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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF.
STATE PRIMARIES SHAPING UP — Several 2020 primary races are already taking shape across the state. The most notable: Attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan is weighing a primary run against Sen. Ed Markey, according to the Boston Globe.
If Liss-Riordan does run against Markey, her candidacy will be the latest in a string of Democrats challenging older, male incumbents both in Massachusetts and nationally.
And if Rep. Ayanna Pressley's upset win against former Rep. Mike Capuano showed us anything, it's that voters in the 2018 midterms were hungry for a different kind of representation, and eager to turn out. And with President Donald Trump on the ballot in 2020, you can bet Massachusetts voters will hit the polls in record numbers next year.
Pressley also showed us strong campaign organization is central to taking out an incumbent.
Take Rep. Richard Neal's 2018 Democratic challenger Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, for example, or Rep. Stephen Lynch's opponent, Brianna Wu. Neither candidate was able to build a campaign that could make a dent against an entrenched veteran — both incumbent congressmen took home around 71 percent of the primary vote in September.
And with that lesson learned, Wu plans to challenge Rep. Stephen Lynch for his House seat again in 2020. Shortly after the November 2018 midterm, Wu told the Boston Globe of her plans to beef up her operation and take another shot. Earlier this week, Wu released a couple of glossy campaign videos on YouTube that introduce her as a candidate and dive into her background.
Also running for Lynch's 8th District seat is Dr. Mohammad Dar, who lives in Jamaica Plain. He announced in February he plans to run on a platform of bold "social, economic, and environmental justice."
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
TODAY — Sen. Elizabeth Warren campaigns in New York. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attends the Takeda International Women's Day Celebration in Cambridge. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is a guest on WGBH's Boston Public Radio and hosts the City Hall International Women's Day Commemoration. Senate President Karen Spilkaspeaks at an International Women's Day event in Framingham. The Massachusetts Association of 766 Approved Private Schoolshosts an "Invite your Legislator to School" day at Melmark New England in Andover. Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg speaks at "Politics & Eggs" in New Hampshire.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "BAKER STEPS UP PURSUIT OF TEXT-WHILE-DRIVING BAN," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: After "optimistic conversations" with lawmakers last year about banning hand-held cellphone use while driving, Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday that is time to stop talking and take action to make roads in Massachusetts safer for everyone. "It's pretty clear that distracted driving and some tragedies and some near misses on construction sites are indicators that it's probably time to simply stop debating some of these common sense initiatives and just get them done," Baker said. The governor visited the Boston offices of AAA on Thursday to draw attention to legislation he filed in January that would make Massachusetts the seventeenth state to require hands-free cellphone use while driving and allow police to stop motorists for not wearing a seat belt."
- "Gov. Charlie Baker: Lawrence rape, Cambridge ammunition cases point to need for 'dangerousness' reform," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "A Lawrence policeman accused of raping a child. A Cambridge man arrested for illegally buying ammunition after talking about going on a shooting spree. Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday pointed to these two recent cases as further evidence that Massachusetts needs to reform the process by which a judge can order someone held as "dangerous" before their case goes to trial. "We do not have in Massachusetts a coherent way of determining whether or not somebody who's before the court is a danger or not," Baker told reporters after an unrelated in event in Boston."
- "Attorney general urges state regulators to order utilities to issue refunds to ratepayers," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "The Department of Public Utilities had ordered all utility companies in June to reduce their rates going forward in the wake of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that cut the federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent starting January 2018. But it stopped short of requiring them to refund customers for any savings they realized for the first half of the year, when the companies' utility rates were based on the former — higher — tax rate. By lowering the rates starting in July, DPU decided, ratepayers would still receive "prompt and significant" savings amounting to tens of millions of dollars."
- "'Demand is there' but questions linger over pot tax money," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "While the number of stores legally allowed to sell recreational marijuana in Massachusetts remains lower than anticipated, the Baker administration's budget chief said this week it's too early to say whether the state will meet its target for marijuana tax revenue this fiscal year. Administration and Finance Secretary Michael Heffernan said that while the marijuana tax revenue "numbers are low," it is still too green of an industry to be able to say whether the state is on track to hit its target of $63 million in revenue in the fiscal year that ends in June."
- "Baker 'Inclined To Support' Conversion Therapy Ban," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday he's "inclined to support" legislation that would ban conversion therapy for minors in Massachusetts, giving a boost to those who want to outlaw the practice of trying to change someone's sexual orientation through counseling. Baker, who spoke to reporters Thursday afternoon after a press conference on road safety, said he was aware that there were two different bills to ban conversion therapy moving through the Legislature, but generally supports the idea."
- "State lawmakers hear public education advocacy group's legislative agenda," by Lillian Ilsley-Greene, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Advocates and legislators gathered Wednesday morning at the Statehouse to discuss Citizens for Public Schools' legislative priorities in the coming session. The non-profit, public education advocacy group has asked for support on a series of seven bills, covering three priority areas in education: the state's public education funding formula, charter school reform, and MCAS testing. These bills include the PROMISE Act, an education funding reform petition that has gained traction since its re-filing last month."
Celebrate International Women's Day: No one rises to the top alone. The new Women Rule newsletter is a must-read for women who seek to inform, empower, connect, and inspire each other. Sign up today and #RuleWithUs.
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "Boston mayor: 'Not satisfied' with progress surrounding education," by Brooks Sutherland, Boston Herald: "Mayor Martin J. Walsh said his administration has worked hard on issues surrounding education and vows to keep at them, but admits he'd like to see more progress. "I'm not satisfied with the progress," Walsh said Thursday during his speech at the Boston Municipal Research Bureau's annual meeting. "It's been strong in some areas, but too slow in others. So, we're going to keep working at it, and we're going to keep putting students first." Walsh discussed city plans to invest $1.14 billion into Boston Public Schools this year, the most ever from the city, which he says will help sustain progress toward universal prekindergarten programs, support at-risk high school students and expand engagement services."
- "For black grad students in Boston, stay or go?" by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "SHANNON FAIRLEY-PITTMAN calls it "the conversation." It's the discussion he regularly has with other black graduate students in Boston about whether they'll stay in the area after completing their degree because of the great opportunities in the region, or head somewhere else where they sense a more welcoming vibe. Boston has a lot to offer professionally, said Fairley-Pittman, who is working on a doctorate in education at Northeastern University, but that isn't the only thing to consider. "Is it for us? Do we feel connected?" he said, running through the questions that invariably come up when he talks with other black grad students."
- "Ayanna Pressley's push to lower federal voting age called 'simply wrong,'" by Mary Markos and Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Critics are slamming U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley's push to lower the voting age from 18 years old to 16, calling it a "terrible idea.""It's simply wrong," MassGOP chairman Jim Lyons told the Herald. "Almost all 16-year-olds I know I don't believe should have the privilege or the authority to vote. They simply haven't matured to the level that they can make those types of decisions." Lyons added that Democrats have prioritized raising various age requirements "in just about everything," including for smoking, using tanning beds and the age for juvenile crimes. When asked about the proposal Wednesday, Gov. Charlie Baker said, 'I did raise three teenagers, and based on that I'd be pretty dubious about lowering it to 16.'"
- "Beer money: More breweries relying on state, federal loans," by Jessica Bartlett, Boston Business Journal: "Smaller banks, with the support of state and federal loan-backing programs, have emerged as the go-to sources of capital for brewery entrepreneurs."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "Patriots Owner Robert Kraft's Arraignment Is Scheduled for March 28," by Ken Belson and Victor Mather, The New York Times: "Patriots owner Robert K. Kraft's arraignment on charges of soliciting prostitution has been moved a day later, to March 28, court papers said on Thursday, and will no longer overlap with the N.F.L. annual meetings. Despite an all-capital warning on the document saying, "The defendant must be present at this hearing," a spokeswoman for the Palm Beach County clerk's office clarified that Mr. Kraft could still be represented at the hearing by his lawyers."
- "'I'm just worthless. You want to throw my life away,'" by Evan Allen, Boston Globe: "Anthony Watson said he woke up, confused, to rough hands shaking him in his seat on the train at Ashmont Station. He had passed out, he realized, after drinking alcohol, and now, early on the morning of July 27, 2018, a Transit Police officer was rousting him at the last stop. Watson, 32 and slightly built, got up to walk off the Red Line train, he said. He and the officer exchanged words, but he doesn't remember what they were. The officer grabbed him tightly around the arm, he said. Watson didn't want any trouble. He told the officer he would leave — but why, he asked, are you grabbing me so hard?"
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| WARREN REPORT |
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- "Elizabeth Warren, other Democrats back plan to tackle student debt," by Shannon Young, Springfield Republican: "U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren joined congressional Democrats this week in reintroducing a bill that looks to reduce college costs and address growing student debt through new federal grants and other incentives. The Massachusetts Democrat, who is running for president in 2020, signed on as a co-sponsor to U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz's, D-Hawaii, "Debt-Free College Act" -- legislation that calls for tackling college affordability through a new state-federal education funding partnership."
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| DATELINE D.C. |
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- "Ayanna Pressley and Elizabeth Warren come to Ilhan Omar's defense in wake of Israel criticism," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Sen. Elizabeth Warren are voicing support for Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, in the wake of violent threats against the Minnesota congresswomen for her criticism of Israel. Omar has been repeatedly accused by both Democrats and Republicans of employing anti-Semitic stereotypes in her criticism of the United States' support for Israel amid the Middle Eastern country's treatment of Palestinians. However, some progressives, like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, argue the allegations against Omar are "bad-faith arguments" aimed at dividing Democrats and/or stifling criticism of Israel's human rights record."
- "Care About Climate Change? Keep an Eye On the State Budget." by Tim Cronin, ClimateXChange: "Organizations, businesses, and activists working to push Massachusetts to address climate change tend to spend most of our time focusing on legislation. This makes sense, since the bold policies that are necessary to decarbonize our economy will come from bills, passed into law through the legislative process. But after a bill is law comes the even more important task of implementing the policy behind it, and this is where the budget plays a crucial role."
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| MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
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- "Greater Boston's first recreational marijuana shop slated to open in Brookline soon," by Felicia Gans and Naomi Martin, Boston Globe: "The state granted a recreational marijuana license to a Brookline store Thursday, setting the stage for what town officials expect to be a mob scene when the outlet — the first within spitting distance of Boston — opens in a few weeks. New England Treatment Access already runs a medical marijuana dispensary at the location, a former bank branch at the busy corner of Washington and Boylston streets. But police and neighbors are bracing for an onslaught as NETA opens up to the much bigger retail market."
- "Meet the Pot Power Players Bringing Legal Marijuana to Boston," by Dan McCarthy, Boston Magazine. Link.
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| ALL ABOARD |
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- "Curbside space for Uber and Lyft? It's coming to Boston — and is already in Somerville and Cambridge," by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: "Uber and Lyft are flooding the streets of cities across the country — including in Boston, where a ride started every single second in 2017, on average. The least they can do, officials figure, is not double-park when they pick up riders. Boston is the latest city that's planning to establish curb spaces for ride-hailing pickups and drop-offs, as transportation officials nationwide call for "curb management" policies to cut down on drivers stopping in the middle of streets to start or end a ride."
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| EYE ON 2020 |
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- FOR YOUR RADAR: Bay State presidential hopefuls Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Gov. Bill Weld are headed to SXSW in Texas this weekend.
- "A Boston attorney is considering challenging Ed Markey," by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: "A prominent Boston labor attorney who has gained national attention for her lawsuits against Uber and other "gig economy" companies is considering a primary challenge to Senator Edward J. Markey next year. "I have dedicated my entire career to fighting for workers and their families across our country. I believe we need fresh voices in Washington, fighting on the side of workers, and I am considering a run for the United States Senate," Shannon Liss-Riordan told the Globe in an e-mail."
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| TRUMPACHUSETTS |
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- "Trump administration sues construction firm over ICE tipoff," by Andy Metzger, CommonWealth Magazine: "WHEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION busts someone for improperly alerting the feds about an undocumented immigrant, you can bet the case is pretty strong. The US Department of Labor sued Tara Construction and its CEO over what the department claims was a retaliatory tip-off to the authorities about one of Tara's workers who is in the country illegally. The CEO allegedly communicated with Boston Police Department officers and facilitated the arrest of someone who had worked for Tara, according to the suit. Now the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts wants to learn more about something the Labor Department turned up in its investigation — the existence of a joint task force between the Boston police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement."
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| MOULTON MATTERS |
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- "The Only Democrat Running to Challenge Trump on National Security," by Edward-Isaac Dovere, The Atlantic: "Some of the Democratic presidential candidates are running to the left. Some are running down the middle. Moulton told me he will run through VFW halls and college campuses, leaning in on a national-security focus which, even in a field this huge, he is all alone in focusing on—a stance that not only differentiates him, but could eventually draw the others out on foreign affairs."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "SUCH A BIG HEART," — Globe: "Brookline pot shop ok'd for legal sales," "I fell asleep on the train." |
| FROM THE 413 |
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- "Crisis and collaboration: Hampshire College faculty propose alternative vision for school's future," by Dusty Christensen, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Faculty at Hampshire College have started organizing an effort to "re-envision" the school, providing the first steps for what they say is a way to keep Hampshire independent and "thriving." The proposal was released Wednesday and lays out four initiatives the faculty say will turn the school's current "crisis" into a new college plan. The re-envisioning program has been endorsed by two former presidents of the college, Gregory S. Prince, Jr. and Adele Simmons, as well as by Penina Glazer, the former dean of faculty and vice president."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "Nontraditional corrections model gives Middlesex inmates new chances," by Taylor Pettaway, Boston Herald: "Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian says a program his county jail piloted a year ago to reduce recidivism rates and create a better quality of life outside its barbed wire fences is paying dividends. Thursday marked the one-year anniversary of the opening of Middlesex County's People Achieving Change Together (PACT) unit, which separately houses incarcerated young adults in a rehabilitative setting in hopes the men will have the tools to create better lives for themselves on the outside."
- "Effort to lower voting age to 16 gaining support," by Elaine Thompson, Telegram & Gazette: "When Jason Palitsch was 15 years old, he was becoming more attuned to the local political arena, particularly when it came to the major budget cuts that impacted him and other students at Shrewsbury High School. It was not until 2008, when he turned 18, that the 2007 Shrewsbury High graduate was able to cast his first vote. The following year, in 2009, he was elected as a town meeting member. Three years later he won a seat on the Shrewsbury School Committee. He has been there ever since, except for in 2015, when he made an unsuccessful run for a seat in the state Legislature."
- "Regulators visit proposed compressor site in Weymouth," by Jessica Trufant, Patriot Ledger: "State regulators visited the proposed site for a 7,700-horsepower natural-gas compressor station on the banks of the Fore River on Thursday as part of an environmental audit that could potentially forcing further cleanup of the land. Three state Department of Environmental Protection regulators, two representatives from the firm TRC Environmental, and a representative from Algonquin Gas Transmission, a subsidiary of Spectra Energy-Enbridge, were on the Bridge Street site Thursday. Members of the citizens group Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station also attended."
TRANSITIONS - Former state Rep. Juana Matias was named chief operating officer of MassInc.
- Tina Cassidy joins WGBH as chief marketing officer. She was most recently at InkHouse and has worked as a reporter and editor at the Boston Globe.
- Ann M. Fudge was elected chair of the Board of Trustees at WGBH. Marcia Blenko, Mohamad Ali and Carmichael Roberts were also elected trustees.
- WBZ anchor Josh Binswanger parted ways with the network. Link.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to WGBH's Mike Deehan and Nathaniel Sobel, JD candidate at Harvard Law (h/t Daniel Lippman).
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Bruins beat the Panthers 4-3.
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