POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: WALSH’s tough month — LYNCH’s primary warning — Upheaval in FALL RIVER

WALSH’s tough month — LYNCH’s primary warning — Upheaval in FALL RIVER

BY STEPHANIE MURRAY GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Happy Monday! WALSH'S TOUGH MONTH — The tough headlines just keep coming for Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. A member of the Zoning Board of Appeal resigned over the weekend amid a bribery scandal that has all eyes on City Hall. Former city employee John Lynch pled guilty last month to accepting a $50,000 bribe to influence a vote on the Zoning Board of Appeal to benefit a developer. And now Craig Galvin, a member of the board, resigned over the weekend, according to a Boston Globe report. This is the second corruption scandal under Walsh's watch in recent months, and comes after a series of negative headlines for the mayor. At the beginning of August, two City Hall officials were found guilty of extortion, or conspiracy to commit extortion, for trying to force the Boston Calling music festival to hire union labor. There were other rough patches: "Operation Clean Sweep" in the South End, which left some furious — particularly at the image of a wheelchair being thrown away. Walsh defended the move as a way to signal to drug dealers to leave the area, and called for an increase in recovery services for people suffering from addiction or experiencing homelessness. More recently, police and protesters clashed at a "Straight Pride" parade held in Boston at the end of August. And that brings us back to the investigation into the Zoning Board of Appeal. The mayor has called for a review of the board's conduct, and William "Buddy" Christopher, one of Walsh's close aides, announced a leave of absence on Friday to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, according to the Globe. Also on Friday, Walsh had tough words for Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu, who disagreed with Walsh on how to handle the Zoning Board issue and said so online. Wu has also been critical of the large police presence at the Straight Pride parade, which Walsh defended. "I don't operate by tweets. You know, if Councilor Wu has an issue with that, she should call me," Walsh told the Boston Business Journal. Aside from being a tense start to September for Walsh, the negative attention comes at a time when the mayor may be pondering his political future. Walsh is up for reelection in 2021, which isn't as far away as you think. 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 Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito celebrate the reopening of Wollaston Station, and attend a leadership meeting with state Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Robert DeLeo. Baker speaks at the MassBio Digital Health Impact Forum. Polito attends an anniversary celebration for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Internship Challenge. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attends a City Hall lighting for Hispanic Heritage Month. DATELINE BEACON HILL - "BAKER OFFERS TAX RELIEF PLAN AS REVENUES SURGE," by Michael P. Norton and Katie Lannan, State House News Service: "Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, who has been open to raising taxes, on Friday outlined a new tax relief proposal that his administration says will benefit 1 million taxpayers with dependents. In a $648 million spending bill that allocated surplus fiscal 2019 revenue, Baker is proposing to double the income tax exemption for dependents from $1,000 to $2,000. The tax break would affect taxpayers who have children or care for dependent relatives who are elderly or have a disability, and is worth about $50 per dependent, according to the administration." WHAT CITY HALL IS READING - "Top Walsh aide to take leave amid bribery investigation," by Tim Logan and Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "A top aide and close ally of Mayor Martin J. Walsh is taking a leave of absence amid a federal bribery investigation that has rocked City Hall, the administration announced Friday. William "Buddy" Christopher, who is the mayor's point person on the city's opioid crisis, will step down temporarily while the city's lawyers investigate prosecutors' allegations of influence-peddling at the Zoning Board of Appeal. Christopher previously spent most of the last five years overseeing the city's Inspectional Services Department, the agency that provides staffing and recommendations on permits and variances to the zoning board." - "Walsh, Wu clash over upcoming ZBA meeting amid Boston City Hall bribery scandal," by Catherine Carlock, Boston Business Journal: "Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh and City Councilor Michelle Wu got into a public spat this week over whether the city's Zoning Board of Appeal can conduct business-as-usual after it became embroiled in a federal bribery scandal last week. John M. Lynch, a 66-year-old Dorchester resident who until three weeks ago had been an assistant director of a division of the Boston Planning and Development Agency, last week agreed to plead guilty to a federal bribery charge and a charge of filing a false tax return." FROM THE HUB - "When the city was lawless: Recalling the Boston Police Strike of 1919," by Brian MacQuarrie, Boston Globe: "One hundred years ago this week, sword-waving cavalry charged into a jeering, stone-throwing crowd of 15,000 people in downtown Boston. Roaming mobs robbed bystanders and looted stores. Part-time infantry from suburbs and small Massachusetts towns fired into crowds, fixed bayonets against Bostonians, and shot eight people dead over four tumultuous days. Those spasms of violence — from today's Government Center to the streets of South Boston and Jamaica Plain — followed an overwhelming vote by Boston police on Sept. 8, 1919, to walk off the job, striking for better working conditions and the right to form a union." - "Protest at City Hall condemns police response to Straight Pride Parade," by Alexi Cohan, Boston Herald: "Protesters waving flags, chanting and carrying signs in opposition to the police response at last week's Straight Pride Parade gathered at City Hall Saturday, where a series of speakers shared their experiences as counterprotesters at the parade and called for change. The Straight Pride Parade ended in the arrest of 36 people, two of whom provided statements to be read aloud at Saturday's "Shame on Marty Walsh: A response to police violence" protest of about 50 people that was organized on Facebook by the so-called Boston Anti-Nazi Network." PRIMARY SOURCES - "Suffolk/Globe poll finds Kennedy leading Markey in possible Senate primary matchup," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Buoyed by youth and a dynastic name, Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III would hold an immediate edge over Senator Edward J. Markey should the 38-year-old congressman launch a primary challenge to the seasoned incumbent, according to a new Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll. Kennedy would lead a five-person field by 9 percentage points, 35 percent to Markey's 26 percent, according to a survey of likely 2020 Democratic primary voters conducted by the Suffolk University Political Research Center. And in a head-to-head matchup, Kennedy's advantage would grow even larger: 14 percentage points — 42 percent to 28 percent." DAY IN COURT - "US Attorney Andrew Lelling is the new sheriff in town," by Adrian Walker, Boston Globe: "If causing anxiety is a yardstick of influence, US Attorney Andrew Lelling sort of runs Boston right now. His office is in the midst of a major corruption case involving Boston City Hall, its second. The college admissions scandal is entering its penalty phase, with actress Felicity Huffman scheduled to be sentenced later this week. Embattled Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia has been indicted for the second time in less than a year. And let's not forget Judge Shelley Joseph, under indictment for allegedly helping an undocumented defendant slip away from waiting agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement." - "SJC gets online sales tax case," by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: "The Supreme Judicial Court is set to take up a case that could determine whether certain online software companies are required to pay the state's 6.25% sales tax. In a lawsuit, Florida-based Citrix Systems Inc. argues that its online products — GoToAssist, GoToMeeting and GoToMyPC — aren't considered "tangible personal property" under state law and shouldn't be subject to the sales levy. The suit, which goes before the state's highest court Oct. 4, asks justices to reverse a 2018 decision by the state's Appellate Tax Board." WARREN REPORT - "How Elizabeth Warren Raised Big Money Before She Denounced Big Money," by Shane Goldmacher, The New York Times: "On the highest floor of the tallest building in Boston, Senator Elizabeth Warren was busy collecting big checks from some of the city's politically connected insiders. It was April 2018 and Ms. Warren, up for re-election, was at a breakfast fund-raiser hosted for her by John M. Connors Jr., one of the old-guard power brokers of Massachusetts. Soon after, Ms. Warren was in Manhattan doing the same. There would be trips to Hollywood and Silicon Valley, Martha's Vineyard and Philadelphia — all with fund-raisers on the agenda." MOULTON MATTERS - "Washington Examiner: 'Fearlessly exposed himself to enemy fire': The only 2020 Democrat to experience combat finds it counts for little in political arena," by Emily Larsen, Washington Examiner: "It has been more than three decades since the United States elected as commander in chief a veteran who fought in combat. In 2020, that period will be extended after the only candidate who fought in battle dropped out without making a debate stage or registering above 1% in polls. Two other Democratic candidates served in uniform in a war zone — Pete Buttigieg in Afghanistan and Tulsi Gabbard in Iraq — but neither fired a weapon or themselves came under fire. President Trump avoided Vietnam service because of bone spurs, Democratic front-runner Joe Biden because of asthma." FROM THE DELEGATION - "Congressman Lynch says crowded Democratic primaries threaten party unity," by Ben Berke, Brockton Enterprise: "At an annual breakfast hosted by the Brockton Democratic City Committee, Congressman Stephen Lynch called party unity the "top priority" for Democrats in 2020 before ceding the podium to the latest Massachusetts politician to face a surprise primary challenge, U.S. Senator Ed Markey. "We're beating the heck out of each other," Lynch said of recent primary battles he believes are helping President Donald Trump's re-election efforts. "I know we've got to debate these issues, but can we do it without attacking brother and sister Democrats?" Lynch's call for party unity rang out strangely in a VFW hall packed with candidates from Brockton's crowded municipal primaries, where six candidates are running for mayor in the wake of Bill Carpenter's sudden death in July." MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS - "Local officials walk fine line in seeking marijuana pot of gold," by Susan Spencer, Telegram & Gazette: "There's big money in the burgeoning marijuana business, a fact that hasn't been lost on municipal officials around the state. The industry is dominated by multibillion-dollar, multinational players such as Curaleaf and Acreage Holdings. But local mom and pop businesses are also making inroads. In some cases, these pot shops are owned by or have business ties to elected or appointed town officials, some of whom sit on boards that oversee part of the permitting process." ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: "BACK AT IT!" — Globe: "KICKOFF, CELEBRATION," "Markey, Kennedy race could be costly." EYE ON 2020 - "We asked 100 New Hampshire insiders about the Democratic field. Here's who they favor." by Trent Spiner and Holly Otterbein, POLITICO: "Joe Biden found little mojo for his candidacy among Democratic Party insiders at their state convention here Saturday, despite leading the polls in the first-in-the-nation primary state. Dozens of state representatives, party leaders, operatives and volunteers said they weren't planning to vote for the former vice president in the nomination contest — and many publicly aired concerns about his age, energy and gender. A striking number of party activists said they were undecided as 19 presidential candidates delivered stump speeches over seven hours at the SNHU Arena, according to interviews with 100 delegates by POLITICO." - "Beto's Rebooted Campaign Struggles To Make An Impression In Boston," by Arjun Singh, WGBH News: "Once the candidate who promised to unify a deeply polarized country, after a mass shooting in his hometown of El Paso, Texas left 22 people dead, O'Rourke began to look at his campaign differently. "When that AK-47 came in after he ordered it, his mom calls the police in Allen, Texas where they lived, and she asked, 'What the f**k does my son need with an AK-47?'" O'Rourke told an audience at an event in Roxbury, Massachusetts Thursday night." FROM THE 413 - "'Gentle woman with a spine of steel;' legacy of activist Frances Crowe celebrated," by Elise Linscott, MassLive.com: "Hundreds gathered Sunday afternoon at two memorial events celebrating the life and legacy of activist Frances Crowe, who passed away last month at the age of 100. Friends, admirers and elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, Mass., and state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northmapton, described Crowe as "inspiring" for her lifelong dedication to civil disobedience and fight for equal rights, environmental protection and abolishment of nuclear weapons." THE LOCAL ANGLE - "In wake of Correia's arrest, efforts underway to limit power of Fall River mayor," by Peter Jasinski, The Herald News: "As Mayor Jasiel Correia's Friday arrest has thrown local politics into upheaval, efforts are underway to reconfigure city government and limit the powers of the mayor's office. Fall River's government currently gives full executive power to the city's mayor, but a proposal being reviewed by city officials Monday would establish a new city manager position as the head of local government operations." - "Lowell Police weigh in on teacher's arrest," by Aaron Curtis, The Lowell Sun: "The Lowell Police Superior Officers Association used a letter to express "dismay and disappointment" in the alleged conduct of a Lowell teacher accused of assaulting a cop during Boston's recent Straight Pride Parade. Weighing in on the arrest of Marisa Shea, a Daley Middle School teacher and anti-parade protester, the letter to Lowell Public School Superintendent Joel Boyd and city officials states, "the citizens of Lowell, especially the children, are entitled to more." Lowell Police Association President and police Capt. Thomas Kennedy said the purpose of the communication was to convey an opinion and not request a certain action be taken against 33-year-old Shea." MEDIA MATTERS - "How an Élite University Research Center Concealed Its Relationship with Jeffrey Epstein," by Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker: "The M.I.T. Media Lab, which has been embroiled in a scandal over accepting donations from the financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, had a deeper fund-raising relationship with Epstein than it has previously acknowledged, and it attempted to conceal the extent of its contacts with him. Dozens of pages of e-mails and other documents obtained by The New Yorker reveal that, although Epstein was listed as "disqualified" in M.I.T.'s official donor database, the Media Lab continued to accept gifts from him, consulted him about the use of the funds, and, by marking his contributions as anonymous, avoided disclosing their full extent, both publicly and within the university." TRANSITIONS - Davis Malm announced shareholder Tamsin Kaplan was selected by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly for its 2019 "Top Women of Law" list. - Sherin and Lodgen added Joseph Wang as a partner to its Real Estate Department and Hospitality Practice Group. FOR YOUR COMMUTE: "#MApoli Breakfast Club." On this week's Horse Race podcast, Labor Day is over and it's back to business in Massachusetts politics. A possible primary race between Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III is heating up, and Pat Reilly of Change Research joins the pod to discuss a recent survey that found Kennedy with a 17-point lead over Markey. In Beacon Hill news, state Sen. Brendan Crighton and Rep. Christine Barber break down their bill that would allow Massachusetts residents to obtain a drivers' license, regardless of immigration status. The legislation drew hundreds to a hearing at the State House. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud. SPOTTED: at a fundraiser for Sen. Kamala Harris' presidential campaign at Kings in the Back Bay on Saturday ... Andrea Campbell, Sean Curran, Reverend Willie Bodrick II, Georgia Murray, Ingrid Epperly, Matt Epperly, Kate Kelly and Mark Maloney. WELCOME TO THE WORLD - Steve Crawford and Emily Fitzmaurice welcomed Gavin David Crawford on Sept. 5. Crawford, a Dukakis and Deval alum, is a Democratic communications consultant. Fitzmaurice is a Karen Spilka and Patrick/Murray administration alum and serves as communications director for Voter Choice for Massachusetts. The couple met on Rep. Bill Keating's 2010 campaign. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY - to Jim Mahoney , head of public policy at Bank of America, who celebrated Saturday. And to Shanthie Mariet D'Souza, Diedtra Henderson, Michael Pratt, Marco Romeo and Lenore Cho, who all celebrated Sunday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Michael Greenwald, who is 36; and Jason Denoncourt. DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes and no! The Patriots beat the Steelers 33-3. The Yankees beat the Red Sox 10-5. 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.   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: Trahan in LIMBO — Rollins picks her BATTLE — BRIBERY SCANDAL rocks City Hall

Trahan in LIMBO — Rollins picks her BATTLE — BRIBERY SCANDAL rocks City Hall

BY STEPHANIE MURRAY GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF! FEC CAN'T WEIGH TRAHAN COMPLAINTS — If you've been wondering about what happened to campaign finance complaints filed against Rep. Lori Trahan with the Federal Election Commission, the answer is not coming any time soon. The FEC can't do much of anything right now — half of its commissioner slots are empty. The regulatory agency's vice chair recently resigned, which leaves only three commissioners at the FEC. That's one person short of meeting the four-member quorum necessary to hold board meetings and take actions — including assigning fines for campaign violations, according to a New York Times report. The result is that two complaints filed against Trahan regarding questions around her campaign finance reports in the run-up to the 2018 midterm will continue to hang in limbo for the foreseeable future, since the agency does not have enough commissioners to either toss the complaints or investigate them. Trahan has called on President Donald Trump and the Senate to appoint and confirm a new commissioner to the FEC, saying the existing situation is harmful to democracy. Trahan also faces a complaint filed with the Office of Congressional Ethics, which is a separate entity. A Trahan spokesperson declined to comment on the status of that complaint, as did the Office of Congressional Ethics. "The fact that the FEC doesn't have the necessary number of commissioners needed to perform basic functions is bad for American democracy. The President has an obligation to appoint qualified commissioners and the Senate has an obligation to confirm them," Trahan said in a statement to POLITICO. And while we wait on a verdict from the FEC , Trahan is hearing footsteps at home. Questions surrounding her campaign finance reports could be seen as a weak spot for the Democratic lawmaker. And Trahan's former opponent Dan Koh, who narrowly lost to her in a crowded Democratic primary last fall, is thinking about at a rematch. A source close to Koh tells me that he is seriously considering a bid against Trahan in 2020 and will decide in the next few months. 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 MIT delta v Program Demo Day. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attends the East Boston Countdown to Kindergarten, and a mural unveiling in Chinatown.   CANNABIS USA: Legal cannabis is the fastest-growing industry in the United States. Eleven states have legalized recreational marijuana and 33 others have legalized medical marijuana. The rest of the country likely isn't too far behind. The future of cannabis will impact industries and employers of all shapes and sizes—from healthcare providers to agribusiness, hospitality to pharmaceuticals. POLITICO Pro Cannabis will fill the need for high-quality, balanced coverage of the cannabis industry and surrounding public policy efforts. Sign up to receive the preview newsletter starting on Sept. 9.     DATELINE BEACON HILL - "Governor Baker looks to double state exemption for dependents," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker — a Republican who once pledged to hold the line on taxes and fees, only to sign new ones into law — will file legislation Friday to double the state exemption taxpayers can claim for dependents, a break his administration says could affect roughly 1 million taxpayers and save families $87 million a year. The plan, which Baker intends to file as part of a $650 million supplemental budget bill, is one of several tax-related proposals he included in the wake of a second-straight year of budget surpluses." - "Report: Healey balked at proposed Purdue settlement," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "Talks between state attorneys general and Purdue Pharma over a possible $12 billion settlement to resolve thousands of lawsuits brought against the opioid manufacturer have stalled, in part because Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is not on board, according to a national media report this week." WHAT CITY HALL IS READING - "Walsh orders review of ZBA process following bribery scandal at City Hall," by Milton J. Valencia and Tim Logan, Boston Globe: "Mayor Martin J. Walsh has ordered a comprehensive review of the city's Zoning Board of Appeal process, amid a bribery scandal at City Hall that suggests wrongdoing within the board. Walsh said in a statement Thursday that the review of the ZBA and related processes would be to ensure that "best practices including strong internal protocols, are in place to best serve applicants in a way that is transparent and accountable to the public." Walsh noted that the city is seeing an explosion of economic development, which the ZBA plays a role in overseeing." - "Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu Calls For Further Action In ZBA Bribery Case," by Walter Wuthmann and Chris Citorik, WBUR: "Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu is calling for further action after news that a former city official agreed to plead guilty for accepting bribes in exchange for influencing a member of the city's Zoning Board of Appeal. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh on Thursday ordered an independent review of the ZBA. But Wu says that review "misses the point" — and ignores more immediate steps that could be taken to determine whether any ZBA board members were involved in a bribery scheme." FROM THE HUB - "In Boston, activists march to protest companies doing business with ICE," by Zoe Greenberg, Danny McDonald and Sofia Saric, Boston Globe: "A spirited group of hundreds of Jewish activists and their allies marched from downtown Boston to Amazon's Cambridge office Thursday evening, gathering to protest private companies doing business with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "Never again means abolish ICE," the protesters chanted as they walked past rush hour commuters and cars stopped in their tracks." PRIMARY SOURCES - "DEMS TO HEAR FROM ALL U.S. SENATE HOPEFULS AT CONVENTION," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: "Massachusetts Democrats gathering in Springfield for their party's annual convention will have a chance to hear from candidates running for U.S. Senate in 2020, an unusual programming move that the party's chair said reflects requests from candidates and the "pulse" of the party around what's shaping up to be an interesting race." ON THE STUMP - "Mayor Walsh endorses Essaibi-George, St. Guillen for citywide council," by Katie Trojano, Dorchester Reporter: "Mayor Martin Walsh today announced his endorsement of incumbent Councillor Annissa Essaibi-George and first-time candidate Alejandra St. Guillen for two of the four Boston City Council At-Large seats. The preliminary election for City Council will take place on Tues., Sept. 24. Fifteen men and women will appear on the ballot in the preliminary election on Tues., Sept. 24. The top eight vote-getters will move on to the general election on Nov. 5." - "City Councilor Kim Janey endorses Kenzie Bok for Boston City Council," from the Bok campaign: "District 7 City Councilor Kim Janey today endorsed Kenzie Bok for the District 8 seat on the Boston City Council. Janey's City Council district borders District 8, which Kenzie is running to represent, and includes most of Roxbury and parts of the South End, Dorchester, and Fenway." DAY IN COURT - "Suffolk DA Rachael Rollins thinks her fight with judges is long overdue," by Adrian Walker, Boston Globe: "Rachael Rollins is an unapologetic change agent, the likes of which we haven't seen in the recent history of Boston politics. But it is important to understand that her current battle with a Boston Municipal Court judge over whether to prosecute counterprotesters at a Straight Pride' parade is about more than whether to try a single defendant. It's a window into a power struggle over how to administer justice." - "Judge at center of Straight Pride drama viewed as tough jurist with a well-known name," by Gal Tziperman Lotan, Shelley Murphy and Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "In April, when Suffolk prosecutors did not request bail for a man accused of shoplifting at The Gap in Copley Place, Boston Municipal Court Judge Richard J. Sinnott flatly declined. Even if the man was in drug treatment, he had 11 open cases, and the judge ordered him held without bail for 90 days. "While commendable that the defendant has sought treatment, plainly his attendance at the program has not stopped the defendant from committing thefts to ostensibly fuel his drug habit," Sinnott wrote in his decision." - "Lawsuit seeks to halt termination of immigrant medical care," by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: "THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF MASSACHUSETTS and Lawyers for Civil Rights on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the termination of a government program that allows immigrants with severe health conditions to remain in the US for treatment. The lawsuit, filed in US District Court in Massachusetts, names as its plaintiff the Irish International Immigrant Center, which represents 33 individuals affected or likely to be affected by cancellation of the program, called medical deferred action." WARREN REPORT - "Trumpworld Anxiety Grows Over a Rising Elizabeth Warren," by Hanna Trudo and Asawin Suebsaeng, The Daily Beast: "Over the summer, Trumpworld operatives, Republican Party oppo researchers, and GOP aides in Congress have all gleefully celebrated planting unflattering stories about Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, and Kamala Harris. But no one seems to have landed a lasting blow on Elizabeth Warren. The earliest days of the Massachusetts senator's presidential campaign provided ample fodder for Republicans." MOULTON MATTERS - "Escalating trade war hits home for many local businesses," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "Representative Seth Moulton had just dropped out of the presidential race, a decision he was bound to be asked about during a town hall-style meeting at iRobot's headquarters in Bedford earlier this week. But you know what issue dominated the conversation in the packed room? The escalating trade fight with China. The tariff questions, it turns out, were much tougher to answer." KENNEDY COMPOUND - "Awkward! Joe Kennedy campaigns for Elizabeth Warren, who has endorsed Ed Markey," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "After a 10-minute speech espousing her virtues, Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III lingered for rounds of photos Thursday at Senator Elizabeth Warren's newest presidential field office, its walls plastered with "Win with Warren" signs. For Kennedy, he technically would have to do it without her. As he moves toward a likely US Senate run, Kennedy faces the awkward prospect that his pick for president has actually picked his would-be Democratic primary opponent, Senator Edward J. Markey." MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS - "Black Entrepreneurs Call For More Equity In Mass. Cannabis Industry," by Zeninjor Enwemeka, WBUR: "A group of black entrepreneurs have launched a new coalition to push for more access and opportunities for minorities in the state's burgeoning recreational marijuana industry. The coalition — Real Action for Cannabis Equity (RACE) — said it's frustrated with the lack of equity in the recreational marijuana license approval process. About dozen members demonstrated in front of Massachusetts State House Thursday afternoon." ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: "DOING THEIR JOBS," "DANNY V'S SWEET 16!" — Globe: "A judge known as 'tough but fair,'" "Walsh calls for review of zoning board," "DORIAN THREATENS US COAST." EYE ON 2020 - "Beto O'Rourke took a BoltBus to Boston, and people had questions," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Beto O'Rourke made his trip Thursday from New York to Boston in perhaps the most cost-effective, if not luxurious, manner. A BoltBus. "See you soon, Boston," the former Texas congressman and Democratic presidential candidate wrote in an Instagram story Thursday morning, showing him reading a book while he waited with other travelers at the low-cost line's Manhattan bus stop. NO PLACE LIKE THE CITY OF HOMES - "'You can do a lot by investing in cities': Gov. Charlie Baker lauds Springfield project turning Indian Motorcycle plant into apartments," by Ron Chimelis, Springfield Republican: "Charlie Baker has tossed many shovels of dirt during ceremonial groundbreakings, but he usually doesn't keep the shovel. It sounded like he would make an exception Thursday. "I've never had a shovel from Indian Motorcycle," the Massachusetts governor said after touring a Mason Square apartment project, which will result in 199 housing units at the site of the historic Springfield motorcycle plant and the former Mason Square fire station." - "A Changing Ward 4, an Open Seat, & Lots of Choices," by Matt Szafranski, Western Mass Politics & Insight: "The retirement of E. Henry Twiggs from the Ward 4 Council seat has kicked a spirited race in the heart of the city. There are other contests for the municipal legislature. Yet, between the longevity of Twigg's tenure—he has served since ward representation returned in 2010—and the subtler shifts within in the ward, Ward 4's contest could reveal a lot." THE LOCAL ANGLE - "'Worcester isn't exactly known as a gay city;' Amid economic development, why is there only one gay bar in Worcester?" by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: "Worcester has its "restaurant row" on Shrewsbury Street, the vibrant shops in Crompton Place, murals from POW! WOW!, projects and proposals that will transform historic buildings like the former courthouse and Auditorium, and in fewer than two years, it will have a Triple-A baseball team. People have been talking about the Worcester renaissance. The city's economic growth has captured the attention of local and national media and investors." - "Calls for right whale protections ahead of eastern premiers, governors meeting," The Canadian Press: "Massachusetts' attorney general is calling for political leaders in eastern North America to commit to stronger protections of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. Maura Healey addressed a letter to eastern Canadian premiers and New England governors Wednesday asking for a joint statement that would expand protections for the species "on the brink of extinction." Eight right whales have died in Canadian waters this summer, out of a global population numbering only about 400." MEDIA MATTERS - "Jeffrey Epstein's Donations Create a Schism at M.I.T.'s Revered Media Lab," by Tiffany Hsu, Marc Tracy and Erin Griffith, The New York Times: "Joichi Ito gave himself some advice in 2008: "Reminder to self," he wrote on Twitter. "Don't invest with or take money from creeps," although he used an earthier term. Then, over the next decade, he accepted about $1.7 million from Jeffrey Epstein." - "Boston Globe to lay off workers at Taunton facility," by Don Seiffert, Boston Business Journal: "The Boston Globe is planning to cut jobs at its Taunton printing, mailing and delivery hub over the next several weeks, another sign that the facility once touted as a centerpiece of John Henry's plan to make the newspaper profitable again is struggling to live up to those hopes. Boston Globe Media Partners LLC has decided to outsource the mailroom contract for one of its longtime moneymakers, its Globe Direct marketing service, according to multiple sources." REMEMBERING JOHN 'SULLY' SULLIVAN ... via WaPo: " Communities of friends, family and admirers in Washington, Massachusetts and Jordan came together this week to mourn the passing of John Sullivan, former U.S. diplomat, husband, father, humanitarian, cancer survivor and the life of every party he attended. He was 37 years old. "Sully," as he was known, last worked at the Financial Integrity Network, an advisory firm, and lived in Washington with his wife, Haya Abu Sharar, who works at the International Monetary Fund, and their 9-month-old daughter, Suzanne." Link. FOR YOUR COMMUTE: "#MApoli Breakfast Club." On this week's Horse Race podcast, Labor Day is over and it's back to business in Massachusetts politics. A possible primary race between Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy III is heating up, and Pat Reilly of Change Research joins the pod to discuss a recent survey that found Kennedy with a 17-point lead over Markey. In Beacon Hill news, state Sen. Brendan Crighton and Rep. Christine Barber break down their bill that would allow Massachusetts residents to obtain a drivers' license, regardless of immigration status. The legislation drew hundreds to a hearing at the State House. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud. HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Rep. Bill Keating; Gabrielle Farrell, traveling press secretary for Elizabeth Warren, who is 29; Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan (h/t Ed Cash); former 3rd District candidate Rick Green, Curt Nickisch, senior editor at Harvard Business Review; and Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu's chief of staff Dave Vittorini. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND - to Eric Kanter , legislative director for Maine Rep. Jared Golden and a Team Moulton alum, who turns 29 on Saturday and will celebrate with a chicken chase party in Washington, D.C. (h/t Matt Corridoni). DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? No! The Twins beat the Red Sox 2-1. 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.   NEW—POLITICO's UNITED NATIONS PLAYBOOK: The 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly will jam some of the world's most influential leaders into four blocks in Gotham. POLITICO's man-about-town Ryan Heath will take you inside UNGA—revealing juicy details from the lighter-side of the gathering and insights into the most pressing global issues facing decision-makers today. Sign up for U.N. Playbook.       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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