Description: Meg Vaillancourt reports that many African American legislators are opposed to the adoption of the latest version of the state budget proposed by the Ways and Means Committee of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Vaillancourt reviews the proposed budget, which includes cuts in rental assistance and welfare assistance. The budget also includes cuts to the Department of Social Services and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. Interview with State Rep. Shirley Owens Hicks, State Rep. Byron Rushing, and Louis Elisa of the Boston chapter of the NAACP at a breakfast meeting of the Massachusetts Legislative Black Caucus. Owens Hicks and Elisa talk about the need for funding of human services. Rushing says that many voters are not opposed to new taxes to fund human services. Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Richard Volk talks about the proposed budget in the chambers of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following items: Maureen Hart Hennessey of the Norman Rockwell Museum and African Americans in the paintings of Norman Rockwell
1:00:11: Visual: Shots of a breakfast meeting of the Black Caucus. Shots of attendees at the breakfast including Byron Rushing (State Representative). Meg Vaillancourt reports that African American legislators are concerned about the adoption of the budget proposed by the Ways and Means Committee of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Vaillancourt notes that African American legislators are concerned about cuts to specific areas of the budget. V: Footage of Shirley Owens Hicks (State Representative) saying that cuts to the budget will affect the poor; that many people depend on the services provided by state agencies. Vaillancourt reports that Richard Volk (Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee) unveiled a budget which cuts $582 million from the budget proposed by Michael Dukakis (Governor of Massachusetts); that the budget includes no new taxes. V: Shot of Volk in the House chambers. Volk stands at a podium to explain the proposed budget. On-screen text details some of the cuts included in the budget proposed by the House Ways and Means Committee. Vaillancourt reports that the House Ways and Means budget includes an $8.5 million decrease in rental assistance and a $12 million decrease in emergency welfare assistance. Vaillancourt notes that the budget cuts $6 million from the Department of Social Services; that the budget cuts $20,000 from the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD). Vaillancourt reports that the House Ways and Means budget increases spending on AIDS prevention, elder services, and drug treatment. V: Footage of Rushing saying that the House Ways and Means budget did not cut some areas; that the budget increased spending in other areas. Rushing says that the House Ways and Means Committee proposed spending more money on drug treatment than Dukakis did. Shot of the Massachusetts State House. Vaillancourt reports that legislators are aware of the popular revolt against new taxes; that the minority community may be more receptive to the governor's call for new taxes. V: Footage of Rushing being interviewed by Vaillancourt. Rushing says that his constituents favor new taxes; that many voters all over the state probably favor new taxes. Rushing says that many state representatives are not listening to their constituents. Footage of Owens-Hicks being interviewed by Vaillancourt. Vaillancourt asks Owens-Hicks if she will vote for new taxes. Owens-Hicks says that she is not opposed to some elements of the new tax package; that she supports a capital gains tax; that she is not opposed to cigarette or alcohol taxes. Owens-Hicks says that she will not endorse a gasoline tax. Footage of Louis Elisa (Boston chapter of the NAACP) being interviewed by Vaillancourt. Elisa says that every citizen of the Commonwealth needs to reaffirm their commitment to human services and to their neighbors. Elisa says that the state legislators cannot play politics when there are lives at stake.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/24/1989
Description: Profile of changes in Lawrence following an influx of Puerto Rican and other Hispanic immigrants. Interviews with recent arrivals and "old-time" white residents, as well as a representative of Kaps clothing store on the decision to move from its Essex Street location. Mayor Kevin Sullivan attributes the city's difficulties to welfare and a declining middle-class tax base, and warns that the city of Lawrence will "make it very rough" for new arrivals who are unwilling to "contribute."
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/28/1991

HUD

Description: Interview with man on the urgency of addressing housing issues. He explains what makes this federal housing program different from the previous programs, which he thinks is the incorporation of the private sector in the last phases. Silent footage of building models.
Collection: WHDH
Date Created: 12/08/1970
Description: Frank Hatch announces his Republican candidacy for governor. Denounces Dukakis on taxes, auto insurance, food stamps. Hatch says that he is willing to listen, tell it like it is, and make tough decisions. He wishes to shed the 'taxachusetts' label and restore credibility in state government. He states the importance of reducing taxes and bringing money down to cities from the state level.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/27/1977
Description: Janet Wu interviews two social service professionals, John York and Dr. Mary Jane England, on the high number of uncovered cases of child welfare. York states that the Department of Public Welfare and the Office of Social Services have always been understaffed. He explains that there are approximately 200 new social services positions in the budget for 1980. Dr. England speaks on the current state of the social services programs in the Commonwealth.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/03/1979
Description: Exteriors of pharmacy owned by Benjamin Schumann. Several takes of reporter standup on forms that might become required for pharmacists serving welfare recipients.
Collection: WHDH
Date Created: 09/17/1969
Description: Interview with a pharmacist on new forms that might be required for pharmacists serving customers on welfare. They discuss the possibility of the boycott. Reporter reasks questions and takes cutaways for editing purposes.
Collection: WHDH
Date Created: 09/17/1969
Description: Mayor of Lawrence Kevin Sullivan explains making an example of drug criminals receiving welfare. Public defender says that only fraction of individuals arrested have been involved with drug trade. Police Lieutenant Baker in charge of mayor's war on drugs cites small portion of drug-related card seizures. Discussion of ethics on revoking cards after "serious felony" instead of drug activity. Public defender accuses Sullivan of taking advantage of vulnerable citizens. Baker and Kelly discuss typical arrest file with welfare card seizure.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 08/16/1989
Description: State welfare office interiors. Receptionist takes calls on multiline rotary dial phone. Women workers at metal desks in groups of four. File cabinets stuffed with manila folders of paperwork. Form for assistance payments. Staff person talks to client/applicant in Spanish. Interviews with two supervisors about qualifications for social work jobs.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 06/15/1977