Happening Today
Good Friday, Pressley on the air, and more
— Today is Good Friday and the U.S. stock markets will be closed, while many businesses will scale back operations heading into the Easter and Passover weekend.
— U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley is a guest on WGBH-FM 89.7, 11 a.m.
— Massachusetts Senior Action Council members meet with U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley to discuss their current public policy and community organizing campaigns, including issues related to health care, housing and transit, Cambridge Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 11:30 a.m.
— ‘Basic Black’ focuses on cannabis industry in Massachusetts, with guests Kim Napoli of the Cannabis Advisory Board, Kobie Evans of Pure Oasis, Sieh Samura of Mass Bay Cannabis and Tito Jackson of Verdant Medical, WGBH-TV Ch. 2, 7:30 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
Local pol reactions to Mueller’s report: ‘It’s … time … for … Mueller … to … testify’
Because there’s so much out there about yesterday’s much-anticipated release of the Mueller report, we’ll just point you to some pieces that we found helpful in sorting matters out, such as this from the Globe’s Martin Finucane: “14 key takeaways from the Mueller report.” And this from the Washington Post: “The 10 Trump actions Mueller spotlighted for potential obstruction.”
As for local reactions to the report’s release, we enjoyed U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s clever redacted response (whether you agree with its sentiments or not): “It’s … time … for … Mueller … to … testify.” Check it out.
Here’s some non-redacted reactions, starting with this from WBUR: “Mass. Democrats Criticize AG Barr — And Call On Mueller To Testify Himself.” … From Shira Schoenberg at MassLive: “In wake of Mueller report release, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey calls for congressional hearings.” … From WGBH: “Rep. McGovern On AG Barr’s Assessment Of Mueller Report: ‘I Don’t Trust Him’” … And also from WGBH: “Rep. Joe Kennedy on the redacted Mueller Report.”
And the local pundit reactions …
Forgive Alan Dershowitz as he takes a small bow in his opinion piece in the Globe this morning, for he did predict late last year that the report would likely be politically damaging to the president, not criminally damaging.
Meanwhile, it’s a classic two-newspaper-town showdown between the Globe and the Herald. From the Globe’s Joan Vennochi: “A morally corrupt Trump is saved from himself by disobedient underlings.” …. From the Herald’s Howie Carr: “That’s all there is, and that’s all, folks.” … From the Globe’s Michael Cohen: “The case for impeachment begins here.” … From the Herald’s Joe Battenfeld: “Calling for impeachment a dead end for Dems.” … From the Globe’s editorial board: “Watching his back, Trump lets down our guard.” … From the Herald’s editorial board: “Mueller report means the end of Trump collusion myth.”
There was one two-newspaper-town outlier this morning. From Jennifer Braceras at the Globe: “Further investigation of Trump is pointless political theater.”
Lawmaker proposes boost in state capital gains tax to raise $1B
We wouldn’t be surprised if this goes rather far, in some form and perhaps later this year, not necessarily next week. From SHNS’s Katie Lannan: “A state representative from Cambridge wants to raise the state’s capital gains tax in order to generate more than $1 billion in new revenue for the state each year, but at least one fiscal watchdog worries that could backfire by discouraging investment. An amendment Rep. Mike Connolly filed to the fiscal 2020 budget set for deliberation in the House next week would boost the state’s tax rate on long-term capital gains to 8.95 percent from its current 5.05 percent.”
At WBUR, Mile Howard writes that more than 15 state representatives have endorsed Connolly’s proposal – and he’s hoping more back it as well.
The 2020 presidential race comes to Dorchester
Joe Biden’s trip to Dorchester yesterday was indeed about showing support for striking Stop & Shop workers. But it was also about the 2020 presidential race, as the Washington Post’s Cleve Wootson Jr. bluntly reports as only an outsider can report: “Despite all the familiar political-rally trappings — the phalanx of TV news cameras, the anti-Trump words in his remarks and the handheld signs encouraging him to run for president — Joe Biden insisted that the plight of the people picketing behind the stage was more important than the aspirations of the person standing on it.”
Here’s some local coverage of Biden’s stop at the Dorchester Stop & Shop rally. From Callum Borchers at WBUR: “’Take Back This Country’: Biden Urges Striking Stop & Shop Workers Not To Give Up.” … From the BBJ’s Greg Ryan: “At Stop & Shop rally, Biden blasts ‘morally wrong’ treatment of workers.”
And, in perhaps the clearest sign yet that the current Dutch owners of Stop & Shop are doomed, from the Globe’s Philip Marcelo: “Rabbis say it’s ‘not kosher’ to patronize Stop & Shop during strike.”
Moulton update: He’s secured co-working spaces for probable presidential run
Speaking of the 2020 presidential race, the Globe’s James Pindell reports that U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton has secured campaign co-working office space in Salem and in Washington, D.C, the latest evidence that he’s poised to announce he’s running for president as a Democrat.
Our question: Who else might be thinking of renting office space, as in those contemplating running for Moulton’s seat if he gives it up? Mabye Topsfield Democrat Jamie Zahlaway Belsito, who’s already appealing for funds? There will be many others.
Hidden figures: Warren campaign spending big on staff buildout
In other 2020 news, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren hired 160 workers for her presidential campaign in the first three months of the year, adding staff at a two-per-day clip over that time, David Bernstein at WGBH reports, based on his analysis of campaign finance reports. With a staff much larger than most of her fellow Democratic hopefuls, Warren is burning through campaign cash at a rate of a half-million dollars per week, though Bernstein projects the $10 milion she carried over from her Senate warchest should keep her flush until the debates begin this summer.
Charlie Baker: Husband, father, governor and one of ‘world’s greatest leaders’
File under ‘if they say so.’ From Mike Pescaro at NECN: “Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has certainly proven to be a well-liked leader — he has consistently topped lists of most popular U.S. governors. But is he one of the best leaders in the world? In Fortune Magazine’s sixth-annual “World’s Greatest Leaders” list, the iconic business publication had Baker ranked 20th.”
Actually, it’s nice list that tries to reward people for doing nice things, as defined by Fortune, and, in Baker’s case, it’s his bipartisanship efforts. U.S. Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Lori Trahan also made the list, as part of the “pink wave” of women elected to Congress last year, Pescaro reports.
Emerson scrubs graffiti accusing specific students of sexual misconduct
From the Globe’s Danny McDonald: “Emerson College on Thursday removed street-level graffiti that included accusations of sexual misconduct against specific students from one of its most prominent buildings in downtown Boston, according to an e-mail from Emerson’s president to the school’s community.”
Raiding Rhode Island: First, the PawSox. Now Hasbro?
The Globe’s Jon Chesto reports the Baker administration is making a more concerted effort to lure Hasbro to Massachusetts from Rhode Island. We suspect the toy company is just using Massachusetts as leverage in discussions with Rhode Island officials. Then again, we thought the same thing about the PawSox – and looked what happened.
No more ‘life without parole’?
From Mary Markos at the Herald: “Two bills would give convicted killers and criminals with life sentences the opportunity to get out of prison after a certain number of years behind bars. … A House bill, filed by Livingstone, would give all inmates the right to a hearing before the parole board after 25 years, and a Senate bill, filed by Sen. William Brownsberger (D-Belmont), would make prisoners eligible for a hearing after 35 years. Brownsberger could not be reached for comment Thursday.”
‘Turkey tips’ during the breeding season: You’ve been warned
Typically, it’s mostly the males who are at fault. From Steve Annear at the Globe: “Turkey breeding season is in full-swing, which means the large birds can often become aggressive if they come into contact with humans. To avoid any potential problems, state wildlife officials are reminding people of what to do if they find themselves face-to-face with any bad-tempered birds.”
SHNS’s Colin Young (pay wall) has more on MassWildlife’s advice, including: “A leashed dog may also be an effective deterrent.” Btw: What’s up with turkeys thinking they’re superior to us?
The Bay State’s new Big 3: Neal, McGovern, and Clark
U.S. Reps. Richard Neal, Jim McGovern and Katherine Clark backed Nancy Pelosi for House speaker last year – and they’re now reaping the leadership rewards and “gaining national attention for their leading roles in the investigatory and legislative assaults on the Trump administration,” reports the Globe’s Victoria McGrain.
Holy Cross scales back ‘need blind’ admissions policy
From Scott O’Connell at the Telegram: “After having a 100 percent ‘need blind’ admissions policy for decades, the College of the Holy Cross this year had to scale back that approach this year due to mounting financial aid demands from incoming students.
It also has to do with mounting financial pressures at small colleges in general, btw. See post below.
More worrying higher-ed news: Layoffs may be in offing at Gordon College
Hoping to avoid the same fate as a growing number of its fellow small colleges, Gordon College in Wenham says it will cut its operating budget by $4 million over the next two years and some professors might find their jobs on the cutting block. The non-denominational Christian school, which has seen its enrollment dip in recent years, will roll out more detailed budget projections next month, Ethan Forman reports at the Salem News.
Better news: Cape college recoups most of its cyber-attack losses
Cape Cod Community College says it has recovered most of the more than $800,000 it lost to a cyberattack in December, with school officials crediting the FBI with helping to quickly recapture some of the losses, Cynthia McCormick reports at the Cape Cod Times. Nonetheless, the school says it will have to absorb a loss of about $130,000 from the attack, which occurred when a staffer opened a fake email containing malware.
Bill would ban ‘creepy” unauthorized pelvic exams on women
Sarah Betancourt at CommonWealth magazine reports that three Beacon Hill lawmakers — Reps. Denise Provost and Mindy Domb and Sen. Jo Comerford – have filed bills that would bar physicians, medical students and health care providers from “performing pelvic examinations on anesthetized or unconscious female patients without first obtaining written consent.”
Though it’s not clear whether any teaching hospitals are conducting non-consensual pelvic exams, as Betancourt writes, Provost says a ban on the “creepy practice” is needed out of concern such exams have indeed occurred.
Has the Kraft video already been leaked in the Orchids of Asia Day Spa case?
It would have been all over the Internet by now if it had leaked. Still, from Danny McDonald at the Globe: “Attorneys for two women facing charges in the Orchids of Asia Day Spa prostitution case in Florida fear that video footage of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft inside the massage parlor may have been leaked, and are asking a judge to hold the state’s attorney’s office and the Town of Jupiter in criminal contempt of court.”
BMC lands $90M in federal funds to fight opioid epidemic
From the BBJ’s Jessica Bartlett: “Boston Medical Center has received nearly $90 million in federal funding to substantially reduce opioid-related deaths in Massachusetts communities. The hospital is one of four institutions selected to address the nation’s opioid epidemic through the funding.”
Nice timing: Wynn doles out $1M to non-profits as regulators weigh fate of casino license
From Bruce Mohl at CommonWealth magazine: “Wynn resorts doled out nearly $1 million in donations to nine Massachusetts nonprofits and the city of Everett over the last two weeks despite uncertainty about whether the company will be allowed to retain its casino license. Since the close of three days of hearings by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on April 4, the casino company said it has approved $950,000 in donations to 10 organizations.”
A Wynn spokesman says it’s all about “community leadership.”
Take your pick: Brandeis vending machine now offers Plan B contraceptive and other health products
Tessa Yannone at Boston Magazine reports on a new vending machine at Brandeis University that doesn’t dispense the usual candy bars and sodas. Instead, it dispenses health care products like Plan B, the emergency contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy after having unprotected sex. It also dispenses menstrual supplies, condoms and, of course, Tylenol.
Score one for the cranberry bogs: Norton rejects solar farm zoning
Town meeting voters in Norton overwhelmingly voted to shelve a bylaw that would have allowed solar farms on former cranberry bogs and cleared the way for a proposal that could have brought the town $4 million in non-tax payments over 20 years, Stephen Peterson reports in the Sun Chronicle.
Boston’s new Super Hero: ‘Dunkin Warrior-Chan’
We suspect it’s only a matter of time before Hollywood tries to sign her to a studio contract. She’s none other than ‘Dunkin Warrior-Chan’ – and she’s headed to Anime Boston. Definitely check out the photo(s) and some of the comments on the thread: “As a bostonian, you have captured the true essence of this city. … This is the most Boston thing ever, and it is WONDERFUL. … I never knew I needed to see this in my life until now.” Via Universal Hub.
Sunday public affairs TV
Keller at Large, WBZ-TV Channel 4, 8:30 a.m. This week’s guest: Dan Kennedy, media critic and professor at Northeastern University, talks with host Jon Keller about media coverage of the presidential race.
This Week in Business, NECN, 10 a.m. Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Rooney on the Stop & Shop strike, the business transportation coalition and more; Scott Sanders of Growcery Partners on trends and challenges in the grocery store industry; and Jon Chesto of the Boston Globe, discusses MGM profits, the Boston Marathon and other top business stories.
CEO Corner, NECN, 10: 30 a.m. Glynn Lloyd, executive director of the Foundation for Business Equity, talks about efforts to reduce the wealth gap through the Business Equity Initiative.
DC Dialogue, NECN, 11:30 a.m. Jim Brett, New England Council CEO, and Peter Howe talk with Neil Levesque, executive director of the NH Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College, about the growing field of presidential contenders; Canada’s Consul General to New England, David Alward, discusses tariffs and trade talks between the U.S. and Canada.
On The Record, WCVB-TV Channel 5, 11 a.m. This week’s guest: Presidential candidate and former Gov. Bill Weld, who talks with guest host Maria Stephanos and political reporter Janet Wu, followed by a discussion with Boston Globe columnist Adrian Walker and Republican analyst Rob Gray.
This is New England, NBC Boston Channel 10, 11:30 a.m. With host Latoyia Edward, this week’s topics: Showcasing reporter stories on a Vermont girl whose special request was granted by the make-a-wish foundation; a new friendship with a 90-year-old and a 100-year-old from Weymouth who share the same birthday; and how a trip to a local barber can save a life.
CityLine, WCVB-TV Channel 5, 12 p.m. With host Karen Holmes Ward, this week’s topic: Dying to Deliver, a look at the increasing number of women dying during childbirth.
Hacking Public Health
Join us at the first-ever hackathon at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health! A hackathon is a time-bound “invention marathon” where people come together to learn, build, and share their creations in a supportive setting. We seek graduate and undergraduate students from diverse personal & professional experiences to cultivate a dynamic, inclusive, and innovative environment.
Harvard Chan Public Health Innovation and Technology Student Forum (PHIT)
MIT-Harvard Conference on the Uyghur Human Rights Crisis
This conference aims to present the police state in China, where over one million innocent Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims have been forced into concentration camps; explore China’s use of technology to escalate the crisis by conducting surveillance on the Uyghur; introduce the biopolitics of China’s “war on terror”; and open a dialogue on our role in engaging with China.
MIT Center for International Studies (CIS)
Community Conversation: Local Experiments in Land Trusts
Land trusts are an important way to make land and housing permanently affordable and to begin undoing centuries of housing segregation and discrimination. Join local leaders in activism, finance and public policy for a community conversation connected to the new Undesign the Red Line interactive exhibit.
City Life / Vida Urbana, Boston Impact Initiative, & the Coalition for Occupied Homes in Foreclosure
The Environmental Science & Policy Impacts of Remote Sensing on Governance & Land Use in Tropical Forests
The Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future and the Land Use and Livelihoods Initiative at the Global Development Policy Center invite you to attend an upcoming series of keynote lectures titled “The Environmental Science & Policy Impacts of Remote Sensing on Governance & Land Use in Tropical Forests.”
Harvard Healthcare Debate
US Healthcare & Drug Pricing Debate with Moderator Vivek Ramaswamy, Founder & CEO, Roivant Sciences and Panelists Peter Kolchinsky, Ph.D., Co-founder, Portfolio Manager, & Managing Director, RA Capital Management; John Maraganore, Ph.D., CEO and Director, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals; and Shawn Bishop, Vice President, Controlling Health Care Costs and Advancing Medicare, The Commonwealth Fund.
Retail’s Changing Landscape
The reports of the ‘retailpocolypse’ are far from true. Join NAIOP to learn how retail is evolving and thriving while dispelling some of the myths. Hear from expert panelists on what they are seeing here and across the country and learn how architects are helping to transform malls for the future.
Government Affairs Speaker Series featuring Congresswoman Katherine Clark
Join us for our second Government Affairs Speaker Series featuring a conversation with Congresswoman Katherine Clark. Congresswoman Clark has served as the United States Representative for Massachusetts’ 5th Congressional District since 2013.
Cannabis 101: Molecules, Markets, … Mayhem?
In 2016, Massachusetts voted to legalize recreational marijuana. We wanted laws that empower disenfranchised communities and grow a healthy stream of taxes. But not all of our dreams came true. Now that stores are opening, many of us are wondering about weed…
Offshore Wind: Power, Policy, and Promise
This is a free presentation seminar and discussion event hosted by the Center for Student Coastal Research (CSCR), a non profit organization located in Cohasset on Boston’s South Shore. CSCR educates students in environmental sciences, encourages environmental awareness, and promotes activism. Details are available at www.ccscr.org.
John Rogers, Center for Student Coastal Research
Public Service Symposium
The purpose of this symposium is to bring together a cross-sector of participants and their organizations to discuss the role of individuals, universities, nonprofits, and the private sector in best practices around engaging our respective populaces in civic life.
The Smart, Connected Commonwealth: Data-Driven Research and Policy Across the Region
BARI’s 2019 Spring Conference will bring together academics, policy makers, and practitioners to highlight work being conducted throughout Greater Boston as a way to share insights and methods, catalyzing inter-disciplinary, intercity collaboration in the use of data and technology.
Boston Area Research Initiative
Harvard Neurologist Rachel Bennett on the Science of Dementia
Everyone knows someone who is experiencing serious cognitive decline. Harvard neurologist Rachel Bennett will speak on the current science of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, including diagnostic and treatment options, and will take questions afterward. 60 minutes, FREE, as part of Nahant Public Library’s Dementia Friendly Nahant project.
Today’s Headlines
Metro
Parents rip Marty Walsh’s superintendent search process – Boston Herald
Boston seeks dismissal of school negligence lawsuit – WGBH
Massachusetts
DA’s office confirms 3 apparent fatal drug overdoses in New Bedford on Wednesday – Standard-Times
Rep. Lori Trahan supports ‘vital’ 495/90 interchange project – Telegram & Gazette
Executive director of Union Point oversight agency steps down – Patriot Ledger
Nation
Poll: Buttigieg surges into contention with Biden, Sanders – The Hill
Mueller report suggests fake news came from Trump, not news media – Washington Post
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