News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: FENWAY could soon HOST FANS — Lawmakers ROAST BAKER over VAX program

Friday, February 26, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: FENWAY could soon HOST FANS — Lawmakers ROAST BAKER over VAX program — MORSE tapped for PROVINCETOWN job

Feb 26, 2021

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF!

VAX HEARING AND REOPENING COLLIDE — It was a tale of two headlines for Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday.

At the beginning of the day, Baker was on defense as lawmakers grilled him over the state's Covid-19 vaccine rollout at a much-anticipated oversight hearing. It was an unusual position for the popular Republican governor, who usually does not face sharp criticism from the Democratic-majority legislature.

But a few hours later, the governor made a headline-grabbing announcement. Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium and other ballparks and arenas can reopen with 12 percent capacity beginning on March 22, as part of the state's move into phase four of reopening.

The announcement was a bit unusual for Baker. Typically, he details changes to the reopening plan a few days before they take place. While Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito did say all cities and towns can move further into the third phase of reopening next week, the big headline from the press conference was that ballparks and stadiums can open late next month.

Whether Baker's move was intentional or not, it successfully shifted some attention away from the much-criticized vaccine rollout and tense-at-times hearing. His administration had referred to phase four as the "new normal" when it unveiled the reopening phases last spring.

Baker's been accused of trying to divert attention from the oversight hearing before. On Tuesday, the governor announced his top education officials were putting together a plan to get elementary school kids back in school by April. The move frustrated teachers unions who want staff vaccinated first, and some members suggested Baker was trying to deflect from the coming oversight hearing.

The governor soon got the question at a press briefing: Was this an attempt to distract from the vaccine rollout?

"We're number one in the country in first doses per capita among our peers, states that have more than 5 million people," Baker said on Tuesday. "I would hate to distract from that information, because that's a really good story."

Looming in the background is the 2022 race for governor, which is already well underway. Baker hasn't said whether he'll seek a third term, but a recent poll indicates he's in a strong position to run again. Democrat Ben Downing is already in the race, and Harvard professor Danielle Allen, another Democrat, has been exploring a run for months. Former state Rep. Geoff Diehl, a member of Baker's own party, is also plotting a run.

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

TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker tours Nock-Molin Middle School in Newburyport. State Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz and Rep. Liz Miranda are guests on GBH's "Basic Black." Attorney General Maura Healey is a guest on GBH's "Boston Public Radio." Rep. Lori Trahan hosts a Black History Month event on Facebook Live with Thaddeus Miles of MassHousing the BlackJoy Project.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "Massachusetts last week saw a 76% drop in new COVID cases since the peak; State reports 1,928 new cases, 33 deaths on Thursday," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "State health officials confirmed another 1,928 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, which is based on 118,144 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health. Officials also announced another 33 COVID-related fatalities, bringing the death toll from the pandemic to 15,657."

– "28 Massachusetts communities at high risk for coronavirus transmission, lowest since mid-November," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "Just 28 cities and towns are at high risk for COVID-19 transmission this week, down a whopping 88% from just six weeks ago when the 'red' zone swelled to a high of 229 communities."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "The 'new normal' is coming: Mass. set to enter final phase of reopening in March," by Andy Rosen, Anissa Gardizy and Diti Kohli, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts sports venues, concert spaces, and theaters will be able to reopen in coming weeks, Governor Charlie Baker announced Thursday, laying out for the first time a concrete timeline to bring back segments of the economy that have remained shuttered since the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic nearly a year ago."

– "Lawmakers grill governor on website problems," by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: "Gov. Charlie Baker was in the hot seat Thursday morning as the Legislature's 17-member committee on COVID-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management grilled him over the state's rollout of vaccines. Baker followed familiar themes in his remarks, ticking off the state's fairly strong metrics in administering vaccines and acknowledging a rollout that has been 'lumpy and bumpy' at times. But several lawmakers hammered him on the performance of the state website used to find and reserve a booking for a vaccination."

– "No seat for Bristol County on COVID oversight panel that grilled Gov. Baker," by Ted Nesi, WPRI: "Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker made an unusual appearance Thursday before a special legislative panel, getting grilled over his administration's glitchy vaccine website. The rare oversight hearing gave 17 senators and representatives the chance to question the governor about their constituents' concerns — but not one of them was from Bristol County."

– "Baker: Mass. has received $71b in fed aid," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "The federal government has funneled $71 billion to Massachusetts and its residents through four COVID-19 relief programs over the last year, Gov. Charlie Baker said at a legislative oversight hearing on Thursday. The $71 billion is an astonishing number, far higher than the $46 billion the Legislature appropriated for the state budget during the current fiscal year."

– "Hundreds of companies cited for labor violations," by Christian M. Wade, Newburyport Daily News: "More than 300 companies were cited for violating state labor laws amid the COVID-19 pandemic last year, according to data from the attorney general's office. The office's Fair Labor Division issued more than 700 citations in 2020, totaling more than $12.5 million, to companies across a range of industries, according to a report filed with the state Legislature and a review of the agency's data."

– "Insurers face scrutiny over pandemic coverage," by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: "Lawmakers are taking aim at insurance companies with a plan that forces them to cover COVID-19-related claims filed by businesses and eliminate 'virus exclusions' in many policies. A measure filed by Sen. Diana DiZoglio, D-Methuen, and Rep. Dylan Fernandes, D-Falmouth, would mandate that any policy covering business interruption or the loss of use of property by a business extend to public health emergencies such as those arising from the pandemic."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "'Your estimated wait time is 50,475 minutes': State vaccine appointment site hits more snags," by Hiawatha Bray and Christina Prignano, Boston Globe: "A mad scramble began at 8 a.m. Thursday when 50,000 new vaccine appointments were made available at the state's six mass vaccination clinics — Foxborough, Boston, Springfield, Dartmouth, Danvers, and Natick. And while the much-criticized Vaxfinder.mass.gov website performed far better than it did last week, when it crashed altogether for part of the morning, the site still suffered intermittent outages."

– "Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker slammed for COVID vaccine website issues as he blames limited federal supply," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts lawmakers pressed Gov. Charlie Baker on his response to the online booking options for the state's vaccine rollout as he placed the blame on a limited federal supply."

– "PrepMod creator calls for 'all hands on deck' after Massachusetts vaccine website woes," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "Hours after the state's largest vaccine appointment-booking vendor was overwhelmed by shot-seekers for another week, PrepMod creator Tiffany Tate said improving the system 'requires all hands on deck.'"

– "Sudders: Mass vaccination sites short-term solution," by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: "Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders pushed back against the view that the state is going all in on mass vaccination sites on Thursday during testimony before the Legislature's Committee on COVID-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management."

FROM THE HUB

– "Company and owner in Boston work site fatalities have history of violations," by Danny McDonald and Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: "The company involved in a pair of construction fatalities in downtown Boston Wednesday and its owner have a lengthy history of workplace violations and legal disputes in recent years, court and inspection records show."

– "As Marty Walsh leaves, Boston councilors reintroduce tear gas ordinance he vetoed," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "City Councilors are taking another crack at limiting the Boston Police Department's usage of tear gas and rubber bullets — a proposal Mayor Martin Walsh vetoed two months ago, but acting-mayor-in-waiting Kim Janey voted for."

– "Walsh: More Boston Public School Students Can Return To School Next Week," by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: "As many as 7,900 more Boston students will be invited to return to school next week as part of the Boston Public School system's hybrid school re-opening plan, Mayor Marty Walsh announced Thursday."

– "Catholic Schools Have Stayed (Mostly) Open During The Pandemic," by Meg Woolhouse, GBH News: "Most public school students in Boston, the state's largest school district, have not returned to in-person learning for nearly a year due to the pandemic. But greater Boston's Catholic schools, the state's second largest school system, stretching from Plymouth to New Hampshire, reopened in the fall. It's a stark contrast, one that's made Catholic schools attractive to families fed up with remote learning and willing to pay for in-person instruction."'

– "Mass Audubon Confronts Legacy Of Its Namesake As Nation Reckons With Race," by Khari Thompson, WBUR: "The Mattapan sanctuary has been around since the late 1990s, but Mass Audubon itself is more than 100 years old and now owns nearly 40,000 acres of land throughout the state. The society gets its name from renowned conservationist and naturalist John James Audubon, who was famous for his vivid paintings of American birds."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "District 6 candidates face off in forum," by Yawu Miller, Bay State Banner: "Housing affordability, police reform and the racial wealth gap were among the issues on the table Monday during the first candidate forum for the District 6 City Council seat, during which Kendra Hicks and Mary Tamer answered questions from Greater Boston Young Democrats and Young Democrats of Massachusetts."

DAY IN COURT

– "Clerk Magistrate Weighing Whether To Charge Former Lynn Police Officer With Assault," by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: "A clerk magistrate is considering 90 seconds of silent video from a police holding cell as he decides whether or not a former Lynn police officer should face criminal charges for allegedly beating a man in custody."

ON THE STUMP

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: "Momentum Grows for Juan Jaramillo Following Wave of Progressive Endorsements," from the Jaramillo campaign: "Juan Jaramillo's campaign to represent Revere and Winthrop in the State Legislature received another big boost today with the endorsement of several key progressive lawmakers and organizations, including Suffolk County Register of Probate Felix D. Arroyo, Boston City Councilors Ricardo Arroyo, Michelle Wu, Lydia Edwards and Julia Mejia, and state Reps. Liz Miranda, Lindsay Sabadosa, Maria Robinson and Andy Vargas."

– "Newton candidates vie for two City Council seats in March 16 special election," by John Hilliard, Boston Globe: "Newton voters will be asked to decide two citywide races for City Council in a special election March 16, filling two vacant seats through the end of the year. The 24-member council has had two vacant at-large positions since the death of Ward 1 Councilor-at-large Allan L. 'Jay' Ciccone Jr. in November and the departure of Jake Auchincloss, who represented Ward 2 before he was elected as a US representative in November."

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

– "Pittsfield Bans Future Outdoor Commercial Weed Cultivation," by Josh Landes, WAMC: "The largest community in Berkshire County has outlawed all future outdoor cannabis cultivation following a city council vote this week. While Pittsfield, Massachusetts has two active commercial grow operations, no more will be allowed after a 10-1 vote Tuesday night."

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: "LIMITED CAPACITY COMING TO HUB SPORTING EVENTS," "NOPE!" — Globe: "Your wait time is… 50475 minutes…" "Sports venues, theaters can open."

FROM THE 413

– "Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse chosen as new town manager in Provincetown, pending contract talks," by Michaela Chesin, Provincetown Banner: "The Select Board unanimously chose Alex Morse, the current mayor of Holyoke, on Thursday to be the next town manager. The board had interviewed three finalists Wednesday evening including Morse."

– "Holyoke City Council President Todd McGee could become acting mayor after Alex Morse named Provincetown town manager," by Dennis Hohenberger, MassLive.com: "City Council President Todd McGee could become acting mayor after Alex B. Morse was picked Thursday as Provincetown's next town manager. McGee said he would speak with Morse in the coming days and release a statement before Tuesday's City Council meeting."

– "Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno seeks neighborhood COVID vaccination sites," by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno called Thursday for five neighborhood COVID-19 vaccination sites in the name of bringing racial and economic equity to the fight against the pandemic."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Director of Fitchburg Area's Only Shelter Is Accused Of Assaulting Homeless Clients," by Carrie Saldo, GBH News: "Advocates for the homeless in the Fitchburg area say there is a problem at Our Father's House, the region's only year-round overnight shelter: The director may be preying on the people who go there for help. At a recent meeting of the Fitchburg Human Rights Commission, several advocates accused Kevin MacLean — the shelter's director of homelessness — of physically and sexually assaulting clients."

– "Bar-top dining, Polar Park opening signs of 'light at the end of the tunnel,'" by Steven H. Foskett Jr., Telegram & Gazette: "As virus numbers continue to trend downward, more restrictions are being lifted statewide, and City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. Thursday gave no indication that Worcester, as it has during other points in the pandemic, would go its own way and keep a tighter lid on activities in the city."

– "Lowell leaders condemn School Committee member Hoey's use of anti-Semitic slur," by Amy Sokolow, The Lowell Sun: "Lowell community and municipal leaders soundly denounced School Committee member Robert Hoey's use of an anti-Semitic slur during a live taping of the local show 'City Life' on Wednesday morning. All members of the City Council, plus the mayor, city manager, superintendent and two School Committee members have publicly condemned the incident, as has the city's entire statehouse and congressional delegations."

– "Half of Worcester Public Schools students opt-in for hybrid learning starting in March," by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: "Members of the Worcester School Committee on Thursday night listened to a highly detailed plan from Superintendent Maureen Binienda covering health and safety protocols for the district's hybrid learning plan."

– "Flood insurance changes could hurt low-income, middle-class New Englanders," by Hadley Barndollar, The Patriot Ledger: "As the Federal Emergency Management Agency works to compensate for more than 50 years of mispriced flood insurance, property owners likely to be hurt most are the ones least equipped to handle unexpected expenses: middle-class and low-income homeowners."

– "Mansfield plans to return to in-person learning for kindergartners on Monday; teachers union not happy," by Tom Reilly, Sun Chronicle: "Local schools are starting small with bringing students back for in-person learning. Small and cute, that is. Kindergartners will return for full, in-person learning at Robinson Elementary School as of Monday."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Harold Hubschman, Cathey Park, Laura Oggeri and Jill Webb.

HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND – to Saturday birthday-ers to state Sen. Eric Lesser and Susan Zalkind. And to POLITICO's Charlie Mahtesian, Ben Gundersheimer and Li-Dor David, who all celebrate Sunday.

NEW EPISODE: SOCIAL DISTANCING STUDIES – On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Jennifer Smith and Stephanie Murray discuss the state's push for in-person learning, and discuss the House race to fill former Speaker Bob DeLeo's seat with GBH's Tori Bedford and the Boston Herald's Lisa Kashinsky. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud .

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