| | |  | BY LISA KASHINSKY | Presented by The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work | DATA MINING THE TWITTER MINEFIELD — Politics is more than what you see on Twitter. But a new analysis of Boston electeds’ online activity shows there’s plenty of information to be gleaned from politicians’ feeds and follower lists, especially when it comes to the city’s mayoral and council elections. Legislata , a productivity software for politicians, ran the numbers to rank the top 8,225 accounts followed by city councilors and members of Boston’s state delegation. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a former city councilor, tops the list. Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins, now the nominee for U.S. attorney for Massachusetts, is next. She’s followed by a tie for third between City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George, former state Sen. Linda Forry, the state Democratic Party, and state Attorney General Maura Healey. Mayoral hopeful Essaibi George is followed by a higher percentage of Boston electeds than any of her rivals for the city’s top job, and even former mayor Marty Walsh. But City Councilors Michelle Wu and Andrea Campbell, and Acting Mayor Kim Janey’s campaign account, all have more followers to help broadcast their messages to wider audiences — a helpful tool as they fight to secure one of the top two spots in the September preliminary. There are also clear differences in the candidates’ messaging. Wu tweets most about “climate” and “community” and emphasizes words like “bold” and “change.” Campbell frequently uses words like “equitable” and “accountability” and often mentions the police. Janey, the first woman and Black person to serve as the city’s top executive, focuses on “proud” and “joy” and “history” in her messaging. Essaibi George leans into hashtags like “#getbosbacktobiz” and “#citykidswin,” while former city economic development chief John Barros uses “affordable” most frequently. Twitter followers don’t necessarily equal support. But if the percentage of Boston electeds following certain candidates did translate to turnout, the four at-large council seats up for grabs would likely be won by incumbents Michael Flaherty and Julia Mejia, and newcomers Ruthzee Louijeune and David Halbert, the Legislata analysis shows. That projection actually aligns with a recent analysis of at-large candidates’ cash flows and citywide networks from Rivera Consulting , which also favored those candidates for the at-large seats. All politics is local, especially on Boston political Twitter, Legislata founder and CEO Chris Oates said. More city councilors follow the Dorchester Reporter than the Boston Globe, and some of the most followed reporters and columnists are the most hyperlocal, like Dorchester Reporter’s Bill Forry, Adam Gaffin’s Universal Hub and Chris Lovett of Boston Neighborhood Network News. See the full list here. GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: lkashinsky@politico.com. TODAY — Rep. Lori Trahan, House Speaker Pro Tempore Kate Hogan and local officials highlight federal investments to support the Assabet River Rail Trail extension at 12:30 p.m. in Stow. Janey hosts a press conference to discuss the latest Covid-19 updates and the launch of a mental health response pilot, 1 p.m. at Boston City Hall. Wu works a shift at Bon Me’s food truck at 1:30 p.m. in Dewey Square to raise awareness for supporting small businesses. Campbell is a guest on "The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell" on MSNBC. |  | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
| – “Massachusetts coronavirus cases spike 962, hospitalizations keep rising,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “Massachusetts health officials on Wednesday reported a spike of 962 coronavirus cases, as daily infection counts keep climbing amid the more highly contagious delta variant. The 962 cases is the highest single-day case count in nearly three months.” | |
| | A message from The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work: 83% of app-based drivers in Massachusetts want to remain independent — while accessing expanded benefits. The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work is dedicated to securing flexibility, providing new benefits and guaranteeing an earnings floor for app-based drivers. Learn more, and join our advocacy for independent workers. | | | | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Baker shields tax credits for medical devices, shipping companies,” by Christian Wade, CNHI/Gloucester Daily Times: “Gov. Charlie Baker is moving to protect tax credits for companies that make medical devices and for importers and exporters who use the state’s shipping ports. Baker said the tax breaks ‘encourage innovation and economic activity’ and should be maintained, in a message notifying the Legislature of his veto of an addendum to the state budget that would have ended three tax credits.” – “State Rep. Williams: ‘We’re Going To Push For $1 Billion For Black And Brown Communities’,” by Edgar B. Herwick III, GBH News: “State Representative Bud L. Williams is calling on the state to invest $1 billion of federal funds in Black and Brown communities. This came Wednesday at a virtual roundtable discussion, as state lawmakers are currently working to determine how to distribute some $5.3 billion in federal COVID-19 recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).” | | VAX-ACHUSETTS |
| – “Baker: All Staff In Long-Term Care Facilities Must Be Vaccinated By Oct. 10,” by Meghan B. Kelly, WBUR: “The Baker administration announced Wednesday that all staff in long-term care facilities, including skilled nursing facilities and the state's two Soldiers' Homes, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 10. The mandate marked Gov. Charlie Baker's first order to require vaccination in any private or public workforce.” – “Contact tracing ramping up yet again,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The state’s contact tracing effort is ramping up again in the midst of a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. The program was scheduled to shut down in September but instead the contract with the operator, the nonprofit Cambridge-based Partners in Health, is being extended through the end of the year. The number of contract tracers, currently at 130, is also being increased by as much as 300.” – “Vaccine the latest shot featured at nightclubs,” by Jill Harmacinski, Eagle-Tribune: “LAWRENCE – COVID-19 vaccines have been available at pharmacies, clinics, pop-up sites and even block parties. Now, people can grab a drink and a shot at some local nightclubs. Vaccine availability is being increased across the city with more block parties in parks. And, starting Aug. 13, you can also get a vaccine in a nightclub, Mayor Kendrys Vasquez announced.” – “Provincetown to certify businesses based on COVID-19 vaccination policies,” by Drew Karedes, Boston 25 News: “There are three certificates: 1. Venue requires all staff to be vaccinated 2. Venue requires proof of vaccination to enter 3. All venue staff are vaccinated, and proof of vaccine is required to enter.” | |
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| – “Boston Superintendent Brenda Cassellius is no longer licensed to run school system,” by Andrea Estes and James Vaznis, Boston Globe: “Boston Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius’ license to run a school system in Massachusetts has expired because she never took the state’s certification exams, a turn of events that puts her in violation of her contract. ... The deadline for taking the test and securing a new license was last Saturday. … Cassellius apologized to the School Committee Wednesday night after the Globe published a story about her license lapsing, saying it was due to a misunderstanding over licensing deadlines. She told them she is scheduled to take the tests on Aug. 14.” – “Plans for Boston Methadone Mile hotel housing scuttled in face of community opposition,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The controversial plans to house homeless in a vacant Methadone Mile hotel are dead, the main proponent told locals. … Victory Programs had sought to move 14 to 35 people living on the streets in the rough area known as Mass and Cass or Methadone Mile into the hotel at 891 Massachusetts Ave. ... The idea, backed by a state grant, was to use the hotel as “transitional” housing for people on the streets, stabilizing them before moving them out of the Mile, which continues to worsen as a haven of violence and open-air drug use.” | | THE RACE FOR CITY HALL |
| – “Boston: Only One Mayoral Candidate Says Moving Money From Police To Social Services Is A Top Priority,” by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: “A little more than a year has passed since protesters defied pandemic quarantine orders and spilled into Boston streets, decrying racism and police brutality and calling for ‘defunding’ the Boston Police Department. Now, with about a month to go until the city's Sept. 14 preliminary election, most mayoral candidates have narrowed their focus to improving the Boston Police Department's response to mental health crises cases. Only one, city councilor Andrea Campbell, is charging full-steam-ahead with a plan to restructure the department and reduce its budget by $50 million, about 12.5% of this year's allocation.” – “Boston Mayoral Candidates Address City's Racial Wealth Gap,” by Anthony Brooks, WBUR: “All the major Boston mayoral candidates say they have ambitious plans to take on one of the most stubborn problems facing the city: The glaring racial wealth gap. … It also matters that the current field of candidates is historically diverse, which means that when some of them talk about how to close the wealth gap, it's personal. ” – “Child care is now a major political issue. Here’s how the Boston mayoral candidates want to reform it,” by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: “Four of the five major contenders have presented detailed campaign plans on the issue and all have endorsed the recent recommendations of the Birth to Eight Collaborative, a coalition of parents, nonprofits, schools, and advocates working to ensure all children are prepared to succeed when they enter school.” – “Campbell escalates COVID-19 clash with Janey,” by Danny McDonald and Jasper Goodman, Boston Globe: “Councilor Andrea Campbell on Wednesday afternoon ramped up criticism of Acting Mayor Kim Janey over her handling of the pandemic. And a day after invoking slavery and birtherism in response to a question about New York City’s new proof-of-vaccine requirements, Janey stood fast, defending her approach to COVID-19 as sensible and equitable, and emphasizing the importance of the public getting vaccinated." – “At-large hopefuls weigh-in on 'vaccine proof' idea,” by Katie Trojano, Dorchester Reporter: “Acting Mayor Kim Janey has come under fire from mayoral rivals after appearing to balk at New York’s move and comparing requiring the proof to slavery and birtherism. We asked the at-large city council hopefuls to share their stances.” – “Annissa Essaibi George: The Boston.com interview,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Christopher Gavin, and Zipporah Osei, Boston.com: “In the crowded field of self-identifying progressive Democrats running to be Boston’s next mayor, Annissa Essaibi George is often defined in contrast to her opponents. ... The daughter of immigrants and a lifelong Dorchester native, Essaibi George emphasizes her focus on the most pressing struggles faced by the city’s most vulnerable, like homelessness and mental health — issues that she saw up close as a former East Boston High School teacher. ‘I’d like to be the teacher candidate,’ Essaibi George says, calling her classroom experience as an ‘invaluable’ part of her bonafides as a mayoral candidate.” | |
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| | | | | THE LOCAL ELECTIONS ROUNDUP |
| – Some FIRST IN PLAYBOOK endorsements: EMILY’s List is endorsing Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer and Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller in their reelection bids, and is also endorsing Vilma Martinez-Dominguez in the Lawrence mayor’s race. “These strong women leaders have what it takes to confront the challenges in their communities. We know they will continue to work tirelessly on COVID-19 recovery, affordable housing initiatives, infrastructure modernization, and investments in local schools,” EMILY’s List said in a statement. EMILY’s List is also endorsing four women seeking reelection to the Boston City Council: District 1 Councilor Lydia Edwards, District 8 Councilor Kenzie Bok, District 9 Councilor Liz Breadon and at-large Councilor Julia Mejia. – Boston City Council at-large candidate Ruthzee Louijeune has been endorsed by United Auto Workers Region 9A, per her campaign. “We are inspired by Ruthzee’s campaign of progressive values and inclusive style of leadership,” UAW Region 9A regional director Beverley Brakeman said in a statement. – District 3 City Councilor Frank Baker has endorsed Bridget Nee-Walsh for Boston city councilor at-large, per her campaign. “Working families can trust her to fight for good jobs with good pay and benefits, strong public schools, affordable housing, and public safety,” Baker said in a statement. – IBEW Local 2222 and Mass Voters for Animals have endorsed Mary Tamer for Boston City Council District 6, per her campaign. – “What’s At Stake In Somerville’s Mayoral Race?” by Adam Reilly, GBH News: “When it comes to who, exactly, calls Somerville home, the city has been changing for years, with Asian, Latino and Black residents comprising an increasingly large portion of the city’s population of 80,000. Still, Somerville’s mayors have always been white — a streak Will Mbah hopes to break this fall. Current mayor Joseph Curtatone, who took office in 2004, decided not to seek a tenth term this November.” | | BALLOT BATTLES |
| – Twenty-eight proposed laws and two constitutional amendments have now been filed with the state attorney general’s office, the first step in a lengthy and costly process to advance ballot initiatives that touch on everything from legalizing the sale of consumer fireworks, to voter identification laws, to classifying gig-economy workers as independent contractors. The Boston Globe’s Emma Platoff details the Massachusetts GOP’s effort to test opposition to critical race theory . The state GOP is also backing measures to “preserve the lives of children born alive” and to require voters to present identification at the polls, a topic that drew multiple petitions. The Boston Herald’s Erin Tiernan reports on a ballot question that would attempt to roll back the contentious Transportation Climate Initiative . That petition was filed by Republicans including GOP gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl, and Democratic state Rep. Colleen Garry. It’s also backed by the conservative-leaning Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. Another initiative petition aims to bring back some long-banned happy hour drink specials — a topic of recently renewed debate. Most of the proposed questions are unlikely to make it to the 2022 ballot, reports CommonWealth Magazine, noting that “even if they pass muster on constitutional grounds with Attorney General Maura Healey’s office, they would still require the gathering of more than 93,000 voter signatures, a time-consuming and expensive process.” The AG's office plans to publish a list of certified petitions on Sept. 1. – Speaking of the 2022 ballot: “Watchdogs blast Massachusetts millionaire tax proposal as state ‘awash’ in excess tax revenues,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Fiscal watchdogs blasted the Massachusetts millionaire tax proposal as the state is ‘awash’ in more than $5 billion in excess tax revenues and billions more in federal coronavirus relief." – About the 2020 ballots: “Geoff Diehl calls for forensic audit of ‘possible irregularities’ in Massachusetts 2020 election,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Republican candidate for governor Geoff Diehl has challenged Gov. Charlie Baker to conduct a forensic audit to investigate ‘possible irregularities’ during last year’s election. … Diehl also pledged to ‘combat the extension of mail-in voting parameters.’” | |
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| – Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) are seeking a national memorial day to commemorate the more than 614,000 people who have died from Covid-19 in the United States and those still suffering from the virus. The senators introduced a resolution yesterday proposing that the first Monday in March be designated as “Covid-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day.” More from the Washington Post’s William Wan. – “Trahan touts 'forever chemicals' cleanup bill,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: “Communities would receive money to help clean up the ‘forever chemicals’ contaminating their drinking water and sewage treatment systems under a plan working its way through Congress.” | | DAY IN COURT |
| – “Mexico sues U.S.-based gunmakers over flow of arms across border,” by Mary Beth Sheridan and Kevin Sieff, Washington Post: “The Mexican government sued several major U.S.-based gun manufacturers Wednesday, alleging that lax controls contribute to the illegal flow of weapons over the border. The unusual suit — filed in U.S. federal court in Boston — seeks unspecified financial compensation from the companies but does not target the U.S. government.” | |
| | A message from The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work: The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work is dedicated to securing flexibility in scheduling, providing new benefits — including healthcare stipends, paid sick time, paid family & medical leave and occupational accident insurance — and guaranteeing an earnings floor for all app-based drivers in Massachusetts.
We're banding together with drivers, community partners and elected officials to protect the flexibility and independence that drivers value, while expanding their benefits.
Learn more, and join our advocacy for independent workers. | | | | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop Investigate How Climate Change Impacts Most Vulnerable Populations,” by Phillip Martin and Hannah Reale, GBH News: “Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop are launching a cooperative project to understand how climate change will specifically affect low income residents, people of color and other vulnerable residents. … Ultimately, the aim is to find gaps in the region’s approach to combating climate change, centered first and foremost around the communities likely to be most affected by it, and then form recommendations about how to take them on.” | | WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING |
| – “Safety Steps Required of Donors To Attend Baker Fundraiser,” by Colin A. Young, State House News Service (paywall): “Anyone attending the outdoor fundraiser on Sept. 2 for [Gov. Charlie] Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito at public relations maven George Regan's home at the Willowbend Country Club in Mashpee is asked to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or to get tested for the virus 48 hours ahead of the bash.” – Maybe he heard Baker: “Obama Significantly Scales Back 60th Birthday Party as Virus Cases Rebound,” by Annie Karni, New York Times: “The party plans had been months in the making and many invitees had already arrived on Martha’s Vineyard when former President Barack Obama belatedly announced he was canceling his huge 60th birthday bash scheduled for Saturday." – “Former Gov. Deval Patrick On Cuomo Allegations: ‘There Does Have To Be A Reckoning’,” by Greater Boston staff: “[Former Gov. Deval] Patrick did not call outright for Gov. Cuomo to resign, but said the allegations should be taken seriously. ‘These are very very serious charges from a very credible source,’ he said. ‘There does have to be a reckoning. If my opinion counts for anything, he’ll take these allegations seriously and not dismiss them out of hand.’” TRANSITIONS – Robyn Kenney joins the Diehl campaign as communications director. Janey appointed Dr. Alison Brizius as commissioner for Boston’s Environment Department. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to former ambassador, Biden deputy campaign manager, MA-03 candidate and current chief of protocol nominee Rufus Gifford; Christina Pacheco, and Jim Puzzanghera of the Boston Globe’s D.C. bureau. 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.
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