Vote NO on 1,2,3 for a Healthy MA Urges MVES

On November 2, Massachusetts voters will be asked to cast their ballots on a number of important issues and candidates. There are three (3) ballot questions before the electorate this fall. Question 1 asks if Massachusetts voters want to roll back the sales tax on alcoholic beverages. Question 2 asks us to repeal the affordable housing law commonly referred to as Chapter 40-B. Question 3, if enacted, would roll back the current sales tax rate of 6.25% to 3%.

I strongly encourage all registered voters in Massachusetts to go to the polls on November 2 and cast your vote. And, before you go to the polls, educate yourself about the purpose and expected outcomes of the ballot initiatives if enacted. There is a lot of information circulating about the ballot questions. I would recommend you look beyond the 30 second media clips. For example, review the Massachusetts Secretary of State's Voter Information Guide sent to all registered voters in late September for the pros and cons of each ballot question as prepared by supporters and opponents.

Additionally, the MVES Board of Directors, volunteers representing all eight area communities served by MVES, have voted to oppose all three ballot questions as not in the best interest of older people, people with disabilities and residents of area communities. We strongly recommend a NO VOTE on all three ballot questions.

Other individuals and groups who might generally be considered anti-tax advocates have also gone on record as being opposed to the sales tax roll back questions. The Mass Taxpayers Foundation, which said this was the worst time to cut sales revenues in half---and now it is the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, which called Question 3 "an extreme measure that would irreparably harm the Massachusetts economy by doubling the projected state budget deficit." In addition, all the major gubernatorial candidates have stated that a roll back of the sales tax to 3% would cause significant harm to the fragile Massachusetts economy.

It is clear to all of us at MVES and to a broad coalition of individuals, advocacy groups, business associations and government officials, that rolling back the sales tax in the magnitude required by the ballot initiatives would be bad for Massachusetts residents. We urge you to VOTE NO on all three ballot questions.

Sincerely,

Daniel O'Leary
Executive Director