Grafton Update with Jim Gallagher Presents:
The Massachusetts Ballot Question Forum
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2016
8:00 PM
Grafton Municipal Center
Conference Room A
30 Providence Road
Grafton, MA 01519
Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury) and Representative David K. Muradian, Jr. (R-Grafton) will be participating in a televised discussion of this year's four ballot initiatives relating to recreational marijuana, charter schools, farm animal confinement and gambling parlors. A live studio audience will be invited to ask additional questions as time permits. The live show will be re-broadcasted on Grafton Community Television prior to the election on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. Host Jim Gallagher will moderate the event.
The Massachusetts Constitution provides that people have the right to affect the state laws by which they are governed. One way for persons to affect the laws is through the use of a petition for a ballot question. In Massachusetts, four ballot questions have been certified and will appear on the November 2016 ballot.
An Act Relative to Expanded Gaming
This proposed law would allow the state Gaming Commission to issue one additional category 2 license, which would permit operation of a gaming establishment with no table games and not more than 1,250 slot machines.
An Act to Allow Fair Access to Public Charter Schools
This proposed law would allow the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to approve up to 12 new charter schools or enrollment expansions in existing charter schools each year.
An Act to Prevent Cruelty to Farm Animals
This proposed law would prohibit any farm owner or operator from knowingly confining any breeding pig, calf raised for veal, or egg-laying hen in a way that prevents the animal from lying down, standing up, fully extending its limbs, or turning around freely.
The Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act
The proposed law would permit the possession, use, distribution, and cultivation of marijuana in limited amounts by persons age 21 and older and would remove criminal penalties for such activities.