About this column:
A look at the pros and cons of the 2010 ballot questions.Somewhat related to Question 1, Question 3 has arguably drawn more attention than the other questions on the November 2 ballot. The question asks voters whether they want to repeal the state sales tax from 6.25 percent to 3 percent. The sales tax was increased last year from 5 to 6.25 percent. If Question 3 is approved, the rollback would occur on January 1, 2011. If the revenue produced by a 3 percent sales tax wouldn't bring in enough money to meet the state's requirements to meet any laws or bonds required to be paid by sales tax moment, then the sales tax would be lowered "to the lowest …
Question 2 on the November 2 ballot asks voters if they want to repeal certain section of Chapter 40B, known as the "anti-snob zoning law." The law applies to towns that haven't met the state's requirement that all cities and towns have at least 10 percent of its housing dedicated to low and moderate-income residents. Currently, a developer can apply for what's known as a "comprehensive permit" if it wishes to build a project that includes government subsided low or moderate income housing in a city or town where less than 10 percent of the housing is set aside to those residents. The …
Question 1 on the ballot for the November 2 election asks voters if they want to repeal the alcohol tax, which was put in place last year when the sales tax was also increased. The general sales tax went from 5 to 6.25 percent, but with no previous tax on alcoholic beverages, the tax jumped from 0 to 6.25 percent. The Committee to Repeal the Alcohol Sales Tax says the tax is unfair because it is a "double tax," as there is already an excise tax on alcohol. The Committee Against the Repeal of the Alcohol Tax, on the other hand, says alcohol is not a necessity, such as food or clothing, which …
