LDTC Quick Reference for MA Ballot Questions and Candidates for the Nov 8, 2022 Election

Here are the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee’s Recommendations on this election’s ballot questions and Democratic candidates—Please Vote!

Ballot Questions 

Based on our Democratic Values of fairness, The Lincoln Democratic Town Committee recommends these votes on our Ballot Questions. Details follow:

Question 1:    

Fair Share: YES

Question 2:    

Dental Insurance:  YES

Question 4:    

Drivers Licenses:  YES

Candidates

The Lincoln Democratic Town Committee Recommends:

Governor: 
Maura Healey *

Lt. Governor:
Kim Driscoll *

Secretary of State:
William Galvin *

Attorney General:
Andrea Campbell

Auditor: 
Diana DiZoglio

House of Representatives: 
Katherine Clark *

Asterisks (*) show which candidates are facing Republican “election deniers”. This Washington Post article’s interactive feature allows readers to sort and search election denier candidates by location. There are six alone in Massachusetts.

More on the Ballot Questions:

Question 1:

“The Fair Share Amendment” 

Recommended: Vote Yes

This initiative proposes a constitutional amendment that would enact an additional 4% tax on annual personal income that exceeds $1 million. It would raise an estimated $2 billion dollars earmarked for transportation and public education. Currently all income in Massachusetts is taxed at a flat rate of 5%. The amendment would create graduated tax brackets so that individuals with very high incomes would pay their “fair share.” Read more here.

Opponents claim that the change will hurt people who have a windfall from the sales of businesses or homes. Most homeowners do not have profits over $1,000,000, however, due to existing tax exclusions. 

Although we have funds currently from the federal government for COVID relief, the Fair Share Amendment would provide a steady revenue for both education and transportation.  A reliable income is necessary for our safety today and in the future. 

Question 2: 

Dental Insurance Reform

Recommended: Vote Yes

While the Affordable Care Act made great strides in reforming medical insurance, dental insurance remains an unregulated. Right now medical insurers are required to place 88% of revenues on patient care. This dental insurance initiative would require dental insurers to spend at least 83% of their revenue for patient care. (Delta Dental, for example, only devotes 60% of its budget to actual dental care – with the rest going to administrative costs, executive compensation, and profits.) Read more here.

Question 3: 

Changes to Alcohol Retail Licensing Initiative (2022)

The LDTC does not hold a position on this Question.

Question 4: 

Eligibility for Driver’s Licenses

Recommended: Vote Yes

The Lincoln Democratic Town Committee has been supporting this since 2019.

Yes on 4 for Safer Roads is a campaign to uphold the commonsense law known as the Work and Family Mobility Act, which allows qualified Mass. residents, regardless of immigration status, to apply for a standard driver’s license if they provide proof of identity, date of birth, and Massachusetts residency, as well as pass the required driver’s test and meet all other requirements. 

Ensuring that all drivers in Massachusetts are tested, licensed and insured will lead to safer roads for all of us. That is why YES ON 4 would preserve a driver’s license law that has been endorsed by Massachusetts city police chiefs and a majority of sheriffs, and district attorneys from across the Commonwealth, including the Massachusetts Major Cities Chief of Police Association.

By voting YES ON 4, Massachusetts voters will support public safety in our communities, allowing workers and families to safely make essential trips like dropping off kids at school and getting to work, medical appointments, and the grocery store. A YES vote does all this while upholding the regulatory framework that ensures all drivers have passed a road test, bought insurance, and have a form of verified identification.

Supporters include (a few from a very large list): Boston Foundation, Massachusetts League of Women Voters, Episcopal City Mission, Greater Boston Interfaith Services, ACLU, American Friends, Catholic Charities, Unitarian Universalists MA Action, Jewish Alliance for Law and Society…