Happening Today
SJC hearings, Senate session, and more
— Supreme Judicial Court meets to hear five cases, one of which involves allegations that Judge Paul Sushchyk violated the state’s Code of Judicial Conduct by inappropriately touching a woman and pulling a flask containing whiskey from his coat pocket, 9 a.m.
— Massachusetts High Technology Council holds another installment of its ‘Reimagining the Future of Work After COVID-19’ panel series focused on employers’ roles in vaccinations, with MHTC president Chris Anderson moderating, 10 a.m.
— Office of the Child Advocate holds a virtual meeting of the Mandated Reporter Commission, with Middlesex DA Marian Ryan participating, 10 a.m.
— U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, Sen. Eric Lesser, Rep. Joseph Wagner, Steve Huntley of Valley Opportunity Council, Chicopee Mayor John Vieau and others visit Valley Opportunity Council’s Early Education and Care Center to discuss child care funding provided by the American Families Plan., Chicopee, 11:30 a.m.
— The Massachusetts Senate meets in a full formal session with a calendar to consider procedural orders dealing with the fiscal 2022 budget debate and the new Constitutional Convention, 1 p.m.
For the most comprehensive list of calendar items, check out State House News Service’s Daily Advances (pay wall – free trial subscriptions available), as well as MassterList’s Beacon Hill Town Square below.
Today’s Stories
Reminder to readers: SHNS Coronavirus Tracker available for free
A reminder to our readers as the coronavirus crisis unfolds: The paywalled State House News Service, which produces MASSterList, is making its full Coronavirus Tracker available to the community for free on a daily basis each morning via ML. SHNS Coronavirus Tracker.
The coronavirus numbers: 5 new deaths, 17,311 total deaths, 1,004 new cases
NBC Boston has the latest coronavirus numbers for Massachusetts.
Among Baker’s post-pandemic priorities: Housing, housing and more housing
Gov. Charlie Baker is starting to think ahead to a post-pandemic era – and he sees a familiar problem that needs addressing: housing. GBH’s Adam Reilly and SHNS’s Chris Lisinski have more on the governor’s antidote to recent housing price spikes.
In the meantime, the governor and lawmakers may yet get dragged into another short-term housing problem, this one tied to a federal judge’s recent ruling overturning the nation’s evictions-ban edict, as MassLive’s Steph Solis reports.
Hotspots no more: Number of high-risk communities falls to 13
Here’s why Gov. Charlie Baker is starting to think about various post-pandemic priorities: The number of coronavirus cases continues to fall in Massachusetts as more and more people get vaccinated – and the number of communities listed as Covid hotspots are way down as a result, CBS Boston reports.
As one small-business grant fund winds down, another takes its place
SHNS’s Chris Lisinski reports that the Baker administration has now distributed $687 million in relief efforts to more than 15,000 local employers, as a program targeting underrepresented groups winds down. But wait. The Globe’s Janelle Nanos reports that U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark is touting yet another $28.6 billion grant program designed to help restaurants.
But relief is too late for some firms whacked by UI rate hikes
How would you like to wake up, check your business bank balance and discover it’s unexpectedly down by $71,000 thanks to an automatic payroll-service withdrawal? It happened to one local company lately – and other firms are experiencing similar shocks as a result of recent unemployment-insurance rate hikes. The BBJ’s Greg Ryan has more.
Why isn’t Moderna’s CEO losing sleep?
Cambridge-based Moderna’s stock has been pounded on Wall Street this week, after the Biden administration announced its support for suspending patents for coronavirus vaccines. But Moderna’s CEO Stephane Bancel says he “didn’t lose a minute of sleep” over the announcement. Or so he says. The Globe’s Jonathan Saltzman and the Herald’s Alexi Cohan have more.
Here’s another reason why Bancel remains confident about his firm’s short-term prospects, via WCVB: “Moderna: Intial analysis finds 96% efficacy rate for COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents.”
Hundreds rally to remember Hopkinton teen – and to demand justice
GBH’s Tori Bedford and Esteban Bustillos and a reporting team at MetroWest Daily News report that hundreds of people gathered yesterday in Hopkinton for a part vigil, part rally in the wake of the tragic death of Mikayla Miller, the Black teen whose body was found hanging from a tree and whose death has sparked calls for a thorough investigation amid doubts about whether she really committed suicide as some say.
Meanwhile, from the Herald’s Marie Szaniszlo: “ACLU calls for independent investigation into 16-year-old Mikayla Miller’s death.”
Is Janey blowing her incumbency advantage? Is there an advantage?
The Herald’s Joe Battenfeld writes that Acting Mayor Kim Janey is finding out the hard way that incumbency is a double-edged sword – and the negatives of being an incumbent partially explain why she isn’t pulling ahead of her rivals in Boston’s mayoral race. And then there’s this non-groundswell-show-of-support evidence via the Herald’s Sean Philip Cotter: “Acting Mayor Kim Janey’s campaign hired signature collectors.’
In other mayoral-race news, the Globe’s Stephanie Ebbert has a recap of last evening’s Zoom candidates forum on racial-justice issues.
Should Campbell be held accountable for the sins of her brother?
Speaking of the mayoral race, the Globe’s Kevin Cullen has a good column this morning in which he says candidate Andrea Campbell shouldn’t be held accountable for her alleged serial-rapist brother Alvin – and he effectively swats aside comparisons to Billy Bulger’s own notorious-sibling problems way back when, i.e. serial-murderer Whitey Bulger. He explains the important differences between the two sibling pairs.
Armed for battle: Group donates $3 million to fund Nahant eminent domain push
Now, the pockets run deep on both sides. The town of Nahant has received a commitment of $3 million from the Nahant Preservation Trust to fund what would be an eminent domain takeover of land in the community where Northeastern University wants to expand its Marine Science Center, Elyse Carmosino at the Lynn Item reports. Hmmm. And who made the donations to the trust fund? We have our suspicions, but they’re only suspicions.
TripAdvisor apologizes, removes insensitive review about Auschwitz Memorial
It took officials in Poland to point out the troublesome comment on TripAdvisor’s website, but the Needham-based company did finally remove the latest local example of a totally inappropriate reference to the Auschwitz death camp, according to a report at WCVB.
Speaking of Nazi death camps, GBH’s Meg Woolhouse reports on the sometimes frustrating effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of teaching students about the Holocaust.
Nurses to lawmakers: We want action – not cupcakes, pizza, flowers and feel-good accolades
They’ve been praised as front-line heroes of the pandemic. But where’s the legislative action to back up the praise? SHNS’s Katie Lannan and the Herald’s Meghan Ottolini report on the legislative wish list of nurses who rallied yesterday outside the State House. And, no, they won’t be bought off with adorable treats and token praise.
Neal: Regional rail links add up to big economic gains
He didn’t quite say it would pay for itself. But U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, along with other federal and state officials, said yesterday that a new study shows the potentially huge economic gains in return for a $6.7 billion to $9.7 billion investment in a comprehensive regional rail system that would link Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Hartford, New Haven and New York City, reports SHNS’s Colin Young.
SHNS (pay wall — free trial subscription available)
DCF sued in connection with Patrick Rose child-molestation case
Another day, another DCF controversy. From the Herald’s Sean Philip Cotter: “A Boston family has sued the Department of Children and Families, alleging that the agency compounded the nightmare of their abuse by now-disgraced cop Patrick Rose. The lawsuit comes from the father of a girl who the police say Rose molested.” The suit apparently dates back to December, fyi.
Meanwhile, Healey sues the opioids messenger
They were culpable too, she believes. From Shira Schoenberg at CommonWealth magazine: “Attorney General Maura Healey, who has been one of the country’s strongest legal crusaders against opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma, has now filed a lawsuit against marketing firm Publicis Health for its role helping Purdue market addictive opioid pain medication.”
Tale of two unpopular hospital expansions …
The Globe’s Priyana Dayal McCluskey has an update on the growing opposition by suburban medical providers to Mass General Brigham’s plans for a big regional expansion.
Meanwhile, Universal Hub’s Adam Gaffin reports that Boston Medical Center has canceled its controversial plan for a 10-story administration and research building on Albany Street in favor of ‘supportive housing’ for recovering homeless patients with complex medical needs.
Going down: Framingham council cuts pay for next mayor
They did some comparison shopping and found they were overpaying. The Framingham City Council has voted to slash the pay of the city’s mayor to bring it more in line with chief executives in similar communities, Jeff Malachowski at the MetroWest Daily News reports. Would this also have anything to do with the council’s frequent fights with the current mayor? Who knows.
MBTA’s Poftak: Electric buses are coming, really and truly
MBTA chairman Steve Poftak has an op-ed this morning in the Globe touting the T’s shift to zero-emission buses, as part of the “biggest transformation of its bus system since the streetcar rail network was converted to rubber-tired vehicles in 1922.”
When you think about it, they’re sort of reversing that 1922 shift – at least in terms of how vehicles are powered.
Over quick: Prosecutors and defense both rest their cases in Correia trial
All done. The Jasiel Correia federal corruption trial is heading to closing arguments next week after prosecutors rested their case and the defense promptly followed suit after calling just three witnesses –none of whom was the former mayor himself. Details from the Globe’s Shelley Murphy and a team of reporters at the Herald-News.
Short notice: Single-game WooSox tickets finally available
Hurry. The Worcester Red Sox announced that single-game tickets for the team’s inaugural homestand next week will be sold this Friday afternoon, Matt Vautour at MassLive reports. The good news: Tickets start at just $8. The bad: Only about 200 tickets are available for each game due to pandemic-related attendance restrictions and strong season-pass sales.
Sunday public affairs TV: Elizabeth Warren, Ayanna Pressley, Sean Ellis
Keller at Large, WBZ-TV Channel 4, 8:30 a.m. This week’s guest: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who talks with host Jon Keller about her new book ‘Persist’ and other political issues.
This Week in Business, NECN, 10 a.m. Eastern Bank chair and CEO Bob Rivers on the upcoming merger with Century Bank; Evolv Technology CEO Peter George on the company’s AI driven touchless safety system; and the Globe’s Shirley Leung reviews the top local business stories of the week.
On The Record, WCVB-TV Channel 5, 11 a.m. This week’s guest: U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who talks with hosts Ed Harding and Janet Wu, followed by a political discussion with analysts Mary Anne Marsh and Rob Gray.
CityLine, WCVB-TV Channel 5, 12 p.m. With Karen Holmes Ward, this week’s topic: The Case of Sean Elis, featuring Sean Ellis and defense attorney Rosemary Scapicchio.
First Friday Leadership Luncheon: MPA Senior Leadership Program Q+A
Are you ready for your MPA? Join Bob Spellane and Mary Piecewicz of Clark’s School of Professional Studies to learn about our unique MPA Senior Leadership Program! This program is designed for YOU, the leaders within the public and private sector, to be flexible, affordable, and relevant. Grab a meal and join us to learn about this sweet opportunity!
Clark University’s School of Professional Studies
Wampanoag New Year Traditions
Kids and families are invited to join Kitty Hendricks-Miller, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Citizen and Educator, in a celebration of Wampanoag New Year traditions. Learn about the daily life of the Wampanoag in the 17th century, as well as their current lives and communities. This program is free and open to the public.
Virtual Duckling Day 2021
The Friends of the Public Garden, in association with the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department, celebrates Mother’s Day with Boston-area families during its annual Duckling Day event.
Doing Business with Commonwealth of MA Supplier Diversity Office
The Pacesetters “Doing Business” virtual series will allow small and minority-owned companies to hear directly from procurement officers at participating Pacesetter companies to learn about specific contract opportunities that may be unique to each company, including procurement procedures, RFP and bidding preferences, contract cycles, supplier diversity goals, and more.
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity
2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. This long-awaited report will explore how nurses can work over the next decade to reduce health disparities and promote equity, while keeping costs at bay, utilizing technology, and maintaining patient and family-focused care.
21st Century Business Forum: Author Josh Linkner
The 21st Century Business Forum is a free webcast presented on the second Wednesday of each month. Bestselling author Jon Gordon will interview CEOs, entrepreneurs, authors, coaches, and thought leaders as they share their insights, ideas, and experiences of success as well as lessons learned.
100 Days of the Biden Administration: What’s Next for Immigration, Health Policy, and Economic Justice?
Now 100 days into President Biden’s administration, the Ash Center is convening a panel of experts who will examine the challenges and future opportunities for his administration in a number of key policy areas including immigration, health policy and economic justice.
Child Welfare and Domestic Violence – The Summit on Intersection and Action
Join experts in child welfare/domestic violence for a summit on action and safe solutions for survivors and their children. This summit explores the gaps in policy, practice, training, data collection, and cultural competency where domestic violence and foster care merge, and proposes thoughtful solutions appropriate for a nationwide audience.
Today’s Headlines
Metro
Boston business leaders launch campaign to raise $10 million for Latino Equity Fund – Boston Globe
Acting Mayor Kim Janey’s campaign hired signature collectors – Boston Herald
Massachusetts
Latest effort to resolve St. Vincent strike unfruitful – Worcester Business Journal
New Bedford high graduation rate increases 30 points across last 10 years – Standard-Times
Framingham council mulling return to in-person meetings – MetroWest Daily News
Nation
Warren renews push to get Biden to cancel student debt – CNBC
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