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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
NEW: PRESSLEY'S ENDORSEMENT LIST — Rep. Ayanna Pressley is announcing her support today for several incumbent lawmakers and two political newcomers running for Congress. The irony is hard to miss: when Pressley was a primary challenger just last year, few elected officials here endorsed her congressional campaign. A year later, her backing is highly sought after.
The candidates named today are Pressley's first formal endorsements, and the list ranges across the country to include a Democratic primary challenger in Texas, a candidate running to replace Rep. Joe Kennedy III, and several existing House lawmakers.
"Each of these leaders has shown a passion for lifting up the voices of the people they represent and, in partnership with community, have been passionate and committed advocates on issues ranging from the right to access reproductive health care to housing justice to the rights of workers, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community," Pressley said in a statement.
Close to home, Pressley is backing Jesse Mermell, who is among the six Democrats running in the 4th District for Kennedy's seat. Mermell and Pressley are close friends.
"Congresswoman Pressley is a force for good, a force for people and a force of nature and I couldn't be more honored to have earned her support in this campaign," Mermell said in a statement.
Pressley is also endorsing fellow first-year Massachusetts lawmaker Rep. Lori Trahan, who is facing a likely a rematch from her 2018 Democratic primary rival Dan Koh. Trahan said she is "honored" by the endorsement in a statement, and called Pressley a "champion for hardworking people."
Nationally, Pressley is backing California Rep. Barbara Lee, Colorado Rep. Joe Neguse and Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer. Additionally, Pressley is endorsing Jessica Cisneros, who is running a Democratic primary campaign to unseat Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar.
"I am filled with pride and humility to receive the endorsement of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, who is one of the most outspoken advocates for the disenfranchised in Congress," Cisneros said in a statement.
MCGOVERN PUSHES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE — Rep. Jim McGovern will manage a resolution acknowledging the Armenian Genocide on the House floor today.
It is estimated that 1.5 million Armenians were systemically killed between 1914 and 1923 by the Ottoman Empire, which is now Turkey. The United States government has never fully acknowledged the tragedy, but a resolution that emerged on Monday night from the House Committee on Rules, which McGovern chairs, aims to change that.
The move comes at a tense time for U.S.-Turkey relations, but it is also significant for a number of people living in McGovern's home state. Massachusetts has one of the largest Armenian populations in the United States. Boston is behind only Los Angeles and New York when it comes to Armenian residents. Overall, around 25,000 Armenians live in Massachusetts.
"This measure is an opportunity for the House to speak loudly and about the Armenian Genocide and finally acknowledge what it actually was: A genocide," McGovern said, during his remarks on the Rules Committee on Monday night. "Although the executive branch has issued proclamations and congress has passed measures over the years on this, none in modern times have actually relayed all the facts and called it what it really was. "
"Enough with the euphemisms," McGovern continued. "That lack of acknowledgment has been a black mark on our human rights record. This resolution is our chance to finally change that. All I can say is: It is about time."
EXCLUSIVE: RON BELL JOINS MEJIA CAMPAIGN — Boston City Council at-large candidate Julia Mejia's campaign is getting a boost from a former Gov. Deval Patrick administration official today.
Ron Bell, who served as Patrick's senior adviser for community affairs, is joining Mejia's campaign as a senior strategist for field operations. Bell's focus will be on getting out the vote and citywide outreach in the home stretch before the Nov. 5 municipal election.
"As a community organizer, Julia understands the importance of bringing people together, particularly the Black and Latino community. She will be a strong advocate to help address the economic, political and education gaps that continue to affect these communities that are underrepresented in city government," Bell said in a statement.
Bell has been a voting rights activist and community leader for three decades, and founded the "Dunk the Vote" campaign, which has registered 50,000 new voters in Massachusetts over the last 25 years.
NEW: BAKER'S GREEN REPORT CARD — Gov. Charlie Baker's performance on energy and environmental issues ranged from an A- to a F, according to a new report released by several environmental groups this morning.
Baker's administration received an A- for climate resilience and water, a D- for solid waste and an F for environmental justice, according to the report. The document offered grades for nine issue areas, along with recommendations. The report was put together by the Charles River Watershed Association, Clean Water Action, the Conservation Law Foundation, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, Environment Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
TODAY — Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announces grants from the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative at Bridgewatear State University. Boston City Council President Andrea Campbell and BPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius hosts a discussion on Campbell's "Action for Boston Children" plan at the Boston Foundation.
The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of the Public Garden hold a Boston Common Master Plan meeting. Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg holds a grassroots fundraiser in Boston. Attorney General Maura Healey speaks on a panel at Harvard Business School.
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Bay State Wind delivers: on our promises, on our timelines and on our commitments. With the combined expertise of Ørsted and Eversource, we will deliver on our promise to bring clean, reliable offshore wind to Massachusetts. More at baystatewind.com
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "Ex-rep: DeLeo told me, vote for transpo bill or lose chairmanship," by Andy Metzger, CommonWealth Magazine: "JAY KAUFMAN, THE former state rep from Lexington, remembers a conversation he had with House Speaker Robert DeLeo the last time the Legislature considered raising taxes to pay for transportation. It was 2013, the morning before the House vote on a bill that would raise the gas tax 3 cents, index that tax to inflation (later rescinded by voters), jack up tobacco taxes, and impose a tax (later jettisoned by lawmakers) on some computer software services. Kaufman, who was the chair of the Revenue Committee, said he didn't think that tax package would provide enough new revenue to meet the transportation system's needs. But he said DeLeo told him that if he voted against the bill he would lose his chairmanship of the Revenue Committee."
- "DeLeo Hopes to Extend Run of House Into 2021-2022 Session," by Michael P. Norton, State House News Service: "House Speaker Robert DeLeo, already the state's longest continuously serving speaker, plans to seek re-election in 2020 and to extend his rule in the House in 2021. DeLeo, 69, shared his intentions with the News Service on Monday morning during a brief interview outside his office. "I'm in," said the Winthrop Democrat, who is on track next February to become the longest serving speaker in state history."
- "Governor's office gives 'the runaround to people who can't run,'" by Joan Vennochi, Boston Globe: "Around the same time Governor Charlie Baker was delivering a speech about the need for age-friendly, accessible housing, a small band of residents in wheelchairs gathered at the entrance to his State House office suite to draw attention to their own accessibility issues. A velvet rope and two staff aides blocked them from entering the reception area. In the Baker administration, accessibility is more relative theory than absolute gospel."
- "Negotiators Named to Hash Out Major Education Bill," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "Six lawmakers were named Monday to reconcile the House and Senate approaches to pouring $1.5 billion in new money into the state's K-12 education system over the next seven years and to avoid the pitfalls that imperiled last session's failed attempts to pass similar legislation. Both branches this month used as a starting point a bill that was unveiled by Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Robert DeLeo, and a conference committee will try to hammer out a compromise bill based on the amended bills that cleared both branches with overwhelming support."
- "Foxboro legislator's bill would change seat belt law," by Mia Ping-Chieh Chen, Sun Chronicle: "Two bills authorizing police to pull over and ticket drivers if anyone in the car is not wearing a seat belt have reignited a long debate over traffic safety vs. government interference. Under current law, police in Massachusetts can only issue a ticket for a seat belt violation if they pull the driver over for another offense. Under the "secondary enforcement" policy, it is illegal not to wear a seat belt, but that cannot be the reason for police to pull a driver over."
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| THE VAPING SALES BAN |
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- "Gov. Charlie Baker files vaping ban regulations with Secretary of State," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "Gov. Charlie Baker has filed regulations with the Secretary of State to keep his ban on vaping products in place, after a Superior Court judge ordered him to make regulatory changes. "We believe that means that the ban will remain in place," Baker told reporters at the Statehouse. Baker said he hopes the Department of Public Health as well as federal agencies will continue to collect data and provide guidance about what is causing the injuries and deaths associated with vaping."
- "State: Ban Costing Mass. Vaping Stores Up To $8M In Sales," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "The Baker administration projects that a three-month ban on retail nicotine and marijuana vaping products has the potential to cost private businesses $7 million to $8 million in sales. The estimate was included in paperwork filed with Secretary of State William Galvin's office by the Department of Public Health on Monday. The filing was required to implement an emergency regulation in compliance with a Superior Court judge's order that questioned the way Gov. Charlie Baker implemented his temporary ban on in-state vaping product sales."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "Massachusetts study raises concerns gambling addiction among working-class Asian immigrants," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "A study released last week raises concerns about the lack of multilingual entertainment and culturally sensitive counseling in Chinatown, suggesting it leaves certain working-class Asian immigrants vulnerable to gambling addiction. The study, led by UMass Boston researcher Carolyn Wong, found that without those resources, a number of low-income Asian immigrants who work long hours and face unresolved stress have come to rely on nearby casinos as their sole source of entertainment and relief. Cheap bus rides from Chinatown, buffet discounts and incentives to play only make the temptation harder to resist."
- "Did Amazon just ghost Braintree officials?" by Tim Logan, Boston Globe: "It sounds like Amazon is not coming to Braintree after all. The e-commerce giant is backing out of plans for a "last-mile" distribution center in the South Shore town, said Mayor Joseph Sullivan, even as it pushes ahead with plans for an even-larger such center in Revere. Sullivan said he didn't know why Amazon was scrapping plans for a 250,000-square-foot facility on Campanelli Drive near Braintree High School. He said he received notification last week from its landlord at the Braintree Commerce Center without an explanation. A company spokesman had no immediate comment."
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| PRIMARY SOURCES |
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- "Sen. Ed Markey nabs endorsements from Quincy, Lynn delegations," by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: "Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts picked up a host of endorsements in his re-election bid on Monday, including the delegations of both Quincy and Lynn. Markey, a longtime congressman before winning his Senate seat in 2013, faces Democratic primary challenges from U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy and labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan. The senator's campaign on Monday said almost a dozen lawmakers from Quincy and Lynn will back Markey."
- "Green New Deal Author Returns Fossil Fuel Donations, Highlighting A 'Growing Pain,'" by Alexander C. Kaufman, Huffington Post: "Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), a Green New Deal co-sponsor, last week returned $46,900 in donations after violating a pledge to reject money from the fossil fuel industry by accepting contributions from lobbyists who worked for oil and gas companies. In the first six months of this year, the senator raised $10,000 from six lobbyists whose clients included oil giants Chevron and BP. His campaign received an additional $5,000 from four lobbyists who worked for fossil fuel companies, according to a third-quarter Federal Election Commission filing released last week."
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| ALL ABOARD |
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- "Commuter rail group backs big expansion," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "A 25-MEMBER ADVISORY GROUP that has been studying the future of commuter rail for the last 18 months presented a fairly united front to state transportation officials on Monday, calling for an electrified regional rail system that offers riders more frequent service throughout the day. T officials had assembled six different options for policymakers to consider, ranging from alternative number one, featuring higher frequency commuter rail provided by diesel locomotives at a price of $1.7 billion in 2020 dollars, to a sixth alternative entitled full transformation, which calls for electrified service at 15 minute intervals on the entire system at an estimated cost of $28.9 billion in 2020 dollars."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "DA charges former Boston College student in connection with boyfriend's suicide," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "A South Korean woman who police say sent her boyfriend more than 780 "manipulative and threatening" text messages a day in the months leading up to his suicide has been charged with manslaughter, according to the Suffolk DA. DA Rachael Rollins said this morning Inyoung You, 21, of South Korea, was being charged with involuntary manslaughter for her role in the death of Alexander Urtula, 22, who leapt to his death from the top of the Renaissance parking garage on May 20 less than two hours before he was supposed to walk in his graduation ceremony from Boston College."
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| WARREN REPORT |
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- "Elizabeth Warren's Days Defending Big Corporations," by Stephanie Saul, The New York Times: "Elizabeth Warren had never taken on the federal government before. But in 1995, she found herself up against the Clinton administration, representing the Cleveland-based conglomerate LTV Steel. Even though LTV had sold off its coal mines during the 1980s, a new law required it to contribute to a health fund for retired miners. LTV believed that it should not have to pay. Those claims, the company said, should have been handled as part of its bankruptcy reorganization. Ms. Warren's job was to convince the Supreme Court to hear LTV's case."
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| DATELINE D.C. |
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- "Stephen Lynch to seek House Oversight chairmanship," by Laura Krantz, Boston Globe: "Representative Stephen Lynch of South Boston said Monday he plans to run to become chairman of the House's powerful Oversight and Reform Committee. The prestigious post is vacant after last week's death of Representative Elijah E. Cummings of Maryland, who has led the committee since Democrats gained the House majority in January. His funeral was Friday in Baltimore. The oversight committee has a major role in the impeachment inquiry into President Trump and its chair is one of the most influential members of Congress. The committee is the main investigative panel in the House, with broad authority to probe just about any matter."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "GO DIE," — Globe: "Ex-BC student charged in boyfriend's death," "Witness expected to tie Trump to Ukraine appeal." |
| FROM THE 413 |
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- "Ellsberg, co-conspirators share untold stories behind Pentagon Papers leak," by Greta Jochem, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Though the Pentagon Papers were first published in 1971, nearly 50 years later, details of the story are still coming to light. On Monday night, Vietnam War whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg and historian and economist Gar Alperovitz, delivered copies of the Pentagon Papers to newspapers, appeared for the first time together publicly to talk about the papers, classified documents that revealed unknown details of the U.S. government's involvement in Vietnam."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "Local elections hinge on housing this fall," by Tim Logan, Boston Globe: "Gradually, and sometimes grudgingly, the municipalities that ring Boston have built more housing in recent years, their leaders blessing apartment and condo buildings as part of a broad push to tackle the regional shortage that's driven rents skyward. This fall, however, some of those elected officials may pay a price for encouraging residential construction in their backyards. From Medford to Newton, Revere to Braintree, upcoming local elections could partially hinge on housing and development issues."
- "Falmouth selectman enters state Senate race," by Christine Legere, Cape Cod Times: "Falmouth Selectman Susan Moran on Monday became the first candidate from the Cape to enter the race for the state Senate seat being vacated by Viriato "Vinny" deMacedo. Moran announced her candidacy from the steps of Falmouth Town Hall. "The issues of clean water, supporting our seniors, funding for public education, alternative energy, continuing to fight to bring help to those impacted by the addiction epidemic, solutions to regional transportation, safe bridges and affordable housing for our working families are not Republican or Democrat issues. Those are not red or blue issues," Moran read from a statement."
TRANSITIONS - Sarah Merrefield was appointed senior program officer by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to POLITICO'S Steve Heuser, and Joanne Goldstein.
FOR YOUR COMMUTE: Pollin', Pollin', Pollin' on the River - On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Jenn Smith and Steve Koczela talk about a recent Boston City Council debate, and dissect the numbers in a new WBUR poll conducted by MassINC. Later, Colin Young of the State House News Service breaks down Gov. Charlie Baker's new health care proposal. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.
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