Gov. Maura Healey’s state of emergency declaration over the migrant housing crisis – blaming federal inaction for the problem – plays to the left-wing Democratic base and is more evidence that she’s raising her national profile.
This is the third major issue Healey is sounding the alarm on in just her first term as governor – abortion rights, gay rights and now immigrant rights.
All those issues have powerful constituencies that could propel Healey if she wants to run for president or another federal office or be considered for a high-ranking White House position.
She’s quickly building her name as a strong proponent of women’s rights and gay rights — going so far as to put up billboards in Florida – and has credibility because she’s one of the first openly gay governors in the nation.
In declaring a state of emergency, Healey put the onus squarely on the Biden administration and previous administrations for not doing enough to help migrants who have recently crossed the border.
“This is a national issue that demands a national response,” Healey said.
Massachusetts “has stepped up to address what sadly has been a federal crisis of inaction that is many years in the making,” Healey said.
The Democratic governor sent a letter to Homeland Security this week asking it to remove “burdensome barriers” to work authorization permits for newly-arrived migrants.
“We need federal partnership, federal funding, and urgent federal action to meet this moment and to continue to serve some of our most vulnerable families.”
This is the first time since the pandemic that a governor declared a state of emergency and Healey refused to say how long the declaration would last, saying she’ll do “whatever is necessary.” Massachusetts is spending $45 million a month to house migrants, most of them here illegally.
Much of the problem exists because Massachusetts is the only right-to-shelter state in the country, meaning eligible families have immediate access to housing.
But Healey said she has no power or authority to change that law – and even if she did she probably wouldn’t.
It was also notable that Healey made the emergency declaration without her fellow Democrats Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren by her side.
Warren has presidential aspirations and could be a future rival for national office.
But while Warren often comes off as strident and divisive, Healey has a more moderate, bipartisan tone and is younger and fresher than both Massachusetts senators.
If Joe Biden were to decide not to run for re-election, it would be a wide open Democratic field. Healey could be in the mix as one of a handful of nationally known Democratic governors with ambitions for higher office.
She would have the ability to raise money nationally – much more so than several other Democrats who may have White House plans.
Healey also is more ready for prime time than other hopefuls – having no trouble handling network interviews.
