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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Stay cool in the heat wave!
WARREN VS. SANDERS IN NEXT DEBATE — Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders will be center stage at the Democratic presidential debate later this month. CNN held a live drawing to decide lineups for the debates last night, which will be held July 30 and July 31.
But at the end of the day, a presidential primary is a competition.Sanders and Warren had agreed not to go after each other directly during the race. But standing side-by-side on the July 30 debate stage, they'll have a chance to highlight their differences.
And while there's little daylight between Warren and Sanders on policy — they both carry an economic populist message — polling shows their supporters don't overlap all that much.
Warren was widely considered one of the victors of her first debate, but she was on stage without many of the top-polling candidates. At the end of July, Warren will stand on stage with top-tier candidates Sanders, and Pete Buttigieg, the South Bend, Ind. mayor who raised the most money of any Democrat this quarter. Also in that debate are Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, former Maryland Rep. John Delaney, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan and spiritual guru Marianne Williamson.
The July 31 debate will feature Biden, Harris, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, former HUD Secretary Julián Castro of Texas, entrepreneur Andrew Yang, Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.
Not invited on stage is Rep. Seth Moulton, who did not meet debate qualifications for the second time. Moulton's presidential campaign drew around 17,000 donors this quarter, almost four times less than the required 65,000, and he did not register at 1 percent in three party-approved polls. Moulton's campaign challenged the polling criteria in a letter yesterday.
It's unclear whether Moulton will find enough momentum on the campaign trail to land in the next debate this fall. To qualify for the September debate, Moulton will need to draw 130,000 individual donors and register at 2 percent in four DNC-approved polls.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
TODAY — Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attends a ribbon cutting for the Polpis Harbor dredging project on Nantucket. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attends a kick-off for the MLK Scholars program. Walsh is a guest on WGBH's "Boston Public Radio." Sen. Ed Markey holds an immigration press conference. Rep. Jim McGovern hosts an economic development resource meeting in Petersham.
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TECHNOLOGICAL DISRUPTION - WHO WILL WRITE THE RULES?Chapter two of POLITICO's Global Translations" podcast, presented by Citi, is now live. Explore the emergence of 5G technology with host Luiza Savage, understand its role as the foundation for the future of artificial intelligence, and learn who will write the rules in the race to dominate technological advancement. Listen Now.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "BAKER "MORE OPTIMISTIC" ABOUT BUDGET COMPROMISE," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "With the state budget stalemate between Democratic leaders now spilling into the second half of July, Gov. Charlie Baker met privately with House Speaker Robert DeLeo in his office on Thursday morning and said he spoke with other legislators throughout the day, leaving him "more optimistic" that a compromise could be near. Baker has not yet said whether he'll heed the House speaker's call for him to file another spending bill to fund the government through August, and told the News Service on his way to an event in Brighton on Thursday that he'd prefer not to have to file such a bill ."
- "As RMV scandal unfurled, leader of embattled unit vacationed in Europe," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "In late June, state officials began an extraordinary task: digging through dozens of bins stuffed with paper alerts about law-breaking drivers, each of which had been ignored for months by a little-known Registry of Motor Vehicles unit known as the Merit Rating Board. A team sorted thousands of documents in days — "working nearly literally around the clock" and through the weekend, Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said at the time. Not among the team members: Thomas Bowes, the leader of that obscure subdivision, who was 3,200 miles away in Europe watching a baseball game. Weeks into a still-growing scandal, the Registry remains mired in questions about how it failed to track errant motorists for months, if not years — a burgeoning scandal that has put unprecedented scrutiny on the office headed by Bowes, a former insurance executive, longtime Braintree town councilor, and now a mayoral hopeful."
THE BUCK STOPS AT CHARLIE BAKER'S DESK....CHARLIE BAKER APPOINTED INCOMPETENT, OVERPAID POLITICAL HACKS WHO CAN'T RUN A RAILROAD....WHERE ARE YA CHARLIE? AND THE CORPORATE MEDIA'S GONNA GIVE YOU A PASS AGAIN!
- "RIDER DISSATISFACTION WITH T DOESN'T SURPRISE GOVERNOR," by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service: "Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday he is "not surprised at all" that the MBTA's monthly rider poll shows its lowest approval rating since the feature was launched more than three years ago, but reiterated support for his transportation secretary amid ongoing frustration with the T and a controversy at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The T surveys a panel of riders every month on how they would rate the MBTA's performance on a scale to 5. Responses in June averaged just 2.5, plunging from 3.2 a month earlier to the lowest level seen. More than half of those who answered described themselves as "somewhat," "very" or "extremely dissatisfied," a trend that Baker said was likely due to the "massive inconvenience" created by a June 11 Red Line derailment and resulting delays expected through Labor Day. However, the governor touted what he described as progress toward improving the MBTA and said he still has "full confidence" in Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack — who is also coping with fallout from failures at the RMV to process out-of-state violation notices that, once discovered, resulted in more than 1,600 drivers having licenses suspended."
- "MassDOT committee blasts 'incomprehensible' failure at RMV," by Mary Markos, Boston Herald: "Members of the Department of Transportation's Finance and Audit Committee blasted the "unconscionable" administrative failures at the Registry of Motor Vehicles during a meeting this morning, demanding answers to their own line of questions from an external audit underway now. Board member Tim King called it "incomprehensible," that "someone, anyone" would consider it acceptable to let tens of thousands of alerts on Massachusetts drivers' violations in other states accumulate for more than a year, unprocessed in 53 bins. "This lack of duty and ultimately, lack of oversight in management, is unconscionable," King said. "These are the types of things that infuriate taxpayers and rightly so." Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack took notes on questions from members, including a request from Chairwoman Betsy Taylor for an outline of exactly what the RMV is supposed to do and a thread of "best practices," when it comes to processing notifications from out of state."
- "Gaming Commission backs Encore on blackjack odds," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "AN INITIAL INVESTIGATION into the claims of a lawsuit alleging Encore Boston Harbor is duping customers by paying out at less favorable odds for blackjack wins found that the Everett casino is not violating any Gaming Commission rules or regulations, a commission official said Thursday. The lawyer suing the Wynn Resorts casino for allegedly cheating players out of money by paying out a blackjack — when a player is dealt an ace and any card having a point value of 10 — at 6-to-5 odds rather than at 3-to-2 odds said Thursday he plans to pursue his case regardless of the commission's ruling Thursday."
- "Massachusetts' late budget an 'embarrassment,' watchdog says," by Mary Markos, Boston Herald: "A government watchdog is calling for new leadership after the "embarrassment" of Massachusetts coming in dead last across the nation on finalizing a budget for the second year in a row. "Rank-and-file members and newly elected officials should consider running and taking over for the people who are currently in charge, because it's clear that nothing is getting done," Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance spokesman Paul Craney told the Herald. With Ohio passing its budget late Wednesday, Massachusetts became the only state in the union operating without a formal budget. Craney said the tardiness either indicates dysfunction within the government or a deliberate stall to give the public as little time as possible to review the budget before approving it."
- "Nero's Bill: Mass. Proposal Would Let EMTs Treat Injured Police Dogs," The Associated Press: "First responders would be allowed to treat and transport injured police dogs to veterinary hospitals under a proposal being considered by Massachusetts lawmakers. Nero's bill, named for the K9 partner of slain Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon, was heard Thursday by the Legislature's Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. Gannon was fatally shot last year while serving an arrest warrant. Nero was also shot, but because of current state law, EMTs weren't allowed to treat or transport him. A retired K9 officer eventually arrived to help Nero, who survived."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "Calls grow to put brakes on Eastie land deal," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "CALLS FOR STATE transportation officials to slow down the process of selling the rights to a narrow strip of land parallel to a congested East Boston roadway have found a receptive ear in the chairman of the MBTA's oversight board, who has put the issue on the agenda for discussion at the panel's weekly scheduled meeting on Monday. State plans to sell rights to the dormant railroad right-of-way running alongside busy Route 1A have become the latest flashpoint for Boston area transportation policy, with two former state transportation secretaries and a powerful environmental group decrying the move as a shortsighted concession to a commercial abutter that will foreclose using the land to address vital regional transportation needs."
- Mayor Walsh pushing MassDOT to fast track repairs," by Mary Markos, Boston Herald: "Mayor Martin Walsh is set to meet with the MBTA general manager next week after sending a letter to Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack, urging the state to fast-track fixes. Walsh said Thursday his staff is setting up a meeting next week with MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak in response to a letter he sent Wednesday demanding a faster timeline from Pollack and asking her to increase the number of trains on the Red Line and nearby Commuter Rail lines."
- "Two Massachusetts colleges ranked in top 10 of colleges that pay off the most," by Abbi Matheson, Boston Globe: "Every summer, high school students tour prospective colleges, deciding which institution will best set them up to succeed. And with the national student loan debt totalling $1.6 trillion, there's a lot on the line when it comes to deciding which college to attend. To help find out which college offers more bang for the buck, CNBC's Make It personal finance site compiled a list of the top 50 institutions that pay off the most. Two Massachusetts institutions made the top 10."
- "Millions Of Opioid Pain Pills Flowed Into Mass. Pharmacies, Data Show," by Christine Willmsen, WBUR: "A specialty Massachusetts pharmacy that delivers medication to patients' doorsteps received more than 34 million opioid pain pills in recent years, federal data show. Injured Workers Pharmacy (IWP), of Andover, is a home delivery pharmacy, set up to work with attorneys on worker's compensation claims and personal injury lawsuits across the country. It was established in 2001. "We take the burden of denied medications away, and ship medications right to your doorstep with little to no upfront costs to you," states the company's website."
- "Why Boston's First Designated Bus Lane Project Went Bust," by Bob Seay, WGBH News: "In the world of transportation planning, designated bus lanes are seen as an inexpensive and effective way to lessen traffic congestion. Giving buses their own lane and removing them from the flow of traffic means they don't have to compete with cars for space on the road, and that improves the reliability and frequency of bus service. Everett was the first city to create a designated bus lane in Massachusetts, followed by the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston. Now they are appearing in Arlington, Watertown and Cambridge, with more in the pipeline. But they haven't always been received so positively. What would have been Boston's first priority bus lane never got off the ground."
- "Delta makes Boston one of its hubs, sets aggressive new expansion target," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "Watch your back, JetBlue. Delta is hot on your tail. Atlanta-based Delta has now designated Logan Airport as one of its hubs, and has set an aggressive new growth target for the Boston market. Delta execs expect daily departures out of the booming airport to jump to 200 by the fall of 2021, up from 140 or so today. For close followers of Logan's airplane wars, that number might sound familiar. That's because JetBlue, Logan's No. 1 airline, has already set 200 as its target for daily departures. Who will get there first?"
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| ON THE STUMP |
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- "Bill Weld makes his case to voters as alternative to President Trump," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "Want a Republican alternative to Donald Trump? Bill Weld is making his pitch. The former two-term governor of Massachusetts is decrying the state of affairs in Washington as he mounts a primary challenge against the president. Campaigning Thursday in the Granite State, Weld said Trump "thinks American citizens are his natural enemies." Weld spoke to about three dozen people at a Greater Derry Londonderry Chamber of Commerce event Thursday morning and a group double in size at a Portsmouth Rotary Club event that afternoon. While some voters said they found his message "refreshing," they weren't entirely sold on his ability to successfully challenge Trump."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "Kevin Spacey's in the clear on Nantucket, but he's still dealing with additional legal matters," by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe:"Cape prosecutors dropped their sexual assault case against Kevin Spacey Wednesday, but the Oscar-winning actor's legal troubles aren't completely over. Here are two legal matters that remain pending against the former "House of Cards" and "The Usual Suspects" star. Spacey hasn't been charged with any additional crimes in the US or abroad. Variety reported earlier this month that British police flew to the United States in May to interview Spacey regarding six sexual assault allegations spanning from 1996 to 2013 in the United Kingdom. Spacey helmed London's Old Vic Theater from 2004 to 2015. The Associated Press reported last year that after conducting its own investigation, the Old Vic said it had received 20 complaints of inappropriate behavior by Spacey. It said most of the alleged victims had been staffers and that a "cult of personality" around Spacey made it difficult for them to come forward, according to the wire service."
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| WARREN REPORT |
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- "Warren has a plan for Wall Street — and Wall Street isn't panicking," by Ben White, POLITICO: "Elizabeth Warren has another plan — this time to take on Wall Street and reshape the role of finance in the American economy. And Wall Street isn't panicking as she climbs in the polls. The Massachusetts senator, who became known as a leading scourge of big bankers and moneyed elite in the aftermath of the financial crisis, is finding a relatively calm reception among wealthy left-leaning bankers and hedge fund managers. Most of them don't love Warren's economic and regulatory policies. But they generally understand them and appreciate that the Democratic presidential candidate declared herself a "capitalist to my bones" and believer in free markets, albeit with strong cops on the beat."
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| MOULTON MATTERS |
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- "Retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal endorses Marine veteran Seth Moulton for president," by James Clark, Task & Purpose: "Retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal officially endorsed Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) for president on July 18. A former Marine infantry officer who deployed to Iraq four times, Moulton joined McChrystal on MSNBC to discuss the endorsement, and whether he's bothered that he hasn't found a spot on the crowded Democratic debates so far. A retired four-star general, McChrystal commanded U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan during the troop surge of 2009, before he resigned following a Rolling Stone exposé that quoted McChrystal trash-talking the Obama Administration's handling of the war in Afghanistan — that whole affair was also the basis for a satirical drama starring Brad Pitt."
- "Seth Moulton Hasn't Debated Yet. But He's Optimistic America Wants A 'New Generation' Of Leaders," WBUR: "When the Democratic Party announced the 20 presidential candidates who qualified for the second debate, five didn't make it, including Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton.Moulton says he expected not to qualify because he jumped into the race so late. The 40-year-old congressman was recently part of the wing of Democrats who were pushing Nancy Pelosi to move over and let younger generations lead the party. He says that message of "bringing a new generation of leadership" to Washington is resonating with voters."We just outraised five of the people who were on the debate stage in June. We've been ticking up in the polls," Moulton tells Here & Now's Robin Young."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "ACE BACK IN PLACE," "JUMPING THE SHARK," — Globe: "Health care now dividing Democrats," "Trump 'not happy' with chant, he says," SHOCK AND GRIEF IN JAPAN." |
| FROM THE 413 |
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- "Legislation filed to dissolve failing Hampshire Council of Governments," by Jeanette DeForge and Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "Local lawmakers filed legislation on Thursday to dissolve the Hampshire Council of Governments. The legislation is not a surprise since officials for the council announced in the spring that they were planning to wind down operations since it had more liabilities than assets. The bill was filed by 11 state representatives and senators who represent Hampshire County, including Sens. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, and Don Humason, R-Westfield. The Hampshire Council of Governments was established in 1999 when county governments were dissolved. It was designed to run a number of entities that came under the government including the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, the Hampshire-Franklin Tobacco Free Community Partnership, the Regional Purchasing Co-op and the now-closed Hampshire County nursing home."
- "Hiring underway for Wayfair's planned Pittsfield hub," by Amanda Drane, The Berkshire Eagle: " Wayfair is hiring for supervisory, recruitment and technical jobs in Pittsfield to support its soon-to-open sales and service center, the company says. As of Thursday afternoon, one Pittsfield-based position appeared on the online furniture retailer's career page — a posting for "human resources senior leader." Molly Delaney, corporate communications manager for the company, said there's more to come. "We will be hiring for additional roles — sales and service consultants — in the coming months," Delaney said. Jobs being filled now include "talent management" and information technology roles."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "Tribes want say in Quincy lawsuit over Long Island Bridge," by Erin Tiernan, Patriot Ledger: "Native American tribes who say their ancestors are buried on Long Island have asked a judge to allow them to testify in Suffolk Superior Court, where the City of Quincy has sued the state to block the proposed construction of the Long Island Bridge. The suit, filed last year, disputes a decision by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs that allowed the City of Boston to circumvent a thorough state-mandated review of potential environmental impacts from the project by essentially claiming that the city would be altering an existing project — the former 3,200-foot bridge demolished in 2015 out of structural concerns — rather than building a new one."
- "Vineyard Wind at risk if federal OK doesn't come soon, company says," by Jennette Barnes, New Bedford Standard-Times: "Vineyard Wind warned Thursday that its 84-turbine wind farm off Martha's Vineyard could be at risk if the project does not clear a federal environmental hurdle soon. The company said it has communicated to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management that unless its environmental review is completed within four to six weeks, continuing with the wind farm "in its current configuration" would be "very challenging." Vineyard Wind spokesman Scott Farmelant told The Standard-Times that to meet its contractual obligations to electric utilities to deliver power by a certain date, it has entered into contracts for hundreds of millions of dollars with manufacturers and construction companies. Those contracts have their own timelines."
MAZEL! to the wonderful Jennifer Smith, who is leaving her post at the Dorchester Reporter after four years to head to law school. Tweet.
TRANSITIONS - Talia Rivera was appointed director of SOAR Boston by Mayor Marty Walsh.
- The historian and former president of Harvard University Drew Gilpin Faust joins The Atlantic as a contributing writer.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to former state Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez, Milton state Sen. Walter Timilty, Jordan Meehan and Google's Catherine Cloutier.
HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND - to the Boston Herald's Mary Markos,who celebrates Sunday.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Red Sox beat the Blue Jays 5-0.
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