BOSTON – State revenues are falling short of expectations, prompting short-term budget cuts and hiring freezes.
But in an interview with WBZ-TV, Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) says this moment does not call for major changes in government spending plans.
“Now is not the time to take our foot off the pedal on economic development and housing and reduce the cost of college and other things if we want to continue to be a leader with our innovation economy,” Spilka said. “I believe we must continue to invest in our strengths, namely our people, our residents.”
Migrant Housing in Massachusetts
One area of budget pressure right now is the hundreds of millions of dollars spent providing shelter and services to the wave of migrants fleeing crime and chaos in other countries.
Noting that “more than half of the people who benefit from this program are long-term residents of Massachusetts,” Spilka points the finger at the federal government for its failure to pass immigration reform legislation.
“We have been pushing the Biden administration very hard and there may be some sunlight in terms of funding in the near future,” she said.
But Spilka also defended aid to the migrants as a necessary humanitarian act.
“My grandfather fled Poland in 1906. He woke up one morning and his best friend was hanging in the town square. His father turned to him and said, ‘You’re next, so we have to get you out.’ And that reminds me of some of the stories that we’re hearing from some of these immigrants who are coming to our borders now,” she said.
Tolls at the New Hampshire border?
Spilka was also asked about controversial comments from Secretary of Transportation Monica Tibbits-Nutt about the floating toll booths on the New Hampshire border and other revenue-raising initiatives.
“I am open to an honest discussion. I believe that [residents] want a 21st century transportation infrastructure that we all recognize we don’t have now,” she said. “Our RTAs [regional transit authorities] need more help, we need to expand it. Our roads and bridges all need help. If we want 21st century transportation infrastructure, we need to have an honest and open discussion about how we build it and how we pay for it.”
Will our taxes increase in the near future?
“I’m not looking at that right now,” Spilka said. “It’s not on my radar right now.”
Jon Keller
