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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF.
HOW WARREN STACKS UP — It's finally March, which means the New Hampshire primary is only 11 months away. And according to a new poll, Sen. Elizabeth Warren's 2020 prospects rank behind Sen. Bernie Sanders and Vice President Joe Biden among Democratic primary voters in the Granite State.
Seven percent of Democratic primary voters favor Sen. Elizabeth Warren , when given a list of 14 candidates and potential candidates, according to the poll released yesterday by the University of New Hampshire. Almost four times as many voters — 26 percent — say they favor Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Former Vice President Joe Biden comes in second, favored by 22 percent of Democratic primary voters.
Take these numbers with a grain of salt — most New Hampshire voters say they haven't decided which candidate they'll vote for, and a lot can change between now and February 2020. Only 10 percent of Democratic primary voters say they're leaning towards someone, and 5 percent say they've made up their minds, according to the poll.
That being said, the survey does offer a snapshot of what voters are thinking as the field starts to take shape. A plurality of Democratic primary voters, 44 percent, named Sanders as the most progressive Democratic candidate, and 10 percent said the same of Warren. Thirteen percent of Democratic voters said they would not vote for Warren under any circumstances, the highest among candidates mentioned in the poll conducted Feb. 16 to Feb. 26. The poll of 240 likely 2020 Democratic primary voters has a margin of error of 6.3 percent.
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 speaks on a panel at the MIT Sloan Annual Sports Analytics Conference. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito speaks at the launch of Jane Doe Inc. and the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Massachusetts White Ribbon Day campaign.
The Massachusetts Association of 766 Approved Private Schoolsholds an "Invite Your Legislator to School" day in Worcester. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh participates in Read Across America Day at Codman Academy. Attorney General Maura Healey speaks at a Vaping and Our Youth conference.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren campaigns in Iowa. Senate President Karen Spilka speaks at a forum in Framingham. Former Sen. Jeff Flakespeaks at the Harvard Kennedy School. Rep. Joe Kennedy III makes stops in Franklin, Attleboro and Milford.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "New Senate president retains Stan Rosenberg's aide for 'transition advice,'" by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Karen E. Spilka, who ascended to the Senate presidency promising to "turn the page" from a tumultuous chapter in chamber history, has quietly leaned on the top aide of her predecessor Stanley C. Rosenberg to help do just that. Spilka has kept Rosenberg's former chief of staff, Natasha Perez, on the Senate payroll since January to provide her office with "transition advice and consultation," aides confirmed Thursday. The part-time post carries an annualized salary of $70,000, though Spilka's office declined to address on the record how long Perez will remain on her staff or whether she has a desk or office in the building."
- "Beacon Hill lobbying hierarchy changing a bit," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "THE PECKING ORDER of lobbying firms on Beacon Hill appears to be changing. ML Strategies set a record in 2018 for lobbying fees, raking in $5.1 million and retaining its hold on the top spot. But another firm, Smith Costello & Crawford, vaulted from fifth to second place in the rankings on the strength of a 65 percent increase in fees. The firm's billings have soared over the last three years, rising from just over $1 million in 2016 to $1.95 million in 2017 and $3.2 million in 2018. Jim Smith, a partner at Smith Costello & Crawford, attributed the company's rapid growth to success in helping get the offshore wind business off the ground in Massachusetts and an early embrace of the cannabis industry."
- "Paul Mercer Appointed To Head New England EPA Office," by Craig LeMoult, WGBH News: "The former commissioner of Maine's Department of Environmental Protection has been appointed to head the New England region's federal EPA office, WGBH News has learned. Paul Mercer is expected to take the lead of EPA's Region 1 office on Monday. The appointment has not yet been officially announced, but was communicated to staff in an email on Thursday. Mercer declined to be interviewed by WGBH News, since the formal announcement of his appointment has not been made. The appointment is being met with optimism from some environmentalists and lawmakers who worked with Mercer in Maine."
- "State's cybersecurity czar warns of looming threats," by Christian M. Wade, Newburyport Daily News: "The state faces myriad threats from hackers and rogue nations trying to get into the computer systems of governments, businesses and individuals to steal confidential information and financial data, according to Massachusetts' new cybersecurity czar. "The threat is very real, and anything that is computer based is vulnerable to exploitation," said Stephanie Helm, a former U.S. Navy captain and intelligence officer who recently took over as director of MassCyberCenter. "The severity of the threats depend on the adversary and their objective. Sometimes, they want your information; sometimes, they want your money." Helm said cyberspace threats seem to multiply each year as government agencies and businesses scramble to keep a handle on them."
- "The healing power of art," by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: "An emerging field in the world of mental health care, art therapy, which advocates say can be especially helpful for those who have experienced trauma, is looking to establish a firmer foundation in Massachusetts. Many mental health counselors use art as part of their practice, and they can obtain certification from the Art Therapy Credentials Board, a national nonprofit founded 50 years ago to support development of the art therapy profession. But now art therapy practitioners are pushing legislation on Beacon Hill to establish state licensing of art therapists, a move that would increase their professional standing, allow them to bill through insurance companies, and make their services more widely accessible to low-income families."
- "At State House, women reflect on anniversary of suffragists arrest," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: "On Feb. 24, 1919, 22 suffragists were arrested outside the State House, where they were picketing a visit by President Woodrow Wilson. A century later, acting House Speaker Patricia Haddad -- dressed in suffragette white while others around her wore "Votes for Women" sashes -- said the work begun by activists who fought for women's voting rights is not yet done. 'I am the first woman who has ever held the position of speaker pro tem in the House, but we in the House have never had a woman as speaker,' the Somerset Democrat said. 'So we all have to think about what we are doing, are we working as hard as those people in 1919? Are we out there suffering? No, we're not.'"
- "Maylor takes reins of state comptroller's office," by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: "Andrew Maylor never imagined leaving local government behind to work on Beacon Hill, until he got a phone call from Gov. Charlie Baker offering him a job. Maylor, a Peabody resident and veteran of local government who most recently served as North Andover's town manager, last week took over the reins as the state comptroller. The office, which acts as a fiscal watchdog, has vast administrative and audit oversight over every state agency and oversees more than $60 billion in state assets and spending."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "Hearing raises questions about Boston investments," by Max Reyes, Boston Globe: "A group of Boston city councilors urged the city Thursday to scrutinize its pension and treasury funds with an eye toward divesting from fossil fuels and other industries considered environmentally or socially harmful. Councilor Lydia Edwards called for greater transparency on the investments. "We weren't sure where any of our money was going," said Edwards, who cosponsored a hearing on the matter along with Councilors Michelle Wu and Matt O'Malley ."
- "Kissinger warns of dangers of AI at MIT, as students protest his presence," by Jonathan Ng, Boston Herald: "Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger warned of the dangers of artificial intelligence Thursday at an MIT conference. Kissinger's speech was part of MIT's kickoff to a three-day celebration of the school's new $1 billion facility, the Schwarzman College of Computing — established with a $350 million donation from financier Steve Schwarzman, of the private equity firm Blackstone."
- "This state rep used a can of AriZona Iced Tea to make a point about why the MBTA shouldn't raise fares," by Steve Annear, Boston Globe: "During a vexed public hearing Wednesday night in regard to the MBTA's plan to raise fares, state Representative Tommy Vitolo used a canned beverage to make a point about why the transportation agency should pump the brakes on the proposal. Holding a large 99-cent can of AriZona Iced Tea and standing in front of a room packed with people, Vitolo, who represents Brookline, said the T could learn a thing or two from the discount beverage maker when it comes to considering cost increases."
- "Calls Build For Ferry Service On 'Underutilized' Columbia Point," by Simón Rios, WBUR: "Academic and business leaders in Dorchester's Columbia Point are looking to increase transportation options by adding a ferry stop in the quickly developing neighborhood that borders Boston Harbor. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Boston this week say they received a $150,000 state grant to study what improvements would be needed to allow ferry service on the campus pier."
- "THE FALL OF THE GE BOSTON DEAL, PART I," by Jason Pramas, DigBoston: "Readers might feel that this should be a time for me to take a victory lap. The GE Boston deal that I criticized from the moment it was made public in January 2016 has crashed to Earth a bit over three years later. The now-failing multinational has pulled the plug on its much-hyped and publicly funded world headquarters campus on Fort Point Channel. No new jobs—executive or otherwise—are likely to be created in its much-reduced Boston presence. The major local news media that cheered on the project have fallen silent. Mission accomplished for my colleagues and me at the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism and DigBoston, right? But there's nothing to celebrate. The public is still largely in the dark about an accord that may yet cost Boston and Massachusetts millions by the time the dust settles."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "Kraft, through lawyer, pleads not guilty, demands nonjury trial in prostitution case," by John R. Ellement, Boston Globe:"Through his attorney, New England Patriots owner Robert K. Kraft has pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor charges of soliciting prostitution at a spa that authorities allege was part of an international human trafficking ring with ties to China. Kraft was allegedly captured on a camera hidden inside the Orchids of Asia Spa by Jupiter police paying for sex on Jan. 19 and Jan. 20. Florida authorities allege some of the women who worked at the spa were coerced into prostitution after arriving in the United States from China."
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| WARREN REPORT |
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- "Warren's big test: Prove to Democrats she can take on Trump," by Katie Glueck, McClatchy: "Her fierce indictments of Wall Street electrify Democrats across the country. Her unapologetically progressive brand and fiery style match the mood of her party's liberal base. She is locking down top political talent and has the beginnings of a formidable campaign organization. But according to interviews with two dozen senior Democratic strategists, activists and early-voting-state officials, Elizabeth Warren still faces one major challenge: convincing Democrats that she can defeat President Donald Trump."
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| FROM THE DELEGATION |
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- "US Sen. Ed Markey urges White House to resume talks with North Korea after summit's abrupt end," by Shannon Young, Springfield Republican: "U.S. Sen. Ed Markey called on the Trump administration Thursday to immediately resume "strong and direct" working-level talks with North Korea after a summit between the country's two leaders came to an abrupt end. The Massachusetts Democrat, who is an outspoken champion of nuclear non-proliferation, expressed disappointment in the Vietnam summit's early end and President Donald Trump's failure to codify any agreement in writing with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un."
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| KENNEDY COMPOUND |
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- "Bill Takes Aim at Discrimination in the Name of Faith," by Trudy Ring, The Advocate: "Three congressional Democrats have reintroduced a bill to amend the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act to assure that it could not be used to justify discrimination. U.S. Reps. Joseph P. Kennedy III of Massachusetts and Bobby Scott of Virginia, and Sen. Kamala Harris of California, today reintroduced the legislation, first put forth in 2017. The act "would clarify that no one can seek religious exemption from laws guaranteeing fundamental civil and legal rights," according to a press release from Kennedy's office."
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| TRUMPACHUSETTS |
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- "Attorney: Defendant in Falmouth MAGA hat dispute in US legally," by Christine Legere, Cape Cod Times: "The East Falmouth woman accused of assaulting a man wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat in a Mexican restaurant is in this country legally and, despite a long history of driving infractions since getting her Massachusetts license in 1996, "has never been convicted of anything that would jeopardize a green card," according to her immigration attorney. Rosiane V. Santos, 41, is a citizen of Brazil, but attorney Katarina Kozakova said she has a green card application pending and is married to a U.S. citizen."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "WE WANT JUSTICE," — Globe: "I wouldn't wish this on anybody," "Missing woman found dead in Del.," "ON THIS ISSUE, THERE'S NO DEBATE." |
| FROM THE 413 |
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- "Western Massachusetts legislators urge Gov. Charlie Baker to put new state Family and Medical Leave offices in Springfield," by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: "Arguing that state agencies don't need to be "clustered in Boston," state Sen. Eric P. Lesser and four other local legislators are urging Gov. Charlie Baker to place the offices of the new state Department of Family and Medical Leave offices in Springfield. State Sen. James T. Welch, D-West Springfield, and state Reps. Carlos Gonzalez, Jr., Jose F. Tosado and Bud L. Williams — all Springfield Democrats — joined Lesser, D-Longmeadow, in sending a letter to Baker."
- "In wake of police scandals and controversies, councilors call for close review of Springfield police department," by Dan Glaun, Springfield Republican: "Members of the Springfield City Council's Public Safety Committee called for a close review of the Springfield Police Department and sparred with City Solicitor Ed Pikula over the department's governance at a hearing Thursday, after videos of two recent police encounters renewed controversy over alleged officer misconduct."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "Baker-Polito administration announces $68 million in state funding for nine mixed-income housing projects," by Aviva Luttrell, MassLive.com: "The state has awarded $68 million in funding to nine rental housing projects across Massachusetts with the goal of creating more mixed-income units. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the awards at the former Worcester County Courthouse Thursday morning, saying the funding will help support the construction of 643 new apartments from Lowell to Springfield. The awards represent an investment by the administration through more than $45 million in direct subsidy and the allocation of more than $22 million in state and federal low-income housing tax credits."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Watertown state Rep. John Lawn, Jay Kaufman alum Sean Fitzgerald (a rare leap year birthday-er), and Hannah Klain, a student at Harvard Law and a Hillary alum.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Bruins beat the Lightning 4-1.
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