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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF!
FEC CAN'T WEIGH TRAHAN COMPLAINTS — If you've been wondering about what happened to campaign finance complaints filed against Rep. Lori Trahan with the Federal Election Commission, the answer is not coming any time soon.
The FEC can't do much of anything right now — half of its commissioner slots are empty. The regulatory agency's vice chair recently resigned, which leaves only three commissioners at the FEC. That's one person short of meeting the four-member quorum necessary to hold board meetings and take actions — including assigning fines for campaign violations, according to a New York Times report.
The result is that two complaints filed against Trahan regarding questions around her campaign finance reports in the run-up to the 2018 midterm will continue to hang in limbo for the foreseeable future, since the agency does not have enough commissioners to either toss the complaints or investigate them.
Trahan has called on President Donald Trump and the Senate to appoint and confirm a new commissioner to the FEC, saying the existing situation is harmful to democracy. Trahan also faces a complaint filed with the Office of Congressional Ethics, which is a separate entity. A Trahan spokesperson declined to comment on the status of that complaint, as did the Office of Congressional Ethics.
"The fact that the FEC doesn't have the necessary number of commissioners needed to perform basic functions is bad for American democracy. The President has an obligation to appoint qualified commissioners and the Senate has an obligation to confirm them," Trahan said in a statement to POLITICO.
And while we wait on a verdict from the FEC , Trahan is hearing footsteps at home. Questions surrounding her campaign finance reports could be seen as a weak spot for the Democratic lawmaker. And Trahan's former opponent Dan Koh, who narrowly lost to her in a crowded Democratic primary last fall, is thinking about at a rematch. A source close to Koh tells me that he is seriously considering a bid against Trahan in 2020 and will decide in the next few months.
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 MIT delta v Program Demo Day. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attends the East Boston Countdown to Kindergarten, and a mural unveiling in Chinatown.
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CANNABIS USA: Legal cannabis is the fastest-growing industry in the United States. Eleven states have legalized recreational marijuana and 33 others have legalized medical marijuana. The rest of the country likely isn't too far behind. The future of cannabis will impact industries and employers of all shapes and sizes—from healthcare providers to agribusiness, hospitality to pharmaceuticals. POLITICO Pro Cannabis will fill the need for high-quality, balanced coverage of the cannabis industry and surrounding public policy efforts. Sign up to receive the preview newsletter starting on Sept. 9.
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| DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "Governor Baker looks to double state exemption for dependents," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker — a Republican who once pledged to hold the line on taxes and fees, only to sign new ones into law — will file legislation Friday to double the state exemption taxpayers can claim for dependents, a break his administration says could affect roughly 1 million taxpayers and save families $87 million a year. The plan, which Baker intends to file as part of a $650 million supplemental budget bill, is one of several tax-related proposals he included in the wake of a second-straight year of budget surpluses."
- "Report: Healey balked at proposed Purdue settlement," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "Talks between state attorneys general and Purdue Pharma over a possible $12 billion settlement to resolve thousands of lawsuits brought against the opioid manufacturer have stalled, in part because Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is not on board, according to a national media report this week."
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| WHAT CITY HALL IS READING |
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- "Walsh orders review of ZBA process following bribery scandal at City Hall," by Milton J. Valencia and Tim Logan, Boston Globe: "Mayor Martin J. Walsh has ordered a comprehensive review of the city's Zoning Board of Appeal process, amid a bribery scandal at City Hall that suggests wrongdoing within the board. Walsh said in a statement Thursday that the review of the ZBA and related processes would be to ensure that "best practices including strong internal protocols, are in place to best serve applicants in a way that is transparent and accountable to the public." Walsh noted that the city is seeing an explosion of economic development, which the ZBA plays a role in overseeing."
- "Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu Calls For Further Action In ZBA Bribery Case," by Walter Wuthmann and Chris Citorik, WBUR: "Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu is calling for further action after news that a former city official agreed to plead guilty for accepting bribes in exchange for influencing a member of the city's Zoning Board of Appeal. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh on Thursday ordered an independent review of the ZBA. But Wu says that review "misses the point" — and ignores more immediate steps that could be taken to determine whether any ZBA board members were involved in a bribery scheme."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "In Boston, activists march to protest companies doing business with ICE," by Zoe Greenberg, Danny McDonald and Sofia Saric, Boston Globe: "A spirited group of hundreds of Jewish activists and their allies marched from downtown Boston to Amazon's Cambridge office Thursday evening, gathering to protest private companies doing business with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "Never again means abolish ICE," the protesters chanted as they walked past rush hour commuters and cars stopped in their tracks."
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| PRIMARY SOURCES |
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| ON THE STUMP |
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- "Mayor Walsh endorses Essaibi-George, St. Guillen for citywide council," by Katie Trojano, Dorchester Reporter: "Mayor Martin Walsh today announced his endorsement of incumbent Councillor Annissa Essaibi-George and first-time candidate Alejandra St. Guillen for two of the four Boston City Council At-Large seats. The preliminary election for City Council will take place on Tues., Sept. 24. Fifteen men and women will appear on the ballot in the preliminary election on Tues., Sept. 24. The top eight vote-getters will move on to the general election on Nov. 5."
- "City Councilor Kim Janey endorses Kenzie Bok for Boston City Council," from the Bok campaign: "District 7 City Councilor Kim Janey today endorsed Kenzie Bok for the District 8 seat on the Boston City Council. Janey's City Council district borders District 8, which Kenzie is running to represent, and includes most of Roxbury and parts of the South End, Dorchester, and Fenway."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "Suffolk DA Rachael Rollins thinks her fight with judges is long overdue," by Adrian Walker, Boston Globe: "Rachael Rollins is an unapologetic change agent, the likes of which we haven't seen in the recent history of Boston politics. But it is important to understand that her current battle with a Boston Municipal Court judge over whether to prosecute counterprotesters at a Straight Pride' parade is about more than whether to try a single defendant. It's a window into a power struggle over how to administer justice."
- "Judge at center of Straight Pride drama viewed as tough jurist with a well-known name," by Gal Tziperman Lotan, Shelley Murphy and Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "In April, when Suffolk prosecutors did not request bail for a man accused of shoplifting at The Gap in Copley Place, Boston Municipal Court Judge Richard J. Sinnott flatly declined. Even if the man was in drug treatment, he had 11 open cases, and the judge ordered him held without bail for 90 days. "While commendable that the defendant has sought treatment, plainly his attendance at the program has not stopped the defendant from committing thefts to ostensibly fuel his drug habit," Sinnott wrote in his decision."
- "Lawsuit seeks to halt termination of immigrant medical care," by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: "THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF MASSACHUSETTS and Lawyers for Civil Rights on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the termination of a government program that allows immigrants with severe health conditions to remain in the US for treatment. The lawsuit, filed in US District Court in Massachusetts, names as its plaintiff the Irish International Immigrant Center, which represents 33 individuals affected or likely to be affected by cancellation of the program, called medical deferred action."
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| WARREN REPORT |
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- "Trumpworld Anxiety Grows Over a Rising Elizabeth Warren," by Hanna Trudo and Asawin Suebsaeng, The Daily Beast: "Over the summer, Trumpworld operatives, Republican Party oppo researchers, and GOP aides in Congress have all gleefully celebrated planting unflattering stories about Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, and Kamala Harris. But no one seems to have landed a lasting blow on Elizabeth Warren. The earliest days of the Massachusetts senator's presidential campaign provided ample fodder for Republicans."
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| MOULTON MATTERS |
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- "Escalating trade war hits home for many local businesses," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "Representative Seth Moulton had just dropped out of the presidential race, a decision he was bound to be asked about during a town hall-style meeting at iRobot's headquarters in Bedford earlier this week. But you know what issue dominated the conversation in the packed room? The escalating trade fight with China. The tariff questions, it turns out, were much tougher to answer."
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| KENNEDY COMPOUND |
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- "Awkward! Joe Kennedy campaigns for Elizabeth Warren, who has endorsed Ed Markey," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "After a 10-minute speech espousing her virtues, Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III lingered for rounds of photos Thursday at Senator Elizabeth Warren's newest presidential field office, its walls plastered with "Win with Warren" signs. For Kennedy, he technically would have to do it without her. As he moves toward a likely US Senate run, Kennedy faces the awkward prospect that his pick for president has actually picked his would-be Democratic primary opponent, Senator Edward J. Markey."
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| MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
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- "Black Entrepreneurs Call For More Equity In Mass. Cannabis Industry," by Zeninjor Enwemeka, WBUR: "A group of black entrepreneurs have launched a new coalition to push for more access and opportunities for minorities in the state's burgeoning recreational marijuana industry. The coalition — Real Action for Cannabis Equity (RACE) — said it's frustrated with the lack of equity in the recreational marijuana license approval process. About dozen members demonstrated in front of Massachusetts State House Thursday afternoon."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "DOING THEIR JOBS," "DANNY V'S SWEET 16!" — Globe: "A judge known as 'tough but fair,'" "Walsh calls for review of zoning board," "DORIAN THREATENS US COAST."
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| EYE ON 2020 |
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| NO PLACE LIKE THE CITY OF HOMES |
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- "'You can do a lot by investing in cities': Gov. Charlie Baker lauds Springfield project turning Indian Motorcycle plant into apartments," by Ron Chimelis, Springfield Republican: "Charlie Baker has tossed many shovels of dirt during ceremonial groundbreakings, but he usually doesn't keep the shovel. It sounded like he would make an exception Thursday. "I've never had a shovel from Indian Motorcycle," the Massachusetts governor said after touring a Mason Square apartment project, which will result in 199 housing units at the site of the historic Springfield motorcycle plant and the former Mason Square fire station."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "'Worcester isn't exactly known as a gay city;' Amid economic development, why is there only one gay bar in Worcester?" by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: "Worcester has its "restaurant row" on Shrewsbury Street, the vibrant shops in Crompton Place, murals from POW! WOW!, projects and proposals that will transform historic buildings like the former courthouse and Auditorium, and in fewer than two years, it will have a Triple-A baseball team. People have been talking about the Worcester renaissance. The city's economic growth has captured the attention of local and national media and investors."
- "Calls for right whale protections ahead of eastern premiers, governors meeting," The Canadian Press: "Massachusetts' attorney general is calling for political leaders in eastern North America to commit to stronger protections of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. Maura Healey addressed a letter to eastern Canadian premiers and New England governors Wednesday asking for a joint statement that would expand protections for the species "on the brink of extinction." Eight right whales have died in Canadian waters this summer, out of a global population numbering only about 400."
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| MEDIA MATTERS |
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- "Jeffrey Epstein's Donations Create a Schism at M.I.T.'s Revered Media Lab," by Tiffany Hsu, Marc Tracy and Erin Griffith, The New York Times: "Joichi Ito gave himself some advice in 2008: "Reminder to self," he wrote on Twitter. "Don't invest with or take money from creeps," although he used an earthier term. Then, over the next decade, he accepted about $1.7 million from Jeffrey Epstein."
- "Boston Globe to lay off workers at Taunton facility," by Don Seiffert, Boston Business Journal: "The Boston Globe is planning to cut jobs at its Taunton printing, mailing and delivery hub over the next several weeks, another sign that the facility once touted as a centerpiece of John Henry's plan to make the newspaper profitable again is struggling to live up to those hopes. Boston Globe Media Partners LLC has decided to outsource the mailroom contract for one of its longtime moneymakers, its Globe Direct marketing service, according to multiple sources."
REMEMBERING JOHN 'SULLY' SULLIVAN ... via WaPo: " Communities of friends, family and admirers in Washington, Massachusetts and Jordan came together this week to mourn the passing of John Sullivan, former U.S. diplomat, husband, father, humanitarian, cancer survivor and the life of every party he attended. He was 37 years old. "Sully," as he was known, last worked at the Financial Integrity Network, an advisory firm, and lived in Washington with his wife, Haya Abu Sharar, who works at the International Monetary Fund, and their 9-month-old daughter, Suzanne." Link.
FOR YOUR COMMUTE: "#MApoli Breakfast Club." On this week's Horse Race podcast, Labor Day is over and it's back to business in Massachusetts politics. A possible primary race between Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III is heating up, and Pat Reilly of Change Research joins the pod to discuss a recent survey that found Kennedy with a 17-point lead over Markey. In Beacon Hill news, state Sen. Brendan Crighton and Rep. Christine Barber break down their bill that would allow Massachusetts residents to obtain a drivers' license, regardless of immigration status. The legislation drew hundreds to a hearing at the State House. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Rep. Bill Keating; Gabrielle Farrell, traveling press secretary for Elizabeth Warren, who is 29; Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan (h/t Ed Cash); former 3rd District candidate Rick Green, Curt Nickisch, senior editor at Harvard Business Review; and Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu's chief of staff Dave Vittorini.
HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND - to Eric Kanter , legislative director for Maine Rep. Jared Golden and a Team Moulton alum, who turns 29 on Saturday and will celebrate with a chicken chase party in Washington, D.C. (h/t Matt Corridoni).
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? No! The Twins beat the Red Sox 2-1.
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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