POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: The ‘people’s house’ is still closed to most people

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY WE CAN WORK FROM HOME — Bills keep moving on Beacon Hill, whether lawmakers are debating them from the State House or from their own homes. But there’s not much else stirring under the golden dome of the building that’s been closed to the public for nearly 20 months. And it’s not looking like there will be anytime soon. Most lawmakers have vaxxed up or asked for exemptions at this point. Only five of the state's 159 sitting representatives have yet to comply with the House's vaccine mandate, which requires them to show proof of immunization or get an exemption to work in the building. At least 96 percent of the state’s senators and their staffers are vaccinated, and the rest are in the process of either getting their shots or getting an exemption. And at least 95 percent of executive branch employees have complied with Gov. Charlie Baker's vaccine mandate. But the so-called "people's house" isn't only for legislators and state workers, and that's where leadership says it gets complicated. “This isn’t just a workplace for us. It is a tourist attraction,” House Speaker Ron Mariano said yesterday, adding that unlike in schools and businesses "it’s not as simple as controlling the people who work here.” For now that means reopening phases without definitive timelines, and staunch defenses of lawmakers’ abilities to work from home from Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka and even Baker. “It’s certainly my hope that at some point this place will bustle again, because I think it’s important that it bustles,” Baker said. “But I don’t think you should understate or underestimate the roles and responsibilities and the work that has been done by elected officials, especially legislators, during the course of this pandemic.” GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Boston City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George gave her mayoral campaign a quarter of a million dollars in October to help pay for television advertising, her campaign confirmed. The $250,000 loan showed up in the more than $1 million in receipts Essaibi George reported for October. She had $186,370 left in her campaign account as of Oct. 31, two days before Election Day. Mayor-elect Michelle Wu raised $725,378 last month and had $236,924 in her coffers entering November. Essaibi George outspent Wu on the airwaves during the general election, shelling out $518,708 for TV and digital ads compared to Wu’s $433,025, according to AdImpact, an ad tracking service. TODAY — Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito makes grant announcements in Rockland at 10:30 a.m. and Hyannis at 12:30 p.m., attends a virtual Local Government Advisory Commission meeting at 2:30 p.m. and makes a grant announcement at UMass Dartmouth at 3:30 p.m. The Legislature’s redistricting committee holds a virtual public hearing at 11 a.m. on the proposed congressional and Governor’s Council maps (expect the South Coast to be a point of contention). The Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus hosts an "Empowering Women in Government" panel with state Reps. Christine Barber and Natalie Higgins at noon. Rep. Ayanna Pressley rallies with Harvard custodial workers and graduate students for better worker protections at noon at Harvard Yard; media availability to follow at 1 p.m. outside the Harvard MBTA stop. Wu meets with her transition co-chairs and advisors at 8 a.m. with an 8:45 a.m. media availability to follow, and then attends six more briefings. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: lkashinsky@politico.com.   DON’T MISS POLITICO’S SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT: Join POLITICO's Sustainability Summit on Tuesday, Nov. 16 and hear leading voices from Washington, state houses, city halls, civil society and corporate America discuss the most viable policy and political solutions that balance economic, environmental and social interests. REGISTER HERE.     IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN – DISPATCHES FROM GLASGOW: There's a disconnect between climate risk assessments and climate policy, according to a new report from the Falmouth-based Woodwell Climate Research Center based on findings from 13 workshops at the United Nations' climate summit. I caught up with Woodwell's David McGlinchey on the findings and his other takeaways from COP26. Here are some highlights: Your report says climate change risks are being modeled with "greater clarity than ever before" but that current climate policies remain "woefully insufficient." Why is that and what can be done to fix that? We believe that many senior policymakers, many heads of state, do not truly appreciate the scope and scale of the risk. ... What we heard, especially in our U.S. workshop, was that you need to take the time up front to identify the politicians you’re trying to reach, talk to them and their offices, and figure out the questions that will resonate with them. I don’t think the scientific community has done that well enough in the past. What's an example of a good policy that's come out of COP26 so far? There’s no pathway to a safe and stable climate without ending deforestation. To see a widespread global commitment on that is really encouraging. What haven’t you heard enough about so far? I don’t think that the big tipping points are getting enough attention. … We spend a lot of time studying permafrost thaw in the Arctic because it contains an enormous amount of carbon. If that feedback loop gets out of control, and we lose that carbon store, we’re in big trouble. – More: Rep. Bill Keating landed in Scotland last night as part of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s nearly two-dozen member delegation at COP26. – “Radical changes and big incentives as Mass Save becomes a climate fighting tool — but is it enough?” by Sabrina Shankman, Boston Globe: “The nearly $4 billion Mass Save plan, which covers 2022 to 2024, dramatically expands an initial proposal in April and includes $800 million for the electrification of homes. In one major departure from the earlier plan, the new version offers incentives for buildings using natural gas to purchase heat pumps.” THE LATEST NUMBERS – “Massachusetts averaged 1,346 new COVID cases over weekend as state sees record weekend for booster shots,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive: “The weekend average of 1,346 represents an increase of 265 cases over the weekend average of 1,081 reported by the state last Monday.” DATELINE BEACON HILL – “Massachusetts state senators propose wide-reaching mental health bill,” by Sera Congi, WCVB: “Senate President Karen Spilka and Senator Julian Cyr are proposing the ‘Mental Health ABC Act 2.0,’ which they plan to unveil on Tuesday. … Among the proposals included in the new bill are a requirement for insurance to cover a mental health wellness exam, like an annual checkup, and a requirement to cover mental health treatment to the same extent as other conditions.” – “Beacon Hill gives cold shoulder to Michelle Wu’s fare-free T idea for Boston,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Senate President Karen Spilka on Monday praised Wu’s ‘great ideas’ during a Q&A with reporters following a legislative leadership meeting at the State House. But when it comes to the issue of a fare-free T, the Ashland Democrat said she ‘would like to have a discussion with her.’ Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano, a Quincy Democrat, pushed back on the proposal saying he’s ‘probably more concerned about the running of the MBTA right now than anything else’ but said he’s ‘willing to talk’ about Wu’s proposal.” – “Battle for wages rages in restaurant industry’s pandemic recovery,” by Meghan Ottolini, Boston Herald: “As the restaurant industry limps toward recovery, some lawmakers and eatery entrepreneurs see raising wages across the board as the only way to bounce back. … ‘It makes business sense, as well as promoting equity,’ said state Sen. Pat Jehlen, D-Somerville, who will present a bill that would raise minimum wage for tipped workers in a joint hearing later this month.” – “Fines for not voting? It’s a long shot, but here’s why one Mass. rep has proposed it anyway,” by Mihiro Shimano, Boston.com: “It’s not looking like Massachusetts residents will be getting fined for not voting anytime soon — a bill that would have allowed for that, proposed by state Rep. Dylan A. Fernandes, failed to make it out of committee last month. But Fernandes, who represents Falmouth, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket at the Statehouse, says he’s OK with that, if the proposal gets people talking and thinking.” – “Amid ARPA debates, Mass Audubon chief urges $1B investment in climate measures,” by Boston Business Journal: “President David O’Neill envisions a pool of funding under the American Rescue Plan Act that could transform pockets Chelsea, Lowell, Springfield and other racially diverse, low-income communities in need of more green space.” – "Bump Clarifies 'Casual Remarks' On Future Work," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service (paywall): "Auditor Suzanne Bump said Monday afternoon that she was not actively trying to line up a job at the federal Government Accountability Office for when she leaves office when her term expires after 2022, clarifying comments she made earlier in the day while appearing on a state lawmaker's radio show. ... 'I stated that I hoped to remain active in the area of governmental accountability, and I mentioned my acquaintance with the Government Accountability Office. I did not mean to convey that I was intending to work at the GAO, or that a job had even been discussed,' Bump said." FROM THE HUB – TRANSITION TIME: Michelle Wu will be sworn in as Boston’s next mayor at noon on Nov. 16 in the City Council chamber. She’s planning a full inauguration with public events in January, when councilors take their oaths of office. Acting Mayor Kim Janey will deliver her farewell address at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Hibernian Hall in Roxbury. Janey will serve as honorary chair of Wu's transition; other co-chairs include former state Rep. Charlotte Golar Richie, former Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Jay Gonzalez and community activist Noemi “Mimi” Ramos. Wu's transition advisors, made public moments ago, are: Julian Agyeman, Dana Alas, Shawn Brown, Joe Byrne, Ali Fong, Trish Fontanilla, the Rev. Dr. Arlene Hall, José Massó, Marcus McNeil, Cassandra Pierre, Micho Spring, Kannan Thiruvengadam and Mitchell Weiss. – “Mayor-elect calls for more resources, support in Boston Public Schools,” by Jenna Russell, Boston Globe: “Days after a Boston school principal was left hospitalized by a student assault, Mayor-elect Michelle Wu met with school leaders Monday and stressed the need for robust mental health supports to address trauma and prevent school violence.” – “Meet Boston’s newest city councilors,” by Julia Carlin and Tiana Woodard, Boston Globe: “In January, Boston will welcome five new city councilors. Each will bring a fresh set of eyes and a lifetime of unique experiences to City Hall, joining the eight incumbent councilors who were reelected this month.” – "Kim Janey administration gets a fifth of homeless living at Mass & Cass off the streets," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "Acting Mayor Kim Janey has vowed to continue chipping away at the Mass and Cass crisis in her final days with one-fifth of the more than 300 people living in tents at the infamous intersection off of the streets." – “‘We’re not trying to hurt anybody’: Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins pushes back against critics of his proposal to address Mass. and Cass,” by Dialynn Dwyer, Boston.com: “Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins is pressing ahead despite growing pushback against his plan to open a treatment facility on his South Bay correctional campus where people in the area of Mass. and Cass with open warrants could be directed by the special court sessions operating at the jail. Tompkins told Boston.com in a recent interview that his hope is the facility will be up and running around Thanksgiving.” THE RACE FOR CITY HALL – IT'S NOT OVER YET: Chelsea City Council hopeful María Belén Power is gathering signatures to request a recount after unofficial tallies from the city showed she lost her district race by just four votes, she said in a statement. Guy O’Donnell has filed for a recount in his Holyoke City Council race against Linda Vacon, per the Springfield Republican. – “Vote tallying continues in Amherst election after 17 ballots found,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Ballot counting for Amherst’s biennial election continued Monday morning, nearly a week after polls closed, following the discovery of 17 ballots that had been placed in the town clerk’s vault without being tallied on election night. The continued process of counting ballots has not yet resolved the outcome of the tightest race, where District 4 Councilor Evan Ross lost his reelection bid to the Town Council to challenger Pamela Rooney by four votes.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES – “Acting Mayor Janey extends free MBTA ridership in her final days in office,” by Aidan Connelly, GBH News: “Boston’s acting Mayor Kim Janey Monday said she’s using her final eight days in office to extend free ridership on the 28 bus, which runs from Mattapan Square to Roxbury’s Ruggles Station, through the end of the year. ‘I know this is a priority for Mayor-elect [Michelle] Wu, so I’m hoping that she will be able to build upon this work,’ Janey said in an interview on GBH News’ Boston Public Radio.” DAY IN COURT – “New Hampshire crash that killed 7 Jarheads bikers finally heading to trial,” by Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: “The trial of Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, accused of triggering a horrific crash that killed seven motorcyclists, is finally set to begin. After a final pretrial hearing Tuesday, jury selection is set to begin Nov. 16 with the trial commencing on Nov. 29, New Hampshire court officials announced Monday.” THE LOCAL ANGLE – “Mass. National Guard completes school transportation mission,” by Mia McCarthy, Boston.com: “The Massachusetts National Guard completed their school transportation mission on Nov. 5, after the 13 districts that requested assistance were able to meet transportation demands using civilian drivers. Guard members were initially recruited to assist amid a shortage of bus drivers.” – “Saint Vincent Hospital nurses’ strike reaches eight months while Tenet announces $448M third quarter profits,” by Tom Matthews, MassLive: “The Saint Vincent Hospital nurses’ strike hit a record eight months Monday, Nov. 8, after its corporate owner Tenet Health announced $448 million in profits for its third quarter due to increased emergency room admission and surgeries.” – “Danvers leaders come under fire for response to hockey team’s alleged misconduct,” by Bob Hohler and Michael Silverman, Boston Globe: “Civil rights leaders, elected officials, and residents on Monday decried Danvers school and police authorities for concealing allegations of violent, racist, and homophobic locker room behavior on the 2019-2020 boys varsity high school hockey team, whose coach was a prominent local police sergeant. Longtime district Superintendent Lisa Dana became a prime target of the outcry, as School Committee member Robin Doherty called for her to be placed on immediate leave.” – “As of Friday, 79% of city employees vaccinated,” by Anoushka Dalmia, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: “Over a month ago, when COVID-19 cases and deaths started rising again, the city asked its 1,865 employees to submit proof of vaccination or to start getting tested weekly by Nov. 1 in order to keep their jobs. As of Friday, 79% of its employees were vaccinated, 12% were testing compliant and 9% were not compliant.” – “Tearful reunions fill Logan Airport’s international terminal as travel restrictions ease from 33 countries,” by Taylor Dolven and Julia Carlin, Boston Globe: “Clutching a heart-shaped balloon with the words ‘I love you’ on it, Paul Campbell rocked back and forth on his heels inside Terminal E of Logan International Airport, nervously refreshing the Internet browser on his phone. He had not seen his fiancé, Patricia Bittag, who lives in Hamburg, for 23 months.” – “Eight days after cycling accident, wife of Fall River mayor released from the hospital,” by Jo C. Goode, Herald News: “Eight days after suffering severe injuries in a cycling accident in Mattapoisett that landed her in the ICU at St. Luke's Hospital, Judi St. Hilaire, the wife of Mayor Paul Coogan, was released on Monday afternoon.” – “Massachusetts had second warmest October on record, Northeast US had the warmest October on record,” by Cassie McGrath, MassLive: “Additionally, Massachusetts had its second warmest October, recording an average of 56.2 degrees, 5.2 degrees higher than normal. The coolest October on record in Massachusetts was 43.4 degrees in 1925 and the highest was 57.5 degrees in 2017.” MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE – "Sununu to make long-awaited announcement on his political future today in Concord," by John DiStaso and Adam Sexton, WMUR: "Gov. Chris Sununu will end months of speculation about his political future at a news conference this morning, where he is expected to announce if he will run for the U.S. Senate, for a fourth term as governor or step away from public life in 2022." TRANSITIONS – Lauren Gedney is now scheduler for Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.). She most recently was an intern for Rep. Bill Keating. Colleen Fonseca is the inaugural executive director of Builders of Color Coalition (h/t Samuel Gebru). Abby Parker joins the Greenway Conservancy as director of horticulture. Gov. Charlie Baker has reappointed Denella Clark as chair of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women for a third term. MAZEL — to the Boston Herald's Rick Sobey and the Boston Globe's Felicia Gans on their weekend wedding. Pic and more pics (via photog Ashley Green). HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to GBH's Tori Bedford, Mike Bloomberg of Groundwork Data, Joyce Linehan, Carolyn Casey, Shannon Felton Spence, Pamela J. Johnson and Karen Scott. Happy belated to CommonWealth Magazine's Michael Jonas and Casey Hernandez Rosen, who celebrated Monday. 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.   BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we’ve got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don’t miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now.       Follow us on Twitter Lisa Kashinsky @lisakashinsky   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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