POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Who’s ahead in the horse races

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY LET THE JOCKEYING BEGIN — State Attorney General Maura Healey has a commanding 36-point lead over her Democratic rivals in a new poll of the governor’s race that also shows wide-open contests down the ballot. BY THE NUMBERS — Healey got 48 percent support in the MassINC Polling Group survey of 310 likely Democratic primary voters. State Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz received 12 percent and Harvard political theorist Danielle Allen got 3 percent in the survey sponsored by Policy for Progress. In the lieutenant governor’s race, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll received 10 percent support, while state Rep. Tami Gouveia and state Sens. Eric Lesser and Adam Hinds each got 5 percent. MassINC didn’t ask about Bret Bero, which the pollsters said was an oversight. Name recognition is a big factor in these early numbers, including in the state attorney general results released last week. More than half of likely voters in the Democratic gubernatorial primary had never heard of Chang-Díaz, and more than 70 percent had never heard of Allen. Large groups of undecided voters — 64 percent in the Democratic primaries for LG and state auditor; 30 percent in the governor’s race — also show there’s room for candidates to grow. BAKER LOOMS LARGE — Half of the likely Democratic primary voters surveyed are more likely to support a candidate that has GOP Gov. Charlie Baker’s blessing. And 51 percent say the next governor should be ideologically similar to the moderate Republican. That puts some data behind Healey’s moderate overtures and her refusal to follow her rivals in hitting Baker, who has a higher favorability rating in this poll than anyone running to replace him. GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. The Baker administration is telling colleges and universities to "transition the Covid-19 pandemic into an endemic.” Citing the “twindemic” of Covid-19 and social isolation, Education Secretary James Peyser and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders told higher education presidents in a letter last Friday to start “transitioning back to ‘near normal.’” The state officials dismissed “overly strict protocols” — remote learning, “overly aggressive” surveillance testing and “mask type” requirements — as counterproductive. And they called for colleges to increase their investments in mental health services. The missive follows Baker’s recent rebuke of “over the top” Covid restrictions at colleges, where he cited a Boston Globe editorial from UMass Amherst and Lowell professors calling the ongoing protocols “overkill.” UMass officials did not respond to a request for comment on the administration’s letter. Some Democratic state lawmakers and education activists sounded alarm at the letter. But it tracks, in a broader sense, with the message governors, including Baker, delivered to President Joe Biden at the White House yesterday about wanting to move toward “a more endemic status.” And students, educators, and politicians up through the president are all pushing for more mental health resources for schools. Govs. Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.), left, Roy Cooper (R-N.C.), Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.), listen as President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting with the National Governors Association in the East Room of the White House on Jan. 31 in Washington. | Alex Brandon/AP Photo TODAY — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu makes an announcement about expanding food access at 11:30 a.m. in Roxbury. Healey gives the keynote address at a Woodwell Climate Research Center event at 1 p.m. BILL TRACKER — Which bills do you think will fly under the radar this Joint Rule 10 week? Email me at lkashinsky@politico.com. Also, we’re aware that some links may be missing from Playbook when we publish. Our engineers are working on it.   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.     ON THE STUMP — GETTING IN: Democratic civil rights lawyer Rahsaan Hall will launch his campaign for Plymouth County district attorney at noon in Brockton. Hall, a former Suffolk assistant district attorney, is challenging Republican incumbent Timothy Cruz. — “‘We need to change this system’: ACLU’s Rahsaan Hall to announce for Plymouth County district attorney,” by Tori Bedford, GBH News: “Hall, who left his job as director of the ACLU of Massachusetts’ racial justice program at the end of last year, says his campaign will focus on increasing transparency about racial and demographic trends in the work of the DA’s office and in the county’s jails and prisons.” — ENDORSEMENT RECAP: DMFI PAC, which backs pro-Israel Democrats, has endorsed Rep. Jake Auchincloss in its first slate of midterm endorsements. “Each of these 15 endorsed candidates is committed to strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship, supports U.S. military assistance to Israel without additional conditions,” the PAC said in a statement. — State Sen. Becca Rausch has been endorsed for reelection by nearly 50 state and local government officials, including Senate President Karen Spilka, Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, President Emerita Harriette Chandler and Majority Leader Cindy Creem. — ABOUT THE AUDITOR RACE: State Sen. Diana DiZoglio got 13 percent support in the MassINC poll, while her Democratic primary rival Chris Dempsey got 12 percent. — THE MATCHUP THAT WASN’T: Labor Secretary Marty Walsh isn’t running for governor. But he’d start in a dead heat with state Attorney General Maura Healey if he was, with 32 percent support in the Democratic primary to her 31 percent, per the MassINC poll. — ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM: The broader MassINC survey of 504 registered voters found 51 percent hadn’t heard of former GOP state Rep. Geoff Diehl, and 73 percent hadn't heard of Chris Doughty . Diehl had a 14 percent favorable/16 percent unfavorable rating. Doughty, who wasn’t in the governor’s race when the poll was conducted, had a 3 percent favorable/4 percent unfavorable rating. The poll’s overall margin of error is 4.4 percent. DATELINE BEACON HILL — POLLING RENT CONTROL: The MassINC survey also found 42 percent of voters and 53 percent of likely Democratic primary voters support rent control policies being considered on Beacon Hill. The pollsters said past surveys have shown support for rent control is “heavily dependent on wording.” State Rep. Mike Connolly, one of the lawmakers pushing legislation to bring back local-option rent stabilization, said he expects the bills to get an extension order as Wednesday’s deadline for joint committees to give bills up-or-down reports looms. — “Tarr seeks panel to guide pandemic recovery,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Gloucester Daily Times: “Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, is the sponsor of a proposal to create a ‘recovery council’ that would oversee the state’s recovery efforts. … The 21-member council would include lawmakers, members of the executive branch, representatives from the restaurant and hospitality industries, retailers and the manufacturing industry, as well as nonprofit groups representing consumers.” — “With Mariano’s backing, Mass. Legislature advances marijuana reforms,” by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: “While the sweeping legislation is unlikely to have any immediate impact on marijuana consumers and medical patients, it would reshape the industry in many ways, such as fixing a glitch in the current law that has prevented cities and towns from volunteering to host ‘social consumption’ facilities, or cannabis cafes. It would also crack down on municipalities collecting excessive ‘impact fees’ from local cannabis companies.” — “Dykema Joining Caravan of Departing Reps,” by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): “Seven-term Rep. Carolyn Dykema plans to resign from her office next week for a job in the solar energy industry, adding to a growing list of vacancies in the House and opening up a top job on the Legislature’s Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee. Dykema announced Monday that she had accepted a position as northeast policy director at Nexamp.” — "Charlie Baker wants to slash Massachusetts State Police overtime by hiring retirees for details," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "State Police overtime cost taxpayers $51.5 million in 2021 and Gov. Charlie Baker is looking to slash those costs by bringing recent retirees back on the job to work details. The proposal, which is tucked deep within the $48.5 billion budget proposal released last week, would empower the State Police colonel to hire retired troopers in good standing as special police officers to perform police details." VAX-ACHUSETTS — “Vaccine mandate prompts exit of 1,013 state workers,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “There are 1,013 employees who left a state job, either because they were fired or because they chose to resign rather than comply. That number, which represents 2.4 percent of the executive branch, includes 160 part-time contractors working for the Municipal Police Training Committee. A small number of employees — 115 — are still going through the process. This could mean they are awaiting a decision on an exemption, just had an exemption denied, are in the suspension period due to non-compliance, or are awaiting their second dose.” — “After much fanfare, other cities balk at following Boston’s proof-of-vaccination mandate,” by Anissa Gardizy, Boston Globe: “When Mayor Michelle Wu announced in December that she would put in place a proof-of-vaccination mandate for Boston restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues, officials from several other Massachusetts cities stood with her in a show of support. ... Some of the leaders in attendance that day did not gain the backing from local officials or public health boards that they needed to carry out a proof-of-vaccination requirement. Salem and Brookline have moved forward with a mandate, but Arlington, Cambridge, Medford, and Somerville ― all of which originally voiced support for Boston’s effort ― have not.” — “Boston University researchers discover how placenta may block COVID-19 virus transmission to babies,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “Boston University researchers, looking at the very low rates of COVID-19 spread from pregnant mother to baby, have discovered how the placenta may be blocking virus transmission to babies during pregnancy.”   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 — “For Wu, major snowstorm poses trial by fire,” by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: “[B]y many accounts, the Wu administration’s response to Saturday’s storm, which dumped about 2 feet of snow in a day, tying a record — was a success, even as the mayor acknowledged some shortcomings. Roads were mostly cleared, and the sidewalks shoveled. The timing of the storm on a weekend was fortuitous, allowing most people to stay home. But by Monday, schools opened bright and early, along with community centers and libraries. Trash pickup remained as scheduled.” — “Hayden eschews labels, vows to ‘do the right thing’ as DA,” by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: “Hayden, a Democrat who grew up in Newton and now lives in Roslindale, has not formally announced that he plans to run for the DA’s post this fall when the current term expires, but it was clear in the interview that he will be looking to win a full, four-year term. ‘An announcement will be coming soon,’ he said, before adding that ‘taking a job for nine months is not where my focus was when I took the appointment.’” — “Wu seeks new fee on property sales over $2 million,” by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: “City officials have tried and failed to make similar proposals a reality, but the new mayor has made implementation of the transfer fee one of her top housing priorities.” — BIG SPENDERS: Independent expenditure PACs and other outside entities poured $6.2 million into municipal races last year, according to an OCPF analysis released yesterday. Nearly $1.9 million went toward supporting Annissa Essaibi George’s mayoral bid. Spending in support of Andrea Campbell, who’s now mulling a run for attorney general, wasn’t far behind at $1.6 million. Groups spent $1.3 million in support of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “The Item directs traffic after MBTA bus gets stuck in downtown Lynn,” by Adam Bass, Daily Item: “After an MBTA bus got stuck on Exchange Street Monday afternoon, The Item’s Circulation Manager Lisa Mahmoud helped direct bewildered motorists around the bus and a large snowbank.” WARREN REPORT — “Biden’s FDA pick makes major ethics pledges to win over Elizabeth Warren,” by Laura Barrón-López and Adam Cancryn, POLITICO: “President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration is making major ethics concessions to Sen. Elizabeth Warren as he tries to lock down critical confirmation votes. Robert Califf, who was first nominated more than two months ago, is agreeing to not seek employment or compensation from any pharmaceutical or medical device company that he interacts with ‘for four years’ following his time in government, according to a letter he sent to the Massachusetts Democrat and obtained by POLITICO.” IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN — "Lawsuit challenges Vineyard Wind approval," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "A lawsuit challenging the federal approval of the nation’s first industrial-scale offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts raises questions about the haste with which the project was approved and the fallout it will have on endangered right whales and the fishing industry. ... The lawsuit is one of a handful challenging the project on the grounds that several environmental statutes were violated in the Biden administration’s rush to kickstart the offshore wind industry." FROM THE 413 — “State campaign finance office hits former Easthampton mayoral candidates with fines,” by Emily Thurlow, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “The state office issued a civil penalty notice to Keith Routhier on Friday, Jan. 21, indicating that he had missed the Jan. 20 deadline to file a campaign finance disclosure report and would be fined $25 per day for each day the report is late.” — “Baystate using life-support machine to aid most severe COVID-19 patients,” by Mary Byrne, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “A machine typically used for a few hours up to a few days for patients with life-threatening, heart-related conditions has been used recently for far greater lengths of time to support the recovery of COVID-19 patients.” EX-PATS — UM, OK: “Tom Brady speaks on retirement rumors, possible decision timeline,” by Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald: “During an appearance on his ‘Let’s Go!’ podcast, Brady said he has not made a decision, and did not offer a timeline for when he’ll announce his retirement or decide to return for a 23rd season.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Historic Cape Cod house on stilts still teetering on the edge,” by Carlos R. Muñoz, Boston Globe: “The house on stilts that has been wobbling ever so close to disaster is still standing after this weekend’s blizzard. The former US Coast Guard building at 133 South Pamet Road on Truro’s Ballston Beach has been there since 1850, back when the Coast Guard was still called the US Lifesaving Service. It once sat on turf overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Now it stands on pilings above the ocean surf, which is agonizingly clawing away at the sand beneath it.” — IN MEMORIAM: “Avram Goldberg, former chairman and chief executive of Stop & Shop, dies at 92,” by Bryan Marquard, Boston Globe: “Avram Goldberg, who had served as president and then chairman of the Stop & Shop Cos., died Sunday. He was 92 and his death was announced by the office of his daughter, state Treasurer Deborah Goldberg.” MEDIA MATTERS — “Rachel Maddow to temporarily step back from MSNBC nightly show, reports say,” by Brittany Bowker, Boston Globe. TRANSITIONS — Former state Rep. Lori Ehrlich was sworn in yesterday as FEMA’s new Region 1 administrator. — Anna Fletcher rejoins Rep. Jake Auchincloss’ team as campaign manager. Fletcher was Auchincloss’ finance director and events coordinator last cycle. More recently, she led the finance teams of Seth Moulton for Congress and Serve America PAC. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to ABC’s Ali Dukakis, former Gov. Deval Patrick photog Eric Haynes, former Boston city councilor Tim McCarthy, Kerry Akashian, Alexa Kissinger and Patricia LeBoeuf.   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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Baker administration changes the rules on offshore wind and clean energy

Doug Fraser Cape Cod Times 

Published Jan 12, 2022 

BOSTON — Testifying before the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy on behalf of his legislation that commits $750 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to invest in the clean energy industry, Gov. Charlie Baker said it was time for the state to move into a new phase.

"We filed this legislation back in October of 2021 so that we could build on the progress we've made together and ensure that, at this pivotal moment for our economic recovery and our environment, that Massachusetts has the tools it needs to remain on the leading-edge of climate action in the United States," Baker told the joint committee Tuesday.

Translation: Baker has heard the criticism about the state's solicitation process in awarding offshore wind energy contracts that favored low prices over economic benefits. 

While that approach has worked in generating power contracts with offshore wind developers whose power generation prices are far below those in competing states like Connecticut, New Jersey and New York, the Baker administration has been criticized for not creating incentives that would attract offshore wind manufacturing and developers and manufacturers to the state.  

Vineyard Wind:The nation's first utility-scale wind farm is being built off Cape Cod

"We have been dismayed by the level of investment, some 10 years into our effort now, to attract (manufacturing) here," New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell told the joint committee. "What has been missing from the Commonwealth's efforts ... is a set of policies aimed at out-competing other states for industry investment."

Mitchell said New York, for instance, assigns 20% of a bid score to economic development.

"Now that may strike some folks as just overly aggressive, but we've got to do something different. As we watch, the (manufacturing) industry has gone to other states that have governors who have said 'we're going to be the center of offshore wind,'" he said.

Offshore wind touted as economic development engine

Although construction of the wind farms creates far more jobs than manufacturing or operations and maintenance, they are ephemeral. Manufacturing jobs last longer and employ far more people than operations and maintenance. They are considered by experts to be the golden goose of the offshore wind economy.

Energy boost:Massachusetts doubles offshore wind in power pipeline with new projects

A few years ago, Connecticut partnered with Bay State Wind to invest $93 million to develop a state pier in New London into a facility similar to one the state developed on New Bedford's Marine Commerce Terminal. Last August, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities awarded over 3,700 megawatts to two companies contingent upon them building new manufacturing facilities at what is called the New Jersey Wind Port.

New York has invested $644 million in port and infrastructure upgrades and a year ago, the city of Albany partnered with the Norwegian wind development company Equinor, which is building the Empire Wind Farm off Long Island. The state also partnered with two Danish and U.S. companies to manufacture wind towers at a factory in Bethlehem, New York, that will create 500 jobs in the construction phase and employ 300 at the factory.

Virginia's Dominion Energy unveiled plans in October to team up with the Spanish blade manufacturer Siemens Gamesa to spend $200 million to build the first U.S. offshore wind turbine factory as part of their plan to install 180 turbines off the Virginia coastline.

Speaking to the committee Tuesday, Massachusetts Secretary for Energy and the Environment Kathleen Theoharides said Baker's legislation would remove the price cap from future energy contract bids in the hope it would encourage wind developers to submit bids that included plans for local manufacturing and other job creation. 

Citing competition among developers and technology advances that promise to open up deepwater areas and build more efficient turbines, Theoharides said the offshore wind industry has demonstrated it can produce power at low cost.

Baker pointed out the price cap was removed on the state's second round of bids, and they received bids that were lower than the first round.

"We feel now is the right time to adjust our procurement process so we can capture important additional benefits for Massachusetts ratepayers," Theoharides said. 

The Baker legislation creates a new Clean Energy Innovation and Investment fund administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center that would provide research and development money to universities, community colleges, vocational schools and other entities for new clean energy technologies and workforce development.

Baker said the bill also transfers the authority to award energy contracts from the Department of Public Utilities to the Department of Energy Resources, which critics had said was needed to focus the offshore wind industry on economic development in the state.

Barrett: Keep price caps

Committee co-chair Sen. Michael Barrett was critical of removing the price cap. Barrett felt that with only two bidders in the last round in which both received contracts, and just a handful of developers on the East Coast, there was too little competition to ensure a lower price without a cap. 

"We are stuck in a situation where we're going to have to deal with a very small universe of potential players," said Barrett, who noted that with no price limit on their bids, New York, Connecticut and New Jersey energy contracts were 43%, 68%, and 100% higher, respectively, than what Massachusetts obtained with an upper limit on pricing.

Barrett was also critical of a process in which the economic package proposed by a developer is kept secret until the contract is signed, making it hard for the public, media and legislators to determine if there was benefit. 

Theoharides said the administration would work with the legislature on improving that aspect of the process.

Mitchell told the panel that the offshore wind industry and the state investments in infrastructure needed to benefit so-called Gateway Cities like New Bedford, which suffered as once-thriving industries faded or located elsewhere.

"It would be consistent with state economic development policy, after all, to provide some preference for Gateway Cities," he said.     

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Sullivan eyes secretary of state run

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY Presented by Associated Industries of Massachusetts NEW: SULLIVAN MULLS SECRETARY BID — Tanisha Sullivan, an attorney and president of the NAACP Boston Branch, is considering running for secretary of state, according to three people familiar with her thinking. Sullivan is “taking a serious look at this race" and is "weighing this critical moment for our democracy and our commonwealth, and the vital work to preserve and expand voting rights,” according to one person who is advising Sullivan on a potential bid. Sullivan did not return calls for comment. Sullivan’s interest in serving as the state’s top elections official wouldn't be coming out of left field: She was an honorary co-chair of the 2020 ballot campaign for ranked-choice voting; advocated alongside Rep. Ayanna Pressley to pass the For the People Act, and has been vocal online about the need to “remove barriers to the ballot box ." The NAACP Boston Branch was also active in the Boston mayor's race without endorsing a candidate. Secretary of State Bill Galvin has been coy about his 2022 intentions. Galvin continues to push voting reforms in Massachusetts and nationally, but he declined to say last month whether he was running for another term, telling WCVB’s “On the Record” only that “I enjoy what I do.” Republican Rayla Campbell is running for the seat. GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. As Boston Mayor Michelle Wu works to expand a fare-free bus pilot program to help low-income riders in three neighborhoods, new polling from the MassINC Polling Group and the Barr Foundation shows 71 percent support statewide for free buses in low-income neighborhoods. In fact, the statewide poll of 1,026 registered voters from late December showed majority support for several types of free or discounted public transportation: — 61 percent support for free buses; — 58 percent support for free subways; — 53 percent support for free commuter rail trains and ferries; — 79 percent support for low-income fare discounts. One of the biggest questions around reduced-fare or fare-free public transit is how to fund it. Wu, for instance, is looking to tap into federal aid to expand the city’s pilot program. There could be another option coming down the pike: the so-called millionaires tax headed for the ballot this fall as a constitutional amendment. It would slap a 4 percent surtax on the portion of a person’s annual income over $1 million, and proponents say the money would be funneled toward education and transportation. Seventy percent of voters said they support the millionaires tax. As for how they’d like the tax revenue to be split, 39 percent preferred to share it evenly between transportation and education, 19 percent said they wanted more for transportation and 26 percent wanted more for education. MassINC Polling Group Research Director Rich Parr breaks it all down on this week’s episode of The Horse Race. TODAY — Wu shares an update on Mass and Cass at 10 a.m. at the Women’s Inn at Pine Street, and is on WBUR’s “Radio Boston." State AG Maura Healey announces a settlement with a student-lending conglomerate at 12:30 p.m. Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) host a Twitter Spaces event at 3:30 p.m. to discuss abolishing the filibuster to protect voting rights. U.S. attorney Rachael Rollins is on GBH’s “Greater Boston” at 7 p.m. Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark will preside over the House floor during the debate over the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. Tips? Scoops? 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   ON THE STUMP — GETTING IN: Veteran Democratic activist and volunteer Kate Donaghue is running for state representative in the new 19th Worcester District. “As a mother to a son who died of an overdose, and a caregiving spouse who recently lost my husband to cancer, I have experience and insights into the challenges with our health care system that plague too many families” in the district, Donaghue said. “I intend to use my voice to fight for our communities on health care, tackling climate change and supporting public education.” Donaghue, who filed a candidate committee with the state last week, is running in an incumbent-free district created during last year’s redistricting process. Mapmakers said at the time that the district — which is built around parts of Northborough, Southborough, Framingham and Donaghue’s longtime home of Westborough — could be an opportunity for the GOP based on voting patterns. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Suffolk County sheriff candidate Sandy Zamor Calixte has been endorsed by former state Rep. Marie St. Fleur, former Boston city councilor Matt O’Malley and community leaders Anthony Seymour, Marilyn Forman and Jose Ruiz, per her campaign. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan is continuing to build out her team for a potential run for state attorney general. Liss-Riordan has brought on the firm Bryson Gillette to provide strategic communications counsel. That team includes Rebecca Pearcey, a former political director for Sen. Elizabeth Warren; Kasey Poulin, another Warren alum, and Tess Seger. — “Gubernatorial hopeful Sonia Chang-Díaz secures more endorsements as waiting continues for AG Maura Healey to enter race,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “State Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz released a new slate of endorsements Wednesday afternoon in her bid for governor, as the gubernatorial field remains in flux.” THE LATEST NUMBERS — “Massachusetts reports 22,184 new coronavirus cases, COVID hospitalizations top 3,000 patients,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “COVID-19 hospitalizations on Wednesday surpassed 3,000 patients for the first time since the start of the pandemic as local hospitals get packed to the brim. The state Department of Public Health on Wednesday reported 22,184 daily coronavirus cases.”   BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we’ve got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don’t miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now.     DATELINE BEACON HILL — SAVE THE DATE: Gov. Charlie Baker has confirmed his State of the Commonwealth address will be Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Hynes Convention Center. — “Baker approves commutation requests for two convicted of murder,” by Matt Stout and Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: “Governor Charlie Baker on Wednesday approved commutation requests for two men serving life sentences for murder, marking the first such recommendations of his tenure and the first time a sitting Massachusetts governor has agreed to commute a life sentence in a quarter-century. Baker’s decision to grant the clemency petitions of Thomas E. Koonce and William Allen won praise from both advocates and the district attorney offices that once prosecuted them, and could clear the way for both men to be released after nearly three decades apiece in prison.” — “Sweeping offshore wind bill headed toward House,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “The Legislature’s energy committee approved a bill Wednesday evening that would give the state’s Clean Energy Center a major role in the development of the offshore wind industry and tap consumer electricity and natural gas bills to pay for tax credits, grants, and investments to make it happen.” — “Massachusetts higher education commissioner to step down,” by The Associated Press: “Commissioner Carlos Santiago, who works with leadership and helps shape state-level policies to benefit the state’s public community colleges and universities, has held the job since 2015.” VAX-ACHUSETTS — “New measure of COVID hospitalizations may obscure strain on system, but will help with planning,” by Kay Lazar, Boston Globe: “The Baker administration said that beginning next week, it will break the hospitalization numbers it publishes into two sets: one that records those patients being treated primarily for COVID-19, and a second for those patients who were hospitalized for other reasons but happened to test positive upon admission.” — “As state ignores at-home COVID test data, boards of health come up with their own solutions,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: “Residents and public health workers are frustrated by the barriers to report results from home rapid tests, and count those numbers in a tangible way so the public has a greater understanding of the pandemic in their communities. Some towns have launched their own forms for collecting at-home test results.” — “Forced to improvise COVID policies, school nurses are reaching a ‘ breaking point’,” by Gabrielle Emanuel, WBUR: “Surging COVID numbers have made for a sometimes-disorganized return to school after winter break. There are record case counts and changing guidelines for testing and isolation. A heavy burden has fallen on school nurses, who say they feel overwhelmed and under-supported.” — "Massachusetts’ digital vaccine passport leaves some residents frustrated: ‘Couldn’t find anything for me’," by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: "[S]cores of Massachusetts residents hoping for an easy process to obtain their electronic vaccine records encountered glitches as they entered their information on a state government website. The most common issued seemed to be missing COVID booster shot information." — “Boston will roll out a vaccine certificate app on Jan. 15,” by Hiawatha Bray, Boston Globe: “Boston is going with a smartphone app called B Together that lets the user simply display a photograph of the white CDC card issued at the vaccination center.” — SHOT: “Needham COVID-19 testing site reported to Attorney General,” by John Monahan, Boston 25 News. — CHASER: “Worcester ‘looking into’ free COVID testing site on Grafton Street that’s run by company under investigation in other U.S. locations,” by Michael Bonner, MassLive.   A message from Associated Industries of Massachusetts:     FROM THE HUB — “Boston clears tents from Mass. and Cass,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The day dawned over the troubled streets of Mass. and Cass lined with dozens of tents — but by dinnertime, crews were hauling pieces of the last sidewalk structure away. ‘Today was really a transition,’ Mayor Michelle Wu told reporters after dark in the middle of an almost unrecognizably barren Atkinson Street. ‘Today was not the first day of work here, and it’s certainly not the last day.’” — More: “‘ Nothing is different’: People struggle to find housing after city clears tents at Mass. and Cass,” by Tori Bedford, GBH News: “Wu emphasized that her administration would deviate from previous attempts by city officials to clear the area by focusing on housing and ‘meeting each person where they are,’ identifying specific health or housing needs and ensuring that congregate shelter would not be the only option. … But [Wilnelia Reabyng] and [Avalberto Delbrey], along with several others living in encampments in the area, were not provided permanent housing, and were instead told to stay at nearby shelters.” — And more: “Exclusive look at new housing for people who lived at Mass & Cass in Boston,” by Karen Anderson and Kevin Rothstein, WCVB: “Two weeks after moving out of a tent on the street, one woman is using a small cottage to serve as a temporary shelter home, full of her makeup, clothes and all kinds of personal items.” — “Anti-vaccine mandate protesters bring their opposition to Mayor Wu’s Roslindale doorstep,” by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: “Most mornings in the past week or so, a small band of protesters stationed themselves outside the modest two-family house where Boston Mayor Michelle Wu lives with her husband and two school-age sons. Her elderly mother lives on the first floor. The clutch of activists have a mission: to stop Wu's vaccination mandate that is scheduled to go into effect Saturday.” — “Judge won’t stop Boston coronavirus vaccine mandate ahead of deadline,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Mayor Michelle Wu’s worker vaccine mandate will move ahead, a judge ruled just days before enforcement is due to begin. … Suffolk Superior Judge Jeffrey Locke said following a Wednesday hearing ‘I think the public health emergency now is of such a nature that it outweighs the competing claims of harm by the plaintiff.’” — “As Boston schools grapple with COVID surge, Cassellius says they’re taking every step to avoid remote learning,” by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: “Boston Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said on Wednesday the district is taking every step possible to avoid moving learning online amid a surge in coronavirus cases, while student leaders announced they are planning a walkout [to advocate for remote learning].” WHAT CITY HALL IS READING — “Mayor Wu is creating a new cabinet role: chief of planning,” by Catherine Carlock, Boston Business Journal: “Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration is finalizing the job posting for a chief of planning role, a newly created cabinet-level position that could ‘help oversee’ the Boston Planning and Development Agency.” — “Who will take Lydia Edwards’ Boston City Council seat?,” by Christopher Gavin, Boston.com: “Under the city charter, officials must hold a preliminary election on a Tuesday within 62 to 76 days after a City Council election order is approved. The general election would then follow, 28 days later. ... There are a few candidates expected to run, and many more who are apparently weighing a run for the council seat, which represents the North End, Charlestown, and East Boston.” PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “Regional bus ridership down 52 percent from pre-pandemic levels,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Ridership has rebounded at Regional Transit Authorities, according to a new report, but ridership still remains well below normal and is spread unevenly throughout the system.” — “A deal with implications for passenger rail was rejected last year but gets a new hearing Thursday. Elected officials weigh in,” by Danny Jin, Berkshire Eagle: “Though a federal board rejected a proposed railroad merger last year, the deal, which has implications for Western Massachusetts passenger rail projects and freight service, gets a new hearing Thursday.” THE PRESSLEY PARTY — “Pressley to Biden: Forgive student loans immediately,” by Rebecca Tauber, GBH News: “U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley is calling on President Joe Biden to take executive action on canceling student debt, emphasizing that student loans are a racial justice issue as well as a socioeconomic one.” — Pressley also slammed the state’s Covid-19 response, saying “voluntary mask advisories or other half measures are just simply inexcusable.” Pressley, who recently got a breakthrough case, called for an “aggressive, comprehensive statewide plan” including an indoor mask mandate. Asked if there should be a statewide vaccine requirement for some indoor venues like Boston’s pending mandate, Pressley replied, “I don’t see why not.” — ENDORSEMENT ALERT: Pressley rolled out her first slate of midterm endorsements yesterday, a list of six Democrats that includes fellow Bay Stater Rep. Lori Trahan. FROM THE DELEGATION — “Rep. Lori Trahan, Sen. Bernie Sanders reintroduce Masks for All Act to get Americans N95 masks,” by Benjamin Kail, MassLive: “U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan of Massachusetts on Wednesday partnered with Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and dozens of Democrats to reintroduce a plan to ramp up production of protective N95 masks and get at least three to every American during the surge of the omicron COVID-19 variant.”   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.     DATELINE D.C. — “Walensky’s growing pains,” by Alex Thompson, Max Tani and Tina Sfondeles, POLITICO: “CDC [Director Rochelle Walensky] did not relocate full-time to Atlanta and continues to work remotely from the Boston area, with frequent trips to CDC headquarters and Washington. … Asked if she flies commercial and pays out of pocket for her travel back-and-forth to Boston, as Labor Secretary Marty Walsh’s team says he does when commuting back-and-forth to Boston, a CDC spokesperson asked to talk off the record. Ultimately, they did not respond to our questions.” FROM THE 413 — “Newly-named Catholic diocesan committee announced, to usher in new era of accountability,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield on Wednesday announced a new, nine-member Implementation and Oversight Committee in an effort to ensure reforms around the organization’s response to clergy abuse allegations.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Two WPI students die during winter break marking six student deaths in the past six months for the school,” by Tom Matthews, MassLive: “Since July 2021, six [Worcester Polytechnic Institute] students have died, the school confirmed. Three of those six deaths are known suicides.”   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   MEDIA MATTERS — “After 2020 surge, Boston Globe digital subscriptions plateau,” by Don Seiffert, Boston Business Journal: “After a pandemic- and politics-fueled increase in online subscribers in 2020, the Boston Globe’s digital subscriptions leveled off, and even declined last year for the first time, according to the newspaper’s filings with a nonprofit that tracks newspaper circulation. The Globe continues to enjoy one of the widest online readerships of any regional daily newspaper in the U.S., and the slowdown last year is part of an industry-wide trend.” — “ Gannett to stop Saturday print editions at 136 newspapers nationwide,” by Don Seiffert, Boston Business Journal: “Sources told the Business Journal that while the chain’s two largest dailies, The Providence Journal and the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, will not be affected, most others will, including the Cape Cod Times, the Fall River Herald News and the New Bedford Standard Times. Some of Gannett’s dailies, such as the Patriot Ledger in Quincy, have already discontinued Saturday print editions.” TRANSITIONS — Paulina Mangubat is digital director for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Gina Christo of Rivera Consulting and GBH’s Paul Singer. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: THE LONG INTERMISSION — Michael Bobbitt, executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, joins hosts Jennifer Smith and Lisa Kashinsky to discuss the challenges Covid-19 still presents for the arts community. MassINC Polling Group Research Director Rich Parr breaks down the latest polling on transportation. 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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