| | | | |  | | By Kelly Garrity and Lisa Kashinsky | REPUBLICAN ROADBLOCK — Republicans proved they’re willing to use their newfound leverage on Beacon Hill. But for how long? House Republicans used procedural maneuvers to delay a vote on the $2.8 billion supplemental budget that emerged yesterday after weeks of closed-door negotiations. They threw up roadblocks to its passage to protest spending more money on the emergency shelter system without taking measures to stem the flow of migrants who are filling it. Democrats vowed to try again today — and to keep trying, if needed. House Speaker Ron Mariano, who can usually lean on his party’s supermajority to muscle through any legislation, slammed GOP lawmakers for being “willing to jeopardize” the whole bill over the shelter aid. The parliamentary plays capped a tense day on Beacon Hill that saw each party pointing fingers at the other for delaying the spending bill, which also includes long-awaited raises for public workers and is long overdue to the comptroller. Democrats’ dysfunction got lawmakers into this mess. But the longer Republicans hold up the budget bill, the easier it will be for the ruling party to shift blame to the GOP for blocking aid to families in need. The deal, when it's eventually passed, directs $50 million toward opening at least one overflow shelter site for waitlisted migrant and homeless families, as the House wanted. But the Senate watered down the language, chucking a provision that would have revoked the shelter system’s 7,500-family capacity limit if a temporary shelter wasn’t up and running within 30 days. Instead, the compromise calls for a shelter to be operational by the end of the year — and says Gov. Maura Healey's administration can't touch the rest of the $250 million until that happens. State officials have already opened a temporary overnight shelter in a transportation building, which could possibly satisfy that requirement, and are looking at other sites. But they’re unlikely to be at convention centers. “There are a lot of complexities” with those facilities, Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, who’s overseeing the emergency assistance program, told reporters. “I’m going in other directions right now, before we even consider that.” Under the agreement, the Healey administration would have to send updates on the state of the shelter system to the House and Senate every two weeks. And the governor would have to let lawmakers know at least 30 days in advance if she plans to limit how long families can receive services through the emergency assistance program. The hulking bill also includes months-late funding for 95 collective bargaining agreements for nearly 60,000 state workers; $15 million for communities hit by severe weather this year; and money to cover costs associated with MassHealth, special education and SNAP benefits. One provision that didn’t make it in: a Senate proposal that would’ve helped clear the way for the Kraft Group to build a 25,000-seat soccer stadium in Everett. The project is “very controversial,” Senate Ways & Means Chair Michael Rodrigues told Playbook, and lawmakers “did not want to have that issue stand in the way of getting the rest of this bill done.” GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Both chambers are back in action at 11 a.m. TODAY — Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu have no public events. Tips? Scoops? Budget strategy memos? Email us: kgarrity@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com.
| | | | GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here. | | | | | |  | DATELINE BEACON HILL | | STATE OF THE STATE — Mark your calendars: Gov. Maura Healey is set to deliver her first State of the Commonwealth address on Jan. 17. — “Minority-focused higher ed institutions should get more funding, report says,” by Gintautas Dumcius, CommonWealth Beacon: “The state’s funding model for higher education should be reworked to better support public and private institutions serving large minority populations, according to a new report from business-backed groups, which cite a tight labor market and employers’ desire for a more diverse workforce.” — “Bill seeks to relax forest management practices,” by Bella Levavi, Greenfield Recorder.
| | YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS | | OPEN-SEAT SCRAMBLE — State Sen. Susan Moran (D-Falmouth) won’t seek reelection in 2024 and will instead run for Barnstable County Superior Court clerk, she confirmed to Playbook. State House News Service first reported her plans. The field is already forming for the purple Plymouth and Barnstable seat. State Rep. Dylan Fernandes, a Woods Hole Democrat, told Playbook he’s running. State Rep. Matt Muratore, a Plymouth Republican, told the Cape Cod Times he’s “seriously considering” a bid. CASH DASH — Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll are headlining a high-dollar holiday cocktail reception to benefit the state Democratic Party on Dec. 14 at the Omni Parker House. Tickets start at $100 for a “grassroots supporter” and run as high as $15,000 for the “Governor’s Circle,” per the invitation.
| | MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS | | | 
Volunteers help migrants with work-permit processing at a National Guard facility in Reading | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO | IN PROCESS — State and federal officials helped more than 1,700 migrants in the emergency shelter system take steps toward employment during a two-week work-authorization clinic that ended yesterday. More than 500 volunteers helped process migrants’ work permits at the legal clinic set up at a National Guard facility in Reading, Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, who oversees the state’s emergency assistance program, told reporters. Their efforts are, in some cases, helping to shorten what can be a monthslong process to under 30 days. GBH’s Katie Lannan has more. Dan Koh, the White House deputy director of intergovernmental affairs and a Marty Walsh alum who was there on behalf of the Biden administration, said the clinic “is a clear demonstration of the life changing impact that we can have when all of us work together and cut through all the bureaucracy.” The Biden administration “want[s] to be able to do more in terms of funding” for Massachusetts, Koh said. But to do that, he said Congress needs to pass the president’s supplemental funding request — which Healey supports — that includes $1.4 billion to help state and local governments that are sheltering migrants. More on the state of play.
| | FROM THE HUB | | — “Boston City Council says ‘no’ to Flynn domestic violence committee proposal,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “The Boston City Council shot down a proposal from the body’s president, Ed Flynn, who was seeking the creation of a new committee focused on domestic violence.”
| | | | GET A BACKSTAGE PASS TO COP28 WITH GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Get insider access to the conference that sets the tone of the global climate agenda with POLITICO's Global Playbook newsletter. Authored by Suzanne Lynch, Global Playbook delivers exclusive, daily insights and comprehensive coverage that will keep you informed about the most crucial climate summit of the year. Dive deep into the critical discussions and developments at COP28 from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12.. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | DAY IN COURT | | — Panel seeking candidates to fill federal judge post,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “Massachusetts’ two Democratic senators are seeking candidates to fill a judicial vacancy on the state’s federal bench ahead of next year’s presidential election. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey reconvened an advisory committee to review and provide recommendations on candidates to be considered for a vacancy following the retirement of U.S. District Court Judge Patti Saris.”
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — “Mass. Rep. McGovern condemns Kissinger’s foreign policy actions after his death,” by Molly Farrar, Boston.com: “Tributes and condemnations are pouring in after Henry Kissinger, the former Secretary of State and diplomatic powerhouse throughout the Cold War, died Wednesday at the age of 100. In Massachusetts, most officials have stayed silent, except Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern. ‘I never understood why people revered him,' McGovern wrote on X. 'I will never forgive or forget.’”
| | FROM THE 413 | | — “Springfield elections official says FBI called meeting just weeks after allegations of voter fraud,” by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: “Nearly a month after allegations of voter fraud erupted in the city’s mayoral race, the top elections official said the FBI has requested a meeting. Gladys Oyola-Lopez, the elections commissioner, said an FBI agent recently called to request a sit-down but was not specific about what the federal agency wants to discuss.”
| | THE LOCAL ANGLE | | PUNTED — The Patriots are so bad this season, even the possibility of a Taylor Swift sighting can’t keep the team in primetime. The Pats’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs (Swift is romantically involved with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce) is the first ever to get flexed out of Monday Night Football. — “City Manager Batista changes course, will give Human Rights Commission info on hate crimes,” by Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette: “Following a disagreement over the city Human Rights Commission's request for information, City Manager Eric D. Batista announced Thursday the city will be posting the requested Bureau of Professional Standards' public records on its website and provide the commission with hate crime statistics and demographics.” — “Worcester opening emergency homeless shelter in former RMV building,” by Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette: “Homeless service providers estimate that the city has a shortage of over 200 beds with the number of homeless people in the city rising. The Worcester Housing Authority Chief also has waitlists with thousands of people.” — “Worcester Red Sox to be sold to Diamond Baseball Holdings; team will remain at Polar Park,” by Tommy Cassell, Telegram & Gazette. — “1,985 confirmed cases and 18 deaths in a week. See the latest COVID-19 data from Mass.,” by Boston Globe staff.
| | MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE | | — “Chris Christie on brink of missing next debate,” by Lisa Kashinsky and Steven Shepard, POLITICO: “The former New Jersey governor has not met the Republican National Committee’s polling thresholds for qualifying for next week’s debate, with only a few days left before Monday’s deadline, according to a POLITICO analysis. … Asked what happens if he doesn’t make the debate, Christie said: ‘I’m going to make it. So why would I even talk about that?’” ICYMI — Nikki Haley launched her first presidential campaign ad, a 30-second spot calling for “moral clarity” and warning that “our security is threatened at home and abroad.” It’s part of a massive $10 million ad buy in New Hampshire and Iowa. More from POLITICO’s Meridith McGraw.
| | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Jennifer Jordan, John Murray and Joe Murray, Berry Kurland and Katie Wetstone. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to retired Associate Justice Barbara A. Lenk and Morgan Hughes, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers Robby Mook and Dan Marino. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: GRANITE BACHELOR — The Shah Family Foundation’s Ross Wilson joins hosts Steve Koczela and Lisa Kashinsky to talk about guaranteed income programs as Boston mulls the idea. Koczela and Kashinsky have an extended epiphany about how the contest for New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu‘s endorsement in the GOP presidential primary is a lot like “The Bachelor.” Subscribe and listen on iTunes and SoundCloud. 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 | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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