Votes in the Massachusetts Senate (Current Members Only):  1999-2000

updated March 7, 2000

X/GREEN-Favored Massachusetts Catholic Conference Position

O/RED-Opposed Massachusetts Catholic Conference Position

?/YELLOW-Did Not Vote

Blank-Senate President (usually does not vote) or Not in Office at Time of Vote

Click on Topic Headings for Explanation of Votes

Senator Death Penalty Buffer Zone    
Antonioni X X    
Bernstein O O    
Berry ? O    
Birmingham pres.        
Brewer O O    
Clancy O X    
Creedon X X    
Creem X O    
Fargo X O    
Glodis O X    
Havern X O    
Hedlund O X    
Jacques O O    
Jajuga O X    
Joyce X X    
Knapik O X    
Lees O O    
Lynch O X    
Magnani X O    
Melconian O O    
Menard   O    
Montigny X O    
Moore O X    
Morrissey O X    
Murray O O    
Nuciforo X O    
Pacheco O O    
Panagiotakos O O    
Rauschenbach O O    
Resor X O    
Rosenberg X O    
Shannon O O    
Sprague O O    
Tarr O O    
Tisei O O    
Tolman X O    
Travaglini X O    
Tucker X O    
Walsh X X    
Wilkerson X O    

Death Penalty

Monday, Nov. 15, 1999 House Bill 3963 would reinstitute the death penalty in Massachusetts for various capital offenses.   The roll call vote came on the question of substituting the bill in place of an adverse report from the House and sending the bill back to the House for reconsideration in 2000.  The MCC opposes the reinstitution of the death penalty.  A "nay" vote favored MCC's position.

Buffer Zone

Tuesday, February 29, 2000 Senate Bill 148 would prohibit persons from standing in "buffer zones" within 25 feet from the entrances and driveways of any reproductive health facility in Massachusetts where abortions are performed.   Sponsors assert that such zones are necessary to protect public safety and to ensure access to and from the facilities.  The MCC opposes the bill because it interferes with free speech, including peaceful prayer, sidewalk counseling and assembly, by banning all such conduct on public property within the zones.  The roll call vote came on the question of passing the bill to be engrossed and sending it to the House.  A "nay" vote favored MCC's position.