Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Voters made decisions on car repairs, assisted suicide and medical marijuana in the statewide election.
Question 1: Right to Repair Voters approved the “Right to Repair” ballot question, which would give consumers more choices when fixing a car in today's election. According to numbers on boston.com, 85 percent of voters approved the question, with 51 percent of the state reporting at 10:15 p.m. The initiative requires automakers to make computer software codes for repairs more accessible to independent repair shops and car owners by 2015. But in July, state legislators devised a compromise that would give carmakers until 2018 to comply with the new law, according to a Boston Globe report. By approving Question 1, voters trumped that compromise and enacted the “Right to Repair” act as written on the ballot. “Voters sent a clear message to …
Friday, September 28, 2012
The governor, during a live chat with Patch, expressed skepticism about the legalization of medical marijuana, though he sympathized with patients in pain.
Governor Deval Patrick said he would likely vote no on Question Three this fall. During a Thursday live chat with Patch, a reader asked Patrick how he would vote on the ballot question and whether the governor was for or against the legalization of cannabis. "I am not too energized on this issue, personally. California's experience has been mixed. I will probably vote against it. I respect the opposing view, though, especially those whose concern is for people in constant pain," wrote the governor in response. Proponents say medical marijuana will help ease the pain and suffering of cancer patients and other eligible residents. Opponents, meanwhile, say the law is a back door to full legalization, and that medical marijuana can be …
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Bill would essentially nullify the need for the issue to be on the ballot this fall.
A bill sent to the governor's desk this past week could effectively take one of the three questions off the ballot this November. On July 31, the last day of the Legislative session, the two sides in the "Right to Repair" debate reached an agreement that could make the fall vote unnecessary. According to the bill, automakers would be required make available to independent mechanics all repair codes and other diagnostic information but have time to satisfy a mandate that all new cars sold in Massachusetts include an onboard diagnostic and repair information system that can be accessed from a laptop computer, according to the Boston Herald. Despite the compromise, it is too late to actually remove the question from November's ballot, the …
Thursday, July 12, 2012
The Massachusetts secretary of state approved three ballot questions for the Fall 2012 Election.
The secretary of state's office Wednesday finalized the questions that will be put on this fall's 2012 election ballot in Massachusetts. Though four questions had gathered enough signatures and met the deadlines to be placed on the ballot, one regarding teacher evaluation was resolved in the Legislature last month (it dealt with reducing the importance of seniority in teacher-hiring decisions), leaving three for Secretary of State William Galvin to sign. They are: A Law for the Humanitarian Medical Use of Marijuana An Act Relative to Death with Dignity An Act to Protect Motor Vehicle Owners and Small Businesses in Repairing Motor Vehicles
Diana
9:26 am on Saturday, November 17, 2012
Whine whine whine. But hey, it's your free time. Do with it as you will. more ›