News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Mixed opinion on MANDATED vax for PUBLIC WORKERS — DOWNING wants INDEPENDENT redistricting commission

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Mixed opinion on MANDATED vax for PUBLIC WORKERS — DOWNING wants INDEPENDENT redistricting commission — MARKEY Q and A

May 04, 2021

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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. May the fourth be with you.

TO MANDATE OR NOT TO MANDATE — A debate is brewing over whether coronavirus vaccines should be mandatory for public workers such as police and firefighters.

"I think they should," U.S. Sen. Edward Markey told me on Monday. "I think people who are interacting with the public in general should, in fact, be vaccinated."

State Attorney General Maura Healey and former state senator and gubernatorial candidate Ben Downing, both Democrats, have said public employees, particularly law enforcement, should be required to get the shots, save for certain exemptions.

But GOP Gov. Charlie Baker again rejected that notion, saying Monday the state should be "creating positive incentives to get people vaccinated."

"The idea that I would kick someone out of a job , especially in the kind of economy we have now because quote-unquote they wouldn't get vaccinated right away … no, I'm not going to play that game," Baker said in a press conference.

Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey, a Democrat, demurred when asked on WBUR's Radio Boston hours later if she'd mandate that city employees get vaccinated.

"I want to do everything possible to make sure that people can make informed decisions and that this isn't forced upon them," Janey said.

A CHAT WITH MARKEY — Markey hit the road on Monday to promote President Joe Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan , the Green New Deal and the creation of a 1.5-million-member Civilian Climate Corps.

He's also looking to the court of public opinion to drum up support to expand the U.S. Supreme Court. The legislation Markey introduced last month with a handful of House colleagues to add four seats to the bench has no Senate cosponsors as of yet.

"Each succeeding decision made by the Supreme Court that undermines fundamental, well-settled laws is going to build a momentum across the country that's going to impact the Democratic Congress so that we have to change the size of the court," Markey told me Monday. "It won't happen overnight, but I think it is inevitable and inexorable."

Here's more from our conversation, which was edited for length and clarity:

The Civilian Climate Corps (part of Biden's American Jobs Plan) and the Green New Deal are some costly proposals. How do you plan to fund them?

"We have to tax those who make more than $400,000 a year. We have to tax corporations at a much higher level. We have to protect against the tax havens that are all over the world, allowing American corporations to escape their legitimate tax obligations."

You've emerged as one of the most outspoken Democrats as far as pushing the Biden administration on these policies. Was that a conscious choice?

"Well, I introduced so much of the legislation that I am fighting for right now when the Democrats were in the minority, when we didn't control the United States Senate, or the presidency. So it's nothing different, in reality, from what I was doing in the minority. It attracts more attention, however, when you're in the majority."

Do you think you'll be able to sway the president, sway Republicans, sway some of your more moderate colleagues in Congress to support your proposals?

"My hope is that the practical core of the Green New Deal, of the Biden infrastructure bill, in its job creation potential will ultimately be able to secure the votes we need to have a piece of legislation on President Biden's desk for his signature."

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

TODAY — Markey and U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley will visit Chelsea's Highland Park permanent air quality monitor site. Markey will then make two other stops in Chelsea. U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark will testify at the Legislature's Special Joint Committee on Redistricting hearing. Acting Mayor Kim Janey will speak at MIRA Coalition's 25th Annual Immigrants' Day and on environmental justice concerns with the electrical substation planned for East Boston. Salem State University hosts a conversation with CNN's Abby Phillip at 6:30 p.m.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "33,643 more coronavirus vaccine shots given in Massachusetts, lowest number of daily cases since October," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "More than 33,000 coronavirus vaccine doses were given during the most recent day of data, according to Massachusetts health officials on Monday, who also reported the lowest daily number of new cases since October ."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "As DCF answers for Fall River teen's death, advocates see a 'nightmarish cycle' replaying," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "DCF has been thrust back into the legislative and public crosshairs following the death of David Almond. … State lawmakers will attempt to get answers to how and why on Tuesday, when DCF Commissioner Linda Spears — who herself led a high-profile review of DCF before Baker hired her to lead it — and an array of public agencies testify in a highly anticipated oversight hearing into Almond's death."

– "Income Surtax Campaign to Launch Wednesday," by Michael P. Norton, State House News Service: "The coalition backing an income surtax on high earners in Massachusetts plans to launch its campaign this week to pass its measure on the 2022 ballot."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "Baker announces plans to close four mass vaccination sites in June, shift supply to regional sites," Travis Andersen and Martin Finucane, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts plans to close four of the state's seven mass vaccination sites by the end of June, Governor Charlie Baker said Monday, as Massachusetts and other New England states lead the nation in the rate of people who have received at least the first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine."

– "Massachusetts prepares to expand COVID-19 access to young teens as officials await FDA approval," by Jennifer Eagan, WCVB: "Massachusetts is working on a plan to expand access to the COVID-19 vaccine to adolescents."

– "The lack of COVID herd immunity could lock in the red state-blue state divide for a long time," by James Pindell, Boston Globe: "A year after the United States came under the grip of the coronavirus it should be clear that, no, the universal sacrifice from a pandemic did not bring the nation together as some suggested it might. It only made the nation more polarized politically and culturally."

FROM THE HUB

– "Acting Mayor Kim Janey On Her First Month In Office, Delaying Reopening, And Police Reform," by Tiziana Dearing, Steven Gelman, Walter Wuthmann, WBUR: "It's been a little over a month since Kim Janey made history as the first woman and first Black mayor of Boston. And in that time, Janey's been faced with some major policy decisions."

– "How The Local Black Lives Matter Movement Has Evolved," by Tori Bedford, GBH News: "Since last summer's protests over the police murder of George Floyd produced headlines, activists have continued their work behind the scenes on community organizing, preventing violence, charity fundraising and meeting with lawmakers."

– "In Longwood Medical Area, jobs were being added about twice as fast as in the state overall," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "Longwood Medical Area has come a long way from the days when Boston Children's Hospital set up shop on Huntington Avenue with 60 beds and a herd of cows to provide kids with tuberculosis-free milk."

FEELING '22

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ben Downing calls for an independent commission to guide redistricting.

The former senator's new push comes ahead of the Legislature's Special Joint Committee on Redistricting hearing today, the first of nine planned sessions covering each of the state's congressional districts.

"Massachusetts state government is marked by inertia, incumbency, and insularity — three things that our current redistricting process protects at all costs. By putting current elected officials in charge of drawing our political maps, we invite power preservation to supersede fair representation," Downing said in a statement. "An independent commission is the only way to ensure districts at every level are drawn in a way that gives every Massachusetts voter and community the voice they deserve, particularly those traditionally disenfranchised and historically underserved."

FROM THE DELEGATION

– "Congress' top tax man won't be a blank check for Biden," by Brian Faler, POLITICO: "President Joe Biden's $4 trillion plan to greatly expand the federal government relies on sharply higher taxes on the wealthy, but the man who would steer the proposal through Congress has his own ideas. Even as many of his colleagues rally around the cause of sticking it to the rich, House Ways and Means Chair Richard Neal (D-Mass.) remains wary."

FROM THE 413

– "No forum. No health study. Did Pittsfield oversell DPH help with cell tower concerns?" by Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle: "People unhappy about a new cell tower in south Pittsfield heard of two promising developments, when health officials took up their issue last month. Neither, it turns out, will come to pass as described."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Shaw's, Star Market truck drivers who deliver to Massachusetts stores go on strike," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "Truckers who crisscross New England delivering food and other essentials to more than 100 Shaw's and Star Market locations have gone on strike as they fight for a new contract."

– "'Expensive to get into Fall River': Marijuana vendor details bribe; middleman reveals scheme," by Jo C. Goode, Linda Murphy, Dan Medeiros and Lynne Sullivan, Herald News: "On day six of testimony in the federal criminal case against former Fall River mayor Jasiel Correia II, there were tales of a pay-to-play atmosphere in the city's burgeoning legalized marijuana business."

– "Middlesex Domestic Violence Task Force hears of impact of coronavirus on anti-Asian discrimination," by Alana Melanson, Lowell Sun: "A unique combination of factors exacerbated by coronavirus pandemic-related discrimination has left Asian Americans vulnerable to domestic and other violence."

– "Selectmen violated open meeting law in decision to remove Noah's ark from Ashburnham park," by Kim Ring, Telegram & Gazette: "While it's not clear from biblical writings exactly how long it took Noah to construct his ark, it took only six days after a complaint for the town to paint over a cartoonish depiction of the story on a children's game outside the library. In fact, Selectmen acted so quickly on the matter, using email to communicate, that they've now been slapped with an open meeting law violation according to a decision from Attorney General Maura Healey's office."

MEDIA MATTERS

– "Nantucket Magazine apologizes for cover story featuring Barstool's Dave Portnoy," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Facing blowback from readers, Nantucket Magazine is apologizing for its recent cover story featuring Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, citing the Swampscott native's history of 'offensive remarks and actions.'"

– "Western Mass News stations in Springfield sold to Atlanta-based television chain," by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "The three WGGB television stations — ABC40, CBS3 and Fox6 — collectively marketed as Western Mass News were sold Monday as part of a $2.7 billion deal involving all 17 Meredith Corp. stations nationwide."

TRANSITIONS – Former U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III joins the board of directors for the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health. Dr. Karilyn Crockett joins the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce as a research and program consultant. Boston law firm Davis Malm adds David L. Hansen to its business litigation and employment practices. Kassie Infante joins the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts as manager of the Black Mass. Coalition, a statewide Black and Indigenous advocacy group.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Erin Mershon of Stat News, the Boston Globe's Shira Center, James Hannon, Natalie Akers, Ryan Evans and former Lexington state Rep. Jay Kaufman; happy belated to the Herald's Alexi Iafrato.

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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