Wednesday, August 12, 2015
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By George Donnelly (@geodonnelly) with Keith Regan
Today's action: First and 10 for Brady?
Is Tom Brady in the red zone in getting his four-game suspension overturned? All eyes in Patriot Nation turn toward a Manhattan courtroom where the National Football League and the NFL Players Union will try to hash out a settlement in the matter of Brady and those deflated footballs... In slightly more mundane news, lawyers for the state and an Indian tribe on Martha's Vineyard will square off, arguing before a federal judge why or why not the tribe should have the right to build a casino, Moakley Courthouse, Boston, 2 pm... Former Gov. Mike Dukakis, will appear on Greater Boston with host Jim Braude, 7 pm.
The new economy learns old-fashioned lobbying
Regulatory disputes and political posturing, like the war of words between Steve Wynn and Mayor Marty Walsh (more on that below), are a goldmine for lobbyists. As the Globe's Jon Chesto pointed out in an item yesterday, Wynn has forked over $425,000 to ML Strategies in the first half of the year for "general consulting on potential legislative, regulatory and policy issues related to casino gaming." A look at the lobbying database also reveals some interesting names as the "sharing economy" hits regulatory interference. Uber Technologies has spent $121,000 so far this year, a number that is sure to grow as ride-sharing legislation nears. Lyft, an Uber competitor, paid out $30,000 so far this year. Airbnb spent $36,000 to law firm Nutter McLennen & Fish in the first half, and one can only expect there will be much more pressure to regulate an industry that is putting pressure on the lodging industry. Other popular tech names: Amazon ($36,000) Apple ($45,550) eBay ($30,000) and Facebook ($30,000), relatively small sums to have feet on the ground in the State House.
How much you want for that colonoscopy?
The Pioneer Institute continues to explore the widespread lack of price transparency in health care, despite a law that requires it. Following up on its earlier report on hospitals' lack of pricing transparency, Pioneer looked at medical specialists and found a lack of awareness about the law. And prices, when they were provided, all over the map, like the price for a routine colonoscopy: $1,300 to $10,000. The Globe explores the report here: http://bit.ly/1KhmDnB
City's 311 service introduced
OK, Mike Deehan of WGBH News wins the lede of the day: "Not sure when street cleaning or trash pickup is for our block? Want to know what to do with the baby possum you found trapped in a city recycling bin? Is that junkie back on your stoop? Hell, just want to tell the mayor to stop wearing pleated pants in public? Boston's had a 24-hour hotline for non-emergency inquiries for years, but now it's getting much easier to remember the number: 311." There's more:http://bit.ly/1NoRGRt
Police militarization -- challenging its justification
DigBoston's Chris Faraone shares and explicates a Homeland Security document obtained by the ACLU of Massachusetts that justifies ramped up spending for all manner of military gear for local police. "More than anything else, the justification docs show that while spokespeople from the Boston Police Department and other crime-stopping outfits continue to sweet talk a doting media, claiming to be judicious in their militarization, in reality they're at the center of a drastically metastasizing national armament trend," Faraone writes.
http://bit.ly/1MnIkse
BBJ's Seiffert explains why new drug transparency bill is 'misguided'
As legislators weigh a bill to regulate drug prices in the biotech capital of the world, they should take a look at Boston Business Journal biotech editor Don Seiffert's take on the idea. Seiffert, who puts out the BBJ's daily BioFlash, a must-read in the local life sciences industry, says it's impossible to separate costs of developing drugs because companies don't track R&D on a specific drug. Only one in 10 makes it to market at an average cost of $2.6 billion.http://bit.ly/1NoIufW
Walsh fires back at Wynn
Another day, more verbal shots fired in the increasingly epic war of words between Steve Wynn and Mayor Marty Walsh. A day after Wynn used a Joan Vennochi column to say he's "had enough" of Walsh and take issue with how the mayor characterized earlier conversations between them, the Globe reports that Walsh said the casino mogul should "rethink as far as how he negotiates" but left the door open to future chats. http://bit.ly/1N9EYYP
State finds more pharmacy violations
State regulators inspected twice as many pharmacy operations last year-a direct response to the deadly meningitis outbreak traced to a compounding pharmacy in Framingham-with the number of investigations leading to disciplinary action rising 45 percent, the Herald reports. A Board of Registration in Pharmacy report filed with state regulators shows 900 inspections completed since early 2014, most at retail or chain pharmacies. http://bit.ly/1J3qrw0
Boston reduces Vertex tax break
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, whose move from Cambridge to South Boston was seen as a major coup for the city's Seaport District, will pay more in property taxes after it failed to meet job-creation targets. According to the Herald, Boston will cut Vertex' tax incentive package from just over $12 million to $9 million, a 25 percent cut, after the company fell short of its employment targets by the same amount. http://bit.ly/1L5rEoX
Boch tells Trump to come on down
Private invitations are going out to an Aug. 28 bash at the home of car dealer extraordinaire Ernie Bcch Jr., an event that will feature a speech by lightning rod presidential candidate Donald Trump. To get in, those with invitations will also have to pony up, $100, the Globe reports. Boch says he's not endorsing Trump, but is intrigued by the "refreshing" approach the mogul brings to the campaign trail. http://bit.ly/1MnGQyb
In New Bedford, Mitchell seeks third term
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell formally announced his bid for a third two-year term Tuesday, citing his record on education and job creation over the past four years, the Standard-Times reports. With a week remaining to file papers, Mitchell will face several likely challengers, including former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank Chief of Staff Maria Giesta. He's also likely to face questions about whether he did enough to prevent the demise of a hugely popular proposal to build a waterfront casino. http://bit.ly/1gz9vTc
Brockton warned on credit rating
Standard & Poor's is warning Brockton that its credit rating will likely drop if it doesn't get a better handle on its finances, the Enterprise reports. The rating agency cited local political resistance to raising revenues and enhancing financial reserves. Brockton is line to receive millions of annual payments should the Massachusetts Gaming Commission approve a proposal to build a casino on the former Brockton Fairgrounds property. Local officials hope for a decision before the end of the year. http://bit.ly/1NpWZQN
Unique political intelligence: The latest headlines from the State House News Service (subscription required)
Turnover On Baker's Budget Team As Three Top Aides Move On
Pension Fund Puts $150 Mil Toward "Distressed Opportunity"
Manning Returns To Umass Board Of Trustees
State Pension Fund Advised To Steer Clear Of Currency Hedging
Poll: Trump Leads Iowa Gop Race, But Debates Could Propel Rivals
New Bedford Closes Beaches, Blames It On The Rain
Walsh Targets Rec Vehicles With Ordinance
Curtatone Weighs In On Wynn's Footbridge
Goldberg Challenges Aides To Take Ice Bucket Challenge
Veteran Newsie Schieffer At Harvard Through 2016 Election
July Tax Collections Up 4.8 Percent
Auto Insurance Review Hearing Draws Little Interest
How to reach me and MASSterList
Nothing makes me happier than comments, tips, suggestions. Also, opinion articles also will be considered. Please don't hesitate to weigh in on what we're missing and where we should look. Reach me at gdonnelly@massterlist.com or on Twitter @geodonnelly.
TODAY'S TOP STORIES
National headlines
Sen. Ed Markey calls for added funds for Social Security, transportation, opioid addiction treatment
Hillary Clinton relents, gives up possession of private email server
Poll: Bernie Sanders surges ahead of Hillary Clinton in N.H., 44-37
State headlines
After Steve Wynn calls him 'irresponsible,' Boston mayor Marty Walsh hits back
Mayor Walsh strikes back at Wynn over planned casino - The Boston Globe
Barstool Feuds with Charlie Baker Over 'Free Brady' Tee
Walsh on Wynn: 'Maybe He's Had Enough of Boston'
Becker College president appointed to state Board of Higher Education
State boosts pharmacy checks, uncovers more reg violations
Ernie Boch ponies up for Donald Trump bash | Boston Herald
Addiction takes life of UMass prez nephew, 30
Local headlines
Trial Run: South Boston Bypass To Be Open To Commuters;Truckers Worry | WGBH News
AG declines to investigate Open Meeting Law complaint against Weymouth school board member
Voters get first chance to see Quincy candidates together
It's official: Mayor Jon Mitchell to seek third term in New Bedford
New Bedford City Council targets prostitution
Full-court press on Lowell's Hamilton Canal project
McNabb to leave Townsend Board of Selectmen for seminary
Joint venture to reboot Lowell's marketing efforts
Salem debates campaign protocol
Credit rating agency warns Brockton on its financial future
Marlborough: Pact inked with state to prioritize job creation
Preliminary election to cut Fitchburg mayoral field from 4 to 2
Worcester city councilors decry tenor of political debate on violence
City cuts Vertex tax break after shortfall in jobs
Vertex to pay $3 million in city taxes after falling short on job creation - The Boston Globe
Boston accidents have claimed 14 cyclists in 5 years - The Boston Globe
Nephew of UMass president dies from drug overdose - The Boston Globe
Big investor buys majority share in Biogen HQ building - The Boston Globe
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