11/17/2017 07:19 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_)
TGIF, MASSACHUSETTS. Sunny with gusty winds today and a high in the low 40s in Boston.
GOP NOT HOLDING OUT FOR A HEROUX - Republicans on Beacon Hill are turning the screws on state Rep. and Attleboro mayor-elect Paul Heroux to try to force the two-term state rep's resignation from his House seat. They don't intend to watch him serve in two elected roles at the same time.
But Heroux, voted mayor of Attleboro last Tuesday, plans to hold onto both titles through July 2018, when the legislature gavels out of session for the year. Last week, Heroux argued he'd be saving the city money by staying in the seat - if he left the House now, there would be a costly special election. He told the Attleboro Sun Chronicle that he's got the time to do both jobs: "I have no social life anyway."
Republicans seized on the situation - state House Republican leader Brad Jones plans to file legislation that would ban anyone from serving both as a state elected official and head of a municipality at once, (similar to the 2009 legislation filed to keep then-state Rep. and Lawrence mayor-elect Willie Lantigua from doing the same thing), State House News reports. And Gov. Charlie Baker called Heroux's double-dipping "incredibly insulting."
But yesterday Heroux doubled down, calling Republican pressure "politically motivated," and saying he'd received no pressure from House leadership to resign. Heroux initially started to change his tune last week after coming under fire, saying if there was a path forward for his top two legislative priorities before the end of session, he'd consider stepping down. Heroux's final bills would establish a ban on smoking in cars with young children and would compel the Correction Department to measure whether its programs work - a measure left out of the House's omnibus criminal justice bill this week. Heroux then skipped the final vote on the bill's passage.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.
TODAY - Gov. Charlie Baker attends the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations 35th Anniversary Celebration, where Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Chrystal Kornegay will be honored with the Excellence in Community Development award - The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce holds a government affairs forum with Sen. Elizabeth Warren at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront hotel at noon - An Amherst bridge will be dedicated to former state Rep. Ellen Story in a noontime ceremony. The bridge is on Montague Road, crossing the Mill River.
** 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 -
END OF AN ERA - "Kaufman wrapping up 24-year run in House," by Craig Sandler, State House News Service: "Lexington Rep. Jay Kaufman announced Thursday he won't seek a thirteenth term next year, planning to end a decades-long career on Beacon Hill. ... Kaufman, 70, ran and won in 1994 as a suburban liberal, and became part of the "dissident" movement in the late 1990s, joining a band of left-leaning representatives who opposed both the social policies and autocratic leadership style of former Speaker Thomas Finneran. But he will end his career as part of Speaker Robert DeLeo's leadership team, co-chairing the Revenue Committee."
- "Environmentalists Stage Sit-In At Governor's Office Over Natural Gas Infrastructure," by Craig Lemoult, WGBH: "About 200 environmental activists filled the hall outside Gov. Charlie Baker's office Thursday. 'We're here to ask Gov. Baker to sign the executive order that was given to him a couple weeks back to stop fossil fuel expansion in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,' said protester Cathy Kristoffersen of Ashby."
MASSIE SAT-IN, TOO - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bob Massie was among the protesters calling on Baker to "stand up to Trump, to the fossil fuel companies, and to the utilities who have determined his energy policies for too long," Massie said in a statement released by his campaign. "We cannot afford to lock in unnecessary natural gas infrastructure that we then have to pay for through higher rates for the next thirty years while the rest of the world is rocketing to a new energy economy. Massachusetts must move swiftly towards one hundred percent renewable energy."
- "Home care registry bill on Gov. Charlie Baker's desk could lead to lawsuit," by Shira Schoenberg, Masslive.com: "A bill creating a registry for home care workers is back on Gov. Charlie Baker's desk, to the dismay of home care workers who are considering a court challenge. 'This legislation exposes these essential frontline direct care workers to enormous privacy and due process violations,' wrote advocates for the home care workers in a statement."
- "State police to investigate Bibaud case; district attorney is mum," by James F. Russell, Worcester Telegram: "One day after taking charge of the Massachusetts State Police, the new commander has ordered an investigation into the handling of the case of a judge's daughter who was arrested in October. The agency 'will conduct an investigation into revisions made to Alli Bibaud's arrest report' and 'the results of this investigation and review will determine whether further action is required,' said a statement from Col. Kerry Gilpin, state police superintendent."
TRUMPACHUSETTS -
- "Tax bill teed up for House vote," by POLITICO's Rachael Bade and Heather Caygle: "Speaker Paul Ryan and his top lieutenants have been working behind the scenes on a few tax reform holdouts in recent days. ... Massachusetts Rep. Richard Neal, ranking member on the Ways and Means Committee, has been keeping close tabs on the Democratic Caucus' most squishy members for months and recently redoubled his outreach to individuals who may be considering voting for the GOP plan."
- "US Rep. Richard Neal leads House Democrats in charge against GOP tax bill," by Shannon Young, Masslive.com: "U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, led a series of House Democrats Thursday in calling for the rejection of a Republican-backed tax overhaul plan -- legislation which he argued would raise taxes on millions of middle class Americans and is not guaranteed to bring economic growth. Neal, the top Democrat on the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, continued to raise concerns about and speak out against the so-called 'Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,' as he oversaw floor debate ahead of the chamber's expected vote on the high-profile legislation."
THE WARREN REPORT -
Sen. Elizabeth Warren on reports of sexual harassment from Sen. Al Franken: "The behavior reported today is unacceptable and deeply disappointing. I am glad Senator Franken has acknowledged as much and has agreed to cooperate with an ethics investigation. Women who come forward are brave and deserve to be respected. We're not going to fix the problems of sexual harassment and assault until men take responsibility for their actions and change their behavior."
- FOR THE RECORD: All three GOP challengers to Warren have subsequently called on Warren to call on Franken to step down.
ON THE STUMP -
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK - DONNA BRAZILE AMONG SETTI'S DONORS - the former DNC chair is a recent donor to Setti Warren's gubernatorial campaign, dropping $100 in a donation reported on Nov. 15 to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance.
ALSO FIRST IN PLAYBOOK - JAYGO'S ALSO STUMPING FOR BUCKS - An LGBT and allies fundraiser was held for Dem gubernatorial candidate Jay Gonzalez last night by Eileen Duff, Ellen Friedman, Jamie Hoag, Matt McTighe, Neal Minahan, Robert Goodridge, Lynn Bishop, and Heather Fowles. It was held at the Boston home of Warren's campaign manager Kevin Ready.
- "Crighton Announces Candidacy For State Senate," by Cary Shuman, Lynn Journal: "State Rep. Brendan Crighton has officially announced his candidacy for the State Senate seat in the Third Essex District that encompasses the communities of Lynn, Nahant, Swampscott, Saugus, Marblehead, and Lynnfield. State Sen. Thomas McGee currently holds the seat, but he is expected to step down from his senatorial position following his inauguration as mayor of Lynn in January. McGee defeated Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy in the city election on Nov. 7."
THE TSONGAS ARENA -
- "Candidates in an early race for EMILY's List backing," by Christian M. Wade: "A Washington group that backs Democratic women candidates who support abortion rights is expected to endorse one of several vying to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, opening up a mini-election ahead of next year's primaries. State Sen. Barbara L'Italien of Andover, Rep. Juana Matias of Lawrence, and Lori Trahan of Westford are among a crowded field of Democrats who've signaled plans to run for the Merrimack Valley congressional seat. All three are seeking an endorsement from EMILY's List, which is expected to get behind a candidate early next year."
WOOD WAR - Herald: "LEAN, GREEN - 14!" - Globe: "Skepticism sticks, as tax plan passes," "Famed wildlife defender finds the target on his back," "It's not all relative," "FRANKEN APOLOGIZES," "Cars a roadblock to Mass. emission cuts," "Fidelity boss moves harrassment to the top of her agenda."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "Legislature sends broadband bill, including $45M for WMass, to Gov. Charlie Baker's desk," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "The broadband money is part of the 'Last Mile' project, which uses state subsidies to make it economically viable for companies to connect high-speed internet in parts of rural Western Massachusetts that do not currently have it."
- "Deepwater may fund UMass offshore wind, fishing study," by Michael P. Norton, State House News Service: "UMass Dartmouth is gearing up to lead a five-year, $1 million initiative to examine how offshore wind farms can coexist with commercial fishing and other industries. Deepwater Wind, which operates a wind farm off Block Island and hopes to build a bigger one south of Martha's Vineyard, plans to bankroll the effort, which will be called the Blue Economy Initiative, the company announced on Thursday."
- "Pot shop growing closer in Attleboro," by George W. Rhodes, Sun Chronicle: "The city's first medical marijuana dispensary and indoor growing facility is much closer to becoming a reality. On Tuesday the city council's zoning committee voted to send the special permit application of Bristol County Wellness Center to the full council for a vote, possibly next week."
- "Museum Collections Committee member quits in protest; 'Never did I hear a peep' about art sale plan," by Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle: "As a longtime committee member and former 'junior naturalist,' Matt Kelly backs the Berkshire Museum's plan to shift its emphasis to science and nature. But how it would pay for that bothers Kelly, leading him to quit the Collections Committee this month. As a 14-year member of that panel, Kelly believes he should have been told that 40 works of art would be sold to raise as much as $60 million."
- "Pittsfield attorney's federal suit: First Amendment rights violated at 'Boston Free Speech' rally," by Haven Orecchio-Egresitz, Berkshire Eagle: "A Pittsfield attorney and former state senate candidate has a lawsuit in federal court against the city of Boston and several Boston officials, including Mayor Martin Walsh, alleging that his First Amendment rights were violated at the 'Boston Free Speech' rally in August. A motion for a preliminary injunction in the case will be heard Friday in Springfield."
- "Retail pot ban falters at City Council," by Mary Markos, Salem News: "City councilors were divided on whether or not to vote just yet on banning recreational marijuana Thursday night. A motion to amend city zoning to ban the operation of retail pot establishments failed by one vote. It was 7-3, but eight votes are needed for zoning changes. Anne Manning-Martin was absent Thursday. Councilors Joel Saslaw, Jon Turco and Barry Sinewitz opposed the ban."
- "Danvers medical pot clinic hopes to open this spring," by Ethan Forman, Salem News: "A nonprofit is moving forward with plans to open Danvers' first medical marijuana dispensary. Sanctuary Medicinals intends to operate a dispensary at 2 Electronics Ave. in the Danvers Industrial Park, on the southbound side of Route 1, by the spring of 2018. This process is separate from the town's efforts to ban recreational marijuana shops at Special Town Meeting next month."
MAZEL! - to Valentino Capobianco, named communications director for state Sen. Paul Feeney.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Laurie Norton Moffatt, director/CEO of the Norman Rockwell Museum.
HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND - to United Independent Party founder Evan Falchuk and Matt Barron of MLB Research Associates, who both celebrate on Sunday.
DID THE HOME TEAMS WIN? Yes! - The Celtics beat the Warriors 92-88 and the Bruins topped the Kings 2-1.
A NOTE ABOUT THIS WEEK'S HORSE RACE - Technical difficulties have delayed this week's episode's taping until Monday, when Steve Koczela of MassINC and yours truly will parse 2018's ballot questions and what's ahead in #mapoli for The Horse Race's season finale(!). In the meantime, Subscribe and listen to our past episodes on iTunes and Sound Cloud - AND tickets are now available for The Horse Race live event 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, bringing insight from both sides of the aisle.
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
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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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