POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: HOUSE looks ahead – WYNN’s thin ice – JKIII’s rebuttal

02/01/2018 07:21 AM EDT

By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

LOOKING AHEAD IN THE HOUSE - As the state legislature gears up for an action-packed close of the legislative year, per tradition, look for the body to take up health care reform, financial support for the life sciences sector, and - in response to the current national political climate - a bill stressing the importance of civics education.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo outlined these goals in his agenda-setting address to members yesterday, and highlighted his path forward in the House until the session wraps up at the end of July.

The House's push to take up health care reform is an interesting contrast to Gov. Charlie Baker, embroiled in issues over proposed changes to state employee health plans with the Group Insurance Commission, but otherwise stayed away from altering the state's health insurance calculus in his budget this year. The House's health reform push is expected to include support for community hospitals and health centers, "shielding patients" from rising health care costs, giving businesses an "expanded toolbox," and increasing transparency around pharmaceutical spending.

And because no aspect of our lives has not been touched by the national political climate, DeLeo and his counterpart in the Senate, President Harriette Chandler, are taking the fight to the kids with a bill currently being crafted by the Education Chair and several members of the House. As DeLeo put it to House Democrats yesterday: "One cannot look at the roiling national political climate of the last 24 months and not realize that too many are unaware of our basic political tenets and traditions. In the void, pernicious beliefs and basic untruths can take hold."

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.

TODAY - The Senate meets in formal session - The Group Insurance Commission holds an 8:30 a.m. hearing to reconsider the decision to drop three insurance plans from the offerings for state employees and retirees - House Democratic Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi hosts a town hall about the impact of the tax law at Cambridge Library at 10:45 a.m. alongside Rep. Katherine Clark, Tax March Executive Director Nicole Gill and Center for American Progress Senior Fellow Seth Hanlon - Republican US Senate candidate Geoff Diehl plans to hold a press conference across after the Pelosi Cambridge event at noon.

DATELINE BEACON HILL -

- "State gambling regulator: We weren't told of Wynn settlement," by Associated Press: "Following sexual abuse allegations against casino magnate Steve Wynn, a Massachusetts Gaming Commission investigator said Wednesday information about a $7.5 million settlement was kept from state officials when they were reviewing the suitability of his company for a casino license in 2013. Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby called the allegations appalling' but said that any decision, including possibly revoking the license, would be based on facts gleaned during the commission's ongoing probe.

HOT AMONG DEMS - "Charlie Baker escapes a health care mess," by Shirley Leung, Boston Globe: "Bureaucrats botch the rollout of big changes to health care coverage that affect hundreds of thousands of state employees and could have resulted in layoffs at a local insurer. Yet the governor manages to escape much of the blame, as if the agency making the decision went rogue, as if he didn't appoint half of the board overseeing the agency, as if he doesn't know how health care works."

- "Bills filed to enable AG to target repeat harassers," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: "The Massachusetts attorney general would have enhanced powers to go after serial harassers under a bill recently filed by a state lawmaker with experience representing sexual harassment victims in legal proceedings. 'What I want to accomplish is that I want to give the AG the same authority to investigate and potentially prosecute people who are serial harassers that they have for people who get engaged in consumer protection issues or financial fraud issues,' Rep. Ken Gordon, an employment lawyer, told the News Service."

-."New solar power fee draws heat on Beacon Hill," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "The state Legislature gives, but it can also take away. Eversource executives confronted this hard truth during an unusual State House hearing on Tuesday when the co-chairs of the energy committee raised concerns about the utility's new charge for homeowners who use solar power."

- "Campaign renewed to make Boston Cream Pie cupcakes official cupcake of Massachusetts," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com: "State Rep. Angelo Puppolo, D-Springfield, is again pushing his campaign to name the Boston Cream Pie cupcake the official cupcake of Massachusetts. The Boston Cream Pie cupcakes sold by Koffee Kup Bakery in Springfield have gained public notice as Gov. Charlie Baker's favored product to bet with other governors on sports games."

TRUMPACHUSETTS -

- "Joe Kennedy: Read My Message, Not My Lips," by Edward-Isaac Dovere, POLITICO's Off Message Podcast: "'Disappointing' is how the up-and-coming Massachusetts Democrat described the mocking reaction in an interview publishing in full next week for POLITICO's Off Message podcast. 'They can point out too much Chapstick all they want-it doesn't mean that the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice isn't rolling back civil rights protections. It doesn't mean that an economic plan put forth by this administration is largely zero sum-that it is benefiting somebody at the expense of somebody else,' he said."

ON THE STUMP -

- "City bigs seen as backing Michael Capuano," by Matt Stout, Boston Herald: "A day after Pressley announced her campaign, Mayor Martin J. Walsh said he intends to lob an endorsement into the race. While the Dorchester Democrat declined to say who he intends to back, he heaped praise on Capuano - the Somerville Democrat who backed Walsh in his competitive mayoral campaign in 2013 - and didn't mention Pressley when asked about her challenge to the longtime incumbent."

- "Explaining The Mystery: Why Ayanna Pressley Is Running For Congress," by David S. Bernstein, WGBH News: "A lot of seasoned politicos have expressed some bafflement to me about Pressley's decision, which will alienate her from the local and national Democratic establishment-which up to now has generally adored her-in hopes of a long-shot upset. ... The decision to run makes a lot of sense from another perspective-the one that says she's spent enough time waiting her turn."

- "Jay Gonzalez Wants To Be Mass. Governor," by WGBH News: "Jay Gonzalez is one of the three hopefuls vying for the Democratic nomination for governor of Massachusetts.Gonzalez sat down recently with WGBH News Scrum podcast hosts Adam Reilly and Peter Kadzis. Shira Schonberg, who covers the State House for The Springfield Republican and masslive.com, joined the conversation. Single payer health care, the millionaires tax, and the proper role of state government were among the topics discussed."

- "Storming the Castle: Springfield progressive Amatul-Wadud challenges entrenched Congressman Neal," by Dave Eisenstadter, Valley Advocate: "In an interview in her office in Chicopee, Amatul-Wadud said she admired Neal as she was growing up in Springfield and said she bore no ill feelings against him personally, but that he had not delivered results for the vulnerable people, both in rural areas and the inner city, in his district."

- "Forry says she won't endorse a replacement," by Matt Stout, Boston Herald: "Former state Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry said yesterday she has no plans to endorse a replacement in the special election to fill her seat. Forry, who returned to the State House yesterday to continue packing her fourth-floor State House office, said she starts in March at Suffolk, where she'll serve as the company's northeast region vice president for diversity inclusion and community relations."

THE TSONGAS ARENA -

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK - "Lawrence Elected Officials, Education Leaders Endorse L'Italien for Congress," from L'Italien's campaign: "Six Local Office-Holders and Public Education Advocates Announce Support for Lawrence's State Senator in Her Congressional Bid. The elected officials supporting L'Italien represent several levels of municipal government and come from many different areas of the city. They include over half of the city's school committee members including its vice-chair."

- "MBTA Management Union Endorses Barbara L'Italien," from L'Italien's campaign earlier this week: "The Office & Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 453, the MBTA management union, has endorsed State Senator Barbara L'Italien (D-Andover) in her bid for the open 3rd Congressional District seat."

- "Battenfeld: Congress hopeful calls for limits on Feds," by Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald: "In a district where immigration is likely to be a pivotal issue, Democratic congressional hopeful Lori Trahan says she would back a new immigration bill that puts 'constraints' on federal authorities from imposing an 'overzealous' crackdown on illegal immigration. In an interview on the "Battenfeld" show on Boston Herald Radio yesterday, Trahan - one of a dozen Democratic candidates vying to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas - said she strongly disagreed with a stepped-up enforcement of immigration laws recently promised by the U.S. Attorney's office."

- "Lori Trahan Campaign Announces Endorsement of IAFF Local 853 Lowell Firefighters," from Trahan's campaign: "[Tuesday's] announcement represents the third labor endorsement for Trahan, with the Teamsters Local 25 in Boston offering their support in December, along with the Ironworkers Local 7 - Lori's father's union - earlier this month."

WOOD WAR - Herald: "THEY LIKE MIKE!" "NO QUIT IN HIM." - Globe: "Mass. warns Wynn its license isn't assured," "UMass Boston gets a budget boon," "For coach, Nantucket's the place to unwind," "Roxbury alternative school on probation," "Startup seeks OK for radiation sickness drug."

THE LOCAL ANGLE -

- "Police Commissioner Evans Laments 'Turf Battle' Between City And State Police In Seaport," by Molly Boigon, WGBH News: "Boston Police Commissioner Bill Evans joined Boston Public Radio to air his grievances about restrictions on city police in the Seaport today. 'The Seaport is out of control,' he said. 'That's the biggest joke going. [For the state police] to have exclusive jurisdiction in a major part of our city is just ludicrous.' Massport owns 400 acres in South Boston, including the Boston Fish Pier, the Seaport Boston Hotel and the Park Lane Seaport Apartment. Since the assets belong to the state, they're the responsibility of the state police."

- "Lynn and the state formed a dream team to help redevelop the city. Has it worked?" by Thomas Grillo, the Daily Item: " More than two years ago, Gov. Charlie Baker, three state cabinet secretaries, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, then-Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, and the state delegation stood on City Hall steps and announced a unique collaboration to jumpstart economic development. But as the Lynn Economic Advancement and Development (LEAD) team, the 12-member group formed to coordinate planning, attract private developers and fast-track permits, enters its third year, some say the high-powered group has little to show for its efforts."

- "Helipad proposal irks Roxbury neighbors," by Matt Stout and Meghan Ottolini, Boston Herald: "Suffolk Construction CEO and city power broker John Fish is looking to build a private helipad next to the company's Roxbury headquarters, a plan that is riling nearby residents who say they've been left in the dark."

- "Minority Women In Boston Earn Nearly Half On The Dollar What White Men Earn, Report Finds," by Zeninjor Enwemeka, WBUR: "The report, released Wednesday by the Boston Women's Workforce Council, found black women earn 52 cents on the dollar compared to white men, while Latina women earn only 49 cents on the dollar. Asian women earn 71 cents on the dollar compared to white men, and white women earn 75 cents on the dollar, according to the report. National estimates have previously shown the wage gap is worse for women of color."

- "UMass Boston finds big fix for budget woes," by Laura Krantz, Boston Globe: "As UMass Boston struggles to fix its overwhelming budget troubles, one especially complex challenge has loomed large: a massive, underground garage in urgent need of costly repair. On Wednesday, interim chancellor Barry Mills said he has found a way to fix the garage for $92 million - dramatically less than the previous estimates of $150 million to $260 million."

MEDIA MATTERS - "Former Gazette editor claims he was fired advocating for women, but many women say differently," by Dave Eisenstadter, Valley Advocate: "But accounts from former colleagues, Rifanburg, and women he named in his email as having stood up for, dispute that characterization, even as reports from national publications including Poynter, the Washington Post, and the Boston Globe published Good's version of the story that he was standing up for pay equity. ... Sarah Crosby, one of three women he named without permission in the staff-wide email, which quickly found its way to several national news outlets, claimed that Good was not the equal-pay advocate he claimed to be."

THERE IS ALWAYS A MASSACHUSETTS CONNECTION - "'Oh, my God!': Shrewsbury woman's shocked reaction to seeing Beyoncé was posted to the singer's Instagram," by Steve Annear, Boston Globe: "When Beyoncé smiled at Susan Monaghan, as the singer lingered in the hallway at a New York hotel the night before the Grammys, a sudden feeling came over the Shrewsbury resident's body. 'I swear,' Monaghan said, 'I felt like I was hugged by an angel.'"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to photographer/videographer and former Gov. Deval Patrick photog Eric Haynes, Boston City Councilor Tim McCarthy, strategist Kerry Akashian, and Obama White House and '12 alum, now Harvard Law School student Alexa Kissinger (h/t Gareth Rhodes)

DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? - Yes! The Celtics crushed the Knicks 103-73.

- NEW HORSE RACE POD THIS MORNING - Linda Dorcena Forry is out, Ayanna Pressley is in and Beth Lindstrom, John Kingston, and Geoff Diehl fight for the cash in this week's episode. Plus, Jennifer Smith of the Dorchester Reporter joins us in the studio, Lauren misses a game show reference and a surprise appearance from a familiar voice explains -- you guessed it -- polls polls polls. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud

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