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| June 3 Override Special Election: Specimen Ballot |
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| June 3 Override Special Election: Early Voting Schedule |
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| Voting in Franklin, MA |
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| Franklin TV video for replay of meeting -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoNPkBHRLzI |
1) That the Town Council vote to put forth a $3,862,672 override ballot question to the registered voters of the Town of Franklin with the following ballot question language - "Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to assess an additional $3,862,672 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of the municipal and school operating budgets for which monies from this assessment will be used for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025".
2) That the Town Council vote to place the proposed override ballot question before the residents for a vote at a Special Town Election on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
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| Proposition 2 ½ Override Ballot Question for FY 2026 Town & School budget |
Most recent posts on top, scroll down for earlier posts -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/election-collection-2024.html
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| Franklin, MA voters: cast your ballots in person at Franklin High School. Pools opened at 6 AM, will close at 8 PM |
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| Frank Falvey gets the details on Ballot Question #4 |
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| Frank Presents: Donna Grady as the discuss the MCAS ballot question (video) |
This proposed law would gradually increase the minimum hourly wage an employer must pay a tipped worker, over the course of five years, on the following schedule:• To 64% of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2025;• To 73% of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2026;• To 82% of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2027;• To 91% of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2028; and• To 100% of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2029.The proposed law would require employers to continue to pay tipped workers the difference Under the proposed law, if an employer pays its workers an hourly wage that is at least the state minimum wage, the employer would be permitted to administer a “tip pool” that combines all the tips given by customers to tipped workers and distributes them among all the workers, including non-tipped workers.
There are no direct fiscal consequences on the Commonwealth or municipalities because they generally do not employ tipped employees. Nevertheless, this measure will affect proposed state and municipal revenues and expenditures due to impacts on employee and business income and earnings. While those impacts are difficult to project due to the lack of reliable data, increasing the minimum hourly wage of tipped employees will likely increase state income tax collections because employees will earn more in hourly wages from which state income tax is withheld. The impacts on gratuity earnings and gratuity tax reporting are unknown
A YES VOTE would increase the minimum hourly wage an employer must pay a tipped worker to the full state minimum wage implemented over five years, at which point employers could pool all tips and distribute them to all non- management workers.A NO VOTE would make no change in the law governing tip pooling or the minimum wage for tipped workers
Full PDF of the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Information for Voters "red book" -> https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/download/research-and-statistics/IFV_2024.pdf
Additional voting info for the State can be found ->
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/elections-and-voting.htm
Specific info for Franklin, MA voters can be found on the Town Clerk page ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerkelection-administrato
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| MA Ballot QUESTION 5: Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers |
This proposed law would allow persons aged 21 and older to grow, possess, and use certain natural psychedelic substances in certain circumstances. The psychedelic substances allowed would be two substances found in mushrooms (psilocybin and psilocyn) and three substances found in plants (dimethyltryptamine, mescaline, and ibogaine). These substances could be purchased at an approved location for use under the supervision of a licensed facilitator. This proposed law would otherwise prohibit any retail sale of natural psychedelic substances. This proposed law would also provide for the regulation and taxation of these psychedelic substances.This proposed law would license and regulate facilities offering supervised use of these psychedelic substances and provide for the taxation of proceeds from those facilities’ sales of psychedelic substances. It would also allow persons aged 21 and older to grow these psychedelic substances in a 12-foot by 12-foot area at their home and use these psychedelic substances at their home. This proposed law would authorize persons aged 21 or older to possess up to one gram of psilocybin, one gram of psilocyn, one gram of dimethyltryptamine, 18 grams of mescaline, and 30 grams of ibogaine (“personal use amount”), in addition to whatever they might grow at their home, and to give away up to the personal use amount to a person aged 21 or over.This proposed law would create a Natural Psychedelic Substances Commission of five members appointed by the Governor, Attorney General, and Treasurer which would administer the law governing the use and distribution of these psychedelic substances. The Commission would adopt regulations governing licensing qualifications, security, recordkeeping, education and training, health and safety requirements, testing, and age verification. This proposed law would also create a Natural Psychedelic Substances Advisory Board of 20 members appointed by the Governor, Attorney General, and Treasurer which would study and make recommendations to the Commission on the regulation and taxation of these psychedelic substances.This proposed law would allow cities and towns to reasonably restrict the time, place, and manner of the operation of licensed facilities offering psychedelic substances, but cities and towns could not ban those facilities or their provision of these substances.The proceeds of sales of psychedelic substances at licensed facilities would be subject to the state sales tax and an additional excise tax of 15 percent. In addition, a city or town could impose a separate tax of up to two percent. Revenue received from the additional state excise tax, license application fees, and civil penalties for violations of this proposed law would be deposited in a Natural Psychedelic Substances Regulation Fund and would be used, subject to appropriation, for administration of this proposed law.Using the psychedelic substances as permitted by this proposed law could not be a basis to deny a person medical care or public assistance, impose discipline by a professional licensing board, or enter adverse orders in child custody cases absent clear and convincing evidence that the activities created an unreasonable danger to the safety of a minor child.This proposed law would not affect existing laws regarding the operation of motor vehicles while under the influence, or the ability of employers to enforce workplace policies restricting the consumption of these psychedelic substances by employees. This proposed law would allow property owners to prohibit the use, display, growing, processing, or sale of these psychedelic substances on their premises. State and local governments could continue to restrict the possession and use of these psychedelic substances in public buildings or at schools.This proposed law would take effect on December 15, 2024.
A YES VOTE would allow persons over age 21 to use certain natural psychedelic substances under licensed supervision and to grow and possess limited quantities of those substances in their home, and would create a commission to regulate those substances.A NO VOTE would make no change in the law regarding natural psychedelic substances.
This measure would establish a 15% state excise tax for the sale of natural psychedelic substances, which would be available for spending from a dedicated fund; however, the revenue generating impact is unknown due to the lack of data for the new market being proposed. This measure would also allow for a local tax option that could generate local sales
Full PDF of the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Information for Voters "red book" -> https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/download/research-and-statistics/IFV_2024.pdf
Additional voting info for the State can be found ->
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/elections-and-voting.htm
Specific info for Franklin, MA voters can be found on the Town Clerk page ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerkelection-administrato
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| MA Ballot QUESTION 4: Limited Legalization and Regulation of Certain Natural Psychedelic Substances |
The proposed law would provide Transportation Network Drivers (“Drivers”) with the right to form unions (“Driver Organizations”) to collectively bargain with Transportation Network Companies (“Companies”)-which are companies that use a digital network to connect riders to drivers for pre-arranged transportation-to create negotiated recommendations concerning wages, benefits and terms and conditions of work. Drivers would not be required to engage in any union activities. Companies would be allowed to form multi- Company associations to represent them when negotiating with Driver Organizations. The state would supervise the labor activities permitted by the proposed law and would have responsibility for approving or disapproving the negotiated recommendations.The proposed law would define certain activities by a Company or a Driver Organization to be unfair work practices. The proposed law would establish a hearing process for the state Employment Relations Board (“Board”) to follow when a Company or Driver Organization is charged with an unfair work practice. The proposed law would permit the Board to take action, including awarding compensation to adversely affected Drivers, if it found that an unfair work practice had been committed. The proposed law would provide for an appeal of a Board decision to the state Appeals Court.This proposed law also would establish a procedure for determining which Drivers are Active Drivers, meaning that they completed more than the median number of rides in the previous six months. The proposed law would establish procedures for the Board to determine that a Driver Organization has signed authorizations from at least five percent of Active Drivers, entitling the Driver organization to a list of Active Drivers; to designate a Driver Organization as the exclusive bargaining representative for all Drivers based on signed authorizations from at least twenty-five percent of Active Drivers; to resolve disputes over exclusive bargaining status, including through elections; and to decertify a Driver Organization from exclusive bargaining status. A Driver Organization that has been designated the exclusive bargaining representative would have the exclusive right to represent the Drivers and to receive voluntary membership dues deductions.Once the Board determined that a Driver Organization was the exclusive bargaining representative for all Drivers, the Companies would be required to bargain with that Driver Organization concerning wages, benefits and terms and conditions of work. Once the Driver Organization and Companies reached agreement on wages, benefits, and the terms and conditions of work, that agreement would be voted upon by all Drivers who has completed at least 100 trips the previous quarter. If approved by a majority of votes cast, the recommendations would be submitted to the state Secretary of Labor for approval and if approved, would be effective for three years. The proposed law would establish procedures for the mediation and arbitration if the Driver Organization and Companies failed to reach agreement within a certain period of time. An arbitrator would consider factors set forth in the proposed law, including whether the wages of Drivers would be enough so that Drivers would not need to rely upon any public benefits. The proposed law also sets out procedures for the Secretary of Labor’s review and approval of recommendations negotiated by a Driver Organization and the Companies and for judicial review of the Secretary’s decision.The proposed law states that neither its provisions, an agreement nor a determination by the Secretary would be able to lessen labor standards established by other laws. If there were any conflict between the proposed law and existing Massachusetts labor relations law, the proposed law would prevail.
The Board would make rules and regulations as appropriate to effectuate the proposed law.The proposed law states that, if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect.
A YES VOTE would provide transportation network drivers the option to form unions to collectively bargain with transportation network companies regarding wages, benefits, and terms and conditions of work.A NO VOTE would make no change in the law relative to the ability of transportation network drivers to form unions.
The proposed law has no discernible material fiscal consequences for state and municipal government finances.
• Base of $32.50 per hour with yearly increases• Paid Sick Leave• Paid Family Medical Leave• Healthcare Stipend• On-the-Job Injury Insurance• Anti-Discrimination Protections• Domestic Violence Leave• Anti-Retaliation Protections• Appeals Process
Full PDF of the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Information for Voters "red book" -> https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/download/research-and-statistics/IFV_2024.pdf
Additional voting info for the State can be found ->
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/elections-and-voting.htm
Specific info for Franklin, MA voters can be found on the Town Clerk page ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerkelection-administrato
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| MA Ballot QUESTION 3: Unionization for Transportation Network Drivers |
This proposed law would eliminate the requirement that a student pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests (or other statewide or district-wide assessments) in mathematics, science and technology, and English in order to receive a high school diploma. Instead, in order for a student to receive a high school the proposed law would require the student to complete coursework certified by the student’s district as demonstrating mastery of the competencies contained in the state academic standards in mathematics, science and technology, and English, as well as any additional areas determined by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The proposed law has no discernible material fiscal consequences for state and municipal government finances.
A YES VOTE would eliminate the requirement that students pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) in order to graduate high school but still require students to complete coursework that meets state standards.A NO VOTE would make no change in the law relative to the requirement that a student pass the MCAS in order to graduate high school diploma.
Full PDF of the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Information for Voters "red book" -> https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/download/research-and-statistics/IFV_2024.pdf
Additional voting info for the State can be found ->
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/elections-and-voting.htm
Specific info for Franklin, MA voters can be found on the Town Clerk page ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerkelection-administrato
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| MA Ballot QUESTION 2: Elimination of MCAS as High School Graduation Requirement |
This proposed law would specify that the State Auditor has the authority to audit the Legislature.
The proposed law has no discernible material fiscal consequences for state and municipal government finances.
A YES VOTE would specify that the State Auditor has the authority to audit the Legislature.A NO VOTE would make no change in the law relative to the State Auditor’s authority.
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| MA Ballot QUESTION 1: State Auditor’s Authority to Audit the Legislature |
Frank Falvey Interviews US Senate Republic candidate John Deaton (video)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/frank-presents-john-deaton-video.html
Governor's Council candidates Civil & Kramer with Frank Falvey (video)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/need-info-for-district-democratic.html
District 2 Governor's Council Debate held at Norfolk Library, August 2024 (video)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/norfolk-cable-presents-district-2.html
12 geniuses series #1 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/12-geniuses-want-to-talk-with-you-to.html
O'Donnell endorsed by Dellorco, Grossman, Vallee
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/bill-odonnell-announces-endorsements.html
O'Donnell endorsed by State Rep Roy
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/representative-roy-endorses-register-of.html
Town Clerk Nancy Danello provides updates on Sep 2024 primary (audio)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/franklin-ma-town-clerk-nancy-danello.html
Early voting schedule for Sep 2024 primary
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/state-primary-early-voting-schedule-for.html
Bill O’Donnell announces candidacy for re-election as Registrar of Deeds
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/07/register-of-deeds-odonnell-candidate.html
Neal DiBona announces candidacy for Registrar of Deeds
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/quincy-city-councilor-at-large-noel.html
