POLITICO NIGHTLY: Pre-trip rush tests dealmaker Biden

 

BY RENUKA RAYASAM President Joe Biden delivers remarks during the annual U.S.-ASEAN Summit via video link from the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images FIGHT, THEN FLIGHT— White House officials met with Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema this morning for two hours, and President Joe Biden met with Sen. Bernie Sanders this afternoon. Even though these negotiations are inside one party, they test Biden’s reputation as a Senate dealmaker — and he’s in an all-out sprint to salvage his domestic agenda before he heads to Europe Thursday. Nightly chatted with White House editor Sam Stein over Slack today about what’s at stake for Biden with these talks. This conversation has been edited. Biden campaigned on being a dealmaker — how is that going? I believe the technical term is, TBD. Ha! But in an environment where every senator is president, can he actually figure out a middle ground between Manchin and Sanders? I honestly don’t know. I think so. Biden loves to talk! White House aides say they can’t keep him off the phone. That may be self-serving, but there are lots of phone calls and now meetings. Some personal stuff. Nothing earth shattering. He’s a schmoozer. It’s very different from Obama. But that is because he’s known a lot of these players a long time. Ultimately, if they do find some agreement, I think that says as much about Sanders’ pragmatism and Manchin’s unique personal style as it does about Biden’s ability to walk that particular tightrope. What is at stake for Biden in these negotiations? Let’s say he manages to ink a deal. And he turns around and says: I got historic investments in tackling climate change, in bolstering child care and education in this country, in reducing childhood poverty, in bolstering our fading infrastructure and, on top of that, in updating our schools, amplifying testing for Covid and expanding health care to millions. Oh, and I did that all with basically NO margin for error in either chamber. Would anyone turn around and say: “Mr. President, you’re a shitty dealmaker”? Probably not. Then again, if he can’t close the deal, then yes, it’s a major blemish on his record. More important, it leaves huge swaths of the country feeling like government just didn’t work for them. That’s bad for the country. It’s also terrible for him politically and reputationally. Do you have a sense of where Biden is personally on these issues? This is his agenda, but as a self-styled centrist is he actually more sympathetic to Manchin/Sinema? His position has been perfectly opaque. The only red line is not raising taxes on those making above $400K a year, which is not exactly the most awe-inspiring red line ever. Part of this is to ensure that the Sanders and Manchins of the world don’t feel like they have no room to deal. He needs to keep them at the table. But as we get to the 11th, now 12th and perhaps 13th hour, it seems incumbent on Biden to actually say what policies he demands be in the package. He hasn’t done that yet. What about the White House — a detectable split between different advisers? Nothing outwardly detectable. Our sense is that there were some early divisions about splitting this package into two: a human infrastructure and a physical infrastructure deal. But now that it is done, the general consensus seems to be: Let’s just get this bleeding body over the finish line. And he heads to Europe tomorrow — how does he sell these negotiations abroad? Can’t sell negotiations that are incomplete! So ... tick, tock, tick, tock. Welcome to POLITICO Nightly. Reach out with news, tips and ideas at nightly@politico.com. Or contact tonight’s author at rrayasam@politico.com or on Twitter at @RenuRayasam.   INTRODUCING CONGRESS MINUTES: Need to follow the action on Capitol Hill blow-by-blow? Check out Minutes, POLITICO’s new platform that delivers the latest exclusives, twists and much more in real time. Get it on your desktop or download the POLITICO mobile app for iOS or Android. GET A FIRST LOOK AT CONGRESS MINUTES HERE.     WHAT'D I MISS? — Florida bucks Biden, strips federal aid from mask mandate schools: The Florida Department of Education this week stripped a local school board of federal aid money over its masking policy, directly defying the Biden administration , which cautioned the state against the sanctions. Florida officials yanked the federal grant money for Alachua County that was meant to offset penalties for enacting a local mask mandate just one day after the U.S. Department of Education warned that the move would violate requirements in federal law, a clear sign that the state and feds are still at odds over Covid-19 policies. — Former NYT columnist Kristof launches Oregon governor run: Nicholas Kristof, the Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The New York Times, announced today that he was joining the crowded Oregon Democratic primary field for governor. Kristof has been making moves to set up for a gubernatorial run for months. POLITICO reported in early September that he has reached out to potential campaign staffers, and he left The Times earlier this month in order to further prepare for a run. — U.S. issues its first passport with ‘X’ gender marker: The United States has issued its first passport with an “X” gender designation — a milestone in the recognition of the rights of people who don’t identify as male or female — and expects to be able to offer the option more broadly next year, the State Department said today. The U.S. special diplomatic envoy for LGBTQ rights, Jessica Stern, called the moves historic and celebratory, saying they bring the government documents in line with the “lived reality” that there is a wider spectrum of human sex characteristics than is reflected in the previous two designations. — U.S. says Assange could go to Australian prison if convicted: U.S. authorities launched a new battle today to make Julian Assange face American justice, telling British judges that if they agree to extradite the WikiLeaks founder on espionage charges, he could serve any U.S. prison sentence he receives in his native Australia. — Garland defends $700K McCabe settlement: The Justice Department agreed to pay former acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe and his attorneys over $700,000 because lawyers for the government concluded that they were likely to lose a lawsuit McCabe filed over his firing by the Trump administration just hours before he was set to retire, Attorney General Merrick Garland told lawmakers today. During a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) expressed outrage over the settlement, calling the move “beyond incredible” and noting that a Justice Department inspector general review found McCabe lied to investigators on seven occasions. AROUND THE WORLD Representatives of the European Union, Iran and others attend the Iran nuclear talks at the Grand Hotel in April in Vienna, Austria. | EU Delegation in Vienna via Getty Images IRAN READIES A WALTZ BACK TO VIENNA — Iran is ready to return to nuclear talks in Vienna before the end of November , Ali Bagheri Kani, the country’s deputy foreign minister, said today after meeting with EU officials in Brussels, Stephanie Liechtenstein writes. “Had a very serious & constructive dialogue with @enriquemora_ on the essential elements for successful negotiations,” he wrote on Twitter, referring to Enrique Mora, the chief EU coordinator for the talks. “We agree to start negotiations before the end of November. Exact date would be announced in the course of the next week,” he added. Mora did not immediately confirm the statement but two Western diplomatic officials said Bagheri Kani’s announcement was correct. The development paves the way for a resumption of talks between Iran and six world powers aimed at reviving the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the Iran nuclear deal is officially called. Negotiations have been stalled since June, when Iran elected hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi to the presidency. FAUCI FIGHTS ‘EITHER-OR’ — The U.S. has a “moral responsibility and a practical responsibility” to both vaccinate its own population against coronavirus with standard and booster doses, while working towards equitable access elsewhere, top infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci said today. Speaking at POLITICO Europe’s Health Care Summit , Fauci, who is director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, backed the U.S. approach of rolling out booster doses even though the World Health Organization has called for a moratorium on these shots until the end of the year. As a rich country, the U.S. has “a moral obligation” to help ensure that low- and middle-income countries “also have a degree of equity in their accessibility and availability of doses of vaccine,” Fauci said in an interview. This should not be an “either-or” choice, he added.   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.     NIGHTLY NUMBER 11 points The size of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s lead over former Assemblymember Jack Ciattarelli in the latest Monmouth poll of the state’s gubernatorial election . The highly anticipated poll with less than a week to go before Election Day comes after two other recent surveys showed a single-digit race. PARTING WORDS Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks about digital sustainability during the Digital X event in Cologne, Germany. | Andreas Rentz/Getty Images CONAN THE CONTRARIAN — Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today criticized the upcoming U.N. climate talks, saying they promote countries’ empty promises on emissions reductions and funding, Debra Kahn writes. Speaking at an environmental justice conference put on by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Schwarzenegger — who signed California’s first economy-wide greenhouse gas mandate in 2006 — said the international climate process was largely an exercise in futility. “What does a promise and a pledge mean in the end?” he asked. “Nothing. Over and over, year after year, they make these pledges and they come out to declare victory, but then nothing is getting done.” Schwarzenegger said he wanted the international community and environmentalists to take a different approach than the annual Conference of Parties, which is taking place next week in Glasgow, Scotland. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and 15 lawmakers are planning to attend. “I think it’s set up the wrong way,” Schwarzenegger said. “Every time you meet and you meet and you meet, and now decades later, you have the same problems as you have had decades before, you ask yourself, ‘How much longer do you want to go and do the same thing?’ Remember what Einstein said, ‘The definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results.’ You’re not going to get different results.”   Follow us on Twitter Chris Suellentrop @suellentrop Tyler Weyant @tweyant Renuka Rayasam @renurayasam Myah Ward @myahward   FOLLOW US

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10 years ago today, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” became history 🏳️‍🌈

 

Today, 10 years ago, President Obama relegated “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to the dustbin of history. For seventeen years, the official military policy against LGBTQ+ service members was outright discrimination. It prevented thousands of brave Americans from serving in the armed forces, and its message of intolerance echoed throughout our society. The end of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was a victory for equality, justice, and our national security. But the fight against homophobic and transphobic discrimination continues today. Trans people in the U.S. still experience disproportionate rates of discrimination, violence and poverty. Many lack health care coverage, or have difficulty finding gender-affirming care. To make matters worse, Republican state legislatures across the country have passed or proposed a flood of bills targeting trans Americans, and federal law still doesn’t offer explicit civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ Americans. As a proud cosponsor of the Equality Act, Veronica is leading the fight to change that. If you can, please consider chipping in to support Veronica’s work for LGBTQ+ civil rights. Thank you, ANTONIO. — Team Veronica PAID FOR BY VERONICA ESCOBAR FOR CONGRESS Veronica Escobar for Congress P. O. Box 3961 El Paso, TX 79923 United States

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: VAX MANDATES make for MAYORAL RIFT — Eviction REVERSAL — BAKER knocks OBAMA's big bash

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY Presented by The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work VACCINE MANDATES MAKE FOR MAYORAL RIFT — With the coronavirus resurging, Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey is increasingly finding herself at odds with her mayoral rivals and Democratic leaders up through the president himself over how best to get people vaccinated and stop the Delta variant’s spread. Janey faced scrutiny last week for not requiring city workers to get vaccinated or get weekly Covid-19 tests after Boston City Council President Pro Tempore Matt O’Malley implemented such a policy for in-person council employees, and leaders in California and New York City did the same for their government workers. Now she’s resisting requiring residents to show proof of vaccination to dine indoors or work out at gyms — a policy New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday for his city — and invoking slavery and birtherism in the process. “We know that those types of things are difficult to enforce when it comes to vaccines,” Janey told reporters Tuesday morning in comments first reported by the Boston Herald. “There’s a long history in this country of people needing to show their papers — whether we’re talking about this from the standpoint of, you know, as a way to, after, during slavery, post-slavery, as recent as, you know, what the immigrant population has to go through here. “We heard Trump with the birth certificate nonsense,” she continued, in reference to former President Donald Trump’s repeated questioning of former President Barack Obama’s birthplace. “Here, we want to make sure that we are not doing anything that would further create a barrier for residents of Boston or disproportionately impact BIPOC communities.” Janey’s comments raised eyebrows, and she soon tweeted that she was merely trying to point out “several hurdles facing communities of color with lower vaccination rates.” Even after President Joe Biden expressed support later in the day for New York City’s new mandate, Janey remained a holdout. “Requiring vaccines wherever we go, we know that will have a disproportionate impact on poor families in particular, in communities of color,” Janey, the first Black person to serve as the city’s top executive, said during an evening event. Three of Janey’s mayoral rivals, City Councilors Michelle Wu, Annissa Essaibi George and Andrea Campbell, all support requiring proof of vaccination for various indoor activities and instituting a vaccine mandate for city employees. Another competitor, former city economic development chief John Barros, also supports vaccine requirements for city workers, and his campaign said a New York City-style policy is on the table if cases continue to rise. Campbell took the strongest tone in her statement, declaring that Janey’s “rhetoric is dangerous.” “Showing proof of vaccination is not slavery or birtherism. There is already too much misinformation directed at our residents about this pandemic, particularly Black and brown residents,” said Campbell, who is also Black. “It is incumbent upon us as leaders, particularly those of us who are Black, not to give these conspiracies any more oxygen.” GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Ballot initiatives are trickling into the state attorney general’s office ahead of today’s 5 p.m. deadline. But getting the requisite 10 signatures for submission is the easy part. If the initiatives clear the AG office’s certification process, next comes the real heavy lifting — more signatures, potential action from the Legislature, possible legal battles and costly campaigns. One of the biggest battles is over how to classify and provide benefits for Uber, Lyft and DoorDash drivers; the industry-backed Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work should be filing its ballot question to keep gig workers as independent contractors later today. It’s the latest chapter in the gig-worker debate, after a similar initiative in California last year, and is already being tracked by the national media as a harbinger of battles to come. The state GOP-backed push for a voter identification law could also get swept up in the larger national battle over access to the ballot box. Keep an eye on this webpage for updates today as the rest of the ballot initiative petitions come in. TODAY — Janey hosts the second 2021 Neighborhood Coffee Hour at 10:30 a.m., Billings Field, West Roxbury, and attends the reopening of Fóumami, an Asian-owned eatery in the Financial District, at 12:15 p.m. State Rep. Bud Williams hosts a virtual “Creating Generational Wealth: An Economic Recovery Roundtable Discussion” featuring Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, NAACP Boston Branch President Tanisha Sullivan, and Springfield Church of God in Christ Bishop Talbert W. Swan II at 12:30 p.m. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: lkashinsky@politico.com. THE LATEST NUMBERS – “Despite COVID delta rise, only 0.18% of vaccinated people have tested positive in Massachusetts, data shows,” by Noah R. Bombard, MassLive.com: “Despite a rise in COVID cases in the commonwealth, spurred by the delta variant, data from the state showed today that only 0.18% of vaccinated Massachusetts residents have tested positive for the virus. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported 833 new COVID cases on Tuesday, a level that continues to be elevated as the more highly contagious delta variant spreads. Two more deaths were reported and hospitalizations have continued to climb and are now at 226.”   A message from The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work: 83% of app-based drivers in Massachusetts want to remain independent — while accessing expanded benefits. The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work is dedicated to securing flexibility, providing new benefits and guaranteeing an earnings floor for app-based drivers. Learn more, and join our advocacy for independent workers.   DATELINE BEACON HILL – “Official at center of 25 Investigates public records request ousted from Medical Examiner’s Office,” by Ted Daniel and Patricia Alulema, Boston 25 News: “A spokesperson for the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security [EOPSS], which oversees the OCME, confirmed to 25 Investigates that Chief Administrative Officer Lisa Riccobene 'is no longer employed at OCME.' 25 Investigates requested emails related to purchases made by Riccobene on her state-issued computer as well as communications between her and a male co-worker after anonymous tips to our newsroom indicated that she was engaging in questionable and possibly ‘unethical behavior.’ The emails obtained on Friday show Riccobene made a series of luxury purchases on company time. Most of the items were gifts for male co-worker nearly 30 years younger than her.” – “Lawmakers Seek Automatic Seal For Eviction Records,” by Mike Deehan, GBH News: “Boston City Councillor Lydia Edwards and dozens of lawmakers want to make it easier for Massachusetts renters to seal court records pertaining to eviction proceedings, arguing that a ‘Scarlet E’ after an eviction can prevent future leases and lead to homelessness. Proponents say a bill before the Legislature would seal eviction cases between when they are filed and when an allegation is proven against a tenant. It would also seal all eviction records after three years and make it illegal for a landlord to use a sealed court record in determining a lease. Cases that result in a judgment against the tenant or which result in actual eviction would remain publicly available.” – “Ombudsman position at Correction Dept. still unfilled,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “As the Covid-19 pandemic spread through the prison system, lawmakers inserted an item into last year’s budget bill creating a new position of ombudsman at the Department of Correction. … Gov. Charlie Baker signed the budget in December 2020. But eight months later, the ombudsman still hasn’t been hired. When lawmakers passed language in this year’s budget to reauthorize the ombudsman for this year, Baker used his veto power to try to limit the ombudsman’s authority.” – “Report finds LGBTQ youth face ‘significant threat’ in DCF system,” by Kate Lusignan, Boston Globe: “The state’s child welfare agency is failing to protect LGBTQ children and young adults from violence and abuse, according to a new report by the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth.” VAX-ACHUSETTS – "Charlie Baker says Barack Obama’s big 60th birthday party on Martha’s Vineyard is 'not a good idea,'" by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker says he didn’t get an invitation to former president Barack Obama’s celebrity-studded 60th birthday party on Martha’s Vineyard this weekend. But if he did, the Republican governor says he 'would have declined,' citing reservations about the party — which will reportedly include close to 700 guests and staff — amid concerns about the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19." – "Baker digs in on mask-wearing in schools: 'I don’t think you can apply a national standard' to Massachusetts," by Felicia Gans, Boston Globe: "Despite persistent calls from teachers unions this week for widespread mask-wearing in schools, Governor Charlie Baker dug in Tuesday, emphasizing he wants the decision to remain in local hands. While saying the state will strongly recommend masks for unvaccinated students and staff this fall, he said school districts should decide what is best for their staff and students. " – "Map: CDC indoor mask guidance now applies to 12 Mass. counties," by Amanda Kaufman, Boston Globe.   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 – "Groups Urge Janey To Withdraw Downtown Harbor Plan," by Michael Norton, State House News Service (paywall): "Cautioning against efforts to 'privatize the shoreline and forfeit opportunities for waterfront parks and open space,' seven environmental protection groups are calling on Boston Mayor Kim Janey to withdraw the city's downtown waterfront harbor plan from a state rulemaking process, saying it departs from regulations intended to protect public access and rights." – "'We Will Watch Your Dog': Boston Landlords, Politicians Seek Ways To Lure Workers Back To City," by Callum Borchers, WBUR: "Roxana Chiu, who manages shared office space in Boston, says the prime location in Back Bay used to be enough to attract prospective tenants. But since the pandemic, Chiu found she needs to offer new enticements. That includes a bike locker, an indoor garden and a renovated kitchen. She's gone so far as letting people bring their dogs to work." THE RACE FOR CITY HALL – "John Barros: 'I Believe I Have [Walsh's] Vote' For Mayor," by Zoe Mathews, GBH News: “John Barros, Boston mayoral candidate and the city's former chief of economic development, called into Boston Public Radio on Tuesday to make his pitch for the top executive seat in the city. … 'I have asked [Labor Secretary Marty Walsh] for his vote. I believe I have his vote, but I'll let you ask him first,' Barros said." (Walsh said Monday he won’t be endorsing in the race, but does plan to vote.) – "Andrea Campbell: The Boston.com interview," by Christopher Gavin, Nik DeCosta-Klipa, and Zipporah Osei, Boston.com: "The question of how twins born in Boston could have such different life outcomes propels [City Councilor Andrea] Campbell, who says her lived experience spans 'almost every inequity you can think of.' That, coupled with her track record on the council, sets her apart from the four other candidates in a diverse field, all vying to become Boston’s next mayor, she says." – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Suffolk County Register of Deeds Stephen Murphy , a former Boston City Council president, and state Rep. Adrian Madaro are endorsing Jon Spillane for Boston City Council at-large, per his campaign. "Jon understands what it is to grow up in Boston. He is a housing expert. He understands the budget. He will hit the ground running," Murphy said in a statement. BALLOT BATTLES – "Industry-backed group files ballot question to classify gig workers as independent contractors," by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: "The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work, backed by gig economy apps like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart and Postmates, are pushing voters to classify its workers as independent contractors rather than employees. … Drivers at Tuesday's press conference argued they would lose the ability to attend family gatherings or tend to loved ones if they were to become employees, while still receiving some benefits including an $18 earnings floor and mileage reimbursement for 'engaged time' … Advocates from the opposing Coalition to Protect Workers' Rights, which counts among its ranks the ACLU of Massachusetts and Massachusetts AFL-CIO, representing unions, have slammed the ballot measure as being deceptive to voters."   A message from The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work:     FEELING '22 – "PLOSS ORGANIZES RUN FOR GOVERNOR," by Tréa Lavery, Lynn Item: "Conservative internet personality and former radio host Dianna Ploss filed papers with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) Monday organizing a candidate's committee to run for governor. … Ploss lost her talk radio show on WSMN in Nashua, N.H. in July 2020 after posting a video of herself demanding that a Spanish-speaking landscaping crew speak English." DATELINE D.C. – "Biden extends eviction moratorium another two months, including in most of Mass.," by Tim Logan, Boston Globe: "Amid intense pressure from progressive members of Congress, the Biden administration on Tuesday renewed a federal ban on evictions for renters at risk of losing their housing, with most of Massachusetts covered by the new order. Citing the quick spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late Tuesday announced a new 60-day federal moratorium on evictions in counties where the cases are again at elevated levels. Currently, that includes all of Massachusetts, except for Franklin and Hampshire Counties." THE NATIONAL TAKE – "Baker on Gov. Cuomo after AG probe: 'I don’t see how he can continue to do his job,'" by Julia Taliesin, Boston.com: "'If the news coverage, which is extraordinary, is — and I would assume that it is — an accurate representation of the report itself, then I don’t see how he can continue to do his job,' [Gov. Charlie] Baker said. " – "Biden joins barrage of new calls for Cuomo to resign," by Erin Durkin, POLITICO. PARTY POLITICS Massachusetts GOP Chair Jim Lyons is directing party members to investigate whether some of their peers violated the state party’s bylaws, marking the latest chapter in the Republicans' intraparty drama. Lyons sent an email to state committee members on Monday establishing a six-person committee (which includes some of his allies) to look into whether certain party members violated bylaws relating to political activities and residency requirements. The latter is directed at Lindsay Valanzola, a state committeewoman from Wales, who is facing questions about her residency from some of her colleagues because, she said, she frequently travels to Nashville, Tenn., for work. "It’s disheartening someone is going to take that and call into question my residency simply for a witch hunt," Valanzola said. Others named in the letter could not be reached for comment. Lyons said the committee is going to look into the alleged bylaw violations and "see what happens." Some state party members expressed frustration and exhaustion with the continued infighting.   SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST" TODAY: Power is shifting in Washington and in communities across the country. More people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. The Recast is a twice-weekly newsletter that explores the changing power dynamics in Washington and breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics and policy in America. Get fresh insights, scoops and dispatches on this crucial intersection from across the country and hear critical new voices that challenge business as usual. Don't miss out, SUBSCRIBE . Thank you to our sponsor, Intel.     DAY IN COURT – "Worcester’s former top housing official found guilty of conspiring to steal federal funds," by Brad Petrishen, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "A federal jury Tuesday convicted Worcester's former top housing official of conspiring with a developer to steal federal funds earmarked for a Main South affordable housing project a decade ago. Jacklyn M. Sutcivni, who served as chief of staff for economic development under former City Manager Michael V. O'Brien, was convicted of all four counts she faced..." IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN – "Environmental justice designation coming under scrutiny," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "Earlier this year, when the Legislature passed a sweeping climate change bill containing language defining an environmental justice, or EJ community, advocates said the measure was needed to protect areas of the state with high populations of people of color, low-income residents, and other marginalized groups that face disproportionate environmental burdens. But as the definition is being applied, the number of EJ communities is turning out to be larger than expected. According to a state analysis of Census data, close to 200 of the state’s 351 cities and towns contain some EJ neighborhoods. " THE LOCAL ELECTIONS ROUNDUP – "City Councilor Colin LePage to run for mayor; preliminary election a possibility," by Mike LaBella, Eagle-Tribune: "[Haverhill] could see its first mayoral preliminary election in over a decade now that City Councilor Colin LePage has announced a run for the top office. LePage will face incumbent Mayor James Fiorentini, who is seeking a record 10th term in office, and political newcomer Guy Cooper, a Haverhill police officer."   A message from The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work: The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work is dedicated to securing flexibility in scheduling, providing new benefits — including healthcare stipends, paid sick time, paid family & medical leave and occupational accident insurance — and guaranteeing an earnings floor for all app-based drivers in Massachusetts. We're banding together with drivers, community partners and elected officials to protect the flexibility and independence that drivers value, while expanding their benefits. Learn more, and join our advocacy for independent workers.   THE LOCAL ANGLE – "'Unarmed response teams' may be coming to a Massachusetts city near you, and soon," by Arianna MacNeill, Boston.com: “It’s been more than a year since George Floyd was killed while being taken into custody by police in Minnesota, and renewed calls for racial justice sparked protests across the country. And since then, some communities in Massachusetts have been having discussions around the issue, have worked toward police reform, and are considering unarmed response teams to handle non-violent calls." – "Worcester is looking for a mental health provider to establish a mental health community crisis response model," by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: "The city of Worcester wants to establish a mental health community crisis response model to help people in the community who are in need of immediate intervention and support." – "MNA says mediator ended talks between St. Vincent nurses and hospital," by Cyrus Moulton, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "Hospital and union officials traded blame for the end of negotiations Tuesday, with nurses saying the federal mediator ended negotiations after the hospital refused an offer to elevate talks, and the hospital saying the union cancelled talks. The strike remains unresolved.” MEDIA MATTERS – "'There's Work To Do': Diversity Data Shows GBH Has An 80% White Workforce," by Arun Rath, Matt Baskin and Hannah Reale, GBH News: "GBH's workforce is 80% white, according to data released by the organization in July. The 863 employees span departments such as TV, radio, digital news, event planning, human resources and more. Racial diversity is lower among the executive team, which is 89% white, higher among content producers and higher among advisory and fiduciary boards." TRANSITIONS – Jonathan Carvalho will end his run as deputy chief of staff and press secretary to New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell on Friday to join Dewey Square Group as a senior associate. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to former President Barack Obama, who is 60; Dorchester Reporter founder and Boston Irish Reporter publisher Ed Forry; Jordan Maynard of Gov. Charlie Baker’s office, and Jennifer Clark. Happy belated to Melissa Doris, assistant clerk magistrate at Suffolk Superior Court, who celebrated Monday. 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  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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