BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Republican lawmakers on Friday again blocked approval of a spending bill that includes funding for temporary shelters for immigrant homeless families, leaving the bill open for debate and a roll call vote. He argued that the issue should be formally raised in parliament.
Democrats are trying to push the bill through instead. $2.8 billion spending bill Two weeks after finishing the official meeting for the year. No debate or roll call votes are allowed during the informal session, and a single lawmaker could vote down the bill.
The bill would direct hundreds of millions of dollars to emergency shelters in states hit by major disasters. Immigrant’s unrequited love and homeless families.
Demand for shelters is increasing as temperatures drop, and states are struggling to find places to stay for newly arrived migrants. Reach state-imposed limits Last month, 7,500 families joined the emergency homeless shelter system.
Republicans in the minority in both chambers are urging Democrats to split the spending bill. Republican leaders say they support overdue raises for state employees and funding for disaster relief efforts, but oppose funding for immigrant families without major reforms.
Republicans used a maneuver in Congress on Thursday to delay action on the bill until Friday, then used the same maneuver again to delay any action until Saturday.
Democratic House Speaker Ronald Mariano said Republicans would provide $250 million to provide shelter to vulnerable families, including up to $50 million for flood sites for stranded homeless families in the state. He said he was willing to jeopardize funding for other priorities in the nearly $3 billion bill because he opposes paying for it. waiting list.
“House Democrats are committed to ensuring this obstruction attempt fails,” Mariano said.
Minority Leader Bradley Jones said his fellow Republicans remain concerned about how the state is handling the immigration crisis.
“This is going to inevitably start to crowd out funding for things that people in the commonwealth want to see,” Jones told reporters Friday. “Many of my caucus members are getting calls from concerned people saying, ‘This isn’t right.'”
The formal session of Congress is scheduled to resume in January, but House Democrats can reconvene the chamber to vote on a spending bill at any time if they wish.
More than 100 families are currently waiting for emergency shelter.
To create more space in the shelter system, states are working with federal authorities to help immigrants obtain the work permits they need to find jobs. More than 1,700 immigrants have applied for authorization in a recent series of work clinics.
Since September 1, nearly 500 families have moved out of evacuation centers, making room for other families.
Officials say the surge in demand is driven in part by immigrant families entering the state.
Last week, Catholic Charities Boston became the first organization to receive the award. Grants to provide temporary rooms Up to 27 very low-income households with children or pregnant people waiting for shelter will be targeted.
Democratic Gov. Maura Healey made the announcement. $5 million grant program Early this month.
The state last week began allowing up to 25 homeless families to stay there. Overnight at the State Department of Transportation building Officials said the attack occurred in Boston during the evening and into the night. During the day, the nearby Greater Boston YMCA provides dining and recreational opportunities for families.
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