| | | | |  | | By Kelly Garrity and Lisa Kashinsky | Presented by McDonald's | S(NO)WMAGEDDON — Gone are the days when seemingly endless snowstorms threatened to bury the political careers of the state's top elected officials. Deval Patrick saw so many storms that his fleece MEMA vest became a symbol of his administration. Charlie Baker practically lived in the state’s emergency bunker during the back-to-back-to-back-to-back nor'easters that pummeled Massachusetts in 2015. But Maura Healey has yet to partake in this gubernatorial rite of passage — or face the political and managerial tests that blow in with each blizzard — because snow has mostly been a no-show during her tenure. That was forecast to change today. School’s out across the state, the State House is closed and space savers are starting to emerge. Healey has instructed non-essential Executive Branch employees to stay home. While this storm isn't expected to wallop us anymore, parts of the state could still see upwards of half a foot of snow. Statewide snowstorms are becoming increasingly few and far between in a state that has repeatedly captured national attention for weathering brutal nor’easters (See: the Blizzard of ‘78, the April Fools’ Day Blizzard of ‘97 and February of '15.). Massachusetts is seeing around 20 fewer days with snow on the ground than it did in the early 2000s, Stephen Young, a professor at Salem State University who studies snow cover in New England, told Playbook. Boston hasn’t had more than four inches of snow in more than 700 days. “We’re still going to get snow, and weather is highly variable so there might be a year where we get blizzards. But the long-term trend is toward fewer and fewer days of snow cover,” Young said. “And here in southern New England we’re starting to witness the disappearance of winter snow, which is a characteristic of the climate we’re in.” But Mother Nature is bringing winter back today. And even though the shifting storm is set to bring less accumulation than initially thought, Healey's administration is still bracing for heavy, wet snow, power outages and coastal flooding.
|  Gov. Maura Healey gives a winter storm update at MassDOT's Highway Operations Center in Boston. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO | MassDOT was planning to have “close to 3,000 pieces of equipment” out on highways during the peak of the storm, Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said on Monday. The department has about 3,500 pieces of equipment and drivers available statewide. Still, the state could use more. MassDOT spokesperson John Goggin told Playbook the department is “actively seeking” more plows and people amid an industry-wide shortage of commercially licensed drivers. Goggin said there are several factors contributing to the shortage, including “lower-than-average snowfall over the past several years.” (Covid-19 also contributed to a shortage of plow drivers in recent winters past.) Another new winter wrinkle for Healey and her team: migrants who have nowhere to go with the state’s shelter system over capacity. Healey said the state’s “welcome centers” will be open and “functioning as normal” today. GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Send us your space saver pics (where they’re legal!) for a chance to be featured in Wednesday’s Playbook. TODAY — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” at 11 a.m. Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Email us: kgarrity@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com.
| | | | 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. | | | |  | CAMPAIGN MODE | | SCOOPLET — Gov. Maura Healey is the featured guest at a Wednesday breakfast reception for the Biden Victory Fund, the joint fundraising committee for President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Abigail Ross Hopper, Kelly Friend, Joey Paolino and Jeremy McDiarmid are the hosts of the Boston fundraiser, according to an invitation obtained by Playbook. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff was supposed to be attending political finance events in Boston today, but it appears at least one event has been rescheduled.
| | | DATELINE BEACON HILL | | | DEPARTURE LOUNGE — State Rep. Denise Garlick will not seek reelection, Playbook has confirmed. The Needham Democrat, who was first elected in 2010, made the announcement Monday night in a community address broadcast by The Needham Channel. She’s the latest longtime lawmaker planning to step aside after this term. And her departure will open up the top House seat on the joint education committee for next session. Read Garlick’s letter to her constituents.
| | MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS | | SPILLOVER — The city of Boston is turning a former outreach center in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard into an overnight shelter for up to 30 homeless people, including migrants, who are ineligible for the state’s emergency family assistance program, the Boston Herald reports. The move drew scorn from MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale, who accused Boston Mayor Michelle Wu of going beyond the state’s “right-to-shelter” mandate for families and pregnant women and “incentivizing adult migrants to come to the state, knowing they’ll receive shelter.”
| | | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES | | | TO FREE OR NOT TO FREE (THE T) — Wu’s move to use ARPA funds to cover another two years of the city’s fare-free bus pilot got a nod from Healey Monday. But there doesn’t seem to be much appetite from the executive branch to expand the program statewide. "It's just about the dollars," Healey said at an event highlighting her fiscal year 2025 budget proposal that includes $45 million to halve fares for some low-income riders. "I think [Wu’s proposal is] great, I support that. The question is, what can you do statewide?" State Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt’s support was even more tepid. “I definitely understand where the mayor is coming from. … But if we keep just saying, ‘Oh, well we’re going to intervene with this piece, this piece, this piece,’ we’re never actually going to solve this issue.” The T is facing a fiscal cliff that could reach $859 million by fiscal 2029. When asked by a reporter Monday if she would consider raising taxes as part of a longer-term funding solution for the transit system, Healey didn’t rule it out — she said she’s waiting to see what her task force on the matter recommends. More from The Boston Globe and CommonWealth Beacon.
| | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S GOVERNORS SUMMIT: Join POLITICO on Feb. 22 to dive into how Governors are wielding immense power. While Washington remains gridlocked, governors are at the center of landmark decisions in AI and tech, economic development, infrastructure, housing, reproductive health and energy. How are they setting the stage for the future of American politics, policies and priorities? How are they confronting major challenges? Explore these questions and more at the 2024 Governors Summit. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | DAY IN COURT | | — “Judge dismisses families' claims against Harvard in stolen bodies cases,” by Lisa Creamer, WBUR: “A Suffolk Superior Court judge on Monday dismissed a dozen civil lawsuits against Harvard College that alleged its medical school mishandled and desecrated bodies donated to its scandal-plagued anatomical gift program.” — “Attleboro man sues to get commercial driver's license back after it was suspended amid state police probe,” by David Linton, The Sun Chronicle: “A city man whose commercial driver’s license was suspended last year amid an investigation into the state police unit responsible for conducting CDL tests is suing the Registry of Motor Vehicles to get his license reinstated. … [Ruben] Laroche said he never asked for any special treatment or gave anyone 'anything of value' to obtain his CDL.”
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | BORDER-LESS AID BILL MOVING — Rep. Jake Auchincloss was “not surprised” to see Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey vote against a national security bill that included stricter border policies and more aid for states grappling with an influx of migrants. But Auchincloss would have voted for it had it cleared the Senate. The border crisis is “not fair to migrants. It’s also not fair to Massachusetts taxpayers,” Auchincloss said on WPRI’s “Newsmakers.” Warren and Markey did, however, just vote in favor of a $95 billion foreign aid package for Israel and Ukraine that was stripped of its border provisions. It's already facing resistance in the GOP-led House.
| | | IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN | | | — “False rumors in the wind,” by Anastasia E. Lennon, The New Bedford Light: “On Sunday afternoon, Jan. 28, Edgartown police on Martha’s Vineyard received a call reporting a dead whale had washed up near a private beach. … A few days later, NOAA Fisheries announced investigators’ preliminary finding: the young whale suffered from chronic entanglement. But by then, misinformation about the whale had spread. … It’s just the latest example of how some opponents of offshore wind development create and disseminate misinformation.”
| | | | A message from McDonald's:   | | | | | FROM THE 413 | | — “Amherst Town Council asked to support cease-fire in Gaza,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “The Town Council could vote as early as Feb. 26 on adopting a ‘Resolution for a Cease-fire in Gaza,’ a measure that not only calls for a cease-fire, but the release of hostages and detainees on both sides, ensuring humanitarian aid enters Gaza and an end to unconditional U.S. military aid to the Israeli government.” — “Report: Tourism brings $1.3B to three-county region,” by Alexander MacDougall, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Tourism contributes more than $1 billion in annual economic impact across Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin counties, according to a recent study released by the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau.”
| | | THE LOCAL ANGLE | | | — “Milton postpones housing referendum vote due to winter storm,” by Tréa Lavery, MassLive: “The vote [that’s now on Wednesday] will determine if the town passes a new zoning map allowing multifamily housing in areas near its public transit stations, in order to comply with a state law aimed at increasing transit-oriented housing development.” — “Angered with handling of Sgt. Brennan case, Hopkinton residents start recall efforts,” by Tom Benoit, MetroWest Daily News: “Several residents, upset with the Select Board's handling of the Timothy Brennan case, have started long-shot petition efforts to recall board members. ... Brennan was previously found by an independent investigator to have not reported alleged sexual assaults committed by now-retired Deputy Chief John ‘Jay’ Porter.” — “WynnBET customers in Massachusetts have 30 days to withdraw money from sports betting app,” by Rachel Andriacchi, WCVB: “Sports betting app WynnBET announced to customers in an email on Monday that the company will close down its mobile sports betting operations in Massachusetts effective immediately.” — “Gove looks ahead to first 4-year term,” by Matt Petry, Newburyport Daily News.
| | | | 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 NEW HAMPSHIRE | | TRUMP EFFECT — Former President Donald Trump is looming large over New Hampshire’s GOP gubernatorial primary. Former state Senate president Chuck Morse endorsed Trump ahead of New Hampshire’s presidential primary. Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte hasn’t — and still won’t say who she voted for in the primary, per WMUR. But she has pledged to support the Republican nominee in November.
| | KENNEDY COMPOUND | | IS IT TOO LATE TO APOLOGIZE — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. apologized to his family after a super PAC supporting him aired a $7 million ad during the Super Bowl that effectively recreated an ad that his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, ran during his 1960 campaign, our colleague Kierra Frazier reports. The New York Times’ Rebecca Davis O’Brien talked to the woman who put $4 million — and “creative guidance" — behind the Super Bowl spot.
| | | | 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 | | CONGRATS — to Kelly’s Huskies for winning the Beanpot Monday night in OT. Lisa’s Terriers will have to try again next year. TRANSITIONS — Commonwealth Care Alliance has named Amanda Cassel Kraft as COO. — Hebrew SeniorLife has appointed Amanda Bernardo as its new director of public affairs and community relations. Bernardo most recently served as chief of staff and chief strategy officer at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Katie Trojano, Joshua Solomon, Emily Minster and Jamie Cushman. 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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