12/01/2017 07:26 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Sunny with a high of 51 in Boston today.
SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR TO BE NAMED AS HEFNER SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS ROCK BEACON HILL - After weeks of sexual harassment rumors, allegations, and discussions on Beacon Hill, a name has surfaced: Bryon Hefner. The husband of state Senate President Stan Rosenberg, has been accused by four men of sexual assault and harassment. It was detailed in a bombshell report by the Globe's Yvonne Abraham yesterday, and now has some privately questioning Rosenberg's fate in the Senate.
Hefner through his attorney in a statement to the Globe denied the accusations, and Rosenberg denied being aware of the incidents.
In what she called an "unprecedented step," state Senate Majority Leader Harriette Chandler announced late last night that the Senate would bring in an independent special investigator "in order to ensure a completely impartial process, and because of these unique circumstances which involve the Office of the Senate President." Timing for the special investigator isn't yet clear - though Chander's spokesman said "we want the process to happen in a timely manner." Rosenberg will retain his office and responsibilities as Senate President because he has recused himself from the investigation, Chandler said.
Rosenberg himself last night was supportive of an investigation - after Gov. Charlie Baker, state Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, and Attorney General Maura Healey all said one should take place. State House Speaker Robert DeLeo, through a spokesman, had no comment.
No one in the building has called for Rosenberg to step down, though privately multiple insiders tell me pressure to step down, either from his seat as Senate President or from the Senate as a whole, will ramp up if it's proven Rosenberg knew about his partner's actions (which Rosenberg denies). GOP state Senate candidate Dean Tran, currently vying for the seat opened by outgoing state Sen. Jen Flanagan, last night called on Rosenberg to step aside until the investigation into Hefner's sexual misconduct allegations is complete.
Rosenberg was not at the State House when the story broke yesterday, avoiding the gaggle of reporters and cameras that gathered outside of his office in the late afternoon. But earlier in the day, Rosenberg had sat down with WCVB's Sunday news show On the Record to discuss "how hard he is working to create systems to prevent sexual harassment at the Golden Dome," a producer tweetedafter the news broke. Co-host Janet Wu then tweeted that the show had invited Rosenberg back onto the show on Sunday "to set record straight on husband's alleged sexual assaults but @senstan no longer chatty like this AM when he knew @GlobeAbraham story about to break."
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
PUBLISHED BEFORE THE GLOBE STORY - "Public payouts for harass claims not on table - yet," by Brian Dowling, Boston Herald: "Senate President Stanley Rosenberg says a review of the state Senate's sexual harassment policies could examine whether taxpayers should be on the hook when it comes to paying out settlements for misconduct. Six female senators, led by Majority Leader Harriette Chandler, will review the Senate's policies around sexual harassment through the end of January."
** 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 **
- "State police captain swiftly texted boss about arrest of judge's daughter," by Matt Stout, Boston Herald: "A State Police captain alerted a superior at the center of the Troopergate scandal that Alli Bibaud had been 'locked up' less than 40 minutes after her arrest, newly released documents show, highlighting the swiftness with which it reached the highest ranks of the department. Trooper Ryan Sceviour had responded to a crash at 7:35 p.m. on Oct. 16, when he found a 'lethargic and groggy' Alli Bibaud - the daughter of Dudley District Court Judge Timothy Bibaud - standing outside a smashed-up Toyota Corolla, he wrote in a police report."
- "After panel fails to meet, legislators extend deadline for group to look at expanding public records law," by Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: "State lawmakers have approved a measure to give themselves an additional 11 months to complete a report about whether the new public records law should also be applied to the Legislature, the governor's office, and the judiciary. The plan to give a legislative commission until Dec. 1, 2018 to complete its work was included in a supplemental budget that passed the House and Senate Thursday, said Peter Wilson, spokesman for Senate President Stanley C. Rosenberg. The original deadline for the report was Dec. 30."
TRUMPACHUSETTS -
- "Mass. braces for possible loss of federal funding for children's health program," by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts is on track to run out of money in January for a federal program that provides health coverage for 172,000 children in the state unless Congress moves quickly to approve new funding. ... Without congressional action, Massachusetts is slated to lose $295 million in annual funding, according to state health officials."
THE WARREN REPORT -
- "Elizabeth Warren: Don't let Trump & Wall Street gut consumer protection bureau," by Elizabeth Warren, USA Today: "The agency helps people fight abuse by financial institutions. The president circumvented the law to name an acting director who wants to hobble it."
MOULTON MATTERS -
- "Rep. Seth Moulton's plan to overhaul House Democrats with a 'new generation of leaders,' by Eric Bradner, CNN: "Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts -- who has vented for months about House Democrats' leadership - has big ambitions for the military veterans he is backing in the 2018 midterm elections. 'I'm literally recruiting a new generation of leaders for the party,' he said in an interview Wednesday."
ON THE STUMP -
- "Diehl backs GOP tax plan," by Jim Hand, Sun Chronicle: "U.S. Senate candidate Geoff Diehl said Wednesday he supports a Republican tax-cutting plan in Washington, saying it will give a boost to the economy. But, the person he wants to replace in the Capitol, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, said the tax cuts are a special gift from Republicans to wealthy donors."
THE TSONGAS ARENA -
- INBOX: "My endorsement," from former Treasurer Steve Grossman: "Friend, ... Today I'm proud to endorse my friend Dan Koh. ... I'm supporting Dan because I know he'll bring to Congress the passion, progressive values, and willingness to fight to improve the quality of life for every person he's privileged to represent."
- "When politics and friendship collide in Lowell," by Frank Phillips, Boston Globe: "Mayor Martin J. Walsh, who has already put his fund-raising muscle behind his former chief of staff Dan Koh's congressional campaign, weighed in with a former legislative colleague and close friend who was preparing to endorse another Third District candidate. The call came to state Representative David Nangle, a veteran Lowell Democrat, just before he planned to show up last Friday at one of the city's iconic stomping grounds - the Owl Diner - in support of candidate Lori Trahan."
WOOD WAR - Herald: "SCANDAL IN THE SENATE" - Globe: "Rosenberg's husband accused," "GOP closes in on tax overhaul," "White House plans to oust Tillerson," "DA to toss out 6,000 tainted drug convictions," "For doctor, a rare treat."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "US Prosecutors Quietly Tweak Extortion Charges Against Two Aides To Boston Mayor Walsh," by Isaiah Thompson, WGBH: "With the extortion trial of two aides to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh scheduled to begin early next year, federal prosecutors have quietly changed elements of the case against the duo, possibly to guard against reversals suffered in U.S. courts in other political corruption cases. A 'second superceding indictment,' filed late Wednesday, includes at least two changes to the original charges filed against former Boston tourism director Kenneth Brissette and Timothy Sullivan, a former senior adviser to Walsh."
- "Supporters of north-south rail link make pitch in Quincy," by Sean Philip Cotter, Patriot Ledger: "Several dozen people turned out Wednesday night at Quincy High School to hear former Gov. Michael Dukakis and other advocates for the long-discussed North-South Rail Link. The link, which has been floated for decades, would involve the construction of a tunnel between South Station and North Station in downtown Boston. It would connect the MBTA commuter rail lines north and south of the city and allow Amtrak lines south of Boston to meet up with an existing line that continues north of the city to Maine ."
- "Boston said to carry region's burden in the housing crisis," by Jennifer Smith, Dorchester Reporter: "Greater Boston is experiencing a lopsided housing boom, with the iron core of Boston proper accounting for almost all of the region's new growth as the suburbs drag behind in residential production. It's a pattern housing experts have seen coming in the years since the Great Recession. High employment rates and private sector wages, an influx of young adults and retiring Baby Boomers, a low vacancy rate, and the ever increasing desirability of the Commonwealth's capital are keeping housing supply outpaced by the increases in population and income."
- "In An Unlikely Partnership, Local Environmentalists And Utilities Work Together To Reduce Gas Leaks," by Craig Lemoult, WGBH: "Environmental activists have long seen natural gas utilities as something of a foe. While natural gas may be cleaner than coal, it's still a fossil fuel, and environmentalists worry about its impact on climate change. But environmentalists and gas companies in Massachusetts are doing something unusual - they're teaming up to try to fix something they both agree is a problem."
- "Savings from solar farm to pump $200K into Williamstown budget," by Scott Stafford, Berkshire Eagle: "A 1.9-megawatt solar array on the former town landfill is now connected to the grid and operating, and officials are looking to put to work for the town the anticipated $200,000 in savings. The town currently spends about $370,000 annually on power, and officials said the savings can help in several ways."
THE SKY'S THE LIMIT - "Millennium's vision for giant Seaport development includes aerial tramway," by Catherine Carlock, Boston Business Journal. "Millennium Partners' Boston office has rarely shied away from pushing the boundaries when it comes to the city's real estate development. The firm is now in the midst of perhaps its most boundary-pushing idea yet."
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY - to Sen. Michael Rush, who celebrated yesterday.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! - The Celtics topped the 76ers 108-97.
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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. More **
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