POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: : A GRAND BARGAIN show of force – BAKER, TRUMP back WARREN pot bill – MAYORS speak out on trans discrimination ballot question



A GRAND BARGAIN show of force – BAKER, TRUMP back WARREN pot bill – MAYORS speak out on trans discrimination ballot question



06/11/2018 07:05 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)
WELCOME TO MONDAY, MASSACHUSETTS.
A GRAND BARGAIN SHOW OF FORCE — Raise Up Massachusetts, the group behind the potential $15 minimum wage and paid family leave ballot measures — and also wrangling with negotiators on Beacon Hill over the so-called "grand bargain" — plans to deliver a public show of force this week.
Raise Up is holding a self-described week of action with rallies in and around the State House from Monday to Thursday.
The public displays come at a useful time for Raise Up, which is currently locked in negotiations for a potential legislative compromise between their two ballot questions and a sales tax decrease, which is being pushed by the Retailers Association of Massachusetts. Last week, Raise Up accused RAM of creating an impasse for not compromising over the $15 minimum wage proposal.
Events supporting a $15 minimum wage, such as the four scheduled this week, could also help apply pressure to negotiations and legislators — or ensure Raise Up's coalition of faith and union groups are ready to wage the ballot question campaign this fall.
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, LG Karyn Polito, Senate President Harriette Chandler and the Portuguese-American Legislative Caucus will welcome President of the Republic of Portugal Marcelo Nuno Duarte Rebelo de Sousa, Ambassador of Portugal to the U.S. Domingos Fezas Vital, President of the Regional Government of the Azores Vasco Cordiero, and Secretary of State of Portuguese Communities Abroad José Luis Carneiro to the State House - It's the final day of the US Conference of Mayors annual meeting, with a panel on youth involvement in the political process featuring Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School graduate David Hogg, Harvard Institute of Politics Director of Polling John Della Volpe, and Parkland, Florida mayor Christine Hunschofsky - Massachusetts Peace Action holds a candlelight vigil in support of the peace process in Korea ahead of President Trump's summit with Kim Jong Un on Tuesday.
DATELINE BEACON HILL —

- "Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker backs Sen. Elizabeth Warren's marijuana bill, urges Capitol Hill leaders to pass the legislation," by Gintautas Dumcius, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and his counterparts in 12 states on Friday urged Congressional leaders to pass US Sen. Elizabeth Warren's marijuana bill and protect the tax and regulatory structures set up by voters and state lawmakers. In a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill, Baker and his fellow governors noted that 46 states allow the use of medical marijuana and 9 states broadly legalized the controversial substance for recreational use."

CHARLIE BAKER'S MBTA FAIL! WE'RE STILL WAITING CHARLIE! 

- "Baker says he does have a vision for the T: 'Making it work,'" by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker defended the scale of his vision for the state and its transportation network on Friday and knocked calls to infuse it with more tax-created revenue, offering a likely preview of the rhetoric awaiting his reelection bid this fall. 'Big vision does not equal tax increase, OK?' Baker, a Republican, said."

- "Family of teen killed by texting driver pushes for new law as bill languishes on Beacon Hill," by Mike Beaudet, WCVB Channel 5 Boston: "A distracted driving bill that would require people to use hands-free cellphone technology behind the wheel has stalled on Beacon Hill, just as the deadline to pass the bill in formal session is fast approaching. Rich and Anna Levitan live with the pain of losing their 18-year-old daughter Merritt nearly five years ago."

- "A life honored in Framingham; hundreds attend celebration of the life of state Rep. Chris Walsh," by Henry Schwan, Milford Daily News: "The late state Rep. Chris Walsh loved his family, Framingham and the occasional glass of red wine. Sometimes, he enjoyed a sip of bourbon. Those were among the memories of Walsh shared by various speakers Saturday at a celebration of his life at Nevins Hall."
ON THE STUMP —
- "State Funding Program Unlikely To Make Dent In Governor's Race," by The Associated Press: "A state program aimed at rewarding candidates who volunteer to rein in spending isn't likely to make much of a dent in the disparity between Governor Charlie Baker's campaign war chest and those of his challengers. Election officials this week announced that nine Massachusetts candidates running for statewide office have opted to participate in the state's public financing program."
- "What taxes would Jay Gonzalez raise as governor: On The Record," by WCVB Channel 5 Boston: "Jay Gonzalez tells us what taxes he would raise if elected Governor of Massachusetts."

- "Democratic candidate for Governor tell us what Gov. Baker is doing wrong: On The Record," by WCVB Channel 5 Boston: Jay Gonzalez got the nomination from the Democratic Party for Massachusetts governor. He tells On The Record what's wrong with Gov. Charlie Baker."

- "DA forum reveals 'sunlight' among candidates," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "There appears to be growing interest in the looming contest for Suffolk County district attorney, the first open race for the position in 16 years and an election coming amidst a national wave of rethinking criminal justice policies and a focus on the important role played by prosecutors. But that heightened public attention is colliding with a challenge facing even the most engaged voters: Identifying meaningful distinctions among a crowded field of candidates, none of whom entered the race with a prominent public profile."

- "Diehl says he can beat the odds and defeat Sen. Warren," by Paul Tennant, Eagle-Tribune: "When state Rep. Geoff Diehl, R-Whitman, first ran for his current position in 2010, he was regarded as an underdog with no chance of defeating the incumbent, who had served in the Legislature for four years. Diehl claims a track record of winning as a long shot - and certainly he or whomever Republicans nominate in the Sept. 4 primary will be a long shot against [Sen. Elizabeth] Warren, a former Harvard Law School professor who vanquished the popular then-US Sen. Scott Brown in 2012."
- Beth Lindstrom receives endorsement from state Rep. Jay Barrows, from the Lindstrom campaign: "Barrows said, 'As a small business owner, I enthusiastically endorse Beth Lindstrom for US Senate. Small businesses need a true partner and advocate in Washington who will stand up for us and who appreciates us. Beth knows first hand the pride of owning your own business, and also the tax and regulatory burdens we face. Small business is the engine of our economy, and I look forward to working with Beth to keep that engine revving.'"
MITT WATCH - "Romney looks to lead GOP's establishment wing," by Alex Isenstadt, POLITICO: "Mitt Romney is mapping out plans to become a major player in the Senate — positioning himself to be the spokesman of a listless Republican Party establishment that's been steamrolled by President Donald Trump. And his top aides have broached the prospect that Romney could tap into the expansive national fundraising network that he established during his 2012 presidential bid to bankroll GOP candidates."
2020 WATCH —
- "Inside Obama's secret meetings, with 2020 contenders," by Edward-Isaac Dovere, POLITICO: "Barack Obama has in recent months met with at least nine prospective 2020 Democratic presidential candidates, including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden and Deval Patrick, pulling them in for one-on-one sessions at his Washington office. All the meetings were arranged quietly, without even some close advisers to the people involved being told of the conversations, in part because of how much Obama bristles at his private meetings becoming public knowledge."
- "The First 2020 Race Is Underway: Scrambling for New York Donors," by Shane Goldmacher, the New York Times: "It will be months before [former Vice President Joe] Biden, [California Sen. Kamala] Harris, [Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth] Warren or most potential presidential aspirants will barnstorm across the farmlands of Iowa, dig into a low-country boil in South Carolina or field questions at a town-hall meeting in New Hampshire. But with American presidential races requiring an ever-dizzying amount of money, an early, behind-the-scenes 2020 contest is already taking place: the New York money primary. "

THE TSONGAS ARENA 

- "In college writings, Third District candidate Beej Das compared minority organizations to Nazis," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Abhijit 'Beej' Das, a businessman vying to represent a congressional district where one of five residents are foreign-born, once denounced efforts to 'make America bilingual,' backed making English the country's official language, and compared student minority organizations to Nazis under the Third Reich. Das, 44, espoused the controversial ideas as a writer and editor-in-chief of a student-run publication at Middlebury College in the mid-1990s, two decades before he launched his first political campaign for the Third Congressional District's open seat."

- Dan Koh receives endorsement from Haverhill City Council President John Michitson, from the Koh campaign:"Michitson has served as a Haverhill City Councilor for the past seventeen years, including eight years as City Council President. Michitson's endorsement accentuates Koh's strong support from leaders of city councils across the Third District."

TRUMPACHUSETTS —
- "Down on the border, there's a new trail of tears," by Liz Goodwin, Boston Globe: "The Trump administration's policy of splitting up families is creating a burgeoning population of dislocated and frightened children, held in makeshift detention centers near the border, including one in a former Walmart, or scattered in shelters and foster homes across the country. As the children and parents experience the fallout of forced separation by US authorities, advocates are struggling to get even basic information about the location and status of these detainees."

- "Trump voices support for bipartisan pot legislation," by Cristiano Lima, POLITICO: "President Donald Trump said Friday he "probably will end up supporting" bipartisan legislation to bar the federal government from interfering with marijuana legalization laws at the state level, putting him at odds with efforts by his own Justice Department to crack down on the substance nationwide. The bill, unveiled by Sens. Cory Gardner of (R-Colo.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), lawmakers of two states that have voted to legalize certain types of pot use, would in effect give states the right to determine their own approach to regulating the drug."
- "Protesters demand HHS chief approve new rules banning shock therapy at Mass. facility," by The Associated Press: " Dozens of protesters — many in wheelchairs — gathered outside the Indianapolis home of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar demanding he approve new rules banning shock therapy at a Massachusetts rehabilitation facility. An advocacy group for disabled people called ADAPT says in a news release it organized the demonstration to protest rules that have awaited HHS approval for more than two years that would ban shock therapy at the Judge Rotenberg Center in Canton, Mass."

DATELINE DC —
- "US Rep. Richard Neal, House Democrats call DOJ's refusal to defend Obamacare provisions 'stunning attack on the rule of law,'" by Shannon Young, MassLive.com: "U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, and other House Democrats condemned the Trump administration Friday after the Justice Department announced it would not defend key provisions of the Affordable Care Act. They further cast the administration's brief, which was filed in federal court Thursday, as an 'attack' on both the rule of law and the stability of the United States' health care system."

MOULTON MATTERS 
- "Moulton bill aims to protect right whales," by Sean Horgan, .Gloucester Daily Times: "U.S. Rep Seth Moulton is a primary sponsor of a House bill that would appropriate $5 million in grants annually over the next decade to help in the conservation of the endangered North Atlantic right whales. The bill, if made law, would require the U.S commerce secretary to provide competitive grants for projects related to the conservation of the right whales. It caps administrative expenses at 5 percent of the appropriated funds or $80,000, whichever is greater."

- WOOD WAR — Herald: "LEGACY ON LINE" — Globe"Reading, writing, rebuilding," "Summit poses huge challenge for Trump," "Man convicted of 4 murders seeks new trial," "Restaurants enlist staff to trim fat from budgets," "No day at the beach: Ex-tenant faces a long fight for his money."
THE LOCAL ANGLE —
- "New England Holocaust Memorial rededicated in event recalling last summer's vandalism," by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: "Nearly a year after the New England Holocaust Memorial was vandalized in two incidents, the monument was rededicated Sunday in a ceremony that compared that violence with Kristallnacht — 'the Night of Broken Glass' — when Nazis and their supporters smashed windows in Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues in Germany 80 years ago."

- "Mayors, while in Boston, announce support for transgender antidiscrimination law," by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: "Mayors from across the country who are gathered in Boston this weekend for the US Conference of Mayors meeting announced a coalition in support of the state's transgender antidiscrimination law, in advance of a November ballot question that would revoke it. The Mayors Against LGBT Discrimination coalition includes 320 mayors and town managers nationally."

- "Walsh, Warren, Etheridge Join Thousands In Boston Pride Parade," by WBZ CBS Boston: "Boston Mayor Marty Walsh marched the two-mile route through the Back Bay and South End with the U.S. Council of Mayors and 300 different organizations. Senator Elizabeth Warren and singer-activist Melissa Etheridge also took part in the parade."
- "Gov. Charlie Baker says he thinks 'people are going to be blown away' by MGM Springfield," by Shannon Young, MassLive.com: "Although MGM Springfield is still months away from opening, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said he believes people are going to be 'blown away' by the nearly $1 billion resort. Baker, who toured the downtown casino and hotel project Saturday, told reporters he was impressed by the project's attention to detail and commitment to highlighting local history."
- "Untangling the McGrory-Sargent dispute," by Jack Sullivan, CommonWealth Magazine: "On Thursday, the Globe and [former Globe intern and Boston.com editor and reporter Hilary] Sargent appeared in court, and a judge told them to try to work their differences out privately and provide a status update by Friday afternoon. As the story continues to unfold, it's helpful to examine what is and what isn't known."
- "Boston fails in promise to plant 100,000 trees," by David Abel, Boston Globe: "A decade ago, Mayor Thomas M. Menino stood with other local officials in the Geneva Cliffs Urban Wild in Dorchester and vowed that Boston would plant 100,000 new trees by 2020, expanding the city's tree canopy by 20 percent. New York met its goal — two years early. Boston, however, has fallen woefully short."
- "Capital Region TV eyes possible Berkshires freeze-out," by Brian Nearing, Albany Times-Union: "Capital Region television stations are warily eyeing a proposal by a U.S. senator from Massachusetts to move the Berkshires region out of the cable media market for Albany and into the Massachusetts market."
MAZEL! — to Matthew Bonaccorsi who was promoted to Rep. Jim McGovern's Communications Director.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Boston City Council President Andrea Campbell and 4Front Ventures' Sam Tracy.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? No! — The Red Sox fell to the White Sox 5-2.
ICYMI - THE HORSE RACE PODCAST: There were some unexpected twists at the Democratic Convention last weekend. MassLive's Gintautas Dumcius joins us to discuss the upset in the Secretary of State's race, and State House News Service reporter Katie Lannan breaks down the top-ticket governor's race. Then, Steve highlights parts of the latest WBUR poll, and answers audience questions. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud
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