News: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Few efforts to derail WU TRAIN — BAKER lays out federal COVID relief spending plan

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Few efforts to derail WU TRAIN — BAKER lays out federal COVID relief spending plan — Where is JANEY’S REPORT on PATRICK ROSE?

Jul 20, 2021

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FEW EFFORTS TO DERAIL THE WU TRAIN — City Councilor Michelle Wu has been in the Boston mayor's race longer than any other candidate. She repeatedly tops polls and is one of only two hopefuls with more than $1 million in the bank.

Yet her rivals routinely target another leading candidate — Acting Mayor Kim Janey.

City Councilor Andrea Campbell has challenged Janey on several issues from policing reform to the opioid crisis at Melnea Cass Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue. Campbell was the only councilor to vote against both the city and school operating budgets put forward by the administration. And she criticized Janey for celebrating 100 days as acting mayor when she should be "governing."

City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George contrasts with Janey in other ways. As Janey clashed with councilors over the city's budgets, Essaibi George worked to help pass them. Now Essaibi George is building relationships with potential city councilors by inviting the 17 at-large candidates to her home to share their platforms with voters.

"To be successful in the work of serving the people of Boston you have to build relationships," Essaibi George told me. And Janey "is not doing a good enough job of building relationships."

Wu jabbed Janey for announcing a "Children's and Youth Cabinet" similar to one she proposed months prior. She also joined Campbell, Essaibi George and the majority of the council in voting to give themselves the ability to strip Janey's power as acting mayor.

Yet Wu's received little incoming flak. Former city economic development chief John Barros laid the groundwork to challenge Wu for supporting rent control at a development forum last week, but didn't fully take his own bait, and neither did anyone else.

Here are possible reasons why: Janey, as acting mayor, is an easy target. There's also a perception among Boston political watchers that the path to securing one of the top two spots to advance from September's preliminary goes through Janey, in part because Wu's got a sizable base built from years of running successfully citywide.

Should she make it to the final, Wu would have work to do to win over Black voters or those most worried about crime and public safety, depending on which other candidate makes the cut, Suffolk University Political Research Center Director David Paleologos said.

Wu led among Asian American voters and progressives in last month's Suffolk/Boston Globe poll of the mayor's race, but trailed, for instance, among Black voters, with just 7% support compared to 42% for Janey and 18% for Campbell.

For now, Wu says she's trying to stop the race from becoming "a blood sport." She told me she wants to draw distinctions through her interactions with voters, as opposed to "a conversation that is just played out over TV ads or over headlines."

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Tom Mountain is officially out as vice chair of the MassGOP, but he's still on the state committee, according to party members.

The MassGOP Executive Committee accepted Mountain's resignation at a meeting last night. Mountain wasn't there, per an attendee, and didn't respond to a request for comment.

The full state committee intends to hold an election for his successor at its next meeting in September. One person who says he won't be running: Norfolk state Rep. Shawn Dooley, who narrowly lost his challenge to Lyons as chair back in January. Read more from the Boston Herald's Erin Tiernan.

TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker testifies before the legislature (virtually, since he's in Aspen) at 11 a.m. on his ideas for spending $2.9 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funding as lawmakers kick off hearings on doling out the state government's more than $5 billion in federal aid. Secretary of Administration and Finance Mike Heffernan also testifies. Sen. Ed Markey and colleagues hold a press conference in D.C. to push for a Civilian Climate Corps at 9 a.m. The PFAS Interagency Task Force led by state Rep. Kate Hogan and state Sen. Julian Cyr meets at 10 a.m. State Sen. Adam Hinds chairs a Senate Committee on Reimagining Massachusetts Post-Pandemic Resiliency hearing on health disparities, labor and matters specific to metro Boston at 11 a.m. State Sen. Eric Lesser and state Rep. Josh Cutler chair the second Future of Work Commission meeting, featuring former Gov. Deval Patrick and Baker administration officials at 11 a.m., live on Lesser's Facebook page.

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

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "Massachusetts reports 717 new COVID cases over the weekend as seven-day average of positive tests ticks above 1%," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts health officials reported 717 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, according to the latest daily data. Officials also reported 4 new COVID fatalities, bringing the death toll from the pandemic up to 17,659. Monday's new infections include totals reported on Saturday and Sunday. The seven-day average of positive tests is now 1.02% amid a continued rise in infections across Massachusetts."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Baker releases spending plan for $186m in ARPA funds," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: " Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday announced that he will spend $186 million in federal COVID relief funding with a focus on health care and workforce training. … the Legislature gave Baker $200 million to spend unilaterally, but lawmakers moved the rest of the $5.3 billion in direct government aid to a segregated fund, where they could control legislatively how the money is spent. Lawmakers have said they want to spend several months gathering input on how to spend the money, while Baker has urged quicker action. In addition to spending the $200 million allotted to his administration, Baker has made a proposal for how to spend another $2.9 billion."

– "Massachusetts House tees up sports betting legalization bill as lawmakers pitch in-stadium wagers," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "Sports betting legalization is finally on deck in Massachusetts where it could generate an estimated $70 million in annual tax revenue and lawmakers teeing up amendments that would allow wagering inside stadiums. … State representatives are preparing to debate a 38-page rewrite of a bill ... that would legalize betting on professional and college sports for people 21 and older. It includes wagering on esports, video games and car racing but does not yet include language about in-stadium betting. That debate is set for Thursday."

– More from MassLive.com's Steph Solis: "The committee also approved Sen. Eric Lesser's bill, S.269, with several other accompanied proposals to the Senate. The Longmeadow Democrat's bill does not legalize college sports betting and proposes different licensing fees."

– "Permanent Mail-In Voting Bill Clears Committee Hurdle," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service (paywall): "With the Legislature expected this week to extend voting-by-mail through mid-December, a more comprehensive election reform bill filed by Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem advanced out of committee Monday and Democratic leaders are eyeing action in the Senate as soon as the fall. Creem, a Newton Democrat, filed legislation (S 459) this session that would not only make mail-in voting a permanent option for all voters in Massachusetts before every election, but also legalize same-day voter registration, expand early in-person voting, and improve access to voting for eligible incarcerated residents ."

– "Massachusetts commission meets to discuss redesign of official seal and motto of the Commonwealth, October deadline considered to be 'unrealistic'," by Tristan Smith, MassLive.com: "Six months after a commission was created to review the seal and motto of Massachusetts, the group is missing members and doesn't expect to meet the Oct. 1 deadline to file its report."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "Top pediatricians recommend masks in school this fall, even for vaccinated children," by Kay Lazar and Felicia Gans, Boston Globe: "A top pediatricians group is calling for everyone older than age 2 to wear masks in school this fall, even if they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation contradicts federal guidelines and drew immediate rebukes from some parents, while a teachers union leader and some academics praised the idea."

– "Boston University coronavirus vaccine mandate: Faculty and staff could be placed on leave if not vaxxed," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "Boston University on Monday announced that it's requiring all university employees and affiliates to be vaccinated by Sept. 2. If faculty and staff members don't get the jab, they could be on the sidelines this fall, BU's president warned. … This announcement comes in the wake of Boston College saying it's requiring students, faculty and staff to receive a COVID vaccine prior to the start of the fall semester."

– "Provincetown issues advisory due to spike in COVID cases," by Michaela Chesin, Provincetown Banner: "Provincetown's advisory encourages residents, local businesses and visitors to get tested and stay home if experiencing symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, and to wear masks indoors when social distancing can't be achieved."

FROM THE HUB

– "Janey Commissioned A Report Into BPD's Handling Of Patrick Rose. Where Is It?" by Zoe Mathews, GBH News: "More than a month after acting Mayor Kim Janey's deadline for a review into Boston Police's handling of Patrick M. Rose Sr. — a former officer and one-time head of the patrolman's union accused of sexually abusing children during his tenure on the force — no formal report has been issued. While the city said that the report is complete, weeks have passed since Janey's deadline for Office of Police Accountability and Transparency, or OPAT, director Stephanie Everett to deliver the plan. It has yet to be made public."

– "Study from Northeastern links violent crime surges in Boston neighborhoods to Airbnb vacation rentals," by Meghan Ottolini, Boston Herald: "The peer-reviewed study looked at Airbnb housing data in Boston from 2011 to 2018, data from Northeastern, and 911 dispatches from that same time period. Northeastern professors examined violent and nonviolent crime reports, and found that violent crime tended to rise about a year or two after an increase in Airbnbs. "

– "FBI: More declassified files on Boston mobster James 'Whitey' Bulger on the way," by Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald: "The FBI told the Herald more declassified files on slain Southie mobster James 'Whitey' Bulger are on the way following the release of the first batch of 300 pages from the agency 'Vault.'"

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "In a crowded Boston mayoral race, Annissa Essaibi George charts a different course," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "In a crowded campaign in which multiple candidates are pitching themselves as the most progressive option, [City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George] has carved her own, more moderate path, most notably when it comes to policing. … She shrugs at the centrist label affixed to her by some local political observers. 'I don't really care.' She instead defines herself as a realist, an outlook honed on the streets of Dorchester, where as the daughter of immigrants she grew up and has lived her whole life, and in the classrooms of East Boston, where she taught for 13 years before representing the city as an at-large city councilor. She pushes back on critics who say that she wouldn't, if elected, tackle the problems plaguing the Boston Police Department."

– "Eight years after last open mayor's race, little outcry over super PACs," by Gintautas Dumcius, Dorchester Reporter: "The super PAC backing Acting Mayor Kim Janey is swinging into action, pulling in nearly half a million dollars while focusing on canvassing efforts. The super PAC, supported by the hospitality workers union known as UNITE HERE Local 26, received $420,000 in donations from New York affiliates, according to a recent campaign finance filing. The outside group has spent some of that money on pro-Janey flyers while deploying canvassers. The other super PAC in the race, going by the name 'Better Boston,' is supporting Andrea Campbell, the District 4 councillor. … Compared with the 2013 mayoral race, which saw some candidates attempt to curb outside spending, the outcry this time around is far more muted among the contenders."

– "Building boomed under Marty Walsh. But what about Boston's next mayor?" by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Boston saw a historic building boom during the seven years that former mayor Marty Walsh, a former construction union leader, occupied City Hall. … while the field largely agrees on the need for development to address the area's housing shortage, some are pushing for a shift from Walsh's more development-friendly approach in order to prioritize residents who are increasingly struggling to afford the high costs of living in Boston."

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Julia Mejia has been endorsed by UFCW Local 1445, Jamaica Plain Progressives, and the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus PAC in her Boston City Council at-large reelection bid, per her campaign. Local 1445 political director Gabriel Camacho called Mejia a "fearless advocate for the interests of our members - fighting for better wages, more workforce protections, and dignity for frontline workers."

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: State Rep. Jay Livingstone has endorsed Ruthzee Louijeune for Boston City Council at-large, per her campaign. "Ruthzee is an amazing community advocate who will prioritize equity and progressive values. I've been impressed by her record of accomplishment fighting for working class families, and I know that she will be an effective voice for her constituents," Livingstone, who represents the 8th Suffolk District, said in a statement.

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Bridget Nee-Walsh has earned the endorsement of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen Local 3 in her campaign for Boston City Council at-large, per her campaign. "Bridget Nee-Walsh has been a union Ironworker for 15 years, and on the City Council, she will be a champion for working-class families," Local 3 business agent Chuck Russo said in a statement.

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: The Coalition for a Resilient and Inclusive Waterfront has scheduled its Boston mayoral forum for 4:30 p.m. July 29 at the Simons Theatre at the New England Aquarium, with Boston Globe columnist and associate editor Shirley Leung and El Mundo Boston president and CEO Alberto Vasallo III co-moderating.

THE LOWELL CONNECTOR

– "Lowell Election Commission adopts Common Cause 'roadmap' proposal on voting locations," by Alana Melanson, Lowell Sun: "The Election Commission voted last Thursday to adopt a 'roadmap' proposal by Common Cause Massachusetts that would bring at least two polling locations to each of the city's eight new districts for this year's election, but how that would be carried out remains in question."

THE LOCAL ELECTIONS ROUNDUP

– "Kickoff events, endorsements abound in Lawrence mayor's race," by Jill Harmacinski, Eagle-Tribune: "The race for Lawrence mayor is well underway. Mayor Kendrys Vasquez, Brian DePena, William Lantigua, Vilma Martinez-Dominguez, Doris Rodriguez and Raul Diaz have all pulled papers to run."

FROM THE 413

– "All-women Planning Board in Deerfield looks beyond history, focuses on job," by Chris Larabee, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Analee Wulfkuhle spent years sitting in on town meetings knitting clothes for her grandchildren while listening to discussions about ways to improve Deerfield. Then in 2020, Wulfkuhle's grandchildren were attending her swearing-in ceremony as the town's newest Planning Board member. Wulfkuhle, a 12-year Deerfield resident, is now chairwoman of the first-ever all-women Planning Board in Deerfield."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Heavy rain causes sewage overflows into Merrimack River," by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: "The Greater Lawrence Sanitary District — which treats sewage from Lawrence, Methuen, Andover, North Andover, Dracut and Salem, New Hampshire — has released about 30 million gallons of stormwater and sewage into the river so far this month, according to the Merrimack River Watershed Council, which monitors the discharges. That's about half of what the system usually releases into the river in a given year, the group said."

– "Push for Peabody 'peaker' plant to resume," by Erin Nolan, Salem News: "The organization which would own and operate a proposed 55-megawatt fossil fuel-fired 'peaker' plant in the city is planning to resume its efforts to build the plant on July 29, according to a communication filed with the Department of Public Utilities by the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company on Thursday. ... the organization feels it has adequately addressed the environmental and health concerns of residents and public officials which prompted the pause in the first place."

– "Ben & Jerry's says it will stop sales in 'occupied Palestinian territory'," by Brian MacQuarrie and Christina Prignano, Boston Globe: "Ben & Jerry's announced Monday it will no longer allow its ice cream to be sold in 'occupied Palestinian territory' following a wave of online criticism from activists who said the company's sales in the West Bank and East Jerusalem run afoul of its social justice mission."

– "Customers behaving badly: Cape Cod visitors urged to 'pack their patience'," by Denise Coffey, Cape Cod Times: "A sign greeting customers at the front door of Dennis Village Mercantile reads 'Masks optional. Kindness required.'"

– "Post-COVID, Fall River sees uptick in funerals, delayed memorials," by Charles Winokoor, Herald News: "Local funeral directors, clergy and restaurant owners say they've been busy keeping pace with pent-up demand from families and friends — who forwent memorial services and celebrations of life, when COVID-19 state restrictions imposed strict limits on the number of people who could assemble indoors for social gatherings."

TRANSITIONS – Anthony S. Fiotto joins law firm Morrison & Foerster as the Boston office's litigation head. Danielle Fulfs, a former senior legislative assistant to Assistant House Speaker Rep. Katherine Clark, is now legislative director for Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to corporation counsel and former state Rep. Eugene O'Flaherty, Krista Zalatores, Mass. native and POLITICO New York City editor David Giambusso, and Judge Patti B. Saris, who is 70.

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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