POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: WARREN’s Boston stop — Criminal justice reform hits BAKER’s desk — The state Senate spat
WARREN’s Boston stop — Criminal justice reform hits BAKER’s desk — The state Senate spat
4/05/2018 07:03 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. And happy Red Sox home opener.
WARREN IN BOSTON - Sen. Elizabeth Warren heads to Boston today for her first moderated town hall - and first town hall in Boston since 2016.
The senior senator will take to the stage in the Boston Teachers Union hall to field questions from the Dorchester Reporter's News Editor Jenn Smith, followed by a question and answer period with submitted questions.
It's a slightly different format for the former professor, who's used to holding court from the stage. It allows her to control the run of show herself - and a sign the senator could be venturing out of her comfort zone of carefully contained public events.
Warren has become a veteran of the town hall circuit across the state as she approaches her November re-election against a field of challengers struggling to break through to voters. This is her 23rd in the past 12 months alone.
If past town halls are precedent, expect a packed (if not overflowing) room full of excited constituents eager to catch a glimpse of their beloved senator that often feels more like a campaign event. But tonight could be slightly different, thanks to the presence of a reporter on stage who could push Warren a little more than she'd normally answer.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.
TODAY - The House meets in formal session - It's the 25th anniversary of the Education Reform Act and Gov. Charlie Baker joins Secretary of Education Jim Peyser, Senate President Harriette Chandler, state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, state Rep. Alice Hanlon Peisch, former Gov. Bill Weld, former Senate President Tom Birmingham and former Education Commissioner Robert Antonucci - Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu, Democratic Party Chairman Gus Bickford, and Mayor Marty Walsh have brought back a state party fundraiser known as the Chinatown Banquet at Boston's China Pearl.
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
- "Mass. Legislature sends Baker sweeping criminal justice bill," by Joshua Miller, Boston Globe: "The Massachusetts Legislature on Wednesday passed the most sweeping reforms to the state's criminal justice system in decades, a package aimed at paring the number of people caught up in the courts, helping those who have served their time stay out of jail, and giving young offenders more leeway to avoid the system altogether. Governor Charlie Baker has expressed support for parts of the bill, but he has not said whether he will sign it into law."
- "With criminal justice bill passed, what about services for ex-inmates?" by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "Lawmakers passed a long-awaited, comprehensive criminal justice reform bill on Wednesday. But to fully realize its widely touted goal of reducing recidivism they will need to back some of the statutory changes and reform rhetoric with tangible resources."
- "Baker proposal would rate homes on energy efficiency," by State House News Service: "A home energy efficiency score would eventually become part of the valuation of all homes on the market in Massachusetts under legislation Gov. Charlie Baker filed on Tuesday to elevate awareness of home energy efficiency and target the residential sector for greenhouse gas emission reductions. Under the bill, home energy auditors would be required to provide homeowners with an easy to understand scorecard that would grade a home's energy efficiency and provide recommendations for how the home's energy performance could be improved."
- "The state Senate spat of Harriette Chandler vs. Karen Spilka," by Joan Vennochi, Boston Globe: "This should be a good-news story about women and their leadership clout in Massachusetts politics. Instead, it's an awkward one about two women squabbling over what passes for power - the much-diminished job of Senate president."
- "Mass. fishermen could see up to $25M through 'innovation fund'," by Paige Smith, Boston University Statehouse Program: "The Massachusetts fishing industry could receive up to $25 million in grants through a new fund, which would finance high-tech upgrades and research initiatives for fleets, including modification of commercial vessels to improve fuel efficiency and innovative GPS systems. The Fishing Innovation Fund is coupled with a $25 million Agricultural Innovation Fund, which would be primarily dedicated to agricultural and cranberry industries."
** A message from Bay State Wind - the Clear Choice for Massachusetts: Only Bay State Wind has the experience, expertise and record it takes to launch the American offshore wind industry here in the Commonwealth. We are the clear choice for highly complex projects, bringing jobs and cost-effective offshore wind to Massachusetts. More at baystatewind.com. **
DATELINE DC -
- "Ed Markey, Katherine Clark call for more federal action to combat opioid crisis at national summit," by Shannon Young,MassLive.com:"Massachusetts lawmakers urged Congress and the Trump administration Tuesday to take additional steps to end the opioid abuse epidemic, as well as called on federal officials to begin measuring the progress made thus far on the issue. Although U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark touted bills federal lawmakers have passed to expand access to addiction treatment and crack down on fentanyl trafficking, the Massachusetts Democrats told National RX Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit attendees that more must be done to reduce opioid-related deaths."
- "US Sens. Ed Markey, Richard Blumenthal ask Grindr to detail how dating app shares user data," by Shannon Young, MassLive.com: "Following reports that Grindr may be sharing users' personal information without their informed consent, Senators from Massachusetts and Connecticut called on the company this week to detail how the popular LGBTQ dating app is using such data. U.S. Sens. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, and Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, penned a letter to Grindr Interim CEO Zhou Yahui Tuesday asking the company to explain whether it seeks users' consent to share or sell information, including their geolocation, sexuality and HIV status."
ON THE STUMP -
- "Dem. candidates agree on issues in gov's race," by Yawu Miller, the Bay State Banner: "The democratic contenders for Massachusetts governor said little to define their differences Monday night at a RoxVote-sponsored debate held at Hibernian Hall in Dudley Square and moderated by Meghan Irons and Adrian Walker of the Boston Globe. Asked what they would do to make improvements to Roxbury Community College, all three candidates spoke about the importance of funding community colleges and allowing students to graduate without debt."
- "Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Appearing in Two Cape Cod Debates," by CapeCod.com: "The three Democrats running for Governor will be on Cape Cod next weekend for a debate in Falmouth. Setti Warren, Robert Massie, and Jay Gonzalez are all seeking their party's nomination to challenge incumbent Republican Charlie Baker in November."
THE WARREN REPORT -
- "John Williams named to take over key New York Fed president post," by Jeff Cox, CNBC: "Long rumored for the job, Williams will exit the president's post he held in San Francisco since 2011. Williams also has come under criticism because the fake accounts scandal at San Francisco-based Wells Fargo happened on his watch. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who has been especially critical of how the Fed handled the Wells Fargo matter, had said she wanted to have Williams sit for a congressional grilling before his appointment was finalized."
THE KENNEDY COMPOUND -
- "O'Rourke Senate campaign makes 2 more stops in Waco area," by Phillip Ericksen, Waco Tribune-Herald: "U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, an El Paso Democrat trying to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz this November, continued his statewide tour with two recent local stops ... O'Rourke was recently joined on Facebook by U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III, D-Massachusetts, between stops in Houston."
WOOD WAR - Herald: "CATCH OF HIS LIFE," "BACK IN TOWN!" - Globe: "Sweeping crime bill sent to governor," "COLLEGES REFINE DINING," "Sex, power, and photography. What is too far?" "Facebook says data of 87m shared," "Three police departments claim turf in Seaport District."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "In Seaport, it's State Police vs. Boston police in battle over turf," by Matt Rocheleau, Boston Globe: "The feud has been thrust into the spotlight amid recent revelations of hidden payroll records and hefty overtime payouts in Troop F, the State Police division assigned to the Seaport and Logan International Airport. The State Police payroll controversy ... sparked a number of proposed reforms this week from Governor Charlie Baker and Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin. Among them: a mandate that Gilpin explore creating 'a plan for the Boston Police Department and State Police to work together to ensure the safety of the Seaport District.'"
- "Worcester City Council eyes gun divestment for pension funds," by Nick Kotsopoulos, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "The City Council has taken a first step toward having the city divest from its pension fund any holdings it might have in companies that derive more than 15 percent of their revenues from gun and ammunition sales to civilians."
- "Nurses granted hearing in labor claims against BMC," by Larry Parnass, the Berkshire Eagle: "Berkshire Medical Center may have violated labor law in three instances flagged by its registered nurses in the course of a prolonged contract dispute, a federal investigation determined. The National Labor Relations Board says it continues to investigate a fourth unfair labor practice complaint. If that case goes against the hospital, it could be required to pay members of the Massachusetts Nurses Association for work time lost during a four-day lockout in October."
- "Springfield gets search warrant to inspect South Congregational Church sanctuary where Peruvian woman facing deportation is staying," by Peter Goonan, MassLive.com: "Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said the city has received a search warrant from Western District Housing Court that will allow the city to inspect a sanctuary at South Congregational Church for any code violations. The inspection is planned Thursday morning, according to court papers."
- "Silver Line tunnel closed after concrete falls on platform," by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: "The MBTA shut the Silver Line tunnel through the Seaport Wednesday after construction on Congress Street caused concrete to fall onto the platform at the World Trade Center Station."
- "Matt Parziale Is an Amateur at the Masters, but a Pro Fighting Fires," by John Clarke, New York Times: "No offense to professional golfers, but Matt Parziale has a real job. For most of the past five years, the 30-year-old from Brockton, Mass., one of six amateurs playing the Masters this week at Augusta National Golf Club, has been sneaking in amateur tournaments between shifts for the Brockton Fire Department."
- "UMass in talks to acquire Mt. Ida College in Newton, Mass.," by Gintautas Dumcius, MassLive.com: "The University of Massachusetts is looking to acquire Mount Ida College in Newton, Mass., a source familiar with the proposal has told MassLive. Details of the proposal were not immediately available and officials with UMass and Mount Ida did not immediately respond to a request for comment."
GE HOUSATONIC CLEANUP:
- "Regional EPA chief seeks quick action on Housatonic River cleanup," by Clarence Fanto and Larry Parnass, the Berkshire Eagle: "The Environmental Protection Agency's new leader in New England believes mediation remains the best hope to advance a Housatonic River cleanup. Though one try at mediation bottomed out this winter, Alexandra Dunn says work to remove polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from sections of the river will face up to five years of litigation and delay, unless agreement over how to conduct the cleanup can be found."
- "Stalking sharks a booming business," by Doug Fraser, Cape Cod Times: "What was once informal - a curious fisherman or boater pulling up next to a great white shark and taking videos and photos - is now a commercial enterprise. With hundreds of great white sharks coming here each summer to eat a burgeoning seal population, Cape Cod is now a great white shark hot spot where these rare animals can be seen from shore, from a boat or from the air."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Rep. F. Jay Barrows of Mansfield, Rep. Michael Day of Stoneham, and Lynn Rep. Brendan Creighton, Gov. Charlie Baker's comms director Lizzy Guyton, Alec Hughes, enterprise account executive at Catalant Technologies, and Democrats for Education Reform's Liam Kerr.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? No! The Celtics lost to the Raptors 96-78.
FRESH OUT OF THE GATE - THE LATEST HORSE RACE PODCAST EPISODE: Former State Senator Ben Downing is back! He reappears this week as the body's mountain of bad press has us testing a State Senate Chaos Theory. Then we look west with Matt Szafranski of Western Massachusetts Politics & Insight, checking in on the unexpected primary challenge to Former Senate President Stan Rosenberg. Plus, it's almost caucus time! Steve and Lauren break down what it means when the largest number of delegates are "uncommitted." Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud
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