[GRP-discuss] Democrats Undermining the Referenda Process

[John Andrews]

If anyone doubts that the Democratic Party is the enemy of progressives in
Massachusetts, they need to read this article (But be sure to read between
the lines.)



Behind the ballot question scene on Beacon Hill
<https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2018/04/19/behind-ballot-question-scene-beacon-hill/XcMiM8R0RsLPTRonG5QgaJ/story.html>



The legislature is anxious to pass “compromises” that will “derail” ballot
measures heading for the ballot.  The three measures are:

• A minimum wage hike

• Paid family leave

• A cut in the state sales tax



The Democrats have already struck a blow at workers by giving certain
employers an exemption from paying time-and-a-half when they make employees
work on Sunday and holidays.  Expanding the benefit for employers is
apparently something being discussed.



The legislators seem to be waiting for the Supreme Judicial Court to rule
on the “millionaire’s tax” ballot measure that is proposed for the November
ballot.



The GRP position seems to be clear, although it has never been explicitly
written down.  I imagine it would be



• We support the minimum wage hike as written in the referendum.

• We support paid family leave as written in the referendum.

• We support the “millionaire’s tax” as written in the referendum.

• We oppose efforts of the legislature to undermine the referendum process
by passing legislation that undermines the process.  The voters need to
speak because they have more integrity than the politicians on Beacon Hill.



And I would suggest



• We oppose exemptions from the time-and-a-half rule.


• We support the sales tax cut *if *the millionaire’s tax is enacted.  The
sales tax is regressive and we should be substituting progressive taxes to
replace it.  But cutting the sales tax in the absence of the millionaire’s
tax would require cuts in state programs that are important to people of
average means.



Would anyone be willing to write a proposal for StateCom that makes the GRP
position clear?
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