State House Spotlight: Veterans and senate budget
BOSTON (WWLP) – This week, the Massachusetts Senate held its annual budget debate, working through over 1,000 amendments on the $61.4 billion spending plan.
This budget pushes forward on spending increases, despite mounting concerns about losing federal funding.
Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend, the governor awarded fallen veterans with Medals of Liberty and Fidelity that were accepted by surviving family members. 'We owe their families the respect, support, and assurance that their loved ones will never be forgotten,' said Governor Healey.
The Healey Administration also held the first-ever Military Appreciation Week, and veterans and military spouses from across the state received the governor's citations for their sacrifices. 'We felt that it was important to honor the fallen with a reminder that their legacy continues with the work of the living,' said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jon Santiago.
Shifting focus to the migrant crisis, Governor Healey announced that hotel shelters will close 6 months early, and this is due in part to tightening federal border regulations. 'I think that some of what Donald Trump has done on the border makes a lot of sense…the general move and recognition that there needed to be more control brought to the border is correct,' explained the governor.
The state auditor released a report on how the Healey Administration has handled the crisis, and it found that unlawful no-bid contracts have cost taxpayers far more than necessary.
The governor publicly disagreed with the audit's findings and said it is unlikely her team will make changes based on its recommendations.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
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