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Presented by NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts
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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
PEOPLE'S PLEDGE COULD EMERGE IN SENATE RACE — It looks like Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Joe Kennedy III and attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan could be close to an agreement to limit outside spending in the 2020 Senate primary.
The three campaigns are hammering out the language of a so-called People's Pledge, and plan to sign an agreement in the next week or two, according to a Kennedy campaign source.
Early in the campaign, Kennedy had called on his opponents to take a People's Pledge, which would limit spending from outside groups in the race. Liss-Riordan and Markey did not immediately agree to take the pledge, though Markey had been an outspoken proponent of such a pledge when he ran for Senate in 2013.
Over the last week or so, the Kennedy campaign reached out to Markey and Liss-Riordan with proposed language for the pledge and plans for a formal signing ceremony, according to the Kennedy campaign source. Markey did not immediately respond, the source said. But Liss-Riordan's campaign agreed, and confirmed plans to formally sign the pledge with Kennedy on Thursday morning.
Markey shifted his stance yesterday. Markey is "actively looking at" a People's Pledge agreement, his campaign director John Walsh confirmed last night. Kennedy and Liss-Riordan agreed to postpone the event because the Senate is in session, meaning Markey is at work in Washington, D.C.
"We look forward to working with the other two campaigns to finalize an agreement that ensures dark money is kept out of the primary race," Kennedy spokesperson Emily Kaufman said in a statement. A Liss-Riordan aide agreed it was "absolutely worth delaying a signing ceremony" to get all three candidates on board.
Just a week ago, Sen. Elizabeth Warren reiterated her support for the People's Pledge, which she took in her 2012 Senate race against Republican Scott Brown. Warren did not mention Markey by name, but said "you gotta take responsibility" and limit the influence of "big money" in elections, according to a Boston Globe report.
The People's Pledge hasn't been the only stalemate among the Senate candidates. Markey and Liss-Riordan are gearing up for a climate debate on Sunday night at Stonehill College, but it is not clear whether Kennedy will attend. Markey challenged his opponents to the climate-focused forum the morning Kennedy declared his Senate campaign in September. Kennedy has said that he's open to a climate debate, but that the debates should not begin until after the New Year.
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 at a North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce breakfast. Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Treasurer Deb Goldberg attend the Greater Boston Food Bank's Chain of Giving. Rep. Katherine Clark and Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts discuss gun reform at The Wing in Boston. Senate President Karen Spilka and state Sen. Cindy Friedman unveil prescription drug access, cost and transparency legislation.
Walsh speaks at the annual HubNob event, which benefits the Foundation for Boston Centers for Youth & Families. Former Vice President Joe Biden holds a fundraiser in Boston. Rep. Joe Kennedy III joins a Roca discussion on Central American youth in Cambridge, reads to children at Bright Horizons in Needham, and takes a small business walk in Mission Hill. Rep. Richard Neal addresses the New England Council in Boston.
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A message from NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts:
Massachusetts, we have to do better. Healthcare decisions should be made between a patient and her doctor. Support the ROE Act today, because anything medical should never be political. Learn More |
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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— "State Police boss Colonel Kerry Gilpin steps down," by Matt Rocheleau, Matt Stout and Andrea Estes, Boston Globe: "Scandal elevated Kerry Gilpin to the head of the Massachusetts State Police, and her two-year tenure never escaped its shadow. Gilpin said Wednesday that she will step down after presiding over a succession of crises — most notably a sprawling overtime fraud scheme — that exposed systemic problems and badly eroded public trust. Her departure may be the first of many changes at the state's largest law enforcement agency, with Governor Charlie Baker weighing a new package of reforms."
— "Senate Rolling Out Plan to Tame Drug Prices," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "With the high cost of prescription drugs frequently flagged as an untenable driver of health care spending and an impediment to quality care, Senate leaders have come up with an ambitious plan they believe will help drive down the cost of expensive and unfairly priced drugs. The proposal to improve access to medication arrives three weeks after Gov. Charlie Baker put forward his own sweeping health care bill that seeks to cap the growth of expensive pharmaceuticals."
— "Menthol Defense Colors Flavored Tobacco Ban Talks," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "With their stores shuttered for the day, more than 100 convenience store owners gathered outside the State House on Wednesday to amplify their opposition to efforts at the city and state level to ban menthol cigarettes along with flavored vaping and tobacco products. While it appears increasingly likely that the Legislature will seek to put some guardrails on vaping in the coming weeks, convenience store owners have been upping the pressure on lawmakers to keep their focus on that issue, which is blamed for a nationwide outbreak of lung illnesses and related deaths, and to leave paper cigarettes alone ."
— "Child Care Measure Seen as Way to Lure Candidates," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: "Sen. Patricia Jehlen knocked on every door in her ward when she first ran for Somerville School Committee in the 1970s, she said Wednesday. And while she did, her 2- and 4-year-old children stayed "every night" with a friend of hers who'd agreed to watch them. "I'm here because of that," Jehlen said Wednesday as she touted legislation that would allow candidates and officeholders in Massachusetts to use their campaign funds to cover campaign-related child care expenses."
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| WHAT CITY HALL IS READING |
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— "With fourth winner still unclear in at-large City Council race, a recount looms," by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "City officials said Wednesday that it could take days to officially tally the results of this week's City Council election — and declare the winner of the council's fourth at-large seat — as one candidate claimed victory and another, only 10 votes down, called for a citywide recount. Julia Mejia, a political newcomer, placed fourth according to the first-pass count of Tuesday's race, while Alejandra St. Guillen, a community advocate, was so close she shared the same percentage of the vote, 11.18 percent."
— "Mayoral speculation swirls around Wu after strong election results," by Sean Philip Cotter and Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "Michelle Wu's strong first-place showing in Tuesday's City Council election is fueling further speculation about a possible 2021 mayoral run — though Wu and Walsh continue to skirt questions about the possible race. "It was an extraordinary vote for Wu," said former city councilor Larry DiCara said. Referring to Wu's Roslindale home, he added, "I'd be surprised if after she's put the boys to bed tonight it's not a topic for discussion in Ward 18, Precinct 10." Wu, speaking to the Herald on Wednesday, continued her normal practice of dodging questions about whether she's mulling a challenge of Mayor Martin Walsh."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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— "Massachusetts reports 3rd death linked to vaping," The Associated Press: "Massachusetts health officials say a third state resident has died from a vaping-related lung illness. The state Department of Public Health announced Wednesday that a man in his 50s from Worcester County died, after telling officials he vaped both nicotine and the marijuana compound THC. Officials say more than 200 suspected cases of vaping-associated lung injury have been reported to the health department since September."
— "Friends, Neighbors Treat Doyle's Auction Like An Irish Wake," by Meghan B. Kelly, WBUR: "The recently closed Doyle's opened its doors again on Wednesday to auction off almost everything — from bar stools to beer glasses to historical photographs. One group is hoping to preserve the longtime Jamaica Plain institution, though not as a pub. Representatives from Save Doyle's Cafe gathered signatures for a petition to keep the building open as a community space. In addition, said Cranmer, the Boston Public Library has plans to photograph and scan as many of the items as possible for a future virtual gallery."
— "Roxbury Vote For 'Nubian Square' Clears Way For Name Change," by Saraya Wintersmith, WGBH News: "Even though Boston voters Tuesday rejected changing the name of Dudley Square to Nubian Square, precincts in and around Roxbury's commercial district overwhelmingly endorsed the idea. City officials have said the nonbinding question could only be posed citywide, but they would pay close attention to the election results near the square. Two-thirds of ballots in the 16 precincts supported the change, according to the city's analysis ."
— "Wynn CEO: Encore spending levels will decline," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE of Wynn Resorts signaled on Wednesday that the company needs to rein in costs at the Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, with the casino and hotel reporting a nearly $41.7 million operating loss for the three-month period ending September 30. During a conference call with financial analysts after the release of the company's third quarter report, CEO Matt Maddox said Encore Boston Harbor was still ramping up operations and tweaking its business model."
— "Emerson College Plans To Absorb Vermont's Marlboro College," by Kirk Carapezza, WGBH News: "Emerson College in Boston and financially-struggling Marlboro College in Vermont plan to become one, the schools announced Wednesday morning. Under the latest consolidation of small colleges in New England, Marlboro's 200 undergraduates can move from the hills of southwestern Vermont to the edge of Boston Common. Emerson is in line to absorb the Vermont college's $30 million endowment and real estate, worth around $10 million."
— "Proposed Changes to Mattapan Development Undercuts Civic Group's Deal," by Saraya Wintersmith, WGBH News: "A Mattapan neighborhood association thought it had a firm agreement with the developer of a mixed-use project near the busy intersection of Morton Street and Blue Hill Avenue — until that developer asked the city for permission to make big changes."
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| PRIMARY SOURCES |
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— "Newton City Councilor Running for Congress With 'Fierce Urgency of a Mom,'" NBC 10. Link.
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| WARREN REPORT |
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— "Pressley breaks with 'squad' and endorses Warren for president," by Caitlin Oprysko, POLITICO: "Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley endorsed Sen. Elizabeth Warren for president on Wednesday, landing the senator a powerful ally and making Pressley the only member of the liberal freshman "squad" to back a 2020 candidate other than Bernie Sanders. Calling Warren a "bold, compassionate leader" who would "put power back in the hands of people," Pressley said in a statement that "I am so grateful to call Elizabeth Warren a friend, a partner in good, and my Senator. I am proud to endorse her candidacy for President.'"
— "Is Elizabeth Warren 'angry' and antagonistic? Or are rivals dabbling in gendered criticism?" by Matt Viser and Annie Linskey, The Washington Post: "Over the past few days, two of the leading male candidates in the Democratic presidential primary race — Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg — have escalated separate lines of attack as they attempt to counter the field's most prominent woman: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is antagonistic and angry. She also is an uncompromising elitist, they argue, suggesting that if she were the nominee, it would harm the party in the must-win states in the upper Midwest. The new attacks, marking a more vigorous phase of the race, get at something far beyond her policy positions, and into one of the most fraught areas for a female candidate: Is she likable?"
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| MOULTON MATTERS |
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— "Rep. Seth Moulton: Congressional Trump Supporters 'Living In La La Land' After Sondland Testimony," WGBH News: "House Republicans who still maintain President Donald Trump did not lay out a quid pro quo arrangement with the president of Ukraine are "living in la-la land," Rep. Seth Moulton said Tuesday, after the release of a testimony transcript from EU Ambassador Gordon Sondland. "Some of these guys are living in la-la land and trying to blindly support the president," Moulton told Jim Braude while on Greater Boston Tuesday."
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| TRUMPACHUSETTS |
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— "Melania Trump visits Boston Medical Center amid employee protests," by Victoria McGrane and Emily Sweeney, Boston Globe: "Kissing babies used to be the most banal, feel-good move a public figure could make. Not in the Trump era. First lady Melania Trump sparked controversy and outrage with a visit to Boston Medical Center on Wednesday to highlight its innovative treatment programs for moms and their babies born dependent on drugs. Some 250 employees signed a letter asking hospital administrators to cancel it, and then organized a protest to coincide with her visit to a ground-breaking program that emphasizes cuddling — by mothers and volunteers — as a way to ease the babies' symptoms."
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| MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
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— "Cape towns subpoenaed over pot agreements," by Ethan Genter, Cape Cod Times: "The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts has sent grand jury subpoenas to at least four Cape towns seeking information about their host community agreements with marijuana companies. Wellfleet, Mashpee, Eastham and Provincetown received subpoenas in the last few days to attend a grand jury session in Boston on Nov. 14 or to provide records related to the agreements. The agreements set the rules between the businesses and the towns, and marijuana companies must execute such an agreement before they may open."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "CHANGE COMING," "DOSE OF HATE," — Globe: "State Police head stepping down," "Top diplomat said Giuliani was key to Ukraine push," "VISIT DRAWS PROTESTS." |
| FROM THE 413 |
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— "Following defeat in school construction funding vote, Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse declares the fight is 'not over,'" by Patrick Johnson, Springfield Republican: "Mayor Alex Morse on Wednesday responded to the defeat of a funding plan to construct two middle schools by declaring the fight for quality public education in Holyoke must continue. "I want to be clear: the fight to ensure that every student in Holyoke Public Schools has access to a high-quality education in a safe, state-of-the-art facility is not over," Morse said in a statement Wednesday morning."
— "The Whole 2019 Yards: Surveying the Valley Fallout," by Matt Szafranski, Western Mass Politics & Insight: "A collective whoosh swept through the Pioneer Valley as candidates and prognosticators sighed as results from open mayoral contests and contentious council races concluded at last. Cities throughout the region had mayoral contests, including open seats in Chicopee and Westfield. Others had noisy Council races including here in Springfield where three new faces will join the municipal legislature in January."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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— "Worcester School Committee winners take different messages from election," by Scott O'Connell, Telegram & Gazette: "The new-look School Committee won't look too different when it is seated in January. The four incumbents - Jack Foley, John Monfredo, Dianna Biancheria and Molly McCullough - retained their spots on the committee relatively easily in Tuesday's election. And one of the two nonincumbents to win a seat out of the seven challengers in this year's field is Tracy O'Connell Novick, who served on the committee from 2010 to 2015."
— "Quincy Chief address connections between department, McCallum suspects," by Mary Whitfill, The Patriot Ledger: Police Chief Paul Keenan has confirmed long-rumored connections between the Quincy Police Department and suspects recently arrested in connection to the Squantum death of Christopher McCallum. Matthew and Steven Potter, who were arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Norfolk Superior Court, are the sons of now-retired, 30-year Detective Sgt. Richard Potter, Keenan said. They also have a sister on the force."
— "Heroux's winning percentage was big, but not nearly the biggest in Attleboro mayoral election history," by George W. Rhodes, Sun Chronicle: "Mayor Paul Heroux scored a big win over city council Vice President Heather Porreca in Tuesday's election, capturing 67 percent of the vote — a landslide in political parlance. But that percentage is only the 10th highest for a mayoral candidate in city history. Still, it's more than twice the lowest ever winning percentage, 31 percent, which was registered nearly 100 years ago."
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A message from NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts:
The ROE Act is transformative legislation that will break down unjust barriers to safe, legal abortion and build healthier, more equitable communities. It takes politicians out of the doctor's office, and allows patients and their health care providers to make informed medical decisions without political interference. Support the ROE Act today, because anything medical should never be political. Learn More |
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| MEDIA MATTERS |
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— "Editor of Cape Cod Times to step down after 19 years," by Don Seiffert, Boston Business Journal: "Paul Pronovost, the longtime top editor at the Cape Cod Times, is stepping down from his role just days before its parent company is slated to complete its merger with the nation's largest newspaper chain. According to a memo to staff dated Wednesday, Pronovost is leaving after 19 years as executive editor and general manager of The Cape Cod Times and the Cape weeklies owned by GateHouse Media."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to JALSA Executive Director Cindy Rowe, and Tsongas alum Joe Tutino, who turns 3-0.
FOR YOUR COMMUTE: PAC It Up, PAC It In- On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Stephanie Murray and Jennifer Smith break down the 2019 municipal elections. Boston Business Journal digital editor Gintautas Dumcius talks about how candidates backed by the Massachusetts Majority Super PAC performed in local elections, and Coalition for Safe and Secure Data spokesperson Conor Yunits discusses a "Right to Repair" ballot question that could be coming down the pike. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.
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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