Get Your Vote On! Statewide Ballot Questions
The general election of Nov. 4 is less than a month away. On that Tuesday, Massachusetts voters will choose a new Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and Treasurer. They will decide who serves alongside Elizabeth Warren in the U.S. Senate. They will decide who represents them in the U.S. House of Representatives and both the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate.
They will also answer four statewide ballot questions. MALC has reviewed each question over the past two weeks. Here, we lay them all out for your review. Each question proposes policy changes that would have a major impact on our state. Being knowledgeable about them and making informed decisions when you enter the voter booth is just as important as which politicians you endorse come Nov. 4. You will be voting, right? Right? (To find out where you vote, go here: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.aspx).
Here they are, our statewide ballot questions:
Question #1: Eliminating Gas Tax Indexing
It proposes eliminating the current requirement that the state’s gasoline tax be 1) adjusted every year by the percentage change in the federal Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the preceding year but 2) never adjusted below 21.5 cents per gallon. The current state gas tax is 24 cents per gallon. If voters approve the proposal, it will eliminate the requirement to adjust the gas tax based on the CPI. If voters strike the proposal down, no changes will be made to the gas tax.
Question #2: Expanding the Beverage Container Deposit Law
It proposes both expanding and modifying the state’s so called “Bottle Bill,” which places a redeemable five cent deposit on the purchase of bottles and cans of beer and soda. It would:
• Expand the Bottle Bill by applying the five cent deposit to most other beverage containers, including bottled water, juices, and sports drinks.
• Adjust 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.
• Place all “unclaimed deposits” in a special “Clean Environment Fund,” as opposed to the current practice of placing them in the state’s general fund.
Question #3: Expanding Prohibitions on Gaming
It proposes shutting down the state’s gambling industry before it can open its first casino. Casinos were approved by the state in 2011. Developers have gained approval for resort casinos in Everett and Springfield, construction has begun on a Plainville slots parlor, and officials are knocking around an idea for a casino in the South Coast. Yes on 3 means no to casinos.
Question #4: Earned Sick Time for Employees
It seeks to entitle all employees in Massachusetts to earn and use sick time. If passed, all employees working for employers with more than 11 employees would be able to earn and use up to 40 hours of paid sick time per calendar year. All employees of smaller employers would be able to earn and use up to 40 hours of unpaid sick time per calendar year. The sick time could be used when one is sick, to care for a sick family member, and also to deal with the effects of domestic violence. Employers who retaliated against their employees for utilizing their earned sick time would be dealt with by the Attorney General’s office.
MALC does not endorse candidates for office or take positions on the statewide ballot questions. For MALC’s full summaries on each question, click on the following links:
Question #1: http://artistsunderthedome.org/malc/news/get-vote-statewide-ballot-question-1/
Question #2: http://artistsunderthedome.org/malc/news/get-vote-statewide-ballot-question-2/
Question #3: http://artistsunderthedome.org/malc/news/get-vote-statewide-ballot-question-3/
Question #4: http://artistsunderthedome.org/malc/news/get-vote-statewide-ballot-question-4/
For more info on the ballot questions: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elebalquestinfo.htm
And don’t forget, the week after the election MALC will hold its 8th Annual Artists Under The Dome Event at the State House.
Stayed tuned for more pressing election coverage!