News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: DIGGING through the CENSUS DATA — State WON'T TRACK COVID CASES in SCHOOLS

Friday, August 13, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: DIGGING through the CENSUS DATA — State WON'T TRACK COVID CASES in SCHOOLS — HEALEY sues BPD

Aug 13, 2021

DIGGING INTO THE 2020 CENSUS DATA — Massachusetts's population grew both larger and more diverse over the past decade, mirroring trends seen nationwide, according to yesterday's data drop from the U.S. Census Bureau.

THE BIG PICTURE: We already knew the state's population had surpassed 7 million, growth Secretary of State Bill Galvin on Thursday attributed in part to migration — from within the United States and outside of it — and to the state's strong economy and job prospects. Now we have some information on demographic shifts. The state lost nearly 236,000 non-Hispanic white residents over the last 10 years, shrinking their share of the population to 68 percent from 76 percent. The nation's non-Hispanic white population also dropped, falling below 60 percent for the first time. Meanwhile, the state's Hispanic and Latino population rose to 13 percent from 10 percent, a gain of about 260,000 people. The Asian population ticked over 7 percent from 6 percent, a gain of about 113,000 people — surpassing Black residents, at under 7 percent, as the third largest racial or ethnic group in the state. The number of residents belonging to two or more groups more than doubled to 4.7 percent over the past decade.

ZOOM IN: Gateway Cities are growing. Revere's population jumped 20 percent to 62,186. Lynn, Quincy, Brockton and New Bedford all have more than 100,000 residents now, bringing the total number of cities that have surpassed that threshold to nine. Worcester has surpassed 200,000 residents for the first time in decades.

Advocates are hoping that growth will help allow cities like Revere, which is currently split between two House districts, and New Bedford, which is currently split between two congressional districts, to be drawn back together so as not to "dilute the political power of the local communities" and to provide more equitable representation, said Alex Psilakis of MassVOTE.

Boston's population now stands at 675,647. The Hub added over 58,000 residents, more than enough to potentially gain another state House seat, Galvin said. Assistant state House Majority Leader Michael Moran, who co-chairs the Special Joint Committee on Redistricting, told me that growth could also provide an opportunity to consolidate some of the Boston-based districts that have been "creeping out into the suburbs for some time."

ZOOM OUT: The state's population has shifted east, which means the two westernmost congressional districts, those held by Reps. Richard Neal and Jim McGovern, will have to move accordingly in order to pick up enough people to meet the 781,497-constituent target. Berkshire and Franklin were the only two counties to lose residents over the past decade, while Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex counties posted the biggest gains, meaning the districts that cover the northern and eastern swathes of the state will likely have to shed people, Galvin said.

GO FIGURE: The top 10 most populous cities in Massachusetts are Boston (675,647), Worcester (206,518), Springfield (155,929), Cambridge (118,403), Lowell (115,554), Brockton (105,643), Quincy (101,253), New Bedford (101,079) and Fall River (94,000). Cambridge leapfrogged Lowell over the past decade, while Lynn surpassed New Bedford. Holyoke was among the cities that lost population.

DIG DEEPER: "Massachusetts population shifts toward cities," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine; "Census: Massachusetts grew older, less white, more populous," by Steve LeBlanc, Associated Press. "Population Surge Points to 'Significant' District Changes," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service; "Map: See how each Mass. town has changed according to new census data," by Daigo Fujiwara, Boston Globe.

GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Boston Globe staffers locked in a long and increasingly bitter contract battle with the newspaper's owners and executives are bringing in some big-name reinforcements.

McGovern, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Assistant House Speaker Rep. Katherine Clark have each cut videos in support of the nearly 300 Globe employees who've worked without a contract for more than two-and-a-half years, and who now say they're fighting contract language "that could outsource their jobs and livelihoods," according to a press release from the Boston Newspaper Guild, the union repping the Globe and Stat News employees, being sent out today.

"I urge the Boston Globe management to settle a fair contract with workplace protections these journalists and staff deserve," Warren said.

The congresspeople echoed her call, with McGovern saying the reporters, editors and other employees "deserve job security and workplace protections that reflect the important work that you do" and Clark adding that a "free press and fact-based journalism are essential to the health of democracy, now more than ever."

"Spotlight" and "Avengers" star Mark Ruffalo filmed a similar message last month as the union keeps up pressure on Globe owners John Henry and Linda Pizzuti Henry to deliver a contract they deem fair. The union has also recently floated the possibility of a strike. Globe spokesperson Claudia Henderson told the Boston Business Journal last month that the company is "committed to negotiating with all of our labor partners to provide workplace benefits and protections while ensuring our ability to continue our growth and investment in all of our newsrooms." Henderson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

TODAY — Sen. Ed Markey, Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone and Groundwork Somerville officials tour Groundwork Somerville's Urban Farm at 11 a.m. and hold a press conference about creating a Civilian Climate Corps. Warren hosts a meet-and-greet at 6 p.m. at Blackstone Heritage Corridor Visitors Center in Worcester. Rep. Bill Keating hosts an Oak Bluffs meet-and-greet fundraiser at noon on Martha's Vineyard.

THIS WEEKEND — Rep. Ayanna Pressley hosts an open house at her new district office at 2 p.m. Saturday, 1295 River St., Hyde Park. Gaming industry expert the Rev. Richard McGowan of Boston College discusses the state's casinos, the sports betting bill on Beacon Hill and compulsive gambling at 8:30 a.m. Sunday on WBZ's "Keller at Large." City Councilor Michelle Wu is this week's guest on WCVB's "On the Record," at 11 a.m. Sunday.

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

THE LATEST NUMBERS

— "Massachusetts reports 1,228 new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations on the rise again," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "Massachusetts health officials on Thursday reported a spike of 1,228 coronavirus cases, as COVID hospitalizations continued to rise. … The daily average for infections is now 815 cases, which is nearly 13 times the daily average of 64 infections in late June."

— "Town-by-town COVID-19 data in Massachusetts," by Ryan Huddle and Peter Bailey-Wells, Boston Globe.

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— "Lawmakers, advocates push for passage of bills to streamline rental assistance process," by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: "The pair of bills in the House and Senate would ensure that landlords are aware of and apply for rental assistance programs before filing an eviction, would simplify the application process for both rental and mortgage assistance, and would reinstate forbearance requirements and would halt foreclosures."

— "Massachusetts series of drownings: State announces funding for swim lessons, adding flotation devices at 78 waterfronts," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "Massachusetts agencies are offering up funds to help more kids and adults learn how to swim, a public health issue that has been highlighted by a series of drownings across the state this year. "

VAX-ACHUSETTS

— "State does not plan to track COVID cases in Massachusetts schools this year, weekly testing services will still be available for districts," by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: "Unlike last school year, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has said it does not currently have plans to track positive COVID-19 cases in schools during the upcoming academic year. ... Weekly COVID testing in schools will still be an option during the new academic year."

— "Charlie Baker again says no to statewide mask mandate for schools," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "A tan Gov. Charlie Baker again said he will not issue a universal mask mandate for Massachusetts public schools, bucking CDC guidance for a town-by-town approach instead."

— "Massachusetts school mask mandates: These districts are requiring face coverings this fall as COVID pandemic continues," by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com.

— "CDC raises county's level of virus transmission; Amherst OKs indoor mask mandate," by Brian Steele, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reports that Hampshire County now has a 'substantial' level of community transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19. The level was raised from 'moderate' on Thursday due to a case rate of 53 per 100,000 people in the past 7 days. The rest of Massachusetts was already at the 'substantial' or 'high' level."

— "Assisted living leaders urge state to mandate COVID-19 shots for workers," by Kay Lazar, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts assisted living executives, worried about the rapidly rising tide of COVID-19 infections in the state, urged the Baker administration on Thursday to mandate COVID vaccines for workers in their industry."

— "Extra COVID vaccine OK'd for those with weak immune systems," by Lauran Neergaard and Matthew Perrone, Associated Press: "U.S. regulators say transplant recipients and others with severely weakened immune systems can get an extra dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to better protect them as the delta variant continues to surge."

FROM THE HUB

— "Kim Janey to require Boston city employees to get coronavirus vaccine," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Acting Mayor Kim Janey will require the city's 18,000 workers to get vaccinated or enter into a testing regimen — though she again strongly resisted requiring private businesses to require proof of inoculation, drawing heavy criticism from her mayoral rivals."

— More from the Boston Globe's Milton J. Valencia and Travis Andersen: "Employees who provide services for high-priority residents, including those in the public schools, public libraries, the Age Strong office, and the Commission on Disabilities, must comply by Sept. 20. Volunteers and on-site contractors at those offices must comply by Oct. 4. All other city employees and on-site contractors and volunteers must comply by Oct. 18."

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THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

— "Shaped by life's challenges, Boston mayoral candidate Michelle Wu wears them on her sleeve," by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "[Wu's policy visions] have been shaped by her own life experiences: caring for a mentally ill mother, raising two younger sisters, and now, raising a young family of her own. They are the challenges faced by many in Boston, she said, and her experiences have led her to the notion that local government can always do more."

— NEW: Speaking of Wu: The Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund Independent Expenditure PAC is launching its campaign in support of the city councilor's mayoral bid with a website and a digital ad touting Wu as the "climate champion Boston needs." The PAC — which appears to be largely funded by the Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund that endorsed Wu — shelled out $46,882 in digital advertising in support of Wu, according to its state campaign finance filings. "With how much climate has been at the forefront particularly this week, we do want to make it more of an issue in the election," a spokesperson said, adding that Wu's "campaign and her policies are the clear climate pick."

— And speaking of endorsements: JP Progressives won't be making one in the mayoral race. The Jamaica Plain progressive group's steering committee had recommended endorsing Acting Mayor Kim Janey. But when they put it to a vote with the organization as a whole, no candidate cleared the 60-percent threshold needed to secure the group's support.

"We all know this is a tight race and our members were split — primarily and narrowly between Michelle Wu and Kim Janey, with a small but significant number supporting Andrea Campbell," the group wrote in an email to its members Thursday morning.

JP Progressives described "a difficult and sometimes emotional process" that divided its steering committee members, and ultimately its organization as a whole. They're not alone. The historically diverse field being led by four women is increasingly dividing politicians and activist groups with only a month to go before the September preliminary election.

— "Here's how each candidate for mayor plans to tackle gentrification," by Zipporah Osei, Boston.com.

FEELING '22

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Former state Sen. Ben Downing has been endorsed by the Amherst hub of the Sunrise Movement in his bid for governor, per his campaign. "Ben has worked to institute progressive policies such as bold climate action, government accessibility, and active public engagement. He will take no money from Political Action Committees, lobbyists, or fossil fuel companies, and this integrity is a step towards true democracy in Massachusetts. Sunrise Amherst supports and will take action on Ben Downing's campaign," the group said in a statement.

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— "How Former Gov. Dukakis Says Mass. Should Allocate Infrastructure Package If Passed," by Tiziana Dearing and Walter Wuthmann, WBUR: "'There's lots of projects out there that people have been working on for some time. The one that isn't getting enough attention right now is the North-South rail link, which both I and [former] Gov. Weld have been strongly supporting for a long time.'"

DAY IN COURT

— "AG Healey Sues BPD for Failure to Provide Internal Affairs Records to NBC10 Boston," by Ryan Kath, NBC10 Boston: "Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is suing the Boston Police Department for their failure to provide the internal affairs records of former Commissioner Dennis White. The rare legal action comes after the NBC10 Investigators submitted a public records request for the files back in March, shortly after White was placed on leave amid previous domestic violence allegations."

— "Family of mental health center employee who died sues state for records on COVID outbreak," by Cynthia McCormick, Cape Cod Times: "The family of a 49-year-old Falmouth man who died of complications from COVID-19 is suing the state Department of Mental Health for records it says could link Brian F. Dailey's death to an infected, unmasked co-worker at the Pocasset Mental Health Center."

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

— "Peabody power plant gets green light," by Erin Nolan, Salem News: "Plans to build a 55-megawatt 'peaker' power plant in the city are forging ahead. According to a decision filed by the Department of Public Utilities Aug. 12, the department approved a request from the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) for up to $170 million in bonds to fund the construction of the plant."

— "Utilities want to stretch payments for storm costs," by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Newburyport Daily News: "Utilities weathered a record number of storms last year that caused power outages and other disruptions, and consumers could be paying for years to cover the cost. Under state law, utilities may recover operations and maintenance costs for a limited number of storms from a state fund supported by consumers. But utilities say an unprecedented number of storms exceeded their allowed reimbursement. The state's largest utilities, National Grid and Eversource, want to defer reimbursement for many of the storms to future years."

— "DEMS LOOK TO SPUR OFFSHORE WIND MANUFACTURING," by Matthew Choi, POLITICO: "Democratic Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Cory Booker and Bob Menendez of New Jersey unveiled legislation Wednesday to drive domestic manufacturing and boost offshore wind development that they hope will be included in the budget reconciliation package working its way through Capitol Hill."

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

— "Art ablaze: Once criminalized for their craft, marijuana pipemakers are now celebrated," by Hadley Barndollar, USA Today Network: "Artists making marijuana glass, or 'heady glass,' and other smoking devices are now stepping out of the shadows: garnering masses of followers on Instagram – the 'yellow pages' of cannabis – and selling top-tier pieces for thousands of dollars."

FROM THE 413

— "Great Barrington suing former tax collector for $150,000 she allegedly stole," by Heather Bellow, Berkshire Eagle: "The town is suing a former worker in its tax collection office who is accused of stealing more than $150,000 in tax and other payments as far back as 2012. Deborah Ball, 64, of Great Barrington, also is facing criminal charges in the case. The town is suing to recoup that money, in addition to attorneys' fees and other costs, according to the civil complaint filed in Berkshire Superior Court in July 2020."

THE LOCAL ELECTIONS ROUNDUP

— "Everett May Go Without A Mayoral Debate After Collapse Of Event Last Weekend," by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: "The first, and so far only, debate for Everett's mayoral candidates fell apart Saturday, with a series of miscommunications leaving everyone discontented, and the city's voters still without a way to directly compare the candidates."

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Teamsters Local Union No. 25 has endorsed David Todisco for Medford City Council, citing his "combination of commitment to community and dedication to public service," per their endorsement letter.

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THE LOCAL ANGLE

— "Doctors at Saint Vincent Hospital call on Baker to intervene in nurses' strike," by Nick Stoico, Boston Globe: "Five doctors who run departments at Saint Vincent Hospital are calling on Governor Charlie Baker to intervene in the months-long dispute between the Worcester hospital and the union representing hundreds of nurses who have been on strike since March."

— "Coast Guard Station Scituate closure will have a 'dire effect,' South Shore officials warn," by Ruth Thompson, Scituate Mariner: "Longer response times in emergencies. Strained local resources. A public at risk. That's what local officials fear could happen if a planned closure of the Scituate Coast Guard Station goes into effect."

TRANSITIONS — Patrick Marvin, communications director for the state Office of Administration and Finance, will join the communications team at Philips North America. Massachusetts College of Art and Design has appointed Robert Chambers as chief of staff and assistant to President Mary K. Grant.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to state Sen. Patrick O'Connor, Josh Romney, Nicholas Hull, Eric M. Nelson and Denise Perrault.

HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to POLITICO's Peter Canellos and Dani Rodrik, who celebrate Saturday, and to Mary Serreze, who celebrates Sunday.

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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