POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Calling all GOP candidates

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY BLANK SPACES — Democrats running for statewide office are sprinting through their party’s caucuses. But major Republican candidates remain slow to emerge even with plenty of seats up for grabs. Anthony Amore,  the Republican who unsuccessfully challenged Democratic Secretary of State Bill Galvin in 2018, is now considering a run for state auditor and is calling around for potential campaign staffers, per two people familiar with his thinking. Amore didn’t respond to a request for comment. Former state Rep. Geoff Diehl and businessman Chris Doughty are vying for governor. Rayla Campbell filed paperwork to run for secretary of state. Cecilia Calabrese, an Agawam city councilor, has for months been floated as a potential candidate for lieutenant governor but hasn’t made a move publicly. Others have passed on races from governor to state attorney general. Democrats, on the other hand, are fielding primaries for each of the six constitutional offices except for state treasurer. Amore is one of the Republicans  who could bridge the ideological and intraparty divides roiling the state GOP. Republicans in Gov. Charlie Baker’s orbit like Amore. So do allies of MassGOP Chair Jim Lyons, even though Amore’s not thrilled with the state of the state party. Yet the ongoing and public feuding within the GOP state committee looms over Republicans who could regrow their ranks on Beacon Hill by contending for the four open statewide seats and several more opening up in the Legislature. Lyons sees “high” energy levels at the candidate training sessions the party is holding. He also told me he sees openings for Republicans to talk about pocketbook issues like inflation and taxes, and about keeping kids in schools and getting parents more involved, similar to the playbook Glenn Youngkin used to win the governor’s office in Virginia. But any candidate stepping up will have to navigate a fractured party whose embattled chair and governor hopeful Diehl still hew close to Donald Trump in a state where the former president is deeply unpopular. State committee members are walking out of meetings in protest of Lyons’ leadership and are holding up the party budget as the factions feud over who should hold a Boston committee seat. The party treasurer sent an email to committee members last week saying he “can no longer authorize any payments from state committee funds,” per screenshots shared with POLITICO. Lyons, for his part, said he’s “not going to get into it" and is "laser-focused" on recruitment. GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. 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. TODAY — Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and House and Senate leaders hold their weekly leadership meeting at 2 p.m. at the State House. U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael Rollins is on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” at 11:30 a.m.   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: Quentin Palfrey has been endorsed for state attorney general by 150 Democratic activists and elected leaders including former state Democratic Party Chair Phil Johnston; state Reps. Jack Lewis, Steve Owens, Brian Murray and Natalie Higgins; former state transportation secretary Jim Aloisi and former New Bedford Mayor John Bullard. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: State Sen. Cindy Creem has endorsed state Sen. Eric Lesser for lieutenant governor, per his campaign. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The International Association of Machinists District 15 has endorsed state Sen. Diana DiZoglio for state auditor, per her campaign. — GETTING IN: Mansfield Democrat Brendan Roche is running for state representative in the 1st Bristol District and will virtually kick off his campaign on Feb. 17. Roche unsuccessfully challenged the district’s current state representative, Republican Jay Barrows, in 2020. — “Massachusetts state auditor candidate Chris Dempsey plans sweeping State Police review following overtime pay scandal,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “Chris Dempsey, a transportation advocate running for state auditor, has unveiled a sweeping proposal designed to restore public faith in the Massachusetts State Police, after the agency’s reputation was mired by the widespread overtime scandal, as well as the destruction of public records and improper use of a criminal offender database." DATELINE BEACON HILL — “In less than a decade, nearly every state has outlawed ‘revenge porn.’ So why hasn’t Massachusetts?” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “The state remains one of just two in the country — South Carolina being the other — that hasn’t specifically outlawed the practice. It’s a fact that Governor Charlie Baker wielded in his State of the Commonwealth address last month to prod lawmakers to act on a proposal to address revenge porn, versions of which he’s filed three times since 2017. … ‘Nobody in the Legislature can hide behind, ‘I didn’t know anything about it,’’ Baker, a second-term Republican, said in an interview. ‘It’s now on people’s radar.’” — “Debate Drew Durant To Prove Vaccination Status,” by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): “[GOP state Rep. Peter Durant] had filed an amendment to the voting bill seeking to ban vaccine mandates at polling places, and he wanted to make his case for that proposal directly to his colleagues. But because he remained one of the few representatives out of compliance with the mandate, Durant would have had to deliver his speech by phone. … Around 6 p.m., ... Durant says he filled out the House's online form providing proof of vaccination, joining more than 150 other representatives who had already done so.” — “‘Nero’s Law’ Approved By House Of Representatives,” by David Cifarelli, WBZ News Radio: “The Massachusetts House of Representatives voted Friday to pass Nero’s Law. The bill was inspired by the death of Yarmouth Police K9 Sgt. Sean Gannon in April of 2018 who was shot and killed in the line [of] duty while serving an arrest warrant. Gannon’s police dog Nero was also gravely injured during the altercation.” — “Pot cafes could soon be coming to Massachusetts,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “[Marijuana] cafes have not begun popping up in the Bay State because of a legal technicality that prevented cities and towns from being able to vote to bring these cafes within their borders. Last week, the state Legislature’s Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy favorably reported out a bill that would clear that blockage, as well as tightening restrictions on contracts between marijuana businesses and host communities and creating a Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund.” VAX-ACHUSETTS — MASK DOWN: Cities are relaxing their mask mandates as the Omicron wave ebbs. Beverly and Lowell dropped theirs last week, GBH’s Hannah Reale reports, though leaders in both cities said they’d reconsider if needed. Worcester officials today will ask the city’s board of health to rescind its mask mandate, per MassLive’s Michael Bonner. Salem plans to reconsider its indoor mask and vaccine mandates on Tuesday, Salem News’ Dustin Luca reports. — “Experts say not to worry about new version of omicron detected in Massachusetts,” by Mark Herz, GBH News: “A new version of the omicron variant has been detected in Massachusetts, according to the state Department of Public Health. … Dr. Sabrina Assoumou, an infectious disease physician at Boston Medical Center and a member of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s COVID-19 Advisory Committee, said vaccines appear to offer the same protection against this new subvariant as the original omicron when it comes to severe disease and death.”   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 — “No deal between Boston, unions on vaccine mandate after 9-hour session,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “A marathon bargaining session that stretched into the night and included a proposal from the Wu administration to make the coronavirus vaccine mandate more flexible did not lead to a deal as a court ruling looms and the city is ‘ready to move forward’ on enforcement of the current policy. Mayor Michelle Wu’s staffers and public-safety union leaders haggled in the Parkman House from noon Friday until after 9 p.m. over the city’s vaccine mandate.” — "Boston rejects most requests for waivers from vaccine mandate for city employees," by Ally Jarmanning and Todd Wallack, WBUR: "Boston has approved fewer than half of the requests it received from city workers who claimed a medical or religious waiver from the city's vaccination mandate, according to data the city provided WBUR." — “30 minutes in Roslindale: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s block has taken center stage in one of the city’s ugliest political dramas,” by Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: “[Boston Mayor Michelle] Wu’s neighbors say they love this quiet area for its community feel: the coffees with a friend across the street, the backyard barbecues in summer. Now, their block has taken center stage in one of the city’s ugliest political dramas — and the performances start before dawn.” — “Government properties among those fined for violating Boston’s snow removal ordinance following blizzard,” by Andrew Brinker and John Hilliard, Boston Globe: “Publicly owned properties in Boston — including sites run by the MBTA and the city — were fined thousands of dollars for violating the city’s snow removal ordinance in the days after the region was slammed by a powerful blizzard last weekend, according to city records.” — “‘Unconscionable’: Parents protest Tufts plan to close children’s hospital,” by Kim Lucey, 7 News: “Dozens of parents, doctors and nurses protested outside of Tufts Medical Center Saturday, calling on the hospital’s corporate owner to stop its plans to shutter its pediatric hospital and take away treatment options for children.” — “Protesters gather outside Brigham and Women’s Hospital over patient dropped from transplant list,” by Andrew Brinker and John Hilliard, Boston Globe: “About 100 protesters gathered outside Brigham and Women’s Hospital Sunday afternoon in support of a Massachusetts man whose family has said he was dropped from its heart transplant waitlist because he hasn’t been vaccinated for COVID-19.” PARTY POLITICS — “Charlie Baker, moderate Republicans blast RNC censure on Capitol insurrection,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Gov. Charlie Baker along with other moderate Republicans are blasting the leaders of their own party after a vote by the Republican National Committee declared the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, ‘legitimate political discourse.’ … Gubernatorial candidate and former state Rep. Geoff Diehl, who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump, distanced himself from the RNC moves, saying he ‘condemned violence in the street.’” FROM THE SUNDAY SHOWS — MCGOVERN ON SCOTUS: Rep. Jim McGovern told WCVB’s “On the Record” that he’s “disturbed by some of the pushback” from Republican senators at President Joe Biden’s pledge to nominate a Black woman to the high court. Republicans have supported other female nominees, McGovern said. But now "we hear these Republicans coming out being outraged over the fact that he would do that, almost implying that a Black woman wouldn’t be qualified. That’s offensive and, quite frankly, that’s racist. I trust President Biden will keep his promise. I believe the Senate will approve his nominee and history will be made.” — Also: “Rep. Jim McGovern, of Mass., calls for congressional hearings in wake of Brian Flores allegations,” by Ed Harding and Janet Wu, WCVB. — "Keller @ Large: Gubernatorial Candidate Sonia Chang-Diaz Calls For More Urgency On Beacon Hill," by Jon Keller, WBZ. DATELINE D.C. — “‘An amazing legacy’: Justice Breyer’s replacement could be a former clerk he considers family,” by Jazmine Ulloa, Boston Globe: “[Ketanji Brown Jackson] graduated with honors from both Harvard College in 1992 and from Harvard Law School in 1996, and had clerked for two lower court judges — including US District Judge Patti Saris in Massachusetts — when she arrived in the nation’s capital to clerk for Breyer in 1999.” — “Rufus Gifford ‘re-strengthening American leadership through diplomacy’ in new federal role,” by Trea Lavery, Lowell Sun: “As chief of protocol, [Rufus Gifford] serves as the first point of contact between President Biden’s administration and foreign diplomats. ‘I wanted to do this job because it is at a time when … the rules by which diplomacy has traditionally functioned have been tossed aside,’ Gifford said in an interview.” IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN — “A decision made behind closed doors may set clean energy back by two years,” by Sabrina Shankman, Boston Globe: “Like other regional power suppliers, New England’s grid operator has been asked by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to remove or change a mechanism that makes it harder for clean energy projects to enter the competitive market. But after months of saying it supported such a measure, ISO-New England reversed its stance last week and aligned with a proposal from the natural gas industry that would slow-walk any such change.” — “Massachusetts provides $13M for 300 EV charging stations,” by the Associated Press: “Massachusetts is providing more than $13 million in grants to install more than 300 electric vehicle fast-charging stations at 150 locations around the state. THE LOWELL CONNECTOR — “Cambodian rise in Lowell politics shadowed by dark history in homeland,” by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: “Cambodians began arriving here more than four decades ago, fleeing the Khmer Rouge and establishing their second-largest diaspora in the US. But it wasn’t until recently that they gained significant power locally by winning six political offices, including the first Cambodian-American mayor elected in the country. … Yet the milestone masks deep political divisions in this gateway city, where homeland politics still drives allegiances and where the Khmer community is conflicted over whether Chau’s election represents true progress.” FROM THE 413 — “Flurry of opposition stalls vote on Northampton police dashcams,” by Brian Steele, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Two weeks after a proposal to upgrade the Northampton Police Department’s aging and unreliable dashboard cameras sailed through its first reading in the City Council without opposition, the same plan came under fire from the public on Thursday night and consumed more than 3½ hours of councilors’ time before it was sent to committee for further review.” — “Gov. Baker has indicated support for east-west passenger rail, but some in Berkshires say it’s too soon to celebrate,” by Danny Jin, Berkshire Eagle: “While Gov. Charlie Baker has indicated that he would like federal infrastructure dollars to support east-west passenger rail, some Berkshire County officials still want greater commitment to the Pittsfield to Springfield leg.” — IN MEMORIAM: “Raymond Jordan, Springfield’s first Black state representative, remembered as influential politician,” by Jeannette DeForge and Dave Canton, Springfield Republican. “Raymond A. Jordan Jr., Springfield’s first Black state legislator, who remained a servant to his community into his final days, died on Saturday at the age of 78.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Bitter feelings linger after lengthy strike at Saint Vincent Hospital,” by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: “The Massachusetts Nurses Association, the union that launched the strike and negotiated a new contract with Saint Vincent, is now facing a new threat: being kicked out of the hospital entirely. A contingent of nurses upset by the strike is pushing to decertify the union and nix the hard-fought labor contract. A decertification vote began Friday, and nurses have until the end of February to decide whether to keep or expel the union.” — “For years, the mother of Harmony Montgomery rang the alarm about her missing daughter. Few listened,” by Dugan Arnett, Boston Globe: “Her search has, as she recounts it, spanned three years, two states, and a collection of government agencies — and has been met, at times, with a bureaucratic indifference the mother can only attribute to her complicated past that includes a history of drug addiction.” — “Local governments weigh plans to spend APRA funds,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: “Hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds are flowing into the coffers of city and town governments as part of a new pandemic relief law. … In Lawrence, Mayor Brian DePena is pitching a plan to spend $40 million in ARPA funds to replace the aging Leahy Elementary School." — “Communities of color get more gas leaks, slower repairs, says study,” by Barbara Moran, WBUR: “People of color, lower-income households, and people with limited English skills across Massachusetts are more exposed to gas leaks — especially more hazardous gas leaks — than the general population, according to a new study. Those same communities also experience longer waits to get the leaks fixed.” — “Charter school proposal roils South Coast,” by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: “The latest battleground: An increasingly acrimonious debate over a proposed grade 6-12 charter school serving students in New Bedford and Fall River. In recent days, opponents have taken the fight to the streets, picketing a local bank whose president was slated to serve on the charter school board of directors and showing up unannounced at the law office of an attorney who had submitted a letter to the state education department in support of the charter application.” — “Nurses struggle with staffing shortages, low pay as colleagues leave in droves,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “Three North Shore hospitals — Beverly Hospital, Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester and Lahey Outpatient Center in Danvers — have lost 322 nurses, or 40% of their staff, in just the past two years, and over 100 in the past five months, reflecting a dire case of a broader statewide trend.” MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE — "The battle to control Congress comes to N.H., sparking charges of gerrymandering," by Anthony Brooks, WBUR: "New Hampshire currently has two Congressional districts where Democrats have won the last three elections. But Republican lawmakers, who have majorities in the state legislature, have proposed redrawing the map to create a Democratic-leaning district that wraps around a second district favoring Republicans." HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former Uxbridge state Rep. Kevin Kuros, Keri Rodrigues, Mike Cummings, Mark Townsend, Michel R. Scheinman and Beth Robbins. Happy belated to Neri Oxman and Joshua Hantman. KUDOS — to Caroline Kimball-Katz, who found all five Michelle Branch references in Friday’s Playbook. 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: Diehl doubles down on Trump

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY LEANING IN — Governor hopeful Geoff Diehl already had Donald Trump’s endorsement. Now he’s bringing in Trump’s former campaign manager in a head-scratcher of a move that could give Diehl a boost in the GOP primary but could backfire with general-election voters. Diehl’s embrace of the former president made sense when it looked like he’d be primarying moderate governor and noted Trump critic Charlie Baker. But Baker’s not running, leaving the moderate lane wide open for the taking. Maura Healey went there. But Diehl’s not swerving toward the center. Instead he’s diving even further in on Trump by hiring Corey Lewandowski — baggage from allegations of unwanted sexual advances be damned. Lowell native Lewandowski  still carries weight in the Bay State and brings another national name to Diehl’s campaign. “Corey is an incredibly talented campaign strategist,” GOP state committee member Amy Carnevale, who worked across from Lewandowski on Capitol Hill in the early 2000s, said. “And his roots in the Bay State run deep.” Still, Carnevale said hiring Lewandowski is “perplexing”  and sends a clear message that Diehl’s campaign “is still very much focused on winning the primary election and has not shifted into a general election mode.” Diehl isn’t ditching Trump in part because he still has to get through that Republican primary against wealthy, more moderate Chris Doughty. GOP activists also say Lewandowski and Diehl’s newly minted fundraising co-chairs, former New England Patriots player Fred Smerlas and his wife, Kristy, could help in the money race. But the general election is a different story. Voters in Massachusetts have little love for Trump; the state gave him barely one-third of the vote in both of his presidential runs. And Republicans have for decades relied on independents and even some Democrats to help capture and keep the governor’s office. Diehl going all-in on Trump also gives Healey — the Democratic frontrunner and state attorney general who burnished her profile in part by repeatedly suing the Trump administration — the foil she lost when the former president left office. “With Corey Lewandowski in the fold, it is even clearer that Mr. Diehl’s agenda is fueled by hate and division,” Healey blasted out in a statement yesterday. Democratic state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz soon piled on, too. GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. This wasn’t always Diehl’s path in the governor’s race. Read my full story for POLITICO. TODAY — Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, administration officials and Rep. Lori Trahan outline initial road, bridge and other infrastructure projects through federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding at 2 p.m. at UMass Lowell. Polito makes a grant announcement at UTEC in Lowell at noon. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announces a new Office for Black Male Advancement at 11:30 a.m. in Roxbury. Healey is on WBUR's "Radio Boston" at 3 p.m. Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark presides over the House’s COMPETES Act debate. BILL TRACKER — Which bills do you think will fly under the radar this Joint Rule 10 week? Email me at  lkashinsky@politico.com. Also, we’re aware that some links may be missing from Playbook when we publish. Our engineers are working on it.   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.     ON THE STUMP — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: NAACP Boston Branch President Tanisha Sullivan raised more than $100,000 in the opening two weeks of her campaign for secretary of state, and 75 percent of her contributions came from Massachusetts residents, the Democrat’s team said. — ENDORSEMENT ALERT: State Rep. Tami Gouveia has received another 15 endorsements in her campaign for lieutenant governor. The list includes state Rep. Liz Miranda; Boston City Councilor Kendra Lara; Cohasset Select Board Chair Keri Thompson and Everett City Councilor Stephanie Martins. — Shannon Liss-Riordan has been endorsed for state attorney general by the Alliance of Unions of the MBTA, Boston Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 534, IBEW Local 1228, OPEIU Local 453, Pipefitters Local 537 and Sheet Metal Workers Local 17, per her campaign. — “Oliveira running for state Senate,” by Bera Dunau, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “State Rep. Jacob Oliveira, D-Ludlow, is throwing his hat into the ring for state Senate to represent the Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester District. … The Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester district is a successor to the district currently represented by Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, who is running for lieutenant governor.” — “Danielle Allen, a Democratic candidate for Mass. governor, wants to decriminalize drugs, including heroin,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Danielle Allen, a Harvard professor and gubernatorial candidate, said that if elected, she would push to decriminalize all controlled substances by eliminating state criminal penalties for small amounts of heroin, cocaine, and other drugs.” — “Guv Candidates Favor Opening Guv’s Office Records,” by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): “Attorney General Maura Healey and Harvard professor Danielle Allen, two of the three Democrats running for governor, have both backed changes that would subject the governor's office to the public records law. … Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, did not take a clear position on [Secretary of State Bill] Galvin’s proposal. … Both Republicans in the race, former Rep. Geoff Diehl and businessman Chris Doughty, said they believe the governor’s office as well as the Legislature should be subject to the public records law at least to some degree.” — “Massachusetts congressional races draw few challenges, so far,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Few serious challengers have stepped forward to take on the members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation in the upcoming election, meaning Democrats are likely to hold onto all nine seats in a year where Republicans are predicted to make gains nationwide.” THE LATEST NUMBERS — “Massachusetts reports 4,973 new coronavirus cases, COVID-19 hospitalizations go down again,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The state Department of Public Health on Wednesday reported 4,973 daily coronavirus cases, a 37% drop from last Wednesday’s total of 7,918 infections. The state’s average percent positivity is now 6.37%, significantly down from the rate of 23% in early January.” DATELINE BEACON HILL — POUR ONE OUT, FOR NOW: The Legislature’s Committee for Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure ordered further study on a bill that would overturn the state’s decades-old happy-hour ban, as well as a bill from state Rep. Mike Connolly that would create a commission to evaluate happy-hour policies. That effectively kills both bills, State House News Service’s Katie Lannan reports (paywall). But Connolly is still looking at the glass half full. “It was good to put the conversation out there. But in retrospect, the subsequent Covid waves I think certainly took priority,” the rep told me. “It’s pretty standard that newly filed bills usually take at least a few sessions to gain traction, so I think it’ll be interesting to see over the next year where public opinion might fall or where different stakeholders might fall.” (FWIW, a MassINC Polling Group survey last summer showed 70 percent of voters would support the return of the drink specials.) — “Efficient Homes Bill Getting Committee Approval,” by Matt Murphy, State House News Service (paywall): “Fearing the state may be losing momentum in its efforts to reduce carbon emissions, Sen. Marc Pacheco said Wednesday the committee he chairs would be recommending a bill to retrofit 1 million homes over the next decade to make them more energy efficient.” — “Housing Panel Holding On To Transfer Fee Bill,” by Katie Lannan, State House News Service (paywall): “As of Wednesday's deadline for most committees to act on bills, the Housing Committee had put forward an order extending until May 9 its window to advance or reject legislation that would enable municipalities to impose a fee of between 0.5 percent and 2 percent of the price of certain housing transactions in order to generate revenue to preserve affordable housing and fund new home construction.” — “Governor’s council hears testimony on whether to commute life sentence of man convicted of murder,” by Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: “William Allen has spent 28 years in prison for participating in a 1994 armed robbery in Brockton that turned deadly when his friend stabbed a man to death. While the admitted killer accepted a plea deal and was freed more than a decade ago, Allen is serving a sentence of life without parole. On Wednesday, Allen, 48, and a handful of supporters, including New England Patriots player Devin McCourty, urged the Governor’s Council to commute his sentence from first- to second-degree murder, making him eligible for parole.” — “Baker’s budget plan would expand Medicare,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Salem News: “Gov. Charlie Baker wants to expand Medicare coverage for low-income seniors as part of his proposed spending package for the next fiscal year.” — “Massachusetts couples pay the highest percentage of income in taxes in the country, report says,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “It’s tax season, and in news perhaps unsurprising to Bay State taxpayers, couples living here have to shell out the highest percentage of their income on taxes.”   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.     VAX-ACHUSETTS — "New omicron variant detected in Mass., MGH data show," by Martha Bebinger, WBUR: "COVID data out of Massachusetts General Hospital show a new version of the omicron variant is in the state, but in very small numbers. The variant, known as BA.2, will likely increase in Massachusetts as it is elsewhere that cases have been detected, said MGH Dr. Jacob Lemieux." FROM THE HUB — “Many Boston parents cry foul over bonus points for exam school admission,” by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: “In an effort to level the playing field for low-income students in the exam school admission process, the Boston Public Schools last summer came up with what many advocates considered to be a novel approach: Applicants from high-poverty schools will receive 10 bonus points. ... Now, a number of parents whose children would miss out on the points are crying foul.” — “Boston City Council to hold hearing on vaccine mandate,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The City Council will hold a hearing about the labor practices around Mayor Michelle Wu’s coronavirus vaccine mandate, opening up another front in the ongoing disputes between the public-safety unions and the administration.” — “Three Boston city councilors propose commission on reparations for African Americans,” by WCVB: “Three members of the Boston City Council are backing a new proposal to establish a commission on reparations for African Americans in the city. City Councilors Julia Mejia, Tania F. Anderson and Brian Worrell introduced the ordinance Wednesday — the second day of Black History Month.” — "Neo-Nazis target anti-racist doctors at Brigham and Women's Hospital, calling them 'anti-white'," by Phillip Martin, GBH News: "On Saturday Jan. 22, about two dozen white nationalists dressed in identical beige khaki pants and dark hoodies protested in front of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston holding a bedsheet with black lettering reading 'B and W Hospital Kills Whites.'” THE RACE FOR CITY HALL — “Boston city council candidates apologize for discriminatory language in old social media posts,” by Nick Stoico, Boston Globe: “Two candidates running for the District 1 seat on the Boston City Council, Gabriela Coletta and Tania Del Rio, are apologizing after years-old social media posts recently surfaced showing both candidates using racist and homophobic language.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “And now . . . the Green Line Extension. For real, this time, the T promises,” by Taylor Dolven, Boston Globe: “[M]ore than three decades after the state first promised to extend the Green Line as environmental mitigation for the Big Dig, test trains are gliding along the tracks between North Station and Union Square ahead of a planned opening of the project’s first branch next month. And the T is on the precipice of finally offering passenger service on an extended Green Line.” DAY IN COURT — “Settlement discussed in second lawsuit against former Pittsfield judge, Thomas H. Estes,” by Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle: “After settling one lawsuit, the woman who claims to have been sexually harassed by a former Pittsfield District Court judge is headed to trial in a separate but related complaint. A settlement in that U.S. District Court case has also been discussed, attorneys on both sides said this week.” — “Family Dollar Ordered To Pay $1.5M In Penalties For Not Giving Massachusetts Workers Meal Breaks,” by CBS Boston staff: “Family Dollar denied more than 620 workers their meal breaks at 100 locations across Massachusetts, Attorney General Maura Healey said. Healey’s office fined the company $1.5 million in penalties for what it says were more than 3,900 of the state’s meal break laws and failing to let employees who worked for more than six hours take a 30-minute break.” — “High court takes up physician-assisted suicide,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: “The state’s highest court will hear arguments in a landmark civil case next month challenging a Massachusetts law allowing state prosecutors to charge doctors for prescribing life-ending medications to terminally ill patients.” DATELINE D.C. — “Bill would ban universities from giving leg up to legacies, ending ‘affirmative action for the rich’,” by Haley Fuller, Boston Globe: “In an effort to level the playing field for college applicants, two congressional Democrats introduced legislation on Wednesday that would ban legacy admissions preferences for institutions that participate in federal student aid programs. … In the Harvard classes of 2014-2019, a third of legacies were admitted, while other applicants faced a 5.9 percent acceptance rate.” FROM THE 413 — “UMass unions rally for wages, health and safety,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “The unions, including the Professional Staff Union, the University Staff Association, the Massachusetts Society of Professors, AFSCME 1776 and the Graduate Employees Organization, are seeking to settle contracts that expired July 1, 2020, and, in addition to fair wages, achieve a series of other reforms. Their demands include better working and learning conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting long-term sustainable and green building practices in campus design, and having more dignity and respect in buildings for those who are immunocompromised and disabled.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — ICYMI: “Mass. state groundhog Ms. G. predicts early spring, unlike Punxsutawney Phil,” by Matt Yan, Boston Globe. — “Worcester kills proposal that would have banned new gas stations,” by Sam Turken, GBH News: “During a weekly meeting Tuesday night, City Council killed a citizen petition to consider changing zoning regulations to prohibit the construction of new gas stations. Activists and councilors who supported the petition cited both a concern for climate change and a desire to aid the city’s plan to become carbon neutral by 2045. But a majority of councilors argued that the ban was premature because of how many gas-powered cars remain on the roads.” — “Massachusetts school's choice of fried chicken for Black History Month lunch creates controversy,” by Shaun Chaiyabhat, WCVB: “[Xaverian Brothers High School’s] choice to promote fried chicken as a lunch to celebrate the start of Black History Month is creating controversy among the student body.” — “‘Heartbreaking’: Boston police officer found dead in Canton had been taking care of deceased sister’s children, family says,” by Frank O’Laughlin and Kimberly Bookman, 7 News: “A Boston police officer who was pronounced dead after being found unresponsive in the snow outside a home in Canton had been taking care of his deceased sister’s children, according to his family. … His girlfriend, 41-year-old Karen A. Read, of Mansfield, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of manslaughter, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision causing death, and motor vehicle homicide in connection with his death.” MEDIA MATTERS — “New president of western Mass. public media stations wants to focus on people, not just platforms,” by Yasmin Amer, WBUR: “Matt Abramovitz has taken the helm of New England Public Media almost three years after a radio and television merger that brought Springfield’s public radio station into a partnership with Boston public media giant GBH. … Abramovitz’s challenge will be to bring these two organizations together.” TRANSITIONS — Berklee College of Music has named Kaitlin Passafaro as VP of community and government relations. — Dan Manning, a Walsh administration and campaign alum, has joined Solomon McCown & Cence as vice president. — The Harvard Law Review has named its first Latina editor in its 135-year history: Priscila Coronado. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Matt Rhoades, co-CEO of CGCN Group; Justine Turner, an Elizabeth Warren 2020 alum; Fred Hochberg, Billy Shore and WCVB’s Haley Ryger. Happy belated to Anisha Chakrabarti, deputy communications director for Gov. Charlie Baker, who celebrated Wednesday. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: VOTING REFORMS & EVERYBODY'S RUNNING — Secretary of State hopeful Tanisha Sullivan talks voting reforms with host Steve Koczela. Koczela, Jennifer Smith and Lisa Kashinsky take stock of the latest developments in statewide races. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud. Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.   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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