| | | | |  | | By Lisa Kashinsky and Kelly Garrity | Presented by McDonald's | ‘NO GOOD OPTIONS’ — Gov. Maura Healey is moving ahead with plans to house hundreds of migrants and homeless people in a Roxbury recreational complex through the end of May, disrupting nearly a dozen programs that use the facility and drawing pushback from neighborhood residents. The shelter will open Wednesday, Healey’s administration first confirmed to Playbook Monday night. It will serve up to 400 people and stay open through May 31, according to a letter Healey sent Monday to the elected officials who represent Roxbury. Families staying at the shelter will be offered three meals a day and case managers to help them find longer-term housing, as well as transportation, legal assistance and medical care. Kids will be enrolled in schools. The center will be staffed “around the clock,” including security. And the administration is promising “renovations” before the complex — the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s only year-round indoor facility — reopens to the public in June, though the letter didn’t include a price tag and a Healey spokesperson did not provide one. It’s all happening on a seemingly tight timeline. At a virtual community meeting Monday night, state Sen. Liz Miranda said she first heard about the plan last Wednesday. Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson said she was first made aware on Thursday afternoon. The Boston Globe first reported on the proposal on Friday. “I do believe the governor is doing the best she can,” Fernandes Anderson told Playbook Monday night. “And we all have to be patient with the process.” Healey has few options as demand for emergency assistance keeps growing and the administration faces particular pressure to find beds for the dozens of people who have been sleeping on the floor of Logan Airport. There were 653 migrant and homeless families on the shelter waitlist Monday, with 276 of them spread across existing overflow shelter sites in Cambridge, Quincy and Revere. In all, 3,623 — or just under half — of the 7,500-plus families in the emergency assistance program are migrants, according to the state’s latest tallies. Roxbury residents and community leaders on Monday night’s call acknowledged the desperate situation those arriving in the state face. But many also wondered why Roxbury, a majority-Black neighborhood that’s faced decades of disinvestment and discrimination, would be the first in Boston to lose a valued community resource to the state’s shelter crisis. And they voiced skepticism that the state would follow through on its promise to partner with Roxbury resident-owned businesses to help staff the shelter. Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, who is directing the emergency assistance program, sought to allay those concerns in a statement, saying: “We are working to relocate recreation programs, ensuring the recreation center and the pool can reopen in June, continuing to make improvements to the center for the long-term benefit of the community, and prioritizing diverse and local vendors.” Mayor Michelle Wu acknowledged "there are no good options." But, she said Monday on WBUR, “for the first community where this is being proposed to be Roxbury, a community that over so many decades has faced disinvestment, redlining, disproportionate outcomes — it's very painful and it's painfully familiar.” Wu is heading to Washington today to call for reinforcements. She plans to meet with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to lobby for more resources to help handle the migrant surge. GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. The New Bedford Light’s Eleonora Bianchi and Anastasia E. Lennon are the latest to put a face on the migrant crisis, recounting one family’s “perilous passage” from Venezuela to Taunton. Meanwhile, GBH's Sarah Betancourt talks to a woman sleeping at Logan with her children. TODAY — Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and U.S. DOD officials announce microelectronics awards at 12:30 p.m. at the Nexus Center at Northstar Campus in Lincoln. Healey and Senate President Karen Spilka attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony at MassBay Community College at 10 a.m. Driscoll chairs a STEM Advisory Council meeting at 2 p.m. Tips? Scoops? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com.
| | | | A message from McDonald's: From 2021 to 2022, the McDonald’s System contributed over $700 million to Massachusetts’ economy, supporting over 14,350 jobs statewide. McDonald’s presence in local communities throughout Massachusetts generated nearly $125 million in federal, state and local tax revenue, providing funding for public schools, infrastructure, parks and more. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Massachusetts and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/ma. | | | |  | BALLOT BATTLES | | THIRD TIME’S A CHARM? — Free Speech For People and Shannon Liss-Riordan are appealing to the full Supreme Judicial Court to bar former President Donald Trump from the GOP presidential primary ballot after a single justice denied their emergency petition. Associate Justice Frank Gaziano rejected the petition over the same technicality that led the state’s Ballot Law Commission to say earlier this month that it didn’t have jurisdiction over the matter: Trump’s name is on the ballot because the MassGOP submitted it to the secretary of state — not through the nomination-paper process that the commission has authority over. The challenge “comes too soon,” Gaziano wrote in the decision he issued Monday. "If there is any question whether the commission has the authority or jurisdiction to consider the petitioners' objections regarding Trump's eligibility to appear on the general election ballot, that question will not become ripe until, and if, he is selected as his party's nominee.” But Liss-Riordan and the advocacy group aren’t waiting that long. They're readying an appeal to the full SJC, saying Gaziano, like the ballot commission before him, “did not rule on any of the central issues surrounding” Trump’s potential disqualification under the 14th Amendment’s so-called insurrection clause. Even still, Trump is claiming victory. “This latest win is another crushing defeat for the Soros-funded, left-wing activist groups and their attempts to steal the election on behalf of Crooked Joe Biden by disenfranchising millions of American voters,” Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement. — “Psychedelics supporters include some big names from Boston’s tech scene,” by Jon Chesto, The Boston Globe.
| | | | JOIN 1/31 FOR A TALK ON THE RACE TO SOLVE ALZHEIMER’S: Breakthrough drugs and treatments are giving new hope for slowing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and ALS. But if that progress slows, the societal and economic cost to the U.S. could be high. Join POLITICO, alongside lawmakers, official and experts, on Jan. 31 to discuss a path forward for better collaboration among health systems, industry and government. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | DATELINE BEACON HILL | | NEW COMMITTEE JUST DROPPED — Attention lobbyists: The House and Senate are setting up a new joint committee to review this year’s potential ballot questions, given the volume of the petitions and the fact that there are several versions of the same question. The special committee will be “especially equipped to tackle the unique challenges presented by the legal and policy intricacies of the questions this year,” House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka said in a statement. Lawmakers have until May 1 to act on the ballot questions or propose a substitute. If they do neither, questions that would replace MCAS as a high school graduation requirement, authorize audits of the Legislature, tackle the rights and benefits of app-based drivers, legalize psychedelic substances and up the wages of tipped workers can proceed to the next signature-gathering stage. — "Attorney: O'Brien Appeal Delayed Delivery Of Investigatory Report," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service (paywall): "The results of a second investigation into the conduct of suspended Cannabis Control Commission Chairwoman Shannon O'Brien are in and Treasurer Deborah Goldberg was preparing to share them with O'Brien — along with a proposed February date for the meeting that could lead to the chairwoman's firing — when O'Brien appealed a lower court ruling to the state Appeals Court." — “Sunlight Bill Back In Shade Of New Committee,” by Sam Drysdale, State House News Service (paywall): “The sponsor of a government transparency bill that was recently endorsed by a joint committee has not heard from Senate leadership about support for the bill, sponsor Sen. Jamie Eldridge said on Monday. Eldridge's so-called 'Sunlight Act' (S 1963) would require all recorded committee votes to be posted on the Legislature's website, require that committee hearings be scheduled at least a week in advance, make written testimony submitted to committees publicly available, and subject the governor's office to the public records law — retroactive for all of Gov. Maura Healey's time in office.” — “Cost of 'unlimited' free prison calls to rise,” by Christian M. Wade, Newburyport Daily News: “Healey’s $56.1 billion spending plan, unveiled last week, calls for earmarking $35 million for the state Department of Correction and county sheriffs to provide phone calls to prisoners at no cost. That’s a 75% increase over funding for free inmate calls in the current fiscal year budget.” LAST SECOND AMENDMENTS — The Senate’s upcoming vote on its gun legislation Thursday might take a while. Senators filed 79 amendments to the bill — which is itself an amendment to the House-approved legislation, thanks to inter-chamber bickering over parliamentary procedure. Among them: petitions from Sens. Bruce Tarr and John Velis to add in a "grandfather clause" that would exempt those who already own some assault-style rifles from the law.
| | | | A message from McDonald's:   | | | | | FROM THE HUB | | — “Boston Mayor Wu moves on city planning department, BPDA restructuring,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is seeking City Council approval to create the city’s first planning department in nearly seven decades. The ordinance filed by the mayor on Monday would move Boston Planning and Development Agency staff and functions to a new planning department within City Hall, thereby building on Wu’s longstanding efforts to first abolish, and now restructure the BPDA. It will be considered by the City Council on Wednesday.” — “‘No one seems to know who they are fighting’: How outdoor dining tore apart the North End,” by Diti Kohli, The Boston Globe: “Boston officials are expected to announce plans for outdoor dining this season soon. Most believe it will go on, without the North End, where the community remains locked in a bitter dispute over whether sidewalk seating helped, or hurt, the neighborhood.”
| | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES | | RIDE ALONG — Wu, an avid MBTA rider, is joining Bostonians on their commutes — and vlogging the results. “The goal is that I'll get to see exactly what is happening in order for us to advocate for changes that are needed, and also to share the real current state of how the system is,” Wu said on WBUR. — “MBTA completes Green Line renovations, reopens suspended service tracks,” by Emily Spatz, Boston.com.
| | | | YOUR GUIDE TO EMPIRE STATE POLITICS: From the newsroom that doesn’t sleep, POLITICO's New York Playbook is the ultimate guide for power players navigating the intricate landscape of Empire State politics. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest and most important stories from Albany, New York City and around the state, with in-depth, original reporting to stay ahead of policy trends and political developments. Subscribe now to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle of NY politics. | | | | | | | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — “Dems press Blinken on 'highly unusual' Israel weapons moves,” by Connor O’Brien, POLITICO: “Democratic lawmakers [led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Jim McGovern] are seeking answers from the Biden administration over its decision to greenlight a pair of recent arms sales to Israel without congressional approval." — “Lawmakers seek ban on Chinese biotech funding,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “Members of the state's congressional delegation are seeking to block several Chinese biotechnology companies from doing business with the federal government amid concerns they are stealing U.S. genetic data.” — “Sen. Warren accuses Steward of 'putting profits over patients',” by Deborah Becker, WBUR.
| | THE LOCAL ANGLE | | SCHOOL’S OUT FOR STRIKING — School is out for an eighth day in Newton as a teachers’ strike continues to paralyze the district. A frustrated family went to court yesterday to ask a judge to order teachers back to school, WCVB reported. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, who lives in Newton and served as a city councilor there, is urging educators and school officials to come to an agreement, calling the strike “disruptive and unfair to our children, and their parents.” But Auchincloss, CommonWealth Beacon notes, didn’t pick a side. — “‘There’s just a lot of vilification going on’: The teachers strike is divisive — and tearing Newton apart,” by Deanna Pan and Christopher Huffaker, The Boston Globe: “Discord is rife on social media, in group chats, across email chains, turning neighbor against neighbor. There’s a sense, many Newton parents told The Globe, that the social fabric of the community is being torn apart.” CAMBRIDGE CALLS FOR A CEASE-FIRE — The Cambridge City Council unanimously passed a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza last night after hours of public comment and nitpicking over the wording of the measure. Cambridge is now the second city in Massachusetts to call for a cease-fire — despite municipalities having no power over foreign policy — after Somerville passed a similar resolution 9-2 last week. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a vocal cease-fire advocate who represents both cities, applauded their votes. — ”Harvard faces more claims of discrimination — this time from Palestinian and Muslim students,” by Max Larkin, WBUR — “Man who allegedly threatened Agudas Achim in Attleboro called another temple, Jewish-affiliated group on same day, feds say,” by David Linton, The Sun Chronicle.
| | MEDIA MATTERS | | BECOMING THE STORY — The Boston Globe and columnist/reporter Kevin Cullen are facing criticism for running a front-page article on Sunday about the physician-assisted suicide of a terminally ill woman in Vermont because Cullen signed a legal form that helped facilitate her death. The Globe ran an editor’s note with the story saying its “intent was not to advocate for the issue” and that Cullen “regrets” the decision. But journalism ethics professor John Watson told the Boston Herald that Cullen "committed a mortal sin."
| | | | A message from McDonald's: McDonald’s is an economic engine for the state of Massachusetts, contributing over $700 million to our state’s economy, directly employing nearly 11,600 Massachusettsans and supporting an additional 2,750 jobs statewide. It’s also an engine of opportunity: 1 in 4 independent McDonald’s operators in Massachusetts began their careers as restaurant crew members, generating wealth for their families and local communities. We are proud to support Massachusetts through public schools, parks and more from the nearly $125 million in federal, state and local tax revenue generated by the McDonald’s System’s activities. And thanks to the generosity of McDonald’s customers and owner/operators, the $700,000 raised through Ronald McDonald House Charities in 2022 provided over 7,000 overnight stays for families with children receiving medical care in Massachusetts. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in Massachusetts and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/ma. | | | | | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH | | TRANSITIONS — Davis Malm has elevated attorney Jennifer L. Salerno to shareholder. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Ed Murray. 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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