Ballot Questions, Massachusetts
There are five questions on the ballot in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. There is also a question specifically in the City of Somerville, number six.
This is how I am voting, and why:
1—State Auditor Authority to Audit the Legislature — Yes
The State Auditor has an elected position. I don’t pay enough attention to that postion, BTW; we’ll all need to pay more attention if this ballot question passes. The current auditor is up for reelection in 2026.
The Auditor checks on every State entity, in the name of efficiency, transparency, and accountability. The Massachusetts Legislature spends our tax money. If I trusted them to use a private auditing firm to audit themselves, I’d vote against this. I don’t trust them; I am voting yes on this question.
A yes vote expressly authorizes the State Auditor to audit the State Legislature.
2—Elimination of MCAS as High School Graduation Requirement — YES!
The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) is a series of standardized tests given to all public school students, including special needs and English language learners, since 1993. A passing grade is required for graduation. The idea of these tests was to guide teachers in creating curricula to guide students to demonstrate proficiency to a standard. The result was that students with special needs, students working in their second language, students who moved frequently between districts, and students who are economically or otherwise disadvantaged are disproportionately disadvantaged and can be denied a high school diploma. It is the opposite of equity, masquerading as fairness.
A yes vote is for eliminating this test as an obstacle to high school graduation.
3—Unionization for Transportation Network Drivers – Yes
Every worker should have the right to unionize if a substantial number of workers want to do so. Arguments that they already have a good job are just bogus.
4—Limited Legalization and Regulation of Certain Natural Psychedelic Substances – No
I say no to this one because there is too much in this bill.
Controlled use of psychedelics in clinical settings may be a good idea. Studies and treatment, using Ketamine are ongoing. This field of study is promising for depression and PTSD. If the Question asked to legalize clinical use, and also created a secure way to procure the natural substances, I would be in favor of it. To agree with this, there needs to be a way to verify product strength (as there is for THC) and a regulated way to grow and gatekeep who can purchase the psychedelic.
However, this bill also decriminalizes the growing of natural psychedelics. This part of the measure is far too broad. Homegrown psychedelics will end up on the street, where they could do harm. Massachusetts does not have enough mental health services to serve our current population. We do not need to add unsupervised hallucinogen use into the mental health landscape.
A no vote would not support legalization of natural psychedelic substances.
5—Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers – YES!
Tipped workers can be paid as little as $6.75 an hour. That’s $54 for an eight-hour shift (estimated annual pay: $13,500 before tips). The cost of restaurant labor is disproportionately carried by the restaurant patron. These workers should be paid at least minimum wage to compensate for shifts where they do not get adequate tips.
A yes vote would bring base pay up – by 2029! – to minimum wage for workers who depend on tips.
6 — The Community Preservation Act Surcharge – YES!
Question six is only in the City of Somerville. Through the Community Preservation Act, Somerville has been collecting a 1.5% surcharge on property taxes since 2012. These funds have been doing great things in the city. Most notably, about half the money has been going to affordable housing, a chunk has been going for accessibility (example: an elevator in the library), and for outdoor public space improvement. I have details of this on my business website.
Increasing the funding to 3% doubles this good work. It’ll cost homeowners $100-200 a year. There is an exemption for low-income seniors.
A yes vote increases the Community Preservation Act surcharge from 1.5% to 3%.