Karyn Polito on Welfare & Poverty Eleventh Worcester Republican (MA State Rep)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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