House lawmakers have been set to gavel in Saturday morning for his or her third session in as many days to think about an almost $3.1 billion supplemental price range that features cash for union contracts and the state’s emergency shelter system after Massachusetts Republicans blocked its path ahead twice.
Democrats and Republicans have pointed fingers at one another over who’s at fault on Beacon Hill for delaying funding for 95 union contracts, which embrace raises for tens of 1000’s of public sector workers simply forward of the vacations.
But some unions are clearly taking sides. In a blistering assertion Friday afternoon, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO stated it was “astonished and appalled” that the price range invoice was not handed Friday.
“The inaction and continued obstruction by a small group of House Republicans makes it increasingly more likely that 60,000 public sector employees will not see their collectively bargained raises in time for the holidays and colder weather,” the group stated.
House and Senate Republicans have stated they’re involved with $250 million for the state’s struggling emergency shelter system, which has been pushed to its limits by a surge of recent migrant arrivals and crushing housing prices in Massachusetts.
“My caucus continues to have a concern over the migrant issue, We’re spending $250-plus million dollars on top of what’s already been appropriated, and every single indication is that the governor of the Commonwealth is going to file a new request, either at the end of this year or in January, looking for additional resources to deal with that issue.”
The small minority gained the ability to dam the proposal when Democrats did not cross it in formal classes, the place lawmakers can provide debate, take recorded votes, and Democrats have an amazing supermajority.
Formal regulation making got here to a detailed greater than two weeks in the past and consideration of the invoice was kicked into casual classes, the place anyone legislator can halt a invoice’s path ahead utilizing procedural ways.
Republicans blocked the price range invoice from transferring ahead Thursday and Friday.
House Speaker Ronald Mariano has blasted Republicans for placing up a blockade whereas Republicans have referred to as on the Quincy Democrat to reconvene the House in a proper session so lawmakers can as soon as once more debate the proposal.
“It’s incredibly disappointing that House Republicans are blocking the passage of the supplemental budget. This bill includes $3 billion worth of critical funding for state employee raises and for a number of other pressing issues,” he stated in a press release. “Despite that, House Republicans are willing to jeopardize the entire package over $250 million that will be used to provide shelter for all vulnerable families in Massachusetts.”
The House plans to gavel into session at 11 a.m. Saturday in a largely empty State House.
Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy additionally criticized the Legislature’s “inability to pass a budget that addresses the plight of families in need of shelter, as well as funds long-ratified contracts for state workers” as a “stunning failure.”
“More than 50,000 unionized employees responsible for human services, health care, higher education and other endeavors dedicated to the common good of our state are waiting on pay raises their families are counting on, especially as we head into the winter months and holiday season,” the pair stated in a press release.
This is a growing story…
Source: www.bostonherald.com”