News: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: State House EXIT SIGNS — Pandemic policies EXTENDED — Growing calls for INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION into Mikayla Miller’s death

Thursday, June 17, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: State House EXIT SIGNS — Pandemic policies EXTENDED — Growing calls for INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION into Mikayla Miller’s death

Jun 17, 2021

Presented by Save Boston's Waterfront

EXIT SIGNS — A growing number of lawmakers seem to be eyeing exits from the State House.

Four-term state Rep. James Kelcourse added his name to the list yesterday, when the Republican pulled papers to run for mayor of Amesbury.

"It's a big decision and it's something I'm really happy about," Kelcourse told me. "As a state representative you can bring the money home, but as a mayor you can really have an impact in the local decisions that are made."

Two of his Democratic colleagues are already running for other offices — state Rep. Jon Santiago for mayor of Boston, and Acton state Rep. Tami Gouveia for lieutenant governor. State Rep. Claire Cronin (D-Easton), the House majority leader, has been rumored as a contender for U.S. ambassador to Ireland.

The potential upheaval could be greater in the Senate.

State Sen. Diana DiZoglio (D-Methuen) has already announced a bid for state auditor and state Sen. Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton) may be exploring a run as well. State Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz (D-Boston) is considering a run for governor. State Sen. Adam Hinds (D-Pittsfield) recently told me he's looking at lieutenant governor among possible options for statewide office. State Sen. Eric Lesser (D-Longmeadow) is also being floated for lieutenant governor or attorney general. State Sen Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) told me he'd consider running for secretary of state if William Galvin chooses not to seek reelection. State Sen. Rebecca Rausch (D-Needham) is also a prospect for that race, though she'd only tell me "I am closely examining how and in which capacity I can do the very best for the greatest number of people."

That's seven of the 40 state senators potentially eyeing moves just seven months after they were last elected, and four of the 160 state representatives. For context, there were 13 open legislative seats in Massachusetts in 2016, 19 in 2018 and 15 in 2020, according to Ballotpedia tallies.

Not all of these possible moves may come to fruition. And there could be others who emerge or retire, especially with redistricting and burnout from a turbulent year that's led politicians across various levels of government to rethink their options or call it quits.

"It's been a very tumultuous year and a half," one legislator told me. "So it's not surprising to see or suspect that people are carefully considering their options."

And as lawmakers leave, years and sometimes decades of institutional knowledge goes with them, as do jobs for their staffers, a cyclical cause for concern that could be amplified if departures ramp up.

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. PROGRAMMING NOTE: Massachusetts Playbook will not publish on Friday, June 18. I'll be back in your inbox on Monday, June 21.

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

TODAY — Boston mayoral candidate state Rep. Jon Santiago holds a 10 a.m. press conference to call for a fully elected school committee and audit of the Boston Public Schools' budget. Boston mayoral candidate City Councilor Michelle Wu joins tenants at Georgetown Homes to call for improved living conditions and eviction protections at 10:50 a.m. Rep. Ayanna Pressley and colleagues unveil the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act in a virtual 1 p.m. press conference. Pressley delivers the keynote at the Arlington Democratic Town Committee's final "Strengthening Our Democracy" forum, which runs from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey gives remarks at an IBEW Local 103 apprenticeship ceremony at 6 p.m. Acting Lawrence Mayor Kendrys Vasquez formally kicks off his campaign for a full term at 6 p.m. at El Pez Dorado. Gubernatorial candidate Ben Downing virtually joins the North Adams Democratic caucus at 6 p.m. and the Belmont Democratic Town Committee's monthly meeting at 7 p.m.

COMING UP — State Sen. Eric Lesser hosts Janine Fondon of Bay Path University and UnityFirst.com for a Lunchtime Livestream about Juneteenth at noon Friday. Todd McGhee formally launches his campaign for mayor of Attleboro at 2 p.m. Saturday.

A message from Save Boston's Waterfront:

Boston deserves a waterfront shaped by its residents and that upholds the public right to access, enjoy, and engage with the water as protected by the Massachusetts Public Waterfront Act (Chapter 91). Stand up for an equitable, climate resilient, and accessible #DowntownWaterfrontForAll worthy of our world-class city: https://savebostonswaterfront.com/take-action/.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "Massachusetts again reports a record low for coronavirus hospitalizations," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "The 115 patients is down nine patients from the previous record low of 124 patients on Tuesday. ... Bay State health officials on Wednesday also reported four more COVID deaths and 56 new virus cases."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Baker signs bill extending pandemic-era policies, including to-go cocktails, expanded outdoor dining," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "The 14-page law allows restaurants to sell to-go beer, wine, and cocktails through May 1, 2022, and requires they be sold at the same prices as those consumed on-site. It provides another boost for restaurants by extending the time towns and cities could allow for expanded outdoor dining at restaurants — which had been slated to end in mid-August — until April 1, 2022. It also allows town councils, state boards, and other bodies to continue to hold remote public meetings, which many have continued to do as millions of people have become vaccinated, until April 1, 2022. Town meetings can be held remotely until Dec. 15, 2021."

– "'We're Just Asking For Some Compassion': Tenants Urge State Intervention As Evictions Ban Expires," by Tori Bedford, GBH News: "Despite protections put in place to prevent evictions during the pandemic, thousands of Massachusetts residents are already finding themselves forced out of their homes, with federal eviction moratorium set to expire at the end of June. … Since Massachusetts' own eviction moratorium expired last October, landlords have filed about 17,000 evictions and nearly 2,500 have been executed, according to housing court data."

– "Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announce $30M in small business aid at new White Lion Brewing in Springfield's Tower Square," by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito toured the new beermaking room at White Lion Brewing in Springfield's Tower Square Wednesday before announcing $30 million in grant and loan programs aimed at small businesses as they recover from the coronavirus pandemic."

– "Survey shows up to 72% of Massachusetts residents support sports betting ahead of Thursday hearing," by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: "A poll commissioned by Encore Boston Harbor and the Plainridge Park Casino Commission found that 61% of Massachusetts voters would support sports betting in the state. That number jumps to 72% if the funds were used to support K-12 education or other welfare programs."

– "Activists Refute Galvin Claim About Protecting Incumbents," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service (paywall): "With Secretary of State William Galvin pressing to thwart a legislative effort to alter the traditional redistricting process, voting rights advocates said Wednesday they disagree with the Democrat when he suggests the reform is intended to give House incumbents an easier path to reelection."

– "Galvin: Juneteenth events celebrate the end of slavery while highlighting the racism that remains," by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: "Secretary of State William Galvin on Wednesday opened the Commonwealth Museum's celebration of the 156th anniversary of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "Massachusetts VaxMillions lottery explained: Am I eligible if I got vaccinated in March? What if I was vaccinated in Vermont? Who's footing the bill?" by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: "The Massachusetts Lottery will conduct weekly drawings between July 26 and Aug. 27, with five $1 million payouts to fully vaccinated residents over 18 years old, as well as five $300,000 college scholarships to fully vaccinated children between 12 and 17. Exact draw dates and entry deadlines will be announced before July 1."

– "Nearly 4,000 fully vaccinated people in Massachusetts have tested positive for coronavirus," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "There have been 3,791 COVID cases out of more than 3.7 million fully vaccinated people as of June 12. That breaks down to 0.1% of vaccinated individuals testing positive for coronavirus in Massachusetts."

– "LGH needs $25M in COVID relief," by Allison Corneau, Eagle-Tribune: "Lawrence General Hospital President and CEO Deborah Wilson issued a dire plea to city councilors Tuesday night, letting them know the hospital is on life support and risks closure of vital services if Gov. Charlie Baker does not supply $25 million in COVID relief aid."

FROM THE HUB

– "Youth on Board staffer was repeatedly told to 'tone down' Boston students' rhetoric, email records show," by Alexi Cohan, Boston Herald: "A staff member with nonprofit organization Youth On Board, from which Boston Public Schools has recently cut ties, said he was repeatedly told by senior district staff to 'tone down' student voices, a concern BPS denies."

– "Boston School Committee gives superintendent high marks on job review and elects Jeri Robinson as new chair following texting controversy," by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: "The Boston School Committee Wednesday night gave Superintendent Brenda Cassellius high marks on her second annual job review, while members elected Jeri Robinson as their new chair following a texting scandal that prompted the former chair and another member to resign."

– "Boston opening up school committee applications," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Acting Mayor Kim Janey is opening up the applications for the two suddenly empty Boston School Committee seats — as she makes a rare acknowledgement of the limits of her power as acting mayor."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "Another poll shows Janey, Wu in the lead," by Gintautas Dumcius, Dorchester Reporter: "[The mid-May poll] found Acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey with 22 percent and City Councillor At-Large Michelle Wu with 21 percent. City Councillor Annissa [Essaibi] George received 10 percent, while District 4 Councillor Andrea Campbell picked up 6 percent. John Barros, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh's former economic development chief, and South End state Rep. Jon Santiago, each picked up 5 percent."

– "Out of Town Cash Adds Fuel To Boston's Mayoral Race," by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: "More than half of the money raised by Boston mayoral candidates so far comes from outside of the city, according to a GBH News review of data from the state campaign and political finance office from September 2020 to June 14, 2021."

– Boston City Councilor At-Large Michael Flaherty has been endorsed by the Boston Teachers Union, Boston Firefighters Local 718, Teamsters Local 25, SEIU NAGE, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Boston Carmen's Union Local 589, Boston Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 534, and Boston Ironworkers Local 7 in his reelection bid, per his campaign.

– Somerville Ward 7 City Council candidate Judy Pineda Neufeld has been endorsed by state Rep. Christine Barber, per the campaign.

FEELING '22

– "Gubernatorial Candidate Danielle Allen Walks Back Biden-COVID Response Claim," by Adam Reilly, GBH News: "In response to inquiries from GBH News, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen is clarifying the scope of her contribution to the Biden Administration's COVID-19 response, after campaign press releases sent earlier this week incorrectly described her role."

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

– "COVID's impact on transportation ridership uneven," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "On the MBTA, ridership remains way down on the bus, subway, and commuter rail systems, but some routes and lines have done better than others. … Overall, the number of Uber and Lyft trips was down 62 percent statewide in 2020 compared to 2019, but usage varied quite dramatically depending on the community."

– "Could the Boston area's Uber nightmare be coming to an end?" by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "The return of surge pricing might entice more drivers to return to the streets, but that alone won't alleviate the shortage of rides and sky-high prices."

DATELINE D.C.

– "Ocasio-Cortez, Gillibrand and Moulton call for more high-speed rail funding in infrastructure package," by Karl Evers-Hillstrom, The Hill: "The lawmakers launched a high-speed rail coalition that includes the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the U.S. High Speed Rail Association. They say an electrically powered high-speed rail network would create millions of new jobs and drastically reduce the nation's carbon footprint."

– "House approves bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday," by Nolan D. McCaskill and Sarah Ferris, POLITICO: "Both chambers of Congress have cleared legislation recognizing Juneteenth as a legal public holiday in time for Saturday's celebration, capping a years-long campaign by many Black activists, including lawmakers, to do so. … Sponsored by [Sen. Ed Markey] and cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 60 senators, the legislation passed the Senate on Tuesday by unanimous consent."

BIDEN TIME

– There's always a Massachusetts connection: "Joe Biden gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a pair of custom, Massachusetts-made aviator sunglasses," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "President Joe Biden gave Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin a pair of custom aviator sunglasses that hail from the outskirts of Boston. According to a White House official, Biden gifted Putin a pricey pair of custom Aviators made by the Randolph-based eyeglass manufacturer Randolph Engineering. The company was surprised but excited by the news, a Randolph employee told Boston.com over the phone Wednesday afternoon."

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

– "Boston City Councilor Wants Big Buildings To Become Carbon Neutral," by Simón Rios, WBUR: "A Boston City Councilor hopes to force the owners of the city's largest buildings to reach carbon neutrality over the next three decades, arguing the measure is needed to enable Massachusetts to reach its goals to reduce greenhouse gases."

FROM THE 413

– "'Outpouring of love': Donors raise more than $330K to benefit children of Capitol Police Officer William 'Billy' Evans," by Jimmy Nesbitt, Berkshire Eagle: "The money will be put into a trust in the name of Evans' two children, Logan and Abigail, according to the GoFundMe campaign. ... Evans, 41, who grew up in North Adams and Clarksburg and graduated from Drury High School, was struck and killed by a man who rammed his vehicle into two officers at a barricade outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on April 2."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Ayanna Pressley, other elected officials of color push for independent investigation into death of Mikayla Miller," by Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: "Two months after a Black teenager was found dead in the woods near her Hopkinton home, Representative Ayanna Pressley and some of Massachusetts's most prominent elected officials of color are pressing for a 'thorough, transparent, and independent' investigation into her death."

– "City Council backs full pension for Manny Familia's wife; pushes for flotation devices at lakes, ponds," by Steven H. Foskett Jr., Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "...the City Council Tuesday passed the fiscal 2022 city budget and moved forward several measures related to the June 4 drowning of Officer Enmanuel 'Manny' Familia. … [including] supporting home rule legislation to add language to the state law governing pensions for surviving spouses of police officers."

– "Duxbury parents say officials downplayed misconduct claims against now-fired hockey coach," by Elizabeth Koh, Boston Globe: "In firing longtime hockey coach John Blake this spring, Duxbury school officials acknowledged that administrators had received a series of complaints about the teacher, but said they never had enough evidence to take action. For several local parents, the claim rang hollow, and they are now pointing to a number of sexual misconduct accusations through the years that they say should've sparked more scrutiny by the school."

– "Organizers Say First Mass. Juneteenth Holiday Will Be Both Celebration And Recommitment," by Lex Weaver and Taylor Blackley, The Scope: Boston: "This year, with a new state holiday, some Boston activists said the events will be both a celebration and a recommitment to the cause of social justice." More on planned Juneteenth celebrations from NBC 10 Boston.

THE LOCAL ELECTIONS ROUNDUP

– "Kelcourse takes out papers to run for Amesbury mayor," by Jim Sullivan, Newburyport Daily News: "State Rep. Jim Kelcourse took out nomination papers Wednesday morning to run for mayor of Amesbury. … Incumbent Mayor Kassandra Gove won her seat in her first electoral campaign in 2019. Gove has already taken out nominations papers to run for a second term and former Selectmen James Thieverge has also pulled papers."

– "Former Newton city councilor Amy Mah Sangiolo declares campaign for mayor," by John Hilliard, Boston Globe: "Amy Mah Sangiolo, a longtime veteran of Newton government who served for 20 years as an alderwoman and city councilor, will challenge Mayor Ruthanne Fuller in the fall election..."

CONGRATS – to state Rep. Andy Vargas on his appointments to the Council of State Governments Healthy States National Task Force and the National Conference of State Legislatures Early Childhood Fellows program.

SPOTTED – Film crews were in the State House this week trailing state Rep. Maria Robinson for a Voice of America and Voyage Pictures series on Asian American and Pacific Islanders in public service. Pic.

TRANSITIONS – Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care's combined organization will be known as Point32Health. Simmons University has named former U.S. ambassador to Burkina Faso Thomas Dougherty as the new Joan M. Warburg Chair of International Relations.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to CBS News reporter Nicole Sganga, Aaron Saunders of Loophole Brewing Services and Maxwell Nunes.

NEW PODCAST ALERT(S) – Mayors across America are calling it quits after an exhausting year navigating the front lines of an unprecedented confluence of crises. I talk to POLITICO's Jeremy Siegel about it on today's Dispatch.

MASS REBOOT – What happens when you reboot a whole state? The team behind "The Horse Race" will explore the answer in its new summer podcast "Mass Reboot" that launches June 23. Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith and longtime Horse Race producer Libby Gormley will share hosting duties for the 10-episode series. Each week, they'll explore a new topic, from housing and government to sports and food.

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.

A message from Save Boston's Waterfront:

Resiliency, accessibility, and equity should be the priorities for the Downtown Waterfront. With a shift in Mayoral leadership and a growing recognition that Boston's waterfront must be both accessible and equitable, now is the time to rethink the vision for the Downtown Waterfront. Addressing climate change and sea level rise also offers the opportunity to remedy longstanding inequalities and advance environmental justice. Investments in climate resilience should be district-wide and maximize public accessibility and community benefits.

The recent Superior Court ruling on the Downtown Waterfront Municipal Harbor Plan found fatal flaws in the process that authorized massive development at the expense of the public interest and offers a rare second chance to get it right along this special civic space that abuts Boston Harbor and The Greenway. Let's not miss the mark: state regulators need to hear from you that we must advance a welcoming, vibrant, and resilient #DowntownWaterfrontForAll: https://savebostonswaterfront.com/take-action/.

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