Current:Home > MyMassachusetts lawmakers overcome efforts to block money for temporary shelters for migrant families-LoTradeCoin
Massachusetts lawmakers overcome efforts to block money for temporary shelters for migrant families
View Date:2024-12-23 15:58:24
BOSTON (AP) — A spending bill that includes money for temporary shelter spaces for migrant homeless families cleared the Massachusetts House on Monday after more than 100 Democratic lawmakers showed up at an informal session of the chamber to overcome efforts by House Republicans to block the bill.
Republicans had been repeatedly blocking efforts to pass the bill since last week, arguing the measure should be brought up in a formal legislative session to allow for debate and roll call votes.
The move forced Democrats to bring in dozens of legislators to overcome the parliamentary hurdle. In an informal session, debate and roll call votes aren’t allowed and a single lawmaker can block a bill, giving Republicans, in the minority in both chambers, leverage to block efforts to pass legislation.
Democrats are pushing the $2.8 billion spending bill which sets aside $250 million to help provide shelter for vulnerable families, including up to $50 million for an overflow site for homeless families stuck on a state wait list. The state’s emergency shelters are buckling under a crush of migrant and homeless families.
Minority Leader Bradley Jones defended the actions of Republicans saying they were trying to press Democrats to take debate the bill in an formal session.
Demand for shelter has increased as temperatures drop and the state struggles to find newly arriving migrants places to stay after hitting a state-imposed limit of 7,500 families in its emergency homeless shelter system last month.
Over 100 families were waiting for emergency shelter spaces as of Friday. About 500 families have exited shelters since Sept. 1, making room for other families.
To create more space in the shelter system, the state has worked with federal officials to help migrants get work authorizations needed to find a job.
The surge in shelter demand is being driven in part by migrant families entering the state, officials said.
The state launched a $5 million grant program last month to help local groups provide overflow shelter spaces for those on the wait list. The state is also letting up to 25 homeless families stay overnight in the state transportation building in Boston during the evening and overnight hours.
veryGood! (118)
Related
- Video shows Starlink satellite that resembled fireball breaking up over the Southwest: Watch
- Rise Of The Dinosaurs
- California storms bring more heavy rain, flooding and power outages
- Why Kathy Griffin Wakes Up “Terrified” After Complex PTSD Diagnosis
- Rōki Sasaki is coming to MLB: Dodgers the favorite to sign Japanese ace for cheap?
- One Park. 24 Hours.
- Mystery American Idol Contestant Who Dropped Out of 2023 Competition Revealed
- Shay Mitchell Reacts to Her Brand BÉIS' Connection to Raquel Leviss' Vanderpump Rules Scandal
- A growing and aging population is forcing Texas counties to seek state EMS funding
- Glee’s Kevin McHale Regrets Not Praising Cory Monteith’s Acting Ability More Before His Death
Ranking
- As US Catholic bishops meet, Trump looms over their work on abortion and immigration
- Why some Indonesians worry about a $20 billion international deal to get off coal
- Here's what happened on Friday at the U.N.'s COP27 climate talks
- Vanderpump Rules' Ariana Joked About Being in a Throuple With Tom and Raquel Before Affair News
- Wicked's Ethan Slater Shares How Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Set the Tone on Set
- An economic argument for heat safety regulation
- Federal climate forecasts could help prepare for extreme rain. But it's years away
- Victoria Justice Sets Record Straight on Claim She's Jealous of Ariana Grande
Recommendation
-
Indiana in the top five of the College Football Playoff rankings? You've got to be kidding
-
RHOBH's Kyle Richards Reveals If She Keeps in Touch With Lisa Rinna
-
Glaciers from Yosemite to Kilimanjaro are predicted to disappear by 2050
-
Brittany Mahomes Calls Out Disrespectful Women Who Go After Husband Patrick Mahomes
-
Ariana Grande's Brunette Hair Transformation Is a Callback to Her Roots
-
A new kind of climate refugee is emerging
-
Cameron Diaz Resumes Filming Back in Action Amid Co-Star Jamie Foxx's Hospitalization
-
Pamper Yourself With an $18 Deal on $53 Worth of Clinique Products