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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
THE 2020 FIELD IS GROWING — Sen. Elizabeth Warren is in Puerto Rico today, and she'll travel to South Carolina for an organizing event tomorrow. Warren is now one of four women who have indicated so far they are running for president — along with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and the most recent, Sen. Kamala Harris, who announced yesterday.
When Warren announced on New Year's Eve , some saw the move as odd timing. But now a growing consensus seems to be her strategy was smart — each of the candidates to come after Warren have seen shorter news cycles in an expanding field, and she's had weeks to hit Iowa and New Hampshire as the only top-tier candidate with an official exploratory committee.
But the early-voting states are about to get crowded. Gillibrand hit Iowa over the weekend and Harris is headed to South Carolina on Friday. And with so many women in the field for the first time, it's not clear who women-focused donors and advocacy groups will support. Will they wait until the field narrows, or provide money and organizing power early in the competition?
And we're still waiting on many of the men considering a 2020 run, like former Vice President Joe Biden and former Rep. Beto O'Rourke. And although they haven't announced, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Cory Booker were both in South Carolina on Sunday for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
TODAY — Rep. Richard Neal visits Drury High School in North Adams. Rep. Lori Trahan speaks at a New England Council roundtable. State Senate President Karen Spilka is a guest on "Boston Public Radio." Sen. Elizabeth Warren visits Puerto Rico. TheBoard of Elementary and Secondary Education meets.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "Gov. Charlie Baker proposes raising real estate transfer tax to pay for effects of climate change in Massachusetts," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "Gov. Charlie Baker will propose raising the tax rate on real estate transfers in order to pay for infrastructure to address climate change. The proposal will be included in the governor's fiscal 2020 budget, which he plans to release Wednesday. Baker, a Republican, campaigned for office in 2014 on a platform of not raising taxes and fees. But as governor, he has supported new or increased fees and taxes to pay for specific programs."
- "TAX REBOUND PREDICTION NOT EVIDENT IN MID-JANUARY NUMBERS," by Michael P. Norton, State House News Service:"The state revenue commissioner in early January said it was likely that a deep drop in December tax receipts would correct itself during January due to a shift in income tax estimated payments from December to January. The early returns for the year's first month don't show that, and point instead to a worsening situation."
- "Few taking advantage of juvenile expungement law," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "The law, which went into effect last year, allows juvenile records and some crimes committed between ages 18 and 21 -- including felonies -- to be expunged, along with convictions for marijuana possession now that recreational pot is legal for adults. Expungement clears the charges in question from a person's official criminal record. But the limited scope of the law means few have taken advantage of it, advocates say."
- "Massachusetts lawmakers revive 'millionaires tax' proposal," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "Two Massachusetts state representatives are reviving a proposal to raise the income tax rate on income over $1 million, restarting the lengthy process of amending the state constitution. If passed, the amendment would bring in an estimated $2 billion in additional tax money each year from the state's wealthiest residents."
- "COLLEGE CLOSURE THREAT GROWING, STATE SEEKING NEW POWERS," by Michael P. Norton, State House News Service:"Citing a need to boost confidence in higher education, state officials are ready to begin erecting a new process to screen, monitor and, if necessary, intervene to protect students when officials determine a private college or university in Massachusetts is at risk of closing within 18 months. After meeting since May and following talks with Attorney General Maura Healey's office, Board of Higher Education (BHE) members who served on a working group are set to make their recommendations, which call for a new Office of Student Protection, to the full board Tuesday during a meeting at Framingham State University."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "ICE arrest at Suffolk court rankles new DA," by Maria Cramer, Boston Globe: "Rachael Rollins, the new Suffolk County district attorney, is blasting Immigration and Customs Enforcement for arresting an undocumented immigrant in a Boston courthouse this month when he showed up for an arraignment on cocaine trafficking charges. Rollins vowed to launch an investigation to find out how ICE learned about the man's whereabouts when he went to Suffolk Superior Court on Jan. 7."
- "Annual BU survey of mayors finds affordable housing is top issue," by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: "As home values and rents continue climbing nationwide, affordable housing is the number-one concern for big city mayors — whether Republican or Democratic — and the cost of housing is the sole issue that many mayors from both parties consider a significant barrier to social mobility, according to a new study from the Boston University Initiative on Cities."
- "With new day-care inspection system, high caseloads and shorter visits," by Kay Lazar, Boston Globe: "Over the past year, the state has launched a new day-care inspection system that requires more frequent visits to each facility, giving operators no notice at least once a year, the better to assess the true quality of each center. But it has come at a cost: The inspectors, who were already monitoring two to four times the caseloads specialists recommend, now spend far less time at most sites."
- "New DA Rachael Rollins' star is born with possible Netflix documentary," by Laurel J. Sweet, Boston Herald: "Rachael Rollins has been Suffolk County's first black female district attorney for less than a month, but a group of filmmakers recognized last year a star was born. All eyes were on the prosecutor Monday as a French film crew she said is making a documentary for Netflix recorded her every move, conversation and fan interaction at festivities honoring Martin Luther King Jr. at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center ."
- "Hired to help the sick, she leaves a trail of accusations in her wake," by Linda Matchan, Boston Globe: "A Globe investigation last year found dozens of Massachusetts aides hired to care for elderly, sick, and disabled people at home have faced allegations that they abused or neglected their clients. But Crosman is emblematic of the serious lack of oversight of the home care industry. Chief among them is that no single agency in Massachusetts keeps track of the home aide workforce or ensures that crimes by aides are reliably reported to appropriate state agencies. Relatively few alleged abusers are prosecuted; when they are, they seldom get substantial jail time."
- "Boston's Martin Luther King Jr. memorial efforts get $750,000 funding boost," by Andy Rosen, Boston Globe: "Efforts to memorialize the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King in Boston got a significant financial boost Monday, as the Boston Foundation and Boston University marked Monday's holiday by announcing a combined $750,000 in support. The foundation, an influential charitable group, said it is contributing $500,000 to the King Boston project, whose plans include a memorial to the Kings on Boston Common, commemorating the couple's time in the city where they met and fell in love."
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| WARREN REPORT |
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- 'Sen. Elizabeth Warren: Government shutdown is Trump's fault," by Steve LeBlanc, Associated Press: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren ramped up her criticism of President Donald Trump on Monday faulting him for the partial federal government shutdown during remarks at the 49th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast in Boston. '"As we speak, our government is shut down for one reason: So that the president of the United States can fund a monument to hate and division along our southern border,' the Massachusetts Democrat said during a 10-minute speech."
- "Elizabeth Warren welcomes Kamala Harris into an already crowded Democratic presidential field," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Senator Elizabeth Warren welcomed fellow Senator Kamala Harris into the 2020 presidential field Monday, calling the California Democrat's entrance "terrific" for the party and its still-forming primary. Warren's diplomatic response belies what could be a serious challenger to the Cambridge Democrat's White House hopes. Warren waved off concerns that Harris would be going after voters with a similar progressive theme, framing Harris' candidacy as a sign that the party is ' full of ideas and full of energy.'"
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| FROM THE DELEGATION |
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- "'Assuming Our Rightful Place': Pressley Hails Political Wins By Black Women At MLK Breakfast," by Callum Borchers, WBUR:"Boston marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day with the city's 49th annual breakfast celebration. And for the first time, the event featured a black Boston Police commissioner and a black congresswoman from Massachusetts. Rep. Ayanna Pressley got a rockstar's reception from the crowd of 1,000-plus at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. She paid tribute to MLK and his wife, Coretta Scott King. Pressley cast her own election as evidence that women of color are moving beyond supporting roles."
- "Hoophall Classic: Congressman Richard Neal, Hall of Famers Jim Calhoun, Sheyrl Swoopes celebrate efforts to pass Naismith Memorial Commemorative Coin Bill," by Alexandra Francisco, MassLive.com: "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame hosted a celebratory breakfast and press conference at the start of Monday's Hoophall Classic, honoring those involved in getting the Naismith Memorial Commemorative Coin Bill passed. The bill, passed unanimously by the House and Senate after a three-year effort from Congressman Richard Neal, Congressman Andy Barr, and Senators Elizabeth Warren and the late John McCain, was signed into law on Dec. 21 by President Donald Trump."
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| TRUMPACHUSETTS |
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- "Elizabeth Warren, airport employees rally to end shutdown, wage violations," by Brooks Sutherland, Boston Herald: "U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren joined frustrated airline workers, union members and elected leaders at Logan International Airport Monday to rally for better work conditions and call for an end to the government shutdown she says lies solely in the hands of President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell."
- "Trump Has Thoughts on the Patriots and Curt Schilling," by Spencer Buell, Boston Magazine: "The president has some thoughts on Boston sports right now, and he's sharing them to his 58 million followers on Twitter. First, Trump congratulated the Patriots on their win over the Kansas City Chiefs at the AFC Championship, which will send the team to the Super Bowl. In a tweet, he singled out owner Robert Kraft, coach Bill Belichick, and quarterback Tom Brady, all of whom have links to Trump that are well known. Trump notably did not have anything to say about the Los Angeles Rams, the other team that earned a ticket to the Super Bowl yesterday. Later, Trump had another name in the sports world he wanted to boost with the presidential brand: Curt Schilling."
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| 2020 WATCH |
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- "For Democrats, women in 2020 may offer opportunity and hard choices," by Liz Goodwin, Boston Globe: "Just over two decades ago, Barbara Lee, the Boston-based philanthropist and Democratic donor, distributed a ballot in national magazines featuring 20 women she believed were qualified to run for president. Readers were asked to pick a favorite. The idea behind the project? To expose the American voters to how many qualified women were out there, even at a time when they made up tiny fractions of the country's governors and members of Congress. The scenario Lee dreamed of is here: The 2020 ballot could be crowded with women. Four, maybe even five, top-tier women candidates are gearing up to compete against each other for the Democratic nomination."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "MAGA-NET FOR TROUBLE," — Globe: "Hired to help the sick, she leaves a trail of charges," "Strengths of women candidates test donors." |
| THE LOWELL CONNECTOR |
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- "On drawing board, early glimpses of a new Lowell High," by Rick Sobey, The Lowell Sun: "Current fourth-graders in city elementary schools are expected to make up the first graduating class of the finished downtown high school in the next decade. High school construction is expected to start in 2021 and finish in 2026, according to a project update that will be presented to the City Council Tuesday evening."
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| FROM THE 413 |
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- "Hinds Rolling Out 'Rural Agenda' In New Legislative Session," by Andy McKeever, iBerkshires: "State Sen. Adam Hinds is pushing a 'rural agenda' in the new legislative term. The Pittsfield Democrat is filing more than 60 bills, many of which are aimed at helping small rural areas. While he represents the Berkshires' only two cities, the bulk of his constituents reside in 50 towns spread over three counties. They have an average population of 1,900, ranging from Adams' at 8,200 people to Monroe with only 95."
- "A Super Squabble Prompts March to Recalls," by Matt Szafranski, Western Mass Politics & Insight: "Months after a contentious school personnel decision clove this wealthy suburb in two, residents voted to institute recall elections for most municipal offices. In November, the School Committee voted to not renew School Superintendent Marty O'Shea's contract. Opposition to that decision spread quickly, prompting the Special Town Meeting Thursday night to institute recalls."
- "Blais' first bill calls for creation of Office of Rural Policy," by Richie Davis, Greenfield Recorder: "As her first piece of filed legislation, newly installed state Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Sunderland, called for creation of a state Office of Rural Policy, 'to enhance the economic vitality of rural communities and to advance the health and well-being of rural residents.' The bill, which was co-sponsored by another Franklin County legislator, Rep. Paul Mark, D-Peru, advances one of the recommendations of the 2-year-old state Rural Policy Advisory Commission."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "Some Cities Are Cashing In On Homeowners' Tax Debts, And Making Foreclosure More Likely," by Chris Burrell, WGBH News:"Some cities in Massachusetts are cashing in on homeowners who have failed to pay tax bills by running auctions that pull in thousands of dollars more than they're actually owed in taxes. At Worcester's annual auction last May, small tax lien debts of just a few hundred dollars routinely set off bidding wars from private investors who paid the city far more than a homeowner actually owed in unpaid taxes. The process may also make it more likely the homeowner will wind up in foreclosure."
- "Quincy council to consider short-term rental tax," by Erin Tiernan, Patriot Ledger: "A search for rooms or homes for rent in Quincy on the website Airbnb shows more than 300 places available in the city on any given night. Soon, Quincy will be able to get a cut of that income. After years of debate on Beacon Hill, Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill into law in late December that will tax and regulate short-term rentals like those found on Airbnb."
- "Global Learning won't get 100 more seats this year," by Aimee Chiavaroli, Standard-Times: "State Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley said his department can't consider an expansion request from the Global Learning Charter Public Schools to serve an additional 100 students. In a Jan. 17 letter to Jean Fox, the GLCPS Board of Trustees chairwoman, Riley said after reviewing evidence of the school's success in three accountability areas of academic program success, organizational viability and faithfulness to the terms of its charter, he determined that the board isn't currently eligible for proven provider status."
TRANSITIONS - Liz Wester, Roger Lau, Tracey Lewis and Kate Moore join Sen. Elizabeth Warren's 2020 exploratory committee.
WEEKEND WEDDING - Neri Oxman and William Albert Ackman were married at Central Synagogue in New York on Saturday. Oxman is a professor at the M.I.T. Media Lab and Ackman is founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management. Link.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Duxbury state Rep. Josh Cutler, Ipswitch state Rep. Bradford Hill, and Business Wire account executive Sarah Mattero, and Stephen Glick, who is 72.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Celtics beat the Heat 107-99. The Patriots are going to the Super Bowl!!
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