Cory Atkins Explained

Cory Atkins
Birth Date:10 February 1947
Birth Place:Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Party:Democrat
State House:Massachusetts
Term Start:1999
Term End:2019
Predecessor:Pam Resor
Successor:Tami Gouveia
District:14th Middlesex
Occupation:Writer/legislator
Alma Mater:University of Massachusetts at Boston

Cory Atkins (born February 10, 1947) is an American politician who served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1999 to 2019.[1] Atkins is a Concord resident and a member of the Democratic Party.[2]

Background

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Atkins went to Burdett Business School and then received her bachelor's degree from University of Massachusetts Boston. Prior to serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Atkins worked as a partner with ADS Ventures from 1992 until 1999.[3] She is an instructor at Middlesex Community College and writes a political newspaper column and travel column. She was married to Chester G. Atkins who also served in the Massachusetts General Court and in the United States House of Representatives, but has been separated from him for several years.[4]

Politics

June 1, 2016, Voted Yea on Bill S 735 to pass a bill that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity in public places.[5]

March 9, 2016, Voted Yea on Bill H4049 to establish regulations for ride-sharing companies.[6]

July 31, 2014, Voted Yea on Bill H 4278 to amend firearm laws[7]

June 18, 2014, Voted Yea on Bill S 2123 to increase the minimum wage[8]

January 22, 2013, Atkins introduced House Bill 2491, authorizing the town of Concord to impose an income tax on its residents to provide property tax relief.[9]

Jan 28, 2010, Voted Yea on Bill H 4441 to establish school nutrition standards[10]

April 27, 2009, Voted Yea along with 108 other Democrats on the Sciortino Amdt to increase sales tax from 5 percent to 6.25 percent[11]

July 29, 2008, Voted Nay to Bill H 5022 to reduce the firearm licensing fee[12]

Jan. 23, 2008, Voted Yea to Bill H 4477 to ban cellphone use while driving a motorcycle[13]

Protest vote

Cory Atkins is well known for her protest vote against Mass. House Speaker Sal DiMaisi's reelection in 2009. Atkins, along with six other Democrats, voted "present" as a signal to the need for new leadership on Beacon Hill.[14] These seven Democrats were praised for their bold vote against DiMaisi. Atkins pointed to her duty to serve her constituents with her best judgement.[15]

Notes and References

  1. https://ballotpedia.org/Cory_Atkins
  2. http://www.malegislature.gov/People/Profile/C_A1 Cory Atkins
  3. https://ballotpedia.org/Cory_Atkins
  4. http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/1983/cory-atkins Votesmart.org-Cory Atkins
  5. https://votesmart.org/bill/21623/56979/1983/prohibits-discrimination-based-on-gender-identity#.V_PEgZMrKuU
  6. https://votesmart.org/bill/21415/56184/1983/establishes-regulations-for-ride-sharing-companies#.V_PFIJMrKuU
  7. https://votesmart.org/bill/18736/50007/1983/amends-firearm-laws#.V_PF35MrKuU
  8. https://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/1983/cory-atkins/?p=1#.V_PGrJMrKuX
  9. https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/House/H2491
  10. https://votesmart.org/bill/11773/31575/1983/school-nutrition-standards#.V_PHjJMrKuU
  11. https://votesmart.org/bill/10893/29176/1983/sales-tax-increase#.V_PHy5MrKuU
  12. https://votesmart.org/bill/7915/21992/1983/reducing-firearm-licensing-fee#.V_PJw5MrKuU
  13. https://votesmart.org/bill/6096/16898/1983/cell-phone-driving-ban
  14. http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/01/mass_house_speaker_sal_dimaisi.html
  15. 'Beacon Hill's 7 Brave Souls', Yvonne Abraham, Boston Globe, 10/18/09