As Im occasionally asked what I think about issues, Im taking a second to post what I think on the ballot questions this year. So Ill put my position, and a short explanation as to why. Feel free to comment or argue below, but my own mind is now made up - but a well-reasoned discussion may help with people who read all this and are on the fence. Question 1 (gas tax): Im voting no. I think the gas tax is the fairest consumption tax in the state, and I dont object to it being indexed to inflation. If we had a better mechanism to make sure its not neglected Id be all ears, but until then... Ive also long said that we should eliminate all tolls and replace them with the gas tax. It provides an incentive to drive more efficient vehicles that also cause less road wear. Question 2 (bottle bill): Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. I have no issue with an expansion of the bottle bill, and Id like ti to go even farther - covering things like nip bottles. Why? Its perverse, but you dont see any returnable bottles contributing to the litter problem here in Salem (well, almost never - but its rare). An economy has arisen for people who return deposit bottles. If all bottles are returnable, they wont be litter. And in the end it all gets recycled that way instead of being swept out of gutters. No-brainer. Question 3 (casinos): Believe it or not, Im neutral on this. I dont really like casinos, I dont go to them, and my gambling is confined to playing poker for penny stakes. Its not my thing. If a casino never opened up in MA, Id be happy. But I dont have a legal issue with them, and I also dont think they cause as many negative impacts as some allege. The other thing is that casinos are here to stay in the region, one way or another. If we dont have them, our people will go elsewhere to gamble. They wont avoid gambling. Basically, I see both sides arguments and I dont really have a compelling case either way. Question 4 (paid sick leave): I may surprise you all, especially those of you who think Im a happy clappy liberal sort, but Im voting no on this. I love the idea, and Im even more flexible about paid time off in my business than this would require. But I think its not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 13:20:43 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015