MASSterList: Stan’s last stand | Due process? | Chain of command

Subscribe  Archives  Twitter  Facebook  Instagram

This email may be cut off by your email provider. To see today's full MASSterList, click "View entire message" at the bottom, or view the online version here. By Jay Fitzgerald and Keith Regan 12/01/2017 Stan’s last stand | Due process? | Chain of command

Happening Today

RN-to-BSN program, World AIDS Day, Braude honored -- Greenfield Community College President Dr. Bob Pura, Westfield State University President Dr. Ramon Torrecilha, Rep. Peter Kocot, Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz and others hold a press conference about the colleges' new RN-to-BSN completion program, Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, Northampton, 9 a.m. -- Action Committee and Johnson & Johnson Innovation host a World AIDS Day event, with panelists including Dr. Dan Barouch of Beth Israel Deaconess, Nicola la Monica of Johnson & Johnson, former Rep. Carl Sciortino, now executive director of the AIDS Action Committee, and Dr. Zeda Rosenberg, CEO of International Partnership for Microbicides, Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School, 77 Ave. Louis Pasteur, Boston, 10 a.m. -- The MassDOT Registry of Motor Vehicles and AAA will host a ribbon cutting event to announce that RMV license and registration services will now be offered to AAA members at its branch in Plymouth, AAA Plymouth Branch, 29 Home Depot Drive, Plymouth, 10:30 a.m. -- Boston Mayor Martin Walsh offers remarks at the gradution of 22 EMT recruits, and seven EMS staff promotions, Great Hall, Faneuil Hall, Boston, 10:45 a.m. -- Auditor Suzanne Bump attends the Cushing Gavin Awards gala, IBEW Local 103, 256 Freeport St. #1, Dorchester, 6 p.m. -- The fraternity Phi Alpha Tau will present its annual Dr. David Brudnoy Memorial Award to television and radio broadcaster Jim Braude, Bordy Theater, Union Savings Bank Building, 216 Tremont St., Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Today's News

Stan’s last stand: Fight? Stall? Resign? All three? The mere fact that Senate Majority Leader Harriette Chandler has to assert that Senate President Stan Rosenberg will remain in office (SHNS) – amid an independent investigation into the Boston Globe’s bombshell allegations that the president’s husband effectively used his position to sexually prey on those who work at the State House – speaks volumes about Rosenberg’s now shaky position on Beacon Hill. This morning, Rosenberg is clearly fighting for his political survival. Everyone knows it, even though few are saying so publicly. The allegations in Globe columnist Yvonne Abraham’s piece – that Rosenberg’s husband, Bryon Hefner, sexually groped, grabbed or kissed men with ties to the State House -- are bad enough in the current “zero tolerance” climate toward sexual harassment. But Hefner also, allegedly, used his position as Rosenberg’s husband to strike political fear in those he accosted and to cover his tracks – and this isn’t the first time Hefner has been accused of abusing his relationship with Rosenberg within political circles on Beacon Hill. Rosenberg now owns this scandal precisely because he previously promised that political abuse of power by Hefner wouldn’t happen again – and now, allegedly, it’s happened again. No wonder Gov. Charlie Baker -- who along with Attorney General Maura Healey is calling for an investigation, as reported by the Globe’s Michael Levenson and Frank Phillips – wouldn’t express confidence in Rosenberg when asked yesterday. No wonder the “resign” word is being whispered at the State House, though, of course, people are publicly saying it’s “too early” to talk about such matters. But that’s indeed what everyone is speculating about: Resignation, either before, during or after the investigation. Sorry, but there it is. Out in the open. The Boston Herald’s Matt Stout and Bob McGovern have more on the controversy, including Rosenberg’s support for an investigation and his recusal from the probe. Shira Schoenberg at MassLive has also been all over the issue, as has the SHNS’s Matt Murphy (pay wall), WGBH’s Mike Deehan and AP’s Steve LeBlanc and Bob Salsberg at WBUR.

Capuano: Even Conyers deserves due process Speaking of politics and sexual harassment charges: As U.S. Sen. Al Franken fights for political survival and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calls on U.S. Rep John Conyers to resign amid sexual-harassment controversies swirling around both lawmakers (Washington Post), U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano is effectively saying slow down and allow due-process to take its course, at least in the case of Conyers, as Tori Bedford reports at WGBH. “Even with the most credible allegations, people have a right to a due process,” Capuano said yesterday on ‘GBH.  He’s technically right, of course, but in this environment, his call will mostly fall on political deaf ears. WGBH

Healey decries DPU’s approval of slimmed down Eversource rate hike The Department of Public Utilities may have approved only 60 percent of Eversource Energy’s requested power rate hike, as reported by Bruce Mohl at CommonWealth magazine, but Attorney General Maura Healey says rates shouldn’t have been raised at all, as reported by Brian Dowling at the Herald.

Republican tax plan hits snag over this thing called a ‘deficit’ It looked like smooth sailing for the $1.5 trillion Senate Republican tax-cut bill that few senators, we assume, had even read, due to the constant revisions and all the backroom deal-making. But late yesterday the momentum for passage stalled, perhaps only temporarily, as some senators pointed out it might increase the national deficit – by a lot. The New York Times and the Washington Post have the details. Meanwhile, the Boston Globe, in an editorial, is putting pressure on Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine to “pick a side” in the debate, with the Globe making clear which side she should pick.

Thanks, Sonja: Thousands of drug cases to be dismissed due to disgraced state chemist Anywhere from 6,000 drug cases, as reported at MassLive, to 7,500 cases, as reported by the Boston Herald, will be dismissed as result of prosecutors deciding that the charges were tainted due to the misconduct of disgraced state chemist Sonja Farak, not to be confused with another disgraced state chemist, Annie Dookhan, whose own shenanigans led to the prior dismissal of 20,000 criminal convictions. So we’re looking at nearly 30,000 botched cases in recent years, all because of two state lab people. Fyi: The discrepancy in the numbers above is apparently tied to some prosecutors reporting their planned dismissals late in the day. Six thousand cases. Seventy-five hundred cases. At this point, same difference.

Right up the chain of command Special treatment for a judge’s daughter? You decide. From Matt Stout at the Herald; “A State Police captain alerted a superior at the center of the Troopergate scandal that Alli Bibaud had been ‘locked up’ less than 40 minutes after her arrest, newly released documents show, highlighting the swiftness with which it reached the highest ranks of the department. ... ‘C-6 Trooper just locked up Judge Bibaud’s daughter for OUI,’ Capt. Robert Johnson wrote in a text message to Major Susan Anderson's department-issued cell phone." Boston Herald

CVS could announce Aetna takeover as soon as Monday This is huge news in the health-care world, involving two prominent New England firms. From Bloomberg News: “CVS Health Corp. is nearing an agreement to acquire health insurer Aetna Inc. for more than $65 billion, according to a person familiar with the negotiations, in a deal that could reshape the pharmacy and health insurance industries. An announcement could come as soon as Monday, said the person.”   Bloomberg

Baker’s ‘no brainer’ biotech bill receives warm welcome Speaking of pharmaceuticals and similar matters, from the BBJ’s Max Stendahl: “Gov. Charlie Baker’s bill to reauthorize a life sciences investment program earned high marks during an inaugural hearing on Thursday, with state lawmakers and chancellors in the system throwing their support behind the effort. Members of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies convened a hearing at the UMass Medical School in Worcester to discuss Baker’s bill, which would invest up to $500 million over five years in the life sciences sector.” BBJ

Millennium Partners in talks with state agencies over giant Seaport gondola Definitely check out the accompanying design images of the envisioned Seaport gondola system that, if ever built, would become an instant iconic feature of Boston. Anyway, from the BBJ’s Catherine Carlock: “The project is still in its nascent stages, and hasn’t yet been formally introduced at the municipal level. But Millennium Boston officials have begun conversations to discuss the gondola system with a number of stakeholders and public players, including the MBTA, MassDOT, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, the Massachusetts Port Authority, local and federal elected officials as well as a smattering of private partners.”  At this point, the gondola plan, which was first floated earlier this year, is far from reality, but it's nice to dream. BBJ

Dukakis on MassDOT tunnel report: ‘We’re not satisfied with the scope of the study’ Former Gov. Michael Dukakis and other advocates for the long-discussed North-South Rail Link turned out earlier this week in Quincy for a meeting on the subject -- and Dukakis made clear he doesn’t think a $1.5 million contract awarded by DOT to study a north-south tunnel is enough. “We’re not satisfied with the scope of the study,” Dukakis said, “but at least we’ve got the (Baker) administration looking at this.” The Patriot Ledger’s Sean Philip Cotter has more. Patriot Ledger

Lawmakers approve higher budget for new Cannabis Commission They rushed this one through fast. From SHNS’s Colin A. Young: “The Cannabis Control Commission has an executive director, temporary office space and soon it will have the money it needs to build out a legal marijuana market in Massachusetts. The Legislature on Thursday passed a supplemental budget (H 4052) appropriating $2.7 million for the operations of the CCC and sent it to Gov. Charlie Baker. The amount approved Thursday is less than the $3.6 million in operating funds the CCC had requested in early November but is expected to satisfy the commission's needs.” SHNS (pay wall)

Is the competitive Third Congressional race too competitive too early? CommonWealth’s Michael Jonas writes that some voting activists wonder if the crowded Third Congressional District race – which now counts 12 Democratic and three Republican candidates – is actually a textbook case of how today’s winner-take-all primary system actually leads to winners who fall far short of winning a majority of votes. The activists prefer a “ranked-choice” system. It’s a fascinating argument, but count us among the unconvinced. It sounds more like certain losing factions wanting their preferred candidates to stand a better chance of winning in crowded races. CommonWealth

Does statewide campaigning history give Kerrigan a leg up in 3rd? Been there, done that—sort of. Peter Lucas of the Lowell Sun notes that of the even dozen Democratic candidates in the race to follow Niki Tsongas in Congress, only Steve Kerrigan has experience campaigning for votes in the district. Kerrigan gained the experience during his unsuccessful bid for lieutenant governor in 2014, when he carried Lowell and a number of the district’s other communities during the Democratic primary.  Lowell Sun

Lawmakers named to criminal-justice conference committee They have a lot of haggling to do. From SHNS’s Andy Metzger at the Telegram: “The task of reconciling two major criminal justice bills is ready to get underway after lawmakers on Thursday appointed a conference committee led by Rep. Claire Cronin and Sen. William Brownsberger, the co-chairs of the Judiciary Committee. The conference committee is charged with forging a compromise that, if adopted, would represent one of the biggest overhauls of criminal justice laws in modern history.” Andy has the names of the other members.   Telegram

Boston taps accounting firm to review school books One good audit deserves another?  Boston officials said they’ll ask Ernst & Young to review all student activity funds in the wake of the IRS audit that resulted in the city paying $1 million in back taxes and $2,000 in fines, Dan Atkinson of the Herald reports. Some critics say a more independent review is needed—Ernst & Young has a standing contract with the mayor’s office that pays it $600,000 a year.  Boston Herald

Dozens of Brookline High students hold walkout over racist videos This was nasty stuff they were protesting. From Max Larkin at WBUR: “Dozens of students of color and their allies walked out of class Thursday morning at Brookline High School, after Snapchat videos surfaced showing current and former students repeating racial slurs. ... In one of the videos shared with WBUR, a former Brookline High student can be heard saying that he equates ‘African-American scholar’ with the N-word.” Yes, they were targeting members of a scholars group at the school. Here’s two of the videos accompanying the ‘BUR story. WBUR

Supporters of minimum-wage and paid-leave ballot initiatives say they’re locked and loaded From Greg Ryan at the BBJ: “The group Raise Up Massachusetts said it has collected enough signatures to advance two ballot measures, which would raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour and require employers to offer paid family and medical leave, towards the 2018 ballot... The signatures must still be officially submitted to Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin for inspection. Raise Up is planning to hold a rally in front of Galvin’s office on Tuesday when they submit the signatures.” The Retailers Association of Massachusetts has also indicated that it has enough signatures to put a sales-tax-cut question on the ballot next year. BBJ

Why are Massachusetts schools ignoring U.S. history in classes? Tom Birmingham, the former Massachusetts Senate president who spearheaded the landmark Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993, says it’s time to reinstate student graduation requirements in U.S. history and the U.S. Constitution – otherwise “we risk a generation that will be unable to fully participate in America’s democracy.” Why this would be at all controversial, we have no idea. The costs, as cited by Birmingham, seem so modest compared to the obvious civic gains. CommonWealth

Bill supporters: A little more notice of raw sewage overflowing into rivers would be nice, thank you From Christian Wade at the Newburyport Daily News: “Lawmakers and environmental groups are pressing for quicker, more widespread notifications of raw sewage overflows into local rivers and waterways, saying the current hodgepodge of notification rules puts the public at risk.” Newburyport Daily News

Sunday public affairs TV This is New England, NBC Boston, 9:30 a.m. With host Latoyia Edwards, this week’s main topic: Reporter Community Features. This Week in Business, NECN, 10 a.m. Massachusetts Retailers Association president Jon Hurst on prospects for the holiday season; 128 Technology co-Founder and CEO Andy Ory on his company’s mission to fix the Internet; and Doug Banks of the Boston Business Journal on the top business stories of the week.   CEO Corner, NECN, 10:30 a.m. Akcea Therapeutics president and CEO Paula Soteropolous on taking the biopharma firm public; plus, seeking cures for rare diseases that have broader implications for overall healthcare.   Boston College Chief Executives Club, NECN, 1 p.m. In a recording of an event held earlier this week in Boston, the Globe’s Linda Henry interviews Michael Dell of Dell Technologies at the Boston College Chief Executives Club. On The Record, WCVB-TV Channel 5, 11 a.m. This week’s guest: Senate President Stan Rosenberg, who speaks with anchor Ed Harding and co-anchor Janet Wu.   CityLine, WCVB-TV Channel 5, 12 p.m. This week’s main focus: Social Media and Social Justice .

Today's Headlines

Metro

Noncommittal Mayor Walsh avoids saying ‘veto’ about Boston plastic bag ban - WGBH

Is Canal Street the next pedestrian way in Boston? - Boston Globe

Massachusetts

Leahy says he has the votes to be Lowell’s next mayor - Lowell Sun

MassDevelopment votes to manage New Bedford state pier - Standard-Times

Ashland gets national finance award - MetroWest Daily News

Contaminated soil from Barnstable Airport moved and missing - Cape Cod Times

Group: best passenger route from NYC to Berkshires might be through Albany - Berkshire Eagle

Firm says it will spend $100 million to redevelop Benny’s properties - Sun Chronicle

Nation

Sessions blasts sanctuary cities after Kate Steinle murder trial ruling - The Hill

Trump urged GOP leaders to help end Russia inquiry - New York Times

To view more events or post an event listing on Beacon Hill Town Square, please visit events.massterlist.com. Beacon Hill Town Square

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook, SPECIAL investigator to look into HEFNER assault allegations – Bracing for FED cash loss – Aerial GONDOLAS in the Seaport?

12/01/2017 07:26 AM EDT

By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @LaurenDezenski) with Rebecca Morin (rmorin@politico.com; @RebeccaMorin_)

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Sunny with a high of 51 in Boston today.

SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR TO BE NAMED AS HEFNER SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS ROCK BEACON HILL - After weeks of sexual harassment rumors, allegations, and discussions on Beacon Hill, a name has surfaced: Bryon Hefner. The husband of state Senate President Stan Rosenberg, has been accused by four men of sexual assault and harassment. It was detailed in a bombshell report by the Globe's Yvonne Abraham yesterday, and now has some privately questioning Rosenberg's fate in the Senate.

Hefner through his attorney in a statement to the Globe denied the accusations, and Rosenberg denied being aware of the incidents.

In what she called an "unprecedented step," state Senate Majority Leader Harriette Chandler announced late last night that the Senate would bring in an independent special investigator "in order to ensure a completely impartial process, and because of these unique circumstances which involve the Office of the Senate President." Timing for the special investigator isn't yet clear - though Chander's spokesman said "we want the process to happen in a timely manner." Rosenberg will retain his office and responsibilities as Senate President because he has recused himself from the investigation, Chandler said.

Rosenberg himself last night was supportive of an investigation - after Gov. Charlie Baker, state Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, and Attorney General Maura Healey all said one should take place. State House Speaker Robert DeLeo, through a spokesman, had no comment.

No one in the building has called for Rosenberg to step down, though privately multiple insiders tell me pressure to step down, either from his seat as Senate President or from the Senate as a whole, will ramp up if it's proven Rosenberg knew about his partner's actions (which Rosenberg denies). GOP state Senate candidate Dean Tran, currently vying for the seat opened by outgoing state Sen. Jen Flanagan, last night called on Rosenberg to step aside until the investigation into Hefner's sexual misconduct allegations is complete.

Rosenberg was not at the State House when the story broke yesterday, avoiding the gaggle of reporters and cameras that gathered outside of his office in the late afternoon. But earlier in the day, Rosenberg had sat down with WCVB's Sunday news show On the Record to discuss "how hard he is working to create systems to prevent sexual harassment at the Golden Dome," a producer tweetedafter the news broke. Co-host Janet Wu then tweeted that the show had invited Rosenberg back onto the show on Sunday "to set record straight on husband's alleged sexual assaults but @senstan no longer chatty like this AM when he knew @GlobeAbraham story about to break."

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com.

DATELINE BEACON HILL -

PUBLISHED BEFORE THE GLOBE STORY - "Public payouts for harass claims not on table - yet," by Brian Dowling, Boston Herald: "Senate President Stanley Rosenberg says a review of the state Senate's sexual harassment policies could examine whether taxpayers should be on the hook when it comes to paying out settlements for misconduct. Six female senators, led by Majority Leader Harriette Chandler, will review the Senate's policies around sexual harassment through the end of January."

** A message from New England Clean Power Link: Poised to supply Massachusetts with 1,000 MW of clean, renewable power, the New England Clean Power Link is ready to roll. The only project with a Presidential Permit, full site control and full host state support, the innovative buried project will help Massachusetts meet its legislative requirements for lower carbon emissions. More **

- "State police captain swiftly texted boss about arrest of judge's daughter," by Matt Stout, Boston Herald: "A State Police captain alerted a superior at the center of the Troopergate scandal that Alli Bibaud had been 'locked up' less than 40 minutes after her arrest, newly released documents show, highlighting the swiftness with which it reached the highest ranks of the department. Trooper Ryan Sceviour had responded to a crash at 7:35 p.m. on Oct. 16, when he found a 'lethargic and groggy' Alli Bibaud - the daughter of Dudley District Court Judge Timothy Bibaud - standing outside a smashed-up Toyota Corolla, he wrote in a police report."

- "After panel fails to meet, legislators extend deadline for group to look at expanding public records law," by Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: "State lawmakers have approved a measure to give themselves an additional 11 months to complete a report about whether the new public records law should also be applied to the Legislature, the governor's office, and the judiciary. The plan to give a legislative commission until Dec. 1, 2018 to complete its work was included in a supplemental budget that passed the House and Senate Thursday, said Peter Wilson, spokesman for Senate President Stanley C. Rosenberg. The original deadline for the report was Dec. 30."

TRUMPACHUSETTS -

- "Mass. braces for possible loss of federal funding for children's health program," by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: "Massachusetts is on track to run out of money in January for a federal program that provides health coverage for 172,000 children in the state unless Congress moves quickly to approve new funding. ... Without congressional action, Massachusetts is slated to lose $295 million in annual funding, according to state health officials."

THE WARREN REPORT -

- "Elizabeth Warren: Don't let Trump & Wall Street gut consumer protection bureau," by Elizabeth Warren, USA Today: "The agency helps people fight abuse by financial institutions. The president circumvented the law to name an acting director who wants to hobble it."

MOULTON MATTERS -

- "Rep. Seth Moulton's plan to overhaul House Democrats with a 'new generation of leaders,' by Eric Bradner, CNN: "Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts -- who has vented for months about House Democrats' leadership - has big ambitions for the military veterans he is backing in the 2018 midterm elections. 'I'm literally recruiting a new generation of leaders for the party,' he said in an interview Wednesday."

ON THE STUMP -

- "Diehl backs GOP tax plan," by Jim Hand, Sun Chronicle: "U.S. Senate candidate Geoff Diehl said Wednesday he supports a Republican tax-cutting plan in Washington, saying it will give a boost to the economy. But, the person he wants to replace in the Capitol, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, said the tax cuts are a special gift from Republicans to wealthy donors."

THE TSONGAS ARENA -

- INBOX: "My endorsement," from former Treasurer Steve Grossman: "Friend, ... Today I'm proud to endorse my friend Dan Koh. ... I'm supporting Dan because I know he'll bring to Congress the passion, progressive values, and willingness to fight to improve the quality of life for every person he's privileged to represent."

- "When politics and friendship collide in Lowell," by Frank Phillips, Boston Globe: "Mayor Martin J. Walsh, who has already put his fund-raising muscle behind his former chief of staff Dan Koh's congressional campaign, weighed in with a former legislative colleague and close friend who was preparing to endorse another Third District candidate. The call came to state Representative David Nangle, a veteran Lowell Democrat, just before he planned to show up last Friday at one of the city's iconic stomping grounds - the Owl Diner - in support of candidate Lori Trahan."

WOOD WAR - Herald: "SCANDAL IN THE SENATE" - Globe: "Rosenberg's husband accused," "GOP closes in on tax overhaul," "White House plans to oust Tillerson," "DA to toss out 6,000 tainted drug convictions," "For doctor, a rare treat."

THE LOCAL ANGLE -

- "US Prosecutors Quietly Tweak Extortion Charges Against Two Aides To Boston Mayor Walsh," by Isaiah Thompson, WGBH: "With the extortion trial of two aides to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh scheduled to begin early next year, federal prosecutors have quietly changed elements of the case against the duo, possibly to guard against reversals suffered in U.S. courts in other political corruption cases. A 'second superceding indictment,' filed late Wednesday, includes at least two changes to the original charges filed against former Boston tourism director Kenneth Brissette and Timothy Sullivan, a former senior adviser to Walsh."

- "Supporters of north-south rail link make pitch in Quincy," by Sean Philip Cotter, Patriot Ledger: "Several dozen people turned out Wednesday night at Quincy High School to hear former Gov. Michael Dukakis and other advocates for the long-discussed North-South Rail Link. The link, which has been floated for decades, would involve the construction of a tunnel between South Station and North Station in downtown Boston. It would connect the MBTA commuter rail lines north and south of the city and allow Amtrak lines south of Boston to meet up with an existing line that continues north of the city to Maine ."

- "Boston said to carry region's burden in the housing crisis," by Jennifer Smith, Dorchester Reporter: "Greater Boston is experiencing a lopsided housing boom, with the iron core of Boston proper accounting for almost all of the region's new growth as the suburbs drag behind in residential production. It's a pattern housing experts have seen coming in the years since the Great Recession. High employment rates and private sector wages, an influx of young adults and retiring Baby Boomers, a low vacancy rate, and the ever increasing desirability of the Commonwealth's capital are keeping housing supply outpaced by the increases in population and income."

- "In An Unlikely Partnership, Local Environmentalists And Utilities Work Together To Reduce Gas Leaks," by Craig Lemoult, WGBH: "Environmental activists have long seen natural gas utilities as something of a foe. While natural gas may be cleaner than coal, it's still a fossil fuel, and environmentalists worry about its impact on climate change. But environmentalists and gas companies in Massachusetts are doing something unusual - they're teaming up to try to fix something they both agree is a problem."

- "Savings from solar farm to pump $200K into Williamstown budget," by Scott Stafford, Berkshire Eagle: "A 1.9-megawatt solar array on the former town landfill is now connected to the grid and operating, and officials are looking to put to work for the town the anticipated $200,000 in savings. The town currently spends about $370,000 annually on power, and officials said the savings can help in several ways."

THE SKY'S THE LIMIT - "Millennium's vision for giant Seaport development includes aerial tramway," by Catherine Carlock, Boston Business Journal. "Millennium Partners' Boston office has rarely shied away from pushing the boundaries when it comes to the city's real estate development. The firm is now in the midst of perhaps its most boundary-pushing idea yet."

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY - to Sen. Michael Rush, who celebrated yesterday.

DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! - The Celtics topped the 76ers 108-97.

NEW: POLITICO is accepting applications for its fifth session of the POLITICO Journalism Institute (PJI), an educational initiative focused on newsroom diversity . The intensive program, which is designed for college students, will be held May 29 to June 9, 2018. It features hands-on training for up to 12 recent grads and university students interested in covering government and politics. Students also will have an opportunity to have their work published by POLITICO. All expenses are paid for the program, reflecting POLITICO's ongoing support of journalism education, newsroom diversity and recruitment of top-notch talent. Admissions are made on a rolling basis, so APPLY TODAY but no later than Jan. 15, 2018. https://www.politico.com/pji

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.

FOR MORE political and policy news from Massachusetts, check out: http://politi.co/1qNSlWx

SUBSCRIBE to the Playbook family: POLITICO Playbook http://politi.co/2lQswbh ... New York Playbook http://politi.co/1ON8bqW ... Florida Playbook http://politi.co/1OypFe9 ... New Jersey Playbook http://politi.co/1HLKltF ... Massachusetts Playbook http://politi.co/1Nhtq5v ... Illinois Playbook http://politi.co/1N7u5sb ... California Playbook http://politi.co/2bLvcPl ... Brussels Playbook http://politi.co/1FZeLcw ... London Playbook http://politi.co/2xfDPuK ... All our political and policy tipsheets http://politi.co/1M75UbX

** A message from New England Clean Power Link : Poised to supply Massachusetts with 1,000 MW of clean, sustainable power, the New England Clean Power Link is ready to roll. The only project with a Presidential Permit, full site control and full host state support, the innovative buried project will help Massachusetts meet its legislative requirements for lower carbon emissions. The entire line will travel underground and underwater, and is expected to deliver low-cost electricity to the Commonwealth over the next 40 years. Massachusetts can expect to reap $19.9 billion in benefits over the next 20 years alone, while ratepayers can expect to save $655 million a year in energy costs. Most importantly, the project is 100% privately financed and comes with a fixed-price bid, protecting taxpayers and ratepayers alike from any cost overruns. The project's developers have also established a $20 million fund to assist low-income ratepayers in western Massachusetts. More **

To view online:
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/massachusetts-playbook/2017/12/01/senate-independent-investigator-to-look-into-hefner-assault-allegations-bracing-for-fed-cash-loss-aerial-gondolas-in-the-seaport-228382

---

---

 POLITICO, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA, 22209, USA

William Boardman | US Hysteria Blooms in Wake of North Korean Missile Splashdown

30 November 17 PM

It's Live on the HomePage Now: 

Reader Supported News

DESPITE ALL ODDS WE ARE GETTING CLOSE - HELP! - Amazingly we are inching our way into position to have a - chance - of finishing the November funding drive. - "Today" will be critical. Can you help today? In peace and solidarity. / Marc Ash - Founder, Reader Supported News

Sure, I'll make a donation!

---

William Boardman | US Hysteria Blooms in Wake of North Korean Missile Splashdown 

William Boardman, Reader Supported News
Boardman writes: "The most dangerous thing about the North Korean missile launch is the reaction of the unprincipled, under-informed, white identity extremist sitting in the Oval Office."
READ MORE

White House Readies Plan to Replace Rex Tillerson With Mike Pompeo at State, Install Sen. Tom Cotton at CIA
Philip Rucker, Ashley Parker and Anne Gearan, The Washington Post
Excerpt: "The White House has readied a plan to oust embattled Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replace him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who has become one of the most personally loyal and politically savvy members of President Trump's national security team, two administration officials confirmed Thursday."
READ MORE

Spencer Ackerman | Interrogators Blast Trump's 'Clueless' CIA Pick Tom Cotton
Spencer Ackerman, The Daily Beast
Ackerman writes: "The Central Intelligence Agency is set to receive an advocate of waterboarding, sweeping surveillance powers, jailing journalists, and conflict with Iran as its next director."
READ MORE

Where's the Outrage Against This Attack on the ACA?
Danielle Ofri, Slate
Ofri writes: "Luckily, the Affordable Care Act survived three frontal assaults over the summer and into the fall. Now suddenly, it's in the crosshairs again. But this time, it's more of a sneak attack."
READ MORE

Joe Scarborough: Trump Allies Told Me He Has Dementia
Rebecca Savransky, The Hill
Savransky writes: "MSNBC's Joe Scarborough said on Thursday that people close to President Trump told him during the campaign that Trump has 'early stages of dementia.'"
READ MORE

Saudi Women Scholars Call Out Prince's Reform Agenda
Gavin O'Toole, Al Jazeera
O'Toole writes: "Leading female scholars from Saudi Arabia have described moves to ease restrictions on women as government spin aimed at an international audience to bolster support for efforts to liberalise its ailing economy."
READ MORE

Lawsuit Challenges Trump's Approval of Corporation's Plan to Drain California Desert Aquifer
Earthjustice
Excerpt: "Conservation and health-safety groups filed suit on Tuesday in federal court challenging the Trump administration's approval of an enormous groundwater-mining and pipeline project in Southern California. The Cadiz water project, approved without environmental review, includes the construction of a pipeline through the Mojave Trails National Monument and other public lands in the area."
READ MORE

---

Contribute to RSN

Become a Fan of RSN on Facebook and Twitter

Update My Monthly Donation