09/22/2017 06:52 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) and Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_)
TGIF, MASSACHUSETTS. Showers likely with a high of 67 in Boston today and not-as-gusty winds as yesterday.
HERE COMES THE SUN LETTERS - Gov. Charlie Baker has signed onto another advocacy letter, but this time, it has nothing to do with health care. Instead, Baker has weighed in on another key (but not quite as pressing) issue affecting Massachusetts' economy: the solar industry.
Baker was among a bipartisan group of four governors to send a letter to the US' international Trade Commission's chairman yesterday. In it, Baker and the governors of Nevada, Colorado, and North Carolina argue a proposed tariff on specific solar products and minimum price floors on imported solar products "could inflict a devastating blow on our states' solar industries and lead to unprecedented job loss, at steep cost to our states' economies."
The goal of the letter was to preempt an International Trade Commission decision expected today on a proposed tariff and price floor on the country's solar industry. If it's approved, Massachusetts could lose 1,300 jobs next year, according to the nonprofit Solar Energy Industries Association.
HERE COMES THE SUN LETTERS — Gov. Charlie Baker has signed onto another advocacy letter, but this time, it has nothing to do with health care. Instead, Baker has weighed in on another key (but not quite as pressing) issue affecting Massachusetts’ economy: the solar industry.
Baker was among a bipartisan group of four governors to send a letter to the US’ international Trade Commission’s chairman yesterday. In it, Baker and the governors of Nevada, Colorado, and North Carolina argue a proposed tariff on specific solar products and minimum price floors on imported solar products “could inflict a devastating blow on our states’ solar industries and lead to unprecedented job loss, at steep cost to our states’ economies.”
The goal of the letter was to preempt an International Trade Commission decision expected today on a proposed tariff and price floor on the country’s solar industry. If it’s approved, Massachusetts could lose 1,300 jobs next year, according to the nonprofit Solar Energy Industries Association.
The solar industry is an important component of Massachusetts’ economy — more than one-eighth of the state’s energy comes from renewable sources, more than half of which comes from solar and wind energy, according to the US Energy Information Administration. And it’s a major job creator, too. Massachusetts has the most solar jobs per capita in the country, with 14,500 people employed by the industry according to a 2016 study.
The solar industry is an important component of Massachusetts' economy - more than one-eighth of the state's energy comes from renewable sources, more than half of which comes from solar and wind energy, according to the US Energy Information Administration. And it's a major job creator, too. Massachusetts has the most solar jobs per capita in the country, with 14,500 people employed by the industry according to a 2016 study.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.
TODAY - The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce holds a panel discussion on the newly legal marijuana industry and the business opportunities it poses for the state. Panelists Chris Beals, President & General Counsel of Weedmaps, Todd Finard, CEO of Finard Properties, and Shaleen Title, Commissioner, Cannabis Control Commission and Co-Founder, THC Staffing Group will be moderated by consultant and former Menino administration spokesperson Dot Joyce - Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Newton Mayor Setti Warren holds a conference call outlining his proposal to bring Amazon's second headquarters to Massachusetts - US Rep. Joe Kennedy III tours Triumph Inc.'s Head Start program in Taunton.
** A message from PhRMA: Ever wonder who decides what you pay for your medicines? It's not who you might think. Biopharmaceutical companies set the list prices for their medicines, but it's your insurer that decides how much you pay out of pocket. More than one-third of the list price is rebated back to middlemen, but these savings aren't always shared with patients. http://onphr.ma/2uiAQVk **
FOR YOUR #MAPOLI LISTENING PLEASURE - The first episode of The Horse Race, a new podcast about Massachusetts' most exciting campaigns from yours truly and master pollster Steve Koczela, is out of the starting gate. In this first ep.: What happened to Boston's mayoral race, the latest on MA-3 and Republican US Senate bids, and how Graham-Cassidy could take a bite out of the governor's race. Plus, Seabiscuit. Subscribe and listen now on iTunes and Sound Cloud.
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
- "Gov. Baker: Opioid Deaths Declining, But Fentanyl Holding State Back," by Tori Bedford, WGBH: "Opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts declined by roughly 5 percent since the same time last year - but despite these improvements, Gov. Charlie Baker says potent synthetic drugs like fentanyl are holding the state back from tackling the problem. 'The curveball in this was the arrival of fentanyl, which wasn't really part of the conversation a couple years ago,' Baker said in an interview with Boston Public Radio Thursday. 'If you were to take fentanyl out of the mix, the progress that we're making on heroin and opioids would look a lot more significant.'"
- "Baker crafting second bill to address opioid crisis," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "About two years after working with the Legislature to pass an opioid bill that has become a model for other states, Gov. Charlie Baker's administration is preparing to file new legislation this fall to deal with the opioid epidemic. The governor on Wednesday did not detail what aspects of the opioid crisis his legislation would address, but said they all fall 'into that same set of strategies - prevention and education, intervention, and treatment and recovery.'"
- "Gov. Charlie Baker's administration defends Massachusetts Environmental Police after questions arise over agency's promotions," by Gintautas Dumcius, Masslive.com: "Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker's environmental secretariat is again answering questions about hiring practices. The Lowell Sun reported this week that Director of the Massachusetts Environmental Police, Col. James McGinn, made 'several moves that appear to violate the department's own policies' as part of a staffing overhaul in 2015."
- "Franklin activist questions DeLeo's influence," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: "A grassroots campaign organizing in communities southwest of Boston hopes to draw attention to what its founder calls a 'third-rail' issue: the level of influence House Speaker Robert DeLeo holds over his chamber. The group, called Massachusetts Voters for Legislative Reform and launched by Franklin resident Maxwell Morrongiello, plans to hold an organizing meeting at the Milford Library on Oct. 7."
TRUMPACHUSETTS -
DATELINE BOSTON - "Sessions: Many unaccompanied minors are 'wolves in sheep's clothing,'" by yours truly: "Attorney General Jeff Sessions is warning that many unaccompanied minors trying to enter the U.S. across its southern border are gang members whom the country should view as 'wolves in sheep's clothing.'"
- "Washington approves revisions to Massachusetts' school accountability system," by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: "State standardized test scores will remain at the core of the revised school accountability system, but it includes some additional measures, such as the percentage of high school juniors and seniors who complete rigorous college-level coursework."
THE WARREN REPORT -
- "Cramer: Sen. Warren is 'dead right' on Equifax execs getting off unscathed for data breach," by Berkeley Lovelace Jr., CNBC: "CNBC's Jim Cramer said Wednesday that Sen. Elizabeth Warren is 'dead right' when she says Equifax executives will likely get away unscathed for the credit reporting company's data breach. In an interview Tuesday on 'Mad Money,' Warren said: 'So long as there is no personal responsibility when these big companies breach consumers' trust, let their data get stolen, cheat their consumers, like they did in the case of Wells Fargo, then nothing is going to change.'"
ON THE STUMP -
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK - A GUBERNATORIAL ENDORSEMENT Environmentalist, author and journalist Bill McKibben is endorsing Democrat Bob Massie for governor, according to the Massie campaign. The California-based McKibben said Massie "has been a model and an inspiration for activists everywhere. His commitment couldn't be deeper, and his character couldn't be stronger. ... That's why we need Bob Massie as Governor in Massachusetts. We need vision. We need action. And above all, we need leaders and politicians who are not just going to say the right words, but will do the hard work. Massachusetts could lead the nation and the world. Bob Massie will get it done. "
- "2017 Contest for Boston Mayor," by NECN: "Would it take a 'perfect storm' for Boston Marty Walsh to be unseated in 2017? Sue's guest is City Councilor Tito Jackson, candidate for Mayor of Boston."
- "With prelims in sight, Walsh and Jackson double down on efforts," by Jennifer Smith, Dorchester Reporter: "Only five days remain until the Sept. 26 preliminary election for Boston's municipal offices. Voters citywide will be asked to choose one of four men on the mayoral ballot, which includes incumbent Martin J. Walsh. The top two finishers will advance to the Nov. 7 general election."
- "Parties to drag out the heavy hitters for Attleboro-area state Senate special election," by Jim Hand, Sun Chronicle: "Republicans and Democrats plan to bring out their big party guns to campaign in a local special election for state Senate. The GOP is working on an appearance by Gov. Charlie Baker to stand up for candidate Jacob Ventura. ... U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, D-Brookline, intends to similarly campaign for fellow Democrat Paul Feeney of Foxboro."
- "Peter Picknelly plans Springfield fundraiser for Gov. Charlie Baker," by Shira Schoenberg, Masslive.com: "Springfield businessman Peter Picknelly is hosting an Oktoberfest fundraiser for Gov. Charlie Baker. Picknelly, the owner of Peter Pan Bus Lines, has lobbied Baker on the issue of Boston-to-Springfield rail. Although some lawmakers are pushing for a study of high-speed rail, Picknelly wants any study to include all forms of transportation along the corridor."
WOOD WAR - Herald: "STRIKE ZONE," "LAWYER: NFL, PATS TO BLAME," "Special report: Right to die, Critical docs reconsider stance" - Globe: "Hernandez suffered from brain trauma," "'The island went silent,'" "It's an urbane jungle out there," "This time, Trump tries wooing Murkowski for key health vote," "RULE OF THUMBS."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "Former Boston Grand Prix CEO Sues City For $15.5 Million Over Failed IndyCar Race," by Adam Reilly, WGBH: "The former CEO of the Boston Grand Prix IndyCar race that was originally slated for Labor Day Weekend, 2016 - but never actually took place - has filed a new lawsuit against the city of Boston. In a complaint filed in Suffolk Superior Court, John Casey asks for $15.5 million in damages. He claims that Austin Blackmon, Boston's Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space, waited six months to reveal changes to a Federal Emergency Management Association flood map that affected the race circuit - thereby creating permitting problems that Casey says caused the proposed event to fail."
- "City Councilors to Massport and FAA: Plane Noise is 'Unbearable,'" by David Ertischek, Jamaica Plain News: "Much to the frustration of Jamaica Plain residents and those in other Boston neighborhoods, there has been a noticeable increase in airplane noise in recent months. Several Boston city councilors recently wrote a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration and Massport to express their own concerns, as well as their constituents' reported vexation."
- "Family of boy who drowned at Carson Beach to sue city, mayor," by Meghan E. Irons and John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: "The lawsuit targets Walsh personally, citing his support while a state representative for what the family's lawyers call Christian's Law, which requires summer camp staffers to identify non-swimmers, issue them a wristband alerting staffers to their status, and have a system in place to provide lifejackets to non-swimmers."
- "US Sens. Ed Markey, Richard Blumenthal renew push to end 'exorbitant' airline fees," by Shannon Young, Springfield Republican: "Citing a new federal report that suggests many airlines do not consider the costs of services provided when pricing fees, U.S. Sens. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, and Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, again called on Congress this week to pass legislation addressing what they cast as excessive airline fees."
- "Hernandez had CTE; lawsuit against NFL, Patriots filed," by Danny McDonald, Felice J. Freyer and Bob Hohler, Boston Globe: "The late New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez, who committed suicide this year while serving a sentence for a murder conviction, suffered from the brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, his lawyers and Boston University researchers disclosed Thursday."
REST IN PEACE - Jafet Robles, from Matt Szafranski at Western Mass Politics and Insight: "In the hours after his death last week, Jafet Robles's gaze was everywhere. Often rocking a cap and Neighbor 2 Neighbor (N2N) T-shirts and sweatshirts, the Springfield activist's fierce eyes appeared across social media and in hearts. Though that wasn't fierceness-Robles had that too-but resolve."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Moynihan Group founder Sean P. Moynihan.
HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND - to Alana Olsen, chief of staff for Boston City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George, and Michael Falcone, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts, who celebrate on Saturday and Sunday birthday-er Ellis Brewster, EMK Institute alum and political finance consultant for LB Strategies.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! - The Bruins beat the Flyers 2-1.
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** A message from PhRMA: Are middlemen really holding down the cost of medicines? Ever wonder who decides what you pay for your medicines? It's not who you might think. Biopharmaceutical companies set the list prices for their medicines, but it's your insurer that ultimately determines how much you pay out of pocket. More than one-third of the list price of a medicine is rebated back to middlemen, like insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). These rebates and discounts create savings of more than $100 billion, but these savings aren't always shared directly with patients. Patients share the costs. They should share the savings. http://onphr.ma/2uiAQVk **
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