Middleboro Review 2: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Healey: Show me the shelter money

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Healey: Show me the shelter money

With help from Lisa Kashinsky

‘WE NEED FUNDING’ — Gov. Maura Healey didn’t mince words when asked in a new interview about the Legislature’s 11th-hour impasse over a supplemental budget that would infuse the state’s maxed-out emergency shelter system with much-needed cash and deliver long-awaited raises to state employees.

“We certainly need funding. We need funding for emergency shelter. We need funding to pay state employees. So we need to get that done,” she told NBC10’s “At Issue” during an interview in her office.

It’s been 11 days since the state’s shelter system exceeded the Healey administration’s 7,500-family capacity limit. There were 92 families on the waitlist as of Thursday night, according to the state’s most recently available count. On Sunday, the Healey administration said it had been able to find shelter for some of them through community partners.

As the shelter crisis worsens, Healey continues to prod the federal government — and less so the Legislature, at least publicly — for help. The first-year governor has taken a largely hands-off approach to the Legislature (again, publicly) on several big bills as she learns how to navigate the politics of one-party rule — and of inter-chamber drama — on Beacon Hill.

Healey said she’s “confident” that Democratic state legislative leaders will work something out quickly. “We all understand the urgency that we're in right now in terms of making sure that people have housing in particular,” she said.

Meanwhile, she told WBTS-TV, "we need Congress to act. And I'm going to continue to call on Congress to act, and also for help from the Biden administration to help a state like Massachusetts that's really bearing a lot of the burden."

The Biden administration did lend a hand last week, helping the state shepherd more than 1,000 migrants through a clinic to more quickly obtain work authorizations. But Healey is looking for more, and is working with a bipartisan group of governors through the National Governors Association “on a plan for Congress to act” on immigration.

She’s not alone in prodding the federal government on the issue — state and local leaders in New York and Illinois have been ramping up the pressure on Biden and Congress, especially as the colder winter months move in.

GOOD MONDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Healey and the House don’t appear to be on the same page about how the $250 million in shelter funding she requested should be used.

Healey said she asked for “money to help us continue to operate existing emergency shelter through the course of the year.” But the House wants her to use $50 million of it for overflow sites so those on the waitlist have a place to go — a provision backed by some housing and homeless-prevention advocates.

TODAY — Healey , Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and state Attorney General Andrea Campbell make an announcement on addressing hate crimes at 10:30 a.m. at the State House. Healey and Driscoll speak at a Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month event at 11:15 a.m. at the State House.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu talks turkey distribution for families in need at 9 a.m. at CommonWealth Kitchen, attends a Kiddies Corner event at 2:30 p.m. and the North End trellis lighting at 5:30 p.m. at Christopher Columbus Park. Rep. Jim McGovern kicks off the annual March for the Food Bank starting at 6:30 a.m. in Springfield.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: It's a three-day week here at Massachusetts Playbook: We'll be in your inboxes through Wednesday, then off Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving.

Tips? Scoops? Email us: kgarrity@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— “Former state senator Dean Tran arrested for alleged COVID unemployment fraud,” by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: “Former state senator Dean Tran was arrested Friday morning on federal charges that he fraudulently collected jobless benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic and failed to report rental income to the IRS, prosecutors said. Tran, 48, was charged with 25 counts of wire fraud and three counts of filing false tax returns and is slated to make an initial appearance in US District Court in Boston at 1:30 p.m., Acting US Attorney Joshua S. Levy’s office said.”

— “Massachusetts becomes fifth state in nation to make prison calls free,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News.

MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

— “Shelter workers, faith leaders overwhelmed and frustrated amid stalled state aid for shelters,” by Rachel Armany, GBH News.

— “For Haitian teen and her family, Mass. shelter represents hope for the future,” by Juliet Schulman-Hall, MassLive.

— “Advocates plan vigil at State House to call for overflow site for migrants, homeless,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald.

REWIND — Lisa joined GBH’s Katie Lannan , Axios Boston’s Steph Solis and State House News Service’s Chris Lisinski on GBH’s “Talking Politics” to break down the breakdown of the supplemental budget negotiations and what did make it through before the end of formal sessions last week.

FROM THE HUB

— “Three months after council approval, a retired Boston firefighter’s pension boost still waiting for Wu,” by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “More than three months after the Boston City Council passed a home rule petition that would boost the pension of a retired Black firefighter who said his career was cut short in the early 1980s by racism, Mayor Michelle Wu has yet to sign off on the proposal, a necessary step to move the measure forward.”

— “Superintendent Skipper says exam school admissions changes are being ‘actively looked at’,” by Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald: “After months of back and forth between parents, BPS officials and school committee members, Superintendent Mary Skipper said the district is actively looking into ‘incremental’ changes to alter the controversial policy at Wednesday night’s school committee meeting."

GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here.

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

RECOUNT IN REVERE — Former Revere Mayor Dan Rizzo isn’t done trying to get his old job back. The city councilor has filed for a recount of ballots cast in the city’s mayoral race after finishing 367 votes behind Acting Mayor Patrick Keefe , according to official results from the city .

Rizzo wrote on Facebook that “it is important to me and our committee that everyone that took advantage of these additional ways to vote, as opposed to on election day, had their votes counted.”

Keefe posted on X that it’s “disheartening, but not surprising” that Rizzo, who also requested a recount in the 2015 mayor’s race he lost to Brian Arrigo , is pursuing “an unnecessary and costly recount.” Keefe pledged to move forward with transition and inauguration planning and has already updated the city’s website to say he’s mayor-elect.

BALLOT BATTLES

— “DiZoglio all in on ballot bid ,” by Bruce Mohl and Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Beacon: “State Auditor Diana DiZoglio has drained her campaign account to pay for the signature-gathering effort to put a proposed law on the ballot allowing her office to audit the Legislature.”

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— “Eng says $24 billion for MBTA is a ‘planning tool,’ not immediate need,” by Daniel Kool, Boston Globe: “MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng said in a television interview Sunday that the $24.5 billion price tag announced last week to fix the T’s infrastructure is a “planning tool” for future work and does not represent the agency’s immediate needs. That sum includes repairing and replacing tracks, station amenities, trains, signals, and more, to bring the neglected system back to a state of good repair. But “that’s not looking to say we need $24.5 billion today,” Eng said on WCVB-TV’s “On The Record” Sunday morning.”

WARREN REPORT

Protesters hold signs Sunday outside Sen. Elizabeth Warren's house in Cambridge. | AP

THE CALLS ARE COMING FROM OUTSIDE THE HOUSE — Roughly four dozen pro-Palestinian protesters staged a sit-in on a side street outside of Sen. Elizabeth Warren ’s Cambridge home on Sunday and unfurled a banner in front of it urging the senator to call for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Warren has repeatedly called for humanitarian pauses in the region. But groups of far-left activists, medical professionals and a few hundred former staffers from her 2020 presidential campaign have implored her to go further, demonstrating outside of her offices and sending her open letters asking her to call for a permanent cease-fire and to end U.S. aid to Israel.

“She is a national progressive standard-bearer — or she would like to be,” one of the Cambridge protesters, Isaiah Newman , told Playbook. “We’ve seen her language shift over the past month and a half and we’ve seen her call for humanitarian pauses. And part of why we’re here is because that’s not enough.” A spokesperson for Warren declined comment. The Boston Globe’s Sean Cotter has more.

DATELINE D.C.

EYES EMOJI — “'Same thing, it's just bigger.' Is President Biden expected on Nantucket for Thanksgiving?” by Walker Armstrong, Cape Cod Times: “...There is no official word from the White House. But Nantucket Memorial Airport public information officer Cameron Woods said the Air Traffic Management System Operations Security team issued a temporary flight restriction Friday, indicating Biden and his family will likely arrive within the week.”

IN MEMORIAM — “Former first lady Rosalynn Carter dies at 96,” by David Cohen, POLITICO.

GET A BACKSTAGE PASS TO COP28 WITH GLOBAL PLAYBOOK : Get insider access to the conference that sets the tone of the global climate agenda with POLITICO's Global Playbook newsletter. Authored by Suzanne Lynch, Global Playbook delivers exclusive, daily insights and comprehensive coverage that will keep you informed about the most crucial climate summit of the year. Dive deep into the critical discussions and developments at COP28 from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12.. SUBSCRIBE NOW .

FROM THE 413

— "Title IX report slams Amherst’s response to harassment of LGBTQ+ students," by Jackson Cote, MassLive: "An investigation report released to the public Friday determined Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools (ARPS) failed to effectively address claims of harassment and misconduct by middle school staff against LGBTQ+ students."

— “Arrests in Holyoke mayor’s street crime crackdown lead to gridlocked courts,” by Aprell May Munford, Springfield Republican: “Mayor Joshua A. Garcia’s crackdown on street crime, after a child’s tragic death, is producing both a mountain of arrests and near gridlock in local courts. Since Nov. 8, under a program called Operation Safe Streets 2, Holyoke saw 97 arrests, 55 criminal summonses and 475 traffic stops in two sweeps, according to a Holyoke Police Department Facebook post.”

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— “Brockton councilors reject $500K revolving fund as city works to put its finances in order,” by Chris Helms, Brockton Enterprise: “City councilors shot down a half-million-dollar ‘revolving fund’ as fallout from the school overspending scandal continues. With voters paying closer attention to city finance since the revelation Brockton Public Schools overspent by $14.4M in fiscal 2023, councilors balked at creating a fund to support economic development and planning. The ‘Economic Revolving Fund’ would have allowed the planning department to spend up to $500,000 with approval from the city's chief financial officer.”

— “Worcester city manager: Police oversight not a priority for Human Rights Commission,” by Brad Petrishen, Telegram & Gazette: “City Manager Eric D. Batista is declining to give the city's Human Rights Commission documents it requested regarding the Police Department's response to hate crimes and officer misconduct.”

HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Rep. Jim McGovern , state Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis , Samuel M. Gebru , Rebecca Hart Holder , executive director of Reproductive Equity Now; Erika Scibelli and Valerie Frias .

Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com .

Follow us on Twitter