State of Massachusetts secondary Archives: on Welfare & Poverty

Charlie Baker: Raise both minimum wage & Earned Income Tax Credit

BAKER: "I committed to an increase in the minimum wage and I meant it. But I really do believe that part of this package ultimately ought to include an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is a far better way to support low income families, people working 40 hours a week in low wage jobs who have children. There are a ton of people who are going to benefit from this minimum wage increase, who don't necessarily fall into that category."

BRAUDE: But would you sign it as is, if it was on your desk?

BAKER: "Well, it wouldn't come to my desk without the things I want, because I would work so hard with the legislature to get from here to there."

Charlie Baker: Make housing policy with transportation policy in mind

• First, continue to invest in public transportation.
• Second, we must make the investments in public infrastructure that will enable the next generation of zero emission & autonomous vehicles to thrive here in the Commonwealth.
• Third, reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the transportation system.
• Finally, we need to more fully appreciate the relationship between where people live and where they work and how state and local government policies affect their ability to get from one to the other. Our housing bill was a strong step in the right direction to deal with this. It respected the need for communities to plan for themselves, but created incentives to tie development more closely to overarching strategies concerning transportation and land use generally. In the end, it failed because it was too much for some and not enough for others.

Charlie Baker: $1.8B for production and preservation of affordable housing

Summary by CEDAC, May/31/18: Governor Charlie Baker signed H.4536, authorizing $1.8 billion in new capital spending for the production and preservation of affordable housing, to modernize public housing, preserve the affordability of existing housing and invest in new, innovative solutions to address Massachusetts' rising demand for housing.

The highly effective MassWorks Infrastructure Program supported the creation of more than 3,000 housing units. And, the administration reformed the Housing Development Incentive Program, which is on track to facilitate more than 900 new units in Gateway Cities.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 151-2-7 on May/23/18; Passed Senate 38-0-2 on May/23/18; Signed by Governor Charlie Baker on May/31/18.

Deval Patrick: Promote more multi-family housing starts

Don Berwick: All means all: focus on equality and poverty

But perhaps the biggest surprise of the day came from Berwick, a rookie politician who's advocating for a single-payer health insurance system. Berwick finished just 1 percentage point behind the sitting attorney general. He's not well-known, but he's a rock star in the progressive wing. Berwick's supporters chanted "all means all," a reference to his focus on equality and poverty.

Geoff Diehl: $1.8B for production and preservation of affordable housing

Summary by CEDAC, May/31/18: Governor Charlie Baker signed H.4536, authorizing $1.8 billion in new capital spending for the production and preservation of affordable housing, to modernize public housing, preserve the affordability of existing housing and invest in new, innovative solutions to address Massachusetts' rising demand for housing.

The highly effective MassWorks Infrastructure Program supported the creation of more than 3,000 housing units. And, the administration reformed the Housing Development Incentive Program, which is on track to facilitate more than 900 new units in Gateway Cities.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 151-2-7 on May/23/18; Sate Rep. Geoff Diehl voted YES; Passed Senate 38-0-2 on May/23/18; Signed by Governor Charlie Baker on May/31/18.

Jay Gonzalez: Back to FDR values: good home, school, doctor, & job

"We've lost that, and because we're an unequal society one of the problems is the people at the top when they have trouble with the home, school, doctor, job they have enough money to go get it from somewhere else. But people in lower income brackets they don't have those extra resources. When you have expanding inequality you also see increasing pressure on people who are struggling. And that's a special responsibility of the governor to point out that to prosper as a state we have to prosper together."

Jay Gonzalez: Address the affordable housing crisis

Karyn Polito: Voted NO on removing funds for Affordable Housing Trust

Vote on an amendment which would reject two sections of MGL Chapter 40B. The first section to be rejected would require affordable dwelling units in 10% of every residential development (limited to residents below 80 of the area median income). The second section to be rejected would earmark state aid for a municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Relevant platform section: Part VII: Housing: "We believe the public sector has a vital role to play in the provision of safe, affordable, and fair housing. We recognize a crisis in housing costs across the Commonwealth, and we advocate a heightened priority for affordability initiatives."

Source citation: Bill H.4240 ; vote number H626

Karyn Polito: Voted YES on rejecting $25M earmarked for Housing Trust Fund

Gov. Romney vetoed a budget line item ("Section 239") which would earmark $25 million for the Smart Growth Housing Trust Fund. The $25 million came from a one-time sale of surplus properties. Romney recommended placing the money into the General Fund instead. A no vote would maintain the earmark of the $25 million while a yes vote would agree with Romney's amendment.

Relevant platform section: Urban Investment: We back the establishment of community development banks and recognize the vital role of community-based development organizations in providing affordable housing.

Source citation: Bill Amendment Override, Sec. 239 ; vote number H700

Karyn Polito: Voted YES on $2 million for Mass Rental Voucher Program

This vote is a veto override on a budget section. The governor exercise the line-item veto on $2 million in funding to the Mass Rental Voucher Program. Voting YES would restore $2 million to the program, and hence indicates support of the Mass Rental Voucher Program.

The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part vi. HOUSING, clause 5: We support a portable public housing subsidy that can be used throughout the Commonwealth.

Bill H.4001 budget item 7004-9024 ; vote number H147

Karyn Polito: Voted YES on veto override for $220K for homelessness

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.

Bill H.4001 budget item 7004-3036 ; vote number H127

Karyn Polito: Voted NO on studying how to overcome federal workfare rules

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.

Bill H.4001 budget item 1599-4408 ; vote number H093

Karyn Polito: Voted YES on restricting welfare benefits to 5 years

This vote was on an amendment to a welfare reform bill. The amendment would count time when a family is unable to work towards a 5 year lifetime limit of benefits. Voting NO would prevent welfare recipients from being unfairly sanctioned from benefits and put at risk.

The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part vii. SOCIAL SECURITY AND THE SAFETY NET, Clause 2 and 3: Protecting the elderly and disabled is one of the core values of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. We support restoration of crucial federal funding for "safety net" programs.

Bill H. 4367, sec. 7; vote number H191

Karyn Polito: Voted NO on allowing parents on welfare to attend school

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 & 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... We recognize that for some, that transition may take a lifetime."

Source citation: Supporting the Transition from Welfare to Work; Bill Section 528 ; vote number 368

Karyn Polito: Voted YES on workfare for mothers of 2- to 6-year-olds

[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."

Source citation: Section 487 ; vote number 80

Marty Walsh: Voted YES on workfare for mothers of 2- to 6-year-olds

[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."

Source citation: Section 487 ; vote number 80

Marty Walsh: Voted YES on allowing parents on welfare to attend school

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 & 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... We recognize that for some, that transition may take a lifetime."

Source citation: Supporting the Transition from Welfare to Work; Bill Section 528 ; vote number 368

Marty Walsh: Voted NO on removing funds for Affordable Housing Trust

Vote on an amendment which would reject two sections of MGL Chapter 40B. The first section to be rejected would require affordable dwelling units in 10% of every residential development (limited to residents below 80 of the area median income). The second section to be rejected would earmark state aid for a municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Relevant platform section: Part VII: Housing: "We believe the public sector has a vital role to play in the provision of safe, affordable, and fair housing. We recognize a crisis in housing costs across the Commonwealth, and we advocate a heightened priority for affordability initiatives."

Source citation: Bill H.4240 ; vote number H626

Marty Walsh: Voted NO on rejecting $25M earmarked for Housing Trust Fund

Gov. Romney vetoed a budget line item ("Section 239") which would earmark $25 million for the Smart Growth Housing Trust Fund. The $25 million came from a one-time sale of surplus properties. Romney recommended placing the money into the General Fund instead. A no vote would maintain the earmark of the $25 million while a yes vote would agree with Romney's amendment.

Relevant platform section: Urban Investment: We back the establishment of community development banks and recognize the vital role of community-based development organizations in providing affordable housing.

Source citation: Bill Amendment Override, Sec. 239 ; vote number H700

Marty Walsh: Voted YES on $2 million for Mass Rental Voucher Program

This vote is a veto override on a budget section. The governor exercise the line-item veto on $2 million in funding to the Mass Rental Voucher Program. Voting YES would restore $2 million to the program, and hence indicates support of the Mass Rental Voucher Program.

The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part vi. HOUSING, clause 5: We support a portable public housing subsidy that can be used throughout the Commonwealth.

Bill H.4001 budget item 7004-9024 ; vote number H147

Marty Walsh: Voted YES on veto override for $220K for homelessness

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.

Bill H.4001 budget item 7004-3036 ; vote number H127

Marty Walsh: Voted YES on studying how to overcome federal workfare rules

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.

Bill H.4001 budget item 1599-4408 ; vote number H093

Marty Walsh: Voted NO on restricting welfare benefits to 5 years

This vote was on an amendment to a welfare reform bill. The amendment would count time when a family is unable to work towards a 5 year lifetime limit of benefits. Voting NO would prevent welfare recipients from being unfairly sanctioned from benefits and put at risk.

The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part vii. SOCIAL SECURITY AND THE SAFETY NET, Clause 2 and 3: Protecting the elderly and disabled is one of the core values of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. We support restoration of crucial federal funding for "safety net" programs.

Bill H. 4367, sec. 7; vote number H191

Richard Tisei: Voted NO on allowing parents on welfare to attend school

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 & 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... We recognize that for some, that transition may take a lifetime."

Source citation: Supporting the Transition from Welfare to Work; Bill Section 528 ; vote number 368

Scott Brown: Voted NO on allowing parents on welfare to attend school

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 & 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... We recognize that for some, that transition may take a lifetime."

Source citation: Supporting the Transition from Welfare to Work; Bill Section 528 ; vote number 368

Scott Brown: Voted YES on workfare for mothers of 2- to 6-year-olds

[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."

Source citation: Section 487 ; vote number 80

Setti Warren: Economic inequality is the defining issue of our time

Sonia Chang-Diaz: $1.8B for production and preservation of affordable housing

Summary by CEDAC, May/31/18: Governor Charlie Baker signed H.4536, authorizing $1.8 billion in new capital spending for the production and preservation of affordable housing, to modernize public housing, preserve the affordability of existing housing and invest in new, innovative solutions to address Massachusetts' rising demand for housing.

The highly effective MassWorks Infrastructure Program supported the creation of more than 3,000 housing units. And, the administration reformed the Housing Development Incentive Program, which is on track to facilitate more than 900 new units in Gateway Cities.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 151-2-7 on May/23/18; Passed Senate 38-0-2 on May/23/18; State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz voted YES; Signed by Governor Charlie Baker on May/31/18.