POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: DEVAL’s 2020 radar — BUTTIGIEG backs SETTI — CAPUANO gets cold shoulder from WARREN, MARKEY
DEVAL’s 2020 radar — BUTTIGIEG backs SETTI — CAPUANO gets cold shoulder from WARREN, MARKEY
03/07/2018 07:33 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. A nor'easter is bearing down on the state for a second time in less than a week - Happy hunkering.
DEVAL'S RADAR SCREEN - Thanks to four little words, former Gov. Deval Patrick has joined the ranks of the Massachusetts politicians who are eyeing the 2020 presidential race. The election, he said in an interview recorded for Kansas City's KCUR last week, is "on my radar screen."
What exactly does that mean? Those close to Patrick tell me that while the comments signal a shift in his publicly expressed interest as he weighs a potential run, it's still far from any definitive declaration.
As John Walsh, the former chief of Patrick's PAC, put it to me: "The best way to figure out Deval Patrick is just to listen to what he says. I think what he's saying is what he means. I appreciate that to some, this indication is that this is different. But it's early. He hasn't made up his mind."
In the KCUR interview, Patrick offered himself up for the campaign trail in 2018, a signal that campaign stops like his recent stumping in Alabama for Senate candidate Doug Jones will become more frequent as he navigates his private sector gig with Bain Capital around a return to more public politicking. "My current focus is to figure out how consistent with my day job I can help some of the candidates in 2018."
Patrick continued: "I am trying to think through 2020 and that is a decision I'm trying to think through from a personal and family point of view. And also what I believe is on offer by somebody. And maybe what is on offer by somebody and what I can do is help that person. But we'll see."
Walsh (and others behind the scenes) warns against blowing the comments too far out of proportion: "What I hear him saying is he's still figuring it out."
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 swings into storm governor mode with a public safety meeting and storm report press conference this morning before participating in the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council and Arc of Massachusetts Annual Legislative Reception alongside Sen. Jamie Eldridge, Sen. Karen Spilka, and Rep. Denise Garlick - FBI Director Chris Wray addresses the Boston Conference for Cyber Security at Boston College. Last year's speakers included then-FBI Director James Comey - AG Maura Healey will swear in members of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBT Youth in a ceremony at the State House.
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
- "With Rules Now Finalized, Here Are 4 Key Changes To Massachusetts' Marijuana Regulations," by Steve Brown, WBUR: "The Cannabis Control Commission voted unanimously to accept the rules that will govern the new legal industry. Commission Chair Steve Hoffman said he doesn't anticipate any potential roadblocks between now and July 1 when the first licensed retail stores will be allowed to open. The biggest change is that there will be no cannabis cafes, or weed delivery services until next year, at the earliest."
- "Here's the warning that will be on marijuana products sold at Massachusetts retail pot shops," by Gintautas Dumcius, MassLive.com: "The warning signs, one of which features the cannabis leaf, will appear on packaging on products that contain marijuana, noting that it's not safe for children. One of the signs notes that the product contains THC, which creates the high marijuana is known for."
- "We tried to ask Charlie Baker a question. Here's what happened," by Laura Krantz and Shirley Leung, Boston Globe: "It shouldn't have been a mission impossible: Ask the governor a question about higher education at a higher education event. What could go wrong? Standing just inches from us, Charlie Baker didn't even make eye contact. When we pressed his aides, they told us we could e-mail the office. 'I know he's right here, but we do have to get him out the door,' the press aide told us as we hovered at the governor's elbows."
- "Multi-State Gun Safety Coalition Blasted As 'Admission Of Guilt'," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: "Gov. Charlie Baker's move to add Massachusetts to a multi-state gun safety network amounts to 'an admission of guilt by our government for not doing their jobs to stop criminal gun traffickers,' according to the Gun Owners Action League, but the administration said it has been sharing data with other states and will continue working to improve those relationships. Baker last month announced he would join the States for Gun Safety Coalition, an information-sharing effort launched by the Democrat governors of New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Connecticut."
ON THE STUMP -
- FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: BUTTIGIEG BACKS SETTI - South Bend mayor, former contender for DNC chair and rumored presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg will endorse Setti Warren in this email to supporters today, writing, "Mayors make great governors. That's why I'm supporting my friend, fellow mayor and fellow veteran Setti Warren in his run for governor of Massachusetts."
- "Capuano faces a major challenge from Pressley. And Warren, Markey aren't endorsing him.," by Joshua Miller, Boston Globe: "Giving an unexpected cold shoulder to a colleague and fellow Democrat, both Massachusetts senators and two of its representatives are declining to back 10-term incumbent Michael E. Capuano in his congressional primary fight against Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley. While Capuano, a staunch progressive, has the support of most of his colleagues in the state's congressional delegation, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey are not currently among them. Neither are Representatives Niki Tsongas and Seth Moulton."
- "Tom Merolli of Mendon challenges Ryan Fattman for Senate seat," by Cyrus Moulton, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "It's shaping up to be a millennial vs. millennial race for the Worcester and Norfolk District seat in the state Senate, as 27-year-old Mendon Democrat Tom Merolli is challenging incumbent Ryan Fattman, 33."
- "Mass. elections chief needs to explain comment about Lawrence mayor, Democratic opponent Josh Zakim says," by Gintautas Dumcius, MassLive.com: "Seizing on the Massachusetts elections chief's alleged comment about the mayor of Lawrence during a fiery phone call, Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim called for him to elaborate on the remark. Zakim is running in a Democratic primary against Bill Galvin, the longtime Massachusetts secretary of state."
TSONGAS ARENA -
- Beej Das Announces Campaign HQ in Lowell, in an email from the Das campaign: "Beej Das, Democratic candidate for Congress in Massachusetts' Third Congressional District, announced the opening of his campaign headquarters in downtown Lowell. Going forward this office will be the hub for all campaign activities, and provides a place for staffers and volunteers to work to ensure the campaign is in the best position to be successful. The office is located at 107 Central Street."
- "Koh, What a Life," by Malcolm Burnley, Boston Magazine: "Andover, Harvard, Mayor Marty Walsh's number two, and all before the age of 30. Is there anything Dan Koh can't do? As he steps out of the shadows and into the most fiercely contested congressional race in the state, we're about to find out."
THE WARREN REPORT -
- "Our Opinion: Warren must resolve debate on heritage," by Berkshire Eagle, Editorial: "There are now so many commercial DNA heritage-tracking labs in business that they advertise on television. So we call upon our senior senator to screw up her courage and take the spit test. If she already has but is keeping the results under wraps, we urge her to be forthcoming with them."
THE KENNEDY COMPOUND -
- "Rep. Joe Kennedy Weighs In on Young People and the Opioid Crisis," by Seamus Kirst, Teen Vogue: "After mentioning the opioid epidemic in his Democratic rebuttal to the State of the Union, Congressman Joe Kennedy III proclaimed that Democrats "choose a health care system that offers you mercy, whether you suffer from cancer or depression" or substance use disorder. The opioid epidemic deeply impacts young people."
- WOOD WAR - Herald: "DEVAL SEEING 2020," "BULLPEN BUGGY!" - Globe: "Extortion case may hinge on judge," "Mergers to create Partners rival advances," "TICKETS TO A HORROR SHOW," "Top economic adviser quits amid Trump's shift on trade," "A less-than-united front behind Capuano's reelection," "Munch Madness."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "Fewer arriving at ERs in Mass., N.H., and R.I. because of opioid overdoses," by Felice J. Freyer, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island are among only five states that did not experience an increase in opioid overdoses last year, according to data released Tuesday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those three states already had very high overdose rates, and it's not clear 'whether we're seeing real, true, persistent declines or statistical fluctuations,' said Dr. Anne Schuchat, the CDC's acting director."
- "SEIU leader accused of harassment demoted, but will remain at union," by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: "The leader of a powerful Massachusetts health care workers union who was accused of sexually harassing female co-workers has been removed from his leadership position - but will remain with the organization in a lower-level job. Tyrék D. Lee Sr. had been serving as executive vice president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the union's highest rank in Massachusetts, and a job in which he advocated for workers rights."
- "Water leak forces shutdown at Pilgrim Nuclear in Plymouth," by Patriot Ledger staff, Patriot Ledger: "Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station is powering down after plant operators identified a likely water leak inside the feedwater heating system. It's the latest setback for a plant that has been fueled for the last time and is scheduled to close on May 31, 2019."
- "The Boston Globe to hike home delivery rates," by Don Seiffert, Boston Business Journal: "A customer service representative at the Boston Globe's subscription phone center told a Business Journal reporter Tuesday that the company is planning to increase its seven-day-a-week home delivery cost, after all discounts have expired, to $25.90 per week for subscribers in the Boston metro area."
- "Mass. Employer Confidence Hits Another High - But There Are Worries About Finding Workers," by Zeninjor Enwemeka, WBUR: "Business leaders in Massachusetts are optimistic about the economy. Employer confidence hit a 17-year high in February, according to the Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), which released its monthly Business Confidence Index Tuesday."
- "Feds to judge: City Hall case could be on 'collision course' with dismissal," by Bob McGovern, Boston Herald: "Federal prosecutors say their case against two of Mayor Martin J. Walsh's top lieutenants could be on a 'collision course' with dismissal if a federal judge does not reconsider his proposed jury instructions in the high-profile case. The controversy is over how Judge Leo T. Sorokin is defining the phrase 'obtaining property of another' as it relates to Hobbs Act extortion. Sorokin has ruled that he will explain to a jury that, in order to prove their case, prosecutors will need to show that Kenneth Brissette and Timothy Sullivan - two City Hall officials - personally benefited from property obtained through the alleged crime."
- "With DACA deadline passed, local undocumented immigrants demanding action," by Chris Goudreau, Valley Advocate: "Although DACA recipients remain safe from deportation for now, their future in the United States remains uncertain. While [Eduardo Samaniego, a 25-year-old Hampshire College student, member of the Pioneer Valley Workers Center] spoke to the Valley Advocate, thousands of people blocked an intersection near the Supreme Court while protesting the lack of action on DACA."
- "Northampton zoning proposal: If a liquor store is allowed, so is marijuana," by Chris Goudreau, Valley Advocate: "Wayne Feiden, Northampton's director of planning and sustainability, said the City Council is slated to vote on several retail marijuana related ordinances at its March 15 meeting, coinciding with the state's finalization of recreational marijuana regulations. Here's some of the key marijuana ordinances moving forward in Northampton - retail marijuana businesses are allowed in all commercially zoned areas of the city, but there's a 200-foot buffer zone for schools and religious institutions, zoning that is the same as with medical marijuana dispensaries."
- "Worcester tenement owned by former UN official is one of city's most troubled - properties," by Mark Sullivan, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "Retired United Nations official Rachel Mayanja, a former special adviser to the UN secretary-general on gender issues and the advancement of women, enjoys a pricey waterfront view of midtown Manhattan from the apartment complex she calls home on Roosevelt Island, in the middle of New York City's East River. The building is one of the most troubled in the city in terms of code violations, according to Amanda M. Wilson, t he city's director of housing and health inspections."
- "Surprise, surprise: Democratic Town Committee breakfast-goers don't like Trump," by Kelsey Bode, Eagle-Tribune: "Every year at the Democratic Town Committee breakfast the organizers conduct a straw poll to check the temperature in the room on some key issues. They were also asked two questions.When asked to rate President Trump's performance, 89 percent of poll takers voted 'extremely unfavorable.' When asked if they supported 'common sense gun control such as the laws currently on the books in Massachusetts,' 97 percent of poll takers said yes."
SPOTTED - Senior members of Obamaworld have come out in full force behind Rufus Gifford, the former Ambassador to Denmark and 2012 National Finance Director who is now running for the House in MA-03. SPOTTED at the Chicago home of Vicki and Bruce Heyman, the former Ambassador to Canada: former Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, Amb. Miguel Diaz, Amb. Andrew Schapiro and Tamar Newberger, Tina Tchen, Brooke Barzun, Katie Hogan, Mike O'Neill, Liz Lowery, Sam Brown, Harper Reed, Michael Slaby, Ami Copeland, Alan Solow, Ellen Chube, Meaghan Burdick, Natalie Bookey-Baker, and UK Ambassadors Lou Susman and Matthew Barzun.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? - Yes! The Bruins beat the Red Wings 6-5 in OT.
HAVE YOU HEARD? - THE LATEST HORSE RACE PODCAST EPISODE: Former State Senator Ben Downing joins us this week to explain the turmoil on Beacon Hill, its impact on Senate function and the significance of state and local primary challenges. Then, Steve's got a new transportation poll with hot takes on traffic, and Lauren explains why Massachusetts' drop in the U.S. News and World Report ranking is fair game for Governor Baker's critics. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud
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