POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: WOMEN RULE the SENATE — Everybody loves BAKER — MARKEY talks tough on TRUMP
WOMEN RULE the SENATE — Everybody loves BAKER — MARKEY talks tough on TRUMP
07/26/2018 07:28 AM EDT
By Stephanie Murray (smurray@politico.com; @StephMurr_Jour) and Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)
GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. It's Thursday. And it's shaping up to be a big day in the state Senate.
PROGRAMMING NOTE — Lauren Dezenski will return on July 31.
IF YOU HAVE CALLER ID, YOU DON'T RESPOND TO UNKNOWN CALLERS.
ONLY SHUT-INS AND LONELY PEOPLE WHO ARE TYPICALLY POORLY INFORMED RESPOND TO UNKNOWN CALLERS.
DO YOU HONESTLY KNOW ANY INFORMED PERSON WHO IS PLEASED ABOUT CHARLIE BAKER'S POLITICAL HACKS? THE MANY SCANDALS ON HIS WATCH THAT CHARLIE BAKER HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS SATISFACTORILY?
CHARLIE BAKER BEGAN HIS TENURE WITH A MASSIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FAILURE, ASSUMED CONTROL, APPOINTED HACKS TO RESOLVE IT.....IT'S NOT RESOLVED! AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT'S WORSE!
MBTA FARES RAISED! PARKING FEES RAISED! AND THEY GOT THEIR NEW KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS IN VIOLATION OF STATUTES......OH! WELL! CHARLIE SAID!
AND KEOLIS? PALEEZE!
AND THE DOR FIASCO? AND THE REGISTRY FAILURES?
AN OFFICER GETS KILLED AND CHARLIE BAKER'S KNEE-JERK RESPONSE IS DEATH PENALTY....NEVER MIND SOLVING SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS.
INFORM YOURSELF BEFORE YOU VOTE ANOTHER TERM FOR CHARLIE BAKER!
EVERYBODY LOVES BAKER — Charlie Baker is again the most popular governor in the country, according to a new Morning Consult poll.
Baker's high approval rating — 69 percent — is a point of pride for the national Republican Party. But what's more interesting than his sky-high popularity is Baker's ability to sustain it. Quarter after quarter, he tops the list as the country's most popular governor.
The Republican Governors Association was quick to cheer Baker's status as number one, and noted Wednesday that the 15 most popular governors in America are all Republicans.
"Voters have made it clear: Republican governors are America's doers, and they strongly approve of their leadership," the RGA said in a statement.
As a Republican governor in a blue state, Baker's leadership sometimes involves breaking step with the party. Most recently, he was one of only three GOP governors (all from blue states) who did not sign on to a letter supporting President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. In that same vein, Baker, who supports abortion rights, has said he "conceptually" supports a bill that would wipe an old abortion law off the books in Massachusetts.
Baker polled slightly higher with the state's Democrats than he did with Republicans, according to a WBUR poll in May. Even higher, though, was his approval among the state's "unenrolled/other" voters.
Baker's office did not respond to a request for comment.
In the first quarter of the year, Morning Consult found Baker had a 71 percent popularity rating.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
** A message from NARAL Pro-Choice MA and the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund:When Roe v. Wade falls, what will happen in Massachusetts? Lawmakers just took a critical step to protect abortion access by getting outdated statutes criminalizing abortion off the books - but there's so much more work to be done. Learn more now. **
TODAY — The Senate is expected to elect state Sen. Karen Spilka as its new president, who will succeed state Sen. President Harriette Chandler. Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito are expected to attend Spilka's installation ceremony, along with Attorney General Maura Healey and Auditor Suzanne Bump.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attends the start of Dine Out Boston. The Cannabis Control Commission holds a public meeting. Climate activists hold a "drown-in" protest on the State House Steps.
THE TSONGAS ARENA —
- "3rd District Dems battle in a frantic and cagey forum," by Chris Lisinski, The Lowell Sun:"All 10 Democrats in the 3rd Congressional District crammed onto a community center stage Monday night, so close their elbows were touching, for a forum that was crowded, rushed, and, at points, strange."
- "In the end, L'Italien could be outfoxed by media's faux pas," by The Lowell Sun: "State Sen. Barbara L'Italien certainly believes she scored a major political coup on Monday by hoodwinking some Fox News hosts into thinking they were about to interview an Arizona Democratic congressional candidate who took some heat recently for her support of ICE. Yes, L'Italien's social-media accounts may see a spike in activity, and her campaign contributions might spurt, but the lack of transparency her campaign demonstrated during this episode could end up offsetting all its transitory benefits."
"San Juan Mayor Cruz Endorses Juana Matias" from San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz:"Juana Matías is the real deal: visionary, compassionate and committed to justice for all. VOTE FOR HER!"
ON THE STUMP —
- "More female candidates mean tough choices for women's groups," by Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe: "Years ago, women's political action committees would line up behind the lone female candidate in a given election, focusing all their resources on elevating her over a crowded field of guys. This year, so many women are running for certain seats that endorsing one of them means, of necessity, snubbing others."
"Greg Henning Announces Plan for Law Enforcement Early Diversion (LEED) Mentorship Program" from the Henning campaign: "Candidate for Suffolk County District Attorney Greg Henning today announced details of his plan to create a mentorship program called Law Enforcement Early Diversion, or LEED, which would pair law enforcement professionals, such as Assistant District Attorneys and police officers, with young people throughout Suffolk County."
DATELINE BEACON HILL —
- "Indictments. Scandal. Power struggles. As new Senate president, Spilka aims to 'right the ship,'" by Joshua Miller, Boston Globe: "After eight months of scandal, tumult, and legislators quitting in the middle of their terms, the state Senate will begin a new chapter Thursday, when Senator Karen E. Spilka, the chamber's budget chief, is poised to become its new president — the third since December. Her colleagues hope the Ashland Democrat's ascension will mark an end to the drama that saw a former member indicted on federal corruption charges, the chamber's leader forced out in a sexual assault scandal involving his husband, and a very p ublic fight to succeed the former president."
- "Lawmakers move to repeal Valor Act," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Legislative leaders moved Wednesday to repeal the state's controversial Valor Act and replace it with a far more narrow measure intended to close loopholes that allowed some veterans to avoid criminal charges, including assaults on women, by citing their military service."
- "Surrounded by families of fallen officers, Gov. Charlie Baker signs police training bill," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com: "Surrounded by families of fallen police officers, Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday signed a bill adding a new $2 fee to car rentals in order to pay for municipal police training."
- "GOP governors critical of Trump are the nation's two most popular governors," by Aris Folley, The Hill: "Two GOP governors who have a history of being critical of President Trump are the most popular governors in the United States, according to a new poll. Blue-state Republican Gov. Charlie Baker is currently ranked in first place on the Morning Consult poll released on Wednesday with 69 percent of registered voters in his state of Massachusetts voicing support for him."
- "Nearly $8 million budget for Massachusetts marijuana oversight board includes over 40 full-timers," by Mike Plaisance, MassLive.com: "The full-time staff of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission will increase to over 40 from the previous 26 thanks to $4.4 million in personnel spending in the new state budget, a spokeswoman said. In total, the commission's budget for fiscal 2019 is $7,987,870."
- 'The power of women is no longer a question': Massachusetts Senate President Harriette Chandler says farewell," by Shira Schoenberg, MassLive.com: "When Senate President Harriette Chandler, D-Worcester, was young, she was told repeatedly to stay at home with her children rather than go to graduate school or further her career. As Chandler prepares to turn the president's gavel over to Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, she said she is proud of the fact that 'we women in power are not anomalies any more.'"
DATELINE D.C. —
- "Poll: Most voters approve of Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey's work in Congress," by Shannon Young, MassLive.com: "A Morning Consult survey released Wednesday found that U.S. Sens.Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey remain popular with most of their constituents."
- "Markey: We know more about Trump's talks with Cohen than with Putin," by John Bowden, The Hill: "Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey (D) on Wednesday slammed President Trump over the secrecy of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, remarking that the American public knows more about the president's conversations surrounding an ex-Playboy model."
- "Representative McGovern on Aid Plan for Farmers," by C-SPAN: "Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) talked about a new plan from the Trump administration to aid farmers affected by tariffs levied against the United States."
- "Mashpee tribe, Interior official and opponents weigh in on reservation land bill," by Tanner Stening, Cape Cod Times: "The U.S Department of the Interior on Tuesday took no position during a congressional hearing on legislation that would secure the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's reservation lands despite indications earlier in the day that the agency was prepared to back the effort."
MOULTON MATTERS —
- "Democrats press Trump for tariff relief for fishing industry," by The Associated Press:"Democratic members of Congress are pressing the Trump administration for compensation for fishermen hit with losses as a result of President Donald Trump's escalating trade disputes with China and other countries. The group, led by Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, points to the administration's announcement Tuesday that it will provide $12 billion in emergency relief to help American farmers hurt by foreign retaliation to Trump's tariffs."
THE WARREN REPORT —
"Sens. Warren and Sanders introduce bill that would slash Puerto Rico's debt," by Dawn Giel, CNBC: "Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders on Wednesday introduced a bill that would essentially wipe out tens of billions of dollars of Puerto Rico's $73 billion in outstanding debt."
THE KENNEDY COMPOUND —
- "O'Pod Episode 33: Congressman Joe Kennedy III," by Matt O'Malley: "City Councilor Matt O'Malley sits down with Congressman Joe Kennedy III (MA-4) to chat about local and national politics. Congressman Kennedy shares his vision about the future of the country in the era of the Trump."
WOOD WAR — Herald: "FOX HUNT -- HESLAM: KRAFT A PERFECT FIT TO BUY TV STATION," "'NIGHTMARE' -- BOY, 3, STRUCK & KILLED ON SOUTHIE SIDEWALK," "THE TAX MA'AM --HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? LIZ WON'T SAY"—Globe: "Glimmer of hope in Alzheimer's fight," "Trump, EU vow to forge pact on trade," "As East Boston booms, some shudder," "Lawmakers set to repeal Valor Act," "For Belichick, a conversation nonstarter"
THE LOCAL ANGLE —
- "Wide gap in Boston's homicide clearance rates draws questions," by Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: "A report published Wednesday in The Washington Post said that for white victims of homicide in Boston, investigators almost always made an arrest. Among major US cities, Boston had the widest gap in arrest rates for white and black homicide victims, the newspaper reported."
- "5th arrest in state trooper overtime fraud investigation," by Brian Dowling, Boston Herald: "A fifth member of the Massachusetts State Police was arrested in connection with a federal corruption probe this morning for embezzling more than $14,000 in no-work overtime shifts he tried to cover up, like others, by writing fake tickets, federal prosecutors said."
- "Former Worcester student making mark in Washington on unpaid internships issue," by Scott O'Connell, Telegram & Gazette: "Working as an intern in Washington, D.C., Guillermo Creamer Jr. rubbed shoulders with some of the country's most important movers and shakers in government. But when it came time to pay the bills, he often decided he was better off spending time with a child instead. It was a lesson that stuck with the former Worcester resident, who now heads a D.C.-based advocacy organization called Pay Our Interns that is making a push across the nation for more paid internships."
"Cambridge is unhappy that Bird scooters came to roost without warning," by Steve Annear, Boston Globe: "Is it going to be bye, bye Bird? Cambridge officials on Tuesday reached out directly to representatives at Bird — the California-based electric scooter company that arrived unannounced last week and placed a flock of its rentable rides around the city — to talk about the legalities of the business operating on its streets."
MAZEL! — to Meghna Chakrabarti and David Folkenflik, the new hosts of WBUR's national radio talk show "On Point."
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? THE RED SOX WERE RAINED OUT.
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
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** A message from NARAL Pro-Choice MA and the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund: As recently as 2007, a woman in Massachusetts was indicted for managing her own medication abortion. How could this happen? The answer lies in an outdated statute still in the Massachusetts General Laws - the pre-Roe v. Wade abortion ban. Fortunately, our state just took a critical step to protect abortion access by getting outdated statutes criminalizing abortion off the books - but there's so much more work to be done.
Help keep abortion legal and accessible in Massachusetts, no matter what happens at the federal level. Join us now. **
Help keep abortion legal and accessible in Massachusetts, no matter what happens at the federal level. Join us now. **
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