| | | | |  | | By Lisa Kashinsky, Sophie Gardner and Kelly Garrity | | | HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO — Two surveys showing hypothetical but unrealistic Senate showdowns between Elizabeth Warren and former Gov. Charlie Baker underscore the GOP’s problem: the party still doesn’t have anyone to run this race. One poll of likely voters, from Republican-aligned Advantage Research for the Fiscal Alliance Foundation, shows Baker leading Warren 49 percent to 34 percent. Another poll, by Change Research for Northwind Strategies (whose founder, Doug Rubin, advised Warren in 2012), showed her leading Baker 46 percent to 41 percent. We could debate the polls’ methodologies all day. But our time is better spent talking about the problem these surveys present for the flailing state GOP. Republicans are going to need someone with money and name recognition to mount any sort of serious challenge to powerhouse progressive Warren. That’s not going to be Baker. Sure, the former governor is set to headline a June party fundraiser. And he hasn’t ruled out a run for higher office someday. But he’s not leaving his brand new, probably $3-million-per-year job running the NCAA to do it now. Really, his political adviser said so. That brings us to former Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. Despite the persistent speculation about her political ambitions — she’s got $1.7 million in her state campaign account, she’s got houses in two congressional districts — she’s shown no outward interest in such a campaign. Warren’s last Republican rival, Geoff Diehl, has lost two statewide races in a row and ended his last campaign in debt. Chris Doughty, the political newcomer who lost the Republican gubernatorial primary to Diehl last year, has personal wealth but isn’t looking at this race, according to people familiar with his thinking. There’s a potential new Doughty on the block in Peter de Silva, a Cape Cod businessman, author and former Harvard fellow who’s been floated as a possible contender. He didn’t return a request for comment yesterday. There’s also the open question of whether the faction of the state party led by former Chair Jim Lyons will try to muddy the primary waters by running its own candidate. MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale told Playbook she’s aware of “at least one candidate who could be a serious contender” but declined to say who. “My hope, frankly, is the poll that came out [yesterday] will show that the race is winnable for a Republican that has the right message,” she said. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. C’s in seven! TODAY — AG Andrea Campbell speaks at ROCA’s 35th anniversary breakfast at 7:45 a.m. at the Intercontinental Hotel in Boston. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speaks at the GBLC breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at Pipefitters Local 537, attends a Dorchester coffee hour at 9:30 a.m., announces a new program for tree canopy growth at 11:15 a.m. at Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center, is on GBH at 12:30 p.m. and attends the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce conference at 1:40 p.m. at the Mandarin Oriental Boston. Sen. Ed Markey and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky hold a youth mental health panel at noon at Suffolk University. THIS WEEKEND — Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Rep. Richard Neal is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. Tips? Scoops? Thinking of running for Senate? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com, sgardner@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com.
| | | | A message from American Beverage Association: At America’s beverage companies, we are committed to reducing our plastic footprint. That’s why we’re carefully designing our plastic bottles to be 100% recyclable, including the caps. Our goal is for every bottle to become a new one, so they don’t end up in nature. Learn more at EveryBottleBack.org. | | | |  | DATELINE BEACON HILL | | — BAD BLOOD: Auditor Diana DiZoglio is accusing top Senate Democrats of trying to "settle political scores" over her audit of the Legislature by shortchanging her office's budget. Gov. Maura Healey and the House both budgeted more than $26 million for the auditor’s office, while the Senate is pitching around $23 million for fiscal year 2024. And DiZoglio said other statewide offices received larger percent increases to their budgets than hers did. “The shameless tactics used to coerce, control, manipulate and punish just add to the many examples of why an audit of the Legislature is so desperately needed,” DiZoglio said in a statement. “No amount of bullying or retaliation will stop our office from doing our jobs by conducting this audit.” The auditor’s office is still in line for a $315,000 bump in the Senate budget, while “hundreds of accounts were level funded,” Senate Ways and Means Committee spokesperson Sean Fitzgerald said in response to DiZoglio's claims. DiZoglio’s word choice echoes what House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz said last month when explaining why his chamber matched the governor’s monetary request for the auditor’s office despite the ongoing drama. The budget, he said, was "not the place to potentially settle a political score.” Still, House lawmakers rejected the other piece of the governor’s ask — that state agencies be audited on a four-year cycle instead of three. DiZoglio is reviewing her legal options to force her former colleagues in the Legislature to comply with her audit. — “For years, Mass. Senate has set aside thousands to pay interns. This summer, it will actually pay some student workers,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “Each state Senate office will be allowed to choose one fellow who comes from an ‘underserved population’ for either summer or fall, and each fellow will be paid $20 per hour for a maximum 150 hours, according to an e-mail announcing the online application obtained by the Globe. The state Senate will also continue to offer an unpaid internship program available to a wider pool of applicants.”
| | MASK-ACHUSETTS | | — “As Massachusetts’ COVID public health emergency ends, advocates worry about the lifting of mask mandates,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “On Thursday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported 979 virus cases over the last week. The daily average of 140 COVID cases from the last week was a slight increase from the daily rate of 128 virus infections during the previous week.”
| | | | DON’T MISS THE POLITICO ENERGY SUMMIT: A new world energy order is emerging and America’s place in it is at a critical juncture. Join POLITICO on Thursday, May 18 for our first-ever energy summit to explore how the U.S. is positioning itself in a complicated energy future. We’ll explore progress on infrastructure and climate funding dedicated to building a renewable energy economy, Biden’s environmental justice proposals, and so much more. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | FROM THE HUB | | — “Boston Police budget returning to the fore as council mulls amendments,” Sean Cotter, Boston Globe: “City councilors and the Wu administration last year clashed over millions of dollars in cuts to the Police Department’s budget. The debate saw the council flex its budgetary powers, a mayoral veto of proposed cuts, and a council override attempt. This year, the issue has flown under the radar, fading into the background behind a run of major pieces of legislation, drama over council redistricting, and acrimony among members of the divided council. But now the issue of budget cuts is moving to the fore, even if in lower dollar amounts.” — “Boston-area mayors sign compact to improve diversity in real estate projects,” by Alexi Cohan, GBH News: “Local mayors are committing to improving diversity, equity and inclusion in the real estate business by signing a compact that pledges a historic 25% DEI evaluation criteria in public and private projects. … Mayors in Boston, Lynn, Somerville, Cambridge and Salem signed onto the compact.”
| | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES | | — “State transportation secretary approached Bill Bratton, her former brother-in-law, before his firm won a $900,000 no-bid contract with MBTA,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Shortly into her tenure as state transportation secretary, Gina Fiandaca turned to Bill Bratton, a well-known figure and former family member, as she faced mapping a response to a scathing federal review of the T. Months after that, Bratton’s firm scored a no-bid deal to help the agency with that very task.” — “MBTA budget gap could hit $542M by 2028,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “The MBTA was able to lean on state and federal assistance, and a hefty dip into its own emergency fund to close a $366 million budget gap for fiscal year 2024, but faces future shortfalls that could grow to $542 million by 2028.” — “Sagamore Bridge repairs are complete, two weeks before Memorial Day weekend,” by Andrea Perdomo-Hernandez, WBUR. — “Somerville extends free taxi service for low-income residents,” by Jacob Garcia and Vanessa Ochavillo, WBUR.
| | | | A message from American Beverage Association:   | | | | | DATELINE D.C. | | — “Despite Feinstein’s return, Delaney’s controversial nomination to be a judge on the Boston federal appeals court remains stalled,” by Jim Puzzanghera and Jess Bidgood, Boston Globe: “Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, said Thursday that it was ‘not the right moment’ for the panel to vote on [New Hampshire Attorney General Michael] Delaney, who was nominated to the First US Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston by President Biden in January. ... Delaney’s nomination has drawn fire because of his role representing the elite St. Paul’s School in a civil suit stemming from the 2014 sexual assault of Chessy Prout, then 15, by an 18-year-old senior, Owen Labrie, at the Concord, N.H., institution.”
| | THE LOWELL CONNECTOR | | — “‘Play’ ransomware group releases 5GB of Lowell data,” by Melanie Gilbert, Lowell Sun: “Play’s news feed, which lists six pages of cyberattacks including Lowell, says the data is ‘Private and personal confidential data, finance, taxes, clients and employee information. For now partially published compressed 5gb. If there is no reaction full dump will be uploaded.’”
| | FROM THE 413 | | — “Bill would seat Western Mass. resident on state Gaming Commission,” by Jonah Snowden, Springfield Republican: “Citing what he says are shortcomings with how MGM Casino has operated in Springfield, state Rep. Bud L. Williams filed a bill in the state legislature that would require at least one member of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission come from Western Massachusetts.” — “A race for a Select Board seat in West Stockbridge ended in a tie. That was only the beginning of the drama,” by Clarence Fanto, Berkshire Eagle: “After their race for a Select Board seat ended in a tie earlier this week, challenger Jon Piasecki sat down next to incumbent Kathleen Keresey on Wednesday at the panel’s first post-election meeting and insisted that neither of them should be there. Verbal sparks flew for 20 minutes before Piasecki, a local cannabis farmer, gave in to angry demands from many of the 40-plus residents on hand that he step aside and let the Select Board get down to business. As he left, he threatened to file a lawsuit against the town.”
| | | | GET READY FOR GLOBAL TECH DAY: Join POLITICO Live as we launch our first Global Tech Day alongside London Tech Week on Thursday, June 15. Register now for continuing updates and to be a part of this momentous and program-packed day! From the blockchain, to AI, and autonomous vehicles, technology is changing how power is exercised around the world, so who will write the rules? REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | THE LOCAL ANGLE | | — “Police regulators floating rules for auditing law enforcement agencies in Mass.,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “State law enforcement regulators are starting to think about how and to what extent they can audit police departments, including reviewing files on disciplinary matters, use of force, and officers whose credibility has been called into question.” — More: “Police regulators debate releasing partial list of disciplinary records for cops across Mass.,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald. — “Wellesley School Committee seeks state help to prevent teacher strike,” by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: “The Wellesley School Committee Thursday night filed a petition with the state Department of Labor Relations to prevent teachers from engaging in an illegal strike as contract negotiations become increasingly more acrimonious and drawn out.” — “New Bedford withholds public records regarding alleged police misconduct,” by Anastasia E. Lennon, New Bedford Light: “An attorney with the solicitor’s office said the city would be withholding the records in full, after the office assessed and accepted payment from The Light to process the records.”
| | | REGIONAL ROUNDUP | | | — "State Senate kills bill to legalize marijuana in New Hampshire," by Josh Rogers, NHPR: "The New Hampshire Senate again voted to reject legalizing marijuana in the state Thursday, keeping New Hampshire the lone New England state where recreational cannabis use by adults remains illegal." — “‘The time has come to act’: R.I. leaders push for assault weapons ban,” by Amanda Milkovits, Boston Globe.
| | | | A message from American Beverage Association: America’s leading beverage companies - The Coca-Cola Company, Keurig Dr Pepper and PepsiCo - are working together to reduce our industry’s plastic footprint through our Every Bottle Back initiative. We’re investing in efforts to get our bottles back so we can remake them into new bottles and use less new plastic.
Together, we’re:
- Designing 100% recyclable plastic bottles – we’re making our bottles from PET that’s strong, lightweight and easy to recycle.
- Investing in community recycling – we’re marshalling the equivalent of nearly a half-billion dollars with The Recycling Partnership and Closed Loop Partners to support community recycling programs where we can have the greatest impact.
- Raising awareness – we’re adding on-pack reminders to encourage consumers to recycle our plastic bottles and caps.
Our bottles are made to be remade. Please help us get Every Bottle Back. | | | | | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH | | SPOTTED — at the U.S. Capitol with his dad Rep. Jake Auchincloss, who was called back to D.C. to vote against House Republicans’ border bill days before his wife is due with their third child: 3-year-old Teddy Auchincloss. Pic ... another pic. ALSO SPOTTED — Gov. Maura Healey, state Rep. Marjorie Decker and Cambridge City Councilor Marc McGovern on the set of "The Instigators" movie shoot with Matt Damon and Casey Affleck. A Healey spokesperson said the group discussed support for the film industry. Tweet. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Kathryn Alexander, communications director for House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark; Laura Melle, Tommy Gardner, Nick Tierney, Kate Kelly and Andrew Thorne. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Michael Goldman, president of Goldman Associates, who celebrates Saturday, and to Sunday birthday-ers Pam Wilmot, Lucy Martirosyan, Samuel Greer, Jeffrey Barrett, Alycia DiTroia, Sophia Nigro, Samuel Greer and Kylie Harrigan. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: MASKS OFF — GBH’s Katie Lannan walks hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith and Lisa Kashinsky through the end of the state and federal Covid-19 public health emergencies. Plus, a breakdown of the Senate budget and the latest Boston redistricting drama. 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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