POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: DEM debate day — Cambridge’s McGOVERN backs ZAKIM — In the hunt for AMAZON



AMAZON? WORTH READING THE ARTICLE BELOW AS CHARLIE BAKER SALIVATES TO THROW MORE TAXPAYER DOLLARS AT A COMPANY THAT NOT ONLY PAYS NOT TAXES, BUT GETS 'REBATES' ! 

CHARLIE BAKER'S LATEST TAXPAYER GIVEAWAY TO AMAZON WAS $20 MILLION IN A LOCATION ALREADY CONGESTED BECAUSE OF LACK OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION....IN AN AREA AT RISK OF SUFFERING CATASTROPHIC STORM DAMAGE THAT IS INADEQUATELY ADDRESSED. 

Bernie Sanders. (photo: Antonella Crescimbeni)
Bernie Sanders. (photo: Antonella Crescimbeni)

Amazon Pays Nothing in Federal Income Taxes Yet Receives $137 Million in Tax Rebates



DEM debate day — Cambridge’s McGOVERN backs ZAKIM — In the hunt for AMAZON


05/17/2018 07:08 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

DEM-ON-DEM ACTION — The two Democrats vying to take on Gov. Charlie Baker in November, Jay Gonzalez and Bob Massie, will meet face-to-face in their first major debate of the election cycle this afternoon.
We're just over two weeks away from the State Democratic Convention, where both candidates will need to secure the support of 15 percent of the delegates in attendance to make it onto the ballot. Up until now, the key mission for both candidates has been to lock down that delegate support. But beginning today - and once they clear the convention - it's on to primary season where they talk to a wider swath of people: potential Democratic primary voters, which includes unenrolled voters who choose to cast a Democratic ballot.
This afternoon's debate isn't the first time Massie and Gonzalez have crossed paths. In fact, the two candidates have criss-crossed the state for forums and meetings with Democrats, frequently putting them in the same room to vet their issues in front of voters.
The mission for these candidates will be to make news — or have some sort of breakout moment. Look for jabs between the candidates (both are versed well in the other's policies thanks in part to all those joint town halls and forums). Massie hinted at a key point where he plans to go after Gonzalez: the environment. "I'll be interested to hear what Jay has to say about some of my ideas, since I have yet to hear more specific details of his climate change plan," Massie told me yesterday.
Beginning at 3 p.m., the debate at UMass Boston's campus center will be co-hosted by WBUR's Meghna Chakrabarti and the Boston Globe's Shira Center.

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, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rosalin Acosta, Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders, and several members of the administration will join other state and local officials at the Grand Opening of the Nancy L. and Richard Donahue UTEC Hub for Social Innovation in Lowell - Regulators at the Cannabis Control Commissionprovide an update on staffing and applicants for dispensary licenses - AG Maura Healey delivers MassBay Community College's commencement address.
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ON THE STUMP —
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK - Cambridge Mayor Marc McGovern endorses Josh Zakim for Secretary of State, via the Zakim campaign: "Cambridge Mayor Marc McGovern today announced that he is endorsing Josh Zakim in his campaign for the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State. ...'Josh's dedication to protect the rights of voters is exactly what this office needs,' McGovern said. 'We shouldn't have to question the integrity of our elections, or the officials overseeing them, and with Josh, we can trust that the process will be fully fair and open.' ... McGovern also lauded Zakim's efforts in establishing the Boston Trust Act."
- "Candidate Sam Meas accuses Rep. Rady Mom of physical attack," by Rick Sobey, Lowell Sun: "A challenger to state Rep. Rady Mom is accusing Mom of choking him at a party at Pailin City Restaurant earlier this month. police report filed on May 8 includes a five-sentence narrative of the alleged 30-second incident. Meas said he was not hurt, but fears for his safety."
- "3 Berkshire District Attorney candidates have their say at Pittsfield debate," by Dick Lindsay, The Berkshire Eagle: "The three candidates for Berkshire District Attorney squared off Wednesday evening, focusing on the fairness of the criminal justice system, prosecutorial professionalism, handling domestic violence cases and other issues facing the county's top law enforcer. The first debate of the first contested Berkshire District Attorney race in 12 years immediately showed the differences, if at times subtle, between the two challengers and the incumbent."
- "Framingham Democrats meet Sunday to discuss Walsh seat," by Zane Razzaq, MetroWest Daily News: "The Democratic Town Committee will meet Sunday and vote on whether to fill the 6th Middlesex state representative seat formerly held by the late Christopher Walsh by holding a caucus or to instead let a write-in process take place ahead of the regular election in November. Walsh, who had represented Framingham in the Legislature since 2011, died May 2 at age 66 after a battle with cancer."
- "Democrats face push from left," by Yawu Miller, The Bay State Banner: "That state Rep. Angelo Scaccia has challengers is not a surprise. The conservative-leaning Hyde Park Democrat was first elected in 1973 and represents a district with a voting population that has shifted from majority Italian American to majority people of color. Among those who have pulled papers to take on Scaccia, one of the longest-serving representatives in the House, are criminal justice reform activist Segun Idowu and former Women's Bar Association president Gretchen Van Ness."
THE TSONGAS ARENA —
- "Seven Democrats on 3rd District ballot," by Chris Lisinski, Lowell Sun: "Seven Democrats are now on the ballot for the 3rd Congressional District primary election, and that number is likely to increase in the coming weeks. The Secretary of State's office said Monday that seven Democrats — Jeff Ballinger, Rufus Gifford, Dan Koh, Barbara L'Italien, Bopha Malone, Juana Matias and Lori Trahan  collected enough signatures and had them verified, confirming their spots on the Sept. 4 primary ballot."
- Rufus Gifford releases policy plan on climate change and the environment, from the Gifford campaign: "I've been a green guy my entire life," said Gifford. "I will always be a champion for aspirational and aggressive policies to reduce our carbon emissions and preserve our natural resources for generations to come. The release of the plan follows a number of meetings and events across the district with climate and environmental advocacy organizations, academics, businesses involved in renewable energy and sustainability, and conservationists.
DATELINE BEACON HILL —

- "Mount Ida's board chair faced questions from skeptical senators as other top college officials skipped oversight hearing," by Gintautas Dumcius, MassLive.com: "The chair of Mount Ida College's board of trustees was on the hot seat Wednesday, facing questions and assignments of blame from state senators skeptical of a proposed deal involving UMass acquiring the small private institution. Flanked by two attorneys representing the college, Carmin Reiss, the board chair, defended the deal, saying it was preferable to the college declaring bankruptcy."


WORTH LISTENING! CHARLIE BAKER'S DOUBLE TALK...HE STILL DOESN'T UNDERSTAND MBTA FAIL AND TALKS LONG TERM...NOT TODAY!  AND OF COURSE THERE'S CHARLIE'S SOUTHCOAST RAIL BRAIN FART THAT WILL COST TOO MUCH AND IS ONLY TEMPORARY..... AND AMAZON HQ2? AMAZON GOT $20 MILLION FOR ITS LATEST ENDEAVOR...WAIT 'TILL YA SEE WHAT HQ2 COSTS! 

- "Massachusetts Gov. Baker Expects Boston to Be in the Hunt for Amazon HQ2," by Bloomberg Technology: "Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker discusses Amazon, public transportation, regulating Airbnb, sports gambling, solar power, and infrastructure projects in his state. He speaks with Bloomberg's Caroline Hyde and Tom Moroney on 'Bloomberg Technology.'"



- "Spilka's words, actions at odds on housing choices program," by Michael P. Norton, State House News Service: "The Baker administration seemed to have locked in a powerful ally this week in Sen. Karen Spilka, who stood with state officials at the base of the Grand Staircase and spoke about the value of a program designed to lure municipalities into building more housing. But there's a hiccup in Spilka's rhetoric. On May 10, she unveiled a $41.4 billion budget that included no funding for the housing choices program, which Gov. Charlie Baker funded at $2.7 million when he kicked off fiscal 2019 budget deliberations in January."

-"Budget becomes battleground on sanctuary state," by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: "Two state senators are dueling in budget amendments over whether Massachusetts should be a sanctuary state, with Gov. Charlie Baker promising a careful review of the final spending plan once it reaches his desk."

- "Clean energy future the focus of Worcester environmental forum," by Steven H. Foskett Jr., Telegram & Gazette Staff:"Despite a tight deadline, state Senate President Harriette Chandler and other lawmakers said at a forum Wednesday night were hopeful that a major piece of energy legislation will be on Gov. Charlie Baker's desk to sign into law by the end of July."

DATELINE DC —
- "US Sen. Ed Markey touts 'net neutrality' win, says Trump administration has been put 'on notice'," by Shannon Young, MassLive.com: "U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, praised chamber lawmakers Wednesday for supporting his effort to protect 'net neutrality' regulations, offering that the success of his resolution to block new FCC internet rules should send a message to Republican leaders and the White House. Markey, an outspoken critic of the Federal Communications Commission's December vote to roll back net neutrality protections, thanked Democrats, independents and the handful of GOP senators who voted 52 to 47 to endorse his resolution to maintain Obama-era internet regulations."

- "Senators Call on Faust to Increase Public Service Funding," by Kristine E. Guillaume, Jamie D. Halper and Crimson staff writers, The Harvard Crimson: "A bipartisan group of six senators wrote a letter to University President Drew G. Faust Friday, calling on her to fulfill her 2010 commitment to increase opportunities for students across the University to work in public service summer internships. The letter, obtained by The Crimson, references Faust's 2010 Commencement address, in which she announced that Harvard would commit to 'doubling the current amount of funding for undergraduate summer service opportunities, and a significant increase for graduate students.'"

- "Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey slam FEMA's decision to not offer Disaster Housing Assistance Program to Puerto Rico hurricane evacuees," by Shannon Young, MassLive.com: "U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, expressed frustration Wednesday over FEMA's decision to not offer Disaster Housing Assistance Program to Puerto Rican families displaced by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, offering that the federal government owes these evacuees better. The senators, who urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency last month to work with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in offering the program to help hurricane survivor, continued to raise concerns about the number of evacuees seeking long-term housing solutions."
THE WARREN REPORT —

- "Elizabeth Warren Pledges Big Money To 'Turn Up The Heat On Gerrymandering'," by Daniel Marans, Huffington Post: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) announced Tuesday that she would contribute $175,000 to efforts to Democratic groups trying to win back state legislatures and to fight partisan gerrymandering. The senior Massachusetts senator identified control of state governments and the congressional redistricting process as key ways to fight Republican efforts to infringe on voting rights."

WOOD WAR — Herald"GOONEY TUNES" — Globe"Cannabis industry predicts slow start," "Bike services run up against the borders," "RAMADAN BEGINS," "The future: A wager on every play," "An insider's peek at infamous Trump Tower meeting," "Where wealthy play, no home for workers."
THE LOCAL ANGLE —
- "'When opportunity comes, it's usually too late': Minority-owned marijuana businesses confronted by municipal indifference, 'chaos'," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts state law is unique because it requires state regulators to ensure that minority communities and people with drug arrests -- those who have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana enforcement -- are able to participate in the legal marijuana industry. But practically, advocates for minority communities say state approval means nothing if businesses cannot get local approval from cities and towns. So far, that has proven difficult."

- "On Nantucket, wealthy residents oppose housing for seasonal employees," by David Abel, Boston Globe: "Indeed, the [Land Bank] commissioners were so confident that the dormitory — a one-story, 3,900-square-foot structure that would house up to 22 people — would be approved that they had plans drawn up for it. But a year later, after spending $50,000 in legal expenses to respond to [Liberty Mutual CEO David] Long, the Land Bank's plans to house its summer workers are now in doubt."

- "A bike-share border war has started in Boston," by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: "Boston is mounting a counterattack against a new threat breaching its borders: an invasion coming on two wheels. In the first — but probably not the last — flare-up in an inevitable bike-share border war, Boston is seizing vehicles from a Cambridge startup called Ant Bicycle, whose sudden incursion has tested the city's ability to keep up with the fast-changing bike-rental industry."
- "Malden man sentenced to 25 years for plotting to kill ex-wife's husband, judge, former Mass. AG," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "A federal judge in New Hampshire sentenced a 69-year-old Malden man to 25 years in prison for plotting to kill his ex-wife's husband, a judge, and a former Massachusetts attorney general, federal prosecutors said. Edward McLarnon was sentenced Wednesday for receiving firearms with intent to commit and related charges, according to a statement from the US Attorney's office in Concord, N.H."
- "Report details flurry of calls, texts after Gannon shooting," by Kristen Young, Cape Cod Times: "Moments after he allegedly shot and killed Yarmouth police Sgt. Sean Gannon in the attic of a Marstons Mills house, Thomas Latanowich sent a series of frantic voice and text messages to his ex-girlfriend saying he had killed a police officer, according to a state police report released for the first time Wednesday. The messages, along with other details of the April 12 incident that took the life of 32-year-old Gannon, were detailed in the report that was made public after Barnstable District Judge Kathryn Hand lifted an April 13 impoundment of court documents related to the case."

- "Mystic River cleanup near Everett casino costs Wynn Resorts nearly double original estimates," by Mark Arsenault, Boston Globe: "It cost twice as much as expected, but after 18 months of work and nearly a million tons of soil removed, Wynn Resorts has finished the cleanup of environmental contamination at the site of its resort casino in Everett, the company announced Wednesday. Cleaning the 33-acre property on the Mystic River, the site of a former chemical plant, cost $68 million, the company said in a statement."

- "Man sought in alleged Brazil murder plot arrested on Vineyard," by Jason Savio, Cape Cod Times: "A man sought in connection with an alleged murder-for-hire plot in Brazil has been arrested in Oak Bluffs by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, according to a statement from the Oak Bluffs Police Department. Brazilian national Dorvino Rocha Ribeiro, also known as Luciano Rocha, 47, was allegedly 'the principal and intermediary' in the fatal shooting of a man carried out in July 2017 in that country with promise of payment of 3,500 Brazilian reals, or about $945, according to a report from Interpol quoted in the statement."
- "Tito Jackson to receive honorary doctorate from alma mater," by James Pindell, Boston Globe: "Voters decided last fall that former Boston city councilor Tito Jackson won't go by the title of mayor, but his college alma mater is giving him a different designation: doctorate. On Saturday, Jackson will be one of three people to receive an honorary degree at the University of New Hampshire commencement ceremonies."
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Red Sox beat the A's 6-4.
FRESH OUT OF THE GATE - THE LATEST HORSE RACE PODCAST EPISODE: Pastor turned politician Scott Lively surprised some in the GOP establishment when he secured a spot on the ballot for the Republican gubernatorial primary. WGBH reporter and co-host of The Scrum Adam Reilly digs into who Lively is, and how he plans to cover the candidate. Then we look west with the Springfield Republican's Shannon Young to check in on the primary challenge to Congressman Richard Neal (MA-1). Plus POLITICO's Steve Shepard and our co-host Steve Koczela get their nerd on explaining a new experiment in exit polls. Subscribe and listen on iTunesand Sound Cloud
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** A message from Bay State Wind: Bay State Wind's global expertise is keeping us at the forefront of the permitting process. With eight geophysical, geotechnical, visual, benthic and avian assessment surveys completed to date in our lease area and along our proposed cable route, and the largest geophysical and geotechnical survey campaign in Ørsted's history starting this month, we are proactively gathering the data necessary for a complete and sufficient Construction and Operations Plan. Bay State Wind was the first to receive BOEM approval for our Site Assessment Plan and the only project to be designated under the Department of Interior's Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41) program. We have the credibility to deliver on-time development and construction. Bay State Wind is the clear choice for Massachusetts. More at baystatewind.com **




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