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Presented by the American Heart Association
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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF!
TRAHAN AND KOH ARE READY FOR A REMATCH — The gloves are off in Rep. Lori Trahan's congressional district, and her old rival hasn't even made his likely primary challenge official yet. Trahan and 2018 opponent Dan Koh traded jabs in a story in today's Lowell Sun, as Koh considers running against her again.
The rivalry goes back to the midterm election, when both were candidates in a packed primary race for outgoing Rep. Niki Tsongas' seat. Trahan beat Koh by fewer than 150 votes in a tight contest that went to a recount last September.
For months, Trahan and Koh have tiptoed around one another. Koh has been hinting that he may challenge Trahan to a rematch after that narrow loss. Trahan often mentions she will likely have a primary opponent in her fundraising emails.
But it was news that Koh conducted a poll in the 3rd District that seemed to turn things up a notch this week. Not only did Koh confirm fielding the survey, he also hit Trahan on two complaints into her campaign finance records from last cycle.
"I believe the residents of the 3rd Congressional District deserve honesty and transparency from their elected officials, especially at a time when trust in government is threatened on a daily basis by the Trump administration," Koh told The Sun in a statement. "The lack of transparency relative to Congresswoman Trahan's potential breaking of the law to win an election has caused many residents of the district great concern, and I conducted a poll to get a better sense of the public's opinions on this and many other important issues."
Trahan hit back, accusing Koh of "playing politics" and feeling entitled to the seat.
"Dan Koh managed to lose last year, despite leading in the polls and outspending Lori Trahan by more than $2 million," Trahan's campaign told The Sun. "Dan Koh has been playing politics for months because he thinks he's entitled to serve in Congress. It speaks volumes that Dan Koh's first poll in the campaign is 100% negative and doesn't test any positive message about himself; he doesn't have anything positive to say about why he should be in Congress."
Boston Globe columnist Scot Lehigh took a similar stance in a scathing column this week, warning Koh: "If you challenge Trahan, she'll kick your tail." The Westford lawmaker also has the backing of the EMILY's List political action committee.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
TODAY — Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attends the U.S. Conference of Mayors 2019 fall leadership meeting in Rochester, MI. Rep. Richard Neal announces U.S. Department of Education grants for American International College. The Harvard Institute of Politics hosts a forum on impeachment with the Harvard Kennedy School's David Gergen, professor David King and Axios Politics Editor Margaret Talev.
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A message from the American Heart Association:
Sugary drinks are a major contributor to the increasing rates of diabetes and heart disease. And with our country already spending $190 billion per year treating these preventable diseases, we need to address the problem. Healthy drinks should be priced at an equal or lower cost than less healthy options. Learn more here. |
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NOMINATIONS WANTED: There's just one week left to submit your nominee for the 2019 Women Rule "Women of Impact." Tell us about the women you see on the front lines, moving the needle and changing the game in their respective fields. We are looking for women bringing their bold visions to life—whether they're running for office, leading a business, or championing a cause. We'll honor them at the Women Rule summit in December in Washington, D.C. NOMINATE A WOMAN OF IMPACT HERE.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "Massachusetts Senate passes $1.5 billion education funding bill after lengthy debate," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed a major overhaul of the education funding formula, which would require the state to spend another $1.5 billion annually on public education by the time it is fully implemented. The bill, dubbed the Student Opportunity Act, is the most significant update to the funding formula since it was established in 1993. It passed the Senate unanimously, 39-0. "This additional funding in the bill...will help every single school district in Massachusetts," said Senate Education Chairman Jason Lewis, D-Winchester."
- "SENATE PUNTS CHARTER SCHOOL ISSUES TO WORKING GROUP," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "The Senate was not keen on adopting charter school-related amendments to its education funding and reform bill Thursday, but there was enough of a desire among senators to address charters that Senate President Karen Spilka agreed to set up a panel to focus on charter policy. Ahead of the Senate's debate Thursday on a bill (S 2350) to put $1.5 billion in new investments into K-12 education over seven years, senators filed seven policy amendments related to charter schools. As of about 6 p.m., four had been rejected and two had been withdrawn from consideration."
- "13 immigrant rights activists arrested at Massachusetts State House," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Thirteen immigrant rights activists were arrested Thursday night after they refused to leave House Speaker Robert DeLeo's office in the Massachusetts State House. The activists sat at the entrance to DeLeo's office for more than three hours calling for the Winthrop Democrat to move forward on a bill that would offer driver's licenses to residents regardless of immigration status. The group, only identified as nine women and four men, were charged with trespassing, said Dave Procopio, spokesman for the Massachusetts State Police."
- "State could again alter rules on chicken cages," by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: "A voter-approved law requiring larger enclosures for egg-laying chickens could lead to shortages and higher prices when the new rules take effect in two years, a concern that has prompted lawmakers to revisit the standards. A proposal filed by Rep. Dan Cahill, D-Lynn, backed by the Humane Society of the United States and the New England Brown Egg Council, would reduce the confinement requirements from the voter approved 1.5 square-feet per bird to only 1 square foot. But the proposal also adds "enhancements" aimed at improving the welfare of egg-laying hens that supply the state's retail market."
- "State Halts Columbia Gas Pipeline Work Amid Concerns," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "Columbia Gas has been ordered to stop all non-emergency work on gas pipelines following a series of "troubling issues" identified by state regulators, including last week's gas leak in Lawrence that resulted in service shutoffs and forced evacuations. The Department of Public Utilities ordered Columbia Gas on Thursday to stop all work on its gas distribution systems in all service territories, including Lawrence, Springfield and Brockton, unless explicitly approved by DPU."
- "RMV licensing dysfunction fallout spreads to Rhode Island," by Danny McDonald and Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe: "The state of Rhode Island will send Massachusetts about 22,500 new notifications about motorists who broke traffic laws but escaped scrutiny here, widening the fallout from a deadly crash this summer that exposed a faulty system of sharing information among states about bad drivers, Massachusetts officials disclosed Thursday. The notices will add to the tally of suspended licenses in Massachusetts in recent months. Since the June crash in New Hampshire that killed seven, more than 6,300 driver's licenses have been suspended in Massachusetts."
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| PRIMARY SOURCES |
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- "Republicans not biting on 4th District congressional race," by Jim Hand, Sun Chronicle: "While a large crew of Democrats have jumped into the race for Rep. Joseph Kennedy III's congressional seat, Republican candidates have been slow to emerge. Local Republicans in the 4th Congressional District said they cannot think of a single member of their party willing to run at this stage. They said the lack of any candidates is due to the Democratic leanings of the district and the belief 2020 will be a rough year for the GOP in Massachusetts with President Donald Trump on the ballot. One area Republican said a GOP congressional candidate would spend the entire campaign answering questions about Trump."
- "That guy who AOC beat? He's hosting a fund-raiser for Joe Kennedy," by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: "Senator Edward J. Markey has progressive icon Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in his corner as he enters the reelection fight of his life. The longtime establishment figure Ocasio-Cortez unseated in her 2018 primary upset? Well, he is backing Markey's most formidable opponent, Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III. Former congressman Joe Crowley of New York is listed as a host on an invitation for an Oct. 15 "DC Kickoff" fund-raiser for Kennedy's Senate campaign, a copy of which was obtained by the Globe."
- "T notes: Big Orange Line shutdown starts Friday," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "FOR THE NEXT SIX WEEKENDS, the MBTA is shutting down seven downtown stations on the Orange Line to replace track and complete cosmetic and signage improvements at four of the stations. Between Sullivan Station and Tufts Medical Center, the Orange Line will shut down starting at 8:45 p.m. Friday night and reopen in time for the start of service Monday morning. The same shutdown process will be followed for the next five weekends."
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| THE VAPING SALES BAN |
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- "Massachusetts vape shop owners, employees in limbo as lawsuits challenge vape ban," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "The front door to all four Jolly Vapors stores are locked, the employees sent home. But that won't stop Jack Jolly's landlords from knocking on his door, looking for their rent checks. "My landlord in Lynn has giving me a grace period, but the other ones, I've got to talk to them," said the 37-year-old business owner, a lifelong North Shore resident. "I don't know what to do." While state and federal courts review challenges to Gov. Charlie Baker's four-month ban of vape sales, vape shop owners across Massachusetts are mulling over whether to shut down their shops permanently or wait for the possibility of legal action that would override the ban and let them reopen their stores."
- "Vape users, sellers rail against governor's ban on Beacon Hill," by Anastasia E. Lennon, Patriot Ledger: "Dozens of vape users and business owners gathered at the State House on Thursday afternoon with signs and vapes in hand to protest Gov. Charlie Baker's statewide ban on all e-cigarette products. Their message: This business isn't just about profit. "The money isn't the part that really scares us. It's taking away the chance for people to get a healthier way to quit (smoking)," said Nicholas Stewart, an e-liquid distributor from Toronto, Ohio. He sold products to more than 150 stores in Massachusetts before the ban took effect."
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| DAY IN COURT |
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- "The ACLU Is Suing Boston For Information About 'Operation Clean Sweep,'" by Zoe Mathews, WGBH News: "In a multi-day mission over the summer, the city of Boston, including its police and public works departments, organized and executed what it described as "Operation Clean Sweep." The operation resulted in dozens of arrests in the area around Melnea Cass Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue, where there are a number of substance abuse recovery programs and shelters. Mayor Marty Walsh argued everyone arrested had warrants and not a single person was arrested just for being homeless or addicted to drugs."
- "Why Vermont Raised Its Juvenile Court Age Above 18 — And Why Mass. Might, Too," by Deborah Becker, WBUR: "As Massachusetts considers changing the way it handles young criminal offenders, it is looking at what's happening north — specifically, to Vermont. Vermont is the first state to raise the age above 18 for when someone criminally charged goes to juvenile court, expanding what it's doing in hundreds of lower level criminal cases now. For example, this summer, in a small office in a nondescript government building in Burlington, Vermont, a seemingly routine meeting was taking place between a 21-year-old man and his probation officer."
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| WARREN REPORT |
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- "Reno airport officials apologize to Elizabeth Warren after protesters follow her to van," by Christina Prignano, Boston Globe: "Airport officials in Reno, Nev., are apologizing to Senator Elizabeth Warren after a group of demonstrators protesting her support of President Trump's impeachment followed the Massachusetts Democrat as she walked through the airport to a waiting minivan. In a video posted to Twitter on Wednesday by the chairman of the Nevada Republican Party, a group of protesters can be seen holding signs and shouting as she entered a public area of the airport with a handful of staffers. The group, some shouting the ethnic slur "Pocahontas" and cries of "don't impeach," followed Warren for about a minute as she walked out of the airport and into a waiting vehicle."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "JUSTICE UNDONE," — Globe: "Just one more thing for a mom to do: Time," "Trump asks China to review Bidens." |
| FROM THE 413 |
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- "Justice Ginsburg's assessment of today's political climate: 'an aberration,'" by Laurie Loisel, Boston Globe: "Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg may be known for thoughtful, finely honed legal opinions, but when asked Thursday what historians will see when they look back on this period in US history, she offered up a terse, two-word answer. "An aberration." Apart from the warm standing ovation that greeted Ginsburg when she took to the Amherst College stage, that was the only time during her talk that the capacity crowd of 1,600 broke into applause."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "Who is Fall River's mayor? A Superior Court judge will decide," by Jo C. Goode, Herald News: "A Bristol County Superior Court judge, after hearing more than an hour of arguments Thursday, is expected to rule soon on whether the City Council has the authority to temporarily remove embattled Mayor Jasiel Correia II from office as he faces two-dozen federal criminal charges. It's three little words - "or other cause" - contained in a provision in the new charter, approved by voters in 2017, that took center stage in the City Council's request for a preliminary injunction at the New Bedford courthouse."
- "Ashland residents rally against Eversource natural gas pipeline project," by Cesareo Contreras, MetroWest Daily News: "Deeply troubled over Eversource's plan to replace a 3.7-mile natural gas line that runs through town, Joel Arbeitman can't help but feel that the state's review system has taken away residents' power to decide what should happen in their town. "Right now, we have this case in front of the Energy Facilitates Siting Board. We don't get to decide what happens in our community. They do. We could go to court. We can fight, but ultimately, they decide and that's a problem," Arbeitman said Wednesday in Ashland's Senior Community Center."
FOR YOUR COMMUTE: PLANET OF THE VAPES - On this week's Horse Race podcast, we break down the #mapoli angle on the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. Rich Parr of the MassINC Polling Group walks us through the voting map for the Boston City Council preliminary election. Cannabis Control Commissioner Shaleen Title talks about why she opposes Gov. Charlie Baker's ban on vaping sales, and Boston Globe City Hall reporter Milton Valencia brings us up to speed on the bribery scandal playing out on the Boston Zoning Board of Appeals. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.
TRANSITIONS - Davis Malm's Courtney Simmons was appointed co-chair of the Boston Bar Association environmental law pro bono and public service committee.
MAZEL! to Darlene and John Murray who celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary today.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Rep. Joe Kennedy III, who is 39; Samantha Kelly, Miles Halpine of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute; Eliza Adelson, Alexis Cantor, Max German, Jon Tapper, Will von Meister and Steve Picheny
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? Yes! The Bruins beat the Stars 2-1.
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 the American Heart Association:
Consuming sugary drinks, such as fruit drinks with added sugar, sports drinks, and soda, poses a real health risk to kids. Sugary drinks are a major contributor to the increasing rates of diabetes and heart disease. And with our country already spending $190 billion per year treating these preventable diseases, we need to address the problem. Every child deserves to grow up at a healthy weight, which means promoting healthy beverage options - like water and milk. Healthy drinks should be priced at an equal or lower cost than less healthy options. Learn more here. |
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THE TOP 2020 ISSUE - Health care is the number one issue for many voters heading into 2020. We will bring a special edition of the POLITICO Pulse newsletter to the Milken Institute Future of Health Summit in Washington, D.C. from October 28 - 30. Dan Diamond will take you inside one of the most influential gatherings of health industry leaders and innovators as they tackle today's pressing health challenges—from rising costs to accessibility. Sign up today to receive exclusive coverage of the Summit.
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