News: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: WALSH’S FAREWELL — GILLETTE to host mass VACCINATIONS — HARVARD drops CONGRESSWOMAN from advisory role

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: WALSH’S FAREWELL — GILLETTE to host mass VACCINATIONS — HARVARD drops CONGRESSWOMAN from advisory role

Jan 13, 2021

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

WASHINGTON-BOUND, WALSH SAYS FAREWELL — Boston Mayor Marty Walsh offered an emotional farewell last night to the city he's governed since 2014.

Headed to Washington as President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for Labor secretary, Walsh said during his State of the City speech that he'd make the administration the "best federal partner Boston and American cities have ever had."

"The truth is, I'm not going to Washington alone . I'm bringing Boston with me. This city is not just my hometown, it's my heart," Walsh said during the televised address.

If confirmed by the Senate, Walsh will resign his current post. That will elevate City Council President Kim Janey to the role of acting mayor sometime in the coming weeks. And Janey is considering running for a full term — the councilor recently hired Northwind Strategies to handle political communications, the Boston Herald reports.

The timing of the mayor's resignation may set off a political scramble.

Depending on when Walsh formally leaves City Hall, he could trigger a summer special election, followed by another election in the fall. City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo is proposing the city skip the special election regardless of the timing, something Secretary of State Bill Galvin told the Boston Globe he supports. The home rule petition would need approval by the state legislature, which just began a new session and hasn't yet assigned lawmakers to committees.

Keeping the special election would likely benefit the candidates already in the race: City Councilors Michelle Wu and Andrea Campbell. They've assembled staff, packed money into their campaign accounts and rolled out endorsements. Eliminating the special election could help Janey's potential candidacy by giving her a longer period as the incumbent. Wu says she supports eliminating the special election due to health concerns related to the ongoing pandemic.

"I support having the election in November. We are in the midst of a pandemic. And the extra costs and public health considerations of having two elections in a year have to be weighed in this current moment," Wu told me over the phone on Tuesday. Campbell didn't say whether she preferred to keep the special election, but said the city should prioritize vote by mail options to keep voters safe.

As for the other dozen pols weighing campaigns, a shorter special election period would be an easier lift for those with well-known names and big campaign bank accounts, as compared to their lesser-known counterparts.

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

TODAY — House lawmakers plan to impeach President Donald Trump. Rep. Jake Auchincloss and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius are guests on GBH's "Boston Public Radio." Sen. Ed Markey and Auchincloss are guests on GBH's "Greater Boston."

HAPPENING THURSDAY - 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 4,906 new COVID cases, 67 more deaths Tuesday as state prepares to open vaccination site at Gillette Stadium," by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: "Another 4,906 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Massachusetts, bringing the number of active cases statewide to 90,975, state health officials said Tuesday. Officials also reported 67 more deaths related to the virus."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Baker sees use for facial recognition in DC probes," by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: "Gov. Charlie Baker said on Tuesday he was glad that the state still has access to facial recognition technology as officials attempt to identify and prosecute Massachusetts residents who engaged in the US Capitol riots last week."

– "Baker signs campus sexual assault bill, approves deal affecting craft brewers," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday signed six bills with statewide implications, including a bill to provide more rights and resources to students involved in cases of sexual misconduct on campus and a long-sought after deal between craft brewers and their distributors."

– "Here's the story behind the decade-long battle to reform beer distribution laws," by Jessica Bartlett, Boston Business Journal: "For craft beer brewers struggling through the hardest season in their history, the law Baker signed on Tuesday couldn't have come too soon. The bill finalized a compromise that has taken brewers and distributors nearly a decade to agree on."

– "Real estate groups push for veto of climate bill, saying it could thwart economic recovery," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "A business-backed lobbying push over one controversial provision could end up sinking a far-reaching climate and energy bill that the Massachusetts Legislature passed on the penultimate day of its two-year session. The point of contention: one sentence in the 57-page bill that would allow cities and towns to adopt rules requiring new buildings to be 'net zero,' presumably with regard to greenhouse-gas emissions ."

– "Poll finds racial tilt on government priorities," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "Black and Latino residents of Massachusetts are more likely than white residents to support a stronger government intervention in society, according to a poll released Wednesday by the MassINC Polling Group."

– "The New Climate Bill Won't Make Or Break A Proposed Biomass Plant In Springfield. But Another State Plan Will," by Miriam Wasser, WBUR: "In the week since the legislature delivered a massive climate bill to Governor Charlie Baker, there's been a lot of talk — and some misconception — about how it will impact a proposed wood-burning biomass plant in Springfield known as the Palmer Renewable Energy facility."

– "Healey sitting on large campaign warchest," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "Attorney General Maura Healey is sitting on a mountain of campaign cash, raising the question of what she's going to do with it. Healey's campaign finance reports indicate she had $2.96 million in cash on hand at the end of December. That's more than the $2.5 million Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito had combined together."

– "Lawmakers vow to press for sports betting," by Christian M. Wade, Gloucester Daily Times: "Lawmakers have fumbled the ball with legalized sports betting as other states have cashed in, but Massachusetts could still get a piece of the action. Sen. Brendan Crighton, D-Lynn, said he plans to re-file a measure authorizing sports betting at racetracks and casinos and by mobile platforms such as DraftKings while establishing a system to tax and regulate the industry."

– "No Instruction Manual: Mass. School Districts Navigate Closures With Little Help From State," by Meg Woolhouse, GBH News: "Massachusetts Secretary of Education James Peyser echoed a familiar refrain when asked what school districts should do as COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts soared to new highs. 'The governor and the administration as a whole have been pretty clear that we think students ought to be back in school as much as possible, as soon as possible,' he said in an interview with GBH."

– "State seeks $190 million in 'overpaid' jobless benefits," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "The state is trying to recoup nearly $190 million in 'overpayments' from jobless workers who received unemployment benefits during the pandemic. The overpayments were made to those receiving traditional state benefits as well as self-employed, gig economy workers and others getting weekly payments under the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program."

– "Future of food delivery fees up to Gov. Baker," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "Gov. Charlie Baker will be the final arbiter of a dispute between restaurants and food delivery apps over how much the apps can charge for providing delivery services. The economic development bill currently on Baker's desk would impose a statewide cap on the size of fees that delivery services like GrubHub and Uber Eats can charge to restaurants during the COVID-19 emergency."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "COVID-19 Vaccinations Begin In Mass. Addiction Treatment Programs," by Deborah Becker, WBUR: "After 10 months of contending with the coronavirus pandemic, the largest addiction treatment provider in Massachusetts expressed relief as it began vaccinating workers and long-term patients against the virus."

– "Gillette Stadium Will Be State's First Mass Vaccination Site," by Mike Deehan, GBH News: "Massachustts will open its first mass COVID-19 vaccination site at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough this week, Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday. Baker said public health staff at the 1.9 million-square-foot stadium will vaccinate the site's own medical staff this Thursday in anticipation of appointments by first responders starting next Monday."

– "If you're over 75, your vaccine's coming. But it's not clear when and where." by Robert Weisman, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts officials are preparing next month to launch the most ambitious phase yet of their COVID-19 vaccination program — inoculating every state resident age 75 or older. And there are indications they aren't close to being ready. Just ask 77-year-old George McQuilken."

FROM THE HUB

– "Walsh says Boston 'is not just my hometown, it's my heart' in likely final State of the City address," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "In what was likely his final State of the City address, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh said Tuesday night that the city is well-positioned to rebound from an unprecedented pandemic, while imploring people to continue to fight racism, calling it 'our deepest moral obligation.'"

– "Harvard removes Republican Elise Stefanik from advisory committee," by Stephanie Murray, POLITICO: "The Harvard Institute of Politics removed Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) from its Senior Advisory Committee in the wake of last week's deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol, pointing to her unfounded claims of voter fraud in the November election."

– "Boston firefighter sex discrimination case settled for $3.2 million," The Associated Press: "A former Boston firefighter who said she was sexually harassed by male colleagues while on the job, then denied a better position as retaliation for reporting the harassment, has reached a $3.2 million settlement with the city, her attorneys said Tuesday."

– "Boston Fed president sees 'robust recovery' in second half of 2021," by Larry Edelman, Boston Globe: "After 10 months of pandemic-induced hardship for many, the start of COVID-19 vaccinations and a new round of government relief spending have set the stage for a strong rebound in economic growth and employment in the latter half of the year, according to Eric Rosengren, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "With Marty Walsh's departure, endorsements have piled into Boston's mayoral race. Here's who has backed candidates." by Christopher Gavin, Boston.com: "Mayor Marty Walsh's expected, imminent departure for a role in the incoming Biden Administration has blown open Boston's mayoral race, igniting and stoking speculation about just how diverse the array of candidates could be with the absence of a popular incumbent."

DAY IN COURT

– "A Massachusetts lawyer is suing Google for $1,000 for including him in search results," by Mark Gartsbeyn, Boston.com: "A Massachusetts lawyer who has apparently never heard of the Streisand effect is suing Google for returning results on him when you search for his name. Matthew Sandofsky filed the suit against the tech giant on Monday in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts. He's asking for $1,000 for himself and anyone else affected, which given the ubiquity of Google and the internet is close to every single American adult."

DATELINE D.C.

– "Top lawmakers alarmed by torrent of new threats," by Sarah Ferris and Marianne LeVine, POLITICO: "Fear is particularly heightened around Inauguration Day, with the FBI publicly warning of armed protests in every state in the lead-up to Jan. 20. ... 'Last week's attack may not be a one-time event,' House Rules Committee Chair Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) said on Tuesday."

– "FBI report warned of 'war' at Capitol, contradicting claims there was no indication of looming violence," by Devlin Barrett and Matt Zapotosky, The Washington Post: "A situational information report approved for release the day before the U.S. Capitol riot painted a dire portrait of dangerous plans, including individuals sharing a map of the complex's tunnels, and possible rally points for would-be conspirators to meet in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and South Carolina and head in groups to Washington."

FROM THE DELEGATION

– "'It was like looking at evil:' The Capitol attack through the eyes of the Massachusetts delegation," by Jazmine Ulloa and Steve Annear, Boston Globe: "For days, Massachusetts lawmakers said, they and their colleagues had received assurances from police that security would be tight and that they would be shielded from the masses as Trump continued to spout lies and conspiracies, refusing to concede his loss in November. But incited by Trump's words, the rally morphed into a protest that escalated into an armed insurrection to overturn the election."

– "'I never once said this thing was stolen'; Congressman Jim Jordan says as Congressman Jim McGovern asks Republicans to denounce president's claims," by Noah R. Bombard, MassLive.com: "As the House Rules Committee debated a resolution asking Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove President Donald Trump from office, Democrats continued to press Republicans in the House Tuesday to denounce repeatedly unproven allegations that the election was stolen."

– "Biden team briefs Congress on emerging stimulus plan, aims for bipartisan deal," by Erica Werner and Jeff Stein, The Washington Post: "Biden's unveiling of the package is likely to kick off a furious round of lobbying and horse-trading as numerous lawmakers push for their priorities in the legislation. In a new letter, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) are pushing Biden to include their 'Baby Bonds' proposal to give every American child a bank account seeded with $1,000 that they could access at age 18."

TRUMPACHUSETTS

– "Former Mass Rep. Peter Torkildsen Calls For Trump's Impeachment," by Mary Blake, GBH News: "Two dozen former Republican members of Congress, including a former representative from Massachusetts, are calling for President Donald Trump's impeachment. The group sent a joint letter to the current Congress on Monday, writing 'There is no excuse for nor defense of a President of the United States to actively orchestrate an insurrection on a separate but coequal branch of government.'"

– "'It was beyond reprehensible': Arnold's Lobster & Clam Bar owner denounces events at US Capitol, didn't know the full extent of events when on 'Howie Carr Show,'" by Heather Morrison, MassLive.com: "The owner of Arnold's Lobster & Clam Bar in Eastham is receiving backlash, including death threats after being at the U.S. Capitol Building when it was breached by insurrectionists — but he was not part of that group, he said."

– "Cape police: No officers in attendance at Capitol insurgence," by Denise Coffey, Cape Cod Times: "Some videos and pictures posted on social media in the days since last week's attack on the U.S. Capitol show police officers posing with some of those who broke into the building. But police chiefs on the Cape and Islands say that none of their personnel were in Washington on Jan. 6."

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

– "Healey appoints new commissioner to Mass. marijuana agency," by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Tuesday that her office has appointed Ava Callender Concepcion of Dorchester to the state Cannabis Control Commission, capping a series of recent changes to the makeup of the five-member marijuana agency."

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: "MARTY'S FINAL FAREWELL," "VAX RUSH," — Globe : "More doses are coming -- but when? Where? How?" "Republicans joining the push for likely impeachment today."

FROM THE 413

– "UMass report critical of Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse for pursuing student relationships, sources say," by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "The results of a four-month investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct by Holyoke Mayor and former congressional candidate Alex B. Morse involving college students is expected to be released Wednesday. Sources familiar with the report's findings say it is critical of the 31-year-old Morse, a onetime lecturer at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst."

– "Most new COVID-19 infections in North Adams linked to restaurants," by Francesca Paris, The Berkshire Eagle: "At least six COVID-19 cases have been linked to one North Adams restaurant, as dining venues appear to be driving virus spread throughout the city."

– "Local legislators speak to planned bills, focus in 2021," by Anita Fritz and Bera Dunau, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Members of the western Massachusetts legislative delegation say they have always worked well together, so it's no surprise that they have some of the same hopes and visions for their districts and the region in 2021."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Martinez-Dominguez announces she's running for mayor of Lawrence," by Allison Corneau, Eagle-Tribune: "Vilma Martinez-Dominguez has spent the last several years maintaining a presence around City Hall as community development director, and now she hopes to take on a bigger role — mayor of Lawrence."

– "After Capitol riot, Councilor wants fresh look at City Hall security measures," by Steven H. Foskett Jr., Telegram & Gazette: "In the wake of the riot last week that saw a mob storm the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., at-large City Councilor Morris Bergman is calling for a fresh look at security at City Hall."

– "Solomon's pension, payout amount remain open questions," by Bill Kirk, Eagle-Tribune: "At the age of 60, with 35 years of service in the city, police Chief Joseph Solomon is eligible for a pension of 80% of the average of five years of his highest salaries. The question now, is: What is Solomon's salary? Last year, it was reported in The Eagle-Tribune that Solomon was earning $25,000 a month — or $300,000 a year."

– "Chelmsford town manager blames budget shortfalls on 'paltry' state aid," by Amy Sokolow, The Lowell Sun: "Throughout the Select Board, School Committee and Finance Committee's joint meeting Monday night, Town Manager Paul Cohen decried budget shortfalls and the likelihood of increased property taxes in the next budget planning period, placing much of the blame on the 'paltry' state aid given to the town."

– "'It's heartbreaking': How COVID is impacting students in New Bedford's early learning centers," by Kerri Tallman, The Standard-Times: "Early childhood centers in the Greater New Bedford area continue to operate under new conditions, but they are concerned about the pandemic's affect on the kids' mental health and growth."

TRANSITIONS – Kevin Monteiro is the new executive director of the the Massachusetts Dental Society.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Gina Christo, senior consultant associate at Rivera Consulting, and GBH's Paul Singer.

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