News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: JANEY picks CAMPAIGN MANAGER — BIDEN shelves WARREN’s WEALTH TAX — POLL: BAKER gets high marks for PANDEMIC handling

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: JANEY picks CAMPAIGN MANAGER — BIDEN shelves WARREN’s WEALTH TAX — POLL: BAKER gets high marks for PANDEMIC handling — LYNCH says BUY AMERICAN for PPE

Mar 31, 2021

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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

SCOOP: ACTING MAYOR JANEY SELECTS CAMPAIGN MANAGER — Here's a sign Acting Mayor Kim Janey is serious about running for a full term: She's chosen a campaign manager.

Janey has tapped political operative Kirby Chandler to serve as her campaign manager, according to three sources. Both City Hall and Janey's political spokesman declined to comment. Chandler recently worked on several campaigns in Texas, according to LinkedIn.

The hire is the surest signal yet that Janey is preparing to enter this fall's mayoral race, which was thrown into a frenzy in January when former Mayor Marty Walsh was tapped to serve as U.S. Secretary of Labor.

Since Janey became acting mayor last week, her political future has been the subject of much speculation. Other signs she's planning a run: Janey tapped well-known consultant Doug Rubin of Northwind Strategies to handle her transition from council president to acting mayor. At a Zoom event last week, a staffer encouraged supporters to donate to Janey's political fund in case she decides to run, and Janey acknowledged she'll decide in the coming weeks. She continues to raise cash online.

If Janey does run for mayor, she will enter an already-crowded race — five major candidates have launched campaigns so far, and a few others might, too. But Janey would hold an advantage as the incumbent, something that worked for the late Mayor Tom Menino, who was acting mayor before he won a full term. Janey's political fundraising report is due next week to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, and will provide more insight into her future plans.

Janey is already flexing some of the power that comes along with being the mayor in her early days as Boston's leader. She's gotten national attention from the New York Times and the Today Show for her history-making transition. And Janey just announced a new program to give some workers free MBTA and BlueBikes passes, and announced a $50 million cash infusion for Boston's rental relief fund.

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 is a guest at "Climate Action New England: The Road to COP26." Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark and Attorney General Maura Healey tour Food For Free in Cambridge. Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Ayanna Pressley hold a press conference at ABCD Mattapan. State Rep. Jon Santaigo holds a press conference for his Boston mayoral campaign.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "COVID hospitalizations in Massachusetts pass 700 as state reports first dip in active cases in nearly a week," by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts public health officials reported 1,683 new cases of COVID-19 and 18 more deaths on Monday, with the state reporting the first drop in active cases in several days. There are 31,298 active coronavirus cases as of Tuesday, according to the state Department of Public Health."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Baker gets high marks on pandemic handling in new poll," by Emma Platoff and Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Most Massachusetts residents are satisfied with Governor Charlie Baker's handling of the coronavirus pandemic even as his political foes have sharpened their knives, with strong majorities approving of his job performance and the direction of the state, a new poll by Suffolk University and The Boston Globe found."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "As FEMA pilot launches at Boston COVID vaccination site, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky cautions people to stay vigilant as cases increase," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky echoed a familiar warning Tuesday afternoon as the federal government launched its pilot program at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston."

– "Hynes vaccination site to administer 7,000 shots a day," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "An eight-week federal-state pilot vaccine program at the Hynes Convention Center will begin administering 7,000 shots a day starting Wednesday and then next week begin diverting roughly 2,000 doses a day to mobile units that will administer shots in Chelsea, Revere, Boston, New Bedford, and Fall River."

– "To reopen high schools faster, vaccinate teens, says BPS superintendent," by Bianca Vázquez Toness and Felicia Gans, Boston Globe: "Teenagers 16 and older should be prioritized for coronavirus vaccine and schools should hold vaccination clinics, Boston Superintendent Brenda Cassellius told US Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on Tuesday."

– "CDC adds Type 1 diabetes to priority list for coronavirus vaccination; condition under consideration in Massachusetts," by Alexi Cohan and Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "Gov. Charlie Baker is facing renewed calls to add Type 1 diabetes to the list of medical conditions eligible for coronavirus vaccines in Massachusetts after the CDC put the rarer form of diabetes on its recently updated prioritization list."

– "Baker addresses rising COVID-19 cases on Cape Cod: 'We're paying a lot of attention to it,'" by Amanda Kaufman, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker on Tuesday addressed rising rates of COVID-19 cases on Cape Cod, saying his administration is in constant contact with officials in the region and noting Barnstable County has the highest vaccination rate in the state."

FROM THE HUB

– "COVID-19 cases are rising again in Boston, with more young people getting the virus, Acting Mayor Janey says," by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "Acting Mayor Kim Janey on Tuesday warned that the city's rate of COVID-19 infections has recently ticked up, in large part because more young people are getting the virus. Janey noted the city's positivity rate has risen to 4.2 percent."

– "Boston to offer $50 million in rent relief to eligible tenants," by Mia McCarthy, Dorchester Reporter: "Mayor Kim Janey announced today that $50 million in rent relief— much of it made possible by an infusion of federal aide just released by the Biden administration— will be made available for eligible Boston residents starting immediately."

– "Kim Janey Faces Challenges And Opportunities As 'Acting' Mayor In Boston," by Anthony Brooks, WBUR: "If you want to learn something about the challenges Kim Janey faces as an acting mayor in Boston, talk to Marvin Pratt. Back in 2004, Pratt was president of the city council of Milwaukee — just like Janey was in Boston. Then, after Mayor John Norquist stepped down with three months left in his term, Pratt became acting mayor."

– "How eight fancy Boston condos figure into a fight over the Saudi throne," by Tim Logan, Boston Globe: "A collection of condominiums at some of Boston's swankiest addresses are part of a clash between warring factions of the Saudi regime, a power struggle with global political implications that also highlights Boston's standing as a haven for international real estate investors."

– "DraftKings acquires sports betting media company VSiN," by Anissa Gardizy, Boston Globe: "DraftKings announced Tuesday that it has acquired Vegas Sports Information Network, a broadcasting company focused on sports betting. The transaction comes as Boston-based DraftKings has been building up its own sports programming operations, which it hopes will entice people to bet by directly combining its offerings with the experience of watching games."

– "Can hallucinogenic mushrooms treat depression? New Mass. General center to study psychedelics' potential," by Felice J. Freyer, Boston Globe: "Nearly six decades after Harvard University fired psychologist Timothy Leary for his unorthodox experiments with psychedelics, the Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital has launched a program to study — this time, with scientific rigor — how these substances can affect the brain and potentially treat mental illness."

– "Student journalist finds photo of the Harvard KKK — and documents school's overlooked racist past," by Kim Bellware, The Washington Post: "The photo had the casual feel of a yearbook snapshot: Harvard men gathered around the school's iconic John Harvard statue against a backdrop of ivy. One is crouched in Harvard's lap, and another holds a boating hat, a giveaway that the photo was taken before commencement during Class Day of 1924. Their shoes suggest the men are dressed formally, though it is hard to know because their outfits — and their faces — are covered in the white robes and hoods of the Ku Klux Klan."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: "Latino Victory Fund Endorses Jon Santiago in Historic Boston Mayoral Bid," from Latino Victory Fund: "Today, Latino Victory Fund announced the endorsement of Jon Santiago for Boston mayor. If elected, Santiago would be the first Latino mayor of Boston. 'Dr. Jon Santiago is an effective legislator who has dedicated his career to improving the quality of life for all Bostonians,' Nathalie Rayes, Latino Victory Fund President & CEO said in a statement."

– "Boston mayoral candidates find new ways to reach an audience amid a pandemic," by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "Welcome to local political campaigning in 2021. Amid a historic mayor's race, candidates whose campaign activities have been curtailed by COVID-19 restrictions have found new outlets for their retail politics — on podcasts, urban radio shows, and on social media livestreams such as Van Zandt's, which airs every Friday evening after the streetlights come on."

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

– "Legislation would support fare-free public transit systems," by Steve LeBlanc, The Associated Press: "Legislation intended to boost support for public transportation, including state and local efforts to create fare-free transit systems, has been refiled in Congress by U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley and U.S. Sen. Edward Markey."

DAY IN COURT

– "Judge rules against Fattmans in campaign finance case," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "A superior court judge on Tuesday refused to prohibit the head of the Office of Campaign and Political Finance from referring the results of his investigation of Sen. Ryan Fattman and his wife Stephanie, the register of probate in Worcester County, to Attorney General Maura Healey."

– "Former Boston Police Captain Is Latest Officer Indicted In Overtime Theft Scheme," by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: "A former Boston police captain who oversaw the department's evidence warehouse is charged with signing off on fraudulent overtime slips for his subordinates and collecting overtime that he didn't earn. Richard Evans, 62, of Hanover, was arrested Tuesday on conspiracy, theft and wire fraud charges."

– "Varsity Blues Prosecutor Surprised By Public Outrage At College Admissions Scandal," by Kirk Carapezza, GBH News: "Eric Rosen smiled as he recalled how his team of federal investigators in Boston stumbled on the college admissions scandal. They were working on a routine case of securities fraud in 2018 when a suspect in Los Angeles told them he was paying money to Yale's soccer coach in exchange for recruiting his daughter as an athlete."

WARREN REPORT

– "Biden decides to shelve Warren's wealth tax," by Megan Cassella and Natasha Korecki, POLITICO: "President Joe Biden will not call for a wealth tax to help pay for his multitrillion-dollar Build Back Better initiative, according to multiple people familiar with the White House's thinking. In doing so, he will sidestep a proposal that progressive Democrats, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), say would raise trillions of dollars in revenue and narrow income inequality."

– "Hedge fund meltdown: Elizabeth Warren suggests regulators should've seen it coming," by Matt Egan, CNN Business: "Senator Elizabeth Warren is calling out regulators after little-known hedge fund Archegos Capital Management was able to borrow so much money that its implosion last week sent shockwaves across Wall Street."

FROM THE DELEGATION

– "'We're still reliant on China' for COVID protective gear; Rep. Stephen Lynch urges state, local governments to bolster American PPE market," by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: "Rep. Stephen Lynch on Tuesday urged state and local governments, schools and businesses to use federal COVID-19 relief to buy personal protective equipment sourced and produced in the United States, making the case that ongoing reliance on suppliers in China represents 'a gap in our national security.'"

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

– "Prominent executive at NETA parent company fired after husband opens competing marijuana store," by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "Parallel, the parent company of New England Treatment Access, confirmed to TWIW on Monday that it fired Kim Napoli — the only Black woman on the firm's leadership team — from an executive position where she had been overseeing its much-touted efforts at boosting equity in the legal marijuana sector after decades of racially disproportionate arrests."

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

– "Dems explore blowing up 2024 primary calendar," by Natasha Korecki and Holly Otterbein, POLITICO: "Democratic party leaders are considering overhauling the 2024 presidential primary calendar, a transformation that would include ousting Iowa and New Hampshire from their cherished perches as the first states to vote."

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: "TRAGIC OUTCOME," — Globe: "Baker's pandemic work praised in poll," "Hope, not doom, is message on virus."

FROM THE 413

– "Holyoke's bid to avoid special mayoral election sent back to Statehouse," by Dennis Hohenberger, Springfield Republican: "The City Council on Tuesday approved, 11-1, a revised home rule petition that seeks to forgo a special mayoral election in the wake of Alex B. Morse's recent exit. Interim Mayor and City Council President Todd McGee called for the special meeting held online Tuesday night."

– "Sergeant filed suit over racist language. Officers say he was prime offender." by Larry Parnass, The Berkshire Eagle: "Williamstown Police Sgt. Scott McGowan remains on paid administrative leave from his $76,000-a-year job, pending the town's investigation of complaints about the sergeant detailed in a six-page letter to town officials from all nine full-time members of the Williamstown Police Department except McGowan and Lt. Michael Ziemba, the acting chief."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Jeffrey Turco wins 19th Suffolk special election to fill DeLeo's seat," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "Winthrop and Revere voters are sending a self-described moderate Democrat who once voted for former President Donald Trump to Beacon Hill to fill the 19th Suffolk District seat vacated by former House Speaker Robert DeLeo. Jeffrey Turco cruised to victory with 57.3% of the vote — or 1,861 of the 2,800 ballots cast in the low-turnout special election."

– "Duxbury plans policy review after football team used anti-Semitic terms," by Wheeler Cowperthwaite, The Patriot Ledger: "The board of selectmen reaffirmed a proclamation made in February dedicating the town to inclusion and equity after the school district opened an investigation into the high school football team using anti-Semitic terms during a game. The selectmen vowed for a second time to review existing practices, policies and procedures and change them where necessary during its meeting Monday night."

– "Later high school start times eyed in Worcester," by Scott O'Connell, Telegram & Gazette: "A school standing committee on Monday set the wheels in motion for a potential change to later start times for the district's secondary schools. Tracy O'Connell Novick, chair of the Standing Committee on School and Student Performance, said the district still needs to answer the many operational questions standing in the way of a delayed start time for older students."

– "Attleboro shortchanged by $2M on school aid, local officials say," by Tom Reilly, Sun Chronicle: "The state's latest budget for education aid is shortchanging city schools by $2 million, a local lawmaker says. According to state Rep. Jim Hawkins, D-Attleboro, the state is using misleading enrollment figures — particularly in the case of kindergarten students."

– "'We'll be a team': Cape health officials race to vaccinate homebound," by Cynthia McCormick, Cape Cod Times: "The state kicked off a homebound vaccination program Monday that includes coordinated services for 183 municipalities, representing 60% of the state's population. Here on Cape Cod, however, local boards of health already have been working with community health centers to deliver vaccines to those who can't make it to vaccination sites."

– "Fishermen, Feeling Blamed for Right Whale Entanglements, Say #ShowUsTheRope," by Eve Zuckoff, GBH News: "Conservationists say that every North Atlantic right whale counts, as the population has fallen to around 360. But one entangled right whale found in Cape Cod Bay—named Snow Cone—has triggered an outcry of frustration from fishermen, who say they're being unfairly blamed for the decline of the critically endangered species."

TRANSITIONS – Maia Raynor is joining Rivera Consulting as an associate research consultant. Raynor previously served as legislative director to state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to former Rep. Barney Frank, who is 81; Rep. Stephen Lynch, who is 66; Mikko Zager and Maureen Williams.

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A message from Uber Driver Stories:

As a woman of color, Fallon's number one priority is to better herself through her education. And that means finishing her bachelor's degree in business.

At first, Fallon tried to go down the traditional route of working part-time. But she says it didn't offer the flexible schedule that she needed.

"I like the flexibility of driving with Uber," she says. "I can drive when I want to."

With Uber, Fallon can choose when, where, and how long she wants to drive. If she has an exam that needs her attention, she doesn't have to worry about asking her boss or requesting time off—she can take the time she needs on her terms.

To see more stories like Fallon's, click here.

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