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Michael Knapik on Fiscal Responsibility
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Vote selection and interpretation by representatives of Mass Scorecard without approval or participation from the Massachusetts Democratic Party.
Voted YES on Veto override of cuts in Water Management Act enforcement.
Platform indicates voting YES in Part VI: Safety & Justice:Environmental Law Enforcement.
Override Gov. Romney's reduction of Budget Line Item 2800-0101, which eliminated the ability of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to patrol watershed areas and enforce the Water Management Act.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is PART VIII: ENVIRONMENT, PRESERVATION & SUSTAINABILITY: 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. We support more frequent inspections, vigorous enforcement, penalties sufficiently high to take away any economic incentive to disobey the law, and earmarking a portion of such penalties for environmental cleanup."
Reference: Environmental Law Enforcement;
Bill H.4004 item 2800-0101
; vote number MA03-S221
on Jul 17, 2003
Voted NO on Veto override of cuts in consumer protections.
Platform indicates voting YES in Part VI: Safety & Justice:Consumer Protection.
Override Gov. Romney's veto of Budget Line Item 7006-0066, which cut enforcement of the state's Item Pricing law, requiring retailers to clearly label the price of each item in the store to ensure that consumers pay the correct price at check-out.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is 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."
Reference: Consumer Protection;
Bill H.4004 item 7006-0066
; vote number MA03-S243
on Jul 17, 2003
Voted YES on Requiring spending reductions to balance new appropriations.
Platform indicates voting YES in Part VI: Safety & Justice:Tax Fairness and Responsible Budgeting.
Appropriations in excess of $100,000 shall be accompanied by a corresponding provision to decrease other items of appropriation. [Applies only to amendments to appropriations bills, and disallows reducing non-discretionary items].
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part V: Fiscal Responsibility -- Tax Fairness and Responsible Budgeting: "budgets should be fiscally responsible and balanced without gimmicks"
Reference: Tax Fairness and Responsible Budgeting;
Bill Order on Sen.Rule 27A
; vote number MA03-S21
on May 8, 2003
Voted NO on Additional compensation for Legislature committee chairs.
Platform indicates voting NO in Part VI: Safety & Justice:Investments and Tax Relief.
Allowing additional compensation for Senate and House leadership positions, including committee chair positions. [This provision increases the power of the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate because, by appointing chairs, they can provide their appointees with additional income].
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part V: Fiscal Responsibility -- 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... policies that redirect hard-won budget surpluses into the hands of a few."
Reference: Investments and Tax Relief;
Bill H.3743
; vote number MA03-S18
on May 1, 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.