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Presented by Tobacco Free Kids
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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF!
WARREN CAUGHT IN SENATE CROSSFIRE — When Elizabeth Warren needed a glowing introduction to her speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, her former law school student, Rep. Joe Kennedy III, was there to provide it. When she needed someone to introduce her to the teeming crowd when she launched her presidential campaign earlier this year, Kennedy once again was the choice.
Yet as Kennedy embarks on the biggest race of his career, a primary challenge to Sen. Ed Markey next year, Warren won't be returning the favor. In a contest that will force the Massachusetts political class to choose sides, Warren has endorsed Markey. The awkwardness is hard to miss.
In standing by her Senate colleague, Warren is lining up with much of the state's Democratic establishment. Markey, who has served in Congress since the 1970s, has the backing of the majority of the congressional delegation and the state Legislature. Few of them are anxious to see a respected incumbent taken down in a primary that largely hinges on generational themes.
NEW: KENNEDY'S CAMPAIGN PLANS — Rep. Joe Kennedy III is gearing up for a three-day tour across the state after he formally launches his Senate campaign on Saturday morning.
Kennedy will announce his candidacy at the East Boston Social Centers at 9 a.m. tomorrow with his family, a group of supporters and community members. He plans to make more than a dozen stops on his statewide tour from Saturday to Monday.
The congressman will tour the Villa Victoria affordable housing development in Boston, the LifeBridge shelter and soup kitchen in Salem, and he will sit down with LGBTQ asylum seekers and refugees at the Hadwen Park Church in Worcester.
Kennedy will also meet with the Franklin County Opioid Task Force in Greenfield and discuss the need to center union jobs in climate change efforts with local leaders in New Bedford. Kennedy also plans to attend or host events in Lowell, Pittsfield and Attleboro.
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 and Methuen Mayor James Jajuga celebrate the 2019 Community Development Block Grant awards. Baker attends a ribbon cutting for the Throndike Exchange in Lowell. Rep. Joe Kennedy III attends a service to commemorate 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in America hosted by the Massachusetts Council of Churches in Framingham. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attends a Blue Cross Blue Shield Service Day at Yawkey Boys & Girls Club, celebrates Boston's age-friendly bench program in Grove Hall and attends the Children's Services of Roxbury "Peace on the Pier" event.
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A message from Tobacco Free Kids:
E-cigarettes are hooking a new generation, thanks to massive doses of nicotine and thousands of kid-friendly flavors. This public health emergency threatens decades of progress in lowering youth tobacco use. We must take flavored e-cigarettes off the market, stand up to companies like JUUL, and protect our kids. Learn More. |
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NEW—POLITICO's UNITED NATIONS PLAYBOOK: The 74 th Session of the United Nations General Assembly will jam some of the world's most influential leaders into four blocks in Gotham. POLITICO's man-about-town Ryan Heath will take you inside UNGA—revealing juicy details from the lighter-side of the gathering and insights into the most pressing global issues facing decision-makers today. Sign up for U.N. Playbook.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "$1.4 billion education funding bill sparks unusual consensus," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "After months of debate, private discussions, lobbying, public hearings and massive rallies, the Legislature's Education Commission released an education funding bill Thursday that appears to have garnered support from virtually all those involved in education debate — unions, reformers, parent and teacher groups. "It looks like, at first glance, that our needs are going to be met," said Beth Kontos, president of American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, which has been advocating for additional funding."
- "Charlie Baker chides state Republican Party for condemning Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Baker admonished the Massachusetts Republican Party on Thursday for a recent resolution formally condemning Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar and Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib for their criticism of Israel. Asked about the resolution in his monthly appearance on WGBH's "Boston Public Radio," the Bay State governor said he has tried hard to stay out of "the name-calling business." "I don't think it accomplishes very much, and I think it degrades public discourse," he said."
- "State Senate OKs bill targeting flame retardants," by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service: "Nine months after a similar bill died, the Senate on Thursday renewed its push for a ban on certain flame retardants that could carry negative health effects. In its first formal session after six weeks away, the Senate voted 38-0 in support of legislation (S 2338) that would prevent manufacturers and retailers from selling a range of household products that contain any of 11 chemicals typically used to prevent risks of fire. The Senate passed similar bills in each of the previous two lawmaking sessions."
- "Massachusetts Implements Policies To Reduce Correctional Officer Suicides," by Marilyn Schairer, WGBH News: "Massachusetts is taking steps to address ways to lessen the risk of suicides among correctional officers. A report released in June 2019 by a state-formed legislative commission found that 16 active or retired correctional officers in Massachusetts prisons have taken their own lives between 2010 and 2015. "It was primarily an epidemic," said Kevin Flanagan, who worked for 20 years as a correctional officer in some of the state's toughest prisons."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "City Council plans hearing on sexual, domestic violence," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "City councilors plan to hold a hearing next month on sexual and domestic violence in a public session at Northeastern, which they say will be the first of many. "This is meant to paint the picture that domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse are all still prevalent, not only in the city of Boston, but in the commonwealth," said City Council President Andrea Campbell, who represents Mattapan."
- "Newton's mayor wants to acquire 17 acres of Boston College land through eminent domain," by John Hilliard, Boston Globe: "Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller will seek for the city to acquire approximately 17 acres of Webster Woods from Boston College through eminent domain, she said in a statement Wednesday. "They see this land as critical to their future, but we know it is critical to ours," Fuller said in the statement. " After devoting significant time to these conversations, the time has come to move forward."
- "'As a teen mom, I had no clue': Home visitor program Healthy Families Massachusetts helps young parents," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "When Regina Serverius got pregnant at 18, she had no role model to look to for parenting advice. She was removed from her biological family in Methuen by social services at age six and bounced between foster homes, group homes, an adoptive family, and a foster family who finally became like her parents. Serverius' support became Lisa Waxman, a home visitor from the Healthy Families program."
- "Wayfair CEO says he'd like prospective employees to be 'non-political,'" by Lucia Maffei, Boston Business Journal: During a panel at Fairmont Copley Plaza on Thursday, Wayfair CEO Niraj Shah said that being "non-political" is one trait he looks for in prospective employees for the Boston-based online retailer. The remark came less than three months after hundreds of employees walked out in Copley Square to protest the company's (NYSE: W) sale of furniture to operators of migrant detention camps along the U.S. southern border. Shah had been asked what characteristics the company looks for most when bringing in someone new."
- "Walsh, Wu appear to back ouster of Althea Garrison," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "Mayor Martin Walsh and City Councilor Michelle Wu are boosting progressive challengers in the at-large race — with the most vulnerable incumbent being the Trump-supporting Althea Garrison, a thorn in the left-leaning council's side. Wu has endorsed and campaigned closely with Alejandra St. Guillen, even though St. Guillen technically is a rival with Wu, who occupies one of the council's four at-large seats."
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| PRIMARY SOURCES |
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- "Former Massachusetts governor Weld backs Joe Kennedy in his bid to unseat Sen. Edward Markey," by Annie Linskey, Washington Post: "It might not be the support he's looking for, but Bill Weld, the former Republican Massachusetts governor, said Thursday he backs Rep. Joe Kennedy in his bid to oust Sen. Edward J. Markey in the Democratic primary. The race between Kennedy and Markey is shaping up to be among the most watched intramural contests this election cycle, pitting the scion of one of the country's more famous political families against Markey, a longtime member of Congress. Kennedy is expected to formally launch his Senate bid on Saturday in Boston. "I'm for Kennedy," said Weld, who held a wide-ranging conversation with Washington Post reporters. "I've known him since the day he was born." "He doesn't want my endorsement," Weld added quickly."
- "Joe Kennedy makes push to change stock buybacks for public companies," by Jon Chesto, Boston Globe: "With his Senate campaign all but launched, Joe Kennedy III is shaking up Massachusetts politics. But the congressman caused a different kind of stir last November, by embarking on a crusade for what he called "moral capitalism." Companies, Kennedy told the New England Council, shouldn't focus only on shareholders. Broader societal benefits need to be important factors, too. It sounded noble, if a little intangible. What could Congress do to make this goal a reality? Kennedy suggested few specifics at the time."
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| ALL ABOARD |
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- "The MBTA Just Doubled Your Odds of Riding a New Orange Line Train," by Spencer Buell, Boston Magazine: "Who doesn't love snagging a spot on the MBTA's brand new Orange Line train, the first of many to be debuted on the line as part of a years-long effort to replace the aging fleet? In the month since it finally began picking up passengers, the novelty of seeing it roll into the station still hasn't worn off. All the glimmering plastic, the not-yet grimy exterior, and the flashy LED screens have a way of making you feel positive about the future of the MBTA—for at least a couple minutes, anyway. Well, if you haven't had the pleasure of seeing one for yourself, your odds just got twice as good. On Thursday, the T announced the second new Orange Line train has hit the tracks."
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| ON THE STUMP |
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- "Massachusetts Voters for Animals Endorse Hélène Vincent for Boston City Council," from the Vincent campaign: ""Mass Voters for Animals is delighted to be endorsing Hélène Vincent for Boston City Council," said Marge Peppercorn, steering committee member. "Mass Voters for Animals is an organization dedicated to helping the most humane-minded candidates get elected. We are therefore proud to be endorsing Ms. Vincent due to her strong lifelong commitment to animal welfare."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "Judge Denies Request To Dismiss AG Healey's Lawsuit Against Purdue Pharma," by Zoe Mathews, WGBH News: "A Suffolk Superior Court judge has denied Purdue Pharma's request to dismiss Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey's civil lawsuit against the company. The suit alleges that Purdue and its owners, the Sackler family, pursued an aggressive marketing campaign of its opioids, despite knowing they were highly addictive, and profited from the epidemic. Healey is one of 26 attorneys general not accepting a settlement deal with Purdue. The company filed for bankruptcy on Sunday as part of the settlement deal that estimates it is valued at more than $10 billion."
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| FROM THE DELEGATION |
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- "Dying shame: Lynch, Moulton to probe morphine theft at VA," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "Two Bay State congressmen are vowing to probe how a nurse at the Bedford VA Medical Center could reportedly water down doses of morphine for a dying veteran who may have suffered in his final hours because of the drug-tampering. "Our veterans deserve the excellent care that they have earned by their service — and this incident, even if it's rare, is unacceptable," U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch said. "So we've got to review our protocols and make sure that we're not missing something, that we're not leaving a veteran unnecessarily vulnerable." Lynch, a South Boston Democrat, said he will investigate the allegations and how the nurse was hired."
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| IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN |
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- "Faced with an uncertain future, young climate activists take to the streets," by Zoe Greenberg, Boston Globe: "The kids who are determined to save the planet were mostly born after 2000. They don't have time to sleep in and they forget to eat and they log 15-hour workdays. They'd like to talk policy. They want you to join them. For the past few months, a small group of high school students has been organizing a massive climate strike in Boston, part of a global series of actions ahead of a major United Nations climate summit in New York City."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "DYING SHAME," — Globe: "At last, a plan to overhaul school aid," "FOR CLIMATE STRIKE, THEY'VE DONE THEIR HOMEWORK." |
| NO PLACE LIKE THE CITY OF HOMES |
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- "Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno disagrees with city councilors on police use of facial recognition technology," by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: "A proposal by two city councilors to ban the use of facial recognition technology by the Police Department drew immediate opposition Thursday from Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who argued the technology could be used to fight crime. City Councilors Orlando Ramos and Adam Gomez are proposing new legislation to ban the use of the technology as other cities — including Somerville, as well as Oakland and San Francisco, California — have already done. Police officials said the department does not currently use facial recognition software."
COOL THING - POLITICO Magazine is launching its new "How to Fix Politics" project today. The magazine asked politicians, writers, academics and readers for their boldest ideas on how to fix corruption, gridlock, inequality, misinformation, participation and polarization in American politics. Among the contributors is former Gov. Michael Dukakis.
OVER THE WEEKEND - Rep. Ayanna Pressley and the Massachusetts Democratic Party will hold a get out the vote rally at Roxbury Community College on Sunday, ahead of the Boston preliminary election on Sept. 24. Boston City Council candidates who plan to attend are Alejandra St. Guillen, David Halbert, Jeff Ross, Julia Mejia, Priscilla Flint-Banks, William King, Alkia Powell, Justin Murad, Valerie Rust, Hélène Vincent, Kenzie Bok, Jonathan Allen and Lee Nave. Boston City Councilors attending are City Council President Andrea Campbell, Michelle Wu, Anissa Essaibi-George and Kim Janey; all are up for reelection.
FOR YOUR COMMUTE: Welcome to the Jungle Primary. On this week's Horse Race podcast, Steve Koczela and I run through the top moments from the Massachusetts Democratic state convention in Springfield last weekend. State House News Service reporter Chris Lisinski breaks down a proposed ballot question that aimed to change the way primaries are conducted here, and has the backing of Secretary of State Bill Galvin. And Rich Parr from the MassINC Polling Group gives us the lowdown on how transportation advocates in Western Mass are joining forces. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY - to John Hawthorne, who celebrated yesterday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley.
HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND - to Harvard Law professor Cass Sunstein, who celebrates Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers ESPN's Mike Knittle, Boston Globe Magazine editorial assistant Abigail DesVergnes, and your Mass. Playbook author.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Red Sox beat the Giants 5-4.
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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A message from Tobacco Free Kids:
There's a public health crisis spreading across the country - and it's small enough to fit in your kid's pocket.
E-cigarettes are hooking a new generation, thanks to Big Tobacco tricks like slick marketing, massive doses of nicotine, and thousands of kid-friendly flavors. Now, 5 million kids - including 1 in 4 high schoolers - use e-cigarettes. This growing public health emergency threatens decades of progress in lowering youth tobacco use. And it's getting worse.
We're building a nationwide movement to confront this crisis with the bold action our kids deserve. We must take flavored e-cigarettes off the market, stand up to companies like JUUL, and stop this escalating epidemic before it's too late. Learn More. |
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The politics of climate change are frozen in Washington. But beyond the Beltway, action on climate is heating up faster than ever. How are mayors and executives tackling climate change? Tune into POLITICO's "Global Translations" podcast to hear from Mike Bloomberg, the former Mayor of New York City and Ed Skyler, the Executive Vice President for Global Public Affairs at Citi, in a special branded episode by Citi. Subscribe and listen now: Apple Podcasts - Spotify - Stitcher |
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