News: Diehl finds his equalizer

Monday, March 21, 2022

Diehl finds his equalizer

Mar 21, 2022

AND THEN THERE WERE TWO — Geoff Diehl has a running mate in his quest for governor, putting him back on equal footing with Republican rival Chris Doughty.

Former state Rep. Leah Cole Allen is running for lieutenant governor. The 33-year-old, who went by Leah Cole when she briefly served in the House, brings gender and generational balance to Diehl's prospective ticket. She also evens the playing field between Diehl and Doughty, who tapped former state Rep. Kate Campanale, 36, as his running mate earlier this month.

Allen also keeps Diehl's campaign firmly in conservative territory. Allen is anti-abortion and opposes Covid-19 mask and vaccine mandates , even though she could lose her hospital job because of it, according to Boston Herald columnist Peter Lucas, who first reported Allen's selection. Diehl's campaign did not respond last night to questions about Allen's vaccination status.

Allen flipped a Democratic seat in 2013 when she won a special election with the support of not-yet-Gov. Charlie Baker. She resigned in 2015 to focus on her nursing career. Allen and Diehl will make their official debut as a team at an 11:15 a.m. media availability outside the State House.

GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Rep. Stephen Lynch is leading a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers including Rep. Lori Trahan on a visit to Eastern European countries that are assisting Ukrainian refugees.

Lynch, Trahan and their colleagues were in Poland over the weekend visiting reception centers for the more than 2 million refugees who have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded and meeting with groups involved in humanitarian aid efforts. They also visited a Polish train station that's serving as a major entry point for Ukrainian refugees.

Seeing the refugee crisis first hand is "truly heartbreaking," Trahan said in a statement.

"We saw children separated from their parents during the chaos of fleeing their homes, families fearing for the lives of their loved ones still in Ukraine, and so many people wondering if they'll ever be able to return home," she said, adding that the "world has an obligation" to support Ukrainian refugees.

Rep. Lori Trahan, left, and Rep. Stephen Lynch, right, on a congressional visit to Poland.

Reps. Lori Trahan and Steve Lynch meet with Massachusetts members of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division. Courtesy/Trahan's office | Courtesy: Trahan's office

TODAY — It's finally here: Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, federal lawmakers and transit officials attend the grand opening of the Green Line Extension at Lechmere station in Cambridge; the speaking program begins at noon.

Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark hosts a press conference at the Mystic Dam at 9 a.m. State AG Maura Healey testifies on her FY 2023 budget request at 10 a.m. Governor hopeful state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz participates in an Our Revolution Massachusetts forum at 7 p.m. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks at The New England Council's "Politics & Eggs" at 8 a.m. at Saint Anselm College.

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ON THE STUMP

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Quentin Palfrey has secured more than 50 new endorsements in his bid to become the next state attorney general, per his campaign. The new supporters include state Sen. Anne Gobi, state Rep. Christina Minicucci, Plymouth County Commissioner Gregory Hanley, former state Rep. Matt Patrick and former state senator and environmental affairs secretary Bob Durand, along with several current and former Democratic city and town committee chairs.

— ENDORSEMENT ALERT: Former Gov. Mike Dukakis has endorsed Brookline state Rep. Tommy Vitolo for reelection, per his campaign.

— "Senator Markey backs Ricardo Arroyo for Suffolk DA," by Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: "US Senator Ed Markey is endorsing Ricardo Arroyo for Suffolk County district attorney, adding to the city councilor's tally of prominent supporters."

— "For some Democratic activists, Healey's positions on criminal justice give them pause," by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: "[S]ome progressive activists see a bright line difference between front-runner Attorney General Maura Healey and underdog state Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz on an essential issue: criminal justice. Chang-Díaz's supporters laud her record of taking bold stances on the topic, pointing to her leadership on a wide-ranging police reform law in 2020. … They point to Healey's support for expanding the reach of the state's wiretap law, her opposition to legalizing marijuana, and her resistance to a piece of the police reform bill that would have banned the use of facial recognition software — all stances Chang-Díaz has denounced."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— "Charlie Baker administration highlights recent cases 'dangerousness bill' would target," by Flint McColgan, Boston Herald: "Gov. Charlie Baker's administration says recent cases of alleged predatory conduct toward children would have been subject to additional pretrial release scrutiny if his 'dangerousness bill' were law."

— "Amesbury mayor makes call for action for city's bond bill money," by Jim Sullivan, Newburyport Daily News: "Former state Sen. Kathleen O'Connor Ives and former state Sen. Mike Costello were successful in placing a $600,000 earmark in the fiscal 2014 state environmental bond bill. The money was set aside to build soccer fields for the Amesbury Soccer Association at Woodsom Farm but the money has yet to be released. Although state Sen. Diana DiZoglio, D-Methuen, and state Rep. Jim Kelcourse, R-Amesbury, have been working to get the funding released, Mayor Kassandra Gove is looking to get the public involved as well. The mayor asked residents to call, email or tweet Gov. Charlie Baker and Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides to let them know how important the $600,000 would be to Amesbury."

— "Groups Mounting Bid to Enshrine Online Meeting Access," by Michael P. Norton, State House News Service (paywall): "The darkness of the pandemic brought a surprise element of transparency to government, and a range of groups, including those representing individuals with disabilities ... [called] on the Governor's Council to resume online streaming of meetings where elected officials vet judicial candidates."

FROM THE HUB

— SHOWDOWN IN SOUTHIE: The Boston St. Patrick's Day breakfast returned to its pre-pandemic form on Sunday with bad jokes, a few sentimental moments and a middle finger from Gov. Charlie Baker. Here's what you missed:

TURNING LEMONS INTO LEMONADE — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu made light of the myriad challenges she's faced in office: "This past winter was pretty intense. Trial by snow, trial by fire … fighters union," she quipped. "I'm getting used to dealing with problems that are expensive, disruptive and white. I'm talking about snowflakes, snowflakes — I mean snowstorms — snowflakes."

Some Wu hecklers attempted to get into the breakfast by "falsely identifying themselves as volunteers" but were caught by staff and removed, organizers said.

THE ELEPHANT NOT IN THE ROOM — GOP governor hopeful Geoff Diehl wasn't at the breakfast, but he sure was a punching bag for the Democrats. Wu joked that springing forward an hour for daylight saving time isn't easy, "but it is better than Geoff Diehl's proposal that we make him governor and set us all back 50 years." Senate President Karen Spilka listed off a fake schedule for Diehl that included an "11 a.m. Capitol insurrection" and a "book burning at 2 p.m."

PROPS TO — Spilka and host state Sen. Nick Collins, who gave Baker an inflatable yellow duck to honor the outgoing governor's lame-duck status.

EYES EMOJI — Collins, who considered running for mayor last year, thanked Wu for "keeping that seat warm."

NOT QUITE READY TO RUMBLE — State Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz took a few digs at Democratic gubernatorial rival and state Attorney General Maura Healey's sizable campaign war chest. But it wasn't exactly a battle royale between the governor hopefuls — or the other candidates running for statewide office who took a turn at the mic.

— More from GBH News' Saraya Wintersmith: "Perhaps the riskiest joke of the afternoon came from At-Large Boston City Councilor Michael Flaherty, who attempted a wisecrack about Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley's absence from the event. 'Someone told me she's on a vacation with her dear friend Monica Cannon-Grant,' Flaherty said, referencing the prominent local nonprofit leader recently indicted for fraud."

— "BPD officer under investigation in Jan. 6 insurrection is now living in N.H. and protesting vaccine mandates in Boston," by Tonya Alanez, Boston Globe: "Milton, N.H., is a place where passersby wave to one another, the firefighters are volunteers, and neighbors are welcoming yet give one another space, residents say. One of their newest neighbors, Joe Abasciano, lives there with his family on a 20-acre horse farm on a road that turns to dirt as it climbs a mountain. It's nearly 100 miles away from Abasciano's job as a Boston police officer. He is on paid medical leave from the force and remains under investigation by the department for his involvement in the insurrection at the US Capitol and for attacking former Vice President Mike Pence on Twitter."

— "State to conduct second review of Boston Public Schools amid concerns it could pursue receivership," by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: "The state is about to embark on a review of Boston Public Schools for the second time in less than three years, amid a search for a new superintendent and growing concerns about whether the state will pursue receivership. … In notifying BPS about the review this month, state Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley said a two-year-old partnership between the state and the district, which resulted from the initial review and was done in lieu of receivership, has delivered mixed results and warrant another inquiry."

— "North End politicians split over $7500 outdoor dining fee for restaurants," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "The new city policy that will land North End restaurants with a $7,500 bill each for outdoor dining is drawing mixed reactions from local politicians. … State Sen. Lydia Edwards, who represents the North End both on Beacon Hill and, for the next couple of months, on the City Council, said she's fine with the move by the city, which would put the cash back into North End-specific services such as cleaning the sidewalks. … The two women running in a special election for City Council to replace Edwards on that body this spring split over the move, with Gigi Coletta in favor and Tania Del Rio against it."

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PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— "GLX opening a major achievement for the T," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "The MBTA on Monday opens the Green Line extension to Somerville, a milestone for the T's riders but perhaps an even greater achievement for the T itself. Six years ago, the MBTA was an agency teetering on the edge of irrelevancy in crisis. It was struggling to bounce back from the Snowmageddon of 2015, which brought the transit authority to its knees. The the Green Line extension project to Somerville and Medford brought the T to its knees in a different way. ... Even as the financial elements of the project came together, state officials were uncertain whether the T could actually get a project of such size done."

— "As Green Line comes in, Union Square residents worry they'll be pushed out," by Katie Johnston, Boston Globe: "The blue-collar workers, immigrants, retirees, and middle-class families who contribute to this dense city's vibrant culture are seeing their apartment buildings sold and landlords raising the rent. With the citywide eviction moratorium that protected residents during the pandemic expiring at the end of April, concerns about displacement are rising."

— "Wu, MBTA each put own spin on fare-free bus results," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "The T kicked off the discussion at a February board meeting, releasing an analysis of the Route 28 fare-free bus experiment as part of a larger presentation on alternative fare approaches. The conclusion was that eliminating fares had boosted ridership 22 percent but two-thirds of those riders — those who had monthly passes or needed to transfer to the subway, commuter rail, or another bus — saved no money. … [Mayor Michelle] Wu's administration released its own analysis of the data this week, claiming ridership on the Route 28 bus went up 38 percent after fares were eliminated and emphasizing that a third of the riders had saved money. Even though the remaining two-thirds of riders did not save money, the city said a survey of riders indicated little disappointment."

WARREN REPORT

— "Sen. Elizabeth Warren points to lower prices for insulin, hearing aids among solutions to crushing healthcare costs," by Aidan Connelly, GBH News: "Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren singled out price caps on insulin as one attainable step toward tackling high costs of prescription drugs in America when she spoke with GBH's Boston Public Radio Friday."

FROM THE 413

— "Holyoke gives city workers bonuses for staying on the job during COVID," by Dennis Hohenberger, Springfield Republican: "City workers collectively will receive over $800,000 in retention bonuses for their dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Joshua A. Garcia and City Council President Todd McGee announced the payouts at a City Hall gathering Friday. The bonuses are tied to federal COVID-19 relief funding awarded to the city."

— "Activists mount hunger strike over planned natural gas plant," by Emily Thurlow, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "On Saturday, Day Five of the hunger strike, [climate activist Sue Donaldson] joined nearly 30 others from all over the state in front of the First Congregational Church in South Hadley to protest the community's contract with the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. as part of a proposed natural gas plant in Peabody. … Donaldson is one of six activists of the climate group 350 Massachusetts who are engaging in a hunger strike for no new fossil fuel infrastructure and review of the Peabody 'peaker' plant, which is designed to run during times of peak demand throughout the year."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— "David Ortiz was targeted by drug kingpin in 2019 shooting, according to Ed Davis's findings," by Bob Hohler, Boston Globe: "Red Sox great David Ortiz was shot point-blank in the back in his native Dominican Republic in 2019 because a notorious international drug kingpin whose path he crossed multiple times wanted him dead, former Boston police commissioner Ed Davis determined after a six-month private investigation into the brazen alleged murder conspiracy. … Davis's findings contradict narratives presented by Dominican law enforcement officials."

— "How one Mass. school board got caught in the culture wars," by Wilder Fleming and Bob Oakes, WBUR: "A WBUR review discovered people have challenged mask mandates in at least one-third of all school districts across the state since last summer. And WBUR found dozens of districts have faced criticism over how teachers discuss race and diversity in the classroom, as well as sex education."

— "New Hampshire released a statewide list of problem police officers. No such list exists in Massachusetts," Brad Petrishen, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "New Hampshire, pursuant to a police-backed bill passed by its Republican leadership, recently released a statewide list of officers its attorney general deemed to have credibility concerns. In Massachusetts, no such list of police officers with proven histories of lying or misconduct has been released, nor does it exist."

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

— SUNUNU FUELS GAS TAX TALK: Gov. Charlie Baker isn't interested in pursuing a gas tax holiday, but fellow Republican Chris Sununu is open to it. "Whether it's a gas tax reprieve or a rooms and meals tax reprieve, we have a very strong budget ... we have a surplus," the New Hampshire governor said on WCVB's "On the Record" over the weekend. "So even if we were to suspend the gas tax, it doesn't mean we're not going to pave the roads."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to UMass Lowell's John Cluverius, Ryanne Olsen and Shane Dunn.

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