News: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: WILL BAKER get the BOOT — CRONIN causes a STIR — JANEY can't FIRE WHITE yet

Thursday, May 27, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: WILL BAKER get the BOOT — CRONIN causes a STIR — JANEY can't FIRE WHITE yet — 'CORRIDOR OF DEATH'

May 27, 2021

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COULD BAKER GET THE BOOT? — Maneuvering within the Massachusetts GOP to kick Gov. Charlie Baker and other elected Republican leaders off the state party's executive committee is raising the hackles of Baker backers in an increasingly public way.

A proposal that recently passed the state party bylaws committee would remove elected officials — Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and the House and Senate Republican leaders — from the executive committee.

If it passes the full state committee in June, the change would alter the makeup of a board that has the power to endorse in a primary — paving the way for financial resources for the preferred candidate.

Amanda Orlando, a state committeewoman from Gloucester who's pushing the potential bylaw change, insists it's not personal.

"It's not about Charlie for me," Orlando said. "Our numbers in the legislature are dismal. And I think it's given sort of a bigger focus on the top of the ticket, and the party ends up supporting these people over the health of the party in some instances, because they're trying to get elected and need to work across the aisle."

But two other committee members, Amy Carnevale and Michael Valanzola, blasted the bylaw change in a letter published by the Boston Globe on Wednesday that said the "attempt to banish our elected leaders, whatever the political views those leaders may hold today, would put our party at odds with the views of our voters and foreclose any hope for party accord in 2022."

Valanzola, a former Baker administration official, told me "if it's not about" Baker, "then I question a) the timing and b) what it's about."

Republican State Committee members will also vote in June on a proposal from Geoff Diehl — a failed state and federal Senate candidate who's now mulling a run for governor — to lower the convention vote-threshold needed to qualify for the 2022 Republican primary ballot to 10% from 15%.

Diehl's proposal comes amid scuttlebutt that party conservatives could possibly raise that bar — which could potentially up the difficulty for Baker, who held a higher approval rating among Democrats and independents than Republicans in a March UMass Amherst/WCVB poll, should he choose to run again.

LUCK OF THE IRISH — Claire Cronin raised big bucks as a bundler for Joe Biden during the 2020 campaign. Now that he's president, the Easton state representative could be rewarded with a potential ambassadorship to Ireland.

Cronin is apparently being vetted by the White House, according to the State House News Service, though the White House didn't bite Wednesday when I asked. Cronin and her office didn't respond to requests for comment on a report from IrishCentral that claimed she would "soon be revealed" as the next U.S. ambassador to the Emerald Isle.

House Speaker Ronald Mariano didn't give anything away in a statement saying "Rep. Claire Cronin is the Majority Leader. She is an outstanding public servant and I'm lucky to have her on my leadership team."

Still, the report sent Twitter aflutter. If it turns out to be true, and Cronin takes the gig, it could cause a leadership shakeup on Beacon Hill. Cronin became the first woman House majority leader earlier this year when Mariano took over the gavel, but told CommonWealth Magazine in March she's "absolutely not" looking to be the first female speaker.

Cronin was a top Biden surrogate in Massachusetts and brought in volunteers for the campaign here and in New Hampshire. She scored the honor of casting the state's nominating votes for him during last year's Democratic National Convention.

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. What else could possibly happen in #mapoli this week?

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, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Colonel David Halasi-Kun, Major General Keefe, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy and Rep. Richard Neal are in Westfield at 2:30 p.m for a Barnes Air National Guard Base groundbreaking on improvements to Taxiway Sierra. Rep. Lori Trahan and state Rep. Vanna Howard tour Asian-owned businesses in Lowell beginning at 11:30 a.m. Trahan joins state Rep. Andy Vargas for an "Innovation + Infrastructure" virtual discussion and fundraiser at 6 p.m. Acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey, Boston Police Superintendent-in-Chief Gregory Long and District Attorney Rachael Rollins discuss the city's 2021 summer safety plan at 1 p.m. at BPD headquarters. Rep. Seth Moulton and Bedford Town Manager Sarah Stanton talk federal transportation policy with Transportation for Massachusetts's Chris Dempsey at 3 p.m. Rep. Stephen Lynch joins Quincy officials to discuss American Rescue Plan funding at 3:30 p.m. Boston mayoral candidates gather for a virtual forum focused on education and hosted by the Boston Teachers Union and Boston Education Justice Alliance at 6 p.m.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "Active COVID cases in Massachusetts drop below 8.5K; 7-day average of percent positivity now below .9%," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "Active COVID cases continued to decline in Massachusetts on Wednesday, according to the latest Department of Public Health data. Officials reported that there are now 8,416 active infections, down from 9,034 on Tuesday, data shows. State health officials also confirmed another 382 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Extension of Pandemic Allowances Kept Out of Budget," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service (paywall): "With the COVID-19 state of emergency set to be lifted in less than three weeks, Senate President Karen Spilka does not see the state budget as 'the appropriate vehicle to address time-sensitive issues' related to the end of that order."

– "Caucus struggles without agenda," by Yawu Miller, Bay State Banner: "Although Black and Latino communities in the state were hardest hit by the pandemic, a key group that provides representation to those communities across the state seemed conspicuously silent. While individual state representatives and senators pressed for better vaccine access, the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus never weighed in on the crisis."

– "After Investigation, Lawmaker Calls for More Transparency on MBTA Projects," by Ryan Kath, NBC10 Boston: "A state lawmaker from Boston is calling for more transparency from the MBTA. The development comes following an NBC10 investigation, which reported a $7.9 million project to refurbish historic trolleys on the Mattapan High Speed Line was two years behind schedule."

– "Massachusetts Senate targets hefty quasi-state agency pay following Herald report," by Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: "The state Senate is on the prowl for quasi-state payrolls following a Herald report that showed a dozen agencies — including Zoo New England — do not open up their books for taxpayers."

– "Caregiver abuse registry on track for July launch," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "A new state registry to track caregivers who have abused people with disabilities is on track to launch in July, after a six-month delay."

– "Restaurant industry accuses Baker, pols of siding with liquor store lobby over businesses," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "Restaurant industry advocates are accusing Gov. Charlie Baker and state lawmakers of bending to the will of 'powerful package store lobbyists' over struggling restaurant owners after the Legislature and the Baker administration passed on extending pandemic-era protections including cocktails to-go."

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

– "Most COVID-19 restrictions at Mass. casinos can be lifted beginning Saturday," by Christopher Gavin, Boston.com: "The Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted Wednesday to lift most of its COVID-19 related regulations on the state's two casinos and slots parlor, effective Saturday at 12:01 a.m., in lock-step with the dismissal of restrictions across other industries. Guests and employees at Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino will see some remnants of the pandemic precautions, however."

– "How New England states are pulling ahead in the COVID-19 vaccination race," by Amanda Kaufman and Ryan Huddle, Boston Globe: "In the race to get as many people as possible vaccinated against COVID-19, New England's roughly 15 million residents are leading the way. More than 70 percent of adults in every state in New England have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

FROM THE HUB

– "Inside the unlicensed counseling that led Boston students to allege emotional abuse," by Naomi Martin, James Vaznis and Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: "In a report released by the school department Monday, an independent investigator wrote that students described the 'Re-Evaluation Counseling' sessions as 'weird, uncomfortable, and cult-like.' But the report barely scratched the surface of students' experiences."

– "Judge puts hold on Kim Janey's firing of Dennis White," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Acting Mayor Kim Janey can't fire embattled Police Commissioner Dennis White — yet."

– "A hasty police commissioner appointment, followed by more mayoral missteps, now threatens to taint Walsh's legacy," by Andrew Ryan, Boston Globe: "The fallout has plunged police headquarters into uncertainty and reverberated from City Hall to Washington where (Martin J. Walsh) now serves as labor secretary."

– "Boston's MLK & Coretta Scott King Memorial Cleared By City Landmarks Commission," by Mark Herz, GBH News: "A memorial to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King planned for the Boston Common has received unanimous approval from the Boston Landmarks Commission."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "Boston mayoral hopefuls, debating in person for the first time, clash over school police, other issues," by Meghan E. Irons, Boston Globe: "Candidates vying to become Boston's mayor tangled over school policing, the addiction crisis raging along Melnea Cass Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue, and strategies to curb violence at a public forum Wednesday on criminal justice and public safety."

– "Mayoral candidates address addiction crisis," by Morgan C. Mullings, Bay State Banner: "The (Mass/Cass) area has seen concentrated groups of unhoused community members, individuals dealing with substance abuse disorder and opioid addiction, and others seeking medical attention."

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

– "Local lawmakers call on DOT to speed up work along dangerous stretch of highway in Somerville," by Brynne Connolly and Alex DiPrato, WHDH: "Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Mayor Joe Curtatone joined the Somerville Alliance for Safe Streets to urge the State Department of Transportation to prioritize safety over speed along what is colloquially known as the 'corridor of death' that stretches from Mystic Avenue to the intersection of Broadway and the highway."

– "A fare-free bus is taking shape in Boston," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "A fare-free bus is coming to Boston — eventually. After several years of discussing the idea in abstract, Boston officials say they're planning to try out a free line running from Mattapan to Roxbury."

DAY IN COURT

– "Biden administration wades into income tax battle between Massachusetts, New Hampshire," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "President Biden's administration waded into an ongoing battle between Massachusetts and New Hampshire over taxing those working from home, arguing the courts should stay out of this feud."

WARREN REPORT

– "Elizabeth Warren spars with JPMorgan Chase head Jamie Dimon on overdraft fees," by Melissa Quinn, CBS News: "Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, went head-to-head Wednesday with JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon over overdraft fees charged to customers during the coronavirus pandemic, calling him the 'star of the overdraft show' and accusing the top officials from nation's biggest banks of prioritizing profits over struggling Americans."

MARKEYCHUSETTS

– "Ed Markey's Adoring, Online Fans Have a New Enemy: Ed Markey," by Sam Brodey, Daily Beast: "The Massachusetts senator won a bruising primary campaign by appealing to Generation Z. Now, many of his online supporters are turning on him over his positions on Israel."

THE CLARK CAUCUS

– "Katherine Clark Introduces Reproductive Rights Are Human Rights Act: 'We Owe It to the Global Community'," by Carrie N. Baker, Ms. Magazine: "On Wednesday, Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced the Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Act to direct the State Department to permanently include reviews on the status of sexual and reproductive rights in its annual human rights reports. The act has 144 co-sponsors."

TRUMPACHUSETTS

– "Son, ghostwriter of late senator say Trump intervened to stop probe of Patriots' Spygate scandal," by Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham, ESPN: "The alleged Spygate connections among Arlen Specter, Donald Trump and Robert Kraft came up almost by accident."

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

– "Boston could again revamp its approval and oversight system for marijuana stores," by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "A year after Boston overhauled its system for approving local marijuana businesses, city officials are set to debate a new proposal that would significantly streamline the process — and a separate rule change that some firms fear will add unnecessary red tape to the imminent rollout of recreational pot delivery services."

FROM THE 413

– "Diocese of Springfield to update list of credibly accused sexual abusers," by Danny Jin, Berkshire Eagle: "The Diocese of Springfield will expand its list of clergy and staff credibly accused of sexual abuse, its bishop said in a Monday letter. Those accused posthumously, as well as religious order priests and lay employees of the diocese, will now be included, the Most. Rev. William Byrne said in the letter. The new additions are not necessarily newly accused, but rather were accused decades ago and previously excluded from the list."

– "Audit finds Berkshire agency which serves the disabled misspent more than $777,000 in state money," by Jeanette DeForge, Springfield Republican: "A nonprofit organization is being criticized for improper use of state money, saying $777,844 in charges spent on unallowable costs should have been used to assist the adults and children with intellectual and development disabilities that it serves. An audit of Berkshire County Arc Inc. by the office of State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump found managers and employees for the human service charged 48 credit cards with different expenses that were prohibited under their state contracts."

– "Chicopee Mayor John Vieau announces reelection bid for 2nd term," by Jeanette DeForge, Springfield Republican: "Mayor John L. Vieau formally announced his plans to run for reelection on Wednesday after submitting his nomination papers."

– "Springfield to Have One Ballot Lap in 2021, Ward 1 Candidates Waltzing in," by Matt Szafranski, Western Mass Politics & Insight: "Barring any signatures challenges, the midterm ballot in Springfield looks ready to go and two prominent open races will want for competition. Moreover, the field will be thin enough to avoid the need for a preliminary. Still, a full complement of contenders will challenge at-large councilors and half of the ward Council seats will have races. One district School Committee seat and the two at-large seats will also be competitive. The mayor is not up this year."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Eric Carle, whose 'Very Hungry Caterpillar' conquered children's literature, dies at 91," by Bryan Marquard, Boston Globe: "Mr. Carle, who formerly lived in the Northampton area for about three decades, died Sunday in Northampton, where he still kept a summer studio after retiring 17 years ago to North Carolina and the Florida Keys. He was 91 and the cause was kidney failure, said his son, Rolf."

– "Jesse Mermell, former congressional candidate, donates kidney: 'It just felt like the obvious thing to do'," by Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: "Last fall, not long after losing a Democratic primary for Congress, Jesse Mermell was scrolling through Facebook when she came across a friend in need."

– "Flights to return: JetBlue to resume Worcester-Florida and Worcester-New York routes," by Cyrus Moulton, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "JetBlue is returning to Worcester Regional Airport, resuming flights to New York City in August, and flights to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in October."

THE NATIONAL TAKE

– "Romney blasts political extremes in speech accepting JFK award," by Jordan Williams, The Hill: "Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) blasted political extremes on the left and right during his acceptance speech for the John F. Kennedy Library's 'Profile in Courage' award."

– The local angle: "Mitt Romney reminisces about Ted Kennedy as he accepts Profile in Courage award," by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: "Former Massachusetts governor and current Utah Senator Mitt Romney shared fond memories of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy and launched barbs against both the left and the right on Wednesday as he accepted a Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation."

TRANSITIONS – Summit Health Law Partners is expanding its litigation team with two veteran trial attorneys, Richard Goldstein of Brookline and Robert Peabody of Somerville.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Alan Khazei, Rich Thuma and Ellen Weinstein Pildis.

THE FUTURE OF INFRASTRUCTURE: Recovery Lab, POLITICO's project exploring the policy challenges on the road to pandemic recovery, is back this month to take a look at the future of infrastructure. Across the country, in communities large and small, Covid-19 has forced a reassessment of how we use public infrastructure, including street space, broadband, airports and even the Postal Service. Read our Recovery Lab package here.

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