POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BAKER’s storm plan — HOUSE votes on harassment policy — Remembering CAMPION
IMPROVING GUN REGULATIONS TO PROTECT NOT JUST STUDENTS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL IS A NON-PARTISAN ISSUE.
GOAL SENT A CHILLING MESSAGE INTENDED TO INTIMIDATE RATHER THAN STAND WITH OTHERS TO IMPROVE SAFETY FOR ALL.
- "Mass. gun group urges members to take video of student walkouts," by Jacob Carozza, Boston Globe: "On the day when thousands of students, including hundreds in Boston, marched through streets calling for stricter gun laws, a Massachusetts gun owners group urged its members to take videos of protests at their children's schools. The Gun Owners' Action League asked members to document 'what's being said, what the signs say, and what teachers/faculty/guests are saying.'"
BAKER’s storm plan — HOUSE votes on harassment policy — Remembering CAMPION
03/15/2018 07:01 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)
STORM POLITICS - Pitched as his response to a state battered by increasingly powerful storms, Gov. Charlie Baker heads to the coast today to announce a $1.4 billion environmental bond bill at the Scituate Light House.
Last week - after the second storm finished pummeling Massachusetts' coast - Baker promised legislation that would help the state more aggressively tackle "vulnerability planning" as the state ramps up its response to climate change.
We know few details of the bond bill beyond its initial cost so far, but one of Baker's Democratic challengers, Setti Warren, is already questioning if and how the bill actually fights climate change. Among the points to be posed by Warren later today: "If this bill doesn't make significant investments that mitigate the effects of climate change, it's missing the point."
But there's hardly much cohesion over a path forward in tackling climate change among Democratic legislative leaders. The progressive Senate has five times passed a bill that would require key state agencies to develop a comprehensive adaptation management action plan - but the House has thus far not acted on it. Baker himself passed on weighing in on it last week. There could, however, be movement. House Majority Leader Ron Mariano told State House News last week there are "discussions now with putting that bill on the agenda and getting it moving."
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.
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TODAY - The House meets in full formal session to vote on House counsel's recommended updates to the body's sexual harassment policies - The Gaming Commission meets, with an update on MGM's opening date on the docket --- Gov. Charlie Baker finishes out the day in Lowell for the city's 31st annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner alongside state Sen. Eileen Donoghue, Lowell Mayor William Samaras, Lowell City Manager Kevin Murphy, and state Reps. Thomas Golden, David Nangle, and Rady Mom.
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
- "Massachusetts House to vote on sexual harassment policy changes," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com: "The Massachusetts House on Thursday plans to vote on whether to change its rules in response to House Counsel James Kennedy's review of sexual harassment policies. Kennedy, who worked with outside lawyers including former Attorney General Martha Coakley, recommended hiring an equal employment opportunity officer, who would be in charge of investigating complaints and providing additional training for members and staff. Under his proposal, the human resources office would be expanded, and there would be a new director of employee engagement."
- "Students march against guns at the State House," by Kathleen McKiernan, Boston Herald: "Hundreds of Bay State students jammed the State House today on their snow day to demand that state leaders support stronger gun control and education funding, joining a national student movement. The student-led demonstrations -- with thousands of kids across the country from colleges to elementary schools walking out of their classrooms -- were meant to honor the 17 victims of the mass shooting last month at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Parkland."
- "Judge: Challenge to Healey's gun directive can move forward," by Bob McGovern, Boston Herald: "Bay State gun shops challenging Attorney General Maura Healey's enforcement notice regarding assault weapons have made a case that the directive is unconstitutional and will have their day in court, a federal judge has ruled. Healey's July 20, 2016 enforcement notice has been challenged by businesses owners who argue that it has caused uncertainty as to what constitutes a 'copy' or 'duplicate' under the state's assault weapons ban."
- "Gov. Baker hears concerns about power, cell service on Cape," by Madeleine List, Cape Cod Times: " During a meeting with Gov. Charlie Baker at the Barnstable County complex Wednesday, Cape Cod legislators praised the response of rescue personnel and utility crews during Tuesday's nor'easter, but also called for improvements to the region's power grid. The meeting focused on the massive number of power outages across the region, with more than 124,000 electric customers still without electricity at one point on Wednesday afternoon. About 150,000 lost power during the nor'easter that pummeled the Cape over the first weekend in March."
- "Pols laud Democratic strategist at funeral with tears and laughter," by Joshua Miller, Boston Globe: "The Massachusetts Democratic political universe gathered Wednesday in Boston for the funeral of Chuck Campion, a veteran political operative who brought enthusiasm to campaigns local and presidential and was celebrated for his unbounded generosity, his joyful devotion to his family, his resilience in battles with health ailments, and, as the Rev. Thomas A. Mahoney put it, for being 'a beautiful example of a graceful and dignified life in a very imperfect world.' Campion, who died last week at 62 of complications from surgery, was remembered for his acts of kindness, humor, loyalty to family, friends, and the politicians he worked with, and his astute political sense,honed on the streets of Boston from a young age."
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ON THE STUMP -
- "Lindstrom claims GOP leader role after Diehl's 'kick in the gut'," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "Is Beth Lindstrom the only 'real' Republican in Massachusetts running for U.S. Senate? She wants members of her party to think so. The pitch came hours after the Boston Globe reported state Rep. Geoff Diehl had been a registered Democrat before he arrived on Beacon Hill in 2011 after winning a campaign for state representative as an unabashed Tea Party Republican."
TSONGAS ARENA -
- FIRST IN PLAYBOOK - Samantha Power, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Pulitzer Prize winning author, and Concord resident, will be a special guest at a fundraiser for Dan Koh on Saturday in Concord.
- "3rd District candidate unveils green-jobs plan," by Chris Lisinski, Lowell Sun: "Describing it as a way to address climate change while simultaneously strengthening the local economy, 3rd Congressional District candidate Rufus Gifford released his plan to bring thousands of green jobs to the area. Most of Gifford's suggestions come at the intersection of renewable energy sources and the manufacturing required to build such an infrastructure."
MOULTON MATTERS -
- "Moulton: Pa. House election shows Dems 'can compete and win everywhere'," by Jacqueline Thomsen, the Hill: "Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) said the results in the Pennsylvania House special election showed that 'Democrats can compete and win everywhere.' Moulton, who campaigned for Democrat Conor Lamb in the race, said that 'on paper, [Conor Lamb] shouldn't have stood a chance in this district.'"
- "Could Congressman Seth Moulton Be Next Rising Star in Democratic Party?" by Alison King, NBC10 Boston: "Keep an eye on Seth Moulton. The second term Congressman from Salem is leading the charge to shake up the Democratic establishment. Moulton solidified his reputation as a party rebel in 2016 by voting to oust House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. 'And to be honest, an awful lot of people in the caucus even people who been longtime supporters of hers, have come up to me and said, 'You know Seth, keep going. We need some change, we need some new leadership. And we appreciate the fact that you're willing to stand up and say this.'"
THE WARREN REPORT -
- "Schumer struggles to contain Warren-led rebellion," by Burgess Everett, Elana Schor and Zachary Warmbrodt, POLITICO: "For Schumer, the banking bill and its rollback of some of the Dodd-Frank financial reform law's regulations has been quite the tightrope to walk. The minority leader has to balance the needs of moderate caucus members who are desperate for a bipartisan accomplishment heading into brutal reelection races, and the priorities of liberals like [Sen. Elizabeth] Warren who believe they are fighting for the heart and soul of the Democratic Party. Plus, the New Yorker is already viewed with suspicion by liberals for his own ties to Wall Street."
- "Warren: Student gun protesters will 'spring us free' from NRA," by Max Greenwood, the Hill: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) declared on Wednesday that students protesting gun violence across the country would free lawmakers from the influence of the National Rifle Association (NRA), which has long lobbied against new gun laws. 'The NRA has held Congress hostage for years now. These young people have shown up to spring us free; to say you're not here to do the work of the gun lobby, you're here to do the work of the American people,' Warren told MSNBC at a protest in Washington."
WOOD WAR - Herald: "WE SAY ENOUGH!" - Globe: "Youths bring call for change," "Midterms look tougher for GOP," "Patriots Discount not quite enough," "Advocates say it's clear city's glass towers are danger to birds," "He cast light into darkest recesses of the cosmos."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "Organizers of St. Patrick's Day parade in South Boston balk at route change," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "The South Boston Allied War Veterans Council, organizer of the annual St. Patrick's Day parade, is balking at Mayor Martin J. Walsh's decision to shorten the route, because of Tuesday's heavy snowfall. In a statement released Wednesday night, Dave Falvey, commander of the council, said it is 'extremely disappointing that Mayor Walsh made a unilateral decision to proceed with a shortened route.'"
- "Mass. gun group urges members to take video of student walkouts," by Jacob Carozza, Boston Globe: "On the day when thousands of students, including hundreds in Boston, marched through streets calling for stricter gun laws, a Massachusetts gun owners group urged its members to take videos of protests at their children's schools. The Gun Owners' Action League asked members to document 'what's being said, what the signs say, and what teachers/faculty/guests are saying.'"
- "Worcester DA Early spent $11K to hire attorney at same time office faces probe for role in Alli Bibaud scandal," by Gintautas Dumcius, MassLive.com: "Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. has spent more than $11,000 on a high-powered Boston law firm over the first two months of 2018. According to a review of campaign finance records, Early has spent a total of $11,734 so far this year on Cosgrove, Eisenberg & Kiley, a group of attorneys that includes Thomas Kiley, who is regularly sought out as a defense attorney by public officials."
- "Massachusetts candy company may close plant, lay off workers," by Associated Press: "The Massachusetts manufacturer of such iconic candies as Necco wafers, Clark bars and those heart-shaped Sweethearts decorated with romantic sayings says it will shut down and lay off nearly 400 workers unless it finds a buyer. Necco CEO Michael McGee wrote in a letter last week to Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo the company would close its plant in the city north of Boston if it can't find a buyer by May 6. Negotiations with potential buyers are ongoing."
- "Man dressed as Elsa from Frozen single-handedly rescues a Boston police vehicle stuck in a snowbank," by Megan Johnson, Boston Herald: "'Elsa', who faced the blizzard in a long, flowing blue dress and a silver wig, single-handedly helped pushed the police vehicle out of the snow - much to the excitement of those taking shelter at The Gallows, a gastropub."
BECAUSE THERE IS ALWAYS A MASSACHUSETTS ANGLE - "China's New Panda Park Will Be The Size Of Massachusetts," by Adele Peters, Fast Company: "When giant pandas moved off the endangered species list in 2016-from 'endangered' to 'vulnerable'-it was because China helped protect some of the animal's habitat and panda numbers rose. Now the government is working on a bigger step: a massive new giant panda national park that will be roughly the same size as Massachusetts, or three times larger than Yosemite."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to the New York Times' Sopan Deb.
Did THE HOME TEAM WIN YESTERDAY? No! The Celtics lost to the Wizards 124-125 in OT.
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