WELD’s Boston fundraiser — ROLLINS knocks GLOBE — Another MARKEY challenger — BRADY’s plea deal

Jun 05, 2019

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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

NEW: WELD's BOSTON FUNDRAISER — Some of Bill Weld's former colleagues and associates plan to give his presidential campaign a cash boost next week. The former governor and 2020 candidate will hold a fundraiser at Mintz and ML Strategies in Boston on June 13. Weld took a leave from ML Strategies to launch his presidential exploratory committee in February.

The cocktail fundraiser is hosted by Bob Bodian, Bob Popeo and Steve Tocco, according to an invitation shared with POLITICO. Bodian is managing partner at Mintz, and Popeo is chairman of the firm. Tocco is chairman of ML Strategies, was CEO of Massport in the mid-1990s and served as special assistant to Weld when he was governor.

The gathering is evidence of something Weld has been saying for months: He's looking through his Rolodex for "old-school" money to fund his longshot bid against President Donald Trump.

Now that Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has decided he won't run for the Republican nomination, Weld's position as Trump's only primary opponent has solidified. But Weld faces an uphill climb — Trump raised $30 million in the first quarter of the year, has solid support among the GOP base, and has dispatched half a dozen staff to New Hampshire in an attempt to widen his path to victory in the general election. New Hampshire is where Weld is focusing much of his primary campaign.

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 attends the Conference for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attend AT&T's digital leadership initiative launch for Boston teens. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attends the New England School of Addiction & Prevention Studies Program, and chairs a weekly meeting of the Governor's Council. The House meets in formal session. Members of the House and Senate meet to negotiate the fiscal 2020 budget for the first time.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh briefs Joe Biden on the city's climate resilience and green infrastructure in the Seaport. Walsh hosts the Greenovate Awards and is a guest on "Nightside with Dan Rea."Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley introduces an order for a hearing on a textile recycling program. State Rep. Jennifer Benson, state Rep. Liz Malia and state Sen. Cynthia Creem kick off MassVote's Election Day Registration lobby day. Rep. Richard Nealmakes a grant announcement in Ludlow.

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

- "DA Rachael Rollins Criticizes Boston Globe, Michael O'Keefe For Op-Ed," by Kaitlyn Locke, WGBH News: " Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins criticized The Boston Globe's decision to publish a column in its opinion pages last week by Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe that — without naming Rollins — criticized a new generation of prosecutors that he characterized as "social justice" district attorneys. Granting that O'Keefe was entitled to his opinion, Rollins told Jim Braude on "Greater Boston" Tuesday that it was "odd that rather than focusing on [his own] county, he's focusing on mine." But, Rollins added, "I'm less disappointed with DA O'Keefe than I am with the Globe." She criticized the Globe's decision to publish a piece that she, in essence, called overly rhetorical."

- "LAWMAKERS CALL FOR THREE-MONTH DELAY IN PAID LEAVE LAW," by Michael P. Norton, State House News Service:"More than four dozen lawmakers from both parties are urging legislative leaders to pass a bill delaying implementation of the state's new paid family and medical leave program by three months. In a letter to House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Karen Spilka, the legislators said more time is needed so the state can finalize regulations and millions of employers and employees can be educated about the law's requirements. "We fear that maintaining the July 1, 2019 launch date will result in an incomplete and unsuccessful launch of the program, an unfair proposition to those who have worked so hard to this point, and to millions of MA residents," the lawmakers wrote."

- "MILITARY STRENGTH HURT BY LACK OF EARLY ED OPTIONS, REPORT FINDS," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service:"Two retired U.S. Army generals plan Wednesday to tour a child care center in Boston and later talk with House Speaker Robert DeLeo about the link between child care in Massachusetts and national security. The Army officials -- retired Brigadier Generals Jack Hammond and Gary Pappas -- are touting a new report showing that more than two-thirds of Massachusetts young adults between 17 and 24 are unable to qualify for military service because they are too poorly educated, too out of shape, or have a record of addiction or criminal behavior."

- "Greater Boston Housing Production Is Hampered By Politics And Discretion, Report Says," by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service: "As the Legislature considers ways to kickstart housing development, a new report concludes that restrictive zoning bylaws, applied with political considerations, contribute to a lack of multifamily units in Massachusetts. The report, released Tuesday and compiled by researcher Amy Dain on behalf of organizations that have been clamoring for housing production legislation, found that many of the 100 communities around Boston — excluding the city itself — apply restrictions that prevent sufficient construction of homes that can fit multiple tenants."

2020 WATCH

- "Steve Pemberton, ex-foster child who defied the odds, ponders run for US Senate," by Adrian Walker, Boston Globe: "Steve Pemberton has traveled a remarkable and unlikely path, from unwanted foster child cast aside by multiple families to the C-suite of major corporations. Along the way he wrote a moving memoir — "A Chance in the World" — that became a feature film in 2017. Now he is on the verge of attempting another major leap: to the US Senate. Pemberton, 51, is laying the groundwork for a challenge to Senator Edward Markey. He has formed an exploratory committee and enlisted the services of A-list political consultants Doug Rubin and Wilnelia Rivera, and is likely to enter the Democratic field later this month, joining Boston labor lawyer Shannon Liss-Riordan in challenging Markey."

FROM THE HUB

- "Man shot, killed near Boston's landmark Prudential Center," by Danny McDonald, Travis Andersen and John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: "Just before 11 a.m. on a sunny, late spring day, Dorchester resident Ken Smith was heading into the Prudential Center shopping mall Tuesday when a man cried out, "He's got a gun! He's got a gun!" "I did not take the time to look for the shooter," he said. "I just booked it." As terrified onlookers ran for cover, a taxi driver was shot several times on Huntington Avenue in front of the Colonnade Hotel. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police did not identify the victim, but said he was between 30 and 40 years old."

- "MassMutual to donate floor of new Boston Seaport building to MassChallenge accelerator program for startups," by Jacqueline Tempera, MassLive.com: "MassMutual will donate a floor of its new office in the Boston Seaport to MassChallenge, an early stage accelerator program for startups, the company announced at its groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday. MassChallenge will operate rent-free for five years once the building opens in 2021, Roger Crandall, the CEO of MassMutual said in an interview with MassLive. MassMutual is a founding member of the MassChallenge, Crandall said, and sponsors two of the 21 businesses in the first cohort."

- "Politicians fret over parking issues surrounding casino," by Mary Markos and Jonathan Ng, Boston Herald: "Politicians are worried Encore Boston Harbor's plan to grab 700 parking spaces for its employees at a popular Medford parking garage near Wellington Station will negatively impact other commuters. Encore, which plans to open in Everett this month, will lease 700 spaces in that Pilgrim Parking garage and is in active negotiations with other parking operators to secure another 100 spaces, as the Herald previously reported. "The decision by the private company to not allow monthly parking is their decision," said Michael Weaver, a spokesman for Wynn Resorts."

- "The Internet Is Mocking a "Straight Pride Parade" Planned in Boston," by Spencer Buell, Boston Magazine: "Attention dudes who wear Punisher T-shirts, the worst sunglasses you've ever seen, and shorts with like 30 pockets: A day of celebration is on its way! In the mold of the Boston Pride Parade, a decades-old event celebrating LGBT history and culture that is coming up this weekend, a group of right-wing provocateurs say they're organizing an event of their own: a "Straight Pride Parade." Its organizers say they hope to travel the same route as Boston Pride, which begins in Copley Square and rolls through the South End on the way to Boston Common and City Hall. If this actually happens, and you're looking for the tens if not dozens of guys who show up for it, that's where you'll find them."

DAY IN COURT

- "State Sen. Michael Brady has license suspended under plea deal in drunken driving case," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "State Sen. Michael Brady, D-Brockton, settled his drunken driving case Tuesday in Quincy District Court, admitting that prosecutors had sufficient facts to find him guilty of operating under the influence. Brady, 57, entered the plea the day his trial was set to begin. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Brady will have to complete a driver alcohol education program. He will lose his license for 45 days and pay $600 in fees and fines, plus monthly probation fees of $65 a month for a year."

- "Ex-lieutenant, trooper sentenced to 1 day in prison in State Police overtime scandal," by Matt Rocheleau, Boston Globe: "A former Massachusetts State Police shift commander and a state trooper who were both ensnared in the high-profile overtime scandal were each sentenced in federal court Tuesday to a single day of prison, which a judge deemed had already been served. Former lieutenant David W. Wilson, 58, of Charlton must also serve two years of supervised release, including six months of home detention. He must also pay restitution for collecting for overtime hours he did not work. Former trooper Heath P. McAuliffe, 41, of Hopkinton must also serve one year of supervised release, including six months of home detention. He must pay restitution as well as a $4,000 fine."

- "Airbnb Appealing Ruling On Boston's Short-Term Rental Rules," The Associated Press: "Airbnb is appealing a judge's ruling on Boston's new ordinance regulating short-term rentals. The San Francisco-based company filed an appeal notice in Boston federal court Monday. A federal judge last month temporarily blocked Boston from imposing two provisions challenged by Airbnb, but allowed the city to impose a fine of $300 per day if a company like Airbnb or its rivals like HomeAway or VRBO collect fees on rental units considered ineligible under the new rules that took effect in January."

- "Attorney General Healey sues White's Bakery in Brockton for alleged discrimination," by Andrew Stanton, Boston Globe:"Attorney General Maura Healey's office is suing White's Bakery & Cafe in Brockton, its manager, and head pastry chef for allegedly discriminating against an employee on the basis of his race and disability, officials said. The alleged victim was subjected to harassment and hateful language, including the use of variations of the N-word by his supervisor" and was mocked for having a speech impediment, Healey's office said in a statement. The manager allegedly knew about the discrimination, but excused it, according to the statement."

- "Top court in Mass. to review controversial technology police use to track cars," by Matt Rocheleau, Boston Globe:"Massachusetts' highest court will soon review the legality of controversial surveillance technology that state and local law enforcement use to track vehicles in real time, collecting voluminous data on motorists not suspected of any crime. Police departments in Massachusetts in recent years have installed an undisclosed number of cameras across the state that automatically photograph the license plate of each passing vehicle, and compile data, including the location date and time, in a massive database — all without obtaining warrants or court orders."

WARREN REPORT

- "'No loyalty or allegiance to America': Warren targets multinationals in economic platform," by Alex Thompson, POLITICO: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren unveiled a new "Green Manufacturing Plan" on Tuesday as part of a broader "economic patriotism" platform that the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate will roll out in the weeks ahead. That platform will focus on more aggressively protecting American workers on issues like trade, currency manipulation and the moving of jobs overseas by multinational corporations, Warren wrote in a Medium post. She argued that blaming forces like globalization and automation for stagnant wages and growing inequality were "excuses" that failed to identify those she sees as the real culprits: a greedy corporate America and a corrupt political system."

- "Cory Booker and Elizabeth Warren Are Making Massive Bets on Iowa," by Gabriel Debenedetti, New York Magazine: "While most campaigns, including some of the top-tier ones, have fewer than a dozen aides on the ground in the state, it's Booker — whose 42 full-time Iowa staffers, including in-state digital and data teams, blanket the state — and Warren — who now has over 50 paid staffers there, about three-quarters of whom are organizers — who are dominating the traditional organizing game. It's early in the process, of course, but Booker's and Warren's decision to allocate so much of their early resources to Iowa before most voters tune in places them in their own category, even ahead of other candidates who appear to be staking their campaigns on Iowa, like Klobuchar and Montana governor Steve Bullock."

- "Elizabeth Warren Presidential Campaign Allows Staff to Unionize," by Eliza Collins, Wall Street Journal: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign has agreed to let workers unionize, according to the business manager of the union branch that will represent them. The New Hampshire-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2320 approached the Warren campaign Monday after a simple majority of the Massachusetts Democrat's staff had signed on as part of the union. The branch asked to represent Ms. Warren's employees. The campaign agreed with "no pushback," Steven Soule, IBEW Local 2320 business manager, said."

TRUMPACHUSETTS

- "Latest Federal Pipeline Safety Proposal Looks To Fix Problems Revealed In Merrimack Valley Gas Fires," by Mark Herz, WGBH News: "The Trump administration's latest version of pipeline safety legislation, released Monday, addresses some of the problems that caused or contributed to last year's gas fires and explosions in the Merrimack Valley. The bill submitted to Congress would require utilities to use redundant systems to prevent over-pressurization, which caused last September's disaster. It would also increase the requirements for construction plans — Columbia Gas was using plans that were missing crucial information, which could have prevented the over-pressurization of the gas pipelines."

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: "GET DOWN!" — Globe: "Taxi driver is shot to death in Back Bay," "Partners ends plans for R.I. acquisition."

FROM THE 413

- "'I was living two different lives': Springfield middle school principal Declan O'Connor comes out as transgender," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "For years, the principal of Springfield's Chestnut Middle School Talented and Gifted had two identities: living at home as a man, but known as a woman to the school community. This week, Declan O'Connor will finally be true to himself, telling parents and students at Chestnut TAG that he is a transgender man. He is the third school principal in Massachusetts to publicly come out as transgender. "Last summer, I realized that I was really living two different lives," O'Connor said last week in an interview in his school office — where a plate carrying his former name, Colleen O'Connor, still hung outside."

- "Sens. Comerford, Hinds want changes to PILOT program," by Anita Fritz, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Senators Adam Hinds and Jo Comerford want to create a statewide commission to review the formula for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program for state-owned land, and their colleagues have voted to adopt their budget amendment to do so. "Cities and towns in my district have long relied on PILOT payments to offset costs associated with stewarding tax-exempt, state-owned land," said Comerford, D-Northampton, who represents the Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester District. "I have heard from the towns of Wendell, Gill and more — all of which have large percentages of conservation land," she said ."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

- "Newbury selectmen focus on public access to meetings," by Jennifer Solis, The Daily News: "Municipal boards and committees in town are on notice: If they aren't already doing so, they must begin recording and posting open meetings for public viewing, says the Board of Selectmen. As part of a discussion on filling seats on the vacant Media Committee, Selectwoman Alicia Greco stressed that the committee must be comprised of an autonomous group of residents who will advise selectmen on media issues and manage public access content for the town."

- "State lays off school staff at Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "Three special education teachers have been laid off at a state-run school at the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children, a Canton hospital for children with disabilities. State officials cite declining enrollment. But the union representing the staffers says the layoffs will hurt the quality of teaching and potentially create safety hazards. Mike Foster, public sector coordinator for SEIU Local 509, said for these students — who have significant medical and behavioral health needs — the best way to be successful is to have smaller classes. "Each child is special and different, they have to be taught," Foster said."

MEDIA MATTERS

- "WBUR and WGBH have reimagined public radio, so what's next?" by Scott Fybush, Boston Globe: "The searches to fill top jobs at Boston's two big public radio stations will be among the most complicated in American media these days. What used to be a fairly straightforward position — keep one FM station on the air with donations from local listeners, underwriters, and grants — has become much more complex as the nature of public media has changed. And for the new leaders who will replace Charlie Kravetz at WBUR and Phil Redo at WGBH, the job will only get harder as both stations jockey for position in the next decade. At WBUR, in particular, Kravetz's successor will have to manage a new relationship between Boston University, which holds the station's license, and a new board of directors that will have the right to hire and fire the general manager and supervise the station's finances."

TRANSITIONS - Chad Banghart joins The Committee to Defend the President, a pro-Trump super PAC. Banghart served as regional political director for Gov. Charlie Baker's 2018 campaign, is an RNC alum, and most recently did fundraising and development for the United States Chamber of Commerce. (h/t Marissa Martinez).

- Richard Henderson was tapped by the MBTA to serve as chief real estate officer. Henderson will leave his role as executive vice president for real estate at MassDevelopment. Link.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to state Sen. Diana DiZoglio and state Rep.Kevin Honan.

DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Red Sox beat the Royals 8-3.

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS: A Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance rule would bar Rep. Ayanna Pressley's federal leadership PAC from contributing directly to a state or local candidate like Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu because it is a federal political action committee. That PAC would have to organize a separate committee with OCPF to donate to a Massachusetts candidate.

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