POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: WARREN’s tax return drop — Ed Board ENDORSEMENT season is upon us — MARIJUANA license payments could skirt state law

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WARREN’s tax return drop — Ed Board ENDORSEMENT season is upon us — MARIJUANA license payments could skirt state law



08/23/2018 07:10 AM EDT

By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @laurendezenski) and Brent D. Griffiths (bgriffiths@politico.com; @BrentGriffiths)


GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

WARREN'S PLAN TO DRAIN THE SWAMP — Elizabeth Warren offered up a substantive (and remarkably timely) response to Trump-era Washington this week. While the senator maintains she is focused on her 2018 reelection in Massachusetts, her plan is situated to play well to not only her state base of supporters, but around the country.

In a speech delivered on a day no one could have predicted to be so fateful (i.e. Michael Cohen's guilty plea, Paul Manafort's guilty verdicts, and California Rep. Duncan Hunter 's indictment for improper campaign fund use) Warren proposed a series of limitations she billed, casually, as 


"My Comprehensive Plan to End Corruption in Washington."

"Let's face it: there's no real question that the Trump era has given us the most nakedly corrupt leadership this nation has seen in our lifetimes," 

Warren said in her speech on Tuesday. "But they are not the cause of the rot — they're just the biggest, stinkiest example of it. Corruption is a form of public cancer, and Washington's got it bad. It's time for treatment, time to isolate and quarantine the ability of big money to infect the decisions made every day by every branch of our government."

In another relevant nugget from her anti-corruption proposal, Warren called on audio livestreams to be made available for federal appellate and Supreme Court proceedings.

Adding to her push, on Wednesday afternoon, Warren publicly released 10 years of tax returns. The document drop dovetails with her plan to end corruption in Washington that would "require the IRS to release tax returns for congressional candidates from the previous 2 years and during each year in federal elected office," Warren said in the Tuesday speech, providing her with another opportunity to hit President Donald Trump over his still-unreleased tax returns.

All told, Warren's moves this week not only play into her pre-Senate roots as a government watchdog, but also seem positioned to tap into the public's appetite for change in the way Washington does business.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: ldezenski@politico.com..


TODAY — Gov. Charlie Baker attends the MGM Springfield press conference, commemorating the state's first casino set to open its doors tomorrow — AG Maura Healey appears on WGBH's Boston Public Radio's Ask The AG segment — The Cannabis Control Commission meets.

DIEHL DEFENDING AN UNINDICTED CO-CONSPIRATOR! 
WHERE HAVE WE HEARD THOSE WORDS BEFORE? 

 OH? Watergate?

ON THE STUMP —
- "Diehl still backs Trump despite 'not good news,'" by Hillary Chabot, Boston Herald: "Loyal President Trump supporter and GOP U.S. Senate candidate Geoff Diehl this morning called yesterday's bombshell dual felony convictions for top Trump associates 'not good news,' for the White House — but Diehl said he still supports the Commander in Chief. Diehl, who is running against longtime GOP operative Beth Lindstrom and Winchester businessman John Kingston for a chance to take on Sen. Elizabeth Warren, sought to downplay the bruising revelations as he heads into the final two weeks of the primary race."

- "First Congressional District debate: Incumbent Richard Neal and challenger Tahirah Amatul-Wadud," by Monica Ricci, WWLP-22News: "22News hosted a debate for the 1st Massachusetts Congressional District on Wednesday, with Democratic Incumbent Richard Neal and challenger Tahirah Amatul-Wadud."

- "Undebatable — Geoff Diehl and John Kingston are afraid of Beth Lindstrom," by Joan Vennochi, Boston Globe: "Who's afraid of Beth Lindstrom? For starters, how about Geoff Diehl and John Kingston, Lindstrom's two Republican primary opponents for US Senate? These two non-profiles in courage are avoiding debates with Lindstrom like the plague she represents — a voice of some reason in a Republican Party gone Trump-crazy."

THE DAILY ED BOARDS WEIGH IN —
- "Endorsement: Jay Gonzalez is the best choice for Democrats," by the Boston Globe Editorial Board: "Whichever Democrat wins the nomination has a challenge ahead of him, considering Baker's prodigious fundraising and centrist reputation. Gonzalez has the right background to go toe-to-toe with Baker, and if he can outline a credible plan to pay for his ambitious agenda, he is well positioned to give the incumbent a real race."


- "Endorsement: Charlie Baker deserves GOP nod," by the Boston Globe Editorial Board: "But even if intended as a protest vote against Baker, votes for Lively send the message that bigots and crackpots have a constituency in the Massachusetts GOP. A party that struggles for traction with the broader electorate can hardly afford such a self-inflicted setback."

- "Editorial endorsement: Geoff Diehl a strong challenge for Liz Warren," by the Boston Herald Editorial Board: In 2016, as the Massachusetts Trump Campaign co-chair, Geoff Diehl worked to get Donald Trump elected, and it will be a great benefit to the commonwealth to have at least one member of our national delegation with access to the White House. A good relationship with the president of the United States, especially with infrastructure initiatives on the docket, is a good thing."

- "Editorial endorsement: Josh Zakim brings new vision to secretary of state post," by the Boston Herald Editorial Board: "Zakim has the skill set, vigor­ and drive to best serve the people of Massachusetts. The office needs updating and he is eager to bring new ideas and innovation to the job."

- "Editorial endorsement: Ayanna Pressley offers fresh voice," by the Boston Herald Editorial Board: "In the race for the Democratic nomination for the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District, one candidate is looking to save his seat while the other intends to reinvent it."

- "EDITORIAL: Trahan is best choice in Sept. 4 primary," by the Lowell Sun Editorial Board: "Unlike her main rivals, Trahan boasts experience in both the private and public sectors. After departing Meehan's office in 2005, she joined ChoiceStream, a marketing software company in Cambridge, before co-founding the Concire Leadership Institute with two other women. ... In a strong field, Trahan has come out the strongest in her sense of purpose, ideas, and commitment to the people of the 3rd Congressional District."

THE TSONGAS ARENA —
- "Minority voters targeted by 3rd District hopefuls," by Chris Lisinski, Lowell Sun: "In an already-diverse congressional district with growing minority populations, candidates -- particularly [Juana] Matias and Bopha Malone, who both came to the United States as children -- in the crowded Democratic primary have sharpened their outreach efforts into a core strategy. Matias and Malone are the only two candidates whose campaign websites are available in both English and Spanish, and Malone's is also published in Khmer to help connect with the district's substantial Cambodian population."

- U.S. Library of Congress selects Chandler campaign website for preservation, from the Chandler campaign: Alexandra Chandler is honored to announce that the United States Library of Congress has selected the Alexandra Chandler for Congress website (http://www.alexandrachandler.com) for permanent preservation. The Library is archiving the Chandler campaign website within the LGBTQ+ Politics & Political Candidates Web Archive.

DATELINE BEACON HILL —
- "Payments for marijuana licenses appear to skirt state law," by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "At their most recent meeting, the state's top marijuana regulators debated whether they need to crack down on cities and towns that are seeking unlawfully large payments from companies in exchange for permission to open recreational cannabis businesses. Several of the five commissioners of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission seemed unsure about the extent of the issue."

AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE CHARLIE?
ANOTHER CHARLIE BAKER FAIL!

- "Uproar over judges underscores problem with laws, Baker says," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "Expecting to talk about cancer research and philanthropy, Gov. Charlie Baker instead found himself Tuesday morning trying to earn support from a sports talk radio show for forthcoming legislation dealing with criminal dangerousness. The governor did not directly address the Lopes case or Carroll but instead told the WEEI morning talkers that the real problem is with the laws that judges must follow around dangerousness hearings and when it comes to setting bail."

FRONT PAGE PLAY — Herald: "OVER THE EDGE!" "HEARTLESS IN THE HEARTLAND" — Globe: "Trump filled with praise for Manafort, scorn for Cohen," "Pot license payments appear to skirt state law," "Left behind, 'the only one who was brown,'" "New building gives Dearborn a fresh start."

THE LOCAL ANGLE —

- "Bill Clinton: Governor, president, now author," by Brian Dowd, Martha's Vineyard Times: "The crowds came out in droves to see former President Bill Clinton speak about his new novel "The President is Missing," which he co-wrote with author James Patterson, and national politics at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School Performing Arts Center Wednesday night. Clinton spoke about the craft of writing fiction and what the process was like working in tandem with Patterson."

- "Unhappy with $62K salary, Webster town clerk cuts back workweek," by Brian Lee, Telegram & Gazette: "Town Clerk Robert T. Craver has taken it upon himself to right-size his hours, showing up for three of the five days Town Hall is open as of the fiscal year that began last month. His new work schedule has developed into a mini controversy here."

MAZEL! - Rachel Lefsky has left the State House after five years; she most recently was communications director for state Senator Karen Spilka and the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. She is now pursuing an MBA at Yale School of Management.

SPOTTED: Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-Mass.), in a t-shirt and shorts, pushing a baby stroller this week in Nantucket -- pic

DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Red Sox beat the Indians 10-4.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Springfield state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, Everett state Rep. Joe McGonagle, Transportation for Massachusetts partnerships director Joshua Ostroff, State Street Assistant Vice President George Schadler, the fabulous Dianne Bagley Smith, and Shelley Long (the actress who played 'Diane Chambers' in Cheers).

FRESH OUT OF THE GATE - THE LATEST EPISODE OF THE HORSE RACE: Secretary of State Bill Galvin andJosh Zakim are highlighted again this week as they each launch attack ads. Then we focus on one race that has flown under radar — the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor. Former LG and current president of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce Tim Murray tells us what it's like to run for the seat. 

Plus Becca Rausch is running for state Senate and calling for transparency on Beacon Hill — and 14 other Democratic women running for office have joined her call. 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.

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