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By Sam Drysdale, Ella Adams & Keith Regan
Healey's emergency shelter proposal deadline has arrived, and with it a $915M price tag by FY25
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In an interview with Jon Keller, Congressman Stephen Lynch sounds off on the fallout of the Israel-Hamas war, especially the intimidation of Jewish students. — MASSterList | |
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Gov. Maura Healey plans to file another supplemental budget in the coming weeks to help pay for the state's overflowing emergency shelter system — which is projected to cost $915 million by the end of fiscal 2025, according to a new report.
The report from the Healey administration — sent to the legislative budget chiefs after lawmakers demanded more information about the escalating shelter crisis — finally answers the questions that lawmakers, reporters and just about everyone else has been asking about the state of Massachusetts' Emergency Assistance system.
A quick list of the main data points and questions answered (as of Dec. 12):
- Newly arrived immigrants: 3,516 of the 7,531 total families in the EA system
- Total number of new immigrants who have work authorizations: 813
- Total amount spent on the EA in fiscal year 2024: $205 million
- Projected fiscal year 2024 deficiency: $224 million
- Projected fiscal year 2025 costs through the end of fiscal 2025: $915 million
Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz and Housing Secretary Ed Augustus write that, on average, families are staying in the system for over a year.
"Thankfully, the state has the resources available in Transitional Escrow to put a plan in place that will address FY24 and much of FY25 without requiring offsetting budget cuts to other programs to meet the spending requirements of the family shelter crisis. As of December 2023, the estimated uncommitted balance of the Transitional Escrow Fund (TEF) is approximately $700 million," the report says.
The administration writes that they are planning to file a supplemental budget that would move the remaining transitional escrow fund balance into an "Emergency Housing and Community Trust Fund."
The first $150 million from the fund will support housing production and preservation. After the $150 million is spent, remaining funds will be used for fiscal 2024 and 2025 funding deficiencies for EA shelter, and after EA costs for fiscal 2025 have been covered, the remaining fund balance will be used for housing production and preservation.
Healey's office plans to file the supplemental budget for the "EA Shelter Funding Blueprint" in the coming weeks. — Sam Drysdale
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In the new year, AARP will be fighting for legislation that improves nursing homes, reduces prescription drug prices and expands retirement savings programs. Learn more at aarp.org/ma
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10:30 | The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission meets remotely | For access, contact 781-917-6057 or gpolin@masslottery.com
12:00 | Clean Slate Massachusetts holds a rally on the State House steps ahead of a Judiciary Committee hearing on two bills — S 979 / H 1598 and S 998 / H 1493 | State House steps
1:00 | Forty-four bills are on the agenda at a Judiciary Committee hearing | Room A-2 and Virtual | Agenda and Access Info
3:30 | The Women's Rights History Trail Task Force meets virtually | Agenda and Access Info
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Warren backs Healey’s housing agenda
Sen. Elizabeth Warren backed Gov. Healey’s five-year housing bond bill — which has been sitting before the Legislature since it was filed two months ago — on Monday morning, adding that the federal government needs to “step up” to help Mass. “address its housing affordability and availability crisis.” Warren was pessimistic about the state of Mass.’ housing supply, calling the federal government to action, which Warren thinks must lend a hand and invest in solving the crisis. — State House News Service
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Just another manic (and windy. and wet.) Monday
Monday saw flooding, fallen trees and power outages galore across the state as a result of the massive storm that wouldn’t quit. About 285,000 utility customers in Mass. lost power, planes were grounded at Logan and emergency responders were busy handling closures, injuries and deaths as a result. Between storm damages at Mass. College of Art and Design and flooding untreated sewage overflow in Greenfield, the state is in a bit of disarray.
— Universal Hub | NBC-10
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Reading, a history of racism and Bill Russell
A local nonprofit is urging Reading to honor hometown icon and former Celtics player Bill Russell’s memory and reckon with its past of racism. Russell and his family experienced years of racism in the majority-white Reading, and the nonprofit group The Coalition of Us is pressing for a permanent “Bill Russell Day” in accordance with an official statement that recognizes the racist treatment he experienced while living there, reports WBUR’s Irina Matchavariani. The Reading Select Board plans to address the matter on Jan. 9, and the proposal needs a majority vote to pass. — WBUR
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What would ‘institutional neutrality’ look like at Harvard?
A number of Harvard affiliates are “urging” the University to adopt a position of political neutrality in the context of criticism over admin’s — and President Claudine Gay’s — response to the Israel-Hamas war and claims of antisemitism on Harvard’s campus. A policy of political neutrality would limit Harvard admin from commenting on external events unrelated to campus issues.
— Harvard Crimson
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Mass. senators in defense of abortion pill access
State Senators Warren and Markey are among almost 40 lawmakers that have co-sponsored a resolution supporting the safety and effectiveness of the abortion pill, mifepristone, and the FDA’s decision to authorize the pill. This follows the agreement the Supreme Court made last week to review a dispute over an appeal from the maker of mifepristone and the Biden administration, where justices will weigh an appellate court ruling potentially barring access to the drug by mail, as well as impose restrictions in states that provide legal abortion.
— Eagle Tribune
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Bill gives Legislature, governor ability to accept public health and safety grants
Democratic Sen. Nick Collins filed legislation with Republican Sen. Ryan Fattman that would give the Legislature and governor “the ability to accept funding from the federal government or charitable organizations ‘meant to aid the public health and safety of the Commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof,’” reports the News Service’s Sam Drysdale. Collins said during Monday’s Senate session that this was a response to the Boston City Council’s blocking of a $13.3 million U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant meant to fund anti-terrorism work. The council fell short in its 6-6 vote and so did not accept the federal funds.
— State House News Service
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Tentative agreement between visiting nurses union, Berkshire Health Systems
After two years of negotiations, lobbying and demonstrations, the Eagle’s Sten Spinella reports, union members of Berkshire Visiting Nurses Association — part of the Massachusetts Nurses Association — have reached a tentative contract with Berkshire Health Systems. The contract includes a wage step scale and productivity improvements, among other items that aim to aid in recruitment, retention and patient care access issues. — Berkshire Eagle
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New Bedford seafood plants among those investigated for child labor violations
Several seafood processing plants in New Bedford are among the employers being investigated by state and federal agencies for possible violations of child labor laws, Will Sennott of The Light reports. Sennott has interviewed kids who say they worked at plants — which rank among the most dangerous workplaces — when they were as young as 13, while processors say many would-be workers misrepresent their age or use false documentation. — New Bedford Light
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City Council confirms new mayoral appointments
The City Council confirmed a number of mayoral appointments at its meeting Dec. 7. Among those confirmed to positions were current head clerk Kerri Beaumier to the position of assistant treasurer for the city; Agawam’s Ted Dobek as a member of the Off-Street Parking Commission; and Joseph Giffune as a member of the Conservation Commission. — MassLive
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Charges sought against 28 accused of buying sex from brothels
Seeking state criminal charges against 28 people accused of buying sex from a now-busted brothel ring that operated in Cambridge, Watertown and Washington, D.C. suburbs. All 28 will be summoned to Cambridge District Court to determine whether there’s enough evidence to support charges, though authorities already know that a number of high-ranking government officials and officers are among those who gave business to the brothels. — Boston Globe
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Islands push back hard on plan to give mainland towns more power on ferry authority
Officials on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard are urging state lawmakers to oppose legislation that would give mainland communities more representation on the Steamship Authority’s board. Walker Armstrong of the Cape Cod Times reports the islanders say essentially giving veto power to Cape communities would put their critical transportation infrastructure at risk.
— Cape Cod Times
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Harbor management in Manchester-by-the-Sea
As the Manchester-by-the-Sea Select Board weighs Manchester Harbor management plans, members of a group developing the Harbor plan visited Monday with reps of the Urban Harbors Institute to discuss the eventual decision between implementing a state-backed plan or a plan created by town officials. — Salem News
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Framingham police investigating menorah vandalism as ‘potential hate crime’
Police in Framingham are asking the public to help as they investigate vandalism to the city’s menorah display, an act caught on videotape and being treated by police as a ‘potential hate crime,’ Norman Miller of the MetroWest Daily News reports. The incident came to light after a weekend that saw false bomb threats aimed at synagogues across the state.
— MetroWest Daily News
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Senior Associate, Market Oversight and Transparency, Massachusetts Health Policy Commission
Humanities Policy Fellowship for Humanities, Arts, and Culture, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
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