MASSterList: Wynn takes a $1 billion hit | Ad firm loses state contract | Pot sales rise

 

Friday, October 9, 2015

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By George Donnelly and Keith Regan

Today: Wage gap discussion; new Uniqlo Victoria Budson, the executive director of the Women and Public Policy Program at the Harvard Kennedy School, moderates a panel discussion on efforts to close the gender-based wage gap in the city of Boston. Panelists include City Councilor At-Large Michelle Wu, Megan Costello of the city of Boston's Office of Women's Advancement and Katharine Lusk of the Initiative on Cities at Boston University. The panel is part of HUBweek. Event is at Harvard Kennedy School's Taubman Building, fifth floor, 79 John F. Kennedy St., Cambridge, 3 pm. Mayor Walsh offers remarks at the ribbon cutting celebration of Uniqlo, a new store in Faneuil Hall, Boston, 9:15 am. State Auditor Suzanne Bump is scheduled to discuss Department of Children and Families reforms on Nightside with Dan Rea, WBZ 1030AM, 9:00 pm   Dear Guv: The bad times, they're a comin' The Globe's Frank Phillips, the dean of Massachusetts political journalists, today dispenses some unsolicited advice to Gov. Baker, whose popularity continues to baffle, intimidate and sometimes charm Democrats. Phillips' message is: These good times won't last forever. It's not a matter of if, but when Baker will be down on his luck, politically speaking. "The questions for you are: When does that happen, how hard do you get hit, and how well can you and your political team manage the storm?" To prove his point, Phillips cites a litany of gubernatorial downfalls from popularity peaks. Indeed, Baker has to take ownership of things he can't fully control - like the T, DCF and perhaps a softening economy that could create budget retrenchment before the fiscal year is out. What Phillips doesn't say is when the good times end, the media will be there waiting for him.  http://bit.ly/1MiGbgP Wynn's problems aren't limited to MA (as his net worth drops) Casino mogul Steve Wynn's empire has hit some turbulence abroad, notes CommonWealth's Bruce Mohl in an interesting backgrounder on Wynn Resorts. Wynn's casino in Macau has taken a hit, where revenues are off 37 percent for the first six months of the year. The stock price is down by 60 from about a year ago. That means Wynn, who owns just under 10 percent of his company, has taken over a $1 billion hit in about a year's time. Don't worry for him, however. Forbes puts his net worth at $2.5 billion. http://bit.ly/1Llqgh1   DraftKings faces new lawsuit A fantasy sports player is hoping to gather a critical mass of unhappy customers for a class action lawsuit against DraftKings and its archrival, FanDuel. Boston magazine's Garrett Quinn reports Adam Johnson of Kentucky has filed the suit, claiming "negligence, fraud and false advertising," and leaving it open for others to join. http://bit.ly/1GAaWaA   What's the deal behind the possible EMC deal? How is it possible that Dell, which was struggling and taken private in 2013, would be in a position to acquire Massachusetts tech stalwart EMC? What are the dynamics that would have EMC looking for an acquirer? The Globe's Hiawatha Bray give us some context today, explaining how the data storage industry has shifted and the why Dell wants to get its hands on some of the more lucrative parts of EMC's business.http://bit.ly/1G23yKg   Charter school battle recommences - hearing likely on Baker's bill Tuesday Gov. Baker proposed an expansion of charter schools yesterday, setting the stage for a renewed conflict between charter school advocates and teachers unions - and legislators on both sides of the issue. Baker is expected to testify on his bill, which would raise the charter school cap by 12 per year for districts that perform in the lowest 25 percent, Tuesday at an Education Committee hearing.   Baker charter quote: "As I stand here today, there are 37,000 kids who want to get in to a charter school, 37,000 families who simply want...something bigger and better for their children."   Charter quote from Massachusetts Teachers Association President Barbara Madeloni: "His plan would accelerate the dangerous direction in which we are already headed: toward being a state with a two-tiered education system, one truly public and the other private, but financed with public dollars."   Here's thorough coverage via the State House News Service's Matt Murphy via CommonWealth Magazine's site: http://bit.ly/1NtfSpL Ad firm shown the door  The Baker administration has pink-slipped an advertising firm heavily used by the Patrick administration, the Herald reports. Connelly Partners did not have its contract with the Office of Travel and Tourism renewed at the en of September. A Baker spokesman said the work done by the firm-which the Herald says was paid as much as $20 million over the years via Gov. Patrick's use of off-budget funds from quasi-public agencies-will be brought in house. http://bit.ly/1LDpkX3   Riders sue Uber over safety claims  Two Uber passengers, including one from Boston, have filed a lawsuit against Uber in a California Federal court, accusing the ride-sharing company of fraud and neglect in connection with its passenger safety claims, the Globe reports. The two unnamed women say they were assaulted by Uber drivers and argue that Uber's claims of safety procedures are "false and hollow."   http://bit.ly/1jSHHLy   Body cam, rainy day funds in Senate spending bill  The Massachusetts Senate Thursday passed a $342 million supplemental spending bill aimed at closing out the fiscal year that ended in June, adding $250,000 for police body camera pilot programs and setting aside $120 million for the state's shrinking rainy day fund, the Globe reports. The House previously approved a bill that would put $75 million into the reserve account, which watchdog groups say has been raided to balance budgets. "With the recession behind us, it's time to replenish the fund to guarantee it's there to protect us when we need it most," said Senate President Stan Rosenberg. http://bit.ly/1JWAMG3  Marijuana sales on the rise  Patients purchased 1,676 ounces of medical marijuana from dispensaries in Massachusetts, an increase from the first month of sales as more outlets opened for patients, WBUR's CommonHealth reports. The Department of Public Health also says few patents are purchasing the maximum amount allowed and WBUR reports some dispensaries were forced to curtail sales as demand exceeded supply.http://bit.ly/1FW6J6u  Goldberg won't decide on deals with husband's firm  Treasurer Deborah Goldberg will recuse herself from decisions involving J.P. Morgan Securities, where her husband works, the Herald reports, citing a state ethics disclosure filing. Goldberg disclosed her decision on Sept. 25, the Herald says, the same day the treasury inked a deal to have J.P. Morgan handle $300 million in bond sales for the state. http://bit.ly/1N30hdt  CLF open to station changes in Green Line extension  Advocates whose lawsuits helped bring about the MBTA's Green Line extension say they are open to downsizing some of the specifics of the plan if it enables the project to move forward, Boston.com reports. With the project reportedly $1 billion over budget, the Conservation Law Foundation says extending the line into Somerville and Medford is more important than specific station amenities. "If you can do everything else, we can live with the fact that the stations weren't originally as we envisioned," said CLF Vice President Rafael Mares. http://bit.ly/1NtjojZ  Sunday public affairs shows:   This Week in Business, NECN, Sunday 12:30 pm and 8 pm The Boston Globe's Shirley Leung,  NECN's Peter Howe and the Boston Business Journal's Doug Banks ponder:  regulation issues and the new daily sports fantasy websites; the potential for lawsuit fatigue - or worse - over  the continuing legal disputes over the Everett casino and the city of Boston; the CitySports bankruptcy; and some real life theater drama.   CEO Corner, NECN, Sunday 8:30 pm SharkNinja CEO Mark Rosenzweig and President Mark Barrocas talk about the rebranding of the company, best known for selling vacuum cleaners and powerful blenders.  Now it's getting into the Coffee Brewer business with a little help from Sofia Vergara.   On The Record, WCVB Channel 5, 11 am.   This week's guest:  Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo. Hosted by NewCenter 5 anchor Ed Harding and political reporter Janet Wu. REMEMBER: To send your tips to me at gdonnelly@massterlist.com. Op-eds and other commentary invited for publication on Massterlist. TODAY'S TOP STORIES National headlines In GOP race, a campaign against political correctness - The Boston Globe Senator Elizabeth Warren heading to Europe on congressional trip - The Boston Globe Kevin McCarthy drops speaker bid, sending GOP-led House into chaotic scramble for leadership - The Boston Globe State headlines Boston woman part of lawsuit accusing Uber of neglecting passenger safety - The Boston Globe State cuts ad agency Steve Wynn's Inventive Casino Law Suit: Experts Say It's A Gamble A Year After Long Island Bridge Closure, Advocates Call For Replacement Of Lost Recovery Beds Mike Dukakis Polled Higher in 2016 Poll than Martin O'Malley DraftKings CEO Explains Why Employees Played on Rival FanDuel's Site State Senate passes $342 million spending bill - The Boston Globe Baker announces legislation to allow more charter schools - The Boston Globe Local headlines New Bedford City Council wants scooters to be regulated Recall effort headed to Court of Appeals Bourne selectmen give initial OK to pot dispensary Medical Marijuana Sales Climb As More Dispensaries Open Fix The T, Build Affordable Housing, Improve Schools: Locals Share Their Vision For A Better Boston In 2030 Gov. Baker endorses Koch in Quincy mayoral race Planners get first look at Wegmans plans at Natick Mall Lawmakers eye fantasy sports Treasurer won't decide deals with hubby's firm Students supporting fired Brookline teacher disrupt school board meeting - The Boston Globe City lays out next phase of its future transportation plans - The Boston Globe Boston eyes single number to grade City Hall - The Boston Globe The Big E can generate up to 650 tons of trash in 17 days, but is America's only zero-landfill fair Security expert Juliette Kayyam tells Springfield audience Americans need to be less fearful, more prepared to respond to crisis and emergencies Chicopee homeowners, businesses to see tax cut this year