There will be three ballot questions facing voters this election cycle in my home state of MA. They are each important, but the one that will affect your money the most is question one.
What is question 1? Should MA eliminate personal income tax? Read more about this question on this page sponsored by the MA League of Women Voters.
Why should you vote no? Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation, wrote an interesting opinion piece for the Boston Globe recently. In his article, Widmer brings to light the most serious potential consequence voting yes likely will bring about: higher property tax.
Massachusetts, already facing a budget shortfall, will have to make up lost income tax revenue from another source if this question passes. Sales tax will likely rise as well. The low-to-middle income home owner will suffer, and, according to Widmer,
"would likely end up paying more in taxes, just out of a different pocket. Meanwhile, the wealthier who pay a higher share of income taxes would get a big tax break."
If you are undecided about how to vote, I encourage you to visit both pages linked to above.
There are two additonal questions on this year's ballot.
Question 2: Should MA decriminalize possession of an ounce or less of marijuana? If this passes, folks over age 18 who get caught with an ounce or less of pot will pay a $100 fine, and since the offense will be a civil one, nothing will go on their record. No public opining from me on this one...
Question 3: Should MA protect greyhounds by outlawing dog racing? This only applies to racing where money is wagered on the outcome, and I suppose there is no reason to race the pups unless people are betting on it. I've never been to Wonderland nor Raynham Parks, but I am a dog lover and have read about mistreatment of racing hounds, so I'll vote yes.
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Here we go again people, misinformation being spread. Read below and call the track and go and ask to see the inside of a kennel, then make a informed decision on the question.
An Eye Opener
Back in June of 2008 we were presented an opportunity to make a visit to one of the two remaining greyhound racing tracks Massachusetts. We had adopted Magic four years ago thinking we had "saved" or "rescued" him from a miserable existence. I was ready to get a first hand look at how our "poor puppy" had been treated.
We were met by the volunteer coordinator and given an overview of our day and then brought to the weigh in area where all the dogs are brought before racing. Here I learned that the dogs are weighed in and checked by both the track veterinarian as well as the state racing commission vet. After they are weighed and examined, they are placed in kennel crates-- one dog per crate with the measurements which were set by the MSPCA and Grey2K USA-- to await their chance to race. I was shocked at the level of security and the regulations that help to insure the safety of the dogs.
We were then taken to the post race area where the dogs are brought to cool down. They are walked by their handlers after the race so that they can relax their muscles, get some fresh cold water, a bath to clean any dust off their coat, paws. They even get their eyes washed out as well. There is another area sectioned off and controlled by the state racing commission. This is where they bring dogs selected at random for urine testing.
We were told about the training and schooling that the dogs go through, the selective breeding process which is also very tightly regulated to prevent inbreeding and over breeding. We were given an opportunity to ask questions and express our concerns and receive honest and straight forward answers.
We took a break for lunch and had the opportunity to watch a couple of the races. This was a first for us. We had seen our own retired racer sprint and run with some of his greyhound friends. Nothing compares to the beauty of these dogs at full speed. It is truly amazing and even more so that they really seem to enjoy doing it. As we watched the dogs walk to the starting gate I could see that they were excited. It was a beautiful sight-- seeing these dogs do that which they were created to do.
After lunch we paid a visit to one of the kennels. Now I was ready to see the horrible conditions we have been told about. The turn out area was clean and free of any piles of waste. There was an odor of dogs, we were, after all in a a kennel, but it was not a foul smell. The trainer allowed us to let several of the dogs out of their crates a couple at a time. All of them were very happy and playful. Not one seemed skittish or scared at all! If a dog is abused, you can usually tell by the way it acts around its owner, and also around strangers. Happy, friendly and playful. Every last one of them.
The trainer told us about his days, often twelve to fourteen hours long. You can see his love for the dogs and their love for him in their interactions. The kennel and the crates are cleaned every day. (I wish our house was cleaned that often!) They are subject to unannounced inspections by the State Police and MSPCA.
I came away with a different opinion that day.
If Ballot Question 3 passes, Massachusetts will lose over a thousand more jobs, an average of 4 million dollars per year in taxes and fees, the businesses surrounding the tracks will also also experience negative effects. The Greyhound breed as we know it, will eventually cease to exist, and it is this that saddens me most of all. Greyhounds are unlike any other dog I have ever had.
Please, vote NO on question 3.