News: A different kind of Hub

Monday, May 16, 2022

A different kind of Hub

May 16, 2022

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By Lisa Kashinsky

Presented by

With help from Madison Fernandez

MEDICAL CENTER — Massachusetts is already a medical mecca. Now a bipartisan group of the state's most influential current and former politicians is hoping to take that status to the next level.

Gov. Charlie Baker, Rep. Richard Neal, UMass President Marty Meehan and MassBio CEO Joe Boncore are spearheading an effort to make Massachusetts the headquarters for the new Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health.

The Biden administration proposed the agency — also known as ARPA-H, but not to be confused with the federal Covid-19 relief package with a similar acronym — to deliver breakthrough treatments for Alzheimer's, diabetes, cancer and other diseases. After some squabbling about its structure, ARPA-H secured a $1 billion down payment from the feds.

Now it needs a home. And Massachusetts pols are making the case that it should be here. Boncore, a former state senator, hailed the state's "incredible life sciences ecosystem." Baker said the Bay State's status as a "global hub for health care research, life sciences, and academia" makes it "a highly attractive place" for ARPA-H's HQ.

To really sell the Bay State will take work. Several states are expected to vie to play host to ARPA-H. A coalition of hospital systems, research institutions and chambers of commerce is already building a case for Texas. And a major champion of the research initiative with Massachusetts ties, Eric Lander, resigned from the Biden administration earlier this year amid reports of bullying.

But those behind the emerging Massachusetts coalition cite state investments in life sciences, education and workforce training; high demand for lab space and record-breaking increases in venture-capital funding in biopharma as key selling points.

"Massachusetts is an international hub for medical research and development, which is why our state is the best location for ARPA-H," Neal said in a statement. "I am eager to make this a reality."

GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu says the Supreme Court justices poised to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision are a "fringe group" at odds with the majority of the country.

The fiery remark came in response to a question on WCVB's "On the Record" about whether the mayor — who regularly faces protesters outside her home and got an ordinance passed to restrict targeted picketing outside residences — thought people should be demonstrating outside justices' homes.

The demonstrators outside Wu's home "did not change my mind about what I was trying to do," she said. "I think it's a sad reflection on where we are that so many feel that this is the only way to make a difference and in this case, we have a fringe group of unelected individuals about to overturn five decades of settled law that the majority of this country believes should stay in place. And so we are really at desperate times for our democracy."

Thousands of people descended on the Boston Common and gathered across the state on Saturday to protest the draft majority opinion published by POLITICO that shows the Supreme Court would strike down Roe, a day after leading abortion-rights advocates unveiled new efforts to expand and protect access to reproductive services in the Bay State.

TODAY — Wu speaks at the Boston EMS recruit graduation at 11 a.m. at Faneuil Hall. Rep. Lori Trahan touts federal infrastructure investments at 11:30 a.m. at Fitchburg City Hall.

Tips? Scoops? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com.

A message from PhRMA:

Thousands of scientists in Massachusetts are creating ground-breaking treatments to fight everything from the common cold to cancer. Gov. Charlie Baker's bill would let the government set prices on medications, limiting the amount of research scientists can do to create cures. More importantly, it might make some medications harder to get. Gov. Baker: let the scientists do their jobs, don't discriminate against patients, and stop threatening access to medications. Go to SupportMassCures.com to learn more.

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— "Spilka says she 'would have voted yes' had sports betting bill gone to roll call," by Rebecca Tauber, GBH News: "At the end of April, the Massachusetts Senate passed a sports betting bill via a voice vote. Having faced criticism around the lack of transparency in voice votes, which don't show the public how individual lawmakers would vote, Senate President Karen Spilka told Boston Public Radio Friday that she would have voted yes had the vote been a roll call."

— " Advocates unveil plans to bolster abortion access for influx of women seeking abortions from out-of-state," by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: "Known as the 'Beyond Roe Coalition,' the advocacy groups want to position Massachusetts as a leader in providing affordable reproductive care of all kinds and recognizing abortion as health care. One recommendation calls for passage of legislation requiring 'full-spectrum pregnancy care' — insurance coverage for abortion but also for prenatal and postpartum care with no out-of-pocket costs, recognizing that steep deductibles and copayments make reproductive care inaccessible for many people, particularly people of color."

— More: "More abortion protections for Mass. residents: Senate working with AG Maura Healey's office at strengthening law," by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: "The Ashland Democrat did not delve into specific legislation during a GBH interview, though [Senate President Karen] Spilka confirmed her chamber is evaluating 'language' with reproductive advocates and Attorney General Maura Healey's office."

— "State workforce shrinks to 2012 levels," by Shira Schoenberg, Commonwealth Magazine: "Massachusetts state government lost the equivalent of 1,409 full-time employees in one year during the pandemic, the steepest drop in state government employment since the Baker administration intentionally cut the state workforce in 2016. The drop was felt most heavily in higher education but also extended to executive and judicial branch agencies."

— "How one state representative is stymying Harvard's Allston plans," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "He is sidelining a Harvard-funded storm drain project in Allston, and holding up its efforts to develop land across from its business school. And now he's taking Harvard to task for not sharing more details about plans to build above the future path of the Mass. Pike, in the former Beacon Park railyard. Unfortunately for the world's wealthiest university, all roads on the Boston side of the Charles lead through state Representative Mike Moran."

— "Senate Republicans renew push for tax cuts in budget," by Christian M. Wade, Newburyport News: "[T]he Senate's GOP minority has filed a laundry list of amendments to the budget calling for a temporary suspension of the state's .24-cent per gallon gas tax, lowering the capital gains business tax to 5%, overhauling the estate or 'death' tax, and doubling the circuit breaker tax credit for senior citizens. The proposals mirror parts of a $700 million tax relief package filed by [Gov. Charlie] Baker alongside his preliminary budget plan."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

— "Baker urges speedy FDA review of Moderna COVID vaccine for kids," by Shira Schoenberg, Commonwealth Magazine: "Gov. Charlie Baker wrote a letter to President Biden urging the US Food and Drug Administration to quickly consider approving Moderna's application for a COVID-19 vaccine for children."

— "Cambridge leads new COVID surge as cases spike across Massachusetts; Search how your community compares ," by Will Katcher, MassLive: "A surge in COVID-19 cases across Massachusetts has brought the pandemic to its fastest-spreading point in the state since early February, Department of Public Health data shows."

— "Worcester issues indoors mask advisory as COVID cases surge ," by Tom Matthews, MassLive.

— "Walensky, Jha praise graduates Saturday for resiliency during pandemic," by John Hilliard, Boston Globe: "Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, applauded graduating seniors at Worcester Polytechnic Institute for their resiliency as they experienced 'unprecedented times' during the pandemic. … About an hour earlier, at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House's coronavirus response coordinator, encouraged graduates to not let the prospect of failure deter them."

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FROM THE HUB

— "School takeovers by the state haven't worked, Globe analysis shows," by Bianca Vázquez Toness and Christopher Huffaker, Boston Globe: "As Massachusetts considers taking control of Boston Public Schools, evidence suggests the state has failed to make meaningful progress in turning around much smaller districts it currently oversees. A Globe analysis of test scores, graduation rates, college enrollment, and a dozen other metrics in Lawrence, Holyoke, and Southbridge shows the state has failed to meet almost all its stated goals for the districts. There was little or no improvement in English and science scores on the mandated Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exams, or MCAS. Attendance rates have barely budged. Math scores and graduation rates improved in some districts, but only to a point and they still remain below average."

— "14 shelters in Boston, Lawrence for homeless and women escaping abuse closing after state pulls funding," by Paul Burton, WBZ: "[Veernon Blessing, Interim Executive Director of the Casa Nueva Vida,] says due to past mismanagement from their former leader, the state decided last month to pull its funding and not to renew the $7 million contract that funds all 14 of their locations in Boston and in Lawrence. On June 30, they will have to close down."

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— WU TRAIN: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said on WCVB's "On the Record" on Sunday that the federal safety investigation of the MBTA isn't a blow to her fare-free transit cause — it's another reason for it.

"The fact that we are where we are with systemwide questions about safety is directly connected to how we finance that system. It has not been working for a long, long time to put that cost on the backs of riders — we don't generate enough funds doing so. And especially during the pandemic as ridership has gone down, systems across the country have been struggling to figure out 'How do we pay for basic service when we can't get it all from riders?' That has resulted in Boston in deferred maintenance for decades," she said. "Frankly many of these safety issues could have been avoided if we had been maintaining our trains, cars and tracks much earlier. And so we need to rethink how we truly fund and hold up this system and fund it like the public good that it is."

— More: "MBTA safety board to discuss federal probe," by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: "An 'FTA Safety Management Inspection update' is at the top of the agenda for Monday's MBTA Safety, Health and Environment subcommittee meeting, which will be held virtually at 11 a.m."

— And more: "Watch: What does new federal oversight of MBTA say about Gov. Baker's stewardship over the T?" by GBH News.

— "'The pay isn't there'; Between low pay and dwindling numbers, union says the state's Transit Police is in trouble," by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive: "The head of the union representing police officers at the MBTA Transit Police Department says low base salaries are leading to retention issues that have resulted in the force operating at two-thirds strength."

— "Free ride may — or may not — be over on WRTA buses as group urges permanent zero fares," by Cyrus Moulton, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "Fare-free bus rides are scheduled to end at the close of the year, and members of the Zero Fare Coalition visited Tuesday's City Council meeting with concerns that their message to continue free Worcester Regional Transit Authority service will not be heard."

A message from PhRMA:

ON THE STUMP

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Sydney Levin-Epstein has been endorsed for Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester state senator by Teamsters Local 122, per her campaign.

— NEW this AM: The Massachusetts Nurses Association has endorsed state Sen. Diana DiZoglio for state auditor, per her campaign.

— "Representative Katherine Clark backs Maura Healey in race for governor ," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Congresswoman Katherine Clark, the House's assistant speaker, said Friday she is backing Attorney General Maura Healey in Massachusetts' gubernatorial race, making her the first member of the state's Washington delegation to wade into the two-way primary."

THE CLARK CAUCUS

— "Representative Clark talks child protection with Paris Hilton in DC," by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "United States Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark on Friday tweeted out photos of a meeting she had in Washington, D.C., with hotel heiress and reality star Paris Hilton, who came to the Beltway this week to advocate for children abused in residential facilities and to push for prevention measures. '@ParisHilton and I are committed to protecting kids in abusive situations,' tweeted Clark, a Revere Democrat, above pictures of her and Hilton standing together outside the Capitol."

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FROM THE 413

— "Employees at Trader Joe's in Hadley look to form union," by Bera Dunau, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Employees at the Trader Joe's in Hadley are attempting to form a union, which if successful would make their workplace the first unionized Trader Joe's in the country."

— "Veterans Affairs secretary acknowledges recommendation to close Northampton hospital was based on incomplete data," by Will Katcher, MassLive: "The top official in the Department of Veterans Affairs said in a phone call with Massachusetts Rep. James McGovern that the recommendation to close a veterans hospital in Northampton was based on incomplete data, according to a readout of the call provided by the congressman's office."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— "Multiple attorneys, the ACLU and even the drafter wanted controversial Mansfield town meeting proposal dropped," by Tom Reilly, The Sun Chronicle: "It's not often that a humble town meeting article raises the interest of the American Civil Liberties Union. But a proposal for Thursday's town meeting that had intended to ban the teaching of 'divisive concepts' on race and sexuality in local public schools was the topic of a six-page letter from the Massachusetts chapter of the group that challenged it 'as sharply at odds with free speech protections' in the state and federal constitutions."

— " ACLU sues after counterprotesters ticketed in Lynn," by Julie Manganis, Salem News: "The Massachusetts chapter of the ACLU has filed suit against the state police on behalf of two people ticketed and ordered to leave during a counter-protest in Lynn last November."

— "Brookline teachers to strike Monday after weekend negotiations with School Committee fail," by Andrew Brinker and Charlie McKenna, Boston Globe: "The town's public school teachers will go on strike Monday and schools will be closed after weekend negotiation sessions with the district's School Committee failed to yield an agreement on a new contract."

— " Leaked video shows Everett councilor making racially insensitive comments, adding to mounting backlash," by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: "A leaked recording of a private Zoom meeting among city officials shows Councilor Anthony DiPierro joking about recruiting Black people to public events to insulate themselves politically against charges of racism. … The video has inflamed already tense relations in a city awash in scandals, where city leaders have faced mounting criticism for weeks. To many residents, it has also affirmed suspicions that nothing will be done to address a persistent undercurrent of casual racism."

— "Settlement efforts in Natick eBay harassment case have stalled. What's next?" by Norman Miller, MetroWest Daily News: "After three months of negotiations, a Natick couple who say they were ruthlessly harassed by eBay employees and the online auction house have failed to reach a settlement. In a filing in U.S. District Court earlier this week, Rosemary Scapicchio, lawyer for Ina and David Steiner, said talks with lawyers for eBay and the other named defendants have stalled. She said her clients are going forward with the case."

— "Senator Velis weighs in on baby formula shortage," by Kristin Burnell and Olivia Hickey, Western Mass News: "The struggle to find baby formula is continuing nationwide and is hitting close to home for Massachusetts Senator John Velis. He told Western Mass News there are a few contributing factors leading to the shortage."

A message from PhRMA:

Massachusetts is a booming biotech ecosystem. Its scientists and researchers are developing ground-breaking treatments to fight everything from the common cold to cancer.

Gov. Charlie Baker's bill imposes government prices on medications, which would then limit the amount of research scientists can do to create lifesaving treatments. By setting medication prices, it also means politicians decide which patients and diseases are more important than others.

State bureaucrats should not be playing doctor. When the government imposes artificial prices from the top-down, some patients can lose access to their medications. Seniors, the disabled, and the chronically ill are most vulnerable to these policies.

Gov. Baker: let the scientists and doctors do their jobs, don't discriminate against patients, and stop threatening access to medications. Go to SupportMassCures.com to learn more.

MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND

— "Michael Neary drops out of Rhode Island congressional race," by Edward Fitzpatrick, Boston Globe: "Michael Neary, the Rhode Island congressional candidate charged with menacing the motorists he followed for 70 miles in Ohio, announced on Friday that he is dropping out of the race. In a phone call from Columbus, Ohio, Neary told the Globe he has been experiencing non-epileptic seizures, and his decision is based on his 'medical and mental health.'"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Christian Scorzoni, the Lowell Sun's Alana Melanson, Emma Rothschild and Alvin Gunnion. Happy belated to Samuel Greer, who celebrated Saturday.

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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