09/26/2017 06:54 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) and Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Fog first thing this morning and later tonight, but sunny with a high in the low 80s during the day.
IT'S ELECTION DAY IN BOSTON - It's not a question of if Mayor Marty Walsh finishes first in today's mayoral prelim, but by how big a margin.
It's hard to draw historic parallels between this and other mayoral races - Tom Menino went unchallenged in his first re-election bid and never had an African American challenger. Has Councilor Tito Jackson - who would be the first black mayor of Boston - successfully cobbled together a coalition of progressive advocates to take on Walsh? If polling data is to be believed, not exactly. The numbers show Walsh is beating Jackson in almost every demographic across the city. The two other mayoral challengers, Joseph A. Wiley and Robert Capucci , both of East Boston, could draw some support, but with low name recognition, they aren't expected to take any serious bites out of Walsh or Jackson's showings.
Look for low turnout, too - most observers assume the fait accompli of a Marty-Tito final matchup will keep turnout down (potentially somewhere around 50,000 votes). And on a neighborhood level, only a handful of competitive, contested city council races in South Boston, Eastie and the North End, Allston-Brighton, and Roxbury will draw out voters.
Jackson's performance in where the 13-way Roxbury city council race on the ballot (filling the seat vacated by his mayoral bid) could be an indicator of Jackson's support in the general. Will Jackson be able to run up the margins in a district assumed to be his home base - and defy a recent poll saying Walsh is beating him there too?
PLACES TO WATCH - Roxbury, as well as the Mattapan/Dorchester/Hyde Park precincts along Blue Hill Avenue. The heavily diverse neighborhoods in this area could show the strength of either campaign. Also keep an eye on deeply progressive neighborhoods like Jamaica Plain, where some advocates are still smarting over Walsh's stances on the Olympics, General Electric, bike lanes, and more.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.
TODAY - Preliminary mayoral elections take place in Boston, Framingham, Lawrence, and Holyoke - The state Senate will release the "MassMoves Report," described as a way to create a vision for the commonwealth's 21st century transportation system - New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell travels to Washington to testify in front of the US House Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans on the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to encourage more fisheries research and to strike a balance between the needs of commercial fishermen and the advocacy of the conservation community - LG Karyn Polito heads west for broadband roundtable discussions with officials in Washington, Becket, and Tyringham.
** A message from PhRMA: Are middlemen really holding down the cost of medicines? 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/2xoeT5w **
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
- "Maria's toll in Puerto Rico hits home for House budget chief," by Andy Metzger, State House News Service: "Five days after Hurricane Maria slammed Puerto Rico, House Ways and Means Chairman Jeffrey Sánchez has yet to hear from his family members there, and Gov. Charlie Baker has been unable to connect with Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló."
- "AG Healey backs bill aimed at guarding against data breaches," by Associated Press: "Attorney General Maura Healey is backing a bill that she says will help guard consumers against data breaches. The bill is aimed at protecting consumers by eliminating fees and establishing a one-stop shop for placing credit freezes, mandating encryption of personal information in credit reports, and requiring that companies obtain consent before accessing or using consumer credit reports and credit scores."
- "Equifax breach fuels push for consumer protections," by Christian M. Wade, Salem News: "The massive cybersecurity scandal at Equifax is fueling demands on Beacon Hill for beefed up consumer protections, with lawmakers fast-tracking proposals aimed at safeguarding financial data. One proposal that's gaining a lot of traction would prohibit credit bureaus from charging fees to 'freeze' or 'thaw' the credit reports of consumers who've had their financial information hacked or stolen."
- "The Ride is still having problems, forcing a delay of a major T project," by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: "Despite showing some improvement during the summer, the company hired by the MBTA to streamline service for The Ride is still struggling to provide on-time trips for passengers with disabilities, frustrated officials said Monday. MBTA officials said they would, for a second time, postpone Global Contact Services taking over scheduling and dispatching for about one-third of daily The Ride passengers."
- "Garry bill targets falsities in political ads," by J.D. Capelouto, Lowell Sun: "A bill filed by state Rep. Colleen Garry would effectively make it illegal for a political advertisement to include any false information, will appear before a legislative committee this week, though some opponents insist the bill is unconstitutional and irrational. The bill from the Democrat, whose district covers Dracut and Tyngsboro, is just one paragraph long. It states that 'If a candidate or PAC is proven to have falsified or wrongly stated an opponent's stand, vote and/or background' in an advertisement, the candidate or PAC must forfeit all of their funds to the state."
- "Sen. Stan Rosenberg following European trip: Immigrants key to maintaining a robust economy," by Shira Schoenberg, Masslive.com: "Europe has seen a huge influx of migrants and refugees in recent years, primarily due to the violence in Syria and ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some countries seeing particularly large numbers have struggled to integrate these migrants into their societies. But fresh off a trip to Austria and the Czech Republic, Massachusetts state Senate President Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, said many of the officials he spoke to welcomed immigration."
TRUMPACHUSETTS -
- "Jamaica Plain church shelters man facing deportation," by Michael Levenson, Boston Globe: "Bethel AME is the second church in Massachusetts to provide "sanctuary" to an immigrant facing deportation and, church leaders believe, the first African-American church to do so nationwide. The action comes amid President Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration and his harsh rhetoric accusing immigrants of taking away jobs from minority workers."
- "State Rep. Bud Williams blames 'Trump effect' after Mason Square veterans memorial smeared with crab apples," by Peter Goonan, Masslive.com: "A veterans memorial at Mason Square, that honors black veterans of Springfield, was smeared with crab apples over the weekend, an incident that was described by state Rep. Bud Williams as part of the 'Trump effect.' The vandalism happened sometime after a Saturday ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Monument at Mason Square, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The monument, which was dedicated to five black Springfield men, was among the four targeted monuments."
- "Boston hospital chiefs, health advocates see peril in Obamacare repeal," by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: "Dozens of Massachusetts doctors, hospital executives, and health care advocates issued a grim warning on Monday that the latest GOP-led effort to replace the Affordable Care Act would decimate insurance coverage and disrupt care for vulnerable patients and families. They described the latest bill, known as the Graham-Cassidy proposal, as a cruel set of policies that would particularly hurt access to health care for children, cancer patients, people with addiction, and the poor."
- "The sheriff from Trumpachusetts," by Joan Vennochi, Boston Globe: "He took away the inmates' gym, turning it into a religious retreat center and then prison housing. He donated the bleachers and weights to local schools and community groups. Now, under the watch of Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson, inmates at the Bristol County House of Correction spend their allotted recreational time locked and caged in a concrete yard, where they can play basketball and do push-ups."
ON THE STUMP -
PUERTO RICO POLITICS - Democratic contender for governor and Newton Mayor Setti Warren has called on Gov. Charlie Baker to deploy the Massachusetts National Guard to assist with hurricane recovery relief in Puerto Rico, but the logistics are a bit more complicated. "Calling up the MA National Guard to deploy to Puerto Rico isn't really how it works, nor the best way to efficiently get needed assistance to disaster-struck places like Puerto Rico," Executive Office of Public Safety and Security spokesman Felix Browne tells me. Massachusetts participates in a multi-state online Emergency Management Assistance Compact system that matches equipment response with the needs of emergency responders in locations like Puerto Rico or Houston. "With regard to Puerto Rico, MEMA monitors the EMAC system to see if any of their needs match our capabilities," Browne said. "No assets have been sent yet but they could be if Puerto Rico's needs match with our capabilities and a bid is matched."
- "Crop of fresh faces eye victory in city council primaries," by Dan Atkinson, Boston Globe: "All eyes are on a new crop of City Council candidates - from Roxbury to Southie - as they look to post impressive victories in today's preliminary election to gain traction before the Nov. 7 final."
WOOD WAR - Herald: "AMAZON PRIMED!" "CHASING MARTY," - Globe: "N. Korea says it could down US war planes," "NFL lashes back after Trump tweets," "A church's sanctuary," "Privacy advocates decry Boston police purchase of drones," "For resident, 85, too many steps to fix elevator."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "Boston police may use drones for crime scene photos," by Jan Ransom, Boston Globe: "The Boston Police Department, without fanfare, expanded its crime-fighting arsenal earlier this year, purchasing several drones that it may use to photograph crime scenes from overhead - and raising concerns among privacy advocates. The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, after receiving a complaint in July that police officers were seen flying a drone over a Jamaica Plain housing development, learned through a public records request that the department had spent nearly $17,500 on three drones and related equipment over a three-month period beginning in January. The ACLU provided the documents to the Globe."
- "Ludlow selectmen move forward on effort to ban recreational marijuana sales," by Conor Berry, Masslive.com: "The Board of Selectmen has approved a motion to request a letter from town counsel spelling out the legal process the municipality must follow to ban the sale or cultivation of recreational marijuana in town. Luldow voters have already approved a temporary ban on recreational pot that precludes land or structures from being used for the cultivation or retail sale of marijuana, among other things. But that ban expires on June 30, 2018."
- "Berkshire delegation hopes retail marijuana can grow jobs," by Valdya Baraputri, Berkshire Eagle: "The legalization of the recreational marijuana in Massachusetts offers a chance for economic growth for Berkshire County, area legislators believe, in agricultural and retail sectors. The comments came as the central Massachusetts town of Milford voted last week to ban recreational marijuana shops in their community in spite of voting in favor of legalization last fall."
- "'Codfather' sentenced to 46 months in fisheries fraud case," by Doug Fraser, Cape Cod Times: "Carlos Rafael, the New Bedford-based owner of one of the country's largest commercial fishing businesses, was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court to 46 months in prison after pleading guilty in March to 26 federal charges, including falsifying fish quotas, false labeling of fish species, conspiracy and tax evasion. The fate of his fishing career, however, is still in question. Before Monday's hearing, fishermen, environmental organizations and government officials worried Rafael's punishment would not be harsh enough to discourage others contemplating fishery fraud or other illegal schemes."
- "Hurricane Maria's wrath touches Cape Cod transplants," by Ethan Genter, Cape Cod Times: "The devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria on Vieques, a small island off Puerto Rico, has sent ripples all the way to Cape Cod, where one family awaits communication from their daughter. Steven Nickerson, of North Chatham, has not heard from his daughter, Moria Nickerson, since before Hurricane Maria hit the 60-square-mile island with sustained winds of over 150 mph and storm surges of over 12 feet."
- "Great Barrington pursues 'low cost and green' collective power purchase plan," by Heather Bellow, Berkshire Eagle: "Electricity in town will soon come from a wind power source for less than standard green energy prices after the Select Board last week decided to pool the town's collective purchasing power with the help of an energy consulting firm. Through Colonial Power Group, the town entered into a 12-month contract with NextEra Energy Resources, whose supplier is National Wind. The pricing is less than National Grid's standard and green rates, according to Town Manager Jennifer Tabakin."
- "'Peace' premiere brings memories of Tip O'Neill," by Kevin Cullen, Boston Globe: "The memory of the late Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill was in the house at the AMC Loews cinema downtown, as were members of his family for the US premiere of 'In The Name of Peace: John Hume in America,' a documentary about how Nobel laureate John Hume harnessed the power of Irish America to bring peace to Northern Ireland. Maurice Fitzpatrick, the film's writer and director, took questions on a post-film panel that included O'Neill's son, former Massachusetts lieutenant governor Tom O'Neill, and MSNBC's Chris Matthews, who was Tip O'Neill's chief of staff before he became a journalist."
MEDIA MATTERS - "Eagle-Tribune owner merges with broadcast company," by Eagle-Tribune: "The parent company of The Eagle-Tribune and North of Boston Media Group on Monday announced its merger with the owner of dozens of broadcast television stations. Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. will operate as a subsidiary of Raycom Media after the merger, which is expected to be finalized at the end of this week. Both companies are based in Montgomery, Alabama."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Spaulding Rehabilitation Network chief of staff Rebecca Kaiser.
DID THE HOME TEAMS WIN? No! - The Sox fell to the Toronto Blue Jays 6-4.
HAVE YOU HEARD? - 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 the 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.
Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.
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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/2xoeT5w **
To view online:
http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/massachusetts-playbook/2017/09/26/prelim-day-puerto-rico-politics-healey-sues-again-222473
http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/massachusetts-playbook/2017/09/26/prelim-day-puerto-rico-politics-healey-sues-again-222473
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