| | | | | |  | | By Stephanie Murray | Presented by Public Transit Public Good Coalition | GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: LESSER'S NEW PODCAST — State Sen. Eric Lesser is the latest Bay State official to launch a podcast, part of a growing trend that's been accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic. Lesser's new "Lunchtime with Lesser" podcast is available on Spotify. It features interviews with leaders from the central and western parts of the state, including Rep. Jim McGovern, former Lt. Gov. Tim Murray and Vanessa Otero of the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley. The Longmeadow Democrat began conducting weekly interviews over Facebook Live during the pandemic to replace in-person district events, and decided to convert them to podcast episodes. "The goal is really to first, give people, you know, very fact-based, very reliable information from people directly involved in the moment we're in, and responding to the challenges that we're in. And it's also about lifting and amplifying the voices of people and community leaders that are often, frankly, invisible to the decision-making at the State House," Lesser told me. Starting a podcast has become a trend among some Bay State officials, especially during the Covid-19 crisis. Former Gov. Deval Patrick launched a podcast in October titled "Being American," which has featured Misty Copeland of the American Ballet Theatre and Kentucky state Rep. Charles Booker, among others. And Sen. Ed Markey's reelection campaign started "Markey on the Mic" earlier this year. More Massachusetts officials with podcasts: Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur hosts "The Brodeur Bulletin," Cambridge Mayor Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and Vice Mayor Alanna Mallon have a podcast titled "Women are Here," Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley has the " O'Pod," state Sen. Jamie Eldridge hosts "The Eldridge Files" and Quincy Mayor Tom Koch has "City View." It's an interesting shift — elected officials are typically in the hot seat, not the host chair, when appearing on a podcast — but it enables pols to get their message out unfiltered. The rise in politician-led podcasts is also happening on the national stage. Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Pete Buttigieg and others have come out with new shows in recent months. GOP GOVS BAKER, HOGAN CALL FOR COVID RELIEF — Gov. Charlie Baker joined forces with four of his fellow Republican governors yesterday to demand Congress pass a coronavirus relief bill by the end of the month. Baker issued a joint statement on Monday with Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott and Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson. The call for action comes as Congress works to hammer out a $908 billion Covid-19 relief proposal, with only three weeks left in the year. "More than eight months have passed since the last federal coronavirus stimulus package became law. Many vital CARES Act programs have already run out, and more are set to expire before the end of the year," the governors said in their statement. "We recognize that there are legitimate differences of opinion on what an ideal package should contain, but these differences pale in comparison to the cost of doing nothing." Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Rep. Katherine Clark is a guest on WBUR's "Morning Edition," and attends a hearing held by the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee to discuss the Hyde Amendment. Sen. Ed Markey hosts a virtual press conference to call for states and utilities to extend a moratorium on penalties for customers. Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu joins a conversation on her Boston Green New Deal plan. | | | | 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/ | | | | | | | TRACK THE TRANSITION & NEW ADMINISTRATION HEADING INTO 2021: President-elect Biden is pushing full steam ahead on putting together his Cabinet and White House staff. These appointments and staffing decisions send clear-cut signals about Biden's priorities. What do these signals foretell? Transition Playbook is the definitive guide to one of the most consequential transfers of power in American history. Written for political insiders, it tracks the appointments, people, and the emerging power centers of the new administration. Track the transition and the first 100 days of the incoming Biden administration. Subscribe today. | | | | | |  | THE LATEST NUMBERS | | – "Massachusetts reports 2,463 new COVID cases Monday, 30 deaths as total confirmed cases surpasses 250,000," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "State health officials confirmed another 2,463 coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing the number of active cases statewide to 58,452. That's based on 43,304 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health. There have now been 250,022 cases of the respiratory virus among Massachusetts residents since the start of the pandemic." | | DATELINE BEACON HILL | | – "With few COVID-19 restrictions, personal responsibility takes center stage in the pandemic response," by Dasia Moore and Gal Tziperman Lotan, Boston Globe: "Coronavirus cases are reaching record highs. Hospitals are overflowing in several parts of the country. In Massachusetts, some elective surgeries are again on hold. But as the final weeks of 2020 begin to mirror the grim, early weeks of the pandemic, the shelter-in-place orders and strict industry regulations that helped flatten the curve in the spring are almost nowhere to be found. Instead, public officials are pursuing another approach to managing the virus's spread: a plea for personal responsibility." – "Massachusetts COVID testing sites expanding to Western Massachusetts, Cape Cod, Gov. Charlie Baker announces," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "After calls for ramped up testing from elected officials, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced the state will set up free COVID testing sites in counties that previously lacked those resources. The state plans to offer free COVID testing in Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire counties, as well as Barnstable County, Baker said during Monday's news conference at the State House." – "Baker: Mass. Hospitals Curb Some Elective Procedures; State Expands COVID-19 Testing," by Mike Deehan, GBH News: "Gov. Charlie Baker will instruct hospitals in Massachusetts to postpone elective inpatient procedures that impact patient capacity to lighten the burden hospitals face as COVID-19 cases surge after the Thanksgiving holiday. The change goes into effect Friday. Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said the order is 'not a blanket across-the-board curtailment' like the one that the state imposed last spring." – "Charlie Baker hints at additional restrictions 'soon' amid 'rapid' increase in COVID-19," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday that 'every option is on the table' to address what he called a 'rapid' increase in COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts — and he hinted additional statewide restrictions may be on the way. 'We're taking a good look at the data, as we have been post-Thanksgiving, and I fully expect that, at some point, we'll make some decisions with respect to that,' Baker told reporters during an afternoon press conference." – "Charlie Baker calls raising revenue to avoid MBTA cuts a 'bad idea,'" by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Gov. Charlie Baker expressed opposition Monday to the calls to raise additional revenue to avoid looming MBTA cuts. 'I think raising taxes to run more empty buses and trains is a bad idea,' Baker told reporters during a press conference Monday afternoon. The Republican governor's comments echoed a statement from aides last week in response to a poll showing broad opposition to the proposed service reductions, questioning whether additional funding should be allocated to maintain service level with ridership still down roughly 75 percent across the board due to the pandemic." – "MCAS Testing For Current Juniors Delayed Again," by Max Larkin, WBUR: "State education officials have postponed a special January administration of the MCAS tests of English language arts and mathematics for high school juniors. That class of students already missed their first chance to take those tests after the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools in the spring." | | FROM THE HUB | | – "Should Boston change its budget process? City Council to consider charter ballot measure," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "The Boston City Council this week is poised to vote on whether to put before voters a proposal that would change the city's budgeting process and give the council more power over Boston's purse strings. Under the measure, the council would have the ability to amend the mayor's proposed budget, but not increase its total amount." – "Walsh Slams T Cuts, Saying They Will Undercut COVID-19 Recovery," by Isaiah Thompson, GBH News: "Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is demanding the MBTA's Fiscal Control Board reconsider plans to cut T services, including bus and subway runs, in order to balance the agency's budget after a significant revenue loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking ahead of a meeting of MBTA management Monday, and joined by other elected officials and union representatives, Walsh said the cuts are short-sighted." – "Boston to reopen 28 schools for 1,700 more students," by Naomi Martin and James Vaznis, Boston Globe: "In an abrupt shift, Boston will reopen 28 schools next week, allowing 1,700 more high-needs students to return to classrooms, officials confirmed Monday. … Fewer than 200 of 51,000 enrolled students in the state's largest district currently attend in-person classes at four schools. The students who have been invited to return to buildings Dec. 14 are those with significant and complex disabilities, and students learning English with limited or interrupted formal education, said Xavier Andrews, a spokesman for the district." – "Is Massachusetts In A Post-Thanksgiving Coronavirus Spike? It Depends On Who You Ask," by Roberto Scalese, WBUR: "Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday said the state's data show a spike in coronavirus cases following Thanksgiving. Whether the increase is from holiday gatherings or a continuation of the state's autumn surge in cases is unclear, however. The Republican governor first pointed to the state's test results following new restrictions on public gatherings and a curfew on indoor dining that went into effect near the beginning of November." – "State officials make it clear: Redevelopment shouldn't lead to total demolition of Hurley building," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "Love it or hate it, Boston City Hall has been saved from the wrecking ball. Now, its younger concrete cousin, the Charles F. Hurley Building, is poised for a similar rescue. As state officials move to redevelop the Hurley site at the edge of the West End and Government Center, they are making it clear that total demolition is unlikely." | | THE RACE FOR CITY HALL | | – "Boston's Mayoral Race Has Been Overshadowed By A Chaotic 2020. But It Could Break Barriers," by Adam Reilly, GBH News: "It's been easy to miss, what with a surging pandemic and surreal presidential election, but next year's Boston mayoral race is already underway. Two city councilors, Michelle Wu and Andrea Campbell, have been campaigning for weeks, making their respective cases and raising more than a quarter million dollars each since their September announcements." | | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES | | – "MBTA cuts may not be as steep, vote to come next week,' by Joe Difazio, The Patriot Ledger: "What exactly proposed service cuts will look like for the MBTA, and decisions about those cuts, have been pushed off in the face of positive developments about vaccines, a potential federal stimulus package and thousands of comments of public feedback." – "63 MBTA employees infected with COVID-19," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said on Monday that 63 of the agency's employees currently have COVID-19, up from 50 last Wednesday. Poftak said for every worker with COVID-19 there are usually two others affected, mostly because they came in contact with the infected individual and have to quarantine while they await the results of a test." – "T far more forgiving than DCR on rents," by Colman M. Herman, CommonWealth Magazine: "The state's two largest landowners – the MBTA and the Department of Conservation and Recreation – are both forgiving rent of some of their tenants during the coronavirus pandemic, but the T has been far more generous than DCR. The MBTA so far has forgiven a total of $1.1 million in rent for 56 tenants, mostly merchants operating the concession stands in the stations." | | WARREN REPORT | | – "Warren signals concerns about bipartisan coronavirus framework," by Jordain Carney, The Hill: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) signaled concerns on Monday about the framework of a bipartisan coronavirus relief package, the latest sign of skepticism from progressives in both chambers. Warren, speaking to reporters in the Capitol, stressed that there isn't even legislative text on the bicameral framework, but raised red flags over several areas including a GOP push for protections from coronavirus lawsuits." | | | |   | | | | | THE PRESSLEY PARTY | | – "Pressley Demands Answers From Arm Of DOJ That Expedited Deadlines In Immigration Cases, Many Affecting Children," by Lisa Creamer, WBUR: "Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley sent a letter Monday to the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) expressing 'grave concern' and demanding answers about recent changes to court filing deadlines that could affect dozens of immigration cases across the U.S." – "Democratic Backlash To 'Defund The Police' Jeopardizes Popular Reforms," by Akela Lacy, The Intercept: "Pressley and Rep. Justin Amash, I-Mich., introduced a bipartisan bill in early June to completely eliminate qualified immunity, including for state and local officials. They introduced the same measure as an amendment to the Justice in Policing Act. It was rejected, but Pressley lobbied successfully to strengthen the bill's final language on qualified immunity, which included federal officers. She's planning to reintroduce the qualified immunity bill next year, she told The Intercept, along with the broader umbrella of the People's Justice Guarantee to demilitarize police, redirect funding, and end the federal death penalty." | | TRUMPACHUSETTS | | – "Leading Covid-19 vaccine makers Pfizer and Moderna decline invitations to White House 'Vaccine Summit,'" by Lev Facher, Stat News: "Both Pfizer and Moderna, the two major drug manufacturers likely to receive emergency authorizations for a Covid-19 vaccine in the coming weeks, have rejected invitations from President Trump to appear at a White House 'Vaccine Summit' on Tuesday, according to two sources familiar with the event's planning." | | IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN | | – "16 Mass. Elected Officials Challenge State Agency On East Boston Substation," by Miriam Wasser, WBUR: "Multiple members of the Massachusetts federal delegation, along with several state and local elected officials, sent a letter on Monday to Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, challenging the state's recent decision to move forward with plans to build a controversial electrical substation in East Boston." | | MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND | | – "Rhode Island adds Mass. to COVID travel advisory list," by Brian Amaral, The Providence Journal: "Rhode Island has added Massachusetts to its COVID travel advisory list. The move means that people coming from Massachusetts into Rhode Island for non-work related purposes will have to quarantine for 14 days after they arrive in Rhode Island, or test negative for the coronavirus in the 72 hours before they get here, unless they meet an exemption." | | ABOVE THE FOLD | | — Herald: "ANYBODY HOME?" "FAIL STORM," — Globe: "Some see mixed messages on virus," "Hospitals to 'curtail' procedures," "T CUTS GET SECOND LOOK." | | BIDEN TIME | | – "Death Stalks Joe Biden Still," by John Hendrickson, The Atlantic: "Joe Biden may tell you about the accident, the loss, how it felt, what it means. But the president-elect doesn't always tell grieving families about the depth of darkness that enveloped him during those final days of 1972, just before Christmas. Biden would walk out of the hospital into the night looking for someone to fight." | | FROM THE 413 | | – "'Tired and sad.' Hillcrest Commons virus outbreak strains staff, residents," by Heather Bellow, The Berkshire Eagle: "As coronavirus deaths and infections mount at the second-largest nursing center in the state, so do challenges for staff as they work under strict guidelines and amid segregation to avoid new cases. With 600 COVID-19 tests performed at Hillcrest Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center every week, more COVID-positive residents and staff without symptoms are being identified earlier." – "Hampshire County gets COVID-19 testing site," by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Hampshire County's first free COVID-19 testing site for the general public opens at the Mullins Center on the University of Massachusetts campus Dec. 14 as the result of a $5 million grant from the state. After repeated calls from local legislators and municipal officials to the Baker-Polito Administration to add a county site to the state's Stop the Spread program." – "Buxton School has remained COVID free while students live on campus," by Heather Morrison, MassLive.com: "Students at Buxton School in Williamstown quarantined prior to coming to school. Students then got tested, wore masks, social distanced and reimagined school traditions to fit safety guidelines during the COVID pandemic. 'I think there were days where kids were just exhausted from worrying about it, and from staying so vigilant, which they did for 10 straight weeks,' Buxton School director, Franny Shuker-Haines said." | | THE LOCAL ANGLE | | – "Jasiel Correia's former chief of staff expected to take a plea to federal corruption charges," by Jo C. Goode, South Coast Today: "Jasiel Correia II's former chief of staff and co-defendant in a federal corruption case, Gen Andrade, appears to be heading for plea deal. Andrade has filed a joint motion with federal prosecutors asking for a hearing signaling she may plea to six criminal charges against her for her role in the former mayor's alleged scheme to extort money from marijuana businesses." – "COVID-19 sidelines Methuen, Lawrence fire chiefs," by Bill Kirk, Eagle-Tribune: "Methuen Fire Chief Tim Sheehy and Lawrence fire Chief Brian Moriarty have both tested positive for COVID-19. Sheehy confirmed Friday that he has COVID-19 and will be homebound until at least late next week ." – "Most Worcester Public Schools students to transition to hybrid learning on March 8, under new proposal from superintendent," by Tom Matthews, MassLive.com: "The Worcester Public Schools' superintendent Maureen Binienda released Monday a proposal for the district's transition to a hybrid learning model, according to a memo obtained by MassLive. The plan proposes all Worcester Public Schools staff report to school buildings on March 1, with a transition to hybrid learning beginning on March 8 for students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12." TRANSITIONS – Tim Sullivan joins Liberty Square Group as a VP of Government Relations. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Scott Ferson, founder of Liberty Square Group; and Honey Sharp , who is 7-0 (h/t son Daniel Lippman). 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. | | | | 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 WEDNESDAY - BATTLING INFORMATION CHAOS IN A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS: The extraordinary pace which scientists, doctors, epidemiologists, and hospital staff are working to fully understand the coronavirus can sometimes lead to the wrong information getting published and more accurate information being buried. Join POLITICO for a virtual deep-dive conversation on strategies for improving the flow of accurate and timely findings during a public health crisis. Tune in and hear the executive conversation between POLITICO CEO Patrick Steel and Surescripts CEO Tom Skelton. 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