I will update when available; however, peeking ahead to next year:
"Five initiatives appear headed for ballot; Sales tax rollback and alcohol tax are among them" by Andrea Estes, Globe Staff | November 28, 2009
Activists pushing five proposed initiatives - including a sales tax rollback and the elimination of the new sales tax on alcohol - appear to have submitted enough signatures to put the questions on next November’s election ballot, Secretary of State William F. Galvin said yesterday....
The most controversial, a proposal to cut the state’s new 6.25 percent sales tax to 3 percent, was filed with the fewest certified signatures (67,890) and could face challenges from opponents including the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
Related: State Still in Session
It was submitted by Carla Howell, whose proposal to eliminate the state income tax failed last year [and who] predicted the initiative will make the ballot:
“People are getting more and more disgusted with high government spending and increased taxes.’’
Did she ever nail that one!
And that is the same income tax they scared you into keeping saying services would be cut. Well, WE HAVE SERVICE CUTS!!!!
With economic conditions worsening, and two conservative candidates vying to unseat Governor Deval Patrick, a tax rollback effort next year could be successful, Galvin said. “This is setting a template for the November election, with strong reinforcements for antitax and antigovernment voters,’’ he said....
Yes, THROW OUT EVERY SINGLE INCUMBENT and SEND THEM a MESSAGE!!!!
Likely to make the ballot is a measure that would lift the ban on charter schools, which is also opposed by the Massachusetts Teachers Association. Charter schools are not required to employ union-represented teachers....
Related: Back-to-School Series: Obama Turns on Teachers
Back-to-School Series: Massachusetts Charts a New Course
One question would end the state’s primary affordable housing law, known as 40b, and another would set limits on the amount of carbon dioxide that could be generated by renewable and alternative energy sources.... Once Galvin receives the signatures, he turns them over to the Legislature, which can adopt the measures without putting them on the ballot. If the Legislature does not approve the initiatives by May, organizers must collect another 10,000 signatures to secure a spot on the November 2010 ballot. A ballot question needs a simple majority to pass.
Of course, they could always "ignore the result even if voters approved the question"
--more--"
I guess they like us to feel like we have a say, huh?
"Taxes, schools, warming headed for ballot
It looks as if five questions will be on next year’s statewide ballot in Massachusetts. One proposes to roll back the state sales tax from 6.25 percent to 3 percent. That is two percentage points below the 5 percent rate in effect until the Legislature hiked it this summer. Another would repeal the recent extension of the sales tax to alcohol, while a third would lift the cap on the number of charter schools from its current 120. Two others deal with carbon dioxide emissions and comprehensive permits. Proponents of the ballot questions had until Nov. 18 to submit at least 66,593 certified names to local city and town clerks. Papers with those approved names then had to be submitted to the secretary of state’s office by the close of business yesterday (AP)."
Evening update on primary vote forthcoming when results available.
Related: Voters a rare sight at polls
WINNERS: Coakley, Brown win Senate primaries
Brown had 88 percent of the vote....
So I am one of a PRIVILEGED 12 percent, huh? I feel HONORED!!!
Coakley had 48 percent of the vote, ahead of Rep. Michael Capuano with 27 percent, City Year co-founder Alan Khazei with 14 percent and Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca -- who spent millions of his own money on the campaign -- with 12 percent.
Congratulations, Massachusetts Democrats.
Had I cast a ballot in your primary today, it would have been for Pags.
