MA Ballot Questions; Taxes, Illegals, Alcohol, Dental Insurance

QUESTION #1 INCREASE TAXES

Should there be a change to the Massachusetts State Constitution to permanently increase taxes. Currently, there is a $2.3B surplus in the state budget.

A “yes” vote supports amending the state constitution to create an additional permanent tax of 4% for income over $1 million, in addition to the existing 5% flat-rate income tax, and dedicate revenue to education and transportation purposes. This tax will also apply to windfall, one time revenue from real estate or business sales.

A “no” vote opposes amending the state constitution to create an additional permanent tax of 4% for income over $1 million, thereby maintaining the existing flat-rate income tax of 5% with revenue dedicated to the state’s general fund.

QUESTION #2 DENTAL PREMIUM REFUNDS

A “yes” vote supports this ballot initiative will give a refund to dental insurance customers back who do not use their insurance premiums in a full year. It will also require dental insurance carriers to submit an annual comprehensive financial statement to the Division of Insurance; and authorize the commissioner of the Division of Insurance to approve or disapprove of any insurance rates.

A “no” vote opposes any changes.

QUESTION #3 INCREASE ALCOHOL LICENSES AND PROHIBIT AUTOMATIC CHECKOUT

A “yes” vote supports this ballot initiative to: incrementally increase the combined number of retail beer and wine licenses and all alcoholic beverage licenses an establishment could own from no more than nine in 2022 to no more than 18 by 2031; and
limit the maximum number of licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages an establishment could own to seven; prohibit in-store automated or self-checkout sales of alcohol; change the formula used to calculate fines by using gross profits on all retail sales rather than the gross profits on the sale of alcohol; and add out-of-state driver’s licenses to the list of approved identification under the State Liquor Control Act.

A “no” vote opposes this ballot initiative that would make changes to alcohol retail licensing, fining, and operations.

QUESTION #4 GIVING DRIVER’S LICENSES TO ILLEGAL ALIENS

A “Yes vote will allow the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles to give drivers licenses to illegal aliens regardless of status. It will also grant other state benefits to illegals such as health care and education.

A “No” vote will repeal the current legislation and deny drivers licenses to illegal aliens. ◊