News: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BAKER’S shifting timeline — Fire SCORCHES western Mass.

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BAKER’S shifting timeline — Fire SCORCHES western Mass. — CDC to RETHINK pandemic response

May 18, 2021

BAKER'S SHIFTING TIMELINE — Massachusetts will lift nearly all of its remaining Covid-19 restrictions two months ahead of schedule, leaving some party insiders wondering if there's another timeline GOP Gov. Charlie Baker might be moving up — his decision on whether to run for a third term.

But the only campaign Baker mentioned on Monday was the Bay State's "campaign against the virus."

Massachusetts's major pandemic milestone follows new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for the fully vaccinated that's sent officials across the country scrambling to realign their rules in recent days.

While Baker wouldn't call the fight against Covid over, he sounded a note of triumph that "the commonwealth was tested … but together, we all fought back."

But some Democrats aren't ready for anything resembling a victory lap. One local field organizer used Baker's announcement as a call to action to take back the corner office in 2022. Others questioned the science behind the new timetable or reminded of the problems that plagued earlier stages of the rollout. A few expressed concerns about vaccine access and hesitancy among certain groups.

STATE OF EMERGENCY SCRAMBLE — Baker will also end the pandemic state of emergency on June 15.

That leaves lawmakers just four weeks to sift through legislation and dozens of orders tied to the emergency that allow for everything from cocktails to-go, to expanded outdoor dining, to remote participation in state and local government meetings.

Advocates quickly sounded alarms on several of those measures. Massachusetts Municipal Association Executive Director Geoff Beckwith told me "it's a top priority" to keep remote and virtual options for municipal meetings. Both Beckwith and Boston City Council President Pro Tempore Matt O'Malley said remote options have helped boost public participation, which is often a challenge at the local level.

Baker offered few details but pledged to work with legislative leaders, who in turn requested a full list of the affected regulations and vowed to provide a "seamless transition out of the state of emergency."

BREAKING THIS MORNING — Democratic Rep. Bill Keating will get a challenge from Jesse Brown, a 43-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran and entrepreneur from Plymouth, who will announce his campaign for the 9th Congressional District today. Brown lost a Republican primary for a state Senate seat during a special election last year. Another Republican, Mark Littles of Marshfield, is already in the race.

"America is facing some big challenges," Brown says in his launch video. "The problem is out-of-touch career politicians like Bill Keating."

Keating has fended off numerous Republican challengers over the past decade. But his congressional district posted President Joe Biden's lowest margin of victory of all nine Massachusetts districts in 2020. One GOP strategist told me he sees a favorable shift in the more blue-collar areas of the district.

The effects of redistricting remain to be seen. Right now Keating, who a spokeswoman confirmed to POLITICO will seek reelection in 2022, isn't on the National Republican Congressional Committee's target list for the midterms.

Some first-in-Playbook details: Former MassGOP political director John Milligan will serve as Brown's campaign manager. Battleground Strategies will do general consulting, led by Jim Barnett and Republican National Committee alum Elissa Voccola, and assisted by Baker political adviser Jim Conroy.

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. See you at the ball pits on May 29.

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

TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker and Sen. Edward Markey join former Gov. Deval Patrick for a "Future of Tech Commission Town Hall: A Public Discussion on Creating Safe, Healthy Online Spaces for All Americans" at noon. Former state Rep. Marie St. Fleur will endorse Boston mayoral candidate and City Councilor Andrea Campbell during a 1 p.m. event in Mattapan Square followed by local stops. Rep. Lori Trahan will join a student town hall hosted by the Concord Museum on YouTube Live at 6 p.m. Former CIA director John O. Brennan talks national security with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute at 5:30 p.m.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "Massachusetts reports lowest number of new coronavirus cases since September," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald. "Massachusetts health officials on Monday reported 19 new virus deaths and 281 new virus cases, as infections continue to dip across the state amid the vaccine rollout."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Benefits eyed for idled contract workers," by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: "Hair stylists, Uber drivers, food service workers and hundreds of thousands of other self-employed people don't have a safety net if they are laid off because they're ineligible for traditional unemployment benefits. During the pandemic, those workers have been thrown a lifeline by federal programs ... But those benefits end in September. A proposal filed by Sen. Barry Finegold, D-Andover, which will be heard by the Legislature's Committee on Labor and Workforce Development on Tuesday, seeks to ensure that 'gig economy' workers and other independent contractors have access to state unemployment benefits long after the pandemic subsides."

– "13 Mass. School Districts Propose Offering An All-Virtual School Option Next Year," by Meg Woolhouse, GBH News: "Some of Massachusetts largest school districts are asking the state to review plans to open their own all-virtual schools for students who want to learn remotely next fall. Boston, Worcester and Natick are just a few of the 13 districts that have requested evaluations to open their own online school next September."

– "Massachusetts lawmakers scramble to make pandemic protections permanent as state of emergency end nears," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "Lawmakers are scrambling to make permanent a slew of pandemic-era protections — including provisions like cocktails to-go and expanded outdoor dining — that have helped float small businesses."

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

– "Key dates in Massachusetts reopening, end of coronavirus restrictions," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday announced a series of key dates moving up the end of coronavirus-era mandates on mask-wearing and restrictions on businesses by two full months as virus cases, hospitalizations and deaths continue to recede."

– "Here is a list of places and situations that will still require face coverings after Memorial Day," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "On May 29, more than two months ahead of schedule, all COVID restrictions and capacity limits will be lifted, marking the state's transition post-pandemic life after more than a year of illness, death and economic hardship born of emergency regulations. While the move signals a return to normal is near, masks will still be required in a number of settings — even for fully vaccinated people."

– "Maskless recess and summer camps? Here's how the new mask guidance in Mass. affects schools," by Felicia Gans, Boston Globe: "Children in schools and summer camps no longer will be required to wear masks during outdoor activities under a new mask guidance announced by the Baker administration on Monday. The changes, which follow a similar update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week, still will require students and staff members in K-12 schools and early education centers to wear masks indoors."

– "Mass. Says Masks Off In Youth Sports. High School Officials Say Not So Fast," by Callum Borchers, WBUR: "Starting Tuesday, student athletes in Massachusetts can go maskless when playing outdoor sports, according to new state guidelines Gov. Charlie Baker announced on Monday. But many schools and sports leagues around the state will continue to require masks for now."

– "Need for pooled testing in schools is not disappearing," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "Vaccines may be here, but the need for COVID-19 testing is not going away any time soon. That's the prediction of Tim Rowe, the CEO of CIC Health, a private company that has been overseeing COVID-19 testing programs and also running mass vaccination sites in Massachusetts."

– "Lifting state COVID rules clears way for The Big E in 2021: 'So we are very happy,'" by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "The Big E is sticking with cleaning protocols and might tweak opening and closing times to help control crowds as it prepares for the 2021 fair in about four months. But the Eastern States Exhibition won't require COVID-19 vaccinations or mandate masks, president and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition, Eugene Cassidy said."

– "Fenway Park will return to full capacity on May 29; Boston Red Sox 'excited to see Boston's vibrancy restored,'" by Chris Cotillo, MassLive.com: "The days of a limited capacity crowd at Fenway Park will soon come to an end. The Red Sox will welcome a full crowd at Fenway starting May 29, when they host the Marlins, team president and CEO Sam Kennedy said in a statement."

FROM THE HUB

– "Boston is lifting coronavirus restrictions on May 29, aligning with Massachusetts' reopening schedule," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "Boston is moving up its reopening timeline to be in line with the state's schedule as coronavirus data continues to 'move in the right direction' amid the vaccine rollout, Acting Mayor Kim Janey announced Monday."

– "The Dennis White standoff brings with it a host of legal questions for Janey," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey's attempt to oust Police Commissioner Dennis White was thwarted last week, at least for the time being, when White filed a request for a restraining order and preliminary injunction in Suffolk Superior Court to stop his removal. White's move raises a host of thorny legal questions for the city, and the standoff between Janey and White has left the leadership of the nation's oldest police force in a strange limbo."

– "Acting police head, used to working under the radar, now thrust into public spotlight," by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "He's been the leader of a Police Department embroiled in controversy, yet has largely worked below the radar. Boston police superintendent in chief Gregory Long has served as acting commissioner since February, when newly appointed Commissioner Dennis White was hastily placed on leave pending an investigation into past domestic violence allegations. And Long has served as the official leader of the department's operations since 2018, when former commissioner William Gross named him chief superintendent, in charge of all the department's commanders."

– "Officer behind 'Back the Blue' rallies under scrutiny for social media posts, alleged attendance at insurrection," by Elizabeth Koh and Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "The Boston police officer under investigation for sending tweets attacking the former vice president and attending a January rally that led to an attempted overthrow of the government is a 13-year veteran who is perhaps best known for organizing local Back the Blue rallies across Massachusetts, according to a person briefed on the matter."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Lawrence Acting Mayor Kendrys Vasquez, who took over the top job earlier this year when former Mayor Daniel Rivera left to lead MassDevelopment, will pull papers in the city's mayoral race today. Vasquez says he'll consult with family, friends and community leaders over the next few days "about a vision that uplifts all of our residents and whether or not I should lead that endeavor as mayor for a full term." Three other candidates have also pulled papers — former councilor Brian DePena, Lawrence community development director Vilma Martinez-Dominguez , and former state representative and mayor William Lantigua.

– Former state Rep. Marie St. Fleur, the first Haitian-American elected to state office in the United States, will endorse Boston mayoral candidate and City Councilor Andrea Campbell today.

WARREN REPORT

– ICYMI: "Book advance helped boost income for Elizabeth Warren and her husband to nearly $900,000 last year, financial disclosures show," by Jim Puzzanghera, Boston Globe: "Senator Elizabeth Warren received a $250,000 advance last year for her latest book, boosting the income she and her husband, Bruce Mann, earned last year to nearly $900,000, according to financial disclosure documents she released Friday."

DAY IN COURT

– "David Staveley, Massachusetts man who faked his own death, pleads guilty after being first in the US to be charged with fraud for Paycheck Protection Program," by Heather Morrison, MassLive.com: "A 53-year-old Massachusetts man who faked his own death has pleaded guilty after attempting to steal more than $500,000 in Paycheck Protection Program loans."

– "Lawsuit claims addiction treatment program ignored COVID-19 safety practices," by Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle: "A Great Barrington man claims a national addiction treatment program with offices in Pittsfield and Cummington failed to take steps to safeguard him and fellow staff members, as well as residential clients, from COVID-19 infection."

– "Driver in fatal Florida crash settles suit against Holy Cross," by Scott O'Connell, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "The driver of a truck involved in a crash in Florida last January that killed a member of Holy Cross's crew team has settled his lawsuit with the college, his attorney said Monday."

FROM THE DELEGATION

– Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., announced first-year Rep. Jake Auchincloss as vice chair of the House Financial Services Committee, which she leads.

FROM THE 413

– "At 800 acres, Clarksburg State Forest fire largest in Mass. in more than two decades," by Francesca Paris, Berkshire Eagle: "Fire crews from around the region are working to contain a wildland fire in the Clarksburg State Forest area that has grown into the state's largest fire in more than two decades, according to the Department of Conservation and Recreation. "

– "MGM Springfield casino revenue dips; Plainridge, Encore Boston Harbor post gains," by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "MGM Springfield brought in $21,933,551 in gross gaming revenue in April, a slight decline of about $130,047 from the $22,063,598 it took in a month earlier. … The Massachusetts Gaming Commission released Monday the April 2020 figures for all three Massachusetts casinos. The other two locations both reported increases."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Mayor withdraws proposal to buy $23 million land for new city hall, Quincy College building," by Mary Whitfill, Patriot Ledger: "Mayor Thomas Koch has withdrawn a $23 million request to buy land downtown for a 16-story municipal building that would house city hall offices and serve as a permanent home for Quincy College. The land purchases were the first in a multi-step project expected to cost upwards of $100 million."

– "School Committee changes Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day," by Sandy Quadros Bowles, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "The holiday previously known as Columbus Day will now be celebrated as Indigenous Peoples Day on the Grafton school calendar, School Committee members unanimously agreed. With their May 11 vote, Grafton becomes the first school district in Central Massachusetts to make the official change of names, according to indigenouspeoplesdayma.org."

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

– "Senate Republicans launch full-court press to woo Sununu," by Burgess Everett and James Arkin, POLITICO: "Recruiting the sitting governor of New Hampshire for one of the country's tightest Senate races paid off for Democrats six years ago. Now the GOP is aiming to replicate that strategy. Republicans have launched an all-out effort to woo Gov. Chris Sununu into a challenge to Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan next fall. With the Senate locked in a 50-50 split, a Sununu run would shake up the entire Senate midterm landscape."

THE NATIONAL TAKE

– ICYMI: "Deval Patrick leads effort to advise Biden administration on the future of technology," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "It looks like Deval Patrick will get the opportunity to shape policy in Washington after all — at least when it comes to the future of technology. The former governor has kept a relatively low profile since withdrawing from the presidential race in early 2020. But maybe not for much longer: The Massachusetts Democrat has taken on a new assignment to help the eventual winner of that race, President Biden."

– "Mask controversy spurs CDC to rethink its pandemic response," by Erin Banco and Adam Cancryn, POLITICO: "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky is shaking up the agency's Covid-19 response to consolidate oversight amid mounting criticism over its guidance for vaccinated people, according to three senior health officials with the knowledge of the situation."

– "Supreme Court pulls Biden into an abortion fight he didn't want," by Alice Miranda Ollstein, POLITICO: "The Supreme Court's Monday decision to reconsider the right to an abortion drags President Joe Biden into an incendiary political fight that will loom large heading into the mid-term election."

TRANSITIONS – Beacon Communities has hired three new executives across its leadership team: Nicole Clement, general counsel; Prabin Kanel, chief information officer; and Sara Scarborough Graham, senior vice president of marketing. Taylor Connolly joins Boston mayoral candidate John Barros's campaign as communications director.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to POLITICO's Bryan Bender, a Boston Globe alum; state Rep. Bill Driscoll Jr., Erik Smith, Robert Colt, Patrick Long, Judy Boullet and Josh Troop. Happy belated to Michael Ruiz, who celebrated Saturday.

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