News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Chauvin VERDICT reverberates in Mass. — Bill would BAN manufacture of ASSAULT WEAPONS

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Chauvin VERDICT reverberates in Mass. — Bill would BAN manufacture of ASSAULT WEAPONS — How long will MASK MANDATE last?

Apr 21, 2021

Presented by Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM)

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

GUILTY VERDICT REVERBERATES — All eyes in Massachusetts were fixed on a courtroom in Minneapolis yesterday, where the former officer who killed George Floyd was found guilty of murder on Tuesday afternoon. The much-anticipated verdict came a year after Floyd's death sparked widespread protests and legislative action.

In Massachusetts, officials and activists praised the guilty verdict, and protesters plan to take to the streets today. The news of the Derek Chauvin verdict, which many reacted to with relief, still brought back scenes from last spring and summer, when protesters clashed with police in Boston and elsewhere in the wake of Floyd's death. The governor is offering backup from the National Guard for local officials who request it. And on Newbury Street, businesses began boarding up their windows.

In the same afternoon, Boston was grappling with a local police problem. Acting Mayor Kim Janey released redacted internal affairs documents for Patrick Rose, the former Boston police union chief who has been accused of sexually abusing children. The documents answered some questions about what happened, but don't explain why Rose remained on the force for years after the department concluded he likely abused kids.

Janey was applauded for releasing the documents, something prior mayoral administrations would not do. But the acting mayor did raise eyebrows for releasing the file so close to the Chauvin verdict, a major national news story.

Like cities all over the country, Boston will grapple with its approach to police accountability again this election season. But the issue isn't as clear-cut as deciding whether to defund the police or not, and candidates running for mayor demonstrated that last night. At a virtual candidate forum, five of the Democratic mayoral hopefuls (Janey put her political events on hold to focus on Boston's reaction to the verdict) had differing views on reallocating police funding, removing police from public schools and creating new rules for police overtime.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "Active COVID infections decline by more than 1,500 on Tuesday, as 30% of Massachusetts' population now vaccinated," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "Active COVID cases in Massachusetts decreased by more than 1,500 on Tuesday, from 34,675 on Monday to 33,060, according to the latest data from the Department of Public Health. State health officials confirmed another 968 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "'Exporting bloodshed': Stop Handgun Violence, state Rep. Bud Williams and other lawmakers seek to ban assault-weapon manufacturing in Massachusetts," by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "State Rep. Bud L. Williams, D-Springfield, joined with lawmakers, the advocacy group Stop Handgun Violence and the parents of victims of mass shootings in Florida and in Colorado on Tuesday to call for a ban on the manufacture in Massachusetts of military-style assault weapons already banned for sale here."

– "Legislature eyes changes in childcare system," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "Rarely has the issue of childcare received such sustained attention from the state Legislature. But with the pandemic calling renewed attention to the economic importance of childcare, two state panels this week are beginning to dig into the issue. Both experts and legislative leaders say returning to the way things were before is not sufficient."

– "Under pressure, state education officials vote to change admissions requirements for vocational schools," by Naomi Martin, Boston Globe: "State education officials on Tuesday approved preliminary changes to the admissions process at vocational high schools aimed at giving disadvantaged students a better chance of attending."

– "Experts: Outdoor mask mandates may soon be able to be lifted," The Associated Press: "A conservative group on Tuesday called on Massachusetts' governor to lift the state's outdoor mask-wearing mandate. The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, in a statement directed to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, argued that most of the state's most vulnerable residents have been inoculated against COVID-19, and anyone who is 16 or older who lives, works or studies in the state is now eligible to receive a vaccine as of Monday."

– "More than 1,100 amendments, many COVID-related, filed in Massachusetts House's fiscal 2022 budget proposal," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts lawmakers filed more than 1,100 amendments ahead of next week's debate over the House's fiscal 2022 budget proposal, many of them in efforts to lessen the blow COVID-19 dealt to public education, social services and the economy."

– "Mass. board of education waives MCAS graduation requirement for Class of 2022," by Felicia Gans and Naomi Martin, Boston Globe: "For the first time since the MCAS became a graduation requirement in 2003, high school juniors will be exempt from having to pass the exam to receive their diploma. The state's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education unanimously approved the waiver on Tuesday."

– "State announces nearly $3.6 million in grants to revive tourism from the coronavirus pandemic," by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: "State officials Tuesday announced nearly $3.6 million in grants that will go toward building, renovating and marketing Massachusetts tourist attractions to help revitalize the economy after a year in which tourism and hospitality were among the industries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic."

– "Massachusetts millionaires tax would 'adversely impact' many small businesses: Report," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "The proposed millionaires tax in Massachusetts would "adversely impact" a significant number of small business owners, ultimately hampering the state's economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new study published by Pioneer Institute."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "Charlie Baker expects vaccine demand to remain steady in Massachusetts for the 'next 20-30 days,'" by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "While some New England states have begun to see indicators that vaccine supply has overtaken demand, Gov. Charlie Baker says Massachusetts residents are still clamoring for appointments."

– "Why walkup COVID vaccinations aren't the norm in Massachusetts yet," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Walkup vaccine clinics have popped up in Boston, but they're far from the norm. The pause in Johnson & Johnson shipments, following reports of six women suffering blood clots, makes expanding the walkup option more difficult, Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday."

FROM THE HUB

– "Boston police commissioner was notified of alleged molestation by officer, but patrolman was returned to duty amid union pushback, files show," by Andrew Ryan and Dugan Arnett, Boston Globe: "Boston Police Commissioner Paul F. Evans was informed in 1996 that his own investigators believed one of their officers had sexually abused a child, but after pushback from the union, the patrolman was allowed to keep his badge and return to patrol, according to files released by the city Tuesday afternoon."

– "Baker Activates National Guard After Chauvin Guilty Verdict; Protests Set For Wednesday," by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: "Gov. Charlie Baker activated the National Guard Tuesday after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of all counts against him in the murder of George Floyd. Shortly after the verdict came down, however, only a few demonstrators took to the streets."

– "UMass Boston spent $10,000 on goodbye to Walsh," by Colman M. Herman, CommonWealth Magazine: "UMass Boston recently spent $10,000 for a full-page ad in the Boston Sunday Globe extolling the virtues of ex-Boston mayor Marty Walsh as he was leaving for his new job in Washington as secretary of labor. The Boston Public Library (BPL) wasn't as generous as UMass Boston. Still, the library spent $2,000 for a quarter-page ad in the Globe also praising Walsh."

– "Massachusetts Eye and Ear to pay more than $2.6 million after improper billing allegations brought by whistleblower," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary is agreeing to pay more than $2.6 million for alleged violations of the False Claims Act that occurred over an eight-year period, Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell's office said Tuesday."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "Boston mayoral candidates respond to release of Patrick Rose files," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "The large field of Boston mayoral candidates expressed outrage Tuesday over newly released police internal affairs files that showed a Boston police officer was allowed to keep his job for years after department brass knew the patrolman more than likely molested a child."

A message from Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM):

DAY IN COURT

– "What Mass. officials are saying about the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial," by Dialynn Dwyer, Boston.com: "Massachusetts officials applauded the guilty verdict issued Tuesday in the murder trial of fired Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd, the Black man who died after he was pinned to the pavement with Chauvin's knee on his neck last May."

– "Boston Activists And Community Members Hope Chauvin Guilty Verdict Signals More Justice To Come," by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: "As the guilty verdicts against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd came down Tuesday, activists, organizers and politicians in Boston celebrated it as a step toward justice — while messaging that there was more work to be done."

– "'When you pray, move your feet': Acting mayor Kim Janey reacts to Derek Chauvin verdict," by Mark Gartsbeyn, Boston.com: "Acting Boston mayor Kim Janey commended Tuesday's verdict that found fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder in the killing of George Floyd last May."

– "Guilty verdict in killing of George Floyd shows former officer Derek Chauvin 'was not above the law,' Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker says," by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said the decision by a jury Tuesday to find Derek Chauvin guilty in the killing of George Floyd shows that the former Minneapolis police officer was not above the law."

WARREN REPORT

– "Billionaire turns down Elizabeth Warren's offer to testify on her wealth tax," by Matt Egan, CNN Business: "Billionaire Leon Cooperman rejected Senator Elizabeth Warren's invitation to testify on her proposed wealth tax, saying he has no interest in appearing 'at her show trial.' Warren invited Cooperman, with whom she has repeatedly clashed, to appear at an April 27 hearing on creating a fairer tax system."

MARKEYCHUSETTS

– "Progressives formally reintroduce the Green New Deal," by Anthony Adragna, POLITICO: "Progressive lawmakers, led by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), on Tuesday formally revived their push for a Green New Deal, leaning into the framework to swiftly transition off fossil fuels that's become a prominent foil for conservatives ."

FROM THE DELEGATION

– "Greater Lowell reps. applaud EPA Merrimack River funding," by Stefan Geller, The Lowell Sun: "For well over a year, U.S. Reps. Lori Trahan and Seth Moulton have called on the federal government to help clean up the combined sewer overflows (CSO) that have continually been dumped into the Merrimack River. Last week, their calls were finally answered."

FEELING '22

– "Downing opposes new prison for women," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ben Downing said the Baker administration should abandon any plans to build a new prison for women inmates in Norfolk, saying 'investing in incarceration is the exact opposite of what Massachusetts needs.'"

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

– "'Legalized extortion': How Jasiel Correia's case shows corruption opportunity in MA pot industry," by Hadley Barndollar, Herald News: "For someone looking to extort marijuana vendors vying for prime business opportunities, becoming a mayor in Massachusetts could be the thing to do. Absolute power over the local marijuana market, prosecutors now allege, presented itself as a possible cash cow to Jasiel Correia II, who was the youngest person to win the mayorship in Fall River history."

– "As Worcester continues to grow, some in the city are redefining 'infrastructure' to include access to internet, child care and public transit," by Michael Bonner, MassLive.com: "Years of growth have propelled Worcester into the conversation as a destination city in New England. Investors have started to take note with housing developments planned across the city. A key investment — Polar Park — is set to debut with baseball games on May 11."

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: "ABLE TO BREATHE AGAIN," — Globe: "Guilty verdict brings relief."

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

– "Biden assembled an all-star climate team. Now he has to deliver." by Michael Grunwald, POLITICO: "Biden's climate all-stars will help him as well as pressure him to keep his climate pledges, including a zero-emissions electric grid by 2035, a carbon-neutral nation by 2050 and the 2030 goals he plans to announce this week at his Earth Day climate summit. It still won't be easy for Biden and his climate-conscious team to convert his bold rhetoric into reality."

FROM THE 413

– "Towns ask state to improve reliability of 'middle mile' internet network," by Larry Parnass, The Berkshire Eagle: "Citing recent problems, leaders of more than a dozen publicly owned broadband systems are asking a state tech agency to make the 'middle mile' network more reliable, preventing service gaps that leave people in rural areas without phones as well as internet access."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Justice under a chandelier: Trials underway at Lombardo's in Randolph," by Joe Difazio, The Patriot Ledger: "Jurors on Tuesday heard opening arguments in the motor vehicle homicide case against Ralph Cherelus, accused of causing a 2018 Randolph crash that led to the death of 63-year-old Chau Ha. But instead of hearing the case in Quincy District Court, jurors sat socially distanced in a function room at Lombardo's function hall in Randolph, an event venue known best for hosting weddings and proms."

– "'It will be less of a contest': Barnstable County adopts state-run vaccination signup system," by Cynthia McCormick, Cape Cod Times: "Barnstable County officials are directing people seeking their first COVID-19 vaccination shots to a new state-run, preregistration system called Color. Color will allow people to book appointments at both mass vaccination sites, the closest of which is in Dartmouth, as well as locations run by regional collaboratives such as the Cape Cod Regional Vaccine Consortium."

TRANSITIONS – Liz Goodwin is the new Washington bureau chief for the Boston Globe. Tweet.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Ronia Stewart, Henry Brechter and Chuck Colbert.

NEW EPISODE: NEW EPISODE: MAYORALS? FOR SPRING? GROUNDBREAKING – On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Jennifer Smith, Steve Koczela and Stephanie Murray discuss new polling in the race for mayor of Boston, and the debate over a logo with Native American imagery in Wakefield. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.

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