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| By Kelly Garrity | DEJA VU — A year ago, Gov. Maura Healey delivered her first State of the Commonwealth speech amid a period of fiscal uncertainty and with the state’s bursting emergency shelter system on the verge of running into the red. A lot has happened since then, but the backdrop to Healey’s speech tonight has some significant parallels to the circumstances hanging over her administration 12 months ago. Budget writers are planning for another year of slow revenue growth, while the emergency shelter system, again on the verge of running out of funds, has become an even bigger challenge for an administration now trying to beat back headlines about crime and cost. But this year instead of pitching lawmakers on passing her legislative agenda, Healey, now north of the halfway point in her term, will be sending a message to voters about what she’s accomplished — and why they should send her back for another round. In that vein, Healey plans to highlight some of her biggest accomplishments from the last legislative session, according to a synopsis of the speech shared by her office, from tax relief to her housing bond bill to the hulking the economic development legislation she brought back from the brink after a stormy final formal session last summer. She’ll also outline the $8 billion transportation financing plan she announced in Worcester earlier this week that would, among other things, see the state lean on revenue from the so-called millionaires’ tax to help keep the MBTA, otherwise staring down a yawning budget gap, afloat. And she’ll highlight a proposal she rolled out at the start of the week that would require broker fees to be paid by whoever hires them. Expect to hear the word “affordability” tossed around a lot tonight. Not featured in the preview Healey’s office provided to reporters: any mention of President-elect Donald Trump and the imminent arrival of a federal administration that she aggressively campaigned against (one that’s likely to be much less friendly to Massachusetts than the one leaving the White House in four days' time). Nor did Healey’s office indicate any plans to address the other topic that’ll likely be on everyone’s minds: the new shelter rules (more on those below) she told legislative leaders yesterday she wants them to pass. (Though that doesn’t necessarily mean she won’t touch those topics, directly or indirectly). GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. One person who will be talking about the state's shelter and migrant crisis tonight: Republican Rep. Marcus Vaughn, who's set to deliver a rebuttal to Healey's speech. TODAY — Healey’s speech starts at 7 p.m. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Auditor Diana DiZolgio, and Attorney General Andrea Campbelll attend. Campbell participates in a fireside chat at Northeastern University’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at 3 p.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.
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DATELINE BEACON HILL | | SWEEPING SHELTER CHANGES — Gov. Maura Healey proposed a slate of serious changes to the emergency shelter system that would effectively end Massachusetts’ unique “right-to-shelter” law as it has existed for decades. After days of scrutiny spurred by the arrest of an undocumented migrant at a Revere shelter, newly released documents that detail incidents of alleged crime in shelters, and the revelation that the state was not conducting CORI checks on those in the system, Healey on Wednesday laid out new restrictions on who can stay in the system that she wants to see lawmakers approve. Among the changes: Only allowing families who prove they have been in the state for three months to stay in shelters, requiring applicants to disclose criminal convictions in Massachusetts or elsewhere and ending presumptive eligibility for those seeking shelter. But first she’ll need buy-in from the Legislature. House Speaker Ron Mariano didn’t indicate if he’d support the changes, but said the House “will remain focused on instituting further reforms centered around fiscal responsibility and safety,” in a statement. Senate President Karen Spilka’s response was even more tepid. Spilka “has long recognized our moral responsibility to keep families in crisis off of our streets, and will work with her colleagues to review this proposal with the gravity that it deserves,” a spokesperson for the Senate president said in a statement, while acknowledging the need to balance costs with services. Safe to say there’s plenty of negotiating to be done — and not a ton of time to do it if lawmakers and Healey want to hitch to the changes to the stop-gap funding bill, with the shelter system set to run out of funds by the end of the month. More from the Boston Herald and the Boston Globe. — “Questions swirl around departure of Healey's shelter chief,” by Walter Wuthmann, WBUR: “The sudden and quiet departure of Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice from his role overseeing the state's emergency family shelter system is drawing criticism from advocates and lawmakers who say they were left in the dark while the program fell further into crisis. … Reached by phone Tuesday, Rice disputed [Gov. Maura] Healey's account, saying ‘retired’ wasn't the right word to describe his departure.” — “Republicans want to give judges authority on ICE detainers,” by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: “Republican lawmakers have refiled a proposal that would authorize state and local judges to hold criminal suspects on federal immigration detainers, as incoming President Donald Trump is pledging to conduct the largest mass deportation in U.S. history.” — “1st Berkshire State Rep. Barrett ready for another session on Beacon Hill ahead of Healey’s State of the Commonwealth,” by Josh Landes, WAMC Northeast Public Radio.
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FROM THE HUB | | FIRST TIME CALLER — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu made a surprise call in to GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” yesterday, two days after giving birth to her third child, a daughter, on Monday. Wu said she’s been in touch with her team at City Hall, “editing press releases, or looking at different things that we’re mapping out for the next couple weeks,” she told hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan. — “Could Boston implement a sugary drink tax? Some City Councilors want to explore the idea,” by Niki Griswold, The Boston Globe: “Some Boston City Councilors want to explore the possibility of imposing a new local tax on sugary drinks. Councilor Sharon Durkan, who introduced the idea, argued the tax could be an effective way to both encourage residents to make healthier dietary choices while also raising revenue the city could spend on public health efforts. Durkan submitted a request Wednesday for the council to hold a hearing on the issue.”
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| FROM THE 413
| | — “Amherst Regional school board warned that schools face 2026 deficit, job cuts,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “Up to 24 staff positions would be eliminated at the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools, including four teachers and three paraprofessionals at both the middle and high schools, based on a possible deficit of $1 million or more in the schools’ $37.7 million fiscal year 2026 budget.” — “Pittsfield's new trash toter program is seeing early success, but challenges remain,” by Maryjane Williams, The Berkshire Eagle.
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THE LOCAL ANGLE | | — “Worcester elected official to take hiatus, cites 'transphobia' on City Council,” by Toni Caushi, Telegram & Gazette: “Councilor-at-Large Thu Nguyen will step away from their duties as a councilor for a month, citing ‘transphobia and discriminatory and toxic council culture.’ In a statement released Wednesday morning, Nguyen made reference to allegations they had been misgendered by Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Councilor-at-Large Kathleen Toomey on the council floor. They also mentioned ‘recently learning’ that they had been called ‘it’ by another councilor, District 2 Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson.” RELATED RESPONSE — “Mayor Petty and Councilor Mero-Carlson respond to allegations from Councilor Nguyen,” by Toni Caushi, Telegram & Gazette. — “George Russell will not seek reelection as District 3 city councilor,” by Toni Caushi, Telegram & Gazette. — “'That ends now.' NJ congressman wants to end offshore wind. Cape, MA leaders respond,” by Heather McCarron, Cape Cod Times: “Members of the Legislature, the state's congressional delegation and local environmentalists vow to fight a reported executive order planned by President-elect Donald Trump to halt offshore wind turbine projects along the East Coast. New Jersey Congressman Jeff Van Drew on Monday said he's collaborating with Trump to draft such an executive order.” — “'Inhumane, unenforceable and unconstitutional' — Brockton mayor blasts homelessness laws,” by Chris Helms, The Brockton Enterprise: “Brockton Mayor Robert F. Sullivan has come out swinging after city councilors overrode his vetoes on two controversial bills about homelessness. In a press statement released Wednesday afternoon, Sullivan said the ordinances against camping and loitering on city property are ‘inhumane, unenforceable and unconstitutional.’” RELATED — “'Where are we supposed to go?' Brockton's homeless community disheartened by veto override,” by Christopher Butler, The Brockton Enterprise. — “With MBTA zoning OK'd, Haverhill on track for special grants,” by Jonah Frangiosa, The Eagle-Tribune.
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HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH | | TRANSITIONS — Alicia DelVento has joined Gov. Maura Healey’s office as director of boards and commissions. Kate Kelly, who formerly served as director of boards and commissioners, has been elevated to deputy chief of staff for special projects. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Shane Cardillo and the Boston Herald’s Chris Van Buskirk. 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 | | | | |
