POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BALLOT QUESTION wrangling — STATIE pay troubles — New arrivals on the GREEN LINE
BALLOT QUESTION wrangling — STATIE pay troubles — New arrivals on the GREEN LINE
03/27/2018 06:53 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
BALLOT QUESTION LIMBO - There's consistently strong public support for ballot questions poised to reshape the state's tax code this fall, though proponents of multiple questions say they're still open to some sort of legislative compromise that could see the issues resolved by Beacon Hill.
Seventy-eight percent of respondents say they support a ballot question that would raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2022 in a new WBUR/MassINC poll - though it's not necessarily a done deal on the ballot.
Proponents of the $15 minimum wage question, Raise Up Massachusetts, says they're still open to - and even optimistic - that the legislature will pass a bill this session, rather than through the unwieldy ballot question process in November. "We're optimistic they [legislators] will do so, but we've always been prepared to go to the ballot if that's what it takes to win," Raise Up spokesman Andrew Farantino told me yesterday.
Meanwhile, proponents of another ballot question that would decrease the state's sales tax say they'd be open to pulling their question off the table if the Supreme Judicial Court struck down the so-called millionaire's tax (which is ALSO poised to be on the ballot). There's strong support for both of them, too. In November, 76 percent of voters said they support the so-called millionaire's tax and 69 percent backed the sales tax reduction.
"I think a clear requirement would be for the income tax surcharge being knocked off," said Retailers Association of Massachusetts President Jon Hurst, which is behind the sales tax question, in an email yesterday. But it's not a simple solution, given the number of and complexity around the ballot questions, he said. "It's not clear what compromise is possible, but we are willing to have that discussion."
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, LG Karyn Polito, Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux, state and local officials, farmers, and students kick off Agriculture Day in the State House's Great Hall - The Cannabis Control Commission meets with agenda items including an update on application processing from Executive Director Shawn Collins - Rep. Jim McGovern is scheduled to appear on WBUR's Radio Boston at 3 p.m.
PLAYBOOK POOL - DOWN TO FOUR: The final four is set, with Villanova, Kansas, Loyola University Chicago, and Michigan heading to San Antonio. The leaderboard is tight with Taras Stratelak of Rimforest, California, holding a 4-point lead over Chris Linsmayer of Denver, Colorado. Rich Levesque, of Trenton, New Jersey, and Chad Kreikmemeier of DC remain in the hunt. Over on our VIP board, Seema Mehta, political reporter for the Los Angeles Times leads the way, with Rachel Adler, a talent agent from CAA, and lobbyist Brian Ballard of Florida close behind. Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), Illinois Comptroller Susan Mendoza, and attorney Charlie Spies are also near the top of the board- but Adler and Pascrell are among the many to have picked Virginia to win the championship, all but eliminating their chances of winning. Best of luck to all of our Playbook Pool participants as we head to the Final Four.
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
WHERE WERE YOU CHARLIE? ASLEEP? YOU'RE IN CHARGE!
- "Concealment of State Police pay records was 'clearly deliberate,' Baker says," by Matt Stout and Matt Rocheleau, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker said Monday that the act of not disclosing years of payroll records for an entire division of the State Police was "clearly deliberate," and a top state finance official demanded to know if other state agencies were failing to reveal other key documents. The charge by the state's chief executive follows a Globe report showing that neither the State Police nor the Massachusetts Port Authority had publicly filed information on payouts for Troop F with the state comptroller since 2010."
- "Spilka has focused on troubled children, families throughout career," by Michael Levenson, Boston Globe: "Last week , she claimed to have enough votes to become the next Senate president, a role that will make her one of the most significant forces in state policymaking, along with House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Governor Charlie Baker. ... She sees the position as the culmination of her past experiences, and an opportunity to continue to advance the Senate's liberal agenda against the more conservative House and governor."
- "As I See It: The housing cost crisis," by Harriette L. Chandler and Jim O'Day, Worcester Telegram: "Massachusetts has a lot to be proud of. Yet, when it comes to one of our most fundamental issues, housing, we - as a state - are woefully out of date. In short, as long as families cannot afford to live in Massachusetts, our economic prosperity and our commitment to fairness and equity are at stake."
- "Net neutrality in Massachusetts: State Senate committee recommends state-level rules," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com: "A state Senate committee is recommending that Massachusetts implement a state-level net neutrality policy, in response to the federal government rolling back federal net neutrality rules. The Senate report also recommends that Massachusetts do a better job ensuring consumers' privacy while using the internet."
TRUMPACHUSETTS -
- "T.S. Kennedy replacement in line for future federal funding," by Ethan Genter, Cape Cod Times: "When President Donald Trump signed a $1.3 trillion spending bill Friday, it included $300 million to replace the country's state maritime schools' training ships, bolstering the Massachusetts Maritime Academy's hopes of swapping out its 51-year-old training ship for a new vessel with money in next year's budget."
ON THE STUMP -
- "23-year-old Democrat John Arena to challenge Rep. Susannah Whipps in 2nd Franklin District," by Mary C. Serreze, MassLive.com: "Western Massachusetts state Rep. Susannah M. Whipps, an Athol Independent, will have at least one challenger as she seeks a third term on Beacon Hill. John W. "Johnny" Arena of Gill announced Friday he will run as a Democrat in the 2nd Franklin District .... Arena said the big issues are economic revitalization, broadband, the opioid crisis, and rural education, and that he would be 'relentlessly seeking out and fighting for any and all opportunities that will benefit the district both today, and in the years to come.'
- "Down-ballot races heating up in Mass.," by Steve Koczela, CommonWealth Magazine: "... The two main event races are blowouts so far, while a bevy of interesting and important elections are taking shape elsewhere. These other contests could impact voters' pocketbooks, bring competition to our sputtering congressional and legislative politics, and spark debate about reform to key parts of our state government."
- "Plotting their path to challenge Baker, Democratic gubernatorial candidates make pit stop in Pittsfield," by Dick Lindsay, the Berkshire Eagle: " Ella Dudley and Karen McComish know how to strike when the iron is hot. On Sunday afternoon, the two juniors at Mount Greylock Regional High School personally asked the three Democratic candidates for governor their stand on gun control and the teenager-led campaign to make America safe from gun violence. Setti Warren, Jay Gonzalez and Bob Massie responded to the teens by calling for a halt to assault weapon production in Massachusetts, as the state already bans ownership of such high-powered weapons."
THE KENNEDY COMPOUND -
NEW THIS MORNING - "New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu to Receive the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for Removal of Confederate Monuments" from the JFK Library foundation: "The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation today announced that New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu will receive the 2018 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for his leadership in removing four Confederate monuments in New Orleans while offering candid, clear and compassionate reflections on the moment and its place in history. The prestigious award will be presented by President Kennedy's grandson, Jack Schlossberg, at a ceremony on May 20, 2018 at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum."
- "New Film Revives Ghosts Of Kennedy's Chappaquiddick Incident On Martha's Vineyard," by Andrea Shea, WBUR: "The new movie "Chappaquiddick" is unearthing a dark chapter of American history that put the speck of land off Martha's Vineyard in the news - and on the tourist map. The film re-imagines the true story of Sen. Ted Kennedy's late-night car wreck in 1969 that left 28-year-old Mary Jo Kopechne dead in the water."
WOOD WAR - Herald: "IN BILL HE TRUSTS," "JUSTICE FOR PUPPY DOE." - Globe: "Baker calls State Police record error 'deliberate,'" "A new licensing process, old-style registry lines," "After the marches, gun-control backers prepare for long trek," "Last call at a local haven," "Tech group hopes venture to recruit female owners of startups pays off," "Amazon's 'free trial' and tribulations."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "Blacks have less faith in city police and courts, poll shows," by Meghan E. Irons, Boston Globe: "A majority of Boston voters expressed confidence in the criminal justice system in Massachusetts, but a lower percentage of blacks than whites, Asian-Americans, and Latinos said they had faith in the city's police and the courts, according to a new poll released Tuesday."
- "Medical pot shop eyes recreational sales," by Dan Atkinson, Boston Herald: "City councilors and community activists are wary of plans for Boston's first medical marijuana dispensary to expand their business into recreational sales, arguing the operators promised to stick to medicinal pot when they were first approved."
- "MassDOT might mark route of famous French general through Berkshires," by Larry Parnass, the Berkshire Eagle: "One June day in 1825, a man who left his country to fight for another passed through Berkshire County. The Marquis de Lafayette stopped to speak to an audience at the Congregational Meeting House at 29 East St. in Pittsfield and was hosted a block away at the Joseph Merrick Coffee House, formerly of 26 Bank Row."
- "First of 24 new Green Line cars has arrived," by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: "The first of 24 new Green Line cars has arrived in Massachusetts for testing and is expected to join the Green Line fleet this summer, with a second car expected later this spring. More trolleys are expected to arrive through 2018 and 2019, said Jeff Gonneville, the T's deputy general manager. After several false starts, the extended line from Lechmere is slated to open in late 2021."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Charlotte Peyser, Operations Director for team Baker-Polito.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Celtics beat the Suns 102-94.
ICYMI - THE LATEST HORSE RACE PODCAST EPISODE: It's all about polls and emerging political power this week. First, Nichole Mossalam, co-chair of Our Revolution Massachusetts' Coordinating Committee, joins us to discuss ORMA's rise and what the brand new organization sees in its future. Then, Steve drops some serious polling insight - courtesy of his most recent WBUR poll - on Sen. Elizabeth Warren's Republican challengers and major policy initiatives on Beacon Hill. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud
OUTTA THIS WORLD - POLITICO Space is our new, free weekly briefing on the policies and personalities shaping the second space age in Washington and beyond. Sign-up today to start receiving the newsletter right at launch on April 6th. Presented by Boeing.
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