POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BAKER’s ‘safe’ — Ed funding formula REBOOT — DISTRESS from the Martha’s Vineyard ferry
BAKER’s ‘safe’ — Ed funding formula REBOOT — DISTRESS from the Martha’s Vineyard ferry
05/11/2018 07:54 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)
EYE ON NOVEMBER, FORECAST EDITION — It's a good week in Bakerworld: a national election forecaster has upgraded Gov. Charlie Baker to a lock for re-election, regardless of a "national Democratic tsunami."
Baker is now seen as the only safe Republican in New England heading into November according to Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball out of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. The "Safe Republican" rating holds the most confidence in a Republican gain (or in this case, hold) for a seat.
That's thanks in part to Setti Warren's departure from the gubernatorial race, which Sabato cites as "another indication of the rather hopeless position Democrats are in against Baker, who narrowly won in 2014 but has been very popular in office." The money conversation has dominated discussion of the Democrats still in the race, since Setti cited a lack of financial resources as a factor in his departure from the race on April 26, calling the challenge "insurmountable."
Fundraising, compared to Baker's nearly $8 million war chest, remains a challenge for remaining challengers Jay Gonzalez and Bob Massie. In the last two weeks of April, Gonzalez brought in $25,314, bringing his campaign account to $114,459. Massie raised $9,638, with $19,676 in his total campaign account. In that same two-week window, Baker raised $217,538, bringing his campaign account to just shy of $8 million. It stands to be seen if fundraising for the remaining Democrats has picked up post-Setti's departure.
In what must have been a well-received line at Baker's campaign HQ, Sabato argues Baker is seemingly impervious to a coming blue wave. "We had previously held this race as Likely Republican to allow for the possibility of a giant Democratic wave wiping out Baker, but at this point we don't even think a national Democratic tsunami would hurt him much."
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 will be named the Port Person of the Year award from the Propeller Club of Boston at their Maritime Day Luncheon - Rep. Joe Kennedy III is in the district visiting Dorchester's Epiphany School and holding a Q&A with Wellesley's College Democrats - Rep. Richard Neal gives the granddaughter of Dr. Seuss a tour of Springfield's Union Station.
DATELINE BEACON HILL —
- "Massachusetts Senate releases $41.42 billion budget proposal for FY19 with focus on education," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: The Massachusetts Senate Ways and Means Committee on Thursday released a $41.42 billion state budget proposal for fiscal 2019 that would represent a 3 percent increase in spending over the current year. ... That is higher than the $40.9 billion budget proposed by Gov. Charlie Baker and slightly less than the $41.5 billion budget passed by the House. But senators will likely add more money into the budget during debate on the Senate floor, which is scheduled to begin May 22."
- "Senate calls for ed funding formula revamp," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "State officials are marking the 25th anniversary of the landmark 1993 education reform law with a statewide set of events being held under the banner 'Leading the Nation,' a reference to the top performance of Massachusetts students on national achievement tests. But the boasts and bows are colliding with an inconvenient truth: The state's students may be leading the nation, but Massachusetts is lagging badly on the funding promise to schools that was a key pillar of the reform law being celebrated. "
THIS WOULD REDUCE THE PROTECTION FOR THOSE THREATENED AND SUBVERT THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW.
- "Gun access bill critics say it needs mental health component," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "A group of House lawmakers, mostly Republicans, who are concerned with a "red flag" gun bill that House Speaker Robert DeLeo has said he will call a vote on later this month are trying to refocus the debate away from firearms and onto mental health. Rep. Joseph McKenna, a Webster Republican, wrote to Democratic leaders last week urging them to consider an alternative proposal that would create a legal structure for someone's guns to be taken away only after they have been committed for mental health treatment."
- "SJC justices urge lawmakers to update independent contractor law," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com: "A newspaper delivery woman injured on the job was an independent contractor who is not eligible for workers' compensation, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled Thursday. But several of the justices urged the Legislature to update the state's independent contractor law to alleviate confusion."
- "Addressing escalating cost of college a priority for Baker administration (Guest viewpoint)," by James Peyser, MassLive.com: "Across the Commonwealth, students, families, and policymakers grapple with how to handle escalating college costs. It not only affects household budgets and bottom lines, but our Commonwealth's future economic success. Nationally, costs at both public and private colleges have grown dramatically over the last 30 years, accelerating more than twice as fast as inflation, outpacing both personal income and state tax revenues."
DATELINE DC —
- "US Sen. Ed Markey issues 'red alert' as FCC prepares to end 'net neutrality' protections in June," by Shannon Young, MassLive.com: "U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, urged Congress Thursday to immediately act to protect "net neutrality" provisions, as the FCC announced it will officially roll back the Obama-era internet regulations next month. Markey, who is leading the Senate effort to override the Federal Communications Commission's December ruling to undo net neutrality protections, issued a "red alert" after officials revealed the controversial "Restoring Internet Freedom Order" will take effect on June 11."
ON THE STUMP —
IT SAYS A GREAT DEAL ABOUT MS. LINDSTROM THAT SHE APPEARED ON FOX NEWS = FAKE NEWS.
- "US Senate hopeful Beth Lindstrom tells 'Fox & Friends' she's GOP's 'best chance' to unseat Elizabeth Warren," by Shannon Young, MassLive.com: "Beth Lindstrom, a Republican running for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts, stopped by Fox News Thursday to make her pitch for why she's the best candidate to square-off against incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Warren this fall. The Groton business owner and longtime political operative, in an appearance on "Fox & Friends," argued that she not only offers a "big contrast to (Warren's) left-wing, progressive politics," but is the Republican Party's best hope to unseat the Democrat."
- "'This Is Quite an Ambush': Sue Goes 1-on-1 With Scott Lively," by New England Cable News: Watch the interview here.
- "Fresh faces pledge community service in Fifth Suffolk District," by Jennifer Smith, Dorchester Reporter: "The race that is shaping up for the House seat being vacated by state Rep. Evandro Carvalho features familiar names along with neighborhood activists who are seeking to represent the parts of Dorchester and Roxbury in the Fifth Suffolk District. According to Boston Elections and the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office, four candidates have made the ballot: Democrats Darrin D'Wayne Howell, Roy Owens, and Elizabeth "Liz" Miranda, and unenrolled candidate Althea Garrison, who is identifying herself as an "independent progressive."
THE TSONGAS ARENA —
- "L'Italien Announces Endorsement from Haverhill City Councilor Mary Ellen Daly O'Brien As She Launches 'Moms on a Mission' Video Series," from the Barbara L'Italien campaign: "City Councilor Mary Ellen Daly O'Brien announced her support for congressional candidate and State Senator Barbara L'Italien today in the first video in the campaign's "Moms on a Mission" supporter series. L'Italien is celebrating Mother's Day by amplifying the stories of moms like her from across the district who are creating change for their families and communities. ... In the video , Daly O'Brien shares her passion for empowering women officeholders and explains why she supports L'Italien for Congress."
THE WARREN REPORT —
- "Sen. Elizabeth Warren: Gina Haspel "Can't Be Trusted" To Lead CIA," by Tori Beford, WGBH News: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren is calling for her fellow senators to reject the nomination of Gina Haspel as director of the CIA, arguing that Haspel's involvement in a controversial Bush-era interrogation program after 9/11 should disqualify her from the position. 'I can't support her,' Warren said during an interview with Boston Public Radio Thursday. 'I think this is not a good place for us to be, and I thought the hearing yesterday really emphasized that.'"
THE KENNEDY COMPOUND —
- "Joseph Kennedy III to speak in West Chester, May 30," by the Unionville (Pa.) Times: "Congressman Joe Kennedy III (D-MA) will visit Chester County on Wednesday, May 30 to present keynote remarks at "Vision of the Future", being held at West Chester University at 5:00pm. He is the first premier guest the Chester County Young Democrats welcome to encourage political awareness and involvement ahead of the 2018 midterms."
WOOD WAR — Herald: "QUIT PLAYING GAMES!" "OUT ON A LIMB WITH KIM" — Globe: "Attacks escalate Israel-Iran tensions," "'Don't forget to take your pills!'" "STAYING IN CHARACTER," "After the final out, Sox keep playing," "Many Mass. college students going hungry."
THE LOCAL ANGLE —
- "Many public college students in Massachusetts go hungry while trying to earn degrees," by Michael Levenson, Boston Globe: "Nearly half of Massachusetts' community college students and a third in the state colleges and universities cannot afford consistent access to food and housing, according to a new study that found an alarming number of students unable to meet basic needs as they pursue their degrees. In a state that prides itself on its world-renowned private universities, the survey showed that students in the public higher education system struggle to pay for food and housing in ways that go well beyond the stereotypical image of students scraping by on ramen noodles in apartments crowded with roommates."
- 'Distress call': Martha's Vineyard ferries, lifeline for island residents, saw more than 500 canceled trips in 4 months," by Gintautas Dumcius, MassLive.com: "Mechanical issues have caused more than 500 cancellations of ferry trips between Martha's Vineyard and Woods Hole in southeastern Massachusetts in the first four months of this year, a spike that has islanders worried as they approach the busy summer season that brings tens of thousands of tourists to the Cape and Islands."
- "Restoration of public confidence needed after 'extremely troubling' Martha's Vineyard ferry problems, Mass. lawmakers say," by Gintautas Dumcius, MassLive.com: "The Steamship Authority, which handles ferries for Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, needs to take steps to restore public confidence after cancellations of hundreds of trips between Woods Hole and Vineyard Haven, according to two Massachusetts lawmakers who represent the area.State Sen. Julian Cyr and state Rep. Dylan Fernandes this week sent a letter to the general manager of the Steamship Authority, citing its failure to solve maintenance and operations problems and urging the authority to hire an outside consultant for a comprehensive review."
- "Hasbro sends supply of Play-Doh to Leicester Police Department," by Brian Lee, Telegram & Gazette Staff: "Hasbro sent the Police Department several boxes of Play-Doh this week, after a shoplifting suspect's fingerprint was left on the kids' arts-and-crafts product in an apparent effort to muffle a security alarm at Walmart. The print was linked to a man in jail for other crimes, police said."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Treasurer Deb Goldberg, and Alex Cahill, associate chief of staff for cabinet affairs for Gov. Charlie Baker and Romney alum.
HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND - to Kathryn Alexander, communications director for Rep. Katherine Clark, who celebrates on Saturday and Goldman Associates president Michael Goldmanand locations aide to the Motion Picture Industry's Jack Pitney.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Red Sox beat the Yankees 5-4.
FRESH OUT OF THE GATE - FOR THE LATEST HORSE RACE PODCAST EPISODE: The home stretch of the ballot question saga comes down to a Supreme Judicial Court decision. State House News reporter Andy Metzger explains why we're in limbo and what to make of Governor Baker's "Grand Bargain." ... Then we hear from Western Massachusetts correspondent Rich Parr, who due to Stan Rosenberg's resignation now lives in a district with no state representation. Plus our resident state senate bureau chief Ben Downing discusses the current state of the body. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud
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