News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Time to slice up the $4.8 billion ARPA pie

Monday, October 25, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Time to slice up the $4.8 billion ARPA pie

Oct 25, 2021

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: ARPA BILLS ON THE MOVE — The House and Senate plan to focus on "shared priorities" of housing, climate, health care, economic recovery, infrastructure and workforce needs in their long-awaited ARPA spending bills, according to the Ways and Means chairs in each chamber.

The House Committee on Ways and Means will unveil its spending plan today for the state's roughly $4.8 billion in remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds. The Senate will follow "within the next few weeks," state Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and state Sen. Michael Rodrigues said in a statement.

The bills will focus investments in communities disproportionately ravaged by the pandemic and on addressing economic and racial inequality, the lawmakers said.

They'll also commit to putting $500 million into the state's unemployment trust fund and $500 million toward "premium pay bonuses" for low- and middle-income workers who served on the front lines during the public health crisis.

"This will provide much-needed relief to our small businesses and the Commonwealth's workforce, both of whom continue to experience the most profound effects of this pandemic," Michlewitz and Rodrigues said.

It's not clear yet exactly how big a slice of the $4.8 billion pie the House and Senate will take, though more information is expected later today. House Speaker Ron Mariano previously suggested lawmakers could appropriate roughly half of the federal aid now. House Democrats will huddle in caucus to discuss the legislation today ahead of a formal session slated for Thursday. Democratic legislative leaders are aiming to get a bill to Gov. Charlie Baker's desk before Thanksgiving.

Lawmakers have taken their time to get here, soliciting input from "hundreds" of state officials, industry leaders and advocates on everything from health care to education over six hearings that stretched from summer into fall.

The lengthy process has frustrated Baker, who's been pushing lawmakers for months to put $2.9 billion toward housing, job training, infrastructure and other priorities he's deemed urgent. The GOP governor had broad leeway to dish out federal relief dollars during the worst of the pandemic, but the Democrat-controlled legislature took back control of the purse strings in the spring.

Also keep an eye on reaction from the lawmakers and advocacy groups who recently released a racial equity scorecard to assess the spending plans on how they address structural problems like housing instability and the racial wealth divide, how quickly they get the money out the door, and more.

GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. You win some (Pats, Bruins, Celtics), you lose some (Sox).

TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and administration and local officials make a MassWorks and Community Planning Grant Program announcement in Lowell at 10 a.m. Baker signs "An Act Promoting Student Nutrition" at 1 p.m. at the State House. Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey gives remarks at a firefighter recruit graduation ceremony at 10 a.m. and stops by the Women Entrepreneurs Boston Week kickoff at 5:30 p.m. outside City Hall. Sen. Elizabeth Warren early votes in Cambridge at 10:45 a.m. Rep. Lori Trahan participates in a "What Facebook Exposure Means for Latinx" panel at noon. Boston mayoral hopefuls City Councilors Annissa Essaibi George and Michelle Wu meet for their final televised debate hosted by WCVB, WBUR, the Boston Globe and UMass Boston at 7 p.m.

STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down and who really has the president's ear in West Wing Playbook, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– FOLLOW THE LEADERS: State Rep. Mindy Domb wants the Baker administration to introduce a digital Covid-19 vaccination verification system like other states have. Using the secure digital system would be voluntary for residents and businesses, but Domb wrote in a letter to the governor that it would give people "a convenient way to carry their immunization record" with a variety of venues now requiring proof of vaccination.

– "Mass. lawmakers relax decades-old rule to allow public retirees to work more while getting pensions," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "The House and Senate late last month overrode Governor Charlie Baker in pushing the proposal into law, hiking the cap on retirees from 960 to 1,200 hours per year. With it, the state's nearly 130,000 retired state employees and teachers — plus thousands more who retired from municipal government — can now work the equivalent of a 23-hour average workweek for a public entity while continuing to earn their pension benefits."

– "New study finds little effect from Massachusetts gun control measures on violent crimes," by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: "A new study from American University found that the tightened gun-control measures that went into effect in Massachusetts six years ago had little effect on the violent crime rate in the state, raising questions about enforcement of these laws."

– "Many, but not all, Berkshire police officers carry Narcan. This bill could make it universal," by Francesca Paris, Berkshire Eagle: "[The bill by Rep. William 'Smitty' Pignatelli] would require first responders across Massachusetts to carry naloxone."

– "State's unemployment rate edges up slightly," by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: "The state's unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 5.2% in September, even as employers added 11,900 more jobs to a pandemic-ravaged labor market."

– "MEMA Director Phillips Departing," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service (paywall): "[MEMA director Samantha Phillips] who has led the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic is leaving her post, the Baker administration announced Friday."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "Mass. State Police union hammers Gov. Charlie Baker's COVID vaccine mandate, says move puts 'lives at risk'," by Benjamin Kail, MassLive: "The union representing Massachusetts State Police troopers this weekend accused Gov. Charlie Baker of undercutting law enforcement and putting lives at risk over his COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which covers troopers and other executive branch personnel, including many who face termination after being denied exemptions despite state-verified medical and religious concerns."

– "'What happens to all these kids?' Dozens of Mass. state workers face termination over religious beliefs, COVID vaccine mandate," by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: "An unvaccinated Massachusetts social worker, paralyzed by uncertainty and silence from her supervisors, has ignored messages from her young clients all week. The state employee, who spoke to MassLive on the condition of anonymity, said she is likely not authorized to report to work anymore, even though she's yet to be formally suspended without pay."

– "More than 600 Boston employees remain on leave over vaccine mandate — with more enforcement coming," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "More than 600 city employees remain on unpaid leave under the coronavirus vaccine mandate — for which enforcement kicks in on Tuesday for a whole new group of workers including police and fire, according to City Hall."

– "Chelsea, a city hit hard by COVID, has become a vaccination standout," by Felice J. Freyer, Bianca Vázquez Toness and Diana Bravo, Boston Globe: "Chelsea's vaccination rate far exceeds that of some peer cities like New Bedford, Springfield, and Lawrence, where barely over half the population has been vaccinated. And new COVID-19 cases in Chelsea have plummeted to below the statewide average. Chelsea has made itself into a vaccination standout, the result of a person-to-person campaign by multiple community groups."

FROM THE HUB

– From the opinion pages: "A look inside the jail space that could become a Mass. and Cass unit," by Shirley Leung, Boston Globe: "The Mass. and Cass unit Tompkins envisions would encompass several floors in a four-story building that sits on the edge of the jail campus. This new center, which could hold up to 100 people for 90 days, would have its own entrance, and be separate from where other prisoners live. Those ordered into treatment wouldn't wear prison garb, and corrections staff wouldn't wear traditional uniforms." WBUR's Deborah Becker has more from inside the facility.

– Boston mayoral hopeful City Councilor Michelle Wu said on WCVB's "On the Record" Sunday that "one of the first hires" she'd make as mayor is a Cabinet-level "Mass and Cass chief." Wu and mayoral rival City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George again discussed their plans for the troubled area at a Sunday forum, per the Boston Herald's Rick Sobey.

– "Boston to challenge Census count, claiming more residents, Janey says," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "The city will challenge the latest U.S. Census count, saying the decennial tally missed potentially thousands of college students, inmates and immigrants, Acting Mayor Kim Janey's office announced."

ON THE STUMP

– Early voting is underway in municipal elections across the state. And in Boston, the focus was on getting out the Black vote.

Wu and Essaibi George participated in multiple forums geared toward addressing the needs of Black residents — including one organized by state Rep. Russell Holmes, who plans to make his endorsement this week. Wu and several City Council candidates, including Councilor Julia Mejia and hopefuls Ruthzee Louijeune, David Halbert, Carla Monteiro, Evandro Carvalho, Erin Murphy, Tania Anderson and Brian Worrell , joined Holmes, Pressley and Acting Mayor Kim Janey for a "Souls to the Polls" walk encouraging people to vote.

Pressley said she's been "really disappointed" by "predictable" questions from the media in recent days about whether she's concerned about Black voter turnout. The question's been raised repeatedly after no Black candidate made it through the preliminary election.

"The question in and of itself is an act of voter suppression," Pressley declared. But she's "not worried" and said "I want all of you to know exactly how powerful each one of you are, exactly how powerful we are as a collective."

– "Mayoral candidates hit the trail as early voting opens," by Stephanie Ebbert, Milton J. Valencia and Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: "Both candidates introduced new ideas at a forum at Morning Star Baptist Church in Mattapan Saturday afternoon. Wu said she would include a 'chief possibility officer' in her mayoral administration 'to ensure we're not just thinking about the ways that things have been done, but really pushing us to transform our system.' And Essaibi George, who has focused on her diversity and equity agenda in recent weeks, said she would create an Office of Black Bostonians."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– From the opinion pages: The Boston Globe Editorial Board has endorsed Wu for mayor of Boston, writing that in this election, the "choice is very clear."

– The candidate profiles: "The one when Michelle Wu opens a café — and finds a passion for trying to make government work," by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe; "'A dream my father thought was literally impossible.' For Annissa Essaibi George, the run for Boston mayor she promised her dad," by Hanna Krueger, Boston Globe.

– "Wu, Essaibi George rake in campaign donations in final stretch," by Elizabeth Koh, Boston Globe: "Annissa Essaibi George brought in $108,788 in individual donations in a three-day stretch this week, about $10,000 more than Michelle Wu, according to the latest state campaign data. Wu drew significantly more, albeit smaller, donations, reporting 577 contributions to Essaibi George's 172. Starting on the 18th day before an election, state campaign finance law require candidates to disclose within 72 hours contributions above $500. "

– "At-large race taking shape as a contest for two spots," by Seth Daniel, Dorchester Reporter: "With early voting kicking off this weekend, the race is widely seen as a contest for two open spots, with recent polls showing incumbents Michael Flaherty and Julia Mejia — the top two finishers in the Sept. 14 preliminary — still running strong."

– Top talker: "City Council candidate Kendra Hicks calls her experience with rent problems part of larger affordable housing issue," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "Kendra Hicks, a Boston City Council candidate for District 6, has been sued by landlords alleging she was arrears in paying rent at least three times in the past eight years, and she was sent a document threatening to terminate her lease over owed rent as recently as August, records show. Hicks, in written responses to a series of Globe questions, acknowledged that there were 'three separate instances where unexpected financial emergencies came up, and I could not pay my rent on time, even though they were ultimately paid in full.'"

– "In District 3, a progressive newcomer tests Frank Baker's staying power," by Tiana Woodard, Boston Globe: "Frank Baker has earned a reputation as a neighborhood city councilor constituents can count on to fix that annoying pothole on their daily commute. And he's stood out as a traditionalist on an increasingly progressive City Council ... Now, Baker has a challenger [Stephen McBride] who's putting his 'Councilor No' reputation at City Hall to the test…"

– "Voting by mail? Do it before Tuesday, or risk your vote going uncounted," by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: "Thinking of voting by mail? Do it before Tuesday, or your vote might not be counted — as 1,000 votes were in September's Boston mayoral election, Secretary of State William Galvin said."

– "Some Boston voters say postcards they received about voting in the Nov. 2 election felt 'creepy'," by Steve Annear, Boston Globe: "The handwritten notes are part of a campaign by Postcards For Climate to get more people out to the polls. The language, the group says, was intentional."

– Some FIRST IN PLAYBOOK endorsements: In the mayor's race, Barbara Lee, president and founder of the Barbara Lee Political Office, has endorsed Wu.

In the council races: Former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn has endorsed Bridget Nee-Walsh for City Council at-large. Acting Mayor Kim Janey has endorsed David Halbert for Boston City Council at-large. Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia has been endorsed by state Rep. Tami Gouveia in her at-large reelection bid. The Greater Boston Labor Council, New England Joint Board UNITE HERE, SEIU1199, and Boston's Ward 5, 6, 7, 12, and 16 Democratic committees have endorsed Boston City Councilor Michael Flaherty in his at-large reelection bid. Also over the weekend, state Rep. Jon Santiago endorsed Erin Murphy for Boston City Council at-large.

THE LOCAL ELECTIONS ROUNDUP

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey have endorsed Willie Burnley Jr. for Somerville City Council at-large. Burnley has worked as a field organizer for both senators.

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Former Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk has endorsed Greg Verga in the city's mayoral race.

– "Emails detail mayoral candidate's clashes with city officials," by Brian Steele, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Mayor Nicole LaChapelle emailed a police sergeant on July 26, 2019, 'regarding Eric Berzins' harassing and intimidating behavior toward me on the Manhan Rail Trail' the previous night. ... In an interview, Berzins said LaChapelle's email was 'her side of the story,' but it's true 'for the most part.'"

WARREN REPORT

– "Is Kyrsten Sinema Ready to Listen to Elizabeth Warren?" by Kara Voght, Mother Jones: "[Sen. Kyrsten] Sinema's intransigence [on raising taxes on corporations] could push more Democrats to embrace significant new taxes on billionaires … If new, larger wealth taxes come to pass, Sinema, one of the party's foremost moderates, will have pushed her party toward the core tax agenda [Sen. Elizabeth] Warren put out during her progressive-focused presidential run." Warren talked Sinema on MSNBC yesterday.

ROLLINS REPORT

– "DA Rollins, history maker herself, is looking forward to seeing the first woman and first person of color to lead Boston," by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "[Rachael Rollins] also talked about her nomination to be US attorney in Massachusetts … [and said it] was 'surreal' to have US senators talking about her policies, and for her name to be associated with President Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland's criminal justice initiatives."

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

– "Free transit had benefits but may not be sustainable, Worcester study concludes," by Darryl C. Murphy, WBUR: "A new report from the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission revealed that the Worcester Regional Transit Authority outperformed most of its peer agencies in the state when it came to recovering ridership lost during the pandemic. … However, one of the downsides the commission found is that foregoing fares long term could lead to big financial losses."

FROM THE 413

– "Smith College will replace students' loans with grants," by Dusty Christensen, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "On Friday, Smith College became the latest elite college to eliminate loans as part of its undergraduate financial aid packages, replacing them with grants from the college."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "Students at Middlesex School walk out of classes in protest over cancellation of Nikole Hannah-Jones talk," by Laura Crimaldi and Amanda Kaufman, Boston Globe: "A week of controversy at the Middlesex School over the decision to rescind a speaking invitation to New York Times journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones culminated Friday with hundreds of students walking out of classes in protest."

– "Baker commits to bridge linking Assembly Sq. and Encore casino," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "The Baker administration committed on Friday to build a bicycle and pedestrian bridge crossing the Mystic River and connecting Assembly Station on the Orange Line in Somerville to the grounds of the Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett."

– "In letter, Tenet CEO responds to elected officials, defends decision on replacement nurses," by Jeff A. Chamer, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "Citing it as a 'necessary step' and in line with a national labor law statute, the CEO of Tenet Healthcare in an open letter to state lawmakers and area elected officials defended the company's use of permanent replacement nurses as the St. Vincent Hospital nurses' strike nears its ninth month."

– "Three New England communities make 2021 list of 'rattiest cities'," by Michelle Williams, MassLive: "Boston, the largest city in New England, held steady at 13 again this year."

– IN MEMORIAM: "Veteran Sportscaster Bob Neumeier Dies," by CBS Boston.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to former state Rep. Jim Cantwell, who serves as state director to Sen. Ed Markey. Happy belated to Conrad Lucas and former Washington Post and Boston Globe editor Marty Baron.

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS – Daniel Winslow is the next president of the New England Legal Foundation.

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