| | | | |  | | By Kelly Garrity | ALL TOGETHER NOW — The state’s top Democrats are lining up to pressure federal officials to send money to Massachusetts to help cover costs from the state’s migrant crisis. Gov. Maura Healey’s administration applied Thursday for $34.5 million from the FEMA-run Shelter and Services Program, money that would help make a dent in the more than $900 million the state expects to have to shell out on its emergency assistance program for migrant and homeless families over the next fiscal year. State officials coordinated the application with the city officials in Boston, according to the Healey administration, and the city would get a $1.3 million slice of the funding. The state’s all-Democratic congressional delegation is running interference, urging Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to approve the entire request, citing the state’s singular “right-to-shelter” law and the looming budget shortfall. “The only state in the country with a ‘right to shelter’ law, Massachusetts has struggled to house every family in need of shelter, and nearly 800 families are on a waiting list,” the full 11-member delegation wrote in a letter led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren and sent to federal officials last night that was first shared with Playbook. “With shelter facilities at capacity, families have been forced to sleep outdoors and in cars, in a state with below-freezing temperatures for months of the year. Some have turned to airport lobbies and hospital emergency rooms for makeshift shelter.” The roughly $9 million in SSP funding Massachusetts has won since 2023 has been a “lifeline” for the shelter system, members note in their letter. But, they said, it “hardly makes a dent” in the nearly $1 billion the state predicts it will need to spend in fiscal year 2025. Healey and budget writers in both chambers of the Legislature all pitched spending plans that are hundreds of millions of dollars short of what officials say they’ll need to keep running the emergency shelter program through next June. Now the pending shortfall could make the state a more competitive candidate for the FEMA assistance. It’s also a moment of unity between Massachusetts’ top Democrats, who aren’t always in perfect alignment on how to handle immigration issues. While Warren and Sen. Ed Markey opposed the bipartisan border deal that would’ve padded the Shelter and Services Program (while also tightening immigration rules), they have continually pledged to fight for more federal dollars for Massachusetts’ overburdened shelter system. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Thanks for sticking around this week! Send ideas, comments, complaints: kgarrity@politico.com. TODAY — Healey keynotes Pine Street Inn’s annual job training graduation at noon in Boston. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll speaks at an event with the Massachusetts Boys & Girls at 12:30 p.m. in Billerica. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hosts a coffee hour at 9:30 a.m. in Fenway. Sen. Ed Markey hosts a roundtable on internet affordability at 10 a.m. at the JFK Federal Building. Secretary of State Bill Galvin hosts his annual Flag Day celebration at 10:30 a.m. at the State House. THE WEEKEND — Markey attends a Juneteenth celebration held by the Racial Equity and Justice Forum of Hyde Park at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. State Auditor Diana DiZoglio attends the New England Chinese Information and Networking Association’s annual conference at 11:30 a.m. and joins a women veterans luncheon at 1 p.m. in Billerica Saturday. SUNDAY SHOWS — DiZoglio is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. State Rep. Dylan Fernandes and State Sen. Julian Cyr are on NBC10 Boston’s “At Issue” at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
| | | | THE GOLD STANDARD OF POLICY REPORTING & INTELLIGENCE: POLITICO has more than 500 journalists delivering unrivaled reporting and illuminating the policy and regulatory landscape for those who need to know what’s next. Throughout the election and the legislative and regulatory pushes that will follow, POLITICO Pro is indispensable to those who need to make informed decisions fast. The Pro platform dives deeper into critical and quickly evolving sectors and industries—finance, defense, technology, healthcare, energy—equipping policymakers and those who shape legislation and regulation with essential news and intelligence from the world’s best politics and policy journalists.
Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other—with teams embedded in the world’s most active legislative and regulatory power centers. From Brussels to Washington, New York to London, Sacramento to Paris, we bring subscribers inside the conversations that determine policy outcomes and the future of industries, providing insight that cannot be found anywhere else. Get the premier news and policy intelligence service, SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO PRO TODAY. | | | | | |  | DATELINE BEACON HILL | | — “State Rep. William 'Smitty' Pignatelli will serve as interim town manager in Lenox,” by Clarence Fanto, The Berkshire Eagle: “State Rep. William ‘Smitty’ Pignatelli has a new title — interim town manager. The Select Board voted 4-0 Wednesday night to appoint Pignatelli, who will start July 1 until a permanent town manager is appointed to succeed Christopher Ketchen.” — “Much ado about the multibillion dollar housing bond bill,” by Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Beacon: “Major bond bills, proposed by the governor but needing sign-off from the Legislature, set the widest parameters for possible spending. They approve the maximum amount of state bonds – debt securities that support infrastructure spending – to be sold over a five-year period, but the actual amount of outstanding direct debt that the state can carry on its books is limited by state law. There’s little to no chance that $6 billion in bonding power actually gets pointed at the housing crisis.” — “Natural gas targeted in Massachusetts Senate climate bill,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “A climate bill the state Senate is scheduled to release in the coming days could target Massachusetts residents’ legal right to natural gas and a program to replace old pipes for the service, according to its chief author. Sen. Michael Barrett, a Lexington Democrat who co-chairs the Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee, said the legislation will require that petitions to extend natural gas service into new areas must first consider the climate impacts of such a move and whether there are ‘less costly or less polluting alternatives.’” TALK OF THE TON — Gov. Maura Healey’s updated five-year Capital Investment Plan — an outline for spending over the next several years — wasn’t exactly break-the-internet material. But her post on X laying it out in the style of Bridgerton’s Lady Whistledown did generate some buzz. The idea originated in Healey’s press room, per spokesperson Karissa Hand: “Our digital team was excited to use the premiere of part 2 of Bridgerton Season 3 as an opportunity to get the word out about the game changing investments from our CIP!” she said in a statement. — “Steward Health granted emergency relief to keep hospitals afloat during bankruptcy process,” by Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald: “Steward hospitals in Massachusetts will be able to live another day with another loan infusion approved in bankruptcy court to keep the facilities limping along. … Steward Health Care representatives came before the bankruptcy court judge to request approval of a $225 million loan to keep their hospitals functioning during the bidding process to sell off the facilities. Steward owns eight functioning hospitals in Massachusetts.” — “Lawmakers approve ban on 'revenge' porn,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “The bipartisan bill would create a new felony offense for individuals charged with distributing a sexually explicit image ‘for purposes of revenge or embarrassment,’ and give judges the authority to ensure explicit images are destroyed. Violators could face up to 2-1/2 years in prison and fines of $10,000.” — “Gov. Healey ‘disgusted’ at State Police trooper’s comments on Karen Read,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald.
| | FROM THE HUB | | — “Boston City Council defeats free museum push for all kids,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “The Boston City Council voted, 6-2, with three councilors voting present and two absent, on a resolution filed in February by Erin Murphy and Ed Flynn that sought expansion of the mayor’s ‘BPS Sundays’ pilot program — thereby defeating the measure by falling one vote shy of the seven votes needed for majority approval.” — “Calls for severance for laid off immigrant workers who built medical devices during the pandemic,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News.
| | YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS | | DEATON’S FUNDRAISING DRIVE — Republican U.S. Senate hopeful John Deaton was heading back to the Bay State from a trip to New York City Thursday afternoon, planning to make it to Massachusetts before a 5:30 p.m. fundraiser featuring Republican heavy-hitters former Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. But after several flight delays and with the clock ticking down, he hopped in Lyft for a roughly four-and-a-half hour drive — making it to Piccolo’s in Worcester just after 6 p.m. Deaton’s Lyft driver, Earl, joined the soiree. The pair spent the roughly $300 car ride talking hip-hop and listening to music... Pic.
| | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES | | — “'MBTA owes this region an apology': South Coast Rail start is delayed another year,” by Dan Medeiros, The Herald News: “Those who've been waiting for South Coast Rail will have to continue waiting almost another year before they can ride the rails. At a public meeting hosted by the MBTA at Bristol Community College on Thursday afternoon, General Manager Phillip Eng unveiled a revised timetable for South Coast Rail service to finally accept passengers: May 2025. The latest delay pushes departure times far beyond the MBTA’s initially promised start date of late 2023.”
| | DAY IN COURT | | NOT QUITE A VICTORY ON MIFE — Massachusetts Democratic leaders welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to maintain access to the abortion pill mifepristone Thursday, but they aren’t putting the ruling in the win column for abortion rights just yet. Gov. Maura Healey, who stockpiled 15,000 doses of the drug last year after a Texas judge suspended federal approval, told reporters that the Court’s ruling that the plaintiffs lacked standing to bring their challenge was a “no brainer,” but she took “no comfort” in the decision. “[W]hat's troubling here is that the Supreme Court still left open an idea that someone could challenge mifepristone and medication abortion,” she said. Attorney General Andrea Campbell similarly commended the Court. “But make no mistake,” she said in a statement, “anti-abortion advocates will not stop trying to prevent Americans from accessing reproductive healthcare, including medication abortion.” Dive deeper with POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein. — “SJC green-lights tipped wages ballot measure,” by Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Beacon.
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, our newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS | | — “Cannabis Commission board strips acting executive director of day-to-day oversight,” by Walter Wuthmann and Beth Healy, WBUR: “Three board members of the state's cannabis control commission voted Thursday to strip the agency's acting executive director, Debbie Hilton-Creek, of her role overseeing day-to-day operations. A fourth commissioner, Kimberly Roy, opposed the motion, saying the vote violated state law. Roy said she planned to take the matter to several state oversight agencies for review. — “Running out of marijuana, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket get approval to ship pot to the islands,” by Nick Perry, The Associated Press.
| | MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE | | GRANITE STATE OF MIND — Second gentleman Doug Emhoff hits the campaign trail in New Hampshire today, phone banking in Exeter as part of the launch of Seniors for Biden-Harris. More on his swing from the New Hampshire Union Leader. — “After months of debate, NH House shelves plan to legalize marijuana in state,” by Josh Rogers, New Hampshire Public Radio: “After months of State House negotiations and bipartisan votes, the effort to legalize cannabis in New Hampshire and sell it at 15 state-awarded franchises fell short Thursday, as House lawmakers voted to set the last remaining bill on the issue aside for the year. The 178-173 vote to table the bill, and the subsequent failure to overturn the motion by a wider margin, ends the legalization debate in Concord for now, but it keeps legalization alive as a campaign year issue. ‘Literally no one in this body likes this bill,’ Rep Jared Sullivan, a Democrat from Bethlehem who backs legalization, told colleagues shortly before the tabling vote.”
| | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH | | SPOTTED — At MassDems’s annual Roosevelt Awards and dinner, honoring former MassDems Chair John Walsh and former House Speaker Robert DeLeo: Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, HWM Chairman Aaron Michlewitz, MassDems Chair Steve Kerrigan, Sen. Ed Markey, state Sens. William Brownsberger and Jamie Eldridge, Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur, House Speaker Ron Mariano, state Reps Adrian Madaro, Alice Peisch, Dylan Fernandes, Kate Donaghue, Mike Moran, and Paul Donato; Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, Boston City Councilor Sharon Durkan, former state Auditor Suzanne Bump, former state Sen. Joe Boncore, Tara Healey, Jim Roosevelt, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley, Reproductive Equity Now Executive Director Rebecca Hart Holder, Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch, Dallas Ducar, Former Boston City Councilor Larry DiCara, Darnell Williams, Jimmy Tingle, Katie Prisco-Bauxbaum, Jesse Mermell, Josh Boger, Massachusetts AFL-CIO Vice President Tim Foley, Kate Kelly, Adam Webster, Edward M. Kennedy Institute CEO and former state Sen. Adam Hinds HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Hannah Rehm, Maud Mandel and Danny Gaynor. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Milt Spaulding, Marie Harf and Hunter Woodall, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers POLITICO’s Madison Fernandez, Tom Fleming, the Boston Herald’s Mac Cerullo, MassINC’s Richard Parr, Nicholas McCool and Bill Shaner. 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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