BOSTON -- The federal government bailed out banks and automakers, and now Bay State lawmakers may have to bail out an entire city.

NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu reported that the city of Lawrence needs $35 million to help balance its books. Lawmakers are set to vote on that funding -- but there could be a catch. The new mayor is also Lawrence's state representative.

"Do you think a city in trouble should have as its leader someone who is also a state representative?" Wu asked.

"Well, that's a decision that individual has to make. Personally? No. I think running a city, the size of Lawrence, requires 80 hours a week," Rep. Charlie Murphy said.

Murphy's opinion matters because t a public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday on Mayor William Lantigua's bill to allow Lawrence to borrow $35 million.

"If when the time comes, they can not pay it back? Who's on the hook? I suspect the state is," Murphy said.

The so-called deficit borrowing bill will have constraints. Backed by the governor, it would require a financial overseer. If the city is still in the red one year from now, the state would take over through a control board.

But first, Lantigua needs to convince enough Beacon Hill colleagues that he needs that loan, and they're not thrilled with him calling his legislative job part time.

"I would step down or at least forgo the salary for the state representative," Rep. George Peterson said.

"Do you think he'd get more votes if that were the case?" Wu asked.

"I think it would help in the perception of the situation that's up there," Peterson said.

Lawrence may have a $17 million deficit this year and face a $15 million structural deficit next year, but Lawrence's mayor refused to answer questions, and a Beacon Hill source said he's not showing up for the public hearing on Tuesday.

"I think he really should give up one of the jobs and commit himself to Lawrence," one resident said.

"He can't spend the time he needs for either job. It's either one or the other," another resident said.

But in the end Beacon Hill knows, it can't just walk away from Lawrence and that's what the mayor is counting on.

"If Lawrence isn't allowed to borrow this $35 million is the state on the hook right out of the gate to do something? So either way, the state's got to do something," Rep. Brad Jones said.