News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: DRAFTING CHANG-DIAZ — AUDITOR'S RACE is ON — MARIANO'S GAFFE

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: DRAFTING CHANG-DIAZ — AUDITOR'S RACE is ON — MARIANO'S GAFFE — Parents BLAST school MASK MANDATE

May 26, 2021

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DRAFTING CHANG-DIAZ — A group of young, progressive activists — including some who gained prominence during Sen. Edward Markey's 2020 reelection campaign — is lining up behind state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz as a potential candidate for governor in 2022.

Activists began circulating a petition to "Draft Sonia Chang-Díaz for Governor" on Monday and by Tuesday night were nearing their listed goal of 200 signatures.

"From winning equitable education funding, to advancing criminal justice reform, to protecting LGBTQ rights, Sonia Chang-Díaz has proved time and time again that she delivers on her promises to promote equity and opportunity for all of us across Massachusetts," the petition reads. "In this critical time, Massachusetts needs a governor like Sonia Chang-Díaz to lead a movement of progressive change from the corner office."

Chang-Díaz, a 43-year-old Jamaica Plain Democrat, announced she was "seriously considering" a run for governor in late March. A person close to Chang-Díaz told me Tuesday she's still evaluating a bid.

The seven-term state senator was at the forefront of last year's policing reform legislation and was a major proponent of calls for greater equity in the state's coronavirus vaccine rollout earlier this year.

Some of the same activists drawn to Chang-Díaz are separately criticizing another potential progressive candidate for governor — state Attorney General Maura Healey.

Activists including Cambridge's Calla Walsh questioned Healey's support for using no-knock warrants and facial recognition technology in limited circumstances during the AG's regular monthly appearance on GBH.

Healey replied that no-knock warrants can be "necessary" in a kidnapping or hostage situation, and cited how facial recognition was used in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing. But she noted her support for last year's policing reforms, including limits on no-knock warrants.

Walsh and other activists are adamant their criticisms of Healey are unrelated to the campaign to drum up support for Chang-Díaz.

AUDITOR'S RACE IS ON — That didn't take long. Hours after POLITICO broke the news that Suzanne Bump wouldn't seek reelection as auditor, Governor's Councilor Eileen Duff threw her hat in the ring along with endorsements from state Reps. Tram Nguyen and Tom Walsh.

"I am committed to protecting the public dollar and working with all government agencies to ensure best practices are implemented, all for the benefit of the taxpayer," said the Gloucester Democrat who's spent years vetting judges on the Governor's Council.

Transportation for Massachusetts Director Chris Dempsey indicated he'd have more to say about a potential run in "coming days." He called his experience co-chairing No Boston Olympics "a good fit" for the "important" watchdog office.

State Sen. Diana DiZoglio, a Methuen Democrat also floated as a possible candidate, said she received "encouraging phone calls" on Tuesday. But she told me "there is plenty of time for political conversations — right now we have work to do" on the budget and on pandemic recovery.

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Gov. Charlie Baker is in Nashville today for the Republican Governors Association's spring conference, leaving some wondering if he's revving up his political machine ahead of 2022. Of note: The majority of the nation's 27 governors are in attendance, including some who are term-limited out.

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

TODAY — Rep. Seth Moulton volunteers at a Salem Food Pantry pop-up at 9:30 a.m. and holds a virtual discussion on mental health at 6 p.m. Boston mayoral candidates participate in a forum hosted by Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins at 10 a.m. and livestreamed on the SCSDMA Facebook page. State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa hosts an "Understanding Unemployment: Your Questions Answered" panel on Facebook Live at 10 a.m. Boston mayoral candidate John Barros holds a press conference on his "Mass & Cass" plan at 2 p.m. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, state Reps. Christine Barber and Mike Connolly, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone and City Councilors Jesse Clingan and Matthew McLaughlin rally for safety improvements along McGrath Highway at 6 p.m. State Reps. Mike Connolly and Nika Elugardo participate in a virtual fundraiser for Nina Turner, an Ohio state senator running for Congress. John F. Kennedy Library Foundation presents the Profile in Courage award to Mitt Romney , a Utah senator and former Massachusetts governor, "for following his conscience and the Constitution in his vote to convict President Trump in the 2020 impeachment trial" in a virtual ceremony hosted by Jimmy Fallon at 6 p.m.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "Half of all Massachusetts residents now fully vaccinated against COVID as state reports 195 new cases, 10 more deaths," by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: "With half of the state's population now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Massachusetts health officials on Tuesday reported 195 new virus infections and 10 more deaths. There are currently 9,034 active virus cases in Massachusetts, down from 9,804 on Monday."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Top House Democrat rebuffs call for Baker to testify before Legislature on Holyoke Soldiers' Home tragedy," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "The Massachusetts House's top Democrat on Tuesday rejected calls for Governor Charlie Baker to answer questions before lawmakers about his own responsibility for the crisis at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, saying he sees no need for more testimony on the scandal."

– "Western Massachusetts lawmakers wary of report's recommendations for Holyoke Soldiers' Home," by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: "Local members of the Legislature's oversight committee on the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke applauded the work that went into a 186-page report released Monday, but are balking at its recommendations over governance."

– "Senate Rejects Proposals to Aid Restaurants," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service (paywall): "In a series of voice votes, the Senate on Tuesday shot down budget amendments that would extend pandemic-era takeout cocktail authorization and caps on the fees that delivery apps charge restaurants, along with other measures involving pay for legislative staffers."

– "Massachusetts senators start to dig into 923 state budget amendments," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "State senators began to wade through nearly 1,000 budget amendments as debate opened on their $47.6 billion fiscal 2022 spending plan that includes no new taxes but boosts aid to needy families as Massachusetts emerges from the pandemic."

– "Baker files legislation to extend some emergency COVID-19 measures, including outdoor dining," by WCVB: "Some emergency COVID-19 measures currently in place, including outdoor dining provisions, may be extended with new legislation filed Tuesday by Gov. Charlie Baker."

– "Mass. Debuts New Perks for Getting Vaccinated, Including Free Dunkin' Iced Coffee," by NBC10 Boston: "While more than three-quarters of Massachusetts adults have gotten at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, the Baker administration is offering some new incentives for the rest of the population to get a shot this week, including free iced coffee from Dunkin'."

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

– "Massachusetts parents demand end to mask mandate in schools; shut out of meeting," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "Protesting parents pounded on the doors of the state's education headquarters in Malden blasting a mask mandate after they were turned away from a public meeting where they intended to demand action."

– "After a difficult academic year, majority of Mass. parents want in-person school this fall," by Bianca Vázquez Toness, Boston Globe: "The majority of Massachusetts parents want their children back in the classroom after what many describe as a tumultuous year of stalled learning and isolation, according to poll results set to be released Wednesday" from MassINC Polling Group.

– More: "Lots of academic catch-up needed, say K-12 parents," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "While Massachusetts schools look to close out the school year with something approximating a normal routine and setting, a majority of parents across the state say their children will have have to catch up academically in the fall after what's been described by many as a 'lost year' undone by the COVID-19 pandemic."

– "Mass. school leaders provide road map for full return to in-person learning in the fall," by Felicia Gans, Boston Globe: "With nearly all Massachusetts schools back for full-time, in-person learning, state education leaders are looking ahead to the next academic year, releasing a road map Tuesday to help school administrators and educators prepare for the fall. The state education department expects all school districts to be fully in person in the fall, with remote learning allowed only in extremely limited cases."

FROM THE HUB

– "Judge sides with Boston, denies Police Commissioner Dennis White's request," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "A Suffolk Superior Court judge has rejected embattled Police Commissioner Dennis White's arguments and the city plans to move forward with firing him — though White's attorney immediately began to make new demands around the upcoming hearing to remove the top cop." More from the Boston Globe's Danny McDonald and CommonWealth Magazine's Michael Jonas.

– "The Rehabilitation Of Dianne Wilkerson," by Phillip Martin, GBH News: "On May 17, keynote speaker Dianne Wilkerson addressed the first graduating class of the Black Economic Justice Institute's Marcus Hall Civic Engagement Academy and pointed to the students to as an example of why Black lives matter. … Nineteen graduates nodded in agreement with the former senator, who lost that title 13 years ago when her political career was derailed by scandal and she wound up in jail. Over the past year, as Boston has battled a pandemic and reverberated with calls for racial justice, Wilkerson has emerged again as one of the city's prominent Black leaders."

– "On Anniversary Of George Floyd's Death, Demonstrators Gather In Franklin Park," by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: "Several hundred people gathered in Franklin Park to mark the anniversary of the killing of George Floyd — and to call for local officials to do more to combat police brutality." More details from GBH News' Tori Bedford and more from the march from Milton to Mattapan by WHDH.

– "Healey Defends Campaign-Finance Record, Declines To Back Independent Investigation Into Mikayla Miller's Death," by Adam Reilly, GBH News: "During her regular monthly appearance on GBH's 'Boston Public Radio' Tuesday, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey pushed back at a recent Boston Globe report which suggested her office has steered clear of prosecuting cases referred by the state's Office of Campaign and Political Finance."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "Massachusetts House Speaker Ron Mariano apologizes for joke about car being stolen in Boston's South End," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, by Boston.com: "Following a wave of criticism, the Massachusetts House speaker apologized Tuesday for an off-the-cuff joke that he was worried his car would get stolen while at an event in Boston's South End to endorse state Rep. Jon Santiago in the city's mayoral race."

– The Boston Globe's Matt Stout explores the endorsements of Santiago in the Boston mayoral race by lawmakers who largely hail from outside the city: "Santiago had enlisted several House leaders from beyond Boston to help boost his mayoral bid, arguing that his support within legislative circles outside the city would still give Boston a leg up on Beacon Hill."

FROM THE DELEGATION

"Progressives target Auchincloss after criticism of Pelosi drug-pricing bill," by Ted Nesi, WPRI: "Progressive groups sent a billboard truck to protest outside Massachusetts Congressman Jake Auchincloss's district office on Tuesday, in a bid to call attention to his disagreement with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over drug prices."

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

– "A remarkable turnaround for Green Line extension," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "Confidence appears to be mounting at the MBTA that the nearly $2.3 billion Green Line extension project will come in under budget, allowing Somerville and Cambridge to recover the combined $75 million they donated to the initiative in 2016 and still leave money left over for other needs."

– And yet... "MBTA finds that the Green Line Extension will disproportionately benefit richer, whiter riders," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "During a meeting Monday afternoon, MBTA officials presented the results of an equity analysis finding that the forthcoming Green Line service into Somerville and Medford will disproportionately benefit higher-income, white riders."

– "T board tables new fines for fare evaders," by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Salem News: "On Monday, the T's Fiscal Management and Control Board tabled a vote on proposed new fines for riders caught not paying fares on the public transit agency's buses, subway and commuter rail lines."

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

– "Other pot shops watch as Haverhill, local shop battle in court over $356,000," by Mike LaBella, Eagle-Tribune: "The city's first pot shop had its day in court, and now other shops in Massachusetts are awaiting the ruling because it could impact their financial futures. A lawsuit filed by a retail marijuana shop against Haverhill over nearly $400,000 in impact fees went before a judge in Essex Superior Court in Newburyport Monday."

FROM THE 413

– "Advocates for clergy abuse victims seek investigation into Springfield diocese," by Anne Gerard-Flynn, Springfield Republican: "Two national organizations that advocate for clergy sexual abuse victims are calling for investigations into the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield after Monday's announcement that former priest Richard R. Lavigne before his death Friday was about to be charged for the 1972 murder of altar boy Danny Croteau."

– "Richard Lavigne's death COVID-related," by Dusty Christensen, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Richard Lavigne, the ex-priest who Hampden County's top prosecutor says killed a 13-year-old altar boy in 1972, died just days before police planned to arrest him on a murder charge. As it turns out, Lavigne died of respiratory failure due to COVID-19."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "'Disgusting and despicable': Neo-Nazi group gathers in front of New England Holocaust Memorial in Boston," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "A neo-Nazi group recently gathered in front of the New England Holocaust Memorial, a "disgusting and despicable" demonstration in Boston while there has been a dramatic increase in anti-Semitic violence across the country, the Anti-Defamation League's regional leader tells the Herald."

– "They called the police on a 6-year-old. Now, Somerville school leaders are suspending school police programs," by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: "Somerville school leaders, facing a public backlash over calling the police on a 6-year-old Black and Latino boy, have temporarily suspended two programs that bring police officers into schools."

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

– EYES EMOJI: "Marilyn Manson wanted on active arrest warrant in New Hampshire: police," by Julius Young, Fox News: "An arrest warrant for Marilyn Manson was issued on Tueday by police in New Hampshire after the musician allegedly failed to answer to pending charges for a 2019 incident involving a videographer."

THE NATIONAL TAKE

– "AG Healey joins coalition calling for equitable discipline measures in school," by Sofía Hernández Carrillo, WWLP: "Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced that she joined a coalition of 23 attorneys in calling on U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to reinstate a 2014 guidance package designed to help public schools to administer student discipline equitably."

TRANSITIONS – Vanessa Gatlin, former regional director for Sen. Edward Markey and legislative director for state Rep. Frank Moran is senior director of programs and communications at the Colleges of the Fenway.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Rachel Pollak, Hana Veselka Vizcarra, Sunny Lee, Allison Davis Tuck and Brendan Deady.

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