| | | | |  | | By Kelly Garrity | | Presented by |  | | | BORDER SKIRMISH — New Hampshire is home to the country’s most competitive governor’s race this year. The results could come down to how much our northern neighbors hate Massachusetts. Former GOP Sen. Kelly Ayotte has made Massachusetts a proxy for the high taxes she says former Democratic Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig would bring if she wins the office, reupping the warnings nearly everytime Craig appears publicly with Gov. Maura Healey. That hasn’t kept Healey from New Hampshire’s campaign trail. She and members of Massachusetts’ Legislature were in Manchester over the weekend to knock doors for Craig and the Harris-Walz ticket, and the governor was back again yesterday alongside New Hampshire Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Ayotte hasn’t missed many opportunities to tie Craig to Healey or her home state. Craig “looks to Massachusetts and sees a better model for New Hampshire. I see higher taxes, more crime and less freedom with that model,” Ayotte said at a forum on Sunday. Craig painted Ayotte’s Massachusetts messaging as divisive when asked about it yesterday. “When I was in Conway last week, I heard from businesses who were saying Massachusetts residents were coming in and asking, ‘Am I still welcome here?’” Craig told reporters. “We need a governor who is focused on lifting up our families, lifting up our businesses, not pitting one community against another.” And Healey, who also holds a leadership position with the Democratic Governors Association helping get Democratic women elected, noted the importance of having regional partnerships to tackle energy and economic development concerns. There is, of course, more to the race than Massachusetts. Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington pummeled Craig in the primary over her past leadership in Manchester, and Ayotte wasted no time in picking up where the primary left off. And Craig is taking a page out of the Democratic party's abortion-rights playbook, hammering Ayotte for her record on the issue in the Senate. But in a race as tight this one, Massachusetts could make a difference – one way or another. “If you ask anybody who lives in a tourist town, they have a love-hate relationship with the people they rely on for their income, and I kind of think that's the mentality of a lot of people in New Hampshire,” said Pat Gocklin, a Craig supporter from Manchester who came to yesterday's canvass sporting a “Boston” sweatshirt. “They hate the lower states for coming here and spending time here, but they don't mind their money.” That’s been true for both candidates when it comes to padding their campaign coffers. Both Craig and Ayotte list Massachusetts-based businesses or organizations among their top donors in reports curated by New Hampshire’s campaign finance office. Healey isn’t the only Democratic governor showing up for Craig: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro joined a fundraiser last night hosted by Maura Sullivan, the second vice chair of New Hampshire Democratic Party, according to one attendee. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Healey has said she’s not interested in a role in a hypothetical Harris administration — but for the skeptics, she may have offered another sign in New Hampshire yesterday. “When has Kelly Ayotte’s experience and existence been about anything other than herself? She couldn't even serve out her term as Attorney General. She was too hot to run for U.S. Senate,” Healey told the room of supporters and volunteers in Manchester — not a likely attack line for someone hoping to cut short their term in office. TODAY — Healey has no public events. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll chairs a Governor’s Council meeting at noon at the State House. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speaks at the Age Strong Commission’s Halloween party at 11:30 a.m. in West Roxbury. Wu, Rep. Jim McGovern and Rep. Ayanna Pressley talk tackling food insecurity at 4 p.m. in Roxbury. Sen. Ed Markey joins a small business at 11:45 a.m. in Lawrence and highlights federal funding with Rep. Lori Trahan at a press conference at 1:30 p.m. in Lowell. Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Email me: kgarrity@politico.com
| | | | A message from Johnson & Johnson: We’re restoring the true meaning of healthcare—Innovating more precise, less invasive surgery and improving recovery. See how we’re connecting the best of Health&Care for every patient and provider. Learn more. | | | |  | DATELINE BEACON HILL | | — “State education board addresses MCAS ballot question, gives no plan if voters reject test requirement,” by Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald: “A week out from the Nov. 5 election in which voters will decide whether to toss the state’s MCAS graduation requirement, Massachusetts education officials continued to refrain from giving the public any details of how they may handle the potential overhaul.”
| | FROM THE HUB | | — “Boston's homeless say public safety crackdown at Mass. and Cass puts them in danger,” by Tori Bedford, GBH News: “For years, Mass. and Cass was considered a “safe zone” where the unhoused lived in tents and used drugs with relative impunity. But since last November, most people now come and go quickly. That’s when Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration enacted a citywide ordinance banning tents in response to residents’ complaints about public safety.” — “At Boston City Council hearing, tensions flare over bureaucratic process rather than tax policy,” by Niki Griswold, The Boston Globe: “Boston city councilors and other local officials on Tuesday clashed over process more than policy, as Mayor Michelle Wu’s push to temporarily tinker with property tax rates faces a key deadline. … [D]uring a hearing on the compromise measure Tuesday, at least three councilors expressed frustration that the council is under pressure to fast track the policy, while others argued that they’ve had months to hash out and offer input on the issue, which would have significant potential consequences for vulnerable homeowners.”
| | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES | | — “MBTA backs away from commuter rail fare loss estimate,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Beacon: “The MBTA is backing away from a statement made last Thursday by the agency’s senior manager of fare policy and analysis, who estimated 25 percent of fares on the south side of the commuter rail system are not being collected. David Churella made the comment at a meeting of the MBTA board of directors in response to a question from Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, who wanted to know how much money the T was losing by not collecting all commuter rail fares. … When CommonWealth Beacon followed up on Monday with more detailed questions about the fare situation, T officials said they do not have an estimate of fare revenue losses last year.” — “Springfield Union Station, west-east rail net $37M from feds,” by Jim Kinney, The Springfield Republican.
| | YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS | | — “As Mass. tests its aging devices for voters with disabilities, advocates stress their critical role,” by Emily Piper-Vallillo, WBUR: “Before every election, Massachusetts tests accessible voting machines that all polling locations must provide voters with disabilities, like those who are blind or low vision, so they may vote independently. Many of these machines, called AutoMARKs, are nearly 20 years old. Despite the aging tech, a spokeswoman for the secretary of state’s office said the test runs help voters avoid problems at the ballot box.”
| | TRAIL MIX | | — “This year’s vote count will be faster, but it still might take time to know who won,” by Zach Montellaro, POLITICO: “Ballots will be counted faster this year than in 2020 — but everyone should still be prepared for a long night, if not a couple days of waiting. Fewer votes will be cast by mail compared with during the pandemic, and some states have tweaked their laws to speed up the count. The single biggest factor that will determine when Americans know the winner is, however, out of the control of election workers: the margin of victory in key states.” — “Biden sparks a firestorm on the right over ‘garbage’,” by Jonathan Lemire, POLITICO: “The White House scrambled Tuesday night to clean up a remark by President Joe Biden, who appeared to refer to Donald Trump's supporters as ‘garbage’ — though the president and his aides vehemently denied that was his intention.” — “Trump holds steady after Puerto Rico backlash: ‘We had a ball’,” by Natalie Allison, POLITICO. — “‘The suburbs — that’s the whole deal’: How the suburbs became Harris’ clearest path to victory,” by Elena Schneider, POLITICO.
| | IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN | | — “Mass. ratepayers to pay $521m more for hydroelectricity because of Maine political delays,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Beacon: “Avangrid and the state’s three utilities filed paperwork on Tuesday seeking an additional $521 million from Massachusetts electric ratepayers to cover the cost of construction delays caused by a political dispute in Maine over a transmission line expected to deliver hydroelectricity from Quebec to New England. Even with the additional costs, the companies say the deal for 1,200 megawatts of hydroelectricity will save Massachusetts ratepayers money.” — “State agency wins half million dollar federal grant aimed at reducing emissions at New Bedford port,” by Chris Burrell, GBH News.
| | MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS | | — “Cannabis Commission not invited to testify at legislative hearings,” by Bhaamati Borkhetaria, CommonWealth Beacon: “A legislative panel on Wednesday plans to hold the first of two hearings on the Cannabis Control Commission, but officials from the agency itself won’t be there to make their case. Rep. Daniel Donahue of Worcester, the chair of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy said that those at the commission are deliberately not invited because the point of the hearings is to understand stakeholders’ experiences with the agency that oversees the state’s $7 billion marijuana industry.” RELATED — “Failed oversight: Beset by infighting, a toxic culture, and an investigation into its leadership, the Cannabis Control Commission isn't effectively performing its functions,” by Eric Casey and Dan Adams, Worcester Business Journal.
| | | | A message from Johnson & Johnson:   | | | | | ON CAMPUS | | — “UMass Boston to offer free tuition for low-income students starting fall 2025,” by Kirk Carapezza, GBH News: “Starting next fall, UMass Boston will waive tuition and fees for thousands of qualifying in-state students as it joins a small but growing number of four-year universities implementing free-tuition programs. The new initiative will benefit more than 3,000 in-state students from families earning $75,000 or less.”
| | FROM THE 413 | | — “Milestone decision for Holyoke: State agrees to turn over control of schools after 9 years of receivership,” by Samuel Gelinas, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “The end is officially in sight for state receivership of Holyoke’s public schools, a significant achievement that advocates of local control say will have enormous positive impacts on students, educators and families for years to come.” — “Consultant says Housatonic Water Works is worth $2.3 million — but what is its worth to Great Barrington and Housatonic taxpayers?,” by Heather Bellow, The Berkshire Eagle.
| | THE LOCAL ANGLE | | — “How would changes in immigration policy affect New Bedford?,” by Colin Hogan and Eleonora Bianchi, The New Bedford Light. — “Brockton's top lawyer to review $30K mayor received in stipends,” by Christopher Butler, The Brockton Enterprise: “Mayor Robert F. Sullivan received a weekly stipend as a Brockton School Committee member for almost eight months in 2023, and received a lump sum of more than $24,000 for retroactive school committee stipends, public records show. According to public documents obtained by former Brockton Superintendent Mike Thomas and sent to The Enterprise, Sullivan received checks for a stipend granted to School Committee members from Feb. 9, 2023, until Sept. 14, 2023.”
| | MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND | | — “ AG’s final report shows McKee steered contract to ILO; no criminal charges,” by Eli Sherman, Tim White and Ted Nesi, WPRI: “A yearslong criminal investigation uncovered evidence that Gov. Dan McKee 'personally and directly intervened' to steer a multimillion-dollar state contract to a brand-new consulting firm with high-level political ties, but no charges will be filed in connection with the case. The investigation into the ILO Group contract – led by R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha and the R.I. State Police – ended with a report made public on Tuesday, along with reams of supporting documents.”
| | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Jackie Tempera, Sandy Flint, Lydia Chernicoff and Glenda Izaguirre. Happy belated to Emily Kibbe, who celebrated Tuesday.
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