News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: ESSAIBI GEORGE running for MAYOR — BAKER unveils $45.6 BILLION budget

Thursday, January 28, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: ESSAIBI GEORGE running for MAYOR — BAKER unveils $45.6 BILLION budget — GALVIN and WARREN weigh in on GAMESTOP

Jan 28, 2021

Presented by the American Heart Association

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

ESSAIBI GEORGE JUMPS INTO MAYORAL RACE — Boston City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George will formally launch her campaign for mayor of Boston today, becoming the first candidate to enter the race after it was clear Mayor Marty Walsh was headed to Washington.

Essaibi George broke the news that she's running with an interview in her hometown paper, the Dorchester Reporter, on Wednesday night. The 47-year-old Democrat was elected to an at-large seat on the council in 2015. Essaibi George is a first-generation American, a former public school teacher and the owner of a yarn store.

The at-large councilor will launch her campaign this morning at East Boston High School, where she was a teacher, and then participate in a tour around the city.

This marks the first time that three women are running for mayor of Boston at once. Already in the race are City Councilors Michelle Wu and Andrea Campbell, who launched campaigns in the fall. Essaibi George's entry into the race opens up a second at-large seat on the council, which is likely to draw plenty of candidates.

Some first-in-Playbook staffing announcements: Essaibi George's campaign manager is Cam Charbonnier, who previously worked for Walsh and was Massachusetts state director for President Joe Biden's 2020 bid. Malaika Lucien will serve as director of operations, after working in Essaibi George's city council office and as a Nevada Democrats organizer during the 2018 midterm. And Nicole Caravella, who has worked for former Secretary of State John Kerry, former Rep. Joe Kennedy and Walsh, will serve as director of communications.

Essaibi George begins the race with $110,2000 on hand, according to a report filed with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance this month. For comparison, Wu has $535,000 on hand and Campbell has $513,000. Essaibi George enters the race with less money than her opponents did — Campbell had $285,000 in the bank before she launched, and Wu had $346,000 at that time.

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

TODAY — Attorney General Maura Healey is a guest on GBH's "Boston Public Radio." Rep. Ayanna Pressley is a guest on GBH's "Greater Boston." Rep. Jim McGovern is a guest on the "Bloomberg Baystate Business" radio show. Rep. Seth Moulton holds a Facebook Live town hall. Sen. Ed Markey and Missouri Rep. Cori Bush announce new environmental justice legislation at a virtual press conference.

A message from the American Heart Association:

The facts on sugary drinks are simple. They pose a real health risk. Kids especially are drinking too many of them. All those sweet drinks contribute to major health problems, like diabetes and heart disease. And with Massachusetts already spending nearly $2 billion per year treating obesity-related diseases, we need to address the problem. Massachusetts should take a page from a growing number of places across the country and adopt a tax on sugary drinks. Learn more here.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "Massachusetts COVID death toll surpasses 14,000, as officials report 3,022 new cases, 83 deaths on Wednesday," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "State health officials confirmed another 3,022 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the number of active cases statewide to 80,909. That's based on 96,203 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Baker calls for using $1.6 billion in savings to balance state budget, but avoids policy shakeup amid pandemic," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Girding for a potentially lengthy economic recovery, Governor Charlie Baker on Wednesday proposed taking up to $1.6 billion from savings to balance the state budget next fiscal year, while dedicating more cash toward K-12 education to meet the mandates of a landmark school funding law.

– "Mass. Secretary of State Bill Galvin calls for 30-day suspension of GameStop stock trading," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin is calling for a 30-day suspension of GameStop stock trading, after social media users propelled the brick-and-mortar video game retailer's share price to nearly implausible heights this week."

– "School advocates call Baker's funding proposal inadequate," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "Gov. Charlie Baker said Wednesday that his budget proposal for next year fully funds the first year of the Student Opportunity Act, the overhaul of the state's education funding formula that was supposed to have gone into effect this year. But some public school advocates say the governor's level of funding is inadequate to meet students' needs, and the allocation should be bigger to make up for the delayed implementation ."

– "'Future of work' focus, infrastructure investments could boost Berkshires, lawmakers say," by Danny Jin, The Berkshire Eagle: "Gov. Charlie Baker, in his State of the Commonwealth address Tuesday, looked beyond the coronavirus pandemic to 'the future of work.' A sustained work-from-home boom should bode well for Berkshire County — as long as the state makes the necessary infrastructure investments, Berkshire representatives say."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "Seniors are frustrated by inability to sign up for coronavirus vaccinations," by Amanda Kaufman, Shannon Larson and Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "The second phase of the state's COVID-19 vaccination program opened to sharp criticism Wednesday, with limited supply and intense demand overwhelming a patchwork scheduling system and frustrating legions of seniors desperate to be immunized."

– "Biden-Harris administration increasing amount of COVID vaccines coming to Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker announces," by Michelle Williams, MassLive.com: "As Massachusetts prepares to enter Phase 2 of the state's COVID vaccination plan, more doses are coming. Gov. Charlie Baker announced Wednesday that the Biden-Harris administration will increase the amount of COVID vaccines made available to Massachusetts in coming weeks. The news was shared by members of the White House's COVID response team during a call with Baker and other governors."

– "Teacher unions cry foul over Baker claim," by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: "Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday said he is standing by a statement issued by his administration accusing teacher union leaders of making false and misleading claims about the COVID-19 vaccine prioritization process. The union leaders took umbrage at the comment and demanded a retraction, but Baker wasn't having it."

– "Massachusetts coronavirus vaccine scheduling issues: Lawmakers call on Baker to create phone, centralized online systems," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "State lawmakers are calling on Gov. Charlie Baker to centralize the state's online vaccine registration system and create a phone system to help seniors book appointments. 'It has been an extremely frustrating day for people trying to make online appointments,' state Sen. Anne Gobi, D-Spencer, said in an email."

FROM THE HUB

– "Challenges facing Hub vaccine effort," by Morgan C. Mullings, Bay State Banner: "Elected officials and public health experts were sharply critical of the Baker administration's initial roll-out of vaccine sites last week, with none located in the Black community where people have been hit the hardest by COVID-19 in Boston. But skepticism among community members could be an even greater factor inhibiting the dose rollout."

– "Boston To Conduct Annual Homeless Census, With Some Pandemic Alterations," by Lynn Jolicoeur, WBUR: "City leaders and advocates will conduct the annual census of people experiencing homelessness in Boston overnight Wednesday into Thursday. But the undertaking will look and feel a lot different than in years past."

– "As BSO, Boch Center struggle, fundraising takes off," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "Two of Boston's leading cultural institutions had their best fundraising years ever last year as patrons rushed to help fill a void created by COVID-19. 'We've raised more money now than when we were open,' said Josiah Spaulding, the president and CEO of the Boch Center, which has been shut down since March 12."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "Housing is one of the biggest challenges facing Boston's next mayor," by Tim Logan, Boston Globe: "For the last six years, anyone who wanted to build housing in Boston knew they had a friend in the corner office at City Hall. But with Mayor Martin J. Walsh bound for Washington, D.C., to become US labor secretary, developers and advocates are wondering how his successor will tackle one of Boston's thorniest challenges: the steep cost of housing."

– "Why the Boston City Council is looking to cancel a possible special election to replace Marty Walsh," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Typically, canceling an election isn't seen as the democratic thing to do. But in the case of the potential pandemic-era special elections to replace Boston Mayor Marty Walsh ahead of the city's regularly scheduled mayoral elections this year, many local officials and advocates say that's exactly what it is."

DAY IN COURT

– "SJC Chief Justice Kimberly Budd calls for increased civil legal aid funding for low-income residents," by Travis Andersen and Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Kimberly S. Budd on Wednesday called for increased funding for civil legal aid for low-income residents, calling it a step toward 'eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in our society,' the SJC said."

– "Judge rejects 19th Suffolk candidate's attempt to get on ballot despite being short on signatures," by Erin Tiernan and Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "A judge rejected a would-be 19th Suffolk District candidate's argument to get on the ballot despite being short on signatures, saying he had 'sufficient time' despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic ."

WARREN REPORT

– "Elizabeth Warren and AOC slam Wall Streeters who criticize the GameStop rally, saying they treat the stock market like a 'casino,'" by Grace Panetta, Business Insider: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts slammed hedge funds and investors who were criticizing the traders driving up GameStop stock, saying they've treated the stock market 'like their own personal casino' and calling for stricter regulations."

MARKEYCHUSETTS

– "Markey renews call to open NOAA center in New Bedford during Raimondo confirmation hearing," by Anastasia E. Lennon, Standard-Times: "During Commerce Secretary nominee Gov. Gina Raimondo's Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey renewed the call to bring a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research facility to New Bedford."

DATELINE D.C.

– "'It's a big day for Boston every day': Mass. native Gina McCarthy had the perfect response when introduced at a White House briefing," by Steve Annear, Boston Globe: "If Boston ever needs to change its official motto or drum up a marketing campaign, they might look to national climate advisor Gina McCarthy for inspiration. On Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki introduced former Secretary of State John Kerry and McCarthy — who grew up in Canton — at a press briefing on President Joe Biden's climate change initiatives."

THE PRESSLEY PARTY

– "Pressley calls on Baker to put greater emphasis on equity in vaccine distribution," by Christina Prignano, Boston Globe: "Representative Ayanna Pressley is calling on Governor Charlie Baker to prioritize communities of color as the state ramps up its vaccine distribution efforts. Pressley wrote in a letter to Baker dated Tuesday that she was alarmed by data from the CDC and the Department of Public Health that showed Massachusetts ranked 29th in vaccine deployment."

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: "INFURIATING," — Globe: "Vaccine rollout gets even rockier," "A vexing problem: Surplus doses," "What to do and not do with shots."

FROM THE 413

– "Pittsfield Councilors weigh four-hour meeting limit, earlier start time," by Amanda Burke, The Berkshire Eagle: "To some city councilors, limiting meetings to four hours would encourage efficiency and help attract candidates for office. To others, it risks city business building up into a backlog."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Worcester city councilors seek guidance on elderly vaccine rollout," by Steven H. Foskett Jr., Telegram & Gazette: "With less than a week before residents 75 or older become eligible to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, city councilors said they have been getting anxious phone calls from residents about the process, and they don't know what to tell them."

– "Belmont residents push Select Board to hire diversity director for town in wake of racial killing," by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: "Some Belmont residents called for the town to hire a diversity director and to provide funding for local antiracist organizations during a Wednesday night Select Board meeting to discuss the killing last week of a Black and Latino man in the town, allegedly by a white man who used a racial slur."

– "In Waltham, Response To Homelessness Is Coming From Those Facing It," by Isaiah Thompson, GBH News: "COVID-19 has put enormous pressure on the patchwork of safety nets for those facing homelessness in Massachusetts, but it has also prodded some communities to step up and innovate around needs that have long existed, were made worse, or simply exposed, by the pandemic."

– "A Drop In State Tax Credits For Redeveloping Former Factory Sites Is Hampering Growth In Worcester, Experts Say," by Carrie Saldo, GBH News: "Like many cities in Massachusetts, Worcester has deep industrial roots, and former factory sites are often riddled with PCB's and other contaminants. Cleaning and redeveloping those properties isn't easy or cheap, so in 1998, the state created an incentive for doing the work: The Brownfields Tax Credit."

– "In Newton, leaks in gas lines are a never-ending challenge," by Shaun Robinson, Boston Globe: "There were more than 920 natural gas leaks left unrepaired in Newton last year — more than in any other city or town in Massachusetts except Boston — according to the most recent gas company data analyzed by the Home Energy Efficiency Team, a nonprofit in Cambridge. Another 429 leaks were repaired, the data show."

– "Lawrence officials condemn illegal gatherings," by Allison Corneau, Eagle-Tribune: "Following three illegal gatherings in the city, officials including Mayor Kendrys Vasquez and police Chief Roy Vasque are calling on residents to curb the activity before they risk fines or other prosecution. In a statement issued Monday, Vasquez urged residents to think of the COVID-19 risks to themselves and others when gathering in large groups."

– "Five candidates will vie for Auchincloss, Ciccone's former Newton City Council seats," by Julie M. Cohen, Wicked Local: "The slate of candidates (not including write-ins) vying for two open city councilor-at-large seats was finalized Jan. 27, for the March 16 special election, according to the clerk's office. Signatures have been certified for the two people running for the Ward 1 position, John Oliver and Madeline Jeanne Ranalli; and the three running for Ward 2, Bryan Paul Barash, Tarik J. Lucas and David Micley."

REMEMBERING FORMER NEW BEDFORD MAYOR FRED KALISZ, via the Standard Times: "The city's flags flew at half-staff Wednesday to mourn the death of former Mayor Frederick M. Kalisz Jr., who died from COVID-19 complications Wednesday morning. He was 63." Link.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Antonio Caban, deputy communications director to Senate President Karen Spilka; former Rep. Peter Blute, Chrissy Raymond, former policy adviser for Rep. Seth Moulton, former Rep. Peter Torkildsen, Christina Knowles, and Katie Holzman, PR coordinator at the Meredith Corporation.

NEW EPISODE: MASS'D CONNECTIONS – On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Jennifer Smith and Stephanie Murray discuss the Biden administration's impact on Massachusetts with the Boston Globe's Kimberly Atkins. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.

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