Markey vs. Musk, continued

From: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook - Tuesday Nov 22,2022 12:12 pm

Nov 22, 2022

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NOT FREE AS A BIRD — Elon Musk has until Friday to answer Ed Markey’s letter demanding information about safeguards for Twitter's still-paused verification program. His response could dictate whether the senator tries to haul the billionaire before Congress.

To recap: Musk and Markey had a charged back-and-forth earlier this month after a Washington Post columnist impersonated the senator on the Musk-owned social media platform (with permission). Markey sent Musk a letter requesting information on Twitter’s paid verification service and on the company’s efforts to prevent fake accounts. Markey and Sen. Elizabeth Warren also sent a letter last week urging the Federal Trade Commission to probe the company’s actions under its new owner. "Fix your companies," Markey tweeted at Musk. "Or Congress will."

Ed Markey

Sen. Ed Markey in Boston, Massachusetts, on Nov. 21, 2022. | Lisa Kashinsky/POLITICO

Yet Congress likely has little leverage when it comes to going after Musk, my POLITICO colleagues report . Markey sits on one committee, Senate Commerce, with jurisdiction over Twitter. But the chair of that committee, and other senators who have the power to get Musk to testify, appear "reluctant to engage,” my colleagues write.

Markey has no plans to leave the platform right now. The senator, who has nearly half a million followers between his two official accounts, said on POLITICO’s Playbook Deep Dive podcast last week that it's "very early in the Elon Musk era" and that his decision will depend on "what representations [Musk] can make that he understands the need for security, for safety, for trust to still be at the heart of the Twitter business model."

But that could change. Markey has been sounding alarms about Musk reinstating former President Donald Trump's account. And he told reporters in Boston yesterday that the "worst case scenario is that Twitter is turned into a Wild West of disinformation that is going to degrade and debase our society."

Musk took a possible step toward preventing that last night, tweeting that he’s “holding off” on relaunching Twitter Blue Verified “until there is high confidence of stopping impersonation .”

GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. PROGRAMMING NOTE: Massachusetts Playbook will not publish on Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. I’ll be back in your inbox on Monday, Nov. 28. Email me in the meantime: lkashinsky@politico.com .

TODAY — Secretary of State Bill Galvin is your acting governor, at least for part of the day, with Gov. Charlie Baker in Ireland and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito returning from a trip to Maine this afternoon. Rep. Seth Moulton visits Leading through Empowering Opportunities at 11 a.m. and the New American Association of Massachusetts at noon, both in Lynn.

A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts:

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

— WOMEN RULE: Democratic state Sen. Joan Lovely and Republican state Rep. Hannah Kane will co-chair the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators for the next session. Liz Miranda , a Boston state representative who will join the Senate in January, and state Rep. Christine Barber will serve as vice chairs. Boston state Rep. Brandy Fluker Oakley will be treasurer. At-large board members will include state Reps. Carole Fiola, Jessica Giannino, Vanna Howard, Meghan Kilcoyne, Joan Meschino and Lindsay Sabadosa, and state Sen. Becca Rausch.

— “These casino, mobile platforms applied for Mass. sports betting licenses,” by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: “Fifteen entities applied ahead of the 2 p.m. deadline, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission said in a news release later Monday afternoon. … As expected, Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino all submitted license applications for their brick-and-mortar establishments, which can offer mobile sports betting through up to two individually branded mobile platforms. … Massachusetts also plans to award up to seven mobile wagering licenses that are not linked to brick-and-mortar locations. Six operators submitted applications for standalone licenses: Bally Bet, Betr, Betway (DGC USA), DraftKings, FanDuel and Pointsbet.”

— “Legendary campaign footsoldier heading to the House,” by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: “When the Legislature reconvenes in January, the 160-member House of Representatives will include 21 first-term lawmakers. One of them, however, will stand out from the crowd when it comes to the amount of time spent in the trenches as a political activist before making the jump to elected office. Kate Donaghue, a 68-year-old Democrat from Westborough, will be among the new state reps, but she is hardly a new face on the political scene.”

— "House Points To Process As Guv Presses For 'Crisis' Aid," by Sam Drysdale, State House News Service (paywall): "Gov. Charlie Baker says an influx of migrants is contributing to an emergency shelter system in 'crisis' and on Friday urged lawmakers to promptly act to address the matter. On Monday, top legislators gave no indication that they share the governor's urgency. The House on Monday morning shipped Baker's new $139 million bill to expand emergency shelter capacity to the House Committee on Ways and Means."

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VAX-ACHUSETTS

— “A new coronavirus variant has taken over, sparking concerns of a winter surge,” by Ryan Cross, Boston Globe: “The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard projected last Thursday that the virus, an offshoot of the Omicron family dubbed BQ.1.1, accounted for 39 percent of COVID-19 cases in the state. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Friday that the variant and its predecessor, BQ.1, constituted nearly half of cases nationwide.”

— “State extends COVID-19 policy to deal with RSV,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune

A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts:

FROM THE HUB

— “Boston will use federal funds for free training for early educators,” by Carrie Jung, WBUR: “Those interested in teaching in the early education sector in Boston will soon be able to access free education and training programs at area institutions. The financial supports are part of a new program aimed at easing the child care labor shortage. The program will be funded by a $7 million allocation from the Biden Administration's American Rescue Plan Act and administered to three educational institutions: Bunker Hill Community College, University of Massachusetts Boston and Urban College, as well as Neighborhood Villages, an early education advocacy group.”

— "A year on, how has Wu done on Mass. and Cass?" by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "Within a month of taking office last November, [Mayor Michelle Wu] jumped on the issue, announcing that the city would clear the area’s entrenched encampments. But a year into her mayoral term, the stubborn thicket of problems there persists, despite ongoing efforts by Wu and her administration to tackle the humanitarian crisis that unfolds daily near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard."

FROM THE DELEGATION

— “Congressional leaders urge DOJ action after threats against Boston Children’s Hospital,” by Jessica Bartlett, Boston Globe: “After weeks of threats to pediatric institutions that provide gender-affirming care to patients, including two bomb threats to Boston Children’s Hospital last week, dozens of congressional leaders are urging the Department of Justice to act. In a letter sent Friday — led by Representatives Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Philadelphia’s Dwight Evans, and D.C.’s Eleanor Holmes Norton, and signed by 33 other members of Congress — officials called for the DOJ to detail the steps it is taking to improve safety for children’s hospitals and investigate those that threaten them.”

— “Elizabeth Warren, Jeanne Shaheen urge IRS to investigate TurboTax,” by Matthew Medgser, Boston Herald: “A pair of U.S. Senators representing New England states want the IRS to investigate after they say tax processing software company TurboTax has been sending refunds to bank accounts opened without the permission of taxpayers.”

GO INSIDE THE MILKEN INSTITUTE FUTURE OF HEALTH SUMMIT: POLITICO is featuring a special edition of our “Future Pulse” newsletter at the 2022 Milken Institute Future of Health Summit from Dec. 6 to 8. The newsletter takes readers inside one of the most influential gatherings of health industry leaders and innovators solving the biggest global health issues to ensure a healthier, more resilient future for all. SUBSCRIBE TODAY TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE .

BIDEN TIME

— “Joe and Jill Biden to celebrate Thanksgiving on Nantucket,” by Zane Razzaq, Cape Cod Times: “President Joe Biden will once again enjoy a Nantucket Thanksgiving. He and First Lady Jill Biden will travel on Tuesday to the island where they will celebrate the holiday with family, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a press briefing on Friday.”

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— "Three hour wait, three days in a row: Mass. shelter hotline leaves some families desperate," by Gabrielle Emanuel, WBUR: "Massachusetts is the only state in the country that guarantees a 'right to shelter' for families experiencing homelessness. The state operates a shelter program for parents and children who meet certain income limits and other criteria, but the first step for many of them is getting through to the state-run hotline. Families seeking help as well as a number of social service agencies report that it can take hours — and sometimes days — to reach someone on the hotline."

— “Desperate for Growth, Aging Casino Company Embraced ‘Degenerate Gambler’,” by Emily Steel, New York Times: “[Dave Portnoy] and his company, Barstool Sports, are urging their tens of millions of followers to dive into the fast-growing and lightly regulated world of online sports betting. … Regulators in at least two states have signaled discomfort with Mr. Portnoy. In Massachusetts, where sports betting is expected to start next year and Penn is awaiting regulatory approval, members of the state’s gambling commission voiced concerns about Mr. Portnoy’s fitness after allegations of sexual misconduct were reported by Insider. ”

MEDIA MATTERS

— “GBH names veteran journalist Susan Goldberg as next CEO,” by Liz Neisloss, GBH News: “The GBH Educational Foundation announced Monday that Susan Goldberg has been chosen as its next president and CEO, bringing a veteran journalist and news editor who is currently a vice dean at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism to lead the nonprofit best known for its public radio and television programing. Goldberg will be the first woman to fill the post in GBH’s 71-year history.”

A message from Delta Dental of Massachusetts:

Delta Dental of Massachusetts connects with communities statewide to highlight the importance of oral health. Your oral health is a key predictor of overall health — with direct links to diabetes, heart disease, mental health, and other medical conditions. So, start the new year right, remind your loved ones – and yourself – to show your mouth some love. Get back to the dentist and remember to practice at-home preventive oral health habits like brushing and flossing regularly. Because the key to good health is right under your nose. Discover the connection between oral and overall health at ExpressYourHealthMA.org.

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

TRANSITIONS — Ashley Boiardi has been named president of Regan Communications Group. RCG founder George Regan will remain as board chair.

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