News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: VACCINE PASSPORTS not BAKER’S top priority — Lawmakers debate TRANSPARENCY behind CLOSED DOORS

Thursday, April 8, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: VACCINE PASSPORTS not BAKER’S top priority — Lawmakers debate TRANSPARENCY behind CLOSED DOORS — DUXBURY reeling after SCHOOL SCANDALS

Apr 08, 2021

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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Is it just me, or is this week flying by?

YOU CALL THIS CROWDED? — The race to be Boston's next mayor is pretty packed. But in the grand scheme of things, the field is not all that big.

Six major candidates are vying to be mayor, and the lineup seems to be pretty much set. Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey is the latest, and perhaps the last, candidate to throw her hat in the ring. She joins City Councilors Michelle Wu, Andrea Campbell and Annissa Essaibi George, along with state Rep. Jon Santiago and John Barros, the city's former economic development chief.

Still in the maybe column is state Sen. Nick Collins. But even if he does jump in, seven candidates would hardly set a record in the city.

Looking back at the blockbuster mayoral races of the past several decades, this year's field is only half the size of the last big race. There were 12 names on the ballot in the 2013 mayoral race, won by now-Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. In the 1993 open race, when voters promoted then-acting mayor Tom Menino to mayor, seven candidates made the ballot. Ray Flynn was one of nine candidates who ran in 1983, and Kevin White ran in a 10-candidate field in 1967.

There are a few factors that might be keeping candidates on the sidelines this time around. For one, Janey has the advantage of incumbency, so the contest isn't quite the free-for-all that we saw in 2013. There's also the money factor: The six candidates raised a collective $1.2 million just in the month of March. And even the suggestion that there could be an open congressional race in the future, which is very much a hypothetical, is keeping candidates out.

Then there's the pandemic. The vaccine will let us have a (sort of) normal political summer, but Covid-19 has totally changed the campaign landscape. The number of candidates running for mayor in New York City is in the double digits, and they probably spend more time duking it out over Zoom forums than they do with their own families.

If another candidate or two is waiting in the wings, we'll know sooner than later. Mayoral hopefuls can pull papers to get on the ballot beginning on Tuesday, according to the city. The last day to file nomination papers is May 18, which isn't all that far away.

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

TODAY — Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Seth Moulton and Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll hold a press conference at the Essex National Heritage Area. Markey visits restaurants in Wakefield and Tewksbury. Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark tours the McGlynn School with Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn. Rep. Jim McGovern visits Maker to Main in Worcester, and hosts a roundtable with the filmmakers of "The Dissident." Rep. Jake Auchincloss tours the Covid-19 testing operation at Medfield High School. Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey visits Twin Donuts, is a guest on GBH's "Boston Public Radio" and holds a Covid-19 briefing.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "More than 4,500 COVID cases confirmed among children younger than 14 over the last two weeks as hospitalizations, active infections rise," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "Active COVID infections in Massachusetts rose to 35,075 on Wednesday, up from 34,652 on Tuesday, according to the latest data from the Department of Public Health. State health officials confirmed another 2,292 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday. That's based on 118,123 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Massachusetts lawmakers seek to boost public education funding beyond Gov. Charlie Baker's budget plan," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "The Massachusetts Legislature's top budget writers have reached an agreement on school funding, proposing allocating more money than what Gov. Charlie Baker included in his fiscal 2022 budget plan. The House and Senate Ways and Means committees propose a $219.6 million increase in Chapter 70 funds from fiscal 2021, bringing the total amount to $5.503 billion."

– "Massachusetts lawmakers are debating their transparency procedures — behind closed doors," by Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: "Could this be the year Massachusetts state representatives open themselves up to more scrutiny? Constituents seeking an early hint could look to a recent meeting of the legislative committee debating just that — when lawmakers voted to conduct discussions about their internal transparency rules out of the view of the press and public."

– "Legislature to probe 'multi-system failure' that led to starvation death of autistic teen," by Jo C. Goode, The Herald News: "After the devastating Office of the Child Advocate report last week on the death of 14-year-old autistic boy, David Almond, local lawmakers say they are pursuing a continued inquiry into the tragedy through the joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "Massachusetts expands COVID vaccine pre-registration system, plans to enhance user experience," by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts officials on Wednesday announced the expansion of the COVID-19 vaccine pre-registration system to include the Amherst-Northampton Collaborative and Marshfield Regional Collaborative, with Gov. Charlie Baker noting plans to make more local health collaboratives available on the site later this month."

– "Baker unwilling to talk vaccine passports," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "Gov. Charlie Baker is uninterested in talking about vaccination passports. Asked whether Massachusetts might consider creating vaccine passports – which would impose restrictions on unvaccinated individuals – Baker did not explicitly say no, but said his focus is on getting people vaccinated."

– "As Massachusetts opens COVID vaccine eligibility, Gov. Charlie Baker urges seniors to get shot if they haven't yet," by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: "More than three-quarters of Massachusetts' seniors have already rolled up their sleeves for a COVID-19 vaccine, but Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday reminded older unvaccinated residents that they remain vulnerable."

– "Walgreens reminds staff that ID isn't required for vaccine in Massachusetts, after some residents were turned away," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "After several Massachusetts residents were reportedly turned away from their vaccination appointments, Walgreens says it's reminding staff members of the state's policy against requiring identification to prove eligibility for a shot."

FROM THE HUB

– "Janey Launches $2M Initiative To Diversify Boston Municipal Contracting," by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: "Acting Mayor Kim Janey announced $2 million worth of initiatives designed to foster diversity in Boston's much criticized public contracting process on Wednesday. The initiatives build on work begun by former mayor Marty Walsh two months ago, after a city-commissioned study revealed that Black businesses have been largely shut out of Boston contracts."

– "MGH president Peter Slavin to depart after 18 years," by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: "The president of Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Peter L. Slavin, plans to step down after 18 years leading the powerful and prestigious institution, amid a broad restructuring at its parent company. Slavin announced the move in an e-mail to staff Wednesday morning. He plans to stay at MGH — which has consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the country — until his successor arrives, after a search process that could take months."

– "'Just frozen': Greater Boston's housing market remains locked up and expensive," by Tim Logan, Boston Globe: "The spring home-buying season, marked by April open houses and May closings, is nearing its peak. This year, though, it's been more like a bump. The reason? There's just not much to buy out there. The number of homes for sale in Greater Boston — especially single-family houses in the suburbs — is at its lowest spring level in years. At the same time, attractive interest rates and pent-up demand have increased the number of people looking to buy."

– "Legal, real estate experts seeking answers after judge's bombshell decision," by Catherine Carlock, Boston Business Journal: "Suffolk Superior Court Judge Brian Davis last week sent shockwaves through Greater Boston's real estate community by invalidating the city's downtown municipal harbor plan. While legal experts are still examining the consequences of the decision, many real estate developers fear it could bring any and all waterfront development relying on state-approved Chapter 91 licenses to a screeching halt."

– "Emerson College taking action to deal with spike in COVID-19 cases," by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "Emerson College is taking several temporary steps to limit in-person interactions amid a spike in positive COVID-19 cases, a school official said Wednesday. Erik Muurisepp, Emerson's assistant vice president for campus life, confirmed the moves in an e-mail message to the college community."

– "Report shows stark inequalities in Cambridge economic growth," by Andy Rosen, Boston Globe: "A new report by a Cambridge civic group lays out in stark detail how the city's yearslong health and technology boom has failed to reach swaths of the population, leaving lower-income residents with higher expenses but limited opportunities to participate in the prosperity enjoyed by their neighbors."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "Black women are running for mayor — and winning," by Barbara Rodriguez, The 19th: "This year, Black women are also running for mayor in Boston and New York. As of March 2021, there are 32 women serving as mayors in the 100 largest cities. Seven are Black women."

– "Acting Mayor Kim Janey is running for mayor — in these iconic sneakers," by Maddie Mortell, Boston.com: "When you're on your feet all the time, hopping from place to place, wearing the right kicks can be an important — and sometimes political — choice."

BIDEN TIME

– "Hodgson spearheads sheriffs letter to Biden over border," by Stephen Peterson, Sun Chronicle: "Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson is leading a campaign by sheriffs across the country urging President Biden to secure the southern border from illegal immigration. Hodgson and nearly 275 sheriffs from 39 states have sent a letter to Biden requesting that he halt a mass influx of illegal immigrants from Mexico and Central America."

MARKEYCHUSETTS

– "Sen. Ed Markey tours Holyoke's Mount Tom solar farm, battery facility; city preps new battery storage downtown," by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "U.S. Senator Ed Markey — a co-author of the set of policy proposals known as the Green New Deal — toured the Mount Tom Solar project Wednesday as the city prepares to bring even more battery storage capacity online later this summer."

FROM THE DELEGATION

– "Massachusetts politicians push to shutter Weymouth gas compressor station after third unplanned release of gas," by Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: "Ahead of a deadline Monday evening, gas companies and industry groups rushed to tell federal regulators that a controversial Weymouth gas compressor station should be allowed to continue operating despite its rocky history, arguing the site was safe and critical to the country's energy infrastructure."

– "Rep. Lynch Weighs In On The Pandemic Recovery, Reopening Plans," by Tiziana Dearing and Chris Citorik, WBUR: "Massachusetts Congressman Stephen Lynch joins us to talk about Governor Baker's reopening plan, yet another unplanned gas release from the Weymouth compressor, and the ongoing debate over MBTA service levels."

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

– "Marijuana store sues Haverhill, saying steep 'impact' fees are not justified," by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "Haverhill marijuana store Stem has sued its host city over 'community impact' fees imposed on local cannabis companies, arguing officials have failed to explain how the steep payments are related to any negative effects caused by the presence of pot shops ."

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: "RAYS OF HOPE," "OUT OF HIS LANE," — Globe : "In charged moment, Masters takes its time," "Leader of MGH stepping down," "With two coaches under fire, Duxbury residents want answers."

FROM THE 413

– "Is vigil to honor 'Billy' Evans a political event in disguise? Some think so," by Larry Parnass, The Berkshire Eagle: "The reason for a vigil this Saturday got its own section, 'WHY,' in the release organizer Rinaldo Del Gallo III sent this week: 'To celebrate the life of a Berkshire native who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting us.' But other possible motives are complicating the picture — and may produce a counter-protest this weekend in North Adams."

– "Massachusetts students don't have to take MCAS; and some are arguing they shouldn't," by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: "With Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test dates approaching, a group of students in Belchertown is making it their mission to let fellow students know they can opt-out of the test. In Massachusetts, not all families are aware that they can opt their child out for the yearly assessment."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "What Happened To Moses Harris?" by Tori Bedford, GBH News: "Harris' disappearance sparked months of local protests over yet another fatal confrontation between a Black man and the police. Family members and protesters demanded answers about what happened and weren't satisfied with what they heard back from the police or from City Hall. His fiance, Jerytza Montanez, 40, questioned how police handled Harris, who she has said suffered from mental illness."

– "'Our little town has a serious problem': Duxbury reels as school scandals raise questions of transparency," by Hanna Krueger, Boston Globe: "A private Facebook group for the tony town of Duxbury hosts some 12,000 users who typically use the platform to share photos of the sun setting over its oyster-filled bay or inquire about the best local lawn services. But now, as the town reels amid alarming allegations about two of its most prominent high school coaches, the tone of the discussion has turned decidedly grim."

– "Worcester Spent More Than $100 Million Building Polar Park. Minority Companies Got Peanuts." by Carrie Saldo, GBH News: "When the city of Worcester won the rights to build the new home for the Red Sox minor league affiliate, city leaders promised the giant construction project would bring vast new opportunities to local businesses — particularly companies owned by women and minorities. But as the team prepares to take the field next month, GBH News has learned that minority-owned businesses were largely shut out of park construction."

– "Worcester schools see few cases from hybrid teaching," by Scott O'Connell, Telegram & Gazette: "A week into the start of hybrid learning, the district so far has not seen any major issues with the spread of COVID-19 in the schools, according to school officials. But the system's cautious approach to managing potential virus cases has led to the unavailability of staff in some buildings, Worcester's school safety director Robert Pezzella said Tuesday."

– "Mayor: Braintree in 'desperate need' of financial help," by Fred Hanson, The Patriot Ledger: "Mayor Charles Kokoros said he will appeal to Gov. Charlie Baker for more federal COVID-19 emergency money to try to prevent significant budget cuts in the fiscal year beginning July 1. Speaking at Monday night's school committee, Kokoros said the town has had significant revenue losses from meals and excise taxes because of the pandemic."

MEDIA MATTERS

– "Taunton officials accuse Boston Globe of reneging on taxes," by Don Seiffert, Boston Business Journal: "Four years ago, a Taunton city official lauded a new tax increment financing agreement for the Boston Globe's printing plant as 'home run' for the city, promising 600 new jobs in the city and millions of dollars in tax revenue in coming years. Today, city leaders would say the Globe has struck out."

TRANSITIONS – Celina Barrios-Millner was appointed by Acting Mayor Kim Janey as Boston's new chief of equity and inclusion.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Melissa Olesen, staffer in Sen. Ed Markey's office and a Kennedy alum; Maddie Beecher and Jackie Kessel.

NEW EPISODE: BORN TO BE DIALED – On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Jennifer Smith, Steve Koczela and Stephanie Murray speak with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ben Downing about his campaign. The hosts discuss a recent Supreme Court decision that will change the way pollsters do business. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.

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