POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Wu shifts her agenda into overdrive

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY DRIVING THE DAY — Three MBTA bus routes that run through the heart of Boston’s lower-income neighborhoods will be fare-free for two years beginning March 1. It’s a major policy win for Mayor Michelle Wu after her $8 million plan hit a speed bump with the feds. She’ll roll out the details of the pilot program for bus routes 23, 28 and 29 at 9:30 a.m. in Dorchester. Wu is now poised to achieve one of her earliest goals as mayor during an increasingly hectic time for her fledgling administration. She's embarking on a superintendent search, on top of a police commissioner search, on top of hiring key positions for her still-forming Cabinet. She’s battling public safety unions in court and at the negotiating table over her vaccine mandate for city workers. And she’s holding fast to her mask and vaccine requirements for businesses even as the Omicron wave ebbs. “She has faced an unprecedented series of challenges,” Larry DiCara, a former city councilor and historian of city politics, told me. “I’m not sure anyone’s had this much thrown at them so early.” Wu chose to take on some of these challenges herself. While she inherited the police commissioner search, her transportation goals and vaccine rules — and the triumphs and tribulations that come with them — are of her own making. It all tracks with Wu’s pledge to do the “big and the small” as mayor. Now her effectiveness in doing so — keeping streets plowed while battling Covid-19 and working to fill two of the top jobs in the city — is about to come under more scrutiny as she nears 100 days in office. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.  Wu is far from the only mayor pushing a sweeping municipal agenda in an unprecedented and unpredictable time. Two years into managing a marathon public health crisis, mayors across the country are also worrying about housing, crime and maintaining basic city services. POLITICO surveyed 25 mayors, including New Bedford’s Jon Mitchell and Worcester’s Joe Petty, about their cities’ wants and needs, their relationships with state and federal officials and what keeps them up at night. Here are excerpts from their responses: — Worcester is facing a housing crisis, and when it comes to creating more affordable housing, Petty said the “responsibility needs to be shared in the wealthy surrounding communities who largely favor single family homes and exclusionary zoning process.” — Mitchell wants a “more sustained commitment to infrastructure funding” from the federal government, calling President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law a “long overdue infusion of cash.” — Petty has seen a “greater level of attention [from] and collaboration with the state administration” during the pandemic, but he said “the state delegation and legislature [have] largely been absent.” — Mitchell said New Bedford faced challenges in “getting our interests heard in Boston” during the pandemic and that “Greater Boston dominates the discussion of state policies, priorities and the allocation of state resources. The only antidote is to ensure that every region of Massachusetts is fairly represented in state government, which has not happened in a long time.” TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and education officials make a Covid-19 announcement at 10:30 a.m. at the State House. The Governor’s Council interviews state Rep. Sheila Harrington for Gardner District Court clerk magistrate at 10 a.m.; Polito presides over a Governor’s Council meeting at noon. MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak and Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge join Wu for her transit announcement at 9:30 a.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.     THE CLARK CAUCUS — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) are introducing a bill today that would ask colleges and universities to improve outreach to homeless and foster students and better connect them to financial aid and housing. The “Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act” would require homeless and foster students to be prioritized for on-campus housing and federal work-study programs, and provide in-state tuition rates for students without stable residency, among other aims. “For the homeless and foster youth who find education as a pathway to stability and success, we cannot allow policies and paperwork to get in their way,” Clark said in a statement, calling the bill a “common sense way for Congress to help” those students “attend college and continue building a better life.” THE LATEST NUMBERS — “Massachusetts reports 1,792 daily coronavirus cases, the lowest count since mid-November,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The 1,792 new cases reported on Tuesday was the lowest daily count since Nov. 10 before the holiday surge and omicron wave. … In the state’s weekly breakthrough report, the state Department of Public Health reported 12,262 breakthrough infections last week — a 55% drop from the 27,530 breakthrough cases during the prior week.” DATELINE BEACON HILL — “Mass. will pay $500 to a half million low-income workers next month,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts state officials said Tuesday they will begin sending $500 payments to hundreds of thousands of low-income workers next month. … Roughly 500,000 residents will receive a payment by the end of March under the state’s so-called Essential Employee Premium Pay program, state officials said. The checks, which are expected to total approximately $250 million, represent the first tranche from a $460 million initiative initially designed to reward low-income workers who worked in-person, particularly during the early throes of the pandemic. But under criteria released Tuesday, the Baker administration said it is not limiting the checks to only those who worked in person.” — "Massachusetts Legislature takes first crack at Charlie Baker’s last budget," by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: "The state Legislature had its first opportunity to hear from state elected officials in a Joint Committee on Ways and Means hearing to vet the governor’s final budget, which, among other things, includes almost $700 million in tax cuts. ... Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin expressed concern that he was 'dramatically underfunded' to run the statewide 2022 election." — “A&F Secretary Heffernan calls millionaire’s tax ‘dangerous’,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Raising taxes on income over $1 million would be a ‘dangerous policy,’ given how well the state is doing financially under the current tax system, Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael Heffernan said Tuesday. … His comments reflect what is becoming a primary argument by opponents of the tax increase: The state is awash in cash, so more money is unnecessary.” — “Transparency Measures Disappear In Conference Darkness,” by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): “The biennial bill-reporting deadline came and went last week, but an 11-month legislative disagreement means the public may never know how their representatives and senators voted in deliberations over whether proposals should advance or fall short. The House and Senate each supported some form of pulling back the curtain on how panels vote, but Democrats couldn't agree on a reform plan and existing legislative rules do not require joint committees to publish any breakdown of where members stand on bills they report.” — “As Massachusetts State House enters 700th day of being closed due to COVID, activists push for reopening,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “In a stinging rebuke of Tuesday’s milestone, the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance launched a campaign to bring the State House out of ‘lockdown mode’ and encourage constituents to put pressure on their elected leaders. … [Senate President Karen] Spilka, in a statement to MassLive on Tuesday, insisted that visitors will be welcomed back on Beacon Hill ‘sometime this month.’” — “Trooper’s Widow Urges Lawmakers To Revive Drugged Driving Bill,” by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall: “Blasting lawmakers for once again spiking Gov. Charlie Baker's proposal to give police new tools to detect drugged drivers, a Baker spokesperson on Tuesday said the decision ‘will only put more lives at risk.’ Baker's office and the widow of a State Police trooper killed after being struck by an impaired driver took aim at the Judiciary Committee, which sent Baker's legislation (H 4255) to a study that effectively dooms its chances of passage this year.”   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 — “42 Massachusetts Schools Now Allowed By State To Lift Mask Mandates,” by CBS Boston staff: “According to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), 42 public schools have been given approval to lift their mask mandates as of Tuesday. … A DESE spokesperson told WBZ-TV it has received 68 requests to lift the mask mandate. Twenty-one are still being reviewed, three withdrew their request and two were denied.” — “Jan. 6 rioter moves on to organizing Mass. anti-vaccine mandate trucking convoy,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: “One of six Massachusetts residents charged with crimes connected to the Jan. 6 insurrection in Washington, D.C., says she is now helping to organize Massachusetts participants in a planned nationwide truck convoy to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates. In Tuesday posts to a public group on the messaging app Telegram, Suzanne Ianni said she has been asked by national organizers to lend a hand in organizing local truckers. The effort started in Canada, where a group of truckers protested having to be vaccinated to cross the U.S.-Canadian border.” FROM THE HUB — “Big challenges confront Boston schools amid leadership shakeup: ‘We don’t want things to move backwards’,” by James Vaznis, Bianca Vázquez Toness and Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “Mayor Michelle Wu and Superintendent Brenda Cassellius attempted to reassure the public Tuesday that school improvement efforts will move forward as Cassellius prepares to leave the job, but big questions remain about whether momentum will stall or if a new leader will shift priorities. The district is in the midst of a number of major endeavors that could skid off course.” — “Here's when Boston plans to lift its COVID vaccine requirement for certain indoor venues,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, WBUR: “[Boston Mayor Michelle] Wu told reporters that the city plans to repeal the requirement once Boston's hospitalization and COVID rates are below three weekly metrics: less than 95% of adult ICU beds occupied, less than 200 daily COVID hospitalizations and less than a 5% citywide test positivity rate (excluding testing on college campuses, which would skew the numbers downward). Boston is already below one of the metrics, with 91.3% of ICU beds occupied.” — Massachusetts Restaurant Association President Bob Luz told the Boston Globe that Wu’s vaccine requirement has led to a drop-off in business at restaurants and that it’s in their “best interest” to “have the mandate rescinded as soon as possible.” ON THE STUMP — REWIND: The Democrats running for state attorney general — former Boston city councilor Andrea Campbell, former lieutenant governor nominee Quentin Palfrey and labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan — made their pitches on GBH’s “Greater Boston” last night. They differ over qualified immunity. Campbell and Palfrey both called to get rid of qualified immunity for police officers and other public employees. Liss-Riordan didn’t denounce it, saying that the legal doctrine needs to be revisited because there are not enough “written decisions which would establish what the law in the area is.” The Boston Globe’s Samantha J. Gross has more. — “City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo to run for Suffolk district attorney,” by Danny McDonald and Tonya Alanez, Boston Globe: “City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo, a former public defender who is known as a police reform stalwart on Boston’s legislative body, announced his run for Suffolk district attorney Tuesday morning. … Flanked by city councilors, past and present, as well as pastors and community organizers, Arroyo pledged to build off of [former Suffolk DA Rachael] Rollins’s progressive reforms.” — “Prisoner advocacy group endorses Attleboro's Heroux in contest for Bristol County sheriff,” by David Linton, Sun Chronicle: “Bristol County for Correctional Justice, a group that has been regular critics of Sheriff Thomas Hodgson, praised [Attleboro Mayor Paul] Heroux for his criminal justice background and record of public service.” — “Former Ludlow Selectman Aaron Saunders weighing bid for Rep. Jake Oliveira’s seat,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “Aaron Saunders, a former Ludlow selectman and chief of staff to former state Sen. Gale Candaras, confirmed to MassLive Tuesday evening that he’s considering a bid for state Rep. Jake Oliveira’s seat. Saunders, now the senior vice president of Boston-based public affairs firm Benchmark Strategies, has fielded multiple encouraging calls to seek the 7th Hampden district seat.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “New study touts pilot-to-permanent bus programs in Everett, Cambridge/Watertown, Everett,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “A new study from the local think tank the Pioneer Institute found that improved bus infrastructure proved popular for bus riders and municipalities alike after three pilot programs. … The study looked at three pilot programs using Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT features, including a dedicated bus-only lane in the center of the roadway, off-board fare collection, changes in traffic flow at intersections to prioritize buses, and boarding level with the curb.” DAY IN COURT — "3 graduate students file sexual harassment suit against prominent Harvard anthropology professor," by Laura Krantz, Boston Globe: "Three Harvard University graduate students sued the university on Tuesday, alleging it ignored nearly a decade of sexual harassment and retaliation by a prominent anthropology professor and permitted a system that protects powerful faculty — and the university’s reputation — at students’ expense." — “District settles lawsuit over groups for students of color,” by Philip Marcelo, Associated Press: “A Massachusetts school district has settled a federal lawsuit challenging its creation of affinity groups for Black, Latinx, Asian and other students of color. Parents Defending Education has agreed to drop its suit while Wellesley Public Schools will make it clear that the groups are open to any and all students, according to an agreement filed in Boston federal court on Monday.” DATELINE D.C. — “Robinson Sees Grid Reliability As Top Concern,” by Katie Lannan, State House News Service (paywall): “Reliability of the electric grid will be a top concern for Rep. Maria Robinson if she is confirmed to a post in the U.S. Department of Energy, the Framingham Democrat told a U.S. Senate panel Tuesday." — "Black Lawmakers Urge DOJ To Take 'Aggressive' Action Against Voter Restrictions," by Sarah Ruiz-Grossman, HuffPost: "The letter — led by Democratic Reps. Jim Clyburn (S.C.), Ayanna Pressley (Mass.) and Mondaire Jones (N.Y.) — was meant to communicate to the DOJ that the agency needs to 'be more aggressive in its work to protect voting rights,' according to a news release from Pressley’s office." — "Warren and Daines team up on bipartisan stock ban," by Sophia Cai, Axios: "Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) are teaming up to file a stock-ban bill, a bipartisan pairing that's part of a building movement to act on a potential conflict of interest." THE LOCAL ANGLE — "Pervasive mold plagues state hospital for mentally ill detainees," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "Pervasive mold and the potential for exposure to asbestos are endangering the health of individuals confined at Bridgewater State Hospital, according to a new report, leading to renewed calls to close the institution." — “Massachusetts State Police Unresolved Case Unit sending unsolved playing cards to state prisons,” by Bob Ward, Boston 25 News: “This week, 7,000 decks of playing cards, each card containing the image of a missing persons case or an unsolved homicide, will be sent into the state prison system. The idea is to generate leads from inmates.” — "South Coast charter school proposal withdrawn," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "A group proposing to open a charter school serving New Bedford and Fall River with a focus on 'early college' programs has withdrawn the application, citing 'political complexities' that the plan has faced." — “Woburn case among most egregious in Open Meeting Law report,” by Colman M. Herman, CommonWealth Magazine: “[State Attorney General Maura] Healey ruled in July that six members of the Woburn Public Library Board of Trustees held two illegal secret meetings during October the prior year where they hired a public relations firm and legal counsel to represent them in a messy fight over library staff layoffs." MEDIA MATTERS — “Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy sues over sexual assault claims in articles,” by Jeremy Barr, Washington Post. TRANSITIONS — William Pratt is now a policy adviser for the Treasury Department. He previously was a legislative aide for Sen. Elizabeth Warren. SPOTTED — on Gabriela Coletta’s virtual campaign kickoff for Boston City Council District 1 campaign: State Reps. Adrian Madaro; Dan Ryan and Tram Nguyen; Boston City Councilors Kenzie Bok and Ricardo Arroyo; and Coletta’s former boss, Boston City Councilor and state Sen. Lydia Edwards, per an attendee. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Audrey Scagnelli, Jessica Ross, New Hampshire congressional candidate Gail Huff Brown and Geoff Young. 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: Another year, another Covid surge

BY LISA KASHINSKY FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: AUCHINCLOSS'S HAUL — Rep. Jake Auchincloss raised more than $400,000 last quarter, with more than three-quarters of those contributions coming from Massachusetts donors, according to a spokesperson. Auchincloss raked in more than $2 million during his first year in Congress. And he heads into the election year with over $2.1 million in his war chest as he looks to fend off two Republican challengers — Emily Burns and Julie Hall, who he beat in 2020 — and a potential Democratic primary rematch from progressive Jesse Mermell. Year-end finance reports, which are due to the FEC by the end of the month, will paint a clearer picture of what Auchincloss faces in the money race. Auchincloss also picked up an endorsement over the holidays from the Progressive Turnout Project. The PAC, which works to boost Democratic voter turnout, is also backing Reps. Jim McGovern, Lori Trahan, Seth Moulton, Bill Keating and Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark this cycle. GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. From Omicron to the governor’s race, here’s what else you need to know to start the year: COVID CRUSH — Covid case counts are shattering records by the day, the Boston-area coronavirus wastewater tracker is spiking and people are still waiting hours for tests . Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Ayanna Pressley both got mild breakthrough infections (Warren no longer has symptoms and Pressley is isolating, per spokespeople). The Baker administration dispatched the National Guard to help hospitals, signed contracts to help municipalities bulk-purchase rapid antigen test kits and distributed millions of KN95 masks to schools. But Democratic state lawmakers continue to call for a statewide mask mandate, more rapid and PCR testing, clear vaccination goals and more proactive planning from the administration for what state Rep. Bill Driscoll Jr., who co-chairs the Legislature’s Covid-19 oversight committee, fears will be an “incredibly difficult month.” SURGE PROTECTION — Gov. Charlie Baker is heading to Salem this morning to tout the post-holiday return to school while other districts delay or cancel classes to give students and staff more time to get tested — or because they don't have enough staff. Supply chain woes delayed the delivery of 227,000 rapid tests for districts until the weekend and made it so staff would only get one test each, instead of two as initially planned. But education officials still rejected a call from the state's largest teachers union to keep schools closed Monday for testing. It's not just schools that are bracing for Covid's impact. Many Boston employees will work remotely through at least Jan. 18, Mayor Michelle Wu said over the weekend. And Omicron has upended municipal inaugurations from Boston to Northampton. HEALEY WATCH — State Attorney General Maura Healey still hasn’t said whether she’s running for governor, but she is message testing, per a December poll reported by the Boston Herald, and is telling supporters “this is a moment to bring fundamental change to our state” in a donation-soliciting tweet. Former state Sen. Ben Downing dropped out of the race last week, citing fundraising woes and warning his fellow Democrats that the Republican-incumbent-free election isn’t necessarily a “slam dunk.” Did you miss me? Let's reconnect. Send your tips and scoops to lkashinsky@politico.com. TODAY — Baker attends inaugurations in Haverhill at 10 a.m., Leominster at 6 p.m. and Lawrence at 7:15 p.m. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attends inaugurations in Fall River at 4 p.m. and Taunton at 6 p.m. Wu swears in Boston city councilors at 10 a.m. outside City Hall.   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.     DATELINE BEACON HILL – “Massachusetts’ minimum wage will go up again. The fate of other laws is less certain in 2022,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “For the fourth time in as many years, the minimum wage in Massachusetts will increase, this time from $13.50 per hour to $14.25 per hour. It’s the second-to-last in a series of hikes that will push the state’s wage floor to $15 per hour by 2023. … After Baker ended Massachusetts’ COVID-19 state of emergency, the Legislature struck a deal to keep many of the rules in place temporarily. Now those laws are starting to, or will, dissolve from the books.” – “Scramble to stave off egg, meat shortage over after Charlie Baker signs changes to animal welfare law,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “The scramble to stave off a predicted egg and meat shortage spurred by a new hen and farm animal welfare law is over after Gov. Charlie Baker signed changes that will make adoption of new standards easier for farmers. … But animal-rights advocates say the changes ‘gutting’ the law means animals will continue to suffer.” – “4 statewide ballot question initiatives advance for consideration for 2022 Massachusetts statewide election,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Proposals to update alcohol licensing limits, redefine worker status and benefits for app-based drivers on platforms like Uber [and Lyft]; and impose spending caps on dental insurers are on track to make the Nov. 8, 2022 ballot." – “Report indicates UI trust fund warnings overstated,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The Baker administration released a long-awaited report on New Year’s Eve indicating the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund is in much better shape than expected. After issuing warnings earlier this year about huge deficits that needed to be offset with an infusion of billions of dollars, the report said the actual deficit as of November 30 was $115 million.” – “Commission on police body camera rules to meet after missed deadline,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “A legislative commission studying widespread use of police body cameras meets Tuesday — months after it missed a deadline to file a report called for in the one-year-old reform law that created the study group.” – “Mass. Senate President Reveals She Had a Stroke, Says She's Running for Reelection,” by Alison King, NBC10 Boston. – “Coming to a city or town near you: Projects funded by the state’s $4 billion COVID-19 relief bill,” by John Hilliard, Boston Globe. – “‘Snowbird bill’ aims to keep Massachusetts seniors from leaving state for lower estate taxes,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald. VAX-ACHUSETTS – “Schools, businesses brace for chaotic return from winter break amid Omicron spike,” by Gal Tziperman Lotan and Taylor Dolven, Boston Globe: “At least a dozen Massachusetts schools or districts have modified their return plans in recent days. Many businesses are short-staffed as they try to stay afloat while people retreat from in-person shopping.” – “988 Massachusetts State Employees Have Left Jobs Over Vaccine Mandate,” by CBS Boston: “There were 656 involuntary resignations and 332 voluntary resignations. The involuntary resignation numbers include 160 part time contractors from the Municipal Police Training Committee.” – “Massachusetts State Police trooper speaks out about losing job over vaccine mandate: ‘It was humiliating’,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “Timothy Barry, 29, said he’s still ‘in disbelief’ after he was yanked out of a State Police training class in late October and stripped of his police gear in front of about 40 fellow troopers.” – “Hospitals: Please don't come to ER for COVID tests,” by Martha Bebinger, WBUR: “Hospitals say many patients with only minor illnesses — or no symptoms at all — are coming in for COVID tests because they can't get tested elsewhere.” – “Gov. Charlie Baker won’t mandate masks statewide — but can he? Here’s what legal experts say,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “While Gov. Charlie Baker may be resolute in his resistance to implementing an indoor mask mandate, he unequivocally has the emergency power to do so, public health legal experts told MassLive.” FROM THE HUB – “Firefighters, police unions sue to block Boston’s vaccination mandate for city workers,” by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: “Boston public safety workers are amplifying their opposition to Mayor Michelle Wu’s planned vaccination mandate for city employees, with unions trying to block the policy in Superior Court. At the same time, a workers’ rights group is advocating for its members to overwhelm the city with last-minute exemption requests.” – “Racist, misogynist vitriol continues against Wu after vaccination policy announcement,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “Mayor Michelle Wu showed up at the B-3 police station in Mattapan shortly before the 7:30 a.m. roll call Thursday with the aim of greeting officers and wishing them happy holidays. Awaiting her outside the station was a protest against her recent COVID-19 vaccination mandate.” – “City faces racial and age discrimination lawsuits from former gang intervention workers,” by Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: “Since November, three former employees, and a fourth on unpaid medical leave, have filed retaliation lawsuits against the city and managers of SOAR Boston, the city’s gang intervention program, alleging unfair and dangerous working conditions.” – “What’s coming up in Boston politics in 2022,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Boston has elected a mayor who has vowed large-scale progressive action on a range of issues, from climate to transportation to housing. Now the rubber hits the increasingly bus-lane-covered road in Boston, and we’ll see what [Michelle] Wu can get done — and if it works.” THE RACE FOR CITY HALL – “With Edwards’ exit, a possible scramble for a Boston council seat,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “The District 1 council post will be vacated by Lydia Edwards, who is poised to become a state senator in the coming weeks … At least two people have announced they are running for the council seat, and several are considering it, while other names are being floated in political circles.” HEALEY WATCH – “Maura Healey has prosecuted dozens for public wrongdoing. The results have been mixed,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “During her seven years as Massachusetts’ chief law enforcement officer, she has won more than 20 convictions in public malfeasance or corruption cases. Nearly just as often, cases quietly end without guilty verdicts, or are dropped or dismissed, according to court records.” FEELING '22 – “ACLU's Rahsaan Hall eyes run for Plymouth Co. district attorney,” by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: “Rahsaan Hall, director of ACLU Massachusetts' racial justice program, is weighing a run for Plymouth County district attorney, according to paperwork filed with the state's campaign finance oversight agency.” – “It was once called a ‘useless job.’ Now, lieutenant governor may be the hottest race in Massachusetts politics,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts’ lieutenant governor has very little formal responsibility beyond leading an obscure eight-person council. A gubernatorial candidate once dismissed it as a ‘useless job.’ The title doesn’t exist in some states. It also may be the most sought-after seat in Massachusetts politics right now.” – More: “Driscoll listening as others pitch state bid,” by Dustin Luca, Salem News: “Kim Driscoll is taking a ‘serious look’ at a bid for Massachusetts lieutenant governor, the Salem mayor said." PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES – "Boston, MBTA, FTA to meet on fare-free test," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "Boston, MBTA and federal transportation officials plan to meet later this month to see if they can resolve regulatory roadblocks preventing the city and the T from moving ahead with a two-year test of fare-free buses on three routes." – “Still no improved Mattapan trolleys nearly five years after $7.9m MBTA investment announced,” by Taylor Dolven, Boston Globe: “Citing a long list of unanticipated obstacles, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the MBTA now estimates the first refurbished Mattapan trolley car will be in service by the end of this winter. The first one was originally supposed to start operating in August 2019.” DAY IN COURT – “Supreme Judicial Court pauses jury trials across Mass. amid winter surge in COVID-19 cases,” by Nick Stoico, Boston Globe: “The court’s order pauses all jury trials until Jan. 31, but courthouses will remain open for other in-person business ‘with a continued emphasis on conducting matters remotely whenever possible,’ the SJC said in a statement.” – “CleanSlate to pay $4.5 million to settle allegations it charged MassHealth for unnecessary drug tests,” by Nick Stoico, Boston Globe: “A substance abuse treatment company has agreed to pay $4.5 million to settle allegations in federal court that it wrongly charged MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program, millions of dollars for unnecessary urine tests, officials said.” MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS – “Legal and scientific experts sharply question proposed crackdown on drugged driving,” by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: “Governor Charlie Baker is putting new pressure on the Massachusetts Legislature to finally pass his proposed crackdown on drugged driving. … But as state legislators chew on their testimony, prominent experts are stepping forward to warn the plan is fundamentally flawed.” – “Cannabis companies seek records after Springfield rejects their applications,” by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: “[Boston Bud Factory Inc.’s] request, filed under the state public records law, comes after an internal audit of the city’s selection process found some scoring errors and said key documents were missing.” FROM THE 413 – “Judge orders Springfield to enforce employee residency requirement,” by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: “After decades of failing to do so, the city must enforce an employee residency requirement, a judge has ruled.” – “Civil rights group criticizes Holyoke rule barring city employees from serving in elected office,” by Dusty Christensen, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “A prominent legal organization that works to combat discrimination has issued an opinion that calls into question a Holyoke ordinance barring city employees from serving simultaneously as city councilors.” – “'Get me out of here.' Inside the staffing crisis at Berkshire nursing homes,” by Heather Bellow, Berkshire Eagle: “Every time Melissa Gigliotti visits her father at a Pittsfield nursing home, she hears people down the hall screaming for help.” THE LOCAL ANGLE – “Striking nurses at St. Vincent Hospital to vote on new contract Monday,” by Worcester Telegram & Gazette staff: “Nurses at St. Vincent Hospital are set to vote on a new contract Monday, potentially ending a labor strike that began March 8.” – “‘Let’s get to work together;’ New mayors take office in Gloucester, Framingham, and North Adams,” by Caroline Enos and Sofia Saric, Boston Globe: “Amid a surge in cases statewide, communities have had to adjust plans by limiting attendance and requiring masks, moving ceremonies outdoors, or holding them remotely.” – More: “Jennifer Macksey outlines her goals as North Adams' first woman mayor,” by Amanda Burke, Berkshire Eagle. “Verga seeks tone reset in [Gloucester] City Hall,” and "Romeo Theken looks back at 7 years as Gloucester's outspoken mayor," by Ethan Forman, Gloucester Daily Times. – “Experts see 'bright spots' for the Massachusetts economy in 2022, despite uncertainty,” by Yasmin Amer, WBUR: “Employers are continuing to hire, investments in the commonwealth's high-tech and biotech sectors are breaking records, and the state has billions of dollars in federal money.” IN MEMORIAM – “‘She tried to uplift people always’: Springfield mourns death of longtime community activist Sophia Jeffery,” by Patrick Johnson, Springfield Republican. – “Mary Richardson, legendary Boston broadcaster and longtime Chronicle co-anchor on WCVB Channel 5, dies at 76,” by WCVB. – “Chuck Hunt, state’s first ‘first husband,’ dies at 67,” by Bryan Marquard, Boston Globe. – "Longtime columnist Barbara McDonough has died at age 86," by Dorchester Reporter staff. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT – “Labor Secretary Marty Walsh talks about new vaccine rule, labor activism and threat of omicron,” by Eli Rosenberg, Washington Post. – “Federal marshals won’t provide a security detail for confirmed US Attorney Rachael Rollins despite recent threats against her life,” by Andrea Estes, Boston Globe. – "Hundreds of children go missing from Massachusetts DCF custody each year, records show," by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald. – “Guild & Gazette Ink a Contract Three Tumultuous Years after Union Formed,” by Matt Szafranski, Western Mass Politics & Insight. – "Political Harmony: Singing Mass. Politicians Share Their Naughty and Nice Lists," by Alison King, NBC10 Boston. TRANSITIONS – State House Majority Leader Claire Cronin has been confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Ireland. Sam Mintz is joining RTO Insider after stints at Boston Business Journal and POLITICO. Chris McLaughlin joins MassLive as a social media producer. MassLive alum Melissa Hanson heads to Clark University as a content specialist. Jessicah Pierre is now communications chief for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. Former Wu interim comms chief Sarah Anders has joined the Streets Cabinet as director of strategic initiatives. Alex Ponte-Capellan, My’Kel McMillen, Nora McManus Vincent, Stephanie Serrata and Dillon Tedesco join incoming Boston City Councilor Kendra Hicks' office. WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Amy Derjue and the Dorchester Reporter’s Gintautas Dumcius welcomed Emily Derjue Dumcius at 1:11 a.m. Dec. 19, 2021, at South Shore Hospital. “Mom and Emily are doing well. Dad is a nervous wreck who, while trying to send a baby photo to his mother, dropped his phone and accidentally called an elected official just hours into parenthood,” Dumcius writes in. Pic… another pic… ENGAGED — Mike Bloomberg, founder of Groundwork Data, recently proposed to Tamar Katz, a second-year law student at Columbia. The couple met on the Alex Morse campaign. Pic ... Another pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former MA3 candidate and former state Sen. Barbara L’Italien, Ralph R. Isberg, Taylor Bolton and Ana Victoria Morales. Happy belated to Dana Hanson of Rep. Jake Auchincloss’s office and Jamie Klufts. 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.   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.       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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