What’s the big deal about ballot questions?

ADDP has joined with The Arc of Massachusetts, as well as several hundred community-based advocacy and provider organizations to defeat three dangerous proposals that will be put before the electorate in just two weeks.

Each ballot question represents a fiscal policy which will significantly impact the individuals we support, as well as the organizations which employ us. We encourage you to talk about the ballot questions with your family and friends, and visit the Web sites listed below for more information.

What can I do to help?

1. You can talk to your friends and co-workers about what these questions mean to our industry.
2. You can download an information sheet by clicking here.
3. You can post a yard sign at your home or workplace. ADDP & The Arc have signs available!
4. You can attend an event or rally. Schedule is here.

Vote NO on Question 1           www.donotrepealalcoholtax.com

• Question 1 would give a special sales tax exemption to alcoholic beverages sold in stores.
• The only products that are exempt from the sales tax in Massachusetts are basic necessities such as food, clothing and prescriptions.
• Alcohol is not a necessity and does not deserve its own exemption. Further, revenues from the alcohol tax provide dedicated funding for healthcare services for more than 100,000 residents with behavioral health problems.
• The alcohol tax literally saves lives by reducing teen drinking and funding treatment services to help
• people beat addictions and get their lives back on track.
• Nearly every other state has a sales tax on alcohol. With Massachusetts facing a serious budget deficit, don’t give alcohol a special exemption.

Vote NO on Question 2          www.protectaffordablehousing.org

• Question 2 would repeal the state’s primary affordable housing law (Chapter 40B), which provides affordable housing for tens of thousands of seniors and working families.

• 40B has worked effectively for Massachusetts communities for 40 years!
  Repealing the law would immediately halt the construction of more than 12,000 homes and terminate all of the jobs and related economic benefits.

• Chapter 40B has been responsible for 80% of the affordable housing created in Massachusetts over the past decade, outside the major cities. It helps build diverse, thriving communities.

• It would be irresponsible to repeal a law that has created so many jobs in the Commonwealth.

Vote NO on Question 3           www.votenoquestion3.com

• Question 3 would slash the state sales tax from 6.25 percent to 3 percent, resulting in a $2.5 billion drop in revenue on top of the billions in cuts already being made during this recession.
• 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.
• Few if any sectors of the state’s budget would be unharmed. The human toll would be enormous.
• For EOHHS programs, thousands of people would lose service, become homeless and jobless.
• Programs for people with disabilities would be wrecked. ADDP, and our sister organizations such as The Arc and MFOFC have fought diligently to protect services throughout the last horrible budget years. All of those gains could be wiped out in January.

Even the experts agree. This proposal is bad for our communities, our economy, and our Commonwealth. Read what the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation concludes about Question 3.

Who is on the ballot?

The Boston Globe offers a look-up database that will identify your statewide and
local candidates.