| | |  | BY LISA KASHINSKY | DOLLAR SIGNS — State Attorney General Maura Healey is hitting the fundraising circuit ahead of 2022, raking in cash from at least four fundraisers this month. Last week it was a “Lawyers for Maura” virtual fundraiser with hosts including former U.S. attorney for Massachusetts Carmen Ortiz, labor attorney and potential AG candidate Shannon Liss-Riordan and former U.S. ambassador to Norway Barry White. One attendee told me Healey “talked a lot about big issues, the environment, things you don’t usually hear the attorney general get into,” but didn’t confirm whether she's running for governor. Healey will be in Charlestown tonight for a fundraiser hosted by Assistant House Majority Leader Mike Moran and state Rep. Dan Ryan, per an invitation obtained by POLITICO. And she’s slated for two events Thursday with Boston lobbying firms ML Strategies and Smith, Costello and Crawford, per State House News Service’s Matt Murphy, who first reported the fundraisers. ‘Tis the season for an end-of-year fundraising push so politicians can hit up donors for cash before contribution limits reset in the new year. But remember, Healey can use the money she’s raising for either the governor’s race or to run for reelection. Some of these events have also been on the books since before Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said they wouldn’t seek reelection. The Charlestown event, for instance, marks Moran’s seventh yearly fundraiser for Healey, and it was scheduled two months ago. “It just so happens that it coincides with this calendar we’re in right now, which is creating a lot of interest,” Moran told me, adding that while he’s not expecting any announcements tonight, “I think [Healey] would make a great governor.” At $3.3 million, Healey’s war chest is substantially larger than those of candidates already in the race. Among the Democrats, Harvard professor Danielle Allen had $386,270 at the end of November, state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz had $198,311 and former state Sen. Ben Downing had $32,753, according to their state campaign finance filings. Republican former state Rep. Geoff Diehl had $58,834. Gubernatorial campaigns aren’t cheap. Downing estimated on Bloomberg Baystate Business last week that he’d need to “raise at least a couple of million [dollars] next year for the Democratic primary, and then it’s a completely different ball game” for the general election. In the last open-seat governor’s race, then-state Attorney General Martha Coakley, the Democratic nominee, raised $3.7 million and spent $3.9 million. Baker raised $5.8 million and spent $5.6 million. Three other candidates spent more than $2 million each. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who’s sitting on $5.1 million, downplayed chatter he might run for governor while in Springfield yesterday. The former Boston mayor told reporters “there’s a lot of speculation about a lot of things and I’m not speculating on it. … My job is focused on being the best secretary of labor I can be.” GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Healey’s not the only one tapping donors ahead of a potential bid. Quentin Palfrey, the 2018 Democratic lieutenant governor nominee who’s teeing up a run for attorney general should Healey not seek reelection, has a D.C. reception scheduled for Wednesday evening, per an invitation obtained by POLITICO. “We are working hard to lay the groundwork for a successful statewide campaign for attorney general [should the seat open up],” Palfrey, a former assistant attorney general, told me. Heading to a fundraiser? Tell me about it: lkashinsky@politico.com. TODAY — Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards and Revere School Committee member Anthony D’Ambrosio face off in the special primary election to succeed former state Sen. Joe Boncore. With no Republican on the ballot, today's winner will likely be the district's next senator. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu heads to D.C. for a meeting with newly elected mayors, senior White House leaders and Cabinet secretaries including Walsh to discuss working with the Biden administration on “domestic priorities for cities.” Polito makes grant announcements in Worcester at 11 a.m. and Ludlow at 3 p.m. State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and state Sens. Pat Jehlen and Becca Rausch talk childcare at a noon MWPC virtual forum. Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark and House Democratic leaders host a 12:30 p.m. press conference. | |
| | JOIN TODAY FOR A WOMEN RULE 2021 REWIND AND A LOOK AHEAD AT 2022: Congress is sprinting to get through a lengthy and challenging legislative to-do list before the end of the year that has major implications for women’s rights. Join Women Rule editor Elizabeth Ralph and POLITICO journalists Laura Barrón-López, Eleanor Mueller, Elena Schneider and Elana Schor for a virtual roundtable that will explore the biggest legislative and policy shifts in 2021 affecting women and what lies ahead in 2022. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
| – “Massachusetts reports 11,078 coronavirus cases over the weekend, hospitalizations climb to highest level in 10 months,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The 11,078 infection tally was similar to last weekend’s spike of 11,199 cases. The count two weekends ago was 5,497 cases.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Baker signs $4 billion COVID relief bill, but wrests control of how, and when, to distribute worker bonuses,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Governor Charlie Baker on Monday signed a sweeping $4 billion package designed to help speed Massachusetts’ recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic. But in doing so, the second-term Republican stripped away several elements of a program that would send one-time bonus payments to low-income workers, setting up a potential dispute between Democratic legislators and a governor who has bristled at the ‘red tape’ they tied to it. In a letter to state lawmakers Monday, Baker said he supports the $460 million 'essential employee premium pay' ... But Baker vetoed a section that detailed the contours of it, including a requirement that the money be distributed by March 31 and language reserving it for some of the state’s poorest workers." – “Mariano sees offshore wind as top priority,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “House Speaker Ron Mariano recently announced that he planned to seek a second two-year term as speaker in January 2023. But Mariano, 75, made clear in an interview on The Codcast that he has no intention of rivaling the tenure of his predecessor, Robert DeLeo, who held the role for a record-setting 12 years.” – “‘You’re looking at just a huge shortage.’ Eggs could largely disappear from store shelves in January without legislative action, industry warns,” by Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: “The egg industry warns that as many as 90 percent of the eggs currently being supplied to the state will disappear from the shelves in 2022 unless the Legislature changes the standards for eggs that may be sold in Massachusetts supermarkets." | | VAX-ACHUSETTS |
| – “Charlie Baker announces 2.1 million free rapid coronavirus tests available for low-income communities,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “State officials are preparing to distribute 2.1 million free rapid coronavirus tests in more than 100 Massachusetts communities in a move that Gov. Charlie Baker called ‘potentially a game-changer’ in the fight to slow the spread of COVID-19. … Cheaper rapid tests — which can be taken at home — are coming soon to other Bay State communities, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said." – More from Tiernan: “These Massachusetts cities, towns are receiving free rapid coronavirus tests for residents.” – “Massachusetts won’t reinstate mask mandate as COVID cases rise, Gov. Charlie Baker says,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday morning said there are no plans to reinstate Massachusetts’ statewide mask mandate, even as coronavirus cases swell and hospitals contend with a deluge of patients. Baker, defending his decision during a press briefing at the Massachusetts State House, touted the state’s high vaccination rate.” – "Rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations in Mass. is driven by those who are unvaccinated, Baker says," by Amanda Kaufman and Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "Even as hospitalizations among vaccinated residents rise, recent increases in Massachusetts’s COVID hospitalization rates continue to be driven by those who are unvaccinated, Governor Charlie Baker said Monday, while urging those who haven’t yet been vaccinated to get the shots." – “Brigham and Women’s nurses accuse hospital of defying state order to delay certain surgeries,” by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: “The Massachusetts Nurses Association, a union that represents 3,500 Brigham nurses, told the Department of Public Health in a letter on Monday that the hospital’s operating rooms remain as busy as ever, despite a state order to curtail scheduled surgeries to make space for other patients who urgently need care.” | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “Boston confident of snow removal plans, despite statewide plow driver shortage,” by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: “Boston Mayor Michelle Wu declared the city prepared for the winter season with 40,000 tons of salt, 164 pieces of in-house snow clearing equipment and a fleet of about 600 more drivers and vehicles ready to activate should a snow emergency arise. The preparedness announcement comes amid a statewide shortage of snow plow drivers." – “Wu vows to remove Mass. and Cass encampments by winter, faces criticism on expanded housing services,” by Tori Bedford, GBH News: “Encampments around the area of Melnea Cass Boulevard and Mass Ave, or Mass. and Cass, will no longer be permitted after housing is secured this winter for unsheltered people living in the area, according to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.” – “Mass and Cass crisis: Boston neighbors slam Roundhouse Hotel plan,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “Residents and business owners said they’re worried that the location of the hotel in the middle of the Mass and Cass crisis would be a public safety issue, that the services would extend from temporary to permanent, and that a new center would go against the goal of decentralizing services from the area.” – “Starbucks employees at two Boston locations move to unionize,” by Tori Bedford, GBH News: “Employees at two Boston-area Starbucks locations began steps to form a union on Monday, following the chain’s first U.S. union victory last week in Buffalo, New York, and a growing labor movement of cafe workers across the Greater Boston area.” | | WHAT CITY HALL IS READING |
| – “She overcame monumental challenges after arriving in Boston as a child. Now, Tania Fernandes Anderson will break multiple barriers as city councilor,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “Tania Fernandes Anderson was 10 when she first arrived in Boston, landing on a flight from her native Cape Verde, alone, her head shaved so there would be no questions about lice. … In January, the 42-year-old who worked in social services for more than 25 years will be sworn in as the first Muslim to serve on the Boston City Council, joining a body that increasingly reflects the city’s racial and ethnic diversity. She will also be its first formerly undocumented member, and the first African immigrant to serve on the council.” – “Setting the record straight on ‘Five Car Flaherty’,” by Christopher Gavin, Boston.com: “In 2019, when he stood in opposition to then-councilor Wu’s proposal to charge fees for the city’s resident parking permits, [City Councilor Michael] Flaherty lamented the policy would result in a $375 annual payment for the five vehicles at his residence. … Flaherty owns a triple-decker home, and while his family owns three cars, his tenants in the other two units own their own vehicles, hence the five in total. … The nickname gave Flaherty a reputation he says is also at odds with his voting record and own views.” | | FEELING '22 |
| – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Pittsfield state Sen. Adam Hinds has been endorsed by Senate colleague Michael Rodrigues and state Reps. Pat Haddad and Chris Markey in his bid for lieutenant governor. Rodrigues, the Senate Ways and Means chair, endorsed former state Sen. Ben Downing for governor earlier this week. – “Sonia Chang-Diaz defends staffer over anti-police hat, doubles down on need for reform,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz is defending a newly appointed staffer on her campaign for the governor’s seat who is pictured in his Twitter profile wearing a hat inscribed with the anti-police protest slogan ‘ACAB,’ drawing criticism from police unions and state Republicans alike.” | | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
| – “Wu’s $8m fare-free bus plan hits snag,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is still hoping to launch fare-free buses for two years on three MBTA routes, but it appears her proposal has hit a major snag. Federal Transit Administration guidelines say transit agencies cannot run pilot transportation projects longer than six months, and the MBTA is wary of going beyond that time frame unless it has a permanent source of funding in place. Wu’s fare-free proposal relies on $8 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, which will eventually run out.” | | ROLLINS REPORT |
| – ALMOST THERE: Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins has just a few procedural steps left before she'll be sworn in as the next U.S. attorney for Massachusetts, likely "very shortly after the first of the year," she told Bloomberg Baystate Business yesterday. Rollins, who will be the first Black woman to hold the job here, said she “broke into tears” after another barrier-breaker, Vice President Kamala Harris, cast the tie-breaking votes for her confirmation. On a more somber note, Rollins told GBH’s Jim Braude on last night’s “Greater Boston” that she also faces death threats: “A lot of people don’t recognize as women, and women of color and particularly as a Black woman, the level of racist, hate-filled death threats that we receive," she said. | | DAY IN COURT |
| – “Harvard professor accused of hiding ties to Chinese talent program goes to trial,” by Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: “In a case that has drawn international scrutiny, Harvard University professor and world-renowned nanoscientist Charles Lieber is scheduled to go to trial Tuesday in federal court in Boston on charges that he lied about his financial ties to a Chinese university and talent recruitment program and cheated on his taxes.” | | WARREN REPORT |
| – "Elizabeth Warren slams Elon Musk's 'person of the year' title, saying the tax code should be changed so he stops 'freeloading off everyone else'," by Ayelet Sheffey, Insider: "Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren isn't pleased with Elon Musk's designation as TIME's 2021 person of the year." | | FROM THE 413 |
| – “US Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh touts passenger rail in visit to Springfield Union Station,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh said Monday that communities should see funding from the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill hit the streets in mid 2022 and underscored the importance of passenger rail in the Bay State during a visit to Springfield. Accompanied by U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, Walsh made his remarks at Union Station following a closed door meeting with Western Massachusetts mayors, labor officials and civic planners.” – “Labor shortage at chain pharmacies causes limited hours, long lines, canceled vaccines for Berkshire residents,” by Tony Dobrowolski, Berkshire Eagle: “It took three trips to the pharmacy before Katie Malone-Smith and her husband finally were able to receive their COVID-19 booster shots. … It’s just the local version of a national issue that has affected pharmacies because of a shortage of staff.” – “Probe into racist messages at UMass Amherst coming up dry,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “More than two months of investigation into racist messages sent to members of Black student organizations at the University of Massachusetts has yet to identify the source of the emails, according to a recent email sent to the campus community.” | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “How Quincy went from a blue-collar haven to one of the state's most expensive places to live,” by Mary Whitfill, Patriot Ledger: “Longtime residents are quick to begrudge the thousands of apartment units that have popped up over the last decade, each seemingly more expensive than the last. … But as residents fight every multi-unit complex that threatens to take over a once-single-family plot, the state applauds the city for its hand in adapting to a housing crisis the likes of which Massachusetts has never seen before.” – “Three more priests from Fall River diocese are now considered 'credibly accused' of abuse,” by Audrey Cooney, Herald News: “The three priests are Father James Buckley, Father Edward Byington and Father Richard Degagne. Degagne, previously the pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Easton, was suspended in 2019. Buckley and Byington were both already retired but were suspended last year.” – “New Bedford Police Union leadership resigns en masse,” by Anastasia Lennon, New Bedford Light: “The [four] resignations follow continued arbitration with the city for a collective bargaining contract, a recently agreed on COVID-19 vaccine mandate for police officers, and former union treasurer, Joshua Fernandes, pleading guilty in October to wire fraud with union funds.” – “Framingham State offers $5K award for ID of man who posted stickers for hate group,” by Norman Miller, MetroWest Daily News: “Framingham State University officials have offered a $5,000 award to anyone who can identify a man they say placed stickers for a white supremacist organization throughout campus last week.” – “Nuon supporters rally outside Lowell City Hall,” by Trea Lavery, Lowell Sun: “More than 100 supporters of City Councilor Vesna Nuon gathered outside of City Hall Sunday to tell the City Council that they want Nuon to be the city’s next mayor. Nuon was the top vote-getter in November’s municipal election as an at-large candidate ... However, Councilor Sokhary Chau, re-elected to the new District 6 seat, has already received commitments from five returning and incoming city councilors." TRANSITIONS – Will Ruger will become the new president of the American Institute for Economic Research in January, per my colleagues at POLITICO’s NatSec Daily. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Boston Herald alum Alexi Cohan, Toora Arsala, John Ullyot of Brighton Strategy Group and Christopher Marcisz. 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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