News: Receivership could offer silver lining for Wu

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Receivership could offer silver lining for Wu

Mar 23, 2022

PUBLIC SCHOOL POLITICS — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu took her crusade against school receivership straight to the state yesterday, telling the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education that such a move would be "counterproductive" to a district already undergoing a leadership transition and showing some improvement.

But some political watchers say a state takeover of Boston Public Schools might not be the worst thing for Wu politically.

Boston's mayor holds outsize control over education in a city where the school board is appointed, at least for now, and the superintendent is a Cabinet member. That means any superintendent controversy, poorly received school committee decision or late-arriving bus ultimately rests at the mayor's feet. And Wu is about to face even more scrutiny as the city embarks on its third superintendent search in eight years.

Receivership could absolve Wu of those responsibilities and the political pressures that come with them from various unions, parent groups and education advocates. It can also unite all of those players against a common enemy: the state.

"We keep hiring superintendents and increasing head counts," former Boston city councilor and political historian Larry DiCara said. "It's almost impossible to satisfy the various interest groups. … Maybe receivership, as drastic a solution as it might be, is a way for somebody else to make the tough calls."

Talk of receivership is escalating. Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley will begin another review of BPS next week, which could set the stage for state intervention. Education Secretary James Peyser said at yesterday's board meeting that the state has a "constitutional obligation" to intervene in chronically underperforming districts using a variety of tools — including, yes, receivership. The Pioneer Institute, a local think tank, recommended a state takeover of BPS in a recent report. And a BESE board member floated the idea of receivership at a meeting last fall.

Political observers are reluctant to go on the record on the subject — no one wants to be the one saying Wu could or should wash her hands of the troubled district. Right now, community conversations are focused on the effects receivership could have on students and the district — and on stopping a state takeover from even happening. There's also the possibility that Wu could face blame from parents and voters if the state wrests away local control.

Wu's arguments against receivership focus on student outcomes, not politics. And she's expressed a desire to remain on the hook for the schools that serve her two young sons. In reiterating her opposition to an elected school board during a virtual Boston Globe town hall yesterday, Wu said she "believe[s] that we need mayoral accountability" for the school system.

"I have been involved in BPS for over a decade now," Wu told reporters at a different event yesterday. "I'm seeing firsthand just how much energy and commitment to achievement and supporting our young people there is. … I'm also very familiar with the ways that we fall short for our students. And so there's a lot of work to do. We are committed to doing every bit of that."

GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Tips? Scoops? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com.

TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announce a new workforce development program at LabCentral in Cambridge at 10:30 a.m. Polito chairs a Governor's Council meeting at noon. Wu announces a new LGBTQ+ initiative at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall and attends the Chinatown Business Association Lunar New Year Banquet at 7 p.m. Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark tours federally funded projects in Waltham at 10:15 a.m. and Woburn at 11:15 a.m. State House News Service's Katie Lannan moderates a conversation with Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano at 11 a.m. Republican lawmakers hold a press conference on their efforts to suspend the state's gas tax at 11 a.m. outside the State House.

JOIN THURSDAY FOR A CONVERSATION ON CRYPTOCURRENCY AND REGULATION: Cryptocurrency has gone mainstream. With the market now valued at $1.8 trillion, Washington's oversight of the fast-growing industry remains in its infancy. How should Congress and federal agencies shape future regulation of digital asset markets? Join POLITICO in person or virtually for a deep-dive discussion on what's next for crypto, regulation and the future of finance. Programming will run from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. EDT with a reception from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. EDT. REGISTER HERE.

THE LATEST NUMBERS

— "Massachusetts reports rise in new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations tick up," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "The state Department of Public Health reported 773 COVID-19 cases, a 54% increase from 502 infections recorded last Tuesday. … In the state's weekly breakthrough report, the state Department of Public Health reported 2,732 breakthrough infections last week — a 9% jump from the 2,509 fully vaccinated cases during the prior week."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— "Commission calls for limiting police use of facial recognition technology," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "A legislative commission is recommending strict new curbs on the use of facial recognition technology by the police, including requiring a warrant and limiting its use to investigating felony crimes. … But police and prosecutors who sat on the commission say the recommendations go too far in restricting law enforcement. Norwood Police Chief William Brooks, a commission member, said no one is being protected by requiring a police officer to get a warrant just to run a suspect's picture through a facial recognition database."

— "State health officials tout 'surprise billing' law," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "State public health officials are touting a new law set to go into effect this year aimed at preventing 'surprise' billing by health care providers. Gov. Charlie Baker signed the law in 2021 requiring that health care providers tell patients how much they will pay for planned hospital stays, medical procedures, healthcare services and referrals -- based on their individual health plans. The new requirements, which were originally set to go into effect Jan. 1, were delayed amid concerns that they conflict with pending new federal protections. The Baker administration has set a new date of July 31 to implement the law, and wants to make patients and providers aware of their rights and obligations."

— "Baker says he'll try again for funds to boost downtowns post-pandemic," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "[Gov. Charlie] Baker is planning to file a new economic development bill in the coming weeks to help downtowns bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic and the related rise of remote work. He told the Globe he will also address housing and workforce issues in the bill but didn't provide many specifics. He expects the bill would be funded by a combination of sources, including bonding and the $2 billion-plus in American Rescue Plan Act funds the state still has available."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

— "Omicron subvariant now accounts for over half of all COVID-19 cases in New England, CDC says," by Martin Finucane, Daigo Fujiwara and Ryan Huddle, Boston Globe: "The subvariant, known as BA.2, accounted for 55.4 percent of cases in New England as of Saturday, continuing to elbow out other varieties of Omicron."

— "State-run program to provide COVID tests to daycares could expire this summer," by Craig LeMoult, GBH News: "Since last summer, the state has been ramping up a program to provide free COVID tests for thousands of daycare operations, but the contract for that program is up in the summer, and the state has not yet committed to extending it."

FROM THE HUB

— "Group wearing neo-Nazi insignia lined up at St. Patrick's Day parade, drawing outcry," by Gal Tziperman Lotan, Boston Globe: "Elected officials and organizers of South Boston's St. Patrick's Day Parade are decrying the attendance of roughly 20 people wearing neo-Nazi insignia who lined up along the route Sunday, unfurling a banner that read, 'Keep Boston Irish.'"

— "Boston Police defend purchase of surveillance equipment; councilors call for an end to the secrecy," by Shannon Dooling, WBUR: "Boston city councilors on Tuesday peppered leaders from the Boston Police Department with questions about their $627,000 purchase of controversial surveillance equipment using a hidden pot of money. Councilor Julia Mejia demanded the hearing after she and other councilors said they first learned about the purchase in December, when WBUR asked about the transaction. 'The work of our city should not be conducted behind closed doors or without the approval of the voices of the people. This era of secrecy has to end,' Mejia said."

— "Wu reflects on first 100 days — and the road ahead — in wide-ranging Globe town hall," by Gal Tziperman Lotan, Boston Globe: "Housing was a top issue when voters chose Michelle Wu to lead Boston in November and now, the mayor said, it's poised to form the basis of her pandemic recovery plan for the city."

ON THE STUMP

— ENDORSEMENT ALERT: NAACP Boston Branch President Tanisha Sullivan has been endorsed for secretary of state by state Reps. Russell Holmes, Nika Elugardo and Liz Miranda; and Boston City Councilors Julia Mejia, Ruthzee Louijeune, Ricardo Arroyo, Kendra Lara and Tania Fernandes Anderson, per her campaign.

— State Sen. Ed Kennedy has endorsed Margaret Scarsdale for First Middlesex state representative.

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— "MBTA apologizes after CharlieCard Store customers wait hours for help," by WCVB: "A long line of MBTA customers comprised mostly of seniors and disabled riders wrapped around the Downtown Crossing station in Boston on Tuesday. The riders waited in line for hours to get transactions done at the MBTA's CharlieCard Store located at the station. … The MBTA's website says the issues are due to workforce availability."

DON'T MISS POLITICO'S INAUGURAL HEALTH CARE SUMMIT ON 3/31: Join POLITICO for a discussion with health care providers, policymakers, federal regulators, patient representatives, and industry leaders to better understand the latest policy and industry solutions in place as we enter year three of the pandemic. Panelists will discuss the latest proposals to overcome long-standing health care challenges in the U.S., such as expanding access to care, affordability, and prescription drug prices. REGISTER HERE.

DAY IN COURT

— "Former Mass. advocate for the deaf sued Baker, charging he was fired to give governor 'political cover.' A federal judge tossed the case," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "A federal judge this month dismissed a lawsuit the state's former chief advocate for the deaf filed against Governor Charlie Baker, ruling that Massachusetts law gave Baker's administration 'broad discretion' in terminating him after it investigated his ties to a fraternity where members wore robes resembling Ku Klux Klan garb. But in throwing out Steven A. Florio's lawsuit, US District Court Judge Indira Talwani acknowledged the series of events had also left the former head of the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in a 'difficult position.' He was afforded no formal hearing to clear his name even after state officials cited other reasons for firing him in October 2020, effectively precluding him from 'debunking any misconceptions' about his termination, she wrote."

— "Miguel Estrada, former elected official in Southbridge, stole $10K from parade fund, authorities say," by Anoushka Dalmia, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "A former Southbridge town councilor allegedly stole about $10,000 that had been raised for the Hispanic Parade and Festival. Miguel Estrada, 52, was arraigned in Dudley District Court Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty to a charge or larceny over $250 by a single scheme."

— "'Travesty of justice': Victim slams judge for delays in Jasiel Correia imprisonment," by Tim White, WPRI: "A man who lost tens of thousands of dollars to convicted former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia sent a scathing letter to a federal judge criticizing him for granting Correia multiple delays in reporting to prison."

FROM THE DELEGATION

— "Moulton bill targets Russian oligarchs' mega yachts," by Christian M. Wade, Gloucester Daily Times: "Mega yachts belonging to oligarchs with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin could be seized and resold by the federal government under a proposal filed by Congressman Seth Moulton and several other lawmakers. The proposal, filed in the U.S. House of Representatives, would require that any Russian yachts, mega-mansions or other assets seized under U.S. sanctions would be reallocated to humanitarian assistance and reconstruction in war-torn Ukraine. Moulton is co-sponsoring the bill — dubbed the Yachts for Ukraine Act — with fellow Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass."

— "'Ukrainians are fighting to win': Rep. Lynch visits refugees in Poland," by Marilyn Schairer, GBH News: "Massachusetts Rep. Stephen Lynch is leading a congressional delegation this week to Poland, Romania, Moldova and nearby countries that border Ukraine. … Lynch called GBH News from Chișinău, the capital city of Moldova, to share what he's seen on the ground, offer praise to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, explain his opposition to a no-fly zone over Ukraine and relay the spirit in Ukrainian fighters."

— FROM THE FRONT LINES: Rep. Lori Trahan , who is part of the delegation Lynch is leading through Eastern Europe, said the second leg of the trip included a meetings with Romania's prime minister and with U.S. and NATO forces at an air base. The delegation also visited another border crossing for refugees.

"To stand on Ukrainian soil with my colleagues was a moment I'll never forget," Trahan tweeted , adding in a statement that "it's clear that folks on the ground need the refugee assistance funds from the aid package signed into law last week without delay."

RUSSIA-UKRAINE

— "Sisitsky condemns Putin in letter to Framingham's Russian sister city," by Abby Patkin, MetroWest Daily News: "Responding to calls to dissolve Framingham's sister city relationship with a Russian community, Mayor Charlie Sisitsky announced on Monday that he has written to his counterpart in Lomonosov to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine."

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

— "As hunger strike continues, leaders push for review," by Dustin Luca, Salem News: "A hunger strike opposing a new oil-and-gas powered 'peaker' plant in Peabody has enlisted some legislative muscle as the strike hits its ninth day. Opponents to the plant and environmental advocates held a protest in front of Peabody District Court Tuesday afternoon, the eighth day of the strike. The event included the support of state Rep. Sally Kearns, D-Danvers, and state Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, who represents several communities in the area."

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

— "'Impact fee' on recreational pot shops is canceled until the city finds any impacts it needs to pay for," by Marc Levy, Cambridge Day: "An annual city 'impact fee' that would take 3 percent of all revenue from recreational cannabis shops was dropped Monday, with city councillors agreeing that the money would be of minimal help to the city while putting a significant hurt on a new class of small businesses."

THE LOWELL CONNECTOR

— "Tom Golden will be only interviewee for Lowell city manager," by Jacob Vitali, Lowell Sun: "State Rep. Tom Golden will be the only candidate from a pool of 14 applicants to receive an interview for the soon-to-be-vacant city manager position. … The decision to have him be the sole interviewee for the job was an 11-0 decision by members of the Lowell City Council."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— EVERYTHING'S CHANGING: Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. will step down on May 31 after more than eight years in office. Augustus didn't immediately say where he's headed in a statement or interviews yesterday. But his departure comes amid other major leadership shakeups in the state's second-largest city, with Worcester Public Schools searching for a new superintendent and Mayor Joe Petty running for state Senate.

— "More eviction filings seen in nonwhite neighborhoods, report finds," by Steph Solis, Boston Business Journal: "In the year since the state's eviction moratorium lifted, landlords filed nearly twice as many eviction filings per renter in predominantly nonwhite neighborhoods than in mostly white areas, according to a report released Tuesday by housing advocates and MIT researchers. The report by the Homes for All Massachusetts coalition analyzed 33,000 eviction filings between October 2020, when the state's moratorium lapsed, and October 2021. It found racial and class-based disparities that already shaped the state's housing crisis worsened during the pandemic. Researchers found higher numbers of eviction filings not only in predominantly nonwhite neighborhoods, but among foreign-born renters and single mothers."

— "Mass. tops list of states with the most college closures," by Grant Welker, Boston Business Journal: "Massachusetts has already seen a series of college closures, and a new ranking puts the state in an unwelcome position: No. 1 on a list of most shuttered campuses of any state since 2016."

— "Telehealth abortion is 'revolutionizing' service in some states, including Mass.," by Meghan Smith and Hannah Reale, GBH News: "Until just a few months ago, anyone seeking an abortion on Martha's Vineyard would have to leave the island. But that's changed with a recent expansion of telehealth abortions, which offers a new option to people on the Massachusetts island and others across the country who face barriers to accessing abortion care."

— "Cambridge high schooler's homework assignment to list 'positive effects of imperialism' goes viral," by Naomi Martin, Boston Globe: "Calla Walsh, a high school senior, grew outraged Tuesday morning when she saw the history assignment her younger sister, a freshman at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, was working on. The worksheet asked students to read a text about the colonization of Africa and complete a table with two columns — one for the 'Positive Effects of Imperialism' and one for the 'Negative Effects of Imperialism.'"

TRANSITIONS — Boston's Sean O'Brien , a fourth-generation Teamster who worked his way up to president of Local 25, has been sworn in as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters president.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to state Sen. Paul Feeney.

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.

Follow us on Twitter