Senate BUDGET rollout — DCF under STRESS — House GOP’s $1M earmarks

May 07, 2019

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

SENATE BUDGET ROLLOUT — With the July 1 start of the new fiscal year approaching, the Senate will unveil its blueprint today for how the state should spend around $42 billion in the coming year.

Lawmakers and activists like to say the budget is a statement of priorities, so keep an eye out for where the Senate lands on key issues like education funding and transportation.

Gov. Charlie Baker rolled out his version of the spending plan in January, which includes collecting sales tax on online purchases and a tax on e-cigarettes, among other revenue-raising proposals. The House skipped adding new revenue when it revealed its fiscal 2020 spending bill last month. Both budget bills address some facets of the state's underfunded education system, but House lawmakers say the goal is to leave room for a larger-scale reform later in the session.

Senate President Karen Spilka has been vocal about looking at raising new revenue since her swearing-in earlier this session, but it's not clear where the Senate budget will land on that issue. Spilka has already assembled a group of lawmakers to look at updating the state's tax code to make it more progressive, separate from the budget.

This is the first budget season for both chairs of the Ways and Means Committee — Sen. Michael Rodrigues and Rep. Aaron Michlewitz were appointed to their positions in February.

As they get ready to hash out the differences between the spending plans, Rodrigues and Michlewitz take the helm of a committee that isn't exactly known for adhering to deadlines. Last year, state budget negotiations stretched well into July and past the start of the new fiscal year. Massachusetts was the last state in the country to put a fiscal 2019 budget in place.

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 is in California for the ASPIRE Forum energy conference. Acting Gov. Karyn Polito and Sen. Harriette Chandler make a National Housing Trust Fund announcement. Politohighlights May as Municipal Month with events in Leominster, Woburn and Chelsea. The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, the Joint Committee on Financial Services, the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government and theJoint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight hold hearings.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attends a ribbon cutting for Harmon Apartments in Dorchester, then attends an Asian Pacific American Heritage Month event at City Hall. Attorney General Maura Healeyattends an Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts banquet. The Kennedy Institute hosts Irish Ambassador to the U.S. Daniel Mulhall, and an affordable housing forum later in the day. U.S.Rep. Lori Trahan presents new American flags to kindergarteners in Maynard. The Joint Committee on Public Health, the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agricultureand the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs hold hearings.

DATELINE BEACON HILL

- "GOP leaders, while quiet on the budget process, collect big local earmarks for districts," by Victoria McGrane and Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "To some Republicans, the recent Massachusetts House budget deliberations were undemocratic, driven by closed-door meetings and little transparency. To House GOP leaders, however, they appeared to be a boon. The top three members of the House's small Republican caucus together landed close to $1.2 million in local earmarks in their chamber's budget discussions that wrapped up two weeks ago, pouring money into everything from new crosswalk lights to a senior center to a crab trapping program in their districts and the surrounding communities. They scored these wins while staying notably silent as others outside the Legislature have criticized the budget process for being opaque under House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, a Democrat."

- "Table set for serious talks about new taxes, revenue," by Michael P. Norton, State House News Service: " Four months into the new legislative session, there's no consensus on new taxes or other revenues to pay for major education and transportation system needs, with Gov. Charlie Baker taking a guarded approach to new taxes and legislative leaders encouraging conversation but not rallying around any specific proposals. While acknowledging the importance of the issue to the state economy, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, who would be charged with leading any push for a tax or revenue package, over the weekend again declined to say whether he supports or opposes new taxes to pay for transportation investments ."

- "House to take up hands-free driving bill," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "The Massachusetts House could vote on a hands-free driving bill as early as next week, Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said Monday, giving a jolt of momentum to an issue that has languished on Beacon Hill for years. DeLeo said he's meeting this week with state representatives William M. Straus, the House chair of the Committee on Transportation, and Joseph F. Wagner, the House's assistant majority leader, to discuss what he called a "two-pronged bill" to address distracted driving and concerns that its enforcement could lead to racial profiling."

- "Workers at Massachusetts Department of Children and Families who focus on foster care say they are overworked, understaffed," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican:"After high-profile cases involving children who were harmed while under DCF care, Gov. Charlie Baker's administration has increased funding and hired new staff at DCF the last few years, with a focus on social workers who care directly for children. But family resource workers, who assist foster parents, say they are overloaded with cases despite the state hiring spree."

- "BAKER DIDN'T WEIGH IN ON GOP DELEGATE PLAN," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday he didn't give much thought to the state Republican Party's decision to rewrite its 2020 delegate rules that could help insulate President Donald Trump from seeing a challenger like former Gov. William Weld go into next year's convention with a stash of delegates. Baker said his understanding of the delegate process is that it's a system that frequently gets adjusted state by state, and may be changed again in Massachusetts by the time the 2024 election rolls around. "Generally speaking these things don't stand over time. They get adjusted," Baker said. Asked if he was concerned it could hamstring a Republican challenger like Weld, he said, 'Honestly, I haven't thought that much about it.'"

- "Poftak: MBTA needs more capacity to meet spending goals," by Andy Metzger, CommonWealth Magazine: "MBTA OFFICIALS WHO have struggled to meet existing capital spending goals want to pour much more into upkeep and modernization projects, a goal that could fuel activists' demands for more revenue for the system. To spend $1.5 billion annually on state-of-good-repair projects, the T will need to boost its own operational capabilities, MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said Monday at the weekly meeting of the T's Fiscal and Management Control Board."

FROM THE HUB

- "Metco will move to a lottery system to choose students," by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: "The days of Boston families signing up their children for the Metco program as soon as they are born are now history. Massachusetts education officials have given the voluntary school integration program permission to choose students through a lottery instead of on a first-come first-serve basis, in an effort to bring more fairness to those who get in. Under the changes, announced Monday, parents will be able to submit applications only in the fall for the following school year."

- "Ed funding debate comes to Boston Foundation," by Yawu Miller, Bay State Banner: "Two years after a legislative committee released a report documenting a $2 billion deficit in state education funding, lawmakers and Gov. Charlie Baker are sparring over measure that would tie increases in funding to increased state control over schools and school districts deemed under-performing by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Last week, a trio of lawmakers pushed back on the notion of increasing state intervention during a meeting with a coalition of Latino-led organizations that convened at the Boston Foundation."

- "In South Boston, a tiny triangle of land prompts a big legal battle," by Tim Logan, Boston Globe: "Around Greater Boston there are scraps of land that might seem too small to build on. But with housing in such acute demand, those scraps are sometimes worth fighting over. One such case is playing out in a hot corner of South Boston, where two builders are battling in court over a quarter-acre triangle of undeveloped land just steps from the Red Line. Transom Real Estate is planning to shoehorn in a six-story, 55-unit apartment building on Athens Street, the sort of project that has popped up like weeds all over this formerly industrial neighborhood. But there's a twist: Not only would the Transom building not have parking, but tenants would be prohibited from getting street-parking permits from the city."

- "Holding Steven close," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "RONALD ODOM TALKS about his son's death like it was yesterday because, for the soft-spoken retired letter carrier, it still feels that way. But this fall will mark 12 years since Steven Odom was cut down by a bullet just blocks from his Dorchester home, with the shooter apparently mistaking someone he was walking with for a gang rival. Instead, they took the life an innocent 13-year-old, the youngest of Ronald and Kim Odom's five children and bright-eyed drummer in the band at the True Vine Church where the couple co-pastored on Sundays to a flock of fellow believers."

YOU KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN...AND IT'S ONLY THE BEGINNING!

- "Encore Boston Harbor requests to serve alcohol until 4 a.m." by Scott J. Croteau, Springfield Republican: "Encore Boston Harbor is asking the Massachusetts Gaming Commission permission to serve alcohol until 4 a.m., according to a packet filed before a commission meeting held Monday. Last year, MGM Springfield casino was allowed to serve customers until 4 a.m. The request by MGM Springfield was allowed after safeguards were put in place. In Springfield, only active gamblers can receive complimentary drinks."

- MASSACHUSETTS CONNECTION: "'They Would Go Absolutely Nuts': How a Mark Cuban-Backed Facial Recognition Firm Tried to Work With Cops," by Joseph Cox, Vice: "Facial recognition technology is becoming more common across the United States, for both law enforcement and private companies. Now, emails obtained through a public records request provide insight into how facial recognition companies attempt to strike deals with local law enforcement as well as gain access to sensitive data on local residents. The emails show how a firm backed by Shark Tank judge, Dallas Mavericks owner, and billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban pushed a local police department to try and gain access to state driver's license photos to train its product."

- "Lawyer best known for Republican efforts joins race to replace Josh Zakim on the Boston City Council," Universal Hub: "Jennifer Nassour of the Back Bay today announced her candidacy for the District 8 (Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Fenway, Mission Hill, West End) City Council seat that Josh Zakim is giving up. Boston city-council elections are officially non-partisan, but Nassour is particularly notable for her past Republican efforts: She was Republican State Committee chair when Scott Brown was elected to the US Senate and helped increase the number of Republicans in the state legislature."

DAY IN COURT

- "AG Maura Healey fines companies for asking job applicants about criminal histories," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "Two Massachusetts companies - Brooks Brothers and DesignWerkes - have been fined $5,000 each and required to remove from their job applications questions about applicants' criminal histories. Attorney General Maura Healey's office also sent warnings to 17 other companies requiring them to remove similar questions from their job applications."

- "William Gross blasts judges for letting repeat burglary suspect go," by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: "Police Commissioner William G. Gross is blasting revolving-door judges for putting a Mattapan burglary suspect back on the street three times in the last month, after three separate arrests. Trevor L. Walthall, 53, was arrested on April 8, April 30 and May 4, only to be released each time — as recently as Monday, police said. "I've been in law enforcement for 36 years, and I've never seen that happen: a serial B and E artist let go every time, no electronic bracelet, nothing," Gross told the Herald."

- "Prosecutors press case for tighter bail rules," by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: "Prosecutors asked the state's highest court on Monday to expand the list of criminal offenses under which suspects can be kept in jail because of the danger they pose to society. The case before the Supreme Judicial Court involves the release on bail of a 49-year-old Lawrence police officer who is accused of engaging in sexual acts with a 13-year-old boy. Carlos Vieira was charged in February with two counts each of aggravated child rape and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. He has pleaded not guilty."

WARREN REPORT

- "How much would Elizabeth Warren's student debt plan save you? She's got a calculator for that." by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren has a plan to take on college affordability, and she's trying to put it in real terms for voters. Last month, the Massachusetts Democrat unveiled her proposal to wipe out up to $50,000 in student loan debt and make tuition free at public colleges and universities. And while the majority of voters may be past the age at which they are likely to take advantage of tuition-less college, the 2020 presidential candidate has a tool highlighting the potential "tangible impact" of the loan forgiveness part of her plan."

FROM THE DELEGATION

- "Trump squeezes Dems with border demands," by Sarah Ferris and Heather Caygle, POLITICO: "Donald Trump has Democrats in a nearly impossible position on the border. To deal with a surge of migrants crossing into the United States, the White House is asking Congress for billions of dollars in emergency funds. But House Democrats are in no mood to simply hand over the cash after condemning Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies over the past two years. They also don't want to ignore a mounting humanitarian crisis. "So you create chaos, and then ask for more money?" Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus, said of the White House's approach."

- "Consultant: R.I. revenue from sports betting will sputter into 2020," by Patrick Anderson, Providence Journal: "At Raimondo's urging, Rhode Island's congressional delegation is fighting a bill from Massachusetts U.S. Reps. William Keating and Joe Kennedy III that would allow the Mashpee to open a casino, solely because it would cost Rhode Island money. Legalized sports betting in Massachusetts and Connecticut would inflict another, albeit smaller blow, taking an additional $1.3 million in state revenue away each year by 2024."

- "Mnuchin Gives Richie the Bird, Not Trump's Taxes," by Matt Szafranski, Western Mass Politics & Insight: "As expected, United States Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin today formally rejected Representative Richard Neal's request for Donald Trump's tax returns. Flying in the face of the plain language of a 95 year-old statute, the secretary claimed that the request served no legitimate legislative purposes and that compliance would set a bad precedent. On April 3, Neal, by virtue of his authority as the House Ways & Means Committee chair, requested six years of Trump's personal returns plus those of the corporations that constitute much of his businesses."

MOULTON MATTERS

- "2020 Hopeful Seth Moulton On Income Inequality," Cheddar.Link.

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: "UP TO THE RASK!" — Globe: "A million species face peril, UN says," "Metco will use lottery to choose students."

FROM THE 413

- "Horse racing could be back on track at Great Barrington Fairgrounds," by Heather Bellow, Berkshire Eagle: "A return to racing at the Great Barrington Fairgrounds has been seen as something of a long shot. But the odds might be improving. While legislation necessary for the move is pending in the Statehouse, Suffolk Downs racetrack in East Boston is holding its final thoroughbred racing season over the next two months, and all eyes are turning to the local fairgrounds."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

- "Sober Houses In A Gray Area Between 'Over-Regulating And Under-Regulating,'" by Sarah Mizes-Tan, WGBH News: "Sober houses are places where addicts can continue their recovery after completing formal medical treatment. Falmouth has one of the highest number of these homes per capita of any town in Massachusetts, in part due to the presence of the addiction treatment center Gosnold. Just off a busy Falmouth street, near the center of town, is a sober house named the Bauer House. Each Monday, the residents gather to discuss chores and house needs — but the meetings also provide an opportunity to talk about coping with addiction and independent living."

- "Malden High civic duty on full display at Ayanna Pressley event," by Elaine Ivy, WickedLocal Malden: "Massachusetts may have passed a bill implementing Civics to be taught in public schools once again, but it seems Malden Public School students are already ahead of the curve. Mirabelle Jean Louis, a senior at Malden High School, was recently asked to perform a poem at freshman Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley's event. A self proclaimed "fangirl" of Pressley, Mirabelle was excited to be a part of the evening, speaking powerfully and eloquently in front of nearly 100 guests."

MEDIA MATTERS

- FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Nicole DeFeudis joins The Lowell Sun as a general assignment reporter. DeFeudis graduates from UMass Amherst this weekend, and is a Boston Globe alum.

- Gal Tziperman Lotan joins the Boston Globe covering police, homicides, criminal justice and related issues. Tweet.

SPOTTED: Jim Comey in first class on American's 7:30 p.m. DCA-to-Boston shuttle - pic.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Chris Lindahl and MJ Tidwell.

DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes and no! The Bruins beat the Blue Jackets 3-0. The Bucks beat the Celtics 113-101. The Orioles beat the Red Sox 4-1.

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