| | |  | BY LISA KASHINSKY | BANK ON IT — The Massachusetts congressional delegation raked in more than $3 million from April to June and have well more than $13 million in their campaign coffers, according to their Federal Election Commission filings. As far as spending goes, Zoom charges are still there but bills for catering and “event refreshments” are on the rise as in-person politicking returns after months stuck online. Here’s more from the pols’ second-quarter bank reports: THE TOP LINES — Sen. Elizabeth Warren once again raised the most out of the state’s all-Democratic delegation, hauling in $776,359. Rep. Jake Auchincloss wasn’t far behind with $702,715. Rep. Richard Neal, the House Ways and Means chair, again banked the most money with over $2.6 million. In all, seven of the 11 delegation members have more than $1 million stashed away, and Rep. Lori Trahan is closing in on that threshold with $949,672. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN — Rep. Stephen Lynch again collected the least money in the delegation, just $62,346. But that’s actually more than he raised in the second quarter of 2020. And he’s got $1.1 million in his coffers. Rep. Jim McGovern, who chairs the House Rules Committee, has the least cash on hand with $359,807. GOP challengers have already emerged in McGovern’s 2nd Congressional District — including Jeffrey Sossa-Paquette, who was the target of anti-gay remarks by a GOP state committeewoman earlier this year that sent long-simmering tensions within the state Republican Party spilling into public view. Sossa-Paquette raised $25,170 — $20,000 from a candidate loan — and has just $33,240 in his bank account. THE FINE PRINT — At first glance, Jesse Brown, one of two GOP candidates challenging Bill Keating in the 9th Congressional District, looked like he crushed the Democratic incumbent in second-quarter fundraising. His campaign sent out a press release saying he’d “brought in nearly $300,000” in the opening weeks of his bid. Then his FEC report dropped, showing the majority of that haul was actually $250,000 Brown loaned his campaign. Brown raised $41,111 beyond his loan, his report shows, about half of Keating’s $80,045. Brown has $208,129 banked, while Keating has more than $1.5 million. A quarterly finance report for Mark Littles, a Marshfield Republican also running against Keating, was not available. ABOUT AUCHINCLOSS — Playbook previously reported that Auchincloss would show more than $700,000 in receipts this past quarter. He brought in $610,514 in contributions, as well as $92,202 through Democratic Leadership 2022, his joint fundraising account with Reps. Juan Vargas (Calif.), Ritchie Torres (N.Y.) and Grace Meng (N.Y.) and Ohio congressional candidate Shontel Brown. Auchincloss also ended the quarter with nearly $1.5 million in cash on hand as he looks to fend off potential primary challengers in 2022 amid rumors that at least one of his former 4th Congressional District rivals might run against him again. Progressives often hit Auchincloss for taking money from Big Pharma and are gearing up to make it an issue in his reelection campaign. But Big Sugar also helped sweeten his bank account this past quarter, with six sugar-related political action committees donating a combined $12,000 to the first-term congressman. SPEAKING OF PACS — Reps. Katherine Clark and Seth Moulton are among those also raising money through their leadership PACs, Clark’s Fair Shot and Moulton’s Serve America. Those vehicles enable them to raise and spend cash outside their official campaigns, and build goodwill through donations to colleagues’ campaigns. Clark, the assistant House speaker who’s possibly on track to becoming speaker, has been a particularly key player in recruiting Democratic candidates and helping them win. GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF! TODAY — State Sen. Eric Lesser and State Rep. Antonio Cabral embark on the next leg of their Gateway Cities caucus tour with stops at the UMass Lowell Innovation hub at 10 a.m., a working lunch in Methuen at noon and Lawrence General Hospital at 2 p.m., with area state legislators. State Reps. Dylan Fernandes and Marjorie Decker, and state Sen. Julian Cyr host a briefing on safe consumption site bills at 1 p.m. State Sen. Adam Hinds presents nearly $700,000 in funding for western Massachusetts summer camps at 3 p.m. at the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA. Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey attends the 2021 Mayor’s Cup Softball Tournament at 5:30 p.m. in Roxbury. Neal talks infrastructure and more on Bloomberg Baystate Business at 5:35 p.m. Markey, Warren, Keating, Auchincloss, National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy, state Senate President Karen Spilka, state Rep. Jeffrey Roy, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, Massachusetts EEA Secretary Kathleen Theoharides and other labor and local officials attend the ceremonial signing of the Project Labor Agreement for the construction of the nation's first industrial-scale offshore wind project hosted by Vineyard Wind and the Southeastern Massachusetts Building Trades Council at 11 a.m. at the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal. THIS WEEKEND — Gubernatorial candidate and state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz is this week’s guest on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. Boston mayoral candidate and City Councilor Michelle Wu opens a campaign office at 3353 Washington St. in Jamaica Plain at 3 p.m. Sunday. Boston mayoral candidate and City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George hosts at-large council candidates Carla Monteiro, Ruthzee Louijeune and James Colimon for meet-and-greets at her Dorchester home on Sunday beginning 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. | |
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| – “Massachusetts reports 236 new coronavirus cases, the most daily cases since early June as infections rise again,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “The 236 case count was the highest single-day infection tally since early June. … The state Department of Public Health on Thursday also reported four more COVID deaths...” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Voters approved a tax deduction on charitable donations in 2000. The Legislature just voted to delay it again,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “In 2000, Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly approved a small but notable piece of tax relief: a state deduction on charitable donations, something the vast majority of states already offered. But more than two decades later, taxpayers have been allowed to take advantage of the deduction only once, because lawmakers suspended the measure in 2002, citing a budget crunch. Under a complex formula, it was supposed to return this year, but the Legislature and Governor Charlie Baker have delayed it again, this time citing the fiscal uncertainty wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.” – “Charlie Baker: U.S. has done ‘a bad job’ on affordable housing,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “Gov. Charlie Baker raised his voice in passion over the importance of affordable housing Thursday at a Lawrence event to announce $139 million in awards for those projects across the state. … ‘We have simply done a bad job as a country at making those same sorts of opportunities available in many cases to the communities and the people of color,’ he said.” – “State Sen. Ryan Fattman rallies police one year after 'disastrous' reform bill hit state Senate,” by Kim Ring, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: “Law enforcement officers from around Central Massachusetts on Wednesday attended a rally sponsored by state Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Sutton, to mark the one-year anniversary of his successful efforts to stall the state's police reform bill. The bill was eventually signed by Gov. Charlie Baker Dec. 31, 2020. Fattman, during the rally at Calabria Restaurant, called the bill ‘disastrous’ and said it needs to be ‘worked on and changed.’" – “The First Step For Mass. Commission On Parole And Racism? Figuring Out The Right Questions To Ask,” by Craig LeMoult, GBH News: “In its second virtual meeting, the commission Thursday heard from a Columbia University expert on parole reform, who raised a number of specific questions about the state's record on race and parole that could define much of the new panel's work going forward.” – “Firefighters seek limits on PFAS exposure,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: “A proposal heard by the Legislature's Judiciary Committee on Wednesday would force makers of protective equipment worn by firefighters to disclose whether they use fluorinated compounds known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which have been linked to high cholesterol, liver damage and heightened cancer risk.” – “Karyn Polito meets with Lowell small business owners to discuss American Rescue Plan recovery,” by Stefan Geller, Lowell Sun: “Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito sat down with a half-dozen Lowell business owners on Wednesday morning to open a discussion about the best ways the state can use $450 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to jumpstart economic recovery across Massachusetts. The event marked her first stop on a statewide tour of small businesses and downtown areas..." – "House, Senate Send Baker $350 Mil Transportation Bill," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service (paywall): "The Legislature passed an infrastructure bill on Thursday that had been under negotiation for several weeks, padding the traditional $200 million in annual financing for local road and bridge repairs with $150 million spread across six grant programs to pay for bus lanes, electric vehicles and other municipal transportation projects."
| | VAX-ACHUSETTS |
| – “With delta COVID variant spreading, UMass Memorial Medical Center starts giving monoclonal antibody treatments,” by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: “A treatment therapy now offered by UMass Memorial, however, will help prevent people from needing to be hospitalized because of the virus. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, UMass Memorial this week started giving monoclonal antibody treatment, or mAb treatment, to COVID patients.” | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “From cheers to jeers, how Boston is reacting to the adopted exam school admission policy changes,” by James Vaznis, Danny McDonald and Bianca Vázquez Toness, Boston Globe: “Jubilation swept through many parts of Boston on Thursday, a day after the School Committee approved a historic overhaul of the admission process to the city’s exam schools that aims to increase the diversity of accepted applicants.” – “Boston mayoral candidates support new exam school admissions policy,” by Alexi Cohan and Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: “Most Boston mayoral candidates said they support the city’s new exam school admissions policy that uses socioeconomic tiers to rank students, with the exception of Annissa Essaibi-George who called the decision ‘hasty.’” | | THE RACE FOR CITY HALL |
| – “In a mayoral election dominated by women, some Black men turn to John Barros,” by Meghan E. Irons, Boston Globe: “Barros, the city’s former chief of economic development and a community leader himself, launched the ‘Black and Brown Men’s Roundtable’ recently to put the focus on an often neglected group in the city — a group he and others believe isn’t getting enough attention in the pitched mayoral race." – “Most mayoral candidates pan the Seaport,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: “At an in-person forum on development sponsored by the Responsible Development Coalition ... the five candidates were asked how they felt about the look and feel of the Seaport. Candidates are typically loathe to criticize a neighborhood full of potential voters, particularly in front of a union whose members probably helped build a large chunk of the community. But the candidates didn’t hold back. Their reactions varied, ranging from outright horror to more measured disappointment about the Seaport’s lack of diversity.” – “At Boston Development Forum, Seaport Question Yields Notable Moment For Campbell,” by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: “‘If we in the city of Boston can create a whole new neighborhood like the Seaport, why can't we do the same on the Blue Hill Ave corridor? Why can't we do the same on Washington Street, Codman Square?’ [City Councilor Andrea Campbell] said to growing applause. … After the event, coalition chair Joseph Byrne of the carpenters' union, one of the supporters of the Seaport development, said while the neighborhood may lack diversity, it gave union members jobs during an economic downturn.” | | FEELING '22 |
| – “Maura Healey to make decision on run for governor ‘by the fall’ as Charlie Baker fundraising heats up,” by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Maura Healey said she’ll make a decision ‘by the fall’ on whether to pursue a run for governor, hinting at a ballot-box showdown with Gov. Charlie Baker — who has booked a hot fundraiser down the Cape next month. The invite list for Baker’s Aug. 20 soiree at public relations executive George Regan’s Mashpee estate for Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito reads like a who’s who list of Massachusetts politics … former Attorney General Francis Bellotti, Mintz chairman attorney Bob Popeo, former Boston Police Commissioner William Gross and car entrepreneur Herb Chambers, among others, who are co-hosting the affair. Former top cop Bill Bratton, developer Jay Cashman, Legal Seafood’s Roger Berkowitz and scores more — many Democrats — are also on the list.” | | DAY IN COURT |
| – “Berkshire district attorney aims to open ‘black box’ of plea negotiations,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Nationally, around 90 to 95 percent of cases are resolved through a guilty plea, where the prosecutor and defendant reach a negotiated agreement. While plea deals must be approved by a judge, the agreement is negotiated behind closed doors. ... Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington is one of two district attorneys nationwide to participate in a study that aims to open up the ‘black box’ of plea bargaining.” | | DATELINE D.C. |
| – SCOOP from my POLITICO colleague Daniel Lippman: Phil Giudice, a top deputy of national climate adviser Gina McCarthy and a special assistant to President Joe Biden for climate policy, has left the White House after less than half a year because he didn’t want to move to Washington from the Boston area after starting his job remotely. | | MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
| – “Marijuana at your doorstep: Your Green Package teams up with NETA to deliver recreational marijuana,” by Brian Steele, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “One of the first recreational marijuana delivery services in Massachusetts, Your Green Package, is partnered with the Northampton marijuana dispensary New England Treatment Access, and their two-person driver teams hit the road for the first time this week. Your Green Package president Christopher Fevry, 27, of Quincy, and chief of staff Lourdharry Pauyo, 27, of Brockton, are engaged to be married. The company is majority-owned by minorities and women.” | | THE LOCAL ELECTIONS ROUNDUP |
| – “Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan officially launches re-election campaign,” by Erica Ponte, WPRI: “Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan has officially launched his re-election campaign. At a kickoff event at Scottie's Pub on Wednesday night, Coogan touted his administration's accomplishments and the relationships he's forged with government officials during his tenure. ‘Fall River right now is in a very good place financially, solid as a rock, we are going to take this ARPA money and build a place people want to call home,’ he said.” – “Joshua Vallieres drops out of North Adams mayoral race,” by Greta Jochem, Berkshire Eagle: “Joshua Vallieres is leaving one political race and joining another. The 21-year-old Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts student has announced that he is dropping out of the mayoral race, and instead is seeking a seat on the School Committee and endorsing Lynette Bond for mayor.” | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “A.G. Healey: 'First-Of-Its-Kind' Disclosure In Sackler Opioid Settlement Could Prompt DOJ Criminal Charges,” by Zoe Mathews, GBH News: “As part of Massachusetts' settlement with the Sackler family over their role in the opioid crisis, tens of millions of documents — including confidential and internal Purdue Pharma communications — will be made public. Attorney General Maura Healey told Boston Public Radio on Thursday that while this settlement doesn't put the Sacklers in jail, the ‘first-of-its-kind’ document disclosure could open the door to criminal charges from the U.S. Department of Justice.” – “Middlesex DA says Newton break-ins have residents in fear; and there may be more such crimes unreported,” by Travis Andersen and Nick Stoico, Boston Globe: “As authorities continue to investigate a string of recent break-ins targeting Newton residents of Asian descent, city leaders are thinking about ways to prevent future home invasions, such as a unit within the police department that would conduct home security assessments for residents. Newton Police Chief John Carmichael said he would like to create such a team and, along with Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, offered other suggestions for community members to improve security at their homes while taking questions about the ongoing investigation during a town-hall style Zoom meeting Thursday night.” | | MEDIA MATTERS |
| – WBUR says it has raised more than $35 million through its first-ever capital campaign to expand local journalism initiatives and to build and program the CitySpace at the Lavine Broadcast Center. REST IN PEACE – Former Democratic strategist Ron Rosenblith died Monday at age 75, National Journal Hotline’s Leah Askarinam reported. Rosenblith was a longtime adviser to 2004 Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry and served as executive director of the DSCC when Kerry chaired the committee. SPOTTED – Janey at Alma Gaúcha on Tuesday night, per a Playbook tipster. GOOD LUCK – to contestants in the Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Competition this weekend, including current Miss Western Massachusetts Sydney Rachael Levin-Epstein. Link. TRANSITIONS – Miles Grant joins Denterlein as a vice president and Anusha Cicchetti joins as an account director. Tracy A. Vitols joins Nutter as a partner in its tax department. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Maddie Conway and Daily Hampshire Gazette alum Sarah Crosby. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND – to Assistant House Speaker Rep. Katherine Clark, who is 58; and to Clark alum Lauren Pardi, John Milligan, Alicia Amato (Furnary), WaPo’s Katie Zezima, R. Kevin Ryan, COS for Rep. Stephen Lynch; Christine Haughney Dare-Bryan, Chanel Prunier, former Republican National Committeewoman; Brendan Beroff, Jacob Watts and John Dacey, who celebrate Saturday; and to state Rep. Paul Schmid, Sarah Iselin, Democratic activist Michael Bakshi, Emerson College lecturer Keri Thompson, Amy Sweeney, and Playbook fans Eddie Flannery and Sarah Kashinsky, who celebrate Sunday. Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com. | |
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