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Local Aid and Finance Initiative petition process under way for 2012
Thirty citizen petitions to change state law were filed in August, marking the start of a 15-month campaign by proponents to reach the state’s voters at the November 2012 state election.
The petitions include a proposal to cap local water and sewer rates in a manner similar to Proposition 2 ½, the state’s property tax rate cap. The proposal would cap the annual increase in local rates at 2.5 percent unless local voters at a regular municipal or state election – by a two-thirds vote – approved a greater increase.
Cities and towns rely on these fees to finance the operation of water and sewer systems and to maintain and expand system infrastructure. Opponents say the proposed cap would threaten the financial stability of local water and sewer operations and undermine services provided to residents and businesses.
The proposal would require municipalities and districts, beginning in 2013, to report current and proposed rates to the state’s Department of Public Utilities in early January for review and approval by early May. All proposed rate increases would have to be posted in a local newspaper at least six months before the next election.
Other petitions would allow casinos in Massachusetts, “promote excellence in public schools,” and require the presentation of identification in order to vote.
A single petition was filed to amend the Massachusetts Constitution.
The attorney general has until Sept. 7 to review the petitions to ensure that they are not matters excluded from the initiative process by the Massachusetts Constitution – such as a specific appropriation of funds, or a matter relating to a single city or town, the judiciary, religion or other protected constitutional rights – or that they don’t need to be rejected for other legal reasons.
Petitions certified by the attorney general’s office will be forwarded to the secretary of state for further review and the preparation of forms for petitioners to use in gathering voter signatures this fall and again next spring if the proposals are not approved by the Legislature and the governor.
A full list of the proposed ballot questions can be found on the attorney general’s website (www.mass.gov/ago).
Local Aid and Finance Initiative petition process under way for 2012
Initiative petition process under way for 2012
Thirty citizen petitions to change state law were filed in August, marking the start of a 15-month campaign by proponents to reach the state’s voters at the November 2012 state election.
The petitions include a proposal to cap local water and sewer rates in a manner similar to Proposition 2 ½, the state’s property tax rate cap. The proposal would cap the annual increase in local rates at 2.5 percent unless local voters at a regular municipal or state election – by a two-thirds vote – approved a greater increase.
Cities and towns rely on these fees to finance the operation of water and sewer systems and to maintain and expand system infrastructure. Opponents say the proposed cap would threaten the financial stability of local water and sewer operations and undermine services provided to residents and businesses.
The proposal would require municipalities and districts, beginning in 2013, to report current and proposed rates to the state’s Department of Public Utilities in early January for review and approval by early May. All proposed rate increases would have to be posted in a local newspaper at least six months before the next election.
Other petitions would allow casinos in Massachusetts, “promote excellence in public schools,” and require the presentation of identification in order to vote.
A single petition was filed to amend the Massachusetts Constitution.
The attorney general has until Sept. 7 to review the petitions to ensure that they are not matters excluded from the initiative process by the Massachusetts Constitution – such as a specific appropriation of funds, or a matter relating to a single city or town, the judiciary, religion or other protected constitutional rights – or that they don’t need to be rejected for other legal reasons.
Petitions certified by the attorney general’s office will be forwarded to the secretary of state for further review and the preparation of forms for petitioners to use in gathering voter signatures this fall and again next spring if the proposals are not approved by the Legislature and the governor.
A full list of the proposed ballot questions can be found on the attorney general’s website (www.mass.gov/ago).
Written by MMA Legislative Director John Robertson
