POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Out of office, but still in the game

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY SPLIT SCREEN — Two developments over the weekend highlighted two very different political storylines for former Rep. Joe Kennedy III. The Federal Election Commission slapped Kennedy’s campaign committee with a $35,000 fine for improperly spending $1.5 million in donations intended for the general election during the final weeks of his failed Democratic primary challenge to Sen. Ed Markey. “We appreciate working with the FEC to reach an agreement. The fine has been paid, and we are grateful to close this unfortunate chapter,” Kennedy spokesperson Emily Kaufman told me. Details of the fine were reported Friday by Insider's Dave Levinthal. Commissioner Sean Cooksey argued the FEC should have dismissed the case because Kennedy's team self-reported the violation to the FEC last fall and Kennedy paid donors back with his own money. “[The Kennedy] Committee had already faced sufficient consequences,” Cooksey wrote in a “statement of reasons” last week. “I believe a discretionary dismissal would have encouraged other candidates to take similar steps to ameliorate their campaigns’ mistakes.” While the FEC fine adds insult to the injury that put a pin in Kennedy’s political career, another story that emerged over the weekend shows his enduring influence in Washington. Seeking a deal on President Joe Biden’s sweeping social policy bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi opened a backchannel to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) through none other than Kennedy, according to the New York Times, which noted he's a friend of Sinema. But Kennedy also remains close to Pelosi , who tapped him to deliver the response to then-President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech in 2018 and endorsed him against Markey in 2020 (though the latter move prompted significant backlash). Pelosi and Kennedy did a joint fundraiser in September for his Groundwork Project and the National Democratic Redistricting Committee at his family’s Cape Cod compound. GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Programming note: Massachusetts Playbook is taking a little Thanksgiving break later this week. I'll be back in your inbox on Monday, Nov. 29. TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and administration officials join the Retailers Association of Massachusetts to highlight local holiday shopping at 10 a.m. at Michelson’s Shoes in Needham. Markey and Boston Medical Center leaders host a press conference on extending the Child Tax Credit at 10:15 a.m. at BMC in Boston. Markey tours Cristo Rey High School at noon. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu signs an ordinance that would divest city funds from the fossil fuel industry at 11:30 a.m. at City Hall with Councilors Lydia Edwards and Matt O’Malley. Wu attends the North End Trellis Holiday Lighting at 5 p.m. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: lkashinsky@politico.com.   BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we’ve got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don’t miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now.     TODAY'S SPECIAL (ELECTION) – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito have endorsed fellow Republican Robert “Bob” Snow in his campaign for the vacant 4th Essex District state representative seat, per his campaign . “A Marine Corps veteran who put himself through college while working to provide for his family, Bob knows the value of hard work and service,” Baker said in a statement praising Snow's "commitment to fiscal responsibility, and dedication to his community.” Snow, a Rowley selectman, is running against Democrat Jamie Belsito of Topsfield in the Nov. 30 special election. DATELINE BEACON HILL – "Somerville and Boston want rent control, but Beacon Hill could get in the way," by Simón Rios, WBUR: "Progressive lawmakers from Boston and Somerville have filed several bills in recent years to overturn the statewide ban and give local leaders more options. But none have passed, and some lawmakers have reservations on the unintended consequences of capping rents. That includes state Sen. John Keenan, from Quincy, who co-chairs the Joint Housing Committee and said he owns 14 rental units in his district." – “Road-safety advocates push Massachusetts lawmakers to pass road safety bills as fatalities pile up,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Road safety advocates remembered the 2,500 lives lost in fatal roadway crashes since 2015 blanketing the State House steps yellow roses and asking lawmakers to act to on a slate of bills designed reduce the ‘human toll of traffic crashes.’” – “Cannabis oversight board to lobby legislators for greater industry equity,” by Jessica Bartlett, Boston Business Journal: “In a change from its past approach, the state's Cannabis Control Commission says it plans to take a more active role in lobbying the state Legislature for changes that will ensure greater equity across the industry.” – “Students didn’t return to public schools this year,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Newly released enrollment figures for the 2021-2022 school year show that enrollment remained flat this year, with 911,529 students attending public schools, an increase of just 65 students compared to last year. Attendance among the youngest students has rebounded, though it is still below 2019 levels. ... But that means there are fewer students in many of the older grades.” – “State mulls changes to veterans homes nearly 2 years after deadly COVID outbreak,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “On Friday, lawmakers held the second in an ongoing series of hearings on two identical bills proposing changes to the homes — including renaming the buildings, shifts in governance and other core issues that may affect the futures of the homes." – “Massachusetts economy nearly doubles monthly job gains,” by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: “The Massachusetts economy added 25,000 jobs in October, according to a preliminary estimate published Friday, its third-highest monthly total this year. … The state’s unemployment rate rose to 5.3% in October, from 5.2% the previous month. The national jobless rate is still lower than it is in Massachusetts, at 4.6%.” VAX-ACHUSETTS – “More than 100 Massachusetts prison guards suspended after refusing COVID vaccine over the past month,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “At least 150 unvaccinated Massachusetts Department of Correction employees have been suspended since Oct. 17, when Gov. Charlie Baker’s strict mandate took effect requiring more than 40,000 workers and contractors to be fully inoculated against COVID-19. … But some of those 150 employees, grappling with the loss of their livelihood and pension benefits, ultimately received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or the first dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, MassLive has learned.” – “As teacher COVID-19 rates rise, unions support in-person learning but push for stronger mitigation measures,” by Felicia Gans, Boston Globe: “Amid rising COVID-19 infections among school staff members in Massachusetts, local and statewide teachers union leaders said Friday they continue to support in-person learning, but urged state leaders to strengthen mitigation measures.” – “Hospitals are busier than ever — but not because of COVID,” by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: “Little of this surge is driven by COVID infections, even as cases rise across the state. Instead, patients are flooding hospitals with every kind of problem — heart attacks, strokes, drug overdoses, suicidal thoughts, broken bones, infections, and COVID. … As much as hospital leaders had strategized and prepared for the pandemic, they didn’t foresee this.” WU TRAIN – “Boston’s first gentleman is also a first,” by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: “Conor Pewarski was a 23-year-old aspiring film producer when he set that dream aside, packed up a U-Haul, and moved halfway across the country to help his girlfriend, Michelle Wu, through a family crisis. … Thirteen years and two children later, Pewarski is still by Wu’s side, her staunchest supporter. And since her inauguration last week as the mayor, he is now the first gentleman of Boston — a ceremonial title that he doesn’t think he needs but that greatly amuses his friends. While it’s unclear what exactly the role will entail for him, it already means leaving his job temporarily to focus on the family.” FROM THE HUB – “Boston is paying out at least $4.2M to end lawsuits this year; $18.4M since 2016,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Boston has to shell out more than $4 million in settlements and judgments to resolve at least 42 lawsuits against the city this year alone — and racked up a $14 million bill over the previous five years to close the books on cases that range from stiffing contractors to discrimination suits to an allegation of wrongful death.” – "After St. Guillen reverses course, Murphy to take City Council at-large seat a month early," by Gintautas Dumcius, Dorchester Reporter: "Alejandra St. Guillen has decided against stepping in to fill the City Council at-large seat left vacant by Mayor Michelle Wu. ... That means Dorchester’s Erin Murphy, who came in behind St. Guillen in 2019, is now able to take the job. Murphy ran at-large for a second time this year, and won one of the four at-large slots, so she takes office in January anyway. St. Guillen’s decision frees Murphy up to start the job early." – “Boston’s Sean O’Brien is new Teamsters national boss,” by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: “The head of a Boston local of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has been elected the union’s president, making him one of the most influential labor leaders in the nation.” – "The special court session created to help address Boston's tent encampment has ended," by Deborah Becker, WBUR: "Less than three weeks after it started, a controversial court session inside the Suffolk County jail has stopped operating. The Trial Court has rescinded the order creating the court effective as of Friday [citing low case volume]." THE OPINION PAGES – “An epic failure on Beacon Hill,” by the Boston Globe Editorial Board: “When Massachusetts lawmakers wrested control over a $5 billion pot of federal money from the governor last summer, they also accepted the responsibility for getting that money out of state coffers and into programs, projects, and communities where it was intended to do good — and to do so reasonably quickly. … they failed to live up to that responsibility.” – “Ayanna Pressley is trying to build a very big Squad,” by Perry Bacon Jr., Washington Post: “Ayanna Pressley has successfully pushed politics in Boston and Massachusetts in her direction ... Now, the big question is how much the second-term Democratic congresswoman and the broader movement of multiracial progressivism can push the national Democratic Party and America toward their goals." FEELING '22 – “Geoff Diehl takes a page from Glenn Youngkin’s playbook on education,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “GOP governor hopeful Geoff Diehl announced an initiative this week that may have given some deja vu: ‘Parents for Diehl,’ a move seemingly straight out of Virginia Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin’s playbook.” FROM THE DELEGATION – “US Rep Richard Neal hails passage of Build Back Better Act after a ‘pretty remarkable week’ in Washington,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “Fresh from a long night of managing debate and securing passage of the $2 trillion Build Back Better Act, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal explained Friday afternoon the impact of what he called once-in-a-lifetime legislation.” – WATCH: Rep. Lori Trahan on WBZ’s “Keller at Large” talking about when Massachusetts will get its federal infrastructure money. MAPMAKER, MAPMAKER – NOT MINCING WORDS: Secretary of State Bill Galvin slammed the new state House and Senate maps as “incumbent protection” plans that “cannibalized” surrounding communities in certain districts and “shattered precincts” in others during his Sunday interview on WCVB’s “On the Record.” He pointed to Cambridge, where one precinct would have three state representatives, two state senators and two members of Congress. “This does not treat the voters in many communities fairly,” Galvin said, adding that managing precinct splits are no cakewalk for elections administrators either. Galvin had less to say about the hotly debated congressional redistricting map. It's “reasonable people could disagree” with separating Fall River and New Bedford, he said, but the redrawn map, currently on the governor’s desk, is “certainly defensible.” He was mum on whether he’ll seek another term in 2022 . “I’ve been pretty candid that I enjoy what I do,” Galvin said, leading co-host Janet Wu to say it sounds like he’s running. “You might think that,” Galvin replied. “But I couldn’t possibly say it.” IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN – “3 a.m. negotiations and an affogato: Inside John Kerry’s deal making at the Glasgow climate conference,” by Jess Bidgood, Boston Globe: “GLASGOW — John Kerry was in a passenger van, hurtling under bridges and past the clock towers of this gloomy Scottish city, waiting for Washington to wake up. The night before, President Biden’s top international climate envoy had been up until 3 a.m. negotiating with Chinese diplomats in a hotel conference room, parsing technical words and grinding down the differences between two countries that are almost always at odds.” – “Rhode Island makes it trifecta on TCI,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont dropped out on Tuesday, Gov. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts called it quits on Thursday, and now Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee is pulling his state out of the transportation climate initiative. ... McKee said in a statement [that] ‘Recent events in Connecticut and Massachusetts, however, have made clear that at least for the time being, Rhode Island must explore other options in clean transportation.’” – “Construction temporarily halted on $1B transmission line,” by David Sharp, Associated Press: “The developer of a $1 billion electric transmission line is suspending construction at the request of Maine’s governor after she certified election results Friday in which residents firmly opposed the project. … Funded by Massachusetts ratepayers, the project would supply up to 1,200 megawatts of Canadian hydropower to the New England power grid.” HEALEY WATCH – “AG gets fed money to target fentanyl trafficking,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: “Attorney General Maura Healey’s office said it has received a $3.8 million federal grant for the New England Fentanyl Strike Force to expand efforts to combat the opioid crisis and dismantle drug trafficking networks throughout the region.” FROM THE 413 – “Small town police departments prep for financial burden of reform bill,” by Chris Larabee and Bera Dunau, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “The state’s police reform bill that was signed into law last year and went into effect in July could have long-lasting consequences on the finances and staffing of small-town police departments, according to local chiefs.” – “Disabled Vietnam veteran Eugene Brice finds service to country doesn’t shield him from racism,” by Ron Chimelis, Springfield Republican: “Eugene L. Brice survived the Vietnam War, the 1968 Tet Offensive and 29 years in the U.S. Army, but he is struggling to emotionally survive a recent trip to the grocery store." – “Northampton, Amherst restaurants press state for continued outdoor dining as COVID rules set to expire,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican. – “Where did all the Berkshire County workers go?” by Lawrence Parnass, Berkshire Eagle. THE LOCAL ANGLE – "County commissioners, Assembly spar over ARPA spending process, court action possible," by Jeannette Hinkle, Cape Cod Times: "Last week, two law firms gave each of Barnstable County's two branches of government completely different opinions on the process the county should follow to distribute more than $41 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding." – “Carlo DeMaria of Everett is Massachusetts’ highest-paid mayor, but he faces blowback over his $40,000 ‘longevity bonus’,” by Andrea Estes and Jeremiah Manion, Boston Globe: “The mayor of Everett, a city with fewer than 50,000 residents, has become the highest-paid city leader in Massachusetts thanks to a controversial ‘longevity bonus’ that one political rival denounced as 'asinine' and the city clerk reported to the FBI as possibly illegal. Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria was paid $236,647 in 2020, which is more even than then-Mayor Martin J. Walsh earned for overseeing Boston, a city 15 times larger." – “From coronavirus to civil unrest: The Massachusetts National Guard has done it all,” by Alexi Cohan, Boston Herald: “Lt. Col. Bryan Pillai, a military police officer, in one moment found himself commanding security at coronavirus treatment facilities such as the Boston Hope Medical Center, and in another walking through downtown Boston in May 2020 to handle civil unrest where the destruction was ‘unfathomable.’” – “Here's how much Mayor Paul Coogan spent in his bid for the city's top job,” by Jo C. Goode, Herald News: “Buoyed by an infusion of funds from a super PAC, Mayor Paul Coogan's campaign spent more then $103,000 in the mayoral election. It was nearly twice as much as Cliff Ponte's campaign spent on his bid for the mayor's seat.” – “Kyle Rittenhouse Verdict: MA Politicians Say Justice Failed,” by Mike Carraggi, Patch. – “‘We’ve had the Kardashians visit’: Nantucket unfazed ahead of President Biden’s vacation on the island,” by Hanna Krueger, Boston Globe. MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE – TESTING THE WATERS: Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and former Vice President Mike Pence are both due back in the Granite State next month to appear at major fundraisers for their respective parties, per WMUR, as potential 2024 presidential hopefuls keep up appearances in the early states. – “Washington 'is screwed up,' New Hampshire governor laments,” by Catherine Kim, POLITICO. MEDIA MATTERS – “Boston Globe union ratifies contract after nearly 3-year battle,” by Don Seiffert, Boston Business Journal: “The Boston Newspaper Guild, which has more than 300 members, announced Friday evening that a majority of members voted to support the new contract, which covers staffers at The Boston Globe, Boston.com, and STAT News." TRANSITIONS – David Todisco joins state Auditor Suzanne Bump’s office as deputy communications director. Jon Latino joins the Boston Public Health Commission as media relations manager; Latino was previously communications officer for Reproductive Equity Now. SPOTTED – Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh prepping Thanksgiving baskets at Shirley’s Pantry on Saturday ( Wu’s tweet). Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.   STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.       Follow us on Twitter Lisa Kashinsky @lisakashinsky   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Polling the governor’s race, one year out

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY JUMP BALL — Gov. Charlie Baker leads state Attorney General Maura Healey by a small margin in a hypothetical 2022 governor’s race match-up, according to a new University of Massachusetts Amherst/WCVB poll. Baker edges Healey 33 percent to 27 percent among the 750 respondents surveyed between Nov. 9 and 16. The poll’s margin of error is +/- 4.3 percent. Nearly a third of voters are undecided, giving Healey an opening in what would be an uphill battle against a two-term Republican governor who continues to poll better with Democrats than his own party. Republicans gave Baker a 41 percent approval rating in the survey, independents gave him 48 percent and Democrats gave him 65 percent. Many in Democratic circles believe Healey has the best shot against Baker if he runs in 2022 (she did beat him in a basketball game back in 2014). This poll supports that theory. Baker leads state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz 35-16; former state Sen. Ben Downing 35-11; and Harvard professor Danielle Allen 33-12. But if Baker steps aside, Healey leads Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito 32-18 in that hypothetical matchup. WILL SHE OR WON’T SHE — The pollsters say their results show Healey is "wise to take a wait and see approach." But some Democratic donors and activists are growing impatient. Some are eager for Healey to get in the fight against Baker. Others say her indecision is hurting the Democrats already in the race, who are having trouble securing commitments from some endorsers and donors who are, in turn, waiting on the AG’s decision and fearing she’s waiting on the governor. "It's hard [to build a campaign] if you have these two big gorillas sitting in the middle of the road staring each other down," a Democratic donor already aligned with a candidate told me. Healey’s fence-sitting also freezes the 2022 attorney general race. Former Democratic lieutenant governor nominee Quentin Palfrey and labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan have expressed interest — if Healey’s out. Other potential statewide candidates are also watching for an opening. Healey’s making calls to electeds and activists, keeping up public appearances, grabbing headlines and sitting on nearly $3.3 million. But her fundraising doesn’t appear to be ramping up. And one of her more prominent former aides, Mike Firestone, just joined Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration. Steve Grossman, the former state treasurer and DNC chair, told me he understands "why people like to have closure and certainty." But he said Healey, a well-connected two-term incumbent, "is in a position to make her own timetable." She can’t wait too much longer. The Democratic caucuses, where candidates lock up delegates for the party’s convention, start in early February. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Today's Playbook is brought to you by the Patriots shutting out the Falcons. TODAY — Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark presides over the House's Build Back Better Act debate starting at 8 a.m. THIS WEEKEND — Rep. Lori Trahan talks infrastructure funding and other Congress goings-on at 8:30 a.m. Sunday on WBZ’s “Keller at Large.” Secretary of State Bill Galvin is this week’s guest on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. LG candidate state Rep. Tami Gouveia hosts a virtual conversation with former Texas congressional hopeful Julie Oliver at 7 p.m. Sunday. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: lkashinsky@politico.com.   BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we’ve got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don’t miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now.     THE LATEST NUMBERS – “Massachusetts coronavirus cases surge 3,196, hospitalizations continue rising,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald. – “Significant increase in Massachusetts school COVID cases, with 3,257 students and 558 staffers positive in past week,” by Melissa Hanson, MassLive. – “Town-by-town COVID-19 data in Massachusetts,” by Ryan Huddle and Peter Bailey-Wells, Boston Globe. DATELINE BEACON HILL – "Baker criticizes lawmakers for failing to pass pandemic stimulus bill: ‘I can’t tell you how frustrated I am,'" by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “‘The Legislature made a commitment to get it done before they went home for the holiday season and I can’t tell you how frustrated I am,’ [Gov. Charlie] Baker told reporters. ‘Not just for me but for all the mayors and small businesses and folks who are looking for an opportunity to do something other than what they were doing before, and getting the skills that would be required to do that.’ Aides to Senator Michael J. Rodrigues and Representative Aaron Michlewitz — the lead negotiators on the bill for their respective chambers — either declined to address Baker’s remarks or did not respond to requests for comment.” – IT'S NOT JUST BAKER: Lawmakers took heat from all sides after failing to reach a deal on the nearly $4 billion American Rescue Plan Act and surplus-fund spending bill before formal sessions ended for the year. GOP gubernatorial hopeful Geoff Diehl, a former state representative, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ben Downing , a former state senator, both joined Baker in lambasting the Legislature’s inaction. Diehl called for lawmakers to suspend an internal rule and extend formal sessions for a month. – “RIP TCI: Massachusetts ditching regional effort to curb emissions amid crumbling support,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Amid evaporating support from neighboring states and a windfall of federal funds for climate initiatives, Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration is throwing in the towel on its regional plan to cut down greenhouse gas emissions, known as the Transportation and Climate Initiative. In a statement Thursday afternoon, Baker press secretary Terry MacCormack noted that the administration had always said Massachusetts would only move forward with TCI if multiple states were also committed. ‘As that does not exist, the transportation climate initiative is no longer the best solution for the Commonwealth’s transportation and environmental needs,’ MacCormack said.” – “Two years after Massachusetts approved menthol ban, some lawmakers seek reversal,” by Madeleine Pearce, BU Statehouse Program/Berkshire Eagle: “State Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Sutton, and state Rep. Alan Silvia, D-Fall River, have filed legislation to reallow the sale of menthol cigarettes, leaving e-cigarettes or vaping products banned. State Sen. Patrick O’Connor, R-Weymouth, and state Reps. Daniel Cahill, D-Lynn, and Daniel Ryan, D-Boston, filed a separate proposal to allow sales of any tobacco product that the Food and Drug Administration designates as ‘modified risk,’ a label for products expected to ‘reduce harm or the risk of tobacco-related disease,’ according to the FDA.” VAX-ACHUSETTS – "Mass. residents 18 and older now eligible to receive COVID-19 booster six months after getting their last vaccine," by Travis Andersen, Martin Finucane and Ryan Huddle, Boston Globe: "All Massachusetts residents 18 and older are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot if they are six months removed from their second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two months from the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, state officials said Thursday. With COVID-19 cases on the rise in Massachusetts and across New England, officials said residents can receive booster shots from more than 1,000 locations statewide. Governor Charlie Baker said pharmacies have indicated they can handle the anticipated surge in demand for the additional vaccine dose." – “Mass. State Trooper Who Refused COVID Vaccine Hands in Her Badge,” by Abbey Niezgoda, NBC10 Boston: “Samantha Cila's beliefs about the COVID-19 vaccine cost the 29-year-old her dream job of being a state trooper. She was relieved of her duties Thursday after she refused to get the shot, defying the state's mandate. Cila's mother, Cheryl, told NBC10 Boston that her daughter would not get the vaccine because of religious reasons. She applied for an exemption, but it was denied.” WHAT CITY HALL IS READING – "Wu taps Segun Idowu as Boston’s chief of economic development," by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: "Mayor Michelle Wu has appointed Segun Idowu, president of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, to be her chief of economic development, officials said Thursday night, as Wu continued building out her cabinet. ... Idowu made the announcement at the council’s annual meeting, saying he was stepping down from the council Dec. 31 and taking the post Jan. 3, according to video of the event posted on Twitter." – “Mass and Cass-area businesses, residents worry over Wu ‘pausing’ of tent enforcement,” by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Call it Schrodinger’s cat’s pause. Mayor Michelle Wu isn’t saying whether or not the ‘pausing’ of tent-removal efforts on Mass and Cass is alive or dead, spurring fear among locals that any progress made over the past few weeks is going to slip right away. … [Wu] said she’s working with her top advisers ‘to figure out the most urgent steps that the city can take,’ though she added that ‘it is not safe for people to be in tents on the street.’” – “Dorchester bus riders celebrate expanded fare-free service, but Wu’s proposal still awaits a vote,” by Taylor Dolven, Boston Globe: “Bus riders awaiting the 23 at the Ashmont MBTA station in Dorchester on Thursday morning were thrilled that the bus will likely soon be free for them, part of an early effort to fulfill a campaign promise by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who was sworn in this week.” – “Boston Public Schools’ enrollment drops below 50,000 students for the first time,” by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: “Enrollment in the Boston Public Schools this year dropped below 50,000 students for the first time, a worrisome marker that continues a lengthy period of declining enrollment for the state’s largest school district, according to a Globe analysis of state data released Thursday. Overall, 48,654 students are attending 122 schools in the district, a decrease of more than 2,000 students from the last school year…” TODAY'S SPECIAL (ELECTION) – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Rep. Ayanna Pressley has endorsed Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards in her state Senate bid. “Our communities are facing overlapping crises of public health, economic inequality and racial injustice. At the heart of each of these issues is housing, and Lydia has been a champion for housing justice throughout her career,” Pressley said in a statement. – Edwards also won Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s endorsement. It’s Wu’s first political move since taking office on Tuesday, a significance not lost on the former City Council colleagues. It's "the validation that a lot of people need to see because she’s the first woman [elected] to lead this city and to be her first endorsement, to move your political will, might, in my direction is — I’m speechless,” Edwards, who endorsed Wu in her mayoral bid, said. – More from the Boston Herald’s Sean Philip Cotter: “Asked whether the residents of Boston — who just elected her mayor by a sizable margin — should worry that Wu is spending the better part of an hour out politicking just two days into taking office, the newly minted mayor insisted that she was in fact doing her job.” – FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo has endorsed School Committee member Anthony D’Ambrosio in the state Senate race against Edwards. “Anthony D’Ambrosio has a unique blend of experience and ideas that will benefit each and every resident of this district,” Arrigo said in a statement. BALLOT BATTLES – FIRST LOOK: The UMass Amherst/WCVB poll also offers an early look at the sentiments surrounding some of the proposed 2022 ballot questions: – On requiring voter identification at polls: 55 percent would vote yes, 34 percent would vote no, 11 percent are undecided. – On classifying app-based drivers as independent contractors: 44 percent would vote yes, 21 percent would vote no, 35 percent are undecided. – On ending the state’s ban on “happy hour” promotions: 46 percent would vote yes, 25 percent would vote no, 29 percent are undecided. FEELING '22 – "Gov. Baker's approval rating rises slightly alongside economic optimism, UMass Amherst/WCVB poll finds," by WCVB: "Fifty-six percent of those polled by UMass Amherst and WCVB said they approve of the job Baker is doing. That's up from 52% in March, but the increase is within the poll's 4.3% margin of error. Baker's approval rating in August 2020 was 78%." – “Shrewsbury Republican to challenge McGovern,” by Brian Steele, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “A Republican candidate seeking to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern in 2022 has promised to serve just six years, and he is positioning himself as a moderate alternative to right-wing members of Congress who would prefer to gut social service programs and crack down on legal immigration. Jeffrey Sossa-Paquette pledged that, if elected, he would serve only three terms, then give up the seat. The goal, he said, is to avoid becoming a ‘career politician’ while making room for a new generation of leaders.” HEALEY WATCH – “Healey co-leading investigation into the impact of Instagram on young people,” by Anissa Gardizy, Boston Globe: “Attorney General Maura Healey said Thursday that she is co-leading a nationwide investigation into Meta, the parent company of Instagram, for promoting the photo-sharing app to children and young adults while knowing it caused harm to their physical and mental health.” – “AG Healey submits blistering report on Mass General Brigham expansion,” by Jessica Bartlett, Boston Business Journal: “Attorney General Maura Healey released an extraordinary report late Wednesday saying that a planned expansion at Mass General Brigham will ultimately increase health care spending statewide, contrary to the claims of the state's largest health care system.” WARREN REPORT – “Warren calls for investigation into planned Trump SPAC deal,” by Mychael Schnell, The Hill: “Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Wednesday called on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to open an investigation into the planned deal between former President Trump’s new media and technology company and a Special Purpose Acquisition Company, or SPAC.” – “Elizabeth Warren is touting how Senate Democrats would make big corporations like Amazon pay under their tax plans,” by Juliana Kaplan, Insider. DAY IN COURT – “High court sides with DOC on prison COVID rules,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “The Supreme Judicial Court ruled Thursday that the Department of Correction has not been ‘deliberately indifferent’ to inmates’ health during the COVID pandemic, because it took precautions and, most significantly, offered COVID vaccines to all inmates. Attorneys for prisoners had argued that the department should have done more to release prisoners because of the health risks posed by COVID-19.” IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN – “A ‘momentous day’ for Vineyard Wind,” by George Brennan, MV Times: “Against the backdrop of Nantucket Sound and a steady wind that would surely keep a field of turbines spinning, political leaders and representatives of Vineyard Wind gathered at Covell’s Beach in Centerville to celebrate the nation’s first commercial-scale offshore wind project. Federal and state leaders broke ground at the site in Barnstable, which is where Vineyard 1’s export cables will make landfall. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland was joined inside a large tent by Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, House Speaker Ron Mariano, state Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro, and state Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides.” MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS – “Western Massachusetts’ 1st minority-owned dispensary opens in Northampton, a bittersweet event after losing its visionary to cancer in May,” by Will Katcher, MassLive: “Western Massachusetts’ first dispensary licensed by the state under a special program boosting minority-owned businesses officially opened its Northampton doors in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday morning." – “Little Steven gives Holyoke dispensary an exclusive on his pre-rolls,” by Brian Steele, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “HOLYOKE — Legendary rock musician Steven Van Zandt, an advocate for full marijuana legalization, toured the Canna Provisions dispensary on Thursday to promote his new line of cannabis pre-rolls, grown by a western Massachusetts cultivator who was once busted by federal agents.” THE LOCAL ANGLE – “Most teachers are women. But male educators take a ‘glass elevator’ to leadership positions,” by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: “Ever notice that school systems are typically led by male superintendents while the teaching staff predominantly consists of women? A new report confirms that disparity, finding that women represent 76 percent of teachers in Massachusetts’ largest public schools but only 39 percent of the superintendents.” – “CVS to close 900 stores over three years,” by Alexa Gagosz, Boston Globe: “The closures are set to begin in spring 2022, but the company did not say which stores in which state would be affected. … Approximately 8,600 people are employed by CVS in Rhode Island and 12,800 in Massachusetts.” – "Federal prosecutors fire back at Jasiel Correia II's request to stay home for the holidays," by Jo C. Goode, Herald News: "A day after attorneys for former mayor Jasiel Correia II filed a motion asking a federal judge to keep him out of prison until after Christmas, federal prosecutors fired back on Thursday with their own motion opposing the request." TRANSITIONS – Progressive Mass has a new staff team starting Nov. 29 with Jonathan Cohn as policy director and Nazia Ashraful and Melanie O’Malley as co-directors of outreach and operations. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to WaPo’s Matt Viser, Sean Rourke and Evan Falchuk. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND – to Rep. Jim McGovern, state Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis, BECMA's Samuel M. Gebru; Rebecca Hart Holder, executive director of Reproductive Equity Now; Matt Barron, Erika Scibelli and Valerie Frias, who celebrate Saturday; and to state Rep. David Muradian, Matt Martinelli, Michael Lipson and Timothy Cronin, who celebrate Sunday. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: AN EXPENSIVE DEBATE OVER GIG WORKERS' RIGHTS — Host Jennifer Smith brings you both sides of the debate over the proposed 2022 ballot question to classify app-based drivers as independent contractors with Conor Yunits of the Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work and labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan, who's supporting the Coalition to Protect Workers’ Rights. 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 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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