the 2018 Sloan Sports Analytics Conference at the BCEC at 2 p.m.
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
REST IN PEACE - "Long-time Northampton state representative Peter Kocot dies at 61," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com:"Peter Kocot, a long-time state representative from Northampton known for his integrity and quiet strength, died on Thursday. Kocot was a large man, but a quiet one. Some colleagues referred to him as a 'gentle giant.'"
- "Gov. Charlie Baker rejects Trump's proposal to arm school teachers," by Kathleen McKiernan and Matt Stout, Boston Herald: "Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is joining a chorus of voices rejecting President Trump's proposal to arm teachers in the wake of last week's deadly Florida school massacre. 'With respect to teachers, I don't think more guns is the answer, in classrooms, to this problem,' said Baker, becoming one of the most prominent Republican officials to publicly dismiss the president's suggestion [Thursday]."
- "Marijuana Commission Chair: 'We Won't Launch Unless We Feel Like We Can'," by Antonio Caban, WGBH News: "Steven Hoffman, the chairman of the Cannabis Control Commission, said Wednesday the regulatory body is 'agonizing' over striking a regulatory balance between public safety, health, and access to the state's eventual marijuana market. Addressing concerns raised by state officials about the scope of businesses that will be allowed to sell marijuana, Hoffman told Jim Braude on 'Greater Boston' that all opinions are being considered as they prepare to review draft regulations issued in December. "
- "Retail pot sales could be delayed," by Christian M. Wade, Salem News: "Members of the state's Cannabis Control Commission are warning that they could delay the anticipated July 1 start of retail marijuana sales if regulators lack the technology or staff to oversee the multimillion-dollar weed industry, but pot advocates say there's no reason for a delay. Pot advocates say there's no need to delay the rollout of recreational sales, and they suggest the Baker administration is trying derail the process."
- "Galvin charges Electoral College lawsuit is 'designed to benefit people like Donald Trump'," by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin is calling a lawsuit challenging the state's method for awarding presidential electoral votes as a bad faith 'scheme . . . designed to benefit people like Donald Trump if not Donald Trump himself.' The suit was filed by former Massachusetts Governor William F. Weld, who ran in the vice-presidential slot on the Libertarian Party presidential ticket in 2016, and two other plaintiffs."
- "After health-insurance controversy, most public workers to avoid large premium increases," by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts public employees and retirees received an unusual bit of good news from state officials Thursday: their health insurance premiums are not rising significantly - and costs for many will actually decrease. The rates approved by the Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission apply to hundreds of thousands of state and local employees, retirees, and their families, including teachers, transportation workers, social workers, and those in all branches of state government."
TRUMPACHUSETTS -
- "Massachusetts immigrants sue President Trump to block end to Temporary Protected Status program for El Salvador and Haiti," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com: "A group of black and Latino immigrants from Massachusetts are suing President Donald Trump to stop him from ending the Temporary Protected Status program for immigrants from El Salvador and Haiti. Massachusetts has more than 6,000 Salvadorans with TPS status and 4,700 Haitians."
THE WARREN REPORT -
- "Sen. Elizabeth Warren to hold meeting in Holden on Sunday," by Telegram & Gazette Staff, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "The event is free and open to the public. Registration is handled through the senator's website."
ON THE STUMP - MUST READ!
- "Massachusetts Gaming Commission finds no illegality, no ties to Gov. Charlie Baker in Wynn donation to Republican Governors Association," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com: "Wynn Resorts did not break any state laws when it contributed to the Republican Governors Association in 2014, which then donated money to a PAC supporting Gov. Charlie Baker. Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman Gus Bickford disputed the Gaming Commission's conclusion and called for an independent investigation."
- "Special elections ready-made for insiders," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "The race [for the seat vacated in late January by Linda Forry] is sure to generate some excitement for political junkies, but it could also be seen as grounds for some unease and misgivings about our electoral system. Special elections are called when a vacancy occurs outside the standard schedule of elected terms, usually because an official resigns but occasionally because of an officeholder's death. Special elections, which take place outside the regular election schedule, are open to all. But in practice, they represent a thumb on the scale favoring insiders."
- DIEHL BACKS THE WALL: In a release from his campaign: "Representative Geoff Diehl, candidate for U.S. Senate, announced his support for building the wall along the southern border. 'As a legislator, I know how much illegal immigration costs our state each and every year. Even scarier than the burdens for taxpayers is the threat to our public safety and national security. Unlike Senator Warren who has called the wall 'stupid,' I believe it is vital to the future of our nation to secure our borders with a wall," Diehl said in a statement."
- WOOD WAR - Herald: "HUB TEACHERS TO TRUMP: 'DON'T ARM US.'" - Globe: "Teachers renounce Trump's call to arms," "Defiant NRA chief attacks Democrats," "Rights group sues US to keep protections for immigrants," "GOLDEN GOAL AND GOALIE FOR USA," "Trooper hired after admitting in court she'd dealt drugs faces probe," "Genealogy or family lore? A search for Cherokee roots."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "City worker withdraws sexual harassment complaint against Felix G. Arroyo," by Meghan E. Irons, Boston Globe: "A woman who accused Felix G. Arroyo of repeated sexual harassment while he headed the city's health and human services department has withdrawn her complaint with the state. The woman's allegations put a spotlight on Arroyo, a promising politician who served on the City Council, was a candidate in the 2013 contest for mayor, and is a member of a prominent Puerto Rican family in the city."
- "MIT to applicants: Being disciplined for protesting guns won't affect admission," by Steve Annear, Boston Globe:"Admissions officials at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said Thursday that if college applicants are disciplined for leaving class and joining in on the growing number of national high school protests against gun violence, it won't negatively affect their chances of getting into the renowned Cambridge school."
- "Governor Baker, please take the liquor ads off the T," by Kitty Dukakis, Boston Globe: "Several weeks ago and much to our astonishment, the T decided to put liquor ads back on its property. This comes at a time when the Baker administration says it cares about addiction and has mounted a major effort to do something about the opioid epidemic that is sweeping Massachusetts and the country and is getting worse, not better."
- "Suffolk DA Dan Conley Reflects On His 16 Years Of Service," by Phillip Martin, WGBH News: "Throughout his 16 years in office, Conley has overseen high-profile cases such as the double murder trial of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez and the death of 2-year-old Bella Bond. Conley spoke with WGBH News' Phillip Martin about his tenure, the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement, and his decision not to run for reelection in November."
TRICK NO TREAT FOR TAXPAYERS - "Authorities: MBTA driver paid for fake Halloween attack to get workers' comp," by Matt Stout, Boston Herald: "An MBTA trolley driver paid a friend $2,000 to don a Halloween mask and "attack" him while he was on the job, allowing him to fraudulently collect workers' compensation and disability insurance, according to authorities. Lucey, who was indicted yesterday, is still collecting the workers' comp and disability pay."
MEDIA MATTERS - "GateHouse Media buys Worcester Magazine, Holden Landmark, other papers," by Telegram & Gazette Staff, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: " GateHouse Media LLC, owner of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, is acquiring the Holden Landmark Corp. for an undisclosed price. The Landmark includes nine websites and six print newspapers: Worcester Magazine, The Landmark in Holden, the Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, the Leominster Champion, Bay State Parent and The Grafton News, which was purchased three years ago."
WEEKEND LISTENING - "Ep. 219 - Mayor Marty Walsh," CNN's the "Axes Files with David Axelrod": "Boston mayor Marty Walsh joins the show to talk about his past struggles with addiction, labor unions in the 21st century, his commitment to DACA recipients, gun control, and more."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Rep. Lenny Mirra of West Newbury, Rep. Michael Moran of Boston, and Boston Herald scribe Bob McGovern
HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND - to former Gov. Jane Swift, who celebrates on Saturday, and Sunday birthday-er Jack Dew, a Berkshire Eagle alum.
THE HOME TEAMS DID NOT PLAY YESTERDAY
FRESH OUT OF THE GATE - THE LATEST HORSE RACE PODCAST EPISODE: CommonWealth Magazine's Michael Jonas descends on the bunker to explain the recent surprise in the Suffolk County District Attorney race, while political observer Josh Gee calls in from New York to dish on frugging (fundraising under the guise of research). Then, Steve and Lauren break down a potentially confusing ballot question regarding the repeal of the transgender accommodations law. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud
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