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Joseph Driscoll on Families & Children
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This Scorecard reflects votes from the 2003-2004 legislative session. Click here for the 2005-2006 Scorecard.
Vote selection and interpretation by representatives of Mass Scorecard without approval or participation from the Massachusetts Democratic Party.
Voted YES on defining marriage as one man and one woman.
Platform indicates voting NO in Part I: Families & Children:Domestic Partnership.
Vote on a proposed Constitutional amendment: "It being the public policy of the Commonwealth to protect the unique relationship of marriage, only the union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Massachusetts. This article is self-executing, but the General Court may enact laws... establishing civil unions."Relevant platform section:Part I: Families & Children: Domestic Partnership: "We oppose actions that would define marriage solely as a relationship between a man and a woman, and that would ban the recognition of any other relationship as marriage or its legal equivalent. We oppose efforts that would ban the provision of any benefits to gay and lesbian families that are now granted exclusively to married couples under Massachusetts law."
Bill Constitutional Amendment
; vote number MA04-H522
on Feb 11, 2004
Voted YES on Veto override of $200K reduction to blind job program.
Platform indicates voting YES in Part I: Families & Children:Persons with Disabilities.
Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which reduced by $200,000 the funding for the Ferguson Industries for the Blind, which employs blind individuals as well as providing them an opportunity for socialization and a chance to mingle with peers, learn daily living skills and gain a feeling of independence. Relevant platform section: PART I: FAMILIES & CHILDREN, DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY: Persons with Disabilities: "We reaffirm our support for The Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws to prevent discrimination on the basis of disability, and for efforts to bring the Commonwealth into full ADA compliance. We believe state assistance should be made more readily available for community-based care, and should not be inappropriately biased toward institutional settings."
Bill Veto Override
; vote number MA03-H251
on Jul 10, 2003
Voted YES on Veto override of federal school breakfast supplement.
Platform indicates voting YES in Part I: Families & Children:No Child Left Behind.
Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which eliminated a state supplement to the federally-funded school breakfast program whereby all eligible children shall be provided free, nutritious breakfasts at no cost to them. Relevant platform section: PART I: FAMILIES & CHILDREN, DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY: No Child Left Behind: "We believe that young people are our most precious resource, and we see inherent worth and promise in every child. Ours is truly the Party that seeks to “Leave No Child Behind.”We endorse, therefore, the goals established under The Children’s Defense Fund initiative of that name, to ensure every child a healthy start [which includes CDF's support of school breakfast programs]."
Bill Veto Override
; vote number MA03-H252
on Jul 10, 2003
Voted YES on Veto override of $900K for disability & mentoring aid.
Platform indicates voting YES in Part I: Families & Children:Persons with Disabilities.
Override Gov. Romney's reduction of a Budget Line Item which cut: $99,000 for Special Olympics Massachusetts; $304,000 for Work, Inc. and $500,000 for Best Buddies Massachusetts [two programs for job training of people with disabilites]. Relevant platform section: PART I: FAMILIES & CHILDREN, DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY: Persons with Disabilities: “We believe state assistance should be made more readily available for community-based care, and should not be inappropriately biased toward institutional settings.”
Bill Veto Override
; vote number MA03-H254
on Jul 10, 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.