| | |  | BY LISA KASHINSKY | DECISIONS, DECISIONS — Gov. Charlie Baker will announce today whether he plans to seek reelection in 2022, according to sources close to the governor. Rumors that Baker had reached a decision — and would be announcing it imminently — took the chattering class by storm last night, setting off a flurry of calls and texts and tweets among operatives and reporters and #mapoli observers. Whatever Baker decides will have a cascading effect on Massachusetts politics. That’s particularly true if he opts not to seek a third term, a move that would kick the door wide open for both Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Democratic state Attorney General Maura Healey, and shuffle the fields in down-ballot races. Healey has been “seriously considering” running for governor, while Polito hasn’t given any public inkling of her 2022 intentions. Baker faces a tough road ahead if he’s in. The Republican governor continues to poll better with Democrats and independents than his own party. Recent surveys show him struggling against conservative former state Rep. Geoff Diehl in a GOP primary and suggest he could have a path forward as an independent — a notion he’s rejected. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. The Baker rumor mill wasn’t the only thing churning last night. BOILING POINT — The MassGOP state committee members who are increasingly frustrated by Jim Lyons’ leadership skipped last night’s committee meeting in protest. Their absences, plus others that were unrelated, left the chair without a quorum. Committee member Will Crocker sent an email to Lyons shortly before the meeting saying “a number of us have decided not to attend” because Lyons “refused to allow a parliamentarian to be present.” State committee members had requested a parliamentarian to help enforce the party’s rules at meetings. “Your authoritarian and heavy-handed manner for running our meetings will no longer be tolerated,” Crocker continued. Lyons instead called an executive committee meeting to move through the night's agenda, according to a source at the meeting, though Crocker and other state committee members claimed that violated the party’s bylaws. Lyons didn’t return a call for comment. The latest dust-up in the GOP’s intraparty feud came as Republicans lost yet another seat on Beacon Hill. REP SEAT FLIPS — Topsfield Democrat Jamie Belsito defeated Rowley Republican Robert “Bob” Snow in the special election to finish out former GOP state Rep. Brad Hill’s term. “I’m so honored,” Belsito told me. “We have a really unique opportunity to just focus on all the funding that’s available in the state … and we have some opportunities to really bolster the environment and infrastructure.” Belsito pledged to fight for 4th Essex residents on Beacon Hill, though the district will get carved up next year when the new House map takes effect, likely placing Belsito in someone else's district. TODAY — Polito presides over a governor’s council meeting at noon. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu attends Erin Murphy’s City Council swearing-in ceremony at noon at City Hall, gives remarks at the West Fenway tree lighting at 6 p.m. and attends the opening of D’laly’s Hair & Nail Salon in Roxbury at 6:45 p.m. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: lkashinsky@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. | | | | | |  | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
| – “Massachusetts reports 2,915 new coronavirus cases, breakthrough case count stays high during Thanksgiving week,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “State health officials on Tuesday reported 2,915 new coronavirus cases, as total COVID hospitalizations in the Bay State continued to surge after Thanksgiving. The state Department of Public Health also reported a spike of 6,610 breakthrough cases during the week of Thanksgiving, staying at a high level after the previous week’s tally of 6,917 breakthrough infections.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Under pressure, Massachusetts lawmakers say they have deal on $4 billion spending bill,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts legislative leaders said late Tuesday they reached an agreement on a $4 billion pandemic-era spending package, nearly two weeks after they missed a self-imposed deadline and broke for their winter recess without a deal on the long-sought bill. Despite the declared progress, state Representative Aaron Michlewitz and state Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, who have served as their chambers’ lead negotiators, did not release details of the sweeping legislation Tuesday. They said in a joint statement they intend to publicly file the proposal once the ‘agreement is finalized.’ Michlewitz, a North End Democrat, said later Tuesday that it could happen as early as Wednesday, setting up the bill to emerge Thursday in the House.” – “FEMA money still available for COVID-related expenses,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: “Federal pandemic relief money is still available for nonprofits and local governments dealing with COVID-related expenses, with reimbursement of up to 100% for the purchase of masks, protective clothing, testing and other costs.” – “State panel weighs restrictions on herbicide,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Gloucester Daily Times: “On Tuesday, a newly created state commission held its first hearing to investigate the potential health impacts of glyphosate, a herbicide that has been widely used since the 1970s to control weeds in crops and gardens. The herbicide is the main ingredient in commercial products such as Roundup and Rodeo weed killers.” | | VAX-ACHUSETTS |
| – “Charlie Baker insists vaccine verification system is not a pathway to mandates,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “Gov. Charlie Baker wants everyone to know he does not support a vaccine mandate statewide — ‘period.’ His unequivocal stance comes after he went on radio and said a digital vaccine verification system may soon be coming to Massachusetts.” – “Massachusetts is deploying COVID-19 antibody treatment sites for high-risk individuals,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Massachusetts is establishing three state-sponsored mobile units where residents can receive monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19, in a bid to make the therapeutics more accessible across the state. Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration announced Tuesday that the three units — in Everett, Fall River, and Holyoke — will be available to high-risk individuals who have COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with the virus. The units in Fall River and Holyoke have been administering antibody treatments to patients since Nov. 22, while the Everett site will be deployed this Friday.” – "After granting COVID vaccine religious exemptions, a Massachusetts state diversity officer ‘unexpectedly left’ agency during vaccine mandate rollout," by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: "A Massachusetts state employee tasked with processing vaccine exemption requests under Gov. Charlie Baker ’s COVID-19 mandate no longer works for the Department of Developmental Services. ... The DDS workers, who individually spoke to MassLive on the condition of anonymity due to fear of retaliation from their state employer, claim [Frances N.] Nwajei was terminated for approving too many exemption requests." | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “Boston fires assistant principal, refers case to police,” by Meg Woolhouse, GBH News: “The new assistant head of school at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School in Boston has been terminated for allegedly having sexually inappropriate content on his city-owned laptop, GBH News has learned. The Boston Public Schools said it cannot disclose the name of the former employee due to an ongoing investigation, but GBH News has learned that Matthew Dugan, hired in late October as Madison Park’s number two administrator, was fired in November for allegedly collecting student passwords and photos from their social media accounts and saving them to his computer.” – “Roxbury Community College president to step down following reports of mismanagement,” by Tori Bedford, GBH News: “After eight years as president of Roxbury Community College, Dr. Valerie Roberson plans to step down from her role following calls for her resignation and reports of mismanagement. Suffolk County Sheriff and RCC board chairman Steve W. Tompkins announced Roberson’s planned departure at a public board meeting Tuesday, thanking her for her service and acknowledging complaints issued to the board in a public comment forum.” – “Boston to seek stay after court shuts down eviction moratorium,” by Sean Philip Cotter and Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Mayor Michelle Wu says the city will continue to push to keep an eviction moratorium in place after a housing court struck it down.” – “Wu reappoints Lorena Lopera and Rafaela Polanco García to Boston School Committee,” by Felicia Gans, Boston Globe: “[Lorena Lopera and Rafaela Polanco García] were each selected by former acting mayor Kim Janey on July 22 to terms that expired at the end of Janey’s tenure. Wu on Tuesday chose them to serve the remainder of their terms, which end on Jan. 1, 2024.” | | TODAY'S SPECIAL (ELECTION) |
| – “Belsito tops Snow in 4th Essex race,” by Dustin Luca, Salem News: “Jamie Belsito is going all the way to Beacon Hill. Voters in the 4th Essex District gave Belsito, a Democrat, a modest win against Republican opponent Robert ‘Bob’ Snow, a Rowley resident and Selectman, in the district’s special election on Tuesday. … Belsito took five of the district’s six towns Tuesday night, with Snow winning only his hometown of Rowley.” | | DAY IN COURT |
| – “Healey sues Illinois-based company for selling more than $100,000 worth of fake hand sanitizer to Mass. school districts,” by Felicia Gans, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey sued an Illinois-based company Monday for allegedly selling a fake hand sanitizer product to several school districts and at least one city, claiming that it could kill the COVID-19 virus. According to the complaint, filed Monday in Suffolk Superior Court, School Health Corporation violated the Massachusetts False Claims Act by asserting that its product could prevent the spread of the coronavirus, despite not containing ‘any of the key ingredients in hand sanitizer,’ Healey’s office said in a statement on Tuesday.” – “Rape appeal denied, judgments upheld against ex-governor's former brother-in-law,” by Wheeler Cowperthwaite, Patriot Ledger: “The state Appeals Court upheld rape, kidnapping, stalking and witness intimidation convictions against Bernard Sigh, the former brother-in-law of ex-Gov. Deval Patrick. Sigh, 69, of Milton, argued in his appeal that during the trial in 2019, the judge should not have excluded expert testimony and there should have been multiple trials instead of one.” – “FBI charges Rhode Island man in connection with U.S. Capitol riots, the 11th charged by FBI Boston,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “A 35-year-old Rhode Island man has been charged by the FBI for allegedly assaulting multiple law enforcement officers using a dangerous weapon, engaging in violence, civil order and disorderly conduct at the U.S. Capitol riots.” | | DATELINE D.C. |
| – AT THE WH: State Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro) will attend an event at the White House today commemorating World AIDS Day. Cyr is also in D.C. for an LGBTQ leadership conference. – "Sen. Markey optimistic Democrats can pass social infrastructure package," by Aidan Connelly, GBH News. – "Elizabeth Warren ally Richard Cordray under discussion for Fed bank supervisor role, key senator says," by Thomas Franck, CNBC. | | FROM THE 413 |
| – “Southwick group abandons select board member recall; fails to gather enough signatures,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “Citizens Reclaiming Southwick has abandoned its efforts to force a recall election of Select Board Member Russell S. Fox after failing to get enough signatures. … ‘But they are not going away,’ Fox, who’s been active in various parts of town government for nearly 40 years, said Tuesday. ‘They asked me to resign again last night.’” – “Legal opinion examines if city employees can serve on Holyoke City Council,” by Dennis Hohenberger, Springfield Republican: “The Law Department examined whether a city employee can serve on the City Council. Unless the Council overturns an ethics rule, Councilors-elect Jenny Rivera and Israel Rivera face tough choices in the coming weeks.” – “Renaissance Faire staff quits over owners’ link to Unbearables group,” by Bera Dunau, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “The entire administrative staff of the Massachusetts Renaissance Faire has resigned over ties between two of the fair’s owners and a group centered on a comedian who expounds bigotry and conspiracy theories.” | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “More than 30 years later, a tantalizing clue in the Gardner Museum art heist surfaces,” by Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: “On a spring morning in 1990, Paul Calantropo was alone in his eighth-floor office at the Jeweler’s Building in downtown Boston when he looked up at a security camera and spotted a familiar figure walking down the hallway toward his door. He buzzed him inside. It was Bobby Donati, a friend Calantropo had met decades earlier as a teenager in Everett. Over the years, Calantropo had appraised diamonds, jewelry, and other items Donati brought in, but said he was always uneasy about it because he knew that Donati had been in and out of jail for robbery and hung out with local mobsters. As they sat across from each other, Donati unwrapped a shiny finial in the shape of an eagle, according to Calantropo. He placed the decorative piece, designed for the top of a flagstaff, on a desk and asked how much it was worth. Calantropo was stunned. He immediately recognized the gilded bronze object from media reports as one of 13 pieces of artwork, including several Rembrandts, that had been stolen about a month earlier from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, he told the Globe in a lengthy interview.” – “After devastating flood, Norwood Hospital breaks ground on new facility,” by Mike Deehan, GBH News: “No one in the health care field had an easy 2020, but things were particularly bad for providers and patients in the Norwood area after their local hospital flooded and forced the closure of most inpatient services. Sixteen months later, a new hospital is set to be built at the same location to provide much-needed local medical support for a town still struggling to get through the COVID-19 pandemic. Steward Health Care, the hospital's owner, plans to open the new Norwood Hospital in 2024. Hospital employees, local leaders and activists who have pushed for the replacement hospital celebrated the groundbreaking of the new facility Tuesday alongside Gov. Charlie Baker, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch and others.” – “Massachusetts State Police trooper who appears to be sleeping in cruiser on side of the highway in YouTube video remains on active duty, officials say,” by Tom Matthews, MassLive: “The Massachusetts State Police trooper who appears to be sleeping in his cruiser on the side of the highway in a video that was uploaded to YouTube remains on active duty, officials confirmed to MassLive.” – “UMass puts tuition and fee hikes on table for next fall,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “The University of Massachusetts may need to increase tuition for in-state students at the Amherst campus for the first time in three years to cover anticipated budget shortfalls caused by the pandemic and reduced enrollment. Andrew Mangels, vice chancellor for Administration & Finance, wrote in a Nov. 23 letter to the campus community that a 2.5% increase in tuition for in-state students and a 3% increase for out-of-state students, along with 3% increases in dining and housing fees, may be necessary in the fall of 2022.” – “More than 400 Cambridge students walk out of classes protesting sexual assaults and harassment,” by Naomi Martin, Boston Globe: “The demonstration, which follows two large recent student walkouts in Quincy and Braintree protesting racism, was organized by students calling for a heightened educational focus on sexual consent and other measures. Cambridge Superintendent Victoria Greer vowed to listen and work to address students’ concerns.” | | MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE |
| – “After offering free at-home COVID testing kits, New Hampshire runs out after just one day,” by Douglas Hook, MassLive: “Just one day after Gov. Chris Sununu announced that New Hampshire was the first state in the U.S. to participate in a statewide program that delivers free at-home COVID test kits to residents, the state ran out.” TRANSITIONS – Micki Duncan, former national press advance lead on Sen. Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign and communications director for Rep. Stephen Lynch, has launched Bridgit Communications to elevate women leaders in business, politics and advocacy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Jennifer Jordan, John Murray and Joe Murray, Berry Kurland and Katie Wetstone. 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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