Massachusetts Democrats called legislation prioritizing homeless veterans over illegal aliens a “political ploy” and voted it down on Friday.
Now, New Hampshire Republicans are pointing to that vote — supported by Gov. Maura Healey (D-Mass.) — and calling it a sign of things to come if Democrats win the governor’s race this November.
It’s particularly relevant to Democrat Joyce Craig. The former Manchester mayor scored Healey’s endorsement soon after entering the gubernatorial primary.
However, a comprehensive list featured on her campaign website of Democrats who’ve endorsed Craig currently makes no mention of Healey.
Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington and former Newmarket town councilor Jon Kiper are also seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.
The Massachusetts legislation in question was an amendment introduced by GOP House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading) to a budget bill. The Bay State’s “sanctuary” approach to illegal immigration is projected to cost taxpayers $1 billion annually, as migrants flock there to take advantage of the commonwealth’s “right to shelter” law guaranteeing homeless families and pregnant women free housing.
Healey has been a defender of the state’s application of its 1980s-era “right to shelter” law to address housing illegal aliens flooding the state. Healey even attempted to downplay safety concerns after a Haitian migrant was charged with raping a minor at one of the state’s makeshift hotel shelters in March, telling a Boston reporter, “Time to time, things will happen.”
Jones’ amendment would have “prioritized eligibility for the (right-to-shelter) program for honorably discharged homeless veterans.”
He told NHJournal he was “extremely disappointed” that Massachusetts Democrats “were unwilling to support” his amendment.
Instead, Bay State Democrats dismissed Jones’ proposal as a “political ploy.”
Jones disagreed.
“This was certainly not a ‘political ploy’ by the House Republican Caucus, but rather a recognition of the debt we all owe to our nation’s veterans and consistent with the many other veterans preferences that exist in our current laws,” he said. “At a time when our emergency shelter system is being stretched beyond capacity and has a growing waitlist for services, we need to set clear priorities to better manage the demand and eliminate the waitlist.”
Jones called it a “moral imperative” to ensure “the well-being of homeless veterans.”
Only two Democrats voted to support the amendment, which failed in the Massachusetts House in a 27-129 vote.
Massachusetts Democrats have claimed they plan on releasing a proposal to address homelessness for veterans this month. But Jones told NHJournal there are no guarantees from legislative leaders across the aisle.
“My hope is that the members who voted against this amendment will be more receptive to the idea once the upcoming veterans bill that was alluded to during the House budget debate is taken up,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bay State Democrats’ vote to scuttle Jones’ proposal caught the attention of not just New Hampshire Republican gubernatorial candidates, but also radio host and veterans’ advocate Jack Health, who called the commonwealth’s priorities “upside down.”
“This is incredible,” Health said Monday morning during his Good Morning New Hampshire program. “That’s how screwed up the priorities are in the People’s Republic of Massachusetts.”
Asked if they would have supported the amendment or if they support the Democrats’ position in Massachusetts, both Craig and Warmington declined to respond.
Asked if she is concerned Craig, Healey’s choice for governor, would push for similar housing policy priorities if elected, Warmington again declined to respond.
At a recent town hall-style event in Exeter, both Craig and Warmington — and even political unknown Kiper — made the lack of housing in New Hampshire a top priority in their presentations.
Republican candidates did not hold back in drawing parallels between Massachusetts Democrats like Healey and her New Hampshire counterparts.
“Massachusetts Democrats are giving illegal immigrants access to shelter ahead of our homeless veterans,” former New Hampshire U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte told NHJournal. “If that’s not a wake up call about what Joyce Craig stands for, I don’t know what is.
“As a military spouse and mother, I will always put our veterans and their families first and will never allow New Hampshire to become a sanctuary for illegal immigrants.”
Former state Senate President Chuck Morse told NHJournal the vote against prioritizing American veterans is “a disgraceful display of neglect” by Massachusetts Democrats.
“Their disregard for those who have served our country exposes the overarching warped priorities of Democratic leadership — priorities Joyce Craig or Cinde Warmington would undoubtedly enjoy bringing to New Hampshire.
“Unlike Massachusetts, New Hampshire is thriving under Republican leadership, standing as a beacon of prosperity, freedom, and responsible governance. As governor, I will ensure that New Hampshire remains on solid fiscal ground, allowing us to address issues like veteran homelessness with the compassion and effectiveness they deserve.”
