|
Rosie Rep's
Voting Details
|
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A DRAFT WEBSITE NOT READY YET FOR PUBLIC USE
Vote selection and interpretation by representatives of Mass Scorecard without approval or participation from the Massachusetts Democratic Party.
Voted NO on Affirming marriage for heterosexuals only
Platform indicates voting NO in Part I: CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES
A Legislative Amendment to the Constitution relative to the affirmation of marriage would:
- Protect the unique relationship of marriage by defining the institution of civil marriage as only the union of one man and one woman.
- Establish civil unions to provide same-sex persons with entirely the same benefits and obligations as are afforded to married persons,
while recognizing that under present federal law same-sex persons in civil unions will be denied federal benefits available to married persons.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part I, clause 9: CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES:
We affirm our commitment to the Massachusetts constitutional guarantee to same-sex marriage; and all of its rights, privileges and obligations; and reject any attempt to weaken or revoke those rights.
Constitutional Amendment S.3190
; roll call number 174
rejected 37-120 on Sept. 14, 2005
Voted YES on Reaffirming 'one nation under God' in pledge of allegiance
Platform indicates voting YES in Part I: CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES
A Resolution, filed by Rep. Jones (R, North Reading), would reaffirm the reference to “one nation under God”
in the pledge of allegiance.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part I, clause 7: CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES:
We reaffirm our commitment to the constitutional guarantee of separation of church and state, and of the freedom to worship without governmental interference.
Bill H.4402
; roll call number 205
passed 115-31 on Sept. 28, 2005
Voted YES on Overriding veto on Stem Cell Research Bill
Platform indicates voting YES in Part II: HEALTH CARE
This vote affirmed passage of the bill supporting stem cell research as originally passed by the House and Senate, rejecting Governor Romney’s proposed amendments and veto, and avoiding delays of implementation. A vote of YES indicates support for embryonic stem cell research and support for regenerative medicine research.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part II, clause 14: HEALTH CARE:
We endorse the Legislature's support for stem cell research, including embryonic stem cells, in the belief that such research will yield treatment for many illnesses.
Bill S. 2039
; roll call number 069
passed 112-42 on May 31, 2005
Voted YES on Maintaining two state psychiatric hospitals
Platform indicates voting YES in Part II: HEALTH CARE
In the budget item for the operation of adult inpatient facilities and community mental heath centers,
the legislature called for a study on how psychiatric patients at Worcester State Hospital and Westborough State Hospital might be best served.
The Governor vetoed the section requiring that the legislature approve possible closure of the two hospitals, in effect transferring the closure decision to the executive branch since the study would be conducted under the Governor's authority.
A vote of YES would override the Governor's veto, and keep the decision on mental hospital closings within the legislative branch, thereby making closure less likely.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part II, clause 16 & 17: HEALTH CARE:
We oppose cuts in mental health services, including those for children and adolescents.
We support an expansion of private health insurance benefits to include mental health parity.
Budget item 5095-0015 in H.4001
; roll call number 123
passed 135-16 on July 14, 2005
Voted NO on Funding libraries from Cultural Facilities Fund
Platform indicates voting YES in Part III: EDUCATION
A 'cultural facility' is defined as a building or site that is owned or otherwise used by one or more cultural organizations and that is accessible to the public and exempt from income taxation. The term 'cultural facility' may include museums, historical sites, zoos, aquariums, nature/science centers, theaters, concert halls, exhibition spaces, classrooms, and auditoriums suitable for presentation of performing or visual arts. Public or private institutions of higher education may qualify if they demonstrate that their cultural facility provides service and open access to the community and general public.
This vote would add 'libraries' to the definition of 'cultural facility', and hence allow funding libraries from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part III, clause 18: EDUCATION:
We support increased state and federal funding to build, renovate, and modernize our schools and colleges and libraries.
Bill H. 4404 Amendment #138
; roll call number 225
rejected 14-134 on Oct. 6, 2005
Voted YES on Establishing Biotechnology Advisory Council
Platform indicates voting YES in Part IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOBS
This amendment establishes the makeup of a Biotechnology Advisory Council on regenerative medicine -- an agency which would regulate stem cell research. This vote concludes a series of amendments defining the details about the advisory council. A vote of YES indicates support for funding and regulating embryonic stem cell research.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part IV, clause 12: ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOBS:
We oppose Republican efforts to curtail embryonic stem cell research and urge the Massachusetts Legislature to provide funding to our excellent researchers to develop well-regulated technologies.
Bill H. 2792 & S. 2032
; roll call number 020
passed 117-37 on Mar. 31, 2005
Voted NO on Exempting new corporations from minimum excise tax
Platform indicates voting YES in Part IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOBS
The current law computes excise tax for a corporation as the greater of 0.7% of the value of its property (subsection a) or $400 (subsection b). This amendment would mean that a newly formed corporation would not need to pay excise tax for the first two years if the value of the excise tax computed by subsection (a) was less than $400. That is no excise tax for the first two years if the corporation's property is worth less than $57,142.86.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part IV, clause 2: ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOBS:
In order to grow the economy in Massachusetts, we need a healthy business environment that includes adequate funding for workforce training, user-friendly regulations, technology infrastructure, and special support for small businesses and agriculture.
Bill H. 4381
; roll call number 218
rejected 38-116 on Oct. 6, 2005
Voted NO on $2.5M more for collective bargaining at UMass
Platform indicates voting YES in Part V: LABOR
The amendment would add a Boston SEIU chapter (Service Employees
International Union) to the list of unions at the University of
Massachusetts for whom there is a collective bargaining reserve fund. The
amendment would increase the allocation for that reserve fund from $19.9
million to $22.4 million.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part V, clause 4: LABOR:
We support laws that guarantee the right of employees to join a union of their choice and to engage in
collective bargaining.
Bill H.2010 item 1599-4123
; roll call number 005
rejected 19-128 on Feb 15, 2005
Voted YES on Veto override for $220K for homelessness
Platform indicates voting YES in Part VI: HOUSING
Budget Item 7004-3036 was reduced by the Governor from $1,221,925 to $1,000,000; the Governor
disapproved $141,000 for Just-A-Start housing stabilization conflict management services, a program to prevent homelessness;
and $80,925 for the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance.
A vote of YES would override the Governor's veto and fund the two programs.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part VI, clause 1 & 3: HOUSING:
Massachusetts Democrats are committed to ending homelessness in our Commonwealth.
We believe that some people need assistance in paying for housing for some part or all of their lives, and we are committed to providing that assistance through increases in state and federal programs.
Budget item 7004-3036 in H.4001
; roll call number 127
passed 143-8 on July 14, 2005
Voted YES on Studying how MA can overcome federal workfare rules
Platform indicates voting YES in Part VII: SOCIAL SECURITY AND THE SAFETY NET.
The governor vetoed the part of Budget Item 1599-4408 which authorized a study on
potential state responses to federal welfare rule changes. The study would propose methods to
maintain existing welfare coverage when federal changes reduced such coverage. A YEA vote would
override the governor's veto, restoring authorization for the study.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part VII, clause 3: SOCIAL SECURITY AND THE SAFETY NET:
We support restoration of crucial federal funding for “safety net” programs.
Budget Item 1599-4408
; roll call number 093
passed 130-19 on July 14, 2005
Voted NO on Reinstating capital punishment
Platform indicates voting YES in Part X: SAFETY, JUSTICE AND CRIME PREVENTION
The Governor recommended legislation reinstating capital punishment in the Commonwealth.
A vote of YES would include the Governor's recommended bill, and would reinstate the death penalty for certain crimes, and with numerous safeguards against abuse.
The crimes included: terrorism; killing police officers; torture; or murder-sprees.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part X, clause 3: SAFETY, JUSTICE AND CRIME PREVENTION:
In opposing the reinstatement of the death penalty, Massachusetts Democrats join with other western democracies in upholding the Universal Doctrine of Human Rights. Instead, the Commonwealth imposes life in prison without parole for first-degree murderers.
Bill 3834
; roll call number 302
rejected 53-100 on Nov. 15, 2005
Voted YES on Replacing restrictions on local aid allocations
Platform indicates voting YES in Part XII: TAXES AND PUBLIC SERVICES
A budget amendment (introduced by Rep. Jones, R, North Reading) to Section 44 of the
proposed FY06 budget would require that half of state revenue above $14.6 billion must go to
local aid, up to $200 million total. The replacement amendment (introduced by Rep. St. Fleur,
D, Boston) would maintain the existing local aid distribution formula. A vote of YEA would
replace the restricted formula with the existing distribution formula.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part XII, clause 4: TAXES AND PUBLIC SERVICES:
Recognizing that small communities face unique challenges in providing government services with largely volunteer citizen officials, we support state and regional efforts to educate and empower local officials with the information and resources necessary to carry out their duties in a professional manner.
Bill H. 4000 amendment #133
; roll call number 054
passed 131-27 on Apr. 29, 2005
Voted YES on Postponing reduction of income tax to 5%
Platform indicates voting YES in Part XII: TAXES AND PUBLIC SERVICES
An amendment was proposed to reduce income tax to 5%. An amendment to the amendment stating that it can't take effect until the department of revenue does a study on numerous related consequences.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part XII, clause 1: TAXES AND PUBLIC SERVICES:
Massachusetts Democrats condemn the tax cuts that leave cities and towns to fend for themselves with only the regressive property tax as the primary source of revenue.
Bill H. 4440
; roll call number 238
passed 134-21 on Oct. 18, 2005
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.