>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON": CONGRESSMAN JIM McGOVERN JOINS ME ON THE STATE OF BIDEN'S NEARLY $2 TRILLION COVID RELIEF BILL, THE THREAT OF A SECOND ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL, AND WHETHER DONALD TRUMP HAD HIS HAND IN THE NATIONAL GUARD DELAY DURING THE FIRST ATTACK ON JANUARY 6.

THEN, LATER, MAYOR MARTY WALSH'S LONGTIME ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHIEF, JOHN BARROS, JUST JUMPED INTO THE RACE TO REPLACE HIS FORMER BOSS.

HE'LL BE WITH ME.

AND, FINALLY, MY THOUGHTS ON WHY WE ALL NEED A FOUR-DAY WORKWEEK, NOW MORE THAN EVER.

>>> CAPITOL SECURITY WAS ON HIGH ALERT TODAY OVER THREATS OF A SECOND ATTACK LIKE THE ONE WE SAW ON JANUARY 6.

>> THE CAPITOL IS FORTIFIED LIKE A COMPOUND.

>> Braude: THE ADDED MEASURES FOLLOWED WARNINGS YESTERDAY FROM THE F.B.I.

AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OF A POSSIBLE ATTACK BY MILITIA EXTREMIST GROUPS WHO FOLLOW Q-ANON CONSPIRACY THEORIES, INCLUDING ONE THAT SAID TRUMP WOULD BE RESTORED TO THE PRESIDENCY TODAY.

AS FAR AS I KNOW, IT HASN'T HAPPENED YET, THE ATTACK OR THE START OF TRUMP'S SECOND TERM.

DESPITE THE NEW THREATS, THE SENATE IS MOVING FORWARD WITH DEBATE OVER BIDEN'S NEARLY $2 TRILLION COVID RELIEF PACKAGE, ALTHOUGH REPUBLICAN SENATOR RON JOHNSON IS AIMING TO SLOW THAT PROGRESS WITH A DEMAND FOR THE 700-PAGE DOCUMENT TO BE READ OUT LOUD IN ITS ENTIRETY, 10 HOURS' WORTH.

AS FOR THE OTHER CHAMBER, WHILE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI SAID THE DECISION TO CANCEL TODAY'S HOUSE SESSION MADE SENSE GIVEN THE WARNINGS, SHE ALSO ARGUED THE CAPITOL NEEDS A PERMANENT SECURITY INCREASE TO KEEP OPERATING SAFELY.

>> I DON'T THINK ANYBODY SHOULD TAKE ANY ENCOURAGEMENT THAT BECAUSE SOME TROUBLE-MAKERS MIGHT SHOW UP, THAT WE CHANGED OUR WHOLE SCHEDULE.

NO, WE JUST MOVED IT A FEW HOURS, AND IT LARGELY WILL ACCOMMODATE THE REPUBLICANS GOING OUT TO THEIR OWN SESSION.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE MORE MONEY TO PROTECT THE CAPITOL IN A WAY THAT ENABLES PEOPLE TO COME HERE, CHILDREN TO COME AND SEE OUR DEMOCRACY IN ACTION, ALL OF YOU TO COVER WHAT HAPPENS HERE SAFELY, MEMBERS TO BE COMFORTABLE THAT THEY ARE SAFE WHEN THEY ARE HERE.

>> Braude: ONE SUCH MEMBER, CONGRESSMAN JIM McGOVERN, THE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE, JOINS ME.

>> Braude: CONGRESSMAN, GOOD TO SEE YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> HAPPY TO BE WITH YOU.

>> Braude: EAST BAY IF CANCELLATION OF TODAY'S HOUSE SESSION WAS ONLY IN PART BECAUSE OF NANCY PELOSI CALLED THE TROUBLE-MAKERS, DOESN'T THAT SEND A PRETTY DANGEROUS MESSAGE?

>> LOOK, YOU KNOW, U MEAN, WE'RE LIVING IN AN EXTRAORDINARY TIME.

I MEAN, WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH DOMESTIC TERRORISM, A PROBLEM WITH A RISE IN WHITE SUPREMACY, AND THEY ATTACKED THE CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6th.

I THINK WHAT SPEAKER PELOSI DID BY KEEPING US IN LATE LAST NIGHT TO FINISH THE WEEK'S WORK AND NOT BEING IN TODAY WAS TO PROVIDE PEACE OF MIND MOSTLY TO SOME OF THE INSTITUTIONAL STAFF, WHO, QUITE FRANKLY, WERE VERY TRAUMATIZED BY WHAT HAPPENED ON THE 6th.

IT IS JUST AN ADDED PRECAUTION.

LOOK, WE HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE SECURITY EXPERTS AND TAKE THEIR ADVICE.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW, SPEAKING OF SAFETY, AS YOU KNOW YESTERDAY, MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM WALKER, HEAD OF THE NATIONAL GUARD IN D.C., TESTIFIED IN FRONT OF THE SENATE ABOUT THE REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE FROM HIS PEOPLE.

HERE IS PART WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> THE APPROVAL WOULD EVENTUALLY COME FROM THE ACTING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE AND BE RELAYED TO ME BY ARMY SENIOR OFFICIALS AT ABOUT 5:08 p.m.

THE MEMO WAS UNUSUAL, AND THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TOLD ME I NEEDED HIS PERMISSION TO ESCALATE AND HAVE THAT KIND OF PROTECTION.

>> Braude: HE WENT ON TO SAY IN HIS 19 YEARS, HE HAD NEVER ENCOUNTERED A SITUATION WHERE THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HAD TO SIGN OFF.

WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THAT, CONGRESSMAN?

>> I'M OUTRAGED.

YET THIS IS TYPICAL OF THE EX-PRESIDENT'S ADMINISTRATION.

YOU KNOW, HE INCITED THIS RIOT, AND HE ENJOYED WATCHING THE CHAOS ON CAPITOL HILL.

SO, YOU KNOW -- I MEAN, HIS BEHAVIOR, IN MY OPINION, WAS CRIMINAL.

THE FACT THAT THREE HOURS INTO THIS, WHERE A CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER WAS KILLED, WHERE SO MANY WERE INJURED, WHERE SO MANY PEOPLE'S LIVES WERE AT STAKE, THAT THEY WERE STILL TWIDDLING THEIR THUMBS IS OUTRAGEOUS.

>> Braude: WHEN I HEARD YESTERDAY THAT ONE OF TRUMP'S FAVORITE, MICHAEL FLYNN'S YOUNGER BROTHER, WAS INVOLVED IN THE PENTAGON DECISION FOR THE DELAY, IT CAUSED ME TO START THINKING ABOUT HOW FAR UP THE CHAIN THIS DELAY DECISION WENT.

WHAT CONCLUSION DO YOU DRAW FROM FLYNN'S PRESENCE?

>> WELL, IT RAISES LOOT OF QUESTIONS.

AND HERE IS THE DEAL: WE'RE GOING TO PUT TOGETHER A NON-PARTISAN COMMISSION, SIMILAR TO THE 9/11 COMMISSION, TO REVIEW THIS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.

AND WE'RE GOING TO GET ANSWERS THAT, QUITE FRANKLY, THAT BOTH SIDES ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO BELIEVE ARE TRUE.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO REPORT THE TRUTH AND DEMAND SOME ACCOUNTABILITY.

IF THERE WERE HIGHER RANKING MEMBERS IN THIS ADMINISTRATION, OTHER THAN THE PRESIDENT, QUITE FRANKLY, WHO IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, WHO DELAYED GETTING PROTECTION TO PEOPLE IN THE CAPITOL, WE NEED TO HOLD THEM TO ACCOUNT.

AND, LOOK, THIS WAS A TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE HUMILIATION FOR OUR COUNTRY.

PEOPLE DIED.

PEOPLE WERE INJURED.

IT IS A MIRACLE THAT MORE PEOPLE DIDN'T DIE.

AND, YOU KNOW, OUR INTELLIGENCE SERVICES ARE TELLING US THESE PEOPLE ARE STILL PLANNING TO ATTACK AGAIN.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW, GETTING BACK TO WHAT YOU SAID A MINUTE AGO, TRUMP'S ELECTION STATEMENTS OBVIOUSLY PROVIDED THE OXYGEN -- IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE OF YOUR FELLOW REPUBLICANS BREAKING FREE FROM THIS CULT, OR IS IT JUST FULL-STEAM AHEAD?

>> THAT'S THE TROUBLING AFTERMATH.

I THOUGHT AFTER THE ATTACK, PEOPLE WOULD BASICALLY NOT VOTE TO ENDORSE TRUMP'S LIE, THAT THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN, AND YET THE VAST MAJORITY OF REPUBLICANS DID THAT.

AND AFTER THAT, I THOUGHT THEY WOULD TRY TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES.

BUT WE HAVE SOME REPUBLICANS, SENATOR RON JOHNSON, AND OTHERS WHO CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THESE BIG LIES, TO EXPLAIN AWAY OR JUSTIFY WHAT HAPPENED ON THE 6th, THAT IT WAS NO BIG DEAL, A BUNCH OF PATRIOTIC AMERICANS JUST GOT CAUGHT UP IN THE MOMENT.

WHAT HAPPENS ON JANUARY 6 WAS INSURRECTION.

PEOPLE TRIED TO BASICALLY STAGE A COUP TO OVERTURN THE LEGITIMATE RESULTS OF AN ELECTION.

THAT IS A BIG DEAL.

AND PEOPLE DIED.

AND WE JUST CAN'T MOVE ON.

WE NEED THE TRUTH.

AND WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY BEFORE WE CAN TALK ABOUT MOVING ON AND HEALING.

>> Braude: WELL, THE DEMOCRATS HAVE MOVED ON.

SOME HUGE ACTION IN RECENT DAYS, AS I MENTIONED, CLOSE TO $2 TRILLION IN COVID RELIEF ON TO THE SENATE, POLICE REFORM ON TO THE SENATE, HR-1, WHICH DOES THINGS TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM AND DEALING WITH THE JERRY MANDERING SCANDAL.

IT DOESN'T MATTER THAT A BEAR MAJORITY WAS ALL THAT WAS ABLE TO BE GOTTEN IN THE HOUSE, IT DOES MATTER AT LEAST ON TWO OF THE BILLS IN THE SENATE, POLICE REFORM AND HR-1, WHICH NEEDS 60 VOTES, NOT JUST 50.

ARE YOU AMONG THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT THE DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE HAVE TO JUST STAND UP AND TRY TO PULL THE VOTES TOGETHER TO REMOVE THE FILIBUSTER, SO THEY CAN DO WHAT REPUBLICANS HAVE DONE BEFORE?

>> I DO.

LOOK, I MEAN, WE NEED TO GET THINGS DONE FOR THE COUNTRY.

AND THE FILIBUSTER HAS BEEN SO MISUSED OVER THE YEARS.

IT HAS BEEN WEAPONIZED IN A WAY WHERE IT IS NOT A RARITY.

IT IS INVOKED CONSTANTLY.

I WOULD VOTE TO OVERTURN THE FILIBUSTER AND GET THINGS DONE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> Braude: WHAT IS THE HESITANCY?

EVEN JOE BIDEN APPEARS NOT TO BE ON BOARD.

THE REPUBLICANS PLAY POLITICS UNDER ONE SET OF RULES, AND THE DEMOCRATS PLAY POLITICS UNDER A MUCH MORE PLIGHT SET OF RULES.

WHAT IS THE DEAL?

>> WE HAVE TO OPEN OUR EYES TO WHAT THE REALITY IS HERE.

YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

THE REPUBLICANS HAVE USED PROCEDURAL MOTIONS TO BASICALLY BLOCK, YOU KNOW, ALMOST ALL OF PRESIDENT OBAMA'S AGENDA.

AND, QUITE FRANKLY, THEY'RE GOING TO DO IT AGAIN WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN.

I'M GLAD WE'RE USING REC RECONCILIATION SO We CAN GET AROUND THE FILIBUSTER FOR THIS COVID RELIEF PACKAGE, AND WE'RE GOING TO USE IT AGAIN IN THE FUTURE, I HOPE.

I WOULD HOPE THAT JOE MANCHIN AND KRISTIN, TWO OF THE SENATOR HOLDOUTS, WOULD UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT UPHOLDING TRADITIONS.

WHEN THESE TRADITIONS ARE BEING WEAPONIZED.

IT IS ABOUT TRYING TO PROTECT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND HELP THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND THAT'S WHY THEY OUGHT TO VOTE TO OVERTURN THE FILIBUSTER.

>> Braude: CONGRESSMAN, THE MINIMUM WAGE HIKE TO $15WAS INCLUDED IN THE HOUSE VERSION, AND IT WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE SENATE VERSION, AND REALISTICALLY SPEAKING, AND HOW CRITICAL IT IS FROM THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND ON DOWN TO LEADERS OF THE SENATE, BUT THE REALITY IS IF IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE, IT IS DEAD FOR THIS SESSION.

IS THAT NOT A FAIR ANALYSIS?

>> I'M NOT READY TO SAY IT IS DEAD, BUT CERTAINLY IT IS ON LIFE SUPPORT.

AND PEOPLE LIKE JOE MANCHIN AND OTHERS HAVE TALKED ABOUT COMING UP WITH SOME SORT OF A COMPROMISE.

BUT, LOOK, I DO A LOT OF WORK ON HUNGER ISSUES, AND A LOT OF WORK TO PROTECT PROGRAMS LIKE SNAP, THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM.

PEOPLE SAY ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE ON SNAP OUGHT TO JUST GET A JOB.

THE MAJORITY OF ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE WHO CAN WORK, ACTUALLY DO WORK.

AND THEY GET PAID A WAGE THAT IS NOT LIVABLE, SO LOW, IN FACT, THAT THEY QUALIFY FOR SNAP.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS WORK OUGHT TO PAY.

AND WE TALK ABOUT THE DIGNITY OF WORK, WHERE IS THE DIGNITY IN A JOB THAT REQUIRES YOU TO RELY ON THINGS LIKE FOOD STAMPS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS JUST TO BE ABLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET?

SO THIS IS A MORAL ISSUE.

IT IS A VALUES ISSUE.

AND WE HAVE TO KEEP THE FIGHT UP AND KEEP THE PRESSURE UP.

>> Braude: BEFORE YOU GO, I WANT TO END WHERE WE ENDED WHEN I SPOKE TO YOU SHORTLY AFTER THE INSURRECTION.

PARTISANSHIP IS ONE THING.

YOU WORK WITH 140 PEOPLE, AT LEAST, WHO DENIED THE DEMOCRAT RESULTS OF THE ELECTION.

ONE OF WHOM ENDORSED THE NOTION OF SHOOTING THE SPEAKER IN THE HEAD.

ANOTHER WHO MAY HAVE LED A RECONNAISSANCE MISSION THROUGH THE HOUSE THE DAY BEFORE THE INSURRECTION, AND YOU MAY END UP WORKING IN WHAT IS VIRTUALLY AN ARMED CAMP FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY, CONGRESSMAN?

>> WELL, I THINK YOU NEED TO BE HOPEFUL.

I SPENT A LOT OF TIMES TALKING TO YOUNG PEOPLE, NOT JUST IN COLLEGE, BU BUT IN HIGH SCHOOLS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS, WHO WANT TO FIGHT FOR THE CLIMATE CRISIS, AND THEY CARE ABOUT ENDING POVERTY AND HUNGER IN THIS COUNTRY, AND THEY BELIEVE IN CIVIL RIGHTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS.

AND SO I THINK -- I HAVE A LOT OF HOPE IN THAT.

BUT, LOOK, THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT MOMENT.

I MEAN, THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

AND I AM HAVING A TOUGH TIME, QUITE FRANKLY, DEALING WITH SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO CONTINUE TO EMBRACE THE BIG LIE.

IT IS HARD TO LOOK AT THEM IN THE FACE AND TRY TO BE CIVIL WHEN THEY CONTINUE TO IMPLY THAT DONALD TRUMP SOMEHOW WON THE ELECTION BY A LANDSLIDE AND TRY TO EXPLAIN AWAY THE BEHAVIOR OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO ATTACKED THE CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6th.

SO, I MEAN, THESE ARE DIFFICULT TIMES.

AGAIN, I BELIEVE IN THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.

I BELIEVE THE FUTURE IS IN THEIR HANDS.

AND THEY'RE GOING TO FIX A LOT OF WHAT'S WRONG WITH OUR COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.

>> Braude: I HOPE YOU'RE HOPE IS JUSTIFIED.

IT IS GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> BE SAFE.

>> Braude: NEXT UP, WHILE BOSTON MAYOR MARTY WALSH WAITS FOR THE SENATE TO CONFIRM HIM FOR THE NEW JOB OF U.S. LABOR SECRETARY, THE FIELD OF CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR HIS CURRENT JOB JUST KEEPS GETTING MORE CROWDED.

WALSH'S LONGTIME ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHIEF, JOHN BARROS, THREW HIS HAT INTO THE RING THIS MORNING, JOINING CITY COUNCILORS MICHELLE WU AND THERESA CAMPBELL AND ANNISSA ESSAIBI GEORGE, AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN SANTIAGO.

BEFORE JOINING THE WALSH ADMINISTRATION, BARROS SERVED FOR THREE YEARS ON THE BOSTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND 13 YEARS AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DUDLEY STREET NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVE JOHN BARROS JOINS ME NOW.

>> Braude: JOHN, CONGRATULATIONS, AND GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Braude: SO EIGHT YEARS AGO, YOU RAN FOR MAYOR.

THE GOOD NEWS IS YOU GOT THE GLOBE ENDORSEMENT.

THE BAD NEWS IS YOU CAME IN SIX.

WHY IS THE SECOND TIME THE CHARM, JOHN?

>> I THINK BAD NEWS IS ALL DEPENDING ON HOW YOU LOOK AT IT.

I THOUGHT BEATING OUT ALL OF THE SITTING CITY COUNCILORS WAS A REALLY GOOD RACE.

I WAS KNOWN WELL IN ONE PART OF THE CITY, BUT NEEDED TO GET MY NAME OUT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY.

SO IT WAS AN UPHILL CLIMB.

WE PICKED UP SERIOUS MOMENTUM IN THE LAST PART OF THE CAMPAIGN, THE LAST PART OF THE RACE, BUT NEEDED A LITTLE MORE TIME.

AND NOW I GET THE EXTENSION I WAS LOOKING FOR.

I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

[LAUGHTER] >> Braude: WHAT ARE YOU PROUDEST OF OF YOUR SEVEN YEARS WITH THE WALSH ADMINISTRATION?

>> I'M PROUD OF HOW WE WERE ABLE TO DECREASE UNEMPLOYMENT IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE HISTORIC HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES.

WHEN WE TOOK BOSTON'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE TO 2.4%, WE WERE ABLE TO BRING IT TO SINGLE DIGITS IN ROXBURY, DORCHESTER, AND MATTAPAN.

WE WERE ABLE TO INCREASE THE HIRING GOALS ON CITY-BENEFITED PROJECTS, THE CONSTRUCTION JOBS.

AND THEN MOVE THE NUMBERS IN INCREASING DIVERSITY IN OUR TRADES.

THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS I'M PROUD OF.

>> Braude: SPEAKING OF DIVERSITY, OR LACK OF SAME, ON YOUR MAYOR'S WATCH, WE READ THIS REPORT, CITY CONTRACTING WITH FIRMS OWNED BY BLACK PEOPLE, UNDER A HALF PERCENT.

FIRMS OWNED BY LATINO PEOPLE, UNDER 1%.

DO YOU TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THOSE FRANKLY PITIFUL NUMBERS?

>> YOU KNOW, JIM, IT HAS BEEN 400 YEARS OF PITIFUL NUMBERS.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US AND THE ADMINISTRATIONS BEFORE US, WE WERE MORE TRANSPARENT WITH THOSE NUMBERS.

THE ONLY WAY WE CAN HAVE CHANGE IS BY LETTING PEOPLE KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON.

LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AND ASK THE QUESTION WHY.

WE SPENT SOME TIME TO MAKE SURE WE COULD CREATE THE CONDITIONS FOR A DISPARITY STUDY, BECAUSE THE STUDY BEFORE THAT FAILED.

THE DISPARITY STUDY GAVE US THE ROADMAP FOR WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO CHANGE THOSE TRENDS.

THE MAYOR SIGNED IN AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO PUT IN PLACE 25% GOAL TO SPEND ON WOMEN AND MINORITY CONTRACTS.

AND NOW WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE CAN MEET THAT GOAL.

WE'VE GOT TO SPLIT CONTRACTS UP.

WE HAVE TO PROVIDE SOME CASH FLOW FOR BUSINESSES WE WANT TO WORK WITH.

WE HAVE TO MAKE PROCUREMENT EASIER TO GET THE NUMBERS DONE.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW, IN ADDITION TO BEING THE ECONOMIC CHIEF FOR THE CITY FOR A LONG TIME, YOU'RE ALSO A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.

I'M ACTING LIKE I'M TELLING YOU SOMETHING YOU DON'T KNOW.

YOU'RE CO-OWNER OF A RESTAURANT, SASARI -- DID I PRONOUNCE THAT RIGHT?

>> IT IS PRETTY GOOD.

IT GETS YOU A FREE DISH.

>> Braude: IT'S NOT REALLY GOOD, BUT GOOD ENOUGH.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED THERE THAT INFORMS YOU HOW TO DO A GOOD JOB AS A MAYOR?

>> AS I WAS SUPPORTING THE SMALL BUSINESSES, I WAS FEELING THE PINCH AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.

WE HAD TO MAKE SOME SERIOUS CUTS, AND SO I KNEW WHAT SMALL BUSINESSES WERE FEELING.

I KNEW THE KIND OF DECISIONS THEY NEEDED TO MAKE.

AND SO I KNEW THAT THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WE PROVIDED FROM THE CITY WAS REALLY CRITICAL, TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES BE ABLE TO ACCESS FEDERAL GRANTS.

AND THE RELIEF FUNDS WE PUT IN PLACE, WE PUT OUT MORE THAN $16 MILLION IN DIRECT RELIEF TO SMALL BUSINESSES.

TO BE CLEAR, MY BUSINESS DIDN'T GET ANY OF THAT.

BUT WE WERE OUT THERE TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES, TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN SURVIVE.

AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT CAN THRIVE, AND THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT IS TAKING CARE OF THEM NOW.

>> Braude: DID YOU HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR FORMER BOSS ABOUT YOUR DECISION TO MAKE A RUN?

>> WE'VE HAD PLENTY OF CONVERSATIONS.

>> Braude: WHAT HAS HE SAID TO YOU?

>> HE SAID, WHAT'S TAKEN YOU SO LONG?

I SAID, MAN, IT IS THE WORK HERE AT CITY HALL.

I'VE GOT TO HELP THE TRAN SESSIONS.

TRANSITIONS.

AND HE SAYS, JOHN, LET'S MAKE SURE WE CAN CLOSE OUT THIS INITIATIVE, AND LET'S GIVE KIM JANEY WHAT SHE NEEDS, AND HE ENCOURAGED ME TO ESTABLISH A CAMPAIGN AND GET GOING.

>> Braude: HAS HE SUGGESTED THAT HE SUPPORTS YOUR CANDIDACY?

>> YOU KNOW A CABINET MEMBER CAN'T ENDORSE A CANDIDATE.

ANY ENDORSEMENT COMING FROM D.C. WILL COME FROM BIDEN, AND I'LL GIVE BIDEN A CALL.

HE IS NOT GOING TO WEIGH IN ON A MAYORAL RACE.

SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD, AS CHIEF OF ECONOMIC -- I MEAN AS THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF BOSTON TO WORK WITH OUR NEW SECRETARY OF LABOR AND THE PRESIDENT TO MAKE SURE THAT BOSTON IS PARTICIPATING IN THE KIND OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS THEY'RE PLANNING TO PUT OUT.

>> Braude: JOHN, WE ONLY HAVE A MINUTE LEFT.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY MAYOR WALSH HAS DONE BEST YOU WANT TO CONTINUE OR EMULATE, AND WHAT HAS HE DONE WORSE WHERE YOU WANT TO PURSUE A DIFFERENT DIRECTION?

>> MAYOR WALSH HAS DONE AN AMAZING JOB TO CREATE SPACE FOR RACE DIALOGUES.

WE REALLY, AS A CITY OF BOSTON, ARE MORE CON IS CONSCIOUS.

WE CREATED A FOUNDATION FOR THE CONVERSATIONS, AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THEM.

I WANT TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT KIND OF CONVERSATION BECAUSE BOSTON GETS A BAD RAP NATIONALLY.

WE'RE NOT THAT CITY.

BUT WE HAVE A LOT TO WORK ON.

WE'VE GOT A LOT MORE WORK TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BIG GAP, THE BIG RACE WEALTH GAP, 247,000 FOR WHITE FAMILIES -- WE HAVE TO MOVE THE NEEDLE ON THAT.

THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

>> Braude: AND WHERE DID HE FULL DOWN, WHERE YOU WON'T ENTER THE SAME POTHOLE, QUICKLY, IF YOU CAN.

>> THE MAYOR STARTED A LOT OF AMAZING INITIATIVES.

WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT IT THE OTHER DAY, THAT HE IS NOT ABLE TO FINISH.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING IN THERE, AND TAKE THE BOSTON 2030 PLAN, AND CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT A LOT OF THE THINGS WE HAVE BEEN TALKING TO RESIDENTS ABOUT DOING.

>> Braude: FAIR ENOUGH.

JOHN, I'LL CALL YOU ABOUT THAT DISH.

IN THE MEANTIME, GOOD LUCK.

TALK TO YOU SOON.

>> THANKS, JIM.

>> Braude: NEARLY A YEAR INTO THE PANDEMIC, THIS "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" SKIT IS HITTING A LITTLE TOO CLOSE TO HOME FOR MANY.

♪ IT WAS FINE THROUGH THE FALL, BUT NOW I'VE HIT A WALL ♪ ♪ AND I'M LOCO, AS IN MY BRAIN DONE BROKE-O ♪ ♪ BUT, HEY, EITHER YOU LAUGH OR YOU CRY, LIKE COCO ♪ ♪ IT STARTED POGO, BAKIN' BREAD, TIGER KING ♪ ♪ BUT A WHOLE YEAR ON ZOOM, I'M LIKE GIRL FROM THE RING ♪ ♪ THIS HERE IS REGGIE, HE IS A PLANT ♪ ♪ HE SAYS KEEP GOING WHEN I THINK I CAN'T ♪ >> Braude: YEAH, BUT IF YOU'RE NOT QUITE READY TO MAKE YOUR PLANT YOUR FULL-TIME THERAPIST AND LIFE COACH, THERE IS ANOTHER SOLUTION THAT COULD HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE PANDEMIC BURNOUT WE'RE COLLECTIVELY EXPERIENCING: A FOUR-DAY WORK WEEK.

AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THIS FOR YEARS, SINCE LONG BEFORE COVID-19, BUT IT'S NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER.

THE FIVE-DAY, NINE TO FIVE SCHEDULE JUST DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE FOR MOST.

PEOPLE NEED FLEXIBILITY AND, FOR MOST, WE'VE LEARNED THE TECHNOLOGY EXISTS TO MAKE IT WORK.

THE AVERAGE AMERICAN WAS ALREADY WORKING 8.5 HOURS A DAY, ACCORDING TO 2019 DATA FROM THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, AND A HARVARD STUDY FOUND WE'VE TACKED ON AN AVERAGE OF 49 MINUTES MORE SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

SO, BASICALLY, WE'RE LESS THAN THREE HOURS SHY OF FINISHING A 40-DAY WEEK IN FOUR DAYS, AS IT IS COMPLETELY DOABLE AND THE BENEFITS TO DROPPING A DAY ARE VERY REAL.

A SOFTWARE COMPANY BASED IN NEW YORK, CALLED ELEPHANT VENTURES, INSTITUTED A FOUR-DAY SCHEDULE OVER THE SUMMER TO PREVENT EMPLOYEE BURNOUT.

THEY START THEIR DAY AT 7:00 a.m. AND END AROUND 6:00 p.m., WITH AN HOUR LUNCH BREAK IN BETWEEN.

AND IF THAT SCHEDULE DOESN'T WORK FOR SOMEONE, THEY'RE ALLOWED TO MAKE UP THE HOURS ANY OTHER TIME.

SO WHAT HAPPENED?

C.E.O.

ART SCHECTMAN TOLD CNN THAT WORK EFFICIENCY IMPROVED BECAUSE THE TIME TO GET THINGS DONE WAS SHORTER, PROJECTS MOVE FASTER, AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT IT DOWN AND PICK IT BACK UP.

EXACTLY.

IN 2019, ONE OF THE LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE WORLD, MICROSOFT, TESTED OUT THE IDEA IN THEIR JAPAN BRANCH.

THEY ALSO ENFORCED SHORTER MEETINGS.

AND, VOILAÁ, PRODUCTIVITY WENT UP A WHOPPING 40%.

NOT TO MENTION THAT IN THE NETHERLANDS, WHERE THE FOUR-DAY WORK WEEK IS THE NORM, THEY RANK SIXTH HAPPIEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

COINCIDENCE?

I THINK NOT.

AND BACK IN AMERICA, SUPPORT FOR THE SHIFT HAS ONLY INCREASED SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED, WITH EIGHT IN 10 EMPLOYED AMERICANS SAYING THEY'D BE WILLING TO WORK LONGER HOURS OVER FOUR DAYS, INSTEAD OF FEWER OVER FIVE.

THAT'S UP FROM SIX IN 10 IN 2019.

AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO SAY I TALK A GOOD GAME, BUT THAT'S IT, MY REPLY?

AS ALWAYS, ENJOY "BEAT THE PRESS" TOMORROW.

I'LL SEE YOU ON MONDAY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

E-MAIL US, TWEET US, SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS.

THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT, BUT ON TOMORROW'S "BEAT THE PRESS," THE PANEL WILL TAKE UP WEATHER THE MEDIA WAS SLOW TO COVER THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST NEW YORK GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO.

PLUS, A BATTLE OF EGOS AT ABC NEWS: GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS VERSUS DAVID MUIR.

THAT AND MORE TOMORROW AT 7:00.

I'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING, STAY SAFE, AND STAY TUNED FOR INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT "GREATER BOSTON," "BEAT THE PRESS," AND MORE GBH PROGRAMMING.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org ♪♪