Happening Today

Public Health Council, Goldberg-Orrall debate, Trahan-Green radio appearance

Public Health Council revisits its past approval of a determination of need application in connection with the Beth Israel-Lahey Health merger and reviews a report on an outbreak of HIV infections among people who inject drugs, 250 Washington Street, Boston, 9 a.m.

American College of Surgeons Massachusetts Chapter‘s annual advocacy day on Beacon Hill focuses on bleeding control, with state Rep. Shawn Dooley offering remarks, Great Hall, 9:30 a.m.

— U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy, Michael Curry of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and Margarita Alegria, chief of the disparities research unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, participate in a panel discussion on racial and economic disparities in access to mental health services, WeWork, One Beacon St., Boston, 10 a.m.

Energy Facilities Siting Board holds an evidentiary hearing on the petition of Vineyard Wind for approval to construct transmission facilities for the delivery of offshore-wind energy to an Eversource substation in Barnstable, One South Station, 5th Floor, Hearing Room A, Boston, 10 a.m.

Health Policy Commission’s Care Delivery Transformation Committee meets with an agenda to review updates on accountable care organization certification standards and the evaluation on the Health Care Innovation and Investment program, 50 Milk St., Boston, 11 a.m.

— Attorney General Maura Healey and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft will engage with middle and high school students in connection with their program ‘Game Change: The Patriots Anti-Violence Partnership,’ Gillette Stadium, 1 Patriot Place, Foxborough, 11:30 a.m.

— Gas workers with USW Locals 12003 and 12012 protest outside the headquarters of Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA to call on local National Grid president Marcy Reed to resign from the Blue Cross board, Blue Cross Blue Shield HQ, Prudential Center, Boylston St., Boston, 12 p.m.

Mass. Women’s Political Caucus hosts its Tribute to Abigail Adams, with Senate President Emerita Harriette Chandler receiving the Dolores Mitchell Lifetime Achievement Award and City Councilor Ayanna Pressley providing remarks, Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston, 6 p.m.

— Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and her Republican challenger, Rep. Keiko Orrall, debate for the first time, with WGBH’s Jim Braude acting as moderator, Greater Boston, WGBH-TV, 7 p.m.

— Democrat Lori Trahan and Republican Rick Green, candidates for congress in the Third District, participate in WBZ NewsRadio’s ‘Talk the Vote’ event, with questions from radio listeners and members of live audience, Massachusetts School of Law, 500 Federal St., Andover, 8 p.m.

For more calendar listings, check out State House News Service’s Daily Advances (pay wall – free trial subscriptions available) and MassterList’s Beacon Hill Town Square below.

Today’s Stories

‘New York, New York’: Sox defeat Yankees, bitter tabloids seethe

First, the top non-political/government news of the morning: The Red Sox beat the Yankees in nail-biter fashion last night, giving the series to our local heroes and now it’s on to Houston, as reported by the Globe and Herald and New York Times. But here’s the real fun part: The New York Post and the Daily News are in a lather this morning over the Sox’s post-game ‘New York, New York’ celebratory taunts. Gotta love it. … Now on to all things political. …

‘No knockout’: Baker and Gonzalez debate turns gubernatorial race into a race

Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and Democratic rival Jay Gonzalez squared off last night in the first of three gubernatorial debates – and, by most accounts, it was a spirited debate in a race that hasn’t been exactly spirited. The two tangled over education, transportation, taxes and even Republican U.S. Senate candidate Geoff Diehl.

We liked this summary from the Globe’s Joshua Miller and Matt Stout: “Throughout the one-hour forum, Gonzalez tried to tie Baker to President Trump, paint him as a GOP stooge, and criticize his tenure as falling woefully short of the challenges of our time. … Baker, who holds a massive lead in public opinion polls, aimed to parry the attacks, sharply criticized Gonzalez’s 3½-year tenure as state budget chief, and trumpeted his record over the last four years.” SHNS’s Katie Lannan (pay wall) and MassLive’s Shira Schoenberg have more.

WBZ’s Jon Keller, who moderated the televised debate on WBZ-TV, says there was “no knockout” blow last night but both candidates acquitted themselves well, though he gave the edge to Baker. But the Globe’s Adrian Walker writes that the underdog Gonzalez may finally have succeeded in turning a non-race into an actual race. There’s more on the debate at WBZ-TV.

Democratic mayors sing the praise of Baker in new campaign video

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera are among the list of Democratic and Independent mayors (and one Democratic state legislator, Rep. David Nangle) singing the bi-partisan praise of Republican Gov. Charlie Baker in a new web video. Shira Schoenberg at MassLive understandably focuses on Sarno, but her story is accompanied by the video showing the others gushing over Baker.

MassLive

DPU chairwoman accuses National Grid of ‘persistent disregard’ of pipeline safety rules

Department of Public Utilities chairwoman Angela O’Connor, in announcing its move to slap a moratorium on non-emergency gas pipeline work by National Grid, bluntly accused the utility of “persistent disregard for federal and state pipeline safety regulations” and she tied the recent gas-line scare in Woburn to an “overpressurization event” caused by utility workers. The Herald’s Sean Phillip Cotter and SHNS’s Michael Norton at WCVB have the details.

Meanwhile, National Grid yesterday defended its use of pipeline replacement workers in the wake of the Woburn incident, reports Michael Levenson and John Ellement at the Globe. But locked-out union members at National Grid are slamming the utility over the Woburn mishap, reports the Herald’s Cotter in a separate piece.

Now comes the hard part in Merrimack Valley: Hooking up individual homes

The push to repair and replace gas pipelines throughout the Merrimack Valley is actually running ahead of schedule, with work crews having already installed more than 20 miles of gas lines in the area, reports SHNS’s Katie Lannan(pay wall). But Lannan and Kristin LaFratta at MassLive report that Columbia Gas is warning that the biggest challenge still lies ahead: Hooking up gas service to thousands of individual homes in the region.

Separately, Kiera Blessing at the Eagle-Tribune reports that Columbia Gas has now guaranteed it will pay for the replacement of all gas-fired boilers, furnaces, clothes dryers and other appliances damaged by the recent gas-line fires and explosions in the area. 

Citing gas disaster, Galvin retains control of Lawrence elections

Speaking of the Merrimack Valley gas-line disaster: Over the objections of Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, Secretary of State William Galvin says his office will retain control of voting operations in Lawrence at least through election day on Nov. 6—in part because of concern the city would not be able to get absentee ballots into the hands of residents displaced by last month’s natural gas debacle, Keith Eddings reports at the Eagle -Tribune. 

Eagle-Tribune

Pray tell: Kavanaugh confirmation might actually be beneficial to Massachusetts?

David Bernstein at WGBH says that the controversial confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court – and the possibility of the high court now swinging to the hard right on social issues – might actually benefit blue states like Massachusetts, as skilled Millennial professionals move to regions of the country to live and work in more progressive environments.

It should also be noted that a rightward swing by the court on issues like abortion and gay rights could politically galvanize left-leaning voters across the country, not just in blue states, providing a big political benefit as well to the left.

WGBH

More evidence Massachusetts doesn’t have its fiscal house in order

A day after the Globe’s Evan Horowitz reported that credit-rating agencies were nervous about the inadequate size of the state’s “rainy day” fund, now comes this, via Shira Schoenberg at MassLive: “Massachusetts’ fiscal condition is one of the worst in the country, according to a new ranking by the Mercatus Center at George Washington University The 2018 ranking of all 50 states’ fiscal conditions puts Massachusetts at number 47.”

MassLive

Looks like you’ll just have to wait for those marijuana cafes

From the BBJ’s Jessica Bartlett: “The state’s cannabis industry overseer says it will be years before the first so-called ‘marijuana cafes’ are allowed to open, despite ongoing efforts to regulate social consumption of the drug.” So that also means no marijuana yoga classes anytime soon, btw. Gintautas Dumcius at MassLive has more, including how it may take legislative action to ultimately clear the way for pot bars and cafes.

BBJ (pay wall)

Charlton attracts yet another would-be marijuana farmer

Still on the subject of pot: Maybe it’s something in the water? A fourth would-be grower of marijuana is now seeking approval for an operation in the town of Charlton, where earlier proposals have been the subject of lawsuits and attempts to roll back zoning laws. Debbie LaPlaca reports at the Telegram that the latest proposal is for a cultivation-only site on Route 20—just across from Tree House Brewing Co., the popularity of which has caused traffic snarls in the area. 

Telegram

Lessons learned, Brianna Wu looks ahead to next election

Brianna Wu, who waged an unsuccessful primary challenge against U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, writes in Marie Claire that she is already looking ahead to the next Congressional election cycle. Wu gives herself props for landing 25 percent of the vote against Lynch and writes, “For 2020, I know what went wrong, and now I know how to fix it.”

Marie Claire

Report: ‘State police sought to destroy Logan pay records’

A State Police transparency update from Jack Sullivan at CommonWealth magazine: “State Police tried to destroy 12 boxes of payroll files for detail and roster assignments involving its embattled division at Logan Airport but were blocked because of the ongoing investigation into overtime abuse that has rocked the department and triggered dozens of retirements.”  

Btw: They’re claiming they were just trying to follow bureaucratic rules.

CommonWealth

Globe hits milestone of 100,000 digital subscribers. But where are the advertisers?

This is good news for the those who are concerned about the sustainability of quality journalism in the digital age: The Boston Globe is confirming that it now has 100,000 online subscribers, a feat the BBJ’s Don Seiffert describes as a “milestone for the paper as well as for regional dailies in the U.S.” And it’s indeed welcome and encouraging news. But where are the advertisers? That’s still the missing business-model key for digital news outlets, who are competing with Facebook, Google and others for the finite ad dollars out there.

BBJ (pay wall)

Boston’s booming economy: Booming for some, not for others

The Boston Foundation has a new report out that says it’s easier to get ahead in economically booming Boston than in other cities across the country. But that’s on average – for the booming economy isn’t necessarily booming for local blacks and Latinos. The Globe’s Katie Johnston has the details on the foundation report.

Boston Globe

Woods Hole neighbors throw cold water on new ferry terminal design

Residents of Woods Hole blasted a design unveiled by the Steamship Authority for a new $60 million terminal building, saying it blocks views of the harbor and doesn’t fit with the classic Cape Cod feel of the village, George Brennan reports at the Martha’s Vineyard Times. 

Martha’s Vineyard Times

Legislative candidate who lost brother to gun violence reaches out to relatives of weekend murder victims

Sadly, Liz Miranda, poised to win election to the Massachusetts House next month, knows what it’s like to lose a loved one to gun violence, after her brother was gunned down last year in the Theater District. Now she’s opening up her campaign offices, as a place to gather and grieve, for relatives of the five murder victims in Boston over this past weekend, Universal Hub’s Adam Gaffin reports.

Universal Hub

Hospitals to docs: Please disclose your potential multimillion-dollar side deals with drug firms

Alarmed by a controversy in New York over undisclosed multimillion-dollar payments from pharmaceutical firms to physicians, Boston hospitals are warning local docs that they must publicly disclose all their financial relationships with drug and medical-device companies, reports the Globe’s Liz Kowalczyk.

Boston Globe

Arbitrator raps state agency over broadband debacle

From Larry Parness at the Berkshire Eagle: “Though he stopped short of calling it fraud, the arbitrator who decided against the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative last week had harsh words for the quasi-public agency responsible both for the broadband ‘middle mile’ and its financial shortcomings.  Philip D. O’Neill Jr. rapped actions taken by Mass Tech as it sought to ‘elude its duty’ and ‘escape the consequences of its own promises.’”

Berkshire Eagle

Could P&G’s sale of Gillette property fetch more than $200M?

It’s any eye-popping potential sale number for 6.5 acres: $216 million. But the BBJ’s Catherine Carlock (pay wall) reports Procter & Gamble may yet get that price for selling off property near its Gillette factory in Boston’s Fort Point, based on P&G’s sale of nearby property just two years ago.

Six of 10 Massachusetts cities and towns earn perfect LGBTQ scores

From Jim Russell at MassLive: “A national advocacy group for LGBTQ rights in a report released Tuesday said six of 10 Massachusetts cities and towns it rated earned a perfect ‘Municipal Equality Index’ score of 100. Northampton scored 100, as did Worcester, Boston, Cambridge, Salem and Provincetown in the ‘Municipal Equality Index.”

The sentiment behind such scores might explain why the campaign to preserve the state’s new transgender-rights law, via Question 3, is far outpacing opponents in fundraising during the current election cycle, reports the Globe’s Stephanie Ebbert.

Despite impressive gains, Boston may not hit its ambitious goal of eliminating homelessness this year

They’re trying – and they’ve made great strides. But Lynn Jolicoeur at WBUR reports the city of Boston probably won’t hit its ambitious goal of eliminating chronic homelessness by the end of 2018. Still, here’s a prediction: Other cities across the country will be copying much of what Boston has learned and done over the past three years. They’ve proven the problem of homelessness is not intractable.

WBUR

Protesters oppose state-approved logging in Wendell State Forest

From Mary Serreze at MassLive: “A state-approved logging contract for the Wendell State Forest has some people alarmed. On Thursday, a group of local residents will travel to Boston to deliver a petition  asking the administration of Gov. Charlie Baker to halt the forest cutting project near Broad Brook Road (in Erving).”

Cape Cod’s seals: Cute and cuddly or shark-attracting and mackerel-stealing nuisances?

After the recent fatal shark attack off the coast of Wellfleet, Sarah Tan at WGBH reports on the ongoing debate on Cape Cod over the dramatic increase in the gray seal population – and how seals attract sharks who view them as fine meal potential, thank you. 

But not all seal complaints are tied to sharks. “They’re stealing fish off hooks, they’re eating fish in the wild, they’re corralling huge schools of blue fish, striped bass, haddock, pollock mackerel, our business of fishing commercially and recreationally, which is already very suppressed, now we have another layer on top of that,” says one fisherman.

WGBH

A Reception in Support of Jay Gonzalez for Governor

Please join Former Treasurer Steve Grossman; Former Mayor Setti Warren; Senator Cindy Creem; Representatives Ruth Balser, Kay Khan; Councilors Vicki Danberg, Josh Krintzman, Rick Lipof; Newton DCC Chair Shawn Fitzgibbons, DSC Member Martina Jackson; Hosts Dennis Kanin, Mike Offner for a reception in support of Jay Gonzalez for Governor.

Jay Gonzalez: Democrat for Governor

Get in the Know

Boston School Finder’s “Get in the Know” event will break down recent education data from a variety of sources, taking these insights from ideation to action by enlisting the help of parents and families. The goal is to equip parents and families with the information necessary to advocate for changes within schools and to work toward equitable opportunities for all students in Boston.

Boston School Finder

Book Release: “The Fight for the Best Charter Public Schools in the Nation”

Join us for a lively discussion of Pioneer Institute’s new book, “The Fight for the Best Charter Public Schools in the Nation.”

Pioneer Institute

Immigrants in an Anxious Time: Changing Laws and Personal Dilemmas

Dr. Westy Egmont of Boston College School of Social Work will moderate a discussion on immigration with panelists Eva Millona, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), and Patricia Sobalvarro, co-founder and Executive Director of Agencia ALPHA.

A Faith That Does Justice

11th Annual Public Performance Conference

Please join us for the 11th Annual Public Performance Conference. The goal of the conference is to examine and discuss performance management research and models for the adoption and implementation of compelling practices in the public sector.

Suffolk University

Divest to Invest: Divesting from the Prison Industry to Invest in Our Communities

Please join New Leaders Council Boston and community organizers, including the Corrections Accountability Project and College Bound Dorchester, on Thursday, October 18th to discuss a Boston-wide campaign to divest public and private funds from the prison industrial complex.

New Leaders Council

Negotiating Skills: Art, Science or Luck?

Learn how to identify the appropriate tactics and counter tactics employed for any type of negotiators to reach a more leveraged position (even when you think you’re at a disadvantage).

NAIOP Massachusetts

Fight Night Boston: Demetrius Andrade vs Billy-Joe Saunders

Matchroom Boxing USA and Murphys Boxing Promotions announce a major world championship boxing event to be held at Boston’s TD Garden on October 20, 2018.

Matchroom Boxing USA and Murphys Boxing Promotions

Boston Trade Compliance and Policy Seminar

International trade regulations change constantly—old rules are updated and new regulations are added every day. Attend one of the full-day seminars in a location close to you to stay up to date on the latest information. Learn about changing international trade regulations with industry experts—C.H. Robinson’s Kevin Doucette —who is passionate about this subject.

C.H. Robinson

We The People’s For Creators, By Creators

We The People, the world’s only multi-channel crowdfunding retail chain and community, is hosting a kick-off crowdfunding event where local entrepreneurs from companies such as Rocketbook, Think Board and allocacoc will provide tips on how to leverage crowdfunding to launch products. They will also discuss how to create crowdfunding campaigns and some lessons learned.

We The People

Real Estate Finance Fundamentals Onsite Course

This is a two part course that will be held on October 26, 2018 and November 2, 2018. This 2-day course will focus on debt and equity financing of income-producing real property. The course will look at both the private debt and equity markets for real estate finance, and the commercial mortgage-backed securities market for debt financing.

NAIOP Massachusetts

Back from the Brink: A Call to Prevent Nuclear War (Gonson Lecture)

Experts say we are closer to accidental or intentional nuclear war than at any time since the 1950s – and yet, at the same time, also closer than ever to an international ban to dismantle all of these immoral weapons. Come hear about the race for human survival, and what citizens can do to help.

Cambridge Center for Adult Education

Today’s Headlines

Metro

Boston gets new licensing head – Universal Hub

GE’s tax breaks could survive regardless of tower’s fate – Boston Globe

Massachusetts

Worcester taps project manager for Polar Park – Telegram & Gazette

‘House stealing’ an issue in Register of Deeds race – Gloucester Times

Leagues of Women Voters say Wrentham’s Ross has refused debate offer – Sun Chronicle

Nation

Supreme Court puts Census-suit depositions on hold – Politico

Nikki Haley may have timed her exit perfectly – CNN

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