POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: ​​Healey’s big day ends with a big haul

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY With help from Anne Brandes SETTING THE PACE — State Attorney General Maura Healey raised $207,000 in the first 24 hours of her campaign for governor, continuing her early fundraising dominance by raking in half her December take in a day and eclipsing her rivals’ largest monthly hauls to date. She’s also setting herself on a different path out of the gate. In a race where other candidates are running more to their party’s flanks — GOP former state Rep. Geoff Diehl is a former President Donald Trump-backed conservative; state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz and Harvard political theorist Danielle Allen are progressives — Healey is striking a more moderate tone. She’s focusing less on her liberal-prosecutor past and more on pocketbook issues like the high cost of living. She eschewed being labeled an “uber-progressive” and said she'd leave it to "others to characterize my record." And, unlike her rivals, she declined opportunities to hit moderate GOP Gov. Charlie Baker over his pandemic policies. Healey’s playing the long game here. Her less ideological, more jobs-and-recovery-focused pitch plays more toward the middle and, critically, to independent voters who've helped propel candidates from both parties into the governor's office for decades. It’s already resonating with unions. Teamsters Local 25 endorsed Healey hours after her launch. Her face was soon plastered across the iconic IBEW Local 103 billboard on I-93, though union business manager Lou Antonellis said it’s not yet a formal endorsement. Healey also picked up endorsements yesterday from the Democratic Attorneys General Association and Barbara Lee of the Barbara Lee Political Office. Yet Healey will likely run into some friction from progressive activists who’ve already started poking holes in her record as attorney general and her stances on criminal justice issues. She’ll face her first big progressive policy test this weekend, when she and other candidates for governor and lieutenant governor are interviewed at Progressive Massachusetts’ virtual annual meeting. Despite her advantages, Healey brushed off the notion she’s the frontrunner. She told reporters “this is going to be a hard race” and that she intends to “work my tail off.” And she’s backing that up with her recent campaign hires, including organizing advisor Anthony Davis Jr., an alum of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s campaigns, and organizing strategist Steve McKenna, who got his start on Steve Grossman’s gubernatorial bid. They led a 350-person volunteer organizing Zoom last night. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey speaks with the media during a campaign stop at the Maverick Square T station on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, in Boston. | Michael Dwyer/AP Photo GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh says he’s “not running for governor.” The former Boston mayor told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer that “it was an honor to be mentioned as a governor. I love Massachusetts. I love my city of Boston. But I’m serving the people of the United States of America right now.” Add Andrea Campbell to the list of those eyeing the attorney general’s seat. The former Boston city councilor and mayoral hopeful is “seriously considering” a bid, people familiar with her thinking tell Playbook. Campbell was a former deputy legal counsel to Gov. Deval Patrick. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell has also had “discussions” about running for the seat and is “not ruling anything out,” per a statement. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan is building out her team ahead of her expected run for attorney general, adding Jane Rayburn of EMC Research as pollster and adviser; Aran Hamilton-Grenham as organizing director; and Meredith Lerner Moghimi, principal of MLM Strategies, as finance consultant. TODAY — Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito virtually addresses the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s annual meeting at 10:30 a.m. Sen. Ed Markey joins “Mask Nerd” Aaron Collins for a 10:30 a.m. livestream and holds more local virtual LIHEAP roundtables. Wu hosts an Instagram Live with meteorologist Dave Epstein at 11 a.m. and attends the USS Constitution Change of Command ceremony at noon. THIS WEEKEND — Markey, Warren and Baker speak at the MMA’s annual business meeting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Allen discusses the governor’s race on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. UMass President Marty Meehan is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. Tips? Scoops? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com   JOIN NEXT FRIDAY TO HEAR FROM GOVERNORS ACROSS AMERICA : As we head into the third year of the pandemic, state governors are taking varying approaches to public health measures including vaccine and mask mandates. "The Fifty: America's Governors" is a series of live conversations featuring various governors on the unique challenges they face as they take the lead and command the national spotlight in historic ways. Learn what is working and what is not from the governors on the front lines, REGISTER HERE.     THE LATEST NUMBERS — “Massachusetts COVID cases: 51% hospitalized because of virus, 49% test positive while getting other treatment,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The Department of Public Health reported that 51 percent of statewide COVID hospitalizations — 1,624 patients — are currently being hospitalized because of COVID, and 49 percent — 1,563 — test positive for COVID while hospitalized for other reasons. … Thursday’s daily count of 14,384 new virus cases was significantly down from last Thursday’s report of 18,721 infections.” — “32,909 new coronavirus cases reported in Massachusetts schools in past week,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The total of 32,909 staff and students testing positive is a 32 percent drop from 48,414 positive K-12 tests in the previous week.” — “Town-by-town COVID-19 data in Massachusetts,” by Ryan Huddle and Peter Bailey-Wells, Boston Globe. DATELINE BEACON HILL — DEPARTURES: State Rep. Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead) is leaving the House after President Joe Biden appointed her as FEMA’s regional administrator in New England. She wrote in a blog post that she “could not be more thrilled to get started” on Jan. 31. — ARRIVALS: “Now a state senator, Edwards’ plans to leave Boston City Council are unclear,” by Mike Deehan, GBH News: “East Boston Sen. Lydia Edwards has bucked Beacon Hill tradition by not immediately resigning her municipal post after joining the Legislature. A spokesperson for the now-senator said Edwards has ‘no comment’ on whether she will resign from the City Council ‘but is happy to talk about it in the future.’” — “Marijuana regulators support updates to drugged driving laws,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Overall, all five members of the Cannabis Control Commission voiced support for urging the Legislature to update state laws on operating under the influence to better account for drug-impaired driving. But they shied away from supporting specific legislative provisions, noting the lack of available technology to detect marijuana impairment and the dangers of racially biased enforcement of driving laws. Lawmakers will likely insist on resolving those issues before they move forward with a bill.” VAX-ACHUSETTS — “COVID-19 cases have peaked in Massachusetts,” by Felice J. Freyer, Kay Lazar and Martin Finucane, Boston Globe: “The latest wave of COVID-19 in Massachusetts has crested, with the number of new cases dropping precipitously since last week, prompting even the most wary prognosticators to see a flicker at the end of the tunnel. … Hospitalizations seem to be leveling off, but Steve Walsh, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, said hospitals remain ‘very much in the midst of a COVID-19 peak.’” — “Massachusetts Nurses Association calls on Gov. Charlie Baker to declare state of emergency, take steps to address COVID surge,” by Michael Bonner, MassLive: “In a letter sent to Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday, the Massachusetts Nurses Association called for another state of emergency to be issued along with 14 other recommendations to better help healthcare workers during the latest COVID-19 surge. In the four-page letter addressed to Baker, the MNA calls for the state of emergency that was declared in March of 2020 to be reactivated through March of 2022.” — “Long COVID study: Boston researchers recruiting long haulers who are having trouble concentrating, experiencing strong fatigue,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “Hub scientists are recruiting adults who had acute COVID-19 more than two months ago and are still experiencing symptoms, such as trouble concentrating and abnormally strong fatigue.” — “Arlington mother creates website to help track down at-home COVID test kits,” by Julianne Lima, Boston 25 News: “Her face is likely familiar — Boston 25 News first introduced you to software developer Olivia Adams last year when she launched a website to help people find COVID-19 vaccine appointments back in the early days when they were filling up fast. Now, the Arlington mother-of-two has launched another website to help people find over-the-counter rapid COVID-19 tests: CovidTestCollab.com.” — “Vaccine mandate in Somerville is defeated, 2-1,” by Shira Laucharoen, Cambridge Day: “A vaccine mandate for certain indoor businesses was defeated 2-1 by Somerville’s Board of Health on Thursday, after an earlier meeting was ‘bombed’ by a group led by an Internet personality from Peabody and her supporters.” — “‘It’s been a desperate call’: Substitute teachers in high demand as districts grapple with teaching shortages,” by Dana Gerber, Boston Globe: “As incentives, districts like Woburn and Brockton recently announced pay hikes to recruit more substitutes. Since the onset of the pandemic, both Boston and Cambridge have waived the requirement for substitute teachers to have a bachelor’s degree; Cambridge now requires at least one year of professional experience working with students, said spokesperson Sujata Wycoff, and Boston requires unlicensed candidates to pass an online course, according to the current job listing.” FROM THE HUB — “Tufts Medical Center will close its pediatric hospital after more than a century of treating sick kids,” by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: “After more than a century of treating sick children, Tufts Medical Center will close its 41-bed pediatric hospital in July and convert those beds to treat more adult patients. Tufts will refer children who need hospitalization to Boston Children’s Hospital, its longtime competitor and the dominant pediatric hospital in the state.” — “More cowbell: Protests outside of Michelle Wu’s house continue, but sound a bit different,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The anti-vaccine-mandate protesters outside Mayor Michelle Wu’s house have swapped out bullhorns for cowbells after the cops reportedly made it clear they’d start confiscating noise amplifiers.” — “Kim Janey starts a new chapter in academia,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe : “This spring, [former Boston acting mayor Kim] Janey, who lost a mayoral bid for a full term in the City Hall fifth-floor corner office in September’s municipal preliminary contest, will serve as a fellow at the Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics and Civic Engagement at Salem State University, according to a Thursday announcement. She will also serve as a resident fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics.” — “Boston Police commissioner search committee hears input,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The search committee for the next Boston Police commissioner hasn’t settled on any candidates yet, Mayor Michelle Wu said at the start of a meeting geared toward getting locals’ opinions about what they want in the city’s next top cop.” — “Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mass. CEO Andrew Dreyfus to step down,” by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey and Kay Lazar, Boston Globe: “Andrew Dreyfus, the chief executive of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, who used his high-profile role to push for health care reform in the state and beyond, is stepping down after nearly 12 years leading the state’s biggest health insurer.” ON THE STUMP — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Methuen Mayor Neil Perry and City Council Chair D.J. Beauregard have endorsed Councilor James McCarty in his bid for 4th Essex District state representative. — “Five key things to know about Maura Healey as she starts her campaign for governor,” by Adam Reilly, GBH News: “Democrats eager to retake the Massachusetts governor’s office have been fantasizing about Maura Healey seeking the job for years. … But a few years ago, when Healey first ran for attorney general, she had to overcome widespread opposition from the state’s Democratic political establishment to get the job.” DAY IN COURT — “U.S. drops case against MIT professor accused of ties to China,” by Eric Tucker, The Associated Press: “The Justice Department dropped charges Thursday against a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor accused of concealing ties to the Chinese government, a further setback to a federal initiative that was set up to prevent economic espionage and theft by Beijing of trade secrets and academic research.”   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 DELEGATION — “The Senate failed to pass voting rights legislation. Where does that leave Democrats?” by Jazmine Ulloa, Boston Globe: “[Assistant House Speaker Katherine] Clark and her Democratic colleagues are trying to regroup and regain momentum following an emotional debate in the Senate that touched on racism and past civil rights struggles.” — “Sen. Edward Markey meets with Western Massachusetts officials to tout legislation to bolster LIHEAP heating assistance program,” by Patrick Johnson, Springfield Republican: “The program’s budget would increase from $3.75 billion to $40 billion annually, eligibility requirements would be expanded to any household spending more than 3 percent of income on utility costs, and its scope would widen from just heating costs in the winter to cooling costs in the summer.” — LISTEN: “Elizabeth Warren Claps Back at Elon Musk,” by Kara Swisher, The New York Times. — NEW OVERNIGHT: The entire delegation stands “in solidarity” with the Jewish community after the Texas synagogue hostage situation, according to joint statement released last night. “Americans everywhere have the right to worship in peace,” the members said. “Yet the rising tide of antisemitism has forced Jewish organizations across the country to confront violence as a clear and present threat. We cannot allow this to be the new normal. We must all work towards a future free from antisemitism and faith-based violence.” FROM THE 413 — “UMass Amherst clarifies mask rules: high quality masks, such as N95s, are ‘urged,’ but not required,” by Will Katcher, MassLive: “Students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst will not be required to wear high-grade face coverings, such as N95 masks, while in campus buildings this spring, the school said Thursday as it clarified a previous statement on health and safety guidelines for the upcoming semester.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Feds: Regulators ‘should never have approved’ Weymouth compressor, too late to shut it down,” by Jessica Trufant, Patriot Ledger: “While several members said regulators shouldn’t have approved the project to begin with, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission says it won’t revoke authorization for the natural gas compressor station in Weymouth.” — “Trash is a burning question with mixed answers in some Mass. towns,” by Hannah Chanatry, WBUR: “The Haverhill incinerator is one of seven operating in Massachusetts. The state has a limited amount of landfill space, so most of our trash is either burned locally or shipped to landfills out of state. State-level activists want that to stop; they argue incinerators are major sources of pollution and should be closed. But in communities hosting the incinerators, opinions are more mixed.” — “Here’ s why fatal overdoses in Plymouth County were down in 2021 after a brutal 2020,” by Susannah Sudborough, Brockton Enterprise: “In a surprising but hopeful finding, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz has announced that fatal overdoses in the county were down significantly in 2021 compared to 2020 and 2019.” — “Man arrested after allegedly tossing hot coffee on unmasked Dunkin’ customer in Brookline,” by Arianna MacNeill, Boston.com: “A man was arrested in Brookline for allegedly tossing hot coffee on another man in a Dunkin’, apparently because the victim was not wearing a mask.” MEDIA MATTERS — “Into the Red: How the Globe will cover climate change,” by Steven Wilmsen, Boston Globe: “To report on the most pressing issue of our time, the Globe’s climate team is expanding and rethinking its coverage.” TRANSITIONS — Vanessa Snow joins MassVOTE as policy and organizing director. Boston law firm Sherin and Lodgen LLP has appointed Matthew C. Moschella as chair of the firm’s litigation department. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Molly Trowbridge of Sen. Eric Lesser’s office, Jeremy Jacobs and Diego Sanchez, a Massachusetts Democratic State Committee member and Barney Frank alum. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Lauren DeFilippo, state Rep. Josh Cutler, Massachusetts Gaming Commissioner and former state Rep. Brad Hill, Sarah Mattero, Carson McGrath, Stephen Glick and Gail Shalan, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers Kristen Lepore, chief of staff to Gov. Charlie Baker, and Harvard Institute of Politics’ Amy Howell. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: TEST STRESSING — MassLive’s Alison Kuznitz joins hosts Jennifer Smith and Steve Koczela to talk about the state’s new Covid rapid-test program for schools. Smith, Koczela and host Lisa Kashinsky break down the latest on vaccine passports and vaccination mandates. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud. Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.   Follow us on Twitter Lisa Kashinsky @lisakashinsky   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Boston’s next big primar(ies)

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY Presented by Associated Industries of Massachusetts With help from Anne Brandes FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: CHYNAH’S CHALLENGER — A well-known former State House staffer is primarying the chair of the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus in Boston’s next big legislative showdown. Mark Martinez, a 28-year-old Afro-Latino progressive activist, is launching a bid today for the 7th Suffolk District House seat currently held by state Rep. Chynah Tyler. “People in the district want to see someone with urgency in leading on housing, urgency in leading on environmental justice. And as I talked to people, that’s not what they’re seeing,” Martinez told Playbook. “I’ve got a history of being deeply involved in those issues.” Martinez, who served as budget director and legal counsel to state Sen. Patricia Jehlen until last month, has also been involved in a State House staffer-led push for better working conditions . Martinez would be the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color and first nonbinary person elected to the Legislature. To achieve that, Martinez would have to knock out Tyler, a third-term lawmaker who recently passed on running for the open Second Suffolk state Senate seat to seek reelection in her House district that spans Roxbury, Mission Hill and Fenway. Tyler, who is Black, became the youngest person to chair her caucus last year and is also vice chair of the Legislature’s judiciary committee. “As a lifelong Roxbury resident, I know that throughout the course of the election season [Martinez] will learn a lot about the needs of our community and how our team has positively impacted the lives of so many constituents … [and made the 7th] a more equitable place,” Tyler told Playbook. NEW: ARROYO EYES DA — Ricardo Arroyo is fielding calls about running for Suffolk district attorney and is “considering” it, the recently reelected Boston city councilor confirmed. Arroyo, a former public defender, said it’s important to him that former Suffolk DA and now U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael Rollins’ “criminal justice reform movement continues.” Kevin Hayden, the former Sex Offender Registry Board chair who’s now finishing out Rollins’ DA term, hasn’t said if he’ll seek a full term. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. News from my POLITICO colleagues that William “Billy” Tranghese, a longtime aide to Rep. Richard Neal , is leaving his role as chief of staff to join Platinum Advisors as an SVP set off a bit of a stir on #mapoli Twitter about the House Ways and Means chair’s 2022 intentions. Neal is running for reelection this year, a spokesperson confirmed, adding to a Boston Globe report from last August that said the same. Advocacy groups on both sides of the aisle have spent a combined $241,044 on digital and television ads targeting Neal (Building America’s Future, over President Joe Biden’s spending plan) or praising him (the AARP, for a tax credit) so far this cycle, according to tracker AdImpact. But unlike past cycles, Neal faces no Democratic primary challenger yet, and no names are bubbling to the surface in western Massachusetts political circles. As Tranghese departs, deputy chief of staff Elizabeth “Lizzy” O’Hara will take over his chief duties. TODAY — Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito presides over a Governor’s Council meeting at noon. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hosts a 1 p.m. Instagram Live with Dr. Sabrina Assoumou to discuss the city’s response to Covid-19. Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark delivers remarks on the youth mental health crisis around 5 p.m. on the House floor. Running for something? Know someone who is? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com.   A message from Associated Industries of Massachusetts: The 2022 State of Massachusetts Business Address will look at all the challenges and opportunities that employers face at the dawn of a new year. Join us as AIM President and CEO, John Regan, summarizes the Massachusetts business economy in 2021, comments on what it will mean for 2022, and gets feedback from some of the region’s top business executives. Register here   THE LATEST NUMBERS — “Massachusetts reports 17,802 new coronavirus cases, breakthrough infections spike,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The state Department of Public Health reported 82,466 breakthrough infections last week, an 83% spike from the 45,029 breakthrough cases during the prior week as the extraordinarily contagious omicron variant rages across the region. The 17,802 new daily cases on Tuesday are the sixth highest case count of the entire pandemic.” DATELINE BEACON HILL — ROAD TO RENT CONTROL: Do rent control policies make housing more affordable? That’s what advocates debated for seven hours during yesterday’s housing committee hearing. The panel is considering several bills including the Tenant Protection Act from state Reps. Mike Connolly and Nika Elugardo, which proposes bringing back local-option rent stabilization alongside other pro-tenant policies, and state Rep. David Rogers’ proposal to implement rent caps. Advocates — including new mayors Michelle Wu of Boston and Katjana Ballantyne of Somerville, and Democratic gubernatorial candidates Danielle Allen and state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz — stressed in written and live testimony the toll of high rents during Covid-19, noting that landlords have filed more than 25,000 eviction notices since the beginning of the pandemic, as well as the lack of affordable housing. Opponents to reinstating rent control, including the National Apartment Association, argued that such a policy, which voters banned three decades ago, would drastically constrict housing development in the state and make it less affordable. Connolly, who’s watched past attempts to revive rent stabilization fail on Beacon Hill, called it a “hopeful day for housing justice” after seeing support beyond the liberal metro Boston area. It’s not clear when the housing committee will vote on the bills. — “Charlie Baker, top state health official resist lawmakers push for mask mandates, more coronavirus regulations,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Lawmakers who feel like Gov. Charlie Baker has shirked his responsibilities amid the omicron surge left a Tuesday hearing with the governor and the state’s top health official feeling like they ‘didn’t move the needle.’ … While Baker told lawmakers he was ‘open’ to any ideas they had to improve the response to the ongoing outbreak — which has sent coronavirus cases surging to record levels — and preventing future ones, he made few commitments. Both he and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders were miffed by lawmakers’ repeated jabs at their refusal to escalate a statewide advisory recommending masks indoors to a full mandate.” — Baker said he’s “all in” on raising the state’s vaccination rates, though he admitted getting kids inoculated “is a more difficult sell for many folks than I thought it would be.” The Boston Globe’s Matt Stout and Sahar Fatima have more from Baker’s testimony, including his signal to employers “that he believes they should not be requiring negative PCR tests before people can return to work. Nor should schools or child care centers.” — “Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin looks beyond filibuster fix to pass voting rights bills,” by John Atwater, WCVB: “President Joe Biden is pushing for the passage of new voting rights legislation in Congress and is even endorsing changing U.S. Senate rules in order to do it. … But some Democrats, including Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin, are looking beyond a change to the filibuster rules in order to secure voting rights. … According to Galvin, a more realistic approach to pass voting rights legislation is to focus solely on expanding mail-in voting, which he says could draw crucial Republican support.” — “Automakers push to delay ’right to repair’ law,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: “Legislators are weighing changes to a voter-approved law that would give auto manufacturers more time to comply with requirements to turn over vehicle ’telematics data’ to owners and independent repair shop owners. … [The] auto industry is making a last-ditch effort to delay implementation of the changes as it fights to overturn the voter-approved law in federal court.” — “Nearly 90 small businesses ask Massachusetts senators to legalize sports betting and include them,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “In a letter to all 40 state senators, the group of business owners and managers endorsed a sports wagering bill from Sen. Adam Gomez, writing it would increase tax revenue for Massachusetts, bolster ‘geographic fairness’ for residents who do not live near casinos, and provide a safe option for betting.” — “Baker urges state to pass offshore wind investment to help meet climate goals,” by Dharna Noor, Boston Globe: “Governor Charlie Baker and Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Kathleen Theoharides on Tuesday urged the Legislature to pass a plan to make the state more competitive in the offshore wind industry. The hourslong hearing before the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy was contentious: 90 witnesses, including many supporters and some naysayers, signed on.” — “Springfield state Rep. Bud Williams speaks out against medical parole for first-degree murderers,” by Jeannette DeForge, Springfield Republican: “A state representative and former probation officer on Tuesday announced his support for a bill that would ban anyone convicted of first-degree murder from being eligible for medical parole.”   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.     VAX-ACHUSETTS — “Baker prioritizes rapid tests, buys 26m more,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Massachusetts will get 26 million rapid antigen tests over the next three months, which it will distribute primarily to K-12 schools and childcare facilities, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday.” — “Massachusetts health officials release new COVID testing guidance,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “People should get a COVID test under two key scenarios: If they are exhibiting coronavirus symptoms or are considered a close contact of an infected individual, Gov. Charlie Baker said during a press briefing at the Massachusetts State House Tuesday morning as he acknowledged persistent supply chain woes.” — “Boston-area coronavirus wastewater data takes a plunge: ‘An encouraging sign’ as COVID cases surge,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The latest data from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s study to track wastewater for indicators of COVID shows the south of Boston region daily average is now 6,810 copies of viral RNA per milliliter. That tally is about a 41% drop from the peak level just last week … The northern region daily average is now 5,091 copies of viral RNA per milliliter. That count is also about a 41% decrease from the northern region’s peak last week.” — “Massachusetts’ new digital COVID vaccine passport cost $400,000,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “Massachusetts spent about $400,000 on the state’s new digital COVID-19 vaccine passport that the Baker administration unveiled on Monday.” — “Four South Shore towns to open COVID test site Wednesday in Hingham; $149 for rapid tests,” by Wheeler Cowperthwaite, Patriot Ledger: “While the Hingham site will be charging $149 for a rapid test, at-home rapid tests cost $10 to $15 at retailers. Hingham's executive health agent, Susan Sarni, did not respond to requests for comment about the testing site or why the rapid tests will cost so much.” — “Vaccinated city employees to receive $500 stipend in Haverhill,” by Mike LaBella, Eagle-Tribune. — “Brookline to Require Proof of COVID Vaccine at Certain Businesses,” by Mike Pescaro, NBC10 Boston. — “Milton Grocer Blames Omicron Variant For Empty Shelves, Price Increases,” by Tiffany Chan, CBS Boston. FROM THE HUB — “Mass. and Cass neighborhood on edge on eve of tent-removal deadline,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Mayor Michelle Wu’s Mass. and Cass czar — [former state DPH commissioner Monica Bharel] who revealed that she’d only be with the city for six months — took heated questions from neighborhood leaders the day before the city’s deadline to dismantle the tent encampment in the troubled South End area.” — “Boston police and firefighter unions ask judge to halt city's vaccine mandate,” by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: “Several unions representing police and firefighters in Boston are asking a judge Wednesday to step in and stop the city from requiring they get vaccinated by the end of the week. They claim that Mayor Michelle Wu's directive violates their collective bargaining rights.”   A message from Associated Industries of Massachusetts:     TODAY'S SPECIAL (ELECTION) — NEW SENATOR INCOMING: Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards can finally add state senator-elect to her title after winning the First Suffolk and Middlesex District special election. Edwards, who defeated Revere School Committee member Anthony D’Ambrosio in a December Democratic primary, faced no opposition yesterday. It’s still unclear when Edwards will actually be sworn in to the state Senate. — “It was tied in November, but tonight’s Framingham special election results were clear,” by Zane Razzaq, MetroWest Daily News: “City Councilor Adam Steiner decisively won another term representing District 3 in a special election on Tuesday, according to unofficial results. Steiner earned 716 votes to challenger Mary Kate Feeney's 532.” ON THE STUMP — LISTEN: “‘I’m an implementer’: Candidate for governor Allen makes her pitch to Massachusetts voters,” by Arun Rath and Ava Sasani, All Things Considered. — "‘A true servant leader’: Driscoll bid for lieutenant governor," by Dustin Luca, Salem News: "Mayor Kim Driscoll has officially kicked off her campaign to become Massachusetts’ next lieutenant governor with a goal of helping lead the state through 'an inflection point.'” THE CLARK CAUCUS — “Assistant House Speaker Requests ‘Isolation Boxes’ for Maskless Members of Congress,” by Blake Montgomery, Daily Beast: “Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA) wrote a Tuesday letter to the House Sergeant-at-Arms William Walker requesting that Capitol law enforcement begin confining lawmakers who refuse to comply with the mask requirement to plexiglass ’isolation boxes’ that would sequester them from other members of Congress.” DAY IN COURT — "Court ruling seen as blow to Boston police gang database," by Yawu Miller, Bay State Banner: "Justices of the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday ruled in favor of a Salvadoran immigrant’s petition to review a deportation order, finding in favor of his argument that a Boston Police Department gang database determination falsely identified him as a member of the MS-13 gang." — “March 22 bench trial set for New Bedford Ward 3 City Councilor Hugh Dunn,” by Anastasia Lennon, New Bedford Light: “Ward 3 City Councilor Hugh Dunn’s bench trial for three charges, including OUI, has been scheduled for March 22 after Dunn appeared in New Bedford District Court on Tuesday for a pretrial hearing.”   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.     BIDEN TIME — “Biden public approval rating stands at 41 percent, 10 percent drop from last spring, according to UMass Amherst poll,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “The nationwide poll, UMass said Tuesday in a statement, queried 1,000 Americans, 53 percent of whom ‘disapprove of the president’s performance and 41 percent approve of the job Biden has done so far.’” FROM THE 413 — “Springfield City Council directs Mayor Sarno to enforce city residency requirement ordinance,” by Patrick Johnson, Springfield Republican: “The City Council has directed Mayor Domenic J. Sarno to enforce the city’s employee residency requirements, including using the police to verify compliance, even though the city solicitor said that was probably unnecessary.” — “Fresh off his gig as North Adams mayor, Tom Bernard set to lead Berkshire United Way,” by Tony Dobrowolski, Berkshire Eagle: “Former North Adams Mayor Tom Bernard did not wait long to take on a new challenge. Bernard, who had decided not to seek a third term as mayor, on Tuesday was named president and CEO of Berkshire United Way in Pittsfield.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “New study scrutinizes campaign donations to Mass. sheriffs,” by Shannon Dooling, WBUR: “A new study finds that since 2010, Massachusetts sheriffs have received $2.6 million in donations from companies or people that could present conflicts of interests. The report from the nonprofit government watchdog group, Common Cause, says donations largely came from the health care, telecommunication and construction industries.” — “Could suburban strip malls be the solution to Massachusetts’ housing shortage?” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “Strip malls are typically suburban eyesores, with minimalist architecture, increasing vacancies, and oversized parking lots. But some think these strip malls could have plenty of hidden potential, too, as solutions to the state’s housing shortage.” — “Massachusetts receives record $307M in heating assistance as temperatures fall and fuel prices rise,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “The White House reported this week that Massachusetts’ $307.5 million share is more than double the Bay State’s normal $120.5 million appropriation for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).” — “Power grid copes with cold by burning oil, coal,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The New England power grid on Tuesday coped with unusually cold temperatures and outages at several power plants and transmission lines by bringing additional power plants online and relying on oil and coal to generate roughly a fifth of the region’s electricity.” — “Bike lane backlash pushes Cambridge to consult with small business owners,” by Mackenzie Farkus, GBH News: “After facing backlash from North Cambridge business owners over bike and bus lane installations along Massachusetts Avenue last November, City Councilors unanimously passed new policy orders on Monday that would allow more consultation with local business owners on their transportation concerns.”   A message from Associated Industries of Massachusetts: Where does the Massachusetts economy go now, almost two years into an unprecedented public health crisis that has scrambled the job market, disrupted global supply chains and redefined the very nature of work? Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), the state’s largest business association, serves more than 3,300 businesses representing 150 different industries in the Commonwealth. We hear from our members daily about their challenges and opportunities which gives us an extraordinarily unique perspective on the Massachusetts business community. Join us Friday January 21st at 7:30 for the State of Massachusetts Business address as AIM President and CEO, John Regan, summarizes the Massachusetts business economy in 2021, comments on what it will mean for 2022, and gets feedback from some of the region’s top business executives. Register here   TRANSITIONS — Boston.com’s Nik DeCosta-Klipa will join WBUR as a newsletter editor. — Shelly Andrews joins Benchmark Strategies; she previously was an assignment editor at WBZ. — Casey Bowers will be the next executive director of the ELM Action Fund; Bowers was previously assistant VP for government relations. — Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian joins the Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime & Incarceration executive board. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Zelda MacGregor. Happy belated to Jerome E. Groopman. REWIND — I joined “This Morning with Gordon Deal” to talk about how Democrats are fighting to keep schools and businesses open amid the latest Covid-19 surge. 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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