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Presented by Tobacco Free Kids
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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
BELSITO SAYS MOULTON IS 'VULNERABLE' — Democratic congressional candidate Jamie Zahlaway Belsito views Rep. Seth Moulton as a vulnerable target, even as other potential candidates shy away from the 6th District primary race.
Belsito, who lives in Topsfield, has done work as a policy advocate for issues around mothers and families, and serves as a Salem State trustee. If elected, Belsito says she would focus on local issues rather than national matters, and be more present in the district than Moulton has been. Belsito made the comments during a taping of the Horse Race podcast yesterday afternoon.
"There's money on the table in the federal government, I know this because I work with them. And we're not getting it back to the district. And I know how to connect those dots," Belsito said.
Late last year, Moulton seemed damaged by his unsuccessful push to oust House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, especially among women activists in his district, who were searching for candidates to wage a primary challenge against him. A few months later, it appeared Moulton could be damaged again by his short-lived presidential campaign.
Moulton stands by his call for new leadership, and says he has no regrets about his presidential bid. But Belsito says Moulton's push against Pelosi should have been handled behind closed doors.
"I see Moulton as vulnerable candidate," Belsito said. "When you go up against Annunciata from Baltimore and you try to take her head off, you best take the head off. And that didn't happen," Belsito said.
"Should people be waiting 20-something years before they're able to be the head of a committee? No. But these are discussions that could have happened behind the scenes," Belsito continued.
Half a dozen Democrats were floating their names as Moulton replacements just a few months ago, as he geared up his presidential campaign. But with the 2020 presidential race underway, an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, a Senate primary match-up between Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III, an open race for Kennedy's House seat, and the incumbent Moulton back in the race at home, it is unclear how much oxygen will be left over for other Democratic primaries in the state.
Moulton won his seat in a Democratic contest against former Rep. John Tierney in 2014, and has said he welcomes a primary challenge. Also in the race is Salem City Councilor Lisa Peterson.
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 a housing choice event in Everett. Baker attends a groundbreaking for Maples Crossing in Amesbury and the Link House Links of Hope Gala in Salisbury. Baker and First Lady Lauren Baker attend the Pine Street Inn 50th anniversary celebration. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attends a "Coffee with a Cop" event in Hyde Park. Walsh visits Rapid7's new headquarters at the Hub on Causeway.
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A message from Tobacco Free Kids:
E-cigarettes are hooking a new generation, thanks to massive doses of nicotine and thousands of kid-friendly flavors. This public health emergency threatens decades of progress in lowering youth tobacco use. We must take flavored e-cigarettes off the market, stand up to companies like JUUL, and protect our kids. Learn More. |
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NEW—POLITICO's UNITED NATIONS PLAYBOOK: The 74 th Session of the United Nations General Assembly will jam some of the world's most influential leaders into four blocks in Gotham. POLITICO's man-about-town Ryan Heath will take you inside UNGA—revealing juicy details from the lighter-side of the gathering and insights into the most pressing global issues facing decision-makers today. Sign up for U.N. Playbook.
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 | THE VAPING SALES BAN |
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- "Amid uproar, House eyes comprehensive vaping bill," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: "On the heels of the state's new temporary ban on the sale of all vaping products, a legislative committee on Wednesday endorsed a bill prohibiting the sale of all flavored tobacco and Speaker Robert DeLeo suggested the House will develop comprehensive vaping legislation. Representative John Mahoney, the House chairman of the Public Health Committee, said his panel made only a "couple technical changes" to the flavor ban legislation filed by Representative Danielle Gregoire and Senator John Keenan before unanimously voting to advance it. "We've been working on the bill for months with sponsors and leadership, and we think it's the right direction to go, period," Mahoney, a Worcester Democrat, told the News Service."
- "Massachusetts Department of Public Health to issue up to $1,000 fine per vape product, per sale, following temporary ban," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will be fining retailers up to $1,000 per item, per sale of vape products following Gov. Charlie Baker's four-month ban. Officials said they've provided "written notification to all known tobacco and vaping retailers that they must not sell vaping products and must remove these products from their shelves," and that DPH is providing guidance to the local boards of health with respect to enforcement in their communities."
- "Vape ban expected to face legal challenge," by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: "Mike Portelle poured his life savings into a small vape shop in downtown Woburn after convincing his wife that the burgeoning industry was a good investment. Business at New England Vapor was booming, he said, until media reports emerged about a mysterious vaping-related illness blamed for killing several people and sickening hundreds. Within a matter of days, sales of vaping products plummeted more than 70%. Now, he faces the likelihood of going out of business completely."
- "The Mass. Vaping Sale Ban: Medical community is not all on the same page as to whether this is a good thing," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "Some experts still aren't convinced that Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker's temporary ban on vaping products will do more good than harm, while others laud the move as an important step in confronting the growing public health crisis. But for those criticizing the ban, the sudden impact on e-cigarette businesses; inconclusive data linking vaping illness to the legal market; and evidence that vaping has helped people quit smoking are among reasons to doubt the state's across-the-board, four-month ban, which includes the sale of all devices and all flavored and non-flavored vaping products."
- "Massachusetts vaping shops facing financial ruin," by Andy Rosen, Boston Globe: "Dozens of Massachusetts vaping shops are in danger of going under because of a four-month ban on the sale of vaping fluids, cartridges, and accessories imposed by Governor Charlie Baker Tuesday. While many convenience stores and other retailers offer vaping products — as do marijuana dispensaries — some businesses rely almost exclusively on them for their revenue. Baker's emergency ban, imposed over mounting concerns about vaping-related lung illnesses, effectively shuts down those shops. "Who's going to really wait and retain a storefront, and pay the rent, and pay the insurance, and pay the bills if it's not even guaranteed that they are going to be able to reopen?" said David Mattuchio, who owns two Vapor Station stores in Tewksbury and Woburn."
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| DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "RMV board asks for watchdog's help," by Andy Metzger, CommonWealth Magazine: "THE QUASI-INDEPENDENT board tasked with overseeing the state's driver's license database asked for a little help from the inspector general on Wednesday, and took some steps towards hiring a new permanent director. It was only the second meeting of the Merit Rating Board in several years and the first since the organization publicly fired Tom Bowes, the former director. Bowes subsequently finished a distant fourth in the preliminary election for mayor of Braintree. The long-defunct board housed within the Registry of Motor Vehicles was thrown into the spotlight after systemic problems were uncovered this summer with how the registry handles out-of-state infractions."
- "HOUSE APPROVES CAMPAIGN $$$ REPORTING, OCPF CHANGES," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "A bill overhauling campaign finance rules for legislative candidates passed the House on Tuesday over the objection of Republicans and a small number of Democrats who saw the move as a "power play" by leaders to further limit the influence of Republicans on Beacon Hill. While many Republicans cheered the proposed switch to a reporting system that would require more frequent disclosures of campaign fundraising and spending, GOP leaders objected to changes in the way the director of the Office of Campaign and Political Finance is chosen. The bill would create a new commission in charge of hiring the director of OCPF that would no longer include the chairs of the Democratic and Republican parties."
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| WHAT CITY HALL IS READING |
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- "Ex-Boston Zoning Board Member Galvin Approved Relief For Properties He Later Helped Sell," by Isaiah Thompson, WGBH News: "A former member of Boston's Zoning Board of Appeal acted as a real estate broker for multiple properties that received valuable zoning variances from the ZBA during his tenure. These variances allowed developers to undertake construction that greatly increased the sales value of the properties and otherwise would have violated zoning codes. In at least four instances, the board member, Craig Galvin, took part in ZBA votes granting zoning variances for properties which he would later go on to broker the sale of as a founding partner of the Galvin Group, LLC, a Dorchester-based real estate company, according to records reviewed by WGBH News. Brokers typically receive a commission on sales, but real estate sales records do not include those details."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "At-large City Council candidates look to boost turnout before November election," by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "The shortened list of City Council candidates who emerged Tuesday from the first at-large preliminary race since 2013 said they will double down on get-out-the-vote efforts, hoping to build up excitement in the six weeks leading up to the Nov. 5 final election. Only 11 percent of voters headed to the polls Tuesday for the preliminary, a low turnout that drew comparisons to the 14 percent turnout the city saw for a final election in November 2015. But political analysts and candidates said that interest in the race is only bound to grow with a winnowed field leading up to the final election, fueled by three competitive district council races."
- "Shakeup at e-cigarette company Juul draws fire from Mass. AG Healey," by Dawn Kawamoto and Gintautas Dumcius, Boston Business Journal: "Juul CEO Kevin Burns is stepping down and is being replaced by the chief growth officer at its largest investor, Altria Group, the company said Wednesday. K.C. Crosthwaite will now lead the controversial San Francisco-based e-cigarette behemoth effective immediately, Juul said. The leadership change comes with several major strategy changes for Juul, which is embroiled in a battle with regulators, state and local governments, the public and some of its customers."
- "Campbell calls for inspector general," by Yawu Miller, Bay State Banner: "City Council President Andrea Campbell's proposal for a city inspector general received a warm reception at last Wednesday's council meeting, with a majority of the 13-member body signing on in support of a hearing on the measure. The proposal comes after former Boston Planning and Development Agency official John Lynch pleaded guilty to bribery charges stemming from a $50,000 payment from a developer seeking approval for a project from the City's Zoning Board of Appeal."
- "Cassellius hires consultant to fix tardy buses," by James Vaznis, Boston Globe: "Approximately 1 out of 5 Boston school buses is arriving late to school — four weeks into the new academic year — prompting Superintendent Brenda Cassellius to hire an outside consultant to help fix the problem, she announced Wednesday night. "We are not meeting the standard our families deserve," Cassellius told the School Committee as she announced her external review. "We cannot be satisfied with buses not arriving before the bell." Tardy buses have been a chronic problem in the Boston school system for years, and patience among families is running thin."
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| PRIMARY SOURCES |
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- "SPILKA: MARKEY'S 'MY GUY IN THIS RACE' BUT KENNEDY IS 'GREAT,'" by Michael P. Norton, State House News Service: "Count Senate President Karen Spilka among the Sen. Ed Markey supporters who also want to put in a good word for Markey rival Congressman Joe Kennedy III. During an appearance on WGBH Radio Tuesday, Spilka, who endorsed Markey when Kennedy was still only thinking about a Senate campaign, said it was "hard to know" whether she would have stayed out of the race or still endorsed Markey had she had a clear choice between the two. "I can't hypothesize but I believe that Markey is a great senator," said Spilka."
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| ALL ABOARD |
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- "Red Line signal repair efforts completed; service back to normal after costly derailment in June," by Travis Andersen and Michael Levenson, Boston Globe: "It's all systems go on the Red Line. That's according to the MBTA, which on Wednesday announced the "completion of all Red Line signal repair efforts, resulting in the restoration of regularly scheduled Red Line service," following the disastrous June derailment that disrupted service on the line for months. In a statement, the T said efforts "to restore the signal system between JFK/UMass and North Quincy, which were completed this past weekend, were followed by several days of operational testing. As with the restoration of previous segments of the signal system, operational testing ensures the system is properly functioning and can be monitored and controlled by the MBTA's Operations Control Center.'"
- "Hope You Didn't Want to Ride a New Orange Line Car This Week," by Alyssa Vaughn, Boston Magazine: "Oh, you thought you might finally get a chance this week to sit on those new plastic Orange Line seats? You thought you were going to see the stops' names announced on a flashy little flatscreen? You thought your nose might be lucky enough to take in that new train smell? Well, guess what. You're going to have to put your transit dreams on hold for a little while, because—just six days after the second new train hit the tracks—both new Orange Line trains are now officially out of commission."
- "4 municipalities pitching T on ferry service," Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: "FERRIES, OFTEN TREATED like the forgotten middle child of the MBTA, are about to get a chance to shine. After years of discussion and several years of study, the T is taking applications for ferry service pilot projects and four communities - Quincy, Hull, Winthrop, and Lynn - are tossing their hats in the ring. Each of the communities submitted initial draft applications and those proposals are now being tweaked with the help of MBTA staff. The final applications are expected to be filed with the Fiscal and Management Control Board in early November, with approved pilots scheduled to begin service next July and run for 11 months. After that, the T will decide whether to make the pilot service permanent."
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| WARREN REPORT |
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- "Who does impeachment help: Biden or Warren?" by Ryan Lizza, POLITICO: "Sometimes the Democratic presidential primaries seem like that famous graphic scene from "Pulp Fiction": One minute Butch and Marsellus are on the streets trying to kill each other and the next they suddenly find themselves tied up in a basement facing a common enemy (an orange-haired security guard named Zed, along with his two lackeys, Maynard and the Gimp). When Butch finally escapes, he has to make a fateful decision about whether he'll rescue Marsellus or leave him to die."
- "Elizabeth Warren says she's glad to see start of impeachment inquiry," The Associated Press: "Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren says she's glad to see the House has ''stepped up'' on an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump and hopes it can be done quickly. Warren was the first 2020 candidate to fully embrace starting impeachment proceedings back in April after the release of special counsel Robert Mueller's redacted report. House Democrats launched a formal impeachment inquiry into Trump on Tuesday ."
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| THE CLARK CAUCUS |
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- "Rep. Clark Says Impeachment Inquiry Is About National Security," by Bob Oakes, WBUR: "The all-Democratic Massachusetts congressional delegation is welcoming a formal impeachment inquiry announced by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi Tuesday. Pelosi, who had previously resisted calls for impeaching President Trump, now says it's necessary to make sure "no one is above the law." Congresswoman Katherine Clark, a key member of the speaker's leadership team, joined WBUR's Morning Edition to talk about the impeachment inquiry."
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| TRUMPACHUSETTS |
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- "Former Secretary Of State John Kerry: Trump Phone Call With Ukraine President 'A Disgrace,'" by Kaitlyn Locke, WGBH News: "Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called the House's impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump a "constitutional imperative" on Wednesday, and said that Trump's request that the Ukrainian president "look into" former Vice President Joe Biden was "an abuse of power." "If you don't hold [Trump] accountable, say goodbye to rule of law," Kerry told WGBH News' Jared Bowen in an exclusive interview. "You watch what the abuses will be over the course of the next year. This is imperative. This is a constitutional imperative." On Wednesday, the White House released a memo describing Trump's July phone conversation with newly elected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy."
- "Neal moves from sidelines to spotlight on impeachment inquiry," by Laura Krantz and Jazmine Ulloa, Boston Globe: "For months, Massachusetts Representative Richard Neal resisted calling for a formal impeachment inquiry into President Trump — at his own political peril — as dozens of his Democratic colleagues jumped on board. Now, after joining House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in making that call this week, the Springfield Democrat finds himself at the center of the action as one of six House committee chairs investigating Trump. Neal, who shies away from controversy, spent Tuesday and Wednesday in hastily arranged meetings with top Democrats on Capitol Hill about how impeachment proceedings will unfold ."
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| KENNEDY COMPOUND |
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- "Kennedy calls vaping illnesses 'a catastrophic regulatory failure' and questions federal health officials about how we got here," by Felicia Gans, Boston Globe: "US Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III called the vaping-related illnesses that have affected at least 530 people nationwide a "catastrophic regulatory failure" at a hearing Wednesday, urging federal health officials to move quickly to determine what is making people sick. "How did we get to a point where we've got now a widely used series of consumer products that are getting 530 people sick?" Kennedy said at the hearing."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "ELIZABETHAN ERROR," — Globe: "I would like you to do us a favor." |
| FROM THE 413 |
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- "Opioid Task Force to AG Healey: Strides made but help needed," by Anita Fritz, Greenfield Recorder: "While those working locally to combat the opioid crisis say they're proud of the strides that have been made over the past five or six years, they also agree they have a long way to go. Two dozen people met with state Attorney General Maura Healey and her staff Monday afternoon to discuss where the fight needs to go and what they need to win it. The meeting was held in Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan's conference room, with members of the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region, health professionals, social service agency heads, school leaders and other community leaders in attendance."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "A state rep stepped in to fix 2 'chaotic' Somerville intersections, and 42 tickets were issued in one day," by Caroline Anders, Boston.com: "After receiving "numerous" reports of "intolerable, chaotic traffic" at two Somerville intersections on weekday mornings, state Rep. Mike Connolly reached out to state police for an intervention. On Friday, Connolly said, troopers on detail at the intersections handed out 42 tickets. Connolly posted on Facebook Sunday about the two particularly hectic intersections. The post said his office had reached out to state police to request a detail to address drivers who block the intersections. Troopers were then assigned to monitor the areas, which led to Friday's ticket spike."
- "As sports betting looms in Massachusetts, will your local bar be getting in on the action?" by Matt Reid, Patriot Ledger: "Paul DeFranzo has been playing Keno for as long as he can remember. A $5 bet while out to dinner, or a $10 bet while watching the game at a local bar. Sometimes, he raises the stakes a little bit if he's "feeling a bit lucky." But the lifelong Braintree resident knows most of his winnings — or more often his losings — come down to the luck of the draw. Sometimes your numbers come up, and sometimes they don't, he says. But betting on professional sports would be a whole different story, with far less left up to chance. "I know the teams, I know the system," DeFranzo said recently, clutching what would ultimately be a losing Keno ticket while sitting inside the Braintree Brewhouse sports bar."
FOR YOUR COMMUTE: THE 100TH LAP - On this week's Horse Race, we celebrate the 100th episode of the podcast with a special episode. Congressional candidate Jamie Belsito talks about her primary challenge to Rep. Seth Moulton, and Katie Lannan of the State House News Service breaks down the big education funding bill that has emerged on Beacon Hill. And last but not least, Horse Race co-founder and former host Lauren Dezenski talks about her role at CNN and reminisces about the podcast. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Red Sox beat the Rangers 10-3.
Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.
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A message from Tobacco Free Kids:
There's a public health crisis spreading across the country - and it's small enough to fit in your kid's pocket. E-cigarettes are hooking a new generation, thanks to Big Tobacco tricks like slick marketing, massive doses of nicotine, and thousands of kid-friendly flavors. Now, 5 million kids - including 1 in 4 high schoolers - use e-cigarettes. This growing public health emergency threatens decades of progress in lowering youth tobacco use. And it's getting worse. We're building a nationwide movement to confront this crisis with the bold action our kids deserve. We must take flavored e-cigarettes off the market, stand up to companies like JUUL, and stop this escalating epidemic before it's too late. Learn More. |
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We want to hear from you! Nominations for the 2019 class of Women Rule "Women of Impact" are now open until Oct. 4. We want to hear about the women you know and admire who are on the front lines, moving the needle and changing the game in their respective fields. We are looking for women bringing their bold visions to life—whether they're running for office, leading a business, or championing a cause. We'll honor them at the Women Rule summit in December in Washington, D.C. NOMINATE A WOMAN OF IMPACT HERE.
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