TORI: TONIGHT ON GREATER BOSTON, A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN SEVERAL CITIES AND TOWNS TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

WE HEAR FROM LEADERS BEHIND THE NEW COLLABORATION.

THE STATE SENATE JUST PASSED AN AMBITIOUS NEW BILL TO MAKE CHILDCARE MORE AFFORDABLE IN MASSACHUSETTS.

WILL IT BE ENOUGH?

FINALLY AN ART CENTER IN BROOKLINE IS HIGHLIGHTING 100 ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES.

JARED BOWEN TAKES US THERE AS IT CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY.

NEARLY 20,000 PEOPLE ARE UNHOUSED IN MASSACHUSETTS, A NUMBER THAT HAS RISEN THANKS IN LARGE PART TO THE RISING COST.

OF HOUSING.

CITIES AND TOWNS ARE STRUGGLING TO HELP RESIDENTS ON THEIR OWN.

EIGHT COMMUNITIES ARE POOLING RESOURCES.

MALDEN, ARLINGTON, MEDFORD, MELROSE, REVERE, AND WINTHROP PLAN TO SPLIT RESCUE PLAN MONEY TO SUPPORT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

KELLY TURLEY, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE MASS COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS JOINS ME ALONG WITH ALEX PRATT, MELTON’S DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

AND LAURA ROSI, CEO OF HOUSING FAMILIES.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR THESE MUNICIPALITIES TO BE COMBINING FORCES?

>> HOMELESSNESS AFFECTS EVERY CITY AND TOWN IN MASSACHUSETTS FROM BIG CITIES LIKE BOSTON TO SMALL RURAL COMMUNITIES.

THE PROBLEM IS FOR SMALLER COMMUNITIES AND SMALLER CITIES WE DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THIS ONE BY ONE.

WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

THAT IS WHAT THIS PROGRAM IS ALL ABOUT.

POOLING OUR RESOURCES BUT ALSO RECOGNIZING THAT SERVING THE HOMELESS POPULATION MEANS MEETING THEM WHERE THEY ARE.

THEY MIGHT SLEEP IN MALDEN ONE NIGHT AND BEDFORD THE NEXT.

THERE IS STILL SOMEONE WE NEED TO SUPPORT.

TORI: THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH FOCUS ON BOSTON.

AS PART OF THIS TO RELIEVE THAT PRESSURE FROM BOSTON?

WE HAVE HEARD FROM BOSTON MAYOR MICHELLE WU IN THE PAST THAT LEADERS ACROSS THE STATE NEED TO OFFER RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THE STATEWIDE HOUSING CRISIS.

IS PART OF THIS ABOUT RELIEVING BOSTON?

>> IT IS NOT.

IT IS ABOUT ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE IN OUR OWN COMMUNITIES.

WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS IN THESE COMMUNITIES FOR A LONG TIME.

IT IS NOT ABOUT RELIEVING BOSTON.

IT IS ABOUT ADDRESSING THE NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND MAKING SURE NO MATTER WHERE SOMEONE IS HOMELESS, THEY WILL HAVE SERVICES HELP THEM STAY ALIVE AND GET HOUSED.

TORI: KELLY, YOU CAN SPEAK TO THAT.

WE’VE DONE SO MANY STORIES TOGETHER ABOUT THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS IN BOSTON AREA BUT ACROSS THE STATE WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF THAT?

KELLY: IN EVERY COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT IS URBAN, SUBURBAN, OR RURAL, THERE ARE HIGH RATES OF HOUSING INSTABILITY AND HOMELESSNESS.

THOSE RATES CONTINUE TO INCREASE.

THE DISCUSSION RECENTLY HAS BEEN AROUND NEWLY ARRIVED IMMIGRANT FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS COMING TO THE COMMONWEALTH.

BUT EVEN BEFORE, THERE WAS INCREASE IN THE NEWLY ARRIVED IMMIGRANTS, WE SAW HIGH RATES OF HOUSING INSTABILITY AND HOMELESSNESS THAT HAVE ONLY GROWN.

A LOT OF IT IS CONNECTED TO THE LOSS OF HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION DOLLARS THAT CAME IN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DURING THE PEAK PANDEMIC PERIOD.

THE LOSS OF EVICTION PROTECTIONS AND PARTIAL RESTORATION OF THOSE PROTECTIONS.

WE ARE SEEING THE LACK OF DEEPLY AFFORDABLE UNITS AND WAGES THAT ARE NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE COST OF RENT.

SO WE ARE SEEING A HIGH NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

TORI: YOU WILL BE WORKING WITH THESE MUNICIPALITIES BUT YOU ALREADY HAVE BEEN.

YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR DECADES.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING IN THESE COMMUNITIES?

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE NEED AND TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING WHEN THIS PROGRAM STARTS UP IN APRIL?

LAURA: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

TO ALEX’S POINT I’M EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE IT IS WORKING WITHIN THE EIGHT COMMUNITIES AND NOT HAVING THE PIECEMEAL WHERE OUR SERVICES ARE GOING.

WE ARE PUTTING TOGETHER A TEAM WHERE WE WILL HAVE THE DIRECTOR OF HOMELESSNESS SERVICES OVERSEEING A PROGRAM MANAGER WHO’S GOING TO BE SUPERVISING THREE CASE MANAGERS THAT ARE GOING TO BE MEETING FOLKS ON THE STREET, DETERMINING WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM.

WE WILL HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN AS PART OF THE TEAM TO HELP US WITH ENCOURAGING THEM TO MOVE ON AND FIND OTHER PLACES IT IS SAFE TO BE WITH THAT RELATIONSHIP BUILDING PEACE.

WE HAVE A BROADER HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM WORKING WITH FOLKS WHO ARE BOUNCING AROUND FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE, AT RISK OF EVICTION OR HAVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISSUES.

SO WE HAVE A BROAD RANGE.

ESPECIALLY ON THE INDIVIDUAL SIDE, REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ACROSS THE COMMUNITIES.

TORI: SO YOU WILL BE USING $1.8 MILLION IN ARPA FUNDS AND INDIVIDUAL MUNICIPALITIES WERE ALREADY USING THEIR SHARE OF THOSE FUNDS AND FINDING IT WAS NOT ENOUGH.

BY POOLING THESE, WILL THAT BE ENOUGH?

THIS PLAN IS OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

WILL YOU BE NEEDING TO BRING MORE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THIS?

ALEX: THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE A LONG TRACK RECORD WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH FEDERAL FUNDS.

WITH THESE FUNDS, IT IS SEPARATE FROM THE ARPA FUNDING, THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING CITIES AND TOWNS HAVE BEEN USING THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

WE ARE FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR AND USE THESE RESOURCES TOGETHER.

WITH ANYTHING, WE SEE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE GOVERNMENT ARE THE BEST PROVIDERS OF FUNDS FOR CITIES AND TOWNS THAT TAKE ON THIS WORK.

CITIES AND TOWNS ARE USUALLY BEST EQUIPPED TO KNOW THEIR COMMUNITIES SO WELL ESPECIALLY WORKING WITH NONPROFITS ON THE GROUND.

WHAT WE PLANNING -- WE ARE PLANNING ON DOING OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS IS BUILDING A CASE USING ARE EVIDENCE OF WORK AND THE BENEFITS WE CAN PRODUCE TO BE IN DIALOGUE WITH STATE LEGISLATORS AND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO ADVOCATE FOR MORE FUNDING GOING ON.

BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM IS NOT GOING AWAY.

TORI: HOW ARE YOU PLANNING TO MAKE THOSE TOUGH DECISIONS, THEY ARE INEVITABLE, ABOUT WHICH COMMUNITIES RECEIVE WHICH SERVICES OR HOW MUCH FUNDING?

WILL THIS MEAN SOME PLACES WHO MIGHT BE OF GREATER NEED WILL RECEIVE MORE?

ALEX: THE BEAUTY OF THIS APPROACH IS THE EIGHT CITIES AND TOWNS ARE NOT LOOKING AT THIS AS EIGHT DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS FOR LAURA AND HER TEAM TO RESPOND TO.

IT IS ONE JURISDICTION FOR HER TEAM TO RESPOND TO.

WE ARE NOT LOOKING AT -- SHELTI DOES A LOT OF GREAT WORK ON HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION -- CHELSEA DOES A LOT OF GREAT WORK ON HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION BUT WE ARE NOT LOOKING AT RESOURCES IN CHELSEA VERSUS MELROSE AND DOCKING ONE OR THE OTHER.

WE ARE LOOKING AT WHERE IS THE GREATEST NEED AND WORK CAN WE SPEND RESOURCES -- WHERE CAN WE SPEND RESOURCES?

TORI: THE OTHER THING IS KEEPING PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE SCALE OF THAT ACROSS THE STATE?

KELLY: IT IS AND ORMISTON -- IT IS ENORMOUS.

IT IS A HUGE ISSUE WE ARE ENCOURAGING THE GOVERNOR TO FOCUS ON MORE INTENSELY.

THERE’S A LOT OF FOCUS ON HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE WE ARE HELPING FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS AVOID ENTERING SHELTER.

BUT NOT NECESSARILY PROVIDING THE RESOURCES THAT ARE NEEDED TO DO THAT.

WE ARE SEEING IN EVERY COMMUNITY ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH AN INCREASING NUMBER OF FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS FALLING BEHIND ON RENT, UNABLE TO ACCESS THE RESOURCES TO STAY IN PLACE.

ONE KEY TOOL THAT HAS BEEN USED IS THE RAFT HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM.

RESIDENTIAL ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES IN TRANSITION.

UNTIL LAST YEAR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS COULD ACCESS UP TO $10,000 TO PAY FOR BACK RENT, BACK UTILITY BILLS, AND START UP COSTS FOR NEW APARTMENTS.

THE MAXIMUM GRANT HAS BEEN DECREASED TO $7,000 REGARDLESS OF HOUSEHOLD SIZE, REGARDLESS OF RENT IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO OTHERWISE COULD HAVE RETAINED THEIR HOUSING ARE BEING PUSHED INTO GREATER HOUSING INSTABILITY OR INTO HOMELESSNESS.

WE ARE HOPING THAT IN THE UPCOMING STATE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR THAT STARTS IN JULY WE WILL BE ABLE TO RESTORE THOSE RESOURCES.

NOT JUST THROUGH THE RAFT PROGRAM, BUT AS WELL THROUGH PARALLEL PROGRAMS LIKE THE HOME-BASED PROGRAM WHICH IS TARGETED TO FAMILIES THAT OTHERWISE WOULD BE IN SHELTER.

TORI: ARE YOU SEEING A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE REALLY ON THE BRINK, WHO MAY BE THOUGHT -- NO ONE EVER THINKS THEY ARE GOING TO BE IN THE POSITION.

BUT SEEING MORE FAMILIES WHO ARE AT RISK IN THAT WAY?

LAURA: YES, WE HAVE SEEN A BIG INFLUX.

DURING COVID THERE WERE MORE RESOURCES BEING PUT IN TO HELP FOLKS STAY IN THEIR HOME.

AS KELLY MENTIONED, WE HAVE BEEN SCALING BACK ON THOSE RESOURCES.

SO RAFT IS THE NUMBER ONE GO TO TOOL WE HAVE TO HELP FOLKS.

TWO ALEX’S POINT IN TERMS OF WHAT ELSE NEEDS TO BE DONE, THE SHELTER SYSTEM IS NEEDED AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

BUT IT ONLY WORKS WHEN WE ALSO HAVE HOUSING FOR FOLKS TO GO INTO.

IT WILL BE CRITICAL WE ARE ALL ADVOCATING FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE SUBSIDIZED HOUSING THAT IS ALREADY OUT THERE AS WELL AS CREATING MORE SO PEOPLE CAN MOVE ACROSS THE CONTINUUM INTO PERMANENT HOUSING.

TORI: I UNDERSTAND THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE WORKED TOGETHER ON A NUMBER OF THINGS BEFORE.

I ASKED YOU WHEN I WROTE THE STORY, BUT JUST ABOUT WHY THESE EIGHT COMMUNITIES.

YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I’M WONDERING IF THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OR SOME PLANNING ABOUT MOVING AHEAD WITH AN EXPANSION TO ALL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE OR IF THERE IS SOME PARALLEL -- THESE ARE ALL TOWNS NORTHWEST OF BOSTON, BUT WHY THESE EIGHT?

ALEX: THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER SINCE 1991 TO APPLY FOR AND EXPAND FUNDS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT MOSTLY TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCLUDING FOR GROUPS LIKE THIS POPULATION WE ARE LOOKING TO START WITH THIS NEW PROGRAM.

THAT HAS GIVEN US THE TRACK RECORD AND THE TRUST WORKING TOGETHER TO TAKE ON NEW OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THIS.

THE GOOD NEWS FOR OTHER COMMUNITIES WHO WANT TO BE DOING THIS IS THAT THEY ARE ALREADY PART OF THESE CONSORTIUMS, TO USE HUD MONEY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THEY MIGHT JUST NOT KNOW ABOUT IT.

IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR SELECT BOARD MEMBERS, FOR RESIDENTS, PROVIDERS, ANY RESIDENT WHO IS INTERESTED.

CALL TOWNHALL AND SEE HOW THEY ARE USING THEIR HUD MONEY TO HELP HOMELESS PEOPLE.

TORI: AND YOU HAVE SET OUT THE BLUEPRINT.

THIS IS GOING INTO EFFECT IN APRIL.

DO YOU HAVE A TIMELINE?

ALEX: WE ARE STILL WORKING ON A SPECIFIC LAUNCH DATE.

LAURA HAS BEEN WORKING ON HIRING FOLKS AND WE ARE EXCITED TO ROLL SERVICES OUT VERY SOON.

WE DON’T HAVE A DATE SPECIFIED BEYOND APRIL.

AS SOON AS THE PROGRAM STARTS, THERE’S GOING TO BE A LOT OF DEMAND.

TORI: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

MASSACHUSETTS IS ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE STATES FOR RAISING A FAMILY.

THE AVERAGE COST OF CHILDCARE IS MORE THAN DOUBLE WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS AFFORDABLE.

STATE LAWMAKERS ARE HOPING TO CHANGE THAT WITH AN AMBITIOUS NEW CHILDCARE BILL THAT JUST PASSED THE STATE SENATE WHICH AMONG OTHER THINGS WOULD MAKE MORE FAMILIES ELIGIBLE FOR SUBSIDIES.

HOW BIG A DEAL AS THIS AND WHAT ARE ITS CHANCES IN THE HOUSE?

I’M JOINED BY GBH NEWS STATEHOUSE REPORTER KATIE LANNAN AND PATTY SINCLAIR, PRESIDENT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN.

KATIE, WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THIS?

HOW WOULD IT CHANGE THE LANDSCAPE FOR CHILD CARE ACROSS THE STATE?

KATIE: THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS IT TRIES TO TOUCH ON, EVERY PIECE OF IT.

FROM BUILDING THE WORKFORCE TO GIVE THEM MORE SUPPORT AS THEY DEVELOP IN THEIR CAREER, TO BOOST THEIR PAY WITH THE GOAL OF KEEPING THESE WORKERS IN THE EARLY EDUCATION FIELD SO THAT THERE ARE MORE SEATS FOR FAMILIES ON THE FAMILY AND, IT WOULD -- THE FAMILY END, IT WOULD EXTEND SUBSIDY ELIGIBILITY SOME MORE FAMILIES WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR STATE SUBSIDIZED CHILDCARE.

WITHOUT GETTING TOO MUCH INTO PERCENTAGES OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE OR MEDIAN INCOME, IT WOULD CAP SOME FAMILIES OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS, FAMILIES THAT ARE RECEIVING SUBSIDIES, AND THE ELIGIBILITY THRESHOLD WOULD CHANGE PRETTY DRAMATICALLY.

CURRENTLY I THINK ABOUT $73,000 ANNUAL INCOME FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR, THAT WOULD GO UP TO $125,000.

IT WOULD MAKE A WIDE SWATH OF PEOPLE MORE ELIGIBLE WITH PLANS TO INCREASE THAT IF MONEY IS AVAILABLE IN THE FUTURE.

ADDITIONAL MONEY.

ONE OF THE THINGS A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE EARLY EDUCATION FIELD ARE EXCITED ABOUT IS IT WOULD MAKE THESE GRANTS THE STATE STARTED GIVING OUT EARLY IN THE COVID PANDEMIC TO KIND OF HELP CHILDCARE PROVIDERS WHETHER THE TURMOIL AND KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN, IT WOULD MAKE THOSE PERMANENT.

WRITE THOSE INTO STATE LAW SO THEY WOULD KEEP FLOWING.

TORI: HOW BIG OF A FACTOR WAS THE PANDEMIC IN ILLUSTRATING THESE ISSUES?

I’M CURIOUS WHY THIS IS COMING NOW, AND WHERE WE ARE AT, THE SCALE OF THE NEED FOR THIS LEGISLATION.

PATTY: WE CERTAINLY WANT TO THANK THE SENATE FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

THIS IS A MONUMENTED’S -- A MOMENTOUS MOMENT IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FIELD AND FULLY AND PLUMMETING THIS WOULD BE TRANSFORMATIVE.

IT WOULD MAKE MASSACHUSETTS MORE AFFORDABLE FOR MANY FAMILIES, GREATLY IMPROVING OUR STATES ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS AND INCREASING RACIAL AND GENDER EQUITY IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

THIS IS LONG OVERDUE.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE’VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR FOR A REALLY LONG TIME.

AND YOU KNOW, DURING THE PANDEMIC WE REALLY SHOWED UP.

WE WERE THE WORK BEHIND THE WORKFORCE.

NOW FOLKS IN LEGISLATION ARE STANDING UP FOR US AND WE ARE FEELING VERY GRATEFUL TODAY.

TORI: WHAT ISSUES DO YOU THINK THIS BILL IS TACKLING?

I AM WONDERING WHAT THE STATE IS FOR FOLKS WORKING IN CHILDCARE.

THINGS YOU HAVE HAD TO BE DEALING WITH -- I AM SURE SOME OF THESE ARE LONG-STANDING BUT ALSO THINGS THAT WERE HIGHLIGHTED DURING COVID.

PATTY: YES, THE C3 OPERATIONAL GRANTS HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT IN TERMS OF CENTERS BEING ABLE TO STAY AFLOAT, STAY IN BUSINESS, AND PROVIDE CHILDCARE FOR THE WORKFORCE TO GET BACK TO WORK.

AS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, THIS WOULD BE MORE STABLE FUNDING FOR CENTERS TO BE ABLE TO STAY OPEN.

FAMILY CHILD CARE CENTERS, ETC..

IT WOULD ENABLE SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC INVESTMENT TO MEET THE TRUE COST OF PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY CARE.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO GET TO SO WE ARE THRIVING ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHILDREN, BEING ABLE TO FOCUS ON HIRING AND RETAINING STAFF.

ONCE FULLY IMPLEMENT IT, IT WOULD LEAD TO HIGHER SALARIES, FOR PROVIDERS, AND EXPANDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP AND OPPORTUNITIES.

IT WOULD RESULT IN POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES REENTERING THE WORKFORCE.

RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, PRODUCTIVITY, THIS WOULD MAKE MASSACHUSETTS VERY SIGNIFICANT MORE AFFORDABLE, GREATLY IMPROVING OUR ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS AND DRAMATICALLY INCREASING RACIAL AND GENDER EQUITY.

TORI: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT PRICE TAG.

THERE IS NO FORMAL PRICE TAG FOR HOW MUCH THIS WOULD COST.

IF THERE IS AN ESTIMATED AROUND $1.5 BILLION, CAN WE AFFORD THAT AS A STATE?

YOU WERE THERE FOR THE DEBATE.

WAS THAT PART OF THE PUSHBACK?

WHAT HAVE FOLKS BEEN SAYING?

KATIE: THERE HAS NOT BEEN NOTABLE PUSHBACK.

IT PASSED THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY.

BUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT $1.5 BILLION OR WHEREVER A BIG INVESTMENT LIKE THAT ULTIMATELY LANDS, THERE ARE QUESTIONS.

I SHOULD SAY I DO THINK IT IS A REALLY POPULAR IDEA TO MAKE THE CHILDCARE SYSTEM WORK BETTER FOR EVERYONE WHO TOUCHES IT, TO MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE.

THE QUESTION AS YOU SUGGEST IS GOING TO COME DOWN TO, WHERE DO WE FIND THE ROOM IN THE BUDGET, ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN TAX REVENUES HAVE NOT BEEN MEETING THE EXPECTATIONS USED TO BUILD THE BUDGET.

WE STILL HAVE A STRAIN PLACED ON THE STATE COFFERS BY THE EMERGENCY SHELTER CAPACITY SITUATION.

AND THERE ARE JUST A LOT OF COMPETING NEEDS AS YOU LOOK THROUGHOUT STATE GOVERNMENT, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A STATE BUDGET, NUMBERS IN THE MID-50’S, $58 BILLION.

THERE IS THE NEW BILLIONAIRES TASK.

A SOURCE OF -- BILLIONAIRES TAX.

LOOK AT ALL THE NEEDS WITHIN EDUCATION.

THE MONEY HAS BEEN USED FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS, EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

ALL OF WHICH IS TO SAY WHEN THE STATE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO FIND SOMETHING, THEY TRY TO FIND A WAY WHEN THEY PASSED K-12 SCHOOL FINANCE REPORT A FEW YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A DEDICATED -- THERE WAS NO DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE ATTACHED TO THAT END BECOMES A QUESTION FOR SUCCESSIVE LEGISLATORS.

IT IS WHETHER THEY CAN KEEP PAYING THOSE BILLS.

TORI: YOU MENTIONED JASON LEWIS ACKNOWLEDGED IT WOULD REQUIRE SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS EVEN IF THEY DO DECIDE IT IS GOING TO BE 1.5 FOR NOW.

THERE IS AN ARGUMENT TO BE MADE WE CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO DO THIS.

THERE’S AN ECONOMIC BOOM THAT WOULD COME OUT OF THIS.

YOU MENTIONED THE TAXPAYER’S REPORT FOUND THAT INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES LOSE $1.7 BILLION PER YEAR FROM MISSING WORK OR REDUCING HOURS ASSOCIATED WITH CHILDCARE AND EMPLOYERS LOSE $812 MILLION IN TAX REVENUE FROM LOST WAGES.

ULTIMATELY IS THE IDEA THIS WOULD SUPPLEMENT THE ECONOMY, SPEND MONEY TO MAKE MANY KIND OF THING.

-- MAKE MONEY KIND OF THING.

KATIE: THIS IS SOMETHING WE CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO DO.

THERE ARE OPPORTUNITY COSTS.

AS PATTY WAS SAYING IT IS A WORKFORCE ISSUE.

IS BEING PERMISSION -- POSITIONED THAT WAY.

IF YOUR KID IS HOME AND YOU CANNOT FIND ANYONE TO WATCH THEM DURING THE DAY HOW DO YOU GO TO WORK?

HOW DO YOU PAY INCOME TAX ON THAT MONEY?

THAT IS ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS WE ARE SEEING FROM THE BILL’S SUPPORTERS.

THERE IS A COST TO NOT DOING THIS AS WELL AS A COST THE STATE WILL HAVE TO BEAR IF THIS BECOMES LAW.

TORI: MAYBE YOU CAN HELP EXPLAIN THIS, BUT THE WAY THAT CHILDCARE WORKS ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS IS THAT IT IS LARGELY PREDOMINANTLY PRIVATE OWNED COMPANIES THAT RECEIVE SUBSIDIES ON THE STATE.

THERE IS A BLEND OF BOTH KINDS.

BUT THIS WOULD SUBSIDIZE A LOT OF THOSE WORKERS, ABLE TO RETAIN WORKERS AND HIRE NEW WORKERS AND HELP THOSE CHILDCARE CENTERS STAY OPEN SO THAT THEY HAVE SPACES THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR PARENTS.

BECAUSE A LOT OF IT IS THERE IS JUST NOT AVAILABILITY OR TIME OR THE WORKFORCE.

PATTY: YES.

MASSACHUSETTS IS LOVELY IN THAT WE HAVE A MIXED DELIVERY MODEL.

WE HAVE A MIX OF PRIVATE PAY.

WE HAVE A MIX OF FAMILY CHILD CARE CENTERS.

CENTERS WHO HAVE SUBSIDIES AND CENTERS WHO DON’T.

THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY IN MASSACHUSETTS.

AND IT COMES TO CHILDCARE, RECOGNIZING ALL THE FOLKS WHO SUPPORT YOUNG CHILDREN.

I WOULD ECHO AND SAY UPFRONT INVESTMENT IS NECESSARY HERE.

WE TOTALLY GET THAT.

BUT TO ACHIEVE THE SYSTEM WE ENVISIONED FOR HIGH-QUALITY CHILDCARE, WE HAVE TO REMEMBER OVER THE LONG TERM, THIS INVESTMENT IN HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION AND CARE PAYS FOR ITSELF.

HAVING A HIGH RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

SOME REPORTS SAY BETWEEN FOUR DOLLARS AND $16 PER ONE DOLLAR INVESTMENT.

BY IMPROVING EDUCATION AND LIFE OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN, SPENDING ON HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION AND CARE REDUCES THE NEED FOR FUTURE GOVERNMENT SPENDING ON SPECIAL EDUCATION COME A GREAT REPETITION, HEALTH CARE -- EDUCATION, GRADE REPETITION, HEALTH CARE.

IMPROVING WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATES AND EARNING SOMEONE’S PARENTS AND OVER THE LONG TERM CHILDREN INVESTMENT IN HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION AND CARE INCREASES ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ADDITIONAL TAX REVENUE.

TORI: THIS IS AN INVESTMENT IN EVERYONE AT AN EARLY LEVEL ESSENTIALLY.

DO YOU HAVE A SENSE WHERE THIS IS HEADED?

IT HAS GONE TO THE HOUSE NOW.

THESE THINGS TAKE HOWEVER LONG THEY TAKE.

IF YOU CARE TO SPECULATE A LITTLE, DO YOU HAVE ANY SENSE ABOUT THE TIMELINE FOR THIS?

TORI: A HARD DEADLINE -- KATIE: A HARD DEADLINE WOULD BE IF THE HOUSE IS GOING TO DO SOMETHING, THEY WOULD NEED TO GET IT DONE BY JULY 31 WHEN THE FORMAL LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS AND FOR THE YEAR -- SESSIONS END FOR THE YEAR.

THEY HAVE NOT TIPPED THEIR HAND.

THEY ARE REVIEWING THE BILL.

SPEAKER MARIANO NAMED CHILDCARE AND EARLY EDUCATION IS ONE OF HIS PRIORITIES WHEN THE SESSION BEGAN, SPECIFICALLY SUPPORTING THE WORKFORCE.

IT IS NOT CLEAR WHETHER THAT WILL BE A POLICY PACKAGE TO ANSWER THE SENATE’S.

IT’S NOT CLEAR IF THAT WILL BE THE BUDGET.

WE ARE GOING TO BE WATCHING TO SEE WHAT HE SAYS TO THE GREATER BOSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WHEN HE TALKS THURSDAY.

ABOUT A YEAR AGO IN A SIMILAR ADDRESS THE SPEAKER PUT OUT A CALL TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

THIS IS SOMETHING THEY ARE GOING TO WANT HELP FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR ON BECAUSE LIKE WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, THIS IS A WHOLE ECONOMY ISSUE.

WE WILL BE LOOKING TO SEE IF SOME NEW DETAILS OR EVEN TEA LEAVES TO READ COME OUT THEN.

TORI: KEEP US POSTED.

THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

KATIE: THANK YOU.

PATTY: THANK YOU.

TORI: FINALLY AT GATEWAY ARTS IN BROOKLINE, NEARLY 100 ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES SHOW OFF THEIR WORK INCLUDING EVERYTHING FROM TEXTILES TO PAINTING TO COMICS.

GBH EXECUTIVE ARTS EDITOR AND THE CULTURE SHOW HOST JARED BOWEN RECENTLY VISITED THE STUDIO WHICH JUST CELEBRATED ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2023.

LET’S TAKE A LOOK.

JARED: ARTISTS BEGIN ARRIVING AT VINFEN’S GATEWAY ARTS IN BROOKLINE MASSACHUSETTS.

HEADING UPSTAIRS TO STUDIOS WHERE THEY PAINT, WE’VE TEXTILES, OR MOLD CERAMICS.

THIS IS THEIR JOB.

>> EVERY DAY I MAKE ALL KINDS OF ARTWORK, INCLUDING THIS EMBROIDERY OF MY HOUSE I USED TO LIVE IN.

JARED: MIMI CLARK HAS WORKED AT GATEWAY ARTS FOR SIX YEARS, COLORFUL THREADS AT HER FINGERTIPS.

SHE HAS HONED HER SKILLS IN FIBER ARE 10 PUPPETRY.

SHE HAS DEVELOPED -- >> IT MAKES ME FEEL SO PROUD.

I AM INSPIRED, AS MY TWO FAVORITE PUPPETEERS, JIM HENSON, AND MR. ROGERS.

JARED: ONE OF THE NATION’S OLDEST INSTITUTIONS OF ITS KIND, GATEWAY ARTS RECENTLY CELEBRATED ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY.

IT WAS FOUNDED IN THE 1970’S WHEN STATE RUN INSTITUTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WERE SHUTTERED.

GATEWAY OPEN TO FILL THE VACUUM, CREATING A SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO GROW THEIR ARTISTIC TALENT OR TAP INTO LATENT SKILLS THEY DID NOT EVEN KNOW THEY HAD.

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME, PEOPLE ON THE SPECTRUM, WE HAVE HEAD INJURY -- PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND.

LEGALLY BLIND, LEGALLY DEAF.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WITH PSYCHIATRIC DIAGNOSIS.

JARED: WHO, WHEN THEY BEGIN WORK AT GATEWAY, COLLABORATE WITH FACILITATORS WHO COACH AND ENCOURAGE THEIR ARTISTIC ENDEAVORS.

BILL THIBODEAU IS THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR.

>> THESE PEOPLE WOULD NOT HAVE AS MUCH CHANCE TO GET OUT INTO THE ART WORLD ON THEIR OWN.

IT IS HARD ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE WHO GRADUATED FROM ART SCHOOL TO DO THAT.

SO IF WE CAN GET THEM A FOOT IN THE DOOR AND HELP THEM AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO BE PART OF THE ART WORLD, I BELIEVE THAT IS IMPORTANT.

>> KIND OF AN OLD TOWN.

IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A GERMANIC VILLAGE.

JARED: PAINTER CHUCK JOHNSTON IS ONE OF GATEWAY’S 90 ARTISTS.

ONCE FINISHED IN THE STUDIO, THEIR WORK MAY BE SHOWN IN THE ORGANIZATION’S, OFFERED FOR SALE, OR EVEN PUBLISHED.

JOHNSTON’S LATEST VOLUME IS HIS TAKE ON TELEVISIONS THE GOLDEN GIRLS.

>> IT IS TO PUT A SPIN ON MAKING IT LOOK MORE ANIMATED.

THE GOLDEN GIRLS -- AS SOON AS I FINISH THAT, IT’S LIKE, MAN, I JUST WISH BETTY WHITE COULD HAVE HAD THAT.

JARED: HISTORICALLY, ONE PLACE WORK LIKE JOHNSTON’S AND CLARKE’S HAVE BEEN OMITTED AS MUSEUMS.

RECENTLY SOME OF THE COUNTRY’S LARGEST HAVE BEGUN COURSE CORRECTION.

IT HAS BEGUN WITH DISABLED ARTISTS IN THE COLLECTION, CONTEMPORARY AND WELL-KNOWN FIGURES WHOSE DISABILITIES ARE OFTEN ONLY A FOOTNOTE IN THEIR BIOGRAPHIES.

LIKE FREDA KAHLO, WHOSE LATE CAREER PAINTINGS WERE MADE WHILE SHE WAS CONFINED TO HER BED.

AND EDWARD MAN A WHO HAD A NERVE DISORDER THAT OFTEN LEFT HIM UNABLE TO WALK OR STAND UPRIGHT.

>> PEOPLE IN THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY WANT TO SEE THAT.

THEY WANT TO SEE PEOPLE LIKE THEM ARE CREATING ART.

THAT ART IS VALUABLE.

JARED: JESSICA DUNE AND -- JESSICA DOONAN SAYS IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT MUSEUMS BECOME MORE EXPANSIVE IN COLLECTING CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES AS WELL.

LAST OCTOBER SAN FRANCISCO’S MUSEUM OF MODERN ART ACQUIRED 150 WORKS OF ART BY ARTISTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES FROM THREE WEST COAST ORGANIZATIONS WITH MISSIONS LIKE GATEWAY’S.

IF THERE ARE IS ABSENT FROM MUSEUM WALLS, SAYS DOONAN, SO ARE THEIR STORIES.

>> ALREADY SUCH A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE, IT IS ABLE TO CONVEY THINGS THAT SO FEW WORDS ARE ABLE TO DO.

FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FOR HIM COMMUNICATING WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD IS PARTICULARLY CHALLENGING, THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE ART AND COMMUNICATE IN THAT MANNER IS SO CRITICAL.

JARED: AND HELPS BREAK DOWN NOTIONS THAT ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES SOMEHOW DO NOT MERIT A PLACE ON GALLERY WALLS.

>> WE HAVE HAD AN EXHIBITION ONCE HERE WHERE THERE WERE -- OUR ARTISTS ALONGSIDE SOME MAINSTREAM BOSTON ARTISTS IN ONE EXHIBITION.

PEOPLE WERE WALKING AROUND SAYING WHO DID THIS ONE?

WE WOULD SAY IT DOES NOT MATTER.

IT DOES NOT MATTER.

TORI: COME BACK TOMORROW.

GBH NEWS TRANSPORTATION REPORTER BOB C WILL JOIN US TO TALK ABOUT WHERE THE T MIGHT CUT COSTS AND HOW REPAIRS HAVE AFFECTED COMMUTES.

THAT AND MORE TOMORROW AT 7:00.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

NIGHT.

-- AND GOOD NIGHT.