News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: NEW SESSION begins on BEACON HILL — FURLOUGHS hit MBTA staff

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: NEW SESSION begins on BEACON HILL — FURLOUGHS hit MBTA staff — NEW VIRUS STRAIN likely in Mass.

Jan 06, 2021

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

BREAKING OVERNIGHT — Democrats are inching closer to control of the Senate after a pair of runoff elections in Georgia. Democrat Raphael Warnock defeated Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler, according to a race call from the Associated Press. If Jon Ossoff beats GOP Sen. David Perdue in the other race on the ballot Tuesday — it's too close to call at the moment — Democrats will control both chambers of Congress and the White House.

NEW SESSION BEGINS ON BEACON HILL — State lawmakers will officially kick off the new legislative session today, after burning the midnight oil to send major bills to Gov. Charlie Baker's desk. Lawmakers stayed up past 4 a.m. passing legislation to address economic development, transportation, campus sexual assault and craft brewing, among other issues, before the previous two-year session ended for good.

Just a few hours later, a class of 19 first-year lawmakers will be sworn in at the State House later this morning. The state Senate will host an "an outdoor, socially distant swearing-in ceremony" in Ashburton Park at 11 a.m., according to Senate President Karen Spilka's office. Baker will administer the oath of office to lawmakers attending in person. After that, lawmakers joining virtually will take their oaths.

The Senate will swear in two new Democrats: Senators-elect Adam Gomez of Springfield and John Cronin of Lunenburg.

And the House will swear in 17 new members — two Republicans and 15 Democrats. The new lawmakers will attend in person, while most other House members will attend over the phone or online. Baker will swear in lawmakers around noon.

The newly-elected representatives are Kip Diggs and Steve Xiarhos of Barnstable, Adam Scanlon of North Attleboro, Sally Kerans of Danvers, Kelly Pease of Westfield, Patricia Duffy of Holyoke, Jake Oliveira of Ludlow, Orlando Ramos of Springfield, Vanna Howard of Lowell, Erika Uyterhoeven of Somerville, Steven Owens of Watertown, Ted Philips of Sharon, Brandy Fluker Oakley and Rob Consalvo of Boston, Jessica Giannino of Revere, Mike Kushmerek of Fitchburg, and Meghan Kilcoyne of Northborough.

The new class of lawmakers will make Beacon Hill a bit more diverse. The Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators will add seven new representatives, including three women of color. The group will now have 60 members, and make up 31% of lawmakers, according to the caucus. A total 219 women have served in the state legislature.

And the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus will also grow in size from 14 to 16 members, even with the departure of state Reps. José Tosado and Aaron Vega. Joining the caucus are Gomez, Ramos, Diggs and Fluker Oakley. The caucus had seven members when it was founded in 1973.

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

TODAY — A new state legislative session begins. Rep. Jim McGovern and state Rep. Jack Lewis are guests on GBH News.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "Massachusetts reports 4,178 new COVID cases, 63 deaths on Tuesday with half of all hospitalizations in Suffolk County," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "State health officials confirmed another 4,178 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the active statewide count to 79,406. That's based on 59,718 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health. Officials also announced another 63 COVID-related fatalities, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths from the virus to 12,464."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Legislature passes jobs, transportation bills in chaotic close to session," by Matt Stout, Jon Chesto and Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: "The Massachusetts Legislature on Wednesday morning passed long-awaited agreements on a $627 million economic stimulus bill and a multibillion-dollar transportation borrowing package, but only after bending its own rules — and the calendar — to finally get the proposals to Governor Charlie Baker's desk. Despite giving themselves five extra months to hash out major bills, lawmakers toiled until 4:42 a.m. in a chaotic end to their two-year session."

– "Where deadlines, rules, time are malleable," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "The 2019-2020 legislative session was scheduled to end on Tuesday, but there was still work to be done at midnight so lawmakers kept extending the session into the wee hours of Wednesday morning and kept bills moving between the branches. It was another example of how deadlines, rules, and even time are malleable on Beacon Hill."

– "Speaker Mariano criticized for response to questions about COVID-19 vaccines," by Joe Difazio, The Patriot Ledger: "Newly minted House Speaker Ron Mariano is drawing criticism for his response to questions about the COVID-19 vaccine in a recent TV interview. In a sit-down interview last week with Patriot Ledger media partner WCVB, Mariano was asked by reporter Sharman Sacchetti how he felt the state's vaccine rollout was going."

– "Ron Mariano, the new speaker, doesn't seem to have much to say," by Adrian Walker, Boston Globe: "Ron Mariano doesn't plan to hang around long as speaker of the Massachusetts House — of course he doesn't, he's 74 — and that's the best thing about his tenure to date. The old guard at the State House won a major victory late last month when Mariano, the longstanding House No. 2, swept into the speaker's chair recently vacated by his good friend Bob DeLeo, the longest-serving speaker in history."

– "State Officials Tell Schools MCAS Testing Will Proceed Despite Pandemic," by Meg Woolhouse, GBH News: "The state will shorten standardized testing time for 3rd through 8th graders this year as a result of the pandemic but it will not cancel MCAS testing. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education issued the much-anticipated guidance Tuesday morning in a memo to superintendents."

– "How the COVID pandemic pushed Massachusetts hospitals, insurers to embrace telehealth," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Now rules that require insurers to reimburse telehealth appointments at the same rate they would in-person appointments are law. Gov. Charlie Baker signed a landmark health care bill last week that makes telehealth appointments for behavioral health care permanently covered by insurers at the same rate, achieving what policy wonks call 'payment parity.'"

– "Massachusetts' $8.2B state payroll, raises called a 'sick' trend during pandemic," by Erin Tiernan and Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: "In a year that ushered in staggering unemployment amid the economic collapse from the coronavirus pandemic, the state's payroll ballooned more than $17 million to $8.2 billion in 2020, a Herald analysis shows. Officials blamed the payroll spike on contractual increases negotiated with police, teachers and other unions. Responding to the COVID-19 crisis was also cited."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "Baker says 70,000 staff members at Mass. hospitals have received COVID-19 vaccine," by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker said Tuesday that more than 70,000 'COVID-facing' staff members at Massachusetts hospitals have received the COVID-19 vaccine amid the ongoing distribution program that's slated to expand to first responders on Jan. 11. Baker, speaking during a briefing at Baystate Medical Center, said the vaccination tally at the Springfield hospital stood at more than 6,000 as of Tuesday."

– "Vaccine distribution will even out as focus shifts from health care workers to first responders, Gov. Charlie Baker says," by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "The state's most recent data on COVID-19 vaccination efforts shows much of Massachusetts lagging behind Boston and its suburbs in terms of doses received compared to the local population."

– "Fear Of Deportation Prompts Undocumented Immigrants To Resist COVID-19 Vaccine," by Tori Bedford, GBH News: "Immigrants across Massachusetts have resisted getting the COVID-19 vaccine out of fear of deportation or others legal consequences, according to lawyers, activists and community leaders."

– "Campuses step up to help with Covid-19 vaccine distribution," by Hilary Burns, Boston Business Journal: "Northeastern University started administering Covid-19 vaccines Tuesday, making the school one of the first universities in the U.S. to do so, according to university officials. 'Our hope is to scale up to being able to vaccinate 1,000-plus people per day,' said Christine Civiletto, the interim executive director at Northeastern's University Health and Counseling Services, who helps oversee vaccine operations."

FROM THE HUB

– "With the pandemic still raging, Boston extends restrictions for another 3 weeks," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "Facing a still-rampaging pandemic, the city of Boston is extending restrictions on gyms, museums, movie theaters, and many other businesses for another three weeks until Jan. 27, Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced Tuesday. Boston was one of several Massachusetts cities last month that went farther than the statewide restrictions to try to reduce the spread of the coronavirus."

– "Dozens Of Groups Urge Massachusetts Parole Board Reforms Amid Pandemic," by Deborah Becker, WBUR: "After 17 years on parole in Massachusetts, Wayne Lane completed his parole in March of last year — at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. While on parole, Lane, 59, bought a house and began working to help others seeking release from prison on parole."

– "Harvard disease expert calls more contagious coronavirus variant a 'really big deal,'" by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "As a new coronavirus variant forces the United Kingdom into another lockdown, Harvard disease expert Marc Lipsitch says it's time for officials in the United States to focus on the exceptionally contagious mutation."

– "Walsh Vetoes Ordinance That Would Restrict Police Use Of Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets," by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: "Boston city councilors plan to refile legislation that would restrict how and when police can use tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets after Mayor Marty Walsh vetoed the measure. Walsh said in a statement that he had legal concerns with the measure, and that he supported restrictions on the so-called 'less lethal' equipment in the newly signed state police reform law."

– "Open seat to be filled on Boston School Committee to be delayed, process to restart," by Alexi Cohan, Boston Herald: "A vacancy on the Boston School Committee set to be filled by Mayor Martin Walsh will now be delayed after his original selection withdrew their name from consideration, according to spokesman Nick Martin. Two open seats on the school committee — one four-year position left by the expiring term of Michael O'Neill and a one-year term left by former chairman Michael Loconto were available."

– "Boston MedFlight transporting COVID patients across New England due to lack of beds," by Alexi Cohan, Boston Herald: "Boston MedFlight has transported nearly 1,200 critically ill coronavirus patients since the pandemic began, and now they are taking those who need treatment to hospitals across New England as bed capacity becomes limited."

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

– "MBTA will furlough some workers, including top executives," by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: "About one-sixth of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's workforce, including its general manager and other top executives, will be forced to take five furlough days in the coming months, as the agency seeks to contain costs despite an incoming haul of new federal funding from the latest COVID-19 relief bill."

CABINET WATCH

– "Mayor Walsh again mum on rumors Biden may tap him for US labor secretary," by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "Mayor Martin J. Walsh on Tuesday refused to directly address rumors that President-elect Joe Biden may nominate him for US labor secretary. Walsh, a close ally of fellow Democrat Biden and a former labor leader, was asked about the persistent rumors during the tail end of a COVID-19 press conference in Boston."

DAY IN COURT

– "Federal appeals court says Massachusetts citizens can secretly make audio recordings of on-duty police in public spaces," by Nick Stoico and John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: "A Massachusetts ban on secret audio recordings of police in public areas was declared unconstitutional last month by a federal appeals court, reversing part of a 52-year-old state law that criminalized recordings made without the officer's permission. The unanimous ruling by the First Circuit Court of Appeals said the law violated the First Amendment by undermining citizen oversight of law enforcement."

MARKEYCHUSETTS

– "Mask On, Run Off With Senator Ed Markey," Crooked Media: "We spoke to Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey about the Georgia races, what Biden can do on his own on climate, and how to deal with Republicans who want to erase the will of voters."

TRUMPACHUSETTS

– "MassGOP official writes mea culpa in Herald after COVID diagnosis following White House Hanukkah party," The Associated Press: "The vice chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party, a former coronavirus skeptic, has issued a mea culpa after falling sick with COVID-19, likely from being infected at a White House Hanukkah party last month."

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: "NEXT STOP: FURLOUGHS," — Globe: "Baker urges extra vigilance as new virus variant looms," "With stakes high for country, Ga. comes down to the wire."

FROM THE 413

– "'It just feels like the right time': Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz will not seek reelection," by Greta Jochem, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "After serving the city in appointed and elected roles for more than two decades, including the last nine in the corner office at City Hall, Mayor David Narkewicz announced Tuesday that he will not seek re-election to a fourth term as mayor."

– "Protesters call for Chicopee City Councilor Lucjan Galecki to resign over sexual harassment comments," by Jeanette DeForge, Springfield Republican: "Protesters gathered in front of City Hall Tuesday to call for the resignation of a city councilor who said women wearing provocative clothing at 'sketchy' nightclubs are at fault if they are sexually harassed. About 20 residents held signs and chanted in a demonstration before a City Council meeting."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Newly elected Cape Cod officials ready to get to work," by Ethan Genter, Cape Cod Times: "The Cape's latest class of freshman elected officials are being sworn in this week, and the focus across the board is on getting the COVID-19 crisis under control. 'That's the only thing on my mind,' said Osterville Democrat Kip Diggs, who will be sworn in on Beacon Hill as state representative for the 2nd Barnstable District."

– "'Fiber break' revives broadband debate," by Cyrus Moulton, Telegram & Gazette: "A 'network fiber break' that knocked out the internet for a good chunk of the city Monday has leaders refocused on improving local broadband connectivity and the option of municipal broadband, saying that the future depends on fast, reliable internet."

– "Cambridge School Officials Reverse Course, Plan For Wider Reopening By February," by Max Larkin, WBUR: "Even with COVID-19 cases high, Cambridge will plan to bring more students back into schools — and to avoid another pullback to remote teaching — starting in February."

MEDIA MATTERS

– "A Q&A with Robert Carlock on 'Mr. Mayor,' Tina Fey, and Mass. humor," by Christopher Wallenberg, Boston Globe: "In politics, campaigning is often the easy part. It's the governing that's hard. That's the hurdle faced by Ted Danson's affable Neil Bremer in the new NBC comedy 'Mr. Mayor.'"

TRANSITIONS – Amanda Hunter was appointed executive director of the Barbara Lee Family Foundation and the Barbara Lee Political Office.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Sarah Blodgett, communications director for state Senate President Karen Spilka; Natalie Boyse, Âri de Fauconberg, Sean Costello and Mark Hyman, who is 63.

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