PORTLAND (AP) — Portland officials say they have little choice but to abide by the state’s new requirements that prevent the city from using state money to provide emergency shelter to the city’s homeless.

The new rules go into effect on May 1. Portland officials say the new procedures will end a long-standing understanding between the city and state government that state funding will help pay for homeless services.

The Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/1GqZoXs ) reported Portland city councilors and the mayor are framing the state’s actions as a public relations campaign by Gov. Paul LePage’s administration against the city.

The state requirements come after a February audit found some people staying in the Portland emergency shelter held significant assets in their bank accounts.