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Politico
3 days ago
- Business
- Politico
Republican governor's race gets rowdy
PARTY POLITICS — There are more than 400 days before voters head to the polls to pick their gubernatorial nominees, but on the Republican side, things are already getting heated. The two former members of Gov. Charlie Baker's administration seeking the state's top office — Brian Shortsleeve and Mike Kennealy — have been trading barbs in recent days over early fundraising numbers. Shortsleeve, who helped run the MBTA under Baker, touted his first month's fundraising numbers in a press release that featured a not-so-subtle nod to Kennealy's own first month announcement. It touted that Shortsleeve's more than $400,000 haul broke 'the previous non-incumbent record' for post-launch fundraising — the same boast Kennealy's campaign previously made about its first-month figures. And the hits kept coming in an internal memo from Shortsleeve's campaign on the state of the money race. '[Kennealy's] early claims of fundraising success following his first report quickly backfired after reporting in the Boston Herald that his numbers were inflated by illegal campaign contributions,' one of Shortsleeve's consultants, Jim Barnett, wrote in the memo, per a copy obtained by Massachusetts Playbook. 'It's been all downhill since.' A spokesperson for Kennealy, the former housing and economic development secretary, downplayed the fundraising haul when Shortsleeve first announced it. 'No amount of money Brian Shortsleeve raises can erase his failures at the MBTA — or recover the millions wasted on a rail deal with the Chinese Communist Party and an utterly botched Green Line Extension,' Logan Trupiano said in a statement. It's some (very) early jockeying in a primary race with an election that's more than a year out. Just how early? Baker didn't even launch his first campaign for governor in 2010 until July of 2009. Still, Bay State Republicans have been bullish about their chances to win back the governor's office (See: reaction to the latest University of New Hampshire poll.} after getting shut out of every statewide office in 2022. GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. MassDems Chair Steve Kerrigan waved off the UNH poll over the weekend. 'Governor Healey is going to earn re-election because she understands Massachusetts people need someone who's going to fight to lower costs for them, going to fight to increase housing opportunities for them, going to fight back against Donald Trump,' Kerrigan said during an interview on WBZ's 'Keller @ Large' that aired Sunday. 'And frankly, neither Mike Kennealy nor Brian Shortsleeve are willing to do any of that.' Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@ TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey tours a housing development at 2:30 p.m. and visits a hospital at 4:10 p.m. on Martha's Vineyard. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu signs the Fiscal Year 2026 budget at 9:45 a.m. at City Hall. Sen. Ed Markey addresses business leaders at a New England Council breakfast at 10 a.m. in Boston. CALIFORNIA v. TRUMP — Newsom calls National Guard deployment 'unlawful' as immigration clashes rock L.A. by Blake Jones, POLITICO: 'Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration called the Trump administration's deployment of National Guard troops to the Los Angeles area 'unlawful,' urging Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Sunday to back down as demonstrators clashed with law enforcement. The Trump administration's extraordinary deployment of the Guard to quell immigration protests in Southern California came without necessary coordination with California officials, Newsom's legal affairs secretary wrote in a letter to Hegseth.' — Escalating ICE raids pull California Democrats back into immigration fight by Dustin Gardiner, POLITICO. THE LOCAL ANGLE — Monday rally at Boston City Hall to protest ICE detention of union leader via Universal Hub. DATELINE BEACON HILL — Gov. Healey touts WalletHub rankings. Reality is more complicated by Chris Van Buskirk and Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: 'Gov. Maura Healey promoted a ranking last week that claimed Massachusetts had 'the best state economy' in the United States. The first-term Democrat, who is up for reelection next year, touted the ranking as a 'testament to the incredible businesses, universities, and research institutions that drive our innovation economy and to the top-notch talent that continues to choose Massachusetts as the place to grow their careers and their futures.' But the reality of residents' lived experiences and the reliability of the ranking is more complicated, including the fact that WalletHub does not guarantee the accuracy of the information it publishes.' — Lawmakers weigh ban on religious vaccine exemptions by Christian M. Wade, Gloucester Daily Times: 'Religious exemptions for most vaccinations for school-aged children would be banned in Massachusetts under a proposal being considered by state lawmakers, but critics say the move would be discriminatory and violate religious rights. The legislation, heard by the Legislature's Public Health Committee on Friday, would eliminate a section of the state's vaccine law that allows parents with 'sincere religious beliefs' to be exempted from a requirement to submit proof of vaccination to enroll their children in public schools.' — Tarr, Newburyport student propose CPR bill by Matt Petry, The Newburyport Daily News. — Healey urges U.S. Senate to reject Pell Grant cuts, touting success of Massachusetts program by Tonya Alanez, The Boston Globe. THE RACE FOR CITY HALL — Ward 6's Lane not seeking reelection, McCauley running for mayor by Jim Sullivan, The Newburyport Daily News: 'There will be a new face representing Ward 6 this winter after Councilor Byron Lane announced Thursday he would not be seeking another term this fall. The Hart Road resident joined the council five years and although he took out nomination papers last month for a potential fourth term, Lane said he doesn't intend to return them to City Hall. Instead, he wants to devote more time to his growing limousine service as well as his 12-year-old son.' PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — Driver's licenses in limbo: Government debts jeopardize thousands of Massachusetts drivers by Laura Crimaldi, The Boston Globe: 'Thousands of Massachusetts drivers each year face the possibility of losing their legal authority to drive, and sometimes the only fix carries an insurmountable cost. The state Registry of Motor Vehicles placed driver's licenses in non-renewal status nearly 3 million times during a five-period because of unpaid tolls and other debts unrelated to road safety, according to agency data reviewed by the Globe. The designation means that once those driver's licenses expire, they cannot be renewed, unless the entire debt, sometimes thousands of dollars, is paid in full.' DAY IN COURT — Hearing for judge accused of helping man sought by ICE escape begins Monday by Matthew Medsgar, Boston Herald: 'Half-a-decade after she was charged with several serious federal crimes, a Massachusetts judge will finally have her day in court — sort of. In a case bearing striking similarity to a more recent arrest of a judge from Wisconsin, former Newton District Court Judge Shelley Joseph will appear for a Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct hearing on Monday, over allegations she willfully helped a man wanted by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement in evading federal authorities. A court assigned hearing officer will examine the courthouse scene of the alleged crime which ultimately led to a judicial complaint against the Bay State judge, before the hearing gets underway over whether she violated the rules of conduct for jurists.' — MBTA Communities law is not an unfunded mandate, judge rules by Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Beacon: 'A Plymouth County judge overseeing a bundle of municipal lawsuits from towns seeking to halt enforcement of the MBTA Communities housing law has denied their motion for a preliminary injunction and dismissed their complaints. In a 40-page decision released Friday afternoon, Superior Court Justice Mark Gildea considered lawsuits brought by the towns of Duxbury, Hanson, Holden, Marshfield, Middleton, Wenham, Weston, and Wrentham, plus a taxpayer suit brought by Hamilton residents.' FROM THE DELEGATION — U.S. Rep. Keating demands answers from ICE after roundups on Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket by Denise Coffey, Cape Cod Times: 'U.S. Rep. Bill Keating is demanding answers from federal officials about the specifics of last month's roundup of immigrants on Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and Plymouth by agents of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Officers with ICE and other federal agencies detained about 40 individuals and arrested 12 on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket on May 27. On May 30, ICE agents conducted a sweep in Plymouth. All three areas are in Keating's Ninth Congressional District.' TRUMPACHUSETTS — The Trump administration canceled an $87 million award for this MIT startup. But life goes on. by Jon Chesto, The Boston Globe: 'Sublime Systems' vision for creating a high-tech, low-carbon cement factory in Holyoke suffered a setback when the Trump administration's Department of Energy canceled an $87 million award for the project. US Department of Energy secretary Chris Wright recently terminated 24 awards issued by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, mostly during the final weeks of the Biden administration. The list included just one grant in New England, the $87 million for Somerville-based Sublime. The agency said it was cancelling these projects because they were not economically viable, would not generate a positive return for taxpayers, and failed to help the country's energy needs. But Sublime and its 100-person team have an increasing number of private-sector supporters who feel differently about the startup's prospects — and the MIT spinout is still moving ahead with its $150 million project in Holyoke.' FROM THE 413 — A disabled veteran is accusing a Holyoke city councilor of taking his home. Did he? by Greta Jochem, The Springfield Republican: 'George Golderesi's Springfield house sold to a new owner in February. It took him six weeks to find out. He said he believed a contractor hired to repair damage from a July 2024 fire was moving ahead with renovations so that Golderesi, a disabled veteran in his 50s, could return home. David K. Bartley, a Holyoke attorney and City Council member, orchestrated a sale of Golderesi's Pinta Circle home. Golderesi says he did not want to sell — and wasn't told someone else owned his home for more than a month.' THE LOCAL ANGLE — Worcester had 16 homicides in 2024. This year so far: 0 by Craig S. Semon, Telegram & Gazette: 'As the city begins the second week of June, Worcester can boast something that it couldn't this time last year: no homicides so far this year. This time last year, Worcester had seven homicides, six of which were from firearms, Chief Paul Saucier said. … Although no one can know why there have been no homicides in the city this year so far, [Worcester Police Chief] Saucier said he thinks several Worcester Police Department outreach programs have contributed to the drop.' — Beverly weighs challenges this budget season, and beyond by Carline Enos, The Salem News: 'The City Council is weighing a $173.7 million budget for fiscal 2026, a 4.7% increase of $7.7 million over last year's budget. The proposed budget includes $85 million for schools, a 9.1% increase from the previous year.' — Town Meeting calls on state legislature to allow real estate transfer fee by Sam Mintz and Vivi Smilgius, 'Brookline will ask the state legislature to allow the town to enact a real estate transfer fee, after Town Meeting voted this week in favor of a home rule petition. … The petition , led by Town Meeting member Alec Lebovitz, is not binding but lays out the loose parameters of what the policy would look like in Brookline if approved by the state legislature. Town Meeting would need to approve the specific, final details in a future vote.' — Will Easton voters OK override to avoid dozens of layoffs? Tax impact? by Chris Helms, The Brockton Enterprise: 'Will Easton voters raise the town's taxing power by $7.3 million or accept service cuts? That's one way to see the bottom line as voting on an operational override ends Tuesday, June 10. Those urging a 'yes' vote say Easton's government is caught between inflation-driven cost increases and falling state aid for education. Cost drivers include health insurance for active and retired town employees, pension liabilities, property insurance premiums and utilities. On the revenue side, Easton is one of the state's 'minimum aid districts.' The upshot of that designation is that local taxes have been paying an increasing share of school costs.' — Steamship Authority considering freight service between New Bedford and Nantucket by Grace Ferguson, The New Bedford Light: 'A Cape Cod construction company is proposing a new freight service between New Bedford and Nantucket. The proposed service would carry recyclables, tires, construction equipment, and other materials two to three days a week, using freight boats that the company bought from the Steamship Authority last year. It would use Steamship Authority dock space for loading and unloading.' HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former state Rep. Lori Ehrlich, Sheila Ramirez, Jeff Solnet, John Dukakis, 90 West's Harry Shipps and Kelsey Perkins, district director for Rep. Katherine Clark and Ray Salazar of Rep. Katherine Clark's office.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's attacks on Mass. hit economy in ‘the gut,' Greater Boston Chamber boss says
President Donald Trump's trade war, his immigration policies, and his attacks on higher education hit the Bay State's economy right 'in the gut,' further darkening an already complicated business picture. That's the analysis that Jim Rooney, the president and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, offered Sunday during an appearance on WBZ-TV's 'Keller @Large' program. Massachusetts already was struggling with economic competitiveness and job creation issues before Trump returned to office in January, Rooney told host Jon Keller. 'Now you layer on job-impacting types of federal policies like tariffs, like research funding, like immigration, and that was going to be tough anyway,' Rooney said. 'And ... if you look at where our jobs are, [with] high concentrations in life sciences and medicine ... this is right in the gut of the Massachusetts economy,' he continued. Trump's ongoing war with Harvard University, some of which is now in the hands of a federal judge, has provided a vivid illustration of that impact. The Cambridge-based university now faces nearly $3 billion in federal funding cuts. Those concerns are further underlined by new research by Mark Williams, a master lecturer in finance at Boston University, concluding that the Republican White House's policies could result in billions of dollars in lost revenue and tens of thousands of job losses as early as next year. That's because, compared to other states, the Bay State's economy 'disproportionately' depends on such sectors as life sciences, higher education, trade and tourism, Williams said. All of those already have been — or will be hit — by Trump's economic policies. 'Here in Massachusetts, we really have a knowledge-based economy,' Williams said in a statement. 'We're a top-20 economy by size of GDP, but yet we're the third-largest recipient of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. We have the fifth-largest percentage of immigrants in the country, larger than Texas as a percentage of our immigrant population to the overall population," he continued. 'And because of our maritime past, 9% of our GDP is tied up with trade.' Speaking to Rooney on Sunday, Keller alluded to Williams' findings. The regional business leader said he wasn't shocked by them. Rooney said he's been trying to contain any potential damage by reaching out to leaders in other states to promote the scientific and economic importance of research funding. 'As you think about federal issues, we're the bluest and blue states, and right now, [there's a] Republican-controlled White House [and] House and Senate,' he said. 'So our approach has been coalition-building.' That effort now includes 60 chambers of commerce in more than 30 states, he said. 'We're going to lobby. We're going to go to Washington, and we're going to sign onto joint letters,' he said, 'We're going to try to make that case that what is happening at home.' Williams' warnings, meanwhile, reflect those of Massachusetts' elected officials, including Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, and others. Last week, responding to what her office described as the uncertainty brought on by Trump's attacks on federal funding, Healey's office announced she was imposing a hiring freeze across the executive branch. Read More: These key public services won't be hit by the state's hiring freeze, Mass. Gov. Healey says Speaking to reporters after she attended the grand opening of the Lego Group's new headquarters in Boston's Back Bay, the Democratic governor kept up her criticism of the actions of Trump and his Republican allies on Capitol Hill as they slash social safety net programs to underwrite tax cuts. Read More: Gov. Healey: SNAP cuts will 'force Mass. families to go hungry' 'These cuts by the Trump administration, unfortunately, have real consequences. I look at the [proposed Republican] cuts to the [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program]. We've got 7 million people in the state, and a million rely on SNAP benefits,' Healey said. 'We're talking seniors, we're talking single moms, we're talking children, and he's cutting that.' Old Trump foe says he must be stopped before 'tanks are rolling down the streets' US stuck with 'madman' Trump. And it's Dems' fault, Conn. senator says From Baker to Ballot: Republican Mike Kennealy makes his pitch for governor | Bay State Briefing Former President Biden diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer Phone workers worried about lead on old lines wonder: Who will answer their call? Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Canadians are picking a new leader. One big reason that matters to Mass.
Voters across Canada are heading to the polls on Monday to pick new leaders in a closely watched contest that's expected to have a big impact on cross-border relations. The Liberal Party, led by either current Prime Minister Mark Carney, is looking to extend its decade-long hold on power. Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre is running under the Conservative Party's banner. But as much as they're running against each other, they're also running against one man whose name isn't on the ballot: President Donald Trump, whose '51st state' talk and trade war has galvanized Canadians and elevated Carney's fortunes. And there's one very big reason why that matters to Massachusetts: With its stores of lumber, aluminum, and concrete, America's northern neighbor plays a big role in the Bay State's construction industry. Read More: US-Canada relations tested as border library faces new restrictions | John L. Micek An escalating trade war also means an already expensive Massachusetts housing market will get even pricier and uncertain. 'We've got a bunch of projects in my district that are ready to go,' U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-8th District, said Sunday during an appearance on WBZ-TV's 'Keller @Large' program. 'We've worked out the differences zoning the communities on board, and yet the developers are afraid to put a shovel in the ground because they don't know what steel is going to cost,' Lynch, a former union leader, continued. 'Is it going to cost 25% more than it is right now, especially with the tariffs on Canada?' he asked. 'All of our lumber, steel, aluminum, aggregate, concrete, all of that [is affected]. So it's [a] really huge uncertainty that's preventing a lot of these projects from going forward. And we're seeing high unemployment growing in the construction industry.' Foreign policy hasn't dominated a Canadian election this much since 1988, when free trade with the United States was the prevailing issue. Whichever candidate emerges as prime minister will face a litany of challenges. Canada has been dealing with a cost-of-living crisis for some time. And more than 75% of its exports go to the U.S., so Trump's threat to impose sweeping tariffs and his desire to get the North American automakers to move Canada's production south could severely damage the Canadian economy. Both Carney and Poilievre said that if elected, they would accelerate renegotiations of a free trade deal between Canada and the U.S. in a bid to end the uncertainty hurting both of their economies. Massachusetts imports some $11.4 billion in goods from Canada every year, according to a fact sheet prepared by the Canadian government. The largest sectors are energy (33%), agriculture (23%), minerals and metals (15%), and equipment and machinery (8%). In an interview with MassLive earlier this year, Canadian Consul General Bernadette Jordan, who is based in Boston. stressed the deep ties between Massachusetts and Canada, as well as the economic fallout from a cross-border trade war. 'You will look at price increases — they will not be paid for by the government," she said. 'They will be paid for by consumers. Some businesses have very small profit margins, and they will pass that cost down.' Trump, meanwhile, kept up the trash talk in a post to his Truth Social network on Monday. 'Good luck to the Great people of Canada. Elect the man who has the strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, increase your military power, for free, to the highest level in the World, have your Car, Steel, Aluminum, Lumber, Energy, and all other businesses, QUADRUPLE in size, WITH ZERO TARIFFS OR TAXES, if Canada becomes the cherished 51st. State of the United States of America,' he wrote. 'No more artificially drawn line from many years ago. Look how beautiful this land mass would be. Free access with NO BORDER. ALL POSITIVES WITH NO NEGATIVES. IT WAS MEANT TO BE! America can no longer subsidize Canada with the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year that we have been spending in the past. It makes no sense unless Canada is a State!' Trump posted. Associated Press reports are included in this story. 'No way to sugarcoat' Trump approval ratings as 100th day approaches Mass. Rep. Lynch gives Boston Mayor Wu a 'B' on record, as Suffolk Co. DA endorses So are millionaires really fleeing Mass.? A new report says they're staying — and paying 2 big reasons to care about the Harvard-Trump battle royale| Bay State Briefing How Trump vs. Harvard is a page out of the Project 2025 playbook Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mass. Rep. Lynch gives Boston Mayor Wu a ‘B' on record, as Suffolk Co. DA endorses
There are endorsements. And then there are endorsements. U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-8th District, whose office has a strained relationship with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's City Hall, has stopped well short of giving his enthusiastic blessing to her 2025 reelection bid. During an appearance on WBZ-TV's 'Keller @Large' program on Sunday, the South Boston lawmaker gave fellow Democrat Wu, who's seeking a second term, a 'B' for her accomplishments, but an 'A' for effort. 'You know, some of the things she's struggling with are not of her making, you know, the economy, things like that,' Lynch told host Jon Keller. 'But you know, I give her [an] 'A' for effort.' Then there's Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden, who offered a surprising, but no less full-throated, endorsement of Wu's reelection bid against philanthropist Josh Kraft. Wu has 'been a true partner in delivering real public safety for Boston — not just through words, but through action,' Hayden said in a statement first shared with Politico. 'Together, we've built smart, compassionate strategies that have made Boston the safest major city in America,' Hayden continued. 'I am proud to endorse her for re-election and look forward to all we will continue to accomplish together.' So here's why that matters: In 2022, Wu backed former City Councillor Ricardo Arroyo over Hayden in a hard-fought race, earning some serious pushback from Hayden's campaign. Arroyo lost the race — and his council seat — after he was accused of a 2006 sexual assault. It was later determined that no crime had been committed. Hayden's backing, as Politco reported, looks like an attempt to neutralize one of Kraft's top arguments: That Boston has grown unsafe and that Wu hasn't done enough to fix it. On Sunday, Lynch, credited Wu for her nationally watched appearance before the U.S. House Oversight Committee in March, where she faced hours of grilling from the panel's Republican majority over Boston's immigration policies. Lynch and U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District, both sit on the committee. But Lynch also lamented the strained relationship between his office and Wu's camp. 'I just wish that my office and her administration could work better together,' he told Keller. 'We seem to be at loggerheads on some things, and that's why you know I give her a 'B' at this point.' Lynch dodged when he was asked whether he thought Wu deserved another term in the top spot. But, he allowed, " I think she'll do a much better job than her opponent." 'But we have work to do,' he said. 'We have work to do.' 'No way to sugarcoat' Trump approval ratings as 100th day approaches Canadians are picking a new leader. One big reason that matters to Mass. So are millionaires really fleeing Mass.? A new report says they're staying — and paying 2 big reasons to care about the Harvard-Trump battle royale| Bay State Briefing How Trump vs. Harvard is a page out of the Project 2025 playbook Read the original article on MassLive.
Politico
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Politico
Spilka rallies the resistance
Programming note: We'll be off Monday for Presidents Day but back in your inbox on Tuesday. WE WILL 'ALWAYS' RESIST — Senate President Karen Spilka wasn't going to let President Donald Trump's return to the White House rain on her Galentine's Day soirée. So, to kick off the event last night, 'Senate President Karen Spilka' (played by drag queen TaDonna) opened with a 'Drag Queen Story Hour,' reminding the sea of red-and-pink-clad women leaders from politics, business and philanthropy, that Massachusetts, 'the birthplace of equal marriage and anti-discrimination legislation,' would 'not change who we are,' as Gov. Maura Healey recently pledged. The annual reception was back for Round Three last night — though this time under changed circumstances, with Trump's victory over Kamala Harris, the first female vice president, last fall. But Spilka was ready to rally the resistance. 'I know I feel — and I know all of you feel — you can't executive order human beings out of existence,' Spilka (the real one, not the drag version) told the packed room at Boston's City Winery. '[You] can't executive order Massachusetts to comply with bigotry and hate.' 'We will always — and I underline, all caps, always — resist,' she added. The food-themed evening featured a panel of restaurant industry leaders, including Flour founder Joanne Chang and restaurateur and community leader Nia Grace. And Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll later walked out clad in full DunQueen attire for a cupcake and charcuterie design contest alongside Spilka and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. Women still hold much of the power in Massachusetts, and the night was a celebration of their accomplishments (not so much their cupcake-decorating skills). But the event was still peppered with allusions to new leadership in D.C. — whether it was one panelist noting that their restaurants would shut down if immigrants could no longer work in them, or Spilka jokingly encouraging the crowd to cozy up to one attendee, Bernadette Jordan, the consul general of Canada in Boston, in case they might need a visa at some point in the next four years. Still, expect Massachusetts to be the 'beacon and backstop,' Driscoll said from the stage post-cupcake-charcuterie-off. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF! TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey has no public events. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speak s at DeeDee's Cry's Mental Health While Black Summit at 12:15 p.m. in Everett. THIS WEEKEND — Greg Maynard, director of the Boston Policy Institute, is on WBZ's 'Keller @ Large' at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox 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@ DATELINE BEACON HILL — 'Shannon O'Brien would 'bully' and 'abuse her colleagues' as top cannabis regulator, treasurer said in firing her,' by Matt Stout, The Boston Globe: 'State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg said she fired Shannon O'Brien as the state's top cannabis regulator last year because of several instances in which she would 'bully, humiliate, and abuse her colleagues,' according to newly released documents. Goldberg detailed her reasons for terminating O'Brien in an 80-page report made public Thursday, offering, for the first time, a more comprehensive accounting of her decision, which has been subject to months of litigation and political intrigue. Goldberg, a third-term Democrat, pointed to examples of O'Brien making racially inappropriate comments to staff, some of which had not been publicly aired before.' ROUND THREE — State Rep. Rob Consalvo will carry the latest iteration of Boston's property shift bill that passed the City Council Wednesday. He filed the bill Thursday, he told Playbook, but it might take a bit before any debate gets going. The House still has to pass a rules package for the session. — 'Local leaders praise gov's sweeping muni bill as way to reduce fiscal pressures; uphill battle in Legislature looms,' by Alexa Lewis, Daily Hampshire Gazette. 2026 WATCH — One of the toughest questions Republicans hoping to win a statewide race in Massachusetts face: whether or not they support Trump. It's one that a potential Republican challenger to Healey ran up against recently. Former Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy drew groans when he told a room of potential supporters he didn't cast a ballot for Trump in last year's election, per a video posted on Facebook. 'I will work with Donald Trump if I'm governor to advance our interests here in Massachusetts,' Kennealy said, when one person asked him if he supported the president. 'His approach is different than mine, his style is different than mine,' he later added, and if elected governor he said his style would also be different than Healey's. FROM THE HUB — 'Days after Josh Kraft floats a version of 'rent control,' the Boston City Council just advanced something very similar,' by Niki Griswold, The Boston Globe: 'The Boston City Council gave initial approval Wednesday to a proposal to offer property tax breaks to landlords who choose to keep their rents affordable — a policy that also happens to be the centerpiece of Josh Kraft's housing platform as he seeks to unseat Mayor Michelle Wu. Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata, who sponsored the legislation, brought it up for a vote at the end of the council's regular Wednesday meeting. The council voted 10-0 to approve the measure, with two councilors absent.' DRINK UP — After getting 225 new liquor licenses approved last year, Boston is letting the liquor flow. Boston's Licensing Board approved 37 new liquor licenses this week for businesses in neighborhoods across the city including Charlestown, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Oak Square, Roslindale and Roxbury. The latest batch, according to the city, is 'the single largest addition to Boston's liquor license quota since the end of Prohibition.' WHAT'S ON CAMPBELL'S DOCKET DEI DO'S AND DON'TS — Attorney General Andrea Campbell's office issued guidance for businesses Thursday alongside AGs from 15 other states in response to Trump's executive order targeting DEI programs. Read the guidelines or dive deeper with the Boston Globe. THE RACE FOR CITY HALL GETTING ORGANIZED — More than 150 people joined Boston mayoral hopeful Josh Kraft's first volunteer organizing meeting Wednesday night, according to his campaign, a group that represented each of the city's neighborhoods. — 'World Cup negotiations spotlight conflicts of interest Josh Kraft could face if elected mayor of Boston,' by Emma Platoff and Janelle Nanos, The Boston Globe. MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS — 'Man accused of sexually assaulting 11-year-old in state shelter leaves U.S. before facing arrest, devastating girl's mother,' by Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio, The Boston Globe: 'A man from Honduras accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in a Peabody state shelter in early December, and who was subsequently relocated to another state shelter housing families with children, has left the country before police could arrest him. Police obtained an arrest warrant on Feb. 4 for Jose Santos Ortiz Carranza, 32, nearly two months after the girl told authorities he assaulted her at the hotel shelter. But Peabody Police Chief Thomas Griffin said his department learned Ortiz Carranza was no longer in a state shelter, and then were told by authorities at Logan Airport he had left the country.' — 'Lowell Public Schools defends its migrant students, families,' by Melanie Gilbert, The Lowell Sun: 'Effective April 7, Temporary Protected Status will end for almost half of the 600,000 Venezuelans legally living in the United States. By September, the other half may also lose their TPS protection. The impact of that ruling, as well as the potential of others like it on families and students in Lowell, was on the agenda of the School Committee at its Feb. 5 meeting.' — 'Azorean officials prepare for wave of U.S. deportees,' by Kevin G. Andrade, The New Bedford Light. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — 'Massport mulls $15 fee on roundtrip Uber or Lyft ride to and from Logan,' by Dana Gerber, The Boston Globe: 'It could soon cost more to ride Uber and Lyft to and from Logan International Airport as the Massachusetts Port Authority considers an increase to the airport fees it charges ride-hailing companies. Currently, Massport charges ride apps a $3.25 fee for pickups or drop-offs at Logan, which the ride-hailing giants then pass onto customers' fares. But the agency that oversees the airport is discussing hiking those fees to $5.50 each way starting in July, and then raising them to $7.50 each starting in July 2027, according to materials presented at a Massport board committee meeting on Wednesday and obtained by the Globe. The increases are designed to 'influence behavior and generate revenues needed to support ground transportation investments,' the materials said.' BALLOT BATTLES — 'Coalition backing MCAS ballot question spent just over $8 per vote in 2024, report says,' by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: 'A coalition that successfully convinced voters to nix the MCAS graduation requirement for high school students spent just over $8 per vote during last year's state election, according to a report released Thursday by campaign finance regulators. The tens of millions dished out on the fight between a teacher's union and business groups to remove the standardized test as the gateway to high school graduation made it the most expensive of the five ballot questions during the 2024 state election.' DATELINE D.C. — 'RFK Jr.'s plans could make Musk's look small,' by Chelsea Cirruzzo, Daniel Payne and Adam Cancryn, POLITICO: 'Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is now in charge of the nation's health agencies. His plans to upend them could make Elon Musk's budget-cutting spree look modest by comparison. Kennedy won Senate confirmation on Thursday even after vowing to take nutrition and health programs in a radical new direction, and despite his long history of criticizing the safety of scientifically proven vaccines.' LOCAL REACTION — 'Bay State leaders appalled by RFK Jr.'s confirmation,' by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune. TRUMPACHUSETTS — 'Three federal grants targeting diesel fuel emissions are now unavailable to Massachusetts,' by Bhaamati Borkhetaria, CommonWealth Beacon: 'In the same week a federal judge reiterated his order that all federal funding be disbursed as appropriated by Congress, yet more grants – the latest targeting emissions from diesel engines – became unavailable to Massachusetts state agencies as part of the Trump administration's funding freeze, according to state officials. Three grants that are administered through the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection have been marked 'suspended' as of February 13 in the federal funding portal that states use to request allocated funds.' — 'Boston University, MIT tighten budgets as they brace for federal funding cuts,' by Kirk Carapezza, GBH News. — 'Berkshire farmers face financial uncertainty, put projects on hold during federal funding freeze,' by Maryjane Williams, The Berkshire Eagle. FROM THE 413 — 'With Superintendent Joseph Curtis resigning, the Pittsfield School Committee faces a choice on when, and how, to find a successor,' by Greg Sukiennik, The Berkshire Eagle: 'The resignation of schools Superintendent Joseph Curtis leaves the Pittsfield School Committee — and the city — facing some important questions and one big decision. That decision is the most immediate concern: Should the School Committee seek a successor to Curtis right away, or appoint an interim superintendent and make a hiring decision next year, in time for the 2026-27 school year?' THE LOCAL ANGLE — 'Brockton School Police lose enforcement powers for second year running,' by Chris Helms, The Brockton Enterprise: 'For the second year in a row, Brockton School Police lost their law enforcement powers. School Police had no legal police powers for about five days and had to come to work in plain clothes. By local law, special police officers must be reappointed every year. Otherwise, their powers expire on the fourth Monday of January. That deadline was Monday, Jan. 27.' HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Rep. Richard Neal, Medford native Mike Bloomberg, Dave Whiting, Springfield City Councilor Jose Delgado, Hayley Johnson and Diana Felber. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Law 360's Chris Villani, who celebrates Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers former Massachusetts first lady Lauren Baker, Tisch College Dean Emeritus Alan Solomont, a former ambassador and DNC finance chair; Amanda Sabga and Matt Crescenzo.
