| | | | |  | | By Lisa Kashinsky and Kelly Garrity | | | PROGRAMMING NOTE: Massachusetts Playbook won’t publish Monday or Tuesday for July Fourth. We’ll be back in your inbox on Wednesday. ACTION REQUIRED — Massachusetts’ top politicians, higher-education leaders and civil-rights advocates issued near-universal condemnation of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Now they need to figure out what to do about it. Democratic Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Ayanna Pressley cast the ruling as another reason to expand the high court. Attorney General Andrea Campbell instead called for additional spending in K-12 education for students of color and lower incomes and for “removing barriers to entry” to colleges and universities. The Massachusetts Teachers Association urged state lawmakers to pass the Cherish Act, which proponents say would provide “debt-free” public higher education to help students with economic need. But the Cherish Act hasn’t traveled far in past sessions on Beacon Hill. Markey’s bill to add four seats to the Supreme Court didn’t go anywhere in the last Congress and has garnered little more support among lawmakers so far this year. The myriad reactions show how even though lawmakers and higher-education leaders have expected this decision for months — and vowed on Thursday to uphold racial diversity in higher education — they’re still unsure of how to proceed. A meeting of the governor’s advisory council Thursday afternoon underscored that uncertainty. Around 70 members gathered on a call with Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler to discuss the Supreme Court’s decision. But there’s little the state can do until it gets more guidance from the feds, which isn’t expected until later this summer. The attorney general said she, too, is waiting on further instruction from the Justice Department as to what admissions policies are legal. Attention in the near-term, then, turns to the colleges and universities themselves. Harvard President-elect Claudine Gay said in a video Thursday that the ruling “strengthened our resolve to continue opening doors.” “We will comply with the court’s decision, but it does not change our values. We continue to believe deeply that a thriving, diverse intellectual community is essential,” Gay said, adding that “in the coming weeks we’ll be working to understand the decision and its implications for our policies.” And it’s not just Harvard: Out of the 100-plus politicians, education and civil-rights leaders who signed onto a joint statement with Gov. Maura Healey criticizing the court's decision and pledging to uphold diversity in higher education, some 65 of them were college presidents. That leading academic institutions in the state have been willing to come out forcefully against the ruling “bodes well” for maintaining diversity in higher education in Massachusetts, Rahsaan Hall, president of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts and a member of Healey’s advisory council, told Playbook. Dive deeper into the local reaction. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. The court could throw another wrench into higher education today. Justices are expected to rule on whether to allow President Joe Biden’s student debt forgiveness program to proceed. TODAY — Healey travels back from Ireland. Acting Gov. Kim Driscoll and transportation officials speak at the kickoff of Lynn ferry service at 8:30 a.m. THIS WEEKEND — Auditor Diana DiZoglio is on WBZ's "Keller @ Large" at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. State Sen. Barry Finegold is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday. Tips? Scoops? Email us: lkashinsky@politico.com and kgarrity@politico.com.
| | | | A message from American Beverage Association: At America’s beverage companies, we are committed to reducing our plastic footprint. That’s why we’re carefully designing our plastic bottles to be 100% recyclable, including the caps. Our goal is for every bottle to become a new one, so they don’t end up in nature. Learn more at EveryBottleBack.org. | | | |  | DATELINE BEACON HILL | | — BUDGET NOT BUDGING: Lawmakers broke for the weekend without taking up the budget, which remains in conference committee one day before the start of the new fiscal year on Saturday. They plan to return Monday for informal sessions. — “Advocates renew push to expand bottle bill,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “A proposal to update the state’s 5-cent ‘bottle bill’ has resurfaced on Beacon Hill, where environmental groups and consumer advocates are pushing again to expand the decades-old law … from 5 to 10 cents and include other plastic and glass containers for wine, hard cider, water and sports drinks, among other products.” — “More Than 1,400 Opting Out Of Legal Gaming,” by Sam Drysdale, State House News Service (paywall): “The number of people who have voluntarily joined a program to control problem gambling habits has increased to new heights following the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. The voluntary self-exclusion program (VSE) is a statewide program to allow Bay State residents to opt out of casino gambling, sports wagering or both for a set amount of time.”
| | SCOTUS WATCH | | — THE FALLOUT: The Supreme Court gutted affirmative action in college admissions, but said students can still talk about how race has shaped their lives in their applications and that schools can “continue to consider socioeconomic diversity,” the Boston Globe’s Hilary Burns reports. — More: “Affirmative action is done. Here’s what else might change for school admissions,” by Bianca Quilantan, POLITICO. — “Businesses could feel dismantling of affirmative action too,” by Grant Welker, Boston Business Journal: “Employers generally cannot consider race in their hiring practices, but those filling positions for white-collar jobs draw much of their workforce pipeline from colleges that may now have less racial diversity.”
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | | | HEALEY WATCH | | — IRISH GOODBYE: Gov. Maura Healey returns home today from her first trade trip, a nearly weeklong pilgrimage to Ireland in which the descendant of Irish immigrants emphasized the deep cultural and economic ties that bind Massachusetts and Ireland and expressed a desire to grow what’s already $27 billion in trade between them. There were some deeply personal moments, too. Healey drew headlines for her speech on LGBTQ rights. But here's one moment you may have missed: Healey traveled to Ireland with her mom, Tracy Healey-Beattie. After a dinner on Monday at the U.S. ambassador to Ireland’s residence, Claire Cronin brought out a cake to celebrate Healey-Beattie’s 79th birthday (h/t Jay Ash).
| | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES | | — “That new Green Line branch to Union Square? The T is closing it for 42 days this summer,” by Daniel Kool, Boston Globe: “Green Line service between Lechmere and Union Square stations — the first segment of the long-awaited Green Line Extension, which opened just over a year ago — will be suspended for more than a month starting in July, the T announced Thursday.” — “‘Who is the street serving?’: Bike lane battle brews on Boylston Street,” by Catherine Carlock, Boston Globe: “The move has sparked pushback from a neighborhood business group, but supporters say it would transform a strip that is home to the Boston Public Library, Copley Square, and the Marathon finish line into a friendlier environment for those traveling by means other than a car.” — “Work stalls at closed MBTA station in South Attleboro,” by George W. Rhodes, The Sun Chronicle: “Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority spokesperson Lisa Battiston said via email that demolition ‘has been temporarily paused due to procedural issues and will resume in approximately eight weeks, pending the review and approval by Amtrak.’”
| | | | A message from American Beverage Association:   | | | | | THE LOCAL ANGLE | | — “As Worcester homelessness rate climbs, providers look for solutions,” by Kiernan Dunlop, MassLive: “In February 2022, 622 single adults made up the sheltered and unsheltered homeless population, according to [Central Mass Housing Alliance] data. A year later that number jumped by around 30% to 810.” — “Milton Select Board member walks out over colleague's conduct,” by Fred Hanson, Patriot Ledger: “Select board member Richard Wells did more than join the residents who have called for the resignation of board member Erin Bradley for her behavior toward people appearing before the board. … Wells, a former police chief in his seventh year as a member of the board, said he would not attend any meeting where Bradley is present.” — “Dighton Police Chief Shawn Cronin charged with insider trading: 'A ticket to prison',” by Rebecca Hyman, Taunton Daily Gazette. — “Former Scituate School Committee member to be arraigned on charges he stole from elder,” by Peter Blandino, Patriot Ledger. — “Starbucks workers at Massachusetts stores join national strikes over Pride decorations policy,” by Tori Bedford, GBH News.
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don’t miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY. | | | | | | | MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND | | — “In R.I. congressional race, 25 candidates file declarations of candidacy,” by Edward Fitzpatrick, Steph Machado and Alexa Gagosz, Boston Globe: “The candidates included 18 Democrats, three Republicans, and four independents. The first day list included candidates who were expected to enter the race, such as Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, former state Representative J. Aaron Regunberg, former Biden administration assistant Gabe Amo, and renewable energy investor Donald Carlson.”
| | | | A message from American Beverage Association: America’s leading beverage companies - The Coca-Cola Company, Keurig Dr Pepper and PepsiCo - are working together to reduce our industry’s plastic footprint through our Every Bottle Back initiative. We’re investing in efforts to get our bottles back so we can remake them into new bottles and use less new plastic.
Together, we’re:
- Designing 100% recyclable plastic bottles – we’re making our bottles from PET that’s strong, lightweight and easy to recycle.
- Investing in community recycling – we’re marshalling the equivalent of nearly a half-billion dollars with The Recycling Partnership and Closed Loop Partners to support community recycling programs where we can have the greatest impact.
- Raising awareness – we’re adding on-pack reminders to encourage consumers to recycle our plastic bottles and caps.
Our bottles are made to be remade. Please help us get Every Bottle Back. | | | | | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Diane Asadorian Masters, Stephanie Miliano, BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok, Plymouth County Register of Probate Matthew McDonough and Daniel Goldhagen. HAPPY LONG BIRTHWEEKEND — to Tara Healey, who celebrates Saturday; Melwood Global’s David Guarino, Josh Cahan, former state Rep. Tami Gouveia and U.S. Army Capt. Chuck Nadd, who celebrate Sunday; to state Rep. Mark Cusack, Barbara Lee, president and founder of the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, Maia Raynor and Ted Steinberg, who celebrate Monday and to Tuesday birthday-ers Chris Ingerson, Rachel Wells, Lanhee Chen, Will Ritter, Targeted Victory’s Ryan Williams, MassFiscal’s Laurie Belsito, the late Massachusetts governor and President Calvin Coolidge, who was born on July 4, 1872, and, of course, the United States of America. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: QUITTIN’ TIME — Lawmakers are linking cellphone data privacy to abortion protections. Boston Globe reporter Matt Stout joins hosts Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith to discuss how the MBTA can hit its staffing goals when employees keep leaving. 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. | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
