POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Mourning MICELI — WALSH gets out the vote — STATIE scandal reform?

Mourning MICELI — WALSH gets out the vote — STATIE scandal reform?

04/23/2018 07:02 AM EDT

By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

REST IN PEACE - "Town streets to Statehouse halls, Wilmington rep Miceli mourned," by Amaris Castillo, the Lowell Sun: "State Rep. Jim Miceli, one of the longest continuously serving members of the Massachusetts House, was remembered Saturday as a devoted public servant who cared deeply for his family and his constituents in Tewksbury and Wilmington. Some called him a legend. Miceli, 83, died Saturday after collapsing at the Wilmington Little League Opening Day Ceremony at the Rotary Club. His nephew, Wilmington Selectman Mike McCoy, confirmed the news to The Sun."

WALSH GETS OUT THE VOTE - Election season may be over for Mayor Marty Walsh, whose election last year secured him four more years at the helm of Boston, but he's had voting on the mind over the last 24 hours.

On Sunday, Walsh delivered the long-anticipated endorsement for Rep. Michael Capuano as the 10-term congressman seeks to parry a challenge by Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley (she was just listed in Politico's latest Playbook Power List as a woman to watch, too). Walsh and Cap (and droves of supporters) hit the streets of Uphams Corner in Dorchester touting Capuano's record as "one of the strongest champions for working people and urban communities in all of America," as Walsh put it.

Today, Walsh has another public event with another key electoral issue in mind: voting. He joins Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim (who's primarying six-term incumbent Secretary of State Bill Galvin) in signing a Zakim-crafted city ordinance that would increase opportunities for residents to submit voter registration forms while routinely interacting with city departments and agencies like the Boston Public Library, the Boston Transportation Department, Boston Public Schools, and the Boston Centers for Youth and Families. Walsh hasn't yet waded into the Secretary of State primary fight.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.

NEW THIS MORNING - "POLITICO Playbook Power List: Women to Watch," by Anna Palmer, Jake Sherman, Daniel Lippman and Zach Montellaro, POLITICO: "Women to Watch highlights the women in D.C., across the country and around the globe who are at the forefront of politics and policy. From operatives navigating the midterm elections to those negotiating the terms of Brexit and leading a nationwide gun control movement, these women will be leading the political discussion for years to come."

And the local angle - "Ayanna Pressley," from yours truly: "Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley shocked the Massachusetts political class this winter by launching an insurgent bid to challenge Democratic Rep. Mike Capuano - and taking on a state's entrenched political culture that largely shuns challenges to incumbents. Pressley acknowledges that there are fewer policy differences between her and Capuano, but that, as a black woman born in Ohio, raised in Chicago, who came to Boston for college, and with experience from family members in the criminal justice system, she approaches things differently."

TODAY - The House kicks off formal session with deliberations and amendments to Ways and Means' $41 billion budget - AG Maura Healey kicks off the 7th annual National Cyber Crime Conference hosted by the AG's office in Norwood. Randolph D. Alles, Director of the United States Secret Service, will deliver the keynote address - Gov. Charlie Baker participates in the World Medical Innovation Forum followed by swearing in of the Commission on Digital Innovation and Lifelong Learning.

DATELINE BEACON HILL -

-"Massachusetts lawmakers unlikely to update medical marijuana home cultivation law this session," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com: "The head of Massachusetts' legislative marijuana committee said she does not anticipate updating the state's medical marijuana law this year, despite a recent ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court.Massachusetts' medical marijuana law lets patients grow enough marijuana to yield a 60-day supply for personal, medical use."

- "Pignatelli, Barrett seek 10 percent funding hike for regional transportation authorities," by Adam Shanks, the Berkshire Eagle: "With the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority facing a budget shortfall, and potential service cuts, local legislators are stepping up to push for more funding. State Reps. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, D-Lenox, and John Barrett III, D-North Adams, have filed an amendment to the House of Representatives budget that would increase funding for regional transportation authorities by 10 percent."

DAY LATE CHARLIE BAKER! 

THIS IS NOT LEADERSHIP!

SCANDAL AFTER SCANDAL SURROUNDS CHARLIE BAKER

AS BAKER IGNORED MUSHROOMING OVERTIME AND RESPONDED 

TO  SCANDALS INAPPROPRIATELY. 

THE MBTA DOES ILLEGAL RENOVATIONS AND CHARLIE BAKER PATS 

THEM ON THE BACK FOR ALL THEY'VE DONE TO SAVE MONEY ????

  

- "Mass. State Police scandals: 'Ever increasing number of issues' could prompt oversight hearings or new policy changes," by Gintautas Dumcius, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts state lawmakers could take a deeper look into the problems within the State Police, with one top legislative leader raising concerns about the state of the law enforcement agency despite proposed reforms. Gov. Charlie Baker and Col. Kerry Gilpin, who took over as State Police superintendent in November, are pressing for reforms as the law enforcement agency is tarnished by a steady stream of scandals over the last six months, ranging from alleged overtime abuse to the scrubbing of an arrest report involving a judge's daughter."

YES!

Outside the State House, the head of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, Gus Bickford, and former Newton Mayor Setti Warren, one of three Democrats hoping to unseat Gov. Baker in November, have called for an independent investigation into the State Police troubles.

Mass. State Police scandals: 'Stuff that goes on, on my watch, belongs to me,' Gov. Charlie Baker says

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said the State Police scandals that have repeatedly erupted over the last five months "belong" to him when asked whether he should have known about the problems within the law enforcement agency.

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/04/mass_state_police_scandals_stu.html#incart_2box

- "Legislators have leg up in bids for municipal leadership," by Staff reports, the Lowell Sun: "Stop us if you've heard this one before: A Statehouse legislator vying to lead a city or town. Lowell knows all about this scenario."

TRUMPACHUSETTS -

-"In response to Trump thunder on trade, lost jobs, Neal to talk taxes, health care," by Heather Bellow, the Berkshire Eagle: "In his most recent weekly address, President Donald Trump said international trade policies and the export of jobs over the past two decades have 'hammered American families.' Unfair trade hurts the middle class, he said. But US Rep. Richard Neal has a response to that: So do tax cuts geared for the rich."

- "US Sen. Ed Markey says secretary of state should 'embody best of American values,' will oppose Mike Pompeo's nomination," by Shannon Young, MassLive.com: "U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, railed against President Donald Trump's decision to nominate Mike Pompeo for secretary of state Friday, arguing that the country's 'top diplomat should embody the best of America's values, not defend torture, promote division, ignore human rights or rubber stamp all presidential positions.'"

THE WARREN REPORT -

- "US Sen. Elizabeth Warren to black voters: 'All our fights are interconnected'," by Steve Peoples, the Associated Press: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren declared on Friday that the racism and bigotry that shaped housing policies in the United States for generations is still preventing African-Americans from owning homes. The fiery Massachusetts Democrat, one of five possible Democratic presidential contenders scheduled to address a gathering of black activists in New York, blamed big banks and government failings for a huge disparity in home ownership in America by race."

- "Sen. Warren touts opioid bill at Cape forum," by Mary Ann Bragg, Cape Cod Times: "A bill in Congress - modeled on federal funding for the HIV and AIDS epidemic three decades ago - proposes to spend $100 billion over 10 years to radically alter the path of the opioid crisis - with at least $2.7 million a year for Cape Cod. 'We are losing people every single day,' Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., co-sponsor of the bill introduced Thursday, told the more than 200 people gathered Saturday at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School."

- "An Opioid Crisis Foretold," by the Editorial board, the New York Times: "Some lawmakers have begun to take this epidemic seriously. Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Elijah Cummings, both Democrats, recently proposed legislation modeled on the Ryan White Act that would appropriate $100 billion over 10 years for research, treatment and support. While that might seem like a lot, President Trump's Council of Economic Advisers said in November that the epidemic cost the economy $504 billion in 2015 alone."

TSONGAS ARENA -

- "Green touts business record in race for 3rd Congressional District (VIDEO)," by Chris Lisinski, the Lowell Sun: "The lone Republican in a 3rd Congressional District race featuring 13 Democrats, many of Rick Green's views are driven by a common ideology within his party: reducing the scope of the federal government. Green returned to that theme several times over the course of an interview with The Sun's editorial board Thursday, suggesting that regulation of firearms be handled almost entirely at the state level and arguing that political communication groups should not be required to disclose their donors."

- "Congressional candidate releases opioid plan," by Chris Lisinski, the Lowell Sun: "Following a tour of organizations across the region that work to treat substance abuse, 3rd Congressional District candidate Rufus Gifford released his plan to address the opioid epidemic. Gifford is the latest candidate in the race to publicize an in-depth set of policies he hopes will combat the public health crisis of opioid addiction."

ON THE STUMP -

- "Josh Zakim Challenges 6-Term Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin," by Alison King, NBC10 Boston: "2018 seems to be the year of challengers to longtime incumbents in Massachusetts. Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim says he would bring a fresh perspective to the Secretary of State's Office. Fellow Democrat William Galvin, in office for 24 years, says it's his expertise that has made Massachusetts a leader on voting rights."

- "Tahirah Amatul-Wadud: Championing rural broadband will require a new rep. in Congress," by Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, the Berkshire Eagle: "In regard to Sandisfield's bid to secure federal grants to complete its "last-mile" high-speed Internet network ("Crocker to seek federal grants for Sandisfield broadband build - with no hit to taxpayers," April 18), this will require a congressperson fully committed to supporting rural broadband. Rep. Richard Neal (D-Springfield) is not that person. Not only has Mr. Neal proved himself to be thoroughly uninformed on federal broadband programs, he has a history of voting against them."

WOOD WAR - Herald: "MITT'S ROCKY ROAD," "LGBTQ-FRIENDLY" - Globe: "Mt. Ida image hid growing cash woes," "$49 lobster rolls: Diners feel the pinch," "PITTING POWER VS. PARADISE," "Friendly Boston rivalry plays out in Euro soccer."

THE LOCAL ANGLE -

- "Brian Joyce's lawyers attack prosecution's subpoena request," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Attorneys for former state senator Brian A. Joyce on Friday railed against prosecutors' attempts to subpoena records from one of his defense lawyers, likening the move to a fishing expedition and warning the files they are seeking could run to tens of thousands of pages. Prosecutors have sought to have Howard Cooper, who is defending Joyce against federal corruption charges, disqualified from the case."

- "FEMA extends housing assistance through May for hurricane evacuees facing Friday deadline," by Shannon Young, MassLive.com: "The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Friday that it will extend the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program for nearly 2,000 hurricane evacuees whose housing benefits were set to run out. Officials, following outcry from Puerto Rican hurricane evacuees in Western Massachusetts and other places across the United States, said the agency will allow the 1,700 families whose benefit was set to end Friday remain in hotels while FEMA performs additional case reviews of their eligibility."

- "In Historic Move, Harvard Teaching and Research Assistants Vote to Unionize," by Shera S. Avi-Yonah, Caroline S. Engelmayer, Molly C. McCafferty, and Crimson Staff Writers, the Harvard Crimson: "In a historic move, Harvard teaching and research assistants have voted to form a union. Barring challenges to the result, this vote means roughly 5,000 eligible students can now begin to collectively bargain with the University as members of Harvard Graduate Students Union-United Auto Workers."

- "Ryan asks SJC to ban courthouse detentions by ICE," by Robert Mills, the Lowell Sun: "Marian Ryan is one of two district attorneys to lend their support to a legal action asking the Supreme Judicial Court to ban federal immigration agents from detaining people in state courthouses. Ryan, the Middlesex district attorney, recently sent a letter supporting the request to the SJC, citing the large number of immigrants in Middlesex County, and the damage that could be done to public safety if undocumented immigrants have reason to fear going to court to serve as witnesses."

- "'Opportunity Zones' designation could spur Westfield Urban Renewal," by Hope Tremblay, MassLive.com: "The city's downtown corridor was designated an Opportunity Zone this week by Gov. Charlie Baker. Mayor Brian P. Sullivan said this will help attract investors to Westfield. Westfield Advancement Officer Joe Mitchell was thrilled Baker recognized the city."

- "Environmental doubts linger about Holbrook transfer station," by Neal Simpson, the Patriot Ledger: "Holbrook town officials have been pushing the transfer station for more than a decade as an economic boon for a cash-strapped town that already has some of the highest tax rates in the region. But the plan is rapidly becoming a lightning rod in South Shore politics as the project inches closer to becoming a reality, pitting the small town of Hollbrook against Braintree and Randolph, its larger neighbors to the north and west."

MAZEL! - WEEKEND WEDDING -- "Maritza Ebling, Matthew Hillard" -- N.Y. Times: "The bride, 28, is a field engineer at Indico, a company in Boston that provides technology for businesses to build analytics systems to improve products, predict future sales and access new markets. She graduated from Wesleyan University. ... The groom, also 28, graduated from Bowdoin College and, in December, received a master's degree in public policy from the University of Michigan." On May 7, he starts as a senior analyst at Project Evident, an early stage-start up that helps non profits develop research and evaluation strategies. https://nyti.ms/2HUh9Ha ... Wedding pic http://bit.ly/2F7JaIc

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY - to former Mass GOP chairman and state Rep. Brian Cresta and former state Rep. and Mass Bio head Bob Coughlin, who celebrated on Sunday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to founder and CEO of 90 West Alex Goldstein, former Massport director of Maritime Security and Police Chief Joe Lawless, state Rep. Brian Ashe, and state Rep. Geoff Diehl.

DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? No! The Celtics fell just short in their comeback effort against the Bucks 104-102, the Red Sox lost to the A's 4-1 and the Bruins failed to clinch their first-round series against the Leafs on Saturday, losing 4-3.

POLITICO Space is our new weekly briefing on the policies and personalities shaping the second space age. Sign-up today.

ICYMI - THE LATEST HORSE RACE PODCAST EPISODE: North of the Wall. We head north of the wall - a.k.a. New Hampshire - with special guest host and former pod correspondent Ben Downing. First, The Boston Globe's James Pindell describes what he's seeing up north, now that we know Rep. Joe KennedyIII will be heading there in the fall. Then, Salem News' Ethan Forman breaks down the challengers to Rep. Seth Moulton, and our local poll master and host Steve Koczela calls in to discuss the polling related additions to the AP Style Guide. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud

Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.

FOR MORE political and policy news from Massachusetts, check out: http://politi.co/1qNSlWx

SUBSCRIBE to the Playbook family: POLITICO Playbook http://politi.co/2lQswbh ... New York Playbook http://politi.co/1ON8bqW ... Florida Playbook http://politi.co/1OypFe9 ... New Jersey Playbook http://politi.co/1HLKltF ... Massachusetts Playbook http://politi.co/1Nhtq5v ... Illinois Playbook http://politi.co/1N7u5sb ... California Playbook http://politi.co/2bLvcPl ... Brussels Playbook http://politi.co/1FZeLcw ... London Playbook http://politi.co/2xfDPuK ... All our political and policy tipsheets http://politi.co/1M75UbX

To view online:
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/massachusetts-playbook/2018/04/23/mourning-miceli-walsh-gets-out-the-vote-statie-scandal-reform-265429

---

---

 POLITICO, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA, 22209, USA