News : Endorsements rev up as gas tax stalls, again

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Endorsements rev up as gas tax stalls, again

May 26, 2022

PROGRAMMING NOTE: Massachusetts Playbook will not publish on Friday, May 27 or Monday, May 30. I'll be back in your inbox on Tuesday, May 31.

'TIS THE CAMPAIGN SEASON — If you didn't know the MassDems convention is coming up next week, the glut of endorsements should give it away. Here are a few more, first in Playbook, for those keeping score:

NURSES FOR HEALEY — The Massachusetts Nurses Association has endorsed Maura Healey for governor, adding to the two-term attorney general's growing list of union support.

The daughter of a union nurse, Healey "has always had an open door for frontline healthcare workers," MNA President Katie Murphy said in a statement. "She actively listens to our concerns, empathizes with the challenges we face, and works hard to help nurses and healthcare professionals provide quality care for our patients."

MNA also highlighted Healey's early support of last year's St. Vincent Hospital nurses' strike and her opposition to hospital consolidation as reasons why she secured the group's backing. MNA, which represents more than 24,000 nurses and health care professionals, marks Healey's 16th union endorsement

LAWMAKERS FOR DRISCOLL — Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll is one of only two people running for lieutenant governor who's not a sitting state legislator. But she's certainly racking up support on Beacon Hill.

Driscoll already has House Speaker Ron Mariano's backing. Now she has former Speaker Bob DeLeo in her corner, as well as state Reps. Kate Hogan, Jerry Parisella, Adrian Madaro, Dan Ryan, Jack Patrick Lewis, Jon Zlotnik, Paul Donato, Linda Dean Campbell, John Rogers, Tom Walsh, Sarah Peake, Jessica Giannino, Jamie Belsito, Alice Peisch and Rich Haggerty, per her campaign.

Boston City Council President Ed Flynn and Councilor Kenzie Bok are also among Driscoll's 75 new endorsers. So are the mayors of Methuen, Malden and Lowell, former Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jay Gonzalez, former state treasurer Shannon O'Brien and Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins.

GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Key Senate Democrats vowed Wednesday to debate a "robust" tax relief package. But they offered no clear timeline for when that would happen or what that legislation would include as they struck down a Republican-led push to suspend the state's gas tax and pass other tax breaks as part of the budget.

Senate Democrats leaned on President Karen Spilka's pledge to pursue tax relief after the budget. They questioned whether drivers would see meaningful savings at the gas pump. And, in a potential warning sign for Gov. Charlie Baker, Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues argued against slashing the short-term capital gains tax rate from 12 percent to 5 percent, one of several elements of the governor's $700 million tax proposal that Republicans included in their budget amendment.

But Minority Leader Bruce Tarr — using a series of props including charts and different-sized burlap sacks representing the billions of dollars in the budget versus the "IOU" he said lawmakers were giving taxpayers — reminded his colleagues that "money bills" have to originate in the House, and that Mariano, the House speaker, has been even more vague on tax relief than Spilka.

Tax relief saw some bipartisan support in the chamber. Seven Democrats — state Sens. Barry Finegold, Michael Brady, Nick Collins, Anne Gobi, Walter Timilty, John Velis and Marc Pacheco — joined the three Republicans in voting for the package. But that's one fewer Democrat than supported Republicans' last push to suspend the gas tax in March.

The math may not be on Republicans' side in another way: A March study from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, a lobbying group for roadbuilders, found that on average "just 18 percent of an increase, or decrease, in state gasoline tax rates is passed through to motorists in the retail price of gasoline in the two weeks after a change takes effect." That's based on 177 changes in gas tax rates in 34 states between 2013 and 2021.

State Sen. Bruce Tarr holds a prop during the Senate budget debate1

Massachusetts Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr uses props to back up his argument for tax relief during the Senate budget debate on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO

TODAY — Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito participate in the 13th annual Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund Memorial Day ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on the Boston Common. Baker is on GBH News' "Boston Public Radio" at 1 p.m. Mariano speaks at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Forum at 10 a.m. at the Westin Waterfront. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu delivers the Bunker Hill Community College commencement address at 10:30 a.m. and attends an AAPI Heritage Month banquet in Chinatown at 5:15 p.m.

THIS WEEKEND — Rep. Stephen Lynch is on WBZ's "Keller @ Large" at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Attorney general hopeful Quentin Palfrey is on WCVB's "On the Record" at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Tips? Scoops? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com. And a big thank you to my editor, Ryan McCrimmon, for all of his meticulous line edits and late nights dealing with my fudged deadlines (including, fittingly, for our final edition together). Best of luck in your next adventure, you'll be missed!

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

— "Boston health officials urge COVID precautions during Memorial Day weekend, Massachusetts virus cases drop 22%," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "The Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Wednesday reported 3,084 new COVID cases, down 22% from last Wednesday's total of 3,948 infections, but the risk for COVID remains high ahead of the holiday weekend full of parties."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— SPEAKER'S SPEECH: When House Speaker Ron Mariano addresses the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce later this morning, he's expected to "reflect on the past year and highlight pending legislative items he's hoping to address in this session, as well as in future legislation sessions, such as early education and child care," per his spokesperson. No word on whether he'll talk tax relief.

— BUDGET WATCH: The gas tax holiday may have flamed out again, but several key amendments did make it through on the second day of the Senate's budget debate, including one from state Sen. Cindy Friedman, and backed by abortion-rights groups, that would simplify access to emergency contraception and protect reproductive and gender-affirming care providers from other states' stricter laws.

Senators also passed an amendment from state Sen. Eric Lesser, who's running for lieutenant governor, that woulddouble security grant funding for places of worship and other community centers at increased risk for hate crimes or other attacks; one from state Sen. Michael Moore that would create a new child welfare commission; and one from state Sen. John Velis that would make veterans discharged under the now-repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy eligible for state veterans' benefits.

— "House will vote on sexting, revenge porn bill," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "Five years after Gov. Charlie Baker first proposed new laws addressing sexting and revenge porn, the Legislature is prepared to consider the legislation. The House plans to vote Thursday on a bill that would address the unauthorized distribution of sexually explicit material. The bill has two major pieces. One would create a diversionary framework for minors caught sexting and the other would criminalize revenge porn."

— "Uvalde shooting triggers closer look at gun laws; Massachusetts lawmakers 'extremely proud' but say they will review additional reforms," by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive: "House Speaker Ronald Mariano said he is 'extremely proud' of Massachusetts' gun laws Wednesday — considered some of the tightest in the nation — while Senate President Karen Spilka said her branch would take a look at potential reforms in the wake of a Texas school shooting that left 19 children and two teachers dead. … At least one bill under consideration at the State House would ban the production of assault weapons in the state, which Spilka said she would 'look into the language of the bill.' … The Legislature gave the Judiciary Committee until June 30 to make a final decision on the bill sponsored by Reps. Marjorie Decker, Frank Moran and Sen. Cynthia Creem. Some lawmakers have also signaled an interest in addressing the production of ghost guns — firearms that are 3D-printed and untraceable."

"Every week there's a shooting we're horrified by. … But I'm not going to give up on the fact that it's not inevitable," Decker told Playbook, adding that while her bills await their committee reports, "there's always hope" they'll move forward.

— "'It's opening up the doors': Advocates push to make remote participation in public meetings permanent," by John Hilliard, Boston Globe: "Now that cities and towns across Massachusetts are holding many meetings in person again, there's a growing movement — among proponents of open government, advocates for people with disabilities, and elected officials — to continue virtual access to local boards and commissions."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

— "Federally-backed 'test-to-treat' COVID testing sites setting up in Massachusetts in coming weeks in bid to get Paxlovid to more Americans," by Will Katcher, MassLive: "Federally-operated sites allowing Americans who test positive for COVID-19 to immediately receive a medical assessment and be prescribed the antiviral drug Paxlovid if needed will set up in Massachusetts in the coming weeks as the White House seeks to expand access to the potentially-lifesaving medication."

FROM THE HUB

— "Local leaders promised change after George Floyd's death. 2 years later, the work is unfinished," by Deborah Becker, WBUR: "George Floyd's death two years ago sparked calls for change at police departments across the country, including in Massachusetts. Both the state and the city of Boston vowed to increase their oversight of police officers and better address complaints after Floyd was killed under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer. … But today, the efforts largely remain a work in progress. And some activists say much more needs to be done. 'Reforms have been implemented at a much slower pace than I would have hoped for,' said activist Jamarhl Crawford, who served on the Boston Police Reform Task Force. 'Two years ago, police reform was first and foremost on people's minds, but now I think some of that enthusiasm and fervor has waned.'"

— "School shooting adds urgency as Wu seeks to curb summer violence," by Ivy Scott, Boston Globe: "Appearing somber but determined, over a dozen city employees, public safety officials, clergy, and community workers gathered Wednesday to present Mayor Michelle Wu's plan to prevent violence this summer by connecting at-risk youths and their families to programs and social services."

— "Debate around rent control heating up at Boston City Hall," by Catherine Carlock, Boston Globe: "Nearly 300 people tuned into a virtual listening session Tuesday night for the city of Boston's new rent stabilization committee, launching public debate on a controversial policy that has been banned in Massachusetts since 1994. At the 90-minute meeting — which had twice been rescheduled — tenant advocates contended rent control can reduce evictions and keep a lid on rents that rank among the nation's highest. Others, however, said rent control would hurt small landlords, and the city's housing stock."

— "Employees at America's Test Kitchen move to unionize in Boston's Seaport district," by Tori Bedford, GBH News: "A supermajority of non-management staffers on Tuesday delivered a letter to management demanding higher base pay and salary transparency, lower health insurance premiums and efforts to address 'structural inequities' that they say lead to high turnover and understaffing."

— "Boston secures measures to crack down on school bus driver absences in new union contract deal," by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: "As part of an effort to ensure all of Boston's school buses are on the road daily, drivers will no longer be able to take off time — without advanced warning or permission — under a new contract between their union and the school system's transportation vendor."

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PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— "MBTA rejects bids for Quincy bus garage," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "The MBTA rejected the bids for construction of a new Quincy garage and maintenance facility for electric buses after the initial two submissions came in at amounts that far exceeded projections. T officials said they were reviewing their options, including going through another bid process after scaling back the cost of the 350,000-square-foot project, which is spread out over three floors and includes rooftop solar panels, lockers and training rooms, and offices."

DAY IN COURT

— "Healey sues PFAS manufacturers," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "Attorney General Maura Healey has filed a lawsuit against 13 manufacturers of PFAS chemicals, arguing that they deceptively marketed and sold chemicals that were dangerous to the environment and to individuals' health. She also sued two companies she alleges shielded the manufacturers' assets through corporate transactions designed to avoid legal liability."

ON THE STUMP

— ENDORSEMENT ALERT: Our Revolution Massachusetts has endorsed NAACP Boston Branch President Tanisha Sullivan for secretary of state. Secretary of State Bill Galvin declined to return the group's questionnaire and was therefore ineligible for its. endorsement.

— CAMPAIGN LAUNCH: The MassGOP is encouraging people to attend the campaign launch of Hamilton Rodrigues, a Canton Republican challenging Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch, on Saturday — raising eyebrows of some in the party after Rodrigues was the subject of a recent Brockton Enterprise article headlined: "GOP candidate for Congress hurls racial slurs at Brockton activist in text exchange."

Party Chair Jim Lyons said he's fully behind Rodrigues "because he understands the hypocrisy of the left and the hypocrisy of the media." Lyons went on to question why the media was covering a private text exchange when, in his view, the press largely gave Monica Cannon-Grant , a Black, Boston-based activist, a "free pass" after she made crude public statements about Black GOP candidate Rayla Campbell's interracial marriage in 2020. Cannon-Grant is now indicted for fraud. Campbell is the MassGOP's endorsed candidate for secretary of state.

FROM THE 413

— "Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders skips Holyoke Soldiers' Home during Western Massachusetts tour," by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: "During a rare visit to Western Massachusetts on Wednesday, the state's health and human services secretary, Marylou Sudders, did not stop at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke, where 84 veterans died in the early months of the coronavirus pandemic. Sudders was among the defendants who settled a $56 million federal lawsuit with victims of the outbreak just two weeks ago and was admonished, along with Gov. Charlie Baker, for mishandling management of the home in a report released in late April by the state Office of the Inspector General."

— "The North Adams City Council moved to give the mayor a raise of nearly $10,000," by Greta Jochem, Berkshire Eagle: "The City Council on Tuesday took an initial vote, without debate, to pass a compensation plan that would include a nearly $10,000 raise to the mayor's salary. If approved with a second vote at a future meeting, the mayor's pay would increase from $88,470 to $98,000 on July 1, the start of the next fiscal year."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— "Somerville City Council to consider legal protections for trans people," by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: "The Somerville City Council will be presented a draft resolution and ordinance which one councilor-at-large told the Herald may be the first of its kind in the commonwealth. 'I will be submitting a resolution, that was co-sponsored by Councilor (Charlotte) Kelly, and an ordinance to the Somerville City Council that requires our city's police to not comply with any out-of-state requests for investigations, arrests, detaining, or information-sharing on the basis of having received or facilitated gender-affirming health care,' Councilor-at-Large Willie Burnley Jr. told the Herald."

— "Boston Logan International Airport gun detections up this year, 5 firearms found in the last week," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "TSA officers have been finding more guns with passengers at Boston Logan International Airport so far this year, including five firearms in just the last week. Officers at Logan have now detected a total of 12 firearms at security checkpoints this year — 10 of which were loaded."

— "Sanders, Graham set to square off in new debate series," by Alexander Bolton, The Hill: "Liberal firebrand Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Trump-allied Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) are set to square off next month in a policy debate at a full-size replica of the United States Senate in Boston."

MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND

— "RI becomes 19th state to legalize recreational marijuana," by Sarah Doiron and Steph Machado, WPRI: "Recreational marijuana is officially legal in Rhode Island, with adults over 21 now allowed to possess, use and grow cannabis."

TRANSITIONS — President Joe Biden has nominated Chelsea police chief and Massachusetts Major City Police Chiefs Association President Brian Kyes as U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to state Rep. Sally Kerans, Rachel Pollak, Hana Veselka Vizcarra, Sunny Lee, Allison Davis Tuck and Brendan Deady.

HAPPY LONG BIRTHWEEKEND — to Melissa Ludtke and Brian Choquet, who celebrate Friday; to Alan Khazei, Rich Thuma, Jeff Santos and Ellen Weinstein Pildis, who celebrate Saturday; to state Rep. Michelle Ciccolo, attorney general candidate Shannon Liss-Riordan, Charles River Esplanade Executive Director Michael Nichols and GBH's Matt Baskin, who celebrate Sunday; and to Monday birthday-ers CNN's Eric Levenson, Senate Ways & Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, Bill Fonda and Wes Ritchie.

NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: SURVEY SAYS — Boston Globe reporter Samantha J. Gross walks hosts Jennifer Smith, Steve Koczela and Lisa Kashinsky through a Senate-commissioned survey that found staffers experienced discrimination and harassment. Gina Plata-Nino, co-chair of the Hunger Free Campus Coalition, discusses legislation to combat food insecurity. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.

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