POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: To mask or not to mask

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY THE YOUNG AND THE MASKLESS — Students and teachers could soon be shedding their masks in schools. Gov. Charlie Baker hinted the state’s school mask requirement could lapse after Feb. 28, hours after the Democratic governors of New Jersey and Delaware said they will lift their school mask mandates on March 7 and 31, respectively. Massachusetts’ requirement will stay in effect through the end of the month, though students and staff can drop their masks now if they hit a vaccination rate of at least 80 percent in their school building. Baker said Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley will “have more to say” on the mandate at “some point in the not-too-distant future.” “Obviously every state is different,” Baker told reporters yesterday at the State House. But, he said, “I do think the dates that both Delaware and New Jersey are talking about are pretty consistent with [our] Feb. 28 date.” Baker’s been in touch with Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, both Democrats, as leaders in all three states review their school mask policies, a McKee spokesperson told WPRI’s Ted Nesi. Lamont wants to end Connecticut’s school mask mandate on Feb. 28 and leave decisions to local officials from there — a typical tactic of Baker’s. Both Republicans running to replace Baker, businessman Chris Doughty and former state Rep. Geoff Diehl, say they would lift the school mask mandate now. The three Democrats’ opinions are mixed. Harvard professor Danielle Allen says masks should be optional starting March 7, to leave time to track the aftereffects of school vacation week. She would also only drop the requirement in communities where vaccination rates are above 70 percent for people ages 50 and older. State Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz supports “continued masking in schools for the time being” and state Attorney General Maura Healey would decide based on data at the end of the month, per the candidates’ spokespeople. GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo is running for Suffolk district attorney. Arroyo, a former public defender, will launch his campaign at 9:30 a.m. in Roslindale. He’ll then meet with local groups that provide addiction recovery services and support for families of homicide victims. Playbook first reported last month that Arroyo was considering a run for the seat. Interim Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden, Baker’s pick to succeed now-U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins, recently told GBH News he’s “highly likely” to seek a full term. TO THE WEST: Longmeadow Democrat Sydney Levin-Epstein is launching her campaign today for the state Senate seat that Eric Lesser is vacating to run for lieutenant governor. She's centering her pitch around job creation and "West-East rail." Levin-Epstein is a Lesser and Sen. Ed Markey campaign alum who also worked for Markey and Rep. Richard Neal’s offices in Washington. She managed Anthony D’Ambrosio’s unsuccessful state Senate bid. Levin-Epstein is the second candidate to enter the race for what will be known as the Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester district under the new redistricting map. She’s vying against first-term state Rep. Jake Oliveira, who jumped in last week. TODAY — Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito joins a RESPECTfully Program event at 10:20 a.m. in Worcester and joins a Local Government Advisory Commission meeting at 1 p.m. Healey, Secretary of State Bill Galvin, state Treasurer Deb Goldberg, state Auditor Suzanne Bump, A&F Secretary Michael Heffernan and others testify at a legislative budget hearing at 10 a.m. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, BPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius and School Committee Chair Jeri Robinson host a media availability outside Brighton High School at 10:15 a.m. Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark and House Democratic leaders host a press conference at 10:30 a.m. Rep. Jake Auchincloss makes a speech to honor Tom Brady’s retirement. State attorney general hopefuls Andrea Campbell, Quentin Palfrey and Shannon Liss-Riordan are on GBH’s “Greater Boston” at 7 p.m. Tips? Scoops? Email me:  lkashinsky@politico.com. Also, we’re aware that some links may be missing from Playbook when we publish. Our engineers are still working on it.   HAPPENING THURSDAY – A LONG GAME CONVERSATION ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS : Join POLITICO for back-to-back conversations on climate and sustainability action, starting with a panel led by Global Insider author Ryan Heath focused on insights gleaned from our POLITICO/Morning Consult Global Sustainability Poll of citizens from 13 countries on five continents about how their governments should respond to climate change. Following the panel, join a discussion with POLITICO White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López and Gina McCarthy, White House national climate advisor, about the Biden administration’s climate and sustainability agenda. REGISTER HERE.     ON THE STUMP — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: State Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz has added three more people to her campaign for governor: Jane Rayburn, principal at EMC Research, joins as pollster and senior strategist; Annika Jensen , a state Sen. Becca Rausch and David Halbert for Boston City Council alum, joins as deputy organizing director; and Kaitlyn Solares joins as deputy communications director for digital strategy from the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts. — “James ‘Chip’ Harrington may run for Rep. Jake Oliveira’s seat after narrowly losing, filing recount petition in 2020,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “James ‘Chip’ Harrington is mulling over another potential campaign for the 7th Hampden district — a House seat he thought he had narrowly won, but ultimately lost, in November 2020 after a bungled vote tally in Belchertown.” THE LATEST NUMBERS — “Massachusetts reports 6,725 new coronavirus cases over the weekend, hospitalizations continue falling,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The 6,725 infection total was significantly down from 12,127 cases last weekend — a 45% drop. … The positive test average has been coming down. The average is now 4.78% — a major drop from 23% in early January. The positive test rate for Monday’s report was 3.87%.” DATELINE BEACON HILL — EYEING THE EXITS: State Reps. Claire Cronin and Lori Ehrlich have already left for Biden administration posts. State Rep. Maria Robinson , who was nominated in September to be assistant secretary for the Energy Department’s Office of Electricity, has her U.S. Senate confirmation hearing today. State Rep. Sheila Harrington has a Governor's Council hearing Wednesday for her nomination as clerk magistrate of Gardner District Court. And state Rep. Carolyn Dykema is set to leave Friday for a job at renewable energy company Nexamp. Holding special elections to replace them is “not as simple” as it seems, House Speaker Ron Mariano told reporters yesterday. Cronin and Robinson’s seats were effectively erased in last year’s redistricting process, and “we don’t want to elect someone who’s going to serve for five months and then not be eligible to run for reelection,” Mariano said. He also plans to name a majority leader to replace Cronin “shortly.” — NO LONGER ACTING: Margret Cooke is now the state’s Department of Public Health commissioner after serving in an acting capacity for the past seven months; DPH chief of staff Jennifer Barrelle is now deputy commissioner; Estevan Garcia is chief medical officer and Yves Singletary is senior advisor to the commissioner. — “Baker seeking major changes in building code,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The Baker administration is preparing to unveil proposed revisions to the state building code that would ratchet up energy conservation across the state and allow individual communities to opt-in to a ‘specialized stretch code’ that would require new construction to be much more energy self-sufficient.” — “Study Order Snuffs Out Baker’s Drugged Driving Bill,” by Matt Murphy, State House News Service (paywall): “Gov. Charlie Baker last fall impressed on lawmakers the importance of acting to prevent driving under the influence of marijuana, but for the second straight session the Legislature has snuffed out legislation that would have empowered law enforcement to use field sobriety tests and other measures to determine if a driver was under the influence of pot.” — “Baker plans to sign bill to protect K9 first responders,” by Jodi Reed, WWLP: “The legislature has sent Governor Baker a bill to protect four legged first responders across Massachusetts. … [W]hen 22News asked the governor Monday if he was going to sign [Nero’s Law], he said yes and that his office hopes to release the logistics around the signing very soon.” — “Baker pushes for approval of $5B bond,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Newburyport Daily News: “As he prepares to leave office next year, Gov. Charlie Baker wants lawmakers to authorize the state to borrow billions of dollars to modernize public buildings, upgrade cybersecurity and electrify the state’s vehicle fleet. — “Mass. legislators may soon take up ‘revenge porn’ bill,” by Gal Tziperman Lotan, Boston Globe: “Legislators in Massachusetts, one of only two states in the nation that does not have legislation addressing the non-consensual distribution of lewd images, may soon take up the issue, House Speaker Ronald Mariano said Monday.” — “House Prepping Soldiers Home Bill For Vote,” by Katie Lannan, State House News Service (paywall): “Legislation overhauling oversight and governance of state-run veterans homes in Holyoke and Chelsea is on deck for a House session on Thursday, Speaker Ronald Mariano said Monday.” — “Data find ‘no support for patterns of racial disparity’ in traffic stops, state says,” by Nick Stoico, Boston Globe: “A 10-month study of traffic stops in Massachusetts found no evidence of racial disparity in which drivers police pulled over but determined that non-white drivers were more likely to be subjected to a ‘non-inventory, discretionary search’ and had a higher chance of receiving a criminal citation than white drivers, according to a new report.” VAX-ACHUSETTS — “Worcester health officials vote to drop the city’s indoor mask mandate,” by Victoria Price, WHDH: “Beginning February 18, masks will be encouraged, but not required in most of Worcester’s indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status. … Though the mandate will not go into effect for more than a week, the Board of Health agreed to immediately drop the mandate for colleges or workplaces with at least a 90 percent vaccination rate.” — "Survey: Widespread need for mental health care during pandemic," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "More than one-quarter of Massachusetts adults say they needed behavioral health care over the first year of the pandemic – but many of them never got it. They couldn’t get an appointment, or they couldn’t afford it, or they felt the stigma of needing mental health care, according to survey data."   STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.     FROM THE HUB — “For Wu, Cassellius departure is a challenge and an opportunity,” by Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: “The departure of Brenda Cassellius as superintendent of Boston Public Schools comes as Mayor Michelle Wu hunts for a new commissioner of the police department, leaving her administration to hire two of the city’s most important leaders simultaneously. … In an interview on Monday, Boston School Committee Chair Jeri Robinson outlined an ‘expedited process’ for the search, saying the city’s goal is to not appoint an interim, and to put a permanent leader in place for the beginning of the next school year.” — “U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins calls for inclusion of neo-Nazis in gang database,” by Rebecca Tauber, GBH News: “In the wake of neo-Nazis targeting anti-racist doctors at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at the end of January, Massachusetts’ new U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins said she would like to see neo-Nazis included in gang databases.” — Rollins also told GBH that if Attorney General Merrick Garland chooses to seek the death penalty for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, her office would have to follow suit. — “Ten immigrant families allege poor treatment at East Boston Neighborhood Health Center,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: “A group of ten Central American families, several of whose members are undocumented, are alleging poor medical treatment by East Boston Neighborhood Health Center.” — “After two decades at HUD, the Rev. Miniard Culpepper retires,” by Tiana Woodard, Boston Globe: “Most Bostonians know the Rev. Miniard Culpepper as senior pastor at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Dorchester and a prominent voice in civic life. … Fewer may know Culpepper as HUD’s regional counsel, overseeing the agency’s attorneys and legal matters as they work to enforce fair housing policies in New England. Now he’s retiring from that post after a 27-year career with the department — and hinting that he might consider running for public office.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “COVID spurred bike lane construction. Will the Boston area keep up the momentum?” by Taylor Dolven, Boston Globe: “Nearly two years after the coronavirus hit, many streets in Greater Boston have been transformed to accommodate safer biking. … But as the new normal solidifies, there’s been backlash: from some business owners and drivers who say that the changes, made for a minority of commuters, have been too sweeping and swift — and from bikers, that the process to build connected, protected bike lanes is moving too slowly.” DATELINE D.C. — “Biden’s top science adviser, Eric Lander, resigns amid reports of bullying,” by Alex Thompson, POLITICO: “President Joe Biden’s top science adviser, Eric Lander [who was the president and founding director of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard], resigned on Monday evening following reports of his bullying and mistreatment of subordinates. … POLITICO was first to report that the White House had launched a two-month investigation into Lander that found 'credible evidence' that he bullied his then-general counsel, Rachel Wallace.” — “Labor Secretary Martin Walsh offers to help end Major League Baseball lockout,” by Jim Puzzanghera, Boston Globe: “Labor Secretary Martin J. Walsh said Monday that he’s ready to step up to the plate and help end Major League Baseball’s two-month old lockout. Walsh, the former Boston mayor and longtime Red Sox fan, said he had spoken with representatives of the owners and the Major League Baseball Players Association about the ongoing negotiations and that he encouraged both sides ‘to continue engagement.’” — "Biden taps new director for EPA in New England," by David Abel, Boston Globe: "After more than a year without a permanent director of the Environmental Protection Agency in New England, President Biden on Monday appointed David Cash, former commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection, as regional administrator." TRUMPACHUSETTS — “Corey Lewandowski Compares ‘Trump World' to ‘Game of Thrones',” by Alison King, NBC10 Boston: “[Lewandowski said] ‘I don’t think you’re ever really out of the Trump world. There are peaks and valleys, of course. And I think I’m one of those guys, probably a very small few, that have had staying power inside the Trump world for a long time.’” FROM THE 413 — “In push for ‘west-east’ rail, Berkshire County lawmakers press for track upgrades west of Springfield,” by Danny Jin, Berkshire Eagle: “The Baker administration identified ‘service improvements between Springfield and Worcester’ in a news release Thursday as ‘an initial step to expand service between Boston and Albany.’ But, what about improvements between Springfield and Pittsfield? That’s the question Berkshire County leaders are asking.” — “COVID outbreaks slam elderly, staff at Linda Manor, lead to 4 deaths,” by Brian Steele, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Two separate outbreaks of COVID-19 at [Northampton] Linda Manor’s nursing home and assisted living programs infected 86 seniors in the past two months — causing four deaths — and 88 staff members, some of whom remain out of work while they continue to recover.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Massachusetts nurses call for independent Presidential Federal COVID-19 Committee,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The Massachusetts Nurses Association is joining national calls for the creation of an independent Presidential Federal COVID-19 Committee to replace the task force disbanded at the end of the Trump administration.” — “Mass. business confidence slumps as employers struggle,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Newburyport Daily News: “Business confidence among Massachusetts employers slumped last month amid lingering concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic and rising inflation. That’s according to the latest Business Confidence Index from the pro-business group Associated Industries of Massachusetts, which shows overall enthusiasm among employers declined 0.8 points to 55.9 in January. That’s the lowest level since January 2021, the report’s authors noted.” — “Lawrence councilors OK tax exemption for city's Gold Star parents,” by Jill Harmacinski, Eagle-Tribune: “City councilors unanimously approved full property tax exemptions for Gold Star parents or guardians living in the city.” — IN MEMORIAM: “Charles Vert Willie, 94, Dies; Studied, and Defended, Racial Diversity,” by Clay Risen, New York Times: “He devised a plan to desegregate Boston’s public schools. He also stood up against sexism in the Episcopal Church.” TRANSITIONS — Marty Martinez, Boston’s former health chief, will take over as chief executive as national nonprofit Reach Out and Read, the Boston Globe’s Jon Chesto reports. Ivy Scott is the Boston Globe’s new criminal justice reporter. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to state Attorney General Maura Healey. 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.   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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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Boston’s next big primar(ies)

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY Presented by Associated Industries of Massachusetts With help from Anne Brandes FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: CHYNAH’S CHALLENGER — A well-known former State House staffer is primarying the chair of the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus in Boston’s next big legislative showdown. Mark Martinez, a 28-year-old Afro-Latino progressive activist, is launching a bid today for the 7th Suffolk District House seat currently held by state Rep. Chynah Tyler. “People in the district want to see someone with urgency in leading on housing, urgency in leading on environmental justice. And as I talked to people, that’s not what they’re seeing,” Martinez told Playbook. “I’ve got a history of being deeply involved in those issues.” Martinez, who served as budget director and legal counsel to state Sen. Patricia Jehlen until last month, has also been involved in a State House staffer-led push for better working conditions . Martinez would be the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color and first nonbinary person elected to the Legislature. To achieve that, Martinez would have to knock out Tyler, a third-term lawmaker who recently passed on running for the open Second Suffolk state Senate seat to seek reelection in her House district that spans Roxbury, Mission Hill and Fenway. Tyler, who is Black, became the youngest person to chair her caucus last year and is also vice chair of the Legislature’s judiciary committee. “As a lifelong Roxbury resident, I know that throughout the course of the election season [Martinez] will learn a lot about the needs of our community and how our team has positively impacted the lives of so many constituents … [and made the 7th] a more equitable place,” Tyler told Playbook. NEW: ARROYO EYES DA — Ricardo Arroyo is fielding calls about running for Suffolk district attorney and is “considering” it, the recently reelected Boston city councilor confirmed. Arroyo, a former public defender, said it’s important to him that former Suffolk DA and now U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael Rollins’ “criminal justice reform movement continues.” Kevin Hayden, the former Sex Offender Registry Board chair who’s now finishing out Rollins’ DA term, hasn’t said if he’ll seek a full term. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. News from my POLITICO colleagues that William “Billy” Tranghese, a longtime aide to Rep. Richard Neal , is leaving his role as chief of staff to join Platinum Advisors as an SVP set off a bit of a stir on #mapoli Twitter about the House Ways and Means chair’s 2022 intentions. Neal is running for reelection this year, a spokesperson confirmed, adding to a Boston Globe report from last August that said the same. Advocacy groups on both sides of the aisle have spent a combined $241,044 on digital and television ads targeting Neal (Building America’s Future, over President Joe Biden’s spending plan) or praising him (the AARP, for a tax credit) so far this cycle, according to tracker AdImpact. But unlike past cycles, Neal faces no Democratic primary challenger yet, and no names are bubbling to the surface in western Massachusetts political circles. As Tranghese departs, deputy chief of staff Elizabeth “Lizzy” O’Hara will take over his chief duties. TODAY — Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito presides over a Governor’s Council meeting at noon. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hosts a 1 p.m. Instagram Live with Dr. Sabrina Assoumou to discuss the city’s response to Covid-19. Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark delivers remarks on the youth mental health crisis around 5 p.m. on the House floor. Running for something? Know someone who is? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com.   A message from Associated Industries of Massachusetts: The 2022 State of Massachusetts Business Address will look at all the challenges and opportunities that employers face at the dawn of a new year. Join us as AIM President and CEO, John Regan, summarizes the Massachusetts business economy in 2021, comments on what it will mean for 2022, and gets feedback from some of the region’s top business executives. Register here   THE LATEST NUMBERS — “Massachusetts reports 17,802 new coronavirus cases, breakthrough infections spike,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The state Department of Public Health reported 82,466 breakthrough infections last week, an 83% spike from the 45,029 breakthrough cases during the prior week as the extraordinarily contagious omicron variant rages across the region. The 17,802 new daily cases on Tuesday are the sixth highest case count of the entire pandemic.” DATELINE BEACON HILL — ROAD TO RENT CONTROL: Do rent control policies make housing more affordable? That’s what advocates debated for seven hours during yesterday’s housing committee hearing. The panel is considering several bills including the Tenant Protection Act from state Reps. Mike Connolly and Nika Elugardo, which proposes bringing back local-option rent stabilization alongside other pro-tenant policies, and state Rep. David Rogers’ proposal to implement rent caps. Advocates — including new mayors Michelle Wu of Boston and Katjana Ballantyne of Somerville, and Democratic gubernatorial candidates Danielle Allen and state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz — stressed in written and live testimony the toll of high rents during Covid-19, noting that landlords have filed more than 25,000 eviction notices since the beginning of the pandemic, as well as the lack of affordable housing. Opponents to reinstating rent control, including the National Apartment Association, argued that such a policy, which voters banned three decades ago, would drastically constrict housing development in the state and make it less affordable. Connolly, who’s watched past attempts to revive rent stabilization fail on Beacon Hill, called it a “hopeful day for housing justice” after seeing support beyond the liberal metro Boston area. It’s not clear when the housing committee will vote on the bills. — “Charlie Baker, top state health official resist lawmakers push for mask mandates, more coronavirus regulations,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Lawmakers who feel like Gov. Charlie Baker has shirked his responsibilities amid the omicron surge left a Tuesday hearing with the governor and the state’s top health official feeling like they ‘didn’t move the needle.’ … While Baker told lawmakers he was ‘open’ to any ideas they had to improve the response to the ongoing outbreak — which has sent coronavirus cases surging to record levels — and preventing future ones, he made few commitments. Both he and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders were miffed by lawmakers’ repeated jabs at their refusal to escalate a statewide advisory recommending masks indoors to a full mandate.” — Baker said he’s “all in” on raising the state’s vaccination rates, though he admitted getting kids inoculated “is a more difficult sell for many folks than I thought it would be.” The Boston Globe’s Matt Stout and Sahar Fatima have more from Baker’s testimony, including his signal to employers “that he believes they should not be requiring negative PCR tests before people can return to work. Nor should schools or child care centers.” — “Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin looks beyond filibuster fix to pass voting rights bills,” by John Atwater, WCVB: “President Joe Biden is pushing for the passage of new voting rights legislation in Congress and is even endorsing changing U.S. Senate rules in order to do it. … But some Democrats, including Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin, are looking beyond a change to the filibuster rules in order to secure voting rights. … According to Galvin, a more realistic approach to pass voting rights legislation is to focus solely on expanding mail-in voting, which he says could draw crucial Republican support.” — “Automakers push to delay ’right to repair’ law,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: “Legislators are weighing changes to a voter-approved law that would give auto manufacturers more time to comply with requirements to turn over vehicle ’telematics data’ to owners and independent repair shop owners. … [The] auto industry is making a last-ditch effort to delay implementation of the changes as it fights to overturn the voter-approved law in federal court.” — “Nearly 90 small businesses ask Massachusetts senators to legalize sports betting and include them,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “In a letter to all 40 state senators, the group of business owners and managers endorsed a sports wagering bill from Sen. Adam Gomez, writing it would increase tax revenue for Massachusetts, bolster ‘geographic fairness’ for residents who do not live near casinos, and provide a safe option for betting.” — “Baker urges state to pass offshore wind investment to help meet climate goals,” by Dharna Noor, Boston Globe: “Governor Charlie Baker and Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Kathleen Theoharides on Tuesday urged the Legislature to pass a plan to make the state more competitive in the offshore wind industry. The hourslong hearing before the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy was contentious: 90 witnesses, including many supporters and some naysayers, signed on.” — “Springfield state Rep. Bud Williams speaks out against medical parole for first-degree murderers,” by Jeannette DeForge, Springfield Republican: “A state representative and former probation officer on Tuesday announced his support for a bill that would ban anyone convicted of first-degree murder from being eligible for medical parole.”   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.     VAX-ACHUSETTS — “Baker prioritizes rapid tests, buys 26m more,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Massachusetts will get 26 million rapid antigen tests over the next three months, which it will distribute primarily to K-12 schools and childcare facilities, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday.” — “Massachusetts health officials release new COVID testing guidance,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “People should get a COVID test under two key scenarios: If they are exhibiting coronavirus symptoms or are considered a close contact of an infected individual, Gov. Charlie Baker said during a press briefing at the Massachusetts State House Tuesday morning as he acknowledged persistent supply chain woes.” — “Boston-area coronavirus wastewater data takes a plunge: ‘An encouraging sign’ as COVID cases surge,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The latest data from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s study to track wastewater for indicators of COVID shows the south of Boston region daily average is now 6,810 copies of viral RNA per milliliter. That tally is about a 41% drop from the peak level just last week … The northern region daily average is now 5,091 copies of viral RNA per milliliter. That count is also about a 41% decrease from the northern region’s peak last week.” — “Massachusetts’ new digital COVID vaccine passport cost $400,000,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “Massachusetts spent about $400,000 on the state’s new digital COVID-19 vaccine passport that the Baker administration unveiled on Monday.” — “Four South Shore towns to open COVID test site Wednesday in Hingham; $149 for rapid tests,” by Wheeler Cowperthwaite, Patriot Ledger: “While the Hingham site will be charging $149 for a rapid test, at-home rapid tests cost $10 to $15 at retailers. Hingham's executive health agent, Susan Sarni, did not respond to requests for comment about the testing site or why the rapid tests will cost so much.” — “Vaccinated city employees to receive $500 stipend in Haverhill,” by Mike LaBella, Eagle-Tribune. — “Brookline to Require Proof of COVID Vaccine at Certain Businesses,” by Mike Pescaro, NBC10 Boston. — “Milton Grocer Blames Omicron Variant For Empty Shelves, Price Increases,” by Tiffany Chan, CBS Boston. FROM THE HUB — “Mass. and Cass neighborhood on edge on eve of tent-removal deadline,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Mayor Michelle Wu’s Mass. and Cass czar — [former state DPH commissioner Monica Bharel] who revealed that she’d only be with the city for six months — took heated questions from neighborhood leaders the day before the city’s deadline to dismantle the tent encampment in the troubled South End area.” — “Boston police and firefighter unions ask judge to halt city's vaccine mandate,” by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: “Several unions representing police and firefighters in Boston are asking a judge Wednesday to step in and stop the city from requiring they get vaccinated by the end of the week. They claim that Mayor Michelle Wu's directive violates their collective bargaining rights.”   A message from Associated Industries of Massachusetts:     TODAY'S SPECIAL (ELECTION) — NEW SENATOR INCOMING: Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards can finally add state senator-elect to her title after winning the First Suffolk and Middlesex District special election. Edwards, who defeated Revere School Committee member Anthony D’Ambrosio in a December Democratic primary, faced no opposition yesterday. It’s still unclear when Edwards will actually be sworn in to the state Senate. — “It was tied in November, but tonight’s Framingham special election results were clear,” by Zane Razzaq, MetroWest Daily News: “City Councilor Adam Steiner decisively won another term representing District 3 in a special election on Tuesday, according to unofficial results. Steiner earned 716 votes to challenger Mary Kate Feeney's 532.” ON THE STUMP — LISTEN: “‘I’m an implementer’: Candidate for governor Allen makes her pitch to Massachusetts voters,” by Arun Rath and Ava Sasani, All Things Considered. — "‘A true servant leader’: Driscoll bid for lieutenant governor," by Dustin Luca, Salem News: "Mayor Kim Driscoll has officially kicked off her campaign to become Massachusetts’ next lieutenant governor with a goal of helping lead the state through 'an inflection point.'” THE CLARK CAUCUS — “Assistant House Speaker Requests ‘Isolation Boxes’ for Maskless Members of Congress,” by Blake Montgomery, Daily Beast: “Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA) wrote a Tuesday letter to the House Sergeant-at-Arms William Walker requesting that Capitol law enforcement begin confining lawmakers who refuse to comply with the mask requirement to plexiglass ’isolation boxes’ that would sequester them from other members of Congress.” DAY IN COURT — "Court ruling seen as blow to Boston police gang database," by Yawu Miller, Bay State Banner: "Justices of the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday ruled in favor of a Salvadoran immigrant’s petition to review a deportation order, finding in favor of his argument that a Boston Police Department gang database determination falsely identified him as a member of the MS-13 gang." — “March 22 bench trial set for New Bedford Ward 3 City Councilor Hugh Dunn,” by Anastasia Lennon, New Bedford Light: “Ward 3 City Councilor Hugh Dunn’s bench trial for three charges, including OUI, has been scheduled for March 22 after Dunn appeared in New Bedford District Court on Tuesday for a pretrial hearing.”   STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.     BIDEN TIME — “Biden public approval rating stands at 41 percent, 10 percent drop from last spring, according to UMass Amherst poll,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “The nationwide poll, UMass said Tuesday in a statement, queried 1,000 Americans, 53 percent of whom ‘disapprove of the president’s performance and 41 percent approve of the job Biden has done so far.’” FROM THE 413 — “Springfield City Council directs Mayor Sarno to enforce city residency requirement ordinance,” by Patrick Johnson, Springfield Republican: “The City Council has directed Mayor Domenic J. Sarno to enforce the city’s employee residency requirements, including using the police to verify compliance, even though the city solicitor said that was probably unnecessary.” — “Fresh off his gig as North Adams mayor, Tom Bernard set to lead Berkshire United Way,” by Tony Dobrowolski, Berkshire Eagle: “Former North Adams Mayor Tom Bernard did not wait long to take on a new challenge. Bernard, who had decided not to seek a third term as mayor, on Tuesday was named president and CEO of Berkshire United Way in Pittsfield.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “New study scrutinizes campaign donations to Mass. sheriffs,” by Shannon Dooling, WBUR: “A new study finds that since 2010, Massachusetts sheriffs have received $2.6 million in donations from companies or people that could present conflicts of interests. The report from the nonprofit government watchdog group, Common Cause, says donations largely came from the health care, telecommunication and construction industries.” — “Could suburban strip malls be the solution to Massachusetts’ housing shortage?” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “Strip malls are typically suburban eyesores, with minimalist architecture, increasing vacancies, and oversized parking lots. But some think these strip malls could have plenty of hidden potential, too, as solutions to the state’s housing shortage.” — “Massachusetts receives record $307M in heating assistance as temperatures fall and fuel prices rise,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “The White House reported this week that Massachusetts’ $307.5 million share is more than double the Bay State’s normal $120.5 million appropriation for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).” — “Power grid copes with cold by burning oil, coal,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The New England power grid on Tuesday coped with unusually cold temperatures and outages at several power plants and transmission lines by bringing additional power plants online and relying on oil and coal to generate roughly a fifth of the region’s electricity.” — “Bike lane backlash pushes Cambridge to consult with small business owners,” by Mackenzie Farkus, GBH News: “After facing backlash from North Cambridge business owners over bike and bus lane installations along Massachusetts Avenue last November, City Councilors unanimously passed new policy orders on Monday that would allow more consultation with local business owners on their transportation concerns.”   A message from Associated Industries of Massachusetts: Where does the Massachusetts economy go now, almost two years into an unprecedented public health crisis that has scrambled the job market, disrupted global supply chains and redefined the very nature of work? Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), the state’s largest business association, serves more than 3,300 businesses representing 150 different industries in the Commonwealth. We hear from our members daily about their challenges and opportunities which gives us an extraordinarily unique perspective on the Massachusetts business community. Join us Friday January 21st at 7:30 for the State of Massachusetts Business address as AIM President and CEO, John Regan, summarizes the Massachusetts business economy in 2021, comments on what it will mean for 2022, and gets feedback from some of the region’s top business executives. Register here   TRANSITIONS — Boston.com’s Nik DeCosta-Klipa will join WBUR as a newsletter editor. — Shelly Andrews joins Benchmark Strategies; she previously was an assignment editor at WBZ. — Casey Bowers will be the next executive director of the ELM Action Fund; Bowers was previously assistant VP for government relations. — Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian joins the Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime & Incarceration executive board. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Zelda MacGregor. Happy belated to Jerome E. Groopman. REWIND — I joined “This Morning with Gordon Deal” to talk about how Democrats are fighting to keep schools and businesses open amid the latest Covid-19 surge. 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.   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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