| | | | |  | | By Lisa Kashinsky and Kelly Garrity | Presented by McDonald's | HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO … OR NOT — Gov. Maura Healey keeps asking Congress for help dealing with the migrant surge. But her actions over the past few days show she’s done waiting. As the U.S. Senate nears a border deal with President Joe Biden that Healey and other governors facing a deluge of migrant arrivals desperately want — but that U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has already declared “dead on arrival” and that former President Donald Trump is trying to block — Healey is trying new tactics at the state level. On Wednesday, Healey paired her budget proposal with a plan to drain a surplus account to help fund the emergency shelter system with little money flowing in from the feds. It’s the third supplemental budget she’s filed to help float the system since taking office — and it’ll still leave the state about $91 million short of what the program is expected to cost through next summer. On Friday, as images of migrant and homeless families sleeping at Logan Airport splashed across television screens and news websites, The Boston Globe reported that Healey’s administration is considering opening an overflow shelter for migrant and homeless families at a recreation complex in Roxbury. It would be the largest overflow site in the state. And on Sunday, the Boston Herald reported that the governor’s team is talking to resettlement agencies about launching a one-year pilot program to help up to 400 migrant families in the emergency shelter system find long-term housing and work. Healey also hinted last week that she might try and change the state’s emergency assistance program — saying her administration is “undertaking” an “analysis” of the system that’s been in place since the 1980s and was not designed to handle its current caseload. She didn’t say if that would include limiting the length of stays for families in the shelter system, something she gave her administration the power to do last year. We could get more of an idea of what she’s thinking later today, when her administration submits its bi-weekly report on the shelter system. Of course, Healey and some of her fellow Democratic governors continue to press Congress to pass a spending plan that includes border policy changes and $1.4 billion Biden has requested for states and local governments sheltering migrants. It’s unclear if that funding will make it into the deal federal lawmakers are hammering out that would potentially let the president shut the border when crossings “reach catastrophically high levels.” But Healey is signaling through the short- and long-term steps she’s taking at the state level that she’s not confident help from Congress is coming anytime soon — and that she can’t keep waiting in the face of a migrant and shelter crisis that isn’t showing signs of ebbing. Rep. Richard Neal said on WCVB’s “On the Record” that Healey is “correct” about immigration being a federal issue. Congress’ “inability to solve this problem complicates everything at the state and local level across the country,” Neal said. And Trump’s attempts to tank the deal to deny Biden a win on immigration in an election year, he said, are “reckless.” But even as Neal called for “more border security coupled with a path to citizenship,” he didn’t offer anything for Healey in the immediate term.
|  Migrant families learn computer skills at the Jamaica Plain church they're staying at with the state's shelter system at capacity. | Michael Dwyer/AP | GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Big thanks to Mia McCarthy for stepping in these past two weeks while Lisa was in New Hampshire. Lisa’s back and ready to reconnect: lkashinsky@politico.com. And as always, reach Kelly at kgarrity@politico.com. TODAY — Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll swear in the governor’s Housing Councils at 10 a.m. in their ceremonial office and swear in Elizabeth Dewar to the SJC at 4 p.m. at the John Adams Courthouse. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is on WBUR’s “Radio Boston” at 11 a.m. and speaks at the Fred Korematsu Day Commemoration at 3 p.m. at the State House.
| | | | A message from McDonald's: From 2021 to 2022, the McDonald’s System contributed over $700 million to Massachusetts’ economy, supporting over 14,350 jobs statewide. McDonald’s presence in local communities throughout Massachusetts generated nearly $125 million in federal, state and local tax revenue, providing funding for public schools, infrastructure, parks and more. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Massachusetts and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/ma. | | | |  | DATELINE BEACON HILL | | — “‘Tremendously devious’: Gun rights group blasts bill scheduled for debate in Massachusetts Senate,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “After the House passed an omnibus piece of legislation over the objections of the state’s police chiefs and Second Amendment advocacy groups last fall, senators last week unveiled their version of the measure. On Sunday, gun owners told Sen. Will Brownsberger the legislation contains many of the same problems they identified before the passage of the House bill.” — “Healey says no bailout for Steward Health Care as financial woes continue,” by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, WBUR: “Gov. Maura Healey said her administration is monitoring the unfolding crisis and developing plans to stabilize the state’s health care system. … Appearing later on WBUR’s Radio Boston, Healey was asked whether Steward would receive a bailout from the state. ‘No, Steward’s not going to get bailed out,’ she said.” RELATED — “Steward Health Care looking to sell 4 hospitals in Massachusetts as soon as possible,” by Mary Saladna and Jennifer Eagan, WCVB.
| | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES | | — “Boston wants T buses to be free to ride. The T wants to charge. What happens next?,” by Taylor Dolven, The Boston Globe
| | | | JOIN 1/31 FOR A TALK ON THE RACE TO SOLVE ALZHEIMER’S: Breakthrough drugs and treatments are giving new hope for slowing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and ALS. But if that progress slows, the societal and economic cost to the U.S. could be high. Join POLITICO, alongside lawmakers, official and experts, on Jan. 31 to discuss a path forward for better collaboration among health systems, industry and government. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — “Elizabeth Warren raises over $850,000 for reelection campaign, while fund-raising for Senate colleagues,” by Niki Griswold, The Boston Globe: “Her haul from the final months of 2023 reflects a small slowdown in momentum from earlier in the year. Warren brought in a little more than $1 million in the third quarter, about $1.2 million from April to June, and around $800,000 at the start of the year. Her campaign war chest now totals nearly $4 million, which pales in comparison with her campaign coffers ahead of her 2018 race as she was also preparing to run for president in 2020.” NEAL’S ADVICE — Rep. Richard Neal says President Joe Biden needs to be doing more to tout jobs and other economic gains under his administration as the election year ramps up. “He has to be out there. He has to be more vigorous about it. I think the administration has to be more vigorous about it,” Neal said on WCVB’s “On the Record.” “If you were conducting the orchestra at this time, time to write the symphony.” MOULTON’S MESSAGE — Rep. Seth Moulton is calling for a measured response to the Iran-backed drone attack that killed three U.S. service members in Jordan on Sunday. “To the chicken hawks calling for war with Iran, you’re playing into the enemy’s hands. … We must have an effective, strategic response on our terms and our timeline,” Moulton, who served in Iraq as a U.S. Marine, said in a statement.
| | MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS | | — “The prospect of cannabis cafes in Massachusetts faces a hazy future,” by Diti Kohli, The Boston Globe: “The Cannabis Control Commission, the state’s marijuana regulatory body, last year held three public meetings about social consumption and administered a survey to over 1,000 cannabis businesses statewide, said commissioner Bruce Stebbins. Momentum picked up again in May when the commission scrapped a proposed pilot program that would have initially limited social consumption to 12 communities. … Still, it’s unclear when commissioners will next discuss the licenses.”
| | | | A message from McDonald's:   | | | | | IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN | | — “After months of delays, new EV chargers have arrived on the Mass Pike,” by Henry Schwan, Telegram & Gazette: “New charging stations for electric vehicles were officially activated Friday, according to a spokesman at the state Department of Transportation.”
| | | WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING | | | SHAKING THINGS UP — Former Gov. Deval Patrick has joined Chicago-based investment firm The Vistria Group as a senior adviser and is no longer an adviser to Bain Capital, Boston Business Journal’s Trajan Warren reports. Patrick is also stepping down as co-director of Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership at the end of the academic year, The Harvard Crimson reported last week. STRIKING FOR A DEAL — Newton teachers will remain on the picket lines after contract talks with the city’s school committee hit an impasse on Sunday, NBC10 Boston reports. It’s the seventh day students will be out of school. ‘THE LAST OF SOMERVILLE’S OLD GUARD’ — CommonWealth Beacon’s Gintautas Dumcius dives into the story of Sean O’Donovan, a longtime player in an increasingly bygone era of Somerville politics who was convicted of attempting to bribe Medford’s police chief to help a client set up a pot shop and is set to be sentenced early next month. SPEAKING OF SOMERVILLE — “Somerville passes a call for cease-fire in Gaza after emotional votes by anxious councilors,” by Emily Pauls, Cambridge Day. OOPS — Looks like the Healey administration accidentally invented a new Chamber of Commerce in western Massachusetts while listing members of its new transportation task force. A Healey spokesperson acknowledged the error, Dumcius and Bruce Mohl report at CommonWealth Beacon. POWER PLAY — The Brockton School Committee has deadlocked on a vote for vice chair for four straight meetings, to the point where it’s holding up some business for the district. The Enterprise’s Christopher Butler explains why. — “Scary time for Worcester hospitals: patient numbers soaring in ER presents challenges,” by Henry Schwan, Telegram & Gazette: “Emergency rooms statewide are bursting at the seams, with record numbers of patients. It's a situation that is creating challenges to provide safe and effective care. … A shortage of hospital beds isn't the problem, said [UMass Memorial Health CEO Eric] Dickson. It's a lack of coordination statewide and regionally in how best to manage them.” — “Cardinal O’Malley reflects on 20 years at the helm of the Boston Archdiocese,” by Danny McDonald, The Boston Globe.
| | | | YOUR GUIDE TO EMPIRE STATE POLITICS: From the newsroom that doesn’t sleep, POLITICO's New York Playbook is the ultimate guide for power players navigating the intricate landscape of Empire State politics. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest and most important stories from Albany, New York City and around the state, with in-depth, original reporting to stay ahead of policy trends and political developments. Subscribe now to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle of NY politics. | | | | | | | MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND | | — “McKee: Feds are investigating I-195 Washington Bridge closure,” by Ted Nesi, WRPI: “In an email to reporters at 6 p.m., McKee press secretary Olivia Darocha said investigators from the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s inspector general are 'seeking documents and records related to the Washington Bridge' from the R.I. Department of Transportation. … The governor’s office initially refused to release the letter Friday night, but almost immediately relented after being criticized for a lack of transparency.”
| | | | A message from McDonald's: McDonald’s is an economic engine for the state of Massachusetts, contributing over $700 million to our state’s economy, directly employing nearly 11,600 Massachusettsans and supporting an additional 2,750 jobs statewide. It’s also an engine of opportunity: 1 in 4 independent McDonald’s operators in Massachusetts began their careers as restaurant crew members, generating wealth for their families and local communities. We are proud to support Massachusetts through public schools, parks and more from the nearly $125 million in federal, state and local tax revenue generated by the McDonald’s System’s activities. And thanks to the generosity of McDonald’s customers and owner/operators, the $700,000 raised through Ronald McDonald House Charities in 2022 provided over 7,000 overnight stays for families with children receiving medical care in Massachusetts. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Massachusetts and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/ma. | | | | | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH | | SPOTTED — at Black Lion Strategies New Year’s Reception on Friday: Black Lion Strategies CEO Samuel M. Gebru; Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who was honored as the firm’s inaugural Good Troublemaker of the Year; Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll; Cambridge Mayor Denise Simmons; former Somerville mayor and NECEC CEO Joe Curtatone; state Sen. Sal DiDomenico; Revere City Councilor Juan Jaramillo; Greater Boston Building Trades President Brian Doherty; Greater Boston Labor Council President Darlene Lombos and more. TRANSITIONS — Victoria Bergeron joins the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation as a policy researcher. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Rep. Jake Auchincloss, Provincetown Town Manager Alex Morse, Dr. Natalia Linos, Mass. Playbook alum and Bloomberg’s Lauren Dezenski and Rich Rubino. 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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