MASSterList: The most violent city in Mass. | Bonuses galore for state's top-paid employee | DraftKings: Gov't help wanted

 
Friday October 2, 2015

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By George Donnelly (@geodonnelly) with Keith Regan

Today: Cruz in town; grant brings out a bevy of pols - Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announces a $3 million grant from the Obama Administration to expand apprenticeship opportunities in construction and hospitality. Among the attendees: Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Michael Capuano, and Rep. Stephen Lynch. At the Wentworth Institute of Technology, Watson Auditorium, Boston, 11:00am. - Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican presidential candidate, attends a fundraiser for the Marlborough City Committee, The Union Club, 8 Park Street, Boston, 2:45pm. To access the State House News Service's comprehensive political schedule, SHNS subscribers can go to: http://bit.ly/1LiRLcR    Tomorrow: Bernie Sanders at the BCEC Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders will be in Springfield's Mass Mutual Center at 2:00pm tomorrow, then speak at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, 415 Summer St. in South Boston, at 6:00pm.   Next stage of Teamsters case: Investigating City Hall's role A former federal prosecutor will look into Mayor Marty Walsh administration's role in an extortion case against five members of Teamsters Local 25, who stand accused of strong-arming a "Top Chef" production crew when the show was filmed locally last year. The federal indictment mentions that a city official called two Boston establishments (the Omni Parker House and Menton), warning them that Teamsters Local 25 was planning to picket because the show used non-union production staff. Citing two anonymous sources, the Globe names the likely caller. Brian T. Kelly will investigate the matter. http://bit.ly/1j3MNo7    Meanwhile, the Globe also explores the criminal past of one of the accused Teamsters. http://bit.ly/1KQDSPM Mass. Transit: The future of transportation -- a MASSterList/State House News Service event: Join us for a panel discussion featuring Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack, Charlie Chieppo, principal of Chieppo Strategies, and Rick Dimino, CEO of A Better City, on the vision for transportation in Massachusetts. It will be held Oct. 13, 7:30-9:30am at the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education center, 10 Winter Place, Boston. More details and registration here: http://bit.ly/1KADgeC    Bonuses galore for state's top-paid employee: Coach Kellogg UMass basketball coach Derek Kellogg received about $1.2 million in compensation last year, but as CommonWealth Magazine's Jack Sullivan explains, it's complicated. Kellogg is eligible for a dizzying array of bonuses, including ones tied to the graduation rates of his players, the grade point averages of his players, and NCAA tournament appearances. He makes about five times more than the women's basketball coach, Sullivan reports. http://bit.ly/1PRddDK   DraftKings got the memo, and will hire a government relations person Boston-based fantasy sports site DraftKings, whose relentless national advertising has stirred the curiosity of state officials, has yet to contact a key point person for gambling regulation, Rep. Joe Wagner of Chicopee, the State House News Service reports via MassLive. Yet, given the regulatory attention is has received, it hasposted an ad for a government affairs person. http://bit.ly/1Lnbc4m      Meanwhile, a lawsuit against DraftKings, alleging deceptive marketing, has been moved to Boston, the Globe reports. http://bit.ly/1iQGAeq   Doctors speak out against assisted suicide bill A trio of Massachusetts doctors led State House event to criticize a bill introduced by Rep. Louis Kafka that allow terminally ill patients assistance in ending their lives."There will be pressure on the physically, mentally and financially vulnerable to choose death," NewBostonPost quoted Dr. Mark Rollo as saying. "There will be pressure on physicians to violate their consciences. There's no conscience protections in this bill regarding physicians who choose not to participate." Kafka's bill will have a formal hearing Oct. 27. http://bit.ly/1QOZs8N   Oregon shootings: A survivor's story The Boston Herald interviews the mother of a survival of the terrible mass killings at an Oregon community college. http://bit.ly/1PSanhK Newcomer poised to topple Yancey  CommonWealth magazine does a precinct-level analysis of the only contested race for Boston City Council in next month's election and finds that longtime incumbent Charles Yancey is facing an uphill battle against newcomer Andrea Campbell. The analysis shows that Campbell's 24-point win in last month's preliminary election was fueled by a strong performance in the districts that had the highest turnout-and are most likely to turn out strongly again in November. http://bit.ly/1j4QPwk  MassPort won't pony up for Indy race  The Massachusetts Port Authority said it has no intentions of footing any of the bill associated with bringing Grand Prix racing to South Boston next year, including a network of roads controlled by the agency, the Globe reports. Race organizers say that's ok and deny reports they asked the agency to fund improvements to the roadways, which could cost $500,000 each year the race is staged.   http://bit.ly/1QOY6e0  Rosenberg: Promises made on pipeline process  Fresh off a trip to Washington D.C, Sen. President Stan Rosenberg said the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission agreed to work more closely with state officials as it reviews a natural gas pipeline through Western Mass. proposed by Kinder Morgan. According to MassLive, FERC agreed to consider a forthcoming energy study from the office of Attorney General Maura Healey and to partner with a state entity on its environmental review process. http://bit.ly/1j4XEOx Report faults agency in Auburn toddler death  The Department of Children and Families failed to follow its own policies when it licensed an Auburn foster home where a two-year-old died after suffering heat stroke, a report on the incident shows, according to WBUR. The agency said it has reassigned two staffers in connection with the missteps pending a disciplinary process and that it would put a training program in place to ensure better compliance in the future.  http://bit.ly/1L8v2hE  New Bedford is most violent city in Mass.  The FBI released crime statistics for Massachusetts and New Bedford topped the list of the most violent cities in the state, the Standard-Times reports. The Whaling City ranked highest in violent crimes per resident with a rate of 12.6 crimes per 1,000 residents, slightly ahead of nearby Fall River. Worcester ranked eight on the list and Boston 14th, the paper says. http://bit.ly/1FMj0Ku  Your money is no good here  Some of the state's small cities and towns are conducting searches for new banking institutions after Bank of America said it would no longer service their accounts, the Globe reports. Fall River and Fitchburg are among the communities who received notices from the North Carolina-based bank, which the Globe said is likely responding to new regulations that make keeping smaller-scale deposits -- Fall River had $4 million in the bank and Fitchburg $11 million -- less lucrative. http://bit.ly/1j4X6Is  Fame is fickle, bro: Internet video star has a lengthy record ICYMI: The star of the YouTube "Sea Monstah" sensation has a criminal past, the Herald reported yesterday. The star and narrator of the video, Michael Bergin, who exclaims about the possible identity of a fish floating on the water's surface as he's fishing on a boat, "has two lifetime restraining orders against him, barring him from coming within 100 yards of an ex-girlfriend and her mother." Bergin and his friend Jason Foster have parlayed their sudden Internet fame, recently appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Bergin told the Herald's Jessica Heslam: "I'm a drug addict and I got a past. I didn't ask for none of this to happen. There's so many people that are rooting for us right now it's just over-powering the bad so I'm not even trying to pay attention to that nonsense right now. I know who I am." http://bit.ly/1Vs6gjf   Sunday public affairs shows This Week in Business, NECN, 12:30pm  and 8:00pm: Guests are UMass President Marty Meehan and the CEO and President of A Better City, Rick Dimino. Topics: Transportation reform and the Meehan's goals in year one   CEO Corner, NECN, 8:30pm: The CEO of DXL Group, David Levin talks about the rebranding of the Casual Male Brand and what is unique and historic about their rollout.   On The Record, WCVB-TV, 11:00am: This week's guest is Dr. Tommy Chang, Boston Public Schools Superintendent. The show is moderated by NewsCenter 5 Anchor Ed Harding and features State House Reporter Janet Wu. How to reach me and MASSterList Nothing makes me happier than comments, tips, suggestions. Also, opinion articles also will be considered. Please don't hesitate to weigh in on what we're missing and where we should look. Reach me atgdonnelly@massterlist.com or on Twitter @geodonnelly TODAY'S TOP STORIES National headlines  Obama says US becoming numb to mass shootings, says perpetrators have sickness in their minds - The Boston Globe In Boston: Hillary Clinton Calls For More Substance Abuse Treatment Walsh and Healey Sing Hillary Clinton's Praises In Dorchester Massachusetts congressmen criticize federal inaction on gun violence after Oregon shooting State headlines  Massport won't help pay for IndyCar race - The Boston Globe Healey, Goldberg refuse to return Local 25 donations DCF report reveals lack of oversight Bank of America is dumping small towns and cities as clients - The Boston Globe Dissecting UMass coach's bonus-laden salary - CommonWealth Magazine State Report Cites Agency In Death Of Toddler In Foster Care State Sen. Stanley Rosenberg says energy officials made gas pipeline promises during trip to Washington Local headlines  Walsh v. Wynn: An oral history of the battle between the mayor and the casino mogul New taxi apps are coming to Boston, but can the technology help cabbies compete with Uber and Lyft? 2014 FBI stats: New Bedford most violent city in Massachusetts Sandwich beach suit moves to federal court Many residents raise concerns about planned Blue Hills deer hunt Brockton City employee refutes charges that he overdosed on job Natick FinCom backs $40K for economic development study Charlton winery fire response questioned again after release of call log Teamsters' indictment casts an unwanted light on Boston City Hall - The Boston Globe Minority candidate Green gains support for full Transit police chief post - The Boston Globe Mayor Walsh hires former top prosecutor to investigate City Hall involvement with Teamsters - The Boston Globe

MASSterList: Teamsters local throws money around | Walsh: 'Not a lawsuit type person' | The egg fight is on

 

Thursday October 1, 2015

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By George Donnelly (@geodonnelly) with Keith Regan

Today: Hillary in the Hub Former Secretary of State and Democratic candidate for president Hillary Clinton meets with Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Attorney General Maura Healey for a community discussion about substance abuse and the toll it is taking on families in Massachusetts, Carson Place at Boston Teachers Union Local 66 Hall, 180 Mt. Vernon St., Dorchester, 2:30. She will stay for a fundraiser at 5 pm, reportedly at Kings, a Back Bay bowling alley and has a fundraiser earlier in Holyoke. Speaker Robert DeLeo and Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez visit Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth for a roundtable discussion on behavioral health and substance addiction, 10 am. Sen. Karen Spilka and Rep. Joseph Wagner host a panel discussion on drug development, featuring Glenn Batchelder of Civitas Therapeutics, Robert Coughlin of MassBio, Ritchard Engelhardt of Biotechnology Industry Organization, Julia Gaebler of Health Advances, and Kenneth Kaitin of Tufts University School of Medicine, Room 222, 10:30. To access the State House News Service's comprehensive political schedule, SHNS subscribers can go to: http://bit.ly/1LiRLcR    Now the heat's on Teamsters local There was a time when Hollywood stayed away from Massachusetts because of the state's reputation for hardball union tactics and misdeeds, as chronicled in today's Globe. But when the commonwealth started giving money away with its film tax credit, all was forgiven and the movies magically flocked to Massachusetts. In a back to the future moment, yesterday the US Attorney General's office announced the indictment of several members of Teamsters Local 25 for allegedly threatening a "Top Chef" production crew into hiring some union members. "The defendants yelled profanities and racial and homophobic slurs at the Crew and others. The defendants blocked vehicles to the set and used actual physical violence and threats of physical violence to try and prevent people from entering the set," the indictment reads. The Globe reported today one Teamster screamed to "Top Chef" host Padma Lakshmi: "We're gonna bash that pretty face in, you [expletive] whore."    The Herald has a full splash, zeroing in on the role City Hall plays in granting permits to film crews. In the indictment, an unnamed City Hall employee is accused of calling the Omni Parker House, warning them that the Teamsters Local 25 was going to picket there. The hotel then reneged on its agreement to let "Top Chef" film there, according to the indictment.   Teamsters Local 25 claims the accusations are a fiction. But its ties to the Democratic Party are quite real. It has showered an assortment of candidates with campaign contributions, a fact that was not lost on the state GOP after the indictment was announced. It called for Democrats to return their donations, at best a premature suggestion. But the sums Teamsters Local 25 toss around are not chump change: Attorney General Maura Healey got a hefty check - $15,000 in August 2014 - but she returned it the following month. The union made a bet big on Martha Coakley in 2014, donating $14,499 in 2014. Marty Walsh received $14,499 in from Teamsters Local 25 2013 during his run for mayor. Depending how this case plays out, we may learn more about the intersection of Hollywood and union labor in Massachusetts. Mass. Transit: The future of transportation -- a MASSterList/State House News Service event: Join us for a panel discussion featuring Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack, Charlie Chieppo, principal of Chieppo Strategies, and Rick Dimino, CEO of A Better City, on the vision for transportation in Massachusetts. It will be held Oct. 13, 7:30-9:30am at the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education center, 10 Winter Place, Boston. More details and registration here: http://bit.ly/1KADgeC    Republican barred by Republicans At Charlie Baker's fundraiser yesterday in Springfield, the Springfield Republican was invited in - then it was kicked out by the Massachusetts Republican Party. Even though the Republican routinely takes and publishes shots of fundraisers and was welcomed by the organizers of the event - and had photographed previous Baker and Polito fundraisers - the GOP said no way.   http://bit.ly/1hcfaP1   Leading biotech answers to why drug prices are so high Perhaps one of yesterday's most interesting political discussions occurred at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce forum featuring Vertex CEO Jeffrey Leiden, who was asked why drug prices were so high. Leiden's response, as reported by the Boston Business Journal's Don Seiffert, is a critical counterpoint to the political pounding biotechs and the pharma industry have been taking for $300,000 per year drugs and the like. "As we think about the solutions, we need to be very careful not to break the ecosystem, because then we don't end up with any new therapies," Leiden said. http://bit.ly/1PORU5x   Walsh: 'I'm not a lawsuit type of person' That statement might cause a guffaw from Steve Wynn, who shot back at the mayor after learning of City Hall's new lawsuit challenging a permit granted for the Everett casino. The suit came after meetings between the Walsh and Wynn executives, which Walsh had called "productive." "If this is what the mayor believes a good working relationship should be, his experience is clearly different than ours," Wynn said in a statement reported by the Globe. Walsh called the lawsuits a "last resort" and that he's trying to serve the interests of Charlestown and the city. http://bit.ly/1jzS7j3   The Globe's Joan Vennochi ponders the latest in the Walsh-Wynn situation: "When it comes to the Everett casino, Walsh's actions are confusing. He either wants more mitigation money for Boston, or is trying to stall casino development forever, if possible." http://bit.ly/1L5sa5f   The T: Old computer system yet another problem Given that it has rail cars dating back to the 1940s, is it any wonder that the MBTA is hampered with antiquated technology? That was one complaint that emerged from yesterday's hearing at the State House, reports the Globe's Nicole Dungca. The old technology and outdated procedures are making personnel management more difficult, said MBTA Fiscal Control Board member Brian Lang. http://bit.ly/1j2CQY7 Worcester lawyers fined for hiding source of Polito support  Two Worcester attorneys will pay $8,000 in fines and donate $1,000 each to charity to settle a complaint from the Mass. Office of Campaign and Political Finance that they disguised the source of donations to Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito's campaign by funneling funds through employees, MassLive reports. Louis Aloise and Michael Wilcox were accused of reimbursing employees at their law firm for attending a Polito fundraiser. Polito was not aware of the funds' true source, MassLive notes. http://bit.ly/1OIG3c0  Developer looking to place bet on Suffolk Downs slots  The developer leading the ballot-initiative push to expand the state's gaming law to include another slots parlor has also been waving wads of cash in front of property owners near Suffolk Downs, the Globe reports. Eugene McCain has offered $5.5 million to buy a trailer park and more than $1 million for a shuttered bar, Andrea Estes and Stephanie Ebbert report, and is telling residents he has a hotel partner already on board for his proposal. http://bit.ly/1KTg3Vn  Egg industry ready to scramble ballot initiative  The head of the United Egg Producers says the national group is ready to use its resources to beat back a 2016 ballot initiative that would ban the sale of eggs from chickens kept in cages, but will stop short of the all-out cash blitz that failed in California, the Globe reports. The group plans to commission a study to assess the impact of the move on consumers' pocketbooks, then will put its own polling into the field, but has no plans to duplicate the $10 million professionally crafted campaign aimed at stopping a California cage-free measure that still passed handily. http://bit.ly/1RhKsB2   MassPort boss: Expand international terminal at Logan  Massachusetts Port Authority CEO Thomas Glynn said as many as seven additional gates will be needed to keep up with growth at Logan's international terminal, the Herald reports. Glynn met with Herald editors and said the 25-year-old terminal will soon be straining under the surge of new international flights -- Logan now serves 51 global cities, nearly double the number from eight years ago. The authority does not have a price tag on the expansion, the first phase of which is slated to be completed by 2021. http://bit.ly/1P76nvz   Baker says state will target welfare fraud Gov. Charlie Baker said the state will be "aggressive" in going after fraudulent public benefits claims, after a Worcester woman was charged with running a scheme that defrauded the food stamps program out of $3.6 million, the Herald reports. "From my point of view, we need to be aggressive at making sure because the credibility of the commonwealth is at stake," Baker said.  http://bit.ly/1KO5dlA   Today's day of the day: National Homemade Cookies Day. May you be fortunate enough to encounter a celebration. http://bit.ly/1Gi7nWv How to reach me and MASSterList Nothing makes me happier than comments, tips, suggestions. Also, opinion articles also will be considered. Please don't hesitate to weigh in on what we're missing and where we should look. Reach me at gdonnelly@massterlist.com or on Twitter @geodonnelly. TODAY'S TOP STORIES National headlines  Markey, Warren seek raise in age for buying tobacco - News - MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA - Framingham, MA John Kerry sometimes uses private e-mail account for State Department business, official says - The Boston Globe State headlines  Worcester lawyers to pony up $10K for illegally sending employees to Polito fundraiser Beacon Hill Pols Hear How Bad The MBTA's Financial Woes Really Are MBTA's Workforce Policies 'In A State Of Disrepair,' Control Board Member Says Mass. Senate To Debate Opioid Abuse Prevention Bill UMass Medical School shares $29m grant to aid rural health care - The Boston Globe Wynn fires back at mayor of Boston in dispute over casino - The Boston Globe Thailand-based developer trying to buy property near Suffolk Downs for slots parlor - The Boston Globe Worcester lawyers fined for illegal campaign contributions to Lt. Gov. Polito's campaign | masslive.com House passes $360 million budget bill to close out 2015 Gov. Baker praises Phoenix Charter Academy during event at new Springfield site Mass. GOP closes doors on press despite invitation from organizers of Charlie Baker fundraiser in Springfield Baker says state must be 'aggressive' in tracking down welfare fraud Egg industry to fight ballot initiative - The Boston Globe State gaming board accepts Brockton casino group's final application Logan chief: Terminal E must grow DCF made 'judgment call' to remove siblings, says gov Charlie Baker: State must crack down on welfare fraud Feds hammer Teamsters in 'Top Chef' extortion rap MBTA fiscal control board faces the Legislature - The Boston Globe Local headlines  Bourne selectmen approve route for turbines traveling from New Bedford Drug-screen bill finds support in Lowell-area school leaders Mashpee superintendent denies entering home without permission City hosts workshop to discuss future of downtown Brockton Worcester at-large council candidates tackle economic issues Jenna Bush gives Dorchester kids $10G boost Wynn bristles as Walsh files new lawsuit Grand Prix sputters Housing Authority taps Corcoran Jennison to rebuild Bunker Hill project - The Boston Globe Kinder Morgan extols pipeline benefits as Sen. Rosenberg meets with FERC to express constituents' concerns Mashpee school chief denies barging into student's home - The Boston Globe Worcester County to receive nearly $400,000 to fight opioid epidemic by starting at prescription drug source 5 takeaways from Springfield City Council meeting on MGM casino project | masslive.com