POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: LePAGE stumps for DIEHL — POLICE UNION chafes over GPS tracking — Ethics questions for GALVIN staff
LePAGE stumps for DIEHL — POLICE UNION chafes over GPS tracking — Ethics questions for GALVIN staff
05/10/2018 07:19 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)
LePAGE STUMPS FOR DIEHL - State Rep. Geoff Diehl is bringing in another high-powered, if controversial, Republican to make his case to take on Sen. Elizabeth Warren this November.
This time, it's Maine Governor Paul LePage, who's being billed as the featured speaker at a Diehl event on May 21 in Waltham. Tickets run between $1,500 for Host Committee billing, $250 for an invite to the photo reception, and $50 for access to the general reception.
LePage - a noted Trump supporter - is another nod to the ruby-red flank of the state Republican party, and the latest reminder of Diehl's bonafides with the President, even if Diehl never mentioned the president in his speech to party faithful at the Republican State Convention last month. In April, Diehl brought in former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer for a fundraiser at the Union Oyster House in Boston.
LePage has a colorful recent history with Massachusetts, like when he stated those arrested with fentanyl and heroin "are not white people. They're Hispanic and they're black, and they're from Lowell and Lawrence, Massachusetts." He's also taken swipes at Massachusetts' own Republican governor Charlie Baker, saying last summer Baker's "not doing what he needs to do." But the Maine Republican has also maintained ties with the more conservative wing of the state Republican party, like when LePage addressed the Massachusetts Republican Assembly in early 2017.
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 participates in the North Shore Chamber of Commerce leadership breakfast - Boston Mayor Marty Walsh heads to Ireland for five days in the second international trip of his mayoral administration - state Sen. Karen Spilka releases the Senate's Ways and Means budget, her last before she ascends to the senate presidency.
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
- "Massachusetts House votes to raise age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com: "The Massachusetts House on Wednesday passed a bill raising the statewide age for buying tobacco from 18 to 21. Rep. Paul McMurtry, D-Dedham, one of the original sponsors of the bill, called it 'a lifesaving measure.'"
- "State Police union files complaint about GPS vehicle tracking," by Kay Lazar, Boston Globe: "The union representing Massachusetts State Police is pushing back against a recent major reform, accusing the agency's leaders of acting in bad faith by forcing a GPS vehicle tracking system on troopers. In a complaint filed late last week with the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations, the State Police Association of Massachusetts said it had been trying for a year to negotiate with agency officials over a reorganization of the department and the launch of a GPS system."
- "Collins sworn in to Senate, eyes UMass hearing on Mount Ida College," by Jennifer Smith, Dorchester Reporter: "Nick Collins, state Senator-elect for the First Suffolk District, was sworn in at noon today by Gov. Charlie Baker and will join the legislative body just in time for continued budget discussions and the upcoming hearing on UMass Amherst's proposed acquisition of Mount Ida College. In a low-turnout special election this month, the former state Rep. succeeded Linda Dorcena Forry in her vacated Senate seat. He now represents swaths of South Boston, Dorchester, and Mattapan."
- "Girl power," by Jack Sullivan, CommonWealth Magazine: "The #MeToo movement has empowered women to take back the narrative on harassment and discrimination. It also could give them real power in making laws and policy."
ON THE STUMP -
- "Galvin employees filed election papers during business hours," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Secretary of State William F. Galvin, the state's chief elections officer for more than two decades, is leaning heavily on employees within his office to help with his first serious primary fight in years, and in some cases, potentially running afoul of ethics rules. At least 13 taxpayer-funded employees who work for the secretary of state's office have filed election paperwork on his campaign's behalf during weekdays or normal business hours, the Globe found after reviewing documents from dozens of local clerk's offices."
THIS WOULD SEEM TO COINCIDE WITH THE 'POLLING' WE RECEIVED - ASKED MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT CHARLIE BAKER'S PERFORMANCE - IN THE MIDST OF THE STATE POLICE SCANDAL, DOR FAUX PAS, DMV CONFUSION & LONG LINES AND MUCH ELSE. IS THERE ANYTHING CHARLIE BAKER HAS MADE BETTER?
- "Charlie Baker campaign drops $25,000 on political research firm," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "The Swampscott Republican's reelection campaign, which has been quietly toiling in its Allston headquarters since the start of the year, paid more than $25,000 late last month to an upstart Washington, D.C., firm that specializes in, among other things, identifying potential political and 'reputational risk' for its clients. Baker has no clear opponent in November, yet. But to put the expense in context, the single $25,415 payment to Percipient Strategies outpaced what either Jay Gonzalez or Bob Massie - the two Democrats running for governor - raised for their entire campaigns in the same two-week reporting period."
- "Ratings Changes: Senate, Governor, House," by Kyle Kondik and Geoffrey Skelley, Sabato's Crystal Ball: "One ratings change this week unrelated to the primaries comes in Massachusetts, which despite being one of the most Democratic states in the Union seems to like having Republican governors. We're moving Gov. Charlie Baker (R-MA), a GOP moderate who is a good fit for the state, from Likely Republican to Safe Republican."
- "No more Governor Nice Guy," by Yvonne Abraham, Boston Globe: "Get ready to step up, Governor. A distressingly large chunk of the state's Republican faithful just voted to put a bigot on the gubernatorial ballot, throwing our doors open to a hatred we should have moved beyond many years ago. Now, governor, it will be up to you to beat that hatred back."
- "US Rep. Richard Neal, Tahirah Amatul-Wadud make ballot, will square off in Democratic primary," by Shannon Young, MassLive.com: "U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and Springfield attorney Tahirah Amatul-Wadud will both officially appear on the September ballot, setting the stage for a primary showdown -- the first for Democrats in the 1st Congressional District in six years. Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin's office confirmed Wednesday that Neal and Amatul-Wadud had each been certified for the ballot after turning in more than the 2,000 voter signatures, as well as other documents, needed to take part in the Sept. 4 primary."
- "Shiva Ayyadurai says he's raised millions, but nearly 97 percent are in-kind donations," by Frank Phillips, Boston Globe: "As Shiva Ayyadurai, a Cambridge-based tech entrepreneur and independent candidate for US Senate, frames it, his fund-raising prowess demonstrates his campaign 'grows explosively.' His proof: His committee raised $4.64 million in contributions to challenge Senator Elizabeth Warren ... But Ayyadurai ... apparently doesn't go by the usual standards to measure support."
THE TSONGAS ARENA -
- "3rd Congressional Dem hopefuls debate party's message," by Elizabeth Dobbins, Lowell Sun: "More than a year after Hillary Clinton's loss in the 2016 presidential election, Democratic candidates vying for the 3rd Congressional District seat wrangled with what message their party should offer constituents during a debate hosted at Fitchburg State University Wednesday night."
- "2nd Dem panel takes shots at each other in debate," by Chris Lisinski, Lowell Sun: "The second of two debates for 3rd Congressional District Democrats again featured widespread agreement on progressive policies, but there was a sharper edge to the evening's tone as some candidates began to criticize others directly."
THE WARREN REPORT -
- "Sen. Elizabeth Warren to host town hall in New Bedford," by Michael Bonner, SouthCoast Today: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren will host a town hall-style discussion, consisting of audience questions, on Saturday in New Bedford. The event will take place at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, 1121 Ashley Blvd. Doors will open at 11 a.m. with the event to begin at noon."
WOOD WAR - Herald: "BRING ON LEBRON!" - Globe: "Walsh proposes tight rules on rentals," "Release of prisoners clears path to summit," "GARDEN VARIETY," "CIA nominee challenged on use of torture," "Galvin staff did campaign talk during work hours," "A STRUGGLE TO FIND FOOTING IN THE SEAPORT."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "Climate Summit For Mayors To Be Held In Boston In June," by WBUR Newsroom: "Former Secretary of State and Massachusetts U.S. Sen. John Kerry will be the keynote speaker at an international summit on climate change in Boston next month. Mayors from across the globe will meet at Boston University on June 7 - about a year after the Trump administration announced it plans to pull out of the Paris climate accords. Kerry negotiated the Paris pact."
- "Walsh moves to rein in rentals through services like Airbnb," by Tim Logan and Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe:"Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh proposed new rules Wednesday that could stifle growth in the city's booming short-term rental industry and, he hopes, help ease sky-high housing costs. Walsh filed a bill with the City Council that would ban investor-owned apartments from being rented by the night hotel-style, while setting up guidelines for people who occasionally rent out a spare room or their entire home when they're out of town."
- "State investigating Uber's pricing during deadly nor'easter," by Jordan Graham, Boston Herald: "State regulators are investigating whether Uber has illegally jacked up rates with surge pricing in violation of state law - a claim Uber is contesting, saying it has followed the letter of the law. ... The incident now under a state spotlight took place during a nor'easter in early March. Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency March 3-6."
- "Environmentalists And Town of Saugus Appeal State Approval Of Ash Landfill," by Craig LeMoult, WGBH News: "The Massachusetts-based Conservation Law Foundation is appealing the state Department of Environmental Protection's April decision to allow a controversial ash landfill in Saugus to continue operations. The appeal follows a similar one filed last week by the Saugus Board of Health."
- "Mayor Walsh travels to Ireland tomorrow," by Jennifer Smith, Dorchester Reporter: "Mayor Martin Walsh will leave for Ireland tomorrow for five days, his second international trip as mayor, during which he will receive several ceremonial awards and participate in the unveiling of Kilkerrin Rock. The son of Irish immigrants from Connemara, Walsh is expected to speak on the ties between Boston and his family's home country, according to a City of Boston press release, highlighting the importance of cultural richness, acceptance of immigrants, and economic partnerships."
- "Farmers, groups raise concerns about dairy crisis," by Richie Davis, The Recorder: "The situation for dairy farmers is "about as bad as it's been," according to Sunderland farmer Bob Williams. And for an industry that's struggled for years with complicated constraints on making and selling milk, that's really bad."
- "I Love My Job: UniversalHub Founder Adam Gaffin," by Spencer Buell, Boston Magazine: "It's not easy running Boston's blog-of-record. But that's exactly what Adam Gaffin, the 59-year-old creator and headline aficionado behind UniversalHub does on what appears to be a 24/7 basis."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to AG Maura Healey deputy press secretary Chloe Gotsis, Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the Senate's Natalie Boyle and Linnea Walsh, former executive director of the MWPC and director of marketing and communications with the external affairs team of the Group Insurance Commission, Boston Globe nightside news editor Jackie Reiss, Norwell Republican Town Committee vice chair and legislative aide Alex Milne, and Boston Globe deputy digital sports editor Gary Dzen.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes and No! The Celtics held on to beat the 76ers 114-112, winning the series and moving onto the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers.The Red Sox lost to the Yankees 9-6.
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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