POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: RAUSCH and DONATO file vaccine bill — PRESSLEY calls for parade probe — MINTZ LEVIN steers clear of POT

RAUSCH and DONATO file vaccine bill — PRESSLEY calls for parade probe — MINTZ LEVIN steers clear of POT

BY STEPHANIE MURRAY GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. NEW THIS MORNING: RAUSCH AND DONATO TO FILE VACCINE BILL — State Sen. Becca Rausch will file a new bill with Rep. Paul Donato today, with the aim of standardizing immunizations requirements across the state. The bill also seeks to streamline the application process for vaccine exemptions. "Currently, Massachusetts has no consistent process for obtaining or approving immunization exemptions. Multiple communities have fallen below medically established immunization rate thresholds necessary to protect the general population from certain infectious diseases," according to a release from Rausch's office. The bill, called the Community Immunity Act, would streamline immunization requirements and exemption processes for child care centers, schools, summer camps, colleges and universities. It also calls for "the creation and use of statewide medical and religious exemption application forms," and the Department of Public Health would process those applications, rather than individual schools or school districts. Religious exemptions to vaccines reached an all-time high in Massachusetts last school year, according to a recent WGBH report. State Rep. Andy Vargas has filed legislation to eliminate the religious exemption, and New York recently passed a state law that eliminates religious exemptions for schools and child care centers. 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 Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito declare September as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month. Baker and Politohold a press conference to promote housing legislation. Polito chairs a meeting of the Governor's Council. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attends a Building Trades Stand Down to honor construction workers who die due to opioid addiction. Walshspeaks at a naturalization ceremony for 200 new citizens, and speaks at the Washington Post's live event "Chasing Cancer" in Boston. Today is the last day to register to vote in Boston's Sept. 24 preliminary election.   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.     DATELINE BEACON HILL - "Tran's proposal would make illegal for protesters to cover their faces," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "Following a weekend that saw three dozen people arrested when counter-protesters and police clashed in downtown Boston, one state senator is proposing to make it a crime for protesters to cover their faces during public events. Four police officers were injured and 36 people were arrested Saturday after a series of fracases between law enforcement and protesters demonstrating against a straight pride parade that wended its way through downtown Boston. Many of the protesters, some of whom were affiliated with the leftist group Antifa, wore bandanas, masks or other items to shield their faces." - "Farley-Bouvier renews push to allow undocumented in state to get driver's license," by Tony Dobrowolski, The Berkshire Eagle:"State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier thinks it's important that all motorists in the state are licensed drivers — regardless of immigration status. Farley-Bouvier is renewing her push — this is the third time she has proposed legislation on the topic — to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver's licenses in Massachusetts. A bill she filed in 2014 landed in a dead-end study. Legislation that she filed in 2015 had more than 50 co-sponsors and drew public hearings, but no action ever was taken." - "Mass. lawmakers seek early intervention for opioid babies," by Christian M. Wade, Newburyport News: "Babies born to mothers who used heroin, fentanyl and other opioids during pregnancy can suffer from emotional and physical problems as they age, studies show. But while children with disabilities as a result of exposure to alcohol during pregnancy can qualify for developmental services, those exposed to opioids cannot. Some lawmakers want to change that by expanding programs and services offered by the state Department of Developmental Services to children diagnosed with opioid-related systems from their mother's drug use." - "LESSER PRESSES BAKER ANGLE IN INTERVIEW ABOUT RMV," by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service: "A key state senator called for continued scrutiny on the Registry of Motor Vehicles as the Baker administration addresses a years-long failure to suspend licenses, reiterating skepticism over whether the governor knew about the problems before a fatal crash brought them to light. Sen. Eric Lesser, the second-ranking Senate member of the Joint Committee on Transportation, told WCVB's On the Record program that the committee is planning further hearings to seek answers to "a lot more questions," even after grilling RMV and administration officials for more than seven hours in July about how the department allowed thousands of driver violation warnings from other states to pile up unprocessed." WHAT CITY HALL IS READING - "City Hall aide seen as puzzling figure to be caught up in bribery case," by Tim Logan and Milton Valencia, Boston Globe: "By all accounts, John Lynch was a fairly run-of-the-mill staffer at City Hall, the guy in a suit at a neighborhood business fair, or the one standing at the edge of the picture at a ribbon-cutting. Then he wound up smack in the middle of a bribery scandal. Lynch's plan to plead guilty to charges that he took $50,000 from a developer to influence a vote on Boston's Zoning Board of Appeal has baffled some who know the longtime city worker. In public comments and private conversations, they described Lynch as an unflashy, nuts-and-bolts bureaucrat, an expert in how to get small things done at City Hall ." FROM THE HUB - "Ayanna Pressley calls for 'independent investigation' into cops, protesters," by Jules Crittenden, Boston Herald: "U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who boosted a protester bail fund over the weekend, called for an "independent investigation" into what happened between Boston Police and protesters at the Straight Pride Parade — which devolved into chaos and led to dozens of arrests. Pressley, speaking in Roxbury Tuesday, also pushed for more police body cameras to show what happens in future incidents. "A lot of the reason we don't have a picture of what transpired is because there's no documenting," Pressley said, saying she believes body cameras would show if police used de-escalation techniques, and if people were provoked." - "ACLU Looking Into Allegations of Police Misconduct At 'Straight Pride' Parade," by Zoe Mathews, WGBH News: "Activists who protested Saturday's self-described "straight pride" parade allege police misconduct, after dozens were arrested and police were seen pepper spraying people. Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts, told Boston Public Radio she was troubled with the apparent use of force by police. Rose said the ACLU of Massachusetts is conducting interviews, reviewing footage of Saturday's events and requesting information from Boston Police to try to get more information." - "As markets waver, Boston Fed chief is optimistic but warns against overconfidence," by Larry Edelman, Boston Globe:"Whether you are a bull or a bear on the US economy, it's best not to get cocky. That's some advice from Eric Rosengren, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, who says that he and his fellow policy makers at the central bank should remain vigilant and ready to act at a time when risks to growth have increased. - "As baby boomers watch stocks swing wildly, their future seems less secure," by Robert Weisman, Boston Globe:"Menacing rumbles from Wall Street echoed across the placid waters of Cape Cod Bay last week as a boatload of graying day trippers returned to Sesuit Harbor. It was meant to be a carefree outing: A Hyannis financial planning firm had chartered the S.S. Lobster Roll, a twin-diesel party boat, to fete about 50 clients. But even amid the seaborne laughter, passengers were rattled by the recent market turbulence. Like millions in or approaching retirement, they wondered how the mounting uncertainty might affect their financial future." - "Women facing 'massive increase in hostility' in workplace, #MeToo-era study says," by Katie Johnston, Boston Globe: "In the two years since the #MeToo movement took off, igniting a firestorm over sexual harassment in the workplace, another form of less incendiary but more insidious gender-based harassment has been building quietly. Women say they are being subjected to sexism far more than they used to be, according to a new study out of the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business. ALL ABOARD - "Work continues to get Red Line running on time," by Diamond Naga Siu, Boston Globe: "The Red Line was moving briskly out of Braintree Station Tuesday morning, trains leaving on a frequent and regular schedule, and most even had empty seats. With Labor Day and the unofficial end of summer having passed, and commuters returning to more-regular work schedules, the seemingly uneventful performance of the Red Line was vastly different from the crowded trains and hours long waits in the days and weeks after the June 11 derailment at JFK/UMass." THE OPINION PAGES - "Mass. economy is at risk, four economic development chiefs say," by Ranch Kimball, Dan O'Connell, Greg Bialecki and Jay Ash, Boston Business Journal: "Massachusetts is in a housing crisis. The rising cost of living from increased housing prices is creating a substantial gap in affordable housing stock for cities and towns struggling to meet demand. As renters struggle with paying more than 30 percent of their income toward rent and as potential homeowners deal with single-family home prices that have increased faster than any other state, the progress Massachusetts has made in economic growth and development is at risk." DAY IN COURT - "Judges refuse to dismiss assault charges against protesters at Straight Pride Parade," by Gal Tziperman Lotan and John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: "Two Boston Municipal Court judges Tuesday rejected a move by Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins's office to dismiss charges of disorderly conduct and assault and battery on police officers against people protesting the Straight Pride Parade. Judges Thomas R. Horgan and Richard Sinnott did not agree with the recommendations from Suffolk assistant district attorneys that disorderly conduct charges be dropped once the defendants completed eight hours of community service." - "Husband of former Senate president might change plea in sexual assault case," by Matt Stout Globe, Boston Globe: "Bryon Hefner, whose criminal case sparked a reckoning on Beacon Hill and engulfed the political career of his once-powerful husband, is weighing a guilty plea ahead of his trial on multiple counts of sexual assault, court officials say. Hefner and prosecutors are scheduled to appear Sept. 10 in Suffolk Superior Court — one day before jury selection is scheduled to begin — for what a court clerk said Tuesday is a possible change of plea." - "Lawsuit: State would not rehire park supervisor after he reported sexual harassment," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "A former supervisor at Ashland State Park is suing the state, claiming he was not rehired because he reported another supervisor for making sexually inappropriate comments in front of female subordinates. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Karen Green in July ruled that a lawsuit filed by Joseph Kelley against the state Department of Conservation and Recreation can go forward." WARREN REPORT - "How Elizabeth Warren would address climate change," by Eric Wolff, POLITICO: "Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren issued an aggressive climate change plan on Tuesday that echoed the Green New Deal, calling for spending $3 trillion under a 10-year plan to move the U.S. to 100 percent clean energy, spur economic development with a raft of new jobs and protect poor communities dependent on fossil fuels. Warren's plan praises the proposals pushed by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who had built his presidential campaign around climate change but dropped out of the race last month after failing to attract national support." MOULTON MATTERS - "Trump tariffs hurting small businesses," by Ethan Forman, The Salem News: "U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton got a first-hand look Tuesday at how trade wars are affecting a small local cheese shop just around the corner from his district office in Salem, and a small family-owned high-end carbon fiber bicycle manufacturer just over the bridge in Beverly. Both businesses' owners say they are getting squeezed by proposed or present tariffs. For North Shore foodies, the Cheese Shop of Salem at 45 Lafayette St. is facing up to 100% tariffs on cheese, olives and other specialty food items coming from the European Union." MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS - "Mintz Levin, ML Strategies steer clear of pot clients," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "THE POWERHOUSE LOBBYING FIRM ML Strategies and its corporate parent, the law firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, are not pursuing clients in the recreational marijuana business while the legal status of pot remains murky. While other law and lobbying firms have plunged head-first into the marijuana arena, Mintz Levin and ML Strategies have charted a very different course. Nancy Sterling, a spokesperson for both the law and lobbying firms, said the policy on marijuana clients is not a blanket prohibition, but it comes pretty close." — Herald: "STAY OUT OF BOSTON!" — Globe: "With market swings, no rest for retirees," "Judge won't let protesters off hook." NO PLACE LIKE THE CITY OF HOMES - "Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno 'miffed' as seniors plan rally for lower-cost meals, transportation at Raymond Jordan center," by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: "Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said he is "miffed" that a group of senior citizens is planning a rally at City Hall Wednesday to protest the cost of meals and transportation at the Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center at Blunt Park. The Massachusetts Senior Action Council announced that dozens of seniors are expected to gather at 11 a.m., protesting that the price of lunch is $3.50 — compared with a previous price of $2 — and that the cost of a round-trip van shuttle to the center is $6. Van trips are provided by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority." THE LOCAL ANGLE - "Weymouth residents want relief from digital billboard," by Jessica Trufant, The Patriot Ledger: "A group of South Weymouth neighbors are asking town councilors for help after they say a brightly lit, three-sided digital billboard was built on the northbound side of Route 3, across from their neighborhood, without proper notification or oversight. Kipling Road resident Amy Kabilian went before town council on Tuesday night regarding the digital billboard that she said has impacted her neighbors' property values and quality of life since it appeared in April. She said she turned to the council for help with the issue after months of no action from town officials." MEDIA MATTERS - "MassLive sees over 6 million unique visitors in June, surpasses Boston.com in digital audience in July," by Ed Kubosiak, MassLive.com: "MassLive's statewide growth strategy continues to show impressive results with the site topping six million unique visitors in June and topping competitor Boston.com in digital audience for the first time in July, according to the most recent data for Massachusetts and New England digital media properties from independent media analytics company comScore." TRANSITIONS - Delia Harrington joins state Sen. Becca Rausch's office as communications director. WEEKEND WEDDING - "Alicia Christoff, Adam Hinds," from the NY Times: "Alicia Jean Mireles Christoff and Adam Gray Hinds were married Aug. 24 at August Moon, an events space in Sheffield, Mass. Ms. Christoff, 37, is an assistant professor of English at Amherst College in Amherst, Mass. She is also the author of "Novel Relations: Victorian Fiction and British Psychoanalysis," which is to be published in December by Princeton University Press. Mr. Hinds, 43, a Democrat, is a Massachusetts state senator. He represents the Berkshires area district, in Western Massachusetts." With a pic, and an Insta pic. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY - to Carl Nilsson, president of Field First, LLC, who celebrated Friday; and state Sen. Becca Rausch, who turned 4-0 on Saturday. DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? No! The Twins beat the Red Sox 6-5. 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.   NEW—POLITICO's UNITED NATIONS PLAYBOOK: The 74thSession 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.       Follow us on Twitter Stephanie Murray @StephMurr_Jour   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters FOLLOW US

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MASSterList,: Acting President Chandler | Second probe | Legal sports betting?

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This email may be cut off by your email provider. To see today's full MASSterList, click "View entire message" at the bottom, or view the online version here. By Jay Fitzgerald and Keith Regan 12/05/2017 Acting President Chandler | Second probe | Legal sports betting?

Happening Today

Senate special election, Healey-Exxon hearing, Senate Hefner investigation -- The Senate special election to replace Jennifer Flanagan, who left office to join the Cannabis Control Commission, takes place in central Massachusetts with candidates Susan Chalifoux Zephir, a Democrat, Dean Tran, a Republican, Charlene DiCalogero, a Green-Rainbow candidate, and Claire Freda, an unenrolled candidate, vying for the seat. -- U.S. Rep. Richard Neal speaks to business leaders about tax reform and issues before Congress at a New England Council Congressional Roundtable, Boston Harbor Hotel, Wharf Room, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, 8:30 a.m. -- Supreme Judicial Court is expected to hear ExxonMobil's appeal of a judge's ruling in favor of Attorney General Maura Healey's request for documents related to climate change, John Adams Courthouse, One Pemberton Square, Boston, 9 a.m. -- Gov. Charlie Baker gives opening remarks at the first National Law Enforcement Summit hosted by the Police-Assisted Addiction Recovery Initiative, BU School of Medicine, 72 East Concord St., 14th floor, 10 a.m. -- The Cannabis Control Commission meets to receive recommendations from Cannabis Advisory Board subcommittees, Minihan Meeting Room, Hurley Building, 19 Staniford St., Boston, 10:30 a.m. -- The Financial Services Committee will consider life and disability insurance along with other matters, Room A-2, 10:30 a.m. -- Gov. Charlie Baker joins Secretary of Education Jim Peyser and legislators for the ceremonial signing of the LOOK bill, Room 360, 11 a.m. -- The Revenue Committee will hold a hearing on a bill filed by Sen. Richard Ross that would create a new income tax deduction for tuition payments to private occupational schools, Room B-2, 11 a.m. -- The Senate Ethics Committee plans to meet  and is expected to officially start an investigation into sexual-misconduct allegations against former Senate President Stan Rosenberg’s husband, Room 428, 11:30 a.m. -- Attorney General Maura Healey will speak on a panel regarding the office’s efforts to address human trafficking, The Four Seasons, 2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C., 11:30 a.m. -- Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities meets to accept testimony on bills dealing with the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Developmental Services, Hearing Room B-1, 12 p.m. -- Supporters of raising the state’s minimum wage to $15 discuss a planned ballot initiative at a press conference and rally, One Ashburton Place, 12 p.m. -- Joint Committee on Public Health hears 21 pharmacy-related bills, including proposals dealing with drug price transparency and the state's prescription monitoring program, Room A-2, 1 p.m. -- Boston Mayor Martin Walsh and the 14 cities and towns of the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition of Greater Boston announce a regional housing working plan, Eagle Room, City Hall, Boston, 2 p.m. -- Gov. Charlie Baker, First Lady Lauren Baker, Treasurer Deb Goldberg and families who have lost loved ones in military service will place photos on the Massachusetts Gold Star Families Tree, Memorial Hall, 2 p.m. -- The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education holds a public hearing on the proposed Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School in Lawrence, 51 Lawrence St., Lawrence, 4 p.m. -- Treasurer Deb Goldberg and Gov. Charlie Baker hold their regular monthly meeting, Governor's Office, Room 360, State House, 4:30 p.m. -- Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Polito host the State House tree lighting, 5 p.m. ceremony in Doric Hall, 6 p.m. holiday open house on the Grand Staircase. -- The Consul General of Japan, Rokuichiro Michii, hosts a reception to celebrate the Japanese emperor's birthday, a national holiday in Japan, celebrated Dec. 23, Great Hall, 6 p.m. -- Treasurer Deb Goldberg will attend the Big in Boston 2017 - Big Sister Association of Greater Boston, Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, 6:30 p.m. -- MassDOT will host the first of a series of public meetings on the I-90 Allston Interchange Improvement Project, Jackson-Mann Community Center, 500 Cambridge Street, Allston, 6:30 p.m.

Today's News

Senate turmoil: Stan steps down, Chandler steps up, sexual-assault investigation starts The full State House News Service team is all over this one: “The Senate initiated an Ethics Committee investigation on Monday night into its now former president Sen. Stanley Rosenberg in a dramatic day of upheaval that saw Worcester Democrat Harriette Chandler installed as the new acting Senate president pending the outcome of an investigation into sexual harassment and Senate interference by Rosenberg's husband.” They have much more at the Berkshire Eagle. Here’s Rosenberg’s “leave of absence” letter, via MassLive. But the Globe’s Scott Lehigh says it’s effectively a permanent resignation letter that ends Rosenberg’s Senate presidency: “Make no mistake, he is done. When you step aside, you don’t step back, and Rosenberg knows as much.” The Globe’s Kevin Cullen said Rosenberg should have permanently resigned, period, no “leave of absence” involved, if he’s serious about encouraging alleged victims to step forward. The Herald’s Joe Battenfeld is taking roughly the same line, arguing that senators “copped out” by holding out the remote prospect of Rosenberg’s return as president after a Senate investigation.  The Globe’s Joshua Miller and Michael Levenson and the Herald’s Matt Stout have more, including how Acting Senate President Chandler, who soon turns 80, says she’s “resolved” to give up her post once the investigation wraps up. If she means it, the behind-the-scenes jockeying for the permanent presidency will only intensify in coming days, weeks and probably months. As Matt Stout notes, senators have offered no timetable for when they hope to complete the Senate investigation.

Healey and Conley effectively launch second Hefner probe The Senate Ethics Commission meets today to officially launch an investigation into allegations that former Senate President Stan Rosenberg’s husband, Byron Hefner, sexually harassed and assaulted four men, some of whom have State House ties. But the big question is: Will any of the alleged victims want to talk to a Senate investigator? Probably not. So it makes sense that Attorney General Maura Healey and Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley, in an unusual move, are now jointly and publicly asking alleged victims to step forward with information related to Hefner, so that a criminal (and non-Senate) investigation can get under way, reports the Globe’s Joshua Miller and Michael Levenson and MassLive’s Gintautas Dumcius.

UMass details grad students’ sexual-harassment complaints against faculty Them too. UMass Amherst officials say they have handled 21 sexual harassment complaints from graduate students lodged against faculty in the past five years, Dusty Christensen of the Hampshire Gazette reports. In at least three of the cases, the person accused of harassment was allowed to retire from the school, effectively ending the campus’ investigation.  Gazette

Bet on it: Is sports gambling coming to Massachusetts? The Massachusetts Gaming Commission and Attorney General Maura Healey’s office are closely monitoring an expected U.S. Supreme Court decision that could clear the way for sports gambling across the country. In fact, the gaming commission plans to discuss the issue at a meeting later this week and Wynn Boston Harbor is practically licking its chops at the prospect of legal sports gambling. The Herald’s Bob McGovern has the details. Boston Herald

Families warned after state Medical Examiner’s camera goes missing This is not good. A digital camera belonging to the office of the State Medical Examiner in Holyoke has gone missing and the office is alerting as many as 800 families that photos of their deceased relatives could turn up in public, WBZ TV reports.  CBS Boston

Latest item on T’s must-do list: Improve bus service The MBTA is targeting the poor reliability of its bus service, which now has only a 65 percent reliability rating, according to reports by CommonWealth’s Bruce Mohl and WGBH’s Isaiah Thompson. “First, we need better, smarter bus service,” says MBTA General Manager Luis Manuel Ramirez. “Second, we need more bus service.”

Another reason for Trump to hate Mitt … As President Donald Trump was endorsing controversial Senate candidate Roy Moore, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a fellow Republican, said a Moore victory would be a “stain on the GOP and on the nation. Leigh Corfman and other victims are courageous heroes. No vote, no majority is worth losing our honor, our integrity.” Coming a day after Trump tried to undermine Mitt’s hope to run for U.S. Senate in Utah, you might also say this was a little payback from Mitt. Boston Herald

‘Seaport gondola is the answer to a problem we don't have’ MBTAinfo.com thinks the Seaport gondola proposal by Millennium Partners is rather odd: “Why do you need a gondola where it's flat?” Good question. Then again, there’s a gondola/tramway over the flat East River in NYC, so there is a non-mountain precedent. MBTAinfo.com item via Universal Hub’s Adam Gaffin, whose headline we’ve borrowed. MBTAinfo.com

Cities already committed to more housing promise more housing This is definitely welcome. But the housing shortage in the region isn’t going to change as long as leafy suburban communities aren’t on board. From Tim Logan at the Globe: “Mayors of 14 Boston-area cities and towns are pledging to work together to address the region’s severe housing shortage. The Metropolitan Mayors Coalition — which includes leaders of inner-ring municipalities from Braintree to Brookline to Winthrop — on Tuesday are expected to unveil a new agreement to boost housing development in a bid to blunt rising rents and home prices that make Greater Boston one of the most expensive areas in the country in which to live.” Here’s an interesting takeaway line: “The push has the support of Governor Charlie Baker, who has freed up funding for affordable housing and reportedly is readying legislation aimed at boosting suburban development.” Boston Globe

SJC to referee Healey-Exxon donnybrook The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments today on whether Attorney General Maura Healey can compel Exxon Mobil to comply with her investigation about what the company has known about climate change over the years, in the latest legal skirmish between the two warring sides. Shira Schoenberg at MassLive has more. MassLive

Court to review if DOC called out the dogs too early Speaking of the SJC (and also from Shira Schoenberg at MassLive): “Massachusetts' highest court on Thursday will hear a challenge to the state's policy of using dogs to screen visitors to state prisons. ... The plaintiffs argue the Department of Correction circumvented the policies for setting a new rule, which would have required a public hearing.” MassLive

What the blazes is Consumers for Sensible Energy? A group called Consumers for Sensible Energy, which opposes construction of new natural-gas pipelines in the region, is refusing to say who is funding its operation, so CommonWealth’s Bruce Mohl started digging. He finds it may be linked to a similar outfit in New Hampshire – and it appears (repeat: appears) it may have links to a firm involved in a rival project to import hydroelectricity and wind power into New England. Bruce explains. CommonWealth

Tufts columnist takes victory lap over Scaramucci ouster Camilo Caballero, the Tufts grad student whose anti-Anthony Scaramucci columns ultimately led to the Mooch’s resignation from a Tufts advisory board, takes an op-ed victory lap in the Boston Globe this morning. He’s somewhat modest about it all. Somewhat. Boston Globe

Lawmakers request BPS audit, told they can’t do that Maybe they’re asking for a friend? State Reps. Shawn Dooley of Norfolk and Shaun O’Connell of Taunton asked the state auditor’s office to review the books of the Boston Public Schools, but the auditor’s office says such a request can only come from the city itself, Jim Hand reports in the Sun-Chronicle.   Sun Chronicle

Republican tax bill hits state tech companies in the R&D gut Yet another provision that seems to hit blue states harder than others. From Greg Ryan at the BBJ: “The tax overhaul passed by the U.S. Senate over the weekend could carry major implications for research and development at local technology companies and other firms, tax experts said. At the last minute on Friday, lawmakers decided to keep the corporate alternative minimum tax — or AMT — in the bill rather than repeal it. The AMT is meant to set a floor for how much companies pay in federal taxes. Companies cannot use the federal R&D credit to fall below the AMT’s minimum.” BBJ

Meanwhile, the same bill also hits grad students in the gut Yet another interesting provision tucked into the Senate Republican tax bill. From Deirdre Fernandes at the Globe: “Thousands of graduate students in Massachusetts and across the country fear that their tax bills will climb dramatically if a proposal to end exemptions for tuition benefits makes it into the tax overhaul legislation that Republicans hope to send to President Trump by Christmas.” This could impact hundreds, if not thousands, of grad students in the area. Boston Globe

Save the Stripers! From Christian Wade at Salem News: “Striped bass are New England's premier sport fish, sought by thousands of anglers who prize them for a fighting spirit and high-quality fillets. Stripers were pushed to the brink of extinction in the late 1970s but made a dramatic comeback. Now recreational anglers say the coveted fish again is struggling, and they’re lobbying Beacon Hill to implement new regulations that include making the fish off-limits to commercial fishermen.” Salem News

Is the CVS-Aetna deal really about creating a new ‘provider’ network? Last time we checked, CVS was buying an insurance company, not a hospital chain or medical-clinic network, so excuse us for being a little skeptical about its rationale for buying Aetna. From Alison Kodjak at WBUR: “CVS Health is looking to create a national network of community medical clinics that will serve as ‘America's front door to quality health care.’ That's the goal, according to a statement by CEO Larry Merlo on his company's deal for Aetna. It's an ambitious one for CVS, a company better known as a quick stop for Tylenol and a Coke.” Sounds more like CVS is buying a piggybank to pay for whatever it wants to sell. WBUR

Judge orders prosecutors to explain new extortion charges in City Hall case The judge overseeing the federal extortion trial of two City Hall aides wants prosecutors to explain why the indictments against them were recently rewritten, Laurel Sweet of the Herald reports. The judge gave prosecutors until Dec. 18 to hand the information over to the defense team. The trial is still scheduled to start though some legal watchers believe a delay could be granted given the new indictments.  Boston Herald

Five years later, Billerica's temporary jail still houses pre-trail detainees Five years after saying it was temporary move, the Middlesex County Sheriff’s office continues to house pre-trial detainees awaiting court appearances in Cambridge at the Billerica House of Corrections, Rick Sobey reports in the Lowell Sun. Sobey’s search for answers on where the process of building a new jail stands yielded a lot of shrugs, but the sheriff’s office admits that transporting detainees to and from the jail adds expense and security risks.  Lowell Sun

Today's Headlines Metro GE plans minor tweaks to future Boston HQ campus - Boston Business Journal Two paths revealed for Suffolk Downs - Boston Herald Massachusetts Mass. AG Maura Healey, Suffolk DA ready to investigate sexual misconduct allegation against Bryon Hefner - MassLive Danvers bans recreational pot shops - Salem News Berkshire Museum pushes for speedy appeal, citing ‘precarious condition’ - Berkshire Eagle T’s director of parking leaves authority - CommonWealth Magazine Why are Globe reporters shilling for this billionaire? - Dig Boston Nation Trump White House weighing plans for private spies to counter ‘deep state’ enemies - The Intercept Supreme Court allows full enforcement of Trump travel ban - NPR

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