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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.
MARKEY'S RECYCLING — Sen. Ed Markey has been flooding reporters' inboxes with press releases this week. He announced endorsements from four Beacon Hill lawmakers — Sens. Pat Jehlen and Mike Barrett, and Reps. Natalie Higgins and Tram Nguyen.
The unusual thing, though, is that Markey already announced those endorsements back in August. Just before Rep. Joe Kennedy III announced he'd enter the Senate race, Markey rolled out a long list of 116 endorsements from state lawmakers.
The fact that Markey is repackaging his endorsements months later highlights a big hurdle for the Green New Deal writer: his need to capture attention. With President Donald Trump's impeachment, the presidential primary and former Gov. Deval Patrick's entry into the 2020 race, even the state's blockbuster Senate race is having trouble breaking through right now. Markey's name recognition and approval numbers lag behind Kennedy's, putting the onus on Markey to change the dynamic in the contest.
How hard is it to get some oxygen? Just look at what happened last week.
Back in September, Markey challenged Kennedy to a climate debate. For two months, Markey demanded Kennedy meet him on the stage. The advocacy organization Blue Mass Group even put a debate challenge clock on their website to pressure Kennedy to accept. Shannon Liss-Riordan, the third candidate in the race, agreed to go. But Kennedy's campaign insisted debates should not start until after the New Year.
When it came time for the forum, Kennedy didn't show up. It was the perfect opportunity for Markey to show some strength on his signature issue and make Kennedy look weak for not showing up.
But less than 24 hours after Markey and Liss-Riordan came off stage, rumors were swirling that Patrick, the former governor, would enter the presidential race. The spotlight quickly shifted off the Senate race and onto Patrick's uphill climb to the Democratic nomination. Markey's big moment had faded away.
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: RODRIGUES BACKING GROSSMAN — State Senate Ways and Means chair Michael Rodrigues is throwing his support behind Newton City Councilor Becky Walker Grossman's congressional campaign today.
"Becky Grossman is a strong progressive who will go to bat for Fall River and the entire South Coast," Rodrigues said in a statement. "Becky knows that tackling climate change goes hand in hand with creating new good-paying jobs right here in Fall River which is why I'm dedicated to helping her win this race."
The endorsement is a boost for Grossman because of Rodrigues' leadership role on Beacon Hill, and because of where he lives. Rodrigues lives in Westport and represents communities in the south part of the 4th District, including Fall River.
Of the seven candidates in the race to replace Rep. Joe Kennedy III, two hail from Newton and five live in Brookline. That means the entire slate of candidates will look to build inroads beyond Boston's leafy suburbs.
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: CONNORS BOOSTS AUCHINCLOSS FUNDRAISER — Newton City Councilor and candidate for Congress Jake Auchincloss will get a boost from well-known donor Jack Connors Jr. at a fundraiser in Newton tonight. Auchincloss is running against six other Democrats to replace Rep. Joe Kennedy III. Kennedy is vying for Sen. Ed Markey's seat.
Connors, a backer of Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, will deliver opening remarks at the Auchincloss fundraiser. The event is hosted by Laurie Glimcher, president of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard Medical School professor Gregory Petsko.
The fundraiser will be held in Newton from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., according to the invitation. The fundraiser website suggests a $2,800 donation.
As the field to fill the 4th District congressional seat continues to grow, the pressure is on for candidates to raise money and stand out in the crowded race. Former Alliance for Business Leadership President Jesse Mermell recently hosted a packed fundraiser in Boston for her campaign.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Massachusetts Playbook will not publish on Thursday Nov. 28 and Friday Nov. 29. I'll be back in your inbox on Monday Dec. 2.
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 Rep. Seth Moulton make a workforce development announcement in Lynn. Baker is a guest on WGBH's "Boston Public Radio." Moulton speaks at the North Shore Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner in Danvers. Former Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. visits Tufts University.
Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse signs the Green New Deal Pledge for his congressional campaign. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh makes an announcement regarding youth homelessness in Downtown Crossing. Walsh speaks at a Boston Fire Department promotional ceremony in Dorchester.
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 | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
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- "Senate sends bill banning handheld cell phone use while driving to Gov. Charlie Baker's desk," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "The Massachusetts Senate on Wednesday sent Gov. Charlie Baker a bill that would ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving, despite concerns by many senators over provisions meant to address racial profiling. Baker, who has voiced strong support for the general policy, has 10 days to sign, veto or return the bill with an amendment. "This bill will save lives," said Tom Brannelly, whose daughter Katie was killed at age 24 by a driver who had been texting."
- "Concerns on police bias linger after distracted driving vote," by Andy Metzger, CommonWealth Magazine: "OVERWHELMING VOTES IN the House and Senate to enact driver safety legislation belie enduring disagreements within the Legislature over how best to monitor and tamp down racial bias by police. The bill that was sent to Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday is now virtually guaranteed to become law, but the legislation was formed in an odd fashion that saw the usually veiled negotiations between House and Senate tumble into the public eye ."
- "Rausch is lone vote against distracted driving bill," by Jim Hand, Sun Chronicle: "State Sen. Becca Rausch was the lone vote against a distracted driving bill Wednesday, saying she was concerned about potential racial profiling at traffic stops. Rausch, D-Needham, said she "wholeheartedly supports" provisions in the bill that will ban the use of handheld electronic devices such as cell phones while driving. But she felt important safeguards were stricken from the final version of the legislation. "I really wanted to get to yes on this," she said."
- "Massachusetts Senate agrees to ban flavored tobacco products, including menthol, and tax e-cigarettes," by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: "The Massachusetts Senate Wednesday night passed a bill banning all flavored tobacco products, including mint and menthol, and imposing a 75% excise tax on e-cigarettes. The bill, if signed into law, would make Massachusetts the first state in the nation to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes. It is part of a policy intended to crack down on youth vaping and smoking."
- "Mass. Senate Votes to Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags," by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service: "The Massachusetts Senate approved a statewide ban on retail businesses offering single-use plastic bags, but the bill advanced Wednesday night with more dissent than usual from the Democratic ranks due to the way the bill surfaced. Retail businesses would be prohibited from offering customers thin, disposable plastic bags at the point of sale in most cases, and unlike versions of the bill the Senate backed in previous sessions, they would also need to charge a minimum of 10 cents for any paper or reusable bags offered to customers."
- "Departures Leave Big Dent in Senate GOP Caucus," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: "The Senate Republican caucus prepared on Wednesday to shrink by a third, as two of its six members said their goodbyes before moving on to other jobs. Sen. Viriato "Vinny" deMacedo of Plymouth said Wednesday would be his last day before he begins a new post at Bridgewater State University, and Sen. Donald Humason, the mayor-elect of Westfield, said he will officially resign sometime in January, the month he is scheduled to be sworn in."
- "Public hearing on Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker's vape ban set for Friday," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "State health officials will hold a public meeting on Friday to gather feedback on Gov. Charlie Baker's vape ban — a required legal step the state bypassed before issuing the four-month prohibition, according to a Superior Court judge. Suffolk Superior Court Judge Douglas Wilkins ruled on Oct. 21 that the Baker administration must, in effect, reissue the temporary ban as an emergency regulation and take regulatory steps that it skipped earlier, including holding a public hearing and assessing the fiscal impact on small businesses."
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| FROM THE HUB |
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- "The get-it-now age of Uber and Amazon has delivered something unexpected to Boston's doorstep — new traffic that worsens our soul-crushing snarl." Boston Globe Spotlight Team: "Nothing about the brown UPS delivery truck with the license plate R98004 stands out much, as it crawls through the clogged streets of downtown Boston each day, delivering the goods to satisfy our insatiable need to get everything we want, whenever we want. Except for this: Over the past four years, R98004 has become the most ticketed vehicle in all of Boston — with over 1,550 parking violations — doing way more than its share to make Boston's traffic congestion, already some of the worst in the nation, that much more severe and ceaseless. How do we know? We followed it. On one fall Friday, the Globe Spotlight Team spotted the truck illegally parked for fully 5 hours and 6 minutes of a 7 hour and 7 minute span during its shift."
- "Boston City Council recount set for December," by Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe: "Coming soon to Boston: A hand recount of 66,000 ballots. City elections officials on Wednesday officially approved recount petitions filed by the two candidates still vying for the City Council's fourth and final at-large seat, and plan to start re-counting ballots the first full weekend in December. Candidates Julia Mejia and Alejandra St. Guillen had both submitted petitions with at least 50 voter signatures from each of the city's 22 wards, after final election tallies showed Mejia ahead by only eight votes."
- "Non-profits in dispute over use of building in Four Corners area," by Daniel Sheehan, Dorchester Reporter: "Around 200 people attended Monday night's community meeting, most to voice opposition to TSNE's control of the building. Below, the exterior of 260 Washington St., as seen on Google Maps. Daniel Sheehan photo A sometimes-chaotic community meeting held Monday night at 260 Washington St. - the home of Urban Guild, Inc., a Four Corners-based non-profit organization - drew a crowd of more than 200 people, many of them upset over an escalating dispute between the Guild and Third Sector New England (TSNE), a nonprofit that owns the property and once teamed up with Urban Guild to propose a new facility for the site."
- "Michelle Malkin cites 'cancel culture' after Bentley University pulls plug on event," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "Conservative columnist Michelle Malkin is sounding a "cancel culture" alarm after Bentley University abruptly canceled an event slated for Friday in which the controversial author was to speak about her new book on the nation's immigration crisis. Malkin was to appear with Jessica Vaughan of the Center for Immigration Studies at an event put on by Bostonians Against Sanctuary Cities at Bentley University's LaCava Center. But after more than a month of planning, the university pulled the plug Tuesday citing contract violations."
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| PRIMARY SOURCES |
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- "Joe Kennedy III wants to abolish the Electoral College," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III is ramping up his push to abolish the Electoral College — aligning himself with the most progressive Democrats in a move political watchers say could help him win over liberal voters in his U.S. Senate run. "The idea is that we have a system that promises one person, one vote — yet the Electoral College doesn't live up to that promise," Kennedy told the Herald. "What you see as a result of it is millions of people every year, both conservative and progressive, have their votes taken for granted — not fought over, not earned."
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| WARREN REPORT |
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- "Sen. Elizabeth Warren wins backing of influential activist Ady Barkan," by Amy B Wang, The Washington Post: "Ady Barkan, an influential liberal activist who has ALS, endorsed Sen. Elizabeth Warren for president Wednesday, giving her a boost in the sometimes contentious Democratic debate over health care and Medicare-for-all. "She has the brains and the brawn and the moral clarity to overcome the challenges that we face," Barkan said in a video. "I've seen up close how she confronts a problem. She listens to the people most affected, she does her homework and then she comes up with a plan. A brilliant, workable plan."
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| ALL ABOARD |
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- "How transit-oriented development can help transform struggling urban cores in Massachusetts' gateway cities," by Aviva Luttrell, MassLive.com: "Across Massachusetts, gateway cities like Worcester, Lawrence and Lowell are struggling to deal with a lack of investment over the last three decades. As experts study how to revitalize these midsize urban cores, one strategy has emerged as a frontrunner — transformative transit-oriented development. Centering on future development in inclusive urban areas, this solution focuses on providing electrified high-frequency regional rail service and better integrating the state's many regional economies to give residents better access to jobs and other services."
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| PATRICK PRIMARY |
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- "Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick vows to 'earn my way' to future presidential debate stages," by Armando Garcia and Zohreen Shah, ABC News: "Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick won't be on the stage Wednesday night when 10 candidates convene in Atlanta for the fifth debate, but he vowed in an interview on ABC News' "Powerhouse Politics" podcast to "earn my way" onto future debate stages. "I understand that I have to earn my way onto that stage, and that's what I'm trying to do," Patrick told ABC News Political Director Rick Klein."
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| ON THE STUMP |
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- "80,239 Signatures: To Get On The Mass. Ballot, Campaigns Need Persistence — Or To Hire Pros," by Callum Borchers, WBUR: "Activists trying to put questions on the ballot in Massachusetts face a critical deadline Wednesday. They must submit more than 80,000 voters' signatures to show support for their efforts. It's a challenge that demands persistence — or enough money to hire professionals to harvest the signatures. In a grocery store parking lot last Friday, LaShena Jones-Butler went shopping for names. She offered a clipboard and pen to strangers who came for milk and bread, asking them to help get a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot that would restore voting rights to people incarcerated in Massachusetts."
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| DATELINE D.C. |
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- "Amazon's Ring Is 'Not Doing Enough' to Protect Privacy, Senator Markey Says," by Matt Day, Bloomberg: "U.S. Senator Ed Markey slammed Amazon.com Inc.'s Ring for what he called lax safeguards in sharing customers' video footage with law enforcement, accusing the video doorbell maker of not doing enough to protect users' civil liberties. Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, had asked Amazon for information about Ring's privacy policies in September, after the Washington Post reported that the company had hundreds of partnerships with local police offices. Under those agreements, authorities can ask smart doorbell owners to share footage captured by their devices through Neighbors, a Ring smartphone app ."
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| MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
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- "It's been a year since Mass. started selling recreational marijuana. Some frustrations remain," by Dan Adams and Naomi Martin, Boston Globe: "One year ago Wednesday, thousands of people lined up in the sleet for a chance to be among the first in a century to legally purchase recreational marijuana in Massachusetts. Twelve months after the first joints and edibles changed hands at shops in Northampton and Leicester, there are 33 cannabis stores in Massachusetts — and state and local officials agree that few of the dire warnings from opponents of legalization have come to pass. Still, frustrations and challenges remain."
- "Boston City Council passes major pot overhaul," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "The City Council passed a sweeping overhaul of its pot-shop approval process, moving to create a new marijuana oversight board and aiming to boost minority and resident applicants through regulations and a new fund. City Councilor Kim Janey's ordinance passed 12-1, and Mayor Martin Walsh supports it. The new board will give priority to applicants when more than half of the ownership meets various criteria including being black or Latino, having a prior conviction for selling pot and being a Boston resident for at least seven years."
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| ABOVE THE FOLD |
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— Herald: "JOE K'S COLLEGE TRY," "WHAT ARE THEY SMOKING?" — Globe: "We followed the president's orders." |
| IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN |
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- "Gas is in the past after second night of Brookline special Town Meeting," by Abby Patkin, WickedLocal: "Fossil fuels are out and Florida Ruffin Ridley is in, following the second night of Brookline's special Town Meeting. The town voted to give the Coolidge Corner School a new name, choosing activist and educator Florida Ruffin Ridley. When the name becomes official next September, the Ridley School will be the first in town to be named for a black woman, as well as the first to be named for a person of color in general. Town Meeting members also passed Article 21, which will prohibit the use of fossil fuel infrastructure in new construction and significant renovations in town."
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| THE LOCAL ANGLE |
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- "Marshfield trash drivers call off strike, leave jobs," by Shaun Robinson, The Patriot Ledger: "After 84 days on the picket line, trash collection drivers in Marshfield ended their strike and quit their jobs with Republic Services Wednesday morning. Teamsters Local 25, the union representing the drivers, said the workers will be given new jobs in "Teamster-covered industries" with union pensions and benefits. In a statement posted to Facebook Wednesday, Teamsters Local 25 President Sean O'Brien praised the drivers and called the strike "just one battle in a long war that we will win."
- "Leahy appears to have votes to be next Lowell mayor," by Elizabeth Dobbins, The Lowell Sun: "Just two weeks after city elections, John Leahy appears to have secured enough votes to become the city's next mayor. Lowell has Plan E form of government where the City Council selects a mayor from its ranks for a two-year term. This week, Councilor Rita Mercier and incoming Councilors Sokhary Chau, Daniel Rourke and John Drinkwater confirmed their support for Leahy's mayoral bid. Leahy will vote for himself, rounding out the five votes needed to secure the mayoral seat."
MAZEL! to Susan Brady, who was announced by Simmons University as the newest appointee to the Deloitte-Ellen Gabriel Chair for Women and Leadership.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Grafton state Rep. David Muradian; Matt Martinelli, who is 37; and Michael Lipson.
DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? No! The Clippers beat the Celtics 107-104.
FOR YOUR COMMUTE: DEVAL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL - On this week's Horse Race, hosts Jennifer Smith, Steve Koczela and Stephanie Murray discuss Boston's traffic problem, in light of a recent Boston Globe Spotlight report. Boston City Council President Andrea Campbell talks about her work on the council as her term wraps up, and her endorsement of Sen. Kamala Harris in the 2020 race. Former Gov. Deval Patrick aide Alex Goldstein gives his take on Patrick's last-minute entry into the presidential race. 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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