News: Healey hits the airwaves

Monday, August 15, 2022

Healey hits the airwaves

Aug 15, 2022

UP, UP AND AWAY — The presumptive Democratic nominee for governor is getting a head start on her general election ad campaign.

Maura Healey is vowing to "cut taxes, reduce costs in housing and transportation, improve education" and increase vocational training in her first television ad, a 30-second spot that continues her economy-focused pitch to "make Massachusetts more affordable." The ad doesn't delve into specifics, but Healey released a plan in June to expand state tax credits for children and other dependents. And she supports expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit and rental deductions, and raising the estate tax threshold, a spokesperson said.

"Teamwork" also reintroduces the two-term attorney general to voters by touching on her upbringing and making some requisite basketball references. The ad begins airing tomorrow on broadcast, cable and streaming services, and is part of the roughly $4.5 million in ad buys Healey's placed through the general election.

Maura Healey in her first TV ad for governor

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey in her first television ad for governor. | Screenshot from Healey campaign video.

It also counters the economy-focused attack ads Republican Chris Doughty has been airing against Healey for more than a month as he fixates on the Democrat more so than on Geoff Diehl, the Republican he'll need to defeat to clinch his party's nomination for governor next month.

Diehl has yet to air a television ad with just over three weeks until primary day. He's also passed on several televised debates that would have afforded him free airtime and the chance to reach a wider audience — including independent voters who can pull Republican primary ballots and have in the past propelled GOP candidates for governor into office. Diehl has instead focused on radio for advertising and for the sole debate both Republican candidates agreed to.

GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. It's good to be back. Now for some more campaign updates:

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Rep. Stephen Lynch is endorsing Diana DiZoglio for auditor in part because of the state senator's call for a safety audit of the MBTA.

"She will look out for the best interests of riders and workers of the MBTA — and hold accountable those who have failed them both," the congressman from South Boston declared in a statement that also said DiZoglio "knows the challenges so many of our families are facing because she has lived them."

Lynch's transit-focused endorsement follows a fiery auditor debate on WBZ's "Keller @ Large" in which DiZoglio sought to tie the T's troubles to rival Chris Dempsey's time as assistant transportation secretary during the Patrick administration.

Dempsey in turn blamed DiZoglio and the Legislature for leaving the MBTA in the "situation where it is today" — under federal investigation and about to scramble thousands of riders' commutes by shutting down a key subway line for a month for long-overdue maintenance.

TODAY — Speaking of that shutdown, Gov. Charlie Baker and transportation officials will give an Orange Line update at 11 a.m. at the State Transportation Building in Boston. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu swears in Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox at 10 a.m. at City Hall Plaza. GOP LG candidates debate at 11 a.m. on WBUR. Secretary of state candidate Rayla Campbell hosts a "Blue Lives Matter" rally with Blue Lives Matter NYC founder Joseph Imperatrice at 5 p.m. in Plymouth. State Sen. Eric Lesser campaigns for LG on Cape Cod.

Tips? Scoops? Anything I missed last week? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com.

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YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: State Sen. Lydia Edwards is endorsing Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden for a full term over her former Boston City Council colleague Ricardo Arroyo . It's a move that also puts her at odds with ally Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who's backing Arroyo in the race.

"What matters most to me is Kevin's vision and heart, backed up by over two decades of public service work," Edwards said in a statement. "Kevin has a strong record of trial experience, a commitment to just outcomes, and a fair and ethical approach to prosecution that the residents of Suffolk County need and deserve from their district attorney."

— CASH DASH: Wu is partaking in a virtual meet-and-greet with Chris Dempsey, who she endorsed for auditor last week, at 7 p.m. Suggested contributions range from $25 to $1,000.

Wu in the past week has also endorsed Christopher Worrell , the brother of Boston City Councilor Brian Worrell, to succeed state Rep. Liz Miranda in the 5th Suffolk District and her longtime ally Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins for reelection.

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Former state Treasurer Steve Grossman is endorsing Sydney Levin-Epstein for Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester state senator, saying in a statement that she's the candidate best suited to "build" on state Sen. Eric Lesser's "accomplishments and momentum" as he gives up the seat to run for lieutenant governor.

— WATCH: Secretary of State Bill Galvin bat back criticism of his records on abortion and voting rights and make his case for an eighth term on WCVB's "On the Record."

— "Massachusetts Secretary of State, Attorney General candidates talk public-records enforcement," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Challengers for secretary of state and a race for the open attorney general seat mean at least one of the two offices in charge of attempting to corral public-records scofflaws will have a fresh face in it — and here's what the candidates said when asked about how they'd deal with recalcitrant records custodians such as Boston."

— "A liberal showdown in Brookline," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "In Michael Dukakis's hometown, a place that delivered 88 percent of its vote to Joe Biden two years ago, it's not a question of whether to elect a left-leaning Democrat as state representative, but what kind of liberal lawmaker to send to Beacon Hill. That has become the overarching issue in the Democratic primary showdown in Brookline pitting two-term incumbent Tommy Vitolo against challenger Raul Fernandez."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— "Baker changing rules on tax cap giveback," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "The Baker administration is preparing to change the rules for returning roughly $3 billion in excess tax collections so the governor can send out checks to Massachusetts taxpayers before he leaves office in January."

— "Mass. gaming regulators don't seem to know how many residents in the state have a gambling problem. Now, sports betting is legal," by Simon J. Levien, Boston Globe: "[T]here hasn't been a statewide study published on the prevalence of problem gambling since 2015, when the state released a baseline study. And the efficacy of some of the state's vaunted problem-gambling mitigation measures is unclear, since studying that, too, is still ongoing."

— "Transportation Committee chairs: MBTA safety reporting requirements 'watered down' by Baker amendments," by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: "The $11.3 billion law had initially included a provision from the Legislature that would have required the T to submit a monthly report to the Office of the Inspector General that contains a list of all the 'incidents, accidents, casualties, and hazards,' which would be made publicly available online. [Gov. Charlie] Baker's returned amendment would, instead, require the MBTA to submit a monthly 'safety data analysis report' to the inspector general's office that contains 'safety performance indicators for bus, heavy rail and light rail.'"

FROM THE HUB

— "Head of transit police calls for special prosecutor to investigate officers accused of a coverup. What happens next?" by Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: "Sixteen months after an off-duty MBTA transit police officer allegedly pointed his gun at a Hispanic Black man during a traffic dispute, then enlisted a fellow officer to cover up the incident, no criminal charges have been brought against either officer. Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan is calling for the appointment of a special prosecutor to take over the case from Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden after a Boston Globe report that raised questions about whether his office had tried to quash it."

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— "Sen. Warren blasts Baker for MBTA failures: 'The governor owns this'," by Zoe Mathews, GBH News: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren placed the blame for the MBTA failures squarely on Gov. Charlie Baker's shoulders Friday. 'I've tried so hard to be a good partner, to help them get the money they need ... and help them get the support and help them get the structure,' Warren said, saying the entire congressional delegation has tried to support the public transit system. ... Warren called for 'some housekeeping at the top,' acknowledging that Baker is not running for re-election, and called for new leadership at the T itself."

— "T leadership has 'earned the right' to stay and follow through on fixes, Gov. Baker says," by Gintautas Dumcius, Dorchester Reporter: "Responding to a call from U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren for 'new leadership' at the MBTA, Gov. Charlie Baker defended the public transit agency's officials and said they should stay."

— "Democrat AG candidate calls for prosecutorial investigation into MBTA," by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: "Citing the latest safety debacle that occurred Friday night on the Green Line, a Democratic candidate for attorney general is calling for the AG's office to conduct a full investigation into what he characterized as mismanagement that has led to repeated failures in the MBTA system. One of [Quentin Palfrey's] primary opponents says the issue would be better addressed by an audit."

— "'We're getting our asses kicked': MBTA officials say negative press to blame for hiring woes," by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: "Only 10 subway dispatchers have been hired since the MBTA slashed weekday service in June to comply with a federal directive, and several agency officials are placing part of the blame on the media."

— "Tufts, Chinatown reps concerned with exclusion from MBTA's Orange Line transit plan," by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: "Two nearby Boston stops, including a crucial medical campus, were notably left out of the shuttle bus route on the MBTA's transit diversion plan for the 30-day Orange Line shutdown."

HEALEY WATCH

— "Under Maura Healey, the attorney general's office sued the Trump administration nearly 100 times. Most of the time, she prevailed," by Shelley Murphy and Andrea Estes, Boston Globe: "A Globe analysis shows that the lawsuits led or joined by [Attorney General Maura] Healey succeeded about 77 percent of the time, either with a clear-cut court ruling or an order suspending the Trump initiatives, buying time until the Biden administration rescinded or reconsidered the policies. Many cases are still pending. As a result, existing federal health care, social services, and environmental protections remained intact. … Healey's office contends that the lawsuits against Trump have brought in billions of dollars in payments and savings to the state through student loan forgiveness, reduced health care costs, federal census dollars, and more. In addition, Healey officials say, some of the victories protect residents' quality of life — especially the environmental wins."

ON THE STUMP

— FEEL THE BERN: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is holding a rally "fighting back against corporate greed" with Teamsters' General President Sean O'Brien and Association of Flight Attendants-CWA President Sara Nelson at 1 p.m. Sunday on the Cambridge Common. It follows similar events in Chicago in July and Philadelphia this upcoming Saturday. Sanders drew some 13,000 people to the Boston Common for a rally ahead of the state's 2020 presidential primary, in which he finished second behind now-President Joe Biden and ahead of home-state Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Earlier this year, his aides circulated a memo showing the Vermont senator hadn't closed the door on a third run for the White House.

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WARREN REPORT

— "Elizabeth Warren and the 'Electability Question'," by Ali Vitali, NBC News: "'How do you convince white men — who aren't as smart as me — how do you convince those white men over 50 that Elizabeth Warren's the candidate?' In the end, she couldn't. … 'Everyone comes up to me and says, 'I would vote for you, if you had a penis.'"

FROM THE DELEGATION

— "Ed Markey visits Taiwan less than 2 weeks after Nancy Pelosi's trip angered China," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey arrived in Taiwan on Sunday to 'encourage stability and peace across the Taiwan Strait,' less than two weeks after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit angered China and sparked 'provocative' military drills. Markey led a congressional delegation to the self-governing island as part of a larger trip to Asia. The Bay State senator is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations East Asia, Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Subcommittee."

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

— "New cannabis equity law sparks hope for would-be business owners," by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: "Massachusetts' new cannabis equity law is drawing praise from advocates who say it will help ease barriers to entry for aspiring cannabis businesses owners from marginalized communities and foster more equity within the state's multi-billion dollar industry."

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

— ICYMI: "Baker signs climate bill, despite 'deep misgivings'," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "Despite 'deep misgivings' about some of its elements, Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law on Thursday a climate change/energy bill that he said would help Massachusetts retain its standing as a national leader in securing renewable energy. It's the fourth climate bill Baker has signed since taking office in 2015, and his signing letter suggested it is the one he is least enthusiastic about."

FROM THE 413

— "Springfield Ward 5 City Council candidates gear up for Tuesday's special election," by Jonah Snowden, Springfield Republican: "Candidates include Lavar Click-Bruce, Nicole D. Coakley, Edward Collins, Ellen Moorhouse, Michael Lee, LaMar Cook and Edward Clinton Green. All are seeking the seat left vacant by former council president Marcus Williams, who resigned in May." Western Mass. Politics & Insight's Matt Szafranski has more on a mysterious robocall targeting Moorhouse.

— "State police group endorses Timothy Shugrue in Berkshire district attorney contest," by Berkshire Eagle staff: "The State Police Association of Massachusetts endorsed Berkshire District Attorney candidate Timothy Shugrue. … The endorsement comes as [Andrea Harrington's] campaign prepares for a door knocking and canvassing campaign with one of the incumbent DA's most notable supporters: Attorney General Maura Healey, the Democratic candidate for governor."

— "Union plans one-day strike Friday at Mass MoCA in North Adams," by Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle: "Members of the national union that represents nearly 100 workers at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art will strike this week, as they continue to bargain over a first contract."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— "State education leaders to vote Monday on raising MCAS graduation requirements," by Christopher Huffaker, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts education leaders plan to vote Monday on a controversial proposal to raise the standardized state test scores needed for students to graduate high school, starting with this year's incoming ninth graders."

— "Jasiel Correia II's SnoOwl app led to him going to prison. Now his wife has started one," by Jo C. Goode, Herald News: "Eleven days before Jasiel Correia II reported to federal prison to start serving a six-year sentence for political corruption and fraud, the former mayor's wife and a business partner set up a corporation to develop a mobile app company. According to the Secretary of State's corporation database, Jenny Simone Correia and David Riccio Jr. of Revere registered the app company itsaVibe on April 11."

— "No outsiders need apply: Why Revere settled for a police chief accused of harassment," by Shannon Dooling and Christine Willmsen, WBUR: "Mayor Brian Arrigo brought in a consultant to help pick the city's top cop, who oversees more than 100 officers and civilian employees. The consultant, a former Arlington police chief, tested four candidates — all internal — for attributes such as decisiveness, initiative, leadership and communication skills. None of the candidates scored high enough to persuade the consultant that they would do the job well. … Nevertheless, Arrigo chose one of those four candidates for a three-year interim chief role, and appointed another, then-Lieutenant David Callahan, as chief in 2020. An investigation by WBUR and ProPublica found Callahan not only fell short on the assessment, but was also steeped in the toxic culture the mayor deplored."

MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND

— "The Republican center mounts its comeback in New England," by Sarah Ferris, POLITICO: "House Democrats are painting their midterm opponents as election-denying, abortion-banning acolytes of Donald Trump. Allan Fung says his rejection of that label is why he could become this blue state's first elected congressional Republican in decades."

HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH

TRANSITIONS — David Todisco is now senior director of communications and strategy at the Alliance for Business Leadership; he was previously deputy communications director for state Auditor Suzanne Bump and Rep. Lori Trahan's digital director.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Gabe Mulley and Mary Serreze. Happy belated to POLITICO's Peter Canellos, Augusta Davis, Mark Mitchell and Dani Rodrik, who celebrated Sunday, and to Saturday birthday-ers state Sen. Patrick O'Connor, Josh Romney, Nicholas Hull, Eric M. Nelson and Denise Perrault.

NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: DA TO DA — Boston Globe reporter Evan Allen talks through controversy at the Suffolk DA's office. Lisa Kashinsky joins co-hosts Jennifer Smith and Steve Koczela for a campaign rundown. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.

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