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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
PELOSI-MOULTON SHOWDOWN — Rep. Seth Moulton is making waves in Washington as a simmering in-party fight over the speakership intensifies. The 6th District lawmaker jumped on the anti-Nancy Pelosi offensive a couple of years ago, and yesterday Pelosi called him out by name.
"I will be speaker of the House no matter what Seth Moulton says," Pelosi told reporters on Wednesday.
"I'm not the only one saying it," Moulton responded on Twitter.
But he is among the loudest. Ousting members of the party's old guard is part of Moulton's brand. He's an early example of the wave of ambitious politicians who burst onto the scene by challenging incumbents rather than wait their turn to run for office in Massachusetts. He took on nine-term Rep. John Tierney in 2014 and won in a Democratic primary upset, and he's been publicly opposed to Pelosi since the 2016 election. It wasn't always that way , but in November 2016, Moulton signed onto a 63-member letter against Pelosi's leadership. Now he's leading the charge against her.
Moulton floated Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge for the speakership during a CNN appearance on Wednesday night. "She's a woman of color from the Midwest, she's someone who understands the economic challenges that so many Americans face today," Moulton said. "The American people sent a very clear message a week ago with the election that it's time for a new approach to politics and new leaders, and it's our job in Washington to answer that call."
But some are questioning whether Democrats should just rely on Pelosi's experience at the party's helm when the stakes are so high in Washington under the Trump administration.
"The more that Republicans see their president getting put to the spurs by the Democrats, the less likely they will be to make a deal. How do you balance the two?" CNN host Chris Cuomo asked Moulton on Wednesday night.
"You sound like an RNC chairman, Chris. We're not just gonna take this Republican talking point. We're gonna do both," Moulton said.
Much of the Massachusetts delegation supports Pelosi for Speaker, including rising star Rep. Joe Kennedy III. With 49 days until House Democrats vote for Speaker on Jan. 3, the two questions marks in the Massachusetts delegation are Congresswoman-elect Ayanna Pressley and Congresswoman-elect Lori Trahan. Neither Democrat would say whether they would support Pelosi on the campaign trail, but it's likely they are experiencing Pelosi's wooing efforts during freshman orientation this week.
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 speaks at the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans conference and the Retailers Association of Massachusetts 100th anniversary celebration. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito,state Sen. Harriette Chandler and state Rep. Linda Dean-Campbellattend a ceremonial event in Worcester to honor the civics education bill signed last week.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attends the HubNob benefit for the Boston Centers for Youth & Families. Premier of Quebec François Legault speaks to The New England Council and the New England-Canada Business Council.
Oprah Winfrey speaks at UMass Lowell. Polito attends the launch of the state's first tech apprenticeship program with Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rosalin Acosta, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash and Secretary of Education James Peyser.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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-— House freshmen emerge as Instagram stars, by Stephanie Murray, POLITICO: "They haven't even been sworn into office yet, but already a group of Democratic freshmen are schooling their congressional colleagues on how to use social media.
By providing up-close-and-personal photos and short videos of the new member orientation process on Instagram, four newly-elected Democratic women of color — Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan — are amassing followings that dwarf most members of Congress."
CHARLIE BAKER SELLING ACCESS AGAIN:
- "Candlelight dinner? VIP access? Reserved seats? All for a price at Baker's inaugural festivities," by Matt Stout and Joshua Miller, Boston Globe: "Just days after he coasted to reelection, Governor Charlie Baker's campaign has begun soliciting donations of up to $25,000 from individuals and corporations to bankroll a slate of inaugural events around his Jan. 3 swearing-in. The requests for high-dollar contributions come with promises of a 'candlelight' dinner, 'VIP access' to the governor's 'signature' inaugural celebration, and recognition on 'all printed materials' for the planned events, according to documents obtained by the Globe."
- "Healey Mum On Laity Call For Renewed Church Investigation," by Mike Deehan, WGBH News: "Attorney General Maura Healey has failed to respond — at least to date — to a call from Catholic advocacy groups that her office investigate the personnel records of all Massachusetts archdioceses in order to ensure that there is no evidence of accused abusive priests being shuttled between or among parishes. It should be noted that there have not been renewed allegations of priestly abuse in Massachusetts. The Roman Catholic Church, however, is embroiled in a heated, almost global debate about how to respond to such charges which have become almost commonplace."
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ACROSS THE NATION GOT TRASHED IN THE MID TERM ELECTIONS DUE TO ITS LEADER - tRUMP AND THE SPINELESS REPUBLICANS FAILURE TO SPEAK OUT.
TRADITIONALLY REPUBLICAN AREAS VOTED TO FILL HOUSE SEATS WITH DEMOCRATS.
REPUBLICANS HAVE NO IDEAS, PROPOSE NOTHING UNLESS ITS APPROVED BY THEIR WEALTHY PUPPET MASTERS.
GEOFF DIEHL HITCHED HIS WAGON TO THAT FAILED LEADERSHIP. SORRY FOR YOU!
SEE ALSO:
DIEHL DEFENDING AN UNINDICTED CO-CONSPIRATOR!
WHERE HAVE WE HEARD THOSE WORDS BEFORE?
OH? Watergate?
ON THE STUMP —
- "Diehl still backs Trump despite 'not good news,'" by Hillary Chabot, Boston Herald: "Loyal President Trump supporter and GOP U.S. Senate candidate Geoff Diehl this morning called yesterday's bombshell dual felony convictions for top Trump associates 'not good news,' for the White House — but Diehl said he still supports the Commander in Chief. Diehl, who is running against longtime GOP operative Beth Lindstrom and Winchester businessman John Kingston for a chance to take on Sen. Elizabeth Warren, sought to downplay the bruising revelations as he heads into the final two weeks of the primary race."
DIEHL CONTINUES TO HAVE WACK-A-DINGS ENDORSING HIM AND FUNDRAISING FOR HIM! PRETTY SCARY!
GOP JOCKEYING - Two of the three Republicans angling to take on Sen. Elizabeth Warren may have skipped a debate last night, but all three are working down to the wire — in their own ways — to define their bids ahead of the September 4 primary.
State Rep. Geoff Diehl, for starters, has Herman Cain in town for a fundraiser. It's set to take place at Howie Carr's home in Wellesley later today. The former presidential candidate and creator of the 9-9-9 tax plan — who quit the 2012 race amid sexual harassment allegations — is just the latest nationally connected Republican brought in by Diehl's team in the primary. And as Diehl seeks to maintain his frontrunner status among likely Republican voters, he's also brought in former White House press secretary Sean Spicer and Maine Gov. Paul LePage as fundraising draws.
THIS IS WHAT A SENATOR WHO REPRESENTS HER CONSTITUENTS STANDS FOR:
"Elizabeth Warren's New Housing Proposal Is Actually a Brilliant Plan to Close the Racial Wealth Gap," by Mehrsa Baradaran and Darrick Hamilton: "Last month, Sen. Elizabeth Warren released a $450 billion housing plan called the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act. The proposal is a comprehensive and bold step toward providing affordable housing for the most vulnerable Americans. The bill is the first since the Fair Housing Act with the explicit intent of redressing the iterative effects of our nation's sordid history of housing discrimination. Critically, it has the potential to make a substantive dent in closing our enormous and persistent racial wealth gap."
- "Geoff Diehl considering bid to lead state GOP," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Geoff Diehl, the conservative state lawmaker who last week badly lost his bid to unseat US Senator Elizabeth Warren, said he is considering running for state GOP chair — a position currently held by a strong ally of Governor Charlie Baker. Diehl said Wednesday that he's been encouraged by several people to seek the post, which has wide sway over the state Republican Party's direction, fund-raising, and priorities."
- "REPORT DETAILS OPIOID EPIDEMIC'S TOLL ON EMPLOYERS, STATE BUDGET," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service:"Putting out a call to action for Bay State business leaders, a Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation report out Wednesday endeavors to understand the economic scale and scope of the opioid epidemic that has ravaged communities and killed thousands. The ongoing crisis of opioid misuse and overdose deaths has also had a 'severe' impact on Massachusetts businesses, MTF's report found, costing employers $2.7 billion a year in lost productivity among workers and an estimated $2.1 billion in excess health care costs related to opioid usage."
- "Here's how much Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker spent on his campaign in the months leading up to Election Day," by Gintautas Dumcius, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker vastly outspent his Democratic opponent Jay Gonzalez in the days and months leading up to the Nov. 6 election, according to the latest tally from a state campaign finance agency. Baker, a Swampscott Republican who won another four-year term, spent $8.9 million on his campaign between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, while Gonzalez spent $1.7 million, the independent Office of Campaign and Political Finance said in a roundup of fundraising and splurging."
- "ADVISOR: BAKER 'WILL NOT BE A CANDIDATE FOR U.S. SENATE,'" by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "Gov. Charlie Baker is coming off a resounding re-election victory, but senior political advisors to the popular Republican say he has no interest in parlaying that popularity into a run for higher office, particularly not for U.S. Senate in two years. The Boston Herald published a column on Tuesday claiming that, 'Word is Gov. Charlie Baker is mulling a 2020 run against U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey.' Several of Baker's senior advisors, however, immediately shot down the suggestion."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "Can the Massport board look beyond the usual players as it hires a new CEO?" by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "Chief executive of the Massachusetts Port Authority is one of the highest-paying and most powerful public sector jobs in the state. And with Thomas Glynn's retirement on Thursday, the race is on to fill it. Already, Boston's power-broker machine is in motion, floating a number of prominent names as possible contenders for the job of overseeing Logan Airport and a host of other major properties. So far those names most frequently mentioned are of older white men with political connections to match their resumes."
- "Firefighters renew calls for safety," by Mary Markos, Boston Herald: "Fire officials are sounding the alarm over the death of seven active duty firefighters since late October — a number of them from occupational cancer. It's already a dangerous job, but the recent deaths in the region have renewed calls for a focus on safety and training."
- "Bain Capital Ventures becomes latest to raise $1B fund," by Kelly J. O'Brien, Boston Business Journal: "Bain Capital Ventures, which has investors in Boston, New York and San Francisco, has raised $1 billion for its new fund, continuing a fundraising spree for Boston-area venture capital firms. Bain Capital Ventures, an affiliate of Bain Capital that focuses most of its investments on enterprise software startups, follows in the footsteps of General Catalyst, Battery Ventures and Bessemer Ventures Partners, which have all raised funds of $1 billion or more this year."
- "NOVA Senior Executive Producer Placed On Leave," by Emily Rooney, WGBH News: "WGBH's Beat the Press has learned that Paula Apsell, the longtime senior executive producer of NOVA and head of the WGBH Science Unit, has been placed on leave. WGBH Vice President of Communications Jeanne Hopkins said in a statement, "WGBH does not comment on personnel matters." The move came several weeks ago and while there is speculation in the building as to why Apsell was placed on leave, we were unable to confirm the reasons."
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| DATELINE MERRIMACK VALLEY |
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- "State Protections For Columbia Gas Could Hamper Lawsuits After Merrimack Valley Explosions," by Isaiah Thompson, WGBH News: "Almost a dozen suits have been filed, some seeking class status, on behalf of affected residents and business owners. The lawsuits argue that what happened wasn't just an accident but was the result of negligence. The plaintiffs are seeking damages for everything from the emotional trauma of displacement and fear to months of lost income and business revenue. But there might be a hitch in the form of a few obscure sentences in agreements between all of Massachusetts' gas utilities and the Department of Public Utilities, which regulates them."
- "PLANS FOR GAS OVERSIGHT HEARINGS, LOCKOUT BILL TAKING SHAPE," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service:"House leaders are hoping to hold a hearing with senators next week on a bill that would force National Grid to extend health benefits to workers locked out of their jobs since June during a prolonged contract dispute, but remain uncertain why the Senate pushed ahead to schedule separate Merrimack Valley gas oversight hearings without them."
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| MOULTON MATTERS |
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- "Moulton legislation would push VA on medical marijuana for veterans," by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "Representative Seth Moulton, a Massachusetts Democrat and former Marine Corps officer who saw combat in Iraq, announced Wednesday that he has partnered with Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida to introduce a trio of bills that would nudge the VA to better integrate cannabis into the treatment it provides veterans."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "JALSA and Faith Groups Stand Together on Assault Weapons Ban," from the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action: "The Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA) has joined with the Muslim, Episcopalian, and many other faith-based communities to file an amicus brief in support of the ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines in Massachusetts."
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| FROM THE 413 |
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- "Springfield City Council renews bid to reinstate police commission amid misconduct scandals," by Dan Glaun, MassLive.com: "A group of Springfield City Councilors are renewing an effort to overhaul the structure of the Springfield Police Department, following a nearly two-year legal standoff with Mayor Domenic Sarno. In December of 2016, the city council overrode Sarno's veto and passed a measure to reinstate a civilian police commission. The move would have stripped hiring, firing and disciplinary power from Police Commissioner John Barbieri and returned those powers to a civilian board whose members would be confirmed by the city council."
- "State Sen. Eric Lesser says Beacon Hill could act to offset Trump administration tariffs' impact on CRRC," by Shannon Young, Springfield Republican: "With CRRC facing the potential for significant cost hikes under the Trump administration's new tariffs on Chinese imports, Beacon Hill lawmakers are eying ways they can help it and other Massachusetts companies remain competitive, state Sen. Eric Lesser said Wednesday."
- "Valley candidates help Green-Rainbow Party achieve official status — again," by Patrick Lovett, Daily Hampshire Gazette:"Thanks to the showing of two Valley-based candidates on Election Day, the Green-Rainbow Party is once again an official political party in Massachusetts. Jamie Guerin of Northampton and Juan Sanchez of Holyoke each received more than 3 percent of the votes in their respective statewide races on Nov. 6, party leaders say."
- "Homelessness no longer just a big-city issue," by Linda Enerson, CommonWealth Magazine: "MADELYNN MALLOY and Bob Morin, a homeless couple frustrated by the lack of affordable housing in rural Franklin County, rolled out their blankets this summer on Greenfield Town Common and slept under the stars. Word spread quickly and soon other homeless people around the area joined them. By mid-summer, brightly colored nylon tents all but covered the small grassy strip of land, transforming it into a settlement for 20 homeless people."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "FIRE ALARM," "CHEAP SHOT," — Globe: "Reading's new struggle with an old evil," "Massport vows CEO search will be wide," "Brockton VA nursing home called a danger." |
| THE OPINION PAGES |
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- "QUESTION 1: THE ROAD NOT TRAVELLED," by Jason Pramas, DigBoston: "I think the big problem with Question 1 was that it took a policy wonk approach that appeared to benefit a relatively small group of workers if passed. Rather than a rights-based approach that could have demanded direct benefits for a demonstrably larger community. Namely patients. A group that includes literally everyone in the state at one time or another."
- "Supporting small retailers more critical than ever," by Jon Hurst, MassLive.com: "Locally owned retail businesses are a vital part of communities across the Commonwealth. They support local charities and civic celebrations, provide jobs and are an important source of local and state tax revenue, and give character and vitality to our downtowns and Main Streets."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "Community responds after Muslim girl, 10, receives hateful letters at school," by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "A 10-year-old Muslim girl is frightened here after being called a terrorist and receiving a death threat in letters found in her cubby at school, and her family hopes 'this doesn't happen to any other child at this age,' her uncle said Wednesday ."
- "A plague of racist graffiti has Reading schools on edge," by Cristela Guerra, Boston Globe: "Nearly every day, teachers at Reading Memorial High School scan their classrooms carefully, sweeping their eyes across floors and furniture — in search of swastikas. In this school of more than 1,200 students, the Nazi symbol and other racist graffiti have become a haunting presence, surfacing again and again, defacing bathroom stalls and stairwells, scrawled on bench legs, carved into railings around the high school."
- "Sleeping staff, disregard for safety found at Brockton VA nursing home," by Andrea Estes and Donovan Slack, Boston Globe: "Officials at the Brockton Veterans Affairs Medical Center nursing home, rated among the worst VA facilities in the country, knew this spring they were under scrutiny and that federal investigators were coming to visit, looking for signs of patient neglect. Still, when investigators arrived, they didn't have to look far: They found a nurse and a nurse's aide fast asleep during their shifts. One dozed in a darkened room, the other was wrapped in a blanket in the locked cafeteria."
- "Push to recall Fall River mayor gains momentum," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "Organizers behind the push to recall indicted Fall River Mayor Jasiel F. Correia II have submitted more than the number of signatures needed for a recall election, according to a city official. City Clerk Alison Bouchard said she has so far received 120 petitions, each of which has space for 40 signatures. The petitioners need at least 2,510 signatures of registered city voters to prompt a recall election."
TRANSITIONS - Natashia Tidwell, an attorney at Hogan Lovells US LLP; and Martin F. Murphy, a trial lawyer at Foley Hoag LLP, will lead the transition team for Suffolk County District Attorney-elect Rachael Rollins.
- Hampden County Assistant District Attorney Karen Bell will serve as first assistant district attorney to Berkshire County District Attorney-elect Andrea Harrington, and retired Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Justice Francis Spina will serve as chair of Harrington's transition team.
- Kirk Minihane is leaving the "Kirk and Callahan" radio show, and will launch a new radio show, column and podcast on Radio.com. Mike "Mut" Mutnansky will co-host the program, renamed to the "Mut and Callahan" show.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Gail Gitcho; Emily Schlichting, MBA/MPP candidate at Harvard; U.S. Ambassador Scott Brown; and MassLive.com reporter Melissa Hanson.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes and no! The Celtics beat the Bulls 111-82. The Avalanche beat the Bruins 6-3.
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