POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Teeing up MILLIONAIRES Tax — ORTIZ SHOT in D.R. — Turning a corner in BROOKLINE

Teeing up MILLIONAIRES Tax — ORTIZ SHOT in D.R. — Turning a corner in BROOKLINE

Jun 10, 2019 View in browser   BY STEPHANIE MURRAY Presented by JUUL Labs GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TEEING UP THE 'MILLIONAIRES TAX' — The clock is ticking for lawmakers to hammer out a budget deal for the fiscal year that starts July 1. A conference committee led by Sen. Michael Rodrigues and Rep. Aaron Michlewitz met for the first time last week and swiftly voted to move talks behind closed doors. And while lawmakers work on the details of the spending bill they'll send to Gov. Charlie Baker, we know that it won't contain many new revenue streams. The Democrat-led legislature has been cool on adding new revenues and sweeping policy proposals into the budget this year. Instead, action on broad issues like education funding reform, transportation and looking at the state's tax code will happen separate from the budget negotiations. But new taxes could be coming down the pike in a few years. A key vote on the so-called Millionaires Tax is planned this week. House and Senate lawmakers will meet in a Constitutional Convention on Wednesday to vote on the constitutional amendment that would add a 4 percent surtax on household income greater than $1 million. If it gets the nod on Wednesday, the proposed "Fair Share Amendment" would have to make it through the next legislative session before it could land on the 2022 ballot for a vote. And Massachusetts will consider this tax as taxing the wealthy gets a boost on the national stage. Sen. Elizabeth Warren bases much of the funding for her slew of 2020 campaign policy proposals on her Ultra-Millionaire Tax, which would take it a step further and put a 2 percent tax on household net worth over $50 million. Sixty one percent of voters said they favor Warren's tax idea, according to a poll released in February after she released the proposal. 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 U.S. Offshore Wind Conference. Baker and Rep. Joe Kennedy III speak at the Massachusetts High Technology Council annual meeting. Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito hold a leadership meeting with state House Speaker Robert DeLeo and state Senate President Karen Spilka. Rep. Richard Neal and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno hold a press conference on Amtrak's return to Union Station. NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts celebrates 2019 Elected for Choice honorees state Rep. Jay Livingstone and Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Attorney General Maura Healey and DeLeo attend the MGH Center for Gun Violence Prevention kickoff. Walsh hosts the Mayor's Scholarship Award Ceremony. Rep. Seth Moulton holds a town hall in Manchester, N.H. - NEW: "Red Sox legend Ortiz stable after shooting in DR," ESPN: " Former Boston Red Sox slugger and Dominican star David Ortiz is out of surgery and doing "fine," according to his family, after he was shot at a club in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic." Link. DATELINE BEACON HILL - "The state's top politicos are vetting 2020 candidates on their way to New Hampshire," by James Pindell, Boston Globe:"They're regular stops on any presidential candidate's New Hampshire itinerary: A diner visit in Concord. A town hall in Nashua. A house party with activists in Portsmouth. Now add a Massachusetts location to that circuit: A stately living room in Louisburg Square. At least that's the pitch from some of Massachusetts' political elite who are sponsoring invitation-only, off-the-record sessions with White House hopefuls. The events, informally called Conversations 2020, have mostly taken place at Chris Gabrieli's home on Beacon Hill, and the guest list includes roughly 120 of the biggest political contributors and activists in the state." - "Beacon Hill seeks more funds while almost $3B lies uncollected," by Mary Markos, Boston Herald: "Almost $3 billion in state revenue hasn't been collected over the years, according to a Herald analysis of state data, while legislators prepare to vote on the "millionaires tax" in an attempt to fatten the state's wallet. The lapse in collections remains as lawmakers are set to meet in a June 12 Constitutional Convention, where they will debate the Fair Share Amendment, which would add a 4% surtax on household incomes that earn over $1 million." - "Report: Catholic church lobbying against sex abuse laws," by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: "The Roman Catholic Church has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in recent years lobbying in Massachusetts, and a new report suggests the effort was aimed at derailing proposals to extend the statute of limitations for survivors of clergy sexual abuse. The report, commissioned by several law firms that represent victims of clergy abuse, found the church has spent more than $10.6 million collectively on lobbying in several northeast states since 2011, much of it aimed at defeating proposed legislation to help victims of rape or sexual assault pursue criminal or civil charges against priests. Pennsylvania had the most lobbying expenditures,about $5.3 million, followed by New York, where the church spent $2.9 million, the report noted." - "Air conditioning in school is a hot button topic," by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: "AS WARM TEMPERATURES ARRIVE, school officials are reaching for the switch to turn on air conditioners. Fans may do the trick for a little while, but eventually, as studies show, the humidity and heat will begin to impact their productivity. State Rep. Joan Meschino, a Hull Democrat, and Sen. Patrick O'Connor, a Weymouth Republican, are cosponsoring legislation to create a commission to study minimum and maximum allowable air temperatures in public school classrooms and facilities. State regulations say that classroom temperatures must be between 68 and 80 degrees."   Attend the #WellbeingCity Forum in Montréal: Cities are currently home to more than half the global population, a figure that will soar to 70% within the next thirty years. The NewCities' Wellbeing Cities Forum, held in Montreal on June 19-20, brings together senior leaders and urban experts to explore and collaborate on city-led action to improve urban wellbeing. Guest speakers include Professor Saskia Sassen, Daniel Libeskind, and mayors from around the world. Tickets are available via NewCities here.     FROM THE HUB - "Roulette wheels? Check. Dice? Check. Encore casino poised to clear final inspection," by Joshua Miller, Boston Globe: "Wynn Resorts won a fierce battle for the Boston-area casino license, survived a near-catastrophic scandal involving its founder, and weathered immense public scrutiny over whether it would sell its $2.6 billion Everett casino resort. Now Encore Boston Harbor is poised to clear a final, smaller hurdle to opening its doors on June 23. Call it the Kris Kaczowski test. Kaczowski and other agents from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission are in the final stages of physically and digitally inspecting the casino's 143 table games and its 3,158 slot machines to make sure they comply with regulations and have not been tampered with." - "The Cost of That Toll? Depends on Your E-ZPass," by Elaine S. Povich, Pew: "Zipping along the Massachusetts Turnpike, unsuspecting tourists from other states encounter an electronic toll plaza. No problem: The transponder they bought in their home state registers the toll and deducts the amount from the account. But what most travelers don't know is that the charge is almost $2 more than if they had purchased the device in Massachusetts. Some 50 million Americans are expected to hit the roads this year, mostly during the summer tourism season. The number of toll roads is increasing, and in many states, drivers who bought their transponders elsewhere get charged what's called the cash rate, a higher amount they'd pay if they had to queue up and hand over bills and coins. Most of the time, drivers don't even know it — raising questions about government transparency." - "At Wellesley, Madeleine Albright and Hillary Clinton encourage protest, political action," by Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: "Their early days at Wellesley College were marked by uncertainty and feeling out of place, but Madeleine Albright and Hillary Clinton overcame their trepidation and went on to illustrious careers including serving as the country's top foreign diplomat under different presidents. On Saturday, the former secretaries of state addressed a campus gathering mostly made up of alumnae and urged the audience to speak up and take action to protect democracy from the threat of fascism under President Trump. "The idea that, 'Oh it can't happen here,' is just old fashioned, my friends," said Clinton." - "'Whitey' Bulger prison letters: Love for Trump, disdain for Mueller," by Rich Schapiro, Kenzi Abou-Sabe and Robert Windrem, NBC News: "In the final months of his life, James "Whitey" Bulger wrote letters from prison offering his thoughts on a range of subjects. His faltering health. His longtime girlfriend. His wish for a peaceful death. But there was another topic that the notorious Boston crime boss returned to again and again: President Donald Trump. In several handwritten letters shared with NBC News, Bulger expressed gushing praise for Trump, offering rave reviews of the president's foreign policy and combative relationship with the media." - "Marty Walsh one step closer to rebuilding Long Island Bridge," by Alexi Cohan, Boston Herald: "The city of Boston got a key state permit needed to rebuild the Long Island Bridge, the site of a former shelter and treatment center, following intense resistance from Quincy officials who fear an increase in traffic should the bridge reopen. Walsh announced the city received Superseding Orders of Conditions from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, which determined that Boston's proposal meets the performance standards under the Wetlands Protection Act and minimizes impacts to coastal wetland resources in both Boston and Quincy." - "As some districts zero in on test scores, Boston celebrates revitalized arts education," by Kellen Browning, Boston Globe:"More than a decade ago, Boston Public Schools was grappling with a series of budget cuts that hit schools hard — especially with regards to art. Local philanthropists clamoring for art to play a larger role in education saw their chance when Carol Johnson became BPS superintendent in 2007. Marinell Rousmaniere, CEO of the Boston education nonprofit EdVestors, recalled that Johnson talked at her first public event about the importance of children receiving an arts education. Art boosters pitched a citywide initiative, and Johnson, who retired in 2013, readily agreed." - "Riders pay price of poor T maintenance, expert says," by Alexi Cohan, Boston Herald: "Boston's second D-line derailment in just four months injured at least 10 people Saturday, including the operator, and added another investigation to the MBTA's hefty list as one watchdog says riders can expect more problems. Saturday's incident happened between Fenway and Kenmore stations around 11 a.m. according to MBTA general manager Steve Poftak. He said the derailment forced 150 people to evacuate the affected car and another 500 people to evacuate following cars. Ten people were taken to local hospitals with injuries that ranged in severity. There were no life-threatening injuries, according to Boston EMS." - "The Secret Truth About Boston Doctors," by Michael Damiano, Boston Magazine: "It's the norm for Massachusetts doctors to continue treating patients despite repeated accidents or blunders. When physicians with histories of bad outcomes do face consequences, the sanctions tend to be temporary or easily circumvented. Doctors quietly leave one hospital, only to pop up at another. In severe cases, a doctor with a history of problems might leave Massachusetts altogether and reboot his or her career in another state. Meanwhile, studies have found that as few as 10 percent of medical errors are reported nationwide, and here in Massachusetts, the state medical board acts only in a small fraction of the cases that come before it. Last year, for instance, the board received 211 complaints alleging medical mistakes but disciplined only 17 doctors for providing substandard care." ON THE STUMP - "Hélène Vincent Endorsed by Prominent Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Rights Organization," from the Vincent campaign:"Hélène Vincent, a candidate for Boston City Council in District 8, was endorsed by the Bay State Stonewall Democrats on Friday. "The Bay State Stonewall Democrats are eager to endorse Hélène for District 8 City Council," said Claire Naughton, co-chair of the Bay State Stonewall Democrats. "We strongly support her campaign to make Boston more inclusive and equitable for all, and we know she will be an important LGBTQ+ voice on the council once elected." The Stonewall Democrats is a diverse coalition of activists dedicated to promoting equal rights and equal participation in our government among the LGBTQ+ community." THE OPINION PAGES - "Our young people should grow up free from the fear of gun violence," by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross: "This weekend, we will take part in a nationwide effort to raise awareness about gun violence. Together with survivors, grassroots organizations, and other community leaders, we will remember those we've lost. We'll call on our national lawmakers to take real action to end this epidemic. And we'll recommit ourselves to continuing the progress we've made here in Boston. This annual weekend of action is called Wear Orange for Gun Safety. It was founded in honor of Hadiya Pendleton. In 2013, 15-year-old Hadiya had just finished her exams, and was relaxing with friends in her Chicago neighborhood when her life was cut short by a bullet." WARREN REPORT - "Warren, Booker stand out on chaotic Iowa stage," by Natasha Korecki, POLITICO: "In the early state where field organization has traditionally mattered the most, Sen. Cory Booker and Sen. Elizabeth Warren have quietly and patiently concentrated their resources toward building grassroots machines designed to power them on caucus night. It showed here on Sunday as 19 Democratic presidential candidates converged for the first time in one venue to make their five-minute pitch to the party faithful. The gathering, designed to honor Iowa Democrats in a Hall of Fame dinner, offered the first glimpse of a sprawling Democratic primary field — and the organizational strength and enthusiasm each campaign could muster." - "Big ideas from Democratic candidates face an even bigger challenge — Washington gridlock," by Liz Goodwin, Boston Globe: "Wednesday night, she had wowed the friendly crowd with a bold and tantalizing list of campaign promises — from providing affordable child care and college to everyone, to creating more than 1 million manufacturing jobs by investing in clean energy. Then, some of the voters in the audience provided a reality check. "The thing is, we get everybody promising manufacturing is coming back," Frank Staples, a 2016 Bernie Sanders supporter, told her. "We get [people] promising all this stuff, and it never happens." Another voter, referencing Warren's proposed multimillionaires tax to fund much of her agenda, declared bluntly: "I just don't see it happening." Warren tried to defuse the skepticism by vowing to create a "grass-roots movement," but moderator Chris Hayes pushed back." - "Warren challenges Sanders for progressives' 2020 support," by Sarah Burnett and Elana Schor, Associated Press: "As a Michigan field organizer for Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign, Mike McDermott trained volunteers to knock on doors and call voters, helping the Vermont senator upset Hillary Clinton in a crucial Midwestern state. But as the 2020 campaign heats up , McDermott is all-in for Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, creating a Michigan for Warren PAC to raise early money for her efforts and promoting her campaign through a website and Facebook page. While he's still a Sanders fan, McDermott sees Warren as a fresher face who's more electable and doesn't have the baggage of a 2016 loss." MOULTON MATTERS - "Seth Moulton says he won't make it on the first DNC debate stage," by Christina Prignano, Boston Globe: "US Representative Seth Moulton acknowledged on Thursday that he would not meet the criteria for appearing on stage for the Democratic National Committee's first set of debates. Moulton told Hugh Hewitt on Thursday that he knew he would not make the stage after declaring his candidacy for president later than most of his Democratic rivals. Moulton entered the race in late April as the 19th Democrat to do so, leaving him with less than two months to meet a deadline to raise money from more than 65,000 unique donors or crack 1 percent of support in three DNC-approved polls." ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: "GAME 7!" — Globe: "Ortiz reportedly shot in back," "Raytheon, UTC plan a 'merger of equals,'" Bruins pulverize Blues' party plan." FROM THE 413 - "Hampshire 'In Danger,' But Keeps Accreditation," by Sean Teehan, NEPR: "An accreditor for higher education institutions will not withdraw the accreditation of financially troubled Hampshire College, or place the liberal arts college on probation. For now, at least. At a May 30 meeting, the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) voted to publicly disclose that Hampshire "is in danger of being found not to meet the standards" for accreditation, a joint statement from NECHE and Hampshire said. But the accreditation board deferred making a decision on whether it will take action against the school - including possibly placing it on probation or withdrawing its accreditation - until a meeting scheduled for November." THE LOCAL ANGLE - "Student Spurs Brookline, Mass., To Offer Free Tampons And Pads In Public Buildings," by Ally Jarmanning, NPR: "When you walk into a public bathroom, you expect it to be stocked with toilet paper, hand soap and paper towels or a hand dryer. But tampons and pads? Brookline, Mass., wants to make menstrual products as routine as those other bathroom staples, and in May voted to become what it says is the first municipality in the United States to offer free tampons and pads in all of its town-owned restrooms, in places like the town hall, libraries and the recreation center. The schools are expected to follow suit." - "Feds want sewage plant operators to clean up their acts," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "Regulators are pressing the operators of three sewage treatment systems along the Merrimack River to reduce the bacteria flowing into the river and to issue more timely alerts when raw sewage discharges through aging outfall pipes. The three systems — tied to the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District in North Andover, Haverhill's treatment plant and another plant in Lowell — operate under consent orders with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Permits for all three expired several years ago. The EPA posted draft copies of renewed agreements late Friday afternoon." - "Wheelabrator Millbury is cited as a top polluter, example of 'environmental apartheid,'" by Cyrus Moulton, Telegram & Gazette: "A new report criticizing the economics and health effects of municipal waste incinerators ranks Wheelabrator Millbury as one of the dirtiest such facilities in the country for two pollutants that contribute to respiratory problems. "The incinerator industry is in trouble," concludes the report, "U.S. Municipal Solid Waste Incinerators: An Industry in Decline," from the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives and the Tishman Environment and Design Center at The New School. But while Wheelabrator Millbury may be dirtier than many of its brethren regarding these two chemicals, according to the report, it is generally meeting emissions limits established by the Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency." EXCERPT:  Most of the 87-page report examines the economics of the municipal solid waste incinerator industry. It says that burning trash is one of the most expensive forms of energy generation in the United States, costing $8.33 per megawatt hour compared to $4.25/ MWh for pulverized coal and $2.04/MWh for nuclear, the second and third most expensive forms of energy generation. - "After Allegations Of Racism, Some Say Brookline Is Turning A Corner," by Simón Rios, WBUR: "Raul Fernandez grew up in New York City, but now he's looking to shake up the government of Brookline. Last month, the Boston University professor was elected as the Brookline Select Board's first Latino member. The issue of how town government deals with allegations of racism isn't the only reason Fernandez ran. But his campaign was marked by his commitment to bring the issues he works on at BU — he's an associate dean of diversity and inclusion — to the fore of town government." MEDIA MATTERS - Tiziana Dearing is the new host of WBUR's "Radio Boston" beginning mid-June. WEEKEND WEDDING - Jenna Marie Gilligan and Michael Broderick Spencer were married at the Lyman Estate in Waltham on Saturday. Gilligan is director at Version 2.0 Communications in Boston, and Spencer is an English teacher at Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School in Waltham. NYT. WEEKEND WEDDING -- Adham Sahloul, an Atlantic Council alum who is wrapping up a master's at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, on Saturday married Diana Rayes, a Fulbright Germany alum who works for The Lancet-AUB Commission on Syria. Pool report: "Their relationship blossomed while working together in the humanitarian field in southern Turkey." Pic. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY - to Michelle Goldberg, director of legislative budget analysis for the Boston City Council, who celebrated Saturday. DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes and no! The Bruins beat the Blues 5-2. The Rays beat the Red Sox 6-1. 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.   POLITICO Pro G20 Report: Sign-up for exclusive reporting from the G20 Summit, June 27, 28 & 29. POLITICO Pro's policy reporters collaborate with POLITICO Europe and the South China Morning Post to deliver exclusive summit coverage with an international focus. The newsletter arrives each morning with a summary of the day's developments from Osaka, Japan. Sign up today.       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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POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: COAKLEY joins JUUL — WALSH defends BIDEN — WYNN Resorts hearings begin

COAKLEY joins JUUL — WALSH defends BIDEN — WYNN Resorts hearings begin

Apr 02, 2019 View in browser   BY STEPHANIE MURRAY GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. SCOOP: COAKLEY JOINS JUUL — Former Attorney General Martha Coakley has a new gig: She joins the government affairs team at Juul this month. Coakley's work for the e-cigarette giant comes as her successor, Attorney General Maura Healey, launched an investigation into Juul's sales strategies, accusing them of marketing to teens. Healey's office declined to comment last night. Coakley had been a partner at Foley Hoag , where she worked on government and internal investigations and served as a Juul consultant for several months before the move. The company "has an incredible opportunity to switch adult smokers," Coakley said in a statement to POLITICO. Juul has significantly ramped up its lobbying spending in Washington from $210,000 in the second quarter of 2018 to $750,000 by the last quarter of the year. The FDA released its full plan to curb youth sales, restrict flavored vapors and heighten online sales buffers in a draft guidance in March. Juul has backed the measures and called this week for the tobacco purchasing age to be raised to 21. But departing FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb also recently described a March meeting with Juul and its new stakeholder, tobacco giant Altria, as "difficult" as he questioned the companies' motivations. During her time as attorney general, Coakley had taken on tobacco. In 2013 she called on the FDA to ban youth e-cigarette sales and crack down on youth-friendly advertising. She served as co-chair of the National Association of Attorney Generals' tobacco committee and in 2014 joined 28 state attorneys to demand that Walmart and other retailers with pharmacies drop tobacco products entirely. FOR YOUR RADAR: WELD FILES CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE —Former Gov. Bill Weld is one step closer to declaring a 2020 Republican primary challenge against President Donald Trump. Weld's campaign filed a 2020 presidential campaign committee with the Federal Election Commission yesterday. The former Libertarian told reporters in New Hampshire last week he will decide whether to run for president in April. Weld previously filed a 2020 presidential exploratory committee with Secretary of State William Galvin when he announced he would consider running in February. Weld's campaign didn't return a request for comment. FINAL FOUR PLAYBOOK POOL UPDATE: When top-seeded Duke went down this weekend, so did the hopes of many Playbook Pool participants. Currently, Daniel Green of Chicago and Drew Tompkins, a policy manager at New Jersey Audubon in Trenton, hold the lead, but each will slide having picked Duke to win the championship. In third place is Scott Guenther, a postdoctoral research associate at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, who is primed to move up having correctly picked three of the Final Four teams correctly and UVA to win it all. A pair of Georgians—John Paul Aultman of Decatur who picked Auburn, and Al Guthrie of Atlanta who picked UVA—hold the fourth and fifth spots and can move up. Over on the VIP board, a similar dynamic is taking shape. North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh hold the top spots, but each picked Duke to win. They are followed by Illinois Playbook author Shia Kapos, who picked the ousted Zags. New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone, who picked the Cavaliers, and Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, who picked Michigan State, are in prime position to move up the board. Good luck to all in Saturday's Final Four. Follow the action here. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker and Treasurer Deborah Goldbergmeet with rating agencies in New York. State Senate President Karen Spilka and state Sen. Julian Cyr host a breakfast discussion on employee ownership. Rep. Lori Trahan and Rep. Seth Moultontestify on the Merrimack Valley gas explosions before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials. The Joint Committee on Ways and Means holds a budget hearing. The Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture hears testimony. State Sen. Joan Lovely and state Rep. Liz Malia mark Child Abuse Prevention Month at the State House. TheJoint Committee on Housing hears testimony. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh makes a universal pre-k announcement in Dorchester. The Joint Committee on the Judiciary hears testimony. DATELINE BEACON HILL - "Mass. GOP accuses abortion rights activists of supporting 'infanticide,'" by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: "An attempt by Democrats on Beacon Hill to expand abortion access in Massachusetts has run into harsh blowback from the state Republican Party, which has adopted the rhetoric of President Trump and antiabortion activists. The party has launched Facebook ads accusing individual Democratic cosponsors of supporting "infanticide" through the bill that would permit abortions after 24 weeks of pregnancy in cases where the fetus has a fatal anomaly and is not expected to survive. Massachusetts law currently allows an abortion after 24 weeks only if necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother ." - "As hearings begin, Steve Wynn eluding disciplinary action," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "THE MASSACHUSETTS GAMING COMMISSION opens a series of hearings this week on the sexual misconduct of Steve Wynn, but the gambling mogul is unlikely to attend and unlikely to face any disciplinary action despite allegations of rape and sexual harassment. The Gaming Commission on Tuesday is expected to release its report on Wynn's sexual misconduct, what his coworkers knew about it, and what the company has done since to make sure the company never finds itself in this situation again. The goal is to determine the company's suitability to retain the license it holds in Massachusetts to open a $2.6 billion hotel and casino in June. The five commissioners, deliberating in private, will decide the fate of the license, a spokeswoman said." - "SOME REPS "MAY BE UNHAPPY WITH ME," DeLEO SAYS," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: "House Speaker Robert DeLeo acknowledged over the weekend that a recent investigation into the conduct of one House Democrat showed how some representatives "may be unhappy with me," but said he still feels strongly supported by Democrats who overwhelmingly re-elected him to a sixth term as speaker in January. "I've had great support from the membership, not only in terms of their strong votes to keep me as speaker but their visits to my office," DeLeo told WBZ-TV's Jon Keller on a Sunday morning broadcast." - "Massachusetts makes $8 million investment to collect and test rape kits as Gov. Charlie Baker signs budget bill," by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts is moving forward with an $8 million investment to test all rape kits in police custody following the passage of last year's criminal justice bill, which included significant measures in rape kit reform. Gov. Charlie Baker has signed a supplemental budget totaling $135.9 million in gross spending items, including the $8 million investment to collect and test rape kits, also known as sexual assault evidence kits." - RECALCULATING: "It turns out House progressive caucus isn't growing," by Andy Metzger, CommonWealth Magazine: "THERE MIGHT NOT BE as much of a stampede toward the House Progressive Caucus as its leaders suggested earlier this year. In a March 20 press release, Rep. Tricia Farley Bouvier, the re-elected co-chair of the liberal group, announced that the caucus had 60 members, "a record number." But in an interview on Monday, the Pittsfield Democrat said she miscounted. The actual number of caucus members this year is 58 - and it appears that figure ties, but does not exceed, the number from last year." - "Massachusetts edging closer to sports wagering," by Kalina Newman, Sentinel & Enterprise: "Massachusetts sports teams have long made headlines for challenging the rules. While "legal sports wagering" doesn't have the same ring as "Deflategate," the home of the nation's defending World Series and Super Bowl champions is aiming to be the first legal sports betting state with online wagering unaffiliated with existing casinos. In May 2018, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of New Jersey and overturned the Professional Amateur Protection Act, allowing for state-based legalization of sports gambling. So far, Rhode Island is the only New England state to act, with Massachusetts edging close behind in the legislative process." - "Massachusetts Lawmakers Propose Bill To Fight Light Pollution," by Deborah Becker and Eve Zuckoff, WBUR: "It might not feel like it yet, but they tell us that soon it will be comfortably warm enough outside at night to do some stargazing. Depending on where you live, though, that may be more difficult to do because world-wide the night sky is becoming 2.2 percent brighter each year. Now, at the start of International Dark Sky Week, Massachusetts lawmakers are considering bills that would reduce light pollution — perhaps make stargazing a little easier — in part by changing the bulbs used in street lights." FROM THE HUB - "Measles alert posted by Massachusetts health officials," Link. - "Boston Mayor Marty Walsh defends Joe Biden, says former vice president is a 'very emotional person' amid allegations of misconduct," by Jacqueline Tempera, MassLive.com: "Boston Mayor Marty Walsh defended Vice President Joe Biden against allegations of misconduct on Monday saying while it is important to respect women, it is a "tough world" to live in right now. "I think the vice president is pretty clear on his statement that he respects everybody and he respects women," Walsh said outside a groundbreaking event in Brighton. "First and foremost I think it's important that we respect women and respect women's rights." Biden, who has signaled he may run for president, pushed back Sunday on allegations by Lucy Flores, a former Nevada lawmaker, who accused him of kissing and touching her inappropriately." - "Boston FBI boss says local high tech industry must be vigilant against rogue hackers," by John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: " As the new leader of the FBI's Boston office, Joseph R. Bonavolonta has an array of concerns - including a possibly resurgent New England Mafia, activity by members of the transnational MS-13 gang, and the drug cartels in Mexico and the Dominican Republic that are fueling the opioid epidemic. But in an interview at the FBI's fortress-like building in Chelsea, Bonavolonta stated that in the four states overseen by the office — Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island — contain some 600 defense contractors, research centers with access to highly classified information, and a vibrant high-tech industry." - "Mayor Walsh bashes Trump tweet about census citizenship question," by Brooks Sutherland, Boston Herald: "Mayor Martin J. Walsh slammed President Trump's push to add a citizenship question to the census, Monday — accusing him of bringing politics into the population survey — and dismissing his criticism of "Radical Left Democrats" as "immature and childish." "This is my first time in my life that I'm seeing politics be played into it," Walsh told reporters after a kick-off event in East Boston to begin efforts of collecting information for the upcoming 2020 census. "Trump's playing politics in it, with the question on citizenship and not making it available in other languages, I don't understand what his rationale behind that is, it doesn't make any sense to me. He has an address, he tweets things out and I think that that's just immature and childish," Walsh said. On Monday, Trump ripped Democrats for the party's opposition to the citizenship question." - "Woman injured as Brookline launches electric scooter pilot program," by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: "Scooters are riding free in Brookline. But where to? The town made Massachusetts history Monday, as the first municipality to sanction an electric-powered scooter rental program on its streets. About 200 vehicles from the California-based companies Lime and Bird have been deployed on sidewalks and other public spaces across town, where riders can use smartphone apps to start riding a scooter for $1, with additional charges based on the length of the trip." - "T notes: The great employee exodus," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "THE MBTA has a hiring problem. Since fiscal 2015, the transit authority hasn't been able to hire enough employees to offset the number of workers leaving the agency each year. According to numbers presented to the Fiscal and Management Control Board on Monday, the T has hired 2,520 employees since 2015, but over that same time period 3,052 employees have left the agency. Fifty-six percent of the departing employees left because they were either terminated or took a job somewhere else, while the remaining 44 percent retired. Matt St. Hilaire, the T's chief human resources officer, said he intends to dig down into the numbers to figure out what is happening at the agency." - "Sen. Ed Markey wants to protect local access TV stations," by Jodi Reed, 22News: "Senator Markey wants to prevent cable companies from charging local access television stations to broadcast information that is crucial to keeping the public informed. Through your cable bill, you are currently paying for local access television which broadcasts town meetings, community events, and even political debates. Sen. Markey said cable companies are then valuing those programs and denying local access TV money that they need to continue coverage." THE OPINION PAGES - "What's next for women's pay equity in Massachusetts?" by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, state Rep. Liz Malia and former Lt. Gov. Evelyn Murphy: "Another April 2, another Equal Pay Day. It's the symbolic date until which women on average have to work to match what their male counterparts took home the previous year. Let that sink in: It is more than three extra months of work. While this date is intended to represent the average, additional equal pay days throughout the year call attention to gender pay gaps by race. Black women, for example, would have to work until Aug. 22, and Latinas until Nov. 1, to match a white man's previous-year earnings. In Boston, we want to eliminate the need for Equal Pay Day by becoming a city where people earn equal pay for equal work. Everyone has a role to play." WARREN REPORT - "Here's what Elizabeth Warren had to say about the inappropriate touching allegations against Joe Biden," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren says Joe Biden needs to explain himself after a fellow Democrat shared a story of an uncomfortable encounter with the then-vice president in 2014. Lucy Flores, who was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor of Nevada in 2014, said Friday that Biden put his hands on the then-35year old's shoulders and kissed the back of her head during a campaign event that November." THE CLARK CAUCUS - "Yes, I am': Congresswoman calls on DeVos to step down," MSNBC: "Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., is calling for Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to resign, and she joins Morning Joe to discuss. Rep. Clark also discusses Joe Biden's record as a politician." KENNEDY COMPOUND - "Amid the rise of celebrity politicians, Joseph Kennedy III pushes substance over style," by Jon Ward, Yahoo News: "Now, with Democrats in the majority for the first time in his six-year congressional career, Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, D-Mass. — the grandson of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy — has made mental illness a focus of his legislative efforts. In an interview last week on the Yahoo News podcast "The Long Game," Kennedy said he came to the issue in part because during a stint as a prosecutor, he saw the ways in which mental illness drove a cycle of drug addiction and criminal activity that he believes can be prevented through greater access to treatment." MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS - "'Everyone making money from cannabis is white,' top Boston prosecutor says," by Jessica Bartlett, Boston Business Journal:"The top prosecutor in Suffolk County and cannabis experts railed against the lack of diversity in the state's marijuana market, saying the owners and employees in legal market continue to be predominantly white, despite the state's efforts. The discussion of diversity within the industry occurred at a panel hosted by Tufts University's Experimental College on Friday, where panelists were confronted with hypothetical scenarios in an effort to explore the status of the nascent industry." - "Public safety still a concern two years after legalization of recreational marijuana in Massachusetts," by Lauren Frias, Telegram & Gazette: "More than two years after recreational marijuana was legalized in Massachusetts, the state has yet to see much physical change in the new industry. But officials say the concern for public safety in the age of legal weed remains a priority. Public officials and experts are weighing in on the possible consequences that the developing marijuana industry could have on the state, in particular the dangers of impaired driving and the fact some cannabis consumers are sustaining the black market out of personal convenience." - P.S. If you use medical marijuana or CBD (or if you're a health professional who has worked with it), we want to hear from you. Tell us your story and a reporter might reach out. EYE ON 2020 - "Mass. is tricky during a census. Next year may be even harder," by Michael Levenson, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts' sizable populations of immigrants, college students, and renters makes it one of the most difficult states to count on the census every 10 years. Boston, for example, has among the lowest census return rates in the nation. But the traditionally hard-to-count state could be even harder during the 2020 Census, officials say, because of fears of deportation in immigrant communities, the growing distrust of government, the addition of thousands of new housing units, and the shift, for the first time, to count most people online, rather than on paper." ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: "STONES WILL ROLL AGAIN" — Globe: "In Mass., GOP talks tough on abortion," "Before death do us part, a chat about the dishwasher," "Security clearances called into question," "A NEW WAY TO GO." FROM THE 413 - "Hampshire College board of trustees chairwoman Gaye Hill resigns, citing vitriol and 'slanderous attacks,'" by Jim Russell, Springfield Republican: "The chairwoman of Hampshire College's board of trustees resigned during a board meeting on Sunday, saying she and her colleagues have been slandered and attacked as the school struggles with long-term financial challenges. "I've become a lightning rod for criticism and felt it was time to step away," Gaye Hill said in a written statement Hampshire College released on Monday. A statement from the college said board member Luis Hernandez took over as chairman." THE LOCAL ANGLE - "Long Island bridge fight includes complicated history," by Erin Tiernan, Patriot Ledger: "Following testimony by a half-dozen representatives of Native American tribes and indigenous people's advocacy groups on Monday, City Councilor William Harris said Quincy's fight with Boston over plans to rebuild the Long Island Bridge now must include the preservation of sacred burial grounds and recognition of a long-ignored history. "I'm not going to talk about a bridge and I'm not going to talk about a city to the north of us. I am going to talk about my next steps with all of you," Harris said, addressing the members of the Native American tribes who spoke before the council's environmental and public health committee." - "More sewage flows into Merrimack amid calls for public notice," by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: "More than 800 million gallons of raw or partially treated sewage spewed into the Merrimack River last year from aging pipes that were supposed to be sealed up years ago. The sewage came from about 50 overflow pipes that are part of decades-old sewer and stormwater systems designed to overflow when they are inundated, usually because of heavy rain. Last year, five sewage systems along the 117-mile Merrimack River reported hundreds of discharges amounting to more than double the 400 million gallons of sewage dumped into the river in 2017, according to data compiled by environmental activists and regulators." - "Worcester superintendent defends schools' progress on reducing racial disparities," by Scott O'Connell, Telegram & Gazette: "After a local coalition called for the ouster of the head of the Worcester public schools, Superintendent Maureen Binienda responded by issuing a statement Monday defending her administration's progress on reducing racial disparities in the district. The message, a rarity for a superintendent who has not frequently had to defend her overall body of work since taking the helm of the school system in 2016, in particular affirmed her commitment to reducing harsh discipline of Latino students, something the school system has been criticized for in recent years." - MEANWHILE IN CUBA: "Restoration Of Hemingway House In Cuba Has Roots In Massachusetts," by Joe Mathieu, Karen Marshall and Shelby El Otmani, WGBH News: "Members of WGBH News' Morning Edition team traveled to Cuba this past weekend, where the group of preservationists from Massachusetts celebrated the opening of a conservation center at Ernest Hemingway's house in Havana. One of those preservationists is Bob Vila, the former host of the TV show "This Old House." "This is representative of American culture and the genius of American literature located in one of the most controversial spots in the Americas," he said. "So when you think about the impact we've been able to have in terms of friendship [and] cultural bridge-building, it's really important stuff." Vila serves as president of the Boston-based group Finca Vigia Foundation, which was formed fifteen years ago to save Hemingway's home — and the contents within it — from the effects of mother nature." HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Lawrence state Rep. Frank Moran. DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes and no! The Celtics beat the Heat 110-105. The Athletics beat the Red Sox 7-0. 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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Coming Up Snake Eyes

Apr 1, 2019

(Getty Images/Duncan Nicholls and Simon Webb)

BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Tomorrow, the state Gaming Commission will begin it’s formal public discussion of what if any action should be taken against the former Wynn Corporation for failing to disclose legal issues surrounding former CEO Steve Wynn when they were competing for the Everett casino license a few years back.

The situation has been a huge embarrassment for the Commission.

It turned out their well-paid investigators missed the extensive dirt on Wynn and his company that a couple of Wall Street Journal reporters were able to dig up.

In the meantime, these stewards of the public interest were so focused on getting everything right that they botched their main assignment, to make decisions that would best promote economic development here.

There are already indications that the already-open MGM casino in Springfield and Encore in Everett will struggle to live up to expectations due to the saturated regional gambling market.

And economically-struggling areas of the state, like Brockton and Fall River, have tried and failed to win licenses, in no small part due to the commission’s ineptitude.

Meanwhile, sports betting and online wagering is coming on strong, and while neighbors like Rhode Island are already cashing in, we’re still navel-gazing.

Encore will keep its license—taking it away now would be an economic and political disaster.

But whether or not it lives up to its economic promises, it will always stand as a monument to Massachusetts political incompetence.

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. Listen to his previous podcasts on iHeartRadio.

https://wbznewsradio.iheart.com/featured/keller-at-large/content/2019-04-01-coming-up-snake-eyes/