News: Soldiers' home reforms set

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Soldiers' home reforms set

Jul 28, 2022

FORWARD MARCH — House and Senate negotiators have agreed to a set of reforms that would overhaul oversight of the Holyoke and Chelsea soldiers' homes more than two years after Covid-19 outbreaks killed dozens of veterans at those facilities.

The compromise bill elevates the Department of Veterans' Services to a Cabinet-level office that reports directly to the governor. It gives the department the ability to hire and fire superintendents, who now must be licensed nursing home administrators. It creates a statewide advisory council while still preserving the local trustee boards of both homes. It establishes an independent Office of the Veteran Advocate, modeled after the Office of the Child Advocate, and requires at least two Department of Public Health inspections a year.

Senate President Karen Spilka also announced a working group, chaired by state Sen. John Velis, a key advocate for Holyoke Soldiers' Home families, to review the bill's implementation and address any issues that arise through more legislation.

Velis told Playbook "it was absolutely paramount" that the legislation streamlined the chain of command, preserved local input and expanded DPH's role "to ensure that folks with a public health or medical background would have constant eyes and ears into our soldiers' homes and the teeth to correct and enforce any deficiencies."

An aerial view of a soldiers' home.

An aerial view of the Holyoke Soldiers' Home in Holyoke, Mass. | Patrick Johnson/The Republican via AP

Advocates for those living and working at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home lauded the legislation as a solid first step in addressing the mismanagement that contributed to the deadly outbreak.

"It's not perfect, but it's much better than the status quo," former Holyoke Soldiers' Home deputy superintendent John Paradis told Playbook. "The key moving forward now is with the working group, which will monitor implementation of the bill and provide a level of legislative oversight, which is really important and quite frankly has been sorely missing."

Yet those same advocates worry the bill won't go far enough to address longstanding staffing issues that have affected quality of care and hurt worker retention. They say higher pay, better working conditions and more labor voices involved in the homes' oversight are essential to righting the ship.

"At the end of the day, if you want a change, they've gotta start paying the workers more money," Cory Bombredi of SEIU Local 888, which represents many workers at the soldiers' homes, told Playbook. "I've got full-grown adults with families working in the kitchen making $31,000 a year."

Velis said staffing levels and per diem rates will be addressed and that the advisory council will issue an annual report on staffing levels.

Laurie Mandeville Beaudette, who lost her father, James Mandeville, as a result of the outbreak, certainly hopes so. She told Playbook that workers' crumbling morale was clear over the years her dad lived in the Holyoke home.

"I'm glad there's going to be some clear accountability," she said. "But I think for the family members, it always goes back to fully funding staffing."

GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. We finally have a state budget. Really.

Gov. Charlie Baker will sign the long-but-expectedly-overdue fiscal 2023 budget at 8:45 a.m. at the State House before jetting off to Washington, D.C., for meetings with national climate adviser Ali Zaidi, the White House Domestic Policy Council and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

ALSO TODAY — Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attends a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Duxbury at 10:30 a.m., makes a Complete Streets announcement at 12:30 p.m. in Taunton and makes a grant announcement at 2 p.m. in New Bedford. Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark participates in a press event on abortion rights with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at 11 a.m. in D.C. Sen. Ed Markey hosts a virtual press conference at 2:30 p.m. introducing the Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act and hosts a Reddit AMA at 5:30 p.m. BECMA hosts a forum for Democratic AG candidates at 6:30 p.m. in Lawrence.

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

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

— PAY UP: It's National Intern Day, and one of the founders of Pay Our Interns, Massachusetts' own Guillermo Creamer Jr., is reupping his push for the state Senate to pay theirs. "The hope is that when we start paying the Senate interns, we'll truly get people of all backgrounds to be able to intern on Beacon Hill," Creamer told Playbook. Creamer said he sent an email to Senate President Karen Spilka about intern pay and the status of the $50,000 intern pipeline program included in last year's budget, but didn't hear back. Spilka's office didn't respond to an email for comment yesterday. The push for intern pay comes amid Senate staffers' unionization effort.

— "Long-forgotten tax cap about to be triggered," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "While lawmakers scramble to put together a package of tax breaks in the final days of the legislative session, a little-known law from the mid-1980s is about to change the Beacon Hill debate over tax relief. Record tax revenues in fiscal 2021 are expected to trigger the state's tax cap for the first time in more than 30 years, setting the stage for Massachusetts taxpayers to claim sizable credits on their 2022 returns."

— "Baker's Team Now Pushing for a 'More Narrow' Dangerousness Compromise," by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): "After lawmakers spiked the measure for the third straight term, a top Gov. Charlie Baker deputy pitched an eleventh-hour compromise to the Judiciary Committee chairs who said they were unsatisfied with previous negotiations or unconvinced a deal was ever on the table, offering to meet 'whenever and wherever' to get something across the finish line. Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy emailed Rep. Mike Day and Sen. Jamie Eldridge on Tuesday night, outlining a smaller-scale option that he said would maintain key sections of the dangerousness bill while dropping others that featured among concerns legislators and civil rights advocates raised."

— "Mass. e-bike legislation moving on Beacon Hill," by Taylor Dolven, Boston Globe: "The House Committee on Ways and Means advanced a bill that would classify e-bikes into categories based on their designs and top speeds. The Senate included a similar provision in its version of the infrastructure bond bill it passed, which is being reconciled with the House version in closed-door negotiations."

— "With time short, lawmakers seek to reshape local public health," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "The House Ways and Means Committee released a bill Wednesday, with a House vote expected as soon as Thursday, that would result in more state funding for local public health boards, along with the creation of minimum standards and the incentivization of shared services. The goal is to transform a system that is comprised today of nearly 351 local boards of health of varying expertise into one where every resident has access to necessary public health services, whether it's inspecting drinking water or responding to a disease outbreak."

— "Restaurant Group Sour On Happy Hour," by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service (paywall): "The Massachusetts Restaurant Association on Tuesday declared it opposes 'any provision' that would update the state's 38-year-old ban on happy hour, warning that it would expose establishments to 'skyrocketing costs' of liquor liability insurance."

— "Massachusetts House sports betting bill negotiator is 'still hopeful,' saying a 'lot can get done' despite mere days remaining in session," by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: "Gaming experts say Massachusetts should pursue a compromise arrangement that would permit collegiate sports betting, except for Massachusetts schools and games played in the commonwealth. [House Ways and Means Chair Aaron] Michlewitz declined to disclose whether that approach is under consideration in conference committee."

— "Did your loved one die? MassHealth may bill their estate," by Lisa Mullins and Lynn Jolicoeur, WBUR: "Hundreds of thousands of people on MassHealth could be affected by a bill lawmakers on Beacon Hill are considering this week that involves something known as MassHealth estate recovery . MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program, provides health coverage primarily for people with low incomes. But once certain members die, MassHealth can collect money from their estates to pay itself back."

FROM THE HUB

— "DA hopeful Ricardo Arroyo still attorney on brother Felix's harassment case as it heads toward trial," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "District Attorney candidate Ricardo Arroyo is still listed as an attorney in his brother Felix's sexual-harassment suit that's chugging its way toward trial — though he says he'll drop off of the case if he becomes DA. Ricardo Arroyo, a current Boston city councilor, is one of three lawyers listed for his older brother, Felix G. Arroyo, as that case heads toward its final pre-trial conference scheduled for Aug. 8."

YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Former Rep. Joe Kennedy III is endorsing NAACP Boston Branch President Tanisha Sullivan for secretary of state. "We are at a moment in time that demands a bold defense of American democracy and courageous leaders willing to go toe-to-toe with those who think our political system was built for some, not for all," Kennedy said in a statement, adding that Sullivan "has earned her place in a rising generation of civil rights champions uniquely poised to meet this challenge."

— Former Brookline Select Board Vice Chair Raul Fernandez has picked up support from 27 municipal leaders in his bid for state representative including Brookline Select Board Member Miriam Aschkenasy, Boston City Councilors Ricardo Arroyo, Kendra Lara, Ruthzee Louijeune and Julia Mejia, Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and Vice Mayor Alanna Mallon.

— WATCH: State Sen. Eric Lesser is sticking to his standard campaign talking points in his first digital ad for lieutenant governor: the benefits of his long-advocated-for East-West rail and his time working for former President Barack Obama.

— MORE SUPER PAC DRAMA: Attorney general hopeful Quentin Palfrey is piling on the requests to MassDems Chair Gus Bickford to denounce super PAC involvement in this year's Democratic primaries, even though Bickford told Playbook yesterday he and party staff can't get involved. In a bit of an added twist to this one, Shannon Liss-Riordan's campaign said she declined to sign onto Palfrey's letter.

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— "Governor hopeful Chris Doughty outlines plan to fix MBTA," by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: "In laying out his four-step plan for fixing the MBTA should he become the next governor, Chris Doughty said he was the candidate best equipped for the job, but stopped short of criticizing Gov. Charlie Baker's handling of the transit system. … After decamping at Park Street station near the Boston Common, Doughty gave a brief synopsis of his initial plan for the MBTA, which includes a focus on safety, fixing the T's finances, improving employee engagement, and reducing the red tape, the latter of which he described as making the workplace more efficient."

— "A labor crunch is forcing regional transit authorities from the Pioneer Valley to Martha's Vineyard to brainstorm new hiring solutions," by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive: "Regional transit authorities — often a backbone for commuters who live outside of major metropolitan cities — say they are experiencing serious labor challenges that sometimes force them to cut service in a familiar workforce scenario that has impacted industries across the county."

— "Group of female MBTA employees allege workplace harassment, discrimination," by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: "A group of women who work at the MBTA alleged in a letter to federal transportation authorities that they have experienced workplace harassment, discrimination, and have faced retaliation for speaking up and reporting their unfair treatment."

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BALLOT BATTLES

— "Survey finds solid support for 'millionaires tax' among would-be voters," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "Supporters of a proposed income tax surcharge on high earners remain well ahead of opponents in the latest Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll, but the two sides appear close enough that a massive TV ad campaign could decide the fate of this statewide ballot question in November. The poll of 569 registered voters taken last week, shows 56 percent support the surcharge, nicknamed the 'millionaires tax' or simply 'Question 1,' while 36 percent are opposed and another 8 percent remain undecided. The poll has a 4 percentage point margin of error."

DAY IN COURT

— "Congressional candidate Dean Tran sues AG Maura Healey over charges of stealing guns from elderly constituent," by Tréa Lavery, MassLive: "A former Massachusetts state senator and current Congressional candidate is suing Attorney General Maura Healey over an indictment against him earlier this month. Dean Tran, who is running as a Republican against Democratic Congresswoman Lori Trahan for the 3rd Congressional district, filed the lawsuit in federal court Wednesday. In the suit, Tran said allegations that he misused his power in 2019 to persuade an elderly constituent into selling him her late husband's firearms are 'laughable and implausible,' and claims that the indictment was politically motivated. … [Tran] is scheduled to be arraigned in Worcester Superior Court on Thursday."

— "SJC sides with Grubhub, allows arbitration requirements for drivers," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "Grubhub may require its drivers to submit employment disputes to arbitration, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled Wednesday. The ruling essentially codifies the status quo. But because of its potentially broad implications for workers and businesses if the court ruled the other way, the case attracted national attention, pitting workers' rights groups against businesses."

ROE FALLOUT

— "Crisis pregnancy centers, data privacy a priority for Massachusetts attorney general's office with Roe v. Wade overturned," by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: "As confusion abounds over reproductive health care access in a post-Roe national landscape, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey's office remains focused on reining in crisis pregnancy centers that are known for deceiving patients seeking abortions. But the state's top prosecutor is limiting in fully shuttering the facilities — which are also called pregnancy resource centers, pregnancy help centers, pregnancy care centers or women's resource centers — that ultimately aim to dissuade patients from going through with an abortion."

— "Over three-quarters of Massachusetts residents say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, poll finds," by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: "In a new Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll, 78 percent of respondents said abortion should be legal in all or most cases, a decisive majority that substantially exceeds the national trend. … Forty-eight percent of respondents to the Suffolk/Globe poll said abortion should be legal in all cases. Another 30 percent said it should be legal in most cases."

DATELINE D.C.

— "Biden admin spends over $25,000 on CDC director's media training and executive coaching," by Alex Thompson, Adam Cancryn and Max Tani: "The Biden administration spent $25,750 and authorized an additional $30,500 for media training and executive coaching for the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rochelle Walensky, according to internal CDC expense authorization filings obtained by West Wing Playbook."

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

— "David Ortiz launching his own line of cannabis products," by Michael Silverman, Boston Globe: "Ortiz, the former Red Sox slugger who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame over the weekend, is enough of a cannabis aficionado to put his name behind a new line of curated 'Papi Cannabis' products from Rev Farms."

FROM THE 413

— "A half-century later, Springfield released from consent decree governing police and fire hiring," by Sam Hudzik, New England Public Media: "The consent decree was meant to prioritize Black and Latino candidates for entry-level police and fire positions, so the departments would better reflect the communities they serve. Now Judge Patti Saris has found Springfield has essentially met this goal."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— "State Police Academy instructors under investigation after trainees forced to crawl on hot pavement; 20 treated for injuries," by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: "Nearly two dozen Massachusetts State Police trainees suffered abrasions and blisters after being forced to 'bear crawl' across hot pavement during an unauthorized training exercise at the New Braintree academy, an agency spokesman confirmed. The incident earlier this month triggered an internal investigation and a rush of transfers for supervisors and drill instructors involved, according to Dave Procopio, spokesman for the Massachusetts State Police."

— "Rate of inflation in Massachusetts outpacing rest of country," by Beth Germano, WBZ: "A new study from the Beacon Hill Institute says the rate of inflation in Massachusetts is outpacing the country in several key categories including gas, used vehicles and electricity."

— More: "Dunkinflation: Even Boston's beloved breakfast spot has gotten pricier," by Diti Kohli, Boston Globe.

HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH

SPOTTED — at the Elton John concert at Gillette: Gov. Charlie Baker and his wife, Lauren, and the Boston Globe's Catherine Carlock ( plus a crane ).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Beata Coloyan, Ayla Brown and to retired Daily Hampshire Gazette editor Stanley Moulton.

NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: THE UNHAPPIEST HOUR — Hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith and Libby Gormley take a deep dive into efforts to bring back happy hour in Massachusetts with guests including state Sen. Julian Cyr. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud .

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