Massachusetts Votes

Rescinds all previous applications made by the Massachusetts General Court to Congress to call an Article V constitutional convention for proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Amends Section 1Q of chapter 69 of the General Laws to allow the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish alternative criteria for awarding the state seal of biliteracy.

Allocates $500,000 for the operation and support of a network of child and family service programs throughout the commonwealth, including family resource centers.

Allocates $1 million for regional economic-development grants to support contracts with regional economic-development organizations under sections 3J and 3K of chapter 23A of the General Laws.

Increases legal protection for "reproductive" and "gender-affirming" services in Massachusetts.

The Fiscal Year 2026 $60.9 Billion state budget increases spending by about $3.2 billion over the previous budget, funding universal access to pre-kindergarten, increasing the Commonwealth Transportation Fund, and implementing the Affordable Homes Act.

Aims to address the state's future information technology and security needs by authorizing a bond of $1.256 billion. The bill provides for significant investments in improving IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and broadband access across the state.

Would increase spending about $1.97 billion, or 3.5 percent, over the fiscal 2025 spending plan, authorizing free community college, free rides on regional transit agencies, and legal online lottery sales.

Includes significant changes to firearm regulations.

Replaces the term "paternity" with "parentage" and "child born out of wedlock" with "nonmarital child" to create more "inclusive" language. Additionally, it replaces the phrase "a mother and father" with "parents."

Continues funding Massachusetts' emergency family shelter system.

Requires businesses and employers to report employee salaries to the Secretary of State every year.

Removes the "good reason" provision from Massachusetts's license-to-carry (LTC) statute, but keeps the requirement of mandatory in-person police interviews for residents who possess or carry firearms.

Orders the expanded public provision, facilitation, and promotion of "reproductive health care and gender-affirming care" activities, such as abortion and surgical treatment of "gender dysphoria."

Adopts, as the "VOTES Act," several changes to state election law, including permanent early voting by mail and reinforcement of automatic voter registration.

Makes applicants without "proof of lawful presence" eligible for a Massachusetts driver's license.

Proposed to amend the Massachusetts Constitution to authorize an additional income tax of 4%-an 80% increase-on taxpayers who earn more than $1 million annually.

Acts as the "Next-Generation Roadmap for.

UN "Reforms." On the surface, this United Nations "reform" bill (H.R. 2745) appears to be a "conservative" get-tough response to UN corruption. It would withhold up to 50 percent of U.S. dues to the UN unless the UN makes certain operational changes, and many "conservatives" voted for it. In reality, the legislation calls for strengthening the UN in the name of "reform." Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) warned in his June 13 Texas Straight Talk column that the "reform" bill supports creation of a "Peace-building Commission," which "will serve as the implementing force for the internationalization of what were formerly internal affairs of sovereign nations."

The House passed the UN "reform" bill on June 17, 2005 by a vote of 221-184 (Roll Call 282). We have assigned pluses to the nays because the reform bill is a trap, and the solution to the UN threat is not to reform the world body but to get the U.S. out.

UN Dues Decrease. During consideration of the Commerce-Justice appropriations bill (H.R. 2862), Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.) offered an amendment to cut the U.S. "contribution" to the United Nations by $218 million.

The House rejected Hayworth's amendment on June 15, 2005 by a vote of 124-304 (Roll Call 253). We have assigned pluses to the yeas because reducing U.S. dues to the UN is a step toward defunding it and getting the U.S. out.

To withdraw the U.S. from the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Would allow federal funds to be used for research on embryonic stem-cell lines, which can be created only by destroying human embryos (i.e., innocent human life).