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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, November 15, 2024 Page 11 BHRC | FROM PAGE 10 Mariano (D-Quincy) said in a letter to DiZoglio, “That your office has the legal authority to conduct an audit of the General Court is a claim entirely without legal support or precedent, as it runs contrary to multiple, explicit provisions of the Massachusetts Constitution, and is wholly unnecessary as the public currently has full and ready access to the House's financial information.” “All of the House's accounts are available on the Commonwealth's Financial Records Transparency Platform (“CTHRU”) webpage, which can be viewed at www.macomptroller.org/cthru,” continued the letter. “There are no expenditures of the House that are not posted on CTHRU and available for public inspection. Additionally, the House adopts rules for each legislative session, including a rule that requires all House accounts to be independently audited on an annual basis in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States and that the audit report be filed with the House Clerk for public inspection.” QUESTION #2 (approved 59 percent to 41 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that would eliminate the current requirement that in order to get a high school diploma, a student must pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests in mathematics, science, technology and English. SUPPORTERS REACT: “In passing Question 2, Massachusetts voters have proclaimed that they are ready to let teachers teach, and students learn, without the onerous effects of a highstakes standardized test undermining the mission of public education: to prepare all students for future success as citizens, workers and creative, happy adults,” said Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy in a joint statement. “For years, educators in classrooms across the commonwealth have been voicing concerns about the harmful impact of the MCAS graduation requirement. Students who were passing their courses were being denied diplomas because of this requirement. Educators were forced to narrow the curriculum in order to teach to the high-stakes test.” OPPONENTS REACT: “While we are disappointed with the result, the discussion about educational equity and academic standards does not end with this vote,” said John Schneider, Chair of Protect Our Kids’ Future: Vote No on 2. “Eliminating the graduation requirement without a replacement is reckless. The passage of Question 2 opens the door to greater inequity. Our coalition intends to ensure that door does not stay open. We believe all of us, working together, should take a comprehensive look in a timely fashion at setting statewide graduation standards to properly prepare our students for college and workforce expectations. We hope the teacher’s unions will join us in that effort.” QUESTION #3 (approved 53.8percent to 46.2 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that would allow drivers for Lyft and Uber, and any other companies that use a digital network to connect riders to drivers for pre-arranged transportation, to collectively bargain to create negotiated recommendations concerning wages, benefits and terms and conditions of work. SUPPORTERS REACT: “We are thrilled that Massachusetts rideshare drivers have made history by winning the option to join together in a union,” said Mike Vartabedian and Roxana Rivera, co-chairs of the Yes on 3 Campaign, in a joint statement. “These drivers desperately need a voice in the workplace. Now, we can finally create a path toward ensuring the rideshare industry creates jobs that are sustainable and that allow everyone who does this work full-time to live and care for their families with dignity.” OPPONENTS REACT: There was no organized group opposing Question 3. QUESTION #4 (rejected 42.9 percent to 57.1 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that would allow persons aged 21 and older to grow, possess and use certain natural psychedelic substances for the treatment of PTSD, anxiety and depression. The substances could be purchased at an approved location for use under the supervision of a licensed facilitator. SUPPORTERS REACT: “We spoke to tens of thousands of Massachusetts voters and heard broad agreement that natural psychedelics should be more accessible to those who cannot find relief through traditional medication and therapy,” said a spokesperson for Massachusetts for Mental Health Options. “We understand there were concerns about the home grow provisions, and those concerns likely led to tonight’s result. But we have made hugely important strides on this issue of psychedelic therapy, and we will keep fighting to find new pathways for all those who struggle with their mental health. We look forward to working with legislators in the new session to continue advocating for access, for hope and for healing.” OPPONENTS REACT: ”Voters across Massachusetts came together to reject the passage of Question 4 in recognition of the negative impacts it would have to our neighborhoods, roads, hospitals, children, pets and public safety across the state,” said Caroline Alcock Cunningham, campaign manager for the Coalition for Safe Communities. “After being outspent by 80 to 1 from a flood of funding that came primarily from organizations with a direct financial interest in Question 4's passage, Massachusetts voters decided to overwhelmingly reject this poorly written and misguided ballot question.” QUESTION #5 (rejected 35.6 percent to 64.4 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that would gradually increase, over the course of five years, the current $6.75 per hour minimum hourly wage an employer must pay a tipped worker, as follows: To 64 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2025; 73 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2026; 82 precent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2027; 91 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2028; and 100 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2029. SUPPORTERS REACT: “Our campaign this year was just another step toward winning what is inevitable: a future in which all Massachusetts service workers are paid a full, fair minimum wage with tips on top.” said Saru Jayaraman, President of One Fair Wage. “We will never stop. Just like in places like Michigan and Washington D.C. put the issue on the ballot three times in over ten years before workers finally won the raise they deserve despite corporate restaurant spending and attacks. We will continue the fight and ultimately win One Fair Wage plus tips for all Massachusetts. Workers. This year in Massachusetts we fought an uphill battle against millions of dollars in corporate influence, false claims and fear tactics, and we came closer than anyone thought possible. The fight for fair wages is far from over, and we will continue organizing to ensure that every worker in Massachusetts receives the dignity and respect they deserve.” OPPONENTS REACT: “This victory is because of the tireless work of tipped employees across Massachusetts who passionately advocated for their profession and asked voters to listen to the people most impacted by this ballot question,” said Chris Keohan, spokesperson for “No on 5.” “We thank the voters of Massachusetts for overwhelmingly rejecting this ill-conceived ballot question that was pushed by an outof-state organization without the support of the very workers they purported to be representing.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “We are excited to announce over $4.5 million for eleven cities and towns as part of the first round of funding of the fiscal year 2025 Complete Streets BHRC | SEE PAGE 17 If We Happen To Meet By Accident ... You’ll Be Glad You Found Us! There is a difference between the rest and the BEST! 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