acu foundation's ratings of massachusetts...

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Letter from the Chairman .......................................................2

Selecting the Votes .......................................................................3

2019 Winners & Losers ................................................................4

Massachusetts Senate Statistics ....................................... 6

Massachusetts Senate Scores ..............................................7

Massachusetts Senate Vote Descriptions ................ 10

Massachusetts House Statistics ........................................13

Massachusetts House Scores ..............................................14

Massachusetts House Vote Descriptions .................23

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MASSACHUSETTS2019

ACU FOUNDATION'S RATINGS ofMASSACHUSETTS2019

ACU FOUNDATION'S RATINGS of

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ACU FOUNDATION'S Ratings of Massachusetts 2019 | CENTER FOR LEGISLATIVE ACCOUNTABILITY

Dear Fellow Conservative,

The American Conservative Union Foundation’s Center for Legislative Accountability is proud to present our Ratings of the Massachusetts Legislature for 2019. Like our Ratings of Congress, which date back 48 years, ACU Foundation’s Ratings of the States are meant to reflect how elected officials view the role of government in an individual’s life. We begin with our philosophy (conservatism is the political philosophy that sovereignty resides in the person) and then apply the correct purpose of government (its essential role is to defend Life, Liberty and Property).

As a 501(c)(3) educational endeavor, these Ratings serve as a retrospective analysis to explain to voters, the media, scholars and activists how consistently lawmakers apply conservative principles when casting votes. ACU Foundation evaluates over 100,000 bills and ultimately selects around 2,000 bills to produce scorecards for Congress and all 50 states.

Our American Experiment in self-governance depends on our ability as citizens to evaluate whether our elected officials implement policies that help people live happier, healthier, more productive lives. ACU Foundation’s Ratings of the States equips citizens with clear and effective analysis to hold the nation’s 8,000 lawmakers accountable for their votes.

The Left has renewed its commitment to advance socialism in their zeal to fundamentally transform America. With such an important fight ahead, it’s never been more important for our elected officials to understand the proper role of government and for Americans to defend our conservative values and take action to preserve liberty.

Matt Schlapp Chairman American Conservative Union Foundation

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

TO SEE MORE ACU RATINGS, PLEASE VISIT: conservative.org/ratings

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CENTER FOR LEGISLATIVE ACCOUNTABILITY | ACU FOUNDATION'S Ratings of Massachusetts 2019

SELECTING THE VOTES

ACU Foundation researched and selected a range of bills before the Massachusetts legislature that determine a member’s adherence to conservative principles. We selected bills that focus on Ronald Reagan’s philosophy of the “three-legged stool”: 1) fiscal and economic: taxes, budgets, regulation, spending, healthcare, and property; 2) social and cultural: 2nd amendment, religion, life, welfare, and education; and 3) government integrity: voting, individual liberty, privacy, and transparency. This wide range of issues are designed to give citizens an accurate assessment that conveys which of Massachusetts’s elected leaders best defend the principles of a free society: Life, Liberty and Property.

Matt Schlapp Chairman Charlie Gerow Vice ChairmanCarolyn D. Meadows 2nd Vice ChairBob Beauprez Treasurer

Ron Christie SecretaryEd Yevoli At-LargeDan Schneider Executive Director

ACUExecutive Committee

Jackie ArendsLarry BeasleyKimberly BellissimoMorton C. BlackwellJamie BurkeMuriel ColemanSean FielerSander GerberAlan M. GottliebVan D. Hipp, Jr.Dr. M. Zuhdi JasserKT McFarland

Jim McLaughlinPriscilla O’ShaughnessyRon RobinsonMike RoseTim RyanPeter SamuelsonTerry SchillingMatt SmithChris TurnerBill WaltonThomas Winter

Board Members

ACUFExecutive Committee

Matt Schlapp ChairmanMillie Hallow Vice ChairVan D. Hipp, Jr. TreasurerKimberly Bellissimo Secretary Dan Schneider Executive Director

Board Members

Veronica Birkenstock Gordon ChangJonathan GarthwaiteCharlie GerowNiger InnisAdam LaxaltWilles K. LeeCarolyn D. MeadowsRandy NeugebauerThomas Winter

THE CENTER FOR LEGISLATIVE ACCOUNTABILITY

Fred McGrath, DirectorLuke Schneider, Public Affairs & Policy AnalystFrancis Finnegan, Data Manager

Larry Hart, Senior Policy FellowThomas Bradbury, Policy AnalystAbby Draiss, Policy FellowJonathan Moy, Policy Fellow

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2019 WINNERS & LOSERS

SENATE

FATTMAN, RYAN

90-100% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE

HOUSE

n/a

Republicans in ALL CAPS, Democrats in initial caps, asterisk indicates Independents/Libertarians/other

80-89% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT

SENATE

n/a

HOUSE

n/a

10% COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT≤

SENATE

Barrett, Michael

Boncore, Joseph

Brady, Michael

Brownsberger, William

Chandler, Harriette

Chang-Diaz, Sonia

Collins, Nick

SENATE

Comerford, Joanne

Creem, Cynthia Stone

Crighton, Brendan

Cyr, Julian

Didomenico, Sal

Dizoglio, Diana

Eldridge, James

SENATE

Feeney, Paul

Finegold, Barry

Friedman, Cindy

Hinds, Adam

Jehlen, Patricia

Keenan, John

Kennedy, Edward

SENATE

Lesser, Eric

Lewis, Jason

Lovely, Joan

Montigny, Mark

Moore, Michael

Pacheco, Marc

Rausch, Rebecca

SENATE

Rodrigues, Michael

Rush, Michael

Timilty, Walter

Welch, James

5


10% COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT≤

HOUSE

Arciero, James

Ashe, Brian

Ayers, Bruce

Balser, Ruth

Barber, Christine

Barrett III, John

Benson, Jennifer

Biele, David

Blais, Natalie

Brodeur, Paul

Cabral, Antonio

Cahill, Dan

Campbell, Linda

Capano, Peter

Carey, Daniel

Cassidy, Gerry

Chan, Tackey

Ciccolo, Michelle

Connolly, Mike

Coppinger, Edward

HOUSE

Cronin, Claire

Cullinane, Dan

Cusack, Mark

Cutler, Josh

Day, Michael

Decker, Marjorie

Deleo, Robert

Devers, Marcos

Domb, Mindy

Donahue, Daniel

Donato Sr., Paul

Driscoll Jr., William

Dubois, Michelle

Dykema, Carolyn

Ehrlich, Lori

Elugardo, Nika

Farley-Bouvier, Tricia

Fernandes, Dylan

Ferrante, Ann-Margaret

Finn, Michael

HOUSE

Fiola, Carole

Galvin, William

Garballey, Sean

Garlick, Denise

Gentile, Carmine

Golden Jr., Thomas

Gonzalez, Carlos

Gordon, Kenneth

Gouveia, Tami

Gregoire, Danielle

Haddad, Patricia

Haggerty, Richard

Hawkins, James

Hay, Stephan

Hecht, Jonathan

Hendricks, Christopher

Higgins, Natalie

Hogan, Kate

Honan, Kevin

Hunt, Daniel

HOUSE

Kafka, Louis

Keefe, Mary

Khan, Kay

Lanatra, Kathleen

Lawn, John

LeBoeuf, David

Lewis, Jack

Linsky, David

Livingstone, Jay

Madaro, Adrian

Mahoney, John

Malia, Elizabeth

Mariano, Ronald

Mark, Paul

Markey, Christopher

McGonagle Jr., Joseph

McMurtry, Paul

Meschino, Joan

Michlewitz, Aaron

Minicucci, Christina

HOUSE

Miranda, Liz

Mom, Rady

Moran, Frank

Moran, Michael

Murphy, James

Murray, Brian

Nangle, David

Nguyen, Tram

O'Day, James

Parisella, Jerry

Peake, Sarah

Peisch, Alice

Pignatelli, William

Provost, Denise

Puppolo Jr., Angelo

Robertson, David

Robinson, Maria

Rogers, David

Rogers, John

Roy, Jeffrey

HOUSE

Ryan, Daniel

Sabadosa, Lindsay

Santiago, Jon

Schmid III, Paul

Silvia, Alan

Speliotis, Theodore

Stanley, Thomas

Straus, William

Tosado, Jose

Tucker, Paul

Tyler, Chynah

Ultrino, Steven

Vargas, Andy

Vega, Aaron

Vincent, RoseLee

Vitolo, Tommy

Wagner, Joseph

Walsh, Thomas

Whipps, Susannah

Williams, Bud

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MASSACHUSETTS SENATE STATISTICS

11%OVERALL AVERAGE

O’CONNOR, PATRICK

33%

LOWEST REPUBLICAN

66%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

1%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

GOBI, ANNE13%

HIGHEST DEMOCRAT

MASSACHUSETTS SENATE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS

RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS

# OF STATE

SENATORS

2019 ACUF PERCENTAGE

90-100%0-9% 10-19% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89%20-29%0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

7


MASSACHUSETTS SENATE SCORES

MASSACHUSETTS SENATE VOTE DETAILACU Foundation Position Y N N N Y N Y N Y Y Y N N N N

Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

S 8 (Fattman A

md.)

H 3638

H 3594

S 3 (Kennedy A

md.)

S 3 (Tarr Am

d.)

S 3 (Feeney Am

d.)

H 86 (Tarr A

md.)

H 86

S 2273 (Tarr Am

d. 1)

S 2273 (Tarr Am

d. 2)

S 2273 (Tarr Am

d. 3)

H 3854

H 420

3

S 2407

S 2410

Barrett, Michael D Third Middlesex 0% 0% 3% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Boncore, Joseph D First Suffolk and Middlesex 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Brady, Michael D Second Plymouth and Bristol 7% 12% 3% - - - - - - - - - - - - - + -

Brownsberger, William D Second Suffolk and Middlesex 0% 0% 5% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chandler, Harriette D First Worcester 0% 0% 2% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chang-Diaz, Sonia D Second Suffolk 0% 21% 16% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Collins, Nick D First Suffolk 0% 6% 3% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Comerford, Joanne D Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Creem, Cynthia Stone D First Middlesex and Norfolk 0% 6% 4% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Crighton, Brendan D Third Essex 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Cyr, Julian D Cape and Islands 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

DEMACEDO, VIRIATO R Plymouth and Barnstable 77% 27% 61% + + + - + + + + + + + - x x -

Didomenico, Sal D Middlesex and Suffolk 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dizoglio, Diana D First Essex 0% 10% 6% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Eldridge, James D Middlesex and Worcester 0% 12% 5% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

+ = Member voted with ACU’s position- = Member voted against ACU’s positionx = Member was absent for vote

† = Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result did not receive a rating for the 2019 session. Two-thirds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score.R = Republican D = Democrat I = Independent

• S 8 Protecting Taxpayers through a Prohibition on Tax Increases When the Legislature out of Session (Roll Call 11).

• H 3638 Providing $8 Million in Taxpayer Funds to Abortion Providers such as Planned Parenthood (Roll Call 20).

• H 3594 Discouraging Self-Sufficiency by Removing a Cap on Welfare (Roll Call 35).

• S 3 Increasing Wasteful Spending—Massachusetts Cultural Council (Roll Call 51).

• S 3 Strengthening Government Integrity through Oversight of State Employee Credit Card Usage (Roll Call 56).

• S 3 Increasing Taxpayer Costs by Expanding Prevailing Wage Mandates to Janitorial and Maintenance Workers (Roll Call 57).

• H 86 Protecting Small Businesses from an 80% Tax Increase (Roll Call 68).

• H 86 Imposing an 80% Tax Increase through the Transition from a Flat Tax to a Progressive Income Tax (Roll Call 73).

• S 2273 Reducing Union Intimidation by Ensuring Public Employees Are Not Forced to Meet with Union Bosses (Roll Call 76).

• S 2273 Blocking Union Access to Personal Information without Public Employee Consent (Roll Call 77).

• S 2273 Safeguarding Public Employee Data from Further Union Misuse (Roll Call 79).

• H 3854 Undermining the U.S. Supreme Court’s Janus Decision and Providing Union Bosses New Powers to Harass Public Employees (Roll Call 92).

• H 4203 Imposing an Excessive Ban on the Safe Use of Handheld Devices while Driving (Roll Call 131).

• S 2407 Promoting Cronyism and Restricting Consumer Access to Flavored Vaping Products (Roll Call 144).

• S 2410 Restricting Consumer Choice by Banning Plastic Bags and Mandating Fees for Paper Bags (Roll Call 150).

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Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

S 8 (Fattman A

md.)

H 3638

H 3594

S 3 (Kennedy A

md.)

S 3 (Tarr Am

d.)

S 3 (Feeney Am

d.)

H 86 (Tarr A

md.)

H 86

S 2273 (Tarr Am

d. 1)

S 2273 (Tarr Am

d. 2)

S 2273 (Tarr Am

d. 3)

H 3854

H 420

3

S 2407

S 2410

FATTMAN, RYAN R Worcester and Norfolk 93% 35% 75% + + + + + + + + + + + + - + +

Feeney, Paul D Bristol and Norfolk 0% 12% 6% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Finegold, Barry D Second Essex and Middlesex 0% n/a 5% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Friedman, Cindy D Fourth Middlesex 0% 6% 2% - x - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Gobi, Anne D Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex

13% 6% 12% - - - - - - - - - - - - - + +

Hinds, Adam D Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - x x x - - - -

HUMASON, DONALD R Second Hampden and Hampshire 73% 35% 66% + + + - + - + + + + + - - + +

Jehlen, Patricia D Second Middlesex 0% 12% 3% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Keenan, John D Norfolk and Plymouth 0% 0% 3% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Kennedy, Edward D First Middlesex 0% n/a 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lesser, Eric D First Hampden and Hampshire 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lewis, Jason D Fifth Middlesex 0% 0% 3% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lovely, Joan D Second Essex 0% 6% 12% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Montigny, Mark D Second Bristol and Plymouth 7% 12% 7% - - - - - - - - - + - - - - -

Moore, Michael D Second Worcester 7% 0% 13% - - - - - - - - - - + - - - -

O'CONNOR, PATRICK R Plymouth and Norfolk 33% 12% 30% + - - - + - + - - - + - - + -

Pacheco, Marc D First Plymouth and Bristol 0% 12% 10% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


















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Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

S 8 (Fattman A

md.)

H 3638

H 3594

S 3 (Kennedy A

md.)

S 3 (Tarr Am

d.)

S 3 (Feeney Am

d.)

H 86 (Tarr A

md.)

H 86

S 2273 (Tarr Am

d. 1)

S 2273 (Tarr Am

d. 2)

S 2273 (Tarr Am

d. 3)

H 3854

H 420

3

S 2407

S 2410

Rausch, Rebecca D Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex 7% n/a 7% - - - - - - - - - - - - + - -

Rodrigues, Michael D First Bristol and Plymouth 0% 12% 9% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Rush, Michael D Norfolk and Suffolk 0% 6% 7% - x - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Spilka, Karen D Second Middlesex and Norfolk n/a† n/a 2% x - - x x x x - x x x - - x -

TARR, BRUCE R First Essex and Middlesex 47% 24% 58% + - - - + - + + + + + - - - -

Timilty, Walter D Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth 7% 6% 18% - + - - - - - - - - - - - - -

TRAN, DEAN R Worcester and Middlesex 73% 29% 51% + + - - + + + + + + + - - + +

Welch, James D Hampden 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


















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1. S 8 Protecting Taxpayers through a Prohibition on Tax Increases When the Legislature out of Session (Roll Call 11). The Fattman (ACUF Lifetime 75%) amendment to the Senate rules bill protects taxpayers and strengthens government transparency by preventing taxes or fees from being imposed or increased during “informal sessions” when no roll call votes are taken (i.e., the position of lawmakers are unknown to the People) and not every lawmaker is present. ACU believes tax increases should be a measure of last resort, supports requiring maximum transparency through roll call votes on initiatives, especially ones that raise taxes or fees, and supported this amendment. The Senate defeated the amendment on January 31, 2019 by a vote of 6-33.

2. H 3638 Providing $8 Million in Taxpayer Funds to Abortion Providers such as Planned Parenthood (Roll Call 20). This bill provides $8 million in taxpayer funds to family planning clinics that provide abortions such as Planned Parenthood. The bill is in response to a Trump administration rule which protects life by blocking Title X federal taxpayer funds from going to clinics that offer abortions or abortion referrals. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions to end the practice, opposes taxpayer funding of abortion providers and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 29, 2019 by a vote of 33-5 and the bill was signed into law.

3. H 3594 Discouraging Self-Sufficiency by Removing a Cap on Welfare (Roll Call 35). This bill removes a provision in the state’s welfare programs which encourages individuals to become self-sufficient before deciding to have more children. Under the bill, welfare benefits are no longer calculated by considering the number of children dependent on the recipient at the time of application. Instead, beneficiaries may receive even greater welfare benefits if they conceive more children. ACU supports efforts to help people live happier, healthier and more productive lives and reduce intergenerational poverty by encouraging individuals to become self-sufficient and opposed this bill. The Senate voted to override the governor’s veto on April 25, 2019 by a vote of 37-3 and the bill became law.

4. S 3 Increasing Wasteful Spending—Massachusetts Cultural Council (Roll Call 51). The Kennedy (ACUF Lifetime 0%) amendment to the state budget further expands wasteful spending by increasing funding for the Massachusetts Cultural Council by $1 million. As a result, the Council will now receive $18 million for FY 2020 to expend on a long list of unnecessary initiatives that benefit select interest groups and organizations. The organization’s funding is increased despite numerous reports from the Boston Herald of gross mismanagement of agency funds. ACU opposes the use of taxpayer funds for functions outside the proper constitutional role of government, believes the private sector is the best mechanism to promote engagement in the arts, opposes rewarding government programs that misuse taxpayer funds with more funding and opposed this amendment. The Senate passed the amendment on May 23, 2019 by a vote of 38-1 and the underlying bill became law.

5. S 3 Strengthening Government Integrity through Oversight of State Employee Credit Card Usage (Roll Call 56). The Tarr (ACUF Lifetime 58%) amendment to the state budget bill strengthens government integrity by providing the state auditor access to state employee credit card records to ensure accountability of usage billed to the state. ACU supports efforts to increase government transparency and ensure the accountability of unelected bureaucrats and supported this amendment. The Senate defeated the amendment on May 23, 2019 by a vote of 6-33 and the underlying bill became law.

6. S 3 Increasing Taxpayer Costs by Expanding Prevailing Wage Mandates to Janitorial and Maintenance Workers (Roll Call 57). The Feeney (ACUF Lifetime 6%) amendment to the state budget bill unnecessarily drives up taxpayer costs by forcing companies contracting with the state for janitorial or maintenance services to pay their employees the “prevailing wage.” The prevailing wage originated under the Davis-Bacon Act, a Depression-era policy which forces companies contracting with the government to pay their workers above-market wages. ACU has long opposed the Davis-Bacon Act and prevailing wage mandates which needlessly drive up taxpayer costs and opposed this amendment. The Senate passed the amendment on May 23, 2019 by a vote of 36-3 and the underlying bill became law.

MASSACHUSETTS SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

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7. H 86 Protecting Small Businesses from an 80% Tax Increase (Roll Call 68). The Tarr (ACUF Lifetime 58%) amendment to a proposed constitutional amendment would protect small businesses and their owners from a massive government wealth-grab. Specifically, the constitutional amendment is designed to impose an 80% increase in the personal income tax (from 5.05% to 9.05%) for income earned over $1 million. Under the amendment, “S corporations” (i.e., businesses with 75 or fewer shareholders) would be exempt from the new tax hike. As a result, income earned by shareholders of S corporations would remain subject to the state’s 5.05% flat tax as opposed to the 9.05% tax proposed in the constitutional amendment. ACU opposes the underlying bill’s attempt to “soak the rich” with an 80% tax hike and supported this measure as a step in the right direction. The Senate defeated the amendment on June 12, 2019 by a vote of 6-33.

8. H 86 Imposing an 80% Tax Increase through the Transition from a Flat Tax to a Progressive Income Tax (Roll Call 73). This constitutional amendment, known as the “millionaire tax” would result in an 80% tax hike on all income earned above $1 million. Specifically, the amendment would partially abolish the state’s constitutional flat tax by adding a new tax bracket that taxes all income earned above $1 million at 9.05%. Currently, the state’s flat tax system taxes all levels of income at 5.05%. ACU opposes harming economic growth by “soaking the rich” with an 80% tax hike and opposed this constitutional amendment. The Senate passed the amendment on June 12, 2019 by a vote of 35-5. (If the proposal advances out of a constitutional convention in 2020, voters will decide whether to ratify the amendment in the November 2022 election.)

9. S 2273 Reducing Union Intimidation by Ensuring Public Employees Are Not Forced to Meet with Union Bosses (Roll Call 76). The Tarr (ACUF Lifetime 58%) amendment to a bill pertaining to collective bargaining would protect public employees from union intimidation by ensuring that employees are not forced to meet with union organizers in order to work. This amendment helps affirm the ruling made by the U.S. Supreme Court in Janus v. AFSCME which found that state laws that force nonunion public employees to pay “agency fees” violate the First Amendment’s protection of freedoms of speech and association. ACU supports the Janus decision and the right to work without union membership or harassment and supported this amendment. The Senate defeated the amendment on June 27, 2019 by a vote of 5-33.

10. S 2273 Blocking Union Access to Personal Information without Public Employee Consent (Roll Call 77). The Tarr (ACUF Lifetime 58%) amendment to a bill pertaining to collective bargaining would prevent greedy union bosses from seizing the personal information of public employees without an employee’s consent. Under current law, unions are provided automatic access to numerous pieces of private information, including an employee’s personal home and cellphone number, home address and worksite location. ACU opposes subjecting public employees to harassment by union organizers and supported this amendment. The Senate defeated the amendment on June 27, 2019 by a vote of 6-32.

11. S 2273 Safeguarding Public Employee Data from Further Union Misuse (Roll Call 79). The Tarr (ACUF Lifetime 58%) amendment to a bill pertaining to collective bargaining would help safeguard the personal information of public employees from further misuse by labor unions. Under the amendment, a union which has obtained the personal contact information of a public employee would be prohibited from selling the information or using the information to contact the employee after they leave their job. The bill also establishes penalties up to $1,000 for violations. ACU supports efforts to protect personal information from misuse by greedy union bosses and supported this amendment. The Senate defeated the amendment on June 27, 2019 by a vote of 7-31.

12. H 3854 Undermining the U.S. Supreme Court’s Janus Decision and Providing Union Bosses New Powers to Harass Public Employees (Roll Call 92). This bill is a direct attack on the ruling made by the U.S. Supreme Court in Janus v. AFSCME which found public employees have a right to work without being forced to join a union or pay “agency fees.” Under this bill, unions may force all employees (even nonmembers) to pay the costs unions incur during grievance or arbitration proceedings. Additionally, the bill forces all new public employees to meet with union organizers on public property and mandates that government turn over all employee personal contact information such as home address and cellphone numbers to union bosses. Furthermore, unions are granted access to government email systems to conduct union business, as well as the right to meet with members on the jobsite during the workday. ACU supports the Janus decision and the right to work without joining a union, opposes subjecting public employees and their families to union harassment and opposed this bill. The Senate voted to override the governor’s veto of the bill on September 19, 2019 by a vote of 39-1 and the bill became law.

12


13. H 4203 Imposing an Excessive Ban on the Safe Use of Handheld Devices while Driving (Roll Call 131). This bill imposes an excessive ban on all cellphones, tablets and mobile electronic devices while a vehicle is in motion or stopped on the roadway, such as at a stoplight, unless the device is in a “hands-free” mode. The bill’s provisions also apply to operators of bicycles. The bill establishes a fine of $100 for first offenses and up to $500 for subsequent offenses. ACU opposes fining motorists for the responsible use of cellphones absent any other driving safety infraction and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on November 20, 2019 by a vote of 38-1 and the bill was signed into law.

14. S 2407 Promoting Cronyism and Restricting Consumer Access to Flavored Vaping Products (Roll Call 144). This bill infringes individual liberties and promotes cronyism by prohibiting the sale and use of flavored vaping and e-cigarette products such as Juul except at licensed specialty smoking bars for on-site consumption. Furthermore, the bill imposes a 75% excise tax on e-cigarettes. ACU believes the usage of tobacco and e-cigarettes is a personal liberty issue, believes government regulations on products are only appropriate when their usage substantially impacts others, opposes expanding cronyism by restricting product sales to select retailers favored by government and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on November 20, 2019 by a vote of 32-6 and the bill was signed into law.

15. S 2410 Restricting Consumer Choice by Banning Plastic Bags and Mandating Fees for Paper Bags (Roll Call 150). This bill would restrict consumer choice and drive up costs for consumers and businesses alike by banning nearly all retailers from providing single-use plastic bags. Furthermore, the bill would impose a 10-cent fee on paper bags provided at most establishments. ACU opposes this government intrusion in the private sector which needlessly drives up business costs in order to advance a politicized environmental agenda, believes the government should not limit an individual’s choice in how they take their groceries home and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on November 20, 2019 by a vote of 36-4. (The bill failed to advance in the House.)

13


MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE STATISTICS

11%OVERALL AVERAGE

WHELAN, TIMOTHY

31%

LOWEST REPUBLICAN

49%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

2%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

GARRY, COLLEEN31%

HIGHEST DEMOCRAT

MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS

RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS

# OF STATE REPS

2019 ACUF PERCENTAGE

90-100%0-9% 10-19% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89%20-29%0

20

40

60

80

100

120

14


MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE SCORES

MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE VOTE DETAILACU Foundation Position Y N N N Y Y Y Y Y N N N N N

Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

H 20

19 (Lombardo A

md.)

H 3638

H 3594

H 380

0 (Coppinger A

md.)

H 380

0 H

olmes A

md.)

H 3854 (D

ooley Am

d.)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 1)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 2)

H 86 (O

’Connor Am

d.)

H 86

H 3987

H 3854

H 420

3

H 4196

Arciero, James D Second Middlesex 0% 0% 2% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ashe, Brian D Second Hampden 7% 0% 3% - - - - - - - - - + - - - -

Ayers, Bruce D First Norfolk 0% 0% 4% - x - - - - - - - - - - - -

Balser, Ruth D Twelfth Middlesex 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Barber, Christine D Thirty-fourth Middlesex 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Barrett III, John D First Berkshire 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

BARROWS, F. JAY R First Bristol 50% 55% 74% + - - - - + + + + + - - - +

Benson, Jennifer D Thirty-seventh Middlesex 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

BERTHIAUME Jr., DONALD R Fifth Worcester 57% 65% 74% + + - - - + + + + + - - - +

Biele, David D Fourth Suffolk 0% n/a 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Blais, Natalie D First Franklin 0% n/a 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

BOLDYGA, NICHOLAS R Third Hampden 45% 60% 74% + + - - - x x x + + - - - +

Brodeur, Paul D Thirty-second Middlesex 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - x x

Cabral, Antonio D Thirteenth Bristol 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Cahill, Dan D Tenth Essex 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Campbell, Linda D Fifteenth Essex 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Capano, Peter D Eleventh Essex 0% n/a 0% x - - - - - - - - - - - - -



• H 2019 Protecting Taxpayers through a Prohibition on Tax Increases When the Legislature is Out of Session (Roll Call 15).



• H 3800 Undercutting Innovation through a Step Toward Government Rate Setting of Pharmaceuticals (Roll Call 46).

• H 3800 Reversing Extravagant Pay Raises Provided to State Legislators. (Roll Call 51).

• H 3854 Safeguarding Public Employee Data from Further Union Misuse (Roll Call 64).

• H 3854 Preventing Union Theft of Taxpayer-Funded Communication Systems (Roll Call 66).

• H 3854 Reducing Union Intimidation by Requiring New Public Employees to Be Informed of their Right to Work without Joining a Union (Roll Call 68).



• H 3987 Imposing $1.3 Billion in Debt on Taxpayers to Fund Leftist “Green Energy” Initiatives (Roll Call 85).



• H 4196 Promoting Cronyism and Restricting Consumer Access to Flavored Vaping Products (Roll Call 142).

15



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

H 20

19 (Lombardo A

md.)

H 3638

H 3594

H 380

0 (Coppinger A

md.)

H 380

0 H

olmes A

md.)

H 3854 (D

ooley Am

d.)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 1)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 2)

H 86 (O

’Connor Am

d.)

H 86

H 3987

H 3854

H 420

3

H 4196

Carey, Daniel D Second Hampshire 0% n/a 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Cassidy, Gerry D Ninth Plymouth 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chan, Tackey D Second Norfolk 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ciccolo, Michelle D Fifteenth Middlesex 0% n/a 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Connolly, Mike D Twenty-sixth Middlesex 7% n/a 7% - - - + - - - - - - - - - -

Coppinger, Edward D Tenth Suffolk 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

CROCKER Jr., WILLIAM R Second Barnstable 57% 45% 61% + + - - - + + + + + - - - +

Cronin, Claire D Eleventh Plymouth 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - x x - - - -

Cullinane, Dan D Twelfth Suffolk 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Cusack, Mark D Fifth Norfolk 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Cutler, Josh D Sixth Plymouth 0% 0% 3% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

D'EMILIA, ANGELO R Eighth Plymouth 50% 50% 62% + - - - - + + + + + - - - +

Day, Michael D Thirty-first Middlesex 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Decker, Marjorie D Twenty-fifth Middlesex 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

DECOSTE, DAVID R Fifth Plymouth 43% 60% 71% + - - - - + + - + + - - - +

Deleo, Robert D Nineteenth Suffolk 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Devers, Marcos D Sixteenth Essex 0% n/a 2% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Domb, Mindy D Third Hampshire 0% n/a 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Donahue, Daniel D Sixteenth Worcester 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

















16



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

H 20

19 (Lombardo A

md.)

H 3638

H 3594

H 380

0 (Coppinger A

md.)

H 380

0 H

olmes A

md.)

H 3854 (D

ooley Am

d.)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 1)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 2)

H 86 (O

’Connor Am

d.)

H 86

H 3987

H 3854

H 420

3

H 4196

Donato Sr., Paul D Thirty-fifth Middlesex 0% 0% 2% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

DOOLEY, SHAWN R Ninth Norfolk 57% 55% 77% + - - - + + + + + + - + - -

Driscoll Jr., William D Seventh Norfolk 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dubois, Michelle D Tenth Plymouth 0% 5% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

DURANT, PETER R Sixth Worcester 64% 65% 75% + + - - + + + + + + - - - +

Dykema, Carolyn D Eighth Middlesex 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ehrlich, Lori D Eighth Essex 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Elugardo, Nika D Fifteenth Suffolk 0% n/a 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Farley-Bouvier, Tricia D Third Berkshire 0% 0% 2% - - - - - - - - - - - - x x

FERGUSON, KIMBERLY R First Worcester 43% 40% 61% + - - - - + - + + + - - - +

Fernandes, Dylan D Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ferrante, Ann-Margaret D Fifth Essex 8% 0% 4% - x - - - - - - - + - - - -

Finn, Michael D Sixth Hampden 7% 0% 4% - - - - - - - - - + - - - -

Fiola, Carole D Sixth Bristol 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

FROST, PAUL R Seventh Worcester 50% 55% 66% + - - - - + + + + + - - - +

Galvin, William D Sixth Norfolk 7% 0% 5% - - - - - - - - - + - - - -

Garballey, Sean D Twenty-third Middlesex 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Garlick, Denise D Thirteenth Norfolk 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Garry, Colleen D Thirty-sixth Middlesex 31% 35% 31% - x + - - - - - + + - - - +

















17



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

H 20

19 (Lombardo A

md.)

H 3638

H 3594

H 380

0 (Coppinger A

md.)

H 380

0 H

olmes A

md.)

H 3854 (D

ooley Am

d.)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 1)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 2)

H 86 (O

’Connor Am

d.)

H 86

H 3987

H 3854

H 420

3

H 4196

Gentile, Carmine D Thirteenth Middlesex 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

GIFFORD, SUSAN R Second Plymouth 50% 35% 66% + - - - - + + + + + - - - +

Golden Jr., Thomas D Sixteenth Middlesex 0% 0% 3% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Gonzalez, Carlos D Tenth Hampden 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Gordon, Kenneth D Twenty-first Middlesex 0% 0% 2% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Gouveia, Tami D Fourteenth Middlesex 7% n/a 7% - - - + - - - - - - - - - -

Gregoire, Danielle D Fourth Middlesex 7% 0% 4% - - - - - - - - - + - - - -

Haddad, Patricia D Fifth Bristol 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

Haggerty, Richard D Thirtieth Middlesex 0% n/a 0% - - - - x - - - - - - - - -

HARRINGTON, SHEILA R First Middlesex 50% 45% 60% + + x - - x x x + + - - - +

Hawkins, James D Second Bristol 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hay, Stephan D Third Worcester 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hecht, Jonathan D Twenty-ninth Middlesex 0% 0% 2% - - - x - - - - - - - - - -

Hendricks, Christopher D Eleventh Bristol 7% n/a 7% - - - - - - - - - - - - - +

Higgins, Natalie D Fourth Worcester 0% 0% 0% - x - - - - - - - - - - - -

HILL, BRADFORD R Fourth Essex 50% 47% 71% + - - - - + + + + + - - - +

Hogan, Kate D Third Middlesex 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Holmes, Russell D Sixth Suffolk 17% 0% 4% - + - - + - - - - x x - - -

Honan, Kevin D Seventeenth Suffolk 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

















18



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

H 20

19 (Lombardo A

md.)

H 3638

H 3594

H 380

0 (Coppinger A

md.)

H 380

0 H

olmes A

md.)

H 3854 (D

ooley Am

d.)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 1)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 2)

H 86 (O

’Connor Am

d.)

H 86

H 3987

H 3854

H 420

3

H 4196

HOWITT, STEVEN R Fourth Bristol 50% 50% 67% + - - - - + + + + + - - - +

Hunt, Daniel D Thirteenth Suffolk 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - x - -

HUNT, RANDY R Fifth Barnstable 50% 53% 70% + - - - - + + + + + - - - +

JONES Jr., BRADLEY R Twentieth Middlesex 43% 45% 72% + - - - - + + + + + - - - -

Kafka, Louis D Eighth Norfolk 0% n/a 2% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

KANE, HANNAH R Eleventh Worcester 43% 60% 66% + - - - - + + + + + - - - -

Kearney, Patrick D Fourth Plymouth n/a† n/a n/a - - - - + x x x x x - - - +

Keefe, Mary D Fifteenth Worcester 0% 0% 1% - - - - x - - - - - - - - -

KELCOURSE, JAMES R First Essex 36% 25% 51% + - - - - + - + + + - - - -

Khan, Kay D Eleventh Middlesex 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - x x - - - -

Lanatra, Kathleen D Twelfth Plymouth 0% n/a 0% - - - - x - - - - - - - - -

Lawn, John D Tenth Middlesex 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

LeBoeuf, David D Seventeenth Worcester 0% n/a 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lewis, Jack D Seventh Middlesex 0% 0% 0% - - - x - - - - - - - - - -

Linsky, David D Fifth Middlesex 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Livingstone, Jay D Eighth Suffolk 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

LOMBARDO, MARC R Twenty-second Middlesex 62% 80% 83% + + - - - + + + + + x - - +

Madaro, Adrian D First Suffolk 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mahoney, John D Thirteenth Worcester 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

















19



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

H 20

19 (Lombardo A

md.)

H 3638

H 3594

H 380

0 (Coppinger A

md.)

H 380

0 H

olmes A

md.)

H 3854 (D

ooley Am

d.)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 1)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 2)

H 86 (O

’Connor Am

d.)

H 86

H 3987

H 3854

H 420

3

H 4196

Malia, Elizabeth D Eleventh Suffolk 7% 0% 1% - - - + - - - - - - - - - -

Mariano, Ronald D Third Norfolk 0% 0% 3% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mark, Paul D Second Berkshire 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Markey, Christopher D Ninth Bristol 8% 0% 4% - - - - - - - - - + - - x -

McGonagle Jr., Joseph D Twenty-eighth Middlesex 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

McKENNA, JOSEPH R Eighteenth Worcester 57% 70% 77% + + - - - + + + + + - - - +

McMurtry, Paul D Eleventh Norfolk 0% 0% 1% x - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Meschino, Joan D Third Plymouth 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Michlewitz, Aaron D Third Suffolk 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Minicucci, Christina D Fourteenth Essex 0% n/a 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Miranda, Liz D Fifth Suffolk 0% n/a 0% x - - - - - - - - - - - - -

MIRRA, LENNY R Second Essex 50% 55% 73% + - - - - + + + + + - - - +

Mom, Rady D Eighteenth Middlesex 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Moran, Frank D Seventeenth Essex 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Moran, Michael D Eighteenth Suffolk 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

MURADIAN Jr., DAVID R Ninth Worcester 50% 50% 67% + - - - - + + + + + - - - +

MURATORE, MATHEW R First Plymouth 50% 45% 62% + - - - - + + + + + - - - +

Murphy, James D Fourth Norfolk 0% 0% 1% - x - - - - - - - - - - - -

Murray, Brian D Tenth Worcester 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

















20



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

H 20

19 (Lombardo A

md.)

H 3638

H 3594

H 380

0 (Coppinger A

md.)

H 380

0 H

olmes A

md.)

H 3854 (D

ooley Am

d.)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 1)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 2)

H 86 (O

’Connor Am

d.)

H 86

H 3987

H 3854

H 420

3

H 4196

Nangle, David D Seventeenth Middlesex 0% 0% 3% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Naughton Jr., Harold D Twelfth Worcester n/a† 0% 2% - - x - - x x x - x - - - -

Nguyen, Tram D Eighteenth Essex 0% n/a 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

O'CONNELL, SHAUNNA R Third Bristol 43% 60% 71% + - - - - + - + + + - - - +

O'Day, James D Fourteenth Worcester 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

ORRALL, NORMAN R Twelfth Bristol 50% 65% 79% + + - - - + - + + + - - - +

Parisella, Jerry D Sixth Essex 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Peake, Sarah D Fourth Barnstable 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Peisch, Alice D Fourteenth Norfolk 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Petrolati, Thomas D Seventh Hampden 14% 0% 8% - + - - - - - - - + - - - -

Pignatelli, William D Fourth Berkshire 0% 0% 4% - - x - - - - - - - - x - x

POIRIER, ELIZABETH R Fourteenth Bristol 57% 50% 74% + + - - - + + + + + - - - +

Provost, Denise D Twenty-seventh Middlesex 0% 5% 3% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Puppolo Jr., Angelo D Twelfth Hampden 7% 0% 7% - - - - - - - - - + - - - -

Robertson, David D Nineteenth Middlesex 7% n/a 7% - - - - - - - - + - - - - -

Robinson, Maria D Sixth Middlesex 0% n/a 0% - - - x - - - - - - - - - -

Rogers, David D Twenty-fourth Middlesex 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Rogers, John D Twelfth Norfolk 0% 0% 6% - x - - - - - - - - - - - -

















21



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

H 20

19 (Lombardo A

md.)

H 3638

H 3594

H 380

0 (Coppinger A

md.)

H 380

0 H

olmes A

md.)

H 3854 (D

ooley Am

d.)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 1)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 2)

H 86 (O

’Connor Am

d.)

H 86

H 3987

H 3854

H 420

3

H 4196

Roy, Jeffrey D Tenth Norfolk 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - x x

Ryan, Daniel D Second Suffolk 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sabadosa, Lindsay D First Hampshire 0% n/a 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Santiago, Jon D Ninth Suffolk 0% n/a 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Scaccia, Angelo D Fourteenth Suffolk 14% 0% 6% - + - - + - - - - - - - - -

Schmid III, Paul D Eighth Bristol 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Silvia, Alan D Seventh Bristol 7% 5% 4% - - - - - - - - - - - - - +

SMOLA, TODD R First Hampden 43% 50% 71% + - - - - + - + + + - - - +

SOTER, MICHAEL R Eighth Worcester 54% n/a 54% + + - - - + - + + + - x - +

Speliotis, Theodore D Thirteenth Essex 0% 0% 1% - - x - - - - - - - - - - -

Stanley, Thomas D Ninth Middlesex 0% 0% 8% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Straus, William D Tenth Bristol 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SULLIVAN, ALYSON R Seventh Plymouth 57% n/a 57% + + - - - + + + + + - - - +

Tosado, Jose D Ninth Hampden 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - x x

Tucker, Paul D Seventh Essex 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Tyler, Chynah D Seventh Suffolk 7% 0% 2% - - - - - - - - - - - - + -

Ultrino, Steven D Thirty-third Middlesex 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Vargas, Andy D Third Essex 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Vega, Aaron D Fifth Hampden 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

















22



Party Dist.2019

%2018

%LIFETIME

AVG

H 20

19 (Lombardo A

md.)

H 3638

H 3594

H 380

0 (Coppinger A

md.)

H 380

0 H

olmes A

md.)

H 3854 (D

ooley Am

d.)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 1)

H 3854 (M

cKenna A

md. 2)

H 86 (O

’Connor Am

d.)

H 86

H 3987

H 3854

H 420

3

H 4196

Velis, John D Fourth Hampden 14% n/a 17% - - - - - - - - - + - - - +

VIEIRA, DAVID R Third Barnstable 36% 45% 58% + - - - - + - - + + - - - +

Vincent, RoseLee D Sixteenth Suffolk 0% 0% 2% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Vitolo, Tommy D Fifteenth Norfolk 0% n/a 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Wagner, Joseph D Eighth Hampden 0% 0% 1% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Walsh, Thomas D Twelfth Essex 7% 0% 2% - - - - - - - - + - - - - -

WHELAN, TIMOTHY R First Barnstable 31% 47% 55% + - - - - + - - + + - - - x

Whipps, Susannah I Second Franklin 7% 5% 30% - - - - - - - - - - - - - +

Williams, Bud D Eleventh Hampden 0% 0% 0% - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

WONG, DONALD R Ninth Essex 43% 40% 60% + - - - - + + + + + - - - -

Zlotnik, Jonathan D Second Worcester 21% 10% 20% - - - - - - - - + + - - - +

















23


1. H 2019 Protecting Taxpayers through a Prohibition on Tax Increases When the Legislature is Out of Session (Roll Call 15). The Lombardo (ACUF Lifetime 83%) amendment to the House rules bill protects taxpayers and strengthens government transparency by preventing taxes or fees from being imposed or increased during “informal sessions” when no roll call votes are taken (i.e., the position of lawmakers are unknown to the People) and not every lawmaker is present. ACU believes tax increases should be a measure of last resort, supports requiring maximum transparency through roll call votes on initiatives, especially ones that raise taxes or fees, and supported this amendment. The House defeated the amendment on January 30, 2019 by a vote of 32-125.

2. H 3638 Providing $8 Million in Taxpayer Funds to Abortion Providers such as Planned Parenthood (Roll Call 34). This bill provides $8 million in taxpayer funds to family planning clinics that provide abortions such as Planned Parenthood. The bill is in response to a Trump administration rule which protects life by blocking Title X federal taxpayer funds from going to clinics that offer abortions or abortion referrals. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions to end the practice, opposes taxpayer funding of abortion providers and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 27, 2019 by a vote of 140-14 and the bill was signed into law.

3. H 3594 Discouraging Self-Sufficiency by Removing a Cap on Welfare (Roll Call 35). This bill removes a provision in the state’s welfare programs which encourages individuals to become self-sufficient before deciding to have more children. Under the bill, welfare benefits are no longer calculated by considering the number of children dependent on the recipient at the time of application. Instead, beneficiaries may receive even greater welfare benefits if they conceive more children. ACU supports efforts to help people live happier, healthier and more productive lives and reduce intergenerational poverty by encouraging individuals to become self-sufficient and opposed this bill. The House voted to override the governor’s veto on April 10, 2019 by a vote of 155-1 and the bill became law.

4. H 3800 Undercutting Innovation through a Step Toward Government Rate Setting of Pharmaceuticals (Roll Call 46). The Coppinger (ACUF Lifetime 1%) amendment to the budget bill undercuts innovation by providing government a new mechanism to strong-arm pharmaceutical companies into providing drugs at below-market prices through the state’s Medicaid program. Under the bill, manufacturers of certain drugs provided through Medicaid are forced to disclose their acquisition and development costs of the drugs. The manufacturer is then mandated to “justify” their pricing of drugs if a state commission believes the pricing of a drug is “unreasonable” or “excessive.” Manufacturers which do not comply or instead supply the state with information bureaucrats deem “incomplete” or “misleading” may be fined up to $500,000. ACU recognizes that these mandates threaten future innovation and represent the first step toward government rate setting and price controls. ACU opposes these schemes and others which result in government extortion of drug manufactures which have invested billions to bring them to market and opposed this amendment. The House passed the amendment on April 24, 2019 by a vote of 154-3 and the underlying bill was signed into law.

5. H 3800 Reversing Extravagant Pay Raises Provided to State Legislators. (Roll Call 51). The Holmes (ACUF Lifetime 4%) amendment to the budget bill would partially reverse an enormous pay hike provided to the Speaker and leadership of both the Senate and House of Representatives. In 2017, lawmakers overrode a veto by Governor Baker to provide state legislators, judges and the governor pay raises which averaged a staggering 40% increase and totaled over $18 million. This amendment would reduce the $80,000 raise provided to the Speaker to “only” a $50,000 raise which would result in the Speaker receiving an annual salary of roughly $116,000. The amendment makes similar cuts to the raises provided to other leadership positions. ACU recognizes the state had no trouble attracting candidates for the legislature, the courts or the governor’s office, considering the competitiveness of elections and large sums of campaign spending. ACU opposed the enormous, unnecessary pay hike provided in 2017, believes the pay hike should be significantly rolled back for all the elected officials for whom it was provided and supported this amendment as a step in the right direction. The House defeated the amendment on April 25, 2019 by a vote of 5-152.

MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

24


6. H 3854 Safeguarding Public Employee Data from Further Union Misuse (Roll Call 64). The Dooley (ACUF Lifetime 77%) amendment to a bill pertaining to collective bargaining would help safeguard the personal information of public employees from further misuse by labor unions. Under the amendment, a union which has obtained the personal contact information of a public employee would be prohibited from selling the information or using the information to contact the employee after they leave their job. The bill also establishes penalties up to $1,000 for violations. ACU supports efforts to protect personal information from misuse by greedy union bosses and supported this amendment. The House defeated the amendment on June 5, 2019 by a vote of 30-126.

7. H 3854 Preventing Union Theft of Taxpayer-Funded Communication Systems (Roll Call 66). The McKenna (ACUF Lifetime 77%) amendment to a bill pertaining to collective bargaining would prevent union bosses from utilizing taxpayer-funded government email systems to conduct union organizing. ACU opposes subjecting public employees to union harassment and intimidation, opposes providing greedy union bosses special privileges to taxpayer-funded services and supported this amendment. The House defeated the amendment on June 5, 2019 by a vote of 22-134.

8. H 3854 Reducing Union Intimidation by Requiring New Public Employees to Be Informed of their Right to Work without Joining a Union (Roll Call 68). The McKenna (ACUF Lifetime 77%) amendment to a bill pertaining to collective bargaining would ensure that newly hired public employees are informed of their right to work without joining a union. Under the amendment, each new employee would be notified in a private meeting that they may abstain from union participation, and if they elect to abstain, their personal information (such as home address and cellphone number) would not be transferred to the union. This amendment helps affirm the ruling made by the Supreme Court in Janus v. AFSCME which found that state laws that force nonunion public employees to pay “agency fees” violates the First Amendment’s protection of freedoms of speech and association. ACU supports the Janus decision and the right to work without mandatory union dues or membership and supported this amendment. The House defeated the amendment on June 5, 2019 by a vote of 27-129.

9. H 86 Protecting Small Businesses from an 80% Tax Increase (Roll Call 72). The O’Connor (ACUF Lifetime 30%) amendment to a proposed constitutional amendment would protect small businesses and their owners from a massive government wealth-grab. Specifically, the constitutional amendment is designed to impose an 80% increase in the personal income tax (from 5.05% to 9.05%) for income earned over $1 million. Under the amendment, “S corporations” (i.e., businesses with 75 or fewer shareholders) would be exempt from the new tax hike. As a result, income earned by shareholders of S corporations would remain subject to the state’s 5.05% flat tax as opposed to the 9.05% tax proposed in the constitutional amendment. ACU opposes the underlying bill’s attempt to “soak the rich” with an 80% tax hike and supported this measure as a step in the right direction. The House defeated the amendment on June 12, 2019 by a vote of 36-121.

10. H 86 Imposing an 80% Tax Increase through the Transition from a Flat Tax to a Progressive Income Tax (Roll Call 77). This constitutional amendment, known as the “millionaire tax” would result in an 80% tax hike on all income earned above $1 million. Specifically, the amendment would partially abolish the state’s constitutional flat tax by adding a new tax bracket that taxes all income earned above $1 million at 9.05%. Currently, the state’s flat tax system taxes all levels of income at 5.05%. ACU opposes harming economic growth by “soaking the rich” with an 80% tax hike and opposed this constitutional amendment. The House passed the amendment on May 8, 2019 by a vote of 112-43. (If the proposal advances out of a constitutional convention in 2020, voters will decide whether to ratify the amendment in the November 2022 election.)

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11. H 3987 Imposing $1.3 Billion in Debt on Taxpayers to Fund Leftist “Green Energy” Initiatives (Roll Call 85). Perhaps no other bill better reflects the insanity and irresponsibility that embodies the Massachusetts General Court than this measure which would place taxpayers over a billion dollars in debt to fund radical leftist environmental initiatives. Under the bill, $1.3 billion in bonds (debt) would be issued which taxpayers would be forced to repay with interest. Some of the key areas on which the funds would be spent include climate change and “GreenWorks” infrastructure and providing electric vehicles to state and local government entities. The bill also funds “environmental justice” initiatives and would force the state to hire new employees to serve as “sustainability coordinators.” ACU recognizes Massachusetts already leads the country with the most per capita debt at $11,043 per resident and recently had its credit rating downgraded by the S&P, with more credit agencies signaling similar adverse actions. ACU believes it is insane to further indebt state taxpayers to advance cronyism and a politicized climate change agenda and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on July 24, 2019 by a vote of 158-0. (The bill failed to advance in the Senate.)

12. H 3854 Undermining the U.S. Supreme Court’s Janus Decision and Providing Union Bosses New Powers to Harass Public Employees (Roll Call 91). This bill is a direct attack on the ruling made by the U.S. Supreme Court in Janus v. AFSCME which found public employees have a right to work without being forced to join a union or pay “agency fees.” Under this bill, unions may force all employees (even nonmembers) to pay the costs unions incur during grievance or arbitration proceedings. Additionally, the bill forces all new public employees to meet with union organizers on public property and mandates that government turn over all employee personal contact information such as home address and cellphone numbers to union bosses. Furthermore, unions are granted access to government email systems to conduct union business, as well as the right to meet with members on the jobsite during the workday. ACU supports the Janus decision and the right to work without joining a union, opposes subjecting public employees and their families to union harassment and opposed this bill. The House voted to override the governor’s veto of the bill on September 18, 2019 by a vote of 156-1 and the bill became law.

13. H 4203 Imposing an Excessive Ban on the Safe Use of Handheld Devices while Driving (Roll Call 132). This bill imposes an excessive ban on all cellphones, tablets and mobile electronic devices while a vehicle is in motion or stopped on the roadway, such as at a stoplight, unless the device is in a “hands-free” mode. The bill’s provisions also apply to operators of bicycles. The bill establishes a fine of $100 for first offenses and up to $500 for subsequent offenses. ACU opposes fining motorists for the responsible use of cellphones absent any other driving safety infraction and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on November 19, 2019 by a vote of 154-1 and the bill was signed into law.

14. H 4196 Promoting Cronyism and Restricting Consumer Access to Flavored Vaping Products (Roll Call 142). This bill infringes individual liberties and promotes cronyism by prohibiting the sale and use of flavored vaping and e-cigarette products such as Juul except at licensed specialty smoking bars for on-site consumption. Furthermore, the bill imposes a 75% excise tax on e-cigarettes. ACU believes the usage of tobacco and e-cigarettes is a personal liberty issue, believes government regulations on products are only appropriate when their usage substantially impacts others, opposes expanding cronyism by restricting product sales to select retailers favored by government and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on November 21, 2019 by a vote of 119-33 and the bill was signed into law.

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