An informal look at the ballot questions

by Sandra Miller
Back Bay Sun/Beacon Hill Times
In an October 20-22 poll taken by Suffolk University and Channel 7, 59 percent of state voters plan to vote against Question 1, which would eliminate the income tax. About 26 percent of voters favor the repeal and 14 percent were undecided.
David Paleologos, director of the Political Research Center at Suffolk, said the recent advertising campaign against Question 1 seems to have worked. "The margin was much closer back in August when no ads were running," he was quoted as saying.
About the same number said they expected state taxes to increase to help bridge a budget deficit, another 28 percent said they didn’t expect tax hikes and 12 percent were undecided.
A yes vote would give the average worker $3,700 back while giving the state government a needed downsizing. Many argue that a yes vote is a reckless initiative that would cut state operating costs by 40 percent, leaving municipalities and taxpayers in a $12.7 billion deficit during a time when government is already laying off workers and cutting services.
Local political activist Ross Levanto of the Ward 5 Democratic Committee and the Beacon Hill Civic Association has been volunteering with Mayor Thomas Menino’s office to work on phone banks, encouraging a no vote. “That has been a very worthwhile effort I think,” said Levanto. “Most of the people I talk to understand when they think about it that it’s a reckless idea. It’s just a question of getting people on the phone and helping them understand what’s involved, that this is not the way to make a statement because of the draconian cuts that would be involved. In all the phone calls, I haven’t talked to many people who are voting yes on Question 1, which is a good thing.”


Question 2

A yes vote decriminalizes personal possession of marijuana, making possession of less than an ounce of the drug a civil infraction with a $100 fine. Proponents believe the proposal would save taxpayers $30 million every year in law enforcement costs and end the creation of a Criminal Offender Record (CORI report) for such a marijuana possession charge. Currently, more than 7,500 people in the state pop up on CORI for personal marijuana possession, making job searches, home buying and getting student loans more difficult.
Opponents say the law would be a slippery slope, leading to teenage truancy, problems in school, and increased car crashes.
In the Suffolk poll, 51 percent of registered voters supported Question 2, while 32 percent opposed it, and 16 percent were undecided. An August survey saw 72 percent supporting decriminalization, so the recent decrease in the vote can be attributed to law enforcement officials’ arguments, said Paleologos.
"The no side has gained momentum over the past two months," Paleologos said in a statement. "The issue is whether the brass and blue will be able to move enough additional voters to their side in 12 days."
Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley opposes the ballot question, saying its backers were trying to "turn our neighborhoods into the testing ground for a radical drug legalization agenda."
Levanto said he hasn’t made up his mind yet on this one. “It’s a tough question. There’s no escalation in terms of punishment. It’s kind of like a speeding ticket. I would be comfortable in escalation of punishment if you get caught repeatedly. There are significant issues about the CORI process, if you’re caught with this, it would significantly mess up your career.”

Question 3 would phase out greyhound racing, closing Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park and Wonderland Park in Revere. Proponents call greyhound racing inhumane, citing long hours spend in cramped cages, poor diet, and injuries sustained in racing. Proponents of the question include the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell, the Humane Society, and Grey2K. Since 2002, injury reports show that 714 greyhounds were hurt through 2007.
Opponents said their research is flawed, that the dogs are treated well, and that in this economy, we can’t afford to lose more jobs.
Poll numbers are a real dog race. In the Suffolk poll, 44 percent support it, while 43 percent were opposed, and another 13 percent were undecided. The poll of 400 people, conducted Monday through Wednesday, has a 4.9 percent margin of error.
Levanto is in favor of the question. His sister-in-law ended up taking in some greyhounds when Connecticut closed a racetrack, and, she told him, “These dogs were clearly abused. Out of human decency, I don’t think it’s right not to have dog racing. I know that means people may lose jobs, but the wording of the proposal - I think there’s a way to help them with their employment.”

In other poll findings Gov. Deval Patrick received a 57 percent favorability rating; 53 percent favored Senator Barack Obama for president compared to 34 percent for Senator John McCain. Ralph Nader got 3 percent. Incumbent U.S. Sen. John Kerry received 56 percent to his Republican challenger Jeff Beatty’s 19 percent.