Page 22 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MARCH 15, 2024 GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 22,000 people, from movers and shakers to political junkies and interested citizens, who start their weekday morning with MASSterList—the popular newsletter that chronicles news and informed analysis about what’s going on up on Beacon Hill, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and influence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications. MASSterlist will be e-mailed to you FREE every Monday through Friday morning and will give you a leg up on what’s happening in the blood sport of Bay State politics. For more information and to get your free subscription, go to: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/aPTLucK THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on roll calls from the week of March 4-8. There were no roll calls in the Senate last week. SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET INCLUDING $245 MILLION FOR SHELTERS (H 4460) House 121-33, approved and sent to the Senate a supplemental budget that includes $245 million for the Emergency Assistance Program that funds the emergency family shelter system which houses migrants. The measure limits the maximum length of stay to nine consecutive months and an additional three months for those currently employed or enrolled in a job training program. The bill allows some families or individuals, including veterans, pregnant women, victims of domestic violence and people with a disability to be eligible for 12 consecutive months. Other provisions keep in place some pandemic-era programs, set to expire, in place including allowing restaurants to sell beer, wine and cocktails for take-out and expanding outdoor dining. “Ensuring that people exit the shelter system in a timely manner is crucial to the emergency assistance program’s long-term viability,” said House Speaker Ron MariDOMINANT WEEK | FROM PAGE 6 brilliant weekend with a tworun home run on Sunday, his first homer of the season. The home runs didn’t slow down against ranked opponents either, as Reece Moroney (Rhode Island) collected a hit in each of the Rams’ three games against No. 4 TexBeacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen ano (D-Quincy). “This is the current reality due to the status of the migrant crisis, the lack of federal support, the number of people on the waitlist and the revenue challenges facing Massachusetts. It’s also critical that we ensure that folks in the shelter system receive ample support aimed at helping them to successfully enter the workforce, which is exactly what this legislation does.” “Since the beginning of the migrant crisis, we have attempted to uphold the commonwealth’s right to shelter law while also being mindful of the long-term fiscal sustainability of the program,” said House Ways and Means Chair Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston). “The reforms contained in this proposal will ensure that right to shelter is maintained by capping the length of stay while also refocusing the emphasis on workforce development. By concentrating on job training, we can focus on getting migrants the job skills they need while also enhancing the commonwealth’s economic output.” “By committing an additional $245 million in state funding to cover the ongoing costs of providing emergency housing to migrants, [the bill] does nothing but throw more taxpayer money at the problem without addressing the underlying causes driving up the program’s costs,” said House Republican Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “If you factor in the $325 million that was included in the fiscal year 2024 budget and the $250 million added through the supplemental budget that was approved in December, the state has now committed over $820 milas A&M. He hit his first home run of the season on Sunday and finished with two runs scored and two walks in the series against the Aggies. Kyle Jones (Stetson) collected four hits and four RBI in a four-game weekend sweep of Bradley to continue his over.300 start to the season. Jones doubled to drive in two runlion to the Emergency Assistance Housing Program in fiscal year 2024 alone, with no end in sight. This money drain is already crowding out other priorities in the budget and has created a financial situation that is simply unsustainable without implementing meaningful reforms to the program.” “To the credit of Democratic House leaders, the bill did propose several new limits to migrant housing stays in an effort to curtail expenses,” said Rep. Steve Xiarhos (R-Barnstable). “However, in my opinion, these new limits don’t go far enough and the bill is fiscally irresponsible. Our state very simply cannot afford to continue paying these ever-mounting expenses.” (A “Yes” vote is for the budget. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS (H 4460) House 28-128, rejected an amendment that would change the state’s Right to Shelter Law which requires the state to provide shelter and other necessities to homeless parents with young children, pregnant women and recently the many migrant families arriving in the Bay State. Homeless individuals are not covered by the Right to Shelter law. The amendment would require that people provide proof that they have lived in the state for at least six months to qualify for the program. It also exempts from the requirement a victim of domestic violence or a person whose living situation has been affected by a fire or other natural disaster that occurred in Massachusetts. ners on Saturday. The center fielder also upped his season stolen base total to seven after swiping four bags during the series, while walking once and striking out just one time. Jones brought his on-base percentage to a team-best .472 and has struck out the fewest times of any Hatter hitter with more than 25 at-bats. Amendment supporters said the current interpretation of residency in Massachusetts by the Healey administration is that the person can be in the state for a matter of minutes to qualify to get services. “We’re a huge incentive for groups at our southern U.S. border to send folks here, directly here, because they know we’re going to take care of them, we’re going to give them shelter of some kind, food, health care and what have you,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Paul Frost (R-Auburn). “The solution is you can’t be eligible the day you show up. You just can’t. Let’s make it six months -- you have to be a resident of Massachusetts for six months before you can access the program. I think that’s fair and I think it’s reasonable.” Some amendment opponents said the amendment might be unconstitutional. Others said people from around the world who are the victims of rape, violence and oppression are coming to Massachusetts and the state should not impose residency requirements on these suffering migrants. (A “Yes” vote is for the 6-month requirement. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle No REQUIRE COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS FOR COMPANIES SUPPLYING FOOD (H 4460) House 154-0, approved an amendment that would require any funds spent for providing food for people through the program be subject to a competitive bidding process. Amendment supporters said that according to news reports, the state is currently spending $64 a day per person to feed people in the Emergency Assistance Housing Program under a sixmonth, $10 million no-bid contract, including $16 for breakfast, $17 for lunch and $31 for dinner. “These meal costs far exceed the necessary funds to feed families in the Emergency Assistance Housing Program and go well beyond what Jake Kulikowski (Miami) and Zach Fjelstad (Ohio State) both collected run-scoring doubles over the weekend. Kulikowski drove in two with his double in the fourth inning to give Miami its first runs against No. 13 Virginia on Sunday, while Fjelstad brought one home to score on Saturday against Cal Poly. most families in the commonwealth can afford to feed their own families,” said amendment sponsor House GOP Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “At a time when state revenues are declining, we must ensure that we spend responsibly and conserve our resources to best serve the residents of Massachusetts. By requiring a competitive bidding process, we can ensure that the state is getting the best price, and that spending is brought down to a more reasonable level.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes TRAINING PROGRAMS (H 4460) House 25-128, rejected an amendment that would expand eligibility for a program, created in the bill, which allows employers to offer training programs to assist individuals in the Emergency Assistance Housing Program in developing the skills needed to enter the workforce. Under the program, employers would be eligible for a tax credit of $2,500 for each qualified trainee who receives training. The amendment would allow low-income Massachusetts residents to participate in these training programs even if they are not in the Emergency Assistance Housing Program. “The supplemental budget offers a pathway to entering the workforce by going through a job training program, but it is limited to those individuals who are already in the emergency shelter system,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “This amendment would open up these training programs by also giving low-income Massachusetts residents who are eager to work an opportunity to participate.” Opponents said this funding is aimed at helping people in the emergency assistance program. They noted the state already has programs for low income residents and is deBHRC | SEE PAGE 23 The Navigators will return to historic Fraser Field and the NECBL for their 17th summer season in 2024, with first pitch set for Tuesday, June 4. Stay up to date on the latest Navs news — including further updates on current and former players — by visiting nsnavs.com and following the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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