| | | | |  | | By Kelly Garrity | TAXED OUT — A local-option transfer fee isn’t expected to be in the housing bond bill the Senate is unveiling later today, according to four people familiar with the legislation that the Senate Ways and Means Committee is polling later this morning. The tax on high-dollar real estate transactions Gov. Maura Healey included in her version of the housing bond bill seemed to be gaining momentum on Beacon Hill earlier this year. Just a few months ago, House Speaker Ron Mariano sounded open to the idea, telling business leaders the state “must explore all options that have the potential to make a real difference” during a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce event in March. But by May, the House had nixed the proposal from its version of the bill, and Mariano was calling the policy “inequitable.” Beacon Hill observers expected the tax might stand a better chance in the Senate, where several lawmakers have publicly pushed for it. It’s possible at least some iteration of the transfer fee could make it into the final version of the Senate’s bill through the amendment process — but unlikely with Senate leaders divided on the issue. Both chambers passing on the policy is a blow to Healey. But it’s also only one avenue — a single tool in the toolkit, as lawmakers like to say — for helping create the 200,000 units of housing the state is currently short. Healey, asked earlier this month if she would sign housing legislation without the tax, simply said she was “very glad” to see a bill moving and that she hopes to see a “law in place that will do what we’re trying to do, which is to increase production.” MEANWHILE IN THE HOUSE — Top Democrats are releasing their version of the economic development bond bill today. The House Ways and Means Committee plans to poll the bill later this morning, and representatives intend to take it up Thursday, Chair Aaron Michlewitz told Playbook. While Healey made bond authorizations and tax incentives for the life sciences and climate tech sectors the centerpiece of her the economic development legislation she filed, the $2.86 billion omnibus bill the House is unveiling today will be laden with additional policy riders. Among them: a proposal to rename the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center after the late former Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, the Boston Herald reported earlier this morning. It’ll also include a provision that would allow cities and towns to strike project labor agreements on public projects (similar to a state Rep. Marjorie Decker bill), per details of the bill first shared with Playbook. That policy provides a legislative fix to a question that came before the Hampden Superior Court earlier this year. A judge in May held up construction on a Springfield water treatment plant after non-union trade groups argued the PLA, which required the construction to be done by union workers, limited competitive bidding. GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Tips? Scoops? Things to look out for in the economic development bill? Email me: kgarrity@politico.com. TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and Attorney General Andrea Campbell hold a press conference on the anniversary of the Dobbs decisions at 11 a.m. where Healey announces executive action to protect access to emergency abortion care. Healey and Driscoll host a press celebration for LGBTQ+ youth at 3:30 p.m. at the State House. Driscoll speaks at a Massachusetts Housing Partnership event at 10 a.m. in Boston. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hosts a coffee hour in Mission Hill at 9:30 a.m. and is on WBUR’s “Radio Boston” at 11 a.m. Healey joins Wu at a press conference announcing new details of Boston’s office to residential building conversion program at 12:45 p.m. in Bay Village. Sen. Elizabeth Warren stumps for President Joe Biden at reproductive rights events in Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin.
| | | | 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 | | — “Republican Senator blocks climate bill again over natural gas concerns but agrees to Tuesday debate,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “A Senate Republican stopped a broad climate bill from advancing Friday for the second day in a row but struck a deal with Democrats to allow full debate on the proposal to take place on Tuesday, a move the conservative argued bought lawmakers more time to review the large bill. Resistance to climate legislation Senate Democratic leadership unveiled Monday has grown over the past week as labor unions and Republicans took issue with language in the proposal targeting natural gas, including ending a program to replace aged infrastructure.” — “Unnerved by bankruptcy, doctors and patients are leaving Steward hospitals,” by Deborah Becker, WBUR: “As Steward Health Care goes through bankruptcy proceedings, many doctors and patients are reluctant to associate with its seven operating hospitals in Massachusetts, according to health care leaders and people who work in the facilities. ... Patients at one cancer clinic already had to seek alternatives after a doctor's departure caused care to be suspended. At the same time, state officials and hospital leaders said some patients are avoiding Steward facilities over concerns about the company's financial troubles. The dynamic could further erode the hospitals' finances and repel potential buyers. The drain on staff and patients may also strain the state's health care system.” ICYMI — Senate President Karen Spilka and other state officials from around the country “shared how lowering costs for community college students has increased enrollment rates and access to postsecondary education,” during the virtual White House panel last week, per a White House readout from the event, which was closed to the press.
| | MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS | | — “Boston Mayor Wu: ‘No plans’ to return migrant, homeless shelter to addiction outreach amid Mass and Cass spike,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “Boston’s mayor said there are no plans to transition a building that’s been sheltering migrant and homeless adults for months back into a Mass and Cass addiction outreach center despite the crowds and drug use returning to the area. Mayor Michelle Wu laid out plans to temporarily convert the former engagement center on Atkinson Street into an overnight shelter in February, at which point a mid-March to mid-April closing date was tentatively set by the city, but she said Wednesday that as ‘the need has not abated,’ there are no current plans to close it.”
| | FROM THE HUB | | — “Firefighters’ cars ‘severely damaged’ after working Celtics duck boat parade,” by Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald: “Firefighters working at the Celtics Championship Parade on Friday returned to find their personal vehicles ‘severely damaged and vandalized,’ the Boston firefighters union president said Sunday.” — “There’s only one restaurant in Mattapan with a liquor license. It has Durgin-Park to thank for it,” by Shirley Leung, The Boston Globe.
| | THE RACE FOR CITY HALL | | 2025 WATCH — Ed Flynn is still not not eyeing a run for mayor next year. “You’ve said you’re not running for mayor next year when Mayor Wu seeks reelection, correct?” Jon Keller asked the Boston City Councilor during an interview on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large,” Sunday. “I haven’t focused on it. I’ve focused on my job as a city councilor,” Flynn replied. But it’s not a no, he clarified.
| | | YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS | | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — The Boston Teachers Union is endorsing Allison Cartwright for Suffolk County Supreme Judicial Court clerk over Boston City Councilor Erin Murphy, a former BPS teacher and BTU member. BTU President Jessica Tang lauded Cartwright’s decades of legal experience “defending young people and managing teams of attorneys” and her “deep roots in the Suffolk County community,” in a statement shared with Playbook. — Progressive West Roxbury/Roslindale voted over the weekend to endorse Cartwright for Suffolk County Supreme Judicial Court clerk, Stacey Borden for Governor’s Council in District 4, and Stephanie Everett for Suffolk County Register of Probate. — The Coalition for Social Justice and One Fair Wage are endorsing Milton Select Board member and state Senate hopeful Erin Bradley in her bid for the open Norfolk, Plymouth, and Bristol seat. WATCH — “MassGOP chair discusses importance of Trump's vice president pick,” by Ed Harding, WCVB.
| | DAY IN COURT | | — “Former Sen. Dean Tran facing more criminal charges. This time, his sister is also involved,” by Maco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette: “Former state Sen. Dean Tran of Fitchburg and his sister Tuyet T. Martin were indicted on obstruction of justice charges related to an alleged attempt to cover up a sham job offer for Tran, the office of Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy announced Friday. Tran, 48, a Republican and former 2022 candidate for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District, already faces several charges in other cases. The indictment was unsealed in federal court in Boston on Friday charging Tran and Martin, 54, of Pelham, New Hampshire.”
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — “During Pride Month, Mass. Sen. Markey backs bill supporting older LGBTQI+ Americans,” by John L. Micek, MassLive: “[The] Massachusetts lawmaker says he wants to look after LGBTQI+ Americans who blazed the trail. New legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and others would set up a new federal agency aimed at supporting the health and economic needs of older LBTQI+ Americans. The ‘Elder Pride Act,’ as it’s been dubbed, would set up a new Office of LGBTQI Inclusion within the Department of Health and Human Services charged with assisting elders living with HIV, the Bay State Democrat’s office said in a statement.”
| | WARREN REPORT | | — “Warren to stump for Biden in Wisconsin,” by WisPolitics: “U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., will visit four Wisconsin cities on Monday and Tuesday to campaign for President Joe Biden and criticize Donald Trump’s stance on abortion. Monday marks the two-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, a 1973 decision that guaranteed the right to an abortion. On Monday, Warren will join abortion rights advocate Amanda Zurawski, of Texas, and local leaders for a panel in Milwaukee and a rally in Madison, both focused on 'Trump’s threats to reproductive rights.' The next day she will host a panel discussion in Eau Claire and a rally in Hudson, both with local leaders, to knock Trump on abortion.”
| | | | Understand 2024’s big impacts with Pro’s extensive Campaign Races Dashboard, exclusive insights, and key coverage of federal- and state-level debates. Focus on policy. Learn more. | | | | | | | FROM THE 413 | | — “Greenfield ZBA strikes down appeal of permit for temporary Arch Street shelter,” by Anthony Cammalleri, Greenfield Recorder. — “North Adams Regional Hospital is still waiting on the critical access designation crucial to funding the operation,” by Sten Spinella, The Berkshire Eagle: “Berkshire Health Systems is currently working on obtaining a ‘critical access hospital’ designation after an initial survey from the state Department of Public Health, on behalf of the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in March. Apart from the widely recognized need to get a hospital back in North Adams after NARH abruptly closed in 2014, the main reason Berkshire Health Systems was able to open the facility was a change in federal guidelines that would allow for NARH to become a critical access hospital.”
| | THE LOCAL ANGLE | | — “On wealthy Martha's Vineyard, costly housing is forcing workers out and threatening public safety,” by Nick Perry, The Associated Press. — “Cambridge confronts road safety after second fatal bicycle crash in two weeks,” by Laura Crimaldi and Nick Stoico: “The city of Cambridge is grappling this month with a pair of crashes in which box trucks struck and killed two bicyclists following a controversial City Council vote to extend a deadline for installing separated bike lanes on three major streets. … Bike safety advocates said the recent crashes in Cambridge, one of which happened on Friday, reveal vulnerabilities in road infrastructure at a time when the city is poised to delay construction of separated bike lanes on Main and Cambridge streets as well as Broadway.”
| | MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND | | — “Gov. Healey tried luring Citizens to Mass. amid RI tax dispute, speaker says,” by Tim White, WPRI: “House Speaker Joe Shekarchi said Gov. Maura Healey offered Citizens Bank multiple deals to leave Rhode Island for Massachusetts amid a tax-break dispute that shook-up the end of this year’s legislative session. During a taping of WPRI 12’s Newsmakers on Friday, Shekarchi said talks between Gov. Dan McKee’s office and Citizens executives over a tax deal included in the budget had broken down in the waning days of the legislative session. At that point, bank officials approached him with a request, he said. … The speaker said Citizens officials then told him there was a risk the bank would leave Rhode Island for Massachusetts because Healey was making offers. … Massachusetts has already enacted a new tax law that simplifies how banks are taxed, making it more generous to banks than Rhode Island.”
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