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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
PROGRESSIVES WANT 'FRESH SLATE' IN WARD 18 — A group of Democratic activists and elected officials are working to elect a "fresh slate" of progressive candidates to Boston's Ward 18 Democratic Committee.
Organizers say new members on the committee could bring it more in line with the ward's changing demographics and diversity, and better reach historically underrepresented communities. Ward 18 is made up of Hyde Park, and parts of Mattapan and Roslindale.
Ward 18 has historical significance — it was home to the late Mayor Tom Menino and was considered a toss-up during Walsh's first run for mayor in 2013. Walsh ended up winning every precinct in the ward in 2013, beating John Connolly. Up to 35 Democrats could be elected to the Ward 18 Committee on Super Tuesday this year, according to the activists. Members are elected every four years.
The Progressive West Roxbury/Roslindale group sent an online form to recruit progressive candidates to its email list last week. The deadline is Thursday, and respondents are asked whether they agree with the group's goals of "economic fairness and access, racial and social justice, sustainable infrastructure and environment, and good governance and democracy." The form also asks optional questions about racial and ethnic identity, and whether the respondent has tried to join the committee in the past.
"We're organizing a progressive group or 'slate' of ward committee candidates for voters to consider," the form says. The new slate of candidates would push for the committee to hold regular meetings that are open to the public, advertised in advance and held throughout the ward's neighborhoods.
Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu voiced support for the initiative on Twitter, as did Boston City Council District 5 candidate Ricardo Arroyo and former state representative candidate Gretchen Van Ness. If Wu runs for mayor in 2021, as some speculate she might, building support within community groups and ward committees across the city would be key.
In a broader sense, the move is a local version of the wave of progressive energy that has been surging through Massachusetts since Rep. Ayanna Pressley was elected last fall. Progressive Raul Fernandez was elected to the Brookline Select Board earlier this year, Democratic socialist Ihssane Leckey had launched a campaign against Rep. Joe Kennedy III before he switched to the Senate race, and Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse is waging a progressive challenge to House Ways and Means chairman Richard Neal in Western Mass.
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 and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao attend a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge. Baker is a guest on WGBH's "Morning Edition." Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito holds a roundtable discussion to announce strengthened support for survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation at the Massachusetts Children's Alliance.
The Boston Convenience Store Owners Association holds a rally at City Hall Plaza for what they call "sensible tobacco regulations" instead of the current vaping sales ban. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attends a ribbon cutting for We Grow Microgreens in Hyde Park. Walsh attends the Boston Police Department's C11 Halloween Party on Bowdoin in Dorchester. Transportation for Massachusetts holds a speaking event at the State House.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "Business groups make push for more transportation revenue at the State House," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "Nearly every major business organization in Massachusetts has united behind a call for more government spending to expand public transit and improve the roads, with the hope that a new infusion of cash can help solve the congestion-related woes that vex their workers. The business community's call to action is due to be released Wednesday, several weeks before the House of Representatives will debate a major transportation bill that could lead to billions of dollars in improvements."
- "Former rep backs up Kaufman's account," by Andy Metzger, CommonWealth Magazine: "FORMER STATE REP Cleon Turner remembers it well. Jay Kaufman was in an aisle of the House chamber in 2013 venting about how Speaker Robert DeLeo had told him that if he didn't vote for a controversial tax proposal, he would lose his chairmanship of the Revenue Committee. That discussion between DeLeo and Kaufman, which took place six years ago, has become the source of a bitter controversy between the two Democrats just as the House is preparing for another debate on legislation to fund transportation over the next few weeks."
- "High rents revive debate over rent control in Greater Boston, 25 years after it was abolished," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "On the surface, Dana Busch, a software designer living with a friend in Lincoln, and Judy Burnette, an elderly organizer living in a single-room-occupancy building in Boston, have little in common. But the two women are joining a growing number of activists, displaced by the housing crunch in the Boston area, urging state lawmakers to take the bold step of reinstating rent control in Massachusetts, 25 years after it was abolished."
- "'Right to dry' law would protect clotheslines," by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: "Hanging out the wash used to be a regular chore, whether strung on a line across a backyard or back alley, until the advent of gas and electric dryers made it unnecessary. Then local codes and condo rules came along and stopped anyone thinking of stringing up their shirts, pants and underwear in their tracks. Well, airing one's laundry is fashionable again, at least among people looking to lower energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint ."
- Education bill hinges on accountability debate," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "THE SWEEPING EDUCATION funding bill, versions of which have cleared both branches of the Legislature, is now in the hands of a House-Senate conference committee, which will work to reconcile differences between the two chambers in the state's oversight role. There are not only differences between the bills to be ironed out, there is disagreement on just how significant those disparities are."
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| THE VAPING SALES BAN |
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- "Is The Statewide Ban Stopping Teens From Vaping?" by Stephanie Leydon, WGBH News: "Just as kids went back to school this year, amid what health officials call a teen vaping epidemic, the headline-making news began: vaping was making people sick. Nationwide, more than 1,600 people have been treated for serious lung illnesses, and another 34 have died, according to the CDC. The kids heard the news, but many continued to vape. "We've had so many talks on it that it kind of gets bothersome," said Taylor Brett, a senior at Danvers High School."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "Boston firms return to Saudi conference after journalist's murder," by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: "Executives from Boston-based companies, including General Electric Co. and State Street Corp., are speaking at an investment conference in Saudi Arabia this week, a year after some U.S. businesses pulled out of the event following the death of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident, was killed and cut into pieces when he visited the Saudi consulate in Turkey in October 2018. The CIA reportedly concluded that Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered Khashoggi killed."
- "DCF moves busy offices away from city centers, making it harder for parents to see kids," by Kay Lazar, Boston Globe: "In the summer of 2018, the Department of Children and Families moved its bustling downtown Lowell field office to a remote office park in Chelmsford. In July, it relocated its downtown Malden office from a public-transit-friendly location to an office park in Wakefield harder to reach by bus or the subway. Now, DCF is making plans to move its busy Cambridge office to suburban Burlington. Using words like "disastrous" and "bleak," lawyers for hundreds of struggling parents who have lost custody of their children say the office relocations have created significant transportation hurdles for many families."
- "For local activists, recognition of Armenian genocide 'reminds world that we will not allow human atrocities,'" by Jazmine Ulloa and Ryan Wangman, Boston Globe: "The House passed resolutions marking the Armenian genocide in 1975 and 1984. But activists and congressional leaders said this latest resolution is more detailed in stating the facts of the atrocity and for the first time clearly labels the Ottoman Empire as the perpetrator. The measure now heads to the Senate, where it has increasingly gained support, though its passage could exacerbate tensions between Congress and the White House and between the United States and Turkey."
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| PRIMARY SOURCES |
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- " Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan Endorses Ed Markey for United States Senate," from the Markey campaign: " Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has endorsed Ed Markey in his bid for re-election to the United States Senate. Middlesex County includes Cambridge and Lowell, and is the most populous county in all of New England, with over 1.6 million residents. "I am honored to endorse Senator Ed Markey for re-election," said District Attorney Ryan. 'Ed has been a fierce advocate and a true partner in the fight against the opioid crisis.'"
- "Plymouth Selectman John Mahoney running for Senate seat," by Rich Harbert, WickedLocal: "A veteran member of the Plymouth Select Board has announced plans to run for the state Senate seat from the First Plymouth and Barnstable District. Democrat John Mahoney announced intentions Monday to run for the seat being vacated by Republican Vinny deMacedo. A Pembroke native who has lived in Plymouth for more than 20 years, Mahoney said he is uniquely qualified to represent the people of Plymouth, Kingston, Pembroke, Falmouth, Sandwich, and Bourne at the State House."
- "Bourne's McMahon Will Run for State Senate," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "Jay McMahon of Bourne, the trial attorney chosen by Republican primary voters last year as the party's nominee to serve as attorney general, is jumping into the expected special election for Senate on the South Shore and Cape Cod. The self-described "constitutional conservative" who has corporate, law enforcement and military experience, said he "is ready on day one to step in for Senator Vinny deMacedo, who is resigning to take another position." Sen. Viriato deMacedo of Plymouth announced two weeks ago that he would leave the Senate to take a position at Bridgewater State University, but he has not yet announced a timetable for his resignation."
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| ON THE STUMP |
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- "350 MASS ACTION unanimously endorses candidates for Boston City Councilors in Districts 5 and 9 and Boston City Councils At Large," from 350 Mass Action: "350 Mass Action has unanimously endorsed the following candidates: District 9- Liz Breadon, At Large- Michelle Wu, Julia Mejia, Alejandra St. Guillen, David Halbert,.and District 5- Ricardo Arroyo. 350 Mass Action believes these candidates will fight for climate justice and implement the policies that will protect frontline communities and usher in a safe and prosperous new energy future for all."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "Suspect in BC manslaughter case told investigators she tried to stop boyfriend's suicide," by Maria Cramer, Nicole Dungca and Maria Lovato, Boston Globe: "Alexander Urtula's family gathered at Alumni Stadium on the Boston College campus early on the morning of May 20 to watch the 22-year-old senior receive his degree in biology. Urtula was bright, gregarious, and socially conscious, with plans to become a doctor. But in recent months he had become despondent and withdrawn, law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation said Tuesday. Still, this was a day to be optimistic, and Urtula's parents, immigrants from the Philippines who lived in New Jersey, waited along with thousands of other families for their son to join the other graduates in the procession."
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| FROM THE DELEGATION |
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- "Trahan reports big legal bills," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Representative Lori Trahan, who has faced a series of calls for federal officials to investigate her campaign financing, reported nearly $167,000 in new legal bills this month, all to a firm she said she hired to manage her financial disclosures. Trahan disclosed the costs she's run up with Perkins Coie in a fund-raising report she filed with the Federal Election Commission in mid-October, far outpacing what her peers in the Massachusetts delegation have reported spending on legal costs this year."
- "Among Mass. Impeachment Cameos, One McGoverns the Process," by Matt Szafranski, Western Mass Politics & Insight: "Representative James McGovern does not chair one of the committees that is part of the US House's impeachment inquiry. The rep in the next district over, Richard Neal, does. Still, the Worcester Democrat is taking on a supporting role in the investigation into whether Donald Trump should be impeached. On Tuesday, the House Rules Committee, which McGovern chairs, released its draft of the resolution that will guide the House as it transitions to the public phase of its inquiry."
- "A decade after massive bailout, AIG celebrated on Capitol Hill," by Zachary Warmbrodt, POLITICO: "American International Group — once one of the most scorned corporations on Capitol Hill for its pivotal role in the financial crisis — got a Washington birthday bash on Monday night with help from House lawmakers. Little more than a decade after the U.S. government committed $180 billion to avert the collapse of the insurance giant, AIG used the hearing room of the House Ways and Means Committee to host a "centennial congressional reception" to mark the New York-based company's first century in business. Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) presided over the event, which featured AIG CEO Brian Duperreault and other company leaders."
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| KENNEDY COMPOUND |
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- "When JFK Was Trump," by Jeff Greenfield, POLITICO Magazine: "Have we ever had a president before this one who so disdains the advice and policies of those who have spent their lives working for the government he leads? Have we ever had a chief executive who is so skeptical of the judgments of career diplomats and military leaders, who rejects the advice of top intelligence leaders, who trusts his family more than those with a lifetime of experience? Yes we have. And his name was John Fitzgerald Kennedy."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "TRIPPED UP," — Globe: "Colonel testifies transcript was incomplete," "Business groups call for fix on transit." |
| EYE ON 2020 |
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "Everett Seeks To Change Electoral System, Official Says," by Gabrielle Emanuel, WGBH News: "City Clerk Sergio Cornelio says Everett is looking at changing how residents elect their city councilors. This comes after the legal advocacy group, Lawyers for Civil Rights, sent a letter to Everett saying the city "is vulnerable to a challenge under the federal Voting Rights act" because Everett's minority communities are almost entirely unrepresented in elected office. Everett currently has both at-large and ward councilors. However, the ward councilors are elected by a citywide vote, as is the school committee."
- "Natick experiences record number of drug overdoses," by Henry Schwan, MetroWest Daily News: "The town has seen 38 drug overdoses so far this year, topping last year's total of 33 and representing the highest number for any year since police began tracking overdoses in 2014. Three fatal overdoses are included as part of this year's total, including two unrelated cases on Oct. 16 alone, according to police Lt. Cara Rossi. All three were Natick residents. Two were in the 50-60 age range, and one was in the 20-30 range, Rossi said ."
- "Latino commission reveals draft recommendations for rebuilding trust, equity in Worcester schools," by Scott O'Connell, Telegram & Gazette: "A city mayoral commission has floated a host of possible changes aimed at addressing racial inequities in the schools and city at large, from halting suspensions of young children to adopting a new way of electing School Committee members. The Mayor's Commission on Latino Education and Advancement is still seeking community input before finalizing those recommendations."
- "Police Name Toohey, Ryan Suspects in Theft of Trocki Signs; Toohey Says Signs Not Allowed," by Allison Corneau, WHAV: "With one week until Haverhill voters head to the polls to elect Haverhill's next mayor, candidate Daniel Trocki alleges his campaign signs have been stolen by members of one of the city's most prominent political families. According to a police report obtained by WHAV, Haverhill Police officer Trocki said two of his red and white campaign signs placed on the island near the Copperhead Saloon's parking lot in Lafayette Square were removed on Sept. 26. Filing a police report Oct. 3, Trocki—running against incumbent James J. Fiorentini—argues that William H. Ryan and Shaun P. Toohey were behind the alleged theft."
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| MEDIA MATTERS |
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- "No News Is Bad News," by Chris Faraone, Boston Magazine: "Let's say that you consider yourself pretty well informed. You read the Globe, not to mention the Times, the Post, or the Journal every morning. Maybe you're on Twitter or you catch the nightly news, and have a pretty good take on the hot-button topics of the day: climate change, gun violence, impeachment, tariffs. You can even rattle off the names of at least the top half of the Democratic presidential field. But, for the sake of argument, do you think you could explain over cocktails what your local government has been up to lately?"
- "Meet the Globe's new investigative team for education and inequality." Link.
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| SPOOKY SEASON |
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- "Meet The Architect Behind Marblehead's Hottest Halloween Hotspot In A Driveway," by Erin Trahan, WBUR: "If there are other ways his creativity might take form in the future, Thomas Saltsman says he's not yet sure how. Last Halloween a garage-sized dragon exhaled smoke. Before that, an enormous spaceship opened its doors to costumed kids so beguiled some forgot to ask for treats. Then again, who needs candy when you can feel like an astronaut?"
FOR YOUR RADAR - I'm sitting down with Rep. Seth Moulton and former New York Rep. Chris Gibson at Northeastern University next week to talk about their military service ahead of Veterans Day. I hope you'll join us on Monday, Nov. 4 at 3:30 p.m. RSVP.
TRANSITIONS - Rob Shrum joins MultiState Associates, as the government relations firm builds out its leadership team.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to the wonderful Jackie Tempera , staff writer at Boston College Magazine; and Glenda Izaguirre.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Bruins beat the Sharks 5-1.
FOR YOUR COMMUTE: Pollin', Pollin', Pollin' on the River - On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Jenn Smith and Steve Koczela talk about a recent Boston City Council debate, and dissect the numbers in a new WBUR poll conducted by MassINC. Later, Colin Young of the State House News Service breaks down Gov. Charlie Baker's new health care proposal. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud .
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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