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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF and go Patriots!
WELD 2020? — What's Bill Weld going to do? The former Massachusetts governor made waves yesterday after WCVB reported he's considering a presidential run on the Republican ticket.
Weld has "nothing to say" about it until he headlines a Politics & Eggs breakfast on Feb. 15 in New Hampshire and said he hadn't taken a leave from ML Strategies or made any decisions. But that hasn't tamped speculation into whether Weld would stick to the Libertarian ticket or wage a challenge against President Donald Trump in the Republican primary if he does decide to run.
Weld was the Libertarian Party's vice-presidential nominee in the 2016 election, and he ran alongside candidate for president Gary Johnson. Johnson's 2016 campaign manager Ron Nielson said he's been in touch with Weld, but is not committed to any 2020 campaign.
"If Bill Weld did decide to run for president, he would certainly be an excellent candidate, and I could see him as an excellent president," Nielson told me. "But I don't know what will transpire."
Running as a Republican could be seen as a betrayal to the Libertarian Party, but being the first candidate to jump into the primary against Trump would guarantee Weld plenty of attention — and probably a few tweets from Trump. At this point, Nielson said Weld's thinking is "up in the air."
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 visits the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attends the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Awards. Rep. Joe Kennedy III visits Pine Street Inn to discuss the government shutdown's impact on housing for homeless individuals.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross hold a public safety conference ahead of the Super Bowl. Walsh kicks off a Black History Month celebration at City Hall. The Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the Transgender Club of New England host a transgender job fair.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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— "House, Senate Take Different Paths On Non-Disclosure Agreements," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service "The House and Senate will charge into the new session with two different policies covering the use of non-disclosure agreements in cases of sexual harassment, with the Senate voting unanimously Thursday to ban their use altogether. The vote in the Senate took place a day after the House engaged in a spirited debate on the merits of a similar policy for that chamber and voted overwhelmingly to keep its current policy and reject a blanket ban on non-disclosure agreements."
— "Shifting from 'chairmen' to 'chairs,' Beacon Hill changes gendered language," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "There will be no more chairmen of Massachusetts House and Senate committees. Instead, they will be called 'chairs.' When the state House and Senate adopted their rules this week, both bodies updated language to make it more gender neutral. Rep. William Galvin, D-Canton, who led the committee that revised the House rules, said the goal was to make language more 'gender neutral and gender inclusive .'"
— "BAKER FILES FOR $165M IN NEW SPENDING, HOST OF POLICY CHANGES," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service:"Gov. Charlie Baker filed a $165.3 million spending bill on Thursday that also proposes policy changes to a host of new laws, including the recently signed short-term rental regulations, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act and a law banning the unlicensed possession of a stun gun. The bill would supplement spending for the current fiscal year 2019 with $54 million for collective bargaining costs, $32.9 million to help cover 'unanticipated' medical costs at the Department of Correction and $11 million to offset federal reductions in low-income home heating assistance."
— "State Rep. tweets about being mistaken for [aide]," by Jessica Valeriani, Andover Townsman: "Just about one month into her job as state Representative of the 14th Essex District, Democrat newcomer Tram Nguyen sparked conversation on social media about the need for more diverse representation after sharing an incident during which she was assumed to be a legislative aide by a lobbyist."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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— "Car-free development taking root," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "The proposal for a five-story, 56-unit residential apartment building on Dorchester Avenue includes a lot of the amenities that are now standard features in new development projects: A ground-floor gym and 'media room,' a storage room with a rack for several dozen bicycles, and a community room on the top floor adjacent to a roof deck. What the plans don't include is any off-street parking spaces for tenants in the building, which would be adjacent to Ashmont Station at the end of the MBTA's Red Line."
— "Boston's Colleges Are Going Broke—and We May All Have to Pay," by Michael Damiano, Boston Magazine: "After decades of unfettered growth, higher education, especially in New England, is tipping into a sharp decline. Enrollment is falling, skepticism about the value of a college education is soaring, and tuitions, which have been rising steadily for decades, seem to have reached the limits of what the public can pay. Taken together, these trends have left this once-booming industry looking a lot like a bubble. Experts predict that closures like Mount Ida's will soon become commonplace—and the facts they marshal to support this prediction are chillingly convincing."
— "State will offer dorm rooms for homeless college students," by Deirdre Fernandes, Boston Globe: "State higher education officials hope that by providing vulnerable community college and university students a secure place to live, guaranteed meals at the campus dining halls, and more support, such as mental health counseling, they will boost academic success and, ultimately, ensure that these students graduate. Massachusetts initially plans to spend $120,000 to pilot the student housing program at Bridgewater State, Framingham State, and Worcester State universities and at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, with more funding expected in the next budget."
— "These dumpsters of old nuclear waste are costing taxpayers a fortune," by Joshua Miller, Boston Globe: "The nuclear plant deep in the woods of this Western Massachusetts town stopped producing power 27 years ago when George H.W. Bush was still president. It was dismantled, piece by piece. Buried piping was excavated. Tainted soil was removed. But nestled amid steep hills and farmhouses set on winding roads, something important was left behind."
— "Massachusetts State Police refuses to disclose union rep pay records, adding to list of hidden public records," by Dan Glaun, MassLive.com: "The Massachusetts State Police has made a habit of declaring records secret, from 911 calls to gun sale invoices to arrest reports on troopers accused of drunk driving. Now, the department has pulled another trove of public information into the dark: the payroll records of every State Police union representative."
— "Althea Garrison gets standing ovation for first initiative," by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "It was a simple proposal to explore expanding the curriculum for civics classes for Boston public school students. It was also the first by new City Councilor Althea Garrison, just three weeks after her unexpected ascension to her seat. And with it, she received a standing ovation."
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| THE OPINION PAGES |
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— "Forget fare hikes — make the T free," by Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu, Boston Globe: "We can't afford another round of MBTA fare increases. Raising the cost of public transit would burden residents who can least afford transportation alternatives and punish commuters who are doing the most to ease traffic and improve air quality. But the heaviest cost is that focusing on whether to raise or maintain fares distracts from what should be our larger goal: free public transportation."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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— "Lawsuit Details The Sacklers, Family Behind Oxycontin, Made More Than $4 Billion," by Christine Willmsen and Martha Bebinger, WBUR: "The first nine months of 2013 started off as a banner year for the Sackler family, owners of the pharmaceutical company that produces OxyContin, the highly addictive pain medication. Purdue Pharma paid the family $400 million from its profits during that time, claims a Massachusetts lawsuit. However, when profits dropped in the fourth quarter, the family allegedly supported the company's intense push to increase sales representatives' visits to doctors and prescribers."
— "SJC Chief Knocks Gov. Baker For Calling For Judge To Be Sidelined," by Antonio Caban, WGBH: "Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants says Gov. Charlie Baker 'stretched beyond his reach' last month when he called for a district court judge to be barred from presiding over criminal cases amid a federal investigation into her courtroom conduct. 'That was not the happiest moment with regard to the governor to be candid,' Gants, who sits atop the state's highest court, said in a Thursday interview on Greater Boston.
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| WARREN REPORT |
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— "Elizabeth Warren promises 'big announcement' Feb. 9," by Jess Bidgood, Boston Globe: "Senator Elizabeth Warren on Thursday said she plans to make a 'big announcement' on Feb. 9, where she is widely expected to say that she is officially running for president. She did not say where the announcement would take place. The Massachusetts Democrat launched a presidential exploratory committee with a video she posted online on Dec. 31, and she has since crisscrossed the country with her proto-campaign, making stops in Iowa, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, and New Hampshire."
— "Elizabeth Warren carves out 'billionaire-slayer' role for 2020," by Liz Goodwin and Jess Bidgood, Boston Globe: "As Senator Elizabeth Warren laid out her case for taxing the assets of the richest Americans the other day, she turned to the obvious villain, a man so wealthy and powerful he could hinder any policy that didn't suit him. 'People like him can even buy themselves the presidency of the United States,' Warren's exploratory committee wrote in a fund-raising e-mail. The target of her ire was not President Trump, but another member of the 1 percent: Howard Schultz, the former chief executive of Starbucks whose musings on an at least partly self-funded presidential run seem almost tailor-made to fuel her broadsidesagainst the billionaire class."
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| FROM THE DELEGATION |
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— "Progressive Dems: 'Not Another Dollar' More in DHS Funding," by Gideon Resnick and Sam Brodey, Daily Beast: "Four freshman progressive House members are throwing a wrench into government funding negotiations, urging their colleagues to reduce spending on the Department of Homeland Security as a bipartisan committee negotiates a way forward for the agency. 'Cut, do not increase funding,' a bolded section of the 'Dear Colleague' letter obtained by The Daily Beast reads. Authored by Reps. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN), the letter is expected to be formally read on the House floor next week."
— "House Ways and Means subcommittee to hear bill requiring presidents to release tax returns," by Shannon Young, Springfield Republican: "A bill that would require U.S. presidents and vice presidents to publicly disclose their tax returns will go before a U.S. House Ways and Means subcommittee early next month, officials announced Thursday. The tax-writing panel's Oversight Subcommittee will consider the so-called 'Presidential Tax Transparency Act,' as it meets on Feb. 7. The House Ways and Means Committee announced the hearing as Chairman U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, told The Republican's editorial board that he's looking into using existing power to formally request the release of President Donald Trump's tax returns ."
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| IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN |
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— "Ocasio-Cortez, Markey to unveil Green New Deal bill," by Amy Harder, Axios: "Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) are set to unveil legislation laying out a 'Green New Deal' as soon as next week, Axios has learned. A spokeswoman for Markey confirmed the offices are working on legislation, but said there is no final text and timing isn't final yet for next week. A request to Ocasio-Cortez's office wasn't immediately returned. Varshini Prakash, co-founder of the Sunrise Movement, also said legislation is due as soon as Wednesday or Thursday of next week. The youth-led group has been at the forefront of the Green New Deal movement."
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| TRUMPACHUSETTS |
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— "Wellesley resident's 'Impeach Trump' sign gets OK to stay," by Emily Sweeney and Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "Another day, another Trump standoff. Except this one, in Wellesley, appears to have been resolved. A man had been at loggerheads with the town after he refused to take down an 'Impeach Trump' banner that he put up on his house. Town officials had said the sign is too big and too high up, and if it doesn't come down, he would be fined $300 a day. However, the town Thursday afternoon rescinded the violation notice it had sent regarding the banner, effectively saying Dan Chiasson could keep the sign."
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| 2020 WATCH |
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— "Bill Weld: an insurgent Republican or card-carrying Libertarian?" by Michael Levenson, Boston Globe: "Can a former Republican governor of Massachusetts who ran for the Senate, tried to become ambassador to Mexico, ran for governor of New York, endorsed Barack Obama in 2008, and was the Libertarian Party nominee for vice president in 2016 be taken seriously as a presidential candidate in 2020? William F. Weld is about to find out."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "NUMBERS GAME," — Globe: "As she baits billionaires, Warren tries to make mark," "Homeless students get dorm space," "BIG WASTE: REACTORS LEAVE EXPENSIVE PROBLEM BEHIND." |
| FROM THE 413 |
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— "Tensions on campus as Hampshire College board votes on incoming class," by Dusty Christensen, Daily Hampshire Gazette:"Students at Hampshire College staged protests and sit-ins Thursday, and employees and alumni lobbied college leadership as the board of trustees met to begin making the first in a series of big decisions about the school's future. Fear and frustration have boiled up both on and off campus since Hampshire College announced Jan. 15 that the school is seeking a merger — preferably, though not necessarily, with another educational institution — and may decide not to admit an incoming class this fall."
— "General Dynamics lands $13M Navy contract extension for Pittsfield work," by Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle: "General Dynamics will continue to produce fire-control systems that go to sea aboard U.S. Navy submarines, securing jobs for a large Pittsfield workforce. The company's division in Pittsfield received a $13 million extension this week to a Defense Department contract, the office of U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, announced. On Thursday, Neal went to the 439th Airlift Wing at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, which is poised to get $42.6 million from the Defense Department to build a massive new maintenance hangar."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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— "In Fall River, A Five-Way Fracas For Mayor," by Adam Reilly, WGBH News: "Right now, Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia may be under more pressure than any other politician in Massachusetts. In October, Correia was indicted for allegedly defrauding investors in an app he created back in 2012. As he fights the charges in that case, Correia is also facing a March recall election that could cut his once-promising political career short. If the 27-year-old Correia is rattled by the pressure, though, he's hiding it pretty well."
MAZEL! to Nora Mann, who retires from her role as the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's director of determination of need program.
TRANSITIONS — Cassie Moreno is now communications director for Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu. Moreno was previously finance and digital assistant for Rep. Seth Moulton. (h/t Madeline Rocklin)
— Kimberly Atkins begins Monday as the Washington-based senior news correspondent for WBUR. Tweet.
— Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster appointed Danielle R. Starr vice president of the Greater Boston Family Law Inn of Court.
— Dr. Lorna Rivera was appointed to the Boston School Committee by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.
— The Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus added Susan Coakley, Dawne Shand and Mary Usovicz to its board of directors; and Nancy Koenigsberg and Dannielle Pinson to its political action committee.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to photographer/videographer and former Gov. Deval Patrick photog Eric Haynes, Boston City Councilor Tim McCarthy, strategist Kerry Akashian and Alexa Kissinger.
HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Elizabeth Warren alum Cassidy Ballard, who celebrates Saturday.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? No! The Flyers beat the Bruins 3-2.
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