News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: WALSH’S BAGGAGE arrives in D.C. — BOSTON awaits RULING after WHITE hearing — Mail voting COMPROMISE

Friday, May 21, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: WALSH’S BAGGAGE arrives in D.C. — BOSTON awaits RULING after WHITE hearing — Mail voting COMPROMISE — WARREN pushes BIDEN on CHILDCARE

May 21, 2021

WALSH'S BAGGAGE ARRIVES IN D.C. — Labor Secretary Marty Walsh was on a press call Thursday talking about climate change with other senior Biden administration officials. He didn't take questions.

But as the former Boston mayor went about his new day job, his name was being dragged into court as suspended Police Commissioner Dennis White battled the city to keep his job after decades-old allegations of domestic abuse surfaced against him.

By the afternoon, the Boston Globe had Rep. Seth Moulton on record saying that if Walsh — who denied knowing about the allegations when he hastily appointed White earlier this year — is found to be "lying," then the Labor secretary should resign.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who gave Walsh a glowing introduction at his Senate confirmation hearing in February, was a little more measured, telling the Globe she wants to "hear everybody's story."

Either way, it signaled that the ripples from the controversy are starting to reach Washington. And they're doing so at a rough time. The Dorchester native, one of the last Biden Cabinet members to be confirmed, has spent just two months on the job and is still learning the ropes of a new city and a new, high-profile gig — one that attracts a national spotlight and national press that are starting to take notice of the mess back in Boston.

It's also starting to put members of the all-Democratic Massachusetts delegation, some of whom are closer to Walsh than others, in an awkward position. Rep. Richard Neal told the Globe that Walsh "was a very fine mayor" as he declined comment. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who overlapped with Walsh as mayor when she was on the Boston city council, stuck with an earlier statement on the need for more police accountability.

And then there's Moulton, who's got a history of bucking the party establishment.

"It's not surprising the rest of the delegation is on the same page here when it comes to Walsh," a delegation staffer told me. "Seth is usually on an island by himself. He seems to prefer that despite the political consequences."

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF!

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

TODAY — Rep. Jake Auchincloss visits Milford's Chris Corner at 9:30 a.m. and Riverside Community Center at 10:30 a.m., followed by community office hours at Intermission Cafe in Franklin from 1 to 3 p.m. Rep. Stephen Lynch, state Sen. Nick Collins, state Rep. David Biele, UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, UMass President Marty Meehan and Boston City Councilor Frank Baker hold a press conference at 11 a.m. at UMass Boston to discuss funding for higher education in the American Rescue Plan. Sen. Eric Lesser holds a noon Lunchtime Livestream with Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin. Reps. Vanna Howard, Tram Nguyen and Maria Robinson, discuss "The Asian American Experience in Massachusetts" with the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus at 1 p.m.

THIS WEEKEND — Brockton celebrations "Marvelous Marvin Hagler Day" at 2 p.m. Sunday at Rocky Marciano Stadium. More from the Boston Herald.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "More than 3.3 million Mass. residents are now fully vaccinated as state reports active COVID infections down to 11,507," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "Active COVID cases continued to decline in Massachusetts on Thursday, according to the latest Department of Public Health data. Officials reported that there are now 11,507 active infections, down from 11,924 reported on Wednesday. State health officials also confirmed another 538 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday."

– And then there were two: "2 Massachusetts cities remain at high risk for coronavirus as spread slows," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "Lawrence and New Bedford are the sole spots of red left on the state's increasingly green map of communities considered high risk for coronavirus transmission " down from a peak of 229.

– "COVID infections at Massachusetts schools remain below 1% as officials announce 377 students, 30 staffers with new virus cases," by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: "The overall percentage of COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts schools remains well below 1% as education officials on Thursday reported new infections of the virus among 407 total students and staff members."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

Compromise will likely need to be the name of the game for Democrats looking to make voting by mail permanent.

Three key proposals — from Secretary of State William Galvin; state Sen. Cynthia Creem and state Rep. John Lawn; and state Sen. Rebecca Rausch, respectively — would all allow no-excuse mail-in voting for state and local elections. But how they would enroll voters in such a system varies greatly.

State Sen. Barry Finegold, the Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws, told me after Wednesday's hearing that he envisions an omnibus bill that would combine parts of those proposals. He also wants to find a way to work with Republicans opposed to keeping broad-based mail-in voting post-pandemic.

Cost remains another question — one that lawmakers will get a better idea of soon. Auditor Suzanne Bump said she expects to certify nearly $3 million in eligible costs, but that it would be "significantly higher" if communities hadn't received federal CARES Act funding and other aid.

Look to other states for cost context: Utah mails ballots to all of its active voters and Justin Lee, the state's elections director, told me that each election costs counties and the state a combined roughly $2.9 million. Utah has slightly under 1.7 million registered voters at latest tally. Massachusetts has 4.7 million.

– "Charlie Baker says he would support an independent investigation into Mikayla Miller's death," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker said in a Thursday radio appearance that he would support an independent investigation into the death of Mikayla Miller, the Black 16-year-old who died last month in Hopkinton and whose family has called for a separate federal probe."

– "As GOP Reckons With Trumpism, Baker Defends His Brand Of Republicanism," by Mike Deehan, GBH News: "As his party debates the role of former President Donald Trump, Gov. Charlie Baker defended his brand of Republicanism Thursday, saying centrist viewpoints aid a state government dominated by Democrats."

– "Senate unanimously approves $600 million bill to build new Holyoke Soldiers' Home, fund veterans services statewide," by Jeanette DeForge, Springfield Republican: "The state Senate unanimously approved the $600 million bill to build a new Soldiers' Home in Holyoke and provide services to veterans across the state in a hearing Thursday. The vote comes on the heels of the House of Representatives' unanimous endorsement of the bill on Tuesday. It now heads to Gov. Charlie Baker's desk for his signature."

– "Charlie Baker says Mass. will continue $300-a-week boost in unemployment benefits into September," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Unlike in many other Republican-led states, the federal government's $300 weekly boost to state unemployment benefits isn't coming to an end any time soon in Massachusetts."

– "Mass. Reinstates Work Search Requirements For Workers On Unemployment," by WBUR: "The Baker administration announced Thursday it is reinstating a requirement that people search for work while receiving unemployment benefits starting June 15."

– "Even the most cautious communities in Massachusetts are aligning with statewide plans to lift COVID-19 restrictions," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "They delayed reopening plans and kept tight business capacity limits for weeks, if not months, longer than other cities and towns in Massachusetts. But now, as Gov. Charlie Baker's administration prepares to lift nearly all COVID-19 restrictions on May 29, even the most cautious communities are falling in line."

FROM THE HUB

– "Hearing on Boston's embattled police commissioner, Dennis White, ends with judge saying she'll rule as soon as possible," by Danny McDonald, John R. Ellement and Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "Uncertainty and controversy atop the nation's oldest police force continues, as the legal standoff between Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White and Acting Mayor Kim Janey remained unresolved Thursday after lawyers for both sides squared off in a Suffolk Superior Court hearing."

– "The city contracted an employment lawyer to look into the police commissioner's past. She delivered a bombshell that few expected," by Elizabeth Koh, Boston Globe: "The independent investigation of Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White produced a slew of surprising developments and unanswered questions, not least: Who exactly was the lawyer who documented police interference, weathered the city's attempt to kill the investigation, and produced a series of revelations in decades-old misconduct cases?"

– "BPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius On Leading Schools During COVID Pandemic," by Paula Ebben, CBS Boston: "Boston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius has been in charge of the education and safety of 52,000 students during the pandemic. In an exclusive interview, she tells WBZ's Paula Ebben how grateful she has been for the families in the Boston schools during a year that's been one for the history books."

– "Some students and parents want to repeat lost school year, but educators oppose it," by Bianca Vázquez Toness, Boston Globe: "...many parents and students are declaring this a lost year. Schools are expected to design strategies for making up for missed class time, but many administrators are discouraging the very thing some students and parents want — a do-over."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "Boston mayoral rivals say they would have handled Dennis White situation differently," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Boston mayoral candidates called for the next mayor to make a permanent appointment to fill the police commissioner spot adding they would have handled the situation differently than Acting Mayor Kim Janey did."

– "Jon Santiago calls for moratorium on new services on Methadone Mile as crisis worsens," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "State Rep. Jon Santiago called for a halt to new public services in Boston's Methadone Mile and the creation of a new police substation there as the conditions in the South End continue to rise as a mayoral issue."

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The National Association of Social Workers - Massachusetts Chapter Political Action for Candidate Election has endorsed Carla B. Monteiro for Boston City Council at-large, per the Monteiro campaign.

WARREN REPORT

– "Elizabeth Warren Wants Joe Biden to Go Bigger on Child Care," by Kara Voght, Mother Jones: "On Thursday, Warren released a report calling for a $700 billion investment in child care and early education funding over 10 years to support working parents in a post-pandemic economy. While it's not surprising to see Warren championing child care, the report is notable as a subtle rebuke of President Joe Biden for not devoting enough funds to child care in his infrastructure plans and offers a warning shot to lawmakers who might consider ditching child care as the party crafts its infrastructure agenda over the coming months."

THE PRESSLEY PARTY

– "Dems approve $1.9B for post-Jan. 6 Capitol security," by Sarah Ferris and Nicholas Wu, POLITICO: "House Democrats on Thursday passed a $1.9 billion emergency funding bill intended to fortify the U.S. Capitol, overcoming last-minute resistance from a group of progressive members who objected to more cash for Capitol Police that did not include new accountability measures. … Three voted no: Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Cori Bush of Missouri and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts."

THE CLARK CAUCUS

– "Sisters in Congress: Katherine Clark and Grace Meng talk about their bond and the importance of allyship," by Errin Haines, 19th News: "As Rep. Grace Meng, New York's first Asian-American member of Congress, pushed federal hate crime legislation in response to the violence against the AAPI community that has surged in the pandemic, among her most vocal supporters was Katherine Clark, the assistant speaker of the House of Representatives and a 57-year-old White woman representing the Boston suburbs."

– "Democrats brace for momentous decision: Will Pelosi run again?" by Manu Raju and Alex Rogers, CNN: "After taking back the House in 2018, Nancy Pelosi called herself 'a bridge to the next generation of leaders' and agreed to a deal: she'd serve again as speaker for no more than four years. Time is now ticking -- and no one knows what Pelosi will do in 2022. … Her decision could also allow more junior members to take a step up the leadership ladder, including Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Pete Aguilar of California. "

PARTY POLITICS

– The Massachusetts Democratic Party plans to hold an in-person platform convention this September, with options for remote participation, State House News Service's Matt Murphy first reported. Chairman Gus Bickford, in an email to state committee members Thursday obtained by POLITICO, laid out plans to return to UMass Lowell's Tsongas Center after coronavirus concerns led the party to pull the plug on its convention there last May — skirting some potential awkwardness in the Senate primary between Sen. Edward Markey and former Rep. Joe Kennedy III in the process.

FROM THE 413

– "Failure to elect: Write-ins tied in Hatfield's annual vote," by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Town Clerk Lydia Szych and her staff checked the tallies once, then did so twice more, each time ending up with the result that two write-in candidates for a School Committee seat had both received 140 votes."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "ICE To End Use Of Mass., Ga. Facilities Over Alleged Abuse," by Sarah Betancourt, Law360: "The Biden administration said Thursday it will stop using immigration detention facilities in Massachusetts and Georgia that are the subject of lawsuits alleging detainee abuse and forced gynecological procedures."

– "Sheriff Hodgson blasts Biden's 'political hit job' to close ICE unit at Bristol jail," by Joe Dwinell and Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "The Biden administration is shutting down the ICE unit at the Bristol jail in what Sheriff Thomas Hodgson said is a 'political hit job' driven by a 'liberal' anti-law enforcement wave."

– "Anti-Biden sign ordered removed from Plymouth lawn, ACLU threatens town with lawsuit," by Wheeler Cowperthwaite, Patriot Ledger: "Plymouth officials are being forced to reconsider multiple town ordinances after they ordered a resident to take down a politically conservative lawn sign and faced swift backlash from the Massachusetts chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. The sign's message? 'Biden is not my president.'"

– "Holy Cross to launch investigation into alleged sexual misconduct by faculty members," by Scott O'Connell, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "Holy Cross leaders this week announced the college is launching an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct by faculty members, two years after the school's president voiced support for the idea. The inquiry, to be headed by an independent attorney, is intended to look into the "cultural, structural and organizational" factors that possibly allowed faculty sexual harassment and abuse to occur on campus, according to a school document outlining the project."

– "'Nurses are overwhelmed': Cape Cod Hospital staffers picket for increased staffing," by Cynthia McCormick, Cape Cod Times: "Nurses picketing outside Cape Cod Hospital on Wednesday afternoon said they already have negotiated salary increases with management at Cape Cod Healthcare. Now they are rallying for improved staffing levels — a move they said is needed to keep patients safe."

MEDIA MATTERS

– "'I'm here. Good morning.': 'Matty in the Morning' host Matt Siegel returns to show after on-air blowup," by Kevin Slane, Boston.com: "'I'm here. Good morning.' Those were the words of longtime Kiss 108 DJ and 'Matty in the Morning' host Matt Siegel at the start of his show Thursday morning, one day after abruptly signing off the airwaves following comments he made about pop star Demi Lovato that he says rankled station management."

CONGRATS – to Benchmark Strategies' Jessica Enes on her graduation this weekend from Suffolk University (h/t Pat Bench).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Seth Klarman, Edelman's Amy Larkin Long, Beth Dozoretz, and Lacey Rose.

HAPPY BELATED – to Joe Schatz in Acton (father of his namesake and POLITICO executive editor in D.C.)

HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND – to Kristen Orthman, deputy chief of staff to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who celebrates Saturday (h/t Robert Orthman), along with Methuen state Rep. Linda Dean Campbell, Noah Feldman, CommonWealth Magazine's Shira Schoenberg, Casey Pease, Juli Hanscom, Mary Dooe, Christina Prignano of the Boston Globe, Oren Cass, and former Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman; and to Sunday birthday-ers state Rep. Jim O'Day, Stephanie Slysz of RepresentUs, and Dorchester Reporter editor and publisher Bill Forry.

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