News: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BUMP WON’T seek REELECTION — ‘Crisis of leadership’ at HOLYOKE — HEALEY NOT PROSECUTING campaign finance cases

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: BUMP WON’T seek REELECTION — ‘Crisis of leadership’ at HOLYOKE — HEALEY NOT PROSECUTING campaign finance cases — GEORGE FLOYD remembered

May 25, 2021

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EXCLUSIVE: BUMP OUT — Suzanne Bump will not seek a fourth term as state auditor, creating an opening for a statewide seat in 2022 that's sure to set off a flurry of activity among the deep bench of Bay State pols hungry for higher office.

Bump is the first woman to hold the post, having climbed the ranks in state government from a legislative intern in 1978, to a state representative, to labor secretary under Gov. Deval Patrick before being elected auditor in 2010. She succeeded Joseph DeNucci, who spent 24 years in the role.

"I knew when I came here I was not going to equal the tenure of my predecessor," Bump told me in an interview. "I'm still as dedicated to the office's mission of transparency and accountability as I was in 2011, but I also believe that there are other people who have ideas for how to take the work that we have done and bring it even further forward."

Under Bump's tenure, the auditor's office has received the highest peer review rating under the National State Auditors Association, for which she recently served as president. Bump said she considers her audit of failures within the Department of Children and Families — a blistering report that put the Democrat at odds with Republican Gov. Charlie Baker — to be among her most important achievements because of its "human impact."

"It's hard to say that 12 years will be enough. But I just want to give somebody else another chance to advance this mission," Bump said, adding that she doesn't intend to run for another office.

For higher-office hopefuls largely stuck in a holding pattern with few open seats to try for in recent years, Bump's departure creates a coveted opportunity — particularly for candidates who may lack the clout to run for governor, or who have previously run for statewide or federal office but lost.

Names already being floated for the auditor's race include Transportation for Massachusetts Director Chris Dempsey and Governor's Councilor Eileen Duff.

There's also State Sen. Diana DiZoglio, a Methuen Democrat who in 2019 called on Bump to investigate non-disclosure agreements in the state legislature and earlier this year asked the office to look into no-bid contracts for vendors working on the state's Covid-19 vaccination rollout.

Bump is the first of the state's major constitutional officers to announce their intentions for 2022. Secretary of State William Galvin told POLITICO late last month that he's leaning toward seeking reelection, but could change his mind. Attorney General Maura Healey appears to be positioning for a run for governor, but hasn't announced her intentions. Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Treasurer Deb Goldberg have also yet to divulge their plans.

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Senate budget debate begins today. Massachusetts groups are marking one year since George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin with vigils, marches and other demonstrations. Among them: the "March for George and Justice" from Milton to Mattapan, which will feature state Reps. Brandy Fluker Oakley and Russell Holmes, Boston City Councilors Ricardo Arroyo and Julia Mejia, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ben Downing, according to organizers. More.

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

TODAY — House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Majority Leader Claire Cronin will formally endorse state Rep. Jon Santiago in his Boston mayoral bid; Ways & Means House Chairman Aaron Michlewitz, who endorsed Santiago in March, will also be at the 10:30 a.m. press conference. Attorney General Maura Healey appears on GBH's Boston Public Radio for "Ask the AG" at 11 a.m. Boston City Councilor and mayoral candidate Michelle Wu hosts a press conference calling for "a joyful summer of arts, placemaking, and block parties" at 11 a.m. Acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey will host a press conference at 2:30 p.m. to observe the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, discuss funding investments in Boston's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and provide an update on reopening plans. U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh is back on the radar with a visit to Wisconsin.

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HAPPENING TODAY - A PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW WITH ADAM KINZINGER: From the ousting of Liz Cheney from her leadership position to the looming death of a bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, Donald Trump appears to be winning the internal GOP battle over the party's future. Join Playbook co-authors Rachael Bade and Eugene Daniels for an interview with a leading member of the Trump opposition, Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), to discuss his efforts to change the party's direction -- and whether that is even possible. Register here to watch live.

THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "Massachusetts estimated active coronavirus cases drop below 10,000 as 188 new cases reported," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "Massachusetts health officials on Monday reported two new coronavirus deaths and 188 new virus cases, as infections continue to plunge amid the vaccine rollout."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

The special legislative committee tasked with investigating the deadly coronavirus outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers' home said in a new report that a "crisis of leadership" contributed to the "perfect storm" that left 77 veterans dead in a "preventable tragedy."

In a statement, committee chairs state Rep. Linda Dean Campbell (D-Methuen) and state Sen. Michael Rush (D-West Roxbury) called out "a flawed process" for selecting a superintendent for the facility, "important management and leadership positions" that too long went unfilled, and myriad staffing and training deficiencies.

In the report, they questioned why former Superintendent Bennett Walsh "was chosen for this key leadership position and why action was not taken to remove him from his duties before the tragedy emerged."

The report lays out recommendations including requiring the Holyoke Soldiers' Home superintendent to be a licensed nursing home administrator, elevating the secretary of veterans' services to the Cabinet level, creating a hotline for staff and families and having a paid ombudsman, and combining the Holyoke and Chelsea soldiers' home trustees boards into a centralized governing body. Committee members will vote Tuesday on whether to release the report.

– More details: "Joint legislative committee releases recommendations for Holyoke Soldiers' Home after months long study of COVID tragedy that left 77 dead," by Jeanette DeForge, Springfield Republican: "An inexperienced superintendent who created a 'hostile work environment,' a convoluted chain of command and long-term staffing issues created a perfect storm at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke, leaving officials unable to stop a deadly outbreak of COVID-19 in the spring of 2020."

– "Lawmakers demand Governor Baker answer questions about his role in the Holyoke Soldiers' Home tragedy," by Andrea Estes and Rebecca Ostriker, Boston Globe: "Several state lawmakers Monday urged Governor Charlie Baker to appear before the Legislature to answer new questions about his own personal responsibility and his administration's role in the crisis at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, where more than 76 veterans died in a COVID-19 outbreak."

– "Baker pressed on Holyoke Soldiers' Home labor agreement," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "Gov. Charlie Baker is eager to sign a bill on his desk providing $400 million for the construction of a new Holyoke Soldiers' Home, but first he has to make a decision on a controversial project labor agreement contained in the legislation."

– "For years, investigators have sent Maura Healey evidence of illegal campaign finance activity. She's never prosecuted any," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "In Attorney General Maura Healey's first six years in office, Massachusetts campaign finance officials sent her evidence that 13 former elected officials, candidates, and others may have broken the law, opening the potential for civil or even criminal charges. But Healey has not taken legal action in any of the cases, declining at least nine times to pursue a lawsuit or a prosecution, including against candidates with a history of campaign infractions or fines, according to state officials and documents obtained through a public records request."

– "Advocates Strive Once More To Make Mass. Film Tax Credit Permanent," by Erin Trahan, WBUR: "According to advocates of the Massachusetts' film tax credit, a series of reforms recommended by the state Senate as part of the 2022 budget will destroy the commonwealth's film industry just as it gets back on track from the pandemic and stands on the cusp of significant growth. … The Senate expects to begin its budget debate on Tuesday, May 25. That morning, advocates for the credit plan to gather on the State House steps to express their concerns."

– "Should Mass. continue 'cocktails to go'? State's package stores say it's time to end program," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "A trade group for the state's liquor stores made a last-minute push on Monday to lobby against including an extension of the pandemic-era 'cocktails to go' law in the state budget."

– "Legislative staff complain of low pay, long hours," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "When Maia Raynor started working as a legislative aide for Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz of Boston in 2018, she was earning $38,000 a year. She spent 50 to 60 hours a week at her State House job, took service jobs including dog walking on the side, and moved back in with her family to save money on rent. After the Senate conducted a pay study the following year, the Senate boosted staffers' pay to $43,000. Raynor was eventually promoted to legislative director, earning $49,000 annually. She left the job in April."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "Federal partnership on COVID vaccination at Boston's Hynes Convention Center ends after 301,000 doses; state-run site to remain open into June," by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: "The federal government's partnership with the Baker-Polito administration to ramp up COVID-19 vaccination in the Boston area has ended, with state officials announcing that that they'd administered more than 301,000 doses at the Hynes Convention Center as of Sunday. The state-run site will remain open into June, but the Federal Emergency and Management Agency and Department of Defense teams have completed their mission, which included securing an additional 6,000 doses each day, according to Gov. Charlie Baker's office."

– "Massachusetts Gaming Commission to review COVID capacity limits, mask rules for casinos," by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "Massachusetts casino regulators this week will consider relaxing pandemic-related capacity and mask-wearing rules for the state's three casinos, just three days before Gov. Baker's new rules for every other business or attraction in the state are set to take effect."

– "As Cape Cod vaccination rates soar, officials ponder how to reach those left behind," by Cynthia McCormick, Cape Cod Times: "More and more Cape Codders have received COVID-19 vaccines, but it's those that have been left behind that worry State Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro."

FROM THE HUB

– "Leaders said a reckoning following George Floyd's death would bring change to Boston police. The jury remains out," by Dugan Arnett, Boston Globe: "While Floyd's murder has no doubt sparked a push for police reform nationwide, the tangible effects haven't always been easy to discern in Boston, a city that has long struggled with race, and where police reform efforts have often fallen by the wayside."

– "What's Changed? 'Not Enough': Local Protesters Reflect On The Year Since George Floyd's Killing," by Adrian Ma, WBUR: "To mark the one-year anniversary of Floyd's murder at the hands of police, WBUR asked some of the people who protested in Boston last summer to reflect on their experiences — how they've changed, how their communities have changed, and where they hope the movement for racial justice will go next."

– "Boston superintendent announces changes after investigation finds students pressured into unlicensed counseling," by Naomi Martin, Boston Globe: "Boston schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said Monday she has ended the district's relationship with a nonprofit program that ran a prestigious student advisory group for two decades, following an independent investigation that showed students felt the director stifled their voices, emotionally manipulated them, and pushed them to attend inappropriate group counseling sessions."

– "Boston police worry of 'escalation' in violence by dirt bikers after police van vandalized," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "Officials from Boston's largest police union say they are worried about the 'escalation' in violence from dirt bikers and ATV riders after a police wagon was vandalized when officers attempted to break up a group of more than 100 off-road vehicles."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– The Democratic Socialists of America have endorsed four more local council candidates: Medford City Council incumbent Zac Bears, Somerville Ward 3 incumbent Ben Ewen-Campen, and Cambridge City Council incumbents Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler and Quinton Zondervan.

– "Candidates for Boston mayor face off on environment," by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: "Amid an election contest brimming with contentious issues over police transparency and social inequality, the environment took center stage on Monday, as the six major candidates for mayor of Boston faced off in a virtual debate sponsored by the Environmental League of Massachusetts and The Boston Globe."

– "Boston Firefighters Union Endorses Essaibi George's Mayoral Bid," by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: "The Boston firefighters union on Monday endorsed Councilor Annissa Essaibi George's campaign for mayor. The union's nod comes two weeks after retired Police Commissioner William Gross endorsed her, suggesting Essaibi George's emerging status as the choice of Boston's public safety workers."

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

– "MBTA To Boost Trip Frequency After Emergency Lifts," by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): "With ridership creeping up to its highest levels since the pandemic began, the MBTA will boost frequency on its subway system and more than two dozen bus routes next month, officials announced Monday. A new summer schedule that takes effect on June 20 will run Red, Orange and Blue Line trains at close to the same frequency they did in the winter before a package of unpopular service cuts hit, plus deploy more Green Line trolleys on the C, D and E branches."

DAY IN COURT

– "Defrocked priest Richard Lavigne died as police prepared to charge him with murder in 1972 slaying of altar boy Danny Croteau, DA says," by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: "Defrocked Catholic priest Richard R. Lavigne died last week as police were poised to seek an arrest warrant charging him in the 1972 slaying of altar boy Daniel 'Danny' Croteau, Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni said Monday. Citing new evidence that included hours of recent interviews with Lavigne and a forensic linguist's review of a letter seen as a key piece of evidence in the case, Gulluni said the investigation into Croteau's death is now officially closed."

– More: "Lawyers for former priest's victims outraged and saddened by revelations in Croteau case," by Travis Andersen, Shelley Murphy and John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: "Word that Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni was poised to criminally charge former Catholic priest Richard R. Lavigne with the 1972 murder of 13-year-old Danny Croteau when Lavigne died last week tore open a painful chapter for Croteau's family and many of Lavigne's other sexual abuse victims."

WARREN REPORT

– "Elizabeth Warren Floats $31.5 Billion Plan to Pursue Tax Cheats," by Laura Davison, Bloomberg: "Senator Elizabeth Warren is proposing to nearly triple the Internal Revenue Service's budget to help identify wealthy individuals who are cheating on their taxes."

DATELINE D.C.

– "Romney first GOP senator to say he would vote for Jan. 6 commission bill," by Jordain Carney, The Hill: "Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said on Monday that he would support a House-passed bill to create a commission to probe the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Romney's comments make him the first GOP senator to say he would vote for the bill, which needs the support of 10 Republicans to pass the Senate."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "53 Mass. Teachers Refuse To Administer State Standardize Tests," by Marilyn Schairer, GBH News: "Fifty-two Cambridge educators and a teacher from Hull are refusing to administer the state-mandated MCAS tests and are calling themselves 'conscientious objectors' in protest of what they say is an added layer of stress during the pandemic."

– More: "Hull teacher refuses to give standardized test as a 'conscientious objector'," by Wheeler Cowperthwaite, Patriot Ledger: "For the second time this year, Hull fifth grade teacher Deb McCarthy walked into the elementary school Monday only to walk out a few minutes later. The reason? Refusing to administer the state's scheduled standardized test."

– "The Floyd Factor: A year later, police working to bolster rapport," by Jill Harmacinski, Eagle-Tribune: "Standing at the right side of the car looking through a passenger-side window, Lawrence Detective Marco Ayala sees the handgun tucked under the driver's right thigh. ... What will Ayala do in that split second? This scenario was part of an exercise in new de-escalation training as the Lawrence Police Department responds to a national call for action around the issue of police brutality nearly a year after Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd…"

– "Sex survey distributed to students lands Dracut High School teacher in hot water," by Aaron Curtis, Lowell Sun: "A Dracut High School teacher has been placed on administrative leave for distributing to students what Superintendent of Schools Steven Stone described as 'a highly inappropriate survey.'"

TRANSITIONS – Morgan Pierson, director of development at Berkeley Investments, joins the board of directors at Artisan's Asylum, a member-powered 501(c)(3) non-profit arts service organization. Amy Baker Mandragouras joins Cooley LLP from Nelson Mullins as a Boston-based partner in its life sciences patent counseling & prosecution practice. Cain Hayes joins Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care as its new CEO on July 5. Victor Hernandez joins WBUR as its first-ever chief content officer. Link.

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