>> HOUSE>> APPROVED MORE FUNDING FOR THE SHELTER SYSTEM, LIMITING HOW LONG PEOPLE CAN SAY.

MIKE CONNELLY VOTED AGAINST THE BILL AND JOINS ME TO ASK PLAYED WHY.

THE SHELTER CRISIS IS ONE OF MANY ISSUES THAT GOVERNOR MAURA HEALEY HAS FACED SO FAR IN 2024.

I GOT THE CHANCE TO GO OVER THE STATE BIGGEST HURDLES AND HER PLANS TO ADDRESS THEM.

THANKS FOR SITTING DOWN WITH US.

THERE’S OBVIOUSLY SO MUCH GOING ON THAT WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT HERE IN MASSACHUSETTS.

I WANT TO START.

YOU YESTERDAY ANNOUNCED A CAMPAIGN TO END VETERANS HOMELESSNESS.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

>> YOU KNOW, MASSACHUSETTS HAS REALLY LED THE COUNTRY WHEN IT COMES TO TAKING CARE OF OUR VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES.

I’M PROUD OF THAT.

BUT I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPOINT THE FIRST-EVER CABINET LEVEL SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IN JOHN SANTI GO.

HE’S DONE TREMENDOUS WORK THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE NEW HOMES IN CHELSEA AND HOLYOKE.

WE FILED THE HEROES ACT, WHICH I HOPE TO SEE PAST THIS SPRING.

HE WORKED ON THE CAMPAIGN I ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY TO END VETERAN HOMELESSNESS.

WE HAVE SEVERAL HUNDRED VETERANS HERE IN MASSACHUSETTS WHO ARE HOMELESS RIGHT NOW.

THEY MAY BE IN SHELTER BUT THESE ARE NOT PERMANENT SITUATIONS.

MY VIEW IS, WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED.

THEY DESERVE IT.

THIS IS A CAMPAIGN TO GO OUT AND WORK WITH THESE INDIVIDUALS, GET THEM THE SERVICES THEY NEED.

>> THAT ACT IS STILL PENDING BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.

YOUR HOUSING BOND BILL, YOUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BILL WHICH IS ALSO A FAIRLY NEW PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

ONE OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE A FOCUS ON IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THAT AS SOMETHING THAT THE STATE SHOULD REALLY BE MOVING ON?

>> MY JOB AS GOVERNOR IS TO MAKE SURE THAT MASSACHUSETTS IS GROWING.

THAT WE HAVE A STRONG PLAN FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THAT WE ARE REALLY LEANING INTO OPPORTUNITIES.

ONE OF THE AREAS WE IDENTIFIED IS AI AND APPLIED AI.

HOW CAN WE USE AI?

SO MUCH IS BEING PIONEERED AND RESEARCHED HERE IN MASSACHUSETTS.

NOT JUST CALIFORNIA.

HOW CAN WE TAKE THOSE TECHNOLOGIES AND IMPROVE SERVICES AND GOVERNMENT, IMPROVE THE WAYS THAT WE DELIVER HEALTH CARE TO PATIENTS, IMPROVE THE WAYS THAT WE SPEED TRANSPORTATION?

.

THERE IS SO MANY APPLICATIONS OF AI.

I THINK MASSACHUSETTS HAS THE CHANCE TO BE THIS COUNTRY’S LEADER WHEN IT COMES TO FIGURING OUT HOW WE ARE GOING TO EFFECTIVELY USE AI AND ALSO HOW WE ARE GOING TO PROTECT AND GROW A WORKFORCE WITH WHAT’S COMING.

AI IS HAPPENING.

AI IS HERE.

I THINK MASSACHUSETTS CAN LEAD WHEN IT COMES TO FIGURING OUT HOW BEST TO USE AI.

I WANT TO NOTE THAT IN THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BILL, NOT ONLY IS IT $100 MILLION FOR THIS NEW AREA OF APPLIED AI, IT’S ALSO A BILLION DOLLARS FOR CLIMATE TECH.

WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO BE A GLOBAL HUB FOR CLIMATE TECH INNOVATION.

RESEARCH, INVESTMENT, JOBS.

EVERYTHING THAT’S GOING TO BE DEVELOPED IN THE SPACE OF CLIMATE TECH THAT’S GOING TO HELP US DEAL WITH THE CLIMATE CRISIS THAT WE CONFRONT IS A WORLD.

SO MUCH OF THAT IS HAPPENING IN MASSACHUSETTS.

WE HAVE A WAY TO GROW MASSACHUSETTS AS A GLOBAL HUB THAT IS SUPER EXCITING.

I ALSO PROPOSE CONTINUING TO INVEST IN LIFE SCIENCES WHICH HAS BEEN A STRONG ECONOMIC ENGINE HERE IN THE STATE.

>> THAT’S A BOND BILL.

IT’S NOT OUT OF THE STATE BUDGET.

ONE OF THE THINGS IN BUDGET SEASON HERE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT A LOT OF LAWMAKERS R0 TO NON-, IS THE CONTINUED COST FOR THE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE SHELTER SYSTEM.

THE HOUSE IS PROPOSING TO IMPOSE A TIME LIMIT ON SHELTER STAYS.

WITHOUT GETTING INTO THE SPECIFICS OF THE HOUSE BILL THAT IS STILL UNDER DEBATE, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF LIMITING THE LENGTHS OF TIME HOMELESS FAMILIES CAN STAY IN A SHELTER?

>> I’M OPEN TO IT.

I’VE SAID THIS ABOUT THE SITUATION.

IT IS SO FRUSTRATING IS A GOVERNOR.

I TALKED OVER GOVERNORS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

CONGRESS HAS FAILED TO ACT.

WE SAW THE BLOWUP OF WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A BIPARTISAN DEAL ON THE BORDER.

IT WOULD HAVE SOLVED SO MANY OF OUR PROBLEMS.

DIDN’T HAPPEN.

VERY DISAPPOINTING.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO TRY TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM.

AS GOVERNOR, I’M FOCUSED ON ENSURING THAT WE FOLLOW THE LAW AND GET PEOPLE HOUSE.

MORE THAN THAT, IT’S BEEN ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE WORKING.

SO MANY OF OUR MIGRANTS RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE WE DID THE WORK TO GET THEM WORK AUTHORIZATIONS, NEARLY 3000 PEOPLE HAVE WORK AUTHORIZATIONS AS A RESULT OF MY ADMINISTRATION’S WORK.

THEY ARE WORKING NOW IN OUR HOSPITALS, IN MANUFACTURING, IN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT WHILE WE CONTINUE TO CALL ON CONGRESS TO ACT TO GET US THE FUNDING THAT WE NEED FOR OUR COSTS TO FIX THE SITUATION AT THE BORDER, TO DO THE IMMIGRATION REFORM THAT’S NEEDED.

IT’S A FEDERAL PROBLEM.

UNFORTUNATELY, STATES LIKE MASSACHUSETTS ARE HAVING TO CONTEND WITH THIS.

HALF THE FAMILIES IN OUR SHELTER SYSTEM ARE MASSACHUSETTS FAMILIES.

PEOPLE FROM HERE.

THEY GREW HERE.

THEY HAVE FALLEN ON HARD TIMES.

THEY ARE IN WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A TEMPORARY HOUSING ARRANGEMENT UNTIL THEY GET TO STABLE HOUSING.

SO I THINK THAT I’M OPEN TO REFORMS.

I WANT THE SYSTEM TO BETTER WORK FOR FAMILIES.

WE CAN’T HANDLE THE NUMBERS THAT WE’VE SEEN IN TERMS OF THE NEW ARRIVALS.

WE NEED TO PUT SOME GUARDRAILS AND PARAMETERS AROUND THAT.

I LOOK FORWARD TO REVIEWING WHAT THE LEGISLATURE SENDS MY WAY.

>> WHAT ABOUT A RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT?

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WOULD BE OPEN TO AS A GUARD RAIL?

>> I THINK IT’S MORE IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DURING IN TERMS OF WHO WE ARE LETTING IN, TIME LIMITS, THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE FAMILY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE FOR EXAMPLE.

THEY MAY COME AND GO TO IN-LAWS OVER THE BORDER.

JUST TO SAY, WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE RESIDENCY.

BUT CERTAINLY THE LAW IS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IN MASSACHUSETTS.

THAT’S CLEAR.

YOU HAVE TO BE IN MASSACHUSETTS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO OBTAIN HOUSING.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THIS UNDERSCORES FOR ME THE IS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE PASS THAT HOUSING BOND BILL.

REMEMBER, I PROPOSED A FULL BILLION DOLLAR HOUSING BOND BILL.

THIS ISN’T MONEY OUT OF THE CAPITAL BUDGET, OPERATING BUDGET.

WHAT IT IS IS SAYING TO THE LEGISLATURE, GIVE US THE ABILITY TO GO OUT AND BORROW MONEY TO BUILD MORE HOUSING ACROSS THE STATE.

IT’S THE NUMBER ONE CHALLENGE FOR OUR STATE RIGHT NOW.

HOUSING.

SO MANY PEOPLE WHO CAN’T AFFORD RENT, NEW HOMES, CAN’T AFFORD TO DOWNSIZE EVEN.

FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, FOR OUR SENIORS, FOR BUSINESSES WHO WANT TO BE ABLE TO LAND AND RECRUIT AND RETAIN TALENT HERE IN THE STATE, WE HAVE TO GO OUT AND GET THIS DONE.

TO WORK ON THE DEVELOPMENT, TO SPEED UP THE DEVELOPMENT.

I SAID WHEN I STARTED OFF, MY JOB IS TO MAKE MASSACHUSETTS MORE AFFORDABLE, COMPETITIVE, EQUITABLE.

WE WORK -- WORKED HARD ON ALL THREE OF THOSE FRIENDS.

DRIVING DOWN HOUSING COSTS BY BUILDING MORE HOUSING IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO DO.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOUSING.

WE’VE SEEN MILTON PUSH BACK AGAINST THE MBTA COMMUNITIES LAW AND THE MULTIFAMILY ZONING REQUIREMENTS WITHIN THAT.

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THAT OTHER TOWNS MIGHT FOLLOW THEIR LEAD AND RESIST THIS LAW THAT WAS PASSED A COUPLE YEARS AGO BUT IS NOW JUST STARTING TO TAKE EFFECT?

>> LET ME SAY THIS.

I LOVE OUR STATE.

ALL 351 CITIES AND TOWNS.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO SOLVE OUR HOUSING CRISIS TOWN BY TOWN, CITY BY CITY.

IT REQUIRES EVERYBODY WORKING TOGETHER.

WHEN I TALK ABOUT LIFE SCIENCES, I RECENTLY WAS WITH A SEARCH FIRM THAT RECRUITS FOR LIFE SCIENCE TALENT TO COME INTO A STATE.

THEY SAID THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM THEY FACE IN INTERVIEWING PEOPLE WHO WE WANT TO MOVE TO MASSACHUSETTS IS THAT THEY CAN’T AFFORD TO LIVE HERE.

THEY CAN’T AFFORD HOUSING.

WHETHER YOU ARE HEARING IT FROM BUSINESSES, RESIDENTS, FAMILIES, WE KNOW THAT THIS IS THE CHALLENGE THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

WHAT I SAY TO COMMUNITIES IS, THERE’S A ROADMAP THERE, THERE’S A LOT THAT REQUIRES YOU TO ZONE IN A CERTAIN WAY TO ALLOW FOR MORE HOUSING.

THE LAW DOES NOT -- REQUIRE YOU TO BUILD MORE HOUSING THE WE WANT YOU TO DO THAT.

WE AS A STATE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH CITIES AND TOWNS, PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON HOW THEY CAN GET THERE.

HOUSING IS GOOD.

HOUSING IS GOOD FOR THE VIBRANCY OF YOUR COMMUNITY.

IT IS GOING TO MEAN MORE PEOPLE STAYING IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

IT MEANS PEOPLE WHO ARE GETTING OLDER IN YOUR COMMUNITY ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE THERE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF GRANDPARENTS WHO ARE MOVING AWAY.

THEY CAN’T AFFORD TO LIVE HERE.

A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO GREW UP HERE.

MAYBE THEY WENT OFF TO SCHOOL SOMEWHERE AND CAME BACK.

THEY WANT TO BUILD CAREERS HERE BUT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT.

THEY ARE LOOKING ELSEWHERE BECAUSE THEY CAN’T AFFORD HOUSING.

THAT’S NOT GOOD FOR OUR STATE.

OUR STATE IS ONE OF PARTNERSHIP, COLLABORATION.

BUT WE MEAN WHAT WE SAY.

THE ECONOMIC FUTURE OF THE STATE DEPENDS ON OUR ABILITY TO BUILD HOUSING.

THAT’S NOT JUST NEW STARTS.

IT’S ALSO THE REHABILITATION OF EXISTING HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF BUILDINGS OUT THERE.

I’VE ALSO PUT STATE BUILDINGS AND PLAY.

LET’S USE THOSE AND TURN THOSE INTO HOUSING UNITS.

THIS IS JUST SO IMPORTANT TO ME.

IT’S GOING TO BE THE THING I CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT.

I MEAN IT WHEN I SAY, WE ARE GOING TO WORK WITH COMMUNITIES.

PEOPLE HAVE TO REALIZE, OUR DESTINY AS A COMMUNITY IS TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON OUR ABILITY TO DELIVER AND TO PRODUCE MORE HOUSING UNITS VERY SOON.

>> I KNOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS FILED SUIT THERE.

YOU WERE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHEN THIS LAW WAS SIGNED.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT IN THE LEGALITY OF THE STATE BEING ABLE TO MAKE THESE ZONING REQUIREMENTS OF CITIES AND TOWNS THAT TYPICALLY HAVE A SAY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL ON THOSE MATTERS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS RIGHT ON POINT.

IT’S JUST MY HELP THAT COMMUNITIES WHO ARE QUESTIONING THIS CAN WORK WITH THE STATE AND UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS LAW WAS INTENDED.

BY THE WAY, NEARLY UNANIMOUSLY PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE AND SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR BAKER.

>> PASSED IN A REALLY BIG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BILL.

THERE WASN’T A SPECIFIC VOTE JUST ON THIS POLICY.

>> THERE’S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANT AND THIS PARTICULAR COMMUNITY ACT.

IT’S THE LAW.

MORE THAN JUST A LAW, IT’S A REALLY IMPORTANT POLICY PIECE.

IT’S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, THE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF OUR STATE.

I WANT MASSACHUSETTS GROWING, THRIVING.

I WANT YOU TO BE ABLE TO STAY HERE, GROW A BUSINESS, CAREER HERE.

I WANT COMPANIES AND EMPLOYERS TO THINK ABOUT GROWING AND EXPANDING HERE.

WE ARE A WONDERFUL STATE.

WE OFFER SO MUCH.

IT’S NOT SO WONDERFUL IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO LIVE HERE.

HOUSING IS THE TOP CHALLENGE.

>> WE SAW YOUR ADMINISTRATION PULLBACK A GRANT FROM MILTON, IN KEEPING WITH THE WAY THE LAW SPELLS THAT OUT.

AROUND THE SAME TIME, WE SAW YOU TAKING A STANCE ABOUT THE SITUATION WITH STUART HEALTH CARE, CALLING FOR THEM TO LEAVE MASSACHUSETTS.

I’M CURIOUS IF, NOW THAT YOU’VE BEEN IN OFFICE MORE THAN A YEAR, IF WE MIGHT BE SEEING MORE OF YOU USING THE BULLY PUBLIC AS YOU APPROACH YOUR JOB.

>> WELL, I DON’T COME WITH A PARTICULAR GAME PAN OR PLAYBOOK ABOUT IT.

I JUST TRY EVERY DAY TO SHOW UP AND WORK WITH OUR GREAT TEAMS.

I’M SO LUCKY TO WORK WITH SO MANY GREAT PEOPLE ACROSS THE ADMINISTRATION AND CABINET JUST TO MAKE THE CALLS, MAKE THE JUDGMENTS THAT I THINK ARE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF RESIDENTS AND THE STATE.

WHEN IT CAME TO STUART, OBVIOUSLY I HAD KNOWN THEM.

I’VE BEEN AROUND.

I’M ATTORNEY GENERAL.

I DEALT WITH THEM BEFORE.

IN FACT, I HAD BEEN IN COURT AGAINST THEM, ASKING THEM TO PRODUCE FINANCIAL INFORMATION YEARS AGO AND SAFE AUDIT EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

THEY ARE STILL ON APPEAL.

I’M CONCERNED ABOUT PROTECTING PATIENT ACCESS TO CARE, PROTECTING JOBS.

16,000 OF THEM IN THE STUART SYSTEM IN OUR STATE.

PROTECTING THE STABILITY OF THE HEALTH CARE MARKET.

SO WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT AS WE MANAGE AN ORDERLY TRANSITION FROM THE MARKET.

>> WHERE DO THINGS STAND ON THAT FRONT, SINCE YOU ISSUED THAT CALL FOR THEM TO TRANSITION OUT?

>> THEY PRODUCE MORE INFORMATION.

OUR SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IS WORKING DIRECTLY WITH THE PROVIDER COMMUNITY, ALSO WITH THE LENDERS .

AGAIN, THIS IS ABOUT TRYING TO MANAGE WHAT IS A MOST UNFORTUNATE SITUATION THAT CAME ABOUT BECAUSE OF CORPORATE GREED AND GREED OF EXECUTIVES WHO BASICALLY CAME IN TO THE STATE YEARS AGO, TOOK OVER HOSPITAL SYSTEMS AND PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.

EFFECTIVELY HAVE STRIPPED THOSE HOSPITALS OF A LOT OF ASSETS.

WE ARE JUST HOLDING ON HERE.

YOU KNOW, I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS AND GET THROUGH THIS IN AN ORDERLY WAY.

MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE PROTECTING PATIENTS, PROTECTING WORKERS, PROTECTING THE STABILITY OF THE MARKET.

>> THE LEGISLATURE HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO LOOK AT THE ROLE OF PRIVATE EQUITY IN HEALTH CARE.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU THINK WHERE THERE’S ROOM FOR POLICY REFORMS?

>> I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT WHAT TRANSPIRED HERE AND IF THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO GOING FORWARD TO PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

I WILL ALSO SAY THAT THE STRUCTURE WAS IN PLACE.

THEY JUST CHOSE NOT TO FOLLOW SOME OF THEM.

THAT IS THE ISSUE WITH WHAT’S GOING ON.

BUT FOR ME, WHAT I’M FOCUSED ON IS HOW WE MANAGE THE CURRENT SITUATION SO WE ARE PROTECTING COMMUNITIES, PROTECTING PATIENTS, AND PROTECTING JOBS.

>> ON ANOTHER MATTER IN THE HEALTH CARE REALM, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE.

I KNOW THERE’S BEEN ABORTION ACCESS LAWS PASSED HERE.

YOU TOOK ACTION TO STOCKPILE MESS UP HER STONE LAST YEAR.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS OR THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE ANYTHING DONE TO MAKE SURE THAT ACCESS TO IVF IS PROTECTED IN MASSACHUSETTS, IN LIGHT OF THE ALABAMA RULING?

>> I WILL CONTINUE TO BE A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE, ACCESS TO ABORTION MEDICATION.

YOU KNOW, IT’S DISTRESSING TO ME.

MORE THAN DISTRESSING.

NOT SURPRISING WITH THE COURT THAT DONALD TRUMP APPOINTED, THAT WE’VE SEEN WHAT’S HAPPENED.

DODGE WAS JUST THE START.

THE DECISION BY THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT BANNING IVF WAS A CONTINUATION OF THAT.

HERE IN MASSACHUSETTS, WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT IVF , MEDICATION ABORTION, ACCESS TO ABORTION, ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE THAT’S CLEAR.

I KNOW THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS ALSO BEEN CLEAR ABOUT THAT.

I THINK IN THIS TIME AND IN THIS MOMENT, THAT’S MY MESSAGE.

I CONTINUE TO WORK WITH DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ON PROTECTING ACCESS TO ABORTION AND NEEDED CARE.

CLEARLY IT’S UNDER THREAT BY LEGISLATURES AROUND THE COUNTRY, BY COURTS, AND BY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.

SO YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO BE STRONG HERE IN MASSACHUSETTS.

I CERTAINLY WILL BE AS GOVERNOR.

>> YOUR EDUCATION SECRETARY INDICATED RECENTLY THAT YOU WOULD OPPOSE OR DON’T SUPPORT THE QUESTION TO REMOVE THE I’M CAST AS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT.

I’M CURIOUS ABOUT YOUR THINKING ON THAT QUESTION.

>> I THINK THE ABILITY TO ASSESS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

THERE COULD BE A QUESTION ABOUT WHAT IT IS WE ARE ASSESSING WHEN IT COMES TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT THAT MASSACHUSETTS MAINTAIN A SYSTEM OF ASSESSMENT.

A SYSTEM WHERE WE ARE ABLE TO MEASURE HOW YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DOING.

THAT’S IMPORTANT TO ME.

>> DO YOU ANTICIPATE GETTING INVOLVED IN ANY OF THE BALLOT QUESTION CAMPAIGN?

I KNOW YOUR PREDECESSOR DID.

>> TOO SOON TO TELL.

I HAVE TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE.

RIGHT NOW, WE’VE BEEN FOCUSED ON IMPLEMENTATION OF EXISTING PRIORITIES.

JUST FILED THE BUDGET NOT TOO LONG AGO.

WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE ARE TESTIFYING BEFORE COMMITTING ON HOUSING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, MUNICIPAL REFORM, ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

WE ARE BUSY WITH THAT.

HARD TO SAY WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN TERMS OF ANY BALLOT INITIATIVES.

>> LOTS TO DO.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO DO IT.

>> YOU CAN WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON THE GBH NEWS FACEBOOK PAGE.

THE HOUSE HAS PASSED $245 MILLION FOR THE STATE SHELTER SYSTEM TO HELP ADDRESS A MASSIVE BACKLOG OF WAITLISTED FAMILIES.

IN THE SAME BILL, LAWMAKERS ALSO APPROVED A DURATION LIMIT TEMPORARILY CAPPING HOW LONG PEOPLE CAN STAY IN SHELTERS.

UNDER THE BILL, FAMILIES WOULD HAVE UP TO NINE CONSECUTIVE MONTHS IN THE SYSTEM OR 12 MONTHS FOR CERTAIN VETERANS, DISABLED PEOPLE, AND OTHERS.

WHILE THE BILL PASSED, THAT PROVISION HAD PLENTY OF OPPOSITION INCLUDING FROM REPRESENTATIVE MIKE CONNELLY WHO JOINS ME NOW AS DOES STEPHANIE ROSARIO RODRIGUEZ, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE ADVOCACY COALITION.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

I’M WONDERING WHAT YOU MAKE OF THIS PROVISION TO LIMIT THE LENGTH OF SHELTER STAYS.

>> YES.

WE REALLY NEED TO THINK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO FAMILY BEYOND THIS.

YOU KNOW, A LIMIT IN SHELTERS WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR SO MANY FAMILIES.

ESPECIALLY SUCH A SHORT WINDOW SUCH AS NINE MONTHS.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE A VERY HIGH COST OF HOUSING IN THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS.

TURNING FAMILIES FROM BEING AN SHELTER INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING A NINE-MONTH IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DO EVEN WHEN THE MARKET WAS GOOD.

SO RIGHT NOW, I REALLY WORRY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS ONCE WE GET PAST THAT AND FAMILIES ARE STILL NOT ABLE TO OBTAIN STABLE AND SECURE HOUSING.

IT’S NOT JUST THE COST OF HOUSING.

THERE ARE MANY OTHER THINGS AS WELL.

WE ARE REALLY HOPING TO SEE THAT THIS IS NOT CONTINUED.

>> SO FAR WE’VE SEEN THE STATE OFFICIALS BEEN TRYING TO WRAP THEIR HEADS AROUND HOW TO KEEP THE SHELTER SYSTEM RUNNING.

I WANT TO PLAY A LITTLE CLIP WE HAVE OF THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS CHAIRMAN TALKING TO REPORTERS WEDNESDAY ABOUT WHY HE FEELS THIS IS NECESSARY.

>> WE TRIED TO COME UP WITH A PROPOSAL THAT WE FEEL KEEPS THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW.

DOESN’T CHANGE ANYTHING ON THE ENTRY POINTS.

FOLKS COMING INTO THE COUNTRY, STATE.

ALSO CREATES A SYSTEM THAT WILL BE SUSTAINABLE LONG-TERM.

IT WON’T COLLAPSE UNDER ITS OWN WEIGHT WHICH -- WE ARE FEARFUL THAT’S A POSSIBILITY OF WHAT COULD BE HAPPENING.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CONNOLLY, YOU ARE ONE OF EIGHT DEMOCRATS WHO VOTED AGAINST THIS BILL.

ALL THE REPUBLICANS ALSO OPPOSED IT.

WHAT WAS THE REASON FOR YOUR VOTE?

>> WELL, IT WAS A CLOSE CALL I WOULD SAY.

I THINK FOR ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, WEDNESDAY WASN’T AN EASY DAY.

I THINK TO KEEP THE BIG PICTURE IN PERSPECTIVE, WE DID VOTE TO APPROVE $245 MILLION TO SUSTAIN THE EMERGENCY SHELTER PROGRAM JUST FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

SO THAT’S AN INCREDIBLE COMMITMENT.

SUSTAINING OUR RIGHT TO SHELTER LAW.

WHAT WE ALSO HEARD HOUSE LEADERS SAY, AND I AGREE, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.

THIS LEVEL OF SPENDING, $1 BILLION PER YEAR TO SUSTAIN 7500 EA SHELTER FAMILIES PLUS A WAITLIST OF ABOUT 700 FAMILIES, THAT THAT’S AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF MONEY.

BUT WHERE I DIFFERED AND THE REASON FOR MY KNOW VOTE IS THAT I DON’T THINK WE START BY POINTING THE FINGER AT THE UNSHELTERED FAMILY AND SORT OF START THERE AND IDENTIFY THAT THAT’S THE PROBLEM.

FROM MY VANTAGE POINT AND WITH MY EXPERIENCE ENGAGING ON THIS ISSUE DEEPLY, THE BIGGEST BARRIER TO EXITING SHELTER ISN’T A DESIRE TO WORK OR A WILLINGNESS TO PULL YOURSELF UP BY YOUR BOOTSTRAPS.

THE BIGGEST BARRIER IS ACTUALLY ACCESS TO HOUSING.

SO YOU KNOW, I THINK IT’S A TOUGH SITUATION.

WE HEARD MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES SAY, THIS IS THE BEST OF THE BAD IDEAS.

SO YOU KNOW, I DON’T THINK ANYONE’S EXCITED ABOUT THIS IDEA.

WHAT I’M HOPEFUL IS THAT AS THIS LEGISLATION MOVES FORWARD, WE CAN LOOK MORE CREATIVELY AT HOW WE ARE SPENDING MONEY.

MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE TO ALLOCATE WHATEVER AMOUNT OF MONEY THEY CAN SPEND AND THEN LOOK TO CREATIVE WAYS TO SPEND THAT MONEY WITHOUT OUR STARTING PLACE BEING AN ARBITRARY CAP ON THE LENGTH OF STAY.

WE KNOW THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IS 13 TO 14 MONTHS.

THIS WEEK, THE HOUSE VOTED TO MAKE THAT NINE TO 12 MONTHS.

THE QUESTION WE ARE ASKING IS, WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END OF THE LINE?

ARE WE GOING TO ACTUALLY SPEND $100,000 TO SUSTAIN A FAMILY FOR ONE YEAR IN SHELTER AND THEN PUT THEM BACK OUT ON THE STREET?

WHAT WOULD THAT ACCOMPLISH?

SO I’M HOPEFUL THAT AS THE BILL MOVES FORWARD, WE CAN ADDRESS SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS.

>> WE HAVE THAT AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY STRETCHING IN SOME CASES OVER A YEAR.

DO YOU THINK THERE ARE THINGS THE STATE COULD AND SHOULD BE DOING TO HELP FAMILIES MOVE INTO A SUSTAINABLE SITUATION OF THEIR OWN?

>> YEAH.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS IMMENSE PRESSURE ON THE SHELTER SYSTEM RIGHT NOW.

THE STATE IS TAKING EXTRA NERI SHIPS -- STEPS TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING NEW ARRIVALS AND THE FAMILIES THAT ARE IN THIS SPACE.

I THINK AS WAS JUST MENTIONED, THIS IS A NUMBER OF THINGS HAPPENING AT ONCE.

FAMILIES ARE EAGER TO WORK.

THEY WANT TO WORK.

THEY ARE FACING BARRIERS TO GETTING WORK AUTHORIZATIONS.

SO WE’VE SEEN WHAT HAPPENS WHEN COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT FAMILIES TO HELP THEM WITH THE ABILITY TO GET WORK AUTHORIZATIONS.

ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES IS HOW LONG THOSE TAKE TO GET PROCESSED WHICH IS BEYOND OUR STATE GOVERNMENT.

THAT’S A CALL TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO HELP.

WE ENCOURAGE THAT TO CONTINUE TO BE A POINT THAT WE PUSH FOR PEACE GET ENSURING THAT FAMILIES THAT ARE COMING HERE ACTUALLY HAVE THE PATHWAYS TO WORK.

BECAUSE THEY DON’T WANT TO LIVE IN SHELTERS.

I THINK THAT’S A COMMON MISCONCEPTION.

PEOPLE WILL COME HERE AND IT’S A COMFORTABLE, FREE PLACE TO LIVE.

BUT THERE’S NOTHING COMFORTABLE ABOUT HAVING YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY AND ONE BEDROOM FOR A YEAR OR MORE.

IT’S QUITE CHALLENGING.

I’VE SEEN ALL THE WAYS THAT THE STATE IS STEPPING UP BY PRODUCING OVERFLOW SHELTERS.

IT WAS 783 FAMILIES ON THE WAITLIST.

THOSE ARE 783 FAMILIES THAT ARE REALLY LOOKING TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR COMMONWEALTH.

WE HAVE JOB OPENINGS.

WE HAVE THE SPACES FOR THESE PEOPLE.

IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO WELCOME THEM AND REMEMBER THAT THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS.

IT’S OFTEN THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT’S TIED TO IT OR THE AMOUNT OF HOTEL SPACES THAT THEY TAKE UP.

BUT THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE SEEN AND FACED INCREDIBLY TRAUMATIC EVENTS.

I BELIEVE IT’S OUR MORAL OBLIGATION TO STEP IN AND SUPPORT THEM.

ONE BIG THING THAT THE STATE SHOULD CONTINUE TO DO, AND WE SUPPORT COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS ON THE GROUND PROVIDING THESE WORK.

THEY ARE PROVIDING HEALTH CARE, LEGAL RESOURCES, INFORMATION, ACCESS TO VACCINES AND SCHOOL CARE.

THEY CONTINUE TO DO SO IN A WAY THAT LETS THESE FAMILIES SPEAK AND IS CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE.

THEY UNDERSTAND WHERE THE FAMILIES ARE COMING FROM AND HOW TO MEET THOSE NEEDS.

THEY WILL BE CONTINUING TO STEP UP THE WORK.

THEY NEED MORE FUNDING.

>> IT’S WORTH NOTING, THE BILL DOES TAKE SOME STEPS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET JOB TRAINING INCLUDING TAX CREDITS FOR BUSINESSES THAT TRAIN SHELTER RESIDENTS AND REQUIRE THE HELIUM MINISTRATION TO SEEK WAIVERS FOR EXPEDITED OR TEMPORARY WORK AUTHORIZATIONS.

IN OUR LAST 30 SECONDS OR SO HERE, I KNOW ONE THING YOU’VE CALLED FOR IS TO LOOK AT GREATER EFFICIENCIES THE ADMINISTRATION COULD SEEK AS A WAY TO HELP SAVE MONEY ON THIS PROGRAM.

WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE TO YOU?

>> CERTAINLY I THINK CONSIDERING SOME LARGER OVERFLOW SITES TO DEVELOP EFFICIENCIES THERE.

WE’VE HEARD DIFFERENT REPRESENTATIVES SUGGEST DIFFERENT SITES IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE.

WE PASSED AN AMENDMENT ON THE FLOOR ON WEDNESDAY THAT WOULD REQUIRE COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR FOOD SERVICE.

YOU KNOW, TO BE FAIR TO THE ADMINISTRATION, WHEN THE SHELTER SYSTEM SORT OF EXPLODED THE WAY IT HAS IN THE LAST YEAR OR TWO, IT WAS AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

I THINK NOW THAT WE HAVE A SENSE THAT THIS IS TRENDING AT $1 BILLION PER YEAR, AGAIN THAT’S FOR 70’S I’VE HUNDRED FAMILIES -- 7500 FAMILIES, WE HAVE TO ASK, WHAT CAN WE AFFORD?

I BELIEVE WE COULD START IN THAT DIRECTION WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE RIGHT TO SHELTER.

FOR THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE ARE SPENDING, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THIS PROGRAM AND CONTINUE TO LIVE UP TO OUR VALUES.

>> WE WILL SEE WHERE IT GOES FROM HERE.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR TIME.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THAT’S IT FOR TONIGHT BUT DO COME BACK NEXT WEEK.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

THE EMAIL IS ON YOUR SCREEN.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.