| | |  | BY LISA KASHINSKY | FROM THE 413 — Some of the biggest changes in state politics are happening in the west. Eric Lesser’s entrance into the lieutenant governor’s race this week set off a down-ballot chain reaction, with at least two sitting state representatives — among other local pols and activists — expressing interest in his state Senate seat. Last fall, state Sen. Adam Hinds’ launch for LG opened yet another seat — and gave state Rep. Paul Mark an opening to step up after his own House seat disappeared in redistricting. The state delegation shake ups come amid a changing of the guard at the municipal level. Holyoke gained its first Latino mayor — and its first new mayor in a decade — in Joshua Garcia. North Adams swore in Jennifer Macksey as its first female mayor. New mayors took their oaths of office this past week in Westfield and Northampton. “It’s a sea change in a good way,” Lenox state Rep. Smitty Pignatelli said. “It’s a generation-defining moment and I think it’s been brewing for a few years. It’s healthy. We’re getting more diverse. We’re getting younger people.” There are also more women across the region's state delegation and city halls. Over the past decade, all five male mayors in Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire counties have been succeeded by women . Twelve of the 13 members sworn into Amherst’s Town Council this week are women. Two women were just elected to the Chicopee City Council for the first time since 2005 and one of them, Delmarina López, is the first person of color ever elected to the board. “It shows that women are thinking about running for office, getting support for that decision and representing their communities,” Amherst state Rep. Mindy Domb said. These shifts in representation will likely help drive more local conversations around education, child care, equity and working conditions, Northampton state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa said. And having two western Mass. senators running in a crowded field for state’s second-highest job will help elevate the oft-overlooked region’s issues to the forefront of the statewide conversation. But Hinds and Lesser could also potentially cancel each other out at the voting booth, handing an eastern Massachusetts-based candidate the win and leaving parts west down two major advocates on Beacon Hill. “They don’t just represent their district, they represent the 413,” Democratic strategist Tony Cignoli said. “To lose a voice like Lesser and Hinds … we worry about that.” — with Anne Brandes GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Happy snow day! Have tips, scoops or want to shovel my car out for me? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com . TODAY — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is on JavawithJimmy at 1 p.m. Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark and the White House host a press call on energy assistance for low-income families at 3 p.m. Clark is also on WBUR’s “On Point.” THIS WEEKEND — Wu talks vaccine mandates and more on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, and is this week’s guest on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. | |
| | 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 24,570 new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations surpass last winter’s peak,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “COVID-19 hospitalizations have been climbing during the omicron wave. The 2,524 patients — a daily increase of 98 patients — is now more than last winter’s peak of 2,428 patients. Thursday’s daily count of 24,570 new virus cases is a bit down from Wednesday’s record-breaking daily tally of 27,612 cases. … The average percent positivity is now 22.43%.” – “A staggering 51,100 new coronavirus cases reported in Massachusetts schools in past two weeks,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The report published on Thursday by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reports 38,887 students and 12,213 staff tested positive for the coronavirus from Dec. 23 to Wednesday.” – “Town-by-town COVID-19 data in Massachusetts,” by Ryan Huddle and Peter Bailey-Wells, Boston Globe. | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Gov. Charlie Baker says Jan. 6 Capitol attack will ‘stain this nation’s history forever,’ but misattributes death of police officer to attack,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “In a scathing rebuke of former President Donald Trump and the one-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday lamented that harrowing threat to free and fair elections 'will stain this nation’s history forever.' ... The governor, in his initial statement, erroneously conflated the death of William Evans, a North Adams native and veteran U.S. Capitol Police officer, with the Jan. 6 attack.” – “‘Red flag’ gun bill used just six times last year,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Under the law, a family member or police department can file a petition to have a judge confiscate someone’s legally owned gun, after a hearing, if the person poses a danger to themselves or others. But the law has rarely been used. In 2021, according to a report released Wednesday by the Trial Court, just six petitions were filed for what are called Extreme Risk Protective Orders. Five orders were granted at emergency hearings. Only two items were surrendered, according to the report.” – “Massachusetts Lawmaker Files Bill To Make At-Home COVID Tests Exempt From State Sales Tax,” by CBS Boston: “A Massachusetts lawmaker has filed a bill to make at-home COVID tests tax-free. Rep. Marc Lombardo of Billerica filed the bill Wednesday, saying it is wrong to put a state sales tax on the tests when they are recommended by health officials.” | | VAX-ACHUSETTS |
| – "Poll shows sharp divide in attitudes depending on vaccination status," by Maeve Duggan for CommonWealth Magazine: "Those who are unvaccinated largely feel safe eating in restaurants, attending public places and events, and are hesitant to introduce more restrictions. Meanwhile, those who have been vaccinated or boosted are cautious to partake in many public activities and are calling for more strident stances on COVID-related mandates." – “Days into new semester, educators ‘suffocating’ under latest COVID surge,” by Bianca Vázquez Toness, Boston Globe: “The new semester only just started, but superintendents said Thursday they were looking forward to the 6 to 8 inches of snow forecasted to blanket the region to get a reprieve amid severe staffing shortages and low student attendance.” – “COVID-19 infections are hitting local government services, including snow removal,” by Craig LeMoult: “The surge in COVID-19 cases is affecting posts that range from firefighters to city bill collectors, limiting services and putting response times for critical services at risk. To deal with the staffing shortages, some Massachusetts cities are looking for new hires or asking workers to pick up extra shifts.” – “COVID surge testing already understaffed transit agencies in Mass.,” by Taylor Dolven, Boston Globe: “ Amid a record number of COVID-19 cases in the state, some transportation agencies across Massachusetts are juggling the shortage of healthy workers with trying to deliver reliable service to riders who depend on public transit.” – "Mass. hospitals will begin reporting primary vs. incidental COVID-19 admissions on Monday, DPH says," by Sahar Fatima, Boston Globe: "In a major shift, Massachusetts hospitals will soon begin reporting how many patients are admitted primarily due to COVID-19 versus those admitted for other ailments and also test positive for the virus." – “‘It’s all hands on deck’: Hospitals scramble to staff the front lines as surge continues,” by Kay Lazar, Boston Globe: “Hospitals across Massachusetts are confronting an unprecedented number of workers sidelined by COVID-19 as the Omicron variant continues to surge, and many facilities are already at or near capacity with critically sick patients. The chief executive of UMass Memorial Health in Worcester donned protective gear Thursday and swabbed the noses of patients at a COVID-19 testing center, filling in for workers who were out.” – “How this COVID surge compares to last winter, and when it could peak in Massachusetts,” by Gabrielle Emanuel, WBUR: “There’s no shortage of ways to describe the dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts. The current wave is dwarfing last winter’s surge. ... Experts say the peak is projected to come before the end of January.” – “Even as Mass. reports record COVID-19 cases, wastewater data suggests uncounted infections are ‘more substantial than ever’,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “... spiking COVID-19 samples from the Boston area’s wastewater this week suggest that the true number of cases is far higher than the official count, which comes from positive tests that report to the Department of Public Health.” – “State policy on vaccinated foster kids without parents' consent concerns Central Mass. lawyers,” by Cyrus Moulton, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: “A state Department of Children and Families policy to vaccinate children in its care against COVID-19 has raised concern among local lawyers who questioned whether the decision to vaccinate should be made by the department rather than by parents or the court.” – “Riley To Make Mask Mandate Decision Next Week,” by Michael P. Norton, State House News Service (paywall): “... a decision about whether to extend the mask mandate in public schools will be announced next week, Education Commissioner Jeff Riley told local school officials.” – “Fenway Park, four other new high-capacity vaccine sites now open,” by Fernando Cervantes Jr., Boston.com. – “Worcester officials look for state, federal help as COVID testing lines create wait times of several hours,” by Michael Bonner, MassLive. | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “Boston Mayor Wu kicks off police commissioner search, announces committee,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “Boston Mayor Michelle Wu kicked off the search for a new police commissioner Thursday, unveiling a slate of diverse search committee members who will take the lead in finding candidates for the post.” – “Violent crime declined in the city in 2021, property crimes also reported down, Boston police say,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “Violent crime in Boston fell by 15 percent in 2021, and property crime dipped by 13 percent as the city’s sworn officers ‘continued to drive down’ those numbers while arresting fewer people, the Police Department said Thursday.” | | ROLLINS REPORT |
| – “US Attorney Designee Rollins discusses difficult confirmation process, what she plans to do in office,” by Amaka Ubaka, 7News: “In her new role as US Attorney, Rollins said she already knows what plans on tackling first. ‘I’d like it to be human trafficking and drug trafficking, which we’re seeing coming all the way up and down the pipe through New Hampshire and into Rhode Island, into Massachusetts,’ said Rollins.” – More: “Incoming US Attorney for Mass. Rachael Rollins on the Legal System, Race and More,” by Kwani A. Lunis, NBC10 Boston. – “Baker picks Kevin R. Hayden as Suffolk DA, with Rachael Rollins poised to become US attorney,” by Andrea Estes and Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “Governor Charlie Baker Thursday appointed Kevin Hayden to serve as Suffolk district attorney for the remainder of the term vacated by Rachael Rollins, who is set to be sworn in next week as US attorney for Massachusetts.” – “Rachael Rollins announces MBTA investigation on way out the door,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Rachael Rollins used her last full day before beginning to depart the DA’s office to get the ball rolling on two high-profile investigations: one of a cop depicted in Netflix’s ‘Trial 4’ and the other of whether the MBTA as an institution is at fault for the big Green Line crash last year.” | | ON THE STUMP |
| – “Jan. 6 Participant Featured At Diehl Event,” by Matt Murphy, State House News Service (paywall): “Republican gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl [had] a campaign event planned for Thursday night featuring a former Braintree teacher who was publicly pressured to resign after photos of him at the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol surfaced online.” – “Danielle Allen: Next Massachusetts governor needs to protect democracy, fight misinformation,” by Mike Deehan, GBH News: “Improving the state's civic health, Allen said, will help rectify many of the problems exposed or aggravated by the pandemic, including the climate crisis, racial inequity and injustice.” – “Candidates in Mass. governor’s race are running on climate,” by Dharna Noor, Boston Globe: “The Massachusetts gubernatorial election is just under a year away, but climate policy is already shaping up to be a key part of the race, with Democratic hopefuls issuing climate plans long before voters head to the polls.” | | DAY IN COURT |
| – “Massachusetts trial court officer recruits were repeatedly hit and strangled during training, investigation finds,” by Douglas Hook, MassLive: “The investigation into the Massachusetts Court Officer Training Academy on the grounds of Westover Air Force Base has found that recruits were repeatedly hit and strangled during training, the investigation findings given to the Massachusetts Trial Court on Dec. 17 states.” – “Boston Marathon Bomber’s Prison Funds Are Seized,” by Omar Abdel-Baqui, Wall Street Journal: “A U.S. District Court judge granted a request by federal prosecutors to claim the funds in an account held by convicted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Prosecutors filed a motion to collect monies Tsarnaev owes in criminal restitution from his inmate trust fund account.” – “Massachusetts courts have a hodgepodge of responses to rise in COVID cases,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: “Courts' hodgepodge responses range from pausing jury trials to shifting to remote operations. … None of the courts in Massachusetts require proof of vaccination to enter.” | | FROM THE DELEGATION |
| – “One year after Jan. 6, Mass. members of Congress say democracy still under attack,” by WBUR and Jack Mitchell: “Most of the lawmakers are calling for fresh voting rights protections in the face of state-level restrictions — and are trying to prevent Jan. 6 from being downplayed or swept aside.” – “Top House Democrat urges Senate to abolish filibuster to pass voting rights on Jan. 6 anniversary,” by Mychael Schnell, The Hill: “Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) penned an op-ed in Newsweek on Thursday, the first anniversary of the deadly riot, in which she said the upper chamber must nix the legislative hurdle because it has ‘been weaponized against voting rights’ in the past year.” | | FROM THE 413 |
| – “Mayor calls out antisemitism in Northampton’s public discourse,” by Brian Steele, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra on Thursday publicly condemned ‘a disturbing increase in the use of antisemitic language and images in Northampton public discourse during the COVID-19 pandemic’ and encouraged others to speak up against hate.” | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “Medical schools see record enrollment increase among Black students,” by Kirk Carapezza, GBH News: “Sabrina Lima said her mom, a nurse, inspired her to pursue a career as a doctor. … Lima, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, began classes at the Tufts Medical School in the fall. She is part of a small group of Black students pursuing careers as physicians, though that number is increasing as schools adopt new procedures to attract and reduce barriers for students of color.” SPOTTED — Northampton Police Officer Josh Wallace and his K-9 partner and adorable 3-year-old Goldendoodle Douglas at the U.S. Capitol providing "calming vibes" on the anniversary of Jan. 6. TRANSITIONS — Nicole Obi is the new president and CEO of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts. Former state assistant AG Jeffrey Collins has joined Morgan, Brown & Joy as counsel, and Shane R. Goodrich and Alexandra L. Pichette have been elevated to partner. Alice Bukhman is Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts’ first professional health care advocate. Matt Abramovitz has been hired as the new president of New England Public Media. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Yohannes Abraham and Jeff Gulko. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: NEW YEAR, SAME COVID — CommonWealth Magazine's Shira Schoenberg joins hosts Jennifer Smith, Steve Koczela and Lisa Kashinsky to talk Omicron in schools. The crew runs through MassINC's latest polling on Covid-19 and the governor's race. 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. | |
| | 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 | | | 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
|
| |
