Get Your Vote On! Statewide Ballot Question #2
The general elections of Nov. 4 are less than a month away. And this year, voters don’t just get to elect politicians to staff such high profile posts as Governor and Attorney General. They also have the option to give their elected officials direct marching orders through four statewide ballot questions. (To find out where you vote, go here: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.aspx). Last week we delved into Question #1. Now we’ll take a look at Question #2.
Question #2: Expanding the Beverage Container Deposit Law
The second ballot question proposes both expanding and modifying the state’s so called “Bottle Bill.” Enacted in the early 1980s, the Bottle Bill placed a five cent deposit (some say tax) on the purchase of bottles and cans of beer and soda. This deposit is redeemable at redemptive recycling centers, such as your local package store.
Question 2 proposes:
• Expanding the Bottle Bill by applying the five cent deposit to most other beverage containers, including bottled water, juices, and sports drinks.
• Adjusting the container deposit amount every five years based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with the stipulation that it never be set below the current five cents.
• Placing all “unclaimed deposits” in a special “Clean Environment Fund,” as opposed to the current practice of placing them in the state’s general fund.
Proponents
Proponents claim the Bottle Bill should be expanded based on the metrics. Currently, 80% of beer and soda containers get recycled, while only 23 percent of non-deposit containers get recycled. They say it makes so much sense that both Governor Deval Patrick and former Governor Mitt Romney have endorsed it.
Opponents
Opponents say the Bottle Bill is outdated and expanding it is just doubling down on what has become ineffective policy. Since 90% of households have access to curbside and community recycling programs, they propose expanding the ease of recycling, not expanding “forced deposits.”
Take some time to look into Question 2, decide where you stand, and make your voice heard at the polls come Nov. 4. Which, by the way, means you’ll need to be registered to vote.
There’s still time to claim your democratic right to partake in the elective process. Click here to get registered to vote: http://artistsunderthedome.org/malc/calls-to-action/get-vote-register-nov-4th-election/
For more info on the ballot questions: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elebalquestinfo.htm
Stay tuned for more posts on statewide ballot questions #3 and #4!