News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BAKER sends back POLICE REFORM bill — CLARK presses BIDEN on plastics

Friday, December 11, 2020

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BAKER sends back POLICE REFORM bill — CLARK presses BIDEN on plastics — ROLLINS on U.S. ATTORNEY buzz

Dec 11, 2020

Presented by Public Transit Public Good Coalition

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF!

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: CLARK PUSHES BIDEN ON PLASTICS — He's not in office yet, but Rep. Katherine Clark is already calling on President-elect Joe Biden to address the world's "indisputable plastic pollution crisis."

Clark penned a letter with Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley and California Rep. Alan Lowenthal, which lays out out a plan for how Biden's incoming administration can address the ramifications of plastic pollution. Clark is the second-highest ranking woman in the House, after being elected to serve as assistant speaker last month.

The "Presidential Plastics Action Plan" identifies steps Biden could take to "bypass congressional gridlock" and rein in plastic use, like using the federal government's purchasing power to replace single-use plastic items with reusable products, and suspending or denying permits for new plastic production facilities, among other proposals. The plan draws on the work of more than 400 environmental and health organizations, according to Clark's office, and prioritizes communities hit hardest by climate change.

"We need only look at the disproportionate impacts that plastic production and pollution have on some of our poorest communities to understand how racial and environmental justice are inextricably linked," the letter reads. "Your Administration can play a critical role in addressing this crisis."

The trio of lawmakers say they will file a bill in Congress that would compliment the initiative by requiring plastic producers manage and fund recycling and waste programs, creating new recycling standards and phasing out some single-use plastic. The letter.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.

TODAY — Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu holds a virtual press conference for her mayoral campaign.

A message from Public Transit Public Good Coalition:

We need a transit system that works for all. This means safe, affordable, and accessible service for all communities. Even as COVID-19 has reshaped our lives, public transit remains essential to the riders who make hundreds of thousands of trips a day, especially to the frontline workers who have kept our communities running during the pandemic. The MBTA's Fiscal Management and Control Board should vote no on service cuts. Join the fight at http://publictransitpublicgood.org/

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "Massachusetts reports 5,130 new COVID cases, 41 deaths on Thursday as hospitalizations rise to 1,607," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "State health officials confirmed another 5,130 coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the number of active cases of the virus statewide to 63,362. Officials also announced another 41 COVID-related deaths, bringing the total number of deaths since the start of the pandemic to 10,963."

– "158 Massachusetts cities and towns are now at high risk for coronavirus," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "Nearly half of the Bay State's 351 cities and towns are now in the high-risk "red" zone for coronavirus transmission — painting a 'bleak' portrait of the virus in Massachusetts as local officials warn the worst is yet to come. A whopping 158 communities landed in the red zone this week, according to a weekly Department of Public Health report."

– "Massachusetts schools see spike in COVID cases, with 503 students and 420 staffers positive in last week," by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: "State education officials have announced 923 coronavirus cases reported among school students and staff members between Dec. 3 and Dec. 9, a large increase compared to previous weeks ."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Baker sends police bill back to Legislature, asking for changes," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker sent back a sweeping police accountability bill to lawmakers Thursday, threatening to not sign it if they don't address a series of changes he's seeking, including keeping oversight of how officers are trained within his administration. Baker's decision to neither sign nor veto the bill, but return it to the Legislature with a variety of proposed amendments, clouds its future."

– "Housing assistance funds trickling out," by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: "The Baker administration has paid out less than 20 percent of the money set aside for emergency housing assistance, prompting advocates for tenants to claim that the program is not being administered properly and spawning an eviction crisis."

– "State's ambitious vaccine campaign hinges on more companies winning FDA approval," by Robert Weisman and Deanna Pan, Boston Globe: "The success of Governor Charlie Baker's plan for the largest public vaccination in Massachusetts history hinges on critical factors outside the state's control, including approval of more COVID-19 vaccines in addition to the two developed by Pfizer and Moderna, health officials said Thursday."

– "New leadership at Soldiers' Homes," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "State health officials have appointed new senior leadership at the Chelsea and Holyoke Soldiers' Homes, but there is still no permanent superintendent to run the Holyoke home. Holyoke Soldiers' Home Superintendent Bennett Walsh was fired after a massive COVID-19 outbreak at the home, and virtually the entire leadership team at the home turned over, either because they resigned or were forced out."

– "Massachusetts Public Health Council member pledges to take COVID vaccine to show it's safe," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "A doctor in the Massachusetts Public Health Council suggested the body join a growing number of top doctors and elected officials in the state in taking the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to them — not only as a safety measure, but as an act of trust in the product developed in hopes of ending the coronavirus pandemic."

FROM THE HUB

– "Suffolk DA Rachael Rollins Hints At Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Job," by Zoe Mathews, GBH News: "Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said Thursday that she has been approached about her interest in being considered for Massachusetts U.S. attorney, a job currently held by Trump appointee Andrew Lelling. 'Yes I have been asked with respect to whether or not I would consider being considered for the U.S. attorney position,' Rollins told Boston Public Radio."

– "Child Care Is Back, But Many Providers Are Struggling Financially," by Kathleen McNerney, WBUR: "As the pandemic wears on, concerns about the stability of the child care system are rising as many Massachusetts child care providers report losing money -- with some closing their doors entirely. Eighty-two percent of the state's licensed providers reopened as of Nov. 23, according to the latest survey from the Department of Early Education and Care."

– "Boston to launch new effort with the goal of ending family homelessness," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "Boston is poised to create a new commission that will aim to end family homelessness in the city. The city council this week unanimously passed a measure that would create a panel that would work to identify gaps in resources for homeless families, conduct a cost analysis of the problem, and generate a thorough plan that would unite city and state resources in a coordinated effort with the ultimate goal of ending family homelessness."

– "Walsh Says More Boston Schools To Open Next Week For Up To 1,700 Special Needs Students," by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: "More BPS students with high needs will return to in-person learning next week, Mayor Marty Walsh announced Thursday. The Mayor said the move was arranged to accommodate families who requested in-person education. As many as 1,700 students could opt in, though attendance is not mandatory."

– "'This is just wrong': Mayor Walsh says he's disappointed Quincy plans to continue legal fight over Long Island bridge," by Amanda Kaufman and Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh on Thursday said he was disappointed to learn of the city of Quincy's pledge to continue the dispute over a proposal to rebuild the Long Island Bridge and create an addiction recovery campus on the island, saying 'this isn't a fight we should be having.'"

– "'We're bleeding out.' Here's what restaurant owners are saying about the new restrictions in Mass.," by Diti Kohli, Boston Globe: "After Governor Charlie Baker announced a new series of statewide COVID-19 restrictions Tuesday, restaurants are grappling with how to balance public safety with their financial viability nine months into a pandemic. The new guidelines, effective Sunday, impose a 90-minute limit on sit-down dining and a maximum of six people per table, down from 10."

– "Council wrestles with Civilian Review proposals," by Morgan C. Mullings, Bay State Banner: "City councilors and the mayor's police reform task force met Dec. 1 to discuss their versions of a civilian review board that would have the power to investigate the Boston Police Department and publish data on its findings. In the meeting, there was tension around working toward a consensus, as each party approached the issue at different angles and with very little communication ."

– "Boston colleges report post-Thanksgiving coronavirus case jump, sparking calls to go remote," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "Coronavirus cases on Boston-area college campuses have shot up since the Thanksgiving break, triggering calls for remote-only classes and sparking concerns about next semester. The trend of rising cases at colleges mirrors the Massachusetts post-holiday surge — during which the state has reported record-high case counts and spiking hospitalizations."

– "Dorchester park sinkhole turns out to be old well," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Well, well, well. It turns out that the mysterious, deep sinkhole that formed over the weekend in Dorchester's Ronan Park came from the cave-in of an old well, City Archeologist Joe Bagley told reporters who assembled near the round opening Thursday morning."

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

– "11 T workers suspended for not wearing masks," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "The MBTA said it has suspended 11 employees without pay for violating the transit authority's policy on wearing face masks. Another 52 workers have received written warnings and 90 verbal warnings. An MBTA spokesman said the suspensions have ranged from one to five days, depending on the employee's past disciplinary record."

– "Keolis to temporarily reduce commuter rail service, citing employee COVID-19 absences," by Amanda Kaufman, Boston Globe: "Keolis Commuter Services, the company that operates the commuter rail, is temporarily reducing service by more than half due to low employee availability because of COVID-19 absences, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Keolis announced Thursday."

DAY IN COURT

– "SJC Upholds Governor's Authority To Issue COVID-19 State Of Emergency Shutdown Orders," by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: "The state's highest court on Thursday upheld Gov. Charlie Baker's authority to issue executive orders that shut down many businesses in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the court cautioned that as the pandemic wanes that authority could as well."

– "Natick psychiatrist accused of billing Medicare, private insurance companies for more than $10 million in treatments he did not provide," by Douglas Hook, MassLive.com: "Gustavo Kinrys, a Natick psychiatrist, is accused of billing Medicare and private insurance companies more than $10 million in treatments he did not provide and then lying to investigators in an attempt to conceal his misdeeds, according to the federal authorities."

WARREN REPORT

– "Democrats Warren and Nadler Float Consumer Bankruptcy Overhaul," by Alexander Gladstone, The Wall Street Journal: "Congressional Democrats on Wednesday introduced legislation overhauling the U.S. bankruptcy system to make it friendlier to consumers while opening the door to student-loan cancellation, among other proposals. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D., N.Y.) said the proposed bill would streamline bankruptcy filings for individuals and families and reduce filing fees while addressing racial and gender disparities in how bankruptcy laws are applied."

THE PRESSLEY PARTY

– "'Personnel is policy': What Ayanna Pressley saw as a staffer," by Eleanor Van Buren, Roll Call: "When Ayanna Pressley was an unpaid intern, she worked three other jobs to get by. 'That was the situation for most offices at the time,' the Massachusetts Democrat says of those days without a paycheck, interning for a member of a big political family, Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II. 'I certainly hold no ill will.' The internship set her on a path that eventually came full circle. But now that she's a congresswoman herself, she hopes no one will have to retrace her steps."

DATELINE D.C.

– "As Massachusetts tightens reopening guidelines, small business accuse Congress of playing politics with stimulus money," by Michael Bonner, MassLive.com: "The small business owners who spoke to MassLive on Tuesday generally supported how local and state leaders in Massachusetts have handled the pandemic. However, many restaurant owners and small businesses focused beyond Baker to Congress and another stimulus package."

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

– "As Climate Envoy, Kerry To Seek 'Ambition' With 'Humility,'" by Steve Inskeep, GBH News: "John Kerry is looking to resume climate diplomacy that was disrupted under President Trump. The former secretary of state is one of several Obama administration officials appointed by President-elect Biden. Their goals include restoring what had been seen as the normal functions of the U.S. government when they were last in it."

– "Confusion over tax status stymies solar projects," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "An outdated law and a series of rulings by an obscure tax board are throwing the state's landscape for solar projects into disarray. The question revolves around whether commercial solar projects should be exempt from paying municipal property taxes."

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

– "Cannabis legalization, backed by Massachusetts delegation, could put $7B dent in federal deficit," by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: "The effort to decriminalize and tax cannabis, which finds strong support among Massachusetts lawmakers and advocates, could cut into the federal deficit to the tune of $7 billion over the next decade."

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: "GOING UP..." "HURRY UP!," — Globe : "At last, a vaccine nears approval in US," "Up to 300,000 COVID cases tied to Biogen conference."

FROM THE 413

– "Failure to reimburse municipalities for state-owned land hurts rural towns," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "Wendell is a small town in Franklin County with fewer than 1,000 people. Much of it is taken up by Wendell State Forest, a 7,500-acre property with hills, streams, ponds, and trails. While the state pays Wendell around $110,000 a year for the land, in lieu of paying property taxes, the sum is less than what Wendell would get if the land were on the property tax rolls."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Hingham home to a member of the Electoral College," by Joe Difazio, The Patriot Ledger: "When Joe Kelly was taking a selfie with Joe Biden in New Hampshire in February, he had no idea that 10 months later he would be casting an Electoral College vote for the Democrat to become president. But on Monday, Kelly's journey with the now president-elect will come full circle at the State House. He will be one of 306 U.S. electors sending Biden to the White House."

– "Framingham post office gets warning after Health Dept. finds COVID-19 safety violations," by Jeannette Hinkle, MetroWest Daily News: "A city post office was slapped with a written warning last week after violating coronavirus safety rules. The post office, at 330 Cochituate Road (Rte. 30), was found to have corrected the problems in a follow-up inspection Tuesday by the Framingham Health Department."

– "Newton Eyes March For Special City Council Election," by Jenna Fisher, Patch: "Newton voters will likely head back to the polls in mid March to fill two vacant city councilor seats. The City Council's Programs and Services Committee on Wednesday voted to recommend that the city hold elections on March 16, 2021. … The elections will be held to replace outgoing Ward 2 At Large Councilor Jake Auchincloss who leaves to represent Massachusetts' 4th District in Congress this January. Ward 1 at-large Jay Ciccone died unexpectedly on Nov. 7, leaving that seat vacant."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to John Kerry, incoming special presidential envoy for climate, who is 77; Jossie Valentín, aide to Sen. Ed Markey and a Warren 2020 alum; and Kat Cline.

HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND – to Saturday birthday-ers Boston City Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George; Alex Reimer, Jeffrey Goldstein, a director at Fidelity and former deputy chief of staff at the Council of Economic Advisers under President Obama; and John Lippmann. And to Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards and Nancy Jane Fitzpatrick, who celebrate Sunday.

NEW EPISODE: VAX TO THE FUTURE – On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith and Stephanie Murray discuss early plans for vaccine distribution in Massachusetts, and speak with Boston Museum of Science President Tim Ritchie about new polling on the coronavirus vaccine. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.

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A message from Public Transit Public Good Coalition:

The essential workers we rely on during the pandemic need reliable and uncrowded public transportation to get to and from work safely. Service and job cuts not only threaten the frontline workers who rely on the T; it would also leave thousands of people without access, threaten our environment, and delay our economic recovery. The MBTA's Fiscal Management and Control Board members should vote no on service cuts. Join the fight at http://publictransitpublicgood.org/

JOIN TODAY - A PATH TO CLEANER SKIES: Before the pandemic, increased demand for air travel resulted in rising global emissions. Then, Covid-19 changed everything. As airlines start to recover from the resulting financial fallout, what is happening with the use of cleaner jet fuel, investments in technology, and international pacts to cut the airline industry's carbon footprint? Join POLITICO for a conversation on the future of air travel, climate change, and sustainability, as well as an executive conversation between POLITICO CEO Patrick Steel and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. REGISTER HERE.