News : It’s an Andrea Campbell pile-on

Thursday, May 12, 2022

It’s an Andrea Campbell pile-on

May 12, 2022

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KNIVES OUT — With a lackluster fundraising month behind them and the Democratic nominating convention just three weeks away, attorney general candidates Shannon Liss-Riordan and Quentin Palfrey are lobbing new attacks against polling and fundraising leader Andrea Campbell.

Liss-Riordan is accusing Campbell of another "flip-flop," this time over safe consumption sites. As a candidate for Boston mayor last year, Campbell said she supported supervised drug consumption spaces in a questionnaire sponsored by the three Boston-based chapters of Progressive Massachusetts. But when asked in another Progressive Massachusetts questionnaire for attorney general candidates this year whether she'd support legalizing safe consumption sites, Campbell wrote "NO."

"Safe consumption sites must be part of our strategy to save lives and help get people on the road to recovery from addiction," Liss-Riordan said in a statement shared first with Playbook.

Palfrey's latest salvo against Campbell is more convoluted.

Palfrey is calling on the MassINC Polling Group to stop running polls that are funded by Education Reform Now Advocacy, or to at least add a better disclaimer about who's funding the polls and where the money's coming from. That's because, as Palfrey claims based on blog posts from a former UMass Boston political science professor, Education Reform Now has historically taken millions of dollars from the Walton Family Foundation.

So what does this have to do with Campbell? Jim Walton, a Walmart heir, donated $45,000 in July to the "Better Boston" super PAC that supported Campbell in the mayor's race. And Campbell led the January MassINC poll of the attorney general race (and others) that was sponsored by Education Reform Now Advocacy.

"Now that we know that Jim Walton is involved in supporting a super PAC that has been in support of one of these candidates, we don't think it is appropriate for there to simultaneously be money from Walton and the organizations that he is associated with funding polls in this race, and certainly not without a disclosure," Palfrey said in an interview.

Palfrey did not provide evidence that Walton Family Foundation contributions to Education Reform Now were directly used to pay for the January 2022 poll. Steve Koczela, president of the MassINC Polling Group, said in a statement: "As a matter of policy, The MassINC Polling Group identifies the funder of each poll on every document showing poll results." Campbell's campaign declined comment. Education Reform Now did not respond. Full disclosure: Your Playbook scribe hosts a podcast with Koczela.

Palfrey's calling out MassINC Polling here, but he's also trying to take a swipe at Campbell. Palfrey's been on a crusade to get Campbell to disavow Better Boston, which spent $1.6 million in the mayor's race. And he wants to prevent the PAC, which can raise and spend unlimited sums but can't coordinate with candidates, from wading into the attorney general race. He's also had no luck getting Campbell to join Liss-Riordan in signing onto his "People's Pledge" to limit third-party spending in the race.

"This is a real issue that affects the integrity of the election and could affect the independence of the attorney general," Palfrey said.

He's also hammered Campbell over her past support for charter schools, which is where Walton comes in again. Walton poured more than $1.1 million into the failed 2016 ballot campaign to lift the charter school cap. His donation was noted by several media outlets at the time. But Walton's $45,000 contribution to Better Boston, and Campbell's stance on charter schools, flew somewhat under the radar in the mayor's race.

The fresh wave of attacks against Campbell come after Palfrey and Liss-Riordan both posted their lowest fundraising hauls in months in April, and as the state Democratic Party convention, which will help determine who gets on the primary ballot, looms in June.

GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Campbell has some news of her own: She's got the 10,000 certified signatures she needs to get on the ballot and will be filing them with the secretary of state early next week, her campaign said. And she's been endorsed by state Rep. Andy Vargas, who, along with former state Rep. Brian Dempsey, will host a Haverhill meet and greet with Campbell at 3 p.m. at Coco Brown.

TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker is on WBUR's "Radio Boston," now live at 11 a.m. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu makes an announcement about BPS facilities at 10:30 a.m. at McKinley Elementary and participates in the annual Hyde Park Art Association Members Exhibition at 3 p.m. at City Hall. State AG Maura Healey campaigns in Fall River and tours City Pier at 12:30 p.m. Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden helps announce a new state-federal partnership targeting gun traffickers at 12:30 p.m. at the DA's office.

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.

THE LATEST NUMBERS

— "Massachusetts reports 34% jump in new COVID cases, virus hospitalizations climb," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "The state Department of Public Health's report of 3,996 cases was a 34% increase from last Wednesday's total of 2,985 infections. … The state's average percent positivity has jumped to 7.89%."

— "Mass. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are rising, but experts think we may be nearing the peak," by Martin Finucane, Boston Globe: "In a troubling trend for a state trying to return to normal, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Massachusetts have been rising gradually for weeks. But experts say the spring wave could soon subside without reaching the heights of last winter's deadly Omicron surge."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— "We need to level the playing field': Activists push for Election Day registration in new lobbying push on Beacon Hill," by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: "A small contingent of voting reform activists made a beeline to House Speaker Ron Mariano's office in the Massachusetts State House on Wednesday, as they kicked off their new weekly lobbying effort to prod Beacon Hill lawmakers to adopt Election Day voter registration within a broader legislative package."

— "Some tidbits on Senate's sports betting non-vote," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "In what may be the ultimate inside story on Beacon Hill, new details are starting to emerge on why the Senate dispensed with a final roll call vote on sports betting legislation. … [One] senator said it was his understanding that only three senators — one of them being Sen. Barry Finegold of Andover — opposed the legislation. The senator said one of the three went to [Senate President Karen] Spilka and asked her to not hold a roll call vote. Finegold declined to comment on the roll call issue or to say where he stood on the bill."

— "Strong Toll Collections Underscore Return of Highway Traffic," by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): "Through the first three quarters of fiscal year 2022, the Department of Transportation hauled in $306.5 million from roadway tolls, nearly $70 million more than over the same period a year earlier. The surge positions MassDOT to end the year with $76 million more in toll revenue than it expected."

— "Seniors advocate for expansion of Medicare asset limit," by Ellen Fleming, WWLP: "Mass Senior Action say they've already made strides in the Governor's office, the House and Senate, and now they're hoping for a grand slam. Seniors lobbied at the State House Wednesday, looking to strike out the Medicare asset limit."

— "Mass state senator calls for child welfare commission in response to Harmony Montgomery disappearance," by WBZ.

— "Senate announces four more COVID cases as masks are 'strongly recommended' in State House," by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive.

FROM THE HUB

— "'It's not working fast enough.' Heartbreak, drugs, and crime persist at Mass. and Cass, leaving neighbors asking, 'What's next?'," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "The tents may be gone, but dozens of people are still using, selling, and seeking hard drugs on these streets everyday. A rash of violence has also plagued the area recently. Which leads to a pressing question for Mayor Michelle Wu: What's next? Wu's team said they expect to roll out of the next phase of the city's response soon."

— "Boston MedFlight had its busiest year ever last year, on track to set another record high in 2022," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "Boston MedFlight, coming off its busiest year in history, is on track to set another record high for critical care medical transports as many patients have delayed treatment during the pandemic. The nonprofit's teams moved more than 5,600 patients by helicopter, plane and ground ambulance during its fiscal year 2021, which ends on Sept. 30."

— "More low-income students gain access to Boston's exam schools after admission policy changes," by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: "A larger percentage of students from low-income households were admitted to Boston's three exam schools for the fall under a new policy that for the first time created a bonus system to aid economically disadvantaged applicants, according to a school department analysis released Wednesday night."

— THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS: "Boston ranked among most sleep-deprived cities in United States," by Frank O'Laughlin, 7 News: "The most sleep-deprived cities in the country were Boston, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Denver, and Seattle, [Harmony Healthcare IT] researchers said."

ON THE STUMP

— ENDORSEMENT ALERT: Sen. Ed Markey has endorsed state Rep. Paul Mark for Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire state senator, per his campaign.

— "Candidate for auditor says she would subpoena state agencies. Can she?" by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: "On a stage in Northampton last week, Democratic candidates for auditor, transit advocate Chris Dempsey and state Senator Diana DiZoglio, were asked about the moment they decided to run for the largely managerial role. … DiZoglio, a Methuen Democrat angling to replace longtime Auditor Suzanne M. Bump, answered the question first. 'The 'Aha!' moment for me with that was when I learned that I would have the authority to use subpoena authority to do these investigations and shine a light on what's really occurring across our state government,' she said. But the auditor doesn't really have subpoena authority, an issue that has come up as the candidates make their case to voters on the campaign trail."

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BALLOT BATTLES

— TANGLED WEB: Fair Share for Massachusetts launched its campaign in support of the millionaires tax constitutional amendment headed to the ballot this fall. But, in an interesting wrinkle, the campaign doesn't own the website of the same name.

FairShareForMassachusetts.com is owned by Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, the conservative group proudly touted yesterday, and redirects to a page on MassFiscal's website criticizing the proposed amendment. The opponents also appear to own MAFairShare.com.

Proponents of the millionaires tax do have their own website. It's fairsharema.com.

— STAFFING UP: Fair Share for Massachusetts has been adding senior staffers in preparation for its official launch. Maia Baker is digital director; Shanique Spalding is BIPOC communities director; Jordan Brandt is data director; Joel Rivera is political director and Lillian Lanier is field director.

— MORE: "Push for millionaires' tax in Massachusetts ramps up," by Adam Reilly, GBH News: "In a Zoom kickoff event for the millionaires' tax, proponents indicated that they're likely to use the state's experience during the COVID-19 pandemic to make their case for taxing higher incomes at an increased rate."

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— "Federal inspectors are swooping in to examine the beleaguered T — and the scrutiny may not end there," by Taylor Dolven, Boston Globe: "Federal Transit Administration staff will be on the ground in Boston as soon as next week to begin inspecting safety at the beleaguered Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, only the second time in the federal agency's history it has intervened on the local level in this way. … And while the federal action will start as an inspection, it could presage an even more robust form of oversight."

— "MBTA headed to 'financial cliff' once pandemic aid ends next year," by Mike Beaudet, WCVB: "One thing is clear: by 2024, the T will be facing a nearly half-billion-dollar operating budget deficit, leaving the agency with few options other than layoffs, service cuts or increased fares."

— "What is an e-bike? Advocates in Mass. want to update definition, legal framework in hope they help reduce greenhouse gas emissions," by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive: "A group of advocacy organizations backing legislation that would update the legal framework for electric bicycles says the mode of transportation could help Massachusetts meet climate-related goals."

A message from PhRMA:

DAY IN COURT

— "Boston mobster Vincent 'The Animal' Ferrara won't be getting his money back from Maura Healey yet, judge rules," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Former North End mobster Vincent 'The Animal' Ferrara's hopes of a judge's injunction to get Attorney General Maura Healey to give him his money back are sleeping with the fishes. Suffolk Superior Judge Elaine Buckley has sided with Healey's office on multiple fronts in the former wiseguy's suit, first impounding the AG's written response in the case and then denying the erstwhile mafioso's injunction."

FROM THE DELEGATION

— "Women politicians are 'spitting mad' about the leaked Roe draft opinion — and they're actually showing it," by Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: "Senator Elizabeth Warren rarely minces words. But as she stood before the Supreme Court last week, protesting a draft decision that would roll back the right to abortion, she showed a churning, incandescent rage, her voice gritty and determined even as it shook with fury. … It remains to be seen whether this moment will mark a lasting shift in the political norms that govern women in the public eye — and whether it will prove politically effective for Democrats, whose efforts to pass abortion protections through Congress appear doomed. But experts in gender and politics say it is notable even if it proves anomalous or ineffective."

— MORE: "Senate fails to pass abortion rights bill — again," by Alice Miranda Ollstein and Marianne LeVine, POLITICO.

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FROM THE 413

— "Members of the North Adams City Council are bickering again. And they're looking to change the rules guiding member conduct," by Greta Jochem, Berkshire Eagle: "Sniping has flared up among members of the City Council, and residents have taken notice. … During Tuesday's regular meeting of the body, [Councilor Jennifer] Barbeau suggested the City Council revisit its rule for member and public conduct."

— "Verizon Wireless files federal lawsuit against Pittsfield Board of Health to block cell tower order," by Meg Britton-Mehlisch, Berkshire Eagle: "Verizon Wireless has filed a federal lawsuit in an effort to block an emergency order from the Pittsfield Board of Health requiring the company to come before the board to defend its cell tower at 877 South St."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— "Massachusetts — along with Connecticut, Vermont, New York, New Hampshire — top worst property tax list," by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: "A report published by a Washington D.C. tax thinktank shows Massachusetts continues to rank the fifth worst for property taxes, a position it has held for three of the last four years and that analysts say may get worse even amid record tax revenues."

— "Hybrid work, high turnover here to stay, survey of large employers shows," by Benjamin Kail, Boston Business Journal: "According to a recent Massachusetts Business Roundtable survey, more than two thirds (68%) of large employers across the state plan to use a hybrid work model well into the future, compared to just 10% before the pandemic hit the U.S. Of the 51 large employers surveyed, only a handful reported that more than 10% of their workers were out-of-state before the pandemic; now, more than a dozen companies say at least 10% of their staff are working remotely across state lines, and executives project those figures to climb."

— "Worcester City Council at odds over proposal to buy drone for police department," by Sam Turken, GBH News: "City Manager Edward Augustus is considering using $25,000 in state funding to buy the remote-controlled aerial device, which would include a camera and infrared technology that detects body heat. Augustus, police officials and several councilors have argued the drone will help police investigate crimes and preserve public safety. But other councilors remain concerned the drone will infringe on people's privacy and could be used to find and break up homeless encampments."

— "Meth makes a comeback amid opioid crisis," by Christian M. Wade, Newburyport News: "[A new report] says methamphetamines, cocaine and other highly-addictive stimulants have made a resurgence in Massachusetts in recent years. The report, released by a 19-member state commission, said the rise in stimulant use has fueled a 'significant' increase in overdose deaths and the panel recommends more state resources to address the problem that has festered amid a focus on curbing opioid addiction."

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.

MEDIA MATTERS

— "Harvey Leonard, longtime WCVB chief meteorologist, announces retirement and new role," by WCVB.

— IN MEMORIAM: "Sportswriter Mike Muldoon dies at 59," by Jill Harmacinski, Eagle-Tribune.

SPOTTED — Gov. Charlie Baker seated court side at the Celtics game, and high-fiving fans, per a Playbook tipster.

CONGRATS — to Miami Herald alums Samantha J. Gross and Taylor Dolven , who, along with their former newsroom, won a Pulitzer Prize for breaking news for their coverage of last year's Surfside condo collapse. Both now work for the Boston Globe: Gross covers state politics and Dolven covers transportation.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Kathryn Alexander, communications director for Rep. Katherine Clark, Laura Melle, Tommy Gardner, Nick Tierney and Andrew Thorne.

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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