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Showing posts with label JIM LYONS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JIM LYONS. Show all posts

Monday, February 7, 2022

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Calling all GOP candidates

 



Massachusetts Playbook logo

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.

 

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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 BonnerSalem plans to reconsider its indoor mask and vaccine mandates on TuesdaySalem 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.”

 

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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.

 

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Monday, October 18, 2021

Gov. Baker: GOP chair should resign after support for anti-Asian candidate for City Council

 


Gov. Baker: GOP chair should resign after support for anti-Asian candidate for City Council

Jim Lyons Mass GOP

Jim Lyons, chair of the Massachusetts GOP. (Photo: Sam Doran/State House News Service)

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, the state’s top Republican, on Friday took aim at state GOP chair Jim Lyons over his support for a Boston City Council at-large candidate who posted anti-Asian comments on social media. Baker said Lyons should resign from the post.

Lyons fired back in a Friday afternoon statement saying it may be “time for Gov. Baker to reconsider his party affiliation.”

The Republican State Committee spent $3,697 on ads to help Dorchester boxer Donnie Palmer in the September preliminary for at-large City Council. Palmer came up short in the race, finishing in 14th place out of 17 candidates. The top eight candidates advanced to the Nov. 2 election.

While a candidate, Palmer said he was attempting to become the first Black Republican on the 13-member council. On social media, Palmer attacked mayoral candidate Michelle Wu, the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants who was born in Chicago. He falsely called her a Chinese citizen and posted a photo of her side by side with one of Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Palmer also falsely claimed the 2020 election was stolen and criticized coronavirus vaccines.

Baker, a moderate Republican who frequently criticized former President Donald Trump, has often clashed with Lyons, a Trump supporter and former state lawmaker who became state party chairman in 2019 and won reelection in 2021.

“First of all, I’ve expressed previously my concerns about the level of vitriol and racism that’s come out of a number of members of the committee,” Baker told the Reporter on Friday after an unrelated event at Boston’s Park Plaza Hotel. “I’m not familiar with this particular incident but unfortunately, I’m dismayed, but on some level I’m not surprised. It’s a continuation of a practice that has no place in life, much less in public life.”

Baker added: “And I said previously, that I thought based on some of the previous incidents that had taken place, especially with respect to the gay and lesbian community, that I thought Jim Lyons should step down. I continue to believe that.”

Baker, who in his comments appeared to be directly calling for Lyons’ resignation for the first time, was referencing anti-gay remarks made by a member of the Republican State Committee, who said she was “sickened” by a Republican Congressional candidate’s adoption of children with his husband. Lyons at the time decried a “woke cancel culture mentality.”

Baker said any next steps are up to the state committee, adding that he has previously said members should take a vote on these types of issues. “They are for all intents and purposes the organization that oversees the operations of the party apparatus, which is what we are talking about here,” he said.

Baker has not yet said whether he is running for a third four-year term in 2022.

The state GOP did not respond to a request for comment on Friday, and instead issued a statement after the Reporter published Baker's comments. The state GOP had not responded to the Reporter’s requests for comment earlier this week about backing Palmer’s candidacy amid his racist social media posts, and the party's Friday statement did not address the party's support of Palmer.

Lyons called Trump “the greatest American president in my lifetime,” and said Baker is calling on his resignation “while repeatedly abandoning the principles of the Republican Party.”

On Thursday, Boston.com reported that Lyons was aware of Palmer’s posts during the at-large preliminary. A member of the state committee flagged the anti-Asian posts to Lyons in late August, and asked Lyons to retract the support for Palmer.

The state committee member shared screenshots of a text exchange with Lyons, showing her efforts to get Lyons to “denounce Asian hate” from Palmer. Lyons instead offered Palmer’s contact information and told her to take it up with Palmer.

In a statement released to the media on Friday afternoon, Lyons argued that while in the Legislature he supported the defeat of a bill that would have created a “registry system” of Asian Americans, while Baker backed Trump’s impeachment.

"Sorry Charlie, unlike you, I will continue to fight for this great country and will continue to refuse to submit to the agenda of the radical left,” Lyons said.

With the preliminary behind him, Palmer has now taken to social media with claims of a challenge against Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, a Boston Democrat who is up for reelection next year.

Material from State House News Service was used in this report. This post was updated at 3:21 p.m. on Friday, with a statement from the state GOP.

LINK







POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Boston mayor’s race sours

 



 
Massachusetts Playbook logo

BY LISA KASHINSKY

NEW: PATRICK’S GRASSROOTS PUSH — Former Gov. Deval Patrick is helping launch a new fund today that aims to pour millions of dollars into year-round progressive grassroots organizing efforts around the country.

The BridgeTogether fund will be a 501 c(3) and c(4) arm of the American Bridge 21st Century Foundation, a super PAC Patrick co-chairs.

The fund plans to invest in community groups working in Georgia, Arizona and Pennsylvania to start. Its first grantees, which will receive up to $250,000 apiece, include the Stacey Abrams-founded group Fair Count; VoteRiders; 1000 Women Strong, which supports the advancement of Black women; Philadelphia-based Unity in the Community and Arizona-based VetsForward.

“This is about drawing attention — and most importantly, resources — to local, high-impact grassroots organizations on an ongoing basis instead of just in time for the elections, so they are building community ... and expanding relationships of civic engagement that are foundational, I think, to the long-term success of progressive politics,” Patrick told me.

It's also about keeping the Democrats in power in Washington after the 2022 midterms, and is partly a response to Republican-led efforts pushing voting restrictions nationwide.

"While we wait for Congress and the courts to fix these injustices, we have to overwhelm the barriers that are being put up," Patrick said.

GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. The Boston mayor’s race is taking an acrimonious turn.

City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George again tied her rival, City Councilor Michelle Wu, to calls to “defund the police," this time on WCVB’s “On the Record” Sunday.

WCVB political reporter Janet Wu said she didn’t think Michelle Wu had “ever used the word defunding.” But Essaibi George said "we can probably go back and we'll see that that's not the case."

I asked Michelle Wu at an unrelated event whether she’d used the word defund before. “This is not a time for scare tactics and sound bites,” she replied. “I have said in 80-plus Zoom forums that this is an issue where we need to be nuanced and make sure that residents are safe, that we are delivering justice, and that is not an either-or.”

Bostonians for Real Progress, an independent expenditure PAC supporting Essaibi George, then launched an attack ad against Wu called “Defund ." The ad, part of a six-figure buy first reported by the Dorchester Reporter, claims Wu wants to defund the police and other services.

Essaibi George said she hadn’t yet seen the ad when I asked at an afternoon event (candidates can’t coordinate with PACs). But she said “if it’s talking about defunding and walking away from our responsibility as a city, that there might be some accuracies in that ad.”

Wu's campaign dismissed the "dishonest, desperate attack" from Essaibi George and her allies and vowed to fight their "Trumpian tactics."

It didn't end there. Wu campaign manager Mary Lou Akai-Ferguson said in a statement last night that about 20 people showed up to the councilor’s South Boston canvass kickoff with Sen. Ed Markey that morning with campaign fliers saying they would get a $100 gift card for participating in the event. But the fliers were phony; no such giveaway existed. The people told the campaign the fliers “were being passed out at the housing development across the street and the tents" near Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.

It's unclear where the fliers came from and who handed them out.

But Akai-Ferguson made a point of mentioning Essaibi George in her statement, calling on Wu's rival to "condemn this despicable tactic."

“We had no knowledge of it and would never stoop to such low levels," Essaibi George communications director Nicole Caravella said in a statement. "Our most vulnerable residents need our help, not to be grossly misled for some disgusting political stunt."

TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and administration officials kick off STEM Week at 11 a.m. at the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge. Baker and Polito join House Speaker Ron Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka and Republican leaders for their weekly leadership meeting at 2 p.m. Polito visits schools in Everett at 12:30 p.m. and West Medford at 4:30 p.m. State Auditor Suzanne Bump testifies on her “Accountability Agenda” at 10 a.m. State Sen. Eric Lesser and state Rep. Antonio Cabral host their fourth Gateway Cities Caucus tour starting in Salem at 10 a.m. Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey gives remarks at the dedication of Lester Burton Hero Square in Fenway at 2 p.m. Rep. Jake Auchincloss and state Sen. Cindy Creem host a sustainability roundtable at 6 p.m. on Facebook Live.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: lkashinsky@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 West Wing Playbook, 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.

 
 
DATELINE BEACON HILL

– A group of lawmakers of color and community advocates will release a “Racial Equity Scorecard” today outlining their spending goals for the state’s roughly $4.8 billion in untouched ARPA money. The group is calling for 90 percent of the money to be committed in legislation by the end of the year and to use the funds to address the racial wealth divide, public health infrastructure and other issues affecting communities most disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

“There are many ways to get racial equity right in how we spend our ARPA dollars in Massachusetts. There [are] also a few ways to get it wrong. This rubric offers core principles to make sure we do the former,” state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz said in a statement. Among those involved: state Sens. Adam Gomez; state Reps. Russell HolmesOrlando Ramos and Dan Sena; and advocacy and community groups including the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, La Colaborativa and the Massachusetts Public Health Association.

– “Baker signs school meals bill,” by Katie Lannan, State House News Service (paywall): “The bill [Gov. Charlie] Baker signed (H 3999) requires schools where a majority of students come from low-income families to enroll in federal programs allowing them to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, with language allowing schools or districts to opt out in certain circumstances. It also takes aim at a practice known as ‘lunch shaming,’ prohibiting schools from publicly identifying or taking punitive action against students who have unresolved debt for school meals.

NEW THIS AM: State Rep. Paul Mark will launch his campaign today for the state Senate seat being vacated by Adam Hinds, who's running for lieutenant governor. Mark will announce his candidacy at 1 p.m. in Pittsfield.


MAPMAKER, MAPMAKER

– “Advocates press lawmakers on redistricting, call for changes to proposed maps,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Advocates and residents on Friday pressed legislative map makers to consider redrawing newly unveiled state Senate districts encompassing Brockton and Haverhill, arguing that the lines, as proposed, could dilute the political power of each of the cities’ growing minority populations.

– “Race for 4th Essex on despite redistricting plans,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: “Four candidates continue to compete for the 4th Essex House seat to fill a vacancy left by former Rep. Brad Hill, despite proposed redistricting changes that would do away with the legislative district after next year.

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– “Up to 5,000 unvaccinated Massachusetts state workers could be at risk of suspension, termination,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Up to 5,000 state workers could be at risk of suspension or termination as the deadline for workers to submit proof of their vaccine status hits this week, according to state officials. That amounts to about 11% of the 45,000 executive-branch workers required to be fully vaccinated as of Oct. 17.

– “Threats of termination convince many hesitant hospital workers to get COVID vaccine, but thousands of holdouts remain,” by Kay Lazar, Boston Globe: “Looming deadlines and threats of termination have convinced hundreds of hesitant health care workers to get their COVID-19 shots in recent days, but thousands of holdouts remain, Massachusetts hospital leaders reported Friday. Already, one major hospital system, Springfield-based Baystate Health, said it terminated 90 workers who remained unvaccinated on Friday after an extensive effort to change their minds.

– “COVID vaccine mandates: Massachusetts hospitals see upwards of 90% of caregivers immunized as threats of job loss loom,” by Melissa Hanson, MassLive: “At some of the state’s largest hospital systems, upwards of 90% of employees have already been vaccinated against the coronavirus."

– “'No job is worth the jab': Protesters rally against mandated vaccinations,” by Christine Peterson, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: “Many of the protesters were UMass health care workers who are protesting the hospital's Nov. 1 mandate to get vaccinated or be fired by Dec. 1.

– “Judge Denies Prison Guard Union Attempt to Block Governor’s Vaccine Mandate,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: “A federal judge rejected a bid by the state prison guard union to temporarily block Governor Charlie Baker’s vaccine mandate from going into effect on Sunday.

– “Multiple schools reached 80% vaccination rate ahead of Oct. 18,” by Lillian Eden, MetroWest Daily News: “...despite several communities meeting the threshold to unmask, local school officials are remaining cautious, at least for now.

FROM THE HUB

– “Boston police plan arrests of people with ‘multiple warrants’ on Methadone Mile, document says,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Boston police are planning to start scooping up wanted criminals at Mass and Cass, arresting people with ‘multiple warrants’ in the morning hours of the coming weeks in an effort to bring down the crime rate in the dangerous area, according to a police document obtained by the Herald.

– Cotter spoke to Boston’s two mayoral candidates about their plans for the worsening public health crisis and rounds out his trio of stories with this: “Rat-borne disease of ‘high risk’ to homeless identified in Boston”

– Essaibi George formally rolled out her Mass and Cass plan on Sunday, reports the Boston Globe’s John HilliardShe was also endorsed by City Councilor Frank Baker, SENA and SEIU 888, which backed Acting Mayor Kim Janey in the preliminary election.

– “North End restaurant owners prepare to pack up their patios, 1 month before the rest of Boston,” by Erin Kuschner, Boston.com: “While patios on public and private property in Boston will close on Dec. 1 (with the exception of patios on public sidewalks, which will close on April 1, 2022), the North End will be required to pack up its patios on Nov. 1. And some restaurant owners aren’t too happy about the discrepancy.

 “With Boston Public Schools in crisis problems are mounting. Can the system save itself?” by James Vaznis, Boston Globe.

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– The mayor’s race isn’t the only municipal contest growing heated in its final weeks. Boston District 6 City Council candidate Mary Tamer is being criticized for a mailer drawing “stark differences” between her and rival Kendra Hicks that showed a picture of Tamer in color and one of Hicks, who is Black, in grayscale. Some Twitter users accused Tamer of being “offensive” and peddling “racist tropes” by darkening Hicks’ skin color.

"Darkening or editing a photo of a Black person to look more menacing is a racist tactic that has long been used by candidates in political campaigns, most notably by Republicans," Hicks said in a statement, calling it "damaging" not just to her but to Black and brown city residents.

Tamer's campaign initially defended the mailer , but then said "the photo used was never intended to cause harm or show racial animus, but it is clear, based on the feedback we have received and heard, that it did not set the right tone."

Hicks, who's backed by the Boston Democratic Socialists of America, and Tamer, who's more moderate, have previously clashed over their political differences and Hicks’ voting record . Tamer finished behind Hicks in the September preliminary.

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Wu has been endorsed by former City Councilor Tito Jackson and former state Rep. Charlotte Golar Richie, per her campaign. Jackson supported Acting Mayor Kim Janey in the preliminary election. Both Jackson and Golar Richie have run for mayor before. Jackson served with Wu on the council. Wu's also been endorsed by Our Revolution and its Massachusetts chapter.

– “Michelle Wu has big ideas. If she’s elected mayor, Beacon Hill could decide if many of them happen,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Some of [Wu’s] most sweeping campaign ideas have faced and will face significant headwinds, even in a Democrat-dominated Legislature. … [Gov. Charlie] Baker, for one, has rejected the idea of restoring rent control, and such proposals in the Legislature have so far faltered. Democratic leaders in the Senate and House have repeatedly wrangled with calls to infuse the MBTA with more funding, but they have never publicly broached plans about replacing the hundreds of millions of dollars the quasi-public agency collects each year in fares should they be eliminated.

– “For Essaibi George, husband’s real estate holdings present a quandary,” by Andrew Ryan, Boston Globe: “...few know the full breadth of [Douglas] George’s property holdings, or how his business dealings with the city could force his wife to act carefully to avoid conflicts of interest, should she be elected mayor. George and his companies own some 55 properties in Boston with an assessed value of $54 million, according to a Globe analysis of deeds and corporate records. "

– The candidate profile: "Michelle Wu's path from immigrant daughter to the pinnacle of Boston politics," by Anthony Brooks, WBUR.

– “Boston Mayoral Race Heats Up as Wu, Essaibi-George Hit the Campaign Trail,” by Kathryn Sotnik, NBC10 Boston.

– “Essaibi George defends ad with accent while having a laugh with it in ‘On the Record’ interview,” by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe.

TODAY'S SPECIAL (ELECTION)

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards has been endorsed by the Mass Alliance, a coalition of progressive political and advocacy organizations, in her bid for state Senate, per her campaign.

PARTY POLITICS

– “Gov. Baker: GOP chair should resign after support for anti-Asian candidate for City Council,” by Gintautas Dumcius, Dorchester Reporter: “Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, the state’s top Republican, on Friday took aim at state GOP chair Jim Lyons over his support for a Boston City Council at-large candidate who posted anti-Asian comments on social media. Baker said Lyons should resign from the post. Lyons fired back in a Friday afternoon statement saying it may be ‘time for Gov. Baker to reconsider his party affiliation.’

DAY IN COURT

– “Two ‘Varsity Blues’ jurors say they methodically weighed the evidence before convicting two parents of trying to bribe their kids’ way into college,” by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: “One of the jurors who convicted two parents earlier this month in the Varsity Blues college admissions trial in federal court in Boston said the jury seemed to feel both men were guilty from the very start of deliberations.

– “North Adams man pleads guilty to a misdemeanor in connection with role in Jan. 6 Capitol riot,” by Amanda Burke, Berkshire Eagle: “A North Adams man photographed at the front of mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense, and is due to be sentenced next year.”  Brian P. McCreary

ROLLINS REPORT

– From the opinion pages: “Cotton: Biden pick Rachael Rollins poses threat to N.E. if confirmed,” by Sen. Tom Cotton in the Boston Herald: “Rollins has nothing but contempt for the rule of law. If she is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the residents of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and all of New England would suffer the consequences.

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

– “Taking the T Monday? You might get a free Dunkin’ gift card at these stations,” by Mia McCarthy: “The MBTA will be giving out free $5 Dunkin’ gift cards to riders at select stations on Monday ‘as a thank you for taking the T.’ They will also be handing out free masks, according to the MBTA.

– “Rep. Stephen Lynch: ‘We Have To Get To An Agreement’ On Stalled Infrastructure Bill,” by Jon Keller, WBZ.

FROM THE 413

– “As UMass Amherst struggles through twin crises, some students see connections at their roots and parallels in the school’s response,” by Will Katcher, MassLive: “There are students hoping to hold Greek Life accountable for what they see as decades of sexual assaults that were never addressed. ... On a separate level, students have called for reforms in how the university handles claims of sexual assault.

– "How Garcia Could Go from Prelim Silver Medal to Holyoke Mayoral Champ," by Matt Szafranski, Western Mass Politics & Insight: "To win, [Joshua Garcia] must coalesce disparate elements and interests in Holyoke."

– “Four Pittsfield postal employees test positive for COVID; city laments 'lack of cooperation',” by Francesca Paris, Berkshire Eagle.

– “Pittsfield nursing home cited for abuse for leaving residents lying in waste, ignoring call lights,” by Heather Bellow, Berkshire Eagle.

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "MassHealth expands long-term care to thousands of immigrants," by Lynn Jolicoeur and Lisa Mullins, WBUR: "Thousands of immigrants will become eligible for long-term care coverage under MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program, thanks to a policy change that takes effect Nov. 1."

– “Closing the 'digital divide': Interest in municipal internet is rising on the South Shore, nationwide,” by Jessica Trufant, Patriot Ledger: “Some communities on the South Shore – including Quincy, Weymouth and Milton – are exploring the potential of making broadband internet a public utility, lumping it in with the long-considered-essential public services of water, electricity and sewer.

– IN MEMORIAM: “Norwood's Selectman David Hajjar Dies Unexpectedly Saturday,” by Mary Ellen Gambon, Patch.

TRANSITIONS – Justin Draper has been named president and general manager of CBS News and Stations’ local business in Boston. Zuzana (Fedorkova) Love is now digital services expert for product strategy at the U.S. Digital Service.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to state Rep. Alan Silvia, Michael Goodman, Kate Donaghue, Mark Cote and Isaac Simon. Happy belated to Jeremy Stein and Andrew S. Zimbalist.

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