| | | | |  | | By Kelly Garrity | | Presented by |  | | | PARTY PROBLEMS — A Democratic trifecta in state government should’ve made it easier for party leaders to push their agenda. But without a Republican foil in the governor’s office or any public pressure from Gov. Maura Healey, top Democrats in the House and Senate couldn’t even agree on veto overrides. Even as the clock ticked down with more than a dozen deals left for lawmakers to finish (and some still to start) Wednesday morning, Healey sidestepped several chances to press her party’s legislative leaders on their habits of procrastinating passing legislation and dealmaking in the dark during an interview on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio.” Instead, she defended them. Healey’s hands-off approach cost her. The first-term governor still managed to emerge from the wreckage of this week’s derailed debate with her top priority — her housing bond bill — in hand, save for a few tweaks. But some of her other big swings, bills that could have laid out an easy reelection message or helped contribute to her legacy, are now in limbo. Thursday, with her economic development bill left on life support after Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano hit an impasse during negotiations, Healey still held back from serious criticism, though she applied some pressure on lawmakers to move legislation forward. “The book should not be closed on this bill. It is too important,” she said of the economic development bill in a statement Thursday morning. “My administration will continue to work with Legislative leaders and urge everyone to find a way to pass these economic priorities before the end of the session so that we can keep strengthening the areas in which Massachusetts leads and address some of our biggest economic challenges.” Refraining from a loud, public diatribe is the safer play. A fiery response could be just as likely to set already sizzling tensions further aflame as it would be to light a fire under lawmakers. But so far safe hasn’t delivered — for Healey, for Massachusetts residents or for the lawmakers facing electoral challenges who have little to show for their work on the campaign trail. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. The bills lawmakers failed to pass by Thursday morning aren't officially dead yet. House Speaker Ron Mariano told the State House News Service that “there’s a path for everything that doesn’t have a roll call.” And Senate President Karen Spilka said in a statement that her chamber remains “committed to continuing our policymaking through informal sessions, especially addressing economic development, healthcare, and climate change.” But some of the more contentious pieces of legislation could be harder to push through in informal sessions — and without everything on the table for the two chambers to swap back and forth. Among them: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s tax shift proposal, which cleared the House but didn’t move in the Senate. But Wu is still pushing for it to pass. "This matter doesn’t become settled state law until next year’s tax bills have been mailed out to residents and mortgage servicers,” she said in a statement.
“In the meantime, we will be working to communicate with residents about how their taxes may be significantly increasing under state law Prop 2 ½ without legislative relief, so that they can properly budget for their household finances next year." A spokesperson didn’t respond to a question about whether Wu has been in touch with senators or with Senate President Karen Spilka on the issue. Read more end of session takeaways from GBH News, The Boston Globe and WBUR. TODAY — Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll have no public events. THIS WEEKEND — State Sen. Lydia Edwards is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. Michael Curry, CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, Paul Hattis of the Lown Institute and Eileen McAnneny of the Employer Coalition on Health talk the state of Massachusetts’ health care system at noon on NBC10 Boston’s “@ Issue” Sunday. Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Email me: kgarrity@politico.com
| | | | A message from Uber: Massachusetts Uber and Lyft drivers will now earn at least $32.50 while working on the app, making them some of the highest paid drivers in the country. This new rate sets a high standard for driver pay across the nation. Go deeper. | | | |  | MEDIA MATTERS | | — “Freed Evan Gershkovich Arrives in the U.S. to a Hero’s Welcome,” by Ken Thomas and Gordon Lubold, The Wall Street Journal: “Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich stepped back onto U.S. soil to a hero’s welcome from President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris late Thursday, capping a lengthy wrongful detainment and conviction in Russia that culminated in the most complex prisoner swap between Western allies and Russia since the Cold War.”
| | DATELINE BEACON HILL | | — “Democrats warm to continuing debate on unfinished legislation,” by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Beacon: “After failing to complete action on many of their legislative priorities at the end of the session, Beacon Hill Democrats appear to be warming to the idea of finishing their work during informal sessions running through the end of the year. Nothing official has been announced, but House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka raised that possibility early Thursday morning as it became clear that many of the bills they wanted to pass were not going to make it. Gov. Maura Healey also chimed in, urging action on her economic development legislation.” — “Mass. lawmakers didn’t do much last night. But they did pass a $5.2 billion housing bill and legalize ‘granny flats’ across the state,” by Andrew Brinker, The Boston Globe: “Hours into an all-night marathon to close out the legislative session, House and Senate lawmakers agreed on a $5.2 billion housing bond package that will enact significant zoning reform to legalize accessory dwelling units, sometimes referred to as 'granny flats,' statewide, and authorize billions of dollars for the affordable housing system. The bill, the Legislature’s first major housing bill in three years, marks a victory for some advocates, particularly zoning reform proponents and affordable housing supporters. But it left others disappointed.”
| | | | DID YOU MISS IT? On Tuesday, POLITICO and McKinsey convened three conversations in D.C. with policymakers and space experts, including NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. The discussions also featured a panel of experts, an interview with Sens. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) and an executive conversation with McKinsey's Ryan Brukardt.
The conversations focused on the next great innovation frontier – the space industry, including deeper discussion around which sectors of the global economy see their growth arc in space and what the role of government leaders is in expanding and regulating the growing number of orbital ideas. CATCH UP AND WATCH HIGHLIGHTS HERE | | | | | | | MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS | | — “Boston City Council urges Gov. Healey to abandon plan to kick migrant families to the curb after 5 days,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “A majority of the Boston City Council signed onto a letter urging the governor to abandon her plan to kick migrant families out of overflow shelters after five days, saying that the state’s new policy will leave young children sleeping on the streets. Nine of the 13 city councilors, largely from the body’s progressive wing, laid out their concerns with the state’s emergency shelter housing policy change, announced by Gov. Maura Healey last week, in a letter sent to the governor on Thursday, the same day the state’s new limit on overflow site stays took effect.” — “Hotel owners are earning millions in contracts by turning their suburban outposts into shelters for homeless and migrants,” by Deirdre Fernandes and Stephanie Ebbert, The Boston Globe.
| | FROM THE HUB | | — “Wu’s planning czar, Arthur Jemison, to step down,” by Catherine Carlock and Jon Chesto, The Boston Globe: “James Arthur Jemison, a highly regarded city official who shepherded Mayor Michelle Wu’s vision to overhaul planning and development, will leave his role as Boston’s first chief of planning next month. He will depart the city amid a time of enormous transformation for the erstwhile Boston Planning and Development Agency — which Jemison also leads — the newly created city Planning Department, and the city’s real estate industry.”
| | | | A message from Uber:   | | | | | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES | | — “MBTA contactless payment goes live: A roughly $1 billion investment,” by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald: “Years overdue and millions of dollars over budget, the MBTA has finally rolled out contactless payment on its bus network and select trolley lines. On the first day the system went live, riders at Park Street station appeared confused about how to pay their fares and get through the gates for the Green Line. Some tried to swipe their CharlieCard against the new payment screens but were unsuccessful. That’s the twist of the nearly $1 billion system: The payment screens don’t accept CharlieCards and daily or monthly passes, but it does take credit and debit cards, smartphones and watches.” — “Grant means more energy efficient buses at Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority,” by Merrily Cassidy, Cape Cod Times.
| | YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — The Massachusetts American Federation of Teachers has endorsed Arielle Faria in the race for the open Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket seat, per her campaign.
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, our newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | FROM THE 413 | | — “Northampton poised to cancel override this fall after uptick in revenues, higher interest on savings,” by Alexa Lewis, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “A $3 million Proposition 2½ general budget override scheduled for November for the school district is likely to be rescinded after the city received an unexpected jolt of money at the end of the last fiscal year from local tax receipts and 'record-high' interest revenue. Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra is recommending that the City Council rescind an order approved on June 20 that would have placed the override question on the ballot for the Nov. 5 election. The council is expected to take up the request at a special virtual meeting scheduled for Monday morning at 9.”
| | THE LOCAL ANGLE | | — “Worcester leaders declare 'road safety and traffic violence crisis.' What does it mean?,” by Craig S. Semon and Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette. — “Turbine blade parts land on Westport shores,” by Anastasia E. Lennon, The New Bedford Light: “Debris from the broken Vineyard Wind turbine blade has washed up on a Westport beach. Strewn down the stretch of Elephant Rock Beach Thursday morning were mounds of seaweed deposited during the high tide. Amid the usual beach litter tangled within it — fishing net, snack wrappers, and plastic packaging in many forms — a Light reporter found two pieces of foam debris that resemble those found in Nantucket and, more recently, Martha’s Vineyard.” — “Legislature approves transfer of vacant courthouses to Lowell,” by Melanie Gilbert, The Lowell Sun: “More affordable housing and a mixed-use social services complex focused on homeless, addiction and mental health issues may be in Lowell’s future. On the last day of the 193rd session of the Massachusetts State House, Lowell’s legislative delegation secured passage of a home rule petition allowing the city to acquire the vacant Hurd and Gorham Street courthouses.”
| | | | A message from Uber: Massachusetts Uber and Lyft drivers will soon receive comprehensive benefits alongside their new pay rate. Benefits include health insurance stipends for those working over 15 hours a week, paid sick leave, and occupational accident insurance. These enhancements provide vital support and security for drivers, ensuring they have access to essential healthcare and financial protection. These new benefits mark a significant improvement in the quality of life for rideshare drivers.
Go deeper. | | | | | WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING | | — “In Boston’s redlined neighborhoods, the summer’s heat waves are even hotter,” by Vince Dixon, The Boston Globe. — “Tired of spammy political donation texts? You're not alone,” by Beth Healy, WBUR.
| | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Gigi Kellett, Keyser Public Strategies’ Eileen O’Connor, and Caitlin Teeley, HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Joe McCarthy, Andrea Battle, WBZ NewsRadio’s Nichole Davis and former Patriots/Bucs QB Tom Brady, who is 47, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers to former President Barack Obama, who is 63; Dorchester Reporter founder and Boston Irish Reporter publisher Ed Forry; Jordan Maynard, Jennifer Clark, Alexis Vaillancourt and John McNeil, a Doughty for governor alum. 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.
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