Be Informed: Massachusetts Ballot Questions for November 2016: Marijuana, slot parlor, charter schools, and farm animal cruelty

This November 8th, we will not only head to the polls to pick our nation’s next president and vice-president, but we’ll also determine what happens with a few local issues – in this year’s case, four of them. While 35 initiatives were targeted, only these four made it to the ballot – there’s always 2018.

Since 1996, Massachusetts has been voting on ballot measures each even number year – 32 in all. The state leans towards approval when it comes to these measures, 53% of the measures have been approved compared to 47% of them being struck down.

We’ve all heard the maxim “Be informed.” when it comes to voting and what we’ll attempt to do here is look at the four questions in an objective, factual way and share the general consensus and thought on both sides of the question.

Growing up, when I would watch the news, the reporter would do exactly that: report. Rarely could one tell which side of the issue that reporter or journalist was on. He would state the factual part of the story, then share what the proponents and opponents or detractors were saying. You were trusted to be intelligent enough to then make a decision.

These days, reporters have been replaced by commentators or in some cases, glorified bloggers. They make their stance on the issue clear, and spend most of their time attacking the opponents of their stance. It is an opinion piece, not the genuine article – pardon the pun. This has been the dearth of good, balanced journalism. I am a firm believer in presenting both sides and letting people decide and I also believe we can do just that in a succinct and easy to understand manner.

Just the facts, ma’am.

Let’s begin with the facts. We have four questions to decide upon:

Question #1: Should the Gaming Commission issue an additional slots license?

Question #2: Should there be 12 new charter schools or enrollment expansions per year in existing charter schools?

Question #3: Should certain certain methods of farm animal containment be prohibited?

Question #4: Should recreational marijuana for individuals at least 21 years old be legalized?

These questions are specifically ordered to prevent confusion. The numbers were assigned by Massachusetts state elections chief, Bill Galvin and they will appear in this order on the ballot. Of course, you may skip to the measure or measures that concern you most, but it would be of great benefit to read the three short paragraphs on each question – it will take a minute or two and you will certainly leave very informed.

Question #1: Additional Slots License?

Currently only one slots parlor and three resort casinos are allowed. The measure would restrict the license to a facility of a specific, modest size that has horse racing. If it passes an interested party would still need to obtain a license from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. The current interested party is developer Eugene McCain and the proposed site for the slots parlor a property near Suffolk Downs.

Oppose: There are already too many gambling venues within the states and it is expanding too quickly. Gambling brings with it a certain criminal element, feeds those with a gambling addiction as well as trigger new people to the addiction. People will not leave the casinos to spend their money on local businesses and with the increases in monies will come political corruption. More crime, more social issues, bad for the economy.

Propose: Gambling venues are a boost to the local economy. They generate tax revenues for the local and state governments, employ people in the construction phase, a mixture of local and distance workers who will spend their money on local businesses, as well as do the same once the structure is erected and functioning. In addition, it will boost the tourist economy by drawing people from other parts of the state and out-of-staters who will spend money on local businesses.

Question #2: Charter School Expansions?

Currently, there is a state-wide cap on the number of charter schools allowed. That is a percentage of each school district’s enrollment. The passing of this measure would allow the state to approve an additional twelve new charter schools per year. Districts cannot spend more than 10-18% – dependent on the district’s school performance- of its school budget on charter schools. These new charter schools would not be subject to the cap.

Oppose:
The existence of charter schools drains much-needed resources and monies from the public schools. Charter schools will lead to more privatization of schools and away from local government oversight. Unlike, public schools which have elected board officials. charter schools have assigned board members which allows for corruption and lacks checks and balances. In addition, charter schools do not serve as many children with special needs.

Propose:
It would meet a demand: tens of thousands of students in Massachusetts want to attend a public charter school but cannot because there simply aren’t enough schools. It would improve the education of the low-performing districts since they will receive priority, especially important since urban charter schools have been shown to achieve higher level of academic growth compared to traditional public schools. Higher education has a greater economic and social impact.

Question #3: Certain farm animal containment prohibition?

This measure was an initiative of the Humane Society of the United States and is two-fold pertaining to both confinement and sales. At some farms, certain animals are confined to small cages for breeding. Most notably, pigs, egg-laying hens, and calves which are being raised for veal. There are 10 states that currently ban the practice of confinement of these animals by farms, however only one state, California, has banned the sale of non cage-free eggs. Massachusetts would be the first state to ban the sale of veal or pork from confined animals, and from not just within the state but anywhere in the nation.

Oppose:
An extra financial burden will be placed upon farms in terms of logistically building larger enclosures and making it more difficult to generate a profit in a tough-to-make-a-profit industry. It will then translate into a higher price for the end-consumer. Outside of this specifically, the manner in which the question was drawn, and is unconstitutional: it encompasses those farms out of the state.

Propose:
Ethically speaking, it is cruel and unusual punishment for an animal to spend its entire life inside a small cage. It is said that you can judge a society by the way it treats its animals, and confining animals in this manner is a poor reflection of who we are. Alleviating suffering wherever it is, is an earmark of a compassionate evolved society.

Question #4: Recreational Marijuana?

This measure is for legalizing, regulating and taxing recreational marijuana in any form, for people 21 years of age and older. If passed, Massachusetts will join Alaska, Colorado, District of Columbia, Oregon and Washington.

Oppose:
Marijuana is a gateway to more, powerful, deadlier drugs and since it alters your perception, those who are “high” on the drug will be impaired when driving or operating machinery making them a threat to others. It may lead to addiction, may fall into the hands of children, and can lead to heart disease, lung ailments, and perhaps even mental illnesses. Finally, the measure would have a negative impact on the state’s medical marijuana treatment centers, by greatly raising the number of patients.

Propose:
A new industry is formed creating new businesses, employees and tax revenues. Since it will be regulated it removes a large portion of the criminal element from marijuana, creates a tamper-free product, and it can be purchased in a safer environment. That means better safety controls, a financial blow to illegal drug dealers, and less violent crimes. In addition, it is a matter of freedom when it comes to a drug that is, in essence, harmless, especially when compared to alcohol. Finally, there are a number of medical benefits it addresses ranging from as “mundane” as insomnia and headaches to something as serious as cancer.

I’m human. Did I make a mistake? Leave something out? Did I misunderstand one side’s view? Help me make tings more accurate by commenting or messaging us at info@newbedfordguide.com.