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Presented by JUUL Labs
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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
A CHALLENGE ON KENNEDY'S LEFT — Rep. Joe Kennedy III is facing a challenge on his left from a former Wall Street regulator who wants to build on the wave of progressive lawmakers elected in 2018.
Ihssane Leckey will make the case that her life experience — as a mother, an immigrant, and a Muslim woman — would inform the kind of representative she'd be in Congress. Leckey, 34, moved to the United States from Morocco when she was a young adult, and lives in Brookline with her husband and 7-year-old daughter.
"My life experience tells it all. I believe that people who have lived through the pain and the challenges to succeed in America understand how to bring solutions that are bold, and that are viable, and that are going to push the needle on where we stand today," Leckey told me earlier this week.
Instead of Kennedy's pitch for ' moral capitalism,' Leckey wants to talk about Democratic socialism. But is the the state's 4th District ready to move that far to the left?
"This isn't a fight of how progressive you are or how conservative you are. This is a fight of top against bottom," Leckey said.
Leckey worked at the Federal Reserve until last year, where she had focused on regulating big banks. She left her job to become politically active in the 2018 midterm. Leckey got involved with Brand New Congress, the political action committee formed by former staffers on the Bernie Sanders 2016 campaign, which backed now-New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Leckey and Ocasio-Cortez had crossed paths at Boston University years earlier, when both women worked on social justice causes as students.
In a state that's notorious for its lack of contested races , there are quite a few Democrats gearing up to run against established incumbents next year. Earlier this week, a Kennedy spokesman said the congressman welcomes anyone who wants to run in next year's election.
Running against Kennedy will be an uphill battle. The 38-year-old lawmaker is well-liked, a rising star in the party and active on key issues. Kennedy cosponsored the Medicare For All bill, he's active on LGBTQ issues and supports the Green New Deal. Kennedy also has nearly $ 4.2 million in his war chest — a number that would usually deter a primary challenger.
While it's too early to tell how this particular race will pan out, Democratic primaries are likely the new norm, said MassINC Polling Group President Steve Koczela,
"The energy that we saw in 2018 has only intensified. The level of energy and passion on the Democratic side is very significant, and it is making both the voters and potential candidates do things and consider things they may not have," Koczela told me. "I don't think it's a surprise, and I don't think it's the end, either. I think we'll see more primary challenges elsewhere, whether it be in the state legislature or in Congress."
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, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Attorney General Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attend the Massachusetts Military Heroes Memorial Day ceremony. Polito co-chairs an Economic Development Planning Council engagement session at UMass Dartmouth, then attends a groundbreaking in Plymouth. Walsh attends a ribbon cutting for the Connect Historic Boston project. The Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Coalition hosts a policy summit. The Senate debates its fiscal 2020 budget.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "Three years later, MBTA pension fund still has no permanent leader," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Nearly three years after its director resigned, the MBTA Retirement Fund's board has yet to name a permanent replacement, adding to the uncertainty surrounding a $1.5 billion system that's long wrestled with criticism of its management. The lack of movement comes as the MBTA pension board has been consumed by a separate debate over whether to hand management of its investments to the state's $69 billion pension system — a move Governor Charlie Baker and his administration's appointees have long pushed. Should it ultimately transfer some oversight to the state's Pension Reserves Investment Management board, the responsibilities of the T retirement board's executive director could change drastically. And that potential has appeared to table any serious progress toward conducting a leadership search."
- "Baker-Polito social media campaign targets teen victims of domestic violence, sexual assault," by Mary Markos, Boston Herald: "A social-media focused campaign to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault launched Wednesday by the Baker-Polito administration in an attempt to meet teens where they are. "The fact that it was built to speak to young people in a way that would actually get their attention is going to be a big part of why I believe it will be successful," Gov. Charlie Baker said. "The advertising campaign includes a heavy emphasis on social media because that's where youth will share these messages," Lt Gov. Karyn Polito added. The RespectFULLY campaign targets middle and high school students ages 12 to 18, as well as their parents and adults involved in youth-serving organizations. It will officially launch on social media across the state on May 26."
- "Boncore withdraws pharm-friendly budget amendment," by Andy Metzger, CommonWealth Magazine: "WITH A PHARMA-FRIENDLY amendment withdrawn from consideration, the Senate is on track to stick with its more hardline approach toward MassHealth drug pricing in the fiscal 2020 budget. That would set up a big disagreement with the House, which amended the drug-pricing approach in its budget bill by plugging in language that was welcomed by the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. Sen. Joseph Boncore, a Winthrop Democrat whose district includes part of the biotech hotbed of Kendall Square, had proposed an amendment similar to what was adopted in the House. He confirmed he met with MassBio about it ."
- "Pilgrim closure could drive up carbon emissions," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "The pending closure of the Pilgrim power plant will lead to an uptick in regional carbon emissions, according to environmental groups, who say the shutdown of the state's only nuclear plant increases the urgency to move toward wind, solar and other renewable energy sources. The 47-year-old Plymouth facility will stop generating electricity on May 31. Entergy Corp. announced in 2015 that the problem-plagued facility is no longer financially viable amid falling revenues, increased costs and a difficult energy market. The closure of the 690-megawatt power plant, which produces about 15 percent of New England's energy, will leave a gaping hole in the region's power system."
- "COLLEGE STUDENT SIT-IN COMES TO LOUD, TENSE END," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: "Student protesters from the University of Massachusetts Amherst ended their five-day State House sit-in on Wednesday, after saying legislative leaders did not respect their voices and following a brief but tense confrontation with participants in a military event. The group of college students had been protesting outside the offices of House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Karen Spilka, demanding that the Legislature's top Democrats meet with them and hold votes on bills that would make public higher education free to Massachusetts residents."
- "State Legislators Could Provide More Arts Funding, But With Eyebrow-Raising Restrictions," by Cintia Lopez, WBUR: "The annual push from arts advocates for increased funding has grown more complicated this year as state legislators debate whether to impose new, eyebrow-raising restrictions on the state agency that manages cultural funds. At stake is whether the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) can use state money for travel costs and continue to provide grants for individual artists — longtime recipients of the agency's past investments. Both the House and the Senate have proposed increases to the MCC — a $533,000 increase from the House and a $2 million jump from the Senate — but the increases come with the restrictive caveats."
- "THE FIGHT FOR LIFE IN MASSACHUSETTS," by JEAN TROUNSTINE, DigBoston: "A battle is already brewing, as victims of crime and their families have begun to protest sorely needed legislation—proposed both in the House by Rep. Jay Livingstone of Boston (H.3358) and in the Senate by Sen. Joseph A. Boncore (S.826)—that would allow the opportunity of parole for all. It's a familiar fight; every time that any state seeks to end life without parole, crime victims seek solutions in petitions, phone calls, and meetings, with a goal of keeping perpetrators of violent crime behind bars forever. However, as more and more people recognize that harsh sentencing has added to mass incarceration, states are beginning to rethink keeping people imprisoned for life. Massachusetts could be leading the way."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "Opening date set for Encore Boston Harbor," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Weeks after CEO Matt Maddox suggested Encore Boston Harbor could open a week or two later than scheduled, Wynn Resorts officials told commissioners they are firm on the June 23 opening and scheduled test dates. "We're bringing in the entire team on June 3 for a June 23 opening, and the reason we do that is so that we can have that extra preparation and make sure that this building is as flawless as humanly possible for the day we open," said Robert DeSalvio, president of Wynn Resorts' $2.6 billion Everett casino."
- RELATED: "Everett casino last call set at 4 a.m. for 'active' gamblers," by Jonathan Ng, Boston Herald: "The state Gaming Commission voted 4-1 Wednesday to allow the early morning last call at the Everett casino — clearing the way for Encore to provide patrons who are "actively gaming" complimentary alcoholic beverages. Eileen O'Brien, the lone commissioner to vote against the 4 a.m. last call, said discussions of expanding Encore's alcohol license should happen in the months after its opening. "My preference would be having this conversation in six months out from opening," O'Brien said Wednesday."
- "MFA apologizes after students from Dorchester school subjected to racism during field trip," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "The Museum of Fine Arts apologized Wednesday after students of color from a Dorchester middle school said they were subjected to racism by staff and some patrons during a seventh-grade field trip. In a letter posted to the museum's website, top MFA officials apologized to the students and staff at the Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy for "a range of challenging and unacceptable experiences that made them feel unwelcome. That is not who we are or want to be. Our intention is to set the highest of standards, and we are committed to doing the work that it will take to get there." Some students from the charter school were subjected to racist and disparaging comments and treatment from MFA staff and museum patrons last Thursday, said Arturo J. Forrest, the school's principal."
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| THE OPINION PAGES |
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- "There's a reason why Rep. Neal raises and spends so much money," by Jack Connors, Boston Globe: "Life is always better when Massachusetts members of Congress are in the leadership, and no one since the days of Ted Kennedy and Tip O'Neill has done more for Massachusetts with less fanfare than US Representative Richie Neal. Now, with Democratic control of the House of Representatives, as chairman of the powerful Committee on Ways and Means, he is positioned to do much more. Even when in the minority, Neal has consistently delivered for his district and Massachusetts."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "Mario Batali facing criminal charges in alleged Boston assault," by Gal Tziperman Lotan and Maria Cramer, Boston Globe: "Mario Batali, the celebrity chef who stepped away from his restaurant empire after several women accused him of sexual harassment and assault, is now facing criminal charges for allegedly kissing and groping a woman against her will in a Back Bay restaurant in 2017. Batali, 58, is charged with indecent assault and battery in what appears to be the first criminal charge to arise from a series of sexual misconduct allegations against him. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on Friday morning. His accuser's name was redacted from court records, but the account matches that of a Massachusetts woman who filed a civil lawsuit against Batali last August."
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| WARREN REPORT |
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- "While teaching, Elizabeth Warren worked on more than 50 legal matters, charging as much as $675 an hour," by Elise Viebeck and Annie Linskey, Washington Post: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren worked on more than 50 legal matters during her career as a professor at Ivy League law schools, charging as much as $675 an hour to advise a variety of clients, from people with asbestos disease to a corporation facing possible liability over ruptured breast implants. Warren's presidential campaign released a list of 56 cases on her website on Wednesday night, revealing a far higher number of cases than Warren (D-Mass.) had previously disclosed and lending detail to an aspect of her career that she rarely discusses in public."
- "Sen. Elizabeth Warren introduces bill to improve housing access for disaster survivors," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "Presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is introducing a bill Wednesday to expand access to federal housing assistance for survivors of natural disasters. The bill is a response to problems that Puerto Rican evacuees faced getting federal housing assistance after their homes were damaged by Hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017. "Catastrophic natural disasters from Puerto Rico to California have devastated families and left them searching for safe, stable and affordable housing," Warren said in a statement."
- Elizabeth Warren decries big money in politics. Her campaign treasurer embodies it." by Lateshia Beachum, Center for Public Integrity: "With a sizable American flag as her backdrop and supporters toting signs reading "The Best President Money Can't Buy," Elizabeth Warren decried the role big bucks play in politics. "Corruption, the influence of money, touches every decision that gets made in Washington," the Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. senator from Massachusetts told hundreds of people attending her May 16 campaign event at George Mason University in Virginia. "Whatever issue brought you here today, I guarantee if there's a decision to be made in Washington, it's been touched, pushed, massaged, tilted over, just a little, so the folks with money do better than everyone else." Warren's declaration aligns with her aggressive rejection of traditional sources of campaign cash, from political action committees to lobbyists. Everyone will have access to her, she says, not just wealthy donors. She's instituted "selfie lines" at rallies. She releases videos of herself personally calling donors who've contributed just a few dollars." But Warren has also selected for her presidential campaign treasurer a man whose contributions run counter to Warren's statements — among the most emphatic among the more than 20 Democrats running for president — against big money in politics."
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| DATELINE D.C. |
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- "Ayanna Pressley asked Steven Mnuchin when Harriet Tubman would be put on the $20. He didn't know," by Christina Prignano, Boston Globe: "Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin admitted under questioning from Representative Ayanna Pressley on Wednesday that a redesigned $20 bill featuring abolitionist leader Harriet Tubman will not be unveiled next year, pushing off a change initiated by his predecessor in the Obama administration. During a congressional hearing Wednesday, Mnuchin said the redesign would not be finalized until "way past my term," in 2026. Mnuchin said he was focused on improving the currency to prevent counterfeiting. "We will meet the security feature redesign in 2020, the imagery feature will not be an issue that that comes up until, most likely, 2026," he said during an appearance before a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee."
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| THE CLARK CAUCUS |
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- "Mass. lawmaker claims Purdue Pharma corrupted World Health Organization," by Danny McDonald and Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: "Purdue Pharma, the drug maker under fire for its role in the national opioid crisis, received a new charge Wednesday: that it corrupted the World Health Organization to boost sales of its powerful painkillers. A new congressional report released Wednesday by Katherine Clark, a Democrat from Massachusetts, and Hal Rogers, a Republican from Kentucky, asserts that Purdue Pharma funded organizations, people, and research to influence the WHO's opioid prescribing guidelines; these guidelines are considered to be public health best practices. The lawmakers said the WHO's guidelines from 2011 and 2012 contained "dangerously misleading and, in some instances, outright false claims about the safety and efficacy of prescription opioids." These recommendations mirrored Purdue's marketing strategies to increase prescriptions and expand sales, Clark and Rogers said."
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| MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
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- "Mass. Senate rejects marijuana loan proposal for social equity applicants," by Naomi Martin, Boston Globe: "State senators Wednesday rejected a proposal to create no-interest, publicly financed loans for people affected by marijuana prohibition to start legal pot businesses. Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz, who filed the measure, said the loans were vital to meet the Legislature's own goals for the state's cannabis industry to benefit small businesses, diverse owners, and disenfranchised communities. She urged her colleagues to support a more complete version of the proposal in the near future. "Every month that we don't act is a month that market share is getting claimed and eaten up" by large out-of-state companies, Chang-Díaz said."
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| MOULTON MATTERS |
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- "Gun violence prevention advocate eyes 6th District seat," by Ethan Forman, The Salem News: " Topsfield Democrat and gun violence prevention advocate Angus McQuilken is the latest to announce he's exploring a run for Congress in the 6th District. The seat is held by Congressman Seth Moulton, a Salem Democrat who in April launched his presidential campaign. McQuilken said his announcement isn't a challenge to Moulton, a 40-year-old Harvard graduate and Iraq War veteran who is in his third term in the House. "I like Seth Moulton. McQuilken said his potential congressional run is fueled by frustration over a lack of progress in Washington, D.C. on what he feels are priorities for the 6th District."
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| EYE ON 2020 |
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- "Top de Blasio campaign adviser fired as Harvard professor," by Julia Marsh, New York Post: "One of three senior advisers Mayor Bill de Blasio hired to run his struggling presidential campaign was fired from Harvard University after colleagues found him "difficult to deal with" and his courses "stunningly devoid of any sort of intellectual content," according to reports. Students protested the ouster of Harvard Kennedy School lecturer Steven Jarding in March, the student newspaper the Harvard Crimson reported. Jarding provided emails to the Crimson confirming that the school's dean, Douglas W. Elmendorf, said he would terminate his position next year."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "YOU JUST ACT," "SCRATCH THAT," — Globe: "Cape bridge improvements take shape," "Trump storms out on Pelosi, Schumer." |
| FROM THE 413 |
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- "U.S. Rep. Richard Neal on CRRC following Sen. Chuck Schumer's call for a review: Balance security while welcoming jobs at Springfield rail car plant," by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal said Wednesday that CRRC, and the 158 jobs the Chinese-owned rail car manufacturer brought to Springfield, do not have to fall victim to rising national security concerns about the threat those cars could bring to rail and transit networks. "There's no question that the Chinese have a long history of actions that have threatened American jobs, technology and national security," said Neal, D-Springfield, said in a statement. "However, it's in our best interest, whenever possible, to strike the proper balance between protecting our national security and welcoming companies that create jobs and invest in our community. I believe we can do both." Neal was reacting to a fellow Democrat, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, who over the weekend called for a security review of any work CRRC does for New York City."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "In Newton, the everyday version of "Varsity Blues" scandal," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "Never mind bribing the college tennis coach and all its potential downsides — like a felony conviction and jail time. It turns out going to Newton North High School also sets up students for an extra edge in the college admission race, with the added bonus of being perfectly legal. There were plenty of jaw-dropping moments as details of the "Varsity Blues" college admission scandal unfolded two months ago. The half-million-dollar payments by Hollywood stars and hedge fund honchos to secure a slot for their son or daughter at USC or another college. The SAT test proctors who were in on the scam and changed answers on tests to boost the scores of the children of the uber rich and connected. But perhaps the most stunning moment came unintentionally when US Attorney Andrew Lelling announced the indictments that day in Boston."
- "Diversity, discipline in schools among issues raised during budget debate," by Bill Shaner, Worcester Magazine: "After a three-hour hearing earlier this week, the School Department will have to come back before the City Council next week to get its budget approved. Several councilors during budget discussions on Tuesday motioned to hold the budget for a variety of reasons. Some grilled school officials on efforts to implement diversity hiring practices and the way in which the district intends to bring on a chief diversity officer. The ultimately fruitless battle to implement a sex education curriculum was also relitigated by some councilors, as were issues around racial disparities in discipline. Coming on the heels of a contentious fight over Superintendent Maureen Binienda's contract, the hearing bore out some of the tensions that drove that debate."
MAZEL! to Chelsie Ouellette and Patrick Sheridan-Rossi , who got engaged on Sunday. Ouelette is a partner at Field First, and Sheridan-Rossi is a principal at Hilltop Public Solutions. The couple met on Sen. Ed Markey's 2013 campaign. Pic.
TRANSITIONS - The New England Council elected New Balance's Amy Dow, Suffolk Construction's Katy O'Neil and Ernst & Young's Shaun Real to its board of directors.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Stephanie Slysz of RepresentUs, and Dorchester Reporter editor and publisher Bill Forry.
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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