| | | | |  | | By Kelly Garrity | | Presented by |  | | | A MATTER OF TIME — There’s some sign that alterations to the state’s emergency shelter system are slowing starting to help pull costs back down. But each iteration of changes has also been met with renewed opposition from advocates and electeds who say the restrictions mean people will be forced out onto the streets — and the latest round is no exception. More than 100 local elected officials from 39 cities and towns across the state signed onto a letter, which they plan to send out this morning, calling on Gov. Maura Healey to walk back the most recent reforms her administration began implementing this week. On Tuesday, the state began implementing a new two-track system that diverts families into shorter or longer term shelter depending on their qualifications. Under the new system, families that include people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, or women with late-term pregnancies – those on the “bridge” track – will be able to stay for months in shelter, while those on the “rapid” shelter track will be able to spend 30 business days in so-called temporary respite sites (up from the five-day restriction the state previously implemented). Healey also plans to ask the Legislature to limit stays on the bridge shelter track to six months, her office announced last month. None of that, those who signed onto the letter say, is enough time for homeless families to find other shelter. “After months of apartment searches, most families can barely find anything affordable. This was true before. It’s true today. How can families with children find an affordable apartment in thirty days or six months in these rental market conditions?” reads the letter, led by Salem City Councilor Kyle Davis and Worcester City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj. Healey does have plans to try to help plug the housing hole: In announcing the new restrictions, she also said her office plans to ask the Legislature to bump up the amount of money families would be eligible for through HomeBASE, a program that provides rental subsidies. But the municipal officials say while they appreciate the pending increase in funding, the six-month limit is still not enough time for families to find housing. The latest opposition is a sign that the issue that’s dominated Healey’s second year in office is likely to follow her into year three. The first-term governor hasn’t just faced criticism from homelessness advocates and local electeds – fiscal watchdogs have come at the administration from the right, arguing that the restrictions don’t go far enough in curbing costs. “We need to have a system that frankly works within a budget,” Healey told reporters earlier this week. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. It’s Friday the 13th. Stay safe out there. TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey, First Lady Joanna Lydgate and Lt. Gov. Kim Drsicoll celebrate the 388th birthday of the Massachusetts National Guard at 11:30 a.m. at the State House. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is WBUR’s “Radio Boston” at 11 a.m. State Auditor Diana DiZoglio speaks during a Braintree Senior Center “Coffee and Conversation” event at 11:30 a.m. THIS WEEKEND — The NAACP’s Tanisha Sullivan is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. MBTA General Manager Phil Eng is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: 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. | | | |  | FROM THE HUB | | — “Boston launches new fund to preserve affordable rental properties,” by Trajan Warren, GBH News: “The City of Boston unveiled a new program Thursday that aims to save 1,500 Boston renters from displacement in its first five years. The Boston Acquisition Fund will provide developers with low-interest loans to purchase multi-family housing in the city to protect current occupants from being uprooted. The intention of the fund is to stabilize rising rents and stave off speculative investors from buying up rental properties and converting them to pricey condos.” — “Those who opposed tax relief effort ‘do not have the best interests of Boston residents at heart,’ Wu says,” by Niki Griswold, The Boston Globe: “Answering questions after an unrelated event Thursday, [Boston Mayor Michelle] Wu took aim at the home rule petition process, which requires municipalities — including the state’s biggest city, Boston — to seek and obtain the Legislature’s approval in order to make changes to certain local laws and policies.”
| | WHAT'S ON CAMPBELL'S DOCKET | | — “AG Andrea Campbell, a one-time Boston mayoral candidate, moving to South Coast,” by Matt Stout, The Boston Globe: “Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell is leaving the city she once campaigned to lead, buying a house on Massachusetts’ South Coast, though she insists it’s not a prelude to seeking a different office.”
| | | | Billions in spending. Critical foreign aid. Immigration reform. The final weeks of 2024 could bring major policy changes. Inside Congress provides daily insights into how Congressional leaders are navigating these high-stakes issues. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION | | — “Warren blasted for remarks about slain CEO,” by Christian M. Wade, Gloucester Daily Times: “U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is facing a backlash over her comments about the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson by a [lone] gunman, who investigators say had a grudge against the health insurance industry.” — “Representative Ayanna Pressley applauds Biden clemency decision as a ‘meaningful and historic action’,” by Nick Stoico, The Boston Globe: “US Representative Ayanna Pressley on Thursday praised President Biden’s decision to commute the sentences of some 1,500 people who were on home confinement and pardon 39 people convicted of nonviolent crimes, calling the act of clemency a ‘meaningful and historic action.’ Pressley said Biden’s decision demonstrates ‘the power of clemency to address systemic injustices, reunite families, and set our nation on a path to healing.’” — “Democrats vote against military spending bill,” by Christian M.Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “Members of the state’s congressional delegation were among House Democrats who voted against a major defense policy bill over their objections to a Republican provision restricting “gender affirming” medical care for children. On Wednesday, the GOP-led U.S. House of Representatives voted 281-140 to approve the National Defense Authorization Act, a $895 billion spending bill that outlines the Pentagon’s policy for the coming year.”
| | IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN | | — “Ted Williams Tunnel flooding a ‘pretty rare occurrence,’ but climate is changing, MassDOT says,” Shannon Larson and Travis Andersen, The Boston Globe.
| | | | A message from Johnson & Johnson:   | | | | | FROM THE 413 | | — “Belchertown becomes first in WMass to phase out nicotine sales,” by Emilee Klein, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “The Board of Health has approved regulations prohibiting the sale of nicotine products within the town’s limits to anyone born after Jan. 1, 2004, making Belchertown the first municipality in western Massachusetts and the 11th in the state to pass the nicotine-free generation initiative. Adopted by Brookline in 2020, the nicotine-free generation regulation aims to reduce teenage access to nicotine products and get ahead of future nicotine products produced by tobacco companies.”
| | THE LOCAL ANGLE | | — “Taunton mayor's domestic violence case continued without finding. What that means for her,” by Emma Rindlisbacher, Taunton Daily Gazette: “Mayor Shaunna O'Connell's domestic violence court case has been continued without a finding. Shaunna O'Connell attended a court hearing on Thursday, Dec. 12. An Attleboro District Court Judge Courtney Linnehan dismissed O'Connell's assault and battery with a dangerous weapon charge and ruled that the assault and battery on a household member charge would be continued without a finding. Shaunna O'Connell will be subject to administrative probation for six months.” — “Natick next up to vote on rules similar to other Massachusetts sanctuary cities,” by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald: “The Natick Select Board says it’s not looking to become the state’s next sanctuary city, but new rules up for a vote next week come very close. A debate has flared around what the board seeks to accomplish with its draft policy. Some residents say it gives an impression that the town wants to enact a sanctuary status while others argue it’s to protect immigrants already in town.” — “Peabody adopts zoning to comply with 3A,” by Caroline Enos, The Salem News: “The City Council voted to adopt an overlay district that allows multi-family housing by right, essentially bringing the city into compliance with the MBTA Communities Act known as 3A. The 8-2 vote by councilors Thursday night creates an overlay zoning district in Peabody covering Brooksby Village off Route 114, along with the Jayden Apartments and Highlands at Dearborn apartment complex off Dearborn Road.” — “Provincetown begins piloting flood control project,” by Heather McCarron, Cape Cod Times.
| | | | Write your own chapter in the new Washington. From the Lame Duck Congress Series to New Administration insights, POLITICO Pro delivers intelligence across 22+ policy areas to help you anticipate and navigate change. Discover how a Pro subscription empowers you. Learn more today. | | | | | | | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Boston state Sen. Lydia Edwards and Nancy Fitzpatrick. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to GBH’s Alexi Cohan, Toora Arsala, John Ullyot of Brighton Strategy Group and Christopher Marcisz, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers former Lynn Mayor Tom McGee, Hannah Sinrich, Keith Moon, Jule Pattison-Gordon and Christopher D. Matthews.
| | | | A message from Johnson & Johnson: At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured; treatments are smarter and less invasive; and solutions are personal. We are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum, of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow. We combine our science and technology with our determination to create a powerful force for care… and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more. | | | 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.
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