We don’t need to legalize fireworks in MassachusettsDate: 9/8/2021 As several legislators have explained to me, the ballot question is the instrument used by the voters to address issues the Legislature has failed to take up.
Look at cannabis for instance. Would we have legalized cannabis without the passage of the referendum?
Of course, the Legislature has power to modify these questions if finally approved by voters.
The Attorney General released the proposed ballot questions that have passed her review for the next statewide election. There are other hoops through which they must jump before they are finally on ballot.
I was reading through them and thought I would share few with you.
Remember how many municipalities saw an increase in the use of illegal fireworks this summer? Well, one ballot question would “permit the possession, use and sale of consumer fireworks by persons 21 years of age and older and would remove criminal penalties for such activities. The proposed law would provide for the regulation of consumer fireworks and subject the sale of consumer fireworks to the state sales tax.
Yup, legalized fireworks – that’s what we need. Idiots legally firing off bottle rockets at 2 a.m. Of course why not legalize them when law enforcement can’t handle the volume of calls?
Naturally, because this is Massachusetts the law would create a three-person Consumer Fireworks Regulation Commission. Why? Because we need another commission. I’m sure there are three people who need a cushy state job such as this one.
The issue of presenting an I.D. in order to vote is another question that was approved by the AG. “This proposed law would require prospective voters to show a photo identification before being given a ballot at a polling place on Election Day. The photo identification presented would have to be issued by a branch of the United States Government, or by the state, or by a tribal authority recognized either by the United States or the state. Voters who do not present such identification would be permitted to vote if they execute an affidavit attesting to their identity and residence.”
The concept of a Happy Hour might seem like science fiction to younger readers who weren’t alive when the practice was in full flower. Buy a drink and get another free! What’s not to love? Well, folks got drunk quicker with this sales tool and it has been banned for years for very sensible reasons.
After years of not having a Happy Hour in the commonwealth there are advocates for it. It reads in part, “The proposed law would allow such establishments to give free drinks to one or more persons; sell two drinks to one person at the same time; sell drinks at discounted prices, including at private functions; sell unlimited drinks to any person for a set time period, including at private functions; sell drinks to persons at lower prices than the general public is charged on the same day, including at private functions; sell malt beverages or mixed drinks by the pitcher to one person; increase the volume of a drink without raising the price; and host games or contests that involve drinking or the awarding of drinks as prizes.”
In the kind of post-pandemic world in which we live, do bars and restaurants need this as part of their recovery? You tell me.
Here’s another I found interesting: “This proposed law would provide tax credits and point-of-sale rebates on the purchase of electric vehicles, conversion of gasoline powered vehicles to electric vehicles, and purchase and installation of eligible home improvement systems (including high efficiency heat pumps, solar power systems, and energy storage systems). The total tax credit claimable by a taxpayer, in any tax year, would be capped at the taxpayer’s total tax liability for that year, but the taxpayer would be able to carry over any unused tax credits to offset future tax liabilities for up to ten (10) years. The proposed law would prohibit a taxpayer from claiming both a tax credit and a rebate on the same purchase.”
As climate change continues to manifest itself, this question is increasingly timely.
We will have to see which questions ultimately make it to the ballot. With a gubernatorial race next year, I’m sure many people will be going to the polls and consider these issues. And then let’s see what the Legislature will do.
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