News: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: JANEY faces MAYORAL TEST — Judge DENIES troopers — Weld THREATENS to LEAVE GOP

Friday, May 14, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: JANEY faces MAYORAL TEST — Judge DENIES troopers — Weld THREATENS to LEAVE GOP — To MASK or NOT to mask

May 14, 2021

PUT TO THE TEST — Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey faces her biggest political test yet as she prepares to release the results of an independent investigation into a decades-old domestic abuse allegation against Police Commissioner Dennis White and decide the top cop's fate.

White has been on leave since Feb. 3 — barely more than two days after he was sworn in under then-Mayor Marty Walsh — when a Boston Globe investigation unearthed the 1999 allegation.

Janey inherited the scandal, and now her next steps could prove crucial as she works to secure her own political future.

The city received the results of the investigation two weeks ago. Janey pledged on Greater Boston earlier this week that an announcement would come "at the end of this week."

It's a high-stakes decision that will test Janey's mettle as an executive as she seeks to earn a full term. A perceived misstep could open her up to criticism from her rivals and from the city's police at a time when the top two slots in the September preliminary election remain very much up for grabs.

Janey's already taken some heat on cop-related matters. Under criticism, including from some of her competitors, Janey reversed course and directed the city to drop its defense of a Boston Police Department promotional exam alleged to be racially discriminatory, a legal battle she inherited from her predecessors.

She also on Thursday signed into law restrictions on police use of tear gas and rubber bullets, pitting her against police brass and unions who opposed the bill.

Policing has long been at the forefront in the mayoral race as the national reckoning over police brutality and calls to defund the cops continue.

Former Boston Police Commissioner William Gross — whose abrupt departure in January triggered White's promotion to the top job — said Thursday that while the force needs reform, "some people take advantage" of anti-police sentiment.

Gross didn't name names. But he made the comments as he endorsed one of Janey's mayoral rivals, City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George.

"She sets herself aside by holding the police department accountable but being fair about it," Gross said.

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. This weekend looks glorious.

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 attends meetings in Washington, D.C., with members of the Biden-Harris administration including White House coronavirus czar Jeff Zients, as well as with members of the Massachusetts delegation and members of the Massachusetts National Guard stationed in D.C. State Rep. Bill Driscoll Jr., House chairman of the Legislature's joint COVID-19 oversight committee, tours the Gillette Stadium mass vaccination site at 10 a.m. and the Hynes Convention Center site at noon. State Sen. Eric Lesser hosts state Rep. Maria Duaime Robinson for a Lunchtime Livestream on the importance of AAPI stories and the uptick in anti-Asian hate at noon.

THIS WEEKEND — Rep. Jake Auchincloss speaks at the Fall River Vietnam Memorial Ceremony at noon Saturday. Supporters of Sen. Ed Markey pressuring him to "stand up" for Palestinians will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. Saturday in Copley Square. Speakers include former campaign members, Somerville state Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven, and activists from groups including the Sunrise Movement, Massachusetts Peace Action and IfNotNow Boston

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "There are fewer than 400 COVID patients hospitalized in Mass. as officials report 616 new cases, 9 deaths on Thursday," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "Officials reported that there are now 15,833 active infections, down from 16,685 on Wednesday, according to the latest Department of Public Health data. State health officials confirmed another 616 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday."

– "6 Massachusetts towns cities and towns at high risk for coronavirus as spread slows," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "The list of cities and towns at high risk for coronavirus continues to shrink, declining for the fifth straight week as the 'power of vaccines' drives viral rates down across the state."

– "New COVID cases among 572 students, 48 staff members in past week; 0.08% of students in Massachusetts schools reported with virus," by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: "The coronavirus rate among students and teachers in Massachusetts schools has remained low."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Could pandemic population shifts help Democrats?" by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "The pandemic could end up being bad news for big coastal cities like Boston, which have enjoyed a decades-long boom as centers of the knowledge economy but whose future now seems less certain given their extraordinarily high cost of living and surge of interest in suburban living. … But it could be good news for smaller cities with footholds in the innovation economy — and, politically, it could help Democrats become competitive in more areas."

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

– "Mass., Boston to maintain mask requirements for now in wake of new CDC guidance," by Emma Platoff, Jeremy C. Fox and Christine Mui, Boston Globe: "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday that those fully vaccinated for COVID-19 can stop wearing masks in most indoor and outdoor settings, though Massachusetts and some other states said they would keep their local restrictions in place for now."

– "Experts are divided on the CDC's loosened mask recommendations," by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "Public health specialists on Thursday had mixed reactions to the CDC's dramatic decision to ease indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to safely quit donning face coverings inside most places ."

– "Colleges may face lawsuits over COVID-19 vaccine requirement," by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: "More colleges are telling students to get a COVID-19 vaccination before coming back to campus this fall, but legal experts say the mandates could spur legal challenges."

– "AFT Massachusetts calls for full school reopening in the fall after year of learning disrupted by COVID," by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: "The American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts is calling for a full school reopening in the fall as COVID-19 vaccinations roll out, and as those immunizations are now available for children 12 and older."

– "The Grandkids Are Back, But Pandemic Effects Linger For Some In Long-Term Care," by Amelia Mason, WBUR: "Now, vaccines mean that families can finally visit their loved ones again in-person, and many activities inside long-term care facilities can resume. But some relatives and doctors are finding that isolation has taken a lingering toll on the mental and physical health of older adults in long-term care."

FROM THE HUB

– "Janey orders city's legal team to reverse course in lieutenants promotional exam lawsuit," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "Facing growing criticism, Acting Mayor Kim Janey on Thursday directed Boston's legal team to reverse course on a discrimination lawsuit filed by a group of Black police sergeants and resolve the matter. The case has dragged on for almost a decade since the sergeants filed suit in 2012 over the department's lieutenants exam, alleging promotions predicated on the exam were discriminatory."

– "Kim Janey signs tear gas, rubber bullet bill," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Acting Mayor Kim Janey has signed into law restrictions on police use of tear gas and kinetic projectiles, opting to move forward in a test of her powers."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "Former BPD commissioner Gross endorses Annissa Essaibi George for mayor," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "Former Boston police commissioner William Gross Thursday endorsed City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George for mayor, the latest turn in a fast-moving and crowded race where policing has been a front and center issue."

– "William Gross endorses Annissa Essaibi-George for Boston mayor, slams other candidates for playing politics with police," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Former Boston Police Commissioner William Gross used his first public appearance since his sudden retirement to endorse Annissa Essaibi-George for mayor — and slam some of the other candidates for using the cops to play politics."

– "Annissa Essaibi-George On Identity And The Boston Mayoral Race," by Tiziana Dearing, Anthony Brooks and Walter Wuthmann, WBUR: "The deadline to take out papers for the Boston mayoral election expired this week, and the make-up of the field is historic: all six major candidates identify as people of color. That wealth of diversity brings up painful questions about legacies of discrimination, identity, and belonging in a public forum."

DAY IN COURT

– "State troopers tell judge their ability to 'provide for their families' is under threat. Lowest-paid troopers average nearly $94,000." by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Weeks after union officials sued the Massachusetts State Police, alleging troopers were being underpaid for overtime, they made a request: The court, they said, should order the agency to change how it calculates pay immediately, because failing to do so would threaten their members' ability 'to provide for themselves and their families.' What the troopers initially left unsaid: The lowest-paid troopers in the union make, on average, nearly $94,000 a year. A Suffolk Superior Court judge recently denied the request after the union provided payroll data, according to a court order made public this week ."

FROM THE DELEGATION

– "Rep. Stephen Lynch calls out Republicans' 'complete lies' about Capitol riot," by Arianna MacNeill, Boston.com: "Following a heated exchange between former acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller and U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch during a recent hearing on the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, the Massachusetts congressman called the way his Republican colleagues have reportedly tried to downplay the violence of the day as 'shameful.' Lynch appeared on CNN's 'New Day' segment to talk about his conversation with Miller during a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on the insurrection."

– First-term Rep. Jake Auchincloss saw his first bill passed in the House on Thursday. The Non-Judicial Foreclosure Debt Collection Clarification Act was passed as part of the Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act. Link.

– Rep. Ayanna Pressley's Ending Debt Collection Harassment Act also passed the House.

ALL'S WELD THAT ENDS WELD

– "Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld joins 150 conservatives threatening to leave Republican Party or start new political party," by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: "Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld is among 150 prominent conservatives threatening to leave the Republican Party, or start a new political party, in the wake of recent public clashes between Rep. Liz Cheney and the dozens of GOP lawmakers who've latched onto former President Donald Trump's election falsehoods."

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

– "Marijuana superstore opens in downtown Boston," by Meghan Ottolini, Boston Herald: "Boston's first downtown recreational pot shop, Ascend Wellness, has opened for business and, at 16,000 square feet, it's a big joint — really big."

FEELING '22

– "Beaty Turns Sights On GOP Run For Treasurer," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service (paywall): "A former Barnstable County commissioner who had previously filed to run for lieutenant governor as a Republican announced Thursday he would instead seek his party's nomination for treasurer in 2022. Ron Beaty said in a statement Thursday that he had been researching the state's fiscal conditions and 'found that my personal talents, previous political experience and formal education would presently be more useful and valuable to the Commonwealth's taxpayers and voters by running for State Treasurer instead of Lieutenant Governor.'"

FROM THE 413

– "Fourth candidate emerges in Northampton mayoral race," by Greta Jochem, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "A fourth mayoral candidate has stepped forward. Rosechana Gordon, a longtime Northampton resident with a background in social work, announced she is running for mayor."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Striking St. Vincent nurses stay resolved in face of replacement hires," by Cyrus Moulton, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "Nurses on the picket line Thursday said they were 'stronger' and more resolved after the announcement that St. Vincent Hospital is seeking permanent nurses to replace them."

– "Mass. unemployment numbers again hit new lows," by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: "Unemployment claims continue to decline in Massachusetts as vaccinations pick up and the Baker administration loosens coronavirus-related restrictions on businesses. New and continuing claims statewide once again hit pandemic lows, according to preliminary data released Thursday."

– "Here's why a New Bedford church is suing Gov. Charlie Baker and Mayor Jon Mitchell," by Anastasia E. Lennon, Standard-Times: "A city church filed a lawsuit in federal court Monday against Mayor Jon Mitchell, the city's health director and Gov. Charlie Baker alleging they violated First Amendment rights by implementing 'discriminatory' capacity restrictions on places of worship amid the COVID-19 pandemic."

– "'In our DNA': Police violence, racism plague Black maternal health," by Hadley Barndollar, USA Today Network: "Police violence and racism in general can be insidious threats to a Black woman's reproductive health, damaging her own well-being and possibly even the DNA of her children, growing research shows."

– "Can we keep Zoom? As boards reconsider in-person meetings, some officials want to keep virtual options," by Jeannette Hinkle, Cape Cod Times: "Yarmouth is one of the first towns on the Cape to explore the newest frontier of virtual municipal meetings, a hybrid model in which elected officials conduct their meetings together from one room, but members of the public tune in remotely."

– "Tom Brady Sr. 'salivating' at son's revenge game against Patriots," by Khari Thompson, Boston.com: "The hype train for the Patriots' Week 4 clash with Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is already so insane it will be a slight disappointment if it doesn't shatter all-time ratings for televised sporting events."

– "Animals Adopted During Pandemic Are Being Returned to Shelters," by Katherine Underwood, NBC10 Boston: "As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted across the country, there's a disturbing trend emerging for our four-legged friends. The pandemic pet adoption boom seems to be bursting as more and more people are sending their animals back to the shelter when they head back to the office."

THE NATIONAL TAKE

– "Riot revisionism, hallway aggression, squashed alliances: The House nears a Cold War," by Sarah Ferris and Nicholas Wu, POLITICO: "Four months after a siege on the Capitol, much of the House is still living like it's Jan. 7."

TRANSITIONS – Elizabeth Shugart joins Tenax Strategies as an account executive on the client servicing team. Brian M. Hane joins Casner & Edwards, LLP as a partner in its litigation and employment groups. Pat Johnson, longtime chief of staff for state Sen. Julian Cyr, leaves to join 90 West. Liz Gans, Cyr's general counsel and legislative director, takes over as chief of staff. Ashley Benson joins the office as a legislative aide.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Pam Wilmot, executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts; Lucy Martirosyan, Samuel Greer, Jeffrey Barrett, Alycia DiTroia, Sophia Nigro and Kylie Harrigan.

HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND – to MuckRock executive editor J. Patrick Brown, Jay Hulings and Kevin Connor , communications director of Sen. Harriette Chandler, who will celebrate on Saturday, and to Christian Scorzoni, the Lowell Sun's Alana Melanson, and Alvin Gunnion, a fellow for Rivera Consulting, who will celebrate on Sunday.

REWIND – Tom Nichols and I joined GBH's Adam Reilly on Greater Boston to talk about Rep. Liz Cheney's ouster from her leadership role and the future of the GOP nationally and in Massachusetts. Watch.

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