Representative Frost Discusses GOP Shelter Reform Package with Dan Rea on ‘Nightside’

Representative Paul K. Frost (R-Auburn) was a guest on WBZ Radio’s “Nightside” program last night, where he and host Dan Rea discussed the House and Senate Republicans’ comprehensive proposal to reform the state’s emergency shelter system to restore fiscal responsibility and accountability to the program. Be sure to check out the “Nightside” podcast featuring the interview here. The discussion with Representative Frost begins at the 9:08 mark.

House and Senate Republicans Unveil Comprehensive Reform Package to Address Massachusetts' Migrant and Shelter Crisis

Members of the House and Senate Republican caucuses held a joint press conference at the State House today to outline a series of administrative and legislative proposals aimed at addressing the migrant crisis and the ongoing problems occurring within the state’s emergency assistance family shelter program. The GOP package focuses on transparency, accountability, public safety and fiscal responsibility, with the proposed reforms designed to address both short-term and long-term challenges.

Be sure to check out media coverage of the caucuses’ proposals from the Boston Herald’s Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive’s John Micek, Sam Doran of the State House News Service, Olivia Ray of WWLP-TV, and Jim Morelli of Boston 25 News.

House GOP Caucus Letter to Governor on Emergency Shelter Concerns Continues to Get Results

The House Republican Caucus’ January 6 letter to Governor Healey demanding answers on the Administration’s vetting process for entry into the state’s emergency shelter system continues to get results.

When the Caucus questioned why an illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic was living in a Revere-based shelter after he was arrested on multiple firearms and drug charges, the Governor responded by ordering an inspection of all state-run emergency shelters and a full review of the intake process. On Thursday, the Boston Globe reported that the Administration’s repeated claims that all emergency shelter applicants were subject to comprehensive background checks before entry into the system were, in fact, false, as the Administration failed to conduct criminal background checks that could have weeded out dangerous individuals and prevented them from accessing taxpayer-funded state benefits.

By Friday, Governor Healey was on the defensive, following a scathing rebuke from House Minority Leader Brad Jones, who issued a statement calling the situation “completely unacceptable” and “a betrayal of the public’s trust.” At a late afternoon press availability, the Governor said that everyone in the state’s emergency shelter system will now undergo a CORI check, and that she has brought on former Boston Police Department Commissioner Ed Davis to conduct an “independent outside review” of the shelter program. She also expressed a willingness to revisit the state’s Right to Shelter Law to uphold its original intent to provide emergency housing to Massachusetts residents, something the House Republican Caucus has continuously called for and strongly supports.

Be sure to check out additional media coverage of the evolving shelter situation from the Boston Herald’s Chris Van Buskirk, MassLive’s John Micek, the Boston Globe’s Matt Stout and Samantha Gross, as well as Boston Globe columnist Adrian Walker and WCVB's David Bienick, who interviewed Representative Paul Frost (R-Auburn).

House Minority Leader Jones’ Statement on Emergency Shelter System

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) released the following statement after reports that the Healey Administration failed to conduct criminalbackground checks on applicants for the state’s emergency shelter program:

“The Healey Administration’s admission that it failed to carry out criminal background checks on applicants seeking emergency shelter assistance is completely unacceptable and represents a serious betrayal of the public’s trust. The Administration’s handling of the situation has been a total disaster, with the failure to carry out the most basic of public safety protocols needlessly placing other people in harm’s way by housing them alongside dangerous criminals.

The Administration has long maintained that it was conducting extensive background checks of all applicants seeking shelter assistance, but now we know that was not the case. The fact that the Administration has no idea how many individuals with a criminal record are currently residing in the state’s shelter system is cause for alarm. With over 1,000 recorded serious incidents taking place in the state’s shelters between January of 2023 and August of 2024 – including rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence – there are more than enough examples that highlight why these comprehensive background checks are so important.

This is just the latest example of the Administration’s failure to provide proper oversight of the emergency shelter program, which continues to drain valuable state resources. Governor Healey is now seeking $425 million in supplemental shelter funding, but there should be no more funding approved for the program until meaningful reforms are implemented. It is time for the Healey Administration to come clean with the Commonwealth’s taxpayers and explain how this was allowed to happen and why it has gone on for so long. A complete top to bottom review of the program is needed to ensure that not only all of those applying for emergency shelter assistance are properly vetted at the point of entry, but also to identify those individuals who are already in the system but should not be. Dangerous criminals should be removed from the program immediately, and swift legal action taken.

It has become abundantly clear that this program is wildly unsustainable and unmanageable for the Healey Administration, and it is well beyond time to change course. Whether it’s incompetence, intransigence or negligence, changes must be made. It’s time for heads to roll.”

House Caucus Letter to Governor Leads to Planned Shelter Inspections and Review of Intake Protocols

Governor Maura Healey is calling for shelter inspections and a “full review” of the intake protocols used for the state’s emergency shelter system, after the House Republican Caucus raised concerns and demanded answers about the vetting process.

In a letter delivered to the Governor on January 6, the caucus questioned how an illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic, who is now facing multiple firearms and drug-related charges, was able to secure placement in a state-funded motel shelter in Revere, at the expense of many longtime Massachusetts residents in need. The Healey Administration has repeatedly claimed entry into the shelter program is limited to residents and documented immigrants who have lawful permission to be in the United States and have declared Massachusetts as their place of residency. The arrest highlights the Administration’s failed policies and the shortcomings of the background checks currently used to screen shelter applicants.

While the announced inspections and intake review are welcome news, the caucus will continue to closely monitor the situation to hold the Healey Administration accountable and to ensure that the governor follows through on her pledge to implement the changes needed to prevent criminal activity from taking place in the state’s shelters. There are simply no excuses for tolerating this type of criminal behavior, especially when it occurs within a state-run program publicly funded by taxpayer dollars.

You can read additional media coverage here, here and here.

House Minority Leader Jones’ Statement on Today's GOP Caucus Leadership Vote

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) released the following statement after today’s leadership vote taken by the members of the House Republican Caucus:

“I am truly grateful for the overwhelming vote of confidence and support I received from my colleagues this morning. They were able to see through the divisive rhetoric and meaningless noise generated by outside special interests, extremist groups and others leading up to today’s vote. As we begin a new legislative session, I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to lead the House Republican Caucus over the next two years and will continue to work alongside my colleagues to advocate for responsible policies that are in the best interests of our cities and towns and the state’s taxpayers.”

Remembering Pearl Harbor, 83 Years Later

On December 7, 1941 more than 3,000 American servicemembers and civilians were killed or wounded in Japan’s surprise attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor. As our nation marks the 83rd anniversary of what President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared to be “a date which will live in infamy,” let us never forget the service and sacrifices of those who perished on that fateful day. The Massachusetts House Republican Caucus would also like to take this opportunity to thank all who have served in our armed forces, and those who are currently serving so that we remain a strong and free nation.

Veterans Day 2024: Honoring All Who Served

President Calvin Coolidge once warned that, “The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.”

We must never forget the many sacrifices that have been made by our country’s veterans to preserve our precious freedom and democracy. As we observe Veterans Day, the Massachusetts House Republican Caucus offers its sincere thanks and appreciation to all who have served this great nation as a member of the U.S. armed forces. We owe a tremendous debt to our veterans which can never be fully repaid, and we must continue to honor their legacy.

Representative Pease Appointed to Commission for Higher Education Quality and Affordability

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) has appointed State Representative Kelly W. Pease (R-Westfield) to serve as his designee on the Commission for Higher Education Quality and Affordability (CHEQA).

Created as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 state budget, CHEQA is responsible for making recommendations for improving the quality and affordability of higher education in the Commonwealth and will focus on identifying ways to enhance state financial assistance and other support programs for students who live in Massachusetts and attend one of the state’s public colleges, universities, or community colleges. In addition to reviewing aid for tuition, fees, books, supplies and other college expenses, the Commission will also consider ways to reduce financial, logistical, cultural and other barriers affecting students to help reduce their costs and debt.

As a member of the Commission, Representative Pease will help to evaluate programs that are designed to improve student success, including academic support and career counseling programs. The Commission will also identify ways to increase the recruitment and retention of qualified adjunct and full-time faculty and staff to ensure that students have access to a high-quality college education.

“While public colleges and universities have traditionally cost less than attending a private school, they can still be out of reach financially for many families unless we provide students with the proper resources and support,” said Representative Jones. “As the Ranking Minority Member on the Joint Committee on Higher Education, Kelly understands the importance of making college accessible and affordable. I am confident he will do everything he can to help the Commission develop strong recommendations for reducing costs and making sure all Massachusetts public higher education students are positioned for success, both in school and after graduation.”

Representative Pease is one of 21 members serving on CHEQA, which will also include two members appointed by the Governor who represent students currently enrolled at a public institution of higher education. In addition to several higher education representatives, the Commission will also include representatives from the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, Inc.; the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, Inc.; the Massachusetts Business Roundtable; the Massachusetts Teachers Association; and the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, Inc.

The Commission is scheduled to file its initial report by December 15, with a final report due by March 31, 2025.

Prior to his election to the House of Representatives in 2020, Representative Pease served for 20 years on active duty in the U.S. Army. In addition to his ranking position on the Joint Committee on Higher Education, he also currently serves as a member of the House and Joint Ways and Means Committees, the Joint Committee on Education, and the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Representative Pease represents the 4^th Hampden District, which includes the town of Southampton and portions of the city of Westfield.

House Republican Caucus Statement on the Passing of Representative Susan Williams Gifford

The Massachusetts House Republican Caucus released the following statement today on the passing of State Representative Susan Williams Gifford:

“We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of our dear friend and colleague, State Representative Susan Williams Gifford. For more than two decades, Susan has been a tireless advocate for the residents of the 2^nd Plymouth District, focused on providing for the needs of her constituents and the towns she served. Susan often said her number one priority as a legislator was ‘putting people first’ and she excelled at doing that, whether she was helping constituents resolve a problem or working on behalf of the residents of Carver, Middleboro, and Wareham to secure funding for critical local programs and projects. Her death is a tremendous loss not only for the district, but also for the many family members, friends and colleagues whose lives she touched. The Massachusetts House Republican Caucus extends its sincerest condolences to Susan’s husband, Mark, and to her family. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time, and we hope they can take comfort in knowing that Susan leaves behind an enduring legacy of public service and dedication to helping others.”