With 20% of precincts reporting statewide, Question 3, which would uphold a state law guaranteeing the right of transgender people against discrimination in public places, is passing by a 2-1 margin. In Boston, it is passing by an even higher margin. Read more.
It's impossible to read their signs because the rain has wiped away much of the ink, but Mathteacherjedi reports these two kids, Ena and Thomas, were standing at Cummins Highway and Brown Avenue in the downpour this afternoon to show their support for a Yes vote on Question 3 for transgender rights.
The young people will win.
Great Massachusetts political ad in 2018 or greatest Massachusetts political ad in 2018? Bonus: Videoed at West Roxbury's Porter Cafe. Language is NSFW and NSFYankeesFans.
If you agree that trans people deserve the same rights as everybody else, and want to show it in these increasingly dark days, you'll vote Yes on Question 3. And if you have time, you might even attend the Rally for Transgender Rights, 1 p.m. on Sunday at the 54th Massachusetts memorial at Boston Common, across from the State House.
And want a constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United decision giving corporations free reign in political funding, but are very meh on the nursing-ratio question, WBUR reports.
In an 11-0 vote (councilors Flaherty and Zakim were absent), the city council said today it supports passage of Question 3 on the November ballot, which would enshrine transgender people's rights in places of public accommodation - from restrooms to hospitals. Read more.
WBUR explores why the governor's race is so sleepy:
Even in their affects, the candidates seem to be veering closer. Baker looks determined to ease back from the more combative posture that is his nature, while Coakley is struggling to dial things up beyond a just-the-fact mien that fits her prosecutor’s background, but isn't an asset in a candidate for governor. If the convergence continues, by November we may just be referring to the duo as "Chartha" or "Marlie."
Latest Suffolk poll shows Patrick 7 points ahead. Baker campaign bravely says their own polling shows a dead-even race, which a reporter with an attention span longer than 30 seconds reports really means the Baker campaign is now in free fall.
The MBTA Advisory Board analyzes the potential impact of Question 3, which would cut the state sales tax from 6.25% to 3%, concludes passage and actual enactment would mean a big hit on the T, which now gets 57% of its revenue from state sales-tax revenue.
A portion of the sales tax is dedicated to the T; the board notes the T last year forestalled fare increases in part through additional revenue from the increase in the sales tax from 5% to 6.25%.
WBUR takes a look at both sides of Question 3, which would cut the state sales tax from 6.25 to 3%.
Robert Dwyer, who writes about wine, will be voting yes on Question 1, which would repeal the sale tax on wine. Dwyer explains why that was no easy decision, especially after he learned that even with the tax, Massachusetts still ranks in the bottom ten states for tax levels on booze.
The Globe does some polling on Question 3, which would cut the sales tax from 6.25 to 3%.
The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation says Question 3, which would cut the state sales tax from 6.25 to 3%, would leave us heading over the cliff:
Voter approval of Question 3 would result in across-the-board cuts of approximately 30 percent in virtually all state programs, including local aid, higher education, human services, prisons, courts, environmental protection, and state parks and beaches.
One Massachusetts is a group seeking a "No" vote on all three of this year's ballot questions, which would cut the sales tax in general, repeal the sales tax on booze in particular and eliminate a state requirement that communities ensure a certain percentage of their homes are "affordable." The group's Harmony Blakeway makes the case that "No" votes would actually be saying:
CW Unbound looks at the numbers, discovers a huge shift in votes in western Massachusetts from the last time voters considered a ban. But why?
Richard Howe wonders if the president-elect would consider a Massachusetts greyhound, since there will soon be plenty of those available.
Channel 5 is projecting:
Here's a guide to the 3 referendum questions on the ballot Tuesday, with pro's con's articulated by the experts who are supporting and opposing the measures. It's surprisingly concise.
Q1 Would reduce the state personal income tax rate to 2.65 percent for the tax year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2009, and would eliminate the tax beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2010.
Q2 Would replace the criminal penalties for possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana with a system of civil penalties, and would exclude information from the state's criminal record system.
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