POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: PAUL RYAN in the Bay State — Bills on BAKER’S desk — SECOND-GUESSING the Sept. 4 primary

on




PAUL RYAN in the Bay State — Bills on BAKER’S desk — SECOND-GUESSING the Sept. 4 primary


07/27/2018 07:10 AM EDT
By Stephanie Murray (smurray@politico.com; @StephMurr_Jour) and Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF.

PROGRAMMING NOTE — Lauren Dezenski will return on July 31.
PAUL RYAN IN THE BAY STATE — House Speaker Paul Ryan is in Massachusetts today, ready to raise some dollars ahead of the August recess. The Wisconsin Republican is not running for reelection, but he's making the rounds to fundraise for other GOP candidates, a Ryan spokesman confirmed to me.

The former GOP vice presidential nominee is retiring, so he's focused on securing his legacy, especially as President Donald Trump rails against Republican norms. Lately, Ryan has been vocal about pushing against right-wing conservative groups like the alt-right. Last week, he talked about stamping out identity politics and nationalism at an American Enterprise Institute talk.

With Democratic prospects of flipping the House looking bright this year, Ryan's prolific fundraising skills are in demand. He's not the only congressional leader aiming to stock party coffers — House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi have also filled their calendars with fundraisers for the weeks ahead.

"As part of his summer fundraising swing, Speaker Ryan will take the 'Better Off Now' message to Massachusetts this Friday to raise resources for House Republicans and explain how our positive agenda is pushing this economy to new heights," spokesman Jeremy Adler said.

PAUL RYAN AFRAID OF PROTESTERS?

Ryan's office would not say where the Ryan event will be, or who is hosting the fundraiser. Tax lobbyist Ken Kies held a fundraiser for Ryan on Nantucket last year, though Ryan's office said that is not where he will be this time around. Looking ahead, Ryan has additional stops planned in his home state, as well as Illinois, Washington, Oregon and Colorado, POLITICO reported Thursday. Massachusetts' top Republican, Gov. Charlie Baker, will not meet with Ryan or attend any fundraisers on Friday, according to his campaign.

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 signs a bill to repeal an archaic abortion law, and another bill to raise the legal age to buy tobacco to 21, joined by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and former Senate President Harriette Chandler. The House meets in formal session. Rep. Jim McGovern is in Puerto Rico to survey effects of Hurricane Maria.

THE TSONGAS ARENA —
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: "Dan Koh's veterans platform" from the Koh campaign: "Underscoring that 'we have an obligation to honor the promises we've made to our service members and their families,' Democratic congressional candidate Dan Koh today announced a comprehensive veterans platform. The policy proposal focuses on providing effective mental health care, combating veteran homelessness, modernizing the VA, and addressing sexual assault in the military."

ON THE STUMP -
- "Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim: Galvin Made The Wrong Decision On Sept. 4 Election Day," by Tori Bedford, WGBH: "Boston City Councilor and candidate for Mass. Secretary of State Josh Zakim says scheduling the state primary election day for September 4 was a mistake, criticizing incumbent Sec. William Galvin for choosing the day after Labor Day and for many, the first day of school. The primary is usually held seven weeks before the November general election, which would mean it should fall on Sept. 18. Galvin was caught between two Jewish holidays — Sept. 18 marks the start of Yom Kippur and moving it to Sept. 11 would mean an election day on Rosh Hashanah."

- "DFA endorses Ayanna Pressley in primary challenge in Massachusetts 7th Congressional District" from Democracy for America: "Today, Democracy for America (DFA) endorsed Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley in her Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District primary challenge of Democratic Congressman Mike Capuano. Democracy for America has 5,818 members in Massachusetts' 7th, the state's most diverse and unequal congressional district, and more than 40,000 across the Bay State. ... 'Today, Democracy for America is endorsing Ayanna Pressley because we know she'll be a fearless leader in the fight for a bold, inclusive populist agenda in Congress,' said DFA Chair Jim Dean."

- "The Massachusetts Teachers Association Endorses Jo Comerford" from the Comerford campaign: "The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), representing 110,000 members across Massachusetts, has endorsed Jo Comerford in the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester State Senate race. Merrie Najimy, MTA president, said, 'Jo Comerford entered the Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester state Senate race to be a strong defender of public education on Beacon Hill. As a future state senator, she will be a dedicated advocate for public education at all levels.'"

- "Secretary of State Bill Galvin Announces Endorsement by Representative Kate Hogan" from the Galvin campaign: "State Representative Kate Hogan endorsed Secretary of State Bill Galvin in his campaign for re-election. Rep. Hogan represents the Third Middlesex District and serves as Co-Chair of the Elder Caucus and Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health. 'Secretary of State Bill Galvin is a dedicated public servant, with the experience we need to keep Massachusetts a leader in all the areas his office oversees, from elections security and financial regulation, to expanding voting rights and historic preservation,' said Representative Hogan."

- "In Suffolk DA's race, calls to coalesce," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine:"What had been a strong undercurrent in the Suffolk County district attorney's race is now becoming an open topic of conversation - and consternation: The fact that candidates with similar profiles in the five-way Democratic primary could split the vote and hand the election to a candidate who wins far less than majority support. But the calls for unity have produced anything but that, with some candidates denouncing the moves as strong-arming tactics aimed at short-circuiting voter choice in the race for an open seat. "

- "Democratic state senate candidates talk transportation, health care in New Salem," by David McLellan, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Representing a range of backgrounds, experience and expertise, five Democratic candidates for the state Senate seat left vacant by Stan Rosenberg met with voters Tuesday evening. Hosted by the New Salem Town Democratic Committee, with members of other Democratic committees from area towns, write-in candidates Jo Comerford, Steven Connor, David Murphy and Ryan O'Donnell, as well as Chelsea Kline, the only candidate on the ballot, met with around 100 would-be constituents at the Town Hall."

DATELINE BEACON HILL —
- "Vetoes, overrides, and a new Senate president: Beacon Hill hurtles toward the finish line," by Joshua Miller and Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Just days before a stopgap spending plan expired, Governor Charlie Baker signed the state's $41.7 billion budget Thursday — but only after lopping off millions in lawmaker earmarks and floating changes to several controversial policy proposals. The budget — the last of any state in the country's to go into effect this fiscal year — landed on what's expected to be just one of several frantic days before the Legislature's formal session ends Tuesday night."

BAKER VETOES:

- "Baker signs $41.7 billion budget, vetoes $49 million," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "With a lighter touch than in the first three years of his administration, Baker vetoed only $48.9 million, slashing spending from 48 line-items, including 293 legislative earmarks and some MassHealth spending that the administration said had already been baked into approved rate increases."

CHARLIE BAKER FAIL!

- "Charlie Baker rejects toll discount idea, calls for bigger traffic study," by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker on Thursday all but nixed an effort to relieve the growing congestion around Boston by offering a discount on highway tolls to drivers who commute during off-peak hours ... In signing the spending plan Thursday, Baker sent the toll discount provision back to the Legislature with the suggestion to instead conduct a broader study of traffic congestion."

- "Healey leads 12-state lawsuit against new federal regulation allowing employers to provide skimpy health plans," by Jackson Cote, Boston Globe: "Attorney General Maura Healey announced Thursday she and New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood are leading a coalition of 12 state attorney generals in a lawsuit challenging a new federal regulation that allows healthcare plans to sidestep protections set by the Affordable Care Act."

- "State cannabis regulators warn municipalities over demands for extra payments," by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "State officials on Thursday signaled that municipalities seeking excessive payments from marijuana companies are probably breaking the law — even if local officials call the money a donation — but left unclear how that determination would be enforced. At its meeting, the Cannabis Control Commission proposed policies encouraging cities and towns to implement smoother and cheaper local approval processes for marijuana retailers, cultivators, and other licensed firms."

DATELINE D.C. —
- "Katherine Clark is making a move to be one of the highest-ranking House Democrats," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "For all the talk of Reps. Joe Kennedy III and Seth Moulton as Massachusetts's young, ascendant Democratic leaders, it's Rep. Katherine Clark actually making a move to rise up the party ranks. Clark announced Thursday morning that she's running for vice chair of the Democratic caucus, which would make the Bay State congresswoman the fifth-highest ranking member of the party's House leadership next year."

- "Insurance, health industry PACs top donors to US Rep. Richard Neal's re-election campaign," by Shannon Young, MassLive.com: "Political action committees formed to promote health care, the insurance industry and tax issues were among the top donors to contribute to U.S. Rep. Richard Neal's re-election bid this spring, new campaign finance data has revealed. Neal, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee which oversees such policy areas on Capitol Hill, raised $505,000 for his 2018 campaign between April and the end of June -- about 70 percent of which came from 'other committee contributions,' or PACs, according to Federal Election Commission filings."

TRUMPACHUSETTS —
- "While In Boston, Sessions Announces Support For Rod Rosenstein Amid Calls For Impeachment," by Phillip Martin, WGBH: "At a press conference in Boston this morning, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions defended his top deputy after a handful of congressional Republicans moved to impeach him. Sessions said he has the 'highest confidence' in Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and described him as 'highly capable.'"

THE GOP TAX SCAM HAS EXPLODED THE DEBT AND DEFICIT! 


THE WARREN REPORT —
- "Elizabeth Warren's take on taxes: 'Not about the number,'" by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Bay State U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren's critics are panning her appearance this week on cable news when she called for higher income taxes — insisting 'it's not about the number' but refusing to rule out rates over 50 percent for the highest earners. Warren, in an interview with CNBC on Monday, said she wants President Trump's recent tax cuts overturned. She has not released an alternative plan and under questioning refused to give specifics."

- "Elizabeth Warren hates money in politics, keeps taking campaign donations from rich lobbyists and corporate executives," by Emily Jashinsky, Washington Examiner:"It's hard to take Sen. Elizabeth Warren's, D-Mass., lectures about corporate special interests seriously when she's pocketing cash from a wealthy Bain Capital executive. According to the Washington Free Beacon, the Warren re-election campaign's latest Federal Election Commission report shows she received a $5,400 donation from Jonathan Lavine, co-managing partner at Bain Capital and chief investment officer at Bain Capital Credit. "

THE KENNEDY COMPOUND —
- "US Rep. Joe Kennedy III slams GOP effort to impeach Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein: 'You've got to be kidding me,'" by Shannon Young, MassLive.com: "U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III, D-Brookline, condemned House Republicans Thursday for introducing articles of impeachment against Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who is overseeing the investigation into Russian election interference."

WOOD WAR — Herald: "THEFT FROM AMERICA," "PEACE TALK" — Globe: "Facebook's value takes a historic hit," "DISORDER AT THE BORDER," "Lapses at hospital underscores issue with pregnancy care," "Laid off at Necco, they're hot commodities," "A real-life test of the limits of creative license."

THE LOCAL ANGLE —
- "AG Jeff Sessions' marijuana comments leave top Massachusetts cannabis commissioner 'surprised and pleased,'" by Gintautas Dumcius, MassLive.com: "The chairman of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission said he was delighted to hear what Attorney General Jeff Sessions had to say about marijuana legalization during a swing through Boston. Appearing a press conference on an unrelated topic, Sessions answered a reporter's question about marijuana, noting that the substance remains illegal under federal law. 'Personally, my view is that the American republic will not be better if there are marijuana sales on every street corner, but states have a right to set their own laws and will do so, and we will follow the federal law,' Sessions said."

- "Top EPA administrators recognize New Bedford as 'success story,'" by Tim Dunn: "Top brass from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) paid a visit to the Whaling City on Wednesday to recognize accomplishments made by the agency in the reduction of risks to human and environmental health in areas across the country contaminated by hazardous materials."

- "Mass. pot industry projected to employ 20,000," by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "The Massachusetts recreational marijuana industry will eventually create the equivalent of nearly 20,000 full-time jobs, according to new projections released this week by cannabis technology company Weedmaps. Using revenue and employment data from Colorado as benchmarks, Weedmaps predicted a mature Massachusetts marijuana sector would employ the equivalent of 19,300 full-time workers, both directly and indirectly."

ANOTHER OF CHARLIE BAKER'S POLITICAL HACKS!

- "Facing criminal indictment, DCR official placed on unpaid leave," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Stop us if you've heard this one: A Republican-party-official-turned-state-parks-employee is in trouble. Again. Christine Cedrone, a Quincy lawyer and one of several onetime state GOP officials hired at Governor Charlie Baker's Department of Conservation and Recreation, is on unpaid leave from her $70,700-a-year state job after a grand jury indicted her on charges of stealing money from a client at her now-closed law firm."

- "Why so many people are betting on Beto O'Rourke," by Matt Viser, Town & Country: "Just after he was elected to Congress in 2012, Beto O'Rourke was in a bar in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with several other newly elected pals. A woman came up, looked at O'Rourke, and said, "Are you who I think you are?" 'It dawns on me: They don't think I'm Beto, they think I'm Joe Kennedy, or at least some Kennedy,' O'Rourke says ... With a disdain for highly paid consultants, a willingness to travel to unexpected places, and an inspiring message for an extraordinarily divided electorate, it's hard to look at O'Rourke and not think of Bobby Kennedy in 1968."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Mike Cusher, senior legislative assistant to Rep. Jim McGovern.

DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? No! — The Twins beat the Red Sox 2-1.
ICYMI - THE LATEST EPISODE OF THE HORSE RACE: We're back post-Fourth of July with a check in on what's still pending on Beacon Hill. MassLive's Gin Dumcius walks us through why Massachusetts still does not have a state budget; then in a return to the pod, Principal of Waterville Consulting Sean Curran explains quarter two fundraising reports and Gov. Charlie Baker's massive ad buy. Plus Steve and Lauren look at the recent Supreme Judicial Court ruling which maintains the 20 day voter registration cut-off. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud

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

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


Comments

Post a Comment