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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF.
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS — It's been a big year, from midterm upsets and sky-high voter turnout to a big State House leadership shift. For the final Playbook of 2018, I asked some of the state's best-known politicos for their holiday wishes and New Year's resolutions.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren: "I'm deeply grateful to the people of Massachusetts for sending me into the fight again this past November, and I promise that I will never stop working my heart out for them. It's been the honor of my lifetime to serve Massachusetts in the United States Senate, and I'll keep fighting to level the playing field so we can build a country that works for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected. Happy holidays and happy New Year!"
Sen. Ed Markey: "100 percent commitment to 100 percent renewables for a 100 percent clean energy future. The climate deniers can run, but they can't hide from the massive green wave building in support of a Green New Deal. 2019 will be a milestone year in the fight against climate change in the commonwealth, Congress, and across the country."
Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito: "We're proud of what our administration has been able to accomplish over the past year - including signing our second bill to fight the opioid epidemic, overseeing the largest single procurement of offshore wind by any state in the nation, awarding over $13 million in Skills Capital Grants to 40 high schools and education institutions and working with our colleagues in the Legislature to increase the Commonwealth's rainy day fund to over $2 billion — the highest balance in a decade. Our team has more work to do over the next four years, and we are humbled by and grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of the Commonwealth for a second term. We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season spent with their loved ones and a happy New Year."
Rep. Katherine Clark: "I spent 2018 campaigning in Massachusetts and across the country and here are my two takeaways: 1) We succeed as a democracy when we listen to the needs of Americans families and 2) Everything in Texas really is bigger — even the doughnuts! My word for 2019: optimism! The Democratic House majority has a bold agenda and I can't wait to get to work on policies like ethics reform and gun safety."
Rep. Jim McGovern: "My first wish for the New Year is that all hunger in our world is eradicated. My second wish is that Donald Trump starts treating the presidency — and our country — with the respect it deserves. I'm more hopeful for the first wish than for the second."
Rep. Rich Neal: " Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a healthy New Year to all. As we look ahead to 2019 and the beginning of the 116th Congress, I am excited to be at the helm of the House Committee on Ways and Means. I look forward to continuing to work for the American people by protecting Social Security and Medicare, establishing a fair tax code, and ensuring the accessibility of health care across the board. I hope the New Year brings peace, prosperity and happiness to all - and hopefully another big finish for the Patriots."
Rep. Seth Moulton: "I can't wait to celebrate my daughter Emmy's first Christmas with her and my wife Liz and our families. My New Year's resolution is to do more than I ever have to make sure Emmy grows up in the world as it should be, not the world as it is. We all have a lot of work to do, folks!"
Rep. Joe Kennedy III: "This is the year when I finally learn how to Snapchat and Instagram like the millennial I am."
Congresswoman-elect Ayanna Pressley: "My New Year's resolution is to work hard everyday to actualize our values and make our constituents in the 7th proud. I continue to be inspired by the passion and dedication of advocates, activists, and residents from every walk of life who played a role in this election cycle and demand more of their government, and I'm resolved to bring their voices and their ideas with me to Washington."
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh: "In 2018, Bostonians showed that when we come together around our values, we can strengthen our community no matter what is happening nationally or in Washington. I'm grateful for how our residents displayed a new level of engagement in local affairs, and a new level of leadership for our nation. I'm very hopeful for what we can accomplish in 2019."
MassDems Chair Gus Bickford: "My biggest takeaway is that organizing matters. On the national scale, Democrats won over 40 seats in the U.S. House because immediately after the presidential election we marched, organized, and reached out, neighbor to neighbor, to talk about our values and stand up to the hateful agenda of the current administration. On the state level, Democrats expanded our delegation by remaining true to our values, focusing on the grassroots, and recognizing the value of our diversity. In 2019, we're looking forward to continuing to bring all voices to the table, promoting our progressive values and organizing to elect Democrats across the state."
PROGRAMMING NOTE: We made it to the finish line. This is the LAST Massachusetts Playbook of 2018. I'm so grateful to have a place in your inbox every morning. I'll be back Jan. 2. In the meantime, here's something to think about until we meet again — What names, stories or races are you watching next year? Let me know: smurray@politico.com. Happy holidays, and see you in 2019.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
TODAY - Attorney General Maura Healey is a guest on "Boston Public Radio." The House meets.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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CHARLI E BAKER: DUCK 'N DODGE! NEVER GET INVOLVED OR SOLVE A PROBLEM - NO LEADERSHIP AGAIN!
- "With differing bills for locked-out workers, House calls for Baker's suggestions," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo called Thursday for Governor Charlie Baker to submit his own legislative language on how to respond to National Grid's prolonged lockout of 1,250 workers, a suggestion that indicates the Legislature is still seeking a compromise bill. But Baker, who's supported legislative efforts to ensure locked-out employers are 'able to pay their bills,' gave no indication he would comply with the request, and argued that his administration has already provided the Legislature with helpful guidance."
- "Airbnb bill moves forward, but Baker not ready to commit," by Tim Logan and Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "A long-dormant bill to regulate short-term rentals through AirBnB and similar companies sprang to life on Beacon Hill Thursday, with the House and Senate passing a last-minute compromise measure and sending it to Governor Charlie Baker's desk. The fast-track moves, days before the two-year legislative session ends Jan. 1, came after years of debate, and weeks of negotiations over how best to tax and regulate the booming business of renting homes by the night."
- "Massachusetts Senate passes bill to extend unemployment benefits to locked-out National Grid gas workers," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed a bill that would extend unemployment benefits for National Grid workers who have been locked out of their jobs since June. The bill would extend unemployment benefits for the workers for 26 weeks or until the lockout ends. The benefits would go through the traditional unemployment insurance system, which isfunded by payments from all employers."
CHARLIE BAKER: AND NO LEADERSHIP!
- "Baker pledges to focus on familiar issues," by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: "Gov. Charlie Baker is pledging to continue governing deep-blue Massachusetts as a centrist and plans to focus familiar issues during his second term. Baker, who will be sworn in for a second four-year term on Jan. 3, said people can expect him to stay on many of the issues that his administration worked on during his first term, such as battling the state's opioid crisis, addressing a housing shortage, greening the state's energy portfolio and fixing the beleaguered MBTA."
- "As expected, top Baker aide Jay Ash lands job as CEO of powerful business group," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "Jay Ash won't get much time off after he leaves the Baker administration on Dec. 28. He'll be starting his new job at the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership on Jan. 2. The move was widely expected. Ash, Governor Charlie Baker's top economic chief, had disclosed in November that he was interviewing for the CEO job at the business advocacy group, and the administration announced Ash's pending departure on Tuesday. Mike Kennealy will take over Ash's job as the state's housing and economic development secretary."
- "LYONS HANDING OFF NATIVITY TRADITION AS HE EXITS LEGISLATURE," by Chris Triunfo, State House News Service:"Rep. Jim Lyons hosted his final nativity ceremony at the State House on Thursday, but the man who for eight years has been one of the most vocal critics of Democratic leadership on Beacon Hill spoke very little and instead let his guests to do the talking. The Andover Republican, who leaves office in January after losing his re-election bid to Democrat Tram Nguyen, was joined by Gov. Charlie Baker and Reps. Peter Durant, Shaunna O'Connell, David DeCoste, Marc Lombardo and William Crocker for what has become a Christmastime tradition for some at the State House."
- "Labor group plans to revive 'millionaires tax' push next month," by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: " Raise Up Massachusetts, the labor-backed group that led a successful effort this year to increase the state minimum wage to $15 per hour and implement a paid-leave program, is planning to make a renewed push to enact a 'millionaires tax' next month, according to its leaders. The Supreme Judicial Court ruled in June that a previous proposal to adopt the tax was unconstitutional because it tied together three unrelated components: higher taxes, new funding for schools, and new funding for transit. But Raise Up co-founders Lew Finfer and Harris Gruman said the group is likely to endorse legislation on that issue by a Jan. 18 deadline. They believe the measure can be tweaked to pass legal muster."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "Healey Not Against Secret Courts, But Calls For More Transparency," by Antonio Caban, WGBH News: "Attorney General Maura Healey on Thursday called for more transparency in the judicial system regarding the secret meetings used to determine if there's enough evidence to bring a criminal complaint, but she stopped short of criticizing the process altogether. The off-the-record hearings, known as show-cause hearings, were first reported on by The Boston Globe's Spotlight team in September and involve closed-door meetings with clerk magistrates and a person suspected of a crime."
- "Globe journalist walks away with some cash after competing on 'Jeopardy!'" by Jackson Cote, Boston Globe: "Boston Globe journalist Carrie Blazina walked away with an extra $2,000 in her pocket after placing second on Thursday night's episode of the popular game show 'Jeopardy!'. Andrew Kung, a graduate student from San Francisco, was crowned the new Jeopardy champion with $21,000 in prize money, ending a four-night winning streak of lawyer Jackie Fuchs."
- "A chef's journey from high-stress kitchen to a better fit at Facebook," by Kara Baskin, Boston Globe: "There was a time, not long ago, when Barry Maiden was a king. After years at L'Espalier and Lumiere, he ran Cambridge's Hungry Mother. There, he married his Southern heritage with French technique. The food — cornmeal-battered oysters, beef tongue canapés, and fried green tomatoes — was soulful but precise. The public adored it. Critics, too: In 2009, Food & Wine named him a best new chef. In 2010, the Globe gave him 3.5 stars. He won a James Beard award as the Northeast's Best Chef in 2015. And then he vanished."
- "Everett school superintendent accused of harassment retires," by Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: "Everett Public Schools Superintendent Frederick F. Foresteire, who was placed on paid administrative leave on Monday pending an investigation into sexual harassment allegations, has informed the School Committee that he is retiring, the city said Thursday night. Foresteire disclosed his decision to School Committee Chairman Berardino D'Onofrio in a letter dated Monday — the same day the panel announced it was placing him on leave and setting aside $50,000 to investigate the accusations."
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| THE OPINION PAGES |
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- "Why The Protection Of Incumbents Hurts Beacon Hill's Reach For Equality," by Steve Koczela, WBUR: "When the state Legislature gavels in next year, it will include the most women ever elected in Massachusetts — 29 percent of the total. Despite this step toward equality, the body remains far from parity, and many of the barriers to change are as high as ever. Some barriers are economic and cultural, but many stem from the way our electoral system functions. In Massachusetts, our political system functions as a reelection machine, set up to keep officeholders in power."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "State joins suit to block offshore drilling," by Sean Horgan, The Salem News: "Massachusetts, through its Attorney General Maura Healey, is joining a multi-state federal lawsuit to halt the federal government from planned seismic testing to identify offshore oil and gas resources in the Atlantic Ocean. On Thursday, Healey announced Massachusetts's inclusion in the lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in South Carolina and named Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and NOAA Fisheries as defendants."
- "State trooper who allegedly broke woman's leg appears in Dorchester court," by John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: "New details emerged Thursday about an alleged violent confrontation between a Massachusetts State Police trooper and woman following an argument that began inside a Dorchester bar and continued outside on the street. Trooper Matthew S. Hickey pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Dorchester Municipal Court to a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, his shod foot."
- "Doctor accused in overdose death pleads not guilty as new details emerge," by Felice J. Freyer, Boston Globe: "Dr. Richard Miron, the Dracut physician accused of involuntary manslaughter for prescribing opioids to a woman who overdosed, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Middlesex Superior Court Thursday, as new details in the case came to light. Miron, 76, was released on his own recognizance with a court date set for Jan. 29. His case marks the first time a Massachusetts doctor has been charged in the death of a patient who overdosed on prescribed opioids."
- "Wynn casino decision delay angers some lawmakers," by Hillary Chabot and Jordan Graham, Boston Herald: "Frustrated North Shore lawmakers are blasting legal red tape for hijacking the $2.5 billion Encore Boston Harbor resort casino, saying any delay will stall needed jobs and tax revenue for their communities. The pols' complaints come as state officials appear unlikely to rule on Wynn Resorts' troubled casino license before the end of the year. 'I want a casino open on June 24. How that's going to happen, I don't know. I've got to be a realist here,' said state Rep. Daniel J. Ryan (D-Chelsea)."
- "Everett murder suspect allegedly had history of disturbing behavior," by Laura Crimaldi, Emily Sweeney and John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: "The Peabody man accused of murdering his estranged wife took her to her brother's grave and made her swear she was not having an affair. He showed up at her office Christmas party, forcing her to hide inside a church. And he shot her at least five times with a shotgun while she sat in her car outside her mother's home, a prosecutor said."
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| WARREN REPORT |
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- "Elizabeth Warren's ambitious new bill to lower generic drug prices, explained," by Dylan Scott, Vox: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) would like the federal government to start manufacturing prescription drugs when the market fails and prices for certain medications become unaffordable. It's an interesting idea, experts who lean right and left agree. But more than that, it is a reminder that there are all kinds of creative ways we might go about bringing down drug prices."
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| IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN |
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- "The Green New Deal Explained," by David S. Bernstein, WGBH News: "The term Green New Deal has been around for 10 years or so, used variously by the United Nations, Van Jones, and Green Party Presidential candidate Jill Stein, among others, prior to the Sunrise Movement—a collection of 20-somethings who burst into popular view last month thanks to the support of 29-year-old congresswoman-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Now, following a post-midterms blitz of attention-getting protests and more than 250 House member office visits—plus new U.S. and United Nations reports on the climate threat—Sunrise claims 40 U.S. House members supporting the creation of a Select Committee on a Green New Deal. That includes seven of the nine from Massachusetts."
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| FROM THE DELEGATION |
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- "US Rep. Richard Neal secures House Ways and Means chairmanship," by Shannon Young, Springfield Republican:"After weeks of speculation, House Democrats formally voted Thursday to name U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, as the chamber's next Ways and Means Committee chairman -- a position that will make him one of the most powerful lawmakers when the new Congress convenes in January."
- "US Rep. Jim McGovern named House Rules Committee chairman," by Shannon Young, Springfield Republican: "House Democrats selected U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern Thursday to take over as their new House Rules Committee chairman, a position which gives the Worcester Democrat the power to decide when and what bills make it to the floor for consideration."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "GAME OVER," "DEEP DIVE," "PENTAGONE!" — Globe:"Mattis resigns over differences with Trump," "Off the field, a struggle that doesn't go away," "HE'S COOKING AGAIN." |
| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "Decision on National Grid unlikely to help Quincy projects," by Erin Tiernan, Patriot Ledger: "The state Department of Public Utilities on Wednesday lifted a moratorium on gas work by National Grid, but a series of new regulations means it's unlikely development projects that have been stalled for months will be able to resume any time soon. Quincy is one of a handful of cities and towns that imposed its own local moratorium on all non-emergency gas work by National Grid after the company locked out 1,200 workers in June when contract negotiations broke down. It's also a city in the midst of a massive development boom that is suffering as developers wait to finish projects that require gas connections."
- "Columbus on hot seat in Framingham," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "THE LIST OF EARLY-ADOPTER Massachusetts communities that have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day is about what you'd expect: Amherst, Northampton, Cambridge, Brookline, and Somerville. School committees in Mashpee and Pittsfield have also jumped on board. But now the school committee in Framingham is considering making the switch, and it will be interesting to see what happens in a more politically mainstream community."
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| HOLIDAY READING |
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- "The Most 'Wonderful Christmas Present' For One Boston Man: A Home," by Lynn Jolicoeur, WBUR: "Christmas presents come in all shapes and sizes. For one Boston man, the best holiday gift this year is a big one. It's a home. When we met 53-year-old Brian DeSilva over the summer, he was one of nearly 500 people on the city's official list of adults who are chronically homeless. Boston is working to find housing for all of them. And now, DeSilva is off the list.
- "INTERACTIVE MAP: Spectacular holiday light displays near you," by Nicole Simmons, Somerville Journal: "Wicked Local asked and our readers have spoken, letting us know where to find some of the best and brightest holiday decorations and light displays this season. We were on the lookout for dazzling displays, from traditional white lights to strings of blinking bulbs in rainbow colors shining alongside giant inflatable Santas and snowmen, glowing plastic choir boys and candy canes; the kind of spectacular spectacle that brings passing traffic to a crawl as motorists slow down to admire the festive holiday show."
MAZEL! to Playbooker extraordinaire Alycia DiTroia, who defends her masters thesis today at UMass Amherst in collaboration with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management and the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
ALSO MAZEL! to State Sen. Adam Hinds and Alicia Mireles Christoff, who announced their engagement earlier this week. Tweet.
THE HOLIDAY PARTY CIRCUIT — SPOTTED: At the Massachusetts Public Safety Holiday Party hosted by former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis and former Homeland Security official Ed Cash at the Legal Seafoods Seaport roof deck... Boston Police Commissioner William Gross, Boston Fire Commissioner Joe Finn, former Boston, New York and Los Angeles Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, Suffolk County DA John Pappas, Legal Seafoods President Roger Berkowitz, former AG Martha Coakley, former Suffolk County DA Dan Conley, former U.S Attorney Carmen Ortiz, Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger, Braintree Police Chief Paul Shastany, Canton Police Chief Ken Berkowitz, Boston Athletic Association Director Tom Grilk, IAFF President Ed Kelly, BPD Deputy Superintendent Colm Lydon, Red Sox Security Chief Charlie Cellucci, New England Patriots Security Chief Billy Christiansen, Mass State Police Major Richard Ball, Mark Delaney, Chris Collins, Joe Baerlein, Lauren Janes, Frank McGinn, Anthony Braga, Katlin McInnis and Bob O'Toole. Pic.
SPOTTED: yesterday in Washington... Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.) exiting McCormick and Schmick's to face the rain around 3:30 p.m.
TRANSITIONS - Katherine Palmer was appointed director of human resources for the House Committee on Rules.
- Natalia Urtubey and Celina Barrios-Millner join Boston Mayor Marty Walsh's Office of Economic Development.
- Christelle Jean-Felix joins Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster's family law and trusts and estates practice groups as an associate.
THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH WANTS YOU TO KNOW:It's not too late to get your flu shot. From the DPH: " We've teamed up with the New England Revolution to remind you that while soccer season may be over, flu season is here."
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY - to Meaghan Callahan, field director for Rufus Gifford's campaign, who celebrated yesterday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to state Rep. Kimberly Ferguson, the Boston Globe's Josh Miller, Washington Post reporter and Globe alum Annie Linskey, WGBH planning editor Azita Ghahramani, WGBH reporter Craig LeMoult and the sport of basketball , which was invented in Springfield - but you already knew that.
HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND - to Democratic State Committee member Scott Spencer and Bernie Lynch Jr., principal at Community Paradigm Associates LLC, who both celebrate tomorrow. And to WaPo alum Julio Negron, who celebrates Sunday.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Bruins beat the Ducks 3-1.
NEW: POLITICO is now accepting applications for its 2019 session of PJI, a 10-day intensive in journalism training with opportunities to publish on the POLITICO site. More than a dozen students are selected each year for this all expense-paid program, which is offered in partnership with American University and the Maynard Institute. At the conclusion of the program, two students are invited back for a full-time paid internship in the POLITICO newsroom. Apply online now!
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