10/05/2017 07:08 AM EDT
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Sunny with a high of 81 in Boston.
KOH'S CASH JOLTS MA-3 - Dan Koh essentially spent all of September fundraising and he's got the cash to show for it: $805,000, all going toward his primary campaign, and only $50,000 of it kicked in from Koh himself, according to his campaign. If the goal was shock and awe, it certainly worked: Multiple MA-3 watchers told me the haul was "impressive" and very significant.
But despite the awe, the field of Democratic candidates continues to grow. State Rep. Juana Matias, the much-buzzed about first-term legislator from Lawrence, told me last night she's officially running (and she's already got the support of New Politics, the same group involved with Seth Moulton's insurgent run for Congress). And don't expect other serious candidates to be too deterred by Koh's cash.
One question that remains to be answered: how much of Koh's haul came from in-district or in-state. The Koh campaign wouldn't disclose that to me when I asked.
Other candidates still see potential fundraising sources to tap. Among them: EMILY's List and the deep-pocketed unions, both of whom haven't gotten financially involved yet. EMILY's List has already spoken to at least two candidates: Matias and state Sen. Barbara L'Italien.
L'Italien, who's still considering making a run for the seat, didn't mince words when I asked about Koh's fundraising numbers. "Mayor Marty Walsh of Boston did a fine job raising money for the Third Congressional District. I reject the notion that candidates from Boston, Cambridge, and elsewhere with no record of service to the communities in the district can move back to buy a congressional seat and I bet the voters will agree."
Look for full donation breakdowns and the other candidates' fundraising totals to be released by Oct. 15 by the FEC.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.
TODAY - Gov. Charlie Baker, LG Karyn Polito, Sec. of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett, Undersecretary of Public Safety and Security Jennifer Queally, AG Maura Healey, Massachusetts State Police Colonel Rick McKeon and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans participate in the 34th Annual Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery - The Cannabis Control Commission heads to Hyannis for a listening session - Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be in Worcester for a National Grid and Vionx Energy battery storage announcement at Holy Name High School in Worcester
** A message from New England Clean Power Link: Poised to supply Massachusetts with 1,000 MW of clean, renewable power, the New England Clean Power Link is ready to roll. The only project with a Presidential Permit, full site control and full host state support, the innovative buried project will help Massachusetts meet its legislative requirements for lower carbon emissions.
More **
DATELINE BEACON HILL -
- "DeLeo suggests House may let Senate go first on health care," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: "More data for consumers is emerging as a focal point as House leaders explore policy options for future health care legislation, Speaker Robert DeLeo said Tuesday. DeLeo said he and his Health Care Financing Committee Chairman Peter Kocot and Ways and Means Chairman Jeffrey Sanchez are holding meetings as they seek to develop an approach that protects insurance coverage without harming the
state's major innovation and science sectors."
- "I-Team: Bumps In The Road For State's New Vehicle Inspection Program," by Ryan Kath, CBS Boston: "It was a frustrating day for some drivers trying to get new inspection stickers on their cars. The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) launched a new statewide program, but inspection station owners are reporting a lot of bumps in the road. As a result, they had to turn
customers away on Monday and lose the revenue."
THE WARREN REPORT -
- "Senator Elizabeth Warren: 'Congress Is Held Hostage By The NRA,'" by Amanda McGowan, WGBH: "Senator Elizabeth Warren said Wednesday that Congress is being 'held hostage' by the National Rifle Association, and called on her colleagues to implement gun control measures in the wake of a mass shooting in Las Vegas where at least 59 people were killed. 'People die every day, and the United States Congress is held hostage by the NRA,' she told Boston Public Radio. 'We can't do anything. We can't even make the simplest changes that the
overwhelming majority of Americans support.'"
MOULTON MATTERS -
- "Rep. Seth Moulton Urges Paul Ryan To 'At Least Do Something' About Gun Control," by Molly Boigon, WGBH: "Rep. Seth Moulton has condemned House Speaker Paul Ryan for declining to bring gun legislation to the floor of the House of Representatives following Sunday's mass shooting in Las Vegas. 'Why is it that 9 out of 10 Americans support [universal background checks for guns], and yet the entirety of Republican leadership in the House under Speaker Paul Ryan can't even have a debate about this - can't even have a vote?' Moulton said during an
interview with Boston Public Radio Wednesday."
ON THE STUMP -
- "WBZ cancels debate as candidates heed union's call not to attend," by Meghan E. Irons, Boston Globe: "A local union representing dozens of behind-the-scenes workers at WBZ-TV has shut down a face-to face debate between Mayor Martin J. Walsh and City Councilor Tito Jackson. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1228, sent a letter to both men this week urging them to boycott Tuesday's proposed debate until the television station and its parent company, CBS Boston,
agree to higher wages for longtime employees."
- "GOP's John Kingston puts $3M into his primary purse," by Matt Stout, Boston Herald: "Republican businessman John Kingston has funneled $3 million of his own cash into his potential U.S. Senate bid, underscoring the financial heft he's wielded at the onset of the GOP race to take on
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren next fall."
- "Schilling to deal for Diehl at fundraisers," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "Diehl, a state representative from Whitman, announced Wednesday that Schilling would join him next week for two fundraising events in
Quincy and Springfield on Tuesday and Friday."
- "Sandy Tennant is raising money for a US Senate candidate. Remember him?" by Frank Phillips, Boston Globe: "Sandy Tennant, once considered the colorful bad boy of the state GOP, is back at the table - at least to help a longtime friend raise money for her campaign to oust US Senator Elizabeth Warren. Tennant, whom Governor Charlie Baker once removed as a fund raiser because of his raffish reputation, is hosting a fund raising event for
Beth Lindstrom at his Swampscott home Wednesday night."
- "Democratic governor hopefuls show solidarity in Dighton forum," by Charles Winokoor, Taunton Gazette: "Two Democratic candidates who hope to challenge Gov. Charlie Baker in next year's gubernatorial race said they'll throw their full support behind whoever manages to win next September's primary. 'There are a lot of similarities between all three of us (and) I pledge to support whoever wins, because he will be 100 percent better than our current governor,' said Jay Gonzalez, during closing statements at a candidates forum
Tuesday night inside the auditorium of Dighton Middle School."
TSONGAS ARENA -
- "Matias jumps into Third District congressional race," by Jim O'Sullivan, Boston Globe: "Calling herself "Donald Trump's worst nightmare," the Dominican immigrant and Lawrence resident said she planned to run on behalf of working
people in the Third Congressional District."
- "Pepperell's Green enters race for Congress," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "There will be no more exploring for Rick Green. The wealthy Pepperell businessman formally declared himself on Tuesday a candidate for the Republican nomination for the Third District Congressional seat
held by retiring U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas."
WOOD WAR - Herald: "FUTURAMA," "HOW THEY DO IT," "NO CLUE"
- Globe: "Mass. bill aims to ease drug sentences," "Prosecutors study surgeon's billing practices," "MEETING THE GRIEVING," "The city's pitch to Amazon: 3 or 4 sites," "Bipartisan grilling for Equifax," "EVENTUALLY, THESE SOX WOULD FIND A WAY."
THE LOCAL ANGLE -
- "69 Massachusetts police officers headed to Puerto Rico," by Jacob Carozza, Boston Globe: "Dozens of Massachusetts police officers will go to Puerto Rico to assist with recovery efforts after Hurricane Maria devastated the island, Governor Charlie Baker announced Wednesday evening. Sixty-nine officers from the State Police and local departments will assist local law enforcement in Puerto Rico with maintaining curfews and other security duties,
the administration said in a statement."
- "Boston plots aid for Puerto Rico," by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: "Local Puerto Rican leaders are calling for a coordinated effort to get donations of money and supplies from across the state to cities and remote parts of the hurricane-ravaged U.S. territory. 'This is a crisis of apocalyptic proportions,' Otoniel Figueroa-Duran, commercial division director of 32BJ Service Employees International Union District 615, said yesterday at a roundtable held by U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey on relief efforts nearly two weeks after Category 4 Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico.
'The federal response has been an embarrassment. People are dying.'"
- "Opportunities and challenges for Puerto Ricans seeking better life in Pioneer Valley," by Kait Walsh, WWLP: "Massachusetts is preparing to welcome Puerto Rican families when flights resume from the hurricane-devastated island. 'Any given day, there's 80-to-100,000 jobs unfilled in Massachusetts, so I don't worry about that. I worry about making sure we can settle them into our communities,' said
Massachusetts Senate President Stan Rosenberg."
- "St. Fleur takes seat on city's Zoning Board," by Jennifer Smith, Dorchester Reporter: "Former state Rep. Marie St. Fleur has been appointed to the city's Zoning Board of Appeal, officials confirmed this week. The zoning board, which consists of seven members and assorted alternate members, hears requests for conditional use permits, variances, permission to expand or change nonconforming property uses, and similar zoning relief,
according to the Boston Planning and Development Agency."
- "Looking for mimosas with Sunday brunch? North Attleboro selectmen approve change in alcohol hours," by Kayla Canne, Sun Chronicle: "Looking for a mimosa during Sunday brunch? You'll no longer have to travel to nearby towns to indulge. Selectmen voted Thursday to change the time restaurants can serve alcohol in town from noon to 10 a.m. on Sundays. Selectman Paul Belham said the change will allow local restaurants to flourish by
expanding the offerings for popular Sunday brunches."
- "City bans pot shops, limits panhandling," by Keith Eddings, Eagle-Tribune: "A city already known as a regional marketplace for heroin and fentanyl won't also become a marketplace for marijuana when its commercial sale becomes legal in Massachusetts, following a unanimous vote by the City Council late Tuesday to block pot shops from opening here. Mayor Daniel Rivera said he will sign the bill, which will add Lawrence to the list of about 100 municipalities in Massachusetts that have acted to keep out the pot shops or imposed a moratorium on them since voters approved the recreational use of
marijuana in a statewide referendum last year."
- "Bid for Amazon HQ occupies state economic chief's time," by Ethan Forman, Salem News: " As if state Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash didn't have enough on his plate, along came Amazon. Ash, the lanky former city manager of Chelsea and a Danvers resident, has a wide-ranging job that includes overseeing the state's job creation and business development efforts. He has put 30,000 miles on his
car traveling around the state, he said."
- "We can finally identify one of the largest holders of Puerto Rican debt," by David Dayen, The Intercept: "For years, the identity of the owner of one of the largest holdings of Puerto Rican debts has been a mystery. That mystery has finally been solved, with the help of the The Baupost Group, who unmasked themselves to The Intercept. The Baupost Group, a Boston-based hedge fund managed by billionaire Seth Klarman, owns nearly $1 billion of Puerto Rican debt, purchased under a shell company subsidiary and hidden from public scrutiny. Baupost acquired the debt through an on-paper Delaware-based corporation named Decagon Holdings LLC,
whose beneficial owner had been unknown until now."
MEDIA MATTERS - "Brash style boosts Kirk Minihane, Gerry Callahan," by Jessica Heslam, Boston Herald: "Kirk Minihane and Gerry Callahan have had their ups and downs but the controversial WEEI radio yakkers are back on top -
on their own terms, they say."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Natalie Kaufman, staff director for state Rep. Liz Malia and Teresa Heinz Kerry, businesswoman, philanthropist, and wife of Sec. of State John Kerry.
THE HOME TEAMS DID NOT PLAY.
AND THERE'S A NEW ONE COMING TOMORROW - TUNE IN TO THE LATEST HORSE RACE EPISODE. It's the newest podcast about Massachusetts' most exciting campaigns from MassINC Polling Group President Steve Koczela and yours truly. And it's a post-preliminary world and we have the results of your local mayoral races in Boston, Framingham, and Lawrence with our special guest host Gin Dumcius, MassLive reporter and author of This Way to City Hall. We also check in on Amazon, Puerto Rico and the 2018 Gubernatorial race (yes they are possibly connected), and our newest segment: MASSACHUSETTS TRIVIA! Subscribe and
listen now 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.
** A message from New England Clean Power Link : Poised to supply Massachusetts with 1,000 MW of clean, sustainable power, the New England Clean Power Link is ready to roll. The only project with a Presidential Permit, full site control and full host state support, the innovative buried project will help Massachusetts meet its legislative requirements for lower carbon emissions. The entire line will travel underground and underwater, and is expected to deliver low-cost electricity to the Commonwealth over the next 40 years. Massachusetts can expect to reap $19.9 billion in benefits over the next 20 years alone, while ratepayers can expect to save $655 million a year in energy costs. Most importantly, the project is 100% privately financed and comes with a fixed-price bid, protecting taxpayers and ratepayers alike from any cost overruns. The project's developers have also established a $20 million fund to assist low-income ratepayers in western Massachusetts.
More **
POLITICO, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA, 22209, USA
