In addition to choosing will each all of the commonwealth’s top leadership positions, voters will be asked to decide on four statewide ballot questions which could substantially change Bay State policy.
“Question 1 would create a 4 percent tax on the portion of a person’s annual income above $1 million and constitutionally dedicate the funds to be spent on transportation and public education. Only people who earn more than $1 million annually will be impacted; 99% of us won’t pay a penny more,” the Fair Share for Massachusetts campaign says in every Yes on 1 email.
Opponents have maintained for months that the law will lead to flight from the state among the wealthy.
“If passed, it would be one of the state’s highest income tax increases in history and immediately impose an 80% tax increase on tens of thousands of small business owners, large employers, and retirees. And, it would give politicians a blank check to spend billions of taxpayer dollars however they want, with no accountability,” the No on Question 1 campaign’s website reads.
Question 2 will determine whether the state will set a floor for dental care spending by insurers. Right now there is no such minimum for spending. Advocates of setting the floor at 83% of premiums say it will lead to better care.
“A Yes vote would regulate dental insurance rates, including by requiring companies to spend at least 83% of premiums on member dental expenses and quality improvements instead of administrative expenses, and by making other changes to dental insurance regulations,” proponents say on their campaign page.
“Question 2 is an anti-consumer proposal that will increase costs for Massachusetts families and employers — nearly 40% in one recent study — and will result in denying thousands of residents access to much needed dental care,” opponents say.
Question 3 will determine how liquor licenses are distributed in the Commonwealth.
“The ballot question modernizes MA laws to allow for the safe expansion of alcohol licenses. It calls for the state to progressively double the number of allowed beer and wine licenses a company or individual is allowed to hold, going from nine to 18,” Proponents said to launch the Yes on 3 Campaign.
“Our alcohol licensing laws do need serious reforms, but this ballot measure is not the answer. It offers an incomplete solution to a complex problem, doing little to promote competition or expand consumer choice,” opponents say in the official voter information guide.
The last question is not described in the voter information guide sent out by the secretary of state’s office, as it was added to the ballot after those guides were printed.
It asks voters whether a law passed this summer, the Work and Family Mobility Act, should remain on the books.
“The question threatens to revoke a law that allows immigrants without status to drive to work or take their children to the doctor with a valid driver’s license in their pocket and proper insurance coverage on their car, making the roads safer for everyone in Massachusetts,” proponents say on their webpage. A yes vote would keep the law in place.
“The Registry of Motor Vehicles does not have the capability or expertise necessary to verify documents from other countries and notes that, if this bill becomes law, Massachusetts drivers’ licenses will no longer confirm that a person is who they say they are,” the question’s official voter guide argument reads. A no vote would repeal the law.
The general election is Tuesday.
