News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BIDEN to be SWORN IN — END of the TRUMP ERA — Mass. residents ARRESTED after CAPITOL CHAOS

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BIDEN to be SWORN IN — END of the TRUMP ERA — Mass. residents ARRESTED after CAPITOL CHAOS — BAKER’s home a POLITICAL TARGET

Jan 20, 2021

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

INAUGURATION DAY — A new era of American politics will begin today when President-elect Joe Biden takes the oath of office. The inauguration will be like no other: It will happen in the wake of insurrection in Washington, and amid a pandemic that has killed 400,000 people in the United States.

Watch the inauguration with POLITICO. We'll stream Biden's inauguration on the homepage, and our reporters will break down the ceremony in real time via our newsroom live chat. You can also follow our live blog throughout the day.

When Biden enters the White House, he will embark on an ambitious agenda. The soon-to-be president wants Congress to pass nearly $2 trillion in Covid-19 relief, and plans to overhaul the coronavirus vaccine distribution plan. Biden is also preparing executive orders on masks, Covid-19 testing, immigration and climate change.

He'll bring some familiar Massachusetts faces with him. Former Secretary of State John Kerry will serve as special presidential envoy for climate, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is Biden's nominee for labor secretary, Dr. Rochelle Walensky of Massachusetts General Hospital will head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Harvard faculty members Wendy Sherman and Samantha Power were tapped for administration roles. Jen O'Malley Dillon, Biden's deputy chief of staff, is a Massachusetts native, and so is Gina McCarthy, Biden's national climate adviser.

Today also marks the end of the Trump era. The president had an all-consuming effect on politics in Massachusetts, a state that gave the president some of his lowest approval ratings in the country over the past four years.

President Donald Trump has loomed large in politics here. The state legislature often acted in response to the Trump administration, voting on issues like abortion and climate change, and even passing a resolution to denounce white supremacy in response to events during Trump's presidency. Some individual communities passed resolutions at town meeting in support of the president's impeachment.

Attorney General Maura Healey has filed close to 100 lawsuits against the Trump administration over the last four years, and the entire congressional delegation has been unified in its opposition to the president. Even in Democratic primary races, opposition to the president was a common refrain in debates.

Still playing out: The Trump-inspired schism between moderate GOP Gov. Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts Republican Party, which has embraced the president's style of Republican politics. The dynamic is likely to influence next year's gubernatorial primary, especially if the governor seeks a third term and draws a challenger.

SANTIAGO GETS SERIOUS — Even on Inauguration Day, there's some news in the Boston mayoral race. State Rep. Jon Santiago, who is considering running for mayor, seems to be getting serious. Santiago is being advised by Kellie O'Neill, according to a source, a fundraising consultant who served as Mayor Marty Walsh's finance director in 2013.

Santiago is the subject of a Boston Globe opinion column this morning that asks: "Is a doctor the right prescription for Boston?" The column points out Santiago is an emergency room doctor and US Army Reserve captain who beat a longtime incumbent to win his House seat in 2018.

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

TODAY — President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated in Washington, D.C. Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu hosts a virtual house party to discuss issues facing millennials of color.

TRACK FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION: Track the first 100 Days of the Biden administration. Written for political insiders, this scoop-filled newsletter breaks big news and analyzes the initiatives, people and emerging power centers of the new administration. Subscribe today.

THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "Massachusetts reports 2,567 new COVID cases, 45 deaths; Rate of new cases slows just as new strain is detected," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "State health officials confirmed another 2,567 COVID cases on Tuesday, bringing the number of active statewide cases to 93,300. Officials also announced another 45 COVID-related fatalities, for a total now of 13,469 deaths since the pandemic began."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "As Massachusetts looks to dramatically reduce carbon emissions by 2050, can Gov. Baker and the legislature find common ground?" by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts lawmakers refiled a bill Tuesday afternoon that commits the state to dramatically reducing carbon emissions by 2050, reviving the climate bill proposal that Gov. Charlie Baker vetoed last week. Key negotiators on the bill unveiled the final version of the bill, known as the conference report, and passed it on Jan. 4, a day before the end of the two-year legislative session."

– "Galvin calls for celebration of democracy on Inauguration Day," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "The state's chief elections officer is calling on Massachusetts residents to use President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on Wednesday 'as a day to affirm and celebrate American democracy.' Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin is urging citizens to use the event as an opportunity to register at least one person to vote and to encourage teachers to incorporate information about elections into their lesson plans on Wednesday ."

– "In Swampscott, Governor Baker's Home Becomes A Political Target," by Adam Reilly, GBH News: "It's easy to feel envious when you see Gov. Charlie Baker's Swampscott home. It's a beautiful house, in a gorgeous neighborhood, located right by a stunning stretch of shoreline. On dozens of occasions over the past year, though, Baker's home has become a target for political protest — and the scene there has been anything but idyllic."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "Fenway Park to open as mass vaccination site; pharmacies to give shots by appointment," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Fenway Park will be the state's second mass vaccination site, and shots will begin there in February as the state announces new partnerships to give more people shots in the arms, Gov. Charlie Baker announced."

– "State's deliberate approach on vaccines frustrates some seniors," by Deanna Pan, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts has tried to avoid the Florida-style free-for-all with a deliberate three-phased approach to vaccinating its population, but there is growing consternation that the Commonwealth is not moving quickly enough to inoculate older residents who remain especially vulnerable to the virus. The limited supply of doses and complex logistics have constrained officials' ability to widen the pool of residents eligible for immunizations."

FROM THE HUB

– "South Boston St. Patrick's Day parade canceled again due to coronavirus," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "The St. Patrick's Day parade in South Boston is canceled again due to the coronavirus. 'Due to ongoing state restrictions limiting outdoor public events to 25 people, the 2021 South Boston St. Patrick's Day / Evacuation Day Parade has been canceled,' South Boston Allied Veterans Council tweeted Tuesday morning."

– "Elon Musk donates $5 million for coronavirus research in Boston," by Jonathan Saltzman, Boston Globe: "He publicly downplayed the risks of COVID-19 early in the pandemic, incorrectly predicted it would vanish within weeks, and denounced as 'fascist' shelter-in-place orders that affected his California car plant. Nevertheless, Elon Musk, the outspoken multibillionaire head of Tesla and SpaceX, is donating $5 million through his foundation to two Boston researchers who helped create a vaccine and a diagnostic tool for the coronavirus."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "A Black woman is set to make history as Boston mayor. 'Her win is my win,' these residents say." by Rachael Allen, The Lily: "Once Walsh leaves his post in the coming months to serve as President-elect Joe Biden's labor secretary — if Walsh is confirmed by the Senate — City Council President Kim Janey, a Black woman, will become acting mayor. For the first time, Boston will have a woman and a person of color in the role."

– "Andrea Campbell: Boston's Communities of Color Have 'Never Gotten Out Of The Red' With COVID-19," by Zoe Mathews, GBH News: "Now that the stakes of running against an established incumbent have dissolved, the race is expected to open up. Campbell told Boston Public Radio on Tuesday that her strategy remains the same, regardless of who may jump in the race."

– "Debate over special elections heated — and complicated," by Michael Jonas and Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "What is the fairest way to hold an election under the much more prosaic circumstances of a sudden vacancy in a mayor's office? The answer isn't always clear cut, and the quick moves to scrap special elections in Lawrence and Boston are drawing heated debate, with proponents calling it a way to promote broader democratic participation while critics are crying foul at the idea of changing the rules in the midst of an already unfolding campaign."

– "Count Them Out: Here's Who Isn't Running for Mayor of Boston," by Spencer Buell, Boston Magazine: "In a profession that too often lends itself to canned statements and obfuscation, especially when it comes to elections, the candor and wry honesty of Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards on the subject of running for mayor of Boston was like a powerful gust of fresh air."

BIDEN TIME

– "Northbridge's Alicia Molt-West, Holy Cross grad, earns spot on Biden staff," by Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette: "The Biden transition team announced Molt-West will serve as special assistant to the President and House legislative affairs liaison. The current chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan of Westford, the 33-year-old Molt-West grew up in Northbridge and graduated from Holy Cross in 2009 and from Johns Hopkins University in 2013."

DAY IN COURT

– "Massachusetts residents arrested in US Capitol insurrection: Affidavits detail how FBI tracked them down," by Michael Bonner, MassLive.com: "Two Massachusetts residents left a trail of digital breadcrumbs for agents within the FBI's Boston division to track after the pair traveled to Washington D.C. and stormed the U.S. Capitol earlier this month, according to federal records. The clues led to the arrests of Suzanne Ianni, a Natick Town Meeting member, and Mark Sahady, of Malden, on Tuesday."

– Mass. political scientist, author accused of secretly working for Iran," by Alanna Durkin Richer, The Associated Press: "A Massachusetts-based political scientist and author is accused of secretly working for the government of Iran while lobbying U.S. officials on issues like nuclear policy, federal authorities said Tuesday."

WARREN REPORT

– "Biden's Wall Street backers face new threat from Warren," by Zachary Warmbrodt, POLITICO: "Private equity firms went all out for Joe Biden in the 2020 election, giving his campaign six times more money than they donated to President Donald Trump. That's not going to do them much good with progressive Democrats in Congress."

FROM THE DELEGATION

– "Massachusetts politicians to attend Biden's inauguration despite security, coronavirus threats," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "Members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation on high alert after being forced into hiding during the Capitol siege have spent the past few days making tough decisions about who will — and won't — be with them when Biden is sworn in as the 46th president in a city locked down and on edge due to violence."

– "US Capitol 'looks like Baghdad' ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, veteran and Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts says," by Jackson Cote, MassLive.com: "Following this month's siege on the U.S. by a pro-Trump mob and ahead of Wednesday's inauguration of Democratic President-elect Joe Biden, a Massachusetts congressman and veteran says Congress's meeting place is looking like Baghdad, Iraq."

DATELINE D.C.

– "Mass. Native Behind US Capitol's 'Field of Flags,'" NECN: "Sue O'Connell sat down with Steve Kerrigan, senior advisor to the Biden-Harris inaugural committee, who took inspiration from his group's Memorial Day flag planting on Boston Common to the U.S. Capitol."

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

– "After years of protests, a glimmer of hope for opponents to the Weymouth gas compressor," by David Abel, Boston Globe: "After years of protests, residents opposing a controversial natural gas compressor station in Weymouth received a glimmer of hope Tuesday that federal regulators might reconsider last fall's decision to allow the plant to operate. In a vote by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, a majority of members ruled the panel had improperly denied a request for a hearing on its approval from neighbors and environmental advocates who have long opposed the compressor."

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

– "Cannabis dispensaries sue state over new delivery license regs," by Jessica Bartlett, Boston Business Journal: "Marijuana dispensaries are suing the state board that oversees the industry over its new regulations that only allow members of certain disenfranchised groups to deliver cannabis products for the first three years, saying that stipulation violates state law."

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: "D.C. DRAGNET," "CHANGE AT THE TOP," — Globe: "A time for a change in America," "At very least, things won't be run by tweet anymore," "Harris making history, but that won't be all."

FROM THE 413

– "Dalton native Emily Jordan among National Guard personnel at Capitol during inauguration," by Jake Mendel, The Berkshire Eagle: "When President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in Wednesday, a former standout athlete from Dalton will be among those assigned to protect inaugural activities. Second Lt. Emily Jordan is one of about 500 Massachusetts National Guard personnel who deployed to Washington ahead of the inauguration."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "South Shore legislators see a country divided, but remain hopeful," by Jessica Trufant, The Patriot Ledger: "State Sen. John Keenan said he was in Washington, D.C., for a conference during one of President George W. Bush's inaugurations, and was able to get tickets to the celebration. While Bush was from the opposing political party, Keenan, a Quincy Democrat, said there was still a lot of excitement and pride in witnessing America's celebration of the transfer of power."

– "Worcester Begins Coronavirus Vaccinations At Homeless Shelters," by Lynn Jolicoeur, WBUR: "The lobby of the emergency homeless shelter in the old Ascension Church in Worcester — known as Hotel Grace — turned into a makeshift clinic Tuesday morning. Shelter guests sat behind temporary curtains, answered medical history questions and rolled up their sleeves to receive vaccines against the coronavirus."

– "Cape Cod people of color have renewed hope with Biden-Harris inauguration," by Denise Coffey, Cape Cod Times: "There's newfound hope on this Inauguration Day among those who voted for President-elect Joseph Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. People of color living on Cape Cod are optimistic about changes the Biden administration will bring, but at the same time they want to make sure the promises he made on the campaign trail will be kept."

– "Return to classrooms is top priority of Brockton's new City Council chief," by Johanna Seltz, Boston Globe: "Brockton's new City Council president, Winthrop Farwell Jr., says his top priority for the year is working with the mayor and schools to get children back into the classroom. Farwell was named president of the council on a 9-2 vote, with two members abstaining."

– "Resignations rock Wenham board," by Julie Manganis, The Salem News: "Two of the town of Wenham's three selectmen resigned Tuesday night in the wake of allegations that one of them has engaged in a pattern of inappropriate conduct that led to a town employee filing a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination."

– "Andover parents: Make full-time return to school a priority," by Madeline Hughes, Eagle-Tribune: "As children continue with hybrid learning due to the pandemic, parents are pressuring town education officials to get students back into classrooms full time. As parents bring up the issue repeatedly to officials, often at School Committee meetings, some moms and dads say they are glad to hear plans for an eventual full-time return to schools are in the works — but they want more detailed information."

TRANSITIONS – Alexa Gagosz joins the Boston Globe's Rhode Island team. Tweet.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to NPR and WBUR's Serena McMahon, and Liam O'Connor.

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JOIN THURSDAY TO HEAR FROM SELECT MAYORS ACROSS THE U.S.: On Thursday, Jan. 21, The Fifty: America's Mayors will virtually convene select mayors from across the U.S. for back-to-back interviews during inauguration week to discuss bold ideas and policy proposals for their cities to move forward post-COVID-19. The mayors will also discuss their cities' needs from state and federal government to recover from the economic and public health crises and how they'd like to work with President Biden as he begins in the White House. This virtual program will feature an executive conversation between POLITICO CEO Patrick Steel and Microsoft's President of U.S. Regulated Industries Toni Townes-Whitley. REGISTER HERE.