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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
WARREN VS. TRUMP — President Donald Trump tore into Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Boston Herald radio yesterday, offering a look at what a Warren-Trump matchup could sound like if both make it to the general election.
Warren has been calling for Trump's impeachment since special counsel Robert Mueller's report into Russian meddling in the 2016 election was released earlier this month. She took it a step further yesterday, saying Attorney General William Barr ought to resign due to his handling of the Mueller Report, as the Trump administration official testified on Capitol Hill.
"AG Barr is a disgrace, and his alarming efforts to suppress the Mueller report show that he's not a credible head of federal law enforcement," Warren wrote in a tweet. "He should resign—and based on the actual facts in the Mueller report, Congress should begin impeachment proceedings against the President."
But Trump argued Warren's got it all wrong, and that the Massachusetts senator should be the one giving up her post. Trump called into Adriana Cohen's Herald Radio show for the wide-ranging, 20-minute interview where he leaned on his old playbook to rip Warren in her deep blue home state, which shares a media market with the early voting state of New Hampshire.
"Look, she defrauded the public for a long time. She should really be the one to resign, hence the name Pocahontas. I mean she has gone through colleges and gotten jobs and gotten in all because she supposedly had Indian blood, and then it turned out that wasn't true," Trump said. A Boston Globe investigation found there was no evidence Warren's claims of Native American heritage influenced her career.
"She shouldn't use that for political reasons," Trump added. "She's running for office, she's not doing very well and she shouldn't be doing that." New national polling shows Warren on the upswing, though. And while he was on the topic of 2020 contenders, Trump called former Vice President Joe Biden "a sleepy man" and "not as smart" as Sen. Bernie Sanders.
The president also weighed in on the lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement brought by Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, which seeks to bar ICE officers from state courthouses. Trump painted the attorneys as people "who don't mind crime" and pumped up his own position on immigration.
"She's got to live with her own conscience," Trump said of Rollins' outspokenness around the ICE issue. That's the quote that landed on the front page of this morning's Herald.
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 attends the Essex County Community Fund Celebration of Giving Breakfast and attends a ribbon cutting for the Insulet Global Headquarters & US Manufacturing Facility in Acton. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito visits STEM signing day at WPI, then participates in a Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce forum on business and government, then make a STEM awards announcement in Lawrence.
Attorney General Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute. Walsh speaks at a Pine Street Inn Home Remedy event. The Joint Committee on Financial Services and the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy hold hearings. Boston City Councilors Michelle Wuand Kim Janey hold a hearing on equity in the city's procurement and purchasing.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "Wynn Resorts Has 30 Days To Pay $35 Million Fine," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "Unless it plans to challenge the ruling in court, Wynn Resorts has 30 days to come up with the $35 million fine imposed Tuesday by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission in a decision that appears to clear the way for Wynn's $2.6 billion Encore Boston Harbor casino to open next month as planned. Other than to say that it is reviewing the ruling and its punishment, Wynn Resorts has not publicly responded to the commission's decision to allow the company to keep its Boston-area casino license if it pays the fine, agrees to have an independent observer monitor the company's progress in bolstering its compliance and human resources policies, and has CEO Matt Maddox undergo executive coaching and pay his own $500,000 fine."
- "State misses deadline to cinch 'union loophole,'" by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: "State campaign finance officials missed a deadline Wednesday to propose new rules aimed at closing a loophole for contributions from labor unions. The Office of Campaign and Political Finance is working on proposed changes to a controversial rule that allows unions to give up to $15,000 to a candidate every time that person runs for office. Its new regulations would be aimed at reducing super-sized union contribution levels. A spokesman for the independent state agency said the new rules won't be available this week, despite a self-imposed May 1 deadline to release them."
- "A look at the House's private budget debate," by Katie Lannan and Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "JUST AFTER 8 p.m. last Monday, Rep. Paul Donato alerted his fellow House lawmakers that a five-page, $9.2 million document was now available for their review, eight hours after the start of a closed-door meeting where representatives could pitch House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz on their proposals for education and local aid, two big areas of public investment. Forty-seven minutes after Donato's announcement, and with scant public explanation, that five-page package of additional education and local aid spending was unanimously tacked on to the House's version of next year's budget in the first of nine similar votes the House took over the course of four days of budget consideration."
- "Bill would make it a felony to assault health providers, emergency medical technicians or ambulance attendants," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "A bill sponsored by Rep. Paul Tucker, D-Salem, and Sen. Michael Brady, D-Brockton, S.838/H.1578, would change assaults on health providers, emergency medical technicians or ambulance attendants from a misdemeanor to a felony offense, punishable by up to five years in prison. Tucker said the legislation "will set a tone that the assaults on these workers who are trying to do their job will not be tolerated." The Massachusetts Nurses Association is pushing for the bill. The union is also pushing for a separate bill that would require health care employers to develop and implement programs to reduce workplace violence."
- "State officials give employers more time on paid-leave decision," by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: "The Baker administration said Wednesday it would give businesses nearly three more months to obtain a private-sector alternative to the state's new paid family and medical leave program, if the businesses want to go that route. The delay comes after Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) and other business lobbying groups expressed concern about the timing of the program's rollout. AIM indicated Wednesday that the delay may not be enough to assuage those concerns."
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| WHAT CITY HALL IS READING |
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- "A crowd forms for council races; finances offer first clues on bids," by Jennifer Smith, Dorchester Reporter: "In just the first two weeks since municipal nomination paper applications became available, 55 hopefuls have officially signaled their intent to run for a seat on the city council. All four City Council At-Large incumbents - Michael Flaherty, Althea Garrison, Annissa Essaibi-George, and Michelle Wu - are seeking re-election. This will be Garrison's first run at being elected directly to the seat, as she placed fifth in 2017 and automatically replaced former councillor and now Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley in January."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "BPS chooses Cassellius as superintendent," by Taylor Pettaway, Boston Herald: "Cheers erupted across the School Committee chambers Wednesday night as the seven-person panel chose Dr. Brenda Cassellius as the next superintendent of Boston Public Schools, based on her work with achievement gaps and equity, her desire to work with families and teachers, and her experience working with the state. "We need to move beyond the bitter feelings in our district," said member Michael O'Neill. "I think Dr. Cassellius is the superintendent we need now in Boston." Cassellius was the fan favorite, with many believing she would be best to incorporate the needs of students and families in the district."
- "Residents, advocates, work to save Chinatown row houses," by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "They are vestiges of Chinatown's working-class immigrant community, the small brick row houses that line one of the last untouched pockets of a neighborhood that has been roiled by development. Boston's building boom is threatening the historic houses, an incursion that could displace residents who have made Chinatown New England's largest Chinese community. On Tuesday, several dozen residents and activists rallied outside the latest of the houses targeted for redevelopment - a two-story dwelling that shares a fire escape and sewer system with its neighbor and that the developer wants to double in size. The protesters called on the city to do more to protect these relics from gentrification."
- "Boston City Council votes to support Springfield-to-Boston high-speed passenger rail," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "The Boston City Council on Wednesday passed a resolution expressing support for building high-speed passenger rail between Boston and Springfield. "This is something that could be absolutely transformative for not only the cities of Boston and Springfield but for the commonwealth at large," said Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley, who introduced the resolution."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "U.S. Appeals Court upholds AG Maura Healey's interpretation of assault weapons ban," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "A U.S. Appeals Court has upheld Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey's interpretation of the state's assault weapons ban. Healey called it "a defeat for the gun lobby and a victory for families across the nation." "Once again, the courts have agreed that the people of Massachusetts have the right to protect themselves, their communities, and their schools by banning these deadly weapons," Healey said in a statement."
- "Too Many Kids, Too Few Judges Mean Delays In Child Welfare Cases In Worcester County," by Deborah Becker, WBUR:"Worcester has more DCF-involved cases than any other Massachusetts county, affecting more than 2,000 children. Statewide, the DCF says cases have gone up nearly 40% since 2012 — largely because of the opioid epidemic and some high-profile tragedies involving children in state care. Worcester Juvenile Court is also operating with only four judges because of a retirement and an open, newly approved judgeship. That often results in court proceedings like O'Donnell's being delayed for months. Some are put off for years."
- "'Run silent, run deep;' Retired Mass. State Police trooper says troopers would agree not to write tickets and being on 'same page' while skipping overtime shifts," by Scott J. Croteau, Springfield Republican: "Massachusetts State Police troopers accused of abusing overtime patrols agreed when not to write tickets and told one trooper during a patrol to go home and "be with his family," according to a recently filed federal court document. The claim is made in the sentencing memorandum filed by retired Trooper Daren DeJong, who is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday in the state police overtime scandal. The memorandum filed by DeJong's lawyer said the former trooper gave information to the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office in April."
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| WARREN REPORT |
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- "New national polls suggest Warren gaining momentum in presidential race," by Elizabeth Goodwin and Jess Bidgood, Boston Globe: "Is "persisting" paying off for Elizabeth Warren? The senator from Massachusetts had a slow start in the Democratic presidential race, struggling with lackluster fund-raising and middling polls in the first few months of her campaign while watching rivals like Beto O'Rourke and Pete Buttigieg each take their moment in the sun with bursts of support and surging contributions. But now, there are early signs Warren's relentless focus on policy detail and diligent face time with voters may be leading to a boost of her own, one that could help her break into the top tier of candidates that has been dominated by white men in early polls."
- "Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, and Kirsten Gillibrand call on AG William Barr to resign," by Ella Nilsen, Vox:"Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Cory Booker — all running for president — are calling on Attorney General William Barr to resign. Democrats have been divided about what exactly to do about the findings of special counsel Robert Mueller's report, which puts the onus on Congress to decide whether to impeach President Donald Trump. Most 2020 Democrats would rather defeat Trump than impeach him. So in the meantime, the three senators are joining Democrats' new strategy: calling for Barr to step aside."
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| MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
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- "For sale in the pot industry: political influence," by Andrew Ryan, Beth Healy, Dan Adams, Nicole Dungca and Todd Wallack, Boston Globe: "Lobbyist Frank Perullo had good reason to believe his client's proposal to open a medical marijuana store would receive a warm reception from the Cambridge City Council. After all, Perullo counted six of the nine councilors as his political clients, including Leland Cheung, whom Perullo served as campaign treasurer. Cheung was ready to do his part. He planned to offer a resolution supporting the marijuana shop. But Perullo wasn't going to leave anything to chance at the August 2016 council meeting. So his staff sent Cheung an e-mail labeled "talking points," describing Commonwealth Alternative Care's exotic marijuana products."
- "State: Legal Pot Sales Top $100M In Massachusetts," Associated Press: "Legal marijuana has reached a milestone of sorts in Massachusetts as sales of recreational pot climb over the $100 million mark. According to the latest data from the state's Cannabis Control Commission, retail pot shops have sold $104 million worth of product since the first stores opened last November. Nearly $7 million in total sales were reported last week, with customers spending an average of $41 per transaction. The increases reflect the steadily growing number of pot shops in the state, with 21 having now been awarded final licenses."
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| ALL ABOARD |
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- "If you take this bus to Logan Airport, Massport will let you cut the security line," by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: "Last week, Logan International Airport officials brought out the stick in their quest to fight traffic, banning Uber and Lyft riders from outside the terminals during most of the day and hitting riders with higher fees. On Wednesday, they presented a carrot to persuade travelers to ditch the car ride: Take a bus instead, and get to cut the airport security line. In a new program that started Wednesday, riders who take the Logan Express bus from Back Bay will be given an orange ticket that gives them access to a new TSA priority line created just for them."
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| EYE ON 2020 |
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- "Weld: 'I would have pursued an indictment' of Trump if I were attorney general," by Zack Budryk, The Hill: "Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld (R), who has announced a primary challenge to President Trump, said Wednesday that he would have sought to indict Trump if he were in Attorney General William Barr's place. "AG Barr has erred in both his opinion that the President could not be indicted and in his clear attempt to frame a narrative that favors and protects the President," Weld tweeted as Barr testified before the Senate Wednesday morning."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "SHE'S GOT TO LIVE WITH HER OWN CONSCIENCE," — Globe: "For sale in pot sector: political influence," "Boston picks Minn. official to lead schools," "WALL FLOWERS - AND BIRDS." |
| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "Columbia Gas parent company says cost for Merrimack Valley gas disaster could hit $1B," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald:"NiSource Inc., the parent company of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, says third-party claims related to the Merrimack Valley gas disaster could cost more than $1 billion.In its February report of 2018 fourth-quarter financial results, NiSource said it had lost $757 million as a result of third-party claims tied to the Sept. 13 gas explosions and fires, plus another roughly $266 million in other related expenses. But NiSource upped its estimates for the total cost of the disaster in its quarterly filing released Wednesday."
- "Advocates support Montigny cell phone bill," Standard-Times:"Advocates seeking legislation to prohibit the use of handheld cell phones while driving sent their collective requests to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means Wednesday, Sen. Mark Montigny's office said. The advocates include Boston Children's Hospital, Safe Roads Alliance, and TextLess Live More. The advocates request several key provisions offered in Senator Montigny's bill S2120, which are noticeably absent from House versions of the bill and the Transportation Committee redraft."
- "UML students protest over alleged harassing professor," by Aaron Curtis, The Lowell Sun: "Several UMass Lowell students sat in a circle, markers and poster boards scattered between them with statements reading, "Keep harassment out of our school," and "Fire Oliver Ibe." The man the students referenced on the signs is a former UMass Lowell associate dean who was demoted to a position of professor following accusations of harassment he allegedly committed against another staff member."
- "After 30 years on City Council, Konnie Lukes opts not to seek re-election in Worcester," by Walter Bird Jr., Worcester Magazine:"Thirty years. That's just as a city councilor, enough to make her the longest-serving member. When you factor in eight years as a School Committee member, you get to just shy of 40 years on Worcester's political scene for Konnie Lukes. It all comes to an end this year. Citing family priorities, while not going into detail, Lukes, who pulled out nomination papers to run again, and had returned some signatures, will not seek a 16th term."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Matt Murphy of State House News and former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Red Sox beat the Athletics 7-3.
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