Statement on House Advancing Controversial Spending Bill with Quorum Present

GOP Caucus Successful in Advocating for the Taxpayers and Transparency in the State House – Leadership Held Accountable

BOSTON, MA – The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance made the following statement today in response to the House advancing the controversial $3 billion-dollar supplemental spending bill which includes $250 million in funding for the state’s emergency shelter system, recently overwhelmed with an influx of migrants. The spending bill does not include Republican amendment efforts to add a residency requirement for the “Right to Shelter” law benefits but it does include a Democratic amendment that will change policy to allow SNAP benefits for migrants. According to State House News Service, in Massachusetts, the maximum SNAP welfare payment for one person is $291 per month, $535 for two people, and $766 for a family of three.

Today, the Republican caucus in the House forced a quorum of legislators to show up in an informal session for a vote after previous attempts to pass the controversial measure failed due to Republican pushback. House and Senate Republicans have used their legislative power to responsibly advocate for the taxpayers and for further transparency in the State House. Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka are to blame for this impasse, despite their finger pointing.

“Massachusetts taxpayers deserved a vote and transparency on this controversial spending bill, and due to Republican action on this principle, more than half of the House members showed up to vote today. The spending bill is now on its way to the Senate. State House leadership routinely use procedural loopholes to pass controversial items outside of good legislative practices, it’s refreshing to see some lawmakers try to change that. Let’s hope this sets a precedent for good government practices over backroom deals,” stated Paul Diego Craney, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. 

“Republicans in the legislature should be applauded for their actions. They have responsibly used their legislative powers to advocate for the taxpayers and for further transparency in the State House. They held leadership accountable for the good of the state. We hope this will compel the Senate President and Speaker to abandon their opaqueness in the future and in the meantime, we hope Senate Republicans will put up whatever roadblocks necessary to ensure a vote is taken on such a controversial spending bill,” concluded Craney.

# # #