| | | | |  | | By Kelly Garrity | MONEY MATTERS — Federal funding will keep flowing — for now. The confusion and criticism over the policy that President Donald Trump rolled out Monday night that was set to halt federal grants and loans by 5 p.m. last night was cut short by a decision from a Washington, D.C., federal court judge, who halted the pause minutes before it was set to go into effect after nonprofit and public health groups sued the White House over the executive order. But that wasn’t before the state’s congressional offices were hit with a deluge of calls from organizations and agencies fretting over access to the federal dollars they’ve relied on. The Bay State's Democratic leaders blasted the order. “It’s going to cost us jobs in construction. It’s going to raise energy costs. It’s going to interfere with people’s access to food assistance and health care. It’s going to cut off seniors’ access to assistance to pay their heating bills," Gov. Maura Healey told reporters. "That’s just the start of it.” Attorney General Andrea Campbell is co-leading another lawsuit, this one filed in Rhode Island, alongside attorneys general from New York, California, Illinois, Rhode Island and New Jersey. The order keeping Trump’s policy at bay is set to expire Monday, leaving states like Massachusetts still with little time to prepare for the possibility should the court allow the federal government to move forward with the pause (The state attorneys general argue it violates Congress power to control the government's purse strings.). Whether the chaos of the day will affect Bay State budget writers’ plans isn’t clear yet. One idea that could reemerge: At a hearing to consider the bottom line for the state’s budget late last year, state Sen. Joanne M. Comerford questioned one of the experts testifying before lawmakers about the possibility of setting up a reserve fund, should Massachusetts see the flow of federal funds (which the state relies on heavily for MassHealth, its biggest budget item) dry up. Senate budget chief Sen. Michael Rodrigues called it “an interesting proposal” at the time, noting that there would need to be a revenue source attached. But Gov. Maura Healey’s budget writers didn’t work any such policies into her $62 billion budget bill. “I don’t know what we’ll take from the incoming administration,” Healey said at a press conference unveiling her budget last week. House and Senate leaders haven’t given much indication of how they intend to change the spending bill as it comes before their respective chambers over the next several months. House Speaker Ron Mariano, whose chamber will take the first crack at adjusting, said he was “deeply concerned” about the federal spending freeze. “The House will continue to monitor the situation as it develops,” he said in a statement. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. We're halfway through the week! TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll host a news conference about the scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress at 12:30 p.m. at the State House. Driscoll speaks at MassBio’s 2025 Policy Leadership Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. in Boston. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@politico.com.
| | | | Power shifts, razor-thin margins, and a high-stakes agenda. We’ve transformed our coverage—more reporters, more timely insights, and unmatched policy scoops. From leadership offices to committee rooms, caucus meetings, and beyond, our expert reporting keeps you ahead of the decisions that matter. Subscribe to our Inside Congress newsletter today. | | | | | |  | DATELINE BEACON HILL | | DOLLAR SIGNS — State officials responded to the bevy of questions House budget chief Rep. Aaron Michlewitz sent them last week about the proposed changes to the emergency shelter system that the governor hitched to the supplemental spending bill she filed earlier this month. The response detailed a downward trend in the number of families enter shelter in Massachusetts, and the number of hotels housing homeless families (down to 55, from a peak that topped 100). But the 16-page reply left some questions unanswered. One big one: how much money the proposed changes would actually save the state. A sign of how the House is taking the reply: Mariano’s office had alerted members to a potential formal session this week where they could’ve taken up the supplemental spending bill, but an updated schedule sent out Tuesday afternoon only set informal sessions for today and tomorrow — making it less likely that the House would move on the bill this week. — “MassDOT makes naxolone available at some RMVs in pilot program,” by Fausto Menardand Rachell Sanchez-Smith, WBUR: “Massachusetts officials are making naloxone available at three state Department of Transportation facilities, as the state pushes to expand access to the overdose reversal drug. MassDOT said security guards and other employees were trained on how to recognize an overdose and administer naloxone, often purchased as the nasal spray Narcan.” — “Mass. officials used confidentiality clauses in dozens of settlements despite supposed NDA ban, audit finds,” by Matt Stout and Anjali Huynh, The Boston Globe: “Massachusetts state agencies entered into at least 159 settlements with employees over a 13-year span that included some type of nondisclosure or confidentiality clause, including dozens in the years after state officials supposedly banned the use of NDAs, a newly released state audit found. State Auditor Diana DiZoglio on Tuesday charged that Massachusetts is relying on a ‘broken system’ for both executing and tracking settlements with former and current employees — agreements that collectively cost the state millions of dollars but that for years lacked any formal policies governing how they’re used.” — “Healey seeks more pothole money for cities, towns,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “Gov. Maura Healey is pledging more money to help cities and towns across Massachusetts fix potholed roads and decaying bridges with a plan that calls for tapping into revenue from the state's millionaires' tax. Healey's proposal calls for borrowing $1.5 billion over the next five years to help 351 cities and towns repave and make other transportation upgrades. The plan, which requires legislative approval, would provide up to $300 million a year to local governments — a 50 percent increase over previous fiscal years.”
| | MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS | | — “State urges prep, but pragmatism, for faith leaders worried about immigration enforcement,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: “State officials are urging calm but preparation as the Trump administration removes limits to agents seeking immigrants at houses of worship. The state attorney general’s office and Office of Refugees and Immigrants held an online information session for faith leaders in collaboration with Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston and the Massachusetts Council of Churches, with over 1,200 registrants. Churches have long served as sanctuaries — and have generally been off limits to immigration enforcement. Many immigrants are also practicing members of Christian and Muslim faiths, and attend services. But new guidance under the Trump administration opens up churches and schools as potential sites for arrests.” — “‘People are living in fear’: Worcester mayor seeks clarity on potential ICE raids,” by Adam Bass, MassLive: “As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents continue mass deportations throughout the county, Worcester leaders want to know what the city’s policies are in the event of agents acting on enforcement and removal operations. Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty is asking City Manager Eric Batista to request the city solicitor provide a report detailing the city’s policies in the event ICE conducts enforcement and removal operations in Worcester.” — “New Bedford schools will look to state AG if immigration calls. Is likelihood growing?,” by Frank Mulligan, The Standard-Times: “New Bedford schools will follow guidelines set down by the state Attorney General’s Office when it comes to building access sought by federal immigration enforcement. And updated guidelines were issued Monday by the AG’s Office to school officials statewide in light of the Trump Administration’s change in federal policy protecting ‘sensitive areas,’ like schools. New Bedford School Superintendent Andrew B. O’Leary told staff last week that the schools would follow the Massachusetts Attorney General's office guidance regarding restricting building access and access to information by immigration enforcement or other federal agencies.” COMER CALLING — Democratic mayors, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, were still weighing their next moves Tuesday after the GOP-led House Oversight and Government Reform Committee launched an investigation into their jurisdictions over their immigration policies. Wu, in her first in-person appearance at City Hall since giving birth nearly two weeks ago, touted Boston’s reputation as one of the safest major cities in the country. But neither she nor Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson revealed much about how they plan to respond to the letter from Oversight Chair Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) requesting information and inviting them to testify before his committee early next month. Dive deeper RELATED — “Request to testify before Congress on immigration puts Boston — and Michelle Wu — back in national GOP’s crosshairs,” by Emma Platoff and Samantha J. Gross, The Boston Globe.
| | | | New Year. New Washington. New Playbook. With intensified congressional coverage and even faster delivery of policy scoops, POLITICO’s reimagined Playbook Newsletter ensures you’re always ahead of the conversation. Sign up today. | | | | | | | FROM THE 413 | | — “Berkshire state legislators share concerns about housing cuts, candy tax, and regional equity in Healey’s budget proposal,” by Josh Landes, WAMC Northeast Public Radio. — “Springfield school buses going electric with federal EPA grant,” by Jeanette DeForge, The Springfield Republican: “The city will take 25 of its oldest and most polluting school buses off the road in the upcoming years thanks to a $6.6 million federal grant that will allow it to purchase electric vehicles as a replacement. Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined with Superintendent Sonia Dinnall and U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, to announce the grant that will allow the city to start replacing its fleet of 145 of its standard-size buses with the electric buses that are more environmentally friendly but cost more than twice the amount of a diesel bus.”
| | THE LOCAL ANGLE | | — “'Public fight': Human Rights Commission frustrated by silence from city manager,” by Brad Petrishen, Telegram & Gazette — “City's veterans services director has big plans for Worcester,” by Kinga Borondy, Telegram & Gazette. — “How is Brockton High's cell phone ban going as MA considers statewide ban?,” by Hailey Clevenger, The Brockton Enterprise: “Brockton High School may be one step ahead of the Attorney General with the implementation of a policy banning cell phone use during the school day. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell recently introduced the STUDY Act, an act promoting Safe Technology Use and Distraction-free education for Youth, that would limit cell phone use in all public schools in Massachusetts.”
| | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH | | TRANSITIONS — The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts has added five members to its board of directors: Chicopee City Councilor Shane Brooks, Jessica Dupont of HealthOne Alliance, Dr. Tyonne Hinson of Baystate Health, Charles Redd of Berkshire Health Systems and Dr. Gregory Todd of Men of Color Health Awareness. — Scituate state Rep. Patrick Kearney is joining the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas as a technical advisor. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Rep. Jake Auchincloss, Provincetown Town Manager Alex Morse, Dr. Natalia Linos, Mass. Playbook alum and Bloomberg’s Lauren Dezenski and Rich Rubino. Happy belated to Imani Roberson, digital communications director for Senate President Karen Spilka, who celebrated Tuesday. 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 | | | | |
