PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Senate leaders have now joined the Providence City Council in the call for a state of emergency to help those experiencing homelessness. The pressure on Governor Dan McKee continues Tuesday as we await the State of the State address. Senate leaders are the latest representatives to join the call for a state of emergency. However, Governor McKee has already voiced his opposition to the emergency declaration and said it would not solve the problem. Instead, he’s shifting his focus to using the resources that are already in place to help those in need. “We need to make sure that we’re working with the people who want to do the work, with the people contracted to do the work to maximize the sheltering which is our top priority for those who want to be housed in the winter months,” said McKee. In a statement last week, McKee also said if emergency power waives capacity limits in shelters or ignores other safety concerns such as sprinkler systems, the state would be solving one problem by creating a new one. However, some senate members argue the emergency grant would secure shelter for people throughout Rhode Island and overcome any delays in the opening of Echo Village. They also noted a state of emergency would enable temporary exemptions to the fire code which could be mitigated by a 24-hour fire detail at Echo Village until the fire suppression system is fully operational. A joint hearing between two senate committees to review the state’s plan to address homelessness will take place next Tuesday, January 21. Meanwhile, full agenda of tonight’s state of the state has not yet been released. Categories: News, Providence, Rhode Island