08/23/2017 07:37 AM EDT
By Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_) and Charlie Mahtesian (cmahtesian@politico.com; @PoliticoCharlie)
GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Partly cloudy with a high of 82 today.
I'm Rebecca Morin and I'm filling in along with Charlie Mahtesian this week while Lauren is on vacation in Minnesota. She'll be back on Sept. 5. Feel free to drop some tips or questions or just say hello.
ONE LESS REPUBLICAN: One of the nation's smallest Republican caucuses just got a little smaller: State Rep. Susannah Whipps announced Tuesday that she has left the Republican Party and changed her voter registration to independent.
"Serving as state representative while not affiliating with either major political party will allow me to more effectively utilize the relationships I have developed with the members and leadership on both sides of the aisle, and will allow me to better serve all of the people of my district, without the obligation of towing any particular party line," Whipps said in a statement. "I want my party affiliation to reflect my position as an independent voice for the people of my district."
The two-term legislator from Athol explained that roughly two-thirds of the voters in her district are unaffiliated with a major political party.
"Public records show that 65% of voters in the 2nd Franklin District are unenrolled, 22% are registered as members of the Democratic Party, and 12% are registered as members of the Republican Party," she wrote.
Whipps has remained tight-lipped about her decision. Her office, which did not respond to requests for an interview, simply forwarded the statement that appears on her website.
Her decision to jump ship shouldn't be a total surprise. The second-term rep has sided with Democrats on several recent issues and was the only Republican to vote yes on a bill to prevent the use of inmate labor beyond state borders.
What's clear is that she's no fan of her party's president. Hillary Clinton carried her legislative district narrowly over Donald Trump in 2016. In the run-up to the election, Whipps said she could not for Trump - and would instead vote for no one.
In the wake of the president's Charlottesville remarks, she replied to a Trump tweet last weekend praising the Boston Police Department by writing: "You could learn a lesson or two from the leaders in Massachusetts. #noplaceforhate"
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: rmorin@politico.com.
TODAY - Sen. Elizabeth Warren will take a tour of Portugalia Marketplace today at 2:30. She will then be at Greater New Bedford Community Health Center followed by a Dartmouth Town Hall - Congressman James McGovern will be at UMass Amherst's Cold Spring Orchard in the morning as part of his annual tour of central and western Massachusetts farms - Congressman Michael Capuano joins a rally and press conference opposing MBTA privatization - State Rep. Jeff Sanchez joins Tufts University, Northeastern University and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences officials to host a Back to School Jam.
DATELINE BEACON HILL
- "DeLeo, key Dems plan busy 'Very busy fall,'" by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "Though formal business has paused and lawmakers seldom make the trip into the State House during the August break, House Speaker Robert DeLeo said House members are hard at work preparing for what he anticipates to be a busy fall. 'Although it may be August we've been extremely busy at work to be honest with you,' DeLeo said after attending a ceremony honoring the 26th Maneuver Enhancement 'Yankee' Division. He added later, 'I think you're going to find you're going to be very busy this fall, hopefully, you'll have enough time to watch the Patriots because we're going to be so busy.'"
- "Bill eyes streamlining homelessness prevention efforts," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: "The bill, filed by Boston lawmakers Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry and Rep. Byron Rushing, directs the executive offices of housing and economic development, health and human services, labor and workforce development, education, and administration and finance to work together in aligning services for households facing economic instability and homelessness. The bill (S 725/H 2245) calls for the creation of cross-agency teams to develop "coordinated systems of care" and promote policy reforms that minimize both service gaps and service duplication."
- "State could be turning corner on opioid fight," by Lindsey Kalter, Boston Herald: "Efforts to curb the Bay State's deadly drug scourge may finally be paying off, with new statistics showing a 5 percent drop in opioid-related deaths since the same time last year - but fentanyl continues to be a menace. 'It's good news that we're potentially making a dent in the opioid epidemic in Massachusetts,' said Dr. Peter Chai, emergency room physician and toxicology expert at Brigham and Women's Hospital. 'But there's obviously still a lot of work to be done.'"
- "Baker defends hiring of new MBTA general manager," by Adam Vaccaro and Evan Horowitz, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker on Tuesday defended his administration's choice of a new general manager for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, saying he is confident in Luis Ramirez's ability to lead the transit agency despite financial problems at a company Ramirez recently led as chief executive."
TRUMPACHUSETTS
-- "Vets back president on Afghan strategy," by Chris Villani, Boston Herald: "President Trump's Afghanistan strategy has drawn positive reviews from some veterans, citing his desire to focus on eradicating terrorist hotbeds while also enlisting the aid of neighboring Pakistan and India as positive steps in an effort to turn the tide in the nation's longest war. 'This course I agree with,' retired Navy Chief Petty Officer John Morley said. 'I was a special operations sailor and I think that increasing the amount of special forces, special operations, things like that, I agree with. I think it's a more surgical approach than just coming in with huge numbers.'"
- "Patriots gave Trump a Super Bowl ring," by the Associated Press: "New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft gave Trump the diamond-encrusted ring. The sitting president usually receives gifts from sports teams during celebratory White House visits - a personalized jersey is standard - but Kraft gave Trump a ring as well, Patriots spokesman Stacey James said Tuesday. Kraft decided after the team's April visit to have a ring made for Trump so he would have something special to display in his presidential library, the team said."
THE WARREN REPORT
- "US Sens. Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren look to ban menthol cigarettes," by Shannon Young, Masslive.com: "Contending that research has shown menthol cigarettes pose a greater public health risk than other types of cigarettes, U.S. Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, called on federal officials to ban them Tuesday. The Massachusetts Democrats, in a letter to U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, urged the agency to "act on the substantial scientific data" and use its authority under the Tobacco Control Act to end menthol cigarette sales."
MOULTON MATTERS
-- Rep. Seth Moulton's statement on President Donald Trump's plan to increase troops sent to Afghanistan: "Our service men and women deserve a concrete plan that will end the longest war in American history in a way that honors their sacrifice. After the President's speech, it is clear that their wait will continue. President Trump, like Presidents Bush and Obama before him, has failed to define a political strategy to secure the peace in tandem with our military effort. While the regional approach spelled out by the President is encouraging, sending thousands of additional young Americans to war is no substitute for defined goals and a strategy to achieve them. ... As the top Democrat on the Armed Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, I will continue pressing the Administration to present a plan to win lasting peace in Afghanistan."
ON THE STUMP
- "Allegations against Felix Arroyo becomes political hot potato," by Dan Atkinson, Boston Herald: "Sexual harassment allegations against suspended city health and human services chief Felix G. Arroyo have quickly become political fodder in the mayoral race. City Councilor Tito Jackson blasted rival Mayor Martin J. Walsh's administration over the case yesterday, saying it's the latest example of City Hall turmoil."
WOOD WAR - Herald: "'You don't know who you're messing with'" "SLAM DUNK." - Globe: "President holds fiery rally," "With massive deal, Celtics' future is now," "Opioid death drops in Mass.," "Businesses fret as debt deadline looms," "ON BUSY BOYLSTON, A BARREN STRETCH," "Water above, cars below," "Employees accuse Arroyo of harassment."
THE LOCAL ANGLE
- "Powerball jackpot soars to $700 million," by Alyssa Meyers, Boston Globe: "Now that's a nice chunk of change. Wednesday's Powerball jackpot has increased to an estimated $700 million, the highest since the game's record-setting jackpot of $1.586 billion was awarded more than a year ago."
- "Latest incident prompts pol to push a deadly plan," by Marie Szaniszlo and Owen Boss, Boston Herald: "A Barnstable County commissioner is proposing a controversial 'shark hazard mitigation strategy" after a shark attacking a seal off a Cape Cod beach Monday sent terrified swimmers and surfers scrambling to shore. Commissioner Ron Beaty is looking to deploy baited drum lines with hooks near popular beaches in the hopes of catching great white sharks - a protocol that he says has been successfully implemented in South Africa and Australia. Large sharks found hooked but still alive would be shot, he said, and their bodies would be discarded at sea."
- "Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey calls conduct alleged in 'Top Chef' trial 'unacceptable,' defends Teamsters union," by Gintautas Dumcius, Masslive.com: "After the federal-level acquittal of the four Teamsters who allegedly threatened 'Top Chef' star Padma Lakshmi and tossed racial and sexist remarks at production staffers, don't expect any state-level criminal charges, Attorney General Maura Healey said Tuesday."
- "Officials: Lowell has ended veteran homelessness," by Rick Sobey, Lowell Sun: "Since September 2015, more than 100 veterans and their families have received housing services through the efforts of a number of community resources. As a result, the city has met the objectives of the Mayors Challenge to End Veterans Homelessness -- the nation's 51st community to 'effectively end homelessness among veterans in its community,' Mayor Edward Kennedy said Tuesday."
- "Proposed beach bylaw change would ban ball playing, tents and games," by Christine Legere, Cape Cod Times: "There has been a "decline in decorum" at the town's beaches, and the time has come to give the 50-year-old beach rules a much-needed tweak, according to the president of the Falmouth Heights-Maravista Neighborhood Association. Howard Grosser, who owns an inn on Grand Avenue, submitted a petition article Monday for the November town meeting that would do away with a whole range of activities that he and fellow association members believe make the Falmouth beach experience less pleasant and safe than it should be."
- "FAA backs $6.6M Pittsfield runway project," by Larry Parness, Berkshire Eagle: "Smooth move, Elaine L. Chao. This time next year, aircraft landing in Pittsfield will touch down on new runways, erasing the city airport's dubious distinction of having some of the worst pavement in New England. Chao, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, announced Tuesday she's steering $6.6 million in Federal Aviation Administration money to a runway and taxiway project at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport."
- "North Attleboro officials seek moratorium on pot sales," by Kayla Canne, Sun Chronicle: "Town officials hope to join a swath of other area towns that have banned recreational marijuana shops until regulations can be drafted. Members of the planning board voted Thursday to place an article for a temporary moratorium on retail marijuana sales on the October town meeting warrant, to expire Dec. 31, 2018."
- "Cold water thrown on Brockton tying into Stoughton pipeline as backup source," by Marc Larocque, Brockton Enterprise: "Two councilors co-sponsored a resolve to analyze the costs, variables and permitting issues for Brockton to tap into the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, inviting officials from the agency to speak at Monday night's Brockton City Council meeting. Councilors-at-large Winthrop Farwell and Robert Sullivan spoke about the possibility for Brockton to tie into the MWRA, potentially as a backup source in case a catastrophic event incapacitates the city's main water source, Silver Lake in Kingston."
- "Danvers considers regional dispatch with Hamilton, Manchester," by Ethan Forman, Salem News: "The town's new, $5.5 million dispatch center could become a regional dispatch center for Hamilton and Manchester, saving all three towns a significant chunk of money, according to a consultant's report released this month. With the new dispatch center at the Danvers Police Department playing host, combined savings for the three communities could be in the neighborhood of $550,000 a year, from operational efficiency and increased state grants."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Springfield state Rep. Carlos Gonzales, Everett state Rep. Joe McGonagle, Transportation for Massachusetts partnerships director Joshua Ostroff, Shelley Long (the actress who played 'Diane Chambers' in Cheers).
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! - The Red Sox defeated the Cleveland Indians 9-1.
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