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Politico
2 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
Two Kraft campaign advisers exit
CAMPAIGN SHAKEUP — Two of the four Boston-based strategists who joined Josh Kraft's mayoral campaign in its early days exited the operation earlier this month. Chanda Smart, the co-founder of OnyxGroup Development and Realty and Ann Chinchilla DeGeorge, who previously worked on former District Attorney Rachel Rollins' campaign and for City Councilor Julia Mejia, confirmed they are no longer working with Kraft's campaign as of earlier this month. Smart declined to comment further. Chinchilla DeGeorge said she wishes Kraft the best. Eileen O'Connor, a spokesperson for Kraft's campaign, said in a statement that the 'campaign decided to honor earlier agreements to pay them each through November 4, and wish them the best.' In a post on Facebook last week, Chinchilla DeGeorge wrote that Kraft is 'a great guy and a friend,' but added that she does 'not agree with his campaign leadership team's direction and strategy.' Kraft's campaign announced on Feb. 7 that Chinchilla DeGeorge and Smart would be joining the operation, shortly after Kraft officially launched his campaign. 'Assembling a diverse and talented team is going to be critical to the success of our campaign,' Kraft said in a statement at the time, after announcing that Chinchilla DeGeorge, Smart and two other longtime Boston political strategists — Jacquetta Van Zandt and Michael Kineavy, who are both still with the campaign — would be advising Kraft. 'I'm thrilled that Chanda, Jacquetta, Ann, and Michael have agreed to join the campaign,' Kraft said in the February announcement. 'We are assembling a team that have deep and meaningful connections in the communities throughout the city and are as good at listening as they are at talking.' GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. As members of Massachusetts' all-Democratic congressional delegation are home in their districts for their summer recess, expect to hear a whole lot of criticism of the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill — and probably a little about the Epstein files fracas that's dogged the White House for the past few weeks. Democratic Whip Katherine Clark laid out Democrats' plan of action for the next few weeks during an interview on WCVB's 'On the Record' that aired Sunday. 'Our focus is going to be on what this bill is going to do to the American people … and our view for the future,' Clark said. Expect to see Democrats holding town halls warning about changes to Medicaid and Social Security. Epstein, Clark said, won't be 'the focus of our days of action.' But 'it is part of the story of choosing to make the winner's circle in this country very small.' TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll attend the 50th anniversary Cabo Verdean Independence Celebration at 11:30 a.m. and meet with Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano at 2 p.m. at the State House. Driscoll attends the groundbreaking of the Residences at East Milton at 9:30 a.m. in Milton. Rep. Richard Neal celebrates the 60th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson signing the Medicare and Medicaid Act into law at 11 a.m. in Wilbraham. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announces grant funding that will be awarded to four community-led organizations at 10:30 a.m. in Dorchester. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@ DATELINE BEACON HILL — Healey makes waves naming hospital lobbyist to HPC board by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service: 'After several days of fielding criticism about the move behind the scenes, Gov. Maura Healey on Friday named the state's top hospital lobbyist to a position at the regulatory agency that oversees virtually all major health care decisions — including those directly affecting his clients — in Massachusetts. Healey appointed six people to the Health Policy Commission's board of directors, including Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association President Steve Walsh, punctuating a flood of hand-wringing from business leaders, health care advocates and other segments of the industry worried about a potential conflict of interest. The Healey administration defended the selection of Walsh, saying he fulfills a statutory requirement for a member of the HPC's board to come from a hospital background.' — Tarr seeks expanded background checks for child care workers by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: 'A group of Republican lawmakers are pushing for 'expanded' criminal background checks of people working for licensed daycare and early education providers, saying the Healey administration isn't doing enough to screen foreign workers. The legislation, filed by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr and four other GOP lawmakers, would require the state Department of Early Education and Care to expand background checks for job applicants who have lived outside of the United States in the previous five years, and gather 'to the maximum feasible extent' criminal record information from other countries.' FROM THE HUB — Fenway Park workers strike for third day amid contract dispute with Aramark by Maria Probert, The Boston Globe: 'As Boston Red Sox fans, wearing bright red ponchos and raincoats, crowded Fenway Park on Sunday for the third game in a series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, chants from a nearby strike by Fenway concession workers could be heard from inside. … On the third day of the strike Sunday, some visitors obliged, stopping to buy and eat hot dogs outside, or eating lunch at a restaurant before heading to the game. But inside the park, it was business as usual as others opted to buy Fenway Franks at concession stands ran by replacement workers.' — South End neighborhood group calls for greater Mass and Cass policing, propose National Guard deployment by Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald: 'South End residents upped calls for a greater response to drug use stemming from the Mass and Cass area in a regular neighborhood group meeting, with proposing the deployment of the National Guard and decentralizing needle exchanges.' THE RACE FOR CITY HALL — Does mayoral candidate Rudy Alves live in Taunton? Elections head wants answers by Emma Rindlisbacher, The Taunton Daily Gazette: 'Rude 'Rudy' Alves is running for mayor in Taunton, and is registered to vote in Taunton at 68 Tremont St., according to information about candidates from the Taunton website. However, Taunton Elections Director Mark Pacheco raised questions at a Tuesday, July 23, 2025, elections commission meeting regarding whether Alves actually resides in Taunton. Pacheco said that on June 6, 2025, Alves had told elections department staff members: 'You guys know I never really lived in Taunton, right?' Pacheco said that he was not in the office when Alves made that comment, but that the comment had been heard by multiple staff members.' KENNEDY COMPOUND LAYING THE GROUNDWORK — The New York Times is out with a profile of former Rep. Joe Kennedy III, who's been spending his time out of the spotlight building up grassroots resistance in places few Democrats dare venture (deep-red states) through the Groundwork Project, an organization he founded in 2021. In addition to unpacking his organizing efforts in states like Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma and West Virginia, Kennedy reflected on his past: 'Losing sucks,' he told The Times. 'But I made the decision to try to build something that keeps you engaged and energized.' And he ruminated on his political future: 'The question is, is what I would get out of going back into elective office worth the sacrifice that I asked my family to go through again?' Kennedy told The Times. 'I'm 44. … And at some point down the road, I wouldn't necessarily rule anything out.' FROM THE DELEGATION — Ed Markey, Ayanna Pressley renew push for fare-free MBTA, public transit by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: 'U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Ayanna Pressley refiled legislation that seeks to make public transportation fare-free for all users. … First introduced in 2020, the Freedom to Move Act would seek to make public transportation, including the MBTA, free by establishing a $5 billion competitive grant program to support state and local fare-free efforts, investing in infrastructure and safety improvements, particularly in low-income communities, and ensuring grant recipients use funds to address equity gaps in transit systems.' FROM THE 413 — A personnel action rocks a Springfield councilor … and possibly her reelection bid by Matt Szafranski, Western Mass Politics & Insight: 'The political ecosystem in Ward 1 in Springfield received a jolt Saturday when the ward's incumbent city councilor lost her job amid serious, yet cryptic allegations. In a late afternoon press release, the New North Citizens Council (NNCC) announced it had terminated its housing chief, Maria Perez. Perez has served as the Ward 1 City Councilor since 2022. The brusque, shocking release all but accuses Perez of misappropriating NNCC funds, including those it received from the federal government by way of City Hall. More concretely, it alleges Perez had misused the nonprofit's funds for 'political purposes.' The release indicates it came to its conclusions after an internal review and had filed a complaint with the state Ethics Commission.' WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING — Will 4th ex-cop implicated in Sandra Birchmore case be decertified? Why he might not be by Amelia Stern, The Brockton Enterprise: 'An attorney representing Joshua Heal — an ex-cop accused of having a sexual encounter with Sandra Birchmore when he was the animal control officer in Stoughton and lying about it — said at a Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission hearing that his client has no interest in working again as a police officer. … The Commission, an agency responsible for certifying officers in the state, will determine through its proceedings if Heal should be allowed to voluntarily let his certification expire or if he should be decertified.' — Absenteeism rates are 50 percent higher than they were pre-pandemic. Here are six ideas to get kids back in class. by Christopher Huffaker, The Boston Globe: 'Chronic absenteeism — missing 10 percent or more of school — surged to unheard-of levels in Massachusetts and across the country amid the pandemic. Despite educators' efforts to get kids back in class, absenteeism rates remain 50 percent higher than pre-pandemic, elevated in districts large and small, rich and poor.' — What happens when a Yankee progressive and Southern conservative team up? More housing, they hope. by John L. Micek, MassLive. — Gateway City leaders prepare for federal cuts, changes to Medicaid by Hallie Claflin, CommonWealth Beacon. — Last year a tax credit helped build 23 workforce rental homes on Nantucket. It's back. by Zane Razzaq, Cape Cod Times. MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE 2026 WATCH — Out-of-state politicians swinging through New Hampshire have already sparked some 2028 chatter, but Republican Rep. Nancy Mace indicated Friday she has her sights set on 2026. At the New England Council's 'Politics and Eggs' event Friday, Mace nodded to New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary status, while hinting that she could announce a bid for governor in South Carolina. 'Not only do you pick presidents, maybe you can pick the next South Carolina governor today, because we're going to be announcing our run very shortly, potentially, for that as well,' she said during the event in Manchester. The official decision could be coming soon: Mace told Fox News over the weekend that a decision could come in the next couple of days. SPEAKING OF 2028 — Sen. Ruben Gallego is heading to New Hampshire next month, WMUR first reported this morning. The Arizona Democrat has already traveled to Pennsylvania and is stopping in Iowa (another early voting state) next month. Gallego is slated to join a town hall with Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), a fundraiser for New Hampshire Democratic Senate hopeful Rep. Chris Pappas and will take part in his own 'Politics & Eggs' event, per WMUR. HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH NATIONAL STAGE — Gov. Maura Healey was elected to the National Governors Association's executive committee over the weekend, along with Govs. Jared Polis of Colorado, Josh Green of Hawaii, Mike Braun of Indiana, Jeff Landry of Louisiana, Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, and Bill Lee of Tennessee. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Beata Coloyan, Ayla Brown and to Northampton City Councilor Stanley Moulton.
Politico
16-07-2025
- Business
- Politico
Reading the delegation receipts
BANK SHOT — There aren't any open congressional races in Massachusetts next year — at least not yet — but that hasn't stopped members of the all-Democratic delegation from getting their fundraising operations going. Let's dive into their latest Federal Election Commission reports: PRIMARY PROTECTION — Sen. Ed Markey topped the delegation's fundraising last quarter, with $713,745, ending June with more than $2.5 million in his campaign account. That's well over the $29,835 that Alex Rikleen, the first-time candidate and writer who's officially filed to run against him in the Democratic primary, has raised since getting in the race. Rikleen ended June with $10,675 on hand. Markey's haul is also a signal to anyone thinking about launching their own bid against the 79-year-old senator that he's prepared to put up a fight. On the other end of the spectrum, Reps. Jim McGovern and Bill Keating had the slowest quarters of the incumbents, raising $77,010 and $80,348 respectively. IS THE RACE ON? — Jamaica Plain Attorney Patrick Roath outraised Rep. Stephen Lynch. Roath pulled in $287,691, which includes $20,000 he loaned himself, more than the $167,439 the incumbent brought in in the second quarter of the year. It's a solid showing for the first-time candidate, but Lynch still has a serious cash advantage. The South Boston Democrat ended the quarter with more than $1.06 million in the bank. THERE'S ALWAYS A MASSACHUSETTS ANGLE — With former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown officially in the race for New Hampshire's open Senate seat, it's only a matter of time before Massachusetts becomes a punching bag. (Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas, who's also in the race, has already thrown some shade at Brown's Bay State ties in a video montage posted on X). But Pappas is still raking in some Massachusetts cash — his second quarter report featured a handful of Massachusetts-based donors. All told, Pappas raised more than $1.8 million and ended the quarter with more than $2 million on hand. We won't know much about Brown's fundraising until the fall; he filed with the FEC on July 1, after the second quarter had already ended. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Tips, scoops, FEC tidbits? Drop me a line: kgarrity@ TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu attend a Sail Boston event at 12:30 p.m. Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll swear in Rep.-elect Lisa Field at 1:15 p.m. at the State House. Healey attends an event an event announcing a new visitors center at Hanscom Air Force Base at 2:30 p.m. Driscoll chairs a Governor's Council meeting at noon at the State House. Wu speaks at the launch of the third day of senior programming at the Elks at 9:45 a.m. in West Roxbury and holds a campaign event on housing at 11 a.m. in Roslindale. Sen. Ed Markey co-hosts a hearing on access to birth control at 1 p.m. in D.C. Attorney General Andrea Campbell tours an affordable housing at 12:30 p.m. in Becket and visits with youth and staff at the Railroad Street Youth Project at 2:30 p.m. in New Barrington. DATELINE BEACON HILL SHOT — Healey wants to define when a beach becomes public. One of her wealthy donors has pushed a similar bill for years. by Matt Stout, The Boston Globe: 'Governor Maura Healey is resurrecting a proposal at the center of a long-running legal dispute between wealthy property owners on Martha's Vineyard's that, if passed, could redefine when a beach in Massachusetts is considered public. Healey tucked the measure into a $3 billion environmental bond bill she filed last month, using language that mirrors a proposal long pushed by Richard Friedman, a colorful developer and Healey donor who's slated to host a fund-raiser for Healey this weekend at his Edgartown home. Friedman for years has battled his neighbors in court over access to a stretch of barrier beach separating Oyster Pond in Edgartown, where he bought property four decades ago, from the Atlantic Ocean on the island's southern shore.' CHASER — Healey's Vineyard fundraiser this weekend is slated to take place at the Friedman Property on Sunday evening, according to the invite. Suggested contributions range from $250 for attendees to $5,000 for hosts. — Massachusetts emergency shelter spending just shy of $900M for FY25, latest state data shows by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: 'Gov. Maura Healey's administration spent just shy of $900 million on emergency family shelters and related services last fiscal year, but the final total is expected to increase to nearly $1 billion as the state settles the final bills for the past 12 months, according to a report released Monday. Taxpayers are on track to shell out more than $1.8 billion over the last two fiscal years on shelters housing homeless families with children and pregnant women. An influx of migrants in 2022, 2023, and 2024 spiked demand, but caseloads have fallen significantly since January.' — Lawmakers looking for tools to close gaps in life expectancy, disease rates by Katie Lannan, GBH News: 'Backers of state legislation proposing a broad approach to closing gaps in health care access and outcomes say now is the time for Massachusetts to double down on its commitment to health equity. Members of the Health Equity Compact, a group of leaders of color from across the health care realm, rallied outside the State House Tuesday before making their case inside the building to lawmakers holding a hearing on the bill.' — Lawmakers hear 'generational' tobacco ban bills by Matthew Medsgar, Boston Herald: 'You can't smoke 'em if you don't got 'em. That's the idea behind a pair of bills before the state Legislature which would ban tobacco sales to people born before 2006. The proposal went before a hearing of the Joint Committee on Public Health on Monday. If enacted, it would be the first such statewide law in the nation, though not the first implementation of the idea altogether. Residents of more than a dozen-and-a-half commonwealth communities already live under similar bans through local ordinances.' — Massachusetts legislators hear testimony on decriminalizing active ingredient in 'magic mushrooms' by Greta Jochem, MassLive. — Kate Walsh reflects on her time as Massachusetts health secretary by Martha Bebinger, WBUR. 2028 WATCH ISLAND TIME — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is heading to Nantucket this weekend for a Saturday night fundraiser, according to the invite. Suggested donations range from $1,000 to $10,000. THE RACE FOR CITY HALL — How Wu and Kraft plan to tackle housing affordability by Tréa Lavery, MassLive: 'Mayor Michelle Wu and mayoral candidate Josh Kraft butted heads Tuesday over what both said they consider one of the most significant issues of the campaign: the high price of housing in Boston. During a candidate forum hosted by the Massachusetts Affordable Homeownership Alliance in Roxbury on Tuesday evening, Wu and Kraft shared their respective visions and plans to reduce housing costs. Both candidates agreed that housing is too expensive in the city, but they disagreed on the most effective ways to tackle the problem.' One point of disagreement: The luxury real estate transfer fee that would tax real estate sales over $2 million. Wu proposed the tax early in her term, but it has yet to gain much support on Beacon Hill. Kraft said Tuesday he's opposed to the transfer fee, though he left the door open to revisiting it down the road. FALL RIVER FALLOUT — Did Fall River have enough firefighters for the Gabriel House fire? by Liz Neisloss, GBH News: 'Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said Tuesday he couldn't say for sure if more lives would have been saved if more firefighters had been at the scene of the devastating fire at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Residence — a claim made by fire union leaders.' — New Bedford senator urges thorough report on assisted living facilities after deadly fire via The Herald News: 'State Sen. Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford, is urging the Massachusetts Assisted Living Commission to extend its reporting deadline to the Legislature following the deadly fire at the Fall River Gabriel House that claimed the lives of nine residents. The commission was created in 2023 to examine health and safety standards in assisted living facilities. It was supposed to issue a report and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, by Aug. 1.' — Fall River Fire at Gabriel House what happened on Tuesday: 'Budgets are politics' by Dan Medeiros, Emily Scherny and Bailey Allen, The Herald News. MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS — Massachusetts health centers, Head Start worry federal change will imperil services to immigrants by Deborah Becker, WBUR: 'Massachusetts community health centers and Head Start leaders are among the groups worried about a federal policy change that would cut off services to immigrants in the country without authorization. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that it will narrow a policy that allowed many immigrants to receive federal benefits. The announcement specifically mentions community health centers and Head Start, which provides early education and other services for low-income children and their families.' PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — Over 450 MBTA riders evacuated from Blue Line train in tunnel under Boston Harbor by Asher Klein, NBC10 Boston: 'Hundreds of people were evacuated from an MBTA Blue Line train stuck in a tunnel that goes under Boston Harbor on Tuesday, the T confirmed. A communications wire was down in the tunnel between Aquarium and Maverick stations, which are on either side of the harbor, MBTA officials said. That was reported about 2:30 p.m., and it prompted trains to be held and shuttle buses to be brought in to replace service. About 465 people were escorted off the train stuck in the tunnel, which remained there as of about 4:45 p.m., by Boston firefighters, MBTA transit police and MBTA staff, according to the officials. No one was reported injured.' DAY IN COURT — In court testimony, Boston ICE official recalls pressure from above to arrest Rümeysa Öztürk by Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio, The Boston Globe: 'A top Boston immigration official testified in federal court Tuesday that supervisors instructed him to prioritize the arrest of Tufts PhD student Rümeysa Öztürk, the first time he's ever received such a directive from Immigration and Customs Enforcement in his career working at the agency. Patrick Cunningham, an assistant special agent in charge at the Homeland Security Investigations office in Boston, which is part of ICE, said his supervisors gave him the impression that he should focus on the arrest of Öztürk after her visa had been revoked.' — Galvin asks judge to reject lawsuit over voter rolls by Christian M. Wade, Gloucester Daily Times: 'The state's top election official is asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit from a conservative group with ties to Republican President Donald Trump that claims it was denied access to state voter registration records. The lawsuit, filed in October by the Ohio-based Voter Reference Foundation, alleges that Secretary of State Bill Galvin's office is violating a provision of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, requiring states to publicly share how they maintain their voter lists for a period of at least two years.' — Republic Services sues Teamsters over alleged actions on picket line as strike passes two week mark by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: 'Trash company Republic Services is suing Teamsters Local 25 amid the union's ongoing strike in a number of Massachusetts towns and cities, alleging that union officials shouted slurs at replacement workers, slashed vehicle tires and may have stolen a truck. The company and the union have been at a standoff since July 1 when 450 local workers went on strike calling for better wages, benefits and stronger labor protections. The strike expanded last week, and now the Teamsters say more than 2,000 employees are striking or honoring picket lines nationwide.' FROM THE 413 — Judge in Springfield faces choice: Keep man detained? Or release him, only for ICE to deport? by Daniel Jackson, The Springfield Republican: 'The magistrate judge hearing the case of a Guatemalan man charged with illegal reentry said he would likely be deported if she released him ahead of his trial. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Noe Yolindo Ambrocio-Perez in Springfield at the end of May, two weeks after an ICE agent called 911 to report he had witnessed Ambrocio-Perez crash his van into a concrete pole. Springfield police had responded to the collision, learned that Ambrocio-Perez was driving with an open container of beer, and arrested him before he was later released.' THE LOCAL ANGLE — Billerica Select Board members signal intent to censure colleague by Peter Currier, The Lowell Sun: 'Tension flared up again in the Billerica Select Board Monday as some members signaled an intent to have a vote to censure member Dina Favreau for alleged conduct outlined in an outside investigative report. After a 4-0 vote, with Favreau recusing herself, to release the redacted exhibits from the investigative report, the board then considered a vote on possible actions to be taken against Favreau for her actions as described in the report. For this, Favreau participated from the podium with attorney Roland Milliard by her side.' — Attleboro City Council rejects tax break for developer by Rhianwen Watkins, The Sun Chronicle. HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — Eva Millona has joined the Eastern Bank Foundation as a fellow. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Sheel Tyle, Andy Bromberg, Maddie Conway and Daily Hampshire Gazette alum Sarah Crosby. Happy belated to Conan Harris and Ché Anderson, assistant vice chancellor for city and community relations at UMass Chan Medical School, who celebrated Sunday.
Politico
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Mass. Dems make unlikely allies
'THIS IS INSANE' — President Donald Trump's unexpected announcement Saturday night that the United States had bombed three Iranian nuclear sites has some members of Massachusetts' all-Democratic congressional delegation doing something you don't see every day: calling for the passage of a Republican-backed resolution. 'This is insane,' Rep. Jim McGovern posted on X in the wake of the attacks. 'Trump just bombed Iran without Congressional approval, illegally dragging us into war in the Middle East. Have we not learned our lesson!?!?' he wrote, before urging his colleagues to 'return to Washington at once' to pass a measure proposed by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky that would block President Donald Trump from engaging in 'unauthorized hostilities' with Iran. McGovern and Rep. Ayanna Pressley were among the Democrats who threw their support behind the resolution early last week. And on Sunday, Rep. Stephen Lynch said he had joined the coalition supporting the bipartisan measure. It's unclear if there's enough support to approve the resolution. Massie was a rare Republican voice pushing back on Trump's decision to move forward with the strike over the weekend — and he's already earning threats of a primary challenge from Trump and his advisors for it. Other members from Massachusetts were also quick to decry the strikes as unconstitutional — including Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, who both joined on a bill last week to try to head off U.S. involvement in the fighting without congressional approval, and Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. 'Only Congress can declare war — and the Senate must vote immediately to prevent another endless war,' Warren said. 'This is a horrific war of choice.' Rep. Jake Auchincloss struck a slightly subtler tone, calling for Iran to surrender its nuclear program and urging Congress to engage in a 'thorough debate on war-making.' Massachusetts is clear of threats related to the attack at the moment. Gov. Maura Healey said she was briefed by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem 'about the heightened threat environment due to the ongoing conflict in Iran,' but details beyond that were scarce. 'While there are no specific threats to Massachusetts at this time, we are continuing to coordinate with state, local and federal partners to closely monitor the situation,' she said in a statement Sunday night. GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Stay cool out there today! TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll meet with legislative leaders at 2 p.m. at the State House. Reps. Katherine Clark, Lori Trahan and Ayanna Pressley and Sen. Elizabeth Warren host a press conference with the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts ahead of the third anniversary of the Dobbs decision at 9 a.m. Pressley speaks on a panel about the consequences of abortion restrictions and promotes the EACH Act ahead of a screening of the film 'Red, White, and Blue' at 6 p.m. in D.C. Attorney General Andrea Campbell testifies before the Joint Congressional Judiciary Committee alongside other Democratic attorneys general about how they're countering the Trump administration at 2 p.m. in D.C. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hosts a press conference on the city's new late-night food truck program at 10 a.m. downtown. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@ FROM THE DELEGATION IT'S THE AFFORDABILITY, STUPID — One word you can expect to hear from Democrats again and again over the next 16 months leading up to the midterms: affordability. That's the message that Democratic Whip Katherine Clark expects will help her party, still smarting from last year's electoral drubbing, win back control of the House. 'We have learned that it is the cost of living — that we have to be the fighters for the tools of putting the American dream within reach,' Clark said during an interview on WBZ that aired Sunday, when asked what Democrats had learned from their struggles in 2024. Congressional Democrats have little power to sway the economic forces hitting Americans' pocketbooks — tariffs, or the inflation rate, for example. They also likely won't have the numbers to block the sweeping domestic policy package the president is hoping to push through Congress in the coming weeks that's packed with spending and tax policies. Clark, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, threw a few punches at the megabill Sunday, panning potential cuts to Medicaid as 'horrendous' and 'cruel.' And tariffs are bumping the prices on lumber and steel, she warned, 'causing housing costs and insurance of existing housing to go up even more.' Voters 'told us clearly in 2024 they don't think the system is working for them, and they'll vote for someone who says they'll change it,' she said. 'And what they're now seeing is a betrayal of what they were told by the Republicans they would do, and what they're actually doing.' — Sen. Elizabeth Warren defends Medicaid, takes aim at Trump tax cuts at Colonial Theatre town hall event by Maryjane Williams, The Berkshire Eagle. DATELINE BEACON HILL — House Speaker Ron Mariano, 78, plans to seek another term by Emma Platoff and Matt Stout, The Boston Globe: 'Massachusetts House Speaker Ronald Mariano intends to seek reelection next fall and another term as the chamber's leader, an aide to the 78-year-old Democrat said Friday, potentially cementing the House's hierarchy through 2028. Mariano's office disclosed his plans in response to a Globe inquiry about a potential succession in the House. Ana Vivas, a Mariano spokesperson, said he is 'proud to be leading the House during this time of incredible uncertainty at the federal level.' 'He looks forward to serving as Speaker for the remainder of this term, and intends to run for re-election,' Vivas said in a statement. She later clarified that if reelected in 2026, Mariano, of Quincy, would also run again for speaker, which the House votes on at the beginning of each term. Mariano has not faced a serious challenge to his leadership role during his two-plus terms.' — Secretary of State William Galvin has concerns about upcoming census by Matthew Medsgar and Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: 'Massachusetts' secretary of state said he has some grave concerns about the accuracy of the next census thanks to mass retirements of officials and current immigration policies — something that could make or break congressional representation and federal funding. Though the next national population count isn't set to take place until 2030, Secretary William Galvin told the state Senate Census Committee that he's 'very concerned about the quality of those records' and the downstream consequences of getting that wrong.' — Lawmakers seek tougher penalties for 'upskirting' by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: 'Lawmakers want to toughen criminal penalties for a nearly decade-old law to punish suspects who are caught 'upskirting' or secretly recording people's private parts. A proposal being considered by a legislative committee would amend the state's 'upskirting' law to criminalize any secret recordings of a person's sexual or private parts, regardless of whether the victim is clothed or where the recording took place.' — Mass. considers scrapping religious exemptions for vaccinations by Angela Mathew, The Boston Globe. FROM THE 413 — State education department halts trustee appointments at Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: 'A May 2 vote by trustees for the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School to add two new members is being temporarily nullified by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Citing that one of the conditions set in February for allowing expansion of the school has not been met, Patrick Tutwiler, then interim commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, on May 21 informed trustees that he would not be acting on the request for appointments.' THE LOCAL ANGLE — Methuen balks at $5.8M for tech school funding by Teddy Tauscher, The Eagle-Tribune: 'Greater Lawrence Technical School Superintendent John Lavoie faced an aggressive and outraged City Council recently, as he gave a presentation on his proposed budget that will be supported by $5.8 million from the city. While Methuen's contribution to the vocational school based in Andover is rising by roughly $700,000 next fiscal year or 13%, Lavoie told the council he had no hand in the increase as it was a result of a state formula. He added even if the council voted down his budget, the city would still be chipping in the same since it was the minimum required contribution set by the state.' — What's in Weymouth's budget? by Jessica Trufant, The Patriot Ledger: 'The Weymouth Town Council has approved Mayor Robert Hedlund's proposed fiscal 2026 operating budget of $218.8 million, an increase of about 4% from this fiscal year's budget of $210 million. The new fiscal year starts July 1. Town Council President Michael Molisse praised Hedlund's administration on its work on the 'creative, solid budget.'' — Council approves FY 2026 budget after marathon meeting by Dave Rogers, The Newburyport Daily News. WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING — As federal cuts loom, rental housing vouchers across Mass. are being put on hold by Andrew Brinker, The Boston Globe: 'In Massachusetts' brutal housing market, the wait for housing vouchers that help hundreds of thousands afford the state's sky-high rents can stretch as long as 15 years. Now, that wait may grow even longer. Most housing authorities in Massachusetts, including the state's housing office, have recently stopped issuing new Section 8 vouchers when tenants give them up. Some are closing waitlists — which can stretch tens of thousands of people long — to new applicants.' — As questions linger, family and school grieve for Boston 5-year-old killed in April bus crash by John Hilliard, The Boston Globe. HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Samuel O. Thier and Naomi Alson. Happy belated to Kaitlyn Solares of Attorney General Andrea Campbell's office, who celebrated Sunday.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Police in northeast Ohio arrest man who allegedly menaced GOP US Rep. Max Miller on interstate
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A northeast Ohio man was arrested Thursday on allegations that he threatened and spewed antisemitic epithets at Republican U.S. Rep. Max Miller while the two were traveling on an interstate highway near Cleveland. Police in Rocky River said Feras S. Hamdan, 36, of Westlake, voluntarily turned himself in with counsel present and is awaiting an appearance in municipal court. A message was left with his lawyer seeking comment. Miller, who is Jewish, called 911 while driving on Interstate 90 on his way to work Thursday. He reported that another driver was cutting him off, making profane hand gestures, showing a Palestinian flag and shouting death threats targeted at him and his 1-year-old daughter. After an interview with police, Miller filed a complaint against Hamdan alleging aggravated menacing and sought a criminal protective order. Local police continue to investigate with assistance from the U.S. Capitol Police, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Attorney's office and the Rocky River prosecutor. The Ohio Jewish Caucus praised Rocky River police and extended their thoughts to Miller and his family, noting the incident followed by just days the politically motivated shootings in Minnesota, which left two people dead and two others injured. 'Enough is enough," the all-Democratic legislative alliance said in a statement. "There is no place for this type of violence — whether it be political, antisemitic, or ideological — whatsoever. We believe we can solve our differences with humility, not hatred.'
Winnipeg Free Press
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Police in northeast Ohio arrest man who allegedly menaced GOP US Rep. Max Miller on interstate
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A northeast Ohio man was arrested Thursday on allegations that he threatened and spewed antisemitic epithets at Republican U.S. Rep. Max Miller while the two were traveling on an interstate highway near Cleveland. Police in Rocky River said Feras S. Hamdan, 36, of Westlake, voluntarily turned himself in with counsel present and is awaiting an appearance in municipal court. A message was left with his lawyer seeking comment. Miller, who is Jewish, called 911 while driving on Interstate 90 on his way to work Thursday. He reported that another driver was cutting him off, making profane hand gestures, showing a Palestinian flag and shouting death threats targeted at him and his 1-year-old daughter. After an interview with police, Miller filed a complaint against Hamdan alleging aggravated menacing and sought a criminal protective order. Local police continue to investigate with assistance from the U.S. Capitol Police, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Attorney's office and the Rocky River prosecutor. The Ohio Jewish Caucus praised Rocky River police and extended their thoughts to Miller and his family, noting the incident followed by just days the politically motivated shootings in Minnesota, which left two people dead and two others injured. 'Enough is enough,' the all-Democratic legislative alliance said in a statement. 'There is no place for this type of violence — whether it be political, antisemitic, or ideological — whatsoever. We believe we can solve our differences with humility, not hatred.'
