2003-04 Mass Scorecard for State Representative William Straus

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Democrat representing Tenth Bristol
Office: 26
Phone: (617) 722-2080
E-mail: Rep.WilliamStraus@hou.state.ma.us
Website: http://www.state.ma.us/legis/member/wms1.htm

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

This Scorecard reflects votes from the 2003-2004 legislative session. Click here for the 2005-2006 Scorecard.



Fundamental Issue in MassDems' Party Platform
(Click for full text of platform section)
Summary of related issue put to vote
(Click for House Journal references)
This Rep's vote on this issue Party platform on this issue
Part I: Families & Children
  Persons with Disabilities
Jul 10, 2003:Veto override of $200K reduction to blind job program Straus: YESPlatform: YES
  No Child Left Behind Jul 10, 2003:Veto override of federal school breakfast supplement Straus: YESPlatform: YES
  Persons with Disabilities Jul 10, 2003:Veto override of $900K for disability & mentoring aid Straus: YESPlatform: YES
  Domestic Partnership Feb 11, 2004:defining marriage as one man and one woman Straus: NOPlatform: NO
Part II: Education
  Full Funding
May 6, 2003:3-year moratorium on charter schools Straus: NOPlatform: YES
  Full Funding Jun 4, 2003:Allow municipal meals tax, in addition to state meals tax Straus: NOPlatform: YES
  Full Funding Jul 20, 2004:moratorium on expansion of charter schools Straus: YESPlatform: YES
  Excellence, Equality and Community Jul 14, 2003:Exempting two-way bilingual programs from English-only rules Straus: YESPlatform: YES
Part III: Health Care
  Mental Health
Jul 10, 2003:Veto override of "Turning 22" mental disability program Straus: YESPlatform: YES
  Tobacco Oct 22, 2003:tax credits for all smoking regulation costs Straus: NOPlatform: NO
  Health Care Jul 14, 2004:amending the Constitution to call for universal health care Straus: YESPlatform: YES
Part IV: Economic Growth
  A Healthy Business Environment
May 1, 2003:Defeating corporate tax disclosure Straus: YESPlatform: NO
  A Healthy Business Environment May 1, 2003:Extending corporate tax credit 5 years Straus: YESPlatform: NO
  Supporting the Transition from Welfare to Work May 5, 2003:Requiring workfare for mothers of 2- to 6-year-olds Straus: YESPlatform: NO
  Workforce Training Jan 13, 2004:investing in emerging technologies, math & science Fund. Straus: YESPlatform: YES
  Competitive Advantage and a Global Economy Jan 14, 2004:funding for International Trade Council to promote exports Straus: YESPlatform: YES
  Supporting the Transition from Welfare to Work Jul 16, 2003:allowing parents on welfare to go back to school Straus: YESPlatform: YES
Part V: Fiscal Responsibility
  Tax Fairness and Responsible Budgeting
Apr 30, 2003:Borrow $300 million to offset the budget deficit via bonds Straus: NOPlatform: NO
  Tax Fairness and Responsible Budgeting Apr 30, 2003:Raising the income tax to 5.95% to offset the budget deficit Straus: NOPlatform: YES
Part VI: Safety & Justice
  Legal Services
Jul 10, 2003:Veto override of Mass Correctional Legal Services Straus: YESPlatform: YES
  Crime Prevention Feb 10, 2004:earmarking funds for women's substance abuse program Straus: YESPlatform: YES
Part VII: Housing
  Housing
May 10, 2004:removing funds for Affordable Housing Trust Straus: YESPlatform: NO
  Urban Investment Jul 8, 2004:rejecting $25M earmarked for Housing Trust Fund Straus: NOPlatform: NO
Part VIII: Environment
  Food Safety, Pesticides and Public Health
Jul 8, 2003:Veto override of reduced fees for blood lead level testing Straus: YESPlatform: YES
  Safeguarding Natural Resources Nov 17, 2003:Veto override to keep park maintenance funding within MDC Straus: YESPlatform: YES
  Toxics Use Reductions Jul 30, 2004:requiring dental amalgam (mercury) separators Straus: YESPlatform: YES
Part IX: Political Reform (No votes on which to base response)
Part X: Worker Rights
  Occupational Safety
Jul 16, 2003:Early retirement for cases of MWRA-work-related cancer Straus: YESPlatform: YES
Part XI: America & the World (No votes on which to base response)
Number of votes in 2003-04 in accord with Democratic Party Platform: 20 out of 27 votes.
Summary letter grade:
A=90% or better; B=80%; C=70%; D=60%; F=below 60%
C

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 Bristol County:     William Straus voting record:
Antonio Cabral
Michael Coppola
Robert Correia
James Fagan
Patricia Haddad
Mark Howland
Robert Koczera
John Lepper
Elizabeth Poirier
John Quinn
Michael Rodrigues
David Sullivan
Philip Travis
Part I: Families & Children
Part II: Education
Part III: Health Care
Part IV: Economic Growth
Part V: Fiscal Responsibility
Part VI: Safety & Justice
Part VII: Housing
Part VIII: Environment
Part IX: Political Reform
Part X: Worker Rights
Part XI: America & the World

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