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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
BLOOMBERG'S LANE — Michael Bloomberg looked a lot like a traditional presidential hopeful yesterday with a well-attended speech in New Hampshire, a factory visit and a walking tour of local businesses. But the Medford-raised billionaire didn't sound much like a Democratic candidate from where I stood.
Other than his sharp criticisms of Donald Trump on climate change, the government shutdown and the president's governing style, the former New York City mayor seemed intent on testing the limits of how far he could deviate from Democratic Party orthodoxy.
Some of the most popular issues among Democratic candidates— tuition free college, Medicare for all and a wealth tax — were among the proposals Bloomberg deemed impractical, too expensive and even unconstitutional during his one-day New Hampshire swing.
The Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat managed to find some common ground: he supports citizenship for Dreamers, and green cards for other undocumented immigrants. He also supports Medicare for those without health insurance, but he does not want to do away with the employer-provided model. He calls for a more progressive tax rate, but sees the wealth tax advocated by Sen. Elizabeth Warren as going too far.
Bloomberg's claim that her so-called ultra-millionaire tax proposal is "probably unconstitutional" provided Warren with a welcome opportunity to hit back — and to underscore her progressive populist message.
"Billionaires like Howard Schultz and Michael Bloomberg want to keep a rigged system in place that benefits only them and their buddies. and they plan to spend gobs of cash to try and buy the presidency to keep it that way. Not on my watch," the Massachusetts Democrat said in a tweet.
Read the rest of my dispatch from New Hampshire here.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
TODAY - Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Karen Spilka attend a Massachusetts Veterans' Service Officers Association legislative luncheon with Secretary of State Bill Galvin, Treasurer Deb Goldberg, Auditor Suzanne Bump, Secretary of Veterans' Services Francisco Ureña and state Rep. Linda Dean Campbell. Polito chairs a weekly meeting of the Governor's Council.
State Sen. Brendan Crighton, state Sen. Eric Lesser and state Rep. Antonio Cabral announce a neighborhood stabilization initiative. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh signs a racial equity and leadership executive order, then canvasses Boston for the city's annual homeless census. The House considers House and Joint rules in formal session. Rep. Joe Kennedy III meets with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Parents for Transgender Equality Council in Washington. Democratic activist Jay Surdukowski hosts a Draft Beto 2020 house party in Concord, N.H.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "Amid debate on rules, Mass. House is criticized for lacking transparency," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "The Massachusetts House of Representatives is preparing to delve into debate on Wednesday over its governing rules, with one notable caveat: It didn't set a deadline for lawmakers to file amendments. The change, while seemingly technical, means that any proposed changes to the chamber's operations could emerge up until the final vote — a departure from past years that's adding fuel to criticisms the chamber is sacrificing transparency at a time when it's deciding the very parameters of its legislative process."
- "House Speaker Robert DeLeo was highest-spending state lawmaker in 2018," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican:"Despite facing no electoral competition, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, spent more money than any other state lawmaker during the 2018 election season: $386,800, according to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance. As a six-term House speaker, DeLeo has enormous fundraising clout and the ability to help and fundraise for other Democratic representatives and candidates. He also spends campaign account money on political events with legislators."
- "Trying to avoid falling off the cliff," by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: "TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE for Mary Napolitano. The Somerville resident starts each month with $900 in Social Security income. Subtract $545 for rent and heat. Subtract a little more ($55) for her monthly MBTA bus fare, and another $70 for uncovered medications and copayments. The bills add up, and Napolitano has $230 in expendable income by the end. Napolitano is almost 64 years old, and she dreads turning 65, when she will no longer be eligible for MassHealth and under current rules won't be eligible for a Medicare program that would keep her medical bills in check."
- "Lawmakers push for equal pay for tipped workers," by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service: Less than a year after lawmakers struck a so-called 'grand bargain' to increase minimum wages for all workers, advocates are mounting a new push to ensure tipped workers receive the same base wage as all other hourly employees. In all but seven states, the minimum wage for service employees who can earn gratuities — many of whom work in the restaurant industry — is lower than the standard rate. Massachusetts has one of the largest gaps in the country, with a minimum wage of $12 per hour and a minimum tipped wage of $4.35 per hour."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "County Jails Bring Millions Of Dollars To Mass. By Housing ICE Detainees," by Shannon Dooling, WBUR: "Many Massachusetts towns and cities have been pushing back against President Trump's crackdown on immigration since he was elected. A growing number have established sanctuary policies, and groups have called on local universities to end contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Amid this highly-charged political backdrop, Massachusetts sheriffs continue to house ICE detainees in their jails for the federal government. It's a longstanding practice that brings millions of dollars into the state."
- "Carbon Free Boston panel pushes $5 charge for cars on city streets," by Jonathan Ng and Brooks Sutherland, Boston Herald:"The Carbon Free Boston Working Group that Mayor Martin J. Walsh set up to combat climate change is pushing a $5 'congestion fee' to cut the number of cars in downtown areas, but City Hall is double-clutching on the hot-button plan. The Boston Green Ribbon Commission and Boston University report, unveiled Tuesday, suggests charging $5 'for every trip made in a private vehicle that starts or ends within' Downtown, Back Bay, the Seaport and the Longwood Medical Area, among other recommendations designed to promote walking, bikes and the T while also targeting buildings' energy use."
- "Real estate deal near Gillette HQ could trigger wave of construction in Fort Point," by Tim Logan, Boston Globe:"Prominent development firm Related Beal appears poised to buy 6.5 acres owned by Gillette along Fort Point Channel, potentially triggering a wave of construction in a key stretch of one of the city's hottest neighborhoods. Three people familiar with the deal said that Related — the Boston arm of New York real estate giant Related Cos. — beat out several of the city's other leading developers for the site, which today is home to parking lots alongside Gillette's World Shaving Headquarters, near the site of General Electric's headquarters."
- "David Torchiana, CEO of Partners HealthCare, unexpectedly announces departure," by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: "Dr. David Torchiana, the chief executive of Partners HealthCare, has unexpectedly announced his departure, after his push to integrate the sprawling health system encountered rising tensions from other Partners leaders. Torchiana, 64, told the Partners board Monday night that he will retire at the end of April, after four years leading an organization that is also the state's largest private employer."
- "As Hampshire Seeks Merger, Mass. Creates Financial Stress Test For Private Colleges," by Kirk Carapezza, WGBH News: "A week before students returned Hampshire College for the spring semester, President Miriam Nelson announced that the liberal arts college, founded in 1970, is looking for a partner to merge. She said it might not even admit a class this fall. Like many small colleges in Massachusetts, Hampshire has faced declining enrollment and mounting debt. And the school is not alone. Massachusetts has seen 15 college closures and mergers, both nonprofit and for-profit, in the past five years."
- "WBUR votes to form union as Globe workers continue negotiations," by Don Seiffert, Boston Business Journal:"Journalists at WBUR announced Tuesday they intend to form a union affiliated with SAG-AFTRA, a national union that represents about 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, news writers and others across the country. According to a statement from SAG-AFTRA on behalf of 'the WBUR organizing committee,' more than 80 percent of the nonprofit radio station's content creation staff — a total of 94 employees — signed onto a petition to be recognized as a union."
- "Nevada gaming officials propose fine for Wynn Resorts," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "The Nevada action on the Wynn Resorts license to operate in that state comes at a time when the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is trying to decide whether to allow the casino company to retain its license for a $2.6 billion casino scheduled to open in Everett in June. The Massachusetts investigation is on hold amid a legal fight over documents used in the investigation that Steve Wynn claims violate his attorney-client privilege."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "Fred Clay, Wrongfully Convicted And Jailed 38 Years, Gets $1 Million Payout From Mass." by Chris Burrell, WGBH News: "Fred Clay, who was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent almost 38 years in Massachusetts' prisons, will receive a $1 million settlement from the state, the highest amount allowed under a new state law. The settlement with the Massachusetts Attorney General was finalized Tuesday in Suffolk Superior Court, the same courthouse where Clay's conviction was vacated in 2017 and his freedom granted at age 53."
- "Retired State Police lieutenant pleads guilty to collecting bogus overtime," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "A retired State Police lieutenant Tuesday became the latest defendant to plead guilty to collecting bogus overtime in connection with the pay scandal at the law enforcement agency, federal prosecutors said. David Wilson, 58, of Charlton pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds, according to the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 2 ."
- "Asian-American lieutenant can sue state police for discrimination over lack of overtime opportunities, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rules," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "The Supreme Judicial Court has allowed a case to proceed in which a Massachusetts state police lieutenant says the state police discriminated against him by denying him a transfer to a unit known for its high overtime pay. Warren Yee, a lieutenant with the state police, was born in Hong Kong, immigrated to the U.S. and became a citizen. He identifies as a Chinese Asian-American. Yee said the state police would not approve a job transfer, which would have given him a greater opportunity to earn overtime pay and accept paid details, because of his age and ethnic background."
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| WARREN REPORT |
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- "Schultz trashes Warren's 'ridiculous' plan to tax the super wealthy," by Caitlyn Oprysko, POLITICO: "Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz hasn't announced yet whether he'll run for president, but that didn't stop him from taking aim Tuesday at one of the key economic proposals of one of his would-be opponents. In an interview on NPR's "Morning Edition," Schultz, who has said he's considering an independent run for president, dinged liberal priorities like Medicare for all and tuition-free college, but it was Sen. Elizabeth Warren's proposal for increasing taxes on the super wealthy that he labeled 'ridiculous.'"
- A LATTE GOING ON: "Coffee clash: Schultz slammed by fellow java magnate," by Holly Otterbein, POLITICO: "Howard Schultz has a problem with his base. Not only are Democrats ripping the former Starbucks CEO's flirtation with an independent bid for president — now a fellow coffee mogul is, too. Earlier this month, Carmichael endorsed Sen. Elizabeth Warren, whose plan to tax the megawealthy has been lambasted as 'ridiculous' by Schultz. Carmichael met Warren last year at a fundraiser he hosted in Philadelphia for female congressional candidates, and the two stayed in touch."
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| TRUMPACHUSETTS |
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- "Dems reintroduce bill to prevent nuclear first strike without congressional approval," by Owen Daugherty, The Hill: "Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) on Tuesday announced that they will reintroduce a bill that would stop the president from being able to launch a first strike nuclear attack without first having congressional approval. At a press conference announcing the legislation, Lieu said the bill is needed because President Trump is 'unpredictable and rash.'"
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| THE CLARK CAUCUS |
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- "Democrats weigh strategy as bipartisan panel seeks deal to avoid another shutdown," Fox News: The clock is ticking on another potential shutdown as lawmakers work to find common ground on border security; insight from Massachusetts Congresswoman Katherine Clark, vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus."
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| KENNEDY COMPOUND |
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- "Kennedy offers State of the Union advice to Abrams: 'Misplace your chapstick,'" by Morgan Gstalter, The Hill: "Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.) on Tuesday offered former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams advice for when she is due to present the Democratic response to President Trump's State of the Union address next week. Kennedy, who gave the response last year, tweeted out some tips as Abrams prepares for her rebuttal."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "CARBON CRAZY!" Globe: "FBI and CIA split with Trump on Iran, Koreas," "Amid friction, Partners CEO to leave," "A VISION TO GET KENMORE MOVING." |
| ALL ABOARD |
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- "How the T's proposed fare hike stacks up against other cities," by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: "Charlie may need to pay a few more nickels for his next ride on the MBTA. But he'd need even more in some other US cities. The MBTA's proposed fare hike for this July would increase the cost of a subway ride by 15 cents, to $2.40 — and that's only if you use an electronic CharlieCard."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "Columbia Gas to finish appliance replacement in Merrimack Valley," by Max Reyes, Boston Globe: " Columbia Gas of Massachusetts is offering free appliances and installation to property owners in the Merrimack Valley whose heating, cooking, and laundry equipment received temporary repairs during the high-speed restoration effort following the September disaster. The program announced Tuesday is a follow-up to the utility's huge campaign in early winter to restore gas service to thousands of homes in the Lawrence area before the onset of cold weather."
- "Retired cops to police city library," by Ray Lamont, Gloucester Daily Times: "Visitors to Gloucester's Sawyer Free Library can expect to see some new personnel — uniformed security officers aimed at keeping tabs on their safety and maintaining the library's peace — beginning next week. The library's Board of Trustees is bringing aboard six former police officers — most retirees from the Gloucester Police Department — to keep watch over the library and its patrons. At least one officer will be on duty during all times the library is open to the public, according to trustees' spokesperson Tracy Davis."
TRANSITIONS - Boston Municipal Research Bureau President Samuel R. Tyler will retire after more than four decades. Link.
MAZEL! - to Davis, Malm & D'Agostine, P.C. shareholder James E. Gallagher, who was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? No! The Jets beat the Bruins 4-3.
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