September 20, 2024 By Carol Britton Meyer
The ballot for the Nov. 5 presidential/state election will feature five questions related to proposed legislation for voters to decide.
These initiatives include whether:
- the state auditor should be granted the authority to audit the legislature (Question 1);
- the state should eliminate MCAS (Masachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) exams as a high school graduation requirement (Question 2);
- drivers for transportation networks such as Uber and Lyft that use digital means to connect riders to drivers for pre-arranged transportation should have the right to unionize if they wish to do so (Question 3); and
- tipped workers in Massachusetts should get paid the minimum wage (Question 5).
Question 4 relates to the potential limited legalization and regulation of certain natural psychedelic substances. The proposed law would allow individuals aged 21 and older to grow, possess, and use certain of these substances in certain circumstances, including two found in mushrooms and three found in plants.
If the proposed law passes, these substances could be purchased at an approved location for use under the supervision of a licensed facilitator. The proposed law would otherwise prohibit any retail sale of natural psychedelic substances and also provide for their regulation and taxation. (See below for further details.)
The red Massachusetts Information for Voters booklet that was recently mailed to Hingham and other households statewide provides summaries of the questions and statements describing the effect of a “yes” and a “no” vote for each, prepared by the state attorney general/the Secretary of the Commonwealth as required by law, as well as arguments for both sides provided by proponents and opponents of each question, reflecting their opinions.
Here’s a brief summary:
⦁ Question 1 — A yes vote would specify that the state auditor has the authority to audit the legislature, while a no vote would make no change in the current law.
⦁ Question 2 — A yes vote would eliminate the requirement that students pass the MCAS exam in order to graduate from high school but would still require them to complete coursework that meets state standards. A no vote would make no change to the current law.
⦁ Question 3 — A yes vote would provide rideshare drivers the option to form unions to collectively bargain with transportation network companies regarding wages, benefits, and terms and conditions of work. A no vote would make no change in the law relative to their ability to form unions.
⦁ Question 4 — A yes vote would allow individuals 21 and older to use certain natural psychedelic substances under licensed supervision and to grow and possess limited quantities of those substances in their home while also creating a commission to regulate them. Some proponents say that research conducted by leading medical institutions shows that psychedelic medicines can be effective treatments for depression and anxiety. A no vote would make no change in the law regarding natural psychedelic substances. Some opponents of this proposed law cite numerous potential health- and medical-related impacts and other concerns to support their position.
⦁ Question 5 — A yes vote would increase the minimum hourly wage an employer must pay a tipped worker to the full state minimum wage implemented over five years, at which point, employers could pool all tips and distribute them to all non-management workers. A no vote would make no change in the law governing tip pooling or the minimum wage for tipped workers.
For election and early voting information, go to https://www.hinghamanchor.com/attention-hingham-voters-early-voting-for-presidential-state-election-begins-oct-19/