POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook:TEFLON CHARLIE — AFT president calls for gun proposal opposition — POT’s mellow rollout
02/27/2018 07:05 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)
TEFLON CHARLIE STRIKES AGAIN - A new Barr Foundation/MassINC poll has gauged Massachusetts voters' dissatisfaction with the state's transit situation, and they say it's gotten worse over the last five years. But voters aren't laying blame on Gov. Charlie Baker.
The statewide survey found 68 percent have a favorable view of Baker - and 57 support how he's dealt with local transportation systems. These same respondents said improving highways, roads, and bridges and public transportation should be among the state's top priorities.
That latest data point showing seemingly impossible-to-tarnish support is more good news for Baker's reelection campaign. He has pinned much of his political hopes on transit, despite Democrats' attempts to rake him over the failures of the system like last week's Red Line derailment.
The numbers also add credence to national Democrats' lack of interest in getting involved in the Baker race - consider Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo's praise for him at the NGA this weekend. When asked about Dem chances at defeating Baker this November, Raimondo (a Democrat) punted: "Charlie, I think, is very popular and is doing a good job," she said. "I've enjoyed working with him, and we have a good bipartisan, collaborative relationship."
MORE FROM THE POLL - "New poll: High support for East-West rail connecting Springfield to Boston," by Gintautas Dumcius, MassLive.com: "Expanding the Massachusetts commuter rail system to connect Boston with the cities of Springfield, Fall River and New Bedford, is an idea drawing support from most Bay State voters in a new poll. In a MassINC Polling Group survey commissioned by the Barr Foundation, 78 percent of voters say they back the expansion. The Barr Foundation supports Transportation for Massachusetts, a coalition set up in 2010 to push for reliable transportation options as drivers of the economy."
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 slated to be back in-state following his weekend in DC for the NGA - The Federal Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management holds a hearing on the feds' proposal to open waters to offshore drilling at the Sheraton Boston Hotel at 3 p.m. - AG Maura Healey is in Washington D.C. for the National Association of Attorneys General's winter meeting.
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK - MORE TEACHER GUN PUSHBACK - American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts President Tom Gosnell will call on the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to formally oppose President Donald Trump's suggestion that some teachers be armed. Gosnell, who represents 25,000 public school employees, will make the ask to the board in comments at today's meeting, saying "I'm asking you to formally vote to oppose the President's ill-informed and threatening proposal to arm classroom teachers. Massachusetts needs stand up to the President and his enabling of the gun lobby." The proposal has been panned across the board by both education leaders and elected officials in Massachusetts.
ON THAT NOTE - "Sen. Ed Markey: Arming school teachers 'one of the stupidest ideas I have ever heard'," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com: "'"I just can't imagine grammar school teachers coming around the corner with an AK-47 in their hand heading towards some gunman that is coming into the school,' Markey said. 'I think it could create a very dangerous working place.'"
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
- "Agreeing To Staggered Rollout Of Laws, State Votes To Delay Marijuana Home Delivery, Cafes," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "Home delivery of marijuana and social consumption of marijuana products will not be part of the legal marijuana industry when it launches in Massachusetts this summer. The Cannabis Control Commission acquiesced Monday to criticism from Gov. Charlie Baker's administration, the Legislature and others, and agreed to delay the launch of home delivery and social consumption until at least this fall, a move that addressed two of the most commonly-condemned parts of the agency's draft industry regulations."
- "Marijuana regulators strike licensing compromise," by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "'The administration is pleased that the commission has decided to primarily focus on establishing safe and responsible regulated retail sales as Mass. continues to implement this law,' Baker said in response to the vote. The agency's five commissioners, however, insisted they were not bowing to the governor, but rather they needed more time to work out rules aimed at preventing impaired driving, underage sales, and other complexities."
- "Clouds form over state's solar future," by Doug Fraser, Cape Cod Times: "Earlier this month, Gov. Charlie Baker and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs celebrated what they called a 'Solar Milestone,' the installation of more than 2,000 megawatts of solar electricity from 79,000 projects across the state. Baker has personally touted a new solar incentive program rolling out this summer that he said would double the amount of solar power. But people in the solar industry question if that is now possible."
- "Chabot: Charlie Baker's overtime problem swells," by Hillary Chabot, Boston Herald: "The first-term Republican is facing a rash of swollen OT in key state agencies including the MBTA and the state police - areas already under scrutiny as Baker gears up for re-election. But a new trouble spot could be the Department of Transportation, where many Pike holdovers earn more than $100,000 in overtime."
ON THE STUMP -
- "Charlie Baker and the Boston Teamsters," by The Editorial Board, Wall Street Journal: "Teamsters Local 25 endorsed Charlie Baker last week, the first time in two decades the union has backed a Republican candidate for Massachusetts Governor. More surprising, Mr. Baker enthusiastically accepted despite the Teamsters' terrible reputation in Boston. Bad call."
- "Right-Wing Venom Positioned To Leach Into Massachusetts," by David S. Bernstein, WGBH News: "The Commonwealth's political campaigns don't usually have to deal with much of the nasty, race-baiting, immigrant-bashing, conspiracy-hurling provocations of the right-wing marketplace-which has grown and thrived for more than two decades, but now embraces a Trumpist outlook. The last real infiltration came six years ago-during Warren's first Senate campaign, and driven largely by national conservative web sites."
- "Rep. Carvalho pulls out of state Senate race to seek Suffolk DA post," by Jennifer Smith, Dorchester Reporter: "The race for the Fist Suffolk District got a lot more streamlined on Monday, as state Rep. Evandro Carvalho announced he will no longer pursue the senate seat left vacant by former state Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry, instead opting to seek the Suffolk County District Attorney's post."
- "Natalie Blais, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce leader, to run for Rep. Kulik's seat," by Christie Wisniewski, Greenfield Recorder: "The executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce has announced her candidacy for state representative in the 1st Franklin District. Natalie M. Blais of Sunderland, a Democrat, said her priorities include broadband availability, transportation, affordable housing and workforce development."
THE TSONGAS ARENA -
- "Kerrigan ends bid for Congress," by Peter Francis, Eagle-Tribune: "One of the early contenders seeking to replace Congresswoman Niki Tsongas has dropped out of the race. Following the recent death of his mother, Steve Kerrigan ended his campaign for the 3rd District seat."
THE WARREN REPORT -
- "Sen. Warren blasts NRA at Wachusett Regional rally," by Mark Sullivan, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., called for action on gun violence while lambasting the National Rifle Association at an event [in Holden] Sunday. '"Right now, the National Rifle Association has such power in Congress that we cannot even get a vote on the floor on the most basic gun-safety legislation,' [she said]."
- WOOD WAR - Herald: "TIME BOMB" - Globe: "Marijuana regulators stall lounge licensing," "Warnings mounted before library slaying," "Not-so-'senior' moments," "Trump shifts focus away from gun proposals," "US wants Joyce's lawyer off corruption case."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "Prosecutors seek to bounce Brian Joyce's attorney from federal corruption case," by Andrea Estes, Boston Globe: "Federal prosecutors have asked a judge to disqualify prominent defense attorney Howard Cooper from representing Brian Joyce in his corruption trial, arguing that the former senator 'entangled' him in a coverup."
- "PC Evans: We Need More 'City Kid' Police Officers From Boston," by Tori Bedford, WGBH News: "Police Commissioner Bill Evans weighed in on an ongoing debate about hiring policies for Boston police officers and firefighters that some say favor veterans over residents. Evans told WGBH News that while he favors a 'dual system,' that includes equal opportunities for both veterans and 'city kids' who have lived in Boston for years."
- "Complaint dropped, but Felix Arroyo is still in limbo," by Joan Vennochi, Boston Globe: "Last November, Felix Arroyo's accuser withdrew her formal complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination - the one in which she accused the onetime Boston mayoral candidate of sexual harassment that included lewd comments and workplace spankings, and ended with a meeting in Arroyo's office during which he allegedly grabbed her by the neck. In pulling her complaint, the woman indicated she would pursue civil action against Arroyo, according to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination."
- "Audio of Barack Obama's off-the-record appearance at the MIT Sloan conference in Boston has leaked," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston Globe: "Former President Barack Obama quietly came and left Boston last week to speak at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. And due to the completely off-the-record nature of the event, the public was left with very few details of what Obama actually said. The libertarian magazine Reason obtained audio of Obama's panel, which they published Monday evening, and they aren't impressed."
- "Bracing for a damaging blow from Supreme Court, public-sector unions rally in Boston," by Michael Levenson, Boston Globe: "As unions in other states have seen their power sapped by right-to-work laws and curbs on collective bargaining rights, Massachusetts union leaders have said they are bracing for their own crushing blow, to be delivered by the US Supreme Court. A case the court heard Monday will decide whether public sector unions in Massachusetts and 21 other states can charge nonmembers a fee to cover the costs of collective bargaining."
- "Pittsfield High, Taconic students plan walkout to address gun violence," by Amanda Drane, Berkshire Eagle: "High schools in Pittsfield were bustling on Monday in preparation, as students worked on posters and administrators addressed student safety during the events. The morning rallies at the schools come in response to the recent school shooting in Parkland, Fla., in which 17 people died."
- "Pesticide-tainted pot forces suspension of sales at Georgetown dispensary," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "All sales of Healthy Pharms medical marijuana have been suspended indefinitely after the presence of a pesticide was discovered in the company's product, the Department of Public Health announced Monday. No tainted marijuana was sold to patients at the registered marijuana dispensary, according to state officials."
TRANSITIONS - Andrew Fowler has been hired by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection as a regional enforcement and permitting counsel. Fowler was previously with the firm Anderson & Kreiger LLP in Boston practicing land use and environmental law.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to state Sen. Eric Lesser and reporter Susan Zalkind
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Celtics beat the Grizzlies 109-98.
ICYMI - 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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