News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Peek inside CAMPAIGN BANK ACCOUNTS — SCHOOLS post highest COVID totals yet

Friday, April 16, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Peek inside CAMPAIGN BANK ACCOUNTS — SCHOOLS post highest COVID totals yet — NEW HAMPSHIRE ditches MASK MANDATE

Apr 16, 2021

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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF!

YOU CAN TAKE IT TO THE BANK — Members of Congress filed their campaign finance reports for the first quarter of the year yesterday, providing us with a peek into their bank accounts.

The reports reflect the pandemic we're living in -- expenses included at least one Covid-19 test and thousands of dollars in Zoom fees. The fundraising period began in January and ran through the end of March. Here are three takeaways from this quarter's Federal Election Commission reports:

TOP FUNDRAISERS: Sen. Elizabeth Warren raised the most money of the state's all-Democratic delegation this quarter, bringing in $791,000 over the past three months. That's not surprising for a former presidential candidate and national Democratic figure. But the lawmaker with the most cash in his war chest is Rep. Richard Neal, the chair of Ways and Means, who has $2.4 million in the bank. Rep. Stephen Lynch raised the least this quarter at $48,000. But before you take that as a sign Lynch might be moving on , he raised about the same amount in the first quarter of 2019, the most recent non-election year. House Rules Committee chair Rep. Jim McGovern's bank account is the smallest of the delegation -- he has $290,931 on hand.

POLS SPEND ON SECURITY: Rep. Ayanna Pressley spent more than $4,000 on security services this quarter. Pressley is far from the only member to do so after the attack on the U.S. Capitol in January. The FEC clarified last month that members of Congress can use campaign funds to hire bodyguards when they aren't being protected in the Capitol. Pressley has been vocal about facing death threats throughout her congressional career and paid security costs in past fundraising periods, though this quarter was particularly high. Rep. Seth Moulton also spent $2,300 on a security system, according to his report.

PRIMARY INSURANCE: Rep. Jake Auchincloss, the delegation's newest member, raised $469,000 this quarter, and has more than $856,000 on hand. The haul was first reported by WPRI, and it is a higher total than second-term lawmakers Pressley and Rep. Lori Trahan. But Auchincloss has to look over his shoulder this year. The Newton Democrat won a crowded primary to replace Rep. Joe Kennedy III last fall by only 2,000 votes, frustrating progressives who almost immediately called for a primary challenge in 2022. Lawmakers are often the most vulnerable in their first term, so posting a big fundraising number is one way to try and keep potential opponents at bay.

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

TODAY — Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey holds a Covid-19 press conference. Rep. Richard Neal and Holyoke Acting Mayor Terry Murphy hold a press conference. Tanisha Sullivan, president of the NAACP Boston Branch, speaks at a press conference with attorneys and organizations who intervened in the recent Boston Public Schools admissions lawsuit.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "1,884 confirmed cases, 5 deaths, and 95,048 vaccinations: See today's new COVID-19 data from Mass." by Martin Finucane, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts reported 1,884 new confirmed coronavirus cases Thursday, while the seven-day average edged down to 1,827 from 1,834 the day before. The Department of Public Health also reported that another 95,048 shots of coronavirus vaccine had been administered."

– "59 Massachusetts cities and towns at high risk for coronavirus transmission, down from last week," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "The number of cities and towns at high risk for COVID-19 transmission dropped by 23% this week as some local officials said there are signs for optimism among case and positivity rates."

– "Massachusetts schools report 1,095 students and 184 staff members with COVID, pooled testing shows positivity rate of 1.03%" by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: "A total of 1,279 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Massachusetts schools in the past week, state education officials said Thursday, the highest weekly total to date."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Baker bill would collect more data from ride-hailing services, enhance safety," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday filed legislation to increase data collection from ride-hailing companies, a move he said would allow transportation growth 'in a safe and responsible manner.'"

– "Protesters demand reopening of cases of police-involved deaths," by Christine Mui, Boston Globe: "As steady rain fell, parents whose children were killed by police officers were among about 70 people who rallied outside the Massachusetts State House Thursday evening calling on state officials to reopen investigations into their deaths."

– "Massachusetts House unanimously passes $400 million bond bill for new Holyoke Soldiers' Home," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Plans to reconstruct a long-term care facility for veterans in Holyoke are finally coming together. Massachusetts House lawmakers approved a $400 million bond bill to finance the reconstruction. The Baker administration filed its financial aid request to the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs, meeting Thursday's application deadline."

– "Businesses get a one-month reprieve from huge increase in unemployment fees," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "Beleaguered businesses across the state just received a one-month reprieve from a massive and unexpected hike in their unemployment costs. The state Department of Unemployment Assistance notified employers late Thursday that they do not need to make their required first-quarter contributions to the state's unemployment insurance fund until June 1."

– "Mass. COVID-19 death toll in nursing homes drops by 1,200 as the state adopts a new way to report long-term-care deaths," by Robert Weisman and Kay Lazar, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts nursing homes were ground zero for COVID-19, reporting some of the highest death rates in the country, especially in the early months. But now, more than a year after the pandemic began its ravages, state officials say the death toll was not quite as high as previously reported."

– "Jobless claims drop as labor market rebounds," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "New jobless claims in Massachusetts dropped last week as the state's pandemic-battered labor market continued to rebound. At least 14,704 new applications for state benefits were filed for the week ending April 10 -- a decline of 6,216 claims from the previous week, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's weekly report."

– "New federal aid will help Berkshires, but lawmakers say they need more say in spending," by Danny Jin, The Berkshire Eagle: "A new wave of federal funds headed to Massachusetts, state lawmakers say, provides an opportunity to make investments in Berkshire County's long-term future. But, they warn, involving local voices is necessary for the $4.5 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act to get to where the money is most needed."

FROM THE HUB

– "Eight years later, Boston marks the Marathon bombing anniversary with silence and kindness," by John R. Ellement and Charlie McKenna, Boston Globe: "Boston marked an act of terror Thursday with kindness and silence. Eight years ago, a pair of brothers living in Cambridge set off two bombs along Boylston Street as thousands gathered to watch runners cross the finish line of the Boston Marathon. The terror attack was witnessed by thousands and passersby helped the wounded, many of whose lives were forever changed by their injuries."

– "Massachusetts Puerto Ricans show support for island's self determination," by Morgan C. Mullings, Bay State Banner: "The Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act is gaining traction in Boston. City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo introduced a resolution to support the right of Puerto Rico's residents to end their status as a U.S. territory. Arroyo spoke in support of the act, and shared his personal experience as a Puerto Rican, at a virtual event with other supporters on April 15."

– "Investigation Into Suspended Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White Has Cost The City Nearly $45K, So Far," by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: "The law firm investigating suspended Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White has so far billed the city just under $45,000, according to documents obtained by GBH News under the state open record law."

– "Cambridge to begin guaranteed income program for single-parent households," by Shirley Leung, Boston Globe: "Cambridge is set to become the second city in Massachusetts to give out no-strings-attached money to its poorest residents in an 18-month pilot program that will begin in August. Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui announced Thursday that the city, through a public-private partnership, has raised $1.5 million for an initiative that gives out $500 a month to 120 households headed by a lone caretaker, such as a single mother."

– "Lack of mental health beds means long ER waits," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "According to a report released Wednesday by the Health Policy Commission, emergency room boarding is only getting worse. In 2019, 27 percent of behavioral health emergency department visits resulted in boarding. By September 2020, 31 percent of people who visited the emergency department for a behavioral health emergency boarded."

– "Former Suffolk assistant district attorney violated expectations but didn't break law, probe finds," by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: "A former Suffolk assistant district attorney who was accused of sexually harassing young women was found by an independent investigation to have engaged in behavior with female interns that violated the expectations of his office but did not constitute criminal activity, authorities said Thursday."

DAY IN COURT

– "Federal judge upholds Boston exam school admissions policy," by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: "A federal judge on Thursday upheld the Boston school system's temporary changes to its admission policy for its exam schools, a victory that may allow acceptance letters to go out by the end of the month. In his ruling, Judge William Young said the policy, which is based on grades and ZIP codes, ' does not have the effect of subjecting students to discrimination because of their race.'"

– "White Milton police officer to face charges for allegedly threatening, intimidating Black teen over support for Black Lives Matter," by Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: "A white Milton police officer will be prosecuted criminally over an off-duty incident in which she allegedly derided and threatened her son's 14-year-old friend, who is Black, over his support for the Black Lives Matter movement, a court official ruled Thursday."

– "Some 12-Person Jury Trials To Resume In Massachusetts Next Month," by Deborah Becker, WBUR: "Some 12 person juries will resume in Massachusetts next month, marking the first time full jury trials will be held since the pandemic began. The state Supreme Judicial Court has updated its order on courthouse operations, allowing, among other things, 12-person jury trials beginning on May 1."

WARREN REPORT

– "Elizabeth Warren Literally LOLs at GOP's Supposed Breakup With Corporate America," by Sam Brodey, The Daily Beast: "As Republicans castigate corporations for opposing their nationwide efforts to change voting rules, the Democratic Party's top critics of private sector power are laughing at the notion that corporate America and the GOP have actually splintered. Literally."

MARKEYCHUSETTS

– "Pelosi dismisses progressive 'court packing' legislation," by Sarah Ferris, POLITICO: "Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday rejected a push from the left wing of the party to swiftly vote on legislation to expand the Supreme Court with Democrats in full control of Washington."

FROM THE DELEGATION

– "Federal pols weigh in on proposed machine-gun range," by Beth Treffeisen, Cape Cod Times: "With plans set to move forward with a proposed multipurpose machine-gun range, members of the state's Congressional delegation echoed the concerns of the community and environmental organizations in a joint letter late last week. U.S. Sens. Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren and U.S. Rep. William Keating shared their concerns in a letter sent to the Massachusetts Army National Guard on Friday."

– "Dams, Bridges And Paid Sick Leave: What The Mass. Delegation Hopes To Insert In Biden's Infrastructure Plan," by Callum Borchers, WBUR: "President Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan lays out his vision of better transit, broadband and more, but it doesn't yet specify which projects could get funded. That's where members of Congress come in."

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

– "Sununu To Drop Mask Mandate, Lift Most Other Pandemic Restrictions," by Alli Fam, NHPR: "Virtually all statewide limits on businesses and public activities due to the pandemic will be lifted in New Hampshire within a matter of weeks, Gov. Chris Sununu announced Thursday. The statewide mask mandate will expire on Friday, April 16."

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: "LIVE FREE OR DIE," — Globe: "Judge upholds exam school challenge," "State lowers death count from virus in rest homes."

FROM THE 413

– "'This is what small towns do': In steady rain, hundreds honor fallen U.S. Capitol Police officer, Berkshire County native William 'Billy' Evans," by Patrick Johnson, Springfield Republican: "Through a dreary, sometimes heavy rain, hundreds of Berkshire County residents lined the streets Thursday to pay tribute to one of their own: U.S. Capitol Police Officer William 'Billy' Evans, who was killed in the line of duty earlier this month."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Lowell is an immigrant city on the precipice of change," by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: "Tensions are high as this immigrant city faces the beginning of the end of majority-white rule. The old guard is begrudgingly making room for more diverse leadership after a federal Voting Rights lawsuit by Asian and Latino residents compelled an electoral shakeup, and community activists are demanding that city leaders recognize racism as an urgent problem."

– "Somerset coming apart at the seams," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "The South Coast community of Somerset seems to be pulling apart at the seams, as rancor over stop-gap development at Brayton Point prompted the chair of the Board of Selectmen to resign her position a year early, saying she can no longer stand 'the hate and venom' that has spread throughout the community."

– "State Rep. Driscoll files legislation aimed at Blue Hills deer hunt," by Mia McCarthy, Patriot Ledger: "After the Blue Hills deer hunt banned shotguns this past year, Rep. William Driscoll, D-Quincy, has filed a new bill designed to end the hunt altogether."

TRANSITIONS – Alyssa Gold will serve as campaign manager for Deeqo Jibril's Boston City Council campaign.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to former Massachusetts First Lady Ann Romney, who is 71; Patriots coach Bill Belichick, Jane Oates, a former Kennedy staffer now with Working Nation; and Doug Elmendorf.

HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND – to Saturday birthday-ers state Rep. Bruce Ayers, Dean Lieberman, founder and principal at DKL Strategies; Tom Hunt, Glossier's Susan Effler, Mark Leicester and Christine Boncore. And to Sunday birthday-ers Charlie Baker, president and co-founder of Dewey Square Group; Theresa Verbic, Kelsey Donohue, director of comms at Harvard's IOP and an Obama WH and State alum; Trey Grayson, Tracy Spicer and Muzammil Nazir.

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.

Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.

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