| | | | |  | | By Kelly Garrity | Presented by Vineyard Offshore | THE VIEW FROM WISCONSIN — When Massachusetts Republicans serving as delegates to the Republican National Convention arrive at Fiserv Forum today, they won’t notice much change in security or itinerary — but a more somber sentiment is hanging over the gathering. The bullets former President Donald Trump’s would-be assassin fired off Saturday tore through what was expected to be a celebratory moment for Republicans, buoyed by weeks of bad press for President Joe Biden in the wake of his disastrous debate performance that left Democrats divided over whether he should continue his campaign at all. “It has taken the buzz off of the happiness from 24 hours ago,” Ron Kaufman, the general chair of the convention and a national committeeman representing Massashusetts, said over the phone from Milwaukee Sunday afternoon. “People are a little bit subdued,” John Hasenjaeger, a delegate and state committeeman, told Playbook. “They’re still positive about everything, but I think it's taken the wind out of some of the exuberance.” But the attempt on the former president’s life has also further united a GOP already reveling in Democratic discord. “In the past, it's always been people calling saying, ‘Well, you guys are fighting about this, and you're fighting about that, you’re divided,’” Kaufman said. “The Republican party is very, very focused, very disciplined and very together on making Donald Trump president.” Multiple Massachusetts Republican delegates cited political rhetoric on the left as what they believe led to the attempted assassination. “When Democrats say ‘Trump is going to end our democracy, if he wins, it'll be the last election we ever have, I think most people know that that's generally hyperbole,” state committeeman Todd Talyor said. “But there's a lot of people, especially young, impressionable people, who take all this very seriously. “ On that, both parties seem to agree — though Democrats have long pointed to rhetoric from Trump and Republicans as the problem. But the attack Saturday did draw bipartisan condemnation, uniting some leaders from across the aisle. State Senate President Karen Spilka and state Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr released a joint statement Sunday, condemning “political violence of any type in America.” GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Saturday’s shooting doesn’t seem to have scrambled the plans for the convention — though if you’re headed to Milwaukee, be aware of potential severe storms. Trump arrived Sunday, and could take the stage tonight to announce his pick for Vice President. The MassGOP-hosted events this week — breakfasts featuring guest speakers and an event billed as “Hogs, Dogs and Dancing with Scott Brown and the Diplomats” – were set to go off as planned as of last night, according to a spokesperson. And there were no changes made to the security plan for the already closely monitored event, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson told reporters Sunday. TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll have no public events. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper host a press conference and join students from the city’s Courageous Sailing program for a boat ride at 10 a.m. in Charlestown.
| | | | A message from Vineyard Offshore: Vineyard Offshore delivers—from engaging with communities to building trusted partnerships, all the way to creating the nation’s first large-scale offshore wind project. With our next venture, Vineyard Wind 2, we're excited to do it again, bringing economic opportunities, healthier air, and 100% clean energy to communities across the Commonwealth. We can power the future, together. Learn More. | | | |  The Fiserv Forum is prepared for the upcoming Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 14, 2024. | Francis Chung/POLITICO | |  | WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY | | | ON THE SHOOTING — Secret Service killed the shooter, who authorities identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, moments after he fired at the former president from a nearby roof, grazing Trump’s ear, killing one rally attendee and sending two more to the hospital. The FBI is still investigating how the gunman was able to climb onto a roof roughly 200 yards from where Trump was speaking. And members of Congress are calling for investigations into how Secret Service and other law enforcement was unable to take out the shooter before he fired multiple shots into the crowd. Crooks seemed to have acted alone. Some rudimentary explosive devices were found in the vehicle he used and in his home, per The Washington Post. Motive is still murky: “Mr. Crooks did not have an unusual online history for a 20-year-old man. He liked to play chess, video games and was learning how to code, according to a review of his online activities,” The New York Times reported. “Two former classmates who attended Bethel Park High School with the gunman said they had not noticed any obvious warning signs.” WHAT THEY’RE SAYING — Politicians in Massachusetts and across New England were quick to condemn political violence in the country as details were still emerging about the incident. The Boston Globe has their reactions. Attorney General Andrea Campbell was one of the first Democrats in the region to draw gun control legislation into the conversation. “We, the people, have the power to ensure our government works to protect our children and our communities by implementing and enforcing common sense gun laws — and taking on the culture of violence that has become pervasive in our country,” she said in a statement Sunday. Republican and Democratic members of Congress and President Joe Biden collectively called on Americans to take down the temperature on heated political rhetoric. Meanwhile, Trump’s allies who spoke with the former president following the shooting described him as in good spirits; he fist pumped as he arrived in Milwaukee Sunday evening. DATELINE, BUTLER — “Trump rally shooting in Butler: Attendees ‘at a loss’ after assassination attempt,” Irina Bucur, Steve Ferris and Paula Grubbs, Butler Eagle — “'A real-life superhero': Man killed at Trump rally lauded for his final act — protecting his family,” Laura Esposito, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “In Corey Comperatore’s final moment, he did what came naturally to the father of two daughters: He protected his family. With his own life.” — “I was at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania. This is what I saw,” by James Pindell, The Boston Globe. WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE ELECTION — How an immediately iconic photo solidifies Trump’s image (NYT); Trump allies see the hand of God at work (POLITICO) while congressional Republicans see a smooth path to White House (POLITICO); Assassination attempt could stymie Biden’s newly aggressive campaign (ABC)
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, our newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | DATELINE BEACON HILL | | — “Steward executives paid themselves millions before filing for bankruptcy” by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, WBUR: “In the months before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, as Steward Health Care struggled to pay its bills, the company gave million-dollar payouts to more than a dozen executives, according to court records. Many executives received hefty salaries and bonuses. But the court documents, and new statements from Steward, also shed light on something else: Executives were reimbursed for making big payments from their personal accounts to help keep the company afloat.” — “Community power plans get a boost from regulators,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “State regulators are vowing to speed up their approval of local energy plans from cities and towns after clearing a backlog of applications dating back years. The state Department of Public Utilities announced a new order on Tuesday that officials boasted will streamline the process of vetting so-called municipal aggregation plans, which allows municipalities to buy electricity on the wholesale market to help individual ratepayers save money on utility bills. The rollout of the new policy follows criticism of state regulators in response to a backlog of applications from 20 communities.”
| | FROM THE HUB | | — “Franklin Park’s White Stadium planned renovation moves forward despite legal spat,” by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald: “The planned massive renovation at Franklin Park’s White Stadium will be in front of the Boston Planning & Development Agency this week, fresh off key approvals from other city boards. ‘I feel confident because this process has been so thorough and extensive,’ Boston Unity Soccer Partner’s controlling manager Jennifer Epstein told the Herald. ‘There has been so much community input that our plans continue to get better and better.’ Epstein is the leader of the all-female ownership group behind the push to bring the next professional women’s soccer team, which would take up residence at White Stadium, to the city.” — “As enrollment and state aid plummeted at a Boston charter school, operating losses mounted,” by James Vaznis, The Boston Globe: “The operating losses of $994,081 at the Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy in Dorchester during the 2022-23 school year represented more than 20 percent of its $4.4 million in annual spending, according to the audit by Daniel Dennis & Co., a certified public accounting firm in Dedham. Driving the losses: Davis failed to rein in spending to compensate for a massive cut in per-student state aid — caused by fewer students enrolling than anticipated — and then it overspent its budget by $260,000.” — “Boston declares heat emergency through Wednesday,” by Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald. — “It's struggle city to get rid of hazardous household waste in Boston,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News.
| | | | A message from Vineyard Offshore:   | | | | | CAMPAIGN YEAR | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — The Merrimack Valley Labor Council is endorsing Eunice Zeigler for Governor's Council in District 5. — “Watch your mailbox: Applications to register for state primary mail-in ballots on the way,” by Kinga Borondy, Telegram & Gazette.
| | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — “Massachusetts to get $1 billion more in federal money toward replacing Cape Cod bridges,” by Matt Stout, The Boston Globe: “The $993 million grant accounts for nearly half of the estimated $2.1 billion it would take to replace the Sagamore Bridge, one of the two 89-year-old structures that provide the only roads on and off the Cape. State officials have said they plan to replace the Sagamore first, before pursuing more funding for a new span in place of the nearby Bourne Bridge. Replacing both bridges is expected to cost $4.5 billion, state officials have estimated. The amount Massachusetts is receiving nearly matches the $1.06 billion the state and the US Army Corps of Engineers — which owns and maintains the bridges — had applied for last year through the federal Bridge Investment Program.”
| | MEDIA MATTERS | | — “Anchors leaving. Low viewership. No helicopter. At the Boston 25 TV news station, uncertainty reigns,” by Aidan Ryan, The Boston Globe: “First, it was Boston 25′s morning anchor Elizabeth Hopkins, who abruptly left without any public statement in April. Then came evening anchor Vanessa Welch, who announced she would take a job outside of media in May. Regular viewers might have picked up on their exits. But there’s more than meets the eye. Hopkins and Welch are two of at least 13 staffers, including reporters, producers, salespeople, and a news director, who have left the station since the start of the year, according to interviews and workers’ LinkedIn profiles. Those exits at WFXT-TV (Channel 25) came on top of a steady trickle of departures stretching back years.”
| | | | Understand 2024’s big impacts with Pro’s extensive Campaign Races Dashboard, exclusive insights, and key coverage of federal- and state-level debates. Focus on policy. Learn more. | | | | | | | FROM THE 413 | | — “Amherst power outage blamed on equipment,” by Dave Canton, The Springfield Republican: “Just over 8,000 Amherst customers of Eversource found themselves without power for several hours Saturday morning. Eversource spokesman Kyle Costa said an equipment issue in a substation in Amherst cut power to a total of 8,347 customers at about 6:16 a.m.”
| | THE LOCAL ANGLE | | — “Asphalt becomes artwork outside Lowell City Hall,” by Aaron Curtis, The Lowell Sun. — “Mass. public health leader says care at St. Vincent Hospital is safe. Not everyone agrees,” by Henry Schwan, Telegram & Gazette: “Despite hundreds of complaints from nurses at Saint Vincent Hospital that claim unsafe conditions for patients at the hospital, the state's top public health official said Saint Vincent provides ‘safe, quality care.’” — “Norton voters soundly oppose tax hikes to keep services,” by Stephen Peterson, The Sun Chronicle: “The message was clear at this weekend’s special election a majority of residents don’t want to pay more taxes even if it means losing some school and town services. Voters by a 2-1 margin rejected tax hikes to preserve services at the election Saturday. Residents voted 3,610 to 1,779 against a ballot question for a $4 million budget override of state property tax levy-limiting Proposition 2 1/2 for the fiscal year that started July 1.”
| | WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING | | — “Earning your way off public assistance can be fraught. A new pilot program aims to provide a cushion,” by Diti Kohli, The Boston Globe. — “Free transit service called ‘life-changing’ for clients at Craig’s Place in Amherst,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “A free transit program for guests at the Craig’s Place homeless shelter, initiated in March 2023, has supported their physical and mental well-being and provided assistance to those seeking to move into permanent housing, according to a report issued by the nonprofit.”
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The economic benefits are substantial. Vineyard Wind 2 is expected to generate more than $2.3 billion in regional economic impact and deliver thousands of jobs to communities. A recent study indicates that by 2030, offshore wind could save New England an average of $630 million annually on electricity costs, reducing rates on consumers' bills. Together, we’re powering the future with 100% clean energy. Learn More. | | | | | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Ariel Zirulnick, David Lippman (h/t son Daniel), Jon Hurst, Stefanie Coxe and Allison Godburn. Happy belated birthday to state Rep. John Moran, who celebrated Friday; and to Jack Cline, a Cellucci, Swift and Romney alum who leads Northeastern’s Capitol Hill office, who celebrated last week. SPOTTED — at The Saw Doctors concert at the MGM music hall in Fenway on Saturday evening, per a Playbook tipster: former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and former Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley. Pic. 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 | | | | |
