| | | | |  | | By Kelly Garrity | LISTENING TOUR KICKS OFF — Democrats: Don’t sleep on the rural, redder regions of the otherwise reliably blue Bay State. That was one of the main messages from some of the roughly 90 party activists and onlookers who logged onto Zoom last night for the first stop on the state Democratic party’s virtual listening tour, a series of post-mortem meetings for each congressional district trying to make sense of the rightward shift in last year’s election. Attendees who spoke (mostly residents of the First Congressional District that covers the western-most and south central portion of the state), ticked through their own takeaways from Democrats’ losses at the top of the national ticket and in the fight for control of Congress, with several calling for a turn toward economic populism and some citing a need for stronger pushback against Israel’s war in Gaza. But some also turned toward the local, saying they felt abandoned by Democrats in GOP-tilting areas of the state. “My feeling is, they don't care, because they have a trifecta,” Regina Edmonds, a Warren resident and the founder of Grassroots Central Mass who spoke during the meeting, told Playbook over the phone last night. "They've got a majority in the House and the Senate and a [Democratic] governor.” Edmonds also cited trips the party organized to campaign out-of-state, while Democrats at home were fighting to oust Republican incumbents. Meanwhile, the First Districtis trending redder, Jasmin Rivas, a Southbridge town councilor who also spoke on the call, told Playbook. “We have a state representative and a state senator in this area that are both Republican,” Rivas said, adding that attracting new members to the Democratic party is complicated by pushback from party leaders against things that are popular among voters, like the auditor’s ballot question. “The state party and our leaders at the State House have to take notice of that and think about, What does that mean for the future?” Rivas added. “If that's happening in south central and western Massachusetts, it's only a matter of time before it's going to filter closer and closer to the power center.” The upset is in some ways a microcosm of the some grievances Democrats have been grappling with at the national level, where some prominent Democrats have pointed to the perception of the party as one that caters to elites as one of the reasons Republicans romped to victory in the race for the White House and control of Congress. It’s not necessarily a new sentiment for those beyond Greater Boston. But it is one Democrats and Democratic activists should be wary of, Springfield Democratic consultant Tony Cignoli told Playbook. “In Western Mass, where you've got 20 municipalities that went from blue to red this past year, that should be a wake up call,” Cignoli said. The region “may not have a lion's share of the overall statewide vote total, but it is still crucial in a tight Senate campaign or a tight gubernatorial campaign.” “To forget it is to write off 12 to sometimes 19 percent of what a final vote tally could be against a Republican candidate.” GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. We’re halfway through the week! TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey hosts a signing ceremony for two healthcare-related bills alongside Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and state officials at 11 a.m. before swearing in Reps. Ann-Margaret Ferrante and Carol Doherty at 12:15 p.m. at the State House. Driscoll chairs a Governor’s Council meeting at noon and speaks at a benefit for Save the Harbor/Save the Bay at 5:30 p.m. in Boston. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@politico.com.
|  | DATELINE BEACON HILL | | BYE BYE, BROKER’S FEES? — Gov. Maura Healey added her name to the list of state and local pols pushing to get rid of brokers fees for Massachusetts renters. "I think they should be abolished. I think they should go away," Healey said during an interview on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio,” Tuesday, though she didn’t specify the costs should be placed on landlords instead. Healey’s comments come after Senate President Karen Spilka reupped her support for legislation that would shift the cost burden for brokers on to whoever hires them — typically, the landlords or property owners. Officials in Boston, Cambridge and Somerville have been also plotting their own legislation since late last year. Dive deeper with the Boston Globe.
| | MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS | | — “Healey: Zero tolerance in state shelters for dangerous behavior,” by Adam Reilly, GBH News: “Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey told GBH News Tuesday that there should be zero tolerance in Massachusetts’ overburdened shelter system for behavior that puts other residents at risk, especially women and children.” — “Massachusetts migrant-family shelter program ‘Serious Incident’ reports reveal rape, brawls, booze since 2022,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “A massive batch of ‘Serious Incident’ reports from the Bay State’s migrant-family shelter program is shining a light on disturbing incidents of physical and sexual assault in state-funded shelters since 2022. … The reports — which expose incidents of child rape, domestic violence, brawls, drunkenness, drugs and more in the emergency housing shelter system — come as Gov. Maura Healey deals with the fallout from a big drug and fentanyl bust in a Revere migrant hotel.” — “‘Our goal is literally to keep people alive’: Shelter demand soars around Massachusetts amid extreme cold,” by John Hilliard, The Boston Globe: “Emergency shelters across the region were packed Tuesday as outreach teams fanned out to distribute hot meals and blankets to unhoused people, urging them to come in from the extreme weather that brought bitter, single-digit wind chills across the region. In Boston, more than 600 people stayed at the Pine Street Inn’s four shelters overnight Monday into Tuesday, the facilities well over their capacity as areas like dining rooms were filled with cots and mats. Many shelters in Springfield, Fall River, and New Bedford were also at capacity, officials said.” — “Revere increases patrols at shelter where man was arrested with gun, drugs, mayor says,” by Tonya Alanez, The Boston Globe. — “Illegal immigrant arrested at Revere shelter with gun, alleged fentanyl stash was not part of state program, Healey says,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald.
| | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES | | — “Healey huddles with her transportation task force ahead of report’s release,” by Gintautas Dumcius, CommonWealth Beacon: “Gov. Maura Healey met Tuesday with her transportation funding task force as its members convened their final session and prepared to submit a final draft of a report expected to be released in the coming days. While the task force was charged, through an executive order, with ‘making recommendations for a long-term sustainable transportation finance plan,’ its more immediate focus in the forthcoming report appears to be stabilizing finances through the millionaires tax passed by voters in 2022.”
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — “Rep. Pressley to boycott Trump’s second presidential inauguration,” by Adam Reilly, GBH News: “U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Boston announced Monday that she won’t attend the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump on Jan. 20, which is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Instead, Pressley said she’ll spend the holiday weekend in her district, which includes Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea and several surrounding communities, to join with constituents in preparing for the incoming administration. … In the statement, Pressley’s office said she will host an event at a place of significance to King and Boston’s Black community at a location and time yet to be determined, at which community members will receive ‘a message of hope and tools to advocate for themselves and protect against the harm of the incoming administration.’” — “Neal’s Committee Squad Set; McGovern Waits Other Team’s Captain Pick,” by Matt Szafranski, Western Mass Politics & Insight.
| | TRUMPACHUSETTS | | OH WHALE — The future of wind energy in Massachusetts could face headwinds under the incoming Trump administration. Somewhere amid the headline-making press conference he held at Mar-a-Lago Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump squeezed in a blow to the wind energy industry, saying his administration would try to implement a policy “where no windmills are being built." "You see what's happening up in the Massachusetts area with the whales,” Trump said, pointing to spate of whale deaths on Bay State shores in recent months. “The windmills are driving the whales crazy.” FWIW, conservationists have pushed back on claims that whale deaths in the region are connected to offshore wind developments.
| | FROM THE 413 | | — “‘Want to go down that road, huh?’ Videos released of Hampden Sheriff Cocchi’s OUI arrest,” by Greta Jochem, The Springfield Republican: “When police stopped him inside the MGM Springfield parking garage in September, Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi told state troopers a friend had driven him there. Nearby stood the sheriff’s government-issued SUV, its front right tire missing and wheel rim badly bent. Body-worn camera videos obtained by The Republican show what happened when that friend came out of the casino.” — “‘Tireless’ chief takes helm: City swears in Brian Keenan to lead its police force,” by Samuel Gelinas, Daily Hampshire Gazette. — “Dalton Fire Chief Christian Tobin was fired after a report concluded he engaged in 'inappropriate workplace behavior',” by Jane Kaufman, The Berkshire Eagle.
| | THE LOCAL ANGLE | | — “Assemblyman Dan Gessen of Falmouth returns from deployment, gains new leadership role,” by Desiree Nikfardjam, Cape Cod Times. — “It's red, plastic, and snaps together: Provincetown's new flood barrier,” by Eve Zuckoff, WBUR. — “Port homes, cars covered in hydraulic fluid from wind turbine,” by Jim Sullivan, Newburyport Daily News. — “Burgo wins contentious race for City Council presidency,” by Arthur Hirsch, The New Bedford Light: “At-large City Councilor Shane Burgo won the council presidency Monday night, turning back an effort to defeat him that brought the ideological rancor more typical of national politics into a matter usually settled quietly by the council. The 7-4 roll-call vote for Burgo against Ward 3 Councilor Shawn Oliver ended a weeks-long campaign by the new city police union leader and a conservative radio talk show host to characterize Burgo — one of the most progressive councilors — as an extremist and potential danger to the city.”
| | MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE | | WHAT SCOTT BROWN IS WATCHING — This clip of outgoing New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu telling CNN he “will not be running for the U.S. Senate anytime soon.”
| | | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH | | TRANSITIONS — Alex Sarabia is now deputy chief of staff for Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), alongside his role as communications director. He is an alum of Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) office, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Julián Castro and Warren's campaign. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to James Doran, legislative aide for Rep. Todd Smola; and Alexis Orzeck. Happy belated to Sandy Lish of The Castle Group, who celebrated Tuesday. 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. NOTE: The original version of yesterday's newsletter misstated who will be leading the new subcommittee focusing on the audit effort. It is state Sen. Cindy Friedman. | | | | 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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