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Lt. Gov. Polito Tours Merrimack Valley YMCA in Methuen; Y Gets $250,000 State Grant for Roof, HVAC

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The Merrimack Valley YMCA in Methuen is getting a new roof and HVAC systems thanks to a state grant aimed at child care organizations primarily serving low-income families. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito visited the YMCA last week, which received $250,000 from the Executive Office of Education Early Education and Out-of-School Time grant. She joined state Reps. Linda Dean Campbell and Frank A. Moran, among others, for a tour. “We are committed to supporting child care providers across the Commonwealth who have worked tirelessly to care for children and support Massachusetts’ families,” said Polito.

Beacon Hill News

DiZoglio’s Bid for State Auditor Receives Endorsement of Gubernatorial Candidate Healey

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Sen. Diana DiZoglio Friday received the endorsement of Attorney General Maura Healey in DiZoglio’s bid for state auditor. Healey, Democratic nominee for governor, said “Taxpayers in Massachusetts deserve to know where their money is going. They deserve transparency from their elected officials, and accountability from their government, and I know Sen. Diana DiZoglio can deliver.”

“As a small businesswoman, a nonprofit leader and an elected official, Sen. DiZoglio has worked her whole life to make other people’s lives better. We can count on her to ensure that no one—no matter their background, bank balance or zip code — receives different treatment on Beacon Hill,” Healey said.

Beacon Hill News

Will Florida Gov. DeSantis Face Federal Kidnapping Charges? Local Civil Rights Group Investigates

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The U.S. Attorney’s office in Boston declined to comment yesterday on whether Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis faces a possible prison sentence in connection with his role in tricking migrants to board a plane for Martha’s Vineyard in violation of federal law and international treaties. Whether or not the U.S. Justice Department acts, Lawyers for Civil Rights, the same group that forced Haverhill into switching to mostly ward councilors and school committee members, is investigating what crimes may have been committed by DeSantis and others. Lawrence Airport officials also wouldn’t comment publicly on whether they are taking steps to prepare for unannounced arrivals of migrants by chartered planes. Gov. Charlie Baker, however, today called up 125 National Guard members to help shelter and feed men, women and children from Venezuela at Joint Base Cape Cod. “We do not have any further comment,” a spokesperson for U.S. Attorney Rachel S. Rollins told WHAV by email yesterday, referring to inquiries to the Justice Department in Washington.

Haverhill

Haverhill, Methuen Economic Development Aid on Tap for Salvage with Totaling of State Tax Refunds

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A state economic development bill that once promised Haverhill $8 million for its downtown, a new Methuen Youth and Community Center and other regional perks is moving back to the table now that officials have determined $2.94 billion in surpluses must be returned to taxpayers. The economic development bill was shelved this summer when Gov. Charlie Baker highlighted an obscure 1986 law that mandates tax refunds when the state takes in too much money. Sen Diana DiZoglio took to the podium Thursday to explain how the bill got mired in the debate over refunds

“The issues that were raised resulted in the economic relief package, that many of us had worked on for months, actually being punted and held off and that economic relief package was unable to be passed during that timeframe,” she said. Back in July, the House agreed to include amendments, proposed by Rep. Andy X. Vargas, to provide $8 million to cover public costs surrounding Lupoli Companies’ downtown redevelopment project and $400,000 for Haverhill’s Dutton Airport Redevelopment. Similarly, on the Senate side, DiZoglio was successful in adding $5 million for the Methuen youth center and downtown projects in Methuen and North Andover as well as other regional projects.

Region

Massachusetts Communities Worry About State-Sponsored Kidnapping of Migrants

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It happened on Martha’s Vineyard and other Massachusetts communities are openly questioning whether they’ll receive the same lack of courtesy notice of future arrivals. Community and political leaders on Martha’s Vineyard scrambled Wednesday night to secure accommodations for about 50 people who arrived on the island by plane, apparently sent as part of a Republican governor’s immigrant “relocation program.” Gov. Charlie Baker’s office said it is supporting local efforts to provide short-term shelter for the immigrants who arrived on the Vineyard. Politico reported that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office confirmed that the planes of roughly 50 people were sent to Massachusetts on behalf of what the governor’ office called Florida’s “relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations.”

“Currently immigrants are being dropped off on Martha’s Vineyard by chartered flights from Texas. Many don’t know where they are. They say they were told they would be given housing and jobs,” Rep. Dylan Fernandes, who represents the island, said on Twitter.

Election Central

Payano Appears Poised to Become Senator in New Lawrence, Haverhill and Methuen District

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Democrat Pavel Payano appears to be heading to the State House next January as the first senator elected to the new majority minority district serving Lawrence, Methuen and parts of Haverhill. Payano, who was challenged by fellow Democrats Doris V. Rodriguez of Lawrence and Eunice D. Zeigler of Methuen, faces no Republican opponent in November. The reconstituted 1st Essex District added Lawrence, but lopped off most of Haverhill and all downriver communities. Payano appeared to perform best with voters in his home city of Lawrence, securing 3,896 votes to Zeigler’s 648 and Rodriguez’ 456 votes. During a recent WHAV interview, Payano cited his background as a teacher for driving his interest in such programs as Early College, allowing high school students to earn one to two years of college credits while still in high school.

Election Central

Updated: DiZoglio Triumphs Over Democratic Establishment, Winning Party Primary Against Dempsey

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State Sen. Diana DiZoglio beat back establishment Democrats Tuesday, winning the primary for state auditor against former Assistant Transportation Secretary Chris Dempsey. At the time of this report, with about 75% of the state’s precincts reporting, DiZoglio was winning by about 40,000 votes statewide. “Our campaign began way back in June of last year, built on a foundation of opening up state government to everyone—no matter our background, bank balance or zip code—and it’s been the guiding light of this journey. I’m so incredibly grateful to all the people we met with, learned from and worked alongside,” DiZoglio said. DiZoglio, who will face off against Republican Anthony Amore in November, went on to victory despite losing the party’s endorsement at its spring convention and being dissed by her boss, Senate President Karen E. Spilka; immediate predecessor in the Senate, Kathleen O’Connor-Ives; and the woman she hopes to succeed, state Auditor Suzanne M. Bump.

Election Central

Latest Poll Shows DiZoglio Slightly Ahead of Dempsey in Race for State Auditor; Election Underway Today

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An end of August poll shows Sen. Diana DiZoglio now running neck and neck with her opponent in the race to become the state’s next auditor. The poll by DAPA Research for the National Association of Government Employees, Service Employees International Union, found DiZoglio leading 25% to former Assistant Transportation Secretary Chris Dempsey’s 24% with 51% undecided when the poll was conducted between Aug. 24 and 26. DiZoglio of Methuen, chose not to seek re-election to the senate, representing the Merrimack Valley. The senate district has since been reconfigured.