Ballot Breakdown: Massachusetts

By Bianca Buono

bbuono@abc6.com

@BBuonoABC6

Massachusetts voters have four ballot initiatives to vote on Tuesday. We’ve broken down all four questions. Below is a link to a sample ballot in Massachusetts.

http://www.readingma.gov/sites/readingma/files/uploads/2016-11-08_sample_ballot.pdf

QUESTION ONE would allow the state Gaming Commission to issue one additional category two license, permitting operation of a gaming establishment with no table games and no more than 1,250 slot machines. As of right now, there is only one slots machine parlor in the state. A “yes” vote would allow for two.

QUESTION TWO will decide what’s next for charter schools. A “yes” vote allows for up to 12 new charter schools to open every year. It also expands enrollment for existing charter schools. Governor Charlie Baker is a strong proponent of the issue.

"Question two will change the future for thousands of kids who need your help,” said Baker in a television advertisement.

But others aren’t convinced. Among other things, some believe the state should be putting public schools first. They say upgrades should be made there before shifting resources to charter schools.

"If question two is passed, what we’re looking at doing is diverting over $400 million away from public schools towards charter schools,” said State Rep. Paul Heroux of Attleboro. He’s advising voters to vote “no” on question two.

QUESTION THREE in Massachusetts prohibits any farm owner from knowingly confining any breeding pigs, calves raised for veal, or egg-laying hens. They would not longer be able to put these animals in a position that would prevent them from lying down, standing up, fully extending limbs, or turning around freely. In turn, this ballot question would ban the selling of non-cage-free eggs if passed.

QUESTION FOUR deals with the legalization of marijuana. A “yes” vote allows anyone 21 and older to recreationally use the drug.

"They don’t know if the brownie that little Joey has as a snack whether or not it’s laced with marijuana. There’s no way to tell,” said State Sen. Michael Rodrigues of Westport. He’s opposing the initiative.

"We know the states that do have legal marijuana have lower rates of opioid overdose deaths. We also see fewer prescriptions written for addictive painkillers,” said Jared Moffat, the field director of the Yes on 4 Campaign in Massachusetts.

© WLNE-TV 2016