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By Erin Tiernan — with help from Kieth Regan
Hotels costing taxpayers as migrants have pushed Massachusetts emergency shelter system to the brink
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WBZ political analyst Jon Keller offers a dire outlook for local Republicans, who he says are struggling to define their message and attract donors. With few members in the state Legislature, the GOP wields little power and Keller says the lawmakers in office don't offer much pushback to the Democratic establishment.
MASSterList
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There aren’t enough roofs to cover the heads of Bay Staters seeking shelter in Massachusetts.
The state’s housing crunch is nothing new, but a new strain from an influx of migrants looking to settle here following the end of a pandemic policy that allowed authorities to turn away unauthorized border crossers has put the affordable housing crisis in a new spotlight.
More than 1,300 migrants, mostly from Haiti and Latin America, have sought shelter in Massachusetts since May — a 250 percent increase since Gov. Maura Healey took office in January. It’s pushed the state’s emergency shelter system past capacity and officials have turned to hotels and motels to bridge the gap. Massachusetts is the only right-to-shelter state that guarantees housing for eligible families.
State officials have declined to answer questions from the media and a state lawmaker about how much the state is spending on hotels for migrants. It has now contracted with more than 40 hotels in multiple cities and towns across the state.
Gov. Maura Healey is expected to make an emergency declaration this morning, The Boston Globe reported, that would allow the administration to sidestep procurement rules and the competitive bidding process but would open the door for federal reimbursement on costs that easily run into the tens of millions. The state could also formally appeal to the president for disaster relief funding, which could include money for emergency housing, food, and water.
A review of state procurement data shows four requests for proposals since the spring — including a rolling request valid through 2032 — related to emergency shelters at hotels and motels. It outlines services for bidders including providing a clean, safe environment, ensuring no sex offenders are living there and offering access to a kitchen or meals.
Contracts obtained by the Herald and NBC 10 for various hotels show state commitments for $2.6 million in fiscal year 2023 and $10.7 million the next.
While state policy directs migrants to start a search for permanent housing within five days of gaining shelter, they often spend more than a year in state services.
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10 a.m. | With an influx of migrants pushing the state's emergency shelter system past capacity, Gov. Maura Healey is expected to make an emergency declaration. | Room 157
10 a.m. | Stepping away from tax cut talks, Sen. Michael Rodrigues tours of South Coast DCR properties like Horseneck Beach to highlight and promote tourism. | Horseneck Beach, 5 John Reed Road, Westport
10 a.m. | The state Gaming Commission meets for a possible vote on a series of regulations related to sports betting. | Agenda and Access Info
10 a.m. | Inspector General Shapiro tours the Chelsea Veterans' Home's Community Living Center. | 91 Crest Ave., Chelsea
2:30 p.m. | To mark progress on the Vineyard Wind construction, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll with gather with state officials, lawmakers and project leaders as the first turbines arrive. | Blaney Street Ferry Terminal, 10 Blaney St., Salem
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White male business owners sue Massachusetts for discimination in pandemic relief
A pair of white men and business owners are suing Massachusetts over a state program to help women and people of color recover from the pandemic that they say violates their constitutional rights, writes Shirley Leung for The Boston Globe. The state has already agreed to temporarily delay awarding grants — ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 — to business owners considered socially and economically disadvantaged. The men are represented by a conservative law firm that is pursuing similar action in other states.
The Boston Globe
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State police union celebrates ruling undoing punishment for unvaccinated cops
The union representing State Police troopers who refused to get vaccinated for COVID-19, have declared a decision undoing their suspensions a “victory for organized labor and our members,” reports Grace Zokovitch for The Boston Herald. An independent arbitrator ruled Friday in favor of eight state troopers suspended without pay for not receiving the vaccine due in October 2021 — one trooper received the vaccine and returned to work before the ruling.
The Boston Herald
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Boston mayor names two new members to board of city planning agency
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has named two new members to the board of the Boston Planning and Development Agency — which she campaigned to abolish but is now working to gradually reshape in alignment with her vision, writes Greg Ryan for Boston Business Journal. New to the five-member board are carpenters’ union regional manager Raheem Shepard and Kate Bennett, the outgoing head of the Boston Housing Authority. The City Council must approve the appointments.
Boston Business Journal
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Public safety is Boston council president's priority at Mass and Cass
Boston City Council President Ed Flynn, who is filling is as acting mayor with Mayor Michelle Wu on vacation describes Mass. and Cass as a “rapidly deteriorating” site, marked by a longtime concentration of homelessness, mental health issues and drug use. GBH reports public safety there is Flynn's "main focus" since stepping into the role last Thursday. Flynn signed on to an open letter last week urging city officials to conduct a police sweep of the area
GBH
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New boss at Boston Housing Authority
Former Boston City Councilor and longtime housing advocate Kenzie Bok was sworn in as the Boston Housing Authority’s new directory where she’ll hold the keys for its 25,000 residents. On Twitter after the swearing-in, she said she is “honored” to lead Boston’s “most important public institution.”
The Boston Globe
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Massachusetts airman charged in leaked documents case should stay in jail, prosecutors say
Federal prosecutors say a local Air National Guard member charged with leaking military secrets should remain in pretrial detention, citing his violent rhetoric and “unhealthy obsession with firearms,” reports The Sun Chronicle. Jack Teixeira, 21, of North Dighton, has been held in custody since his arrest on April 13 and is asking a federal judge to overturn a magistrate judge’s decision to keep him in jail pending trial.
The Sun Chronicle
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Pickleball won’t hurt your ears, Northeastern finds
Northeastern Global News checks in with Nicole Laffan, assistant clinical professor at Bouvé College of Health Sciences, who says the constant sound of pickleballs being hit is not enough to damage your hearing. Universal Hub, in a roundup, says it might drive you crazy, though.
Universal Hub | Northeastern News
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After Easthampton veto, Northampton may be next to consider crisis pregnancy ordinance
Northampton could soon be the latest community to consider a local ordinance barring crisis pregnancy centers from misleading women who are considering abortions and those working on the language say they’re hoping to learn from recent failed efforts. As Alexander MacDougal of the Daily Hampshire Gazette reports, the move comes just a week after the Easthampton City Council was unable to override a mayoral veto of a similar measure.
Daily Hampshire Gazette
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Settled: Billionaires reach deal to end standoff over Nantucket clam shack
A deal struck in a sit-down meeting between two billionaires may clear the way for a fish store and clam shack proposed for Straight Wharf on Nantucket to finally open for business–but likely not until next year. Developer Steve Karp has reportedly agreed to design changes meant to minimize the visual impact of the project sought by fellow billionaire and abutter Charles Johnson, who had led a legal effort to halt the project.
Inquirer & Mirror | Nantucket Current
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Worcester’s airport says passenger traffic has finally return to pre-Covid levels
Worcester Regional Airport says passenger numbers have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, with the Massport facility–which went totally dark for most of 2020–handling 193,000 passengers during the recently concluded fiscal year. Liesel Nygard of the Worcester Business Journal has all the numbers.
MassLive
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Five former Milford hospital employees say they were unfairly fired. What they claim
Five former employees of Milford Regional Hospital are suing to be reinstated to their jobs and paid for damages, claiming that the institution was rejecting all applications for religious exemptions from a Covid-19 vaccine mandate. Tom Benoit of the MetroWest Daily News reports the case is tentatively slated for trial in federal court next spring.
MetroWest Daily News
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