‘People’s pledge’ possibility in secretary of state race – Amending the Valor Act – School districts could sue over funding disparities
08/09/2018 07:05 AM EDT
By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @laurendezenski) with Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
PEOPLE'S PLEDGE POSSIBILITY IN SECRETARY OF STATE'S RACE - The secretary of state's race has proved intriguing for those following local Democrat-on-Democrat intra-family fights: a younger Boston City Councilor challenging an older, long-time incumbent, and those tracking election security.
The latest infusion of interest comes from Secretary of State Bill Galvin, who, 26 days out from Election Day, has called on his opponent Josh Zakim to sign a People's Pledge limiting spending from third parties and outside money. The pledge is a revamp of the agreement made between then-Sen. Scott Brown and now-Sen. Elizabeth Warren in their contentious (and expensive) 2012 race.
As Galvin put it, "Under the agreement, if a third party pays for advertising or a general mailing in support of one of us, the other will give 50 percent of the cost to the charity of their opponent's choice. This agreement would obviously not restrict labor unions or other organizations from contacting their members directly, but would prevent them from advertising to the general public or doing a broader mailing. We would also agree to close any loopholes to our agreement that might arise, and to ask media outlets to enforce the pledge."
The success of such an agreement depends on the willingness of both campaigns to agree - and enforce - it. Last year, Warren called for the return of a People's Pledge in her latest Senate race, though her Republican opponents have been disinterested in adhering to the restrictions.
While the People's Pledge remains a novel component of Massachusetts politics since the Warren-Brown race, it's become a relic of a time gone by as campaigns eagerly accept any and all boosts they can get. Shortly after it was deployed in the contentious primary between Ed Markey and Stephen Lynch in 2013, it has largely fallen out of fashion. As then-MassLive reporter Garrett Quinn wrote following the crowded and chaotic Boston mayoral primary race in 2013, "'The People's Pledge' crashes and burns, again, in the Boston mayoral race."
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.
TODAY - Sen. Elizabeth Warren holds her second of three town halls this week, today in Fitchburg - Boston's IBEW Local 103 holds an endorsement event for Secretary of State candidate Josh Zakim - The Cannabis Control Commission meets to consider more licenses for recreational marijuana dispensaries and and cultivation.
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
- "Worker Fired For At-Home Marijuana Use Seeks Legislative Response," by Andy Metzger, State House News Service: "Bernadette Coughlin hopes she is the last person in Massachusetts to be fired for having a toke of pot at home off work hours. In late May, Coughlin slipped on a kitchen floor at work and broke her left wrist and elbow, which several days later triggered a drug test — which she said her former employer, the food services company Sodexo, requires after at-work injuries."
- "Failure Of Hands-Free Driving Bill Leaves Disappointment, Pointed Fingers," by Max Jungreis, WGBH: "A bill that would have kept driver's hands off their phones failed to make it out of the state Legislature before the end of formal sessions last Tuesday night, disappointing supporters and even some critics. Massachusetts has a ban on texting while driving, but not on making phone calls. Supporters of a further ban on hand-held devices say this opens a loophole for texting motorists who can simply pretend to be punching numbers into their phone."
- "In An Eros-Infused Society, Beacon Hill Is Still Sex Shy," by Mike Deehan, WGBH: "Does Beacon Hill have an aversion to sex? You could be forgiven for thinking so after a handful of initiatives concerning sexuality, sexual behavior and gender failed to emerge from this year's raucous legislative finale."
- "Public defenders' bid for union rights again falls short," by Katie Johnston, Boston Globe: "For six years, public defenders have been asking Massachusetts lawmakers to add five key words to the state's collective bargaining statute. Those words — Committee for Public Counsel Services — would allow the roughly 750 lawyers, investigators, social service advocates, and administrative staff in the state agency commonly referred to as CPCS to form a union, as most state employees can. But for the third consecutive legislative session — the latest of which ended last week — a bill that would address the issue did not make it to a vote."
- "Beacon Hill Moves to Amend Controversial Valor Act," by Brendan Deady, WGBH: "The law was originally designed to account for the mental and substance abuse struggles that disproportionately affect veterans and offer them a chance to enter diversion programs rather than serve jail time for minor offenses. But in multiple cases, savvy lawyers have been able to exploit the law to help their clients who ostensibly did not suffer trauma from their military service avoid prison."
DATELINE D.C. -
- "Massachusetts lawmakers press Trump administration to halt rule impacting home care workers' union payments," by Shannon Young, MassLive.com: "All 11 members of Massachusetts' congressional delegation called on the Trump administration this week to block a proposed rule that could prevent home care workers from voluntarily having union dues automatically deducted from their paychecks."
ON THE STUMP -
- "Are Mass. elections safe from hackers? It depends on whom you ask," by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe:"Last month's warnings from the Department of Homeland Security that Russia could attempt to influence the fall elections have prompted reviews of voting systems across the country, including in Massachusetts. But in the midst of a contentious primary for the post that oversees elections, the state of voting security in Massachusetts depends on whom you ask."
- "Progressive Democrats take single-payer to the primaries," by Sam Baker, Axios: "[Tuesday's] primary elections will include an important referendum on a growing trend: Progressive gubernatorial candidates vowing to implement some form of single-payer at the state level. Maryland's Ben Jealous and Massachusetts' Jay Gonzalez are both campaigning on 'Medicare for All' as they try to defeat extremely popular moderate Republican governors in their respective blue states."
- "HRC Announces Slate of Pro-Equality Candidate Endorsements in Massachusetts," by Sarah McBride, The Human Rights Campaign: "Today HRC announced its endorsement of a number of pro-equality candidates in Massachusetts, including U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, U.S. Representatives Richard E. Neal (D-MA-1), James P. McGovern (D-MA-2), Joseph Kennedy (D-MA-4), Katherine M. Clark (D-MA-5), Seth Moulton (D-MA-6), Michael E. Capuano (D-MA-7), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA-8), and Bill Keating (D-MA-9). As part of the Freedom for All Massachusetts coalition, HRC is also working to turn out millions of pro-equality voters to uphold the Commonwealth's transgender non-discrimination law at the ballot in November."
- Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone Endorses Jimmy Tingle, from the Tingle campaign: " Longtime progressive Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone announced his endorsement today of Jimmy Tingle, Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts. 'I've known Jimmy for some time now, going back to when I was an Alderman in the 90's, and I always admired his passion and commitment to the causes of economic and social justice, fighting for affordable health care, and ending the devastating substance abuse epidemic that has gripped our state. We were classmates at the Kennedy school of Government at Harvard, and he was also a successful business owner in Davis Square for years. I know he'll use his talents as Lieutenant Governor to fight for those who are less fortunate, and be a compassionate voice for reform-minded good government,' said Curtatone."
- "Secretary of State Bill Galvin Announces Endorsement by Senator Mike Barrett," from the Galvin campaign: "Today State Senator Mike Barrett endorsed Secretary of State Bill Galvin in his bid for re-election. Senator Barrett represents the Third Middlesex District. Senator Barrett serves as Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Elections Law and as Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy."
- "In 5th Suffolk rep's race, two frontrunners seek advantage," by Jennifer Smith, Dorchester Reporter: "Voters in the Fifth Suffolk House District have two strong choices in the Democratic primary, local leaders say, between Darrin Howell and Liz Miranda, the frontrunners and staples of neighborhood activism. The Dorchester-Roxbury district — diverse, young, largely Democratic, and with a decent amount of turnover in elected representatives over the past decade — will almost certainly see a fresh face in the seat come November."
- "Suffolk DA candidates face police officers after focusing on criminal justice reform," by Maria Cramer, Boston Globe: "The six candidates vying to become Suffolk County's top prosecutor have so far faced forums moderated by lawyers, civil rights organizations, neighborhood groups, and even inmates. On Wednesday, police officers took their turn asking questions."
THE TSONGAS ARENA -
- "Even as donations flow, Third District candidates turn to their own checkbooks for help," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Since last fall, a staggering $8.2 million has flowed into the campaigns of candidates vying to replace retiring US Representative Niki Tsongas. Six of the 11 candidates have poured a combined $800,000 of their own cash into their campaigns, tapping personal savings, lines of credit, and, in one case, a previously undisclosed bank account to supplement their fund-raising."
MOULTON MATTERS -
- "If Democrats Can't Pass Gun Control Laws, They Need To Step Aside, Candidates Say," by Lissandra Villa, BuzzFeed News: "At a gun safety town hall Tuesday night in Aurora, Colorado, where a 2012 shooting in a theater left 12 people dead and dozens of others injured, Democrats made it clear that members of their party need to embrace real gun control reforms or step aside. The crowd cheered when Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton and Jason Crow, the Democrat running against Republican Rep. Mike Coffman to represent Aurora in Congress, said that if congressional leadership is unwilling to pass gun control measures, they need to be replaced."
WOOD WAR — Herald: "OPEN WIDE" "BRING ON THE MEN" — Globe: "Opioid deaths tied to workplace injuries," "Fantasy sports legalized, but escapes new tax," "Diagnosis 'hit me hard,' Remy says," "Southie standby Amrheins - and its parking lot - on the market," "Candidates put their own money on the line."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "School districts weigh lawsuit over funding disparities," by Christian M. Wade, Gloucester Daily Times: "School districts are weighing a legal challenge to force an overhaul of the state's 25-year-old education funding formula, which advocates say is widening gaps between poor and wealthy communities. Lawmakers were debating bills to address funding disparities created by the so-called foundation budget — based on the recommendations of a commission nearly three years ago — but failed to agree on a plan before formal sessions ended on Beacon Hill on July 31."
- "Boston Beer boss tells Trump that tax cut helps his company 'kick ass,'" by Travis Andersen and Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "Boston Beer Co.'s chairman, Jim Koch, is not one to shy away from speaking his mind. . The founder of Boston's best-known brewery told President Trump at a dinner in New Jersey that the corporate tax cut the administration successfully pushed last year has played a major role in making his company more competitive with foreign competitors (that he didn't name). Going forward, Koch vowed, Boston Beer is 'going to kick their ass.'"
- "State unveils new anti-stoned driving ad," by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "With the debut of recreational marijuana sales imminent, Massachusetts safety officials on Wednesday unveiled a new television ad warning consumers against driving under the drug's influence. It features a diverse group of people walking toward the camera and solemnly intoning fragmentary phrases ..."
- "NYC, Boston view ride-hailing apps differently," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "New York City and Boston are night and day when it comes to ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft. New York is engaged in a fierce policy debate about the apps, amid fears they are contributing to crippling congestion and exploiting drivers. In Boston and at the MBTA, meanwhile, the issue is largely on mute, with public officials wary of tinkering with a service that took city residents on nearly 35 million trips last year."
- "Four-legged clean-up crew set for Dot Park," by Isabel Lord, Dorchester Reporter: "Hold on to your hocks, Dorchester — four furry four-legged munchers will be coming to the neighborhood this week to help clean up Dorchester Park. This is the latest local development in the ongoing trend of 'goatscaping,' or using the animals to landscape spaces that are difficult for their human counterparts to work in."
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? — Yes! The Red Sox crushed the Blue Jays, 10-5.
FRESH OUT OF THE GATE - THE LATEST EPISODE OF THE HORSE RACE: Democrats are taking on Democrats in this week's episode of The Horse Race. First, Andy Metzger of State House News Service details some tension between Senate President Karen Spilka and Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo in the wrap up of legislative loose ends.
Then the Dorchester Reporter's Jennifer Smith returns to breakdown this week's debate between incumbent Congressman Mike Capuano and his primary challenger Ayanna Pressley. Plus, State House News Service reporter Matt Murphy checks back in on the race for secretary of state, and whether or not challenger Josh Zakim has sustained any momentum against incumbent Bill Galvin.
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