POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook Local connection to OPIOIDS report — BUDGET talks stall out — QUINCY to sue big drug makers

11/02/2017 07:00 AM EDT

By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski)

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

FEDS RELEASE OPIOID REPORT - The bipartisan Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, which includes Gov. Charlie Baker, released its final report yesterday in its attempt to staunch the daily estimated loss of 175 lives nationally due to the epidemic.

The report calls for increased funding in the form of block grants to states but did not put a dollar amount on how much money would be needed going forward. As commission chairman Gov. Chris Christie put it in the executive summary, "It is not the Commission's charge to quantify the amount of these resources, so we do not do so in this report."

There's a Massachusetts connection to the recommendations, including re-upping the prescription monitoring program to reduce opioid prescriptions and creating curricula for medical students around pain management and addiction prevention, both of which have been successfully implemented in Massachusetts.

Baker, who called in to yesterday's commission meeting while in California on a working vacation with his wife, noted that the funding increase, among other action items, "can start making a difference in every state if acted upon by the White House and Congress."

Last week, many Massachusetts Democrats quickly railed against the Trump administration's national emergency declaration around the opioid epidemic. But the recommendations have at least the tepid support of one member of the DC delegation.

Sen. Ed Markey has praised the "sensible policies" recommended by the working group in a statement yesterday, though he added that the "recommendations will be little more than ink on paper unless the President requests a specific amount of funding for the federal government and states to implement them."

- Read the final report.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.

TODAY - The Senate meets in formal session - The City of Worcester holds a press conference about coordinated efforts to handle the influx of evacuees displaced by hurricanes Irma and Maria. Already the city of seven hills as 180 new residents and over 100 new students in Worcester Public Schools - State Senate President Stan Rosenberg hosts an unveiling ceremony for former Senate President Terry Murray's official portrait.

** A message from PhRMA: Are middlemen really holding down the cost of medicines? Biopharmaceutical companies set the list prices for their medicines, but it's your insurer that decides how much you pay out of pocket. More than one-third of the list price is rebated back to middlemen, but these savings aren't always shared with patients. http://onphr.ma/2zcTOi3 **

DATELINE BEACON HILL -

- "No movement on stalled mini-budget talks," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "House and Senate lawmakers trying to negotiate a mini budget that's been rife with discord did not meet in person on Wednesday, but that didn't stop the sniping. ... A day after the comptroller's office confirmed that legislative inaction means Massachusetts will be late to close its books for the second time in the last three fiscal years, little progress seemed to be made to resolve a roughly $130 million budget bill that also includes a section banning devices that can enable guns to fire like illegal, automatic weapons."

- "House Approves Putting Mass. On Paris Accord Standards, But Senate Could Go Even Further," by Mike Deehan, WGBH News: "The House easily passed a bill that would put the state in line with the emissions standards put forward by the Paris agreement by 2025. ... But Lexington Sen. Michael Barrett, the Senate's Energy committee chairman, says that Massachusetts law already says the state has to be near that level by 2020. Barrett says lawmakers need to set more aggressive goals for 2025 instead of stopping at the Paris-approved levels."

- "Feeney brings aggressive agenda to Mass. Senate," by Andy Metzger, State House News Service: "The Senate gained another Democrat Wednesday as Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito swore in Paul Feeney of Foxborough, who was quickly installed as the new chairman of the Legislature's Public Service Committee."

YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS - "Commission approves report on switch to Atlantic Time Zone, passes it to Legislature," by J.D. Capelouto, Lowell Sun: "A report that extols the virtues of switching Massachusetts' time zone - and warns of some potential pitfalls - will be forwarded to lawmakers after being approved by a special commission Wednesday, just four days before most of the country will fall back an hour."

TRUMPACHUSETTS -

- "Birth control mandate would raise insurance costs," by Christian M. Wade, Gloucester Times: "A proposed mandate requiring health plans to pay for birth control would drive up insurance premiums by at least $5.3 million over the next five years, according to a new report. ... The state's Center for Health Information and Analysis report, released Tuesday, suggests that the mandate would cost individuals 7 to 20 cents more over the next five years."

- "AG Maura Healey, congressional delegation call for EPA hearings in Massachusetts on carbon rules," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, the Massachusetts House speaker and Senate president, and the entire Massachusetts congressional delegation are calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to hold hearings in Massachusetts on the proposed repeal of federal regulations relating to carbon pollution."

DATELINE DC -

- "Gov. Charlie Baker urges Congress to reauthorize CHIP, health centers," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "Gov. Charlie Baker sent a letter to U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday urging Congress to reauthorize funding for two health care programs."

- "US Rep. Richard Neal urges GOP to slow tax overhaul process, blasts proposed cap on retirement savings contributions," by Shannon Young, Springfield Republican: "With Republicans having delayed the introduction of their plan to overhaul the U.S. tax code, Congressman Richard Neal, D-Springfield, urged House GOP leaders Wednesday to respectively slow down the process lawmakers will use to consider the high-profile legislation."

WARREN REPORT -

- "The Supreme Court Has An Ethics Problem," by Elizabeth Warren, POLITICO: "Justices on the high court don't have to follow the same code of conduct as they do in lower courts. That needs to change."

ON THE STUMP -

- "'Vote-farming' fraud alleged amid City Council race between former mayor's son and former mayor's staffer," by Gintautas Dumcius, Masslive.com: "Two community groups are alleging voter fraud, saying elderly voters in Boston's Chinatown neighborhood were the victims of 'vote-farming' ahead of the Nov. 7 election."

- "Tito Jackson's Closing Argument," by WGBH's The Scrum: "In less than one week, Boston voters will either give Mayor Marty Walsh a second term or hand the reins of the city government to his challenger, City Councilor Tito Jackson. The Scrum invited Walsh and Jackson to answer a few lingering questions and then make their final pitch to the electorate. Walsh wasn't able to participate, but Jackson was. Take a listen as he makes his case."

WOOD WAR - Herald: "$558M BENEFITS BONANZA!" "WHAT A SMASH" - Globe: "TERRORISM HITS HOME, AGAIN," "Merger may raise health costs $61m, report says," "MUSIC TO A TEACHER'S EARS," "More victims, abusers listed in St. Paul's report," "Faded ticket, clear response."

THE LOCAL ANGLE -

- "Quincy plans to sue big drug makers over opioid crisis," by Michael Levenson, Boston Globe: "Quincy, hard hit by the opioid crisis, said Wednesday that it will become the first city in Massachusetts to sue the pharmaceutical industry for allegedly downplaying the dangers of opioids and flooding the market with addictive and deadly painkillers."

- "State reports 31,000 still without power," by Rick Sobey, Lowell Sun: "Most Greater Lowell residents will have power restored back by midday Wednesday, a National Grid spokesman said, more than 50 hours after Sunday night's storm walloped the region."

- "From Russia, a pro-Trump Facebook ad that cites an East Boston shooting," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "A Russia-backed pro-Trump Facebook ad that featured during last year's presidential election cited a bloody, police-involved shooting in East Boston in an attempt to sway people to vote for President Trump, according to federal documents made public Wednesday."

- "Attorney General's Office files emergency motion in Berkshire Museum suit," by Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle: "The office acted after participating in a two-hour hearing before Judge John Agostini that appeared to leave that quest on life support, as plaintiffs' attorneys struggled to convince the judge their clients held necessary legal standing to challenge the museum's planned sale."

- "WBUR continues to push for release of juror names in terrorism trial," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "But in court documents filed Wednesday, WBUR-FM, through an attorney representing Boston University trustees, Jeffrey J. Pyle, said no media entity 'may be required to agree to a prior restraint on their speech as a condition of receiving court records to which they have a First Amendment right of access.'"

- "Sex, spies, and classical music: The BSO scandal you've never heard of," by Neal Swidey, Boston Globe Magazine: "One hundred years ago, one of the world's top conductors was ensnared in a scandal involving patriotism and sex. It almost toppled Boston's famed orchestra."

MEDIA MATTERS - "WBZ, The Sports Hub get new owners as Entercom moves to complete radio merger," by Andy Rosen, Boston Globe: "Some of Boston's best-known radio stations will get new owners under a deal unveiled on Wednesday aimed at winning federal approval of Entercom Communications Corp.'s merger with CBS Radio. ... In one of the biggest shake-ups in Boston radio history, the companies said they agreed to the following moves to get antitrust clearance from the US Justice Department."

MAZEL! - to Maydad Cohen, newly named Business Development and Government Affairs Executive for the New England Region for NTT DATA Services.

DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! - The Celtics beat the Kings 113-86.

TWO FOR THE SHOW - We've got two showdowns coming at you this week on The Horse Race. First, we analyze Marty and Tito after their first (and last) mayoral debate. Then, John Kingston and Beth Lindstrom get testy over a U.S. Senate seat. Plus, turns out local elections are important - who knew? We're joined by a very special guest host this week: WGBH's one and only Mike Deehan! Subscribe and listen now on iTunes andSound Cloud.

- And save the date for a live Horse Race event at Ned Devine's in Boston on Nov. 28. No actual horses, just a lot of jockeying for #mapoli insights. Plus, there will be swag! More details coming soon.

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 PhRMA: Are middlemen really holding down the cost of medicines? Ever wonder who decides what you pay for your medicines? It's not who you might think. Biopharmaceutical companies set the list prices for their medicines, but it's your insurer that ultimately determines how much you pay out of pocket. More than one-third of the list price of a medicine is rebated back to middlemen, like insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). These rebates and discounts create savings of more than $100 billion, but these savings aren't always shared directly with patients. Patients share the costs. They should share the savings. http://onphr.ma/2zcTOi3 **

To view online:
https://www.politico.com/tipsheets/massachusetts-playbook/2017/11/02/local-connection-to-feds-opioids-report-budget-talks-stalled-out-quincy-to-sue-big-drug-makers-223131

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MASSterList: Scaled-down | Lucky’s day | Thing That Wouldn’t Leave

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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 11/01/2017 Scaled-down | Lucky’s day | Thing That Wouldn’t Leave

Happening Today

Open-enrollment, climate change, Feeney swearing-in, governor on vacation -- Gov. Charlie Baker travels to California for vacation, returning to Massachusetts on Monday. -- The open enrollment period during which Massachusetts residents can buy their own insurance for 2018 through the Health Connector, without the requirement of a qualifying life event, starts today. -- House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets will hold a hearing on a $1.7 billion bond bill to support housing production, Room B-2, 10 a.m. -- Governor's Council holds confirmation hearings today on Gov. Baker's nominations to the Superior Court and the Pittsfield District Court, Council Chamber, at 10 a.m. and 1:15 p.m, respectively -- House Committee on Technology and Intergovernmental Affairs holds a hearing with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, with the collaborative scheduled to give a presentation on ‘how Massachusetts has assumed, and will continue, its role as a global leader in the cybersecurity field,’ Hearing Room B-1, 10:30 a.m. -- The House meets in a formal session with plans to consider legislation that would commit Massachusetts to the standards of the Paris Climate Agreement, 11 a.m. -- Senate Democrats meet privately for a caucus, Senate President's office, 11 a.m. -- The Cooperative Credit Union Association holds Massachusetts Credit Union Day at the State House, Great Hall, 10:30 a.m. -- The Jobs Not Jails Coalition plans to rally at the State House and meet with representatives as the House prepares its own version of a criminal justice bill, State House, 11 a.m. -- Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn discusses the economic impact of Wynn Boston Harbor at a luncheon hosted by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, 120 Huntington Ave., Boston, 11:45 a.m. -- Health Policy Commission meets to consider a report on the proposed merger between Partners Healthcare and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 50 Milk St., Boston, 12 p.m. -- Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito a meeting of the Governor's Council with a tentative agenda that includes certification of election results and swearing-in of Paul Feeney as senator from Bristol and Norfolk, Council Chamber, 12 p.m. -- Attorney General Maura Healey is a guest on WBZ Radio's ‘NightSide,’ WBZ NewsRadio 1030, 8 p.m. -- Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson, Jessica Vaughn of the Center for Immigration Study and retired ICE special agent Walter Hempel are expected to appear at a forum held by Rep. Geoff Diehl,a Republican U.S. Senate candidate, on securing borders, sanctuary cities and illegal immigration, 94 Lovers Ln., Groton, 7 p.m.

Today's News

Newton man among injured in NYC truck-terrorist attack This is a tragedy within a tragedy: A Newton man who hails from Argentina and who was in New York for a college reunion was among the injured in yesterday’s NYC truck-terrorist attack, but five of his college buddies from Argentina were among the eight killed, reports Danny McDonald at the Globe and Alexia Fernandez at the Herald.  The New York Times has full coverage of the attack and has a map graphic of where along the Hudson River the attack took place. Former Boston and NYC police William “Bill” Bratton is pessimistic about our chances of stopping similar truck attacks in the future, but he’s optimistic about the grit of Americans, the Herald’s Owen Boss reports. “There’s a resiliency among people nowadays. In Boston, after the marathon bombing you had Boston Strong — and New York, we have the same kind of resiliency.”

House to debate scaled-down criminal justice bill; Baker expresses ‘very significant concern’ with Senate measure Amid pressure from progressives to pass the Senate’s sweeping criminal-justice bill, the House is expected today to set a Nov. 9 deadline to debate its own reform legislation, which likely will be a whittled-down version of the Senate plan, reports Jim O’Sullivan at the Globe. Then there’s Gov. Charlie Baker, who yesterday expressed reservations about the ambitious Senate legislataion. “I would say there are a bunch of things in there that cause us very significant concern,” said Baker, ticking off his problem with eliminating minimum sentences for drug traffickers amidst an opioid-abuse crisis, as SHNS’s Colin Young reports (pay wall). “There are a number of other elements in (the Senate plan) that just seem to not make a heck of a lot of sense."

Power still out for hundreds of thousands across New England About 36,000 customers were still without power as of early this morning in the Bay State, reports the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. That’s significantly down from the more than 300,000 customers who lost power earlier this week due to the nasty Sunday-Monday storm. But it’s a different story in Maine, where some 275,000 customers were still without power as of yesterday, 48 hours after the strong-wind and pelting-rain storm, the Globe reports. At one point, nearly two-thirds of Maine were without power and the governor has declared a state of emergency. In New Hampshire, about 52,000 customers were still without power as of early this morning, reports Eversource. MEMA

The Thing That Wouldn’t Leave: Lawmakers fail to pass compromise budget, bump-stock bill We’re talking about a supplemental budget that would close out last year’s fiscal budget – which ended four months ago. From SHNS’s Matt Murphy at WWLP: “The hopes of House and Senate lawmakers to complete a budget deal before Nov. 1 faded quickly on Tuesday afternoon as negotiations, initially stymied over a procedural dispute, have bogged down over a handful of issues, including a gun control measure and funding for youth violence prevention.” WWLP

Tito’s dilemma: Progressives are a dime a dozen in Boston Mayoral candidate Tito Jackson has been running as a “full-throated liberal” this year in Boston, but there’s a small problem with that strategy, writes Michael Jonas at CommonWealth magazine: Practically everyone else in Boston can portray themselves as a progressive, including the incumbent, Marty Walsh. Convenient example: Jackson is pounding away at income inequality in Boston, as Anthony Brooks reports at WBUR. But notice how he has trouble outflanking Walsh on the issue: “Walsh recognizes the challenge, but he argues that it goes back generations, which is also true.” CommonWealth

Newton’s class-gender-partisan-native divide in mayoral race Now here’s how you distinguish yourself in a mayoral race when there’s really no political distinctions per se: Bring up where candidates grew up, party loyalty, where and when candidates worked, etc. etc. That’s what’s happening in Newton’s mayoral race, reports John Hillard at the Globe. Boston Globe

For Gloucester mayoral candidate, asking for campaign funds crosses a creepy line In another mayoral race: Francisco Sclafani, who is challenging Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken in next week’s election, tells the Gloucester Times’ Ray Lamont he has good reasons for raising exactly $0 for his campaign: He doesn’t want to deal with all the paperwork—or creep anyone out. "When you ask for donations, you have to fill out reports with their names, addresses, where they work—it can take hours. Plus, as a man, I don't want to be out there asking women where they live, or where they work.”   Gloucester Times

‘Lucky’ the lottery machine takes a victory lap They’re not quite putting Lucky out to stud. More like allowing the Massachusetts Lottery terminal that sold the recent $758.7 million Powerball winning ticket to take a victory lap around the state, from regional lottery office to regional lottery office. “Fame appears to have changed Lucky,” writes SHNS’s Colin Young at Wicked Local. “Since vaulting into the public limelight in August, googly eyes, a mustache, a mouth and a tie have newly appeared on the blue terminal.” Check out the accompanying photo.  Wicked Local

Gov. Baker is still Mr. Popular Gov. Charlie Baker has maintained his position as the nation’s most popular governor, with an approval rating in Massachusetts of 67 percent, according to the latest Morning Consult survey. The Globe’s Joshua Miller has more. Morning Consult

Quincy hires law firm for likely suit against drug firms over opioid crisis The city of Quincy has hired a Washington D.C.-based law firm, the first step toward filing a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies for their role in the nation’s opioid crisis, Sean Phillip Cotter of the Patriot Ledger reports. The firm, Motley Rice—which helped wins billions for states from tobacco companies in the 1990s—will work on commission only and could receive 25 percent of any damages awarded to the city. Patriot Ledger

They’ve had it: T revenues down amid widespread rider dissatisfaction with service We missed this the other day. Obviously, CommonWealth’s Jack Sullivan didn’t: “MBTA officials are eyeing a nearly 67 percent spike in the agency’s projected structural deficit, a hole caused by lower fare revenues from people avoiding what they view as the unreliable service and continued cost overruns by the agency’s paratransit service despite privatization. Michael Abramo, the T’s chief administrator, told members of the Fiscal Management and Control Board on Monday that fare collections were down more than $7 million so far this year, caused mainly by people who say in surveys they can’t rely on the service and have cut back on its use.” CommonWealth

Bridgewater State University to face federal discrimination lawsuit Attorneys representing the families of children raped at a Bridgewater State University daycare center say they will add a federal discrimination suit to ongoing legal actions against the college, Tom Relihan of the Enterprise reports. Lawyers plan to add Title IX discrimination allegations to their lawsuit in coming weeks, saying administrators did not do enough to protect victims.  Enterprise News

Lafayette, we are here: Lawmakers to debate joining Paris Climate Agreement House lawmakers today are expected to debate a bill that would commit Massachusetts to the Paris Climate Agreement, which President Donald Trump rejected only a few months ago. The Senate also plans to take up a climate-change bill later this week. SHNS’s Katie Lannan has more at WGBH. WGBH

Ex-Ambassador to Denmark eyes Third Congressional race? He’s apparently a huge hit in Denmark, but now Rufus Gifford, the former U.S. ambassador to Denmark, may soon see if he’s a hit in the Third Congressional District, where he’s reportedly eying a run to fill the seat of retiring U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, according to long piece by Amy Weiss-Meyer at the Atlantic. Atlantic

Salem’s Seth Moulton gives Trump a Halloween tutorial on ‘witch hunts’ Coming on Halloween, this was pretty funny, with the Witch City’s U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton effectively denouncing President Trump’s denunciations of the special prosecutor’s Russia-campaign investigation as a “witch hunt.” Via Shannon Young at MassLive, here’s a sampling of Moulton’s tips to the president to determine if a witch hunt is really underway: "Step 1: Are you an actual witch? Symptoms include being able to fly on a broomstick, cast evil spells, & being surrounded by flying monkeys ...” You get the picture. Read the entire story. MassLive

Another health insurer is leaving the Massachusetts market This isn’t a good sign on the first day of the state’s open enrollment, even if it is a small insurer. From Jessica Bartlett: “When open enrollment begins Nov. 1, Massachusetts residents will have two fewer options for insurance, becoming the latest state to lose insurers on the state’s marketplace amid federal upheaval. Not only will Minuteman Health not be available for the 2018 enrollment year, but CeltiCare Health Plan has also withdrawn from the Massachusetts market, the state confirmed.” BBJ

Baker appoints Anderson as insurance commissioner Speaking of insurance, from Rob Lenihan at Business Insurance: “Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has appointed Gary D. Anderson as commissioner of the state’s division of insurance, the state Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation said Tuesday. Mr. Anderson, who joined the division in 2014 as first deputy commissioner, has been the acting commissioner since February, when former Commissioner Daniel Judson stepped down to become president of the Workers Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau.” BBJ

Tight gun control in Massachusetts? Think again Some gun-control opponents say the Bay State has almost become an anti-Second Amendment bastion of strict gun laws and measures. But a new report from Northeastern University and UMass Boston shows that the percentage of people denied access to firearms in Massachusetts is actually in line with the national average – or 97 percent. Hayley Glatter at Boston Magazine has the details. Boston Magazine

Montague police chief relieved of duty amid controversy over missing narcotics Following no-confidence votes and signals from rank-and-file police officers and Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan, Montague Police Chief Charles "Chip" Dodge has been put on paid leave by the board of selectmen while the town conducts an “internal investigation,” reports Jim Russell at MassLive. The investigation is apparently tied to missing narcotics from the department's public drug drop-off box and what rank-and-file police believe is an attempt by Dodge to shift suspicion away from him to them. MassLive

Bump has ‘waved the white flag of surrender’ on investigating corporate tax incentives State Auditor Suzanne Bump told lawmakers yesterday that she’s given up trying to get legislative approval to review the effectiveness of corporate tax incentives, reports SHNS’s Andy Metzger. “I have admittedly waved the white flag of surrender on that, at least for now," Bump said at a committee hearing. But Bump is now trying to get lawmakers to allow her office to review (but not audit) individual tax returns to “assess whether the Department of Revenue is properly remitting local option tax revenue to cities and towns, whether welfare programs are effectively determining income eligibility or whether the state is garnishing wages of people who owe child support,” Metzger writes. SHNS (pay wall)

In Attleboro, missing tapes raise eyebrows Maybe someone is making a mix tape? The president of the Attleboro City Council says a dozen or more recordings of past council meetings have gone missing from City Hall and he’s convinced it was no accident—and no coincidence they turned up missing just days before the city goes to the polls to elect a mayor and councilors, Jim Hand of the Sun-Chronicle reports. They can’t blame Rose Mary Woods for this tape caper. Sun Chronicle

Oh, no! Not Casey Affleck too! They’re falling like dominos in Hollywood. From Lisa Weidenfeld at Boston Magazine: “A director in New York has now introduced a petition to stop Casey Affleck from participating in the 2018 Academy Awards because of (past) sexual harassment allegations against him.” And it comes less than a year after Affleck won the Best Actor Oscar for arguably the worst Best Actor Oscar performance in the history of Best Actor Oscar awards, we might add. Boston Magazine

Today's Headlines

Metro

How tough is Boston’s housing market? Try buying a three-family in Dorchester - WGBH

The mantra in Boston mayoral races: lean left - CommonWealth Magazine

Massachusetts

Sewage overflows into Merrimack River after storm cuts power to treatment, pumping plants - Boston Globe

Group: Fentanyl to fuel opioid deaths 5 more years - Boston Herald

1st marijuana grow facility in Berkshires planned for Pittsfield - MassLive

Prosecutors: Thousands of cases are impacted by Farak lab misconduct - WBUR

$11,800 from medical marijuana company to donated to Holyoke Council candidates - MassLive

There’s proof gun control laws worked in Massachusetts - Boston Magazine

Nation House GOP delays tax bill rollout - Politico Inside the decline of Sears, the Amazon of the 20th century - Wall Street Journal

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