| | | | |  | | By Kelly Garrity | | Presented by |  | | | FINAL SAY — The fate of some of the most closely watched ballot questions could be decided by lawmakers who loathe them. Faced with the likelihood that widely popular initiatives that would end MCAS as a high school graduation requirement (Question 2) and allow the auditor to audit the Legislature (Question 1) could pass, legislative leaders yesterday left open the possibility of modifying or repealing both. “Being no fan of making laws by ballot initiative after seeing how screwed up the marijuana thing got, I haven’t made up my mind yet,” House Speaker Ron Mariano told reporters at the State House yesterday when asked about the possibility of repealing Question 1. “We’ll see how big the margin is.” “We'll see what course it takes,” Senate President Karen Spilka said of Question 1 during a separate scrum across the hall. “But right now, we are focused on getting our bills done, getting the work of the people done.” They also voiced concern about the possibility of ending the MCAS graduation requirement and struck a similar wait-and-see note when asked about amending or repealing Question 2 if voters give it the green light. But the prospect didn’t land well with Max Page, the president of the state’s largest teachers union backing the ballot campaign. “The State House is not Ron Mariano's house or Karen Spilka's house — the speaker and senate president should refrain from crossing the will of the people,” Page fired back in a statement. Ballot questions give voters their most direct chance to weigh in on policy. But state law gives lawmakers the final say on whether to rewrite or repeal them. Massachusetts is one of 11 states (of the 21 that allow residents to bring issues to the ballot) that doesn't restrict lawmakers’ ability to edit the petitions that pass, according to the online political encyclopedia Ballotpedia. Neither Spilka nor Mariano said they’re currently laying out plans to block ballot questions that win voters’ support from becoming law – they just didn’t shoot down the idea. Recent polls show overwhelming support for Question 1, and the “yes” side is running ahead of “no” in surveys of support for Question 2. Bucking the will of people whose votes you need to keep your job is typically considered high-risk. But not so much in Massachusetts, where few voters have an alternative on their ballot. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. With 13 days until the election, Sen. Elizabeth Warren is out with two new digital ads. In one of the 30-second spots, titled “Proud ,” Warren touts her record, highlighting federal funds she helped win for the Cape Cod bridges. In the second, “Just One Vote,” Warren reprises a message she hammered during the debates against her Republican challenger, John Deaton. “Just one vote and just one senator could put Republicans in control of the United State Senate,” Warren narrates. Neither of the ads, which will run on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube, mentions Deaton, who polls show is trailing Warren by a significant margin. Warren’s campaign declined to share the size of the spend. TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey participates in a fireside chat at Liquid AI’s launch event at 11 a.m. in Cambridge and joins former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for an event promoting her new book at 7 p.m. in Cambridge. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll attends a MassTech innovation challenge event at 9:30 a.m. in Springfield; speaks at a national disability employment awareness month celebration at 11 a.m. and chairs a Governor’s Council meeting at noon at the State House; and attends a ribbon cutting for a veterans support center in Millbury at 3 p.m. State Auditor Diana DiZoglio attends a ribbon cutting for Gomez & Martinez, LLC at 4 p.m. in Lawrence. Rep. Richard Neal announces federal funding for Western New England University at 11 a.m. in Springfield. Rep. Seth Moulton visits LEO Inc. at 1:30 p.m. in Lynn and celebrates the groundbreaking of the McPherson Youth Center renovation project at 3 p.m. in Beverly. Tips? Scoops? Birthdays? Email me: kgarrity@politico.com
| | | | A message from Johnson & Johnson: We’re restoring the true meaning of healthcare—Innovating more precise, less invasive surgery and improving recovery. See how we’re connecting the best of Health&Care for every patient and provider. Learn more. | | | |  | FROM THE DELEGATION | | — “‘Trying to curry favor’: Lobbyists on tax matters hired Richard Neal’s son,” by Benjamin Guggenheim, POLITICO Pro: “After three decades representing his home of Springfield, Massachusetts, in the U.S. House, Democratic Rep. Richard Neal reached the goal of his lifetime in January 2019: He took the gavel of the House Ways and Means Committee, with far-reaching powers to shape the nation’s tax code. A year later, his 45-year-old son Brendan Neal launched a one-person public affairs firm dedicated to ‘political advice, lobbying, and strategic communications.’ “Then the payments started: $4,425, almost always on the 13th of each month, from Richard E. Neal for Congress Committee to Brendan Neal Strategies for ‘strategic consulting services.’ The payments were bumped to $4,630 in 2024 and have continued through this August, totaling $196,340. Brendan Neal’s lobbying work, however, started before his firm received money from his father’s campaign.”
| | DATELINE BEACON HILL | | — “For the first time since the pandemic, student enrollment increases in state college system,” by Carrie Jung, WBUR: “Higher education enrollment in Massachusetts is up for the first time in years thanks in part to free community college programs, according to state education officials. Student enrollment in the Massachusetts higher education system increased by 6.5% between the fall of 2023 and 2024. Enrollment at Massachusetts 15 community colleges grew by 14% over the last year.” POWER PLAYS — The Senate is expected to take up a long-awaited compromise climate and energy bill today, but it’s unlikely to make it through without delay. Republican State Sen. Ryan Fattman says he is likely to doubt the presence of the quorum if the bill does come up during today’s informal session, which — unless Democrats call in enough members — would prevent the bill from passing. Fattman cited concerns about the quick turnaround lawmakers had to review the compromise that was filed late Monday. “I have no problem when there's less impactful or local legislation that is being allowed to go through, but this is a fairly large policy change that was released at 10 p.m. [Monday] night, that I don’t think most members of the Legislature have even read,” he told Playbook. And ultimately, he said, a bill this big should be taken up in a formal session, where it could face a roll call vote. “The legislature shouldn't be operating where just a few people are making the decisions out of 200 elected representatives of the people, especially right before an election. … It needs more time, and it needs more transparency.”
| | FROM THE HUB | | — “Boston residents, businesses say Mass and Cass conditions have spread, worsened in parks and neighborhoods,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “Residents and business leaders slammed the open-air drug use, public sex and violence they said has worsened in surrounding neighborhoods since tents were cleared at Mass and Cass, in stark contrast from the progress cited by the Wu administration. The public testimony came at a Tuesday City Council hearing on a measure put forward by Councilor Ed Flynn, who is pushing for a new plan to address the crowding, drug dealing and filth that returned in full force this past summer to the troubled intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.” — “Tempers flare: Boston city councilor, Wu staffer get into Twitter beef over tax plan,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald.
| | BALLOT BATTLES | | — “Massachusetts restaurants bring Question 5 debate to the dinner table,” by Tori Bedford, GBH News: “At a number of bars and restaurants around the state, the check comes with a political message. At Lolita in Fort Point, receipts are printed with bold font at the top encouraging customers to vote ‘no’ on Question 5, which would progressively phase out the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers and allow the expansion of tip pooling to back-of-the house workers, like cooks and dishwashers. At Fiorella’s Cucina in Concord, signs outside make the restaurant’s position clear, and customers receive ‘No on 5’ pamphlets at the host stand.”
| | THE RACE FOR CITY HALL | | — “Mayors race: Beauregard vs. Sarcione,” by Teddy Tauscher, The Eagle-Tribune: “With the deadline to return nomination papers to run for mayor passed, voters now have a clear picture of the candidates. City Councilor and Acting Mayor D.J. Beauregard will face off against businessman and entrepreneur Jim Sarcione. The election, set for Dec. 10, was triggered after the unexpected passing of the late Mayor Neil Perry last month. The race’s winner will serve for the remainder of Perry’s term which concludes at the end of next year.”
| | | | A message from Johnson & Johnson:   | | | | | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES | | — “North Adams Mayor tells Airport Commission to rescind lease awarded to Michael Milazzo for airport hangar,” by Sten Spinella, The Berkshire Eagle: “Mayor Jennifer Macksey's letter to the commission is a strong intervention from Macksey, who has mostly kept her distance from the issue of the Harriman-and-West Airport hangar — and Michael Milazzo's proposal after alleging causing the initial damage to the hanger — until this point.”
| | YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS | | — “12% of Mass. voters have already cast their ballots,” by Amy Gorel, WBUR: “More than 80,000 Massachusetts voters cast their ballots in this year's presidential election during the first weekend of early voting. In addition, more than half a million residents have submitted mail-in ballots so far, according to the secretary of state's office. By Monday evening, local election clerks reported that about 12% of registered voters had participated in the general election.” — “Trump 2024 sign still in the spotlight in Hanson,” by Kiera McDonald, The Boston Globe: “A Hanson resident has stopped projecting a Trump 2024 sign onto the town’s water tower since receiving a cease-and-desist letter on Oct. 12, but has not agreed in writing not to do it again, the Select Board said Tuesday night. As a result, the town will continue to keep measures in place to ensure the image does not appear on the tower, according to the statement.” FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Democratic state Reps. Jeff Roy, Ted Philips and James Arena-DeRosa are endorsing Kevin Kalkut, according to his campaign, in his bid to oust their Republican colleague, state Rep. Marcus Vaughn, in the 9th Norfolk District. — “For Congress, U.S. Rep. Bill Keating faces challenger Dan Sullivan, a working nurse,” by Anastasia E. Lennon, The New Bedford Light. — “Muratore and Fernandes prioritize their goals in Cape, Plymouth race,” by Rachael Devaney, Cape Cod Times. — “Harris vs. Trump: How the election could affect health care in Mass.,” by Susannah Sudborough, MassLive. — “Here’s where wealthy Mass. donors are sending their money in the 2024 election,” by Samantha J. Gross, The Boston Globe.
| | | FROM THE 413 | | | — “Pittsfield city councilors urge school administrators to establish new, improved methods for staff input,” by Matt Martinez, The Berkshire Eagle.
| | THE LOCAL ANGLE | | — “Brookline police probing swastika stickers posted in Coolidge Corner area, officials say,” by Camilo Fonseca, The Boston Globe.
| | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Molly Drennan and Annika Lichtenbaum. Happy belated to Stephanie Cutter and Naysa Woomer, who celebrated Tuesday; Will Baldwin, who celebrated Monday; and Robert Pinsky, who celebrated Sunday.
| | | | A message from Johnson & Johnson: At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured; treatments are smarter and less invasive; and solutions are personal. We are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum, of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow. We combine our science and technology with our determination to create a powerful force for care… and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more. | | | 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 | | | | |
