 | By Kelly Garrity
TRUMP/DOGE/MUSKRAT IS DESIGNED TO BE CONFUSING! DON'T LET IT BE! FOCUS ON WHAT'S IMPORTANT: DEMOCRACY!
| ON THE DOCKET — The lawsuits keep coming. Fifty-two days into President Doanld Trump’s second term, Attorney General Andrea Campbell has already sued the federal government more than half a dozen times. The latest lawsuit, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, seeks to stop the Trump administration from shutting down the U.S. Education Department after massive layoffs earlier this week. “Neither President Trump nor his secretary have the power to demolish a congressionally created department, and as attorney general but most importantly as a mom, I will continue to hold this administration accountable for illegal actions that harm our residents and economy,” Campbell said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. Add that to the long list of actions Democratic attorneys general have taken to try to stymie the White House’s efforts to dramatically shrink the federal government and tamp down immigration. So far, Campbell has sued to block a slew of actions from the federal government, from ending birthright citizenship to the federal funding freeze, the creation of the Department of Government of Efficiency, DOGE’s access to private data, halting specific grants for education and medical research — a long list less than two months into Trump’s second term. And that’s not counting the motions and amicus briefs as the cases move through the courts. Campbell appears to be on track to outpace her predecessor, now-Gov. Maura Healey, who sued Trump nearly 100 times during his first term in office. The flurry of lawsuits flying from Democratic attorneys general offices is a key piece of Democrats’ strategy as they struggle to find a way to push back on Trump’s agenda, with Republican majorities in both the House and Senate. And based on Senate Democrats’ shutdown dilemma Thursday night, it might be the only one they can rely on. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . TGIF TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey has no public events. Auditor Diana DiZoglio at speaks at the Western Mass Area Labor Federation Breakfast at 8 a.m. and attends Ancient Order of Hibernians St. Paddy’s Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu attends an Age Strong St. Patrick's Day celebration at 11:30 a.m. in Charlestown and speaks at Boston’s annual Community Iftar at 6 p.m. in Roxbury. THIS WEEKEND — State Sen. Nick Collins is on WBZ’s “Keller @ Large” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday.
"R" VOTERS" IT'S TIME TO THINK! KNOWN FOR SOFTBALL INTERVIEWS, HOW ABOUT ASKING ABOUT THIS GEM: Mass. senator who blocked Boston property tax bill saw flood of real estate donationsSouth Boston state Sen. Nick Collins’ campaign committee collected $17,200 in contributions from real estate executives, developers and related industry groups in November, state campaign finance records show, representing more than three-quarters of the total donations he received. The Democrat also took in $17,250 from similar donors — real estate developers, construction firms, investors and small property owners — in October. The latest sums marked large jumps from his total contributions of $3,800 in September and $5,400 in August. The new money came in as negotiations ratcheted up on the tax bill championed by Mayor Michelle Wu to spare Boston residents a large property tax hike. Collins, whose district also includes parts of Dorchester and the Seaport, has long enjoyed campaign contributions from the real estate and construction industries, state campaign finance data show, including more than $14,000 in June. He was elected to his office in 2018, after former state Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry resigned to work for Suffolk Construction, one of the city's top developers. The compromise version of the bill passed the House of Representatives last month. But on Monday, Collins used a procedural maneuver to delay the vote when it came up in the Senate.
KELLER: HOW ABOUT SOME INFORMED QUESTIONS?
PETER DURANT:
State Sen. Peter Durant is on WCVB’s “On the Record” at 11 a.m. Sunday.
DURANT'S FIRST ACT IN OFFICE WAS TO ENDORSE FLORIDA FASCIST DESANTIS, ALONG WITH FATTMAN KNOWN FOR FAMILY CAMPAIGN FINANCE ABUSE & KELLY PEASE...SCRUTINUZE KELLY PEASE ANOTHER GUN ZEALOTS AMONG OTHER ISSUES.... POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook:
DESANTISLAND — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis picked up another two backers in the Bay State after this week's debate: Republicans state Sen. Ryan Fattman and state Rep. Kelly Pease .
LOOK UP RYAN FATTMAN'S OUTRAGEOUS CAMPAIGN FINANCE ABUSE THAT INVOLVED THE ENTIRE FAMILY!
The state’s emergency shelter system serves both permanent Massachusetts residents and migrant new arrivals.
THE BLOVIATORS IGNORE THIS: More than 75% of families now seeking shelter are “long-time Massachusetts” residents, according to the Healey administration. On a cold night, looking for New Bedford’s unhousedThe annual overnight census provides a snapshot of New Bedford’s homeless population. The 24-hour continuous effort is one of more than 400 censuses that take place on the same night in towns and cities across America. https://newbedfordlight.org/on-a-cold-night-looking-for-new-bedfords-unhoused/ SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THE BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM CONDUCTED A SURVEY & FOUND THAT 20,000 STUDENTS WERE HOMELESS...THIS IS NOT YOUR RACIST ISSUE HAVING TO DO WITH 'IMMIGRANTS' WHO ARE NOT LILY WHITE! THESE ARE KIDS TRYING TO GET AN EDUCATION WHO ARE HANDICAPPED BECAUSE THEY ARE HOMELESS! NOWHERE HAVE REPUBLICANS OR MASS GOP OFFERED SOLUTIONS! SCOTUS MADE HOMELESSNESS A CRIME! YOUR SOLUTION? — “Stricter Mass. gun law in crossfire with safety activists, firearms advocates,” by Andrea Macho, Telegram & Gazette. PETER DURANT has an already questionable history since his first action in office was to endorse the FLORIDA FASCIST! excerpt from the article: Sen. Peter Durant, R-Spencer, has been outspoken in pushing for repeal and has already begun to file several bills aimed at rolling back key provisions of the gun law.
“The gun bill, as it was passed, really only hurts law-abiding citizens and makes their life much more difficult,” Durant said. “It makes it much more difficult to exercise their Second Amendment right.”
***GUN ZEALOTS**** "R" VOTERS NEED TO SCRUTINIZE CANDIDATES! JOHN GASKY HAS A READING COMPREHENSION PROBLEM! THE APPEALS COURT DECISION IS WIDELY AVAILABLE & PERTAINED TO HAND GUNS! SPONSORED THE LEGISLATION! JOHN GASKY RAN UN-OPPOSED! BIG MISTAKE FOR THIS CLOWN! HAND GUNS! Federal law banning handgun sales 18- to 20-year-olds is unconstitutional, appeals court rules
****BEWARE! GUN ZEALOTS RETURN!**** STUDIES INDICATE THAT THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS FAVOR STRONG GUN LAWS THAT PROTECT THE PUBLIC
ARTICLE WORTH READING!
The 10 States With the Highest Gun Death Ratesexcerpts: At the same time, 60% of U.S. adults viewed gun violence as "a very big problem," and data illuminates why: There were more than 48,000 gun deaths across the U.S. in 2022, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s down slightly from the year before but still amounts to more than 130 people dying from a gun injury each day, frequently in connection with suicide or homicide. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/states-with-the-highest-gun-death-rates THE MAJORITY OF VOTERS SUPPORT GUN REFORM! SUPPORT THOSE GROUPS! PAY ATTENTION BECAUSE A SMALL ACTIVE GROUP OF WELL FUNDED GUN ZEALOTS OPPOSE THOSE EFFORTS! OTHER STATES ALLOW GUN PURCHASES WITH NO PERMITS, NO BACKGROUND CHECKS & NO LIMITS THERE IS NO TRACKING OF THOSE GUNS THAT ARE FLOODING OUR STREETS
MASS GOP DIM WITS WERE WRONG! — “Groups sue state over firearm age restrictions,” by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: “A coalition of gun rights groups are suing Massachusetts over a ban on the sale of handguns and semi-automatic firearms to anyone age 18 to 20, arguing that the state’s restrictions are unconstitutional in the wake of recent federal court rulings. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Boston on Friday, alleges that the state’s age restrictions violate the Second Amendment and are ‘inconsistent’ with the nation’s history of firearm regulation. They are asking a judge to declare that the restrictions on 18- to 20-year-olds unconstitutional and prohibit the state from enforcing them.”
PAY WALL MASS GOP CLOWNS RUSHED TO ENDORSE THE FASCIST DESANTIS IGNORING HIS FAILURES IN FLORIDA! POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook:
DESANTISLAND — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis picked up another two backers in the Bay State after this week's debate: Republicans state Sen. Ryan Fattman and state Rep. Kelly Pease .
MASS GOP RUSHED TO ENDORSE DESANTIS - YOU DISCREDIT YOURSELVES WHEN YOU ENDORSED SUCH DIM WITS!
FLORIDA HAS A LIMESTONE BASE THAT MAKES IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLOODING - DESANTIS SLASHED FUNDING!
POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook:
DESANTISLAND — One of GOP state Rep. Peter Durant ’s first big actions as state senator-elect: endorsing Ron DeSantis for president, per the Florida governor's campaign.
THIS IS THE CLOWN THAT PETER DURANT ENDORSED:
NOTE: GREAT BARRINGTON DECLARATION is a DIRTY ENERGY KOCH funded think tank - it's a SCAM!
Ron DeSantis' New Surgeon General Appeared in 'Demon Sperm' Doctor's COVID Conspiracy Video
excerpt:
One of the video's main speakers, Dr. Stella Immanuel, is a physician who operates a medical clinic in a Texas strip mall next to her church, Firepower Ministries. In the video, she called hydroxychloroquine a "cure" and said, "You don't need a mask" to prevent the virus' spread.
Immanuel has claimed that ovarian cysts and endometriosis are caused by "demonic seed." Demons insert sperm into sleeping individuals when they have sex in their dreams, Immanuel claimed in articles on her church's website.
Ladapo has also promoted the anti-parasite medication ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19 symptoms. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has advised against using ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment.
In October 2020, Ladapo signed the Great Barrington Declaration, a statement that called for developing societal herd immunity to COVID-19 through natural infection. ****TRUMP promoted DR. STELLA IMMANUEL! That defines STUPID!**** EUROPEAN NATIONS PROVIDE UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE & CONDUCTED TESTING IN HOSPITAL SETTINGS OF THESE BOGUS CURES WHERE THEY COULD INTERVENE IN CASE OF ADVERSE REACTIONS & DETERMINED THAT THEY WERE WORTHLESS! SCIENCE, FACTS & MEDICAL STUDIES MATTER! NOT DIMWITS PROMOTING BOGUS MEDICAL INFORMATION! "R" VOTERS ignore FACTS & fail to research CANDIDATES! RYAN FATTMAN WHITE WASHED HIS EGREGIOUS VIOLATIONS OF LAW & PRETENDS IT WAS 'POLITICAL' ! TYPICAL REPUBLICAN EXCUSE FOR HIS CRIMES THE ENTIRE FAMILY PARTICIPATED IN! Massachusetts GOP couple agree to state’s largest settlement after campaign finance investigationThe settlements to be paid by Republican state Sen. Ryan Fattman, Worcester County Register of Probate Stephanie Fattman and others total hundreds of thousands of dollars — the largest amounts ever paid by candidate committees to the state to resolve cases after campaign finance investigations, according to Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, a Democrat. The Office of Campaign and Political Finance investigated contributions funneled from Ryan Fattman’s senate campaign committee through state and local Republican committees to Stephanie Fattman’s register of probate committee during her 2020 reelection campaign. In 2020, Ryan Fattman’s campaign donated money to the Republican State Committee and the Sutton Republican Town Committee, which used the money to help fund more than 500,000 mailers to support Stephanie Fattman’s reelection campaign, according to investigators. The contributions, totaling more than $160,000 — of which $137,000 flowed through the Republican State Committee — far exceeded the legal limit of $100 on contributions from one candidate to another, Campbell said. Under the settlement both Stephanie Fattman and the Stephanie Fattman Committee must pay out the full amount of the impermissible contributions funneled to the committee through the Republican State Committee — $137,000. Ryan Fattman must pay $55,000. Donald Fattman, former treasurer of the Ryan Fattman Committee and Ryan Fattman’s father, must pay $10,000. “We are grateful to put this matter behind us, and are appreciative of the outpouring of support we received along the way. The professionalism we experienced from the Attorney General’s Office was noteworthy. They treated us with respect, conducted business with decorum, and ultimately agreed that there was no liability or wrongdoing attributed to us,” Ryan Fattman said in a statement. He also said he and his wife were “targets of political persecution from an outgoing political appointee” and that successful Republicans are held to a different standard than Democrats in the heavily Democratic state. Last month the attorney general’s office reached a settlement agreement with the Massachusetts Republican State Committee in the same campaign finance violation case. The Committee has agreed to pay a total of $15,000 by December. The Sutton Republican Town Committee also entered into an agreement, paying the remains of its committee bank account to the state, more than $5,200. As part of the agreement, Anthony Fattman, Ryan Fattman’s brother and chair of the Sutton Republican Town Committee, will resign. https://apnews.com/article/massachusetts-highest-campaign-finance-violation-settlement-0b46c646c1a6d228982afd0b33afa9fa
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@politico.com .
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| *****INTERESTING ISSUES TO ADDRESS!****
— “New commission to change controversial state seal already behind schedule,” by Gintautas Dumcius, CommonWealth Beacon: “A renewed effort to come up with proposals for a new Massachusetts seal by July is already running months behind schedule. The advisory commission, focused on replacing the controversial emblem, must offer up three options for the state seal, as well as the flag and the state’s motto. It must also seek public comment through at least three public hearings across the state, and submit its final recommendations to Gov. Maura Healey by July 29. But it plans to hold its first meeting on March 20, roughly eight months after it was created. The 10-member commission, which is getting $100,000 for the effort, is still missing some appointees.” CHINA INVESTED IN CHEAP CLEAN ENERGY & HIGH SPEED RAIL THEIR ECONOMY IS PROSPERING! TRUMP/MUSKRAT/MAGA OPPOSE REASONABLE SOLUTIONS....THE US LAGS YEARS BEHIND.... — “Healey’s $8B transportation plan relies on potentially unreliable federal funds,” by Matthew Medsgar, Boston Herald: “The fate of the Bay State’s $8 billion plan to turn the MBTA around and shore up transportation infrastructure depends somewhat on the federal government choosing not to be ‘foolish’ or ‘dumb’ when it comes to allocating federal highway grants, according to the governor. Healey was in Somerville on Thursday to tour the MBTA Boston Engine Terminal as she continues on her “Transforming Transportation Roadshow” when she made the remarks, which came in response to a question about the survival chances of her plan amidst a recalcitrant Trump Administration’s efforts to bring the states in line with presidential policy via the government checkbook.”
| | FROM THE HUB |
| ****NOT AGAIN! HOW MANY TIMES MUST VOTERS OPPOSE A LOSER? LOOK AT THE CONSEQUENCES IN OTHER STATES...**** — “ Boston braces to consider ranked choice voting in local elections,” by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: “Boston is inching closer to having ranked choice voting in local elections. The push, led by At-Large City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune, comes nearly five years after voters across the commonwealth rejected the idea for state and federal elections.” — “Ahead of St. Patrick’s Day parade, Southie leaders warn of ‘zero tolerance’ for public debauchery,” by Danny McDonald, The Boston Globe: “It is an annual rite in the city: on a Sunday on or near St. Patrick’s Day in March, a crowd of hundreds of thousands, many clad in green, descend onto South Boston’s streets for an annual parade. And this year, Southie leaders are warning visitors to behave, saying there will be ‘zero tolerance’ for the ‘out-of-control behavior’ that was on display last year.” — “'Uncharted waters': Boston finds itself in the Trump administration's crosshairs,” by Simón Rios, WBUR.
INTERESTING HISTORY WORTH READING! SANCTUARY CITIES HAVE LOWER CRIME RATES THAN THOSE FILLED WITH AMERICANS...THEY COME HERE TO RAISE THEIR FAMILIES IN PEACE...HOW COME IT'S THE BIGOTS, RACISTS & WHITE SUPREMACISTS RAISING THESE ISSUES? | | YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS |
| FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — The American Federation of Teachers is endorsing Beverly City Councilor Hannah Bowen in the race to replace former state Rep. Jerry Parislla.
| | FROM THE DELEGATION |
| — “Rep. Stephen Lynch says this government shutdown threat feels different,” by Robert Goulston, GBH News: “Federal workers in Massachusetts are looking at the possibility of furloughs as a government shutdown looms. U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, who represents Massachusetts’ 8th District, says the situation only adds to the burden faced by federal employees, who have been dealing with major uncertainty amid layoffs and funding cuts. Lynch argues that with President Donald Trump in power, this go-around is different than previous shutdown battles.”
| | DATELINE D.C. |
| MAGA GOP CONTINUING RESOLUTION IS WRONG! SCHUMER SHUTS DOWN THE SHUTDOWN — After days of debate over whether or not to try to leverage a government shutdown to advantage, Senate Democrats appear poised to back a stop-gap spending to keep the federal government from grinding to halt after tonight’s deadline. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced his plans to support the bill late Thursday night, warning that a shutdown would “give Donald Trump the keys to the city, the state and the country.” That’s not sitting so well with the Democratic base, and with some Bay State politicians. “Extremely disappointed,” Rep. Jim McGovern told POLITICO’s Congress team after he heard the news. “It gives them the ability, Elon Musk the ability, to go through and continue to do the shit he’s doing.”More on Dems furry from Brakkton Booker, Lisa Kashinsky and Jordain Carney
| | FROM THE 413 |
| — “North Adams City Council votes with mayor, will no longer weigh in on appointments to Airport Commission,” by Sten Spinella, The Berkshire Eagle. IN CHARLOTTESVILLE,TRUMP SUPPORTED EXTREMISTS CHANTED "JEWS WILL NOT REPLACE US" & NOW WE PRETEND THAT TRUMP SUPPORTS JEWS? — “Special commission gauges climate for Jews in region during visit to WMass,” by Alexander MacDougall, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Members of the state’s Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism held its fifth meeting this week in the western part of the commonwealth, hearing testimony from local experts and residents, including several from Northampton, on their experience dealing with antisemitism.”
| | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| ****MUSK/DOGE/TRUMP SLASHING FUNDING & RESEARCH!***** — “UMass medical school suspends certain PhD admissions, citing ‘funding uncertainty’ under Trump,” by Sarah Betancourt and Kirk Carapezza, GBH News: “A number of applicants offered spots at a biomedical sciences program at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester had those offers rescinded this week, the latest consequence of the Trump administration’s cuts to federal funding. In response to questions from GBH News, the university’s communications department tied the decision at the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences to funding uncertainty for biomedical research.” — “Former Fall River city chief, Mayor Coogan explain resignation: 'Wish this never happened',” by Dan Medeiros, The Herald News: “The abrupt resignation of former city administrator Seth Aitken came after officials raised concerns that Aitken helped file business incorporation papers for a city EMS official who had planned to start a business. Through a public records request, The Herald News obtained paperwork relative to an “internal, unofficial investigation” of Aitken that took place recently. Included in the records were two incorporation documents from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office, dated April 9, 2024.” — “Lawrence schools to lose $14 million in federal funding with DOE demolition,” by Jill Harmacinski, The Eagle-Tribune.
PAY WALL | | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH |
| HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell, former Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford, Jackson Cote, Denise Lloyd, Kenzington “Zing” Elechko, Miles Weber and Susan Slattery. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to Leonardo Alcivar and Johanna Campbell Case, who celebrate Saturday; and to Sunday birthday-ers Boston Globe alum Felicia Gans Sobey, Mark Eurich, Bobby Deren and Mary Deren 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 .
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