11/15/2017 07:00 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Sunny with a high of 43 today in Boston.
PARSING THE POLLS - Now just shy of a year from the 2018 gubernatorial and US Senate elections, Gov. Charlie Baker and Sen. Elizabeth Warren appear well-positioned against the current field of opponents, according to a new poll this morning from WBUR and MassINC Polling Group.
Baker holds a commanding lead against any potential Democratic match-up, topping Jay Gonzalez by 40 points, Bob Massie by 39 points, and Setti Warrenby 34 points. The poll also found voters most want a candidate to make fighting the opioid problem a major priority, followed by reducing the cost of healthcare in the state, and addressing gang violence in Massachusetts' cities.
And in the U.S. Senate race, Warren still looks poised to beat any of her Republican challengers: In head-to-head match-ups, Warren leads state Rep. Geoff Diehl by 26 points, Beth Lindstrom by 23 points, and John Kingston by 24 points. Independent candidate Shiva Ayyadurai has a 31 point deficit. The top issues for U.S. Senate race voters: Addressing the cost of health care, standing up to Donald Trump, and addressing climate change.
Baker remains more popular than Warren, with a 67 percent favorable rating and 14 percent unfavorable rating; Warren's fave/unfaves are 55 percent/38 percent. And Donald Trump remains unpopular, with just 27 percent favorability and 66 percent unfavorability.
ALSO POLLED - 43 percent say current workplace laws regarding sexual harassment in the workplace need to be stronger, while 42 percent say they're "about right." Only 4 percent say they're too strong.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.
TODAY - Representatives-elect Andy Vargas and John Barrett are sworn into the House. Both the House and Senate will meet in formal session today -Gov. Charlie Baker will present the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty to the family of Army Specialist Jonathan M. Curtis - Education Secretary James Peyser, Acting Commissioner Jeff Wulfson, Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera, and Lawrence Public Schools Superintendent/Receiver Jeffrey C. Riley will announce a new phase in leadership of the receivership of the Lawrence Public Schools.
** 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/2AB3jW4 **
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
- "After a political rout in Massachusetts, New York's wealthiest charter group searches for an identity," POLITICO's Eliza Shapiro : New York's best-funded charter school advocates once had big plans to dominate education policy here and influence charter school legislation in statehouses across the country. Then, last fall, Families for Excellent Schools lost a $20 million gamble to grow Massachusetts' charter sector in a ballot initiative by 25 points. A scandal involving its boldface name donors followed this summer. A year after the ballot question failed, FES has put its national ambitions on hold and started the grueling work of searching for a fresh political identity at home. It's an unenviable crossroads for a group that once served as a key power broker in New York's charter world - and one with significant implications for the local and national charter advocacy movements.
- "Mass. governor aims to expand battle against opioid addiction," by Felice J. Freyer, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker proposed Tuesday a sweeping package intended to boost the state's battle against opioid addiction, including an effort to ensure higher-quality addiction treatment and a new provision allowing doctors to commit unwilling patients to 72 hours in a treatment facility."
- SETTI KNOCKS BAKER'S OPIOID EFFORTS: Calling the bill "not enough," in a statement released by his campaign, Setti Warren said. "We can't knock down the opioid crisis until we make our efforts commensurate with the size and scope of the epidemic. ... Celebrating a drop from 5.77 people dying every day in 2016 to 5.38 people dying every day in the first nine months of the year is a cruel response. According to one estimate, opioid addiction costs Massachusetts $10 billion a year. This is a massive problem and proposing to shift $30 million of a waiver is insufficient. Nibbling around the edges is not enough."
- "State spending $800,000/year shoring up Pike," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "Transportation officials said on Monday they are spending $800,000 a year to shore up a structurally deficient elevated portion of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Boston used by 145,000 motorists every day. The officials are eager to speed up the process of replacing the roadway before vehicle weight restrictions are necessary, but said they first have to sort out a $1 billion debate about how to redevelop the area around the former Allston-Brighton tolls."
- "State Police's No. 2 retires amid report controversy," by Andrea Estes, Boston Globe: "The second-in-command at the Massachusetts State Police retired Tuesday, and the superintendent moved up his own retirement, in the latest fallout from a growing controversy into the handling of an arrest report about the daughter of a judge. Deputy Superintendent Francis Hughes put in his retirement papers and Superintendent Richard McKeon, who was scheduled to retire next week, moved up his retirement date to Tuesday, according to documents obtained by the Globe."
TRUMPACHUSETTS -
- "Mass. Senate unanimously passes free birth control bill," by Jaclyn Reiss, Boston Globe: "The bill, which was overwhelmingly approved by the House last week, now moves to Governor Charlie Baker's desk for approval. The Senate voted 27-0 to pass the bill."
- "What It's Like To Be Trans & A GOP Elected Official In The Trump Era," by Andrea González-Ramírez, Refinery 29: "As a millennial woman living in the Northeast who identifies as a Republican, 26-year-old Jordan Evans is already considered a rare breed by some. But when you add to the mix that she's an openly transgender GOP elected official, it should come as no surprise that she's no stranger to puzzled looks. 'I get questions from the transgender community and from the Republican party,' she told Refinery29. 'The same general feeling is there: I can't believe you exist.'"
NET NEUTRALITY 101 - The long-running fight over net neutrality, which pits telecom giants against tech companies, is heating up at the Federal Communications Commission. To understand what the fight is all about and where it's headed, check out POLITICO's latest explainer video featuring Technology Reporter Margaret McGill and the artwork of Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, Matt Wuerker. WATCH HERE.
MOULTON MATTERS -
- "Moulton: 'I love Joe Biden,' but ... time for 'new generation' of Dems," by Chris Villani, Boston Globe: "The Democratic Party needs to look for fresh leadership following last year's electoral beating at the federal, state, and local level, Bay State U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton said after former Vice President Joe Biden said he is 'not closing the door' on a 2020 White House bid. 'I love Joe Biden, he has been a mentor to me and he is someone I was supporting in the primary before he decided not to run in last year's election. He is certainly someone who understands middle-class families and what they need,' Moulton toldHerald Radio's 'Morning Meeting' show [Tuesday]."
ON THE STUMP -
- JOHN KINGSTON SAYS NO MOORE: A GOP challenger to Sen. Elizabeth Warren yesterday called on Senate candidate Roy Moore to "step aside" so voters can rally behind a write-in candidate. "If Judge Moore remains in the contest, and ultimately is elected, I encourage all Republican senators to take a stand for what is right and use whatever means available to expel him from the chamber," Kingston said in a statement released by his campaign.
WOOD WAR - Herald: "ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST," "SWEET VICTORY," "'Spot' unleashed!" - Globe: "Baker aims to expand battle on addiction," "Targeted by GOP, elite colleges fight back," "A NEW FREEZING POINT," "Second leader of State Police retiring in arrest fallout," "BOBBY DOERR, QUIET STAR OF SOX YORE, DIES AT 99," "Cambridge liquor license rules investigated."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "Could The Southie St. Patrick's Day Parade Finally Become Controversy-Free?" by Adam Reilly, WGBH: "For a beloved local tradition, South Boston's St. Patrick's Day Parade has a fair amount of baggage. Over the years, it's become at least as well known for keeping gay groups out as it is for Hibernian revelry. The parade is organized by the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council, an umbrella group that was led for years by Southie native John 'Wacko' Hurley, a Navy vet who once said, of a gay group seeking to march, 'This is a family-oriented day, and they're out to destroy it.' But now, like the neighborhood that hosts it, the parade is undergoing some striking changes."
- "Berkshire Museum pushes for expedited trial on art sale," by Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle: "Lawyers for the Berkshire Museum want a speedy court review so that artworks pulled from auction this week can be brought to market as soon as possible. In a filing Tuesday, the museum's legal team, led by William F. Lee, said 'the AGO-induced delay has already put the Museum at risk' and could cost it millions of dollars if planned auctions, now postponed, fail to bring buyer interest or falter due to an economic downturn."
- "What's So Special - And Not So Special - About The New T Cars," by Robin Washington, WGBH: "This week, the first new Orange Line cars made by Chinese rail giant CRRC Corp. will be hoisted into a boat in Shanghai. They'll arrive in Boston sometime in December to begin testing on MBTA tracks, and will also serve as models for the full order of 152 being built at CRRC's plant in Springfield."
- "Second student diagnosed with bacterial meningitis on campus," by Abigail Charpentier, Daily Collegian: "A second case of bacterial meningitis was diagnosed on Sunday, according to an email sent out by Dr. George A. Corey, executive director of University Health Services (UHS). The update sent out Tuesday morning said the student diagnosed was living on campus in a residential hall and is now in stable condition in an area hospital."
KEEPING IT REAL ESTATE - "The Obama's vacation house on Martha's Vineyard is for sale," by Andrea Romano, Boston Herald: "The Chilmark House, where former President Barack Obama and his family stayed while on vacation in Martha's Vineyard, is up for sale - for $17.75 million."
SPOTTED - Harvard hosted event at the National Museum of African African American History and Culture. The evening's theme was "education as the civil rights issue of our time" and attendees included Rep. John Lewis, professors Roger and Lisa Fairfax, Harvard corporation chair Bill Lee, Dean Jim Ryan, President Drew Faust... Al Hunt served as moderator.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to former Sen. Scott Brown and Romney for President Communications director Gail Gitcho and Masslive.com scribe Melissa Hanson.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! - The Celtics beat the Nets 109-102.
NEW: POLITICO is accepting applications for its fifth session of the POLITICO Journalism Institute (PJI), an educational initiative focused on newsroom diversity . The intensive program, which is designed for college students, will be held May 29 to June 9, 2018. It features hands-on training for up to 12 recent grads and university students interested in covering government and politics. Students also will have an opportunity to have their work published by POLITICO. All expenses are paid for the program, reflecting POLITICO's ongoing support of journalism education, newsroom diversity and recruitment of top-notch talent. Admissions are made on a rolling basis, so APPLY TODAY but no later than Jan. 15, 2018. https://www.politico.com/pji
ICYMI: AN ELECTION RECAP EDITION OF THE HORSE RACE - Election Day has come and gone and we're here to parse who landed in the winner's circle across the state. Also, a surprise appearance by Sam Hammar, chair of the Melrose Democratic City Committee, to discuss why a partisan city committee got involved in a non-partisan municipal election. Subscribe and listen now on iTunes and Sound Cloud.
- And get your tickets NOW for the live Horse Race event at Ned Devine's in Boston on Nov. 28. We'll preview the big elections facing #mapoli voters in 2018 and look at a key issue for the year ahead: Women remain drastically underrepresented in the State Legislature and the Massachusetts Congressional delegation. What are the roots of this, and what can be done to change it? - Featuring special guests Jenn Nassour of Conservative Women for a Better Future and Puja Mehta, Board Chair of Emerge Massachusetts. Tickets available now.
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/2AB3jW4 **
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