News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: TRUMP IMPEACHED AGAIN — CAPITOL a ‘CRIME SCENE’ McGovern says

Thursday, January 14, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: TRUMP IMPEACHED AGAIN — CAPITOL a ‘CRIME SCENE’ McGovern says — DEVELOPERS fear CHANGE at CITY HALL

Jan 14, 2021

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

TRUMP IMPEACHED, RIOT FALLOUT CONTINUES — It was a striking scene. As the House voted to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time on Wednesday, members of the National Guard patrolled the hallways to prevent political violence from breaking out again at the U.S. Capitol.

A week after the deadly insurrection instigated by the president, the FBI is warning there could be more armed protests surrounding President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, and in all 50 states. For now, Gov. Charlie Baker says there have been no direct threats to the State House that would cause him to call in the National Guard. The state is, however, considering sending some guardsmen to Washington, D.C.

Massachusetts had its share of Trump supporters at the Capitol last week, where a violent mob stormed the building and left five people dead in its wake. U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling has pledged to prosecute anyone from Massachusetts who was part of the mob.

Some of those individuals have been arrested or may lose their jobs after being spotted at the insurrection. Before the event, Massachusetts was flagged by the FBI as a state where rioters gathered before traveling to Washington. A bus of Trump supporters who traveled from Newton told the AFP they'd fight "tooth and nail" to keep the president in office.

"You can't be deceived by the vote margin and the electoral dominance and loyalty that Massachusetts has shown to Democratic nominees for president. Over a million people in 2016 voted for Donald Trump in Massachusetts," Suffolk University pollster David Paleologos said yesterday.

The fallout for some Bay Staters who were at the Capitol last week has been well-documented in the press. A high schooler who identified her mother in a viral video became a national news story, prompting UMass Memorial Medical Center to issue a statement that one of its employees who may have been involved in the riot no longer works there.

In Somerville, a volunteer member of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund is under investigation for attending the "Stop the Steal" rally, though she says she did not breach the Capitol. A Pittsfield man was arrested in Washington, and arraigned on an unlawful entry charge. More than 500 people have signed a petition to oust a Natick Town Meeting member who was photographed inside the building. And a Cape Cod restaurant owner is apologizing after calling the march to the Capitol "kind of fun."

Social media giants who banned Trump from their platforms also appear to be cracking down on other users. Dianna Ploss, a Dedham native who founded the group "Massachusetts 4 Trump" and leads protests outside Baker's house, no longer has pages on Twitter and Facebook. Ploss still has a YouTube channel, and posted a video from Washington on Jan. 6 with the title " Storming the Capitol!"

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TODAY — Rep. Jim McGovern is a guest on GBH's "Greater Boston." Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark hosts a telephone town hall on the Covid-19 vaccine. Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo is a guest on "Notorious In The Morning." Boston Mayor Marty Walsh holds a Covid-19 press briefing.

HAPPENING TODAY - THE COVID-19 VACCINE ROLLOUT: What are the logistical challenges facing the coronavirus immunization campaign? Who is overseeing the process and working to overcome obstacles to ensure that vulnerable groups have access to the vaccine? Join POLITICO for a virtual discussion on the outgoing Trump administration's plan to prioritize lower-income, rural, and communities of color for vaccine distribution and what the Biden administration can do to streamline plans and fill in any gaps. REGISTER HERE.

THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "Massachusetts reports 5,278 new COVID cases, 86 more deaths on Wednesday with some signs of slowing," by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts health officials on Wednesday announced another 5,278 cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of active cases to 90,467 statewide. Additionally, 86 more residents have died from illnesses related to the coronavirus ."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Charlie Baker says he supports second Trump impeachment," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "Gov. Charlie Baker said he supports a second impeachment of President Trump after Vice President Mike Pence rejected appeals for him to invoke the 25th amendment in the wake of last Wednesday's siege on the nation's Capitol."

– "Baker says Mass. mulling National Guard deployments to Washington, D.C. to boost security," by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker said Wednesday that the state may send 'a few hundred' members of the National Guard to Washington, D.C., to boost security for President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration following last week's deadly violence at the US Capitol."

– "Massachusetts lawmakers prepare to refile climate bill if Gov. Charlie Baker lets clock run out," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Gov. Charlie Baker said he is still reviewing a major climate bill that was sent to his desk last week, but Massachusetts lawmakers are already preparing to refile the bill in the new legislative session."

– "Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signs 'Laura's law,' named after woman who died looking for ER," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Gov. Charlie Baker plans to sign a bill that aims to improve access to emergency care, known as 'Laura's Law' on Friday, January 15, at the Massachusetts State House. Four years after Laura Levis died looking for the emergency room entrance, the bill her husband advocated for in her honor is on track to become law."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "Secretary of State Galvin, others propose ways to speed up vaccination as Baker defends state rollout," by Robert Weisman and Kay Lazar, Boston Globe: "With data showing Massachusetts lags other states in vaccinating residents, Secretary of State William Galvin and others are proposing ways to speed up vaccine distribution — among them, giving shots where people vote. Governor Charlie Baker, meanwhile, outlined plans on Wednesday to expand the COVID-19 vaccination rollout and insisted it remains on track."

– "Mass. Shelters, Prisons And Other Residential Programs Next Up For Vaccines, Baker Says," by Mike Deehan, GBH News: "Individuals in group residential settings will have access to COVID-19 vaccines next week, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Wednesday. After starting the state's vaccination effort with medical workers, eldercare facilities and then first responders, the state will give groups in residential settings priority starting Monday."

FROM THE HUB

– "Walsh evolution in confronting racism takes center stage," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "The bookends to Marty Walsh's seven-year run as mayor are all you need to look at to understand how the issue of race has gone from long-simmering, but often backburner, issue to a central subject of the day in Boston. As part of a sprawling 12-candidate field for the open mayor's seat in 2013, Walsh chased votes across the city, including with a series of town hall forums dubbed 'Mondays with Marty.'"

– "With City Board Approval, Boston Set To Implement 'Fair Housing' Zoning Amendment," by Simón Rios, WBUR: "As they bring ideas for major projects before the city, developers in Boston are poised to have to confront the impact of their proposals on displacement and protected classes of people before they can gain approval."

– "CDC: coronavirus cases among children, young adults have risen since the summer," by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "Coronavirus cases among children and young adults have risen nationwide since the summertime, prompting researchers to call for strict adherence to universal mask wearing in schools to promote safe in-person learning, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "Proposal to eliminate Boston special mayoral election could be bad look, some councilors say," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Several city councilors looked askance at a proposal to get rid of the possibility of a special election for Boston mayor this year, saying it would have poor optics. 'This vote, this action, would certainly benefit some,' City Councilor Matt O'Malley said. 'I would hate it to seem that we're putting the thumb on the scale for anyone.'"

– "As Walsh heads to D.C., Boston's real estate world fears upheaval," by Catherine Carlock, Boston Business Journal: "The commercial real estate industry loathes uncertainty. So when President-elect Joe Biden announced that he plans to take Boston Mayor Marty Walsh with him to Washington, D.C., one prominent real-estate developer's reaction likely spoke for many: "Oh, sh*t. Here we go.'"

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

– "3 tracks ahead for state East-West Rail project," by Cyrus Moulton, Telegram & Gazette: "An MBTA commuter rail train arrives at Worcester's Union Station on Wednesday. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has narrowed it down to three options for proposed passenger rail service between Pittsfield and Boston, with cost estimates ranging from $2.4 billion to $4.6 billion."

BIDEN TIME

– "Biden Nominates Samantha Power To Run U.S. Agency For International Development," by Laurel Wamsley, GBH News: "President-elect Joe Biden has nominated former U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power to lead the U.S. Agency for International Development. Biden also said he was elevating that role — USAID Administrator — to be a member of the White House National Security Council."

DAY IN COURT

– "Former Boston Police clerk arrested on federal charges of alleged overtime fraud," by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "A former Boston Police Department clerk was arrested Wednesday on charges that she collected about $29,000 in fraudulent overtime payments between 2017 and 2018, federal prosecutors said. Marilyn Golisano, 68, was indicted on six counts of wire fraud and one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds and aggravated identity theft, the US Attorney's office for Massachusetts said in a statement."

FROM THE DELEGATION

– "After husband contracts coronavirus, Rep. Ayanna Pressley criticizes GOP colleagues for not wearing masks," by Martin Finucane, Boston Globe: "The husband of US Representative Ayanna Pressley, who was with her during last week's assault by a Trump-incited mob on the US Capitol, has tested positive for coronavirus, her office said. Conan Harris, who tested positive Tuesday night, has shown mild symptoms and is in isolation. Pressley, who has tested negative, said she is also quarantining."

– "Revisiting the Insurrection: Lynch worried about security for inauguration," by Bill Forry, Dorchester Reporter: "Congressman Stephen Lynch has 'significant concerns' about security around the US Capitol ahead of next week's planned inauguration, which is a potential target of domestic terror groups threatening armed resistance in Washington, D.C., and other cities beginning this weekend."

– "Auchincloss: 'I Don't Want To Be Unified With People Who Are Waging Insurrection Against The United States Government,'" by Zoe Mathews, GBH News: "Speaking on Boston Public Radio on Wednesday, Rep. Jake Auchincloss discussed the calls for unity, largely coming from Republicans as an argument against impeaching President Donald Trump for his role in inciting the insurrection on the Capitol."

– "House Is Debating Impeachment 'At An Actual Crime Scene,' Rep. McGovern Says," by Bill Chappell, NPR: "'We are debating this historic measure at an actual crime scene,' Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said Wednesday morning, discussing House Resolution 24, the measure that would impeach President Trump for the second time. He was speaking in the same chamber that was evacuated one week ago as a mob of pro-Trump extremists breached security and flooded into the halls of Congress."

– "Attleboro area congressman says vote to impeach Trump was about 'moral leadership,'" by Tom Reilly, Sun Chronicle: "Wednesday's vote to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time came down to an issue of 'moral leadership,' the area's congressman says. U.S. Rep, Jake Auchincloss, D-Newton, said Wednesday -- in his first floor speech as a congressman -- that the move ... was a 'duty under a Constitution that compels us to defend against enemies foreign and domestic.'"

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: "IMPEACHED, AGAIN," — Globe: "AFTER THE INSURRECTION, TRUMP IS IMPEACHED AGAIN."

FROM THE 413

– "Read the report: UMass investigation into Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse and conduct involving students," by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "The results of a four-month investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct by Holyoke Mayor Alex B. Morse involving college students was released Wednesday. The investigation was conducted by attorney Natashia Tidwell, a partner at the Boston law firm Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, on behalf of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst."

– "'Embarrassed' council gives Agawam mayor a bigger raise," by Michael Ballway, Springfield Republican: "The people want a better-paid mayor, city councilors said Monday before voting to increase the salary to $110,000. They had already voted, on Dec. 21, to raise the salary from its current $85,000 to $95,000, to take effect after the next election."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell tests positive for COVID-19," by Linda Roy, The Standard-Times: "Mayor Jon Mitchell has announced that he does 'not anticipate that my status will disrupt municipal services or compromise my ability to lead the city' following his testing positive for COVID-19."

– "Chelmsford Select Board Member Antul resigns after making crude slur," by Amy Sokolow, The Lowell Sun: "Select Board member Emily Antul abruptly resigned Wednesday, just days after calling a member of the Finance Committee a crude, highly offensive derogatory slur during a heated exchange."

– "Framingham schools are hiring people to fill several 'emergency COVID-19 response positions,'" by Zane Razzaq, MetroWest Daily News: "In hopes of bringing back students for in-person learning, the school district has created two new emergency COVID-19 response positions and is searching for candidates to fill the jobs."

– "Quincy councilors: Let's help pay for Long Island ferry," by Mary Whitfill, The Patriot Ledger: "City councilors say they're willing to fork over half the cost of running a ferry service to Long Island if it means Boston city officials drop plans to rebuild a controversial bridge in the harbor. At a meeting this week, councilors discussed the feasibility of a ferry service running between existing docks on the island and in Quincy's Squantum neighborhood."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Yael Sheinfeld and University of Cincinnati Baseball #17 Nick Murray.

NEW EPISODE: CHARTER SCHOOL – On this week's episode of The Horse Race, hosts Jennifer Smith, Steve Koczela and Stephanie Murray discuss President Donald Trump's impeachment, whether Boston will have a special election to replace outgoing Mayor Marty Walsh, and new polling on Beacon Hill budget priorities. Guest state Rep. Jon Santiago shares his experience as an emergency room doctor and state lawmaker during the pandemic, and discusses whether he's considering running for mayor. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.

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