Massachusetts House of Representatives -- Vote Descriptions

Vote summary	Vote Description	Relevant Platform section
Defining marriage as one man and one woman Platform indicates YES based on Part I: Families & Children (Domestic Partnership) Vote number 522 on Constitutional Amendment on February 11, 2004	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."	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."
Veto override of $200K reduction to blind job program Platform indicates YES based on Part I: Families & Children Vote number 251 on Budget Veto Override on July 10, 2003	"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.	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."" "
Veto override of federal school breakfast supplement Platform indicates YES based on Part I: Families & Children Vote number 252 on Budget Veto Override on July 10, 2003	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.	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]."
Veto override of $900K for disability & mentoring aid Platform indicates YES based on Part I: Families & Children Vote number 254 on Budget Veto Override on July 10, 2003	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].	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.”
3-year moratorium on charter schools Platform indicates YES based on Part II: Education Vote number 88 on H.4000 on May 6, 2003	"Would require 3 yr moratorium and empower commission to study feasibility of charter schools	PART II: EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND OPPORTUNITY: Full Funding: ""We call upon the state to change funding of Commonwealth Charter schools to ensure that funds are not drained from established public schools."" "
Allow municipal meals tax, in addition to state meals tax Platform indicates YES based on Part II: Education Vote number 122 on Section 100 on June 4, 2003	"Any city or town shall be authorized to impose a local excise tax upon the sale of meals, of 1% of the total price thereof. The local excise tax imposed shall be paid by the vendor in the same manner as the excise tax due the commonwealth. All sums received shall at least quarterly be distributed, credited and paid by the state treasurer to each city or town. [Provides a new revenue source for cities and towns to pay for schools and other local services].	PART II: EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND OPPORTUNITY: Full Funding: ""We believe education must be a top priority at all levels of government, and we reject policies that direct funds away from the children and the programs in our public schools to finance political promises of tax reductions or to other unrelated purposes. We support just and equitable funding mechanisms that provide for vibrant public schools in all communities."""
Exempting two-way bilingual programs from English-only rules. Platform indicates voting YES based on Part II: Education Vote number 266 on Budget Veto Override Section 209 on July 14, 2003	Gov. Romney vetoed budget section 210, which says. “Section 4 of MGL chapter 71A is hereby further amended to add:— “Foreign language classes for children who already know English, 2-way bilingual programs for students in kindergarten through grade 12 and special education programs for physically or mentally impaired students shall be unaffected.” [MGL chapter 71A requires English-only classroom teaching. Section 210 would exempt “2-way classes” in which some students are native English speakers and some are non-native English speakers. A vote to override the Governor's veto would continue to allow that type of bilingual education although foreign-language classes without native English-speaking students would still be disallowed.]	Part II: Education, Training, And Opportunity -- Excellence, Equality and Community: “We reaffirm our support for classroom programs, including Special and Bilingual Education”
Moratorium on expansion of charter schools Platform indicates YES based on Part II: Education Vote number 740 on Veto Override, sec. 312 on July 20, 2004	Gov. Romney vetoed a budget line item ("Section 312") which would impose a moratorium on additional charter schools, and additional enrollment at existing charter schools, and would suspend the five charters granted in 2004, pending additional study on the subject. The House vote was to override the governor's veto. A yes vote would override the veto and impose the moratorium. A no vote would sustain the veto and allow the next round of expansion of charter schools.	Part II: Education: Full Funding: "We call upon the state to change funding of Commonwealth Charter schools to ensure that funds are not drained from established public schools."
Tax credits for all smoking regulation costs Platform indicates NO based on Part III: Health Care (Tobacco) Vote number 430 on H.4249 on October 22, 2003	Corporations shall be allowed a tax credit equal to 100 per cent of the costs incurred, for the purchase and installation of ventilation systems and any other materials used in the construction of a designated smoking area designed to reduce the presence of smoke in non-smoking areas, pursuant to any board of health regulation, city ordinance, town bylaw, or any other municipal variance or exemption. [The effect of this amendment would be to make legislating restrictions on smoking more difficult].	Part III: Health Care: Tobacco: " We support legislation to regulate smoking in the workplace and all public settings."
Veto override of $10M cut in the uncompensated care pool Platform indicates YES based on Part III: Health Care Vote number 170 on Budget Veto Override on July 8, 2003	Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which eliminated $9,670,807 in funding for the uncompensated care pool. This care pool provides health care for people who would otherwise not be covered for hospital visits.	PART III: HEALTH CARE, ACCESS & CHOICE: Access and Costs: “We remain committed to extending proper coverage to each of the hundreds of thousands of residents still uninsured, and to aiding the even greater number who are underinsured, or at risk of being so.”
Veto override of "Turning 22" mental disability program Platform indicates YES based on Part III: Health Care Vote number 253 on Budget Veto Override on July 10, 2003	Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which eliminated state funding for the "Turning 22" program, which provides residential and treatment services for severely disabled individuals (who are mandated to exit other state programs after age 21). "Turning 22" is designed to allow a person to remain where his or her family lives.	PART III: HEALTH CARE, ACCESS & CHOICE: Mental Health: “Our Party supports the full implementation of mental health policies which will provide emergence care, family support, and appropriate housing to our citizens with chronic mental health disorders. “
Amending the Constitution to call for universal health care Platform indicates YES based on Part III: Health Care Vote number 721 on the Constitutional Amendment on July 14, 2004	Vote on a Constitutional Amendment: Upon ratification of this amendment and thereafter, it shall be the obligation and duty of the Legislature and executive officials, on behalf of the Commonwealth, to enact and implement such laws, subject to approval by the voters at a statewide election, as will ensure that no Massachusetts resident lacks comprehensive, affordable and equitably financed health insurance coverage for all medically necessary preventive, acute and chronic health care and mental health care services, prescription drugs and devices.	Part III: Health Care: Health Care: "Our Party supports the creation of a single-payer health care system both in Massachusetts and in the nation in order to achieve the goal of universal health care. We understand that other methods are less satisfactory to us, but we remain committed to ensuring that every man, woman, and child in our state should have access to high quality health care."
Funding for International Trade Council to promote exports Platform indicates YES based on Part IV: Economic Growth (Competitive Advantage and a Global Economy) Vote number 424 on Veto Override, Item 7007-1300 on January 15, 2004	Vote on veto override of Supplemental appropriations, International Trade Council: Item 7007-1300 (contained in section 2 as $1,100,000, see House, No. 4330), which had returned by the Governor with a reduction (to $500,000; for message, see House, No. 4365), was considered.	Part IV: Economic Growth: Competitive Advantage and a Global Economy: "We believe the extraordinary depth and breadth of the knowledge-based sector of the Massachusetts economy is a key competitive edge in the global market. We champion strong federal research & development funding programs, and assistance to smaller companies and startups seeking to commercialize promising technology. We encourage open global trade that promotes fair employment and sound environmental standards by our trading partners. We support state and federal efforts to promote Massachusetts exports."
Investing in emerging technologies, math & science Fund. Platform indicates YES based on Part IV: Economic Growth (Workforce Training) Vote number 481 on Veto Override, sec.70 on January 13, 2004	Vote on overriding the governor's veto of the following section: (Section 70): contained in the engrossed Bill relative to investments in emerging technologies to promote job creation, economic stability and competitiveness in the Massachusetts economy.	Part IV: Economic Growth: Workforce Training: "We are aware that one out of three workers in this state need additional skills to maintain their employment in today’s changing economy.... In the face of a global economy and advanced technology, workers need ongoing skill development and job training. We support increased public and private funding for business and labor to address the Massachusetts skills gap."
Funding for International Trade Council to promote exports Platform indicates YES based on Part IV: Economic Growth (Competitive Advantage and a Global Economy) Vote number 495 on Veto Override, Item 7007-1300 on January 14, 2004	Vote on veto override of Supplemental appropriations, International Trade Council: Item 7007-1300 (contained in section 2 as $1,100,000, see House, No. 4330), which had returned by the Governor with a reduction (to $500,000; for message, see House, No. 4365), was considered.	Part IV: Economic Growth: Competitive Advantage and a Global Economy: "We believe the extraordinary depth and breadth of the knowledge-based sector of the Massachusetts economy is a key competitive edge in the global market. We champion strong federal research & development funding programs, and assistance to smaller companies and startups seeking to commercialize promising technology. We encourage open global trade that promotes fair employment and sound environmental standards by our trading partners. We support state and federal efforts to promote Massachusetts exports."
Defeating corporate tax disclosure Platform indicates NO based on Part IV: Economic Growth Vote number 69 on H.4000 on May 1, 2003	Would study corporate tax disclosure, defeating measure to implement it. The vote is to amend Section 470 of the FY04 budget (New Section 457a) to establish a special commission on taxation, consisting of 5 Democrats and 2 Republicans. The Commission will make its recommendations in January 2004 [hence postponing the disclosure rule until the next fiscal year].	PART IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH, JOBS & SECURITY: A Healthy Business Environment: "We support monitoring the costs of doing business in the Commonwealth, so that companies can grow and compete while still meeting their obligations to workers and the community."
Extending corporate tax credit 5 years Platform indicates NO based on Part IV: Economic Growth Vote number 71 on H.4000 on May 1, 2003	Would extend corporate tax credit 5 years. Vote was on an amendment to the FY04 Budget, Outside Section 165, changing the limit on corporate tax credits from 14 years to 19 years. The corporate tax credit is in MGL 63-31a, which allows an excise tax credit for manufacturing companies on leased equipment.	PART IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH, JOBS & SECURITY: A Healthy Business Environment: "We support tax incentives for business when accompanied by commitments to good corporate citizenship and enforceable terms assuring continued investment in Massachusetts."
Requiring workfare for mothers of 2- to 6-year-olds Platform indicates NO based on Part IV: Economic Growth Vote number 80 on Section 487 on May 5, 2003	[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.	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."
Allowing parents on welfare to go back to school. Platform indicates voting YES based on Part IV: Economic Growth, Jobs & Security Vote number 368 on Budget Veto Override Section 528 on July 16, 2003	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 and Responsibility Act of 1996.	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 and to advance into more highly paid jobs. 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. We support measures that reduce, not increase, the number of children living in poverty."
Borrow $300 million to offset the budget deficit via bonds Platform indicates NO based on Part V: Fiscal Responsibility Vote number 62 on Amendment to MGL 29 on April 30, 2003	The state shall issue and sell bonds of the Commonwealth in an amount [up to] $300,000,000. All such bonds shall be payable not later than June 30, 2010. All interest and payments on account of principal on such obligation bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be special obligations of the Commonwealth. [Establishes a 7-year bond program to borrow money to pay off the budget deficit]	PART V: FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, TAX EQUITY, & PUBLIC STEWARDSHIP: Tax Fairness and Responsible Budgeting: "Budgets should be fiscally responsible and balanced without gimmicks."
Raising the income tax to 5.95% to offset the budget deficit Platform indicates YES based on Part V: Fiscal Responsibility Vote number 64 on Section 470 on April 30, 2003	Taxable income shall be taxed at the rate of 5.95 per cent for tax years beginning in 2003, for Part B income. [Restore tax rate to previous level].	PART V: FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, TAX EQUITY, & PUBLIC STEWARDSHIP: Tax Fairness and Responsible Budgeting: "We believe that taxes should be fair and based on ability to pay, and that budgets should be fiscally responsible and balanced without gimmicks."
Establishing a Substance Abuse Health Protection Fund Platform indicates YES based on Part VI: Safety & Justice (Crime Prevention) Vote number 425 on H.1474 on October 8, 2003	Establishing a Substance Abuse Health Protection Fund for the following purposes: (a) For a comprehensive substance abuse treatment program for the treatment of individuals who are dependent on or addicted to alcohol or controlled substances; (b) To fund such substance abuse treatment programs; (c) For comprehensive school health education programs abotu substance abuse; and (d) For workplace-based and community substance abuse prevention and drinking cessation programs, for substance abuse-related public service advertising and for drug and alcohol education programs.	Part VI: Safety & Justice: Crime Prevention: "We support increased efforts to work with troubled young people and we support the development of secure substance abuse treatment facilities for adolescents and women. We call for increased efforts to provide parental training to young parents."
Earmarking funds for women's substance abuse program Platform indicates YES based on Part VI: Safety & Justice (Crime Prevention) Vote number 520 on Veto Override, Sec. 88 on February 10, 2004	Vote on veto override of Section 88 of the FY2004 appropriations. The appropriation in House bill No. 4330 earamrks at least $99,925 for the "Latinos y Ninos" program which addresses the needs of Latino women in substance abuse recovery. The governor's veto message (No. 4365), said "I am vetoing this section because it unnecessarily earmarks the use of funds at the Department of Public Health."	Part VI: Safety & Justice: Crime Prevention: "We support increased efforts to work with troubled young people and we support the development of secure substance abuse treatment facilities for adolescents and women."
Veto override of Mass Correctional Legal Services Platform indicates YES based on Part VI: Safety & Justice Vote number 258 on Budget Veto Override on July 10, 2003	Override Gov. Romney's veto of Budget Line Item 0321-2100, $500,000 for the Massachusetts Correctional Legal Services (MCLS). MCLS provides the only legal aid to indigent incarcerated individuals.	PART VI: SAFETY, JUSTICE & CRIME PREVENTION Legal Services: “We support publicly funded legal services to provide legal representation and advice on issues such as housing, employment, domestic violence, health, elder law, public benefits, and immigration. We urge full state and federal funding of such services. “
Removing funds for Affordable Housing Trust Platform indicates YES based on Part VII: Housing (Housing) Vote number 626 on H.4240 on May 10, 2004	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.	Part VII: Housing: 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."
Rejecting $25M earmarked for Housing Trust Fund Platform indicates NO based on Part VII: Housing Vote number 700 on Amendment Override, Sec. 239 on July 8, 2004	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.	Part VII: Housing: Urban Investment: "We back the establishment of community development banks and recognize the vital role of community-based development organizations in providing affordable housing."
Veto override to keep park maintenance funding within MDC Platform indicates YES based on Part VIII: Environment (Safeguarding Natural Resources) Vote number 447 on Veto Override on November 17, 2003	Vote on overriding the governor's veto of the following section: The division of urban parks and recreation in the department of conservation and recreation shall assume the sole responsibility for the delivery and the performance of services for all maintenance and repair work, including snow and ice control, for the roads and bridges previously under the control of the Metropolitan District Commission. No MDC assets or services may be transferred either in whole or in part to any other agency, without the express prior approval of the general court.	Part VIII: Environment: Safeguarding Natural Resources. "We support rules and incentives for safeguarding natural resources and acquisitions of land, water and recreational resources. We believe in the value of public parks and beaches in our Commonwealth that are clean, safe, well maintained, and which offer a wide range of recreational choices."
Veto override of reduced fees for blood lead level testing Platform indicates YES based on Part VIII: Environment Vote number 176 on Budget Veto Override on July 8, 2003	"Override Gov. Romney's veto of exception of fees charged for the testing of blood lead levels (fees charged by the division of occupational safety). The fees would be limited based on the fees in 2002. Relevant budget section: SECTION 631. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary and with the exception of fees charged for the testing of blood lead levels, fees charged by the division of occupational safety... shall be set at a rate not less than twice the rate charged on July 1, 2002."	PART VIII: ENVIRONMENT, PRESERVATION & SUSTAINABLITY: Food Safety, Pesticides and Public Health: “We believe state and federal regulatory agencies should pay especially close attention to pollutants that have a direct impact on our families’ health, with a particular emphasis on regulating mercury, arsenic, pesticides, and lead.”
Requiring dental amalgam (mercury) separators Platform indicates YES based on Part VIII: Environment Vote number 875 on Veto Override, sec. 41 on July 30, 2004	Gov. Romney vetoed a budget line item ("Section 41") which would require the use of advanced filtration technology, certified amalgam separators at each dental office in Massachusetts, and would empower the department of environmental protection to enforce this (because dental amalgam contains high levels of mercury). The House vote was to override the governor's veto. A yes vote would override the veto and impose the requirement. A no vote would sustain the veto and not require separating out the mercury.	Part VIII: Environment: Toxics Use Reductions: "We strongly support the state's Toxics Use Reduction Law and other Right-to-Know measures that help protect public and worker health while encouraging reduced use of environmentally hazardous materials. We advocate expanded disclosure with respect to highly toxic substances like lead and mercury and pesticides."
Early retirement for cases of MWRA-work-related cancer Platform indicates YES based on Part X: Worker Rights Vote number 397 on Budget Veto Override on July 16, 2003	Gov. Romney vetoed budget section 673, which says: “A person who has been in the state retirement system for more than 35 years, with at least 10 or more of those years in the employment of the Massachusetts Water and Resources Administration; who, in the course of his state employment was exposed to asbestos or other hazardous materials; and who has been diagnosed with an extraneously cancer related illness as well as an extraneously cardio-vascular cardiac related illness, shall be eligible for early retirement with surviving spouse benefits at a compensation rate equivalent to his current salary, if the individual makes application for an early retirement on or before December 31, 2003.” A YEA vote would override the veto and fund the early retirement arrangement.	PART X: WORKERS’ RIGHTS AND FUTURES: Occupational Safety -- "We support environmental Right-to-Know laws about chemical and other potential dangers to worker health. We oppose efforts to weaken workplace safety standards, or the ability of OSHA or state-level agencies to enforce them."

Following are votes which do NOT count on the Mass Scorecard, with the reason for which they were rejected. We include this section to demonstrate our vetting process.

Excluded because it addresses the same issue as rollcall #88. Expanding charter schools program
Platform indicates NO based on Part II: Education
Vote number 87 on H.4000 on May 6, 2003
"Would study charter school moratorium, killing measure to implement moratorium PART II: EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND OPPORTUNITY: Full Funding: ""We call upon the state to change funding of Commonwealth Charter schools to ensure that funds are not drained from established public schools."" "

Excluded because it authorizes GUIDELINES, without authorizing the actual sale of naming rights. Selling naming rights on state forests and parks
Platform indicates NO based on Part IV: Economic Growth
Vote number 78 on Section 484 on May 5, 2003
The department of parks and recreation is hereby authorized to develop guidelines and criteria on the subject of the public sale of naming rights for state forests and parks or for facilities within state forests and parks. PART IV: ECONOMIC GROWTH, JOBS & SECURITY: Privatization Accountability: "We assert and recognize... that it is the public sector, not the private sector, which has the distinct capacity to deliver efficient, high quality services in many areas."

Excluded because the link to the platform on economic grounds, while correct in the public view, is not the primary reason that most legislators voted yea or nay. Pay raises for Legislature leaders
Platform indicates NO based on Part V: Fiscal Responsibility
Vote number 54 on H.3743 on April 14, 2003
Additional compensation for the following [legislators]: presiding officers, members of the majority and minority leadership, chairmen, vice-chairmen, assistant vice-chairmen and ranking minority members of committees -- shall be established by the joint rules of the senate and the house of representatives. [This gives power over salary to the Legislative leadership]. PART V: FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, TAX EQUITY, & PUBLIC STEWARDSHIP: Investments and Tax Relief: "We believe surpluses should go to public priorities like... the provision of tax relief targeted first to working families. We reject emphatically state or federal tax policies that redirect hard-won budget surpluses or other public revenues into the hands of a few."

Excluded because the core issue is privacy, which is not addressed in the platform. Publicizing delinquent tax payers on-line
Platform indicates NO based on Part V: Fiscal Responsibility
Vote number 85 on H.4000 on May 6, 2003
Would require making delinquent tax payers public on-line PART V: FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, TAX EQUITY, & PUBLIC STEWARDSHIP: Consumer Protection: "We support the protection of consumers and their interests in all areas of the marketplace."

Excluded because the connection to environmental impact statements is too tenuous. Requiring regulatory impact statements for new regulations
Platform indicates NO based on Part VIII: Environment
Vote number 75 on MGL Chapter 30A on May 5, 2003
Requiring a ‘Regulatory impact statement’ for all new regulations promulgated by state agencies. The statement shall:
identify the problem addressed
identify expert information and analysis
identify specifically who is affected and to what extent
identify when such regulation becomes effective, and how and when the regulation will be reviewed
describe the financial impacts of the regulation, including compliance costs and indirect costs
identify the fiscal effect over the first five years; and
describe specifically the benefits of the regulation.
[Would have the effect of making new regulations more difficult for state agencies to implement, in a manner analogous to how environmental impact statements make environmentally degradatory practices more difficult]. PART VIII: ENVIRONMENT, PRESERVATION & SUSTAINABLITY: Environmental Law Enforcement: "We believe it is a basic responsibility of government to ensure that all laws enacted to protect our environment are obeyed and enforced."

Excluded because the particular usage of the land being sold is the core issue, not the general concept of selling conservation land. Selling land currently under conservation protection
Platform indicates NO based on Part VIII: Environment
Vote number 184 on H.3831 on July 9, 2003
Would convey [sell] a certain parcel of land in the city of Fall River, [which is currently subject to] easements for conservation purposes, as defined by Article XCVII of the Amendments to the Constitution. PART VIII: ENVIRONMENT, PRESERVATION & SUSTAINABLITY: Safeguarding Natural Resources. "We support state assistance for communities to protect, by purchase or conservation restriction, threatened parcels, with a priority on riparian lands or wetlands, wildlife habitat, and urban and semi-urban communities with little open space left."

Count only roll call votes -- no voice votes, no bill sponsorships, etc.
No omnibus legislation (such as vote on the entire budget bill, because the purpose of the legislator's vote is unclear).
No constituent service votes, nor any votes that apply primarily to one locality (such as funding for a hospital or court in one legislator's district, since the vote depends more on geography than on one's stance on the issues).
Count only one vote in a series of amendments, or only one vote on any given topic (to avoid over-weighting one issue over others).
No unanimous or near-unanimous votes (because they do not distinguish legislators from one another, and likely have some other political component hidden from the apparent vote). This includes votes which split along party lines.
No procedural votes nor votes on internal rules of the Legislature.
Count only votes that clearly address a platform issue, as expressed in the platform, and as the core issue of the vote.
Do not count any "strategic" votes, or those which address vote trading instead of actual issue beliefs.
Vet all votes by confirming with elected officials on a confidential basis that the selected votes meet the criteria above, that the descriptions and platform links are fair and accurate, and that the vote is a fair representation of the legislator's view of the cooresponding section of the party platform.

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