POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Campbell launches AG bid

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY EXCLUSIVE: CAMPBELL TALKS NEW CAMPAIGN — Former Boston city councilor and mayoral hopeful Andrea Campbell wants to take her fight for “greater equity and opportunity” and “breaking cycles of poverty and trauma” to the state attorney general’s office. “The issues that I talked about in the mayor’s race are absolutely relevant to the attorney general’s office,” Campbell told me. “Issues around economic development, affordable housing, education, public safety, racial disparities, Covid — all of that is in many ways similar to what an attorney general should tackle. It's just a different magnitude.” Campbell’s legal experience differs  from her competitors, labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan and Quentin Palfrey, a former Massachusetts assistant attorney general who’s expected to formally launch his campaign soon. Prior to her time on the council, Campbell represented children and families at the EdLaw Project, worked as an employment attorney at Proskauer Rose LLP, served as general counsel at the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission and then as legal counsel for former Gov. Deval Patrick (who “offered great advice” to Campbell as she mulled her run for AG). Campbell issued the strongest calls for policing reform of anyone in the mayor’s race and centered her campaign around her family’s experience with the criminal justice system. Asked how that fits with the state’s top law enforcement job, Campbell said she brings a “unique record of accomplishment on ensuring that officers and police departments have the resources they need to do community policing adequately, while also ensuring that there’s greater transparency and accountability and diversity in our public safety agencies.” Campbell would be the first Black woman elected state attorney general. She had an early lead over her competitors in a recent MassINC Polling Group survey. But Campbell now has to build a statewide campaign against two people who’ve tried their hand at it before. She’ll start by following up her 10 a.m. launch event in Dorchester with stops in Worcester and Springfield. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. State Attorney General Maura Healey is continuing her fundraising dominance in the governor’s race. Healey will report raising $426,756 in January, $375,000 of which poured in after she kicked off her campaign on Jan. 20. Her war chest swelled to over $3.9 million. Three of her rivals had their best fundraising months yet,  though they all trail significantly behind Healey in both money raised and banked. State Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz will report raising $166,126 in January and $335,808 in cash on hand; Harvard professor and nonprofit leader Danielle Allen will report raising about $200,000, with $493,000 in her coffers, their campaigns said. GOP former state Rep. Geoff Diehl raised $87,274 and has $152,921 in his bank account, per his OCPF report. Republican businessman Chris Doughty’s report isn’t up yet. State Sen. Eric Lesser has the highest January haul of the lieutenant governor hopefuls so far with $182,287, per his campaign. State Sen. Adam Hinds will report raising $41,366. Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll’s campaign expects to report about $50,000. State Rep. Tami Gouveia will report raising $75,778 in January, though that includes a $55,000 loan. Businessman Bret Bero loaned himself another $200,000 last month as well. TODAY — Allen makes a “major justice announcement” at 11 a.m. outside the State House. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito chairs a Governor’s Council meeting at noon; the council holds a public hearing on Gov. Charlie Baker’s recommended commutation of William Allen’s first-degree murder sentence at 10 a.m. Sen. Elizabeth Warren chairs a subcommittee hearing on Medicare financing at 2:30 p.m. Rep. Jake Auchincloss participates in a virtual financial literacy town hall at 7 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.     FROM THE DELEGATION — MONEY MATTERS: While we were all busy browsing OCPF, my POLITICO colleague Marissa Martinez took a look at the delegation’s Q4 FEC reports: HIGHS AND LOWS — Rep. Richard Neal raised the most of the House delegation last quarter with $649,768 and ended the year with the most cash on hand with nearly $2.9 million. Rep. Jake Auchincloss was the next highest, with $431,591 raised and just under $2.2 million in the bank. Rep. Bill Keating again raised the least at $41,532; but he ended 2021 with $1.5 million in his coffers. Rep. Jim McGovern again had the least cash on hand with $457,050. THE GOP CHALLENGERS — Emily Burns, who’s running against Auchincloss, raised the most, $108,211, and had the most cash on hand, $230,375, of any of the delegation’s Republican rivals. She also loaned herself the most of any GOP candidate last quarter at $250,000. FLORA AND FAUNA — Some delegation members spend money on flowers. But Rep. Lori Trahan paid a local business $860 to decorate a tree for the annual Methuen Festival of Trees charity event. ON THE STUMP — GETTING IN: Dean Tran, a former Republican state senator accused of using public staff for campaign work, is launching his campaign against Rep. Lori Trahan today. “My campaign is about giving the people of the Third Congressional District an alternative to the failures of the Biden administration and their enablers like Rep. Trahan,” Tran, a Fitchburg resident and Vietnam native, said in a statement. “This seat represents some of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth, yet has never been represented by a minority. I will change that.” Tran transferred a total of $4,000 from his state campaign committee to his federal one to start off his congressional bid. Most of Tran’s contributions so far are from 1A Auto owner and former Trahan challenger Rick Green. — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Trahan is rolling out the first endorsements of her reelection campaign today. They include state Sens. Harriette Chandler, John Cronin and Anne Gobi; state Reps. Mike Kushmerek, Jonathan Zlotnik, Meghan Kilcoyne and Susannah Whipps; Governor’s Councilor Paul DePalo and Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale. — “Pressley’s first reelection campaign event highlights youth organizing,” by Tiana Woodard, Boston Globe: “Kicking off her campaign for reelection Monday, US Representative Ayanna Pressley told about 40 young participants in a Zoom chat that their generation’s participation in politics is crucially important to the country’s future.” — “Rahsaan Hall wanted people to know what a district attorney does. Now he’s is running for Plymouth DA,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “‘My vision requires us to reclaim the spirit of justice as something more than tough-on-crime rhetoric, or law-and-order politics and posturing, but rather integrity and accountability,’ Hall said Tuesday at a restaurant in Brockton. NOT FEELING '22 — OUT OF THE SPOTLIGHT: Former U.S. attorney for Massachusetts Andrew Lelling won’t be running for governor or attorney general this year, despite fielding calls from Republicans encouraging him to seek either seat, he told me. THE LATEST NUMBERS — “Two years after 1st confirmed coronavirus case in Massachusetts, state reports 2,628 new daily cases and 127 deaths,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The 2,628 new cases reported on Tuesday was the lowest daily count since Nov. 23 before the omicron surge — and it was a 63% drop from the 7,120 daily cases reported last Tuesday.”   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 BEACON HILL — “Secretary of State Galvin filing bill to make documents from the governor’s office open to the public for first time,” by Andrea Estes, Boston Globe: “Many of the governor’s e-mails and other documents would be subject to the state public record law for the first time under a bill that Secretary of State William Galvin is filing on Tuesday. Massachusetts is the only state that allows the governor to keep virtually all records confidential.” — “Black restaurant owners call on Massachusetts Legislature for more dough,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “On the morning of the first day of Black History Month, Black restaurant owners gathered on the State House steps to both honor their successes and ask for more help from the Legislature as their businesses continue to struggle.” — “Mass. lawmakers advance digital privacy bill,” by Pranshu Verma, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts state lawmakers on Tuesday advanced a digital privacy bill that would give residents more control over their online personal information. The legislation could spark a debate over digital privacy rights and alter how businesses use and profit from such data.” — “Committee Keeps Lock On Popular Licensing Bill,” by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): “Almost two years ago to the day, the Transportation Committee voted along party lines to endorse legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts to access driver's licenses. Now, with a deadline looming to take a position on the latest version of the bill, the same panel decided it needs more time, just as it did with a long-debated proposal to expand enforcement of the state's seatbelt law.” — “Baker secures deal with federal government to replace Cape Cod Canal bridges,” by Mike Deehan, GBH News: “Upon returning from a Pentagon meeting with a top Army Corps of Engineers official, Gov. Charlie Baker told GBH News he's confident he's secured a commitment from the federal government to pay for the replacement of the two aging bridges that cross the Cape Cod Canal. The estimated cost of the project: up to $2 billion.” VAX-ACHUSETTS — “Good news on COVID-19: Levels of coronavirus in Eastern Mass. waste water continue decline,” by Martin Finucane and Ryan Huddle, Boston Globe: “The amount of virus flowing in from communities in the MWRA’s southern region is now less than one-tenth of what it was when the surge peaked early this year, while the amount flowing in from the southern region is less than one-eighth of what it was at its peak.” — “Boston Medical Center researchers report ‘surge’ in depression during pandemic among children of color 5-11 years old,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “The BMC study, published in the journal Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, found rates of depression and anxiety spiked among young children of color from 5 percent before the pandemic to 18 percent during the health crisis.” FROM THE HUB — “Boston business vaccine mandates ‘not permanent,’ Michelle Wu says,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Mandates including proof of COVID-19 vaccination requirements for Boston businesses are ‘not permanent,’ Mayor Michelle Wu said, though she doesn’t have an end date for them yet.” — “Boston enters new court filing in vaccine-mandate fight,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “The Wu administration continues to push ahead in its quest to implement the weeks-delayed employee coronavirus vaccine mandate, filing a response asking the appeals court judge to lift the current stay and rule against the public-safety unions.” — “Ayanna Pressley, other Boston elected officials of color condemn ‘hateful attacks’ on Michelle Wu,” by Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: “Representative Ayanna Pressley and more than a dozen other elected officials of color from Boston are condemning the ‘hateful attacks’ on Mayor Michelle Wu, declaring that ‘to remain silent is to be complicit.’” DAY IN COURT — “Baker mask mandate, no longer in effect, facing challenge,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “The Supreme Judicial Court on Wednesday will hear oral arguments in a case challenging Gov. Charlie Baker’s legal authority to require mask-wearing inside private businesses. The case involves Arianna Murrell, who banned the use of masks inside her Lynn tax preparation business, Liberty Tax Service. While the state argues that the case is moot because the mandate is no longer in effect, attorneys for Murrell said the case remains relevant since Baker could reimpose a mandate at any time.” — “Attorney General Maura Healey looks to hold gun manufacturers accountable for facilitating ‘dangerous individuals’,” by Douglas Hook, MassLive: “Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and 14 other attorney generals have filed a brief with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts stating that the federal law, Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), does not shield gun manufacturers from consumer laws governing the sale of firearms.” DATELINE D.C. — “Senate Democrats call for DOJ crackdown on counterfeit masks,” by Cameron Jenkins, The Hill: “Senate Democrats are calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to crack down on the sale of counterfeit masks following reports that the faulty ones have been in circulation across the U.S. as the coronavirus pandemic drags on. Democratic Sens. Ed Markey (Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and the DOJ, requesting an investigation into the reports and for them to act to deter the fake masks from being sold.” — “Gold Star Families Day would be celebrated each September under new proposal,” by Leo Shane III, Military Times: “[Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa] and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., are leading the effort, which would establish a 12th federal holiday in honor of the families.” IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN — “With new Mass Save three-year plan, Massachusetts sharpens its best climate-fighting tool,” by Sabrina Shankman, Boston Globe: “In a move hailed as a sea change in the state’s climate fight, Massachusetts regulators approved a plan that would dramatically expand incentives for homeowners to invest in electric heat pumps as the state races to shift people off fossil fuels.” EX-PATS — SUPER SNUB: Bay Staters were feeling a bit … deflated (too soon?) … after Tom Brady posted his retirement ode to Tampa Bay and sidelined the Patriots. He tweeted his thanks to Patriots Nation a couple hours later, but the damage was already done. “We thought we knew Tom Brady, but we didn’t,” read the headline on Adrian Walker’s column in the Boston Globe. “Tom Brady snubbing New England? Get used to it,” Eric Wilbur wrote on Boston.com. But Tom Curran says Patriots fans “shouldn’t get worked up” over it. Tributes still poured in from fans on the street and even Gov. Charlie Baker . And, as the Boston Herald's front page says today: thanks, Tom, for the six Super Bowl wins. — “Keller @ Large: Politics In Tom Brady’s Playbook?” by Jon Keller, WBZ: “Tom Brady — superstar athlete, supreme self-marketer, idol of millions….politician? Buzz about that possibility began early in Brady’s career, when he was First Lady Laura Bush’s guest at the 2004 State of the Union Address.” THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Everett mayor DeMaria takes a big hit in the wallet as City Council slashes his controversial bonus,” by Andrea Estes, Boston Globe: “The Everett City Council Monday narrowly voted to drastically reduce Mayor Carlo DeMaria’s controversial longevity pay from $40,000 a year or more to the same amount paid to other senior city department heads: $1,700. DeMaria, who has led this city of fewer than 50,000 residents since 2007, has become the state’s highest paid mayor during his tenure, earning $236,647 in 2020.” — “Mansfield woman charged in death of Boston police officer, DA says,” by Nick Stoico, Boston Globe: “A Mansfield woman was arrested Tuesday for the death of Boston police Officer John O’Keefe, who was found in the snow outside a Canton home during Saturday’s nor’easter, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey’s office said. … two law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation said she was O’Keefe’s girlfriend.” — “20 Swastikas Found At Curry College In The Last Week,” by Louisa Moller, WBZ: “Twenty swastika symbols and one racist graffiti were found on the walls at Curry College in the last week, college President Kenneth Quigley said in a recorded video address to the campus.” TRANSITIONS — Boston Green Ribbon Commission director Amy Longsworth is now the group’s executive director. John Cleveland, the previous executive director, will remain as a senior advisor. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Abraham Todd, Sen. Elizabeth Warren alum and the Energy Department’s Cassidy Ballard, and Matt Keswick. 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: 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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