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Politico
18-07-2025
- Business
- Politico
Warren defends a former foe
FRIEND OR FOE — Sen. Elizabeth Warren has long been a fierce Jerome Powell critic. But as his future atop the country's central banking system teeters, she's increasingly become one of the Federal Reserve Board chair's staunchest defenders. President Donald Trump has flirted with the idea of firing Powell, ostensibly over an expensive renovation to the Federal Reserve building in D.C., although there's little doubt the real reason is his resistance to lowering interest rates. Warren, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, has been going to bat for Powell on TV and in a recent speech. 'The president has the capacity to fire everybody in his Cabinet. ... But he does not have the legal authority to fire the chairman of the Fed. The Fed is supposed to be independent,' Warren said on CNN Wednesday night. Dumping Powell could crash the stock market, she said on MSNBC Thursday morning. 'If Donald Trump destroys [the Fed's independence], then he brings down those markets,' Warren said. 'He burns something of value to the United States.' On Wednesday, Trump publicly backed off comments he reportedly made to congressional Republicans suggesting he might fire Powell — in part because lawyers warned him the dismissal might not hold up in court, POLITICO reported Thursday. Fed chairs can only be removed 'for cause,' and the legal experts doubted the pricey renovations to an aging office building would withstand legal scrutiny. Warren's defense is an unlikely turn for the sole senator to vote against advancing Powell's nomination in 2017. Since then, Warren has remained a vocal critic of Powell. She's described him as 'a dangerous man' to lead the Fed, and in 2023 implied President Joe Biden should remove him from the position. Warren's advocacy to prevent Powell's ouster, however, doesn't mean he's won her over. 'Independence does not mean impunity, and I have long pushed for more transparency and accountability at the Fed,' she said during a speech before economists Wednesday. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF! TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey has no public events. THIS WEEKEND — Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott, head of the Massachusetts Sheriffs Association, is on WBZ's 'Keller @ Large' at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. State Sen. Dylan Fernandes 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? DATELINE BEACON HILL — Despite rapidly declining numbers and closure of hotels, Healey administration says emergency shelter system still in crisis by Samantha J. Gross, The Boston Globe: 'The number of families living in the state's once-overwhelmed emergency shelter system is half of what it was at its peak. Governor Maura Healey insists the costs, which ballooned to $1 billion last year, are coming down, and the government is six months ahead of its deadline to end the widespread use of hotels and motels as family shelters. But the Healey administration says the shelter system is still in crisis. State officials last Friday extended a formal emergency declaration, asserting that even though the number of families in shelter is below the cap set by the Legislature, the state still cannot keep up with the demand. Healey officials say they issued the declaration specifically so they can continue to impose restrictions on shelters, such as limiting who gets priority for beds and how long they can stay.' — State lawmaker pleads guilty to drunk driving charges by Walter Wuthmann, WBUR: 'Watertown state Rep. John Lawn pleaded guilty to drunk driving charges on Monday in Boston Municipal Court after a not guilty plea had been previously entered on his behalf earlier in the morning. He admitted to driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a crash near the State House. Lawn faces fines, alcohol treatment and education and a 45-day driver's license suspension. Both charges will be continued without a finding if Lawn maintains a clean record a one year.' House Speaker Ron Mariano told the Boston Herald's Joe Dwinell that it was 'aberrant behavior' for Lawn, who he believes will 'use this as a reset.' Mariano also shut down one question that bubbled up after the Watertown representative reportedly told police he was coming from an event at the State House: 'He had not had a drink when we left the State House,' Mariano told the Herald. FROM THE HUB — Boston Mayor Wu touts office to housing conversion success, with 100-plus units under construction by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: 'Mayor Michelle Wu gleefully took a sledgehammer to the walls of an eight-story South Boston building to break ground on the city's largest office-to-residential conversion project to date, accounting for 77 of the 141 such units under construction. Wu, flanked by her planning and housing chiefs, key state elected officials, including ally Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, and developers behind the latest project, spoke to how Thursday's milestone marking the first 100 office-to-housing units under construction seeks to make a small dent in the city's housing crisis.' — Parents' group sues over BPS exam school admissions, alleging discrimination against white students by Christopher Huffaker, The Boston Globe: 'A group representing parents whose children were denied admission to Boston's prestigious exam schools filed a lawsuit on Thursday against the school district, alleging racial discrimination by proxy in the schools' admissions system. The group, which also represents parents whose children plan to apply to the school, is seeking to block the district from continuing to use the admissions system the School Committee adopted in 2021 which divides the city up into socioeconomic 'tiers' students compete within. The lawsuits also ask that the group members' children who were denied admission to one or more exam schools be admitted to the school of their choice.' — Greater Boston home prices surpass $1 million for first time in history by Zeninjor Enwemeka, WBUR. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — For T riders, the shutdown fatigue is real by Jeremy Siegel, GBH News: 'The slow zones are gone. The shutdowns are shorter. But T riders are still frustrated by the deluge of recent service changes that have forced riders off of trains and onto shuttle buses. For the second week in a row, the MBTA is closing down a key piece of the Red Line for three days. Starting Thursday at 8:30 p.m., trains won't run through Downtown Boston until Monday morning, with shuttle buses replacing service between Kendall/MIT and JFK/UMass as crews conduct routine maintenance work and track repairs.' DAY IN COURT — Massachusetts trash strike: Greater Boston cities, towns take Republic Services to court by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald: 'Greater Boston communities at the center of the ongoing sanitation worker strike are taking Republic Services to court, seeking immediate relief as trash piles mount, attracting rats and giving off a sickening stench. Gov. Maura Healey is backing the six cities and towns that have filed a complaint in Essex County Superior Court, calling for the waste management giant to resolve its dispute with striking members of Teamsters Local 25.' EYES ON 2026 — Rep. Seth Moulton draws a primary challenge after criticism over trans athlete remarks by Samantha J. Gross, The Boston Globe: 'Bethany Andres-Beck, a software engineer and Democratic activist, is launching a primary challenge to six-term US Representative Seth Moulton, who caught flak last year after he made remarks about how trans athletes and identity politics contributed to Democrats' November losses. Andres-Beck, who identifies as transgender, said that Moulton is 'exactly wrong on the strategy piece' when it comes to the transgender community, and that his comments are 'part and parcel of being out of touch with America.'' — Patrick Roath hopes to ride a youth movement into Congress and oust Stephen Lynch by Anthony Brooks, WBUR. FALL RIVER FALLOUT — Did Gabriel House ever conduct fire drills? Here's what Fall River inspection reports say by Dan Medeiros, The Herald News: 'Residents who were evacuated from Gabriel House assisted living facility after the deadly July 13 fire did not paint a pretty picture of the building. The city on July 16 and 17 released Building and Fire Department reports for the last several years. Despite residents' concerns, the documents show a facility that, though occasionally hit with bedbug and roach problems, was up to code and passed all fire safety inspections the last six years running — including holding fire drills, which some residents have claimed did not occur.' — 10th victim dies from fire at Fall River assisted living facility via The Boston Globe. FROM THE 413 — Chicopee native announces candidacy for at-large city councilor position by Namu Sampath, The Springfield Republican: 'A Chicopee native has thrown her hat in the ring for one of the vacant at-large city councilor positions. Jessica L. Avery, who works in credit union advocacy, announced her campaign in a statement Thursday. Avery's priorities include housing, support for veterans and seniors, and removing barriers to government access.' THE LOCAL ANGLE — Methuen seeks extension in police discrimination lawsuit by Teddy Tauscher, The Eagle-Tribune: 'After a judge ordered the city to produce 10 years of documents in a police discrimination lawsuit, city lawyers said they have located 600,000 new emails and attachments, equating to nearly a million pages, which must now be reviewed by outside counsel. In an emergency motion made on Tuesday, city attorneys asked for more time to examine the documents, which were supposed to be due to the court on July 15. On April 24, 2024, Methuen Detective Charles DeJesus filed a sweeping lawsuit claiming that for decades he and members of the community have been the victims of racial discrimination by the police department. The city has denied his allegations.' — Liberty Gas looking for state approval to sharply increase rates for Attleboro area by Stephen Peterson, The Sun Chronicle: 'Liberty, the natural gas company for part of the Attleboro area — North Attleboro, Plainville and Wrentham, is looking for state approval to increase rates by a substantial amount and revamp its rate system. Liberty Utilities (New England Natural Gas Company) Corp., doing business as Liberty, has filed a petition with the state Department of Public Utilities for an increase in gas base distribution rates, according to a full page ad on page B7 in Friday's Sun Chronicle.' — New Bedford woman denied bond at immigration hearing by Kevin G. Andrade, The New Bedford Light: 'A New Bedford mother of three was denied bond in immigration court Thursday — a decision likely related to a recent policy memo issued by ICE that disallows bonds for those who entered the U.S. illegally. Yury Melissa Aguiriano-Romero, 35, an asylum applicant from Honduras, was denied bond by Immigration Judge Natalie Smith during a hearing at Chelmsford Immigration Court regarding a reopened asylum claim.' HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Former Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley, chief sustainability officer at Vicinity Energy, and Kathryn Niforos, communications director for Vineyard Offshore, welcomed Matilda Georgia O'Malley on July 1. Pic! HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former state Rep. Paul Schmid, former state Rep. Jeff Sanchez, Nate Everett, Sarah Iselin, Michael Bakshi, Emerson College lecturer Keri Thompson, Amy Sweeney, Eddie Flannery and Sarah Kashinsky. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Milton state Sen. Walter Timilty, Jordan Meehan, state Rep. Simon Cataldo and Google's Catherine Cloutier, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers to former state Rep. Eugene O'Flaherty, Krista Zalatores, Mass. native and POLITICO alum and David Giambusso.
Politico
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Politico
Boston mayor's race hits the waves
CHANNEL SURFING — Boston's mayoral race is shaping up to be the sound of the summer thanks to new ads hitting the airwaves in the next few days. Josh Kraft's campaign is readying a television ad blitz with a series of 30-second spots featuring Bostonians he worked with during his more than two decades at the Boys and Girls Club of Boston. The clips feature residents from an array of backgrounds across the city – like Jonte Joseph of Charlestown, who met the mayoral hopeful at the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club when he was 9 years old, according to the campaign, and Bob Monahan, a longtime South Boston nonprofit leader who hired Kraft in the 1990s. The series addresses one of the criticisms Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has levelled against Kraft – that he's new to the city — by touting support from those who first worked with him in Boston decades ago. The campaign declined to share how much money they're putting behind the series, which is coming to broadcast television, streaming sites and digital platforms starting today. On the other side, the Bold Boston super PAC that's backing Wu is gearing up to launch a radio ad Monday that looks to tie Kraft to President Donald Trump and the recently passed congressional budget reconciliation package. The 60-second radio hit features two people talking about potential negative impacts from the congressional package, before yoking Kraft to Republicans who backed the bill. 'You know, Josh Kraft donated to Republicans who got the law passed?' one of the narrators says. 'That's right. He donated thousands to Trump-backing Republicans who want to ban abortion and cut Medicaid,' says the second narrator. It's an apparent reference to donations Kraft made a few years ago to Republicans like Reps. Glenn Grothmann of Wisconsin, Buddy Carter of Georgia and Mike Bost of Illinois. Kraft's campaign has said he made donations to those politicians solely because of their support for Israel. A spokesperson for the PAC declined to specify how much money the group plans to put behind the ad. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. A little less than two months to go before the preliminary! Tips, scoops, catch any of the ads in action? Drop me a line: kgarrity@ TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll have no public events. THIS WEEKEND — Rep. Jim McGovern is on WBZ's 'Keller @ Large' at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Rep. Jake Auchincloss is on WCVB's 'On the Record' at 11 a.m. Sunday. DATELINE BEACON HILL RULE BREAKERS — Progressive groups that have been pushing for more transparency on Beacon Hill are calling out state lawmakers for bypassing the internal rules they put in place that were supposed to shed some more light on the legislative process. Progress Mass and Act on Mass say legislators are already violating rules implementing new deadlines and making testimony public. Their call is here. FROM THE HUB — Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden's office threw out disgraced prosecutor Rachael Rollins' do-not-prosecute list by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: 'Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said his office seeks to divert, rather than prosecute, certain low-level shoplifting offenders but bristled when asked whether he still operates under his disgraced predecessor Rachael Rollins' do-not-prosecute list. During a Thursday press conference on an initiative his office spearheaded that aims to deter shoplifting, Hayden outlined how the DA's office aims to prosecute repeat retail theft offenders while giving a pass to first-time non-violent offenders — provided the newbie bandits take part in a voluntary diversion program.' — Stats show shoplifting spike in Boston, officials say they're working on it by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: 'According to the Boston Police Department's Part One Crime tracking data for the first six month of 2025, 'Other Larceny,' an offense that includes shoplifting and other crimes, totaled 4,185 incidents so far this year – up nearly 23% past the city's five-year average. The Boston Police Department did not immediately clarify what portion of those 'Other Larceny' incidents are shoplifting, but did say through a spokesperson 'So far this year, reports have increased 15% over last year at this time.' Asked about the figures, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said mid-year statistics are difficult to discuss and attributed the rise to increased calls to police.' MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS — ICE report revealed in court shows the agency used Canary Mission information to target Rümeysa Öztürk by Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio and Shelley Murphy, The Boston Globe: 'An immigration official disclosed Thursday that the agency relied heavily on a pro-Israel website to identify international students who protested the war in Gaza, including Tufts PhD candidate Rümeysa Öztürk, as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on the pro-Palestinian movement on college campuses. Under questioning in federal court in Boston, the official from Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not point to any other grounds for Öztürk's detention beyond her inclusion in the blacklist from the website, known as Canary Mission, or her coauthoring of an op-ed in the student newspaper calling on Tufts to divest from companies with ties to Israel.' THE RACE FOR CITY HALL — Donahue no longer seeking reelection in Ward 2 City Council race by Matt Petry, The Newburyport Daily News: 'After four years serving as the Ward 2 city councilor, Jennie Donahue announced Thursday she will not seek reelection. Elected in 2021, Donahue made Thursday's announcement via Facebook, linking to an article she wrote.' — Josh Kraft unveils reentry after prison plan in bid for Boston mayor by Jade Lozada and Emma Platoff, The Boston Globe: 'Josh Kraft on Thursday unveiled a plan to support individuals returning from prison, a new plank in his policy platform as he seeks to unseat incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu in this fall's election. Kraft made the announcement at a press conference in South Boston, where he was surrounded by about 10 supporters, some of whom were formerly incarcerated and said Kraft has been an immense source of support. His proposal includes a 90-day countdown reentry plan to help individuals find housing, job opportunities, and mental health support before they leave prison. ENDORSEMENT ALERT — The Boston Teachers Union has endorsed Boston Mayor Michelle Wu for reelection, per the Boston Herald. TRUMPACHUSETTS — UMass Chan Medical School faces shortfall of tens of millions of dollars in NIH funding by Lynn Jolicoeur, WBUR: 'Leaders of UMass Chan Medical School say they've tallied the shortfall in federal funding to the school's scientists since President Trump took office. According to Chancellor Michael Collins, it's enough to imperil research across the institution. The math shows UMass Chan hasn't received nearly $42 million in expected grants from the National Institutes of Health for the school's fiscal year that just ended. That includes grants for studies and related costs that were deemed 'fundable' in the NIH review process but then stalled, Collins said.' FROM THE 413 — Easthampton council president mulls interim mayor post in wake of LaChapelle resignation by Sam Ferland, Daily Hampshire Gazette: 'In the wake of Mayor Nicole LaChapelle's resignation, city councilors met Wednesday night to discuss paths forward to find an interim mayor, leaving the City Council president with a decision to make. According to the city charter, if a vacancy in the office of mayor occurs in the last nine months of their term, the president of the City Council shall become the mayor. With an election scheduled for Nov. 4, City Council President Salem Derby has not made a decision to accept the position as interim mayor.' —— Turmoil on Northampton reparations panel as council ponders future by Alexander MacDougall, Daily Hampshire Gazette: 'The city has fired an administrative assistant of the Northampton Reparations Study Commission and the chair of the commission has resigned ahead of a City Council meeting where it will be determined whether or not to continue the commission's work on its final report. Anthony Arena-DeRosa, who served the commission in a staff support role, received a letter from Human Resources Director Charles Dunham on June 30, saying that the city intended to terminate his employment effective immediately. The cause of Arena-DeRosa's termination, according to the letter shared with the Gazette, was an email he sent June 17, using a city email address, to approximately 130 residents to advocate for a public hearing before the city accepted a final report put out by the commission.' — Hasbro's tariff response? In part it is to increase toy production in this WMass town by Jim Kinney, The Springfield Republican: 'Toymaker Hasbro is stepping up board game production at a manufacturing partner's plant in East Longmeadow, in part to maneuver around the Trump administration's tariffs. Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks described the move as a reaction to the administration's import policies Thursday morning in a broadcast segment with CNN's Audie Cornish. But Cocks said reshoring the company's products can only do so much.' THE LOCAL ANGLE — Lowell steps onto world stage as Frontrunner City by Melanie Gilbert, The Lowell Sun: 'This week, Lowell was the epicenter for a pilot program that could be transformative for the future of the city. Political, educational, business and community-based leadership welcomed a delegation from Canada that leads up the innovative Frontrunner City Initiative. 'The goal today is to look at the future of Lowell tomorrow,' City Manager Tom Golden said during a presentation at City Hall announcing the partnership with the Urban Economy Forum.' — A veterans housing project almost fell through amid funding cuts and tariffs by Sam Turken, GBH News. — Meet the designer behind Newton's new city seal by Amanda Beland, WBUR. MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE TRAIL MARKERS — Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar is headed to New Hampshire today to stump for Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas, a move that's stoking some 2028 speculation for the former presidential candidate. HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — Gintautas Dumcius will be the new editor of MASSterList. He's an alum of several Boston-area outlets and most recently was a reporter at CommonWealth Beacon. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Sen. Ed Markey, WBUR alum Jack Lepiarz, Maximos Nikitas, Angus Abercrombie, Chris Maloney, a partner at the Black Rock Group and a Mitt Romney alum, and to Noa Burke-Schlossberg. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to state Rep. Dan Ryan, Daily Hampshire Gazette reporter Scott Merzbach, Gregorio Gomez, Arlene Remz and Madeline Saunders, who celebrate Saturday, and to Sunday birthday-ers Amanda Hunter, executive director of the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, Nick Newburger and Barry Posen.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Can you guess who's Mass. governor this week?
Someone's sitting in for Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey this week. With one budget signature under her belt and a supplemental budget now before the Legislature, the Arlington Democrat headed out of town on vacation with her family, according to State House News Service. And that means Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll is minding the store as acting governor—with all the power that comes with it — until Healey returns, the wire service reported. And that's just a part of the constitutional order of things. Driscoll, a former Salem mayor, steps in when Healey isn't available. When neither Driscoll nor Healey is on the ground in the Bay State, duties devolve to Secretary of State William L. Galvin, who's next in line in the Bay State's foundational document. That last happened in February, when Healey was in Washington, D.C., for a conclave with her fellow governors, and Driscoll was similarly out of town. So what can Driscoll do while Healey's on vacation? Quite a bit. Driscoll will also be responsible for emergency response and serving as the state's liaison on federal matters. Because it's not like nothing is going on there. Under the state's constitution, the acting governor can file and sign bills, Though she's on holiday, Healey has nonetheless felt very present on this first full Monday in July. Earlier in the day, Healey was quoted at length in a scathing press release taking the Trump White House to task for freezing $108 million in previously approved money for public education. An hour or so later, one of Healey's Republican rivals for governor in 2026, former Baker administration aide Mike Kennealy, took her to task for remarks she made over the weekend on WBZ-TV's 'Keller @Large' program. Healey's last public event was on Friday, July 4, when she attended the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Charles River Esplanade, according to State House News Service. That same day, Healey ran her signature across a $60.9 billion annual budget for the new fiscal year that started July 1. Healey trimmed $130 million from the spending plan as a hedge against funding reductions from the Republican-authored domestic policy mega-bill. She also filed a supplemental budget that, among other things, would give her more leeway to unilaterally cut state spending. Two familiar faces step forward for Chicopee council, School Committee seats Planned Parenthood in Mass. sues Trump admin over 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Medicaid provision Health groups, including one from Mass., sue to stop RFK's vaccine changes Candidate, kin marked dead on Mass. Dem database, seemingly by his rival, state Rep. Puppolo 'Sea change': Dems' views on Israel swing by 56% in 8 years Read the original article on MassLive.
Politico
03-07-2025
- Business
- Politico
A big week for budgets
PROGRAMMING NOTE: We'll be off Friday, but will be back in your inbox on Monday. UNDER THE WIRE — By the time this hits your inbox, we'll be very close to an answer to the question local lawmakers have been asking for months: What will Washington do? After advancing their sweeping tax and spending bill by the slimmest of margins overnight, Republicans in D.C. looked poised to pass the so-called 'big, beautiful bill,' President Donald Trump had been urging them to finish before July 4. Democrats who lead the state have roundly criticized the bill they say will result in thousands in Massachusetts losing health care and food assistance benefits. Republicans in Congress have argued that the new work requirements included in the legislation will cut down on fraud and abuse in the program. Its passage will give some clarity to state lawmakers who have so far been in wait-and-see mode. Budget writers have been wary of what the megabill might mean for the future of federal funding that Massachusetts relies on since negotiations began earlier this year. But without anything official in Congress, they decided to move ahead with a vote on their (surprisingly on-time) compromise budget earlier this week. 'With deep uncertainty on the horizon, both from an economic standpoint and from any actions Washington might take in the near future, we felt it was in the commonwealth's best interest to finish this budget in a quicker manner than has been the case in the past few years,' House Ways and Means Chair Rep. Aaron Michlewitz said from the House floor ahead Monday. They did leave themselves some wiggle room in their FY26 budget — $800 million worth, to be precise. But state lawmakers have repeatedly acknowledged that the state won't be able to backfill any significant losses in federal funding. GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. They might not like the bill, but it's giving them fresh campaign fodder. Democrats in Massachusetts were already spotlighting the bill in campaign emails when it moved through the Senate earlier this week. Within the hours of Vice President JD Vance casting the deciding vote to push the package through the upper chamber, Sen. Ed Markey and Gov. Maura Healey were sending fundraising appeals blasting the massive domestic policy bill. 'If House Republicans pass this package, it will almost certainly go down in history as one of the most harmful, hateful pieces of legislation ever passed,' Markey said in an email to supporters. Healey's campaign called the bill 'egregious' and warned in a fundraising appeal that health care and energy costs would rise if it's enacted. 'Republicans own this,' Healey wrote on X. TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey has no public events. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu cuts the ribbon at multiple new small businesses at 10:15 a.m. in Jamaica Plain. THIS WEEKEND — Healey is on WBZ's 'Keller @ Large' at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. State Sen. Barry Finegold is on WCVB's 'On the Record' at 11:30 a.m. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@ DATELINE BEACON HILL — 'Ain't nobody helping me.' More calls for reforms to Massachusetts wrongful conviction compensation law by Andrew Quemere, Horizon Mass News. YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS EVERY VOTE COUNTS — Democrat Lisa Field maintained a 15-vote lead over Republican Larry Quintal in the special election to replace late state Rep. Carol Doherty after the recount wrapped up Wednesday. More from The Taunton Daily Gazette. FROM THE HUB — Investigation finds Segun Idowu did not violate city policies amid misconduct allegations by Niki Griswold, The Boston Globe: 'An investigation into misconduct allegations against Segun Idowu, Boston's chief of economic opportunity and inclusion, found that the senior City Hall official did not violate any city policies. The results of the investigation, conducted by the city's internal human resources department with the help of external law firm Stoneman, Chandler & Miller LLP, were sent to the city's chief of human resources and Mayor Michelle Wu's chief of staff in a terse one-page memo Wednesday evening.' — Boston City Hall official on unpaid leave, remains employed months after felony assault arrest by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: 'A Wu administration official has been placed on unpaid leave but is still employed by the City of Boston months after being arrested on felony assault charges. Daunasia Yancey, 33, of Jamaica Plain, was arrested and charged with assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on April 11, after allegedly attacking the ex-wife of her then-girlfriend in a Roxbury home during a dispute the former spouses were having over the return of a birth certificate. Yancey is the deputy director of Mayor Michelle Wu's office of LGBTQ+ Advancement and founded the Boston Black Lives Matter chapter in 2014, according to her professional website.' — White Stadium supporters talk up advantages of city's rehab plan by Danny McDonald, The Boston Globe. — Boston police sergeant charged with child rape suspended by oversight commission by Walter Wuthmann, WBUR. THE RACE FOR CITY HALL FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — AFSCME Council 93 Boston Presidents' Committee is endorsing Alexandra Valdez, who currently serves as the director of the mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, in the crowded race for the four at-large seats on the Boston City Council. DAY IN COURT — High court justice to weigh cases of criminal defendants with no lawyers by Sean Cotter, The Boston Globe: 'A Supreme Judicial Court justice appears set to implement an emergency protocol that could lead to the release of criminal defendants from jail and the dismissal of their prosecutions, as an increasing number of cases languish amid a work stoppage by court-appointed attorneys. Supreme Judicial Court Justice Dalila Argaez Wendlandt did not immediately rule on a request during a hearing Wednesday to invoke what is known as the Lavallee protocol, in reference to a similar issue before the courts in 2004 in which indigent defendants did not have access to a lawyer — a constitutional right — because of a work stoppage.' FROM THE DELEGATION — U.S. Rep. Moulton files measure aimed at requiring 'humane' conditions for immigrants detained by ICE by Beth Healy, WBUR: 'U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton said he filed an amendment Tuesday to the sweeping federal tax and spending bill to address the conditions in which the government is holding immigrant detainees. The Massachusetts Democrat from the North Shore said his measure would prohibit overnight stays at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field offices like the one in Burlington, where detainees have detailed having to sleep on cement floors in cramped quarters with no showers and little food.' — Massachsetts senators blast Trump settlement with Paramount: 'Bribery in plain sight' by Will Katcher, MassLive: 'Both Massachusetts' senators sharply rebuked Paramount on Wednesday for agreeing to settle a lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump over his complaints that the CBS news program '60 Minutes' selectively edited an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris last year.' — Jim McGovern rips Trump over bill, says he's holding Congress 'hostage with primary threats and social media tantrums' by Alyssa Vega, The Boston Globe: 'Massachusetts Representative Jim McGovern said Wednesday that Congress is barreling toward a reckless vote on President Trump's tax and spending bill, which the Worcester Democrat argued takes from the nation's most vulnerable to provide tax breaks for the rich. … In a fiery speech on the House floor, McGovern, the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee, slammed the bill during debate, saying Congress is stuck in 'a game of legislative chicken.'' THE LOCAL ANGLE VEEP WATCH — Vice President JD Vance is headed to Nantucket in July for high-dollar fundraiser for the Republican National Committee, per the Cape Cod Times. — Republic delaying some trash collections until Monday over strike by Caroline Enos, The Salem News: 'Republic Services won't pick up trash in Danvers until at least Monday, as the company's union waste collection employees remain on strike. 'Residents are asked not to place trash or recycling at the curb for the remainder of this week,' the town of Danvers said in a statement on its Facebook page Tuesday evening. 'While you may see Republic Services trucks traveling through Danvers during this time, they will not be performing any curbside collection.'' — Despite federal pauses, Salem officials 'hopeful' offshore wind terminal project stays on track by Michael McHugh, The Salem News: 'The city of Salem and Crowley Wind Services are confident the city's terminal project will continue despite Trump administration policies to slow the industry. With pre-construction having already started after the groundbreaking last August, Crowley is now in the process of reviewing bids for its request for proposal (RFP) for construction of the Salem Wind Port. Work is expected to begin shortly after the bid is awarded, with operations about 24 months after the start of construction.' HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to state Rep. Mark Cusack, Barbara Lee, Kunal Botla, Maia Raynor, Maya Serkin and Ted Steinberg. HAPPY LONG BIRTHWEEKEND — Friday birthday-ers Chris Ingerson, Rachel Wells, Lanhee Chen, Will Ritter, Targeted Victory's Ryan Williams, MassFiscal's Laurie Belsito, and the United States of America; to Pat Beaudry, Christian Greve and alum Chris Caesar, who celebrate Saturday; and to former state Sen. Richard Ross, state Sen. Jake Oliveira, Dave Eisenstadter and Cloe Axelson, who celebrate Saturday.
Politico
27-06-2025
- Business
- Politico
Dems ... in array?
ALL TOGETHER NOW — Beacon Hill Democrats might finally be on the same page. Relations between the House and Senate were … less than cozy in the waning days of the formal lawmaking last summer, and some of that sentiment bled into the new session. But there were a few signs this week that Democrats are ready to put the bickering on the back burner. After bold commitments to update the joint rules they've struggled to agree on over the last five years, top House and Senate Democrats suddenly reached a deal this week on a package they say will make things run more smoothly and with increased transparency. House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka cheered the agreement after their semi-regular meeting with Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. Spilka even hit Mariano with a little light back-slapping as they took their victory lap. 'Neither one of us liked the way it ended July 31 of last year,' Mariano told reporters at the time, referencing the impasse Democrats hit during what normally would've been their final formal session (Both chambers came back to work to pass the bills left undone later in the year.). 'We just knew it was time to make this thing work. And we did,' Mariano added. Lawmaking has been slow-going so far — the Legislature has only passed a handful of bills, and most of what's moved has been supplemental budgets. But as the Senate met Thursday to pass new protections for patients and providers seeking and administering abortions and gender-affirming care, Mariano told reporters the House could take up the issue in the coming weeks. 'As soon as we can get something from the Senate, go through it, see how we can be helpful … we just have to keep plugging away,' he said. One thing to keep an eye on in the next couple of days: How quickly negotiators can reach a budget deal. Monday is the final day of the fiscal year, a deadline the Legislature hasn't hit in more than a decade — but in a sign that things could be getting close, the House gaveled out Thursday night (after members hung around for hours) without passing the interim budget Healey filed to fill a potential budget gap. Still, getting a budget signed on time is likely out of the question, since Healey gets 10 days to decide on any vetoes. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF! TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey has no public events. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hosts a coffee hour in the North End at 10 a.m. and speaks at the Boston Arts Academy Foundation lunch at noon in Beacon Hill. THIS WEEKEND — Gov. Maura Healey is on WBZ's 'Keller @ Large' at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale 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 — A Massachusetts. doctor mails 2,500 abortion kits out of state per month. Lawmakers voted to further protect providers like her. by Samantha J. Gross, The Boston Globe. — Will Massachusetts ban Native American mascots in schools? Legislators make another push by Margie Cullen, Taunton Daily Gazette. MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS — U.S. wants to deport FBI informant who was set to testify in gang case in Massachusetts. by Jesús Marrero Suárez, WBUR: 'In November 2022, a man in El Salvador believed he had few options: be snatched off the street by police or testify against Massachusetts members of MS-13, the criminal organization responsible for countless murders and other violent crimes in the U.S. and Central America. But both happened. After nine months in Salvadoran prisons, the man only known as John Doe in court documents came to the United States as a material witness for a racketeering case in exchange, as he understood it, for refuge in the U.S. He's now locked up in a facility here. A material witness often has testimony crucial to a case, and can be detained to protect them or prevent them from fleeing. In the midst of the MS-13 case, the U.S. government revealed his identity in evidence and has been attempting to deport him.' FROM THE HUB — Boston's property assessments questioned; city accused of secret tax hikes by Maya Shavit, Boston Business Journal: 'The Pioneer New England Legal Foundation, a group formed from the merger last month of the Pioneer Public Interest Law Center and the New England Legal Foundation, said this week that commercial property owners in Boston who appealed their tax assessments were penalized without notice over the past year. In a letter to the state commissioner of Revenue, a copy of which was sent to the city of Boston, the legal foundation claims the city is unlawfully charging taxpayers with bills that are based on property valuations those taxpayers dispute.' YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS CASH DASH — Former Secretary of State John Kerry headlined a Cambridge fundraiser for Sen. Ed Markey Thursday night, per the invitation. On the guest list: A whole host of former ambassadors. FROM THE DELEGATION — Two Massachusetts military vets in Congress break from Democratic consensus of outrage over Trump's Iran strike by Sam Brodey, The Boston Globe: 'After President Trump ordered dramatic airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday night, most Democratic lawmakers were outraged — not just because Trump bypassed congressional approval for the attack, but also because many worried the escalation could destabilize an already volatile situation with Iran. A smaller but still influential group within the party, however, responded to the attack on Tehran's nuclear program differently— including two vocal members of Massachusetts' generally progressive delegation in Congress. Representatives Jake Auchincloss and Seth Moulton, Marine veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively, were both extremely alarmed that Trump didn't consult Congress. But they didn't share the immediate anger of their colleagues that the aftermath of the strikes was obviously dangerous or damaging.' — Baby on board: Mass. lawmaker asks Trump to keep strollers, cribs out of his trade war by John L. Micek, MassLive: 'A Democratic lawmaker from Massachusetts, joined by more than two dozen of her colleagues, has called on the Trump White House to exempt already pricey baby products from its overseas trade war. In a letter shared exclusively with MassLive, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District, called on U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to move ahead with exemptions for such key products as strollers, car seats, cribs and highchairs from current and future tariffs.' FROM THE 413 — Silent standout in Northampton protests ICE detainments, deportations by Alexander MacDougall, Daily Hampshire Gazette: 'It's not uncommon to see protesters and activists assembled in front of Northampton City Hall, speaking out in support of social issues and against injustices of the day. But the gathering held there early Thursday afternoon did not feature boisterous speeches or calls to action; rather, it struck a more somber tone in protesting against the detention and deportation of immigrants and foreign nationals in the U.S. by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.' THE LOCAL ANGLE — AG: Barre town officials intentionally violated open meeting law hiring DPW director's cousin as his assistant by Brad Petrishen, Telegram & Gazette: 'Town officials in Barre are facing a $500 fine after the Office of the Attorney General ruled they intentionally violated the Open Meeting Law when hiring the cousin of the Public Works director to serve as his administrative assistant. A town official who filed the complaint said it supports his contention that town is being improperly managed, while the selectmen chairwoman — who was among those faulted by the attorney general — said she had no intent to violate the law.' — Reprimanded police sergeant committed more sexual harassment, then retired without discipline by Anastasia E. Lennon, The New Bedford Light: 'A city police sergeant, reprimanded for sexual harassment in mid-2023, was found last year to have committed further sexual harassment. He went on paid administrative leave and then medical leave, and retired without discipline in November, months after the investigation's findings were submitted to the police chief.' — Bitterly divided Brockton school board meets behind closed doors to discuss longtime member by Chris Helms and Jacob Posner, The Brockton Enterprise: 'A bitterly divided Brockton School Committee met behind closed doors Tuesday evening, June 26, to discuss Ward 7 School Committee Member Tim Sullivan. Massachusetts law requires that most public business be done in public. However, there are a handful of exceptions that allow elected boards to go into executive session where any discussion and votes they take can be kept from the public for a certain period. The reason the board gave for the executive session is broad. It was about the 'reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, or to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual.'' — 'Critical' Sandwich gate at Joint Base Cape Cod gets another reprieve by Rachael Devaney, Cape Cod Times: 'A July 1 deadline for the potential closure of Joint Base Cape Cod's East Sandwich gate loomed over local residents, workers, and military personnel who use the gate year-round. But on Thursday, Don Veitch, Joint Base Cape Cod public affairs officer for the Massachusetts National Guard, said the gate will remain open and funded for one year. Funding, said Veitch, will be continually reevaluated. The Sandwich gate was originally scheduled to close May 16 due to federal funding cuts. Joint Base Cape Cod then extended the closure until June 30 after reallocating funds and arranging for soldiers to perform their annual training at JBCC, according to Veitch.' HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former state Sen. Joe Boncore, state Sen. Michael Barrett, former Plymouth state Rep. Mathew Muratore, Molly McGlynn, of AG Andrea Campbell's office; Nick Mitchell, Jesse Lehrich and Paul Tencher, a Sen. Ed Markey alum. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Erin McPike and Moses Marx, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers Ben Jarrett, Amish Shah, Jason Ostrander, Katrina Gaddis and state Sen. Liz Miranda.
