On Gun Violence, ‘We Need the Federal Government to Take Bold Steps’ - CounterSpin interview with Ernest Coverson on guns & human rights view post on FAIR.org Janine Jackson interviewed Amnesty International USA’s Ernest Coverson about guns and human rights for the August 16, 2019, episode of CounterSpin. This is a lightly edited transcript.  MP3 Link New York Times (8/9/19) Janine Jackson: When Walmart responded to the early August mass murder by a white supremacist by announcing they’d stopped selling certain video games, and the National Rifle Association responded to that and a subsequent mass shooting by likening those seeking gun regulations to mass murderers, as likewise seeking to “take away our God-given rights ”—well, it’s a hard thing to measure, but you almost felt you could hear vast numbers of Americans saying, “You have got to be kidding.” Public conversation seems to have advanced to the point where it’s understood that the reason the United States has so many incidents of gun violence is because the United States has so many guns. The crisis is neither natural nor necessary, and not so much a matter of a lack of public appetite for regulation, as of a political system in which that public interest does not translate into policy or law. If the US gun nightmare is the result of choices, work like that of our next guest is aimed at helping us make the choices to escape it. Ernest Coverson is End Gun Violence campaign manager at Amnesty International USA. He joins us now by phone. Welcome to CounterSpin, Ernest Coverson Ernest Coverson: Thank you, thank you. JJ: Well, Amnesty recently issued a travel advisory for the United States, due to high levels of gun violence. It came days after the El Paso and Dayton mass murders, but it wasn’t just about them, and it wasn’t a merely symbolic gesture. What was the purpose of that advisory? EC: Thank you again. I mean, the purpose of the advisory and the travel warning was to bring attention to the gun violence that has taken place here in the USA, and the lack of effort that our government, specifically Congress, has done to help eliminate or help to bring down, put laws in place that will help curb that violence in the US. And so Amnesty International USA decided to take a measure that will help to highlight that issue with this travel warning. JJ: It’s not surprising to me that people are interested in, or concerned about, mass shootings, even if they are far from the most common gun violence in the US. I always think that’s a weird argument to have, when people say, “Well, yes, it’s terrible when a white supremacist feels inspired by the president to kill brown-skinned people. But what about Chicago?” You know, there’s this unsubtle subtext where somehow the real question is whether gun violence can be blamed on black people or on white people. And I wanted, therefore, to kind of get at the work that you do, which looks at things differently. What does it mean to think about gun violence with a human rights framework? How does that affect the conversation? EC: It brings it to a different level. Because, right, as you say, the media many times highlight those mass shootings; those are the ones that get the splash for the news cycle. But, correct, the everyday shooting that takes place in a Chicago, or in a Detroit or St. Louis, etc., doesn’t get that. And so, finding this as a human rights issue by Amnesty International, which is a human rights organization, takes it to a different level, and really humanizes that if we’re going to fight for human rights, the ultimate human right is the right to life. And these shootings, these killings, that are happening on a daily basis are eliminating that right. And so I think our value added to this conversation, of changing the narrative as a human rights issue, just elevates that conversation, that these are humans, despite what people want to think or say, what community they come from, they’re still human, and they have the right to life. Amnesty International USA JJ: And the report—your work, including Amnesty’s recent report, “In the Line of Fire: Human Rights and the US Gun Violence Crisis”—points out that gun violence disproportionately is affecting young people of color, and also women, who are victims of domestic violence. So you’re really talking about communities that are impacted and, as you’re saying, it’s day to day, it’s not a matter of flares of incidents, but it’s something that… the work has to happen within community to address the layers of impact, right? EC: Correct. And you have organizations and groups in both of those communities that’ve been doing work on a daily basis, that’s impacting or making change that way. And I think one of the additional value-adds from Amnesty is showing the intersectionality of all of this, that we can’t continue to work in silos of doing this gun violence work, that urban areas’ gun violence, domestic violence, suicide rates from gun violence, all talked about in the report, all tie together, and you have to come together as one human community to really address these issues, and not let one take precedence over the other, but really look at them in totality. JJ: One of the points that the advisory makes, which I think is maybe surprising to people, but the US actually has obligations under international human rights law that are relevant here, aren’t there? EC: Yes, they are. As the world community, there are human rights law that govern, through the UDHR, and the United Nations and others, that these are the international human rights laws. And so the United States has been failing, to a certain extent, to hold up to what that standard is across the world. JJ: And the failure, as I understand it, is at the federal level, maybe most importantly. Some states are trying to cobble together some regulations, but it’s really something that requires federal leadership. EC: Correct. And because you see, as we have now the Universal Background Check legislation, that was passed by the House back in February, has been sitting in the Senate since then, S.42, not moving on that. There are states across the country that have been incrementally passing laws and passing ordinances that are doing things in a particular state, but we do need the federal government to take some of those same bold steps. JJ: Media can be so scenario-focused that data can have a hard time really getting through. So if you talk about background checks, for example, it seems like someone always pops up to say, “Well, yeah, but what about this case I can imagine in which background checks would be insufficient?” And it’s kind of a funny way to go about it, to say we shouldn’t take these measures if by themselves they wouldn’t eliminate the possibility… So talk a little more, just about the reforms that you are calling for. And it’s not that any of them are magic; it’s that together, they can help improve this crisis. What are you calling for? Ernest Coverson: “We can’t continue to work in silos of doing this gun violence work, that urban areas’ gun violence, domestic violence, suicide rates from gun violence, all talked about in the report, all tie together, and you have to come together as one human community to really address these issues.” EC: Right, great point.  And all of these, correct, are not one magic event, but all of those together will do that. So a case in point, we’re looking at getting the background check, enhancing background checks, S.42, which is the federal legislation that we’re looking at, that will help increase the background information that’s from states that may not be in federal databases, and so as  individuals, we want to just enhance that background check, and make sure that information is passed along. We’re also looking at assault weapon ban legislation, so assault weapons, militarized weapons, should not be in the hands of just regular, common citizens, that those are particularly for military usage. And so we’re looking to get the assault weapons ban passed as well. Then also we’re looking, and the president has kind of spoke about as well, around emergency restraining protective orders, or purple or red flag laws, which allow family members, concerned folks, that know if individuals have weapons but are not in a correct state of mind at the time, can alert authorities to say, “Hey, this individual is not in a right state of mind, but also has access to weapons.” We may want to do a quality check on that individual, just to make sure he or she doesn’t now go and do some of the things that happened in El Paso and in Dayton over the past couple of weekends ago. Those are some of the legislative changes that we’re looking to get taken up by the federal government. JJ: Let me just ask you, finally: We did see a large number of the Democratic presidential candidates attend an Everytown for Gun Safety event in Des Moines just recently. Do you see political—I said earlier, vast majorities of the US population are interested in gun regulation; it’s a matter of getting politicians to take it up—do you see hope on the political front? EC: I do. I think that once we get folks to move out of a moment and really into a movement, that the political dynamics will change as well, and that we don’t let the news cycle dictate how we feel about getting these changes done and this legislation passed. But, yes, I am hopeful that we will make this happen. JJ: We’ve been speaking with Ernest Coverson, End Gun Violence campaign manager at Amnesty International USA. You can find their work, including the report, “In the Line of Fire: Human Rights and the US Gun Violence Crisis,” online at AmnestyUSA.org. Ernest Coverson, thank you so much for joining us this week on CounterSpin. EC: Thank you again.

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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: ORANGE LINE DAY – DiMASI fights lobbying ban – The rise of METH in Mass.

ORANGE LINE DAY – DiMASI fights lobbying ban – The rise of METH in Mass.

BY STEPHANIE MURRAY GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. ORANGE LINE CARS — Gov. Charlie Baker and his top transportation officials will debut the first group of new Orange Line trains this morning at Wellington Station in Medford. The upgraded trains are a much-needed bright spot as the state of transportation in Massachusetts continues to be a pressing problem. The last time the MBTA put new Orange Line trains on the tracks was almost 40 years ago, which is when Jimmy Carter was president. It's been a summer of bad headlines for transportation in Massachusetts, and that's not counting the scandal unfolding within the RMV. Last week, a Green Line car derailed in Newton, marking the sixth MBTA derailment this year. Also last week, a congestion study commissioned by the governor found that rush hour traffic has worsened over the last several years. One lowlight: Peak traffic within Route 128 lasts for 14 hours a day. If you've driven in or around Boston lately, you already knew rush hour begins at 3 p.m. The big question is how to fix it. Officials say Red Line repairs to deal with another derailment will last into the fall, and commutes should return to normal in October . The repairs come after a June derailment that paralyzed the Red Line morning commute the day it happened, and has lengthened travel time for riders since. Some MBTA lines and sections will close down on some weekends to speed-up the repair process across the system. 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, Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollack and MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak introduce new Orange Line cars at Wellington Station in Medford. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attends a preservation celebration for the Newcastle/Saranac Apartments. Rep. Seth Moulton campaigns in Missouri. Sen. Elizabeth Warren campaigns in Franconia, N.H. Sen. Ed Markey holds a Green New Deal town hall in New Bedford with Mayor Jon Mitchell and state Reps. Antonio Cabral, Paul Schmid and Chris Hendricks.   DON'T MISS #TRIBFEST19— Some of POLITICO's top journalists are heading to downtown Austin on September 28 for the 2019 Texas Tribune festival—one of the nation's largest, most buzzworthy political gatherings. Join us for big-thinking conversations with top leaders and experts on a range of issues - from immigration to trade, fixing America's broken politics to the playbook for Trump's reelect. Learn more about the festival HERE. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Email Us for details.     DATELINE BEACON HILL - "Former House Speaker Sal DiMasi, fighting lobbying ban, continues to dispute incriminating details from federal corruption case," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "When former Massachusetts House Speaker Sal DiMasi gave his first post-prison interview in December, he denied wrongdoing in the federal corruption case landed him behind bars and said he wanted to put the matter behind him. Yet, that case hovers over DiMasi as he tries to appeal a ban keeping him from registering as a state lobbyist. His attorney and the commonwealth have spent the last few months discussing his 2011 conviction for steering state contracts to Cognos, a Burlington-based software company, in exchange for kickbacks." - "Mass. education official leaves post after being included on list of clergy sex abuse claims in St. Louis," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "An associate commissioner for the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has left his position after he was included on a list of 61 former Catholic priests in Missouri credibly accused of child sex abuse allegations, officials said. Keith Westrich was on a list released last month by the St. Louis Archdiocese that included "substantiated claims of sexual abuse of a minor made against them in connection with incidents alleged to have occurred before 2003," Jacqueline Reis, a state education spokeswoman confirmed in an e-mail to the Globe Tuesday. The archdiocese released the list on July 26, and Westrich was immediately placed on leave once officials learned of the allegations, Reis said." - "Vineyard Wind review could extend into 2020," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: " WITH A CRITICAL permit for the Vineyard Wind project on hold so the federal government can launch a new study of the burgeoning offshore wind industry and its potential consequences, the agency conducting that study said Tuesday its review could stretch into 2020. The US Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on Tuesday put more detail to a plan it first announced Friday, when it sent shockwaves through the industry with its plan to hold off on developing the final environmental impact statement for Vineyard Wind while it studies the wider impacts of an offshore wind industry that is hoping to quickly ramp up along the Northeast and mid-Atlantic coastline." - "Baker And Pence Discussed Trade Deal In Nantucket," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "Shortly after Vice President Mike Pence touched down on Nantucket last weekend, he and Gov. Charlie Baker had a conversation about the trade deal the Trump administration negotiated with Mexico and Canada. The governor greeted Pence on Saturday morning at Nantucket Memorial Airport when the vice president and former governor of Indiana arrived to attend a fundraiser. Baker's office said the two talked about the stalled Vineyard Wind project and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). FROM THE HUB - "Boston Council revisits safe injection sites amid tensions over South End sweep," by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "A week after tensions over open drug use and disorderly conduct boiled over in a South End neighborhood, city councilors revisited the potential for safe injections sites in Boston, even as many municipal and state officials remain skeptical of the idea. Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George, chair of the council's committee on homelessness, mental health, and recovery, said she plans to tour an injection site in Toronto in two weeks while researching the type of recovery services that city offers. Essaibi-George added, however, that a similar trip to Vancouver last year left her with concerns that the city was offering few recovery services in favor of a place to safely inject heroin." - "Meth has finally taken hold in Massachusetts," by Felice J. Freyer, Boston Globe: "Methamphetamine, an illegal drug that has long plagued the West and Midwest, has finally taken hold in Massachusetts, posing a daunting new challenge to a state still grappling with the opioid crisis. Meth caught the public eye last week when it was blamed for aggressive behavior by street drug users in the South End. But the effects of methamphetamine, which has become increasingly popular in Massachusetts over the past year or two, go beyond the annoyances caused by users bathing in public fountains or congregating in front of restaurants. Meth is a body-revving stimulant like cocaine, but its effects last longer and can be at least as addictive. Those who fall into its clutches suffer persistent physical and mental damage, and face huge hurdles if they want to break free of it." ON THE STUMP - "GOP challenger Weld denounces Trump's 'pathetic' boasting in El Paso," by Kadia Tubman, Yahoo News: "Bill Weld, a former Massachusetts governor and now a Republican presidential candidate, called President Trump "pathetic" for bragging about crowd sizes while visiting victims and medical staff at a hospital in El Paso, Texas, after a mass shooting left 22 dead and dozens injured. "He went out, as he should have, to the sites of the shootings and he said, 'Boy, you should have seen the respect that was paid to the office of the president of the United States. People were really looking up to me because I came and visited these people in the hospital.' He has to hear that praise. If he doesn't hear it from the people sitting in the table around him, he'll praise himself," Weld said." DAY IN COURT - "State's Highest Court Reverses Itself, Reinstating Pay For Mass. Judge Accused Of Helping Immigrant Evade ICE Arrest," by Shannon Dooling, WBUR: "A suspended Newton district court judge accused of helping an undocumented immigrant evade arrest at a courthouse will now be paid after a decision issued Tuesday by the state's Supreme Judicial Court. The ruling essentially reverses the SJC's original order issued the same day as the judge's indictment. It is unclear whether Joseph's $181,000 salary is guaranteed for the duration of her trial, as the court order leaves further notice up to the discretion of the SJC. Judge Shelley Joseph was charged by federal prosecutors with obstruction of justice on April 25. Later that day, the SJC announced Joseph was suspended without pay from her position on the bench." - "Judge denies Healey's motion to quash cops' testimony in gun suit," by Andrew Martinez, Boston Herald: "A federal judge has denied Attorney General Maura Healey's motion to quash testimony from local police departments in a firearms lawsuit, a ruling an attorney for the gun retailers suing over her so-called copycat assault rifle ban praised. "It's a positive sign that the stalling and delaying tactics of the attorney general have been put aside and the case can move forward," said Lawrence Keane, general counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation." WARREN REPORT - "Police group blasts Warren over Ferguson comments," by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: "ELIZABETH WARREN IS IN HOT WATER over a comment marking the fifth anniversary of the Ferguson, Missouri, police shooting of Michael Brown. Warren tweeted that Officer Darren Wilson "murdered" the 18-year-old black man in 2014. The state's largest police association quickly voiced its displeasure, the second time in just over a year that the organization has ripped the state's senior US senator over a comment related to the criminal justice system." ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: "LIZ CROSSES BLUE LINE ... AGAIN!" — Globe: "Amid Mass. opioid crisis, meth moving in," "Trump puts off new levies on China," "RECIPE FOR HAPPY CAMPERS: TEACH THEM HOW TO COOK." NO PLACE LIKE THE CITY OF HOMES - "The Smith and Wesson calling for assault weapons ban are not the iconic Springfield gun maker," by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "Smith and Wesson are calling on their state and federal representatives to ban military-style assault rifles in the wake of recent shootings in Texas and in Ohio. But this Smith and Wesson — Los Angeles City Council members Greig Smith and Herb J. Wesson Jr. — share only their names with the famous Springfield gun maker and its founders: Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson. LA television station CBS Los Angeles reported on the councilors initiative, and noted the irony." THE LOCAL ANGLE - "It's code red for EEE in nine communities south of Boston," by Johanna Seltz, Boston Globe: "There will be no more evening concerts on the lawn at Middleborough Town Hall this summer - forget about hearing the Vegas Valentinos — and all outdoor activities, including youth football, have been canceled in Carver from dusk to dawn. Similar restrictions are in place throughout Southeastern Massachusetts until the first frost eliminates the danger of contracting the dangerous mosquito-borne disease Eastern equine encephalitis in what state officials are calling a "really bad year" for the disease. The virus had been found in 232 mosquito pools tested south of Boston as of Aug. 12, and the state Department of Public Health has designated nine communities as "critical areas" where people are most at risk: Acushnet, Carver, Freetown, Lakeville, Marion, Middleborough, northeastern New Bedford, Rochester, and Wareham." TRANSITIONS - Dorey Scheimer has started as a producer for "On Point" at WBUR in Boston. She previously was senior producer at Cox Media Group's Washington bureau. - Andrew E. Bensson joins Sherin and Lodgen LLP as an associate in the firm's real estate department. - Kathy Pham, a founding product and engineering member of the U.S. Digital Service at the White House, and Brandi Collins-Dexter , senior campaign director at Color Of Change, have been named Joan Shorenstein Fellows at the Harvard Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy. - Elizabeth Ganz joins state Sen. Julian Cyr's office as legislative director and general counsel. Link. HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to POLITICO's Peter Canellos and Dani Rodrik. DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Red Sox beat the Indians 7-6. 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 Pro Cannabis. Cannabis is one of the fastest growing industries in the country. It cuts across dozens of other industries—from health care to agriculture, law enforcement to hospitality. What happens next will affect our jobs, our health, and our future. POLITICO Pro Cannabis will fill the need for high-quality, credentialed and balanced coverage of the cannabis industry and public policy efforts. Sign up now to start receiving the preview newsletter on Sept. 9.       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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FOCUS: Bill Clinton | Reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban Now

09 August 19 It's Dreaded Friday Donations are always hard to come by but never harder than they are on Friday. A donation, any donation really helps on Friday. Think of the good RSN does, think of how dependable RSN is, think of what RSN has accomplished and can accomplish in the future and ... Hit the donation link please! Marc Ash Founder, Reader Supported News Sure, I'll make a donation! Update My Monthly Donation If you would prefer to send a check: Reader Supported News PO Box 2043 Citrus Hts, CA 95611

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FOCUS: Bill Clinton | Reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban Now 

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Clinton writes: "In one weekend, 31 people were murdered and dozens more injured in two mass shootings just hours apart in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. The death toll may still grow."
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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: WARREN VS. TRUMP — Boston picks CASSELLIUS for superintendent — How to CUT THE LINE at LOGAN

WARREN VS. TRUMP — Boston picks CASSELLIUS for superintendent — How to CUT THE LINE at LOGAN

May 02, 2019 View in browser   BY STEPHANIE MURRAY GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. WARREN VS. TRUMP — President Donald Trump tore into Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Boston Herald radio yesterday, offering a look at what a Warren-Trump matchup could sound like if both make it to the general election. Warren has been calling for Trump's impeachment since special counsel Robert Mueller's report into Russian meddling in the 2016 election was released earlier this month. She took it a step further yesterday, saying Attorney General William Barr ought to resign due to his handling of the Mueller Report, as the Trump administration official testified on Capitol Hill. "AG Barr is a disgrace, and his alarming efforts to suppress the Mueller report show that he's not a credible head of federal law enforcement," Warren wrote in a tweet. "He should resign—and based on the actual facts in the Mueller report, Congress should begin impeachment proceedings against the President." But Trump argued Warren's got it all wrong, and that the Massachusetts senator should be the one giving up her post. Trump called into Adriana Cohen's Herald Radio show for the wide-ranging, 20-minute interview where he leaned on his old playbook to rip Warren in her deep blue home state, which shares a media market with the early voting state of New Hampshire. "Look, she defrauded the public for a long time. She should really be the one to resign, hence the name Pocahontas. I mean she has gone through colleges and gotten jobs and gotten in all because she supposedly had Indian blood, and then it turned out that wasn't true," Trump said. A Boston Globe investigation found there was no evidence Warren's claims of Native American heritage influenced her career. "She shouldn't use that for political reasons," Trump added. "She's running for office, she's not doing very well and she shouldn't be doing that." New national polling shows Warren on the upswing, though. And while he was on the topic of 2020 contenders, Trump called former Vice President Joe Biden "a sleepy man" and "not as smart" as Sen. Bernie Sanders. The president also weighed in on the lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement brought by Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, which seeks to bar ICE officers from state courthouses. Trump painted the attorneys as people "who don't mind crime" and pumped up his own position on immigration. "She's got to live with her own conscience," Trump said of Rollins' outspokenness around the ICE issue. That's the quote that landed on the front page of this morning's Herald. 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 attends the Essex County Community Fund Celebration of Giving Breakfast and attends a ribbon cutting for the Insulet Global Headquarters & US Manufacturing Facility in Acton. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito visits STEM signing day at WPI, then participates in a Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce forum on business and government, then make a STEM awards announcement in Lawrence. Attorney General Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute. Walsh speaks at a Pine Street Inn Home Remedy event. The Joint Committee on Financial Services and the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy hold hearings. Boston City Councilors Michelle Wuand Kim Janey hold a hearing on equity in the city's procurement and purchasing. DATELINE BEACON HILL - "Wynn Resorts Has 30 Days To Pay $35 Million Fine," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "Unless it plans to challenge the ruling in court, Wynn Resorts has 30 days to come up with the $35 million fine imposed Tuesday by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission in a decision that appears to clear the way for Wynn's $2.6 billion Encore Boston Harbor casino to open next month as planned. Other than to say that it is reviewing the ruling and its punishment, Wynn Resorts has not publicly responded to the commission's decision to allow the company to keep its Boston-area casino license if it pays the fine, agrees to have an independent observer monitor the company's progress in bolstering its compliance and human resources policies, and has CEO Matt Maddox undergo executive coaching and pay his own $500,000 fine." - "State misses deadline to cinch 'union loophole,'" by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: "State campaign finance officials missed a deadline Wednesday to propose new rules aimed at closing a loophole for contributions from labor unions. The Office of Campaign and Political Finance is working on proposed changes to a controversial rule that allows unions to give up to $15,000 to a candidate every time that person runs for office. Its new regulations would be aimed at reducing super-sized union contribution levels. A spokesman for the independent state agency said the new rules won't be available this week, despite a self-imposed May 1 deadline to release them." - "A look at the House's private budget debate," by Katie Lannan and Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "JUST AFTER 8 p.m. last Monday, Rep. Paul Donato alerted his fellow House lawmakers that a five-page, $9.2 million document was now available for their review, eight hours after the start of a closed-door meeting where representatives could pitch House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz on their proposals for education and local aid, two big areas of public investment. Forty-seven minutes after Donato's announcement, and with scant public explanation, that five-page package of additional education and local aid spending was unanimously tacked on to the House's version of next year's budget in the first of nine similar votes the House took over the course of four days of budget consideration." - "Bill would make it a felony to assault health providers, emergency medical technicians or ambulance attendants," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "A bill sponsored by Rep. Paul Tucker, D-Salem, and Sen. Michael Brady, D-Brockton, S.838/H.1578, would change assaults on health providers, emergency medical technicians or ambulance attendants from a misdemeanor to a felony offense, punishable by up to five years in prison. Tucker said the legislation "will set a tone that the assaults on these workers who are trying to do their job will not be tolerated." The Massachusetts Nurses Association is pushing for the bill. The union is also pushing for a separate bill that would require health care employers to develop and implement programs to reduce workplace violence." - "State officials give employers more time on paid-leave decision," by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: "The Baker administration said Wednesday it would give businesses nearly three more months to obtain a private-sector alternative to the state's new paid family and medical leave program, if the businesses want to go that route. The delay comes after Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) and other business lobbying groups expressed concern about the timing of the program's rollout. AIM indicated Wednesday that the delay may not be enough to assuage those concerns." WHAT CITY HALL IS READING - "A crowd forms for council races; finances offer first clues on bids," by Jennifer Smith, Dorchester Reporter: "In just the first two weeks since municipal nomination paper applications became available, 55 hopefuls have officially signaled their intent to run for a seat on the city council. All four City Council At-Large incumbents - Michael Flaherty, Althea Garrison, Annissa Essaibi-George, and Michelle Wu - are seeking re-election. This will be Garrison's first run at being elected directly to the seat, as she placed fifth in 2017 and automatically replaced former councillor and now Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley in January." FROM THE HUB - "BPS chooses Cassellius as superintendent," by Taylor Pettaway, Boston Herald: "Cheers erupted across the School Committee chambers Wednesday night as the seven-person panel chose Dr. Brenda Cassellius as the next superintendent of Boston Public Schools, based on her work with achievement gaps and equity, her desire to work with families and teachers, and her experience working with the state. "We need to move beyond the bitter feelings in our district," said member Michael O'Neill. "I think Dr. Cassellius is the superintendent we need now in Boston." Cassellius was the fan favorite, with many believing she would be best to incorporate the needs of students and families in the district." - "Residents, advocates, work to save Chinatown row houses," by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "They are vestiges of Chinatown's working-class immigrant community, the small brick row houses that line one of the last untouched pockets of a neighborhood that has been roiled by development. Boston's building boom is threatening the historic houses, an incursion that could displace residents who have made Chinatown New England's largest Chinese community. On Tuesday, several dozen residents and activists rallied outside the latest of the houses targeted for redevelopment - a two-story dwelling that shares a fire escape and sewer system with its neighbor and that the developer wants to double in size. The protesters called on the city to do more to protect these relics from gentrification." - "Boston City Council votes to support Springfield-to-Boston high-speed passenger rail," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "The Boston City Council on Wednesday passed a resolution expressing support for building high-speed passenger rail between Boston and Springfield. "This is something that could be absolutely transformative for not only the cities of Boston and Springfield but for the commonwealth at large," said Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley, who introduced the resolution." DAY IN COURT - "U.S. Appeals Court upholds AG Maura Healey's interpretation of assault weapons ban," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "A U.S. Appeals Court has upheld Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey's interpretation of the state's assault weapons ban. Healey called it "a defeat for the gun lobby and a victory for families across the nation." "Once again, the courts have agreed that the people of Massachusetts have the right to protect themselves, their communities, and their schools by banning these deadly weapons," Healey said in a statement." - "Too Many Kids, Too Few Judges Mean Delays In Child Welfare Cases In Worcester County," by Deborah Becker, WBUR:"Worcester has more DCF-involved cases than any other Massachusetts county, affecting more than 2,000 children. Statewide, the DCF says cases have gone up nearly 40% since 2012 — largely because of the opioid epidemic and some high-profile tragedies involving children in state care. Worcester Juvenile Court is also operating with only four judges because of a retirement and an open, newly approved judgeship. That often results in court proceedings like O'Donnell's being delayed for months. Some are put off for years." - "'Run silent, run deep;' Retired Mass. State Police trooper says troopers would agree not to write tickets and being on 'same page' while skipping overtime shifts," by Scott J. Croteau, Springfield Republican: "Massachusetts State Police troopers accused of abusing overtime patrols agreed when not to write tickets and told one trooper during a patrol to go home and "be with his family," according to a recently filed federal court document. The claim is made in the sentencing memorandum filed by retired Trooper Daren DeJong, who is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday in the state police overtime scandal. The memorandum filed by DeJong's lawyer said the former trooper gave information to the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office in April." WARREN REPORT - "New national polls suggest Warren gaining momentum in presidential race," by Elizabeth Goodwin and Jess Bidgood, Boston Globe: "Is "persisting" paying off for Elizabeth Warren? The senator from Massachusetts had a slow start in the Democratic presidential race, struggling with lackluster fund-raising and middling polls in the first few months of her campaign while watching rivals like Beto O'Rourke and Pete Buttigieg each take their moment in the sun with bursts of support and surging contributions. But now, there are early signs Warren's relentless focus on policy detail and diligent face time with voters may be leading to a boost of her own, one that could help her break into the top tier of candidates that has been dominated by white men in early polls." - "Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, and Kirsten Gillibrand call on AG William Barr to resign," by Ella Nilsen, Vox:"Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Cory Booker — all running for president — are calling on Attorney General William Barr to resign. Democrats have been divided about what exactly to do about the findings of special counsel Robert Mueller's report, which puts the onus on Congress to decide whether to impeach President Donald Trump. Most 2020 Democrats would rather defeat Trump than impeach him. So in the meantime, the three senators are joining Democrats' new strategy: calling for Barr to step aside." MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS - "For sale in the pot industry: political influence," by Andrew Ryan, Beth Healy, Dan Adams, Nicole Dungca and Todd Wallack, Boston Globe: "Lobbyist Frank Perullo had good reason to believe his client's proposal to open a medical marijuana store would receive a warm reception from the Cambridge City Council. After all, Perullo counted six of the nine councilors as his political clients, including Leland Cheung, whom Perullo served as campaign treasurer. Cheung was ready to do his part. He planned to offer a resolution supporting the marijuana shop. But Perullo wasn't going to leave anything to chance at the August 2016 council meeting. So his staff sent Cheung an e-mail labeled "talking points," describing Commonwealth Alternative Care's exotic marijuana products." - "State: Legal Pot Sales Top $100M In Massachusetts," Associated Press: "Legal marijuana has reached a milestone of sorts in Massachusetts as sales of recreational pot climb over the $100 million mark. According to the latest data from the state's Cannabis Control Commission, retail pot shops have sold $104 million worth of product since the first stores opened last November. Nearly $7 million in total sales were reported last week, with customers spending an average of $41 per transaction. The increases reflect the steadily growing number of pot shops in the state, with 21 having now been awarded final licenses." ALL ABOARD - "If you take this bus to Logan Airport, Massport will let you cut the security line," by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: "Last week, Logan International Airport officials brought out the stick in their quest to fight traffic, banning Uber and Lyft riders from outside the terminals during most of the day and hitting riders with higher fees. On Wednesday, they presented a carrot to persuade travelers to ditch the car ride: Take a bus instead, and get to cut the airport security line. In a new program that started Wednesday, riders who take the Logan Express bus from Back Bay will be given an orange ticket that gives them access to a new TSA priority line created just for them." EYE ON 2020 - "Weld: 'I would have pursued an indictment' of Trump if I were attorney general," by Zack Budryk, The Hill: "Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld (R), who has announced a primary challenge to President Trump, said Wednesday that he would have sought to indict Trump if he were in Attorney General William Barr's place. "AG Barr has erred in both his opinion that the President could not be indicted and in his clear attempt to frame a narrative that favors and protects the President," Weld tweeted as Barr testified before the Senate Wednesday morning." ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: "SHE'S GOT TO LIVE WITH HER OWN CONSCIENCE," —Globe: "For sale in pot sector: political influence," "Boston picks Minn. official to lead schools," "WALL FLOWERS - AND BIRDS." THE LOCAL ANGLE - "Columbia Gas parent company says cost for Merrimack Valley gas disaster could hit $1B," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald:"NiSource Inc., the parent company of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, says third-party claims related to the Merrimack Valley gas disaster could cost more than $1 billion.In its February report of 2018 fourth-quarter financial results, NiSource said it had lost $757 million as a result of third-party claims tied to the Sept. 13 gas explosions and fires, plus another roughly $266 million in other related expenses. But NiSource upped its estimates for the total cost of the disaster in its quarterly filing released Wednesday." - "Advocates support Montigny cell phone bill," Standard-Times:"Advocates seeking legislation to prohibit the use of handheld cell phones while driving sent their collective requests to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means Wednesday, Sen. Mark Montigny's office said. The advocates include Boston Children's Hospital, Safe Roads Alliance, and TextLess Live More. The advocates request several key provisions offered in Senator Montigny's bill S2120, which are noticeably absent from House versions of the bill and the Transportation Committee redraft." - "UML students protest over alleged harassing professor," by Aaron Curtis, The Lowell Sun: "Several UMass Lowell students sat in a circle, markers and poster boards scattered between them with statements reading, "Keep harassment out of our school," and "Fire Oliver Ibe." The man the students referenced on the signs is a former UMass Lowell associate dean who was demoted to a position of professor following accusations of harassment he allegedly committed against another staff member." - "After 30 years on City Council, Konnie Lukes opts not to seek re-election in Worcester," by Walter Bird Jr., Worcester Magazine:"Thirty years. That's just as a city councilor, enough to make her the longest-serving member. When you factor in eight years as a School Committee member, you get to just shy of 40 years on Worcester's political scene for Konnie Lukes. It all comes to an end this year. Citing family priorities, while not going into detail, Lukes, who pulled out nomination papers to run again, and had returned some signatures, will not seek a 16th term." HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Matt Murphy of State House News and former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson. DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Red Sox beat the Athletics 7-3. 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. 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