POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: An Interview with Mayor Michelle Wu

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY FROM THE HUB — Michelle Wu has been mayor of Boston for almost a month now. In that time she’s made progress toward expanding the city’s fare-free bus pilot program, divesting Boston from fossil fuels and building out her Cabinet. Playbook sat down with Wu to talk about the resurgent pandemic, her plans for tackling the public health crisis at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard and other issues. She also showed off how she's started rearranging her office, including the mom-mayor's plans for a special corner — with a piano! — for her two youngsters. Our interview has been edited for length. You got your Covid-19 booster last week. Is there any update on vaccine mandates for businesses? We had the first meeting of our Covid-19 advisory group [Thursday] and heard a presentation from folks in New York about how their [Key to NYC proof-of-vaccination] program had been developed and was working. … Everything is still on the table. What are some of the drawbacks of a vaccine passport or mandate for businesses and restaurants? Our small businesses have weathered so much throughout the pandemic and we need to make sure that any policies that are taken come with supports and the public health infrastructure to back up implementation. … Our policies need to really minimize any additional burden. What’s your response to stakeholders frustrated by your plan to use the Roundhouse Hotel near Mass and Cass for a variety of housing and medical services? What we’ve been doing hasn’t been working and we don’t have great choices in this moment of emergency heading into the winter. … We’re in daily conversations with the state about how to continue sharing resources. There will be chances coming up to have those conversations with mayors. How has your relationship been with Gov. Charlie Baker so far? We’ve been at many events together. We’ve just had that one sit-down meeting. But from time to time he’ll send a text message and share some thoughts. Our teams are talking daily on a number of different fronts. What do you think of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh maybe running for governor? [The wide-open field is] a huge opportunity for our commonwealth and our neighborhoods to really push for issues to be on the table. Any candidate should put forward a vision and plans that really show how we can move with urgency. He certainly knows the issues very well. We’ll see who throws their hat in the ring. Is there anything you can do about rent control at the city level, before it would rise to needing Beacon Hill buy-in? Even though we don't have “rent control” today, there are many, many rent stabilized and pegged units in Boston. Often those are when city government and the public sector help finance a project [like redeveloping the old YWCA building ] … Every unit that is kept affordable because of our policies, because of subsidies or funding that's available, is one more family that can stay in our city. Do people talk to you on the MBTA yet? I was riding [Friday] morning and no one did again! Just [MBTA General Manager] Steve Poftak . Sometimes people will on their way out of the train say hello. But we’ve got to change the culture of riding the T. It is a civic space for community conversations, but everyone’s always really quiet on there. Maybe I’m still a Midwesterner at heart. GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. State Attorney General Maura Healey still hasn't said whether she's running for governor. But she was helping Maggie Hassan fundraise for the New Hampshire senator's 2022 reelection bid last night. TODAY — Baker must act on the Legislature's $4 billion ARPA/state surplus spending bill today. Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and HHS Sec. Marylou Sudders make a Covid-19 testing announcement at 10 a.m. at the State House. Wu hosts a press conference at 9 a.m. at the Boston Public Works Yard on winter-weather preparations. Walsh talks infrastructure with Rep. Richard Neal at 11:15 a.m. at Springfield’s Union Station. Suffolk DA Rachael Rollins, the next U.S. attorney for Massachusetts, is on Bloomberg Baystate Business at 4:12 p.m.   JOIN TUESDAY FOR A WOMEN RULE 2021 REWIND AND A LOOK AHEAD AT 2022: Congress is sprinting to get through a lengthy and challenging legislative to-do list before the end of the year that has major implications for women’s rights. Join Women Rule editor Elizabeth Ralph and POLITICO journalists Laura Barrón-López, Eleanor Mueller, Elena Schneider and Elana Schor for a virtual roundtable that will explore the biggest legislative and policy shifts in 2021 affecting women and what lies ahead in 2022. REGISTER HERE.     DATELINE BEACON HILL – “Ron Mariano defends decision to keep Massachusetts State House closed to the public amid coronavirus pandemic,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “The State House has been closed to the public for 629 days and it’s unlikely that will change anytime soon, a decision Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano defended again this weekend. ‘The building is still closed because we’re concerned about the safety of about 600 folks who work there,’ Mariano said during a Sunday appearance on WCVB’s ‘On the Record.’ … Mariano also addressed the notion of rebuilding the Long Island Bridge as a way of addressing the homelessness and opioid crises at Mass and Cass, and he said he isn’t picking sides.” – Mariano also addressed the pandemic-era mail-in voting provisions that are set to expire on Wednesday, saying on “On the Record” that the House voted to make voting by mail permanent in a supplemental spending bill earlier this year and that the Senate “chose not to take it up because they wanted to expand the bill with other things.” Senators passed their own voting-reforms bill in October. – “State taking back $500K in COVID hazard pay 'bonuses' issued to Methuen city employees; $150K in restaurant relief,” by Allison Corneau, Eagle-Tribune: “[T]he city must return $150,000 that went to restaurants and $500,000 in COVID-19 hazard pay issued to essential employees shortly before the holidays last year. … Hazard pay stipends must be returned because they amount to ‘impermissible bonuses’ for workers who did not face a ‘physical hardship’ related to their employment, according to the state. The restaurant money, given to owners to reimburse licensing fees, is owed back because it was not deemed an eligible expense.” – “Only half of foster children graduated on time last year,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “In 2020, as COVID closed schools for the last three months of the year, only half of students in the custody of the Department of Children and Families graduated on time – the lowest figure in nearly a decade, according to a new DCF report.” – “Acosta says bond money needed for UI trust fund,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The Baker administration on Friday gave lawmakers its most detailed accounting yet of the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund, and said it is preparing to issue bonds to put the fund on sound financial footing. … Subtracting the $2.3 billion in federal loans and the $400 million in over-assessments from the $2.9 billion balance, the fund would appear to have a remaining balance of $200 million.” – "Mass. receives mixed grades on freedom; NH at No. 1 in report," by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: "The Cato Institute’s “Freedom in the 50 States” report, released last week, measures states against each other using 230 metrics of how their policies promote freedom in fiscal, regulatory and economic realms. Massachusetts was ranked 30th in the nation for overall freedom by the self-described Libertarian think-tank, dropping from a 16th place spot in 2017." VAX-ACHUSETTS – “Battling COVID surge and staffing shortages, Mass. hospitals ordered to limit elective procedures even more,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, said hospitals need to ‘reduce certain non-essential, elective services and procedures’ by 50%. That compares to the 30% reduction he had ordered on Nov. 23, as Massachusetts officials and health experts sounded the alarm on severe hospital staffing crunches.” – “Mass. hospitals see significant number of COVID breakthrough cases,” by Martha Bebinger, WBUR: “At major hospitals around the state, anywhere from 25% to 43% of patients tested positive this week for the coronavirus, according to daily numbers provided by the hospitals.” – “Without statewide mask mandate against COVID-19, Mass. will ‘fight this war with one arm tied behind our backs’,” by John Hilliard, Boston Globe: “As numbers of coronavirus cases climb in Massachusetts, a growing chorus of local, state, and federal officials is sounding the call for mask mandates in indoor public places to stanch the spread of the pandemic this winter.” FROM THE HUB – “Mass and Cass businesses, community groups organize against Michelle Wu’s Roundhouse hotel plan,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “[N]eighboring businesses say they’re in fear that plans to incorporate the vacant 200-room Roundhouse hotel into the Mass and Cass plan will cause a wave of problems in the area right around the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard." – “Boston placed 23 city workers on leave for missing Oct. vaccine deadline, not 812 as it previously said,” by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: “The City of Boston on Friday issued a correction for the number of employees placed on unpaid leave after they missed an October deadline for getting vaccinated or agreeing to undergo regular COVID-19 testing, saying only 23 employees were suspended instead of 812, as officials first reported." – “A downtown full of delivery warehouses? ‘Dark stores’ are coming to Boston,” by Janelle Nanos and Anissa Gardizy, Boston Globe: “Promising to shuttle bananas or ice cream to your apartment in 15 minutes, these companies are renting storefronts and turning them into packing centers, then employing couriers on e-bike or scooter to make deliveries within a mile or two." FEELING '22 – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Twenty-two current and former electeds have endorsed former state Sen. Ben Downing’s bid for governor: State Sen. Michael Rodrigues, former state Sen. Robert O’Leary, state Reps. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Smitty Pignatelli, Paul Mark and John Barrett III; former state Rep. Dan Bosley; Chelsea City Councilors Damali Vidot and Enio Lopez; Beverly City Councilor Kathleen Feldman; Holyoke City Councilor-elect Will Puello; Newton City Councilor Josh Krintzman; North Adams City Councilor Benjamin Lamb; Wakefield Town Councilor Julie Smith-Galvin; Pittsfield City Councilors Pete White and Yuki Cohen; former Pittsfield council president Kevin Sherman; former Brockton councilor Jean Bradley Derenoncourt; Joe McGuirk, Tanya Lobo, Patrick Beaudry and María Belén Power. – “Sonia Chang-Díaz: Trust over balance on Beacon Hill,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “Now that Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito have dropped out of the 2022 governor’s race, state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz, D-Boston, sees herself as the trustworthy candidate Bay State voters want." – "Where the Fight for Number 2 Stands," by Matt Szafranski, Western Mass Politics & Insight: "Acton Representative Tami Gouveia, Carlisle businessman Bret Bero and Pittsfield Senator Adam Hinds have announced bids to be the next Democratic governor’s second-in-command. ... The looming threat for the candidates as they prepare for the caucuses—which elect convention delegates—is new entrants." – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The Methuen Democratic City Committee has unanimously endorsed state Sen. Diana DiZoglio's (D-Methuen) bid for state auditor. TODAY'S SPECIAL (ELECTION) – "Battle of the ‘outsiders:’ Lydia Edwards and Anthony D’Ambrosio face off in state Senate election Tuesday," by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: "Boston City Councilor [Lydia] Edwards is the Black daughter of a working-class single mother, and Revere School Committee member [Anthony] D’Ambrosio is the child of Italian immigrants without a Rolodex of Beacon Hill endorsements." BALLOT BATTLES – “Companies promise new benefits for drivers under Mass. ballot proposal. Labor advocates see attempt to skirt wage laws,” by Laney Ruckstuhl, WBUR: “There are two versions of the ballot proposal; the core difference between them is one includes mandatory safety training for drivers." PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES – “T board chair doubtful on cutting or eliminating fares,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “With MBTA officials projecting steadily rising budget deficits over the next five years, the chair of the transit authority’s board on Thursday put a damper on talk of reducing or eliminating fares and raised the prospect of increasing them." – “Northern tier east-west rail study begins amid renewed push for Springfield-Boston trains,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “A long-awaited study into the feasibility of renewed east-west passenger rail along the Route 2 corridor — from North Adams through Greenfield and on to Boston — begins next week just as plans for passenger rail on a more southerly route through Springfield pick up steam.” WARREN REPORT – "Democrats Are Solidly Behind Biden. There’s No Consensus About a Plan B," by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns, New York Times: "Two Democrats who ran for president in the last election said they fully anticipated [President Joe] Biden would run again, but they notably did not rule out running themselves if he declined to do so. 'He’s running, I expect to support him and help him get re-elected,' Sen. Elizabeth Warren said. 'I’m sticking with that story.'” IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN – "John Kerry calls for investing ‘trillions’ to get big emitters to quit polluting," by Karl Mathiesen, POLITICO: "If the world is to 'avoid the worst consequences of the climate crisis,' said [Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John] Kerry, the challenge boils down to changing economic policy in a small group of large countries that he said were not doing enough to lower their greenhouse gas emissions." DAY IN COURT – “Suffolk jury awards $1.7M to Black teacher after finding Boston schools retaliated against him for discrimination complaints,” by James Vaznis, Boston Globe. – “A Boston lawyer accused of rape by as many as a dozen women has avoided conviction since 1996. Now, prosecutors are trying a different tack,” by Tonya Alanez, Boston Globe. FROM THE 413 – “Monterey's election recall law hits snag after state lawmakers say to hold off on filing legislation,” by Heather Bellow, Berkshire Eagle: “An attempt by some residents to oust a Select Board member through a vote for an election recall law hit a snag Wednesday when two Berkshire County lawmakers said they would delay filing that legislation until they can confirm that the vote is valid.” – “Great Barrington health officials say no to mandating COVID shots for schoolchildren. Concerned about vaccine unknowns, they want to 'wait and see',” by Heather Bellow, Berkshire Eagle. – “Seven employees of District Court in Pittsfield test positive for COVID-19; more virtual hearings expected,” by Amanda Burke, Berkshire Eagle. THE LOCAL ANGLE – “Massachusetts communities were given millions in ARPA funds, but actually distributing it has become a slow, deliberate process for local officials,” by Will Katcher, MassLive: “Towns and cities want to make sure they don’t fund an area the state will cover in its ARPA plan, and so are waiting on the State Legislature’s spending bill to be finalized. Communities are unsure of the federal guidelines for what can be spent on and want to avoid having to return the money if they later find they’ve broken the rules." – “‘They have a ‘fight’ mentality’: Haitians seek safety and stability in Boston, with the help of volunteers,” by Jazmine Ulloa, Boston Globe: “[There are] 600 Haitian families who have arrived in Massachusetts since March as political, economic, and social conditions in Haiti have continued to deteriorate. The humanitarian crisis has been acutely felt in the state, home to roughly 46,000 Haitians and Haitian Americans, many concentrated in the Boston area — the third-largest Haitian diaspora population in the country behind Brooklyn, N.Y., and Miami.” – “Robert Kennedy’s children speak out against possible parole of his assassin,” by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: “Now, a California parole board has decided that [Sirhan] Sirhan is no longer a threat to society and has recommended his release. His fate now rests in the hands of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.” – “Newton school principals receive racist messages over student discussions of Rittenhouse and Arbery cases,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “Two Black principals in the Newton Public Schools have received ‘racist and confrontational’ messages in response to their approach in helping students process the verdicts in the trials of Kyle Rittenhouse and the men convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery, Superintendent David Fleishman said Friday.” – “Services this week for jail officer who died of COVID-19,” by Julie Manganis, Gloucester Daily Times: “The funeral service for a correctional officer at the Middleton Jail who died from complications of COVID-19 will be Tuesday. Anthony J. Pasquarello, 37, of Saugus, a 15-year employee of the department, died Thursday … Pasquarello was not vaccinated — a fact his grieving parents wanted the public to know in hopes that their son’s death would convince others to get the vaccine, the sheriff said Friday afternoon.” – “Another key position in Fall River opens up as director of finance Mary Sahady departs,” by Jo C. Goode, Herald News: “For the second time in a week, a key administrator under Mayor Paul Coogan is jumping ship. This time it’s the city’s chief financial officer, Mary Sahady.” – "Kentucky deadly tornadoes: Massachusetts first responders on the way to help with recovery efforts," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Saturday said the Bay State is ready to help with the response and recovery efforts." TRANSITIONS – Boston Herald reporter Alexi Cohan is joining GBH News. The Boston Globe's Felicia Gans Sobey joins the Philadelphia Inquirer as a digital editor. Davis Malm has added Zoë Martin to its divorce and family law practice. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards and Nancy Jane Fitzpatrick. Happy belated to Eric Maskin, who celebrated Sunday. Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.   STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.       Follow us on Twitter Lisa Kashinsky @lisakashinsky   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: The Wu Train arrives at city hall

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY MAYOR WU’S MANDATE — Minutes after Michelle Wu was sworn in as the third person to lead Boston in less than a year, Sen. Ed Markey told reporters that she “is going to be a historic mayor because this is going to be the Green New Deal city for the United States and for the whole world. It’s going to be the model.” Rep. Ayanna Pressley called Wu the “mayor that will meet the moment." Sen. Elizabeth Warren hailed Wu’s “great vision.” No pressure. Wu vowed to tackle "the big and the small” in her first speech as mayor. Some of her initial priorities seem more granular than grandiose — hiring to fill the hundreds of open positions across city government, preparing for winter weather and continuing to tackle the public health and housing crises at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard. She’s also giving herself some leeway after a rushed transition. Wu told reporters she’s not starting the counter on her first 100 days in office until January, when she’s planning a full inaugural fête with the incoming city council. Yet Wu remains ambitious. She said delivering both basic city services and generational change is not just possible, but "absolutely necessary." Her supporters, who lauded her campaign-trail calls to stabilize rent and expand access to public transit, know some of her "reach goals" will "take time and work to build support at other levels” of government, Boston Ward 4 Democratic Committee Chair Jonathan Cohn said. But they're looking forward to that collaboration. Wu’s starting out with a fairly friendly city council. That should continue once the newcomers (who each got a nod from Wu in her speech) take their seats. “Michelle has built some deep and strong and successful partnerships and relationships and friendships with all of us and the new councilors,” City Council President Pro Tempore Matt O’Malley told me. Rent control and fare-free MBTA service will face political headwinds on Beacon Hill, where GOP Gov. Charlie Baker and Democratic legislative leaders have so far been cool toward Wu’s loftiest goals. But she’s got a key ally in House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz and a bevy of State House endorsers who are pushing policies that align with her aims. Wu isn’t as chummy with Baker as he was with Marty Walsh during the latter’s tenure as mayor. But inviting the governor to her swearing-in ceremony was a good overture. Wu didn't invite Walsh, with whom she's had a fraught relationship over the years, according to a source close to the labor secretary. Asked whether she'd extended an invitation, Wu replied: "I received a text message from him earlier [Tuesday], but I'm sure he was in D.C. working." Walsh was in Boston yesterday to receive a leadership award at the The Ireland Funds’ annual gala. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Here’s what Playbook readers said they want Wu to focus on in her first 100 days: South Boston resident Scott McCarty: “Ensuring that bus lines run on time and have capacity is important. I really would love to see how expanding the pilot program in other parts of the city … could help improve ridership and save us money in the long haul.” Roxbury resident Shaikh Hasib: “Analysis and expansion of youth employment and engagement opportunities, which includes strengthening and building public/private/non-profit partnerships.” Marinell Rousmaniere, CEO of EdVestors, part of the All Children Thrive Boston coalition: "ACT Boston urges Mayor Wu in the first 100 days to publicly publish a preK-12 'Education Vision' with objectives and outcomes, align the BPS budget with this [plan] and appoint a Cabinet-level education lead in City Hall to oversee [its] implementation." Youth For Michelle Wu, a group of young activists supporting the mayor, last night [and not in response to this prompt] tweeted a series of "policy solutions" for public health and protecting human rights in the "Mass and Cass" area. TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker speaks at the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting at 8:30 a.m. in Sutton and at the North Shore Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner at 6 p.m. in Danvers. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito speaks at the MARPA/DLS conference at 9 a.m. and presides over a Governor's Council meeting at noon. Wu hosts a press availability at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall. Rep. Stephen Lynch holds a hearing on mental health among servicemembers and veterans at 10 a.m. Rep. Seth Moulton is on WBUR's "Radio Boston" at 3 p.m. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) speaks virtually at Tufts at 5:30 p.m. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: lkashinsky@politico.com.   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.     THE LATEST NUMBERS – “Massachusetts reports 1,848 new coronavirus cases, breakthrough case count on the rise,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “State health officials on Tuesday reported 1,848 new coronavirus cases, as total COVID hospitalizations in the Bay State rose again. The state Department of Public Health also reported 5,313 breakthrough cases from last week, which was up from the tally of 4,608 breakthrough infections during the previous week." DATELINE BEACON HILL – “Expanded voting by mail ends next month in Massachusetts, ramping up calls for a permanent law,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts’ temporary law allowing all voters to cast a ballot by mail is set to end next month without a permanent replacement on the books ... House Speaker Ronald Mariano said the chamber is not expected to take up sweeping election legislation before lawmakers on Wednesday conclude formal lawmaking for the year. It also was unclear whether the Legislature could seek to again extend a pandemic-era voting law that allows expanded voting by mail before it expires on Dec. 15." – “Mariano Plans to Seek Another Term as House Speaker,” by Sam Doran, State House News Service (paywall): “As candidates start to shift into campaign mode for 2022, House Speaker Ronald Mariano said Monday that he intends to stick around for another term in one of the most powerful posts in state government. ‘I have every intention of doing that, yeah,’ Mariano told the News Service, regarding his plans to campaign for another term in the House next November, then another term as speaker in January 2023.” – “Progressive group slams House for lack of professionalism, transparency,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “A group of progressive activists, including three former state representatives, released a 52-page report on Tuesday slamming state House leaders for perpetuating a structure that centralizes power in the speaker and limits the power of rank-and-file lawmakers. The report says a lack of professionalism in the House – where some lawmakers have only a single staffer and staff receive little training – compounds the problem.” – “House move to save local hospitals sets up potential health care overhaul from Beacon Hill,” by Mike Deehan, GBH News: “The House is set to debate and pass a bill Wednesday that would toughen state health care watchdogs and fortify obstacles faced by hospital chains trying to expand with facilities in areas that are already serviced by struggling local hospitals.” – “Senate to take up mental health access bill,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: “The state Senate on Wednesday will take up a major proposal aimed at improving access to mental health services, and lawmakers are calling for more changes to reduce wait times, improve coverage and reduce suicide deaths.” – “Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Coalition to testify before state committee about management changes,” by Amy Phillips, WWLP: “The legislation before the committee would replace the Boards of Trustees at the two veterans’ homes and replace them with a powerless statewide advisory council. The Coalition will voice their opposition to this move at a virtual meeting being held on Friday.” – “Genocide Education Bill Gaining Momentum,” by Chris Van Buskirk, State House News Service (paywall): “Arguing that the world's worst mass atrocities are at risk of being forgotten by younger generations, the House passed a bill Tuesday requiring public schools to teach the history of genocides and setting up a fund to help support the new curriculum.” – “Baker eyes next spring to get some infrastructure money out the door,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald. – “Baker: $500m for unemployment insurance fund not debatable,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine. – "Brookline Rep. Tommy Vitolo Announces Reelection Bid," by Annie Sandoli, Patch. WU TRAIN Michelle Wu is sworn in as mayor of Boston | Charles Krupa/AP Photo | (Charles Krupa/AP Photo) – “‘We have so much work to do.’ Michelle Wu sworn in as mayor of Boston,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “In perhaps the most significant transfer of power in the city’s modern history, Michelle Wu on Tuesday was sworn in as Boston’s first woman, first person of color, and first Asian American mayor popularly elected to office. … ‘The first time I set foot in City Hall, I felt invisible, but today I see what’s possible in this building,’ Wu told those gathered. … Her speech served as a political victory lap of sorts for Wu, who recalled her past successes on the council, including helping deliver paid parental leave, housing protections, and language access.” – The Boston Herald's Sean Philip Cotter has more on the power transfer: “Tuesday afternoon was the first time since late March that Boston has had a fully empowered mayor. Acting mayors as Kim Janey was in the interim, despite her aversion to that first word, have more limited powers — relegated only to matters “not admitting of delay,” and no permanent appointments.” – Mayoral math from GBH News’ Saraya Wintersmith: “Wu, who formed an alliance with the city's acting Mayor Kim Janey shortly after the September preliminary election, declined to acknowledge her number in Boston's line of mayoral succession in remarks to reporters after the event, leaving space for Janey to continue to define herself as the city's 55th mayor, and — by implication — the Boston's first Black chief executive, a point of importance among some voters." – “Wu campaign manager, former Healey aide tapped for top City Hall posts,” by Gintautas Dumcius, Dorchester Reporter: “Mary Lou Akai-Ferguson, who served as Michelle Wu’s mayoral campaign manager, has signed on as interim chief of staff for the nascent administration. The Wu transition team also announced that Attorney General Maura Healey's former chief of staff [Mike Firestone] will also enter City Hall as chief of policy and strategic planning.” – Firestone was director of the Coalition to Protect Workers' Rights, the group opposing a proposed 2022 ballot question to classify app-based drivers as independent contractors. AFL-CIO chief of staff Chrissy Lynch is now the coalition's acting director, the group confirmed. FROM THE HUB – “Shattuck hospital would provide temporary housing for people at Mass. and Cass under state plan,” by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: “State officials are planning to house several dozen of the people living in the homeless encampment around Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard in a ‘temporary cottage community’ on the grounds of the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital campus in Jamaica Plain.” – “‘We’re backed into a corner’: New homeless encampment rises near Mass. and Cass,” by Tori Bedford, GBH News: “A new encampment of tents, tarps and makeshift homes has emerged in Newmarket Square, just around the corner from the now-empty corridor near Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard where hundreds of people had lived just weeks ago." – “Boston Medical Center launches new plan to address racial disparities in health care,” by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: “Boston Medical Center, the safety-net hospital where the majority of patients identify as people of color, is launching a broad new effort to pinpoint racial inequities in health care and work to eliminate those disparities for Black and brown people.” – “Clinical trial for Alzheimer’s vaccine to begin at Brigham and Women’s Hospital,” by Alexi Cohan, Boston Herald: “A first-of-its-kind clinical trial that will test a nasal vaccine for Alzheimer’s disease is actively recruiting participants at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in what could be a game-changing treatment." BALLOT BATTLES – “App-Based Driver Campaign Claims Signature Success,” by Michael P. Norton, State House News Service (paywall): “The coalition, called the Massachusetts Coalition For Independent Work, announced Tuesday that it has submitted 260,000 signatures to town and city clerks, with about 130,000 signatures submitted for each version of the question. At least 80,239 certified signatures must be turned into Secretary of State William Galvin's office by Dec. 1 to keep initiative petitions on track and put them before the Legislature for potential consideration in 2022." DAY IN COURT – “Use of breath tests again suspended,” by Julie Manganis, Salem News: “A Salem judge who has been overseeing litigation over the breath alcohol test devices used by police in Massachusetts has ordered another statewide suspension of their use pending a hearing into new complaints about their reliability." MARKEYCHUSETTS – “Ed Markey channels Taylor Swift in push for climate action in Biden’s Build Back Better bill,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “In a tweet Tuesday afternoon, the septuagenarian Massachusetts senator invoked the lyrics of Taylor Swift’s re-recorded hit ‘All Too Well’ in his continued push for President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better plan, along with a photo-shopped frame from the short film that accompanied the extended, 10-minute song.” THE CLARK CAUCUS – "Rep. Katherine Clark on wins for MA in infrastructure bill," by Kerry Kavanaugh, Boston 25 News: "This bill is going to create over 2 million jobs a year for the next 10 years. That is going to be a direct benefit to people at home in Massachusetts." IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN – “Lamont puts TCI on hold in Connecticut,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Tuesday said he is putting on hold his pursuit of the Transportation Climate Initiative, leaving Massachusetts in a precarious, go-it-alone position as the regional cap-and-trade gasoline initiative is scheduled to begin practice runs next year and launch formally in 2023.” FROM THE 413 – “Springfield sets aside $5M to settle police misconduct cases,” by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: “The City Council has set aside $5 million to settle police misconduct cases in Springfield, occurring as the city continues to negotiate major police reforms with the U.S. Department of Justice aimed at improving conduct and reducing future citizen complaints.” – “Hand recount in District 4 council race set for Nov. 23,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: " The recount comes following a request from Evan Ross, an incumbent [Amherst] councilor, who, based on unofficial results released by the town clerk’s office on election night, narrowly lost his reelection bid to challenger Pamela Rooney.” THE LOCAL ANGLE – "Poll finds parents bullish on return to in-person learning," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "After a year and a half of unprecedented disruption of daily life, parents of K-12 students in Massachusetts are very optimistic about what the return to in-person classes will bring, with more than a third saying they expect their child to finish the current school year academically ahead of grade level. ... The results come from a poll [by the MassINC Polling Group]." – “COVID outbreak shuts down police academy,” by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: “A small coronavirus outbreak has halted instruction at one of the state's police academies. Three student officers tested positive at Northern Essex Community College's academy.” – “Danvers school officials say they 'fell short' in informing public,” by Paul Leighton and Jill Harmacinski, Salem News: “School officials acknowledged Tuesday night they ‘fell short’ in informing the public about the seriousness of alleged racist and homophobic misconduct in the high school boys’ hockey program and promised to do better in the future.” – “A growing push to eliminate Native American mascots in Massachusetts schools,” by Julia Carlin, Boston Globe: "[A] bill would require about two dozen schools to abandon their current nicknames, bar the sale and distribution of materials with Native American symbols, and halt construction or renovation of team logo displays." – “'Failure to elect.' Recount results in tie for Framingham's District 3 council seat,” by Zane Razzaq, MetroWest Daily News: “City Clerk Lisa Ferguson said that a ‘failure to elect’ had occurred. … One or both sides could now bring the matter to [Superior Court].” MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE – "Biden returns to New Hampshire for first time since his primary loss to tout his new infrastructure law," by Jazmine Ulloa, Boston Globe: "The state was the first stop in a series of nationwide events by [President Joe] Biden and top administration officials to promote the bipartisan infrastructure law — and in the process try to rebuild the popularity of his presidency..." SPOTTED — at Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's swearing-in ceremony: Gov. Charlie Baker, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Secretary of State Bill Galvin (wearing a vote mask); Suffolk DA Rachael Rollins; Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins; state Sens. Julian Cyr and Sal DiDomenico; state Reps. Aaron Michlewitz, Adrian Madaro, Liz Miranda, Jay Livingstone, Nika Elugardo, Mike Moran, Kevin Honan, Liz Malia, Jon Santiago, Chynah Tyler, Tommy Vitolo and Maria Robinson; City Council President Kim Janey; Councilors Matt O'Malley, Annissa Essaibi George, Lydia Edwards, Liz Breadon, Ricardo Arroyo, Julia Mejia, Frank Baker, Kenzie Bok, Andrea Campbell, Ed Flynn and Michael Flaherty; Councilors-elect Tania Anderson, Kendra Hicks, Ruthzee Louijeune, Erin Murphy and Brian Worrell; Councilor to-be Alejandra St. Guillen , former state Rep. Byron Rushing, former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson and former city councilor Tito Jackson. ALSO SPOTTED — Victoria Reggie Kennedy being sworn in as U.S. ambassador to Austria (h/t Christine Heenan and Ted Nesi). HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Ann Murphy, partner at Seven Letter; Aidan Golub, Alexandra Goodwin, Sophia Wang, policy director for Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn; and Laurie Norton Moffatt, director/CEO at Norman Rockwell Museum. Happy belated to Josh Gee, who celebrated Tuesday. 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.   WOMEN RULE: JOIN US TODAY FOR A TALK ABOUT THE NEW WORLD OF WORK: The way women work, including what is expected and demanded from their workplaces, has been upended. How should businesses, governments, and workers take advantage of this opportunity to rethink what wasn’t working and strengthen working environments for women moving forward? Join the Women Rule community to discuss with leading women and explore how they are seizing the moment. REGISTER HERE.       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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