| | | | |  | | By Sophie Gardner and Kelly Garrity | | | With help from Lisa Kashinsky CONFLICTING AIMS — There’s a new battle brewing over crisis pregnancy centers. Gov. Maura Healey seems likely to sign off on a $1 million public education campaign meant to warn about patterns of misleading advertising sometimes employed by the centers, places that seek to dissuade people from getting abortions. Both the House and Senate earmarked money for the campaign in recently approved spending plans. But the chambers will have to reconcile other differences between their bills before legislation heads to Healey’s desk. Beacon Hill Democrats aren’t the only ones planning a campaign, though. The Pregnancy Care Alliance of Massachusetts, a coalition of nonprofit, anti-abortion organizations, is starting to gather testimonials from people who’ve had positive care experiences at the crisis centers. And the group is aiming to raise money to launch an ad campaign that could include radio spots and billboards. “We believe we'll have hundreds of testimonies,” Teresa Larkin, the executive director of the Your Options medical clinic in Revere, told Playbook. “We recognize that we haven't done a good job of educating the public about who we really are and what we really do.” But the centers are also meeting resistance from some municipalities. A handful of liberal-leaning communities have approved or are working on legislation to regulate or spread awareness about the centers — efforts that have ramped up since Roe v. Wade was overturned. “I've long believed that there's a lot we could do at the city level, on the ground, to protect reproductive rights and abortion access and to preserve bodily autonomy,” Somerville City Councilor Kristen Strezo, who led one such effort in her city, told Playbook. Somerville was the first to pass an ordinance targeting false or deceptive advertising by providers of pregnancy-related services — a measure aimed at crisis pregnancy centers without outright banning them. Violating the ordinance triggers a $300 fine. Cambridge soon followed suit with a similar plan. But other communities’ attempts at similar ordinances have either been retooled or abandoned amid concerns about inviting costly legal battles. Some cited as an example the First Amendment challenge to Connecticut’s law prohibiting deceptive advertising by crisis pregnancy centers. “These are three small cities,” Easthampton City Councilor Owen Zaret said of Amherst, Northampton and Easthampton, at least two of which had considered but moved away from fines for deceptive advertising. “It was more of a cost-risk benefit assessment.” Officials in all three cities are now moving forward in other ways. Zaret has a new ordinance aimed at educating residents about crisis pregnancy centers and the state’s complaint process moving through the municipal process. Northampton is working on a similar ordinance that City Councilor Rachel Maiore hopes to have finalized by the one-year anniversary of Roe’s demise in June. And Amherst Town Councilor Ana Devlin Gauthier told Playbook that she’s working on “two possible bylaws that would protect access to reproductive health care and gender-affirming health care.” Framingham recently passed a proclamation raising awareness about the centers — though not without a controversy that pushed the city’s Democratic committee chair to step down. And the Worcester City Council voted last summer to direct the city manager and solicitor to draft an ordinance, though that hasn’t yet happened, according to a spokesperson for the city manager. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Happy St. Patrick’s Day and Evacuation Day! TODAY — Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll swear in a judge at the governor's ceremonial office at 9:30 a.m. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speaks at the annual Evacuation Day Historical Exercises in Southie at 10 a.m. House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark highlights a climate resiliency project in Revere at 9 a.m., visits the Woburn Senior Center at 10:15 a.m., Melrose Senior Center at 12:45 p.m. and Stoneham Senior Center at 1:30 p.m. THIS WEEKEND — The MassGOP holds a "unity event" at 2 p.m. Saturday at Off The Rails in Worcester. Healey, Driscoll, Wu, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, Reps. Stephen Lynch and Ayanna Pressley, state Senate President Karen Spilka and AG Andrea Campbell are among the guests at the Boston St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast hosted by state Sen. Nick Collins at 9 a.m. at the Ironworkers Local 7 Hall in Southie. SUNDAY SHOWS — Collins is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Driscoll is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Reach your guests hosts at sgardner@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com. Send your tips and scoops for Monday to lkashinsky@politico.com.
| | A message from NextEra Energy: Seabrook Station nuclear power plant generates safe, clean, emissions-free energy that has helped power New England for decades. A long-term power purchase agreement with Seabrook would help Massachusetts meet climate emissions goals and lower energy bills at a substantial value to consumers. An agreement that locks in prices over several decades would – even estimated against fluctuating natural gas prices – lower electricity bills, saving Massachusetts’ consumers between $890 million to $2.62 billion on energy costs over a 10-year period. | | | |  | DATELINE BEACON HILL | | — “State auditor readying probe into use of nondisclosure agreements across state government,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “In another move that could buck Beacon Hill norms, state Auditor Diana DiZoglio says she will investigate the use of nondisclosure agreements in settlements across state government to determine how much taxpayer money has been spent to hide harassment and other misconduct.” — “State to launch nine new early college programs,” by Adria Watson, Boston Globe: “Following a unanimous vote on Wednesday by the state’s Early College Joint Committee, Massachusetts will expand early college programs with nine new partnerships this fall. Early college programs allow high school students to earn college credits while attaining their high school diploma, and some students earn enough to earn an associate degree.” — “Faith leaders call for Gov. Healey, lawmakers to tackle housing crisis,” by Katie Lannan, GBH News: “With its members clad in blue T-shirts, playing trombones, and holding signs with slogans like ‘Praying with Our Feet,’ GBIO launched a new housing justice campaign. The campaign pushes for greater state investment in public housing, zoning reforms to encourage multifamily housing in suburbs, and housing support for formerly incarcerated people.” — “Are you and your kids overwhelmed by Mass. sports betting ads? You’re not alone,” by Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive: “Seldom can someone turn on a TV or scroll through a social media app in the past month without seeing a celebrity promoting the use of one of the many sportsbooks operating within Massachusetts’ brand-new mobile and retail betting industry. And the stream of promotional bets and advertisements has drawn concerns from lawyers in the state’s attorney general’s office and responsible gambling advocates only days into the launch of mobile betting, which kicked off on March 10.”
| | FROM THE HUB | | — “Wu Pushes for Boston to Join New Energy Code,” by Steve Adams, Banker & Tradesman: “Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will seek adoption of the state’s new opt-in stretch energy code, requiring electric-ready designs for new buildings and renovations. If approved by the Boston City Council, projects would have to conform to the new requirements beginning in January.” — “One councillor thinks it’s time to rethink Main Streets model,” by Seth Daniel, Dorchester Reporter: “Tania Fernandes Anderson, who chairs the City Council’s Ways & Means Committee, told members of the Greater Mattapan Neighborhood Council (GMNC) early this month that the city bureaucracy moves too slowly in distributing funds and the Main Streets model does not work in Black and Brown communities. She suggested that some other type of program replace the model in communities like Mattapan and Dorchester.”
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | | | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES | | — “Ceiling debris falls onto MBTA commuter rail platform,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “A piece of ceiling debris fell on the Forest Hills commuter rail platform, two weeks after a 25-pound ceiling panel nearly hit a rider at a Red Line station. In this instance, the debris was not concrete and weighed less than a pound, according to MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo.” — “Close call at Logan not due to a lack of technology, experts say,” by Bob Seay, GBH.
| | DAY IN COURT | | — “State Police do not have to give back pay to trooper suspended while facing criminal charge, SJC says,” by John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: “The Massachusetts State Police is a unique law enforcement agency that does not have to compensate troopers who are suspended without pay while facing criminal charges, even when they are acquitted or the charges are dropped, the state’s highest court ruled Thursday.” — “Firefighter union sues Mass. group over toxic chemicals in protective gear,” by Gabrielle Emanuel, WBUR: “The union contends that the National Fire Protection Association colluded with industry to set its guidelines so that gear has to contain toxic PFAS chemicals to meet the voluntary standards.” — “Grubhub accused with overcharging restaurants during COVID-19,” by Amy Phillips, WWLP: “Massachusetts Superior Court has ruled that Grubhub violated the statutory fee cap in place during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said that the online food delivery service Grubhub Holdings Inc. illegally overcharged fees to Massachusetts restaurants.”
| | | | A message from NextEra Energy:   | | | | | MOULTON MATTERS | | — “Russian fighter jet dumps fuel on US drone before hitting propeller, Pentagon video shows; Seth Moulton calls it ‘reckless’ behavior from Putin’s military,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “A Russian fighter jet dumped fuel on a U.S. drone before hitting its propeller in international airspace over the Black Sea, according to a new declassified video released by the Pentagon, as tensions continue to rise between Washington and Moscow … ’By targeting an unarmed, unmanned U.S. plane in international airspace, Putin’s military knowingly and deliberately violated the law,’ Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton said in a statement.”
| | THE LATEST NUMBERS | | — “Gathering for St. Patrick’s Day? Boston health officials recommend wearing a mask as COVID cases go down,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “On Thursday, the state Department of Public Health reported 2,612 virus cases over the last week. The daily average of 373 COVID cases from the last week was a 3% dip from the daily rate of 386 virus infections during the previous week.”
| | IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN | | — “Offshore wind projects face uncertainty with existing contracts. Cape Codders respond.” by Heather McCarron, Cape Cod Times: “As the state readies to review another round of offshore wind development bids, Avangrid Renewables reports it is staying on course to end its current contract and take its chances with seeking a new one — the best route, the company says, to navigate a maelstrom of economic challenges that make the present agreement untenable. The move makes uncertain the company's 1,200-megawatt Commonwealth Wind project."
| | | | DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS– DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID. | | | | | | | THE LOCAL ANGLE | | — “National Grid proposes big electric rate decrease in Mass.” by Miriam Wasser, WBUR: “In a filing with the Department of Public Utilities this week, the company proposed decreasing the basic supply rate — the raw cost of the electricity you use — by 58% beginning May 1.” — “Worcester committee pushes for lower income threshold in affordable housing rule,” by Kiernan Dunlop, MassLive: “A Worcester committee has sided with an affordable housing coalition on a change to a proposed zoning ordinance that it says will meet the needs of the residents in the city who are struggling — against the recommendation of some city leaders. The ordinance still needs support from two-thirds of the City Council.”
| | MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE | | — "Pence on whether Trump should bow out if indicted: It’s up to him," by Lisa Kashinsky, POLITICO: "'Look, it’s a free country. Everybody can make their own decisions,' Trump’s former No. 2 told reporters in New Hampshire." — “On the trail: Is a 2024 gubernatorial run next for Joyce Craig?” by Paul Steinhauser, Concord Monitor: “Sources close to the Democratic mayor, who’s currently serving her third two-year term steering the Granite State’s largest city, tell the Monitor that Craig is seriously looking at a potential run for governor in 2024.” — “N.H. Senate passes bill that would force teachers to ‘out’ transgender kids to their parents,” by Steven Porter, Boston Globe.
| | A message from NextEra Energy: Continued operation of the Seabrook Station nuclear power plant reduces electricity costs and boosts the state’s economy. A long-term power purchase agreement with Seabrook would contribute approximately $3 billion to the Massachusetts economy through utility bill savings, reduced energy costs and job creation/support. Seabrook has generated safe, reliable, low-cost, and emissions-free energy for more than 30 years. Seabrook’s operation will continue to provide baseload energy, with price stability, while Massachusetts scales up its renewable energy sources. Operating Seabrook would avoid nearly 50 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions over a 10-year period and contribute to Massachusetts meeting its clean air goals. A long-term PPA will help Massachusetts meet its clean energy standard. Nuclear energy is carbon emissions-free and Massachusetts’ most cost-effective tool to combat climate change. The procurement of additional energy from Seabrook going forward would help the Massachusetts affordably and reliably meet its clean energy needs. | | | | | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH | | TRANSITIONS — Former Baker administration HHS Secretary Marylou Sudders joins Point32Health Foundation’s board of directors. — Former Gov. Charlie Baker press secretary Terry MacCormack is now director of editorial strategy and campaigns and internal communications for Mass General Brigham. — Jennifer Smith is now a staff reporter for CommonWealth Magazine. She was previously at the Dorchester Reporter. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra, former MassGOP Chair Jim Lyons, Daniel Bellow, Cam Charbonnier, Amber Jamanka and Jeremy Comeau. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Wilnelia Rivera of Rivera Consulting; Jesse Mermell, Jill Abramson, Abigail Webber and Seth Rogovoy, who celebrate Sunday. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: CALLING AN AUDITABLE — Auditor Diana DiZoglio joins hosts Jennifer Smith and Lisa Kashinsky to talk about her office's 70-plus probes, including of the Legislature. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud. 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. | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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