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Cheryl Rivera on ECONOMIC GROWTH


Vote selection and interpretation by representatives of Mass Scorecard without approval or participation from the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

Voted NO on allowing parents on welfare to go back to school.
Platform indicates voting YES in Part IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH:Supporting the Transition from Welfare to Work.

Override Gov. Romney's veto of a program to allow parents with young children who are on welfare to go back to school in lieu of working to meet the requirements of the federal Personal Work and Responsibility Act of 1996.

The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is PART IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH, JOBS & SECURITY: Supporting the Transition from Welfare to Work: "We seek to help welfare recipients successfully find and keep jobs. We advocate increased job training and educational opportunities, and we must ensure that support systems in child care, transportation, and health insurance are in place to enable people to work and to advance into more highly paid jobs... We recognize that for some, that transition may take a lifetime."

Reference: Supporting the Transition from Welfare to Work; Bill Section 528 ; vote number MA03-H368 on Jul 16, 2003

Voted NO on Exempting new corporations from minimum excise tax.
Platform indicates voting YES in Part II: HEALTH CARE:PART IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH, JOBS & SECURITY: Supporting the Transition from Welfare to Work: "We seek to help welfare recipients successfully find and keep jobs. We advocate increased job training and educational opportunities, and we must ensure that support systems in child care, transportation, and health insurance are in place to enable people to work and to advance into more highly paid jobs... We recognize that for some, that transition may take a lifetime.".

Override Gov. Romney's veto of a program to allow parents with young children who are on welfare to go back to school in lieu of working to meet the requirements of the federal Personal Work and Responsibility Act of 1996.
Reference: Supporting the Transition from Welfare to Work; Bill Section 528 ; vote number MAX05-H218 on Jul 16, 2003

Voted NO on Closing $85 million in corporate tax loopholes.
Platform indicates voting YES in Part IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH:Clause 3, corporate tax havens.

This vote was on an amendment to an omnibus tax reform bill. The amendment would close $85 million in corporate tax loopholes, including one loophole that allows companies to shift profits out of state in order to avoid taxation. A vote of YES indicates support of closing the corporate tax loopholes.

The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part iv, ECONOMIC GROWTH, Clause 3: We support sanctions to prohibit companies that utilize offshore tax havens, thereby avoiding payment of state and federal taxes, from gaining lucrative contracts for business with the state and federal government.

Bill H. 4163, doc. 4167 ; vote number MA05-H074 on Jun 15, 2005

Voted NO on Capital gains tax rebates.
Platform indicates voting NO in Part IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH:Clause 14, tax breaks to wealthy.

This vote was on an amendment to an omnibus tax reform bill. The amendment would reduce revenue available for state programs by $250 million through tax rebates to people affected by the repeal of the capital gains tax break in 2002, a rebate primarily benefiting the wealthiest 1% of people in the state. Voting NO would reject the capital gains tax rebates.

The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part iv. ECONOMIC GROWTH, Clause 14: We oppose the Republican administration policy of giving tax breaks to the wealthiest individuals…. These policies unfairly increase the tax burden at the state and local level.

Bill H. 2606, sec. 56-57 ; vote number MA05-H075 on Jun 15, 2005

Voted YES on funding for International Trade Council to promote exports.
Platform indicates voting YES in Part IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH:Competitive Advantage and a Global Economy.

Vote on veto override of Supplemental appropriations, International Trade Council: Item 7007-1300 (contained in section 2 as $1,100,000, see House, No. 4330), which had returned by the Governor with a reduction (to $500,000; for message, see House, No. 4365), was considered.

Relevant platform section:Part IV: Economic Growth: Competitive Advantage and a Global Economy: "We believe the extraordinary depth and breadth of the knowledge-based sector of the Massachusetts economy is a key competitive edge in the global market. We champion strong federal research & development funding programs, and assistance to smaller companies and startups seeking to commercialize promising technology. We encourage open global trade that promotes fair employment and sound environmental standards by our trading partners. We support state and federal efforts to promote Massachusetts exports."

Bill Veto Override, Item 7007-1300 ; vote number MA04-H495 on Jan 14, 2004

Voted YES on investing in emerging technologies, math & science Fund.
Platform indicates voting YES in Part IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH:Workforce Training.

Vote on overriding the governor's veto of the following section: (Section 70): contained in the engrossed Bill relative to investments in emerging technologies to promote job creation, economic stability and competitiveness in the Massachusetts economy.

Relevant platform section:Part IV: Economic Growth: Workforce Training: "We are aware that one out of three workers in this state need additional skills to maintain their employment in today’s changing economy.... In the face of a global economy and advanced technology, workers need ongoing skill development and job training. We support increased public and private funding for business and labor to address the Massachusetts skills gap."

Bill Veto Override, sec.70 ; vote number MA04-H481 on Jan 13, 2004

Voted YES on Requiring workfare for mothers of 2- to 6-year-olds.
Platform indicates voting NO in Part IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH:Supporting the Transition from Welfare to Work.

[Welfare] recipients not qualifying as exempt, and whose child of record is under the age at which full-time school attendance is mandatory, may meet [only] 10 hours of the work requirement through education and training programs.

Relevant platform section: PART IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH, JOBS & SECURITY: Supporting the Transition from Welfare to Work: "We are committed to ensuring a safety net to members of our families in times of need. We recognize that for some, that transition may take a lifetime."

Bill Section 487 ; vote number MA03-H080 on May 5, 2003

Voted YES on Defeating corporate tax disclosure.
Platform indicates voting NO in Part IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH:A Healthy Business Environment.

Would study corporate tax disclosure, defeating measure to implement it. The vote is to amend Section 470 of the FY04 budget (New Section 457a) to establish a special commission on taxation, consisting of 5 Democrats and 2 Republicans. The Commission will make its recommendations in January 2004 [hence postponing the disclosure rule until the next fiscal year].

Relevant section of platform:PART IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH, JOBS & SECURITY: A Healthy Business Environment: "We support monitoring the costs of doing business in the Commonwealth, so that companies can grow and compete while still meeting their obligations to workers and the community."

Bill H.4000 Section 470 ; vote number MA03-H069 on May 1, 2003

Voted YES on Extending corporate tax credit 5 years.
Platform indicates voting NO in Part IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH:A Healthy Business Environment.

Would extend corporate tax credit 5 years. Vote was on an amendment to the FY04 Budget, Outside Section 165, changing the limit on corporate tax credits from 14 years to 19 years. The corporate tax credit is in MGL 63-31a, which allows an excise tax credit for manufacturing companies on leased equipment.

Relevant section of platform:PART IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH, JOBS & SECURITY: A Healthy Business Environment: "We support tax incentives for business when accompanied by commitments to good corporate citizenship and enforceable terms assuring continued investment in Massachusetts."

Bill H.4000 Section 165 ; vote number MA03-H071 on May 1, 2003


Accord with the Democratic Party Platform is determined by representatives of Mass Scorecard and has no approval by nor association with the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

Other Mass Reps from Hampden County on ECONOMIC GROWTH:      Cheryl Rivera on other issues:
Gale Candaras
Sean Curran
Donald Humason
Michael Kane
Daniel Keenan
Thomas Petrolati
Mary Rogeness
Todd Smola
Benjamin Swan
Joseph Wagner
James Welch
Part I: CIVIL RIGHTS
Part II: HEALTH CARE
Part III: EDUCATION
Part IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH
Part V: LABOR
Part VI: HOUSING
Part VII: SOCIAL SECURITY
Part VIII: ENVIRONMENT
Part IX: CONSUMER PROTECTION
Part X: SAFETY AND CRIME
Part XI: VOTING PROCEDURES
Part XII: TAXES AND SERVICES

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