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SHELIA HARRINGTON: Votes on Assistance Benefits

Volume 38 - Report No. 23, June 3-7, 2013

Copyright © 2013 Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved.

Beacon Hill Roll Call records Groton's local representative's votes on the five roll call votes taken in the State House during the week of June 3-7 when they met for a total of six hours and 20 minutes. The Senate met for a total of 38 minutes and had no roll call votes.

Assistance Requirements

Four of the votes were on proposed amendments that would impose more requirements on individuals to verify their eligibility for public housing and other state assistance; the House rejected three of them and approved one. Rep. Sheila Harrington voted for all four, as follows:

Social Security Number Required to Collect Benefits (H 3492). Rejected 51-98. Would have required a valid social security number shown and verified to receive any form of housing assistance from the state. Rep. Sheila Harrington, Yes.

Must be Citizens or Residents (H 3492). Rejected 48-102. Would have prohibited anyone who is not a citizen or resident of Massachusetts from receiving any state public assistance, and that they have proper verifiable documents or identification from their country of origin. Rep. Sheila Harrington, Yes.

Declaring Residency Not Valid (H 3492). Rejected 43-107. "Self-declaration of residency" would not be accepted as a valid form of residency verification for people seeking state benefits. Rep. Sheila Harrington, Yes.

Must Also be Fderally Eligible (H 3492). Approved 123-27. Prohibits anyone who is ineligible for federal assisted housing to displace or be given priority over any applicants who are eligible under both state and federal guidelines. Federal eligibility standards and proof of identity for housing assistance are stricter than state standards. Rep. Sheila Harrington, Yes

Pros and Cons

Supporters said that the stricter requirements would help ensure that only people who are truly eligible for these benefits will receive them. They argued it is outrageous that people can get taxpayer-funded welfare and other public assistance without producing a social security number...[and] this must be stopped so that people who are verified and struggling can get taxpayer-funded assistance.

Opponents said they go too far and place an undue burden on people who cannot easily provide documentation. They argued the Legislature should not micromanage the Department of Transitional Assistance which administers these programs. They noted that requiring a social security number in order to receive assistance that includes federal dollars, has already been banned by the federal government because immigrants who are here with asylum cannot produce those numbers.

1.4 Billion for Housing (H 3492)

Rep. Harrington with the House unanimously approved and sent to the Senate a bill allowing the administration to borrow $1.4 billion over five years for public and affordable housing. Provisions include $500 million to renovate and modernize many of the state's 45,000 public housing units; $55 million in loan guarantees to assist homeowners with blindness or severe disabilities to make their homes handicapped accessible; and $47 million for loans for the development of community-based housing for individuals with mental illness and intellectual disabilities.

Supporters said that Massachusetts has the 4th highest average home sale price in the nation. They noted this package will help thousands of people remain in their homes or find new affordable housing in the state.

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