09/05/2017 06:58 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) and Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Happy Tuesday. It's great to be back in your inboxes after a highly restful vacation back to Minnesota and the all-important Minnesota State Fair.
THIS WEEK, CHARLIE BAKER HEADS TO WASHINGTON - In lieu of sending a letter, Gov. Charlie Baker is sending himself to Washington on Thursday to testify in front of the Senate health committee in support of stabilizing the Obamacare markets.
This is Baker's first-ever congressional testimony. He's one of a bipartisan group of five governors who will get an exceptional platform - the hearing is a chance for Baker to get out front and publicly make his case as Democrats back home swing at him for passively sending letters to those involved in the national fight over health care.
Look for Baker to bring up bullet points he's raised in past missives, including reforming Medicaid without shifting costs to the states, flexibility over employer contributions, and stabilizing the markets overall. Massachusetts' status as the state with most insured residents is a point of pride for the former health care executive governor, and this hearing - and the health care battle overall - can be a chance for Baker to talk shop on the national stage.
Then there is the timing. The hearing comes at a crucial point in the Obamacare fight, too, as Republicans face a Sept. 30 deadline to advance repeal legislation with 50-votes.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.
** A message from New England Clean Power Link: Poised to supply Massachusetts with 1,000 MW of clean, renewable power, the New England Clean Power Link is ready to roll. The only project with a Presidential Permit, full site control and full host state support, the innovative buried project will help Massachusetts meet its legislative requirements for lower carbon emissions. More **
TODAY - Sen. Ed Markey holds a press conference with MIRA and other immigration activists in support of the DACA program at noon downtown -The Joint Committee on Education hears a handful of bills related to school start times and recess - Boston Mayor Marty Walsh declares today "Pete Frates Day" and hosts a City Hall plaza event in Frates' honor
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
- "State Legislature's fall agenda could include Medicaid, taxes," by Bob Salsberg, the Associated Press: "Summer vacation is nearing an end for Massachusetts lawmakers who have a lengthy to-do list for the coming months. The Democratic-controlled Legislature could tackle Medicaid cost containment, criminal justice reform and immigration bills when they return from August recess."
- "T mum on names of other GM candidates," by Matt Stout, Boston Herald: "In choosing Luis Ramirez as the T's new $320,000-a-year general manager, the T did not hold any public interviews and instead relied on an advisory committee to help vet candidates for transportation secretary Stephanie Pollack, who alone had discretion to name the T's next leader."
- "Labor Day protest steps up pressure for $15 minimum wage," by Aimee Ortiz, Boston Globe: "Darius Cephas said Monday's strike would be his ninth. The 26-year-old Chipotle worker from Norwood, who would help lead a march through Boston with his raspy voice on a bullhorn, said that when he first started working in fast food, at McDonald's, he earned $8 an hour. But his schedule was never set: One week he'd work 40 hours, the next maybe just the weekend. 'Fifteen dollars an hour is something we all need; a union is something we definitely need, for all workers, because that's what protects us,' Cephas said ."
- "Activists seek to limit outside campaign money," by Christian M. Wade, Salem News: "With tens of millions of dollars in campaign spending expected to flow into Massachusetts next year ahead of ballot questions ranging from a 'millionaires tax' to a $15 per-hour minimum wage, activists want to limit contributions from out-of-state donors."
- "Opioid fatalities decline, but challenges lie ahead," by Christian M. Wade, Salem News: "For the first time in years, opioid-related overdose deaths are declining in Massachusetts, according to newly released state data. But public health officials and substance abuse counselors are warning the state isn't out of the woods yet."
ICYMI - "Question 4 opponents will have majority on cannabis commission," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "Marijuana legalization opponents will outnumber supporters four to one on the new commission that will spearhead the state's efforts to get a legal marijuana industry up and running by next summer and then regulate the newly legal market. Attorney General Maura Healey on Friday appointed Britte McBride, an attorney with experience working for the attorney general's office, the state Senate and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, to the newly-minted Cannabis Control Commission, and joined Gov. Charlie Baker and Treasurer Deborah Goldberg in agreeing on two picks to round out the five-person panel ."
TRUMPACHUSETTS -
- "Mr. President, don't turn your back on Dreamers," Maura Healey and Seán P. O'Malley, Boston Globe: "We urge President Trump to take this legacy to heart as he reportedly plans to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, with a six-month enforcement delay. We ask that he reconsider throwing into chaos the future of 800,000 young people in the United States, and nearly 19,000 in Massachusetts alone."
- "Massachusetts politicians urge Trump not to end DACA," by J.D. Capelouto, Boston Globe: "On the eve of Donald Trump's expected decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, several state and city officials had a request for the president: don't do it. Governor Charlie Baker, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, and other Bay State politicians urged Trump Monday to continue the Obama-era program following news reports that the president was considering ending it."
- "Proposal would compel release of tax returns," by Laurel J. Sweet, Boston Herald: "Presidential candidates who refuse to make public their federal income tax returns would be banned from ballots in Massachusetts under a proposed law that legislators will hash over Wednesday - part of a national movement by blue states that appears aimed at President Trump. The Joint Committee on Election Laws will take up state Sen. Michael Barrett's 'An Act Restoring Financial Transparency in Presidential Elections' on the same day Attorney General Maura Healey rules whether a nearly identical initiative petition by attorney Thomas R. Kiley passes constitutional muster so that proponents can begin gathering signatures to put it on the ballot in November 2018."
- "Mass. Dreamers brace for Trump ending DACA program," by Jorge Quiroga, WCVB: "Erick Deblass, his parents brought him from Mexico when he was seven. ... Now 24, Erick makes no apologies. His mom and dad are still undocumented workers, while he works three jobs, all minimum wage. ... Deblass is among 800,000 so-called DREAMers with legal work permits under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA."
- "Sanctuary cities face loss of fed funding," by Christian M. Wade, Salem News: "With deadlines to apply for federal grants fast approaching, the Trump administration is pledging to make good on threats to withhold funding for cities and towns that refuse to detain immigrants suspected of living in the country illegally."
MEANWHILE, IN NEW HAMPSHIRE - "Former Trump campaign staffers to launch new organization in NH," by Adam Sexton, WMUR: "Granite Staters got a first look on CloseUp at a new organization coming to New Hampshire headed by one of the data masterminds of the Trump campaign. 'New Hampshire's going to be, probably, the state we advance to next,' Matt Braynard, Executive Director of Look Ahead America, said. 'We've identified maybe 15,000 inactive voters who we would consider disaffected, patriotic Americans. And potentially 100,000 or more unregistered adults we're going to reach out to.'"
THE WARREN REPORT -
- "Race to oust Elizabeth Warren pits GOP conservatives against moderates," by the Associated Press: "The Republican campaign to oust Democratic U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren in next year's election is starting to shape up and it's pitting the conservative wing of the GOP against its more moderate middle. The latest candidate to jump into the running is Winchester business executive John Kingston."
ON THE STUMP -
- "Obama's inner circle just indicated their choice for president in 2020, and it's not Joe Biden," by Harriet Sinclair, Newsweek: "Former Obama aides have their sights sets firmly on 2020, with a number of them giving early indications as to who they'll back for president. Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is among the potential candidates to enjoy support from two of the former president's allies, Valerie Jarrett and Obama Foundation CEO David Simas, with sources telling The Hill the pair would back a Patrick bid."
- "The next Kennedy weighs his next move," by POLITICO's Heather Caygle: "Democrats are in search of new leaders to take on Donald Trump, and Rep. Joe Kennedy could fit the bill. But it's not clear he wants the job. ... But the key question for Democrats, including the more than two dozen interviewed for this story, is what's next for the young lawmaker they say is much more than a notable last name. It's one - to the quiet frustration of several in the party - that Kennedy seems in no hurry to answer."
- "Plenty of choices for state Senate primary," by Jim Hand, Sun Chronicle: "Voters will have plenty of candidates to choose from in the Sept. 19 primary special election for the Bristol and Norfolk state Senate race. The primary is aimed at narrowing the field of contenders for the seat left vacant when state Sen. James Timilty resigned."
- "Springfield Preliminary Election 2017," by Matt Szafranski, Western Mass Politics and Insight: "Preliminary Day in Springfield is Tuesday September 19, 2017."
WOOD WAR - Herald: "PETE BROUGHT 'ALS OUT OF THE SHADOWS'" - Globe: "US seeks new N Korea curbs," "Battle positions form over Dreamers," "Politics becoming game with no shame," "Trying hard not to flunk Civility 101," "MAYORAL MOVES," "58 years on, a tailor-made farewell."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
ALL ABOARD EXCEPT YOU TICKET SCOFFLAWS - "More ticket checks are coming to the commuter rail," by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: "Beginning Tuesday, a small army of ticket police will fan out at commuter rail stations and begin what passes for a radical experiment in public transit: making sure passengers have paid for their rides. For commuter rail passengers avoiding fares, the era of ducking between cars or praying the conductor cannot squeeze through the standing room crowd to check off your ticket is soon coming to an end."
- "Discussion of North-South Rail Link Scheduled for Framingham," by the Associated Press: "Supporters of a proposed underground tunnel between North Station and South Station to unify Boston's public system are meeting in Framingham this week. Former governor and Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis is scheduled to moderate the discussion scheduled for Thursday at the Framingham Public Library. The MetroWest Daily News reports that state Reps. Chris Walsh and Carmen Gentile are also scheduled to participate."
- "Storm surge Cape's big threat," by Doug Fraser, Cape Cod Times: "A seasonal milestone quietly passed this week just as Hurricane Harvey battered Texas and Louisiana with storm surge, torrential rains and flooding. 'It's hurricane season, folks,' said David Vallee, the hydrologist-in-charge for the National Weather Service Northeast River Forecast Center in Taunton. The center produces forecasts on weather, water and climate and monitors flood conditions throughout the Northeast."
ON CAMPUS - "BU lecturers strive for higher wages and better working conditions," by Laura Krantz, Boston Globe: "A storm is brewing at Boston University between lecturers - a little-known class of full-time faculty - and the administration over what lecturers say is shamefully low pay and unfair working conditions. Lecturers teach courses, publish papers, serve on committees, and mentor students, but they are paid less than half the salary of full professors, wages that hardly cover the cost of living in a city like Boston."
- "Gaming revenues could help float local development," by Rick Foster, Sun Chronicle: "Any tax revenue from Massachusetts' first large casinos are at least a year off, but local and state officials are already eyeing some of that money as a potential catalyst for economic development. Mass. Gaming Commission's Bruce Stebbins sent letters to local towns and regional planning organizations recently inviting them to submit strategies for applying gambling tax revenues to local projects."
- "Navajo healer performs water ceremony ahead of pipeline tests," by Heather Bellow, Berkshire Eagle: "The mood was different in Otis State Forest Monday. There were no megaphones, no political speeches, no arrests for stopping pipeline work, and no lineup of state police vans ready to haul protesters to jail. A Navajo Sundance Chief and traditional healer made the only sounds."
MAZEL! - "Former US attorney Carmen Ortiz joins Boston law firm," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "Ortiz this week joins Anderson & Kreiger to handle internal investigations, corporate compliance, and litigation, as well as to expand the 30-attorney Boston law firm into a new area: white-collar defense. She will work part time until January while she juggles a one-semester teaching commitment at Boston College's law school."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Benchmark Strategies' Nicole Herendeen, Jen Flanagan, member of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, former State Sen. Brian Joyce, and MCPHS comms pro/guy you definitely follow on Twitter Michael Ratty.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAYS - to MassDevelopment's RJ McGrail and Westford Rep. Jim Arciero (Aug. 27). Somerville Rep. Christine Barber and Capitol Counsel's Ann Marie Jablon (Aug. 28). Kelly Smith, media relations manager at Massachusetts Port Authority, New England Energy News Publisher Joyce McMahon, Instatrac owner and operator Michael Segal, and Ben Martello of Rep. Niki Tsongas' office (Aug. 29). Julia Hoffman, founding head of 4C's Boston office, Boston University spokesman Colin Riley and Boston Globe/POLITICO alum and current Washington Post reporter Martine Powers. (Aug. 30). Lenox Rep. Smitty Pignatelli (Aug. 31). Chief of staff for Boston City Councilor Frank Baker Amy Friguletti (Sept. 1). Haverhill City Councilor Andy Vargas and Scott Bosworth, Massachusetts DOT chief strategy officer (Sept. 3). Brookline Rep. Frank Smizik (Sept. 4).
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** A message from New England Clean Power Link : Poised to supply Massachusetts with 1,000 MW of clean, sustainable power, the New England Clean Power Link is ready to roll. The only project with a Presidential Permit, full site control and full host state support, the innovative buried project will help Massachusetts meet its legislative requirements for lower carbon emissions. The entire line will travel underground and underwater, and is expected to deliver low-cost electricity to the Commonwealth over the next 40 years. Massachusetts can expect to reap $19.9 billion in benefits over the next 20 years alone, while ratepayers can expect to save $655 million a year in energy costs. Most importantly, the project is 100% privately financed and comes with a fixed-price bid, protecting taxpayers and ratepayers alike from any cost overruns. The project's developers have also established a $20 million fund to assist low-income ratepayers in western Massachusetts. http://politi.co/2gqhWpr **
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