| | |  | BY LISA KASHINSKY | MBTA SAFETY WOES EMERGE AS BIG ISSUE FOR ’22 — Gov. Charlie Baker is on the defensive after a no-good-very-bad week for the MBTA. The Republican called the ailing transit system “safe” no less than four times in eight minutes as reporters peppered him with questions at an unrelated press conference yesterday. Now his would-be Democratic rivals for the corner office are piling on criticism in an early signal that the T — already a routine source of consternation of voters and politicians alike — could become a major issue in the 2022 gubernatorial campaign. Former state Sen. Ben Downing said this week’s incidents — an escalator that reversed in a bloody scene that sent nine people to the hospital Sunday, a Red Line derailment on Tuesday that marked the eighth such event in two years — “call into question the validity” of Baker’s safety claims. Downing also said it’s “alarming but unsurprising” that Baker has yet to fill the five seats he’s in charge of appointing to the new MBTA oversight board. State Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz slammed this week’s mishaps as a “glaring illustration of the system-wide failures” that affect families across the state and that could be fixed by a “governor who’ll run towards these problems and solve them, instead of passing the buck.” Harvard Professor Danielle Allen said the incidents are the “latest examples of the harmful effects” of Baker’s “failure to master governance of and strategically invest in safe, efficient, and affordable transportation.” Earlier this month, a Boston University professor fell to his death through a rusted, closed-off staircase near the JFK/UMass T station. A Green Line crash in July that injured more than two dozen people remains under investigation. Baker acknowledged there’s still work to be done to improve the system. But he also challenged reporters to “find another administration that spent $5 billion on modernizing and upgrading the system that was horribly neglected for decades before we took office.” Downing’s the only candidate who’s rolled out a transit plan so far — which focuses mainly on things like making the T fare-free and moving to electrify regional rail lines — so keep an eye out for the rest of the field’s proposals and what they focus on in light of the recent problems. And watch Republican Geoff Diehl, who’s sat this one out so far but hasn’t been shy about hammering Baker over myriad issues. GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. The MassGOP has a new vice chair two months after Tom Mountain resigned from the post amid controversy. State committeeman Jay Fleitman beat out committeewoman Susan Dunnell for vice chair without actually being present at last night's Marlborough meeting, according to several sources in attendance. Mountain got one vote on the secret ballot, sources said. Fleitman nominated Lyons for a second term as chair earlier this year. Dunnell is a Lyons ally. A non-binding resolution calling on Mountain to resign from the state committee altogether failed by a sizable margin, and he remains part of the underdog party’s apparatus. One eyebrow-raising agenda item the Republicans didn’t get to before their host venue closed for the night — an “Update on Attorney General investigation of 2020 MassGOP campaign finance violations.” The AG’s office declined comment when POLITICO asked about the agenda item last week. It appears to be referring to possible campaign finance violations by state Sen. Ryan Fattman, Worcester County Register of Probate Stephanie Fattman, Lyons, the GOP state committee and others that the state's top campaign finance regulator referred to the AG in the spring. Are you a football fan? If the answer is yes, tell me who you're rooting for in Sunday's Brady-Belichick battle for a chance to be featured in Playbook. Drop me a line at lkashinsky@politico.com. TODAY — Suffolk DA Rachael Rollins is back on the Senate Judiciary Committee docket at 9 a.m. and participates in a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Forum at 2 p.m. State Senate President Karen Spilka joins state Sens. Michael Rodrigues, Cindy Creem and Barry Finegold for an “announcement relative to elections reform” at 10 a.m. outside the State House. Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone and transit advocates host a “Transit is Essential” rally at 10 a.m. outside the State House. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito participates in a Hadley Municipal Buildings Ribbon Cutting at 10 a.m. Polito and Undersecretary of Community Development Ashley Stolba participate in a Worthington broadband event at noon. Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey hosts a press conference at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall to discuss updates on the city’s Covid-19 response. Rep. Lori Trahan participates in a 10:30 a.m. hearing on college athletes’ name, image and likeness rights and joins a “Rally to Investigate Facebook” at 1:30 p.m. Rep. Ayanna Pressley joins colleagues for a press conference with Texas-based advocates on abortion rights at 3 p.m. Gov. Charlie Baker and Elder Affairs Sec. Elizabeth Chen address the Mass-ALA conference at 12:30 p.m. | |
| | HAPPENING TODAY - DON’T MISS THIS PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW WITH REP. GOTTHEIMER AS THE HOUSE PREPARES TO VOTE : President Biden's domestic agenda is on the line, with a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill slated for a House vote on Thursday. However, moderate and progressive Democrats remain at odds over a larger, multitrillion-dollar spending package — with the left even threatening to tank Thursday's vote. Join Playbook co-author Rachael Bade for a virtual conversation featuring Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), the leader of the centrists urging his colleagues to take the win Thursday and continue working on the second package in the coming days. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
|  | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
| – “Massachusetts coronavirus cases up 1,448, as positive test rate stays lower,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “Massachusetts health officials on Wednesday reported 1,448 new coronavirus cases, as COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped and the positive test rate remained at a lower level.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Baker approves extension of COVID-19 paid leave policy,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Gloucester Daily Times: “Workers will get more time off to care for family members sickened with COVID-19, or to get their vaccination or booster shots, under a proposal signed by Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday. The extension of the emergency law, which breezed through the Legislature on Monday, will allow up to five days of paid leave for workers infected with COVID-19, or who need time to get vaccinated or care for family. The policy was set to expire Thursday but will now be extended until April 1, 2022.” – “‘Veterans first, politics last’: Advocates criticize organizational changes proposed after deadly COVID outbreak at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “Advocates for the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke rejected aspects of the Legislature’s reform bills during a virtual Statehouse hearing on Wednesday. … Among those who testified were former Holyoke Soldiers’ Home superintendent Paul Barabani, his former deputy John Paradis and Cheryl Turgeon, whose father died on Jan. 1 after contracting the virus during the crisis. Paradis told legislators their proposal to keep the soldiers’ homes under the purview of the Department of Veterans’ Services was misguided. He said the soldiers’ homes should fall under the Department of Public Health, a sentiment echoed by the two local testifiers to follow.” – “Budget watchdogs identify ‘immediate’ needs as state sits on mountain of coronavirus aid, surplus dollars,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Three months after state lawmakers began debating how best to spend nearly $5.3 billion in federal coronavirus aid, budget watchdogs are urging ‘immediate’ spending in some key areas in a new report. The 10-page document outlines four ‘vital recovery priorities’ — pandemic recovery, barriers to prosperity, workforce and infrastructure — that budget watchdogs say need ‘immediate investment.’” | | VAX-ACHUSETTS |
| – “Mass. prison guards sue to delay Governor Baker’s vaccine mandate,” by Tonya Alanez, Boston Globe: “Following in the footsteps of state troopers, Massachusetts prison guards are suing to postpone Governor Charlie Baker’s strict vaccine mandate that requires all state workers be fully vaccinated by Oct. 17 or risk being fired. The Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union filed the 19-page lawsuit in federal court in Boston on Wednesday.” – “Demonstrators call for global vaccine equity outside Moderna CEO’s home,” by Anissa Gardizy, Boston Globe: “As pressure mounts on drugmakers to do more to increase the global supply of COVID-19 vaccines, a group of about a dozen scientists, medical providers, and public health advocates held a demonstration on Beacon Hill Wednesday outside the home of Moderna’s chief executive, Stéphane Bancel. They placed a twelve-foot-tall skull and bone sculpture on the brick sidewalk to symbolize millions of COVID-19 deaths they believe are the result of global vaccine inequities.” | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “Boston again turns against ferry idea for Long Island recovery center,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Acting Mayor Kim Janey’s administration has quietly deep-sixed the idea of a ferry service to a recovery campus on Long Island again — after surprising many by floating the plan earlier this year as City Hall struggled to figure out new ways to deal with the addiction crisis at Methadone Mile.” – “Longtime homeless shelter president accused of stealing housing funds to amass a real estate empire,” by Andrea Estes and John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: “For years, Manuel Duran did well by doing good, making $268,000 a year to run Massachusetts’ only homeless shelter with an almost entirely Spanish-speaking staff. ... But, prosecutors say, that wasn’t enough for Duran. They allege he stole at least $1.5 million from the nonprofit in an elaborate scheme in which he secretly rented his own properties to Casa Nueva Vida. He charged exorbitant rents, prosecutors say, while using the lease agreements to obtain massive bank loans to expand his real estate holdings.” – “Labor Secretary Marty Walsh Helps Launch Addiction Recovery Program For Mass. Union Workers,” by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: “U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh — who as Boston's mayor made his own story as a recovering alcoholic an integral part of his political profile — on Wednesday helped launch a union-sponsored initiative to combat addiction among workers.” – “Nearly three-quarters of Boston city workers have provided proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test,” by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: “Nearly three-quarters of Boston city employees, including those who work in the public schools, have submitted proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or are undergoing weekly testing, as the city begins enforcement of a sweeping mandate to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.” | | THE RACE FOR CITY HALL |
| – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Boston City Council at-large candidate Ruthzee Louijeune has been endorsed by former Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson and the AFSCME COUNCIL 93 Boston Presidents' Committee. The AFSCME committee represents 17 locals whose members range from inspectional services and public health workers to school cafeteria workers. – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Christin Linehan-Armour, the daughter of former Boston City Councilor Bill Linehan, has joined Bridget Nee-Walsh’s at-large city council campaign as campaign manager. – ENDORSEMENT ROUNDUP: After no candidate got it in the preliminary, City Councilor Michelle Wu won Jamaica Plain Progressives' endorsement in the Boston mayor's race general election. JP Progressives also added Carla Monteiro to their slate of City Council candidates, which includes Louijeune, David Halbert and incumbent Julia Mejia in the at-large race, and Kendra Hicks for District 6. – Hicks and Louijeune have also been endorsed by the Collective PAC , which says it's "the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political engagement, representation and power across all levels of government." – Wu has also been endorsed by Laborers' Local 22. | | FEELING '22 |
| – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts has endorsed state Sen. Diana DiZoglio in her bid for state auditor, according to her campaign. PFFM represents more than 12,000 members across 223 of the state’s 351 cities and towns. “We admire Diana's fighting spirit as a relentless advocate for working families. This will serve all Massachusetts residents well as our next state auditor as she calls for transparency and accountability across government,” PFFM President Richard MacKinnon said in a statement. | | DATELINE D.C. |
| – “Supporters and opponents of Rachael Rollins nomination for US attorney are in a last-minute lobbying blitz ahead of key Thursday vote,” by Jim Puzzanghera and Andrea Estes, Boston Globe: “Confirmation of a US attorney nominee normally is automatic and uneventful, but the choice of Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins for the top federal law enforcement job in Massachusetts has sparked criticism from a Republican senator that has forced her Democratic backers to scramble for support ahead of a key Thursday vote. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin said Wednesday he was hopeful that his panel would approve Rollins’s historic nomination to be the first Black woman US attorney for Massachusetts despite opposition organized by Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas. ” | | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
| – “State embraces all-at-grade Allston project,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “After years of indecision, the Baker administration on Wednesday took a major step to move the stalled $1.7 billion I-90 Allston project forward, embracing an all-at-grade replacement of the Turnpike, Soldiers Field Road, and commuter rail tracks as they run through a narrow strip of land sandwiched between Boston University and the Charles River.” – More from Mohl: “Was Baker shift prompted by Tesler or possibility of fed funding?” – “Here are the possible Silver Line extension routes the MBTA is considering,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “During a meeting Tuesday evening, officials presented the preliminary routes they’ve developed as part of the project to potentially expand Silver Line bus service into Everett, Medford, Malden, Somerville, and Cambridge, as well as Charlestown and downtown Boston." | | DAY IN COURT |
| – “Prosecutors rest case in Varsity Blues trial,” by Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: “Prosecutors rested their case Wednesday after 11 days of testimony in the trial of two parents accused of paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to help their children be admitted to elite colleges as fake athletic recruits. US District Judge Nathaniel Gorton told jurors that lawyers for John B. Wilson, 62, of Lynnfield, and Gamal Abdelaziz, 64, of Las Vegas, the first defendants to stand trial in the nationwide college admissions scandal, will call witnesses when the trial resumes Friday in federal court in Boston. Testimony is likely to conclude next week.” | | MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
| – “A cannabis merchant visited Savoy Town Hall. Officials hesitated, and the public records battle began,” by Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle: “[Sean] Sheridan, a veteran of early cannabis business ventures in Colorado who now lives in Hampden County, believes the town wants to close its doors to one of the fastest-growing industries in the state, in part by moving to adopt a policy that requires any business seeking a host community agreement to pay a $5,000 fee. … Town officials see an out-of-towner in a hurry, a man whose manners rubbed people the wrong way and whose requests for public records have consumed the time of volunteer officials and the town’s lawyer. It might all be chalked up as another testy night in local town government. Except that Sheridan’s public records requests and other complaints continue to arrive, including new ones late Tuesday, after he was escorted out of Town Hall.” | | FROM THE 413 |
| – “Petition formed in response to Leyden police chief’s surfaced emails,” by Zack DeLuca, Greenfield Recorder: “A petition calling for the resignation or termination of the police chief has received 88 signatures and sparked roughly two hours of discussion during Monday’s Selectboard meeting after emails forwarded by the police chief to other officers and town officials between 2015 and 2016 containing joke-chains with racist content surfaced earlier this month.” | | THE LOCAL ELECTIONS ROUNDUP |
| – Vote Mama, "the first PAC focused solely on electing Democratic moms," has endorsed Katjana Ballantyne for mayor of Somerville, per the PAC. – “Vasquez calls for five debates before Lawrence Nov. 2 election,” by Jill Harmacinski, Eagle-Tribune: “Mayor Kendrys Vasquez wants to publicly face off against rival Brian DePena on ‘at least’ five occasions prior to the Nov. 2 general election.” | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “Worcester officials call on Tenet CEO to see firsthand how nurses’ strike is causing an ICU bed ‘crisis’,” by Michael Bonner, MassLive.com: “Sitting at his desk at city hall with Councilor Sarai Rivera beside him, Mayor Joseph Petty called on the head of Tenet Healthcare to come to Worcester as soon as possible to resolve the nurses’ strike which is causing a ‘crisis’ in terms of available ICU beds.” – “Arrest made in 30-year-old Malden cold case: the murder of Patricia Moreno,” by Julia Taliesin, Boston.com: “After 30 years, a Malden family is getting some justice for the murder of their foster child, Patricia Moreno, 17, on June 20, 1991. On Wednesday, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis announced that Rodney Daniels, 48, of Georgia has been indicted on first-degree murder charges for allegedly shooting Moreno in the head outside the Henry Street apartment where she lived.” – “Afghan resettlement: Evacuated families currently housed in hotels in Boston, expected to be resettled in Worcester next week,” by Tom Matthews, MassLive.com: “The state’s first arrival of Afghan families that were evacuated from Kabul took place last Friday and Sunday. They’re currently staying in hotels in Boston and are expected to be resettled in Worcester next week, says Refugee and Immigration Assistance Center (RIAC) community specialist Meg Gallo.” – “City Councilor Dunn charged with OUI, leaving scene, negligent operation,” by Anastasia E. Lennon, Standard-Times: “New Bedford City Councilor Hugh Dunn has been charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of property damage and operating a motor vehicle negligently following a car crash on May 1.” TRANSITIONS – New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has appointed Mary T. Bassett, director of the François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University and a Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health professor, as New York’s new health commissioner. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Tom Mahoney, Joe Rull, SVP at Benchmark Strategies; Greg Mecher, Hunt Allcott, Arielle Picheny Dufour, Phillip Martin and Paul Guercio. THIS WEEK ON THE HORSE RACE: BEACON HILL BREAKDOWN – State House News Service reporters Katie Lannan and Chris Lisinski join hosts Jennifer Smith and Lisa Kashinsky to break down the latest happenings under the golden dome. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud. 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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